Title: Strength over fear
Author: ewan's girl
*Author's note: Thank you to all who are reviewing, it means so much to me. Now please review this chapter, it'll be like a Christmas gift to me! Merry Christmas to my faithful readers.
-Beezelbub Skywalker: Yes poor Siri, you probably will still be saying that a lot in the coming chapters, I guess I am a big meanie. And I promise you Anakin will have plenty of action in the coming chapters, but I don't know if he'd get tired of being in bed all day if Padme was always around. Thank you for the reviews.
-Jedikma: Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews. Your reviews always help keep me inspired to write better chapters. I hope I can keep juggling the characters and plots as this story continues. So much has to happen in this story and I hope I can make it work.
-Obiwafan: Yes I am evil, but you should know that from my other stories. I know Siri punched Obi Wan, but I had to think what I would do in her situation. Ferus is a weird guy, there really isn't anything weird up with him, at least not in my story, other that him trying to be the "perfect" padawan. Thank you for all your reviews.
-Glavin69: Hulk not incredible. Well padawan, thanks for all the reviews and help you continue to give me with this story, I'm glad you liked the action scenes, and yes I am sorry but there will be mushy stuff in the chapters to come so bear with it. And if you're good maybe Santa will bring you the fatty Obi Bobba fight you wished for.
Chapter 10:
Siri opened her eyes slowly, she carefully took in her surroundings and noticed she once again woke up to find herself in a warm bed and unchained. She felt her heart rate quicken as she was unsure of the game her captures were playing. She wanted to believe with all of her heart that she had been rescued, but she was afraid to believe, she didn't want to make that mistake again. She closed her eyes to adjust to the light and searched her surroundings again. She noticed a cloaked figure sitting next to her on a chair with his eyes closed and she grew afraid.
She silently tried to slip past the sleeping guard when she felt strong fingers grip her wrist and held her down. She hissed in pain as the fingers grabbed her bruised wrist. She tried to kick him with her powerful legs, but was blocked and held down on the bed. She struggled under his weight. She shook her head violently as she tried to free herself.
Obi Wan held onto Siri tighter, hating himself for having to do this to calm her down, but he knew it was the only way. He pulled down his hood, hoping that seeing his face would calm her down, but it did nothing of the kind. She writhed underneath his body and he held her tighter. "Siri." He spoke to her in a soothing voice. "Siri relax, you're safe." He held her arms above her head and stared into her intensely scared eyes. "I promise you I won't let him hurt you again."
Siri's body shook as she met his gaze, she could feel the Force flowing between the two of them. She relaxed her body after a moment. "Obi Wan?" She asked, her voice cracking. She could feel a single tear rolling down her cheek. "Please tell me it is really you."
Obi Wan eased his grip on her and smiled. "It is me." He assured her. "The bane of your existence, remember?" Siri felt more tears spilling and she laughed for the first time in weeks. Obi Wan joined her in laughing and thanked the Force he was able to calm her down. He waited a moment before speaking again. "Are you ok?" He lamely asked.
Siri stared into his eyes that were etched with concern and shook her head. She then quickly wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly. Obi Wan was shocked by her actions, but put his arms around her waist and returned the embrace. She moved her hands from the back of his neck and placed them on either sides of his face, holding his attention. "I cannot believe I am here." She said her voice hoarse. He gave her a small smile. What she did next really shocked the usually reserved Jedi knight. She put one hand on the back of his head and leaned in towards him. He suddenly felt her lips brush against his, inviting him to taste them. He pulled back slightly from the invitation and stared at her. He stared as she licked her lips, enticing him more to give in. Suddenly he gave in, he let go, and for once in his life everything that he had devoted himself entirely to didn't matter and he lived in the moment.
He returned the kiss, his lips hungrily attacking hers. He then lowered her back onto the bed. Siri wrapped her legs around him and kissed him back with as much intensity as he had given her. She began to slip her hands underneath the fabric of his cloak and remove it, then his tunic. He ran his hands over her body, being careful of any injuries she had occurred.
He carefully removed his sleep pants that she was wearing and she in turn removed his pants and pulled him closer towards her. She wrapped her legs tighter around him as he pushed himself into her. She let out an involuntary moan and he silenced her with a kiss.
"We have to be silent." He told her and she nodded, her eyes filled with a fire he had never seen before. They eventually found their rhythm and both found themselves stifling moans as they continued in their forbidden dance. Siri pulled Obi Wan into her and as she suppressed another moan she dug her nails into his back.
Something in the back of Obi Wan's mind kept nagging him as he continued to live in the moment. He suddenly realized what he was doing and stopped. He found himself panting and then looked at Siri who immediately knew why he had stopped. "I know." She said quietly.
"I'm sorry." He said and quickly as his body would allow him began to get dressed. He then looked back at Siri and sighed. "I'm sorry for everything." He told her. She looked at him with almost a cold stare. He bent down next to the chair he had been occupying earlier and picked up the bag of goods he had purchased, he gave it to Siri. "This is for you." He told her.
She looked at the bag, then back at Obi Wan. "What is it?" She asked.
"It's just some clothes I bought from the locals, I don't know if it is your size, but I figured it would fit you better than my clothes." He explained, trying to give her a warm smile. Siri then pulled a small red cloth from the bag that had several strands of beads hanging from it. She cocked an eyebrow at Obi Wan. "That is actually for your. . ." He looked at her before continuing. "That is for you head." He explained and she lowered her eyes. "It is a special head dress that the locals wear. They made me pick out the beads. I hope they are ok." He shifted nervously as he spoke.
She ran a strand of beads through her fingers and nodded. "It's fine." She answered.
Obi Wan nodded. "Well Master Tachi, I have some things I have to do." He changed the subject and she looked at him. "I will be by later to check on you." He promised her and she nodded, avoiding his gaze again.
She stared at the head dress in her hands. "It's fine." She mumbled under her breath again after he had left the room.
***********************************************************
Obi Wan hurried out of the tent and out into the rain. He rounded a corner away from any attention and without warning shouted at the top of his lungs. He quickly composed himself and attempted to cast his feelings into the Force. When he felt the lapse in his facade had passed and he felt he could face people again he emerged from his hiding place and came face to face with Padme Amidala who had a look of great concern on her face.
"Obi Wan?" She asked, her voice small and nervous.
"Milady." Obi Wan answered and tried to move past her. Padme grabbed his sleeve as he tried to escape a conversation with her. She stared at him and he in turn stared at her. Nothing more was spoken between the two, yet both understood one another at that moment. Padme finally let him go and Obi Wan went about his duties.
He headed for the war room when he noticed a figure standing away from the camp, practicing kata stances. The young man was lean, but powerful and a very skill warrior. Obi Wan headed towards the figure and watched with a watchful eye as the twenty one year old flawlessly demonstrated why he could be the chosen one. Obi Wan was careful not to let the prophecy go to his already arrogant apprentice's head.
He looked at his charge that was in the middle of freezing rain wearing nothing but a pair of pants. "Didn't I just put myself through hell trying to find a way to get you out of bed?" Obi Wan asked as Anakin finished one level of kata. "Would you like to explain to me why you are out here in the freezing weather almost nude?"
Anakin glanced at his master and rolled his eyes. "Practicing, I've been on my back for too long." He answered, moving to the next level of kata.
Obi Wan folded his arms across his chest and watched with a skilled eye, ready to catch any mistakes. He watched as Anakin kicked out with his left leg then twisted into a back flip. "Well done Anakin." Obi Wan encouraged. Anakin then twisted and kicked out with his right leg. "You are up on your toes too much, use the balls of your feet; you'll find you'll get more support." Obi Wan taught.
Anakin huffed. "It's an easier move when you go on your toes." He argued.
"What is easier is not always the most effective." Obi Wan explained. "Don't succumb to the temptations of cutting corners padawan."
Anakin rolled his eyes. "Yes master." He huffed and did the move again, this time with the correction.
Obi Wan heard the huff in his apprentice's voice and he frowned to himself. He watched Anakin perform several more kata moves before he spoke again. "By the way Anakin," Anakin stopped and looked at his master. "I spoke with senator Amidala."
Anakin held his breath at this and stared at master. "What did she tell you?" He asked.
"Something I should've heard from you." Obi Wan answered. He then began to walk away from Anakin.
"Master?" Anakin called.
Obi Wan sighed. "I wish you would just be honest with me padawan." He explained, never turning to face his apprentice.
Anakin thought for a moment. "If I had been honest, what would you have done?"
Obi Wan turned to look at his apprentice. Anakin noticed a cold look in his eyes. "I guess we'll never know will we?" He then continued to walk away. "Put something on Anakin, I don't need you back with the healers."
Anakin watched as Obi Wan left him alone in the rain, he felt his body tense with anger.
*******************************************
Siri stepped out of the shower, she couldn't remember the last time she had felt more refreshed. She dried her body off with a towel and thought about what had happened with Obi Wan. She didn't know what had come over her, it just for some reason felt right. She felt she needed the release and she wasn't going to apologize for her actions.
Her thoughts then returned to her time in captivity and she felt her body tense. She felt as if a part of her had died during that time and she hated that feeling. She had felt this way once before when she had first returned from infiltrating a team of pirates only this time it was worse. She put on the clothes that Obi Wan had given her, surprised that they actually fit her. She tied the black halter top and stared at herself in the mirror. She glanced down and fixed the long black skirt that had a slit up the front and placed the belt over her mid section. She ran her fingers over the soft fabric that had to have been made by some sort of animal.
She then picked up the head dress and looked at her face in the mirror. She for the first time actually saw herself without hair. She stared in disbelief at her reflection for a moment when something caught her eye. She turned her head slightly and noticed the eight digit number tattooed on her skull. She raised a shaky hand up to her head and carefully caressed the numbers for a moment. She then looked back at her face and felt a tidal wave of emotions rising inside of her.
She then pounded her fists into the mirror, shattering some of the glass.
"Master, are you ok?" A familiar voice called along with a knock on the door.
Siri glanced at the door, then down at her hands which were covered in little streams of blood. She flexed her fingers and felt little shards of glass dig their way deeper into her skin. She then heard the knock again, this time followed by another voice.
"Master Tachi? Are you alright?" The voice of Mace Windu asked.
Siri looked at herself again, tears rolled down her cheeks. She quickly swallowed her emotions and turned on the faucet. "I'll out in a moment." She called out to the people banging on the door. She tried to pull out as many of the pieces of glass that she could, but knew she should probably go to a healer. She shrugged off the inkling of her common sense and washed off the blood.
Mace looked at Ferus who was trying to keep his emotions in check. Mace knew the young man was very worried about his master, but was trying to save face to the Council Member. He put a reassuring hand on the padawan's shoulder. Finally the door opened and a very exhausted woman dressed in black, wearing a red bandana on her head exited the freshener.
"Master Tachi?" Ferus asked, apprehensively.
"Yes, what is it?" She asked, coldly.
Mace looked at her in surprise, but he could sense the emotions behind her façade. "We heard a loud crash; we wanted to make sure you were alright Master Tachi." Mace explained.
"Well I'm fine." She answered, moving past them.
Ferus frowned, he then noticed the blood beginning to once again trickle down her hands. "Is there anything I can do for you master?" He asked.
Siri didn't respond, she didn't have the energy to deal with this at the moment.
Mace stepped forward. "I think your master needs her rest Padawan Olin." He looked at Siri, sensing a dark ripple through the Force.
"Yes Master Windu." Ferus caught on. "Rest well master." He said as he exited the room.
Mace lingered for a moment longer. "You should see the healers." He stated, motioning to her hands.
"I'm fine." She defended.
"Whatever you say Master Tachi." Mace sighed and followed the apprentice out of the room.
*************************************************
"You told Master Obi Wan?" Anakin stormed into the tent that Padme had been given during her stay. The senator turned from what she was doing and faced an extremely angry husband.
"I was angry, it slipped." She explained.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" He asked. "He'll never nominate for the trials now. What were you thinking?"
"I wasn't thinking," She explained. "I'm sorry." She walked up to him, placing her hands on his arms.
Anakin grabbed her by the shoulders, holding her very forcibly. "He'll tell the Council, they'll force me to choose!"
Padme squirmed under the weight of his arms. "Anakin, stop, you're hurting me." She tried to push him off. "I'm sorry."
Anakin noticed the look on her eyes, the pain he was causing and also fear, he quickly stopped and removed his hands from her shoulders. He then dropped to his knees, hugging her around her waist. "Forgive me Padme, I didn't mean to do that. I would never hurt you,"
She looked down at him and noticed the innocent look in his eyes, she still felt uneasy. She lifted him up to his feet. "It's ok Ani." She gave him a small feigned smile. "Now tell me, what did Obi Wan say?"
"He just said that he spoke to you, and he should've heard it from me." Anakin told her.
"He didn't say he would tell the Council?" She asked, and Anakin shook his head. "No lectures, nothing?"
Anakin shook his head again. "No, it was eerie." He explained. "He seemed so. . .so tired."
****************************************************
"How feel you?" a holographic image of Yoda asked.
"Tired master." Obi Wan revealed.
"Hmmm, yes tired, but something else I sense." Yoda purged.
Obi Wan shook his head. "No master Yoda, nothing else."
"See through you I can."
Obi Wan sighed. "I have not contacted you to talk about me master."
"Evade that topic forever you cannot." Yoda scolded. "Contacted me for what matter have you Obi Wan?"
Obi Wan lowered his head and took a deep breath before continuing. "I would like to nominate Anakin Skywalker for the trials."
Yoda's eyes widened. "Sure of this you are?"
Obi Wan slowly nodded. "He is head strong and has much to learn of the Unifying Force, but he is capable; there is little more he can learn from me." He exclaimed, and then felt a pang in his heart at his choice of words.
Yoda sighed. He knew the Council felt the same way; they were just waiting for Obi Wan's nomination. Yoda however wasn't so sure. "Nominated for the trials young Skywalker is." He replied after a moment. "Discuss this with the Council I will."
Obi Wan bowed. "Very good master."
Yoda grumbled as he ended the comlink. Obi Wan rose to his feet and stared blankly at the maps and holopics the decorated the war room. He then felt a presence enter the room, he looked up and noticed Mace Windu slowly making his way towards him.
"What made you change your mind?" Mace asked.
"Let's just say I've discovered that there are only so many times a man can run into a dead end before he realizes to try a different route." Obi Wan answered. "Anakin now must have life as a teacher."
"The boy has exceptional skills." Mace put a hand on Obi Wan's shoulder.
"I know." Obi Wan admitted. "That's why I nominated him for the trials."
Mace stared at Obi Wan. "Is it?" He asked.
Obi Wan turned away from the Council member's stare and sighed. "Yes." He answered.
Suddenly the two Jedi were interrupted by a clone trooper running into the room. "General Kenobi!"
Obi Wan looked up at the clone and suddenly his sense of duty kicked in. "Alpha?" He inquired.
"General, we just received news." Alpha had to catch his breath and this worried both Jedi masters. "Sir, the separatists have attacked Courascant. They have taken the Chancellor!"
*********************************
* Author's note: Ok, I don't know if I'm happy with that chapter, but like I said it's a WIP. Please let me know what you all think.
Author: ewan's girl
*Author's note: Thank you to all who are reviewing, it means so much to me. Now please review this chapter, it'll be like a Christmas gift to me! Merry Christmas to my faithful readers.
-Beezelbub Skywalker: Yes poor Siri, you probably will still be saying that a lot in the coming chapters, I guess I am a big meanie. And I promise you Anakin will have plenty of action in the coming chapters, but I don't know if he'd get tired of being in bed all day if Padme was always around. Thank you for the reviews.
-Jedikma: Thank you for all of your wonderful reviews. Your reviews always help keep me inspired to write better chapters. I hope I can keep juggling the characters and plots as this story continues. So much has to happen in this story and I hope I can make it work.
-Obiwafan: Yes I am evil, but you should know that from my other stories. I know Siri punched Obi Wan, but I had to think what I would do in her situation. Ferus is a weird guy, there really isn't anything weird up with him, at least not in my story, other that him trying to be the "perfect" padawan. Thank you for all your reviews.
-Glavin69: Hulk not incredible. Well padawan, thanks for all the reviews and help you continue to give me with this story, I'm glad you liked the action scenes, and yes I am sorry but there will be mushy stuff in the chapters to come so bear with it. And if you're good maybe Santa will bring you the fatty Obi Bobba fight you wished for.
Chapter 10:
Siri opened her eyes slowly, she carefully took in her surroundings and noticed she once again woke up to find herself in a warm bed and unchained. She felt her heart rate quicken as she was unsure of the game her captures were playing. She wanted to believe with all of her heart that she had been rescued, but she was afraid to believe, she didn't want to make that mistake again. She closed her eyes to adjust to the light and searched her surroundings again. She noticed a cloaked figure sitting next to her on a chair with his eyes closed and she grew afraid.
She silently tried to slip past the sleeping guard when she felt strong fingers grip her wrist and held her down. She hissed in pain as the fingers grabbed her bruised wrist. She tried to kick him with her powerful legs, but was blocked and held down on the bed. She struggled under his weight. She shook her head violently as she tried to free herself.
Obi Wan held onto Siri tighter, hating himself for having to do this to calm her down, but he knew it was the only way. He pulled down his hood, hoping that seeing his face would calm her down, but it did nothing of the kind. She writhed underneath his body and he held her tighter. "Siri." He spoke to her in a soothing voice. "Siri relax, you're safe." He held her arms above her head and stared into her intensely scared eyes. "I promise you I won't let him hurt you again."
Siri's body shook as she met his gaze, she could feel the Force flowing between the two of them. She relaxed her body after a moment. "Obi Wan?" She asked, her voice cracking. She could feel a single tear rolling down her cheek. "Please tell me it is really you."
Obi Wan eased his grip on her and smiled. "It is me." He assured her. "The bane of your existence, remember?" Siri felt more tears spilling and she laughed for the first time in weeks. Obi Wan joined her in laughing and thanked the Force he was able to calm her down. He waited a moment before speaking again. "Are you ok?" He lamely asked.
Siri stared into his eyes that were etched with concern and shook her head. She then quickly wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly. Obi Wan was shocked by her actions, but put his arms around her waist and returned the embrace. She moved her hands from the back of his neck and placed them on either sides of his face, holding his attention. "I cannot believe I am here." She said her voice hoarse. He gave her a small smile. What she did next really shocked the usually reserved Jedi knight. She put one hand on the back of his head and leaned in towards him. He suddenly felt her lips brush against his, inviting him to taste them. He pulled back slightly from the invitation and stared at her. He stared as she licked her lips, enticing him more to give in. Suddenly he gave in, he let go, and for once in his life everything that he had devoted himself entirely to didn't matter and he lived in the moment.
He returned the kiss, his lips hungrily attacking hers. He then lowered her back onto the bed. Siri wrapped her legs around him and kissed him back with as much intensity as he had given her. She began to slip her hands underneath the fabric of his cloak and remove it, then his tunic. He ran his hands over her body, being careful of any injuries she had occurred.
He carefully removed his sleep pants that she was wearing and she in turn removed his pants and pulled him closer towards her. She wrapped her legs tighter around him as he pushed himself into her. She let out an involuntary moan and he silenced her with a kiss.
"We have to be silent." He told her and she nodded, her eyes filled with a fire he had never seen before. They eventually found their rhythm and both found themselves stifling moans as they continued in their forbidden dance. Siri pulled Obi Wan into her and as she suppressed another moan she dug her nails into his back.
Something in the back of Obi Wan's mind kept nagging him as he continued to live in the moment. He suddenly realized what he was doing and stopped. He found himself panting and then looked at Siri who immediately knew why he had stopped. "I know." She said quietly.
"I'm sorry." He said and quickly as his body would allow him began to get dressed. He then looked back at Siri and sighed. "I'm sorry for everything." He told her. She looked at him with almost a cold stare. He bent down next to the chair he had been occupying earlier and picked up the bag of goods he had purchased, he gave it to Siri. "This is for you." He told her.
She looked at the bag, then back at Obi Wan. "What is it?" She asked.
"It's just some clothes I bought from the locals, I don't know if it is your size, but I figured it would fit you better than my clothes." He explained, trying to give her a warm smile. Siri then pulled a small red cloth from the bag that had several strands of beads hanging from it. She cocked an eyebrow at Obi Wan. "That is actually for your. . ." He looked at her before continuing. "That is for you head." He explained and she lowered her eyes. "It is a special head dress that the locals wear. They made me pick out the beads. I hope they are ok." He shifted nervously as he spoke.
She ran a strand of beads through her fingers and nodded. "It's fine." She answered.
Obi Wan nodded. "Well Master Tachi, I have some things I have to do." He changed the subject and she looked at him. "I will be by later to check on you." He promised her and she nodded, avoiding his gaze again.
She stared at the head dress in her hands. "It's fine." She mumbled under her breath again after he had left the room.
***********************************************************
Obi Wan hurried out of the tent and out into the rain. He rounded a corner away from any attention and without warning shouted at the top of his lungs. He quickly composed himself and attempted to cast his feelings into the Force. When he felt the lapse in his facade had passed and he felt he could face people again he emerged from his hiding place and came face to face with Padme Amidala who had a look of great concern on her face.
"Obi Wan?" She asked, her voice small and nervous.
"Milady." Obi Wan answered and tried to move past her. Padme grabbed his sleeve as he tried to escape a conversation with her. She stared at him and he in turn stared at her. Nothing more was spoken between the two, yet both understood one another at that moment. Padme finally let him go and Obi Wan went about his duties.
He headed for the war room when he noticed a figure standing away from the camp, practicing kata stances. The young man was lean, but powerful and a very skill warrior. Obi Wan headed towards the figure and watched with a watchful eye as the twenty one year old flawlessly demonstrated why he could be the chosen one. Obi Wan was careful not to let the prophecy go to his already arrogant apprentice's head.
He looked at his charge that was in the middle of freezing rain wearing nothing but a pair of pants. "Didn't I just put myself through hell trying to find a way to get you out of bed?" Obi Wan asked as Anakin finished one level of kata. "Would you like to explain to me why you are out here in the freezing weather almost nude?"
Anakin glanced at his master and rolled his eyes. "Practicing, I've been on my back for too long." He answered, moving to the next level of kata.
Obi Wan folded his arms across his chest and watched with a skilled eye, ready to catch any mistakes. He watched as Anakin kicked out with his left leg then twisted into a back flip. "Well done Anakin." Obi Wan encouraged. Anakin then twisted and kicked out with his right leg. "You are up on your toes too much, use the balls of your feet; you'll find you'll get more support." Obi Wan taught.
Anakin huffed. "It's an easier move when you go on your toes." He argued.
"What is easier is not always the most effective." Obi Wan explained. "Don't succumb to the temptations of cutting corners padawan."
Anakin rolled his eyes. "Yes master." He huffed and did the move again, this time with the correction.
Obi Wan heard the huff in his apprentice's voice and he frowned to himself. He watched Anakin perform several more kata moves before he spoke again. "By the way Anakin," Anakin stopped and looked at his master. "I spoke with senator Amidala."
Anakin held his breath at this and stared at master. "What did she tell you?" He asked.
"Something I should've heard from you." Obi Wan answered. He then began to walk away from Anakin.
"Master?" Anakin called.
Obi Wan sighed. "I wish you would just be honest with me padawan." He explained, never turning to face his apprentice.
Anakin thought for a moment. "If I had been honest, what would you have done?"
Obi Wan turned to look at his apprentice. Anakin noticed a cold look in his eyes. "I guess we'll never know will we?" He then continued to walk away. "Put something on Anakin, I don't need you back with the healers."
Anakin watched as Obi Wan left him alone in the rain, he felt his body tense with anger.
*******************************************
Siri stepped out of the shower, she couldn't remember the last time she had felt more refreshed. She dried her body off with a towel and thought about what had happened with Obi Wan. She didn't know what had come over her, it just for some reason felt right. She felt she needed the release and she wasn't going to apologize for her actions.
Her thoughts then returned to her time in captivity and she felt her body tense. She felt as if a part of her had died during that time and she hated that feeling. She had felt this way once before when she had first returned from infiltrating a team of pirates only this time it was worse. She put on the clothes that Obi Wan had given her, surprised that they actually fit her. She tied the black halter top and stared at herself in the mirror. She glanced down and fixed the long black skirt that had a slit up the front and placed the belt over her mid section. She ran her fingers over the soft fabric that had to have been made by some sort of animal.
She then picked up the head dress and looked at her face in the mirror. She for the first time actually saw herself without hair. She stared in disbelief at her reflection for a moment when something caught her eye. She turned her head slightly and noticed the eight digit number tattooed on her skull. She raised a shaky hand up to her head and carefully caressed the numbers for a moment. She then looked back at her face and felt a tidal wave of emotions rising inside of her.
She then pounded her fists into the mirror, shattering some of the glass.
"Master, are you ok?" A familiar voice called along with a knock on the door.
Siri glanced at the door, then down at her hands which were covered in little streams of blood. She flexed her fingers and felt little shards of glass dig their way deeper into her skin. She then heard the knock again, this time followed by another voice.
"Master Tachi? Are you alright?" The voice of Mace Windu asked.
Siri looked at herself again, tears rolled down her cheeks. She quickly swallowed her emotions and turned on the faucet. "I'll out in a moment." She called out to the people banging on the door. She tried to pull out as many of the pieces of glass that she could, but knew she should probably go to a healer. She shrugged off the inkling of her common sense and washed off the blood.
Mace looked at Ferus who was trying to keep his emotions in check. Mace knew the young man was very worried about his master, but was trying to save face to the Council Member. He put a reassuring hand on the padawan's shoulder. Finally the door opened and a very exhausted woman dressed in black, wearing a red bandana on her head exited the freshener.
"Master Tachi?" Ferus asked, apprehensively.
"Yes, what is it?" She asked, coldly.
Mace looked at her in surprise, but he could sense the emotions behind her façade. "We heard a loud crash; we wanted to make sure you were alright Master Tachi." Mace explained.
"Well I'm fine." She answered, moving past them.
Ferus frowned, he then noticed the blood beginning to once again trickle down her hands. "Is there anything I can do for you master?" He asked.
Siri didn't respond, she didn't have the energy to deal with this at the moment.
Mace stepped forward. "I think your master needs her rest Padawan Olin." He looked at Siri, sensing a dark ripple through the Force.
"Yes Master Windu." Ferus caught on. "Rest well master." He said as he exited the room.
Mace lingered for a moment longer. "You should see the healers." He stated, motioning to her hands.
"I'm fine." She defended.
"Whatever you say Master Tachi." Mace sighed and followed the apprentice out of the room.
*************************************************
"You told Master Obi Wan?" Anakin stormed into the tent that Padme had been given during her stay. The senator turned from what she was doing and faced an extremely angry husband.
"I was angry, it slipped." She explained.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" He asked. "He'll never nominate for the trials now. What were you thinking?"
"I wasn't thinking," She explained. "I'm sorry." She walked up to him, placing her hands on his arms.
Anakin grabbed her by the shoulders, holding her very forcibly. "He'll tell the Council, they'll force me to choose!"
Padme squirmed under the weight of his arms. "Anakin, stop, you're hurting me." She tried to push him off. "I'm sorry."
Anakin noticed the look on her eyes, the pain he was causing and also fear, he quickly stopped and removed his hands from her shoulders. He then dropped to his knees, hugging her around her waist. "Forgive me Padme, I didn't mean to do that. I would never hurt you,"
She looked down at him and noticed the innocent look in his eyes, she still felt uneasy. She lifted him up to his feet. "It's ok Ani." She gave him a small feigned smile. "Now tell me, what did Obi Wan say?"
"He just said that he spoke to you, and he should've heard it from me." Anakin told her.
"He didn't say he would tell the Council?" She asked, and Anakin shook his head. "No lectures, nothing?"
Anakin shook his head again. "No, it was eerie." He explained. "He seemed so. . .so tired."
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"How feel you?" a holographic image of Yoda asked.
"Tired master." Obi Wan revealed.
"Hmmm, yes tired, but something else I sense." Yoda purged.
Obi Wan shook his head. "No master Yoda, nothing else."
"See through you I can."
Obi Wan sighed. "I have not contacted you to talk about me master."
"Evade that topic forever you cannot." Yoda scolded. "Contacted me for what matter have you Obi Wan?"
Obi Wan lowered his head and took a deep breath before continuing. "I would like to nominate Anakin Skywalker for the trials."
Yoda's eyes widened. "Sure of this you are?"
Obi Wan slowly nodded. "He is head strong and has much to learn of the Unifying Force, but he is capable; there is little more he can learn from me." He exclaimed, and then felt a pang in his heart at his choice of words.
Yoda sighed. He knew the Council felt the same way; they were just waiting for Obi Wan's nomination. Yoda however wasn't so sure. "Nominated for the trials young Skywalker is." He replied after a moment. "Discuss this with the Council I will."
Obi Wan bowed. "Very good master."
Yoda grumbled as he ended the comlink. Obi Wan rose to his feet and stared blankly at the maps and holopics the decorated the war room. He then felt a presence enter the room, he looked up and noticed Mace Windu slowly making his way towards him.
"What made you change your mind?" Mace asked.
"Let's just say I've discovered that there are only so many times a man can run into a dead end before he realizes to try a different route." Obi Wan answered. "Anakin now must have life as a teacher."
"The boy has exceptional skills." Mace put a hand on Obi Wan's shoulder.
"I know." Obi Wan admitted. "That's why I nominated him for the trials."
Mace stared at Obi Wan. "Is it?" He asked.
Obi Wan turned away from the Council member's stare and sighed. "Yes." He answered.
Suddenly the two Jedi were interrupted by a clone trooper running into the room. "General Kenobi!"
Obi Wan looked up at the clone and suddenly his sense of duty kicked in. "Alpha?" He inquired.
"General, we just received news." Alpha had to catch his breath and this worried both Jedi masters. "Sir, the separatists have attacked Courascant. They have taken the Chancellor!"
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* Author's note: Ok, I don't know if I'm happy with that chapter, but like I said it's a WIP. Please let me know what you all think.