Prologue

"Mace is coming in twenty - why don't you have clothes on?!"

Anakin jumped, barely catching the towel around his waist while he turned around. An undignified splutter left his lips. "Can you not - I just finished a shower!"

Padmé gave a sigh, slouching in her wheelchair and crossing her arms. She had to chuckle a but when her mostly naked husband knelt in front of her. "What?"

"You rolled over my trousers."

"What - oh my God, Anakin!" Padmé gave a growl and pushed backwards, rolling out of the room and muttering to herself.

Anakin took his trousers from the floor, looking after her before sighing. He dressed quickly, running a hand through his wet hair.

There were voices outside the bedroom, loud and gay. The mood in the apartment had been much happier in the past few days. No one staff member had been told about this meeting, though they knew something important was happening if Mace Windu was coming for lunch and Anakin wasn't panicking (too much, that is).

He glanced into the mirror in the 'fresher, trying to keep calm. It was so weird, having a Jedi that wasn't Bant or Aayla or Quinlan, Obi-Wan, or Kit in their apartment…

Shaking his head, Anakin left the bedroom. He didn't know how to feel towards Mace these past few weeks, especially with the Hardeen debacle.

Mace chose to lie to him.

... Obi-Wan chose to lie to him.

Yes, the Chancellor could have died had the plot not gone through but surely... surely there was another way.

One that broke less hearts and made the public less angry at the Jedi, at the Republic, the war effort.

He strode down the hall, glancing at empty bedrooms and then stepping into the small room he had taken over as a workshop. It was filled with odd and ends of wire and trinkets and half finished projects. There was a model of the current Jedi cruiser - he had been the lead architect and engineer - and held it gently. It was insane he spent more time on the cruiser than his home now.

"Ani?"

Anakin glanced over, seeing his wife in the hallway. The stairs into the workshop prevented her from coming further.

"Mace is here. He's in the dining room."

He nodded, putting down the ship and following her. It was impossible to figure out his emotions.

He nearly ran into Padmé's wheelchair when she stopped abruptly and turned around.

"Anakin…" Padme sighed, biting her lip a moment. "Be angry at Master Windu if you need to be - but we need help. I need his help."

Anakin sighed, glancing away from her harsh stare. Folding his arms over his chest, he kept quiet for a moment. There were so many twists and anger and hurt to think clearly. "He lied Me - "

"You're blaming him for Obi-Wan's actions. I can't say Obi-Wan did the right thing - but he was thinking of Satine. His...his family...Anakin, I know you love him. I know you're hurt - but I cannot help you anymore than you let me."

Shaking her head, Padme reached out and grasped his organic hand, kissing it gently. "I can handle the meeting if you cannot - do what you need to do Ani."

"I'll...give me a minute."

Padme nodded, trying to smile. She pushed her wheelchair back, turning around in the hallway. She rolled down the hall, heading into the parlor room.

"Master Windu!" He heard her great cheerfully. "It's been awhile."

Mace chuckled, murmuring something inaudible.

Anakin leaned against the wall, breathing out harshly and tipping his head back. He studied the scenes on the ceiling - the waves and aquatic life. There was not a single Gungan in the scene. It was a little disturbing, how even Naboo claimed to be so accepting and yet they were faced with this.

Clenching and unclenching his fists, he tried to even out his breathing.

Obi-Wan knocked on the door of her office gently, then shook his head when he heard no reply. The office was near the Prime Minister's and members of various council and clan members, mainly for convenience. He palmed open the door, thankful she hadn't locked him out. That hadn't happened since they were in their twenties, though he always thought it would.

"Hey beautiful."

It took a second for Satine to glance upwards, though a bright smile crossed her face when she noticed him. Her blonde hair was messy, falling out of its bun. Mascara was smeared around her eyes, with her lipstick fading. There were still bags under her eyes, from nights of pain and tears and exhaustion.

She tilted her head up when he reached her, accepting his kiss. "I probably look like a mess."

He leaned against the desk and raised his eyebrows. "How do I respond to that without being in trouble?"

Satine laughed, then gestured to the pile of flimsi in front of her. "This is over three weeks of not being in office."

"Mmm hmm - but it is nearly midnight and I'd like my partner to myself for a few hours. I'm pretty sure everything will be there when you come back tomorrow."

"Tomorrow's my first official day back." Satine wrinkled her nose. "We have to do a fancy-ass ceremony at the end of the day transferring rule back to me."

"Broadcasted?"

"Yep."

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes while she stood and began to gather flimsi into piles - some to file, some to shred, and most to read tomorrow. "Please tell me you will have sufficient guards - I don't exactly want to head back to the hospital."

"Well then you're in luck." She patted his chest and strode to the filing cabinet. "You can me my Jedi protector."

"What are we doing, role-playing?"

Satine snorted, tucking the flimsi into their proper files. She went back to her desk, grasping the pile to shred and handing it to him - he was beside the shredder anyways. A loud whirring sound filled the air for a moment.

Obi-Wan took the plates and cups that were on the desk and moved outside, placing them on a cart. The halls were quiet this time of night, with only a few offices lit. There were few guards as well. That'll have to change.

"Ready?" Satine asked brightly, stepping out and locking the door behind her. She was still moving a bit stiff, though much better than three weeks ago. Linking arms, they walked down the hall and turned a right, towards the lift.

"What did you do today?" Satine asked, noticing he was wearing his Jedi robes. He had more and more civilian clothes the past few weeks. It was rather weird to see -

Obi-Wan sighed, stopping at the lift and hitting the down button. He worried his lip a moment, ignoring her gentle squeeze of his arm. It was nice to see him with a bit of a beard again, though it had a bit more gray in it now.

The lift dinged.

They stepped in and hit the floor that her bed chamber was on.

"...I had to have a meeting with Master Yoda. He…wasn't happy. At all."

"About you leaving? Or your suggestion that Anakin take your place?"

"Both… but I talked to Depa, it sounds like most of the Council will rule in his favor. He will add a fresh voice to the stagnant voices."

Satine didn't say anything, simply leaning over and rested her head on his shoulder. The past few weeks - from the Hardeen mission to the miscarriage - had changed his view of the war and the Jedi dramatically.

Not that she wasn't glad either happened, it was an interesting shift.

She wondered how much it had changed her as well…

"Well the health information is being transferred, as well as medications and financials."

Padmé gave a sigh of relief, rubbing her hand and grimacing a bit. She shook her head when her husband made to get up. "I'm fine Ani."

Anakin rolled his eyes affectionately, sitting back down. He noticed the Jedi Master glancing between them in confusion and explained: "I was gonna grab her wrist braces."

"Ah - please, do what you need to do." Mace pulled a grim smile while Teckla came in and began to clear the plates. "I am the last person to judge about this stuff."

"How long will 'this stuff' take to process?" Anakin leaned back in his seat. "It has to be a different process because I'm not a Temple worker or a Council member."

"Not necessarily. This department works seperate of the Republic. They receive a certain amount of funds a year from charities - which often isn't used fully because of its lack of use - and distribute it as needed. It doesn't discriminate who requests to use it. Anyone in the Temple can sign up for it, but... it's hard to find someone who knows how to navigate the process."

"Really?" Anakin glanced at his wife, who looked intrigued. "Why is it so hidden?"

"...if the Republic caught wind of this, it would be an outrage."

"Why?"

Padmé touched his arm. "Because the Jedi serve the Republic...to have something like this indicates they wish to be secular and independent."

Anakin scoffed. "Politics shouldn't be in healthcare."

"Agreed." Mace shook his head when Teckla came in and gestured to fill his teacup. "But to answer your question Anakin - it takes about two to three weeks. You might have to have a few meetings, but I want to say that your debt will be next to nothing this time next month, if they can argue it - and they should, no problem."

Padmé's shoulders relaxed. She squeezed her husband's hand, disregarding the desire to not show emotion in front of a Jedi.

Mace noticed, then took his datapad and rose. "Anakin - could you walk me to my speeder by any chance? I parked in the garage."

Anakin glanced at his wife, who gave a small nod. He rose, the Jedi Master at his heels.

"Thank you so much Mace." Padmé shook his hand, then nodded at her husband. "You have helped us so much. I don't know how we can ever repay you."

Anakin opened his mouth, then shook his head and glanced away. He gave a gesture to the Jedi Master, allowing them to walk out together. It was surreal, having his two worlds collide more than ever.

The silence between them wasn't exactly tense while they walked the halls of the 500 Republica, but it wasn't quite comfortable either. It was just so...weird. All of it.

The halls were empty. Anakin came to the lift, pressing the button down.

"Anakin...I need to tell you something."

"...is it about Obi-Wan?"

"You've heard from him?" Mace asked, nodding when he was allowed into the lift first. "We have had barely any correspondence."

Anakin pressed the ground level, pressing his lips together. "...how much do you know about his... situation?"

"Enough to know it broke his heart." Mace sighed, remembering the pain on the younger Jedi's face, the grief that could be felt long after he left the atmosphere. "Obi-Wan was devastated about the loss of his child. He...has always wanted to leave the Order - in my opinion, this tragedy allowed him to understand what he truly holds dear."

"...what?" Anakin turned, raising his eyebrows. He couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. "Obi-Wan...his life is the Order."

"It's the lie he tells himself."

The lift pinged. Senator Chuchi stepped in, giving a sheepish grin. She raised her hands and backed out, her jewelry twinkling and a deep indigo blush on her cheeks. "I'll take the next lift - I've been around Ahsoka long enough to know Jedi business when I see it."

They nodded in thanks, allowing the door to close.

Shaking his head, Anakin turned to the Master of the Order. "Obi-Wan has always to strive to be the perfect Jedi - "

"This conversation is for you and Obi-Wan - it is not my place. However, Obi-Wan is not what I need to discuss with you."

The lift pinged, and then opened to ground level. It was slightly more busy, and they found a bench to sit on before heading to the hangar.

Anakin frowned, leaning forward. "What? What is it?"

Mace sighed, scratching at his chin. "You have had control of the Third Systems Army for a few months."

"Yeah...but that was temporary - "

"No." Mace held up his hand when he received a confused face. "Obi-Wan submitted his resignation to the Order this morning."

"WHAT?" Anakin stood, nearly running into a Senatorial aide when he began to pace. He muttered an apology, running a hand through his hair and closed his eyes a moment. Though his lips were moving, he was speaking in Huttese.

"Anakin, my primary language is Basic. I - "

Giving a shaking breath, Anakin leaned against the wall next to the Master of the Order. "Sorry - Obi-Wan gave his resignation? Surely only to the Council, not the war or - "

"Everything." Mace dug out the datapad he had used at the Skywalker-Naberrie household and flicked through a few files before finding what he was looking for. He handed it to Anakin, watching the young man read. The spiral of emotions he was sensing was expected - shock, disappointment, grief, a little bit of joy.

A soft sigh escaped Anakin while he read it again.

Mace took the datapad back gently, gesturing for the young man to sit. He kept his voice low. "Anakin...you have proven yourself to be an excellent warrior and a great Jedi. You deserve this, despite your age. I cannot say that - "

"I don't want it."

"...what?"

Anakin looked close to tears. "I'll take command the Third Systems Army and the space corps - I won't take his seat on the Council. I will not. I have no interest in it. I have enough responsibilities - a padawan, a disabled wife - now an army? No. No, I won't. I apologize"

Mace raised his eyebrows, studying the young Jedi before giving a small smile. He put a hand on his shoulder. "Your reluctance makes you all the more worthy to have the rank of Master and a seat on the Council. Think about it. Please."

"...yeah. Okay."

"... Obi-Wan sent me a separate message. He's arriving at the end of the month to formalize his resignation and pack his belongings."

Anakin nodded, not saying anything.

Mace stood, tugging his robes closer. "Oh Anakin?"

"Hmm?"

"We'll have to discuss your pay too - Obi-Wan will only be on a pension now. You will receive everything." Mace smiled at the shocked nod, then turned and walked to the hangar.

Author's note: I promised myself I wouldn't post until I had more of the story written.

Yeah...that didn't happen. Expect updates that are fewer in between now. For my OG readers, they remember I used to have a schedule of every other Sunday. I think I'll do that again. It was a very easy schedule for everyone - especially me.

Enjoy ;)

ii Digestive Reader ii