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Place: Jedi Temple, Coruscant

I arrived late for the time I had been told to meet with Master Yoda and the Council, therefore I attempted to hurry. I reached the Council Room just as the doors closed. I flung open the doors breathlessly and stepped towards the center of the room with an apologetic look directed at Master Yoda. Only then after I looked away from the Jedi Master, did I see those who stood in the center of the room with me. A boy, tall and muscular, took me in with wide blue eyes. I did not know him. But there was something about him, something about his face, perhaps a twinkle in his eye that I could not disregard as foreign. But when I turned to the man who was quite obviously his Master, I stopped cold. My footstep froze as I stared at him, and much to my surprise, he stared back.

He was the same height he had been when I'd last seen him, only his hair had grown in a longer style that caressed the back of his neck, a beard and mustache now took the place of the smoothly shaven face, but the eyes, they had not changed in the least. They were still as blue as they had been when I'd last seen them, a blue that changed colors with his change in mood. He was nothing more and nothing less, Obi-Wan Kenobi. For once, his feelings lay bare and I took the chance to seize them. He had always blocked his feelings from me, save for once after Qui-Gon's death when we mourned together. When I touched his feelings now, I sensed his emotions; surprise, shock, gratitude........he shut me off before I could understand the last feeling. The feeling slipped through my fingers and I was unable to identify it. A small smile spread over Obi-Wan's face as he bowed to me. I stared at him in surprise, then smacked myself inwardly. I was a Jedi Knight, he had seen that and was offering respect. I returned the action and turned to face Yoda, my face most likely on fire. I'm sure it was, for the smug smile never left Obi-Wan's face. I hate it when he does that.

I nodded respectfully to the Jedi Council as Yoda cleared his throat preparing to speak. "Glad we are that you have been able to come Master Elaina. Good it is to see you once more." Master Yoda said, nodding in my direction. I returned the nod and waited for him to continue. The Jedi Master sobered and addressed Obi-Wan. "Track down this bounty hunter you must, Obi-Wan." He said firmly. I had to suppress a wistful smile. Yoda hadn't changed at all in the last ten years. For that I was grateful. "Most importantly, find out who he's working for." Mace Windu added. Obi-Wan was silent for a moment, his forehead furrowed in confusion. "What about Senator Amidala? She will still need protecting." Yoda nodded knowingly as he cast a glance in Anakin's direction. "Handle that your Padawan will." Obi-Wan looked surprised, but Anakin looked pleased as he gazed thankfully at the Jedi Master. "Anakin, escort the Senator back to her home planet of Naboo. She'll be safer there. And don't use registered transport. Travel as refugees." Mace Windu advised.

Anakin nodded, but looked doubtful as he spoke. "As the leader of the opposition to the Military Creation Act, it will be very difficult to get Senator Amidala to leave the capital." Yoda scoffed and shook his head, resting it on his small hands. "Until caught this killer is, our judgement she must respect." He said quietly. "Anakin, go to the Senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak with her." Mace Windu said with a sigh. Anakin nodded, trying hard to conceal his happiness at his mission. I waited a moment, waited for my assignment. Why had I been brought back here from my mission? Was I supposed to be there for support to the Temple, or to help Amidala? "Go with Obi-Wan you must Elaina. Help him track down the Senator's attacker you must." Yoda's quiet voice startled me out of my thoughts and I nodded automatically. "Your insight and knowledge is necessary in this matter." Mace Windu added. I nodded, senseing that our meeting was over. As we bowed and walked from the room, Obi-Wan cast a glance in my direction, yet another filled with feelings that I could not comprehend.

As the three of us stepped from the chambers, Anakin turned quickly to face me, his eyes alight. "Elaina its so good to see you!" He said happily, throwing his arms around me. I received his embrace with the same excitement and I held him and patted his back. "And it is good to see you Ani! But look at you! How you've grown! You're so tall! And to think you were only knee-high when I saw you last." I said with a wink. Anakin drew himself up and his eyes twinkled. "No, I was at least thigh-high." I shook my head and chuckled. "It is so good to see you again my friend." I said quietly, putting my hand on his arm. He nodded, saying nothing, simply smiling. But a moment later, I heard his voice echoing in my mind as he spoke to me with the Force as we used to do long ago.

Obi-Wan has grown as well.

Yes I can see that Ani.

Well?

Well what?

Don't you think him handsome? Doesn't he look just rugged with his beard?

Anakin Skywalker, I'm going to strangle you!

Now THAT sounds more like the Elaina I know.

Visibly Anakin smiled and drew back from us. "Master, I'm going to go speak with Chancellor Palpatine about the Senator. I'll be back soon. Good-bye Elaina." He said, winking at me from behind Obi-Wan. I narrowed my eyes at him as he grinned broadly and turned about on his heel, walking away from us. Obi-Wan smiled then we simply eyed each other uncomfortably. Now that we were alone, without the Council to cause us to speak, without Ani to bring the conversation together, we were both unsure of what to say.

"Elaina."

"Obi-Wan."

I quickly replied, responding to his acknowledgement of my presence. Then we both fell silent again. Finally I decided that I must be the one to speak if he would not, but of course, he decided the same thing and cut me off. "It is good to see you. You've changed so much since I last saw you." I smiled and my hand moved a curl from my face. "Not so much. It is you who has changed. Your hair, your face, your maturity. You've matured much more since I last saw you." I said. Obi-Wan eyed me curiously. "I was mature when you saw me last." He protested. "Not as much as you are now." I countered. Obi-Wan put his hands on his hips and shook his head. "I was wrong. You haven't changed a bit." He muttered before turning and walking away from me.

I stared at him in surprise before pursuing him. "Then I was wrong as well! You are not as mature as your presence implies." I said. "Then you should learn to quiet your mind and see the truth rather than jumping to conclusions." Obi-Wan said crisply. "Excuse me, I know when to quiet my mind and I know how to see the truth. And I do not jump to conclusions! I am a Jedi Knight, in case you have forgotten, Master Kenobi, and I know how to act like one. Unlike some." Obi-Wan ceased walking and turned to face me angrily. "Really? Is that so? For your information, I have been a Jedi Knight for far longer than you Master Solo and I am a great deal wiser. You should follow my example." He said firmly.

"Do not treat me as a Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, for I can assure you, that I am not. But then again, since you don't listen,"

"I listen very well Master Solo, it is you who do not listen."

"Obi-Wan you are walking on dangerous ground."

"Oh what are you going to do to me? Hmm? Tell me that."

I threw my hands in the air."You are insufferable!" I said angrily, walking away from him. But he did not respond to my allegation. He did not even have time to speak for I jolted and fell back against the glass windows of the Jedi Temple, smacking my head against the panes. No! Not here, not now. My mind moaned as the vision came upon me. My vision clouded as I slowly slipped to the floor. Darkness. Thats all there was. Then out of the darkness came a large circular creation. It almost looked as though it could be a moon, but no, it wasn't a moon. Its a space station. It was not my voice that uttered those words. Another's, one who sounded older, wiser, moreso than I. But whoever it was, his words echoed in my head as I was drawn closer to the monstrosity. It was so huge, too big to be a space station, I argued. But it was. I was swept inside the creation, eyeing the soldiers dressed in white armor that were lined up along the docking bay.

They surrounded a ship, a beat-up creation that was scarred with countless marks of blaster fire. The soldiers walked into it, coming out a moment later. But just as my body began to relax and I felt as though I would return to the world I inhabited, a flash of pain shook my body as my throat constricted. In the darkness, I could feel my head striking against the marble floor. The space station had vanished. In front of me stood a, a thing. A man perhaps, shrouded in black armor. The spots where his eyes should be, gleamed red as he squeezed his thumb and forefinger together, squeezing my throat. I was choking. I could almost see the man's thoughts, saw him focusing on a picture of vocal chords, very much like we did in classes in the Temple. Focus on the object you must, then move it with your mind. See and flex. Flex! Yoda's old teachings. The man was doing just that. I saw him look at the picture of the vocal chords, then imagine squeezing them. Flex. I could not breathe. It ended.

My eyes, that had formerly glazed over, spouted painful tears that streamed down my cheeks as I gasped for breath. My lungs still burned from a lack of air and I grasped my throat as if to open it wider for the air to come faster. A steady hand grasped my hand as it clawed at my throat, slowly drawing it away. I heard a silent command inside my frantic mind. Do not struggle. It will be over soon. Quiet your mind. Relax. It will be alright. Almost instantly, my body relaxed and I began to breathe deeper, my hand grasping the hand that held it comfortingly.

Finally when my eyes began to see once more, I looked up. I was laying on the ground. No, that wasn't right. I was laying in someone's arms, a large hand cradling my head, that a moment ago had been crashing against the marble floor again and again. The hand held my head steady and firmly, his other hand still holding my hand. My vision blurred again, but I thought I saw the identity of the person who held me. "Qui-Gon?" I whispered, my tongue heavy in my mouth. My vision cleared as I saw the person's head shake in the negative. Blue eyes that were dark with concern came into my mind. I lay there a moment, surprise running through my veins. Obi-Wan held me, Obi-Wan had brought me back safely from the horrifying vision. My hand became limp in his palm as I stared at him. "Are you alright?" He asked quietly. I could do nothing but nod silently. His fingers traced themselves over my palm as he looked me over. "The visions?" He asked. Again I nodded. But this time I sat up, trying to ignore the wave of dizziness that threatened to overcome me.

Obi-Wan's hand did not leave my hand as I stood. Instead he steadied me as my feet threatened to fall out from under me. I tried to walk on my own, but failed, my knees buckling. Obi-Wan's hand slipped around my waist as he steadied me. "Let me help you." He said quietly. I didn't want him to help me. I didn't want to be in his debt for anything. But Elaina, you already are. He helped you, saved you from bashing your brains out against the floor, brought you back from that terrible vision. You already owe him. My mind countered. I sighed and met his gaze. "Alright." I said wearily.

He nodded firmly and took a slow step forward, waiting for my slow reaction. We walked along in silence, my arm draped around his shoulders, his hand around my waist as he supported me. When I finally arrived to the room in which I'd be staying, he released me and I leaned against the door frame. "Will you be alright?" He asked. I nodded, then stared at him hard before shaking my head. "What?" Obi-Wan asked, frowning. "Why? Why did you help me? You had no business helping me after what I said to you." I said, eyeing him. "I couldn't leave you there like that, no matter what you'd said to me." He said quietly.

I eyed him a moment more before sighing, my gaze dropping to the floor for a time before looking up to meet his gaze once more. "I didn't mean any of those things I said. I was only speaking out of spite. You are more wise than I. Forgive me please." I said quietly, but my voice sincere. A small smile played about his lips, just as it had so many years ago when I told him that I'd never seen Corusant. "Of course I forgive you." He said, turning and beginning to walk away, but stopping and turning back around. "Oh and Elaina, about all those things you said." I nodded, waiting for him to continue. His smile grew broader. "I knew you didn't mean it, for I meant none of the things I said." He turned and walked away from the door, his cloak billowing about him. I stared after him for a time, pondering what he'd said and what I'd said.

I knew why I'd fought with him. I wasn't truly angry with him, simply upset. But I was upset over another reason. I didn't like the thoughts coursing through my head whenever I looked at him. It was harder than ever to guard my feelings. Granted, Obi-Wan didn't try to touch them, but still, I wished to keep them perfectly hidden from him. I knew what I was thinking, what I was feeling, and it was treason. Treason to my life, to my order, and to my vows. But this feeling was nothing new, for I had felt it since I had left Obi-Wan all those years ago. I had been chided for having them, and I had tried not to dwell on them since. I had fought with Obi-Wan because I didn't want him to find out. He mustn't find out. Nor should anyone else, especially Ani. I had to set the example. I couldn't let Obi-Wan find out. That was why I had fought with him. I couldn't let him know how I felt. I couldn't let anyone know, ever.

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Place: Jedi Temple, Coruscant

Later that afternoon I left my room and walked about the Jedi Temple. It had been quite a long time since I'd walked about the place, and I desired to see my old haunts, the places where my learning had taken place. I walked through the library, running my fingers along the smooth metal shelves that held countless volumes of information. I paused outside a certain training room, where numerous young Padawans were practicing their lightsaber moves. The lightsabers were on a lower settings so that no one would be injured, but still, numerous children were burned accidentally as they flailed them about in confusion. I smiled slowly as I watched them, my eyes flickering around the room, to the multi-colored lights that flashed rainbows about the room, the pits and raised portion of the floors, which were tests of the children's skills. I had sparred with Obi-Wan here ten years ago when Ani had come to be tested by the Council.

I suddenly remembered the warmth that Obi-Wan's hands had exuded as he positioned my fingers on the lightsaber handle, showing me numerous moves to improve my skill. I briskly walked away from that place. As I walked down one of the great halls, I spotted Yoda, Mace Windu and Obi-Wan walking together, well Master Yoda was in his hover-craft, but they all were together, talking in hushed tones. I prepared myself to merely bow and walk past them, and I would have, had Master Yoda not stopped me. "Master Elaina, come and talk with us will you?" He asked kindly. I smiled gratefully and quickly fell into step beside them.

"Your mission on Corellia, end well it did not?" Yoda asked. I shook my head sadly. "I'm afraid not. I wish I could have stayed longer, tried harder, done something more for them. But they would not listen." I said quietly. "Stubborn they are, tried you did. That is all you can do." Master Yoda answered. "But Master, you are the one always telling me to do or do not. I hate simply trying, for I feel terrible when I fail." I said stubbornly. A smile passed over Yoda's face as he shook his head. "Learned well you have." He said, waving a finger in my direction. That brought a smile out of me, but it didn't stop the fact that I regretted being unable to do anything for the Corellians.

"You don't know if you've failed Elaina. Perhaps it will take a long time for them to reconcile, but in the end, it may have been your involvment that brought them together." Mace Windu added. I smiled thankfully and nodded. "Thank you Masters. Master Yoda, why did you want me to become involved in this investigation in the first place?" I asked curiously, turning to the Jedi Master. "Wanted your experience I did. Your knowledge. Know Senator Amidala you do, her enemies, her friends." I nodded slowly, comprehending his words. "Work well with Obi-Wan you do. A connection, an understanding there is, one that you showed in the battle on Axion." I again nodded, remembering the mission that I had gone on with Obi-Wan before my Master chose me as her Padawan.

That battle had been fierce and terrible. Obi-Wan had seen to it that Anakin had been put safely out of the way during the battle. Anakin regretted it, but Obi-Wan knew that he was not up to this challenge. It was only myself and Obi-Wan, fighting together against the reptilian creatures of Axion. I was inexperienced I fear, but it was Obi-Wan's strength and determination that kept me through the battle. During that battle, I felt the most confusing emotions, confusing but wonderful. I felt Obi-Wan's actions, felt what he would do next. We moved together in singular motion. We flowed. We had been helped by other Jedi Masters who had responded to Anakin's transmission for help and they had witnessed this first hand, Master Windu included. I knew that Master Windu had been confused by this, he had told me so later when I was older. "It is unusual for two Jedi to have that kind of connection, unless they are Master and Apprentice. That is the only reason I was concerned. You shouldn't worry about it Elaina." I didn't worry about it. In truth, it confused me as much as it had Master Windu.

Yoda nodded again knowingly, glancing at Obi-Wan. "That is why put you together we have. Two together, can overcome obstacles faster." He said wisely. I nodded and glanced at Obi-Wan. "There is an understanding that cause the two of you to work together. We have seen this. That is why we want you to find the Senator's attacker together." Mace Windu said firmly. Obi-Wan and I both nodded. Obi-Wan then frowned and spoke seriously. "I am concerned for my Padawan. He is not ready to be given this assignment on his own yet." He said, his forehead furrowed. Yoda nodded, but spoke in a firm voice. "The Council is confident in its decision, Obi-Wan." He said. "The boy has exceptional skills." Mace Windu added.

Obi-Wan nodded but still continued in a concerned tone of voice. "But he still has much to learn, Master. His skills have made him...well, arrogant." He said. We stopped in the hall as we spoke to each other, pondering out these questions. "Yes, yes. It's a flaw more and more common among Jedi. Too sure of themselves they are. Even the older, more experienced ones." I nodded. I knew this to be true, for I had met many young Padawans who were powerful, but too sure of their abilities. This was only one reason that I did not desire to take on a Padawan. I wanted one who would not let me down in the future because of their arrogance. I had not seen Anakin act arrogantly, but I had only seen him once since returning, so how could I know? I sensed Obi-Wan's sincerity. His word was the only thing I could trust now.

Mace Windu nodded, but spoke knowingly. "Remember Obi-Wan, if the prophecy is correct, your apprentice is the only one who can bring the Force back into balance." We began to walk again after this comment silently. It was something that we could not ignore. The Prophecy of the Chosen One. In my years of studying in the Jedi Temple, I had studied this prophecy extensively, for if it was my friend who was the one who would fulfill this prophecy, I wanted to know everything possible about it. Unfortunately it was not very vastly recorded. It was only one of many prophecies that were floating about in the galaxy, one of many.

What I had read was that it had been spoken many hundreds of years ago by a Jedi Master named Holon Knigsta. He had been almost a sort of mystic of sorts, constantly seeing visions into the past and future, another reason for my interest. After one of the great wars, the Gongom Wars, he foretold the coming of a Chosen One, one whose ability to use the Force would be unrivaled, even by his own Master. He would have a difficult life and would barely make it into the Jedi Order, but he would overcome every obstacle in his way. He would then, in some way, bring balance to the Force, balancing out the evil and the good in all. He would be a great Jedi, a powerful Jedi, the most powerful Jedi of all. There was not much more, simply other facts that were not terribly important, or did not seem important. The truth was, it was hard to believe that Anakin, my Anakin, could be the one who would balance the evil and the good in every Jedi there ever was.

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