When Obi-Wan entered the Council chamber the next morning, he was exhausted, relieved, and anxious all at once.

Anakin had listened to every word the previous night without interrupting once. Obi-Wan had told him everything from the beginning; from the first night he woke to find Asajj in his room, to how she had finally opened up and talked about what had shaped her into the woman she was and the one she had become, to her painful recount of the death of her Master (that had gotten a reaction out of Anakin in the form of lowered eyes and a set jaw), all the way through the unexpected creation of their Force bond and the way that bond had grown into genuine, fierce love.

"If you want to tell me I'm a hypocrite," he'd said after all of that, "let me tell you you're not the first to say it. I've agonized over that ever since that first night. After all the lectures I gave you about attachment and what commitment to the Order means, I understand if you're angry with me. You'd be right to be so. But you must understand that a bond had existed between Asajj and I even when she was in Dooku's service." He'd run a hand through his hair in frustration then. It was so difficult to put into words what felt so simple to him now. "I can't explain it, can't begin to contemplate what the Force was thinking, but it was there. When I learned of her past, I thought I could save her. You know how much I love playing savior." His slight grin had dropped when he saw that Anakin hadn't found anything about this funny. "In the end, she came to me and saved herself. And as much as I know very few others will understand, I do hope that you can at least try to see things from our point of view. Whether against the Code or not, this bond...this love we have was somehow meant to be. I have a feeling it will become even more important not just to me and Asajj, but to everything in the coming days." He'd looked up and tried to meet Anakin's eyes. "Do you understand, Anakin?"

The younger man hadn't said anything for a long time. Obi-Wan knew it was a lot to process, possibly too much at once. But now it was out in the open and there was no taking it back. When he did finally speak, Anakin had just said, "It's late, Master. We should both get some sleep."

Obi-Wan hadn't argued. He'd simply nodded and left for his own quarters.

Walking into the Council chamber now he still felt the strain of that lengthy revelation. He'd wanted to go to Asajj both after leaving Anakin and as soon as the sun had risen. But he'd realized that not only would he have had nothing new to say, but if he were seen even more suspicion would be in the eyes of the Jedi who already suspected something was amiss between him and her, and she would be the one to bear it. He wouldn't add to her burden if he could help it.

Obi-Wan took his seat and nodded a greeting at an already-seated Yoda (no other Masters had yet arrived). "Complex, things are becoming," the tiny Jedi said softly. "Mmm, Master Obi-Wan?"

"They are indeed." He hated to think just how much more complicated things would get before the day was over. "I only hope we can straighten all of this out quickly."

"I believe I can help on that account, Master Kenobi." Shaak Ti entered, followed by Masters Mundi, Windu, Unduli, and Fisto. The Togruta remained standing while the others took their seats. Obi-Wan noticed how none of their eyes seemed any more accusatory or suspicious than normal and he let out a small breath. As disappointed and angry as Anakin may have been (and been right to be), he hadn't divulged anything to any of them. Obi-Wan knew he could trust him with anything, but it hadn't stopped that tiny twinge of doubt from trying to work its way into his brain.

"Masters," Shaak Ti began while pulling a holoprojector from her robes, "I have analyzed the footage retrieved from Ventress's helmet cam. It took some time to clean up, but I believe it may hold a new piece to this puzzle we find ourselves in with this war."

"Forgive me, Master Ti," Kit interrupted. "But shouldn't Ventress be present to explain what it is we will be looking at?" Obi-Wan had wondered the same thing.

"She will be. She is being escorted here as we speak."

Obi-Wan felt his anxiety spike when he looked around the chamber and saw that one face that had been there from the beginning was nowhere to be seen now.

Asajj was proud of herself for not letting her fear of Skywalker show on her face or in her voice. Oh, she still despised him, still feared what he was capable of as he skated the line of the Dark Side especially without Obi-Wan to hold him back. But when her cell door opened to reveal him on the other side, she noticed something different.

At first he seemed somewhat calm. He ordered her to stand and follow him, firmly but politely. That had made her look askance at him for a beat before rising to her feet. She had kept him in her peripheral while they walked, not trusting him in the slightest to not take advantage of an opportunity to strike her down if one arose. But he hadn't said a word or even acknowledged that she was even there.

If she hadn't know him better she would have sworn he was deep in thought; Obi-Wan had often worn the same expression when he was thinking too much. In light of that, silence seemed the better option than risking provoking him again. Skywalker was already dangerous enough with his rash nature; who knew how deadly he could be if he started thinking.

Every nerve in Asajj's body felt as if it had been set on fire. She knew he would try something, anything to prove that she had indeed bewitched Obi-Wan and was the same evil Sith aspirant she had always been. Not being able to tell when his attack would happen was agonizing. But she kept her face blank and her Force signature steady. As afraid of being left alone with him as she was she would sooner join a Hutt's harem than let her discomfort show.

"He told me everything," Skywalker said now, his voice quiet yet seeming to boom within the confines of the narrow hallway. "Obi-Wan vouched for you. Said that you two are...in love." He didn't look at her, but she saw the grimace that twisted his face at those two words. "I still think you've done something to him, but he was genuine last night when he said that. I believe him." He stopped just outside the lift to the Council chamber and turned to fix her with a hard stare. She stared back. "But I still don't trust you, Ventress. I don't know and I don't care how you feel about him. All I need to know is that he loves you for Force knows what reason."

A shadow crossed his face then, a flash of confusion and hurt sparking through his eyes. Asajj knew he was thinking about Senator Amidala. Skywalker had nearly killed her when she learned of his secret relationship with her, and if Obi-Wan had confessed to entering into an affair with a former enemy, then no doubt Skywalker was struggling to reconcile the hypocrisy. She stayed quiet and let him work through it on his own. Not out of concern for his pride (as if he would take advice on love from her anyway), but because she didn't owe him any kind of explanation or defense. The Force had bound her and Obi-Wan together, the love that had grown between them was natural and true, and they would continue to approach it like mature adults. Skywalker's opinion of it and them meant nothing to her.

"But just so we're clear," he continued, "the only reason I don't kill you now is for his sake. The second I even feel like you're going to hurt or betray him, I'll put my lightsaber through your heart. Am I understood?"

Asajj almost smirked. As much as she hated him, she respected that fierce loyalty. If their positions had been reversed, she would have said the same thing...only in less polite terms. "Perfectly. And just so I'm clear, the same goes for you. Am I understood?"

Icy blue eyes never swayed from cutting silver. The battle of wills that raged between them was just as intense as any duel they'd ever had with lightsabers. Even when the turbolift opened before them they didn't blink. "After you," Skywalker ground out.

Asajj simply raised an eyebrow. He knew her better than to think she would turn her back on him, especially in such an enclosed space. He took the hint and stepped in first.

She had to force herself to not look at Obi-Wan when they entered the Council chamber. The Jedi may have been blind to everything going on around them on Coruscant, but they could be irritatingly observant in other matters. She wouldn't give them any reason to suspect anything...provided Skywalker had extended the same courtesy and hadn't already blabbed just to spite her. Instead she risked a gentle caress through the Force and relaxed a fraction when his aura wrapped tightly around hers.

"Welcome back, Ventress," the Togruta said dispassionately. "I have reviewed the data you recorded in the Works, but we require more information about the footage." The holoprojector in her hand came to life and showed two figures, Dooku and a hooded and cloaked being. The image was grainy and fuzzy, the result of Asajj having kept herself as far as possible from the man who had ordered her execution. She hadn't dared get any closer. "The audio was nearly impossible to clean up. Can you tell us what Count Dooku and this man were saying?"

"No. I couldn't hear anything past whispers. But I can guess that whatever it was had something to do with a plot here on Coruscant."

A tremor went through the assembled Masters, even those who weren't physically there. "That is most improbable," the hologram of Plo Koon said. "What makes you think this?"

Asajj's calm vanished in that instant. Not even Obi-Wan's metaphysical presence could stop her hackles from rising. "Perhaps the fact that two Sith Lords have been meeting under your noses and none of you noticed. Or perhaps the fact that this war has been moving closer to the Core and taking Coruscant would bring about the end of it in favor of the CIS. Which would you prefer, Master Jedi?"

Darling, please...

Hush, Obi-Wan. They want me to talk, I'll talk, but they're not going to insult my intelligence.

Shaak Ti diffused the tension before any more words could be exchanged. "How did you come across this meeting, Ventress?"

Asajj took a breath before answering. "Before my 'death' on Boz Pity, I had learned some of Dooku's plans for the future of the war. He and Sidious were planning something with Coruscant. I didn't know if that meant on-planet or not, but it didn't matter in the end. I wasn't privy to those conversations. I told Kenobi to keep an eye on this world, that it was the key to ending the war. I'm sure he mentioned it when he reported my death."

"Indeed he did," Windu said. "But that doesn't explain how you discovered these meetings between Dooku and Sidious here on Coruscant."

She shrugged. "I asked around. Amazing what a little footwork among the dregs of society will do." As if you people would think to mingle with the lower class.

Obi-Wan leaned forward with a mental sigh in her direction. "How long have they been meeting like this?"

Now she turned to look at him. She kept her expression neutral, but she couldn't stop the spark that ignited in her chest. "I don't know, but the people in the lower levels have been seeing Dooku's ship for at least a few months. I followed their tips and my own instincts and came upon what you see now." The hooded figure of Sidious turned then, and something caught Asajj's eye. "Wait," she said hurriedly. "Pause it there." She stepped toward the frozen image. A shape lay half-hidden by the folds of Sidious's cloak at his neck.

"What is it?" Concern colored Obi-Wan's voice, but she was focused on that shape.

"He's wearing something. Some kind of clasp. I've seen this design somewhere before," -she traced the outline with a fingertip- "but I can't place it."

"Mmmm, familiar, Sidious may be to you," Yoda offered. "Perhaps met him before, you have?"

She shook her head. "Doubtful. I've felt his Darkness even through holoprojectors. No one can hide a Force presence that Dark."

A wave of doubt and worry swept through the room. "That was what we'd initially believed about the resurgence of the Sith." Windu seemed uncomfortable mentioning that. So the esteemed Jedi Council had refused to believe the Sith remained because it didn't fit into their comfort zone? Well, that was amusing. "Is there anything else you can tell us about this meeting? How long it lasted? Where it was? Even the smallest detail could be important."

Do they think I'm a youngling?

Obi-Wan didn't respond verbally, but he did raise his brows imploringly. We just need to be absolutely sure of this, Asajj. You know I trust you with my life, but the others don't know you like I do.

And no one ever will, my dear.

She felt him chuckle lightly through their bond. I've no doubt of that.

With her mood tempered, she was able to answer Windu's questions without further incident. She told him everything she could, including the fact that she had only seen one vehicle instead of two; that meant that Sidious must have some kind of residence or base nearby if he traveled without even a speeder. Hearing her testimony aloud, she realized how little it was to go on. Obi-Wan may have believed her, but there were mitigating circumstances for that. For the others, well, they had no reason to trust a single thing she said.

When she was finished, the chamber was as silent as tomb. Even Skywalker remained quiet in his corner. Now they would either kill her for her past transgressions and use the information she had gathered, or turn her over to the Senate to stand trial and be executed. The only way out was if Obi-Wan did something stupid.

"Very concerning, this development is. To this warehouse, a squadron we will send. Investigate further, we will. Master Windu, lead this squadron, will you?" The Korun nodded. "Forward, we must look if an end to this conflict, we can bring."

The Jedi began to disperse. Holograms flickered out of view. Obi-Wan remained in his seat while Asajj stood standing on the rotunda. "Master Yoda," he said hurriedly. "What of Asa-Ventress?"

Skywalker hung back just outside the chamber door, a fact that didn't escape Asajj's notice. "Mmmm. Helpful you have been, Ventress. Very helpful indeed." His fathomless eyes locked onto hers. Asajj found herself unable to look away even if she wanted to. His gaze bored into her very soul until she felt completely exposed, with every thought, every flaw, every tiny thing about her on display. But his was not a critical gaze. Merely a searching one. For some reason she felt...safe under his scrutiny. "Leave the Temple, we cannot allow you. For your own safety as well as ours. But a prisoner, you are no longer." He waved his hand and the stun cuffs on her wrists fell to the floor. Asajj looked at them in disbelief. What was he up to? "Moved, you will be, to a new room. Not a cell. Agreeable, this is, yes?"

The shock was too much. She looked to Obi-Wan, who seemed just as surprised as she was. What is going on? she thought. Why would he do that?

Obi-Wan shook his head almost imperceptibly. Almost. "An error I am making, think you, young Ventress?" Yoda chortled as he hefted himself from his seat. "Aware of your past I am. Of your distrust of the Jedi. Many of the old ways and old feelings, dying in this conflict, they are. Perhaps time it is to let certain ones die so others may be forged." The green Master turned to Obi-Wan, who still sat astonished by the decision. "Show young Ventress to her new accommodation, will you, Master Obi-Wan?" Without waiting for a reply, he hobbled out the door, past Skywalker, and let it slide shut behind him.

Left alone, Obi-Wan and Asajj could only look at each other. Although it was a far better option than being executed, it was still grossly unexpected. At the moment, neither cared too much of the reasons why. Glancing at the door, Obi-Wan stepped towards her and curled his fingers around hers. "Everything will work out, darling," he whispered with barely contained hope. "I promise."

Asajj lifted her other hand to his face, uncaring if anyone should see. "Don't make promises you can't keep, my dear. There's no guarantee they'll let me live after everything I've done."

"I'll make sure that doesn't happen. You have helped us more than you know." He covered her hand on his cheek with his and nuzzled her palm. "You saved me from Maul and Savage, you helped clear Ahsoka of terrorism and murder charges, and just now you've filled in another piece to this blasted puzzle. You are far too valuable to the Order now to be executed." He turned his head into her hand then and pressed a kiss to her skin. "You are far too valuable to me to let that happen."

Despite still being a prisoner in the Jedi Temple and still not pardoned, Asajj's heart swelled with love and affection at his words. She didn't dare think of how far he might go to keep his promise, but for now it was enough to be reminded that she was loved wholly and unconditionally. She wanted to kiss him until he couldn't breathe for that. Instead she simply said, "Aren't you the one who always said to never let personal feelings override your judgment?" The soft smile on her lips and in her eyes kept the words from being accusatory.

Obi-Wan smiled back. "And who says they are? My feelings for you don't impede my ability to know what is right and wrong. And I'll have you know I'm an excellent judge of character." He started towards the door, her hand still in his. "I was right about you, wasn't I?"

Asajj rolled her eyes. "You are never going to let that go, are you."

"Never." A kiss to her knuckles and another smile and he dropped her hand. It was time to put the masks back on.