OptimusPrime2017 presents to you

A Star Wars fanfic;

Find Yourself

Chapter 1:

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Mace Windu's eyes snapped open as someone knocked on the door of his quarters. Annoyed, he tried to sit up, but banged his head on the bottom of the bunk above him. He cursed, scrambling to get up. Bleary-eyed and a new headache forming, he looked up as the door opened.

His friend, Reach Fatino stood in the doorway. "Sorry to bug you, Mace."

"What do you want, Reach?" He asked, sighing. "It's the middle of the night, so this had better be good. I just hit my head…"

"I wanted to know if you could still use your skills to break into the kitchen for me?" She asked.

"I'm done breaking into the kitchen, okay?" He retorted.

"But you used to love doing it."

"Used to."

"What happened to you, Mace? You weren't like this before that mission you went on a few months ago." She told him. "Tell me what happened. We're friends, remember?"

"I know, but I prefer not to even think about it." He responded.

Reach eyed him curiously. "You told me that you won that battle. Why're you so upset about it then?"

"It doesn't matter." Mace said, his voice harsh. He looked at his right fist, clenching and unclenching it. His voice was softer and a little broken as he repeated,"It doesn't matter, Reach."

"Yes it does, Mace." His padawan friend walked over and sat beside him on the lower bunk of his bed. She put a hand on his shoulder. "Just tell me."

"Fine; I'll break you into the kitchen, but that's all." The young padawan gave in with a sigh. He got to his feet and slipped his boots on, then the top of his usual padawan outfit over his head. "Let's go."

"Mace, that's not what I meant."

"I know."

"Why are you breaking me into the kitchen then?" She asked.

"Because you asked me to do so." He replied honestly. "And, I haven't done it in awhile. And third of all, to stop by the med bay to get something for my head." He opened the door and looked back at her, giving her one of his old mischievous grins. "Come on, Reach."

Reach rolled her eyes. "Alright then. To the kitchen we go."

She got up and followed Mace stealthily through the halls of the Jedi Temple. He moved confidently, remembering the path easily. He knew that the elevator would attract attention, so he lead her up the staircase. They reached the floor the kitchen was on.

Mace stopped right outside the kitchen's double doors, holding a finger to his lips. Reach nodded as she stopped beside him.

"Stay here." He whispered in her ear as quietly as possible. "I'm going to look for a way in and then come back."

She nodded. "What if I get seen?"

"You won't. Trust me."

"Okay, Mace."

Mace slipped around the nearest corner, looking for an unlocked rear door or a vent to crawl through. He spotted a vent and knelt down beside it. He made sure the lid could come off before moving back towards his friend. He rounded the corner and nearly ran into her.

"Come on, I found a way in." He whispered. "Stay quiet, though."

Reach nodded and followed him back to the vent. He removed the lid and motioned for her to go in. He crawled in after her, making sure to close the vent behind him. They reached a space that allowed enough room for him to move around her and take the lead. They reached the other end of the vent and he carefully lifted the lid off. He crawled out and got up, stretching his cramped legs. She crawled out after him.

"Grab what you want and let's go. We have to be fast." Mace ordered quietly.

"Okay." Reach nodded. "I'll try to hurry."

"You'd better."

"Who's in there?!" A voice came from outside the double doors.

Mace and Reach exchanged fearful glances.

"Quick!" He whispered. "Back through the vent, now!"

Reach scrambled in, quietly clambering through the vents. Knowing the doors were about to open, Mace put the lid on it after her.

The doors burst open. A white haired Jedi walked through and he did not look happy.

Mace took a couple of paces back. "Master Dooku…"

"Padawan Windu, what are you doing in here?" The Jedi Master demanded. "You shouldn't be in here this late."

"I know, Master." The padawan responded, swallowing nervously.

"Come with me. Now." Master Dooku grabbed the young man's arm and started pulling him back towards the door. "You've made quite a mistake tonight."

"I know, Master…" Mace replied, trying to sound regretful. "I'm sorry."

"I hope you mean it, boy." The Jedi growled as they exited the kitchen which he locked. "Was anyone else with you?"

"No, sir." He lied. "Just me, I promise."

They rounded a corner and nearly ran straight into Reach.

"Reach?" Mace gaped. He tried to cover up his shock. "I thought you were sleeping."

"Hello, Mace." She kept a straight face. "I was just trying to find my way to your room."

"All of the padawan quarters are below this floor, Padawan Fatino." Dooku pointed out.

"I...got lost." She didn't sound very convincing.

Mace facepalmed with a deep sigh and muttered,"You have got to be kidding me…"

Master Dooku looked from her to him, obviously knowing that they'd worked together. "As good as it is to see you out of your quarters, Windu, I think that you should stay in there at night."

"Yes, Master." Mace sighed in defeat.

"And no more lying to both of you." The man ordered sternly. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master." Both padawans said in chorus.

"Why were you breaking into the kitchen?" He asked.

"I was hungry and asked Mace to help me." Reach admitted.

"And I agreed…" Mace grumbled.

"I'll have this dealt with tomorrow." Dooku sighed angrily.

The Jedi Master lead them to the elevator and they went down to the padawans' quarters level. They walked to Mace's room first. Dooku took him aside right in front of the door.

"No more adventures, Windu. Either you train with the other padawans during the day and sleep at night or stay in there all the time." The angry man jerked his finger at the padawan, making him flinch back. "Next time I catch you doing something rash, the consequences will be more severe. Do you understand?"

Mace crossed his arms, glaring back at the man. "Yes, Master." He replied in a cool voice.

"Good." Dooku glared at him before walking over to Reach, who flashed him a sympathetic glance. "Now stay in your quarters for the night."

"That's the plan…" Mace muttered to himself after he went in and laid down on his bed. He closed his eyes, sighing. "Definitely the plan."