Author's Note: Hey there, readers, sorry it took so long to finish this fic. I lost my writing of the last chapter for a while, then by the time I found it again, it was too late at night to put it up, and then I ended up forgetting about it. So, I'm sorry, but now it's finally finished.
Master Yoda, Mace Windu, Ki-Adi Mundi, Plo Koon, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker all stood in Palpatine's office with the Chancellor, Senator Padme Amidala, and Senator Bail Organa. They were looking at the holographic figure of a middle-aged woman dressed as a maid.
"Greetings, Supreme Chancellor, Senators, and Jedi. I am Terra, one of Count Dooku's servants. I bring terrible news regarding the Mistress, Shmi."
Anakin's full attention instantly snapped to the hologram.
"Is she all right?" he asked anxiously.
Obi-Wan put a hand on his Padawan's shoulder and made a calming motion with his other hand. The young man obeyed, but it was obvious he was still worried.
"I'm afraid the Mistress died yesterday afternoon."
Anakin was stunned then floored with sorrow.
"The antidote was discovered to be a fake. She died in the Master's arms," Terra said sadly.
"Why didn't Dooku tell us yesterday?" Anakin demanded.
Again, Obi-Wan made a calming motion, sending soothing, calming waves across their training bond.
"The Master spent most of the time yesterday, after she died, mourning, locked in his room. When he came out today, we found he had lost his voice from the shock of her loss. He writes on his data pad since he cannot speak. He requests that Master Kenobi and Padawan Skywalker come to Serenno to attend the funeral today."
It was quickly agreed that Obi-Wan and Anakin would leave for Serenno right away.
Terra gave them the coordinates for the Dooku Manor, and they left.
Terra greeted them as they walked out of their transport.
"Master Kenobi, Padawan Skywalker, welcome to Dooku Manor."
The Jedi bowed in greeting.
"Hello, Miss Terra."
"I'll take you to the Master."
She led them through the manor and into a large study, where Count Dooku sat behind a large desk, seemingly engrossed in his work.
"Here are the Jedi, Master."
The Count, never looking up, dismissed her with a wave of his head. After she left, Dooku finally looked up.
The Jedi were shocked by what they saw. Dooku's face was haggard and sad, his dark eyes were dull and ravaged by grief and loss. He looked far older than he actually was because it.
He held he data pad out to them.
Obi-Wan took it and read it aloud.
"'I tried to save her. I'm sorry, Skywalker.'"
He handed the data pad back to the Count, who erased the words, wrote something else, and handed it to Obi-Wan again.
"'I tried my best, but it wasn't enough. I went to Iego to get a Reeska Root, Hoth to get some moss from the high mountains, and even to Naboo to get a piece of bark from the southern swamp, but it was all for nothing. I am truly, very sorry.'"
Anakin suddenly found that he could no longer truly despise the old warrior.
"You did your best, risking your life. I can see now that you truly did love my mom. Thank you for trying and for being with her."
His hood up, Dooku stared at Shmi's funeral pyre with tears streaming down his face. He felt numb and empty as he was the flames consume the body of his beloved wife. He would never forget her and how she changed his heart and life forever.