Thanx for the review Heather, I do appreciate them (coughs as if to hint at other readers hoping she doesn't pass on sars) Like the name change by the way!.

Blah blah blah. Here we go the next installment.

A day later she re-emerged with her head held high. Gingerly she tested her unused muscles but found them as strong as ever, Kyia the Jedi Knight had left her weaknesses in the cave behind her. She stepped out on to the edge and raised her arms; taking a jump headfirst she descended with the water into the lake below. Raising her head above the water line she took one last lingering look at the cave, highly aware of what she had lost; then turning suddenly she crossed the expanse with long strokes until she reached the safety of the bank. Kyia heaved herself up on to the side; in front of her stood another Hevior tree. The Jedi vaulted to the first branch and began swinging through the forest.

Finally she reached the white marble halls of her home. The Quelena had returned

Sensing her arrival, Obi Wan opened the door to reveal Kyia sitting on her bed carefully undoing her braid.

"Hi" she said nonchalantly

Obi Wan scowled but his eyes studied her with secret concern, searching for signs of injury. She looked okay, no he decided, she looked great, her skin was slightly flushed and her jump suit clung comfortably to her form. He kept his glare to cover the fact that he was staring.

Kyia undid the last of her plait and ran her fingers through her hair to separate the strands "Oh, don't look at me like that".

Obi Wan walked towards her in irritation, "You ran off without a word to anyone. I was worried".

"I can take care of myself" Kyia half grimaced, she had guessed this was going to be painful, "I can take care of myself, I'm not a wilting flower. I left you a note".

"Which said nothing" The Jedi finished off her sentence for her. "Where were you? What happened?"

"Anice knows better" She sighed leaving a brief pause and Obi Wan knew he was not going to get any answers, whatever had happened out there, she was keeping it private, "I needed some time and most of all I needed some space. Palpatine will be here soon" Kyia said ending the string of conversation.

"Will you be all right?"

She smiled tight lipped "I'll be fine" It was the truth, this time she knew she would be fine.

"Then I had better let you get ready" He turned to go.

Suddenly she realised how unfair this situation was on him "Obi Wan, I do appreciate it, your concern"

He caught a look of sadness in her eye, "Kyia are you sure you are feeling okay?"

The mask went back up "I'm sure".

Anice came in as she was doing up her outfit, "Do you really think that's appropriate?"

Kyia finished pulling up the zip and turned her attention to the flat knee high boots "I think it's very appropriate" She replied.

"Kyia" Anice put her hands on her hips "You cannot go into negotiations with the Supreme Chancellor in battle dress"

"There will be no negotiations Anice, I refuse to be intimidated by him or anyone else. The Goulsh probably wouldn't know Elphoran battle dress from Aldereenian mating robes. It's for my benefit not his ". Kyia took a brush to her hair, shaking it loose, "Don't worry, I'm not taking in my lightsabre".

"Oh that's all right then!" Anice countered sarcastically.

Kyia ignored the sentiment, "Has he arrived yet?"

"The greeting party met him a few minutes a go. Shall I have him shown into the throne room?"

Kyia nodded, "Give me a chance to get there first"

Anice muttered an affirmative, giving way to let her past.

Kyia took the corridors in powerful strides, she wanted to be waiting when he entered, to make sure the Sith knew that this was her territory not his, her father had once told her politics was all about mind games, and her early life had taught her to play well. As she had directed, at the other end where her desk normally a conference table had been place, she had not wanted this man anywhere near her normal governance chambers. Kyia took the decorated chair at its head in the throne's shadow and waited.

Palpatine and his aide entered and Kyia rose.

"The Republic formally greets you, Mistress Quelena Kyia Levelle of the Elphoran sovereignty" He held out his hand.

She took it, it was the normal etiquette in these cases but she grew weary of it's ceremony "And I you Supreme Chancellor Palpatine of the Republic State".

They both withdrew, almost hastily. Palpatine broke the awkward silence, "May I introduce my assistant T'Shu'Kan of Kuat"

She nodded in greeting to the silent assistant and the three sat down.

"I am very concerned," The Chancellor began in his smooth tone "to here about Elphora's petition to leave the Republic. I came here in hope, to try and straighten the matter out, determine what is best for Elphora and the Republic".

"No Chancellor, Elphora will leave the Republic, no matter what is said at this table" Kyia replied firmly "The Senate need not worry, we have no plans to encourage a separatist movement, despite what rumours may be circulation. We just feel it is time to move on".

"Please listen to what I have to say before you make such a" he paused briefly, searching for the right words "rash judgement. Although membership is of course," The Chancellor coughed "Voluntary. Reasons need to be given for moving away for the stable environment that a small system such as yourself needs to be sustained".

Kyia did not like what he was implying, the assistant scribbled something down on a datapad, "Elphora will be just fine, I have already begun to take steps to ensure that"

The Chancellor leaned forward "Such as?"

"I'm afraid I am not at liberty to speculate at his time" The Quelena smiled inwardly at his startled expression. She realised she had gained a massive advantage; her plan concocted in the lilac Governor's suite had not been expected. It gave her confidence for what would be coming next, she would face the Sith Lord in his political arena, and she would win.

"Well," The Chancellor sat back in his seat, trying to appear at ease. He placed his hands lightly together, only the fingertips touching. "At least provide some sort of explanation for this sudden departure" Palpatine tried to goat her again, looking at her through beady eyes, over shadowed by his deep brow.

Kyia did not meet his gaze. This was not a contention of wills and she was not going to make it one with a staring competition. She had planned her reply under deep meditation in the cave, she had thought of everything, now she just had to remain calm and play it out, there was no need to rant or get over excited like he wished, she was past all that now. "Since we became a part of the Republic, our needs have been changing. We have grown from a downtrodden rebellion into a thriving living entity, but it seems the Republic has not".

"How so?" Clearly he was not going to let her off the hook that easily, his assistant started note taking again.

"Take the petty squabbling over the Naboo Crisis, it has shown that the Senate has isolated themselves from whom they serve. No ruling body can afford to be completely independent that way. That is why Elphora is leaving the Republic. The taxation of botanicals was merely the last molecule of hydrogen that made the star ignite"

She had said her speech and the Sith exploded inwardly, he had gleefully expected ravings that he could use against her and the Jedi, instead she had provided him with a logical argument, one that many would sympathise with, and using his own plans against him. It defiantly would not have the effect of her screaming, the Supreme Chancellor is a Sith Lord in the Senate chambers. He felt like snarling. Instead he channelled his anger and used it where it served him best. The old Jedi would most likely be visiting soon, he would, ironically let him do his work for him.

"Let us not be hasty, I will try and persuade the Senate to place the Aquar lily under another classification of trade to see if we cannot bypass this problem. In light of this I will give you a standard Elphoran week to present yourself at the Senate with your decision" He stood, ending the conversation. "But for now I have to leave. Being Chief of State I'm afraid I cannot stray far from Coruscant for long".

Kyia also rose, not letting him have the height advantage over her "I understand besides, I have ample company here".

"So I've heard, how is Master Kenobi?"

"Well"

"And Anakin Skywalker"

A shiver suddenly ran down Kyia's spine "Also well" she grew impatient, he knew Master Yoda would be coming, that was why he was letting her off so easily, his strong mental shields could not hide that much. Still she wanted the Sith gone as soon as possible. The Quelena did not know what had set off her danger sense but nevertheless she would feel better with him off the planet "Goodbye Chancellor, until next week".

The silent assistant bowed a farewell and followed the Supreme Chancellor out; she watched them go. Unsurprisingly, the Jedi was waiting for her.

He fell into step with her as she walked away from the hall, "How did it go?"

"Well" She nodded decisively but inwardly grimaced at her private joke.

He looked at her thoughtfully "Are you still determined to leave the Republic?"

"Yes, did you think he would change my mind" Her voice did not raise; it remained neutral.

Obi Wan sighed, "I had hoped he would".

They continued to her room in silence, once again she felt guilty at the awkwardness that flowed from him, two days ago standing next to him had been calming, they had put each other both at ease. That was the old Kyia, she reminded herself, and she would have to talk to him about the change.

"Come in" She ushered him into her room and out on to the balcony.

"What happened to you out there" He was direct as always, shiftings and evasions would be pointless. She could sense what he was feeling anyway.

The Quelena sighed "It's difficult to explain," she stumbled around in her mind trying to find the best way to put it. She rested her hands flat palmed on the stone edge of the balcony and briefly glanced into the distance before turning back to him "Obi Wan, before Qui Gon died, what were you like?"

The Jedi glanced at her puzzled "I used to rely on him, I don't think I realised how much until he was gone." He looked towards the green Elphoran Mountains searching for what she saw when she looked at them "I think I thought we were invincible, I've missed that."

Kyia smiled softly for the first time since she had been back "And now you have to stand on your own two legs and watch out for a young padawan when you are barely a Knight yourself." She paused for emphasis "That's how I felt, I'm not the same person anymore Obi Wan, I left all my weaknesses back there, because I had too" She gestured to the far-flung hills.

He smiled deprecatingly "And I'm a weakness right?"

She laughed casually finding herself on more familiar ground "You're not a weakness, you're a complication. There's a big difference".

"Oh really?"

"Yes really" Kyia shook her head, mocking herself more than him, the serious nature of their conversation descending on her again "My planet needs me, I have no choice in that. I have to become whatever it is that they need. I have to fight for them." He nodded, understanding "I'm at a loss" she continued "to understand why you put yourself in the situation willingly"

Obi Wan looked at the floor, her comparison between their two situations unnerving "I wouldn't say that" Kyia tilted her head ready to listen. He had not disclosed this to anyone since Master Yoda in the council chambers all those months ago "Qui Gon, he asked me to train him, it was one of the last things he ever said to me, I couldn't refuse him, even though I did not hold the same views he did"

Kyia's expression had changed to one of intensity "Cunning to the end wasn't he? That really wasn't fair of him to put that on to your shoulders. He shouldn't have done it, he must of known that in that position you couldn't refuse".

Obi Wan smiled wryly "It's no more unfair than being born into a job that you don't want or being taken away from your mother to become a Jedi. We are all pawns in the Force"

"Yes" She nodded once then sighed, "You and Anakin had better pack".

"What?" Obi Wan asked, confused at the sudden change of topic.

"I'm visiting the Hapan Cluster. It is still your mandate to protect me?"

"Yes but?"

Kyia stood up straight "Then you had better get packing Kenobi".