Chapter 6 Stubborn Padawans

Zak went straight to Obi-Wan's quarters as soon as he left the Council Chamber eager to bring the news to Anakin and Obi-Wan. He burst into the room without even announcing himself.

"Zak! Where are your manners? Never, ever enter someone else's quarters without permission. You may get away with that here, but you should not make it a habit." Obi-Wan warned him.

"I'm sorry, Master. But I just had to tell you my news." Zak said breathlessly.

"And what news could you have that is that important that you forget to be polite?" Obi-Wan asked.

"They found him!" Zak announced.

"Calm down, Zak; found who?" Obi-Wan asked.

"The raider, the one who shot you. They've caught him!" Zak said excitedly.

"Zak, are you sure? Where did you here this?" Anakin wondered.

"Master Windu. He came to see me when I was eating. He said there was something I should see. It was him, I saw him." Zak explained.

"But where did you see him?" Obi-Wan asked patiently.

"In the Council Chamber, Master Windu showed him to me." Zak answered.

"He was in the Council Chamber? What in blazes was he doing there?" Obi-Wan asked.

"No, no, his holo-image; they showed it to me there." Zak corrected.

"They've captured him then. Did Master Windu say where, or how?" Anakin inquired.

"Master Gallia said he was arrested for something else off world. He bragged about shooting Master Obi-Wan so the authorities reported it." Zak told them.

"Well, that will certainly go a long way to proving that Amedda was lying about arresting you, Obi-Wan. Criminals don't usually uphold the law." Anakin stated.

"Maybe, but this isn't over yet. Amedda could still claim that he was forced to hire him because his own government had turned against him." Obi-Wan countered.

"But I was there, Master; he didn't even try to arrest you; I can tell the courts that." Zak said.

"It's not going to be that easy, Zak. They are going to try to prove that either you are lying yourself, or that you were so confused and upset that you could not remember what actually happened." Obi-Wan replied.

Zak folded his arms across his chest.

"I am not a youngling, Master. I can handle myself in front of them. I know it won't be easy, but they have no idea how determined I am. They will not break me." He said defiantly. "I have already been through this with the Council; I will not fail."

Anakin covered his mouth and turned away, in an effort to hide his amusement. Obi-Wan, he thought, would have his hands full with this one.

"Alright, Zak; calm down, I just wanted to make sure that you knew what you were in for. I have great faith in you, I know you won't let me, or the Order down." Obi-Wan assured him. "But, I think you have lessons to attend to."

"Oh, but I thought…" Zak began.

"You should not neglect your lessons, Zak. If the Council needs you again, they will let you know. Go on now." Obi-Wan instructed patiently.

"Master Anakin, surely you…" Zak began to protest once again.

"Master Anakin is not your master, Zak; I am. Now, see to your lessons." Obi-Wan said sternly.

Zak looked to Anakin, hoping for some help.

"Don't look at me, Zak; Master Obi-Wan is doubly right. I am not your master and even if I were I would say the same thing: you should not neglect your studies." Anakin told him.

"Oh, alright. But I am doing this under protest." Zak said finally.

"Protest all you want, Padawan; it will do you no good. Go on now." Obi-Wan responded.

"Yes, Master." Zak answered.

When he had gone, Anakin turned to Obi-Wan.

"A strong willed one, your Zak." He said.

"Yes, just like you. I seem to be drawn to strong willed, stubborn Padawans; why is that?" Obi-Wan replied.

"Maybe because you are just as stubborn and strong willed; and you like the challenge." Anakin suggested.

"I am not….am I?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Umm…well, I hate to break it to you, my friend, but I have to say yes." Anakin told him.

"Oh…do you really think that?" Obi-Wan wondered.

"I know that, Obi-Wan, I was apprenticed to you for twelve years." Anakin answered.

"Really, I didn't think I was that bad." Obi-Wan said.

"I don't think it's such a bad thing, Obi-Wan." Anakin replied, "Although, sometimes it does affect your judgment."

"Well, maybe you're right." Obi-Wan admitted. "I was pretty stubborn last night, wasn't I."

"Yes, too stubborn. But then, you were very sick last night, and I think that had much to do with it." Anakin said, "Besides, I think you have to be somewhat strong willed or an apprentice could take advantage of you."

"You mean like you did." Obi-Wan recalled.

"Yes, but think how much worse I would have been if you hadn't put me in my place on occasion. I may have…" Anakin said. "You made me into the Jedi I became. I am glad you are strong willed."

"Still, maybe I should work on that." Obi-Wan replied.

"No, I don't think so. Zak is just the type of apprentice that is going to need to be sat on from time to time, I don't think you can loosen up on him." Anakin answered. "You are very patient with him; but he still needs your discipline."

"I'm sorry, Anakin; I've kept you here all night and most of the morning; you should get back to your family." Obi-Wan said suddenly.

Anakin grinned, "Yes, I suppose so. Padme will be anxious to hear how you are." He replied. "Can I trust you to stay here?"

"Well, I think the whole Order knows I'm confined to my quarters, I couldn't leave if I wanted to." Obi-Wan told him.

"That's probably true. But I know you, Obi-Wan; if you wanted to leave, you'd find a way." Anakin answered.

"Then you can trust me, Anakin. I won't leave, you have my word." Obi-Wan promised.

"And your word means everything. I'll be back this afternoon, then." Anakin said.

As Anakin made his way to the speeder dock, he was met by Master Windu.

"Anakin, I was hoping to catch you before you left." He said.

"Master Windu, I was just going to see my family, I will return this afternoon." Anakin informed him.

"Have you have heard the news?" Windu replied.

"About the raider? Yes, Zak told us this morning before Obi-Wan sent him off to his classes." Anakin answered.

"We are having another meeting with the Chancellor this afternoon. Will you be able to attend?" Windu asked.

"Yes, of course; I had thought there would be; that's part of the reason I was coming back later." Anakin said.

"I will see then, Anakin." Mace finished.

Anakin could not get to the living complex fast enough and he arrived in record time. To his great relieve and satisfaction, security in the building was tight. Several times, he was stopped and asked to prove his identity. Padme and his children, he knew, were well protected. When he walked through the door, he was immediately attacked by his two little ones who attached themselves tightly to his legs and refused to let go until Padme came to rescue him. When she had successfully released him and had placed the twins in the play area set up for them, she embraced him and rested her head on his chest.

"I missed you last night, my love." She said.

He wrapped his arms around her, raised her head and kissed her passionately .

"Not as much as I missed you, Padme." He answered. "I wanted to be here with you so badly."

"I know; but it couldn't be helped." She said reassuringly. "How is Obi-Wan?"

"Better, much better, or I wouldn't be here. Declan wants him to rest for a couple days, but otherwise he should be fine." Anakin answered.

"Declan? I don't think I know him." Padme told him.

"No, you wouldn't; I didn't either. He is one of the healers who has been taking care of Obi-Wan." He informed her.

"Well, I am glad he will be alright. How long can you stay?" She asked.

"Just until this afternoon, we have another meeting with the Chancellor." He answered.

"I have spoken with Bail, he seems to think there is a growing sentiment for Amedda in the Senate. He is very concerned." Padme told him.

"Yes, the Jedi have been informed about that. This is why Chancellor wants to get this trial over with quickly and because he fears there will be an attempt to free Amedda by his supporters. Security is a great concern to him." Anakin replied. "But we may just have found the answer to everything."

"Anakin! Really? What is it?" Padme asked curiously.

"I can't say here, I can only tell you that it is very important." He answered cryptically.

"Oh, well, yes, I guess I can understand that." Padme responded with disappointment. "When will I find out then?"

"Tomorrow, I think. But I will know more this afternoon after our meeting." He said.

"Will you be back tonight then?" She asked expectantly.

"I don't see why not. Obi-Wan is no longer in danger and that was the only reason I stayed last night, and I don't think this meeting will last that long." Anakin said.

"Bail also said that Zak is going to testify; is that such a good idea? He seems so young…"

"Oh, Padme; after all he did to get to us on Naboo, you think he is too young? He's a tough little guy; he can handle this hands down. He wants to do this; he needs to do it. You and Obi-Wan, what a pair; you both worry too much." Anakin assured her.

Anakin stayed the rest of the morning and did not leave until mid afternoon. When he arrived back at the Temple, the meeting had just started.