meandmysharpie – First of all, best of luck on finals to you, my friend! Oops... Just noticed the date - I bet you are probably finished with them by now. Well if that's the case – I hope you kicked some academic butt! Secondly – thanks for all your positive comments about how I'm depicting Obi-wan. I am really enjoying writing him this way – as the supportive friend and master. I wish he and Anakin would have more scenes like that in RoTS. Good thing we have fan fiction, right?
Seldom Darlin – Hee! Did you ever figure out the appropriate tense of 'sneak?' That really bothered me, but I just couldn't think of a decent synonym so I left it as 'sneaked.' Needless to say, I laughed out loud at your comment. Seriously though – thank you for being so supportive. You always make me grin like a loon!
Hellish Red Devil – Aw, I can't tell you how much your confidence means to me as a writer. I also adore these characters so the plot line I'm following makes my heart ache. But I've always wanted to write my own version of RoTS and unfortunately that means keeping many of the final events the same. However – I have been considering a "happy ever after" AU and hope to start on that when I finish this one. Thanks for reading!
Avschick33 – Read on to find out more about the Council's reaction and decision. Hope you enjoy the chapter – and I had the same trouble reviewing stories over the weekend. There must have been a glitch or something. Anyway, I appreciate you taking the time to come back here and let me know what you think.
ALL – See you back here in about a week with more! Thanks for reading! If I have any lurkers out there, I would love to hear from you too!
Anakin had always regarded the Council chambers with a hint of awe.
There was a part of him that would always be an intimidated 9-year-old facing a circle of warriors with powers he could barely understand... and if they had their way - never would. That initial meeting had set the stage for any other Council summoning he had ever received. No matter what the subject, a flutter of nerves accompanied him every time he dared cross the threshold.
Needless to say, his insides weren't faring much better now that he was about the reveal the biggest secret of his life. In fact, he was pretty sure a bantha was trundling around somewhere in there. Fortunately, his past appearances had given him some background on Council decorum - enough to realize that vomiting on the elegantly polished floors would be highly frowned upon.
And so, it was with that in mind that Anakin took a few cleansing breaths and followed Obi-wan into the cavernous room.
"Master Kenobi," Mace immediately greeted. His gaze traveled to Anakin and his lips thinned. "This meeting is for Council members only. Knight Skywalker will have to wait until we adjourn."
"I'm sorry, Master Windu, but this matter cannot wait," Obi-wan responded smoothly. "What my former Padawan has to say directly impacts our discussion about the Senator's unfortunate accident today - and what we plan to do about it. I'm afraid I cannot share my information in good conscience unless he is present."
The Korun Master sat back in his chair and linked his fingers, glaring balefully at the young Jedi. "Very well then."
Anakin moved towards Obi-wan's chair with intentions of standing behind it, but he was stopped by a gentle hand on his arm. He turned to find his former Master gesturing towards the center of the room.
"Let us take the floor. We should go first," he murmured. Side-by-side, they strode to the middle of the floor and faced Masters Yoda and Windu, waiting for their acknowledgement.
Three minutes later, it came.
"Master Kenobi and Knight Skywalker, something to say, you have?" Yoda inquired. His ears twitched curiously and a strand of white hair swayed in the presence of a light draft.
"Yes, Master," Obi-wan hurriedly replied. "Something has come to light that I feel the Council should know about. First let me say that I feel it is our duty to help no matter the circumstance-"
"Please, Obi-wan," Anakin interrupted. "Let me do this."
"Anakin-"
"No, Master. This situation is my doing; I should be the one to undo it."
Obi-wan inclined his head respectfully before stepping back. He did not go far, however, and ended up hovering somewhere over Anakin's right shoulder.
"Masters, I have come before you to beg for your help," Anakin finally began. "I know you are all aware of the explosion Senator Amidala was in, but I don't know if you knew that I sensed it as well." He chuckled bitterly. "So well in fact, that it led to my collapse."
A low buzz filled the chambers as the Masters stirred.
"I should have known it was coming," he admitted. His tone was rueful, abashed. "The Force had been whispering warnings to me all morning, but as we have suspected, the Dark Side clouds everything. As a result of my blindness, I was struck down as precisely as Senator Amidala."
"How is that possible, Skywalker?" Mace barked. "Such a powerful bond is seldom formed even between Masters and Padawans."
Anakin clenched his hands into fists as he spoke the statement he had hidden for so long. "No, but it is possible between a husband and wife."
Mace Windu nearly came out of his chair in outrage, but Anakin ignored him and continued. "Senator Amidala and I were married three years ago after the Battle of Geonosis. We decided to keep our relationship a secret for many reasons, but the main rationale was to allow me to maintain my status as a Knight within the Order."
Shuffling his feet slightly, Anakin clasped his hands behind his back. "I know I have broken some of the highest rules of the Code and I will accept my punishment whatever it may be... but I respectfully request that we delay such proceedings until the war's conclusion."
"You dare to come in here to tell us you have lied, flagrantly disregarding the Code!" Mace fumed. "And now you have the absurd notion that you have a right to tell us how to-"
"Calm yourself you must, Master Windu," Yoda interrupted. He rapped his gimer stick on the floor for emphasis. "Allow Knight Skywalker to finish speaking, we will. Time for discussion later, there will be."
Anakin waited for the murmurs to die down before he brought his plea to a conclusion. "I do not regret my marriage. I love Pad- Senator Amidala with every fiber in my being. To not be with her, well - that would be like asking me to live without breathing." He shrugged and slowly turned, meeting the myriad of disapproving gazes. "I did not come here to lecture you on the pros and cons of attachments. You know those well enough already. I came here to ask for your compassion."
"Please... help me keep Padmé safe."
OUTSIDE COUNCIL CHAMBERS - THREE HOURS LATER
Well, the Jedi have finally succeeded, Anakin thought tiredly. They have managed to drive me crazy.
And in such a simple fashion too - by waiting him out.
In his opinion, watching 180 minutes tick by while awaiting word about your future was 179 minutes too long. But the Council members would never allow themselves to be rushed, especially when it came to something concerning him.
"This isn't a good sign," he murmured.
His worry spiked as his frazzled mind jumped from topic to topic. He wondered how Padmé was feeling, how the baby was doing. How would she take to leaving her life as a Senator behind? Would he be a good father? How would Obi-wan handle life in the Order without him? Would he take on another Padawan? How would the Republic fare without the Team out there, fighting the good fight?
He ran a hand through his hair in anguish, leaving his curls standing at awkward angles. His entire body ached and not just from the shared pain he experienced from Padmé's injuries. No, this was much more benign in origin - it came from three hours of relentless pacing. But still he didn't stop...
...until the doors to the inner chamber slid open and Obi-wan emerged. Then he froze.
"Knight Skywalker," he greeted formally. "The Council has given me permission to review their proposal with you in private. Please follow me."
With some effort Anakin obeyed, though his knees continued to shake beneath his dark cloak. He called on the Force for strength and soon was striding behind his former Master, matching him step for step.
They entered a small anteroom and Obi-wan raised a hand, absently closing the door behind them.
"Have a seat," he offered, indicating the plush chairs before them.
"I think I'd prefer to stand," Anakin replied succinctly.
The elder Jedi sighed and folded his arms, regarding his former apprentice with an air of apprehension. "Despite what you may think, we managed to wrangle a victory in there. Your request has been granted. Padmé will be protected at all times by a Jedi of your choice and any decision as to your punishment has been postponed."
"Thank the Force!" Anakin's grin was so wide it hurt his cheeks. "I'll do whatever they ask, Master, I swear. I'm just... I'm so grateful. I feel better already. I can't wait to tell Padmé! She's going to be so excited - I mean, I've already missed out on so much of the pregnancy-"
Obi-wan's expression fell. "Anakin, the Council has selected a different assignment for you."
The young Jedi's hand hovered above the door controls and he slowly turned. "What?"
"You have been assigned to the Chancellor. We have uncovered a dark presence that seems to surround him. Such a discovery must be monitored carefully and the Council believes you are the ideal choice given your unique... friendship. You will serve as his personal advisor and will report any suspicious activities directly to the Council."
"Just for the sake of the argument, we'll put aside the fact that my place is at Padmé's side," Anakin noted hotly. "What you are asking of me is considered treason."
"You mustn't look at it that way, young one. Unless he does something that warrants the Council's attention, you are simply there to ensure his safety. We do not know who is wielding this darkness and until we do, the Chancellor could very well be in danger. Palpatine may need you to save his life before this is all over."
Anakin blanched at the idea before his eyes hardened. "It doesn't matter. My wife's well-being comes first. Hers and the baby's."
"Of course." Obi-wan's voice was laden with sympathy. He sighed, rolling his head from side to side in an attempt to dispel some of the tension. "I know you want to be by her side. But the Council is asking you to do this for the good of the Order. And may I remind you that such an action may generate some goodwill from even the most disapproving Masters?"
"But the birth-"
"The end of the war is near - you will be back by Padmé's side in plenty of time. And if you are not, we will summon you when the happy occasion arises."
Anakin scowled, his expression drawn and pinched. "I should be with her. I need to be with her. It is my right as her husband and as the father of her child," he murmured. He turned away and leaned against the wall for support.
"And you will be... when the time is right."
Anakin whirled around, eyes blazing with frustration. "Well, it seems you have all the answers, Master! So... please tell me just who you suggest I put in charge of my wife's security? She has already slipped out of Master Fisto's grasp-"
"Me."
Anakin snorted is disbelief and shook his head. "As if the Jedi Council would allow their great Negotiator to take on such an assignment."
"I have already made the request and they will approve such a motion if that is your wish." Obi-wan moved to stand next to his former apprentice and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "I swear to you, Anakin, I would protect your family with my life. It would be the greatest of honors."
"I... I..." Anakin sputtered. He put a hand to his head as an image of Padmé sprawled on the dirty streets of Coruscant spun through his mind. There was no denying it: she had to be taken off-world... even if it meant he couldn't be the one to escort her.
Oh Padmé, I love you. Please let this be the right decision.
"Promise me, Obi-wan," he finally whispered. "Promise me that you'll look over them. Protect them like you've never protected anyone before."
The Jedi Master bowed solemnly, his gaze never leaving his brother's. "I promise."