Chapter 2: Bombshells

The next morning, Anakin is meditating by the Great Tree at the Jedi Temple. While in thought, he is interrupted by his apprentice, Ahsoka Tano, rushing over and hugging him.

"Ow, Snips, what's the matter with you?!" Anakin can barely breathe with her vice-like grip around her.

"I just want you to know, I'm here for you Skyguy." She says.

"Umm… thank you?" Anakin is confused by Ahsoka's abnormal affection. He then notices Obi-Wan walking over to them with a tablet in his hand.

"I see that your Padawan has beat me to you, Anakin." Obi-Wan says.

"Okay, what is going on here?!" Anakin is growing frustrated when Obi-Wan hands him the tablet with the HoloNet News article.

Anakin Skywalker: Jedi Knight, War General, Repressed Homosexual.

The Jedi General known as Anakin Skywalker is well known throughout the galaxy as a maverick Jedi. His compassion for others around him is well documented. The poster child of the Clone Wars may however have private feelings repressed by the rules of the Jedi Code, and by leading political Senator Padmé Amidala. The following images reveal the truth about Anakin Skywalker. A potential affair with Senator Rush Clovis, as well the deceitful and possessive Senator Amidala. No word yet from the Jedi Order, Senator Amidala, or General Skywalker as this story develops.

Cleverly angled images pop up, making it appear as if Anakin is enjoying the kiss Rush gave him. They also depict Padmé as possessive and controlling of Anakin.

"Obi-Wan?" Anakin says with barely restrained anger. "Who's tablet is this?"

"It's yours." Obi-Wan answers. "The Council was hoping to talk to you, so they sent me to find you. I looked in your quarters, when I saw the story pop up on your tablet." With that, Anakin crushes his tablet with his hands.

"Skyguy, is that true?" A deeply concerned Ahsoka asks. "Do you feel that way about Senator Clovis? Does Senator Amidala make you uncomfortable?"

"No!" Anakin snaps. "These are all lies! Clovis essentially forced himself on me! Senator Amidala came to aid me when she caught him! And for the record, I am not gay. I may disagree with the Code about emotional attachments and love, but THAT is not why." Ahsoka clings onto Anakin to console him. Obi-Wan is in too much shock about the situation to make words.

"Master, I'm sorry that happened to you." She says.

"I… I don't know what to say, Anakin. This…" Obi-Wan stumbles over his words. "This is truly unfortunate."

"Thank you, the both of you." Anakin says. "Is this what the Jedi Council wanted to talk to me about?"

"I'm assuming so, yes." Obi-Wan answers. "If you'd like to, we'll wait to meet them in the chambers."

"No, I'd rather get this out of the way now." Anakin insists. "It'll help avoid a lot of social awkwardness."

"Well… if you insist. Let's not keep them waiting." Obi-Wan leads the way to the Council chambers.

"That Clovis prick is gonna pay for hurting my Skyguy." Ahsoka thinks to herself as she holds onto Anakin.

At the Council chambers, Yoda and Mace Windu are waiting for them.

"Skywalker, unfortunate this situation is." Yoda says.

"That's certainly one way of putting it." Anakin says sarcastically.

"Take a seat." Mace instructs. "There are details we need to discuss." The three Jedi sit with the two Council Masters.

"Now, Anakin." Mace begins. "I am going to assume that you have no feelings towards Senator Clovis."

"You assume correctly." Anakin answers. "He more or less forced himself on me. I merely assumed he had too much to drink, though now I suspect he may have planned this."

"Planned what?" Mace asks curiously.

"In case I rejected him and Senator Amidala came to my aid, he would get back at us with this news story." Anakin theorizes.

"Hmmm, believe that theory, I do." Yoda says in agreement. "Senator Amidala, talked to her about this, have you?"

"Not since last night, no." Anakin replies, noticing Yoda and Mace glancing at each other. "What?"

"Know of your marriage, we do." Yoda says, much to Anakin's shock. Anakin looks to see Obi-Wan looking slightly disappointed. He then sees Ahsoka looking wide-eyed and senses extreme sadness within her.

"Is something wrong, Snips?" Anakin asks.

"I just need to excuse myself, Master." Ashoka steps out of the chambers trying to hide her tears from the four remaining Jedi.

"Do you want me to get her back in here?" Anakin asks.

"No, aid her later, we will." Yoda says. Anakin then turns back to Obi-Wan.

"Master, I'm sorry." Anakin says, trying to get Obi-Wan to look at him. "I know I broke the Code…"

"It's not that you've broken the Code, Anakin." Obi-Wan finally looks at him. "It's that you never had enough trust to confide in me."

"I was planning to tell you… eventually." Anakin replies sheepishly.

"Define eventually, Skywalker." Mace demands.

"After the war was over." Anakin answers. "Whenever THAT may be, and then I would've accepted whatever fate you had instored for me. I guess this just expedited that process."

"Expelled, you will not be." Yoda replies. "Though a cautionary tale I will tell you."

"Masters, that's not a…" Obi-Wan tries to stop them but Mace gestures for Obi-Wan to be quiet.

"We're not telling him to get a divorce, Obi-Wan." Mace argues. "But this little history lesson can help him understand our views in attachments."

"What lesson?" Anakin asks, growing curious.

"A long time ago, Anakin. Dooku may have been a youngling when this happened, Yoda had attempted the idea of Jedi allowing to wed." Mace begins. "Some found balancing life as Jedi and living with a spouse difficult, though others did manage. There was one Jedi, Master Drak Velmus, who found love, in her 14 year old Padawan, Jett Katarn." Anakin looks visibly repulsed.

"A master-apprentice relationship? That's disgusting!" Anakin states, covering his hand over his mouth as if feeling the urge to vomit.

"Indeed it is." Yoda says, saddened by the memory. "Expelled, Master Velmus was. Reassigned to Master Deemu, Padawan Katarn was."

"What happened to them after that?" Anakin asks.

"Her Padawan had attempted to take his own life, before Yoda found him. He was confused, depressed, and mentally unstable. Velmus attempted to return to the Temple and flee with him." Mace answers. "Upon finding Deemu, she attempted to kill him before Katarn stepped in the way. Upon seeing her former Padawan dead, Velmus took her own life at the front steps of the Temple. After that, Yoda decreed that no more Jedi could get married. Anyone who had a relationship before was allowed to maintain them, so long as they never took up another one."

"This… actually makes a lot of sense." Anakin says.

"Now you understand why we emphasize control of one's emotions." Mace says.

"Yes." Anakin replies. "Your reasons are now crystal clear to me. I feel like I should talk to Ahsoka. I sensed a great deal of sadness within her."

"I agree." Yoda says, "An attachment, she has to you."

"What do you plan to tell her?" Obi-Wan asks.

"That while it is sweet, it wouldn't be appropriate." Anakin answers. "I'm not telling her what you just told me, but maybe I suggest there is someone out there for her." Anakin bows as he exits to find his apprentice.

When he is gone, Obi-Wan let's out a sign of relief.

"I thought that story was painful enough when Qui-Gon told me." He comments.

"An eye on him, we must keep." Yoda says. "Manipulative of emotions the media can be."

"I think we should withhold making any statements." Mace suggests. "At least until Anakin and Senator Amidala choose to make statements."

End of the chapter. I know this story may seem very dark, but there is a lot of dark and light humor to be found later in the story. The next chapter focus on Padmé