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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