Futures Past

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Chapter 23- Humbling Experiences

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A.N: I figured as this is AU, I can kinda change and make up what we know about the Star Wars verse, and flames don't affect me in the slightest, it wont make me change what I write and I just ignore the pathetic people with no lives who ever flame, I might tweak some things we know, nothing major but as Episode 3 isn't set in stone just yet im gonna take some liberties haha! Thank you all the nice reviewers, I love getting your feedback and really appreciate it all, you guys rule. This chap is a little longer than most I think, so I hope you can all deal with it.

Reviews:

Kathryn Riddle: I agree how choppy it was, but don't worry though it doesn't show in this chapter, there will be major Obidalaness in chapter 25, so you haven't got long to wait! Don't worry about the long review, I like reading them as long as they aren't flames ^^, I'm glad you have an open mind and can accept other's opinions, it is always a great quality, thanks for the review, I hope I can make up for the lack of Obidalaness next chap!

REALbluelightsabre: I know Mace not mentioning the vision was odd, but it will all be explored in later chaps so don't worry about that. Sabé may have her suspicions ;) but she doesn't officially know, no, so you'll have to wait and see if she finds out! I rather enjoy writing Sabé, the fact she's overprotective but also has that mischievous side, you never really get to know anything about her in the movies, so I like expanding on her! Thanks for reviewing.

Chloe: In your review you asked about Dormé being the one killed in episode 2. I knew if I made a slip up like that someone would notice, so I researched it carefully just to double check, and thankfully I was right, it was one of the newer handmaidens (the ones who were picked by Captain Panaka and Typho after the battle of Naboo) called Cordé who was disguised as Padmé on the landing bay who got killed by the blast. I think you'll find Dormé was the one who went with Padmé, Obi Wan, Anakin and Captain Typho when Anakin and Padmé were going to Naboo (she was the one who was crying and hugged Padmé as they prepared to leave) hehe, I love flexing my Star Wars knowledge! It makes me look smarter than I actually am! :D I have to be good at something right?

And big thanks to Brown Eyes, Lia, Aiska Kenobi, Heather Wan, VTEEN and History, I'm glad you all liked the vision idea, as I said, it'll be explained in later chapters, hope you all like this chapter (even though I don't particularly- though I'm very hard to please-) I promise I will make up for it in the two chapters after next, you should like me after them, next chap will deal more with Anakin, thought of course there will be our favourite Jedi Knight and Senator too! Sorry for all the political pap in this chapter, I just had to get it out of the way, sorry if it's boring! Thanks for coming to read, enjoy!

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Anakin had insisted that he accompany the other Jedi Shaak Ti to the abandoned Holocom tower to check out Padmé's vision, as Yoda had refused his request to go and visit the senator personally. Yoda had given him a rather long lecture about his responsibilities as a Jedi and what was expected of him, and more importantly the consequences of breaking the rules. The Jedi Knights had very important roles to play in the galaxy and mistakes were not tolerated at his level. Anakin found it a wonder they had tolerated him to this level at all.

"Masters, we have reached the tower, preparing to enter." His companion relayed over the Comlink back to the temple.

"Do they need a running commentary?" Anakin frowned, a little spite in his voice.

"The temple said to stay in touch at all times. I am merely following orders, perhaps you wouldn't get yourself into so much trouble if you learned to do the same."

Anakin's eyes darkened in anger and he opened his mouth to say something in return but was distracted when he noticed a shattered window.

"Maybe if you concentrated more on the mission than on silly messages they don't need, we would progress more quickly." Anakin glared back at Shaak and pointed to the window.

"I sense him through this way, come on, he is in great danger." Anakin leapt from the thin ledge they had landed upon and through the partially destroyed window, closely followed by his partner.

They noticed the disturbed dust where Obi Wan had trod a few minutes earlier, luckily the Holocom tower was about a minute from the Temple and the knights were sent immediately after the call from the Senator, otherwise Obi Wan could have been in a much worse situation.

Anakin stumbled out into the hall, disorientated from the sudden darkness that had engulfed the pair and tried to pick his way along the corridor.

"Farewell Jedi scum. Darth Tyranus will get his moneys worth from this."

Obi Wan heard the voice and felt a throbbing head far enough away to seem like a foggy dream but he was horrified to find it was his own as he regained consciousness, his vision blurred but cleared enough to see a masked and tall figure, definitely a bounty hunter, with a large blaster aimed directly at him.

Obi Wan groaned but found he could not move, he felt something sticky on his side and back and realised it was his own blood, spilling crimson tears over his beige robes.

He closed his eyes, concentrating on the Force, feeling it flowing through him like a river, hoping it could help him now or at least help his wounds.

"Master!" Anakin cried out and the bounty hunter looked up, startled, as Anakin and another young Jedi Knight came crashing towards him, green and blue lightsabres humming like space wasps.

Three Jedi, however incapacitated one was, was still an unacceptable number even to a seasoned bounty hunter such as this one. He knew the penalty for failing one of Darth Tyranus' missions, and there was little chance of escape. He put the blaster to his own head and pulled the trigger.

"No!" Shaak cried in frustration. "We needed to question that lowlife, now we'll never know who sent it."

"Obi Wan. Are you okay? Can you hear me, it's Anakin. We're gonna get you back to the temple." Anakin said slowly to the elder Jedi, still on his back moaning slightly.

"I suppose I've missed my meeting with Senator Organa, typical." Obi Wan muttered as he was helped up.

"Thank you Anakin, Shaak. I would have been deep fried and crunchy if you hadn't shown up. How did you show up anyway, no-one knew where I was, unless the taxi driver…"

"No Master, Padmé had a vision as I understand it, and we were sent to investigate."

"More accurately, I was sent to investigate, and Anakin came along." Shaak frowned.

"Well I'm glad you did, I shall have to thank Padmé when I return."

"That's not possible master. She's left the temple already, this morning a while after you left, there was another meeting in the Senate about the upcoming war or some such thing, it will probably be in session by now." Anakin explained.

"Oh, I did not get to wish her farewell, I will contact her later then with thanks. Come then, the temple might be quite worried."

"Oh im sure the messenger here will update them thoroughly on the situation." Anakin tossed his head towards Shaak who tutted but remained silent.

"Anakin compose yourself, use the Force. Be mindful of your feelings, they are not becoming of a Jedi Knight."

"Sorry Master. We'll go straight away. Would you lead, my honourable companion?" He said with a touch of sarcasm evident, but a sharp look from Obi Wan humbled him somewhat.

*

"All stand for the honourable Supreme Chancellor." Galactic Senate Vice Chairman Mas Amedda called out as Palpatine entered.

Padmé suppressed a shudder and snorted. Honourable, as honourable as a Hutt or Bounty Hunter, things can only get worse here if Dooku was telling the truth.

"We are here to discuss the impending war that hangs above us all. We will all examine the implications of our actions, and the repercussions this may have on our worlds. This is a task not to be lightly undertaken, the fate of the galaxy rests in our hands."

There was a wave of murmuring that ran through the assembled Senators. Padmé fidgeted in her seat as Palpatine looked over the audience, his eyes locked with hers but she would not look away, she glared back at him, stony faced.

"Is yousa okyday Mémé?" Jar Jar whispered, seeing Padmé's icy gaze. She nodded mutely but she didn't look away from the centre of the vast rotunda where the Supreme Chancellors box floated.

"One of the main central bases will be situated on the world of Alderaan, Senator Organa?"

Bail Organa and the box housing the representatives of Alderaan floated to the centre of the arena.

"We will be helming the main waves of attack from Alderaan as we are a strong planet, though I am opposed to this war in many ways, the Separatists have given us little choice, Alderaan will oversee the training and recruitment of the soldiers who volunteer or are called up as well as a few of the other planets. All those systems who would like to volunteer help, soldiers and support, every help is welcome in this time of need."

"We hope many systems will join this cause actively or it could mean the destruction of the universe as we know it. Every system is required to provide a quota of soldiers, weapons, financial aid and support for the war. Meetings will be conducted in private after proper appointments and negotiations are scheduled, to make sure every planet contributes and plans thoroughly. This war will shape and affect our entire future. We have the power to crush the Separatist threat for good. And we shall do it with firm leadership, firm resolve and firm unity!" Palpatine cried and there was a collective cheer. Senator Amidala sighed and rubbed her temples. She had strong resolve to see this war through and make a difference, try and stop this before it got out of hand.

She was still very worried about Obi Wan, but could not think about that now, she had to soak up all the information and war nonsense that was being announced, to decide how she could help stop this war as peacefully and quickly as possible. It was obvious negations were long gone, she hoped the Jedi could help bring peace and rationality to the galaxy.

*

Padmé strode along the bland corridors of the Jedi Temple, Sabé and Dormé fussing around her, Versé was at the exit, making sure the area was secure for the Senator. Padmé really did not like the formality that was entailed with her Senatorial role. She had tried to tell her well-meaning but suffocating handmaidens that there was nothing to worry about at the temple but Sabé would not hear of it after the attack on the temple a week or so earlier.

"Milady I really wish you'd allowed me to switch places with you, in case of another attack." Sabé tutted while Dormé smirked behind her hand, she knew how overprotective Sabé was and how much it infuriated Padmé.

"Sabé for the absolute last time, there is no need to fret in the Jedi temple, we are surrounded by experienced and powerful Jedi, you are driving me insane with your constant fussing, please, just relax and take in the sights, it will probably be the only time you see it."

Dormé's grin widened as she glanced around her in awe as Padmé had done upon her first visit. There certainly were a lot of males running around, from all species imaginable, it was quite a surprise and an educational experience for the handmaidens. Padmé was glad she had managed to distract them with eligible if celibate males, after all it was no harm to look, plus she knew they were getting plenty of looks themselves.

Madame Jocasta Nu greeted the women and pointed them in the direction of the Medi bay, as Padmé's memory of the temple's layout was a little foggy.

They entered the Medi bay and were greeted with the sight of a topless Obi Wan lying on a bed with deep wounds being treated by a nurse and a medical droid. Yoda stood by the side of the bed with Shaak Ti and Anakin helping to fill in the blanks of the elder Knights encounter.

Dormé gawped, Sabé giggled and Padmé didn't bat an eye as she coughed loudly to get the attention on the Jedi.

"Padmé!" Anakin grinned but was shot a sharp look from Yoda and a withering one from his companion of around the same age, whom Padmé hadn't yet met.

"Padmé?" Obi Wan rasped trying to sit up, but was pushed forcefully back down by the nurse.

"Ow, watch it could you? I'd prefer not to receive any more injuries today" He groaned.

"Senator Amidala, and…friends of hers are you?" Yoda inquired, wrinkling his already wrinkled brow.

"Master Yoda these are two of my most trusted handmaidens, Sabé and Dormé."

"Pleasure is it to meet you young ladies. Finished for now am I, perhaps when fully recovered are you more details can you give me Obi Wan."

"Certainly Master." Obi Wan inclined his head slightly.

"We need some room to work here!" The nurse frowned at the large group, "Perhaps visitors can wait until later, Obi Wan needs some room."

"Yes." Yoda nodded, "Shaak Ti and I shall leave, Anakin do you wish to stay?"

"Not really Master, I promised some other Knights I'd spar with them, I really must do some training." Anakin glanced at Obi Wan and smiled briefly before following the two out.

Sabé and Dormé were rather riveted on the sight of Obi Wan's bare chest. Padmé glanced with a raised brow at them.

"Yes, I think we'll wait outside, let me know as soon as you're done alright?" Padmé told Obi Wan and the nurse nodded curtly before pushing them all out to the waiting room adjoining.

"Wow, he's got cuter!" Sabé smirked. "You…devil!"

"Pardon? I hope you're not suggesting…anything?! Sabé honestly, you and your imagination."

"Can I have him then?" She grinned and Padmé tutted and turned away, glancing through the glass window back at Obi Wan. She felt a little guilty lying to her handmaidens but it was for the best, she convinced herself.

A little later the nurse popped her head round the door and announced Obi Wan finished, as if he were a work of art she had been slaving over.

Padmé told her handmaidens to wait outside and instructed Sabé to run back and tell Versé what was going on and that she wouldn't be long. She convinced Sabé that Dormé would probably just about manage to keep chaos from breaking out in the brief time she was away and Sabé grudgingly accepted. It was really because Sabé was a bad influence and would probably have the two of them spying through the window, whereas Dormé was a lot more restrained and polite, if a little shy in these sorts of situations anyway.

"Why is it that whenever you're involved I always seem to get injured?" Obi Wan quipped as soon as the nurse had left them.

"And yet you still manage to make jokes. Anyway, if it weren't for me you'd be dead I hope you realise, I alerted the Jedi to rescue you!"

"What would I do without you?" Obi Wan kissed the knuckles of her right hand delicately. 

"Obi Wan what happened?"

"A bounty hunter followed me from the temple, tried to kill me, and I thought you were the only one with assassination attempts, perhaps I should get look-alike bodyguards too."

"Don't joke, I could've lost you."

"Im much harder to kill im afraid, I just won't stay down! I missed my appointment with Viceroy Organa, I hope he wasn't too put out."

"No. He seemed fine when I talked to him earlier."

"Oh good. That reminds me Padmé. I think maybe we should stop, you know… seeing each other." His voice dropped slightly and his stormy eyes were downcast, he had had time to think about these things since he had been indisposed, too much time alone with his own head had managed to convince him of the negative more than the positive, his head had overridden his heart, he knew he had to hurt her to protect her.

"What? Why?" Padmé was confused.

"Because, I… well you are married to Anakin, he is willing to give up everything for you, what have I got to offer you? Force sakes Padmé I'm meant to be a responsible Jedi, I shouldn't be feeling these emotions or doing these things, and I'm leaving for a galactic war in a little under a day, I may never see you again. I couldn't ask you to wait for me, Anakin is still here, you have him to depend on and love. It is not my place. I cannot do it Padmé, what if something happens, I couldn't ask you to carry a burden of sorrow especially for me, I'm not worth it."

"Don't say that! Obi Wan, what we are doing may be considered wrong, but Anakin and I are married in name only now, barely in bond. He grows colder each day, I can feel the distance between us, I love him, I always will. But its different now, I cannot help what I feel for you, maybe it would be better if I didn't but that is not an option, you cannot tell me what burdens to bear or what I should feel, this is what I have, I don't care if you have nothing to offer, if I have your love then what else matters? Do you think me shallow, or are you trying to protect me from your own fears? Tell me you don't love me Obi Wan, then I shall never bother you again! But it would be a lie, we both know this, a war cannot and will not change how I feel for you. So tell me Obi Wan, or stop being so foolish."

Obi Wan stared at his blanket, he removed his large hand from her own grasp and took a breath.

"I'm sorry Padmé, I can't… I can't love you. I refuse to. It is forbidden, wrong and dangerous. For both of us, I will not put you in that position, I can't. I JUST CANT!"

Padmé began to tremble and tears welled in her chocolate brown eyes, she stood slowly and turned away from him yet again, sorrow and hurt and shock mixing inside her, she couldn't believe she had said to him and that he had rebuked her so, just flat out refused her. She ran past a confused Dormé and into a waiting Sabé and Versé and left Obi Wan feeling more alone than he had in a long while and even more empty, shedding his own silent tears.

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Doesn't it seem like im using the same old storylines just in different situations? Blame my muse, all the time in Jamaica has had a bad effect on her. There will be a point to all this honest, it will get more interesting very soon, I just have to throw a few bumps in along the way! Review please, tell me what you think so far.

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