Airspeeders zoomed by the large glass window at high speeds. The Chancellor of the Republic sighed as he spun his chair to watch the Coruscanti traffic. He was absolutely disinterested in anything but his goal. Thus far, everything has gone according to plan, but he had a feeling that something was about to change and he couldn't alter it for the better if he didn't know what was changing. Something crucial, he feared, was going to fall apart, thus ruining his plot to twist the mind of the Chosen One, twisting him into a brand new, dark man with a bloodlust unknown to even the most rampant of killers. He perked up at the presence he sensed heading in his direction, spinning to face the doorway.

The automatic doors slid apart and in walked Anakin Skywalker, the young Knight wrapped in his dark Jedi robes. "Ah, my boy," he calls out, his cruel smile coming into play as he stands. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

The blazing eyes of the younger man met those of his own, thrusting a deep darkness upon his very soul. Yes, everything was going according to plan. "I…needed someone to talk to," he whispered. "I apologize for not comming in advance, but—"

He was abruptly cut off when the Chancellor clapped his hands together, shaking his head. "My boy, you never have to apologize for coming to visit me—expected or otherwise." He gestured towards the chair placed before his desk. "Please, sit." He waited patiently as the younger man struggled inwardly, debating on whether or not he should actually speak his mind to the Chancellor. After all, he was just another Jedi Knight. The title of Chosen One didn't exactly mean anything to anyone but the Jedi Order and people who valued the prophecy. Palpatine, however, didn't believe in a prophecy. Master Qui-Gon Jinn did well over a decade ago and that had brought this brilliant source of darkness into play. It would have happened regardless of Jinn's actions, but he sped the process along. Anakin finally seated himself before the Chancellor, looking distraught. "Now, tell me what it is that seems to be troubling you."

The silence that loomed between them was full of tension, a feeling Palpatine fed upon. "It's my Master." Palpatine was briefly stunned by that response. He figured it may have had to do with a certain Nubian Senator.

Not that damnable Jedi Master, he hissed mentally. He averted his eyes from the young Knight for a moment, cleansing himself of his surprise and anger. "Is Master Kenobi well?" he asked, sounding genuinely curious and concerned, though he was neither of those. Had Tyrannus done as he was commanded, the Jedi Master would no longer be a concern. He sought to draw Kenobi to the dark side to no avail. If he'd killed the Jedi, the fall of Anakin Skywalker would have hastened. He may have fallen then, for all Palpatine knew.

"Yes." Palpatine was mildly confused. Why did the Jedi Master become the topic of this conversation if he was well? "I fear for him," he said quietly. Palpatine sat forward, his brows furrowing as he intertwined his fingers and rested his chin upon them. "I've had…visions." The young man finally looked up into the eyes of the elder man, the man he sought guidance from many times in the past when he felt as though he couldn't trust his Master. "I don't think he'd believe me if I told him about them and I don't… I don't know what to do."

Visions…of Kenobi? No, that couldn't be right. He had to have misheard what was said. "Master Kenobi? Are you certain?"

Anakin looked slightly offended. The Chancellor had been there to comfort him when he was having visions of his mother dying. He'd been the only one to believe Anakin's sincere belief that she was to die. It was Kenobi who told Anakin that these visions would come to pass. Not only had he lost Anakin's faith, but he'd destroyed the trust Anakin put in him. If he couldn't believe visions he sincerely believed had yet to come, how could he tell whether or not Kenobi would believe him in a more severe situation? So he'd come to the Chancellor with his fears and Palpatine had done all that he could to relieve Anakin of his anxieties, of his pain. The pain he knew would ensue. He saw to it that it came to be because he knew it was pertinent to beginning Anakin's fall. "Yes, I'm certain." He looked away, his face paling as his eyes became distanced from reality. "I…see myself fighting him," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I have no idea where we are, but we look as though we haven't been companions for nearly a decade and a half." Palpatine searched the young Jedi's feelings and found so many that weren't supposed to be there to begin with. It was very…unsettling. "I feel as though it's my fault and I…I can't let it happen. He… He's my best friend, Chancellor." He looked at the elder man desperately, truly wishing that the Chancellor held all of the answers he sought. "I don't know what to do with this information. If I tell him, he'll probably disregard it—tell me that we're stronger than that."

"You don't believe you're stronger than what you've seen in these visions?"

Anakin's eyes widened slightly, his lips parting. "I-I didn't say that," he replied defensively, his hands balling into fists on his thighs.

The Chancellor leaned back, trying to restrain his cruel smirk. Anakin doubted the relationship he had with his former Master. That was good. Very good, he thought. "It seemed implied, my boy. I didn't mean to offend you."

What if he's right? Anakin questioned himself. What if I do doubt the strength of our friendship? He shuddered, almost avoiding the eye of the Chancellor. However, the elder man saw the motion and he only felt more victorious as a result. "Obi-Wan has never given me reason to believe he would not have my back if push came to shove. He always has in the past."

"This doesn't seem like it's about the battlefield though," he said slowly, wishing that this conversation would die. He was growing tired of talking about the Jedi Master. The Knight should be more concerned with his wife, not that damnable Master. Kenobi was only getting in the way, which meant he needed to be taken care of. He had just the idea in mind to take care of that. He would have to carefully orchestrate this plan though if he wanted it to succeed. Skywalker would kill Kenobi before the time came for Anakin to fall beyond the point of no return.

"You're right," Anakin replied, his hands unclenching. "I feel like this is…personal. It has nothing to do with the Jedi or the Republic." Palpatine was absolutely tired of this conversation by this point. Kenobi wasn't his concern. Kenobi was only there to guard Skywalker until he could be shaped into the dark lord he was meant to be.

"Perhaps," he began slowly, "this is something you should bring up with him, my boy." Anakin's heart sank. He hadn't wanted to hear that. He didn't want to confront Obi-Wan about this. What if this conversation is what sparked the collapse in their friendship? "Do you trust him, Anakin?" The young man nodded silently in response, lost in his thoughts—decisions based on whether or not he believed in the relationship he and Obi-Wan had built up for so long. "Then you must speak to him. He is the only one who can assure you that your…friendship is secured."

Anakin nodded slowly, swallowing hard. "I am acting a bit…childish by bringing this to you, Excellency," he said quietly. He rose to his feet immediately thereafter, standing to his full height—a beacon of darkness protruding from the mist of the temporary light. It would definitely not last much longer. "I apologize for inconveniencing you and taking time out of more important matters." He turned to leave, only to have Palpatine speak to him once more.

"My boy, there is nothing more important than your well-being." Something about that seemed…odd. He'd been friends with the man as long as he had been with Obi-Wan, but… This relationship was different. Palpatine looked at him and evidently saw power rather than the man he is beneath all of the Jedi bravado. Obi-Wan saw him for who he is, not the former Padawan he used to be. However, Palpatine put him above everything and that was disconcerting. Surely a single Jedi wasn't more important than the entire Republic. "You can always come to me with your troubles. You know that."

"I do."

Palpatine nodded at him and Anakin took that as his dismissal. He bowed graciously and exited the vast room. "Damn that Kenobi," the Chancellor hissed once Anakin was gone. He rose from his chair and moved to stand behind it, clasping his hands behind his back as he stared out of the large window to stare into the distance—the temple. He could already see it going up in flames, bodies littering the floors, and the smell of death lingering heavily in the air. He smiled cruelly. Kenobi was just a mere obstacle blocking his path for the moment. Soon, Kenobi would be nothing but a memory belonging to Skywalker, which was destined to become an identity lost forever. Yes, this would all come to pass soon enough. He would have to wait patiently, anticipating every move he'd planned carefully for far too long.

•◊•

Obi-Wan Kenobi sat on his sofa in the apartment he shared with Anakin. It was absolutely quiet, something he loved. He was able to read through the HoloNet and work on reports he'd put off for quite some time. The datapad in his hand was set to the HoloNet for now. He could put the reports off a little longer. It was Anakin's turn to write them as it was. He could always use Anakin's lack of respect as an excuse for their incompleteness.

The door to their quarters flew open and a whirl of emotion burst into the room. Speak of the devil, Obi-Wan thought momentarily, lowering his datapad onto his lap. He glanced up as the source of the wild emotions came closer to him, towering over him. "Anakin?" he asked tentatively, watching the young man's face. He could sense the distress, how distraught he was, but he couldn't determine the source of those particular feelings. "Are you all right?" Perhaps Anakin's condition wasn't as perfect as he claimed it was a few days ago.

"Can I talk to you?" he asked abruptly. Obi-Wan nodded, motioning towards the seat beside him on their sofa. Anakin quickly indulged himself, seating himself beside his former Master. He remained silent for a few moments, gathering his thoughts. Obi-Wan knew this was obviously very meaningful to the younger Jedi, something he hadn't seen since— "I've been having visions again."

Obi-Wan set his datapad on the nearby table, focusing solely on his companion now. He remembered the severity of Anakin's visions as well as how he'd failed Anakin immensely by saying they would come to pass. Indeed, they had, but at a price. One that cost Anakin a lot of emotional stress. "What are they about?" he prompted.

Anakin's face heated up, his heart pounding in his chest uncontrollably with fear. "You," he said, his voice as small as it had been when he was a child.

"Me?" Obi-Wan asked incredulously. Surely he couldn't have heard that right. Anakin wouldn't be having visions about him. Yes, their connection was stronger than most knew it to be, but… Anakin couldn't—shouldn't be able to see his future. Anakin nodded solemnly. "Is this why you've avoided me for the last few days?" He wasn't angry or aggravated when he asked that. He was genuinely curious as to why Anakin felt the need to sneak out of their quarters before the break of dawn and back into them well after nightfall.

"I haven't been—" he protested, the argument dying on his lips. "I guess I have been avoiding you, but it's been unintentional. Master, I… I don't know how to deal with this." Obi-Wan nodded, unsure as to how he should deal with this as well. If Anakin was this worked up, his visions certainly weren't good. That shouldn't bother Obi-Wan though because he firmly believes that his time will come when it's meant to and he should readily accept his fate as it takes him to become one with the Force that granted him his life and powers. However, he was just as anxious about the visions as Anakin was and he hadn't gotten any details yet. If something tragic were to happen to him, he knew Anakin would lose it. His former Padawan was sometimes very…volatile. Well, sometimes is used very loosely in this particular situation. Anakin was frequently volatile. His overprotective nature has gotten him into trouble on several accounts as he attempted to defend Obi-Wan in some way, shape, or form.

Anakin fidgeted with his hands nervously, drawing his lower lip between his teeth. "Anakin," he said, leaning forward to take Anakin's human hand. He waited patiently for the young man to look at him, but it was taking far too long. He may as well be direct about it if Anakin actually wanted to discuss his visions. "Look at me, Anakin." When the other man complied, Obi-Wan gave him a gentle smile. "You're talking to me. There's no reason to worry." Anakin swallowed and nodded. "Anakin, you are my best friend—"

"That's what I'm here to talk about." Silence took over then. Anakin regretted saying that and Obi-Wan sat in his own confusion, wondering why this conversation had to do with their friendship. All they could do was look at and away from each other repeatedly. "Do you think anything could tear us apart? Make us fight each other?"

Obi-Wan's brows furrowed as he considered the question. "If you've seen it in a vision, then something must have influenced our behaviors. I can tell you right now that I couldn't possibly dream of fighting you, but perhaps something…changed." He paused, staring directly into Anakin's eyes. That was why he was so worked up. "You're worried about our relationship falling apart." He saw it in Anakin's eyes now. He could see the pain in them, the worry. "Anakin, I assure you that nothing will change our friendship. You are my best friend. I honestly don't know what I'd do without you in my life, my…friend." He struggled to keep up the façade. He wanted more than anything to be able to tell Anakin how he truly felt about him, but that…wasn't a wise decision. In such a vulnerable state, he may feel like he needs to spark something between the two of them that may or may not be there in reality. If anything, that would probably push Anakin away from him. "I don't think I'd have as many gray hairs as I do now if not for you."

He watched the magnificent shift between desperation and humor in awe. Anakin was smirking now, his usual cocky smirk. "I only gave you gray hairs because you let me stress you out."

"You sneaking out to do Force knows what every blasted night isn't exactly letting you stress me," Obi-Wan countered, lifting an eyebrow, silently challenging his friend. It was a little game between them. Who could keep it up long enough before one of them caved and admitted they'd both made mistakes throughout Anakin's apprenticeship? "Each mission with you was a nightmare when you were a teenager," he said, rubbing a hand over his face tiredly. "Come to think of it, you're much the same as you were then."

"Only I'm stronger and wiser now," Anakin commented, grinning.

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, my friend."

They both sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Anakin spoke up. "Thank you, Obi-Wan, for letting me talk. I didn't see the conversation going as well as it did."

He patted Anakin's thigh gently, not realizing how erotic the gesture seemed to himself. "I'm always happy to listen." Especially to you, he added mentally. Anakin's eyes lowered and Obi-Wan followed their gaze to find his hand resting on Anakin's thigh now. Fear struck him in that moment and he couldn't do anything. He couldn't even think about moving his hand from its current position. What if Anakin was disgusted by a friendly gesture turned sensual? Oh, Force, was he panicking now. Anakin trusted him with his visions and now Obi-Wan was coming on strong—or so he thought.

In the midst of his worries, Obi-Wan hadn't realized Anakin rested his hand upon the one Obi-Wan had placed on his thigh. When Obi-Wan blinked, he found Anakin giving him a gentle smile, his eyes sparkling. "I appreciate that more than you know." So maybe he didn't see how meaningful the gesture was to his former Master. That was a good and bad thing. For one, Anakin seems to be pleasantly oblivious to Obi-Wan's obvious feelings for him. Yet he knew deep down that something was different this time. His Master wasn't the touchy kind of person—never had been. When he'd held Anakin as a child, it had been extremely awkward for them both. Obi-Wan didn't know how to show affection then, but he'd learned a great deal from his emotional, affectionate youngster of a Padawan.

He learned how to hug someone and not tense up, how to tell someone how much they meant to him, and how to show that he loved without saying it aloud. I appreciate you more than you know, Obi-Wan thought, sighing internally. He spent many nights wishing his feelings would go away. He felt like a disgusting old man for falling in love with a man he'd considered a son for so long, a man who was sixteen years his junior. Why must you be so irresistible? I can't bear the thought of anyone else touching you, kissing you, wanting you… Obi-Wan jumped, thrust out of his thoughts by the beeping of his comlink. Anakin sighed, retracting his hand and leaning back against the arm of the sofa. Obi-Wan gave him an apologetic, sheepish smile before tapping the answer button on his wrist. "Kenobi here."

"Obi-Wan, good. The Council has summoned you for a new assignment." That statement hung in the air between them thickly. Anakin's lips parted in a silent plea that Obi-Wan stayed with him. "Locate Skywalker if you can. This is a mission for both of you."

Obi-Wan nodded and couldn't help the elation he felt when Anakin's eyes closed and he breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, Master Windu. We'll be there right away." The connection was cut, leaving the two men to themselves once more. Obi-Wan regarded Anakin carefully before making any move to stand and leave their apartment. "Is there anything else you needed to get off your chest?" Off your chest—perhaps we can start with your vest… "Just wondering if we need to discuss anything before leaving. You know, clear the air if need be." He felt uneasy with Anakin's focus on him so attentively now. He felt as though all of his thoughts were on full display for Anakin to read and more than likely recoil from. Anakin would never love him in a romantic way. They just…weren't meant for that. Jedi or not, he couldn't see Anakin falling in love with someone so old and frail, which always made his heart sink. He considered Anakin shallow for that, but it only made sense. Why take an old starfighter out into battle if you can have a shiny, brand new one? That was how he rationalized it. Anakin loved shiny, new things. He assumed it was the same with people as well.

"No." Obi-Wan was confused for a moment, having lost himself in his thoughts and self-degradation. "I think everything will be fine. I was worried about my visions and you… You helped me calm down." He nodded his head at Obi-Wan respectfully, shocking the elder man. "Thank you, Master."

He couldn't handle this amount of respect, of trust, from someone he loved who would never reciprocate that love. Being around Anakin hurt more than he allowed himself to believe. The young man didn't understand how beautiful his Master thought he was in mind, body, and soul. Obi-Wan feared he never would because he knew no one could fully appreciate Anakin in the way he deserved. "You're welcome, Anakin," he said tightly, reining in his need to feel Anakin completely, to take Anakin as his own. "Well, we'd best be on our way. We shouldn't keep them waiting."

"You're probably right." The two nodded at one another and rose simultaneously. Anakin walked ahead of him, built upon his own pride and confidence, and Obi-Wan could only sulk behind him in his misery. He knew these feelings were meant to be forbidden, but he didn't know why he couldn't let them go.

A Jedi shall not know anger, Obi-Wan chanted silently to himself .He crossed paths with the dark side on many occasions, giving in to his anger. He remembered his actions in the wake of Qui-Gon's death and vowed that he would never fall that far again. Nor hatred. He can't recall ever having hated someone, but he knew Anakin harbored hateful feelings. If he didn't know Anakin to be the loving, protective, devoting Jedi, then he would have every right to fear for their relationship as well as Anakin. Hate is too strong of an emotion and is wasted on the weak and undeserving. Hate should not be resorted to and he would try to show Anakin this as often as he could. Obi-Wan wasn't the perfect Jedi like Anakin thought he was. Oh, if only he knew what plagued the Jedi Master's mind at times. Nor love, he finished, pausing in the hall for a split second. He should not know how it feels to love. It is what will drive them to the dark side and he could never follow that path even if he thought it possible to love Anakin without abandoning the light they both devoted themselves to.

A Jedi shall not know anger. Nor hatred.

…Nor love.