Thank you all for your wonderful, faithful reviews! I must admit, I wasn't planning on taking this story in this direction, but my writing has a mind of its own!
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A couple of days later, Obi-Wan looked around his new apartment. It was actually quite luxurious. The forcefield surrounding the place and the armed guards stationed outside his front door were the only indication that this was actually a prison. He opened the door to the balcony. The forcefield was far enough out that he could lean over the railing and watch the Coruscant traffic.
Obi-Wan heaved a heavy sigh. It hurt being back on this planet. This planet held so many memories about things long gone. His heart ached as he thought of the beloved Jedi Temple, now nothing more than an ash heap. And it was in an apartment very much like this one where Padme had come back into both his and Anakin's lives. The thought of Padme brought a pain to his heart that nearly took his breath away. Oh, how he missed her!
Resting his head in his hands, Obi-Wan watched the steady stream of movement around him. He fervently wished that he could release his emotions into the Force. He felt a heaviness that was oppressive. Images of times past and friends gone flashed unbidden through his mind.
Sidious entered Obi-Wan's apartment and looked around. He didn't see Obi-Wan, but he had a feeling where he might be. He made his way through the large living area and came up to the door to the balcony. Obi-Wan was hunched over the railing. An air of melancholy hung over him like a shroud. He even looked as though he were physically weighted down.
Sidious opened the door and stepped out onto the balcony. Obi-Wan turned his head at the sound. Sidious came to stand beside him. "Do you like your apartment?"
"It's a bit more luxurious than I'm used to, but yes, thank you." Obi-Wan turned his head back to the Coruscant skyline. He tried to focus on his breathing, not the memories still assaulting his mind. He massaged his temples, trying to get the pain to ease up.
"Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine. It's just a headache." Obi-Wan just wanted to be left alone. All of the memories and the pain were starting to make him irritable.
Sidious caught the edge in Obi-Wan's voice. He put his hand up to Obi-Wan's temple. Obi-Wan flinched and backed away a bit. But Sidious tried again. He put his hand up and this time Obi-Wan stood still, eyes locked on his.
As Sidious touched his temple, Obi-Wan could feel the pain get whisked away. The memories instantly stopped and a feeling of peace flowed through him. He relaxed against the railing, releasing his breath as Sidious pulled his hand away. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Sidious noticed the confusion in Obi-Wan's eyes. That confusion was probably mirrored in his own. He cleared his throat. "Well, I have some things that I need to attend to. Make yourself comfortable. The cupboards are stocked. You have plenty of clothes, a holovid, a computer terminal, datapads – all the comforts of home. I'll be back to check in on you this evening." Sidious quickly went back into the apartment and left.
Sidious was quite uncomfortable with the emotions that always seemed to take hold of him where Obi-Wan was concerned. Being around him again had increased those alien emotions ten-fold. It irritated him that he was acting so very un-Sith-like. Why couldn't he go back to the days when all his emotions ran predictably dark? Those wonderful days before I got these blasted paternal yearnings!
Obi-Wan sat down in one of the chairs on the balcony. He was completely baffled. This Sith Master, who had done horrible, heinous things without any remorse, was showing him…tenderness. On top of that, Sidious had bypassed a perfect opportunity to try and push him towards the Dark Side. Instead of using the nightmare against him, Sidious had actually protected him from it! It made NO sense!
Obi-Wan decided to go take a tour of his new home. It was huge and lavishly furnished – not his usual style at all. He checked out the kitchen. It was indeed well stocked with all of his favorite foods and beverages. How did he…Oh, yeah, the mind probe. The bedroom had a huge, comfortable bed. The walk-in closet was full of all kinds of clothes. He picked out an outfit and headed for the fresher. It was also large and well stocked.
Opting for a hot water shower, Obi-Wan took his time, allowing the spray to relax and massage his muscles. Fastening a towel around his waist, he got out and went over to the cabinet. He searched the drawers and then found a shaver. Padme had preferred him clean-shaven. Even though she wasn't here, he still wanted to do that for her. Obi-Wan combed his short hair and put on his clothes. The beige pants and white shirt fit perfectly.
Bare feet sinking into the plush carpet, Obi-Wan padded back to the large living area. His eyes scanned the room, taking in every detail. He continued on into the office. On the desk was a computer terminal and a few datapads. He walked throughout the large apartment, taking a complete inventory. It did pretty much have everything one could need, but there was no communications equipment. Why would I think there would be?
There was only one heavily guarded entrance into the apartment and the outside was completely enclosed by a forcefield. Considering he was without his lightsaber and was blocked from using the Force, the odds of being able to escape were not good. He would have to resign himself to being trapped here – for now.
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Sidious entered the apartment that evening to find Obi-Wan lying on the sofa reading a datapad. "You certainly appear to have made yourself comfortable." Obi-Wan looked up, but made no reply. Sidious sat down in a nearby chair. "What are you reading?"
"101 Ways to Escape a Locked-Down Apartment"
Genuine laughter escaped from Sidious. "I don't seem to remember including that in your library."
"An oversight, perhaps." Obi-Wan tossed the datapad onto the coffee table as he got up. "I was just about to start dinner. Are you hungry?"
Sidious realized that he hadn't eaten all day. "Yes, actually, I am."
"Then you can make yourself useful and chop up this onion." Obi-Wan placed a cutting board, knife and onion on the opposite counter. He turned back to continue preparing the meat and vegetables.
Sidious got up and slowly walked to the kitchen. He hadn't prepared his own food in years. He eyed the onion dubiously. He picked up the knife and glanced at Obi-Wan, who was still busying himself on the other side of the large kitchen. With a sigh, Sidious resigned himself to his fate and started chopping. It was a particularly potent onion. He had to continually wipe his watering eyes as he worked.
Obi-Wan glanced over his shoulder periodically. He couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the Sith Master mopping at his eyes. Sidious paused from his chopping and looked at Obi-Wan. "You did this deliberately, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did. I'm glad I'm not the only one who can't cut up an onion without crying."
Sidious looked indignant. "I am NOT crying!"
Obi-Wan looked at him with a serious face. "Are you almost done? I'm ready for the onion."
Sidious went back to cutting up the onion, grumbling under his breath. "There." He put down the knife and walked back into the living area, surreptitiously wiping at the streams flowing down his cheeks.
Now sitting at the dining table with their meal, Obi-Wan eyed Sidious. "Is there a reason you wear your cloak and hood even in my presence? I mean, I know this whole mystery and danger thing you've got going works with others, but I know who you are. Why hide?"
Sidious sat up straighter. "I am not hiding." Actually, that wasn't really true. He did like to have an air of mystery and danger, as Obi-Wan said. But he also liked being enclosed in the dark cloak. Maybe he WAS hiding. Leave it to Obi-Wan to see right through him.
Sidious got up from the table and went into the living area. He took off his cloak and laid it over his chair. Now he felt completely exposed. He didn't like this feeling, especially with Obi-Wan's keen eyes dissecting his every move.
Obi-Wan watched the Emperor as he came back to the table. He looked much like he had when he was Chancellor Palpatine. The horrible yellow-eyes and wrinkled face look was almost completely gone. Irritation entered Obi-Wan's eyes as the Emperor sat back down. "You can reveal your true nature to me. This Palpatine persona is no longer you."
Sidious quietly held his gaze for a moment. "On the contrary, I find that when I'm with you, I am more Palpatine than Sidious."
The irritation in Obi-Wan's eyes turned to confusion. Is that what was going on? Had he somehow managed to touch the human in Sidious rather than the Sith?
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Padme had managed to contact Bail through the Rebellion grapevine. She was now waiting at the agreed upon coordinates. She scanned the area again for any vessels, but found nothing. She was thankful that the cloaked ship Bail used couldn't be scanned. She studied the area, finally seeing a crack of light appear in space. She started flying towards what was now an open bay door.
After parking her ship and shutting down the engines, Padme got out to see Bail walking towards her. She gave him a hug. "Thank you so much for doing this, Bail."
"For you and Obi-Wan – anytime. How did Sidious get his claws on Obi-Wan this time?"
"This time, Obi-Wan went voluntarily." Padme explained to Bail all that had transpired the last few days. "I won't let him just sacrifice himself like this."
"Neither will I," Bail said with determination. "We'll get him back, Padme."
Padme smiled her gratitude. "How is Leia?"
"Spunky as ever and beautiful. She misses you."
"You did tell her that…"
"Yes, Padme, I told her."
"Good. It's for the best. I do wish that I could see her again, though." Padme perked up instantly. "I've seen Luke, Bail! He's beautiful!"
Bail squeezed Padme's arm with a smile. "I'm glad." He escorted her out of the bay and towards the lounge. "Now, we need to start laying out plans to get Obi-Wan back."
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Sidious came back to the apartment the next morning to again find Obi-Wan on the balcony. He removed his cloak before stepping outside. Obi-Wan was wrapped in a robe and had dark circles under his eyes.
"Have you been out here all night?"
Obi-Wan looked up from his chair. "Not all, but most."
"Nightmares again?"
"No, not this time. I just couldn't get my mind to shut off."
Sidious held up a hypospray. "I've come with your daily dose of Force suppression."
"Joy." Obi-Wan pulled up the sleeve to his robe to expose his arm.
"I wouldn't do it if I thought I could trust you not to do something tricky." Sidious pressed the hypo to Obi-Wan's skin.
Obi-Wan gave him an ironic look. "Ah, but you know me better than that."
"Indeed, I do."
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That evening, Sidious walked into the apartment to find Obi-Wan asleep on the sofa. A datapad was resting on his chest. Sidious was struck again by how much Obi-Wan looked like a boy.
Sidious used the Force to pick Obi-Wan up and put him to bed. After tucking the covers around him, Sidious put his hand on Obi-Wan's forehead. "Sleep well, Obi-Wan." He hoped the sleep suggestion would keep him asleep the rest of the night.
Sidious decided he would stay the night and make sure Obi-Wan's sleep was undisturbed. He went into the living area and made himself comfortable.
Several hours later, Sidous awoke from his dozing with a start. He walked quickly to Obi-Wan's bedroom. Obi-Wan was thrashing around and mumbling. "No. No, Anakin!"
Sidious sat on the edge of the bed and shook him. "Wake up, Obi-Wan!" Obi-Wan's eyes flew open. His breathing came out in pants.
"You were having another nightmare."
Obi-Wan got his breathing under control and sat up in bed. He ran his fingers through his wet hair. "What time is it?"
"It's around the third hour. You should get some more sleep."
"No!"
"I can keep the nightmares at bay for you."
Obi-Wan was starting to get REALLY confused by the Emperor's behavior. "Why? Why wouldn't you use my nightmares against me? Why aren't you trying to turn me to the Dark Side?"
Sidious looked away. "Because I can't."
"Why can't you?"
Sidious glanced back at Obi-Wan, fidgeting. "Because…because that would mean having to hurt you."
Obi-Wan's eyes grew wide. "You didn't seem to have that problem the last time we were together."
"Yes, I did. Though not to this degree." Sidious paused and looked Obi-Wan in the eye. "That feeling has increased greatly since we were last together."
Obi-Wan kept his face neutral. "What feeling is that?"
Sidious winced. He's not going to make this easy for me. He took a death breath and decided to just plunge ahead. "This feeling of pride that I have in your accomplishments and abilities. This feeling that I want to protect you as a father would his son. This feeling of wanting to have my son by my side."
Obi-Wan didn't know what to say. He never really thought that Sidious would admit his feelings.
Sidious got off the bed and paced. He was extremely annoyed with himself. "There, I said it. It's a heck of a thing for a Sith to have to admit!"
Obi-Wan looked at him steadily. "I know."
