Shift: Chapter Eleven

If it had all been a dream I didn't want to wake up. In fact, were it not for the deep voice speaking my name and the strong hand shaking me, I would've stayed asleep - thankfully ignorant.

As I feared, when I reluctantly opened my eyes, it wasn't the loving gaze of my wife I saw, but the concerned blue eyes of my Padawan staring down at me.

"Master, are you okay? You sorta passed out there for a second."

A second? Was he serious? I had spent the past fourteen days in the company of my beloved family: Padmé, Ben, Lucas, and Leia. I had to get back to them. I had to!

Both of Anakin's hands were now steadying me as I rose from the floor.

"Master!"

The young man had raised his voice and only then had I realized I'd been uttering the word 'no' over and over.

"Perhaps you should go see a Healer," he suggested. "You don't look well."

Anakin's intentions were well-meaning, but there was no way in Hell I was going to submit myself to another therapeutic session that served no purpose other than to deem me unworthy for service. If I spoke to Healer T'Pal again, she'd most likely put me out to pasture for good! Or else assign me to the council. I wasn't about to accept either of those options, and I most certainly didn't wish to be here! I needed to get home!

"I'm sorry," I told my Padawan as I stabbed the lift button repeatedly. I was hoping that in doing so, I'd disappear and return to my wife and kids, but nothing was happening.

Frustrated and disappointed, I thumped my head against the outer window of the lift and stared out into the street. Something there caught my attention. Well, not exactly something, but someone.

"Anakin," I muttered, unsure if I was even in my right mind. "Do you see that woman standing out there looking this way?"

The young man glanced out. "What woman?"

I didn't have time to explain or argue. I rushed out of the lift, ignoring my student's call, and came to a stand before her.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi." The voice she used was slightly more haggard than I had recalled, but that was unimportant.

"What the hell is happening to me?" I shouted at the witch. "Tell me!"

This was no time for serenity. I needed answers and I was going to get them one way or another!

The patience in which the dark one was showing was so annoying that I had to hold my own hands to keep from gripping her arms and shaking the truth out of her.

"Now you see," she finally purred. "Sometimes what appears to be a minor decision can have lifelong consequences."

"I understand all that!" I explained, trying to control my voice, although my desperation was apparent. "Just tell me how to get back!" I wasn't about to let everything I cared about slip through my fingers!

The woman's heavily painted eyes narrowed as she studied me. "I'm afraid the journey is one way. All you have been given is a glimpse. It is a gift very few have been offered. Use it wisely, Jedi."

"Master! Who are you talking to? Senator Amidala is waiting for us."

Before my very eyes, the woman from Dathomir had vanished. Apparently, she was a traveler as well. I had many more questions for her, but they would have to wait. Padmé was waiting for me. With the mere mention of her name, all the feelings I had for her rushed to the surface.

I had to keep in mind, however, that these emotions were one-sided. As far as she knew, I had abandoned her on Naboo. I hadn't seen her or spoken to her in ten years. She probably hated me. I had to fix this!

A few moments later, we greeted her in the apartment. She was polite, although I expected nothing less. If I remembered correctly, there had been an attempt on her life. My Padawan and I were assigned to protect her. I didn't feel comfortable doing it here. There were far too many windows and exits, which gave me an idea. The safest place for her to be was with me. No doubt about it. I would never let anything bad happen to her.

We sat together in the common room facing her and her assistant. I was the one who spoke up first.

"It's vital that you accompany me back to the Jedi Temple. I can guarantee you'll be safe there." It wasn't exactly a suggestion, but I hadn't intended for it to be. Surely, she would see the logic of my decision.

"I'm not going to allow some Separatist thug to scare me out from my home! I am not running away."

I knew Padmé well enough to realize how stubborn she could be.

"Don't look at it as running away," I explained. "Look at it as a holiday. You could probably use some time off, and if not, you can get some work done there. All of the Temple's tech has been recently upgraded. Your assistant can accompany you. That way, you'll have some company as well as being guarded by literally hundreds of Jedi. At least until your vote is cast."

I couldn't read her expression. One eyebrow was arched, which usually had two different meanings. However, accompanying it was a parted lip, which had a different meaning altogether.

"Master?"

"What is it, Anakin?" I hissed out of the side of my mouth.

"I'm not sure the council will be happy about the senator…"

I interrupted the lad with a hiss. "I don't care what the council thinks!" I hadn't missed the sideways glances cast between the senator and her security officer. They must think I'd gone mad, but what I was trying to say made sense! At least to me.

"This is the best way to keep you safe, Senator. Trust me."

Padmé's lips had come together, which was a good sign. That changed when she stood abruptly and began marching out of the room.

"Master Kenobi, may I speak with you privately?"