Unbeknown to Anakin or his mother, someone had been watching them from the shadows the whole time they had been in Mos Eisley.

"That him?" the person asked as he was joined by his silent partner. The woman with her silent ways and unnerving stare that always knew things, things about him and his clan, about the Galaxy and the Republic and the Separatists.

It unnerved him because there was no way she could have known those kinds of secrets.

"Yup." The word fell awkwardly from her lips-but said it all.

"I thought he was supposed to be protecting that Senator?" he pointed out, not moving his head.

"He was." She agreed, stepping up to his side and watching the pair curiously.

"Then why is he here?"

"Don't know," there was a puzzled note in her voice. It didn't seem very Jedi of him to neglect his duty. Then again, what did she truly know of the Jedi?

"The boss?"

"Won't know until we tell him."

"You want to tell him?" he offered, glancing at her cold profile from the corner of his eye.

"Not particularly. It isn't like we can call off the Raiders anyway."

Shrugging, he pulled out a death stick and offered her one. Nose disdainfully twitching, he retracted his offer-keeping one for himself. "Well, someone has to tell him."

"Go right ahead. I've got something else in mind." Her hand found something in her pocket and fingered it curiously. She had orders of her own-ones this man knew nothing of.

"Something?"

"Don't act like that. It won't hurt him..." her smile was feral, adding, "much."

"The boss ain't gonna like it," he pointed out, stepping back to stare at her.

"The boss ain't ever gonna find out." Yours won't, she thought to herself, walking off after the mother and son, keeping her mind silent, thus covering herself in the protection of the gray of life.

She had her own orders to follow. But she wanted to be sure of this one first. It wouldn't do to make another error like last time. The woman shuddered, remembering all to well the last error that had been made-the consequences of that disastrous decision. Her resolve firmed. She would not make the same mistake twice.

Even if he proved to be ill-made for the job, it would be amusing to watch his pain.

Pain fed her people-and his promised to be stronger than most.

654321

Senator Organa and Senator Amidala boarded the ship, bound for Coruscant. The little trip had benefited them both, for the last week in session had been trying all around. This subject of the creation was tearing the Senate further apart. There had been valid arguments on both sides about whether or not to create an army.

He didn't like that he couldn't tell which argument would hold sway. It was frustrating. And troubled him deeply for his gift had often been the ability to see which was the wind was blowing. There was something going on, something more and he wished desperately that he knew what it was.

All he knew for sure was that it meant trouble for the Republic-if it even existed anymore. The closing words Padme spoke rang in his ears, "If we create this army, what kind of message are we sending to those who wish to leave? To those who desire to stay? We are saying that we no longer value your democratic input. That your voice means nothing to us, though we say that we are a Republic, we are not listening to you anymore. By that very act, by creating an army, we would be negating their opinions, their voice.

"We would become a dictatorship. If these governments wish to succeed from this Union, we have no right to stop them forcibly .

" Our system no longer works for the Republic of this Galaxy. We must figure out what our errors are before we can hope to even try to hold this Republic together. We must fix ourselves, the problems that caused this situation to develop in the first place, before we can fix the Galactic Republic ."

"Are you ready for this?" he asked, sitting beside her. With his harness, he turned to her, studying her. She looked more relaxed than before.

"No," she shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid, Bail. I am afraid of what's happening to our government, to all the ideas that we were built upon. To the democracy I have dedicated my life to serving and preserving, I don't even know if it exists anymore."

"I know what you mean," he nodded, gently touching her hand. "But your closing arguments were eloquent and made several important points."

"Yes, but what are the chances that anyone actually heard me?"

"I believe that many heard you and will take them into consideration. I know that they have not left my thoughts for you are right. How can we call ourselves a democracy if we deny those we serve the right to speak for themselves?"

"I...Bail, do you think that there's something wrong with the Supreme Chancellor?" she asked suddenly, her eyes intent on the man beside her. The worry, the fear, was apparent in the way she clenched her hands together. In the way the tension vibrated off of her.

There was something that said she had wished to speak before but could not.

"I...do you want my honest opinion?" he asked, glancing up at his fiancée, wanting her input.

Breha nodded, letting him know that she would support his choice, whatever it was. Rising to walk over to sit with the others, she greeted them quietly, knowing that some would understand her move. She knew what he felt, but this opening up to Senator Amidala was something that she had no place in.

This she knew full well. She had long experience reading these things from working with her father, Bail Antilles. This confidence was for Bail and Padme alone. Later, she would discuss things with her-if the woman was open to it.

Besides, someone needed to keep the others from interfering with their discussion.

"If you wouldn't mind," Padme said, realizing that something else was indeed going on here. Why else would Breha leave them?

A part of her wanted nothing more to do with this query. After all, this had been her friend and advisor throughout her whole life. He had served her faithfully for years in the Senate while she served her tenure as the Queen of Naboo.

He was something of a grandfather to her, always there with advice. Ready to give her a helping hand or a push in the right direction. To worry over her when things went wrong. It was under his guidance and direction that she had been able to repair the damage wrought by the invasion.

But there had been a change over him ever since he entered the Chancellor's office-changes that she didn't like.

Bail hesitated, seeming to understand her thoughts. He was granting her a moment to really reconcile herself to the idea of listening to him. What he had to say might, just might, hurt or offend her.

Plus, he knew that Knight Tachi was in earshot-and while he trusted Obi-Wan, this Jedi Knight was someone he didn't know much about. What if she was felt it was her duty as a sworn servant of the Republic to report him?

Padme seemed to realize his dilemma and turned to face the Jedi, noting the carefully blank expression on her face. Having been with her for a while, she knew that it masked an interest in their conversation. Making a decision, she turned back to Bail, she said, "Later? Over dinner perhaps?"

"That would be enjoyable, thank you," he said, relieved. Perhaps he would ask Mon Mothma to join them. After all, she had stayed on Coruscant and knew more about the current situation than he did. "Would it be all right if I brought along a few friends?" he asked, wanting to let her know that the situation may be more than she wanted to get involved in.

Closing her eyes, she leaned back against the seat cushion and sighed, settling in. "Of course."

They were silent and he started rifling through his collected data pads, intent on his study. A few more sessions would be held before the vote-and his turn to speak was coming up. He knew that his words had to be as good, as eloquent as the other speakers had been.

Drifting off to the sound, she slept for a time before slowly waking up. Not knowing how much time they had been traveling, she watched him for a moment before looking about her. It was quiet and she allowed it to ease her mind, though something didn't feel right.

Seeing Master Tachi speaking quietly to one of her handmaids brought up a question she had, asking, almost casually. "Bail, where did Master Kenobi go?"

"Hmmm?" he absently asked, glancing at her. "I'm sorry. What was that?"

She giggled, "I hope you don't plan to be that inattentive to Breha after you marry her."

Flushing, he shook his head. "Of course not, Padme. I would never...you're teasing me."

"Well, you make it so easy," she retorted gaily.

"Did you need something?" he asked, putting aside his work.

"I merely asked where Master Kenobi was. I wanted to talk to him about Padawan Skywalker."

"He went to join him," he finally told her, noting the way her eyes widened and she stared at him, open mouth in shock.

"What? Is he okay? Why didn't he say anything to us? Surely he knew we'd help him," she asked, mind whirling. This wasn't what she had expected to hear at all. When she'd heard that he had left, she figured he'd gone back to Coruscant. And she wondered why he hadn't just waited to come with them.

But this was shocking news. That he'd gone after Anakin...

This was Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. He just didn't do that kind of thing.

He just didn't.

The implications of his actions were astounding. And she didn't want to think about that right now. So, she wouldn't. The ideas that came to mind were just to unpleasant to be born.

Part of her was angry that she'd been proven right. Ani hadn't been ready for this chance. He was to young, to untried-to impatient, she added-to be out on his own. Though he was twenty, there were things he just wasn't ready for yet. Things he didn't know anything of-and didn't seem to want to learn.

And the other half of her was bitterly disappointed because she knew what being a Jedi Knight meant to Anakin. It meant that he had a real say in his life. More importantly, he would be able to go to Tatooine and help him mother, free her from slavery.

He was going to be crushed.

"As far as I know, Padawan Skywalker is all right. He is the one you were asking about, right?" he asked, a slight reproach in his voice.

Padme flushed, lowering her head. "Yes. I figured Master Kenobi was all right because we saw him last night. He wouldn't have come if he was unwell."

"Yes," he dryly said, "Because he isn't worried about offending my mother."

She laughed with him, thinking about his mother. Lady Organa was a most unusual woman. A rare blend of iron will and motherly gentility. Padme hoped that she could be so gracious, so strong when she left the public arena for a private life. "Point taken, Bail. Now, give, what is going on?"

"I don't know. All I know for sure is that Padawan Skywalker called and asked him to come," he shrugged, as though unconcerned. It was a lie and they both knew it. "I didn't ask where he was going, figuring that it had nothing to do with the Senate or me. It wasn't my business, for all that I am worried for the both of them."

"But we could help him," she protested. "That's what friends do. Help each other out in a crisis, in a time of emergency."

"Or make things worse," he pointed out, not unkindly. He knew exactly how she felt. It was frustrating to have to sit back, to watch, and not be able to do something for those they cared about. "We aren't like the Jedi, Padme, you must remember that. As much as we may wish to be there for our friends, we do not see things the way they do. We do not understand things the way they do. For all that we may work together and live in the same community, we will never be able to understand their lifestyle."

She sighed, fingering her shirt jacket idly. It had started to fray, she idly noted. "I know. I just...it frustrates me. I need to be doing something."

Bail realized that she wasn't just speaking about the situation with Anakin and Obi-Wan. There was still the ongoing investigation into the attempts made on her life. Being unable to help or even offer an opinion was killing her. All they really knew at this point was that the investigation was in the hands of a Knight Quinlan Vos.

Not knowing what to say, Bail remained silent.

There really weren't words for this situation for anything he might say would sound false or placating-something that Padme wouldn't tolerate.

Knight Tachi leaned back, aware of their conversations. Both of them. Aware of a feeling of being ill at ease, not because of their words, no. There wasn't much said to be uneasy about. It was more the implications of their words. Because they seemed to confirm a lot of Obi-Wan's own feelings about the Chancellor.

And uneasy because Obi-Wan Kenobi, the most faithful and law abiding Jedi ever created, had gone to join his Padawan.

Not knowing what else to do, she contacted the Temple.

They needed to know what was going on.

654321

Anakin spent the night in moving meditation, working on his katas. Pent up energy and nerves slowly found release in the familiar and comforting motions he relaxed into. All of his concentration was on what he was doing.

Though he was unsettled by the idea, he tried to do what his mom had said-let it go. It would be the right thing to do, this he knew.

And yet, he couldn't.

It felt wrong.

Like, if he let it go, stopped worrying about it, something was bound to happen to them. To go wrong with their plans and leave behind a worse catastrophe. They always did. He had to be prepared for anything, be ready to help out in any situation.

Consciously, he reminded himself that he had done all he could for them. If he concentrated, he could almost hear Qui-Gon say that even the best plans go awry. It is then that one must trust in the Force to provide, to help them out.

Easy for him to say, he'd never had a mother in danger of slavery.

So, he worried and wondered. Thought over the plans they made and what he'd done, and do another kata. The work he had done on the shielding was working-it was one of the best things he'd ever done.

And nothing had exploded-though there had been that tiny fire when one of the wires short circuited. He fixed it up nicely, acquiring a new one easily enough. All that was left to do was worry that something would go wrong-and he was very good at that.

His breathing slowed as he reached out with his mind, touching lightly upon his sleeping mother and family before moving beyond the small homestead. Tatooine's deadness touched him and he quickly moved on, seeking for the Tuskens who sought to harm his family.

They proved elusive to his searching and he sighed, despondently. Slowly withdrawing from the waves of the living Force's flow, he knew that it had been a useless exercise. Yet, he couldn't have done anything less. Something caught his attention and he followed it, answering the call, finding Sharad Hett on the other end.

"I am impressed by your daring and strength. Not many Padawan learners would have this kind of control over themselves and the living Force."

"I am unusual," he agreed with a smirk. "I hear it all the time. What is it you wish to speak to me of? Has news come from Coruscant about what I am to help you with?"

"Your impatience reveals your youth and inexperience," Sharad Hett sighed. "Yet, I am glad to get right to the point. I need you to stay inside tomorrow. No matter what happens, you cannot leave the house."

"That I cannot do, Sharad Hett. My family is in danger. The fact that you believe that I would do such a thing reveals that you do not yet understand my motivations. You do not understand who and what I am," Anakin scoffed.

"The danger to you is more apparent," Sharad bluntly told him. "You are the one they seek, not your family. They seek you for you are the Chosen One. They do not care for the fate of your family and friends."

"I live the life of a Jedi. By our very nature, we live dangerous lives," Anakin pointed out, exasperated with him. His words held no meaning to him for he did not understand why this danger he was in should be so different.

"That may be true but the danger found by the Jedi is not sought after. Even though I no longer live as a Jedi, I remember the tenets. I remember why they are what they are. If you go into battle tomorrow, you will find the price you pay higher than you think. For the sake of your soul, stay out of the fight."

"I promise you nothing. If I am needed, I shall do what I feel is right."

Sharad sighed and withdrew from their meeting of minds, displeased with the results. That boy was far to stubborn-and far to powerful to be on his own. Opening his eyes, they locked with the Dark Woman's coldly knowing look.

"I told you he would not listen to you. He is as you thought, stubborn and powerful. He does not have a very realistic view of himself, thinking that he is the Chosen One."

"I don't think he actually believes it of himself," Sharad said, head tilted to the side in consideration. "Others seem to have slapped the title upon him-you included."

She ignored him. "The boy has no caution, no restrain without his Master by his side. Kenobi cripples that boy-even as he enables him. What was that fool thinking, to let a young boy go off on his own? A more useless Master was never created in the entire history of the Jedi."

"If you had not offended him, we would not be in this situation now. I do not understand why you harbor such ill feelings towards Master Kenobi. They should be let go of because we need that boy here-and you know it."

"Don't lecture me about letting go of ill will, Sharad Hett. Or shall I remind you of your feud with the Hutts? A feud that is not the Jedi way," she tartly said.

"The difference is that I take no pleasure from what I am doing. I am trying to rid this world that I love of a very dangerous threat. You take great pride in cutting down Master Kenobi," he pointed out.

"Not pride," she corrected him. "I take no pride from trying to remind the Jedi of what they are to stubborn to see about Master Yoda's little pet. They have all forgotten his past, but I have not. He was rewarded for deserting his Master in the past, for defying him. And yet, he has not been punished. His life has flourished without the slightest bit of effort on his part. It is all because of his position as Master Jinn's Padawan. He…"

"Has everything that your own Padawan was denied," he finished softly, with h a shiver that he valiantly strove to suppress as he realized it. Of course, why had he not seen it before? All the signs had been there. He had just ignored them, thinking it was something else. Yet, it was so simple to see, to understand now.

Aurra Sing, the Jedi Padawan who had been captured by pirates and trained in their ways.

Strong in the Force, only she preferred to use the Dark Side. Used it in an almost casual and offhand manner. A deadly efficient bounty hunter who had almost killed him. The very woman who was the reason he'd met the Dark Woman so many years ago.

Her silence was her answer.

"May I remind you that you left her to the will of the Force?"

The Dark Woman turned and walked away, unwilling to speak to him.

Bob watched all of this with sad eyes, he knew that his leader would do nothing more than what he had done for the boy. And while he understood that there were reasons for the decision, he also knew that he could not do the same thing.

Walking back to his tent, he entered and his lover joined him on the mat as he settled down, a distinctly unsettled air hanging about him. "What is it that troubles you?" the question came after a time of silence.

Bob sighed, resting his head on the strong arm surrounding his shoulder. After a time of silence, he spoke, unwilling to keep his thoughts to himself. "They wish to leave young Skywalker to his fate. I...I cannot do it. He saved mine though he was afraid of me and I threatened him. The boy could have left me. Everything he knew of us said that we were evil, would kill without a thought. He should have left me to my fate. He did not. How, then, can I?"

"You do not."

Blinking, he looked up, shocked by the simple pronouncement. Everything was so simple to his companion, so easy to figure out. Identify the problem and the solution, then do it. It was just that easy. Here is where you are and there is where you want to be. Travel in a straight path and you will get there quickly.

Bob was not so easily convinced that it could be done. "It cannot be that easy."

"It is not going to be. But I will be by your side. Our eeyopies are ready and our band awaits us, prepared. We leave as soon as you are battle changed."

"We may die for this. Even if we do not do so in battle, Sharad Hett will not be pleased with our actions."

"We will die together. That is all that matters to me."