I know its been a long time since I've been at this, and a bunch... well, some small chapters have come in the preceeding days. I like this story, & have wanted to complete it now for a long time, just had a bunch of busy months pass & now might have a bit more time to squeeze out possibly a chapter a day.

As for anything else, if you got questions, ask 'em. & comments are always welcome. I really want to know what you guys think when you are reading it. I can hardly decide if im going too slow or too fast with this and the way it is unfolding. i would LOVE to know what you readers think. so please, please review.

27 At Dawn

Obi-Wan Kenobi had always been known for his ability to work around awkward situations. There was a reason, after all, that they had called him "The Great Negotiator." This time around, though, he found it hard to find something to say, so in complete Obi-Wan form, he cracked a joke.

"I knew you were awake. So what do you think of my grand quarters here?"

Vader had been caught so off-guard by this statement, that he actually let out a small laugh, as if not being able to believe that he was being so casual and unguarded.

Obi-Wan's eyes sparkled when the young man's lips curled at the end and a slight laugh was emitted. Maybe, just maybe, all was not lost when it came to his former apprentice.

After coming-to, that is, after Vader/Anakin/whoever he was dropped his shields and knocked them both clean out, he had carried the man into his home, laid him on his neatly made sleep couch, and removed his boots, placing them at the end of the bed. It almost felt like a natural task. Who knew how many times he had done this in the past… Anakin collapsing on his bed after a long campaign, only to have Obi-Wan find him like that and put him into the bed properly.

He had spent the hours that the young man slept meditating. He had a great deal he needed to find out, needed to know. The hard part was, it seemed that everyone knew about this, except for him. Both his passed Master as well as the live and kicking Yoda across the galaxy. Both of them had decided to keep this tiny bit of information from Obi-Wan, who was already overwhelmed almost constantly with grief that the boy had died. They were worried for Obi-Wan, for what he would do if he found out that his former Apprentice had turned into the infamous Sith Lord.

Much to Obi-Wan's consternation, he found himself almost glad in a way that he had not known. Who knows what would have happened out on the sand hours before if he knew for certain that Anakin had turned into the Sith Lord. He might not have waited for the moment that Anakin approached, removed his gear, and pled him for the truth.

As for guidance and advice, all they could tell him was to open himself up, live more within the Living Force, that it would guide him. Obi-Wan didn't think those answers were good enough, he wanted more. He wanted to know why he was here. He wanted to know if he was in trouble. He wanted to know if he were to be captured. He wanted to know everything. But of course, he was reminded that their destinies were not set in stone, that if he were to listen to the Force, everything will come out the way it should. But that didn't say whether or not it would be a good outcome.

He gazed at his former apprentice who had stopped laughing, but still had tiny quirks at the corners of his mouth, as he laced up his boots in the dim light. He could sense anxiety and apprehension from him. And by the way he was lacing his boots so quickly, realized that he must have come from somewhere, perhaps the base a few standard miles away, and would be expected at some time. He was after all, Darth Vader. His presence would definitely be noticed.

Before Vader could even get a word out as he finished with his boots and glanced up at Obi-Wan, he heard "You have to leave, don't you?"

Obi-Wan was once again met with those blue eyes.

"Yes," the man said, "I do… I don't know what I was expecting to find when I wandered the desert. It certainly wasn't you. But… but once I saw you, I knew why I was here. I felt it, I felt it Obi-Wan. Lately…"

He stopped without finishing and simply looked down shaking his head.

"I do have to leave. I have to inspect the local base this coming morning. I have to go back there and be something I don't want to be anymore."

He stood, "I feel like I should be here. That I have something to learn from you. That I need to speak to you. That we both need some understanding. That we both need some-"

And then he was interrupted by Obi-Wan.

"Patience, brother, patience," He said. And Vader looked at him questioningly.

"You are right, there are many, many things I want to talk to you about, I want to ask, I want to answer, and nothing but the truth. Obviously, though, this is not the time for that."

He continued, "it seems to me that… you've changed. I never knew what you had become. I never even thought it was a possibility. I have questions for you as well as you have questions for me. And it will come, in due time. Remember Ana…" he stopped, "remember to follow the living force.

Vader replied, "that's the problem Obi-Wan, I don't remember it. And now… now its coming back to me, from out of no-where. Its coming back and I don't know how to handle it. I don't know how to continue being a Sith Lord when every time I close my eyes I can see the light of the Force, and meditate within it, and communicate with it. Im stuck Obi-Wan, Im stuck. I don't even know what or who I am anymore."

"…and now I have to go back to that base after a few hours of the most calming and peaceful rest I have felt in as long as I can remember." His voice had dropped low and faded out towards the end of that statement, and he found himself once again staring towards his feet. It was hard to meet Obi-Wan's eyes.

"Then you must go back. Do not let yourself get caught by the Emperor like this. Until you decide what you want to be, who you want to be, you must continue as Darth Vader. Lord Sidious is a vicious man, I wouldn't even put it beyond him to already have another apprentice in training to take your place. Be careful of yourself. Do not be foolish and risk your life at this point."

"You are right, we must speak with each other, but now is not the time."

"No," Vader responded, "it must not be…"

Quickly, Vader searched for an answer to this puzzle, and thought of one immediately.

"In 3 days I will be leaving for Alderaan. I would like for you to come with me, covertly, no one has to know. I know I can pull it off, the Emperial Fleet would never stop to search my ship, and my location in Alderaan is secret. I am building a new home. And… I know… I know I can trust her…"

"Her?" Was Ob-Wans reply.

"Oh, yes… well, her. The Architect. She would keep the secret. I know she would, I trust her."

"Does she know about… you?," Obi- Wan asked.

"Well… no, she doesn't. I know she has questions about me. Who I am. What I am. But… I like her, we get along. She isn't uncomfortable with me. There is a calm about her Obi-Wan. And something else… I'm not sure I've ever met anyone like her before. I don't know how I will tell her, but, somehow… Well, what do you say, will you come?"

For a moment Obi-Wan actually wondered if this could be a trap. Immediately, though, he dismissed it. "How would we go about getting me on your ship?"

Vader thought for a moment; then devised a plan.

"In 3 days, at dawn, meet me outside the fleet hangar at the base. I will be there early, and tell everyone to leave me alone. When you arrive, I will get you on the ship safely, and shortly thereafter we shall depart. No one has to know. Just you and I. I know it will work, I am supposed to be one of the most powerful men in the galaxy, I will be Darth Vader, at least when needed, to make this work. Then- well- we could have all the time in the world to question each other, in a safe place."

It took Obi-Wan no time to answer, "then let it be done."

As Vader walked towards the door, Obi-Wan approached as well. Before he opened the door, Vader turned to face Obi-Wan. They leveled each other with their eyes for a moment, then embraced. A whisper left Vader's lips as he grasped his former master. "Please know, Obi-Wan, please know that I am already sorry. I am already sorry for all of this."

Before tears could once again form in his eyes, he left his master's embrace and stepped back, straightening himself. "In 3 days, at dawn. Please Obi-W…

"In 3 days at dawn, I will not fail you boy."

With that, Obi-Wan watched as his former apprentice, who was now in a world of chaos, walked away from his tiny abode, and as he strode along, picked up piece after piece of his costume as he made his way towards the rocks that he had earlier appeared behind.

For the first time in a very long while, Obi-Wan Kenobi had a feeling that things could change in the galaxy. Perhaps he had his Chosen One back.