((Yeah so...I just realized that when I copy and paste the little tilde's from Word i.e: these things they don't show up in these documents. And those are what I use to show a seperation of scenes. -.- '''' ...so for all of you who were like: "WTF? It just jumped scenes" Yeah...I'm sorry about that...I was too stupid to catch on...'''' So this time I just wrote it in. Also, that means I have to change what it looks like when people are thinking. So that is now the bold& italics that you see.
Oh! And thanks to all of you who reviewed my story!Getting those little 'you have an review' alerts on Hotmail really makes my day! And for all you little lurkers who are reading my story and not reviewing...shame on you! You have to tell me what you think! wimpers...please! Alright, and without further delays...Chapter 8!))
Chapter 8: To Start Over
(Ow…) Obi-Wan Kenobi came to back consciousness with the same sensation that he'd initially gone to sleep with…pain His eyes flickered open and the intense white lights of the Temple's healers ward only increased his headache. To his way of thinking however, Obi-Wan considered all of this a 'good' pain. It let him know that he'd lived through his last ordeal. Along with the pain, the Jedi Knight also felt the familiar touch of a Mon Calamari on his lower leg. He smiled.
"Bandaging me up once more I see." He said sarcastically. "Aren't you tired of seeing me in here yet Bant?" Kenobi opened his eyes and they focused on the young fish-like woman. But, when they did, he quickly realized that it was definitely not Bant standing before him.
"Bant? Master Kenobi?" The healer said in a concerned tone. "No, I'm Neralee." She corrected him. Obi-Wan stared numbly at her for a moment. He'd known Bant was dead. So why had he said her name? As Obi-Wan looked this healer over it was quite obvious that despite their species, Bant and this 'Neralee' looked nothing alike. Even with that knowledge though, Obi-Wan couldn't help but be reminded of his best friend when he looked at the young woman and that just made it all the more painful when his mind forced his heart to realize that she would never be coming back. "How are you feeling Master Kenobi?" Neralee asked, going about checking Obi-Wan's IV's and bandaging, cutting Obi-Wan's painful memories off.
"I'm fine." He responded, putting up the most pleasant face he could muster. "I've been in worse shape." He lied, he didn't think anything could feel worse then the after effects of being fried from the inside out. "Where's Anakin?" Obi-Wan asked, trying to change the subject.
"Oh, young Skywalker left the healers almost as soon as he awoke. He's a quick one to recover." Her tone betrayed more than a passing interest in his apprentice and Obi-Wan suppressed a sarcastic sigh. "I believe he was only here for about two days." She continued.
"Two days?" Obi-Wan repeated incredulously. "Then….how long have I been here?" He asked. The Mon Calamarian looked down at her data pad and searched through it for a moment.
"About 6 days sir." Her answer nearly had Obi-Wan leaping out of bed, which actually only ended up with him sitting up. For as soon as he moved a searing pain shot through him causing his head to become light. "Oh no! Master Kenobi, you mustn't do that!" Neralee exclaimed frantically. The concern in her voice again reminding him of Bant and Obi-Wan had to wonder if it really was just his mind playing games on him. He remembered the numerous beratings he'd received from his friend on 'being more careful'. Of course with those lectures came his customary nonchalant shrug and shake of his head.
"I shouldn't, but I am still leaving." Obi-Wan informed her.
"But you can't. I haven't approved that." The healer stated in a very authoritive voice. Obi-Wan picked up his cloak from the corner of his bed and tossed her a quick grin.
"Send a complaint to Yoda." He remarked. "He probably needs to talk to me anyway." Neralee just watched in surprise as Obi-Wan slid the room's door open and exited quickly. After a few moments she gave an indignant sigh and went to write up a report. Some Jedi she just never would understand.
...Next Scene...
Obi-Wan headed down the corridor trying to decide just where to go from here. He needed to find Anakin, that was top priority, and he needed to talk to Yoda. The ginger haired man stopped at an intersection of hallways and glanced down each one. Anakin would no doubt be in the gardens or his room and Yoda was probably in the council room.
(I should probably talk with Yoda before bothering Anakin.) Obi-Wan thought. He didn't see a reason of seeing Anakin right this second when he didn't have any answers to the questions his apprentice undoubtedly had. Obi-Wan decided he would indeed see Yoda first and he took one step down the hallway before stopping short. The Jedi Knight paused and looked himself over. He was carrying his robe and belt over one shoulder, he was dressed in some sort of healer's garment and he hadn't trimmed his beard in over a weak. (Right, shower first, restore peace and order to the galaxy soon thereafter.) He told himself in a rather cynical tone. With that Obi-Wan changed directions and made his way to the temple dorms.
Obi-Wan finished tying up his padded boots and took a long rejuvenated breath as the remaining heat from the fresher rolled off of him. He stood from the edge of his bed and picked up a new robe and pulled it over his clean tunic. Now, feeling 100 better than he did when he walked in an hour and a half ago, Kenobi picked up the last addition to his ensemble and clipped it to his belt before exiting his room once more.
...Next Scene...
He had called the Council while getting ready and he had been informed that Yoda had been expecting him and was awaiting him in the Gardens, which only let Obi-Wan know that Yoda had news to share with him. For there was rarely a time when Yoda 'awaited' someone outside of the council chambers.
The walk to the Gardens was a short short, for the path had long ago been ingrained into the older Jedi's memory. As he came to the entrance, Obi-Wan ran his fingers over the keypad. The durasteel doors slid open to reveal the most beautiful room in the temple, besides maybe the Room of 1000 Fountains. Though the sunlight was artificial, the plants and water that resided within were very much real and together they combined to make one of the most peaceful settings in the universe.
Obi-Wan walked along one of the intricately designed paths through the thick leaves, searching for the older master. Not long after, off to one side, Obi-Wan soon heard an unmistakable voice and let his ears lead him to it. The noise guided Obi-Wan to a small clearing that rested just beside the temple's lake, which was every padawan's favorite place to relax when the chance arose, especially for a certain Tatooine native.
Coinciding with that thought, Obi-Wan saw Anakin sitting down by the bank of the water, eyes closed and legs neatly folded. It almost appeared as if Anakin was doing a Jedi calming technique of his own free will…almost. Directly in front of the young man was the hunch and green form of master Yoda, whacking his apprentice in the knee every time he dared to open his eyes. Obi-Wan couldn't help but smile at the sight. It was almost as if things were as they once were, back to normal. Despite his wishes though, Obi-Wan knew they would never be able to return to the way things once had been. They could however, have a new normal…it would just take time. After a few moments Obi-Wan made his way over to the pair.
"Ah, Master Obi-Wan. Nice of you to join us, it is." Yoda said, greeting one of his favorite Jedi.
"Thank you master." Obi-Wan replied with a bow of his head. Anakin attempted to peer up at Obi-Wan when he heard his voice. But, with another sharp smack of a gimmer stick to his knee had Anakin's eyes closed tightly once more.
"Master Yoda." The 23 year old groaned, pitifully.
"Quiet young Skywalker. Or hear my good news, you will not." The green master demanded. Anakin was not content, but if there was good news to anything he was all for it. These past few days at the temple had been unbearable for Anakin. No one would look at him, much less talk to him, except Darra and Tru, and though he didn't hold it against anyone it still stung. In Anakin's eyes though, those two were the only ones he needed for now. Master Yoda was another exception, the wise master always had liked Anakin, even if it was because he needed a challenge.
"Good news?" Obi-Wan inquired. "What a nice change." He said smiling sarcastically.
"A hint of your padawan I sense in you, Master Kenobi." Yoda remarked. "Need that you do not." Obi-Wan's grin changed to one of sincerity as the two shared a long forgotten moment. Anakin as well, was smiling from his place on the ground, eyes tightly shut of course. "First a question I have." Yoda looked back at Anakin and poked him with his walking stick. "For you it is, young Skywalker." Anakin showed his attention by sitting up a little more and nodding. "Still wish to be a Jedi, do you?" Any enthused emotion fled from Anakin's face. That was a question he had not anticipated, not yet at least. His heart and soul screamed 'yes!'. But, in his mind Anakin knew that he did not deserve to be welcomed back. This question was one that he had expected to have a long time to consider and though he'd been thinking about it non stop for about 4 days now, Anakin was still at a loss of how to respond. He took a deep breath and tried to quell the skipping of his heart as his emotions overflowed. In the end, however, Anakin knew that there could only be one answer to that question.
"Yes, Master Yoda. Now more than ever do I wish to remain." He answered, eyes reflecting so many more emotions than he could possibly convey with words. "Though I understand if that is not possible and I wi---"
"Good! Then a Jedi once more you shall be." Yoda's voice cut in. Anakin's face lit up with amazement and shock, as did Obi-Wan's. "Already discussed it and decided, the council has." Yoda informed them. "Believe you now, ready for your trials?" He asked, already leading to another question. Again Anakin was bombarded by emotions. They were offering him knighthood, now? After everything he'd done! They would still consider him worthy! Anakin was finding it harder to breath by the second. Thankfully, he found the ability to shake his head in a 'no' fashion.
"I..." He hesitated. "I made the mistake of deciding the level of my power once before, I will not make that mistake again." Anakin replied. The apprentice's eyes were still tightly shut so he could not see the look of pure astonishment and pride on his master's face. Obi-Wan smiled at Yoda and nodded.
"That is all I needed to hear. He is ready." Obi-Wan announced. With those words a small wind could have knocked Anakin Skywalker over. The young man had never been so relieved, excited, amazed, and honored before, much less at the same time.
"Good, good." Yoda commented, acting as if this whole process was just a minor event. "Then only one thing left there is." The small Jedi explained, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "A sabbatical granted, to young Skywalker it has." He told master and apprentice..
"I have to leave?" Anakin's voice was caught between disappointment and panic.
"Yes, Senator Amidala's twins, born two weeks ago they were. Makes you a father, I believe that does." This time Anakin's eyes did shoot wide open and any negative emotions he might have held a moment ago fled from the entire world. His excitement and happiness filled him so much that the numerous attacks with a gimmer stick never even fazed him. Anakin jumped to his feet, and even partially into the air. Had Anakin put and force energy behind his emotions it would've been a good guess to say that neither Obi-Wan nor Yoda would be standing anywhere near where they had started out.
"Are they okay?" Anakin said once he'd landed. "What day were they born? Are they both boys? Both girls? Who do they look like? Where's are they?" Anakin's short fuse had finally snapped and Obi-Wan couldn't begin to tell where one Anakin started and another ended.
"Calm yourself Anakin." He instructed his apprentice, stifling a laugh. Obi-Wan had seen Anakin keep his composure leading clone legions into battle and taking on Sith Warriors such as Grievous and Dooku, so to watch the effects this news had on his friend was truly an amusing spectacle.
"Yes, easy." Yoda agreed. "Know much information I do not." Suddenly there was a hint of disdain the old master's voice. "But, I know I do that Padme still believes you on the path of the darkside." He admitted. Anakin's world came crashing down once more and he suddenly felt terribly weak.
"N…No one told her?" Anakin looked as if seemingly ready to burst into tears. He'd let his guard down. Being back at the temple, and for the first time feeling like he was doing the right thing, had given him a reprieve from all the things he still knew he had to atone for. For some reason however, Anakin had expected Padme to be waiting for him with open arms. A reality that, in this moment, shattered to pieces.
"No one but the Jedi, of your situation know for sure and even the senators, still suspicious they are. Wide and deep was the web of Sidious' lies." Yoda said mournfully. Obi-Wan placed a gently hand on Anakin's shoulder.
"Don't worry, Padme will know the real you. She loves you." He reassured the distraught new father. Anakin could only lower his head.
"She'll hate me. I betrayed her." The young man said painfully. "She'll never see me the way she used to. I don't think I can bear that." He admitted solemnly. Yoda rapped him again on the knee again, and hard.
"But bear it you will!" Yoda commanded. "Run away you will not. Especially, after convinced the council to stay married, I did." Anakin glanced at Yoda, hope once again ringing in every part of him.
"Honestly!" Anakin questioned, wondering if all of this good news could possibly be real.
"Honestly?" Yoda repeated in a questioning tone. "Insinuate do you, that lying I am?" Yoda said in a jokingly disgruntled tone. "Of course it is true." Yoda assured him, humor lighting his old eyes.
"When can I leave?" Anakin wondered, suddenly anxious.
"As soon as you can pack." Yoda answered.
"How long to I have?"
"3 weeks…a month at most. For in a month exactly, your trials are." The master informed him. Anakin took off like a shot.
"Four weeks it is then!" He shouted back. "Thank you master Yoda and you Obi-Wan!" He called, voice already seeming far out of range. Obi-Wan watched Anakin disappear into the shrubbery and sighed, rolling his eyes at the hopelessness of one Anakin Skywalker.
"I'm relieved Master, that Anakin has returned to us." Obi-Wan admitted, eyes lingering on the path that Anakin had just left by.
"As am I." Yoda replied, closing his eyes. "Dark was the future that almost came upon us. Another threat like that, and so lucky we might not be." There was something else that Obi-Wan was curious about and he couldn't help asking.
"But master, why did the Council allow Anakin to stay married? Or even stay in the order?" It wasn't that Obi-Wan was unhappy about the outcome, actually it was the total opposite. He had seen Jedi removed from the order for various reasons, but none had come to the severity of nearly bringing down the order. Yoda glanced up at Obi-Wan with that all knowing look.
"Fearful was Skywalker, for most of his life. A threat, he was." Yoda admitted. "But clear his path has become. The chosen one he may be no longer, but valuable in the future he most definitely will be. A magnificent Jedi your apprentice will become." Obi-Wan Kenobi was overjoyed to hear Yoda speak so highly of Anakin. Through the years he had seen Anakin struggle with where he belonged, how he could truly be at peace. To now have assurance from Yoda that his apprentice would have that peace, gave Obi-Wan tremendous relief. "As for his marriage." Yoda continued. "True it was that love led young Skywalker to the darkside. But in the end, love it was also that brought him back." He explained turning his gaze to look out across the lake. "Though a secret to everyone else the marriage must remain." Yoda added. "Ever an exception Anakin has been. An action that within this order, is not usually done." Yoda admitted. "From now on though, fight will young Skywalker, to earn a place amongst the Jedi. For many will ever be cautious of his actions. Difficult to join back in as part of the whole, for him it will be." Obi-Wan understood completely what Yoda was trying to say. Anakin might be a Jedi again but his actions would forever way heavily against him. His fellow Jedi who may have looked up to him before, would now analyze his every move. It would be a very long time indeed before Anakin was trusted again.
But Obi-Wan didn't care. Anakin had his life as a Jedi back, he was clear of the darkside and he had his family. Palpatine was dead and the darkside was no longer a threat to anyone. The clone wars were over and a new Chancellor would soon be elected. The galaxy was already on the road to recovery. Compared to all that the opinions of a few narrow minded Jedi was about as meaningless as what color cloths he might wear tomorrow. Today nothing could destroy his hope for the future. He closed his eyes and took a deep calming breath.
(I did it Qui-Gon. He's a Jedi. I trained him just like you asked of me. I did not fail.) In just saying those words, Obi-Wan felt a huge weight lifted from his shoulders. But more than that, he felt a warm presence surround him and he smiled inwardly. For Obi-Wan knew that Qui-Gon was there standing beside him and he felt more at peace than he had in nearly 15 years.
((Next Chapter: Anakin finally gets to see Padme and his children. However, Padme is anything but happy to have Vader show up at her house. Anakin may have finally found a bridge that is incapable of being repaired.))
