Of Love and War Book 4: When Darkness Falls

Chapter 17: Alliance

If there was one constant in the galaxy, it was where to go if you wanted to find Anakin Skywalker. Zelina and Obi-Wan were two sources of information, though considering neither of them knew where he went, that only left one person to go to.

Padme.

Despite Yoda's not-so-subtle insistence that Obi-Wan look for and confront Anakin alone, Zelina had refused to be left behind as Obi-Wan sought out Anakin. At the very least, she demanded to be allowed to go see Padme, her concern for the woman stemming well beyond Anakin's recent fall and Obi-Wan's assigned hunt.

Always the good Jedi, Obi-Wan was resistant, wanting to follow orders and not wanting to provide a way for Zelina to follow and potentially stop him if Padme did reveal Anakin's location. Zelina, however, was a weak spot for Obi-Wan, and a negotiator in her own right, not to mention steadfast and unwavering in her determination, which seemed to only grow in strength the longer she had to think over everything that had happened.

Obi-Wan wasn't entirely sure what was going on in her head, but whatever she was telling herself, it was riling her to action in defense of Anakin at the same time it seemed to torment her more and more the longer she dwelled on those thoughts. That singular purpose had become focused on being allowed to see Padme and, knowing that the younger Jedi would do everything in her power to go see the Senator no matter what he did, and getting the inkling that perhaps it could end up proving fruitful for his job, Obi-Wan had relented.

So it was that when Obi-Wan went to question Padme, he did not go alone. In fact, Zelina was the first one inside, the Senator on the brink of tears when she saw Zelina approaching her.

The two embraced, much as Satine and Zelina had embraced aboard the Tantive IV, though with more tears, and Padme whispering something to Zelina that made the young Jedi tremble with a fresh batch of barely repressed sobs. Zelina murmured something in response, but by then Obi-Wan had approached, and the two's brief conversation was instantly hushed.

Already keeping secrets, then...

Obi-Wan allowed Padme a brief hug before he officially shattered her world. Ironically, he found himself trying to extend Padme the same curtesy he'd momentarily been scandalized Zelina had tried to extend to him back at the Temple's security room. "Padme...we need to talk," Obi-Wan said seriously, not missing how the two women had not yet let go of one another, and seemed reluctant to do so even now.

"Considering everything that's happened, I'm guessing this is about Anakin?" Padme asked, her regal, politician's voice already starting to come out even though Obi-Wan had hardly breached the topic. Not a good sign. These two weren't going to make this any easier on him, were they?

Obi-Wan nodded grimly. "When was the last time you saw him?"

"Yesterday," Padme said promptly, straightening.

"And do you know where he is now?"

"No."

The response was just as prompt, like a reflex, delivered with that same cool, unwavering politician mask. Obi-Wan saw Zelina's gaze slide slightly towards Padme, but she said nothing about the woman's blunt evasiveness. Zelina had made her stance on all of this quite clear back at the Temple.

"Padme, I need your help," Obi-Wan said patiently. He saw a flicker of hope spark in Zelina's eyes, and he hated to have to douse it so quickly. "He is in grave danger."

"From the Sith?" Padme asked, almost in a scoff, though there were serious notes of concern in her voice. She was close enough with Anakin, surely she'd realized something was wrong?