Obi-wan opened his and looked around. He must be on Sereno now, since that's where Dooku wanted to take Anakin. He could see he had been put in a cell with binders like the ones he had been in on Geonosis. He wasn't sure how long he had been left there, but it couldn't have been too long. He hoped.
He began wondering what Dooku would do to him. Kill him? Torture him? Whatever it was Dooku was planning he was glad it would be him to go through it and not Anakin. Anakin. Had he gotten off Geonosis alright? Was he safe? Has the council assigned him a new master? Obi-wan almost felt a slight twinge of jealousy at the thought of Anakin training under a new master.
He took a deep breath. The door opened and Dooku walk in.
"My my Kenobi," Dooku said as he began to circle Obi-wan. "So have you reconsidered my proposition?"
"You know the as well as I do that the answer is no," Obi-wan said.
"Of course," Dooku conceded. "You are here because you wanted to save you beloved Padawan."
Obi-wan could hear the sarcasm in the count's voice, "I did what is expected of me as his Jedi master."
"In other words you did it not because you care about the boy, but rather because you are his master," Dooku said. "Of course I would have done the same thing for Qui-Gon. The difference is that I would have done it out of genuine concern for his wellbeing, and not simply because I am his master."
"Attachments are not the Jedi way." Obi-wan said.
"So? That would not have stopped me," Dooku said. "Oh, and may I remind you about the time when Master Yoda allowed me to be captured by pirates? He could have easily saved me then and there, but he chose not to."
"If I remember hearing correctly he did that to teach you a lesson." Obi-wan said.
"You do not think Skywalker could have used a similar lesson?" Dooku raised an eyebrow.
"I…" Obi-wan had no answer. The count had a point. Being captured may have taught Anakin patience and humility. Two lessons he desperately needed. But surely there are other, safer, ways of teaching those things.
"Admit it Kenobi, you did this not because you are the boy's master. No. You did this because you care about him in the same way I cared about Qui-Gon, and Qui-Gon cared about you," Dooku said.
Obi-wan sighed and looked down. Deep down he knew Dooku was right. He didn't want to admit it, but he loved Anakin. He loved him like a brother, "So what if I do?" Obi-wan asked looking back up.
"Oh nothing. I just hope nothing bad happens to him during the war," Dooku smiled.
"I have faith in Anakin," Obi-wan said.
"You do hmm?" Dooku smiled. The door opened and in walked some mechanical monstrosity wearing a cloak.
"This is General Grievous." Dooku said gesturing to the machine. "He may look like a droid, but he's actually a cyborg."
Grievous grabbed four lightsabers from his cape. His arms split apart to reveal four arms. Each arm activated a Lightsaber.
"He has been built and trained for the sole purpose of killing Jedi," Dooku said.
"What does this have to do with anything?" Obi-wan asked.
"Oh nothing," Dooku said "if you don't care about your padawan's life. But if you do, then it would be most unfortunate if he were to come up against Grievous."
The cyborg laughed.
"I thought your master had an interest in Anakin?" Obi-wan asked. He raised an eyebrow.
"Oh he does. But if Skywalker were to die, it would mean he wasn't as strong as my master believed him to be," Dooku shrugged.
Obi-wan gulped, "In other words your master doesn't actually care if Anakin lives or dies?"
"Correct," Dooku confirmed.
"And just who is your master?" Obi-wan asked changing the subject.
Dooku smiled, "The same Sith who is in control of the senate."
"So you're a Sith Lord?" Obi-wan's eyes winded, "Then why did you ask me to help you destroy the Sith?"
"Simple," Dooku began, "The Dark Side is stronger than the Light. In order to take down a powerful enemy, one must know that enemy. By joining the Sith I will learn more about them. By using the Dark Side I shall become powerful enough to take down the Sith."
"So you would want me to give in to the Dark Side and become a Sith as well?" Obi-wan asked. "What about the Rule of Two?"
"Only if you wanted to," Dooku replied. "Just having you at my side would allow me to speed things up immensely. As for the Rule of Two, my master is thinking of abolishing it. In fact he gave me permission to train you."
"Well my answer is still no," Obi-wan told him.
"Not even if it could greatly increase you Padawan's chances of surviving this war?" Dooku asked.
"How would I joining you help Anakin?" Obi-wan asked.
"Like I said, my master has control over the senate. He could insure that Skywalker is sent on easy and safe missions. And I could order Grievous to never engage Skywalker. Or even keep him as far away from Skywalker as possible," Dooku offered.
"And just so you know Kenobi," Grievous began, "all four of my lightsabers are from Jedi I have killed. Two padawans, one knight, and one master." Grievous laughed again.
"The choice is yours Obi-wan," Dooku said. "Join me and keep you apprentice safe, or refuse and leave him to die!" Dooku left. The door closed behind him.
"Heh heh heh," Grievous laughed. He deactivated his lightsabers and put them back in his cloak, "Now that we are alone…" He walked over to a panel and pressed a button. Electricity coursed through Obi-wan's body. Every cell in his body felt like it was on fire, but no matter how much pain he endured he would never join Dooku or the Sith. He could feel his consciousness slow begin to fade. His last thought was of Anakin, and praying to the Force to keep him safe.
Naboo
"Master!" Anakin woke up with a start. He looked around and quickly remembered where he was. He at Varykino with Padme. Yesterday they had married, and today was their first day as husband and wife.
"Ani?" Padme woke up, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I'm sorry for waking you," Anakin told her.
She sat up and gave him a kiss. He eagerly returned it.
"No matter what happens I will always love you." She whispered in his ear.
"And I will always love you and no one else." He whispered back. "I wish we could stay like this forever."
She smiled, "As do I." No war, no politics, no council, just the two of them.
"Maybe one day, when the war is over, we will be blessed with children." Anakin said.
Padme laughed, "I'd like that. But for now just hold me."
Anakin wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. He sniffed her hair. She giggled. He smiled. He would protect her, his angel. He wouldn't lose someone he loved again. He would get stronger, and not just to protect Padme, but to also rescue Obi-wan. If he was still alive.
The bond he had with his master had grown cold. Obi-wan no doubt did this so Anakin wouldn't have to know what Dooku was doing to him. Still Anakin was confident Obi-wan was alive. He had to be. Anakin didn't know what to do otherwise.
Padme shifted in his arms, "Shh. Obi-wan is strong," She said as if reading his mind.
"I know," Anakin said. "But it doesn't make it any easier."
Padme turned around. She grabbed Anakin's head and brought it closer to hers. She began to kiss him over and over.
"Let's not worry about that right now," She said.
"Are you saying you don't care about Obi-wan?" Anakin asked. He felt a little offended and betrayed. How could she say that?!
She stopped, "No. What I'm saying is that worrying won't bring him back any sooner. He wouldn't want us to. So we should just enjoy this moment without worry while we can."
Anakin sighed. She was right. Soon moments like this will be rare. He can worry about Obi-wan latter. But for now it is just him, his wife and pure bliss.
"I love my Angel."
"I love you too my brave Jedi."
A/N: I own nothing. All rights reserved for Lucas Film and Disney.