Disclaimer: I don't own SW. I just own my awesome writing abilities. :)
As a new day dawned; Qui-Gon, Anakin, and Obi-Wan were summoned into the Council's presence. The mission on Ansion was covered, as well as Obi-Wan's report on Senator Greyshade. However, the Jedi Council's concern about Senator Peregrines invitation, was somewhat great – when they heard it. Although they trusted the senator himself, it was not that which worried them.
"There is really no need for you to go to the Senator, except to strengthen our ties with the senate." Master Windu said sternly.
"Strengthening ties, hmm, yes. A good point you make, Master Windu" Master Yoda replied, "But discussed, must another matter be before a decision can be reached. No longer needed in this session, your padawan is, Qui-Gon."
Qui-Gon nodded to Anakin before he could argue, motioning for him to leave. With a slight bow, the young padawan left the room in clear agitation.
"What is it that Anakin should not know about?" Qui-Gon asked the old Jedi before of him.
"The Senator's daughter, close to your padawan, she is. Too close, have I sensed. A trinket, he carries from her, to remember. Seen it, I have. Too attached, he is." Master Yoda stated his observations.
"It was given to him as a child, they were good friends." Qui-Gon replied in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Hmm. Grown, they now are. Friends, they will no longer be. Seen that too, I have." Yoda told him.
"Master Yoda has foreseen something regarding the younger daughter, Ozara." Master Windu explained, "Her fondness for him may be too much for him to deal with according to the Code."
"Anakin cares for her dearly, if she is kept from him would he not be in greater danger of breaking the Code?" Obi-wan asked.
It was Master Mundi who spoke, "Although young Skywalker is very centered on his feelings for others. You may be right, knight Kenobi, it may harm him. His tendencies for attachment may cause many problems within him, still it may not be very good for him to be in her presence again. He will be disappointed at the disagreement on this matter, but in time it will pass. As will his attachment, over time. Master Yoda is not the only one who has noticed his mind often wandered when news reached us of Ergon having been cut off, several years ago. That trinket he carries around his neck is one of his most precious possessions – the Jedi Code forbids possession. He must be watched closely." The elder Jedi master declared in retort with clear sternness in his voice.
Qui-Gon looked between Master Mundi, and Master Yoda. "I promise to watch over Anakin, if anything happens which causes alarm, then I will make the decision myself." he replied with just as much sternness.
"You are treading down a dangerous path, Qui-Gon, your padawan may only be harmed by your decision." Master Windu told him, "If he sees her again, and his attachment is strengthened, then it will only harm him more if he is separated from her. As a child, it was not as worrisome – but now it will be different."
"I do not think that Ozara would encourage such a thing, she is a sensible girl. I feel that if she thinks that Anakin would only harm himself, then she would be the one to sever the relationship." Obi-Wan interjected thoughtfully, "She and her sister were very conscious of the Jedi Code, as Anakin and I had many conversations about it with them. Besides, if Ozara is warned about his attachment – she may very well do something about it. Anakin would then deal with the severance easier, as it would come from her."
The Council members were silent, considering all they had heard. "Hmm," the sound Master Yoda emitted was thoughtful, "If sensible, this girl is; then worry, the Council will not. But, wary of Anakin's feelings, you must be master Qui-Gon. If to her, too attached he become – destroy him it will." he sighed, looking at the other Council members: "Accept this invitation, you shall." he declared.
"I understand" Qui-Gon replied, "I will be aware of both of them. I'll watch them carefully."
"You too, Obi-Wan," Master Windu said, "Be wary of your own feelings. The Council is not unaware of the unrest in your mind from when you returned last time."
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan bowed in respect, and left the room without further delay.
When Anakin's master, and once-fellow padawan exited the Council Chambers Anakin immediately started pestering them with questions: "Well, are we going? What did they say? Why did they want me out of there? Are they sending us somewhere right now? I hope they aren't, but what did they say?" The boy pestered without so much as a single breath of air.
Qui-Gon put his hand up in a placating manner, "Do you want to ask one question, or would your rather I answer them all in a row like: 'yes, gave me a warning, something not of importance to you, no, I already said'?" he asked playfully. To this Anakin silenced himself.
"So, yes?" he asked hopefully after a few moments, Obi-Wan put a hand on his shoulder.
"The Council has given their approval, and we shall conduct ourselves to Senator Peregrine's apartment in 500 Republica after you finish practicing your lightsaber techniques." the Knight said, a sliver of a smile on his face. Anakin's good mood could not be snuffed out by Obi-Wan's requirement, and with a large grin on his face – he practically skipped all the way to the training rooms.
The elevator of 500 Republica shot up the – over 1,000 stories – of the enormous building, the selection being 954.
"Do you think they'll recognize us?" Anakin asked his companions, earning a chuckle from both. "What?!" He asked almost defensively.
"You need to relax Anakin," Qui-Gon said, "Your excitement is overwhelming."
"But we haven't seen them in so many years. Aren't you somewhat happy at the turn of events?" Anakin replied.
"Yes, I'm glad to see them. But I'm not a Cracian Thumper impatiently moving closer to the line before the races start." Qui-Gon retorted, Anakin looked over to him.
"I'm sorry, Master. I wasn't aware that I was creating such a spectacle" the padawan replied.
Obi-Wan chuckled, "Oh yes, because when we landed in the hangar bay, you were just taking your time." he retorted sarcastically, "You weren't rushing us to move faster, and you didn't reach the elevator first pressing the buttons insistently – in fact, accidentally pressing the wrong ones in your haste. Oh yes, you weren't creating a spectacle in the least."
Anakin rolled his eyes, "As if you weren't in haste to get on the transport in the first place" he retorted, "You're simply too composed to ever make it obvious. You just breezed in, and told the pilot to take off. But I noticed you sitting there impatiently tapping your foot on the floor nonstop – in fact, your appearance is something I'm not used to. You took special care in it today, more care than you usually do, and even I didn't think that was possible!" Anakin retorted in turn.
"Nevertheless, Anakin," Qui-Gon interjected before Obi-Wan could respond, "Your behavior was somewhat amusing to watch. You must be more patient, otherwise your mind will never be calm enough to focus on the Force." he advised.
"Of course, Master." Anakin replied as a bell dinged, announcing their arrival.
The apartment was grand as it was spacious, decorated in the fashions of Ergon: cool, neutral tans mixed with their fair share of stark greens, dramatic blues, and passionate reds. Anakin remembered Wanderer's Mansion, the decoration was much of the same that he could recall from memory.
A silver protocol droid came toward them, "Greetings," it greeted with a stiff bow, "you must be the Jedi that my master is expecting. This way please." its voice was feminine, and it walked toward the grand room that could be seen through the foyer. "Mistress Nadia, the Jedi knights," the protocol droid announced.
The woman on the couch stirred, standing and turning to see them. "Qui-Gon!" she exclaimed, "Its good to see you. Though, I think we weren't expecting you for another hour. Her red hair was now graying at the temples, but her eyes sparkled in the same manner. "Ah," she said as her blue eyes sighted Anakin, "The birthday boy." She approached him, placing her hands on his arm in a motherly fashion. "Would you look at you? Who would have thought that somewhat chubby cheeked little boy that came to protect my equally chubby cheeked niece has grown into a handsome man?" she asked.
Anakin blushed a deep red, so much so that he could match the sofa. "Ah, he blushes." Nadia said with a chuckle of mirth, "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, my dear boy. I simply couldn't help but notice." She placed her hand on his cheek. He smiled, he always liked Nadia, she reminded him a lot of his mother. She turned to Obi-Wan, and soon had him blushing in the same way.
"I'm surprised that your family is absent." Qui-Gon noted, after his padawans had been thoroughly embarrassed, "I would have thought that Leiana and Ozara would have come to see us by now."
Nadia laughed, "Oh, Ozara's here: studying last I recalled. Leiana is with Senator Amidala and will return with her father this evening. The little ones are probably off doing what children do. Tristan and I had more children. Camille, and then the twins: Marliu and Marius." she said, and as if on cue two girls who looked to be about six and eight yelled their way into the room.
The older girl spoke first. "Look what Marilu did!" she complained, causing her mother to gasp. The little girl's hair was chopped to her shoulders, the jaggedness of the lines showed that the child had done it herself.
"I only wanted to cut my hair like Zar!" the little girl replied impetuously, her little eyes beginning to well into tears.
Nadia crouched to her daughter's height, looking the hair over. "I told her not to do it" the older girl explained, "But she decided not to listen to me."
"I wanted you to cut it but you said you wouldn't!" Marilu argued with Camille.
"Ozara come here please!" Nadia called through the small apartment, prompting for a young woman to come around the corner. She practically radiated a demand of respect through her posture, mannerisms, and way of dress.
Anakin didn't recognize her at first. 'That's Ozara?' he thought, looking the newcomer over with critical eyes. He could see it, especially in her eyes: large and brown. Other than that, she looked completely different. She looked grown up, like a woman – not that he was surprised, as it had been eight years. Those eight years had changed him too. He noticed that her once long hair had been cut to just above her shoulders 'Ah, that explains the younger one.' he concluded, the little girl with the bad haircut wanted to be like her older sister. 'That figures.'
"How in the galaxy am I supposed to be able to study when there is yelling going on at a constant rate? I'll never be able to pass that test if I cannot concentrate!" Ozara complained, her eyes then landing on the Jedi, her face splitting into a large smile. "Qui-Gon! Obi-Wan!" she said excitedly, she then saw Anakin a look of wonder on her face. "Anakin?" he smiled at her, sheepishly stepping forward.
"Hi, Zar." he replied, mentally berating himself for his lack of suave. 'I could have done that so much better.'
"It is you!" she exclaimed, reaching up to hug him, he hugged her back, how many times had he dreamt of seeing his old friend? A number beyond measure.. "Would you look at you?" Ozara said, stepping back and looking him up and down. Anakin found it interesting how she and her aunt had the same reaction upon seeing him – that would be her stepmother now. "You're taller than I remember." she teased, he guffawed.
"Oh? Well so are you. Not that you were ever very tall." he replied, mentioning her short stature. She was, at least, a foot shorter than him. She raised an eyebrow in a challenging manner, then burst out laughing.
"You haven't changed, my friend. I'm glad to see that." She told him, he looked down at her, the smile still carved upon his face. She seemed to reluctantly pull her eyes away from him, and look at her stepmother.
Her eyes got large, as she looked at her little sister. "Oh dear" she said softly, her eyes looked to Nadia – who was looking at Ozara with a 'I told you so' look. "What happened?" She asked her little sister, taking a look at her hair. Marilu explained what had happened, and Ozara looked at the older girl.
"This is what happens, Ozara, when you decide to be rebellious." Nadia said, causing Ozara to take the scissors from Camille's hands. She sighed, and whispered in Marilu's ear causing a smile to erupt on the girl's face, and her tears to no longer fall. Ozara stood up, holding the scissors and her sisters hand. "Its not completely hopeless, I'll fix it. We'll be back soon" she told Nadia.
"Just remember to be finished before your father gets home." Nadia said, Ozara nodded, then looked back.
"You want to come with?" she asked Anakin, he looked at Qui-Gon.
The Jedi smiled, "I suppose you should, Anakin. Its where you want to go anyways. I shall have no need of you." he said. Anakin bowed slightly to Nadia, and followed Ozara out of the room.
"Well, Anakin, you must tell me all about your adventures." Ozara announced to the young Jedi.
"Oh, so you're still interested in listening about all of that?" he asked as she entered the 'fresher. She turned to him with an incredulous look on her face.
"Why would you ask such a question? I was always interested in your missions, ever since I was a girl. Skandar was the one who didn't like them." she said, picking up her sister and placing her on the sink.
Anakin leaned against the wall, "Well, where should I start?" he asked. She looked at her sister's hair, and cut precisely.
"Why don't you start on the mission that you were assigned to after us?" she suggested, turning her gaze to him – she seemed to be determined to take up where they had left off on their friendship.
With a smile on his face, Anakin began to recite his tales abroad in the Galaxy.
"Well, after our mission with you was over – we were sent to Telos IV, to investigate a political leader named Kad Chun. . ." he began, watching her fingers fix her sister's rather miserable looking mistake. Her presence was soothing, and he spoke with freedom once again.