1st chap = disclaimers

Heidi M: Hmmm. Well, I hope you like this chapter ;)

Jedi-jainafel: Yeah, bummer Huh? I thought about playing with her age, but I'd messed with so many other things, I thought two years wouldn't be too bad to wait.

Fire Senshi: Well, since you said pretty please…

Lynx: Well that shows you how many times I proof read. I have a tendency not to check my facts all the time (I'm not a real big geography buff in real life and it kind of drips over into my writing). Yes, I do know who Tenel Ka is. Once Jacen quits being retentive (which will be soon, I promise), I might give him a bit of romance of his own and Tenel Ka would be first pick. The chick from the first couple of NJO books was a ditz.

No one in particular: Alas, I'm not going anywhere that I know of. But I will be busy, so I can't say that I'll be updating more frequently.

Pheonix Wolf: Glad you like it. Yeah I'm being pretty nasty with Jacen right now aren't I? He deserves to get it, but someone else will get it worse ;) (Does anyone else hate it when authors make vague comments like that?)

ShortySC22: Whoo. An update just for you!!

Cammy: Shakes head. A bounty hunter I knew it. Well I hope you like this chapter. I've thought about it a lot, so it'll either be very good or really stupid.

As I mentioned above, I don't really like to check out planetary or solar system relations. So, if anyone wants to make a suggestion as to where the "bar" is feel free.

Admittedly, I forgot just how old Luke and Mara would be at this current point, so just roll with the idea that they left baby Ben at the academy for his protection when they went to Coruscant.

One more thing. There's a bad word in here. Remember the PG-13 rating. But it's not that bad.

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  Jaina stared into her non-alcoholic beverage. When she'd come off duty this evening, Kyp had suggested he take her somewhere away from the academy to "relax." Turned out he had the perfect little bar to fly her to. Problem was, she couldn't drink. That left Kyp free to drink because she could fly them back. Currently, he was up at the bar ordering another round for himself.

She was not having a good time. It was okay at first, but after a few rounds Kyp had started talking about how stuck up Anakin was. How he thought he was better then everyone else at the Academy. Jaina shook her head. First Jacen, now Kyp. Didn't  anyone see the same person she did? Admittedly, he wasn't exactly the friendliest person in the world at first. Then again most people aren't, especially when you take their word with a freighter load of skepticism.

   Personally, she thought he was very considerate. While she was sure that he found certain aspects of the current Jedi training less than complete, she hadn't heard him put down anyone. Kyp, on the other hand, had put down more students than she could count. At the moment, she really didn't know why she was putting up with him.

Jaina was interrupted from her musings by a presence next to her table. It wasn't Kyp.

"I don't suppose you'd like to buy an old man a drink would you?"

Jaina's eyes flew up to scrutinize the man standing in front of her. Ginger hair and beard, Half smirking lips, Sea blue eyes. Bet he thinks he can charm any woman in the room. Jaina thought.

"Aren't you supposed to at least use a pickup line before you try to get something from me?"

"I'm sorry, I thought you'd prefer the direct, honest approach. Ahem. Are you an Angel?"

Jaina almost snarfed her drink up through her nose.

"What, it always worked for my friend over there."

"Never, Ever use someone else's pickup line. You sounded like a nine-year-old kid, and about as sincere as a politician promising to cut taxes."

"Ahh, well how about you give me a loan. I'm having a tiff with my two friends over there, and they lifted my wallet before I walked away."

"WHAT're you doin' 'round my table'n my girl." Kyp's voice was overwhelmed by the affects of the alcohol he'd consumed.

Something in Obi-Wan immediately disliked the man. Instead of just leaving, he faced him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see your name tattooed on her Ass when I walked up." His voice was incredibly calm and smooth from years of practice.

"Why you little…"

"Kyp, why don't you leave him alone. He didn't mean any harm."

"Are you defending some guy in a bar now? If that's how you're gonna treat me on our date then I'm leaving." With that Kyp slammed back his drink and stalked out.

"I apologize; I didn't mean to cause a fight with your boyfriend."

"He was being a jerk. Why don't you make it up to me by talking with me. We can work on your lines."

"I still have to find a girl with money to pay my tab."

"I have money, and I need someone to talk to."

"If you insist, I'm Ben." Obi-Wan said as he sat down across from her.

"Jaina, Ben is my cousin's name too."

Obi-Wan tried desperately not to freeze in place. He thought she looked a little bit much like Padme.

"I see. I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt your privacy."

"You're not interrupting my privacy. If I didn't want company, I would have told you to scram. Public people are real people too you know."

"Somehow, I don't think that statement applies to Senator Borsk." He replied. Jaina smiled. The guy really was too good at deflection to safer ground.

She decided to try a new conversation. "So, what are you doing in this area?"

"Oddly enough, my friends and I are on a type of a road trip. We were going to stop and see the Academy, but it is a bit inaccessible at the moment."

Across the bar Ani laughed.

"What?" Qui-Gon said.

"He's got the 'certain point of view look on his face.' Poor girl."

"My poor Obi-Wan; when did he get so good at deception?"

"I don't know, but personally I think his Master had something to do with it. I heard he was very undisciplined."

"Watch it young man, or you'll find out just how undisciplined I am."

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Two hours later, Jaina was recovering from a fit of laughter.

"You mean Bant actually believed you when you told her humans normally shed their hair?"

"She was four. Besides, I had a terrible dislike of medical facilities at the time."

Jaina sighed. "The bar is going to be closing soon. Why don't I make you and your miserable friends over there a deal? I pay your tab. You let me stay overnight on your ship. In the morning, you can fly me back to the Academy, and I can give you a personal tour."

"Well, as I have no money, I believe we will take you up on the deal. Let me go tell my friends while you pay the tab."

Obi-Wan walked over to Qui-Gon and Ani.

"I told you I could fix our problems. First, we don't have to scrape together money to call Anakin. Secondly, we'll be at the Academy tomorrow morning. Thirdly, I don't have to pay my bar tab. Next time, when I say I have a feeling, listen to me."

Ani snorted, "Who is she, and what did you promise her, a night of making out with a crusty old codger?"

"Ani, your sense of humor has gotten you into trouble in the past. Don't push it."

Jaina wandered up behind them. "You ready to go?"

Two pairs of inquisitive eyebrows raised towards Obi-Wan.

"It's not like that!"

Qui-Gon cut in before Ani could make an ill advised comment at Obi-Wan's very easily targeted expense. "Of course it isn't. Might I suggest that we discuss this on our way to the ship."

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Anakin strolled through the halls of the Academy working on his contact with the Force. With all the emotions swirling around him, one couldn't get a very good read. There were just too many thoughts to break through. Somehow, his bond with his Master had intensified over the last few days. He hoped that was a good sign.

He bit back a huge groan as he saw his brother at the other end of the hallway. Avoidance had been his top priority where his brother was concerned lately. From the look of him, Jacen had been out digging around by the night blooming plants again.

"Jacen."

"Anakin. What are you doing up? Stealing droid parts?"

Wonderful. The instant no-one else is around, Jacen decides to be a jerk.

"Why do you hate me so much?"

"Because, you're nothing more than a petty thief, you just waltz back into our lives and steal my parents' affection."

"In case you didn't notice, they happen to be my parents too. And I hardly think that I've stolen them from you."

"Oh, sure that what you say, but we both know different."

"No, we don't. It appears to me that you had a bias against me before I ever showed up at the apartment."

"Maybe I just don't think it's fair that you have two families. Can't you just stick with your plushy all Jedi one?"

"PLUSHY!! That's rich coming from a kid who had his life and his training handed to him on a silver platter Let's see who's had it worse. Jacen: Full connection to the Force, loving mother, loving father, loving sister, loving Uncle, and would be loving girlfriend if he pulled his head out of the ground. PLUS a very cushy all expenses paid life given the fact that his mother was a Senator and his father was a war hero. Anakin: Kidnapped by evil Jedi, mostly cut off from the Force, living with three cloned Jedi who have to constantly make decisions between keeping the ship going, morality, and food."

Jacen had nothing to say.

"If you want to attack someone so badly Jacen, why don't you take after Kyp? He's the one who came back WITHOUT your twin tonight. You would have noticed if you weren't off feeling sorry for yourself."

Anakin strode off in the other direction. His anger was getting the better of him and he needed to release it into the Force.

Jacen stared at the retreating figure his face wore a small expression of pain.

"I'm sorry." He whispered.