Futures Past

Chapter 35 2/2-Look to the Future

A.N: I'm not even gonna bother trying to excuse the long wait, I had such bad writers block I wanted to bash my head in on my computer, plus my laptop went kablam, AGAIN which took me outta action for a month, I'm so sorry you guys, but I'm back now, and this is the last chapter before we skip forward a few months. There might be another gap in my updates because I want to start writing ahead of myself so I don't have to rush to write a chap to post it the same night, I like having a sort of safety buffer of chapters before I catch up with myself. Anyway, I'm so sorry for the long delay, don't kill me! *cries* oh, and enjoy!

*

Apprehension was not a welcome feeling in the heart of a Jedi Knight, but it hung heavily over Obi Wan like a storm cloud as he walked the corridors of the Galactic Senate, accompanied by two imposing figures dressed in robes of a vibrant red, their faces obscured by hoods. These newest additions to Palpatine's line-up of guards were probably for the most part designed to intimidate, and indeed they might've done, if this had been any other Jedi. Obi Wan was not afraid of Palpatine by any means, just afraid of what he had capabilities of doing, so the Knight forced himself into a courteous mindset, no matter how excruciating it would be to do so.

It had been one of the most humiliating rides to the Senate he had ever had, accompanied to the temple door by Mace Windu and sent into a transport with another Jedi Knight to make sure he behaved. He wondered whether Yoda had orchestrated it to make the experience humiliating to show he was being punished, an example to others you could say. Whatever the reason Obi Wan took it silently and as dignified as he could manage while being babysat on a routine Senatorial visit.

The other Knight was now waiting at the door and he was taken the rest of the way by the large red-clad fellows, but Obi Wan just wanted to get the visit out of the way as quickly as possible, he was sure the Chancellor would find ways to humiliate him without even bothering to leave his expensive Fhramp upholstered chair.

They reached the doors to Palpatine's office without incident and the Guards stopped outside, knocked and then stood solemnly outside as Obi Wan proceeded in.

"Ah, Master Kenobi, how good of you to come. Please, have a seat. I trust we can have a mature meeting without a temper tantrum and the destruction of my expensive security equipment this time." The Chancellor chattered in that typical unctuous political way. "Close those doors!" He snapped, and one of the two Crimson guards hastened to oblige.

"Spare me the political drivel Chancellor, even if I was entitled to vote it certainly would never be for you." Obi Wan snarled, his previous plan for courtesy seemingly forgotten. He chose to ignore the aside about his behaviour the previous occasion they were in his office.

"Ah Obi Wan, forever speaking his mind, you haven't seemed to have learnt the value of being silent when in the presence of your betters, no wonder you are forever getting yourself into trouble. Suspended from Jedi activities, whatever next, I would of course recommend expulsion but then again the self-important dithering of the Jedi has never been my forte so I doubt they would heed my advice."

"Why Chancellor, I thought arrogant self-important dithering was practically at the top of your list of qualities."

"Don't forget your place Jedi, there are thousands of delicious punishments I could think up to keep you permanently out of my way if you cross me." Palpatine growled nastily. "They don't all have to include you as the focal point either, I'm sure there are many things I could think of that involve a certain delightful senator perhaps?"

"By the Force Palpatine if you-"

"Ah Jedi Kenobi, watch your tongue, I would hate you to say something you will later regret. In any case, I did not invite you here to talk about the delectable Senator Amidala, at least not completely."

Obi Wan bristled but held his silence, he had been very intrigued as to why Palpatine insisted on meeting him.

"Good boy, finally learning." Palpatine smirked. "Now that you've learnt your place..."

Obi Wan gritted his teeth and took to trying to set fire to Palpatine's head with the power of his mind, he wondered if the Force could indulge him that one wish. Palpatine stood and slowly sauntered over to where Obi Wan sat, leaning casually on the desk in a deceptively friendly gesture.

"Your Master Yoda is not quite as moronic as I thought. I gather it was he who suspended you, and I bet I can guess why. Indulging in forbidden activities with that whore of a Senator when you were supposed to be protecting your cadets on Dantooine? And they all died because of you, you weren't there to warn them. A failure as a Jedi, soldier, Master and friend, is there anything you don't ruin Obi Wan? Anything you're good at? I doubt it. Anakin is supposed to be your best friend, the nearest thing to a son you'll ever have, and you steal his wife away? Oh, what would he say? It would destroy him!" Obi Wan turned his head away the bitter reality of the words striking him like a Lightsabre through his gut, all the things he argued about with Padmé, all the excuses that were forgotten with the touch of their lips

"Just imagine if he found out, what it would do it him, what he would do to you…"

Obi Wan looked up sharply.

"It would be most unfortunate if he were to find out, I should imagine it would be most detrimental to his Jedi training, and his favourable relationship with you and the Senator."

"So you invited me here to blackmail me." Obi Wan closed his eyes despairingly.

"Not blackmail you Master Jedi, that would be a most unscrupulous thing to do, and of course I am about truth and justice and peace for all, I would never do something so underhanded! I am merely offering some friendly advice."

"And what would you have me do, in the interests of friendly advice of course."

"I would recommend that you sever your ties to the Senator, personal relationships in a time as tumultuous as this…Clone War as people are starting to call it, I don't think it would be a good idea, what if something were to happen to you?"

"I did not humour Master Yoda's advice, why in the name of the Sith do you expect me to listen to yours you treacherous snake?!"

A knowing smile crept to Palpatine's face, and Obi Wan felt a cold tremor run through the Force. The Chancellor leant forward and whispered conspirationally,

"I would imagine Master Yoda has far more integrity than me, and although you may know him well, I believe you know my capabilities even better. I believe it would not be wise to go against me Obi Wan, it is a fight you are sure never to win. You know better than to trust me."

"I will take your friendly advice under consideration." Obi Wan hissed, 

"But this is a waste of precious time I have, I intend to make a difference in this War Chancellor, and get as far away from you and your malicious intents as possible."

"It is not that easy to escape my reaches Jedi Kenobi, take heed of what I've told you or you may not live to regret it." Obi Wan shot the Chancellor one last furious look before the doors opened and the red clad guards were flanking him once more. As the doors slid shut Palpatine chuckled nastily,

"Believe me Obi Wan, I will make a great difference in the Galaxy before this War is over." He put his hand in his pocket and withdrew a recently opened envelope- addressed to Senator Amidala- from its depths, admiring it with a malicious smirk. 

*

Padmé walked the corridors of the Senate with much impatience, she had completely forgotten some important paperwork that Chancellor Palpatine had left for her in her office in the building so she had to run back and review them before she could relax for the evening. She saw two of those insufferable guards dressed all in red that Palpatine had just introduced, she didn't know whether they were the same guards with new outfits or new ones altogether and she didn't really care, it was all for intimidation and importance and she couldn't care for it. The guards didn't talk and basically acted to scare poor souls that were unfortunate enough to be squished between them. There was some poor soul suffering that fate now, but it was who he was that stopped her in her tracks.

"Obi Wan!" She cried, relieved that she had some confirmation of his safety and whereabouts at last.

"Padmé!" He grinned, making to run for her but the two crimson clad guards flanked him so closely they wouldn't let him pass, and began forcing him back down the corridor towards the entrance, blocking him off from the Senator.

"Obi Wan, what's going on?!" She shouted in confusion as more guards appeared from a nearby corridor to escort the Jedi from the premises.

"Whatever you hear, don't believe it Padmé, I love you, never forget that, never give up on me, I love you!" He yelped out as one of the guards punched him in the stomach, trying to make him retreat more quietly, but it only worsened his struggling as he was expelled forcibly from the Senate's building. The last thing he saw was Padmé's concerned and confused face over the shoulders of the guards as they barred her exit to come out after him. He had been flung from the building and barely managed to right himself from falling headfirst into the ground before coming to a halt beside his transport.

Siri Tachi was leaning on the repulsorcraft used to get them to and from the senate.

"About damn time Kenobi, Sith, what happened in there looks like you really got in the Bantha dung with someone, did you ask to marry the guy?! The red guys, new hired help I presume?" He voice was chiding but he eyes were warm.

"Well I wasn't exactly ecstatic at the leaving committee myself Siri." Obi Wan frowned, brushing himself off and straightening his robes in the most dignified way possible. "I ran into a little resistance, nothing to worry about though I assure you."

"Alright then." She nodded, not entirely convinced. "Well lets get this herd on the move then, or Master Yoda will probably think you overpowered me and took the cruiser on a joyride through Coruscant's byways."

"Then again," She snorted, giving Obi Wan the once over, "Yeah, like you could overpower me, pfft!" She grinned, daring him to challenge her, but Obi Wan, used to her competitive side rolled his eyes and sighed reprovingly out of his nose, which he knew would annoy her no end.

"Spoilsport." She mock pouted, and hopped into the transport.

"Given my intense dislike of flying, especially 'joyriding' through Coruscant, I severely doubt that Mater Yoda would think-" He trailed off as she was mock yawning at his fear-of-flying speech.

He narrowed his eyes, "And of course, the fact that never in a million years would I be able to overpower you my dear Siri." He rolled his eyes again.

"That's what I thought." She smirked, starting the engine. "Just so long as you know your place Obi Wan. Hey!" She caught him looking despairingly up at the ceiling and sighing again in the mirror. Even though the journey was mere minutes back to the Temple, Obi Wan knew it would feel like a very long flight.

*

The next few days passed in a dull blur, Obi Wan staying in his room, let out to train for an hour each day. The monotony was almost killing the Jedi Knight, who was almost happy the evening it was announced that the next day they would be heading off to an undisclosed location to rejoin the Grand Army, and Obi Wan would be free again, apart from his still curtailed contact privileges. He could not contact Padmé even if he had been allowed to, it was now forbidden for contact with those outside the army, in case their position was exposed and the Separatists launched another devastating attack as they had the week before. Time seemed to pass like millennia waiting for the Separatists to make their next move, but Anakin was eager as ever to take part in some real combat 'for a change'.

On the morning that the Jedi Knights were loaded into the transport to take them off to face their unknown destinies, Yoda and Mace Windu stood, giving wisdom and reassurance to the Knights. When it came to Anakin, who was alive with energy, his eyes crackling with fire and his worries about Kashyyyk a vague flicker of a memory, Yoda motioned him to crouch down beside him.

Anakin knelt obediently and looked into the diminutive Master's large wise eyes.

"Careful be you Young Skywalker, revel not in the destruction of life, nor the power dealing death gives you, mindful of your feelings and passions be you, control your anger and your arrogance, guide you always let the Force, and your ally it will be." Yoda patted him on the shoulder and Anakin nodded solemnly, and walked away straight faced, before he against burst with energy and bounded to the transport, charged with anticipation.

"Obi Wan." Yoda said, sternly, but with affection in his eyes. "Watch your Padawan carefully, now Knighthood he has attained, invincible he considers himself, let us hope that learn the hard way that no man is invincible he does not. Remember the talks we had, trust in yourself, but trust in the force you must too, if determined you are to follow this path, mindful you must be that consequences there will be. Hope I do that you prove strong enough to combat them as we pray you are. May the Force be with you Master Kenobi."

"And with you Master Yoda." Obi Wan bowed deeply, troubled by Yoda's words, but he stood with his head up proudly, trying to exude confidence and strength through the Force, hoping to make up for the embarrassment of his probation by making it seem Yoda's words were more complimentary than warning.

He missed Padmé like a solid, painful ache within him, if he reached out with the Force, he could feel her glimmering distantly like a shining beacon in a thick fog, he knew she was out there, but not close enough to be tangible. Perhaps Yoda was right, she would forget him as soon as he had been gone a few months, both he and Anakin, but Obi Wan refused to believe that. Padmé Naberrie was not the sort of woman to make declarations of love and then forget as soon as they were offworld, he knew that she would wait for him for eternity if he asked her to. But could he ask her to? To sit at home never being able to communicate, never knowing whether he was alive or dead, for months maybe even years while the galaxy was torn to shreds around them as it almost inevitably would be in the chaos of the Clone Wars. It would be a galaxy divided and if he d- if something happened to him, she would continue waiting in hopes that someday he'd come back, never knowing. He trusted that though Master Yoda deeply disliked the idea, that he would certainly tell her if something were to befall him before he came back.

And if I did fall in battle, I would become one with the Force and come back to visit her, life or death without Padmé… it would be better not to exist at all. Damn this foolish heart for binding me to someone so perfect at such an imperfect time and place, maybe it would have been different in the future or in the past, but the odds will always be against us. But it is the burden I'm willing to carry. Padmé Amidala Naberrie, I will never stop loving you, and I will return to you. Even if I have to cross death to do it.

He looked out of the window as the transport slowly raised, most of the other Jedi had their heads bowed and were deep in meditation, Anakin was floating his lightsabre above his upturned palm, but all Obi Wan wanted to do was to look out to the Galactic Senate, trying to visualise where Padmé was, and trying somehow to tell her that no matter what, they would meet again.

*

Man that was so crappy! And I kept you waiting so long! *cries* I'm sorry you guys, I promise the next chaps will be better, it was agony trying to get this out of the way to get into the good stuff. In the following chapters we'll be right in the thick of the Clone Wars, you'll see our heroes flung into the heat of battle, Padmé will make a discovery, Palpy will be being underhanded as usual (and that's not the last we'll see of the letter!) and the Obidalaness will really heat up! I hope to see you next chapter and at the reviews page! (Don't be too rough, I bruise like a peach!)

xXx