Chapter 42

[Two Days Later ]

"Come on, let's get in line before it gets any longer," Obi-Wan said enthusiastically as he grabbed Meri's wrist and pulled her firmly in the direction of the line already forming.

Meri groaned, but hastened her pace so that her friend wouldn't have to drag her. "How can you be so interested in food at this *early* hour?"

Obi-Wan eyed the food set out and grinned "Easily." He glanced at her. "Don't tell me you're not going to eat anything?"

"Some juice," she said, pausing and enjoying the unbelieving expression on her companion's face. "And a muffin or two."

"Oh, that's better," he grinned. A few moments passed in comfortable silence as both padawans looked over the quickly filling cafeteria.

"How's your Master?"

The question pulled Meri's thoughts back from the very person Obi-Wan was asking about. "He's much better," she said slowly. "An-Paj said he would release him first thing this morning in fact."

"That's great!"

"Rather," she murmured distractedly.

Suddenly the line moved forward and Meri watched with no small amount of amusement as Obi-Wan began piling food onto his plate. //He has it down to art,\\ Meri thought to herself, as Obi-Wan added another delicacy to his plate. As he moved up she took a small plate and placed two muffins on it and then waited. With a silent sigh, Meri realized she'd be waiting a while — the juice was at the far end of the line. As the line slowly snaked its way towards her destination, Meri found her thoughts wandering again. Suddenly, a new voice broke in.

"Meri, isn't it?"

She turned to face the speaker, her eyes drifting slightly upwards until they met two deep blue orbs. She wasn't impressed, and intuitively, she knew from the young man's self-assured expression she was supposed to be. The line moved forward and without answering she turned around and took a few steps.

Meri kept silent all the while moving forward. She knew who he was. Cillian Kaeton. She couldn't count the number of times her friends had ooo'ed and ahhh'ed over him.

"I'm Cillian," he offered casually. When this elicited no response, he added, "Cillian Kaeton."

Meri sighed. She really wasn't interested in speaking with him. She knew her Master didn't approve of her hanging around the older boy much less speaking to him. Even Obi-Wan had already shot a few wary looks Kaeton's way. "I know," she finally said, turning to him. "Who doesn't? Your reputation well precedes you." The words might have been a complement. Except that it was clear by her tone that she wasn't talking about his lightsabre skills.

The youth's smile faded slightly, but then returned seconds later more brilliant than ever. Meri turned before he could speak. //So now I'm a challenge\\, she sighed. Her eyes brightened as she looked down. Ahh, the juice, finally.

Grabbing a cup with a deep mauve looking liquid she added it to her tray. "See you," she tossed over her shoulder and without looking back followed Obi-Wan to their table.

She had barely sat down when she realized she'd been followed.

"Mind if I join you?"

She guessed it would be too rude to say yes and without looking up at Cillian answered. "I suppose not."

Obi-Wan sent her a look, but all she could do was shrug in return.

The meal proceeded mostly in silence, except for the conversations Cillian attempted to start, all of which failed.

Meri was just swallowing the last of her juice when she spotted a figure entering the cafeteria. Quickly she lowered her eyes, but knew she'd already been spotted. "Oh kriff, just what I need now," Meri muttered to herself as a shadow loomed over the table.

"Padawan ..."

She raised her face and tried not to flinch at the look on Alex's face. He wasn't pleased.

"Master?"

"Are you finished? I need to speak with you."

"Yes, I'm done." So saying, she rose, placing her plate and trash on her tray, preparing to go and dump it.

Obi-Wan glanced up at her. "I'll do it, Meri. You go ahead."

"Thanks, Obi," she murmured and gracefully slid off the bench. Without looking at Cillian she followed her obviously angry Master out of the cafeteria and into the hall.

He kept walking until they came to an empty meditation chamber and led her inside. As soon as it was obvious they were alone and would be undisturbed he turned to face her, his bright blue eyes fairly jumping, she was surprised to see, with something like frustration.

"I don't want you talking to that boy," he ordered.

Meri was taken aback at his vehemence and the stress he placed on the words "that boy". Knowing she should just bow her head and say "Yes, Master," she nonetheless asked him. "Why?"

Alex turned quickly, his gaze piercing. "Have you been spending time with him, Meri? Is that where you've been these past two days?" The last words were almost an accusation.

She straightened up and her eyes narrowed, her jaw clenching ever so slightly. He made it sound as though she'd dishonored the Jedi order while he was in the infirmary.

She hadn't been the only one doing the avoiding the past two days. If she was avoiding Alex, he had certainly avoided her. Definitely after what had happened two nights earlier. The day after, he'd done as promised and helped her through an awkward meditation session about the dreams. She hadn't had any more nightmares, but instead found her dreams plagued with an entirely new fancy. She willed her skin not to color at the mere thought.

"Master," the word sounded like an insult. "I haven't spoken but ten words to Cillian."

The color rising in the knight's neck faded a little. "Good."

She wasn't entirely sure what prompted her to say what she next said. She certainly didn't like Cillian Kaeton and had no plans to let him near her. Yet be that as it may, she answered, "He was just trying to be friendly, that's all."

//Wow, if looks could kill\\, she thought, //Alex would need a new padawan.\\

"Meri, I KNOW what Padawan Kaeton was trying to do, and it wasn't just to be friendly."

"So he likes me? Is that such a crime? Am I so ugly that it is surprising?" She hadn't planned on saying these things, but now they were said she desperately wanted to know the answer.

Alex abruptly stopped pacing, and his eyes turned to seek hers.

Silence hung between them as Meri stood waiting for his answer, her features anguished.

Alex let out a slow breath before answering and Meri wondered at the amount of thought it was obviously taking for him to reply. Was he trying to think of the best way not to hurt her feelings? The best way not to lie?

"No," he finally murmured quietly, his voice laced with an emotion she could not identify. He turned away from her for a minute or more, and then continued. "The very fact that he has taken attention of you says enough."

//A very diplomatic way of answering,\\ she thought. //He must think me very homely.\\

"But Cillian does not just want to hold your hand, Meri." Alex's gaze was very pointed.

A faint blush rose to her cheeks, but her expression hardened. "I know that Master. I am not a child anymore." She paused a moment. "But I've never spurned anyone's friendship."

Alex stiffened. "Meri," he began in an ominous tone.

"Master, I won't be anything but his friend. I promise you that."

The knight shook his head and ran one hand through his thick hair. "Meri he doesn't just want to be friends," he began.

"Master, that is all I will be." She emphasized.

Another silence fell. Finally Alex nodded. "Alright, but if he so much as *touches* you." The threat was very clear. And Meri wasn't sure whom it was directed at. She or Cillian.