Author's notes: Don't ask me where this came from, I wrote part one as a one shot, there was never meant to be any more, and yet …well here it is. I like the dynamic of these 2 characters, it's not a very popular pairing as far as fic goes, but then I think they are difficult to write. As that wonderful 'don't blame me' saying goes; " it wrote itself". Just as well really.

Oh, and did I mention that I don't own Star Wars? Cos guess what? I don't.

I AM CLONE (Part 2)

"I am Jedi"

It was a single thought with a definite single purpose. She knew she was a Jedi, but the foundations that this belief was based upon were not so resolute as once were.

"I am Jedi" She stood at the observation window, her face full of sadness.

What was it? Sexual attraction, yes. But she had controlled that before, it was not a challenge.

Something else?

Something else about this situation was different. Something more, something more that shouldn't be.

She sighed. A feeling of despair and a hint of anger flashed through her body as she regarded the passing stars. Why was this so hard to bury? What was different?

The com link chimed. "General we're ready" Gree's voice was resonant but business like.

General Luminara threw one more regretful look at the stars before turning to leave the room. Her hand involuntarily touched her lightsabre as if to check it's presence had not departed her like so many of the foundations of her life she had come to depend upon. This war was changing many things, and many people.

The transport headed down to the surface. Other than a formal greeting no words passed between them for almost the entire journey.

And yet … she felt his eyes on her from behind that helmet. She was looking back, but with her thoughts only. He was confused too; she felt that much from him. For a brief moment she felt her own anguish and denial mirrored in his own.

So alike.

The transport carrying the small scouting party landed in one of the few clearings available and the troopers departed, their General taking the lead, their Commander as always close by her side.

The jungle was thick with vegetation and bursting with life. Things flew close by them, clung to trees above them or crawled carelessly by their feet. The whole planet seemed to buzz with energy and life and a total indifference to their presence. The heat was stifling, pushing in on them from all directions.

"Is our Intel sure about this sir?" a trooper's voice interrupted the noise of the jungle.

"It's all we have" came Gree's own voice, it hinted at uncertainty.

"I can't even see clankers wanting to come here sir" came the response.

General Luminara paused in her steps and turned her head "We must stay focussed" she said in a hushed voice "there is something here"

"Separatists sir?" asked a trooper.

"Something" she responded closing her eyes for a fleeting moment. "I sense danger, it's close by"

The troopers immediately stopped in their tracks and took defensive positions, covering all sides. Luminara fixed her gaze on an overgrown barely visible ridge in front of them. She crouched down as she studied it, her breathing deep but steady. Her eyes flicked briefly to her side as Commander Gree took up position next to her.

"I'll take a couple of men and scout ahead General"

"No" she gestured for him to stay, her fingers lightly touching his shoulder armour as she did so.

"General?"

"I must go on alone Commander"

A moment's pause.

"General" his surly tone disagreed.

"I must go alone" she said once more. Her tone was final. She had drawn a line between them, she would not back down from it and she knew he would not cross it.

Not yet anyway.

The noise of the jungle continued; the life of the animals and small insects, even the trees themselves went on regardless of this wretched war. This pitiful conflict.

Gree's helmet tilted to one side, Luminara saw nothing at first but her own face looking back at her from the reflection in his visor, but she felt his confusion, his look of pleading and exasperation became almost assailable to her just by studying that slight tilt. She had become used to it. Her ability to read all these small nuances in these basic gestures had heightened over their time together.

So much to see in a single look.

So much to perceive from a helmeted face, hidden from view but open, if only one took the time to actually look deeper.

He grunted and pulled back. She was sure he knew when she was reading him, and yes, there it was again, a perfect wall, it slid into place and suddenly he was cut off from her. The isolation was almost maddening to her, and yet all too familiar. Safe even.

She crept forward through the undergrowth leaving him behind. But her thoughts seemed caught up with his, she frowned as she felt herself almost have to wrench her concentration back to her own mind alone.

I am an island

Was that her thought or his?

Strange, it was becoming hard to tell at times like this.

Probably both she conceded.

I am an island

So alike.

I am Jedi

I am Clone

Yet worlds apart.