Consequences without Meaning: Chapter IV

Disclaimer: I wouldn't presume to own any part of Star Wars…if I did I would be suing someone's ass for my mon-ay. And Obi-Wan certainly wouldn't be sporting a 70's style haircut and beard in the new movie!

Consequences without Meaning: Chapter IV

Part I

"I honestly don't know where Obi-Wan is right now, Master Qui-Gonn. He was certainly enjoying the party when last I saw him."

Qui-Gonn studied Amidala's face closely; the girl really didn't know where his former padawan was, but she was definitely hiding some serious information behind those thickly lashed eyes. "Well, I'll alert the guards then, until he turns up. My inability to sense him I take as a warning sign though—Obi-Wan's not the type to run off somewhere without alerting me to his whereabouts."

"Obi-Wan was not the type to do a lot of things," murmured the Queen. Anakin raised his eyebrows at her.

Anakin couldn'tve planned it better. Obi-Wan caught in a passionate embrace with some dark mysterious female during the welcome party Amidala had thrown for them. Why hadn't he thought of that?

No matter, the damage was done and now Anakin had the freedom to move in and reclaim his place in Amidala's heart.

That is, if she would have him.

Anakin brushed off the momentary feeling of self-doubt. She and he were meant to be together, her brief encounter with his Master was simply a reassurance of her love for him, nothing more. Not now.

Part II.

Obi-Wan studied the pilot of the craft. He was a quiet man with a sleek, athletic build and deep focus—this he could sense. As a matter of fact, both the pilot and the woman boasted great mental strength. Obi-Wan hadn't been able to determine this earlier on the balcony, but now that the ship was away from the planet's surface and the three of them were in tight confinement, he was finding out a lot more.

"You still haven't fully answered my question." Obi-Wan turned to the mystery woman.

"Who are we? You'll find that out soon enough. As for my name, you may call me Trista." She motioned towards the pilot, "this is Rone." The pilot nodded at him.

"Why did you call me 'Ben' out there on the balcony?" Obi-Wan watched her eyes.

"Well, there is much for you to learn about, Obi-Wan. I cannot teach you all of it. But Ben is to be your name from now on—at least when dealing with us.

"We must all lose much of our identity when we choose the work that is set before us. It is the purpose of the path."

Obi-Wan stared at her. "What are these riddles you're making up?! You tell me that I must follow you, then you tell me that I've chosen work for myself, and you give me a new identity when I have no idea who you are or what you represent!"

"Don't get upset…we mean you no harm. You will find answers to all of your questions very shortly. I haven't the authority to allow you anymore information than I've already released. Just trust us." Rone and Trista watched for a response.

Obi-Wan sighed. "You haven't given me any reason not to trust you yet…"

Part III

Anakin stopped outside Amidala's chamber. He heard low voices deep inside…and a name spoken now and then: Obi-Wan.

He scowled. He knew Master Qui-Gon was in there right now assuring her that Obi-Wan would not destroy her trust as she thought he had.

Obi-Wan. Always Qui-Gon's favorite pupil; even when Anakin worked his very hardest…when he performed Jedi-tricks far in advance of having the required amount of training. Anakin learned faster, and he was accelerating in his skills at a much greater pace than all the other students, but he still didn't feel satisfied.

Obi-Wan still came first with Qui-Gon. Always.

He felt childish for holding these feelings, but they existed nonetheless. The only way to conquer the dissatisfaction was to ignore it…for now.

The heavy door opened…

"Anakin…" Amidala frowned when she took sight of who was waiting outside her door. Qui-Gon held the door ajar as he studied the young face before him.

"Master, …I didn't realize you were visiting the Queen. I just came to find you." Anikan stood there quietly enforcing his mental barriers.

Qui-Gon, sensing the raised protection, raised an eyebrow. "I was just leaving, Anakin, so you have full use of me now. The question is, how long had you been standing out here?"

"Not too long…just came upon the door as it opened, actually." Anakin looked past the older man standing before him and smiled charmingly at Amidala. "How is your day going, my Queen?"

Shifting her weight, Amidala looked directly at him, "not very well, Anakin. I think I'm going to retire for some rest now actually." She looked up at Qui-Gon's warm face and smiled. "Thank you for your comfort, Master Qui-Gon."

Qui-Gon tilted his head and answered softly. "Anytime, Amidala, you know that." He returned his gaze on Anakin. "Shall we go talk, Anakin? And let her get some time to herself?"

Anakin broke off his stare on Amidala. "Yes, Master."

Amidala shook her head lightly and shut the huge door behind the retreating men.

Part IV

Trista entered the back compartment of the small spacecraft and found Obi-Wan finishing up the last of his midday meal. She sat down beside him and handed him an information padd. He looked quizzically at her.

"This will tell you all about the place we are about to arrive at. It is at this location you will find the answers to your questions and hopefully answers about yourself as well." She leaned back against the seat and studied him.

Obi-Wan set it aside. "I'll be sure to inform myself later. How much more time until we arrive there?" He took a sip from his drink placed before him.

"We will arrive in approximately 2 hours. I assure you, no one there will wish to harm you. The people whom you meet will be as anxious to learn from you as you will be from them."

Obi-Wan set down his drink. "I'll see that for myself."

Part V.

When Amidala had made arrangements to dine with Master Qui-Gon for dinner, she had not expected he would invite Obi-Wan's gawking padawan.

As soon as she entered Qui-Gon's suite of rooms she felt his gaze locked onto her. She put up a front of ignorance and smiled warmly at her dinner partner.

"How are you feeling this evening, Your Majesty?" Qui-Gon placed more dishes on the table.

She took in a quick perusal of the room. Much like other chambers in the palace, this one had very large windows reaching up to the ceiling that were at the moment shedding the brilliant sunset's colors into their dining space. The table at which they were to eat was set in the center of the room and carved of a rich dark wood native to the planet. This particular suite had three bedrooms adjoined to the center living area.

She tried not to think on the empty third room closest to her.

"I'm feeling much better after that rest, thank you. That was a wonderful suggestion that you made."

Anakin chuckled softly. "Well, I'm sure that the bed enjoyed it even more than you." He smiled up at her.

Feeling extremely uncomfortable, Amidala set herself to aiding Qui-Gon's efforts in bringing more dishes to the table. When all was done, they sat down next to one another and began to eat.

"So…," Anakin fingered a dinner roll which lay on his plate. "I wonder where my beloved Master is at the moment…," he made eye contact with Amidala and stayed his hands, "or shall I say 'who' he's with."

"We will find that answer shortly, Anakin," Qui-Gon looked at him sternly. "Until then, all we can do is try to make mental contact with him." He looked reassuringly at Amidala. "I'm sure that if he's in any distress, he will attempt to contact our mental link."

"Unless he doesn't want to that is." Anakin resumed his eating.

"Whatever doubts you have as to your worth of Obi-Wan being your master, I'm sure that they're unfounded." Amidala directed a thin smile at him.

Anakin glared at her. Whatever game she was playing was going to be ended very soon.

"Thank you for the reassurance," he plastered a fake smile on his face.

Amidala shifted in her seat.

Qui-Gon felt the doubts he had been feeling about Anakin creep back again for the third time this week as he studied the younger man's face. He would form a search party for his former padawan as soon as this meal was over.

Voila!! I originally lost the first version of this, and then had to rewrite the whole story. THEN this version disappeared on my disk…::sigh:::: But here it finally is. Soon to be continued!!! :D

Please, please review!!! ~blondi