Chapter C: Council
Chapter Summary: The Council discovers their secret. [Stand-alone chapter]
In another life, another universe, another galaxy far, far away, a young Twi'lek initiate lost herself in one of the many grand corridors of the Jedi Temple. Overwhelmed, the youngling continued to wander, until a kind, Nautolan Jedi Master stopped to help and comfort her, drawn to the teary-eyed child's plight.
With soothing words and a comforting smile, he carried her back to her crèche, where they parted ways – temporarily.
Years passed, the Twi'lek youngling grew older, and the Nautolan Jedi took her on as his Padawan, struck by the change between the frightened youngling he knew in passing and the mischievous, headstrong youth who boldly approached him with a request for Apprenticeship.
They flourished as Master and Apprentice, teacher and student, and embarked upon many challenging but ultimately successful missions. Their fellow Jedi regarded their flawless cohesion with admiration.
The day finally came when the Twi'lek – now a stunning young woman, with a body full of curves, a head full of stubbornness and a heart full of empathy – was to be Knighted. Her Master, proud of his pupil and friend, saddened to let her go, watched on as she exceeded all expectations, and when she turned to him with a delighted gleam in her eyes, his face split into a broad grin.
And thus, they went their separate ways again.
It was not long, however, until their paths crossed again. They were re-united within a year, partnered together for a mission that required the strength of their teamwork. The mission was completed with astounding grace, and the Jedi Council elected to have them work together.
As the years passed, the strength of their bond grew, and flourished once again until one day, their feelings for one another became an unavoidable fact. The Nautolan Master struggled. He meditated. He worried. He brooded. The Twi'lek Knight did not brood; she went for a swim, and before she'd even dried off, her mind was set.
She confronted him a few days later. She would've confronted him within an hour of making the decision, had he not been diligently avoiding her. They spoke; they argued. Their words grew more and more heated, enflaming the air around them, until finally, the impassioned Twi'lek snapped and drew her former mentor into a full-bodied embrace.
The Nautolan brooded no more after that night.
In the following years, they continued with their missions as they secretly continued their relationship. They were discreet, and publically gave no indication of any sort of forbidden tryst.
But as they continued to avoid being caught, their confidence continued to increase, and their caution began to wane, until at last, they were exposed.
The Council lectured them, day in, day out. They were kept apart, as various senior Jedi tried and failed to convince them to let go of their attachment.
After much deliberation on the part of the Council, and much anxiety on the part of the lovers, an ultimatum was given: either they could leave the other, or they could leave the Order.
Together, they left the Order.
A/N: Hey everyone, thanks for all your supportive feedback! Sorry for the delay, but I cannot promise that it won't happen again. Final year of high school and all – assignments, tests, exam prep and whatnot. A really short chapter this time to tide you over 'til the next one (which may be four or five months out), so I hope you enjoy it. I might pick this one up in a later chapter, detailing their life together after leaving the Order and after Order 66, but no solid plans at the moment.
Thanks again to my beta reader and dear friend, Minion of Sekhmet. (Want more Kit/Aayla? Go check out her stories!)