Luke raced through the Temple blindly until he was able to restore some semblance calm, not paying attention to where he was going. Eventually, he came to a stop in the hall he was currently in, leaning against the wall to gather himself as his breathing slowly evened out. Part of his reaction of flight had come from the painful memory he'd just relived, though the rest of it came from the panic of the revelation that Obi-Wan now knew. He knew Luke's full name, and it wouldn't be too hard to figure out who Luke's father was; not hard at all. Anakin was the only Jedi with the last name Skywalker. The secret was out, and Luke feared for his father.

We're not allowed attachments...

What would the Council do when they found out? Apparently Yoda hadn't said anything, because his father still hadn't been called into the Council to be expelled, but surely it wasn't something that they would choose to overlook if it was something they took so seriously.

Stop. Think. Your head isn't on straight, you're not thinking clearly, Luke, he thought to himself. He needed to clear his head and focus on the Force; he trusted it to guide him on what he should do about all of this. Perhaps he'd even reach Qui-Gon if he was lucky. Coming to a decision, Luke looked around for a place he would be left alone, wandering through the halls at a much slower pace this time until the halls once again started to look somewhat familiar. Eventually, he found himself in the Room of a Thousand Fountains; it looked so much more beautiful than his pitifully restored Room of a Thousand Fountains in his time. He made a mental note to restore everything in that temple once again to the state it was in during this time if he could manage it; perhaps even better in some cases. He sighed, walking over to one of the fountains and slowly taking a seat. He took deep breaths, calming himself down completely; he needed to think, to connect to the Force and figure out what he was going to do.

At long last, Luke felt his heartbeat slow and his breaths came easier. He cleared up his mind the best that he could, feeling the relaxing calm of the Force washing over him and fill him to the brim. He reached out, a little unsure of what he was doing, but still attempting it.

Qui-Gon, he timidly sent out into the Force. He didn't receive a response.

What happened to coming when I needed help, Luke thought to himself.

He was distracted when he felt a bright, strong presence coming towards him, and it took a moment for Luke to realize that it wasn't any Force Spirit approaching through the Force, but someone he knew well approaching back in reality. Slowly, he brought himself out of his trance, eyes opening to see the little green master he knew so well leaning on his gimmer stick in front of Luke.

Yoda made that strange laugh of his, soft and low in his throat. "Seem troubled you do, young Skywalker."

Luke's heart soared into his throat once again, but he dispelled his panic rapidly into the Force, calming himself down. "Master Yoda...how do you know?" he asked timidly.

"Take me for an old fool, you do?" Yoda asked.

"Of course not, Master! It's just, it seemed you knew almost immediately, and I was trying to figure out how..."

"Clear to me, it was. Through the Force, much can be learned."

"My father won't get in trouble, will he?" Luke asked quietly, weary of touching the subject already, but feeling he had to know.

"Hmm...meditate on the matter, I will. If it be the will of the Force, stay in the Order, Anakin will."

Luke let out a long sigh of relief; he knew that was the best answer he could hope for right now.

Yoda hopped up on the fountain Luke was seated, sitting down beside him. "So, young Skywalker. Tell me what troubles you, will you?"

Luke was silent for a few moments, thinking. "I kind of panicked. I was going through some meditation training with Master Kenobi and one of my memories slipped through and he learned some things I wasn't ready for him to know."

"What kind of things?"

Luke rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, basically whose son I am and what happened to my father...he also probably has a whole new set of questions for me with something else that was in the memory."

"Will of the Force, was it, for Master Kenobi to see this memory, do you think?" Yoda inquired.

"I...I'm not sure, Master Yoda. I was a little too panicked to think of that; that's part of the reason why I came here to mediate and find my center again," Luke admitted, embarrassed.

Yoda chuckled. "Time it was, perhaps, for Master Kenobi to learn. Knows, your father does not?" Yoda guessed.

Luke shook his head. "The Force has been very adamant for me to wait before I tell him. I have the feeling I may not be how he finds out, either."

Yoda nodded. "Then wait, you should. When he is ready, learn, your father will. Patience, you must have, young Skywalker."

"I know, Master Yoda, just sometimes...I can't help but want to tell him, but the Force keeps telling me not to." Luke sighed, shaking his head. "And I keep upsetting him whenever I refuse to tell him."

"Learn, he will, in time. Wait, you must."

"Yes, Master."

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

Anakin was practically beaming with excitement when he returned to the Temple. However, he took care to school his expression into a mask of complete calm.

If he really was going to be Palpatine's representative on the Council, then that meant he would be made a master; what he had been trying for so long to accomplish. And if he was made a master, he would have the clearance to access the holocrons that he believed might hold the answers on how he could save Padmé from the fate he'd seen in his vision. The excitement was coursing through his veins as he made his way to the Council Room. Any minute now he would be given the rank of master and his own seat on the Council...

As he neared the Council Room, he sensed Luke coming up behind him. However, the young man seemed to be keeping his distance. Anakin frowned, feeling his skittishness through their Force Bond. Anakin had paused at the Council Room doors, and had been about to turn around when the doors opened; he had to go through. He sighed, figuring he could ask Luke about it later.

Gathering himself up and making sure he stayed as humble as he possibly could right now, Anakin strode into the Council Room, standing in the middle where they all observed him closely. From the grave looks on their faces, Anakin could tell that they knew what Palpatine had decided on. Silently, Anakin waited for them to speak, his confidence wavering for a moment under their combined gazes before he gathered himself together again.

"Accept this appointment lightly, the Council, does not. Disturbing is this move by Chancellor Palpatine."

"I understand," Anakin said smoothly. A long moment of silence passed before someone spoke again.

"You are on this Council," Windu said, and Anakin's heart soared with joy. "But we do not grant you the rank of master."

Anakin froze, the happiness shattered, his heart plummeted, and shock suddenly overcame his entire being for a moment. "What?"

His eyes rushed over the figures in the room as he struggled to make sense of what was happening. Blank, indifferent expressions met him besides Windu's, which held an almost challenging look aimed at Anakin, as if he was daring Anakin to oppose the decision. His eyes fell on the most familiar face in the group, the person he had turned to so much as a Padawan, expecting to see some form of sympathy in his longtime friend. However, as he tried to get Obi-Wan's attention, Obi-Wan refused to meet Anakin's eyes. The shock and confusion Anakin was experiencing quickly turned to anger.

"How could you do this? This is outrageous! It's unfair!" He didn't care that the masters were all sharing looks at his outburst; he was too upset to care. "How can you be on the Council, and not be a master?"

At that moment, Anakin felt Luke reaching out to him through their bond, concern brushing against his consciousness from Luke at Anakin's sudden flood of anger. Slowly, Anakin began to realize how much of a fool he'd just made of himself with his outburst. He'd probably reinforced their decision not to make him a master. Almost immediately after this realization, the shame settled in.

"Take a seat, young Skywalker," Windu said forcefully.

Anakin reigned himself back in, bowing slightly. "Forgive me, Master," he mumbled out before taking the open chair. He rubbed his legs nervously, trying to ignore the accusing looks he was receiving from some of the other Council members. Out of the corner of his eye, Anakin could see Obi-Wan looking at him in disappointment for his attitude, shaking his head. Now it was Anakin who refused to meet his gaze.

Anakin could still feel the worry coming off of Luke in droves, and he sent as many reassuring feelings Luke's way as he could to inform Luke that he was fine. He felt Luke didn't believe him, but Anakin simply turned his attention back to the meeting, now wanting nothing more than to leave the room and to escape the gazes of those around him.

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

Once the meeting was over, Anakin swiftly made his way out of the door and down the hall, Obi-Wan walking beside him. Anakin was at least able to reign himself in until the other masters were a good distance away. He barely paid any attention to Luke approaching them as he turned on Obi-Wan, the anger leaking into his tone. "This is an embarrassment. It's never happened in the history of the Jedi Order! It's a disgrace!"

"Anakin, you're the youngest person to ever be on the Council; you should be grateful that they let you have the position," Obi-Wan said softly.

Anakin scowled, turning away and crossing his arms over his chest. He noticed the somewhat uneasy air that clung between Obi-Wan and Luke, and turned to see they both weren't looking at each other, which was rather unusual. It caused him to remember the feeling he'd gotten from Luke, and he relaxed some as he turned his attention somewhere other than his most recent run in with the Council.

"Are you all right, Luke?" he asked, his tone much softer now.

Luke glanced up at him. "Yeah, I'm fine, just...have a lot to think about."

Obi-Wan stared down Luke, arms crossed over his chest. "And I believe we have a lot to talk about," he said in a stern voice Anakin recognized all too well. Anakin raised his eyebrows as he saw Luke refuse to meet Obi-Wan's stern gaze once again.

"What did I miss?" Anakin asked, confused.

Obi-Wan glanced at Anakin, something flashing in his eyes that Anakin couldn't quite place, though he knew that the look made him feel uncomfortable. "I'm sure Luke will tell you when he's ready."

Anakin felt a flash of anger once again. Now Obi-Wan was keeping things from him, too? Who was next, Padmé? He hoped his wife loved him enough not to keep things from him. He shook his head, biting the inside of his cheek as he struggled to gain control of himself again.

Obi-Wan sighed. "I'll see you in a moment, Luke; I have to talk to Anakin about something first."

Luke nodded, and disappeared around the corner. However, Anakin could sense through their Bond that he was close enough to still hear whatever was about to be said between the two elder Jedi. Anakin smirked just a little and said nothing, not caring if Luke overheard whatever Obi-Wan had to say to him.

"What is it, Obi-Wan?" he asked wearily.

Obi-Wan sighed. "Before I say anything I want you to know that I don't agree with this but I was largely outnumbered when it came to a vote. Off record...the Council wants you to report Palpatine's doings to them."

"What?" Anakin asked sharply. When Obi-Wan didn't respond, he snapped yet again, his anger returning. "Why are you asking this of me? They want me to go against the Jedi Code and spy on a good friend!"

Obi-Wan sigh, folding his arms across his chest. "I'm no happier about the situation than you are, Anakin, but the Council is worried. Palpatine's been in office far longer than he should have, and this new move to intrude on Council matters is very disturbing."

"They could have anyone else act as spy, why does it have to be me? Why not ask someone else to do it?" he asked sourly.

"Because, Anakin; you're close to him, he trusts you. You're the best man for the job, and it's a very important mission. We need to know what's going on."

Anakin shook his head in disbelief, turning and looking out the window with a scowl. He heard Obi-Wan sigh once again. "Anakin...you know you can come to me for anything, right? No matter how bad you think it is."

Anakin was a little startled. Where had that come from? He turned and looked at Obi-Wan, sizing him up to try and figure out what he wasn't telling Anakin. "I know," he replied simply.

Obi-Wan's frown deepened a little, which only confirmed Anakin's thoughts that he knew something. For a moment, panic seized him. Had he found out about his relationship with Padmé? Don't be ridiculous Anakin, there's no way it just randomly clicked in his head over the past few hours, he scolded himself.

Unless Luke told him.

Anakin shook the thoughts from his head. He was sure Luke understood the gravity of keeping his secret: he wouldn't tell Obi-Wan. Anakin sighed, deciding to make a break for it. "Well, if that's all, I need to be going, and I believe you told Luke you needed to talk to him," he said bluntly, brushing by Obi-Wan with ease. He spotted Luke over in a corner and hurried over to him. "Luke, you didn't tell Obi-Wan about me and Padmé, did you?" he asked the young man sharply.

Luke put his hands up in defense almost immediately. "No! Of course not!"

"Well then what am I missing?" he asked, frustrated.

"While we were having that meditation practice one of my memories slipped through and he found out some things I wasn't ready for him to learn about," Luke mumbled, glancing away.

Anakin relaxed a little at the news that it had nothing to do with his secret relationship, though he had to brush away annoyance that Obi-Wan knew something about Luke and he didn't. Dimly, Anakin noted he had to get control of his emotions, because they were everywhere today. "Is there any chance you could tell me?" Anakin asked sarcastically.

Luke was silent for a moment. "Actually, yes." Anakin blinked in surprise, but Luke plowed forward. "I'm going to have to explain this part to him myself anyway because all he heard was my father say something about an Emperor."

"Emperor?" Anakin asked in shock.

Luke nodded. "The Republic fell and was replaced by a Sith Empire."

"Wha—how? When?"

Luke hesitated, though Anakin wasn't bothered by it this time. He was finally getting told some of what he'd been nagging at Luke to tell him.

"I don't really know how exactly it happened...I just know that it was all very sudden, and apparently it was a plan that had been in progress for years prior. Though I am certain that the person responsible was a member of the Senate, and a very important member, too. The Council is right to be suspicious right now; the Jedi Order was the first thing that went."

Despite his shock at the news, Anakin somehow managed to scoff. "I can't believe that; the Jedi are too strong to be wiped out."

Luke eyed him for a long, unsettling moment. "You'd be surprised."

His tone and gaze made Anakin shift uncomfortably. "Anything else?"

Luke shook his head. "Not really, except I wouldn't complain about the mission you've been given. You've been put in the perfect position to figure out who in the Senate conspired against the Republic and stop them. How many members of the Senate does Palpatine see on a day to day basis? You're going to be at the center of the Senate dealings, Anakin. Just keep an eye out and I'm sure you'll figure it out."

Anakin was surprised at the feeling of shame he felt at Luke's words. Luke was right; Anakin couldn't complain now. It really was an important mission he'd been given. He sighed in defeat. "I suppose you're right," he mumbled. "I'll see what I can find out while I'm there."

Luke nodded. "And the only people I can guarantee are not who you're looking for is Padmé, Mon Mothma, and Bail Organa. I can't even leave Palpatine out of the suspect list."

Anakin felt a flash of annoyance. "Palpatine is a good man and he only wants what's best for the Republic; he'd never do that! I'm tired of people trying to pin things on him!"

Something stirred in Luke's eyes. "Just trust me on this, Anakin; don't leave anyone out. The betrayals came from the most unexpected places," he said softly.

Anakin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he calmed himself down. Luke put a hand on his shoulder. "I have to go now, Anakin, but I'll see you later."

With that, Luke turned and left Anakin to think about everything that he'd said. And, to his surprise, he even felt a nudge from the Force to listen to Luke and keep an eye on Palpatine like the Council wanted him to, and not rule the older man out. Anakin frowned, shifting uncomfortably as he looked out the window towards the Senate Building while he thought over everything. He sighed, shaking his head. Had anyone but Luke told him, Anakin had the feeling he wouldn't have listened; yet here he was trusting in the Force more and about to spy on a good friend.

"Everything's gotten too confusing," he mumbled to himself with a shake of his head before he walked away.