Come Undone
Chapter 2
It had, until this point, been a good mission. No, not just a 'good mission', Obi-wan mused, but a most successful one at that. Two diametrically apposed parties had at last seen eye to eye after what had been several months, possibly years of disagreement. Discussions had been productive and even genial at times. No attacks, no fighting… and the negotiations between the Sulustians had been successful as well. At least one star system would be remaining in the embrace of the Republic… For now.
Arriving home, the Star Cruiser "Scholar" had been under strict radio silence and Anakin had been most anxious to get back to the Temple. Obi-wan knew that he would be contacting Senator Amidala at the earliest opportunity, but all things considered, he would let it go this time. Too much had been gained over the last month and a half to…
As a rule, Jedi did not travel off world in their usual attire, finding the anonymity of military uniforms most useful but preferring to change once they were back home. When Anakin burst out of his room, still in his military dress, Obi-wan knew that they would be in for a confrontation. He threw his rucksack on to the couch, alternately removing and adding items almost half hazzardly, seemingly unaware or perhaps uncaring of the Master's presence. He was pale and drawn but with a look of grim determination on his face. Obi-wan decided to approach this new development carefully but firmly.
"Where are you going Anakin?"
Obi-wan asked him softly.
Anakin paused, considering, and
then shook his head, refusing to answer. As if he were in a daze, he began the
cycle of unpacking and repacking all over again.
"Anakin…" Obi-wan began again. "We must meet the Council within the hour…"
A few data disc landed on the table with a clatter.
"Go without me…" Anakin said shortly. "The reports are all there, it's not as if they would consider anything I have to say important anyway…" he stalked back into his room and came back with a few items of clothing which he unceremoniously stuffed into the bag.
Obi-wan reproached him sadly, "That isn't true, and it's an unfair assumption…"
"It doesn't matter!" Anakin snapped throwing his bag over his shoulder and drawing himself to his full height. No longer a gangly teenager, he was an imposing figure, throwing off an odd mix of anger, indignant outrage and to Obi-wan's puzzlement, perhaps a bit of… elation?
The two men stood unmoving and
speechless until the tension became almost unbearable, and sadly familiar…
"I'm
sorry," Anakin said at last, regaining some composure. "This is
something that I must attend to... alone..."
Wordlessly, and without a second glance behind, he made his way passed Obi-wan and out of the Temple.
Obi-wan sighed. He knew he should go after him but at this point, it would only end up in an unproductive confrontation. He would let this passionate young man deal with what ever it was that had consumed him so utterly at the moment, and then… then… At long last he would finally take the issue to task. All of them…
