A/N: I have been getting remarks from people about the layout. Two words: Microsoft sucks. I've been adding page breakers in different ways, they all disappear after I load/save them... and i didn't realize until now. Sorry about that and thanks for the warning. Anyways, I'll try to format everything better from now on. My main focus now is to finish the story. And also, Read and Review. : )

Anakin never thought too much about looks. After all, hadn't years in the Jedi showed him that appearances can be deceiving? Nonetheless, he could see why Finn was so enamored with the young man. He was at the height of his youth and beauty. Anakin had seen many girls giggled and whispered among themselves when he was near. Captain Karl of Endor was tall, dark, and handsome, with a mysterious air and an enchanting smile. Even his own wife, as sure as he was of her affections, blushed shyly when the young captain paid attention to her. Finn accepted his flatteries and wooing almost gladly. They were often seen, hand-in-hand, strolling the streets of Coruscant. However, Anakin detested him. Not because he doubted the young man's sincerity or saw any flaws in his character. Yet, he had the unexplainable feeling that no man was good enough for Finn, definitely not this young and self-righteous boy.

He felt protective of Finn, for she had no brothers to look over her. It was natural, after all, his wife's most trusted friend was his friend also. Private attachment during times of war was dangerous. Private attachment with people who were not friends in this war was even more dangerous, even if they were not enemies, for the time being. Anakin was sure that Obi-Wan felt the same way. He had seen him glaring at the happy and blind couple with intensity in his eyes and thoughts. No doubt, Anakin reflected, that his former master was judging about the possible repercussions of any of Finn's impudent behaviors.

"I don't understand what you see in him," Anakin spoke blatantly to Finn during their meal.

She grinned and spooned some soup, eyeing him mockingly.

"What?"

"You're so obvious, Anakin."

He was confused. Obvious? Obvious about what? "What do you mean?" he furrowed his brow.

"The Jedi in you is talking," she said plainly and slurp her soup. She frowned, "I believe Padmé has put too much salt in this, again."

"I'm just being cautious, that's all." He slumped into his chair like a little boy.

"Then I don't believe you should be the one talking," she insinuated. True, he and Padmé had married out of passion and against all reason. Yet, still…

"At least I'm sure of what side Padmé is on—"

"And I don't know what side Karl is on?" she looked at him quizzically.

"Well, you can't be sure."

She looked up at him again. He was surprised at her straight and serious face. She did not look like her father at all, yet sometimes, she gave off the same regal and commanding air. "You would be much more powerful, Anakin, if you didn't let the Jedi and their teachings lead you by the nose."

"That's rather unwise of you—" he protested meekly.

"Listen to your head and trust your feelings, you know I'm right." Then she smiled mischievously, "and you mustn't worry about me, Big Brother. I don't wear my heart on my sleeve and cry if I lose my lover. I like Karl enough," she thought about the good-looking boy, "but he's just a senseless lad. It's just fun for me, and for him, too, I believe. I don't give away my heart easily," she looked at him meaningfully, "and when I do, I can never get it back."

Finn and Obi-Wan had not spoken personally to each other ever since they left Handooine. They both tried their best at pretending that they were still master and apprentice. Nonetheless, one day, he was attacked with a troubling piece of news. He had to confront her. "They told me you were leaving," he paused at the door. He saw the bag and the rumpled clothes. His heart sank. So it was true. "Are you leaving with him?"

"Yes, I'm leaving and no, I'm not leaving with Karl. He asked me, but he's happy where he is," she stated plainly. "I'm going beyond the Outer Rims, away from the Republic."

"Why?" he could not decipher her motives.

"Damn you, Kenobi."

He was not sure why she was so angry. They had been together. They had been content. Why did she suddenly decide to leave and why was she angry at him?

"Damn you, Kenobi." She stated it again. "Every time that I—" she paused, giving him an angry look, "you always give me that stupid face as if you have no idea what I am talking about."

"I don't," he whispered.

She paced back and forth. He could sense the anguish and pain in her, and he could see the tears in her eyes. "You honestly thought I came back for this mission, for the battles, for the war, didn't you?" She shook her head while tears streamed down her thin face, "no, no, I came back for you. I've missed you. I've loved you. I have always loved you," she couldn't look him in the eyes, "ever since I have known you. I have tried to bear with the fact that you are a Jedi. I have tried to just be your pupil and friend. But they didn't work. I've realized I have been a fool, if you truly and genuinely do love me, you would not care for some thousand-year-old rule."

"Maybe I'm unworthy of your love," he whispered softly, and the words turned into stone in the air.

She did not negate his statement and picked up her bag. As she gave him one last hard look before she walked out the door, she said, "So, damn you, Kenobi. May we never meet again."

All her life, she had been a disappointment. She was not the daughter well versed in art and poetics that her mother wanted. She was not the faithful and unquestioning Jedi knight that her uncle wanted. She was not the calculating and clever politician that her father wanted. She was not the perfect and respectful apprentice that Ben wanted. She was not the loyal and dependable soldier that Naboo wanted.

As a Palpatine, there was three roads she could have chose from: a politician, as most of her ancestors; a Jedi, if she was Force sensitive; or a merchant, to continue her family's wealth. She chose the only road that no other Palpatines have chosen: the life of a soldier. Her father and sister, Kira, were not pleased. Ben was disappointed but accepted her detachment. It was a hard life with no glory and no rewards. Yet it allowed her to never return home, to never see her remaining family for years on end, and to travel all across the Galaxy like a wandering ghost.

Now, with her ten-year tenure with the Nubian military coming to an end, she was disappointing her commanding officers by leaving them, too. Finn was a good soldier. She was young and hotheaded at times, but she was intelligent and wise. She was already a great fighter, and she would have become a great commanding officer. She was abandoning a bright future. Nonetheless, she did not want to tangles of sacred bonds and honored vows anymore. She wanted to leave the Republic and live freely, for once.

"I heard that you're leaving," Chancellor Palpatine swirled the liquid in his glass. "I can't say that I'm not disappointed."

"Well, it's not the first time," she said briskly, "and it shan't be the last."

Palpatine chuckled at his daughter. His daughter? His daughter. Sure, he was responsible for her existence, as well as the existences of her brothers and sisters. Nonetheless, she never took after him. Even Kira was obedient and dutiful, as brainless as she could be. He shook his head in mild disapproval. "I can't say that I'm not surprised, either."

Her gray eyes narrowed in a cat-like way, but she did not reply to his comment.

"It is quite a shame, really. My child," he placed a hand on her right shoulder, "that you should decide to quit when we are so close to our goal." He closed his eyes and savored the taste, as if he could taste victory in his mouth.

"You mean your goal," she inched away, letting his hand drop.

"No," he looked at her almost affectionately, "our goal, yours and mine, my youngest one. As well as your brother's."

"No!" he smiled at her outburst reaction. "Kyler never wanted this! He only did it because of you! He so badly wanted to be your son, to please you, to do everything and anything you ever ask of him!" she checked the volume of her voice, "and he died for it."

"Remember what you begged for when you first came to me, all those years ago," his voice hissed hypnotically, "you wanted revenge and you want it still. To kill the murderers of your brother, did you not wish for?" she stared at him, with a blind look in her eyes, "and I have given you the abilities, and I will soon give you the chance," he smiled sinisterly, "but you wish to leave."

She looked at him, and knew that he could see the internal struggles within her. She wanted to wrap her hands around the throat of her brother's murderer, and strangle him slowly and painfully until life was literally squeezed out of him. She could feel the angers and hatred rise in her, then she thought she saw Qui Gon's stern face, shaking in disapproval. You mustn't give into your emotions, she could almost hear him say. Yet the anger and the hatred did not disappear, but changed places with sullenness and sadness. She was tired of Coruscant and being so near her father. She hated being manipulated by him. She just wanted to leave, leave, leave. When that one word echoed in her head, she felt almost glad.

"Yes, I do wish to leave. Good bye, sir." She began to take her leave.

"Ah, I see." Palpatine was desperate but he kept his cool, "the spurn of one particular Jedi master has soured your appetite for this city."

That came as a sting that went straight to her heart. But she pretended that she did not hear, or care. Good riddance to you, She thought, and Obi-Wan and the Jedi, too.

Forget her, Palpatine sat once again at his magnificent desk. She is no longer imperial to my plans. Just another dispensable chess piece, he chuckled to himself. Yes, yes, his plans are unfolding nicely.

"I believe this is highly irregular," Obi-Wan stated flatly to the Jedi Council. "Lieutenant Palpatine is discharged on honorable terms. I do not see the reason to do so."

"You must remember, Master Kenobi. Although she is Master Jinn's niece, after all, she is not Master Jinn himself or a Jedi for that matter."

"Furthermore, the girl child, no love for the Jedi, she held." Master Yoda added.

"So, you believe that we should stalk her and spy on her like an open enemy of the Republic," Obi-Wan could not believe what he was hearing. This was not only insensible, but also, also, insulting to him. He could feel the frustration building up in him but had the good sense to shield it from the other Jedi masters.

Master Yoda's eyes focused on Master Kenobi as the argument continued. He was surprised at the young Jedi master's consternation and opposition. After all, Obi-Wan Kenobi did not become elevated to the rank of the Jedi Council because he was obstinate and defiant. However, the wise Yoda reflected and realized that Obi-Wan's feelings were not his own. His reaction was just an extension of what he imagined Finn's reaction would be like. He was behaving for the girl, in a way. He was watching out for her and protecting her, without realizing it. "Perhaps," Master Yoda interrupted the inappropriate bickering between the masters, "if you hear our reasons, you would agree with our decisions."

"What reasons?" Obi-Wan was not comprehensive.

"You must know of Finn Palpatine's enrollment in the Nubian military academy before her service."

"Yes, Master Yoda."

"And that she entered into the service years earlier before any other cadet. She entered into the service under the special order of the Provost of the academy at the time, the late General Kerali."

"Yes, Master Yoda, I'm well aware of that."

"AND THAT, while she was in the Academy, serving as her personal mentor was the vice provost of the Academy, our old friend, Count Dooku."

"Count Dooku," Obi-Wan, who was standing at the time, took a step back and slumped into his seat. He placed his head into his hands, while the other masters murmured among themselves about the surprising revelation. "Finn was his protégé," he whispered to himself. He had always knew that there was no love lost between Finn and the Jedi Order, but a sith lord's apprentice? That was too much. He remembered the brimming tears in those innocent gray eyes whenever he had to tell her that he and Qui Gon were leaving. He remembered her absolute loyalty to the Republic, when she took the burden of an entire army onto her shoulders. He remembered her last words, "So, damn you, Kenobi. May we never meet again." He knew, from the bottom of his heart, that she was not escaping the Republic or running a secret scheme for the Separatists. She was genuinely running away from him. She wished to be alone. She needed time to heal. She also needed to be protected from Count Dooku.

"I will go," his announcement came as a surprise.

"What?" Master Windu asked. Obi-Wan could feel the eyes of the other masters on him, questioning his sanity.

"I will go," Obi-Wan repeated himself, "I know Finn's habits and resources better than anyone. And," he looked at Master Yoda expressively, "it might be better for her to accept if it's a friend, not a stranger."

"Then, decided, it is," Master Yoda struck down his staff, adjourning the meeting.

She felt a pair of eyes looking at her from the darkness. She did not care who it was, except that she wanted to lose them. Pacing briskly down the alley, she tried to lose them. Yet the eyes had followed her intently and refused to give up. Finally, she confronted the hooded figure. "What do you want, Kenobi?" she realized who it was before he revealed himself.