Author's Note: I do apologize for the delay in this chapter. I ran into a bit of a snag with not having a beta-er. Luckily, Kelia (Jedi Council Forum) volunteered to do the job. This chapter was close to 15 pages, so I have decided to break Chapter 2 into two parts. Part II will come out next week.

Wuff: Thanks. The rating for the story may change, I just prefer to be safe than sorry. As for updating, my goal is to update the story at least once a week.

Mlhkvh5: I'm glad you like the story so far. It will be at least another chapter before we get to Obi-Wan and Anakin's discussion.

Chapter Two: The Talk -- Part I

Palpatine had somehow seen into his secret heart and had chosen to offer him the one thing he most desired in all the galaxy. He didn't care about the council, not really – that was a childish dream. He didn't need the council. He didn't need recognition, and he didn't need respect. What he needed was the rank itself.

All that mattered was Mastery.

Revenge of the Sith

He couldn't prevent the yawn that escaped from him as he walked through the Jedi Temple in search of his former mentor. He wasn't sure what was worse. His inability to go back to sleep after his talk with Padmé last night or the fact that he had just spent the last four hours being given useless advice and platitudes of what his 'dreams' could mean by the Jedi's most revered Jedi. Jedi Master Yoda.

He'd been surprised by how graciously the ancient Jedi Master had invited him into his quarters, and by how patiently Yoda had listened to his stumbling attempts to explain his questions without giving away his secret; Yoda had never made any attempt to conceal what had always seemed to Anakin to be a gruff disapproval of Anakin's very existence.

But this morning, despite clearly having other things on his mind – even Anakin's Force perceptions, far from the most subtle, had detected echoes of conflict and worry within the Master's chambers – Yoda had simply offered Anakin a place on one of the softly rounded pod seats and suggested that they meditate together.

Why he decided to meditate with the ancient troll, he hadn't quite figured that out yet. Maybe it was because Yoda was the only one that he thought could help him with his problem, and he hadn't been ready to talk to Obi-Wan earlier. His thoughts had been so jumbled up lately, intertwined with his dream, that he needed someone to talk to in order to make sense of everything.

But Yoda – in all of his infinite wisdom – hadn't helped in that matter. In fact, the ancient Jedi Master had made him even more frustrated. Had the old troll ever loved or cared about anyone? Really cared? Probably not, or he would have been more understanding instead of telling him to 'let things pass out of his life'.

He had finally decided after leaving Yoda's quarters that he couldn't put off talking to Obi-Wan anymore. The guilt over the secrets he had kept and the lies he had told over the years to his former master were slowly festering inside him like an infected wound that couldn't be treated. He only hoped that his relationship wouldn't change with Obi-Wan after this. But first, he had to find him in the vast maze of the Jedi Temple.

He was stopped a few times by old friends and fellow knights that want to congratulate him on his miraculous landing of the burning ship and rescuing the Chancellor, before taking off to search for Obi-Wan. He was about to give up on his search when he realized that he hadn't checked the Archives. He remembered as a child that Obi-Wan could be frequently found in between missions at the Archives. He even remembered telling Obi-Wan – quite sarcastically he might add – that he should move his belongings to the Archives since he spent so much time there.

As he was about to enter the Archives, a young initiate stopped him in the entryway and handed him a note before immediately taking off as if a Sith lord were after him. Puzzled, Anakin's eyes followed the young boy before turning back to the note in his hand. It seemed that his talk with Obi-Wan would have to wait till after he saw the Chancellor. He just wished he didn't feel so relieved about the interruption.

As Anakin sat in silence during the short trip to Chancellor Palpatine's office, he tried in vain to meditate. He hoped he could release his anger to the Force before he arrived at his destination, he did not want to show up at the Chancellor's office being angry at the man he considered to be a close friend. He had desperately needed to talk to Obi-Wan and the esteemed Chancellor's interruption had not been appreciated, even though he felt – albeit guiltily – relieved at the time.

Now as he sat in the private chambers waiting, he realized that the older gentleman had done nothing wrong to warrant his anger. He knew nothing of Anakin's vision; therefore he wasn't trying to hinder the young Knight's efforts in saving his master from a possible death.

Anakin stood up as Palpatine walked into the room, flanked by his elite red robed guardsmen. For as long as he had known the politician, he continued to still feel awe and intimidated by him. There was something about him that commanded a person's immediate attention and obedience, almost to the point of being in fear and – in Anakin's case – intimidated. It was ironic in a way, because he was use to having people – especially the Jedi, even though they strongly pretended not to be – feel the same way about him.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Anakin," Palpatine said, motioning for the young Jedi to stay seated as he sat down next to him.

"You don't have to apologize, your Excellency. I don't mind," Anakin replied softly, bowing his head in respect towards the older man.

The men sat in comfortable silence for some time before Palpatine stood up, motioning for Anakin to follow him and for the guards to stay behind. They walked towards the other side of the room, out onto a hidden veranda that overlooked the busy city that was still enveloped by clouds of dark smoke and still burning fires. Fires that were an unwelcome courtesy of General Grievous and his droid army when they attacked the city and kidnapped the Chancellor just mere days before. As Anakin stared out over the city towards the Temple that had been his home for more then ten years, he was unaware that he at the moment was the object of someone else's obsessive observation.

Palpatine glanced from the side at the young man he had secretly been watching since Anakin – a mere boy at the time – saved his home planet of Naboo from the Trade Federation. An incident that he had orchestrated, he might add – all part of his master plan for total domination. Soon the young troubled Jedi Knight would be his, once the foolish master and irritating Senator were out of the way. This boy would be his means of rising to power – even more power than what he had now as the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. This boy would also bring about the downfall of the arrogant and blinded Jedi. He had foreseen it happening. Soon there would be no need for the Sith to hide in the shadows like some common criminal. But for now, he was contented to hiding and working the Jedi's 'Chosen One' to his side in order for his plans to succeed. He was patient. He had to be.

"I have asked you here," he said slowly, "because I need your help on a matter of extreme delicacy. I hope I can depend upon your discretion, Anakin."

"As a Jedi, there are… limits… to my discretion, Chancellor."

"I know, my boy. I'm not asking you to go against what you've been taught. And I never will. I don't think I've ever told you how proud I am of all that you have accomplished as a Jedi, Anakin."

Embarrassed, but secretly pleased with the praise, Anakin replied nonchalantly, "I was just doing what I was trained to do, Sir. A Jedi does not seek to glorify himself at the expense of others."

"Anakin," Palpatine used a little Force suggestion so that Anakin would look at him, "You saved my life and look at all the battles that you've won single-handedly, my boy. Those were the same battles that your Jedi Council claimed were a lost cause. I am frankly dismayed that they continue to keep you off the Council."

Uncomfortable with where the conversation was going, Anakin turned to stare back out at the Jedi Temple. "I still have much to learn, your Excellency. I suppose when I am older… and much wiser, then I will be found ready for a position on the Council."

"Nonsense, my boy. That's just plain nonsense. One's age cannot be used to measure one's wisdom. That's just the Council's way of controlling you. That is the only hold they have on you. Because once they make you a master, they can't make you do their bidding," replied Palpatine. Had Anakin been looking at the Chancellor at that moment, he would have seen the malicious glee that was shining in the older man's opaque eyes, before it was quickly hidden.

Anakin gave him an embarrassed – but pleased – smile before replying, "Well, sir, it's not like they can make me do their bidding now as it is. I've been told that I'm a little hard to control. Kind of like Master Qui-Gon Jinn." Even after all these years since Obi-Wan's master died on Naboo, Anakin still thought of the rebellious Jedi Master. The man had been responsible for freeing him from a life of servitude and giving him the chance to be a Jedi.

"I know, my boy. I know. That is precisely my point. You are not like them. You are longer. Stronger. Better. If they cannot control you now, what will happen once you are a Master in your right? How will they keep your toes on their political line? You may become more powerful than them together. That is why they keep you down. They fear your power. They fear you."

Once again, Anakin began to feel uncomfortable as Palpatine continued speaking. "That is one of the reasons why I've asked you here today, Anakin."

Even in his current state, Anakin could see that something was bothering the older man. He nodded his head towards the Chancellor, encouraging him to continue.

"It pains me to have to say this," Palpatine's pained expression became graver as he stared at Anakin with such intensity that it forced the young man to avert eye contact. "I am beginning to feel that the Jedi can't be trusted anymore, Anakin." He chuckled bitterly as he added softly, "Even I am beginning to fear the Jedi."

Anakin stared at the older man in disbelief and shock. This man who posed such an intimidating figure… afraid of the Jedi? "But, sir, there are none that are more loyal than the Jedi. After all this time, surely, they've--"

"The Council keeps pushing for more control. More autonomy. They have become more concerned with avoiding the oversight of the Senate than the winning the war."

Anakin opened his mouth to defend the Jedi before closing it as he realized how right the Chancellor was. He thought back to some of the conversations he had had with Obi-Wan since his former master's appointment to the Council and began to worry about the implications. Anakin turned his attention back to the Chancellor as he continued.

"The Senate called for an emergency session early today. That's why I was late. The Senate voted unanimously that effective today; this office will assume direct control over the Jedi and their council." 'And the one's that refrained from voting will be dealt with accordingly,' he added mentally.

Anakin frowned at Palpatine, knowing what the vote would do to the Jedi, yet wondering why Padmé had not mentioned about going to the Senate today. He would have to ask her later. Several minutes passed by before he was able to talk again. "I… I… guess I can… see how this change will help. But I don't see the Jedi taking this change in the… command structure kindly. And if I might ask, sir, what does this have to do with me?"

Palpatine placed his hand on Anakin's shoulder, squeezing it gently as if to comfort him. "I am well aware of what the Jedi will think. But in the interest of the people of this republic, I'm afraid there is no choice but to make changes that benefit everyone, not just for an individual or a group. This war must be finished. We have suffered so much, Anakin, and it's time to call an end, regardless of what the Jedi might feel or think."

"I do agree with you, your Excellency. Too many people have died since this war started. It is time to put an end to the needless fighting. But…"

"You are wondering why I called you here," Palpatine paused as Anakin nodded at him. Palpatine deliberately waited a moment before continuing, making Anakin think that the older man was afraid to continue in fear of hurting him with what he was about to say.

"Anakin, I am asking you – as a personal favor to me, in respect of our long friendship – to accept a position as my personal representative on the Jedi Council."

Of all the things that Anakin had expected the Chancellor to say, this was not it. But… he was quickly growing use to the idea. Him, a master? Sure he had thought about it… during his knighting ceremony. He figured he would have to wait at least another year or two before it would actually happen. But for it to come true now? He would be the youngest master ever to sit on the Council. He'd be the youngest master ever in the Jedi. He could already picture himself sitting alongside Mace Windu, Yoda, Plo Koon, Ki-Adi-Mundi… and Obi-Wan! As a master, he would be able to save Obi-Wan!

Saving Obi-Wan was all that mattered. With the rank of master he would be allowed access to the restricted vault in the archives. The restricted vault that contain the forbidden holocrons that only a Master could access. He could find a way to save his former master from dying. But… how would the Council accept this? Will they accept it was the question.

"I… I… don't know what to… say, sir. I… I… as much… as I want to say 'thank you', I… I'm not sure if I can accept this great honor, sir. The Council will never approve it. They are the only ones that can appoint its own members."

"Oh, I can assure you that they will appoint you, my boy. Remember, Anakin. As of today, the Jedi and their Council answer to me and to me only." Palpatine turned to look back across the city, his gaze darkening ominously as it landed on the Jedi Temple. "They need you more than they realize. All it will take is for someone to properly…"

He waved a hand expressively.

"…explain it to them."

TBC...