This will be a shorter chapter. The next section was much too long to include in this chapter and I didn't want to split it up. Don't worry, I will let you know when we reach this end of this story (or at least, this part of the story)! I wouldn't make you guess and leave you hanging! Thanks again for your marvelous support!

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Mace sat with Obi-Wan on the gunship heading for the cruiser that would take Obi-Wan to Utapau. He had felt compelled to see his friend off, not really knowing why. He studied the younger man beside him, who seemed quite off-centered. "Are you all right, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan raised his tired eyes to his friend. He couldn't even manage to generate a fake smile. "I'm fine, Mace." He wished that he could discuss his troubles with Mace, but he had to hear Anakin's side of things first. If only he had the luxury of time! "Although, I wish I had your confidence that I'm the one who can destroy General Grievous."

"In my opinion, you're the only one who can. Simplicity, a defensive style and a calm spirit will defeat him. You exemplify all those things."

A calm spirit? Obi-Wan sincerely wished he had that at the moment! He looked away from Mace's unwavering gaze of trust. He felt quite unworthy of it.

Mace sighed in exasperation. Aside from Anakin, Obi-Wan was the only Jedi in the Order who doubted his abilities. It irritated the older Councilor that one of the worthiest Jedi to grace the Order should feel unworthy. He blamed the two people who had the deepest impact on Obi-Wan's life – Qui-Gon and Anakin. The last time Mace had seen Qui-Gon alive, he had tossed Obi-Wan aside like a well-worn boot in favor of his newly discovered Chosen One. Then there was Anakin – who treated Obi-Wan like he was incapable of taking care of himself.

Letting his irritation go, Mace place a comforting hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "Hopefully, this will all be over soon. You could be the one to bring this war to an end."

"You don't know how much I'd like to believe that this might end soon. I want to hang up my General mantle for good, and go back to just being a Jedi."

"I agree. It will be really nice to be able to have a Council meeting with everyone physically present again." Mace gave Obi-Wan a small smile. "It'll be nice having you on the Council in a time of peace."

"Thank you, Mace." His friend did help to lift his spirits a bit. It never ceased to amaze Obi-Wan the amount of trust Mace and Yoda placed in him. In times when he doubted himself, their trust helped him to regain his perspective.

All too soon, the gunship came to a stop and it was time for Obi-Wan to depart. Mace took Obi-Wan's hand and was nearly overwhelmed by a sense of finality. He somehow knew that he would never see Obi-Wan again.

Obi-Wan noticed the sudden change in his friend's eyes. "Mace?"

"I just…It's nothing. Take care, my friend. Remember, just be yourself and General Grievous will never defeat you."

"Thank you, Mace, for everything." Obi-Wan released his hand and turned to walk away. Something made him stop. He turned back to the older Councilor, who had a rather sad look on his face. "May the Force be with you, my friend."

"And with you." Mace watched as Obi-Wan walked to where Anakin was waiting for him. He had to swallow back the instant distaste in his mouth at seeing the young Knight. He had really tried to keep an open mind where Anakin was concerned. After all, he was one of those who had argued in favor of Anakin being trained after the Battle of Naboo. But these last few years especially, Mace had seen nothing but justification for Yoda's initial concerns about Anakin.

As Mace reentered the gunship, he couldn't shake the feeling that the darkness hovering over the Jedi was about to gain the upper hand. He looked back once more at Obi-Wan. Was it a coincidence that these feelings were hitting him at the same time Obi-Wan was leaving? Mace knew deep down that Obi-Wan still had an important role to play in the fate of the galaxy. That would mean that the finality he felt was finality about HIMSELF. Mace opened himself to the Force and felt a sense of peace about his fate. He steeled his resolve. If he was to be one with the Force soon, he would go out as a true Jedi.

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Obi-Wan locked all his mental shields firmly in place as he approached Anakin. He had released his emotions into the Force, but he could not dispel the sense of betrayal, nor could he ignore the wound in his heart. He schooled his features and hoped his voice would not betray him.

"Good morning, Master."

"Good morning, Anakin."

Anakin could tell something was wrong. Obi-Wan was shielding himself completely from him. He'd never done that before. His tone of voice was too formal. And his eyes… This did nothing to ease Anakin's growing apprehension about Obi-Wan's leaving. "Master, you're going to need me on this one." He agreed with the Chancellor – Obi-Wan couldn't take General Grievous alone.

"That may end up being the case. Nonetheless, I have my duty and you have yours."

Anakin blew out his breath. Couldn't Obi-Wan talk about anything besides duty? "I don't want you to go. I have a bad feeling about this."

"I will do as the Council has instructed."

Anakin had to refrain from rolling his eyes. Considering Obi-Wan's current mood, he probably would not appreciate the gesture. "Qui-Gon was willing to go against the Council if he felt the Force was leading him to do so."

"Qui-Gon and I are different men." Obi-Wan looked pointedly at his former padawan. "I trust the wisdom of the Council as a whole, as I trust each individual member."

Trust the Council? Anakin didn't trust them at all anymore. The Chancellor was right about them! He knew it was pointless to argue about it. Obi-Wan could be very stubborn when he wanted to be. Anakin had a growing feeling that Obi-Wan should stay on Coruscant. But if Obi-Wan was going to go, he didn't want to leave things unsaid. "Master, I've disappointed you. I haven't lived up to your teachings and I apologize." He shifted uncomfortably under Obi-Wan's inscrutable gaze. "I've just been so frustrated with the Council!"

Obi-Wan nearly lost his tenuous control. What blasted right did Anakin have to be frustrated with the Council? He wanted to shake some sense into the younger man! Force knew, methodical teaching hadn't done anything!

Anakin almost took a step back at the storm brewing in Obi-Wan's eyes. The man was looking at him as if he didn't even know him! What did he say or do wrong? He felt the serpent coiling around his heart again. He couldn't know about Padme and I, could he? Why wasn't Obi-Wan saying anything?

Obi-Wan again released his turbulent emotions into the Force. He had to remain calm. He took a deep breath before finally speaking. "We have a lot to talk about when I get back. I wish I had the time to do it now, but I have to get going. I can't take the chance of letting General Grievous get away again."

Anakin held his breath. That almost confirmed it! Obi-Wan had to have found out about his marriage to Padme somehow. What would Obi-Wan do? Would he want nothing to do with him anymore? As much as Anakin wanted to say something, his mouth wouldn't form the words.

Padme's worries about Anakin's desperation to save her came to the forefront of Obi-Wan's mind. "If you need anything while I'm gone, if you need to talk about anything, my comlink will always be on."

"I know that, Master," Anakin whispered. He didn't want to leave things like this! "Please, Master…"

"We'll talk first thing when I get back. I promise." If I get back. Obi-Wan held out his hand.

Anakin took Obi-Wan's hand hesitantly. The trust was gone. Even without being able to read Obi-Wan's emotions, it was clear as day to him. He understood now how much he had taken his master's trust for granted. Now that it was gone, it felt like a great chasm had opened up between them – a chasm that Anakin doubted would ever completely close.

Obi-Wan let go of Anakin's hand and turned away without another word. Part of him wanted to talk with Anakin about this now, but another part wanted to wait until the wound wasn't so raw.

It took all of Anakin's control not to grab Obi-Wan and beg him not to go. He could feel deep down that disaster was inevitable if Obi-Wan went on this mission. But he knew that he would never be able to convince his master to stay, especially now. The serpent around his heart squeezed tighter with every step Obi-Wan took towards his ship. "Master!"

Obi-Wan turned around and looked at Anakin expectantly.

I'm sorry for betraying you. I don't want to lose you. I love you! "May the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you, Anakin." Obi-Wan turned and continued down the ramp without looking back. He seriously needed to meditate. He didn't know what to think and he didn't know what to feel. All he knew was that nothing would ever be the same again.

Anakin trudged back to his speeder feeling completely adrift. It felt like his life was spiraling out of control! He had probably ruined his relationship with Obi-Wan, and there was still a chance that he could lose Padme soon. If they were gone, what did he have to live for? Once the Council found out about his marriage, he would probably be drummed out of the Jedi Order. But Anakin just didn't care anymore. They don't trust me, and they don't appreciate me, so why should I stick around?

A realization struck Anakin. He did still have his friendship with the Chancellor. Palpatine had predicted every move the Council had made recently. Was the Council really trying to take control of the Republic? Surely Obi-Wan wouldn't be a part of a plot like that! Maybe Obi-Wan didn't even know of their plot! But then again, Obi-Wan had been the one who asked him to spy on the Chancellor. And Obi-Wan was always warning him about his friendship with the Chancellor. Anakin didn't know what to think anymore! The one person he really wanted to talk to about this, the one person he knew could help him sort through all of this was now on his way to Utapau. Padme was right, I should have told Obi-Wan while I had the chance! Now things would never be the same.