Chapter 11
"So," Chloe, dressed freshly in her own clothing, said as she burst through the doors of the Jedi's chambers, not even bothering to knock. "I was wondering if you heard the story about this one Padawan learner. Apparently she has a penchant for doing things that she shouldn't and getting into heaps of trouble. Along with that she is known for being so hotheaded that even Wookies quake in her presence. And not to mention her extreme problem with authority. So, have you ever heard that story? In fact I think it is in the Jedi archives and required reading for all Jedi."
"Is this your sorry excuse for an apology?" Jedi Master Brady Black asked from the seat at his desk, his back to both the door and his Padawan.
"Well, I don't think it's so sorry. In fact it took me a good, say five minutes, to come up with it. So, I would use pathetic as the correct adjective." Chloe said smiling lighting, hoping his tone was as teasing as hers.
"Well, in that case. You are forgiven." He said returning once more to the paper before him, placing the quill of his pen down upon it, but the words did not come. "Is that all?" He asked lifting his head, but never turning it.
"Well, since you asked." Chloe said flopping down onto his bed, the cushion sinking silently with her weight, but not silent enough for Brady to imagine what could occur between the two of them on that bed. Shaking his head of the thoughts, he knew that if he turned around at that moment, seeing her on his bed, he wouldn't be able to control himself. "I was wondering perhaps if you had a sorry apology buried somewhere deep inside you."
"I apologized to Padawan Skywalker for attacking him." He replied shortly.
"And?" She asked hopefully as she shifted her weight on his bed, turning to face the back of him. It was the first she had seen him without his Jedi robe and through the thin material of his tan Jedi garb, she could see taught muscles of his back cling to it. Not that she was in anyway admiring him.
"And I am sorry for the misunderstanding that occurred. But as your Master I will not apologize for my reaction, being that I am only looking out for your best interest."
"You're forgiven." Chloe said happily, knowing full well that that was the only apology she would be getting from Master Black that day. He had admitted to her once that he was wrong, but he has also said he never would again. And she knew that that was true. "So, I was thinking, maybe later today we could get something to eat. You know, since we will both be hungry at some point." Chloe asked.
"Are you asking me out on a date?" Brady asked, unable to hide the smile beaming across his face, and beyond glad that she could not see it.
"No!" Chloe protested quickly. "And I am not asking you as a Padawan and Master either. I am asking you in the hope that we could be friends."
"I see." He said, his smile fading. "Chloe, trying to prove a point. As always. What do you think, this plan of yours will make me change my mind?"
"No!" She said, but silently cursing to herself that he had caught on so quickly. "I think that for us to have a tolerable working relationship, we need to work on the friendship aspect of it. And I also think that your life is extremely lacking and that perhaps a friendship could fill the void. And I am hoping that I could help."
"Friends." He spat out bitterly. "You want us to be friends and this is in no part do to my feelings on your other relationships with two certain males."
"No, this is me, asking you, to at least try with me. The one thing I have wanted more than anything in this galaxy is to be a Jedi. And I am not giving that up because of our clashing ideals. So, as a Padawan asking her Master, will you at least, please try." She pleaded with him, somehow trying to will him to turn around, so that he might see the anguish he had been causing.
"Fine." He said shortly, unable to bear the quivering sound of her voice, knowing that if he turned around he would be unable to deny her anything. "I will give this a shot then." He said as he heard her jump from the bed and clasp her hands together.
"This is just, great!" She said smiling broadly, trying to keep herself from running up and hugging the Jedi Master, feeling that he would in no way appreciate that. Perhaps things would be looking up, and finally going her way.
"And we don't have to worry about our 'clashing ideals' on your relationships anymore." He said, still seated at his desk.
"And why is that?" Chloe asked wearily, once more sinking down onto his bed.
"Because I have spoken to the Council." Brady said quickly, silently preparing himself for her onslaught.
"You what?" She screeched, unable to believe what he had just said. And after the understanding she thought they had come to.
"I have spoken with the Council and you will not be seeing Master Kenobi or his apprentice."
"You told them." She said flinging her whole body down onto the bed, unable to bear his words. "You told them what you think happened and now they are forbidding me from seeing them! Are they going to kick us out of the order too? Because they can do that to me, but I will never forgive you if you have risked all that Ani and Obi-Wan have worked for." She said pulling herself up violently, her emotions running rampant through her.
"I did not tell them." He said softly, hopping those simple words would calm her.
"You didn't tell them? You didn't tell them what?" She asked cautiously.
"I did not tell them anything about you, Master Kenobi, or Padawan Skywalker. They had requested an audience with me. They wanted to see how our, partnership was progressing. After telling them that you were in private meditation, and that things were looking up for us, which was true, because there was no lower we could get, the have given me our first assignment." He said finally turning around, his breath hitching as he saw the site of her. He large eyes threatening to spill over with tears, her wrinkled cloak swallowing her as she sat cross legged on his bed. And he knew as he looked at her, that that was where she was supposed to be, right there, with him.
"Our first assignment?" She asked as she gazed in his eyes, feeling a heavy weight lift from her shoulders. "Well, what is it?"
"As this Clone War is escalating, and the members of our order diminishing, the Council feels that our presence, well the presence of all Jedi, would best be served in the capacity that it has always been, maintaining peace in the galaxy. But the terms of what that is have expanded. Although the battle began on Geonosis, it is spreading quickly, and the Senate, along with the Council, feel that Naboo will be the next target. Given the animosity between the Trade Federation and Naboo, it is only a question of when. The Council feels that we should go to Naboo, help lead the clones with their battle plans, but mostly to help protect Queen Jamillia and the Senator, your sister." Brady explained.
"My sister." Chloe said registering everything. "But why wouldn't they go to Anakin? He has protected her in the past, it would only make sense to go to him and Master Obi-Wan once more."
"Because this is your trial Chloe. You need to practice removing yourself from your feelings, do you not? What better way then to put you in charge of your family, you sister, on your home world. The perfect way to test you would be to put you in a situation where you would be tempted to stray. To act rashly. I only wish I had thought of this idea myself."
"You have got to hand it to the Council. They can find oh so many ways to torture you. And only you would find joy in my pain." She said somberly.
"I do not find joy in this my young Padawan. This is a great tragedy, but it will serve you well in the end. I wish nothing upon your family, but it is an excellent choice for the Council to have made."
"So, when do we leave?" Chloe asked, resigning herself not to argue with him further.
"Tomorrow morning, at sunrise. As to not let the Federation know of our intentions, we will be traveling as refugees, so dress accordingly please."
"Yes, Master." She said standing up from his bed, so that they stood before one another, their eyes locked.
"Right." He said clearing his throat as he broke away from her gaze. "So, you better go pack, and say all of your farewells, for who knows how long we will be there." He said as she bowed before him, making a mental note that this was the first time she ever had, and leaving him alone in his room, as he sunk down onto his bed, her fragrance still lingering there as he placed his face down into the comforter. Without Obi-Wan and Anakin as distractions anymore, he was without a doubt, in more trouble than he could ever comprehend.
As the door closed behind her, Chloe could hear Master Black flop down onto his bed, but she paid it no mind as she leaned against the door she couldn't help but smile. "I'm going home." She whispered softly to herself, then made her way out of that section of the Jedi Chambers, preparing for the no doubt, long winded good-byes she had to make to several people. She just hopped there was enough time for them all.
"So," Chloe, dressed freshly in her own clothing, said as she burst through the doors of the Jedi's chambers, not even bothering to knock. "I was wondering if you heard the story about this one Padawan learner. Apparently she has a penchant for doing things that she shouldn't and getting into heaps of trouble. Along with that she is known for being so hotheaded that even Wookies quake in her presence. And not to mention her extreme problem with authority. So, have you ever heard that story? In fact I think it is in the Jedi archives and required reading for all Jedi."
"Is this your sorry excuse for an apology?" Jedi Master Brady Black asked from the seat at his desk, his back to both the door and his Padawan.
"Well, I don't think it's so sorry. In fact it took me a good, say five minutes, to come up with it. So, I would use pathetic as the correct adjective." Chloe said smiling lighting, hoping his tone was as teasing as hers.
"Well, in that case. You are forgiven." He said returning once more to the paper before him, placing the quill of his pen down upon it, but the words did not come. "Is that all?" He asked lifting his head, but never turning it.
"Well, since you asked." Chloe said flopping down onto his bed, the cushion sinking silently with her weight, but not silent enough for Brady to imagine what could occur between the two of them on that bed. Shaking his head of the thoughts, he knew that if he turned around at that moment, seeing her on his bed, he wouldn't be able to control himself. "I was wondering perhaps if you had a sorry apology buried somewhere deep inside you."
"I apologized to Padawan Skywalker for attacking him." He replied shortly.
"And?" She asked hopefully as she shifted her weight on his bed, turning to face the back of him. It was the first she had seen him without his Jedi robe and through the thin material of his tan Jedi garb, she could see taught muscles of his back cling to it. Not that she was in anyway admiring him.
"And I am sorry for the misunderstanding that occurred. But as your Master I will not apologize for my reaction, being that I am only looking out for your best interest."
"You're forgiven." Chloe said happily, knowing full well that that was the only apology she would be getting from Master Black that day. He had admitted to her once that he was wrong, but he has also said he never would again. And she knew that that was true. "So, I was thinking, maybe later today we could get something to eat. You know, since we will both be hungry at some point." Chloe asked.
"Are you asking me out on a date?" Brady asked, unable to hide the smile beaming across his face, and beyond glad that she could not see it.
"No!" Chloe protested quickly. "And I am not asking you as a Padawan and Master either. I am asking you in the hope that we could be friends."
"I see." He said, his smile fading. "Chloe, trying to prove a point. As always. What do you think, this plan of yours will make me change my mind?"
"No!" She said, but silently cursing to herself that he had caught on so quickly. "I think that for us to have a tolerable working relationship, we need to work on the friendship aspect of it. And I also think that your life is extremely lacking and that perhaps a friendship could fill the void. And I am hoping that I could help."
"Friends." He spat out bitterly. "You want us to be friends and this is in no part do to my feelings on your other relationships with two certain males."
"No, this is me, asking you, to at least try with me. The one thing I have wanted more than anything in this galaxy is to be a Jedi. And I am not giving that up because of our clashing ideals. So, as a Padawan asking her Master, will you at least, please try." She pleaded with him, somehow trying to will him to turn around, so that he might see the anguish he had been causing.
"Fine." He said shortly, unable to bear the quivering sound of her voice, knowing that if he turned around he would be unable to deny her anything. "I will give this a shot then." He said as he heard her jump from the bed and clasp her hands together.
"This is just, great!" She said smiling broadly, trying to keep herself from running up and hugging the Jedi Master, feeling that he would in no way appreciate that. Perhaps things would be looking up, and finally going her way.
"And we don't have to worry about our 'clashing ideals' on your relationships anymore." He said, still seated at his desk.
"And why is that?" Chloe asked wearily, once more sinking down onto his bed.
"Because I have spoken to the Council." Brady said quickly, silently preparing himself for her onslaught.
"You what?" She screeched, unable to believe what he had just said. And after the understanding she thought they had come to.
"I have spoken with the Council and you will not be seeing Master Kenobi or his apprentice."
"You told them." She said flinging her whole body down onto the bed, unable to bear his words. "You told them what you think happened and now they are forbidding me from seeing them! Are they going to kick us out of the order too? Because they can do that to me, but I will never forgive you if you have risked all that Ani and Obi-Wan have worked for." She said pulling herself up violently, her emotions running rampant through her.
"I did not tell them." He said softly, hopping those simple words would calm her.
"You didn't tell them? You didn't tell them what?" She asked cautiously.
"I did not tell them anything about you, Master Kenobi, or Padawan Skywalker. They had requested an audience with me. They wanted to see how our, partnership was progressing. After telling them that you were in private meditation, and that things were looking up for us, which was true, because there was no lower we could get, the have given me our first assignment." He said finally turning around, his breath hitching as he saw the site of her. He large eyes threatening to spill over with tears, her wrinkled cloak swallowing her as she sat cross legged on his bed. And he knew as he looked at her, that that was where she was supposed to be, right there, with him.
"Our first assignment?" She asked as she gazed in his eyes, feeling a heavy weight lift from her shoulders. "Well, what is it?"
"As this Clone War is escalating, and the members of our order diminishing, the Council feels that our presence, well the presence of all Jedi, would best be served in the capacity that it has always been, maintaining peace in the galaxy. But the terms of what that is have expanded. Although the battle began on Geonosis, it is spreading quickly, and the Senate, along with the Council, feel that Naboo will be the next target. Given the animosity between the Trade Federation and Naboo, it is only a question of when. The Council feels that we should go to Naboo, help lead the clones with their battle plans, but mostly to help protect Queen Jamillia and the Senator, your sister." Brady explained.
"My sister." Chloe said registering everything. "But why wouldn't they go to Anakin? He has protected her in the past, it would only make sense to go to him and Master Obi-Wan once more."
"Because this is your trial Chloe. You need to practice removing yourself from your feelings, do you not? What better way then to put you in charge of your family, you sister, on your home world. The perfect way to test you would be to put you in a situation where you would be tempted to stray. To act rashly. I only wish I had thought of this idea myself."
"You have got to hand it to the Council. They can find oh so many ways to torture you. And only you would find joy in my pain." She said somberly.
"I do not find joy in this my young Padawan. This is a great tragedy, but it will serve you well in the end. I wish nothing upon your family, but it is an excellent choice for the Council to have made."
"So, when do we leave?" Chloe asked, resigning herself not to argue with him further.
"Tomorrow morning, at sunrise. As to not let the Federation know of our intentions, we will be traveling as refugees, so dress accordingly please."
"Yes, Master." She said standing up from his bed, so that they stood before one another, their eyes locked.
"Right." He said clearing his throat as he broke away from her gaze. "So, you better go pack, and say all of your farewells, for who knows how long we will be there." He said as she bowed before him, making a mental note that this was the first time she ever had, and leaving him alone in his room, as he sunk down onto his bed, her fragrance still lingering there as he placed his face down into the comforter. Without Obi-Wan and Anakin as distractions anymore, he was without a doubt, in more trouble than he could ever comprehend.
As the door closed behind her, Chloe could hear Master Black flop down onto his bed, but she paid it no mind as she leaned against the door she couldn't help but smile. "I'm going home." She whispered softly to herself, then made her way out of that section of the Jedi Chambers, preparing for the no doubt, long winded good-byes she had to make to several people. She just hopped there was enough time for them all.