Avatar of the force Volume I/chapter 1 part 1

Chapter 1 Part 1

Riding the elevator to Senator Amidala's apartment Obi-Wan was lost in thought. That morning Anakin had gone before the council and resigned his position in the Jedi stating that his mothers death had made him rethink his life as a Jedi. Anakin had gone on to tell them that when he became a Jedi he did do in the hopes of returning to the outer rim and helping the slaves and now he realised that as a Jedi he couldn't do that.

Because Anakin had committed no crime and was above the age of seventeen the council had no choice but to allow him to resign but had told him to take two weeks to make sure that this was what he wanted.

Obi-Wan however knew that Anakin had left a lot out in regards to his reason for leaving the Jedi Order which was why he was on his way to see Senator Amidala. He knew that she and Anakin had become close, to close in fact and he knew that Senator was playing a large part in his padawans decision to leave and he wasn't going to stand there and do nothing while Anakin walks away from his destiny.

Anakin had a destiny and he couldn't escape it so Obi-Wan had decided that he needed Anakin to have a reminder of where his place was even if he didn't like it. There was to much at stake for Anakin to go off on one of his stubborn streaks so he would do what he had to do. He knew without question that if he could convince the Senator to end their relationship and to sever all contact with Anakin that he would return to the Jedi Order and fulfil his destiny.

Coming out of the elevator Obi-Wan walked into Padme's apartment and was immediately met with a smile from the Senator "Master Kenobi…This is a surprise"

"Senator it's good to see you" Obi-Wan said back politely.

"It's good to see you too" Padme said back while noticing that there was something off with the Jedi who had a look on his face that told them that he wanted to have a serious talk with her about something. Well something she guessed had to do with Anakin as he had told her during their trip back from Geonosis that he was leaving the Jedi Order. At first she hadn't agreed with his decision but they spent hours talking and he told her everything about his life on Tatooine before she and Qui-Gon came into his life. He had told her that his dream of being a Jedi was based on his desire to help those he considered to be his people and that he now understood that as a Jedi he would never be able to help them. She could see it in his eyes that this was something that he needed to do.

At first she thought that she was the reason he was leaving the Jedi Order and that scared her as she was afraid that he would leave them only to realise he had made a huge mistake but he reminded her of something he told her when they first met all those years ago. He told her that he would marry her one day and that as a Jedi that would never happen. Then he told her that part of the reason he was leaving was because of how he felt about her but that was only because he knew she was right and that hiding would destroy them but it didn't change the fact that he had made the decision to leave before she told him how she felt.

He told her that when he held his mother in his arms as she died he realised for the first time what being a Jedi had really cost him. Unlike the other Jedi he knew his mother, had friends and knew what it was to love someone and that he now understood that he cant be like them. He needed to be able to love and have friends and that he also wanted a family of his own but the Jedi would never allow it.

The more they talked the more she began to understand how isolated Anakin felt as a Jedi. He felt completely alone and explained to her that he in fact has very few friends because most of the Jedi don't trust him. As first she was shocked by what Anakin said but she also remembered how several of the Jedi seemed uncomfortable around him all those years ago during the victory celebration after the invasion.

In the end though Anakin made it clear that his reasons for leaving the Jedi was because of the promise he made to his mother years ago and that he had always wanted to help the slaves that he considered his people. By the end of their talk she realised that it was something that Anakin needed to do and she would support him no matter what. She loved him to much and she would stand by his side through whatever he faces in the future as his wife because he had asked her to marry him and she had said yes. Almost dieing on Geonosis made her realise what she had almost lost and that was something she now knew she couldn't live without, Anakin's love.

Returning her attention to Obi-Wan she spoke "So what can I do for you Master Kenobi"

Obi-Wan looked at Padme for a second and realised that the subtle version of things wouldn't work so he would have to take a more direct approach "I am sorry to be the one to have to do this Senator but I feel I have no other choice…You must end whatever relationship you have with Anakin and sever all contact with him"

Padme just stood there in shock over Obi-Wan's blunt request. It took her a few seconds to find her composure and speak again "Why do you want me to sever all contact with Anakin" She asked calmly.

"Because Senator he is about to make a huge mistake…He resigned from the Order this morning but the Council has told him to take the next two weeks to think things over before making a final decision" Letting out a sigh Obi-Wan stroked his beard carefully before speaking again "Anakin's destiny is to important for him to just throw it away…As long as your in his life he will never except who he is…He has a duty Senator and so do you and I must ask that you do your duty so he can do his"

Padme for her part couldn't believe what she was hearing. Obi-Wan was trying to force her to stay away from Anakin and that hurt a lot "Master Kenobi…Have you spoken to Anakin about this" She asked.

"No…I have not…Anakin has a tendency of being stubborn and in this case he will not listen and is making a terrible mistake…I have no choice but to speak to you in the hopes that at least one of you will do the right thing" Obi-Wan answered hoping that this conversation wasn't going to take to long.

"Master Kenobi…Anakin is old enough to make the choice for himself…He has that right as well to leave the order if he wishes…He can choose his own path just like anyone else" Padme said back trying not to get annoyed by the fact that Obi-Wan had come to her behind Anakin's back.

"That may be true Senator but Anakin is not like other people…He is not like other Jedi either and that is the problem" Obi-Wan said back before letting out another sigh as he knew this conversation was going to take a while.

"What is that supposed to mean because he's not like other Jedi that that is a problem" Padme asked in annoyance.

Obi-Wan now knew that this was going to be a long conversation and let out another sigh "Perhaps we should sit and talk" He said to which Padme offered him a seat on the couch opposite herself.

Taking his seat Obi-Wan closed his eyes for a second before looking at Padme and started to speak hoping to convince her to end her relationship with Anakin.

Anakin was sitting in the archives of the Jedi Temple doing a lot of research on the Outer Rim as well as the history of the Jedi Order. The research he was doing on the Outer Rim centred around criminal organisations that dealt mainly in the slave trade while his research on the history of the Jedi Order centred around what the Jedi were like in the days of the Old Republic.

He was surprised to learn that in the days of Revan the Jedi Code was different from what it was now and they excepted that emotions did exist even if they didn't like it when Jedi got romantically involved with someone. He was also surprised to read that the ancient Jedi at first didn't have a central council and for the most part the Jedi operated independently.

"Looking for something you are young Skywalker" Yoda said as he approached Anakin who was lost in his research.

Anakin turned his head to look at the old Jedi Grand Master "Yes master…While I intend on leaving the Jedi Order I do want to continue to learn…I was also curious about the ancient Jedi compared to what they are now"

"Found something interesting you have" Yoda asked.

"Yes Master…While I remember a lot from my classes here there was always something that bugged me…In the days of the Old Republic the Jedi weren't confined to a single temple and had several enclaves throughout the galaxy…They seemed to operate independently at one point which allowed the Jedi much more freedom to what we have now…I guess I'm just curious as to why the Order removed such a valuable asset and confined themselves to a single Temple" Anakin responded before rubbing his eyes "It seems as though the Jedi Order at some point wanted to isolate themselves but I think putting all the Jedi under a single temple was a bad idea"

Yoda let out a small sigh "Done it was to prevent corruption…To many fell to the Dark Side and believed it was that if under one council then the risks of corruption lower they would be"

"Maybe…But there is something that the Jedi have lost in the process" Anakin said in response to what Yoda had said.

"Lost something you say" Yoda asked curiously.

"Yes Master…While bringing all the Jedi under one roof so to speak you've cut yourself off from evolving in the process…Granted with all the separate councils in the days of the Old Republic more Jedi did seem to fall it did offer something that the Jedi of today lack…Evolution…With everything being under one roof and seeing things from only one perspective the Jedi in a way have become stagnant…Having multiple enclaves allowed more freedom to ask questions…To push what had been established as true…Being able to ask questions and challenge what you have been told is essential to learning and growing"

Yoda looked at Anakin with genuine curiosity "Think you do that spread out the Jedi should"

"Maybe…It's just that personally speaking I think that having all the Jedi here in one temple has also cut us off from the galaxy as a whole…We don't do anything without the senate's permission and we are also isolated from the people that we are entrusted to protect" Anakin said in response with a small smile "In the old days Jedi were out amongst the stars working with people…Living amongst them and despite the wars people were a lot more open towards the Jedi back then than what they are now…To many we're just a mysterious organisation with a power that they cant understand and because of the way we operate a lot of people fear and mistrust the Jedi despite the good that we do…I think that the Jedi need to be out amongst the people helping where they can and not sitting around in the Temple waiting for an issue to come up where the Senate asks us to interfere…I think Qui-Gon was right when he said that the Jedi belong out amongst the stars not sat in some temple doing nothing"

"Given this a lot of thought you have young Skywalker" Yoda asked as he studied the young man.

"As I said when I resigned…My reason for becoming a Jedi all those years ago was to return home and help the slaves in the outer rim…While I know I cant do it alone I know I can make a difference out there" Anakin let out a sigh and shook his head slightly "I know I could stay and help fight this war and maybe I can do some good but…I think I can do more by travelling the galaxy rather than fighting in a battlefield"

"Much like Qui-Gon you are young Skywalker…Shared that belief he also did…Perhaps right you are and amongst the stars you belong…Truly happy as a Jedi you were not…Think I do that perhaps only stayed a Jedi because of Qui-Gon and you mother" Yoda said to him before feeling a moment of pain coming from Anakin at the mention of his mother. "An apology the council owes you…Known we should have that more to your dreams there was…Caused you much pain we have when refused to allow you to go to her"

"Thank you master…While I may not have been able to keep my promise to free her…She was freed and married a good man…She didn't die a slave and for that I'm grateful" Anakin said back sadly

"Until leave the Order you do…Allow you full access to the Jedi Archives I will…Hope I do that find what your looking for you do" With that Yoda left Anakin to back to his work.

Later that evening Anakin went to Padme's apartment and using the access code she had given him walked straight in to find her asleep on the couch with several data pads on the floor next to her. As he watched her sleep he realised that he would never tire at looking at her and would love her forever.

Walking up to the couch he bent over quietly and picked up the data pads and placed them carefully on the table. Turning his attention back to her he carefully picked her up in a bridal style hold and was surprised when she turned her head into him and let out a sigh of contentment. Carefully carrying her he took her to the bedroom and placed her down gently on the bed before giving her a soft kiss on the forehead. "Goodnight Angel" he whispered before turning around and leaving her there peacefully asleep in her bed.

Opening her eyes Padme looked around the room and was confused. She was laying in her bed but didn't remember actually going to bed at all and the last thing she could remember was laying on the couch reading over a data pad on recent senate activity. Sitting up slowly she looked down and noticed she was still fully clothed and hadn't changed for bed. Getting up of the bed she walked out of the bedroom and into the main living area and came to a complete stop.

There laying on the couch was Anakin who was peacefully asleep and it made her realise that he must have come to the apartment and found her sleeping on the couch and took her to her bed. It made her smile as she watched him sleep and she couldn't stop herself from going to him.

Despite everything that Obi-Wan had said to her earlier in regards to her leaving Anakin she knew she couldn't and in truth she was even a little annoyed with the Jedi Master. She knew that he believed he was doing the right thing by coming to see her but she didn't like the idea that he had done it behind Anakin's back. Had she and Anakin not had a long talk on their way back from Geonosis she knew she might have listened to Obi-Wan and even agreed with him but she also knew Anakin. She could see it in Anakin's eyes that there was no doubt in them that leaving the Jedi Order was something he felt he had to do and she couldn't not let him.

Deciding not to get into those thoughts as she knew it would depress her she walked over to the couch that Anakin was sleeping on before kneeling down next to him. She looked at his face as he slept and couldn't fight the urge to kiss him and that's exactly what she did. Leaning over him she gently lowered her lips to his and kissed him softly. Much to her surprise within a second Anakin's lips began to move with hers just before he opened his eyes to look at her. Breaking apart she looked at him and smiled as she took not of the love in his eyes and knew that that look was for her and her alone.

Anakin looked at Padme as she pulled away from him and smiled "Now that's a great way to wake up" He said before wondering if he had woken her up. "I didn't wake you did I" He asked.

Padme shook her head before leaning back into him to give him another quick kiss before pulling away. "No I woke up a few minutes ago…Although I was quite curious as to how I ended up in my bed" She said with a smile.

"Oh…You left a few data pads on the floor so I put them on the table…I didn't know if there's anything restricted on them so I didn't look at what was on them" Anakin said as he sat up.

"Thanks…There's nothing restricted on them that I know of…I haven't finished reading through them anyway…I was just trying to catch up on what I missed when we were hiding" She said back to him before letting out a yawn "You know you could have stayed in the bed with me instead of coming back out here to sleep on the couch"

Anakin smiled slightly at that but he also didn't want to make her uncomfortable as he didn't want to risk doing anything inappropriate "I will admit the thought crossed my mind but I also didn't want to do anything inappropriate…I know that your people have a more restrictive view on certain things and I didn't want to make things awkward" He said before a playful smile formed on his face "And if I stayed in that bed with you I couldn't be responsible for some of the thoughts I know would pop into my head"

Padme chuckled slightly at the playful tone in his voice and had to admit to herself that had she woken up with him next to her that she may not be responsible for the thoughts that would pop into her head either. She was also grateful that he was trying to respect her peoples traditions but she also knew something he didn't. "Anakin sleeping in the same bed as me wouldn't go against any of my people's traditions…While becoming pregnant before marriage is frowned upon we have pledged ourselves to the other…It is perfectly ok for us to share a bed together as well as doing some other things" She said as she wiggled her eyebrows at him before leaning in and kissing him again. Within a few seconds she could feel her passion and desire for him flare up and she knew that she also wanted to wait until their wedding night before doing anything. Reluctantly she pulled away and let out a small sigh "However I also want to wait until our wedding night before we cross certain boundaries"

"I know" Anakin said back with a small smile and in truth he knew he could wait "There's no rush we have the rest of our lives to have that kind of fun…And I will admit that I'm looking forwards to those days when I can explore every millimetre of that body of yours because I don't think I will ever tire of it"

"Even when I'm old, grey and probably flabby" She asked back playfully causing him to let out a little snicker.

Leaning into her Anakin kissed her gently on the lips before pulling back and looking her in the eyes "Even when your old and grey...I don't think you'll ever be flabby…And even if you were I would still love you" Then his smile broadened into one that Padme knew he was going to tease her "Besides even if your were flabby all that means is that there will be more of you to love"

Padme let out a small chuckle at that as she knew he was in one of his playful moods and swatted him lightly across the arm "Anakin Skywalker…What am I going to do with you"

"Love me forever" he said looking her in the eyes.

Leaning back into him she smiled "Forever" She said just as their lips met.

Obi-Wan sat alone in the quarters he shared with Anakin and to say he was frustrated was an understatement. A few hours ago he had gone to see Padme in the hopes of getting her to see reason only for her to tell him that she wouldn't leave Anakin. It shocked him that she could be so unreasonable as he had explained about Anakin being the Chosen One to her and that he was the only one that could destroy the Sith.

In truth he couldn't understand why she would allow herself to become attached to Anakin and he thought that she would do the right thing and end their relationship but she had refused stating that she and Anakin had had a long talk on their way back from Geonosis and that she wouldn't stand in the way of something that was his decision.

Obi-Wan knew that he needed to do something to end their relationship before it was to late but he didn't know what to do other than going to the council but that could easily backfire and Anakin could end up being expelled anyway and he couldn't allow that.

The more he thought about it the more he realised that he had only two options. One he could go to the Chancellor as he knew that Anakin was close to the man in the hopes that he would listen. Or he could contact the current Queen of Naboo and have her force Padme to end their relationship which would cause Anakin to stay with the Jedi where he belonged.

He hated to admit it but Obi-Wan knew that Anakin's emotions and his tendencies to form attachments was very dangerous and would cause his padawan to do something stupid just like he's doing now. He needed to get Anakin to let go of his attachment to people and he knew he had to do it quickly before things get more complicated.

Going over to his computer console Obi-Wan activated the comm. unit and waited a few seconds for a response on the other end. "This is the Royal Palace of Naboo how may I be of help" A woman said as she appeared on the screen.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath before letting it out slowly "I am Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi and I need to speak with the Queen…It is a matter of great importance" He said before thinking to himself I'm sorry Anakin but you've left me no choice…I cant let you throw away your destiny because of your attachment to the Senator.