Date: Sun, 4 Jun 2006 13:56:05 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mark <rahvin747@yahoo.com>
Subject: Planes of Gray - chapter 5

Disclaimer : This is a work of fiction. I don't mean to state anything
about the sexuality of Anakin Skywalker, Hayden Christensen or anyone else.

Note : This story of mine will only make use of the Star Wars characters,
and will barely follow the Star Wars story, if at all.

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

Mace Windu walked down the white corridors of the Jedi Temple. As he strode
down to the deeper levels of the building, the lighting dimmed and a gloomy
feel started to close in on him. He avoided the prison levels of the Temple
as best he could, partially due to the nature of the place, but also
because he rarely required the need to visit anyone here.  Most prisoners
the Jedi took were thieves who had foolishly tried to steal from the
Temple, and were incarcerated for a short time until they'd learned their
lesson.

This time was different. There hadn't been a prisoner of this magnitude
since the Jedi Civil War which had occurred several millennia
previously. As he walked through the main security door, two Jedi Knights
on duty bowed respectfully as he passed them.  There was no real need for
security down here, despite the circumstances. Even if a thief managed to
get past the steel bars around his prison, the Jedi would have sensed his
motives long before and seized him with the Force.

As he moved down the progressively dark passage, he was suddenly hit by a
feeling of the deepest darkness, to such an extent that he almost gasped
before he could gather himself. It was if a small wave had hit him. Only a
Jedi would have sensed it, but suddenly darkness enveloped the passage as
thick as midnight. It was almost suffocating to walk through it. As he
reached the end of the passage, he turned slowly to his left and saw
Palpatine sitting on the floor staring blankly ahead. This was the only
prison without bars, but the barriers here were infinitely stronger. When
he'd contacted Yoda to inform him of his quarry, Yoda and the council had
immediately gathered in this place and erected a prison woven from the
Force. It was strong enough to contain the Sith Master's immense powers,
and despite the overwhelming focus of the Dark Side present in this area,
he could see the barriers rebuffing all his attempts to breech them.

"Good luck piercing the walls, Lord Sidious," Mace said harshly, but
suddenly feeling the urge to smile. "They were designed by a true Jedi, and
we are not accustomed to flaws - though you wouldn't understand."

The Sith Lord's vacant eyes found focus and turned maliciously in his
direction. The Dark Side assaults on the prison ceased immediately, but the
energy around him didn't wane. He was always ready, always waiting ... for
that flaw. Bringing him back to the Jedi Temple had been as difficult a
task as he'd ever been given as a Jedi. After disarming him, he'd had four
lightsabers actively pointed at the Sith Lord's throat in case he made
another attempt to escape, which he did causing the death of yet another
Jedi.  With the deaths of four Jedi to his name, he could scarcely credit
the Sith Lord's amazing capacity to escape despite having bound hands and
feet, and no weapon. Luckily they'd managed to stop him before he could
leap out of the speeder riding miles above the surface of the city. Perhaps
they should have killed him, but it was not the Jedi way.

"Master Windu," the Sith Master said contemptuously. "You really should
kill me, you know. Like all Jedi, you believe that the Jedi know the extent
of the Force, but your foolish religion has barely scraped the
surface. Soon I'll be free, by one way or the next."

"Deryk," Mace said simply.

Sidious chuckled lightly. "He will come for me sooner or later. Even your
primitive skills should allow you that much vision. And whether you like it
or not, his next appearance will unleash a river of blood even if you send
your strongest against him."

"We've anticipated his rescue attempt," Mace said flatly.

"Have you?" Sidious said scornfully. "Tell me, Master Jedi. When the ants
know that the wasp is coming for them, will any amount of preparation save
their pathetic lives?"

"We are hardly defenseless, Lord Sidious," Mace said with a stone
voice. "Like all Sith your arrogance has tainted your judgment. It is no
coincidence that there are thousands of Jedi, and only two Sith." Mace then
did allow himself a mean smile.

Sidious scowled with hatred. "A balance I assure you will be rectified in
the very near future," he said. His face turned forward again and his
silent attacks on his confinement resumed. Mace studied him for a moment
before turning on his heel and striding out.

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

Anakin awoke from a long dreamless sleep. He was in the Jedi Temple, and he
couldn't help but smile. He'd awoken from yet another sleep in the medical
chamber only to find Obi-Wan facing him with an encouraging smile. He had
helped Anakin out of the chamber and transferred him here wrapped in a warm
blanket. It was a relief to be back in his room in the Jedi Temple, but
last night he'd barely been able to wish his Master well before collapsing
onto his bed into the deepest sleep.

The previous few days sprung up in his mind. He remembered being struck by
Deryk's lightning on Naboo - the searing pain which drove him to the point
of madness with agony, and the smell of his burned skin moments before he
lost consciousness in the lush greenery of the forest. He had forgiven
Deryk. He knew that his friend was being pulled and pushed by many
different factions, and tormented by forces he couldn't comprehend.  Eyes
never lied, and he's stake his life on the fact that before that moment,
Deryk was on the verge of confessing his love to him. Until Mace Windu
stepped in. Until ... He flinched at the thought of Deryk's face the moment
he declared Anakin his enemy, and the violent Dark Side attack which had
headed his way.

Thereafter it had been a ceaseless dream, of planes of gray clouds floating
through his mind. White burst from the top as pure as the feathers of a
dove, so intense that he needed to shield his eyes from that beautiful
glare. Yet from the depths rose a blackness as dark as the deepest corners
of the galaxy, so dark that even in the dream he felt fear and wanted to
weep. When the two met they exploded into gray which rolled over him and
made him feel peace, exhilaration, joy and despair. He felt his body
rolling through the planes and loved the feeling, and every time he'd swim
for the white, the darkness would seize him and send him spinning
uncontrollably into the gray again. In those moments he'd be aware of one
thing... Deryk; and when that thought entered his mind, hope would erupt in
his heart and immediately still the rolling tides in the gray - leaving him
at peace once again. The dream recurred and recurred, until he felt the
gray intensify a hundred fold, a thousand fold. In those moments of
confusion he'd felt a dark arm enter his dream and violently tear the
blackness away. The white had blossomed and burst into his head until he
could see nothing except the blinding light of the Force. It was then that
he'd opened his eyes, and saw Deryk looking at him, his love for him plain
on his face.  Emotion roared up in Anakin like a hurricane in its fury, and
before he could get a word out, his soul mate had savagely attacked him
with a kiss which almost broke him it was so erotic. Deryk's soft lips on
his own, and the feel of his eager tongue breaking into his mouth had
driven him to a point of ecstasy he didn't know existed. He'd wanted to let
the moment linger, but as quickly as it had begun, Deryk had ended
it. Pulling back, he'd made a comic jibe and then thrown Anakin into a
dreamless sleep once again. He had no idea what had followed that moment,
but he sensed danger and had predicted the worst. It was the first time
that he'd actually questioned his surroundings, which was a clear sign of
Deryk's impact on his normally sublime intuition.

The first question he'd asked Obi-Wan when he'd been revived for the second
time was whether Deryk was safe. He's seen the smile slip from Obi-Wan's
face and his Master's eyes deviate as they searched for a lie. Yet he knew
that Deryk was as strong as ever. He could sense his comforting presence in
the Force. The room he'd stood up in had been decimated by some sort of
attack, perhaps an energy weapon of some sort. His eyes fell sadly on three
fallen Jedi, and the presence of the captive Sith Master gave him the
creeps. Oddly, he'd also walked through some ash which had blown across the
floor, and he stared in amazement at the huge gash in the side of the
building which must have been caused by some sort of bomb.

He pushed his thoughts away. Sighing, he let his thoughts settle back on
Deryk and he groaned involuntarily. He loved the guy so much it hurt. He
wanted to run his hands through Deryk's dark hair and force his head back,
then return the wild kiss he'd given him - with interest. He then thought
about tearing Deryk's black robes from him to reveal his strong chest. That
would be the beginning though... he'd lick those defined muscles and
descend down, down... until he reached his goal. Suddenly Anakin saw where
his thoughts were leading and he blushed, while at the same time looking
around anxiously for any Masters. Luckily he was still alone. He threw his
blanket to one side and climbed out of his bed. His legs still felt weak
and unused to walking, but he knew that within a few hours he'd be as good
as new. Jedi were not ordinary people, after all. He was still dressed in
the same attire - black pants, and no shoes or shirt to match. Looking down
he stared with curiosity at his tented pants, and couldn't help but smile.

"Fuck it," he said rebelliously, and moved to the bathroom.

He stepped in front of the mirror and examined the mark on his chest. It
had almost fully healed and would leave no scar. He ran his hand over his
chest and winced slightly at the new pink skin which had formed where
blisters had once been. His hand ran over his defined chest again, but this
time he imagined it was Deryk's hand. Sighing, he felt his pants tent
fiercely, screaming for relief. He leaned his pelvis forward and pressed
himself against the bathroom counter, groaning as the two hard surfaces
met. Once again he realized what he was doing and stopped himself
angrily. Yet, it had felt so damn good!  No... in time, but not just
yet. He looked up and his mouth fell in shock as he saw a light beard
covering his face.

"Shit! No wonder he left you behind. That would chase a wookie away," he
said. He wasted absolutely no time in shaving off his beard, muttering
angrily that the Jedi didn't look after their own colleagues nearly as well
as they looked after their own lightsabers.  When he was done he ran his
hand over his smooth face, but felt the stubble on his chin which promised
retribution.

"Why don't you appear now, lover boy, and we'll see who comes off second
best.." he said mischievously before taking a shower. He used the water
falling on his body as an outlet for his frustrations, and thankfully
managed to subdue his raging erection for a short time. Climbing from the
shower, he wrapped a towel around himself, and felt his cock rage with fury
once again as the material brushed past it. Anakin rolled his eyes,
chuckled and entered his room.

Suddenly he heard a chime emanate through the room, causing him to
panic. "Who is it?"  he called, fear racing in his eyes. If someone
discovered him like this...

"It's Obi-Wan. Let me in, Anakin," he said with an irritated tone.

"Just a moment. I'm putting some clothes on," he said desperately, and
dived for his wardrobe. Throwing the robes on, he tied his leather belt and
lightsaber tightly around his waist. "Behave yourself for once," he said
looking down.

He approached the door calmly and let his friend in. "About time," Obi-Wan
said with a light smile. "You feeling better my friend?"

"Yes, thank you Obi-Wan. Much better," he said, only slightly ashamed at
the half-lie.  Only one thing could heal him totally.

"Good. Sit down, Anakin. I need to talk to you about something," Obi-Wan
said.  Normally that statement was routine to Obi-Wan, but something in his
eyes told him that Anakin would not enjoy what he was going to hear, and
that he would probably be foolish enough to defy it. If it was about Deryk,
then Obi-Wan was almost certainly right, and probably wasting his time.

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

Deryk lay on the penthouse sleeper couch pondering the next move. After my
encounter with the Jedi I'd felt dazed and emotionally shocked. I'd done
something with the Force which everyone considered to be impossible, but
that wasn't what bothered me. What bother me was that my potentially
thrilling encounter with Anakin had been ruined by fighting for the second
time, and I was getting sick of it. Couple this with the fact that my
Master was now a captive, and I couldn't help but feel lonely and lost.

Standing, I walked to the window and watched the sun rise for yet another
fresh day on Coruscent. "Oh Anakin," I sighed. I would give up the Force to
be with him forever.  Anything for Anakin. That moment with him in the
quiet confines of the incubation room had touched on the surreal. I thought
back to the sight of his shirtless body and my eyes closed involuntarily to
soak up the image which had burned its self into my mind. I could have
watched that image for years and never grown tired of it. Then the kiss. It
had been so soft and had communicated so much in such a short space of
time. I loved him, really loved him with all my heart. He loved me too, and
it had nothing to do with my senses.  That kiss couldn't lie, and his
responsive tug at my neck had confirmed my wildest dreams. I was also
anxious for Anakin. I could behave in almost any way. I was, after all, a
cursed Sith Lord who was expected to bow before my passions, but what would
this do to a Jedi like Anakin? Was he allowed to love me? Surely the other
Masters would sense his confusion and distraction? I wouldn't put it past
them to judge him for his passions, even though he hadn't acted on
them. The Jedi would have grown maniacally paranoid by now, and would hang
anyone who hinted at infringement of the Jedi Code.

I knew in my heart that there was only one thing to do. I had to undertake
a rescue attempt to aid my Master. The Jedi would no doubt expect it, and I
would have to walk into the avalanche of traps they would have prepared for
me. It really was the only way for me to get close to Anakin, and to save
my Master. I hated Palpatine, but he had defended my life and helped me get
close to Anakin, so I owed him. There were too many issues to ponder. I
would be forced to face and kill many Jedi, and I might die myself before I
could get to Anakin. They might even send Anakin against me, and that was a
chilling thought. It would be typical of their Jedi treachery to use my
weakness against me.

As I walked out the building, I hoped against hope that I would succeed. I
would do anything to reach Anakin, but inside I was afraid at what that
would mean.

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

Master Kenobi seated himself in the meditation room opposite Yoda. The
small Jedi Master opened his eyes slowly and exhaled as he ended his
deliberations.

"Obi-Wan," he said kindly.

"Master Yoda," Obi-Wan replied bowing his head slightly. He had so much
respect for the great Master. "I am sorry to interrupt your meditation."

Yoda waved his hand away slowly. "It is of little consequence, my
friend. How can I help?"

Obi-Wan sighed and took a deep breath. He was deeply disturbed. "Something
is wrong with Anakin, Master. He is behaving strangely, wildly and
erratically. The Force is sweeping around him in a confusing torrent. I
sense so many emotional surges in him, I don't even know how to begin to
approach the problem."

Yoda nodded somberly but didn't seem too surprised. His eyes stared at the
floor and for a moment he seemed as disturbed as Obi-Wan, but then they
regained their focus and rested lightly on Obi-Wan again. "Your friend
faced Deryk in the Medical Center," he said simply.

"No," Obi-Wan said, and shook his head dismissively. "Deryk neutralized
Anakin in a stasis field before the duel began. It would make sense that he
would weaken us as a whole by removing one of our best from the
equation. He thinks just like the Sith," Obi- Wan said and scowled as he
finished. Deryk was the greatest disgrace in the Jedi's history. He was
like a virus who tainted everyone whom he crossed.

Yoda chuckled lightly, and Obi-Wan looked at him with confusion. This was
hardly the time for jest. "Misinterpreted the situation you have, Obi-Wan,"
Yoda said with a smile on his face. "Anakin was in a deep coma before Deryk
arrived. Why would he place him in a stasis field?" Yoda looked at him as
if he was a Youngling being tested. It was infuriating to feel so stupid
before him, yet he couldn't think of the answer.

"I assumed he wanted insurance in the event that Anakin awoke during the
duel," he said, but heard how feeble his reasoning sounded.

Yoda smiled weakly. "We are so strong in the Force, yet blind as mice we
can be," he said and shook his head sadly. It was comforting that he
included himself in the slander.  "Deryk revived Anakin and healed him. Who
do you think healed your young friend from the Dark Side? Not I. No Jedi
can remove that affliction."

Obi-Wan sat back and seemed confused. "Why would he heal Anakin? I don't
believe for one minute that he let his conscience dictate some sort of
penance."

Yoda waved down Obi-Wan's statement as if it was the most foolish thing
he'd heard all day. "He healed him because he cares for Anakin, and not
just as a friend. Oh no, he sees him as much more than that. In fact,
Anakin is the primary reason for Deryk's turning."

Obi-Wan gasped at the statement and looked at Yoda with open shock. Did he
hear Yoda correctly? "Master, no! What...?"

Yoda spoke over him. "Deryk turned because of passion. Surrogates the other
males were. Wanted Anakin, he did... but dare not face him he did out of
fear. Thus with passion and fear, the Dark Side came. Anakin feels the
same..."

"No! I can't bear to hear any more," Obi-Wan said standing in affront.

Yoda didn't appear to hear him. "Why else would your friend go to Naboo in
open defiance of Jedi ways? Mace Windu confirmed their emotional
connection, and that Deryk attacked when he sensed a threat from Mace and
Anakin. He returned to Coruscent to finish his confession of love to
Anakin, but was interrupted once again."

Obi-Wan circled the room in a perplexed state, filled with shock at the
revelation. It seemed so obvious now. Anakin's defiance and his stubborn
defense of Deryk's actions, and his emotional turbulence after last
night. His closed his eyes as if he could shake away the nightmare.

"Master Yoda, this is disastrous. A catastrophe! We must intervene before
Anakin is lured by Deryk to the Dark Side."

Yoda shook his head with dismay. "Above our understanding this union
is. Much too late it is to stop Anakin or Deryk. If we try to stop Anakin,
he will join Deryk beyond doubt."

"Are you seriously suggesting allowing Anakin to meet with a Sith Lord!?"
Obi-Wan could scarcely believe he was in this situation.

"I cannot accede to it, Obi-Wan, but I fear that it will happen despite our
wishes. If the Force wills it, then nothing we do will prevent it," he said
gravely.

"No!" Obi-Wan almost shouted causing Yoda to lift his head with
curiosity. "I will not allow my most trusted friend to fall into a Dark
Jedi's hands. I will destroy Deryk before I allow that level of sacrilege."
Without another word he stepped out of the room but felt Yoda's eyes follow
him.

He headed towards Anakin's room. He would address the situation
immediately, and sort Anakin else once and for all before this got out of
hand. Suddenly he stopped. He sensed panic, frenzy and ... violence. His
saber was in his hand before he knew it and he was rushing towards the main
square in the Lower Temple. There was fighting there, and he could sense
the Dark Side. "Too late," he muttered, "May the Force be with us."

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

Deryk slowly entered the Temple through the front entrance. Walking slowly
with my hood raised, I wore standard Jedi robes as I traversed the main
square in the Lower Temple. The Jedi would not expect me to use the most
obvious way to enter their stronghold. I scanned the surrounding area and
saw two Jedi on the far side of the square conversing. I'd used the Dark
Side to disguise myself. It presented a solution and a problem. They
wouldn't be able to sense the taint of the Dark Side in me, but at the same
time I had disguised my affinity to the Force, which meant they would sense
nothing all.  That would name me an imposter, and they would assume I was a
lowly thief who'd donned Jedi robes and smuggled myself into the Temple to
rob them. I needed to keep some distance between me and any Jedi I might
see.

I reached out and sensed my Master. He was five levels below ground in the
holding cells. The Dark Side was radiating from the area. The Jedi probably
thought he was trying to escape, but all he was doing was providing a
beacon for his own rescue. They weren't even trying to stop his efforts. It
was like a flare in the sky and the Jedi had done nothing!

As I descended the steps to the lower levels I stepped warily through the
empty passages.  It had seemed only logical to attempt this rescue during
the night when the Temple was less heavily populated, but twice I had to
duck into a side room when I saw a group of Jedi's or Padawans coming down
the hall.

As I reached the prison entrance I was accosted by two Jedi with suspicious
looks on their faces. They were the guards, and there was no way getting
around a confrontation with them. They would sit here all day and all
night, and would sense any fluxes in the Force if I tried anything. I
didn't slow my step but rather increased it. Suddenly I ran at them, and
their suspicion turned to shock and then to resolve. I lifted my hand and
lifted them both up, clutched in a suffocating grip which crushed their
bodies. They gasped and didn't even have time to ignite their weapons. With
a split of two of my fingers, I sent each hurtling into a wall so hard that
the stone cracked and flaked onto the floor, with a thin stream of blood
running down to the floor. There they lay, perhaps harmed, perhaps dying or
dead. I didn't have time to worry about them now.

As I approached my Master, I saw that he was contained in a Force cage with
a very intricate design.

"Knew you'd come, my friend," he said smiling. He stood and walked towards
me, but kept his distance from the barrier, knowing full well the pain it
would exert if he touched it.

"Of course," I said. "I know this Force cage configuration. Yoda taught it
to me a few years ago. I need to push against it with the Light side here,
and you need to unbalance its compensation by pushing with the Dark Side
here," I said formally. "Go," I said suddenly. I felt him hurl his strength
savagely at the field and I did the same with the Light side again and
again. I charge at it with the Force. It was like running into a wall and
felt the same. Again and again we crashed against it until a ripple ran
through it and a small fracture formed. I slipped the Force into the
crevasse and tore it apart. The field groaned and then roared as it
ruptured. Sidious and I were thrown against opposite walls.  Groaning
softly, I stood.

"We need to get out of here, Master. I had to release my disguise to defend
myself from the backlash. They'll know I am here. I'll meet up with you
later," I said desperately, and gave him Ki-Adi Mundi's lightsaber.

He laid a hand on my shoulder. "I shall not forget this, my apprentice," he
said almost kindly, but nothing could make those sinister eyes seem
warm. Rapidly he turned on his heel and flung out his left hand tearing a
hole in the wall of the prison. Gasps filled the adjacent passage as he
leaped through into the library with his blue saber ignited. Sidious would
choose the aggressive route, but I had better sense. I turned to head back
the way I came, and sparing one last look for my Master, I saw him cut off
a Padawan's head.  Something inside me stirred. It felt wrong. I couldn't
dwell on it though. I could sense flares in the Force as Jedi descended on
the area.

I ran back to the Lower Temple, and passed other Jedi with such speed that
they didn't have time to react. They might not have anyway. They were
running as fast as they could towards the library, some with sabers in
their hands, others with cries to inspire others against the 'evil Sith
Lords.' I could sense Anakin moving to the starport on the higher levels,
and I thought that perhaps they were packing him off before I could get to
him. It was infuriating. Moving to the higher levels would be suicidal. I
would have to leave and return later for Anakin.

As I approached the Lower Temple, I crouched behind a pillar and surveyed
the area. I could see no one, and sense no one. It was ominously quiet. I
stepped out from behind the pillar and walked hastily towards the door, my
footsteps echoing on the marble floors. As I neared the entrance the roof
above me exploded, and I leaped fifty feet back from where the concrete
would have crushed me. Landing, my red saber was ignited and ready. Yoda,
Plo Koon and Adi Gallia jumped down from the hole in the roof, sabers
ready. Yoda waved his hand and the fallen concrete lifted and slammed
against the side wall to clear the battlefield between us. I readied
myself, my face etched with fury.

"Strange robes you chose, my old friend," Yoda said gravely, all the while
toying with his green saber, and flanked by Plo's yellow blade and Adi's
orange one. "Trying to sneak back into the Jedi? The Sith not what you had
hoped for?" he said mockingly.

"I wore it as a disguise, Yoda, to cover my true identity. I think that
covers most of my Jedi career, really," I said. "Let me pass,"

"No," Adi Gallia said simply in her soft feminine voice.

"We three are too much, even for you, Deryk," Yoda said. "Submit, and your
life will be spared," he said.

"I've seen the limits of Jedi mercy. You'd put me in a holding cell for the
rest of my years and then content yourself that you hadn't killed me," I
said scornfully.

"How you have fallen," he said sadly.

"You would know, Master," I said dangerously.

This was a hopeless situation. I might be able to stand against Yoda and
escape, but against three of them I would not survive. I could sense other
Jedi converging on the area, and soon my chances would change from unlikely
to impossible. I caught some movement to my left and saw some young eyes
peering from around the doors on the far side of the room, eager to see
fully trained Masters caught in a battle to the death. I saw an advantage
in the situation and smiled cruelly. Yoda frowned, as if wondering what was
passing through my mind. My left hand shot out and five Younglings were
pulled from their hiding place screaming towards me. I floated them around
me in a circle, three facing the Jedi Masters and two flanking me. Two of
them were sobbing with fear, the others visibly trembling.

"No!" Adi Gallia said, taking a step forward, her voice etched with
desperation.

I smiled maliciously. "Now, we will negotiate on my terms," I said. "Sheath
your sabers and let me go, or I'll crush them one by one right in front of
your eyes." I didn't mean it... at least I didn't think I had it in me to
do it, but being a 'fallen and totally evil' Sith Lord did have its
advantages. Adi Gallia's blade diminished immediately, followed by Plo
Koon's, but Yoda gave me a long hard look before sheathing his saber. I
could tell he was frustrated at having a perfect trap turned against him.

I laughed mockingly and started walking towards the closed main doors. The
Jedi parted warily as I approached. The five Younglings started rotating
around me in a circle, their small feet suspended two feet above the ground
as their tears fell and spotted the shiny floors. I used them to form a
protective barrier around myself, and I watched the Jedi, and Yoda
especially as I passed them. "That's it Master Yoda. Don't try anything
rash," I said with a dark glare to match Yoda's frustrated one. I turned
and started backing away from them as I approached the doors, and heard one
of the Younglings start to whimper.  "Quiet boy," I said. "Are you a Jedi
or a mouse?" He stopped immediately. It was nice to know that I still made
a good teacher.

As I approached the doors, I pointed my finger over my shoulder and tore
the huge doors right from their hinges and heard them tumble down the main
steps. I saw Obi-Wan approaching from the far corridor, his blue saber
ready to do battle. Pointing my finger in his direction, I sent all five
Younglings shrieking in his direction and watched with amusement as they
collided with him and sent him sprawling to the floor. They were crying,
but unharmed, and it was nice to see the great master Obi-Wan lying flat on
his back like a fool. He'd never liked me. The two Jedi Masters rushed to
check the Younglings, but Yoda remained where he was. With my barrier gone,
I wasted no time in sprinting down the steps as fast as I could. I leaped
huge distances and finally landed in my concealed hanger two miles from the
Temple.

I had been in this hanger before on the night when I'd met Darth Sidious. I
walked hastily towards my grey speeder and was only a few feet away when I
was hit from the side by a colossal force. Crying out in shock, I flew a
huge distance through the air and crashed into the wall with such magnitude
that I went right through it as the stone exploded into shards. Lying on my
back, I groaned as every bone in my body ached, and my muscles refused to
move. I rolled to my side and coughed. I stood and whimpered as my body
resisted any movement and discovered a warmness running from my
nose. Wiping the blood from my nose, I leaned on the wall wearily and tried
to focus my eyes on the hangar. There stood Mace Windu in the place where I
had been, his eyes violently aggressive and his purple saber at the ready.

I staggered through the hole in the wall. He must have charged at me at an
enormous speed. My lungs burned as I tried to suck air into them, and my
nose started to bleed again. I angrily wiped the blood away again, and
proudly patted the dust off my clothes.  He started to walk towards me. I
was tired. I was so tired of it all. It seemed that my whole life had
become an extended lightsaber duel, and all that changed was the scenery.
Instead of drawing my saber, I sank to my knees. Mace's pace slowed and his
face softened, and then hardened again as he became suspicious of the
inevitable Sith trap. He walked right up to me, and the beautiful blade of
his saber swung and stopped next to my neck, inches from ending my life. I
didn't even flinch, because I didn't care.

"What are you doing, Deryk?" he said cautiously, but I could sense
confusion and surprise in him too.

I shook my head despondently. "I'm so tired of this, Mace. I can't tell you
how exhausted I am. I just want to sleep - forever. All I ever wanted was
Anakin, but it led from one thing to the next, and look at how much has
passed. Just kill me please, and put me out of my misery."

He looked at me seriously, clearly thinking on what I had said. His face
was almost unreadable.

"Please!" I begged, and felt ashamed as a tear rolled down my face. I
really wanted to die. Without Anakin, life would be meaningless anyway -
and I was beginning to think that I would never speak to him again anyway.

My head was bowed in shame, and all I could see were Mace's dark leather
boots facing me through the blur of tears. These were my final moments of
life. I was waiting for that quick strike to lob off my head. I
waited... and waited. After a while I looked up, mostly out of
curiosity. The buzz of Mace's lightsaber filled my left ear as the blade
rested agonizingly close to my head. He was staring at me, but his face was
a mass of confusion and despair. I could see him weighing the scales in his
head, while at the same time undergoing some sort of internal
conflict. Suddenly his blade retracted and he crouched down onto his
haunches, and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"You have used the Dark Side, Deryk, and you have killed Jedi in
anger. You've murdered innocents and broken their minds to gain
advantage. In every way you are a disgrace," he muttered calmly.

His eyes met mine softly. "Yet... you are my friend. I've always admired
your sense of honor and justice. You are a good person, not a Sith
Lord. When I look back on the past few weeks, I don't see a fallen Jedi, I
see a Jedi who was faced with the terrible burden of love, and no way to
solve it. I will not harm you. Not now. Not ever again. I only ask that you
steer away from any Jedi Knights you may encounter, and use your judgment
to see through Sidious and his lies. Other than that, nothing would warm my
heart more than to see you and Anakin together. I... envy you. You have
something no Jedi is ready for, and you've done well considering the
circumstances." His hand gripped my shoulder tightly, and in shock I
watched him walk away into the darkness of the hangar and leave.

For the longest time I sat there on my knees, and after a few moments I
started to weep.  Perhaps it was relief at having my life spared. Perhaps
it was the savor of having a former friend not condemn me, or try to kill
me. Perhaps it was the new chance I had to be with Anakin. It could have
been any of those, but I cried there in that desolate hangar until my eyes
were red and dry. When I finally managed to stand again, I was so exhausted
that a slave trader from Mos Eisley could have taken me right there and
then. I walked to my speeder still wracked with painful muscles and joints,
and that damn wound in my right arm which had started to burn. Mace really
had done a thorough job with me. I climbed into the speeder and set the
autopilot to take me to my apartment.

I staggered along the apartment building passage and almost fell into the
penthouse suite when the door opened. I expected my Master to be there, but
when I searched for him I sensed his presence thousands of miles to the
south. He was probably hatching some sort of petty revenge against the
Jedi, and I didn't care. When I saw him again I would let him know it
too. I heard movement in the shadows and swung around, the Force bridging
all my injuries with power and determination. Slowly, out of the dark
corner I saw Anakin step towards me. My mouth dropped in shock and my heart
leaped.

"Anakin," I said, half in a whisper. I couldn't believe it was him.

He walked slowly up to me, his eyes pained but hungry. He stopped in front
of me for just a moment, and then rushed forward and pulled me into a
suffocating embrace. "I missed you," he said softly into my ear. Having his
arms around me and his smell enter my nose felt so damn good, but despite
myself, I groaned as he jarred my injured arm and muscles. "You're hurt,"
he said leaning back and sweeping his eyes over me. "What have they done to
you?" he said angrily, while his left hand swept of over the wound in my
right arm causing me to flinch.

"Nothing more than I deserved," I said trying to smile. "You don't just
fight half the Jedi Council in one evening and have nothing to show for
it," I said.

He smiled widely and I was immediately absorbed by his perfect face. "Yeah,
and you did a pretty good job as usual," he said laughing. I couldn't help
but join him, but after a brief attempt at laughter, my painful ribs caused
me to cough instead.

Anakin moved close to me until he face was millimeters from mine, his nose
rubbing against mine, his eyes closed and his lips open in ecstasy as his
warm breath touched my face. He leaned forward and rested his forehead
against mine causing me to groan softly again, but in joy this time. My
mind started to swirl. I couldn't be this close to him for long without
losing my wits.

"Anakin," I said with pleading eyes. He leaned forward and his lips met
mine softly.  They were so soft, and this time I could feel the life in him
as he leaned into me.

"You shaved," I whispered with a smile.

"You noticed," he said. "Thought you'd like me better like this," he said.

"I do," I said gently. "But both times were nice."

"Hmmm..." he said. "Makes me wonder what you were doing before I woke up,"
he said with a naughty smile.

"Taking full advantage of hot guy in hibernation," I said honestly, causing
him to laugh.

I leaned forward and his face grew serious. His lips met mine and this time
I slipped my tongue into his mouth causing him to sigh with pleasure. He
wrapped his arms around me again and pulled me closer, and this time I
ignored the pain in my body. We stood there for a long time, our tongues
softly challenging one another. He pulled back eventually and leaned in
with pleading eyes, his breathing as heavy as mine.

"God Deryk, you're too much for me," he said with anguish.

I ran my hands up his back. "I love you, Anakin," I said, and rested my
head on his chest.  "I never thought I'd see you again. It's just that ..."

He looked into my eyes curiously. I continued. "It's just that ... I'm in
so much fucking pain." He laughed openly and hugged me.

"Let's get you to bed," he said smiling. We moved to my bedroom, him with
his sexy stride as he aided me with my absurdly staggered gait. As we
approached my bed he stripped me down to my boxers which was thoroughly
enjoyable. I saw him running his eyes over me and smiling
mischievously. His eyes fell on the deep gash in my arm and his mouth fell
open in shock.

"Don't worry about it," I said turning his face back with my hand to look
into my eyes.

He stripped down to his boxers and he leaned in for yet another passionate
kiss, his tented boxers dueling with my own. I wanted to shout with
pleasure. We lay down on the bed and he drew a sheet over us. I lay flat on
my back, desperately struggling off the urge to sleep. I was exhausted but
I would be a madman to let this moment pass. Anakin lay on his side, his
head rested in his right hand. I felt him looking at me, and when I turned
I saw a soft smile on his lips as he enjoyed the view.

"You're so damn hot," he said. He started running his finger down my chest
and down the groove between my abs. His fingers slid just below my boxers
before coming up again.

"Look who's talking," I said. I turned onto my side and looked him the
eyes. He smiled at me coyly, but I looked at him seriously, never more
aware of my passionate feelings for him. "I love you so much," I said, and
ran my hand over his cheek. I saw his eyes glisten, and suddenly my vision
blurred. Waves of sleep rushed over me. I just couldn't stop it anymore. I
had to give in. Before my descent into slumber, I felt him lay me on my
back and rest his head on my chest. Darkness enveloped me, but not before I
became aware of how lucky I was. For the first time in years, I was
fulfilled - and not even the Force could do that.

End of chapter 5

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