"Look who is deciding to be social…" – Cayle

Oh whatever.

I turn back to the task at hand and shift my car into park before killing the ignition and scooping my phone back up.

"I'm keeping up appearances." I reply, then slip my phone into my pocket.

I don't want to be here. But I need a distraction and this is an important game.

My phone vibrates somewhere in between shutting my door and making it up to the ticket line.

"8:01—8:02—8:03" The clock on the scoreboard reads, along with a 0-0 score.

Perfectly on time.

"Good tactical play. I like it."

"What are you talking about?" I flippantly answer, then look up in the direction of the line.

One or two more.

"Last night. The shirt. Laufey knew too much. You said so much in the Emergency Session."

I did.

"If they know where you are (which I don't think they do) then they shouldn't be able to resist."

Cayle…

"I'm actually trying to get him out of my head. Not to dig deeper inside game theory."

I don't want to be thinking Sith Game Theory right now.

"You have been thinking about him all day."

"I played it wrong. I said all this earlier."

And I really don't want to rehash this. Maybe I should just silence my phone when I step inside the gate.

Maybe.

"Besides, I don't think that—"

"Ezra!"

I glance up from my phone to see one of Sabine's teammates smiling at me.

"Hey Liz." I smile back. "Just me."

"Just you?"

"Yup." I nod, then smile again.

"Oh, okay. You're good."

What?

"Huh?" I say, then glance from Liz to the other girl, somebody who I don't recognize.

Liz just smiles and waves me forward, past the little turnstiles before giving me a hug. "Sabine's near the concessions tent!"

Right where she wants to be.

"Thanks." I manage to get out before Liz and her teammate move back to the line, leaving me with no choice but to walk in.

She should not have done that…I bet they need that money.

Feeling self-conscious, I walk into the decent crowd of people scattered around. Most focusing on the game, the others on either phones or their children.

Lot of kids around. I imagine once he gets old enough, Jacen will play soccer.

That'll be fun.

I let myself smile as I make my way behind the bleachers that are set up and up to where the usual combination of Football, Women's Basketball, Softball and Baseball are all gathered, with Trey hidden from sight.

Scanning with my eyes for him, I— "Ezra." A deep voice says, at the same time as a large arm halts my progress.

NO.

I snap on my heels to EJ, one of Matt's battalion of enormous offensive linemen then force myself to halt for a second. "What's up?"

You don't just throw your arm down and stop me. No.

I go where I want to go.

EJ takes a half step back, causing the person behind him, another behemoth to turn. "Sorry bro. Not today."

"Not today?" I parrot him.

Uh oh. I've got that whole group's attention.

EJ's eyes betray him before he nods. "Yeah. You gotta go."

"Yeah." A huge hand confirms for the voice.

I turn to my left, where Ben is. "Why?"

"Because—" he starts himself, then stops.

He doesn't want to say it.

"The Sabine thing." Ben completes the sentence.

"Okay. What about it?"

"The cops said you're with the feds." EJ says.

"Yeah." Ben nods.

Oh damn.

"Not really. My parents know people, that's all."

EJ instantly shakes his head. "Don't matter anyway."

"What do you mean it doesn't matter?" I turn to him. "You think I started all this?"

The FBI and NCAA coming down on their heads?

"No—"

"We don't know."

Ben pauses to gives his teammate a glare, then looks back to me. "Listen, it's not personal Ezra. I know Matt's vouched for you but—"

It's not good enough.

Once Ben's done with whatever he's saying, I lock onto him. "So I've got to go."

"It's not personal. Everybody not with us is against us right now."

"I'm not against you." I counter.

"I know." Ben nods. "But it's one of you, or 127 of us." Ben says, gesturing to EJ and the multiple teammates who seem to be gathering around us.

We're going to catch somebody's attention—

"Everything alright over here boys?" An authoritative voice asks, causing everyone to turn and see a fresh faced police officer sidling up.

"No sir, no problems." Ben smiles at the officer, who then starts shaking hands with a few of the assembled.

"Good. Just wanted to check up on you boys. I know it's been a tough couple of days. We don't need you guys taking it out on each other."

"No sir." EJ says simply.

I've got to go.

"Are we good?" The officer turns and finds me.

I nod as casually as I can. "Yes sir, I was just going."

"Alright then. Have a good night." He gives me a curt nod before turning his back to me and initiating a few defensive players in a conversation.

They're not interested in him being there either.

I turn back and start towards the gate, pulling out my phone as I go.

Cayle – 3 new iMessages

I'll check that in a moment. I have to get out of here.

I can't believe they think I'm—

Cayle – 4 new iMessages

Flipping my phone into my pocket, I continue walking, turning behind the bleachers to give me some cover.

If it's that important, I'm probably driving downtown straightaway. Meaning I won't really have time to do my readings for class tomorrow unless I stay up late and do them tonight.

I don't want to do that. Laufey has been—

Whoa.

I come to a stop as normally and casually as I can before sliding out of people's way then flip my phone out.

Cayle – 5 new iMessages

Out of habit, I tap my passcode in and probe out again using the Force.

That's…no. He's still abroad.

He's not back yet.

"Hey, they've been turning people away all night. Think it's a bad time." – Cayle

"Dammit. Should have told you earlier. My fault."

"Get out. They're circling you."

"You have a guest."

"Okay. Don't pay attention to my texts. Surprise for you."

"What are you talking about? And no, they just didn't want me around. I think they think I sold them out or something." I text him, then stare at my screen until he replies.

"They don't matter right now. Follow the Force."

I slide my phone away once again, then probe out and try to find the disturbance in the Force.

There it is again.

No way though. He's abroad.

Unless he came back and intentionally didn't tell me. Which is always possible.

Faith. Follow the Force Ezra.

Forcing myself to stop leaning on the metal support for the bleachers, I take a few steps forward and scan the crowd with my eyes.

Not left. Sabine's to my left.

I don't see anybo—

Soundlessly, a gray haired man rises from a lawn chair and turns to me, smiling. "There you are."

Master Dooku.

Numbly, I incline my head slightly before Master Dooku pulls up another chair for me. "Please sit, dear boy." He asks, still smiling at me.

"I didn't know you were back." I quietly respond, then move to take the proffered seat. "Master."

"Perhaps it was in my interests to surprise you. See you in your natural surroundings." Master Dooku quirks an eye at me, before revealing more of a smile. "Your mind seems troubled. Clouded."

I nod before Dooku opens up a cooler with three drinks inside.

One of his, two for me. He planned this.

The action on the soccer field catches up to our patch of sideline, followed by the customary yells of information and sounds of the game. "It's been a busy 24 hours."

"Mischief can be found at all times. As you have demonstrated. Well done."

"Thank you, Master." I nod. Dooku barely raises his hand at the final word, clearly indicating that I should drop the formality.

If you say so.

"What is the problem with the group beyond the bleachers?" Dooku queries, then sips his drink before eying me.

Open it, moron.

I open my drink, take a sip then nearly flinch. "You…"

"You are of age. I believe this isn't your first encounter with something like that."

He spiked the drinks.

I can't help but chuckle, then give my drink another, grateful sip. "They believe that I am a threat."

"Understandable, given the situation they have found themselves in." Dooku remarks.

"I imagine you're fully read on the situation?"

Again, Master Dooku nods in assent. "In its entirety."

Why'd I even ask?

Dooku's lip curls into a smile before I add. "What do you think?"

"The situation is an unfortunate one. They see you as a potential enemy, but have closed ranks not against you. But to protect their own."

"Makes sense." I nod.

"As difficult as it is to do, I would allow the offense to slide." Dooku finishes, then turns to me.

Awaiting my reply.

"They're wrong. I'm their friend. Not an enemy." I counter, as Jaicey beats her defender, who kicks the ball out past her own keeper.

Corner. That's good.

I clap along with multiple members of the assembled crowd, which gets another smile out of Dooku. "I see you're learning soccer."

"It's a beautiful game."

"That is a common phrase. The Beautiful Game." He gently needles me.

"They're down their best player."

"I disagree." Dooku shakes his head. "But we'll get to her later. The Council informs me that your coursework is going well, if not without irritation."

"The professors do the irritating, not the work sir." I clarify.

Dooku doesn't initially respond, as the corner is about to be taken. Jaicey, after a moment of preparation, fires a beautiful curling something into their box, only for it to end up going the other way.

"Shame…" Dooku comments, then turns back to me. "Calhoun has received very poor comments. Is there anything I should know beyond the briefings?"

I shake my head. "No. Kanan's right on him. He wants to be teaching higher level students, and got stuck with us."

"A true teacher would embrace the situation, and make the best of it."

"Agreed."

Master Dooku laughs once, but allows his smile to linger as possession changes again. "The folly of ego dooms all who carry it."

That's a good one.

Instinctively, I pull out my phone and start typing as quickly as I can.

"Now that's a new development."

"Necessary evil." I counter, in the middle of typing 'dooms'. "What was that again?"

"The folly of ego dooms all who carry it." Dooku repeats, then adds. "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair! Nothing beside remains. Round the decay. Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare. The lone and level sands stretch far away."

Ah jeez.

"The second part isn't of my own creation. Type "Ozymandias" into that machine of yours later. You'll understand."

"I'm looking forward to that." I confess with a smile.

"I imagine so. Master Jinn told me that he believes you aren't stimulated mentally as much as you believed before attending."

I guess I gave off that impression.

"I…was expecting more independent thinking. Less fill in the blank on a website." I counter, than sip my drink.

If I have both of these, I don't think I should drive home.

"What is this, by the way?" I ask.

Dooku shrugs causally. "Oh, something Master Yoda and I have shared many a time. I thought you might like it."

I do.

"Hits like a bantha."

"Which is saying something, coming from you." Dooku counters, his smirk undeniable.

True.

The action in front of us continues to be a battle of possession, each side sharing the ball before donating it away. "I also stopped by the Syndulla's."

"Oh yeah?" I turn and smile at him. "What'd you think?"

Dooku gives off a laugh, then turns back to the field. "Young Jacen has great potential. As well as a heart larger than he is. Mira on the other hand, only wants to learn and love."

"Yeah." I nod, then laugh. "That's them."

"I take it you have felt both aptitudes for the Force?"

I pause, then bite my lip. "Only Jacen. You think Mira as well?"

"Oh yes." Dooku nods. "The bond between her and the dog, Ghost is clearly more than just love."

"What makes you think that?"

Dooku turns at my inquiry. "Years of experience." He smiles. "Your instincts are correct."

They are?

Wordlessly, he continues. "In Sacramento, your testimony. You said that you believed you loved them."

Oh.

"You love them, as they love you." Master Dooku reports with a smile. "Young Jacen asked if we could both give him a lesson."

We can do that.

"Indeed we can." He adds on. "I'll leave the framework and timing of the lesson to you. Message me."

"Alright." I nod.

Concurrently, we both turn our attention back to the action, which has continued to devolve into more of a contact sport.

43:37, 43:38, 43:39…

"Young Cayle mentioned that you have yet to spar since beginning your coursework."

With a lightsaber.

"It hasn't been intentional. My time management hasn't been quite what I want it to be." I confess.

Dooku seems to accept this. "I wouldn't be too concerned, you are adjusting to a new environment with many more obligations than you are used to."

"But I haven't made time."

"Your physical fitness seems to have been maintained, however." Dooku contradicts me. "A few sessions and you should be as right as ever."

The referee harshly blows his whistle, signaling that it is halftime. Out of habit, I move to rise before I'm placed back into my seat.

Not yet.

"Would you mind if we place these in your car?" He asks casually, as all around us, people begin moving around.

"Of course not."

Dooku smiles, then motions with his eyes behind us.

Sabine.

He's waiting for her to get busy with somebody at the concessions and gear stand before we make our move.

Always a tactician. Others move, he observes and acts based on intelligence rather than feelings. Which is why the Council was okay with him going on "sabbatical". I bet that he's leading up to that.

Seemingly on a whim Master Dooku rises, and in one smooth, easy motion collapses his chair with a flick of the wrist and pulls it into his hand. Once I've gathered myself, Master Dooku leads the way not left, but right to where the gate is that Matt led me through, and easily opens it just long enough for us to slip unnoticed out into the complex at large.

Once we're past the main fence, Dooku allows me to direct us to the left, where my car is parked.

Not knowing what else to do, I pull out my keys and unlock the doors. Master Dooku fluidly navigates around the parked car next to me, who seems to have tried boxing me in and slides into the passenger's seat.

"I take it that your place is rather nearby?" Master Dooku comments as I turn the ignition and my car purrs to life.

"Yes, very close."

Dooku nods as I hit the accelerator "These are quite impressive facilities. The university seems to have spared little expense."

"They are." I nod.

Dooku quirks an eyebrow before adding "The same cannot be said however, for their athletes. What is your experience with them?"

"They never seem to have any time. From class to practice to homework to socializing to studying."

"Not to mention trying to enjoy themselves." He adds.

"It's not easy. I don't believe that it's what many of them thought they signed up for." I say as we stop at a stop sign.

"And the outlet for these feelings are these parties you've attended I take it?"

Uh oh.

"Yes Master." I nod curtly, then prepare myself.

This is going to hurt.

"I must commend you on your actions the night you were attacked. If you had relented even the slightest, you could have been seriously injured."

Oh.

"I tried making the best out of a bad situation. I was lucky that backup was nearby."

"On the contrary, dear boy. You alerted the authorities, who swiftly acted and prevented catastrophe."

"I did inflict harm though."

I know he read the report. Knowing him, the Council probably sent him the advanced copy and he read it as soon as he saw it.

"Some blood and a wired up jaw is the best that could have come of it. The Council commended you for your restraint. As do I." Master Dooku compliments me as I take a left then move to turn into my complex.

Unimpeded, I pull through the parking lot and into my designated space. "Idyllic."

"It's nice." I comment as Dooku gathers up the cooler and I pull my backpack out of the backseat. "I like it."

"Have you had any issues with other tenets?"

"No." I shake my head, then lead the way up the stairs. "My Residential Advisor can be a pain, trying to get me to socialize, but outside of that…"

As we arrive at my door Dooku comments. "I would imagine that is a portion of their job." I nod in agreement, then unlock my door and hold it open.

"Oh no, you clearly haven't been back all day. You first." Master Dooku gestures for me to lead the way, leaving my only option to obey.

Doing so, I take a few steps inside, followed by Dooku doing the same before he closes the door behind me. "I would have thought you would have decorated more."

"I haven't really put much thought into it, Master."

"All the same. This is your place of residence. It wouldn't hurt to make it more of a home…" he trails off. "Would you mind if I look around?"

"Go right ahead." I smile. Master Dooku nods, then drifts off back towards my bedroom.

Tossing my backpack in the direction of my desk, I quickly scan the room, looking for anything out of place that he would find fault in.

I think I'm alright.

"I see your meticulous nature has followed you here."

"It's ingrained in me." I call out, then walk over and unzip my backpack.

I'll need my Chem and Comp notebooks for the homework I do have.

Setting those two aside, I turn around just as Dooku makes his way into the living room, only to stop and look in the kitchen.

"You ordered takeout?"

"Sabine did." I inform him, only to be given a slight smirk,

"Ahh yes. Miss Wren."

I force myself to laugh. "You sound like Master Kenobi."

"Old habits die hard. You know the lineage there."

Yoda trained Dooku who trained Jinn who trained Kenobi. Who trained Skywalker who trained Ahsoka who is training Cayle.

Dooku seems to accept my silence for an answer before stopping to open up the fridge. "Good, at least we don't have to worry about you going hungry."

"Never." I laugh, before Dooku nods in acceptance.

"How often is the girl over?"

I let out my tensions into the Force before answering "A few times a week. More this week however."

"Because of the raid?"

"Yes." I nod.

Dooku barely smirks before asking. "And she just appeared?"

"Yes."

This time, Dooku fully chuckles. "You can loosen up, Young Bridger. I'm not going to report you to the Council. They are being exceedingly harsh in your case. They sent you here to be normal. Then when you act normal, gaining a friend they reacted violently."

They did.

"I'm glad you've met her, and seem to be enjoying yourself. Anything I should know about her?"

"Not really." I shrug my shoulders before Master Dooku reopens my refrigerator, setting our remaining drinks inside. "Soccer player, art student."

"Mandalorian." Dooku adds.

Yes.

"I believe she knows Mand'alor on some level. She knows his first name."

"Boba Fett." Dooku states, and I nod.

"Yes. He brought her father to Sacramento."

"And you were unaware of that in the moment?" Dooku asks, closing the door behind him once more.

"Yes."

"Our intelligence indicates that he's a high ranking official on the Walgreens board." Dooku begins.

"She's never mentioned it really. But I've heard the same."

"Could be a very useful connection." He muses.

Maybe.

"Enough on me Master. How was your trip?" I change subjects, leaning on the doorway to my kitchen.

"It was eventful enough. I disagreed with the Council's decision to keep my location in the dark. But it went well."

I knew that he was going as soon as this past June. But at the last moment, the Council decided to keep his location from me.

In an effort to keep me focused on my upcoming move to USC.

"Where did you go?"

Master Dooku rises to his full height and gives me a smile. "That isn't the issue at hand right now."

"I don't really have many issues right now to be honest." I reply, before he walks past me, towards my living room.

"Your friends, the raid yesterday?" Dooku gestures with a free hand before looking around. "She's an artist, correct?"

I glance at the paint bottles lining my wall before Master Dooku continues. "Have her make you something. Make this apartment more…welcoming."

"She's kind of said the same thing."

Maybe.

"What you need…" Dooku bends down and grabs the emptiest of the paint bottles. "Is a cover story."

"I have one of those." I laugh. "You helped craft it."

"And I'm very proud of it. It's working, isn't it?" Is his reply, before his eyes say it all.

It is.

"If your friends believe you are a security risk, you need to quickly counter that with the truth."

I can't help but frown in return. "You know I can't do that."

"Then you need to continue to create the truth."

More lies.

"The Council isn't going to go for that." I sigh, before we pass each other.

"We never asked the Council. Besides." He pauses, causing me to turn and see that he's pointing to the door.

Why is he—

OH.

I quickly reach out with the Force, as Master Dooku smiles before gently snapping his wrist. On his command, my door swings open, revealing Sabine, hand raised like she was just about to knock on the door. "You must be Miss Wren. Please, come in."

Uh oh.

"I…didn't mean to interrupt. I can come back later." She instantly starts. "I—"

"You're not interrupting anything at all." Master Dooku gives her a warm smile. "I believe you know who I am."

Sabine nervously takes two steps inside, then closes the door behind her. "Yes sir."

She does?

"Sar Dooku. But most people know me by my surname. Ezra's spoken very highly of you." He smiles at Sabine, then turns to me.

He's got something up his sleeve.

"About ten or so years ago, there was a string of assassination attempts in Eastern Europe. I assisted the man who is now Mand'alor put an end to those attempts."

Which is how she knows who he is.

Sabine quickly nods. "Yes, the story's rather famous."

"I thought you said that you didn't know anything about the Jedi." I jump in.

She said so at JJ's.

"Mandalorian culture is, forgive me." Dooku turns to Sabine. "Very protective of their own. They turned to me, and the Jedi only because they couldn't think of a different way to save the Duchess Satine's life."

Sabine quickly nods. "None taken. You and the other Jedi saved her life."

"The Duchess has gone on to do a great many things. I only assisted in that instance." Dooku smiles. "Ezra tells me that you're an artist?"

"Aspiring, Master Jedi."

Master Dooku graciously raises a hand. "Please, no need. Are you pursuing your passion here?"

"Yes." Sabine nods. "Only one class this semester, planning to do more next semester."

She doesn't even know if she's going to get that far.

"Excellent." Dooku continues to smile, trying to keep Sabine loose. "Do me a favor?" Sabine gives him a look of confusion before he continues. "My protégé here is too proud to ask. Can you…decorate some of this? His creativity may be lacking, but yours is not."

Hey!

"Sure, yeah." Sabine gives off a nervous laugh. "He doesn't really decorate."

I'm busy! Studying! Going to school!

"My thoughts exactly." Master Dooku smiles.

"May I ask you a question?" Sabine blurts out in a rush.

Oh no.

Master Dooku instead turns to give her his full attention. "Of course."

"Ezra's…your protégé? You guys know each other?" She asks.

"Ahh yes." Dooku gives her a smile. "I've known him for years now. He's a very talented young man. And he's helped me from time to time. Hence his designation in the police reports." Instantly, Sabine ducks her head and begins to go red. "I don't mean to embarrass you Miss Wren. But I have been told that the issue has been a sticky one."

"It's fine. I…I'm sorry that there was an issue, Master Jedi."

"There's no issue at all." He counters pleasantly. "I only mention it to tell you that is how Ezra knew how to defend himself so well. And that we had to create an ambiguous cover for him."

OH.

"The Jedi aren't exactly a public organization." Sabine finishes his point for him.

Numbly, I look to Master Dooku, who remains focused on Sabine. "I know that your entire athletics department is currently under fire. But Ezra's not the leak you or your friends are looking for. He works for me, assisting from time to time."

Sabine raptly nods before glancing over at me. I reflexively smile before she looks back to Master Dooku.

"I should be going, it's getting late. But I just returned from a rather long trip…and wanted to see how Ezra was holding up." Master Dooku seamlessly transitions. "A pleasure to meet you Miss Wren."

"Yes." Sabine quickly nods before Dooku extends his hand to her, and they shake. "Very nice to meet you."

Master Dooku turns to me and can only smile before I say "Thank you for coming, Master."

"Of course, dear boy. I'll be around if you need me for anything." He smiles, then claps me on the shoulder before moving to the door.

Sabine gives me an incredulous look as Master Dooku walks to my door, then stops. "Oh. Before I forget…" He says suddenly.

NO.

Casually, Master Dooku raises up my copy of 'Sherlock Holmes', revealing the safe that was installed into the wall behind the bookcase.

THE COUNCIL IS GOING TO KILL HIM.

And me. But mostly him.

Sabine can't see that!

"I almost forgot." Is all he says before he opens the safe with a wave of his hand, then procures a tablet and sets it inside. He then closes the bookcase most of the way, turns back to us and gives us both a smile, then slips out the door.

Oh my god.

I'm so dead.

I can't explain that away!

I stay rooted to my spot in disbelief before Sabine turns and gives me a glance. "He shouldn't have done that…" I quickly mutter.

"I…didn't see anything." She quickly tells me, then adds. "Ezra."

What could possibly have been so important as to blow the location of my safe to Sabine?!

"Not my idea. They put it in. Nobody's supposed to know." I say as I stride over and pull the bookcase back once more and start spinning the combination in.

Sabine doesn't immediately reply before asking "What all is in there?"

Gun, passport, paperwork. Lightsaber crystals. Elias' old Nintendo DS. My lightsaber most times.

"Can't really say." I reply. "I'm sorry."

"That's fine. Is everything okay? I heard something happened at the game."

I set my thumb on the scanner for the tablet, which instantly lights up. "Nothing really happened. I went to go stand with Matt and everybody like I have been doing. But his offensive linemen stopped me."

Because they think I'm a leak.

"I don't think Matt knew that. He talked to me after the game, wondering where you went after halftime."

I was here with Dooku.

"I'm not a snitch or a leak." I glance back to her. "Misunderstanding."

Makes sense. They're being attacked from all sides. Master Dooku was right.

The tablet comes to life, with multiple icons appearing on the screen.

It's the unredacted version of his report to the Council from his sabbatical…

The Council is really going to kill him.

"I've, uhm, got to run back to the field." Sabine says suddenly. "Laundry." She explains, after I look up from the tablet. "Is it cool if I come back?"

"Yeah, sure." I smile. "Should I order some food?"

I'm hungry and haven't eaten yet.

"You don't have to if you don't want to." Sabine quickly counters.

No." I shake my head. "I'm hungry, haven't eaten. Your usual?"

"I'll have what you're having." Is her reply. "What are you thinking of getting?"

"Don't know yet. I'll wait until you get back." I smile.

Sabine gives me a quick smile, then slips past my door once again.

Boy I really hope she's just going to the field.