A/n: I made up a lot of the stuff about the Togruta species… it might not be entirely canon; just a warning. Also, this should be a two-shot, but I don't know when the next part will be up… I know how I'm starting it, but not the ending. Title is from the Fleetwood Mac Song of the same name.

"What think you, of the situation on Shili, Master Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan looked up with a start as the wise faces of the other members of the Jedi Council turned towards him. "Well, Master Yoda, it is a valuable component to the Republic." He gave a small cough, hoping that the situation he was thinking of was indeed the one on the Togruta's overpopulated homeworld. "However, I must question if our source is indeed right. Yes, he –or she- has been in the past, but it is undisputable that all the previous situations were merely petty arguments."

Mace Windu nodded slightly, reassuring him that the situation he had in mind was the correct one. An inner war was threatening to break out on the moist planet. As the Togrutas were divided into very tightly-knit tribes, such things happened quite often, but they were usually very minor squabbles. In this instance, however, the wife of Shili's senator –Mennyt Talloin- had been kidnapped. The 'source' –who, despite very little being know about their identity was extremely well informed about the going-on's of the planet- was reporting the perpetrators to be the Sia'lss tribe, an ages-old group that was very outspoken of their support with the Separatists.

In the past, the clan had never done anything but whine about their beliefs. In the end they would always relent to Talloin's wishes: Part of the argument they possessed involved the Republic being against the ancient ways. At the same time, the 'ancient ways' said strongly that those with the greatest riches were to be given respect, and that they were to occupy a high position within the social structure that existed outside of a single tribe. Although the Sia'lss had gained many riches and owned a good percentage of the companies within the southern hemisphere, the opposing group had gained much more, with their rich history of Senators and other such government figures.

Hence, Obi-Wan's suspicions: "With all respect, it seems too out-of-character for such a drastic movement on part of the Sia'lss. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the Ancient Texts of the Togruta forbid such indirect warfare?" He turned to look at Master Ti.

She was leaning forward slightly on her seat, one of the Council Members to still be inside the Temple. The lovely woman dipped her head in acknowledgement.

"The Texts do discourage harming a family member brought to a tribe through marriage, words that date to the time when such things were often arranged with at least one unwilling person. However, that is one of the scripts more ignored nowadays."

Apparently thinking that to be important, Mace gestured for her to continue.

"Of course, a good amount of those ancient documents could be considered outdated, but in almost all other situations, it is because of the technology possessed nowadays. In this case, it was because of shifts within the social structures of literally all the tribes. Roughly nine hundred years ago, there came a well-known woman, called Aamlya. She was a spokeswoman –human– from the Republic. She had come to offer the Togrutas representation into the Galactic Senate."

"Before she came, women were wives and mothers, only hunting when the men were away. However, her ability to win an argument with a man –More, that she would even consider debating with a person higher than her– gained her respect and fame across Shili."

"It was then that woman and species besides the natives began to grow in power. Slowly but surely, a general understanding evolved that both genders were equal. It was even accepted by the shamans, and other interpreters of the Texts." She leaned back, her monologue over.

The other Masters nodded. Ki-Adi-Mundi was the first to speak. "So arranged marriages are now forbidden?"

"Yes. Hence, such drastic measures as kidnapping a family member would not be limited by any religious means." As though something about the situation was humorous, her lips curved about slightly in a smile. "Of course, the government dislikes it, but they have no real importance on Shili."

Obi-Wan smiled slightly, trying to move his mind away from two other women who had both made an impression on his life, an impression equal parts good and painful.

Yoda nodded. "Days of suspicion, these are. But days of risk, are they not also? Trust out contact, we will have to."

Mace frowned, and the blue hologram displaying him crackled, as if his displeasure affected the image. "Is that really wise? This could be a trap, and these days, one might wonder if we can spare the Clones required to break into a prison on such a high-security planet, as Shili is."

Shaak Ti spoke up again. "What if we compensate? The ARC units can very well lead a mission by themselves. Perhaps we could merely send a team of Jedi."

"That could be extremely unwise, Master Ti," cautioned Staas Allie, the Council's newest member. "That would mean sending at least four teams of Knights and Padawans, if we were to fully compensate for an ARC unit. Could we really risk that many?"

Realizing that the other members would become wary if he stayed too silent, far as his thoughts were from the current meeting, Obi-Wan chose to speak up. "Would not that depend on the team? What if we sent you, Master Ti, and Anakin, with his Padawan? Being from that planet, you and Ahsoka could blend in fairly well, and humans are not too uncommon. A bit of synthflesh, and Anakin could become just another everyday citizen of the planet."

The beautiful –Oh Force, he hoped he wasn't falling in love again! - Togruta nodded thoughtfully. "It would be risky, but loosing Shili because of inaction on our part would be riskier. Sending a few well-trained knights would probably compensate. However, it would be impossible for me to go."

Mace frowned. "You are the obvious choice, Master Ti."

She nodded. "Yes, but I would be recognized within minutes. Although we are open to other species, the only ones –with the notable exception of Aamlya- that become really admired are those of our origins. Unfortunately, due to the HoloNet, my image has been spread rather far across the galaxy, and I wouldn't be surprised if Ahsoka's has been, too. After all, she is the Padawan of the Hero With no Fear."

Master Yoda blinked heavily-lidded eyes slowly. "Free, Master Kenobi is."

Obi-Wan glanced up, startled. "Well yes, I suppose I am."

"Master Tachi is also between missions. You have always worked well in the past, and she is more of a fighter. If things cannot be settled peacefully, she would be a good ally to have by your side." Before that moment, Mace had always been a friend of his. Now, though, the Negotiator was starting to have his doubts.

"A good team, they make! But enough, is two, to break into a strongly-guarded prison, if correct, our contact was?"

Shaak Ti seemed to have been thinking. "Master Unduli is also in. Like Master Kenobi, she is adept at fighting and negotiating. I see no reason why not to send her. Again, there could be strong consequences, but the Separatists seem to be in stasis right now. Planning no doubt, but they could be waiting to see our reaction to the kidnapping. It is very risky, but is not that the description of all days in this time?"

The other members of the Council murmured their agreements. Master Yoda turned towards Obi-Wan. "Accept this assignment, do you, Master Kenobi?"

What could he say? "I would be honored to."

At least, he though, this will be interesting…