Author's Note:
Hey everyone - long time no chapters published. If you're still following this story - thank you! If you're new I promise I'll be uploading new chapters much more frequently now! Hope you enjoy the latest!
Chapter Three: Back to the Real World
Padme stared out the window as the shuttle began its descent into Coruscant, the hustle and bustle of traffic never ceasing to capture her attention as they entered the atmosphere. It was moments like this when she missed the more peaceful hum of Naboo.
She sighed internally and reached back to straighten her hair. She would need to go straight to her office once they landed. She had emailed Bain Organa before they left, he would be waiting for her in her office, ready to fill her in on all that hand transpired while she had been away.
The public shuttle gave a lurch and she faltered but a warm hand was at her shoulder steadying her. She glanced back at her husband who smirked slightly. "I'd watch your step Senator, these transport landings aren't always smooth."
She glanced back at him smiling "Thank you for your help Master Jedi."
The transport touched down and the doors opened with a hiss. Padme felt Anakin pull her closer as people began to rush towards the exit.
"Obi-Wan is waiting for us on the platform" Anakin whispered into her ear, stepping in front of her to lead the way off, swinging her bag to his other shoulder. Padme chuckled internally at the thought of her wedding dress and extra sets of Anakin's clothes buried at the bottom of the bag. She made a mental note to clear some space in her closet for his things.
She smiled at Obi-Wan who began walking towards them. "Padme, I'm glad to see you're alright." Obi-Wan said hugging her.
"How could I not be with the Jedi watching out for me, Obi-Wan?" she said smiling. Turning to Anakin she held out her hand for her bag. "Thank you Anakin, for accompanying me and ensuring my safety these past few days, as much as I'd love to stay, I have a string of meetings to attend."
Anakin handed her the bag and stepped closer to his master. "Of course, Senator, I'm just glad you're safe."
"Best of luck Senator Amadala, I know the Senate will not be easy to navigate these next few days." Obi-Wan said with a grimace. Padme chuckled, "A politician's work is never done." She nodded to the two men and turned to find C3PO and her ship. Bail was waiting for her.
…..
Anakin tried his best to keep his face in a neutral position as his wife walked away to find her personal ship. Separating themselves like this would never be easy, but he knew he would see her again tonight.
He turned to Obi-Wan. "Master, what's going on?" "Not here, Anakin, let's head back to the temple." Obi-Wan turned and began to walk away as Anakin dutifully fell in step beside his master. It wasn't like Obi-Wan to keep him in the dark - whatever it is, it had to be serious.
20 minutes later Obi-Wan parked the cruiser in the designated space within the Jedi temple. As he turned the key Anakin asked again "Obi-Wan what is going on?"
Obi-Wan sighed, rolling his eyes "You never really have mastered the art of patience have you?"
Ankin smirked, "You know I haven't."
I'll test your patience just a bit longer, Obi-Wan said exiting the cruiser. It took everything Anakin had not to slam the door in frustration.
"How is Padme?" Obi-Wan inquired clearly trying to distract Anakin from his current train of thought. "She's fine, whatever threat we heard of never came to fruition."
"I'm sure she's glad to be back in the senate with everything that's happened." Obi-Wan added as both men climbed the steps to the temple.
"I'm not so sure, all the politics and moving pieces, she seemed relieved to be away from it all for a while." Anakin murmured quietly.
"Yes well it's just another reason why I try to stay out of politics as much as possible." Anakin smiled, knowing Obi-Wan's particular distaste of anything that had to do with the political world.
Anakin turned, swiping his palm against the keypad as the door to his and Obi-Wan's quarters swung open. Walking into the room he collapsed into the chair trying to exercise as much patience as he possibly could while he waited for Obi-Wan.
"Anakin, what I'm about to tell you cannot leave this room, not everyone in the temple is privy to this information but I was given permission to tell you, despite you not being a member of the council."
Anakin scowled slightly but held his tongue not wanting to interrupt Obi-Wan. "With the start of the clone wars the Jedi have been asked to step forward as generals in the hope that we'll be able to lead and bring this conflict to an end quickly."
Anakin was shocked slightly but wasn't surprised to hear that the senate turned to the Jedi to lead.
"Additionally Master Yoda shared some news. With Dooku leading the Separatists, Yoda is concerned there are bigger forces at play. He….believes the Sith are involved."
Anakin's head turned sharply toward his master fighting the immediate panic rising in his chest. The Sith, Padme, he had to protect Padme. After a moment he realized he hadn't spoken. Filling the silence he asked "Master Yoda thinks Dooku has taken an apprentice?"
"No, he believes Dooku is the apprentice…." Obi-Wan trailed off. "We don't have much more information to go on, but it's vital we remain guarded at all times."
Anakin nodded, his gaze going out the window as the sun began to set out the window casting a reddish glow throughout the room. He fought down his fear for Padme and Obi-Wan. The Sith were no laughing matter- until Dooku's master was found - no one he cared for was safe.
….
Obi-Wan was quiet watching his former padawan stare out the window. He could sense Anakin's fear through the force even if the man across from him sat as still as a statue. Obi-Wan couldn't blame him.
Count Dooku turning, the rumblings of the dark side echoing through the force, the sudden Clone Wars, it was all too much of a coincidence.
"Anakin.." Obi-Wan said softly. Anakin's head turned sharply away from the window pulling him back from wherever his mind had wandered too.
"What do we do now?" He asked Obi-Wan leaning his elbows onto his knees. He looks like he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders Obi-Wan thought to himself.
"We report to the hanger tomorrow at 8am sharp. From there we'll be introduced to the captains and the troops we'll be leading."
Anakin stood, "If you don't mind then I'm going to head to bed, traveling back from Naboo was a hassle and I'd like to be ready to meet the troops tomorrow." Obi-Wan nodded watching as Anakin strolled to his room across the living area they both shared the door hissing shut behind him.
Obi-Wan sighed. That could have gone worse….but it also could have gone better. He still caught glimpses of the young frightened child they took from Tatooine. Even now he could sense his friend's fear rolling through the Force. Although Anakin couldn't be blamed entirely. Obi-Wan was just as frightened even if he didn't want to admit it. Dealing with the Sith….brought back memories Obi-Wan would have preferred to keep buried.
He could still see Maul, his duel-tipped lightsaber flashing before finally delivering the killing blow to Quin-Gon Jin. His hand curled into a fist - he would end the Sith. They had already taken too much from him. Sitting in the chair Obi-Wan looked out the window as the sun finally sank below the horizon, he would make sure Anakin wasn't tainted by them the same way he had been - his former padawan would not suffer the same fate.