Chapter 4
"Now that you two have met, I suggest that you better aquaint yourselves with one another. Then we will see what the future holds." Mace Windu said as Brady and Chloe bowed before them, Chloe's head still hung low as she followed her new Master out of the Council chambers. As the two walked silently down the long corridor, Brady became increasingly agitated. Stopping shortly, he turned around as the young Padawan bumped into his broad chest. Finally lifting her head, her fiery blue eyes met his own. She gazed over his chiseled physique before her determined eyes rested once more on his, as her arms slowly folded across her chest. Taking a step back, Brady looked over the defiant girl before he willed himself to talk.
"Listen kid, I'm not happy about this situation either. But the council bestowed it upon me, so I'm going to make the best of it. And so will you." He said sternly.
"I'm not a kid!" Chloe huffed, raising her shoulders.
"Whatever you say. But from up here," he said pausing to stare down at her, "that's exactly what you are. So, you'd do well to listen to me."
"I'm not a slave you know." She said bringing her hands down to rest on her hips. "I have my own mind."
"And from what I hear, that's exactly why we're both stuck in this situation in the first place!"
"You have some nerve speaking to me like this!"
"And you have some nerve speaking to your Master like this. Now if you could just get your head on straight, we can fly through this as fast as possible."
"Well I never- -"
"Well maybe that's your problem kid!"
"You are impossible!" Chloe groaned, throwing her hands up in the air. "I honestly do not know what the Council was thinking. This is a match made in hell!"
"I couldn't agree more kid. I tried to explain to the Council, but they are someone you don't argue with. They deserve all of our respect, so we follow their orders." Brady explained.
"Well, I tried arguing with them and it did no good."
"Why am I not surprised kid." Brady mumbled.
'And stop calling me kid!" Chloe screeched as she stormed past him, preparing to leave him alone in the hallway, but he quickly reached out and grabbed her arm, both ignoring the electric shock they felt when he took hold. "Why is everybody grabbing me today?" She asked under her breath as Brady spun her around.
"Listen to me, my very young Padawan learner," Brady began, "If you ever want to even think about taking the Trials I suggest you show me some respect. Because until that day, we are stuck with one another."
"Maybe if you actually showed me some respect." She said softly so that he would not hear, before continuing, "Honestly? By the looks of you, there is nothing more that you could teach me. Because you are certainly not showing me the one thing I need to know. How to control my emotions!" Chloe hissed.
"Fine!" Brady said dropping her arm. "You go your way then and I'll go mine. See how well you fare then. I'm the best Master you'll never have. So, good luck taking those trials!" Brady said angrily. Never in all of his 26 years had someone rattles his feelings so.
"You know something Master?" Chloe spat out. "That is the first smart thing to have come out of your mouth this entire conversation." She said turning on her heels and storming down the hallway.
"Great." Brady said as he leaned his head against the wall. "Now how am I going to tell the council?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Master Kenobi, can I speak with you?" Chloe asked as she barged through the doors of one of the meditation rooms where Anakin and Obi-Wan were now occupied. Surprised at the intrusion, they both looked up, their expressions masked.
"Chloe!" Obi-Wan said standing to greet her. "I would be more than happy to speak with you. But as you can see at the moment I am busy with my Padawan." He said nodding towards a now standing Anakin.
"It's not a problem Master." Anakin said all too quickly as he made his way towards the door. "I will just go get something to eat and meet with you later." He said leaving the room as the door closed behind him, leaving Chloe and Obi-Wan all alone.
"Well, come sit Chloe." Obi-Wan said as he made his way to one of the circular meditation pads, sitting down swiftly as Chloe followed, settling herself onto the same chair. "I take it you met your new Master." Obi-Wan said as he watched Chloe situate herself, her long cloak billowing across her crossed legs.
"He has to be the most arrogant, rude, and annoying man I have ever met in my life." Chloe said exasperated as she moved one of her legs, accidentally brushing it up against one of Obi-Wan's folded ones.
"Well, I have heard that Master Black can be rather, um, abrasive."
"You're putting it lightly. Have you ever been alone in the same room with the man? He is enough to drive you insane!" She said placing her head in her hands before slowly lifting it up to look into Obi-Wan's eyes. "Isn't there anything we can do? To rectify this situation? Because the way things are going right now, I will never make the Trials and instead be a lifelong Padawan."
"Don't say that Chloe. You will take the Trials. And you will be one of the greatest Jedi's of all time. I know." He said smiling.
"Oh, so you can see the future now, Master Obi-Wan Kenobi?" Chloe said smiling back, happy for the change of tone in the conversation.
"I can foresee some things." He said slyly.
"Well can you foresee a change in my situation anytime soon?" Chloe said, her smile fading.
"I wish I could say that I could Chloe. I wish that I could go to the Council, tell them how it's going to be and that they will just have to accept it. But you know I can't. We have to listen to the council. Trust their judgement because eventually it is all for the best."
"That sounds like what I had said to Anakin."
"Well great minds think alike."
"And it also sounds like what my arrogant Master told me." She said groaning.
"Well then perhaps you should trust that Chloe." He said studding her face, her emotions conflicted as she thought, her teeth worrying her bottom lip, a habit that Obi-Wan found more attractive than any in the world, as she pondered what he had just said.
"Why do you always have to be so smart?" Chloe said smacking him lightly.
"Wisdom comes with age Chloe. But you yourself are wise beyond your years." He said complimenting her as a soft blush came across her cheeks.
"Thank you." She said sincerely. "And since you are so wise, do you think you could find a way for Anakin and I to switch Masters? The two cocky men can go be together. While we, the wise ones, will excel beyond anyone's expectations." She said smiling.
"Oh if only it were that easy." He said shaking his head. "And from your comments right there Chloe, you are sounding a bit arrogant yourself."
"I am just reiterating what you have said of me." She said smiling. "I find no arrogance in that. Besides, you are not disagreeing with my comment about your wisdom."
"Well I try not to argue with the truth." He said trying to keep a straight face, but in no way succeeding as they both broke out into fits of laughter.
"You're too much." She said as they began to calm down. "But honestly, I wish things were different."
"As do I." He said starring at her. "Despite your hot head and short temper," he began as she gave him an indignant look "You are by far the most accomplished, poised, intelligent, spectacular young woman I have ever had the pleasure of meeting." Obi-Wan said, his face becoming flushed.
"Ben," Chloe whispered softly. "I-"
"Sorry, I got carried away. It must be the stress of the day. Of the past few weeks actually. Sometimes my mouth speaks without my brain thinking." He said diverting his eyes.
"Thank you." She said reaching out and lifting his face to meet hers. "The way you speak to me? No one in my entire life has. Ben, it makes me feel - - well it definitely makes me wish this situation were totally different." She said chuckling softly as his eyes gazed upon her. "If only my new Master could see what you do. Then perhaps we could begin to get along."
"I don't know how he couldn't." He said thoughtfully. "It's apparent to me. To us all Chloe." He said becoming flushed once more. "Chloe, I, well, I pray that everything works out. Because you mean more to me than you will ever know." Ben whispered, leaning his face in towards Chloe as she did the same.
"Ben." She whispered softly as her eyes met his, her soft tongue peeking out to moisten her lips.
"Ahem!" A voice cleared from the doorway as Obi-Wan and Chloe jumped apart. "Am I interrupting something?" Brady asked as they couple stood to face him, their heads ducked as Chloe fixed her cloak and Obi-Wan shuffled his feet back and forth. Finally he raised his head to speak to the other Jedi Master.
"Oh nothing at all Master Black. Chloe and I were just discussing her, your, current situation. Just some friendly advice." He said as he back further away from Chloe and closer to the door.
"I see. Well thank you Master Kenobi for looking after my Padawan. Now if you will excuse us, she and I have much to discuss." Brady said as he stepped forward, allowing Obi-Wan to move past him quickly, shutting the door behind him, as Chloe finally lifted her head to meet her Master, unsure of what was to come.
"Now that you two have met, I suggest that you better aquaint yourselves with one another. Then we will see what the future holds." Mace Windu said as Brady and Chloe bowed before them, Chloe's head still hung low as she followed her new Master out of the Council chambers. As the two walked silently down the long corridor, Brady became increasingly agitated. Stopping shortly, he turned around as the young Padawan bumped into his broad chest. Finally lifting her head, her fiery blue eyes met his own. She gazed over his chiseled physique before her determined eyes rested once more on his, as her arms slowly folded across her chest. Taking a step back, Brady looked over the defiant girl before he willed himself to talk.
"Listen kid, I'm not happy about this situation either. But the council bestowed it upon me, so I'm going to make the best of it. And so will you." He said sternly.
"I'm not a kid!" Chloe huffed, raising her shoulders.
"Whatever you say. But from up here," he said pausing to stare down at her, "that's exactly what you are. So, you'd do well to listen to me."
"I'm not a slave you know." She said bringing her hands down to rest on her hips. "I have my own mind."
"And from what I hear, that's exactly why we're both stuck in this situation in the first place!"
"You have some nerve speaking to me like this!"
"And you have some nerve speaking to your Master like this. Now if you could just get your head on straight, we can fly through this as fast as possible."
"Well I never- -"
"Well maybe that's your problem kid!"
"You are impossible!" Chloe groaned, throwing her hands up in the air. "I honestly do not know what the Council was thinking. This is a match made in hell!"
"I couldn't agree more kid. I tried to explain to the Council, but they are someone you don't argue with. They deserve all of our respect, so we follow their orders." Brady explained.
"Well, I tried arguing with them and it did no good."
"Why am I not surprised kid." Brady mumbled.
'And stop calling me kid!" Chloe screeched as she stormed past him, preparing to leave him alone in the hallway, but he quickly reached out and grabbed her arm, both ignoring the electric shock they felt when he took hold. "Why is everybody grabbing me today?" She asked under her breath as Brady spun her around.
"Listen to me, my very young Padawan learner," Brady began, "If you ever want to even think about taking the Trials I suggest you show me some respect. Because until that day, we are stuck with one another."
"Maybe if you actually showed me some respect." She said softly so that he would not hear, before continuing, "Honestly? By the looks of you, there is nothing more that you could teach me. Because you are certainly not showing me the one thing I need to know. How to control my emotions!" Chloe hissed.
"Fine!" Brady said dropping her arm. "You go your way then and I'll go mine. See how well you fare then. I'm the best Master you'll never have. So, good luck taking those trials!" Brady said angrily. Never in all of his 26 years had someone rattles his feelings so.
"You know something Master?" Chloe spat out. "That is the first smart thing to have come out of your mouth this entire conversation." She said turning on her heels and storming down the hallway.
"Great." Brady said as he leaned his head against the wall. "Now how am I going to tell the council?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Master Kenobi, can I speak with you?" Chloe asked as she barged through the doors of one of the meditation rooms where Anakin and Obi-Wan were now occupied. Surprised at the intrusion, they both looked up, their expressions masked.
"Chloe!" Obi-Wan said standing to greet her. "I would be more than happy to speak with you. But as you can see at the moment I am busy with my Padawan." He said nodding towards a now standing Anakin.
"It's not a problem Master." Anakin said all too quickly as he made his way towards the door. "I will just go get something to eat and meet with you later." He said leaving the room as the door closed behind him, leaving Chloe and Obi-Wan all alone.
"Well, come sit Chloe." Obi-Wan said as he made his way to one of the circular meditation pads, sitting down swiftly as Chloe followed, settling herself onto the same chair. "I take it you met your new Master." Obi-Wan said as he watched Chloe situate herself, her long cloak billowing across her crossed legs.
"He has to be the most arrogant, rude, and annoying man I have ever met in my life." Chloe said exasperated as she moved one of her legs, accidentally brushing it up against one of Obi-Wan's folded ones.
"Well, I have heard that Master Black can be rather, um, abrasive."
"You're putting it lightly. Have you ever been alone in the same room with the man? He is enough to drive you insane!" She said placing her head in her hands before slowly lifting it up to look into Obi-Wan's eyes. "Isn't there anything we can do? To rectify this situation? Because the way things are going right now, I will never make the Trials and instead be a lifelong Padawan."
"Don't say that Chloe. You will take the Trials. And you will be one of the greatest Jedi's of all time. I know." He said smiling.
"Oh, so you can see the future now, Master Obi-Wan Kenobi?" Chloe said smiling back, happy for the change of tone in the conversation.
"I can foresee some things." He said slyly.
"Well can you foresee a change in my situation anytime soon?" Chloe said, her smile fading.
"I wish I could say that I could Chloe. I wish that I could go to the Council, tell them how it's going to be and that they will just have to accept it. But you know I can't. We have to listen to the council. Trust their judgement because eventually it is all for the best."
"That sounds like what I had said to Anakin."
"Well great minds think alike."
"And it also sounds like what my arrogant Master told me." She said groaning.
"Well then perhaps you should trust that Chloe." He said studding her face, her emotions conflicted as she thought, her teeth worrying her bottom lip, a habit that Obi-Wan found more attractive than any in the world, as she pondered what he had just said.
"Why do you always have to be so smart?" Chloe said smacking him lightly.
"Wisdom comes with age Chloe. But you yourself are wise beyond your years." He said complimenting her as a soft blush came across her cheeks.
"Thank you." She said sincerely. "And since you are so wise, do you think you could find a way for Anakin and I to switch Masters? The two cocky men can go be together. While we, the wise ones, will excel beyond anyone's expectations." She said smiling.
"Oh if only it were that easy." He said shaking his head. "And from your comments right there Chloe, you are sounding a bit arrogant yourself."
"I am just reiterating what you have said of me." She said smiling. "I find no arrogance in that. Besides, you are not disagreeing with my comment about your wisdom."
"Well I try not to argue with the truth." He said trying to keep a straight face, but in no way succeeding as they both broke out into fits of laughter.
"You're too much." She said as they began to calm down. "But honestly, I wish things were different."
"As do I." He said starring at her. "Despite your hot head and short temper," he began as she gave him an indignant look "You are by far the most accomplished, poised, intelligent, spectacular young woman I have ever had the pleasure of meeting." Obi-Wan said, his face becoming flushed.
"Ben," Chloe whispered softly. "I-"
"Sorry, I got carried away. It must be the stress of the day. Of the past few weeks actually. Sometimes my mouth speaks without my brain thinking." He said diverting his eyes.
"Thank you." She said reaching out and lifting his face to meet hers. "The way you speak to me? No one in my entire life has. Ben, it makes me feel - - well it definitely makes me wish this situation were totally different." She said chuckling softly as his eyes gazed upon her. "If only my new Master could see what you do. Then perhaps we could begin to get along."
"I don't know how he couldn't." He said thoughtfully. "It's apparent to me. To us all Chloe." He said becoming flushed once more. "Chloe, I, well, I pray that everything works out. Because you mean more to me than you will ever know." Ben whispered, leaning his face in towards Chloe as she did the same.
"Ben." She whispered softly as her eyes met his, her soft tongue peeking out to moisten her lips.
"Ahem!" A voice cleared from the doorway as Obi-Wan and Chloe jumped apart. "Am I interrupting something?" Brady asked as they couple stood to face him, their heads ducked as Chloe fixed her cloak and Obi-Wan shuffled his feet back and forth. Finally he raised his head to speak to the other Jedi Master.
"Oh nothing at all Master Black. Chloe and I were just discussing her, your, current situation. Just some friendly advice." He said as he back further away from Chloe and closer to the door.
"I see. Well thank you Master Kenobi for looking after my Padawan. Now if you will excuse us, she and I have much to discuss." Brady said as he stepped forward, allowing Obi-Wan to move past him quickly, shutting the door behind him, as Chloe finally lifted her head to meet her Master, unsure of what was to come.