Chapter 58

Jedi Temple

Anakin felt the anxiety welling up inside of him as he headed to the temple. It reminded him of the many times he'd earned a stern lecture from his master when he was a padawan learned. He had no doubt that Obi-Wan would be very disappointed when he learned of Anakin's actions at the detention centre. But Anakin knew that he had to own up to what he had done, and face whatever disciplinary action the Jedi deemed appropriate.

"How was the trial?" Ahsoka asked when Anakin found her.

"Weird," Anakin said. "Do you know where Obi-Wan is? I need to talk to you both about something."

"He was meeting me here," she said. "He'll be here any minute. What's going on, Anakin?"

Anakin frowned. "Nothing good, that's what," he said, picking up a tool and adjusting one of the droids Ahsoka had been working on. Ahsoka watched him, knowing that when he was agitated, messing about with tools was one of the ways he dealt with it. She turned to see Obi-Wan approaching them. "Here's Obi-Wan now," she said.

Anakin looked up, and as soon as he met Obi-Wan's eyes, Obi-Wan could see that something was troubling Anakin.

"What's wrong?" Obi-Wan asked without preamble.

Anakin sighed, and set the tool down. "I need to tell you both about something that happened, about something that I did."

"Just tell us," Ahsoka said.

Anakin paced for a moment before turning back to them. "I went to see Julie in detention," he said. "And, well, I kind of lost my temper."

"Oh dear," Obi-Wan said. "What exactly did you do?"

"First I threatened her," Anakin said, repeating what it was that he had said. "And then…then I force choked her. It was only for a few seconds, but I did it. I know it was wrong, I know it's using the Dark Side, but I was so angry…I lost control."

Obi-Wan and Ahsoka exchanged a concerned look.

"This is rather serious, Anakin," Obi-Wan said.

"I know," Anakin replied.

"I've seen you use force choke before," Obi-Wan continued. "During the war. I never condoned it, but sometimes drastic actions were needed. But this is different."

"I know, I know," Anakin said with a sigh. "Like I said, I feel guilty as hell. But that doesn't change what I did."

"We will need to talk to the rest of the Council about this," Obi-Wan said.

"You mean Yoda?" Ahsoka asked. "We three are the rest."

"Yes, Master Yoda," Obi-Wan said. "I don't need to tell you that there must be consequences, Anakin."

"What consequences?" Ahsoka asked. "He's one quarter of the Council, only one of a few Jedi left! How can we punish him?"

"Obi-Wan is right, Snips," Anakin said. "I do need to be punished. I behaved in a way that is contrary to what the Jedi stand for."

Obi-Wan nodded, impressed by his young friend's mature attitude. "Very well," he said. "Let's speak to Master Yoda and see what's to be done about this."

Senate chambers

Padmé stood at the Chancellor's podium, listening to senators argue back and forth about something trivial. She looked around the huge rotunda, missing her friend, Bail, who had always been the voice of reason and wisdom in the assembly. It was my fault he was killed, she reflected; if I had just done what Maul wanted, Bail would be standing here right now, not me.

"Madame Chancellor, perhaps this discussion should be tabled for another day," her Vice Chair asked. Padmé had never liked nor trusted Mas Amedda, for she was all but certain that he had been instrumental in voting emergency powers to Palpatine. But he was well ensconced in the bureaucracy, and she knew that dislodging him would be difficult and possibly dangerous. So, for the time being, she kept him in his position of Vice Chair. Padmé was wise and politically savvy enough to know to watch her back with him, however. She was all too aware of his personal feelings where she was concerned.

"No," she said. "I'd like to settle this today. Let's take it to a vote." She looked at Amedda. "Vice chair, would you?"

Amedda nodded, annoyed that she was smart enough not to be manipulated by him. Padmé sat back in the pod as the vote was taken, feeling very tired. It had been an emotionally wrought day, and she hadn't slept well the previous night. Deciding that tonight would be an early night, she waited for the vote to be tallied before ending the session.

Padmé had reached her office and was preparing to leave when Melinda Soares was announced by Rayna. Padmé sighed, and sat down at her desk, putting on her diplomatic face to greet the prosecuting attorney.

"Hello Melinda," Padmé said. "Please, sit down."

"Thank you, Madame Chancellor," Melinda said.

"Please call me Padmé," Padmé said. "Madame Chancellor is so formal."

Melinda smiled. "Very well, Padmé," she said. "I won't keep you, I just wanted to apprise you of a new development in the case."

Padmé was almost afraid to ask. "What has happened?" she asked.

"Dane Mendicino has asked for a continuance," Melinda said.

"Why?" Padmé asked.

"The judge wouldn't tell me," Melinda said. "But he granted it. It must be something big. I know this judge, he's not one to dilly dally."

Padmé nodded. "How long?"

"Two days at the most," Melinda said.

"Let's hope this isn't one of Julie's games," Padmé said. "She's quite the drama queen from what I can tell."

Melinda smirked. "She certainly is," she said. "I highly doubt that whatever they are cooking up will change the outcome of the trial, though. So just sit tight and give them the time they need."

"I guess we can't do much else, can we?" Padmé said.

"I'm afraid not," Melinda replied. "I'm sorry."

Padmé smiled. "It's not your fault," she said. "Thanks for stopping by to tell me."

"Of course," Melinda said, standing up. "I'll be in touch. Have a lovely evening."

"Thank you, you as well," Padmé said. She waited for the lawyer to leave before she finished packing up for the day, and then left her office, anxious to go home.

Detention Centre

Clone trooper 3890 looked at the data pad that Dane had handed him. On it was an order from the judge trying Julie's case to release her into the custody of her lawyer in order to attend an appointment. CT3890 looked up at Dane. "Only one guard? Are you sure?"

Dane frowned. "Are you questioning my trustworthiness, trooper?" he asked.

"It's not your trustworthiness I'm questioning, sir," the clone replied. "It's your client's."

Dane nodded. "I understand that," he said. "But she'll be watched the whole time," he said. "The office is only a short speeder ride away. She'll be escorted to the speeder, and escorted as soon as we land."

CT3890 nodded. "I suppose that'll work," he said. "I'll send two of my men to her cell right now."

"Thank you," Dane said.

Julie stood up when two clones approached her cell. One of them lowered the force field as they other stood by with his blaster at the ready.

"Hands behind your back," the first clone said, approaching Julie with a pair of binders while his companion trained his weapon on her.

Julie complied, and turned her back to her guard.

"We're escorting you to your lawyer's speeder," the clone informed her. "One of us will ride with you, and once you land, a second guard will meet us to help escort you to your appointment. There won't be time for you to try anything cute, so don't even think of it."

"I'm not gonna try anything," she said.

"No, you're not," the second clone said, and motioned for her move. Julie walked along, doing her best to comply.

"Here she is," one of the clones said as they met Dane at his speeder. "A second trooper will be waiting for us when we land."

Dane nodded. "Understood," he said. He looked at Julie. "We won't have any problems, will we?" he asked his niece.

She shook her head, the picture of compliance.

"Good girl," Dane said. "Let's go."

Jedi Temple

Yoda sat quietly as he considered what Anakin had told him. It was alarming to say the least. And yet, hadn't Yoda always sensed darkness within Anakin, even as a young boy?

"Troubling this is," Yoda said.

"I know, Master," Anakin said. "I'm sorry. I…I feel terrible about it."

Yoda nodded. "Time you will need to spend in meditation, Anakin," he said. "Time away from the temple, away from the Order."

"Away from the Order?" Anakin asked. "What are you saying, Master Yoda? Am I being expelled?"

Yoda shook his head, and looked at Anakin with a smile. "No, too harsh that would be," he said. "A suspension, one year. And then, after meditating on your actions, return to the Order."

Anakin frowned. "I suppose that's better than being kicked out."

Obi-Wan put a hand on Anakin's shoulder. "I shall help you with your meditation, Anakin," he said. "I know how you've often struggled with it."

Anakin looked at his friend, grateful for his support. "Thank you, Obi-Wan," he said. "I appreciate it."

Ahsoka and Obi-Wan left the council chamber with Anakin, each of them feeling badly about what had happened.

"I don't think that this is right," Ahsoka said. "You are far too integral to the Order for you to be expelled, even temporarily."

"It's okay, Snips," Anakin said. "I'm okay with it. Maybe I do need time," he said. "Clearly, I still have anger issues. Perhaps a year spent focusing on fixing my problems is what I need."

Obi-Wan smiled, pleased by his young friend's mature attitude. "I think you're right, Anakin," he said. "Think of this as an opportunity for personal growth."

Anakin nodded. "That's exactly what I'm planning."

Anakin returned home, hoping his wife would be there. He needed to tell her about what had happened, for he knew he would need her support more than anyone's in this unusual situation he found himself in. Stepping into the foyer of the large house, he sought her out, and smiled when he sensed that she was home. He headed to the nursery where he found her on the floor playing with the twins.

"Hi," Anakin said, sitting beside her and kissing her cheek. "I'm glad you're home."

She turned to him with a smile. "I'm glad you're home," she said. She studied his face for a moment. "What did they say?"

Anakin sighed, and helped Luke up to his feet as the boy crawled over to greet his father. "I've been suspended," he said.

Padmé frowned. "Suspended? I didn't know the Jedi even did that."

"Well, new Order, new rules," Anakin said as he stood up to help Luke toddle. "Before the Purge I probably would have been expelled. But now that we're so few in numbers, I suppose they can't afford to lose me permanently."

Padmé nodded. "I suppose that makes sense," she said, assisting Leia who wanted to join her brother. "So, what exactly does suspension mean?"

"It means I'm not a Jedi for a year," Anakin said. "No lightsaber, no Jedi business."

"I see," she said. "I hope they don't regret that," she said. "You've been an essential part of this new order, Ani."

"I know," he said. "But I get it. I need to deal with my anger issue, Padmé. Anger is dangerous, and can lead to the Dark Side. I won't take that risk."

"I understand," she said. "I think you should prioritize your therapy too," she said. "Dr. Wallig has really helped you."

"He has," Anakin agreed. "And yes, I definitely will continue with him. Obi-Wan has offered to help me with meditation too."

Padmé smiled. "That's wonderful," she said. "Ani, look," she said.

Anakin turned to see Leia standing on her own. He smiled as she took her first tentative steps towards her mother. "She did it!" he said.

"What a big girl!" Padmé said, picking Leia up and kissing her on the cheek.

Anakin looked at Luke. "What do you think, champ? You want to try?"

Luke looked up at his father with a smile. Anakin slowly let go of the boy's hands, and watched as Luke promptly sat down on the floor. Anakin laughed. "Come on, you can do it Luke," he said, helping him stand again. Luke stood up with his father's help, and then, after letting go of his hands, took a few steps towards Anakin, a big smile on his face.

"You did it!" Anakin said, picking up his son and swinging him up in the air. Luke laughed, loving his father's attention.

"Here we go," Padmé said as she and Anakin brought the twins downstairs for supper. "They'll be no stopping them now."

Anakin chuckled. "Good thing I'm on vacation now," he remarked with a smile.

Padmé smiled, feeling a small pang of envy. "Yes, good thing."