Anakin adjusted his tunic as the turbolift carried him upwards, past the main Senate floors, straight to Chancellor Palpatine's office. After a grueling day of chasing down Letta Turmond, Anakin only wanted to go home to his wife and hold her close, assure himself that there was still something precious worth fighting for in this wretched galaxy.

The holographic reconstruction of the blast would haunt his dreams that night - for many nights to come. For Obi-Wan to witness Adrina's mangled body… Anakin would not have been strong enough in his position.

Like a coward, he couldn't even visit his sister in the Halls of Healing for fear of unleashing a monster. Anger simmered beneath his skin. But under that anger lay a terror Anakin didn't dare face. Anakin knew exactly what he was capable of when he gave into that terror-fueled rage. A village of Tusken Raiders knew exactly what he was capable of, too. Therapy had undoubtedly helped, but there were some things no amount of clarity or coping mechanisms could eradicate.

So it was with little patience and a good amount of irritability that Anakin strode past the crimson-robed Senate Guards and into his old mentor's office. "You asked to see me, Chancellor?"

If Palpatine was phased by Anakin's clipped tone, he didn't give it away. "Anakin, ah, yes." He gestured for Anakin to join him at his window with a warm smile.

Anakin bit the inside of his cheek to keep from sighing. He joined Palpatine overlooking the sweeping Coruscant skyline. The sun had just set on this side of Coruscant, allowing the fluorescent lights to illuminate the night.

"They say Coruscant is the planet that darkness never touches," Palpatine remarked conversationally.

Anakin snorted and folded his arms. "They've clearly never visited the lower levels."

"Perhaps not," Palpatine allowed.

Anakin waited for Palpatine to get to the point of his visit.

"I heard about your sister. I can only imagine how difficult this must be for you. You love her very much. She really is a….remarkable woman."

Anakin clenched his jaw. He really did not want to talk about this. "She's my sister."

Palpatine nodded sympathetically. "What do the esteemed healers say?"

Surely he imagined the almost mocking intonation. Anakin sighed. "That she has not yet awoken. That they don't yet know the extent of her injuries. But she will recover."

"How can they be so sure if they don't know how she is injured?"

Anakin froze, caught in fear's icy clutches. Shadows of doubt encroached on his mind.

"I can arrange for my personal physicians to take over your sister's care," Palpatine offered.

Anakin's brow furrowed. "The Jedi Healers are among the best in the galaxy."

"Of course," Palpatine agreed. "Yet I worry, in such cases as this, about the Jedi's self-imposed limitations."

Anakin frowned. "I'm not sure I understand."

Palpatine inclined his head and turned back to the skyline. After a long moment, he asked, "Have you ever heard of the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?"

"No."

"I thought not. It's not the sort of story the Jedi would tell you." Palpatine glanced at Anakin. "It's a Sith legend."

Anakin wondered how Palpatine had come to learn a Sith legend, which were known to be closely guarded. Even the Jedi Archives possessed few of them. But he kept silent.

"Darth Plagueis was a dark lord of the Sith so powerful and wise that he could use the Force to influence the midi-chlorians to create life. He had such a knowledge of the dark side that he could even keep the ones he cared about from dying."

That gave Anakin pause. "He could keep people from dying?"

"From the very brink of death," Palpatine said. "Beyond what science knows to be possible. The dark side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be…unnatural."

"What happened to him?"

An almost cruel smile twisted Palpatine's lips. "He taught his apprentice everything he knew, then his apprentice killed him in his sleep. It's ironic. He could save others from death, but not himself."

Palpatine's words echoed in Anakin's head. He had witnessed countless atrocities over the course of the war, countless gruesome wounds. He had witnessed Adrina and Maelle bring soldiers back from the brink of death, when everything seemed hopeless. But he, too, witnessed their limitations, the many that they were unable to save. He knew the ghosts that haunted them.

Anakin wasn't convinced such power as Palpatine described was possible. Legends, after all, could be notoriously unreliable. He had to believe such a power was possible - a power he always hoped to attain. Yet he knew the Jedi would never condone such a power; they would never condone a power that upset the natural balance of life. Darth Plagueis' power certainly danced on and over that very fine line.

But if Adrina did not improve… If Padmé's labor progressed as his vision foretold…

Anakin clenched his fists.

"But there is, unfortunately, another reason I called for you," Palpatine forged ahead, leaving Anakin reeling. "I'm sure by now you've heard of the unfortunate incident regarding clone trooper Tupps and General Tiplar."

Palpatine waited for Anakin to make a strangled sound of acknowledgment.

"Trooper Tupp sadly perished on Kamino while undergoing treatment. The clone trooper named Fives seems to believe there is a grand conspiracy regarding Tupp's death. It is reported he caused quite the stir on Kamino. He attacked Nala Se, as well as General Shaak Ti."

"I'm sure this is all a misunderstanding," Anakin said quickly. "Fives and Tupp were very close. He would take this very hard. I'm sure he just wants to find the truth."

Palpatine inclined his head. "Fives is on his way to Coruscant as we speak. I've agreed to meet with him."

"You are as generous as you are wise," Anakin murmured gratefully.

Palpatine smiled and waved the compliment away. "Let us talk of more pleasant things. If rumors are to be believed, you took a brief leave of absence that proved particularly fruitful."

Anakin raised an eyebrow.

"To Mandalore," Palpatine clarified. "Two Sith Lords have been vanquished due to your remarkable skill."

Anakin rubbed the back of his neck. "It was a joint effort. I couldn't have done it without Obi-Wan."

Palpatine smiled. "You are too modest."

But a kernel of doubt niggled in Anakin's mind. Had he killed perhaps the only hope to save Padmé?

0

Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and Master Plo Koon slowly walked the Temple's halls. Word of Letta Turmond's arrest spread quickly throughout the Temple, breathing life back into the Temple, though the halls remained largely empty.

"Did Letta Turmond reveal her motives for attacking the Temple?" Master Plo asked Ahsoka.

"No, but I'm sure she'll spill them when she's interrogated," Ahsoka said.

"Public opinion is swaying against the Jedi," Plo mused. "This war is becoming less and less popular the longer it persists."

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "And who can blame them?"

"Indeed."

Ahsoka sputtered. "But- but to bomb the Temple? To take lives in protesting a war? It's hypocritical!" Ahsoka crossed her arms. "And to think we're putting our lives on the line for them," she grumbled.

Obi-Wan and Plo Koon exchanged a knowing look. Obi-Wan spoke quietly, but with conviction. "There will always be those who do not appreciate what the Jedi - or our men - do, but as long as we remember that there are good people in the galaxy, that we remember what we are fighting for, it will be worthwhile."

Ahsoka's shoulders slumped. "You're right, Master."

"Padawan Tano," Master Windu approached the group, bowing slightly to Obi-Wan and Plo Koon. "You are needed at the Republic Detention Center. Letta Turmond refuses to speak to anyone but you."

Ahsoka sighed. "I'll go." She bowed to the masters and trudged away.

Master Windu politely made his exit, leaving Obi-Wan and Plo to their musings.

"How does Healer Skywalker fare?" Plo asked quietly.

Obi-Wan's throat constricted. "She has been moved from the bacta tank to a private room. She remains unconscious, though Assistant Amon assures me that is healthy."

Plo halted. "Does she know?"

Obi-Wan looked away.

Plo tilted his head. "You remain. You both remain." Curious, not condemning. How many of the other Council members would react the same to the truth of Obi-Wan and Adrina's relationship?

I have no relationship for which to leave.

And he only had himself to blame.

Obi-Wan looked towards the Halls of Healing - only a wing over - and pursed his lips. More and more, particularly in the wake of the bombing, Obi-Wan wondered whether he continued to make the right decision.

"There is no shame in your feelings, Obi-Wan. Love can be a beautiful thing."

"The Code prohibits-"

"Attachment and possession, yes." There was almost a smile in Plo's voice. "Something I have often regretted."

Obi-Wan blinked. Was there a person Master Plo once - maybe even still - loved?

"No," Plo answered Obi-Wan's silent wondering. He folded his arms loosely across his chest. "I have often contemplated one of my first interactions with Healer Skywalker, shortly after her arrival at the Temple."

Obi-Wan almost smiled in spite of himself. "Dare I ask?"

Plo chuckled. "I found her in the Room of a Thousand Fountains reading a holobook. She asked me if sexual intercourse was considered an attachment and if so, did I masturbate regularly."

Obi-Wan stood in stunned silence before bursting out laughing. Oh, my love. He could just picture teenaged Adrina, leaning back against her favorite tree, looking up at Master Plo with that tiny furrow in her brow. "Why-" He cleared his throat, still chuckling, "Why did she ask you that?"

Plo shrugged. "I believe she was researching the finer points of the Code and stumbled upon a research article outlining the benefits of regular sexual…release."

Obi-Wan could have sworn Plo Koon would have blushed if he could.

"We talked at length about the Code and the Order," Plo said. "But, in addition to her opening question, she made a statement that I have never forgotten. She said that it seemed to her the danger lay not in having attachments, but losing them and in what we will do to keep them."

"Adrina believes it is possible to maintain attachments without possessiveness," Obi-Wan said.

"When I witness the love young Skywalker has for Senator Amidala, your love for Adrina… Even the love you hold for Anakin…" Plo trailed off with a sigh. "I cannot condemn attachments. Love has made you stronger and better. How can such a thing be wholly bad?"

That old familiar weight settled on Obi-Wan's shoulders.

Plo gazed impassively at Obi-Wan, making him feel splayed open and vulnerable. "We are approaching the tipping point. The road is yet before you."

0

Obi-Wan tried not to slump in his Council seat, but exhaustion weighed him down.

"We have received grave news," Master Windu began the Council meeting. "Letta Turmond has been murdered in her holding cell."

That startled Obi-Wan into sitting up straight.

"By whom?" Master Mundi inquired.

Windu pursed his lips. "Witness reports state Ahsoka Tano as the perpetrator of Letta Turmond's death, as well as those of the clone troopers stationed in that wing. Anakin Skywalker accompanied her to the prison, but she eluded him and escaped into the lower levels."

"What witnesses?" Obi-Wan demanded. "Ahsoka would never commit such atrocities."

Windu cleared his throat. "I am told that there is security footage of Letta Turmond's murder. The prison will be sharing all security footage with us."

"Ahsoka would never commit such atrocities," Obi-Wan repeated. Plo Koon nodded his agreement.

"The surviving Republic officers would not levy such heavy accusations against Padawan Tano without cause," Master Mundi stated. "Her flight does not support her innocence."

"You cannot assume guilt without irrefutable evidence," Obi-Wan snapped. "This is Ahsoka, one of our own. I know her almost as well as I know myself. She did not do these things. She is running to prove her innocence."

"Your feelings for your padawan cloud your judgment," Windu said quietly.

Obi-Wan clenched his jaw, an action he found himself performing with increasing regularity during Council meetings.

"Join us, young Skywalker will," Yoda said. The Council doors slid open and a rain-drenched Anakin stepped into the dim room.

Anakin bowed, but remained on the outside of the room.

"Admiral Tarkin is also waiting to speak with us," Master Mundi said.

After a moment, Admiral Tarkin's hologram appeared in the middle of the Council chambers.

Tarkin did not bother with pleasantries. "After further investigation, there can be little doubt that the clone officers murdered in the escape were killed by Ahsoka Tano herself. She used a Jedi mind trick to open the door and then proceeded to cut him down alone with five other clones along the way."

Master Plo spoke first, allowing Obi-Wan to calm his anger. "I do not believe that Ahsoka could have fallen so far."

"The beliefs of the Jedi Council are irrelevant. We deal strictly in facts and evidence, and the evidence points to Padawan Tano being guilty of the attack on the Jedi Temple and murder of Republic officers. This is sedition!"

Admiral Tarkin's hologram flickered out.

Dozens of questions ran through Obi-Wan's mind. What evidence did Tarkin have? Who were the witnesses? What evidence linked Ahsoka to the attack on the Temple? Ahsoka could have murdered Letta for vengeance, though Obi-Wan firmly believed she was innocent on all counts. Question upon question, none with solid answers. The whole thing reeked.

Master Mundi inclined his head. "Skywalker, was there no way to stop your former padawan before she escaped?"

Anakin stepped into the center of the room. "No, Master Mundi."

Obi-Wan greatly suspected Anakin allowed Ahsoka to vanish into the lower levels. He would have done the same.

"The Council believes that Ahsoka may be guilty of the crime. Still believe they are wrong, do you?" Yoda said.

Anakin's eyes flicked to Obi-Wan, whose lips thinned. "I believe she is innocent of all charges," Anakin stated firmly. "That is why she is running, to prove her innocence."

"As I said," Obi-Wan murmured. He sensed reproach from several Council members, but he did not care.

"Now she is in the lower levels," Windu said. "With her skills, she will be hard to find."

"Two teams, we will send. Skywalker and Master Plo, with clones you will go."

Windu leaned forward. "I think it is best if Skywalker stayed here." He turned to Anakin. "Having you involved may actually make things worse."

Anakin raised an eyebrow. "Master Windu, with all due respect, I no longer answer to the Jedi Council. I will be searching for Ahsoka whether you deem it wise or not."

Obi-Wan rubbed his beard to cover his smile. "Anakin and I will search for her together. No one knows her better," Obi-Wan said. He couldn't risk anyone else finding her.

"That is equally unwise," Windu refuted. "You are both emotionally tied to her - too connected to do what probably needs to be done." Irritation surged through Obi-Wan. He was more than tired of being questioned, of being accused of allowing his emotions to blind him. Of being doubted. Had he not proved himself trustworthy? Had he not demonstrated, time and again, his ability to control his emotions?

Anakin crossed his arms. "I would rather capture Ahsoka and find out the truth than let her live as a fugitive because of a lie. I've already alerted security on the lower levels to be on the lookout for Ahsoka."

Yoda sighed. "Go swiftly, then, Obi-Wan and Skywalker, and bring back this lost child before it is too late.