Dooku is not at all pleased to have been awoken an hour earlier than he usually rises in the morning to receive a call from his master. The urgency disturbs him. What could possibly be so important that Sidious would be calling him so early in the morning.
He kneels before the hologram. "Yes, Master," he speaks submissively, bowing his head. How he hates showing any respect for the monster before him. Sidious cannot be allowed to live, not when he's planning to destroy the galaxy simply for his own misguided ideas of what the Sith should be like.
"I have heard some disturbing news, Lord Tyrannus," replies Sidious, his tone greatly displeased. A faint prickle of unease runs through Dooku. Did something go amiss? What could have happened? Because he knows something did.
Dooku waits silently for Sidious to continue. It would be best for him to remain quiet as much as possible. He cautiously tightens his shields to prevent any emotions from slipping free. If Sidious so much as suspects that he's planning to betray him, Dooku has no doubts as to his fate, and he doesn't want to die just yet.
"Kenobi was kidnapped from the Temple," Sidious explains, "I presume you are responsible?"
"Yes, Master," he hastily confirms, hoping that this is all, though something tells him the situation is much bigger. He's not pessimistic type, but the Force's feelings have never been wrong in the past.
He can't see Sidious' face, but his displeasure is clear in the Force. "I heard rumors of a trained Force user who kidnapped him," the Sith Lord's ominous voice continues, "He was hiding his Force signature. The Council suspects Vader be involved."
"Vader is dead, my lord," murmurs Dooku, "The agent I employed is not trained with the Dark Side. I remained near the Temple to cloak him myself." He hopes it's a feasible explanation. It's not far from the truth after all. He was near the Temple.
For an excruciatingly long moment, Sidious remains silent, and Dooku gets the feeling that the Sith Lord does not fully believe him but cannot find any holes in the explanation. "Are your feelings clear on this matter, my apprentice?" There's a low threat in the words, and Dooku pretends not to notice the tightening of the Force around his neck.
He forces himself to continue projecting a front of loyalty and submission. It would not be good for Sidious to feel his rising fear. "They are, Master," he answers, and the slight pressure disappears.
Again, Sidious is quiet before speaking. "Have you learned anything of Skywalker?"
At last an easier topic. "No, Master," Dooku responds, "I have spoken to Kenobi, but he is not forthcoming with any information. He insists that the boy is dead. If he does not give me anything in a few days, I will publicize that we have captured him. Perhaps Skywalker will emerge from whatever hiding spot he has entered."
"I hope so," agrees Sidious, a dark chuckle escaping him, "Unless the boy is too upset to try and save his former master. If he does not come, I want you to capture his Padawan. She will certainly lure him out."
"As you wish, Master," Dooku nods, bowing once more, "It will be done." Without another word, Sidious disconnects the transmission, leaving Dooku feeling uncharacteristically shaken. No. Sidious shouldn't suspect anything. He clenches his jaw, before reigning in his anger. Those Jedi fools. Of course, they told the Chancellor about Kenobi's disappearance. Time is fast running out, and Dooku knows he must make his move soon.
No doubt Sidious will remain on guard for any attempts at betrayal, but they cannot afford to wait long. In a few days' time, they must go to Coruscant to take out Sidious. The balance is too delicate to wait any longer. Kenobi and Skywalker must be informed immediately.
***
Dooku steps into Kenobi's room, stopping at the sight greeting him. Kenobi is laying on the bed, one arm wrapped almost protectively around Skywalker, who is curled next to him, head resting on his former master's shoulder. Dooku can't stop surprise from appearing on his face before it disappears behind his carefully controlled mask. This was not what he'd expected.
The Council would never approve of such behavior, even though most non-Jedi would not find anything wrong with two people sharing a bed to draw comfort from one another's presences. It speaks of a strong bond, one which cannot be easily broken. Now he begins to understand just why his master hates Kenobi so passionately. His influence is probably the strongest keeping Skywalker on the Light Side.
Yes, Skywalker needed Kenobi, more than either of them realized most likely. More than that, the boy missed his former master, even though he was too stubborn to admit it. That suspicion was one of the main reasons Dooku had insisted so strongly that Kenobi join them. And, as often, time had proved him right. It's clear that they need each other.
Moments like this show that they aren't just brothers. Whether he likes it or not, Kenobi is acting very much like a father comforting his son. There is nothing brotherly about the way he's holding Skywalker. It's a very paternal gesture, one which Dooku finds slightly surprising. A master is not a parent, but clearly, that's not something that Kenobi chooses to acknowledge.
Dooku never would have acted in such a manner towards Qui-Gon, and he rather doubts his former Padawan treated Obi-Wan like the latter is behaving towards Skywalker. It's oddly peaceful in a way, seeing the boy resting next to Kenobi so trustingly. He may have been hurt badly, his trust may have been badly shaken, but on some inner level, he still trusts Kenobi won't hurt him. He trusts him to protect him. It's touching in a way Dooku couldn't quite describe.
He finds himself wondering what it would have been like to raise an apprentice like a child. Certainty it would have been considered unacceptable by the Council, so why are they permitting Kenobi and Skywalker's relationship? He doesn't know and will not presume to understand their reasoning. Very possibly, they are not even aware of it.
What would it have been like to be raised like a son by a master? He'll never know, but the thought, once in his mind, cannot be easily dismissed. He won't admit it – even to himself – but he almost wishes for a relationship like that. It's not common for anyone to show affection like that to another, especially among the Jedi. And Dooku realizes that he's seeing a side of Kenobi that he'd never willingly show to any other Jedi.
The Council doesn't see the distinction between love and attachment; to them, both are the same, but Dooku, who has lived with the Dark Side, knows that is not true. Love is the very antithesis to attachment. It is impossible for someone to harbor both for the same person. And clearly, Kenobi and Skywalker share a love that is not fully brotherly. It's something unique; Kenobi is neither Skywalker's father nor brother, yet he fills the role of both. While Dooku is not prone to sentimentality, he can't help but admire the beauty in it.
Kenobi stirs first, having sensed Dooku's presence. His eyes open, and he glances around the room. A look of surprise flits across his face when he sees Dooku. Dooku can feel him reaching out to Skywalker through their bond before the boy rolls over and wakes up, allowing Kenobi to pull back his arm. For someone who seems so spoiled, Skywalker is fully awake in a matter of seconds. Being in war will do that.
"I've had more pleasant awakenings," grumbles Skywalker, "Who could willingly wake up at such an indecent hour in the morning?" He's not a morning person, as Dooku quickly discovered. Kenobi must have had a hard time with him when he was still young.
"Trust me, Skywalker," retorts Dooku coolly, "I have no more desire to be awake right now than you. If it wasn't for the call I got from Sidious, I would still be asleep." Every single protest he might have had dies before it escapes him.
"What did he want?" Skywalker sounds uncertain, but not particularly alarmed.
Dooku levels him with a flat look. "Meet me in my office. I'll give you all the details then. We need to plan." Something in his tone clearly brooks no refusal, because Skywalker doesn't protest. He simply climbs out of bed, running a hand through his hair as he looks over at Kenobi who has been silent thus far.
"Are you coming, Master?"
A smirk inches onto Kenobi's face as he gets out of bed. "Regardless of your wishes, I actually do enjoy getting up early, and I can't say I mind seeing someone else getting you up."
"Yeah, well at least Dooku doesn't do it like you!" retorts Skywalker, glaring at him, despite the amusement in his tone.
"I cannot imagine how he would react if he was forced to get you out of bed like I do," counters Kenobi, "And I think it would be best if we listen to what he has to say. I do not except Sidious contacted him simply for his own enjoyment."
Skywalker sighs, but all traces of amusement disappear. As Dooku turns to leave the room, he catches sight of the fearless general that leads his men into battle. That is the potential that Qui-Gon undoubtedly saw. When he's not acting arrogant or like a spoiled child, Dooku can admit that Skywalker has power which he wields in a very effective manner.