AN: First off, I'd like to say wow to that insane review I got. I doubt
that she'll ever read this since she told me as much. I'm sorry then to
anyone else reading this who feels the same way. I felt guilty, and so I
wrote a chapter of TRPA for you all, and I plan on continuning to do that.
Thank you to those who reviewed to let me know they liked the first
chapter. Obi-Wan comes into this story, and it's not mostly about a
character you know nothing about. (Although I do like Clem, so leave him
alone;)
* * * * * * * * * * *
The next day, leaning against an open doorway leading to one of the many gyms inside of the Jedi Temple, the famous Obi-Wan Kenobi could be found. He was watching casually as his Padawan learner, the also famous Anakin Skywalker, fought in a duel with one of the other Padawans in the temple. It was a girl today, and Obi-Wan was beginning to respect her abilities. Though Anakin had the upper hand, this girl was fighting back with an energy that most lost after two minutes of fighting Anakin.
"A fiesty one, eh?"
Obi-Wan nearly jumped out of his skin at the intruding voice. He turned around to recognize Roth Sagiv, his best friend as a child and through the years. Once he was reassured, he leaned back against the doorway. "The girl or Anakin?"
"The girl," Roth said, nodding to her. "Her name is Beula Guiseppa."
"She's probably fifteen years younger than you too," Obi-Wan reminded Roth bluntly.
Roth chuckled. "That's almost humorous, Obi-Wan." He sobered. "As a matter of fact . . . I finally took on an apprentice."
"Did you now?" Obi-Wan asked, raising his eyebrows. He watched the girl again, nodding in approvement. "It's fitting; you choosing a female as your apprentice."
Roth snorted. "It's not like that, Obi-Wan. It was a calling of the Force," he said, trailing off in the end. Roth Sagiv didn't usually say things like that, and he knew it too.
"She's wonderful in combat," Obi-Wan complimented. "Of course, she's no match for Anakin . . ."
"Nobody is," Roth commented dryly. "She's holding her own though."
"Yes, she is," Obi-Wan said, smiling. He watched Beula duck under Anakin's lightsaber and send him hurtling across the ground. "He deserved that."
"I'm not denying it," Roth muttered.
"He *is* pretty damn arrogant, isn't he?" Obi-Wan said, laughing. "You just try having him as an apprentice. I'm twenty seven years old, and I'm not getting any younger. It's hard to keep up with him."
Roth was about to reply, but suddenly Anakin leaped up in the air so that he was behind Beula. He expertly moved his lightsaber so that it looked as if it was slicing through her middle, shutting it on and off around her body.
"Anakin!" Obi-Wan scolded, marching into the gym. "How many times have I told you not to do that? It isn't safe."
"But, Master," Anakin pleaded. He opened his eyes wide, appearing as innocent as he possibly could. "I didn't hurt her, did I?"
"That's not the point," Obi-Wan said with a sigh.
"Are you really Obi-Wan Kenobi?" Beula asked, her voice laced with awe as she looked up at Obi-Wan. He felt a little bit overwhelmed by the look she was giving him.
"Of course it is," Anakin said, rolling his eyes. Obi-Wan felt for the boy. He remembered being young and having the infamous Qui-Gon Jinn for a Master. The kids had always flanked his Master as an idol. He half-expected them to ask for Qui-Gon's autograph at times. He had never been bothered by the younger generation until the Battle of Naboo. Word got around that Obi- Wan had killed the first Sith in a millenia, and now the kids always followed his movements with wide, open eyes, begging him to acknowledge their presence in some way.
"Haven't I told you tales of Obi-Wan?" Roth asked, looking down at Beula with an expression of amusement. The girl shook her dark head. "Really? I'll have to sit the two of you down sometime and tell you about the many times this old party pooper here let me talk him into sneaking out of the Temple."
"Roth!" Obi-Wan warned, sending a meaningful glance Anakin's way. He didn't need for the boy to know anything about Obi-Wan breaking the rules. It would only serve to encourage him.
"Master Obi-Wan?" Anakin repeated doubtfully.
"Oh, yes," Roth said, nodding. He ignored Obi-Wan's look altogether. "He was a rebellious little sucker, weren't you?"
"Roth, do I need to remind you of a certain meeting?" Obi-Wan said exasperatedly.
"Oh, right," Roth said. He frowned, then placed his arm on Beula's shoulder. "Come on. Those crusty old creatures called the Council want to meet with us."
"Do you know anything of respect?" Obi-Wan asked Roth. Roth didn't bother to answer. Obi-Wan sighed and looked down at Anakin. "Everything that comes out of that man's mouth is a lie."
Anakin's eyes were glittering in amusement, but he nodded compliantly. Obi- Wan began following his old friend and comrade, and Anakin stayed in-step beside him. "Why does the Council want to see us, Master?"
"I'm assuming to give us another assignment. Apparently they don't understand what a vacation is."
"You're getting old and creaky, Obi-Wan. I'm ready to go on another mission. Especially if we're going to get to go with Roth. He's really cool!"
"It's *Master* Roth to you, Padawan," Obi-Wan corrected. He shook his head. People always loved Roth. Was that a little bit of jealousy making its way into Obi-Wan's subconsciousness? He shook his head. *Of course not.*
"Of course not what?" Anakin asked.
"Don't read people's thoughts, Ani, it's an invasion of privacy," Obi-Wan said automatically.
"I can't help it," Anakin protested. "You shouldn't think so loud."
Obi-Wan sighed once more. He couldn't yell at Anakin because it was true. The boy's powers were beyond anything the Jedi Temple had seen in its walls before, and most of the time Anakin could barely grasp control of them. What he needed was someone to show him how to develope those powers, how to use them for the greater good. Obi-Wan wondered repeatedly whether that person was really himself. He never said it aloud, but sometimes he wondered whether he was the right person to be training Anakin; whether he could do Anakin's powers justice.
It was fairly easy to get through the doors to the Council since they had been expected for an interview nearly ten minutes before. Obi-Wan hated to be late for anything, let alone a meeting with the Jedi Council, but it was a rule in the Temple not to interrupt a duel of lightsabers; you could break someone's concentration, and someone could end up missing a limb.
The four of them filed into the center of the room. Roth and Obi-Wan stood side-by-side facing Masters Yoda and Windu; their Padawans moved to stand in front of them. In unison, the four Jedi bowed with respect.
"Excuse us for being late, but our Padawans were matched in a duel," Obi- Wan drawled softly and apologetically. He bowed his head shortly to strengthen his apology.
Master Yoda nodded, his ears moving with his fuzzy head. "Accepted, your apology is. Know you why we called you here?"
"For a mission, I supposed," Obi-Wan answered.
"Yes, yes indeed." Yoda looked down at his feet, closing his great eyes into little slits while his ears moved in a rhythm.
"As you may already know, Chancellor Palpatine's life was threatened last night by an assassinator," Mace Windu began to explain. "He requested our presence, and we came immediately. We offered him protection, and he gladly took that offer, but he also asked for something else. He wants someone to help his security in finding out who was behind this so that he can bring them to court for what they did. He doesn't want his life to be endangered again. It was a mere miss last night. Had one of his security officers not sensed the threat, he wouldn't be alive today."
"You're asking us to perform this task?" Roth asked. He glanced at Obi-Wan with raised eyebrows. I can imagine myself getting something like this, but with your reputation . . . isn't this a little degrading?
I do what the Council asks of me, Obi-Wan answered. Protecting the Chancellor *is* an important job, Roth.
Roth snorted, and Master Windu sent him a sharp gaze. "Yes, Roth, we are asking you to perform this task. Because we think the job will be finished quicker this way, we want you both working on security *and* trying to find out who this assassinator is." He looked at Obi-Wan. "We were going to send you and your apprentice to a conflict in the Uun system, after the last week of the month of absence you requested, but Chancellor Palpatine requested you two personally. After many hours of meditating, the Council has decided that the Force wills your presence there."
Obi-Wan nodded, accepting this. Personally, he'd rather be working in protection than settling a conflict in some system he'd never even heard of. "When do we start?"
"I told the Chancellor that we would send the Jedi over today. Go to your rooms and pack your things; the Chancellor will give you a room in his security, so there's no need to stay here. There will be a shuttle waiting outside for you. Don't take longer than five minutes packing."
The four Jedi bowed in unison once more; as they began to walk out of the room in a straight line, the many Council members murmered "may the Force be with you" at the same time.
* * * * *
"I expect the Jedi Council has explained to you what I want," Chancellor Palpatine said after the formal greetings between the four Jedi and himself. He folded his hands carefully on his desk. "I cannot rest until I find out who would attempt to kill me."
"Has it not happened before?" Roth asked bluntly. Obi-Wan shot him a look. "I mean, you're in such high regards with such a high position and all."
Palpatine looked at Roth coolly. "Of course it has happened before, but that was when I first accepted position as Supreme Chancellor. I assure you, Jedi Sagiv, it is not an everyday occurance to have a blaster aimed at your head."
"Yes, of course," Roth replied. He bowed his head slightly. "Forgive me for my outburst."
"It is forgotten," Palpatine said. He turned to Obi-Wan, and a smile came to his features, outlining his cold eyes. "Master Kenobi. And little Anakin! My, how long has it been since we last met?"
"Three years," Anakin answered. Obi-Wan saw his blue eyes laced with hurt. "It was at the celebration of victory for the Naboo. After Master Qui-Gon's funeral."
Obi-Wan felt a stab of pain, but he tried to ignore it. He'd gotten to the point where he could think about Qui-Gon fondly, but whenever he remembered that Qui-Gon was dead, it hurt like a blaster bolt right through the heart. Obi-Wan was glad to note that Palpatine's eyes became grave. "Yes, I remember," he murmered. "Qui-Gon Jinn was a fine man."
Obi-Wan didn't want to continue the conversation. He coughed pointedly. "Can we get back on track?"
Palpatine turned his gaze back to Obi-Wan, and for a fleeting instant the Jedi Knight thought that he could see right through him. "Yes, of course." He pressed a button on his desk. "Bridget, can you send in Zoilo and Sabé?"
"Of course, Your Excellency," a female voice replied. "They're on their way now."
Obi-Wan replayed the short conversation his mind again. A quick look at Anakin told him that his suspicions were right. Palpatine *had* said 'Sabé'. An image of Sabé the first time he saw her, startling him as he meditated, entered his mind. He tried to shake his mind of the memories. Thinking of Sabé was always bittersweet. It was wonderful to have memories of the saucy young woman, but at the same time he always longed for her presence, wondered what she was doing, if she was all right.
The doors swished open. A tall, hulking man came into the room first. He moved over by Palpatine's desk and stood with a blank look in his eyes. Following the man, looking even smaller next to his form, was an already petite feminine form, drabbed in a long cloak. He had seen them standing in the waiting room, and at that time he'd felt something trying to surface in his mind. He felt like that again, and he began to get nervous. He couldn't see the girl's face, and he was too afraid to send a Force tendril her way. He was daring to hope that it was Sabé -- *his* Sabé
"As I'm sure you suspected, these are not all of my security. They are the head of the department, and my most loyal body guards. In fact, it was this young woman who saved my life last night." Palpatine gestured at the woman then folded his hands on his desk and smiled at the Jedi. "Zoilo has been working with me for many years, longer than I can remember. Sabé, however, has been working with me for only a few months. Already she has worked her way up the ladder." Palpatine paused, glanced at her, then smiled again. "Obi-Wan, Anakin, I believe that you have met Sabé before. She was one of the Freedom Fighters in the Crisis of Naboo."
Obi-Wan let out a breath that he hadn't been aware he was holding. It was Sabé. Now he felt uncertain. What was he supposed to do or say? He decided that ignoring that she was in the same room with him was the best bet for now. He didn't want anyone to suspect there was something going on with them, because he himself wasn't even sure about that. Oh, yes, they'd had something three years ago. Keyword: had.
Obi-Wan nodded indifferently. "Yes, I think I remember her."
Anakin was grinning from ear to ear, and Obi-Wan sensed that the boy was about to do something to embarrass them in front of the Chancellor. He tried to send a Force-message of Jedi calmness. It must have worked, because Anakin stood up straighter. He wasn't able to wipe away the smile though.
Palpatine began to introduce the Jedi to Sabé and Zoilo. "These are Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi, who I'm sure you've both heard of, and Roth Sagiv. And, of course their apprentices, Anakin Skywalker and Beula Guiseppa; though they are young and small, do not underestimate a Jedi child. Especially young Anakin Skywalker."
Obi-Wan felt a little guilty when he saw Palpatine wash over Roth and Beula with not so much as a second glance Roth and Beula's way while lavishing compliments on himself and Anakin. He hated the spotlight, and he knew with loathing that all of this would go straight to Anakin's already inflated head. "You're too kind to us, Your Excellency," Obi-Wan said abruptly. "To be blunt, I'd feel more comfortable if we could get directly to business. When do you want us to start investigating, and do you have any leads so far?"
"Sabé?" Palpatine asked.
The woman nodded at him. "I began searching through the Senate's library for possible suspects, but so far I have no leads. I know he had to be humanoid though, because he was disguised as one of the waiters at the banquet, and not one of them was alien." The woman paused for a second, then continued. "His presence was . . . twisted, angry, and bitter, but amoung all of the expected, I also felt something else . . . hopelessness and a deep sadness."
Palpatine smirked at the Jedi. "Sabé has a . . . 'special' way with people," he explained.
Roth's eyebrows were raised, but Obi-Wan felt protective of Sabé. He hadn't let anyone know of what they were doing before because he wasn't sure if it was illegal to train someone who hadn't attended the Jedi temple. He didn't want Roth to have a chance to contemplate what had been said, so he tried talking again. "Yes, I know," he said softly, daring to glance at her. He felt sudden panic. That wasn't what he'd meant to say! He coughed. "And about security," he began, looking back to Palpatine.
"These are my heads of security, as I explained," Palpatine said, waving a hand at Zoilo and Sabé. "I have hundreds of individuals working altogether though. You will only have to worry about working with Zoilo and Sabé, however. When Sabé is on duty, you can let the Jedi children accompany her. She can hold her own, but I'm sure a little added help won't help. When Zoilo is on duty, though, I'd like either you or Jedi Sagiv to accompany him along with your Padawan. He doesn't have the keen senses that our Sabé does."
"That's all right," Obi-Wan replied. "If you just let us know what we'll be doing in the next week or so, we can work it out so that whoever isn't on security duty is skimming the libraries for information."
Palpatine picked up something off his desk and reached out to hand it to Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan took it and realized that it was a data card. "I'm glad to see you have this all planned out," he murmered.
"I am a perfectionist," Palpatine said, a teasing note in his voice. He turned serious once again. "You will be staying on the same floor that I am staying on in my apartment building. I was given the whole floor when I became Chancellor, but I hardly ever use it. This way you will be close to Zoilo, Sabé, and I if anything should turn up." Palpatine glanced at a chrono on his desk. "I should be okay in my office with Zoilo and Bridget for now. Why don't you go get settled into your rooms and one of you come back in time for a dinner party I'm attending this evening."
"That's perfect," Obi-Wan answered.
"Wonderful. Sabé, can you take the Jedi to their rooms?"
"Of course." Sabé bowed to the Chancellor, and the Jedi followed suit. Then she went to the doors and typed in the security code, gesturing for the Jedi to follow her.
* * * * *
The rooms on Chancellor Palpatine's floor were more luxurious than Obi-Wan had ever imagined. He'd never stayed in such a place before, and he could tell by Beula and Anakin's wide eyes, they were impressed too. Roth looked indifferent, but then Roth always looked indifferent. His eyes were sparkling though, and Obi-Wan knew from experience that he was planning something.
"There are two bathrooms," Sabé continued. She had been describing the apartment as she showed them each room. "That way you can give the girl privacy."
"Have you ever considered dropping the security act and going for a realtor agency?" Roth asked absently, as if it was a drill for him to say sarcastic comments.
"I thought about it a lot when I was choosing a career, but Palpatine pays me pretty damn well," Sabé said.
Roth raised his eyebrows. "Wow. Someone who jokes back." He eyed her suspiciously. "Do you always wear those robes, or are you afraid to show us your face?"
Sabé reached a hand up and pulled the hood of her cloak back, revealing her elfish face and long hair, twirled up out of her way in an intricate fashion. Obi-Wan knew he was staring, but he found that he didn't care very much. If anything, she had grown more beautiful since the last time he saw her. She looked more . . . mature. Not that she wasn't mature before.
"You're hair . . ." Obi-Wan blurted out.
Sabé smoothed her hair self-consciously. "I know I'm not as good at hair as Yané . . ."
"No, it looks great," Obi-Wan reassured her. "It's down." He remembered their last conversation. He had requested specifically that she leave it down the next time they met. He loved running his fingers through it.
Sabé blushed, obviously remembering the same conversation. "Well, after I stopped working for Padmé as her handmaiden, I started wearing my hair in ways that didn't hurt like hell."
Obi-Wan laughed lightly and was about to reply, but he was quickly interrupted.
"Did somebody say Padmé?"
Obi-Wan recognized his Padawan's voice with a muffled groan. Anakin and Beula had been looking at the rooms, trying to decide whom got which one. Yet Anakin was still alert enough to hear Padmé's name mentioned.
"I did," Sabé said.
Anakin looked at her sharply. "Which one of the handmaidens were you?"
"She was the one who was pretending to be the Queen," Obi-Wan answered.
"Oh." Anakin's eyes widened. "Is she the one you had wild, passionate sex with?"
"Anakin!" Obi-Wan said sharply. Roth began laughing, and Obi-Wan noticed that Sabé was blushing and looking at the floor. "He didn't mean that," he explained.
"Yes, I did," Anakin said, not to be quieted so easily.
"No, you didn't," Obi-Wan gritted out, his jaw clenched so tightly he could barely make out the words. What did you go and say that for?
"I'm sorry, Master," Anakin apologized. "What I meant to say was, is she the one who Qui-Gon yelled at you for bringing into our quarters?"
"I'm sorry," Obi-Wan said, looking at Sabé.
She lifted her head, and Obi-Wan saw that she was smirking. She shrugged.
Roth's laughter had turned into sharp gasps, and he finally managed to calm down. "Does he always say things like that?"
"Pretty much."
"I don't see why you complain all the time, then. I'd love to have a Padawan as amusing as him."
"He's up for sale if you're interested. I won't charge much."
"Don't say that," Anakin interrupted, his blue eyes shinier than usual as he stared unblinkingly at Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan recognized his mistake immediately. Anakin clung to him like a lifesaver, and he hated Obi-Wan even joking about finding a new Padawan and just letting him go. In Anakin's eyes, Obi-Wan was the only person whom he loved that was still in his life. I'm sorry, Ani, I didn't mean to upset you.
"I'd better get going," Sabé said, backing towards the door. "I need to get back to Palpatine with news of who's going to be attending dinner with him tonight. Then I'll show the rest of you around the library and we'll get to work."
"Roth is going with Palpatine," Obi-Wan said.
"Thanks for asking," Roth said sarcastically.
"Do you mind?"
Roth shrugged. "I guess not."
"Then I'll tell the Chancellor," Sabé concluded.
"Wait!" Anakin said. "I want you to tell me about Padmé."
Obi-Wan put a straining hand on his shoulder. "If you want to talk to Sabé about personal matters, you can wait until later. Right now we have a job to do, and so does Sabé."
Anakin looked anxiously at Sabé, and she smiled reassuringly at him. "We can talk later, Anakin." She turned around to slap her hand on the security panel. The doors slid open and she started to leave, but she turned around quickly to add another comment. "I'm going to come back at eighteen-hundred hours with a shuttle for you to ride to the dinner and a shuttle for the rest of us to get to the library."
"I can't wait," Roth said with mock-enthusiasm as she shut the doors behind her. He turned to Obi-Wan immediately. "What was that about?"
"What?"
"Ani's little comment."
"False observations."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Anakin?"
Anakin looked up at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan slightly tilted his head, indicating for Anakin to not say anything more. "False observations," Anakin confirmed.
Roth smirked. "We'll talk later, Anakin. Preferably *alone*. If Obi-Wan has any glimmer of a love life, I'd like to be informed."
"Don't worry. I'll let you know before I alert the press," Anakin assured him.
Roth chuckled. "You're a funny little guy."
There was a shout from one of the bedrooms that sounded an awful lot like "This one's mine!"
The small comment managed to turn the conversation around to which rooms they wanted, and Obi-Wan couldn't be more relieved. They walked to the back of the apartment where the four bedrooms and two baths were located and began a good-natured battle over who got the master bedroom.
* * * * *
AN: If you're reading this and like it, could you please review and let me know? Just drop a review. I'm getting to feel that either nobody likes these fics, or nobody likes the Sabé/Obi-Wan genre. Well, this one isn't all romance, as you may be able to see. A plot is starting to show through.
* * * * * * * * * * *
The next day, leaning against an open doorway leading to one of the many gyms inside of the Jedi Temple, the famous Obi-Wan Kenobi could be found. He was watching casually as his Padawan learner, the also famous Anakin Skywalker, fought in a duel with one of the other Padawans in the temple. It was a girl today, and Obi-Wan was beginning to respect her abilities. Though Anakin had the upper hand, this girl was fighting back with an energy that most lost after two minutes of fighting Anakin.
"A fiesty one, eh?"
Obi-Wan nearly jumped out of his skin at the intruding voice. He turned around to recognize Roth Sagiv, his best friend as a child and through the years. Once he was reassured, he leaned back against the doorway. "The girl or Anakin?"
"The girl," Roth said, nodding to her. "Her name is Beula Guiseppa."
"She's probably fifteen years younger than you too," Obi-Wan reminded Roth bluntly.
Roth chuckled. "That's almost humorous, Obi-Wan." He sobered. "As a matter of fact . . . I finally took on an apprentice."
"Did you now?" Obi-Wan asked, raising his eyebrows. He watched the girl again, nodding in approvement. "It's fitting; you choosing a female as your apprentice."
Roth snorted. "It's not like that, Obi-Wan. It was a calling of the Force," he said, trailing off in the end. Roth Sagiv didn't usually say things like that, and he knew it too.
"She's wonderful in combat," Obi-Wan complimented. "Of course, she's no match for Anakin . . ."
"Nobody is," Roth commented dryly. "She's holding her own though."
"Yes, she is," Obi-Wan said, smiling. He watched Beula duck under Anakin's lightsaber and send him hurtling across the ground. "He deserved that."
"I'm not denying it," Roth muttered.
"He *is* pretty damn arrogant, isn't he?" Obi-Wan said, laughing. "You just try having him as an apprentice. I'm twenty seven years old, and I'm not getting any younger. It's hard to keep up with him."
Roth was about to reply, but suddenly Anakin leaped up in the air so that he was behind Beula. He expertly moved his lightsaber so that it looked as if it was slicing through her middle, shutting it on and off around her body.
"Anakin!" Obi-Wan scolded, marching into the gym. "How many times have I told you not to do that? It isn't safe."
"But, Master," Anakin pleaded. He opened his eyes wide, appearing as innocent as he possibly could. "I didn't hurt her, did I?"
"That's not the point," Obi-Wan said with a sigh.
"Are you really Obi-Wan Kenobi?" Beula asked, her voice laced with awe as she looked up at Obi-Wan. He felt a little bit overwhelmed by the look she was giving him.
"Of course it is," Anakin said, rolling his eyes. Obi-Wan felt for the boy. He remembered being young and having the infamous Qui-Gon Jinn for a Master. The kids had always flanked his Master as an idol. He half-expected them to ask for Qui-Gon's autograph at times. He had never been bothered by the younger generation until the Battle of Naboo. Word got around that Obi- Wan had killed the first Sith in a millenia, and now the kids always followed his movements with wide, open eyes, begging him to acknowledge their presence in some way.
"Haven't I told you tales of Obi-Wan?" Roth asked, looking down at Beula with an expression of amusement. The girl shook her dark head. "Really? I'll have to sit the two of you down sometime and tell you about the many times this old party pooper here let me talk him into sneaking out of the Temple."
"Roth!" Obi-Wan warned, sending a meaningful glance Anakin's way. He didn't need for the boy to know anything about Obi-Wan breaking the rules. It would only serve to encourage him.
"Master Obi-Wan?" Anakin repeated doubtfully.
"Oh, yes," Roth said, nodding. He ignored Obi-Wan's look altogether. "He was a rebellious little sucker, weren't you?"
"Roth, do I need to remind you of a certain meeting?" Obi-Wan said exasperatedly.
"Oh, right," Roth said. He frowned, then placed his arm on Beula's shoulder. "Come on. Those crusty old creatures called the Council want to meet with us."
"Do you know anything of respect?" Obi-Wan asked Roth. Roth didn't bother to answer. Obi-Wan sighed and looked down at Anakin. "Everything that comes out of that man's mouth is a lie."
Anakin's eyes were glittering in amusement, but he nodded compliantly. Obi- Wan began following his old friend and comrade, and Anakin stayed in-step beside him. "Why does the Council want to see us, Master?"
"I'm assuming to give us another assignment. Apparently they don't understand what a vacation is."
"You're getting old and creaky, Obi-Wan. I'm ready to go on another mission. Especially if we're going to get to go with Roth. He's really cool!"
"It's *Master* Roth to you, Padawan," Obi-Wan corrected. He shook his head. People always loved Roth. Was that a little bit of jealousy making its way into Obi-Wan's subconsciousness? He shook his head. *Of course not.*
"Of course not what?" Anakin asked.
"Don't read people's thoughts, Ani, it's an invasion of privacy," Obi-Wan said automatically.
"I can't help it," Anakin protested. "You shouldn't think so loud."
Obi-Wan sighed once more. He couldn't yell at Anakin because it was true. The boy's powers were beyond anything the Jedi Temple had seen in its walls before, and most of the time Anakin could barely grasp control of them. What he needed was someone to show him how to develope those powers, how to use them for the greater good. Obi-Wan wondered repeatedly whether that person was really himself. He never said it aloud, but sometimes he wondered whether he was the right person to be training Anakin; whether he could do Anakin's powers justice.
It was fairly easy to get through the doors to the Council since they had been expected for an interview nearly ten minutes before. Obi-Wan hated to be late for anything, let alone a meeting with the Jedi Council, but it was a rule in the Temple not to interrupt a duel of lightsabers; you could break someone's concentration, and someone could end up missing a limb.
The four of them filed into the center of the room. Roth and Obi-Wan stood side-by-side facing Masters Yoda and Windu; their Padawans moved to stand in front of them. In unison, the four Jedi bowed with respect.
"Excuse us for being late, but our Padawans were matched in a duel," Obi- Wan drawled softly and apologetically. He bowed his head shortly to strengthen his apology.
Master Yoda nodded, his ears moving with his fuzzy head. "Accepted, your apology is. Know you why we called you here?"
"For a mission, I supposed," Obi-Wan answered.
"Yes, yes indeed." Yoda looked down at his feet, closing his great eyes into little slits while his ears moved in a rhythm.
"As you may already know, Chancellor Palpatine's life was threatened last night by an assassinator," Mace Windu began to explain. "He requested our presence, and we came immediately. We offered him protection, and he gladly took that offer, but he also asked for something else. He wants someone to help his security in finding out who was behind this so that he can bring them to court for what they did. He doesn't want his life to be endangered again. It was a mere miss last night. Had one of his security officers not sensed the threat, he wouldn't be alive today."
"You're asking us to perform this task?" Roth asked. He glanced at Obi-Wan with raised eyebrows. I can imagine myself getting something like this, but with your reputation . . . isn't this a little degrading?
I do what the Council asks of me, Obi-Wan answered. Protecting the Chancellor *is* an important job, Roth.
Roth snorted, and Master Windu sent him a sharp gaze. "Yes, Roth, we are asking you to perform this task. Because we think the job will be finished quicker this way, we want you both working on security *and* trying to find out who this assassinator is." He looked at Obi-Wan. "We were going to send you and your apprentice to a conflict in the Uun system, after the last week of the month of absence you requested, but Chancellor Palpatine requested you two personally. After many hours of meditating, the Council has decided that the Force wills your presence there."
Obi-Wan nodded, accepting this. Personally, he'd rather be working in protection than settling a conflict in some system he'd never even heard of. "When do we start?"
"I told the Chancellor that we would send the Jedi over today. Go to your rooms and pack your things; the Chancellor will give you a room in his security, so there's no need to stay here. There will be a shuttle waiting outside for you. Don't take longer than five minutes packing."
The four Jedi bowed in unison once more; as they began to walk out of the room in a straight line, the many Council members murmered "may the Force be with you" at the same time.
* * * * *
"I expect the Jedi Council has explained to you what I want," Chancellor Palpatine said after the formal greetings between the four Jedi and himself. He folded his hands carefully on his desk. "I cannot rest until I find out who would attempt to kill me."
"Has it not happened before?" Roth asked bluntly. Obi-Wan shot him a look. "I mean, you're in such high regards with such a high position and all."
Palpatine looked at Roth coolly. "Of course it has happened before, but that was when I first accepted position as Supreme Chancellor. I assure you, Jedi Sagiv, it is not an everyday occurance to have a blaster aimed at your head."
"Yes, of course," Roth replied. He bowed his head slightly. "Forgive me for my outburst."
"It is forgotten," Palpatine said. He turned to Obi-Wan, and a smile came to his features, outlining his cold eyes. "Master Kenobi. And little Anakin! My, how long has it been since we last met?"
"Three years," Anakin answered. Obi-Wan saw his blue eyes laced with hurt. "It was at the celebration of victory for the Naboo. After Master Qui-Gon's funeral."
Obi-Wan felt a stab of pain, but he tried to ignore it. He'd gotten to the point where he could think about Qui-Gon fondly, but whenever he remembered that Qui-Gon was dead, it hurt like a blaster bolt right through the heart. Obi-Wan was glad to note that Palpatine's eyes became grave. "Yes, I remember," he murmered. "Qui-Gon Jinn was a fine man."
Obi-Wan didn't want to continue the conversation. He coughed pointedly. "Can we get back on track?"
Palpatine turned his gaze back to Obi-Wan, and for a fleeting instant the Jedi Knight thought that he could see right through him. "Yes, of course." He pressed a button on his desk. "Bridget, can you send in Zoilo and Sabé?"
"Of course, Your Excellency," a female voice replied. "They're on their way now."
Obi-Wan replayed the short conversation his mind again. A quick look at Anakin told him that his suspicions were right. Palpatine *had* said 'Sabé'. An image of Sabé the first time he saw her, startling him as he meditated, entered his mind. He tried to shake his mind of the memories. Thinking of Sabé was always bittersweet. It was wonderful to have memories of the saucy young woman, but at the same time he always longed for her presence, wondered what she was doing, if she was all right.
The doors swished open. A tall, hulking man came into the room first. He moved over by Palpatine's desk and stood with a blank look in his eyes. Following the man, looking even smaller next to his form, was an already petite feminine form, drabbed in a long cloak. He had seen them standing in the waiting room, and at that time he'd felt something trying to surface in his mind. He felt like that again, and he began to get nervous. He couldn't see the girl's face, and he was too afraid to send a Force tendril her way. He was daring to hope that it was Sabé -- *his* Sabé
"As I'm sure you suspected, these are not all of my security. They are the head of the department, and my most loyal body guards. In fact, it was this young woman who saved my life last night." Palpatine gestured at the woman then folded his hands on his desk and smiled at the Jedi. "Zoilo has been working with me for many years, longer than I can remember. Sabé, however, has been working with me for only a few months. Already she has worked her way up the ladder." Palpatine paused, glanced at her, then smiled again. "Obi-Wan, Anakin, I believe that you have met Sabé before. She was one of the Freedom Fighters in the Crisis of Naboo."
Obi-Wan let out a breath that he hadn't been aware he was holding. It was Sabé. Now he felt uncertain. What was he supposed to do or say? He decided that ignoring that she was in the same room with him was the best bet for now. He didn't want anyone to suspect there was something going on with them, because he himself wasn't even sure about that. Oh, yes, they'd had something three years ago. Keyword: had.
Obi-Wan nodded indifferently. "Yes, I think I remember her."
Anakin was grinning from ear to ear, and Obi-Wan sensed that the boy was about to do something to embarrass them in front of the Chancellor. He tried to send a Force-message of Jedi calmness. It must have worked, because Anakin stood up straighter. He wasn't able to wipe away the smile though.
Palpatine began to introduce the Jedi to Sabé and Zoilo. "These are Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi, who I'm sure you've both heard of, and Roth Sagiv. And, of course their apprentices, Anakin Skywalker and Beula Guiseppa; though they are young and small, do not underestimate a Jedi child. Especially young Anakin Skywalker."
Obi-Wan felt a little guilty when he saw Palpatine wash over Roth and Beula with not so much as a second glance Roth and Beula's way while lavishing compliments on himself and Anakin. He hated the spotlight, and he knew with loathing that all of this would go straight to Anakin's already inflated head. "You're too kind to us, Your Excellency," Obi-Wan said abruptly. "To be blunt, I'd feel more comfortable if we could get directly to business. When do you want us to start investigating, and do you have any leads so far?"
"Sabé?" Palpatine asked.
The woman nodded at him. "I began searching through the Senate's library for possible suspects, but so far I have no leads. I know he had to be humanoid though, because he was disguised as one of the waiters at the banquet, and not one of them was alien." The woman paused for a second, then continued. "His presence was . . . twisted, angry, and bitter, but amoung all of the expected, I also felt something else . . . hopelessness and a deep sadness."
Palpatine smirked at the Jedi. "Sabé has a . . . 'special' way with people," he explained.
Roth's eyebrows were raised, but Obi-Wan felt protective of Sabé. He hadn't let anyone know of what they were doing before because he wasn't sure if it was illegal to train someone who hadn't attended the Jedi temple. He didn't want Roth to have a chance to contemplate what had been said, so he tried talking again. "Yes, I know," he said softly, daring to glance at her. He felt sudden panic. That wasn't what he'd meant to say! He coughed. "And about security," he began, looking back to Palpatine.
"These are my heads of security, as I explained," Palpatine said, waving a hand at Zoilo and Sabé. "I have hundreds of individuals working altogether though. You will only have to worry about working with Zoilo and Sabé, however. When Sabé is on duty, you can let the Jedi children accompany her. She can hold her own, but I'm sure a little added help won't help. When Zoilo is on duty, though, I'd like either you or Jedi Sagiv to accompany him along with your Padawan. He doesn't have the keen senses that our Sabé does."
"That's all right," Obi-Wan replied. "If you just let us know what we'll be doing in the next week or so, we can work it out so that whoever isn't on security duty is skimming the libraries for information."
Palpatine picked up something off his desk and reached out to hand it to Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan took it and realized that it was a data card. "I'm glad to see you have this all planned out," he murmered.
"I am a perfectionist," Palpatine said, a teasing note in his voice. He turned serious once again. "You will be staying on the same floor that I am staying on in my apartment building. I was given the whole floor when I became Chancellor, but I hardly ever use it. This way you will be close to Zoilo, Sabé, and I if anything should turn up." Palpatine glanced at a chrono on his desk. "I should be okay in my office with Zoilo and Bridget for now. Why don't you go get settled into your rooms and one of you come back in time for a dinner party I'm attending this evening."
"That's perfect," Obi-Wan answered.
"Wonderful. Sabé, can you take the Jedi to their rooms?"
"Of course." Sabé bowed to the Chancellor, and the Jedi followed suit. Then she went to the doors and typed in the security code, gesturing for the Jedi to follow her.
* * * * *
The rooms on Chancellor Palpatine's floor were more luxurious than Obi-Wan had ever imagined. He'd never stayed in such a place before, and he could tell by Beula and Anakin's wide eyes, they were impressed too. Roth looked indifferent, but then Roth always looked indifferent. His eyes were sparkling though, and Obi-Wan knew from experience that he was planning something.
"There are two bathrooms," Sabé continued. She had been describing the apartment as she showed them each room. "That way you can give the girl privacy."
"Have you ever considered dropping the security act and going for a realtor agency?" Roth asked absently, as if it was a drill for him to say sarcastic comments.
"I thought about it a lot when I was choosing a career, but Palpatine pays me pretty damn well," Sabé said.
Roth raised his eyebrows. "Wow. Someone who jokes back." He eyed her suspiciously. "Do you always wear those robes, or are you afraid to show us your face?"
Sabé reached a hand up and pulled the hood of her cloak back, revealing her elfish face and long hair, twirled up out of her way in an intricate fashion. Obi-Wan knew he was staring, but he found that he didn't care very much. If anything, she had grown more beautiful since the last time he saw her. She looked more . . . mature. Not that she wasn't mature before.
"You're hair . . ." Obi-Wan blurted out.
Sabé smoothed her hair self-consciously. "I know I'm not as good at hair as Yané . . ."
"No, it looks great," Obi-Wan reassured her. "It's down." He remembered their last conversation. He had requested specifically that she leave it down the next time they met. He loved running his fingers through it.
Sabé blushed, obviously remembering the same conversation. "Well, after I stopped working for Padmé as her handmaiden, I started wearing my hair in ways that didn't hurt like hell."
Obi-Wan laughed lightly and was about to reply, but he was quickly interrupted.
"Did somebody say Padmé?"
Obi-Wan recognized his Padawan's voice with a muffled groan. Anakin and Beula had been looking at the rooms, trying to decide whom got which one. Yet Anakin was still alert enough to hear Padmé's name mentioned.
"I did," Sabé said.
Anakin looked at her sharply. "Which one of the handmaidens were you?"
"She was the one who was pretending to be the Queen," Obi-Wan answered.
"Oh." Anakin's eyes widened. "Is she the one you had wild, passionate sex with?"
"Anakin!" Obi-Wan said sharply. Roth began laughing, and Obi-Wan noticed that Sabé was blushing and looking at the floor. "He didn't mean that," he explained.
"Yes, I did," Anakin said, not to be quieted so easily.
"No, you didn't," Obi-Wan gritted out, his jaw clenched so tightly he could barely make out the words. What did you go and say that for?
"I'm sorry, Master," Anakin apologized. "What I meant to say was, is she the one who Qui-Gon yelled at you for bringing into our quarters?"
"I'm sorry," Obi-Wan said, looking at Sabé.
She lifted her head, and Obi-Wan saw that she was smirking. She shrugged.
Roth's laughter had turned into sharp gasps, and he finally managed to calm down. "Does he always say things like that?"
"Pretty much."
"I don't see why you complain all the time, then. I'd love to have a Padawan as amusing as him."
"He's up for sale if you're interested. I won't charge much."
"Don't say that," Anakin interrupted, his blue eyes shinier than usual as he stared unblinkingly at Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan recognized his mistake immediately. Anakin clung to him like a lifesaver, and he hated Obi-Wan even joking about finding a new Padawan and just letting him go. In Anakin's eyes, Obi-Wan was the only person whom he loved that was still in his life. I'm sorry, Ani, I didn't mean to upset you.
"I'd better get going," Sabé said, backing towards the door. "I need to get back to Palpatine with news of who's going to be attending dinner with him tonight. Then I'll show the rest of you around the library and we'll get to work."
"Roth is going with Palpatine," Obi-Wan said.
"Thanks for asking," Roth said sarcastically.
"Do you mind?"
Roth shrugged. "I guess not."
"Then I'll tell the Chancellor," Sabé concluded.
"Wait!" Anakin said. "I want you to tell me about Padmé."
Obi-Wan put a straining hand on his shoulder. "If you want to talk to Sabé about personal matters, you can wait until later. Right now we have a job to do, and so does Sabé."
Anakin looked anxiously at Sabé, and she smiled reassuringly at him. "We can talk later, Anakin." She turned around to slap her hand on the security panel. The doors slid open and she started to leave, but she turned around quickly to add another comment. "I'm going to come back at eighteen-hundred hours with a shuttle for you to ride to the dinner and a shuttle for the rest of us to get to the library."
"I can't wait," Roth said with mock-enthusiasm as she shut the doors behind her. He turned to Obi-Wan immediately. "What was that about?"
"What?"
"Ani's little comment."
"False observations."
"Really?"
"Really."
"Anakin?"
Anakin looked up at Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan slightly tilted his head, indicating for Anakin to not say anything more. "False observations," Anakin confirmed.
Roth smirked. "We'll talk later, Anakin. Preferably *alone*. If Obi-Wan has any glimmer of a love life, I'd like to be informed."
"Don't worry. I'll let you know before I alert the press," Anakin assured him.
Roth chuckled. "You're a funny little guy."
There was a shout from one of the bedrooms that sounded an awful lot like "This one's mine!"
The small comment managed to turn the conversation around to which rooms they wanted, and Obi-Wan couldn't be more relieved. They walked to the back of the apartment where the four bedrooms and two baths were located and began a good-natured battle over who got the master bedroom.
* * * * *
AN: If you're reading this and like it, could you please review and let me know? Just drop a review. I'm getting to feel that either nobody likes these fics, or nobody likes the Sabé/Obi-Wan genre. Well, this one isn't all romance, as you may be able to see. A plot is starting to show through.