With Christmas being right around the corner, I'm probably not going to be able to update as often - business of the season and all! Please bear with me! Thank you for your continued interest and reviews!

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The Emperor had watched quietly as Obi-Wan came out of his coma. Obi-Wan had come back because of Padme, just as he had predicted. Obi-Wan had fallen asleep so quickly, he hadn't even had a chance to say anything to him. He now sat and pondered the relief he had felt at Obi-Wan's recovery.

I am a Master Sith. I do not care for anyone or anything -- only power. My only interest in Obi-Wan is to have a more reliable, steady apprentice; and thus, have a stronger grip on the galaxy. That's the way it was supposed to be. But he also knew, deep down, there was something else – something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Sidious diverted his attention to the two women tending to Obi-Wan. Padme was sitting on the edge of the cot, still holding Obi-Wan's hand. Laicee was replacing the empty saline bag with another one. When she was done, Sidious got up and motioned for the Stormtrooper still stationed at the door.

Sidious spoke quietly to the trooper. The trooper nodded and went over to Laicee.

Sidious walked over to the cot. "You will be staying in a different room from now on, Healer. You will stay close by, in case Obi-Wan has need of you again."

Laicee and Padme exchanged glances. Laicee then looked down at Obi-Wan with concern. "I really hate to leave him so soon after waking from a coma."

"If there are any problems, you will be brought back." Sidious looked at the trooper. "Take her." He watched as the trooper took Laicee's arm and escorted her out the door.

Sidious was not about to release the healer. She knew too much. But he didn't want her to stay in here. He didn't need another distraction while he worked.

He turned to find Padme glaring at him with unabashed hatred. Sidious smiled his detestable smile. "I'm glad to know the feeling is mutual." He glanced down at Obi-Wan. "He'll probably be asleep for a while yet. And I have some things I must tend to."

Padme glared at the back of the Emperor as he left. She sighed heavily as she turned back to Obi-Wan. She knew that Sidious would not give up. If Obi-Wan didn't escape, he'd wind up having to turn to the dark side or he would die. But Sidious doesn't seem to want Obi dead. He's already given Obi more slack than I ever would have thought possible. Padme didn't quite know what to make of it, but she didn't want them to stick around and find out.

Padme was discouraged by not being able to talk with Laicee about what happened at the lab. She didn't even know if the message was even sent! No, I'm sure Laicee would have told me if she hadn't succeeded. Padme decided to go on the assumption that the message was sent. She knew, though, that even if it was sent, the chances of them actually being rescued were slim. Those in opposition to the Empire just didn't have enough resources or people to stage an elaborate rescue.

Padme decided to refocus her thoughts before she got even more depressed. She looked down at Obi-Wan, sleeping peacefully. She couldn't help but smile a bit. Even though he needed his rest, she wished he'd wake up. She so wanted to talk with him! Did he hear what she told him while he was in the coma? Would he share her sentiments? What if he didn't feel the same way? Did he now regret telling her he loved her in the same panicky moment she had said it to him?

Padme shook her head. Those are great thoughts for avoiding depression, Padme! She let go of Obi-Wan's hand and stretched. Her back was hurting, so she went and got the chair the Emperor had occupied. She sat in it, grateful for the support it gave her aching back. She took Obi-Wan's hand again and continued her vigil.

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Several hours later, Obi-Wan woke up slowly. He blinked his eyes, trying to get them to focus. The sight that greeted him was not what he expected. "Your face was not the face I was hoping to wake up to." His voice was low. He still felt terribly weak.

Sidious cackled. "Yes, well, your precious Padme did not leave your side willingly. I'm afraid I had to force the issue." He glanced over at Padme, who was shooting lasers at him with her eyes. She was locked to the wall again.

Obi-Wan got up on his elbow so he could see her. That act alone robbed him of strength. He fell back onto the cot. "Are you okay, Padme?" He tried to talk loud enough for her to hear.

"Yes, I'm fine. Don't tire yourself worrying about me." Padme was grateful that Sidious hadn't locked her head in place, just her arms and legs. She was frustrated beyond words! She couldn't even have a moment alone with Obi-Wan! Sidious had used the Force to send her over to the wall and lock her up, since she had steadfastly refused his order to move. This was a time when she seriously wished she was Force-sensitive. She'd enjoy sending Sidious flying into the wall as he'd done to Vader!

Sidious glanced at Padme with amusement. He enjoyed the frustration he was sensing from her. He turned back to Obi-Wan. "How are you feeling, my apprentice?"

Obi-Wan snorted. "How do I feel? I FEEL like I've been tortured with a blaster. I FEEL like I've been tortured with a lightsaber. I FEEL like I was nearly run through by said lightsaber. And I FEEL like I was in a coma!"

Sidious cackled again. "Okay, that was a stupid question. I do want to congratulate you, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan's eyebrow went up at that. "For what?" It irritated him that all he could manage was a whisper.

"For taking your first step toward the dark side! That little tactic you used against Vader – that is one that is often employed by us."

"Just because it's been used by the dark side, doesn't mean it's OF the dark side."

Sidious smiled. "I have to admit, you managed to surprise me yet again. I should have known that you'd pick up on the fact that Vader was unaware of my plans for you. You worked on him as I had hoped he'd work on you. That was bold, Kenobi, very bold!"

"Thank you."

"I do hope you realize that all you did was make me even more determined to have you as my apprentice."

Obi-Wan shook his head in amazement. He still couldn't fathom why Sidious was so fixated on having him on his side.

"Kenobi, I'm willing to give you more power than you ever thought possible!"

"I'm not Anakin, Sidious." He couldn't hide the sadness in his voice or in his eyes at the thought of his former padawan.

Sidious caught the sadness in Obi-Wan's eyes. "No, you're not. I wouldn't have given you a second thought if you were. My interest in you lies in the ways you are different than Anakin."

"What I mean is, I'm not power-hungry the way Anakin was. I've never dreamed of being all-powerful. I've always been of the mindset that absolute power is corrupting. I find the idea of having that much power distasteful."

Sidious studied him. "Don't you see, that is why it MUST be you!"

Obi-Wan looked at the Emperor like he'd grown another head. "Okay, now I'm confused."

"If you were my apprentice, I would know I could trust you. I would know that you wouldn't try to usurp my power and position. And in return, I'd deny you nothing!"

Obi-Wan smiled grimly. "Okay, as a sign of good faith, let Padme go."

Sidious smiled knowingly. "I said I'd deny you nothing AFTER you became my apprentice – not before."

"Just thought I'd try." Obi-Wan closed his eyes. He was so tired! He also became aware that his chest was throbbing. I feel terrible!

Sidious could feel Obi-Wan's fatigue. I can use that fatigue to my advantage. Sidious decided it was time to start his work.