Author Note: Sorry it took so long guys. Hope it was worth the wait though!
Dawn, the next day. Jango wandered out of his tent and found Nute sleeping by the smouldering embers of the camp fire.
"Nute."
Nute blinked, unsure where he was. Then rouses himself as he recognized his master's voice. He struggled to his feet and hastily brushed the sand off himself.
"My lord."
"I need my armor."
Nute nodded and rushed off, not wanting to anger Jango like he had done yesterday.
Nute helped Jango prepare, clasping on his greaves, whilst in Obi-Wan's bedroom, Obi-Wan clasped on his greaves too, smiling as his sleeping son squirmed and mumbled happily.
By morning, both were fully armed and Jango exited the tent, Nute following obediently behind him.
The other soldiers about the camp were beginning to stir and they stop in their activities, staring at him.
Two Kaminoans brought a newly polished speeder over and Jango hoped on. Nute attempted to hop on behind him, like always.
"No," Jango said firmly, and Nute looked at his commander for a second before backing away.
"Rope," Jango ordered and one of his soldiers handed him a coil of rope, before retreating.
Beru, hearing the noise, came over. Her eyes were shadowed from lack of sleep and she looked fragile, her pale throat purpled with bruising.
"Don't go," she pleaded. Jango watched her in silence.
"Obi-Wan is my cousin. He's a good man. Take me home with you. But don't fight him. Please don't fight him. We could have a life together, but not if you choose this path. You can walk away from war. We can walk away."
"Why?" he asked.
"Please, I'm begging you. Stop now, let us leave this life behind while we still can. I love you. But you're going down a path I can't follow. Come back now before its too late."
Jango gazed at her, considering her words for a moment.
"It's already too late," he replied finally.
Then he kicked the speeder into life and dissapeared over the sandy dunes.
oOo
The crowds had already started to fill the viewing areas above the city walls as Jango came.
Yoda and his counselors sat below the blue canopy and Anakin sat near them. He didn't look at anybody, and people were careful to avoid looking at him. He was waiting for Padme to come, but she was nowhere to be found, so he was alone.
Obi-Wan was also alone at one of the wall's turreted corners, staring toward the sea.
He watched the lone speeder approach, and he watched as Jango stopped a hundred yards from the walls. He stepped from the bike and walked towards the wall, helmet by his side.
A sniper standing beside Obi-Wan aimed his rifle.
"No," Obi-Wan said, gently, but firmly pushing the barrel of the rifle towards the ground. Then he looked for Panaka, who was standing further down the wall. He gave him a signal that Panaka recognized as the signal for no attacks.
oOo
Jango stood alone in the vast field. He looked up at the citizens staring down at him. Then he cleared his throat.
"Obi-Wan!"
In the background, hundreds of Imperial soldiers lined the high dunes.
"Obi-Wan!"
Louder and louder, Jango's voice echoed above the silent city.
"Obi-Wan!...Obi-Wan!...Obi-Wan!..."
oOo
Atop the wall, Obi-Wan knew that it was time. He walked over to his father as Jango kept bellowing his name. Obi-Wan knelt before his father and kissed his hand.
"Father. Forgive me for any offenses. I've served you as best I could."
Yoda stood, beckoned for Obi-Wan to rise, cupped Obi-Wan's cheeks in his palms and kissed Obi-Wan's forehead.
"May the gods be with you."
Obi-Wan hesitated for a moment, then bowed and turned to go.
"Obi-Wan!"
Obi-Wan turned back. Father and son looked at each other and for a moment it seemed that Yoda would be unable to speak.
"No father ever had a better son," he said finally. The words deeply moved Obi-Wan, but as he glanced at Anakin, he saw a look of hurt on his brother's face. This was quickly hidden, however, as Anakin stepped over to him.
"You're the best man I know," Anakin said at last, and it was clear that he truly meant it. They hugged, and Obi-Wan could feel warmth through Anakin's glove, despite the fact that there was only metal and wires underneath.
"You are a prince of Naboo," Obi-Wan said at last, gripping Anakin's arm tighter and staring into his eyes.
"I know you'll make me proud."
Then he continued on his way, pulling his Jedi helmet onto his head.
oOo
Sabe was waiting for Obi-Wan above the stairs leading to the city gates. She held baby Ben in her arms.
"You remember what I told you?" Obi-Wan asked as he approached.
"You don't have to go. You don't --"
"You remember what I told you." He interupted.
It was clear that Sabe hadn't slept. Her hair was a wild tangle; her eyes were rimmed red. She nodded at last and held Ben up to his father. The boy didn't see his father, he saw something terrifying - a man with a stern face and a look of grim determination.
Little Ben began to cry, so Obi-Wan removed his Jedi helmet and at last the boy saw his father. He giggled and reached out his arms, grabbing tiny fistfulls of Obi-Wan's beard.
Obi-Wan took the boy in his arms and held him. He kissed the boy's fuzzed head and closed his eyes for a moment.
Finally he handed the baby back to Sabe and smiled at his wife. Then he turned and walked away.
She and Ben stared after him, but he never looked back.