"You have returned so soon, Anakin? I hope your mission was successful?"
"We tracked a shipment of Twi'leks, all Force-Sensitive, from Vanqor to Ryloth and now to Dantooine. Arbor is focusing her research on them it seems."
"But why are you back so soon? Were you injured, Anakin? Or did something happen to Master Kenobi?" He could only hope to be so lucky.
"He lost his sense of taste and his midichlorian levels have dropped below 7,000. I – I don't know what to do. I need to find the antidote, but I don't want to leave him alone at the Temple."
"Master Kenobi has always been at ease in the Temple, Anakin. The Jedi are his family."
"He would rather be with me."
Palpatine smiled. "Ah, so you told Master Kenobi of your feelings?"
"He actually confessed to me first." Palpatine's smile wavered for a second. He had hoped the fool of a Jedi would have broken Anakin's heart. It would have been a quick road to the Dark Side. Now it was just going to be a long process of corruption, and he would fall farther than ever. " I'm thrilled but…what of the Jedi Council? Obi-Wan already has no access to the Force – essentially taking away his ability to be a Jedi – and with no shields, it will not be a secret for long."
"It is a pity it has to be a secret. You and Master Kenobi are the two strongest Jedi in the Order."
"What if they kick us out of the Order? Obi-Wan's only ever known life in the Jedi Temple! If they break into his mind before I return…where is he going to go?"
"The Jedi would not dare kick out a Jedi Master."
"He is no longer a Jedi. He knows it, the Jedi know it. It doesn't make him less of a person, but he is not an active Jedi until a cure is found. I wish I could stay with him but…"
"You want to make sure that everything is being done to find an antidote. It is understandable, Anakin. You are worried the Jedi Council might not send another team if you do not go."
"I do not know how willing they would be to take Jedi from the midst of a battle to hunt down a possibly nonexistent antidote. They focus on the many, not the few. But Obi-Wan had been a Jedi for all his life! He has given his life to service for the Jedi, they could at least make an effort to try and give him something in return!"
"You are better than any Jedi team fighting in the war, Anakin. They must have confidence if your abilities."
"I guess so. I should not be worried. Fear is not the Jedi way."
"It is the human way, Anakin."
One of Palpatine's aids came into the office. "Chancellor, your meeting is starting in two minutes. Should I put the call on hold?"
"No, no. I'll be right there." He turned to Anakin. "I am sorry. A politician's job never seems to end. I wish you luck, Anakin."
He made sure Anakin was a good ways into the hallway before donning his black cloak and turning on his holoscreen.
"Master, what is it you require?"
"Count Dooku. I trust you arranged the bounty hunters I required?"
"Yes, Master."
"Good. Good. Make sure they are subtle. Do not do anything suspicious."
"Yes, my Master."
Darth Sidious clicked off the holoscreen. The Jedi were smart. They knew Anakin Skywalker was on a fool of a chase. Arbor rarely made antidotes. Her interests were sadistic tortures under the guise of science. Dooku's fool of an Apprentice – if she could even be called that – might think she possessed one. The chances it would work were slim. But existent or not, the chances Anakin would find were practically nonexistent either way.
They were trying to keep him separated from Obi-Wan. Everyone could sense their bond with each other was too strong. The Jedi just misinterpreted it. They felt the bond would lead Anakin to the Dark Side. Darth Sidious knew better. Anakin would never turn while Obi-Wan was still alive. The bond was the only thing keeping him with the blasted Jedi. As soon as that bond broke, there would be a new Sith born.
While Anakin was off chasing ghosts, Obi-Wan would be left vulnerable in the Temple. Anakin was astute; he knew the Jedi would not pay Obi-Wan much attention. If Obi-Wan died in the halls of the Temple, Anakin's fury at the Jedi would consume him.
Obi-Wan did not get a chance to apologize to Anakin. Some anonymous source had called the media, informing them of General Kenobi's ailment. The Jedi Temple was swarming with reporters desperate to find out the truth behind these stories. As officials of the Republic, the Jedi could not refuse to give the public information and Obi-Wan had been summoned to the Senate to give an official statement. He and Anakin hardly had time for the brief goodbyes.
"I'll be back soon, I promise." Anakin told him. "Are you sure you'll be okay? I don't want to leave you, Obi-Wan."
"I am hardly with strangers, Anakin."
"If – if something else happens, I want you to tell me."
"Of course." The second lie. He had woken up that morning, made breakfast (the one promise that he vowed he would keep) and had burnt his toast to a crisp because he had not smelled that it was burning. He could live without taste and smell. Even without the Force he was…coping. But he knew that the next thing he lost would be much more significant and Anakin would come hurtling back to the Temple.
Selfishly, he wasn't sure what he wanted. Anakin back at the Temple with him, even if it meant the Jedi Council would surely sense their romantic attachment or Anakin out searching for a antidote so he would regain whatever he lost.
"May the Force be with you, Anakin."
It felt strange saying that. The Force had abandoned him and it felt bitter and jealous to wish it upon someone else. Anakin didn't think of it that way. He just lightly squeeze Obi-Wan's hands, wishing desperately that he could kiss him goodbye, and then boarded his ship.
Being on a ship alone was dreadfully boring. It was a four day, five night journey, and all Anakin had for company was Artoo. There was only so many times he could tinker with the engines and the hyperdrive, making them go just a few meters faster per second. Not a big difference. It just gave him something to do to keep busy and keep his mind off of Obi-Wan. Anakin still didn't feel right not being by his side. No matter what Obi-Wan said, he couldn't really be better off by himself in the Temple.
Obi-Wan was most certainly not thrilled being by himself. The other Jedi no longer paid much notice to him – they were so focused on planning and strategizing for the war and a Jedi who could not fight wasn't on their mind. Obi-Wan spent most of his time wandering between his quarters and the Room of One Thousand Fountains, still trying to meditate. He had taken a day to try sparing, luckily enough finding a few older Padawans who were willing to fight against him. It was a disaster. They had the advantage. They could sense what his next move was, blocking him or striking him as soon as he moved. They twisted and turned, Force-jumping over him, being able to tell where he was even if their back was turned. Obi-Wan beat them only because he had more experience and strength. They were too young to start to learn unique forms of fighting styles and add their own specialized moves. Obi-Wan took advantage of that and pressed his attacks faster and harder. However, had this been a duel against an equal opponent, he would have lost miserably. He was still an admirable fighter; he had no doubt he would be able to take out Federation droids, but a Sith or even a well-trained bounty hunter? He would be lucky to last ten minutes.
The other half of his time was spent wandering back into his past. How many times could he have reached out to Anakin – but didn't? He wanted to talk to Anakin. Did Anakin resent him for how he was treated? Or was he making much more of an issue than there actually was? Either way, he would feel much better if he could talk to Anakin about it – if he could speak by the time Anakin returned.
A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers! Reviews always loved and cherished and hugged!
Abigail, Obi-Wan will definitely apologize to Anakin before he loses his voice. I don't want to be too mean. ;) I also hoped this fixed the antidote problem! Thanks for reading and reviewing!
I also apologize if my updates start to slow down a little bit - I'm returning to school in a few days. :(