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Forbidden Longing	By : PyramidHead316 Category: Star Wars (All) > General Views: 4286 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: George Lucas owned Star Wars, which is now owned by Disney. This is merely a work of fan fiction. We make no profit off of this fic.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
Chapter 16: Visions and Portents
The Naberrie home was in chaos. Tables were overturned, items strewn about with the randomness of a drunken rampage.
And Obi-Wan Kenobi was standing triumphant over Anakin.
The Chosen One was on the ground, battered and bloodied to the point of near-unconsciousness. His clothes were tattered and singed from the vicious battle he had just fought. He lay on the floor clutching his ribs, barely able to move.
Several feet away, Padme Amidala lay bound against a toppled chair. Tiny cuts marked the skin of her shoulders that was visible from under the strapless dress she wore. A purplish bruise marred the side of her cheek where Obi-Wan had struck her, and her left eye was turning black from the swelling. Her face felt numb, dead; she had never been struck with such ferocity before. But that was nothing compared to the pain she felt at seeing her husband in such a beaten state.
In contrast, Obi-Wan was barely injured. A few segments of his robe were tattered, and certain parts of his arms and torso were singed, but that was about it. Such was his power in the dark side that he was able to overwhelm even a Jedi of Anakin’s caliber within a few short minutes. Padme had never seen a Dark Jedi in action before, and now she understood why the Jedi were right to fear the dark side.
She struggled in vain to free herself from the restraints. It was no use. Even if she managed to untie herself, Obi-Wan would swat her back as easily as he had before. And there was no one else to help her.
Beside a fallen chair, the corpse of Ruwee Naberrie lay partially hidden from view. He had died trying to hold back Obi-Wan from reaching Padme, after Kenobi snapped the neck of her mother Jobal.
A sudden burst of sorrow overtook Anakin at the thought of his father-in-law. He had forged a tentative friendship with the man over the past few months, coming to see him as a respectable father figure. And Jobal was no stranger either. She had taken to Anakin almost immediately, coming to love him like a son – a feeling that was very much returned. She was almost like a second mother to Anakin, looking out for him and ensuring that both he and Padme were happy.
Now they were gone, slaughtered at the hand of this monster. And they were not the only victims.
Sola’s husband Darred lay nearby. Like Ruwee, he had died trying to shield his little girl from Kenobi’s wrath. Little good it did, as Obi-Wan ran them both through with a lightsaber. Ryoo was right next to him, her face frozen forever in shock at the energy blade that had cut her young life short. There was no trace of Sola or her other daughter Pooja, but there was great reason to suspect they were dead.
Through a haze of fiery anguish, Anakin struggled to rise to his feet. He made it as far as his hands and knees before Obi-Wan slammed a first down on his back, crippling him with the Force-enhanced blow.
“Did you think you would escape me, my Padawan?” Obi-Wan said maliciously. He bent down to roughly grab Anakin’s hair. “Never forget that I am the Master, not you,” he hissed in the young Knight’s ear. He roughly shoved the boy’s face into the ground.
Obi-Wan stood up to his full height, looming over Anakin like an executioner about to pass sentence.
You are mine, Anakin,” Obi-Wan said. The young man trembled at the dark possessiveness in his former Master’s voice. Obi-Wan took off his utility belt and let it fall. Anakin heard him undo the clasp on his trousers and immediately knew what he intended.
Oh gods no, he thought, feeling a wave of terror well up inside him. It was the worst possible thing he could imagine at the moment, and he shook in terror at the realization of what Obi-Wan was about to do to him.
He was going to rape him in front of Padme.
Anakin tried his hardest to break free from Obi-Wan’s grip. But his Master was holding him firm with the Force. The dark side coursed through his veins, giving him a strength Anakin couldn’t hope to match even with his power as the Chosen One. The younger man despaired as he realized he was trapped; powerless to defend himself, abandoned by the Force and whatever deities it embodied. Once again, he asked himself “how”. How could Obi-Wan have grown this strong in the dark side without him sensing it?
Obi-Wan ripped away Anakin’s belt and pulled down his pants. He wasted no time in drawing the boy’s hips to him. Anakin felt the tip of his hardness pressing against him, warning him that he was about to feel an all too excruciating pain. His face burned with shame, knowing Padme was seeing everything. His fingers tightened as his Master guided his hardened member into him. It hurt, but it was nothing compared to what awaited next.
With one brutal thrust, Obi-Wan sheathed himself fully in his Padawan. Anakin cried out as his Master began to thrust relentlessly into him. There was no lubrication, no attempt to make it easier on his apprentice; nothing but the grinding feel of flesh on flesh as Obi-Wan fucked him mercilessly, tearing at his insides. Anakin clawed desperately at the floor, fingers clenching painfully into fists. It was humiliating, it was agonizing, and there was no escape from it.
Some short distance away, the distraught Mrs. Skywalker felt like was going to throw up. The sounds of her husband’s agony resonated in her ears. Tied as she was, she was unable to escape them. Every scream was a stab in Padme’s heart. The former senator from Naboo almost wished it was her Obi-Wan was interested in, if it would spare her husband this monstrous ordeal.
A raw cry of misery wrenched itself from Anakin’s throat, as Obi-Wan gave a particularly vicious movement. Padme looked down to the side, averting her gaze from the horrid sight taking place before her. She couldn’t watch this.
The torment continued until at last Obi-Wan stiffened against his victim. He gave a grunt of pleasure as he released himself deep into his Padawan. Somehow Anakin held back the nausea rising in his throat as he slumped lifelessly in Obi-Wan’s grasp. When he was satisfied that he had gleamed every ounce of pleasure from his climax, the older Jedi finally pushed Anakin away from him.
Padme opened her eyes as she heard the gasps of Obi-Wan’s satisfaction, signifying the terrible activity had ceased. She gasped at the heart wrenching shape Anakin was in. Obi-Wan had done his unconscionable task well. Anakin was curled up on his side, tears flowing freely down his face. His pants were down around his thighs and there were hints of blood dotting the area surrounding them. The Master had left his mark on Anakin in the form of bruises and gouge marks lining his Padawan’s fair skin. And that was on the outside.
Obi-Wan turned his attention on Padme. He took one calculated step at a time, mind focused on only one thing.
“No…Padme…” his former Padawan moaned. Realizing what was happening, Anakin reached for his Master’s leg, trying feebly to stop him. Obi-Wan viciously kicked him away with a boot to the chin. Eyes once again on Padme, he advanced on her with malevolent intent, until he’d crossed the short distance between them.
The Chosen One’s heart was beating thunderously in his chest. He stretched out his hand in effort to stop Kenobi, but the Force was unusually unresponsive. Anakin screamed mentally in denial as he realized there was nothing he could do.
His enemy loomed over his beloved Padme. Obi-Wan didn’t say a word; didn’t show any of the usual hints of anger. Instead he simply stood there, staring coldly at the woman he had come to hate more than anything else in the galaxy. Padme was trembling. A small sob escaped her lips, knowing she was about to die. The only question was when he would strike.
And strike he did. In a moment of blinding swiftness, Obi-Wan grabbed her skull and wrenched it violently to the side. A sickening crack rang across the room as Padme’s neck was snapped in half by the Jedi, just as he had promised.
The scream that wrenched itself from Anakin’s throat was one of pure loss and agony. It felt like half of his soul had been torn from his body as he watched Padme’s body collapse to the ground. Denial mixed with unimaginable rage, forming a roiling burst of power that struggled valiantly to free itself from his body. The Force itself wailed in anguish at the grief of its Chosen One. If he had been up to it, the entire room would have caved in from the waves of suffering coming from the boy. As it was, the room barely stirred with his effort. He was too exhausted to summon that power, however destructive it was.
Obi-Wan let Padme’s body fall without giving it a second glance. He directed his focus on Anakin now. His eyes were cold and ruthless, giving no hint of the man that once lay inside. That man was gone now, never to return from the pit this monstrosity had buried him in.
A demonic half-grin appeared on his Master’s face. He had satisfied one fantasy, and now he would satisfy another. Obi-Wan advanced on Anakin, halos of blue energy glowing around his hands…
~*~
Anakin woke up with a start as he was torn away from his dream. He wasn’t even aware he was shouting, or that Padme was right there next to him. All he saw was Obi-Wan coming towards him, ready to electrocute him with Force lightning.
“Anakin?”
Anakin didn’t respond. He was breathing hard from the nightmare, his heartbeat racing at 90 kilometers an hour. A layer of cold sweat covered every part of his body.
“Anakin, are you all right?”
Finally he felt her arms around his shoulders, urging him to calm down. He turned to look at her.
“Padme?” he whispered, not sure if she was really there.
“It’s me, Ani,” she said softly.
Anakin didn’t waste any in grabbing her in a fearsome hug. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, unwilling to let go after losing her so recently. He was realizing now that it was only a dream, that Obi-Wan had not killed her in such vicious manner…
Still, he hesitated to let go, half believing she would disappear if he let her out of his grasp.
“Anakin?”
Hearing the concern in her voice, he realized he was scaring her. He let go of her warm body, giving her a reassuring smile.
“I’m fine, Padme. It was just a dream,” he said. Padme was concerned by the sudden change in her husband’s demeanor.
“About?”
“Nothing important.”
“Anakin…”
“It was just when I lost that duel,” he lied, not wanting to worry her any further.
“Oh.”
“Like I said, it was nothing important. Go back to sleep, angel.”
Padme looked over him strangely. “Are you all right, Ani?”
“I’m okay.”
“You sure?”
“I’m said I’m fine!” Anakin snapped. The look on his angel’s face immediately made him regret it. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he apologized quickly. “It’s just that this was no ordinary dream. It seemed so real.”
“Maybe you were having a flashback?” she suggested.
“Yeah, I’m sure that’s it,” Anakin agreed.
“You want to talk about it?”
“Not really.”
“Ani…”
“Okay, okay. We’ll talk about it in the morning, all right?”
Padme didn’t answer, still giving him that stern glare of hers she liked so much. Anakin wasn’t about to back down this time, though. “Go back to sleep,” he urged, putting a touch of Force into his suggestion.
Padme stared at him for a moment longer. “Okay,” she relented, much to Anakin’s relief.
If she noticed the little trickery in his part, she didn’t show it. Perhaps she did and she was just in no mood to argue with him right now.
She settled down to bed facing away from him. Anakin settled down next to her, though he knew he would not be getting any sleep tonight.
He was thankful she had let the subject drop. He would never use a mind trick on his angel. Aside from the wrongness of him doing so, Padme was far too strong minded for them. But subtle suggestions were a different story. Unlike a mind trick, they didn’t really affect the user so much as tell them that the person talking wasn’t in the mood for an argument. Kind of like a normal no-nonsense statement, except with a bit more strength to it.
Soon Padme was asleep again. Anakin rolled over to face the ceiling, quietly so as to not disturb his beloved. There was no way he was going back to sleep. Not after that horrible dream had intruded on his subconscious. He had lied to Padme when he said there was nothing to worry about. He could almost feel with crystal clarity the agony of electrical currents arcing over his body, the anguish he felt as he saw Padme’s neck snapped in half.
No ordinary dream, indeed.
Anakin sighed as he settled into the beginnings of meditation. He knew what he had to do. Tomorrow morning, he would start up his training again. For now, he would put himself into a Force trance so he would at least appear rested in the morning.
~*~
Over the skies of Coruscant, a Republic transport soared towards the monolith that was the Jedi Temple. The small cruiser was on a mission of celebratory significance: to deliver a triumphant general back to his people. The passenger could have taken his Jedi starfighter back to the capital, but he found it more compelling to let someone else do the work for once. He was never a big fan of flying.
Obi-Wan was settled in a posture of silent contemplation. He sat in the cargo hold of the transport, unmoving except for his steadied breaths. He was elated to be back home. Ordinarily that would have been mixed in with some grief about something insane that Anakin did during the last mission. Not this time. After slaying the dreaded Jedi killer of the enemy forces, he was on an unusual train of contentment. Nothing could bring him down from his high mood. Nonetheless, he was glad to be back home, and eager to resume with the task he had appointed himself.
He had spent the entire flight deep in meditation. Regardless of the victory it achieved, his actions during the Grievous fight warranted considerable contemplation. Had he made a mistake by giving in to his anger? That was the question he had to answer, and he knew it required some serious focus on his part. Conventional Jedi wisdom said yes, but Obi-Wan had seen enough warfare to realize conventional Jedi wisdom had little place on the battlefield.
Fortunately the Council intervened on his behalf. Once contacted them to inform them of Grievous’ defeat, the Masters requested that he return to Coruscant at once. Obi-Wan’s part in the battle was done: Grievous was dead. With the main threat gone and the Separatists routed, there was no reason for him to remain on the planet.
He had left Cody in charge of the troops. Unlike Obi-Wan, they would have to remain on the planet a while longer, to ensure the Separatists didn’t return with a counterattack. After ensuring the clones could handle things, he was on the first transport available to Coruscant.
The rumination was intense. He had gone over every detail of the battle, wondering what he could have done differently. And in the end, Obi-Wan decided he had done the right thing. While he could have Force pushed Grievous away, or dodged his oncoming attack, the General would have kept on coming at him again and again, until he was finally dead.
It was one thing to preach non-aggression and calm logic over emotion, but even the Masters at the Temple would not be able to deny he had done what he had to defend himself. His life was at stake, and so was the freedom of Utapau. Not to mention, the lives of his troops and those of any Jedi who faced Grievous in the future. Compared to that, a little anger was a small price to pay for his defeat. The battlefield was hardly the place to be rational. Instinct proved more valuable than logic a lot of the time. Obi-Wan did what he had to, and that was that.
Of course, he would not tell the Council of this little indiscretion. There was a difference between being honest and simply asking for trouble. Obi-Wan was no fool. He knew that several members on the Council would have his hide for this. It would be difficult, keeping this secret for the first few days. He would have to be absolutely focused with his shields when the Council wanted to pry into his affairs. He was sure they would have questions about how he defeated the menace that was General Grievous, and it would be no easy feat to lie to them. But that was all right. What they didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them.
Besides, they had much to be grateful for. Obi-Wan was proud of the way he directed the battle after Grievous’ death. He had slaughtered the Separatist forces on Utapau. The few that survived had quickly retreated from the planet. The Separatist leaders had escaped, but Obi-Wan wasn’t worried. They would be found in time. And when they were, he would see to it personally that they paid for all the deaths in the Jedi they caused.
The transport docked on the landing pad of the Temple hangar. Obi-Wan gathered his few belongings and signaled the pilot to open the ramp. Collecting himself with a deep breath, he calmly exited the craft.
Obi-Wan Kenobi was treated to a hero’s welcome. Master Windu was waiting for him, in addition to Kit Fisto, Saesee Tiin, Ki-Adi-Mundi, Adi Gallia and Shaak Ti.
“Obi-Wan, it’s great to see you,” Mace said, greeting him with a bow. “Welcome back.”
Obi-Wan bowed back.
“Congratulations on your victory.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Mace Windu was impressed. He wouldn’t have believed that Obi-Wan could handle this assignment on his own, and yet the Jedi had proven him wrong. Obi-Wan had triumphed against the odds, without the help of Anakin or anyone else. It gave Mace hope that they had done the right thing by letting Anakin go. Perhaps they didn’t need the Chosen One after all. The Separatist Council had escaped, but that was of little concern at the moment. The main threat was gone. Grievous was dead, and his demise would do much to fracture the Separatists’ resolve. They still had to apprehend the leaders, but there would be time for that later.
Soon Agen Kolar joined the group. “Master Kenobi?”
Obi-Wan looked at him.
“Well done,” the Zabrak said with a smirk. Obi-Wan smiled back.
“Thank you, Master.”
They walked along the Temple hangar. The Masters crowded around Obi-Wan, slapping him on the shoulders and dolling out praise for his accomplishments. All except for Shaak Ti, who stood back from the group. She surveyed Kenobi with a carefully guarded expression. Something wasn’t right. The Jedi’s countenance suggested happiness and satisfaction over his victory, but there was something…dark about his spirit. She wondered if any of the others noticed it.
Thus she stood apart from the others. She would not congratulate Obi-Wan on his accomplishment, though neither would she ruin their celebration. Instead she would just stay quiet and observe, as came so naturally to her.
The Jedi continued on this way until Obi-Wan came to a stop, feeling inclined to put an end to the festivity.
“If you excuse me Masters, I have an errand I need to attend to,” he interrupted.
“Oh, you have some friends you want to pay a visit to?” Mace hypothesized.
“Yes, that’s it,” Obi-Wan smiled.
“Then by all means, go. Don’t let us keep you,” Master Windu said.
“Thank you, Master.”
“Remember, the Council meeting’s in an hour.”
“Understood,” Kenobi responded.
Smiling readily, Obi-Wan took off in the direction of the dormitories. He had a young Padawan to check on.
~*~
Anakin stood on the veranda, attempting in vain to meditate. As with the dream the previous night, it proved unusually elusive. The power was there, but its insight and guidance were mysterious absent. Had the Force abandoned him?
Please give me the strength to protect her from him. She is the only reason I have for living. She is my joy and happiness. Please let me be strong enough to protect her, Anakin pleaded silently to the Force. Little did he know, someone was listening. But that figure did not choose this time to reveal himself.
Right after that nightmare, Anakin decided that beginning a rigorous training schedule would be the only way to keep up with Obi-Wan’s growing dark powers. He would start with the basics to refresh his knowledge and recalibrate his center after all the trauma over the past few days. Having woken up several hours before Padme, he had made himself a simple breakfast before heading out to a nearby field. It would allow him to practice without disturbing anyone and with no distractions whatsoever, and provide him some natural tools with which to train.
He had spent the entire morning knee deep in practice sessions. Sparring katas, Force agility, enhanced speed and strength…even levitation. He had brushed up on every basic skill taught to students at the Temple in their early age. Now he would refocus his attention on the more advanced part of being a Jedi. Starting tomorrow he would relearn everything there was to know about saber combat. If he was to defeat Obi-Wan, he would have to be a master of more than just Form V.
He heard two women speaking in the distance and realized it was Padme and Sola. And Padme sounded agitated…
~*~
Padme and Sola sat at a table on the veranda, sipping at their morning caf. Sola couldn’t help but smile every time her sister would cast a glance down at her husband, who stood meditating a short distance away.
“He is nice to look at, I’ll have to say that. I can see why you married him,” Sola said. Padme’s head turned to her.
“Huh?” Padme asked, as if she’d heard nothing her sister had said.
“Geez, Padme, what planet were you on? Because it sure wasn’t Naboo,” Sola teased.
“I apologize, Sola. What did you say?”
“I was simply complimenting your taste in men. He’s very nice to look at,” Sola giggled. Padme smiled.
“Yes…he is handsome,” she agreed, casting a worried glance at her beloved. Sola ignored her worried tone.
“I noticed how smitten you were with him the day you brought him home when he was protecting you, even if you tried to hide it. I knew there was more going on between the two of you than met the eye,” Sola said. Padme rolled her eyes.
“At that point, no, there wasn’t. I didn’t admit my feelings for Ani until I thought we were both about to be executed on Geonosis,” she refuted.
“I’m talking chemistry, little sister. You’d have to blind not the see the electrifying connection between the two of you. The sexual tension was thick. Speaking of sex…is it as amazing and mind blowing as I think it probably is?” Sola asked frankly. Padme practically choked on her caf.
“I am not answering that question,” she refused.
“Oh come on, baby sister. I deserve a few details,” Sola prodded with a sly smile.
“No, you don’t,” Padme replied.
“You can’t blame me for being curious. I mean…not many women can say they’ve had sex with a Jedi before,” Sola teased.
“For your information, Anakin and I make love. The way you talk, you make it sound like we’re having a meaningless fling. I assure you that what Anakin and I have isn’t a fling. We have a deep, loving marriage and yes, it is amazing when we make love,” Padme said. She hadn’t meant to snap at her sister, but it had been Obi-Wan who had treated their relationship like some scandalous fling and used it against her husband.
“Padme, I was not implying that you two are having a fling. I was just teasing,” Sola replied.
“I’m sorry Sola. The last few days have just been really stressful,” Padme apologized.
“It’s okay. That being said, does Anakin have a big lightsaber?” Sola asked. Padme choked again.
“Sola!” Padme scolded, as her sister laughed.
“Sorry, I couldn’t resist. And by the color of your cheeks, I’ll take that as a yes. He looks like he would. I bet every inch of him is all man,” Sola teased and Padme rolled her eyes.
“Can we please stop talking about my sex life now?” Padme asked.
“Sorry baby sis, but you have to allow me a little once in a while,” Sola replied. Padme glanced at Anakin, her eyes filled with worry for him. She knew he’d had another nightmare and it was all thanks to his so called Master. She hated Obi-Wan Kenobi with a passion for doing this to her husband.
“Padme…what’s wrong?” Sola asked.
“It’s nothing, Sola. I’m just worried about him,” she replied, shrugging her sister’s question off.
Sola frowned in concern. She had been thinking about this ever since Padme brought Anakin to meet them, and introduced him as her husband. She didn’t want to pry, but if Anakin had suffered something horrible, she wanted to be there for him. And if Obi-Wan was indeed a danger, she needed to know what they were up against.
“What did this Obi-Wan do to him, Padme?” she asked, getting serious.
“I’d rather not discuss it,” Padme replied.
“Every time anyone brings it up, you completely wall up your emotions. We are family. Can you not be honest with us?” Sola asked.
“I said I don’t want to talk about it! It’s between Anakin and me. He is not ready to talk about it, therefore, we will not discuss it,” Padme replied. Sola sighed.
“Fine,” she replied, silent for a few moments.
“I have some things I should do, so I’ll see you later,” Sola said, as she walked back inside. Padme sighed deeply. She saw Anakin cast a concerned glance her way and she went over to join him where he was standing. Her arms slid around his waist and he looked down at her.
“Are you okay? You sounded agitated,” he said. She gave him a half smile.
“Sometimes my sister cannot respect my privacy,” Padme stated tiredly.
“She was asking about what happened to me, wasn’t she?”
“How did you know?” she asked.
“Just a guess. I suppose they have a right to know,” Anakin replied dejectedly.
“Not until you’re ready, they don’t. You get to choose when or if you tell them,” she replied. He smiled gently at her and hugged her to his chest.
“Ani?”
“Hm?”
“What was that nightmare really about?” Padme asked.
“I told you it was nothing important,” Anakin replied.
“Then why were you so scared?” she countered. “Was it really about a duel?”
Anakin didn’t reply. Instead he disentangled himself from her grasp. He took a few steps forward before he sat down on the grass. Padme waited a few moments before taking a seat next to him on the verdant lawn. She placed an arm around him, hoping to encourage him to speak.
“Don’t do this, Anakin. Don’t shut me out,” she pleaded.
Anakin sighed. It was not confiding in her that had gotten him into this mess in the first place. He couldn’t lie to her anymore.
“He was…he was raping me again. But that wasn’t the worst part,” he stated. Padme looked at him, wondering what could possibly be worse than that.
“He was doing it in front of you. And then…when he finished with me, he…he killed you,” Anakin admitted, closing his eyes as the terrible images returned. Padme stared at him in shock and understanding.
“Anakin…” she faltered, struggling to find the words. No wonder he was terrified. How horrible must it have been, to see their worst fears come to life like that? Turning him to face her, she took his hands in her own. “It was only a dream,” she told him, gazing at him reassuringly. “It’s not going to happen.”
“I know. I know.”
With that she pulled him into a hug, offering the comfort she knew he needed. Her husband clung to her tightly, a morose expression on his face. Anakin felt the wetness of tears, though he held them back. He had shed enough tears over this monster. And Obi-Wan would not respect a weakling. If he wanted to protect Padme, he would have to be strong. Force – that was what Obi-Wan would respect. The force to drive him back and keep him out of their lives permanently, even if meant destroying him in the process…
“I won’t let him kill you, Padme. I won’t,” Anakin promised.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you.”
Padme shivered as she heard that. Not because it scared her, but because of how serious their lives had become. It was only a few days ago that they were at her apartment on Coruscant, enjoying each other’s company. And now they were contemplating killing his former Master. How drastically things had changed over the course of a week.
“I know you will, Anakin,” she said. She pulled back from the hug, smiling warmly at him.
“Come on, I know what will cheer you up. Let’s go clean up and then I’ll pack us a picnic. We can take it out to the meadow and lay in the sun,” she suggested. Anakin smiled genuinely.
“I can’t think of a better way to spend the day,” he replied.
“Do you remember our first picnic?” Padme asked.
“How could I forget? That was one of the best days of my life,” he replied.
“Mine too. I especially loved the part when you tried to impress me by riding a Shaak, emphasis on tried,” she teased.
“Not one of my shining moments, I’ll admit. But come on, weren’t you just a little impressed?” Anakin teased back.
“I do not know what you are implying, my love,” she replied sweetly.
“I was irresistible to you,” he replied confidently. She giggled and kissed him gently.
“You are irresistible, I’ll give you that,” she replied. Their lips met again in a passionate kiss.
“Come on, let’s go clean up and then we’ll make this day all about us. What do you say?” Padme asked.
“I don’t think it gets more perfect that a picnic in the meadow with my beautiful wife,” he answered. Standing up from the lawn, they walked inside with their arms around each other’s waists. They were much too absorbed in each other to notice Sola, who was hidden in the corner by the entrance. She had been eavesdropping again. She knew it was wrong, but she couldn’t help herself. And though she was unable to hear what they were saying at such distance, what she had seen only strengthened her resolve. Something was seriously wrong here, and she fully intended to find out what…even if it meant going straight to Anakin himself.
~*~
Across the Jedi Temple in the eastern wing, a fretful thirteen year old girl was on a self-proclaimed assignment. Scout made her way towards one of the gymnasiums, her every moment radiating fearsome intent. She had spent the entire day locked in the dormitory, avoiding everyone whenever possible. She knew the others were becoming suspicious.
Scout was usually not so anti-social. She resented a few of the others for looking down on her, but that didn’t stop her from hanging out with them. Despite their differences, the truth was they were all still Jedi striving to become apprentices.
Fortunately, no one had confronted her about her isolated behavior. She wouldn’t be able to keep lying to them, and she wouldn’t know where to begin if she chose to explain the truth.
She had hoped to get by unnoticed. Unfortunately that was not to be. Just a few meters before the gymnasium, she spotted another young girl making her way towards her. And just her luck, it was Hanna “Hoth Hair” Ding. Scout sighed in disbelief. First Kenobi and now this. She just couldn’t catch a break.
“Well, well, look who decided to come for air,” a familiar voice declared. Scout gave a frown of annoyance. There it was, that same snide tone she was used to hearing from the Arkanian. Why did she have to be so…so nerf-brained? Even when it was a greeting, she sounded every bit as stuck-up as a regular Arkanian, despite having been raised in the Temple.
“Save it, Dingbat. I’m not in the mood,” she told Hanna sourly.
“Good one, Esterhazy. I see your wit is still as infantile as your morals,” Hanna said, brushing back a strand of hair as white as the frost on Hoth. With an icy cool demeanor to match, it was obvious why she had earned herself that nickname from Scout. Truthfully, even Hanna’s own friends couldn’t bring themselves to disagree.
Scout didn’t reply. She kept on walking, lest she do something she might regret. Too bad her arch-rival wasn’t willing to let the matter go so easily.
“No response? That’s odd. Isn’t that what you live for, to insult people? That and getting rejected by Jedi Masters,” the Arkanian added for good measure.
Something snapped inside Scout. She had tried to hold back, but this constant insulting on Hanna’s part was too much. Combined with the issue that had been plaguing her, it made for a volatile mixture. And before she knew what she was doing, she whirled on the Arkanian with a massive fury in her eyes.
“Damn it, why do you have to be such a bi…?”
She stopped just short of the word, but the damage was done. The Arkanian’s eyes were wide as saucers. Scout usually took her insults in stride. She had never seen the girl this riled up over a simple comment before.
The Arkanian breathed a sigh of resignation. She was no friend of this girl, but she knew what she had to do. Hanna Ding thought Scout was a cheat and a weakling, but if there was something seriously bothering her, she felt a slight obligation to help her.
“Scout, is everything all right?”
Scout looked at her curiously. “Why do you ask?”
“You just seem distracted as of late,” Hanna pointed out.
“Everything’s fine.”
“Are you certain? Because if there’s something wrong…”
“I said I’m fine!” Scout snapped at her.
Hanna blew a breath of frustration. “Really, child, must you be so difficult?”
But the object of her annoyance didn’t hear her. Scout turned to escape this incredibly irritating creature…
And there he was. Scout felt like her heart caught in her throat. Standing at a distant corner, looking directly at her, was Obi-Wan Kenobi. The vaunted Jedi Master stood observing her with cautious, confounded eyes. He was halfway hidden in the shadows, making him seem even more intimidating than before. She shivered in response. She could tell he was trying to read her, and indeed, she sensed an awareness probing at the back of her mind, searching for something she wasn’t at all sure of. While there was certainly reason for her to be afraid of him, she hadn’t given off any hints that she knew about his secret, did she?
She immediately thought of anything else besides the argument she witnessed between him and Anakin. The derision poured on her by her peers, old traumas years past, the pain and grief of losing her Master, her own uncertainty of her potential to be a Jedi…anything she could think of that might prevent him from seeing what she was really afraid of.
“Scout?” Hanna’s voice came from a distant place.
“Oh, that’s right. I forgot to tell you,” the Arkanian said off-handedly. “Master Kenobi returned to the Temple today. They say he demolished General Grievous and his forces.”
Scout didn’t respond. She was too absorbed in the moment, too focused on the Jedi silently observing her, to register what Hanna’s was saying. The Jedi Master’s gaze intensified, and for one terrifying moment, Scout thought he was actually going to approach her.
“Esterhazy?”
No response.
“Esterhazy!”
With a startled shake, the young girl stirred from her reverie. “Huh? Sorry, I…”
“Were you listening to me?” Hanna asked sharply. The annoyance was evident in her voice.
“Hanna, for the last time, I told you. There is nothing going on with me,” Scout replied insistently.
The Arkanian surveyed her with a thin-lipped expression. “Fine. If that’s the way you’re going to act, then it’s no wonder you’ll never be chosen as a Padawan.”
Turning her back on Scout, the younger snow-haired girl stomped away from her adversary. No doubt she was angry that she hadn’t made any progress with her initiative. Her words hurt, but Scout wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of losing it again. She turned back to where Obi-Wan had been standing only to find herself with an empty corridor.
Scout shivered powerfully along her body. Suddenly all thoughts of going to the gymnasium were forgotten. She was reminded of stories from Padawans who had ventured deep into the Temple’s basement levels, only to be confronted with things they couldn’t possibly explain. This whole experience, it was like…it was like she had seen a ghost. A ghost intent on stalking her for something she hadn’t meant to do. A chill ran down her spine. There was no way she was going to the training center. What if…what if he was there? Waiting for her…
Pivoting on her ankles, the young girl sprinted off in the direction she had come from. She was going back to the dormitory until she decided otherwise. If anyone wanted her to come out, they could send Master Yoda himself to get her.
~*~
After intimidating his quarry, Obi-Wan headed for the Council chambers. He hadn’t meant to frighten the girl like that. And yet, once he was in the moment, he found it surprisingly easy to do. The girl was hiding something and he had a feeling it was directly related to him. Had she seen something suspicious, he wondered? Perhaps his façade wasn’t as convincing as he thought it was. He would have to be more careful from now on.
On the plus side, a little intimidation never hurt anyone. If Scout had any motives to reveal what she knew, whatever that was, surely they would be erased after seeing how serious Obi-Wan was about his suspicions. Obi-Wan would not harm her, physically at least, but there were plenty of other ways to get her, and prevent her from becoming a Master. At thirteen years old, Scout was quickly reaching the point where she could remain at the Temple without being chosen as a Padawan. As an esteemed Master on the Council, all it would take was one statement from Obi-Wan and she would be off to the Agri-Crops, never to bother anyone here again.
He entered the Council chamber where Mace and the other Masters were already assembled. They quickly exchanged greetings before initiating the start of the meeting.”
“Obi-Wan…once again, we want to congratulate you on completing your assignment. This is a great victory for the Republic, and for the Jedi Order,” Windu said.
“Thank you, Master,” Obi-Wan replied.
“Of course, we still have to apprehend the Separatist leaders and discover any ties they have to the Sith. However, we are confident that will soon be taken care of. With Grievous dead and the Separatists shattered from this victory, they will soon be forced to surrender unless they can find another military leader. While they may prove successful, we doubt there are any more generals with Grievous’ capabilities. Certainly none with his Jedi-killing prowess. Unless the Sith Lord himself comes to take the reigns of the operation, we may well be seeing the collapse of the Separatists movements?”
“What about Count Dooku?” Agen Kolar asked, more for Obi-Wan’s benefit than his own.
“Dooku has been hiding since the start of this war. If he chooses this time to reveal himself, it would be at the expense of the Separatist Council. With Grievous dead, they have no choice but to stay close him. Any intelligence on his whereabouts would lead us directly to them. Should he choose to take the risk, I will personally go to apprehend him, while another Master would be in charge of apprehending the Separatist leaders,” Mace explained. He looked straight at Obi-Wan while delivering his next statement. “Naturally our best Masters would be in charge of that task.”
Kenobi knew it was a sign to throw in his input. “Of course. If I may pose the question Master, may I be assigned to such a mission when the need for it arises?”
Mace Windu smiled. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Obi-Wan smiled in return.
“Now,” Mace continued, “there is another matter we want to address. With this latest victory under your belt, you have now become one of the Order’s elite Masters. While your skills were incredible before, there is no denying now that you are one of, if not the best Master the Order has to offer. Where even I might have failed at defeating Grievous, you, you took the challenge head on and came back alive to reap the rewards. You should be proud of your accomplishments.”
“Thank you, Master,” Obi-Wan said humbly. He was truly touched by the praise Mace was bestowing on him.
“Given that, it would be a shame to let such talent go to waist. While you were away, we had a little meeting of our own. After much deliberation,” Mace looked around the room, “we have decided the time is right for you to take another Padawan.”
Obi-Wan was unable to hold back the shock that went through him.
“Master?”
“We know how this sounds, so soon after a mission – especially one of the magnitude you undertook.”
“It certainly is a surprise,” Kenobi agreed.
“I’m sure you’re feeling rather unsettled. However, the Council hopes you will consider this proposal with an open mind.”
Obi-Wan mulled over that. “Does this have anything to do with Anakin leaving?”
Mace Windu was unapologetic. “We believe this will help you recover from your former Padawan’s departure.” He cast a sympathetic glance. “You don’t have to put on a strong front with us, Obi-Wan. We know how hard his resignation must be on you. Having another student to teach might help through this time.”
Pausing for breath, the dark skinned Master continued. “Besides, even before he left, Anakin had been knighted for several months. We understand most Jedi would take this opportunity to enjoy being out on their own. However, I think you can agree that you work best with a partner.”
Obi-Wan nodded mutely.
“Though his values left much to be desired, the fact remains Anakin was one of the most powerful Jedi in recent history. And the reason he was so powerful was because of your training. You were the one who helped him find his potential. Imagine what you could do with another student, one who’s been raised in the Temple. One with the loyalty and discipline that Anakin lacked. You could produce a Jedi who is one of the greatest in the entire Order.”
They were bold words, Obi-Wan reflected. Flattering words meant to stroke his ego and convince him to go along with their plan. Under normal circumstances, he might have found himself falling under their influence.
But Obi-Wan was not the man he once was. The propagation of Jedi drones was not anywhere near the top of his priorities. He had seen first hand the power that could be unleashed by cutting loose from Jedi restraint, and he had no intention of going back to the way things were.
And so he listened to Mace’s pretty little speech, saying no words and nodding when necessary. With exceptional skill he maintained his placid façade, giving no hints of the thoughts behind it.
Physically, he was the picture of Jedi calmness. Inside his mind, Obi-Wan screamed in mental protest. He didn’t have time for this foolishness from the Council. He was trying to get back Anakin to his rightful place, and now they wanted to foist another Padawan on him?
Obi-Wan was about to decline when he realized that this could be a very opportunistic situation. He needed to find out what that Padawan, Scout, knew about him. And what better way to get close to her, than the one the Council was providing? The stirrings of an idea took hold in his mind…
“All right,” he replied easily. The Masters all looked at each other.
“Really? You agree?” Mace inquired, speaking for the Council. They hadn’t expected it to be this easy.
“Of course.”
“Good. Then the Council is in agreement. We will go about finding you a suitable apprentice as soon as you are ready. If you like, we can schedule some competitions for the Younglings. It’d be a good chance to test out their skills and see which one is to your liking.”
“There’s no need for that, Masters. I’ve already decided on a suitable candidate,” Obi-Wan replied.
“Oh? You already have someone in mind?” Mace Windu raised an eyebrow. “Who is it?”
Obi-Wan’s voice was perfectly serious.
“Tallisibeth Esterhazy.”
Silence.
“Scout?!” Adi Gallia blurted, nearly in a squeak. Obi-Wan almost laughed at how uncharacteristically high-pitched her voice was.
“Is there a problem with that?” he asked, raising a curious eyebrow.
“Obi-Wan…” Mace Windu floundered. He had come to expect many things from this man, but this…this one took the prize for the most bizarre. “I’m…at a loss for words.”
“Obi-Wan, you can’t be serious,” Master Gallia spoke up.
“Why not?”
“Because she’s…she’s…Obi-Wan, she’s weak in the Force. She’s undisciplined, she’s reckless, she cheats in the competitions and steals from the other students…” Adi sighed worriedly. “She’s just not Jedi Knight material.”
“I see. Be that as it may, that is only your opinion Master Gallia, and one I do not share,” Obi-Wan replied, quietly but firmly. Adi looked to her counterparts for help.
“Obi-Wan,” Mace chose his words carefully, “let the Council debate this over the next day or so. We can find you a more suitable candidate to be your Padawan, if you just give us the opportunity.
“That’s very generous of you, Master, but I’m afraid my answer must be no.” Obi-Wan cast a reproving gaze on the Councilors. “Strength in the Force isn’t everything. Scout may not be strong in the Force, but she’s incredibly skilled at hand to hand combat. Furthermore, she can fight with more than just a lightsaber.”
He glanced over at Master Windu. “You’ve been on two, perhaps three missions in this way. I’ve been on countless assignments, and I can tell you for a fact that those skills are invaluable on the battlefield.” This he said with an odd sort of conviction, as though he was in on some sort of secret the other Council members lacked.
The suggestion was not lost on the Councilors. Silently, Mace wondered whether he was being criticized for remaining on Coruscant more often than not, despite his fighting prowess.
“You say she is reckless. And perhaps that is true. But Anakin was also reckless. And it was that recklessness that made us the HoloNet heroes were are today. Because he wasn’t as bridled by the Jedi Code, he was able to divert from it when necessary. It was his quick thinking that saved us on numerous occasions. Were it not for him, I would not be alive today.”
“So yes, when faced with a choice between a student who is overly cautious and one who is slightly rebellious, I would choose the rebellious one. I can be cautious enough for the both of us. But if we are both too conservative in our methods, it will only lead us into ruin. I cannot rely on someone who is so ingrained in the Jedi Code, he or she cannot take drastic action when necessary.”
It was like a sting on the arm of the Jedi Council. Long had Obi-Wan been a proponent of following the Code. He had carried that stance faithfully through a rebellious Master and an even more rebellious Padawan. If there was one thing Obi-Wan Kenobi was known for besides being a good negotiator, it was being recognized as a staunch supporter of the Jedi Code.
But now, something had clearly changed. And despite all their wisdom, the assembled Jedi were clueless as to why that was so. What could have happened to make the predictable Master Kenobi impart such astounding words? Regardless of the circumstances, there was no denying he had made an impact. The Council was left with one foremost question on their collective mind: Who was this man who sat before them and claimed to be Obi-Wan Kenobi?
They discussed it for a while longer, going back and forth, listing Scout’s possible strengths and weakness. And in the end, the Council was forced to concede defeat, something they rarely allowed themselves to do.
Mace Windu sighed. “The Council will discuss this thoroughly. We must debate it as we would any other application for an apprentice.”
“Of course,” Obi-Wan agreed easily. “I would expect no less.”
The discussion was a formality. He had won, and he knew it. So did everyone on the Council. No matter what protests were raised behind his presence, Obi-Wan was confident the decision would swing in his direction.
The Council meeting continued for several minutes, with Obi-Wan sitting smugly in his chair, savoring the one-upmanship he pulled over the Councilors. They sought to saddle him with a new apprentice out of pity and instead he took the situation and made it his own. The mark of a true Master, he reflected, to be able to turn the unexpected into something that rewarded him greatly.
So absorbed in his victory, he didn’t notice the worried expressions Jedi Shaak Ti and Master Yoda were casting him.
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Forbidden Longing