Two years later

"Things are still going well, my love. The last of the Mid Rim planets is now ours, along with the final holdouts of the Trade Federation. All we need now to guarantee the integration of the remainder of the galaxy is Naboo and Alderaan, then Coruscant itself will fall along with the rest of the Core. None of those planets do anything without the others following suit." A tiny smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "But of course, you already know that."

Obi-Wan raised a hand to the transparisteel that protected his love's body from the elements. Despite the unnatural pallor of her skin and the softly glowing blue light around her frame, she looked as if she could have simply been sleeping. His fingers curved down the cryotube's viewing pane as if caressing her cheek. "You'll be happy to know that Anakin has completed his first solo mission. I'm really very happy that he and I managed to reconcile our differences. You know, your passing devastated him almost as much as it did me. But he's taken to my teachings exceptionally well. Rather than linger over his grief, he channels his pain into power."

"YOU KILLED HER!" Anakin shouted. Tears stained his face even as his lightsaber swung wildly at Obi-Wan. "I felt her die! I'll kill you for that!"

"You may have felt her death, Skywalker," Obi-Wan replied with deadly calm, "but I had to watch her die. Don't you dare presume the agony I've endured since she was taken from me!"

Red plasma met blue again and again, sparks flying, ozone burning. One wielder fought with blind rage and grief. The other, with controlled precision fueled by sorrow, heartbreak, and an idea. The boy was lost in the Dark Side of the Force, but it did him no favors. It was in control of him, not the other way around. Obi-Wan had lived and breathed and slept in its Darkness for over a decade. He knew how to use it to his advantage unlike Skywalker.

It was that prowess with the rawness of the Force that soon had the boy on his knees. Hot tears of anger and despair and self-loathing fell from his eyes as he awaited the Sith's final strike. But it never came.

"I have a proposition for you, Skywalker," Apophis said gently.

"Spare me," Skywalker spat tiredly. "Just end it."

"Grievous was the one who drove his blades through her body, but he was guided by another hand. That of Darth Sidious." He paused for a moment to collect his emotions; just saying the name of his Master brought a surge of fresh hate from deep in his gut. "When I discovered he had learned of Asajj's visit to me and sent Grievous to dispose of us both, I wanted nothing more than to tear out his black heart with my bare hands."

Skywalker looked up. Perhaps it was a trick of the light, but in that moment Obi-Wan thought his love's former student looked very young indeed. "So why didn't you?"

The Sith lowered his weapon and looked down. "In my grief at the loss of Asajj, I was no longer able to focus well enough to act on my plan. If I had tried, he would have killed me easily, and I would never have avenged my beloved Asajj. But now-" he crouched down to Anakin's level, red blade vanishing with a soft snap "-justice will prevail. I can teach you to harness your grief, to lash it to your lightsaber and use it as a weapon. You are strong in the Force, boy. Separately, we have no hope of destroying Sidious. But together, we can give Sidious just enough time to realize the mistake he made when he stole Asajj from us. Anger is powerful in itself, but righteous fury is unstoppable."

Anakin looked at him for a long while. He was reciting all the reasons he shouldn't, all the reasons why his Master, whom he had still loved despite it all, wouldn't approve. She wouldn't want this. She wouldn't want anyone using her memory in such a way. It was profane. It was blasphemous. It went against everything the Jedi stood for.

His answer was simple and irrefutable."Done."

Obi-Wan stopped himself. If he wasn't careful he tended to ramble. Asajj would think him some kind of fool if he kept on. But she would want to hear how well her student was doing now. "He's the reason the Hutts are now dead. Not that that's any great loss to anyone." He let out a chuckle as he thought back to earlier that morning when his apprentice had returned from Nal Hutta with the good news. "He was so happy when he came back. The creatures responsible for his misery as a child and the suffering of millions of others all dead by his own hand. I dare say the mission was almost...therapeutic for the boy. I just wish I could help him with Padme's death. I know what it's like to lose one so cherished..."

"Lord Apophis," a droid interrupted. "Darth Vader reports that a contingent of Rebellion ships is coming out of hyperspace from the Tingel Arm sector."

Obi-Wan didn't look away from Asajj's serene visage, his fingers still stroking the transparent divider. "Good. Then he can have some target practice." How he ached to touch her warm flesh just once more...

"My lord, the weapons systems on Lord Vader's ship have gone offline. He reports that he is currently taking heavy fire. He requests your assistance."

Obi-Wan took a moment to control his annoyance. "So much for growing independence." He waved the droid away as he stood. "Don't worry, my sweet," he said softly; his words were meant only for her. "I know how much the boy means to you. I'll continue looking after him for you." He pressed a kiss to his gloved fingers before touching the pane over her still-beautiful face. "I love you, Asajj. When the time is right, we'll be together again."

The three MagnaGuards standing watch over the cryotube and its precious contents remained stock still as Obi-Wan left his personal sanctuary (and hell) for the hangar bay of the Invisible Hand. He'd discipline his apprentice on the importance of avoiding enemy fire later. First he had to rescue him...for the twelfth time.

I got a lot of people asking for an update after that last chapter (like, whoa!), so here it is! I felt bad killing Asajj, but my brain wouldn't let the image go, so there ya have it. What did you think?