Another Path
Part Two
By Galatyn Renner
For Darth Bilbo, the Shire Sith
Author's Note: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Anakin Skywalker, and the Jedi Council belong to The Plaid Guy: George Lucas. Erena Nabis, Sheris, Lara, Jedi Favri, and Var belong to me. The Menarai is a very exclusive restaurant on Coruscant mentioned in 'Shadows of the Empire' by Steve Perry.
Once again, Obi-Wan Kenobi stood before the Jedi Council on another's behalf. He had placed his appeal before the Council earlier that afternoon. As was their custom, they had spent time in contemplation of Obi-Wan's petition. Apparently they had finished, because he had been summoned before the Council to hear its judgment.
"Considered your request, we have, Obi-Wan," Yoda said.
"This is unusual: for a Knight so soon out of apprenticeship to begin training his own Padawan." Mace Windu spoke up.
"With all due respect, my Masters, my training of young Skywalker was not met with as much resistance as I sense here," Obi-Wan pointed out.
Yoda leaned forward. "Urgent, the training of Skywalker was. Not so urgent, the training of this one is."
Obi-Wan turned slowly, his gray eyes meeting the gaze of each Council member in turn. "Not as momentous, perhaps, but just as urgent. If fear leads to anger, and anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering, what leads to fear?"
He answered his own rhetorical question. "Despair. I sense much despair in Erena's future if she is not chosen. I would save her from this by taking her as my Padawan."
"Agree with you, the Council does, Obi-Wan. Speak to Erena alone now, we will." Yoda said.
Obi-Wan nodded. This was customary. He bowed and retreated to an ante-room where Erena stood waiting. Her head, bowed in meditation, snapped up as Obi- Wan came in. She said nothing, but her eyes held a question.
Obi-Wan tried to think of what Qui-Gon would say in such a situation. "They seem favorable, but it's hard to tell. Is this your first time before the Council?"
Erena nodded.
Obi-Wan put a hand on her shoulder. It actually helped a bit: she smiled faintly. "You'll be fine. Just remember to speak honestly and calmly. They are concerned with your best interests, Erena. You may not always agree with them, but you must listen with an open mind and a willing heart. Don't let them scare you, they will sense it."
Erena turned and walked bravely toward the door, saying as she went, "Into the draigons' den?"
"May the Force be with you."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Inside the Council chamber Erena bowed and looked expectantly around, matching faces to names.
Yoda broke the silence, "So, draigons you think us, hmm?"
Erena bowed her head. "It was only an expression, Master Yoda. I meant no disrespect. It is an honor to be here."
"Your decision here will affect the rest of your life," said Depa Bilaba. "It is not a journey to be embarked upon lightly."
Erena bowed deeply to the willowy Jedi Mistress. "With all due respect, I thought that the decision was the Council's, not mine, to make."
"You do not agree with this, then?" Mace Windu questioned.
"I would not choose any other Jedi as my Master." Erena paused. "This feels right."
"Yet you are hesitant," Yarel Poof observed. "Your thoughts dwell on your life."
"I know that I leave behind a part of my life today. But that part will be replaced by far better things." She swept her eyes slowly around the Council chamber in an uncanny duplication of what Obi-Wan had done earlier. "If the Council agrees, I will go."
In a rare show of opinion, Yaddle spoke. "Correct in his assessment of you, Obi-Wan was. Good you will be for each other." The rest of the Council concurred.
"The Council agrees to this pairing," Mace Windu ended. "The ceremony will take place this evening. I suggest both of you spend the remaining hours in reflection and meditation."
Erena bowed deeply and turned to leave. She sensed rather than saw that Obi- Wan stood behind her. He had come in sometime during the discussion, but Erena didn't know when. She didn't mind, though. He bowed as well, and they left together.
The two took the turbolift down to the level of the living quarters. Obi- Wan broke the silence, "So much for getting settled in my 'bachelor's quarters.'"
"He did say 'meditation and reflection', not moving, " Erena pointed out.
Obi-Wan shot her a glance. "It is possible to meditate and reflect while moving, you know."
Erena gave a barely perceptible sigh. "Yes, Master."
"Oh no you don't, not yet." A brilliant, almost forgotten idea of Qui-Gon's struck him. "And while it's 'not yet', I'm taking you out to dinner."
Erena quirked him a grin. "Celebrate the last few remaining hours of freedom, so to speak?"
"Exactly." 'She 'does' have a sense of humor,' thought Obi-Wan.
They parted ways after exiting the turbolift, as their quarters lay in different directions. A thought occurred to Erena. She almost shouted down the corridor at his back, but decided that this would be undignified and, more importantly, unbecoming of a Jedi. So she thought it to Obi-Wan.
//What should I wear? //
Obi-Wan masked his surprise at Erena's entrance into his mind. //Your best. We're dining at the Menarai. //
If Erena had been able to figure out how to whistle telepathically, she would have done so.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For the second time that day, Erena Nabis threw open the door to her quarters and stalked inside. This time, however, she did it to keep from jumping up and down with happiness.
"Where have you been? Did he say he wanted you?" Var saw the carefully blank look on Erena's face and her expression fell. "He didn't. Oh, Erena, I'm so sorry."
Erena gave up and broke into a full blown grin. "Never assume the obvious, Var. We talked, he asked, I said yes, we braved the Council, and now, now he's taking me out to dinner before the ceremony tonight. At the Menarai."
Var did whistle, loudly and long. "What are you wearing?"
"That's what I asked him. Var, I can think to him already!"
"The Force wants you together, then. But I'll help you find something presentable to wear."
"I don't know, Var. My wardrobe and Jedi philosophy in general isn't very long on formal dress. Can't I just wear robes?"
"Absolutely not. You could wear your blue dress."
"Ugh." It involved ruffles, and had probably looked secondhand the day it was sewn.
"All right, the black silk one. It's fancier, any way, Though how you ever managed to find an evening gown in Acquisitions escapes me."
"The Force, Var. And luck."
"But you said-"
"I know, I know. Now, should I wear my hair up or down?"
"Down, definitely. You want to impress the man, Eri." Erena rolled her eyes. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Erena came out of the entire ordeal looking lovely and completely unscathed. As if to burst Var's romantic bubble, Obi-Wan did not come to the door to pick her up. Instead, they met at the turbolift, their Jedi senses honed to one another with a fair amount of accuracy.
Obi-Wan was not blind though: he noticed. "You look beautiful."
"You don't look so bad yourself, Jedi Kenobi." Obi-Wan was togged out in forest green double-breasted robes of a more formal cut than his usual ones and black leather boots that shone like mirrors. Obi-Wan's hair, which had been let to grow out a bit, was combed smoothly back and looked very rakish. The beard had disappeared. Completely and, Erena hoped, irrevocably.
When they were both safely ensconced opposite each other inside an air taxi and Obi-Wan had given the 'droid driver directions, he sat back and watched his future Padawan. He sensed that an unasked question troubled her. "Well, what is it?"
Erena looked up in surprise that rapidly vanished. "Mas- Jedi Kenobi, why are you doing this?"
"Well, when Qui-Gon officially accepted me as his Padawan Learner, he took me to the Menarai, so I thought I'd take you. Make it a tradition." Obi-Wan smiled encouragingly, something he rarely did.
"But isn't the Menarai terribly expensive?" Erena looked at him suspiciously. "Does the Temple know they're getting the bill?"
"Yes and no, respectively. Like so many other things Qui-Gon does, there's a story behind how he got me in and how I'm going to get you in. He will tell it to you if you ask him. The bare facts of the matter are that Qui- Gon once saved the life of a Correlian businessman who later made a fortune and bought half-ownership in the Menarai. Said businessman never forgot the kindness done to him and, since then, there's always been a table reserved for the Jedi at the Menarai. Qui-Gon is the only one in the Order aware of this singular fact, and he only tells his friends. That's how we're getting in."
"Thank you, sir. That answers many of my questions. Though I don't think I'm going to be asking Master Qui-Gon to tell me a story anytime soon; the man scares me," Erena admitted.
"Scares you? My Mas- Qui-Gon scares you. How?"
"My first impression of Master Jinn was of him very violently besting you in a sparring match when I was nine. It's never left me."
"That wasn't your first impression," Obi-Wan said with maddening certainty. "Do you remember who brought you to the Temple? Some Jedi do."
"I remember a man with a beard and a boy. . . ." Realization dawned.
"That was Qui-Gon and me. I was all of fourteen."
"Qui-Gon and I," Erena corrected.
"Thank you, Initiate," Obi-Wan said dryly.
Erena's face reddened as she realized what she had inadvertently done. "Forgive me, Jedi Kenobi: it's a reflex." She bowed her head.
Obi-Wan assumed a stern expression. "Lose it. Now. An apprentice does not correct her Master." His face softened slightly. "I used to do the same thing to Qui-Gon. Still do." He looked up. "I believe we're here, Padawan"
The Menarai towered above the surrounding buildings; a megalith of snow- white ferrocrete. The air taxi floated to a stop in front of the impressive walkway and main double doors. Obi-Wan got out and went around to open the door of the taxi for Erena.
"Thank you, Jedi Kenobi, " she said archly, smiling in spite of herself.
Obi-Wan scanned the faces of the people stepping out of the other air taxis. "Who are you-" Erena began, but the pair coming toward them answered her question.
The man strode purposefully in their direction. His hair, caught back at the temples, spread in the light wind to make the mane that completed his leonine features. His eyes were sapphire blue and deep with pain and years, but they lit in a smile when he caught sight of Obi-Wan.
The boy who walked by his side was half his height. His round face and short braid betrayed youth, but his eyes held knowledge and a calm that belied the number of his years. Erena had little doubt as to who they were. The recognition she felt from Obi-Wan confirmed it.
That, and the fact that the older man pulled Obi-Wan into an embrace and then held him at arm's length. "Six months! Yours have probably been more eventful than ours. And who is this?"
Erena stepped out from behind Obi-Wan, where she had unconsciously edged. The man she knew to be Qui-Gon Jinn bowed to kiss her hand.
"Master, this is Erena Nabis, who will become my Padawan tonight. Erena, may I present Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker."
Anakin bowed, as did Erena, hers only slightly lower, acknowledging superiority in rank, but not age.
The two older men began to walk toward the restaurant, still conversing. Anakin and Erena fell into step behind their respective Masters. Erena wasn't sure what to make of the boy.
When they were almost to the doors, Qui-Gon paused, allowing Obi-Wan and Anakin to precede him. He stopped Erena with a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Obi-Wan is very lucky to have you by his side, but may I claim seniority and have the lady to walk in with?"
Erena was charmed. All the apprehension she had felt about meeting Obi- Wan's former Master evaporated. Qui-Gon Jinn had that effect on people when he wished. Erena accepted his arm, and they walked in to join Obi-Wan and Anakin.
The four of them were led to a table by the human maitre d'. After they sat down, Erena let Obi-Wan order for her after making quite sure through their mindlink that he knew what she wanted. The food, of course, arrived promptly.
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon began to discuss old times and generally ignore their respective apprentices while they ate. Erena and Anakin were intent on their food, the best that they had ever tasted. Anakin had just made up his mind to try and make conversation when Erena froze, a bite of fleek-eel halfway to her mouth and a look of horror on her face. Anakin was about to ask her what was wrong, but got distracted by Qui-Gon pushing past him and striding towards the restaurant door, drawing his lightsaber in the process. Erena followed at a near run, digging for hers in her handbag as she did so.
Erena and Qui-Gon were both Jedi of the Living Force. Something had just happened below the restaurant that had caused a (to them) massive disturbance in that Force. They weren't taking any chances on whatever 'it' was not being a loss of life, or something equally important. This was why the two of them had rushed out of the Menarai, to the astonishment of Obi- Wan and Anakin.
Qui-Gon quickly found the nearest turbolift. Erena followed him inside. "Nine levels down," she said, and was pleased to see him nod. Erena had finally found her lightsaber. She felt extremely glad that Var hadn't talked her out of taking it. They'd had a very interesting time trying to find a formal black purse big enough to put it in.
When Erena began unhooking the back of her dress, Qui-Gon asked, "Would you like me to turn around, Initiate?"
"No, Master Jinn, thank you. I've got clothes on underneath this blasted thing that I can actually move in."
"A very prepared young woman." Erena had finally got the dress off and chucked it unceremoniously in a corner. She was now engaged in unpinning the sleeves and legs of the black shirt and trousers she had on underneath it. They appeared to be made of some thin, silky stuff that couldn't be seen through.
Catching Qui-Gon's amused look when she was in the middle of tying her hair up, Erena said, "They're Myrandae's pajamas. We couldn't find anything else that would fit under the dress. Var nearly had a- we're here."
The turbolift jolted to a stop and the two Jedi leaped out as soon as the door opened. They didn't have to go far to reach the cause of the disturbance in the Force.
A young woman's bloody body lay not fifty meters from the turbolift. Erena knelt down and put two finger's to the unconscious girl's neck. She was bruised in several places, but all of the blood came from a large gash on her forehead. None of her clothes were torn. "She's alive, but just barely. Find whoever did this, and make them pay." The older Jedi nodded briefly and then took off.
Erena settled down beside the young woman's body and placed her hands on it. She quelled her excitement and began to send the healing Force through her fingers, in hopes of bolstering the spark of life still remaining.
Obi-Wan and Anakin bust out of the turbolift a moment later and found Erena deep in meditation. The older Jedi took charge of the situation.
"Anakin, stay with her. I'll go find Qui-Gon." Anakin, who normally would have protested at being left out of the action, merely settled down beside the two girls.
Knowing that a healing trance could be very draining, Anakin waited until the girl began to look a bit better and then shook Erena out of it. "We have to get her back to the Temple and I'm not carrying both of you." Erena nodded, stood, staggered a bit, and began to lift the girl using the Force. "Oh no, you don't. Let me." Anakin took over the Force levitation as the two of them walked back to the turbolift.
Once inside, Anakin tried not to jolt his precious burden as the turbolift started up. Erena sat propped against the wall, holding her dress and sagging.
"Are you all right?" Anakin asked.
Erena nodded. "Jedi healing is not my specialty. Do you want me to take her?"
"No, you rest. I'm not the one with a Joining ceremony tonight."
"You're a strange little boy, Anakin Skywalker."
"Padmé said the same thing. You're almost as pretty as she is," Anakin said matter-of-factly.
"Thank you." Perhaps a bit too wry.
"Oops. Sorry. Here's a holo." Anakin fished a tiny cube out of his pocket and handed it to Erena. She thumbed the button, watching as a image of Padmé popped up.
"She is very pretty, " Erena conceded, handing the cube back to Anakin.
"If you press it again, there's one of my mom." He showed her.
Erena could feel his longing for her and was trying to think of something appropriate to say when the turbolift pinged and their priorities shifted. The girl stirred. Erena took over supporting her while Anakin hailed an air taxi.
Erena thanked the Force that it was 'droid driven, as they were already attracting stares from pedestrians.
"The Jedi Temple, and step on it!" Anakin ordered the driver as he flopped into the seat beside Erena. "I always wanted to say that. How's she doing?" Erena had laid the girl on the opposite seat.
"I'm no healer."
"But you've had more classes than I have," Anakin pointed out.
"She will be fine. If we get to the Temple soon."
"I think I know who she is, Erena." He couldn't keep the excitement out of his voice.
"Oh. Who?" Erena looked skeptical.
"Sheris Nallaneen, the Alderaani senator's daughter."
Erena vaguely remembered hearing that name somewhere. "The one who was kidnapped last week?"
"Yeah. Her father's combing the planet for her. Qui-Gon lets me watch a lot of Holonet," Anakin added in explanation. "It's been all over the news. We'll probably get a really big reward for finding her!" He brightened visibly.
"Which we'll have to split four ways or give back all together. Against the Code, you know."
Anakin's mouth took on a stubborn set. "I'll bet Qui-Gon'll let me keep mine. I'm going to buy a podracer."
Before Erena could ask what a podracer was, the airtaxi stopped, and the 'droid driver informed them that they had reached their destination.
"Well, here we go. There's going to be quite a bit of explaining to do, you know. Two apprentices walking into the healer's wing with the senator's missing daughter is strange, even for Jedi," Erena pointed out.
"Leave it to me. Everyone knows me. I get up to the healers a lot."
Erena had no trouble believing him, and she took over supporting Sheris. She followed Anakin up to the healer's section of the lower Temple and through the white corridors, where he hailed a passing Initiate.
"Lara, have you seen Jedi Favri?"
"Upstairs, squirt. Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"Hey, I don't have to take that: I outrank you, Initiate Quisis," Anakin said, pretending to be offended. The healer merely laughed and kept walking
Erena watched in silent astonishment. "Do I want to know what that was all about?"
"Lara and I go back a long way. Come on." More steps and Anakin led her into a room where a dark-haired woman sat at a desk. She looked up from her paperwork when they came in.
"Anakin, what can I do for you; you're still in one piece! Oh dear." She saw what Erena carried.
"Not me this time. We think we've found Senator Nallaneen's missing daughter."
"Anakin, where? Never mind. In here." They followed the woman, who must be Anakin's Jedi Favri, into a room next door. It was a typical hospital room, complete with bed and medical equipment.
"On the bed, please. We need to get her in bacta soon. You two can leave," directed at their anxious faces.
Once outside in the corridor, Erena began to breathe again. "Thank the Force she didn't ask where our Masters were."
"Initiates aren't even supposed to be up here unaccompanied." Anakin smirked.
Reminded, Erena pulled out her chrono. "Oh Force, that ceremony's in half an hour! I have to find Obi-Wan, I have to change clothes, I have to remember my vows. . . ." She trailed off in despair and dropped down cross- legged, closing her eyes. Anakin rolled his eyes and waited.
In a couple of minutes Erena's eyes popped open. "Okay now?" Anakin gave her a hand up.
"Thank you. Don't ever do that. I could have thrown you across the room. But yes, I'm okay."
"Can you mindspeak and run at the same time? 'Cause you need to get to your quarters and also find Obi-Wan. I probably need to change, too; Qui-Gon and I have been asked to act as witnesses."
Erena nodded. "Let's go." They split up and took off.
She could barely feel Obi-Wan's presence. //Master, where are you? // she sent tentatively.
//At the Senate Hall, Erena. //
//Did you get them? //
//It was mostly Qui-Gon, but, yes, we 'got them'. //
//How is Senator Nallaneen taking it? //
A faint tremor of surprise came from Obi-Wan's end and then: // Nicely done. //
//I'll tell you all about it later, right now-//
//I'm on my way, Padawan. // Erena skidded to a halt in front of her quarters, a bit sheepish.
She stuck her head in the door, "Um, Var?" No answer. The common room was empty, and Var's bedroom door was shut. It was rather late, after all. Erena stole quietly into her bedroom, shut her door, and flipped the light on. She still looked fairly presentable, but this was a Jedi ceremony, and, as such, called for robes. Erena slipped quietly into a set of her nicer ones, grabbed her 'saber, and sneaked back out of the rooms' main door.
And ran straight in to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Fortunately, Erena had the presence of mind, or lack thereof, not to ignite her lightsaber or scream. She contented herself with glaring at him, which didn't do much good in the dark hallway.
"There you are. Come on, I'm not appearing before the Council without you."
"You're in an extremely good mood." They began to walk.
Obi-Wan was just this side of a smirk. "'Saber fight. We won. It'll do that to you."
"Ah, wish I had been there."
"Qui-Gon was very complimentary of you."
"Oh, Anakin did most of it."
"That I doubt." A moment of silence.
"Mas- Jed- Obi-Wan?"
"Yes?"
"Are you ready for this?"
Obi-Wan thought a moment. "No. Not anymore than I was the first time. The fact that I'm going to be the one standing makes little difference."
"What was it like with Master Jinn?"
"Up to the Council doors it was something akin to 'I got Qui-Gon! I got Qui- Gon!'"
"And after the doors?"
"Inside the Council chamber it hit me very hard that my life was about to change."
"Would you be terribly embarrassed if I cried?"
"No. But Master Yoda might."
"Oh, then I suppose I'd better not."
Obi-Wan put his arm around her shoulders when they finally stood in front of the Council chamber. "We will get through this." He nudged the great doors open with the Force, and they strode through.
Mace Windu sat, imperturbable as always, in the center of the semicircle of seats. "You are late."
Obi-Wan stepped forward. "Your pardon, my Masters. We were . . . detained."
The leader of the Council steepled his hands and chuckled softly. "So we have heard. And a great many other things, as well."
"That Senator Nallaneen is reunited with his daughter." From Depa Bilaba
"That her kidnappers have been apprehended," spoke Ki-Adi-Mundi.
"That free to Jedi, the Menarai is. Tell us this, you did not, Qui-Gon."
Erena turned slightly to see Anakin and Qui-Gon standing slightly behind them. She had not heard them come in, but Anakin's face had a freshly scrubbed look to it and his Master's beard was ever so just out of line, so it couldn't have been long ago.
Qui-Gon answered. "It, ahh, slipped my mind, Master Yoda."
The wizened Jedi Master humphed skeptically and hobbled over to them. With an air of finality, Qui-Gon knelt, and Yoda thumped him on the head with his gimer stick. Obi-Wan may have been smirking slightly, Erena couldn't tell.
"Discuss this later, we will. Now, a Joining we have, I think." Yoda scuttled back to his seat and Mace Windu stood.
"Kneel, Fior-Lyyn Erena Nabis." Erena did, in front of Obi-Wan, inordinately glad to get off her feet, since her knees had started shaking. He held out both hands, and Erena placed both hers inside them. It was the manner in which Joining ceremonies had been conducted in the Jedi Order for thousands of years.
"I, Obi-Wan Benis Kenobi, pledge to train, respect, and teach you, Fior- Lyyn Erena Nabis, as my Padawan Learner." Obi-Wan spoke the ancient vows and Erena felt tears spring to her eyes. 'Day of day and joy of joys, do not let me cry.'
"And I, Fior-Lyyn Erena Nabis, pledge to obey, respect, and learn from you, Obi-Wan Benis Kenobi, as my Jedi Master." A tear slipped unbidden down her cheek as she spoke the apprentice's matching vow. Erena blinked furiously, but only succeeded in releasing more tears.
In a breech of tradition that confounded the Council, Obi-Wan knelt in front of her, as well, and brushed the tears away gently, replacing his hand before Mace Windu could complete the ceremony.
The Jedi Master waited for Erena to regain her composure and then placed a hand on each of their heads. "Joined by the Force in spirit and mind, you leave Master and Apprentice. Go in peace," he intoned.
Erena lifted her head at the exact time that a single tear slid down the bridge of Obi-Wan's fine, aristocratic nose. He winked at her, and in that moment she loved him more than she ever would love another. She felt him in her mind, and the Force wrapped itself around them. Erena suddenly felt very tired and a bit anticlimactic as they walked together out of the council chamber. She stifled a yawn.
"In the interest of health and sanity all 'round," Obi-Wan said mildly, "I suggest we put moving off until tomorrow."
"Did they assign us rooms?"
"Yes, 424 in the East quadrant."
"I can grab a bedroll and be up there in five seconds."
"An excellent idea. I just may do the same." Obi-Wan started off in the direction of his quarters and, unable to do anything else, Erena followed.
Obi-Wan glanced over his shoulder, amused. "Padawan, I believe your rooms are 'that' way."
"Yes, I know, but- I seem to be rather stuck to you." They weren't touching, but her body didn't seem to want to move away from his.
Obi-Wan gave her a severely strange look, and then his face cleared. "I should have remembered: the same thing happened with Qui-Gon and me. It's an aftereffect of the Joining. The ceremony drew our auras together and now they're 'rather stuck' to each other. It usually wears off in a day or so."
Erena absorbed this. "Then I'll just follow you to your quarters, shall I?"
"As you like."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Erena tossed on the bedroll in her empty new room. She knew Obi-Wan was near: she could feel him. That was precisely the problem. The part of her that knew the Force was begging for his presence. The rest of her was deeply ashamed of the longing. As a Jedi, she should be stronger than this.
In the next room, Obi-Wan Kenobi, too tired to sleep, couldn't for exactly the same reason. He was sure it hadn't been this bad the first time. Giving up on normal sleep, Obi-Wan sat cross-legged on the mat and sunk into a restoring trance. He would be stiff in the morning, but rested. The Jedi were early risers, and he could always go for a run, or something else.
Erena finally gave up and, grabbing her bedroll and pillow, sneaked into the combination living room and kitchenette. Steeling herself, she stuck her head through Obi-Wan's ajar bedroom door. No sound, no movement. "Master?" No answer. Erena tiptoed in and, dropping her things on the floor, listened again. Quiet, shallow breathing, nothing else. The rest of the galaxy knew not to sneak up on a Jedi.
Erena spread her bedroll next to his and lay down. It didn't seem fair to sleep while he meditated, but she was just too tired. Her life had changed that day. Erena didn't even want to think about all the things that had happened. She hoped Sheris was all right. And Obi-Wan. 'Oh Force, let him understand.' And she was gone. What Erena dreamed about is anybody's guess.
The End, For Now. . .
Author's Note: Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Anakin Skywalker, and the Jedi Council belong to The Plaid Guy: George Lucas. Erena Nabis, Sheris, Lara, Jedi Favri, and Var belong to me. The Menarai is a very exclusive restaurant on Coruscant mentioned in 'Shadows of the Empire' by Steve Perry.
Once again, Obi-Wan Kenobi stood before the Jedi Council on another's behalf. He had placed his appeal before the Council earlier that afternoon. As was their custom, they had spent time in contemplation of Obi-Wan's petition. Apparently they had finished, because he had been summoned before the Council to hear its judgment.
"Considered your request, we have, Obi-Wan," Yoda said.
"This is unusual: for a Knight so soon out of apprenticeship to begin training his own Padawan." Mace Windu spoke up.
"With all due respect, my Masters, my training of young Skywalker was not met with as much resistance as I sense here," Obi-Wan pointed out.
Yoda leaned forward. "Urgent, the training of Skywalker was. Not so urgent, the training of this one is."
Obi-Wan turned slowly, his gray eyes meeting the gaze of each Council member in turn. "Not as momentous, perhaps, but just as urgent. If fear leads to anger, and anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering, what leads to fear?"
He answered his own rhetorical question. "Despair. I sense much despair in Erena's future if she is not chosen. I would save her from this by taking her as my Padawan."
"Agree with you, the Council does, Obi-Wan. Speak to Erena alone now, we will." Yoda said.
Obi-Wan nodded. This was customary. He bowed and retreated to an ante-room where Erena stood waiting. Her head, bowed in meditation, snapped up as Obi- Wan came in. She said nothing, but her eyes held a question.
Obi-Wan tried to think of what Qui-Gon would say in such a situation. "They seem favorable, but it's hard to tell. Is this your first time before the Council?"
Erena nodded.
Obi-Wan put a hand on her shoulder. It actually helped a bit: she smiled faintly. "You'll be fine. Just remember to speak honestly and calmly. They are concerned with your best interests, Erena. You may not always agree with them, but you must listen with an open mind and a willing heart. Don't let them scare you, they will sense it."
Erena turned and walked bravely toward the door, saying as she went, "Into the draigons' den?"
"May the Force be with you."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Inside the Council chamber Erena bowed and looked expectantly around, matching faces to names.
Yoda broke the silence, "So, draigons you think us, hmm?"
Erena bowed her head. "It was only an expression, Master Yoda. I meant no disrespect. It is an honor to be here."
"Your decision here will affect the rest of your life," said Depa Bilaba. "It is not a journey to be embarked upon lightly."
Erena bowed deeply to the willowy Jedi Mistress. "With all due respect, I thought that the decision was the Council's, not mine, to make."
"You do not agree with this, then?" Mace Windu questioned.
"I would not choose any other Jedi as my Master." Erena paused. "This feels right."
"Yet you are hesitant," Yarel Poof observed. "Your thoughts dwell on your life."
"I know that I leave behind a part of my life today. But that part will be replaced by far better things." She swept her eyes slowly around the Council chamber in an uncanny duplication of what Obi-Wan had done earlier. "If the Council agrees, I will go."
In a rare show of opinion, Yaddle spoke. "Correct in his assessment of you, Obi-Wan was. Good you will be for each other." The rest of the Council concurred.
"The Council agrees to this pairing," Mace Windu ended. "The ceremony will take place this evening. I suggest both of you spend the remaining hours in reflection and meditation."
Erena bowed deeply and turned to leave. She sensed rather than saw that Obi- Wan stood behind her. He had come in sometime during the discussion, but Erena didn't know when. She didn't mind, though. He bowed as well, and they left together.
The two took the turbolift down to the level of the living quarters. Obi- Wan broke the silence, "So much for getting settled in my 'bachelor's quarters.'"
"He did say 'meditation and reflection', not moving, " Erena pointed out.
Obi-Wan shot her a glance. "It is possible to meditate and reflect while moving, you know."
Erena gave a barely perceptible sigh. "Yes, Master."
"Oh no you don't, not yet." A brilliant, almost forgotten idea of Qui-Gon's struck him. "And while it's 'not yet', I'm taking you out to dinner."
Erena quirked him a grin. "Celebrate the last few remaining hours of freedom, so to speak?"
"Exactly." 'She 'does' have a sense of humor,' thought Obi-Wan.
They parted ways after exiting the turbolift, as their quarters lay in different directions. A thought occurred to Erena. She almost shouted down the corridor at his back, but decided that this would be undignified and, more importantly, unbecoming of a Jedi. So she thought it to Obi-Wan.
//What should I wear? //
Obi-Wan masked his surprise at Erena's entrance into his mind. //Your best. We're dining at the Menarai. //
If Erena had been able to figure out how to whistle telepathically, she would have done so.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For the second time that day, Erena Nabis threw open the door to her quarters and stalked inside. This time, however, she did it to keep from jumping up and down with happiness.
"Where have you been? Did he say he wanted you?" Var saw the carefully blank look on Erena's face and her expression fell. "He didn't. Oh, Erena, I'm so sorry."
Erena gave up and broke into a full blown grin. "Never assume the obvious, Var. We talked, he asked, I said yes, we braved the Council, and now, now he's taking me out to dinner before the ceremony tonight. At the Menarai."
Var did whistle, loudly and long. "What are you wearing?"
"That's what I asked him. Var, I can think to him already!"
"The Force wants you together, then. But I'll help you find something presentable to wear."
"I don't know, Var. My wardrobe and Jedi philosophy in general isn't very long on formal dress. Can't I just wear robes?"
"Absolutely not. You could wear your blue dress."
"Ugh." It involved ruffles, and had probably looked secondhand the day it was sewn.
"All right, the black silk one. It's fancier, any way, Though how you ever managed to find an evening gown in Acquisitions escapes me."
"The Force, Var. And luck."
"But you said-"
"I know, I know. Now, should I wear my hair up or down?"
"Down, definitely. You want to impress the man, Eri." Erena rolled her eyes. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Erena came out of the entire ordeal looking lovely and completely unscathed. As if to burst Var's romantic bubble, Obi-Wan did not come to the door to pick her up. Instead, they met at the turbolift, their Jedi senses honed to one another with a fair amount of accuracy.
Obi-Wan was not blind though: he noticed. "You look beautiful."
"You don't look so bad yourself, Jedi Kenobi." Obi-Wan was togged out in forest green double-breasted robes of a more formal cut than his usual ones and black leather boots that shone like mirrors. Obi-Wan's hair, which had been let to grow out a bit, was combed smoothly back and looked very rakish. The beard had disappeared. Completely and, Erena hoped, irrevocably.
When they were both safely ensconced opposite each other inside an air taxi and Obi-Wan had given the 'droid driver directions, he sat back and watched his future Padawan. He sensed that an unasked question troubled her. "Well, what is it?"
Erena looked up in surprise that rapidly vanished. "Mas- Jedi Kenobi, why are you doing this?"
"Well, when Qui-Gon officially accepted me as his Padawan Learner, he took me to the Menarai, so I thought I'd take you. Make it a tradition." Obi-Wan smiled encouragingly, something he rarely did.
"But isn't the Menarai terribly expensive?" Erena looked at him suspiciously. "Does the Temple know they're getting the bill?"
"Yes and no, respectively. Like so many other things Qui-Gon does, there's a story behind how he got me in and how I'm going to get you in. He will tell it to you if you ask him. The bare facts of the matter are that Qui- Gon once saved the life of a Correlian businessman who later made a fortune and bought half-ownership in the Menarai. Said businessman never forgot the kindness done to him and, since then, there's always been a table reserved for the Jedi at the Menarai. Qui-Gon is the only one in the Order aware of this singular fact, and he only tells his friends. That's how we're getting in."
"Thank you, sir. That answers many of my questions. Though I don't think I'm going to be asking Master Qui-Gon to tell me a story anytime soon; the man scares me," Erena admitted.
"Scares you? My Mas- Qui-Gon scares you. How?"
"My first impression of Master Jinn was of him very violently besting you in a sparring match when I was nine. It's never left me."
"That wasn't your first impression," Obi-Wan said with maddening certainty. "Do you remember who brought you to the Temple? Some Jedi do."
"I remember a man with a beard and a boy. . . ." Realization dawned.
"That was Qui-Gon and me. I was all of fourteen."
"Qui-Gon and I," Erena corrected.
"Thank you, Initiate," Obi-Wan said dryly.
Erena's face reddened as she realized what she had inadvertently done. "Forgive me, Jedi Kenobi: it's a reflex." She bowed her head.
Obi-Wan assumed a stern expression. "Lose it. Now. An apprentice does not correct her Master." His face softened slightly. "I used to do the same thing to Qui-Gon. Still do." He looked up. "I believe we're here, Padawan"
The Menarai towered above the surrounding buildings; a megalith of snow- white ferrocrete. The air taxi floated to a stop in front of the impressive walkway and main double doors. Obi-Wan got out and went around to open the door of the taxi for Erena.
"Thank you, Jedi Kenobi, " she said archly, smiling in spite of herself.
Obi-Wan scanned the faces of the people stepping out of the other air taxis. "Who are you-" Erena began, but the pair coming toward them answered her question.
The man strode purposefully in their direction. His hair, caught back at the temples, spread in the light wind to make the mane that completed his leonine features. His eyes were sapphire blue and deep with pain and years, but they lit in a smile when he caught sight of Obi-Wan.
The boy who walked by his side was half his height. His round face and short braid betrayed youth, but his eyes held knowledge and a calm that belied the number of his years. Erena had little doubt as to who they were. The recognition she felt from Obi-Wan confirmed it.
That, and the fact that the older man pulled Obi-Wan into an embrace and then held him at arm's length. "Six months! Yours have probably been more eventful than ours. And who is this?"
Erena stepped out from behind Obi-Wan, where she had unconsciously edged. The man she knew to be Qui-Gon Jinn bowed to kiss her hand.
"Master, this is Erena Nabis, who will become my Padawan tonight. Erena, may I present Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker."
Anakin bowed, as did Erena, hers only slightly lower, acknowledging superiority in rank, but not age.
The two older men began to walk toward the restaurant, still conversing. Anakin and Erena fell into step behind their respective Masters. Erena wasn't sure what to make of the boy.
When they were almost to the doors, Qui-Gon paused, allowing Obi-Wan and Anakin to precede him. He stopped Erena with a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Obi-Wan is very lucky to have you by his side, but may I claim seniority and have the lady to walk in with?"
Erena was charmed. All the apprehension she had felt about meeting Obi- Wan's former Master evaporated. Qui-Gon Jinn had that effect on people when he wished. Erena accepted his arm, and they walked in to join Obi-Wan and Anakin.
The four of them were led to a table by the human maitre d'. After they sat down, Erena let Obi-Wan order for her after making quite sure through their mindlink that he knew what she wanted. The food, of course, arrived promptly.
Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon began to discuss old times and generally ignore their respective apprentices while they ate. Erena and Anakin were intent on their food, the best that they had ever tasted. Anakin had just made up his mind to try and make conversation when Erena froze, a bite of fleek-eel halfway to her mouth and a look of horror on her face. Anakin was about to ask her what was wrong, but got distracted by Qui-Gon pushing past him and striding towards the restaurant door, drawing his lightsaber in the process. Erena followed at a near run, digging for hers in her handbag as she did so.
Erena and Qui-Gon were both Jedi of the Living Force. Something had just happened below the restaurant that had caused a (to them) massive disturbance in that Force. They weren't taking any chances on whatever 'it' was not being a loss of life, or something equally important. This was why the two of them had rushed out of the Menarai, to the astonishment of Obi- Wan and Anakin.
Qui-Gon quickly found the nearest turbolift. Erena followed him inside. "Nine levels down," she said, and was pleased to see him nod. Erena had finally found her lightsaber. She felt extremely glad that Var hadn't talked her out of taking it. They'd had a very interesting time trying to find a formal black purse big enough to put it in.
When Erena began unhooking the back of her dress, Qui-Gon asked, "Would you like me to turn around, Initiate?"
"No, Master Jinn, thank you. I've got clothes on underneath this blasted thing that I can actually move in."
"A very prepared young woman." Erena had finally got the dress off and chucked it unceremoniously in a corner. She was now engaged in unpinning the sleeves and legs of the black shirt and trousers she had on underneath it. They appeared to be made of some thin, silky stuff that couldn't be seen through.
Catching Qui-Gon's amused look when she was in the middle of tying her hair up, Erena said, "They're Myrandae's pajamas. We couldn't find anything else that would fit under the dress. Var nearly had a- we're here."
The turbolift jolted to a stop and the two Jedi leaped out as soon as the door opened. They didn't have to go far to reach the cause of the disturbance in the Force.
A young woman's bloody body lay not fifty meters from the turbolift. Erena knelt down and put two finger's to the unconscious girl's neck. She was bruised in several places, but all of the blood came from a large gash on her forehead. None of her clothes were torn. "She's alive, but just barely. Find whoever did this, and make them pay." The older Jedi nodded briefly and then took off.
Erena settled down beside the young woman's body and placed her hands on it. She quelled her excitement and began to send the healing Force through her fingers, in hopes of bolstering the spark of life still remaining.
Obi-Wan and Anakin bust out of the turbolift a moment later and found Erena deep in meditation. The older Jedi took charge of the situation.
"Anakin, stay with her. I'll go find Qui-Gon." Anakin, who normally would have protested at being left out of the action, merely settled down beside the two girls.
Knowing that a healing trance could be very draining, Anakin waited until the girl began to look a bit better and then shook Erena out of it. "We have to get her back to the Temple and I'm not carrying both of you." Erena nodded, stood, staggered a bit, and began to lift the girl using the Force. "Oh no, you don't. Let me." Anakin took over the Force levitation as the two of them walked back to the turbolift.
Once inside, Anakin tried not to jolt his precious burden as the turbolift started up. Erena sat propped against the wall, holding her dress and sagging.
"Are you all right?" Anakin asked.
Erena nodded. "Jedi healing is not my specialty. Do you want me to take her?"
"No, you rest. I'm not the one with a Joining ceremony tonight."
"You're a strange little boy, Anakin Skywalker."
"Padmé said the same thing. You're almost as pretty as she is," Anakin said matter-of-factly.
"Thank you." Perhaps a bit too wry.
"Oops. Sorry. Here's a holo." Anakin fished a tiny cube out of his pocket and handed it to Erena. She thumbed the button, watching as a image of Padmé popped up.
"She is very pretty, " Erena conceded, handing the cube back to Anakin.
"If you press it again, there's one of my mom." He showed her.
Erena could feel his longing for her and was trying to think of something appropriate to say when the turbolift pinged and their priorities shifted. The girl stirred. Erena took over supporting her while Anakin hailed an air taxi.
Erena thanked the Force that it was 'droid driven, as they were already attracting stares from pedestrians.
"The Jedi Temple, and step on it!" Anakin ordered the driver as he flopped into the seat beside Erena. "I always wanted to say that. How's she doing?" Erena had laid the girl on the opposite seat.
"I'm no healer."
"But you've had more classes than I have," Anakin pointed out.
"She will be fine. If we get to the Temple soon."
"I think I know who she is, Erena." He couldn't keep the excitement out of his voice.
"Oh. Who?" Erena looked skeptical.
"Sheris Nallaneen, the Alderaani senator's daughter."
Erena vaguely remembered hearing that name somewhere. "The one who was kidnapped last week?"
"Yeah. Her father's combing the planet for her. Qui-Gon lets me watch a lot of Holonet," Anakin added in explanation. "It's been all over the news. We'll probably get a really big reward for finding her!" He brightened visibly.
"Which we'll have to split four ways or give back all together. Against the Code, you know."
Anakin's mouth took on a stubborn set. "I'll bet Qui-Gon'll let me keep mine. I'm going to buy a podracer."
Before Erena could ask what a podracer was, the airtaxi stopped, and the 'droid driver informed them that they had reached their destination.
"Well, here we go. There's going to be quite a bit of explaining to do, you know. Two apprentices walking into the healer's wing with the senator's missing daughter is strange, even for Jedi," Erena pointed out.
"Leave it to me. Everyone knows me. I get up to the healers a lot."
Erena had no trouble believing him, and she took over supporting Sheris. She followed Anakin up to the healer's section of the lower Temple and through the white corridors, where he hailed a passing Initiate.
"Lara, have you seen Jedi Favri?"
"Upstairs, squirt. Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"Hey, I don't have to take that: I outrank you, Initiate Quisis," Anakin said, pretending to be offended. The healer merely laughed and kept walking
Erena watched in silent astonishment. "Do I want to know what that was all about?"
"Lara and I go back a long way. Come on." More steps and Anakin led her into a room where a dark-haired woman sat at a desk. She looked up from her paperwork when they came in.
"Anakin, what can I do for you; you're still in one piece! Oh dear." She saw what Erena carried.
"Not me this time. We think we've found Senator Nallaneen's missing daughter."
"Anakin, where? Never mind. In here." They followed the woman, who must be Anakin's Jedi Favri, into a room next door. It was a typical hospital room, complete with bed and medical equipment.
"On the bed, please. We need to get her in bacta soon. You two can leave," directed at their anxious faces.
Once outside in the corridor, Erena began to breathe again. "Thank the Force she didn't ask where our Masters were."
"Initiates aren't even supposed to be up here unaccompanied." Anakin smirked.
Reminded, Erena pulled out her chrono. "Oh Force, that ceremony's in half an hour! I have to find Obi-Wan, I have to change clothes, I have to remember my vows. . . ." She trailed off in despair and dropped down cross- legged, closing her eyes. Anakin rolled his eyes and waited.
In a couple of minutes Erena's eyes popped open. "Okay now?" Anakin gave her a hand up.
"Thank you. Don't ever do that. I could have thrown you across the room. But yes, I'm okay."
"Can you mindspeak and run at the same time? 'Cause you need to get to your quarters and also find Obi-Wan. I probably need to change, too; Qui-Gon and I have been asked to act as witnesses."
Erena nodded. "Let's go." They split up and took off.
She could barely feel Obi-Wan's presence. //Master, where are you? // she sent tentatively.
//At the Senate Hall, Erena. //
//Did you get them? //
//It was mostly Qui-Gon, but, yes, we 'got them'. //
//How is Senator Nallaneen taking it? //
A faint tremor of surprise came from Obi-Wan's end and then: // Nicely done. //
//I'll tell you all about it later, right now-//
//I'm on my way, Padawan. // Erena skidded to a halt in front of her quarters, a bit sheepish.
She stuck her head in the door, "Um, Var?" No answer. The common room was empty, and Var's bedroom door was shut. It was rather late, after all. Erena stole quietly into her bedroom, shut her door, and flipped the light on. She still looked fairly presentable, but this was a Jedi ceremony, and, as such, called for robes. Erena slipped quietly into a set of her nicer ones, grabbed her 'saber, and sneaked back out of the rooms' main door.
And ran straight in to Obi-Wan Kenobi. Fortunately, Erena had the presence of mind, or lack thereof, not to ignite her lightsaber or scream. She contented herself with glaring at him, which didn't do much good in the dark hallway.
"There you are. Come on, I'm not appearing before the Council without you."
"You're in an extremely good mood." They began to walk.
Obi-Wan was just this side of a smirk. "'Saber fight. We won. It'll do that to you."
"Ah, wish I had been there."
"Qui-Gon was very complimentary of you."
"Oh, Anakin did most of it."
"That I doubt." A moment of silence.
"Mas- Jed- Obi-Wan?"
"Yes?"
"Are you ready for this?"
Obi-Wan thought a moment. "No. Not anymore than I was the first time. The fact that I'm going to be the one standing makes little difference."
"What was it like with Master Jinn?"
"Up to the Council doors it was something akin to 'I got Qui-Gon! I got Qui- Gon!'"
"And after the doors?"
"Inside the Council chamber it hit me very hard that my life was about to change."
"Would you be terribly embarrassed if I cried?"
"No. But Master Yoda might."
"Oh, then I suppose I'd better not."
Obi-Wan put his arm around her shoulders when they finally stood in front of the Council chamber. "We will get through this." He nudged the great doors open with the Force, and they strode through.
Mace Windu sat, imperturbable as always, in the center of the semicircle of seats. "You are late."
Obi-Wan stepped forward. "Your pardon, my Masters. We were . . . detained."
The leader of the Council steepled his hands and chuckled softly. "So we have heard. And a great many other things, as well."
"That Senator Nallaneen is reunited with his daughter." From Depa Bilaba
"That her kidnappers have been apprehended," spoke Ki-Adi-Mundi.
"That free to Jedi, the Menarai is. Tell us this, you did not, Qui-Gon."
Erena turned slightly to see Anakin and Qui-Gon standing slightly behind them. She had not heard them come in, but Anakin's face had a freshly scrubbed look to it and his Master's beard was ever so just out of line, so it couldn't have been long ago.
Qui-Gon answered. "It, ahh, slipped my mind, Master Yoda."
The wizened Jedi Master humphed skeptically and hobbled over to them. With an air of finality, Qui-Gon knelt, and Yoda thumped him on the head with his gimer stick. Obi-Wan may have been smirking slightly, Erena couldn't tell.
"Discuss this later, we will. Now, a Joining we have, I think." Yoda scuttled back to his seat and Mace Windu stood.
"Kneel, Fior-Lyyn Erena Nabis." Erena did, in front of Obi-Wan, inordinately glad to get off her feet, since her knees had started shaking. He held out both hands, and Erena placed both hers inside them. It was the manner in which Joining ceremonies had been conducted in the Jedi Order for thousands of years.
"I, Obi-Wan Benis Kenobi, pledge to train, respect, and teach you, Fior- Lyyn Erena Nabis, as my Padawan Learner." Obi-Wan spoke the ancient vows and Erena felt tears spring to her eyes. 'Day of day and joy of joys, do not let me cry.'
"And I, Fior-Lyyn Erena Nabis, pledge to obey, respect, and learn from you, Obi-Wan Benis Kenobi, as my Jedi Master." A tear slipped unbidden down her cheek as she spoke the apprentice's matching vow. Erena blinked furiously, but only succeeded in releasing more tears.
In a breech of tradition that confounded the Council, Obi-Wan knelt in front of her, as well, and brushed the tears away gently, replacing his hand before Mace Windu could complete the ceremony.
The Jedi Master waited for Erena to regain her composure and then placed a hand on each of their heads. "Joined by the Force in spirit and mind, you leave Master and Apprentice. Go in peace," he intoned.
Erena lifted her head at the exact time that a single tear slid down the bridge of Obi-Wan's fine, aristocratic nose. He winked at her, and in that moment she loved him more than she ever would love another. She felt him in her mind, and the Force wrapped itself around them. Erena suddenly felt very tired and a bit anticlimactic as they walked together out of the council chamber. She stifled a yawn.
"In the interest of health and sanity all 'round," Obi-Wan said mildly, "I suggest we put moving off until tomorrow."
"Did they assign us rooms?"
"Yes, 424 in the East quadrant."
"I can grab a bedroll and be up there in five seconds."
"An excellent idea. I just may do the same." Obi-Wan started off in the direction of his quarters and, unable to do anything else, Erena followed.
Obi-Wan glanced over his shoulder, amused. "Padawan, I believe your rooms are 'that' way."
"Yes, I know, but- I seem to be rather stuck to you." They weren't touching, but her body didn't seem to want to move away from his.
Obi-Wan gave her a severely strange look, and then his face cleared. "I should have remembered: the same thing happened with Qui-Gon and me. It's an aftereffect of the Joining. The ceremony drew our auras together and now they're 'rather stuck' to each other. It usually wears off in a day or so."
Erena absorbed this. "Then I'll just follow you to your quarters, shall I?"
"As you like."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Erena tossed on the bedroll in her empty new room. She knew Obi-Wan was near: she could feel him. That was precisely the problem. The part of her that knew the Force was begging for his presence. The rest of her was deeply ashamed of the longing. As a Jedi, she should be stronger than this.
In the next room, Obi-Wan Kenobi, too tired to sleep, couldn't for exactly the same reason. He was sure it hadn't been this bad the first time. Giving up on normal sleep, Obi-Wan sat cross-legged on the mat and sunk into a restoring trance. He would be stiff in the morning, but rested. The Jedi were early risers, and he could always go for a run, or something else.
Erena finally gave up and, grabbing her bedroll and pillow, sneaked into the combination living room and kitchenette. Steeling herself, she stuck her head through Obi-Wan's ajar bedroom door. No sound, no movement. "Master?" No answer. Erena tiptoed in and, dropping her things on the floor, listened again. Quiet, shallow breathing, nothing else. The rest of the galaxy knew not to sneak up on a Jedi.
Erena spread her bedroll next to his and lay down. It didn't seem fair to sleep while he meditated, but she was just too tired. Her life had changed that day. Erena didn't even want to think about all the things that had happened. She hoped Sheris was all right. And Obi-Wan. 'Oh Force, let him understand.' And she was gone. What Erena dreamed about is anybody's guess.
The End, For Now. . .
