Disclaimer- Kikerio is mine.

Much thanks to Kimberly (you know, that's Akila's real name…you freaked me out, there), Freakizimi (for TWO reviews), Louiewolfie (first review!), SilverDragon (thanks for putting me on the favorites!), Kindred Fire (maybe Obi DID make a deal with the devil), Has-Bei Padolsa (I'm working on it, don't you worry! Thanks for the praise), JediGal101, Ciria, Heidi M, and JoJo.

Lanna- oops. But since it is crucial that it be three years and that Anakin be thirteen, he was 10 in TPM.

In response to tyles, no. This fic is NOT a rip off of 'The Uncertain Path'. I enjoy the fic too much and I respect red rose knight too much. Yes, the fic DID give me a spark of inspiration, but this fic is actually very different.

Sorry if I forgot anybody. Enjoy. I hope.

~Blazer~
July 13, 2002

BREATHE

PART TWO:

NOT ALWAYS AS IT SEEMS

The starship was a beauty. It was as sleek as it was powerful and was as powerful as it was sleek. Queen Padme Amidala, stepped from the ship, flanked by two guards, a few handmaidens, and an R2 droid with blue and white markings on its side.

Obi-Wan Kenobi watched from his perch atop a tower. His electro-binoculars were zoomed on the beautiful figure that was Queen Amidala. He thoughtfully scanned the lake behind the transport, his mind gears twirling. This had to work.

Obi-Wan's commlink signaled him. He answered it quickly; knowing it could mean this mission could either fail or succeed. "Kikerio?"

"Yes, Sir. "

"Are things going as they should?"

"No intruders, Sir. The explosion should occur any second, judging by all other attacks. "

"This had better work," Obi-Wan muttered as he attached his commlink back to his belt. He mentally counted, and when he got to five an explosion threw him backwards into the wall that was circular around him.

~*~*~*~

There were screams and running confusions. Obi-Wan checked his brace once, then ran down the tower as fast as he could, his lightsaber banging against his thigh. He had to make sure it had worked, he had to make sure everything had gone according to plan. He would just die if he had failed.

He exited the tower at a dead sprint. He raced towards the fallen bodies, not at all taking notice of them. His eyes quickly found the thing he was looking for. Hoping it was active, he ran to it, using the way to speed him up. Shivers attacked him as he fell to a knee beside it, his braced leg up as to not to aggravate the injury.

He knew then that he had failed.

He didn't need to open the box to know the camera inside had not done its job. Whoever had set the bomb to the ship was too fast and cunning for the camera.

His task done, Obi-Wan, running a hand through his hair.

"General Kenobi!"

Obi-Wan sighed. The person calling him was Kikerio, his second-in-command. She was beckoning him to a figure lying on the ground. Feeling through the way, Obi-Wan could tell that the woman was hurt. Not that hurt, but just enough to cause concern.

Obi-Wan jogged over. Padme Amidala lay on the ground, her breathing labored and her face gashed open. Her brown hair was mused, and her headdress was askew. The white paint she wore was now covered in dirt, and blood trailed from her lips. He looked down the length of her body and saw red staining her black outfit at the stomach.

"Sola?" he asked the woman gently. "Sola, where are you hurt?"

The woman's brown eyes mirrored Amidala's, but they were not. Queen Amidala was on Coruscant, visiting the Supreme Chancellor. This injured woman was not Amidala. This woman was Amidala's older sister, Sola. Her eyes were closed in pain.

Obi-Wan glanced at Kikerio. "Get a medic. "

Nodding, Kikerio shot away.

"Sola, can you hear me?"

The woman nodded. "The armor held out," she whispered breathlessly. "I won't die." Suddenly, her hand shot out and grasped Obi-Wan's wrist. "Did you catch them? Did it work?"

Ashamed, Obi-Wan dropped his head. "No, Sola. The camera caught nothing."

A pained cry came from Sola's lips. "Then we have- we have to try again!" She struggled to rise, but coughed and laid back. "Please, General. Padme…she can't be hurt. "

Obi-Wan gripped Sola's arm. "We will, M'Lady. Now, ssshhh. You need rest now. We tried."

Just then, Kikerio raced back, a medic in tow.

Obi-Wan released Sola and backed away.

Padme Amidala would not be happy.

~*~*~*~

Queen Amidala was due to return in an hour. General Obi-Wan Kenobi walked slowly around the lake his steps deliberate. The black leg brace on his right leg shone in the soft sunlight of Naboo. He watched his reflection in the water, and chuckled a bit.

He hadn't changed at all for three years. Well, his hair had grown longer and was a bit shaggy in the back, but he like it. His eyes, too, seemed changed, although he couldn't understand how. They were now a steel gray, as they liked to change from season to season. In the spring, as it was now, they were the steely gray. In the summer and fall, they were blue. Only in winter and special occasions could the colors share mutually. And the special occasions were a weird thing. It happened one day and the next the eyes were just one color.

But there was something else about his eyes that he could not detect. Yes, they were different color, but the color wasn't what bothered him. He stared at his reflection, but no matter how hard he looked, he could see nothing wrong. Shaken, he continued walking.

He wouldn't be needed at the docking bay for another half-hour. Kikerio was in charge now. He smiled as he thought of her.

Kikerio Tekra was a young female human who had gained Obi-Wan's respect in record time when she had come two and a half years ago. She was young, robust, determined, and dependable. She had rose through the ranks with tremendous speed, her quick thinking and courage earning her promotions in faster than light time. It seemed as though one minute she was being introduced to Obi-Wan as a mere guard, the next being introduced to her again as Lieutenant Tekra. What really impressed him was that she was a guard because her husband Jinra had been killed saving the Queen he loved. Lieutenant Tekra…Not that he called her that. No one did.

He hoped that Amidala was safe. He knew she would be furious with him when she found out he had set a bait.

Sola looked too much like her sister to allow the opportunity to go to waste. Sola was too worried for her sister to turn Obi-Wan down when he had approached her with the idea. And the threat was too big for him not to do anything.

For the last few months, Amidala had faced many attempts on her life. Obi-Wan had exhausted his resources struggling to find the assassin. His intelligence pointed at some anarchists on a moon of Naboo who had linked with the Trade Federation three years ago. They had later denied the involvement, and there was not enough evidence to charge them with anything.

It was three years ago that it happened. It was three years ago that I lost control. It was three years ago that I last saw Coruscant. It was three years ago that…

Oh, Force. Obi-Wan's hand went down to his lightsaber. He stroked the handle and tore at the thoughts with his mind forcefully. That was past. Past is past. His past was too hard for him to face. His past was too full of turmoil for him to ponder long on it without getting a nice migraine.

I chose the path I had to. There was no way I could have stayed.

He silently went to a bench and sat.

Oh, life was too hard and he hated it.

~*~*~*~

He couldn't breathe.

Something was pressed against his mouth and his nose, and he couldn't get in a proper breath. He opened and closed his mouth, but the thing was pressed tighter against him. He choked, and was rewarded with a beautiful kick to his side.

He couldn't see.

A piece of cloth seemed to be tied against his eyes. He tried to blink. Maybe it was just dark. Soon his eyes would adjust. He waited and he waited, but he would not adjust. He threw his head forwards and felt the cloth tighten on him. He shook his head, and someone slapped him across the face.

He couldn't move.

Something bound his hands behind his back. His fingers were latched together with some metal device. The cuffs at his wrists were like little claws. His ankles were glued together with rope, or some energy cuffs or something. He lay in the fetal position on some cold floor. He struggled to roll, but something slammed against his back.

He couldn't hear.

Something was jammed into his ears. It was hard and cold. Whatever it was emitted sharp ringing noises every couple of minutes. The sounds were so sharp and so loud that whenever he heard them, he jerked and was treated to some hit across his body.

He couldn't feel the Force.

He had never felt more naked. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't see, he couldn't see, he couldn't hear. The outside world no longer existed. All that existed to him was darkness. It was the inky blackness that seemed to cloud his mind. He had no sense of where he was. Never had he been more confused. He wanted to reach out to the Force to seek comfort, but it wasn't there. It eluded him, as it never had before. He had never been more terrified in his life.

He didn't know how long he lay there, or what he lay on, but he knew that it was the longest time of his life. Every so often, pain ran along his body, but it disappeared as soon as it came upon him. He had to call on his reserves to come up with air. Once every five or so minutes, the cloth was removed for ten seconds and allowed him fresh air. He sucked greedily, but the next second he was breathing in damp cloth.

He was slipping from consciousness. He tried to grasp it, but it was falling slowly and surely.

Just as he was sure he would die from lack of air, the cloth was removed. He sucked greedily, but the cloth did not return. He panted and choked, the sharp coldness causing his lungs to ache.

" Welcome, Padawan," said a veil voice that shot shivers down his spine. " Welcome. My name is Darth Sidious. "

~*~*~*~

Obi-Wan watched the ship touch down with a swift eye. As soon as the ramp opened, he dashed over to it. Two guards rushed out; followed by a plain-clothes woman that Obi-Wan almost dismissed. He examined her slowly, then winked. The woman smiled back, but continued on.

Ten other women followed, all dressed in plain clothes. Once he was sure there was no one else on the ship, Obi-Wan followed the last guard into the palace, almost trotting.

Queen Amidala was just heading to her chambers to change. Her clothes were peasants', but still she radiated beauty. "How was your trip, Your Majesty?" Obi-Wan asked, catching her before she entered her room.

Amidala smiled. " It was quite lovely, General. Thank you for asking. " She turned again to head to her room.

Obi-Wan stepped in front of her. Amidala looked up in surprise. "Your Majesty, there was a situation here earlier. I ask you change quickly so that I can brief you on it. "

Amidala's surprise changed to concern. "No. Tell me of this ' situation' now, General." She signaled to her handmaidens. They scattered. "Was it deadly?" She started walking to the throne room. Obi-Wan had no choice but to follow her. He was not happy at the way things were turning. He wanted her to be with her sister when he spoke to her, but now he could not possibly arrange that.

"There was an assassination attempt earlier today. "

"What?" Amidala stopped and turned to him. His eyes looked guilty. "On whose life?"

"Yours," he said, wincing.

"But I was with Chancellor Palpatine the entire…" She examined his guilty looks. "What did you do, General?" Her voice made several guards turn and examine them quickly. Some who had known had been with Amidala since she had been elected chuckled.

"We, uh, we tried to catch the assassin who had been trying to kill you, Your Majesty."

"But I was on Coruscant!"

"I took care of that."

"How, General Kenobi?"

"I sent out a broadcast that stated you would be returning earlier today. Let's just say that it worked quite nicely." He would not give her anymore unless she asked. He couldn't bear to break the news of her sister just yet to her.

"Was anyone lost?" Amidala asked. Rage was clear in her eyes as they pinned Obi-Wan's. If so, three years had freshened her eyes and made it easier to admit fury.

"A Royal starship, but no one else. Some injuries were undertaken, however."

"Who was injured? How exactly did you set this up?"

"We had a decoy, Your Majesty."

"Who exactly was this decoy? Did I give you permission to stage this trap? Who was injured?"

"No, Your Majesty. I apologize and take full responsibility for this trap." He bowed to her swiftly.

"Who was the decoy, General? I sense you are reluctant to tell me that, as you are reluctant to tell me who was injured."

Obi-Wan gulped.

"Five guards were treated for burns, one of them for a concussion. They were all wearing armors."

"Who was the decoy?"

Obi-Wan hesitated.

"Tell me who the decoy was, General!"

"Your sister."

~*~*~*~

"Sola!"

Padme ran to the bed in which her sister lay. Sola smiled back and sat up to intercept the hug that Padme gave her. "Oh, Padme, you're safe!" Sola said, tears in her eyes. "I am so glad! How was the trip?"

Padme pulled back from the hug. "Sola, you stupid girl! How could you allow this? Are you nuts? You could have been killed! Oh, Sola, how could you?" Tears were streaking down Padme's cheeks as she held her sister in a tight hug that crushed Sola's chest.

"Padme, please. I am not so injured. I had to protect you, Sis. I'm sorry. We tried. We almost had him. With you away, it seemed like the perfect way to strike and catch these stupid people who were trying to kill you! I just had to try! And I'm fine, I swear."

Padme pulled away and faced the door. "General! I want you in here, now!"

Wincing, Obi-Wan sulked in slyly. "M'Lady-"

"Be quiet," Padme snapped. She turned to Sola. "Sola, did he come up with this?"

Sola looked at Obi-Wan with apologizing eyes. "Yes, but don't be angry. I didn't have to go along. And he was so helpful after I was injured-"

"You wouldn't have been injured if not for him!" Padme bellowed. She turned to her General. "General, what are her injuries?" she bellowed in his face.

"Uh… bruised ribs. She was slashed at the stomach. She's suffered a very small concussion that should heal in a matter of days. And there are the bruises and cuts that were expected. The armor held out, thank the stars."

"You stupid man!" Padme screamed at him. Obi-Wan jumped back against her rage. "Get out! I don't want to see you! You're relieved of duty today, General! Tell Lieutenant Kikerio to take over! Get out now, you stupid man!"

"M'Lady-"

"OUT!"

Obi-Wan had no choice but to scamper away.

~*~*~*~

Sighing, Obi-Wan walked down the corridor to the throne room. No doubt he had lost his job. Unless by some act of mercy Amidala let him be her janitor…

Obi-Wan hoped that two hours had allowed Amidala to cool her anger. She had right to explode at him, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt. He had come to love Amidala as a father would. He hated it when she was angry with him, but he had done what he had and now he had to live up to the consequences. He hoped they weren't too harsh. Maybe he could be her pilot…

Obi-Wan entered the throne room grimly. Queen Amidala was sitting in her throne, looking lovely in a simple red dress. She stood when he entered, as did Senator Sio Bibble and her other handmaidens and guards. Lieutenant Kikerio looked unapproachable in her spot on Amidala's right, where Obi-Wan usually stood. Obi-Wan bowed low when he stood in front of her.

"Rise, General."

General?

Obi-Wan stood slowly, ready for whatever she was going to throw at him.

"Thank you."

Thank you? It had to be a joke. "M'Lady?" he asked tentatively.

"I understand what you did was only to protect me," Amidala said. Her eyes were now forgiving. "I apologize for my actions earlier on, but you must admit, I had reason. This doesn't make what you did right. I still hate what you did, but I don't hate you and the cause in which you did it for. You will keep your position. But know that this kind of action will not be forgiven again."

Obi-Wan breathed relief. "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you."

"General," Amidala said, stepping down to him. "Please walk with me." She motioned the others to sit, and they did. They launched into the conversation they had been having before his arrival. He followed her out of the throne room and into a vast corridor.

"General," Amidala said. "I am now aware of the threat of the assassination attempts. I suppose I was blocking them out, but Sola made me see that I am in real danger. Believe me, General, it is hard admitting this, but I believe we need help."

"I agree, Your Majesty," Obi-Wan said. "We need some Galactic Senate judicial officers."

"No," Amidala said, fixing him with a cold stare. "No. We need to bargain with whoever this is. It is probably that moon, but we do not know this. We need help to prove this to the Supreme Court." She hesitated, glanced at the lightsaber on his belt, and then raised her chin. "General, don't be angry. I have requested Jedi help, and a Jedi team is on the way as we speak."

She waited for his reaction but none came.

He didn't do anything.

He just stared at her.

And when she moved, he turned and stared at the lake on his right.

Life really wasn't fair.

~*~*~*~

Review! Please! I beg you!