Obi-Wan wasn't given to pacing.

He sat calmly outside the Council chambers, his stoic façade masking the anxiety the roiled beneath the surface. The Council was apparently dealing with a nice selection of emergencies today, leaving the Jedi Master to wait hungrily for news as the previous briefing finished.

Lucky for Anakin, thought Obi-Wan as he checked the time frowning. He should be here by now.

It had been twenty minutes since he'd commed the younger Jedi. As a Knight and a master himself, Anakin should have answered the Council summons immediately. Obi-Wan sighed. He knew from experience and, basic observation, that if Anakin wasn't here yet, it was because he was simply not in theTemple. And where could any responsible Jedi with a Padawan of their own possibly be?

I couldn't even begin to imagine, thought Obi-Wan tiredly as he pictured Senator Amidala's apartment.

And that…frustrated him. He knew Anakin kept secrets, his relationship with Padme likely not the only one. Since the whole event with Rako Hardeen, he'd been tempted to counter Anakin's angry outbursts with questions regarding his former Padawan's own deceptions. Not to embarrass or shame Anakin. No. Obi-Wan just wanted his stubborn brother to understand why he made his decisions. To see that he wasn't trying to hurt him, that he was acting for the greater good, and that it had truly hurt him to risk their trust.

Obi-Wan knew Anakin cared for him. He cared too much, far more than the Code allowed. And though the Master in him frowned upon Anakin's attachment to him, his knowledge of that love gave him faith that Anakin's own deceptions weren't meant to hurt his former master.

Why couldn't he see that Obi-Wan's actions also weren't meant to hurt? Perhaps they weren't right-but they weren't done out of cold indifference either.

Force, why couldn't he see that Obi-Wan just wanted Anakin to be happy?

Lost in his thoughts, Obi-Wan nearly missed the doors to the Council chamber sliding open. Surprised, Obi-Wan saw the familiar face of Quinlan Vos exiting the room. Catching sight of Obi-Wan, Quinlan instantly strode over to the other Jedi.

"Hey Kenobi!" Quinlan said grinning broadly. "You're doing well for a corpse, you know?" He clapped Obi-Wan on the shoulder. "Man, hope I look this good when I die."

Obi-Wan smiled at his old friend, returning the gesture. "Vos, you'll never die. The Force would spit you back out after dealing with you for five minutes."

Quinlan laughed. "You'll hurt my tender feelings, Kenobi. All two of them." Sobering, he offered his friend a weak smile. "But, uh, hey man that must've been intense. You doing ok?"

Obi-Wan shrugged off his concern. "Fine. The mission was a success after all."

"Uh huh," said Quinlan, staring intently at Obi-Wan. "So, if it was so 'fine' why aren't you looking me in the eye?"

"I don't-"

"Come on, Obi, I've known you since we were in the crèche. You think I don't know when something's up?"

Obi-Wan shifted uncomfortably. "Look, it was a… difficult mission. But it was necessary. How else could we have saved the Chancellor? The galaxy's already in so much turmoil- the Republic would fall apart without a leader." He looked Quinlan in the eye. "But it's over now. It's fine." Will Anakin and I be fine again?

Quinlan shrugged. "Hey man, if you say so. I'm just glad you're back." He grinned. "The war would be a lot less fun without you."

Obi-Wan laughed humorlessly. "Glad to be appreciated." Is Anakin even glad to see me back?

Quinlan adjusted his robes around his shoulders. "Well, good to see you Kenobi. Council's got a new mission for me so I'd best be off."

Obi-Wan nodded. "Good to see you too, Quin. Be careful out there." He hesitated, unsure. Well, he had to start practicing, didn't he? "And Quinlan? I'm… sorry. You know. If- well, with the fake death, if it was-"

Quinlan waved his apology off. "Hey man, don't sweat it. I get it. Desperate times, desperate measures and all that." Quinlan leaned in close, gently putting both hands on Obi-Wan's shoulders. "But listen, Obi. Don't forget yourself, yeah? The war makes it hard, but don't forget what we fight for. Who we fight for. You know?"

Obi-Wan nodded uncertainly. Smiling, Quinlan gave him one last pat as he made his way to lift. He'd nearly reached it when the lift's door slid open, revealing a harried Anakin Skywalker as he stumbled out.

Quinlan caught the younger Jedi as Anakin nearly tripped out of the lift. "Whoa, take it easy Skywalker. Council's wrapping up the notes on my meeting, they're still getting ready for you guys."

Anakin straightened himself, embarrassed. "Oh uh, hey Master Vos. Thanks for the update."

"No problem," said Quinlan as he left the two Jedi waiting.

Obi-Wan glanced over at his former Padawan as they awkwardly took a seat on the bench. He couldn't help but notice that the younger man's robe was inside out. Again.

"For Force's sake, Anakin, you can construct dazzling space engines from scratch, but you can't manage to pull your robe on correctly?"

Anakin laughed. "At least my robe's on my back and not somewhere on Pantora, Master." He grinned, mimicking his master's polished tones. "How uncivilized, Obi-Wan. Dropping your clothes all over the galaxy."

Obi-Wan sighed dramatically, barely hiding a grin. "And yet, even then I look far more dignified without my robe than you do with yours on."

Anakin rolled his eyes, nudging his old master playfully in the ribs. "That's why the ladies love you, right?"

"Something like that, I'm sure."

Obi-Wan was suddenly pulled from his memories by Anakin's voice.

"So, uh, Obi-Wan? What's going on? Your message just said it was urgent."

Obi-Wan studied Anakin carefully before responding. The younger man didn't seem angry this anymore, just…. Pensive? Uncomfortable?

Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "Well, ah, I'm not exactly sure. All Master Windu told me was that Maul had sent us a message."

Anakin started. "Maul? What does he want? Why us? I mean, yeah you make sense, but why me?"

Obi-Wan shook his head. "I am not certain. I supposed we'll find out soon."

The pair lapsed into silence, each avoiding the other's gaze. It was nearly a relief when the chamber doors slid open and Mace Windu's voice called them inside. Obi-Wan and Anakin strode into the center of the room, bowing to Mace and Yoda. The masters inclined their heads and proceeded with the briefing.

"Master Kenobi, Knight Skywalker. Thank you for coming at such short notice."

"Of course masters," said Obi-Wan while Anakin nodded.

Mace sighed as he turned on the holo-projector in the center of the room. "There's no easy way to describe this so I'll just play it for the both of you."

Obi-Wan and Anakin turned their attention to the projection, each paling as the images paraded in front of them in increasing horror.

Screams reverberated around the Council chambers as inhabitants of Raydonia were slaughtered before them. The room watched as Maul and Savage Oppress brutally stabbed and cut down fleeing villagers, their lightsabers a blur upon the projection. The massacre seemed endless. Anakin and Obi-Wan stiffened as the brothers from Dathomir paused their slaughter to face the recorder. Savage, however, gripped a sobbing woman by the neck as Maul spoke.

"You see me returned to power, pathetic Jedi. This is the strength of the Dark Side. Our strength. As you continue sniveling at the feet of your worthless Senate, we grow in power each day. That farce of a master you call Kenobi may have cut me one down once, but even death has not stopped me.

I challenge you Jedi. You think you are strong but you are powerless." Maul nodded to Savage who instantly cut the throat of the sobbing woman in his grip. Her limp body fell, silent. "You see? You cannot even protect those innocents you claim to serve. I challenge you. Send me your best. Send me your Team, Kenobi and Skywalker, so that I can prove how even the mightiest of the Jedi can be vanquished.

They shall come alone to Raydonia. Should they fail to arrive, or should they arrive accompanied, I will murder every last being on this planet." With that the hologram ended.

Anakin and Obi-Wan stood stunned for a moment. Recovering first, Anakin said, "We have to leave immediately."

Yoda nodded, his eyes downcast. "Sense there is more to this, I do. But, have a choice, we do not. Stop this slaughter, before worsens it does, we must."

"We need to stop Maul at Raydonia," agreed Mace. "He's extraordinarily unpredictable. Who knows the damage he and his brother could wreak."

"We'll leave within the hour," promised Obi-Wan. With a final bow, he and Anakin left the chambers.

o o o o

"Master, you have to let me go with you!"

Anakin looked down at his Padawan. "Ahsoka, I said no."

"But Master-"

"Ahsoka, Maul and Savage are too dangerous-"

"That's exactly why you and Obi-Wan shouldn't be going alone! Master, please!"

"Ahsoka." said Anakin firmly. His eyes softened as he looked into his Padawan's bright blue eyes, heart clenching as he saw the all too familiar fear within them. "Ahsoka," he said softly, "You aren't going to lose any more masters. I promise you that."

Ahsoka looked down at her feet, hugging herself. "You know you can't promise that, Master."

"Hey, I also promised Fives I could fit 23 neka nuts in my mouth and I came through didn't I?"

"Masterrrr," groaned Ahsoka, "It's not the same."

Anakin sighed. "I know it's not, Snips. But you gotta trust me and Obi-Wan on this one, ok?"

Ahsoka looked up at him. "Are you and Obi-Wan gonna be alright?"

Anakin nodded, avoided his Padawan's gaze. "Yeah, of course, Snips. We have to be." Placing his hands on her shoulders he looked her squarely in the eye. "So, you know the drill when I'm gone."

Ahsoka let a little smile slip. "Stay up late, eat lots of junk food, and do the opposite of what Master Windu tells me."

Anakin patted her back. "That's my girl."

Ahsoka smiled up at him before grabbing him in a sudden hug. "Be careful, Skyguy, ok? Come back in one piece."

Startled, Anakin looked down at his Padawan before returning the hug tightly. "I will." They stayed like that for a few moments before reluctantly releasing each other. Walking down the hall, Anakin began to make his way down to the ships.

"Hey, Skyguy?"

Anakin turned back to Ahsoka. "Yeah Snips?"

"Just… you know that Master Kenobi cares about you, right?"

Anakin smiled sadly. "Master Kenobi's a Jedi."

Anakin stood examining their ship as the mechanics made their final checks. He would much rather do the checks himself, but he knew how easily he could get lost in the work and time certainly wasn't on their side.

"Anakin, my boy!"

Surprised, Anakin turned to see Chancellor Palpatine strolling up to him, a warm smile on his face. "Your Excellency," said Anakin. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."

The Chancellor smiled at him. "I just flew from an off-planet meeting to speak with Council. I'm quite happy to run into you, though." The elderly man looked up at Anakin's ship. "Don't tell me you're leaving for another mission so soon? I understand you just returned from the last one!"

Anakin shrugged. "Duty calls. Master Kenobi and I are headed to Raydonia."

Palpatine frowned. "They're sending you with Master Kenobi?" Sensing Anakin's discomfort, he hastily added, "Nothing wrong with that, of course. It's just-well I suppose it's impossible to always be able work with those you trust, especially these days."

"Obi-Wan's trustworthy," said Anakin defensively, unable to resist protecting his master. "He just… he has his ways."

Palpatine nodded, patting Anakin one the shoulder. "Well, I wish the best of luck either way, my boy. Remember, you can always call me if you need something. I always have time for you, you know that. Now, unfortunately I must be going." Anakin bowed as the Chancellor made his way inside the Temple.

"Anakin?" He found Obi-Wan walking up beside him. "Are you ready to go?"

Anakin nodded. "I'm ready, Master."

Thank you so much for your comments and for reading! Now the fun begins!