A/N: Welcome to the new followers and thank you! I hope you continue to enjoy my little tale! As always all the credit belongs to George Lucas. :)

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ColdOnePaul: Yes, she is quite unsure what her future holds. Remember, she only went to train with Master Bel because she didn't want to unknowingly fall prey to the Dark Side. But with the visions she has had she's going to begin to wonder if she's supposed to play some part in what's going on around her.

Once they returned to the Jedi Temple Obi-Wan lead her into a massive room - the Jedi Archives. At first Kat had been concerned she would be approached and called out for being somewhere she didn't belong but it seemed the presence of the Jedi at her side allowed her entry. She tried to keep from gaping like a small child as he lead her through the room but she knew she failed. The Archives were unlike anything she'd ever seen in before. The space was massive, full of more information than anyone in the galaxy knew existed, and it was right at the fingertips of the Jedi she could see milling up and down the aisles. Lighted computer panels stretched out in long lines from one end of the room to the other and it was at one of these that they finally stopped. He pulled a stool out for her and then seated himself before one of the screens. Kat waited while he typed, gazing around her and trying to take it all in. Besides the computers and the endless shelves, there were busts cast in bronze scattered throughout, all magnificent examples of the artists' craftsmanship. She wondered who they were depictions of. A quiet huff of irritation drew her attention back to the man at her side. Obi-Wan was almost glaring at the computer screen.

"Is there a problem?"

"I can find no record of Kamino in the Archives. There is no record of any system by that name having ever been discovered."

"Perhaps your friend was mistaken?"

Obi-Wan sat back, running a hand through his beard thoughtfully. "No, I don't think so. Dex has been around this galaxy more than anyone I know. If he says that dart is from Kamino then it is." He looked back at the screen. "Perhaps I didn't search in the right place. I'll see if I can get some assistance." He punched a few more buttons and came to his feet, approaching one of the copper busts. Kat joined him and studied the face before them. The bust was of a man with high cheekbones, wide and alert eyes, and a very suave hairstyle. There was an intensity about the man that was unmistakable even in an inanimate bust. She did not recognize him.

"Who is this?"

"Count Dooku."

She jerked her head to look up at him in surprise. "The leader of the Separatists?"

"Yes. He was a Jedi. I never knew him, he left the Order probably ten years or so now, but his reputation with a lightsaber is still spoken of."

"Why did he leave?"

"That I do not know." The approach of an elderly, white haired lady in Jedi robes precluded him from answering further.

"Did you call for assistance?" The somewhat stern voice surprised Kat a bit.

"Yes, yes I did." The woman's eyes flicked to Kat and Obi-Wan quickly introduced her. "Kat, this is Jocasta Nu, Jedi Archivist. Madame Nu, Katavé Diaanti, assistant to Senator Amidala."

"We heard about the horrible accident upon your arrival. I hope you and the Senator are well?"

"Yes we are, thank you." She offered the woman a warm smile and Madame Nu returned in kind, turning to the bust she and Obi-Wan had been examining.

"He had a powerful face, doesn't he? He was one of the most brilliant Jedi I have had the privilege of knowing." Kat could sense Obi-Wan's sudden interest in what the Archivist had to say.

"I never understood why he quit. Only twenty Jedi have ever left the Order."

That was news to her.

"The Lost Twenty," Madame Nu said with a sigh. "Dooku was the most recent and the most painful loss. No one likes to talk about it. His leaving was a great loss to the Order."

"What happened?"

Again, just like in the meeting with Dex, Kat was quite content to stand to the side and just listen to the conversation happening in front of her.

"Well, one might say he was a bit out of step with the decisions of the Council." She gave Obi-Wan a knowing look. "Much like your old Master, Qui-Gon."

"Really?"

"Oh, yes, they were alike in many ways. Very individual thinkers, idealists." She looked back at the bust of Dooku. "He was always striving to become a more powerful Jedi. His knowledge of the Force was ... unique. In the end I think he left because he lost faith in the Republic. He believed that politics were corrupt ..." Madame Nu paused, throwing a cautious glance at Kat; her thoughts were plain. Kat worked for someone quite involved in those same politics. She gave the woman a gentle nod, hoping the Archivist would continue. After another moment she did. "And he felt that the Jedi betrayed themselves by serving the politicians."

Obi-Wan was silent a moment. Kat could feel how off guard these revelations had caught him. It would be interesting to ask his opinion on them once they were alone again. For some reason she knew Count Dooku's thoughts on this particular matter were not completely unheard of within the Order. Something told her he wasn't the only Jedi that felt they shouldn't be working so closely with politicians.

"Well, I'm sure you didn't call me over here for a history lesson. Are you having a problem, Master Kenobi?" Madame Nu smoothly directed their conversation back to the matter at hand.

"Yes, we're trying to find a planet system called Kamino. It doesn't seem to show up on any of the archive charts."

"Kamino? It's not a system I'm familiar with. Let me see." Jocasta Nu bent over the keyboard and pressed a few commands. "Are you sure you have the right coordinates?"

"According to my information, it should be in this quadrant somewhere, just south of the Rishi Maze," Obi-Wan told her, pointing to a spot on the screen.

She frowned as she tapped at the keyboard for a bit longer. "But what are the exact coordinates?"

"I only know the quadrant."

"No coordinates? It sounds like the sort of directions you'd get from a street tout - some old miner or furbog trader."

"All three, actually," Obi-Wan admitted with a grin. Kat had to swallow the giggle that wanted to escape as the image of Jocasta Nu meeting Dex floated across her mind.

"Are you sure it exists?"

"Absolutely."

The Archivist rubbed her chin pensively for a minute and then returned to the keyboard. "Let me do a gravitational scan." The three of them studied the star map hologram that appeared and Kat noticed Jocasta Nu's eyes narrowed slightly as she considered what was before them. "There are some inconsistencies here. Maybe the planet you're seeking was destroyed?"

"Wouldn't that be on record?" Kat spoke up.

"It ought to be unless it was very recent. I hate to say it but it looks like the system you're searching for doesn't exist."

It was Obi-Wan's turn to frown. "That's impossible. Perhaps the Archives are incomplete."

Kat didn't need knowledge of the Force to see that his statement was not the correct thing to say to the Archivist. She drew herself up to her full height - which was still shorter than Obi-Wan but yet there was no denying the authority she held - and she gave him a hard look.

"The Archives are comprehensive and totally secure, my young Jedi. One thing you may be absolutely sure of: if an item does not appear in our records, it does not exist." The two Jedi stared at each other for a long moment and then Jocasta Nu stepped away to assist someone else. Obi-Wan peered down at the star map, confusion clear on his face.

"One of them is wrong," Kat finally said, breaking the long silence.

"No one else in the galaxy is more reliable for information than Dexter Jettster ... unless its Jocasta Nu. They are both absolutely certain in their knowledge. Its hard to believe that either one of them could be wrong." He punched a few buttons, downloading the information onto a small hologlobe, and then took her arm and lead her from the room. Kat could feel Obi-Wan's mind working furiously as they walked and she refrained from interrupting him. She was just as puzzled about the situation. Her own knowledge of the systems in the galaxy was scant, limited to those that Naboo was frequently involved with, and she knew she could not be of any help at the moment. Something felt off to her but she couldn't put a finger on what it could possibly be. Obi-Wan was certain Dexter's information was correct, and from what he had told her about his friend's past she was inclined to believe him as well, but she also found it unlikely the Jedi Archives had missed something. There was an obvious answer right in front of them though at the moment it was remaining elusive.

"I need to sit and meditate on this. The answer is staring me in the face and for some reason I can't see it."

"The same thought had crossed my mind. Should I find someone to escort me back to Padmé's apartment?"

"No. Having you nearby is comforting. I'd like for you to remain if you don't mind?"

"Of course."

He ushered her into a small room off the grand balcony, probably intended for just such moments of reflection. There was a mat in the center of the room and a small fountain bubbled off to one side. Kat looked around approvingly; it was a perfect place for a Jedi to look within himself.

"I'm afraid there's no where else to sit in here ..." he trailed off as he glanced at her.

"Do not worry about that. I will be just fine until you are finished. I'll just tuck myself into a corner and try to make as little noise as possible." With that she moved to the side of the room and made herself comfortable on the floor next to the fountain, leaning her back against the wall. She watched as Obi-Wan seated himself on the small mat, closed his eyes, and relaxed. The sound of the fountain was soothing and Kat soon found herself closing her own eyes and reaching out in the Force. It didn't take long for the visions to begin.

There was darkness all around her. It was so heavy she could almost feel it trying to wrap itself around her like a cloak. She could feel the menace in it and forced it from her, though it still seemed to be circling. It seemed to part in front of her and she once again saw the lines and lines of soldiers in white armor, marching in perfect formation. They just seemed to go on and on with no end. The darkness closed again like a curtain and she heard the unmistakable sound of two lightsabers clashing. She couldn't find the source of the sound. A vision of Obi-Wan, lightsaber drawn, surrounded by countless battle droids appeared. Before that had faded she began hearing blasters firing and the hum of more lightsabers ... and cries of help. A sudden sense of immeasurable sorrow descended upon her, almost bringing her to her knees.

"Kat? Are you alright?"

She yanked her eyes open and found Obi-Wan squatting before her. Blinking a couple times to bring her mind fully back to the present she nodded.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I haven't meditated much since I left Devaron." She wasn't sure of what this new vision meant and was reluctant to talk about it. "Did you have any luck?"

"No. I was never able to focus on Kamino because I kept seeing Anakin and Padmé."

"Are they alright? Is she in trouble?" Worry bloomed in her. If Padmé was in trouble why hadn't she seen something? Felt something?

"No, no. The visions were not of any trouble. It appeared my Padawan and the Senator were quite relaxed." There was frustration in his voice and Kat knew he had seen something else but, seeing as she wasn't inclined to discuss what she had seen, she wasn't going to press him.

"So we're still left with nothing to go on."

"I think its time to seek some higher wisdom and authority."

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In a training room off a veranda elsewhere in the Temple Obi-Wan found what he was seeking. Kat couldn't help but feel her heart melt just a bit at what she saw. Master Yoda was leading about fifteen or so young children, they couldn't be more than four or five years old, in training exercises with floating target droids and tiny lightsabers. She remembered Obi-Wan telling her he had been brought to the Temple as an infant and here was a glimpse into what his life had been like from the beginning. This is what her life would have been like if her parents hadn't hidden her away.

"Don't think ... feel," Yoda was instructing. "Be as one with the Force." She glanced up at Obi-Wan to find he was mouthing the words along with the Jedi Master. A grin crossed her features as she realized these were words he had probably heard time and time again during his training. He caught her gaze and a smile peeked out from under his beard.

"Younglings, enough! Visitors we have. Welcome them."

The students came to attention, clicking off their lightsabers and raising their helmets, tucking them under their arms. Fifteen sets of eyes looked up at them expectantly.

"Master Obi-Wan Kenobi," Yoda said.

"Welcome, Master Obi-Wan!" their little voiced chimed together.

"And Lady Katavé Diaanti."

"Welcome Lady Diaanti." She couldn't keep the smile off her face as she looked at them.

"We are sorry to disturb you, Master," Obi-Wan apologized with a slight bow.

"What help to you, can I be?"

"I'm looking for a planet described to me by an old friend. I trust him and the information he provided, but the system doesn't show up on the archive maps."

"An interesting puzzle." Yoda turned to his class. "Lost a planet, Master Obi-Wan has. How embarrassing." There were a few titters of laughter from the students and even Kat couldn't keep from chuckling. "Gather, younglings, around the map reader. Clear your minds and find Obi-Wan's wayward planet, we will try."

The shades were lowered and he placed the hologlobe in the map reader in the center of the room. The star map instantly appeared, glittering around them. Kat could see the excitement on the children's faces as they saw the holograms of all the stars surrounding them. Some even tried to reach out and touch the projected stars and planets. She met his gaze and could see he was just as amused. Once they had quieted down he walked into the middle of the projection.

"This is where it ought to be. Gravity is pulling all the stars in this area inward to this spot. There should be a star here but there isn't."

"Most interesting," Yoda mussed. "Gravity's silhouette remains, but the star and all its planets have disappeared. How can this be? Now, younglings, in your mind, what is the first thing you see? An answer? A thought? Anyone?"

There was a moment of quiet and then one hand went up. Yoda nodded at the little boy, watching him intently.

"Because someone erased it from the archive memory."

"If the planet blew up, the gravity would go away," a little girl spoke up.

Kat could see the disbelief on Obi-Wan's face but she knew immediately that the children were correct. They had seen the answer that had been staring them in the face.

Yoda chuckled. "Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is. Uncluttered." Yoda started out of the room. Obi-Wan flicked his hand, Force-pulling the hologlobe to him, then he and Kat followed the Jedi Master. "To the center of the pull of gravity go, and find your planet you will."

"But Master Yoda, who could have erased information from the Archives? That's impossible, isn't it?"

"Dangerous and disturbing this puzzle is," Yoda answered with a frown. "Only a Jedi could have erased those files. But who and why, harder to answer." He looked at the two standing before him. "Return Katavé to the safety of the Senator's apartment. Meditate on this, I will. May the Force be with you." They had been dismissed. Before they could each give a bow Yoda had turned back to his class.

"You will go to Kamino."

"Yes. The Council appointed me to discover the identity of Padmé's attacker and this clue points in that direction. Too much time has already been wasted." He watched her as she hung her cloak up and paced in front of the windows.

"I wish we knew more about the planet and its people. At least then you'd have some idea of what you're walking into."

"Don't be concerned for me." Her head jerked up and their eyes locked.

"How could I not be concerned? A planet where someone who has hired others to assassinate a Senator of the Republic might be lurking and you're just going to show up and knock on the door? Of course I am worried." Their gazes held and he fought the sudden and inexplicable urge to reach out for her. "Obi-Wan, I ... you are ... I've considered you a friend since Naboo and I care about what happens to you. There is something wrong about all this, there's more going on here than what we can see."

He tried to forget the way he had felt as she had stumbled over his name and focused on the rest of what she had said.

"What do you mean?"

"There's something else going on, I just feel it. Yes, Padmé has been very vocal in her fight against the Military Creation Act but she is not the lone vote that will decide the outcome. There are thousands of senators. Why go to all this trouble? Someone has gone to great lengths to hide this planet, even managing to delete information from the Jedi Archives, and hiding an assassin doesn't warrant such a deception. And if her vote was the deciding factor why would the Separatists want her gone? As you said to Captain Typho a day or so ago wouldn't they be better positioned if there was no army of the Republic?"

He couldn't deny the truth in her statement. "Which is why it is essential I get to Kamino as quickly as possible. If what you sense is true, the sooner I discover the identity of this mystery attacker the sooner we will be able to fit all the pieces of this puzzle together." He took a few steps towards her, his expression changing. "Padmé's absence hasn't been discovered yet but every day that passes will make it harder to conceal. You are still in danger. Try to stay out of sight until I return. If you need anything, send word to the Council."

"I really don't look that much like her but I will be careful."

A feeling of expectancy seemed to hover in the air around them. Kat tried to gain control of herself before some foolish notion took hold. What she might feel was irrelevant and frankly, pointless, and she struggled to push those inappropriate thoughts away. She hoped she at least appeared to be calm and collected, even if the man now standing almost toe to toe with her could easily read her frantic mind. Trying to reach out into the Force, hoping it would lend her some sanity, she became aware of the swirl of emotions washing through Obi-Wan. It surprised her so much that she took an involuntary step backwards in astonishment, forgetting that there were a couple of steps down into the sitting room. She felt herself start to fall back when he grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her towards him. The momentum shift sent her too far forward and she, rather ungracefully she thought afterward, tumbled into his chest. The jolt of electricity she felt would have sent her careening backwards again if not for Obi-Wan's arm securely around her waist. Kat could not look up and stared at the neck of his tunic, her breathing suddenly not seeming to bring enough air into her lungs. She knew if she looked up and met those blue eyes she would be lost.

Obi-Wan was trying to reign in his own inappropriate thoughts and the sensation of having her pressed against him was almost his undoing. The fact that he could sense her own conflicted thoughts wasn't helpful, either. He silently rebuked himself. He was a Jedi and she was ... almost a Jedi. They both knew the Code. It was becoming harder for him to ignore what he felt whenever he was with her or the fact that she was on his mind when they weren't together. After worrying about Anakin's inappropriate feelings towards Padmé it would be foolish, not to mention hypocritical, to entertain similar feelings towards Kat. Several deep breaths seemed to help calm his erratic heartbeat. And then she looked up. The tenuous hold he had maintained on his self control broke. He leaned down and captured her lips in a firm but gentle kiss. When she stiffened he was terrified he'd scared or offended her, but a second later she seemed to just melt against him, winding her arms around his neck.

Kat had seen it on his face and knew he had lost whatever battle he had been fighting inside. The sensation of his lips against hers sent another shockwave through her body. When it had passed it seemed all the strength she possessed vanished and her legs didn't want to hold her up. Wrapping her arms around his neck was the only way to remain upright, though it brought them into even closer contact, but she suddenly didn't care. She would enjoy this fleeting moment as she knew when they came back to their senses they would both realize their foolishness. It was all too short in her way of thinking and when he pulled back slightly she forced herself to meet his eyes. Not knowing what she would find there, and she would never set foot off Naboo again if she saw regret, she was relieved to see wonder in those piercing blue depths.

He reached up and cupped her cheek. "You are not offended, are you?"

"Not in the least," she assured him, wishing her voice didn't sound so weak.

"I wish I did not have to leave but we will talk when I return," he told her with a warm smile. She could only nod and he pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Stay safe and be mindful of your surroundings."

"You be careful as well." He slowly released her, rather reluctantly she thought, and strode to the turbolift, giving her a last look over his shoulder before stepping inside. "May the Force be with you, Obi-Wan," she called and he gave her a smile before the door closed between them.