CHAPTER FOUR:
Just a Step…In an Unknown Direction

"Perhaps, it was just my imagination…I don't know for sure…" Anakin says as he sits in Supreme Chancellor's Palpatine office.

"Oh, it could have been," Palpatine nods with a huff, "But what does your heart tell you?" he grins to himself resisting the urge to tap his fingers on the ebony colored desk. "Everything, is working on splendidly!" he thinks.

"I would like to believe that Obi-Wan is my friend and that he is faithful to the Jedi Order…I'd like to believe that the child I saw on Naboo is not…is not," Anakin stumbles over the words, his stomach churning a vile taste spreading in his mouth, "…is not the daughter of Padmé and my master."

Palpatine furrows his brow contemplating how far and how hard to push the young Knight, "I feel like this is partly my fault…I told you to look for signs…Maybe I made you paranoid and skeptical," Palpatine laments with very well staged regret.

"No!...I mean, I saw the innuendo before you said anything! I was just too much under the influence of my Master. I was blind to the truth, blinded by his lies!" Anakin looks down to his hands, the one taken by Count Dooku now replaced by steel robotics. The blood of his mother's captors still visible in his mind's eye; it will forever be a reminder to him of his soul shattering power.

"But I need to know for sure…I need to know without a shadow of doubt that he has deceived me and the Order, I need to know all the facts when I face him…" Anakin half whispers to himself. The doubt mixed with fear that the awful assumptions might be the awful truth. He doesn't want it to be lies; he doesn't want to ponder the thought that he has been duped by the ones closes to him. He doesn't want to picture his Padmé with another man.

"Of course…I will be here for you no matter what, you know that right Anakin?" Palpatine makes himself appear frail and tired.

Anakin feels a strong connection building between them and a strong desire to protect the Chancellor in his seemingly fragility, "Thank you, I think perhaps you are the only one I can trust."

"Perfect!" Palpatine cheers.

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"Jedi Knights, the Republic has had its base on Kaplin compromised. The Separatists have knowledge of its operations, its comings and its goings. What they don't know however is that we intercepted a transmission alerting us to their knowledge of our base. Your mission is to escort the remaining personal and troops to their new base in the system of Dantooine," I address a group of mostly newly knighted Jedi, Anakin one of them. My padwan receives his first mission as a knight; I am feeling a kind of pride that I am the one assigning him.

"Since the Separatists don't know that we have been alerted to their plans you will be considerably unwatched. It will be a fairly routine exercise but secrecy is key, keep alert, remember your training…and remember the Force will be with you always."

I dismiss the Knight's and they file from the room, all but Anakin.

"Yes, Jedi Skywalker?" I address him formally though I do it in jest as it still seems odd to see him a knight, "Your first mission…a bit nervous?"

He shakes his head, "No Master…" he stares at me. His gaze narrows and I get the distinct feeling he is searching for something. "Where will you be going?"

I cock and eyebrow folding my arms, "I am not sure yet Anakin. We were, you and I, supposed to head to the Outer Reaches to assist with campaign there as I understood it but now we are needed independently. The situation with Kaplin was immediate and needed attention."

"I see."

He is so cold, I feel only ice from him and I wonder why.

"Anakin I am very proud of you, I hope you know that. You have grown up in these last few months…war has way of doing that to youth I suppose but you have matured, it's good to see. You were an excellent padawan," I pause "albeit headstrong," he has to smile, it is the first I've seen for a long time, "but you truly strived to be your best. I watch with great anticipation to see you rise beyond all of greatest hopes I have for you, I can't wait to see the knight you will become. You are a good friend Anakin," my smile turns sad.

I look at his man who stands in front of me and I see the little boy smiling widely and cheering as he stood on the steps of the Theed Royal palace reveling in the victory he unknowingly helped give to them, I see the teenager who grinned as he showed off his piloting skills even as I chastised him, I see the padawan who teared up as I presented him with his first official lightsaber. I see a man who I've come to love as a son. I see tears in his pale blue eyes now and know he must see the ones in mine.

"Thank you Master…" a wall seems to crumble; a wall I hadn't realized had been constructed. There still remains a little caution and suspicion in his eyes that I can't account for but something in him broke.

"The Force be with you Anakin."

"And with you."

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"Cloudy, his future is," Master Yoda sighs as I walk with him towards the council's chambers having just finished seeing the new Knights on their mission.

"Who's future Master?"

"Skywalker; great darkness, I sense. Suspicion and anger in him I sense."

"What do you mean? I think he is on the verge of final peace concerning his mother."

"Not mother! You...your wife."

"Us? He knows nothing, I am just sure of it. We have taken great caution and care…gone to great lengths just to make sure…"

"Still…wonders he about you."

We've reached the Council Chambers. The hover glide lowers to allow Master Yoda exit. Nothing more will be mentioned on the subject of Anakin.

We enter and I am more then surprised to find Padmé waiting with the rest of the assembled council.

"A request we have," Master Windu addresses my unvoiced question as Master Yoda and I take our seats.

I nod still oblivious, obviously this must have been a situation addressed before my appointment. I am slightly uneasy.

"Senator, your planet Naboo has been in the past very active with the ruling family of the planet Aurora. We are hoping to speak with the current ruler about the possibility of the placement of a secret base there," Master Windu furthers.

I know that the council had been talking the idea of a top secret base on a planet but I had no idea that Aurora was being considered.

"Naboo has a very good relationship with Queen Grace. The Queen is a peaceful ruler who understands that peace in order to be kept has to be sometimes assured with conflict. I am sure she will hear your request with an open mind," Padmé answers with clarity eyes cool, posture revealing nothing. My little politician, how I love her.

"Queen Grace's reputation as a leader precedes her, but we would ask that if the Senate can spare you that you act as liaison on behalf of the Jedi Council with Master Yoda and Master Kenobi when they meet with the Queen to give extra validity to our request. We ask this as a personal request rather then official."

Aww, rather clever off the council, by asking as a personal request they avoid any unpleasant inquisitions by the Republic. This just ensures complete secrecy till a location is solid. Very good thinking indeed.

She lifts an eyebrow in question "You want me to use my friendship as well as political pull to sway the Queen to your point of view?" her tone isn't malicious, just inquisitive.

I watch the exchange with a passive smile a finger on my lips to hide it. This isn't my battle; this was in place before I ever began to sit in during the council sessions. I just get to sit back and watch my wife work and am thankful that it isn't me she is working over.

"I would say yes, I suppose that is what we are asking. This war isn't pleasant, that is fact. We are asking you to join the delegation because yes, your planet has a long standing relationship with Aurora and yes, we are asking because as a Senator you have an understanding of the political side of this war as Master Kenobi and Master Yoda have knowledge of the actual battle. We want to offer a clear concise picture to Queen Grace and we want to keep this on the absolute need to know basis. We need trust. This base could save many lives and possibly turn the tides if the war moves further toward the Outer Rim."

She says nothing for a long minute; she seems to weight her words.

"This war affects us all Master Windu, I wish we could have avoided this conflict but since this war is here and necessary I will strive to do everything in my power to save innocent lives and bring loved ones home to their loved ones. I humbly agree to your request and will accompany Master Yoda and Master Kenobi to Aurora on behalf the Jedi Council."

Yes, my wife…senator, mother, wife, daughter, friend, want to be galaxy savior. I stand in awe of her passion and her dedication. I am so blessed to have this woman in my life. What would I do without her?

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"Hey…there's daddy's girl."

I look up from putting Leia in her crib and smile, Obi-Wan is home, and standing in the doorway to the nursery.

"Say, hi, Daddy," I pick her up again and wave her pretty pink hand. She beams and gurgles.

"And how are my girls?" he looks tired as he leans against the door jam ankles crossed and arms folded over his chest. His weary shows around his eyes the slight lines in the corners deepening.

"We are very well…better now that you are home. I think Leia missed her daddy…" I smile handing her over. Paddy just left an hour ago. He brought her to Coruscant for me when I contacted him that Anakin had been assigned so it was safe to bring her in. I would have liked to have gone to get her myself but I have been preoccupied with arrangements for the trip to Aurora since the council requested it yesterday.

"Well I missed her!" he seems to brighten as he kisses her cheeks, her nose, her tummy and hands till she is laughing.

I watch with warmth spreading in me like fire. This, this, is what this war is for…for her freedom for every child out there…for every father, mother, every family. This is what this war is for. To give them hope to give them safety. This is why I am able to bare it when Obi-Wan steps from my arms and heads into the very depths of danger and chaos, because I know that he fights not for the sake of fighting but for his daughter, for all the people out there that can't fight and for the generations to come, he fights for them.

I start to tremble and I feel Obi-Wan's eyes bore into me. He knows my thoughts, he knows my heart. I look up and he shifts Leia to one arm, her head resting on his shoulder and her eyes droop heavy with sleep, he opens his other arm to me.

"You are my life," he whispers into my ear and kisses me wrapping me in his arms.

"As you are mine," I answer hoarsely.

We stand there for a few long blissful minutes and then he speaks softly, "We're taking Leia with us."

"What? Really?" I gasp turning so I can see his face.

"Yes, I just got out of session with the council and we discussed it. There is no reason not to bring her, we'll be traveling with Master Yoda and our trip isn't being announced so we'll be moving in complete silence and once there security will not be an issue."

"That's wonderful…" I smile.

"Yes, I am looking forward to having some more time with the two of you…I want her with us," his eyes trail and his voice becomes suddenly hard.

"What aren't you telling me?" I demand, he is thinking about something. I give him a second to choose his words and take Leia to her lay her down for the night, she's exhausted and sound asleep.

I turn back to him and he seems to waver on if he is going to tell me. I put my hands on my hips and give him my 'you better tell me or you will be miserable and don't you dare try and lie now' look.

"Master Yoda thinks Anakin might be catching on. If so, I don't want him to find Leia without one of us there to explain. That would be a situation we could never recover from. If he were to discover our daughter without proper enlightenment and assurance...I don't know what he would do, it could send him over an already narrow ledge," he shakes his head moving close to me arms wrapping around my waist.

I nod silently laying my hands on his chest feeling his heart beat. I know this man inside out and yet I still get a flutter in my heart when he touches me. I snuggle in closer just savoring this closeness this wonderful state of just 'being'.

"You know…it's amazing, this little girl, our little girl," he laughs looking down into the crib as I feel him smile into my hair, "She seems to grow up a little more every time I turn around."

"She does…I wish we were all together more, I hate missing so much…" I try not to cry.

"I know baby, I fear she will grow up thinking Paddy is her father instead of me. I am in battle more then I am home, I am away fighting so she won't suffer when she is older… so instead she suffers when she is young…I sacrifice time now so she will have a future later…I fight a war to give her everything and yet I can't give her a steady father…I hate that, I ache over that more then I can say," he shudders, I feel him tense with anger and hurt.

"I am sorry…so so sorry," I choke reaching up to pressing my face to his throat, "I am sorry…She does know you, she does know you love her…oh she knows! Her eyes light up when you come in the room, she cries when you leave…she knows…oh she knows and she won't forget! If I could give you time I would…" I feel sick to my stomach for my pitying myself. I am with her so much more, he gives up so much.

He doesn't speak but his arms become urgent and tight, he holds me like a lifeline. I press in close and breathe in his nearness. The faint scent of leather, of the slightly spicy musk scent of his soap, and the clean crisp scent of his tunic surrounds me creating a smell that is so manly and so uniquely Obi-Wan. It calms me when I need rest, it pushes forward when I can't take another step, it soothes when I am weary and it brightens my mood when it's bleak. In Obi-Wan's arms, I find my salvation and I know that I am truly whole, we fit perfectly, and we are in balance.

"We'll make through, no matter what; this…you and I…us, we will make it through," he says it as an oath, and I know it to be truth.

A/N: Boy I'll be glad when August is over! I have had something going every week this month! I could scream! Please forgive and be assured once September hits everything should hopefully fall into a smoother pattern.

We're starting my big left turn in the story not a lot is the same here on out. There is still the basic idea line and some what time line intact but with some pretty big turns. I hope ya all can follow along alright. Oh I must apologies too while I am thinking about it! A reviewer pointed out to me that last chapter that Yaddle is girl…I didn't realize this and it will teach me to write something without first checking out facts… LOL so please forgive! Thanks, so much, you guys are awesome…I hope you aren't getting bored with me…oh I hope you aren't…

lazy.kender: Yeah, I feel for the evil dude too, hard not too LOL I hope you enjoyed this chapter too! Thanks for reviewing!

the rain in spring: I know, Obi-Wan just seems to have that effect on me…he's just gorgeous! I start to write and I'll spend ten minutes just thinking and I forget to write!

The lightsaber thing I put in because I just loved the part in the A New Hope when Obi-Wan was giving Luke, Anakin's lightsaber, I thought it very touching, so I recreated it here…well the idea of it anyway LOL

Oh, Anakin…his future so assuredly evil…hmph, only time will reveal all.

Thanks for reviewing!

sassy-satine: Well actually that would have been a very good thought, having her pregnant…hmm, but sadly no that wasn't what happened but that would have been good!

I have to say again, how much I appreciate your reviews. I really take to heart your kind comments about my stories because you've written some just beautiful Obidala scenes and have a knack for writing them so well and have become a favored staple to Obidala enthusiasts everywhere. So when you write that I've done well I know I must have gotten at least close to the mark. So thanks, I really do appreciate your reviews.

LadyJadePerendhil: Well thank you and welcome to the series, I hope you enjoyed one and two!

sarahhillary39: Thank you so much! Yeah water/sky made a come back…just couldn't help myself…. LOL

Nyoko: Oh you rock! You rock so much! A whole page review! Did I mention the fact that you rock?

Hey, I am humbled girl; you'd get rid of George Lucas for my story! Excuse me for a minute while I go jump for joy and tell everyone that someone thinks I am special…LOL

Oh see now you've really got me wanting to write a fic about 'save a sole'…yeah. Well if you are crazy for only reviewing that would make me certifiably insane for writing it…and I don't want to think about that…LOL

Force healing, got to love it, beats HMO's anytime. Yeah Padmé is force of her own, and Obi-Wan best learn to feel the flow or he'll be swept away…LOL But what can ya do when love is true…? Not much that's what. They are just too cute together. And Princess Bride, love that movie…truly love that movie, I am so cheesy…yeah just call Kraft because I am the cheesiest…

You make my head so big when you say such nice things about my story…yeah I am blowing up like a balloon…and I feel ten feet tall. Thanks so much for your reviews, you are just awesome!

Lilagirl: Thank you!

SuP3R G1R: Oh dear, how to respond! I am so sorry to have you upset…I hate to this story end too, I really am enjoying writing it! And you're just too awesome, been reviewing since…forever! I'd like to answer all your pleas with answers but if I did my whole story would be revealed! But don't worry the end isn't for a while… :-)…one certain fact I can give is that Anakin will without a doubt become evil…as for the rest I am afraid I will have to keep you hanging :-) oh and feel free to rant in Spanish…I am afraid I don't understand a word so you could call me names and I would never know… LOL

mrs. skywalker: Oh I am sorry…I much have given that impression in another chapter, I didn't mean to…but yes Anakin found out last chapter. I hope I haven't confused anyone too much…

.Audra Laudarque: Thank you for correcting that! I feel so stupid, I don't know why I thought it was a guy…so thanks for correcting me…maybe we can pretend that this was a different Yaddle? Yeah…let's try that! LOL Thanks for the review, I very much appericiate it.

blackrosemystic: Oh yes, Anakin is so very foolish…and evil, not a good combo…now french fries and a diet Pepsi…now there is good combo…Anyway, I am glad you liked the part with the lightsaber…I was feeling like a foolish sentimental at the time…LOL Luke will exists, but that is the only detail I will divulge at the moment hehehe :-)

SeventhAngelicSlayer: thank you, thank you so much:-) So glad you enjoyed!

TheAmazingTecnocolorRingWraith: I hope your day of school went well. Yes, I agree ego jacked up little boys should run around without supervision…bad things happen then.

Sparkle85: Aww, there was a little Leia, Obi-Wan moment there…I hope you enjoyed:-)