They would be departing for Coruscant within the hour, Satine determined to reassert neutrality in the face of the Senate proposition to occupy Mandalore. But events had already been set in motion that even Satine's considerable diplomatic skills and boundless obstinance could not stop.

Once again Obi-Wan found himself protecting Duchess Satine from would-be assassins. Only, this time, Satine protested his protection every step of the way. If the majority of the senators in the Council of Neutral Systems had not pleaded with her, Obi-Wan had no doubt she would make her way to Coruscant herself - and likely not arrive alive.

Stubborn woman.

"This is absurd," Satine muttered, not for the first time, as they emerged from the palace, heading towards the Coronet. "This is a clear attempt to violate Mandalore's sovereignty and neutrality. The Death Watch is not the Republic's concern. We have it under control."

"With Pre Viszla in hiding, we have no way of knowing just how widespread the Death Watch really is," Senator Marrik remarked. Something about the man unsettled Obi-Wan, but then again, most politicians roused Obi-Wan's distrust.

"It is obvious the Separatists support the Death Watch," Obi-Wan said.

"I disagree!" Satine hissed, ignoring Marrik and turning to face Obi-Wan squarely. "I told you I wanted to stay out of this conflict."

Obi-Wan hesitated. "Given the current situation, that may no longer be possible." She would face steep opposition in the Senate with their fear mongers and power-hungry members.

"I thought you of all people would understand my position on this matter! I will never be a part of this war." She whirled on her heel and marched away.

Obi-Wan suppressed a sigh. He understood her position very well indeed, but understanding did not change the reality of the situation. And, unfortunately for him, he made an easy target for her to vent her anger upon.

His shoulders dropped and a smile bloomed. Anakin, flanked by Commander Cody and Captain Rex, approached. "Anakin, am I glad to see you." He nodded his greetings to Cody and Rex.

"Reporting for duty, Master," Anakin said with a lazy salute. He raised an eyebrow. "You look exhausted."

"The peaceful ways of the locals," Obi-Wan muttered with a glance at Satine, "Wore me out, I'm afraid."

Anakin's eyes flicked to Satine's retreating back. "Well, me and the boys are here now." Anakin clapped him on the back as they trailed after the senators. "You're getting old."

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "You'd be weary too if you were nearly smashed into mush and then had rockets shot at you."

Anakin raised an eyebrow. "That's not very pacifistic."

"You're telling me," Obi-Wan snorted. "I'll brief you all once we are aboard."

Anakin lowered his voice. "We heard about the Death Watch. Sounds serious."

"It is. But I'm afraid that is a controversial opinion."

"I see." Anakin shrugged after a moment. "Well, we'll take it as it comes."

0

Obi-Wan and Anakin concluded the briefing just in time for Satine to request their presence in the receiving room.

"I sense some anxiety from you regarding the Duchess," Anakin observed as the elevator door hissed closed. "She couldn't be in safer hands."

"Yes, I know," Obi-Wan murmured.

"Then why-"

"Never mind. It's all in the past."

Anakin turned glittering eyes towards him. "Oh, so you're close to her?"

"I knew her a long time ago." The gentle jostle of the elevator reaching its destination saved Obi-Wan from deflecting Anakin's piqued insatiable curiosity.

Satine's passionate words carried down the hallway. "I'm going to oppose the war as an affront to life itself. As the designated regent of fifteen hundred systems, I speak for thousands of worlds that have urged me to allow them to stay neutral in this war."

Remembering their good-spirited debates in times past, Obi-Wan couldn't help but offer up a counter argument as he led Anakin into the dining room, where Satine sat on dais before the handful of senators accompanying her to Coruscant. "And yet there are some who would argue that the best defense is a swift and decisive offense." Obi-Wan sensed her irritation and sadness. Obi-Wan and Anakin bowed.

"You are quite the general now, aren't you, Master Kenobi?" Her words held a hard edge - an almost insult masked as a complement. He should have known better than to attempt to reignite their old debates.

"Forgive me for interrupting, Your Highness. I meant no disrespect."

"Really?"

Anakin's eyes darted between them. Obi-Wan recognized that calculating gleam and knew he would be faced with yet another unpleasant conversation later.

Satine raised her chin. "Senators, I presume you are familiar with the collection of half-truths and hyperbole that is Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Obi-Wan nearly recoiled from the outright insult. Gathering the remaining threads of his tattered patience, he forced a smile. "Your Highness is too kind."

"You're right," Satine murmured, finally looking away. "I am."

Well.

She wielded her anger as a most effective weapon, and her pain as a shield. Obi-Wan was not fooled, even if it stung; underneath the hurt, he sensed genuine disdain for Obi-Wan's - and indeed the Jedi's - stance on the war and conflict resolution methodology. There was belief behind Satine's words.

"Allow me to introduce my good friend, General Anakin Skywalker." Obi-Wan stepped aside and gestured to Anakin.

Anakin bowed. "Your servant, my lady."

Satine studied Anakin for a moment and Obi-Wan waited for the barb he knew would be flung. "I remember a time when Jedi were not generals, but peacekeepers."

"We are protectors, Your Highness," Anakin said. "Yours, at the moment. We fight for peace."

Satine's chuckle lacked warmth. "What an amusing contradiction."

Obi-Wan patience ran thin. He well understood Satine's ire, but he did not appreciate petty insults and public degradation. "What General Skywalker means is that we are acting at your behest to protect you from the Death Watch and the Separatist who don't share your neutral point of view."

"I asked for no such thing!"

"But the majority of your court did."

Satine rose from her seat. "I do not remember you being one to hide behind excuses."

"I do not remember you as being one to shrink from your responsibilities."

"I will not allow Mandalore to be dragged into this war!"

"A Republic military presence is the only sure defense against the Separatists."

"Even extremists can be reasoned with!"

"Perhaps," Obi-Wan scoffed. "If you can be heard above the clanking of their battle droids."

"The sarcasm of a soldier."

"The delusion of a dreamer!"

Senator Tal Merrik stepped forward, hands raised. "It has been a long and tiring journey. Why don't we retire and save the politics for after dinner?"

"Fine!" Satine and Obi-Wan snapped simultaneously.

Satine pushed past Obi-Wan, sailing from the room. Obi-Wan exhaled and pinched the bridge of his nose. That had not gone the way he intended. He lost his temper, a fact which shamed him.

Anakin followed Obi-Wan to their quarters. "You and the Duchess have a history," Anakin observed as they returned to their quarters.

"It's why I was sent to Mandalore to investigate the saboteur. An extended mission when I was younger. Master Qui-Gon and I were tasked with her protection against insurgents." They stepped into the elevator. "They sent bounty hunters after us. Always on the move, living hand to mouth. Never knowing what the day would bring."

"Sounds romantic."

Obi-Wan arched an eyebrow.

"So," Anakin said as soon as the door to their quarters shut. He leaned against the wall with an amused grin. "That's the girl, then."

Obi-Wan pinched the bridge of his nose. "What are you talking about, Anakin?" His head throbbed.

"That's the girl," Anakin reiterated. "The one you had feelings for." The corners of his mouth threatened to revolt and spread into a wide smile.

"I knew I shouldn't have said anything," Obi-Wan muttered. He scrubbed his face. That wasn't quite true, but now Anakin wouldn't let the subject go until his curiosity was sated.

Anakin held his hands up. "I didn't mean anything by it, I promise." But Anakin tilted his head. "I know how it feels, you know. To see the woman you love again after many years. To wonder about….everything."

Obi-Wan sighed. He really didn't want to deep dive into the murky waters of his emotions. "It's not the same, Anakin." He immediately regretted the words.

"Isn't it?" Anakin raised an eyebrow. "Unless…." He appraised Obi-Wan with far too discerning an eye. "Unless you don't love her anymore." Didn't he? He hardly knew anymore.

Escaping this conversation by any means necessary became more and more appealing. "How I do or don't feel hardly matters."

"It matters to me, Obi-Wan," Anakin said softly. "It always mattered. You're like a father to me." He grinned. "Or an old, grumpy brother."

"Anakin…."

Where had his padawan gone? Where had the precocious child who danced carefree in the rain gone? Those days seemed so very long ago. How young they had both been. Obi-Wan had never felt so weary. But before him stood a man he was proud to call friend and brother. And that was worth every bump along the way.

"Anakin," Obi-Wan leaned forward, head in hands. "You know how….complicated this sort of matter is for Jedi." And Obi-Wan had never been good at or liked talking about his feelings.

Anakin gave a heavy sigh. "Yeah, I do. But I also know the importance of being honest with yourself."

Obi-Wan pressed his lips together. "I made my choice years ago - a choice I continue to stand by." His feelings, whatever they may or may not be, towards Duchess Satine were irrelevant.

Anakin pushed off the wall. "Nothing says you can't change your mind. I just want you to be happy, Master."

The conversation needed to end. Commander Cody saved Obi-Wan from an emotional response by alerting him to trouble in the cargo bay. Anakin waved Obi-Wan back into his seat. "I'll go, Master. Me and the boys have it covered."

Obi-Wan managed a weak smile. "Thank you, Anakin. You are a good friend."

0

The assassination attempt, as far as assaination attempts went, was not a bad one. In fact, had Obi-Wan and Anakin not been aboard, the two assassination probe droids likely would have succeeded. Even with their presence, the attempt nearly succeeded, which was why Obi-Wan found himself on the far end of the room from Satine, with the traitor Tal Merrik holding a blaster to Satine's head while Anakin dealt with the remaining droid in the cargo hold.

Merrik and Satine backed out of the room. Obi-Wan launched himself over the table to race after them, but by the time the dining room doors opened once again, the pair had vanished. By the sound of Anakin's tense response, the situation in the cargo bay was unresolved. Obi-Wan would face the traitor alone.

Following his instinct, Obi-Wan took off for the cockpit. Merrik would need to signal his allies and he would want control of the ship, perhaps even sabotage the ship. Anakin rounded the corner as Obi-Wan shifted from side to side, waiting for the elevator.

"I've stationed troops at every escape pod," Anakin said. They rushed into the elevator, which always seemed too slow. "He won't get away."

The Coronet shuddered in three quick successions. "We've been boarded," Obi-Wan muttered. No doubt battle droids were already flooding the halls.

Troops met them when the doors opened. "I'll take care of our friends. You, get your girlfriend," Anakin said.

Discomfort slithered in Obi-Wan's gut. That title no longer had any appeal. The knowing glint in Anakin's eyes was evidence enough that the epithet had been intentional - Anakin's own special way of probing. Anakin dashed away with a grin. Even in the midst of fighting for their lives, Anakin found a way to make Obi-Wan's feelings undeniably clear.

But his stupefaction had already cost enough precious time. Shaking his head clear, Obi-Wan took off in a run, lightsaber in hand. Obi-Wan followed the Force down the ornately decorated hallway, feet pounding on plush carpet, towards the cockpit. Already the too-familiar sounds of blaster fire and the heavy metal footfalls of super battle droids echoed through the ship.

Just as Obi-Wan suspected, Tal Merrik, blaster still to Satine's temple, stood at the helm. His lightsaber hummed to life. "Senator Merrik, you are under arrest. Release Duchess Satine."

Merrik held up a small device with a sly smile. "No, I don't think I will. You see, I took the precaution of wiring the ship's engines to explode. If I press this remote, we all die."

"Obi-Wan," Obi-Wan risked a glance at Satine. Her too pale face and haunted eyes corroborated his own sense: Tal Merrik was not lying. "If you have any lingering respect for me, you will not risk so many lives. Please."

"Satine…"

Merrik backed slowly out of the cockpit. Locked in a stalemate, Obi-Wan had no choice but to follow the traitor, lightsaber raised, towards the waiting escape pod.

The comlink on Merrik's wrist chirped, alerting him to his rescuer's pending arrival. Merrik tightened his grip on Satine and she grimaced. "Say farewell, Duchess."

Satine glared at Merrik. Her eyes softened when she looked back at Obi-Wan. "I don't quite know how to say this, but, as it looks like I may never see you again… I've loved you from the moment you came to my aid all those years ago."

"I don't believe this," Merrik scoffed.

"Satine, this is hardly the time or place for-" Obi-Wan broke off. Satine's eyes pleaded with him, briefly darting to Merrik, and he understood. Satine hoped an emotional appeal would stay Merrik's hand - a slim chance, but they had nothing to lose. Perhaps… Perhaps Adrina was right. Perhaps it was better to get everything out in the open. Obi-Wan lowered his lightsaber, only slightly. "Had you said the word, I would have left the Jedi Order."

"How touching," Merrik sneered. "But we really must be going."

"You have the romantic soul of a slug, Merrik." Satine noticed Merrik's mistake the moment he made it. In his irritation, Merrik loosened his grip. Lifting her leg high, Satine brought her heeled shoe down hard on Merrik's foot. She wrenched out of his grasp, snatching his blaster as she twisted free. Obi-Wan almost smirked, recognizing the move as one he had taught her. She leveled the blaster at Merrik's chest.

Merrik only smirked. "Interesting turnaround. But, even if I do not deliver the Duchess alive to the Separatists, I still win." He waggled the remote. "The second I'm away, the Coronet will be blown to bits."

"I will never allow that," Satine snarled. Her hands shook, but she kept her blaster trained on him.

"What will you do? If you shoot me, you brand yourself a hypocrite to every pacifist ideal you hold so dear. And you, Kenobi! You are no stranger to violence. You would be hailed as a hero by everyone on this ship - almost everyone." He jutted his chin towards Satine. "So who will strike first? Who will make themselves a cold-blooded killer?"

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. His blade sliced through Merrik's wrist and with a tug of the Force, the remote nestled in his waiting hand. Merrik screamed, cradling his severed arm to his chest. Satine threw down the blaster as if it burned her hands. Obi-Wan couldn't bring himself to care about the censure in Satine's eyes, not when the threat was neutralized.

Anakin rounded the corner with Commander Cody and Captain Rex. "The last of the droids have been taken care of, Master. Shall I give the all clear?"

"Take Senator Merrik to the brig and then, yes," Obi-Wan said. "Have a medic see to his arm."

Cody and Rex led Merrik away.

Now a more unpleasant conversation needed to take place regarding recent revelations. "Are you alright, Satine?" Obi-Wan asked softly.

Satine avoided his eyes. "I'm fine."

"Satine…"

She raised her chin. "You are a mindful and committed Jedi. I must return to my responsibilities."

Obi-Wan shook his head. Perhaps now was not the time to dwell on their relationship - one he no longer had any desire to be romantic in nature. He turned to Anakin. "Casualties?"

"A few injured, no dead, besides Mixer, Redeye, and Shed from the assassin probe. Could have been worse. I'll send a message ahead to Coruscant, letting them know we're bringing in a prisoner. You look like you could use some rest."

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "I'm fine."

"If you say so," Anakin shrugged. "We should arrive soon. Oh, I briefed Adrina and Maelle on the situation."

"How did she take it?"

Anakin shrugged. "She's angry. And she blames herself for the attack on the Serenity and the four troopers who were killed…and the Shining Star." Anakin clenched his fist. "She was supposed to be on the Star when it was deployed to Christophsis. The Council sent her to Kamino at the last minute."

"Nonsense. If it wasn't the Serenity, it would have been another cruiser," Obi-Wan said, shaking his head. "By the look of the holo, she probably saved several lives. And as for the Star, the droid intel indicated the order was issued after Christophsis."

Anakin shrugged. "I told her that, but you know how she is. She feels responsible. She feels guilty. And angry. She's worried that her presence will lead to more casualties, and wonders if she should retreat to Coruscant for the time being."

Obi-Wan would be lying if he said he had not wondered the same thing. He sighed. "She won't. She knows her abilities are needed here." He could never ask her to ignore her duties, not when they were so precious to her.

"I did manage to wrangle a promise from her that she would be careful."

"Good." A muscle worked in Obi-Wan's jaw. "She has her responsibilities and duties she must carry out, but there's no need for recklessness."

Anakin grinned. "Yeah, I told her exactly that and you know what she said?"

"Probably that recklessness is your area of expertise," Obi-Wan chuckled. "She's not wrong."

Anakin rolled his eyes. "You both are so mean to me. It's really not fair."

Obi-Wan clapped him on the shoulder. "There, there, my friend. There, there."

Anakin chuckled. "C'mon. Let's go check on the boys."

0

High up in the Coruscant skyline, the wind whipped Adrina's skirts. She lifted a hand to shield her eyes against the bright sun reflecting off the descending ship. She sensed Obi-Wan and Anakin aboard. Her posture eased. She clasped her hands behind her back. Behind her, she sensed Chancellor Palpatine's arrival.

"Ah, Healer Skywalker. What a pleasant surprise."

Steeling herself with a polite smile, Adrina bowed slightly to Chancellor Palpatine.

"I am truly sorry to see young Anakin leave the Jedi Order. It is a grievous loss, to be sure."

Good manners kept a snort at bay. Truly, she despised politics. Social niceties too often concealed honest discourse, to the determinant of all. But society demanded she play the game and so she did. Adrina lifted a hand to shield her eyes against the sun. The Coronet began landing maneuvers. "Anakin is following the will of the Force, therefore there is nothing to grieve."

"We are fortunate indeed that General Skywalker generously agreed to serve the Grand Army of the Republic after leaving the Jedi Order."

"Demanded, Chancellor," Adrina corrected softly.

"I beg your pardon?"

Adrina faced him fully. "Anakin demanded his commission - the very one you foolishly attempted to deny him. The commission is a mere formality. No power would stop Anakin from leading his men. Not even you, Chancellor." No matter how much power you hoard.

The Coronet completed its descent and the ramp lowered. Palptine's eyes narrowed, but the arrival of the senators, led by Obi-Wan and Anakin, prohibited his retort. Palpatine greeted the party with honeyed empty words and gestured to his speeder before leading the party away.

Adrina stepped closer. "Good to see you both alive and unbloodied."

Anakin shrugged. "Oh, you know, nothing like a good assassination attempt to keep the blood flowing."

"Speak for yourself," Obi-Wan said dryly, folding his arms. His eyes swept over Adrina and her stomach fluttered. "You are well, I hope?"

Adrina gave him a brief smile and pretended her heart didn't swell under his concerned gaze.

Duchess Satine's finely robed guards created a pretty picture as they marched down the ramp and planted themself on the landing platform. Duchess Satine floated towards the Jedi, stopping in front of Obi-Wan. He inclined his head to Satine, who bestowed a beatific smile upon him.

Vestiges of the love they shared sparkled in her eyes. Adrina could picture it, Obi-Wan years younger, besotted with the elegant and poised Duchess - secret smiles, whispered sweet nothings, perhaps even stolen kisses. A pretty picture indeed.

Adrina's stomach soured. Her chest tightened.

Curious. Fatigue betrayed her body in the most unusual of ways. Fatigue was the only explanation for the bizarre reactions her body had of late.

"I'm still not sure about the beard," Satine mused.

Obi-Wan shifted. "What's wrong with it?"

Satine's delicate hand caressed Obi-Wan's cheek and something unpleasant twisted within Adrina. "It hides too much of your handsome face."

Adrina inhaled sharply, insides freezing. She averted her eyes before she could witness Obi-Wan's response. Hollowness mirroring the gulf suddenly stretching between her and Obi-Wan consumed her.

Obi-Wan loved Satine.

Satine loved Obi-Wan.

Sad, Adrina realized with a start. That deep chasm, bone deep and consuming, that nameless void. Sadness. Wistful yearning. Perhaps even jealousy?

Preposterous, all of it. She really needed to rest, perhaps eat a good meal.

"You alright, Rina?" Anakin leaned in to whisper.

Adrina managed a short nod, drawing herself up with a practiced smile. This was neither the time nor the place to discuss unwanted emotions she couldn't bear to name.

Anakin eyed her with confusion, but he didn't have a chance to press. No doubt he sensed things she would rather remain buried in the recesses of her heart.

"Adrina Skywalker!" Duchess Satine's attention swung to her. "I remember you! I never had a chance to offer my condolences. The Jedi suffered grievously that day. It is good to see you alive and well again. I rejoiced when my aide told me of your survival."

Practice kept Adrina's grimace internal. "Su'cuy, Duchess Satine. I heard there was trouble on the flight and came to offer medical assistance. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances."

A smile ghosted over Satine's perfectly glossed lips. "On that we can agree." She glanced over Adrina's shoulder. "Perhaps later we will have a chance to chat, but I'm afraid other matters must take precedence."

Adrina watched Obi-Wan lead Satine to Chancellor Palpatine, somehow feeling as if she was watching part of herself disappear.

Anakin touched her arm. "You sure you're alright? You seem-"

"Does anyone need my assistance?" Adrina turned her back to the politicians. "If not, I must return to the Halls of Healing."

Anakin searched her face. At length he said, "No, we're all fine." He raised a speculative eyebrow. "Merrik will be taken care of at the detention center, which I told you in my message. So why did you come?"

Adrina stiffened. "I'll head back to the Temple, then, if I'm not needed."

Adrina turned sharply on her heel and marched to the Temple's speeder.

The Coronet landed safely with no need for medical assistance. She should be indifferent. She scrubbed her face. No, she should be pleased.

Adrina admired Duchess Satine, even if she found her pacifism ridiculous. By all accounts, Mandalore prospered under Duchess Satine, who ruled with grace and dignity. And Obi-Wan loved her. That alone granted the Duchess an additional level of respect.

But Adrina could not deny the visceral emotions the Duchess elicited.

Adrina stumbled into the Temple speeder. No, not the Duchess, not directly. Satine with Obi-Wan. She slumped against the speeder door.

"I'm catching a ride with you," Anakin declared, jumping over the door. "Move. I'm flying. You're too slow."

"I'm safe," Adrina grumbled at him for the thousandth time.

Anakin snorted. "Not as cautious as you fly."

Adrina rolled her eyes and scooted over with a huff, allowing Anakin to climb over her and settle in the pilot's seat. He wiggled against the cushion and flashed her a grin. Adrina rubbed her temple. "Just get us back to the Temple in one piece."

Anakin pulled out into Coruscant's traffic. "Anything you want to tell me?" He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

"No."

"You sure?"

"Anakin."

"Adrina," he mimicked her stern tone with an eye roll.

"You're ridiculous," Adrina muttered, turning away to hide her smile.

"You had quite the reaction back there," Anakin observed casually. "That's all."

Adrina swallowed a swear. She's been told her Force signature was faint - a trauma response Master Che speculated - but not dim enough. She grimaced. With any luck Obi-Wan sensed nothing amiss. Anakin had always been too intune with her. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"That's a load of bantha poodoo."

"I don't know what to tell you," she said evenly. What could she say? She could hardly give voice to what she didn't understand - what she didn't care to decipher. "I'm sure I'm just overtired."

Anakin eyed her speculatively. Worry tugged at his smile.

He always did see more than he should have.

"Drop it, Ani, please," Adrina whispered.

Anakin slowly nodded. "Fair enough, I suppose. Well, I'll be here if you want to talk."

Adrina nudged him. She tilted her head, studying him. Leaving the Order had been the best thing for him. There was a lightness to him, even in the midst of conflict, that Adrina had never seen in him before. The heartache and hurt, still visible in the fine lines of his face, softened. "Padmé and I," Anakin said quietly, "are talking with someone."

Adrina raised an eyebrow.

"A therapist," Anakin clarified. "Someone she trusts implicitly, back on Naboo. It's…hard work, especially since we can't meet regularly. But it's helping. Being… Coming to terms with, well, everything… It's hard work, but it's helping."

"Good," Adrina whispered. She remembered the long talks she had Master Che had over the years - talks she later realized were therapy sessions. She remembered the pain and anger and tears, and ultimately peace. Adrina was glad Padmé succeeded where she had failed. "I can see that you are happy."

Anakin's smile blinded her.