Note 1: Star Wars and its affiliates do not belong to me, only the contents of this Verse.

Note 2: Thank you to Young at Heart21 and my new beta authorwithissues.

Chosen: Restoration

Chapter 19: Council

By WrittinInStone

Obi-Wan sighed in exasperation as he watched Anakin mope in the corner of the otherwise empty transport. The Jedi Master fervently wished he could call it anything other than moping but… he could not. Ever since they had left Padmé, he'd had to deal with this attitude from the younger man. He knew that the separation would be hard for Anakin, and tried to refrain from speaking about it, but now he could see he had no choice.

Anakin sat staring forlornly out the window, looking as though he barely had the strength to move. His head rested in his hands and his face was drawn in lines of wretchedness. At this moment, he was an artist's dream of solemnity and poetic sorrow.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan said, rolling his eyes, unable to take anymore. "Will you please cheer up? Padmé's only been gone for a day!" Obi-Wan honestly could not believe what he was seeing! If the Jedi thought opera was great drama, they had never seen Anakin Skywalker in action!

"It feels like forever!" Anakin exclaimed pitifully, throwing his hands up at his master's words. "And she's on the other side of the galaxy!"

"Naboo is only about a parsec away—" Obi-Wan began, an incredulous expression on his face.

"She's out of my reach!" Anakin hastily interrupted, glaring at his amused master. "I mean, what is she doing now? Probably meeting that Palo fellow she told me about years ago. She did say he never got over her…"

Obi-Wan's sigh could have blown over a full-grown Gundaark. "Anakin," he said patiently, trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice. "We came here for a job. I have to give a report to the Jedi Council, and you have to check the Senate Archives. Do you think Padmé will be happy that you wasted all this time pining over her?"

Glaring at his Master, Anakin turned away from him. "Padmé doesn't scare me," he boasted smugly. "I'm the man in this relationship and she respects me as such. She knows her place." He nodded his head at his assessment. He was the husband, the boss, the male. He ran things. Anakin dragged a hand through his hair, and eyeballed his Master knowingly. It was good to be king.

Obi-Wan's eyebrows rose. "Oh, really?" the Jedi Master said slyly, a ferocious grin on his face. "Maybe you would like to tell her that. She's on the com right now."

Anakin felt his windpipe close as fear grabbed his heart with icy fingers. Praying that Padmé hadn't heard his empty words, he grabbed the com, his eyes promising Obi-Wan retribution in the future.

"Padmé," he crooned, pouring love and humility into his voice. "What is it, my sweet?"

Unable to refrain, Obi-Wan began laughing. Truly his life had become interesting in the last month.

Obi-Wan stopped laughing as Padmé's voice came out of the com, shaky and sad.

"Anakin," she said hoarsely. "I… I just wanted to hear your voice."

All amusement and hilarity faded at the notes of sorrow emanating from his wife's voice. "Padmé," the Knight said steadily. "What's wrong? Are you alright?"

There was a short pause before she spoke again. "I… I'm unharmed. But… I went to visit my family and…" There was silence on the other end.

"Your family?" Anakin asked, his stomach sinking at the thought of Padmé's parents being hurt. "Are they alright? Please tell me that they're alright."

"…Yes," she said quietly. "They're fine."

The Knight frowned. "Then what's wrong?"

"Can we please not talk about this right now?" she whispered. Anakin's teeth clenched in fury at the tears he heard in her voice. "I don't think I can talk about it. I really can't talk about it right now. I just needed to hear your voice, Anakin, please."

"Alright," he said softly. "We won't talk about it now. Is that okay?"

"Yes," she sniffed. "Thank you." Anakin could sense her relief even through the com.

Realizing he was intruding on a private moment, Obi-Wan gave Anakin a nod and departed the room. It was just as well, they had arrived at their destination: the Jedi Temple.

As he stepped off the transport, the Jedi Master sincerely hoped Padmé would be okay; she had sounded really upset. Oh, no, he suddenly groaned. I sincerely hope this doesn't mean I've created an emotional attachment to Padmé, too! That's the last thing I need.

Shaking his head, Obi-Wan walked the few meters to the Jedi Temple. The two Jedi had already lost one of the three days agreed upon simply by trying to return to Coruscant. There was no time to waste.

Especially since I was ordered to report to the Council immediately upon arriving, Obi-Wan thought grimly. This will not be a happy meeting.

As he walked through the halls of the Temple, Obi-Wan unconsciously reached into his pocket and fingered the memory disk he had made of Anakin on the Invisible Hand. He absently nodded to passing Jedi as he walked through the maroon and gold halls of the Jedi headquarters.

There was so much to tell the Council: his suspicions about Palpatine, updates on Anakin's illness, their theory about Shmi Skywalker… He only hoped that he would be able to hide Anakin's secrets from the skillful discernment of the Council. He had already decided to keep Anakin and Padmé's confidence, but saying it and being able to do it were two different things.

Well, Obi-Wan thought with a grim sigh as he stopped before the doors of the Council Chambers. Here goes nothing.

#*#*#*#*#

It had only taken gentle prompting to pull the story of her trip to her family out of Padmé, but after hearing what happened, he wished she had not told him.

"I want you to come back to Coruscant immediately," Anakin said flatly, his tone brooking no argument as he struggled to stem the overwhelming tide of his anger.

"But, my contacts…" Padmé protested weakly. She had known that Anakin would react this way, but she was Senator Amidala, so she had to at least put up the pretense of a fight.

"Padmé," he said, his voice soft, dangerous. "I want you on a shuttle in an hour. Okay?" Though his voice was clear, he seethed at what Padmé's family had done to her. How dare they treat her that way! Family or not, they had no right to treat her in such a manner. They had no idea what the facts of the situation truly were, so if Padmé had reassured them, they should have taken her at her word. The thought of the stress that she was surely under infuriated him to no end.

Padmé was silent for a moment before acquiescing. "Okay," she said sadly. "I want to be with you now, anyway. I'll cancel the meeting with my contact. I knew it was a long shot; he probably doesn't have any information for us. I'll leave immediately."

"Good," he said, squeezing the bridge of his nose. As angry as he wanted to be, the more he thought about it, the more he had to admit that Ruwee had a point. How much could he really be there for Padmé if he was a silent partner in this pregnancy? Did she resent him for it? It disturbed him.

"Padmé," he hesitated. "Perhaps your parents have a point—"

"Don't say that to me, Anakin," she interrupted harshly. "Don't you dare say that to me. We both knew what was at stake, and we both took it. Out of the both of us, you have the most to lose. And any risk I take, any burden I have to bear is worth it to be with you. Do you understand that? I love you, Ani. I love you."

Humbled by her words, Anakin paused, unable to speak for a moment. "I love you too, Padmé. I will be awaiting your arrival."

#*#*#*#*#

"…It was the look on his face that convinced me more than anything. It was full of hatred and malice and…evil. It felt so wrong, that the sea of suspicion grew within me. When I meditated and thought on it more, it was like the Force hit me with a ton of bricks: Palpatine is the Sith Lord we've been looking for." Obi-Wan shook his head, still flabbergasted by his revelation. "…It floored me, "he whispered. "I could not believe it. How is it possible that a Sith Lord's been under our noses this whole time?"

It had taken nearly two hours to give his report to the Council, minus Anakin and Padmé's involvement, and now, they were in an uproar over Obi-Wan's report.

Quickly bringing everyone to order, Master Yoda spoke, "A disturbing turn of events, this is. Clouded is the Force on this matter. Be cautious we must, until solid proof, we have. But watch him, we will." The leader of the Order sat in the central seat of the Jedi Council Chambers. Though diminutive in stature, his powerful presence filled every nook and cranny of the room.

The entire Council had convened for this important meeting, and only those who were in the room were privy to the report on the Jedi's mission to the Invisible Hand.

"Any more information, did you gather, Master Kenobi?" Yoda gazed at him with large, brown, and solemn eyes. They were eyes that had seen the fall and rise of empires.

"We have not been able to search for information regarding the Chancellor, specifically," Obi-Wan admitted. "We've been a bit preoccupied looking for the cure for Anakin's illness."

"He's here on Coruscant, correct?" Master Windu surveyed Obi-Wan through narrowed eyes. "He was banned from this place, and yet you brought him back without the express permission of the Council."

"He was only banned because his illness was possibly contagious," Sabla-Mandibu answered. "We received reports weeks ago denying this fact. It was therefore permissible for Master Kenobi to bring Knight Skywalker back in that respect. But Master Windu is correct in the fact that the decision should have been the Council's. A conference should have been held to assure the public that there was no danger lest he be seen and panic ensue. It was not wise on your part, Master Kenobi."

"I apologize if I have offended the Council," Obi-Wan said carefully. "But looking for the cure to this illness required the upmost haste. Anakin's condition is deteriorating slowly, but surely. It was agreed that he would stay out of sight until such an announcement had been made."

"Information about Knight Skywalker's illness, have you discovered?" Master Yoda asked, turning his cane slowly.

Obi-Wan hesitated. "Yes," he said reluctantly. "But it is all quite circumstantial. So far, there's been mention of the Yangua, a race of people who are completely mysterious. They created Twilight's Rain, and yet there is no information on them whatsoever. It's as though the memories of these people have been wiped away."

"Wiped away?" Master Windu interrupted. "What do you mean?"

"We tried to question the people who handled the purchase of the ship, yet those who are documented as the handlers have no memory of it."

The Council members frowned as Obi-Wan continued.

"There is also the matter of the Exchange Pirates. We were told from a reliable source on Tatooine that Shmi Skywalker's origins may be known by them. Yet finding these people is like finding a needle in about a million haystacks."

Obi-Wan shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. It was not a gesture he would normally make in front of the Council, but right now, it was impossible to hide his frustration from them, so it didn't matter. "I know it looks as though we've gathered a bunch of random clues that seem to be completely unrelated. And yet…"

Obi-Wan paused and rubbed his shaved chin. "Something urges me to keep going; something keeps telling me that this is the right path. We're on to something; I can feel it. Everything that we've learned about Anakin's mother, the Exchange, the Yangua, this illness—it's all connected. We simply haven't found the thread to piece it all together, yet."

The Chamber fell silent as everyone was lost in his or her own thoughts.

Finally, Master Yoda spoke. "Much information you have given us, Obi-Wan. Discuss this we must. Dismissed you are and in three day's time, another meeting will we have. You and your partner, Knight Skywalker, summoned will be."

Obi-Wan nodded his head in submission the Council's will and turned to leave until a voice stopped him.

"Before you go, Master Kenobi." Master Mandibu spoke. "Knight Skywalker is very close to the Chancellor. It would be best for all involved if you kept this information away from him."

Obi-Wan stiffed involuntarily, and he was sure it was something the Council noticed. Keep this information from Anakin? It was a bad idea, a very bad idea. But he had done so many things for his young friend already that he could not bring himself to disobey a direct order from the Council.

"The will of the Council will be done," Obi-Wan answered.

#*#*#*#*#

It was evening when Obi-Wan found his old Padawan sitting on the veranda of 500 Republica. The Knight stared out over the city, his eyes fixed on something that Obi-Wan could not see.

"Padmé should be here in another twenty hours," Anakin spoke quietly as he felt his Master's Force presence approach. "Things went bad on Naboo, so I told her to come home."

"That's probably for the best," Obi-Wan said, a small smile on his face. "You're miserable without her, anyway."

"Yes," Anakin answered softly, his gaze never leaving the city. "I am."

They fell into a comfortable silence as they both stared over the city. Obi-Wan sighed deeply, troubled at the events of the Jedi Council meeting. He had never truly kept secrets from Anakin, and doing so even at the order of the Council weighed heavily on his heart. But now, as the Jedi Master stood on the veranda and overlooked the bustling and vivacious city, he allowed all the tension and anxiety from the meeting to fade, stood, and simply enjoyed the beauty of Coruscant.

Anakin stared with unseeing eyes the city, his mind consumed with thoughts of his wife. She must be in so much pain right now, he thought mournfully. And I'm not there to comfort her. When she gets back, I will make everything right, even if I have to talk to her family myself. I won't allow her to suffer.

Tearing his thoughts from his wife, Anakin finally spoke. "How did the Council meeting go?"

"As well as expected," the Jedi Master said wryly. "I basically went to them with a platter full of problems. They're discussing it and will summon us in three days' time."

Anakin nodded. "Thank you, Obi-Wan," the young man said, finally turning to look at his Master. "I know you didn't tell the Council about what I did on the Invisible Hand or about Padmé. You didn't have to cover for us, but you did. And I… I…" He paused as he felt his throat clog with the depth of his feelings.

"I never could have done any of this without you, Master," the young man said, looking at Obi-Wan solemnly. "You're the best friend I've ever had and I can think of no other I would rather have guarding my back. I don't know how I can ever thank you."

Obi-Wan shook his head. He knew that Anakin could see the sheen of tears in his eyes. "Just get well, my friend," he said, moving to stand next to Anakin and placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "Get well, and be happy. That's all I want."

Anakin turned away from Obi-Wan to gaze back at the city. "I wish that you could have what I have, Obi-Wan. Love, happiness, and friendship."

Obi-Wan smiled, the bright lights of the city reflecting in his brown eyes. "Don't you understand, Anakin?" he asked carefully, the corner of his mouth curling. "I love you like a brother and seeing you grow from the boy you were into the man you are now has been my greatest joy. And your friendship? Its value is immeasurable. So, I do have it, Anakin. I've had it all along."

Startled, Anakin searched his Master's face. Obi-Wan didn't know what Anakin saw there, but it obviously satisfied the younger man because he nodded and turned back to the city, a smile highlighting his young features.

Anakin relaxed as quiet contentment eased over him, washing away the lingering seeds of doubt about Obi-Wan and renewing their bonds of brotherhood.

How is it that I ever misjudged my Master so wrongly? He wondered as they stood side by side. How is it that I did not realize how much he loved me, how much I loved him? Truly I am blessed by the Force to call such a man my friend. Truly I am blessed.

And as the city continued to bustle and the darkness of night was pierced by the bright rays of Coruscant's sun, Anakin and Obi-Wan stood in silence, relishing the strength of their bond.

End of Chapter 19: Please REVIEW! They are love…and appreciation.

Chapter 20: Archives: Obi-Wan and the Jedi Archives.

A/N: Thank you to Wookiepedia for the Star Wars facts.

A/N2: So...to Bremue, I have seen the movies' deleted scenes, but not everyone might have, so...I don't include that info in my story. But thank you for the information. Perhaps my other readers would like to see them if they haven't already. (smile)(hug)