Falling from Grace 9/16

by Christina, kenobijedione@yahoo.com

Rating: this chapter PG

Warnings, disclaimers, etc. in part 1

Chapter 9: The Jedi Council

Obi-Wan sighed as he stood for the third time in two days before the Council. His Padawan was not present this time, as the Jedi Knight did not feel that he needed to be. The Council had not put up an argument, but were clearly disappointed with the separation of Master and Padawan.

"Trained in the Jedi Arts this dark figure was, hmm?" Master Yoda asked, his ears pulling back at the expectation of Obi-Wan's answer.

The Jedi nodded. "Yes Master. It was extremely talented and a formidable opponent. I believe it was a Sith like the one that killed Master Qui-Gon. It invaded the home without the knowledge of myself, Anakin, or any of the fifty guards surrounding the property."

"How did it get in then?" Master Windu asked, leaning forward and steepling his fingers beneath his chin.

Obi-Wan paused. "The roof, I think."

"Jumped down from the mountains behind the cottage, did it?" Yoda asked curiously.

"I suppose."

Master Windu closed his eyes, emitting a low sigh. "You suppose or yes, Jedi Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan shifted and resisted the urge to scream at the subdued Council. Instead, he took several deep breaths and calmed himself. "I suppose, Master Windu. I don't know for sure. If I was close enough to see him enter, Sena never would have been killed."

He knew he'd let some of his anger seep into his words but he didn't care. It was useless anyway. The Council was asking for answers he and his Padawan could not provide. It was the third time this interrogation was taking place, each time it took on a slightly different tone, so as to find out more information than the last time. But at some point, the Jedi Masters were going to have to realize that there was no more information to give.

"Where exactly were you, Jedi Kenobi?" Windu asked, tilting his head.

Kenobi tossed a look of exasperation toward Master Yoda. He'd already told the ancient Jedi where he was. Yoda only nodded, indicating Kenobi to reveal the information.

"I was at the lake with the Princess," he said tiredly. There was no way he was telling them where precisely he was and what precisely he was doing. It didn't matter anyway. The point was that he was somewhere other than where he should have been which was the cottage.

"And you were there because...?"

Kenobi called to his former Master for guidance. Master Windu was goading him and it wasn't fair.

"I was there because after dinner, the Princess and her friend Sena wanted to go swimming. They asked Anakin and I to escort them to the lake. We did. We were there for about an hour and a half when Sena decided she wanted to go back to the cottage. The Princess was not ready to go, so Anakin went back to the cottage and I stayed."

His voice remained even, steady, though inside he was fighting the urge to punch Master Windu in the face. He knew he should respect the Jedi Masters, and normally he did, but if Master Windu wanted to say something, Obi-Wan didn't understand why he didn't just say it.

My Padawan, do not let Master Windu get to you. All Jedi Knights bear his wrath at one point or another in their career. Answer their questions, reveal nothing you don't feel they need to know. Do not allow the Council to control you. The Force controls you. Let it guide you. Let it heal you.

His Master's words were encouraging, but they were not enough to appease Kenobi. He still felt a dark sense about him, an anger and helplessness he could not fight. Groaning inwardly at the pain it was causing to seep through his abdomen, he turned his attention back to the Council.

"Now," the Master was saying, his eyes narrowing at the Jedi. "You did not think that either you or your Padawan needed to stay behind with the Queen? Perhaps the Sith entered the cottage while you were frolicking at the lake."

There was no mistaking the accusation in his tone. Obi-Wan closed his eyes and dipped his head. He stayed silent for a long time. Finally, Ki Adi Mundi, the only Jedi on the Council that was not yet a Master, spoke in Kenobi's defense.

"There were innumerous guards on the property Master Windu. The Queen was more protected than she is normally at the Palace. I do not feel that Jedi Kenobi and Padawan Skywalker acted in defiance of their mission."

Obi-Wan was grateful for the defense, but did not look up or acknowledge it. He didn't particularly need it, as it felt cleansing for someone to say out loud that he might possibly have been wrong. That he might possibly not have behaved as the perfect Jedi. The Jedi that he never claimed to be, that anyone who knew him knew he wasn't, but the one that everyone expected him to be anyway.

Master Windu chuckled mirthlessly. "Now that we have your vote, Jedi Mundi, I'd like to hear from Jedi Kenobi."

Obi-Wan looked up, his eyes boring into Master Windu; Windu staring right back. "If you are expecting me to defend my actions, Master Windu, I cannot," he growled. "I do not know if things would have been different if I was at the cottage at the time of the Sith’s entrance. It is something I will never know. And Sena's death lays on my head because of it."

A deathly silence followed the Jedi's admission. Master Windu leaned back, seemingly satisfied with what he got. Obi-Wan detested him and was grateful to him at the same time. Emotions swirled around him like a torrent. Finally, Yoda spoke.

"Angry you are," he observed. "Feel it we can."

Obi-Wan nodded. It was useless to deny it.

"The girl, this concerns?"

Obi-Wan nodded again. They knew all this.

"Released are you from your duties as the Queen's protector," Yoda informed him. "Take over the mission, Master Windu and Master Ch'Inta will." His voice, which had been business-like, turned soft. "Hard on yourself you are being, young Jedi. Get in the way, matters of the heart do."

Obi-Wan sighed. "I can't help it Master Yoda. You know I would clear my mind of her if I could."

Master Windu leaned forward, about to speak, but Yoda cut him off. "Know this, I do," the ancient Master said, throwing a look to Windu. "Take time, you must. Refocus your concentration, train your Padawan, you will."

A choke rose in Obi-Wan's throat. "You're restraining me?" he asked, his voice rising a tenor in surprise.

"Restrain you, we do not," Yoda said slowly. "Instruct you, I do. Your Padawan is suffering. Your support he needs, a loss he feels as well."

Guilt pervaded the young Jedi. He knew the Master was right. He'd been neglecting his Padawan for some time now. Anakin had repeatedly tried to reach for him in the Force and Obi-Wan had incessantly pushed him away. He must take the time to make amends. He would do as the Council wished.

"Free from missions you will be," Yoda continued. "Reconnect with your Padawan, you shall. Teach him, train him, afraid, do not be. A powerful Jedi, you are."

Mace Windu nodded in agreement, leaning forward, his eyes considerably softening. "You are right, Jedi Kenobi. What never happens will never be known. That is why we must believe that the Force leads us. Let the Force lead you, good Jedi."

Obi-Wan bowed deeply at the waist, his robes flowing around him as he strode through the doors. They clanged shut in his wake and Obi-Wan sighed deeply, glad to be done with that laborious task. He heard his Master's words as he strode onto the balcony and tipped his face to the purple tinted sky. Several speeders raced overhead, but Obi-Wan did not hear them, lost in the visit from his late Master.

I am proud of you, Padawan. You must remain true to yourself, even in the eyes of the Council. I do not like, however, the severity of which you are blaming yourself for the girl's death.

Your Padawan was there and she still died, Obi-Wan. Anakin does not blame himself and rightly so. You cannot carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.

The image of Qui-Gon faded and Obi-Wan felt a sense of sadness and loss wash over him. He pushed it away, remembering his Master's words. Be mindful of your Padawan as I am mindful of you. Turning abruptly, Obi-Wan set out in search of Anakin.