Chapter 13

Obi-Wan had never been particularly patient when Anakin was being treated for whatever injury he had managed to receive during his adventures, often choosing to either hover over the shoulder of the healer or pace just outside of the door. This time however, he did not have the energy to pace and instead he had found a chair to sit on and wait for any news about his Padawan. He was emotionally exhausted after learning the details of the duel from Rex and at the same time he was impossibly proud of Anakin for choosing to save the lives of his men rather than chase after this mysterious warrior.

The last news Obi-Wan had heard from the healers working on Anakin was that the boy's left arm had been so severely broken that it was likely they would have to amputate it. Obi-Wan had demanded that they do everything in their power to avoid such a drastic step, his reasoning being that it would not only disturb Anakin's connection to the Force, but it would also set him back several years. He did not feel the need to tell them that Anakin would likely kill him if he allowed them to take the arm that now bore Senator Amidala's mark. As far as he knew now, they were replacing the broken bones with metal, at least that was what the head healer had said they might try as a last resort.

He leaned back against the cold metal wall and closed his eyes in an attempt to meditate but his concentration was broken when he heard footsteps rapidly approaching him. He opened his eyes in time to see Captain Rex salute him and he returned the gesture.

"Master Kenobi, I have just received word that my men and I are to be transferred from Anakin Skywalker's command," Rex said.

"That is correct, Captain," Obi-Wan said. "The Jedi feel that your men are better suited to active duty."

"With all due respect Sir, my men and I would rather stay under the command of Skywalker," Rex said.

"Anakin is not likely to be seeing any action for at least a month," the Jedi Master said. "His injuries are severe enough that he will be requiring transportation back to Coruscant to be treated by the Jedi Healers."

"I understand that Sir."

"And yet you still wish to stay under his command?" When the clone nodded Obi-Wan asked, "Why?"

"It's simple really, he saved our lives," Rex said. "My men feel that they owe him their loyalty after he showed his own loyalty to us."

Obi-Wan frowned and stroked his beard. It was not the first time he had to face the fierce loyalty Anakin managed to bring out in those around him; he had even had to face his own surprising attachment to the boy. What surprised him about this unexpected situation was the fact that these clones had been created to be the perfect soldiers and not to form this kind of a bond. "You realize that by doing this you will be defying a direct order from the Jedi Council, correct?" he finally had to ask.

"We are aware of that," Rex said, "But we are willing to face the consequences."

"Because he saved your lives."

"Yes Sir."

"Very well," Obi-Wan said. "I will allow you to remain under Anakin's command but you have to inform the Council of your decision."

"I will Sir."

"Master Kenobi," a medical droid interrupted and both men quickly turned their attention towards the droid.

"Thank you for being honest Rex," Obi-Wan said as dismissal.

"My men would like to know how our Commander is doing," Rex said, firmly standing his ground under the Jedi's surprised gaze.

"Go ahead Two-One-Be," Obi-Wan said.

"Padawan Skywalker has undergone successful bone surgery," the droid stated. "He has had several bones either entirely replaced or strengthened by steel. These new additions should not hinder his movements in any way once his arm has properly healed. It is likely that a successful cloning of his arm could properly replace all bones lost, if the Jedi Council sees fit to have that procedure done. He is currently being treated in a bacta tank to help heal the minor injuries that he received."

"And what about his legs?" Obi-Wan asked.

"He only suffered a minor fracture in his left shin that should be healed by the bacta treatment."

"Good, that's good."

"Master Ni've is planning to place him in a healing trance as soon as he is out of the bacta tank. The trance should hold him until he reaches Coruscant."

"Very well, thank you."

The droid seemed to nod before leaving the two men to return to the room where Anakin was being treated.

"It sounds like he should recover well enough," Rex said.

"Indeed it does," Obi-Wan agreed. "Give your men the rest of the day off and make sure that those that were injured have been treated. I don't want your men doing their patrol tonight but I would like them to return to patrols tomorrow evening."

"Yes Sir," Rex said, saluting the Jedi Master again before taking his leave.

It was late evening when Padmé expertly landed the ship within the hangar being occupied by the Republic forces. Bail was half asleep and willing to sleep on the ship but she was desperate to find out what had happened to Anakin. As soon as the engines powered down she was practically bolting from the ship to meet with the clone waiting for them.

"Trooper, where is the medical bay?" she asked before the clone could even utter a greeting.

"Are you injured Senator?" he asked, waving over another clone with a transport for their luggage.

"I'm not but I am aware that a Jedi was injured earlier today," she said. "I would like to see him before I retire for the day."

"Of course," the clone said. "Shifty here will take Senator Organa to his quarters and I will personally escort you to the medical bay."

"Thank you."

"I will see you in the morning, Padmé," Bail said with a curt nod but she could see he was just as anxious as she was to know what had happened.

"Good night Bail," she said politely. "Artoo, stay with the ship." She heard the droid's plaintive whistle but she was too concerned with following her clone escort to reassure him.

It took them five minutes to make their way across the Republic compound and another five to reach the level of the medical ward where Anakin was being treated. Padmé excused herself from her clone escort as soon as she saw Obi-Wan speaking with another Jedi. The clone took his leave with a bow and she hurried towards Obi-Wan.

"Master Kenobi," she said, startling him with her presence.

"Senator Amidala? I was not aware that you were making the journey to Raxus," he replied.

"Master Yoda requested that Bail Organa and I join the negotiations because they seem to be stalling," she lied smoothly.

"Of course," he said, not believing the lie. "Senator, this is Master Ni've."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Master Ni've," Padmé said, bowing her head in respect.

"And you Senator," the Miriala Jedi said.

"I was made aware that Anakin was injured," Padmé said, deciding to jump right into the heart of the matter, consequences be damned.

"There was an incident earlier today," Obi-Wan said. "A building collapsed."

All of her decorum went out the window after that simple phrase registered. "Is he all right?" she practically demanded.

"He is in a bacta tank at the moment," the healer said. "When that process is finished I will place him in a healing trance so that he can be transported back to Coruscant."

"But is he all right?"

"He will live."

"You aren't answering my question."

Obi-Wan frowned at the petite woman but she glared right back, more than able to stand her ground under his imposing look. "He has a severly broken arm and a fractured shin, as well as a punctured lung that has been healed by Master Ni've."

"Would it be possible for me to see him?" she asked, glancing at both Jedi for an answer.

"I can sense that you will be unable to rest unless you see Skywalker," Master Ni've said. "You may see him but be warned about his appearance, he has several large bruises that I can assure you look worse than they are."

"Thank you," Padmé said as they both followed the healer into the darkened room where Anakin was being treated.

Anakin's body floated limply in the bacta tank and she was unable to stop herself from moving closer to the tank. She gasped sharply at the sight of the deep purple bruises that covered his chest and torso. There was a large cut that ran the entire length of the inside of his left arm and she could tell that the bacta was working its magic because the incision looked as though it was already beginning to heal.

"What is that incision on his arm?" she asked.

"We were forced to replace some of the more damaged bones in his arm with steel after Master Kenobi refused to let us amputate."

Padmé felt her blood turn to ice in her veins at the thought of Anakin losing his arm, and even more so from what Obi-Wan's refusal could mean for them. She gently placed her hand over the warm glass of the tank and issued a silent prayer to the Goddess of safety, as well as the Force, to ensure Anakin recovered completely.

"Do you think that I could have a moment alone with Master Kenobi?" she asked politely.

"Certainly," Master Ni've said, nodding her head politely to both of them as she left the room.

Padmé turned her gaze back to Anakin, trying to draw strength from him and finding it nearly impossible when he was in such a state. "I felt this happen to him," she finally whispered.

"You what?" Obi-Wan asked, knocked off guard by her surprising admission.

"I felt something happen to Anakin when we were on our way here," she said. "I felt a pain in my left arm like someone had triggered the nerve endings to flair and I knew something had happened to him."

"This is highly unusual," Obi-Wan said. "Most romantic attachments do not lead to such a bond."

She laughed slightly but it sounded more like a stifled sob. "So you do know."

"Anakin told me his first night back on Coruscant."

She turned to look at him and he was not at all surprised by the single tear he could see on her cheek. "Did he tell you everything?"

"He told me about your intentions," he said, "and what happened on Tatooine."

"He said he wasn't going to tell you until after he was Knighted," she said, giving him a weak smile. "But I knew he would tell you sooner. I should have known he told you the night before your mission when he came to me."

He moved closer to her and gently clasped one of her hands in his, surprised by the strength he felt in her grip. "He loves you quite deeply," Obi-Wan noted. "I sense that same depth of devotion from you."

"I would not pledge my life to him if I did not love him more than my own life," she said.

"Padmé, I must warn you that such bonds are… they can be dangerous," he said. "If the couple becomes too deeply connected they become co-dependent to a certain degree. There have been cases of deep romantic bonds that have taken both lives when one was killed and I would hate to see that happen to either of you."

"Our union is the will of the Force," she replied. "Or at least Anakin believes it to be."

"Of course he does," he said. "Most things are the will of the Force where Anakin is concerned."

"Will you tell me what happened?"

Dawn was just beginning to illuminate Coruscant when Ventress arrived at a well hidden hangar in the abandoned sector of the city. She could see Lord Sidious waiting for her in the shadows, the hood of his robe hiding most of his face and making him unrecognizable. She pulled on her own cloak and made her way off the ship to kneel before the great Sith Lord her own Master had served.

"My Lord, I am your servant," she pledged as she kept her head down in a show of respect taught to her by Count Dooku.

"Rise," the Sith Lord said, motioning with one withered hand for her to join him. "Your own Master has failed me Ventress and I find myself in need of another apprentice."

"I am yours," she said. "I pledge myself to your teachings Lord Sidious."

"Yes, I suspect you will be of great use to me," he said. "Your attack on Raxus was a success. You have made your presence known to the rest of the galaxy and it will only be a matter of time before the come to fear you the way they feared Lord Tyranus."

"What would you have me do, my Master?"

"I need you to prove your loyalty to me and me alone."

"I will do anything that you ask of me."

"Excellent," he said on a drawn out hiss. He could sense how powerful she was and how powerful she could be with proper instruction. She could be his finest apprentice, at least until he was able to make Skywalker his. "I need you to infiltrate the Republic prison where Count Dooku and the other heads of the Separatists are being held. Once you have gotten in I want you to kill them all and make it look as though the murders were committed by a Jedi."

"Even Count Dooku?"

"Dooku is no longer useful," he replied. "He served his purpose and now you will take his place."

"It will be done, my Master," she said, eager to please him.

"Have it finished by tomorrow morning and you will be rewarded."

"I will."

"Now suggest you begin making your plans," he said, turning away from her and leaving her in the shadows of the abandoned hangar.