Chapter 1 NC17

Utter Darkness.

The scent of incense- musky and sweet both at once. The music is
languid, yet rhythmic and undulating. I am entranced. I could be
dreaming.

Where was I? It was cool and comfortable, like an autumn evening on
Naboo, but there was no wind- just the crisp air and the silence,
that like a blanket enfolded me. The sky was black- not a star
shining above, as the diamonds seemed to be stolen from the black
velvet of space. Even the blue incandescent moons had set.

I sense a female presence as my eyes strain in the darkness to see a
figure where there is none.

My knees buckle beneath me as a gale of wind comes from behind. I
stumble forward and I trip on what seems to be a step- and then I
see her. Two full red lips- blowing on one ivory candle. She is
lighting it with her breath, caressing the wax with her ringed
fingers, paying no apparent attention to me.

I am realizing that I am in an outdoor temple- I had tripped on a
white elongated marble step, and it was the first of three more
spilling into a larger terrace. I watched her set the lone candle
down on what appeared to be an altar- and disappear into the
darkness.

Now I was surrounded by the sound of trickling water and breathing-
the breathing was my own at first. It was all I could hear. Then it
seemed to melt into the blackness around me, converging with the
breath of countless others that seemed to be sharing the night. The
temple was now full, but all I could see was the lone candle.

Hear the breathing.

The whispering of women.

Soft and harsh at the same time, tickling my ears and caressing me
all over.

I gave into it- enjoying all of the mystery around me. The sound of
water- the scent of musk and spice- the whispers that seemed to
caress my mind… the excitement of not knowing what was happening. I
closed my eyes and embraced the moment.

It engulfed me.

"You are doing very well," a rich and sonorous voice told me. It
was her. Opening my eyes, she stood before me.

Beautiful. Frightening. Her eyes were wise beyond her years- but she
was ageless… Was she real? How could such a dichotomy exist in
nature?

Her midnight blue hood surrounded her face. She wore a large red
amulet around her neck, and I followed it to where it rested on her
perfect bosom- then up to her visage again. Her entire face was
flawless- almost unnatural- she looked as if she had been chiseled
out of the very marble I stood upon. Creamy, smooth… Yet hard and
cold. Her eyes were black like the sky above me- with a white rim
around each iris. They reminded me of the night sky itself, as if
two stars were stolen from the heavens and placed where her eyes
should be. Two diamonds sparkled as she greeted me, and she blinked
slowly, allowing her lids to stay closed a moment longer than one
would expect. Everything seemed to be in slow motion- and I really
couldn't tell which plane of existence I was on.

I looked at her as a small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.
Oh yes, I knew her.

Her eyebrows arched and the temple was suddenly ablaze. Everywhere I
looked, there were candles- hundreds and hundreds of ivory candles
covering the entire perimeter of the temple. The flickering light
cast an orange and pink tone on everything- even on the dark pool of
steamy water that was before the altar.

My shadow stood alone- she did not cast one. As I noticed this, I
was growing increasingly more fascinated and a little alarmed…

It was then that I noticed there were cloaked women everywhere,
whispering and staring at me, all of them a part of this seeming
enchantment I was drowning in. They were force users. The cloaked
ones were lounging by the pool of water, leaning against the walls
on the corner of the temple, huddling in tight circles, and
exchanging glances with one another. They were symbiotic and I was
intruding in their community. And yet, they were expecting me- and
accepting me.

They knew me.

The woman whom I knew so well was giving me a bronzed goblet, and I
followed her into the belly of the beast. I was walking toward the
pool, fragrant vapors rising with the steam from the water.

"Anakin," I had closed my eyes and tilted my head back;
deeply
inhaling the hypnotic fumes around me.

"Anakin," that voice. It didn't belong here. " I
require your
presence," she was saying.

I was falling down, down, plummeting in a spiral through space and
time-following that voice commanding me to return.

My body.

It was beneath me. I allowed myself to fall into it, and adjusted
to its form.

What felt like years later, I opened my eyes and looked upon the
young woman that had summoned me back when I was not ready to be.
--
------

"Welcome back, Skywalker. Another extended out of body trip to the
Outer Rim?"

She was smiling broadly at me, speaking with her trademarked layer
of sarcasm.

"Galaxa, one day, I am going to really make you sorry," I answered
her, with much lack of amusement…now why are you in my chamber?" I
sat up and looked at her expectantly.

She rolled her heavily lashed green eyes at me and pushed me back
onto my back. She began to fumble through her bag and removed some
of her healing gadgets.

"Well. First of all, I am supposed to give you a check up- and see
how the cyborg implant is doing. Remember?" She was of course
referring to my check up that I had scheduled and nearly forgotten
about.

"Nearly?" She read my mind. I didn't even bother to
shield my
thoughts from the jedi healer. She was an old friend and I trusted
her. She was taking my pulse and looking at the chrono on her wrist.

Gal was a beautiful girl. Her hair was glossy black and wavy, and
today she wore it down, so it cascaded down her shoulders. She must
be off duty today or something, because she would never let her hair
down if she weren't. As if hearing my thoughts she glanced sidelong
at me, and rolled her eyes.

Galaxa Tri Sephone was one of the first friends I had made at the
temple. She was generally my opposite, and a grounding influence in
my life. She was witty and smart, and well skilled the arts of jedi
healing. I cared a lot for her.

She also drove me crazy. She was constantly exasperating me to no
end. Always playing devil's advocate, she especially defended the
council and Obi Wan. At times I couldn't handle being in the same
room with her. She was too direct and personal and it was hard to
swallow at times.

"Where are you going after this, Gal?" I teased, reaching for
a
loose curl on her shoulder. "What are you up to?"

"Get off, Ani. I am not going anywhere special." Gal answered me,
using her shoulder to fend me off. "I am not the one with a secret
marriage, pal." She stressed, continuing my exam, assessing my
robotic arm.

"Well, maybe you should try to have a secret or two sometime… You
are so by the book," I said with disgust. "You are wasting
away in
the Order. Taste a little life- fall in love- or something. You
don't know what you are missing." I told her seriously.

"Anakin, I worry for you," she sighed.

"Oh please, Gal. Spare me the speech." I dismissed her words with a
wave of my hand.

"We still need to take the Trials, Anakin- and I worry that you are
not going to make it with this reckless behavior." Galaxa was doing
the maternal act, as she often did.

"Galaxa, Don't worry about me. I am going to be the most powerful
Jedi ever. Padme only makes me stronger- can't you see that?"

She looked at me and her lips formed a thin line. She spoke
gravely. "Anakin, I know that the two of you love eachother very
deeply. But you must understand the great dangers involved. You are
extraordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. The War is just
beginning- you have no idea what will happen. Especially if they
find out about you two…As for Padme, it is bad enough she is a
target as it is. Being married to you only makes it more dangerous."

"Well, then. Padme and I will just have to count on you if something
goes wrong," I said, not really knowing how to answer her. I wanted
to try to make light of the moment, because she had actually
instilled dread in me.

There was a brief silence as her emerald green eyes misted and she
looked upon me with concern. Healers were too in touch with their
feelings. She had become a good friend to Padme over the last few
years. When Padme became Naboo's senator, she begun to spend a lot
more time on Coruscant, and she and Galaxa had spent a lot of time
together. While I hadn't seen Amidala in nearly ten years, one of my
best friends was with her for the last four…

Seeing my opportunity to joke, I quipped in my best impression of
Master Yoda, "Much fear in you, I sense, Galaxa Tri. See through
you, I can. Fear leads to the DARK side!!!"

She was still laughing as Master Obi Wan entered the chambers.

"Good afternoon, my dear Padawans." He said cheerfully.

We greeted my master and Galaxa began to report on my stellar
physical condition to Obi Wan.

I brushed her mind with mine. / Don't clear me. Please./ She knew I
needed to go back to Naboo- I missed my wife horribly- and I wanted
to take as much advantage as I could before I went off to fulfill
whatever destiny was mine.

If she was startled, she gave no indication of it, nor did she
answer me telepathically as to whether or not she would acquiesce.
I was shielding our communication from my master. Galaxa and Obi Wan
were engaging in friendly pleasantries while I waiting for their
attention to turn to me.

"So," Obi Wan was asking. "What is your opinion?" He
was now
referring to my physical condition, asking whether or not I was
capable of fighting again just yet- and ready for more training to
get adjusted to my new robotic appendage…

"Master Kenobi, with all due respect, my master will make the final
decision if you wish, but I do not recommend any stressful activity
for two standard weeks, at the least. And I absolutely advise
against taking the Trials in the near future as well." Galaxa told
him.

What?

"GAL! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?" I roared. I sprang to my feet and
snarled.

"Anakin, if you please. You are not in the proper condition to take
them. Not physically, and not emotionally."

"Galaxa- you are a sith." I spat, my breath coming in gasps.

/ I am doing this for your own good./ She brushed my mind.

"Simmer down, my young Padawan. Your friend does you a service. Even
if you were asking her to trick me." Obi Wan smiled as Galaxa
bashfully grinned, closing her eyes and looking down.

I was boiling with anger. Her actions and exchanges with my master
enraged me. Whose side is she on, anyway?

And even though I was now free to be on leave and return to Naboo
for a few days, I was furious that she would advise such a thing
without consulting me. How dare she?

"Anakin," my master was calling me but I was deafened by my
anger. "Anakin! You will kindly pay attention when I speak to you!"

I turned to regard him, now seething with anger. "Yes
Master," I
grumbled.

"Padawan Tri Sephone is leaving. Please escort her to the Temple
and visit with her Master. Master Adi Gallia will make the final
decision on your condition." He said sternly.

"Yes Master," I answered again, under my breath.

We exited, and I gripped my lightsaber, following Galaxa out of the
chambers.

Once safely down the hall, I ignited my saber and pushed Gal to the
wall with my new arm.

"HOW DARE YOU?" I screamed at her, brandishing my weapon in
the air.

"Anakin," I could see she was breathless. "What has come
over you?
Please center yourself, " she implored.

I was frozen in my own tracks. I could not decide what I wanted to
do to her- and I did not understand my display of anger. It just
overtook me. I deactivated my blade and reeled backward.

We did not speak for a time. The hallway was thankfully empty. She
was sending calming suggestions to me, assuring me that I was
forgiven, but I could see that I had genuinely frightened her. She
was clutching her own deactivated saber. What was happening to me?
That rage- it tasted so familiar to me. It was similar to the
feelings I had that night at the Tuskan camp. Although it was
weaker, it was exactly the same feeling. In a strange way, it felt
good.

After a few minutes, Galaxa tentatively smiled and resumed the walk
toward the Temple. I followed her wordlessly, touching her arm
lightly. She seemed to recoil from my touch- then she stopped, flung
her arms around me and begged me never to do that again.

I said I wouldn't…returning her warm embrace.

Knowing full well that I couldn't promise.

--
------------

That night, as I lay in my bed, I was thinking of Padme, fantasizing
about the time we would spend together when this War was over.

Then there was the intrusion.

I heard the bass tremble rhythmically, slowly. The trance like
music. The breathing again. The fragrance of spices and musk
infiltrating my nostrils.
Oh the Maker. It was too seductive- I was enchanted.

Third Person Point of view:
He was visiting Dathomir again. Allya was calling and he was going
to her.

This time Anakin knew where he was. He heard the ocean licking at
the shoreline, and the three full moons hung in the sky like globes
of blue fire. The temple was set back from the sand dunes, as it was
low tide. The black sand was powdery and soft. It glistened as the
waves lapped at it.

The cloaked Nightsisters were about the candlit temple. They were
dancing in circles and figure eights with wanton abandon, erotically
grinding and writhing as they invoked the Force. The music has
transformed itself to wild beating with metallic melodies- dark and
harsh soliloquies against the even pounding of the deep bass. The
women were scantily clad, representing every variation of human
female imaginable. They wildly thrashed about, their long hair loose
and unkempt. Amulets and rings adorned all of them, and their black
cloaks had been thrown back as their bodies flailed and contorted.
Two of them were in the center pool, before the altar, engaged in a
lascivious kiss, their hands traveling about one another's bodies.
Anakin watched the women dripping in the steaming fragrant pool,
reveling in their lewd behavior. He was not surprised when he felt
his own straining arousal.

/A firm hand on his shoulder. Perfume surrounding the Padawan./

Allya.

Anakin turned to look upon her but she was not there.

He called out. When she did not answer, the Force guided him to her.
Walking to the shoreline, he noted the bluish white pallor cast on
the landscape from the trinity of moons above. The ghostly waves
rolled onto the blackened shoreline, and he saw her standing knee
deep in the water before him.

Her cobalt embroidered robes were floating about her, and her head
was uncovered. Two toned hair- black on the top and silver
underneath- was tumbling over each shoulder. Anakin stepped into the
water, wading closer and closer to the expressionless siren. She
gave no indications whatsoever as to what she desired or why she had
summoned him. Her face was completely stoic, most definitely the
result of the perfected jedi teachings she had mastered before she
was exiled to the forsaken place.

The waters were warm about Anakin's legs as waves kissed his well- formed thighs. He stood directly in front of her and waited.

/Skywalker/ she simply touched his mind. It was an ever so faint
whisper, almost inaudible even with the use of the Force.

She was stroking him with the Force, delight washing over her face
as she achieved exciting the Chosen One. Anakin knew nothing in the
universe at that moment except the lust he was feeling for this
woman- this ex Jedi- this witch. He was going to hell and didn't
care. Thoughts of nothing and no one invaded his mind as he grabbed
her amulet and pulled her body close to his. But it was she who
captured his mouth in a lusty kiss, angling Anakin's face with her
hands so that she could probe more deeply with her tongue.

"I want to know you," she whispered, her hands snaking down
his
muscular body, nails raking across his back and through his short
hair. "I want to feel you inside of me… I can show you such
pleasures that you have never known," she breathed into his mouth.
His eyes searched hers as they shared eachother's breath. Anakin
inhaled deeply and attacked her mouth, his tongue diving in and out,
licking her top lip and pressing himself upon her.

She tasted like vanilla and lavender- Anakin was begging her for
more with every frantic stroke of his hands across her body, wholly
enticed and savoring her delicious taste. She was cleaving to him as
small groans escaped from his lips. Unexpectedly, Allya broke the
kiss and nudged him backward with the force. He was panting, hot and
bothered, eyes wild with desire.

"What did I do?" he asked her, chest heaving.

Allya did not answer him, rather her eyes were focusing on a figure
behind him, on the beach.

"You do so disgust me, Allya," the Dark One spoke.

Allya laughed as her robes swirled about her, the sea foam making
strange patterns behind her as she approached the woman.

"He is not yet a man, Sister." The figure spoke sternly.

"It is not a man that I need, Friend."

M. It was M?!?!

Anakin could not see her face, but he knew her force signature. He
watched as the scene unfolded in front of him, Allya approaching the
hooded figure in the shadows.

"I am sorry but I will not have it. You must stop this enchantment
Allya. He is spoken for. Nor is it destined for his seed to be sown
here." Morgaine was speaking with measured words, her fury evident
with each controlled breath.

"The Chosen One is greatly needed here, too, My Lady," Allya hissed
angrily.

"It is not for you and the Sisters to decide where he is and is not
needed. This was ordained and you are not to intervene with what is
the will of the Force, because you will be scourged." Morgaine was
full of rage.

"Will you stop me?" Allya taunted.

"My patience wears thin, Allya. Be gone at once- or you will feel
my wrath. That I promise."

Allya backed down at hearing the deep pitch Morgaine's threat was
delivered in. She was no match for the Dark Woman. Allya fluidly
backpedaled into the night and vanished into the blackness moments
later.

Anakin sloshed toward the Dark Woman, splashing water as he went.

"M!" he called to her. The figure did not respond. It simply stood
and appeared to look at him from the shadows.

"M!" he cried again.

Still no answer. No reaction whatsoever.

He was a few feet away from the figure now. But she did not offer
any sign of acknowledgement- and Anakin began to doubt if it was
Morgaine at all. He could only see a black form, completely covered
in black robes and a hood.

He reached out shakily, now inches away.

Suddenly her hood was thrown back and she had clutched his hand, her
face inches from his as she jerked him to her with immense strength.
Her eyes bore a hole into his mind as they blazed.

"You will leave this place at once, Anakin Skywalker."

The wind was knocked out of him as he was sent crashing back into
the void, and slammed right back into his body. He sat up choking
for air, back in Coruscant in his chambers.

Obi Wan burst through the door, rushing to Anakin's bedside.

"Anakin- I felt a disturbance in the Force. Are you alright, my
young apprentice?"

---------------------------------------------
----------------

The world began to come into focus slowly, as if through a curtain
of mist. Releasing herself of meditation was always difficult for
the Dark Woman; it seemed as if her mind never wanted to let go of
the Force, of it's spectral planes. She didn't exactly want to let
go now, either, but she had fulfilled her purpose for one night -
Anakin was safe again in his bed. She let out a deep sigh of relief
and patted the sheets around her, tired due to her lack of sleep.
Depa Billaba was snoring soundly next to her, as she always did as
of late. Her breaths came short and shallow, and then long, like a
lullabye rythym - so different than Dathomir's constant wail of
ecstacy - though the Dark Woman was convinced she could lose herself
in the depths of either.

But she had the power to resist the cunning of Dathomir's dark
powers, and namely the witch, Allya. Anakin, dear Anakin, was
slipping into her spell, her quest to steal his fate from the Light
Side of the Force, from Padme. She couldn't allow it, and most
certainly wouldn't. Anakin Skywalker's destiny was to bring balance
to the Force, not to destroy it in a fit of lust with a Dathomir
witch who liked to meddle with the plans of the Force itself.

He had been most surprised to see her on the Dathomir spectral
plane, and though she and Anakin had known each other on and off
closely for the past four years, he had never known of her
attatchment to the dark planet of Dathomir and it's mysteries. The
Dark Woman dabbled in all Force manipulations, it was true.
Sometimes, she fancied herself more than a Jedi. But it was also
herself who claimed no name to anyone but Depa, who knew her as her
life-bond, Morgaine; and Master Yoda who had known her since she was
a child - his dear padawan. To all others, even Allya, she was the
Dark Woman, who spoke not only for the Ashla (Light) or Bogan (Dark)
side of the Force, as the Jedi and the Sith did respectively, but
for the Force as a whole. She was merely M, to a very lucky Anakin
Skywalker.

The sun was beginning to rise on Coruscant, something that never
happened on Dathomir. It was a planet of constant moonlight, it's
erotisces and dark will capturing any soul weak enough to welcome
themselves into it's ebony blanket of games. She had to leave the
Temple that she had called home for nearly three years, and hope
that she might escape the clutches of the evil planet while there
physically. Confronting Allya in her spectra was easy enough - her
emotional presence in the Force was enough to squash a Sith in it's
tracks - but physicality was an entirely different route and
tactic. The Force buzzed around her in bed while her anger grew
against the witch of Dathomir. How dare she meddle with Anakin? Her
brooding was not unlike a mother who's son had just lied to her for
the first time. Why hadn't Anakin told anyone about this?

So many questions, so little time. Depa began to stir fitfully
beside her, aware now in her subconsious that Morgaine was awake -
and sensably disturbed. The Dark Woman's hand fell down to the
woman's silken auburn hair and brushed it aside, flourishing her
cool cheek with Force calming touches. This is what Anakin needed;
to be near his love. It was no secret to Morgaine that Senator
Padme Amidala was what kept him sane through these years, and when
they had become secretly married, she had made it her business to
know via some buzzing around Skywalker's head. He must to to her,
she decided. Her jaw set firm, she was determined to delay Anakin's
clearance for battle as long as possible.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1st Person POV

Click, clack, click, clack. The well oiled snap of my boots echoed
on the Temple floors as I made my was towards Master Adi Gallia's
residence. It was early, and I only hoped that Adi was as much of
an earlybird as I remembered. I needed to talk to Master Gallia's
padawan, most specifically - she had been in charge of Anakin's
progress reports to the Infirmary: Galaxa Tri Sephone.

I'd only seen Galaxa a few times; fleeting moments, really. I made
sure that she always kept busy around the galaxy, even in retirement
from fieldwork and her occassional classes at the Temple with young
Padawans. Finally, I came to the tan door and knocked softly,
purposefully not ringing the bell in case they weren't awake.
Before my fist could come down on the ceramisteel for another knock,
the door opened with a whoosh.

"I felt you coming a good five minutes ago. Too early for shields?"
Adi Gallia smiled favorably. She was awake, and in a good mood; a
surprise to be sure for the latter observation.
"Err, no. I didn't feel a need for them with so many not up and
about, like we." I smirked slightly. "I seek your padawan for
conversation about Padawan Skywalker. His medical information is a
curiosity of mine."
"Of course," Adi nodded, "You'll want to know the progress of your
favorite shadow." Her blue eyes glimmered with delight. Master
Gallia had always been glad to know that both Anakin and I had found
friends in one another.
My expression was grave however, I couldn't hide the fact that I was
worried.
"Oh, Master, is everything alright?" Adi looked suddenly concerned.
A blessing in disguise interrupted her answer, however.

"Good morning, Master! and...." Galaxa was a vision of pristine
meditation schedules and good healing techniques. Right on time for
her morning rounds, too. Her head tilted slightly as if to indicate
she required a name from me.
"I am the Dark Woman."
"Oh! I...Oh my!" Galaxa stammered, somewhat taken aback at the
statement. It was merely a moniker, but to someone who had only
heard stories, it might be like announcing one was a Sith in
disguise. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."
"On the contrary, dear Galaxa, I was wondering if I might steal you
for a minute to converse on a subject that is of great interest to
me." I nodded as a custom to Adi and began to walk towards the
depths of Temple proper. Galaxa had to rush to keep up with my
gainly stride.
"Good day, Master of the Ashla." Adi called as she closed her door.
She always had a knack for never being offended when I was in a
hurry, but never lost her humor. I grinned wider than usual,
showing my teeth. The action was not taken lightly by Galaxa, who
nearly jumped out of her skin at the sight.
"Excuse me, did I frighten you?" My brows lowered in question. "No, Master. I just, oh you'll just find it funny." Galaxa muttered,
shaking her head.
"Find what funny?"
An exasperated sigh escaped her lips and she shrugged. "You're not
at all like the stories they spread about you, other Knights and
Masters, that is. They said you NEVER smile." She looked at me
questioningly, as if to indicate she wanted a validation of such a
ridiculous statement. I chose to tell her the truth.
"Most of the stories are true. But I DO smile." and did so again,
to demonstrate the fact. This time, I exaggerated it nearly to the
middle of my cheeks, squinting my eyes and jutting my chin. That got
a rise out of her; our laughter carried through the hallways like a
song. She was still cautious with her words however - I still
hadn't broken my spell completely, it seemed.

"Now, to business..." I allowed my tone to become it's usual, low
treble that professed my seriousness. Galaxa's cheery face withdrew
immediately, sensing the conversation to come.
"I need you to postpone Padawan Skywalker's clearance to action for
at least another month."
"A month?!" Her mouth was agape. "I had enough trouble convincing
Adi to agree to two more weeks! He needs to heal, yes, but...Master,
he cannot allow his skills to grow rusty. He is brooding, he needs
action." She shook her head fervently.
"Well, two weeks is a good start." I pursed my lips. This was
rather easy; I had started my baiting at a long time scale so that I
might comprimise to one week. Refusing the already given two weeks
would be looking a gift bantha in the mouth.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------

Anakin was meditating in the Naboo garden, as always. The Dark
Woman always knew where to find him, in fact, this was one of the
first places they had meditated together. She didn't bother
knocking, however. She knew where he was in his mind; she could
envision it everytime her eyes closed to blink...

"The scent of incense- musky and sweet both at once. The music is
languid, yet rhythmic and undulating."

She didn't have time for this! Exasperated, two-fold because he had
not resisted Allya once again, she pushed him to the side to
immediately force him back into his body. He sputtered angrily, and
swung out towards the Dark Woman, only aware that someone had
jostled him - and hard. She swung her hips and legs to the right
and then disappeared into the wall in one fluid motion, suddenly
unsure of what Anakin might do. She was right to do so - the raging
Padawan stood up and swung in the air as if to find an entity
floating there.

"Come out! How dare you interrupt my meditation!" He spat angrily to
nobody in particular.
Now it was she who was rageful. She took a moment to get it in
check; she couldn't very well seem to have grace of vision when she
was as angry as a charging reek either. She summoned her deepest
feelings into her voice, as always, to get her point across.

"How dare YOU visit that place again when I told you NEVER to do so
again!" The Dark Woman's eyes were wide with fury.

Anakin suddenly seemed small, and she noticed he had sat down
against the far wall, his eyes as large as the moons of Dathomir
itself. His hands, swinging only moments before, were reaching
behind him, grasping the wall for escape.

"M! M, I'm sorry!" he called, as if far away - a child's voice from
long ago. His hands reached out to her now, as they had the night
before on the spectral plane.
She once again stood stoically, she would not take his hand this
time, assuring him safe passage to the Light. That now, was Padme's
job.

"You disobeyed me, Skywalker." Her tone was deep and monotone; eyes
edging on sadness.
"I didn't mean to, M. She PULLS me, I cannot stop it!" He looked
down, becoming angry with himself for the deception he had just
told. He wanted Allya in these meditations, these trances. "You attempt to fool me when you cannot fool yourself." The Dark
Woman scoffed, the hurt now evident in her voice.

"M..." he began again.
"No, Anakin. No more lies, no more games! Go! You have not been
cleared for action, do what you please! Do what you WANT. Go to
Padme!" Her words were short and cut through Anakin like ice, these
weren't recommendations. They were commands. He became rageful
again, standing up to her. His lithe form towered over the
beautiful being, his hand coming up, then swooping down. It stopped
abruptly just before hitting her, meeting her hand instead. He had
taken the first swing. The first step.

Her eyes widened as she stared up at him, and could only manage to
raise her eyebrow in warning. Anakin suddenly was thrown against
the wall, the air knocked firmly out of his lungs.
"Do not toy with me, boy!" she roared. Anakin was falling much
father into the darkness. Much too far. She shook her head at his
stubborn face plastered with a frown. His eyes wouldn't meet hers,
even after she had dropped him to the floor with a great thump. He
was certainly no match for her, and had no idea why he even took a
swing at her - his friend, his protector.

"Get out." she hissed. He was on very thin ice now, and he knew
it. Complying quickly, he gathered his things and rushed out of the
meditation garden.

It was settled, then. Confronting Allya directly would be the only
certain way to end this madness - that, and a kiss from Padme. The
Dark Woman said a silent prayer to the Force that it might happen
quickly.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
---

Anakin was furious as he stormed down the marble halls aimlessly.
Not only had the Dark Woman foiled his chances to see Allya again,
but had the gall to tell him what to do!

But wait, his mind focused and centered; M is my friend, M knows
what is best. He shook his head as if to clear cobwebs that had
taken decades to form. She was right: Padme needed him, and he
needed Padme.

"I will go to her..." he mumbled quietly, his rage satiated, mind
controlled. His arms were folded behind his back as he began to
walk more slowly, going with more of a purpose to tell Obi-Wan of
his leave, and then go to Naboo. He looked as if he had the galaxy
on his shoulders, and indeed did, although he would never know it
until too late.

He stopped decidedly in front of the hangar after walking the Temple
for nearly an hour. About to burst through the door to check on the
starfighter he'd be taking to Naboo, he abruptly halted and hugged
close to the door to not be noticed. He heard voices, but not just
any disembodied vocation. It was M, Galaxa, and Master Depa
Billaba. His eyes squinted to see into the dimly lit hangar; it was
close to sunset now, and the oranges and golds spilled onto the
floors and illuminated the Starfighters into blinding beacons, like
stars in the blackened night sky.

"Galaxa, keep me updated as to Anakin's conditions both here and on
Naboo." M instructed carefully. She handed Galaxa a new
communicator - obviously directly linked to hers in case of an
emergency.
"Yes, Master." Galaxa seemed both obedient and suspicious at the
same time, like a teenage padawan dubious of everything around them. "You will be careful, Master. Promise me that." Depa Billaba's calm
tone interjected the Dark Woman and Galaxa's strange conversation. "Yes, of course Master Billaba. I wouldn't think of delving myself
into trouble." M responded, her head bowed. Anakin was awed. He'd
never seen the Dark Woman be so - obedient - before. Even Galaxa
was at a loss, allowing her bottom lip to seperate from the top in
surprise.

"I am off, then." With a quick flourish of a bow, M's black robes
and silver hair trailed into the Ingenue, her personal Starfighter.
The hangar then boomed with a voice thru the loudspeakers. "Ingenue, cleared for Atmospheric takeoff to Dathomir. Path open."
The Jedi Starfighter's engines began immediately and flew it
gracefully out of the hangar. The sunset was on the lower Coruscant
horizon, and blazed red into Anakin's eyes. It only served to pique
his temper and fuel his indignation.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------

There were no flight comptrollers on Dathomir, and even if there
were, Morgaine was sure they'd be too busy conjuring up some sort of
cataclysm for their own enjoyment. The Ingenue slid easily through
the gray mists of the clouds, it's chrome glinting in the triple
moonlight. Spotting a fairly open field, the Dark Woman landed.
She wanted the witches to know that she was here. It wouldn't take
the Daughters of Allya long to traipse their way towards the
Starfighter. They were always curious about such things, and
curious about what sensualities they might imbibe Morgaine with.
Her lips firmed into a line and eyes into stone - she would have no
such nonsense.

The wind itself on the planet was enough to entrance a lone
bystander, it's rythym embedded into your ears made your legs begin
to sway as you walked, your eyes to become a tad glazed over. It
fed off the Force to fuel it's inhabitants with desire. This is
what a Dark Force symbiont looked like, the Dark Woman mused.
Entirely, enchantingly beautiful, with a motive all of it's own.
When you wanted to leave however, it's tentacles grasped at you and
fed you desire, sucking your willpower until you had none. She
shivered as she stepped of the Ingenue into the sands. The entire
planet was like a beach, with vistas and reeds and sandgrasses.
Everything had a silver hue from the moons above.

Morgaine could feel the witches nearby, but they weren't coming at
her in a steady line. How very odd she mused, until she felt
something much more unusual. The vortex like presence of Allya was
standing immediately behind her.

"My sister, have you come to join us for a while?" Allya breathed
sensuously, attempting to capture the Dark Woman with her facade of
lust. Morgaine's face remained like carved marble in the moonlight,
but her body was drawn to Allya, to the Dark Forces. She felt
herself becoming aroused physically, as was always the way with
these meetings. Her mind, however, was in full disgust.
"A day, a week...forever..." Allya taunted, brushing her perfectly
formed fingers over Morgaine's collarbone. She was so inherently
hard to resist, the Dark Woman's eyes began to water. She was
fighting tooth and nail to keep her voice calm, and to keep from
smiting the witch then and there.

"I've had it with these games, Allya. I will have no more of them"
The Dark Woman gritted her teeth.
"But I know how you so love my games, my Lady.." Allya threw back,
tauntingly.
Suddenly, Morgaine grabbed Allya's wrist firmly, almost enough to
break it if she pleased. The witch fell to her knees and gasped
from the pain. Her lips met Allya's quickly, sucking all air out of
her lungs and expelling it out of her nose. The witch, who was so
good with words, now whimpered for air, but also for more.

With her other hand, the Dark Woman brushed Allya's cloak aside and
began to fondle her breast gently, like it was a rare jewel.
"Is this what you want, dear Sister?" she questioned sardonically. "Yes." Allya managed to say, breathlessly. "Well then, like Skywalker, I'm afraid you cannot have it." An evil
glint flashed across Morgaine's eyes. Her inner will was struggling
ferociously to stay connected to the Light Side of the Force, but
the Dark Side was an easy tool here. It called to her, singing with
it's tantric, sirenic melody.
The Dark Woman then sent a blazing hot jolt of pleasure into Allya,
succeeded by a flash of pure negation, deprivation of feeling. Such
sweet bliss - like taking honeysticks from a padawan.
Allya gasped again and wailed out, her scream echoing into the
night. She was outdone this time, and she knew it.
"My Lady, I will do anything..." Allya grasped at Morgaine's hand
still firmly on her wrist, threatening to dismember her at any
moment, threatening to give her what she desired at any moment. The Dark Woman smiled triumphantly. "Then we shall converse."

Chapter 2

Galaxa Tri Sephone was agitated. She had walked about the hanger when
the Ingenue took off for Dathomir. She felt that they were being
watched and that is when the forboding feeling first overtook her. M
was intimidating enough, but truth be told, she was still shaken up
about Anakin. She did not want to be anywhere near him during a time
like this. He would loathe her for tailing him to Naboo- he was not
his usual self. He still needed to heal and things were heating up as
it was with the Clone War. The tension was soaring about the galaxy.
The Chosen One had a lot to do with it, she knew.

But yet, there was no shadow of doubt that she would not disobey The
Dark Woman. If the order was to watch over Anakin, she would without
question, as it was her duty. The life of service was what she had
chosen. If one of her best friends killed her in the process, she
would die obeying her orders. Galaxa shuddered at the thought. Well,
at least seeing Padme would help Anakin. He needed a little personal
attention.

She walked dutifully off of the landing strip, giving one last glance
around, just to satisfy her doubts.

Galaxa turned around and a hand clasped her neck, covering her throat.

"You are not informing anyone about anything. Got that?"

Galaxa gasped for air as she struggled to free herself. "Anakin- what
is wrong with you?" she screamed, losing all composure.

Anakin was whispering angrily. "You healers are the weak Jedi. You
should obey the stronger ones."

Galaxa began to tremble with anger. "Strength is relative- and
conditional. You my friend, are misguided," she whispered back
harshly, gripping his neck with her hand, and sinking her index
finger deep into a muscle there. Anakin's left side went limp and
Galaxa brushed his hand off of her.

"Excuse me, Skywalker. As you must have overheard, I am accompanying
you to Naboo. There is much to do, so kindly remove yourself from my
path."

"Were you going to tell me? Or were you just going to follow me?" he
asked, stepping in front of her.

Galaxa pulled herself to her full height, eye to eye with Anakin, as
she was herself, six feet tall. "How dare you treat me like this
Anakin? You know, my patience isn't infinite, either. I will not
allow you to keep treating me in this manner. I don't care if you are
the damned 'chosen one' !!!!!!" Galaxa was yelling now, feeling hurt
and growing embittered.

Anakin was not fazed. "Give me that communicator," he demanded.

"No!" She force pushed him to articulate her spiteful response.

He was saying `give it to me' when he ignited his saber.

"Maker of us all! I have been through enough of this. Who are you
Ani?"

Gal shrugged, shaking her head and lighting her own blade. The
padawans began to spar.

"You are going to give me that communicator, and you are going to go
back to the Temple and mind your own business," he panted as he
sliced the air over Gal's left shoulder.

"You should pack your things Anakin… Or do whatever," she answered
poking her saber toward his chest as he thwarted it with his
blade. "I will be there. Wherever you go, I go," she continued
breathlessly.

A class of younglings were walking though the hangar on their way to
one of the control centers when they stopped and began to gather
around the spectacle. Mace Windu was coming up from the rear of the
group. His eyes were piercing and his mouth was twisted into a scowl
as the children parted and allowed him passage. He stood there and
frowned, regarding the duel silently.

"Padawans," his deep voice cut the air as the whizzing of the blades
stopped on command. "Take this situation somewhere else, where it can
be resolved without the intervention of your masters." He was
threatening to call upon Obi Wan and Adi.

Anakin deactivated his saber.

"Fine," he said suggestively to Galaxa, his voice cracking a bit. His
blue eyes gleamed wickedly.

Galaxa opened her mouth to speak but the words would not come. He was
up to something. She cocked her head to the right and peered at him
sideways.

"Fine." She agreed cautiously. He had put his shields up.

"Our apologies, Master Windu. " Galaxa said humbly, turning to the
revered master.

Mace's expression softened at the apology but darkened when he looked
over at the still fuming Anakin.

" I will speak with Obi Wan and Adi of this improper display and use
of your abilities.
And Anakin, remember, " his voice dropping to a deep baritone, "If
you feed it once, it will always stare, waiting for more."

Anakin straightened up and took in the wise master's warning. Or was
it an observation? Mace understood more than he thought.

"Carry on, Padawans." Mace then said dismissively.

The two bowed to Mace as he led the children to the command center,
Anakin glaring at Galaxa as he did so. She did not return his gaze
as she stormed out of the hangar.

--------------------------

A day later, Galaxa awakened in the cockpit. She looked to the left
to see Anakin fiddling with the controls.

"How long have I been sleeping?"

"Not long enough," he growled.

"Hey, Ani, lighten up," she said callously. Her head was pounding and
the last thing she needed from him was an attitude. He had nearly
cost her taking the Trials that day in the hangar. Adi almost
rescinded her decision to inform the council of Galaxa's
preparedness after Mace had spoken with her. But she was still
expected to take the Trials when they returned to Coruscant,
thankfully.

As for Anakin, he had grown more and more moody as each hour passed-
much to her surprise. Galaxa naturally thought he would be thrilled
at the thought of going to Naboo. She knew Obi Wan had ripped into
him about his violent outbursts as of late, and as if making a case
in point, Anakin had lunged at his Master and then caught himself.
Obi Wan had decided to allow him leeway considering the death of his
mother and loss of his arm. He practically carried him onto the ship
to Naboo., thinking that a retreat with his good `friend' Padme would
help him immeasurably. Perhaps he would be less inclined to attack
his friends if he got away from Coruscant for a while. Although Obi
Wan was no fool, he never suspected Anakin's secret marriage. Not
that he didn't know Anakin. Rather he trusted in the Senator's good
sense and adhesion to duty and propriety. She would keep any of
Anakin's advances in check.

Galaxa felt guilty about knowing how wrong Obi Wan was, knowing she
kept the secret marriage from him, her loyalty to Anakin and Padme.
She had smoothed her hair back and began to braid it when she noticed
the control panel. Her stomach flip-flopped and she groped for the
communicator the Dark Woman had given to her.

"It's gone, Gal," he said in a sugary voice, smiling maliciously.

Galaxa thought she hated him. Truly hated him. She could feel the
blood rushing to her face as she became light headed. He had set the
course for Dathomir and disposed of the transmitter when she had been
asleep.

--------------------------------
---------
Dathomir.

It was intoxicating.

Galaxa was weak, she felt as if she was lulled into a drunken stupor
the moment they entered the atmosphere. As a healer, she was
particularly in tune with the energies about her, and in Dathomir,
that proved to be a detriment. They were walking on the black beach,
toward a temple in the distance. They could see it in the silvery
blue moonlight, with hues of gold, orange, and pink escaping from
within.

"So this is the legendary planet of Allya." Galaxa sighed absently,
reveling in the energy about her.

Anakin stiffened at the mention of her name. "What do you know about
Allya?" he snapped.

She snorted and began to free her hair. "What don't I know?"

Anakin watched her as she freed her thick black mane. He raised his
eyebrows at her behavior, and then redirected his question.

Galaxa sighed. "She was exiled here and expelled from the Order
decades ago. They say she never ages. Supposedly, she taught the
Nightsisters all they know…Hmmm, what else?" Galaxa was apparently
quite distracted, throwing her head back and embracing the black
velvet that was the night.

"Forget it." Anakin was aggravated. This wasn't the Galaxa he knew.
He was surprised to see how malleable Galaxa had become, agreeing to
accompany him on his misadventure. The longer the Dathomir atmosphere
caressed her, the more pliable she was becoming. Maybe M was right.
This place was very dangerous. Particularly dangerous for him. He
felt that to be the truth, but pushed the thoughts away as they
neared the temple, straining with his force sense to locate Morgaine.

The two padawans crouched down in the glistening sand, on their
bellies in the shadows of the outdoor temple. Galaxa's jaw dropped
as she got her bearings and stared into the temple.

"Anakin-" she spoke softly, her blood quickening. "We must leave
immediately." She could barely get the words out.
"Come on, Gal. You don't really want to leave, do you?" he phrased
this as more of a statement than a question. Gala nodded wordlessly,
inebriated with wonder and lust, never once taking her eyes from the
sight before her eyes. Arrogantly, his lips crept into smile. "I
didn't think so."

He returned his gaze to the Sisters, who were dancing about wildly
again. But this time, they were moving much more slowly, grinding
against eachother and groaning in the flickering candlelight.
Shadows played on the wall, twisting about eachother as moans of
pleasure filled the temple, rising above the tantric music. Some
were kissing eachother in the most sacred of places, others were
adoring one woman in the bubbling pool before the alter. Still more
women were dancing erotically with some invisible partner.

Then he saw M.

She held a jeweled goblet and she was drinking from it deeply as
Allya was speaking to her.

"My Lady, you must understand. We can see the future and we need to
insure ourselves. It is a chance for us to gain favor in the days to
come. We will be the most powerful of all! You must join us." Allya
was speaking emphatically, with a white flame burning in her coal
black eyes.

Morgaine remained unaffected but she felt the ebbing of lust as her
composure was failing.
She spoke carefully, weighing her words meticulously. "Allya. It is
not the will of the force to reap what you wish to sow. Anakin's
destiny does not entwine with Dathomir in this way. He is here to
bring balance, not to raise the Bogan above the Ashlar." She
punctuated her sentence with a deep swill from the goblet.

Allya leaned in to the Dark Woman and licked her lips, savoring the
flavor of the wine upon her tongue.
She put her mouth near her ear and whispered softly. "No matter.The
Force will unravel itself here. We will have you- perhaps we will
have the chosen one." She said this as a matter of fact, almost
wickedly, tinged with lust.

Morgaine could not bear it any longer. She was planting hot kisses on
Allya's neck, traveling to her jawline, then capturing her mouth
passionately.

Allya was secretly laughing.

She was laughing because she had seen Padawan Skywalker
staring at them from the shadows. Morgaine was too involved with her
own personal battles to sense his presence.

But Allya had been hoping for this all along.

--------------------------------------------------
----------------------

A small cry escaped from Galaxa's mouth as she saw what Anakin saw.

Anakin stood very still. He was disbelieving. A moment later, he
grabbed Galaxa's arm and dragged her down the beach, away from where
his tantrum might cause anyone to notice them.

"How could she do this?She is supposed to be looking out for me!!
WHAT A HYPOCRITE! She wants Allya for herself- she doesn't want me to
have her!! That is what all this has been about!!!" He continued to
rant and began pulling at his hair like a lunatic.

Galaxa was confused, having no idea that Anakin had ever known Allya
at all, much less wanted her. Why the Dark Woman was a hypocrite also
escaped her. And didn't he love Padme? What does Allya have to do
with Anakin? The thoughts barraged her mind but she had no reaction
to them as her will was growing weaker. She wanted to go back to the
Temple.

Somehow, the air had numbed her senses and Galaxa really wasn't
affected all that much by his display of anger. She wanted to be,
but she couldn't. She was numb. She found herself wishing there was a
similar affect on Anakin, but no such luck. He was on fire here. He
paced, spitting out curses, throwing his cloak off if his body and
ripping it in half. Well, at least he wasn't trying to attack her.
And if he did, she did not think she had it in her to protect
herself.

He stopped short during his tirade and glared at Galaxa.

She gulped.

He suddenly lunged at her and she rolled out of the way, springing to
her feet, as if the spell was broken. But moments later, the languid
feelings returned to her with full force as she slumped down,
lounging on the sand. "Ani, I don't want to fight you," she sighed
absentmindedly.

Anakin was visibly shaken with anger. He was beside himself,
completely possessed. He stared at Galaxa incredulously. He had the
thirst for blood, for lust- his soul was screaming for escape from
his tormented body.

"Were you going to attack me Ani?" Galaxa spoke brokenly. She pouted
and her eyes widened expectantly. She acted as if she was straining
to stay awake.

Just then something in Anakin shifted. He was excited. The feeling
started in his gut and travelled down into his sex, engorging it and
stiffening it painfully. He massaged his straining erection through
his pants for a brief moment, and grinned licentiously at his friend.
Galaxa thought that her heart had stopped beating as her eyes rolled
from left to right, thinking someone else was near them. When she
realized the look was meant for her, she returned his gaze, her
breathing shallow, knowing he was up to something.

He turned and trudged up the beach back toward the temple, pausing to
look behind him, to see if Galaxa was following.

She was.

When they reached the temple, Anakin paused to look behind him at
Galaxa, who was about ten standard feet away from him. She stopped in
her own tracks, answering him silently, with a slight nod. The left
corner of his mouth upturned lustily and he turned back toward the
temple, this time, not stopping in the shadows.

Galaxa could see that the Dark Woman was nowhere to be found.
Neither was Allya. She scanned the marble room, drawing closer to the
interior of the temple, slinking behind a pillar. But her eyes were
only filled with the scene of the witches pleasuring eachother.

She realized that her gaze became locked on Anakin as he strolled
right into the center of the room, and stood in front of the alter.
He was staring right back at her, as if he was telling her to observe
him.

Galaxa's mouth opened slightly and she ran her tongue over her bottom
lip, slipping out of the orange candlelight and into the shadows. She
could not tear her eyes away from him. Nor could she take any kind of
aggressive action whatsoever. She knew that she was enchanted.

Even though she knew Anakin could not see her, she still felt his
presence pressing upon her. Closing her eyes, she loosened her tunic
around her body and threw back her cloak, feeling a fever overtaking
her body. She refocused on Anakin who was now flanked by three women
that were grinding against him, their hands exploring his body and
disrobing him as they did so.

Galaxa clutched her throat as her breath was coming irregularly. She
groped her own breasts through her shirt as she looked again at
Anakin and the witches. He was kissing them deeply, one at a time,
caressing each woman as he did so. Anakin paused a moment, craning
his neck to seek out Galaxa's form while the women bombarded his body
their mouths. When he caught her eye, Galaxa felt a deep wave of
satisfaction pass over her- and she knew it was Anakin's. Her knees
gave out as she slumped down the pillar and gave into her desire. She
began to stroke herself, assuaging the ache that was now rocking her.

Anakin was leaning on the alter as one of the women were taking him
in her mouth, and another was accousting his ear. He was licking the
nipples of a third siren, when a fourth walked up and presented
herself.

Galaxa could do nothing but rub herself, trying to achieve a release
that would not seem to come. It was agonizing- she was feeling
Anakin's pleasure, and his gratification at knowing that she was
watching him.

Then he was inside one of the witches who was spreading her legs on
the alter. While the other witches fondled her, they teased Anakin,
laughing and waiting their turn.

Galaxa was now as frightened as she was excited. It was terribly
wrong- what Anakin was doing was a cardinal transgression. She
listened as the cacophony of laughter melded into Anakin's grunting
and the sounds of flesh slapping together for what seemed like
eternity. Galaxa's climax was building into a thunderous crescendo
just as Anakin was releasing himself into the third witch.
Anakin caught her eye and his half opened mouth was twisted into a
sly smirk. Galaxa was orgasming as he regarded her lewdly. Her
muscles were contracting as the bliss ebbed away at her, wave after
wave until it had dissipated.

She lay there breathing deeply, satiated and limp. Anakin was now
lying on the altar as another witch was straddling him.

Her vision began to blur as a loud humming overtook her. The images
before her seemed to be underwater and muffled by the buzzing in her
brain.

Galaxa's head rolled to the side.

It may have been minutes- maybe hours. She felt herself being hoisted
up onto shoulders and she knew she was being carried away.

"Ani?"

"They enchanted you." He was saying to her. "Thanks for cutting my
evening short, Gal." His mood was darker than ever, and they were
moving away from the temple very quickly.

She brushed his mind, asking for an explanation. What she pieced
together from him was that he noticed she had passed out, where upon
he disentangled himself from the fourth witch. He realized that she
had been taken advantage of, and he came to help her back to the ship. That was their destination.

"What was that all about?" she asked quietly as he set her down
outside their vessel.

"It never happened. Any of it. " he answered tritely.

Still weakened, Galaxa was flabbergasted and could do nothing but
stammer.
Her knees were knocking together as she had the chills and her teeth
chattered.

"Y-y-you expect me to b-b-believe-" she began in amazement.

"NO. I do not expect you to believe anything. Because it did not
happen." His voice was short and cutting, enunciating each word
violently.

Her blood ran cold. Things were horribly wrong.

"I am going to sleep. Are you coming?" he asked her, extending his
hand dutifully to help her up.

Galaxa did not say a word as she rose shakily. Nor did she take his
hand. She brushed passed him on the plank and into the ship.

As they lay in the sleep bay, Galaxa watched the rhythmic rising and
falling of Anakin's chest, assured he was sleeping deeply. She
raised her shields reached out in the force, screaming for the Dark
Woman until she exhausted herself and fell asleep.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------

Morgaine was truly embattled. Normally, she'd never shed a bit of
her clothing outside her residence, but here in the open winds of the
temple, she was as naked as a new born babe. She shivered deeply,
attempting to remember how she had gotten to be so...revealed. She
searched around for her cloak and clothes, but they were nowhere near
her.

She had slept in a large velvet chair, which could have passed for
Allya's throne itself had she not spied that particular artifact
across the way - with it's owner staring at her deeply and
possessively.

"What have you done to me?" she whispered, surprised at the frailty
of her own voice. It was as if she needed to catch the wind to
speak, like a kite needs it to fly. She shook her head, and rubbed
her temples.
"Nothing you didn't want me to do, My Lady." Allya smiled both
triumphantly and mischeviously.
Then the Dark Woman spotted the goblet in the center of the pools
around Allya's throne. Memories flooded back, and she felt nearly
drunk at the mere flashback of what had happened. The taste of lust,
of wine, and of Allya's body licked like fire down her throat.
Something else also, elusive.

Morgaine's eyes closed to allow her to roll them back slightly and
let out a groan of deep dissatisfaction. As she began to move, she
found her joints were stiffened, not from sleeping in the cool night
alone. This was not normal, not expected at all. She had become
remotely adjusted to Dathomir's intoxicating atmosphere...

"You drugged me, you hag." she mustered as much anger as possible in
her current state.
"My Queen, you truly offend me." Allya replied with a smirk. "I'd
wish you'd let me know of your true view of my natural gifts when
last we touched."
"Never call me that!" The Dark Woman yelled, her voice echoing and
stirring some of the slumbering witches around her. They looked like
younglings, so frightened; so truly unassuming. She turned her head
away and looked to the dark skies, a tear rolling down her cheek. "You have failed Anakin in his path to be a Jedi..." a hiss came
lowly from Allya.

A fizzle of heat rose from the Dark Woman - she felt that she had
failed one too many in her lifetime, especially Padawans. Her eyes
turned steely cold, nearly the color of her graying hair as she
turned to the witch.
"I have failed nobody but myself."
"You have succeeded in bringing the Chosen One to me, be glad of
that." A sinister smile spread across Allya's faces as her eyes
glinted with mirth.

The Dark Woman knew that Allya usually talked out of her rear, and
her stunt with drugging her was just another example of the lengths
she had to go to to get Morgaine in her clutches. But Anakin... "What on Coruscant do you mean?" The Dark Woman's eyes glinted like
fine silver, her hearts beating faster than ever.
"He followed you. He saw us beginning to make love." Allya
announced, with a toss of her hair. Morgaine was visably sickened.
The light Force dealt her a swift blow of punishment, as the Dark
sought to atone the admonishment. It only served to make her angrier. "He made love with my daughters. I always get what I want..." the
lead witch of Dathomir spat, "...Jedi Master...Morgaine Ancasta."
Her top lip quivered at the announcement of the Dark Woman's name,
something very few knew, and Allya only because she was a direct
contemporary.

She had clawed for dear life as she fell to the Dark side, it was
truly a wonder how she relished in it now.

Morgaine rose to her feet slowly but steadily, making good advance at
Allya, who had begun to cower slightly. Her words and lust were
always large, but her will to fight, extremely small.
"Give..me..my..robes." she snatched them quickly from underneath
Allya, and dressed in a fury of shadowtucks and spins to ease her way
into the layers and her velvet tabbards. It took her merely a minute.

The Dark Woman them firmly gripped the end of her lightsaber, and a
swelling of power came from her chest and began to play against the
walls in the temple, causing little flecks of light and shadow to
merge in a dangerous display.
She was calling on both Forces.

Allya gulped deeply. "Stop that, Stop, My Lady!" The witch had cause
to worry now. Morgaine was surrendering herself to the Force to
allow it to do it's unbridled, unjudgemental duty.

The entire display looked like fireflies dancing in the darkness of
the fields, with the Dark Woman at the very epicenter. She breathed
shallowly, and ignited her lightsaber.

"You will not hurt them!" Allya screeched, her face contorting in the
Force to it's natural aged state. When manipulated by the Dark
Forces completely, she looked old and tired, as if the galaxy had
battled all it's wars on her body alone. Morgaine knew the face that
the Dark Side created; she had seen in many a time when she herself
began to slip; yet now, she looked reverant as ever, as white as
alabaster with robes of ebony swirling. One glance at Allya, and the
witch was firmly rooted to her throne, unable to move; only to watch
her "children" die.

As she raised her lightsaber to smite one of the maidens, it covered
it's face and sobbed like a child; curling into a ball and shaking.
A blue light crept around the temple, like smoke, and voices could be
heard whispering again. It was the Force, and spoke that the Dark
Woman could not do this in anger. She obeyed immediately,
deactivating her lightsaber and returning it to her belt.

A sigh of relief came from Allya, but with the sound of her sigh came
the sound of Morgaine's breath, and the touch of cool fingertips as
the indigo smoke twirled firmly around her swollen lips. They were
blue themselves, as if the Dark Woman had risen after decades of
slumber in a Hoth cave. Icy, frigidly cold.

Invisible hands tugged at each of the maidens necks, drawing them
forward as if to embrace them. As Morgaine blew them each a silent
kiss; a reassuring gesture that was not lost on them. With each
blow, she extinguished their fire within the witches, and an orb of
azure released from their chests and dissipated into the Force. They
perished peacefully, with gentle smiles on their faces. She was
setting them free, although Allya would never be convinced of such a
remark.

She left seven of the women alive - a lucky Force number, whom she
felt did not have relations with Anakin. They seemed much too
innocent yet; not having slipped far enough into the darkness to
completely rid them of their will.

Allya was rageful, and tugged at her legs in vain to get them to
move.
"You evil, sadistic woman! You ferocious being!" she screamed at
Morgaine, her eyes welled with tears and mouth downturned in a scowl
to freeze the air on Tatooine.
"Your own sisters of the Force!" she sobbed, slipping deeper into the
abyss of the Dark Side.

"I will take my leave." The Dark Woman said breathlessly and calmly,
inhaling quickly to stop the glimmer and show of her deeds.

She was far into the forest by the time she allowed Allya to have
reign of her legs, well on her way to the Ingenue. Allya would
probably try to follow; no matter. She was a meddler, not a murderer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------
Senator Padme Amidala paced in her lake home on Naboo. She hadn't
heard from Anakin since he had sent her transmission that he would be
there soon, and that was two standard days ago.

"My Lady, what ails you?" Dorme asked worriedly, stopping in front of
Padme to quell her trek across the room for the umpteenth time.

"Anakin was supposed to spend time recooperating here, and he has not
arrived. If he were to be late, I'm sure he or Obi-Wan would have
sent a transmission." Amidala's heart wrenched. If anything were to
happen to Ani, she'd simply want to cease to be. He was her love,
her one and only.

"Why not send them a transmission?" her handmaiden inquired level- headedly.

"That's it!" a wonderous glitter crossed Padme's eyes. "If they
don't know where he is, nobody does."
Dorme laughs. "I doubt that, madam."
Padme frowned intensely. "What do you mean?"
"Anakin is a man. Men fly high, they fly around - like a butterfly
in constant search for mate." Dorme pursed her lips.
Padme shook her head. "Not my....err, Not Jedi Skywalker." She
paused in remittance of the previous statement. "Not the Jedi. Jedi
aren't like that."

----------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------

In the Council chambers on Coruscant, Depa Billaba gasped for
breath.

Adi Gallia, a healer well intuned with the Force, held her stomach as
if an ache had overtaken it. Yoda let out a low grumble.
"16, no, 20. Extinguished, twenty lights of the Force have been."
His ears lowered and he turned to Mace Windu.

Before Master Windu could speak vocally however, a comlink buzzed on
his command chair. It was to alert an incoming reception.
"Who is it?" Plo Koon garbled his native Dorin through his anti-tox
mask.

Yoda pressed the 'recieve' button on his controls, and the Dark Woman
appeared in the center of the Council chamber floor via holo. She
had her hood slipped well over it's normal bearings, and her face
down.

Yoda was immediately to the point. "Master, why do you hide your
face, hmm?"
Morgaine slumped her shoulders slightly, and then lowered her hood to
reveal her current state of being. Her spirit looked broken, eyes
downcast.

"I have failed my mission, esteemed Council members. I hide my face
for penance from your innocent eyes." Her lip trembled as she glanced
sideways as to where she imagined Depa might be seated. "I require
the Jedis' presence on Dathomir."

Saesee Tiin was incredulous with his stare. "You expect the High
Order of the Light to take a day trip to the Dark?" His sarcasm was
evident, as well as his purpose to hurt her.
Morgaine bowed respectfully again, to signal she was well aware.
Before she could speak again, Yoda interrupted.
"You need Jedi Forces, mm?" His eyes closed as he envisioned what may
lie ahead.

"Padawan Skywalker followed me, with Padawan Sephone in tow as
well." her voice was low and quiet, seeking forgiveness without
saying more than needed.
"Take with me, several padawans I will." Yoda confirmed. "It will be
a good lesson, Dathomir. A character trial for many."
"Master, I am afraid that might not be such a good..." The Dark Woman
was cut short by a simultaneous beeping from Yoda's comlink. He
immediately turned the second holo on, displaying a very distressed
Senator Padme Amidala.

"Esteemed Council Members, I urge you to seek Jedi Anakin Skywalker.
He is not in my presence and I am extremely worried..." Her chocolate
brown curls bouncing and her swift carriage of head swinging in
worry.

Yoda grumbled very audilbly then. He then stared the Dark Woman in
the eye. "She will be needed, you think, yes?"

"I beg you not to ask my opinion. I have caused enough destruction
for this decade..." Morgaine bit her tongue at that. Her heart was
breaking, and she could feel Depa stretching her abilities to
reassure her through the Force. It was a very, very long stretch to
Dathomir.

"I have once again ruined something when meant to heal. I am good
for nothing." She looked truly dejected.

"I will go, Master Yoda. I will help!" Padme's exuberance and care
for Anakin were evident as they interrupted the doldrums. They
blared like a beacon from the seat of her eyes, the very epicenter of
love in any Force-symbiont being.

"The Council, I dare not bring." Yoda chose his words
carefully. "Padawans to learn yes, and Senator Amidala and Knight
Kenobi to lure Anakin away from the Dark place of Dathomir. You
shall wait for my transmissions from orbit, Master, hmm?"

"Yes, my most benevolent Master." Another courteous bow came from the
Dark Woman, this one deep and sweeping to show her appreciation. She
could no longer hide her tears. Yoda frowned deeply at his former
Padawan.
"Be not so sure this is not the will of the Force. Be mindful, we
must, esteemed Master. Serve us well, you do." He nodded curtly.

Depa and Adi both sighed audibly in relief at Yoda's benevolence and
insight. Plo Koon and Saesee Tiin simmered deeply in thought, not
allowing their displeausure to show through their shields. Mace
Windu simply cocked his brow. "We will await all transmissions.
Council round-clock begins tommorow."

Senator Amidala looked visably relieved. "I will be ready for you at
once, Master Yoda."

The Dark Woman bit her lip. She could not bear to look at the dear
woman she was nearly afraid she may betray.

Chapter 3

Galaxa and Anakin were staring at eachother, sitting upright in
their respective bunks.

"Did you feel that, Ani?" she cried, wincing in pain.

"I did, Gal. I did…" he answered urgently, trailing off. Anakin sat
unmoving as Galaxa cradled her face with her hands. He knew M. was
responsible for this. And he knew it was his fault.

It was pitch black now, the moons had set, and the stars had
retired. It could only mean that the bizarre Dathomir dawn was on
her way. The sky would turn gold, pink, yellow and indigo, much the
way daybreak would on any other planet. But the suns would never
rise. After a few hours, it would be dark again, and the moons and
stars would take their places in the blackening heavens once more.
And so it was on this planet of perpetual midnight.

Galaxa got up, clutching her belly, nearly doubled over as she began
to dress. She was feeling the death of the women not far away. She
wished Adi were there, she needed her desperately. Galaxa pulled her
beige cloak about her and began to put on her boots.

Anakin sprung to his feet, kicking his blankets wildly about and
lunging for his friend.

"What are you doing, Gal? He asked capturing her boots clumsily.

Galaxa sighed, just looking at him dejectedly. "Ani, why are you
asking me questions that you already know the answer to?"

"Galaxa, if you ever did anything for me in your life, please do
this for me now. Don't go looking for her."

Galaxa frowned. He expected her not to look for the Dark Woman? She
knew right then and there that Anakin was tap lighting a fuse on a
bomb. She sighed deeply, seeing that Anakin was in tremendous
torment, tears forming in his icy blue eyes.

"Please, Galaxa. " he implored. "Let's just lay low. They are coming
for us. I know it. I can't take any more of this," he begged.

"I don't know how to control myself anymore!"

Upon hearing this, the healer sat down on the bunk. "Fine, Ani. "
she answered with resignation. She wanted to embrace him but she
could not bring herself to do so. Instead she spoke gently.

"It's ok, friend. I will get some jawa juice and we'll relax." She
centered herself and sent soothing energies to Anakin and then
walked off.

/Thank you, Gal/

Again, she did not respond as she disappeared around the corner.

-----------
--------------------

The Chu'lurithon was closing in on its coordinates in the Quelii
system, nearing Dathomir, with about fifty Padawans aboard, Yoda,
Adi Gallia, Obi Wan Kenobi, and Senator Padme Amidala with her
entourage.

Padme sat silently in the dining chamber, wearing a crimson velvet
dress, her cocoa curls drawn and gathered simply at the base of her
neck. Her stomach was in knots, and a plate of uneaten food lie
before her as her handmaidens fussed about. When Obi Wan had come
to join her, her ladies in waiting respectfully withdrew to another
side of the room.

Yoda was in one of the meditation chambers when he accepted a
transmission from Morgaine, knowing it was urgent, he listened and
conversed with her holo- form gravely.
Morgaine was telling him that Anakin had married Padme secretly in
Naboo. In doing so, she was trying to let the festering secret be
revealed so that he may live in peace with it, and it would not fuel
any further deceptions. Anakin would not be the first Jedi Knight to
be married with a family. Ki Adi Mundi was one such example, and he
had even secured a place on the council. Master Mundi had four
wives, as was his planetary custom. Exceptions were made every day.
After all, Anakin had already been in that exceptional category.

"Young Skywalker has much baggage, I fear," Master Yoda was
saying. "No such issues, Master Mundi has."

As he spoke these words, the ship began to descend unexpectedly.

He hurriedly broke the transmission with Morgaine and transmitted
still another message to the council on Coruscant.

In the dining hall, Obi Wan and Padme clutched the dining table with
both hands as some others wailed around them, falling haphazardly.
A loud explosion rocked the ship as it began to nosedive into a
ninety-degree angle. Loose objects and people were sliding forward
as the vessel plunged. Obi Wan's stomach sank from the sudden
decline, trying to quell the feeling of freefalling while he
struggled to help Padme.

The smell of smoke and burning fuel was filling the main deck as Adi
Gallia and two more Padawans followed her into the control room. The
starship was crashing on Dathomir.

Below, Anakin and Galaxa were running out of their own ship toward
the falling vessel.
"PADME!!!!!" Anakin was screaming so loudly his voice was cracking
as he raced toward the beach.
The rising night.

His heart bursting.

Blood coursing through his veins, beating in his ears.

Morgaine, too, had materialized and was regarding the spectacle from
afar on a high sand dune, trying to center her energies on smoothing
the ships landing. She knew the Jedi aboard would also be using the
force en masse to cushion its fall.

It did not take long for Morgaine to see Allya on the shoreline,
looking haggard and gaunt, her arms raised up toward the crashing
ship. She was apparently not giving up on trying to wreak havoc,
still embittered and grieving with the loss of her daughters.

The vessel was falling much faster now, a streak of orange fire on
its left side, burning a slash in the charcoal sky as it passed.

Galaxa screamed as she attacked Allya from behind, mustering what
strength she could from her indolent Dathomirian state. She was
actually fueling off of the panic around her this time, as a healer
is naturally an empath. After struggling with the sorceress a
moment or two, Allya broke free and once again, backpedaled into the
blackness, vanishing with a loud aggrieved shriek.
---------------------------
-------

Hours later, Anakin and Galaxa were helping to pry the door of the
ship open while some of the padawans worked from within. The ship
had crashed onto the beach, and half of it was sinking in the
water. The Jedi worked as a group to use the force to raise it and
place itself on the shore, with Anakin and Galaxa guiding them from
the outside. Now it rested on a sand bar, safe from submersion,
while the jedi worked to release themselves.

Finally the door opened and the Padawans came streaming out,
cheering and then gasping when they lay their eyes on the planet
they had crashed on. A hushed murmur was rising from the group as
Galaxa was explaining to a few of them that the gravity was much
lighter on this planet, and that among other things, they should be
mindful of its effects physically. Anakin was screaming wildly
above the mounting background voices, like a caged animal loosed.

"Padme! " He was yelling franticly, over and over again, into the
ship. Galaxa watched him in horror, afraid he would be revealing
himself.

Finally, Yoda came out, flanked by Adi and Obi Wan. Anakin had
stopped dead in his tracks.

"Master!!!" Galaxa cried, pushing through the crowd and rushing to
embrace her master.

Adi protectively wrapped her arms around her padawan and looked at
Obi Wan.

"Aren't you glad to see me, my young apprentice?" Obi Wan chided.

Anakin bowed his head. "Of course,Master. "

Yoda released a `grmph' and raised his glimmer stick at Anakin,
passing him and walking to the perimeter of the crowd where the Dark
Woman was standing. At the same time that Anakin saw M, he heard a
familiar voice calling his name.

His Angel.

"ANI! Ani!" she was pushing her way out, her petite frame laboring
with the crimson velvet dress and much taller members of her
entourage who happened to be in front of her.

He said her name with respite under his breath, almost crying with
tears of relief as he gathered her in a crushing embrace, lifting
her body up as she buried her face in his neck. He looked up just
long enough to see M looking at him and sent a bolt of raw hate
toward her before he buried his nose in Padme's soft hair.

Galaxa was now hugging Obi Wan and then Dorme, and finally Padme
when the couple broke their embrace, for fear of exposing
themselves. It was not customary for these displays of affection
within the Order, but the masters and their padawans sensed that
this situation at hand was terribly personal. Galaxa and Adi went
to tend to some of the superficially injured, while the others
roamed about, beginning to assess the damage of the ship. Anakin led
Padme and Obi Wan with the Nubian entourage to his ship for some
reprieve.

--------------------
--------------
The pastel lights were beginning to be swallowed by the night.

Anakin had been with a team of technicians repairing the vessel from
the inside. He always felt better when he was fixing things.
Besides, everyone he cared about was staying on this ship. Even
Galaxa, who didn't seem to want to be anywhere near him. As for the
ship, except for the damaged left engine, the passenger quarters
were in perfect condition, and the problem would be in repairing the
mechanics of the space travel systems. Otherwise, the ship was fit
to live on and the jedi padawans were milling about, doing what they
could before they retired. Yoda had imposed strict rules on them as
long as they were on Dathomirian soil. He was not taking any
chances. Training was one thing, but throwing a birdling without
wings from a tree was another.

Anakin was working on the transmitter when he came across Yoda's
private transmissions.
He was curious when he realized one of them was made as the ship was
crashing. "What could possibly be that important?" he scoffed to
himself.

He was about to pass over it then thought better.

Not only did Anakin listen to the entire conversation M had with
Yoda, but he also heard the message Yoda sent to the Council.

It was the very transmission that reported the marriage of Padawan
Skywalker to Senator Padme Amidala.

--------------------------
---------------
Galaxa had been speaking with the Dark Woman, Adi, Obi Wan and Yoda
quietly in the mediation chamber on the Ingenue.
It was there that she professed the truth about what had happened on
Dathomir. With her eyes cast down, she ashamedly confessed not only
of Anakin's transgressions but also of her own. She spoke of
Anakin's angry outbursts and how she agreed to accompany him to the
Temple twice. When confronted about whether or not she knew about
Anakin's secret marriage, a mist settled over her eyes, as panic
washed over her.

"Do not fear, Galaxa Tri," Obi Wan said reassuringly. "I myself,
have known for only mere hours. You cannot betray your friendship
with him. We have been informed of it by the will of the Force."

Galaxa admitted what she knew, and the guilt that she kept from
holding that secret was now replaced by sorrow that she had betrayed
her friends.

"Masters, I have but one question and I will accept any punishment
you are to give me,"

The Masters looked at her expectantly as she took a sharp intake of
breath. "May I tell Anakin of this meeting?"

Yoda grunted as Obi Wan and Adi exchanged glances. But Morgaine rose
and exited the room. The thought of Anakin's revelation pained her
for too many reasons to innumerate.

"Tell him anything, you will not!" Yoda commanded, when the Dark
Woman left.

Galaxa `s head dropped meekly. "I am sorry, Master. That was poor
judgment on my part."

Yoda sighed deeply. He grumbled audibly and there was a period of
discomfited stillness before he finally spoke.

"The trials, I know, you have passed. Not so much what one does, as
what is truly in one's heart, a Jedi Knight makes." He said with a
nod, his eyes closed.

Adi gave a small half smile to her Padawan and Obi Wan nodded ever
so slightly in agreement. They expressed their approval as best they
could with the sobriety and gravity that had settled upon them,
courtesy of the Chosen One.

"Free to go, you are, Galaxa Tri. Continue this we will on
Coruscant."

Galaxa was shocked, her heart swelling with happiness and
bewilderment both at once. She bowed reverently and began to walk
out of the chamber.

"And Padawan, you must stay away from Young Skywalker and the
Senator until further notice. "

Galaxa nodded again obediently to Adi, and Obi Wan escorted her out
into the hallway, continuing the conversation on a personal level,
regarding his slipping padawan.
----------------------------------------------------
---------------

Anakin was running down the black beach toward his ship. He knew
Padme would be there, secretly waiting for him.

To his surprise, he saw her lounging on the beach, her feet in the
warm water as she stared at the varied hues of cobalts and silvers
of the ocean.

Seeing her husband, her face lit up, then immediately darkened as
she saw the sheer panic on his face. Or was it rage?

"Ani, what is it?" She questioned, rising to embrace him.

He looked completely insane to her, and the pale moonlight cast a
shadow over half of his face eerily as his chest heaved up and down,
out of breath.

"Padme. They know about us."

Senator Amidala's heart went to her throat as the words delivered a
blow to her midsection. She stepped backward and her hand rose to
cover her mouth.

"Oh Padme! You have to save me!" he fell to the sand and clutched
her knees, balling her dress in his hands as he began to sob. Padme
was quaking with fear when she finally spoke.

"Ani, save you from what?" her throat was developing a lump, she
could not bear to see him this way, still more, astounded that their
secret was exposed.

And she was terrified. Scared in a way she had never been before,
because she knew there was enormous depth behind his pleas. Her
heart began to fill with dread as she fell to her knees and grabbed
her husband's face in her hands.

"Look at me Ani- what is it?" she was practically crying. When he
did not answer her she began to kiss his face, tasting the salt of
his tears. Anakin just kneeled there, his wife kissing his tear
stained face as he stared into rolling waves, his chest racked with
sobs.

Thoughts flooded his mind as the tears poured onto Padme's shoulders- they drenched him with thoughts of his mother.
Then, the slaughter of the Tuscans.

The loss of his arm.

His secret marriage to Padme.

He was swept up in the torrents of his infidelity and reckless
displays on Dathomir.

M. Her betrayals. How could she do this to him? She destroyed his
life. Now he was destroying Padme's.

The only love he had ever had, the only pure thing left in his life,
and he had soiled it.

Stained.

Anakin needed her so much. He clutched her to him, their hearts
racing together in the silvery moonlight. Padme began to kiss her
husband deeply, searching for what the answers to her questions
were, probing deeper and deeper but getting lost and drowning in the
darkness that had overtaken Anakin. Her hands cupped his cheeks, his
flesh warm and moist as his tears soaked her lips.

As he returned her kisses, the blackness that plagued him was
attempting to swallow her wholly. He was still crying as his desire
flamed and began to smolder from within. He frantically made love
to her on the shore, pushing himself inside of her warmth, seeking
protection from all the forces that sought to claim him.

"Padme, I am lost without you," he whispered as he plunged in and
out of her. "Please, make all of this go away," he continued
murmuring incoherently. The stormy seas of his sins and misgivings
churned and rose still higher, threatening to envelope him.

Anakin finally surrendered to it and the waves of his anguish
engulfed him as he sank further and further. Padme was crying out
when she felt his release and met her hips with his as her own body
wrenched and quivered.

They lay there, motionless, not wanting to be separated at any
cost. Saline dampness from their lovemaking layered the lovers,
blanketing them with a quiet peace.

The eye of the storm.

Anakin collected Padme to him and began to cry silently.

"Anakin," she spoke gently, soothingly, with her forehead to
his. "You know, nobody is showing me the way either."

Anakin looked away as he hugged his love to his chest. He needed to
know that her tenderness was unconditional- that her love would be
everlasting. He needed that reassurance more than he had ever needed
anything.

"Padme. I am going off the edge. I am sliding and sliding fast, " he
sighed into her hair, relishing the sweet fragrance that was his
Angel.

Only too late was he realizing that the Dathomir enchantments had
nothing on her.
-------------------------------
------

It was only hours later when Anakin overheard Padme and Obi Wan in a
heated discussion aboard the starship in a common chamber. Once
again, he had been lurking and happened to hear something that was
not meant for his ears.

"I do not believe you!" she was screaming, Obi Wan grabbing her
wrists .

"Padme, I speak the truth. For your safety, you should return to
Coruscant on the Ingenue at once."

Her eyes were wild as she cried openly, her face flushed pink.

"How dare you? First you tell me that you know of our marriage- then
you tell me that Anakin has betrayed me with Night Sisters- and now
you tell me that he is slipping into the Dark Side?"

Padme was caustic and had lost all composure. She was laughing in
between sobs disbelievingly as she wiped her eyes with the back of
her hand and shook her head.

"He has been seduced, Padme- you must understand-"

Then the conversation ceased.

Anakin sprang into the room, his blade making a loud whizzing sound
as he threw it at Obi Wan. He had stepped out of the way in the
knick of time and Anakin recalled his blade with the force.
Everywhere, Anakin began to force throw objects about the room as
Padme backed into a corner, mortified and fear stricken. The table,
chairs, the chaise, holo books, and anything else that Anakin caught
a glimpse of was crashing into the walls, the floor, and into Obi
Wan who was trying to avoid them… A small tornado of objects whirled
behind Anakin, picking up speed as his chest heaved up and down,
glowering at his Master.

"Anakin! STOP!" Obi Wan activated his blade fearlessly.

"YOU ARE A TRAITOR!" he boomed. His voice had taken on a deep
baritone, and he delivered his words from a depth that resounded
with the darkest part of the Force.
"You were always jealous of me! Always wanting to hold me back from
outshining you! " He continued.

"Anakin, what are you talking about? You have always been like a son
to me!" he screamed back at him, holding his saber with two hands as
he assumed a protective stance. The humming of the sabers turned
into a drone, as they thrashed throughout the air and clashed with
eachother.

"You want to see me fail! And you want to see me miserable! Well, I
will kill you for destroying my life! " Anakin charged forward,
slicing at Obi Wan's mid section and striking him.

Obi Wan grimaced in pain and fell to the floor as Yoda burst into
the room with Adi, Galaxa. and some of the older Padawans. The Dark
Woman, too, had rushed to the scene, hearing a loud moan escape from
the Ashlar.

Yoda crushed the whirlwind with some effort- surprised at how strong
young Skywalker had become. The Padawans seized Anakin from behind,
Yoda force grabbing Anakin's saber. Galaxa and Adi rushed to the
fallen Obi Wan as the others wrestled Anakin out of the room.

The Dark Woman regarded the scene with great sorrow, a heavy sigh
escaping her lungs before she walked into the wall and disappeared
deftly.

"Padme! PADME! PLEASE don't leave me!" He was screaming and kicking
against the Other Jedi, his fury now replaced with panic unlike
anything ever seen. He continued his rant unceasingly, straining in
his wife's direction.

Padme remained in the corner of the chamber, hugging the wall where
she had shielded herself, eyes wide and catatonic.

Her top lip separated from the bottom.

Then, her nails raked deeply into the ceramisteel of the wall as her
fingers balled into fist.

As she watched her husband being dragged out of the room, she
suddenly stepped forward, her eyes steely and fortuitous. Everything
seemed to stand still momentarily as she spoke with a deep calm, her
voice dropping to a deep pitch.

"I will not leave you, Anakin Skywalker."

---------------------------------
----------------

A flutter of motion came from the wall beside Padme, like a dizzying
orb. It was the same color as the wall, and after all such
confusion had transpired just minutes earlier, she thought she might
have gone crazy.

Adi Gallia and Galaxa Tri Sephone had been ministering gently to Obi- Wan, who had been glanced by Anakin's wayward lightsaber (and
mind.) He looked extremely tired and obviously had a hurt ego - his
own apprentice had attacked him with the fervor of a crazed nexu.
Yoda patted his shoulder and then affixed his gaze to the
wall. "Master, regenerize you may. Passed, the danger has." His
ears crooked downward as he returned his attention to Obi-Wan, who's
wound was being healed slowly but surely by the Jedi healers.

Padme let out a small cry as the Dark Woman stepped out of the wall
in one fluid motion. The gray color of the wall seemed as if it
wanted to claim her, grasping at her with strands of transparisteel
as Morgaine stepped away from it. The wall then nebulized back to
its normal state, much like a transmission screen on the larger
starships.

"You..." Padme's lower lip pursed angrily, and her eyes began to
water.

The Dark Woman gave a low sigh and turned her eyes to Padme's
height, crouching slightly to do so.
"What I do, I do for your husband only, Senator. To Dagobah in a
handbasket with myself."

"I don't believe you." Amidala's face turned cold, as Morgaine
remembered seeing her on the Senate discussion floors. Her tone was
purely accusatory.

A loud tapping arose as Yoda's glimmer stick pounded the
floor. "Wise it would be Senator, for you to retire to a room. Deal
with matters, we will."
Padme's eyes once again rested on Morgaine. "I won't rest while she
is here."

Yoda closed his eyes, trembling slightly with the great effort to
contain his neutral tones. "Safe we are with the Dark Woman,
Senator!" He tapped his glimmer stick louder this time. "Represent
both the Council, she does!" His frown was evident to his bad
mood.

"Yes, Master Yoda. I apologize for my transgressions." Senator
Amidala bowed her head cursorily. She was making it impossible not
to notice that her actions were merely protocol, and not what she
truly felt. Leaving in a huff, her handmaidens rushed to keep up
with the lithe little woman, floating down the hallways.

Morgaine knelt down to where Obi-Wan lay, resting in a suggestive
state for healing purposes. "You have no blame in this, Master
Kenobi."
"I have no blame in this." his tone was soft, like a child
repeating orders given.
Adi Gallia gave as much a smile as she could. "You do him a service
by the comfort, Master."
"It is my duty to serve, something I haven't done very well at all
lately." The Dark Woman's hair was loose and falling out of what
braids she had mustered to plait quickly and without hair ties. It
fell around her face, masking her sadness. But nothing could mask
it through the Force.

"I am sorry, Master." a small voice piped up from beside Adi.
Galaxa was looking at her with apologetic eyes. "I told them what
happened."
"A good thing you did, Galaxa Tri. I am hard pressed to remember
much after I lost the upper hand on things." M smiled and cupped
Galaxa's cheek. "And never say you're sorry, especially to me." Galaxa frowned at this statement, but did not dispel its truths.

Morgaine rose and stood by Yoda, akin to the way Galaxa envisioned
they might have stood nearly one hundred years earlier; however it
was extremely hard to envision the Dark Woman as a small girl,
slight of figure, with always a stark look on her face. She had
been around much too long, in her present Force-aged state. She
always would look forty-something to Galaxa, but never artificial.
The Force was never artificial.

For all the tough love and straightforward wisdom Yoda had given his
padawans, the last couple had stood out starkly as such free-minded
spirits.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------

The Dark Woman walked down the hallway and stood beside the door of
Anakin's holding room. They had smartly chosen an empty meditation
room for his enclosure on The Chu'lurithon. However, she most
certainly couldn't just open up the door and expect to find a
placated Anakin Skywalker. She frowned - she had done far too much
plotting in the past week, all to have gone wrong. Shrugging off
her ill feelings, she reached out into the Force to locate Anakin's
state of being.

He was insolent, to a fault. Refusing to sit down, he paced like a
caged animal, assured by his own conclusions that this was her
fault. Morgaine gasped slightly as she felt Anakin imagine killing
her, thinking of ways to do it unsuspectedly. Truthfully speaking,
she mused, if she turned up dead with a lightsaber wound, they would
all be sure as to who did it. He wouldn't kill her, he was thinking
too much at this moment to do such a foolish thing.

If the Dark Woman waited any longer to confront Anakin, he might
never forgive her. She slipped quietly into the wall and peered out
the other side, her irises leaving a rippling texture on the
ceramisteel. Anakin immediately sensed her, and lunged at the
wall. His fingers grasped and scraped at the cool metallic surface.

"Come out, you traitor! You cannot merely stare at me forever! Fight
me!" he bellowed. His chest was heaving with the exertion of
rage. Anakin stepped backwards to the far wall. "Look, I'll even
be away from the wall to give you a fair start at me! That's how
you do things, after all, when people don't expect the least from
you!" He gritted his teeth, making a most awful sound.

She chose to speak from the wall at first, preferring its safety and
cooling temperature. "Anakin, I do not wish to fight you. I've
come to explain my actions so that we may heal our
wounds...together."

"I will do nothing with you!" he spat. "You've ruined my life!
Come, kill me. I dare you to, Dark Woman!" There was no waiting
left to do. It was time to face him with her own eyes, and not with
a shield. Morgaine stepped out of the wall as she had done
earlier. Anakin looked fairly surprised at the display, but kept
his anger stilled on her.

"Why in the galaxy would I hurt a hair on your head?" she whispered
calmly. Holding her hands up, palms faced towards Anakin in a
gesture of peace. "You are my most beloved, Anakin. I did
everything to help you."

"You had sex with a Dathomir witch, you told the Council of my
marriage...to help me?!" he screeched incredulously.
"You weave webs far more complex, Padawan." M continued, breathing
calmly after each word. She only hoped to transfer her tranquility
to the boy, but he had other plans.

Anakin ran quickly at the Dark Woman and grabbed her hair in his
fists, yanking her down to the floor. She screamed loudly in pain,
only to cry out again when he slammed his foot down on the small of
her back. She gasped for air, refusing to use her powers against
him. If he killed her, she knew there was no saving him from the
darkside - But if he stopped...

"Anakin..." she inhaled raggedly and grasped furtively at his hands
on her hair. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she struggled to
breathe. "I will not fight you, Ani." Morgaine stressed his
childhood nickname, something she had always refused to call him.
It might give the impression that he was hurting somebody else than
her.

The nickname struck a chord. Anakin stepped off her back quickly,
and began writhing his hands as he stepped backwards, towards the
wall again. "You...you called me Ani."
"Yes, I did."
A quick flash of anger passed over him. "You promised me years ago
you'd never call me that."
"Why should it make any difference now? You say I lied to you
innumerous times in the past days. Of course, you've done the same
to me." M frowned deeply, causing crease lines to show in her chin
that Anakin wouldn't have expected to be there. She looked older
when she was angry, much more aged.

"That is what the Dark Side does, Anakin. It steals your life, not
only social, intellectual, and emotional...But physical." She
touched her face, as she read his thoughts. Speaking very quietly,
she continued. "You saw Allya on the beach...she surrendered herself
to attempt to stop me. Anakin, you must let me address the Council
formally of your marriage."

"No!" His blue eyes raged as he came at her again, hands opened in a
claw like action at her throat.

The Dark Woman began to gag. "Anakin!" she gasped, much like she
had done earlier. "Ani!" her eyes began to water. She had no
choice but to fight back now. Raising her hand with her fingers
outstretched, she pushed at Anakin quickly. He flew back and struck
the wall, knocking the air out of him. He began gasping for air,
afraid that she was extracting the same sort of punishment on him
that he had on her - but it was merely the smack of the wall that
had robbed him of breath. Anakin began breathing shallowly as he
grasped his chest, wincing in pain.

"I am tired of this game, Anakin!" Morgaine bellowed, her voice
cracking from Anakin's earlier stunt. "You will listen to me!" Anakin looked up at her, with a fake look of submission. He would
play her game now - he most certainly couldn't beat her without his
lightsaber.

But someday, she would lose hold of the Force that kept her so
young. Someday, the Dark Woman would become old. And on that day,
he smirked, she would perish. She looked at him quizzically, as if
she knew none the better. He was shielding well, that was for
sure.

She would not fail him again, he mused, with his eyes steely cold.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------

"Go with The Dark Woman on the Ingenue will...Senator Amidala, Jedi
Sephone, and half the padawans. With me on Anakin's starship will
come Obi-Wan, Anakin, Master Gallia, and the other padawans." Yoda
confirmed at a meeting they all were attending in the main galley,
without Anakin and the padawans. He was still in the meditation
room, and would most likely stay there until they reached Coruscant.

Yoda then addressed Senator Amidala "With you, Anakin will stay
while the Council decides his fate. Come nowhere near the temple,
he will." He grunted slightly at this announcement. Nowhere in the
prophecies had it said the Chosen One would have to be kept from the
temple. Of course, most Jedi prophecies didn't carry much detail.

"Yes Master Yoda, my employees and I will be glad to receive Padawan
Skywalker." Padme held her head high. She hadn't spoken to anybody
during this entire ordeal, and most likely wouldn't on the way home.

It would be a long day back to Coruscant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------

Both the Dark Woman and Galaxa Tri Sephone stood in the middle of
the Council room in the temple. It was nearing evening, and the
setting suns had a calming effect, but cast shadows everywhere.

Galaxa noticed the many rises and falls of Morgaine's face as the
darkness came to rest below her eyes, and under her chin. Her nose
had been broken many times that she could most certainly tell. What
she hadn't noticed before, was how sunken in the woman's eyes were.
Her perfect complexion hid these abnormalcies in daylight.
Nighttime always revealed the truth, Galaxa surmised. The truth
was, the Dark Woman was tired.

So tired...Morgaine thought. She hadn't slept in nearly two days,
and had been avoiding Depa for the hours after their arrival at the
Temple, preparing her answers and a formal address about Anakin. It
was a wonder her eyes stayed open. They fluttered slightly, and
Mace Windu looked simultaneously concerned. Holding her hand out to
an invisible hand in the air beside her, The Dark Woman steadied
herself.

"How feel you, Master?" Yoda began with his usual inquiry. Depa's
eyes widened, expectantly awaiting an answer from Morgaine.
"Exhausted, Master Yoda." There was no sense telling him lies. "The Force tells us that. You have toiled long, Master." Mace
concluded.

"And you, Knight Sephone, hmm?" Yoda turned his gaze to her.
"Concerned for my friend's well being." Galaxa stated, jutting her
chin forward to emphasize her seriousness.
"Concerned for Anakin's sake?" Ki-Adi Mundi nodded his head both in
question and in statement.
"Yes." Galaxa bowed her head. "I do not wish to make a statement,
but I am here to answer questions as needed, esteemed Council
members."

"You wish to make a statement on behalf of Padawan Anakin Skywalker,
Master?" Adi Gallia piped in, her voice serious. Her blue eyes
surveyed the Dark Woman. There was much injury in the woman. She
should be resting, not here.
"Yes, Master Gallia." Indeed, M's throat was on fire from the
punishment dealt by Anakin the day before. Her voice was crackling
like cellophane. Clearing her throat loudly to rid it of any
forbearing, she folded her hands neatly. Purposefully, she looked
directly at Yoda, not staring into the deep earthy eyes of Depa
Billaba seated to her left. Her statements might make or break the
happiness they had shared for so long.

"As you already know from previous transmissions, Padawan Skywalker
has hidden his marriage to Senator Padme Amidala from this esteemed
body for nearly a year." Morgaine paused to view the various
expressions on the Councilmembers faces. They all looked interested
in the details to come, and some looked moderately abbrieved. It
was true, Anakin should have trusted them. Deception didn't gain
many respect.
"The Dathomir witch, Allya, sought to bring Anakin to her clan to
impregnate several women. She wished to barter the Chosen One's
child." Through the telepath shared between the councilmembers and
the Dark Woman, several gasps could be heard. Their faces remained
bereft of emotion.
"It is my belief, Councilmembers, that Anakin's marriage to the
Senator is what keeps his visions here and now, and him with the
Light Side. I believe it to be why Anakin would hide such a fact
from you. He thought you would not allow what he needed most - his
beloved." M's gaze finally came to rest on Depa Billaba. The
slight Chalactan woman was completely engrossed, and held an air of
complete calm. She appreciated the gesture.
"I went to Dathomir to confront Allya. Unfortunately, when Padawan
Skywalker was supposed to be taking time on Naboo, he followed me
and became much involved with the plan of Allya. I had to terminate
several to allow him center and calm. It is my humble opinion,
Councilmembers, that we must punish the Padawan for his deception,
and not for his marriage. Showing him love through stern guidance,
he will return to us." Satisfied with her explanation, the Dark
Woman waited for the questions to come.

"A fine argument, yes." Yoda grunted. "Tell us the entire truth,
you do not."
"I beg your pardon, Master?" The Dark Woman looked genuinely
confused. Surely Yoda would not bring her and Anakin's enchantment
into this discussion. It should mean nothing.
Yoda's eyes opened widely at her thought. He could see through her
shields.
"Transgressions against the tenets, you and Padawan Skywalker made,
with the witch Allya and her clan." Yoda's voice was solemn and
apologetic. He furrowed his brows in sadness at his former
Padawan. He could not lie to the Council by allowing her not to
tell the entire ordeal.
"Transgressions, of what nature?" Plo Koon was incredulous.

Yoda set his eyes on Galaxa Tri, who had been circling the floor
with her toe, chin withdrawn. She looked up suddenly as she felt
the Council's eyes on her, awaiting some sort of explanation. "Tell you must, Galaxa." Yoda encouraged her with a sweet
voice. "Fear leads to the Darkside, be not afraid."
Mace Windu leaned forward and rested his chin on his hand. This was
certainly becoming interesting.
Depa Billaba looked blankly forward, a sure sign that she was upset
already.

Galaxa's mouth dropped open. She couldn't believe Master Yoda
expected her to tell of the Dark Woman's business before the
Council. Anakin was one thing, but M? She glanced sideways, only to
see the older Jedi standing with her hands neatly folded, as they
had been when this meeting started. Her gaze was not met.

"Well...I, uh." Galaxa looked down again. Her eyes watered as she
began to speak slowly, and quietly. She wished she could sink into
the floor and not be noticed. "Anakin and the Master were enchanted
by the witches."
"Enchanted...how?" Mace implored her to elaborate.
"Seduced." Gulping deeply, Galaxa looked anywhere but into their
faces.
"To what extent?" Depa Billaba looked visibly shaken as she spoke.
Her eyes were glazed, knuckles white on her armchair. "They...we..." Sweat began beading on the newly knighted Jedi's
forehead.
"What? Tell us, child." Ki-Adi prodded. Yoda had his eyes closed to
avoid the Dark Woman's betrayed face, but no Force sensitive in the
room could ignore her emotions. She was inconsolable through the
Force.
"They had sexual relations." Galaxa snapped quickly and then looked
down again.

"Master..." Plo Koon touched upon Morgaine's shield with a light
flicker. Trying to avoid the inevitable, he jumped to
conclusion. "You expect us to believe that Anakin truly believes in
his marriage, and that the Senator is the only thing holding him to
us...when he completely disregards his marital vows as customary to
humans?"

"He had the entire power of Dathomir on his shoulders..." The Dark
Woman sounded as if she spoke more for herself, now. Then, she
spoke for Anakin. "He is merely a padawan, he could not resist."

"Important, this information is. Think on this much, we must." Yoda
concluded, finally looking Morgaine in the eyes. He blinked slowly,
as if it would diffuse the ticking time bomb in front of him.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------

"How could you do this?!" Depa Billaba was normally a diminutive
Jedi Master, never raising her voice. This was a far and few
between occasions. Her arms waved wildly at the Dark Woman, eyes
flashing.

Morgaine was angry - she hadn't meant to do anything with
Allya. "How could you do this to me? Questioning me like it's the
dark ages of the galaxy." The Dark Woman took a haughty tone, with
an offended look in her eyes. "I did not want to do it!"

Depa pointed her finger and shook it violently at Morgaine. "Anakin
is one thing, and he will be punished. But you! You, who's supposed
to have more powers than the Council combined, couldn't resist her!"

"She drugged me!" M frantically tried to explain, but Depa would
have none of it.
"Get out!" the tiny Master screeched, and began throwing the Dark
Woman's clothing at her.
"Depa!....DEPA!" she yelled, waiting for an opportunity, a break in
the tantrum. "This is my residence!"

"Get out of the TEMPLE!" Depa's eyes smoldered like fruitwood
ablaze. "You will retire on Cophrigm 5, for the rest of your days!" "Depa..." Morgaine's eyes were wide with astonishment, her voice
small like a child's.
"By Council order!" The door slammed.

Wincing from her wounded heart and the loud sound, the Dark Woman
looked around her rooms. Many of her flowering plants had died from
neglect during her trip to Dathomir. Just as well, she decided as a
tear rolled down her cheek. Plants were always hard to transport in
hyperspace.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------

A buzz came from Padme's doorbell at the Senatorial apartment
building. She rose quickly - it was a late hour, nearly 1200 at
night. Her handmaiden, Dorme, had been asleep for nearly two
hours. It was only she and Anakin awake now. He jumped at the
sound, hair rising on the back of his neck.

Padme opened her door after tying her night robe closed and peered
out. "Who are you, it is late." Her tone was cold. If this was a
door to door salesbeing, she'd have a fit.
The tall woman revealed herself after dropping her purple velvet
cloak's hood. Padme gasped, immediately surprised.

"Would you allow an old woman, forgiveness...And ten minutes of
absolving companionship?" Morgaine's deep violet eyes were rimmed
with red, and she had three rolling luggages behind her. She looked
completely different when not in her Jedi robes, wearing now a
simple cowlnecked black dress with black gloves and boots. Both
garments drowned her in a sea of fabric, concealing the Jedi beneath.

"You're not in your Jedi robes." Padme stated, very surprised now.
That statement caused Anakin to rise from the couches and peer out
the door.

"Master?" His eyes were disbelieving. He was very calm, after
spending two days with the Senator. Morgaine was sure it had done
him good to discuss the future between them - with or without the
Jedi involved.
"No, no." Her hand waved in a downward motion. "Please, allow me
entrance? I will explain." She bit her lip, hoping she wouldn't be
too forward with Padme, who she desperately needed to be
understanding at this moment.
"Of course we will." Anakin's statement was firm. He had done much
thinking the past few days, and decided that while M had done much
to hurt him - none of it was purposeful, and most of it was meant to
empower him. He looked upon her with a sad eye - she looked sick.
Why would they allow her out sick?

They sat around the tea table on the comfortable couches. The Dark
Woman looked intensely uncomfortable, peering down and smoothing her
skirts at every polite word. Finally, she looked up to both of
them.
"I said I would explain."

"Yes, Master?" Anakin was anxious. M relayed the previous downward
casting hand motion.
"First of all, for the rest of my days, I am Morgaine." Her lips
pursed together firmly, as if the name that had just escaped caused
her pain.
"I don't understand..." Padme leaned forward, offering hot tea to
the woman.

"Your name...is Morgaine? But you never used that while you were a
Jedi..." Anakin delved, not wanting to realize the obvious.
"I have taken my full retirement. I leave the order and hold no
obligations, and vice versa. The only things I am allowed to keep
are my personal things and personal clothing."

"Your lightsaber?" His eyes were draining their blue and being
filled with black.
The Dark Woman pointed to her luggage. "I carry it only for memory." Padme's hands dropped to her lap with a loud thump. Her bottom lip
was separated from the top, indicating her surprise at this all.

"They forced you to leave the Temple, didn't they?" Anakin accused,
rightly. He spied several holobooks in the luggage, ones that M had
always liked to read. He felt plant life inside also, but not much. "No." She bit her lip as she lied. The taste of blood was cold,
empty, and salty; almost like tears.

"Where will you go?" Padme interrupted, her voice commandeering.
"I...Wherever the gas in the Ingenue will take me?"
"Dathomir?" the naive Senator guessed.
"Most certainly not." Morgaine's voice was as dry as her retort.

Facing Anakin once more, the Dark Woman dug an envelope out of her
luggage and held it between her palms in a sort of praying gesture.
Bowing her head, she motioned for Anakin to take it.
"Do not open this until I've gone."

"Yes, Mas...Morgaine." He peered down at the oddly colored
annotative.

As suddenly as she had come, the Dark Woman rose up. She stumbled
slightly, and righted herself, cheeks flushing at the display.
Anakin had reached out to help her, but realized the gesture to
be...somewhat insulting.
"I must go." she spoke so quietly, Anakin began to make gestures for
her to raise her voice.

"So soon?" Padme flushed now, thinking maybe that she wasn't
welcoming enough, peaceful enough.
"Yes, I'm afraid my time is up." Morgaine's statement was almost a
clue.

A voice piped up from behind her as she stepped towards the door,
bags in tow. "Will I ever see you again?" It was Anakin.

Unknowingly, M answered as only she knew how. "What does your heart
tell you?"
Anakin looked suddenly shocked, then bit his lip. "Yes." His fists
firmed as his eyes threatened to water.
"Then we will." The Dark Woman stated matter-of-factly as she turned
and stepped out the door. It clicked as it closed and Anakin felt
her presence wavering as she walked farther and father away.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------

Padme and Anakin were sitting over their breakfast the next morning
when he finally decided to open the letter.

Reading it slowly, he turned it over several times, a serious
brooding crossing his face, hands shaking.
"Ani, what is it?" Padme inquired, concerned at the turn of her
husband's mood.
"The Council wishes to see me."
"That is good, right?" she guessed, grasping at straws.
"For my disarmament ceremony." His knuckles were white as he
gripped the table.
"They've released you?" Her eyes were wide in astonishment and she
stood up, backing away from Anakin. He was trembling now, almost
convulsing with anger. It was a good move for her to make.

Anakin threw the table across the kitchen, plates and glasses
clattering and breaking. Dorme rushed in, as did Captain Typho.
Padme did her best to diffuse the situation.
"No, no! Typo, Dorme, we're fine! He's not angry at me...We're
fine!"

Dorme looked positively frightened as Typho led her away, knowing
better to leave the scene and not cause more ruckus.

"She has failed me for the last time!" Anakin bellowed angrily. "Who, Ani?" Padme's eyes were that of a shaakling in speederlight. "Morgaine! She did this, she wanted them to expel me!" He began
throwing the broken pieces of breakfast ware into the trash can,
still trembling.
"Why would she want that Anakin. You said she presented on your
behalf!"
"Well it didn't work did it?!" He growled. "I'll find her and make
her explain this!"

Typho piped up gently from the hallway. "I doubt you'll be able to."

"What?! Why!" Anakin demanded. Typho jumped at Anakin's display of
rage, and pointed quickly at the holovision. The Jedi Temple was in
mourning, for the Dark Woman. She had been found in her rooms at
the Temple, wounded by blasterfire and died afterwards.

Padme gasped and held both hands over her mouth. Anakin was shaking
and sobbing at the same time. He fell to his rear on the kitchen
floor and grinned in his hysterics.
Padme knelt down and held both his shoulders, looking at him
directly. "Anakin, look at me! You must calm yourself. She can't
be dead, she was here with us only 7 hours ago!"

"She must've forgotten something..." He began ranting, his eyes
crazed. "And they shot her. They knew I'd come after her...They
knew I'd be angry." Anakin rushed to conclusions.
"Maybe she committed suicide." Typho interjected.

The Senator was incredulous. "Impossible, simply impossible. It's
so that she will slip easily out of the public view." Her political
side always prevailed in her logic.

"That's a little hard to believe..." Typho interrupted. Padme gave
him a vicious look, but he continued, bowing slightly to
her. "They're burning a body at the Temple."

Anakin howled. "She said we'd see each other again. She lies, she
lies!" His eyes were wild and his fists were balled up tightly.
Padme interrupted loudly.
"Ani, she's not dead!! It's theatrics!" She was trying frantically
to get it through to his mind.

By the time the sound of her protests came to his ears, Anakin had
grabbed his lightsaber and belts and was out to the door to the
repulsorlift.

The Council would pay dearly, if the Dark Woman couldn't. Little
did he know, that he would indeed see her again.

~finis~