Chapter 3

Help From an Old Friend

CELESTIA'S POV.

I was happy to see Obi again. I just wish it had been under different circumstances. Then again, it could have been, but I chose for gems to stay neutral because of our history. History that still continued to make my chest clench painfully. But I couldn't think about that right now. I had to focus on taking care of my people, and with Rose on a mission more than halfway across the galaxy, it was left to me.

"So, the gems have chosen to finally join the Republic. May I ask why?" Padme asked, politely.

"Well-" I was then cut off by Argus Zapuli, a known Separatist Aristocrat, walking in.

"Why may I ask are you here Zapuli? I know how…busy you can be." I stated in suspicion.

"I am here at the request of Count Dooku. I have already been given permission to see this meeting by your fellow senators. I am just here to offer any of the Separatist's help during your trying time with this problem of yours." he stated.

"And how exactly do you know about it?" I asked.

"Word travels fast Celestia." he stated, taking a glace of wine.

"Yes, it certainly does." I said with a slight tone of malice, but made it undetectable.

"So what exactly is your problem? I mean no disrespect, but it does seem to be rumors amongst others." he stated snobbishly.

"You dare call shattered gems rumors!?" Amethyst burst out. I was upset as well, but she shouldn't have just burst out.

"Amethyst…" I stated and she went quiet again, but kept her glare on Zapuli.

I exhaled and spoke.

"We are facing a dilemma of extreme proportions. These creatures that we face have just appeared out of nowhere, and have weapons and abilities that can break the physical forms of gems and reduce them to nothing but their gemstone states, they also have the ability to absorb them. It is clear that this is a problem we gems cannot handle ourselves. If we can't stop them…I fear it may be the end of all gems…" I explained sadly.

"Don't worry, I'm sure the Republic will do everything it can to help." Obi-Wan stated, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I looked at him and smiled and turned back to Padme.

"We have decided that joining the Republic is the best choice, we wouldn't want for our planet to be disturbed in any way with droid factories. Sorry, Argus." I stated in fake apology.

He pursed his lips, then smiled, but I could see past that.

"It's alright Celestia. Unfortunately, I must take my leave. Though you have decided to join the Republic, just remember, the Separatist will be open to helping you to restore peace to Gem Prime. If you need anything…" I didn't miss the way his eyes glanced over my body, "Just give me a call, and I will put in a good word for you with Count Dooku, who sends his condolences." he finished.

"Thank you, Argus." I stated.

"Anytime, farewell." he stated, taking his leave.

Once he was out of ear shot, I spoke.

"Farewell indeed. I'd rather have my gem ripped from my body than call him back, let alone join the Separatists." I stated, making a few in the room chuckle softly, and try to hide it.

After speaking the senators left to discuss. I was very nervous. I knew many of them well, but I was still nervous.

After what seemed like hours. The senators returned.

"We are happy to inform you that we have accepted Gem Prime into the Republic. And that we will be happy to aid you in your time of need." Padme said with a smile. I let out a breath and hugged her, as well as the others in happiness.

"Your accommodations have been made, here in the Jedi Temple as well as some of the finest apartments on Coruscant. I hope they'll be to your liking. Once you're ready, you will be escorted there. Oh, and also, your sister has been notified of your joining the Republic." Padme stated.

"Thank you Padme, for everything." I stated.

"Not a problem. Now, if there is nothing else, I must return to my other duties. Good day." she stated, then left with the other senators.

Once that was finished, we were taken to and shown our rooms in the temple and after, shown our apartments outside the temple. Both were very nice, and would be great to live in while we were here. We were also given an extensive tour of the temple.

"We know that you and the other gems will need to train and such, so the temple will be completely open to you all during your stay." Obi stated.

"Thank you master Jedi, your words are assuring." I replied smiling.

After, we returned to the council room and continued to discuss our problem.

"Now we must discuss what to do about the creatures you now face." Windu stated. Still so stoic and seemingly unemotional.

"Right. This is video captured of the most recent attack before we were made to flee." I stated, showing them the holo-video that Rose had showed us. It was a mystery to the Jedi as well.

"We have no idea what they are or how they got on the planet. We've never seen anything like them before." Aqua marine stated.

"We had to leave our people behind. If they've fallen…" I trailed off, looking down sadly, before looking up again.

"We don't know what to do." I stated defeated.

"We must go back to Gem so that we can study these creatures, then we may be able to find a way of defeating them." Obi-Wan stated.

"Agreed. Obi-Wan, Skywalker and I will accompany you back to Gem prime to help. We will leave in one week. For now you all need rest I'm sure. Dismissed." Windu stated.

We all agreed and left the meeting room. After taking the girls to their rooms here in the temple, I had asked to be brought to my apartment.

"I will take the senator to her apartment to ensure her safety." Obi-Wan stated.

Once at my apartment, I went straight to the kitchen to get a bottle of wine and two glasses. Poring one for myself and Obi, I sat at the table with him.

After a few minutes of silence, he spoke.

"This wasn't the first way I imagined seeing you again." he stated.

"You imagined seeing me again? I'm flattered." I state smiling.

"Why wouldn't I want to see an old friend again?" he asked.

I glanced down, my smile faltering for a moment, before I forced it to return.

"Right, who wouldn't want to see a…friend, again?" I asked. He noticed my hesitance.

"Celestia…" he stated, but I spoke up.

"No, it's fine. I understand. I didn't forget, and I know you didn't either. It's your code and you just can't go against it. I understand Obi, I won't ask you to break it. I couldn't then and I can't now. But I wonder would it really be so bad if Jedi were allowed to be in relationships?" I stated, getting up and walking to the balcony that was by a large widow in the living room, there was another just like it in my room.

"Worldly feelings and desires lead one to the dark side." he stated.

"No, unchecked feelings and desires lead to the dark side. Whether or not a person's will is tempted by the dark side is what leads them to it, not relationships or emotions or desires alone. They need to be unmonitored, unchecked, able to run wild freely with no discipline and be naïve enough and have no sense of the consequences to lead one to the dark side. They have to be blinded from all that happens to them, others around them and anyone caught in the middle. They have to be blinded from the reality and the truth that the dark side really holds, beyond the temptation, no matter what it may be. It's a person's own actions that lead them to the dark side. Think about it." I stated.

He stayed silent for a while minutes, then spoke.

"You may be right, but even still. If we Jedi allow ourselves to be vulnerable to our feelings, then we risk losing others that we love and care about, and end up losing this war. That's why our code forbids relations of the jedi. We could also become blinded by our grief and sadness and it could lead us to the dark side. It's happened before and it happens now with others, Jedi or not." he stated.

I honestly couldn't say anything back. I knew he was right, and he knew it too, but at the same time he knew I was right as well. So, who was the most correct? We may never get to really know…

After some time of silence, he spoke up.

"I should go before they begin to worry. Have restful sleep, senator." he stated.

I still had my back to him, with my arms crossed.

I heard him walk to the door and open it, but before he left, he spoke again.

"I truly am sorry Celestia. I really am…goodnight…" he stated, then left.

I let out a shaky breath, as a sob escaped me. I walked to my room and fell on my bed as I cried into my soft pillow. Hot tears streamed down my face, and I couldn't stop them. I looked at the night sky, then at the Jedi Temple that could be seen from here and continued to cry.

As I cried myself to sleep, one thought went through my mind as I let sleep take me over.

'Why did it have to be you? Why did I have to fall in love with you? Why Obi, why?'

OKAY, I HOPE YOU ALL LIKED, PLEASE REVIEW BUT DON'T FLAME. PEACE OUT!