He was far from all right. And of course Taria knew that, which was why she'd asked. But there'd he time for debriefings back at the Temple. Time to think of the fallen, and mourn them, and find ways to honor those who'd made mistakes-and paid a terrible price to undo them. Time to come to terms with the loss of his friend. It was a journey he'd started in Torbel's sick house, but he still had a long way to go.

I'm not even sure it's a journey I can finish.

Knowing she'd let him, just this once, he lied. "Yes. I'm fine. "

She lifted an eyebrow. "You need more rest. "

"After the war. Taria..." Palpatine hadn't acknowledged what she'd done. What she'd sacrificed. It made him angry. "You saved so many lives. And now..."

"No regrets, " she said, under her breath. Her fingers tightened on his arm, and she tried to smile. "How can there be? Obi-Wan..."

Then Master Windu returned, and the moment was lost.

"Right, " Windu said, as Yularen toggled the bridge and told them he was on his way. "1 think we're done here. Anakin!"

Anakin joined them. "Master. "

"You've spoken to your Padawan?"

"Yes, Master. "

"Good. " Master Windu smiled, fiercely. "Then let's go. We'll hop a gunship over to Dagger and make best speed for home. "

182.

Turning, he headed for the hatch, Taria falling into step beside him. One warm, affectionate glance over her shoulder, and she was gone.

"Home. " said Anakin. "That's got a nice ring to it. " He was smiling broadly, a hint of mischief in his eyes and a sense of excitement, quickly tamped down. And then the smile faded. "So, Obi-Wan. We survived another one. "

Not all of us.

But that wasn't Anakin's problem. With a wrenching effort, he pulled his mind from the pain and loss that were crouched ahead in the shadows, waiting. Inescapable.

"Yes, we did, Anakin, " he agreed. "By the skin of our teeth. "

"Yeah... " Anakin shook his head. "Y'know, I'm starting to think we need a new hobby. "

He was tired, he was sad, but still...

"Trust me, Anakin, " he said lightly, "on that score, you'll get no argument from me. "

And then they grinned at each other. No need to say more.

"Ken.o.bi!" Master Windu shouted from the corridor. "Have you forgotten what best speed means?"

"Oops, " said Anakin, and extended his hand with a flourish. "After you, Master Ken.o.bi. "

"No, no, Master Skywalker, " he replied. "I insist. After you.

Side by side, they walked out of the room.