Count Dooku of Serreno formally Darth Tyranus was playing halo-chess against the computer. Although he was in a cell surrounded by an anti-force bubble that limited his powers to only allow healing and small objects to be moved through telekinesis, he felt fortunate to be alive. He owed Anakin Skywalker a debt of gratitude for saving his life that day. He was very proud of the young man and glad that he didn't become an adversary. Count Dooku had worked very diligently to fight against the dark side and even his former master Yoda had come once every six weeks to check on him. Deep down Count Dooku knew that he would never be released, even when they went through the charade of parole hearings. He spent most of his time reading, playing chess, and meditating. He only wished that he could be given a second chance to redeem himself, but he highly doubted the possibility.

The Jedi Council had their weekly meetings and Anakin brought up Count Dooku's parole.

"Much controversy surrounds the former Sith Lord." Yoda replied.

"He's been in prison for over seven years, master Yoda. Are we ever going to find it in our hearts to forgive him?"

"Even Count Dooku does not expect to ever be released, Anakin." Mace replied.

"I understand, Master Windu, but he has a plethora of knowledge and experience, he could be a great asset again."

"Who would watch over Count Dooku? It would take someone with great skill to do this." Master Fitso replied.

"I don't mean to be so blunt masters, but how can we ever trust him again? He and his former master Sidious are responsible for the entire Clone War, we lost hundreds of Jedi and millions have suffered because of that bloody war. We very nearly came to losing the republic itself! No, I'm sorry; he must stay where he is until his natural death." Master Gallia replied.

"Feel strongly Master Gallia does." Yoda replied.

Anakin sighed deeply as he thought of his own fate if he had murdered Count Dooku and followed Sidious. "Something more to say, Master Skywalker?" Yoda inquired.

"Yes, Master Yoda. But I must come before the council personally and say what I have on my mind."

"When ready you are, come before us you will." Yoda replied.

The meeting was adjourned and Anakin left the meditation room he knew it wouldn't be easy to describe to the council about the alternative future had held if Count Dooku had been murdered by him.

Mara Jade was out by the gazebo lifting multiple stones into the air and manipulating them. Anakin watched her, she was at peace. Mara felt her masters' presence he seemed troubled.

"Master?"

"Mm?"

"Are you okay? You seem to be troubled."

"Just thinking long thoughts, padawan; we will be going to Coruscant soon, when we arrive there I want you to go to the archive and learn all you can about the planet of Vjun."

"Vjun? Why?"

"Don't question, padawan. This mission will not be an easy one; you will need all your strength and character to do well."

"Another flipping trial? Come on, Master; I know that I could have done better with Jar Jar, but please ease up."

"Life as a Jedi is hard, Mara Jade; trials come in many forms and each trial tests your abilities both with the Force but more importantly with your soul."

Mara watched as her master walked away, seemingly to be brooding. She shook her head; he could get so damn moody sometimes.

Just as he promised, they boarded a transport to take them to Coruscant; Han Solo was wrapping up the work on the speeders and was told to study for his pilot's license as Anakin would be working with him when they returned. Mara watched as her master wrapped his large hands around a cup of caff, he was sipping the hot liquid and seemingly lost in thought. She sensed that this mission was just a trial for her but for her master as well. He was worried.

"Master?"

"Yes?"

"Is everything okay? What is Vjun and why are you so tense?"

"It is a planet immersed in the dark side of the force; the last time I was there I was a newly knighted Jedi with Obi-Wan. I felt its calling for me and it was intoxicating I felt it would be very easy to get drunk off its power."

"So, why are we going back?"

"Not sure if we are; I'm just leaving open the possibility. I must visit a very important contact while we are the temple. You will remain in the archive to study."

"Typical." Mara Jade sighed.

Anakin gently smiled at her and reminded her that most of Jedi knowledge was learned by studying and learning important facts about missions. It was a part of the Force as was learning how to levitate, fight with a lightsaber, or negotiations.

"Yes, but you told me that aggressive negotiations were your favorite."

"Touché."

Mara Jade and Anakin arrived on Coruscant and immediately went to the Jedi Temple, after settling in Anakin's apartment, Mara Jade was sent to the archive while he went to find Yoda. Luke saw his father approach and quickly hid behind a column, Anakin was too focused on speaking with Yoda that he didn't even feel his son's presence. That is until he scampered up his father's back and hugged his neck.

"Guess who?" Luke put his hands over his father's eyes.

"Luke Skywalker, my son; who should be in class."

"Oops."

"Oops? What does this mean, Luke? Are you skipping class?"

"No, sir; not technically; I felt your presence nearby so I asked if I could be excused to use the refresher."

Anakin gently smiled and turned around to take Luke back to class while he sat on his father's shoulders.

"It's so great to be high up; were you always this tall, father?"

"No; actually I was small for my age. I didn't start growing tall until I hit about thirteen, then I was mostly elbows and knees. I was also incredibly clumsy, of course not as bad as Jar Jar."

Luke laughed and as he approached the door, he kissed his father on the cheek and Anakin hugged him.

"See you later, son. Behave."

"Yes, Jedi Master Skywalker." Anakin rolled his eyes and playfully swatted his son's rear-end.

"Ow! Don't use your right hand, DAD!" Luke laughed as he opened the door.

Anakin waved at the other younglings and the teacher.

Yoda was sitting in the outside gardens, trimming back the weeds, he loved his garden. A tall dark shadow fell over him. "Nice to see you it is, Anakin." Yoda greeted without lifting his head.

"Master Yoda." Anakin bowed.

"Sit you will, join me."

Anakin picked up the clippers and started to cut back the weeds, nothing was said as Yoda and Anakin continued to cut. "Weeds grow fast do they not?"

"Yes, some would compare younglings to weeds in which the speed they do grow."

"Right you are, Anakin; seems like yesterday you were a youngling pulling pranks, having fun, and working in my garden."

"Or scrubbing the council chambers, washing dishes or doing laundry; Master Yoda."

"Yes; mischievous you were. Good thing Count Dooku was gone already when you first came to us."

"Why?"

"He had no sense of humor; he was a driven and stern Jedi Master; made Qui-Gon very nervous at times."

"Qui-Gon, nervous?" Anakin was shocked.

"Surprised are you? Yes, Qui-Gon was raised very strictly that was why he was somewhat lax with Obi-Wan; Qui-Gon was very respectful of Count Dooku, but at times very fearful. He never pulled any pranks or foolishness. That's why when he became a Jedi Knight, he rebelled."

"Not only did he rebel against Count Dooku, but the Jedi Council as well."

"Yes, astute you are."

"Was Count Dooku always so determined?"

"Yes, my apprentice he was; took his studies very seriously. Not many friends he had."

"Master Yoda, what happened on Vjun? Why did you meet with Count Dooku?"

"Wanted to bring him back I did; you succeeded where I failed, young one."

"You didn't fail, Master Yoda."

"No; I did, come to terms with this I have."

"Where is Count Dooku being held?"

"Wish to see him you do?"

"Yes."

Yoda turned to Anakin and pulled his face down to his own. Yoda closed his eyes and Anakin opened himself to the wizened master. "Strong you are with the Force, young one. A beacon of bright light you are that dispels all of the darkness; even your own. Help Count Dooku you could, if he wishes it. Proud that you chose the light I am; or else a formidable opponent you would have become. A Sith Lord named Darth Vader you could have chosen and would have murdered the Jedi and the younglings. Love has saved you; love of your wife and your children. Even if a dark lord you would have become, Luke is the tie to your light and goodness. Proud of the boy you are. Love dispels all darkness and can ignite the stars with its brilliance." Yoda removed his hands of Anakin's face and both of them opened their eyes. Anakin started to speak, "Shh, do not speak Anakin. Meditate. Meet me in an hour in my quarters."

"Yes, Master."

Anakin leaned against the tree and did as Yoda suggested.

Luke finished his studies and had to go to the archive to look up some planets for his planetary systems test. Mara was sitting a computer terminal engrossed into what she was reading and didn't feel Luke. He saw that she was leaning on the back two legs of the chair. Luke smiled as he concentrated and managed to pull the chair out from under Mara who went crashing to the floor.

"Luke Skywalker! I'm going to kill you!" Mara jumped up enraged and chased Luke around the room. Who was laughing as he was running, unfortunately he didn't know that he would crash into Jocasta Nu.

"Padawan Skywalker! This is an archive not a playground, where is your Master?"

"Oh, please Madame Jocasta, don't tell on me." Luke cried.

"You've been warned before, I'm not one to put up with this kind of foolishness, and you need a heavy dose of discipline, padawan." She grabbed his braid and took him to the communicator. "Locate Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"He is not in the temple at this time."

"Locate Master Skywalker."

"In the Jedi gardens outside." The droid answered.

"Well we will see what your father thinks of this." Jocasta sighed as she escorted Luke to the gardens. Mara Jade followed them at a distance, she felt slightly guilty she was chasing him. "Skywalkers can never stay out of trouble, not even if their lives depended on it." Mara Jade sighed deeply.

Luke saw Leia and waved sheepishly at her, "What did you do this time, brother?" Leia asked.

"Pulled a chair out from under Mara and she chased me, until I crashed into Madame Jocasta."

"Mm, good luck with father, Luke." Leia rolled her eyes.

"Hey, Mara, how are you?"

"Good, how goes diplomacy?"

"It's all right. Politics is a tough game to get the hang of though, Master Gallia is a genius. I'm so glad she's my teacher."

Mara smiled and hugged Leia, "I'll catch up with you later."

"I look forward to it, Mara."

Anakin finished his mediating when he felt two presences one was a very irritated Madame Jocasta and his son, Luke.

"Master Skywalker, must your son have the same tendencies to cause trouble that you do?"

"It makes life interesting, Madame Jocasta."

"Don't mouth off to me, Master Skywalker."

"I'm not. I'm just merely pointing out the obvious."

"Master Kenobi needs to take both of his padawans in hand then and teach them both that they are not to run and rough house in the Jedi archive."

"I haven't run in the archive in a number of years, Madame Jocasta."

"No, you only refuse to use the lift and practice your jumping skills from the balustrade on the upper levels."

Luke smiled at his father, somehow this didn't surprise him.

"If you and your son cannot behave in a place of studies and learning, then you need to go on down the road."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Padawan Skywalker, do not let me catch you again rough-housing in my archive or else the Jedi Council will hear about it."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Master Kenobi will get my report. Good day." Jocasta Nu stormed away shaking her head.

"So is it true? You actually do leaps from the upper levels?"

"Yes, but don't let me catch you doing it son, you don't have a good command of the force yet."

"What will Master Kenobi do to me?" Luke wondered fearfully.

"Give you a standard lecture, most probably."

Mara Jade approached Luke and her master, "Mara, good you are here. I have a meeting with Master Yoda, take Luke to the gardens and keep him out of trouble."

"Master, that's a full-time job."

"Yes and you are so good at it."

"That's only because I try to keep my master out of trouble." Mara sighed.

Anakin patted Mara on the head and walked to Yoda's apartment.

"Come in, Anakin." Yoda opened the door before Anakin could even knock. He removed his cloak and hung it up.

"Sit. Have a cup of stew you will."

"No thanks I just ate." Anakin declined.

Yoda glared at him, "Okay just a small bowl." Anakin sheepishly replied.

After finishing the stew, Yoda handed Anakin a tall white candle it was pure beeswax and had never been lit.

"Master?"

"Take this to Count Dooku you will. Familiar with this symbol he is; May the Force be with you."

"As with you, Master Yoda." Anakin bowed and pulled on his cloak and left the apartment. He headed down to the lower levels of the temple, where dissident Jedi were kept, particularly if they were a danger to themselves or to others. There was only one prisoner.

"State your business." The Jedi guard sternly said.

"I'm here to see Count Dooku."

"Enter."

Anakin saw the large iron-clad door slam shut behind him and listened with the Force. Count Dooku was meditating when he felt a presence a very strong presence, more light than darkness surrounded the Jedi. It was a powerful presence of the Chosen One; it was Anakin Skywalker! Count Dooku didn't surprise easily, but he welcomed the young man into his chambers.

"Good evening, Master Skywalker." Count Dooku coolly stated.

"Good evening, Count Dooku." Anakin replied as he handed Count Dooku the white candle.

"Yoda sent you?"

"Yes, well, I wanted to come."

Count Dooku smiled and lit the candle.

The two former opponents looked at each other for long moments, not saying anything just trying to figure each other out first.

"Sorry about your hand, have you been able to make full use of it yet?"

"Yes, it has been seven years my friend; besides I call it poetic justice." Count Dooku smiled.

"Yea. So, have you been able to completely turn away from the dark side?"

"That's what I've always liked about you Skywalker, direct and to the point."

"I didn't think you ever liked me, Count."

"Well, at first I didn't. You were a bit arrogant and a show-off; but actually you kind of remind me of myself in my youth. You've calmed down considerably though."

Anakin smiled. "Yea, having a family will do that."

"There's something I must tell you Anakin." Count Dooku became very serious and solemn. Anakin leaned forward anticipating.

"Darth Sidious was responsible for your mother's death. He told me himself, he whipped up the Tusken Raiders into frenzy."

"That doesn't surprise me, Count." Anakin had let go of the memory of his mother's death, but never her memory. "Unfortunately I murdered the entire Tusken camp, not just the men, but women and children. It disgusts me to this day, but it was like I wasn't in control all I could feel was a burning hatred and anger, I wanted them to suffer like they made my mother suffer."

"The dark side is an addiction that leaves waste to you and not just physically either but emotionally. Its power is like a spice addiction, very hard to cure. But even so you are never completely cured, the dark side always whispers in your ear."

Anakin knew this all too well, he felt its whispers plenty, not so much anymore since Darth Sidious had been eliminated.

"Count? I have something to tell you, do you know why I didn't obey Darth Sidious that day?"

"The thought has crossed my mind."

"I was in the future. The Jedi were completely extinct, only Master Kenobi and Yoda had survived the Jedi Purge."

"Who was responsible? Darth Sidious was powerful but his strength was in manipulations and planning."

"A Dark Sith Lord by the name of Darth Vader."

"Was it a turn-coat Jedi?"

"Yes."

"Who?"

"Me." Anakin admitted.

"You? The Chosen One, the one who was to defeat the Sith?"

"Yes, I joined them to protect my wife Padmé. I couldn't live without her, but it was my greed to want to the power to stop death so I could save her."

Author's Note:It was brought to my attention that I needed to bring Count Dooku back into the fold. So you are probably wondering where I'm going to take this, well my constant readers, you will have to wait and see. Most notes and story ideas will be evolving from the Star Wars novel "Dark Rendezvous" by Sean Stewart. Thanks for reading. DarthGladiator45