Obi-Wan learns just how stubborn and hardheaded a child of his and Satine's can be, reflects back on the first time he saw the same defiance in a much older Iyla during the war, and despairs that this is just the beginning.

This chapter contains a flashback *shocked face* from the time teenage Iyla first found Obi-Wan during the war. I thought it would be fun to explore teen Iyla and her stubbornness as well.

Also to the guest who wants a Clone Wars fix-it story, the best I can offer you is a drabble I've written about it. I'll be posting some drabbles in this AU once I finish posting this story. Hopefully you guys will enjoy them :)

Chapter 31: Strong-willed

Most of the time Obi-Wan could say, with confidence, that his daughter was pure light and sweet happiness. A joy to be around and a pleasure to parent. She was polite, well-behaved, kind, and innocent. There were times when he felt like she didn't have a rude or a bad-tempered bone in her body. Times when she'd give him kisses, giggle joyfully, and snuggle against his side. Times when he'd thank the Force and Satine for blessing him with such a pleasant little girl.

Then there were times when his happy little light was replaced with a moody stubborn ball of defiance. When a scowl would replace the blinding smile and narrowed eyes would hide the brilliant sparkling blue orbs. The sweet voice that had muttered "I wuv you" the night before would whine and shriek and shout in anger. Her cute little feet that he'd tickled that morning would stomp and kick and her tiny hands that she'd used to stroke his face would clench into tight fists. Times when he'd ask the Force what he'd done to deserve such an ornery and strong-willed child.

This was one of those times.

As Obi-Wan stood and stared at the 4-year-old yelling and stomping her feet in his living room on the verge of a full-on tantrum, he reflected on what brought them to this situation in the first place. The fact was that all he'd done was tell Iyla she couldn't climb the trees in the garden even though he friends were. Given that last time she tried to climb something tall she fell and almost broke her wrist, he didn't see it as completely unreasonable. But apparently this was "no fair" and he was a "big mean Papa," for not allowing her to almost fall and break her neck. He told her she could play with anything else in the garden as long as she was safe, but this wasn't good enough for her since her friends were currently climbing a tree and she currently wasn't.

Then Nari had climbed down and gone to swim in one of the ponds. Shona and Flynn followed. Iyla got up to go with them as well but Obi-Wan pulled her back and told her she could only sit next to the pond and talk with her friends but not go in it. The fierce scowl he got in return was pure venom. He blinked, startled by her anger, and let her go. He'd never received a look like that before from her. And all because he wouldn't let her go in a pond when she couldn't swim. What a terrible Papa he was for not wanting his daughter to drown.

Obi-Wan sat a distance away from the younglings and watched as Iyla's three crèchemates splashed in the water while she sat on the grass next to them and pouted. Every so often she'd look back and him and narrow her eyes. He was sure to give her a warning look every time and shake his head at her. One time she rolled her eyes at him. Actually rolled her eyes. At 4-years-old. Force help him this child was going to test his patience.

His staring contest was brought to an end when Yoda and Mace came over to greet him and make small talk. It was rare that he got to talk to his fellow Council members about things other than diplomacy and inter-galactic peace treaties, so he welcomed the conversation. Apparently this distraction was all it took for Iyla to decide that she should try to slip into the water with her friends.

When Obi-Wan heard a splash he wasn't fazed much, seeing as the younglings were splashing constantly. But Flynn's voice calling out a "come in deeper, Iyla" made him look up sharply mid-sentence. His mouth fell open in shock at her blatant disobedience. Without excusing himself from the presence of the two older Masters, he turned away and quickly walked to the pond. He pulled Iyla out by her arms and put her down on dry land. He could feel his anger start to rise and he had to take a few deep breaths to bring himself under control.

"Iyla Kenobi! What in the world were you doing in that pond?" he asked harshly.

The girl, completely drenched up to her chest, crossed her arms and stared at him. "I was swimming," she replied.

"You don't know how to swim. Which is exactly why I told you not to go in the pond in the first place."

"I just wanna play wif my fwiends, but you not let me," Iyla pouted.

"Oh, yes, how dare I not let you go in the pond when you don't know how to swim. I should have just let you play with your friends even though you might drown," Obi-Wan replied.

"You a mean Papa!"

Obi-Wan scoffed and threw his hands up in annoyance.

"We wasn't gonna let her dwown, Masser Nobi," Nari spoke up. "I'm a good swimmer. I was gonna help her."

"That's very kind of you, Nari, but I'd feel better if a grown-up helped her. Plus, I specifically told Iyla she wasn't allowed to go in the water."

"It was boring on the gwass. And I wanted to go in the water," Iyla whined.

"This isn't about what you want, Iyla. It's about me giving you very clear instructions and you ignoring them because you didn't like them. You disobeyed me on purpose and you put yourself in danger," Obi-Wan said firmly.

Iyla didn't deny his words. She simply stood with her chin up in defiance and leveled him with a petulant scowl. "I not like you no more. I want a new Papa!"

Even though he knew she didn't mean it and it was simply her childish anger and rebelliousness speaking, Obi-Wan couldn't help the small pain that settled in his chest. He took a slow steadying breath. "Well, that's too bad. Because I'm the one you've got and you're stuck with me."

Iyla stomped her foot and gave an annoyed grunt. She muttered a "di'kut Papa" under her breath and looked away from him.

Obi-Wan had heard enough. "That's it. We're leaving. Let's go," he said grabbing her hand.

"No! I not wanna go! Wanna stay and play wif my fwiends!" Iyla exclaimed.

"You lost all privileges to play the second you got in that water, young lady. Now let's go," he practically growled.

"Noooo! Don't wanna! You mean! I not go wif you!" Iyla was now twisting to get out of his grasp.

Obi-Wan held on firmly and started to pull her away. Iyla planted her feet and refused to budge, all the while shouting "no" over and over again. Obi-Wan stopped and knelt down in front of her, grasping her shoulders.

"You will stop this behavior right now, Iyla Kenobi," he said in a stern whisper. "You are in enough trouble as it is and I am already very upset. Do not make it worse."

Iyla's lip trembled and tears gathered in her eyes. She fell to the ground limply like a puppet with cut strings and sobbed loudly. Obi-Wan ran a hand over his face and sighed. He scooped her up in his arms and began to carry her out of the garden, wincing at her loud wailing in his ear, and grimacing at her wet clothes dripping pond water onto his own. His face colored when he saw they had attracted the attention of every Jedi in the area. He kept his gaze firmly ahead so as to ignore the disapproving and judging eyes that seemed to sear into his skin.

He passed Yoda and Mace on his way out and gave them a weary look. Yoda started cackling and Mace simply smirked at him, neither of them having much sympathy for his situation. He thought he heard the ancient Master say something about karma but he ignored the insufferable troll and continued on his way.

By the time they were back in their quarters, Iyla's sobbing had yet to stop. In fact, she seemed to have found a new strength since she was yelling and shouting even more now than in the garden. Obi-Wan was calmly going about his business, making tea and setting out a snack for himself while Iyla raged and stomped in the center of the living room. He sat quietly at the table, sipped his tea, and nibbled on the crackers and fruit from the plate in front of him. Iyla quieted finally and approached the table. She reached out to take a piece of fruit but Obi-Wan's hand caught her wrist and pulled it away. She looked up at him with betrayed eyes.

"You should not take without asking," Obi-Wan replied.

"Can I have some fwuit, pease?" Iyla asked sweetly.

"No, you may not. This is my snack."

Iyla's mouth fell open in shock. "But…but I asked nicely. And I'm hungwy. I want fwuit, Papa."

"Unfortunately I've heard a lot of 'I want' already and it's time for you to learn that you don't always get what you want," Obi-Wan said taking another sip from his cup.

An angry frown appeared on the little girl's face. "You a bad Papa and I'm mad at you," she huffed.

Obi-Wan shrugged, seemingly unaffected by her words. He finished his snack as she watched him with narrowed eyes. Once he was done with his tea he set the cup down on the table and turned to look at her.

"Now, I think it is time for you to take a nap. You will use the 'fresher then change into dry clothes and get into bed. I will come tuck you in in a few minutes."

"Not seepy!" Iyla whined with a stomp of her foot.

"I didn't ask if you were sleepy."

"No wanna take a nap," she grumbled.

"Oh, there's that phrase again," he tutted. "I don't care what you do and do not want, Iyla. You will take a nap because I told you to."

"I'm too hungwy to nap."

"You ate afternoon snack in the crèche, did you not?"

Iyla nodded.

"Then you will be fine until dinner. Now, go get ready for your nap," he instructed firmly.

"Why I gots to listen to you? You just a mean Papa!"

"You will listen to me because I am in charge and I am your father. That's reason enough. Now, there will be no more backtalking. You will go use the 'fresher and get ready for your nap right now, or you will not like the consequences. Am I understood?" Obi-Wan asked, leveling her with his best stern Papa face.

The stubborn and defiant look she gave him stopped him in his tracks for a moment. Suddenly he was hit with a sense of déjà vu. Those same burning blue eyes full of fire and determination on the face of a much older and just as headstrong Iyla.

After younger Iyla finally relented and did as told, Obi-Wan sat on the end of the bed and ran a hand down her back soothingly. His little one huffed and rolled onto her side away from him to show him she was still mad and didn't want his comfort. He sighed and stood up from the bed but pressed a kiss to her head anyway. As he went to sit down on the couch with his datapad and new pond-water-free tunics, he couldn't help but think back to the very first time he saw that stubborn look.

****************Flashback**************************

Alarms blared and troopers ran from one end of the camp to another, shouting and relaying orders to their brothers around them. Everything had been calm and peaceful, until it wasn't. Apparently the Separatists had found their base and decided to move in on them unexpectedly. Iyla watched the chaos with wide eyes and shrunk back against the wall to avoid getting in anyone's way. She was in the mess tent having a snack when the alarm went off and everyone scattered like ants. She'd been told to 'stay put' by Commander Cody but she wasn't just going to sit in a deserted mess hall like a coward while other people fought around her.

So she left and went to seek out her fath…or…General Kenobi to tell him she was available to fight. She put a hand to her belt to feel for the familiar weight of her lightsaber and make sure it was still there. She had a tendency to lose it and often in the most inconvenient of circumstances.

She found the man in the command tent talking to Anakin and Ahsoka. He was stroking his beard and his brows were furrowed in concentration. She tensed up at the sight of Commander Cody's piercing gaze and winced a bit when she remembered that she hadn't listened to him when he told her to stay put. She shrugged off the cold look and approached the small group of Jedi.

"So, where do you want me?" she asked.

All three of them turned to stare at her. Ahsoka looked sideways at Anakin who looked back at her then looked at Obi-Wan. They seemed to be having a silent conversation.

"It's rude to talk to each other through your bonds when someone is watching you. It's pretty obvious too. None of you are very subtle," Iyla said with an unimpressed look.

"Iyla," Obi-Wan began in his diplomatic and placating voice. She hated that voice. "You won't be joining us in battle."

"And why not? I have a perfectly functioning lightsaber and I've been trained by the grandmaster of the Order himself. I think I am more than capable of fighting some droids."

"I'm sure you are very capable, but I'd feel better if you were here, where it's safe," Obi-Wan replied.

Iyla scoffed and rolled her eyes. "So you don't think I can do it."

"No, I never said that. I just meant that I'd feel more comfortable with people who have a bit more experience on a battle field."

"So you don't trust me," Iyla said, arms crossed and eyes narrowed.

Obi-Wan sighed wearily. "I never said-"

"You didn't have to," Iyla sneered. "I can tell."

"Well, to be quite honest, no, I don't trust you," Obi-Wan admitted.

"What? Why not? We're family. Family is supposed to trust each other."

"Why not? Why not? Where would you like me to start? The fact that you've done nothing but lie to us since you first appeared from Force knows where. Or-"

"You know why I had to lie! I already explained that. Exhaustively," Iyla interrupted angrily.

Obi-Wan continued on as if he'd never been interrupted. "Or the fact that you can't even follow simple orders from a Commander who tells you to stay put," he said looking pointedly towards Cody who was giving her a frustrated look.

"Cody isn't in charge of me. No one is."

"Oh, I see, so you're just willfully disobedient and disrespectful to authority," Obi-Wan replied.

"I respect authority when I recognize someone as having authority over me. Which Cody doesn't, which no one here does," Iyla said, raising her chin in defiance.

"You are a child. Every adult here is in authority over you, whether you acknowledge it or not. And when one of them tells you to stay put and stand down, you do it."

Iyla continued to glower at him. Obi-Wan met the look with a scowl and a bristling Force signature. Anakin, Ahsoka, Cody, and Rex looked on warily, exchanging nervous glances. In a Kenobi versus Kenobi battle of wills, things could get very heated very fast.

"Master, perhaps we should just let her come. We're really needed out on the field. You can have this conversation…discussion…fight…thing later. Once we're all still alive," Anakin spoke up.

"No! I will not allow her to fight," Obi-Wan said.

Iyla growled in frustration. "Why won't you just let me help?"

"Because you are a child and I do not take children into war zones!"

"I'm sixteen! I'm older than Ahsoka! And she's a child but you have no problem letting her run headlong to her potential death."

"Actually, seeing as you are born in the future, you're not technically older than me," Ahsoka pointed out.

"Not now, Snips," Anakin muttered.

"Ahsoka is experienced in combat. She's been part of this war for years. She knows what she's doing," Obi-Wan said.

"So it is because I'm not good enough!" Iyla yelled.

"No, it's because you are a child," Obi-Wan replied.

"But Ahsoka-"

"Because you are my child!" Obi-Wan yelled back, finally snapping. "You are mine, Iyla and I am responsible for you and your well-being. It is my job to keep you safe because I am your father."

The small command tent grew silent and tension filled the space. Everyone looked back and forth between Iyla and Obi-Wan anxiously. Iyla seemed shocked at his words but was quickly coming back to herself and rising up in indignation.

"Oh, I see. So now you're my father. When you can boss me around and get me to do what you want. But you weren't my father a few days ago because it was 'simply impossible and I won't believe it,'" she said, imitating his accent mockingly.

Obi-Wan sighed heavily. "Iyla…"

"No. No, I get it. Today you're my father. Because it suits your needs," Iyla said with a quiet voice dripped in bitterness.

"Just…please. Stay here and be safe," Obi-Wan pleaded tiredly.

Iyla's cold and calculating look seemed to bore into his soul. Obi-Wan met her gaze with an impassive look of his own, not one to back down in the face of a challenge.

"Fine," Iyla finally replied.

"Fine? That's it? Just fine? Now you're deciding to listen?" Obi-Wan asked with his patented raised eyebrow.

"Isn't that what you want? You gave an order and I'm listening."

"And how do I know you'll actually stay here?" Obi-Wan asked suspiciously.

"Well, father, I guess you're just going to have to trust me," she smirked impishly.

Obi-Wan stared into her burning blue eyes full of fire and stubbornness and found himself very much doubting that she'd follow orders. He swallowed thickly as he pictured his Satine with the same passion and defiance on her face and his heart ached at the still raw pain of her loss. He didn't have time to dwell on either of these thoughts as a call came through to Rex for assistance on the front lines. Anakin and Ahsoka started toward the flap of the tent and Rex followed. Cody cleared his throat expectantly and looked to his general. Obi-Wan's eyes lingered on Iyla for a moment longer, hoping to discern her true intentions. But the girl was good and simply stared back at him expressionless. He sighed again and turned to leave the tent. Iyla was right. He was going to have to trust her.

******Flashback**********Continued********************

Obi-Wan had a bad feeling. Not only did he feel it in the Force, but he could feel it in every single nervous gaze of his men as he walked down the halls of the ship. They'd managed to fight off the Separatists and force them to retreat all while sustaining minimal casualties. Overall, it was a successful battle and everyone was in high spirits afterward. So then, why did he have a feeling that something wasn't right?

An anxious looking Fives and Waxer passed him and gave him an awkward "General," and a tight nod. Obi-Wan eyed them suspiciously. Then he saw Cody walking towards him with purpose.

"Ah, Cody. I'm hoping you're here to tell my why everyone is acting so odd," he said to him.

"Uh, yes, General. You're, um, needed in Med Bay, sir," Cody stuttered out.

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "Med Bay? Is everything alright, Cody?"

"It's better if you come to Med Bay, sir. We can explain everything there," Cody answered, turning to lead him towards the medical wing.

Obi-Wan's apprehension grew when he entered the Med Bay and saw Anakin and Ahsoka looking just fine. Who else would he need to see? Suddenly ice flooded his veins while fire simultaneously erupted in his blood. He should have known.

His suspicions were confirmed when he saw the figure on the bed. Iyla stared up at him nervously.

"I told you that you didn't have to call him here. I'm fine," she sulked. Ahsoka and Anakin snorted in amusement at her very much Obi-Wan looking pout.

"Yes, people who are 'fine' generally end up in a medical bed," Obi-Wan sassed.

"You're one to talk," she muttered.

"Want to say that again, young lady?" Obi-Wan replied.

Iyla glared at him.

"I'd like to know though, how you got a blaster bolt to the shoulder when you were in the command tent the whole time," Obi-Wan said with his arms crossed and eyebrow raised.

Iyla bit her lip and avoided his gaze.

"Iyla…"

"I might not have stayed in the tent the whole time," she said quietly.

"Oh, really."

"Yeah, um…it's just that Fives and Waxer called in for help and no one answered and I wasn't too far away from their location so I figured I'd help them out a bit."

"So you disobeyed my orders. After I trusted you to listen," Obi-Wan said with barely concealed anger.

"I was helping those in need. As all Jedi are called to do," Iyla said with a defiant chin raise.

"Don't give me that bantha crap," Obi-Wan snapped.

Iyla looked at him surprised.

"And Fives and Waxer? What did they say when you came to help them?"

"They told me to go back."

"And what did you do?"

"I told them you said it was ok for me to fight. That you gave orders for me to help if I was needed," Iyla replied, looking down at her lap.

"Oh, so you lied to them. On top of disobeying. I must say, you're starting to work up quite the reputation of being an insolent and stubborn child."

Iyla's head snapped up at his words. There was sadness and regret in her eyes. She swallowed thickly and looked away.

"If you had just-" Iyla started.

"Me? This is my fault? Please, enlighten me as to how any of this is my fault!" Obi-Wan yelled, his patience worn thin.

Iyla flinched at the volume of his voice and the anger swirling in the Force around him. The whole room went silent and it seemed as if no one breathed. Obi-Wan took a centering breath and spoke calmly.

"Leave us," he said, looking around the room.

"Master…" Anakin said.

"Please, Anakin. Just, leave. This conversation needs to be had privately. Father to daughter."

Anakin nodded and pulled Ahsoka out with him. Rex and Cody bowed out as well. Kix lingered for a second longer to check Iyla's bandage then hurried off to see to his other patients.

Iyla bit her lip anxiously and shrunk back on the bed a bit. Obi-Wan could feel her fear and nervousness through the Force and he softened his features as he pulled up a chair to sit next to her.

"I'm not going to hurt you, child. I really do just want to talk. Is that alright?" he asked.

Iyla nodded apprehensively. "Ok."

Obi-Wan gave her a kind and reassuring smile. "Good. Now, I think you and I have much to discuss. Calmly and honestly. Starting with why you feel like this is my fault."

"I don't think it's your fault, sir. I just…I just wanted to show you that I could help and that I'm a good fighter. If you'd only given me a chance, you would have seen that."

"I didn't mean to give the impression that I think you incompetent, Iyla. And I apologize if I did."

Iyla ducked her head. Obi-Wan moved his head to catch her eye. "What is it? Is there something else?"

"Well, I…I know you don't really like me and you're not exactly happy that I'm here, but I thought that maybe if I proved my usefulness and my worth then you'd…I don't know…"

"That I'd want you?" Obi-Wan asked sadly.

"Yeah, but it's stupid."

"I don't think it's stupid. And I'm sorry you felt the need to earn my approval. I never want you to feel like you have to prove your worth to me. You are a great Jedi, Iyla. I've seen enough to know that is true."

"It was just a wound to my pride I guess when you shut me down. I mean, I'm not arrogant or anything, I just take pride in my accomplishments and my abilities. Like, a healthy amount of pride, not-"

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Relax, dear. I understand. And I wasn't aiming to hurt your pride."

"That's not really what upset me. Not exactly. It's when you said you don't trust me. It…hurt. I mean, I've obviously proven that you can't and you have every reason not to, but…I expected you to give me a chance at least," Iyla said quietly.

"Trust is earned, little one," Obi-Wan said. Iyla wrinkled her noise at being called "little one" and Obi-Wan laughed.

"I know," Iyla huffed.

"Iyla, I want you to understand why I didn't want you to fight," Obi-Wan said.

"Because you're in charge of me and I'm a child so I must listen to authority," Iyla replied.

"You are a child and I am in charge of you, but that's not the reason. Not completely at least."

Iyla gave him a confused look.

"I didn't want you to fight because I was afraid. For your safety. That I'd lose you senselessly when I only just found you."

"I…I didn't think you cared," Iyla said, slightly shocked.

Obi-Wan sighed sadly and looked her straight in the eye. "Of course I care, dear," he said, his voice tinged with regret.

"Oh. It's just, the other day you…"

"The other day I behaved dreadfully and I apologize. I was shocked and confused and I was cruel. I hurt you and I know I can never take back my words or actions, but I am sorry," Obi-Wan said, bringing his hand to cover her own.

Iyla looked down at their joined hands and smiled. She shrugged nonchalantly. "It's alright. I mean, I'd probably react the same way if a teenager from the future showed up out of nowhere claiming to be my kid," Iyla chuckled.

"Yes, well, still. There's no excuse for my abhorrent behavior," Obi-Wan smiled back at her.

"I forgive you, fath-I mean, sir…er…General?"

"Let's go with Obi-Wan for now."

"Obi-Wan," Iyla nodded.

"Look, Iyla. I know we didn't get off on the right foot and I acknowledge my part in you feeling the need to fight and prove yourself, but darling, there are much better ways to show me you are trustworthy and competent than running into battle," Obi-Wan said.

Iyla's mouth twitched into a smile. He'd called her 'darling.'

"What?" he asked looking puzzled.

"Nothing," she said. "And I know. I sure behaved childishly for someone trying to prove they aren't a child."

"Well, I wasn't going to say anything…"

Iyla laughed and smacked his hand away from her own. "You aren't supposed to agree with me," she pouted and crossed her arms.

"If the boot fits," he muttered.

Iyla rolled her eyes and waved him away. "Don't you have other places to be, General Kenobi?" she asked in annoyance.

"Not really. I could stay here all evening," he said, now crossing his arms as well and leveling her with a challenging look.

"Ok, then you won't mind me telling Kix about that gash on your leg," Iyla smiled mischievously.

Obi-Wan looked down at his bleeding leg and looked back up at her, shocked. "How did you…"

"Oh, please, Obi-Wan. You do know whose daughter I am right?" she said, giving him the patented Kenobi eyebrow raise.

"You're a brat. I blame your mother. Why else would you be so stubborn and ornery?"

Iyla gasped and put a hand to her chest in mock hurt. "You wound me, sir. Now I must tell Kix about your leg, it's only fair that-"

"Don't you dare or I'll tell him to give you another stim shot for good measure."

"You wouldn't!"

"Try me, little one," Obi-Wan smirked.

Iyla stared at him with narrowed eyes and a petulant glare. Obi-Wan met her gaze with a challenging eyebrow raise and a smirk.

"Fine, you win this round, old man," she pouted.

Obi-Wan glared at the dig at his age and gave her an unimpressed look. She didn't seem fazed though and simply grinned cheekily right back at him. He rolled his eyes and stood up from his chair, all the while keeping his stubborn gaze on her stubborn gaze. Insufferable child, he thought as he left the Med Bay, grinning affectionately.

*********End****Flashback************

Obi-Wan smiled to himself at the memory of their first real father and daughter breakthrough and the first time he got to see the strong-willed and headstrong girl that he'd helped create. She was resilient and stubborn like her mother and he laughed at how alike the two were in being able to rile him up and push his buttons.

A quiet sniffle brought him back to the present. A teary 4-year-old Iyla stood in the doorway of their bedroom shuffling her feet and scrubbing at her eyes.

"Papa…?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yes, darling?" he answered and waved his hand to call her over to him.

"Papa are you m-mad at m-me?" she asked as tears clung to her lashes.

"I am very displeased by your behavior today."

"Does dis-peased mean mad?"

"Not exactly, love. I am still disappointed, but, I have had time to calm down and I am no longer mad," Obi-Wan replied.

"Oh. Good. Acause I'm sowwy, Papa. Vewy vewy sowwy! I was bad and I yelled a lot," Iyla said lowering her gaze to her socked feet.

"I don't like the word 'bad,' I prefer 'naughty.' Bad means you are a bad girl, but naughty means that you are a good girl who sometimes has naughty behavior."

"Ok. Sowwy I was noddy, Papa."

"Thank you for your apology, dear one. I'm glad you recognize that what you did was wrong," Obi-Wan said, tipping her chin up so he could see her teary eyes.

He smiled tenderly as he smoothed out her bedhead and ran a finger over the imprint of the pillow that was etched onto her cheek. Force it was going to be difficult to discipline her when she was looking so endearing and sweet. But he had to be firm and follow through.

"Why don't you come and sit by me, darling. I think we need to talk," Obi-Wan said, patting the couch next to him.

Iyla scrambled up and sat by his side. He could tell she was still a little worried about his reaction to her tantrum as she kept her eyes on her twisting hands.

"Iyla, please look at me as we talk," he said.

Iyla looked up at him warily and brought her thumb to her mouth. Obi-Wan intercepted it and shook his head. Iyla stuck out her lip in a pout.

"Now. We need to have a serious talk about your behavior today in the gardens," Obi-Wan began.

"I'm sowwy!"

"I know you're sorry, darling. And I'm glad. But no amount of apology is going to get you out of this discussion."

Iyla sighed and her shoulders slumped in defeat. "Ok, Papa. Let's have a 'scushin."

Obi-Wan smirked in amusement. Why does she have to be so cute? He shook himself out of his thoughts and continued on before he lost his nerve and forgave her easily then bought her candy.

"I'm very disappointed that you disobeyed me, Iyla. I gave you instructions so you wouldn't get hurt because I care about you and I want you to be safe. It upset me greatly when I saw that you didn't listen to me," he said trying to inject firmness into his voice.

"Sowwy, Papa. I wanted to play wif my fwiends. They gots to climb and swim but you not let me."

"Why do you think I didn't let you?"

"Acause you mean…?" Iyla trailed off with the hint of a question.

"Iyla…" Obi-Wan warned.

"Acause you want me to be safe."

"Yes, dear. I know that you wanted to play with your friends and you felt left out, but do you remember what happened last time you tried to climb something very high?"

"I falled," Iyla said quietly.

"You fell and got hurt. I didn't want that to happen again. Same with the pond. You don't know how to swim, love. It's very dangerous to get in a pool when you can't swim."

"Nawi said she was gonna help me."

"Nari isn't much older than you, Iyla. I'm sure she's a good swimmer, most Rodians are, but she's not big enough or strong enough to help you if something went wrong. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Papa. But I still wanna play wif my fwiends. Maybe…maybe if you teached me to swim then I could go in the pond next time," Iyla said hesitantly.

"I will teach you to swim soon, little one. I promise," Obi-Wan said.

Iyla's face lit up in happiness. Then her smile faded as she seemed to remember what else happened in the gardens.

"I was vewy not nice to you, Papa. I scweamed and yelled and said you bad and I not like you. But I do like you, Papa! I not mean it! I swear!" she pleaded, desperate for him to believe her.

"I know you didn't mean it, darling. You were upset and you spoke out of anger. Which is something we will have to work on," Obi-Wan replied bringing a hand up to brush through her hair.

"But…but I said I want a new Papa but I don't! I never want anuver Papa! You the bestest Papa evew and…and I not want you to leave me! Pease don't leave me! I want you! Pwomise!" Iyla was now working herself up and fighting off another wave of tears.

"Shhh, my little one, it's alright," Obi-Wan soothed, scooting her closer to him. "I'm not going to leave you and I know you still want me. I want you too, forever and ever."

"Even when I'm bad…er…noddy?"

"Yes, even when you're naughty. And I forgive you for being naughty today. Just as I always will. Because I love you so much, my little light."

"I wuv you too, Papa," Iyla said rubbing her face against his neck then kissing his cheek.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and begged the Force for a way to get out of issuing a punishment to his precious little girl without shirking his fatherly duties. The Force of course was silent and didn't help him one bit. He sighed inwardly and steeled his resolve.

"Iyla, darling, you know I can't let you get away with having a tantrum," Obi-Wan said reluctantly.

"But...but I said sowwy and we had a 'scushin and I said I wuv you."

He chuckled a bit. "Those are all nice things, but I'm afraid there has to be consequences for your actions."

"Like a punishment?" Iyla asked anxiously.

"No, darling. A consequence, remember? I don't give punishments. I give consequences. "

"Not a huwty one, right?"

Obi-Wan's chest hurt at her small and scared voice. "No, never, my love. Consequences are appropriate and not painful. They aren't pleasant and you won't like them, but they will never hurt or be scary. I promise."

"Ok. What my cosakeze, Papa?"

"Well, I think a few days without playing in the garden might be appropriate since you still need to learn to listen to grown ups while you're there," Obi-Wan replied.

The look of sheer devastation on Iyla's face nearly undid him but he continued on.

"And a few minutes spent in the corner after dinner plus an early bed time tonight should be enough," he finished.

"The gawden is my favite place," Iyla muttered sadly.

"I know, dear. But consequences are supposed to be things you don't like. To keep you from repeating your mistakes. It's only for a few days. You'll be back to chasing butterflies very soon."

"Ok," she said dejectedly.

Obi-Wan smiled and kissed her forehead. He then set out to make dinner. Iyla helped him in the kitchen and soon she was back to her happy and giggling self. She made sure to eat all of her food and be on her best behavior hoping her Papa might forget about or excuse her from her time-out. Unfortunately he did neither and she was sent to sit against the wall for five minutes.

She sulked the whole time and flashed her sad puppy eyes at Obi-Wan whenever he looked at her. He resolutely ignored them and applauded himself for not caving after two minutes. He looked up again when he heard her talking to someone. Thinking she was talking to herself to keep herself entertained, he turned to face her.

He gave a resigned sigh when he saw his Master's Force Ghost stroking her cheek and trying to comfort her as she turned her wide akk-pup eyes and pouty lip to him, clearly trying to get his sympathy. And his infuriating Master was falling for it and eating it up.

"You know, it's really difficult to discipline my daughter when she's being coddled by my meddling Master," Obi-Wan said with his arms crossed. He raised an eyebrow at Qui-Gon.

"A grandparent's job is to spoil the grandchild. At least that's what I've been told from my sources in the Force. I've been getting grandfather advice from people who have passed on. I'm just practicing what they taught me," Qui-Gon replied with a smirk and a returned eyebrow raise.

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "Yes, well her time-out is almost over then you can coddle her to your heart's content."

"Time-out? For my precious and well-behaved little granddaughter? That can't be right. Maybe your Papa is overreacting, hmm? Is that what you think, little one?" he grinned at her and winked.

Iyla smiled and winked back at him. "Yes, Ganpa Qwi," she said with a fake pout and sniffle.

Obi-Wan threw his hands up in surrender and continued cleaning the dishes. "Impossible. Both of you," he muttered under his breath.

Qui-Gon laughed and got up from the floor to go to his former padawan in the kitchen. "You've got quite the firecracker there, Obi-Wan."

"I think I underestimated the amount of stubbornness and hardheadedness that Satine and I could have passed on. Seems that Iyla's got enough for the both of us. The sassy attitude too. And she's only four!" Obi-Wan said bringing a hand to his face.

"You've certainly got your hands full," The Force Ghost smiled.

"You don't seem very sympathetic, Master."

"I'm not," Qui-Gon chuckled.

Obi-Wan scowled at him. Then his face went pale when he thought back to 16-year-old Iyla's stubbornness and realized this was just the beginning. He groaned. "Why is the Force torturing me, Master?" Obi-Wan asked dramatically.

"Payback, my Padawan," Qui-Gon replied, grinning wickedly.

Payback the Force agreed.

Next up: Remember the mean Masters? Yeah, I finally resolve that plot point, lol.