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Author	Topic: COMPLETE! / Keep Falling Down / AU...Anakin, Obi, Padmé
agentj Registered: Dec '04	Date Posted: 1/9/05 12:42am Subject: COMPLETE! / Keep Falling Down / AU...Anakin, Obi, Padmé - Date Edited: 8/16/05 10:33pm (19 edits total) Edited By: agentj
	Thanks to all the readers who nominated this story for the alternative universe and short story categories in the 2005 Summer FanFic Awards! TITLE: Keep Falling Down AUTHOR: agentj STATUS: complete CATEGORY: Alternative Universe: Drama, Angst CHARACTERS: Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padmé Amidala, Mace Windu (minor), Yoda (minor) TIMEFRAME: Saga: Prequel/Classic Series: RotS/RotJ SUMMARY: What would you do if you could live your life over again, starting at the point where you made your biggest mistake? Anakin Skywalker is about to find out. AUTHOR'S NOTES: Written before viewing Revenge of the Sith, this story was based on the countless spoilers available before the movie's release. The flashback scenes don't match what actually happened in the film, but they are still perfectly recognisable to anyone who has seen the movie or read the book. DISCLAIMER: I willingly and willfully use characters and situations copyrighted by Twentieth Century Fox and Lucasfilm Ltd. without permission, and without monetary gain. Additional characters and situations are copyright 2005 Lisa D. Jenkins. PART 1 - The Sky is Wild Floating. Drifting. Slowly, sounds returned. Rain was falling. Anakin heard it splattering against the transparisteel before he opened his eyes. It was a pleasant sound, or at least it should have been. If there should have been any sound at all. But there shouldn't have. Soft voices murmured in the background. A man and a woman. Familiar. Comforting. ...Frightening. With his eyes still closed, Anakin's brow furrowed. Something wasn't right. The murmurs had ceased. There was the sound of materials shifting. "He's waking!" the woman's voice announced. Upon the sound of her voice, Anakin's eyelids flew open of their own accord. Nothing in the galaxy was going to keep him from seeing the origin of that voice. That sweet voice. The angelic face.... "Morning, Anakin." A man's aging face, outlined by ginger hair and laced with grey appeared over him. "Or perhaps I should say 'evening'?" Anakin's furrowed brow became an outright scowl. "Obi-Wan?" Anakin found his voice. A normal voice. But not normal.... "We're so glad you're feeling better, Anakin!" the woman's voice came from the foot of the bed. Propping himself on his elbows, Anakin stared incredulously at the source. So young. So beautiful. "Padmé! You're...all right?" he called as his eyes grew to bright blue orbs. His wife. His former master. Alive. As they were before.... "Of...course." Padmé glanced to the older man and spoke quickly, as if trying to cover up Anakin's indiscretion. "You were right to come here, Master Kenobi. With the Separatists scattered and the Senate up in arms over the revelation about Chancellor Palpatine, who knows—" "Revelation?" mimicked Anakin. The two other figures stared at him as if he had grown a second head. "What revelation?" Anakin repeated. "That Chancellor Palpatine was a Dark Lord, Anakin," Obi-Wan said as if explaining why the sky was blue to a child. Anakin blinked at his former master. This wasn't right. This wasn't the way it went. Was it? Anakin's mind raced, trying to remember the events that had happened so long ago.... Yes, yes, that was right. By the time Obi-Wan discovered Chancellor Palpatine's true nature, Anakin had already made his fatal decision. Or was about to. Anakin had been ready to sell his soul for the secret. The secret to save Padmé. "...Anakin? Anakin?" Obi-Wan was trying to prompt him out of his reverie. Anakin's lanky frame shot up from bed as he exclaimed, "The children!" Instinctively, Padmé's hands flew to her abdomen. "What children, Anakin?" The older Jedi eyed the exchange suspiciously. "Are the Younglings in danger?" "Uh...." Padmé promptly dismissed herself. "Excuse me, gentlemen. I must attend to...other things...." Anakin watched her go, the way her body swayed with the weight of their unborn children which she hid beneath the bulky robes of her clothing. The tall doors of her bedchambers opened just enough to let her through, and she disappeared. None of it went unnoticed by his former master. "Anakin?" Obi-Wan prompted him again, looking rather cross with just a barely perceptible crease in his brow. It was as much impatience as he ever allowed himself to show. "No," Anakin turned his attention to the Jedi Master and answered the previous question. "Not anymore." Obi-Wan rose an eyebrow to that as his back straightened. Suddenly, the door to the bedchamber opened again, and a dark-skinned man stepped through. With a bright smile despite his bandaged wounds, Mace Windu strode confidently to the bedside. "Master Windu!" exclaimed Obi-Wan as he turned and raised a hand to place on the dark man's shoulder. "Shouldn't you be resting?" "I'll be fine, Master Kenobi," Mace assured his fellow Council member, then turned his attention to Anakin. "Skywalker. Senator Amidala informed me you were awake. I wanted to thank you personally." Anakin blinked. "Me? For what?" With a strange seriousness, Mace replied, placing his bandaged hand on Anakin's leg, "For not killing me." Anakin looked at the hand. The hand he had severed in the duel. Suddenly everything came flooding back. He was running. He had felt the presence of other Jedi, and a great draw upon the Force. A very strong and powerful calling of the Force that had shocked and amazed Anakin. What was its source? Anakin burst through Palpatine's offices. Bodies of Palpatine's red-cloaked guards and Jedi strewn everywhere. Mace Windu stood over a helpless Palpatine, the Jedi's sabre pulsing over the old man. "Return to the Jedi Temple, Skywalker," Mace's deep voice instructed, never letting his eyes fall away from his prisoner. His victim. Anakin's confidant. His advisor. His friend. "Anakin!" The Jedi Knight looked down upon Palpatine's kind, elderly fear-filled face. "Please, Anakin! Save me from this madman! He's going to kill me!" Anakin's eyes drifted back to the Master Jedi, whom he had trusted for so many years. Believed in. Feared. "Anakin, do as I say!" The dark man's voice was a twisted bark, a command...a plea? "Do you remember the story of Darth Plagueis the Wise?" the old man on the floor pleaded. Anakin glanced down at Palpatine, ignoring the Jedi Master. "Darth Plagueis was real," breathed Palpatine, a smug sneer tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Real...?" The word escaped from Anakin's lips. "Anakin!" Mace commanded, "He's telling you a lie! Don't believe him!" Inexplicably, Palpatine appeared even older, even more fragile. He pleaded again for his life, cowering before the buzzing blade of Mace's sabre. Conflicted, Anakin stared at the two men, trying to know what to do. The Jedi had freed him from slavery, trained him in the ways of the Force, and opened the doors to a greater life. But they impeded him, blocked his progress, and prevented him from being with those he loved. Palpatine, on the other hand, was honest, loyal and willing to share the secret of life...to save Padmé.... Anakin's lightsabre flashed. The Jedi Master against the Jedi's Chosen One. Fear was in the master's eyes. The Chosen One had indeed stepped forward and tipped the balance of the Force. To the Dark Side. Anakin looked into Mace's stoney face. Slowly, deliberately, Mace's lips curled into a grin, then a smile, and finally he chuckled. Mace patted Anakin's leg as if they were life-long friends, comrades, brothers-in-arms. "I'm...afraid Anakin took a nasty bump to the head, Master Windu," Obi-Wan explained, as if he were covering up a young padawan's foolish prank from the prying eyes of the Council. "Ooooh," Mace acknowledged, still in a playful mood, "you don't need to remind me, Obi-Wan!" He smiled down at the young Jedi on the bed. "Get your rest, Anakin. You deserve it!" Mace turned to go and called over his shoulder, "See you back at the Temple, Master Kenobi." Obi-Wan watched Mace go, his thoughts on the recent mission, the sudden change in galactic politics, and his duties to the Jedi Council. He also thought of what he had seen pass between his former padawan and the senator from Naboo. "...Master?" Anakin called out to him. Obi-Wan cocked his head to look at his former padawan. "I'm not your master any more, Anakin," he gently reminded. "I know...Obi-Wan." The younger man's eyes flashed with a hint of humour. Or was it something else? Anakin looked away, cleared his throat and asked, "What happened? I thought you were on Utapau?" "I was. It was apparently a plot to draw me away from Coruscant," Obi-Wan confirmed what Anakin had later learned. Would learn. Or was he about to...? Obi-Wan was still explaining, "...Of course, I had to defeat General Grevious first." "Of course," Anakin peered up at his former master, forcing a half-smile upon his lips as he struggled to understand why things seemed so different than the way he remembered them. Silence fell between the two Jedi, the older one pondering the younger. Obi-Wan spoke, "How did you know, Anakin? When did you know Palpatine was a...Sith Lord?" "Darth Sidious...," Anakin hissed the name out through his breath. Obi-Wan frowned. "Yes." With a faraway look in his eyes, Anakin answered, "When he told me, himself." Obi-Wan's frown deepened. "He told you...himself?" Anakin looked up as he remembered where he was...when he was...and certainly he shouldn't have been able to remember his Sith Master if it hadn't happened...should he? "It's...rather complicated. I'm tired." With a quirk of his mouth, Obi-Wan chuckled and replied, "I have no doubt. Master Windu insists that if it weren't for your defiance of his orders to return to the Temple, he would be dead now. And the Republic would be in the hands of a madman." Oh, if Obi-Wan only knew, Anakin thought silently as the older Jedi turned to go. "Master!" the young Jedi called after his friend. The man who raised him. The man he killed. Obi-Wan turned. "I mean...Obi-Wan," Anakin said with a slight smile. "Good night." "Good night...my padawan," Obi-Wan returned with a gentle smile. -----signature----- I hear the other side can be quite alluring —Lili Haydn / http://www.fanfiction.net/~agentjedi
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sdhfs Registered: May '04	Date Posted: 1/9/05 6:00am Subject: RE: Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 1...SPOILERS
	This looks interesting to me...:) i'm reading -----signature----- http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/16229314/?30 Up is obidala at it's best love chooses you you don 't choose it. Death is but death why are you afraid of it ?
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mixza Registered: Jan '04	Date Posted: 1/9/05 8:06am Subject: RE: Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 1...SPOILERS
	Wow... so it was all a dream? Interesting, very origional. -----signature----- "Does that mean there is a woman to be discovered in even Master Obi-Wan's past? Tall, I imagine, and dark-haired. Pathetically desperate to have anyone at all, THAT much goes without saying..." - Anakin Skywalker, Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
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Sara_Kenobi Registered: Sep '00	Date Posted: 1/9/05 8:34am Subject: RE: Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 1...SPOILERS
	This is excellent. -----signature----- A young Jedi named Darth Vader, who was once a pupil of mine before he turned to evil, helped hunt down and destroy the Jedi Knights. Obi-Wan, ANH.
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agentj Registered: Dec '04	Date Posted: 1/17/05 12:44pm Subject: RE: 17 Jan...Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 2...SPOILERS - Date Edited: 8/16/05 10:34pm (5 edits total) Edited By: agentj
	I wanted to thank those of you who put this story on your notification list. I'm sorry if it takes me a while to post new parts. I generally don't like to post a story until I am completely finished with it, but at the same time, if I don't have anyone pushing me to write, my stories never get done at all! I hope I don't disappoint.... PART 2 - Trying to Fly Anakin spent hours turning around what he thought were his memories in his head. A whole life of pain stretched behind him, filled with sadness and regret. Force-dream? Hallucination? Or perhaps the whole thing was a Dark Force vision, caused by the attack against Sidious....Or was it Mace? Anakin frowned. He couldn't quite put it together. Either way, the Chosen One had finally corrected the balance in the Force. Just a little sooner than he remembered. Padmé had returned to the bedchamber and snuggled up beside him once her Jedi guests had all departed. All save the conquering hero who undoubtedly needed to gather his strength before returning to the Jedi Temple, or whatever diplomatic riffraff she came up with to keep him home with her. Beloved Padmé. Her soft, dark hair falling from her sweat-drenched face. Her face twisted in pain. Strange greyish-white creatures scrambling around her fragile frame. A child placed in her weak arms. She called out his name. Her head bent back as the death-throws took her away. He didn't come at her cry. He couldn't help her. He wasn't strong enough to save her. "NO!!!" Anakin howled as he sprang up from bed, his body drenched in sweat. "Anakin!" Padmé woke with a terrifying start, worry marring her perfect face. His head fell into his mechanical hand. Everything else had changed, but not this. The dream remained the same. The dream was still real. Padmé stroked his bare back, trying to soothe him. "What is wrong, my love?" Although she tried to hide it, fear made her voice quiver. Her younger, more impudent self wanted to shake him, to get him to tell her the dream, to find a way to erase it from his mind. But she was older, now, and a soon-to-be mother. And with the secrets she held within her, she had learned when to hold back. She had learned to live the lie. Anakin thought of the secretive paths they had walked together to this moment as he pulled his hand away and stared at it. A permanent reminder of a failed mistake. One of so many. He thought again of the apparent Dark Force vision that had preyed upon his desire for power, his desperate need to keep those he loved from falling away from him. The Dark Force had twisted his need to become the greatest Jedi into a vision of a pitiful tortured shell, half a man encased in a machine. Was it a warning not to make another mistake? Watching his metallic hand ball into a fist, Anakin spoke, "I must return to the Temple." As Anakin threw the covers off to fumble for his clothes in the near-darkness, Padmé's shaded eyes fell. The clouds from the previous night's rainfall were dissipating in the brightening skies over Coruscant. Dawn was just breaking over the surface of the Temple spires as Anakin approached in a borrowed 'scooter. It seemed strange to Anakin to see this sight again. Shivers ran along his back, still questioning his reality. This is real, he reminded himself. Of course, the terror and horrors of the vision he lived encased in leather and durasteel felt just as genuine. Anakin landed on a docking platform. He entered the Jedi Temple, a sense of déjà vu washing over him. It felt like a lifetime since he had been home. He wasn't even sure anymore which level his old master's apartments were. Closing his eyes, Anakin allowed his mental shields to lower, sensing the life-energies of the Force of the Jedi around him. All at once, it was both comforting and terrifying. Part of him longed to feel this sense of belonging, of being home again. Disturbingly, another part of him would rather have seen this place turned to rubble. With an exhale of breath to clear away the dark thoughts, Anakin centred his mind, focusing on the image of one man, his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Anakin received the clear vision of the Jedi Master in the training rooms several levels below. When he entered the training arena, Anakin found Obi-Wan just as he had envisioned him—performing simple katas within a glass-encased room. Anakin pressed the entry panel, and the transparisteel slid back. Although he obviously sensed the approach of his former padawan, Obi-Wan continued his exercise without interruption. Anakin removed his outer robe and placed it on the hook beside his master's, then moved beside the man, and with a single glance, determined Obi-Wan's position in the flow of movement. Anakin mimicked the kata positions with mirror precision. Side-by-side, Obi-Wan and Anakin fell into a routine well-worn into memory—the precise movements, the sound of breathing, the shuffling of feet as they each moved from one kata stance to another. The comforting familiarity relaxed Anakin. Obi-Wan sensed Anakin's tension fall away, and reacted by moving to a more complicated kata. Anakin responded to it instantly, as if anticipating the change. The rhythm between them quickened, and Anakin felt himself begin to smile. The katas progressed, Anakin challenging Obi-Wan who in turn challenged Anakin. Obi-Wan still moved with surprising ease in the jumps and tumbles that Anakin pushed him into. Anakin found Obi-Wan still capable of surprising him with new moves and tricks. Like disappearing in his Jedi robe when the death-blow struck him. Anakin found himself falter, if only slightly. The Jedi faced each other in the begin-end position, both breathing hard from the exertion. Slowly, each of the men lowered their arms, contemplating the other, but never really communicating in the moments that passed between them. "Couldn't sleep?" Obi-Wan prodded with polite chit-chat. "Neither could you," Anakin remarked as both men retrieved their cloaks, unconsciously still moving in sync with one another. Obi-Wan continued as they exited the glass room into the larger arena, "The Council will be convening shortly. Unfortunate news has arisen about the clone troopers—" "I know. They turned on you," Anakin said softly. "You knew?" Obi-Wan was taken by surprise. "Why didn't you say anything?" Anakin's piercing gaze locked on to Obi-Wan. Anger strove upward from his belly, like hot magma finding its way to the surface. The tone of the reprimand brought Anakin back to his days under Obi-Wan's tutelage. Why couldn't his old master see he was a Jedi now? Didn't Obi-Wan just say the night before he was no longer Anakin's master? The reason why he was here floated up to the surface—Padmé. Her words spoken so often when he begrudged his tension-filled relationship with his former master echoed in his ears: "You might be a Jedi Knight now, but he will always be your master." Yes, Anakin realised, and he would always be Obi-Wan's padawan. "Obi-Wan," Anakin's anger faded and he looked away. His eyes shifted over the training arena where a handful of other Jedi and padawans were making use of the facilities. "May we go...some place more private?" Obi-Wan regarded his former pupil silently, sensing the urgency behind Anakin's veil of composure. With a nod, he led the way back to his apartment. Obi-Wan had been assigned to new quarters in the Temple spire leading to the Jedi Council chambers. Out of reflex when going into a new place, Anakin looked over every detail of the room. Like all Jedi apartments, the rooms were designed for function and simplicity rather than recreation and comfort in mind. The small space seemed larger with an open view of outer Coruscant and its endless streams of traffic flowing like blood between the 'scrapers. Anakin turned and faced his former master. In a voice barely above a whisper, he said, "I need your help." Obi-Wan met his gaze, his eyebrows pressing together in a worried arch. His former padawan had never been one to ask for help; in fact, he resented it when offered, always trying to prove to everyone that he was the greatest, the strongest...the Chosen One. "What is it, Anakin?" "I...don't remember defeating Sidious," Anakin began hesitantly, his iridescent blue eyes finding it more comfortable to contemplate the lines of furniture and scattered datapads on Obi-Wan's desk. "I don't understand. Master Windu won't stop talking about how you joined him in the fight against Palpatine...Darth Sidious. He said he was fortunate you came along when you did. He even said you resisted the temptation to join Sidious—" "But I didn't!" Anakin spat darkly. When his eyes met Obi-Wan's, his former master thought he saw a flash of another colour in the young Jedi's eyes, one that sent shivers down his spine. Anakin dipped his head, struggling against the dark tide that suddenly stirred within him, threatening to overtake what was left of him. He felt the tenuous bond he once shared with Obi-Wan reach out to him with compassion and patience. At first Anakin thought to bat it away, but Padmé's angelic face swam above the swirling dark ocean. Anakin grabbed ahold of what was left of his bond with his master and held on tight, dragging himself out of the muddied waters. Lifting his head, Anakin looked at Obi-Wan, azure eyes meeting the misty sea. "Please," Anakin's gruff voice pleaded, "help me save...my wife." -----signature----- I hear the other side can be quite alluring —Lili Haydn / http://www.fanfiction.net/~agentjedi
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Jazz_Skywalker Registered: Aug '02	Date Posted: 1/17/05 12:54pm Subject: RE: Jan 17...Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 2...SPOILERS
	Lifting his head, Anakin looked at Obi-Wan, azure eyes meeting the misty sea. "Please," Anakin's gruff voice pleaded, "help me save...my wife." Interesting cliffie here. I hope you update soon, so we can see Obi-Wan's reaction! JS -----signature----- currently working on NaNo 2007 (won) 11/24: 50,000+!
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qtrhrs78 Registered: Sep '03	Date Posted: 1/17/05 3:13pm Subject: RE: Jan 17...Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 2...SPOILERS
	I love this story. I can't wait to see more.
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JediMasterRev Registered: Dec '04	Date Posted: 1/17/05 6:29pm Subject: RE: Jan 17...Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 2...SPOILERS
	Awesome story. Really like the angle that you are taking. Looking forward to more soon!! -----signature----- "This above all, to thine own self be true." Polonius, Hamlet, Act I, Scene III For the Love of the Queen: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/24151408/p1/?0 The Naboo Chronicles: http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/18644312/?162
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MamaVader Registered: Oct '04	Date Posted: 1/18/05 6:00am Subject: RE: Jan 17...Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 2...SPOILERS
	Very interesting! I can't wait for more! VaderLVR -----signature----- Sock of VaderLVR64 Would You Die for Him? http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/16939877/?39 When at Last We Say Farewell http://boards.theforce.net/The_Saga/b10476/17756482
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DarkLady27 Registered: Jul '00	Date Posted: 1/18/05 10:00am Subject: RE: Jan 17...Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 2...SPOILERS
	Hey, post more soon, k? You have me waiting on the edge of my seat ^^ -----signature----- "You may try and break me but I will not yield!". "Everybody loves pidgeons."-- Charles Darwin
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agentj Registered: Dec '04	Date Posted: 1/29/05 1:49am Subject: RE: Jan 29...Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 3...SPOILERS - Date Edited: 8/16/05 10:35pm (10 edits total) Edited By: agentj
	The good news is that the end has been written. The bad news is that everything inbetween has not. PART 3 - Alone in the Rainfall Anakin braced himself for the tirade he expected from his master—the utterance of the Jedi Code as if it were some holy writ—but it never came. Instead, Anakin watched as all the blood drained away from Obi-Wan's face. Stepping to his desk, Obi-Wan sank down in the chair, his face a blank. With a faraway look in his eyes, he whispered incredulously, "Wife...." Anakin frowned. Why wasn't Obi-Wan telling him how much of a disappointment Anakin was to him? Why didn't his former master take him to task? Where was the typical Obi-Wan reprimand, the one that belittled him and made him feel as if he could crawl under a rock and remain there until he turned to dust? Anakin thought it would be easier to take if Obi-Wan didn't look so defeated. Focusing on the cityscape reflected in the window, the older Jedi asked quietly, "What is the danger to the senator?" Anakin felt his whole body flush with something akin to embarrassment. Despite all the measures he and Padmé had used, Anakin's former master was not fooled by their performances of friendship and piety. Swallowing hard, Anakin answered, "Padmé is with child." Obi-Wan slowly blinked and looked up. "...Child...?!" The word came out like a breath of wind. The older man's eyes squinted with a questioning frown. "...When...?" Anakin's eyes flickered to the floor and back again, a pronounced frown creased on his brow. "After the battle at Geonosis." Obi-Wan closed his eyes, pain etched over his features. Anakin watched as his master's hands gripped the folds of his robe and pulled tight. Then with a sigh, Obi-Wan released the robe and the conflicting pain within him. Anakin bent down to one knee before the older Jedi and beseeched, "Please, Master. Padmé will die if she bears this child...." Obi-Wan's cold eyes rose up to meet Anakin's. "You should have thought of that before you took her as your wife." Anakin shuddered, the emotionless rejection of his master passing through him. Why had he thought he could turn to Obi-Wan with this? Visions of his master's horror-stricken face drenched with sweat from their furious fight on Mustafar swam before his eyes. It didn't happen like that, Anakin reminded himself as he clamped his eyes shut, willing the remainders of the Dark Vision away. He didn't hate Obi-Wan. ...But he did. "...Please, Master...," he pleaded again, keeping his eyes averted, hoping that whatever was happening to him wouldn't drive him to insanity before he secured help for Padmé. Obi-Wan sighed and glanced down at the floor. Shaking his head, he informed his former apprentice, "It is not within my power to say what will happen to Senator Amidala, Anakin." Sorrow filled his blue-grey eyes as they rose again, trying to meet Anakin's. "Nor what the Council will decide what to do with you." The Council chamber doors opened, and Anakin's skin prickled at the back of his neck. The near-180 view of Coruscant, the seated masters in a semi-circle, but most especially the earthly yellows and reds of the ornamental pattern etched into the floor brought back a floodgate of memories. Forever would he remember the days he stood in the centre of this room, humbly taking whatever admonishment and judgment the Council administered. Today he would be condemned. Anakin strode into the middle of the room and paused. Two chairs to his left remained vacant. One was Obi-Wan's, the other meant for him. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine had insisted the Council allow him a voice—he was a great war hero and destroyed a Sith Lord, after all. Reluctantly, the other Council members had agreed, just as they had reluctantly conceded to Qui-Gon's dying request to allow him to be trained in the Jedi arts 13 years before. Mace Windu began, fully expecting the two empty chairs to become occupied in a moment now that they last two Jedi of the Council had arrived. "As many of you are already aware, the clone army has suddenly—" Mace stopped, eyeing Anakin and Obi-Wan who had both remained in the centre of the room. "Is something wrong, gentlemen?" Anakin turned away from his chair to face the Jedi Master. In a low tone, he spoke, "I do not deserve to be on this Council, Master Windu, and we both know it." Mace's mouth deepened into a pondering frown. "Why do you say this, Knight Skywalker? You've earned your place here—" "No," Anakin interrupted, turning again to look upon Obi-Wan who continued to stand behind him. "No, I haven't." The learner and master exchanged a look—Anakin's face full of steely anger, Obi-Wan's face reflected sorrowful defeat. Anakin continued to circle the room, looking upon each master one-by-one. Each Jedi met his eyes, their thoughts reflected back to him as each made contact. Finally he came to Yoda, and for a moment, Anakin realised how good it was to see the little ancient gnome. Then their eyes met, and Anakin knew the Jedi Master saw right through him. Yoda lowered his eyes, his face sullen. Yes, Anakin realised, Yoda was remembering what had transpired between them only a few days ago. Anakin had approached the old Jedi Master in the garden of the thousand fountains where he sat in his daily meditation. "Master Yoda," Anakin interrupted as he bent down on one knee beside Yoda. The elder gave him a warning glance, reminding the petulant young one the virtues of patience. This forced Anakin to sit still and endure several long minutes of silence until the Jedi Master finally addressed him. "What urgent matter is this that wait until after meditation you cannot, young Skywalker?" Yoda spoke in his strangely stilted voice, a mix of gruffness from old age and a lighter lilt from his endless amusement with which he viewed the world. "Master," Anakin implored, "you are the most knowledgeable of all the Jedi, with great abilities to see into the future. I need your help." "Hmm! Flattery suits a Jedi not!" Yoda reprimanded Anakin for trying to influence him with platitudes. He took up his gimmer stick and stood from his meditative position. He began to walk down the path through the garden. Anakin rose and followed him. "Master," Anakin continued, "I've had a troubling vision." "A troubling vision, have you? Think of consulting me, you did?" "Yes, Master. I—" Anakin realised Yoda had stepped off the path to visit the plant life beside it. As the Jedi Master enjoyed the fragrance, Anakin lowered his voice to confide. "Someone I know—someone very important to me—is going to die. It's something I can't prevent." "Hmm," Yoda was genuinely concerned, but more so at the implied request than for the young Knight's dilemma. "Seek me out, you have, to save one you cannot." Anakin bowed his head in humility and shame. "Yes, Master." Yoda turned to the young man and patted his gimmer stick at the ground to indicate that Anakin sit. Anakin did so, waiting for Yoda to continue. "Many trials, a Jedi faces," Yoda began, "all of them difficult. None more so than that of losing a friend. Test you, it will, Jedi Skywalker. For all the knowledge your training gives you, preventing death, you cannot. To this, bend to the will of the Force, you must." You lie, Anakin had thought at the time. Palpatine had told him the tragic tale of Darth Plagueis the Wise—a Sith Lord who had discovered the secret of life. The Chancellor had warned Anakin he would not hear this story from the Jedi—they would not reveal its secrets. Palpatine had been right. When Yoda had refused to help, Anakin realised he had just been a tool to the Jedi Order—someone to fulfill some crazy prophecy. A prophecy Anakin doubted had any credence. So Anakin had decided that if they were going to use him to spy on Palpatine, he would use the Jedi for his own purposes. His training made him a great Jedi—the greatest of all time. When Palpatine had revealed he was, in fact, Darth Sidious, a master of the Dark Sith arts, Anakin have given himself to the Dark Side to grow in power and discover the secrets of life from the Dark Lord. But he hadn't. It had never happened. And Anakin stood before the Council as a defeated man. Rage began to build within his tall frame. His lightsabre dangled precariously at his hip, so easy to clasp it, ignite it and end this conflict in one fell swoop. It took all of Anakin's strength not to act on the impulse, his body drawing tautly as he spoke slowly, "I broke the Code. After the Battle of Geonosis, I was secretly married." Anakin's eyes seemed to turn dark as he glared at the Jedi Masters surrounding him, who watched him in stunned silence. "Master Kenobi," Mace's incredulous stare moved to Anakin's former master who continued to stand patiently in the middle of the Council chambers. "Were you aware of this—?" "Of course not," Anakin spat impatiently. Obi-Wan reprimanded him, his ice-cold eyes bearing down on his former padawan, despite the fact that the older man was a head shorter. "I can speak for myself, Anakin." The two men glared at each other, Anakin's hands balling into fists before he ducked his head and looked away. Obi-Wan addressed Mace, "I had been aware of Anakin's adolescent crush." Beside him, Anakin haughtily verbalised his disagreement of Obi-Wan's statement with a simple "Ha!" The Jedi Master ignored him and continued, "Although it nearly caused a problem at the Battle of Geonosis, I believed his defeat against Count Dooku humbled Anakin." Anakin startled at Obi-Wan's words. Did Obi-Wan really think Dooku had put Anakin in his place? His efforts to double his lightsabre training had been an act of vengeance. One he gleefully enjoyed when the recent opportunity had come again to challenge the former Jedi. And Anakin had made Dooku pay dearly. Although Obi-Wan instructed his former padawan to take the leader of the Separatists alive, Anakin had had other plans. The burn of his missing limb still lingered in his mind and tore him asunder every time he lifted his right arm to do battle or caress his wife when they made love. In repayment, Anakin had taken both of Dooku's hands and finally his head—proving he was the stronger of the Jedi. But not to Obi-Wan. And not to the rest of the Council. To them, Anakin was still reckless and foolhardy. Someone who needed to be put in his place, taught a lesson. Controlled. Obi-Wan continued, "He was more earnest in his training afterward. And more...mature in regards to relationships." The older Jedi looked humbled, as if Anakin's disobedience was his own personal failure. "Why tell us this now, young Skywalker?" It was Yoda who asked, although he already knew they answer. Anakin replied, "She is with child. If she bears the child, she will die." Every Jedi within the Council chambers responded to that with profound sadness. A Jedi respects all life, and yet it was a Jedi's choice that would cause this pain and death. Mace began to deliver the fatal blow: "It is regrettable when lives are lost—" "You're going to condemn Padmé?!" Anakin burst out angrily. "Padmé...?" Mace's eyes grew wide. The rest of the Council murmured and glanced at one another with shock. Mace continued, "Your wife is Senator Amidala of Naboo?" Anakin opened his mouth to continue to rebuke the Council, but Obi-Wan placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and spoke in his steed, "Yes, Master Windu. I'm afraid this is true." Mace closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the Force for guidance. Reopening his eyes, he spoke, "The state of the Republic is at a turning point. Senator Amidala has been key in keeping many worlds from joining the Separatists. Her death would be most unfortunate." "Then do something!" Anakin shouted, leaning forward against Obi-Wan's outstretched arm. Mace gave Anakin an admonishing look, then sighed and looked at the other Council members, one-by-one. In turn, each of them nodded after a moment of introspection, silently communicating their agreement with the suggestion he had relayed to them via the Force. Ending with Yoda, Mace returned his gaze to the two men who stood before him. Obi-Wan continued to hold Anakin back, who very desperately wanted to run out of the room, seek out his transport, and return to his wife in order to steal her away from whatever fate the Jedi would impart. "Obi-Wan," Mace addressed him, "you will bring the senator here to the Temple, and our healers will attempt to save her and the child's life." Relief washed over Anakin like a wave, until Mace spoke again, addressing him, "Anakin, when you return, the Council will decide your fate." Mace's dark eyes met Anakin's, his face stern. Anakin's face became a blank, his eyes like steel. He had been right. He would be condemned. Never mind me. Just fixing up a couple of typos. I also wanted to say how surprised I am how popular my story seems to be from comments I've gotten. I'm glad it's being so well received. This story, like the other two I've posted on this board, is actually a songfic. The title of the story and each part is taken from the lyrics of the song that gave me the story idea. -----signature----- I hear the other side can be quite alluring —Lili Haydn / http://www.fanfiction.net/~agentjedi
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Hananiah Registered: Jan '03	Date Posted: 1/29/05 8:14am Subject: RE: Jan 29...Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 3...SPOILERS
	I really like how Anakin is still wrestling with the dark in him and how he compares what's going on now to what he remembers. Nice tension between Obi Wan and Ani as well. I like this and can't wait for more -----signature----- Buffy:"Laura Ashley is definitely back" Willow: "You think?" Buffy:"She's back and this time it's personal.You see they mated her with the home depo guy and that's how we got Martha Stewart" BTVS unaired pilot
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mixza Registered: Jan '04	Date Posted: 1/29/05 7:34pm Subject: RE: Jan 29...Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 3...SPOILERS
	Same here. I love the way this is coming on. Hope Padme is alright, though I imagine she'll be pretty confused since Anakin hasn't told her anything. -----signature----- "Does that mean there is a woman to be discovered in even Master Obi-Wan's past? Tall, I imagine, and dark-haired. Pathetically desperate to have anyone at all, THAT much goes without saying..." - Anakin Skywalker, Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
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astarael Registered: Jan '05	Date Posted: 2/23/05 11:21pm Subject: RE: Jan 29...Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 3...SPOILERS
	Great story. I love Anakin AU's where Anakin gets a second chance. Please update soon! -----signature----- She doesn't really exist anymore, except every now and then and here and there, in small ways and small things. If we had not come this way, she would not have been, and now that we have passed, she will not be... She is Astarael The Weeper -Abhosen
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Alethia Registered: Feb '05	Date Posted: 3/3/05 12:03pm Subject: RE: Jan 29...Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 3...SPOILERS
	Upon the sound of her voice, Anakin's eyelids flew open of their own accord. Nothing in the galaxy was going to keep him from seeing the origin of that voice. That sweet voice. The angelic face.... "Morning, Anakin," a man's aging face appeared over him. Ginger hair laced with grey outlined the face. "Or perhaps I should say 'evening'?" For some reason, that made me burst out laughing. Poor Ani- expecting to see his wife's face and instead getting Obi-Wan's... The dream was still real. I just found this one line really deep. Not really sure why, but it just seems to ooze th helplessness that Anakin is feeling and the realization that things are not truly fixed and everything. I really like that line. Where Anakin stands before the Council and has that thought about taking his lightsaber and, well, doing what he once actually did]/i], it really proves how much darkness is still left in him. He might be getting a second chance, but he is far from freeing himself of the Darkside... excellent characterization. I love it. [i]and yet it was a Jedi's choice that would cause pain and death. But you don't say which Jedi and I love this sentence because of that. It can be taken so many ways... Anakin's face became a blank, his eyes like steel. He had been right. He would be condemned. j This just gives me the chills. I don't usually write reviews with quotes of the fic in them, but I'm still in an analytical mindset after having to write an essay on Beckett for English today... I love the way you characterized Anakin here. And I really want more. This fic is excellent. There are times when it literally gave me shivers and if it does that, then it has to be good. Everything is just so spot on and probable and I can't wait for an update. So please update soon? This fic is brilliant. -----signature----- Jen, High Scholar and Ponderer of all Things Verily Blue, and Official caller of Suz, Crusader of Heretics and Knight of the Blue 1000 Now sacrificing Movie Garfield E-married to the dashing KT
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agentj Registered: Dec '04	Date Posted: 3/3/05 10:01pm Subject: RE: Jan 29...Keep Falling Down AU...Anakin, Obi, Padme...part 3...SPOILERS
	My reply notifier must be expired! I didn't see people were replying until I happened to be flipping through the pages and saw this here! Alethia wrote: I love the way you characterized Anakin here. And I really want more. This fic is excellent. There are times when it literally gave me shivers and if it does that, then it has to be good. Everything is just so spot on and probable and I can't wait for an update. So please update soon? This fic is brilliant. Well, gosh, I have to quote somebody who gushes over me like that! I have most of part 4 written except the "connective tissue" (transitions between this scene and that), and a few things that just don't "feel right" yet. Mostly, though, I've been chasing after elusive bunnies. But I promise--I haven't abandoned this story! -----signature----- I hear the other side can be quite alluring —Lili Haydn / http://www.fanfiction.net/~agentjedi
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