CHAPTER NINE:
Shrouded In Darkness

"I do not care for politics Anakin, you know that…" I sigh trying to get him to stay in my stead, "You're the real hero anyway…"

He raises an eyebrow as if to say 'yes I know and?', "I am sorry Master—I cannot stay. They require me at the Temple."

I nod slowly he is still so distant and frigid. I don't know what is going inside of him but there seems to be a shadow wrapped around him so tight I can't get break through.

"Alright Anakin," I put a hand on his shoulder, he looks at it like it burned him, "You did well today my friend…" I want to say more, I want to assure him of whatever it is he seems to doubt, I want to talk to him like I have done before. But I remain silent and he boards the Transpo Bus, the door closing.

No sooner does the bus drift from my sight do members of the Galactic Senate surround me.

"The Chancellor is he alright?" one shouts.

"Count Dooku is he dead?" another tramples the previous to get closer.

"Who is leading the Separatists now?"

I hate politics.

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"How are you Chancellor?" Anakin steps quietly into the personal area of Palpatines' office.

"Tired, so very tired my boy," Palpatine shifts groaning a bit as he arranges himself more on the large reclining davenport.

"You do not look well sir," Anakin observes with concern pulling a chair to sit at the older man's side.

Palpatine coughs, his illness put on, a show to pull Anakin deeper, "Oh son, this war is tiring. I have fought so endlessly…so passionately for peace! I exhausted every resource I know and at every turn, I am thwarted. Anakin, my attempts, my struggle is in vain! …I should surrender my post…I am doing no good," he laments fiercely, hands lying limp in his tired lap.

"But that's not true! You are an important, irreplaceable part in the quest for peace! Don't give up now!"

"Thank you for your faith, you are a good friend…But the Jedi they…they don't seem to trust me very much and the Republic needs the Jedi…so perhaps it would be for the best if I just…" Palpatine trails with forlorn his eyes glowing with his untold excitement. But all Anakin could see was his faithful friend, all he could hear was the wistful doubt. And all he could feel was blind rage.

"No! I will reason with the Jedi, I will make them see!" Anakin declares anger coming in faster and harder.

"They will not manipulate you into walking away!"

"Thank you Anakin…" Palpatine lifts a frail hand "You found the truth didn't you? About your Master and Senator Amidala…" he carefully changes the subject to yet another one that will inflame the young man's tempter.

Anakin looks away breathing labored and he clenches his teeth, "Yes."

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"The Negotiator has returned!"

I hear the messenger cry the announcement up and down the Senate Offices' hallway and it startles me so; I drop my cup of PinkRoot tea, "Sabé!" I call.

"Yes milady," she knows exactly what to do. Within seconds my office is locked up and I along with my numerous other senator peers are rushing toward the docking area.

My heart is pounding ten times faster then normal, my mind has shut down it refusing to calculate anymore 'what if's'.

I can't see him! Where are these people coming from?

"Sabé can you see him?" I whisper caught behind a massive wookie.

"Can someone please get this…this carpet out of my way?" I cry frustration making me rude, something I instantly regret.

"Sorry milady," a man glares pulling a young blond haired boy by the hand, "Come on Hon, Chewie," the man, his son, and the wookie begin to blend into the crowd. I should offer an apology that was so very unnecessary of me…

I see him! He seems unharmed, a bit annoyed at all the people but safe. I feel an absurd laugh welling up in me, it's part relief, part actual amusement…Obi-Wan looks so irritated, he hates politics.

I think of engaging our heart force, but think better of it; he needs to focus on the task at hand, not me.

"Sabé you can go home now and assist Saché, I will be there shortly," I meet her eyes and she knows that I mean for her to have Leia who is already packed ready to board the ship to Naboo. She nods and is soon gone.

With Obi-Wan now safely back—for the moment, I am sure the council will not postpone sending him to the Far Reaches—I feel I can take Leia without being beside myself with worry over my husband. I don't know fully what has Obi-Wan so worried but whatever it is I want Leia far from it.

I sink to a nearby stone bench behind a massive pillar, maybe I can wait out this mob. I listen to people all muttering, questioning, shouting and demanding. I am surprised to find a few stray tears falling down my cheeks. I don't know why this time was harder then all the others…but watching him leave this time shook me to the marrow. Maybe it was because I saw for the first time genuine apprehension and for the first I saw him…dare I say scared?

What is happening? We have been fighting this war and have bore it because we have to. We understand the horrible cost and we try and keep it from bringing us to our knees…we accept it. No, that's not right, how can you ever accept war? But rather we recognize the need for it and go long because we believe in peace, we believe in freedom. We cope because winning the war is more important the winning the battle. But that night Obi-Wan got that call, I knew by looking into his face, into his eyes, that this mission was the start. This mission would start something that we can't foresee an end to. What started up there? What chain of events was put into play?

But he's home now, he's home and I know that we can fight, that in the end we win. I hear his voice as he tries to bring answers to the senators, tries to keep his sanity no doubt but I don't focus on the words but rather the soothing timbre of his low almost gravelly voice. It lulls me to safety.

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These people! Will they ever go away? I've been attacked by the dull questions for nearly a half an hour!

"There will be a formal statement released at the end of day. If you still have concerns or questions please direct them to the Jedi Council Spokesman."

I push through the group and break right.

"General Kenobi…" a senator calls, I duck behind a pillar.

The crowd continues to pursue me. I grunt and begin to weave between the pillars and doorways. It would be almost amusing to hear the footsteps move left and right, forward and back as they shout "General Kenobi…we want to ask a question." But because I found it funny and having laughed out loud a pillar or so back, they were able to get a lead on my position again.

Okay that's it, no more! With a burst of Jedi speed, I loose them toward the end of the docking bay and leave them there. Funny thing is I end up exactly where I started, back at the original pillar.

I sigh running a hand through my hair straightening my robe.

"Obi-Wan!"

"Padmé" I stutter as my wife throws herself into my arms.

"Oh, honey," I laugh more then a little surprised I had no idea she was here. I hug her tight relishing the contact.

"I was so worried," she presses her face into the hollow of my neck.

"Padmé I am fine, I am home, its okay," I smile pulling back so I can frame her face with my hands. "See, safe and sound, home to you just as always," I kiss her nose.

"I know but I thought of such awful things, all that could go wrong…people were whispering that your fighter had been taken down by buzz droids…."

Well I could tell her that that one was almost true, but no need to fuel her fears.

"I don't know what I would have done if…if…" she shakes her head violently pushing back against me.

"Stop it, its okay. I am fine truly," I hold her close a hand on the back of her head, "Let's go home love," I sigh kissing her temple, I can hear the senators starting their way back.

I hate politics…and politicians.

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"General Grievous is hiding like he always does," Master Windu observes as the council beings it's session.

"The tide is starting to turn, and not in our favor," I grimace.

"Agree with you, Master Kenobi, find Grievous we must," Master Yoda nods.

"With Count Dooku dead it will take some reordering to get the Separatists fighting as one again under Grievous, perhaps we can attack while they are unprepared," I think aloud.

"A good idea Obi-Wan…But what we still need to do, and that we haven't done it upsets me greatly, is to find out the identity of the Sith Master. Count Dooku was the apprentice, the replacement after Darth Maul. So it would seem we now not only have to name the master but the upcoming pupil as well," Master Windu observes.

The entire council nods its agreement.

"But who would be an ideal for the Sith…it would have to be someone who is…" Master Koth starts, but is interrupted by an assistant who opens the doors.

"I am so sorry for the interruption Council, but Anakin Skywalker desires an audience, he is most urgent."

All curious eyes fall on me, "I have no idea, and I have barely talked to him. He's no longer my padawan…he doesn't inform me of anything," I shrug, though I'll admit my curiosity it piqued.

"Show him in," Master Windu waves the assistant away.

Moments later Anakin is standing before us relaying a most disheartening, and outlandish request that Chancellor Palpatine has issued…He wants Anakin on the council!

I am taken aback, the audacity of the Chancellor and the arrogance of Anakin to think he is qualified for the council at such a young age…and so soon after become a Knight.

"Wait outside Jedi, we need to discuss," Master Windu finally instructs.

Anakin has yet to look at me and even as he leaves will not look in my direction.

"What are your thoughts Obi-Wan?" Master Windu asks and all eyes turn to me.

I give what I hope to be an inaudible sigh, crossing a leg over my knee; I kneed my ankle while trying to organize my thoughts.

"He is a war hero and an obvious confidant of the Chancellor," I pause.

"We know that Master Kenobi," Master Windu raises an eyebrow mouth pulled tight.

"My thought is that while I don't believe he is mentally prepared for the council nor does he have the experience, discipline or the emotional capacity for it yet we perhaps can use his ties to the Chancellor to either confirm or deny or suspicions that Palpatine is corrupt," I speak slowly and carefully still not entirely sure of this plan, but it perhaps is the best we've got.

"You propose an appointment of illusion?" Master Windu leans forward, arms resting on his knees.

"Yes, in a way. I don't trust Palpatine I never have but as the senate is preparing to grant him more emergency power I think it is more pertinent to know what is going on behind closed doors then to debate the legitimacy of a forced appointment," I answer.

"Agree I do," Master Yoda nods, "Young Skywalker on the council but of the council."

The decision is approved unanimously by the simple simultaneous nods of every members head.

"You're taking a great risk Obi-Wan. You still haven't told your padawan of your marriage and child if he is to find out not only of that but this as well I fear the reaction he might have," Master Windu comments as Anakin is retrieved.

I nod sadly, I know this isn't good, I know that this whole thing could blow up in my face…but there is little I can do. He ties my hands, we have to know what is going on with Palpatine and because he has never heeded my warnings about politics or politicians I am forced to use him and his connection to the Chancellor to possibly help end the war.

"Anakin Skywalker," Mater Windu beings once Anakin is standing in front of us, "this council does not like having our hand forced in matters pertaining to the dealings of this Order…"

Anakin's emotions shift, I feel them darken which is odd and for more then one reason. This is first time I've gotten a glimpse into the internal workings of him in such a long time and it's odd because I feel them darken towards me.

"But because we are in a time of war the Jedi need to work with the Senate and it's Chancellor so you are on the council—but we do not give you the rank of Master."

I watch with bemused interest for Anakin's reaction. It comes swiftly and forcefully with one word;

"What!"

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"You know this isn't fair!" Anakin rants once he and I are alone in one of the sparring rooms. I was given the charge of relaying the council's request of him reporting on the Chancellor's dealings after Anakin stormed from the council chambers.

"What isn't? That you are on the council at your age? That you've accomplished what few do in their lifetime before you are even thirty? I am sorry if I am missing something," I answer with complete bewilderment and unintentional dry sarcasm.

"It is an insult to be on the council and not have the rank of Master," he bites.

"Careful Anakin your arrogance is showing," I spit back in disgust, "You should have refused Palpatine when he suggested you take a place on the council, you should have a better grasp of your abilities! One would think you were still a learner instead of a Jedi Knight!"

I don't know where this is coming from! I am lashing at him like I've never done before. I don't know why, but I feel so passionately that something is eating him, eating his soul. His arrogance, his defiance, his rebellion, it's starting to destroy him…Oh Force help me I hope I've done the right thing.

I am supposed to be telling him that we wish for him to become better acquainted with the details of Palpatine's mind not attacking him…Before I have a chance to retract my words he is shouting again.

"You're jealous! My Master is jealous and as well, you should be! I am ten times the Jedi you could ever hope to be! You think me immature and rash like always! You think of me as that ignorant child you found on Tatooine, well I am not! Not any more, I know…I know…" he is violently angry and even as he reigns in his words I see his chest heave with something else…he wants to say something more…He knows what?

"I know you despise me but really do you think that I would refuse the request of Palpatine? The man I think of as a father…my only true friend?"

I can only stare, floored. I don't know where this is coming from…I don't know what to say or what to do.

"He hasn't betrayed me as you and the council have!" he seethes fleeing the room.

I stand in shock unable to move. What have I done…?

Oh, Force help me what have I done…

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"I've got to get back to Coruscant, I know you're busy but I just wanted to tell you that Leia is safely here with Paddy and that I would be leaving here in just a little while in case you looked for me. I'll see you soon Obi-Wan, love you, bye."

I leave the message on my husbands COM mail and return to unpacking Leia's things and packing mine. I hope Paddy still has her high chair in the dinning hall…

Well I've been here three days. I left Coruscant when Obi-Won left to hunt Grievous. Master Yoda is on the wookie planet Kashyyk rallying more support. The plan is to act quickly and decisively while the Separatists are still reacting to the death of Dooku. Obi-Wan is hunting the cyborg general in hopes of quickly dealing with him before he can unify the politics. It I wasn't so terrified I would be scared.

Obi-Wan was worried about me being on Coruscant while Anakin was there, said there was something turning in him. Having observed him walking with the Chancellor in the Senate rotunda I would have to agree. Anakin…oh Anakin, he is heading down such a winding path, the Force help him…nobody else can.

I escaped Coruscant, yes, it was a bit cowardly but Anakin was getting to me and I don't like the feeling that grips me when he is near. It makes me shiver, tremors climb my spine, and if I'm not careful, I start to hyperventilate. But now I am going back. I am going back to take this political war by the horns and turn it around. The Jedi will be successful in subduing the conflict, I know they will, they have to. And I know that justice, democracy and peace will win on the political warfront…it has to. Because if we fail on the battleground or the political arena everything will fail, then if there isn't hope of freedom, what is life really worth living for?

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"It's time Anakin, time to end this war…there is a power that can save the galaxy…and bring justice to those who prey on the innocent. They say there is a power that can stop time, bring death and give life…a power some call unnatural."

"Is it possible to learn this power?"

"Not from a Jedi, but if you hope to challenge the infidels then you shall need this power…"

"What do I need to do?"

"You need to rid yourself of the cumbersome training that limits you…That controls you. You need to open yourself and your mind to everything…to good…as well as the evil. You need to draw from all the wells of power that are available… you know what you need to do."

"But…how do I start, where do I begin?"

"Who taught you to be closed to hate? Who crippled your power, stole your glory and restricted your advancement?"

"My Master!"

"Aww, think broader my boy, think big picture."

"The Jedi…but"

"No buts you know as well as I do that the Jedi seek power, they are hungry for it, desperate for it! They have accumulated power and now are afraid to lose it and now they want more…Anakin they want to rule!"

"But I am not sure…their tenets speak of compassion and selflessness and peace…"

"Do they Anakin? Was your Master selfless when he defied your Order by Marrying and fathering a child? Do you think that the council really didn't know? Or rather do you think that they knew too and yet hid it from you, playing you for a fool just as Kenobi did? Is that the kind of peaceful co-existence you want? The kind where leaders lie and defraud the people who trust them? Is that what you believe in Anakin?"

"No!"

"Then go, begin with those who betrayed you, cleanse your hate anew with the destruction of your Master!"

"I don't know where he is."

"Think my boy…what would hurt him beyond any physical torture you could inflict? How can you make him suffer as you have…come on I know you have thought about it, I know you have played this over and over in your mind. It's time feed upon it!"

Eyes once blue darken to shade just off of black. The Force cries, innocent children playing around the galaxy cease and start to wail, animals far and wide hide in the brush and shelter their young…a galaxy shakes as a new foe starts to rise. Fate, Force, Finality…understanding is dawning.

AN: Hi. Well a new chapter for ya all. I hope you enjoyed. We as you can probably tell we are nearing the big show down. I'm sorry if this chapter is a bit jumpy…it's why I have been hesitant in posting it. I think I've rewritten this part a thousand times. Each time I've reworked it this way and that…it's still not totally to my liking but I am afraid it's as good as it's gonna get LOL.

Anyway, I want to thank all you guys so much for reading and reviewing, it does mean so much! This is longest story I have ever put together it's been an experience to say the least, but I have enjoyed it so very much and it's because of you awesome readers! Thanks, I know it never would have gotten this far if not for you!
Lots of love—RaeAnne

Oh, a little joke courtesy of Jay Leno:

"What do you call a Sith, that won't fight?"
"A Sithy."

Sorry it's old, but it still cracks me up, I have a bad sense of humor :-)

LJP: Ohhh, to answer the big question will there be a Mustafar scene…oh I want to answer…I will confirm Anakin becomes Vader and say that the suit is necessary for him to live…so I guess I might as well answer, yes the Mustafar scene happens LOL That's not really a big plot point since I am keeping most the battle/fight scenes almost exactly like ROTS. Anyway…LOL I am glad you enjoyed and thanks for reviewing!

sarahhillary39: Yes, I am afraid the ending is drawing near…Luke is coming soon :-) I am glad that you like the last chapter, I hope that I am not slipping as the story starts to wrap up, I would hate to have everyone disappointed in how it ends…Thanks so much for reviewing!

jremme: III is one of my favorites too, though it makes me angry at the same time. Palpatine…oh dear, ugly, hair challenged Palpatine. Yes, the man should just go back to rock he climbed out from under and die. But sadly, he stays around a bit longer…blame it on the electric shock therapy Windu applied; it petrified and preserved the old goat! LOL

Anakin remaining good…hmm it would be an interesting scenario…but where then would the next Sith apprentice come from? That would be interesting, because you know that Sidious wouldn't just say well I didn't get Anakin so I am going to retire from whole world domination thing…Ohhhhhhhhh hee I just go this whole Donald Trump meets Palpatine thing in mind! Who wants to be the next Sith Apprentice…? Oh the comparison between Trump and Palpatine…hair challenged, wants to rule the world, builds themselves primo buildings/Death Stars…I seriously am cracking up here…I can see it all right now…"You're fired!" …"No serious fireed as in you fall in the fire lava and melt because you lose!"

Oh I need some sleep LOL Thank you for reviewing!

zan189: Thank you, I thought it kind of necessary to jump quickly a story can bog down so quickly if the plot isn't being strengthened with the filler. The events on Aurora were fun to write and important to a point to my story but trying to fill ten months with that kind of stuff would be nothing but tedious writing not to mention monotonous reading LOL.

I would have like to kept Obi-Wan and Padme together longer but you're right with war going on it isn't a time for illicit love affairs, no matter how nice it would be. They are important people with duties to others….but a couple little interludes would be nice…LOL

It was actually my intention to put Bass and Anna together and had at one point had them married in this story, but it ended up as it is. I was trying to figure out how I could work a story about them…. I don't know when I would be able to do it though. It would actually be the perfect little story to do before (if) I do some stories based on the ANH—ROTJ time lines. But after I finish this story, I think I am going to take a break and let my mind unwind before I tackle another big series LOL Who would think that something you do for fun could be so unnerving and consuming?

I wanted to thank you by the way for the wonderful reviews of Shh Baby and Winds of Change. I didn't think anybody could find those stories let alone read and review them they are so far back in the Star Wars category, so I appreciate so much your reviewing! I do plan on writing longer stories about Obi-Wan and Padme I just haven't done since I've been preoccupied with this one. Originally, Play It Again was going to be longer story then it was and I may still go back and rewrite it, I like it okay now, but it could have ended it better. Anyway, yes I do plan on writing more and longer stories :-) Thank you so much for reviewing my stories, I do so very much appreciate it!


Sparkle85: continue I have, enjoy I hope you do :-)

mrs. Skywalker: No it's not going to be an exact replay of III though some of the obvious key events are the same, the appointment to the council, Obi-Wan hunting for Grievous, key battle points I guess you could say.

Yes, sadly this is the last story in my Obidala trilogy. A sad, sad thing, but I am not putting a definite no on a possible sequel series centering on the events of ANH through ROTJ…though I am not promising it either. It's just some idea's I've been playing with…anyway thank you so much for reading!

sassy-satine: Oh…humph, I wish I could guarantee a fairy tale ending…I wish I could write a fairy tale ending…I wish Obi-Wan wasn't just a poster child for agony! I swear I couldn't write just a happy fluffy Obidala story even if my life depended on it! Let's see I have written now five stories that are Obidala, plus an additional one with Obi-Wan at its center and every single one of them have this dreary feel! They all have this 'I am not just going to rain on your parade but I am going to blow up all your floats' kind of thing happening! I think that will be my goal to write a pure mush, pure fluff, cotton candy coated happy end guaranteed kind of story….

Oh listen to me ramble…sorry. I appreciate your reviewing so much! Now if I just don't run you off with my little ramblings I will be doing okay. :-)

the rain in spring: Life, I agree it can be a pain. I would very much enjoy reading your thesis; a deep introspective look into the great General, the Jedi Master, the padawan, the knight, the unsung hero! Obi-Wan Kenobi, Human, Jedi…yes I would enjoy that paper very much…LOL

The fall of Anakin is getting to be harder and harder to write, I hope I am still navigating it successfully…human emotion is the hardest thing to understand and manipulate. I am enjoying it very much though…the exploring of actions and reactions based on a set of personality traits. I like human reaction to human situations. It's that whole physiology of the 'emotion' thing again…LOL it's why I like fanfic so much it gives the opportunity to play with different types of personalities and characters…not to mention a near endless landscape on which to stage them…LOL

I am sorry for the lack of Obidalaness in the last chapter and this one as well. It's nearing that time where bliss isn't as possible as it once was. I am trying to put as much as I can in :-)

SuP3R G1R: I loved the scene to, and was of course why I had to make sure and put it in there. Yes I too believe strongly that Anakin was pretty much always destined to be evil. I believe there was goodness in him at one point. The tie that could have saved him was Obi-Wan not Padme…she just made matters worse I fear…but I am dangerously close to reviewing plot details so I'm going to shut up now LOL Thanks for always reading and reviewing you awesome!

amber75: Yeah me too, I had a bit of tough time with this chapter and the betrayal of Anakin it's a tough thing…how can you explain that you lied to keep them from getting hurt when by lying in the first place you hurt them? It's two edged sword…or whatever LOL I hope that by the end of the story I've achieved a bit of a balance. I still have some weaving to do before the pattern comes out right…I hope I can succeed LOL.

Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!


Nyoko: Please don't die…please…I'll send you a teddy bear dressed like Obi-Wan too, okay…just don't die please… :-)

Do know what's kind of funny, after I wrote the bear into the story a few weeks later I was shopping and I found by accident actually, a red M&M plush toy dressed as Obi-wan, it was part of the whole 'M'pire thing…of course I had to buy it LOL it reminded me of the bear I written into my story…so mine is a M&M not a teddy bear…but the whole basic premise was there. I thought it was kind of funny…not sure why though…

Yep, Anakin is on the verge of his life of evil, of hate and deep scary breathing…and for a life with the voice that sounds remarkably like James Earl Jones…hmm

LOL Well I guess I've rambled long enough, again I am so thrilled that you love this series so much! Thanks for reviewing!


TheAmazingTecnocolorRingWraith: Addicted, well then let me feed it with this here new chapter…Confrontation? Oh yes, they will confront, oh yes they will…LOL :-)

Lehcar Sundance: Feel the evil, awww Feel it now? Oh yeah, bring on the evilness… LOL Yeah I am sorry about the whole making Anakin Darth Vader thing…I hate to do it, I hate that he is so evil…truly I do…hmmm Oh and yes I promise that Luke is coming….I know you all are doubting me…and truly if I was reading this story and saw that we were nearing in the end and Luke had yet to arrive, I would worry to! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

blackrosemystic: LOL well I am so glad that my new chapter was what you found when rebooting your computer…better then a virus. That's what I normally find when my computer crashes…grr, why can't I have a nice computer? HMPH! LOL

Glad you enjoyed, I hope this one was enjoyed as well :-)