The Queen's transport had landed, and everyone was grouping together. Sabé
was dressed in a black feathered dress; the headpiece that went with it
looked extremely painful, but Obi-Wan knew it was not the time to comment
on that. The Queen and her security grouped together in a form that must
have been planned, making them look elegant while somebody was guarding her
from every angle. Sabé gave a curt nod to Qui-Gon, indicating for him to
lead the way. Obi-Wan tore his eyes away from her after she gave him a
small, secret smile, and he began to follow his Master.
The hatch slid open, the loading ramp lowered, and everyone made their way into the bright sunshine coming from Coruscant's sun. Two men clothed in robes of office of the Republic Senate stood at the end of the ramp, flanked by a contingent of Republic guards. Obi-Wan bowed to the men in unison with Qui-Gon. He tried to keep his mind clear. He knew he should be working on concentrating on the Force ripples around him, something no one else could do in the Queen's security. Still, he couldn't help being distracted. It felt good to be on Coruscant, what he considered his home planet. How long had it been this time?
Sabé and her handmaidens appeared then, surrounded by Captain Panaka and the few guards they had escaped from Naboo with. Sabé stopped in front of the two men. Her eyes slid over them, then they settled on the man with the kind and anxious smile.
"It is a great relief to see you alive and well, Your Majesty," he said, his smile growing as he straightened and swept his hand to indicate the man beside him. "May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum."
"Welcome, Your Highness," Chancellor Valorum said, a faint smile coming over his stern features. "it is an honor to finally meet you in person. I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the current situation on Naboo. I have called for a special session of the Senate so that you may present your request for relief."
Sabé held his gaze straight on, not moving the slightest, looking high and elegant in her royal and regal robes. Her white painted face relayed a cool, calm outer image. "I am grateful for your concern, Chancellor," she said simply, her voice quiet but strong. Obi-Wan was surprised at how much she could change when she was Amidala and not the Sabé he was used to.
Palpatine had moved to the Queen's side and was indicating an air shuttle that was awaiting them. "There is a question of procedure, but I feel confident we can overcome it," he was saying, guiding her along the rampway with her security in tow. The little boy and the Gungan tried to follow, but Anakin stopped when he saw that Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were staying in their spots. Obi-Wan felt grateful he didn't further embarrass them. Then Sabé stopped in her tracks, and she motioned for Anakin to follow. Qui-Gon nodded at the boy, and he and Jar-Jar disappeared.
"Excuse us, Chancellor, but my Padawan and I must meet with the Jedi Council," Qui-Gon said in his gentle but firm voice.
Chancellor Valorum nodded absently. He smiled stiffly but warmly at them both. "Thank you for all you have done, Master Jinn."
"I am only doing my duty," Qui-Gon said modestly. Chancellor Valorum returned to where he had come from, two security guards awaiting him there. Qui-Gon motioned for Obi-Wan to follow him in a different direction.
* * * * *
Obi-Wan felt a sense of peace when they entered the Jedi Temple. He had grown up there, and he always felt calm when he was within its comforting walls. He kept his face a quiet mask as they walked through the halls, careful not to let his delight show as he nodded at a few people who waved in greeting. He and Qui-Gon were going to the Council, and Obi-Wan wanted to make a good impression. A Jedi was always careful to keep his face placid.
They entered the room after the Council was aware of their presence. The twelve members were sitting in seats circling the center of the room. Qui- Gon and Obi-Wan kept completely in step as they stepped to the center of the room and bowed to Master Yoda. After a few murmerings of greetings and comments on being glad the two Jedi were well, Qui-Gon was told to begin his report. He set in on everything that happened, his deep voice melodic as he replayed the details ceremoniously.
"My conclusion," Qui-Gon finished quietly, "is that the one who attacked me on Tatooine is a Sith Lord."
The silence that followed was palpable. Obi-Wan wanted to squirm at the uncomfortable air that had entered the room. He didn't like the doubt he was seeing on the members' faces, the disgust and outrage that Qui-Gon suggest such a thing. There was a rustling of robes as the Council began to exhance looks, disbelief written on their faces as they absorbed the information Qui-Gon had just given them.
"A Sith Lord?" Mace Windu finally repeated, a growl in his voice as he sat forward, his strength rippling around him as he glared at Master Jinn.
"Impossible!" Ki-Ad-Mundi snapped irritably, not bothering to hide his dismay at the suggestion. "The Sith have been gone for a millennium!"
Master Yoda shifted slightly in his chair, a small and wizened presence in the company of much larger beings. His eyes were slits, and his whiskery face was wrinkled as he met Qui-Gon's eyes in thoughtful contemplation.
Everyone seemed to become silent, waiting for Yoda to give them his wisdom. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft and grave, but not accusing or angry. "Threatened, the Republic is, if the Sith are involved."
At this revelation, the Council began to mutter once more, snippets of conversations that were so quiet Obi-Wan couldn't catch any one phrase. Qui- Gon stood straight and proud, but Obi-Wan didn't have the same control. He shifted just slightly. It took all his energy not to burst out his opinion, to reprimand the Council for the insults they were giving Qui-Gon Jinn, his respectable Master. Qui-Gon may do crazy things at times, but this was different.
Master Windu sat back heavily, his brow furrowing. "This is difficult to accept, Qui-Gon. I do not understand how the Sith could have returned without us knowing."
"Hard to see, the dark side is," Yoda said. "Discover who this assassin is, we must."
"Perhaps he will reveal himself again," Master Ki-Adi-Mundi suggested with a nod at Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan felt a little better. At first the Council had wanted to reject Qui-Gon's suggestion furiously, but now they were calmly accepting the situation.
"Yes," Master Windu agreed. "This attack was with purpose, that much is clear. The Queen is his target. Since he failed once, he may try again."
Obi-Wan didn't like hearing those words aloud. He hadn't gone a minute without thinking of Sabé's safety. He felt overly protective of her, and he wouldn't let anything happen to her so long as he was able to do so.
Yoda lifted an arm, pointing at Qui-Gon. "With this Naboo Queen, you must stay, Qui-Gon. Protect her, you must."
Obi-Wan let his shoulders shrink a little bit in relief, unable to stop himself. Now that he was to stay with Sabé, it would be easier to keep her safe. Qui-Gon's sharp gaze noticed his movement, and he gave his Padawan a pointed look. Obi-Wan quickly stood straight, keeping his gaze indifferent.
"We shall use all our resources to unravel this mystery and discover the identity of your attacker," Windu said. One hand lifted in dismissal. "May the Force be with you, Qui-Gon Jinn."
"May the Force be with you," Yoda echoed.
Obi-Wan turned to leave, wanting to check on the Queen at once and tell her that he would be around indefinately. He stopped though when he noticed Qui- Gon did not follow, but instead remained standing before the Council. Obi- Wan held his breath. He knew what was coming. He just didn't think Master Qui-Gon was so brash that he'd stand before the Council in this manner.
Everyone looked surprised at Qui-Gon. Yoda finally cocked his head in concentration. "More to say, have you, Master Qui-Gon Jinn?"
"With your permission, my Master," Qui-Gon replied, his gaze steady. "I have encountered a vergence in the Force."
That's one way of putting it, Obi-Wan thought dryly. He waited impatiently for the Council's response. He didn't want to stay, and yet he needed to be there as Qui-Gon's only supporter so far. The Council would not like what Qui-Gon had to say.
Yoda's eyes widened. "A vergence, you say?" he breathed.
"Located around a person?" Mace Windu added, sounding more intrigued than Obi-Wan had ever seen him before. The great man rested his chin on his hand, leaning forward in a motion to hear every one of Qui-Gon's words. Obi- Wan let the breath he'd been holding out just a little bit. So far, so good.
Qui-Gon nodded. "A boy. His cells have the highest concentration of midi- chlorians I have ever seen in a life-form." He paused, looking a little hesitant at revealing the next bit of information. Finally, he just plunged in. "It is possible he was conceived by midi-chlorians."
The silence that followed this statement was filled with shock. Qui-Gon was, of course, suggesting the impossible. Obi-Wan was even filled with the shock that seemed to permeate the room. He hadn't heard this little bit of information before. That that child was conceived not by human touch, but by the Force itself was absurd!
"You refer to the prophecy," Mace Windu said, his voice quiet and flat; he was carefully keeping any emotion out of his voice. "Of the one who will bring balance to the Force. You believe it is this boy."
Obi-Wan nearly dropped his jaw. So that was why Qui-Gon was so insistant about this situation. He'd heard rumors of this prophecy before, but he had never known how seriously the Council seemed to take it. Their grave faces showed him, though, that it was not just a tale told to young Padawans while they grew up in the Temple.
Qui-Gon looked hesitant, realizing what their reaction would be if he spoke his mind. "I do not presume--"
"But you do!" Yoda interrupted, his voice more alive than Obi-Wan had heard it before. His ears moved swiftly, as they did whenever he spoke of something he felt strongly about. "Revealed, your opinion, is, Qui-Gon!"
Again, there was silence as the members of the Council exchanged glances, communicating through Force-bonds, Obi-Wan assumed.
"To be trained as a Jedi, you request for him?" Yoda asked when the glances had all shifted back to Qui-Gon Jinn.
Obi-Wan held his breath again as Qui-Gon spoke, hoping that his Master was smart enough not to say the wrong thing. "Finding him was the will of the Force," Qui-Gon said, his words reckless. Obi-Wan let out that breath and shook his head sadly. "I have no doubt of it. There is too much happening here for it to be anything else."
Mace Windu held up his hand again, closing the debate. "Bring him before us, then."
Yoda nodded somberly, eyes closing. "Tested, he will be," he whispered.
Qui-Gon bowed before the council and left the room, this time following Obi- Wan. As soon as the doors shut behind them, Obi-Wan felt his fury and frustration become too much to handle.
"What do you think you're doing?" Obi-Wan demanded, careful to keep his voice low yet keep the disapproval in there as well.
"I am doing what I think is right," Qui-Gon said, not looking the least bit surprised that he was being scolded by his Padawan. "That is all I ever do."
Obi-Wan's jaw clenched. "Excuse me, Master," he said coldly, "but I am going to retrieve a few things from my room before we join the Queen's security."
Qui-Gon nodded, a very slight move. "I will meet you out front shortly."
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan said briskly. He turned from his Master, into the twists and turns of the Jedi Temple. That sense of peace from the first moment he'd stepped in was gone. He hadn't imagined that Qui-Gon would be so . . . *disrespectful*. But then, could Obi-Wan have expected anything less from his Master?
He had to type the security code to his room several times. He was so angry his fingers were shaking. When he stepped inside, he did feel just a bit better. Not often did he stay in this room; he was always on missions with Qui-Gon. But, still, he thought of this little room as home. He breathed in the familiar air and went to sit on his bed. Maybe some meditating would do him good. But, no, Qui-Gon was waiting downstairs. Obi-Wan felt a wave of defiance. It would serve Qui-Gon right to make him wait.
The doors opened again, and a familiar figure stepped into the doorway. It was Roth Sagiv, a good friend of his whom was a few years younger. "Roth!"
"Obi-Wan," Roth returned, a smile on his face. "It's surprising that we're both on the same planet at the same time."
"It has been a long time," Obi-Wan admitted. "Maybe someday we will be given an assignment together."
"It's highly doubtful, but I suppose hoping never hurt anyone," Roth said with a mock sigh. He stepped further into the room and motioned for the doors to turn. "Do you want to go for a drink or something? We're on Coruscant -- we should live a little. Besides, Master Tay-Yib is in the library."
Obi-Wan smiled suspiciously at Roth. "And what are you *supposed* to be doing."
"You know me too well, Obi-Wan," Roth said, flickering away from the question. He held out a hand. "How 'bout it, then? Just a short one."
Obi-Wan sighed. He truly would have liked to spend time with Roth. "I'm afraid I can't, Roth. Master Qui-Gon is waiting for me downstairs. I'm only getting a few things that I wasn't able to take with me from our last mission."
"Oh." Roth attempted to smile. "How did your mission go? Well, I suppose, since you're still in one piece it went well, so that was a stupid question."
"Surprisingly enough, it's not over yet," Obi-Wan said. "It has been extended. We're to protect the Queen of Naboo."
"Really?" Roth's attention perked up. "Is she gorgeous?"
Obi-Wan smirked. "I hadn't noticed."
"Liar."
"Yeah, she's beautiful," Obi-Wan admitted. He felt a blush creeping up his neck so he turned around and began digging through his drawers, pulling out a few items of clothing and various other things.
"Intriguing," Roth said, his voice knowing. "I suppose you have kept a safe distance away from the Queen?"
"Unfortunately," Obi-Wan muttered.
"I'll bet," Roth said.
Obi-Wan looked up and gave Roth a look, indicating for him to drop the subject. "And how was your last mission?"
"Boring," Roth said dramatically. "As they all are. I wish I had a master like Qui-Gon Jinn."
Obi-Wan snorted. "No, you don't," he said, reminded of his frustration with the older Jedi. He stuffed the clothes unfolded into a bag that was lying at the end of his bed.
"As I often hear but never understand," Roth said. "I'll walk you out, okay?"
Obi-Wan nodded and followed Roth out the door. "How long are you going to be staying on Coruscant?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Until Master Tay-Yib decides he's gotten enough from the library. I'm thinking of playing with his mind again. An exercise, I assure you, just to test my skills so far."
"What else would it be?" Obi-Wan said dryly. "I'm going to be staying in an apartment set aside strictly for the Queen. Maybe we can run into each other again while I'm still here."
"Maybe," Roth said. He smiled wickedly. "You know where to find me. The grubbiest, seediest nightclub you find."
"Where else would I look?" Obi-Wan asked, smiling. The elevator they had climbed into stopped on the lowest level, but Obi-Wan didn't want to get out. Roth had put him in a much lighter mood, and he had no desire to return to Qui-Gon just yet. "Thank you, Roth. I hope we see each other again."
"It'll never happen. It never does," Roth called out as Obi-Wan left the elevator.
Obi-Wan was at the doors of the Temple in a few seconds, and Qui-Gon was waiting patiently, his own bag of clothes in his hand. "What took you so long?" Qui-Gon asked.
"I ran into Roth Sagiv," Obi-Wan answered. He found himself glad to have an excuse. Qui-Gon's face was grave and exhausted, and Obi-Wan felt a little guilty at the sharp way he had treated his Master. His gaze must have softened, for Qui-Gon looked a little bit relieved.
"I have a shuttle waiting," Qui-Gon said. "Are you sure you have everything? We don't know how long we're going to be needed by Queen Amidala."
"I'm sure," Obi-Wan said. "Although I do plan on going shopping sometime soon. I took my favorite robes on our trip as ambassadors, and now all I have left of those are the ones on my back."
Qui-Gon smiled at his attempt at humor and began to go outside. The tension that had built between them was gone for the time being, but both knew they'd better have a talk soon before things got out of hand.
The hatch slid open, the loading ramp lowered, and everyone made their way into the bright sunshine coming from Coruscant's sun. Two men clothed in robes of office of the Republic Senate stood at the end of the ramp, flanked by a contingent of Republic guards. Obi-Wan bowed to the men in unison with Qui-Gon. He tried to keep his mind clear. He knew he should be working on concentrating on the Force ripples around him, something no one else could do in the Queen's security. Still, he couldn't help being distracted. It felt good to be on Coruscant, what he considered his home planet. How long had it been this time?
Sabé and her handmaidens appeared then, surrounded by Captain Panaka and the few guards they had escaped from Naboo with. Sabé stopped in front of the two men. Her eyes slid over them, then they settled on the man with the kind and anxious smile.
"It is a great relief to see you alive and well, Your Majesty," he said, his smile growing as he straightened and swept his hand to indicate the man beside him. "May I present Supreme Chancellor Valorum."
"Welcome, Your Highness," Chancellor Valorum said, a faint smile coming over his stern features. "it is an honor to finally meet you in person. I must relay to you how distressed everyone is over the current situation on Naboo. I have called for a special session of the Senate so that you may present your request for relief."
Sabé held his gaze straight on, not moving the slightest, looking high and elegant in her royal and regal robes. Her white painted face relayed a cool, calm outer image. "I am grateful for your concern, Chancellor," she said simply, her voice quiet but strong. Obi-Wan was surprised at how much she could change when she was Amidala and not the Sabé he was used to.
Palpatine had moved to the Queen's side and was indicating an air shuttle that was awaiting them. "There is a question of procedure, but I feel confident we can overcome it," he was saying, guiding her along the rampway with her security in tow. The little boy and the Gungan tried to follow, but Anakin stopped when he saw that Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were staying in their spots. Obi-Wan felt grateful he didn't further embarrass them. Then Sabé stopped in her tracks, and she motioned for Anakin to follow. Qui-Gon nodded at the boy, and he and Jar-Jar disappeared.
"Excuse us, Chancellor, but my Padawan and I must meet with the Jedi Council," Qui-Gon said in his gentle but firm voice.
Chancellor Valorum nodded absently. He smiled stiffly but warmly at them both. "Thank you for all you have done, Master Jinn."
"I am only doing my duty," Qui-Gon said modestly. Chancellor Valorum returned to where he had come from, two security guards awaiting him there. Qui-Gon motioned for Obi-Wan to follow him in a different direction.
* * * * *
Obi-Wan felt a sense of peace when they entered the Jedi Temple. He had grown up there, and he always felt calm when he was within its comforting walls. He kept his face a quiet mask as they walked through the halls, careful not to let his delight show as he nodded at a few people who waved in greeting. He and Qui-Gon were going to the Council, and Obi-Wan wanted to make a good impression. A Jedi was always careful to keep his face placid.
They entered the room after the Council was aware of their presence. The twelve members were sitting in seats circling the center of the room. Qui- Gon and Obi-Wan kept completely in step as they stepped to the center of the room and bowed to Master Yoda. After a few murmerings of greetings and comments on being glad the two Jedi were well, Qui-Gon was told to begin his report. He set in on everything that happened, his deep voice melodic as he replayed the details ceremoniously.
"My conclusion," Qui-Gon finished quietly, "is that the one who attacked me on Tatooine is a Sith Lord."
The silence that followed was palpable. Obi-Wan wanted to squirm at the uncomfortable air that had entered the room. He didn't like the doubt he was seeing on the members' faces, the disgust and outrage that Qui-Gon suggest such a thing. There was a rustling of robes as the Council began to exhance looks, disbelief written on their faces as they absorbed the information Qui-Gon had just given them.
"A Sith Lord?" Mace Windu finally repeated, a growl in his voice as he sat forward, his strength rippling around him as he glared at Master Jinn.
"Impossible!" Ki-Ad-Mundi snapped irritably, not bothering to hide his dismay at the suggestion. "The Sith have been gone for a millennium!"
Master Yoda shifted slightly in his chair, a small and wizened presence in the company of much larger beings. His eyes were slits, and his whiskery face was wrinkled as he met Qui-Gon's eyes in thoughtful contemplation.
Everyone seemed to become silent, waiting for Yoda to give them his wisdom. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft and grave, but not accusing or angry. "Threatened, the Republic is, if the Sith are involved."
At this revelation, the Council began to mutter once more, snippets of conversations that were so quiet Obi-Wan couldn't catch any one phrase. Qui- Gon stood straight and proud, but Obi-Wan didn't have the same control. He shifted just slightly. It took all his energy not to burst out his opinion, to reprimand the Council for the insults they were giving Qui-Gon Jinn, his respectable Master. Qui-Gon may do crazy things at times, but this was different.
Master Windu sat back heavily, his brow furrowing. "This is difficult to accept, Qui-Gon. I do not understand how the Sith could have returned without us knowing."
"Hard to see, the dark side is," Yoda said. "Discover who this assassin is, we must."
"Perhaps he will reveal himself again," Master Ki-Adi-Mundi suggested with a nod at Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan felt a little better. At first the Council had wanted to reject Qui-Gon's suggestion furiously, but now they were calmly accepting the situation.
"Yes," Master Windu agreed. "This attack was with purpose, that much is clear. The Queen is his target. Since he failed once, he may try again."
Obi-Wan didn't like hearing those words aloud. He hadn't gone a minute without thinking of Sabé's safety. He felt overly protective of her, and he wouldn't let anything happen to her so long as he was able to do so.
Yoda lifted an arm, pointing at Qui-Gon. "With this Naboo Queen, you must stay, Qui-Gon. Protect her, you must."
Obi-Wan let his shoulders shrink a little bit in relief, unable to stop himself. Now that he was to stay with Sabé, it would be easier to keep her safe. Qui-Gon's sharp gaze noticed his movement, and he gave his Padawan a pointed look. Obi-Wan quickly stood straight, keeping his gaze indifferent.
"We shall use all our resources to unravel this mystery and discover the identity of your attacker," Windu said. One hand lifted in dismissal. "May the Force be with you, Qui-Gon Jinn."
"May the Force be with you," Yoda echoed.
Obi-Wan turned to leave, wanting to check on the Queen at once and tell her that he would be around indefinately. He stopped though when he noticed Qui- Gon did not follow, but instead remained standing before the Council. Obi- Wan held his breath. He knew what was coming. He just didn't think Master Qui-Gon was so brash that he'd stand before the Council in this manner.
Everyone looked surprised at Qui-Gon. Yoda finally cocked his head in concentration. "More to say, have you, Master Qui-Gon Jinn?"
"With your permission, my Master," Qui-Gon replied, his gaze steady. "I have encountered a vergence in the Force."
That's one way of putting it, Obi-Wan thought dryly. He waited impatiently for the Council's response. He didn't want to stay, and yet he needed to be there as Qui-Gon's only supporter so far. The Council would not like what Qui-Gon had to say.
Yoda's eyes widened. "A vergence, you say?" he breathed.
"Located around a person?" Mace Windu added, sounding more intrigued than Obi-Wan had ever seen him before. The great man rested his chin on his hand, leaning forward in a motion to hear every one of Qui-Gon's words. Obi- Wan let the breath he'd been holding out just a little bit. So far, so good.
Qui-Gon nodded. "A boy. His cells have the highest concentration of midi- chlorians I have ever seen in a life-form." He paused, looking a little hesitant at revealing the next bit of information. Finally, he just plunged in. "It is possible he was conceived by midi-chlorians."
The silence that followed this statement was filled with shock. Qui-Gon was, of course, suggesting the impossible. Obi-Wan was even filled with the shock that seemed to permeate the room. He hadn't heard this little bit of information before. That that child was conceived not by human touch, but by the Force itself was absurd!
"You refer to the prophecy," Mace Windu said, his voice quiet and flat; he was carefully keeping any emotion out of his voice. "Of the one who will bring balance to the Force. You believe it is this boy."
Obi-Wan nearly dropped his jaw. So that was why Qui-Gon was so insistant about this situation. He'd heard rumors of this prophecy before, but he had never known how seriously the Council seemed to take it. Their grave faces showed him, though, that it was not just a tale told to young Padawans while they grew up in the Temple.
Qui-Gon looked hesitant, realizing what their reaction would be if he spoke his mind. "I do not presume--"
"But you do!" Yoda interrupted, his voice more alive than Obi-Wan had heard it before. His ears moved swiftly, as they did whenever he spoke of something he felt strongly about. "Revealed, your opinion, is, Qui-Gon!"
Again, there was silence as the members of the Council exchanged glances, communicating through Force-bonds, Obi-Wan assumed.
"To be trained as a Jedi, you request for him?" Yoda asked when the glances had all shifted back to Qui-Gon Jinn.
Obi-Wan held his breath again as Qui-Gon spoke, hoping that his Master was smart enough not to say the wrong thing. "Finding him was the will of the Force," Qui-Gon said, his words reckless. Obi-Wan let out that breath and shook his head sadly. "I have no doubt of it. There is too much happening here for it to be anything else."
Mace Windu held up his hand again, closing the debate. "Bring him before us, then."
Yoda nodded somberly, eyes closing. "Tested, he will be," he whispered.
Qui-Gon bowed before the council and left the room, this time following Obi- Wan. As soon as the doors shut behind them, Obi-Wan felt his fury and frustration become too much to handle.
"What do you think you're doing?" Obi-Wan demanded, careful to keep his voice low yet keep the disapproval in there as well.
"I am doing what I think is right," Qui-Gon said, not looking the least bit surprised that he was being scolded by his Padawan. "That is all I ever do."
Obi-Wan's jaw clenched. "Excuse me, Master," he said coldly, "but I am going to retrieve a few things from my room before we join the Queen's security."
Qui-Gon nodded, a very slight move. "I will meet you out front shortly."
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan said briskly. He turned from his Master, into the twists and turns of the Jedi Temple. That sense of peace from the first moment he'd stepped in was gone. He hadn't imagined that Qui-Gon would be so . . . *disrespectful*. But then, could Obi-Wan have expected anything less from his Master?
He had to type the security code to his room several times. He was so angry his fingers were shaking. When he stepped inside, he did feel just a bit better. Not often did he stay in this room; he was always on missions with Qui-Gon. But, still, he thought of this little room as home. He breathed in the familiar air and went to sit on his bed. Maybe some meditating would do him good. But, no, Qui-Gon was waiting downstairs. Obi-Wan felt a wave of defiance. It would serve Qui-Gon right to make him wait.
The doors opened again, and a familiar figure stepped into the doorway. It was Roth Sagiv, a good friend of his whom was a few years younger. "Roth!"
"Obi-Wan," Roth returned, a smile on his face. "It's surprising that we're both on the same planet at the same time."
"It has been a long time," Obi-Wan admitted. "Maybe someday we will be given an assignment together."
"It's highly doubtful, but I suppose hoping never hurt anyone," Roth said with a mock sigh. He stepped further into the room and motioned for the doors to turn. "Do you want to go for a drink or something? We're on Coruscant -- we should live a little. Besides, Master Tay-Yib is in the library."
Obi-Wan smiled suspiciously at Roth. "And what are you *supposed* to be doing."
"You know me too well, Obi-Wan," Roth said, flickering away from the question. He held out a hand. "How 'bout it, then? Just a short one."
Obi-Wan sighed. He truly would have liked to spend time with Roth. "I'm afraid I can't, Roth. Master Qui-Gon is waiting for me downstairs. I'm only getting a few things that I wasn't able to take with me from our last mission."
"Oh." Roth attempted to smile. "How did your mission go? Well, I suppose, since you're still in one piece it went well, so that was a stupid question."
"Surprisingly enough, it's not over yet," Obi-Wan said. "It has been extended. We're to protect the Queen of Naboo."
"Really?" Roth's attention perked up. "Is she gorgeous?"
Obi-Wan smirked. "I hadn't noticed."
"Liar."
"Yeah, she's beautiful," Obi-Wan admitted. He felt a blush creeping up his neck so he turned around and began digging through his drawers, pulling out a few items of clothing and various other things.
"Intriguing," Roth said, his voice knowing. "I suppose you have kept a safe distance away from the Queen?"
"Unfortunately," Obi-Wan muttered.
"I'll bet," Roth said.
Obi-Wan looked up and gave Roth a look, indicating for him to drop the subject. "And how was your last mission?"
"Boring," Roth said dramatically. "As they all are. I wish I had a master like Qui-Gon Jinn."
Obi-Wan snorted. "No, you don't," he said, reminded of his frustration with the older Jedi. He stuffed the clothes unfolded into a bag that was lying at the end of his bed.
"As I often hear but never understand," Roth said. "I'll walk you out, okay?"
Obi-Wan nodded and followed Roth out the door. "How long are you going to be staying on Coruscant?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Until Master Tay-Yib decides he's gotten enough from the library. I'm thinking of playing with his mind again. An exercise, I assure you, just to test my skills so far."
"What else would it be?" Obi-Wan said dryly. "I'm going to be staying in an apartment set aside strictly for the Queen. Maybe we can run into each other again while I'm still here."
"Maybe," Roth said. He smiled wickedly. "You know where to find me. The grubbiest, seediest nightclub you find."
"Where else would I look?" Obi-Wan asked, smiling. The elevator they had climbed into stopped on the lowest level, but Obi-Wan didn't want to get out. Roth had put him in a much lighter mood, and he had no desire to return to Qui-Gon just yet. "Thank you, Roth. I hope we see each other again."
"It'll never happen. It never does," Roth called out as Obi-Wan left the elevator.
Obi-Wan was at the doors of the Temple in a few seconds, and Qui-Gon was waiting patiently, his own bag of clothes in his hand. "What took you so long?" Qui-Gon asked.
"I ran into Roth Sagiv," Obi-Wan answered. He found himself glad to have an excuse. Qui-Gon's face was grave and exhausted, and Obi-Wan felt a little guilty at the sharp way he had treated his Master. His gaze must have softened, for Qui-Gon looked a little bit relieved.
"I have a shuttle waiting," Qui-Gon said. "Are you sure you have everything? We don't know how long we're going to be needed by Queen Amidala."
"I'm sure," Obi-Wan said. "Although I do plan on going shopping sometime soon. I took my favorite robes on our trip as ambassadors, and now all I have left of those are the ones on my back."
Qui-Gon smiled at his attempt at humor and began to go outside. The tension that had built between them was gone for the time being, but both knew they'd better have a talk soon before things got out of hand.