Delilah Dean Skywalker - Thanks! You always say the nicest things! Unfortunately, most of the final events of RotS will be the same – we're just taking a different route to get there. Hope you enjoy - It's been an honor having you along for the journey.
Jedi Master Arie Skywalker – Aw, I appreciate the vote of confidence. As you know, I've become a sucker for angst too! Gah! I'm definitely going to have to write something cheerful after this. Thanks for sticking with me through thick and thin.
Avschick – I will be writing something cheerful after this – even I need to take a break from angst every now and again! Ha! I loved your story, by the way. I can't wait to read more! You're doing an excellent job with it!
HaChosenOne – I am thinking about writing an RotS AU with a happy ending, actually. I still have to write the follow-up to my Reality Trilogy so it might be a few months, but I do hope to get around to it before DRL hits me too hard. Thanks for the encouragement!
ILDV - Thanks for reading! I'm grateful for the support!
The Elvish Jedi – Actually, I'm planning a follow-up fic-let to "Skating with the Stars" and plan to start it as soon as I finish this one. So stay tuned and you'll see plenty more of Siri – or, should I call her "Kahla?" Ha!
The Last Guardian - I really think I need to take you guys all out for ice cream when this story is over. I know the last couple chapters have been draining, but the Epilogue will be coming up soon and I promise that that's going to take a lighter turn! Thanks for bearing with me in the meantime!
meandmysharpie – It is so good to see you back here! I thought about sending you a message, but I knew you were probably so busy, I didn't want to add to it. Anyway, it's great to 'see' you again! Hope you like the way the story's going – we're nearing the end, believe it or not!
ALL - Looks like there will be one more chapter after this and then an Epilogue. This update just about drove me crazy, but I hope you like the end result. Thanks for reading! It's an honor to have you here!
POLIS MASSA - DOCKING BAY
The ship touched down, a fine mist fogging the windows until the surface seemed impenetrable. In that moment, Obi-Wan wanted nothing more than to linger in the haze, locked away from the harsh realities that lay before him.
But he was still too much of a Jedi for that.
Getting to his feet, he was annoyed when the top of his head brushed the ceiling. Blasted piece of junk! Padmé deserved better; it wasn't fair that she was making her final journey in such a trash heap. Unfortunately, there was no other option, not if he wanted to make it to Naboo undetected. The features that made the ship so unsavory were the same features that would allow him safe passage. No one gave a second glance to an ancient, battered ship. It was a good lesson to learn and one he would probably have to apply to himself.
Swallowing painfully, he averted his eyes as he made his way past the medical capsule. As he had expected, Senator Organa was waiting for him at the bottom of the ramp.
"Master Kenobi, it's a relief to see you. It appears you received my message."
Obi-Wan nodded, remembering the anger that had nearly engulfed him. "Your timing was impeccable."
"I'm glad something has gone right today." Bail glanced towards the shuttle expectantly. "Where's Padmé? Won't she be joining us?"
"She didn't make it, Bail." Before the other man could interrupt, he forced the horrible confession past his lips. "She was killed before we even left Mustafar."
The Senator paled. "Killed? By the gods - who could have done such a thing?"
"Commander Cody." Just saying the name made him grit his teeth. "He used me as bait to get to her."
"His target was Padmé?"
The tone of Bail's voice confirmed what Obi-Wan had already suspected - Padmé had come back to warn him. Closing his eyes, he wished for the power to leap back in time, to give in to her demands to join them on the Tantive.
If he had, she might still be alive.
When he opened his eyes, Bail was shaking his head.
"Surely you realize there's no way you could have known this would happen. We all trusted the clones, and you had a long history with the Commander-"
"I made a promise… I was supposed to protect her..."
Bail squeezed his shoulder, ignoring the burn holes and dried blood that permeated his cloak. "You can still keep that vow. Her children need you."
"Are they..." His tongue darted out, moistening lips that were cracked and dry. "Are they all right?"
"They're fine. A bit unsettled-"
"That's to be expected," he murmured tiredly. "Given their Force sensitivities, I'm sure they sensed... everything."
A long silence followed, punctuated only by the clanks and groans of the old ship's cooling engines. Finally, Bail took a deep breath and voiced the question Obi-Wan had been dreading: "Have you heard from Knight Skywalker?"
A bitter laugh escaped before he could regain control. "Yes, you could certainly say that I have."
"Should we try to establish contact-"
"No. For all intents and purposes, Anakin Skywalker is as dead as his wife."
Unable to bear the stricken look on the other man's face, Obi-Wan quickly changed the subject. "When should we expect Master Yoda?"
Bail fumbled with his chrono, his uncoordinated movements revealing his shock. "It shouldn't be much longer. If you'd like, I can bring him to you when he arrives."
"Thank you; I would appreciate that." Obi-Wan slumped against a nearby wall, mental and physical exhaustion setting in. Nevertheless, he put aside Bail's suggestion that he get some rest. "I'm fine."
Not one to be deterred, the Senator tried another angle. "Why don't you check on the twins? I left them in the expert care of See-Threepio."
His smile felt tight and the Jedi wondered how long it would be before smiling felt normal again. "I don't know who I'd be rescuing - Threepio or Luke and Leia."
"Well, either way, you'll find them in room 204. Go down the hall and take your first right. It's the third door on the left."
For the first time in hours, his heart lifted at the thought of seeing the twins. Unfortunately, it plummeted once again when he remembered a final task that still lay before him.
"I can't." He held up a hand to stop the argument he knew was coming. "Padmé's parents must be contacted. I cannot delay that fact any further."
"If you'd like, you can use her com-link." Bail's expression was filled with sympathy. "Her family's contact information is programmed in there quite prominently. I left it on the table beside the crib... I... I had thought it would make it easier for her to find."
Expressing his gratitude, Obi-Wan palmed open the door to the med center and headed for the private suite. Frustration dogged his every step as the Negotiator realized he had no idea what he was going to say.
Because Force forgive him, no matter what words he chose, he was going to single-handedly destroy a family.
THEED, NABOO – NABERRIE RESIDENCE
The chiming of her com-link jerked Jobal out of a restless slumber. Rubbing her eyes, she stared blearily at the screen before nudging her snoring husband with her elbow.
"Ruwee," she mumbled. "Wake up. We have an incoming transmission from Padmé."
As her husband stirred, she flipped on the device and was startled when one of the Galaxy's most famous Jedi Masters appeared onscreen instead.
"Master Kenobi!" she exclaimed, hurriedly shoving her arms into her robe. "It is such a relief to see you alive and well. We have been horrified by the Holo-net reports."
"Thank you; it has been a dark day for many of us," he replied.
She noted the way he avoided her gaze and felt a stirring of panic worm its way into her heart. "Am I correct in my assumption that this channel is secure?"
"Yes, my lady. I'm afraid I must relay some unfortunate news-"
"We have Knight Offee with us." The words fell from her lips in a nervous jumble, attempting to prevent the Jedi from revealing whatever had caused his heartbreaking frown. "I'm sorry to say that Padawans Malreaux and Jukassa were killed - Master Fisto too. I fear it may have been a precursor to yesterday's ordeal."
"Mrs. Naberrie-"
"I also want you to know that we have handled their remains according to Jedi custom." Jobal absently tightened the ties of her robe. "We are also ensuring that Barriss is able to go into hiding as safely as possible. We have given her plenty of credits, which as you know can help her disappear."
"Please, I-"
"She wanted to leave this afternoon, but we managed to convince her to wait until tomorrow morning. I'm hoping we might even be able to get her to stay another night as well, just to let things cool off a little-"
"Sweetheart," Ruwee cut her off gently. "We must let Master Kenobi have his say."
Her cheeks were burning and her hands itched to fly to her ears, to block out what she somehow knew he was about to say. But she pressed her lips into a firm line and nodded, her hands twisting the bedsheets until they were snarled and wrinkled beneath her fingertips.
"Mr. and Mrs. Naberrie," Obi-Wan tried again. "As you know, I was assigned to protect your daughter these past few weeks. I hope you'll believe me when I say that it was one of the highest honors I have ever received as a Jedi. Padmé and I have always shared a special connection, yet this journey allowed us to develop one of the most wonderful friendships I have ever known."
"You've always held a special place in her heart, Master Kenobi," Ruwee interjected. "She was always worrying over your safety and that of your former padawan."
His blue eyes shimmered with sadness. "I took Padmé to a deserted planet called Mustafar. Shortly after we arrived, we were joined by Senator Organa and his Clone escort."
"By the stars!" Ruwee grabbed his wife's hand, clutched it tightly. "You were lucky to escape with your life!"
"I have your daughter to thank for that. Once again, she lived up to her title as the Warrior Queen."
"That's Padmé," Jobal managed.
"I want you to know that she saved me," the Jedi stated. "But in the scuffle that followed, she was hit by a stray blaster bolt. I'm afraid the wound proved fatal."
"Fatal?" Ruwee gasped.
From far away, Jobal heard a keening sound and was surprised to realize it was coming from her own throat. She covered her mouth with her hands just as Barriss burst into the room, her weapon activated and ready for battle.
"What happened?" the Jedi cried. "Mrs. Naberrie, are you all right?"
The older woman could only shake her head, gesturing vaguely towards the opposite side of the room. Barriss whirled, extinguishing her blade when she saw who was at the other end. "Master Kenobi, you survived! Thank the Force!"
He didn't appear to share her sentiment. "Knight Offee, it is too dangerous for me to keep this channel open much longer. I plan to travel to Naboo tomorrow… to return Senator Amidala's body to her family. I need you to postpone your departure until then."
Barriss glanced over her shoulder at the weeping couple. When she turned back, her face was a mask of determination. "Of course, Master. I will monitor the comms so we will know when and where to meet you."
"Agreed." Once more, he turned his attention to the grieving parents. "I know it isn't much, but you have my deepest sympathy. The Galaxy lost one of its brightest lights - and I, one of my most beloved friends."
"Tha… Thank you, Master Kenobi," Ruwee stammered, his voice thick with tears. "Please…bring her home to us."
"I will."
Barriss stood helplessly as the haunted visage of Obi-Wan Kenobi disappeared. Although he had physically escaped death, she couldn't help but believe that a vital part of him had been destroyed.
MUSTAFAR - ABOARD EMPEROR'S SECONDARY SHUTTLE
Sidious bolted upright in his chair, sensing his apprentice's pain and desperation. He was burning... his nerve endings engulfed in white-hot agony. The Sith seized on the tenuous connection, using it to guide his senses.
There! He was clinging to a stony outcropping, a distorted silhouette amongst the flames.
"The landing platform!" Sidious shouted. "Get down there quickly!"
"Yes, sir!" the pilot replied.
Raising his hands, the Sith used the Darkness to support what remained of Anakin's broken body, urging him into unconsciousness. Rest now, my son... When you awaken all will be well. When the young man obeyed, Sidious guided him towards the main platform, settling him well out of the way of the fiery lava.
"Prepare a medical capsule," he barked to a nearby Clone.
Releasing his grip on the Force, Sidious allowed himself to relax. Skywalker was his now, completely and utterly. Nothing - and no one - would stand in their way.
The Galaxy was theirs to command.
Moments later, a trooper approached with the news he'd been waiting for. "Sir, we have Lord Vader onboard," he reported. "Your chief med droid is attending to him as we speak."
"Very good. I expect status reports every hour."
"Understood, sir. I've also been ordered to tell you that we will be taking off momentarily; My commanding officer will be piloting the other shuttle. We expect to make excellent time."
"See that we do. Now, I will return to my quarters; see that I am not disturbed." As the Clone hurried off, he smirked in anticipation. "I believe it's time to touch base with an old friend."
Making his way towards the back of the ship, the Sith activated his private communications device with a mere thought. It didn't take long for the summons to be sent, nor for it to be acknowledged. The droid General was a loyal servant - as evidenced by his sweeping bow.
"Lord Sidious, I must admit, everything has proceded as you have foreseen."
"Then I trust you have good news for me?"
"Very good news indeed." Grievous let out a hacking cough before continuing."The Separatists have been eliminated in the manner you instructed. The distinct light saber wounds will point directly to the Jedi."
"One last horrible act by the Order we all trusted so much," Sidious mused mockingly. "An act that shatters their pathetic claims to be proponents of peace. As you can imagine, General, I am most grateful for your assistance. Unfortunately, I don't believe I'll have need of it any longer."
The Sith watched dispassionately as the yellow eyes bulged in fear. A robotic hand grasped at the armor that covered his chest, trying to locate the invisible hand that gripped him... but there was nothing to find.
"What... is the meaning... of this?" the General wheezed.
Sidious shrugged, clucking his tongue. "The Dark Side saved your life once. I think it's only appropriate that it ends it as well, don't you?"
The Kaleesh could only slump to the floor as his heart continued to slow... before stopping altogether.