Chapter 14
Anakin and Dooku ran through the streets, following a force signature. Mace was in trouble, and they had to do something. They passed a corner and Anakin skid to a halt, looking down the street.
Mace was surrounded by three Sith. Each looked well trained, but he had them engrossed in conversation so they did not hear Anakin and Dooku approach.
"I wouldn't suggest fighting us," the tallest one said to Mace. "Just come quietly."
"And we won't hurt you," the another smirked.
Mace narrowed his hard eyes at them. "I am a Jedi. I do not give in or relent."
"Thought you Jedi were supposed to be trained not to have emotions?" the third laughed at Mace.
Dooku walked up right behind him. "Actually that's a misnomer."
The Sith sprung around and Anakin and Dooku lit their sabers. Two green lights joined the blue and red ones.
Anakin's hood slid over his eyes so that Mace could not see his face, but he still knew who it was. Forcing the anger down, Mace nodded towards him.
Skywalker nodded back.
"So you want to die too?" the first sith asked.
Before he could move, Dooku swung around and slashed him in two with his saber. "You first."
The Sith attacked and Anakin dodged a saber. He kicked the boy down and disarmed him. He hesitated, but did not kill him.
Mace fought the other Sith and killed him with a swoop of his saber.
Anakin stared face to face with his captive. "Dooku."
Dooku didn't need to be told more then once. He walked over and held his saber above the sith's head. The heat made the captive sweat, and he tried not to look up.
Mace put away his saber and walked towards them. "Don't kill him, Anakin."
"I won't," he said softly. "He's a prisoner. He'll be coming with us."
Luke looked up when his mother and Leia entered the Jedi council room. He smiled and rose to embrace them both in a hug. Leia smiled at him and watched her mother's reaction.
Padme held him close and looked deep into his eyes. Tears shown in hers. "My son," she whispered, stroking his cheek. "You look so much like your daddy."
Luke beamed at her. "Thanks, mom."
Yoda let out something that sounded like a chuckle. "Good afternoon, Senator Solo. Good afternoon, Chancellor Amidala."
Obi-Wan's eyes opened slightly. "Congratulations," he told them. "The meeting went well."
Leia opened her mouth and then shut it. She and her mother exchanged glances. "I see there is no point in telling you what happened."
"Point, no there is not," Yoda agreed emotionlessly. "Yet glad that you have come, I am."
Padme smiled. "I have been given the assignment of overseeing the changes in the Republic and communicating with the Jedi council as well."
Mara nodded slowly. "It would appear they still do not trust us."
"Come in time, that will," Yoda assured her. "In time, come all things do."
Padme looked around the circle slowly and sat down next to Leia. They both waited for the Jedi to speak, but they didn't. Each closed their eyes. Luke was the last to do so, but they went back into a meditating trance.
Leia frowned and shrugged her shoulders. "I'm sorry, Mother. They always do this…"
Padme smiled and laughed slightly. "I know, Leia. I was married to one."
Mara's eyes snapped open. "Skywalker has made contact with Master Windu."
Obi-Wan let out a small sigh. "Good."
Luke's eyes remained closed and he searched deep into the force. "They're on Naboo… But they're not alone."
Yoda chuckled. "Alone, they are not. With Anakin, Dooku is."
At that Padme spoke up. "Count Dooku. He has rejoined the Jedi?"
They said nothing, so Padme took that as a yes. She looked down at her hands. She remembered the day that Dooku had condemned her and Anakin to death. It seemed so long ago… Perhaps he had changed.
Anakin seemed to think so. And Anakin had changed.
The holograph in front of them came to life and Master Windu appeared.
Yoda chuckled slightly. "Good to see you, it is."
Mace nodded in return. "It is good to see you as well, Master Yoda." He surveyed the room. "And you Obi-Wan. I'm afraid I could not find you when you were here… I—I was being followed by mutual enemies."
Mara watched him closely. Her keen eyes didn't loose anything about him. Mace turned towards her.
"Good afternoon, Jedi Knight Mara Jade."
She nodded to him. "Master."
Mace looked towards Luke. "Luke, it is nice to finally meet you. I've heard so much."
Luke looked down at his hands and bowed. "Thank you sir."
"And Leia," Mace continued. "Congratulations on your marriage and birth of twins."
Leia was about to thank him for what he said when a cry in the background around Mace shot out.
"Did you hear that Skywalker? You're girl's got twins!"
Mace frowned and sighed. "My apologizes. Count Dooku has a wish to rejoin the Jedi."
There was a crash in the plane and a boy, about ten came running into view.
"Master—"
"Aric," Mace interrupted. "Aric, this is the Jedi council."
Aric's eyes widened and he looked around. "Oh, uh hi."
Luke smiled. He immediately could tell he would like this kid.
"Greetings, Aric," Yoda called. "Apprentice to Skywalker, are you not?"
The boy's eyes fell. "No, he won't take me as an apprentice. He said that I had to be taught by a real Jedi…" He trailed off and looked away.
Obi-Wan's face softened as watched the boy. He reminded him of Anakin when he was that age, so young and vulnerable. Anakin wanted the best for this kid.
Aric squirmed under the spot-light.
Padme stepped forward. "Hello, Aric."
He looked up quickly and met her kind gaze.
Windu blinked. "My greetings Senator Amidala."
Leia corrected him. "That would be Chancellor Amidala, Master."
His eyebrows went up. "Chancellor, then."
Padme nodded to him but kept her gaze on Aric. "Aric, don't be hurt by him."
Aric just blinked at her.
"He doesn't mean to hurt you. He's trying to protect you." She smiled. "That's all he knows how to do. Accept him for it, and he'll come around when he's ready."
She stood up and smiled at Luke and Luke smiled back.
Mace interrupted the moment. "Forgive me, Chancellor, but does Anakin know that you are back?"
Obi-Wan stepped up. "No, Master he does not."
Mace nodded slowly, and he turned to Aric. "Go get him."