Title: Another Path

Author: ewans' girl

Chapter 10: Sorry it took so long to update, I'm battling the worst writer's block right now.

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The room was kept at a comfortable temperature but for Siri the air still felt wickedly thick as she took her place in front of the Senate committee that had called to head the hearing of the possible murder of Bruck Chun and the plot to assassinate Queen Amidala. Before Siri had been called as a witness it had already been proven that Ben was not responsible for the death of the Jedi Padawan, and that there was no proof that he was behind a plot to assassinate the Queen of Naboo.

The female apprentice wasn't nervous and didn't know why the prosecution had bothered to put her on the stand, but as a Jedi she was forced to obey and she would relay the truth knowing she couldn't give anything new to their case. She scanned the room as she took her place in the witness stand and carefully took in the faces of the Senate Committee. Majority was supporters of the Jedi and after hearing about Ben's former association with the Order and his tragic ordeal they seemed to be sympathetic to his plight.

Her blue eyes then focused on Ben who was bound to a chair in the middle of the room, he noticed her stares and his lips twitched into a slight crooked smile. She found her lips beginning to follow suit but she cleared her throat and focused instead on the man about to barrage her with questions.

San Serrano looked at the data pad on his desk then up at the Jedi on the stand then back to his data pad. He put his hands behind his back as he paced in front of Siri, thinking of how to begin. "Padawan Tachi," he continued to pace. "You are a Jedi in training are you not?"

Siri raised an eyebrow at the obvious question and nodded. "That is correct."

"And you are training under one of the Jedi Council?" He asked his next question.

"Yes."

"You are aware of the severity of the truthfulness of your testimony?" Serrano asked, looking into her eyes.

Siri straightened in her seat and stared back at him. "Of course, it is law but more so for a Jedi."

San Serrano licked his lips. "I'm glad to hear that Padawan Tachi," he turned away from her. "As we already heard from Master Jinn you were assigned to the mission on Naboo, I assume you have nothing further to add to the Master's testimony."

"Nothing further, Master Jinn gave a very accurate account." Siri folded her hands on her lap. "I would only repeat his information."

Qui Gon glanced over at Adi Gallia sitting next to him and she gave him a supportive smile, he then looked over at Ben and felt his heart constrict at the sight of his former charge chained to a chair he sensed the fidgeting figure next to him and he put a hand on Anakin's knee to keep him still.

"How much longer will this take Master Sir?" Anakin asked in a whiney young voice.

Qui Gon didn't answer him with his voice but instead put a finger to his lips to gesture him to stay quiet, he then turned to watch Siri's questioning. He had to admit he was very impressed with Siri's focus on the present moment, everything about her screamed Jedi except for the slight occasional glance towards Ben. Qui Gon wondered about it and was sure Adi noticed it as well.

"Like Padawan Muln had explained Bruck Chun slipped on the rocks in the riverbed and pulled me over the side with him, Ben was able to save me in time." Siri answered another question.

"Interesting how he had time to rescue you but not Bruck Chun." San Serrano began to pace again, scratching his chin.

Siri stiffened her body at the comment, feeling backed into a corner. "Well given the circumstances I think he did nothing wrong."

"You think?" Serrano asked, and then changed subjects. "Is it true that you were missing for a little over three weeks?"

Siri looked at her master then back at Serrano. "I'm sorry?" She stalled.

"I have a request to the Supreme Chancellor from the Jedi Council to help search for a missing apprentice. . ." He walked in front of the Senate committee then turned back towards Siri. "In the request it states that Jedi Padawan Siri Tachi was taken hostage on Naboo and had been missing for three weeks." He walked slowly back towards the apprentice. "Now was this you? Or is Siri a popular name in the Jedi Temple?"

Siri tried to hide the anger in her eyes as she stared at the man. "It was me,"

"How did he get that request, I thought it was confidential?" Qui Gon leaned over to Adi, anger dripping off his voice.

Adi shook her head. "I don't know Qui Gon, the Council wanted to deal with this matter on our own. Perhaps the Chancellor said something to the Queen of Naboo."

Qui Gon sat back in his seat. "That would make sense." He closed his eyes and felt someone tugging on his sleeve; he turned and looked down at Anakin.

"Padme didn't do it," the nine year old tried to explain.

"What are you talking about Ani?" Qui Gon asked.

"Padme didn't say anything, I did." He innocently stated. "See I met that guy Bruck and he told me about Ben and how he left the Jedi and hurt you. . ."

Qui Gon ran a frantic hand through his beard. "Anakin,"

"And then Bruck died and when we came here yesterday I met Bruck's brother and I told him about Siri." Anakin saw the look on Qui Gon's face and suddenly felt bad. "I thought I was helping, my mom always told me to tell the truth."

Qui Gon held his head in his hands and Adi leaned forward to regard Anakin. "You did nothing wrong young Skywalker," she assured him. "Next time though tell your master first before you say anything to a stranger."

Anakin nodded and looked at Qui Gon. "I'm sorry Master Qui Gon,"

Qui Gon met his gaze with the large blue eyes of his new student and sighed. "It's alright my young apprentice, nothing happens by accident with the Force."

"It wasn't like that," Siri was trying to explain her point.

"But you were held against your will right?" San Serrano cut her off.

"Yes at first, but nothing happens by accident with the Force," Siri attempted to explain.

"Oh good I was wondering when the magical Force would be brought into this," San Serrano stated sarcastically. "Please Padawan stick to the facts at hand and leave out your beliefs."

Siri exchanged glances with Adi who was giving her a supportive look, telling her it would be alright to continue through their bond. Siri straightened in her seat and kept a neutral expression as Serrano asked the next question.

"Did you get a good look at your kidnapper?" San Serrano continued to throw questions at Siri.

"Yes."

"If you were to see the man who took you hostage would you be able recognize him?" The prosecutor asked and Siri nodded. "And is the person responsible for your disappearance present at this hearing?"

Siri avoided looking at Ben and instead looked at her hands in her lap. "Yes," she softly answered.

San Serrano moved closer. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you."

Siri looked up at him with fire in her eyes. "I said yes."

Serrano made a clicking sound with his tongue and moved closer to the female Padawan. "Would you do the committee a favor and please point out this criminal?"

Siri looked down at her hands again and took a deep breath, calling on the Force to guide her. The room sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity for Ben before San Serrano asked Siri again.

"We are waiting Padawan, and remember you are under oath." He folded his arms across his chest.

Siri locked eyes with Ben who had a very disappointed look on his face; she mouthed the words "I'm so sorry" and then finally closed her eyes and pointed in his direction.

San Serrano jumped at his chance. "My honorable delegates of this committee, what we came here today to prove were not found however I believe that the defendant is still a danger to others." Ben shot Serrano an angry look. "He was able to kidnap a senior Jedi Apprentice under the very noses of the Jedi Council; does this sound like a man that should be trusted living free in the galaxy?" Serrano look out towards the audience who was present. "The Jedi Council wanted to handle this matter on their own, but how can we trust them to be able to do so when they weren't even able to protect one of their own?"

Siri looked in horror at the commotion in the room. "It wasn't like that,"

San Serrano turned to Ben and gave a wicked grin. "My suggestion your honor is to lock him away until the courts have decided the best course of action."

Siri and Ben locked eyes and the noise and shouts around them seemed to vanish. Siri didn't even hear the Committee agree with San Serrano or the cheers and angry shouts coming from the audience. Everything came screaming back to her when she saw a guard grab Ben and pull him towards the exit, still in chains. She jumped to her feet and followed after him, screaming his name.

"Ben!"

Adi Gallia grabbed her before she could catch up to him; she held her apprentice tight and stared her down. "Siri," She sternly commanded attention. "You are a Jedi, act like one."

The words felt like a slap in the face and Siri looked at her master in shock, then nodded and relaxed her features. "Yes master."

Siri watched the guards drag Ben out of the room, his eyes searching hers for any kind of comfort. She looked away until he was gone then slowly followed her master back to the Temple.

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(TEN YEARS LATER)

"We're keepers of the peace, not soldiers." Mace Windu leaned on his knees to express his point.

Chancellor Palpatine furrowed his already wrinkled brow and looked at all the Jedi present in his office before settling his gaze on a small green creature. "Master Yoda, do you really think it will come to war?"

The ancient Jedi Master closed his eyes. "The dark side clouds everything, impossible to see the future is."

Luminari Unduli felt the uneasiness run through the rest of the Jedi when Yoda uttered those words, all knew it was a true statement but they never expected to hear it from their leader. She also sensed a different restlessness coming from the person standing next to her; she turned and glanced over at the blonde woman who was continuously glancing at the entrance of the Chancellor's office. Luminari smiled to herself, and looked at the statuesque figures of the Chancellor's special security force Crimson Guards; she had heard stories of those elite security forces but more importantly about their creator/trainer.

"He's not here, you checked three times already." Luminari whispered to Siri Tachi.

The blonde Jedi turned her attention back to the meeting. "I don't know what you are talking about," she tried to play innocent.

Luminari shook her head. "How long has it been since you've seen him?"

Siri cleared her throat. "I saw him four years ago when Palpatine granted him a pardon and hired him as head of security."

"I thought you promised Adi you weren't going to see him again." Luminari pressed.

Siri tensed her body as the doors opened, but relaxed when she saw a committee of Senators enter, led by Padme Amidala. "He came to me," she finished explaining. "He has this uncanny ability to find me."

"Doesn't that frighten you?" Luminari asked her friend.

Siri shook her head. "In a way it comforts me."

"You know Milady that Count Dooku was once a Jedi, he could never assassinate anyone, it's not in his character." Mace Windu replied to Padme with a strained smile.

Siri listened to the statement and leaned over to Luminari. "That was an arrogant statement don't you think?"

"Well don't you believe it to be true?" Luminari asked.

"Not with everything I've witnessed in my life; living beings are capable of anything." Siri folded her arms across her chest, glancing at the Crimson Guards again. "Good or bad,"

"Perhaps someone you are familiar with, an old friend like Master Jinn." Chancellor Palpatine was trying to coax the brunette senator for extra security.

"I heard Master Qui Gon has sessions with him," Luminari exclaimed as she and Siri exited the Chancellor's office.

The blonde Jedi sighed. "I wouldn't know I try not to keep tabs on anything involving him."

"And why is that?" A deep, accented voice asked from the shadows.

Siri and Luminari stopped in their tracks and Siri closed her eyes tightly. Luminari knew her friend was hoping to avoid a confrontation with the owner of the voice; she gave Siri an understanding smile.

Siri looked up at her friend and was grateful for her, but she didn't want to make the situation more awkward. "It's ok Lum; I'll meet you back at the Temple later."

Luminari raised an eyebrow but then nodded. "We'll get evening meal together." She exclaimed and then turned to her apprentice that was trailing a few steps behind them. "Come Barriss, we have much to do."

Siri watched her friend leave before she turned to the figure lurking in the shadows. "I was wondering if you knew I was here." She stated, folding her arms across her chest.

"Of course I did,"

Siri tried to not let her jaw drop as she watched the figure emerge from the darkness, he was older but that didn't do anything to diminish his looks. He was dressed in a not too tight form fitting black uniform complete with knee high black boots, his hair, longer than before was slicked back against his head and he had a small goatee on his face which seemed to frame his smile. Siri found she was unable to stand and she had to hold onto the wall for support, she quickly composed herself however.

Ben looked her up and down and smiled. "I didn't think it was possible, but you are even more beautiful than last time I saw you."

She tried not to blush at his comment. "The same could be said about you, more handsome I mean. . ." She rolled her eyes at her comment.

Ben chuckled and moved closer to her. "Yes well I had just been released from prison the last time you saw me, I'm sure I couldn't look much worse." He took her hand in his and began to rub it gently with his thumb.

Siri looked down at her hand in his. "Stop that,"

Ben ignored her request and continued to rub her hand. "You never come to see me," he looked up at her and she grabbed her hand away from him. "Why?"

Siri turned away from him and watched the traffic rush by the window. "Because whenever I'm around you I seem to get in trouble."

Ben smiled and moved towards her. "Now last time. . ."

"Don't even start with me about last time," she cut him off. "I can't keep doing this, I can't see you anymore because every time I see you I want to stay with you." She looked at him. "I'm a Jedi,"

"So I heard, the Jedi who took down Krayn." His voice beamed with pride.

She looked at him in astonishment. "How did you know?"

"I'm privy to quite a bit of classified information." He explained. "But it's good to see you, just let me hold you."

Siri attempted to hide her annoyance and turned back to the window. "Please don't make this any harder than it is."

"You think this is only hard for you?" He asked, his voice rose slightly. "I stayed in that hell hole of a prison for you, I could've easily escaped but I knew it would mean I could never see you again. I took this job so that I could stay on Courascant so that there might be some tiny chance of seeing you; I gave up everything I knew for you!"

Siri turned and placed a hand on his mouth. "But I never asked you to,"

He took her hands in his. "Yes you did, you just don't realize the power you hold over me."

She moved away from him. "Well I'm sorry,"

"Don't be, I'm not."

She closed her eyes and turned towards him. "I can't do this, I have to go."

Ben nodded and moved out of her way. "Will you come see me tonight?" He asked.

Siri stopped her back towards him. "No, I can't, the less we see of each other the better."

"That's fine, I understand, actually I have to leave as well." He stated, walking beside her. "Palpatine wants me to help with security for the Senator of Naboo." He laughed. "I find that ironic in a way."

Siri nodded with a smile. "Yes it is, but it will prove to everyone that we can trust you." She looked up at him, she forgot how comfortable she felt around him despite everything between them. "Qui Gon was assigned as her Jedi protection as well."

Ben was pleasantly surprised. "Well there will be at least someone I know,"

"So it's true that you've been meeting with Qui Gon?" Siri asked.

"As much as we can, he's been teaching me to use the Force and a light saber," Ben explained. "He's a good man, I like him." He paused. "That kid of his though, that's another story."

"Don't like Anakin huh?" Siri asked.

"I don't know, there is just something about him that I don't trust," Ben linked arms with Siri as they walked. "I know he doesn't trust me as well. But I really enjoy my time with Qui Gon."

"That's good,"

"He calls me Obi Wan," Ben exclaimed with sorrow in his voice.

"And you're fine with that?" Siri asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I can't bring myself to correct him, I'm afraid I'll break his heart." Ben explained. "I don't want to let him down."

"I understand,"

Ben stopped their walk and then cupped her face in his hands. "I miss you,"

She closed her eyes. "I miss you too, and that's the problem."

He leaned down and kissed her, Siri melted into the kiss for a moment before she broke away from his arms. "I really have to go, I'm sorry."

Ben watched her leave and sighed, he then pulled out his comlink and contacted his second in command. "I have to go to the Senate apartments, keep a steady watch around the Chancellor at all times, I have a bad feeling about this assassin and I don't want to make any mistakes."

- TBC: Well there you have it, my first chapter with this terrible writer's block so I hope it was ok. Please review and let me know what you think.