Chapter 12 - Coming Back

Author's Note: This might seem a little out of nowhere, unless you carefully read the hints about it earlier. ;)

~ Tirana Sorki


The Senate does accept them, even if they're reluctant about it. At the very least, Bail and a few of the others Obi-Wan knows are Rebel leaders are willing to give them support. Now, it'll just mean offering an official branch of peace to the Rebellion, and bringing the conflict to an end, which will be far easier now that Anakin is officially the Emperor, very grumpily, Obi-Wan might add.

"We are unprepared for this," Anakin says, clearly unhappy, as they look over some endless piles of documents.

Running an Empire looks like a nightmare.

"It is not significantly harder than the war effort," Obi-Wan objects. That's not entirely true, exactly, but they've had to adjust to majorly different ways of living before. This can't be that much harder.

"I have no desire to be Emperor," Anakin grumbles. At least he's willing to voice his opinion.

"One would have to be insane, to desire such a thing," Obi-Wan replies, amused.

He huffs. "You were the one who wanted to come here."

"That does not mean I had any desire to rule personally."

"There is scarcely a difference between installing me in your stead and having me fulfill your commands."

"The difference," Obi-Wan replies, with far too much smugness, "Is that I do not have to attend all the political meetings."

Anakin makes a grumpy noise. "No, you don't," he agrees, "But I can still ensure you have to."

"How?" Obi-Wan asks, half curious, half smug.

"Perhaps the Emperor will require an advisor present at all times," Anakin says, smirking. He looks way too gleeful. "Or a secretary."

Obi-Wan makes an incredulous noise. "Secretary?" he repeats, "I am not, under any conditions, filling that role."

"Why not?" Now, he looks like he's about to laugh. "You are the one who makes all the final decisions."

"That does not mean I need the job a droid can do." And it occurs to Obi-Wan right then that this is the first time he can remember Anakin looking so cheerful when talking to him.

"It couldn't be that difficult," he deadpans, "We've handled worse during the war."

"I have handled far more war related Council paperwork than you could imagine," Obi-Wan retorts, "That, I do not miss."

"I know," Anakin replies, "Because you had me help with it like half of them."

"That is impossible, seeing as you were not with me nearly enough for that."

"Perhaps that is because you always chose to torment me with it," Anakin replies, dryly.

"Torment?" Obi-Wan repeats, flatly, "That is quite the word for it."

"Also an accurate one, unfortunately."

This is the first time Anakin has actually teased him for anything since... in years. It's been years, and it's so familiar. He misses it. "Well, now you will have more assistance than any Council members ever did," Obi-Wan tells him.

"Tarkin's assistants," Anakin objects, "And Mas Amedda needs a replacement. I think you would fit that role best, Master."

He's probably not wrong. That doesn't mean Obi-Wan is about to agree though. "I am not attending constant Senate meetings, every single day. I will, perhaps, if my presence is truly required." But otherwise, definitely not.

"I will hold you to that," Anakin tells him, smugly.

Obi-Wan huffs. "Very well. But I believe we need to find a suitable replacement soon."

"Do you... know who?" he queries, expression growing a little more solemn.

"I have been thinking about it," he replies, "And I'm uncertain, but perhaps... Padme."

"Would the galaxy accept her?" Anakin objects.

"I know a way in which they would be forced to," Obi-Wan answers, "That is, if you both agree." He's not entirely certain he's comfortable with this either, but there's... little other choice. And it is their best option. Though truthfully, he probably dislikes it even more than Anakin would.

"What?" he asks, almost warily.

"If you were to a stage a... public marriage, you could easily hand the throne to her." And no, he does not want to do that – both because he will selfishly admit that he doesn't know what it could mean for his own relationship with Anakin – and mostly, because he doesn't know how Anakin will feel about or if he'd be remotely comfortable with it. But it's the best choice he can come up with. "Only if you are comfortable with it," he hastily adds.

Anakin hesitates. "I... I don't know. I will have to speak to her about it."

"Of course," Obi-Wan replies, "I imagine she will come here of her own soon. Until then, there is still much to be done with you as the Emperor."

**w**

Obi-Wan doesn't like being at what was once the Jedi Temple anymore – what are they even going to do with the building, long-term? They certainly aren't going to live here – but he finds himself here anyway. Mostly because he wasn't needed, and admittedly wanted to avoid, some of the political meetings Anakin's attending right now.

And there's something in the Force that's nagging at him, calling him to... something. He doesn't know what it is, but it feels dark.

He only noticed it because he was meditating so deeply in the Dark Side; it's easy here, when some parts of the Temple still feel of so much pain and death. (Though there's a part of him that's wondering if it's all from Order 66, or if some of it is from Anakin later on, because... some of these rooms look very much like they were converted to some kind of Sith training room. He doesn't really want to know the answer to that.)

He steps into one of the rooms, a collection of Sith artifacts of some kind, and it looks like there's been little disturbance here since Sidious died.

Speaking of Sidious, his presence is almost suffocating strongly in here, clinging to the walls to the point it's despicable. If Obi-Wan didn't know better, he would almost think he was still alive.

Because the presence is almost too fresh.

And why does...

Obi-Wan moves closer to where the presence is strongest, reaching out with the Force to nudge it.

He can't say why he thought that was a good idea, because the air around him seems suddenly filled with smugness.

And something suddenly latches onto his mind. It's digging its claws in deeper and deeper, stronger than he can fight it off, likely because whatever it is, it's currently bonded to the holocrons in the room. And it won't get away from him, no matter what he does.

And that's the last thing he knows before it almost feels like he's blacking out, except he's still vaguely aware of his surroundings. And he knows that he can't control himself.

Because this –

No matter how hard he fights, the presence at the front of his mind won't let him. And he has absolutely no control whatsoever as... the spirit that was supposed to be long gone which is now possessing him strides from the room, going in search of...

Obi-Wan does not want to know what's going to happen now. Not at all. But there's absolutely nothing he can do to stop it, or himself.

**w**

Something's wrong. Anakin doesn't know what it is, but he can't shake the feeling that something very bad is happening.

And it's centered around Obi-Wan.

He suddenly sensed a strange amount of fear from him, and then, their bond went eerily quiet. And when he reaches for him, it's almost as though he's feeling something else. But it feels too wrong in the Force and muddled over for him to make sense of.

But he needs to go find him now. Excusing himself from the political meeting he's in – maybe this wouldn't have happened if you were here, Obi-Wan. How did he even survive on his own for so many years? – he heads back to the Imperial palace as fast as he can.

He can't imagine what his master could've gotten himself into now. It hasn't even been that long.

Hastily, Anakin makes his way through the palace halls, following where the Force is nudging him. And why, why does it feel like he can sense... Sidious?

That's not possible. He died. How can –

This doesn't make sense. Obi-Wan killed him. He's dead.

But then, Obi-Wan himself rounds the corner, his eyes burning yellow in a way Anakin's never seen before. Of course, he's seen his master's eyes yellow, but this is... it's like looking into the eyes of someone else.

Obi-Wan's Force-presence is strangely muddled over, and so is... Sidious' who also feels like he's standing right in front of him. And something about the mere way he's holding himself is definitely not an Obi-Wan gesture – Anakin's known both his masters long enough to know that.

But... what?

Is Sidious... possessing Obi-Wan? How –

Sidious was gone. He was. He should be. This doesn't make sense. He's not hallucinating, is he? Anakin almost wants to believe he is, because he does not want to confront the possibility of Sidious being alive. He doesn't want to know what it would mean for him.

"Lord Vader." It's Obi-Wan's voice, but the tone is every bit the way Sidious always used that name. The same possessiveness, the same... everything.

It sends a chill snaking down his spine, almost even more so because the voice sounds so unnaturally wrong, coming from the wrong body. And what did he do to Obi-Wan?

But Sidious – he's right here, and Anakin's... He has no idea what to do. Sidious was his master, and he definitely will never see Anakin as anyone else's now. And nor can Anakin imagine doing anything but submitting to whatever it is Sidious wants of him now, and –

"Master," he breathes, barely managing to find his voice. This is... it's the first time he's been in Sidious' presence since he became his master without being in his suit.

"I see you have not forgotten who your true master is," he says, and – How much of this has he seen? Anakin knows very little about what Sith spirits can do or... anything, but somehow, he must've attached himself to something on Ryloth that was brought back to Coruscant.

And – he has no idea what to do. For so long, he was hardly sure if he... was more relieved Sidious was gone or missed him more. But now – He doesn't want him to come back, or maybe it's just that he doesn't want to lose any of what he's so painfully gotten back, something he's certain he never would have if Sidious were still here. (Even if it's not like Obi-Wan can't take it from him again, if he so chooses.)

"How – how are you here?" Anakin asks.

"Did you truly believe Kenobi could kill me?" Sidious queries.

He should've known, of course, that there's no way his once Sith master would've died so easily. He would've had a backup plan in cases such as this, but Anakin never imagined it could be something like this. "You're... possessing him?"

It's obvious enough, and Anakin has no idea what to do. Because it's obvious that Obi-Wan can't fight him off, and when both of his former masters are fighting – What is he supposed to do? This... it's not permanent, is it?!

Sidious cackles, and it sounds downright disturbing in Obi-Wan's voice. Even more so, actually, than he did in his own body. "He stepped into the Sith trap of his own. He is a pathetic excuse for a Sith Lord. I should hope you are aware of that, Lord Vader."

"He sees the Dark Side differently than I have," Anakin agrees. He wants to back away. He wants to... leave. Something. He never thought he would see Sidious again. He never thought he would have to, never had a reason to think so. He didn't know it was something he would have to fear. Sidious treated him similarity to how Obi-Wan did, but it was... different. He can't even entirely say how. Perhaps it's just that... that Obi-Wan is familiar. Sidious wasn't.

"He is weak," Sidious scoffs, "Just as he is making you."

He nearly stops breathing at the words – of course, Sidious would be very unimpressed with him dwelling on lighter emotions, to give him passion. It was always something he strongly discouraged, which is what made it so hard when Obi-Wan was trying to get him to do the opposite. "He is my master," Anakin replies instead. No matter how scared he is, he – he can't forget that. He promised Obi-Wan. And he can't betray him again. Doesn't want to know what would happen if he did, and he doesn't want to ruin what they now have.

"I am your master," Sidious hisses. It might be more effective if he wasn't staring at Obi-Wan's face saying all this. Can he see what's happening? Is he watching this? "You have always been mine."

Force, no. He does not want to have to deal with this again. It's – it's –

He can't deal with this.

"I have always been his," Anakin argues, "That can never change."

The instant flare of rage that follows the words is expected. "He abandoned you, and he will do so again," Sidious snarls, "Do you truly believe you could mean something to him now, when you did not before?"

He doesn't want to think about it. He's tried so hard not to, but when it's all being laid out in front of him, he has to confront it. "This is not your time," Anakin replies finally, with more firmness than he really feels. He doesn't believe Obi-Wan won't hurt him again, and that fear will never fade, but he's still willing to try. More than that, he has to, for his own children. "Obi-Wan defeated you. To the galaxy, either way, you are gone."

"The Empire is collapsing," Sidious argues, "They would welcome the return of a strong leader, to keep the galaxy together."

That's probably not entirely true, but he thinks Padme can probably fill that role. "Can you really do that? In his body? Can you sustain your hold on it forever?" he asks. Maybe it's only the fact that Sidious isn't technically his master anymore that gives him enough courage to actually talk to him like this. Now, he answers to someone else. And... Anakin is where he wants to be, for what he thinks might be the first time ever.

"Perhaps not forever," he admits, surprisingly. There's only so long a spirit could retain a hold like that, after all.

"What does living have to offer you?" Anakin asks finally, because he can't help it. He wants to know. For years, he'd wanted to be free of that, but he'd never been able to find that. Why someone would care enough to fight it so hard, he can't understand.

Anakin can feel his anger, and the weight of his glare. But he has to fight this, stop this. Sidious is gone to the world, and even if it was sometimes hard for him to accept, he's moved on.

"Power," the Sith answers shortly, sharply. "That is all there is for anyone."

"Some have more."

"Anything more is a lie," Sidious snarls. He's angry. But more than that, Anakin realizes, for the first time, that Sidious has never known more than power. He never had... anyone. Not the way Anakin has. Likely, he never has. And he never will, either. Everything else he could have had was taken from him or destroyed by him.

"You're wrong," Anakin tells him, bluntly, standing his ground. Somehow, he's not afraid anymore. Sidious is and always will be a monster and has chosen to become what he did – he may have chosen to become the person he did when he could have done far better, but he is just as much what the galaxy made him into. There were just as many choices that were made for him, so much like Anakin himself. "I know that. I think you know it, too."

"You have allowed yourself to become blinded from the Sith way again," Sidious hisses, "I have warned you of this repeatedly." He had always clung to his past too much, and Sidious was always getting after him for it. None of that matters now.

"There is more than one Sith way," he replies, undeterred, "The Dark Side does not mean we must cause constant destruction. What he taught me, did for me, hasn't held me back. Not as you have. I know what you want, and I will not give it to you. You're gone." Sidious knows that; he just doesn't accept it. And he was able to find a way to come back because of it. "You said it yourself. You won't be able to come back forever. Death is a natural part of life, including yours."

"The Dark Side grants far more to those who are powerful enough –"

"How long will you keep searching?" he interrupts. "How far will you go? Until you've destroyed the entire galaxy, and you are the sole living person remaining? What you're doing will unravel the fabric of the galaxy itself in time."

Sidious is glowering at him, his anger pouring into the Force. He doesn't argue immediately, though, perhaps because he doesn't have an immediate comeback.

"Whatever power you can achieve again, you will only lose. You already said your hold on him is not permanent," he adds.

"Kenobi has no claim to what I have made," Sidious says finally, angrily. He's just trying to get revenge on Obi-Wan, is that it?

"He doesn't want the Empire," Anakin replies.

"He will destroy all that is left of the Sith."

This line of conversation is not helping. "You're in another plane of existence now, aren't you? What the Sith wanted here once doesn't matter anymore. You have to accept that eventually. Why try to regain all of this, only to lose it again?"

"You will not speak to me this way," Sidious says sharply, taking a step towards him.

The fear it kindles is expected, but he stands his ground anyway. "Death is freedom." And truthfully, he still doesn't know how someone couldn't want that, even if he wants to live now. Because... for once, he has something to live for. "You must know that now."

Once, he would've cowered from the sharp look Sidious gives him, before the Sith turns and strides away down the hall without another word. And Anakin has no idea what he's going to do now. Because if Sidious won't let go of Obi-Wan then... That's not going to have permanent consequences, will it?

Or –

He doesn't have long to consider it, though, before he suddenly feels the shift in the Force. The muddled quality of Obi-Wan's presence abruptly fades away, as do the last traces of Sidious' presence, this time forever.

He's... really gone, and it – it hurts, more than he thought it would. Perhaps it was only realizing, when he had the chance to talk to his once master one more even ground, how much Sidious truly always has had nothing. Except his blind pursuit of power, that only forever guaranteed he would continue to have nothing. That Sidious was willing to let go on his own must mean he finally understood what Anakin was saying to him.

But he'll think about this another time. Now, he needs to go find Obi-Wan, and see if he's alright.

**w**

Obi-Wan awakens slowly, and when he finally fully regains consciousness, Anakin is leaning over him, expression pinched. "Are you alright?" he asks. Somehow, it's not until now that he realizes what he's missed most about Anakin is his former padawan fretting over him. Even if it often got annoying.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan murmurs, slowly moving to push himself upright. He didn't see much of when Sidious was controlling him, but it was enough. He still can't shake the feeling of – of not being in control of himself. And he has no idea what all happened while he wasn't, or what he did. He doesn't think it was anything, but – he doesn't know what made Sidious let go, either.

He still feels distinctly unsteady, and his head is pounding from the pain of it, not that it matters much in the face being in control of his body again, but still. He won't risk trying to stand up right now, though.

"You're fine now," Anakin tells him quietly, "Sidious is gone. I felt his presence fade out. He won't come back."

"What happened?" Obi-Wan asks, trying to focus on that first. It's easier than – than remembering what it was like to literally lose control of himself.

"He talked to me. He wanted me to come back. I... refused."

Of course, Sidious would've wanted that, and it instantly ignites his anger, remembering how the Sith had taken Anakin from him. It's ridiculously satisfying to know how he's gone again, even if there's no way he should've been able to come back in the first place, and that leaves him still feeling... shaken. He has no idea if something like this could happen again. But Anakin... refused. (He chose Obi-Wan.) That means more than he ever realized it could, until now. It's an assurance that... that he's obviously not only one who wants this.

But, Obi-Wan still can't shake the feel of that presence ripping past his shields, slipping into his mind. He's never dealt with something like this before, and he has no idea how to. Obi-Wan has always trusted himself. Has always made decisions and everything of his own. Now...

Obi-Wan huffs quietly. "I have never had experience with possession before."

"Ahsoka did on Mortis," Anakin reminds, "We have, once."

"That was an entirely different situation, Anakin."

"It wasn't you, no," he agrees, "But it was... similar."

"Did he hurt you?" He thought he killed Sidious. That he would never have to worry about the Sith taking Anakin from him again, but he was wrong. He could have lost everything. Again.

Anakin twitches. "No. No, he didn't. Thank you."

Obi-Wan eyes him. Anakin feels... uncertain in the Force, even if there's something slightly lighter in his presence. "But he made you doubt me." It's a guess, but he thinks it's a reasonable one.

Anakin doesn't look at him. "Yes. Yes – he did. For a moment."

He wants to be angry. He is angry, but anger isn't what Anakin needs to face right now. Not when he's already undoubtedly shaken up. "We won't leave each other," he promises, hesitantly reaching out to touch his shoulder.

"I know," Anakin answers simply. He still feels uncertain in the Force, though. It feels like... he should say something else. On hindsight, now that things with them have somewhat settled down, Obi-Wan knows that he should have been more careful. Anakin rarely asks for space, but there are rare times he does. Like he has recently.

Once, Obi-Wan used to try keeping him away. The change, no doubt, was too fast and hard for Anakin to adjust to the same way. Especially after Mustafar.

"I don't blame you for questioning me," he says finally, "After all I caused you." He still can't stop thinking of how Sidious could have hurt Anakin, and it would've been in Obi-Wan's body. It would have been little different than if Obi-Wan himself had done it, in some ways, and... and it wouldn't even have been something he could stop.

Anakin shifts a little, looking at him uncertainly. "We all made mistakes," he offers finally. And it hurts as much as it is touching that Anakin is willing to comfort him now, when he... shouldn't have to.

"Yes," Obi-Wan agrees, "We all have. It's a part of living. What matters is if we become closer from it."

"Would you say we have?" Anakin inquires.

Obi-Wan glances at him, consideringly. He thinks of the past, of what they once had. "Possibly. We're trying."

"I should've noticed that –"

"There was nothing you could have done," he argues, "You came as soon as you sensed something amiss. It is – was – often me who tried keeping you away, yet you always came back. I hurt you, because I thought it was what I had to do, but that does not mean any of my choices were right."

There's a lingering surprise in Anakin's expression, and it... hurts, but to be fair, Obi-Wan has never readily offered an apology for anything short of what happened on Mustafar, and that was only under the horror-filled moment of when he realized what his actions caused. "It's... the past now," Anakin says finally. "It doesn't matter."

Though whether he's saying that because it's what he feels or what Obi-Wan wants to hear, he doesn't know. He can only hope it's the former.

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