A/N;

THIS was supposed to be the last chapter. Musey was not happy, she said too much was being squashed into one and she hadn't done all this work just to have me ruin the end for her.

So...

this is The End part one. Enjoy.

Thanks to those who have reviewed. Your lovely words of support have been appreciated.

…...

The End

PART ONE …. The Summoning

"The cookies from the Dark Side have landed!" Andrew announced, walking into the room, a plate of steaming cookies in each hand. He wafted the plates around, letting the cookies' aroma fill the air. It had the reaction that he was hoping for. The Jedi-Scoobies all leaned forward, breathing in the heady scent of freshly baked chocolate chip and peanut cookies.

Placing the two laden plates onto the caff table, he said, "Dig in everyone." Then as hands began to grab, he warned, "Careful, they're still hot."

"I have no idea why you call these Dark Side cookies," Quin said, dropping the two he'd snatched onto his plate and blowing on his burnt fingers. "There's nothing dark about them. As far as food goes, they're really quite innocent."

"It's an 'in' joke," mumbled Obi-Wan, who had the sweetest tooth of all of them and despite how hot they were had already taken a bite. Aware that everyone was looking at him and his mouth was full, he swallowed, before going on. "Buffy says that 'welcome to the dark side, we have cookies,' is a bumper sticker in her dimension."

"And what's a bumper?" asked Jango. He hadn't said much so far, as this was his first Scooby meeting and he'd been watching and listening to the others. He broke off a small piece of baked cookie, held it to his nose, and took a long, suspicious sniff before nibbling at the edge.

Drawn by the smell of baking, Buffy entered the living room. "A bumper is part of a car. It's our dimension's version of a speeder," she explained, pulling on the front of the loose black top she wore. "Sorry for being late. I'm having a... bad hair day."

Everyone looked up at Buffy's hair which she'd tied into a topknot.

"It looks very nice like that," said the Count with a wave of his Darth Dracula mug. "It shows off your aristocratic facial features."

Buffy beamed at him while Quin scowled, and shot them both a dirty look.

"I've saved you a seat next to me."Obi-Wan smiled warmly as he patted the cushion beside him on the couch. Buffy immediately went over to settle in between him and Quin. As she did Obi-Wan bent his head to whisper into her ear, something that made her eyes sparkle.

Quin shot a look at Dooku, to see what his reaction would be to Buffy and Obi-Wan's canoodling. From the way he was sipping his caff, Dooku didn't seem overly concerned, but Quin knew that the wily Count wasn't one to give up easily when he'd set his sights on a target.

"So..." Buffy began, she took a sip of caff from the Sith Queen mug, swallowed and then placed it put it down on the table. "What's the sitch? Any new sightings of the Darth Sid and the Fang Gang?"

There was a thick silence and everyone shook their heads. Finally, the Count spoke, "Not as yet. However, my contacts have all been alerted and as soon as they hear anything will contact me. I doubt a group of megalomanic vampires will hide for very long."

"Palpatine definitely isn't the hidin' type," Jango said. He'd finished eating his cookie and was beginning to realise why Buffy put up with Andrew's antics. It was solely for his culinary skills. Jango went on, "He's also the sort who'll spring out from under your nose when he's good an' ready."

Buffy turned to Andrew who was staring out of the window, watching passing speeders. "I've been thinking... can you remember any of Darth Sidious's hideouts?"

The Watcher gave no sign of hearing her.

"Yoo-hoo, Earth to Planet-Andrew! Come in Andrew!"

He jumped, glowered, and when he'd registered what she'd said, replied, "You're on Coruscant not Earth. You should say Coruscant to Planet-Andrew."

"Yeah, whatever." Buffy went on, "Name some places that Sid and his side-kick, Vader, liked hanging out in."

That comment confused Jango. "Aren't you supposed to be Vader?"

There was an awkward silence during which the Scoobies either exchanged uncomfortable glances or stared at the floor.

Jango snorted. "Guessin' I've hit a don't-tell-Jango secret."

"I wasn't meant to become Vader, someone else was," Buffy mumbled, she pulled at the hemline of her top again, avoiding Jango's eye as she decided how much to tell him.

When he opened his mouth, asking the inevitable question, she forestalled him by saying, "You swore to aid us in the fight against the vampires and that means you'll need to keep this secret as well."

Jango's lips turned up into a sneer as he looked at the Jedi sat next to her. "I swore to aid you, Buffy. I'm not a big fan of the Jedi."

Both Obi-Wan and Buffy glared at him. "We're all on the same side, Jay," she pointed out.

Jango compromised. "Okay! I'm on the side of the Scoobies. Tell me your big secret and I swear to keep it."

"You'd better," Buffy warned. "If word of this gets out, and I'll know it's you, I'll chase you all over the galaxy and make you pay."

Jango gave her a lewd wink, mainly to annoy the Jedi next to her. "That sounds promisin'"

"Back in our dimension," explained Buffy, "there's a seer called George Lucas. Andrew's knows things that Lucas saw as he's his number one acolyte."

Andrew beamed at the compliment. "By the Force of George Lucas and Youtube, I've see the futures of many in this galaxy. You should see my limited edition poster of the Millennium Fal-"

"Shh," hissed Buffy. "Remember to be the Man-Of-Mystery and save the poster discussion for another day. Ideas on Darth Vader and Darth Sidious hideouts, please?"

"He may be in the Unknown Regions," Andrew replied. "There's an uncharted planet there called Exegol that-."

"Exegol? Never heard of it!" Jango said. He'd managed to snatch the last cookie off the plate just as Quin reached for it. Now he settled back in his seat triumphantly and made a big show of taking a bite from it as the Kiffar glowered at him.

Andrew stuck up his nose, condescension in his voice as he replied, "That's because it's an unknown planet in the Unknown Region. It's a totally unknown planet, 'cept to me and the Sith worshippers who live there."

The Jedi eyed him suspiciously.

Jango, however, wasn't happy about the planet that no one had ever heard of. "What are the co-ordinates to this mystery planet?"

"I don't know! It's in the Unknown Regions and it wouldn't be an unknown planet if everyone knew where it was!" Andrew felt cornered and when cornered he began to sulk. "Sid might not even know where it is."

Jango began laughing. "It's so unknown that even the guy hiding there doesn't know where it is!"

"It's because Buffy changed Lucas's visions and disrupted the timeline!" Andrew took a deep breath to steady himself and continued. "You see, after the Fall of The Jedi -".

"That I agree without on. They fell long ago," snarked Jango, ignoring the Jedi glares thrown his way.

Andrew continued, "After the fall of the Temple, the Emperor Palpatine-."

"Oh, he's an Emperor now?" smirked Jango, thinking how easy to wind Andrew up. "When did that happen?"

"It hasn't! Neither has Order 66 or the Clone-"

"ANDREW!" shrieked Buffy, shaking her head hard at him. "Never mention the clones!"

"Just to let everyone know," said Dooku in a calm voice. "There is someone lurking outside in the corridor." He'd tilted his chin, his eyes closed as he sensed the currents within the Force.

The room became quiet. Andrew feeling flustered sent a mutinous glare at Jango while everyone else strained their senses looking over at the door and wondering if they were being spied on.

"I believe it's a young padawan with a message for one of us," continued Dooku, who prided himself on being much more Force sensitive than either Obi-Wan or Quin.

"We're always getting interrupted." Buffy shot a sly look at Obi-Wan, who's cheeks flooded with colour. Obi-Wan muttered that he'd better check who they were and went out into the corridor to intercept them.

No one spoke and after a few minutes of conversation with whoever it was, Obi-Wan came back and announced, "The Council wish me to attend a meeting. I'm needed straight away."

"Do you want me to come as well?" Buffy called over. Obi-Wan was taking his robe from where it hung on the peg next to the door and began to pull it on.

"They've only asked for me. I suspect it's about the Senate attack report that Master Yoda and Master Windu called for the other day. They said they were going to discuss it at the next meeting. I'll be back as soon as I can."

…...

When Obi-Wan reached the top of the tower, he was surprised to find that the doors leading to the Council chamber had been left open. He paused, peering into the chamber beyond. Were they open to admit him? If so, that was unusual. It was far more usual to be kept in the waiting area until the Masters were ready to see him.

After everything he'd gone through recently, it made him wary and he reached out into the Force, to search for anything untoward or any sign of Dark disturbances. There was nothing. In fact, since Palpatine had left Coruscant the Force had already started to feel clearer and less polluted.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi!" Master Ki-Adi Mundi called and beckoned to him from inside the chamber.

Still feeling a little thrown by the unusual reception, Obi-Wan walked into the sunlit room and took his position inside the circle of masters. He bowed low, noting as he did so that they still hadn't found a replacement for the Council masters who'd lost their lives during the Senate attack.

He wondered if Qui-Gon would be offered and accept a position? To his mind, there was no better candidate in the Temple to serve on the Council than his old master.

"Obi-Wan," Master Windu began, "do you know why you've been sent for?"

That was an odd question to ask. Obi-Wan warily shot a look at Master Yoda, who sat in his chair next to Windu. The small green master's face only appeared to show mild polite interest.

"I presumed it was something to do with my report, Master Windu," Obi-Wan replied evenly. He was careful to maintain the Jedi poker face and fixed his eyes on a point just over the top of Master Windu's shoulder.

Mace leaned forward in his chair. "When you became a knight, you took an oath to uphold the Jedi Code, did you not?"

That question didn't sound good. Obi-Wan's heart picked up speed, his palms began to sweat and he fought the impulse to gulp. Had they found out how he'd broken the Code? It was still better not to assume they knew. He remembered that he'd assumed wrongly in the past and nearly given the game away. He answered, "I did, Masters, and I don't regret it. I have always tried my best to behave-."

Something black and lacy flew through the air and landed in a heap at his feet. Obi-Wan stared at it in bewilderment whilst all around him the circle of masters scrutinised his reaction.

"Explain this, you must," Yoda's eyes seemed to bore into Obi-Wan's. Searching for something and not finding it.

Obi-Wan scooped up the scrap of lace and silk, running the straps and cups through his hands, before blushing, and dropping it back onto the floor when he recognised it. Shame flooded him. He'd known the day would come, but this wasn't happening how he'd planned it. He'd wanted to find out where the vampires were, defeat Palpatine and then, once he'd known Buffy was safe, throw in his resignation. He'd even planned a leaving speech.

It was stupid of him, he knew, but he felt humiliated by the fact they'd brought him in here to throw Buffy's bra at him. Shamefaced, he stared down at the toe of his left boot.

"We know the bra belongs to Buffy," said Mace his voice cold and sharp. "We've had a master talented in retrocognition to look it over. Not your friend Quinlan Voss. She informed us that it was removed by yourself in the throes of passion and then accidentally sat on by myself when I visited your apartment."

Obi-Wan's cheeks grew redder and redder as the Master spoke.

Mace, continued, accusation in his voice, "We made you a knight and gave you your first mission. Your first mission! By your actions, you've broken not only the trust of the Council, but the Code of a Jedi."

"Have you nothing to say in defence, young one?" Yoda asked, his tone not unkind. It wasn't as if Kenobi was the first Jedi to stand before them having broken the vows of the Order and he doubted he would be the last. He knew he wasn't the only master here who sensed the great waves of shame rolling off Kenobi. It made Yoda far more confident that the young knight would see reason and accept his split from the Slayer.

Obi-Wan raised his head and cleared his throat before speaking. "Yes, I would like to say something, although I'm not sure if it is on my defence. I'd like to thank you all." Obi-Wan looked at Yoda, who'd taught him many classes as a youngling, and then on to Master Windu who'd been kind to him during his lightsaber training. "I am not ungrateful for your help over the years and I must apologise for letting you all down. I did not set out to do that and for a long time I struggled against my feelings."

Yoda nodded, feeling more and more satisfied. "A painful lesson, you have learnt, Obi-Wan."

Mace glanced at Yoda and then went on, "The Council have decided to give you a new mission. There's a ship waiting below to take you into Hutt territory where we wish you to spy on their activities."

Obi-Wan gaped at him. "What?"

Mace ignored him and continued. "Before you board that ship you must inform Buffy that your relationship with her is over."

Master Ki-Adi-Mundi nodded in agreement. "We think it is better coming from you. She might not believe us if we tell her that you don't want to see her any more."

Through their bond, Obi-Wan sent a quick warning to Buffy. ~The Council knows. They want to split us up. I have a very bad feeling about this.~

"We can understand your reluctance," went on Mace, misinterpreting Kenobi's lack of response. "You're worried in case she turns aggressive when you explain you're choosing the Jedi over her."

"Women can be like that," said Ki-Adi-Mundi with a nod of his long head. "My wives were absolutely livid when I told them I'd had enough of them and was going back to single life in the Jedi Order. One of them smashed a vase over my head." He rubbed at the back of his head,remembering the pain of the old assault. "She always was a sneaky one. I never even sensed it coming through the Force."

"And you don't need to worry about her being unprotected," Mace said, trying not to look smug and failing. "It's been decided that she's moving in with me – into my padawan bedroom- where I can keep a close eye on her."

"I'm not scared of Buffy hitting me," replied Obi-Wan firmly. "I love Buffy and have always planned on leaving the Order to be with her. We will pack and be gone within the hour."

There was a deathly silence in the chamber. The only thing Obi-Wan could hear was Master Plo Koon breathing through his mask and the hum of the speeders in the distance.

Mace glanced over at Yoda, who nodded solemnly at him in return.

"I'm afraid we can't allow you to stay with Buffy. It's far too dangerous." Mace steepled his fingers together and regarded Obi-Wan over the top of them. "There is a good reason why attachments are forbidden to a Jedi. A Jedi has difficulty dealing with all the strong emotions that it arouses and makes them prone to falling to the Dark Side"

"With respect, masters," Obi-Wan snapped. "I really don't care what you have to say about the dangers. I'm leaving the Order. I've already asked Buffy to marry me and she's agreed. Don't try to stop us."

He gave them a small bow, the last he intended to ever make, then turned on his heel and marched over to the door. It was shut and didn't open. A hot spark of anger flared inside and he shot a glare over his shoulder at the watching masters. "Do you think a simple lock will stop me from loving her?"

He tried to open it with the Force and frowned when the lock didn't open. What were they going to do? Call the Temple guards and arrest him?

Yoda's voice, normally always so soft and serene, called out his name harshly, "Kenobi!"

Years of training had him turning, looking down at the small Master who'd followed him to the door.

"I sense much Darkness on the path you intend to take. Stop that, we must. Accept our counsel and our wisdom you did not. Accept our judgement, now you shall."

A tendril of fear uncoiled inside Obi-Wan's stomach. ~Buffy~

~What's going on? What are they doing?~

Obi-Wantried moving and found that he couldn't. A memory came to his mind, from when he'd been a padawan. He and Qui-Gon had taken a narrow mountain pathway when a mist fell and their guide lost his way. Obi-Wan had slipped on a wet stone and only just stopped himself from falling to his death. He'd lost his connection to the Force and then hadn't been able to move. Knowing that danger lay all around and if he made another wrong move it would send him plummeting down the mountainside. Qui-Gon, with his usual gentle calm, had talked to him and helped him to battle through his fear of the surrounding danger.

Now, standing alone inside the Jedi High Council Chamber, Obi-Wan had the same feeling of being lost and of danger being all around him. What had the master's done? He'd lost his connection to the Force and his future wasn't clear to him any more. Something rose up inside him, something dark and possessive which snarled 'Mine'.

"What's... go...ing on?" Obi-Wan mumbled. It felt as though a fog had descended over his vision and his vocal cords wouldn't work properly. Were the masters using some form of mind control on him?

"I'm sorry about this," said Mace from close by. "But the Council decided that if you refused to accept the terms of the separation, we'd have no alternative other than erasing your memory." He lifted a hand towards him. "We'll try not to make this too painful."

"Wh...at?" Obi-Wan asked still frozen. "Er..ase my mem...ory? How c...an you do... that?"

But deep in his heart, he knew. Growing up he'd heard whispers of Jedi having their minds wiped. He'd always assumed it was a tale, made up to keep the padawans in line. Now, as he looked from one master to the other, he saw the harsh truth in their eyes. They'd wipe his memory rather than risk letting him and Buffy stay together.