Author's Note: I altered part of Chapter 6 (The Betrayer), and moved a certain scene from there to here.

This chapter contains potential spoilers for the Star Wars licensed novel, Secrets of the Jedi by Jude Watson. BE WARNED!


Obi-Wan and Anakin were standing side by side. They were observing the activity in the senator's apartment. The body of Yennaj Monvé had been removed, and Padmé had felt obligated to accompany the body to the declaration center. There were now Republic officers and a few Jedi involved in cleanup and collection of evidence.

"Master, what do we do now?"

Anakin's voice startled Obi-Wan, who was holding his left arm across his chest supporting his other arm which once again found his hand fingering his beard.

"We will track down Davad, though I fear it will be more difficult now," Obi-Wan spoke calmy, still stroking his slightly graying beard. He was looking at the people moving around the apartment, but not really watching what was going on. Obi-Wan felt Anakin's eyes on him, and breaking his vacant stare he returned the young man's gaze.

Obi-Wan reached into his memory of the events of the afternoon. After the smoke bomb had gone off, there had been blaster fire. Anakin had screamed for Padmé and taken off to the other room. Obi-Wan had made to follow when he'd seen a man in a black cloak coming towards him with Davad in tow. Obi-Wan had been reaching down to his lightsaber when he had suddenly been overcome with a coughing spasm. The disturbance was long enough for the darkly dressed man to take Davad out of the apartment and disappear.

Obi-Wan crouched on the floor where the smoke was less dense, and slowly his coughing fit had diminished as the smoke cleared. He stood some minutes later and had walked to the other room where he'd seen Anakin and Padmé embracing. They hadn't acted guilty of anything, but something about the scene had made Obi-Wan uneasy.

With all the commotion he was now questioning what it was he'd seen and heard. Obi-Wan knew whatever it was it hadn't softened his suspicions about the relationship between Anakin and Senator Amidala.

Obi-Wan had suspected Anakin harbored deeper feelings than just friendship for Padmé. He couldn't blame him, she was very beautiful. But Anakin had to be made to understand the implications of letting himself get close to someone like Padmé. Not only could it hurt him as a Jedi, but it could compromise her position in the Senate as well.

"Master Kenobi," Obi-Wan was again startled out of his memories, this time by Jedi Master Mace Windu. Obi-Wan turned to the elder Jedi, dropping his hand from his beard. Anakin also turned to face the lean Jedi Master. "The Council is calling an unofficial, emergency session, and would request your presence; both of you."

"Yes, Master Windu. We will be there shortly," Obi-Wan gave a bow to Master Windu, than turned to Anakin as Mace Windu walked away. "Stick to the facts, Anakin," he said. The look Anakin gave him was one of slight confusion, but Obi-Wan ignored the questioning look and hoped Anakin would heed his vague warning and not mention how he'd behaved over Padmé. He gave his former Padawan a small look of concern and then led him out of the apartment.


Awhile later Obi-Wan found himself seated in the ring of Jedi Masters, situated atop the center spire of the Jedi Temple. Outside the sun was beginning to set, and the light coming into the Council Chambers was harsh, casting long shadows on the colorful flooring. Anakin stood alone in the center of the room, facing Master Yoda and Master Windu.

Obi-Wan had felt obligated to stand in the center of the room with Anakin-but Master Yoda had dismissed him to his seat. So Anakin stood alone. Obi-Wan kept his watchful gaze on him. He tried to sense what Anakin was feeling, but once again the younger Jedi had closed himself off. Obi-Wan wondered if even Yoda or Master Windu could break through the walls Anakin was so skillful at building around his emotions.

Anakin had just finished regaling his tale to the Council, with few interruptions from Obi-Wan regarding events at the Senator's apartment. Anakin had glazed over the part where he had quitted his pursuit of Davad because of the possible danger to Padmé. The Council had not questioned him over it and Obi-Wan wondered if certain council members had their own suspicions.

Obi-Wan had sensed the shock of a few of the Masters as Davad Hoiy was named the spy. Many of them seated in this chamber had been on numerous missions with him, including Obi-Wan, though that had been long ago when he had been the Padawan of Qui-Gon.

"Decide our next move, we must," Yoda spoke after a short silence as the Council had absorbed the story. "Meditate on this information, we will," Yoda said, jabbing his gimer stick in the direction of Anakin. There was silence in the Council Chambers as all the Jedi retreated inwards, calling on The Force for insight.

Obi-Wan did the same, but instead of a sense of the future he was confronted with a sudden memory from the past. A memory that ripped open a wound he'd thought was long since healed.

WARNING-SPOILER

Siri on top of the wild flying starfighter-her lightsaber trying to cut through the top…Siri fighting Magus inside the cockpit of the fighter…the ship crashing into a trench…Obi-Wan leaping into the cockpit of the crashed fighter and holding the hand of Siri as she passed into the Force…the feel of her crystal in his hand, the tangible evidence that there had been a Jedi Knight named Siri, and that she and Obi-Wan were once in love; but denied the chance to truly be together by their devotion to the Jedi Order.

As the scenes played out, his heightened emotions dissipated. Soon there was nothing but The Force. Obi-Wan opened himself entirely to it; letting the strength of The Force flow through him. As The Force calmed and comforted Obi-Wan, he suddenly had a vision of Anakin and Padmé together, talking. He couldn't hear the words they were speaking but the intense emotion of the scene was evident on both their faces; they were both very upset about something. Was this the future? He thought.

Yoda had always advised Obi-Wan when sensing the future to be cautious and realize that it is a fluid thing. A certain course of action could change the events or even set the events in motion. Yoda's wise words echoed in Obi-Wan's head.

Always in motion, the future is.

Obi-Wan, somewhat settled by The Force but still bothered by his vision, cleared his gaze and let his eyes fall on Anakin, in a way he felt as if he were looking at him for the first time. Suddenly he wasn't an obstinate teenager anymore, he was a young man; a Jedi Knight. Obi-Wan promised himself he would treat Anakin as more of an equal-instead of the teacher he had been for the last 13 years.

Obi-Wan lowered his gaze and waited patiently as the others in the room returned from their meditations. Anakin was one of the last to come out of the meditation.

Suddenly, Obi-Wan's former padawan spoke to the room. "Masters, I have an idea."


It was several hours later and Obi-Wan and Anakin, as well as other members of the Jedi Council, were dressed in common clothes and walking the halls of the Galactic Senate. News of Senator Monvé's death had spread (thanks to Anakin) and Chancellor Palpatine had called an emergency session to honor the Senator and to discuss possible resolutions to the assassination (also thanks to Anakin).

"Anakin, are you certain this will work," Obi-Wan inquired, a little irritated and already forgetting his promise to himself to be more patient with Anakin. The Jedi hadn't been allowed to bring in their lightsabers as the security at the Senate building was very tight and the Chancellor had made it a stipulation of the undercover operation.

Obi-Wan admitted he was probably a little too attached to his lightsaber. He'd only ever been without it a few times in his life, and never were those times by choice. Being without it now left him with a feeling that part of his body was gone. For a moment he imagined in a small way what Anakin must feel like without his right arm.

The arrogance with which Anakin responded added fuel to Obi-Wan's irritations, and more questions to his already very long list. "Of course it will work, Master."

Obi-Wan found he was even less curious to know how Anakin was so certain. Did he feel a kinship with this disillusioned Jedi? Did he know the thoughts that had driven him to these actions? Obi-Wan dreaded the moment he would need to confront Anakin with these and other questions, but they were essential to be asked. For now he pushed them back, focusing on the present.

"Anakin," he started before he was silenced by Anakin's raised hand. Obi-Wan followed Anakin's pointing finger. There, walking through the crowds of Senators was Davad Hoiy. And not far behind was a figure cloaked in black. Anakin turned to Obi-Wan and smiled.

"Told you it would work," he said, starting off after the pair.

Obi-Wan sighed slightly shaking his head and took off after Anakin, Davad and the man in the black cloak.

Obi-Wan kept his eyes on Davad, avoiding the looks of Senators in the crowd. He wondered how much sense it made to have the most well known Jedi go undercover in the Galactic Senate to track down the spy. Obi-Wan tried to shake the uneasiness as he followed a few steps behind Anakin. The halls were beginning to clear as most of the Senators made their way into the Senate Chamber.

As the duo of Davad Hoiy and the man in black entered a stretch of empty hall, Anakin slowed his pursuit and Obi-Wan finally caught stride with him. He glanced at Anakin and saw a face exhibiting pure determination and focus. The two Jedi slowed to a stop as the pair before them did also.

"I've got a bad feeling about this," Obi-Wan said softly and to no one in particular. Slowly Davad turned to face Anakin and Obi-Wan. The man in the black cloak stayed back in the shadows. Anakin lifted his shoulders and walked forward towards Davad with the arrogance that had given him his brave and heroic reputation. Obi-Wan could only follow and hope they didn't get into too much of a jam. They were, after all, unarmed.

"Skywalker; Kenobi," Davad gave them a wry smirk. "I thought I sensed something…out of place."

He stopped several paces from them.

"You caused the death of a woman I had understood you to love," Anakin spoke, practically spitting the words at Davad, his voice seething with anger.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan tried to calm his former padawan. Control your emotions.

Anakin took a breath and Obi-Wan sensed him release some of his anger. Obi-Wan almost smiled. Good.

"Yes, Yennaj was a devastating loss. I had grown to care a great deal for her. But she had served her purpose. Some of the information I was able to get from her greatly furthered our cause," Davad paused and shook his head. He raised his hand and smiling he pointed a finger at Anakin, shaking it like he was a parent scolding a child.

This was going nowhere. Obi-Wan stepped forward. "Davad, what are you doing?"

Davad looked at Obi-Wan like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Obi-Wan, you, of all people should know. You were the first to be told the truth. That a Sith Lord has control of the Senate!" Davad spoke with exasperation. Like he couldn't believe Obi-Wan could be so dense.

Obi-Wan considered his words carefully. As he formed his thoughts, he casually moved his hands to his sides, activating his comm link, alerting the other Jedi in the building.

"Davad, you are being used. If a Sith Lord is ruling the Senate, why would he appeal to a Jedi to further his cause? You may think you are helping to end this war, but really you are prolonging it. Deaths will increase and still this Sith Lord will be in charge of the Senate. Do you think Count Dooku was being completely honest with you? He's a Separatist! He wants dissention in the Senate and the Jedi. He wants us to be distracted. Davad, can't you see that? Doesn't anything you've learned as a Jedi mean anything? Search your feelings!" Obi-Wan felt he was losing control. He stopped speaking and stared at Davad.

"Search my feelings…" Davad repeated the old Jedi adage like it was the most ridiculous statement he'd ever heard. He turned his glance to Anakin. "Does he say this tripe to you?"

Obi-Wan felt Anakin stiffen next to him. Sounds of footsteps were heard coming from behind Obi-Wan. "There's nowhere left to run, Davad," Obi-Wan said.

But Davad just smiled. "You think I am under a spell? You think I don't really know what Dooku might be up to? I know much more than you think, Master Kenobi," at this Davad Hoiy smiled evilly, and throwing a knowing look towards Anakin, he suddenly turned and started running, his companion, the figure in the black cloak already ahead of him. Obi-Wan hadn't even noticed the dark man moving until he was several strides down the hall.

He paused in his confusion then took off after Anakin, who had been on the chase moments after Davad had taken off.

The Senate was housed in a large, round, mushroom shaped building. The higher up, the tighter the circular feel. Anakin and Obi-Wan chased Davad and his companion through the empty halls of the building, muffled sounds of talking and applause coming through the randomly spaced doors that led to the actual Senate Chamber. As fast as Anakin and Obi-Wan ran, Davad seemed to be gaining ground.

Obi-Wan lost sight of Anakin around one of the corner pillars, and a few seconds later when he gained view of him again, he was stopped; standing still. Obi-Wan quickly looked around as he jogged to a standstill next to Anakin.

"They just, disappeared!" Anakin said confusion evident in his voice.

"That's impossible," Obi-Wan retorted, circling in place, looking for signs of a hiding spot or a possible passageway out. Nothing caught his eye.

"I don't sense him anymore, Master," Anakin said as Obi-Wan came full circle.

Obi-Wan didn't respond. He could hear the other Jedi coming up behind them. He was at a loss. Where had he disappeared too?


The Jedi had searched the Senate from top to bottom and found no sign of Davad Hoiy. They had dispersed, each taking up a search in a different part of Coruscant. Obi-Wan and Anakin had returned to 500 Republica. They were standing in Yennaj Monve's empty apartment. All her belongings had been cased, and before they were to be shipped with her body back to Corellia, Anakin and Obi-Wan were going to look through them one more time in the hopes of finding some clues.

As they emptied the case of its contents, Obi-Wan found at the bottom a datapad-the kind used to store holographs. He activated the pad, and was thumbing through numerous holographs of Yennaj with a young blond boy (Her son, Obi-Wan thought sadly), and at the end was one with her, Davad, and her son. Anakin had stopped shuffling through items and was looking over Obi-Wan's shoulder at the holograph. The people in the picture were smiling and happy. The face of Davad in the holo looked nothing like the face of Davad they had just seen at the Senate building.

Obi-Wan released his breath, and tossing the deactivated holopad back into the case, he turned to Anakin.

"It appears we have another dead end," he said. The two Jedi stood looking at the deceased Senators small pile of personal items. Obi-Wan decided it was time, and seizing the opportunity he posed the first of his many questions to his former padawan.

"Anakin, what exactly is the nature of your relationship with Padmé?" Obi-Wan blurted, bracing himself for the response. He hoped Anakin would be honest, as he only had his best interests at heart.

Anakin didn't respond at first. He looked at Obi-Wan with a wide-eyed look of incredulity. Obi-Wan smiled nervously back, afraid of what Anakin might say. Now that Obi-Wan had posed the question, he realized how comfortable he had been in his state of ignorance. Suspicions were one thing, knowing the truth was entirely different.

"Master, I won't lie to you," Anakin started, slowly walking away from Obi-Wan as he clasped his hands behind his back. "I have great feelings for Padmé. We have a very close relationship."

Obi-Wan feared as much and dreaded what words Anakin might speak next.

"Padmé doesn't return the same feelings I have for her, and our relationship has not progressed beyond what she will allow, even though I wish it to," he paused. "I would, and will, do anything to protect her," Anakin turned and faced Obi-Wan from across the room. Obi-Wan nodded in understanding to his young friend. He was frankly shocked that Anakin was being so honest with him. He had all but confessed he loved the young senator. This explained much. This explained why Anakin sought out Padmé whenever they came back to Coruscant, and it explained why he had confided in her about his mission.

"Anakin, be careful. Even if you are not acting upon your feelings, they can still be made to be used against you," Obi-Wan spoke forcefully, parting his lips again, wanting to tell Anakin of his own life choices, but deciding against it he simply closed his mouth.