He was back on Tatooine again.

Somehow, he couldn't help but let out a sigh as he dropped to the sand. This was getting tiring.

"So," a voice beside him said. "Tomorrow."

Anakin glanced over at Qui-gon sitting serenely on the sand watching the sunset. He didn't look at Anakin and that in and of itself said quite a lot.

He turned back to look at the sunset himself. "Yeah."

They sat in silence for what felt like an eternity, watching the wind change the dunes in front of them. It didn't seem to touch the two of them, funnily enough.

"I won't ask you if you're alright or if you're sure," Qui-gon finally said. "It won't do either of us any good. But I will ask that if you feel overwhelmed either before or after you get there, that you do not try to stay out of pride. That is a mistake I made all too often."

Anakin felt a jolt of surprise. "You?"

Qui-gon snorted. "When Obi-wan isn't hurting so much, you should ask him about my legendary stubbornness. Tell him you overheard Mace talking about it." His grin was wry, if a little sad, and he still didn't look over at Anakin.

The former Sith thought about that. The Qui-gon he knew had seemed underhanded and determined, but now that the older man mentioned it, Anakin could see hints of the man's stubborn nature. It just hadn't really occurred to him before.

He almost snorted, but instead lowered it to an emphasized 'hm' instead.

Then the mood sobered again.

"I know you tire of hearing people asking you if you're sure you can do this, but they merely worry."

This time, Anakin did snort although it ended up rather dry. "As well they should." He noted that Qui-gon had finally turned to study him, face blank. The former Sith had to stop himself from shrinking back under the scrutiny. "I am well aware of the risks, Qui-gon. I am in far better of a position to understand than most. But I have to do this. I have to prove – if only to myself – that my fear of the past will not rule me." He felt his gaze harden. "I want to put Darth Vader behind me once and for all, and I think... no, I know this will help."

Anakin tried once again to squash the voice in the back of his head that whispered questions. What if you're not ready? Are you willing to risk the future of the Galaxy on this? How selfish and reckless can you be? What if he sees right through you? What if you don't even realize he's changing you? Again. Are you sure you'll be able to recognize his manipulations?

"I can tell that you're questioning yourself," Qui-gon thankfully interrupted that rather destructive line of thinking. "It's understandable that you're worried."

Anakin slumped. "I'd be a fool not to be. He is so good at locating small flaws and working on them until that is all you see, and he does it in a way that still makes him seem benevolent."

"Hmm," Qui-gon said after a moment, contemplative. "Well, would you like me, as a former manipulator, to tell you the two best ways to manipulate one?"

The sands changed. Anakin blinked. That... hadn't been what he'd expected from the other man.

He glanced suspiciously at Qui-gon, curious in spite of himself, then raised an eyebrow deliberately to encourage him to continue.

Qui-gon chuckled and shook his head before once again turning serious. "The first thing you must remember is to choose – create even – your own battlefield by giving him a weakness that isn't a weakness. You say he's good at finding chinks in your mental armor, so place some bait. Make it look as if there is a weakness where there isn't. You will have to put your whole body into the illusion – especially in front of Palpatine. If he is as good as you say he is, then nothing half-hearted will do, but if you can pull it off, it will draw his attention away from your real chinks."

Anakin blinked. That... was brilliant. "Can you give me an example?" he asked slowly. He got the concept, but he always had been a kinetic learner and examples helped.

The dead Jedi nodded and thought for a moment. "Let's take podracing for example. You and I both know that you love it. You have very little negative to associate with it, so it is one of your greatest strengths. Now of course, Palpatine is going to try to find a weakness. He is going to antagonize you and attempt to make you angry or uncertain or even trusting so that you'll slip up and tell him what he wants to know. So, when it's natural to do so, you mention podracing, stating that while you are exceptionally good at it, you don't like doing it because of how dangerous it is or it makes your mother feel. If you can sell it well enough, then he will believe that podracing is a potential weakness of yours, when in fact, it is not. You can present a facade of negative passion about podracing and allow yourself to put effort and energy into maintaining that facade, offering it as a point he can pick at or exploit when in reality, you are in complete control the entire time."

He faded off, contemplating. "Perhaps that isn't the best scenario, but I hope it illustrates my point."

Ah, it did. Not well, but Anakin did feel he grasped the general idea better. "So point out a topic that isn't really an issue with me, but react as if it was. Act."

"Indeed," Qui-gon said, sounding pleased.

"Hmm," Anakin said, tapping his chin thoughtfully. He'd never been particularly good at acting, but perhaps he could look into it?

"The second, and arguably the most important thing you have to remember is to give manipulators what they expect. Show him that you are a Jedi Initiate, with all the flaws and strengths that that implies. It might even be a good idea to model yourself after one of your friends, then just ask yourself what they would do in any given situation that comes up."

That... actually wasn't a bad idea.

"So why are you just telling me this now?" Anakin asked. He would have liked a little time to work through all of this and find ways to help himself implement the suggestions more easily.

"Because this is the first time I've really been able to contact you since that vision."

Anakin blinked. "On Ilum?"

Qui-gon nodded serenely.

"You were... really there?"

Again he nodded. "And you weren't exactly in the right mind set for me to bring this up then."

Well, Anakin couldn't argue with that. Still, the thought of anyone seeing him like that caused him no little embarrassment.

"There is nothing to be ashamed of," Qui-gon said soothingly.

Anakin didn't answer. Because how we he not supposed to be ashamed of that?

The older Jedi seemed to sense that he wouldn't get anywhere with the topic and thankfully dropped it.

"I want you to know, Anakin," he finally said after a couple of silent minutes, "that I will do my best to support you. I can't manifest on the physical plain, not yet, but for that reason he cannot completely stop me from being with you. If it goes sideways, I'll do my best to get you help."

Anakin blinked. Part of him wanted to refuse, to save his pride and say he could do this alone... but most of him knew how that wasn't true. Most of him... couldn't help but be touched.

"Thank you," he said quietly.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Qui-gon smile. "You really have come a long way, Anakin."

He didn't know exactly what had brought that on, but he appreciated that too. He just sent a smile at Qui-gon before turning to look at the perpetual sunset. They sat in that comfortable silence until the scene faded away, leaving Anakin to sleep.

xXx

Anakin woke feeling surprisingly refreshed.

Which was good. He'd need all the advantages he could get. His stomach dropped to his ankles when he realized that in only a few short hours, he would be meeting with one Sheev Palpatine. And suddenly his potential good mood went South. Oh, Force.

The morning felt as if it were crawling by, and yet when he met Yoda on the Temple steps, he wondered where the time had gone. He and Yoda rode a taxi to the Senate building in silence, Anakin trying not to be sick the entire time.

He barely noticed himself stepping out of the taxi and onto the steps of their destination until the taxi drove away. He watched it go before swallowing and looking up at the giant, looming structure. He'd never noticed how sinister of an air it had about it before. Then again, Padmé had been there as well, in most of his memories. That probably had a lot to do with how he perceived the entire place. The fact that she wasn't here now and still had at least 6 years to go before her term as Queen was up so she could be even considered as Senator...

A cough from Yoda brought him out of his thoughts and he turned to look at the ancient master. He looked worried.

"Let's go," Anakin said determinedly and walked through the enormous front doors. He knew where to go, but followed Master Yoda as he shuffled along, watching the people coming and going. He even saw a few people he knew and managed a wave and a smile that he hoped didn't look too forced.

It took forever and a blink of an eye to get to the Chancellor's chamber. Anakin was really beginning to hate that dichotomy. He stood there in front of the door, looking at the muted color of the duraplast but unable to move forward.

Again, it was Master Yoda who spoke up.

"Have to do this, you do not. Reminding you, I am. An excuse, we can still make."

Anakin blinked at his companion and for one very long moment, found himself extremely tempted. Just getting away from all of this sounded so desirable... And yet...

He remembered his words to Qui-gon the night before.

'I want to put Darth Vader behind me once and for all, and... I know this will help.'

"You're wrong," Anakin heard himself say softly. "I do have to do this. For me."

Maybe he was being selfish, but he couldn't live with himself if he got this far and ran away now. Force, he already had a hard time living with himself, and he didn't need to make that any worse.

Yoda seemed to study him for several seconds before his ears drooped ever so slightly and he sighed. Then he lifted his cane and used it to hit the button that would open the door to the waiting room. A human woman with dark hair sitting behind a rich, wooden desk looked up as they walked into the opulent room. Anakin could practically feel the luxury dripping off of every chair, every table, every decoration, every light fixture... even the carpet and wall paint.

Not that Sheev Palpatine would have anything less.

The hawkbats in his stomach turned into a Kaminoan storm, but he kept his face firmly blank and tried to release it all to the Force. Yoda still shot a glance at him before approaching the desk. Anakin followed him, feeling himself tense with every step. When Yoda stopped, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, reached into his pocket and felt the stress ball. He squeezed it while counting in his head in Mando'a.

It helped, surprisingly enough.

A clawed hand on his arm brought him back to the present and he looked up to see Yoda.

"I'm fine," he muttered quietly.

Yoda didn't look convinced, but he didn't call Anakin's bluff. "Then follow me, you should," was all he said as he turned towards the door in the back of the room. He also tipped his head in the direction of the secretary and waved. Anakin followed his lead and sent her the widest smile he could manage. It convinced her, apparently because she grinned back and then turned her attention to her work again.

Anakin squeezed and released his stress ball over and over again as they approached the door, forcing his muscles to relax as he reminded himself that he'd already seen Palpatine in this time period. He'd already faced the guy a couple of times. It wasn't perfect, but a padawan meeting the most politically powerful man in the universe should be a little nervous.

They paused in front of the door again and he glanced over at Yoda, nodding his head as it opened. He saw the figure sitting behind the dark-ebony desk and suddenly, he wasn't in the Senate building, but in the Imperial Palace. The Emperor had turned the Senate into his own residence, allowing the Imperial Senate to meet there and discuss things on his terms.

It had gone through some rather major renovations, though. The dark, spacious throne room extruded an elegant menace, somehow making it both desirable and detestable at the same time. How very like the man who had taken over the Republic, turning it into his very own kingdom, and Anakin – Vader – waited to be acknowledged by the Emperor.

He suddenly found it much easier to clamp down on his feelings, knowing if he didn't then there would be pain, if he were lucky. Above all else, the Emperor liked control the most, and so he punished what he could sense that he didn't like – and what he didn't like depended on his mood as often as it didn't. He could only hope that Palpatine wasn't in a good mood today. As odd as it seemed, those were the most painful days. Blanking his face as he always did – it helped with his emotions, even if no one could see his face – he stood at attention, feeling the familiar form and taking what comfort he could from it. He had to make sure the Emperor couldn't read anything off of him – he couldn't afford the weakness.

"Initiate?"

A blink and he was back in the Senate building. Yoda was watching him with an unreadable expression and Palpatine seemed curious and confused.

He'd been acknowledged, so he walked in, making sure his steps were confident and sure, stopping in front of his desk and bowing. He barely stopped himself from asking what his Master's bidding was.

"Well," Palpatine said, glancing from Anakin to Yoda, who hobbled up beside him, "he certainly seems to know how to make one feel... respected."

"Hmm, breaking him of his old habits, we are," Master Yoda said, almost in passing. Anakin took a deep breath but didn't dare let his hands back in his pockets to reach for that stress ball, let alone the mints. He'd thought he would be able to handle this, but now he realized that he'd forgotten what being in this man's presence was really like. Even after his two meetings in this timeline, he'd forgotten. If he showed he'd forgotten, Sidious would make sure he didn't forget again. And it would be painful.

"You can be at ease, young man," Palpatine assured him.

Anakin nodded once and took an at ease military position.

"I meant you can sit down," he said, gesturing to one of the seats in front of the desk.

For a moment, that didn't compute. The former Sith glanced down as if seeing the soft, cream-colored chair for the first time. Then he glanced up at Palpatine as if to be sure, then back at the seat, then at Master Yoda before finally lowering himself, slowly and stiffly, into the chair as if it would attack him for doing so.

"I suppose that meeting the Chancellor like this can be a little overwhelming," Palpatine said in an understanding voice that simultaneously made Anakin want to brace himself and relax.

And Anakin had to go through another hour of this... maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

"Hmm, indeed," Yoda agreed, obviously taking his cue from Anakin. He was a much better actor than his fellow Jedi, looking far more at ease in the presence of the Sith Lord. Again, it didn't seem to compute in Anakin's head. How could he just be so calm about this whole thing?

Because he had to be to not draw suspicion. Right.

Anakin closed his eyes, reminded himself that he wasn't in the future, Sidious didn't know him or anything about him, they had no history. He counted backwards from 10 in Bothan and forced himself to relax.

When he opened his eyes, he felt a little more like a Jedi Initiate instead of an apprentice Sith Lord. It wasn't much, but he'd take what he could get.

"What is your name, my boy?" Palpatine asked him kindly, setting his current work aside.

Anakin wanted to swallow but didn't dare. He glanced at Yoda again before opening his mouth.

"Anakin Skywalker, sir." The words came out far calmer than he would have imagined they could and he mentally patted his back.

"Excellent. I'm pleased to have both you and Master Yoda here today. Although I will admit, I didn't expect the Grandmaster to come himself."

"Nervous to meet the Chancellor, Initiate Skywalker was. Some time, I could make."

"Ah, yes. Well, now that you're here, I'm not so bad, am I?" he turned back to Anakin with a welcoming, grandfatherly smile. There was no malice in it, and yet it made Anakin's heart sink and his stomach tie into knots. He hoped he wasn't visibly sweating.

"I... suppose not, sir," Anakin said hesitantly, forcing the words out and hating how bitter they tasted on his tongue.

The older man's smile widened and he sat back in his chair. Anakin had to look away. That pose reminded him far too much of how the Emperor preferred to sit.

Oh, this was so much harder than he thought it would be.

They were right. He wasn't ready.

He was right. He'd never be ready.

Kriff.

"Well, why don't you tell me about yourself. I know I've met you before. You were at Naboo, right?"

And he couldn't back down now.

He forced himself to put his hand in his pocket and reach for the stress ball, whether Palpatine could see or not. He wasn't Vader anymore. This wasn't Sidious... well, his Sidious. Ugh. He squeezed the thing as tightly as he could, took a deep breath and nodded. He hoped the smile he gave didn't look too forced.

"I was. I come from an outer rim planet fairly near there," the less information he could give the better, so no names. "Master Qui-gon Jinn and his Padawan, Obi-wan Kenobi, landed there with the Queen and her entourage after escaping the blockade."

"Ah, yes, I remember that. Please continue."

"Master Qui-gon secured my help in obtaining the parts he needed and in turn he freed me—"

"Freed?"

Anakin felt his mouth go dry. He'd said too much... no, wait, he was supposed to tell Palpatine that he was a slave. It would make his strained actions far more explainable. Didn't mean he had to like it.

"Yes, sir," he replied, focusing on keeping his voice steady. "I was a slave."

"That's... terrible! I... didn't know that things like that still happened in the universe. The Republic's laws should counter all of that!"

"It was Hutt territory," the blond boy muttered. That was too much information too. He'd already given Palpatine anything he'd need to track down Anakin's origin. Kriff.

"Your... master must have run you ragged. You speak very well for a child your age, let alone a slave. That's quite the accomplishment."

"He... was very strict," Anakin said, mentally kicking himself. He'd gotten past this months – over a year – ago. He needed to stop talking like the second in command of the Imperial Army and more like the child he currently was.

"You poor child," Palpatine said, just the right amount of worry and sadness injected into his voice.

Anakin had known his former master was good. He hadn't realized just how good. Honest-looking smiles weren't supposed to be faked, but each one of Palpatine's looked genuine. Of course, it had been years – decades – since the Sidious he'd known had been required to act or put on a front of any kind, but still, this was another level altogether than he'd been expecting.

And he hated himself for that spark of respect he felt. This was Sidious! The Sith Lord who had brought the universe to its knees and destroyed so many lives! He shouldn't be feeling any respect for him at all!

He squeezed his stress ball harder.

"I... don't need your pity," he managed to get out, allowing the real resentment he felt at the expression to show through. Misdirection. Give him exactly what he expects. Qui-gon's words rang through his head and his determination hardened.

"Of course not," Palpatine said with a nod of his head. "My apologies."

Lies.

Palpatine wouldn't ever apologize and mean it.

"In any case, please, continue."

"I... was brought to the Jedi Temple."

"Yes, I remember. How old were you?"

"... Nine, My Lord."

The Chancellor waved his hand dismissively, eyes darting to Yoda for the barest moment – if Anakin had blinked, he would have missed it. "Please, just Chancellor will do."

"... Yes, Chancellor."

"You were nine? I was under the impression that that was too old to begin training to become a Jedi."

At that, Anakin looked over at Yoda. Palpatine, thankfully, followed his gaze and Anakin felt himself relax ever so slightly.

"Considering some changes, we are. Spoken about this before, the Council has. An opportunity we saw when presented Initiate Skywalker was."

"Ah, so you might be the first of many new Jedi your age," the Sith-in-disguise said with a thoughtful nod.

"If it goes well, sir," Anakin responded quietly.

"Oh, I'm sure it will. You seem like a bright young lad."

Anakin squeezed his ball again and forced a small smile onto his face. "Thank you, sir." He didn't squeak, but it was a near thing. This wasn't getting easier.

"Well, let me tell you what I expect of you, Initiate Skywalker. I will likely have several errands I need you to run when you're here, and honestly, that will be your main duty. My secretary, Mrs. Meddion*, may also have errands and the odd chore for you to do. I understand that you've been in the program for a while, so I'm sure that you'll find my office to be just like those you've served in before."

Another swallow. Anakin nodded but didn't trust himself to speak.

"Also," Palpatine went on, "I want you to know that if you have any questions about what's going on, I'd like you to ask me or Mrs. Meddion. If we can tell you, we'll gladly explain."

Anakin nodded again, knowing he had to say something and mentally forced his throat to relax. "Thank you, sir." Well, his response had been passable, at least.

He forced himself to smile again, just a soft, small one, before looking away as if he were embarrassed or overwhelmed, but getting over it.

That's what he would expect, right?

"Excellent. Now, I have some holopads for you to deliver, and then you can report to Mrs. Meddion for anything else. If you forget which place each holopad goes to, you can simply turn it on and it will tell you. This first holopad goes to the Chandrilla delegate. This next one..."

He continued on, and Anakin made sure to memorize each one. Sidious wouldn't expect any less, and despite himself, he couldn't bring himself to dare get something wrong. He wondered if that was his old habits talking or if it were his new fear... or both?

When he was finished, Anakin nodded, stood and bowed before taking the holopads and turning to the door without a word.

"I hope to see you before you leave today, Initiate Skywalker, and thank you for coming Master Yoda."

"Hmm. No trouble, it was. Good day, Chancellor."

Anakin walked steadily out the door and through the lobby, his mind already on the assignments he would have to get done as efficiently as possible. At least he wasn't told to track down a very elusive rebellion and eliminate it this time.

"Initiate Skywalker," a voice called out to him and he paused, noting that Yoda was shuffling along as calmly as ever.

Oh, right.

The door closed behind the old Jedi as he hobbled into the room, nodding politely to Mrs. Meddion before continuing to where Anakin was standing. "At least see me out, you can," the troll admonished.

Anakin took a deep breath and tried for a sheepish smile (although he was pretty sure it just came off as a grimace). "My apologies, Master." He held the door open for the smaller being before following him out and into the hall. Once he pressed the button to have the door close behind them, he almost collapsed, staggering to the side and leaning against the wall.

"Knew this was a bad idea, I did," Yoda said.

Anakin's hands were shaking and he had to sit down. There was a small corner nearby and he put his back into it before dropping to the ground and putting his hands over his head. He hated how weak he must seem, but couldn't bring himself to care enough to actually move or put on a face. He felt like each of his nerves had been rubbed raw, as if his whole body had been wrung out and then set out to dry in the sun on some planet with no actual atmosphere – exposed to the radiation rays and the elements of space.

And he hated it.

He didn't have time for this! He had things he had to get done! He knew if he didn't that Palpatine wouldn't punish him now, but that didn't alleviate his fear or his natural instincts.

The noise of rustling fabric by his side had him glancing over at Master Yoda now sitting beside him. Anakin blinked.

"Well, you did," he finally said. "Nervous and wary and tense, you were, but no more than one would have expected. One such as he, even." Anakin read the subtext of the vague statement. Even to a Force Sensitive.

"Then why do I feel as if I have just given everything away?" he muttered. He honestly felt like he'd completely and utterly failed. Then again, he usually felt that way after meeting with Palpatine.

Yoda sighed. "See now, do you, why too soon, this was?"

Anakin shut his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. "But it wouldn't have ever been better," he muttered. "I never would have been ready."

The old master didn't respond, but Anakin could feel his disapproval, even if he seemed to have conceded for now.

"Do you know the worst part?" he asked softly. "I still want to please him. I still want his praise and his approval. Even knowing..." he thought of where he was and realized there might be listening devices. It was just like Palpatine to bug the entire corridor outside his place. Had his paranoia reached those types of heights yet? "Even knowing what I do," he finally said, hoping that was vague enough.

"Not unexpected, that is."

"But it is unacceptable." He couldn't – shouldn't – think like that! He knew better! He knew better!

Yoda sighed again. "Expect too much of yourself, you do."

Anakin couldn't really argue with that. That didn't stop the fact that they didn't really have much of another choice at the moment.

"I have to do this," he finally said. "Even if it destroys me... I have to." That, at least, hadn't changed.

"Hmm," the smaller being replied in a tone that said he didn't agree or disagree. Then, after a moment, he spoke again. "Tell him the truth, you should."

Anakin's head whipped over so fast he almost gave himself whiplash. He couldn't say anything, just staring in a sort of uncomprehending betrayal at the being beside him.

"That remind you of a former master, he does."

They both sat there as the younger boy blinked at the ancient creature next to him. That... that could work. He'll exploit the kriff out of it, but that was something Anakin could plan for, and it would explain his nervousness around the man.

"I... hate the idea of telling him anything remotely true."

Yoda frowned. "Then withdraw you from the program, I will. Too dangerous, this is."

Anakin sighed. "No, that would only make everything worse. I can tell him that. I will tell him. I promise. And I won't leave things out in the future just because they might be true. I'll... I'll think about what I say and consider... the larger picture before I speak." Even though he hated doing that. Even though he felt that that's what Vader would do and not Anakin. Even though he almost felt as if he were betraying any morals he had.

And Yoda could tell. He could still practically feel the small Master's reluctance, but he hid it behind a very convincing facade.

"Good. Now," Master Yoda used his gimmer stick to lever himself up, "have errands to run, you do. Have a temple to get back to, I do."

Anakin was tempted to ask him to stay... but he knew that would be too suspicious. So he nodded and rose to his own feet. He took a deep breath, released everything he could to the Force and felt it embrace him back. Warm and comforting, it bolstered him more than anything else could.

Even this close to a Sith Lord, the Force – the light – was still there. He glanced at the old Jedi Master beginning to shuffle out into the hallway and reminded himself that he would still have allies and could still call on the light for strength.

He also realized he'd gone face-to-face with Palpatine, had a discussion with him, even, and come out in the most positive position they could expect at this point. They had plans in place, they had contingencies to those plans, and he had the support he needed. He could do this.

For the first time, he actually began to believe that, even if it was only the barest sliver of that belief.

"Honest with me, you should be: Alright will you be?" Yoda asked, looking up at Anakin in concern.

Anakin took another breath and nodded. "Yeah, I will be."

"Hmm," Yoda responded, rubbing his chin a little with his clawed hand. Then he turned and began to shuffle away. "See me out, you can."

A real, if watery smile came to the boy's lips, just for an instant. "Yes, Master Yoda," he said as he caught up.

xXx

AN: I'd like to thank Khalthar and Carradee for their fabulous help in beta reading. Luv you guys! Also thank you to everyone who has read this and everyone who has commented!

Sorry this took so long. The next one shouldn't take nearly so long to get up.