A Twist of Fate
Crouscant, Ep. III
Senator Padme Amidala opened her arms to receive the young Jedi eagerly running towards her. She loved both the Jedi who had been with her since the days when she was Queen and not Senator, but the love of friendship she had for this one had deepened into something different long ago. They had, after all, been drawn together by shared tasks and trials and their common purpose.
"Of course," she thought to herself as their lips met, "he has other charms."
It was a long time before their mouths parted and he said, "I missed you, Padme."
"I am just glad you both got back safely," she said, "You have done very well, my love."
He chuckled and replied, in typically self-depreciating tones, "Well, I hardly did it by myself."
"Now," she admonished, "you are too modest. It is your hour, dear. Enjoy it."
"Well," he said with a blush, "to tell you the truth, I was carried to safety on Ani's back. Ani killed Dooku."
She kissed him again and said, "Ani has gotten too proud and who, may I ask, taught Ani?"
He shook his head and said, "Ani has grown into a fine Jedi and will certainly outstrip me, if that hasn't happened. Remember, Ani is the chosen one."
She asked, "Where is Ani?"
With a twinkle in his eye, Obi-Wan Kenobi said, "Having a glamorous time with politics and receiving the accolades for both of us. Ani likes that sort of thing more than I do…"
In another part of the bustling city-planet of Crouscant,the Chosen one had, in fact, enjoyed being feted by the politicians. Ani was young, energetic, and pleasant to look at. The task of representing the Jedi to the Senate and the Chancellor had become a common duty and a pleasant one.
Now that the adrenaline was finally leaving Ani's body and the Chancellor had gone, something like the fluttering of a moth's wing did trouble a distant corner of the young Jedi's mind. The Chancellor seemed a kind old man but he had pushed the killing of Count Dooku. Dooku was a villain but had been defenseless at the moment he was slain.
Anakira Skywalker thought of her mechanical arm and grimly muttered, "Well, he deserved it but vengeance is not the Jedi way."
She thought that now would be a good time to talk to Obi-Wan. Her Master was as wise as Yoda and as strong as Mace Windu. He would know what she should do and, more importantly, what she should do about a great and terrible secret she was hiding.
Anakira walked toward Obi-Wan's room. He wasn't there. She scowled and realized that he must be with Padme. He had abashedly confessed that relationship to her some time ago. She felt an irrational flash of jealousy and anger. If Obi-Wan wasn't available, neither was Padme. The Senator had been like a mother or older sister to her and Obi-Wan had fulfilled the role of older brother or father. Well, there was someone else she definitely needed to talk to. With this resolution, the tall, imposing young woman strode with purpose toward her destination.