Chapter 16 – Voyage of Temptation

Author's Note: Theseus confides in Anakin, and Anakin and Obi-Wan finally kinda-sorta talk. :)

I nearly forgot, but to C.E.W: Yes, there is a reason for that. The Death Watch definitely know that Theseus is a descendant of Revan though. ;)

~ Amina Gila

The moment they get out of this place, it won't be soon enough, Theseus decides as he follows Obi-Wan up to the waiting starship where they'll be accompanying Satine to Coruscant. It's not that he hasn't stayed up all night fighting before. He has, many times, but he's exhausted anyway. He thought this would be an easy mission for once. So much for that.

"Oh, Anakin, am I glad to see you," Obi-Wan sighs, spotting his former padawan waiting at the bottom of the ramp.

"You sound tired," the Knight observes.

"The peaceful ways of the locals wore me out a bit," Obi-Wan quips as he heads past him.

"We have some things to talk about later," comments Theseus quietly. He can't shake the image of the girl from his head, and he really wants to talk to someone about it. Someone who isn't Obi-Wan. He's not the kind of master you sit down and have a casual talk with like that. Ahsoka isn't around, and he doesn't really feel comfortable at the thought of trying to talk to his mother about it. It's obvious that she doesn't really like dwelling on whatever events happened surrounding his birth which is hardly a surprise, so he'd rather not bring it up. It's probably best for him to tell Anakin about it.

"Really?" he asks, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"Yeah. Privately, I mean." Thankfully, it isn't long before they find themselves alone. The ship went into hyperspace and Obi-Wan is busy making sure everything is under control. "I haven't told Master Obi-Wan about any of this," Theseus mumbles, suddenly feel awkward and beginning to rethink his decision to tell someone but he has to get this out of his mind. He doesn't really want to ask his mother something so outright like that, either.

"So, what happened?"

"When I was on Mandalore, I saw something. It's my home planet, but I saw this girl there who reminded me of..." Anakin doesn't know about Athea. It's not something Theseus exactly wants to confirm to him or anyone about. Not that he doesn't trust him. It's just something he doesn't want to tell anyone about. "Well, my mother."

There's a moment of silence. Anakin raises an eyebrow. "Your mother? You remember her?"

He has no idea. "She's..." He pauses. Should he really tell Anakin about his relationship with his mother? It's a secret hardly anyone knows, and even then, it's rumors. "Yes, I do," the padawan confirms at last. It's true, after all. Of course, he does. "It's just... this girl was working with a Death Watch, and I really don't want to be related to a terrorist." Because really, he's not sure what else would explain the weird connection he thought he felt towards her. Although how exactly they're related is a different story. His mother would have told him if she had another child, right? Well, probably.

"Don't let it bother you too much. Blood doesn't make someone evil. Even if these are your relatives, it was their choice. It doesn't affect you, not as a person."

"I know," he sighs, "But..." Has he really made any different choices than this potential relative of his? The memory of what happened when he went looking for Vraz's killer flickers before his eyes again.

He almost jumps when Anakin squeezes his shoulder reassuringly. "The Order is your family now." The conversation is cut short when Obi-Wan comes in to find them, telling them that they need to check on security. They're down in the lower part of the ship giving instructions to the clones when a guard shows up, saying that Satine has requested for their presence.

"Keep an eye out with Artoo," Theseus orders BD as he heads for the elevator with Anakin and Obi-Wan. The droid whistles affirmatively.

"As the designated regent of 1,500 systems," Satine is saying as they walk into the room, "I speak for thousands of worlds that have urged me to allow them to stay neutral in this war."

"And yet some might argue that the strongest defense is a swift and decisive offense," Obi-Wan announces as he steps into the room.

"You are quite the general now, aren't you, Master Kenobi?" Satine retorts, eyes narrowing.

"Forgive me for interrupting, Your Highness. I meant no disrespect."

"Really?" she asks skeptically, "Senators, I presume you are acquainted with the collection of half-truths and hyperbole known as Obi-Wan Kenobi?"

Theseus frantically smothers his laughter at the suppressed grimace on his master's face. "Your Highness is too kind."

"You're right. I am," she retorts, before Obi-Wan changes the topic by introducing Anakin.

"I remember a time when Jedi were not generals, but peacekeepers," comments Satine.

"We are protectors, Highness," Anakin interjects, "Yours at the moment. We fight for peace."

"What an amusing contradiction."

Theseus resists the urge to point out that at times, the only way to ensure peace in the future is to fight for it. There's nothing contradictory about that. But really, it's hardly the place of a padawan to be arguing with a Duchess, especially in front of so many people, so he keeps quiet.

"What Master Skywalker means is that we are acting at the behest of Your Highness to protect you from the Death Watch and the Separatists who don't share your neutral point of view," Obi-Wan declares. Why does he seem to say everything possible to aggravate Satine? If that's what this kind of caring for someone is all about, he's not sure he ever wants to feel something like that.

"I asked for no such thing," the Duchess shoots back.

"That may be so, but a majority of your court did," Obi-Wan retorts.

"I do not remember you as one to hide behind excuses," Satine snaps.

"I do not remember you as one to shrink from responsibilities."

The Twi'lek Senator steps forwards, holding his hands out between them. "I am certain we all agree Duchess Satine and General Kenobi have proven there are two sides to every dilemma."

"Indeed," Merik speaks up, "Now in regard to the Senate vote, we think –"

"I think a multitude makes discord, not good council," Satine retorts. Well, that basically sums up the Senate in one sentence. Theseus isn't sure how they ever manage to get anything done.

"Right again, my lady," agrees the Twi'lek.

"There may be two sides to every dilemma, but the Duchess only favors hers," Obi-Wan quips. Seriously, why is he trying to start an argument with everything he says? "A Republic military presence is the only sure defense against the Separatists."

"Even extremists can be reasoned with," Satine insists, standing up and descending the steps from her chair.

"Perhaps if one can be heard over the clanking of their battle droids," Obi-Wan shoots back.

"The sarcasm of a soldier," the Duchess snaps, glaring at him.

"The delusions of a dreamer."

Everyone watches them glare at each other for a few moments before Merik and the Twi'lek Senator speak up, advising they leave for dinner. "Fine!" Obi-Wan and Satine snap in unison, giving the rest of the room almost identical scowls. Satine shoves past him, striding out the door without looking back.

**w**

The three Jedi head down the halls towards their rooms, intending to rest until Satine calls them or if the clones spot something amiss. "... she took on the difficult task of rebuilding her world alone," Obi-Wan is explaining when they arrive at his room.

"You didn't stay to help her?" Anakin asks carefully.

"That would have been problematic. My duty as a Jedi demanded I be elsewhere."

"Demanded?" This is why Anakin can't ever tell him about Padme. He'd be upset, disappointed. Obi-Wan faced the same choice and chose to follow the Code. "But it's obvious you had feelings for her. Surely that would affect your decision."

"Oh, it did. I live by the Jedi Code."

"Of course," Anakin agrees, almost numbly. This is why he'll never be a good enough Jedi. He can't do the things that they can. He doesn't know how to let go. "As Master Yoda says, a Jedi must not form attachments."

"Yes," Obi-Wan agrees, "But he usually leaves out the undercurrent of remorse."

The conversation is promptly interrupted by Rex, reporting that Artoo is worried about something and that two of the men are missing. That certainly explains the uneasy feeling Anakin has been having. "I'm on my way down to assist you," Obi-Wan responds, standing up.

"I'll go, Master," Anakin cuts in, "If there's something dangerous down there, the clones and I can handle it." If he's being honest, he wants to get away for a while. He doesn't really want to be with Obi-Wan right now. The only way to keep himself out of his own mind is if he has something to focus on.

'You should go with him," Obi-Wan tells his padawan who's been standing silently, watching the entire time.

"Sure, Master. Try not to get in trouble with mining equipment again in my absence," Theseus quips.

Anakin slips through the door and starts down the hallway. It hurts to watch them. This is the boy Obi-Wan wanted and chose. Unlike with Anakin. Sometimes, it feels like Ahsoka is the only person who manages to keep him sane. He worries over her whenever she's around, and it gives him something to focus on beyond himself. But now he has a mission to focus on.

"Alright men. What's the problem?" Anakin asks, as they step out of the elevator, "I'm missing dinner."

"We're not sure yet, sir. But there's still no sign of Mixer and Redeye," replies Rex.

Artoo beeps nervously, rocking back and forth the way he always does when something's wrong. "What's the matter, buddy?" The droid beeps again. "I know, I know, but I'm here now," Anakin assures it. "Use your scanners. See if something's out of place."

Artoo rolls away instead, shining a light in front of them. Anakin follows cautiously, hand close to his lightsaber. Something is very wrong, that much he can tell, but he's not sure what. If there's any intruders on the ship, they're droids, not people. Artoo stops next to a crate lying on its side, open.

"Looks like the contents of this box are missing," observes Rex.

"Or it got up and walked away," Anakin murmurs.

"You think we have intruders down here?" queries Theseus cautiously.

"Looks like it. All right, fan out, separate squads," Anakin orders, "I'll contact Obi-Wan." He needs to give him the report of what's going on.

He's just finished when Theseus reappears at his side. "BD did a scan. He's picking up on some other droids down here which I'm pretty sure aren't supposed to be."

"That's what I thought," Anakin says, "Now we need to find them." He hurriedly relays the message to Rex and the other clones before starting off through the narrow walkways between crates again.

Anakin rounds another corner, Theseus a few steps behind to see a familiar clone slowly stepping around the corner. "There you are, Redeye! Where have you been? You've had us all worried." He pauses as the clone comes into the spotlight. He's moving weirdly and his head is hanging down in an odd position. "... Redeye?" Something is very wrong here.

He ignites his lightsaber the moment he catches sight of something holding onto the clone from behind. Whatever it is promptly hurls the body at him. Anakin ducks out of the way as the huge spider assassin droid crawls into view. Theseus activates his lightsaber too as it charges straight at them.

Anakin slashes his blade across the droid, cutting off its front two legs. Theseus cuts through another one before it takes a few steps back towards the crates. It's about to start forward again when the clones run up, shooting it.

The clones and Theseus seem to have the situation under control, so Anakin glances around for any other threat, in time to see another assassin droid running around the corner, heading straight for the lift. Anakin sprints after, but by the time he reaches it the droid is already climbing inside. He's not about to let it get up there where Satine, Obi-Wan and everyone else are. He throws his ignited lightsaber up at the fleeing droid, the blade slashing through several of its legs. The droid loses its grip on the wall, falling back to the floor of the elevator shaft. Catching the flying saber with the Force, he stabs the blade through its head.

"There might be one left. Let's spread out and find it," Anakin advises.

"Well, there's one right there!" Theseus calls, pointing at the top of the destroyed droid, just as several tiny ones start jumping out of the holes in the top. They move back from the droids, only to see a swarm is headed towards them from behind. This isn't good.

Anakin starts cutting through the droids as fast as he can, but they're swarming everywhere. He, Theseus, and the clones move into a circle to defend each other as they try to contain the droids. Several of the droids run into the lift, scurrying up the wall. But there's nothing Anakin can do about it now, except warn Obi-Wan, which he does.

Artoo finally rolls over, electrocuting the droids. "Good work, everyone," congratulates Anakin. Artoo beeps. "You too, buddy."

"How'd those things even end up in the hold?" Theseus wonders.

"The question is, who smuggled him onboard?" Anakin replies, eyes narrowed. Time to find the droid that services the cargo bay.

**w**

Anakin and Theseus make it up to the upper levels to see the few droids that made it up lying destroyed on the floor behind Obi-Wan. "One of our four distinguished senators appears to be a traitor," Anakin informs, handing him the datapad with the shipping information. One of the Senators must've taken it on board. No one else could have.

"I sense it, too," Obi-Wan confirms before sending them back down. Anakin has a pretty good idea what he's planning, and hopes the situation up here isn't going to spiral out of control. He's back in the hold looking for signs of anymore droids when Obi-Wan contacts him again that Merrik is the traitor.

He's finished destroying the last of the tiny assassin droids when another large one charges out from behind the crates. It jumps on top of Theseus, who kicks it off him. The droid promptly scrambles for the lift and Anakin throws his lightsaber again, cutting through it. Rex jumps on top of it, firing his blaster repeatedly through the top, destroying all the tiny droids before they can come out.

"Send troopers to every escape pod," Anakin orders, "The rest of you make sure all the droids down here are gone. Theseus and I will go help Obi-Wan." They run into the hall in search of the Duchess but find his former master first.

"Merrik will try to signal his allies for help," Obi-Wan declares, once they update him on the status, "We have to find him." But from the way he's acting and the Force, Anakin can tell he's concerned over Satine's safety right now more than anything. Which really makes him wonder...

"This may not be the time to ask, but were you and Satine ever –"

"I don't see how that has any bearing on the situation at hand!" Obi-Wan snaps back. Oh, so it's a yes. Theseus looks like he's trying very hard not to laugh and squirm at the same time.

No sooner have they stepped out of the elevator then the ship jolts violently, as though something slams into it. Boarding craft. Anakin has experienced them enough times to know what it feels like. Clones rush past, heading for the disturbance. "We'll take care of this, Obi-Wan. You go find your girlfriend." He doesn't wait for a response, dashing down the hall.

"Right," Obi-Wan agrees, then stops as Theseus chokes on a laugh. "No, Anakin, she's not my –" Anakin disappears down the hall before hearing the response.

Anakin and Theseus run into the hall where the battle is raging, to see the clones and Senate guards fending off a long line of super battle droids. Anakin leaps past them, jumping onto the curved wall and past the first line of droids, landing in the middle of them, slashing through a super battle droid as he hits the floor.

He cuts through the next several easily, Force-shoving the last three into the wall. Theseus has already finished taking care of the rest of the droids. "Hey, what's your count?"

"I don't think now's a good time for this," Anakin replies, "We have to go find Obi-Wan. Stay quiet."

"Nine," whispers Theseus, maybe a little too dramatically.

"Thirteen, so I still won."

He huffs. "Not my fault the Senate guards finished off the rest first."

"I still won. Now, stay quiet. I think I know which way to go."

The Force is nudging him down the hall, and he follows it. He can hear talking around the corner as he creeps closer near the wall. "... I don't know quite how to say this," he hears Satine saying, "But I've loved you from the moment you came to my aid all those years ago."

"I don't believe this," Merik scoffs.

"Satine, this is hardly the time or place for –" Obi-Wan begins to object, then stops, "Alright. Had you said the word, I would have left the Jedi Order." His master would leave the Order? For a moment, Anakin suddenly wonders if he'd say the same about him, but hastily forces the thought away.

"That is touching, truly it is. But it's making me sick, and we really must be going," Merrik grumbles. Anakin is highly tempted to punch him for ruining his master's moment. Obi-Wan never gets emotional, and Anakin is not happy it was ruined.

"You have the romantic soul of a slug, Merrik. And slugs are so often trod upon," Satine snaps. He hears sudden movement in the hall up ahead of him and moves a little closer. Theseus is itching to move forwards, but Anakin shoos him back. If Obi-Wan has this handled, Anakin doesn't really want to interrupt and risk messing things up.

"Interesting turnabout," Merrik says sounding very unconcerned, "But even if I do not deliver the Duchess alive to the Separatists, I still win. The second I'm away, I'll hit the remote and blow the Coronet to bits."

"I will not allow that," the Duchess insists.

"What will you do?" he mocks, "If you shoot me, you prove yourself a hypocrite to every pacifist idea you hold dear. And you, Kenobi, you are no stranger to violence. You'd be hailed as a hero by everyone on this ship. Almost everyone. Come on, then. Who will strike first and brand themselves a cold-blooded killer?"

Anakin can see them now, Merrik facing his back their direction, finger ready to push the trigger of the bomb. Obi-Wan stands across from them with his lightsaber out, and Satine is pointing her blaster at him. But if either of them makes a move, Merrik will react faster. The fate of everyone on the ship is resting on him. He needs to move fast.

He ignites his lightsaber through Merrik's chest, reaching down to catch to the trigger to the bomb before it hits the floor. Satine throws the blaster aside the moment she sees that the threat was averted.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan sighs in that scolding tone, something almost like a glare on his face.

"What? He was gonna blow up the ship!" Anakin snaps back, doing his best to cover his hurt. He saved everyone here. No, he doesn't even get a thank-you. Somehow, no matter what he does, it's always wrong, and he doesn't know why.

"Obi-Wan, I..." Satine begins.

Cody promptly runs around the corner. "General Skywalker, the last of the droids have been defeated sir."

"Very good, Cody," Anakin replies, turning to the clone.

"I must get back to the business of diplomacy," Satine declares, shifting back into her 'Duchess' mode before she turns to head away.

"As you say, Duchess. Some other time," Obi-Wan says, looking almost disappointed for a moment. Anakin glances back at the others, waiting until he knows the situation is under control before slipping off to his room.

**w**

After making sure the ship is temporarily safe, Obi-Wan goes to check on Anakin. He can feel his former padawan is upset about something, and maybe he can figure out what's wrong. When he enters, Anakin sits up in bed, looking over at him. "I'm going to assume you're not here because you found more assassin droids."

"Not yet," Obi-Wan agrees.

"That sounds promising."

Time to get to why he's really here. "I came to see if you're alright," Obi-Wan admits.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You're upset." He moves forwards, taking the chair near the bed.

Anakin's expression goes to completely closed off almost instantly. "It's nothing. I'm fine." It... didn't used to be like this between them. At least not this bad. Things have changed between them since the beginning of the war. They don't have the time to spend together they used to, and it's taking its toll.

"It's not nothing, or you wouldn't be upset about it." Anakin looks away. Whatever it is, it's perfectly clear he isn't very intent on letting on. So, Obi-Wan will have to say something more if he wants to figure out what the problem is, even though emotions aren't exactly his area of expertise. "I know we've been a lot more... distant with each other than we used to be. I would like if we could try and change that. It's difficult to work together if we don't talk openly."

"Why do you care?" he asks, narrowing his eyes almost suspiciously. And that honestly hurts, that Anakin really trusts him that little.

"You're my friend." My brother, but he won't say it aloud.

The expression on Anakin's face boarders on disbelief.

For a moment, Obi-Wan is hit with the memory of when his own master choosing Anakin over him, even while he was still a padawan. Except it doesn't make sense, because Anakin was already a Knight, but he has to make sure. He moves to take a seat next to Anakin, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Anakin, Theseus wasn't meant to replace you."

"You wanted him." The 'but not me' is unspoken, yet he gets the strong impression through their bond.

"I may have taken you as a promise, but that doesn't mean I don't care." The conversation is getting much too emotional, but clearly, it's one they badly needed to have a long time ago.

A tentative hope flares in his eyes. "Do you?"

"Of course," Obi-Wan promises. It hurts, really, that he even needs to ask. He'd always thought Anakin knew. Obi-Wan moves closer in silent invitation, and Anakin scoots over, wrapping his arms around him. It's not until now he realizes exactly how much he's missed this, the peacefulness of just being with Anakin. He doesn't know if this will change anything between them, but he hopes it does.

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