Chapter Sixteen: The Place in Between

I had just come back from helping bring the flax into the mill for drying and rippling when I spied some activity in the Temple's side yard. A large area had been fenced off and had been designated for outside maneuvers. Presently, Qui-Gon was there and doing his best to teach Leia some advanced lightsaber techniques, although she didn't seem very appreciative of it.

Against the wall near the side door, I found Padmé speaking with none other than Quinlan Vos. Despite her early misgivings, she discovered his opinions and lifestyle were so different from hers, that she'd decided he was intriguing. At least that's what she'd told me. She still didn't like him, however, and it was the reason the bond between us was still peaceful. Although I hadn't yet encountered any type of jealous thoughts, I was certain if I did, the bond would be disrupted, causing us both discomfort.

As soon as she saw me, she smiled and greeted me with a quick kiss. Quinlan grinned as well.

"I never would've believed it. An apprentice of Qui-Gon Jinn hooking up with a politician. Not that you had much of a choice."

"We had a choice," Padmé corrected him immediately. "I was given an option to refuse, but one look at Obi-Wan…and what else could I do?"

Her teasing had caused my cheeks to redden. "Enough of that," I gently scolded, turning my attention to the training arena. "How's it going?"

"Typical," Padmé informed me. "I don't understand why everyone is so determined Leia learns how to use a lightsaber. She doesn't even like them."

"Because it's the weapon of the Jedi," I tried explaining for the hundredth time. "Throughout history, it has represented the Order. It's essential for our survival and our success in battle." I had seen Leia do some miraculous things, but sooner or later, she was going to wish she had a lightsaber in her grip.

"But she can do so much more," Padmé continued to debate. "She shouldn't be restricted to a single weapon."

We'd had this conversation in private before, which is where I wished it could be kept. I knew for a fact that Vos used a lightsaber only to supplement his other weapons, and as a visible threat. Without fail, the presence of a lightsaber was enough to convince most to back down before they tried something stupid.

Finally, Vos decided to enter the conversation. I listened intently, trying to figure out what was so intriguing about him.

"A lightsaber is useful though not essential," he argued. "There are some instances where I don't want everyone to know I'm associated with the Jedi. We're not so highly looked upon in some places."

"Apparently that includes the Senate," Padmé noted sadly.

"Valorum is doing his best, but I believe he's outnumbered. Palpatine was evil, but he was also very influential and still has followers; those who would like to carry on with his vision of one government to rule the galaxy."

"It sounds like a dictatorship to me; total tyranny." Padmé spat out with disgust.

"I won't argue about that," Vos continued. "I appreciate the fact you all chose to build another temple out here in the middle of nowhere, but you're out of touch. There's already a movement to dispose of the Chancellor and replace him with someone a little weaker; someone they can easily control."

"Who are 'they?' I thought the Separatist movement was dead," Padmé questioned. "Who's responsible for this new development?"

"Dooku," I guessed. Even though he was a resident of the Devaron Prison Barge, he no doubt had a heavy influence upon the other prisoners and perhaps even the warden. He could be quite charismatic when he wanted to be.

"Don't say that," Padmé begged. "I really would prefer to keep him out of our lives."

"Your insight is right on target," Vos informed me. "Word is he still has a following, and those who are willing to defy the Chancellor in order to free him. They're still petitioning the courts to try and gain his freedom."

"He's a murderer!" Padmé asserted. "He should rot in prison!"

"I'm not disagreeing, I'm just telling you what I've heard."

I took the time to look closer at our new friend. The soles of his boots were worn down, and although he had cleaned himself up, he still somehow had the appearance of being battle-weary. He had been a traveler and knew more than most, having the opportunity to hear both sides of the story, however, so we would all be wise to listen to him, although I still had some reservations about his loyalties.

Leia had just let out a loud grunt of aggravation and powered down her lightsaber for the third time since I'd arrived.

"He's not going to get anywhere with her like this," Vos complained.

Padmé and I watched with interest as Quinlan approached Qui-Gon and his rather difficult student. I chuckled silently, realizing my Master wasn't about to allow someone to interfere in his lessons or give him advice. However, much to my amazement, the older man seemed to be listening and even allowed Vos to step in and speak with Leia.

/He seems to have a way with her,/ Padmé told me.

/I'm not sure I trust him completely. He seems to have a hidden agenda,/ I countered, watching his interactions with my daughter very closely.

"He seems to want the same thing we do," she argued. "A safe and peaceful existence for the Jedi as well as a secure Republic."

"Maybe," I replied. "Although I have a feeling he goes about obtaining peace in the most violent way possible. I'm not sure I want him hanging around Leia."

"Oh, Obi-Wan," Padmé chuckled, playfully bumping my shoulder with her own. "You're being too protective. We're both here to watch over her and Qui-Gon won't allow anything to happen to her either. She'll be fine. Perhaps, it's time she got to listen to someone else's point of view for once. I would like for our daughter to be an independent thinker, someone who can make up their own mind regardless of others' influences."

She had a point. I, too, wanted Leia to be a strong and independent woman like her mother. Perhaps I was harboring jealous feelings after all, although they weren't due to my wife, but my daughter. I was her father, dammit! Why didn't she listen to me?

Qui-Gon had actually left the two of them alone and walked over to join us.

"You're allowing Vos to take over?" I asked with surprise. I hadn't expected that move at all.

"Just for a short while," he informed me, his breathing somewhat erratic. Suddenly, I began to see my Master in a different light and realized how much older he had gotten. Perhaps, I shouldn't be so selfish and allow someone to assist. He was getting older, his hair touched with more silver, and tired far more quickly than he used to.

"I'm hoping Leia will listen to him. You've raised a stubborn daughter, you two."

"Determined," Padmé acknowledged, although we both knew better.

"Whatever you wish to call it, she needs to listen to someone. Perhaps, Vos can help. Their styles are similar."

Really? I didn't see it.

Quinlan had stepped away and took a short walk into the nearby woods. He returned in a moment with a long branch, whose stems he stripped away with his vibroblade. Qui-Gon and I had considered training Leia to use a gaffi stick, but only after she had mastered the lightsaber. It appeared that Vos was going to forego our plans.

Who was the Master here anyway?