I am truly, very sorry for how long this update took. I kinda got sidetracked by all those one-shots (and more ideas keep coming), and I got stuck on this part for the longest time. I couldn't figure out how to transition relatively smoothly from romance to political thriller (if I can even call this that). I got a comment earlier this morning from someone who said they weren't going to bother looking for an update because I took so long with this chapter. I assure you all, this story will be finished. It's all planned out through ANH and beyond, and this is pretty much my baby. I'm just painfully slow at updating sometimes for various reasons.

Again, I apologize for those of you waiting for so long. I hope this one tides you over until the next, which hopefully won't take two more months to write now that I've gotten past this block.

Onward!

Obi-Wan, I found something in the Works while you were out saving the galaxy, Asajj thought quickly. Dooku has been meeting Sidious right under your noses.

He tried to conceal his shock at the news. How did you discover this?

I don't lounge around my apartment all day waiting for you to call, darling. People have been seeing things down in the slums. They led me to a warehouse in the Works, and Dooku and Sidious were both there. A firm tug on her arm pulled her away from Obi-Wan; she had been unconsciously moving closer to him as she relayed the information and Shaak Ti had to pull her back between them. She sent a brief glare to the Togruta before continuing. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but I got a recording of the meeting. Maybe your fellow Jedi have something that can clean it up.

Where is it?

A chip in my helmet. Unduli took it when I was caught. Obi-Wan kept his eyes forward, but she could see the shock in his face.

You have to reveal this to the Council, Asajj. They'll go easier on you if what you found can be used in ending this war.

Absolutely not. He started to turn his head but quickly corrected himself. I'm not going to reveal anything to them without something more substantial than my word and a grainy night vision recording. You're the only one who would believe me, and then only because you're in my head.

I don't think some of the Masters are as against you as you may think.

Right. And the Sith Lord orchestrating this entire farce is really a sandcrab that got bored with beach life.

"You are unusually quiet, Master Kenobi," Shaak Ti said suddenly.

I have an idea, if you'll go along with me. He didn't wait for her to reply. "I was just processing the interrogation, Master. I have a couple more questions for our guest that I think she might find easier to answer if not surrounded by so many Jedi."

Asajj snorted. "Depends on the questions, Kenobi." What are you up to?

Trust me. "It would have been more beneficial," he said aloud when they entered her cell; Shaak Ti hung back in the corner to let Obi-Wan talk, "for you to speak up instead of staying quiet, Ventress."

She shrugged as she lowered herself to the floor, her hands still bound in front of her. "If I had I would have only dug myself into a deeper hole, Jedi."

He chuckled. "Well, you have me there."

I'd like to have you here. Without the audience, of course.

If Shaak Ti noticed his hesitation and the forced blankness of his expression she didn't mention it. Asajj...

You walked right into that one, darling.

Obi-Wan cleared his mind of the inappropriate thoughts her teasing provoked. "You told me on Boz Pity to keep watch on Coruscant. Why?"

A tilt of her head to the right and a lowering of her voice made sure that the Togruta was keenly listening. "You haven't sensed it? You live here and even you don't feel the festering? You Jedi really are blind."

Obi-Wan didn't rise to the bait. "What do you mean?"

"You Jedi are so focused on this meaningless war that you can't see what's right in front of you." Now she didn't have to try so hard to pretend this interrogation was real; now she spoke what had been on her mind for years. "I may have lived in the Dark for most of my life, but even I know something's amiss on this gaudy planet. I've not been blinded by the Light like you to miss it." She leaned forward, her neck craning to look up at him. "It's subtle but it's there. Maybe if you and your people stopped looking outward for the cause of this war you would be able to see where it truly lies."

"And where would that be?"

Now came the moment of truth. This was the part that would seal her fate. She couldn't afford to misstep now. "There's a warehouse in the Works," she started slowly. "It stinks of the Dark Side. Anyone with the least amount of Force sensitivity can find it. Head there and you'll see it for yourself."

Obi-Wan crossed his arms so his hands disappeared into the sleeves of his robe. "And what guarantee do I have that this isn't a trap? You're not exactly known for your trustworthiness, my dear."

"Unduli took my helmet when they arrested me. There's a recording in it that will explain everything."

Obi-Wan paused for a moment as if contemplating the revelation. "And if the recording proves valuable to us in ending this conflict, what would you demand in return?"

A derisive snort was his first answer. "Keeping my life would be nice. And my freedom."

He paused. If it were up to him, he would grant her amnesty without a moment's hesitation. But just because their personal relationship had evolved into what it was now didn't give him the power to make decisions that the Council was responsible for. "What assurance do we have that you wouldn't return to your old ways, or even try to work your way back into Dooku's good graces if we let you go?" He saw her flinch. I'm sorry, dearest. I have to mention him to make this look more believable.

How sweet of you to think of my feelings. But it's okay. I understand. "After what Dooku did to me and the massacre he ordered on my Sisters? That's your assurance right there." A heavy pause settled between them before another thought came to mind. "And the fact that your Masters still have my lightsaber. I'll be wanting that back, by the way."

"I can't promise that, Asajj." Neither was aware of how he addressed her despite Shaak Ti's presence. She was so quiet and calm they'd momentarily forgotten she was even there. "That lightsaber belonged to a Jedi Master. Not you."

You're going to make this easy, are you? "My Master," she growled. Even though she knew this entire interrogation was just for show, a flash of pain still went through her at the mention of her first mentor. "As I said in front of the others: it belongs in the hands of someone who will use it to honor his memory, not be left in some vault to be forgotten."

Obi-Wan let her see his sympathy and guilt through his gaze and their bond. He felt her tense reflexively, then allow him to fully embrace her in his comforting aura. "Even so," he continued, "that's not for me to decide. However, I will speak with the Council and see what they can do. All of this is provided, of course, on how useful the recording is." He turned then to Shaak Ti, who had been observing the entire exchange with calculating interest. "Master Ti, would you begin analyzing the recording and see if you can extract anything of value from it?"

The Togruta furrowed her brow for just an instant, but it was enough for Obi-Wan to know that he had just taken her by surprise. "Of course, Master Kenobi." She bowed her head towards him, then left the room without a glance at Asajj.

But the ruse wasn't over. There was always a chance of someone watching or listening through hidden cams; Obi-Wan wasn't familiar enough with this section of the cell wing to know for sure if there were any cams in the room or not. "I hope for your sake you aren't lying, Ventress."

"Still holding onto that fool's hope that I'll become a model citizen, my dear?" she smirked.

He offered a tiny smile in return. "Fool's hope is the only kind worth having, in my experience."

Asajj debated with herself for a moment as he started for the door, then blurted out, "I know you all think I'm deceiving you, but I'm not. I've bent and distorted the truth, but I've never lied. I want this war to end as badly as you Jedi do, believe it or not. I don't want to leave a galaxy filled with violence and death for future generations. I didn't have that chance on Rattatak. All my life I've known war. And I'm tired of it."

Obi-Wan stared at her, the wistfulness in her voice catching him by surprise. Oh, beloved... "I know," he replied in a low whisper. "We all want this conflict to be over. If you truly want to help us, convince the Council. You already know where I stand."

I'd rather you lay down, but I'm flexible.

That I know all too well, darling.

They longed to smile at their silent banter, but the real world and the seriousness of the situation prevented them. Instead, they shared a brief, loving glance and a secret chuckle through the Force. Then he was gone, and Asajj found herself alone again.