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Star Wars AU The Triumph of Darth Plagueis: Episode Twelve – Clones Wars Part 3 Jedi Desires

By

Celgress

Crousant

On the roof of an abandoned warehouse, which was slated for demolition, Anakin Skywalker and his padawan Ahsoka Tano sat. The two watched the sunset over the upper reaches of the Republican Capital. Master and student often came to this spot for relaxation when they found themselves back home between missions. It was one of the few activities they did alone. No one else was aware of their special spot. When they were together watching the sky nothing else mattered, nothing else existed. Both Jedi were lost in their thoughts. Silently they watched thousands of aerial vehicles move across the invisible sky lanes in never ending streams, like currents in a river. They certainly would miss the view from this place when it was eventually torn down.

"What are we doing tomorrow?" Ahsoka asked keeping her eyes on the setting sun. "Maybe you can instruct me in chaining force abilities into duels Sky Guy? I'm still having some trouble with execution."

"It'll have to wait Snips" Anakin answered not looking at Ahsoka. "I plan on spending tomorrow with Senator Amidala. We haven't seen each other in months. You know she is my best friend."

A pained look briefly flashed across Ahsoka's face. "I wish I had a best friend."

"Isn't Barriss your best friend?" Anakin said turning his attention towards Ahsoka. "Can't you two do something together tomorrow?"

"I guess" Ahsoka said half heatedly offering Anakin a weak smile. "I just thought…"

"Snips I might not have a chance to see Padme again for Force knows how longer, surely your combat exercises can wait a bit?"

"I…"

"That's' my girl" Anakin said giving Ahsoka a hug. "You're a real lifesaver Snips." Ahsoka chewed her lower lip a conflicted expression on her face.

The Senate, the following day

Senator Padme Amidala starred out the large window in her private quarters. Padme was nervous it had been three months since she'd last seen her secret fiancé Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker. Sometimes Padme could hardly believe she and Anakin were betrothed. Everything had happened so fast. She and Anakin had only known each other for about a month when they first made love. A short time later they were engaged. While Padme did love Anakin there were times when she feared it would not be enough. Anakin was such a combustible personality. In spite of his best intentions he often did reckless, stupid things. Their personalities were so different she was calm & collected while he was passionate and impulsive. Would a marriage between the two of them work? There was also the Jedi Code to consider. Padme knew if their relationship was ever exposed Anakin's career as a Jedi would mostly certainly be over. How long could they keep their relationship secret? Would their relationship survived being revealed and the consequences such a revelation would entail for them both?

"Guess who" said a cheerful voice as two strong hands gently covered her eyes.

"Anakin" Padme said happily. The hands were removed from her eyes. Padme turned around facing smiling her fiancé. "It has been forever. I'm so happy to see you. I've been so worried." Padme said as she and Anakin embraced.

"Sorry I didn't contact you my angel" Anakin said holding Padme close. "Force I wanted to but the mission demanded we maintain radio silence. I hated every minute we were apart."

"You know what I hate Ani? I hate this damn war. I wish it would end."

"We all wish it would end angel" Anakin said drinking in the scent of Padme. "Peace will come once we've ground the Separatist forces into dust. Like Supreme Chancellor Damask says once they know they're beat there will be peace."

Anakin felt Padme's body tense against him. "Ani surely you don't believe Supreme Chancellor Damask is right, do you?" Padme asked breaking their embrace.

"Of course I do. The Supreme Chancellor is a great being" Anakin said defending his mentor. "If it wasn't for his tough policies even more worlds would have joined the CIS by now. Damask is a hero."

"I know Damask is your unofficial mentor, and a good friend, still I can't believe what I'm hearing. Anakin the Supreme Chancellor is stoking the fires of conflict. Do you know that he refuses to negotiate with the Separatists in any way, shape or form?"

"If he negotiates with them it'll confer legitimacy upon their cause, legitimacy which their illegal and immoral insurgency doesn't deserve. Such an action could even cause undecided worlds to join the CIS. Is that what you want Padme? Because it certainly isn't what I want." Anakin said folding his arms across his chest.

"Of course I don't want that. Anakin listen to yourself. You sound just like Damask."

"You say that like it is a bad thing."

"Why are you so certain it isn't? Damask is acting more like a de-facto monarch than the duly elected head of the Senate."

"We need him Padme. The galaxy needs strong leadership, a clear vision in this time of crisis. If it wasn't for his steady hand guiding the ship of state, I have no doubt things would be even worse than they currently are."

"What about democracy? What about the collective will of the majority?"

"All fine words, when peace holds sway. In these trying times such concepts can be very dangerous in practice."

"What do you mean?"

"The Separatists rebelled because they desired to impose their collective will upon the rest of us. See because the overall collective will of the Senate ran counter to that of the Separatists they formed their own organization. Padme If there had only been one will, one voice, one vision in the Republic not a million competing ones than this war never would have happened."

"Anakin you're describing a dictatorship" Padme concluded a bit taken aback.

"What if I am?" Anakin said throwing his arms up in the air. "If the majority of ordinary people are happy, and it works than would a dictatorship truly be so bad?"

"How could you even ask such a question? Of course it would be that bad. The majority would have little or no say."

Anakin shrugged. "Perhaps they don't deserve a say. Look at the fine mess they've already caused, the system is broken Padme. All Damask is trying to do is fix it."

"Ani lets agree to disagree, alright?" Padme offered. "We've been apart so very long. I do not want political differences to dominate our time together."

"I agree" said Anakin the two embraced again their lips locked in a passionate kiss, Padme guided Anakin towards her bed chambers.

Jedi Temple, three days later

"Anakin are you all right?" Obi-wan asked his former padawan as the two Jedi knights walked down the main corridor of the Temple. Something seemed to have been troubling the young man ever seen he returned from seeing Senator Amidala two days before.

"Yes master I'm fine" Anakin began then cocked his head to one side. "Actually no, no I'm not fine. Is there some place we can talk, in private?"

Taken aback by Anakin's frankness Obi-wan was momentarily at a loss. Noticing the evident distress of his former master Anakin reconsidered his actions. "I'm sorry master it is nothing. I'll see you around."

"No Anakin wait!" Obi-wan shouted after the swiftly departing Anakin. "I believe the Room of One Thousand Fountains is free."

Several minutes later the two Jedi were sitting at a bench in the immense vaulted chamber. All around them water cascade and plants waved in the artificial breeze. "Master, Obi-wan there is no easy way to say this. I'm in love with Senator Amidala. We've been engaged for over a year and we want to get married soon." Anakin blurted out all at once.

Rendered momentarily speechless Obi-wan simply looked at Anakin, a dumbfounded expression on his face. "Anakin you know such a relationship is against the Jedi Code."

"Which is why I wish to talk with you master. I think the Jedi Code is wrong, that it is outdated."

"Maybe so, but that isn't for us to decide Anakin"

"Why not master?"

"Because the Council makes the Code, any modification would have to be approved by them."

"The Council members are to set in their ways. They'll never approve such changes."

"Perhaps" Obi-wan said stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Still attachments especially of a romantic nature can prove, problematic. Anakin how could you allow this to happen, didn't I teach you better?"

"With all due respect master, it just kind of happened. Besides you can't tell me you've never had romantic feelings for anyone" Anakin said with a sly grin. "I see the way you look at Knight Tachi."

The older man's face flushed his demeanor becoming flustered. "Anakin my feelings are not the issue here. Besides even if I do feel a romantic inclination towards Siri, I can't act upon it. Such feelings would be my personal failing I would never force them upon another Jedi. I will not disgrace myself or another in such a manner. I will not discuss this matter any further with you."

"I'm sorry master. I was only trying to make you understand" Anakin casting his eyes downward in shame.

"Anakin you must end your relationship with Padme at once. It is the only way."

"Don't ask me to end it, because I will never do so. I love Padme. I will not give her up for anyone or anything, not for the Jedi Order, not even for you" Anakin said once again meeting Obi-wan's gaze.

"Oh Anakin, you'll be the death of me yet" Obi-wan said laying his hand upon the shoulder of his friend. "We'll talk about this again in the morning." The pair then left the Room of a One Thousand Fountains.

Unbeknownst to either of them a lone figure had been watching their conversation. Siri Tachi emerged from behind a group of ferns. She had come looking for solitude. When she had seen the room was already occupied by Obi-wan and Anakin she had turned to leave. Anakin's allegation of Obi-wan's true feelings followed by Obi-wan's reaction had stopped her dead in her tracks. Ducking behind the stand of ferns she had listen to the rest of the conversation unfold.

"Obi-wan loves me" Siri repeated to herself shaken by the unwanted knowledge. The important question was did she feel the same way about Obi-wan? For the first time in her life Jedi Knight Siri Tachi was unsure of herself.

To Be Continued