They were bombarded as soon as their ship touched the landing bay. The media was all gathered, datapads in hand, shouting out questions about Jabiim. Normally, Anakin and Obi-Wan would have participated in some light banter about whose turn it was to answer their questions. Today however, both of them were just anxious to get to the Jedi Temple.

"The Jedi will release an official statement later." Anakin told them. They were upset, but didn't dare to continue their questions. The crowd dispersed, allowing Anakin and Obi-Wan to continue to the Temple uninterrupted. They were met by Mace Windu and Master Yoda who escorted them down to the rest of the Council. Anakin did most of the briefing of Jabiim.

"Well, you did, Knight Skywalker. Not your fault, this loss is."

Anakin bowed respectfully. "Yes, Master."

Mace turned to Obi-Wan. "What happened during your encounter with Ventress? Did you receive medical treatment?"

Obi-Wan gave a small nod to Anakin.

"This was left with Obi – Master Kenobi – when I found him." He played the holocron's messages for the third time. The Council was silent. Mace gave Yoda an quick glance.

"Take this to Master Eerin, you should. Then, to the Chancellor, you should go. Let him know about Jabiim, you will. Speak to Master Kenobi, the Council shall."

Anakin bowed once again and left the chambers.

"Now, Master Kenobi. What do you make of this threat?"

"Unfortunately, I think it is more than a threat. Ventress did give me something and I feel strong that the holocron was not a bluff, but a taunt. She – she told me that before I lost complete contact with the world, she would tell me the name of the Sith Lord. The – the Sith Lord who has plans to corrupt Anakin."

"Tell young Skywalker this, did you?"

"No, Master. He has enough stress of being the Chosen One. I felt it would be unwise to add this to his burden."

Mace and the other council members nodded their approval.

"Go to the Healers, you should. Confirm or disprove this toxin, they should."

"Masters, what if it is confirmed?"

"Clouded, the future is. An antidote we will find."

"With respect, Master Yoda, no one has been able to replicate or cure any of Arbor's drugs."

" Discuss it, the Council will. Worry, you should not. Wait for proof, we shall."

Obi-Wan bowed. "Yes, Master."

"So good to see you again, Anakin. I hope you are not taking the loss of Jabiim too harshly. I heard you were quite brilliant."

"How did you – ?"

"Commander Cody's public reports from his men. They all spoke very highly of your actions."

"My actions led to many of their fellow soldiers being killed."

Palpatine waved aside the concern. "It's war, Anakin. Deaths are always deplorable, but many are necessary. If you had not been in command, many more would have died. I also heard you saved Master Kenobi again."

"Not in time. He was poisoned by Ventress. If – if the drug works it will devastate him." Anakin launched into a rambling, emotional rant. It was times like these that he was grateful Palaptine befriended him. All of his friends amongst the Jedi, even Padme, responded to him in very logical, emotionless approaches. Palpatine seemed to understand that Anakin was a human being first, a Jedi second.

"That is a very unfortunate situation for the Jedi. I will try to have some of my aids look into research for you. It would be most tragic to lose Master Kenobi."

"We won't lose him!" Anakin almost shouted. "It isn't fatal! Just – "

"– just debilitating. And for a strong Jedi like your Master, that could be worse. Chronic illnesses are always a sad occurrence. One of my childhood friends had a mother who was paralyzed. She finally convinced her family to euthanize her. It was a regrettable accident, but I could never help wondering if she was really better off. She was always such an active woman – always working outside and gardening – and she faced the rest of her life unable to do what she dedicated her entire life to."

That was why Jedi didn't allow attachments. Death and misfortune plagued loomed over Jedi for their entire lives. Palpatine was right. Obi-Wan would be miserable enough without his access to the force, never mind slowly losing his methods of connecting with the outside world. But they were "The Team." Anakin wasn't going to give up Obi-Wan without a fight.

"I won't let him die. I will hunt Ventress and Arbor to the end of the galaxy if I need to."

"I know you will, Anakin. I admire that. I know how much Master Kenobi means to you."

"I can't lose him. I – it's amusing. I hated him for so long."

Palpatine chuckled. "I do recall having an irate, young boy in my office many days, most days upset that your Master threw away your latest projects. You were very perceptive for your age. You knew right away Master Kenobi resented having to train you and that your bond was weak."

"I thought he would never accept me; I would always be the Padawan he never wanted. But now Obi-Wan and I are – I can't imagine being separated. I know the Council discourages attachments, but...I suppose that's why I'll never be a Jedi Master. I was too close to my mother, I was too close with Padme, I'm too close with Obi-Wan."

"The Council still sends you and Master Kenobi on missions together. They must understand that your closeness makes you more effective together."

"The Jedi Council feels that we are more effective because our Master-Padawan bond was formed in an unusual situation. Just because our bond is strong doesn't mean we are bonded. Obi-Wan still lectures me for being too attached."

"Surely he feels as equally attached to you?"

"Obi-Wan? Never. He's always in control of his emotions. If Obi-Wan knew how much he meant to me, he would highly disprove."

Anakin's commlink buzzed. "Sorry, Chancellor. The Healers' tests have concluded."

Palpatine nodded. "Of course, Anakin. I am always here if you need me. I wish Obi-Wan the best."

Anakin rushed out of the office. Behind him, Darth Sidious sat back at his desk, priding himself in adjusting his plan so quickly. When Anakin had confessed to him that Padme was no longer the object of his affection, it had thrown him off slightly. Now however, everything was resuming. Anakin would go off on a goose chase for a non-existent antidote. The Jedi Order would not only loose their best Jedi, (and if Anakin's feelings about Kenobi were brought to the attention of the Jedi, they might lose the other half of the team), but Anakin's desperate desire to save Obi-Wan Kenobi would give him that final push to the dark side.