Obi-Wan woke slowly and found himself in a comfortable state, the most rested and relaxed he had been in a long time. He reached around, felt for the edges of the sleeping bag and was mildly surprised when things were different. He noticed the fabric was softer than the heavy, coarse material of the bag he had spent a week in. The scent was sweet and vaguely floral. He stretched and yawned, then realized where he was. Sabé had closed the door to her small living room so he wouldn't be disturbed too early.
The memory of the night's events brought a smile to his face. When he opened his eyes, the sun was shining, though much of the harsh light was blocked by a window shade.
//Good Morning!// he received, as he wiped the sleep from his eyes. //Breakfast is ready if you'd like to join us.//
//Be there in a moment,// he replied.
He pulled on his boots, put his over tunic back on, and went to the front of the apartment. Sabé and Meira were seated at a very small table, with an extra chair pushed on one side to provide his seat. Meira caught sight of Obi-Wan and squealed with delight. Raising the spoon from her cereal to wave it at him, she called out, "Hi Jeddi!"
He grinned warmly at the baby. "She's feeling better, then?"
"Oh yes," Sabé confirmed. "A little healing, a couple of doses of herbs, some sleep, and now she's just fine." She turned to Meira. "Eat your breakfast, Sweetie," she admonished. The child complied, continuing to get almost as much of the warm beige farina on the outside as on the inside.
When Obi-Wan sat, Sabé reached to a tray table on her side to get the plate she had prepared for him. "I'm sorry we're a little crowded. There's usually just the two of us.". She placed the meal of warm bread, honey, butter, cream cheese and sliced fruit in front of him, then turned again to retrieve a pitcher of hot tea that went next to the food. "I hope this will do, I wasn't sure what you'd like," she said, a bit nervously.
"It's just fine, thanks," he responded as he applied the butter, then the honey to the soft roll. He raised an eyebrow when he noticed Sabé wasn't eating. "You're skipping it today?" He tried to sound as casual as possible, hoping he wasn't depriving her of her food, since he had arrived unexpectedly.
She saw his concern, and reassured him. "I had mine early. I try to grab something before she gets up, if I can." Satisfied with the explanation, he began to eat.
Meira had eaten all that she cared to, so Sabé took a damp cloth and began cleaning her up. As she was attended to, she started chattering at Obi-Wan in a very serious tone. It wasn't coherent to adult ears, but it was apparent that she felt she was conveying some important message.
Sabé raised an eyebrow as she watched the child's behavior. "You know, it's amazing....but it could just be a coincidence...."
"What do you mean?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Well, her manner...she was never given to too many tantrums, just the normal things one would expect of her age, but the day you left, she started having fits for no apparent reason. Now that you're back, she's her old self again. Do you think she senses a bond between you somehow and that's what upset her when you left?"
The Jedi shook his head. "I'm not really the one to ask, early childhood is not my field. I suppose it's possible. Shall I try to reach her?"
Sabé nodded and Obi-Wan began his attempt to sense Meira's feelings. He used the Force to touch the little girl's mind. He felt the child's impressions. When she looked at Sabé, there was love, security, and warmth all at once. Her bond with her mother was strong. For the first time, Obi-Wan was glad that she had that bond instead of going to the Temple. He knew now how important it was to both of them.
He sought out her attitude towards him. There was curiosity, attraction, a desire to have him stay that she didn't understand. A tendril of the Force reached out from her to him, as if to begin a bond. He sensed it, and decided to meet it with one of his own. They touched, just briefly. The child suddenly drew back, with a start. "No!" she shouted, then began crying.
Obi-Wan felt terrible as Sabé comforted Meira. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what went wrong."
"Don't worry," Sabé said. " She didn't know what to do about forming a bond. I'm the only one she's ever felt in that way, and you're still new. It'll be all right. We've just got to work on it. It's perfectly natural for her."
He tried not to worry, but it was clear that he was quite upset.
Sabé turned her comfort to him. "Please don't let it concern you. With time and training, this can be overcome. She's still young enough to learn."
Obi-Wan looked at Sabé strangely. "How can you be so sure? Even those in the Temple wouldn't have that kind of confidence."
She smiled mysteriously. "When I get her calmed down, I have something to show you."
Sabé carried the child to her playpen. Meira found her Qui-Gon doll and held it as she began humming a tune to herself. Something about it nagged at Obi-Wan's memory, but he could not get a grasp on why it seemed so familiar.
"That tune she's humming...what is it, Sabé?"
The young woman shrugged. "I don't know. It's not one of our traditional Naboo lullabies." She motioned toward the screen on the desk. "She'll be all right like that for now. Sit down, Obi-Wan. This may come as a shock to you."
Sabé punched in a code, and suddenly Qui-Gon's image filled the vidscreen. Jinn was younger than Obi-Wan had ever remembered seeing him. He was excited as well, his voice full of hope and optimism.
"I don't believe it! In all my travels, I've finally found some information that may be of use. In much earlier times, there were Force users who learned of their gifts late in life and still successfully served for the greater good. In our temple now, we are taught that only the first six months of a child's life are suitable for recruitment into the Jedi. Ever since..." Qui-Gon bit his lip as if fighting a painful memory. "...well, never mind that. Perhaps I can get him back. And perhaps we can discover more gifted beings to help us in our missions of knowledge and defense. When I tell the Council, they are sure to be pleased with this evidence. End of entry."
Obi-Wan leaned back in his chair. He stared at Sabé, with hurt and dissapointment in his eyes.
"You've still been hiding things from me! Where did you get this, and why haven't I seen it before?"
"Your Master left it in the R2 droid to be given to me if he didn't survive the battle. The instructions that came with his logs and texts indicated that I was not to tell you until the time was right. My instincts tell me that this is the right time," she explained.
"Why wouldn't he leave it to me, or to his first Padawan, Master Siona?"
"Think of what he went through, Obi-Wan. He had been at odds with the Council for quite some time. It's apparent that some of his discoveries and the theories that came from that information were not approved by the Temple. Should this information surface where the Temple officials could find it, it's probable that it would have been suppressed, if not destroyed. He needed to know that his work would be preserved, and I have done my best to be worthy of his trust since the day I got the data. It was no insult to you. I believe he would have shared this with you once you became Knighted. He just didn't get the chance. And he knew before the end that he would be leaving you with a great burden as it was. Now, I have the means to help you. We can share what he found to raise Anakin and Meira. Please keep this secret. I feel it is very important to have this hidden here, but perhaps you can find a way to slowly integrate it into present day conventional methods so that it doesn't draw undue attention as some new radical technique."
Obi-Wan sighed and nodded in agreement. "And who was it he wanted to get back? Is it who I think it was?"
Sabé reached out and touched Obi-Wan's hand. "Yes-it was Xanatos." The statement hung in the air.
Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "So, what else do you have in there?"
"Just about everything he ever studied or wrote. The logs of his personal activities go into great detail. I've learned much about training from reading selected entries concerning how your master guided each of his padawans." Sabé looked over at Obi-Wan to see how he would react to that.
It took a moment, but when he realized what she was leading to, he bit his lip and felt his face burn as his discomfort became more acute.
"That means you know more about me and how I grew up than anyone else, even Master Yoda. I'm not proud of everything I did as a child..."
She smiled to reassure him. "I didn't examine the entries relating to your personal life that closely. For one thing, I respect your privacy, and it was also...painful...to think about you for a short time after you left. I'll give you the opportunity to edit the entries relating to your experience. I only ask that you preserve the information that would be valuable to overall knowledge of Jedi lifestyle."
"Fair enough," Obi-Wan nodded. "Now let's see what other surprises Qui-Gon has in store."
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"Obi-Wan?"
The Jedi shook his head as he looked up from his studies. "Huh? I beg your pardon. What is it, Sabé?"
"I was wondering what you would like to have for lunch. I can go down the street and get something if you'll let Meira stay like that."
Only then did he feel the weight in his lap. To his astonishment, the little girl had settled in and curled up, facing him, snoozing and holding the Qui-Gon doll.
"When did she do that?"
Sabé paused as she slipped on her coat. "She's been like that for a half hour or so. I took her out of the playpen while you were studying. She played around for awhile, then crept up on your lap. I thought you noticed. You even cuddled her a bit." The mother grinned with pride at her child's accomplishment. "I bet she did a mind trick on you so you'd let her on without a problem."
Obi-Wan rubbed his temples. "I know I was absorbed in reading, but I didn't think I was so deeply occupied. Yes, I'll watch her. As for lunch, just some of what you'd be having. Whatever's in season this time of year."
Sabé nodded thoughtfully. "I know what I'll get. Be back soon," she replied as she left.
He sighed, then turned his attention to Meira. Her soft auburn curls and velvet green dress contrasted with rough texture and drab color of his uniform. He brushed a finger against her cheek and wondered if he or Sabé had seemed so gentle and vulnerable at that age. She stirred from her nap, slowly opening a sleepy eye.
The tune that she had used to comfort herself earlier came back into his head. He started humming it, and could almost hear how the rest of it should go, but his recollection wasn't complete. Meira joined him, and at times was ahead of him. As he struggled with extracting the memory, she would seem to prompt him, guiding him on the correct path.
She turned over and looked at the vidscreen. Where he had paused, the frozen image of Qui-Gon remained in view. When the child saw it, she smiled with contentment.
"Big Jeddi," she said, pointing at the screen. She faced Obi-Wan and looked at him expectantly.
Obi-Wan gave her a sad smile. Indicating the same image, he said, simply, "Qui-Gon."
She sat up and looked at the Jedi Master's picture, confusion on her baby features.
"Kwi-Ga?" she asked.
"Yes, that's very good. My master would have enjoyed your company. I remember when we would have duty in the nursery. I didn't feel comfortable there, not at first. But he always knew what to do." Obi-Wan allowed himself to drift back to the past. He recalled what it was like there, and how the youngest children saw the large man as their hero and protector. "If a youngster was having a bad dream, Master Jinn could lull the disturbed child back to sleep with reassurance and a lullaby..."
The events of the present and the past suddenly merged. The tune came from an ancient manuscript that contained notes on the benefits of a certain series of tones. Scholars discovered that if one focused on the music, it helped to induce a state of calm. It became a favorite in advanced meditation classes, and Jedi were taught to apply this technique in times of stress. Obi-Wan had forgotten all about it.
"No," he said to himself. "That can't be!" He peered into the far corners of the room, hoping for a glimpse of Qui-Gon in his spirit form. "But no one else on Naboo knows it. It must be you. Master, I do hope you're not haunting my child."
Silence
He continued, breaking into a smile. "But if you are, I know she couldn't have a better teacher in this stage of her life. Thank you for caring for her. I'll do my best to continue what you have started, with her and Anakin. Now please, don't frighten her."
He felt a small wave of Qui-Gon's approval through the Force. It wasn't a strong sending, like those he had sensed when his master was alive, but it got through the gulf that separated them.
A warm giggle erupted from Meira.
"Did you feel it too?" the father asked, picking up the girl and holding her face to face. She continued laughing and hugged him tightly.
Before he could consider any more about what he had just learned, Sabé opened the door. The large sack she carried emitted such an enticing smell, he began to feel pangs of hunger. It had been a long time since breakfast.
Sabé glanced over at Obi-Wan and Meira on her way to the kitchen.
"Oh good, she's awake. I'll get your share ready first. Start on it while it's still warm. I need a minute to put her apron on, then we'll join you."
The Jedi got up and carried the girl to the kitchen entrance. "That aroma is quite appetizing. What did you bring?"
"Special treat today. I usually eat more sensibly, but I'll work it off during class this afternoon." As she spoke, Sabé unwrapped a large sandwich. Small golden fried Opee Shrimp spilled from a large pile between two halves of crispy bread.
"'Ché 'rick," Meira prompted.
"What?" Obi-Wan wondered.
The young woman snickered. "She wants me to do the trick 'Auntie Saché' did when I bought her this for babysitting the last time she was here. It took some practice, but I finally mastered it. Alright, look here, Sweetie!"
Sabé selected one of the plump morsels that had fallen free of the tasty mass, tossed it in the air, and caught it in her open mouth. Meira applauded the stunt. Obi-Wan couldn't help but laugh at how silly it looked.
Picking up another shrimp, Sabé popped it into Meira's mouth. The little girl rolled her eyes, and made sounds of satisfaction.
"More when you put your apron on. We don't want your pretty dress to get dirty, " Sabé said.
"May I offer my assistance?" Obi-Wan held the little girl while Sabé got the apron on, despite her wriggling.
When the adults had finished the job, Sabé stood back, folded her arms and gave Obi-Wan and Meira an appraising glance. It was an image that she had never even dared to hope for, that of the young Jedi and his daughter together, at peace and in each other's company. She liked what she saw and beamed her approval. "Very good! Now here's your reward." As she spoke, she selected the largest of the loose shrimp and held it in front of Obi-Wan's mouth.
He leaned forward, baring his teeth just a bit and took the shrimp from her grasp. She allowed her fingers to drift over his lips for the briefest moment. Their eyes met, his of blue-green locked in a gaze with hers of brown. Sabé caught her breath sharply as the old familiar spark flashed between them, then she drew back.
"Um, yes, well...I have some soup here too. Take her with you, and put her in the chair please, Obi-Wan. I'll get the food in proper dishes, and be right out to serve it."
She saw his face cloud over, perhaps with regret, but he changed his mood quickly and left the kitchen to do as she had asked.
"Is this how it's always going to be with us?" she whispered to herself as she prepared the meal.
By the time she had the tray ready, she had regained her composure. She entered the dining area, and placed the plate with the halved sandwich and a bowl of rich, thick soup in front of Obi-Wan.
"Learn anything new?" she asked, as she sat down. She gave Meira a plate of finger food, and she took a bite of her sandwich.
"Oh yes," he answered, seeming relieved with the topic. "I hope you don't mind, but I've taken the liberty of making some copies already."
Sabé shook her head. "Of course not. I want you and Ani to succeed. By the way, have you ever talked to him about the duties of the Chosen One? What exactly is he supposed to do?"
Obi-Wan frowned. "That's the part that troubles me. The Council is very stubborn about releasing information concerning that prophecy. I don't wish to go against them unless it's unavoidable, but I don't see how I can prepare him for his future without their help."
Sabé raised an eyebrow. "I must say, I share Master Jinn's skepticism of the Council's intentions. I think they may be afraid of what bringing balance to The Force could do to them."
His first impulse was to bristle at her statement. He was appalled that someone outside the Temple question their ways. Before he said anything, he remembered her intelligence and her dedication to the studies over the last two years. Anyone that his master trusted with the treasures of his life's work deserved to be heard.
Obi-Wan took a sip from the soup. "So, you have an opinion about the balance of the Force?"
She blushed. "I'm sorry. I'm sure that sounded presumptous. I did wonder if the theory I'm thinking of has been discussed before."
"I don't know, but don't worry about sharing any of your thoughts with me."
She turned an even deeper shade of red. Meira hooted with amusement.
"Anyway, I was coming across these facts and trying to decide what to make of them. There's ten thousand Jedi now, right?"
He nodded. "More or less, but that's a good even estimate."
"Did you know there used to be many more? Even ten thousand Jedi is a small force when they have to be stretched to cover the whole galaxy. This is a sign to me that the Force *is* preparing to balance itself. As to how it will do that...well, I've considered a a couple of different ways, either of which could work. One would be more pleasant than the other."
Obi-Wan knitted his brow. "You've given it quite a lot of thought. What did you come up with?"
Sabé bit her lip. "Well..." Before she could go on, her comlink buzzed.
"Oh bother! Excuse me..," She activated the device.
A curt female voice spoke. "Minister, your presence is required in court. The Queen and Governor Bibble have some matters to cover with training."
"Thank you. Please tell them I'll be there shortly." She cut the communication.
"No! Mommy stay!" Meira declared. The girl banged her small fist on her high chair's tray.
"Sweetie, Mommy can't. Please, be good. Finish your lunch and I'll take you to day care." Sabé sighed, then turned back to Obi-Wan. "Hold that thought. This is not a topic that can be discussed hurriedly. Besides, maybe I should study further before I speak. It's an important issue."
"Whenever you're ready," he said.
He turned to Meira. "Tell you what, be nice and go with Mommy and I'll have a present for you tonight. How does that sound?" The girl smiled at him.
"Oh...tonight! It's sabacc night with the handmaidens and the Queen. I can probably get out of it if you need me, but this may be a good opportunity for you to study. You're welcome to stay here, or you can return to the room the Queen has prepared for you. Meira and I usually sleep over on sabacc night so I don't have to worry about waking her up to go home. We play late."
Obi-Wan shook his head. "Don't worry about changing your plans. I'll be fine. I have an idea. Why don't I come to the Palace and keep Meira while you play with the ladies? She and I are just getting to know one another, and I'd like to continue with that."
Sabé looked at him with a mixture of skepticism and amusement. "Are you sure you're up for an entire evening with her?"
"Of course," he said,with confidence. "we did just fine while you were out, didn't we, young lady?" Meira answered the question with a half-turned head and sweet expression.
Sabé averted her face so Obi-Wan wasn't sure what her reaction was to that. When she turned back, she had a gleam in her eyes. "No problem. Meet us at the Palace at 7."