Chapter Eighteen

When Cian walked back with Obi-Wan into the common area, she noted Qui-Gon was sitting on the couch and Aalea was on the floor at his feet, talking quietly with him. Her slender legs were curled up under her.

Cian laid the chala service on a small table in the center of the common area. Obi-Wan sat in a chair next to the couch and Cian moved into a chair across from them.

Aalea turned toward Cian. She noted Aalea's eyes were very bright. Oh, dear Cian thought. Aalea was also intoxicated.

"Chala!" Aalea cried when she saw the service. "Here, Master, let me get you some."

Aalea scooted over to the small table and knelt before the chala service. Cian was surprised at how gracefully she moved even though she was clearly affected by the wine. Her black hair gleamed softly under the light of the glowlamps. Maybe it was a Jedi trait, Cian thought.


Aalea picked up a cup and carefully poured some chala into it.

"You like it black, don't you Master?" Aalea asked as she turned to Qui-Gon.

"Yes, Aalea. Thank you." Qui-Gon leaned over as Aalea handed him the cup. Cian noted Aalea held the cup just a bit longer than was necessary as Qui-Gon took it from her. Her violet eyes were full as she gazed up at him. He smiled warmly down at her. Careful, Qui-Gon, Cian thought.

Aalea turned to Cian. "Would you like a cup?"

"Yes, dear, but I take mine with cream."

Aalea poured chala into another cup and spooned cream into it. She handed the cup to Cian. She then moved back so she was once again at Qui-Gon's feet. She leaned her shoulder against his leg.

"Aren't you going to have some, dear?" Cian asked.

Aalea shook her head and yawned. "I don't like chala."

Cian tilted her head towards Obi-Wan.

"Aalea, I think Obi-Wan would like some too, wouldn't you, Obi-Wan?"

Aalea looked over at him.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Thank you, Mistress Nyal."

"Are you sure?" she asked him.

"I'm sure," he said softly. He glanced at Cian and she saw something move across his eyes. It looked to her like pain.

Qui-Gon sipped his chala but his gaze, Cian noted, was moving between Aalea and Obi-Wan, a slight frown creasing his forehead.

"Cian," Aalea said. "Did you know there's going to be a vacancy on the Jedi Council?"

Cian looked over at Qui-Gon. "Really?"

Qui-Gon nodded. "Sira Lomax's term is up. There are three limited-terms seats on the Council. The Council will vote for a new member in the upcoming weeks."

Aalea turned and gazed up at Qui-Gon. "Master Qui-Gon has been nominated for the vacant seat," she said, her voice filled with pride.

"That's wonderful, Qui-Gon," Cian said. "Congratulations."

"I don't think I have much of a chance. Ki-Adi-Mundi has also been nominated."

"You would be the better choice, Master," Obi-Wan said. "Ki-Adi-Mundi is only a Knight and although he is well qualified, he doesn't have your experience."

Qui-Gon laughed softly. "You're right, Obi-Wan. He doesn't have my experience at having been called before the Council over the years to answer for my numerous transgressions."

"They weren't transgressions, Master," Obi-Wan said hotly. "Yes, if you were to follow the Code a bit more stringently, your chances would be better, but no one is a better diplomat or a wiser negotiator than you. And the Council needs your unique perspective."

Aalea looked up at Qui-Gon and placed her hand on his knee. "Obi-Wan is right, Master. You should be on the Council."

"But what of Obi-Wan? I haven't finished my mastership of him."

Obi-Wan leaned forward eagerly. "I'm ready for the Trials, Master. I know I am."

Qui-Gon sighed heavily. Cian could see he didn't want to discuss this right now. He was painfully aware of Obi-Wan's concerns that another birthday had come and gone and still he had not been recommended for the Trials.

"Cian," Qui-Gon said, glancing over at her. "Why don't you give Obi-Wan his gift?"

"Oh, of course, I nearly forgot."

Cian stood, went into her bedroom and retrieved the gaily wrapped box. She took it into the common room and handed the box to Obi-Wan.

"Happy birthday," she said.

"Thank you, Mistress Nyal."

Obi-Wan tore the wrapping off the box and opened it. He took out a plastic case which contained a silver disk. He looked down at the label. His eyes brightened.

"Thanks, Mistress Nyal," he said grinning as he looked over at Cian. "How did you know?"

Cian glanced over at Qui-Gon.

"Oh, a little Jedi told me." He nodded back at her, a small smile crinkling his lips.

Aalea scooted next to Obi-Wan. "What did you get?"

He showed her the disk.

"The Ultimate Collector Series of the Special Edition of 'The Scarlet Baron of Corellia' Trilogy," Aalea read. She wrinkled up her nose. "Old Republic holovids?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "It's got enhanced visual and auditory features and there are also scenes in it from the upcoming prequels."

"Prequels?" Aalea cried. "Why, by the Force, are they making prequels?" She shook her head dubiously.

Cian silently agreed. When she had asked Qui-Gon about a gift for Obi-Wan, he told her of Obi-Wan's fondness for holovids about the Old Republic. Especially of his love for "The Scarlet Baron of Corellia" trilogy. The trilogy was one of the most popular holovids of all time, seen by billions throughout the Republic. Even Cian had seen it, but she had thought it nothing more than an overacted, overlong costume spectacle which had been short on history and long on melodrama. But at the look of pleasure in Obi-Wan's eyes, she was glad she had gone ahead and gotten it for him.

Then Qui-Gon stood up, Aalea rose quickly next to him, and Obi-Wan shot to his feet. It's as if they're tethered to him, Cian thought as she got up from her chair. It's as if we're all tethered to him.

"Thank you, Cian, for the lovely dinner," Qui-Gon said. "But I'm afraid we must leave. I have a meeting with Chancellor Valorum in the morning and Aalea and Obi-Wan both have duties at the Temple which require them to be up early."

"You're meeting with Finis in the morning?" Cian asked. "So am I."

Qui-Gon nodded. "My meeting is at 0900."

"So is mine," Cian said. "It seems he has something he wants to discuss with both of us."

"It would appear so."

They smiled at each other and Cian noted Aalea was watching the exchange between them with wide eyes.

"I'll get your robes," Cian said quickly.

She went into her bedroom. Qui-Gon followed her and helped her gather up the robes.

He leaned close to her.

"I just wanted to thank you for having this dinner for Obi-Wan," he said. "Unfortunately, we Jedi are somewhat hidebound in our observation of tradition. The ceremony which was held for him at the Temple was a bit, shall we say, dry."

Cian was conscious of his nearness in a way which made her voice shake slightly.

"It was no problem, Qui-Gon. I enjoyed having you here. I've missed you all so much."

"I also wanted to congratulate you on your upcoming marriage."

Cian turned, her eyes wide. "How did you----?"

"It's not a secret, is it?" he asked smiling.

"No, of course it's not. It's just that, well, I haven't accepted yet. I wanted some time to think about. What with my new job and all.... " Cian's voice trailed off.

Qui-Gon looked down at her. "Cian, I'm sorry I didn't keep in contact with you over the years. I meant to, but..."

"You don't have to explain, Qui-Gon."

"It wasn't a reflection of my feelings regarding our friendship."

"I know that," she said softly.

He moved closer to her. Cian's heart pounded in her chest.

"I wish, I had hoped...." he said, then he lifted his hand and gently cupped her face, his fingers lightly stroking her cheek. Sighing deeply, he shook his head, drew his hand away and smiled gently down at her.

And, for a moment, as Cian looked up at him; at his wide, strong brow, warm blue eyes and firm, but sensual lips, she didn't know whether it was the wine or the fact they were in the intimate space of her bedroom, but for a moment she had thought he was going to take her into his arms and kiss her.

She took a deep breath.

"Shall we put the padawans to bed?" she said lightly to break the mood.

Qui-Gon smiled down at her.

"Yes, I think it's way past their bedtime."

The moment passed and he followed her into the common area.

As Cian helped Aalea into her robe, Qui-Gon assisted Obi-Wan who was having some trouble getting his arms into the voluminous sleeves.

Cian walked over and kissed Obi-Wan on the cheek.

"Happy birthday," she said.

He gave her a lopsided smile, his voice slightly slurred.

"Thank you, Mistress Nyal, and thanks for the wonderful dinner and the great gift".

"You're welcome, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan then bowed to Cian but, as he did so, he leaned over so far Qui-Gon had to quickly grab the back of his robe to keep him from toppling over. Aalea quietly giggled as Obi-Wan rose, a sheepish grin on his face.

Aalea then walked over and hugged Cian. She whispered in Cian's ear.

"Obi-Wan has terrible taste in holovids, doesn't he?"

Cian whispered back. "Yes, dear, he most certainly does. But let's keep that between ourselves."

Aalea nodded and smiled. She moved back to stand next to Qui-Gon.

"Good night, Cian," Qui-Gon said as he bowed to her. "And thank you for" and he glanced at the two somewhat intoxicated young Jedi on either side of him, "a most interesting evening."

He then smiled at her and their eyes locked long enough that Cian felt the blood rushing in her ears.

Steady, girl she thought.

"You're quite welcome."

"I'll see you tomorrow then?" he said.

"Yes, tomorrow."

And with that Qui-Gon turned and escorted his two slightly swaying charges to the speederbus terminal.

Cian watched them for a moment, then called out after him. "And good luck, Master Jinn."

Qui-Gon turned his head and frowned at her. But Cian only laughed gaily as she closed her door.

To be continued...