Author's Notes: Well, that's typical. The characters don't talk to me for years, and then they won't shut up. Mind you, that isn't a complaint … I just wish they would talk to me more often, and about stories I've left hanging. New ideas are wonderful, of course, but they drive me absolutely hatstand when they take off on a tangent. So, needless to say, I'm gonna milk this current stream of creativity for all its worth. In any event, I believe there are about two or three chapters remaining in the story. Three, tops, when you include the epilogue. Apologies to those who have left reviews and I've not yet responded. We're heading into pre-registration and commencement at work, and that's always a crazy time. The title of the chapter comes from the Two Steps from Hell song, Star Sky … and if you've not listened to them, give them a try. Think Trans-Siberian Orchestra, only more epic, and you have Two Steps From Hell. So, in this chapter, Obi-Wan relays what he learned to his Master and Grandmaster; later, he's reunited with someone he was trying to protect; Xanatos returns to the Jedi Temple for the first time since Obi-Wan and Asajj's wedding; and a galaxy-changing bombshell is dropped.
Chapter Eleven
What Our Hearts Remember Stays
Jedi Temple
Coruscant
"Believe him, you do."
"I do, Master Yoda … he wasn't even trying to hide his Force-signature. The Palpatine in my memories hid his own Force-signature under so many layers of shielding, not even your counterpart sensed anything, even after he was in power for thirteen years. And his reaction when he realized that the Sith were responsible for his daughter's death … maybe he was acting. Maybe he was playing a part to lure me in, but I just don't think so."
Obi-Wan sat cross-legged in front of his grandmaster, his own Master a reassuring presence at his side. Upon returning from the Chancellor's office, he'd paused long enough to reassure Asajj and Anakin, kiss his twins, and corral his Master before answering his grandmaster's summons. There in Yoda's quarters, he revealed what he learned during his conversation with the Chancellor. And because it really did need to be said, he added, "I believe that he's not the Sith Master. I believe him when he says that his daughter was his whole world. That doesn't mean I completely trust him."
He blithely ignored his master's muttered, "Of course you don't, because that would make you a fool, and I neither fathered nor raised a fool!" Besides, there was something else here that troubled Obi-Wan, the more he thought about it. And because he was neither fathered by nor raised by a fool, he was just waiting on his master to figure out as well. In the meantime, he took a sip of tea, closing his eyes as the warmth trickled down his throat. Three … two … And Obi-Wan's father added, sounding suspicious, "And if Palpatine isn't the Sith, then who in the name of the Force kidnapped Obi-Wan and had him hooked up to that contraption? Oh, I know that Sidious was working through another party, but those false memories …"
"Exactly," Obi-Wan said quietly. He looked first at his father, then at his grandmaster, saying, "Whoever captured me made sure that it was neither easy to find me, nor free me. But in the event that I was freed, they were banking on my being either too traumatized to see past the horror, or too wary of Palpatine to even think about approaching him. The more I think about it, the more I think this is the most elaborate case of misdirection ever. It doesn't put us any closer to learning who the Sith Master is, but what if those memories were implanted to make us suspect Palpatine? Quite a few people have never forgiven him for manipulating Amidala into calling for the vote of no confidence in Valorum. And while the Jedi have been the primary face of the Republic during the course of the war, Palpatine is the one ultimately in charge."
"Raise good points, you do. Know the identity of Darth Sidious, we do not. But progress, this is," Yoda observed. Obi-Wan sat back, listing against his father, who put a hand on his shoulder. His grandmaster continued, "Time for you to rest, it is … much progress, you have made. But still recovering, you are." Obi-Wan didn't even bother arguing with Yoda, simply allowed his father to pull him to his feet. And Yoda, because he really was a cheeky little troll when he so chose (which was most of the time), added, "Tuck him in, you may, my padawan." Obi-Wan gave into the impulse to facepalm, much to his father's amusement. The elder Jedi wrapped his arm around Obi-Wan's shoulders and led him from Yoda's quarters. The father and son were silent for most of the journey to the quarters Obi-Wan shared with his wife and children.
However, his father said quietly as they neared the Kenobi-Ventress-Skywalker quarters, "I am very proud of you, you know." Obi-Wan looked up (and why did he keep getting the extra-tall masters and equally tall padawans? He wasn't really short, but Force take it all, couldn't he have inherited even some of his father's height?). His father went on, dark eyes twinkling with laughter as if hearing his thoughts, "I truly am. I was beyond worried while you were with the Chancellor. Not just because you're still healing, but because of who that man was in your dreams. I just got you back, boy, and to lose you now … "
Obi-Wan stopped in the middle of the hallway and turned to face his father … who was blinking back tears. The older man said thickly, "I would find a way to go on … to take care of Asajj and the children, including Anakin. But a part of my heart would have gone with you. You are much like me in that respect … you demonstrate your love for others in your deeds, rather than your words. Anakin had a hard time understanding that at first … had a hard time understanding that while I don't say the words, I love you even more than he does. And perhaps I don't say it nearly enough. But I love you, my dearest child … more than words can ever express."
Obi-Wan opened his mouth to speak, but Master waved his hand, an old gesture that meant he wasn't done yet, and went on, "I know … I know you're still adjusting to the truth, to the real truth. And you don't have to say it back, not until you're ready to. Not until the words simply come out of your mouth. But while you were gone … while you were gone, all three of us had a lot of thinking to do, about what we wanted when you came back. We thought about our regrets, and what we would have done, what we would do when you came home to us. And I swore to myself that I would say the words, far more than I'd done in the past. I love you, Obi-Wan. I love you, and I am so … so very proud of you."
The young man swallowed hard, and he admitted through the Force-enhanced boulder residing in his throat, "I … I'm not sure if I'm ready. But I do remember that … I …" His father seemed to understand, for his eyes lit up and he beamed down at Obi-Wan, his hands coming to rest on his shoulders, before pulling him into a fierce embrace. Obi-Wan accepted it gratefully, and it was as if another piece fit into place for him. He murmured, "Papa … I called you 'Papa,' didn't I? Once I accepted that you were my father, I alternated between calling you 'Papa' and Master." His father's arms tightened around him … and that was answer enough. Obi-Wan was remembering. Day by day, he was taking back more of his own life.
They likely would have stood there for several more moments, but it was then that Mace Windu joined them. The Councilor looked tense … not upset, but tense. As if something new happened … something that Mace wasn't sure about. The Master of the Order said quietly, "Obi-Wan, Yan … we need you both in Council Chambers. Xanatos came for a visit." Obi-Wan, who now knew most of Xanatos' history in this reality, raised his brows. But the biggest surprise was yet to come, as Mace added, "He's not alone. He brought his nephew and his brother-in-law. His brother-in-law is Jango Fett … and he's saying that he sent the message that helped us find you."
Father and son exchanged another look … and then as Mace spun on his heel, the pair fell into step beside him. Here was a new wrinkle, indeed!
SWSWSWSWSWSW
Council Chambers
Jedi Temple
After his father's death, Xanatos du Crion swore to never return to the Jedi Temple. However, this afternoon marked the third time he'd broken his word in the last five years. The first time was for Obi-Wan's wedding (a memory which still made Xan cringe. The ceremony itself was beautiful. It was what came after that was embarrassing) … the second time was when he returned with his unconscious brother Jedi after helping Anakin and Asajj to rescue him. And, since he was dropping off Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Asajj, that second time didn't really count. His ship was here, but his body remained inside the ship.
And now today. To his right, his brother-in-law was looking around, his body language all but screaming, 'I don't want to be here, get me out.' He stayed put, because like it or not (and Jango really, really didn't), the Jedi were his best bet to protect Boba. Sidious merely knowing of the boy's existence posed a threat. Add to that the Sith Lord almost certainly knew that it was Jango who alerted the Jedi to the location of their missing knight, and yes, Boba was without question in danger. Speaking of Xan's nephew … Boba was currently peeking out the windows of the Council Chambers. Xan briefly thought about calling the boy back to his side or his father's with a reminder that they were guests in someone else's home, then chose not to … this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the youngster. Let him enjoy it while he could. Besides, it would likely annoy a few of the Councilors, and that was always good for a laugh.
However, it wasn't Councilors who entered the Chambers with Mace Windu only seconds later but Xan's young 'uncle' and grandmaster. And it wasn't Xan who had a chance to greet his little brother, but Boba, who spun around and cried out, "Obi-Wan!" He darted away from the window, racing to the stunned young man and Xan cringed, just knowing that this wasn't about to end well. But, as he had a tendency to do, Obi-Wan surprised him. As Boba reached the younger man, Obi-Wan snapped out of whatever had his eyes glazing over.
And he opened his arms to Boba, dropping to one knee, breathing, "Boba! Thank the Force you're all right! The last thing I remember was that uncivilized brute threatening you!" He swept Xan's nephew up into a fierce embrace, and Xan stared in shock. Uhm … okay. That was … unexpected to say the least. Boba, for his own part, was holding on for dear life in a way that he didn't with anyone except Xan and his own father.
"He never had the chance … you protected me, Obi-Wan, just like you said you would! You protected me, and that's when they decided to leave you in that awful thing for good. You always told me to be careful, but I didn't listen and you got hurt even worse because of it!" Boba cried out. Xan felt his blood run cold, because this was something Boba hadn't mentioned in his earlier conversation with his nephew and his brother-in-law. From the worried expression on Jango's face, it seemed unlikely that the boy's father heard about it, either.
Gone were any thoughts about annoying the Councilors, any of the Councilors. Something was pressing on Xan's chest, in a way he hadn't felt since Boba's mother died, in a way he hadn't felt since his father died. Obi-Wan merely held his nephew even tighter, murmuring, "You had something to tell me, I remember that now … you were so frightened, but before you had the chance to say anything … that's when they put me in the machine. You … you did hide, didn't you? Like I told you?" Boba's raven head was bobbing up and down against Obi-Wan's shoulder. More people appeared in the Council Chambers … Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan's fierce wife, and Master Yoda. Anakin moved forward, as if to go to his Master, but Asajj stopped him with a hand around his forearm and a quick shake of her head.
"I hid … I hid real good. I tried to wake you, but you couldn't hear me. I heard you, though … I heard what you were seeing. And when Dad came back, we sent the message to the Jedi. And … and he shorted out the Force suppressing collar they had around your neck. He couldn't remove it, or even deactivate it, but he did short it out. Did that help your family to find you?" Boba asked, pulling back to look at Obi-Wan worriedly.
"In more ways than one," Obi-Wan answered, walking to one of the seats and sitting down. Xan blinked and glanced over his shoulder to look at Mace Windu … but the Councilor didn't protest at all. Nor did the little green troll. Obi-Wan settled Boba in his lap, and nodded to the rest of his family … who nearly knocked Xan over in their rush to join their beloved one. Obi-Wan went on, "When your father shorted out the collar, my son could sense me in the Force. So that was very well done. Now … since you wouldn't tell me at the time, will you tell me now why our genial host was so intent on capturing you?"
This was said with a raised eyebrow, and Xan exchanged a look with Jango, both suppressing a grin at the 'dad' voice Kenobi was using. Boba offered, squirming just a bit in Obi-Wan's lap, "Well, there really wasn't time to tell you when it happened?" That eyebrow arched further and a glance at his grandmaster told Xan that Yan Dooku wasn't even bothering to hide his grin as he listened to the conversation between his son and Xan's nephew. Boba sighed and all but collapsed against Obi-Wan's chest, finally admitting, "I kinda heard … and saw … something I wasn't supposed to see. It was about you. I saw him talking to his boss."
The atmosphere in the Council Chambers changed dramatically. Mace Windu stood up straighter, sucking in a breath as he stared at Boba; while Master Yoda moved further into the room to address the boy, "Saw the Sith Lord, you did? Darth Sidious?" Boba nodded, though he looked curiously at the Grandmaster of the Order. Trying to make sure that he was understanding the mangled syntax correctly? More than likely. However, Xan noticed that Obi-Wan looked alarmed now. Actually, forget alarmed … he looked scared.
"You overheard one of their conversations … and saw Darth Sidious?" Obi-Wan asked in confirmation, and Boba nodded. Xan was just staring at his nephew in consternation. Jango may not have understood the references to Sith, but he was figuring out that they were bad news. Dark Jedi were bad enough, but Sith were even worse. Xan made a mental note to educate his brother-in-law once they were done here. He added that to an ever growing to-do list. Obi-Wan raised his eyes to look at Windu, Yoda, and Grandmaster Dooku. Xan noticed Anakin and Asajj exchanging a glance and moving closer to their knight. And then Obi-Wan asked the question on everyone's mind (except, perhaps, Jango's), "What can you tell us about him? I know you probably don't recognize him, but any information would be helpful."
"Nope, I definitely didn't recognize this Sidious … and it's not a man, Obi-Wan, it's a woman. A right old hag she was, too," Boba answered. Everyone froze … and then the room exploded into a cacophony of sound. Boba shrank against Obi-Wan, whose arms tightened around him protectively. Xan risked a glanced at Jango, whose jaw was tightening, minute by minute. But in the end, it wasn't Jango or even Obi-Wan who got everyone's attention. Rather, it was the youngest member of their line.
"Hey! Knock it off, you're scaring the kid!" Anakin bellowed at the top of his lungs. Quite an impressive bellow, as it shook some of the dust from the ceiling. Windu grimaced, muttering under his breath, 'thanks a lot, Bratakin.' Obi-Wan's padawan merely stuck his tongue out at the Councilor, before turning back to Boba and saying gently, "Sorry … you just really startled all of us for some reason. Maybe because the Sith Lord in Master Obi-Wan's nightmares was a man. What can you tell us about Darth Sidious?"
"I'm not a kid! I'm almost eleven!" Boba protested, sounding more than a little indignant (maybe even insulted) and Xan tried very hard not to smile, especially when Anakin rolled his eyes (you were no different, Anakin). However, his nephew went on proudly, "I was hiding, training myself to be a Mandalorian warrior, just like my dad!" He sounded so proud, telling this group of Jedi about his father … Xan glanced at his brother-in-law and just knew that there was a lump in Jango's throat, just as there was in his. Boba explained, "This was about … oh, three or four months in. I was always underfoot, but I'd found Obi-Wan not long after he was captured. He was unconscious when I first saw him, but Dad warned me to be careful, 'cause he said a Jedi was dangerous even in his underpants."
Much to Xan's amusement, Obi-Wan blushed at that, but didn't interrupt. Anakin, Asajj, and Grandmaster, however, were all smirking … and he just knew that Asajj was biting back a comment about how she could attest to that. Boba went on, "I guess I viewed it as kind of a game. When Dad was busy or in meetings, I would visit Obi-Wan, mainly 'cause he always talked to me like I was a person … besides, people kept telling me not to. I didn't stop, even after they beat him for shielding me. They liked hurting him … liked trying to make him cry out, or beg them to stop. He never did, though. The only time he did anything other than fight back was when they realized I was there, and wanted to hurt me, instead. Then he got snarky and made 'em mad, so they would hurt him instead."
"Ever the protector, my dearest boy," Grandmaster murmured, though his eyes were flashing. His voice was gentle, however, as he asked the boy, "What do you remember about the day they put Obi-Wan in that monstrosity … and what do you mean, put him in there for good, child?" Boba glanced at Grandmaster, clearly on the verge of protesting yet again that he wasn't a child, before realizing that to a man in his eighties, he was indeed a child. Grandmaster added with a somewhat strained smile, "And thank you, for looking after my son when I couldn't."
Boba's eyes lit up and he exclaimed, "You're Obi-Wan's dad! I'm so glad to meet you! He told me all about you, and Miss Asajj, and the babies, and Niki! Will I have the chance to meet the babies?" This time, Grandmaster smirked as he assured Boba that yes, he would have the chance to meet the twins … right now, they needed to know more about the Sith Lady. Boba nodded determinedly, evidently realizing without being told that not only was he still in danger from Sidious, but so were the babies he wanted so badly to meet. He said, "You're welcome! Uhm, the machine … before then, they would only put him into it for an hour or so, days at most. I think the longest he'd spent in the machine until then was about three days."
Obi-Wan nodded in agreement, a small frown on his face. Boba went on, "I got to his cell through the ventilator shafts. He said, 'ah, Boba, always good of you to drop in.' I told him that I had something to tell him, and that was when they arrived. Obi-Wan moved in front of me … not even sure if he was afraid I'd done something or if he just wanted to shield me. They pushed him aside and reached for me … and that was when he just exploded into action. One minute, he was catching himself on the side of the table, and the next minute … he was amazing! He took out ten of their guys before one of them was able to knock him out. That's when they put the Force collar on him, and put him in the machine. I … there was a tunnel I'd made when I was bored in the corner. While they were occupied with Obi-Wan, I snuck out through that tunnel. I didn't want to leave him … I didn't! But I didn't know how to help him."
"There was nothing you could have done for me, Boba … they brought in something that rendered Force-users helpless. Once they did that … but how did you make the tunnel? Or is this one of those Mandalorian secrets you were always teasing me about?" Obi-Wan asked, which was pretty much the same thing Xan wondered. According to Anakin, the walls were stone, so how could Boba make a tunnel? Unless … he looked at his nephew, his eyes narrowing as something occurred to him. However, Boba had something else in mind.
"Well … I didn't really make the tunnel. It kinda was already there. I just made it bigger. Like I said, I was scared when I saw and heard Lady Sidious through the ventilation shaft. She was saying that keeping Obi-Wan was the key to making the Chosen One fall … but she needed more time, because the Jedi were closing ranks around him, and her access was growing ever more limited. I didn't see her face, not at first. She wore these robes that hid her face, but not her voice. At one point, though, they made her angry and she started waving her arms. Her hood fell back … when that happened, they bowed their heads. But I didn't. I saw her. She … she's a thousand years old! Well, five hundred at least. She's really, really old … even older than you." This was said to Grandmaster, who wasn't sure if he should be amused or insulted.
"This is very important, Boba … did she say anything else about Anakin, or about that limited access to him?" Obi-Wan asked, blue eyes very intent on Xan's nephew. Boba started to shake his head, and then stopped. He was silent for several moments, as if Obi-Wan's question triggered something he'd either forgotten or hadn't noted at the time. Xan held his breath, because sweet stars, only his nephew would be able to fall into a mess like this just by being a too-curious-for-his-own-good little boy.
"She … she said that the Chancellor sometimes grumbled about how the Council and the war kept him from seeing more of your student. She … she said that the Chancellor was an old fool, but a useful one," Boba answered, his voice rising ever so slightly at the end, as if questioning why that was important … or if it was. And it was. Xan realized it, half a second after Obi-Wan did. Once more, his young 'uncle' tightened his arms around Boba … but Xan's nephew wasn't finished. He added, "She said that it would have been better if she'd gotten to Anakin Skywalker when he was a boy, when she could have poisoned him against you, and against the Jedi. Maybe even focus his attention on Aunt Padme."
"That … that was what happened in Master's nightmares," Anakin breathed … and then his eyes hardened. He was missing the point, though. Actually, no, he wasn't … a moment later, his 'cousin' realized, "Oh … stang. She has access to the Chancellor, doesn't she?" Indeed she did. While that was good news, there were no old women around the Chancellor … that they knew of. But this … this gave them a starting point. They now knew that the Sith Lord was in fact a Sith Lady, and that she had access to the Chancellor.
"Knowing this," Obi-Wan murmured, "we can start working on a plan, a way to trap Lady Sidious." He looked up from Boba's worried little face, a feral smile decorating his face as he looked first at his padawan, then at his wife, and then finally at his father. The rest of the Jedi gathered crowd closer, and Obi-Wan added, "And we should count on her springing the trap. A trap within a trap, a contingency plan. I imagine you can help with that, Xanatos." Because of course he would know there was no way Xan would let this proceed without him.
He wasn't a Jedi any more … hadn't been for some time. And aside from a few individuals (most of whom were gathered in this room), he had no love for them. But he didn't have to. This Lady Sidious, she was a threat to all whom Xan did love. He nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Obi-Wan's. But there was another kink to work out yet, in order to ensure that whatever plan they came up with worked. This, however, wasn't something he or Obi-Wan could do. No, this was between his brother-in-law and Grandmaster.
Asajj seemed to understand this, for she said, "One thing at a time. We need more information and input to make this plan, including Jedi who aren't here. Boba? Would you like to meet our twins?" Boba's eyes lit up at the question. He looked first at his father, who nodded curtly, and then at Obi-Wan, who merely grinned. With that settled, Boba jumped down from Obi-Wan's lap and ran to take Asajj's hand. They would leave Jango and Grandmaster in here (and hopefully they, and the Chambers, would be standing when they returned). Besides, he had a question to ask Mace Windu.
Yoda was hobbling along beside Boba, Asajj and Obi-Wan (the latter two holding hands. Honestly, those two were so adorable, it was positively sickening. Of course he loved Padme, but they were never like that. At least, he hoped not). The doors to the Chamber closed behind him, and in a low voice, Xan asked, "So … Obi-Wan in a Councilor's chair? It didn't irk you?" His former Master's closest friend smirked at him and Xan stared at the older man in shock. No … way. There was one reason, and one reason only, for Mace Windu to be smirking like that.
Moments later, Mace confirmed it as he answered in an equally low voice, "Obi-Wan is the leading choice to take a seat on the Council. Originally, when this seat opened up, we were looking at Pong Krell, but his actions toward the Clones under his command proved he was unfit for a Council seat. Obi-Wan, on the other hand … We were planning to offer it to him when he returned from the detail to protect your wife, but we both know what happened there. Now? Now, we're waiting to defeat Lady Sidious and for Obi-Wan's memories to return more completely. If he survives this encounter, he will have that seat."
Well … that was a definite sign of good things to come! Xanatos murmured, "Then I, for one, shall do all within my power to ensure that Obi-Wan does indeed survive this … because only good things can come of the son of Yan Dooku and Miya Kenobi sitting on the Council. You know, if we didn't know Obi-Wan has a father, I would wonder if he wasn't the real Chosen One, since so many of the Order-changing events have surrounded him." The corners of Mace Windu's mouth quirked.
"You wouldn't be the first … you won't be the last. Prophecy is a funny thing … they can be misinterpreted. They can also be mistranslated. Your former Master assumed Anakin was the fabled Chosen One, because of his high midiclorian count and raw power. But we're imposing human limitations on the Force," the Councilor observed. All true enough. Mace smiled then, a real smile, and for a moment, Xan could see the teenage boy who listened to the Force that night and carried an infant boy to his ailing father. He added, "Besides … I've come to believe that all servants of the Force are Chosen for something."
Also true. And if both the Order itself and the Force was becoming balanced (as it was in the wake of that simple change), then why would it create another Chosen One? And perhaps it didn't matter. Xan looked ahead at his nephew, who was now holding hands with both Obi-Wan and Asajj, placed between them so Obi-Wan could talk to Master Yoda. No … maybe it didn't matter at all. He offered a smile to the man he'd alternately admired and resented throughout his time in the Jedi, and continued to walk alongside him. They still had a Sith to deal with, and a war to end, but they would make it.
Somehow, they would make it.
TBC