Author's Notes: First, I hope everyone can forgive me. . .I hadn't intended to let this story languish for four months. Unfortunately, I got hit with a nasty case of writer's block. . .then I was arguing with Shmi about her section (in case you're ever tempted, never try to argue with Shmi Skywalker Lars. You will lose.) More recently, I've been dealing with certain distractions on the BBC (Doctor Who and Torchwood), the holidays (aren't we all) and I was sick for a few weeks. I finally caught a break with the snowstorm pounding the East Coast (including North Carolina). In any event, if anyone is curious about what Miya Kenobi looks like, imagine Emilie de Ravin of Lost. I briefly considered Megan Follows (Anne of Green Gables), but she's 'playing' Obi-Wan's daughter Rilla in my other SW fic, Out of the Ruins, Out of the Wreckage. Okay, now that we have old business out of the way, here's the new chapter. I hope y'all enjoy it and hope you enjoyed whichever holidays you celebrate!
Chapter Six
Of Twins and Trials
Anakin Skywalker was more than a little relieved when his master didn't faint (again) after learning that Anakin's mother was his aunt. . .if only by marriage. On the other hand, his master's one fainting spell would provide him ammunition for teasing for years to come. In the back of his mind, he acknowledged that he would have been a touch insulted (alright, more than just a touch) on his mother's behalf if Master Obi-Wan had fainted again. On the other hand, he knew that it wouldn't have been meant as an insult and that it was a huge shock. Anakin had a hard time wrapping his mind around everything that was different. . .he imagined it was a hundred times worse for his poor Master. He tried again to imagine this awful world. . .galaxy. . .universe. . .which his Master thought was real. And once more, he failed miserably.
A universe where not only was he Luke and Leia's father, but married to Padme? Yes, he already covered that ground, the first and subsequent times he thought about it, but still! Where Asajj was seriously misguided, to the point of capturing and torturing Obi-Wan? Okay, he could have seen that one, in a certain set of circumstances, especially after seeing her face off with the Tusken Raiders who took Mom. Master Jinn was his grandmaster, while Grandmaster Dooku Fell and eventually died at Anakin's hand? Maybe he could see that. Grandmaster Dooku told him on more than one occasion that he would have fallen without Master Obi-Wan, and from the expression in his grandmaster's eyes during those conversations, Anakin believed him without question.
But the detail that continued to bother him was related to the first: Anakin himself fell and served an Emperor for twenty-odd years. Uhm, why? He spent the first nine years of his life as a slave. . .why in the name of the Force would he want to spent another twenty or twenty-five years as a slave to a man whom he must have hated? It occurred to him, briefly, to be angry with Master Obi-Wan for actually believing that Anakin was so mind-bogglingly stupid. . .then realized the individual who most deserved his anger and scorn was the person who literally planted those ideas into Master's head. . .in other words, Sidious. Funny how everything came back to him. Up to and including Anakin's fists, feet, and lightsaber when they finally found him.
At last, Master Obi-Wan said softly, "Forgive me, Anakin. The memories I have. . .not only was Master Dooku not my father, to the best of my knowledge, but I didn't even know my family. So the concept that I have a family I know, apart from the Jedi. . .and that your mother is part of that family is. . ." He shook his head again, and Anakin felt the last of his resentment melt away. This wasn't Master's fault. . .none of this was his fault. . .and Anakin had no business being angry with him. Exasperated, maybe, but that was par for the course.
"I don't blame you, Master. Yeah, I was a little angry with you at first for believing that poodoo, and then I realized I was blaming the wrong person. It's not your fault, it's Sidious' fault, and to blame you even for a moment. . .well, I'm not that bratty any more," Anakin replied. He was rewarded with a faint smile from his Master, and Anakin added in a mock-whining voice, "It's not faaaaaaaaaaaair! You should know me better than that!" He was more than a little pleased to hear his master laugh, even a soft huff of breath. In a more normal (and serious) voice, he added, "And you do. You just need time to remember, that's all. So. No more apologies."
"Yes, Master," came the dry rejoinder, and Anakin could have clapped in sheer delight. Oh, he missed his Master so much! Not just physically, but this was the first time since Master Obi-Wan woke up that he demonstrated his sense of humor. Something that Anakin missed as much as the comfort of his presence. His master continued after a moment, "What can you tell me about other things? Can you tell me about other things, or must I remember them on my own? Do you get along well with your stepbrother. . . oh, I suppose he's my cousin. But do you get along well with him?" Anakin needed a little time to think about that. His instinct was to tell him about the more emotional implications, and let him remember the facts. Anakin generally followed his instincts. Bad things tended to happen when he didn't follow those instincts.
"I get along really well with Owen. He's a lot of fun, especially when he and I start teasing Beru and Asajj. Asajj can kick my butt in the salles, but she won't do a thing to Owen. Cliegg. . .uhm, sort of. I mean, we had a few problems, because of his clashes with Grandmaster Dooku. . .and I wanted to make sure Cliegg was good enough for my mom. But yeah, I get along pretty well with them both," Anakin replied. He smiled, remembering his first week at the Temple, and said, "I remember, Mom told me before I left Tatooine to never look back. . .and to be sure that I behaved myself for you. She said that she would contact the Temple every week, to make sure I was behaving."
"And. . .did she?" Master Obi-Wan asked tentatively. Anakin bobbed his head, barely biting back a giggle. Oh yes, every week like clockwork! That prompted another smile from his master, who asked, "And, when did we find out that your mother was my aunt by marriage? I mean, how old was I when I found out that Master Dooku was my father, when I found out that I had an uncle and a cousin? I don't imagine I knew while I was growing up in the crèche."
"I. . .think you were fifteen or sixteen when you found out about Grandmaster," Anakin replied. Sixteen was what stuck in his mind, but he couldn't be sure. It had been several years since they discussed that. . .shortly after he found out just how Asajj came to be a Jedi. He added, "And you found out about Mom when Cliegg freed her, then married her. Uhm. . .maybe I should go ahead and tell you this. My stepfather. . .he was your mom's twin brother, right? So, he and Grandmaster don't always get along. I think Cliegg blamed him for your mom's death."
"He did. . .but we've since mended fences. And you were quite right to tell him, Niki. It's best that your master knows that ahead of time, because things are always tense between Cliegg and myself during the first few hours. That would have made your reunion with your uncle most uncomfortable, Obi-Wan, something you simply do not need right now," Grandmaster said, re-entering the room. He smiled gently at Master Obi-Wan, and once more, Anakin found himself envying his master. Yes, he had his mother, but he never had a father who looked at him so lovingly. And yes, his master was the closest thing he had to a father. . .but he wasn't really that individual. On the other hand, his aunt Miya died when Master Obi-Wan was a baby. . .so he never had the chance to know her. Maybe things evened out. Maybe.
SWSWSWSWSWSWSWSW
On the other side of the galaxy, a ship was leaving Tatooine, carrying a particular family. The matriarch of the aforementioned family, one Shmi Skywalker Lars, stared out of the porthole, listening for her granddaughter with one ear while Vashti's parents went in search of food for everyone, and Cliegg rested. She had the uneasy sense that her husband would need all the rest he could get before they reached Coruscant, especially with what Ani told her about Obi-Wan's condition. Their arrival at the Jedi Temple was not something Shmi anticipated with a great deal of pleasure. . .things were never pleasant when Cliegg and Yan encountered each other. The Jedi Master was in his late forties when Obi-Wan was born and his mother was murdered, and even then was one of the most formidable Jedi in the Order. For that reason, and others, Miya's twin brother never entirely forgave her lover for her death. After all, he should have been able to protect her. Instead, it was because of Yan's reputation that his young lover was targeted.
Oh, Cliegg knew that it wasn't really Yan's fault, any more than it was Obi-Wan's. . .but Miya was younger than Cliegg by five minutes, and it was a Kenobi family trait to take your responsibilities very seriously. And if they were responsibilities to your family, then the trait was even stronger. Shmi knew her husband lashed out at Yan for 'failing' Miya, but the one he truly blamed (aside from her murderer) was himself. This, fortunately, was something Yan understood. However, that wasn't to say he didn't fight back. He did. Not all the time, not even most of the time, but even Jedi had their limits, and this was a situation where time wasn't a great healer. Shmi reflected a bit ruefully that this was often the case with two proud men. And for all his gentleness, her Cliegg was a very proud man.
In any event, even more than thirty-five years after Miya's death, the two men still clashed. . .except now, it was usually over Obi-Wan. Shmi noticed that the worst of their clashes occurred when Obi-Wan was in danger, for any reason, even now that Obi was a Knight (and would soon become a Master). No doubt, Cliegg was trying to atone for blaming Obi-Wan even for a heartbeat. And that was (another reason) why she wasn't looking forward to reaching Coruscant. Obi found the clashes between his father and uncle painful under normal circumstances, but in this situation? It would be far worse, and Ani might make matters truly volatile. If she knew anything about her Ani, it was how viciously protective her boy could be. There was nothing he wouldn't do for Obi-Wan during normal conditions, but now?
Now, he was likely to be even more protective, given not only Obi-Wan's recent rescue but also the condition in which he and Asajj found his Master. Shmi didn't fool herself. She knew that Anakin loved her. But his love for Obi-Wan was, in some ways, even more fierce. He would never say so, would never admit it aloud, but she feared that losing Obi-Wan would have been far more hard for Anakin to bear than losing her. She was his mother, she gave birth to him, but Obi-Wan chose to love her son. He didn't love Ani because he had to, but because he wanted to. She knew this and so did Anakin. For that reason, she didn't begrudge her son for feeling this way or her nephew for her son's affection. Besides, she had Owen, and Beru, and Vashti, and Cliegg.
And that brought her right back to her husband. It was a curious mechanism in humans, she noticed, or maybe it was limited to this family. Cliegg was terribly protective of Obi-Wan because he blamed him, however briefly, for Miya's death. Anakin was protective in general, but it seemed he was more protective of Obi-Wan because of the times he hurt his master and cousin while Ani was growing up, and it seemed the same was true of Asajj. Although, with that girl, love and guilt and protectiveness mixed into a very volatile solution. There were countless arguments between Asajj and Cliegg over the years, especially while she was pregnant with Luke and Leia. Oh yes. This would be a most interesting trip. Shmi shook her head. There's nothing for it, she counseled herself, just be patient and remind Anakin that Cliegg is being abrasive because he loves Obi-Wan, too, and remind Cliegg that Ani is just defending those he loves. And stay out of Asajj's way when someone makes her angry.
She sought to distract herself from her concerns about Coruscant by turning her attention to their departure, only a few standard hours after she got off the comm with Anakin. She hadn't realized it, but Vashti awoke, and of course, Beru got up with her daughter. It was Beru whom she first told about the new family emergency, and within twenty minutes, they had everything packed. Thirty minutes after that, both of their men were up, and Owen was contacting everyone he knew who might have a contact at the spaceports. . .as well as some who didn't.
It was thanks to her stepson that finding transport for the family off Tatooine wasn't as hard as they were anticipating, and Shmi made sure to thank him for that. Owen merely ducked his head, saying softly, "He's family, even if he doesn't remember right now. Just. . .ask Anakin if I can go with him, once they've found this Sidious character. I'd like to get in a few punches for Obi. No one messes with my cousin and gets away with it." Shmi didn't tell him that if Anakin had his way, Owen wouldn't get anywhere near Sidious (for Owen's safety as well as Anakin's determination to deal with Obi-Wan's attacker personally), and instead, promised to speak to Ani about it. After all, speaking to him wasn't the same as getting him to agree. Owen seemed to understand that, for he smiled knowingly, but went about his business.
And there were other things to worry about. As she already noted, there was Asajj and her interaction with Cliegg. The pretty young Knight was, in some ways, an older, female version of Anakin. She was just as venomously protective of Obi-Wan, and she wasn't inclined to stand by while people denigrated her former Master. On the other hand, she and Cliegg, along with Anakin, really didn't like Senator Amidala. Shmi was willing to accept common ground between her husband and Asajj Ventress-Kenobi wherever possible, even if it was based on a shared dislike for a young girl whom Shmi liked very much during their meeting, more than ten years earlier.
But she couldn't argue with any of Ani's points against the senator. She did lie to the people who were meant to be protecting her, she did lash out at someone who was an infant at the time of her husband's departure from the Order, and she did have a habit of making dangerous assumptions. However, that was in the past now, and Shmi's main concern was with her nephew (by marriage) and her son. Ani might have gone out of his way to antagonize the senator when he was younger, but right now, Shmi knew her son's attention was focused solely on his injured Master. On the other hand, Ani would (metaphorically) tear the senator to pieces if she crossed them again. Or, Shmi thought with a shudder, maybe not so metaphorically, depending on the circumstances.
In some ways, Ani's 'relationship' with the senator reminded her of things between Yan and Cliegg. There had been a time when they were friends. . .good friends even. The poisoning that took Miya's life ended that, as did Cliegg's mistaken notion that Yan gave up on life. When she met the man who became her husband, and he explained about his sister's death, she tried to make him see that it wasn't a matter of giving up, but simple exhaustion. At the time of his brush with death, he was very badly injured; his son was being kept from him; his beloved Miya was dead; his last attempt to train a padawan had gone terribly awry. He hadn't wanted to die. . .he was simply exhausted.
More than likely, Cliegg knew that at the time. . .however, it didn't prevent him from swearing an oath to kill Yan personally for 'betraying Miya's memory' if he ever did that again. Such an action was somewhat counterproductive, from Shmi's point of view, and she told him so when she was capable of speaking. She marked that he hadn't argued with her about her statement, but instead replied a bit ruefully, "I wasn't exactly thinking clearly at the time, love. All I could see was him giving up, just when Obi-Wan needed him most. I failed to take a few things into consideration."
So it would seem. Unfortunately, as was so often the case, the innocent child at the center of it all ended up paying the price. At least Obi-Wan also had Mace Windu and Master Yoda to help him through the years of being caught between his uncle and his father. . .although Master Windu muttered under his breath that if families would cause this much drama, they might wish to return to the no-attachment rule. He wasn't serious. At least, she hoped that was the case. Besides, from what Yan told her after she married Cliegg, Mace was a combination of much older brother and uncle to Obi-Wan. . .not surprising, given the connection forged between the two younglings when the teenaged Padawan Mace Windu carried the infant Obi-Wan Kenobi to the Healer's Ward. On more than one occasion, since her marriage, she went out of her way to thank the Korun Master for taking care of Obi-Wan.
And this was part of her Ani's life. . .the drama, the danger, and the heartbreak. Shmi never thought that being a Jedi was easy, but even she underestimated what her nephew and her son faced. She thought about what Ani told her about this nightmarish world which her nephew inhabited for six months. Shmi wasn't a violent person. But when she thought about what this Sidious did to her nephew, it made her angry enough to do violence. She could only imagine how it affected her son, who spent the last ten years of his life with Obi-Wan. There was little she could do for Obi. . .his healing would come with time. . .but there was a world of good she could do for her son.
SWSWSWSWSWSWSWSW
Well, well, well. Wasn't this an interesting conundrum?
The meeting between the queen of Alderaan and her consort, and the Jedi within the Temple concluded after three hours. There was a great deal to discuss, even after the Kenobi situation was resolved (not that it was resolved, but Breha and her husband agreed to the request made by the Jedi). About a half hour into the meeting, Master Yan Dooku excused himself, no doubt to check on his son. In addition to Obi-Wan's condition and the investigation, there were other things to be discussed. But once they left the Temple, the queen had things she needed to discuss with Bail about the Order.
Breha Organa almost shook her head as she and her husband reached their speeder, before remembering 'appearances' (never mind they were on the landing pad, and no one saw them, that wasn't the point). And 'appearances' defined her life, whether she liked it or not (emphasis on not). She spent the first several years of her life, learning to be a proper princess and then queen of Alderaan. It was, she admitted freely, quite tiresome. And so, the outwardly-sedate young princess found other outlets for her true self. . .first, in her extremely dry sense of humor, which was further honed by the even more tiresome appearances at court; and secondly, in her slightly unusual choice of friends. Never was this as true as when she befriended a man who was old enough to be her father: namely, former Jedi padawan Xanatos Verras.
That raised eyebrows, even with her then-fiancé Bail. However, Xan was the only person apart from her immediate family and Bail, who not only accepted her true self, but who actually liked her. It wasn't the princess of Alderaan whom he liked, either, but her, Breha. That discovery almost literally made Breha dizzy, when she came to that conclusion nearly ten years earlier. Not surprisingly, due to that understanding, she was quite protective of Xan. And that made her friendship with the Jedi Order as a whole even more surprising. However, Xan told her on more than one occasion that what happened between himself and the Order (Master Jinn especially) had nothing to do with her. It took place before she was even born. . .ergo, it was of no consequence to him if she liked many members of the Council itself and even more members of the Order.
As a direct result, she and Padme Amidala had many an argument in the first few years of the latter's marriage to Xan. Breha grimaced. Sticky situation, that. In normal circumstances, she probably would have liked Padme a great deal. However, nothing about their lives constituted 'normal.' The former queen blamed the entire Jedi Order for the mistakes of a few, while Breha limited the Order's culpability to those directly involved, a fact which infuriated Xan's new wife. Not that Breha particularly cared-the last thing she wanted was to cause trouble for Xan in his new marriage, but she had her own standards. Loyalty was one thing, but the idea of blaming Obi-Wan Kenobi or Asajj Ventress for the mistakes of those in power was simply ludicrous. As a fellow monarch (or monarch in training, as the case may be), Padme of all people should have understood that. But it was clear that the other girl did not. . .thus, the first few years of her marriage to Xan, Breha kept her distance. The last thing she wanted was to put her friend in an uncomfortable position.
Thankfully, that was over. She could hold a civil conversation with the former queen, even if they weren't exactly friends. So perhaps it wasn't so strange that Breha was greatly amused to hear how Anakin Skywalker reamed her on Xan's ship. . .good for him. Then again, that was pretty much what she expected out of the young padawan from Tatooine. And she was less than impressed with Padme's insistence that she could bring the war to a close. That was dangerously naïve, and naïve was something that no monarch (or senator) could afford to be. While Padme Amidala could use her beauty and charm for the good of Telos and Naboo, she couldn't use it on Nute Gunray. Moreover, it was extremely likely that the rest of the Separatists leaders shared his opinion of her.
"I'm glad to hear Obi-Wan is recovering so well, but I'm concerned by what we were told about his condition," Bail observed, drawing Breha's attention away from her concerns about the ongoing political climate. Yes, that was worrying. Especially the bit about his false memories. . .and their desire to keep Kerani away from him for now. 'Rani missed 'her Obi,' so it was probably best for now that they didn't tell her that he was safely back at Temple. Otherwise, she would want to see him. . .immediately, if not sooner. Her daughter was a very willful little girl. . .much like her mother, Breha cheerfully admitted.
"Do you have an issue with not telling the Chancellor about Obi-Wan's current situation?" Breha asked. She knew that her husband disliked Palpatine. . .not just his usurpation of power, but didn't like the man himself. However, he was still the Chancellor, and as such, deserved respect. Bail didn't answer immediately. Breha didn't blame him. This wasn't an easy issue. . .in fact, it could even be argued that they were committing treason by allowing the Order to proceed on their terms. Breha wasn't of that opinion, nor was Bail. . .but he was a senator, and had to be extremely cautious about even the hint of impropriety.
"No," her husband finally said, "no, this was asked of us for a reason, and most likely a very good reason. Besides, it's not our place to say anything to the Chancellor. This is a matter for the Order to handle. I know many in the Senate think that we own the Jedi, but there is simply too much that we as a whole don't understand about them. No, I won't have an issue about keeping this just between us. And I do mean just us. I won't say anything to even the other senators sympathetic to the Jedi. Walls tend to have ears, and things would get back to the Chancellor. . .likely putting all of us in danger." Breha inclined her head in agreement as he assisted her into their speeder.
"Agreed. That being said, I think we should keep a close eye on things at the Temple. Not by way of the Council, but someone whom we see on a social basis, aside from Obi-Wan and Asajj. Asajj will want to spend as much time with Obi-Wan as possible, and help him recover more of his memories. Anakin is also out. . .he's notoriously protective of Obi-Wan, and I'm sure that his mother's family will be arriving by the end of the week. Master Dooku is in the same position as Anakin, and he's in a position of authority," the queen observed. When the rest of Obi-Wan and Anakin's family arrived, Shmi would have her hands full not just with Anakin, but also her husband. Seeing Cliegg Lars in one of his towering furies made Breha hope with all of her heart that she never saw Obi-Wan angry. . .the gentle ones were the most dangerous when angered.
"Are you thinking Xan might be a possibility? He has a number of contacts within the Temple, even better than mine," Bail suggested. Breha made a face her husband couldn't see. She wasn't entirely sure about the suitability of her friend for this particular task. He had contacts within the Temple, yes, but he wasn't in the Temple directly. She wanted something more direct. The question was whom she should ask. Someone within the direct circle was out of the question. That included Siri Tachi, much as she liked the blonde Knight, and Bant Eerin, whose first priority was her patients. . . including Obi-Wan himself. Who else. . .?
"No," she said slowly, "no, I think a better person to ask would be Kit Fisto. He's married to Bant Eerin's former Master, which gives him some insight to that little circle. Yes, I think Master Fisto would be the best choice under the circumstances." The more she thought about it, the more she liked it. She and Bail were already on good terms with the Nautolan Master, he was one of the more easygoing Jedi, and as Tahl's husband, he had access to information many other Jedi did not. Yes. An excellent choice. She ignored the little voice in the back of her mind, wondering who was Bant's Master in the other universe, the one Sidious piped into Obi-Wan's head. Never mind. She would worry about that later. After Sidious was dealt with.
Evidently, Bail came to the same conclusion regarding Kit and Xan, observing, "I think you're right. Very well, then. . .we'll approach Master Fisto about this in the next few days. In the meantime, I think it's time we returned to our daughter. 'Rani will most likely be wondering where we are." Ohh, so it was 'Rani about whom Bail was most concerned? She eyed her husband as their speeder lifted off, and to her amusement (to say nothing of her delight), Bail actually blushed. Yes, that's what she thought. She did so enjoy doing this to her husband!
However, all she said was, "Well, then, we'll reassure our daughter and make certain we don't tell her about Obi-Wan or his condition. I'll deal with the. . . affairs of state that have cropped up in our absence." Bail made a suspicious sounding 'eep' sound, his face darkening with a blush, and Breha continued with a provocative grin, "Oh. That will only be the beginning, my husband! That will be the beginning."