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Place: Geonosis

As we dove into the atmosphere of the fiery red planet of Geonosis, I noticed the terrain and the surroundings. It was dark, but it looked as though it could be a desert in the daylight. Almost like Tatooine, but not nearly as sandy. It was more composed of rocks than sand. The creatures that inhabited this planet were insect-like, relying on a president of sorts to lead them. They were manufacturers of droids, but did not attract very much attention to themselves, again, like Tatooine. "There's a large concentration of Federation starships over there Elaina. Do you see that?" Obi-Wan asked, slight disbelief peppering his voice. "This is an odd play for the Trade Federation. Whats on Geonosis for them?" I wondered aloud. "I don't know, but I'm very curious to find out. Follow my lead." He said, swooping ahead of me. I followed him to the outskirts of the main village and settled the ship down on the cliff.

I jumped out and examined the long black cuts down the side of my ship, exposing its metal innards. I winced and ran my hand across it. It was still slightly warm. "That WAS close." Obi-Wan said, his hands on his hips as he stared at the cuts. "I know. He almost had me. What now?" I asked, turning to him. "We go to that settlement. Come on." He said, making his way down the cliff. As we walked, we looked at the thousands of tall monoliths of pure rock. They looked as though they'd been erected, they were so perfect, but it was obvious that this had merely been one of the wonders of nature. "Over there. Tracks." Obi-Wan whispered, pointing to an opening in the rocks. I nodded and we slipped inside.

We walked down what looked like had been a hewn rock stair-case. I paused on the top step, frowning. "Do you hear that?" I whispered. Obi-Wan nodded grimly and we stepped down further. It was the sound of machinery, pounding ominously in the darkness. We stepped off the staircase and looked over a rock ledge below. Below us, were machines, all creating thousands upon thousands of battle-droids. "Obi-Wan." I whispered. He shook his head in disbelief. "I think I sense where this is going." He muttered. I nodded and we walked further down the staircase.

I suddenly sensed a presence and pressed myself against the wall. Without me having told him, Obi-Wan did the same. Just as we did so, a procession of creatures walked past us. A tall human male led the way, followed by two Nemoidians and several other creatures of stature. I knew who the man was as he began to speak firmly to his companions. His presence revealed itself to me. Dooku. Obi-Wan glanced at me meaningfully as we listened to him speak. "Now we must persuade the Commerce Guild and the Corporate Alliance to sign the treaty." Dooku said firmly. "What about the Senator from Naboo? Is she dead yet? I'm not signing your treaty until I have her head on my desk." I frowned as I stared hard at Viceroy Nute Gunray's back. I had not parted with HIM on the best of circumstances, having been with Amidala when she'd tricked the Viceroy and brought down their rule. It was hard to believe that he was STILL the Viceroy after all these years.

Dooku nodded towards the Nemoidian patiently. "I am a man of my word, Viceroy." The Viceroy nodded, but did not look totally convinced. One of the creatures that walked with them that spoke in a scratchy, metallic voice said proudly, "With these new battle droids we've built for you my Lord, you'll have the finest army in the galaxy." I glanced at Obi-Wan and we both followed them from above, then crouched above an opening as they all sat down at a large table.

Count Dooku folded his hands and smiled at those at the table with him. "As I explained to you earlier, I'm quite convinced that ten thousand more systems will rally to our cause with your support gentleman. Our friends with the Trade Federation have pledged their support. When their battle droids are combined with yours, we shall have an army greater than anything in the galaxy. The Republic will be overwhelmed." He said with a pleased air. One of the creatures spoke up quietly, "If I may, Count." Dooku nodded. "Yes, Passel Argente. We are always interested in hearing from the Corporate Alliance." The creature, Passel Argente, becoming braver at his acknowledgment, spoke louder than before. "I am authorized by the Corporate Alliance to sign the treaty." Dooku nodded with a pleased gesture as another creature spoke up. "The Techno-Union army is at your disposal, Count." A creature I DID recognize, San Hill, leader of the InterGalactic Banking Clan, nodded and spoke up as well. "The InterGalactic Banking Clan will sign your treaty." He said. Dooku nodded once more and looked around the table at them. "Very good. Very good."

Lets get back to the ships. Obi-Wan's mind whispered. I nodded, quite willing to leave this place of intrigue and conspiracy.

We ran back to the ships as fast as we could. I was actually quite surprised that Dooku did not sense our presence, but then again, he was quite occupied, I thought wryly. I suddenly stopped and leaned against a rock for breath. It was not only for breath, but to steady my muscles as a wave of pain passed over me. The pain increased, until it became a pained shriek, a scream that echoed through my head.

NO MOM! NO! IT CAN'T BE! MOM! DIE! YOU, YOU ANIMALS! DIE! DIE! I HATE YOU! DO YOU HEAR ME? I HATE YOU!

I knew who it was. It was Anakin. "No Anakin." I whispered, trying to breathe.

I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! DIE! YOU THINK YOU CAN CHALLENGE ME? YOU'RE NO MATCH FOR ME! WHY'D YOU HAVE TO KILL MY MOM? WHY! I HATE YOU!

But then as I pressed my fingers against my head and winced, another voice shouted through the din.

ANAKIN! NO! DON'T!

"Qui-Gon?" I whispered. It had been Qui-Gon. He had called out to Anakin, but whether or not he had realized it, remained to be seen. It was horrible enough hearing Anakin's voice, feeling his searing pain, but it was worse to see him. For my mind saw me worthy to experience this pain. Anakin appeared before my eyes, sweaty, his eyes wide and wild. His lightsaber extended, slashing through whatever came in his path. I quickly recognized his adversaries. Tusken Raiders. He slashed through a male Tusken who brandished his weapon at him, then turned and did the same to the one beside him. Then I watched in horror as he chased down a child and sliced his lightsaber right through her. She fell down in two pieces with a short cry. Then he went after her mother. I wish that I could not see this, could not hear this. But I could, and I did.

SEE HOW IT FEELS?? DO YOU FEEL PAIN? I KILLED YOUR CHILD! YOU KILLED MY MOTHER! NOW JUST AS YOU KILLED HER, I'LL KILL YOU!

I shuddered as Anakin killed the Tusken woman. I closed my eyes, but the vision would not fade. I had been seen as worthy to see this. I did not WANT to see this. "Elaina?" I opened my eyes as the vision faded. Obi-Wan put a hand on my shoulder, a concerned look in his eyes. "Are you alright?" He asked. I paused a moment, considering my answer. "Yes. I'm fine." I could not tell him this. For one thing, Anakin had been supposed to stay on Naboo, and he had once more disobeyed. Furthermore, I could simply not tell him. Obi-Wan nodded and we walked up towards the cliff.

"I'm having trouble with the transmitter." He grunted as he looked at the satellite on his ship. "The transmitter is working, but we're not receiving a return signal. Coruscant's too far. R-4 can you boost the power?" The droid beeped a negative response. Obi-Wan sighed and shook his head. "We'll have to try something else. I'll contact Anakin on Naboo. Its much closer." I started to speak, but could not, not before Obi-Wan stepped in front of the transmitter. "Anakin? Anakin? Do you copy? This is Obi-Wan Kenobi." Obi-Wan glanced at me. "He's not on Naboo. I'm going to try to widen the range. I do hope nothing's happened to him." He murmured. "Obi-Wan." I whispered. "I hope this works." Obi-Wan said aloud. "Obi-Wan." I whispered again. But he did not hear me.

Instead he gazed at the ship's computer with surprise. "Thats Anakin's tracking signal alright, but its coming from Tatooine. What in the blazes is he doing there? I told him to stay on Naboo." He said angrily. He stopped as he glanced at me. "You knew didn't you?" He asked. "He's there to see his Mother." I whispered. Obi-Wan scowled and shook his head. "Come on. Lets get this thing sent. Transmit, R-4. We haven't much time. Anakin? Anakin, do you copy? This is Obi-Wan Kenobi. Anakin, my long-range transmitter is knocked out. Retransmit this message to Coruscant. Elaina and I have tracked the bounty hunter Jango Fett to the droid foundries on Geonosis. The Trade Federation is to take delivery of a droid army here and it is clear that Viceroy Gunray is behind the assassination attempts on Senator Amidala." As he continued, I raised my head, sensing a presence. I saw the insect Geonosians, then only too late saw the droiddekas bearing down on us. "The Commerce Guild and Corporate Alliance have both pledged their armies to Count Dooku and are forming an alliance with, wait," Obi-Wan stopped short as I whipped out my lightsaber. "Obi-Wan!" I yelled, unable to say anything more. Obi-Wan's eyes widened. "Wait!" He repeated as he too drew his lightsaber against the blaster fire emitted by the droiddekas.

Despite how hard we deflected their shots, the droiddekas and super battle-droids pressed closer. Quickly, blaster fire took out the transmission, disabling R-4 and my unit R-7. The Geonosians pressed closer, threatening us with their guns. Finally, Obi-Wan shook his head as we found ourselves completely surrounded by super battle-droids and droiddekas. He sheathed his lightsaber and I followed his example, eyeing the droids warily. "They got most of the message. I only hope that Anakin sees it." Obi-Wan murmured as we placed our hands in the air and surrendered our lightsabers to the Geonesians. They hissed at us, indicating us to walk towards the rock structure we'd just emerged from. "They could have saved the time by just capturing us inside." Obi-Wan commented wryly. I smiled, but winced as one of the guards flicked my legs with his static pike, causing a slight, but painful electrical shock to run up and down my legs. Obi-Wan pressed his lips together firmly as he too was shocked, but managed to give me a small smile before we were shocked again.

We waited for only a few minutes outside the debating room we had just spied on before the leader of the Geonosians, whom I knew as Poggle the Lesser, emerged and gave strict orders for Obi-Wan and I to be imprisoned. At least thats what I believe he said. Thats just what I guess from their gestures. I guessed that I was right though as they took Obi-Wan and I to room in the hive. They placed electro binders on each hand and each ankle, then we stood on the metal plate on the floor. A moment later, we were suspended in the air, the binders attached to the electricity field coursing around us. I sighed as the Geonosians left the room and slammed the door. "Well this is nice." Obi-Wan commented dryly. "At least we were able to send the transmission, and Anakin will surely be able to deduce that SOMETHING is wrong when the transmission is broken off." I said reasonably. "We hope." Obi-Wan said, breathing deeply, trying to find his inner calm. "He will come." I murmured, closing my eyes, the soft buzz of electricity lulling me to sleep.

I was awakened by voices, or what I had thought were voices.

"I love you."

"I know."

I shook my head and opened my eyes, surprised at first to see the electricity field buzzing angrily around me. I sighed, remembering where I was. I glanced at Obi-Wan and saw him looking at me. He smiled encouragingly as he was spun around once more by the electricity. "I think if I have to stay here any longer, I'll get dizzy." He said with a smile. "I'm surprised you're not dizzy yet." I countered. Obi-Wan smiled and attempted to move his trapped limbs. "Did you have a good rest?" I nodded and blinked hard, still trying to wake up. "Did you sleep?" Obi-Wan shook his head. "Couldn't. I'm surprised you were able to sleep so well." He said. I frowned as I spun around once more. "Why?" He shrugged and glanced at me. "You seemed on edge." I nodded slowly. "Well yes. I was worried about Anakin." Obi-Wan nodded, but frowned. "You saw something didn't you? Something about Anakin?" He asked tentatively. "I don't want to talk about it Obi-Wan. Please." I said quickly. The pain had not yet receded of seeing Anakin as a killer. Obi-Wan nodded swiftly. "I won't push you Elaina." I smiled wistfully. "You sounded exactly like Qui-Gon when you said that." I said sadly. Obi-Wan smiled plaintively.

Our heads snapped to attention as the door slowly opened and Count Dooku stepped in majestically. He really was a regal looking personage. Tall and noble, his black cloak whirling about him imposingly, he reminded me somewhat of Qui-Gon. I sensed his independence and free spirit, the same free spirit that I had sensed in Qui-Gon long ago. "Traitor." Obi-Wan said tersely as Dooku entered the room. Dooku stopped and put up his hands. "You're right my friend. This is a mistake. A terrible mistake. They've gone too far. This is madness!" I was surprised to hear this coming from Dooku, the one who had supposedly orchestrated this. Obi-Wan frowned slightly, but his voice did not lose its condescending tone. "I thought you were their leader here Dooku."

Again, Dooku put up his hands in a defensive gesture. "This had nothing to do with me, I assure you. I promise you that I will petition immediately to have you set free." He assured us, glancing at the two of us as he spoke. "Well I hope it doesn't take too long. We have work to do." Obi-Wan said tersely. Dooku seemed to shrug off the comment as he walked about us slowly. "May I ask why two Jedi Knights are all the way out here on Geonosis?" He asked quietly. Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows, then spoke hopefully. "We've been tracking a bounty hunter named Jango Fett. Do you know him?" Dooku frowned then shrugged, turning to face Obi-Wan. "There are no bounty hunters here that I'm aware of. The Geonosians don't trust them."

At that Obi-Wan scoffed loudly. "Well who can blame them? But I assure you he is here." Dooku sighed, then looked fully into Obi-Wan's face. "It is a great pity that our paths have not crossed before, Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon always spoke very highly of you. I wish he was still alive. I could use his help right now." At the reference, the very IDEA that my Master had been associated with this lost Jedi, my blood boiled. It could not be true. "I don't believe you." I said firmly. Dooku glanced at me just as Obi-Wan backed me up. "Qui-Gon Jinn would never join you."

But Dooku ignored him for the moment, instead turning to look at me. I stared hard at him and he stared right back, neither of us willing to move our position. "I'm not sure why the reference of your Master as being associated with me troubles you so, young Solo. After all, why should it, considering your heritage." He said slowly. I stiffened and glanced at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan's eyebrows raised in surprise. "What do you know of my heritage?" I asked. "You would be surprised how much I know, my young Jedi. I know many things about you. You were once a slave on Tatooine, your father a Sith Lord who slew your brother. You were brought to Coruscant by Qui-Gon Jinn, your Master, where you were first recognized by the Jedi Council. Qui-Gon then took you with him to Naboo, where ownership of you passed to your friend Obi-Wan after your Master's death, until, that is he released you on your eighteenth birthday."

I stared at Dooku with surprise. I was frankly, shocked. Not many knew my full story, especially that of my family. Only a select few know it, Master Yoda, Master Windu, Anakin and Obi-Wan, excluding Qui-Gon. "How do you know these things?" I whispered. Dooku chuckled and shook his head. "Young one, didn't you think that Qui-Gon would tell me these things? He looked up to me very much." Dooku paced in front of my prison for a time, then stopped. "He took you from Tatooine because of a feeling that he sensed from your presence. He felt that you would be of great use to him, to the Jedi Order. He knew that you and his Apprentice would help each other in hard times. He knew that your life could make the difference in the coming times." Dooku nodded firmly as if to emphasize his point, then leaned closer. "He knew of what was to come between you and his Padawan. He had a purpose for taking you from your home. He simply never told you." I drew myself up. "Qui-Gon Jinn wouldn't keep things like that from me." I whispered.

"Qui-Gon Jinn kept many things to himself. Many things he did not even entrust to his young Apprentice. Simply stated is this," He then leaned closer so that only he and I could hear his words. "Don't underestimate my knowledge, or it will be your undoing." He then straightened and began to pace between us. I looked at Dooku, then looked at Obi-Wan, who stared at me with questioning in his eyes. "Yes, Qui-Gon Jinn kept many things from you, my young Jedi. You forget that Qui-Gon was once my apprentice just as you were once his, Obi-Wan. He knew all about the corruption in the Senate. He would never have gone along with it if he had known the truth as I have." Obi-Wan glanced at him warily. "The truth?" Dooku nodded firmly. "The truth. What if I told you that the Republic was now under the control of the Dark Lords of the Sith?"

Obi-Wan cast a wild glance in my direction before responding. "No! Thats not possible. The Jedi would be aware of it." Dooku shook his head sadly. "The dark side of the Force has clouded their vision, my friend. Hundreds of Senators are now under the influence of a Sith Lord called Darth Sidious." Obi-Wan shook his head firmly. "I don't believe you." Dooku glanced at me. "What about you Elaina?" I started at hearing him speak my name so freely. "After all you have heard, do you not believe?" He asked. I shook my head firmly. "I can't believe that." I said firmly. Dooku shrugged and shook his head, turning back to Obi-Wan. "The viceroy of the Trade Federation was once in league with this Darth Sidious. But he was betrayed ten years ago by the Dark Lord. He came to me for help. He told me everything. You must join with me, Obi-Wan, and together we will destroy the Sith."

I drew in my breath as Obi-Wan regarded Dooku silently. I knew what Dooku was doing now. He was sensing Obi-Wan's weak spots through the Force, touching the points on him that would most likely yield results. But he had failed. Obi-Wan shook his head grimly. "I will never join you, Dooku." Dooku let loose a regretful sigh and stepped towards the door after giving me one last glance. "It may be difficult to secure your release." He said with a shrug as he walked from the room.

After he had gone, I stared into space. He knew many things that I did not. Qui-Gon had known something. Had known what my purpose in this future would be. Was that why he was so sympathetic to my abilities and my past? Because he too had similar abilities that inabled him to see into the future? Dooku had said this, might as well have said that Qui-Gon knew that Obi-Wan and I, it was almost unthinkeable. That Qui-Gon would even dream of such a union. Friends we were, friends we would remain, for we could be nothing else. "Elaina." I looked at Obi-Wan. He was trying his best to stay in position so that he could see me clearly, but his body continued to rotate.

"Elaina, he is very powerful." He said quietly. "Do not let his knowledge unnerve you." I nodded, but continued to stare blankly. "But if he is telling the truth, then Qui-Gon saw what was coming." Obi-Wan nodded slowly. "Elaina, I never really told you this, rather never truly got the chance to. It didn't seem important at the time, but with rising events." Obi-Wan paused, cleared his throat and continued. "When we were with you, even after we first found you on Tatooine, Qui-Gon urged me to talk with you, to be your companion for you had no one. I tried to ignore him, but at times he was so pursuasive that I went to you to keep him from talking about it any more. I was glad I finally listened to him." Obi-Wan said quietly.

"Do you think he sensed what we would be? What we would become if we ever, broke our vows?" I asked tentatively. Obi-Wan sighed and tried to move his limbs. "I don't know. Elaina, when I was a child, I was taught by the Masters at the Temple, that save for a select few Jedi, love was forbidden. A select few had married, Jedi to Jedi, and they had survived because they relied on each other and acted together as one. But otherwise, it had been forbidden. It was a direct violation of our Order. But then Qui-Gon became my Master and he urged me to love. He too loved a Jedi Knight as more than a friend, but she was killed." Obi-Wan paused as he closed his eyes, most likely envisioning Qui-Gon. Then he opened them and continued. "It nearly drove him mad and I had to watch it. It consumed him. He didn't want me to suffer that way, but he did not want me to abandon love. He insisted that it was imperative for me to find someone who understood me, who could help me in my life's journey. I laughed and told him that it was forbidden. And he said," Obi-Wan paused, as if the words were difficult to say.

"He said, that love is not forbidden. Not to all. One can love if one has the right dedication, the right motive. For surely, love cannot be evil." Obi-Wan shook his head. "I didn't and still don't know what to believe." He murmured. I stared at him sympathetically and thoughtfully, gathering my courage. "Obi-Wan, when I first met you, I hated you." Obi-Wan's head shot up and he stared hard at me. "Hated me? Hate is a strong word." He said. "I did. You were sarcastic, rude, I don't know. You were obnoxious to me. But, for some reason," My mouth grew dry, much to my aggravation, this was hard enough without my body turning on me.

"For some reason, I felt that I should not despise you completely." Obi-Wan smiled wryly. "Well thank you very much." He said sarcastically. I smiled, relieved at his humor. "Quiet. I did. Do you remember when we went to see the Jedi Council for Anakin's testing and Qui-Gon told the Council that he would take Anakin as his Padawan?" Obi-Wan sighed and stared hard at me. "Yes, and then afterwards you gave me the greatest tongue-lashing in the world. The one lecture that I was glad I'd received." He commented. I was surprised at that and tried not to show it. "Oh, be surprised Elaina." Obi-Wan said with a smile. "You don't hide your feelings very well." He commented. I stared hard at him and shook my head.

"Well, though in that moment I hated you terribly, I think I realized later that that was when I first started to, to become drawn to you. For though I yelled at you, reprimanded you, I still realized that though I was supposed to hate you, I still felt sympathy towards you for what you had suffered." I paused, noticing that I had Obi-Wan's full attention. "Then you became less hateful in my eyes, in fact you were the only person who could calm me that day of the Battle of Naboo. The only one. Not Qui-Gon, nor Padmé, nor even Anakin." I faltered. I felt I could go on no further. "Then when we grieved for Qui-Gon, we did it together, not alone as I would have done and, I thought I could love you. That I was free to love you. I knew nothing of laws or rules. So that day on the platform," I stopped, unable to continue. Obi-Wan held up his hand.

"I should have told you of it. Qui-Gon should have. But then again, if what Dooku says is true," Obi-Wan paused, unable to speak the words. "Elaina, you frightened me." He said suddenly. I stared at him in surprise. "You frightened me. That was why I treated you with such, well, hatefullness as you said. I felt for you. I was sympathetic and felt something that was not compassion. The way I saw it, you were taking me away from my Order, from my rules and laws and beliefs. But then I realized that you were one of those who shared my beliefs. Qui-Gon seemed to approve of our friendship. He did not care, though I'm sure he sensed my feelings. When I vowed to protect you, that day of Qui-Gon's burial, I meant it. I was unwilling to let you out of my sight, for fear that you would be harmed. As we made our way back to Coruscant, I realized that I," Here Obi-Wan let loose a small chuckle. "I was acting the same way as Qui-Gon. I'd defied the Council by taking Anakin as my Padawan, and I was defying the Council by feeling for you."

"I tried to forget about it, but when it all resurfaced when you left. I wanted you to come back. Wanted to tell you all I felt, all I wanted to say. I even wanted to disobey the Jedi Council and follow you. But of course, I knew that I could not. And now," He paused, shaking his head and staring blankly ahead of him. A flicker passed before me it seemed, and it almost seemed to me that he was staring hard at Qui-Gon, a ghostly Qui-Gon who stood before us. Obi-Wan's eyes seemed to say, Master, why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell me? He didn't need to say anything more. I could say nothing else either. We had said more about ourselves than we had said in the ten years we'd known each other. The memories were all I needed for now. After all, we were going to die in a few hours. The past is all we have. The past is all I have.

As I stood there, revolving slowly about my prison, I remembered that night on the platform, that night that I was to leave on my first mission with my Master. I had only been able to spend a short amount of time with Obi-Wan and Anakin that day as the rest of the time had been filled with preparations. I had been able to say merely good-bye to Anakin and Obi-Wan, but as I walked away from them, I felt that I hadn't done it sufficiently. I wished I could do it over again and I would do it right. But I didn't feel that I would ever get the chance.

That is until that evening as I was loading the transport my Master and I would be taking to Korsco. I had stopped still in my tracks, two bags still in my hands. I drew myself up, drawing my newly-acquired Jedi cloak around my shoulders as I peered out into the night. Someone stood out there in the shadow of the moon. He beckoned and I slipped out of the hangar. Obi-Wan walked tentatively forward, a smile on his face. I smiled and grasped his hands. "Obi-Wan, I'm so glad you came! I wanted to, well I said good-bye, but I wanted you to be here when I left. It means alot to me, truly it does. Especially since we'll probably never see each other again." I faltered.

Obi-Wan's smile fell and he nodded. "That was why I came. Well sort of. You listen to your Master and mind what she says. She will train you well if you listen and are obedient." I smiled as he spoke almost condescendingly to me. "I can see that you're taking your newly acquired Jedi Knightdom to heart." I teased. Obi-Wan stopped short and shook his head. "You have too much of a mouth to become a Jedi Knight." He commented. "And you have too much cynicism to be a Jedi Master." I countered. Obi-Wan shook his head, then sobered. I too, was silent, simply gazing at him. The moon reflected in his blue gaze, making them more bright and more intense than I had ever seen them. I suddenly noticed our closeness, how his fingers tentatively gripped mine, everything, every breath he breathed.

"I just wanted to say good-bye." He said breathlessly. I nodded slowly. "So did I." I whispered. "Elaina," He started. I stared at him. I could not breathe. He gripped my hands tighter as he stared longer, unable to let go or look away. I held his hands, now not noticing the closeness. I had once been loathe to touch him, but this feeling had long since passed. "I love you." He whispered. It did not feel the way I thought it would, to hear someone say 'I love you'. I thought that my body would explode with love and excitement when it actually happened. But it did not. I only felt that finally, at long last, I had been completed, like the puzzles that the younger children piece together in the Temple. But there was one thing missing. The final piece must be snapped together. "I love you." I whispered. The puzzle was completed.

He leaned in and kissed me gently, his hands gripping mine tightly. I kissed him back, slowly and deliberately. My hand slowly slipped from his grasp and settled upon his face as we released each other. My fingers rested there, tentatively touching the smooth surface. My hand slipped to his shoulder and I smiled gently. "I won't forget you, Elaina. We will see each other again." He whispered stubbornly. I nodded and gripped his hand.

"Of course we will. Soon."

"Soon."

"Good-bye, Obi-Wan."

"Good-bye, Elaina."

I tried to step away, but found my hands still in his. I stepped back to him and our lips fell together once more. It was harder to slip away that time. I did not want to leave him. I wanted to stay with him forever. But that was impossible. My Master was calling. That was the only thing that brought me back to reality. "Good-bye." I whispered, running off to the ship, leaving him alone in the darkness. To my surprise, my Master, Nela Koran stood at the doorway. I glanced at her, then stood still. A look in her eyes told me not to move. "Elaina," She said, a gentle calm in her voice.

"Elaina, you must never do that again." She said quietly. I blanched, then turned red. "But Master, I, it has never happened before." I faltered. "Nor shall it again. Elaina, love is forbidden in the Jedi Order. We must have total dedication to our Order and our vows. Obi-Wan is a Jedi Master and should know this. You must erase your feelings Elaina, for a Jedi's path is a long one, and one they travel alone without companionship. Attachment is forbidden. Possession is forbidden. Compassion is central to a Jedi's life. You must not confuse this with what you feel for Obi-Wan. I will ask the Masters in the Temple to speak with Obi-Wan, but I am telling you this now. These feelings, they are treason to your Order and if you truly desire to become a Jedi, you must eliminate them." Noticing the surprise in my face, her firm look softened. "It will be hard, but it is something you must do." With that, she turned and stepped onto the ship.

I stood still, frozen in place. I had never felt so embarrassed. But it was more than embarrassment. My heart, that had been formerly pumping with excitement of this feeling, felt as though it had been cruelly deflated, with only a little bit of blood left inside. I cannot drop these feelings! They are a part of me! My heart protested. But if you are to become a Jedi, you MUST forget them. Do it Elaina. My mind said firmly. I hesitated for only a moment more, then, as I remembered Obi-Wan's face, mentally, I took my heart and squeezed out of it, the remaining drops of blood filled with excitement and love, then let it drop limply. I would forget this had ever happened. I had walked away, thinking I'd left the feelings behind. But I had not. For I realized now truly, that I still felt the same, and so did Obi-Wan.

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Author's Note: *sniffle* So SAD! Thanks for reviewing you guys! You guys are awesome! I really enjoy writing this for you! *sigh* Okay, anybody else feeling bummed out? I am. Thats the one bad thing about the Jedi order. People fall in love and the leaders are like, "HEY! YOU CAN'T LOVE ANYBODY!", but then they're just like, "But I WAAAANNNTTT to!" :-) Poor Elaina. Poor Obi-Wan. Aw heck! Poor everybody! Oh yeah, cookies to anybody who can tell me the identity of the voices Elaina heard before she woke up. ;-) Thanks again!!

T.H.