Chapter 23. Confrontations

In many ways Anakin's recovery was nothing short of remarkable. One day he had been, for all intents and purposes, dead. The next he was drifting in and out of consciousness. On the third day he could more or less sit up.

Master Andros appeared at Anakin's bedside and had a good look at him. Anakin managed to hold his gaze fairly steadily.

"Right," said Master Andros. "You'll do. Master Kenobi wants you."

Anakin found himself bundled up, carried to the next room and dumped, not too gently, onto the chair by Obi-Wan's bed. He struggled to remain upright. The Force certainly was strong with Master Andros. Anakin had an overwhelming urge to behave.

Obi-Wan looked stronger, too. He was sitting up in bed with his arms crossed. Anakin had the feeling that he might be in trouble again, and wondered generally how he could have managed to trespass while confined to his bed in a semi-conscious state. Lost somewhere between pain and bliss he had forgotten that most of his recent behavior did not in any way fall within the boundaries of what was expected of a Jedi Padawan learner.

"Hello, Master," he said affably. "I'm glad to see you're better."

Suspicious of Anakin's good humor, Obi-Wan looked at him appraisingly. "Why do you want to delay your departure for two days?" He confined himself to the issue at hand. He couldn't even begin to deal with what Anakin had done on the mountain.

Anakin couldn't remember having made the request, but he tried to rise to the occasion. Everything seemed a bit beyond his grasp lately, but even in his weakened state he understood how important it was that the marriage remain secret.

"I want to say goodbye," he said.

"You can do that here. Now."

Anakin tried to think while his head felt has though it was being pounded with something hard.

"I need to get stronger, "he tried.

Master Andros laughed out loud. "I can throw you over my shoulder and take you to our ship right now, he said. "You're fine to travel."

He had a point.

Anakin was grappling with the problem when Padmé stepped out of the shadows at the far corner of the room. He hadn't even realized she was there.

I have a long way to go, he thought.

"Master Kenobi," she said, using his formal title in the presence of another Jedi, "I know it's an unusual request, but I am formally asking you to grant Anakin two days' leave before he returns to Coruscant. He will be under my care and I will see to it personally that he arrives at his transport as scheduled."

"Why do you want two days?" Obi-Wan asked again. Perhaps she could give him a better answer than Anakin had.

"I owe Anakin a great debt," she said, trying not to stray too far into lies. "I would like to take my leave of him in a way that honors that. Please, Master Kenobi. This was my idea. I would like you to give him – us – two days. Then I won't interfere any more."

Tec Andros thought it was the most inappropriate request he had ever heard. Anakin's return to Coruscant was strictly Jedi business, and long overdue. The Senator had no jurisdiction, and her behavior had been as unacceptable as the Padawan's. She must not be allowed to have anything more to do with him.

"You have no right to ask that," he said bluntly to both of them.

Padmé lost her patience.

"What do you think this is?" she snapped, "A casual affair? Do you think that you can end it just by putting him on your ship and taking him away?" She gestured toward Anakin, who was beginning to enjoy himself. "Look at him!  What do you think that was all about? Do you think he will forget all about me just because you wish it?"

"Not a chance," said Anakin helpfully.

Obi-Wan glowered at him. Anakin smiled back genially. He wasn't at all afraid of his Master or of the Council now that they couldn't force him away from Padmé. She wanted him. He was going to marry her one way or another. For now he was taking great pleasure in watching his warrior bride at battle.

"Then how in the name of all that is rational will two days help?" Obi-Wan countered, his voice rising. He was losing his patience, too.

"It would give us an opportunity for a civilized leave-taking," Padmé shot back. "One that gives some credence to our needs as well as yours. Anakin may be accustomed to being treated like a rebellious child, but I am not. As far as I am concerned I do have a right to ask because this affects me as much as it does you, or Anakin, or the Order."

Padmé stepped forward and put her hand on Anakin's shoulder, laying claim to him, while the two Jedi Masters looked at her in uncompromising silence. Anakin glowed.

"I have said that I will see to it that he returns to his duties on schedule and that I will not interfere after that," she finished in the tone she reserved for particularly obstinate colleagues, "and I meant it."

Obi-Wan could feel shock waves of disapproval rolling off Tec. He contemplated his ruined Padawan and the passionate Senator. Their obvious continued connection was a problem. They weren't even trying to hide it.

"The Jedi Council is awaiting Anakin's immediate return," he said flatly.

"Oh, for heaven's sake, Master Kenobi," demanded Padmé Amidala, Senator, former Queen of the Naboo, and the only living recipient of a Jedi Life-Force transference in the Galaxy, "show a little backbone and make a decision on your own!"

"That," thought Anakin with deepest satisfaction, "Is my wife." Well, almost.

"I do not doubt your sincerity or your word, Senator," Obi-Wan said, stung, "but there has been nothing in Anakin's recent behavior that would lead me to believe that I can trust that he will do as he says."

"I promised that I will return," said Anakin resolutely, "and I will."

By now Obi-Wan's outrage was beginning to rival Tec's. He glared at his Padawan.

But Anakin sat on his chair looking calm and…well…centered. There was nothing edgy or sullen or rebellious about him. He suffered from a tremor that Obi-Wan attributed to the effort of sitting upright but his gaze was straightforward and open. In fact, the suspicious part of Obi-Wan's mind told him that his Padawan looked too peaceful. He ought to be heartbroken right about now. Surely he understood that he couldn't see Padmé any more after this.

On the other hand, the boy clearly wasn't operating at full capacity. Until they got him back to the Temple there was no way of knowing how badly his mind had been damaged by his heedless use of the Force on the mountain. Obi-Wan thought sadly that this personality change of Anakin's was probably a bad sign.

Don't do it!  Tec thought urgently, knowing that the decision was ultimately Obi-Wan's. Assert the authority of the Order now!

Obi-Wan understood far better than Tec that if he wasn't careful, there was a real danger that these two might vanish together and never be seen again. It was unwise to underestimate their attachment. Padmé Amidala certainly had the resources to make it happen. And if they did disappear, the Jedi Order would lose all control over the situation.

If Anakin came willingly there was a chance they could work with him. It was essential that they learn how he had accomplished and survived something that no other Jedi could. And he was so badly damaged that there was little likelihood of his going rogue any time soon. Until they got him back to the Temple there was no way of knowing whether Anakin would ever again be what he once was. But they had to be certain.

The Sith will still be looking for him, Obi-Wan thought. The only place we can keep him safe is in the Temple. And the only way to keep the Order safe is to keep Anakin safe.

"Two days," Padmé said meaningfully. "It's a good offer."

There was a fraught pause during which Tec made use of calming techniques while Obi-Wan assessed the ultimatum he had just been given. Two days or no Anakin. She was putting her career and reputation on the line. No amount of political influence could save her from the wrath of the Jedi Order if she failed.

"Two days," he finally agreed, grimly. "But only because of your request and your personal guarantee, Senator. Surely I don't have to outline the consequences to you personally if this deadline is not met." To Anakin he said, with real menace, "If you don't turn up on schedule the entire Jedi Order will hunt you down."

"I'll be the first one to find you and finish what you started out on the mountain," Tec growled. He couldn't believe what Obi-Wan had just done.

Anakin felt a surge of white-hot anger that cut straight through the pain and chills.

"I find your lack of faith disturbing, Master," he said in a low and even tone. "I gave my word, and I will be responsible for keeping it. And I suggest you don't threaten Padmé that way again."

Her hand gently squeezing his shoulder was the only thing that stopped him from going further.

Blast, thought Obi-Wan. They are strong together. This isn't over.

Tec would have agreed.

* * * * *

"Lord Tyrannus. Welcome back." The heavily cloaked figure waited until the Count came close and had bowed to him, and then indicated that they should walk. Count Dooku took care to fall into step with his Master as they slowly circled the abandoned hangar where they sometimes met.

"What news do you bring?"

He is testing me, thought Dooku. As always.

"The device works, My Master." Dooku thought he would bring the good news first.

"Oh?  Which Jedi is no more?"

Dooku hesitated. "Kenobi was badly injured. But the assassins did not know there was another."

"I see." Sidious was very familiar with the power of two.

Dooku wondered uncomfortably whether his Master had divined the real target of the attack and was relieved when the conversation took another direction.

"Are you still confident that these D'laians are worth the time you have invested in them?" Sidious asked.

Count Dooku framed his answer carefully. "I have spent enough time among them to know that they are fearless. And they certainly have no love for the Jedi." He thought about the years he had spent on D'lai after leaving the Order. Yes, he was confident in his recommendation. "I believe that with proper training they will be a valuable asset." He paused. "They are very easy to motivate."

"Very well," his Master decided, understanding perfectly. "Use whatever funds you need. Begin your training program immediately. We will have need of them soon enough."

"Yes, my Master," the Count said obediently, believing he had escaped detection.

"And Naboo?" Sidious continued his cross-examination.

Satisfied that the conversation had turned into a safe direction, Dooku responded with a little more enthusiasm. "Some incidents are being prepared that will make the Naboo grateful for thei…protection."

"Good." Sidious continued his slow circuit around the hangar. "Then it's time the Senator returns to Coruscant. I don't want her on Naboo interfering."

"Yes, My Master."

There was a long silence. The Count knew better than to break it.

"There has been a significant disturbance in the Force," Sidious finally said. "Did you notice it?"

"No, My Master," Count Dooku replied, cautiously.

"Curious," said the Sith Master. "It took place around young Skywalker." There was a conspicuous pause. "He is never out of my awareness."

Dooku fought down a momentary burst of fear and said nothing.

"I have invested a great deal of time in him," Sidious went on. "You must help me make certain that anything that happens to him is of my own making."

"Yes, My Master." Dooku found the fear harder and harder to push down.

"As long as we understand one another, my friend."

"Yes, My Master."

Sidious nodded and waved him away. "I will call you when I need you." He continued walking while Count Dooku bowed deeply to him and backed away.

* * * * *

I never expected him to be that clumsy, the Sith Master thought, dismissing his devoted servant from his mind while his thoughts turned again to the boy.

He must try not to be too impatient. But this kind of delight was very hard to contain. Even he had not anticipated that the boy's gifts would show up so startlingly.

The Jedi could be counted upon to throttle young Skywalker's passion and creativity in order to try to control him. They were always so afraid of the larger, deeper aspects of the Force. They would contain him and limit him to a bursting point. And eventually he would break free.

It was all so deliciously predictable.

And then…and then…he will find his true home in me. The thought resonated in the deepest part of his being, and gave him a knot of dark pleasure that he went back to savor again and again.