Author's Notes: So, I was trying to write out the progression of Obi-Wan's relationship with Merit, but Cody had other ideas. I guess he's been silent for such a long time, he's making up for lost time. Just as a reminder, as we learned in Out of the Ruins, Out of the Wreckage, 'Ruusaan' is the clones' nickname for Merit. As you probably realized, the 212th started it and the rest of their brothers picked it up. I also did some musing about Cody coming to terms with Order 66 and what it meant for him and his brothers in the aftermath. It seemed likely that 'you didn't have a choice' wouldn't be much use to Cody, might in fact make things worse. The title comes from an Alkaemy song, Nimue's Lament, and seemed fitting for Cody (who really is an innocent) and Obi-Wan (because there are many kinds of wisdom). Also, I know it's strange that Cody remembers things that Obi-Wan doesn't. Obi-Wan isn't telling me why that is, while Cody seems to think that it's tied to both the chip and the accelerated growth.

Part Three

Innocents and Wise Men

"So, explain this again to me, General? This Force of yours has sent your grandson and great-granddaughter, and General Skywalker's great-grandchildren into the past, to make sure that things don't get kriffed up again … I understand that part clearly enough, but what still doesn't make any sense is why we see … all of this," Cody said, walking alongside his general. He still couldn't wrap his mind around it. He was back at his general's side (who forgave him, who didn't think there was anything to forgive because Cody wasn't really in control). And he could see what was happening in the past, and with every change, his memory changed with it. It was like something was being unlocked in his mind, but it really wasn't.

"Exactly, Cody … and with regards to what we see, some of it is what is currently happening in the past. Other things are potential futures. For instance, that future, with Rey? That's what would have happened if Jacen and Jaina Solo hadn't been born. I'm still not entirely sure what the trigger was in that timeline, but the twins were never born and Leia and Han's only child was … named after me." Cody blinked at that, because how exactly did one get 'Ben' out of 'Obi-Wan,' anyhow? He discreetly averted his eyes from one screen that showed his general becoming rather … intimate … with Ruusaan. And the general, for his own part, blushed whenever his own eyes touched on that screen.

Still, he delicately avoided the subject of the general's relationship with their favorite evac pilot. He'd always known there was something between them … the general's reaction when Ruusaan tried to sacrifice herself to save them after that one Sith downed their ship was particularly memorable. So much so, in fact, that particular memory still gave him nightmares … not just the recollection of his preternaturally even-tempered general's fury, but the sight of Ruusaan hanging limply in her harness while Darth Heinous raised his 'saber high over his head … and hers. Yeah, he knew that they were far more than friends and partners. Everyone knew that, just like everyone knew about General Skywalker and Senator Amidala. That didn't mean that he wanted to see them being intimate. Instead, he asked, "And everyone watches it?"

"No, thank the Force," the general said, blithely ignoring that they were in the Force. Cody didn't draw his attention to that, and instead waited patiently. General Kenobi went on, "Most don't pay attention to it, since, as Master Yoda says, 'always in motion, the future is.' For instance, and this is something that the Travelers will never know … but we saw what they saw as they Traveled through the Force into the past. One of the things Merit Solo saw was herself with Xanatos Verras, my brother padawan … heavily pregnant with his child. She was not much older than she was when she arrived at the Temple, and she's not yet met Xanatos in that time. That future is looking less and less likely, but not impossible."

Cody nodded, seeing the general's point. His eyes found another screen … this one showing a conversation between Ruusaan and a much-younger version of his general, talking earnestly aboard what looked to be a ship. The general followed his gaze and murmured, "Now that, I do remember. We were on our way to Naboo, just before Merit's brother was killed defending my former Master. In truth, it was her conversations with both myself and Anakin during that trip that eased the friction between us, along with our desire to help her in the wake of her brother's death. I … remember sitting with Anakin in a palace on Naboo, before the Council arrived, discussing the best way to take care of Merit."

Cody couldn't help a snort at that, observing, "General, you and Ruusaan always that in common. Neither of you are any good at taking care of yourselves … you're both too damn busy trying to care of other people. That was something that always bothered the 212th … Ruusaan didn't have any of the vod to look after her." Too late, he realized that having the vod didn't do General Kenobi any favors on Utapau. His general's expression turned from wry to compassionate, but before he had the chance to say anything, to tell Cody again that he forgave him, the commander said bitterly, "It doesn't help, General. My purpose was to protect you; at first, because that was how I was … programmed. But you became my family, just as sure as Rex and the others were. And when that bastard activated Order 66, I stopped being a person and became a droid made of flesh. I should have been able to stop it!"

His general started to speak several times, but each time, gave a minute shake of his head. Finally, he said softly, "There is nothing I can say to you that will … make things right, Cody. Right now, the power to change the past is in the hands of my grandson and great-granddaughter, as well as Merit Solo. And they are. I … the only way I can take away your grief and hurt, is by doing something every bit as despicable as what Palpatine did to you." And … he still didn't get it, he still thought it was his job to protect Cody and the others. But maybe that was why the 212th loved their general as they did.

And that was when he understood. The general … Obi-Wan … cared for his men, perhaps even loved them, and that was why he fought so hard to protect them. It was his duty, as their general, to fight on their behalf, at their side. And that revelation led to another one, one that left Cody breathless. Just as Cody couldn't forgive himself for betraying his general, his general couldn't forgive himself for failing Cody and his brothers (even though he really hadn't). With that revelation, other things slipped into place. He murmured, "We, you and I, can't change the past … that's in the hands of the Travelers. We can only … forgive ourselves and each other, and move forward. And I know you'll find this as easy to take as I did, but I forgave you, General … as soon as I knew the truth, I forgave you."

In truth, there was nothing to forgive … the general no more failed his troopers than Plo Koon failed his own. He looked over at the Jedi in question, who was deep in conversation with Wolffe. Cody's throat tightened. Against all odds, they had a second chance. Forgiving himself wasn't easy. The order was programmed, but he wasn't a droid … he was a man. He could have fought back against it … couldn't he? He looked again at General Kenobi, who was both father and brother to him … whom he would have killed. But that wasn't true, was it? They were all good at what they did … if they were truly trying to kill him, Jedi or not, he would now be dead.

Well. They were all dead, but he would have died on Utapau, rather than twenty years later on that floating monstrosity. For the first time, he saw a small smile appear on the general's face, and his Jedi said softly, "I've known for some time, Cody. I was just waiting on you to realize it yourself. If you truly wanted me dead, I would have never made it off Utapau alive. And that, my dear friend, is how I can forgive you. You never truly wanted me dead." Neither man was especially demonstrative. They weren't raised that way. But the only correct response to his general's statement was what Cody did next … he stepped forward and wrapped Obi-Wan Kenobi in the fiercest hug he could manage (trying not to wonder how it was possible to hug if they didn't actually have bodies). And Obi-Wan Kenobi? He returned that hug. With interest.

Soon enough, his general would begin to remember more of their Ruusaan (including his anger with her when she hit him with a Sleep Suggestion to protect him from that idiot Darth Heinous. Cody wasn't especially pleased with her for that, either). In time.

TBC