The New Order

by MastigosAtLarge

After Emperor Palpatine assigns Maia Tarkin to negotiate with the Black Sun criminal organization, she is, yet again, confronted with the way others perceive her in a military dictatorship largely operated by the same people who controlled change in the Republic—her own family.

11. Leaving

26 BBY

Siri felt herself start fuming as soon as she spotted Soreyn Bedo in the mess hall. "Ferus, go sit down."

"Master, are you sure what you're about to do is wise?"

She turned to him, tense. "Sit down."

Ferus raised his hands. "May I take the basket?"

Siri handed the food to her padawan. What did he think, that she was about to go yell at the child rapist? He never considered that maybe adults were looking out for him. He was the padawan.

Bedo looked up from the datapad Zen Acore had slid his way and his eyes settled on Siri. He smiled, offering her a wave. He was far more worried about her than he was about his padawan. But not too afraid to gloat.

"He's an asshole." Ferus muttered as he took a seat at the nearby table. "How does he still have friends?"

Siri tore her eyes away from Bedo. "Don't look his way."

"He cannot hurt me." Ferus commented. "The Force is my protector."

She hoped he never said that to Cait. "Don't look at him," she repeated. "Back turned, now."

"Yes Master. Not that you would let anything bad happen to me." He turned away.

She sat next to him, taking a drink of water to calm herself. "When did you last speak to Cait?"

"It's been a few days. She really has been better."

"Does she know Bedo is out again?"

"I thought she did." Ferus said. "I wasn't going to ask."

Siri swallowed. "Eat your breakfast," she muttered.

"I'm eating, Master. You asked a question."

"Please, Ferus." She muttered.

Ferus took another bite as his comm vibrated." May I check that, Master?"

"You may." Times like this, she couldn't tell if he was internally rolling his eyes.

He looked down, smiling at the message to cover for Darra Thel-Tanis and her candy theft. "She sent a joke. A good joke."

Siri looked over to the entrance as she felt Cait approaching. Her heart sank when she saw that Bedo had looked up faster still. The padawan moved through the door, but stopped in place almost immediately when she saw her former master, locking eyes fearfully with him.

Ferus swallowed and waved. "Cait!" He called.

She jumped, glancing at her friend, but her eyes were drawn right back to her former Master, who smiled now. Her eyes welled and she turned, running out of the mess.

Ferus stood. "Stop him." He whispered to his master.

Siri set a hand on his arm and stood, watching Bedo carefully. "He's not following her. Sit down."

Ferus clenched his fists. "I hate this."

"Drink some water," Siri sighed, turning before Bedo could look at her. "Sit down."

Ferus shivered as he sat on the bench. "Why is he allowed to do that?"

Siri hated that she didn't have an answer. "Why don't you send her a message? The sooner we finish breakfast, the sooner you can take a day for yourself."

"I'll do that." Ferus murmured, forcing himself to get the food down. When he had finished eating, he texted Cait, but she asked for space. He frowned, remembering what his master and Master Gallia had told him, and went back to the flat. Siri avoided Bedo's gaze and left, walking to Obi-Wan's apartment. She knocked rapidly.

Obi-Wan was alone when he opened the door. "Siri. Too long. How was your breakfast?" He frowned. "You're troubled."

"Is Anakin here, or are you alone?"

"I am alone."

She pushed inside, scrunching her face. "He's just around now. He's just walking. Cait tried to have breakfast and she couldn't even get past the front door of the mess hall because he was inside, laughing with his buddies."

"That is not right." Obi-Wan agreed. "It's reasonable that you're frustrated."

"How are you so controlled? How do you do that?"

"Meditation. When my Master died, I had to learn." Obi-Wan sighed all the same, holding a hand to his forehead. "This is horrible."

She touched her forehead, claiming a spot on his couch. "Sit with me."

He sat beside her, reaching a hand to squeeze hers. "I've missed you."

Siri leaned against him, pressing their lips together. She sighed, closing her eyes.

He kissed her back. "Are you all right?"

"No." She squeezed her eyes shut tighter. "I have no idea how to help her."

"I'm sorry, Siri, I don't know either. We have voiced our concerns to the Council."

"They don't care." She sighed. "How are we supposed to feel about them not caring?"

"I personally am struggling to responsibly process it. Anakin looks up to her."

"Most of our padawans do. And then there are the masters who are friends with him. Some of them have padawans of their own."

"It is, frankly, disturbing. But other than apply more social pressure, what can we do at this point?"

Siri shook her head. "I don't know what it will take. When he assaulted her, they detained him for five weeks. And today, he just smiled at her. Smiled."

Obi-Wan shook his head. "Cait deserves to eat without being threatened."

"And I'm sure pointing that out to the Council will accomplish nothing at all."

"I'm afraid you're right. I do hope that something can be arranged to free her from this."

"She should leave," Siri whispered, not for the first time. "There's no way for this to improve now."

"I know you say that, but the Order took Anakin in. They surely can adapt." He swallowed. "Even I have to admit leaving wouldn't be unreasonable now."

"You left for much less. Or have you forgotten?"

"I haven't." He shook his head. "You won't let me forget."

She swallowed, hooking one arm around his. "Let's just sit."

"Agreed." He swallowed, reaching over to stroke her arm. He shivered as they say closer.

"Where is Anakin? How long do we have alone?"

"I believe the next two and a half hours." Obi-Wan commented. "He has lessons with Master Antana today."

"I gave Ferus a personal day. Are you busy? Can I stay with you?"

"I am unoccupied. And you know I always enjoy your company, Siri." Obi-Wan leaned against her. "What do we want to do with our two hours?"

Siri looked down, shaking her head. "Distract me?"

Obi-Wan leaned in for a light kiss. It was forbidden in the Order but neither of them cared in that moment.

They moved to his bed after a few minutes on the couch and lay together when they were finished. Siri kissed his collarbone. "An hour and a half?"

"Don't say it has only been thirty minutes." He teased, brushing his hands along her arm.

She smiled. "I don't know what you think you are."

"Not a timepiece, that's for sure."

She pushed his shoulder back, curling against his side.

His body trembled against hers. It had been over two months and he had felt the lack. "I. Care about you so much." He whispered. It wasn't a bad thing, permitted or not.

Siri smiled, kissing his jaw.

"We should make something. You ate before you came?"

She nodded. "Did you? We can make a craft for our padawans."

"I did." He kissed the nape of her neck. "What craft did you have in mind?"

"I have to supply all of the answers, do I?"

"You loved it when we were padawans."

She shifted on top, leaning down for a deep kiss. "What should we make for Ferus and Anakin?"

He exhaled heavily at this kiss. "Some sort of drawing, I suppose."

"We should make one for Cait, too." Siri kissed him one more time and then jumped down from the bed. "Where are the colored pencils?"

They gathered the supplies, sitting down and laughing as they drew for their padawans.

---

Anakin ran ahead of Ferus, holding the drawing their Masters had made for Cait. "Skywalker, I'm her best friend," Ferus hissed. "I should take it to her."

"I'm more fun though." Anakin laughed, jogging ahead.

Ferus's eyes narrowed. "I'm fun! You're a child."

"Technically, but Master Yoda says age doesn't grant wisdom." Anakin kept ahead, holding the picture.

"Let me hold it," Ferus exclaimed. "You're so annoying."

"Who is acting like a youngling now?" Anakin spun away, almost colliding with Master Abbisey. He straightened, bowing. "Master Abbisey, we were looking for Cait, I apologize for running into you."

Abbisey smiled, straightening. "No harm done." His eyes drew to the picture. "Is that for Cait?"

Anakin nodded. "Our masters made it for her as a gift."

"That's extremely kind." Abbisey thoughtfully narrowed his eyes. "She's not in her room. I believe she's in the teacher's lounge."

Ferus didn't miss the opportunity to steal the drawing, disarming Anakin and then running for the lounge.

Anakin dropped his mouth in shock. "Thank you," he managed, and ran after Ferus, who came to a stop at the teacher's lounge and knocked on the door. "Cait?" When he opened the door, Cait stood, pulling her sleeve down. "Hi." Her eyes widened and she bit her lip, looking away. "Sorry I didn't say hi before."

"It's okay, I-Anakin so help me!" The younger boy ran into him from the side, panting. "We. Our. Both. Masters."

Cait blinked, looking between the two. "Sorry?"

"Our Masters gave me this to give you. Anakin insisted on tagging along," Ferus said, offering her the picture.

Anakin wanted to tell him off, but Cait took the picture first and smiled, however small. "Thank you." It was a drawing of a lighthouse. "That was so nice of them."

"It was. they told us both to bring it." Anakin insisted. "They're both nice."

"Thank you." Cait sat down, looking closer at the detailed waves on the beach.. She couldn't bring herself to place it on top of the lesson plans she was working on. "Thank you both for bringing it to me."

"Of course." Anakin repeated. "Just one question. You think I'm your friend, right?"

She looked up, her eyes shifting in shock. "Of course. All of the younglings are my friends."

Anakin folded his arms and looked at Ferus. "See?"

Ferus rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, youngling."

"Ferus, don't use that as a negative." Cait commented.

"Yeah, Ferus." Anakin frowned. "Don't be condescending."

He sighed, looking to Cait. "I'm sorry about what happened earlier. He should have left, not you."

She tore her eyes down. "It doesn't matter, I don't want to talk about it."

"Ferus," Anakin growled. "Cait, listen, we are here for you as your friends."

"I. Know, but I don't want to talk about it." She just needed to forget and move on.

"Do you want to make something? Maybe we could make something for our masters?"

"I have to finish these IEPs before lunch. Individualized Education Plans. B-but. You two should. I'll make them something. Tonight, probably."

"Are you sure?" Anakin frowned. "I mean you don't have to make anything if you don't want to."

Her brows knit. Everyone made everything about what he had done to her. "I can't right now, but I'll do it later."

"I'm sorry." Anakin whispered.

"I'm sorry too. Anakin leave us."

Anakin looked at Ferus. "If Cait needs space, you should go too."

Ferus swallowed. "Cait, your choice."

She frowned, holding the picture close. "I. R-really have to get this work done."

"That makes sense, we'll both leave." Anakin nodded. "I hope you feel better."

"Thank you, Anakin." She wondered how much more he understood than all of the others. She wouldn't compare what she had gone through to his life as a slave, but they had both been abused for as long as each other. She wondered how much more he understood.

"All right." Ferus didn't want to look less attuned to his friend's needs than Anakin. "We'll talk later then?"

Cait nodded. "Tell your masters thank you, for me."

"We will," Ferus agreed as they both bowed their goodbyes. "Feel better, Cait. You have an ally in me," Anakin whispered.

She bowed her head, waiting for them to go. It was difficult to focus on her IEPs, but she managed, and she finished with enough time to reflect on the content and go to the meeting with the children's Den Mother. Afterward, she returned to the teacher's lounge, but Master Laine, who taught the eight to ten year olds, sat in Cait's previously occupied seat.

He waved to her and smiled, but Cait wasn't in the mood for company, friendly or not. She set her datapad in her mailbox and walked, searching for a place she could be truly alone. The practice rooms came to mind immediately. Doors, and enclosed, sound modulated spaces. She could be alone in a practice room. But most of them were occupied, and she couldn't find space to herself until she went three layers down, to a practice room in the base level of the Jedi Temple.

Soreyn Bedo interrupted her tranquility fewer than fifteen minutes later. She felt a dark presence and it was as though time slowed down.

"Cait," he commented, eyebrow flaring as he closed the door.

She stood. He sensed her heart rate jumping as if it were a freshly charged speeder. That mixed with confusion as she realized she couldn't sense his intention. "You're n-not supposed to be in here."

"That's true. I go where I want, Cait. I do as I want." He smiled now. They were finally alone again.

He was still just standing in the doorway, blocking the exit. She felt her eyes watering, and her chest heaved. "L-leave me alone."

"What's wrong?" He smirked now, stepping forward, leaning towards her as he set a hand against the wall. "You always liked being alone with me."

Cait shook her head and slung her bag over her arm. She scaled the wall opposite to him, aiming for the door.

He shifted to block her path. "Cait, you stay here until I give you permission to go."

She stumbled backwards, shaking her head. "L-let me go. I'll. I'll t-tell."

"You won't tell anyone. Never again, do you hear me?" He grabbed her arm. "Cait. I'm here, I'm taking what I want."

She swung for him with her free arm, twisting her wrist to try and pull away from him. "Stop it," she screamed.

He laughed. "You chose the quietest room in the building. No one will help you here."

Cait grabbed her comm, pushing buttons even as her gestures made her hand feel numb like putty.

He tried to pull her comm away, and turned it off with the Force, surprised when it immediately turned back on-she had learned to counter that trick. "Cait, stop it."

"You stop it," she screamed.

He pulled back for half a second before grabbing her other wrist. "Stop fighting me," he growled, trying to push her back. She would have collided with the wall if he hadn't stopped hers with the Force.

She pulled her knee up between his legs, her marginal desire and ability to fight mixing with her terror at the situation. "I'll t-tell."

He grunted at the pain, forcing it down. "Kriff you. You won't tell anyone." He tried to dodge a punch, but her fist connected, hard, and he staggered back.

She tried to run past him again. All she wanted to do was crumble in a ball and cry, but first she needed to get out.

He tried to catch her, pulling her back with the Force, but her desperate deflection and his disorientation kept him from success. "Stop!" He commanded, but even with the full power of the Force behind it, she ran, escaping through the door.

She ran past people asking her what was wrong, past padawans, younglings, knights and masters until after nearly three minutes of running, Master Windu stepped out to block her path "Padawan, where are you running?"

She stopped in place and cried out, stepping back to the wall and sinking to the floor.

"Cait." Windu knelt beside her. "Was it Bedo?"

She pulled her knees up and folded her arms across her knees, burrowing her head down.

"Cait," He whispered, looking around. "Clear the hall." He commanded, calm. "Cait, stand, walk with me to your room."

"I c-can't." She shook her head, her throat burning. "I h-have to go."

He swallowed. "Was it Bedo, did he hurt you again?"

She cringed, rubbing her arms. "I c-can't do it anymore."

"What can't you do? I know it must be hard. It has to feel impossible, let's. Go to your flat."

"I have to go, I. I'm d-done. I'm d-done, he wins."

"It's not about winning, Cait. We'll remove him from the Order." Windu swallowed. It was what they had agreed to do. He hadn't thought it would happen on the first day of Bedo's release.

"No, you won't," Cait screamed, rocking herself. She shook her head against her legs, over and over. "I'm. I'll. G-go."

Windu stared. "Please, Cait. Let us help you get ready. Take a few days to consider. For now, I want to take you to your flat."

"I d-don't have anything to consider, I said I wanted to go! I. W-want to go." She started crying again, shoving her hair back. Her arm ached. She sensed the bruise coloring by the minute.

"Well you can't go without new clothing. Let's. Just breathe right now."

"I don't c-care, I d-don't care what I. I d-don't need anything, I j-just need." She crumbled, crying against herself harder now.

"You need to breathe." He repeated. "Cait, focus on the here and now. Breathe, and walk with me to your flat."

"I. C-can't. He. H-he tried. And n-no one cares."

"I care. We care, Cait." Windu whispered. "Please don't leave."

"I can't d-do this anymore." Her hand shook, but she tugged the second band out of her braid.

Windu closed his eyes. He had seen that it was loose. "He pulled your braid."

"I d-don't want it. Anymore." That wasn't true, except insofar as she would give anything to be away from Bedo.

"Cait," Windu started. "You're upset. You need to catch your breath. Let's go to your flat."

"I. C-can't breathe as long as I'm. I-in here."

"Then why don't you call your friend, Ferus? And his Master Siri. They can visit, and tonight, Master Abbisey will take you to a hotel in the city." Windu needed her to have some space to think about what was best.

Her mouth opened, and she didn't know how she managed to stop from shaking. She pulled out her third and fourth band, smoothing out the hair from the braid.

"Cait." He said. "Can you do that, or should I?"

She shook her head. Her eyes were still wet. She doubted she could do any of it. Where would she go? How would she go, what was she supposed to do? Her hand jumped up to the chunk of hair she had just I woven, but she didn't replace the braid.

"Cait, Master Abbisey and Master Tachi will help you."

"I have to get out of here." Her throat felt like she's taken a strong shot of whisky.

"That's what I'm telling you." Windu repeated. "Take some time away. I'll call Master Abbisey."

"I c-can't come back to this." She clasped her hand over her newest, unwelcome bruise through her sleeve. "I can't do this anymore."

"For now, let's focus on getting you somewhere quiet, all right?" He contacted Abbisey via comm.

He glanced where she was holding her arm. Her clenched face told him it was bruised. "How did it happen? "

She tore her eyes down, unsure if he meant one of her burns, unsure how closely he scrutinized her.

"The bruise." Windu said, feeling it in the Force as he reached out over her now

"H-he tried to." She choked, cutting herself off, and shook her head. "H-he isn't going to stop."

The comm kept ringing for Abbisey. "He'll stop now." Windu remarked. "We'll be removing him from the Order, and he will be arrested."

"I don't believe you." She closed her eyes. "I can't stay here."

"Cait," her master called. Windu understood why Abbisey hadn't answered-here he was. The other master kneeled by his padawan, who started crying again just from his presence.

"Cait, what happened? Why?" Abbisey swallowed. "He hurt you, didn't he? What did he do?"

"I'm s-sorry," she cried, shaking hard once more.

"No, no. None of this is your fault. None of it, do you understand?" Abbisey struggled to hold back his emotions.

"You should take her to a hotel. Somewhere away from the Temple. Don't tell anyone but myself where," Windu said.

"I'm s-sorry."

Windu swallowed, looking over to Abbisey. "Cait has stated that she wants to leave the Jedi Order."

Cait cried out louder when she heard it repeated, and to her Master, no less. She was too ashamed to look at his face.

Abbisey felt like the air had been sucked from his lungs. "That's-" He couldn't quite believe it.

"I'm sorry, I'm s-sorry," Cait just repeated. She doubted herself more by the minute. She heard the shock and pain in her master's voice. She didn't know what she could do to take it back.

"Don't be sorry, Cait." Windu said. "Whatever you decide, the Jedi Council will support it."

Abbisey still couldn't find words to say anything more.

She shook her head, keeling against herself. "M-Master, I'm sorry."

He shook his head. "No." he whispered, Abbisey reached for her hands. "I want you to be safe."

"I'm s-scared of what I might do to myself."

"Don't be." He whispered. Abbisey looked at his hands, unsure what to say. He wouldn't leave her side, but what else could he say?

Windu watched silently for a moment and then swallowed again. "Have you been hurting yourself?"

She didn't say anything. She didn't even start crying harder, though she turned her head down against her arm.

"Do you want to take your own life?"

She winced until her eyes were shut, nodding.

Windu glanced at Abbisey who looked back, horrified. "Cait." Abbisey whispered. "Can we go? I'll get a speeder and we can go to a hotel."

"I n-need some things from my room." Maybe she could walk now.

"Let's walk together, then." Abbisey said as Windu stood, glancing around. He was pleased that the halls had mostly cleared.

She leaned against her Master, proud of herself that she didn't recoil. Abbisey gave her space, standing a few steps back from her door. She collected a drawing from Rainne, and the hand-weaved thread necklace Abbisey had given her for her twenty-second birthday. She worked through her room. There were so many small keepsakes she could take. She knew she would almost definitely have the chance to come back, but she didn't know if she would want to, even to pick up more things. She grabbed the comm Count Dooku had given her, and pushed everything into a messenger bag with a change of tunic and a set of civilian clothes.

When they had both gathered their things, Abbisey sat at the kitchen table. "Should we ask Ferus to come?"

There was no way she could face him right now. She felt herself crumbling again, but she managed not to fall before she started crying. "I'm s-scared."

"All right. Let's go somewhere safe. And then you can decide if you want to call Ferus."

"He's. G-going to hate me."

"No he will not. You do not deserve anyone's hatred."

"I've b-been. Inconveniencing everyone for so long. A year. W-who am I kidding?"

"Telling everyone what you need is not an inconvenience. They have been taking advantage of you. No one thinks poorly of you, they know he keeps attacking you." Master Abbisey closed his eyes and bowed his head. "I promise you, Cait, you haven't been inconveniencing anyone. Certainly not me. If you want to leave, leave because it is right for you."

"I don't know what's right anymore." She sunk in a chair next to him. "M-my whole life, I was taught I was safest here. And then he raped me. He r-raped me. And what happened when I told?"

"The Order failed you. I'm sorry, Cait. I would give anything to fix it. You are my padawan."

"I think it's too late to fix it."

"I know." He whispered, pained. "I wish that were not the case. "

Abbisey made himself swallow, watching his padawan. He hated seeing her like this. Her eyes bloodshot, her body tense and shivering. He didn't even know what Bedo had done or tried to do, but he could see in her eyes how fearful she truly was. She had been in so much better of a place just this morning. But the way her body moved now, an onlooker might have no sense of how much time had passed since she first reported the abuse. "Let's go to the hotel. You can have some space. You. Don't have to leave yet, Cait."

"W-what's going to happen to me?"

"We are going to make sure you have everything you need." He whispered.

"I d-don't know what I need anymore. How can the Order?" She looked up. "I. H-have no idea where to start. I j-just know I can't let him. D-do it again." She inhaled, hard. "And I don't think it would be fixed if they expelled him. N-not anymore, there are just too many. Dark memories, d-dark thoughts. I can't do it anymore, I'm. Afraid of myself."

"But if he is gone." Abbisey paused. This had to be her decision. "Cait, I don't know what is right for you, but I am going to be here if you want to talk it through. For now, let's go to the hotel."

She drew in a breath and let it go. It took her a minute to push to her feet. When they claimed a speeder and drove to the hotel, she deliberately watched the sky as they drove, like she would never see this route or any route from the Temple again.

She stood by her master as he checked them in. A few males looked her over from a distance. She looked down and turned away so that she couldn't see them, and pushed away the feeling of their stares. They finally arrived in their room, a two-bedroom suite with a living area.

"May I put a cold patch on the bruise," her master asked, sitting on one of the couches.

She dropped her shoulders, setting her bag on the floor. "Other areas need cold patches too," she admitted.

He frowned. "Show me."

She slipped her robe off and lifted her tunic's sleeve, pressing it back over her shoulder. The bruise Bedo had just given her was purple and welted on her right wrist. Her upper arm hosted a pattern of four burn marks she had self-inflicted weeks or months before.

He closed his eyes for a moment, mentally calming himself by focusing on what he had available in the medical kit. "Okay. Which of these still hurts?"

"The bruise." She swallowed. "He held. M-my other wrist too, but not as badly."

"Okay." He whispered, looking up at her and nodding. "Stay still, I'll get the patches."

Cait didn't move, staring into her lap. Her wrists felt much better once the patches were in place. She felt the bacta starting to cool through her epidermis.

"Do you want to talk about the other injuries? I won't be upset if you don't."

She kept her head down. "I did them," she whispered.

"Did you feel that you had to?"

Cait nodded. Her eyes had started to water again, but the tears weren't so urgent. Just factual. Just there.

"It's okay, Cait." He sighed. "May I hug you?"

She nodded, leaning against him. "H-he. Started pulling my braid. B-but I took it out all of the way. I finished it."

"It was, your decision," he whispered. "That's important. So important."

"We're not supposed to take it out except to wash. A padawan is. That's who I am, it's who I've always been."

"You still are. You. Might leave and you might now. You might leave and return. I'll support you no matter what Cait, but. Not yet. Please don't leave yet."

She looked down again, pulling away from him with as much ease as she could manage. "I need some space."

He nodded, shifting to the door. "Tell me if the patches get unbearably itchy, all right?"

Cait watched him go and nudged her door closed with the Force. She took out the comm Dooku had given her and just stared at it for a few minutes as it lay on the hotel comforter before she made the call. She didn't realize she had been holding her breath until he spoke.

"Cait. I was wondering if you would call. Is everything all right?"

She held her breath for a second longer and then let it go, closing her eyes. "I'm sorry I'm bothering you."

"Oh, no. Did something happen?" He asked. "What has the Council allowed this time?"

"He. T-tried to rape me again today." She exhaled. Why could she tell him but not say it to her master? "In a practice room."

He kept his smile from displaying in his voice. He wasn't happy for the assault itself, but he was happy she had more of a reason to leave. "That is completely unacceptable. I wish that the Order would take responsibility. They should have finished this a year ago. It should never have happened to begin with. Have you thought about what you will do?"

"I d-don't know what to do. I. Told Master Windu I'm leaving."

"That is your decision, Cait. You know I would help you in any way I can."

It helped to hear it again, though she still doubted everything, including his support. "I don't know what else I'm supposed to do."

"You have a difficult decision to make, Cait. Leaving the Order is leaving what you know, but it may be necessary to keep yourself safe. Have you called your parents," Dooku asked.

"No," Cait whispered.

He smiled internally. It was painful to think she felt so alone, but excellent that she was turning to him, of all people, for guidance. "I am so sorry this is happening, Cait. And I am so sorry you have nowhere to turn but to me."

She closed her eyes, bowing her head. "I don't think I can stay."

"Ultimately, the only one who can make that decision is you." He said softly. "But I don't think you'll regret it if you do leave. I haven't."

"B-but what would I do if I leave? I just. Leave? And then what?"

"Well, the Order will give you supplies, and will help you relocate. It is one option, but you could also come to Serenno. I would find you a teaching job, and you could start a new life here. I would be very happy to help you resettle."

Cait breathed in and out much slower. He could tell she considered it very strongly. "I have to think about it a little bit more." She said it slowly and meaningfully, not like she was trying to brusquely end the conversation. It was the measured civility he expected from Force users who could really live Makashi. It was much more like her.

"I'll be here if you desire my counsel, but I trust you to make the right choice."

She swallowed. "Thank you, master."

He didn't bother to correct her. With luck she would call him that more regularly very soon. "I'll be here. Do what you think is right. I hope you sleep soundly."

Cait ended the call, carefully setting the comm down next to her. She considered calling her parents, but she didn't think she had anything to discuss with them. She couldn't go back to Teevan, and they would just blame themselves.

After another half hour to collect herself, Cait moved out into the living room. Abbisey nodded to her, watching for her reaction. "I found out that they have a holo viewer, if you wanted to just relax and watch a film."

She nodded, sitting next to him, and pulled her legs up. She realized then that she hadn't changed out of her Jedi tunic. She didn't much want to think about what that meant she wanted.

Abbisey passed her the remote. "I wanted you to take a look through the options."

They chose a film together. The night was calm. Cait finally had time to relax, to breath without fear. But it only left her more resolute in her decision.

---

The Supreme Chancellor's call gave the Council thirty minutes notice to convene. Mace Windu, Adi Gallia, Plo Koon, and Jorus C'baoth sat in their chairs, bowing at the waist as Palpatine moved inside. "Supreme Chancellor," Windu greeted, the most senior member present. "You said it was a grave matter."

"Yes." Palpatine stood straight. "I have allowed the Council to do as you will regarding reports of child sexual abuse, but I hear now that one of your padawan survivors, perhaps the padawan survivor, has suffered more and more even a year after her first report."

Windu folded his hands. "Supreme Chancellor. It is not the Republic's place to police the Jedi. But you're right. Too much has occurred. We intend to banish Soreyn Bedo from the Order."

"And when will you do that? When is this plan going into action?"

"That is our business. But we will put that plan into action at the end of the day tomorrow. He is already in our custody." C'baoth raised an eyebrow after his words. "You have our word. I'm sure that is enough."

Palpatine gave nothing away, his shoulders squared as when he first came inside. "Where is the padawan?"

Windu nodded. "An undisclosed location, Chancellor, but a hotel, to keep her somewhere quieter."

"Is she leaving the Jedi Order," Palpatine asked.

"We can neither confirm nor deny that." C'baoth commented.

Gallia frowned. "Because we don't know." This had spawned so much conflict amongst them. She was so angry with so many of her colleagues. It was terrible.

"Has she said that she wants to leave?"

"She has. But the final decision has not been made." Windu said.

Palpatine wondered if she hadn't made her final decision or if they hadn't. Plo Koon looked down, sighing at Windu's confirmation. Palpatine supposed the man blamed himself, as the Order should. "If she says she wants to go, you cannot hold her. As you know. I would like a word with her when she returns to the Temple. I'm sure she no longer faces retribution for speaking to the authorities."

"That has never been the case. She has never faced retribution." C'baoth frowned. "Why are you insulting our honor?"

"This is not about any of you, it is about Cait Sellin."

"I am certain Padawan Sellin does appreciate your concern." Windu said.

"I am certain you'll ask her if I can speak with her when she's in a better place. And I am certain the Council will not stand in her way if she decides to leave."

"We will help her. As we have helped many others." Gallia whispered.

Palpatine finally sighed, shaking his head. "I hope the Council understands how it has poisoned something that used to be so good for this young woman."

"We believe we have acted rightly." C'baoth said.

Gallia sent dagger eyes towards C'baoth. "We agree there was more we could do."

"Every Jedi who leaves the Order is a failure of the Council." Windu sighed. "Perhaps most when as the result of a betrayal in the Master-Padawan relationship."

"As was certainly the case this time." Plo Koon said. "And we have taken action to try to make sure this does not happen in the future." It wouldn't be enough, he feared.

"I hope it is not too late for Cait Sellin."

"I hope so as well." Windu nodded, sighing. "We can only do what we can to make staying or leaving easier."

"Please do let me know if she would like to speak with me."

"We'll be sure to," C'baoth commented. "Was there anything else, Chancellor?"

"Not for me," Palpatine replied. "Does the Council have anything we need to discuss?"

"I assume you still intend to have Soreyn Bedo arrested?" Plo Koon asked.

"The sooner you would surrender him, the better. For us, and for you. My constituents are unhappy to hear the Order is harboring a child abuser."

"That is something we will rectify. Thank you, Chancellor." Windu stood. "I don't believe we have any more to discuss." There was no use in saying the Order didn't respond to the maelstrom that was public opinion.

Palpatine nodded. "Then we should all continue our work. May the Force be with you."

"And you." Windu commented, bowing again. "I trust we will be able to do all of our work rightly in the eyes of the Force."

Once he left the Council Room, Palpatine found Master Kenobi and Anakin at lightsaber practice, and tapped his knuckles against the door.

Obi-Wan disengaged from his padawan, bowing to Anakin. "Well fought." He shifted towards the door, opening it to allow Palpatine inside.

The Chancellor smiled. "That seemed disciplined from outside. Hello, Anakin."

"Hello, Supreme Chancellor. It is an honor to see you again." He bowed.

Palpatine bowed back. "And an honor to see you, Anakin. Master Kenobi."

"What can I do for you, Supreme Chancellor? It's been a few months, and I've been studying like you told me to." Anakin looked up. The Nabooian was a good man.

"That's very good. Education is very important. And when we've been granted opportunities for more education than more have access to, it can't be squandered." Palpatine tapped Anakin's shoulder, turning to Obi-Wan. "I'm sorry I have interrupted your training, Master Kenobi."

"We were almost ready for a mid-morning break." Obi-Wan smiled. "My young Padawan does enjoy you coming to check in. "He smiled at Anakin, who didn't quite bristle, but clearly didn't appreciate having his youth pointed out. Obi-Wan bumped his arm with one of his own. "He's getting quite skilled with a lightsaber."

Anakin shifted between his feet. "Master," he muttered.

"I'm sure you'll continue to learn and even surpass your Master with time." Palpatine smirked at Obi-Wan who nodded.

"Qui-Gon always said that if I surpassed him, he'd have done his job."

"Well, let's make sure we take Anakin there." Palpatine smiled. They used so much of the same rhetoric as Palpatine's Order, and they did not even recognize it. "I'll let you return to training."

"Thank you, Supreme Chancellor. We appreciate your interest in Anakin." Obi-Wan bowed again, and Anakin did the same.

Palpatine felt a message come through his comm, but he waited until the Blue Guard had escorted him to his speeder. Tarkin, demanding a word. He called the man, taking a drink of water.

"Supreme Chancellor. Thank you for returning my call." Tarkin said brusquely.

"What's going on, Wilhuff?"

"Have you seen the article in The Eriaduan Star?" Wilhuff demanded. "Not that I expect you read such swill."

"I didn't see it. Send the file to my speeder's datapad and tell me what page."

"Two." Tarkin commented pressing a button to send the file.

Palpatine opened it in a floating holo, crossing his finger right to left to pull the document to its seventh page.

He frowned as he read an otherwise unimpressive article that pointed out Maia's physique was not quite as athletic as her brother's. A caption, "just make it a few inches shorter," adorned an otherwise innocent photo of the young girl.

Palpatine squinted, looking over the document one more time to make sure he had read that correctly. "Disgusting. Has Maia seen?"

"No. Thalassa and I intend to keep it from her." Wilhuff growled.

"She should never have to see anything like not. Certainly not at nine years old. How can I help? Will you press charges?"

"I will. But I intend to focus on social pressure. Ruin them.

"Anything I can do." Palpatine searched the HoloNet for mention. Maia was getting close to that age. It was frightening.

"If you could keep them from moving in their normal social circles, that would be a great start." Wilhuff's voice was dark. "And I'll do the same."

"Do you know who wrote the caption and who approved?"

"I am having our press and legal teams determine that, the paper itself is being. Obstinate."

"They tried to excuse it," Palpatine asked.

"No, they said they would change the caption and 'handle it internally,' but I don't find that sufficient."

Palpatine narrowed his eyes again. "They won't print a retraction?"

"No retraction. They're live-editing the holo version. Not that people can't look at what it's been changed from." Wilhuff clenched a fist against his thigh.

Palpatine scrolled through any forums he found, moving to new threads whenever comments sexualizing the girl showed on the screen. "Unacceptable."

"Terrible, yes. I wish we could take more direct measures."

"Do so, if you'd like. I can think of several possibilities. Wouldn't you rather extend their suffering?"

"I would rather it didn't happen to my daughter in the first place." Wilhuff sighed. "But yes."

"Perhaps it would be a good idea to block Maia's devices from searching her name on the HoloNet."

"I'll do that, yes." Wilhuff wiped his brow. "I'll do that, thank you."

"Send the children and Thalassa my love. And let me know what more I can do as your plan develops."

"I will do, sir." Wilhuff saluted. "Thank you for agreeing to help."

Palpatine nodded, relishing in Tarkin waiting for the acknowledgement to drop the salute. He ended the call, placing a series of others. Something like this couldn't be gotten away with. Together, the men would make sure it wasn't.

Once in his speeder, the Chancellor called Dooku. They had other business to attend to.

Dooku answered the call on the second ring. "Chancellor, good to hear from you." He always answered that way. "What can I do for you?"

"We can speak plainly, my apprentice. Has the Banking Clan responded to your call to action?"

"They have expressed interest, but have not said yet that they would commit funds." He nodded in the hologram in lieu of a bow. "Master, I fear they will be one of the last to agree."

"But they will, in time. Their senators are dissatisfied."

"Excellent, Master, then all goes according to your will." Dooku knew that he was expected to exceed his master at some point. It was the way of the Sith, and with the holocrons upon holocrons of wisdom Palpatine still held from his own master, Dooku believed he could achieve immortality without Palpatine. But for now, there was more to learn. "What other matters do you attend to on Coruscant?"

"I'm leaving the Jedi Temple. A meeting over the abused padawan."

"Tragic, that. Cait Selin is a bright student. I've had the opportunity to train with her."

"I know, I've heard." He knew. His apprentice was good at keeping his emotions close to the chest, but they were both older men, and Palpatine had been a politician for longer. "Have you spoken with her since your last training session?"

"Briefly yes. I offered to support her if she came to Serenno, but she did not accept my offer."

"Better to keep an eye on her. I do hope she changes her mind."

"I do as well, Master." Dooku nodded. "Was that the only thing that brought you to the temple? What of young Skywalker?"

"I visited him, and Master Kenobi. They're both well."

"That is good to hear." Dooku nodded. Was his master hiding something. Now was the time to ask after his pet politician. "And what of the happenings on Eriadu?"

Palpatine quickly glanced over the news on his datapad. "New police memorial to honor our favorite police chief."

"And the news of his daughter?"

The Chancellor did not display his surprise. "I've heard she thrives in school. The perverted try to harm our children. I'm sure Wilhuff would appreciate your thoughts."

Dooku frowned. "I wish there was something I could do, but Tarkin is private. What have you done?"

"What he has asked me to do," Palpatine said.

And that was private, Dooku assumed. "I see, master. What shall I do in response to the letter from the Banking Clan?

"Encourage then. Don't sound reliant on their cooperation."

"Of course, Master." Dooku bowed. "What else do you will of me?"

"We shall speak soon." It was difficult to believe that Cait had chosen her parents, who understood nothing about her, over Dooku. Surely, a lie. He would monitor Dooku's activities once Cait had left Coruscant.

Dooku nodded. It was only his years of Force sensitivity training that told him his master thought he was lying. And yet he had told the truth.

Wilhuff messaged Palpatine a moment after the call ended. Republic sentencing guidelines for child pornography hasn't changed has it? Asking for a case.

Palpatine held back a startled laugh, no matter that he was alone. Nothing has changed.

Thank you. Are you aware of the Dustnen Accord? If a company employee is found guilty of a sex crime using company equipment, their immediate supervisors are also liable.

The Chancellor found himself grinning. He was sure it was along with his friend. And for the best.

I'm glad you think so. Would you care to arrange a hearing for Bill SB-2309? Relevant. The bill granted the ability for local jurisdictions to sentence sex offenders to hard labor for sentences above thirty years in length. Tarkin had been pushing for it in the interest of his police work and that of precincts across the galaxy. Now, it was more urgent.

Palpatine immediately sent a message to his staff to make it happen. First thing next week.

What excellent timing. Thank you for your prompt action.

Give Maia a hug for me.

---

"Daddy," Maia exclaimed from the next room when the front door opened. Wilhuff never knew how his daughter knew it was him just by his footsteps, but their Head Steward Raul, Maia's nanny Abigail, and Thalassa all confirmed that she didn't simply exclaim "Daddy!" every time anyone opened the front door, on the off chance that it were her father.

"May I go hug my father," he heard her ask someone, proud of her growing maturity. Even a month before, she would have just come running, in the middle of something or not.

I glanced at the clock. Seven. Thank goodness he had arrived before her bedtime. "Maia, come here."

"Go on, this can wait." Raul laughed. "Go hug your father."

She ran into the foyer, wrapping her arms around her father's legs. "Hi, daddy." She was already in a dressing gown, her face clean of makeup and her hair in a low braid.

"Hi, button." Wilhuff smiled, rubbing her back. "I love you."

"How was your day?" She smiled up at him. "I'm the best reader in the class. Did you see the message Ms. Kilfoyle sent?"

"I saw. I was so proud of you." He beamed down at her. She was the best reader in the class. All the more reason not to let her read the disgusting articles about her online. "I am so proud."

His daughter beamed back. It was enough for him to focus entirely on her, and he set his briefcase down, passing his coat to a maid. "Give daddy a hug." He kneeled down, kissing the side of her head when they hugged more closely.

They hugged. "I love you, baby." He closed his eyes.

"Raul is showing me what grapes make different wines."

"Wow, that's. Quite impressive. I'm so proud of you." Raul pushed her intellectually, the tutors encouraged all of it.

Maia smiled. "I'm impressive, daddy."

Raul poked his head inside. "Hello, Wilhuff. Maia was helping me with the grapes. I heard that she told you."

"We all agree how impressive she is."

Raul moved into the foyer to join them. "We'll finish tomorrow, Maia, won't that be nice?"

"Maybe tomorrow you can show me what you've decided." Wilhuff pointed out, smiling as her excitement grew.

Maia nodded, and pecked her father's cheek. "Can I stay up a little since you just got home?"

Thalassa came out, her inside face of makeup still on as she beamed at her family.

"Hello dear. Maia just asked if she could stay up a little bit later. But I was about to tell her that it is still an hour and a half until her bedtime."

Maia frowned. Her father was supposed to keep that a secret. "Hi, mommy." Maybe she could sweeten the deal. "Can I give you a kiss?"

Thalassa considered and beamed, kneeling now beside her precious daughter. "You may."

Maia kissed her cheek. "So, can I stay up? Daddy just got home. And I got a good letter from my teacher."

"That is pretty special." Thalassa considered. "Wilhuff. What if we let her stay up until nine?"

Their daughter's eyes glittered at the proposal. Wilhuff smiled. She was why he did everything he did. She and her brother. "I think Maia's earned a reward for tonight."

"Isn't that exciting, Maia?" Thalassa exclaimed. "Should we watch a holofilm?"

She nodded, moving back to her father. "Do you have time, daddy?"

Wilhuff nodded. For her, he would make time. "Aren't you getting old to call me daddy?"

"No," she said, and smiled. "Can I go tell Garoche? Can he watch with us?"

"You may ask if he wants to." Wilhuff said. "But if he doesn't want to, that's okay."

She squeezed her father one more time and went for her brother's bedroom. Thalassa frowned, moving forward to pull her husband into a hug. "I tried to be happy for her when she came home from school."

"I'm sure your reaction was perfect." He murmured. "I was so angry."

Thalassa looked over her husband's shoulder. "Thank you for watching her, Raul. Abigail is preparing Maia's bed. Please tell her to go home when she is finished."

"I will, ma'am. I just need to make orders for the grapes. I wasn't exaggerating. Maia has smart ideas."

"Our daughter's brilliant." Wilhuff hooked an arm around Thalassa's back. "Thank you, Raul." When the other man left, Wilhuff kissed his wife. "I'm taking care of the people involved. They're finished." Thalassa watched him until he elaborated. "I planted photos on the editor's server, and on the server for the writer who made the caption. I already placed an anonymous report. And we're manipulating the editor's investments as well."

"I wish you could do more to hurt them." Thalassa whispered. "They deserve everything you're doing."

He kissed her cheek, cradling her head close with a hand cupped around the back of her neck. "You have a headache."

She nodded. "It has been too much today. Just too much."

"Take some medicine." Wilhuff led her to their bathroom, smiling small when he saw Maia and Garoche leaving Garoche's room. "Take a look and choose something you'd both like," he said. Garoche knew he wasn't to fight with the nine-year-old. It was her choice.

Make smiled at her father and mother. "When are you coming?"

"We'll be there soon, your father wants to change," Thalassa said.

"Okay." Maia looked up at her brother. "No taking the good spot on the couch."

Garoche squinted. "I always let you choose first, Maia."

"Be sure you do this time as well." Wilhuff commented.

"Of course, father." Garoche rubbed Maia's shoulder. "Let's go pick out a movie."

Thalassa smiled after her babies as they moved away, and then she pushed herself up to kiss her husband. "I love you."

"I love you." He grabbed a bottle of bacta pills from the medicine cabinet, passing four to his wife.

She grimaced, filling a glass with water and taking the pills. "After the holofilm, may we lay together or must you work?"

Wilhuff held back a sigh. "I lost some time today. But I could do some work after and then do more in the morning."

"Will you have time?" She asked. "I don't want you to have to wake so early. You already barely sleep."

"It will be fine." He kissed her palm, clasping his hand in hers when she had set the glass down. "Let's hug Maia at the same time."

"She wants more space, lately."

He didn't want to think about that. "She still calls me daddy and you mummy."

"For now. I want to cherish it while it lasts." Thalassa smiled. "Let's get changed and then go."

He removed his tunic, setting it to the side, changing into a nightshirt and pants. A servant would move his medals to a fresh garment and then take today's to the wash.

She admired while he changed, taking his hand before they walked down to their children.

Garoche turned, letting his little sister take the remote. "We can't decide."

Maia shook her head. "I want to watch this," she said, nodding to the screen where she'd saved a drama film about the Human Exiles settlement of Korriban.

"I thought she might want to watch 'The Little Rancor'," Garoche said.

"But I don't."

"Why don't we watch the drama about Human Exiles on Korriban?" Thalassa glanced at the screen. "'Among the Red Si'ith'?"

Maia nodded. "Can I sit next to daddy?"

"You may." Wilhuff allowed, giddy inside. She was still his little girl. He could still take care of her.

Maia set her hands on Garoche's chest and carefully nudged him back so that her father could take the seat.

Garoche raised his eyebrows. "No pushing." He shifted then, to let his father shift closer to Maia, so he was on the outside.

Wilhuff sat down and wrapped an arm around her, kissing her temple. Maia allowed it for a minute and then shook his arm off.

He growled. "Maia, I just want to hug you."

She looked at him, frowning. "Again?"

"I've wanted to hug you all day." He poked her nose. "One more?"

Maia nodded, leaning against him.

He squeezed her arm. "I love you, Maia. Do you want to put the show on?"

"Holofilm, daddy," she corrected.

He glanced at the screen. "Right. Holofilm."

Thalassa reached over. "Do you want to hold your mother's hand?"

Maia nodded, taking it. She put the film on and set down the remote. "Okay, daddy, no more."

Wilhuff gave her one last squeeze before finally letting go. "Are you comfy?"

She nodded again and turned on her side, laying her head on Thalassa's lap.

Thalassa looked over at her husband as the opening credits rolled. "I love you." She whispered, petting her baby's hair.

"I love you." Maia peered up at her. "The holofilm is starting."

"You'll tell me what's happening so I can play with your hair, right?"

"We can't talk during the holofilm." Maia sounded incensed.

"Then after." Thalassa agreed. "I love you."

Maia moved her mother's hand to the hair that fell over her ear. "You can do it now, mommy."

"Okay." Thalassa wiggled in her seat. "We are both so proud of you."

Their daughter beamed, taking her mother's other hand.

She rubbed her daughter's hand as the holovid started. Maia managed to keep herself awake through the entirety, though she curled on her mother's lap by the end. Thalassa could feel her daughter shivering from interest, but Maia was very sleepy. They would discuss the film in the morning.

She and Wilhuff read their daughter a story and put her to sleep. They made sure Garoche was well before returning to their room for much needed private time, and a distraction from the assault on their nine year old. The men responsible would pay.

---

Jedi Master Mace Windu had waited for just over an hour after Cait and Abbisey's return before going to their flat. He needed to make sure she knew she was welcome in the Order, and that they were taking action. He knew she was still considering leaving, and that Palpatine would be visiting soon. He knocked on the door, nodding politely to master Abbisey when he answered. "Is Cait in?"

Abbisey didn't know where else the Councilor thought Cait would be, but he nodded. "She is in her room," he replied, his voice grim.

"Would you ask her if she can speak with me?"

He returned quickly to lead Windu inside. Cait sat on her bed, and Windu saw immediately that she had reweaved her padawan braid. She stayed in place as he moved inside, her head dropping. He was pleased to see that she seemed much mellower than she had after whatever had happened with Bedo, but it didn't seem that the mellowness translated to anything positive. She looked dejected, and felt that way in the Force.

"Cait, may I sit down?" Windu asked, gesturing to a nearby chair.

"Yes," she whispered. She kept her head down, folding her hands in her lap.

"We are expelling Bedo from the Order." Windu commented, taking the seat, watching and feeling for her reaction.

She didn't say anything, but he saw small, relieved tears forming in her eyes. She didn't start crying, and he didn't feel any real tension dissolving. "Is he already gone?"

"It doesn't happen overnight?"

"Does it happen in a year?"

Windu swallowed. "What happened yesterday, Cait?"

"He tried to rape me." She blinked, and then closed her eyes.

Windu closed his eyes. "I'm so sorry to hear that. He was out of control. The Republic will arrest him as soon as he is expelled."

"It's taken so long to stop him."

"Far too long." He closed his eyes. "We're making changes. Too late, I know."

Cait didn't say anything, moving a finger under her eye as a tear escaped.

"Cait, please stay with us."

"I don't think I can," she whispered. "I can't."

"This is your home." He said. "Cait, no one will make you stay. We'll help you whether you stay or go, but we are on your side, and we want you here."

She shook her head, wiping another a tear away. She thanked the Force for the fact that she wasn't completely breaking down. "I don't feel like I'm part of a community."

"You can be again. The younglings love you. And everyone knows what he did to you. They know that none of it was your fault."

"That's not true. They'll be. Mad at me that he's gone. Just like how they were mad at me during the Republic's trial. I didn't even do anything."

Windu shook his head. "Cait, we have so many who have come forward to apologize to you."

"T-then it's my fault." She looked up. "I'm not strong enough to forgive them. I shouldn't be around the children."

"You are wonderful with the younglings. Cait, you can choose to leave, but you will always have a home here."

"I don't feel safe here," she whispered.

"We should have done more to make you feel and be safe." Windu said. "Please give us another chance."

Cait paused for a while and then shook her head. "It's t-too late." Her hands moved to her braid, but she couldn't bring herself to take the rubber bands out again. She dropped her hands back to her lap.

He nodded. "All right. We can respect that. Let us help you get civilian clothes and things for your trip. We can help you with a ticket and money to get a place on another planet or here on Coruscant. But you will be on your own after the first few weeks."

The reality hit her hard. She felt it below her heart, like a sharp dig from a knife. She shook for a moment and then pulled the anguish in, nodding shamefully and dropping her head.

"But I meant what I said. There will always be a home here for you if you want it. We won't make you stay but if you decide you want to come back and continue your training, we will make it as easy as possible."

"C-can I see Lyle and Master Vin before I go?"

"Of course. You and your master or both free to spend the next two days however you like, and I encourage you to say your good-byes if you are intent on leaving. But you should also put some time aside to get the clothes and whatever additional belongings you will need."

Cait nodded. She had no idea what to say to him. She certainly had no desire to thank him. She sat still, ignoring the internal voice that called her disrespectful.

"Is there anything that you need from me? I want to do whatever I can to make you feel comfortable now."

"No." She was to completely start over. She had no idea what she needed. She felt numb.

Windu watched her. "Cait," he whispered. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"I don't have any other option."

"I won't repeat the reasons for staying. If you think that this is the right decision, then go. Live your life responsibly and know that you can always come back if you want but that it is your own decision. You should have no difficulty passing a teaching exam if that is the way that you want your life to go." He watched her carefully. "There's not much more for us to discuss unless you have other thoughts."

"I'm sorry I'm wasting so much of your time."

"Please don't say that. You have not been a waste of anyone's time, especially mine. It's my job to make sure that the padawans, younglings, knights, and masters under the Order of protection are safe and I have not done sufficiently well at that task."

Her shoulders dropped. "I don't even believe it won't happen here again. The y-younglings I teach, which one will be next?"

"Believe me when I say that the events of the past several months have strongly influenced how the Council will deal with such atrocities in the future."

Cait swallowed. "I'm glad I could at least do that."

"I wish that it had not taken that."

"At least I could help the Order a little bit."

He shook his head. "No Cait. This is destructive thinking. We should never have treated you like an experiment for policy."

"S-so I'm leaving, and I haven't helped with anything. And all I have is pain and, and mental and physical scars."

"Cait, I'm so sorry. It should never have happened, but I can't make it go away however much I truly wish to. If there is any way I can help you heal. I want you to let me know."

"I wish I knew how much time it would take."

"Cait. You were right to tell us." Windu sensed her hidden meaning. "You should not have had to fear your master."

She swallowed. "It would have been fine if he hadn't hit me when I tried to say no."

"Cait." Windy straightened. "It was all entirely unacceptable. There is no way to justify any of it."

"The Council kept him here for a year, so obviously not everyone thought that. I don't even know who didn't. And I'm sure you won't tell me."

"Cait, you're right. I can't tell you." He sighed. "But we are changing for the better."

She shook her head. "How am I supposed to stay when I don't even know which authority figures thought it was acceptable that I was being abused?"

"That's. That's a legitimate concern." Windu frowned. How could he bring the rest of the Council to see that? "Cait, you make me realize how much more we have yet to do."

"If I stay, I don't know who didn't care. And I'm supposed to follow instructions from them. T-this past year was like being raped over and over again."

Windu exhaled. "Cait, I am so sorry for what you've experienced. If leaving is what you think is right, you should not feel restrained by us. I only wish there were a way for you to feel safe staying."

She covered her mouth, her eyes watering. "W-why does he hate me so much, why d-did he do this to me? I w-was. Trying to help him, I s-said I wanted to. K-keep training with him."

"He is a broken man. Depraved and corrupted by the Dark Side's lust for power." Windu closed his eyes. "You did everything right."

"H-he. R-raised me." She shook, dropping her head. "I c-can't stay here."

Windu realized she was right. At the very least, she needed time. "I think you're wise to do what you need for your own mind."

She pushed her hair back. Her hand caught on her braid and she closed her eyes. "I d-don't want to be like this when the Supreme Chancellor comes."

"I'll give you time to think and recover." Windy stood. "Please forgive me for not protecting you."

She squeezed her eyes shut tighter. "Please close the door when you go."

He nodded, bowing. "Be well, Cait. May the Force be with you." Windy went for the door, waiting a moment for her response.

He sighed, closing the door behind himself. "I'm sorry," he told her master.

Abbisey frowned. "Best to give her space, Master Windu." He didn't accept the apology. Not quite.

"Will you be with her when she speaks to Chancellor Palpatine?"

"I was going to ask her what she wants." Not enough people did that.

Windu bowed. "May the Force be with you. And your padawan."

"And with you." He said it automatically. "May the Force watch over her."

Windu's head stayed bowed after the rest of him had straightened out. He folded his hands in his sleeves and turned to leave.

Abbisey expected the next knock and sure enough, the Supreme Chancellor stood outside, calm in his robes.

"Chancellor." Abbisey bowed, though he couldn't make himself sound happy. "Thank you for your visit."

"I wish I could have come sooner." He sounded pained. "Is Cait all right? She must be horrified after yesterday.

"Please come inside." Abbisey held the door, giving the Chancellor enough space to shift past him. He closed the door and moved for his padawan's. "Cait? The Chancellor is here."

She pulled the door open with the Force. She struggled to look up as the two men came inside.

Palpatine nodded to her, looking concerned. "Cait. I am Chancellor Palpatine, I'm sorry we are meeting under these circumstances."

He immediately noticed her padawan braid. He wondered how recently it had been replaced.

The young woman swallowed. "Thank you for visiting me."

"Of course. Ah. Cait. I wanted to show my support."

"Thank you," she repeated. "I. Don't want to take too much of your time."

"You won't, I promise." He smiled, still worried. "You've decided to leave the Order?"

It didn't hurt any less to hear it said audibly. Had Windu told him? She looked up to Abbisey, her eyes waning in fear of his reaction.

Abbisey nodded. "If I'm not mistaken, that's what she has decided, yes."

"You will be missed, from what I've heard. But it's time to think about what you need."

"I just need to be away from here," she whispered, and looked from Palpatine to Abbisey. "Master, it's not your fault."

Palpatine nodded. "It is not, the leadership of the Jedi failed you. You are right to look for your own mental health, Cait."

"I don't know how to do that." It was difficult to imagine what it would be like to not have to make decisions based on whether or not they would cause the Council to push back her trials. Should she have been scheduling with a psychologist on Serenno? How did people even find good psychologists?

"I can help, perhaps. Where do you want to go? I'm sure I can find resources for you."

Her cheeks reddened, and she looked down. "I don't know yet. I. I don't know."

"All right." He looked at her sympathetically. "Just let me know. I can help you."

"Thank you so much," she whispered. She covered her mouth with one hand and her eyes with the other. How was she going to make herself do this? The loss of her first master had made her think all of these thoughts, consider taking her own life. What would happen when she lost the whole Order? When she lost these younglings?

Palpatine watched her, holding himself still and serene.

Abbisey swallowed. "You have the future to look to. You'll be safe."

She didn't know what to say. Palpatine wasn't here to listen to her break down. She just wanted it to stop.

"Cait, is there anything the Republic can do? I want to support you anyway I can."

"I don't know what I'm doing." She exhaled, closing her eyes behind her hand. "I don't want to go to my parents."

"They would take you in sure. All the same, I understand you want to be independent." He frowned, considering. "What do you want to do? Stop ah. Teach?"

"I guess," she whispered, and then she winced, dropping her hand from her eyes. "I can't really see myself doing anything else."

"And why would you when you are so good as a teacher," Palpatine asked. "I would happily help you get any certification you need."

She nodded, trying to keep from shaking. "Thank you," she managed. It was difficult for her to think about the actual process of leaving and moving somewhere new. She felt her anxiety rearing again.

"It won't be easy, but you won't be alone," Palpatine assured her. He glanced at Abbisey, who watched his padawan closely and then cleared his throat.

"I think that Cait needs some time to come to terms with what she needs. If you'll be here to help her, Chancellor, perhaps you could leave her with a way to contact you when she's in a better place."

He nodded. "Of course." The Chancellor pulled out a comm card. "Just synch this and you will be able to reach me or an admin almost any time."

She pulled out a comm that Abbisey didn't recognize, and synced the data.

"I'll always get back to you as soon as possible." The Supreme Chancellor assured her.

Abbisey decided he would ask her about the second comm once Palpatine left.

The Chancellor nodded encouragingly as Abbisey looked on. Though they both wondered where she had gotten that second comm.

"Please don't hesitate to ask for help," Palpatine insisted. "I want you to know you have an ally in me."

Abbisey didn't like the way Palpatine framed that, but he wouldn't say anything. "Thank you." Cait tried to smile, but it was sad.

Palpatine offered a small smile back. "It's going to be all right. The Republic will protect you from here on out."

That felt so much more hopeful. The Republic had tried him immediately. They had detained him immediately. "Thank you."

"It's nothing, the least we could do." Palpatine insisted. "We look after our citizens as best as we can. We fail, from time to time, but rest assured you won't be one of those times."

Cait bowed her head. It took some of the edge off, but she still felt anxious. It would take time. "I appreciate it, Chancellor."

"It is nothing." He repeated. "You are not a burden, truly. Consider me at your service. The Order will host you until you decide where to go. And if you don't feel safe, we can find somewhere else for you to stay."

Did she feel safe staying for a few days? She didn't even know.

Palpatine's smile fell to a flat affect while he looked at Abbisey. It was too late for the Jedi. Didn't they know that? He smiled again at Cait as he shifted towards the door. "I'll leave you. If you need help with anything, you have my comm."

Cait nodded, bowing from her seat on the bed. "Thank you. So much."

"Of course. May I call you in a week to see where you've landed?"

"Sure. Of course. If you want to."

"I would." He smiled. "All right. Both of you do take care now."

Cait made it down from the bed, escorting him to the front door with her master.

When the supreme chancellor had left Abbisey bowed his head. "That was productive. He wants to help."

"I'm sorry I'm leaving."

Abbisey swallowed, shaking his head desperately. "Leaving is what makes sense for you. It will be difficult, but it is the right path. I am not upset with you."

She sighed, touching her temple. "I don't want to let you down. I don't want to leave the younglings."

"You are not letting me down. Cait. You're doing what you need to do for yourself. That's only right."

She sat on the couch. "I'm sorry."

"Please don't be." He raised an eyebrow, sitting beside her. "I was curious. I didn't know you'd gotten another comm. It isn't a problem, just surprising."

"Master Dooku gave it to me. I was. Scared of Master Bedo turning mine off." She looked down. "He used to do that. Before."

Abbisey swallowed. "I'm sorry to hear that. That. Does make sense then."

"I don't know what to tell the younglings. I'll cry when I see them."

"Tell them to hold the Council accountable. I'll do the same." Abbisey whispered. "Perhaps they can do what my generation failed to do."

Cait shook her head, her hair falling into her face. "They're four, five, and six, they shouldn't have to think about what happened to me."

"They shouldn't, but they love you. And if they don't demand change. The Council won't listen."

"I can't manipulate them like that."

"Cait, as hard as it is, it's going to be best for them to see you succeed outside the Order. It shows them that they can come back and live their lives no matter the loss. And it isn't your job to do, simply having done it will give them focus."

"I d-don't know, Master," she whispered.

"I know. But you have me, your friends, and it sounds like the Republic, at your back."

She sniffled, nodding. "I don't think I cannot say goodbye to them. Please don't be mad if I cry."

"Oh Cait," Abbisey whispered. "You know I won't be mad. It's such a hard thing."

She swallowed, looking down. "I'm s-sorry. I can't stop overthinking. I don't know what to do, I hate not knowing what to do. I've felt. S-so out of control."

"You will find your way. You won't be alone." He shook his head, unsure of what else to say. "I'm sorry." Her master filled a glass with water, setting it in front of her. "I'll give you a few minutes of quiet, and then if you want to do something together, I'll be in my room. Anything you want."

She nodded and watched him go. There were so many people she had to say goodbye to now that she was leaving. She didn't know how to approach any of them, but she didn't have much time to figure it out.

---

When his butler told him that Cait Sellin waited in the tearoom, Dooku had been finishing a letter to the Intergalactic Banking Clan.

"I'll be right down, get her some water and offer her a snack." He reflected that he hadn't said those words since the children from the Dawson Primary School had sent him cookies and he'd invited them for treats at his palace. He placed his digital seal on the letter, standing and securing his belongings before moving downstairs.

"Cait," He smiled as she accepted a glass of water from the butler. "This is a surprise, but a good one. I'm sorry about what this must mean, but I'm glad to see you took me up on my offer for help."

Cait exhaled, holding onto the strap of her saddle bag. Though she had been asked to take out her padawan braid, she had weaved her hair into a large side braid that fell over her shoulder. She couldn't quite abandon the style yet. "I'm sorry I didn't message or call."

"I'm not offended." He smiled. "Did you believe that my words were empty?"

She frowned, her lip quivering. "I didn't know. I don't really have anywhere else to go, I didn't even call my parents."

"Let me be your host, then. Did you request a snack? Let's get food and get you situated." He moved forward, coming to her side without crowding her. "May I take your bag?"

Cait nodded, slinging it off her shoulder. She passed it his way, pulling up her sleeve as it shifted slightly with the strap. "I'm sorry. I don't want to overstay my welcome."

"Cait, you've only just arrived, and if you leave before I've set you on your feet, I'll be deeply offended. Please, make yourself at home."

He gestured to his butler. "Adamo, show Ms. Sellin to the second floor, allow her to choose a bedroom."

"This way, miss," he said, motioning to the door. Cait watched the scene and nodded, smoothing out her braid. She thanked Dooku, and followed Adamo upstairs. He and the trio of maids who immediately joined them made sure she had everything she needed, and much she didn't even consider. Dooku would make sure she was so comfortable and felt so safe that there were no regrets at all.

---

It had been three weeks since Cait's arrival on Serenno, and two since Dooku had helped her lease an apartment of her own. Tonight would be only the fourth time she made her way to his estate, and Dooku had made sure the dinner was to Cait's liking. He didn't have as many opportunities to speak with her as he would like, and given that he was trying to turn her, he needed time to shape her thoughts. This dinner highlighted several of her favorites. When she arrived, he stood with waitstaff who carried trays of wine glasses. He beamed. "Cait, lovely to see you."

She had dressed up for their dinner, just as she had for the other three visits. The Order had not given her the means for that. He had. And she looked happier for her time on the planet. The dark circles were gone from under her eyes, and it wasn't just makeup. Her hair and skin were healthier, the shimmer back in both. He had brought her here to manipulate her, but that didn't mean he wasn't happy she was away from the trauma.

"And you." She smiled, shaking his hand with both of her own. "Thank you for having me."

"Of course, Cait. My pleasure. Do come in." He nodded. "Did I not tell you Marahi was an excellent dressmaker?"

Cait smiled wider. "Thank you for leading me to his shop. Thank you for helping me find my way here. I know I keep saying it, but I really appreciate it."

"Appreciation is never lost on me." He smiled. "Tell me, is your apartment still comfortable? No problems?"

"No problems." She followed inside as he gestured to the sitting room. "Are you positive it wouldn't help for me to work before the end of second quarter?" She'd quickly learned Serenno's high standards. She couldn't take her licensure exam without also taking a certification class. The Count had been working to establish her in a school for the second half of the year, but she felt guilty taking so much from him.

"Very unnecessary. If you wish, I certainly won't stop you. I'd write a recommendation, but you deserve a break."

She sighed, taking a seat and smiling. She did that more and more lately. "Thank you."

"Better to wait, like we agreed." He nodded. "Are you satisfied with everything? Do you need more money for anything I have forgotten?"

"You give me more than enough." She smiled at a servant who handed her a glass of white wine. "Thank you."

"Tell me how you like it," Dooku said, nodding at the wine. "I know there were few opportunities to partake before."

She took a drink, pushing a loose bang from her braid behind her ear. "It's very good." She'd had liquor before, but it had mostly been liquor, not wine.

"Shall I bring a bottle?" The servant asked.

"When Adamo takes Ms. Sellin home," Dooku said. He turned back to her. "We have also set up a guest room in case you would rather stay in the night."

"If it gets late, I would love to stay." His house's beds and pillows were the best she had ever slept on.

"Excellent," he beamed. "Now, are you hungry, or would you rather wait on dinner?"

"I am." She stood as he did, and followed to the dining room as the servant refilled her wine glass.

"I believe I remember you like Beef Carpaccio from I had it that first week?" Dooku smiled, he hadn't discovered how much he had liked beef until he left the temple. He had tried it before, but the true delicacy of fine spices and cow meat still made his mouth water. "Enjoying the weather?"

"It's different from Coruscant. Different more consistently, I suppose." Everything was cleaner here, less artificial. No pure oxygen pumped to disturb ozone. Just clear air.

"I happen to agree. You should absolutely see the view from the Bassalt Mountain Range in the south."

"I would like to." He gave so many recommendations, she wondered when she would have time to do it all. She supposed Serenno was her new home. There would be time.

He exhaled, leaning back comfortably in his chair. "Have you had time to make any new friends?"

"Not really. It's fine, I'm not upset about it. I'm sure I will once I'm at the school." She hadn't been in touch very much with her old friends, either.

"You know, I had been speaking with the principal of Huug Tusca Academy, and she told me that they were ready to accept your application only pending the completion of your certification." He smiled. "And I have other information you may be interested in hearing." He sipped his wine.

That alone surprised her. So quickly? It was strange, if positive, to hear that someone was so impressed by her. Her eyes widened, and she took another drink of wine, nodding. "Yes?"

"Yes," he nodded, glad to see her so happy. "They've told me they will assign you to a loop with the seven to nine year olds." He smiled. "And you'll have a partner teacher. He had been there for the last two years."

"Oh!" The seven to nine year olds. That would be wonderful. A little bit older meant more time with younglings of a different development stage. And a partner teacher. "What is his name?"

"Jase Chalal." Dooku informed her from memory. "He is supposed to be very sweet with them." He nodded down at his com. "I have his contact information. Perhaps it would be helpful if you two met earlier. Then you wouldn't be so reliant on an old man showing you the trendy shopping and restaurants for twenty-somethings."

She laughed, shaking her head. "You've been so helpful. But it would be nice to know other people here. I would love his number."

He recited it and nodded for his butler who had been waiting for a moment. "Sir. A call from Chancellor Palpatine."

Dooku turned, keeping his frown down for Cait's sake. The young woman's eyes had shifted from her own surprise. "Excuse me, Cait."

She smiled. "Of course."

He took a drink, and then took the datapad, activating the call and video once in his private study. "Chancellor. I have a guest for dinner."

"I won't keep you for very long. I just wanted to call to check in on Cait Sellin. I believe she arrived on planet a few weeks ago."

"She's doing very well. I have my eye on her, as you commanded."

"Your eye, and yet I hadn't heard of it from you. Another friend told me."

Dooku cleared his throat. "I wanted news before I called you. She's settling down here. I am sorry."

"Don't disappoint me again." Palpatine said. "I hope you are helping her settle to the best of your abilities."

"Would you like a word with her to ask if she's comfortable? I can ask her if she'd like to speak with you."

"Oh no. I won't interrupt you from your guest. I intend to call her within the week."

Dooku smiled, though inside, he fumed. "I'm sure you have her comm number, master, but let me know if I can help you reach her."

"I'll be sure to. Enjoy your evening." Palpatine ended the call

Dooku rolled his eyes, taking a deep breath before waving Adamo over and passing him the datapad. He smiled, returning to the table. Cait had waited for him. "Is the Chancellor all right?"

"He is." Dooku smiled warmly though He was still tense inside. "He asked if I had seen you." He chuckled. "Of course I told him I had."

She smiled. "I sent my partner teacher a message. I wasn't sure if he knew I would be coming. I may have been overly formal."

Dooku smiled, pushing himself to forget what had just happened with his master. "And had he responded?"

"No, not yet." She had put her comm away. She knew enough to know that keeping it out would be rude.

"How is the carpaccio tonight?"

"Wonderful, thank you." He could see she was almost finished with the appetizer.

Dooku watched her for a moment. "I'm not sure if you had had a chance to consider my offer of further training."

Cait swallowed, looking up. He had made it clear from her first arrival that this was all no-strings-attached, but she still worried he would take it away. "I don't think I'm ready for that."

"It may take time. We knew that from the start." He smiled, nodding. "Most important is for you to be comfortable."

She nodded, trying to keep too much relief from showing. "Thank you."

"Of course." He shook his head. "Don't fear offending me, Cait. You would have to fight to do so."

She considered saying she wasn't afraid, considered a lot of things in an attempt to make him more comfortable. She swallowed instead. "It may take time."

"Time we have." He smiled. "Adamo, would you tell them to bring in the next course?"

Cait smiled at him, and he smiled back. He was happy, he reminded himself. It mattered little why he was helping her. He would never do what the Order had done, what the Order had allowed to be done. He felt no guilt in wanting to restart her training in a healthier atmosphere. And in time, they would eliminate Palpatine together. She would come around to training, he was sure of it.

She was here. Not on Coruscant, here, whether she came to accept training or not, and there was little that Palpatine could do to poach her. And she smiled, and she looked well. No more fear, no more steeled tension. He would preserve that for as long as possible.