Author's note at the bottom.

RESOLVE I

13.

The first thing Obi-Wan noticed when he woke was a knot of dread lodged in his chest. He snapped his eyes open and took stock of his surroundings. Wide windows, the blinds drawn. Walls, chair, bed, flora, datapad, more flora. Earth tones. Green healing crystals. Halls of Healing.

He was in the Jedi Temple's Halls of Healing.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath, taking note of how his ribs ached when his lungs expanded. He tried to sit up, but the pain in his side stopped him immediately.

All right I admit it, he thought. Not my best idea.

Obi-Wan relaxed his muscles and tried to find the source of the fearful feeling. He remembered going to Serenno and finding Anakin. He remembered fighting Dooku. He remembered Siri and Ry-Gaul showing up with their padawans, and he definitely remembered Garen flying a starfighter over the compound. Was his leg even healed yet?

He remembered losing his lightsaber.

He remembered seeing Anakin leaning over him in the ship, awake, telling him to hold on.

Anakin was all right.

Why do I feel this palpable dread?

Pain flared through his body then. The nerves jolted with searing jabs, almost like Dooku's lightning was crackling around his form once more. Sweat shone on his face as he battled against the pain. His arms shook as he tried to push himself upright, the pain in his side flaring again.

"Be still, Kenobi," Vokara Che barrelled through the door. She gently pushed him back onto the bed and placed the green healing crystals on his chest. The Force hummed through them as the healer drew on its power to calm Obi-Wan's agitated nervous system.

"How bad?" Obi-Wan asked once he'd recovered enough of his breath.

"You're healed," Vokara said. "But the body has its own wisdom. The pain will linger for a time."

"Rather inconvenient," Obi-Wan said.

"Perhaps," Vokara said. "But the body knows when it's time to slow down, even if the mind doesn't."

"Slow sounds good," Obi-Wan conceded. He was tired, and not just physically. "How is Anakin?"

Vokara gave him a sympathetic look. "He's on the mend, but it will take time. From what I can tell he's become dependant on Dreamdust. There is also evidence of Tranqarest in his system. I'm assuming his captors sedated him in order to force the addiction on him. No doubt part of some cruel torture or conditioning treatment."

Obi-Wan shook his head sadly. He'd seen the marks on Anakin's arms, of course, but he'd hoped. . . "Where is he now?"

"In the gardens," Vokara said. "It seems to soothe him. I have cleared all toxins from his body, yet he will continue to struggle for a time."

"And his mind?" Obi-Wan asked. He'd heard Anakin speak two sentences on the ship, and that was hardly enough to determine the state of his padawan's mentality.

"He's kept to himself and has refused to speak to anyone about the ordeal until he's spoken to you. Not even Master Yoda has been able to get him to talk," Vokara said.

"I'd like to see him."

"I'll have an assistant healer escort him here soon."

Siri stood in the doorway, feet shoulder width apart and arms crossed. Obi-Wan sat propped up on a stack of pillows, trying to ignore the discontent rolling off her. Under normal circumstances Obi-Wan would have had something clever to say, but the situation was far from normal.

"Thank you," Obi-Wan broke the silence. "For taking care of Anakin."

Siri shook her head, her eyes softening as she leaned to one side. "He was beside himself when you lost consciousness. Ry-Gaul had to restrain him so I could administer first aid to you. Really, it was Ferus who calmed him down."

"Ferus?" Obi-Wan said, unable to hide his surprise. Anakin and Ferus had never seen eye-to-eye. For him to calm Anakin would have been a feat indeed. "How did he manage that?"

"He told Anakin that you would be fine because if you were too stubborn to give up on him, you were definitely too stubborn to die to a simple blaster wound," Siri said. "I think it had less to do with what Ferus said, and everything to do with how he said it. He spoke to Anakin as though the years since Korriban had never happened."

Obi-Wan stared at the sheets, a half smile on his face, voice incredulous as he said, "And that calmed him down?"

"Somehow," Siri chuckled, but she sobered quickly. A few silent moments passed, then she said, "I don't agree with how you went about things."

"Few would," Obi-Wan sighed. "I've not. . . I've not heard any news. Has there been a statement from the CIS?"

"Yes."

Obi-Wan sighed. Perhaps that was the dread he'd felt earlier.

"They thanked the Jedi for saving their leader from a terrorist attack."

What?

"I'm sorry," Obi-Wan said. "I think I misheard you."

"No, you heard right," Siri said. Positive words they were, but Siri was frowning, and Obi-Wan understood why.

"It makes no sense," Obi-Wan said. "The Jedi function as a unit of the Republic. This would have been a perfect opportunity to sow mistrust in the Order, and surely that would have led to the secession of more systems. I don't understand."

"No one seems to," Siri shrugged. "But that's what happened."

"And Dooku?"

"Officialy he's recovering from his injuries at a private retreat," Siri said. "Unofficially there's been no whisper of his whereabouts."

"What in the blazes is he up to. . ."

"We might not know for a very long time," Siri said and took a seat on the chair next to the bed. "Obi-Wan. . ."

Siri looked away, swallowing her words. Obi-Wan frowned. It wasn't like her to show any measure of uncertainty.

"Is everything all right?" He prompted in a soft tone.

Siri's eyes snapped to Obi-Wan's. "I recall asking you that exact question, before you vanished," Siri said.

"Do you remember my answer as well?" Obi-Wan turned sideways and dropped his feet off the bed to face Siri directly. He winced at the slight jolt the movement caused to his midsection. Siri's hand came up to his arm to steady him in case he needed it.

"You said 'it will be'," Siri looked away.

"Did I lie?" Obi-Wan asked, trying to catch her eye again.

"You couldn't have known what would happen," Siri frowned.

"Maybe," Obi-Wan sighed. "But it turned out all right, didn't it?"

"We'll find out when we face the council."

"You mean you've not been debriefed yet?"

"No," Siri said. "The council wanted to wait until you were on your feet again. We're all in the same starship on this one. You, me, Ry-Gaul, and Garen. The only ones off the hook are our padawans because we take responsibility for them. And let's face it, they wouldn't have stayed behind even if we ordered them to."

"I should never have sent that message," Obi-Wan shook his head. "I've put you all in a terrible position."

"We put ourselves there," Siri argued. "I knew something was off when you. . . Anyway. Garen came to me and asked if I knew what was wrong with you. Then a few days later Ry-Gaul forwards me the message you sent to his ship on Kashyyyk. Of course we were going to follow you. You gundark. And we're all accountable for ourselves, thank you."

Obi-Wan couldn't very well argue with that, even though he wanted to.

"We'll be censured," he said.

"I know," Siri's eyes were stern, determined. "But it was worth it. You might well have died if we hadn't come. And then Anakin would have been lost for good."

There was only one thing left to say. He placed a hand on Siri's shoulder and said, "Thank you."

"You've said that already."

"And I'll say it again," Obi-Wan raised his brows, giving her a cheeky grin. "Thank you."

Siri frowned, but she could not hide the slight twitch of her lips. "You're welcome."

When Anakin walked into the room Obi-Wan found it hard to remain stoic. The young man's face showed uncertainty and was still a little pale, but apart from how thin he was he looked healthy. His hair had been washed and cut short, except for the strands that would become a padawan braid once more.

"I don't know where to start," Obi-Wan said quietly.

"If you don't know, master," Anakin looked down at the ground. "How am I supposed to?"

Obi-Wan's breath caught in his throat. The humility took him off guard. He'd expected an emotional reaction. Accusation. Not this calm submission.

"Come sit," Obi-Wan indicated the chair next to the bed. "How are you fairing?"

Anakin sat down and wrung his hands. His eyes stayed on the floor. "I'm. . . How are you feeling, master? I didn't see the fight, but Tru said it was bad."

"You've spoken to Tru?" Obi-Wan asked, allowing Anakin to evade the question for the moment.

"On the ship, and he came to visit yesterday," Anakin clenched his hands into loose fists. "He said it was rough."

"Rough," Obi-Wan nodded his head. "It was nothing compared to what you've endured since Korriban, I'm sure."

Anakin swallowed, his eyes moving in a skittish pattern. "I deserved it," Anakin finally said, staring at his hands.

"What? No, never," Obi-Wan shook his head firmly. "No one deserves what you've been through."

"I was foolish, I went against orders," Anakin said. Relief rose in Obi-Wan's chest with the sudden passion in Anakin's voice. That's more like Anakin. "And I got overpowered like a youngling trying to fight a master."

"I think I just heard you admit to your lack of experience and wisdom," Obi-Wan said, his tone flippant.

"What?" Anakin looked up in surprise and finally met his mentor's steady gaze.

Obi-Wan's eyes softened. He placed a supporting hand on Anakin's shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze. "The path to wisdom is often paved with poor decisions and terrible hardships. What's important is that we learn from it. But do not dwell on your mistakes, Anakin. Once you've earned the lesson, the mistake is no longer important."

"I was angry," Anakin said, looking down at his hands again. "Angry that the council chose Ferus. I didn't understand why they were holding me back, and I wanted to show them that they were wrong."

"And now?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Now I'm. . . ashamed," Anakin's hands shook. "I was arrogant. It didn't matter that I was strong. I was a stupid kid and I had no idea what I was doing."

"Strength, power. . . Temptations that lead to the dark side, Anakin," Obi-Wan said. "Jedi do not seek power because it is a corrupting influence. You were born with an immense potential for power, and that has cast a heavy burden on your journey. I was waiting for you to fall victim to your own arrogance. It was a lesson I could not teach you. You had to learn it for yourself. I'm only regretful that it happened the way it did, and that I wasn't able to free you sooner. The more time passed the more I feared that the Sith would manipulate you to their side."

"You didn't trust that I would resist?" Anakin asked, suddenly upset.

"I questioned whether or not I had done enough to prepare you for such trials," Obi-Wan tried to reassure. "I failed you, Anakin. I wasn't able to protect you."

Anakin frowned and looked down at his hands again. He stayed silent. He knows I failed him, Obi-Wan thought. But he's too kind to voice it.

They sat in silence for a time. Anakin rubbed at his hands and arms. A nervous behaviour attributed to the withdrawal. Obi-Wan searched through the Force and tried to get a read on what Anakin was feeling, but the young man's shields were impenetrable.

"Will I still be your padawan?" Anakin suddenly asked. The question caught Obi-Wan off guard. It suddenly occurred to him that perhaps Anakin didn't want to be his padawan any longer.

"If you want to be," Obi-Wan said.

"Good," Anakin said and met Obi-Wan's eyes again. A cheeky grin crept across the young man's face. "What other padawan would want to put up with you anyway?"

"Well I'm glad to see you haven't lost your wit," Obi-Wan chuckled, feeling lighter than he had in years.

Obi-Wan was the last to arrive at the council chambers. Garen, Ry-Gaul, and Siri all stood stoically outside, their hands folded into opposite sleeves of their brown cloaks. They greeted him with polite nods, which he returned.

Seeing that all four Jedi were finally present, the Temple Guard stepped aside and motioned for them to enter the chambers. Ry-Gaul walked in first, followed by Siri and Garen. Obi-Wan brought up the rear and took his place at the right side of their line-up, in the centre of the circular room.

All twelve masters were present, as was expected. They looked stern. None more so than Yoda. The four Jedi bowed as one to the masters seated around them.

"Let's start with you, Kenobi," Mace Windu said, diving straight in. "You left the Temple with Master Ry-Gaul and his padawan in order to assist with a survival exercise on Kashyyyk. You abandoned your duty. Why?"

Obi-Wan took a deep breath and stepped forward. Mace already knew the answer. He'd effectively given him his personal blessing before he'd left. But he was now facing Mace Windu the Master of the Order. He was facing the council, not a friend.

"As you know master, I had been gathering information over the past few years in the hopes of finding my padawan. Two years ago I drew the conclusion that I would find him on Serenno, based more on feeling than tangible proof. It was around that time that the CIS was formed, and in light of that I heeded the council's warning and did not set out to investigate."

"We do not need a history lesson, Kenobi," Mace said.

"Yes master," Obi-Wan gave a short bow, chastised. "I abandoned my duty on Kashyyyk to go to Serenno. I was already planning a way to leave Coruscant when Ry-Gaul asked me to assist in his padawan's training exercise."

"How did you get to Serenno?" Mace asked.

"I met a botanist at the Kashyyyk spaceport whose party happened to be headed for Toprawa. They allowed me to travel with them, and from there I hired a pilot to take me to Serenno," Obi-Wan noted how Yoda's ears twitched and eyes narrowed, a sure sign that he was displeased.

"Know how unstable the situation is, you do," the ancient master said. "Still defy the council you did. Acceptable, is it?"

"No master," Obi-Wan said. "I understood the gravity of my decision when I made it. Despite the positive outcome of the situation, I know that my actions warrant censure. I was prepared to be renounced by the Jedi Order and to be marked as an enemy of both the Republic and CIS when I set out for Serenno. I now defer to your judgement."

A ripple travelled through the council chambers as the masters communicated silently with one another.

"Attachment you feel to your padawan," Yoda said.

"It is a master's duty to protect and guide their padawan until they are ready to face life as a Jedi Knight on their own," Obi-Wan said. "What kind of Jedi would I be if I left my padawan to the mercy of the Sith?"

"Fall to darkness padawans sometimes do," Yoda said. "Fell to darkness your own master's padawan before you once did."

"With respect, master," Obi-Wan said. "Xanatos was never at the mercy of the Sith. He fell to his own greed and vengeance. The two situations are not comparable."

"Risk peace you did, Obi-Wan," Yoda said. "Risk much you did for your own greed. A form of attachment greed is. Know this you do!"

"With respect, master," Obi-Wan knelt down before the council. "I do not claim to be wise, but I felt what would happen if Anakin were to be left in the Sith's care. My actions were not to satisfy my own feelings. I would have gone much sooner if I hadn't struggled so much to reconcile what I knew to be right with what the council demanded.

"I am the only Jedi in a thousand years to have battled a Sith lord and live," Obi-Wan said, his voice not in the least boastful, rather he sounded like a man burdened with a great weight. "I saw my master fall to Darth Maul. I saw the hatred and satisfaction in his eyes as he turned towards me to gloat, while Qui-Gon lay dying. I felt the Sith's anger and his desire to inflict more pain. If I abandoned Anakin, a boy who is arguably the strongest Force-sensitive in the galaxy's history, to become what that Sith embodied. . . I would not be worth my Force-given existence. I would have condemned, not just the boy, but the Jedi Order as well. I question why the council cannot see this."

"The council sees more than you may realise, Kenobi," Mace said. His tone held no reproach. "But the Jedi Order is not as independent as we once were. We are answerable to the Republic."

"And the Sith answer to no one," Obi-Wan stayed kneeling. "They do not play by the same rules."

"And what rules would you have the Jedi play by?" Mace asked.

Obi-Wan became acutely aware of all the eyes focusing on his form. "That is not for me to decide, master," he said.

"Yet ask you we do," Yoda said.

Obi-Wan was hesitant to speak out in defiance against the council, because he understood the difficulties the council faced. He understood how complicated the bureaucracy sometimes made it to perform their oath-sworn duties. But he would not be less than truthful. Despite Dooku's fall to darkness, the man did have a point. Obi-Wan breathed in calmly and said, "We cannot let politics dictate the limits of our compassion."

"Easy to say that is," Yoda said, nodding his head. "But difficult in practice. In the Senate fear and mistrust in the Jedi some have sown. Show them that we are not the enemy, we must."

Quiet settled over the chambers as each Jedi present seemed to consider Yoda's words carefully. Obi-Wan still knelt in the middle of the room. Ry-Gaul, Siri, and Garen stood quietly behind him.

"How did you find your padawan?" Mace asked. "How did you know where he was? It's our understanding that the location was very remote."

"The Force showed me the way, master, during deep meditation," Obi-Wan said.

"And what happened when you found your padawan?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked.

"Anakin was unconscious," Obi-Wan briefly met the Cerean master's eyes. "I carried him, with the intent of leaving as quickly and quietly as I arrived, but Dooku knew I was there. He made sure that I had to go through him if I wanted to get Anakin out safely."

"You fought him then?" Adi Galia asked.

"Yes, master."

"And were your suspicions correct?" Mace Windu asked as he leaned back in his chair. "Is he a Sith lord?"

Obi-Wan hesitated. Fighting Dooku had felt different compared to fighting Darth Maul. Objectively the battle against Dooku had been more dangerous and more difficult, but he had not sensed the same type of vengeful hatred that he'd once sensed from Maul. But was the distinction really important? Maul had been a feral beast compared to Dooku's tightly controlled mannerisms, but both exuded the same suffocating darkness.

"There is no doubt that Dooku has been trained in the dark side of the Force," Obi-Wan said. "I believe he is a Sith lord, yes. Stopping him is a matter of urgency."

"How so?" Ki-Adi-mundi asked. Mace Windu glanced sideways at a very subdued Yoda.

"He seeks to destroy the Jedi. He believes that we have become complacent," Obi-Wan said. "He resents that the Order has resigned itself to the political agenda of the Republic."

"Yes, left the Order with much resentment he did. The tipping point Qui-Gon Jinn's death was. Hmm," Yoda tapped his gimer stick against the floor, then nodded to Mace Windu. "Much to think about the council has."

"Thank you, Kenobi," Mace said.

Obi-Wan stood and stepped back in the line next to Garen.

"Ry-Gaul, Tachi, Muln," Mace said. "Which one of you was the mastermind behind deciding to follow Kenobi on an unsanctioned mission?"

"It was unanimous," Ry-Gaul said without any hesitation.

"Unanimous," Mace parroted with his brows raised. "Tachi, elaborate, please."

Siri took a step forward. "Master Ry-Gaul contacted me from Kashyyyk and said that Obi-Wan had left him a message stating that the Force had guided him to do something that would prevent him from returning to the Temple for a very long time. He was understandably concerned and asked me if I had any insights into the situation. I had a hunch, but it wasn't until I contacted Bant Eerin and asked if she knew anything that my suspicions were confirmed."

"Bant Eerin is involved as well?" Adi Galia asked.

"Only in that she was able to provide information," Siri said. "She and Knight Kenobi have been close since they were younglings. When I explained the situation to her she told me that he'd likely gone to Serenno. I didn't know it at the time, but Knight Muln had contacted her independently of myself as well."

Obi-Wan listened intently as Siri described how Ry-Gaul told them to meet him and his padawan on Skorrupon. She described how she and Ferus boarded a public freighter that same day and met up with Ry-Gaul the next. She described how Garen Muln contacted them the moment they reverted to realspace in the Serenno system, having arrived hours before them.

"And you did all this without hesitation?" Mace Windu asked.

"We were there on Korriban when Skywalker was taken, master," Siri said. "We felt the same darkness that Obi-Wan felt, and we witnessed his desperate attempt to save his padawan from it. We did what we did because it was the right thing to do. If Soara Antana and her padawan weren't currently on a sensitive diplomatic mission I'm sure they would have joined us."

"And you, Muln?" Mace asked. Siri stepped back in the line. "You weren't part of that mission. What's your excuse?"

Garen shrugged and spoke without stepping forward. "Obi-Wan is my brother. I'd die for him, as I know he would for me."

Mace shook his head. "Since the CIS has responded in such an unexpected way none of you will face an official censure, however," Mace paused, his eyes stern as he let the moment produce the necessary gravity. "In the future you will clear your intentions with the council before you act."

The four Jedi bowed as one, accepting the council's rebuke with humility.

"Before we conclude this," Mace continued. "Master Ry-Gaul, please tell me what you perceived of Kenobi's state of mind when you arrived on the scene."

"He kept a clear head," Ry-Gaul said. "His judgements were sound."

Obi-Wan almost grinned at the characteristically short answer. Ry-Gaul only ever spoke as much as was necessary.

But then the silent Jedi decided to surprise them all.

"Masters," Ry-Gaul said and stepped forward. Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow at the unexpected turn. The council seemed to straighten their spines in anticipation of what the Master would say. "Obi-Wan Kenobi has demonstrated restraint and endurance under near impossible circumstances. He has demonstrated that he is not only compassionate and wise, but that he has an unbreakable spirit. He has become uniquely strong in the Force, and his skills with a lightsaber are nearly unmatched. He has also shown a mastery of Tutaminis that few masters have achieved."

"Yes, we've read your written report, Master Ry-Gaul," Mace Windu said. "We have also watched the droid-cam footage."

Droid-cam? Obi-Wan thought. Did Ry-Gaul catch the battle on droid-cam?

"I commend him for his resolve to save his padawan from a terrible fate, despite every possible obstacle thrown in his way," Ry-Gaul said, then bowed and stepped back.

"Masters," Obi-Wan said. "I was unaware of any droid-cam footage. If we have Dooku on droid-cam we ca—"

"The council is still deliberating the issue," Mace said. Obi-Wan bowed and held his tongue. "But Master Ry-Gaul is right. It will be official soon so we may as well say it now."

Yoda nodded his head and tapped his gimer stick against the floor. "Obi-Wan Kenobi," he said. "In light of these trials you have overcome, consider you a Jedi Master, this council does."

Obi-Wan wasn't sure how things had turned out the way they did. He'd expected a severe censure, instead he'd been made a Master. It humbled him, because he felt he still had so much left to learn. He'd just gotten his padawan back, and their journey together would no doubt bring many more challenges.

A small smile settled on his face at the thought that soon he and Anakin would be out there again, together, taking on the world and all the trouble they would inevitably get caught up in.

With a gentle wave of the hand Obi-Wan slid the door to his quarters open, and was met with chaos.

Anakin sat in the middle of the floor, surrounded by a half-built astromech droid and its parts.

"Master," he said as he looked up in surprise. "I hope you don't mind. Tru brought me this droid to work on. They took it out of an old Delta model starfighter and it needs a modified body that's able to integrate with the new Eta interceptors."

"It's all right," Obi-Wan said. "I'm glad to see you're keeping busy."

"Busy is good," Anakin said as he turned back to the droid.

"Come here for a moment," Obi-Wan said and waited until Anakin stood in front him. He then brought a hand to the loose strands of hair behind Anakin's right ear. "The council wants me to make certain that you are healthy in body, mind, and spirit before we throw you back into Jedi life, but on this one thing I don't think we need to delay.

Obi-Wan separated the clump of hair into three even parts. "Master, padawan, the Force," he said, fondly remembering the first time he'd completed the humble task He braided the hair, adding the beads that marked Anakin's journey as his padawan. When he fastened the last band Obi-Wan said, "The master teaches the padawan, the padawan teaches the master, and the Force guides them both. We are bound together by an ancient tradition, our journeys intertwined."

"A fresh start," Anakin said, staring at the tip of his new braid.

Dread flashed through Obi-Wan then. The same dread he'd felt when he first woke in the Halls of Healing. He pushed the feeling away and released it into the Force. There was nothing wrong in the present moment, and he'd meditate on the Sith-spawned feeling later. Anakin was safe.

"Here," Obi-Wan said and held out a famliar lightsaber hilt to Anakin. "I've been hanging onto it for you, since Korriban."

Anakin took the hilt and gently clipped it to his belt without meeting Obi-Wan's eyes. "Thank you, master. I'm sorry I lost it."

"It's sometimes unavoidable. I'll be making a trip to Ilum soon," Obi-Wan said. "For a new crystal."

"Wait. . . you lost your lightsaber?" Anakin's grin could have powered the entire city planet of Coruscant, so bright was it. "But master, you said the lightsaber is a Jedi's life."

"I didn't. . . I didn't lose it," Obi-Wan said. Anakin raised a sceptical brow. "All right, I lost it. But it was during a very intense battle and there was no time to retrieve it."

Anakin laughed and sat down with the droid parts again. For a time Obi-Wan simply watched him work. It was as though Korriban and the years since had never happened.

Obi-Wan didn't know if it were a good or bad thing.

He still hasn't spoken about what happened during his captivity, yet he's behaving so normally. Should it concern me, or should I be grateful?

All I can do is be patient. If there are cracks they will reveal themselves in time.

For now, I will simply appreciate the moment.

END OF BOOK I

Notes:

1. Thank you to everyone who has stuck with this story to the end. Your supportive comments always puts a smile on my face.

2. To the Guest reviewer who paid me the enormous compliment of comparing my work to Ruth Baulding's; I am extremely humbled by your comment, because it was Ruth Baulding's work that originally inspired me to start writing. As I keep writing I will do my best to deserve the praise. Thank you.

3. Book II is done! However, I need some time to read over it to make sure the continuity is there. I already know there are a couple chapters that may have to undergo substantial editing. As such, I will take a 2-3 week break before posting chapter 1 of Book II. Make sure you hit the follow author button if you want to be notified when I post the new book.

4. And finally; I hope you all enjoyed this first book. I had a blast writing it. Thanks for reading, and may the Force be with you!