Chapter 3 - Making Amends

DISCLAIMER: We (unfortunately) do not own Star Wars. :P

Author's Note: Anakin and Obi-Wan finally have a much needed conversation! :P

~ Amina Gila

Anakin knows that he should be focusing on the Council meeting – the Chancellor had wanted him to lead the campaign against Grievous – but his mind keeps wandering to the discussion he needs to have with Obi-Wan afterwards. "Palpatine thinks General Grievous is on Utapau. We have had no reports of this from our agents," Mundi states.

"How could the Chancellor have come by this information and we know nothing about it? We have had contact with Baron Papanoida, and he said no one was there," agrees Windu.

"A partial message was intercepted in a diplomatic packet from the Chairman of Utapau," Anakin explains. The weirdness of the situation isn't lost on him. It feels surreal to be here, in the Council chambers and on the Council. Part of him can't believe this really happened, but it's a pointless gesture which has no meaning, because it doesn't give him the ability to locate anything which could help Padme. Well, Obi-Wan can assist him with that now.

"Act on this, we must," declares Yoda, who is present via hologram. "The capture of General Grievous will end this war. Quickly and decisively we should proceed."

"Does everyone agree?" Obi-Wan queries, looking around the room. Murmurs of agreement and nods sweep the room, so Anakin decides it's probably time for him to tell them what the Chancellor wants. Now that part of the situation has been taken out of his hands, he's much less stressed. He should have talked to Obi-Wan immediately, if he's being honest. And he really doesn't want to leave Coruscant right now.

"The Chancellor has requested that I lead the campaign," Anakin informs them with little enthusiasm. He has to tell them, but that doesn't mean he has to like it.

Anakin senses the ripple of annoyance and uncertainty in the room. "The Council will make up its own mind who is to go, not the Chancellor," Windu announces.

"Yes, this decision is ours to make," Mundi concurs.

"I know," Anakin responds, inwardly glad that they didn't immediately agree. Maybe they don't trust his abilities, but right now, he has to stay with Padme to keep her safe, so nothing happens to her.

"A Master is needed, with more experience," Yoda advises.

"Given our resources, I recommend we send only one Jedi: Master Kenobi." Windu's words send Anakin spiraling back down into his previous panic though he struggles to reign it in, so they won't sense it. No. Obi-Wan has to stay here with him because he's supposed to help make sure that Padme and the child stay safe, and he can't do that if he's gone!

Obi-Wan looks at Anakin silently, before turning back to the Council. Trust me, his gaze says, and Anakin has no choice but to comply as he clenches his mechanical hand to keep himself grounded. "I think that my place is here," Obi-Wan interjects leaning back in his seat. "I have reason to suspect that Dooku was telling the truth about the Sith Master being in the Senate, and that the Sith is now targeting Anakin."

A bomb could have exploded right outside the window, and Anakin doesn't think anyone would have noticed if their stunned and worried expressions are anything to go by. "Do you have proof of these allegations?" Windu demands.

"Not directly," Obi-Wan admits, "But it's something I was hoping to investigate. I need to remain here. It's what the Force wants," he adds when no one seems ready to agree.

"Hmm, speaking the truth Obi-Wan is," Yoda finally informs them. "Go to Utapau instead you should Windu."

The tense silence is almost too much for Anakin to bear, before Windu nods. "Very well, I can prepare two clone brigades to leave tomorrow if the Council agrees."

"I concur," Mundi says finally, and the other slowly voice their consent.

Anakin lets out a quiet sigh of relief at the knowledge that Obi-Wan will be staying here where Anakin needs him. The rest of the meeting passes quickly, and soon, they're leaving the Council chambers. Obi-Wan falls in step next to Anakin as they walk down the halls, mindful of the nearby Jedi.

"Padme is having a meeting with a number of Senators at her apartment in a few hours," Anakin informs Obi-Wan in a low voice. "We can probably go there quickly, so you can check on her."

Obi-Wan nods mutely, and they change direction, heading to where Anakin parked his speeder. "Do you really think the Sith is targeting me?" Anakin asks, subdued, as he flies towards 500 Republica. He – he doesn't know what he thinks anymore. Everything is falling apart around him, and he doesn't know how to stop it.

"I do," his former master answers calmly, stroking his beard, "But before I say anymore, I think we should both talk to your wife."

Anakin snorts quietly. "It sounds so weird to hear you say that," he mutters.

Padme is surprised to see them, but Anakin can feel her relief at the knowledge that Obi-Wan knows the truth which makes him glad that he told him. If only everything wasn't so tenuous right now. He might actually be able to enjoy his free time with his wife and best friend if not for the war and his visions which are threatening to tear everything apart.

"I fear that we have walked right into the Sith's webs," Obi-Wan confesses after Padme ushers them inside. Anakin sits next to Padme on one couch while Obi-Wan sits across from them. "The Force is clouded, but I sense that Anakin has become the center of the Sith's attention."

Padme pales. "What? Why do you think that?"

"Did Anakin tell you about the legend the Chancellor told him?" Obi-Wan poses in reply.

"That again?" Anakin exclaims in disbelief. "It was a Sith legend, so what? He probably made it up… or something…" He can feel how weak the explanation sounds even to his own ears.

"Ani, what legend?" Padme questions, and with a sigh, Anakin repeats the story, and how he interpreted it. When he finishes, she gives Obi-Wan a questioning look, silently inviting him to explain himself.

"Do neither of you find it strange that the Chancellor told Anakin about a Sith who could stop death when he's stressing over his visions of you?" Obi-Wan questions. "How could he have known what was bothering Anakin unless he is the Sith Lord or is close to one?"

Padme's expression hardens. "If you're right, then we have a major problem. In an hour, I'm meeting with a number of Senators who, like me, have reservations about how much power Palpatine has obtained. We're worried about the future of the Republic."

Anakin's heart plummets when he realizes what it would mean if Obi-Wan is right – and he can't be, because Palpatine is his friend, and he's always helped Anakin and offered him support and advice when he needed it. But if Obi-Wan is right, the Republic is being led by a Sith Lord.

"I think we should be there," Obi-Wan ventures slowly. "If nothing else, we can express our opinions, even if they are not in alignment with those of the Council as a whole. We need all the support we can get, and if nothing else, we can show that not all Jedi are clueless about the alarming amount of power Palpatine has obtained."

Anakin shifts uncomfortably in his seat, because this conversation smacks too close to treason for his liking. Padme glances at him briefly, concern in her brown eyes before her gaze flicks back to Obi-Wan. "I've been meaning to ask you," she begins in a deceptively soft voice, "But what was the Council thinking giving Anakin the assignment to spy on the Chancellor. Yes, he might be a Sith, but he's still Anakin's friend, even if he shouldn't be, and you should have known that it was wrong."

"I didn't agree with the Council," Obi-Wan answers, unfazed. "I expressed those very arguments, but I was overruled."

Padme huffs. "Well, I was glad that he was appointed to the Council, even if he wasn't given the rank of Jedi Master."

"He is right here," protests Anakin, glaring at them both. "Stop talking about me like I'm not here!" And he isn't pouting. Definitely not. He doesn't pout.

"I'm so sorry, dear," Padme teases, patting his cheek. Obi-Wan seems to be on the verge of rolling his eyes, lips quirked into a smile.

"I was glad that the Council accepted you," Obi-Wan says, pointedly addressing Anakin, "Because I know you deserve it."

Anakin squirms slightly at the words, a feeling of happiness blooming up at the words. "I haven't exactly been appreciative of your training," he acknowledges hesitantly, looking everywhere but at his former master. "I have been arrogant, and I apologize. I've just been so frustrated with the Council. Your friendship means everything to me."

Obi-Wan's gaze is soft as he stares at Anakin. "You are strong and wise, Anakin, and I am very proud of you," he replies quietly. "I have trained you since you were a small boy. I have taught you everything I know. You have become a far greater Jedi than I could ever hope to be, and you have saved my life more times than I can remember. But be patient, Anakin. It won't be long before the Council makes you a Jedi Master."

The words render Anakin absolutely speechless, and for a moment, he forgets about his visions and all the uncertainties of the times. It's almost everything he's ever wanted to hear, and from Obi-Wan it means more than he could ever express. He would give anything to keep this moment between them, and he wonders if perhaps it's not too late to repair their relationship. A good start would be trying to let go of the Hardeen incident. Now there's a thought. Maybe he should tell Obi-Wan that he forgives him – it might help.

Next to him, Padme is positively beaming, obviously realizing how important this moment is to both Anakin and Obi-Wan. As the silence drags on, Obi-Wan rises, moving over to stand in front of Padme. "May I?" She nods her consent – Anakin had already told her why he brought Obi-Wan there.

He holds out his hands, resting them slightly away from Padme's belly. Anakin watches as Obi-Wan uses the Force to determine her health and that of the child. He's practically holding his breath when his former master straightens and steps back, looking thoughtful. "You don't need to be concerned," he declares firmly. "Padme is in the prime of the health, and so is…" His voice trails off, an odd look on his face. "Congratulations," he says finally, mirth dancing in his eyes, "You're having twins."

"Twins?" Anakin echoes, wide-eyed, looking between his best friend and wife. He reaches out with the Force, trying to pick out the glowing presence within Padme which he'd sensed. It's strong, unusually strong, but he hadn't thought it was because there were twins. Sure enough, he can feel two distinct presences when he concentrates, hand lightly resting over where they are. "Twins," he repeats as if sounding out the word before grinning widely and pulling Padme into his arms. "We're gonna have twins!"

"Yes, Ani, I heard," Padme giggles, resting her head on his shoulder. "I hope you're ready because I'm certain two babies will be a handful. We aren't even ready for one yet." After a moment, she pulls away. "I need to prepare for the meeting. I never told them that you would be there, because that wasn't the initial plan, so I hope they won't mind."

"I'm sure they'll understand," Obi-Wan reassures her as she rises.

"I'll be back shortly," she says over her shoulder as she makes her way to her bedroom.

Anakin looks between her and Obi-Wan before choosing to stay in the room. Much as he wants to go with his wife, there's things he still wants to discuss with his former master. "Obi-Wan?"

"Yes?" He turns away from the window, giving Anakin his full attention.

"I – I forgive you. For the Hardeen incident," he clarifies at Obi-Wan's confused look. "At least, I'm trying to."

The look on Obi-Wan's face makes it all worth it. He seems simultaneously relieved and thrilled, and though he remains silent – there's not much to say – he reaches out to squeeze Anakin's shoulder. Without hesitation, Anakin pulls him into an embrace and lets himself just be. He's missed the closeness they shared at the beginning of the war, but now, maybe it will get better. He presses his forehead against Obi-Wan's shoulder as the tension slowly fades from his body. Padme is here and healthy, and Obi-Wan didn't leave. Everything is good, or at least as good as it can be.