Oct 2002
Disclaimer: I don't own any of this, all the characters (Except for Tasha) are property of Lucasfilm etc etc.
Hide Your Love Away
Chapter 12
A knock on his door the next morning brought a swift return to consciousness. And the powerfully, throbbing headache. Obi-Wan groaned, sitting upright and froze. A young, naked woman shared his bed, her chest rising with each deep breath. Pearl. Oh no, she'd done it again!
Obi-Wan closed his eyes, fighting against the wave of self-revulsion he was feeling. How could he have been so stupid to fall for the same ploy twice? How could he underestimate the same woman twice?
"Obi-Wan?"
His eyes flew open, staring into the shocked visage of his bed mate. "Good morning Pearl."
The knock at his door sounded again, followed by Anakin's muffled voice. "Obi-Wan, Master Yoda would like to speak with you!"
Obi-Wan cleared his throat, "I'll be up when I'm ready, Anakin."
"Alright. I'm off to my meeting. Don't let her keep you for too long."
Obi-Wan's jaw dropped. Anakin knew! Pearl moved at his side, drawing the sheet up to her chest and he turned to look at her, freezing her in her tracks. "Don't even think about moving."
She looked at him, her mouth dry. How could she have fallen asleep? She fought the wry twist of her lips. Obi-Wan had worn her out last night with his demands, that's how.
He lunged at her before she could move, pinning her to the bed and she gaped up at him, wide-eyed. "What did you do to me, Pearl?"
"Nothing."
"My head doesn't suggest nothing. What have you used on me and why the hell can't I remember last night?"
"It's a side effect of Fertility six. I took it myself, but a smaller dosage. I don't remember much of last night either."
"And you're not the least bit curious since you've done this to me twice?"
She shook her head.
His lips flattened in a firm line. "Well I am. When I bed a woman, I want to remember it."
Her eyes widened as his mouth came down upon hers. She thought about fighting him, thought about killing him to escape his touch, and then threw the thoughts away. She hated him, but she had a mission to complete. She remembered what he'd told her last night, but it wasn't anything useful. Surprising him by kissing him back, she submitted to his demands. She'd make it memorable for him alright, but the price wasn't something he'd be able to pay.
Anakin stopped outside the Chancellor's office, struggling to find a semblance of calm. The guards and secretary observed him with a dispassionate eye. He addressed his words to the secretary. "Anakin Skywalker to see the Supreme Chancellor. I believe I have an appointment."
The secretary nodded, "Yes, Jedi Skywalker, you do. He's in his office, go right on in."
He inclined his head as a thank you and stepped to the doors. Bracing himself mentally, securing his mental blocks, he stepped into the opulent office. Palpatine stood by the window, as was his habit, his back to the door.
"Skywalker."
Anakin fought the urge to kneel on the carpet. He wasn't here as a subservient anymore, he was here to ensure his freedom. "Supreme Chancellor. You asked to see me?"
He saw the man stiffen at the formality of his words. Not the words of a student to his Master, but the words of an equal to a man in power. Palpatine turned to face him, his expression almost blank, "Kneel."
Anakin shook his head, remaining standing. "I told you before I left, I will never kneel before you again. My loyalty is with my wife."
"She's dying, isn't she?"
Anakin froze at the softly implied threat. "She's sick, she will recover." He couldn't allow himself to think any other way. If he did, he might never be able to complete his objective.
"I think you need another lesson in subservience, Skywalker."
"I always was a bit of a rogue." He smirked. "The lessons I learned from you have served me well. In preparing against you. I will never again be your apprentice."
"Perhaps your son or daughter will make a better one."
Anakin's eyes narrowed. "Leave my family out of this, this is between you and me."
"And Jade, of course."
"No. She's just your tool, like I was. One day she'll see that serving you can lead only to self destruction. Mark my words, Chancellor, I will find a way to bring about your downfall."
Palpatine's wheezing laugh, more like a cough, echoed in the room. "You are no match for me, Skywalker. Your vaunted Master Yoda is no match for me. What makes you think you'll succeed?"
Anakin's eyes softened for a moment before hardening with determination. "Because I have to. You have been warned."
Palpatine watched as the young man turned on his heel and strode from the office. A smile curved his lips. That had gone exceedingly well. Breaking Skywalker and turning him against the weakened Jedi would be rewarding. Turning back to the window, he cleared his thoughts, idly wondering where Jade was and why she had yet to report to him.
Tasha slid out of Obi-Wan's bed, her hands in front of her, "That's enough, no more."
Obi-Wan was reclining against the headboard, his eyes on her barely concealed body as she began to dress. "Why are you doing this, Pearl?"
She froze in the act of slipping her arms into the sleeves. "You know why."
"You hate me that much?"
She spun on him, jerking the zipper up to her collarbone, "Yes! You tore me away from a life of luxury and security, rescuing me when I didn't ask nor want it! Why else do you think I hate you?"
"Then why the seductions?"
Her eyes turned hard, transforming her face into an ugly mask as she smirked, "I was ordered too. My Master wants your child to train as his apprentice. Or, to be bonded to one of Skywalker's brats."
Obi-Wan's jaw dropped. "How do you know about them?"
She crossed her arms over her chest, "You told me about them the night you got me pregnant."
"You can't know."
"I can and do know. My body's resources are allocating themselves differently. I can feel the shift in my body chemistry."
"You agreed to carry my child, why?"
She picked up the blanket and threw it at him, "It's the best form of revenge. Your child will be raised to be a Sith!"
She made a move for the door only to be tackled to the carpet by a very calmly irate Obi-Wan. He straddled her, unconscious of his nudity, and glared. "Never. If I have to find some way to incarcerate you for the rest of your natural life, you'll never raise my child to be evil."
She twisted under him, suddenly bucking and hurling him off her with her legs. Rising gracefully, she got to her feet. "You'll have to find me first."
He lunged for her again, but she escaped out the door. Slamming his hand into the floor, he spat a cruse, something he'd not done in years. Damn the insufferable woman, why should he care why she carried his child? His child. He froze. He'd heard the undeniable proof in her voice. A smile split his normally immobile features. He was going to be a father. Pushing himself to his feet, he resolutely got dressed. The council had to be informed.
"Late you are, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan bowed the Yoda. "My apologies, Master. I have much to report."
Yoda said nothing, but nodded at him to continue. Obi-Wan proceeded to explain what he remembered of the previous night, everything he'd seen, and then everything Tasha had told him that morning. Master Windu, standing near the window, said nothing through his speech.
Obi-Wan finally quieted.
Mace finally turned. "Anakin met with the Chancellor this morning. He reported that he seemed... too smug, almost happy, with the turn of events."
"Pardon my ignorance, but how can we possibly bring down a Sith Lord, one that's been able to stay hidden from us, regardless of our vigilance?"
Mace smiled faintly. "How else? We need to kill him."
"Shouldn't we try to turn him, Master?"
Mac looked out the window again, shaking his head sadly, "If he had approached us, challenged us, I would say yes. But he hasn't. He's approached the one member of our society that can either keep or break the Jedi. His ambition, his drive, are obvious now that we know where to look. Palpatine will stop at nothing less than subjugating the entire galaxy."
"And he needs Anakin for this?"
"Yes. Anakin would be an extension of his power and influence. Think of it, Obi-Wan, Anakin is powerful. His powers remain untapped and untried. If Palpatine is able to instruct him on how to use those powers for his purposes, nothing will be able to stop them. Anakin has more power than any other single Jedi. Even groups of two and three would be no match for him. Now do you see why we didn't want him trained?"
"With all do respect, Master Windu, I think training Anakin to know what to expect, and what ideals are close to his own heart, was a good idea." Obi-Wan glanced at Yoda before looking back at Mace, "Qui-Gon was right when he said Anakin needed to be trained. He is the chosen one. If nothing else, his victory over Dooku should have proven that."
"Made him cocky, it has."
"Didn't my fight with Darth Maul make me that way for a while?"
Yoda shook his head slowly, "Lost your Master you did. Careful you are. Skywalker is not. Not learned those lessons, has he."
"On the contrary, Master Yoda." Obi-Wan's words were soft, but full of conviction. "Anakin's grown as a man and a Jedi in the last two years. True, part of that was through the teaching of a Sith, but in our absence from the council, and the exception of his marriage, he's matured. He's only 20, but he's Knighted. He's married and he's a father. His family keeps him grounded, reminds him of what he has to lose should he fall. He's learned to be careful."
Yoda and Mace were thoughtful.
"You present a good case, Obi-Wan. Are you attached to Pearl?"
He blinked at the sudden change of topic. "Not in the way you imply, Master. It's a physical attraction that can be fought. When she's not using natural enhancements."
Mace's lips twisted in a hint of a smile that quickly vanished. "And this morning?"
Obi-Wan fought the flush he knew must be climbing his neck. "A test, Master."
"Of?"
"Self control."
Mace arched an eyebrow at him.
"I failed, I admit, but it was a willing failure. If nothing else, I was curious as to why I couldn't remember her."
Mace laughed, a short bark of laughter that was completely unexpected. "So you are a man at your core after all. Did you satisfy your curiosity?"
"No Master. I see now reason why I wouldn't remember her. I think it's a side effect of Fertility six. She says she is carrying my child, and being a Force sensitive mother, I have no reason to doubt her judgement."
Mace inclined his head, passive once again, his eyes on the cityscape. "Can you track her?"
"Unfortunately no. She's very adept at hiding her signature and blocking her presence. I assume she will be found with Palpatine when the time comes."
"For what, exactly?"
"The final confrontation, Master. Anakin will try and go alone, I have every intention of helping him."
Mace turned back, crossing his hands at his waist. "Very well. Help him in preparing for this task, Obi-Wan. He must not fail."
Obi-Wan bowed and left the council hall.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of this, all the characters (Except for Tasha) are property of Lucasfilm etc etc.
Hide Your Love Away
Chapter 12
A knock on his door the next morning brought a swift return to consciousness. And the powerfully, throbbing headache. Obi-Wan groaned, sitting upright and froze. A young, naked woman shared his bed, her chest rising with each deep breath. Pearl. Oh no, she'd done it again!
Obi-Wan closed his eyes, fighting against the wave of self-revulsion he was feeling. How could he have been so stupid to fall for the same ploy twice? How could he underestimate the same woman twice?
"Obi-Wan?"
His eyes flew open, staring into the shocked visage of his bed mate. "Good morning Pearl."
The knock at his door sounded again, followed by Anakin's muffled voice. "Obi-Wan, Master Yoda would like to speak with you!"
Obi-Wan cleared his throat, "I'll be up when I'm ready, Anakin."
"Alright. I'm off to my meeting. Don't let her keep you for too long."
Obi-Wan's jaw dropped. Anakin knew! Pearl moved at his side, drawing the sheet up to her chest and he turned to look at her, freezing her in her tracks. "Don't even think about moving."
She looked at him, her mouth dry. How could she have fallen asleep? She fought the wry twist of her lips. Obi-Wan had worn her out last night with his demands, that's how.
He lunged at her before she could move, pinning her to the bed and she gaped up at him, wide-eyed. "What did you do to me, Pearl?"
"Nothing."
"My head doesn't suggest nothing. What have you used on me and why the hell can't I remember last night?"
"It's a side effect of Fertility six. I took it myself, but a smaller dosage. I don't remember much of last night either."
"And you're not the least bit curious since you've done this to me twice?"
She shook her head.
His lips flattened in a firm line. "Well I am. When I bed a woman, I want to remember it."
Her eyes widened as his mouth came down upon hers. She thought about fighting him, thought about killing him to escape his touch, and then threw the thoughts away. She hated him, but she had a mission to complete. She remembered what he'd told her last night, but it wasn't anything useful. Surprising him by kissing him back, she submitted to his demands. She'd make it memorable for him alright, but the price wasn't something he'd be able to pay.
Anakin stopped outside the Chancellor's office, struggling to find a semblance of calm. The guards and secretary observed him with a dispassionate eye. He addressed his words to the secretary. "Anakin Skywalker to see the Supreme Chancellor. I believe I have an appointment."
The secretary nodded, "Yes, Jedi Skywalker, you do. He's in his office, go right on in."
He inclined his head as a thank you and stepped to the doors. Bracing himself mentally, securing his mental blocks, he stepped into the opulent office. Palpatine stood by the window, as was his habit, his back to the door.
"Skywalker."
Anakin fought the urge to kneel on the carpet. He wasn't here as a subservient anymore, he was here to ensure his freedom. "Supreme Chancellor. You asked to see me?"
He saw the man stiffen at the formality of his words. Not the words of a student to his Master, but the words of an equal to a man in power. Palpatine turned to face him, his expression almost blank, "Kneel."
Anakin shook his head, remaining standing. "I told you before I left, I will never kneel before you again. My loyalty is with my wife."
"She's dying, isn't she?"
Anakin froze at the softly implied threat. "She's sick, she will recover." He couldn't allow himself to think any other way. If he did, he might never be able to complete his objective.
"I think you need another lesson in subservience, Skywalker."
"I always was a bit of a rogue." He smirked. "The lessons I learned from you have served me well. In preparing against you. I will never again be your apprentice."
"Perhaps your son or daughter will make a better one."
Anakin's eyes narrowed. "Leave my family out of this, this is between you and me."
"And Jade, of course."
"No. She's just your tool, like I was. One day she'll see that serving you can lead only to self destruction. Mark my words, Chancellor, I will find a way to bring about your downfall."
Palpatine's wheezing laugh, more like a cough, echoed in the room. "You are no match for me, Skywalker. Your vaunted Master Yoda is no match for me. What makes you think you'll succeed?"
Anakin's eyes softened for a moment before hardening with determination. "Because I have to. You have been warned."
Palpatine watched as the young man turned on his heel and strode from the office. A smile curved his lips. That had gone exceedingly well. Breaking Skywalker and turning him against the weakened Jedi would be rewarding. Turning back to the window, he cleared his thoughts, idly wondering where Jade was and why she had yet to report to him.
Tasha slid out of Obi-Wan's bed, her hands in front of her, "That's enough, no more."
Obi-Wan was reclining against the headboard, his eyes on her barely concealed body as she began to dress. "Why are you doing this, Pearl?"
She froze in the act of slipping her arms into the sleeves. "You know why."
"You hate me that much?"
She spun on him, jerking the zipper up to her collarbone, "Yes! You tore me away from a life of luxury and security, rescuing me when I didn't ask nor want it! Why else do you think I hate you?"
"Then why the seductions?"
Her eyes turned hard, transforming her face into an ugly mask as she smirked, "I was ordered too. My Master wants your child to train as his apprentice. Or, to be bonded to one of Skywalker's brats."
Obi-Wan's jaw dropped. "How do you know about them?"
She crossed her arms over her chest, "You told me about them the night you got me pregnant."
"You can't know."
"I can and do know. My body's resources are allocating themselves differently. I can feel the shift in my body chemistry."
"You agreed to carry my child, why?"
She picked up the blanket and threw it at him, "It's the best form of revenge. Your child will be raised to be a Sith!"
She made a move for the door only to be tackled to the carpet by a very calmly irate Obi-Wan. He straddled her, unconscious of his nudity, and glared. "Never. If I have to find some way to incarcerate you for the rest of your natural life, you'll never raise my child to be evil."
She twisted under him, suddenly bucking and hurling him off her with her legs. Rising gracefully, she got to her feet. "You'll have to find me first."
He lunged for her again, but she escaped out the door. Slamming his hand into the floor, he spat a cruse, something he'd not done in years. Damn the insufferable woman, why should he care why she carried his child? His child. He froze. He'd heard the undeniable proof in her voice. A smile split his normally immobile features. He was going to be a father. Pushing himself to his feet, he resolutely got dressed. The council had to be informed.
"Late you are, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan bowed the Yoda. "My apologies, Master. I have much to report."
Yoda said nothing, but nodded at him to continue. Obi-Wan proceeded to explain what he remembered of the previous night, everything he'd seen, and then everything Tasha had told him that morning. Master Windu, standing near the window, said nothing through his speech.
Obi-Wan finally quieted.
Mace finally turned. "Anakin met with the Chancellor this morning. He reported that he seemed... too smug, almost happy, with the turn of events."
"Pardon my ignorance, but how can we possibly bring down a Sith Lord, one that's been able to stay hidden from us, regardless of our vigilance?"
Mace smiled faintly. "How else? We need to kill him."
"Shouldn't we try to turn him, Master?"
Mac looked out the window again, shaking his head sadly, "If he had approached us, challenged us, I would say yes. But he hasn't. He's approached the one member of our society that can either keep or break the Jedi. His ambition, his drive, are obvious now that we know where to look. Palpatine will stop at nothing less than subjugating the entire galaxy."
"And he needs Anakin for this?"
"Yes. Anakin would be an extension of his power and influence. Think of it, Obi-Wan, Anakin is powerful. His powers remain untapped and untried. If Palpatine is able to instruct him on how to use those powers for his purposes, nothing will be able to stop them. Anakin has more power than any other single Jedi. Even groups of two and three would be no match for him. Now do you see why we didn't want him trained?"
"With all do respect, Master Windu, I think training Anakin to know what to expect, and what ideals are close to his own heart, was a good idea." Obi-Wan glanced at Yoda before looking back at Mace, "Qui-Gon was right when he said Anakin needed to be trained. He is the chosen one. If nothing else, his victory over Dooku should have proven that."
"Made him cocky, it has."
"Didn't my fight with Darth Maul make me that way for a while?"
Yoda shook his head slowly, "Lost your Master you did. Careful you are. Skywalker is not. Not learned those lessons, has he."
"On the contrary, Master Yoda." Obi-Wan's words were soft, but full of conviction. "Anakin's grown as a man and a Jedi in the last two years. True, part of that was through the teaching of a Sith, but in our absence from the council, and the exception of his marriage, he's matured. He's only 20, but he's Knighted. He's married and he's a father. His family keeps him grounded, reminds him of what he has to lose should he fall. He's learned to be careful."
Yoda and Mace were thoughtful.
"You present a good case, Obi-Wan. Are you attached to Pearl?"
He blinked at the sudden change of topic. "Not in the way you imply, Master. It's a physical attraction that can be fought. When she's not using natural enhancements."
Mace's lips twisted in a hint of a smile that quickly vanished. "And this morning?"
Obi-Wan fought the flush he knew must be climbing his neck. "A test, Master."
"Of?"
"Self control."
Mace arched an eyebrow at him.
"I failed, I admit, but it was a willing failure. If nothing else, I was curious as to why I couldn't remember her."
Mace laughed, a short bark of laughter that was completely unexpected. "So you are a man at your core after all. Did you satisfy your curiosity?"
"No Master. I see now reason why I wouldn't remember her. I think it's a side effect of Fertility six. She says she is carrying my child, and being a Force sensitive mother, I have no reason to doubt her judgement."
Mace inclined his head, passive once again, his eyes on the cityscape. "Can you track her?"
"Unfortunately no. She's very adept at hiding her signature and blocking her presence. I assume she will be found with Palpatine when the time comes."
"For what, exactly?"
"The final confrontation, Master. Anakin will try and go alone, I have every intention of helping him."
Mace turned back, crossing his hands at his waist. "Very well. Help him in preparing for this task, Obi-Wan. He must not fail."
Obi-Wan bowed and left the council hall.