Author's Notes: And here is the last chapter, which wraps up some things and leaves other things open. I don't have anything more planned for this universe, but you never know. (I'm still a bit stunned that the story took nine years to write) The epilogue is next, and while there was something of a time jump here (three years), there's a much larger one between this chapter and the epilogue. You'll see what I mean when I post the epilogue, which will be no later than next weekend. So … in this chapter, we meet Obi-Wan's new padawan (and yes, it's someone you'll recognize); Jasleen Palpatine regains consciousness … and meets someone who might end up quite important to her; while a new program is instituted at the Temple, one that will end up having a significant impact on the life of Obi-Wan's eldest daughter Leia.
Chapter Seventeen
The Shape of Things to Come
The Jedi Temple
Coruscant
Three Years Later
He strode down the corridors of the Jedi Temple, grinning and responding to cheerful hellos and waves from the initiates on their way to class. At his side, his sister-padawan struggled to keep up, muttering about his long legs. Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker dropped his arm around her shoulders, snickering, "Not to worry, Snips, you'll grow up soon enough … and maybe you'll grow taller than Master Obi-Wan." His former master's new padawan, one Ahsoka Tano, glowered up at him and Anakin laughed again.
"Not … funny, Skyguy! And where are we going, anyhow? You, Master and Asajj have been acting weird the last few days … well, weirder than normal at least, and for you, that's saying a lot. Master Obi-Wan keeps fretting about what kind of help 'she' will need, but just looks guilty every time I ask who 'she' is, and Asajj has tried to explain, but every time she gets started, the twins get into something they shouldn't," Ahsoka retorted. Anakin rolled his eyes as he led his 'little sister' into the Halls of Healing. This would take some explanation. Then again, over the last few years, that was the norm.
The war finally ended the previous year … despite the revelations regarding Lady Sidious and her manipulations, the Separatists were unwilling to even negotiate at first. According to Padme Amidala, there were legitimate complaints on their end … but even she had to admit that if they were going to ask for outlandish things (such as the termination of the clones), then there would be no peace. Master Mace infamously informed the Separatist Council and the Senate when he learned of that demand that if the Senate caved, the Jedi would leave Coruscant … and the Separatists would rue the day they ever made such a demand. Oh, the Jedi wouldn't attack them … but there were several Separatist worlds that were hurting badly as a result of the war. Since there weren't enough Jedi to help each world, the clone troopers would be assisting where they could. If there were no clone troopers, it would be a long time before certain worlds received help. The message was received loud and clear.
Anakin quietly cheered when he heard about that response … not surprisingly, once that promise was made, the Senate told the Separatist Council exactly what they could do with that particular demand, and the SC (as Anakin called it in his head) backed down. They might have ignored it, coming from Anakin or Asajj … possibly even from Master Obi-Wan … but they couldn't ignore it coming from the Master of the Order himself (soon to be Grandmaster, since Yoda was thinking seriously about stepping down).
But the war was over and gradually, the vod were acclimating to their new lives. Most of the 501st and 212th were remaining on Coruscant. Just as Boba warned, he did indeed tell his 'brothers' that Master Obi-Wan impaled himself on his own 'saber when Order Sixty-Six was issued. Cody went white with horror … and he was only marginally relieved when Obi-Wan explained what Order Sixty-six was. Of course, he promptly lost what little color he gained back again when he learned what Order Sixty-Six was in the other reality (then he lost what little he'd eaten when he found out what his alternate did. And refused to let Obi-Wan out of his sight outside the Temple for the next three ten-days, much to the consternation of Anakin's former master … and amusement of everyone else in the Order).
The twins now had a new sister … not Ahsoka, although they toddled after her regularly. No, this was Obi-Wan and Asajj's newborn daughter, Miya, named for her paternal grandmother. When Anakin teasingly asked if they would try for a fourth child, Obi-Wan turned an interesting shade of green and answered with a resounding 'no.' (Asajj wasn't as sure … she wanted another daughter. Anakin thought Master Obi-Wan was worried about being outnumbered. Then again, he was outnumbered with just Asajj). Obi-Wan pointed out that they had a padawan in Ahsoka, who counted as another daughter. Which was true, but Anakin highly doubted if his sister was giving up just yet. She was stubborn that way, Asajj was. Then again, so was Master Obi-Wan.
As was Ahsoka, but all he could tell her was, 'you'll find out when we get there.' Because the truth was, over the last several weeks, Jasleen Palpatine's vital signs began steadily improving. Today, though … today, they would try to wake her up. He'd already gotten the talk about how this would just be an attempt, and he shouldn't get his hopes up. Really, how old did they think he was? (He purposefully didn't ask that where Ahsoka could hear him … there was a reason he called her 'Snips,' after all).
He knew there was a chance she wouldn't wake up today … but he had a feeling. Today was the day. Anakin still didn't know if he was the Chosen One, as Master Jinn believed he was, but he did know that most of the time, his 'feelings' turned out to be right. As he led his younger padawan-sibling into the room where Jasleen would be awakened, he said softly, reverently, "Her name is Jasleen Palpatine, and today, they will try to bring her out of the carbonite freeze she's been in for nearly fifteen years." He could just see Ahsoka start to tease him about 'there is no try,' but her mouth snapped shut when she recognized the name. Anakin smirked and teased, "Watch and learn, young padawan." Of course, Snips glowered at him for that.
SWSWSWSWSWSW
She was cold … she was so cold! A gentle voice said, "You'll warm up … oh, thanks." A moment later, something was being tucked around her, and she had a sudden image of a man, who seemed much larger than herself, doing the exact same thing. Her father? Everything was jumbled together. Right now, she didn't even remember her name … but the warmth felt so good. That gentle voice went on, "It'll take some time for you to warm up, but you'll get there. You're safe … I know you have a lot of questions, but you're safe and you're not alone."
A hand closed around hers and she tried to squeeze in response, but her muscles didn't want to work. She asked hoarsely, "Who … who are you? Where am I?" She almost asked who she was, but then she remembered. Her name was Jasleen Palpatine, she was twenty-two standard years old, and … Kimi. Oh, Kimi, what did you do? She whimpered, and that comforting hand tightened around her own. She whispered, "She was my friend … she was my friend, and she set me up. I remember, oh Force, I remember!" By now, she was almost weeping, and now there was a hand in her hair, lightly caressing.
"Easy … they hoped you wouldn't remember right away. I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how much pain you're in. And I don't know if this will help or make things worse, but you need to know that Kimi Pelonite is dead. She's dead and she can't hurt you or anyone else ever again." Jasleen thought briefly that if the individual (a male, she identified now) wasn't sure if it would help or hurt, maybe he shouldn't have said anything. A moment later, though, she had to admit to herself that he was right … it was something she needed to know. She started to ask another question (or remind him that he never told her who he was), but she suddenly felt exhausted. He squeezed her hand and observed, "You're still worn out … the healers said this would happen. Sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."
She wasn't even aware that she'd opened her eyes, but she felt them closing and drifted back to sleep. There were still so many questions she needed to ask, but it would wait … it would …. She had no idea how long she was asleep, but the next time she opened her eyes … well, it was blurry, but that was an improvement over the last time. A familiar voice said, "Oh, you're awake!" She felt herself smiling and a gentle hand touched her cheek. The man from earlier went on, "You slept for a few days, but the healers say that's a good sign. You might not be able to see properly, but you should at least see shapes."
"I … yes. I do," she answered hoarsely, then cringed at just how hoarse she sounded. There was a muffled apology, followed by a blob moving slowly toward her face. It … or, part of it … was a straw and Jasleen sucked on it gratefully, nearly moaning in relief as some desperately needed water soothed the inside of her mouth and throat. After a few seconds, it was taken away. Jasleen tried not to sulk … she knew too much would make her sick. Instead, she breathed, "Thank you … where am I? And who are you?" It seemed like the world was coming into clearer focus, because she was starting see colors, shapes, and possibly … features?
"Ugh, sorry … I should have started off with that. I'm Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, and you're in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant," her companion … Anakin Skywalker … said. But what really got Jasleen's attention wasn't his name, but the location. Coruscant. They were on Coruscant … the last thing she remembered was the accident on Naboo, seeing that woman who looked so much like her in danger. She remembered pain. And she remembered Kimi's cruel smile as she blacked out. But Kimi was dead now, wasn't she?
"How long … how long has it been?" she asked. How long has it been, why am I on Coruscant, where's my father? Her father … oh, he must be beside himself with worry! It was just the two of them since her mother died, and as nervous as it made her sometimes, her father made her the center of his world in the wake of her mother's death. Oh … she was starting to see a face! She thought. She saw some red, turned up at the corners … then again, she was assuming that this Knight was a human like herself. Always a dangerous thing, making assumptions.
"I know you have a lot of questions. In answer to the one you asked aloud … I know this will be an unpleasant shock, but it's been fifteen standard years," the Knight answered. F … fifteen years? Fifteen standard years? Jasleen's hand came up from her lap to press against her chest. The Knight added, sounding more than a little apologetic, "I know it's a terrible shock, and there will be others. The Healers told me to expect questions … and they told me to answer them. They seem to think that you becoming agitated is far worse for your health and recovery than hearing the answers to your questions." Something for which Jasleen was thoroughly grateful.
"How did I come to be here and … and what about my father?" she asked. She honestly didn't know what she wanted the answer to be. She wanted her father, if she was really honest with herself. But … fifteen years? She shuddered at what that would do to her father. And then she remembered something. She'd been frozen in carbonite … but if she was badly injured, her father would have never done that. So it was Kimi? A stray memory or dream floated through her mind, of those terrible moments after the accident (and was it really an accident?) … Kimi grinning nastily down at her, with an older man (she thought) at her side.
"To put it in simplest terms, you were kidnapped … which is how you came to be on Coruscant, rather than Naboo. And your father … I'm afraid your father died a few years ago, Jasleen … if you don't mind me calling you that," the Knight answered. Jasleen inhaled, her lungs squeezing her heart. At least, that was how she felt. Her father was dead. Her hand moved from her chest to her mouth as she fought back tears. She felt herself enfolded in a warm embrace, and Jasleen held onto the Knight with all of her strength as she cried … cried herself to sleep.
The third time she awoke, she could actually see: there were two men sitting beside her. They were young … at least, not old. One was in his mid to late thirties, with auburn hair and a slightly darker beard. His eyes were blue, and they were kind. He was also quite handsome. The second man was considerably younger, around Jasleen's own age … and very, very handsome in his own right with his longish, wavy dark blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and mischievous grin. He was teasing the older man about something … right up until the time he looked toward Jasleen. And then his smile turned welcoming as he said, "Master, we have company." Oh. Oh, that was Anakin Skywalker's voice. This was the Jedi Knight who held her as she wept for the loss of her father?
The auburn-haired man looked up and smiled, saying in a refined accent, "Hello, my dear. It's good to see you awake. Anakin tells me that he's introduced himself to you … I'm his former master, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi." Jasleen smiled shyly, and Master Kenobi went on, "I understand that Anakin has already answered some of your questions. As he mentioned, our Healers believe that honesty will be less damaging to your recovery than half-truths. I will try to answer more of your questions, unless the Healers specifically directed me not to do so. You know that your father died a few years ago. I'm not sure if it will help to know that he died as a hero, saving not just my life, but the lives of many others … perhaps even the Republic itself."
Jasleen blinked back tears … did it help? Not appreciably … her father was still dead, after all. Was she proud of him? Beyond belief. She said as much, adding, "I was my father's world. I'm so glad he was able to give of himself to others, even after he thought he'd lost me. Do you … do you know why Kimi …?" She trailed off, not entirely sure how to ask the question. Why did Kimi do such things, what did I do wrong? Master Kenobi leaned forward and put his hand over hers lightly. Knight Skywalker took her other hand, both men looking very serious.
"Kimi allied herself with the Dark Side … with the Sith, more to the point. Are you familiar with them?" he asked and Jasleen shook her head. The handsome Master explained, "Kimi sought power, and she was willing to go to any length to get it. She found a mentor in the form of Darth Plagueis. There is a possibility that he's still alive … we do know that she attempted to use you … more to the point, use your death … to control your father." Jasleen couldn't quite hold back the snort … someone control her father? Had they met him?
But in spite of that, her mind went back to what Master Kenobi said about what Kimi desired most. And it led to one, inescapable conclusion. At the time of Jasleen's accident, her father was talking about running for Chancellor, and he'd been serving in the Senate for some time before then. She asked slowly, her heart breaking at the thought, "So … she was never truly my friend, I was only ever a means to an end to her?" Master Kenobi looked down, and she had her answer. Jasleen closed her eyes, taking deep breaths.
Her father was dead. Kimi was dead and was only ever using her. Both painful truths, and ones she would need to come to terms with, sooner rather than later. She found herself grateful to the Jedi healers for telling her companions to be honest with her. At last, she opened her eyes once more and said as calmly as she could, "I see. Thank you for being honest with me. How long do the Healers expect for me to recover? There was a glance between the two Jedi, and it seemed to her like they were having a conversation.
Finally, Knight Skywalker returned his attention to her and answered, "You are mostly recovered … you just need to gain strength. Master Obi-Wan and his padawan are leaving for a mission tomorrow, to assist with a planetary disaster in the Outer Rim. My mission for the next few weeks is helping you in any way I can." Well, that left things rather open-ended! And he was very, very cute. Jasleen immediately chastised herself … really, didn't she have enough to worry about, without noticing the good looks of her younger companion. And wasn't he several years younger than she was?
Except he wasn't, not really. While she was technically closer to Master Kenobi's age, in her mind, body and heart, Jasleen was still twenty-two standard years old. Knight Skywalker didn't seem to be much younger than that, if at all. JASLEEN! Ugh, she needed to get more sleep. There had to be something wrong with her if she was noticing how attractive (really, really attractive) a man was, only hours after learning that her best friend was using her/never really cared about her, and her father was dead. That was it, she was still exhausted … and maybe grabbing onto someone who'd been there since she woke up? As if hearing her thoughts, Master Kenobi added gently, "You should get some rest, Jasleen … give yourself time to process what you've learned. Anakin, why don't you stay with her until she falls asleep? I need to see how far Ahsoka's gotten with her pre-mission briefings."
"Sure thing, Master … I'll swing by your quarters for dinner tonight," Knight Skywalker replied. Master Kenobi rose to his feet, offering her a slight, courtly bow that made her smile, before striding from the room. Jasleen closed her eyes and lay back. It didn't seem real. Her father was dead, Kimi betrayed her. Maybe when she was stronger, she would ask to see her father's tomb, whether it was here on Coruscant or on Naboo. Maybe … Jasleen's thoughts trailed off as she drifted back to sleep. And as she did, she still held onto Anakin Skywalker's hand.
SWSWSWSWSWSW
Thirteen year old Boba Fett impatiently shifted his weight from one foot to the other as he stood beside his … what was she to him? Surrogate mother? She wasn't all that much older than he was … bah, did it matter what he called her? She was Asajj, she was family, and that was all that mattered, not her specific title. While Obi-Wan and Ahsoka were gone, he was the man of the household ... something he took very seriously. Not that Asajj necessarily did. Right now, she glanced at him with a faint smile, murmuring, "Patience, my very young padawan." Boba just glowered at her … right, as if. One, he wasn't even a Jedi, and two … well, two, he wasn't even a Jedi. Asajj outright laughed, saying, "Oh, I'm sure you will make me pay for it later, but it was worth it."
"Considering I'm almost as tall as you? You better believe it," Boba answered smugly. In answer, Asajj just ruffled his hair as the new set of youngsters were led into the Temple. They were part of a new program that Obi-Wan, Master Mace, Master Yan, and Yoda instituted … bringing younglings who lost everything in the war (especially family) to Coruscant and the Jedi Temple, whether they were Force sensitive or not. The younglings ranged in age from infants to older children (read: Boba's age), and those infants were in the arms of those older children. Boba already talked to one of the newbies, a Correllian boy his own age named 'Han Solo.' He hadn't yet decided yet if he liked this boy or not … he was too much like Boba.
One thing he'd learned from living with Obi-Wan and Asajj wasn't that opposites attracted … but they did tend to complement each other. When he'd told Obi-Wan about Solo the night before during dinner after the initial meeting at the Senate building (arranged by Boba's Aunt Padme), the Jedi grinned and answered, 'either he'll be your dearest friend or your worst enemy. That's been my experience with people who are far more alike than they are different.' Then Luke decided to show off the latest lesson from Master Yoda and Leia wanted attention, too … something both twins got, from the teenager and their parents.
Now, as the orphaned younglings came to a halt, Asajj stepped forward and cleared her throat, saying, "Good morning. I am Knight Asajj Ventress-Kenobi, and I'll be your guide today. This is my son, Boba, who'll be assisting." Boba, as he always did, twitched when Asajj called him her son. It was odd to him, that even though he didn't regard her as his mother (or Obi-Wan as his father), he was regarded as his son. He'd made that observation to Cody once (after his brother stopped shadowing Obi-Wan every time he left the Temple), and Cody snorted, answering, 'little brother, you're the only one who doesn't see those two as your parents.' Boba still wasn't sure how he felt about that.
And Solo was smirking at Asajj, mouth open and ready to say something smart-ass … but Asajj, as ever, was way ahead of him, as she added, "And please, don't bother flirting with me. In the first place, I'm happily married with three children … and in the second, my husband is Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi." Boba straightened his shoulders when all of the younglings looked awed by that announcement. He might not regard Obi-Wan as one of his parents, but he most assuredly did regard him as family, and he was fiercely proud of that.
Solo smirked again, though he still looked impressed, and replied, "Can't blame a guy for trying, sweetheart." Boba just rolled his eyes. Idiot. Solo added, looking a little more un-nerved, "Was he really one of the ones who took out the Chancellor's assistant?" Obi-Wan always looked annoyed when people brought that up, because in his eyes, he hadn't done a thing … except insure that he couldn't be used against the people he loved. Master Mace was still trying to get through to him just how important that truly was, assisted by Anakin, Asajj, Master Yan, and others. He just didn't understand how hard it would have been for them to take him out … not just kill him, but defeat him.
And Asajj had no patience for what she saw as her husband's false modesty (except it wasn't false, not really, and they both knew that). She said proudly, "He was, and so was I. And one of these days, you'll hear the real story about what happened in that office, not what the holonet and the media say happened, but what really happened." The younglings all perked up and Asajj went on, "Now, come along … we have a lot of ground to cover. Right now, we'll just be doing the main tour, and the places where you can ask for help if you get lost."
With that, she turned on her heel and began striding away further into the Temple. Boba fell into step behind her, and he wasn't entirely surprised when Solo made his way up to the front, murmuring, "So … you're the son of Jango Fett." Boba inclined his head, and Solo went on, "You went from being the son of a Jedi-killer to the son of one of the greatest Masters in the Jedi Order … the person who most people think of when they think of the Jedi."
Boba bristled at this description of his father, but he couldn't really argue with it. Master Yan took the responsibility of explaining to Boba exactly why his late father hated the Jedi. He wanted Boba to understand two very important things … first, that the Jedi made terrible mistakes, and that there was a reason Jedi sometimes seemed detached. It wasn't just to protect them, Boba came to realize, but to protect others. The second thing he needed Boba to understand why his father hated the Jedi, so he would understand just how much of a hero his father was, to die trying to protect a Jedi … and not just any Jedi, but the son of the man who destroyed his life. It wasn't forgiveness, as such … but it was something very close. Jango would have never forgiven Yan … but he did not hold the sins of the father against the son.
Thinking of that now, Boba answered softly, "My father died saving Obi-Wan's life three years ago, when they faced off with Darth Sidious. When he did that, I knew I was supposed to stay with Obi-Wan. He would tell you that because Dad saving him, that made me his responsibility. But the truth is, I chose Obi-Wan. I chose to stay with him, because he sometimes falls, but he always gets up, and he never stops trying." It was an imperfect explanation, but for someone he barely knew, it was the best one he could provide. He'd had a hard time explaining that to his uncle, but as it turned out, Uncle Xan understood. Aunt Padme likely never would, but Uncle Xan understood … better than Boba could have hoped.
Solo was quiet as he walked alongside Boba. And when he did speak again, it wasn't the question the Mandalorian teen was expecting. Solo asked softly, "So … this business of taking in war orphans … hell, orphans, period … it's not just a publicity stunt for the Order?" Boba shook his head. It wasn't that the Order was an intergalactic orphanage right now. And really, it was hard to explain. Nor was he quite ready to admit, even to himself, that his innocent question a year and a half earlier could have led to this. He smiled as he noticed Master Mace toting around one of the earlier arrivals on his hip. Boba was also there when that little girl arrived … she was terrified of Master Mace at first. And now look at her.
"No … more like, it's the Order trying to lower its walls. They started the process of changing themselves from the inside when Obi-Wan was a baby. Now, they're changing their face to the public, and Master Yoda has a soft spot for younglings. It's a long story, but no … it's not a publicity stunt. And your group is the second group we've welcomed into the Temple," Boba answered. He could have told Solo that they were looking to the future, to change the way their younglings interacted with other, non-Force-sensitive children. He could have told him that for many Jedi, this was atonement for the grief of the war. He could have told Solo a number of things, and they all would have been the truth.
Darth Sidious played mind games with Obi-Wan Kenobi, creating a false future to destroy his spirit by showing him pieces of the truth, turned darker and painful by tweaking events here and there, even using Boba and his father to do it. She showed him a terrible future, a terrifying reality that should have driven him insane (Boba was sure that it would have driven him insane). What she never expected was for him to fight her every step of the way, and then, once he was rescued, using those pieces of the truth not just to defeat her but to help his family in the Jedi forge a brighter future for them all. Boba thought again of the future that his father by mutual adoption saw, and not for the first time, not for the last time, was so grateful he chose to poke his face between the bars of Obi-Wan Kenobi's cell.
Solo observed quietly, interrupting Boba's thoughts, "Well … maybe this will turn out all right." Boba grinned at the other boy. All right? This was going to be fantastic! A cautious smile lit Solo's face, and once more, Obi-Wan's words were proven correct. As Han Solo smiled back at him, Boba began to realize that this boy wouldn't be his sworn enemy at all, but his dearest friend (at least, unless the utterly insane happened and Solo gave his little sister Leia second or third looks when she got older. In that case, all bets were off).
To Be Concluded