Chapter Nine: Confrontation

Author's Notes: I have no comments... but your comments would be lovely- review, please!!

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Jaydn found Drew, still in his good robes, seated at the bar in their usual hangout. She nearly skipped up to him and hugged him. He smiled at her, hiding the sad look he had borne only moments before. "Thank you so much!" she exclaimed. "You didn't have to do that."

His face seemed a conflict of emotions, as if a battlefield for joy and sorrow. Sorrow won out, and he turned away from her. "Yes I did." He paused. "You see, it was my way of trying to make up in advance for what I have to tell you now."

She sunk onto the empty chair beside him, dreading his next words. "What is it?"

"The Council is pleased with your work and is sending us on a mission to Tambra. That's why Yoda sent for me this morning."

Jaydn fought the tears that were welling up in her eyes. "Does Qui-Gon know?"

"I don't know."

"Yes you do, Drew. Don't lie to me." Her eyes were like fire as he glanced up into them.

"He knows." She flew off the seat, running out of the bar. Drew cursed softly, throwing money down on the bar before going after her. "Jade, wait!" He caught her by the arm.

She whirled to face him. "Damn you, Drew! You tried to buy me! You and him both!"

"Qui-Gon had nothing to do with it."

"He lied to me!"

"I told him to."

She froze. "What?"

"I wanted to be the one to tell you, not him. He didn't want to lie to you."

"But he did."

"I know, Jade. I'm sorry. I thought this would be the best way, for you to spend one last night together."

"Sure. It was great, now that I know it was all just to lead me on!"

Drew frowned. "Do you actually believe yourself enough to think that Qui-Gon would lead you on for any reason or do anything to hurt you? That boy is in love with you. Don't you get it?"

"Of course I get it. I'm in love with him too! But he has never ever lied to me before, and it hurts. It makes me feel like this whole night was a lie. I know it wasn't, but still..."

She brushed furiously at her eyes, trying to maintain her angry look, but Drew knew better. He wrapped an arm around her and she leaned against him, crying into his shoulder. "I know," he whispered. "I know you don't want to leave him."

"It's not just that. I'm scared."

"Why?"

She paused. "Because I don't think I can do this."

"Oh, Jade..." he stroked her hair gently. "If I didn't think you could do this, I wouldn't be bringing you along. You are one of the strongest people I know and one of the best Padawans I could ever dream of having. I trust you."

"But I've barely been a Padawan for a year. Everyone else my age is almost a Knight by now." She pulled away, brushing at her eyes.

"Since when have you let details stand in your way, Jade. Think about it. In the months you've been training, you've come farther than most would in that amount of time. And who knows, I may arrange for your Trials after we come back from the mission."

"Drew, no... I couldn't..."

He held up a hand to stop her. "Trust the Force, Jade. It is stronger than you know."

"Yes, Drew. Now let's go home."

"Good idea." They walked in silence for a few minutes. Drew kept his arm around her shoulders, silently giving her his support and letting her know how sorry he was for deceiving her. He had never wanted to hurt her. He would never do that. "Do you want to know about the mission?" he questioned. She nodded. "Good, because I figure you should know a little bit before we go to the briefing before the Council tomorrow morning."

"Does that mean I have to get up early?" As if on cue, she yawned.

"Yes, Jade, if I have to roll you out of the bed."

"You already did that once. I just slept on the floor."

He chuckled. "Right. I'll have to try something else." He squeezed her shoulder affectionately. "So anyway, our mission is to the planet Tambra, near the Outer Rim. It's a pretty isolated place with only one moon and one sun. There are no other planets around for quite a while. The people there are ruled by a royal family, but of course, not everyone is happy with that. A civil war of sorts is going on in certain regions, and the King and Queen have recently been assassinated. Now the Princess Aria, soon to be Queen, is moving the capital city from its current location in Ramden to another major city, Oleen for a more strategic location. To do this, according to Tambran tradition and law, the ruler has to make a ceremonial journey on foot from one city to another. That's where we come in. We are to escort Princess Aria on her journey, which will last for two to four weeks."

"Why the Jedi? Doesn't the Princess have bodyguard?"

"Several of them made an assassination attempt on her own life. She is hiding in a safe-house with only two or three select guard until we reach her."

"But we are only two."

"The Jedi are greatly respected on Tambra, even by those not supporting the Crown. Our mere presence may turn away attackers. She has specifically requested our company on her journey, and we are obliged to respond. Yoda thought this would be the perfect first mission for you."

"Why, because an idiot could escort a Princess?"

Drew frowned at her. "No, Jade. Believe me, there will be great danger on this trip. I feel it. Yoda knows you have grown strong in the Force and your skills have improved greatly. It is a tremendous responsibility to be chosen to go on this mission. The Princess is powerful and the Tambrans would be great allies to the Jedi and to the Republic we represent. A lot may depend on our ability to effectively protect the Princess."

"I know, Drew. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. A first mission is always hard. I remember when I was young..."

Jaydn held up a hand. "Please, Drew. I said I was sorry. That wasn't an invitation for you to tell an over-dramatized childhood story."

"Right. I've forgotten how Padawans hate those kinds of stories."

"I'll forgive you this time."

He raised an eyebrow. "Too kind." His hand muffled a long yawn. "It's late, Jade. Let's get going." By now they were inside the Temple and stepped inside a transport to take them up to their room. He hugged her briefly as the doors closed. "I'm proud of you, Jade. Don't ever forget that."

END CHAPTER NINE