This is a pretty long chapter, as I was trying to compound all the loose ends into chapter 17. (It seems like a lucky number for this story.)
If I missed anything big, let me know. I will either add those parts to this chapter, or let the readers know if those parts will be explained later.
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I know that some people had been hoping that Anakin's arm wasn't cut off. I almost changed that part, but decided to leave it in. There is a good possiblility I will use that little fact in the following sequel. Also, I did keep Dooku around since he's one of the important factors of ROTC.
In answer to Floating Leaves' question about Anakin going crazy after Padme fell out of the ship, I am trying to emphasize the emotional imbalance that came as a complication of cloning a Jedi. Even without that, Anakin has always been highly protective of Padme. (In ROTC he was angry because he thought Obi-wan and Padme were seeing each other behind his back.) Even with Laurence being there, to me it would only seem natural for Anakin to consider Padme in danger if he wasn't there to protect her himself. I hope that clears things up a little. :)
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I believe it was Floating Leaves that requested an arguement between Anakin and Laurence about Padme. Well, wish granted in chapter 17! ;P Laurence finally gets his say...
...
Anakin woke slowly, his head feeling clouded and sore. Forcing his eyes open, he winced at the brightly lit room. His headache sharpened a moment, then melted back into a dull throb.
"Anakin, you're awake!"
Anakin's heart leapt as he heard the voice of his angel ring out. "Padme - " he started to rasp as his dry throat protested.
Padme smiled brightly as she poured a glass of water and held it to his lips. Anakin drank deeply, relishing the cool liquid.
"Wha' 'appened?" he asked hoarsely, his brain still muddled from whatever drug they must have given him. Anakin could tell now that he was in a medical ward, though he wasn't quite sure why.
Padme's gaze softened. "Don't you remember? You, Darra, and Obi-wan took on Count Dooku. That was right after - "
"The Geonosian attack," Anakin nodded as it started to come back. "They were trying to - " his voice broke off suddenly as an unwanted memory crashed on him.
"Padme, they didn't - did they - " horrified, Anakin flung the blankets back before Padme could stop him. There, glaring at him like an inescapable parasite, was a metal implant. Devestated, Anakin clutched the artificial arm and sank back against the pillows.
"I wanted to break it to you slowly," Padme said with tears in her eyes, "But you didn't give me time. The doctors couldn't save your arm after... after what happened. They had no choice but to give you an artificial one."
Anakin nodded slightly, his mind numb. His arm was gone, and he felt like a part of him had died with it. To lose a limb or worse was always a risk as a Jedi, but somehow Anakin had never imagined it happening to him.
"Ani?" Padme's eyes were full of concern and sympathy. "Ani, it's going to be okay. The Jedi say you can learn to use a sythnetic arm just as well as your regular one." Her voice softened. "It won't keep you from continuing as a Jedi."
Anakin ignored her words, his thoughts swirling around in his head. To lose his arm - it was as though a part of his life had been taken away! No comforting words could give back to him what he had lost. It wasn't fair!
The swishing of the door broke into Anakin's dark thoughts, and he turned to see Laurence standing in the doorway. The Queen's Guardian looked worse for wear. His arm was bandaged tightly up to the shoulder, and his face was covered in bruises. Laurence still offered a bright smile as he entered the room, much to Padme's chagrin.
"You're supposed to be in bed," the senator lectured as she stood up and planted her hands on her hips.
"Please, it's been forty-eight hours," Laurence complained. "I'm bored."
"For once in your life, can't you let yourself heal completely before trying to kill yourself all over again?" Padme asked as she rolled her eyes.
Laurence smirked. "No."
"I think I liked you better when you didn't talk," Anakin growled as he flopped back against the pillows. He didn't like the easy way Laurence and Padme were getting along. It made him feel like he had been shoved out of his angel's life.
Laurence made a face. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed." Turning to Padme, he asked, "Is Mister Reek-rider too pouty to be left alone, or can I talk to him for a few minutes?"
Padme smiled and shook her head. "Laurence, you'll be the death of yourself." Patting Anakin's shoulder reassuredly, she walked to the door. Stopping to give Laurence a quick affectionate kiss on the cheek, she warned, "Fifteen minutes."
"Yes, Mom," Laurence replied with a cheeky grin as he stepped inside.
Anakin's gaze darkened and he tried to ignore the implications a single kiss could represent.1
Laurence paced a moment and ran his uninjured hand through his hair. Finally halting, he pulled up a chair and sat down next to the bed.
"So... uh," Laurence ran a hand through his hair, obviously nervous. Apparently giving up on phrasing what was on his mind, he finally asked, "How's the arm?"
Anakin glared at him but chose to remain polite despite the idiocy of the question. "It's fine," he lied. "Yours?"
Laurence shrugged and raised his arm slightly, then winced and massaged it. "Darra thinks I'm resting right now. She's going to be in a tizzy when she finds out I'm gone."
Anakin rolled his eyes. "Shouldn't you head back then? Before you fall unconscious, I mean?"
Laurence ran a hand through his hair again and muttered something about escaping mechanical nurses.
Anakin couldn't help a slight grin, then his face turned serious. "Why are you here?"
Laurence started to speak, hestitated, then grinned and held out a small sparkling ring.
"I just couldn't wait to tell anyone! I think you can guess who it's for," Laurence said happily. "I wanted to let you know first, seeing as you two were such great friends and all."
Anakin felt his heart stop. It couldn't be - not his angel!
But then again, how many times had he seen them together? For so long he had suspected...
"When did it happen?" he asked in a hushed whisper.
Laurence babbled on, oblivious to Anakin's pain. "Right after Geonosis - after I woke up that is. You know, we've been planning this since Naboo, but after what happened I just couldn't put it off any longer - hey, are you going to be sick or something?"
Laurence looked on worriedly as Anakin clenched the covers between his fists.
"You always were in love with her, weren't you?" Anakin asked in a gravely tone.
Laurence looked slightly preturbed. "Well, actually no. I just had to - "
"Just had to what? Steal Padme behind my back? Let her lead me on while she was really in love with you?" Anakin knew he was acting like anything but a Jedi right now, but the rage coursing through him was inexplicable, and therefore uncontrollable.
Laurence meanwhile, felt his own tension rising from Anakin's blatant accusation. "You're the one to talk," he growled, his old anger beginning to return as he remembered the night he realized Padme was gone forever. "I never told you that day how it felt, did I?" Laurence's voice shook with barely controlled fury as every single moment since Anakin walked into the room began to replay in his mind. "I never spoke! Why? Because I didn't want to hurt her because of it! Because you decided to come in and ruin everything just before I was going actually ask her to marry me!"
Anakin leapt to his feet at Laurence's admission. "How dare you steal Padme from me!" he shouted. "You never spoke! You never did anything for her! I told her I would marry her when I was ten years old! All you ever did was lie to her!"
Something snapped inside of Laurence, and without thinking of the consequence he threw a fist out and caught Anakin right in the jaw. The padawan fell with a crash but instantly recovered as the adrenaline from his anger pushed him over the edge. Scrambling up, he threw himself at Laurence, throwing them both off balance and onto the floor.
Both young men had no business fighting. Anakin was still weakened from the surgery on his arm, but Laurence was in no condition to be doing anything. Adrenaline and fury coursed through each of them however, and what Anakin had over Laurence in stamina, Laurence made up for with dirty play. He hadn't trained in Coruscant's underground for nothing.
As Anakin threw a fist into Laurence's eyebrow, the guardian launched a foot up, catching Anakin in the groin and throwing him over Laurence's head and into the wall. In pain but unfazed, Anakin launched himself back again and pinned Laurence's good arm to the floor with his mechanical hand while he used the other to administer his own punches.
For a moment it seemed that Anakin would walk out the winner, but with a yell of rage Laurence tore his left arm free of the bandages and drove a fist into the padawan's chin. Slightly dazed, Anakin fell back enough for Laurence to scramble free. Then they were back on the floor again, rolling into tables and shattering equipment as each tried to gain the upper hand.
Laurence was the first to tire, but he gained an advantage as he grabbed Anakin's mechanical hand. Anakin quickly realized that with the barely healed arm, he risked tearing his muscles away from the appliance. Throwing out blows with his other hand, he shouted in frustration. Laurence spit away the blood running from his lip and kicked his leg upwards, letting go of Anakin's arm just in time to send the padawan crashing back into the wall again.
By now both young men were nearly incapable of fighting. Laurence was barely able to stand, while Anakin's mechanical arm was completely useless. This didn't stop them however as Laurence aimed a right sock at Anakin's eye before they were on the ground wrestling again.
"What in the blazes in going on here!" Obi-wan ran in at that instant, having heard the noise from across the hall. "Anakin! Laurence! Stop that this instant!"
Hurrying forward, Obi-wan grabbed each of the wrestlers by their collar and pulled them apart. Anakin glared while Laurence just sat back and stared at the wall. Both young men were gasping for breath, and Obi-wan wondered how they had managed to start a brawl in their condition.
"What is going on here?" he demanded as he looked between the two of them and surveyed the wreckage.
Anakin fiddled with his mechanical arm, which Obi-wan could tell needed immediate medical attention. "Ask him!" Anakin said harshly.
Obi-wan glared at his padawan. "I'm asking both of you."
The two men remained sullen and silent, and Obi-wan got his first good look at them together. Since he had recognized a second force signature on Geonosis, Obi-wan had known that Anakin's first clone had reappeared. When he had seen Laurence and Anakin in the cart at the arena, his suspicions had been confirmed.
Now he wondered how he had ever managed to miss the obvious similarities. Laurence's hair was dyed a deep raven color, but at the roots Obi-wan could see a light honey-blond begin to show through. The scar on Laurence's forehead was a distraction, but once that was ignored it was easy to see the same facial features that he and Anakin shared. True, the young men were not identical. Laurence's face was slightly leaner and harder, no doubt the result of fighting criminals at a young age. His eyes were the same as Anakin's however, and if Obi-wan studied Laurence closely enough, he was sure he would be able to see every emotion displayed in them.
Running a hand through his hair, Obi-wan wondered what he would tell the council. Obviously both of the young men shared the same uncontrollable tempers, though from what he had seen, Laurence was more capable of holding his anger back. Like Anakin, Laurence no doubt had a great deal of force capability as well. Obi-wan suspected the guardian was using some sort of device or training to repress his powers, but for what reason he wasn't sure.
The question was, what had Anakin's clone been created for? It couldn't have been for a plot against the queen. Laurence had thrown his life on the line far too many times for that. Could it be that he had been created to protect her? If so, why had he been working in Coruscant's underground levels for so many years? Had he escaped his 'creator' and sought to find his own identity amongst the scum of the galaxy? Obi-wan didn't know.2
"Do you mind telling me what's going on here?" he asked in a slower tone, punctuating every syllable.
Anakin continued to brood on the floor, while Laurence ran a hand through his hair agitatedly.
"I'm waiting," Obi-wan said with forced calmness. In reality he was ready to shout at the two for trying to take each other apart so soon after their injuries.
Laurence sighed and scooped up a delicate gold ring with inlaid diamonds. "I was going to tell him I wanted to ask Darra to marry me. Obviously there was a misunderstanding."
Anakin's head swung up and he stared at the guardian in shock. Laurence glared at him in response.
Obi-wan sat back and crossed his arms over his knees. "All right, let's start at the beginning. What were you two arguing about?"
"Nothing," Anakin and Laurence said unanimously. Both looked away shamefacedly, and Obi-wan had a suspicion he knew what the trouble was. Had a certain senator managed to affect them both in such a deep way?
"All right then," Obi-wan said testily. "Suppose we start with a different question. Laurence, I thought you were supposed to be the 'silent' guardian. Would you mind explaining that?"
Laurence glared at the ceiling. "Fine. You found out. I'm sick of hiding it anyways. While you're at it, would you mind telling the holonet so they can blast the news all over the galaxy? Maybe then people will stop asking me all these questions."
"You haven't answered my question yet," Obi-wan pointed out. "Why did you hide everything?" He waited paitiently, hoping that Laurence's answer would reveal a few points about the clone's purpose... or lack of.
Laurence was silent for a while before finally speaking. "To tell you the truth... I don't know. Maybe I just thought it would get me into the royal service better. People are often trusted more if they can't effectively transfer information without a datapad. Maybe I just wanted a better life and I thought that was the best way to move ahead." He didn't dare mention the warning he had felt in the force just before speaking to Padme.
Obi-wan didn't believe a word of it, but he knew he wasn't about to get a straight answer from the guardian. He hesitated a moment, then asked, "Can you use the force?"
"No," Laurence responded.
"Yes!" Anakin broke in at the same time.
Obi-wan nodded, his suspicions confirmed. "I thought as much," he replied to Laurence's crestfallen features. "I felt your presence on Geonosis. Why are you hiding it?"
"None of your business!" Laurence snapped unintentionally. Everything was unravelling before his very eyes! Obi-wan had found out about his most hidden secret. How much longer before everything was known?
Obi-wan said nothing, but he took note of the swift mood change in Laurence. Remembering Teff's difficulties, he wondered if it could be a minor sign of a clone's defectiveness.
"Laurence, I'm not trying to trap you," Obi-wan reassured calmly as Laurence appeared in danger of hyperventilating. "I need to ask you however, do you know how you obtained these powers?"
"He's my twin brother," Anakin broke in.
Laurence blinked and Obi-wan turned to his padawan in surprise. "What?" Obi-wan questioned.
"Mom told me on Tatooine," Anakin flushed as he drew with his finger on the scuffed floor. "Laurence and I were separated at birth... at least that's what she says."
Obi-wan said nothing to question his apprentice's logic. He knew otherwise, but feared what the knowledge of Kamino could do to Anakin's frail mindset.
"But how does he know your mother?" Obi-wan asked. He was genuinely perplexed. Where had Shmi come up with that story?
"I met her on Tatooine," Laurence answered, allowing his cover story to take over. He didn't realize what a dilemma he was placing himself in. "During one of the pod races, I overheard her discussing with a farmer of their desire to marry as soon as he had enough money to free her." Laurence shrugged. "I offered to pay the rest of the money, and Shmi must have recognized me. They accepted me as a sort of foster son, and I've been a friend of the family since."
Obi-wan knew exactly why Shmi had recognized Laurence. Any mother would be able to note the features of her own son... even in an identical copy.
The question now was what to do about it. Somehow Laurence had managed to create his own life despite his past on Kamino. Could Obi-wan take that away from him? Yet could he really allow such a powerful, unstable young man free rein in the galaxy? If Teff had such powerful emotions, what could Obi-wan expect from Laurence?
Then the thought hit his mind. The one who had ordered the clones of Anakin had considered this clone to be perfect. Could it be possible that somehow Laurence had escaped most of the glitches of the cloning process and been able to carve out his own future? But what was his purpose now? What had he been created for?
Whatever the answers, Obi-wan knew he had to talk to the council about this. They would decide what needed to be done about Laurence. Until then, he had two young men who were in dire need of medical attention. Rolling his eyes at the idiocy of teenagers, Obi-wan hit the comlink for a nurse and ordered Anakin back to bed.
"I should be lecturing both of you right now for what happened," he said strictly as he helped Laurence up. "You're both old enough to know better."
Laurence and Anakin had the grace to appear properly ashamed as a medical droid bustled in and started squealing at the state of the medical ward. Several doctors, both droid and not, soon entered and started berating the two young men for straining their wounds.
Obi-wan shook his head as he backed out of the room and closed the door behind him. Sighing, he stroked his chin as he considered what he needed to do. He had to warn Darra about what she was getting into. Laurence may or may not have intended the engagement as a surprise, but Obi-wan would not let her get into anything she wasn't prepared for.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
To Obi-wan's shock, Darra merely smiled and nodded as soon as he finished.
"You aren't surprised?" Obi-wan asked.
Darra tilted her head to the side and fiddled with her lightsaber hilt. "I know a little more about the situation than you think, Obi-wan," she replied. "Laurence does have his secrets, yes, but I already know a great many things about his life." Darra raised her head and smiled brightly. "I cannot reveal his past to you Obi-wan, but I will say this. I trust him implicitly - with my life in fact. Laurence and I are going to be married, you see. I was going to tell the council when we arrived on Coruscant, but it looks like you'll be telling them for me."
Obi-wan stepped back, astounded at her blatant admission. "Darra, you realize you will be expelled from the order for this, don't you?"
Darra laughed, her voice light and carefree. "I'm not being expelled, Obi-wan. I'm leaving the order. I love Laurence, more than you could even begin to understand. I know what you think of him, but I've seen something deeper that no one knows about. When he asks me to marry him, I won't refuse."
"Darra, do you understand what you're getting into?" Obi-wan asked in astonishment and concern. "Laurence isn't any normal human being. He's a clone. We don't know enough about them. You must understand the risks you are taking."
Darra's eyes flashed and her chin lifted in the air in the same proud geasture Siri used when she was determined to win an arguement. "I know what I'm doing, Obi-wan."
Obi-wan sighed heavily. "Darra, I must be allowed to warn you at least. I've seen one of Anakin's clones, and his emotional balance is completely unstable. If Laurence turns out to be the same way, he could be a great danger."
Darra bowed her head respectfully, but Obi-wan could see she was unmoved. "Perhaps before you begin judging Laurence, you should see to your own padawan," Darra warned. "I'm afraid for him, Obi-wan. I don't think Anakin realizes what he's becoming."
Obi-wan felt his breath leave as though someone had punched him in the lungs. He had always known of Anakin's problems, but he had always felt it was another stage of life. Anakin had come to the temple early. He had been forced to be trained by Obi-wan due to Qui-gon's promise. The Jedi felt he was dangerous. He had been initially rejected. Obi-wan had always excused his padawan's behavior to a point. It wasn't Anakin's fault the galaxy had always been against him. Hearing a reprimand from Darra though had suddenly made the situation horribly real. She was right. He was losing Anakin.
"Perhaps you're right," Obi-wan finally sighed.
Darra raised an eyebrow in surprise, but waited patiently for Obi-wan to continue.
Obi-wan rubbed his chin as he thought. "I will have to report this to the council," he said, "But I will allow you to inform them of your plans to leave the order." He smiled slightly, hoping he was doing the right thing. "You are going to tell Siri first, aren't you?"
Darra's face beamed as she threw her arms around Obi-wan's neck and gave a very un-Jedi-like squeal before running down the hall.
Obi-wan paced the corridors a while longer before he too, left the hospital.
...
"But I don't understand, I thought he stayed on Kamino."
Obi-wan's brow furrowed as Lama Su's holographic image shrugged. "We haven't seen the boy since you left. We thought you had taken him with you. He did pack his medications after all."
Obi-wan let out a breath of frustration. He had contacted the Kaminoan prime minister only to find that Teff had disappeared off the face of the planet. Where the boy was now, he had no idea.
"Well, let me know the moment you spot him," Obi-wan responded as he switched off the hologram. He contacted the council next and told them of the news.
"A great disturbance, this is," Master Yoda spoke up. "Find young Teff, we must. A great danger he could become."
Mace Windu nodded his agreement. "The boy is not just a risk to himself, but to others around him. The council will send out a search party for him immediately."
"Um, begging your pardon, sir, but I don't think that will be neccessary."
Obi-wan turned in surprise to see a ragged clone trooper standing in the doorway. A sleeping boy was curled limply in the clone's arms.
"Teff!" Obi-wan breathed in relief as he hurried over.
"Found him on one of our ships the day we headed out," the trooper informed. "Quite the nasty little bugger. He nearly cracked the windows with his screaming. He finally managed to tire himself out and slept the rest of the way to Geonosis. After that he was the nicest kid you'd ever seen. I'm not quite sure how he does it."
Obi-wan smiled as he took Teff from the clone. "I don't think I want to know. I just hope the council realizes what their in for."
"I believe you've given us a pretty good idea," one of the council members piped up from the holograph.
Obi-wan grinned sheepishly. "I think we've got quite the handful here - and I'm not going to be the one training him." Obi-wan meant it as a joke, but the truth of it was severe enough. He already had an unbalanced Anakin to deal with, and now that Laurence and Teff had been added to the picture, Obi-wan wasn't sure what would happen to the galaxy.
"Train him, the Jedi council will," Yoda replied.
"If anything, we will ensure he is no longer a threat," Mace Windu added.
Obi-wan nodded. "I'll bring him to the temple right away."
"Wait, Obi-wan," Mace Windu interrupted. "We don't want the galaxy to know that a clone has been made of the Chosen One. Wait until nightfall, and keep him hidden. The council will find a way to deal with him secretly."
Obi-wan plastered a smile on his face, but his insides were churning. The council expected him to look after of a raging tornado for the next eight hours? Using the force to switch off the hologram, Obi-wan closed his eyes and begged for death.
"I think you'll need these, sir," the clone trooper mentioned as he handed Obi-wan Teff's pack. "He's got enough medication left for two days, and we already ordered some more from one of Coruscant's medical wards."
Obi-wan admired the preparedness of the clones considering the little tyrant.
"I don't suppose you packed anything to keep him unconscious, did you?" he asked hopelessly.
The trooper chuckled. "Sorry sir, we're all out of that."
"Yes, I was afraid so," Obi-wan said dryly. "Well, I suppose babysitting is a task even a Jedi Master must face."
"Good luck sir," the trooper saluted as he turned to leave. "You're going to need it."
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"You understand this decision is not to be taken lightly," Mace Windu warned.
Darra nodded, her posture straight and formal. Siri shook her head with a slight smile as she sat by the door. Despite Darra's initial fears, Siri had taken the news very well. After all, the Jedi Master had always been a bit of a rule bender herself. Siri had wished Darra the best of happiness and insisted she do what her heart desired. Darra suspected Siri's easy acceptance also had to do with the not-so-casual glances she sometimes exchanged with Obi-wan.
Siri was also the only Jedi Darra had trusted to tell of Laurence's true identity. With Laurence's permission, Darra had broached the news to her Master in hopes that Siri could help look after Anakin. Siri had been shocked at first, but had gradually come to accept the matter, promising to keep it a secret. Darra knew she could trust her.
"Once a Jedi leaves the temple, difficult it is to return," Yoda pointed out.
"I am satisfied with my decision, Master Yoda," Darra reassured the short green Jedi Master. "I do not hold any regrets."
"Then the decision has been made," Mace Windu replied. He waited a moment. "You do realize, Darra, that the council is not forcing you to leave the temple."
"I understand that," Darra answered. "But I choose to leave of my own accord."
If Laurence had left the temple, then she would too. It would be too painful for him to be constantly in touch with his past life. Besides, traveling across the galaxy on missions was never a fun idea when one was married, and if children came along things would be even worse.
"Then may the force be with you," Mace Windu answered as he leaned back in his chair.
Siri stepped forward, her lightsaber drawn. Darra could see the sadness in her eyes as she clipped Darra's braid. Normally this would have been done in a knighting ceremony, but now it was only to signify the withdrawel of another padawan.
Suddenly Darra realized that it meant so much more for Siri. Ferus Olin, her first padawan, had left the temple under different circumstances only years before.
"I'm so sorry, Siri," Darra started to apoligize.
"Hush," Siri whispered, smiling through her tears. "I'm very proud of you."
Darra slowly handed over her lightsaber, feeling both relieved and empty at the same time. "I'll always be here," she whispered.
"Take the lightsaber with you, Darra," Mace Windu spoke up. "Even if you are no longer at the temple, you are still a Jedi."
Darra knew this was a little unorthadox for the council, but a sly wink from Siri told her that something had been worked out in her favor.
"Thank you for your training," Darra said as she bowed deeply.
"May the force be with you, Darra," Siri replied. The other Jedi echoed his statement.
Straightening her shoulders, Darra walked out of the council doors for the last time. She now knew exactly how Ferus had felt three years before.
"Darra, wait."
Darra turned around to see Tru standing across the hall, his arm in a sling.
"Tru. What are you doing here?"
"Is it true?" her friend asked. "Are you actually getting married?"
Darra fought down the urge to giggle like a school girl. "Yes, Tru, the rumors are correct."
Tru sighed. "It's that Laurence, isn't it?" At Darra's confirmation Tru pointed out, "But you've only known him for a few weeks. How can a chance meeting be enough to make you leave us?"
Darra shook her head, her eyes lighting in the mysterious way that Tru never understood in girls. "It's not just chance, Tru. We've known each other a long time. It just... took us a while to realize we were meant for each other."
Tru shook his head. "It's not the Jedi way. You've changed in the past four weeks. I'm not sure I know you anymore."
Darra hestitated. "Is that bad?"
Tru thought about it, then shook his head agian, finally allowing himself to smile. "No, I guess it isn't. We won't be seeing each other around much though. Be sure and keep in touch with the temple. We'll all miss you."
Darra was touched by the padawan's remark. "I promise I'll contact you often," she reassured her friend.
Tru nodded, accepting the possibility that they would never hear from one another again. "I'll make sure and warn Laurence ahead of time to take care of you," he pointed out. "If he doesn't, I'll talk to him personally."
Darra laughed. "Aren't Jedi supposed to be above revenge?"
Tru smirked slightly. "Not when it comes to protecting others."
Waving a hand goodbye, he walked away. Darra realized suddenly that her life was abruptly turning a corner, and she didn't know what she would find on the other side.
... ... ... .. . ... .. ... ... ... . ... .. ... ... ... ... ... ...
"No."
"Pleeease?"
"No! An - Teff I've told ten times already, you're not allowed to touch the Terretta. Lama Su says that sweets have a very bad effect on your emotions, so you are not to even go near that candy."
Teff flopped against the couch and pouted. "Can't I go outside?" he pleaded.
"No. I told you, you need to stay inside for now." Obi-wan raised his eyes to the ceiling and asked what he had done to deserve this.
"What're you doing?" Teff asked as he jumped back up and sniffed at the concoction Obi-wan was preparing.
"It's dye for your hair," Obi-wan responded. "The council will not allow me to take you to the temple unless you are properly able to sneak through the hallways without being seen. It's a test for your stealth skills," he added. Actually, the dye was only to help hide Teff's actual identity, but Obi-wan wasn't about to reveal that to him.
Teff sniffed at the dye again. "You mean I'm gonna get to sneak around the Jedi? Cool!"
Obi-wan rolled his eyes. "Yes, it's very fantastic. Now would you stop inhaling the fumes? You're going to give yourself brain damage."
Teff chortled and began running around the room.
"Hold on - wait - don't do that - did you take your medicine?" Obi-wan called as the boy bounded off the couch and crashed into the wall.
"Yep, just now," Teff laughed as he rubbed his forehead.
Obi-wan gave the boy a level stare. "Just now you were discussing the finer points of hair dye," he pointed out.
Teff's eyes shifted. Obi-wan planted his hands on his hips. "Go get me that medicine."
"Yes, your royal excellency," Teff griped as he slunk off.
"And don't take that tone with me," Obi-wan warned.
Inwardly berating the council for leaving him with a brat who was ten times worse than his own padawan, he finished stirring the dark colored dye. With any luck the black hair coloring and green contacts would help Teff hide his identity well enough, though the entire council openly voiced their doubts as to how this would work out.
"Are you coming?" Obi-wan called over his shoulder.
"I'm comin', I'm comin'," Teff grumbled as he stomped into the room. Under Obi-wan's careful eye, he swallowed the twelve different medicine vials. Once he was finished, Teff sat calmly while Obi-wan administered eight different shots, four to each shoulder. Obi-wan was feeling rather naseous by the time he finished, and he wondered how Teff could stand the pain.
Teff merely shrugged it off however and calmly sat in a chair for his hair proceedure. Relieved that the medication had finally calmed the boy down, Obi-wan leaned against the wall briefly and wondered if the apartment he had rented for the day would still be standing by the time Teff vacated it.
"So we gonna get going?" Teff asked as his legs started to pump excitedly in the air.
Anxious to finish Teff's hair before the kid began bounding over the furniture again, Obi-wan ignored the suspicious tint to the dark liquid. Just as he began carefully pouring it over Teff's hair, the boy gave a violent sneeze. His chair rocked back against Obi-wan, hitting the Jedi Master directly in the stomach. Before Obi-wan could stop it, the entire vat of liquid poured directly over Teff's head.
It was a shocking electric blue.
"Aw, come on!" Teff shouted as he wiped the dye away from his eyes.
Obi-wan groaned and covered his eyes with his hand. He could have sworn the color was black! What was he going to tell the council?
Seeing Obi-wan's obvious distress, Teff leapt from his chair and ran to the fresher. Drops of blue dye flew everywhere, and Obi-wan hoped the council would not charge him with the cleaning bill for the apartment rugs.
"Are you crazy?" Teff's voice rang out as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. "That is so wizard!"
Obi-wan sat back in a chair and moaned.
"Hey, Obi-wan! Didja see it? Didja see my hair? This is so wizard!" Teff was working himself into an hyperactive state as he began dashing through the rooms and examining his blue tinted face and bright cyan hair in different mirrors.
Obi-wan shook his head and refused to take his hand from his eyes. What was he going to tell Mace Windu?
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
"You're sure that Laurence is the clone the Kaminoans were talking about?" Mace Windu questioned as Obi-wan stood in the center of the council.
"I am quite positive," Obi-wan confirmed. "His story matches up with the time he would have left Kamino, and he left a great deal of blanks which lead me to believe that he is hiding his experiences there."
"It is strange that he has no connection to the force," Kai-Adi Mundi pointed out.
Obi-wan shook his head. "With all due respect, Master Mundi, Laurence showed a great deal of force capability on Tatooine. How he has managed to hide it so long is beyond me, but I do know that he is definately force sensetive."
Mace Windu nodded. "I agree. During the battle on Geonosis, I also noticed him use the force to prevent the extermination of the bounty hunter, Jango Fett."
"He saved Jango Fett's life?" Kai-Adi Mundi questioned in astonishment. "That is indeed disturbing."
"I do not think so," Mace Windu replied unexpectedly. "I sensed no malice in his actions."
"You believe he is on our side?" Obi-wan asked.
"If the reports from Coruscant are true, Laurence was already aiding the police force before he became the Queen's Guardian. After working for her for as long as he has, I do not think he would prove a traitor. The Naboo security force is extremely cautious of whom they place in the royal guard. They would not choose anyone who could not be trusted."
"But there is still the matter that Laurence is very powerful in the force when he chooses to be," Obi-wan pointed out. "He could turn out to be very dangerous."
"Perhaps a threat," Yoda spoke up. "Or perhaps an ally, young Stalin could be."
"The council will discuss this further," Mace Windu concluded. "Until then, I do not consider Laurence to be an immediate threat. We will wait for a time and see what his motives are."
"There is still the younger boy to deal with as well," Kai-Adi Mundi pointed out.
"Teff has shown great promise in the force," Mace Windu agreed, "But he has no control. The council has yet to decide whether or not to train him. For now he will remain at the temple."
"I understand," Obi-wan said.
"Dismissed you are, Obi-wan," Yoda rasped. "Inform you of our decision, the council will."
Obi-wan bowed respectfully and left the room, his mind bursting with questions.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Anakin sulked back in bed as he waited for his hospital clearance. It had been three days since he and Laurence had been in their fight, and Anakin was just now considered well enough to leave.
Laurence on the other hand was banned to his room for another week. Already weakened despite his attempts to move around after 48 hours of "boredom," Laurence had nearly fallen into a coma after his and Anakin's brawl. It had been two days before he had regained consciousness, and from what Anakin knew, Darra was still lecturing the guardian for his obvious lack of common sense. It was a wonder Laurence was still alive after all he had been through.
Anakin's right arm on the other hand had almost been damaged irreparably. Emergency surgery had taken place to restore the torn muscles, and Anakin had been instructed not to move the limb for another week.
Until that time, Anakin was able to experience a new understanding of Laurence's fear of boredom. The holonet was available as well as plenty of reading material, but Anakin was tired of sitting around. He wanted to be doing something! More importantly, he wanted to see Padme.
As if to grant his wish, the door hissed open as Padme entered. Her formal dress was a rich burgundy color, and her hair was tied back in the traditional Naboo style.
"Ani, it's good to see you awake!"
Anakin swore that the whole world lit up every time Padme smiled.
"It's good to see you too," he said softly. After Laurence's admission that he planned to marry Darra instead of Padme, Anakin had felt hope rekindle in him once more. Could it be possible that he still had a chance with his angel?
Padme pulled up a chair beside the bed and sat down. She looked nervous, and her hands continually twisted a handkerchief - a very un-Padme like gesture.
"How's your arm doing?" she asked.
"Fine." Anakin wished she would get to the point.
Padme let her eyes rove around the room for a moment before speaking again. "I'm going to be on Coruscant for another week or longer," she said. "The senate has requested my help in resolving the latest issues with the seperatists. I'm not sure anything will happen, but I told them I would do what I could."
Anakin nodded. "They will appreciate your help."
Padme's eyes shifted to the side and she lay the handkerchief down. "That's not the only reason I'm staying."
Anakin felt his breath halt.
Padme looked him in the eye, her nervousness dissapated. "Ani, I wanted to tell you this on Geonosis. I can't stand for us to be apart anymore. I don't care what happens. I feel as though I've been dying a little every day since I met you, and it's time to put an end to that." Smiling softly, Padme took Anakin's left hand and stroked it gently. "I love you, Ani, and I always have."
Anakin stared at her in wonder for a moment, then pulled her into a kiss. He had finally won his angel's heart.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Two week later...
"Can I come too? Huh? Huh? Pleeease!"
"Teff, I told you to stay away from the ship exhausts!"
"But I wanna go with them!"
Anakin grinned as he watched the electric blue haired eleven-year-old work himself into a tantrum. Mace Windu had taken the strange boy as a padawan only a few days ago, but he was certainly in over his head with his attempts to train the youngster. Already Teff's blue-tinted face was turning bright red with his shouting, and Mace Windu was threatening a one way trip back to Kamino if the boy didn't settle down.
"And the Jedi thought I was a terrible padawan," Anakin joked as he elbowed Laurence in the ribs.
Laurence said nothing as he watched Mace Windu and Teff argue. After learning about the clone facility, it had been a simple matter to put two and two together when it came to his "look-alikes." A mere week hadn't been enough time for Laurence to get over his revulsion of the fact that someone had taken his blood cells and made carbon copies of his DNA. He had managed to accept the fact, but still wasn't sure what to think of "Anakin" and Teff.
"So what happened between you and Darra?" Anakin asked out of the blue. At Laurence's questioning look he added, "You said you were in love with Padme. When did that turn around?"
Laurence shrugged, unintentionally falling back into his silent role.
Anakin rolled his eyes. "Let me guess, sometime during Naboo you two just decided you were made for each other."
Laurence gave a crooked smile but said nothing.
Anakin sighed in exhasperation. "Am I going to have to deal with you acting like this the entire way back?"
Laurence smirked.
"Anakin, Laurence, we're ready to leave!"
Rolling his eyes in annoyance, Anakin bounded ahead of Laurence to get to the ship first. Laurence followed behind more slowly, still recovering from his injuries.
"You boys are going to try and behave like your age, aren't you?" Padme asked sternly as she boarded. She had heard about their fight in the medical ward, and had given each of them a sound lecture for it.
Anakin and Laurence's faces were all innocence. Anakin leapt into the cockpit seat and started fiddling with controls. Laurence rolled his eyes and flopped down into one of the passenger seats.
"Don't you dare start quibbling now," Padme warned as she folded her arms and glared at Laurence.
"Who started it this time?"
Laurence turned to see Darra enter the ship, her Jedi clothing exchanged for a simple blue outfit. She took note of Anakin's cheeky grin and Laurence's innocent expression, then shook her head and took a seat next to Laurence.
"I suppose I'm going to have to keep you two on separate sides of the ship for the entire trip, aren't I?"
Laurence grinned. "Or you could just let me pilot."
"Not on your life!" Anakin shot back.
Padme took the copilot seat and gave the boys a warning look. "Try and refrain from killing each other, all right?"
"Yes, mother," the boys said unanimously.
Laurence leaned back against the seat, finally feeling content with life. Padme was now returning to Naboo, and Anakin was supposedly "escorting" her back. Laurence knew better.
After some discussion, both Laurence and Darra had agreed that they wanted a simple, quiet wedding somewhere out in the country. Naboo had seemed the perfect planet, as Laurence had promised to escort Padme back anyways. He had contacted Shmi during his stay in the hospital, and had sent the credits needed for the entire family to come and attend the wedding. He knew his Mom wouldn't want to miss out on this.
Later on, Laurence also intended to tell Shmi about the clone. She needed a plausible explanation for the "extra Anakin," and it would be easier for the family to know where he had come from.
Darra leaned against Laurence's shoulder and took his arm. "It seems so strange to be leaving the temple," she said softly. "I feel I'm doing the right thing, but it's like..."
"Like walking out on your entire life," Laurence filled in.
Darra nodded, considering what she had done. She didn't regret her decision. Now that she too had left the temple, she could better understand how Laurence and Ferus had felt. It had once seemed so foreign to her, the thought of abandoning the Jedi life. Now Darra had been faced with the same choice they had. None of the padawans had been forced to leave the temple. Each had left for their own hopes of a different and better future. It seemed Laurence had found his, and Darra knew she would be happy as long as she was with him. But what about Ferus? Had he found his place in a galaxy separate from the Jedi life?
"Something's bothering you," Laurence broke into her thoughts.
Darra smiled at him and watched Coruscant fade away as Anakin piloted the ship further into space.
"I'm all right," she reassured. She repeated to herself in a softer tone, "For once everything is just fine."
...
The wedding had been simple yet memorable. Darra had worn a simple long sleeved wedding gown and veil, while Laurence had worn his favorite outfit of black lined in electric blue. Shmi had watched with tears in her eyes as her son finally slipped the ring onto Darra's finger, and Beru had even cheered when the two kissed. Naturally she ruined the solemn moment, but everyone had laughed at her exhuberance. Cliegg had gladly welcomed his new daughter-in-law to the family, and Owen celebrated by eating half the refreshments.
Later Laurence had told the family about his clone. Shmi had said nothing, unable to speak for shock. Owen and Beru had been outraged at the unexpected announcement, but Cliegg seemed to take the news in a rationally calm manner. It was Cliegg who reminded them that Laurence's secret still needed to be dealt with, and the family decided it would be best to continue pretending that Anakin was Shmi's real son. Cliegg liked Laurence's idea of being a close friend of the family, and proposed to keep the cover story for if one of the Jedi returned. Shmi didn't tell of her own personal lie, though she knew she would have to explain things if Laurence's clone returned to question it further.
Afterwards, Laurence meandered through the city until he came to Padme's house. He hadn't missed the fact that a certain padawan and senator were holding a private ceremony of their own. When it was over he approached Padme.
"I'm so glad to know that you'll have Darra now," Padme told him as she removed the bridal headdress. Suddenly remembering something, she hissed, "You won't tell anyone about Anakin and I, will you?"
Laurence gave her a crooked grin.
Padme smiled. "Always my silent guardian, Laurence. Though it won't be the same anymore. I'm not sure I can get used to the fact that you aren't a mute."
"Actually, I need to talk to you about that, Padme," Laurence replied. "I won't be working for you any longer. Now that Darra and I are married, I'm going to be moving back to Coruscant. I want her to be near the Temple in case they ever request her help again." He didn't add the fact that Anakin would likely tear him apart if he thought there was any chance Laurence was trying to get between him and Padme.
Padme's face fell. "Oh. I see." She shrugged slightly and smiled a bit. "Funny, for some reason I always imagined you being around. I should have expected this to happen sooner or later."
"I can't thank you enough for what you did for me, Padme," Laurence told her gently. "If it hadn't been for you, I'd still be on Coruscant."
"Likewise I'd probably be dead ten times over," Padme admitted. She sighed. "I'm going to miss you, Laurence."
Laurence chuckled. "Don't worry, you probably will never be able to get rid of me completely. I've already been offered a job as a pilot on Coruscant. If the war gets as bad as the rumors hint, I might wind up fighting for the republic."
Padme grinned. "Maybe you'll wind up protecting me again."
"Or killing myself."
Padme's smile disapeared at the lighthearted comment. "Don't. Don't even joke that way. It's not funny!"
"All right, all right," Laurence said, trying to reassure the distraught senator. "I promise I'll be careful."
"If anything Darra will keep him out of trouble," Anakin's voice broke in as he walked over. He gave Laurence a cool nod and put an arm protectively around Padme's shoulders.
"Well it looks like I should probably be leaving now," Laurence excused himself, taking note of Anakin's impatience to see him gone. "Darra wants to head back as soon as possible, and I need to pack my belongings."
"You're leaving so quickly?" Padme asked.
Laurence nodded and bowed to his former Queen. "It has been an honor, Milady, but I fear it is time for our paths to part." He unconsciously fell back into his formal role as security guard as he spoke.
Padme smiled slightly and gave him a tight hug. "Contact us as often as you can," she requested.
Laurence promised that either he or Darra would do so if possible, and with another bow he left the room. Suddenly it hit him. For over two years he had spent his life dedicated to serving Padme. Now he was leaving everything behind. Laurence felt like he was abandoning the temple all over again. Once again his life was taking a dramatic turn, and he wondered what events would unfold next. It seemed that no matter how much Laurence rejected his connection to the force, it still had future plans him after all.
Spotting Darra ahead in one of the gardens, Laurence ran forward and swept her into a deep kiss. He did care what the future held for him. Whatever happened would happen. For now at least, he was going home.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
WHOO-HOO! Chapter 17 and END! I finally finished a story! (Even if it is just part 1.)
I know there are a lot of blank spaces right now. There will be a short in between story right before ROTC which will explain some of those, and the rest of things will be solved in the ROTC arc.
The next story has been added along with this chapter. The title is "Phoenix Reborn."
...
Story comments:
1. No, Padme is not falling for Laurence any longer (just to reassure the readers). It was an friendly kiss - nothing more.
2. Yes, Obi-wan really managed to miss the big picture. But how could he suspect Anakin as being the clone when Anakin was "right there" the whole time? Laurence did pop up out of the blue after all.
