Chapter 48
Obi-Wan looked down at the man in his arms. There were so many emotions rolling around inside them he wasn't sure he could name them all. There was definitely relief and no small amount of pride. Anakin had done it. Palpatine was dead. Dooku was dragging the body behind them. They would burn the body to ensure he was definitely gone. Dooku was looking a lot better than he had been thanks to whatever Anakin did to him. As Anakin came round properly, Obi-Wan administered another painkiller.
"So what does this mean?" Ahsoka asked.
"It means that Chancellor Palpatine was actually a Sith Lord. He controlled both sides of the war, hoping to eliminate the Jedi. Now that Anakin has killed him we can hopefully negotiate peace successfully." Obi-Wan told her, not at all blaming the young Togruta for being confused. "Politics is not my area but I suspect that the two Senates will need to be merged, each choosing a leader who then lead the Senate together. It seems to be the only way for both sides to be represented. Whether the politicians will go for it, I have no idea."
"I suspect that my Senate would find those terms perfectly acceptable." Dooku stated.
"As you are no longer a Jedi, would you look to go into politics properly?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I think so." Dooku nodded. They made their way to the bridge. Obi-Wan placed Anakin down gently and contacted Windu once more while Dooku told his fleet to stand down. They agreed to all meet on Coruscant at the Jedi Temple. Yoda would go back to the Senate and inform them that Palpatine had been killed in the fight.
Anakin was unconscious for most of the flight. Obi-Wan sent Dooku to watch over Anakin in the med bay. While he didn't fully trust the Count, the older man owed Anakin a life debt and Obi-Wan was sure he wouldn't murder him in his sleep. While he was gone, Obi-Wan told Ahsoka the full story. Well, almost the full story. He skipped the part about Anakin turning to the Dark Side and continued with the story that he was killed by Palpatine's new apprentice. For a few moments she simply gaped at him.
"Wow." She muttered, still clearly in shock. "You really are old." Obi-Wan chuckled.
"Of course that's the part you focus on."
"I also can't believe Anakin married Padme. So you came back to save the galaxy. Nice work."
"Hard work." He corrected.
"Well yeah. You had to train Anakin twice." She snickered just thinking about it.
"It was a lot easier the second time around." Obi-Wan nodded.
"So you weren't in love with each other your first time around? I can't even imagine that." Ahsoka looked at him thoughtfully after a few moments.
"I can barely imagine it anymore and I lived through it." Obi-Wan agreed. "I always loved him in a way but I viewed him as more of a brother to me. I clung more closely to the Jedi Code and refused to acknowledge feelings I most likely already had."
"I'm glad that didn't stop you this time." Ahsoka smiled fondly at him.
"Me too."
"So what happens now?"
"I don't know. All of this is brand new to me too now. However, Anakin and I will most likely be resigning from the Jedi Order."
"What? What about me? Can't I come with you?" Ahsoka looked hurt.
"If you truly want to. Obviously Anakin and I want to take some time for ourselves but after that you're most welcome to join us wherever we end up."
"What about this bringing balance to the Force stuff? How can you do that if you aren't Jedi anymore?"
"Well, one could argue that Anakin has already done that with his actions on Mortis. However, the preferable option is to shift the Jedi towards being grey Jedi rather than light. But Jedi aren't good with change." Obi-Wan sighed.
"Well, clearly something needs to change. Nobody, not even Master Yoda noticed there was a Sith Lord on Coruscant, let alone in charge of the Senate for the past twelve years." Ahsoka pointed out. "That lack of knowledge cost them everything without you coming back."
"But I did come back so they are likely to see the matter as already dealt with." Obi-Wan argued.
"Well, maybe you could set up new Jedi. Ones that are grey. Some of them must be open to change." Ahsoka suggested.
"Maybe. I will have to speak with Anakin on the matter." Obi-Wan said thoughtfully. It was a good idea. However he didn't want the Jedi to think he was setting up a rival, taking the place of the Sith. That would end badly. Windu had seemed open to some change. How far that extended, he didn't know. A shift from light to grey was a huge change. Especially as it would then cause just as large changes in the rules. Grey Jedi embraced emotion but learned to control it.
When they arrived back on Coruscant, Windu and Yoda were both there to greet them. The two Jedi escorted Dooku to the Council Chambers. Obi-Wan took Anakin to the medical ward and placed him in the care of Madam Che. Then he made his way to the Council Chambers for the meeting. When he arrived there was chaos. Silence fell as he walked in.
"Master Kenobi. Glad you could join us. Would you please tell the Council the full story?" Windu asked. Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow questioningly. He wondered if Windu meant to tell them about the time travel and everything. Obi-Wan wasn't quite comfortable doing that with Dooku there, even with no Sideous for him to report to. Windu nodded. Obi-Wan took a deep breath and began his tale. He skipped out the part about himself and Anakin, he wanted Anakin to be there when he told them that much. He was talking for a very long time. He had to pause several times to take a drink as his voice grew hoarse. As he told the story, Obi-Wan also told everyone about Anakin's musings on the prophecy and what happened on Mortis. The full story. There was another stunned silence when he had finally finished.
"Incredible." Dooku was the first one to speak. The elderly man looked rather impressed, though he had gone rather pale when Obi-Wan explained that Anakin had actually killed him the last time around.
"I believe congratulations are in order, Master Kenobi." Ki-Adi Mundi smiled. "It would seem you have successfully saved the galaxy and the Jedi Order."
"Just how powerful is Skywalker now?" Kit Fisto asked warily.
"Very." Obi-Wan stated flatly. "As I said, somehow he absorbed some of the power on Mortis and well...he defeated Dooku and an incredibly powerful Sith Lord, although he did have some help."
"Skywalker also saved my life. The fight with my...with the Sith Lord almost killed me. I don't know exactly what he did but he is the reason I'm alive." Dooku spoke up, glancing around nervously.
"Why would Skywalker save you?" Saesee Tiin asked, though not in a cruel manner. He was simply curious. Dooku shrugged.
"You understand you will need to stand trial for your crimes?" Windu asked, changing the subject. Dooku bristled but regained his calm facade quickly enough.
"If the Republic want peace, then that is going to have to include immunity for my people." Dooku stated flatly. "Why would we negotiate if you are to try us all and deem us criminals. No."
"You will have to stand trial by this Council. Not the Senate." Windu told him.
"You have no jurisdiction to do that. I may have renounced the Sith but I am not a Jedi. I will not be bound by your code or your laws. My reasons for leaving the Order still apply. You have not changed." Dooku sneered.
"What news is there from the Senate?" Obi-Wan asked before Windu could reply again.
"Selected a temporary Chancellor, they have." Yoda informed the room. "Lead the Senate now, Bail Organa does." Obi-Wan let out a sigh of relief. Bail was a good choice.
"As the leader of the Separatists, I believe I need to speak with Chancellor Organa then to begin negotiations." Dooku stated. The Council nodded reluctantly. They then decided to leave the rest of the meeting until a later time so they could all process the information they had just heard. Obi-Wan and Windu would escort Dooku to the Senate to speak with Bail.
As expected, the temporary Chancellor was rather busy dealing with the rather sudden demise of his predecessor. By the time Obi-Wan knocked on his office door it was a rather harassed voice that replied.
"Come in." Bail sat, slumped over his desk, looking through mounds of paperwork. He straightened immediately when he saw who came in.
"Chancellor." Obi-Wan bowed. Bail smiled slightly and waved his hand.
"No need to be formal, Master Kenobi." Then he spotted who was with Obi-Wan and his eyebrows shot up. "May I ask what Count Dooku is doing here?"
"Well, as you know, Chancellor Palpatine was discovered to be a Sith Lord. He orchestrated both sides of the war with the ultimate aim of destroying the Jedi and forming an Empire with himself at its head. With him gone, Count Dooku leads the Separatists. He wishes to restart negotiations."
"Yes, Master Yoda came to the Senate meeting and dropped that little bombshell. It was not helped by the news that he was dead." Bail sighed. "Naturally there was then chaos. All we managed to do was elect me to be temporary Chancellor. There will be a vote next week for the new Chancellor. I suspect that it would be beneficial to simply call a truce until then. It would be better for you to begin negotiations with the newly elected Chancellor rather than myself."
"Agreed. I shall tell all of my forces to stand down and I expect yours to do the same." Dooku nodded. Bail agreed easily and the two shook hands.
"You will remain here as a guest. Though I think it would be better if it was kept as secret as last thing we need is an assassination attempt." Bail said. Dooku almost smirked.
The next week passed by in a blur. Anakin got a prosthetic hand fitted but was still in hospital. The election for Chancellor came. Bail Organa was chosen. Obi-Wan thought it would have been Padme but she pulled out because she was two months pregnant which was a surprise to everyone. However a day later, Obi-Wan and Anakin got an invite to her wedding to Palo Jemabie set for a month's time on Naboo. She would remain as the Senator for Naboo even once the baby was born. Negotiations with the Separatists were slow going but it was going. As soon as Anakin was released the two of them gathered in the apartment.
"Hey. How's your hand?" Obi-Wan asked, pulling Anakin against him on the couch.
"Strange." Anakin frowned down at his prosthetic hand. "I'm sure I'll get used to it."
"I'll be right here." Obi-Wan promised. "You know I'll help any way I can."
"I know you will." Anakin sat up a little and kissed him. Obi-Wan cradled his head and deepened the kiss.
"I think we should tell the Council about us." He said once they broke apart. Anakin stiffened and he frowned. Did Anakin not want to tell anyone about them? "What's wrong?"
"I...I'm afraid." Anakin confessed in a hushed whisper.
"Of what? They can't do anything to us." Obi-Wan pointed out. "The war is over. We can just leave the Order."
"I've been having dreams. They don't feel like the visions of my mother but they aren't ordinary dreams either" Anakin told him. He relayed the dreams, every version. Obi-Wan frowned. He wasn't scared nor did he believe the dream to be literal.
"Have you had any since Palpatine died?" Anakin thought.
"No. But I have spent almost all of it full of drugs."
"It's possible he gave you the visions. The reason they feel different is because they are implanted visions not Force given visions." Obi-Wan guessed. "The Council aren't going to kill me or you. The galaxy would have their heads right now."
"Yeah, I guess I know that." Anakin said. "Yeah, ok. You want to tell them now?"
"No time like the present. The political side of things is settling. Dooku and Organa will sort out negotiations. The Jedi Order needs to change. But I think we need to give the dust time to settle before we try. If they and you are willing, I'd like to take a year off and just be us. Then I want to come back and try to fix the Jedi. Bring true balance to the Force." Obi-Wan told him.
"That sounds good. But I can't come back to the Jedi if nothing changes." Anakin told him firmly.
"Agreed." Obi-Wan nodded, kissing him once more. Together they stood up and headed out of the door. Obi-Wan sent a message to the Council members. They were the first ones there except for Windu. He gave them both a quizzical look. Obi-Wan tried to offer a smile but it most likely came out as a grimace. Windu's expression turned concerned. Thankfully Yoda and Ki-Adi Mundi turned up to distract him. Eventually everyone was there and took their seats. Obi-Wan stayed standing with Anakin.
"What have you called a meeting about, Obi-Wan?" Windu asked.
"We have something to tell you all." Obi-Wan stated. "Anakin and I have been in a relationship for over a year now." He mused that this was the second time he had stunned then entire Council speechless. "We are very much in love." Then a load of muttering broke out.
"Not entirely a surprise is this, Obi-Wan." Yoda gave him something that looked dangerously like a smile.
"We would like to request a year off, to recover after the war and spend some time together. Then we would hope to return and see where we are. However if you require us to leave the Order completely then we will." Anakin now spoke up. The Council members all looked at each other. "But please consider this. My love for Obi-Wan didn't tip me nearer to the Dark Side. It saved me. He saved me. You all distrusted me. You all disliked that I embrace my emotions. I grew up here sensing all of that and yet knowing that you all thought I might be some chosen one. You hated my power but expected me to be powerful. So yes, I grew up a little bitter and resentful which might well have sent me to the Dark Side but Obi-Wan stood by me. He trusted me and comforted me and he loved me. Love should be treasured not feared." As he spoke, Obi-Wan watched the Council member's faces. The majority of them looked distrustful but also a little thoughtful. A couple looked completely horrified though.
"We will deliberate. Please wait outside." Shaak Ti said finally. Both of them nodded and left the room. Once outside, Anakin let out a shaky breath.
"Whatever they decide. I love you." Anakin whispered, taking his hand and twining their fingers.
"I love you. Always." Obi-Wan told him firmly. "Nice speech in there." Anakin went slightly red and shrugged. It felt like hours that they were cuddled up to each other outside the Council room. They stood together, Obi-Wan tucking his head under Anakin's chin, arm clasped loosely around his waist. Eventually they heard the call for them to go back in.
"We have decided, given the recent revelations, to grant your wish. You both have fought bravely for the Republic and deserve your time off. We have a lot to meditate on and decide. Return in one standard year. For the duration you shall remain a Jedi Knight and Jedi Master respectively. However, Obi-Wan, for obvious reasons you are removed from the Jedi Council for the foreseeable future." Windu announced.
"Understood. Thank you." Obi-Wan bowed deeply.
"For the duration, your Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, shall be reassigned to myself." Plo Koon spoke up.
"Thank you, Master Plo." Anakin smiled slightly.
"Dismissed you are." Yoda nodded to them both. Anakin and Obi-Wan left the Council room. As soon as they were outside, both of them burst into beaming smiles.
"That went far better than I expected." Obi-Wan muttered.
"Definitely. Now, let's go see Ahsoka before we celebrate." Anakin said. Obi-Wan nodded his agreement. They stopped by Ahsoka's apartment and told her the news. She was a little disappointed she had to wait a year to see them but was happy they hadn't left the Order altogether and that she would be Anakin's Padawan again once he came back.
"I'm glad you don't have to hide anymore." She told them sincerely. Anakin pulled her into a hug and Obi-Wan smiled fondly at them both.
"So are we." He said. They decided to go down to Dex's diner. Obi-Wan thought they should invite their friends so they could all celebrate. While he dealt with invitations, Anakin commed Dex to book out the whole diner for the evening. Dex was more than happy to do so as he had no other bookings that day. They had a couple of hours before they needed to be at the diner so they spent the time simply talking and enjoying each other's company.
When they got down to Dex's, Padme was already there and she had brought Palo with her. They did all the introductions and by the time they all shook hands, Rex and Cody had arrived. They all sat down and chatted waiting for Bail. He arrived a little while later, apologising for being late. Everyone waved away the apology, understanding how busy he must be.
"So, has Padme told you?" He asked, looking at Rex and Cody. The two men glanced at each other in surprise.
"Told us what?" Cody asked.
"The Senate voted this afternoon. All of the Clones will be made official citizens of the Republic. You will all need to register a chosen name so you don't need to go by your number anymore, with anyone. You also need to choose a family name, simply for the records. All the Clones may choose the same one or different. An official announcement will be made tomorrow." Bail announced. The two Clones looked stunned. Obi-Wan frowned a little. It had slipped his mind that the Clones had not been proper citizens. Just a mass of numbers to the general public.
"I think we should adopt Rex and Cody as our brothers. Properly." Anakin suggested to him through the Force. Obi-Wan smiled at him and squeezed his hand.
"Wow." Was all Rex managed to say.
"Cody. I would like to officially adopt you as my brother and allow you to take the family name of Kenobi." Obi-Wan spoke up. "If you want." He added hastily.
"Rex, I would like to make the same offer and have you take the family name of Skywalker." Anakin nodded. If the two men had been stunned before, it was nothing to their expressions now. They looked at each other and nodded. Obi-Wan was stunned to spot that both men seemed to be holding back tears.
"We would be honoured." They replied in unison.
"Are ya sure, Rex? I mean, being stuck with Skyguy as a brother is a big decision." Ahsoka put in with a smirk.
"Hey!" Anakin protested. Rex nodded at Ahsoka, not smiling but he looked less likely to cry.
"It's my honour, Little One." He said solemnly.
"Wonderful. You will need to file the proper paperwork in the morning." Bail told them all, smiling slightly. "I guess congratulations are in order. The other thing is that we no longer require an army. Once all of the clones are listed as citizens they can get jobs wherever they would like. We will still need plenty of guards, here on Coruscant or spread across the galaxy if you wish to do familiar work." Bail continued. Rex and Cody nodded.
"One more thing. We would like to tell you all that Anakin and I are official together as a couple and have been for over a year."
"Finally!" Rex exclaimed. "Cody, you owe me."
"Damn." Cody cursed.
"You bet on us?" Anakin asked.
"The entire 501st and 212th bet on you two. We all knew you were together, it was a matter of how long." Rex smirked at them both. "I guessed a year. Cody reckoned it had only been six months." Obi-Wan gaped at them.
"Congratulations, both of you!" Dex cried, coming over. "Drinks on the house." He brought all of them huge glasses of Jawa juice.
"To the future." Obi-Wan said, holding up his glass.
"To the future." Everyone chorused and they drank deeply. They spent a while chatting and drinking, enjoying the feeling of lightheartedness that was around the place. Anakin and Obi-Wan announced their year of leave to everyone. The whole group was pleased for them but they had to reassure Padme they would be at her wedding. Palo was relatively quiet throughout the evening but he got along with everyone pleasantly enough. Talk turned to the baby they were expecting but they didn't know the gender yet.
The party broke up late into the evening. Everyone said their goodbyes. Anakin and Obi-Wan agreed a time with the two Clones to get to the Senate building in the morning and get them registered. They might as well tell the 501st and 212th and bring them along too. Bail was going to love them for descending on him with so many of the Clones at once.
The three Jedi walked back to the Temple happily enough. Anakin had drunk the most of the three of them and could not walk in a straight line without Obi-Wan guiding him. Ahsoka thought this was hilarious and he had to catch Anakin every time she decided to give him a little shove through the Force. Finally they made it to her apartment so Obi-Wan bade her goodnight. By this point he was almost carrying Anakin.
They stumbled back to their own apartment and Obi-Wan guided the younger man straight to the bed. Then he got them both undressed and gratefully clambered on the bed. Anakin was already asleep and snoring away. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. Then he brought the younger man to him and wrapped an arm around him. Kissing his forehead, he allowed himself to drift off to sleep.
Thankfully, Anakin was completely fine the next morning. Obi-Wan did have to bodily drag him out of bed in order to make it on time to the meeting with the Clones. He sent word ahead to Bail while Anakin got himself dressed. Then he cooked them both pancakes for breakfast. They ate quickly and headed to the Senate building. Standing outside the entrance, and attracting a lot of attention, were all of the Clones from Anakin and Obi-Wan's legions. The two Jedi led them inside to a waiting area. Then they escorted Rex and Cody to Bail's office.
"The official announcement isn't even out yet and I have a huge amount of Clones downstairs." Bail complained though he didn't look too upset.
"Well, there are hundreds of thousands of Clones altogether. We thought you might want to get a headstart." Anakin smirked. Bail rolled his eyes.
"Right, let's get you two sorted and then I will gather some more officials to do everybody downstairs." The four of them filled out the necessary paperwork. Anakin and Obi-Wan had to file to officially adopt the two men into their family. Once that was done, Cody and Rex filled out the paperwork that would make them legally Rex Skywalker and Cody Kenobi. It took quite a while but when it was all done, the four of them beamed at each other.
"Welcome to the family." Anakin told Rex, slapping him on the shoulder.
"And the same to you, Cody." Obi-Wan added.
"Thank you both. It's strange not calling you General anymore." Rex grinned slightly.
"I'm sure you'll get used to it." Obi-Wan told him. "Do you know what the other guys will do about family names?"
"I think most of them are planning on either choosing a Kaminoen name or simply making Kamino their family name simply for simplicity's sake." Cody shrugged. "A couple of the boys are planning to just make something up."
"Fair enough." Anakin laughed. "Well, brother, I think we should totally go and show you the sights around Coruscant."
"Are you sure? We thought you two would be setting off for your year away." Rex commented.
"Not yet." Obi-Wan told him. "We will be staying on Coruscant until Padme's wedding in three weeks. We will then head off from Naboo." Rex nodded his understanding.
"Oh, Rex, I meant to say before, Cody I guess this could apply to you too." Anakin said abruptly. "I know a guy who runs a mechanic shop, fixing speeders and ships and stuff. I could speak to him about getting you both jobs there if you like."
"That would be great. Thanks, Si...Anakin." Rex said, wincing a little at his slip into his habitual way of talking to the two Jedi.
"It would definitely be appreciated." Cody agreed. With that settled, Anakin led them all out of the Senate building. They stopped to speak to some of the Clones. They had a quick chat with Fives, Echo, Hevy, Waxer and Boil. They received many congratulations as Rex and Cody had spread the news of their relationship the night before. As the four of them finally headed out into Coruscant, Obi-Wan reflected that though it was still taking shape, the future was definitely one worth waiting for.