Chapter 11

not mine, don't sue

thanks to my lovely beta as always. love ya hon.

This chapter is different, but necessary for my sequel. The next will get back to our two boys promise. :)

hope you enjoy.

Dooku, standing on a distant hillside, watched the two Jedi board their vessel. He tried not to cringe as Anakin offered a hand and helped Obi-Wan into the ship. One would have to be blind not to see the love and brotherhood between them. Things had not gone as planned and Lord Sidious was not happy.

The pair had not succeeded in sensing his presence; his Master had shielded his energy force, making him virtually invisible through the Force. It was the same reason why Masters Yoda and Windu had been having trouble seeing things for what they were, the power of Lord Sidious was great. The Jedi were completely unaware that their little world was crumbling around them, and that the power they had long held over the galaxy was soon to come to a disastrous end.

Dooku would have smiled at the thought if he weren't struggling not to back away from the man standing next to him. His Master was so filled with hate and rage that the very air around him was vibrating.

"I am most disappointed with this outcome," the Sith Lord's voice shook with barely suppressed anger.

The Jedi's ship's engines fired and they began their ascent toward the planet's atmosphere.

Dooku watched until the ship vanished into the murky sky. "Yes Master. I am sorr-"

"Enough. What's done is done. Changes must be made and quickly if I am to still succeed in ensnaring the boy." Sidious turned his hooded face upward, "The tide has turned, the future that I once saw so clearly has become muddled. I may need to explore other options." His long fingers laced together and a small smile formed on his pale lips.

"My lord?"

Sidious dismissed Dooku with a wave of his hand. "It is none of your concern my apprentice. I may need you to take care of this Master Kenobi." He practically hissed the Jedi Master's name. "Obi-Wan is proving to be a bigger problem than I anticipated. He may need to be dealt with at some point." Sidious turned towards Dooku.

" I understand My Lord. I am always prepared to serve you."

He nodded and turned his gaze upward again. "Yes, he has too much influence over his Padawan." Sidious licked his bottom lip, "However, Anakin's willingness to go to any length to save those he loves can be used to our advantage."

"Master, may I ask what exactly we were trying to accomplish today."

Dooku ignored the wave of annoyance that came from his Master as he waited for an answer.

"I was testing the boy. I wanted to see how far he was willing to go to accomplish his goals, see how far I could push him."

"He did show great skill in battle, I believe he drew a great deal on the Dark Side of the Force."

"You are correct, but you are only seeing a small piece of the puzzle. To understand why today was a failure you have to look at all of the pieces."

The Count felt his own anger rising, along with a twinge of fear. Sidious seemed to include him less and less in his plans. He only gave Dooku the information he needed to complete a mission, never revealing the entire truth. His obsession with Anakin worried Dooku as well, but he shook off the thought. Dooku was loyal to his Master, he would not be replaced so easily. One day, when the Sith ruled he would be rewarded for his service.

"Something else happened down there, something that pulled him further than ever away from my grasp. My spies at the Jedi Temple will find out for me exactly what that was, then I will undo it."

Dooku mulled his Master's words over in his head but could draw no conclusions. Whatever had transpired had his Master worried. And worry was not something he'd ever felt from his Lord.

"I sense your feelings my Apprentice, but do not concern yourself. It is only a bond between two Jedi, and if I've learned anything, it's that any bond can be broken if the right buttons are pushed."

Images of Yoda flashed in Dooku's mind. He swallowed and looked away. His Master was right, no bond was unbreakable.

end chapter 11

feedback is loved as always. :)