Consequences without Meaning: Chapter II

Disclaimer: I don't pretend to own any of these characters from star wars…I'm just borrowing them for a little while. J

Consequences without Meaning…Chapter II

Part I.

Obi-Wan glanced down at the mess he had created before him. Instead of the usually straight array of objects that he normally could arrange with his mind during his morning meditation, a pile of debris sat looking at him. He could not get his mind to focus lately and it was greatly irking him.

Feeling a presence behind him he turned his head, remaining in the knelt position in the grass. Qui-Gon stood over him rubbing his chin, his eyes directed to the pile.

"New exercise for your morning routine, Obi-Wan?" The older man smirked at him.

"I guess you could call it that, Master." He motioned his hands to take in the collection. "I'm attempting to create chaos out of order…not too bad, right?"

"Obi-Wan…" Qui-Gon knelt so that he was at eye-level with the younger man. "I have realized that you've lost your focus of late. You can tell me about it."

Obi-Wan stood up and ran his hands through his hair. He took in the view of the gardens at the early morning hour. Still rather dewy, the grass took on a sparkly appearance making it seem more like the sacred area that it was.

He felt unclean.

He shook his head. "I appreciate your concern, Master, but this is something I need to work out for myself before I can confide in you." He held his former master's gaze for a moment.

Qui-Gon stood and arranged his robes. "Of course Obi-Wan. But just remember—sometimes it does not pay to let things fester. Problems often grow new limbs when they are allowed to sit too long." He inclined his head when he heard the distant signal sound. Knowing that the tone meant the morning meal was prepared, the two Jedi knights strode together towards the nearby building.

Part II.

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon entered the main dining hall to near silence. The very large oval table was fully seated with fellow Council members and related visitors, but the quietness would be disconcerting to those not used to the deeply shared mental connection of those present.

Taking their seats at the table, Obi-Wan glanced at the young Anakin seated to his right. The young apprentice did not look up from his plate.

Obi-Wan sighed and forked his food. This situation was going to need to be resolved soon—the other Council members would not be ignorant of this tension for long… if they even were now.

Amidala had taken a freighter back to Naboo as soon as possible following the confrontation in the hallway that night weeks ago. She felt her being with the party on that mission was causing too wide a rift between Anakin and Obi-Wan and wanted to leave them time to sort things out. Things were not being sorted out as far as Obi-Wan was concerned.

Obi-Wan felt a prickling in the back of mind and looked up. Several Council members were watching him curiously, --Yoda in particular. Qui-Gon cleared his throat.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, did you say something to me Master Yoda?" Obi-Wan felt a flush unbiddingly creep to his face.

Yoda tilted his head. "Ask I did, …meditate this morning did you?" The solemn master's gaze made Obi-Wan uncomfortable.

"Yes, Master, I try to stick to the routine even though I am a knight now. It helps my mind remain focused throughout the day."

Yoda rested his gaze on the young knight a moment longer than it took to make Obi-Wan want to squirm before beginning a conversation with Mace seated beside him. Obi-Wan glanced at Qui-Gon who in turn gave him a look that seemed to say, "see, I told you it was obvious."

Reaching his mind out and sensing a mental block put up by the young apprentice beside him, Obi-Wan decided that a discussion would need to take place as soon as possible after Anakin's morning lessons.

Part III.

Returning to his personal chamber, Obi-Wan seated himself at the desk and noticed a message signal blinking on the console. Activating it, he realized that a certain young Queen from Naboo had called earlier to speak with him.

He opened a communications signal to Naboo's royal palace and after several relays was finally met with Amidala's face on the screen. His classic smile crossed his face as he leaned closer to the console.

"Hello my queen," he whispered. She smiled radiantly at him.

"Oh it's so good to see you again, Obi-Wan. How I've missed hearing your voice." Amidala touched the screen.

Obi-Wan returned the gesture. "I've missed you too, Amidala."

"So, tell me, what's the latest? How are things going on Coruscant?"

"Well, not so great, Amidala. You see, I have this pain that I get when I'm not around you," he smiled lightly at her, "and I just don't know how to make it go away."

Amidala blushed and looked serious. "You know my being there would just make things worse, Obi-Wan. And besides," she swept her arms around her as in to take in her surroundings, "I have a lot to do here. You do remember I'm the ruling party of this planet, don't you?" She smirked at him.

"Yes, I do remember you being somewhat domineering…" Obi-Wan snickered at her expression. A knock sounded at his door. He turned back to the screen; I have to go see who that is. Will we speak later?"

"Of course we will." Amidala touched two fingers to her lips and cut the transmission.

"Come in!" Obi-Wan turned from his console to look directly at his former Master enter the room.

"Hello there, Obi-Wan. I have news." Qui-Gon made a quick perusal of the room before returning his gaze to Obi-Wan. "We're to go back to Naboo at our earliest convenience. The Council has reason to believe that Sith are present there. The queen might be in danger."

Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Really? What evidence?"

"We don't have time to discuss it right now unfortunately. "I'll tell you once we're on the ship…we leave in an hour." Qui-Gon turned to leave.

He stopped in his tracks for a moment. "Oh, and Obi-Wan, one last thing…" Obi-Wan looked at him.

"Do something about your relationship with Anakin, please. We don't have room for quarreling on this mission." He paused then strode out of the room.

After Qui-Gon had left, Obi-Wan smirked to himself. "Don't worry Master, if ever Anakin and I get into a fist fight, at least I won't get hurt."

More to come?…Please tell me what you think!!