"I will say, your call was unexpected but not unwelcome despite the lateness of the hour. What is it, Zelina?"

Zelina sat on the edge of her bed in her temple quarters in the middle of the night, handheld hologram device projecting a small image of Satine Kryze. The woman looked tired, and appeared to have just woken up, but Zelina had said it was important, so the woman had answered.

"It may be a little difficult to hear...but I believed that you had a right to know just as much as Anakin and I had," Zelina started seriously. "We were informed recently, by Grandmaster Yoda, that Obi-Wan isn't dead, but is in fact very much alive—his death was faked."

The woman stared at Zelina for a few moments before, suddenly, she moved, appearing to rise from her seat on her end and start pacing, obviously in shock. Zelina sort of felt bad for not softening the blow much, but she knew it would have been better than beating around the bush or being elusive. She didn't speak, giving Satine the time she needed before Zelina spoke.

Eventually, Satine came to a stop, turning to face her little image of Zelina, struggling between keeping her political mask in place and allowing her conflict of emotions to show. "Why?" was all she seemed able to ask.

"He...I can't say much, but he's working an undercover mission, a deeply undercover mission. It required his death to be faked, and it would appear that they didn't tell anyone so it would be convincing. However, the Council never telling those that are close to him after that goal was accomplished was a mistake in my opinion."

Satine covered her face with her hands, taking a few more moments. "He's alive...he's really...still alive."

Zelina nodded. "Yes, he is...and after all this is over I'll be sure to have him contact you."

Satine looked up at her, a myriad of emotions shimmering in her eyes. "Thank you for telling me this. I'll...I'll let you go now so you can get back to what you need to be doing...and so I have time to cope with all of this."

"Of course Satine...I know how much you care about him. I also know that if it was Anakin...I'd want someone to tell me as well."

"Until next time then, Zelina."

"Until next time."

And with that, the message was over, and Zelina was fairly certain Satine was taking the time to have a good cry while no one was around.

Zelina knew she'd had her own fair share of those.

*****************************************************

"As you can see, we've mapped the Chancellor's route to and from the festival stage. We'll know where he'll be at every moment from the time we land on Naboo," Windu was saying. A selection of Jedi, mostly Council Members, were standing in the main war room around a hologram that projected the layout of Theed, Naboo, a yellow line marking the Chancellor's path during his stay on Naboo.

Anakin, Zelina, and Ahsoka all lingered near the back, watching the Council Members discuss the plan. Anakin and Zelina were, understandably, still upset about the Council keeping the fact that Obi-Wan was alive from them, so they were keeping their distance—something Zelina had decided on if only to keep Anakin from doing something rash. Force knew he was liable to do so when he was upset, and he didn't need to embarrass himself or cause more conflict.

"What security measures are in place?" Plo Koon, who was standing beside Shaak Ti, asked.

Windu zoomed in on the image before him, already speaking. "The Naboo Royal Guard will have armed sentries at all entry points of the palace. The stage itself will she sealed off by a ray shield for the duration of the event."

"I see nothing here to worry about," Anakin stated from his corner, his voice only slightly terse towards Master Windu.

Good, Zelina thought. At least he's putting forth some effort.

"With complacency, comes vulnerability," Yoda suddenly interjected, startling Zelina. When had he been there? And he was simply three steps away from here.

You'd think I'd be used to it by now...

"It is what we do not see, that concerns me. A long time to plan his attack, Count Dooku had," Yoda finished.

"Yes, we thought we'd have an advantage with Obi-Wan on the inside, but we've had no communications from him in days," Windu added, his words causing Anakin's temper to swiftly spark to life before Anakin stepped forward, jabbing a finger in Windu's direction.

"Obi-Wan will do his part—let's make sure we do ours," Anakin said sternly. With that, he turned on his heel and left the room, apparently done with the meeting.

Zelina moved to join him, though she still caught the glance that Yoda and Windu shared at Anakin's small moment. Resolutely, she ignored them, choosing not to comment in favor of not stirring up unnecessary trouble and so she could keep up with Anakin.

Zelina easily tailed the Master and Padawan pair until, as it was obvious they weren't in any kind of discussion, Zelina made the last few strides to come even with them just as they rounded a corner into the main hall.

Time to try and cheer these two up.

"You know...I can't wait until this entire...ordeal is over with. I feel like we've been doing far too much idling while we wait for information. I'll be glad when the festival is over with and this entire Naboo plot incident is behind us."

"You won't be the only one," Ahsoka said with a sigh, and even though she had her gaze cast down Zelina was rather sure Ahsoka was referring to Anakin.

"And while we're there, I'm sure Padmé will be glad to see you," Zelina said lightly, the comment obviously aimed at a certain Skywalker. Anakin smiled, just slightly.

"Yes...but I don't think I'll get to see her for very long—I'm going to be rather busy with protecting the Chancellor."

"Don't worry, I'll keep her company for you," Zelina said with a wink, coaxing a smile out of Ahsoka as well. "In the meantime, what do you say to a sparring match, Anakin?"

Anakin let out a small sigh, debating for a few moments. "It's been a while...I suppose I could spare the time."

Zelina grinned. "Good, I need a chance to get some practice in, lightsabers to lightsaber."

"Are you admitting that you're rusty, Zee?"

"Nah, just that it's been a while since I've had any form of a lightsaber duel. All it's been is droids and the like, no real lightsaber wielding challenge," Zelina stated with a mock sigh.

"Exactly—you're rusty."

"Don't say it so loud!" Zelina protested, causing Ahsoka to laugh.

"Force forbid someone in the Temple heard you were out of practice," she mused.

"Not...terribly so. Just enough for a spar," Zelina muttered, leading the way into the nearest empty training room. Ahsoka took a seat near the outskirts of the training matts while Zelina and Anakin took to the center of the room, both of them adjusting the settings on their lightsabers to be safe.

They both knew that they could get rough even when sparring, and even though they were both highly skilled Jedi Knights, they would both rather be safe than sorry.

"Ready for me to beat you like I did back on Naboo?" Zelina asked breezily, giving Anakin a sly smile.

Anakin snorted. "Please—you're the one who said she was out of practice."

"Doesn't mean I can't still beat you—though I will give you the benefit of the doubt. You're one of the few people that can keep up with me."

"Getting a little cocky there, aren't you, Zee?"

"Takes one to know one."

With that, Zelina settled into a comfortable battle-ready pose, gazing intently at Anakin as he too settled. They stayed like that for several moments, causing Zelina to idly wonder who would break the stillness this time—maybe Anakin would show her that he could be more patient than she at times, or she'd do something to evoke a reaction from Anakin.

It turns out she didn't have to do anything this time, as Anakin suddenly leapt forward like an uncoiled spring, lightsaber swinging.

She wasn't that surprised—ever since the entire Obi-Wan thing had started Anakin had been tense and wound up—the enthusiasm with which he attacked was perfectly justifiable.

Especially since they both knew that Zelina could handle it.

Reacting as quickly as Anakin had sprung into action, Zelina swatted aside his blade with her green lightsaber, forcing him to back away as she swung at him with her violet blade at the same time, pushing her new advantage as his blue blade snapped right back up to block her two blades, pushing both aside. Zelina was pushed back a few steps, eventually digging in her heels and catching his blade upon both her dual blades.

Zelina was just thinking about making this a quick fight to prove a point, but she noticed the glint in Anakin's eyes, one of determination, one that told her he was using this dual to vent, and she thought better.

She'd make this fight last as long as possible, if only for Anakin's sake.

***************************************************

After an extensive dual that eventually ended in a draw, Zelina and Anakin both sat upon the floor panting, relaxing their tired muscles while Ahsoka watched in amusement.

"Jeez, you two, all I need to do to learn more about lightsaber combat is watch you two go at it—did either of you think to get water?" she mused, taking in their heavily perspiring forms.

Zelina grimaced. "Actually, no, I didn't think of it. The dual itself was a little spur of the moment."

"Would you be a wonderful Padawan, Ahsoka, and go get us some water?" Anakin asked innocently. Ahsoka rolled her eyes but still stood, making her way to the door.

"All right, all right...I won't be too long, children," she teased before disappearing out the door.

"That was a rookie move, forgetting to get some water," Zelina admitted once they were alone, lying down.

"Well, it's nothing Ahsoka can't handle," Anakin murmured, already laying down himself. "I haven't had a good duel like that in a while, Zee, thanks."

"Glad I could be of help, Ani. Besides, I figured you needed it." Zelina paused, taking a moment to prop herself up on her elbow. "How are you holding up? With all this Obi-Wan stuff?"

Anakin sighed, placing his arm over his face. "I'll be okay, I think. I mean...of course I'm upset about what the Council did, they had no right. But at the same time I'm more worried about Obi-Wan at the moment and getting all of this...poodoo over with."

"I get that," Zelina said quietly, staring off into the distance. "It may be a while before I'm okay with the Council again. They've done things I don't like, but this was...unexpected. And a new low."

"Zee...you're amazing, and I appreciate that you're trying to help, but I really don't want to talk about this. I just want it over with," Anakin said tiredly.

Zelina wilted slightly, having hoped to get him to open up so he didn't snap at anyone else. However, Ahsoka had also returned, so she shook her head, complying with his request to drop the topic. "All right...I'll leave it at that then."

****************************************************

The trip to Naboo went smoothly.

There were no attacks, which was good as much as it was bad. Since they'd made it to Naboo, the Festival had to be when Dooku would strike, and it had everyone on high alert as they landed upon Naboo, Anakin and Windu up in the cockpit while Ahsoka and Zelina stayed with the guards and Chancellor. The Chancellor and Zelina basically ignored each other—it was no longer a secret that they did not like each other and they weren't going to get along, so they simply pretended like the other didn't exist unless they were forced to work together.

Zelina let out a sigh of relief once the ship settled down, glad that the awkward flight was finally over. She did manage to restrain herself, waiting until Palpatine and the sentinels were off the ship before Zelina disembarked with Ahsoka, Anakin and Windu appearing from the cockpit not long after.

"Welcome home, Chancellor. I'm thankful to the Jedi for bringing you here safely," Zelina heard Padmé say, and immediately Zelina perked up. Perhaps she'd be able to spend some time with Padmé. Anakin would be busy of course, but surely Zelina would have the spare time.

"Yes, Senator, it is good to be back," Palpatine said smoothly in reply. "Although I think that the amount of security that has accompanied me is...overkill."

"With all due respect, Chancellor, where your safety is concerned, there is no such thing as overkill," Windu said, leaning forward.

"So you keep insisting, Master Jedi, but I grow tired of discussing it," Palpatine said tersely, walking away. Normally, Zelina would have been agitated by the Chancellor's actions—in fact, it seemed even Palpatine expected it, as his eyes flickered curiously towards Zelina—but she didn't react, since she was on bad terms with both parties at the moment.

"Anakin, Zelina, Ahsoka, welcome to the festival," Padmé greeted cheerfully, approaching the trio while everyone else tailed after the Chancellor.

"I've never seen the Festival of Light—sounds like a big event," Ahsoka said, looking around with a slight smile on her face.

"They're expecting a large crowd, which means it will be difficult for Dooku to attack during the ceremony," Anakin commented. "That leaves the palace as the best opportunity for an ambush."

"Way to kill casual conversation Anakin—all business with you," Zelina sighed, rolling her eyes and coaxing a smile out of Padmé.

"Are you that certain an attack is imminent?" Padmé asked him seriously.

"Definitely," Zelina told her.

"Which is why I'm making Ahsoka your personal bodyguard," Anakin informed Padmé.

"At your service Milady," Ahsoka assured Padmé with a smile.

"If there's trouble Ahsoka will get you, the Queen, and the rest of your staff to safety," Anakin continued with his safety rundown.

"What about you?" Padmé asked worriedly.

"Hopefully, I'll be where I always am."

Zelina sighed. "Getting in so much trouble I have to drag your rear end out of it," she muttered while Ahsoka smiled knowingly.

"He means saving the day."

"After I save his rear end. That's usually how this goes."

"Of course," Padmé agreed with a soft laugh.

*************************************************

Later that evening, as Naboo's sun was setting, Zelina found herself with the rest of the Jedi at the Festival stage, watching as Palpatine entered and the ray shield went up. As soon as the shield was gently humming, confirmation it was working, Palpatine made his way to the center of the stage, taking up the pulpit.

"it is an honor to be here for this momentous occasion," Palpatine announced, his voice echoing. That was all Zelina listed to, however, and she tuned him out after that, eyes studying the vicinity within the shield for any threats. Some obviously weren't threats, like the jedi, guards, padme, bail organa, and other dignitaries Zelina recognized, though there were those she didn't, and she kept them on her watch list.

There was applause for Palpatine's speech, though it was white noise for Zelina as she felt something shift in the Force. It was slight, and she couldn't tell if it was in the direction of light or dark, but it was still there.

Casually, Zelina dropped her hand to rest upon her violet lightsaber, her attention to her surroundings sharpening. Something was going on...she wasn't sure what, but something was.

As the fireworks went off, Zelina's eyes scanned the crowd, the guards, the spectators outside the shield, and...

Movement.

Zelina tensed, the action catching Anakin's eye and causing him to become more alert as well.

Why would a guard be skulking about the edge of the ray shield?

Just as she was about to check it out, Windu turned in the guard's direction, expression grave as he got off his comm link and looked in their direction. Immediately, Zelina was roused to action, going from cautious to battle-ready in one second flat.

"The shield generator!" he warned, though the two of them were already moving to intercept as the guard became someone else entirely—a bounty hunter from the looks of the alien—and reached through the shield to the shield generator.

She wanted to try and stop the hunter, she really did, but she could tell reaching him wasn't going to work. Instead—as much as she hated Palpatine—she skidded to a halt in front of the Chancellor and planted herself in front of him.

"Anakin, don't!" she tried to warn her friend, but Anakin was bound and determined to stop the hunter at least. So he was right there when the machine blew, knocked back a few paces. She winced in sympathy for Anakin, but knew that, even if it may have hurt, he'd be perfectly fine.

He'd been in far worse explosions.

At the same time, however, she had to focus on absorbing the blast with her powers, protecting the Chancellor from the damage the explosion could do with how close he was while also diverting debris from the crowd. She felt flickers of interest from the Chancellor at the display of her powers, but only a few mere flickers, nothing more. She didn't much care anyway, she was focused on her job.

Windu came over in the next moment with two guards, gesturing between the two guards, the chancellor, and the speeder that was parked beside the platform just in case.

"You two, take the Chancellor to that speeder over there, and get him out of here!" Windu stated forcefully. Ahsoka was already guiding the diplomats and politicians that had been attending the event to safety and, predictably, Anakin was fighting the bounty hunter on the stairway the hunter had been lurking on. As the guard guided the Chancellor towards the speeder, Zelina saw the alien Anakin was fighting latch onto his chest with his tentacles, and suddenly Anakin was overcome by electricity generated by the alien.

"Anakin!" Zelina shouted, swiftly approaching the pair.

Dang it Ani, why are you always getting in the thick of this poodoo?

By the time Zelina reached Anakin he had gone unconscious, but she did get there in time to slice off a few of the bounty hunter's tentacles as he rose into the air with a jetpack attached to his back. The bounty hunter screamed in pain, but before he could retaliate a gunshot rang out and the jetpack exploded, causing the hunter to shoot off into the sky wildly. Zelina blinked in surprise, then kneeled down beside Anakin, making sure he was okay, considering.

"Anakin's down!" she shouted for Windu to hear, pulling Anakin's heavy bulk into her arms with some help from the Force and carrying him back to the stage, lying him down. He'd be much more comfortable lying on the stage than the stairs. By the time she came up the stairs Windu, however, had run off, leaving Zelina to wonder what was going on. On one side of the platform a guard was helping the Chancellor into the speeder, and on the other side another guard was fighting to contain a struggling but unarmed bounty hunter. As far as she could see, she wasn't needed at the moment, so she kneeled down beside Anakin.

"Hey, hey sleepyhead, come on, wake up. You're not deep-fried, I know you can wake up," Zelina stated, shaking her friend's shoulders to add to her attempts.

Anakin groaned, eyes fluttering open before he casually brushed her hands off. "I'm not deep-fried, but those tentacles pack quite a punch," he muttered.

To both of their surprise, Mace came out of nowhere up the stairs—he must have been doing a quick sweep of the area—and bounded past them towards the Chancellor. Zelina was about to ask what he was doing until she saw that the guard escorting the Chancellor was no longer a guard—he was a bounty hunter.

What the—?

The wasn't much time to really consider what was going on, as Anakin was already on his feet to join Windu. "Come on, Zee!" he reprimanded her, and Zelina jumped to her feet, standing just behind as Windu held the hunter at blade point and Anakin moved to help the Chancellor.

Three Jedi for such a task was overkill.

"Chancellor, are you all right?" Anakin asked as the Chancellor stepped towards him.

To everyone's shock, the Chancellor reared back and punched Anakin hard enough to make his head snap to the side.

And then the Chancellor rippled, revealing that the Chancellor wasn't the Chancellor, but was actually a bounty hunter wearing a hologram disguise.

Aware now that they were being distracted, Zelina glanced about. If this wasn't the real Chancellor, then where was he?

The struggling bounty hunter!

While Anakin duked it out with the bounty hunter, Zelina spun on her heel and rushed to the other side of the landing pad where the struggling hunter was thrown unceremoniously into another speeder being driven by none other than Moralo Eval, causing the hologram disguise to break and reveal it was the Chancellor.

But the guard—now clearly seen as Bane, had already jumped into the speeder.

"So long, Little Jedi," Bane said with a cruel smile before the speeder jettisoned away and Zelina was forced to skid to a halt.

Zelina made a sound of frustration, spinning around to see the bounty hunters Windu and Anakin had been holding get away as the other two Jedi came even with her.

"Come on, I was going to use that!" Zelina exclaimed in exasperation, waving at the other escaping speeder as Windu's comm went off.

"I'm going after the Chancellor!" came a somewhat familiar voice.

Rako Hardeen—or in other words...

"Copy that, Obi-Wan," Windu said, ignoring Zelina's slight outburst.

"I'll send you the coordinates and hold Bane there as long as I can!"

"Come on, let's find a way to catch up to them," Anakin stated, beating Zelina to the punch and grabbing her by the arm to lead her along.

"No speeder shopping, just pick one and go," Zelina ordered him at the same time, tugging him in the direction of where most of the speeders were parked.

"I know, I know!" Anakin returned, voice strained.

"I have Obi-Wan's coordinates," Windu stated from beside them.

"How far?" Zelina asked.

"Not far from here—just get in a speeder and we'll go," Windu said as they rounded the corner, coming across the speeder parking. Anakin wasted no time in commandeering one, with Zelina hopping in the passenger seat and Windu taking the back seat.

Within seconds Anakin had them off the ground and in the air, racing towards the coordinates Obi-Wan had sent Windu. Zelina's stomach squirmed at the thought of seeing Obi-Wan again, and she wondered how she would react.

All this time thinking he was dead...

Zelina's train of thought was brought to an abrupt end as Anakin suddenly banked at a hard left, bringing their speeder to a rough halt in front of a peculiar scene. Palpatine was on the ground behind Rako Hardeen, who was holding Cad Bane at gunpoint as Bane lay on the ground and Moralo Eval watched fearfully from the side. Eval turned to stare at the newly arrived speeder in further fear, especially when all three Jedi exited the vehicle with lightsabers blazing.

"Ah! Please, do not kill Moralo Eval!" he pled as he stumbled backwards, Anakin and Windu pointing their blades at him while Zelina came even with Hardeen—Obi-Wan—at a measured pace.

"Take him and Bane into custody—and make sure the Chancellor is returned safely to the palace," Windu ordered Anakin, who was already shoving Eval towards the speeder. Windu came to stand on Obi-Wan's other side. "You did a good job...Obi-Wan."

A pair of republic troopers who had been ordered to come as well during their harried flight came forward and hauled Bane to his feet, with Bane now glaring hatefully at Obi-Wan. "Kenobi...I should have known. Something smelled wrong about you from the start!"

"Yes, well, spending so much time with you was no reward either," Obi-Wan returned. His voice was wrong, being Hardeens—too gruff. But still...the way he said it...

It was Obi-Wan, and something in Zelina just...couldn't be mad at him for making them all think he was dead. She was just overjoyed to have him back in that moment. She didn't even listen to Bane's furious retort as he was dragged away, deciding it was of little consequence.

"Such a pleasant fellow," Obi-Wan mused as Bane was taken away. "I hope this was all worth it."

"We saved the Chancellor—that's the important thing," Windu commented, taking a moment to lie a comforting hand upon Obi-Wan's shoulder before he moved away.

Which only left Zelina and Obi-Wan.

Hesitantly, Zelina stayed where she was, unsure of what to say.

Obi-Wan spared her an awkward moment by speaking first.

"Thank you for keeping Anakin out of trouble while I was gone, Zelina," Obi-Wan said gently.

Zelina nodded. "Of course...it's my job," she said with a slight shrug and shaky voice. There was no one around now, so she only held her composure a few seconds longer before she tackled him into a firm hug like the little child she'd once been, tears slipping down her face at a rapid rate.

"Promise me you won't do that to me ever again, Obi-Wan! I've lost too many people to even think I'd lost you too!" she shouted at him, though her voice cracked and ruined the intensity of what she said—at least to her ears.

"Sometimes you guys ask far too much of me..." she whispered, sagging against Obi-Wan as he gently put his arms around her in comfort. She could feel the surprise lingering from her initial reaction, but his instinct to care for those under his wing was kicking in.

"I'm sorry, Zelina," Obi-Wan said haltingly. "I wasn't thinking of the...emotional repercussions at the time, only of what needed to be done to fulfil my duties."

"I understand why the Council decided not to tell us...but that doesn't make it right. It doesn't fix how badly people were hurt in the process."

Obi-Wan stilled, and Zelina pulled back, wiping at her tears. "What?"

"Zelina...I was the one who suggested that no one was told—including you and Anakin," Obi-Wan said softly.

Zelina pulled away, staring at him in shock. "You...?"

Somehow, the knife that had dug deep because of this entire ordeal only dug deeper, and she felt a betrayed hurt she hadn't experienced in quite some time.

"Zelina, no one was going to believe I was dead if those I'd been close to didn't think so as well—" Obi-Wan started to explain, but Zelina held up a sharp hand.

"I already said I understand why the secret was kept. But at the same time, that doesn't make it right, and you're the one who's going to have to explain this to Anakin and Satine. I, for one, know that both of them have been taking it just as hard as me if not more. He may deny it, but Anakin almost went dark side when you died, and you know how he is about trust."

Zelina shook her head, turning away. "I understand why you did it, and I've had time to cope with the why—plus I'm a practical person, so given time, yes, I'll probably forgive you. It's the other two you have to worry about."

"Zelina..."

"Like I said, Obi-Wan, time," Zelina reiterated, her voice now laced with her hurt. "It's your job to handle the fallout from all this, not mine...at least not now."

With that, Zelina walked away, heading back towards the palace on foot so she had time to clear her head, figure out what exactly she was feeling in her heart, and cry as much as she needed to before she was among the general public once again.

**************************************************

As Zelina had predicted, Anakin didn't take Obi-Wan's news well. From what she'd heard—as she hadn't been there due to her walk back to Naboo instead of flying like everyone else—Anakin had shouted at Obi-Wan, making his displeasure with what had happened no secret before he stormed away.

Zelina hadn't seen Anakin since, though for multiple reasons. First of all, he was guarding the Chancellor. Secondly, she didn't want to make things worse from any ensuing fight that may happen while she was around the Chancellor. Lastly, most of the Jedi and security detail had left, though Zelina...felt pulled to stay.

And not just by any regular gut feeling.

This was the Force...and Luke.

However, the dream she'd had of Luke when she lay down to take a nap had been...cryptic...and confusing, with no clear message. For all she knew, he could have been talking about several things...

****************************************

Everything was awash in grey. The floor, the ceiling, the walls, the metal slab that served as the only furniture in the room, all of it. Zelina rubbed her temples, confused as to where exactly she was supposed to be. This place didn't even look like it could serve as a cell.

"Are you prepared?"

Zelina jumped at the voice, whipping around to see that, although she'd been alone moments ago, she was now accompanied by none other than a grim Luke Skywalker, dressed as he always was these days in her mind.

"Prepared? Prepared for what?"

"Everything," Luke said, standing up. He was tenser than he normally was, on edge, clearly worried. "Everything's about to start happening at once, and you're going to be the one factor that can change all of it. What are you prepared to do?"

"Anything," Zelina said instantly, standing up while she felt her hair stand on end from his words. Luke looked at her, his gaze serious before he disappeared. She turned around, wondering where he went, to find a young boy about twelve before her. It was still Luke, from what she could tell of the features, but it made no sense why he was suddenly younger.

"That's not the right answer," the twelve-year-old Luke said seriously. "Saying you'll do anything..."

"Anything could mean you're willing to do what cannot be done, and that's the reason we're all in this mess," came another Luke voice, and Zelina turned to see a teenage Luke now, maybe seventeen or eighteen, his features soft and at the moment innocent, but still so lonely, with knowledge shimmering in his eyes far beyond his years.

"What mess? Luke what's going on?" Zelina asked desperately, confused as to what was happening.

"The past...it's coming back for the people you care about," came a small, tiny voice behind her she hadn't heard since her first vision of Luke, of the frightened child crying over...over his slain father...Ani...

Zelina turned, heart beating rapidly to see that same terrified little Luke. "The past?"

"The present is bringing more darkness—you have to help him, do something!" came the pleading voice of the boy Luke behind her. She'd barely whipped around in time to see the boy Luke disappear.

"Help who? Anakin?" Zelina cried out, feeling her frustration and desperation mount.

"The future...it's so cold..." came the soft voice Zelina knew from the majority of her visions, and Zelina turned once more to see Luke sitting on the slab, paler than normal and drenched in sweat. "It's moving so fast, I...I don't know what's happening to me...one moment I'm fine, at peace, and the next...there's nothing, or darkness and I...it's so dark...there's no light...I'm all alone. Force, don't let me be alone! Not like this!"

"You're not going to be alone!" Zelina said firmly, dropping to her knees in front of him and putting her hands to his shoulders, alarmed to find that he was ice cold to the touch, such a far contrast from the warmth he usually emitted. "Luke, please, tell me what's wrong so I can fix it!"

Luke looked up at her with fear in his bright blue gaze, lips steadily turning blue and skin paling. "I'm scared...it's so cold...don't let it take me, please! Don't let me die!"

A jolt of fear went through Zelina even as tears slipped from Luke's eyes, and she pulled him into her arms. "I promise...you're going to be fine, Luke, I promise...I'll take care of you. Everything's going to be all right...I need you to tell me what's so dangerous right now, please Luke...tell me so I can fix it..."

Luke snuggled close to her like a desperate child, his skin so cold against hers it nearly burned. "Father, please!" he wept.

And with that, the world shattered, and Zelina was thrown back into reality.

************************************************

Even now, as Zelina wandered the deserted halls of the palace, restless and within the very depths of fear and concern, she reflected upon the dream, trying to make sense of it and see if she could glean what Luke was trying to warn her about.

The past, present, and future.

The past is coming, the present bringing darkness, and the future cold...

Had she already failed? Or was she really so close to this key event that she wasn't prepared?

Hadn't she been doing what she could to protect Anakin? To keep him doing what he was supposed to be doing?

What was she missing that had Luke in such a precarious situation?

Don't let me die!

Zelina shivered. She didn't know if this was a dream she should share with Anakin, especially since he was already stressed enough and in tumult emotionally. No...telling Anakin would have to wait until he was calmer and Zelina could actually give him a straight answer. Right now all she had was a frightening vision.

Something rippled in the Force, something that pulled Zelina from her musings. Maybe it was Anakin. She did feel a spike in...well, anger, possibly towards the Council and Obi-Wan.

Father, please!

Shaking her head to try and clear it of the frightening vision, Zelina changed her path to head towards where she could sense Anakin and Palpatine.

Of course. Where there was a doubting or angry Anakin, Palpatine tended to be there. Or at least Palpatine's opinions.

Curse that old serpent.

Voices drifted towards her from up ahead, and Zelina sighed, deciding she would have to tolerate Palpatine a little longer if only to see what was going on. She couldn't wait till everyone went home, as she was partially only still here for Anakin, even if she hadn't seen him yet.

She rounded the corner in time to see Anakin and Palpatine in deep conversation, the doors to the banquet hall just opening. She quickened her step to catch up to them, just in time to hear a frighteningly familiar voice from within the chamber.

"Welcome," came Count Dooku's voice seconds before the door closed behind Anakin and Palpatine.

Zelina's brisk walk was immediately a dead sprint, and within seconds she was at the door. At one failed attempt to open it, Zelina whipped out her lightsaber, plunging it through the metal to cut through. Inside she could hear the buzz of electricity, feel Anakin's mounting rage, and eventually, hear the hum of a lightsaber.

"Blast it all," Zelina cursed under her breath, pulling out her other lightsaber to plunge it too into the wall and hurry up the process. She could hear a lightsaber cutting through metal—besides her own—and the soft whipping sound of electrostaffs cutting through the air. She'd finally—finally—cut through the metal and was about to punch through when she heard metal against the floor, and whipped around in time to see a MagmaGuard approaching her with an electrostaff of her own.

"I don't have time for you right now," Zelina growled, whipping around with lightsabers ablaze while she kicked the metal chunk she'd cut out of the door so she'd be able to get in. The MagmaGuard came at her fearlessly, but Zelina stood her ground, snarling low in her throat as she easily batted aside the staff, plunging her green blade right through its chest plate. Spinning back around, Zelina practically launched herself through the hole she'd created, spotting the Chancellor first. "Chancellor, get out of here, the hall is clear."

As far as I'm aware, she added to herself, stepping forward with both lightsabers ablaze as the Chancellor moved to the door like she'd asked.

Anakin had just jumped off of the table from the looks of it, engaging Dooku in a lightsaber fight.

Yes, because every time he'd done that it had ended well.

The Count started to throw chairs Anakin's way, and Zelina hooked her lightsabers to her belt for a moment, tapping into the Force to direct the chairs off of Anakin's path and give him a better shot at taking Dooku. Once Dooku realized he had another Jedi to battle he switched tactics, now throwing the furniture at Zelina before levitating silverware and dishes that he promptly hurled at Anakin. Anakin blocked the assault with his metal arm, which ended up being the wise thing to do as he had several forks protruding from said arm.

Growling menacingly, Anakin ripped the silverware out of his arm and charged Dooku with a ferocity that alarmed Zelina greatly, and for once, she didn't join Anakin in his fight.

He was fighting to kill, not capture.

That was only made more evident when Dooku used a chair as a shield and Anakin drove into it with all of his strength, nearly impaling Dooku through the chair.

The present is bringing more darkness...

"Anakin!" Zelina shouted, though the meaning of her shout was lost as, in that exact moment, Dooku threw Anakin into a pillar, and for all Anakin was aware she'd shouted out of concern. Frustrated, Zelina jumped forward now, engaging Dooku herself.

"Well if it isn't the side kick," Dooku mused, though Zelina noted he was a little out a breath, and she almost felt sorry for him."

"I'm not a side kick, Dooku—we both know I can take you on my own," Zelina said smoothly, holding his blade off with both of hers as Anakin rose to his feet.

"Well...I will say you have more control than your counterpart," Dooku replied smoothly. "A shame my offer no longer stands."

"I guess I'll just take it as a missed opportunity for a better one," Zelina said through grit teeth, and Dooku knocked her aside, sending lightning her way as he blocked Anakin, who had thrown himself at Dooku with just as much intensity as before. Now well prepared for such attacks, Zelina caught the lightning on her blades, making sure not to make any kind of marginal shift that would let the deadly barrage through.

Thankfully, Anakin broke his concentration, freeing Zelina.

Unfortunately, Zelina didn't like how he'd broken Dooku's concentration at all.

Knocking Dooku's blade aside, Anakin had taken the moment to throw Dooku through the air so he landed on his back, and in that exact moment Anakin bounded forward and seized Dooku by the throat with his metal hand. When Dooku moved to fight Anakin off with his lightsaber, Anakin simply used his own blade to hold the man at bay.

Angry in her own right, Zelina rushed forward, grabbing Anakin in the Force and yanking him off of Dooku, sending him flying back a few feet.

"Capture, Anakin! Not kill!" she shouted at him, batting aside Dooku's lightsaber while Dooku maneuvered around her, getting into the hall and back peddling at a rate that let her know he was making an escape. Zelina grit her teeth, giving chase even as another Magma guard appeared to join the fray.

Where were they all coming from, the sky?

Forced to back off to deal with the MagmaGuard, Zelina broke away from Dooku, slicing through the staff and decapitating the MagmaGuard to deal with the droid as fast as possible. It still bought Dooku the time he needed, and the Sith Lord rushed up the stairs and back towards the exit.

"Zelina!" came another, welcome voice, and Zelina sighed in relief, turning to see Anakin and Obi-Wan quickly approaching.

"He's getting away!" she chided them, already launching forward.

"The Chancellor's safe, I saw to it," Obi-Wan added as all three rushed out the door Dooku had raced out of, coming to a halt when they saw the ship was already pulling away. Dooku, however, was still on the ramp, and he turned to face the three.

"Well done, Master Kenobi...and...Knight, Du'ahn. You were worthy adversaries. I cannot say the same about your...companion," Dooku said, stating the last part like he had a sour taste in his mouth. With that, the landing ramp closed, and the ship took off, leaving the three far behind.

The sad thing was, Zelina felt like they were far too fractured at the moment to be considered the force they normally were.

In fact, Anakin was quick to confirm that thought.

"Why did you stop me back there? Twice? We could have had him!" Anakin said angrily, stomping up to Zelina.

"You were fighting to kill, Anakin, not capture," Zelina said tiredly.

"Who's side are you on anyway?" Anakin snapped like he hadn't heard her.

"The Force. The light side of the Force. And kriff it Anakin, open your blasted eyes for once and see just how close you keep coming to crossing that line you keep walking instead of pushing until someone drags you back from the point of no return, because one of these days no one's going to be there to snap you out of it and you're going to do something that's going to hurt more than just you!" Zelina snapped, Luke and his pleas looping in her mind as she stood flush with Anakin, simmering in anger herself but for entirely different reasons.

Anakin reeled from shock, and Obi-Wan placed a restraining hand on her shoulder as if to tell her that's enough, but Zelina shrugged him off, stepping away from Anakin.

"I'm going to go lie down, okay? Don't bother me, I'm not feeling so good," she said in weary agitation before she simply spun around and left, waiting until she was out of their sight to tremble from the fear that was slowly gripping her heart.

The present is bringing more darkness...