The Jedi Council

Anakin made his way out of the Senatorial Apartment building without being seen. His speeder wove in and out of traffic and Anakin, using the Force, was able to make it to the Jedi Temple in record time-avoiding the traffic jams that occurred, even in the air.

As Anakin entered the Jedi Temple, he saw Obi-Wan standing still near one of the decorative pillars. The giant atrium echoed his quick footfalls as he rushed over to meet his mentor and friend.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan stepped forward to meet his former apprentice. He still amazed at how much Anakin had matured over the course of the Clone Wars. He truly had become a great and powerful Jedi. Obi-Wan felt a flash of pride in his training of this young man, then quickly put it out of his mind.

Pride in one's self is not the Jedi way, he thought, admonishing himself.

"Master, what is the emergency?" Anakin asked as they started towards the Council Chambers.

"I will let Master Yoda explain the situation, and the importance of the mission," Obi-Wan responded cryptically. Anakin glanced sideways at his former master, but he was unable to read his expression.

The duo walked the rest of the way in silence, basking in the warm light that filtered through the high vaulted ceilings of the Jedi Temple. The Temple was one of the few buildings in the capital city that received natural light from the large, yellow sun. The open atrium was designed to capture the light, and diffuse it across all the surfaces. It was calming, and many Jedi would pause near one of the open archways, staring out at the city-absorbing strength through The Force. Anakin himself had taken many moments at these very windows. Meditating and letting The Force flow through him and guide him.

Obi-Wan and Anakin rode the lift to the top of the center spire of the Temple, where the Jedi Council chambers were located. They paused outside the doors and within seconds of the Jedi's arrival they swung open, no doubt under the power of Master Yoda or Master Windu.

Anakin walked to the center of the ring of Jedi Masters, and standing on the plush rug he faced the two Masters. He stood at-ease, waiting, while Obi-Wan made his way to his seat in the circle of Jedi Masters.

"Defiance, the Jedi Knights are facing," Master Yoda suddenly spoke. Anakin stared at the diminutive Jedi, unsure of what he was trying to say.

"In the Senate, rumors," Yoda turned to face Mace Windu. Master Windu looked between the seated Obi-Wan Kenobi and the standing Anakin Skywalker.

"Apparently there is a Senator who has been pursuing a relationship with a Jedi Knight," he plainly stated.

Anakin felt his heart leap into his throat-but he controlled his expression, and closed his mind. He was certain no one could sense his emotions, but with Masters Yoda and Windu, it was very hard to tell. Anakin had become very talented at hiding his true thoughts and feelings. It had become necessary over the last few years. But Anakin found it increasingly more difficult to keep this enormous secret from Obi-Wan, especially when he was missing his wife. He had desired on several occasions to talk to someone.

He turned slightly, looking at Obi-Wan out of the corner of his eye. The older Jedi did not appear surprised at this revelation. Anakin wondered how much Obi-Wan really knew about Padmé and himself. They had been free with their feelings on Geonosis, but after the secret wedding had toned it down for the sake of their careers. For all outward appearances they were nothing but close friends. Anakin felt this was probably the reason he and Obi-Wan had been chosen. No other Jedi had any kind of relationship with a Senator, at least none that he had known of. Mace Windu's stern voice brought Anakin back to the current moment.

"The council wants you two to determine the Senator, and the Jedi. Then bring them before the council," Master Windu instructed.

He noticed Obi-Wan watching him, a strange, blank expression on his face. Anakin forced a slight apologetic smile and turned his attention back to the Jedi Master before them.

"Excuse me, Master Windu, but why is this a job for the Jedi? Wouldn't our talents be better put to use to try and track down General Grievous?" Anakin addressed the Jedi Master, not meaning to sound insubordinate.

Anakin sensed Obi-Wan tense slightly at his questioning of the mission. Master's Windu and Yoda, along with the rest of the Council, looked at Anakin.

There was a long silence.

"A spy within our midst," Yoda finally spoke. "Information about Jedi affairs, known to the enemy is."

"The council would ask that you use your connections with Senator Amidala and Chancellor Palpatine to try and ferret out this spy," Master Windu spoke plainly. The tension Anakin had held since the revelation of these rumors left his body as he realized it wasn't he and Padmé under suspicion.

Anakin nodded his head slightly in understanding. "Forgive the doubt Master Yoda; we will do our duty for the Republic," he spoke firmly, bowing to the seated Masters.