Stopping a Lie (AOTC, Obi/Ani, Padme) AU 09/04/03 Note from the author

Padme Amidala had tried to return to sleep after the second assassination attempt on her life, but despite that she had been reassigned quarterst and the Jedi, Anakin and Master Kenobi, watching after her, she found it hard to quite her mind long enough to allow sleep to drift her away.

Which became even harder as she began to hear Anakin murmuring in a frightened voice. She knew that Master Kenobi had opted to keep the first watch and allow his Padawan some much needed sleep, but it did not sound like Anakin would stay that way for long.

Hopping out of her bed, she grabbed her robe and slung it around her shoulders, her feet making soft padding sounds on the carpet as she hurried to wake Anakin.

She exploded into the main room where Anakin had fallen asleep on the sofa, only to find Master Kenobi leaning over his apprentice, his hand resting lightly on Anakin's forehead and words softly coming from his mouth, unintelligible from Padme's distance. Anakin calmed under the rhythm of Master Kenobi's words. A small smile touched Kenobi's bearded and moustached mouth and it reminded Padme of the Padawan she had meant in her girlhood.

Master Kenobi looked up and caught sight of her, and the Jedi Knight smoothed his features into indifference.

Padme displayed a smile of her own. "Do not worry, Master Jedi, your secret is safe with me."

"Secret, my lady?" Master Kenobi asked, a sculpted eyebrow cocking questioningly.

She shook her head at his deft dodge, but Padme had dealt with his Master and knew what lay at the heart of the man. "Master Qui-Gon said the same to me, not ten years ago."

The pale of sadness that touched his azure eyes was unmistakable. "I don't seem to recall such an occurance."

"No you wouldn't. You were asleep, as Anakin is now. I had come in to check on Master Qui-Gon after the ordeal on Tatooine and the Sith attack. You had fallen asleep on the chair nearby and were having a nightmare just as Anakin was a moment ago. When Qui-Gon saw me he acted as if nothing had happened," Padme explained.

"Nightmares are one of the things that I once suffered as my Padawan does now, Master Kenobi said, straightening in his dark robes. Very much like his Master. "I know how to dispel them now and Anakin needs some good rest before our mission to protect you continues."

"Like I said, your secret is safe with me," Padme repeated.

A smile that seemed to encompass both slight exasperation and amusement, replaced the one of fondness that Master Kenobi had worn before. "And I ask again, what secret is that?"

"That no matter how desperately hard you try not to show it, you are very much taken by that boy," Padme quipped.

Master Kenobi pointedly glanced at his Padawan. "He is not much more of a boy any longer, Senator. And he is quite taken with you."

Padme felt her cheeks flame with heat. "I am aware and I'm trying to disuade him. I do not wish for him to think that I am worth giving up his future for." She locked glances with Master Kenobi. "Does that reassure you, Master Jedi?"

"More then you know, my lady."

 

Interesting beginning - and so well written! I also like you've begun Obi-Wan's and Anakin's relationship - this seems to fit in with AOTC well.

More, please?

 

ooooo. Zara, you never ceise to amaze me.

 

Anakin had been in surgery for over two hours, as the Temple surgeons worked on fixing his arm to the bionic replacement that would make up for the arm lost during the battle with Count Dooku. Padme, her own wounds having been dealt with back on Geonosis, sat in one corner of the waiting room. She had insisted on accompanying Anakin into the Temple, and to her surprise Master Obi-Wan had backed her up.

He now sat in the other corner, his eyes closed, but pinched tightly, as if he were fighting to maintain the calm he was searching for. He had not spoken with her at any sort of length, but she had caught that it hadn't been merrily kindness that had prompted him to support her coming to the Temple. Still, at the moment, Obi-Wan was too distracted to voice whatever concerns he held. Well, at least until Anakin came out of surgery.

Padme had found it strange that he had dealt with his own wounds, refusing all offers from the medics. Instead he had applied synthiflesh to the slash at his bicep and the stab at his leg. She remembered that two of the Clone Troopers had started to offer him help since he had been limping as he walked towards the Troop carrier. Master Obi-Wan had waved off the assistance and without a wince hopped onto the carrier, although he did nearly collapse to the ground.

The strength it must have taken to straighten and then help her with Anakin must have been tremendous. He had not even rested until he had gotten Anakin settled comfortably and into a healing trance.

She shifted in her seat at the rememberance. Her back itched from the bacta that had been slathered over the Nexu scratches.

"Your wounds are distrubing you my lady?" Master Obi-Wan asked, startling her.

"Annoying me, is more to the point, Master Kenobi. They itch incessantly," she admitted.

Amusement played across his features, momentarily dimming his own personal struggle. "Bacta gel?" he questioned, knowingly.

Of course, he would know about such things. The last duel with the Sith, the one who had taken his Master, had left him with many wounds some of the not physical. "I'm afraid so, Master Kenobi."

"It helps if you distract yourself. You look hungry, what would you like?" Master Kenobi asked her.

She belatedly realized the slight nois emmiting from her recalcitrant stomach. "I wouldn't want to disturb you."

"I am hungry as well, an initiate could bring us whatever you like," he insisted.

"Thank you. Just order double whatever you like," she conceded diplomatically.

He stepped out of his chair and too the internal communications system of the Temple. Speaking quitely, he ordered. Padme once again foud that she could not make out his words. The man was often quiet and thoughtful.

He returned to his seat and his struggles once again dimmed his features. It was the second time she had seen such a struggle. Shortly, after Qui-Gon's death. Her planet had been saved and due greatly to the Jedi and Anakin. She could never have saved Naboo without them.

Perhaps that was why she had been so adamant to save Obi-Wan. Not only because Anakin had just lost his mother, and might lose the only man who had been a father to him, but because she had already been responsible for one Jedi's death and had not wanted a second laying on her heart.

The down side was that her and Anakin's presence had turned out to be hinderance rather then a help. She had truly thought that the Jedi would not reach him in time, that he would have died in defense of her just as Qui-Gon had.

As Obi-Wan stated a young girl, apparently an initiate, came into the room laden heavy with two trays. She placed one before Padme with a respectful bow and then before Obi-Wan with a deeper one for his station in the Temple.

"Thank you, Jynsi," Obi-Wan said, as the gril leveled out the bow.

Her cheeks reddened slightly. "You are welcome, Master Kenobi." She hurried out of the waiting room and Obi-Wan smiled.

"It has been a long while since Anakin was that young," he remarked to himself,

 

*wants to know what the title means*

More, please?

 

Applause! I love the way you've captured Obi-Wan's character and can't wait for more!

 

obaona
Registered: Jun 02

*wants to know what the title means*
More, please?

Right now I've kept it to sort of missing scenes from AOTC, but soon you'll understand the title.

Kenobiite

Applause! I love the way you've captured Obi-Wan's character and can't wait for more!

Thanks. Will be posting it soon.

 

Awwwww...this is great. More soon Zara!

 

The crackle and sizzle of lightsabers echoed ominously in the training room of the Jedi Temple. It was the sound of thunder storms and lightening. And the intricate dance that the Jedi displayed looked similar to the sound it resembled.

Obi-Wan was taking it slightly easy on his Padawan, while Anakin learned to reconcile his style with the new prosthetic arm. It gleamed golden in the overhead illumination and Obi-Wan had to fight the heart-sickness that seized him when he saw it. He knew that Anakin would become used to the replacement and nothing that was truly vital about his Padawan had been taken away, but he sill felt as though he could have done something to stop it.

It was hard to admit but he had not been in any shap to confront the former Jedi Master. Having been through imprisonment, torture, and then a war, he had been both physically and emotionally strained.

Anakin had been back from Naboo for a week and with each of these practice sessions Obi-Wan could see the manueverability and dexterity improvements in Anakin's mechanical arm.

However, there was still one advantage that could be exploited and Obi-Wan sought to rectify. Slashing upwards, Obi-Wan batted at Anakin's blade, adding extra pressure on the mechanical hand.

Still, unaccustomed to the strength of the prosthetic, Anakin lost his grip on the lightsaber and the energy slinked into the pummel while it went sailing through the air.

Anakin looked at his hand in dismay. The boy was very well acquainted with losing his lightsaber, something that Obi-Wan had also had a problem with in his time, but this time the boy was trying to figure out how to stop it from happening.

"You should start to keep a two handed grip if at all possible, Padawan. That way, you can keep a good clasp on your saber until you get all you strength back," Obi-Wan offered up a solution, unable to bear that look in his young protege's eyes.

Anakin called the saber to his left hand and nodded his head. "Yes, Master."

He clasped a hand on his taller apprentice's shoulder. "You are doing well, Anakin. Your progress is astounding but don't try to rush it. We will be called to war soon enough, but not until you're ready."

A small smile, which Obi-Wan identified as forced, touched the younger Jedi's mouth. Obi-Wan was beginning to think of it as Anakin's 'thank you, Master, but you don't know what you're talking about,' look.

It came with age, he supposed. Needing to figure things out on your own instead of relying fully on your Master. He had been no different with Qui-Gon. Still, he wanted Anakin to understand that he was there if he needed him.

Dark circles hung under Anakin's eyes, and Obi-Wan guessed that it wasn't his recent physical ordeal. His Padawan was having nightmares again, and there was another thing, buried deep inside that Obi-Wan felt flickering at him, but could not release. Only Anakin could.

Obi-Wan fought his annoyance at the galaxy at large. He had a Padawan to look after, and this war was working to split them apart. He wanted very much to bunch Anakin's tunic into his finger and never let go of his boy, but he couldn't do that, couldn't be there for him every moment. Geonosis had taught him that much. He only hoped that he had taught Anakin well enough.

"Master?" Anakin asked, drawing him from his thoughts.

"Sorry, Padawan. I was just thinking," Obi-Wan assured him, not wanting to lay the weight of such dark thoughts on his already burdened Padawan.

The frist glimpse of mischieve that had appeared on Anakin's features since before he and Senator Amidala had left for Naboo, glinted in the ice chips of the boys eyes. "I thought that I was the only one to get side-tracked."

"We all have our moments, Anakin," Obi-Wan returned the jibe. He grew solemn. "You know, I'm here for you Anakin. There is something weighing on you, I can feel it. Please let me help you."

"I can't, Master," Anakin whispered. "Not yet."

Obi-Wan's heart froze at the desolation in Anakin's voic

 

This is where the story starts to go AU.


Senator Amidala found herself once again on Coruscant, not so long after Anakin had escorted her back to Naboo. Of course, that had not been the only thing that had occurred on the trip. They had spoken to each other in confidence re-pledged the love they had voiced outside the arena in Geonosis, and both had realized that their love could no longer be denied.

Anakin, in a rather uncharacteristic stumbling manner, had asked her to marry him and she had agreed. The wedding had been in secret, not even Master Kenobi knew of it, only Artoo Detoo and See-Threepio as witnesses. At the time it had all seemed romantic and exciting, but now all she felt was deep lonliness.

She was on the same planet as her husband and unable to make any sort of overt connection with him. They had not thought out this part of their plan, had foolishly neglected the separation that was sure to come between them.

The Chancellor had called her back a few days after Anakin had left to return to his duties at the Jedi Temple, but mainly to heal under the administrations of his Master. Padme could not help but feel guilty that they were keeping much from the man who loved Anakin so dearly. But what other choice do we have? she asked herself.

"Senator," the receptionist before Palpatine's office greeted her with the oily smile that Padme had become all to accustomed too, during her time on Coruscant. As if every politician in the galaxy were a protocol droid and needed a daily oil bath to keep their mouth circuits working.

Padme put on her best smile. She would counter false for truth. "Good morning, Loral. The Chancellor is expecting me."

Loral nodded her through. "Yes, of course, Senator."

The door sprinted open, Loral pushing the actuator at her desk so that it appeared as though they sensed Padme's coming. Padme restrained a shiver as she entered. The Chancellor, even when he had been Senator of Naboo, had always carried an inordinate liking for deep red hues, nearly the color of blood. Padme, who had always tired to mimic the the color of the blue waterfalls from her home planet, found the violent color far to dominating for a Supreme Chancellor, but had never mentioned such.

She was gowned in a deep violet hue, a fan collar supporting her silver beaded hair that was intricately wave between each, to show dominance and former royalty, Dorme had suggested it on her first meeting with Chancellor. They were to discuss her joining the war committee and although she had taken part in the Battle of Geonosis, she had little wish for such a position. Still, Queen Jamillia had advised her to consider it. It would be good to have a representative who wished to find a peaceful solution amongst the more tactical members of the Committee.

Surprise flickered over her beautiful features, as she realized that this was not to be a one on one meeting. Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi stood from his chair, clad in his usual beige tunics and russet Jedi robe. There was not a flicker in his face or body posture, but somehow she could tell that he was as surprised to see her and she him.

Ever mindful, Master Kenobi, exacted a bow. "My Lady. A pleasure as always. Although, I must admit, I did not expect you to be the representative from Naboo."

"Nor did I expect to see you, Master Kenobi," she returned his polite bow.

Anakin might have gripped to her about Obi-
Wan on occassion, but she could tell that there was also a deep love for the man in her husband. A love which the Master obviously felt for his Padawan, but was not readily seen. Guilt filled Padme once again and she had to turn from him to keep it from overflowing her.

Concern flickered in the Jedi Knight's azure eyes, but he did not push the matter. Could she sit in conference with this man, and by her very ommissions countinue to lie to him.

Palpatine ceased any further conversation by gesturing to the conference table that sat to one corner of his office. "Please," he said, his

 

It starts. Did you realize that the "logical" conversation between Ani and Padme in AOTC was not that logical? Either way they went they were lying. "It will destroy (thier) lives." This is good.

 

That is basically what Padme is going to find out in this fic.

 

"No," the murmur was quite, accompanied by a toss of a head. "This was not supposed to happen. Secrets. Secrets and lies." It became a mantra in a dream. A repetative replay of a lie. "Master...Obi-Wan. Lied. I have lied."

Dorme ran into the Senator's quarters, her robe trailing behind her like living organism. She stopped short of the Senator's bed and leaned down to carefully shake the woman she was bound to protect to wake. "M'lady. M'lady wake up."

Padme popped out of the bed like a spring board, her eyes wide open and wild. It was several moment before she realized where she was and centered on Dorme's face. "Are you alright, m'lady?"

"Fine," she gasped. "I'm fine Dorme. Go back to sleep."

Concern tightened the features of the handmaiden. "M'lady we have been friends since childhood, you cannot lie to me."

At the word the Senator's eyes widened. "You'd be surprised at what I'm capable of, Dorme."

"Such as your marriage to Padawan Skywalker?" the handmaiden asked shrewdly.

"Yes...how did you know?" Padme asked.

"Servants talk amongst themselves and Paddy is quite a blabber mouth if you give him the right type of ail," Dorme elucidated. "You should have emptied the villa before the minister arrived."

Padme frowned at her old friends flippancy. "I've lied to you, to my parents, to Anakin's Master. And for what. To live a lie. To pretend to be married and happy when I don't even seem him most of the time."

"It is a difficult situation, m'lady," Dorme said diplomatically.

"Please, Dorme, drop the honorifics. I am not the Senator now, and I am in need of a good friend," Padme pleaded.

Dorme chuckled. "Alright, Padme," she stressed her friends name. "You mentioned Master Kenobi?"

"I feel that things I am keeping from him, will tear him apart. I'm afraid that I can't keep this lie going. Even to be with Anakin," Padme said. "It will tear us all apart."

"We could keep it a secret," Anakin said, his blue eyes dazzling in the firelight.

"We'd be living a lie. One we couldn't keep even if we wanted too. I couldn't do that. Could you Anakin, could you live like that?"

"No, you're right. It would destory us."

Padme buried her head into her hands. "What have I done, Dorme? I knew what was right, I let my selfish desires get into the way and it may destroy a man I admire."

"Master Kenobi," Dorme said, sagaciously.

"I took the man who was like his father, can I also take his son?"

 

Wow -- I just found this story. I like it a lot, especially the honest affection between Obi-Wan and Anakin.

 

Glad to have you on board.

 

Obi-Wan was once again engaged with an onslaught of training droids, his lightsaber a whirl of blue color. the energy blade sizzled as it came in contact with the stun blasts. He had already been working for two hours, and sweat was dripping down his back and chest. When his tunic became cumbersome he stripped it off, revealing a mass of healed wounds that he had collected over the years, the most recent an angry red slash across his upper arm. The one Count Dooku had given him.

The healer's would be angry with him, if they knew he was holding himself to such a strict schedule and Master Yoda had already spoken to him about it. But Obi-Wan knew that he could not rely on any one else to cover his faults. Anakin was a Padawan and not a full Jedi Knight, he couldn't expected to hold up to such things. It was Obi-Wan's duty to protect Anakin not the other way around.

He spun on his healas the trainign droids fired almost simultaneously and he snapped the blade to swallow them up in the more powerful energy. He was using a training saber, Dooku had destroyed his, bringing back the old pain of how he had lost the previous one. He and Anakin were now working on their new lightsabers, but Obi-Wan had not wanted to interrupt his schedule until the weapon was newly fashioned.

Sweat had accumulated in his beard, slightly matting it to his face, and his long hair clung to the nap of his neck. Rivelets of sweat course down his lean muscles that were always kept in a state of readiness and were now rolling with each move.

Dooku had caught him in a state of fatigue, where his mind and body had not been in perfect synchronation, and Obi-Wan never planned on that happening again.

From across the room where his tunics laid on a spectator bench, Obi-Wan's comlink bleeped and shattered his concentration. One of the training droids took advantage of this and fired at his chest.

"Blast," Obi-Wan cursed, as the lance of energy hit home and he waved his hand stiffly to shut off the droids.

Utterly disgusted with himself for allowing such a slip, he stocked over to his tunic and rumbled around for the aggrovating comlink.

He took a steading breath before switching it on. "Kenobi, here."

"Master Obi-Wan, a visitor you have," came the mewling voice of Yoda over the tiny speaker.

Obi-Wan was glad he had taken his time to control his breathing. He wasn't really interested in another lecture, he was a Jedi Knight after all.

"A visitor?' he queried.

"In the Council room she waits," Master Yoda replied in his usually cryptic tone. "Wishes to speak with you urgently, she does."

"Yes, Master. I will be there shortly," Obi-Wan assured, switching the comlink back off.

He realized then that he was sweaty and more then a little disheveled, hardly the picture of a calm and serene Jedi Knight, but Yoda wasn't prone to embellishment. If it was urgent, it was urgent.

Donning, his soiled tunics, he tried to look as Masterly as possible. How many times had he told Anakin to clean up after the young boy had spent hours working on this componenet or that? Like Master, like Apprentice, I suppose.

He made his way to the Council room and walked through the sliding doors confidently as they opened. He may look a mess but he wasn't going to act a mess.

Presence is nine-tenths poise, and one-tenth appearance, Qui-Gon had always said. And of course, Qui-Gon had always looked Masterly.

To Obi-Wan's amazement there was not a single council member in the area. Instead, Padme Amidala stood looking out one of the floor to ceiling transparasteel windows that made up a large part of the Council room.

She turned around at the sound of his approach and took in his overworked appearance. "Did I interrupt you and Anakin training?"

"No, m'lady. Anakin is being examined by the Temple healers," Obi-Wan explained. "I have been working on something myself."

"I see," she said distractedly.

What is she doing here? It was odd that Master Yoda would let her into the T

 

Oooh. Got him good, didn't she? If Padme is going to tell Obi-Wan about her marriage, what is Anakins reation going to be? Or Obi-Wans for that matter. More soon?

 

Interesting! Things are getting tangled for our heroes!

 

One reason that Obi-Wan had been so adamant about Anakin's feelings towards Senator Amidala, was because he had made a mistake in having similar feelings towards a remarkable woman name Zara Valinor.

He had met her thirteen years ago. When she had been one of the war criminals that Qui-Gon and himself had been called to ecort to her trial on Coruscant.

Once she had planted herself in the corner, Zara did not move from her position. Her side hurt from where one of the Ranoc guards had hit her hard enough to crack several of her ribs. The bruise over her right eye throbbed in time with her rushing blood and the scar on her left forearm beat in syncopation. Easily, she put the pain out of her mind, shoving it away from her. If only she could shove the stupid boy Jedi who was watching over her. He changed from studying her to looking down the long corridor. His azure eyes flicking like a wave.

"What?" she suddenly snapped, like a rabid Nek Battle Dog.

She had hoped that the Jedi would have jumped but instead he just turned his intense gaze on her. "Yes?"

"What is it you're starring at? Surely, a Jedi, even a Padawan, has escorted a dangerous criminal before," Zara drilled him.

"Yes, I have," he answered shortly.

Zara's anger rose, and with that a burning sensation filled her. "Why didn't your Master guard over me? I'm a dangerous criminal, far to dangerous for a Padawan."

"How is it that you know so much about my Order?" the boy Jedi asked, not even a trace of annoyance showing in his face or evident in his voice. But she could feel that his was disturbed.

"You're not the secret sect you think you are," she answered, intentionally infusing her voice with crypticism.

Rolling up her sleeve, she massaged the scar on her forearm. She was surprised when the Jedi did the same. "Do you always mock your prisoners?"

The younger Jedi looked down at his hand rubbing at his arm, surprise flickered in his own eyes and he instantly threw both hands down to his sides. "I, too, have just recently recovered from an injury." He dodged her accusation. "What happened?" he asked gesturing at the flaming red scar.

"I wasn't taken easily," Zara answered. She really didn't want to get friendly with this annoying Jedi boy. Despite the fact that she could read him so well, he was just another liability in her plan.

The ruddy brown eyebrows leaped on the younger Jedi's face. "That's a fresh scar, when were you captured?"

"It is none of your business!" she shouted. Why was she letting this weakling bother her so much?

The Jedi seemed as confused by her outburst as she did. She mustn't give too much away before she could carry out the plan.

He folded his hands in front of him, portraying that blasted Jedi facade. "It is meal time, Ms. Daalon. Do you wish for your evening meal?"

"Valinor," she whispered, correcting him. There was a hint of emotion to her voice, other then the anger she displayed so readily. It was a heart-wrenching sound.

It had come out so softly, that the Jedi leaned forward and asked, "What was that?"

"Zara Valinor. That other name is something those rejects gave me," she elucidated.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi," the Jedi said in turn and a shiver ran up Zara's back. It wasn't that of a chill, but something warm and...comforting?

She stiffened to hide the shiver. "Is that supposed to thrill me?" she shoot back facetiously, although it had done just that.

Zara had hated the Jedi, had found her innate ability in the Force as more of curse then a gift. She blamed the Jedi for not finding her for training. But then a Force-induced bonding had occured. He was injured and there had been no other choice.

The next morning Obi-Wan came to full consciousness. He, too, had experienced the memory rush and recognized it for what it was. A bonding. Of course, that was supposed to be impossible, especially since Obi-Wan had never met Zara previous to this. He had read in the
archives that bondings had taken place during a time when the Jedi had been allowed

 

This is interesting. What does this mean for your other story, "For those that have none"? Are yoku going to finish it or let this one take over? I like this story. It proves Shakespear and Hawthorne right, "Be True, etc." You know what I mean. Smile! More?

Oh, hey. Will you please read my story? I need some constructive criticism. Just look for "Life's Circles" Thanks! You rock.

 

Don't worry. For Those That Have None will still be going. This is kind of an AU version of the story.

 

"I believe you had a confession to make?" Obi-Wan said, harshly. He did not like being made into a spectacle. He may admire Padme, and internally admitted that she was unlike many of the politicians he could never bring himself to trust, still he wasn't going to let her bring up his past and be affected by it.

It had been his choice to leave Zara, whether she was married or not, made no difference. A Jedi feel's no anger, nor hate, nor love.

Still, the Senator looked as though she recognized his struggle for control. The fact that she could read a Jedi so well astonished him.

"You're right, Master Kenobi," she said, as if to still herself for what's coming.

Not that Obi-Wan hadn't guessed what she would say. He had already caught the intense emotion the Senator carried for his Padawan. She was making a confession of love.

"When Anakin returned with me to Naboo, did you find that he took an inordinate amount of time?" she asked.

Obi-Wan shrugged to mask his sudden discomfort. He really did not like where the Senator was going with this. "Not overly. Space travel is not always reliable, m'lady."

"You're going to make this hard on me aren't you?" she asked.

"Make what hard on you?" he was beginning to loose his patience. She had come here, to the one place that was his sanctuary, had brought up his past and seemed to have thrown it in his face. What else did she want from him?

"Anakin and I were married on Naboo," Senator Amidala blurted out, as fi the words rushed through her like wind through a cavern.

"Married?" Obi-Wan stuttered out, as surprised as when the Prime Minister had told him about the clone army.

She nodded, solemnly, but looked as thought a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. "I am his wife."

Obi-Wan's feet were knocked out from under him. He didn't know what to say, his mind seemed to replay her words over and over again. He had expected an admittance of love, not that the admittance had come to its ultimate fruition. Somehow he managed to stumble to Mace Windu's seat on the Council.

And looked to the window where he had stood with the Jedi Master, remembered Mace asking him where Anakin was.

On his way to Naboo. Escorting Senator Amidala home. He had been preoccupied, with the many dead on Geonosis, who had come to help him, the clone war that Master Yoda had said was the shroud of the Dark Side. His mind had never pondered that Anakin had done little more then his duty.

Senator Amidala walked u behind the chair and laid a tentative hand on his shoulder. "I couldn't keep it a secret."

He bolted up from the chair. "How dare you? Is there anything else you're keeping from me Senator? Anything that I might need to know, but you feel is in Anakin's best interest that I do not." He shuddered with his anger. "Just who do you think you are?"

"I am his wife," she repeated firmly, although quite shaken by his reaction.

Obi-Wan ran a hand through his already mused hair. "I am his Master!" he exclaimed.

"Master Kenobi, I never meant to degrade your position in his life," she said.

He snorted. "You have done just that, m'lady." He made the honorific into a curse. How foolish I was to think she was any different from any other politician.

His words struck her and he saw the glimmering of tears in her deep brown eyes. "I will tell you anything that you ask, Master Kenobi."

"Tatooine. What happened on Tatooine?" he snapped the question. Here was his chance to find out what was causing Anakin all this pain the boy buried under a lump of anger. For he did not think that marrying Padme would make Anakin angry.

"His mother was killed by Tusken Raiders," Padme answered softly.

"And?" he persisted.

"You will force me to betray him?" she accused.

"If you honor your oath," he said as smoothly as he could. But deep down he was already thinking he had lost his Padawan, his boy, to what lay behind the secret of Tatooine.

"He killed the tribe that were responsible for his

 

Upping. Please read me.

 

Wow! That was an intense post and I feel kind of sorry for Obi-Wan.

 

Hello! This story is going very well and I really like the fact that you update so often. Keep up the good work!