DarthGladiator45 – Obi-wan definitely didn't want to do what he did, but he was pushed to the point where he didn't think he had a choice. Sorry to make you wait for this chapter – DRL has flared up a bit, but I've beaten it back long enough to bring you the latest update! Hope you enjoy!
Jedi Master Arie Skywalker – Yeah, this is about as bad as it gets when it comes to misunderstandings. Whew. Thanks for sticking with me!
BabaBiP - Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked it – the previous chapter was really tough for me to write.
QueenNaberrie – It'll take awhile, but believe it or not, this story will end on a somewhat high note, thanks to an epilogue that takes place several years in the future. Bear with me. Thanks for reading!
Avschick33 – Yep, the story is starting to wrap up, believe it or not. I think I started working on this back in May – though if you count the time it took to plan out the plot, it goes back a year or so before THAT! It's going to be weird not having it to work on. I'm glad you're enjoying the story – that means a lot!
DelilahDeanSkywalker - Wow! I appreciate the compliments very, very much. As for the scene that kicked off the duel, I suppose it was Padmé's funeral in a way – Anakin was preparing her body, saying good-bye, etc. Good catch!
The Elvish Jedi – Oh, thank you so much! The last chapter was pretty difficult to write – action drives me crazy - so I breathed a big sigh of relief when I read your review. Thank you!!
HaChosenOne – Sorry for frying Anakin, but I HAD to find a reason to put him in the suit. Thanks for sticking with the story – we're coming down the home stretch now. Only a couple chapters left.
Eriks leadinglady - Awww, I hope you're feeling better! That was so nice of you to pop in even when you weren't feeling bad - sorry you wandered in here, only to find out that Anakin still met the business end of Obi-wan's light saber. I'm so glad you're sticking around though – it's always wonderful to hear from you. Hope you had a great Valentine's Day.
ALL - FINALLY, the next chapter is here - sorry for the delay. From here on out, things are starting to wrap up. I think there will only be another chapter - two at most - and then the Epilogue. Whew! Hope you enjoy! It's an honor to have you all along for the ride! I'm one lucky author!
POLIS MASSA MEDICAL FACILITY - LATE EVENING
Bail soothed the baby in his arms, charmed by her tiny lips, flushed cheeks and luminous eyes.
"You're going to shatter hearts across the Galaxy," he whispered. "You already know that, don't you?"
The infant hiccuped in reply before expelling another noisy sob.
Risking a glance at the makeshift crib, Bail was relieved to see that the sounds had not disturbed her twin. Luke continued to doze fitfully, his arms and legs twitching every so often. It certainly wasn't the deep sleep a newborn needed, but for now, it would have to do.
At this point, the Alderaanian Senator was grateful for even the smallest of victories.
The past hours had been some of the longest of his life. From one moment to the next, the twins anxious demeanor had spiraled into outright hysteria. He had tried everything he could think of to calm them - rocking, singing, begging... but nothing had worked. Eventually, exhaustion set in and Luke had drifted off... leaving his twin yawning but stubbornly refusing to do the same.
"I hope to have a daughter just like you one day," Bail confessed, allowing a hopeful smile to creep across his face. "Breha and I have always talked about adopting a little girl... perhaps the time has come for us to follow through on our plans. I'm sure the two of you will become great friends."
Suddenly, Threepio appeared in the doorway. "Senator Organa?"
Bail's grin faltered. "Yes?"
"Please forgive the interruption, but Captain Antilles has requested your presence immediately. An encrypted transmission has been received, one that is apparently rather important."
"I see." The Senator exhaled, carefully handing the fussy infant to the golden droid despite his stammered protests. Leia quieted in an instant, growing just as intrigued by Threepio as Master Kenobi had claimed - by the Force, was it really only earlier that evening?
"Sir, I'm not sure this is a good idea. You see, I am merely a protocol-"
But Bail was already out the door, knowing Threepio would be fine. For all his bluster, the droid really was a dutiful caretaker - and Leia was clearly content to be in his presence, seemingly able to sense her father's role in his creation.
The med center was silent given the late hour and he was able to traverse the corridors without difficulty. As promised, the Tantive had been moved to the nearby docking bay, the ramp lowered in anticipation of his arrival. Antilles was waiting for him inside, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Sir, the message is ready your review."
"Thank you, Captain." Bail sank into a chair, gripping the arms tightly. "Please proceed."
The officer activated the recording and was preparing to leave when Bail put a hand on his arm. "Stay, my friend. I have a feeling this may be something you need to hear as well."
Neither man was able to stifle his gasp when Yoda appeared onscreen, looking uncharacteristically drawn and weak.
"Senator Organa... hope you receive this, I do. Terrible news I have to impart. The diminutive Jedi released a shuddering breath. "Fallen into the hands of the Sith, the Republic has. Brutally attacked the Order was and enemies, we have been declared.
Bail put his head in his hands, scarcely able to believe what he was hearing.
"One of only a few Jedi left, I am." The tip of one ear twitched in sorrow. "Too dangerous it is to continue. If trust me, you still do, send your coordinates through this channel. Travel to you, I will."
With that, the message blinked off and Bail scrubbed a hand over his face in despair.
"Sir?" The young man's voice was trembling. "Could it really be true?"
"I've never known Master Yoda to lie."
If possible, Antilles grew even paler and had to turn away, busying himself with the controls. "Would you like to send a response, sir?"
Bail paused, his head swimming. Once he contacted Yoda, there would be no going back. He would be considered a traitor if his assistance was discovered - and he would bring the entire planet of Alderaan down with him.
But the consequences of staying silent were even greater.
"Sir?"
A curt nod sealed his fate for better or worse. He swallowed nervously as the familiar hum of a heavily encrypted channel filled the enclosed space.
"Master Yoda," he began. "I have received your message and would welcome your presence. We are currently staying at a medical facility awaiting the arrival of Master Kenobi and Senator Amidala. Please join us at the following coordinates..."
MUSTAFAR - MAIN RECEPTION HALL
Obi-wan staggered through the entryway, wincing as he remembered the manner in which he had exited. The shards of glass continued to bite into his back, but the pain had dulled...
...disappearing completely as his gaze fell across Padmé's body.
Anakin had wrapped her head-to-toe in his cloak, covering her face with its hood. A few strips had been torn loose to bind the garment securely around her ankles, thighs, mid-section and neck. It was clear this was something he had done before and bile rose in his throat as he realized who the other recipient must have been...
...Shmi Skywalker.
Obi-wan carefully hoisted the slight body into his arms, noting the way the abdomen shield protruded between the two central bindings. Though it had been the subject of much contention, its presence had saved the twins. Anakin had been so immersed in his rage, he had never looked past the surface to see the truth.
And now it was up to the Jedi Master to see that it stayed that way.
He knew his former Padawan still lived - the waves of pain that continued to stream through their shattered bond was proof enough of that. He would have to take extra care to keep his mind guarded from this day forward. A simple slip and Vader would come after him - or even worse - discern the truth about the twins.
I won't fail them the way I failed their father.
Lost in thought, he began the trek to the shuttle. Polis Massa was only a short flight away; he would rendezvous with Senator Organa and then proceed to Naboo to return Padmé's body to her family. They would have to be contacted ahead of time, prepared for what was coming. And then... and then...
For the first time in years, he didn't know what he would do next.
Thankfully, the ship's ramp was already extended - a small convenience he deeply appreciated. Once inside, he gently placed Padmé in the lone medical capsule and activated the air-lock. For a long moment, he rested his hand on the glass, fighting the lump in his throat.
"I'll take you home soon."
He blinked away his tears and gave the transparent surface a reassuring pat before moving into the cockpit. The sensors were flashing, warning of another ship's approach. He clenched his jaw in anger, easily deducing the identity of the mysterious visitor - Anakin's new Master, the illustrious Chancellor himself, was coming for his apprentice.
Obi-wan's hands tightened on the controls, his knuckles going white. Before he even realized he had moved, he had lunged out of his seat and pulled his light saber from its resting place on his hip. Only the unexpected voice echoing through he shuttle's onboard comm brought him up short.
"Master Kenobi, are you there?"
He made no move to reply, torn between duty and a thirst to confront the man who had destroyed the Galaxy. Various faces began to flash before him - friends lost to what he now knew was a pointless war.
Unaware of the Jedi's inner conflict - or that he was even listening - the Senator pressed on.
"By the Force, I hope you're safe... Please tell me they haven't gotten to you too." There was a pause and for the first time since the Jedi had known him, Bail Organa sounded fearful. "I've just received a message from Master Yoda. I can't go into detail now, but please... get here as soon as you can. Organa out."
Obi-wan hung his head, ashamed of his heated reaction. He exhaled slowly, releasing his anger to the Force before taking hold of the controls once more. The engines fired on the first try, no doubt a result of Artoo's mechanical sensibilities. With an efficiency that belied his earlier turmoil, he maneuvered the ship towards the tunnel, pleased when the sensors quieted. His getaway would not be detected by Palpatine's minions, which meant the twins' location was safe for the time being.
Several moments later, the shuttle sliced through the fiery atmosphere, leaving Mustafar behind.
Obi-wan Kenobi was careful not to look back.
NABOO - RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT OF THEED
The creak of a floorboard caused Barriss to turn sharply, her hand automatically reaching for the hilt of her saber.
"It's just me!" a voice cried.
"Mrs. Naberrie!" she breathed. "Forgive me. I'm not usually so jumpy."
The older woman put a comforting hand on her back, guiding her towards the dining table. "It's Jobal, my dear... and it's perfectly all right to be a bit jumpy."
"I'm a Jedi. I should be more centered than this."
"I daresay we're all a bit more shaken up than we're used to," Jobal muttered, taking the seat across from her. "Now, as you can see - I've poured you a fresh mug of caf so we can take a few minutes to figure out what you should do next."
"I really shouldn't say. In fact, I shouldn't even still be here-"
"Nonsense," Jobal sniffed. "The Jedi have protected my daughter more times than I can count. What makes you think I would ever send you away?"
"You and Mr. Naberrie could be arrested." The next words were bitter on her tongue, but she forced them out anyway. "You saw the Holo-net reports. The Jedi have been declared traitors. If someone finds out that I'm still here... that you're hiding me-"
"Then it will be a small price to pay for doing what was right."
Barriss wrapped her hands around the steaming mug Jobal offered, relishing the way the warmth seeped into her bones. She was cold... so cold... A part of her wondered if she would ever be warm again. "Have the..." She swallowed hard, tried again. "Have the bodies been recovered?"
"Yes. The funeral pyres will be built according to your specifications. It will be an honorable farewell."
Tears threatened but she blinked them away. "Thank you."
"They were good boys." Jobal's bottom lip quivered, but she maintained her composure. "And Master Fisto... so calm and wise. Whoever did that to them... a monster without a soul... that's what they are."
An adequate description for a Sith, Barriss thought darkly.
"Well..." Padmé's mother leaned forward and lowered her voice. "What can we do to help you? You are perfectly welcome to stay here as long as you like, but I have a feeling you're anxious to get on the next transport off Naboo."
"I am."
"And nothing I say will dissuade you?"
The Jedi shook her head, staring at the worn tabletop. "I must find a planet out of the reach of the Empire." She had barely finished the sentence when Jobal pushed a fabric pouch towards her. "What's this?"
"Having a sufficient amount of credits will make your journey easier. And for those times when credits won't do.. we're tucked in a few pieces of jewelry. You can sell them to a fellow passenger or use them for trade at a market."
"I can't accept this," Barriss protested. "It's too much."
But the other woman simply crossed her arms and fixed the Jedi with a firm stare. "So much has happened, Knight Offee. Ruwee and I... we have to do something or I think we'll go crazy. Please, let us do this one last thing for you... for the Jedi."
"I don't know-"
"There is one condition, of course," Jobal interrupted.
Despite the sorrow that burdened her heart, Barriss felt the corners of her mouth curving upwards at the forced ferocity. "And what might that be?"
"You have to stay for at least one more night. You need some sleep before you start what will surely be a lengthy trip."
The Jedi hung her head, gratefully conceding defeat. "Thank you, Ms. Naberrie."
Barriss wasn't surprised to find the woman rounding the table to envelope her in a warm embrace... but she was startled to find herself returning it.