Chapter Five: Master and Apprentice


A/N: Another update, and just in time for the latest Star Wars movie! Valencia's biggest secret comes to light in this chapter, as well as some changes to her dynamic with Obi-Wan. This chapter is wholly from Obi-Wan's POV which I'm pretty excited about. Let me know what you think!


Obi-Wan couldn't remember the last time the Jedi Temple had been so full of nervous, chaotic energy. As the Clone Wars were fought across the galaxy, the most familiar faces were no longer on Coruscant. Anakin was currently undergoing the Jedi Trials in the hope that he would be Knighted – something that Obi-Wan had, rather guiltily, kept from Valencia. He knew the young woman would take Anakin getting Knighted before her negatively.

It was only a matter of time before he was sent on assignment. Obi-Wan could sense that things were going to change in the Order. They were peacekeepers, not soldiers. Yet considering everything happening, their role was forced to change. They were adapting to suit what the galaxy needed, and he had to accept that, even if it made him feel uneasy.

"Try again."

The familiar female voice made Obi-Wan pause, peering into the Sparring Arena. The large area was almost empty, aside from a blonde woman and a dark-haired little boy. He recognised them instantly – Valencia and one of the younglings, Beck. There was a soft smile playing about her lips as she corrected the boy's grip on his training lightsaber.

Valencia's ease with children was one of the things that astonished Obi-Wan about her. She was spirited, independent and vibrant, much like her father. Qui-Gon had never mentioned who Valencia's mother was, but apparently, she had not been against surrendering her daughter to the Jedi. There was something about the softness which Valencia displayed around Beck, a vulnerability that few ever saw.

Obi-Wan leaned against the wall, folding his arms, content in silent observation. The boy lashed out with his lightsaber, swift as a serpent. Valencia parried the blows more slowly than she usually would have. Beck was all intense concentration, his small face scrunching up as he tried to anticipate Valencia's next move.

"Better!" Valencia grinned as the boy demonstrated a series of moves. "You're a natural."

"Thank you," Beck lowered his lightsaber, suddenly demure. He was a quiet boy, at least around Obi-Wan, but seemed to light up in Valencia's presence. He could not blame him – Valencia was warmth and brightness, serious when she needed to be, playful when she was feeling mischievous.

"Excellent work."

Both Valencia and Beck started at Obi-Wan's statement. Her expression was guilty, as though she had been caught doing something dishonest rather than merely training the boy. Her cheeks were red with exertion, her blonde hair falling out of its practical ponytail. Obi-Wan decided she looked good that way.

"Master Kenobi." Valencia swept her Padawan braid out of her face. "Beck and I were just…"

He held a hand up. "You don't need to explain yourself, Val. It's fine. You were just training."

"I think I'm ready for my next training session." Beck beamed up at Valencia. There was such admiration in the child's eyes. It was clear to Obi-Wan that he revered and respected Valencia, however she appeared uncomfortable with it, for reasons that were perplexing to him.

"Good." Valencia reached out and ruffled his dark hair, before swiftly drawing her hand back. "Off you go. I know for a fact that you're meant to have meditation now."

Beck did not need to be told twice. He skipped from the Sparring Arena, a spring in his step. Obi-Wan watched him go with amusement, but Valencia appeared guarded. He could sense cautiousness emanating from her. She was typically so open with him, and he could not help but wonder at this sudden change.

"Are you alright?"

"Of course." Valencia strode over, a strained smile crossing her lips. "What would make you think otherwise?"

He was pleased that she had healed, and suspected part of her tension was born of frustration. She had not yet been permitted to join her master, Rhesa Vandelay, in combat. Despite her best intentions, Obi-Wan knew Valencia well enough to realise she took it as a personal slight.

"You seem…unlike yourself."

"Things are changing." Valencia shrugged her shoulders, scooping up her bottle of water and taking several deep gulps. "Perhaps we need to adapt to change with them. I'm simply unsure of my place in all of this."

"Your chance will come." Obi-Wan rested a hand on Valencia's shoulder. It seemed so long ago she had been the spirited teenage girl who he'd taken aside to tell about Qui-Gon's death. She had accepted it more readily than he'd anticipated, a trait she'd continued to demonstrate over the years. Valencia was more adaptable than most.

"I keep getting told that." Valencia drew away from him, frustration colouring her tone.

He could understand it was difficult not to compare herself to others around her own age, such as her friend Aayla. Obi-Wan had been only a year older than Valencia was now when he'd been Knighted. Valencia was not a jealous woman by nature, but comparisons could be drawn even by the most level-headed of people.

"Perhaps you need to meditate too," Obi-Wan suggested. He knew it could be helpful when he was feeling on edge. They all had feelings, it was how they dealt with those feelings that made them worthy of their positions within the Jedi Order. Valencia's struggles to cope with hers, as well as her stint of teenage rebellion, were perhaps among the reasons she had not yet achieved the role of Knight.

Valencia exhaled deeply, nodding. "I think you might be right."

"You can talk to me about anything, you know that, don't you?" Obi-Wan folded his arms over his chest, raising his eyebrows pointedly. "I'm one of your oldest friends, Valencia. If you need help, I'm here."

"Thank you," Valencia avoided meeting his eyes. "But I think once I meditate, I'll be alright."

Obi-Wan wasn't certain he believed that, but he said nothing as he watched her leave the Sparring Arena. There was something going on with Valencia, he just didn't know what it was yet. The Force moved in strange ways about her, indicating that she was experiencing some turbulent emotions – which she would need to rein in if she was ever to undergo the Trials.


Raised voices from the Sparring Arena drew Obi-Wan's attention after a briefing with the Council. Peering in, he noticed that several of the younglings were whispering together, eyes wide as saucers. One or two of them were crying. Valencia was in rapid conversation with Cin Drallig. Her body posture was tense. Frowning, Obi-Wan approached the pair with the distinct impression that something had gone amiss during a training session with the younglings.

"What's wrong?"

"It's Beck." Valencia sucked in a deep breath, her eyes flicking upwards. They gleamed with unshed tears. "He was injured."

"He will be fine, Valencia," Cin assured her, patting her arm. He looked to Obi-Wan. "The boy was hit in the head with a practise lightsaber. A nasty cut and possibly some bruising, but certainly not fatal."

Valencia raked her hands through her hair. Obi-Wan could not place the last time he'd seen her so frantic. In his mind, the pieces began to shift. Valencia's furtiveness when it came to training Beck, her insistence that he couldn't be her Padawan one day, how upset she was over a minor injury.

Obi-Wan examined her face and it was there he saw the truth, as he recalled the similarity of Beck's features to hers. Taking her arm, he gently led her from the Sparring Arena. This was not something he wished to discuss with others around, especially as he believed Cin had not ascertained the truth. The words felt strange as they passed his lips.

"You're his mother."

Valencia's eyes fluttered closed, tears spilling down her cheeks. There were many things Obi-Wan associated with his master's daughter, but motherhood was not one of them. It was not unknown for Jedi to have children – Valencia herself was evidence of that – but it certainly was not common. He wondered what she had been thinking, knowing of her own heritage.

Obi-Wan did the maths in his head. Valencia had just turned 24; Beck was six. She would have been eighteen when he was born, little more than a child herself. It had been during her stage of teenage rebellion. He recalled her and Rhesa leaving Coruscant for several months. Her master had known, and likely the Council too. Valencia had birthed her son in secret, and now he was training to become a Jedi like his mother.

"Yes," she whispered. Her eyes flicked up to meet his, daring him to offer commentary. There was only question on Obi-Wan's mind, and he voiced it as gently as he dared.

"Who is his father?"

"Don't ask me that." Valencia shook her head fervently, eyes sparking with a mixture of anger and fear. "Don't ever ask me that again."

"Alright," Obi-Wan promised. If she did not wish to speak of the matter, he certainly wasn't going to push her. He did feel stung that she had not trusted him enough to tell him – this had occurred several years before, and it wasn't until now that Obi-Wan had even suspected anything. Valencia's emotions gave her away, and would need to be tempered. Attachment to Beck would do neither of them any good.

"I know you probably don't think much of me right now." Valencia reached up to wipe her eyes. "I'm letting my feelings get the better of me. Not to mention that you didn't even know about Beck until now."

Obi-Wan rested his hands on her shoulders. "It was your secret to keep."

"It wasn't that I didn't trust you." Valencia looked up at him, and there was something he couldn't quite place there, a vulnerability. She displayed it rarely, but she had been open with him before. Suddenly, she looked very young. "It was that I was ashamed."

Obi-Wan wanted to ask again about Beck's father, about whether he had done anything untoward to Valencia. He knew the question would not be met with a positive response, and so he bit back the urge to ask. This was Valencia's business. If she chose to confide in him, he would be there to listen. Until then, he wouldn't ask about things she had specifically told him not to.

"I would never pass judgement for something like that."

"I was scared." Valencia chewed at her bottom lip. "I should have trusted you. I just didn't want to be scolded for my choice to keep him. My master was so good about it, and the Council gave me the ultimatum that if the baby was Force sensitive, I would have to give him up to them immediately. And…I did."

Obi-Wan wasn't a parent. He couldn't even remember his own life before he'd become a youngling. Yet he imagined it must have been so hard for teenage Valencia to hold her newborn son in her arms and know that he would be taken from her. She had chosen that fate, and yet still she could not fully let go of her maternal bond with Beck. As far as Obi-Wan was aware, the boy did not know she was his mother.

"You did the right thing."

"Did I?" Valencia drew away from him, her expression accusing. "The cycle repeated. Qui-Gon surrendering me, me surrendering Beck."

Obi-Wan pinched the bridge of his nose. "What else could you have done?"

"I…I don't know," Valencia admitted. Obi-Wan was under the impression that she didn't have anyone else she trusted enough to give the boy to. Clearly, whatever the relationship with Beck's father, he was no longer in Valencia's life. Obi-Wan sensed that he wasn't a Jedi.

"You are doing well," Obi-Wan assured her, "But you need to learn to let go. Beck is no longer your concern. You've become too close to him."

Valencia nodded slowly. He could tell that she was processing his words and realising what she had to do. Training with the boy was one thing, but becoming so upset about him being injured meant that Valencia had become too close emotionally.

Obi-Wan leaned in and kissed the top of her head. Her hair smelled floral, but not overpoweringly so. She was one of his closest friends, and he didn't wish to see her expelled from the Jedi Order. He would help her however he could. When he drew back, Valencia was smiling softly. He didn't quite know what it was about that smile, but Obi-Wan would do anything in his power to keep it on her face.


Anakin's Knighting ceremony was cause for great celebration, and even Obi-Wan agreed to a drink or two in his rooms afterwards. A few of their friends popped in and out to congratulate Anakin on his achievement. There could be no doubt that Anakin was deserving the attention, and it was well-earned. Obi-Wan was immensely proud of how far he'd come, especially how quickly he'd adjusted to his replacement arm since losing his lower arm to Dooku.

However, it appeared not everybody was enjoying themselves. Valencia sat in the corner of the room with a drink in her hand, twirling her Padawan braid thoughtfully around her finger. Obi-Wan knew she didn't partake in alcohol too often, but she was yet to refill her glass. As Anakin basked in the spotlight, Obi-Wan crossed over and sat beside Valencia. She took note of his presence and knocked back more of her drink.

"What is it?"

"I'm being selfish." Valencia traced her finger around the rim of her glass, unwilling to meet Obi-Wan's eyes. "I'm happy for Anakin. He deserves this moment. It's been coming for some time. And yet, I can't help but feel envious."

"Your time…"

"Will come?" Valencia finished, raising her eyebrows, lips twisting into a forced smile. "I've heard those words so many times, Obi-Wan. From you, from Rhesa. I want to believe them, but I can't help but feel that day is still so far away."

"Anakin's accomplishments are not a reflection on you," Obi-Wan reminded her, "You are not in competition with anyone but yourself."

Valencia mulled over his words, setting her glass down and gazing across the room. Anakin was telling a story, gesticulating wildly. Obi-Wan noticed that she had dressed up a little for the event – there was mascara on her eyelashes, and her lips were tinted pink.

"I should go and talk to him. I'm not being fair."

"No," Obi-Wan agreed, raking a hand through his hair, "But at least you can acknowledge it."

Valencia eased herself to her feet and walked over to Anakin. It was astounding to Obi-Wan how quickly she could plaster on a smile, how readily she became full of warmth as she sat beside him, nudging him in the side and teasing him about something. Obi-Wan felt the need to keep his distance, to let the pair interact without him overlooking.

Anakin and Valencia had been good friends since Anakin had arrived at the Jedi Temple. It was hard to imagine there had ever been a time when Valencia had been taller than Anakin – he'd grown up quickly. Nonetheless, despite the difference in age and maturity, Valencia had welcomed the boy and taken him under her wing. It was only natural that she was proud of his achievements despite her frustration at not commencing the Trials herself.


The news of Rhesa Vandelay reached Coruscant mere weeks after the onset of the Clone Wars. Obi-Wan received it with a heavy heart – Rhesa had been a woman of composure and compassion. There had been more that the Council had asked of him, and he went to visit the woman who was most impacted by this tragic news. Rapping his knuckles on the door, Obi-Wan stepped inside when it hissed open.

Valencia stood in the doorway. Her eyes were red-rimmed and the tip of her nose was shiny. It was obvious that she had been crying. She had undoubtedly heard the news. Obi-Wan wondered who had broken it to her, and he put her arms around her and swept her into a tight embrace. Obi-Wan was not often physically affectionate, however he felt that today, the occasion called for it.

"She's dead." Valencia's voice was a hoarse whisper. "My master is dead."

"I'm sorry." Obi-Wan didn't know how to comfort someone through a loss. How had he gotten through losing Qui-Gon? It had been a decade now, and he couldn't seem to remember. When he drew back, he realised that crying seemed to make Valencia's eyes take on a greenish hue.

"What happens to me now?" Her expression was one of desperation, as though she feared that Rhesa's death would mean her expulsion from the Order.

"The Council have assigned you to me." Obi-Wan hoped that it would bring her comfort. He had been approached by Yoda, and agreed to the assignment. Anakin had just been Knighted, and it would do Valencia good to work with someone she knew. There was no doubt that she was almost ready for the Trials herself.

"Oh." Her flat answer was not what Obi-Wan had hoped for, and he felt a little crestfallen at the bland response. He knew that she was mourning her master, but it seemed as though she was disappointed with the assignment.

"Is something the matter, Valencia?"

"No." The young woman crossed over and sat on her bed, tugging her knees to her chest and taking a deep breath. When she closed her eyes, tears tracked down her cheeks. "I just don't want to be alone. Will you stay for a while?"

Although taken aback by the request, Obi-Wan sat on the edge of her bed. He knew that grief could be a difficult thing to move past, especially when the loss was so sudden. Valencia reached out hesitantly, taking his hand in hers. Her skin was soft and warm to the touch. She linked her fingers through his, purposefully avoiding meeting his eyes. There was something strange in the way the Force moved around her, like a complex mixture of emotions was emanating from her. It wasn't just grief, but other things as well, things that Obi-Wan found impossible to place.

"I am grateful to be your Padawan," Valencia admitted softly, "I just don't want it to complicate matters."

Obi-Wan didn't understand. "What could it complicate?"

"You've recently learned that I have a son." Valencia shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose I must not be the person you thought you knew."

"It doesn't change who you are," Obi-Wan assured her. He looked down at their linked hands. It was certainly not something he was used to – his contact with Anakin had been minimal, and not as intimate. He supposed having a female Padawan would be different.

Unbidden, his mind dwelled to his past relationships. Valencia had her secrets, and he had his. Obi-Wan had had romance before too, only he'd managed to put his duty first. He knew that with time and training, Valencia could manage to do the same when it came to Beck.

Valencia rested her head on his shoulder, sniffing. She didn't relinquish her grip on his hand, and Obi-Wan felt that he wasn't uncomfortable with the contact. Valencia had always been open with physical affection, prone to hugs and touches. He didn't think there was anything that could complicate their new bond, although he knew that the young woman certainly felt otherwise.