Chapter 7 - Old Friends

Obi-Wan ran as fast as he could toward the lounge where Padme waited. Pushing the door open the three women looked at him and he was quick to explain the situation, leaving certain parts out.

"You mean to tell me that was not my husband? Where is he?"

Obi-Wan looked to Hilda who was forcing back the tears she held in fear of her husband.

"I don't know missus Naberrie, as soon as I catch Bruck I will have more answers but for now I need to take you all back to Coruscant with me. You will be safe there." He said and stole a glance at Padme before beckoning all of them out of the room.

SW

Anakin felt the restraints around his arms and legs and waited, impatiently for his captor.

"Well well well, Anakin Skywalker, we meet at last."

The young jedi looked toward the sound of the voice and saw an older man standing there, his greying beared and hair smooth and clean. Anakin looked at the man in confusion before he started to laugh.

"Forgive me for being so rude, Count Dooku, at your service young Skywalker. I was however expecting your master."

"And what would you have done with him Count?" Anakin asked through clenched teeth.

"I would have made him join me. But I can clearly see your strength, you couldn't just be talked into helping me, you see I have leverge with your master. Qui-Gon Jinn was my apprentice, I know the man who trained Darth Maul, now doubt Obi-Wan would want revenge."

Anakin was shaking his head, "No, your wrong. My master would never dishoner Qui-Gon that way, he would never join the dark side."

Dooku laughed, an evil laugh that made Anakin's blood boil. "My dear boy, there is no dark and light side, there is only the force. The Force runs through each jedi in every way, it's just what you tap into, the part that makes you more powerful then any other jedi or the part that makes you just like everybody else."

The young apprentice thought about it, 'that was why Obi-Wan and the rest of the jedi feared the dark side, they feared getting beat!'

SW

Obi-Wan was quick to get the family on the ship and back to Coruscant. The dark emptiness of space never really got to him the way it was at that moment. He felt alone with out the guidence of Qui-Gon, and when that happened he always turned to Anakin to share his thoughts with, but Anakin wasn't there either and he had a feeling something was wrong.

"Obi-Wan?"

He looked over his shoulder and saw Padme there, she was standing in her pink and purple striped pajamas, her hair down.

"Yes Padme?"

Taking it as an invitation the senator walked into the cockpit and sat in the other chair that was made for the co-pilot.

"I wanted to thank you for saving all of us, I'm sure this other jedi wouldn't have left us unharmed."

Obi-Wan thought back to his fight with Bruck and had to fight off a wave of nausia. 'You have no idea'. He thought and just kept his face nutral.

"I also wanted to let you know that I was worried about you, I didn't know what was happening." She said and felt her tears coming again. She hated the way Obi-Wan made her feel, almost like she was weak, but he didn't know it.

"Hey," He said and put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm alright, you don't have to worry about me."

Padme nodded and smiled. "I know I don't have to, but I do." She said and stood, "Goodnight Obi-Wan."

"Good night."

SW

The temple was calm and quiet when Obi-Wan arrived with the Nabberies and Cari. As the women waited in his chambers Obi-Wan went to tell the council what happened on Naboo.

"Disturbing this is, blinding the dark side of the Force is." Yoda said looking at Obi-Wan.

"What of my padawan? Has he contacted you?"

Mace sat back before he answered. "He has, he said he found the whereabouts of the bounty hunter and he was in pursuit a few days ago."

"A few days ago? And he hasn't made contact since?"

Yoda closed his eyes. "Worry about your padawan you do, send another jedi team to Geonosis we will."

Obi-Wan wanted to go find his apprentice himself. "I want to go."

"Your priority right now is the senator and Bruck Chun." Mace said.

Ki-Adi-Mundi spoke up next, "You will take the senator to Triton, Bruck's homeworld, there you will protect her and find him at the same time, but you will go undercover."

Obi-Wan nodded and Mace told him the details of the mission he was to go on when Siri Tachi came in.

SW

Padme sat with her aunt and mother in Obi-Wan's rooms wondering what could be taking so long. Her questions were answered when her jedi protector came walking in followed by a women.

"Padme, this is Siri Tachi, she will be coming with us to Triton." Obi-Wan said and expalined the trip with everyone. Cari and Mrs. Naberrie was to stay in the temple while other jedi teams hunted for the real Cornelius Naberrie and Obi-Wan would be posing as Padme's husband and Siri's brother.

"The whole thing is rather simple and as soon as Bruck knows we are on Triton it should be quite simple to bring him out of hiding. Two jedi against one is good odds, and Padme is an important part, since he wants her she is a key role."

"You're using my daughter as bait?"

Obi-Wan didn't miss a beat. "She will be protected with me and Siri."

Padme looked at her mother and hugged her, "I'll be fine mom, Obi-Wan will protect me."

Checking his mental shields Obi-Wan hoped she was right.

TBC