Argh! Vacation really cuts into my writing time.

1st chap=disclaimers

Ashley: Thanks for your review. Unfortunately, Padme will not be returning. She's not a Jedi, so she won't get cloned. (Bummer, I know)

Jjf: Well, this chapter is a little heavier. You'll probably see personal reaction/conversations in the next chapter.

Lynx: Is it just me? Or are there two of you in that review? (It's too early in the morning! I'm rhyming!)

HeidiM: Well I brought in the rest of the family here. Next chapter will get to see some individual reactions

ShortySC22: Glad you liked it!

Cammy: I made you wait a long time didn't I?

Phoenix Wolf: Yeah, I guess I sort of do have a twinge of the dark side once and a while. (It's because I started my training late ;) Yoda did do the vast majority of Luke's training, I just took Qui-Gon's quip as a little barb tossed at his favorite apprentice. (Plus, it was the only way I could think of to finish the chapter.)

FireSenshi: Here's your next update.

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Uncomfortable was what Obi-Wan felt at the moment. Uncomfortable and nervous, if Jedi could be nervous, which he wasn't sure they could. Anakin seemed happy he mused. On their way to the meeting room Luke had suggested, Anakin had whispered something about missing the sane people in his life. Obi-Wan shook his head. Anakin was still going through culture shock. He still remembered when he first left the temple to go on missions. He'd been so excited, but deep down he found everything a little overwhelming.

He supposed that was how Anakin felt at the moment. While Hutt space was not exactly the Jedi Temple, it was the only environment, now matter how odd, that Anakin had lived in. Obi-Wan's gaze wandered over to Ani. This was going to be very hard on him. If his own family didn't kill him, the rest of the Republic would.

Qui-Gon had lost his playful demeanor two steps into their short journey. He now had on his serious Jedi Master look. It had curled the toes of the council at times. It was like looking at the icy finish of a marble column. It could convey any range of emotion the viewer wished to see in it, but it truly revealed nothing.

Jaina had gotten over being shocked to being angry. She was hurt no doubt, and now she had Padme's look of righteous indignation. Being a Jedi, she should work over her anger quickly. Then again she might not. Obi-Wan had all but given up on deciphering anyone descended from a Skywalker. Their moods could evaporate like a drop of water on a hot skillet, or they could harbor them for months and years and you would never know.

Jacen, surprisingly, looked like he was welcoming his best friend. His eyes were lit up like candles. He had pulled Anakin over to the edge of the room as soon as they had entered. Anakin had been shocked at the action, but was currently having a whispered conversation with his brother.

Luke had left the room, no doubt to make a few personal calls.

It was a pleasant room they were in. A large window filtered sunlight in, and there was a large fern in the corner of the room.

What to do?

A conversation with Qui-Gon was out. He never talked with that face on, not while there were strangers around. Jaina was too upset. Jacen and Anakin were still talking. He had a feeling they were talking about him, so he couldn't barge in. Ani was brooding. There were only two people that could talk to Ani when he was brooding and they were both dead.

Just then the door whooshed open. Instead of Luke, Mara came in toting along her son in her arms.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone was in here."

I'm cursed with absent minded apprentices. Obi-Wan thought. Couldn't Luke remember to tell his own wife?

Jaina broke out of her reverie. She had finally figured out where she recognized the hair color from. Anakin had a length of it at the end of his braid. She was about to brood on that fact when her Aunt entered.

"Didn't Uncle Luke talk to you?"

Mara frowned. "No. He said that he needed to call Leia right away. He seemed a bit scatter brained. Ben insisted that we walk this way and made a fuss until I came in here."

"Oh." There was short silence in the room as everyone stared at Mara. Then Ben, insisted on getting down. The rest of the room's occupants expected to see him run to Ani. Instead he ran straight to Obi-Wan.

"C'ndy?"

Obi-wan laughed and picked the child up. "No little one. Didn't your mother tell you never take candy from a stranger?"

Ben's eyebrows furrowed together. "Not strngr. Daddy know."

"Yes your father knows me, but your father knows a great deal of people. Not all of them should be trusted."

Ani rolled his eyes. "I forgot his unerring pull towards children. The only people who try to get in his lap more are Twi'Lek whores." He muttered under his breath.

Mara smiled politely as Obi-Wan returned the child to her. Her green eyes demanded an explanation as to why the other six occupants were in the room.

"These are Anakin's Jedi friends." Jaina explained.

A light dawned in Mara's eyes. "Really? So, which one of you gets to put up with him?" She said as she jerked her thumb towards Anakin with a slight smirk on her lips.

"That would be me."

"And do you have a name or is "me" an ancient Jedi name?"

"Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Mara looked at him, frowned, and then snorted. "I guess little Ben needs more credit. You do know Luke. You could have called first, you know."

"That was the original plan, but communications to the Academy are expensive if you want to get through. The channels are all taken up by reporters' broadcasts."

Mara kept her requisite frown in place. It was bad enough that he had a perfect answer to her question, but he'd been so polite. How was she supposed to roast him while Luke was gone? It was strange, sometimes she thought her mothering instincts were stronger towards Luke than towards Ben. She didn't want her husband's optimism clouding her judgment of the three new Jedi.

"Who are your other two companions?"

"Erm, well that would be Qui-Gon Jinn, and that would be Anakin Skywalker."

Mara locked her eyes on the tall man in the corner. He looked full of sorrow and guilt. Like a murderer about to be executed. He looked just like Luke when he brooded.

"So, you just expect me to believe you're Obi-Wan Kenobi back from the dead?"

She had expected a response from Anakin or Obi-Wan. What she saw was a protective glance from Ani and a lethal spark from Qui-Gon.

"It is up to you what you believe. I can only offer the facts. From my own point of view of course."

A straight shooter, Mara mused. "Well, I'm pretty fond of your apprentice over there, and I'd hate to not be opinionated. I guess that makes me a believer."

Obi-Wan smiled. "Your insight serves you well."

"Actually, I just don't want a hassle from Luke."

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A few hours later, they were all seated around a dinner table waiting for Han and Leia to arrive. Leia had been called to a nearby system and Han had flown her there. Chewie had stayed at the academy and was currently sitting opposite Ani. He was sending him very nasty looks and the occasional snide growl.

Jaina was doing her best impersonation of an ice princess. Jacen after his initial burst of questions had settled down to an unusually subdued state. Ani was still brooding. Qui-Gon's face was still impassive as he made polite diplomatic conversation with Chewie and Luke. Luke was distracted and looked about ready to jump out of his skin waiting for Leia to arrive.

Mara in the mean time was having a rather lively battle of wits with Obi-Wan concerning senators. Apparently, they thought alike on the subject. Anakin was content to listen in, and Ben was perfectly happy to play with a garishly bright piece of plastic that Ani had given him.

Leia and Han walked in. Han had his hand casually resting on his blaster. Leia's face showed where Jaina had gotten her ice princess pose from.

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon rose from their seats to acknowledge her position. Ani would have, but he thought it best not to rile her in that manner.

"General Kenobi," Leia's voice wavered at first but soon smoothed out. "I am honored to finally make your acquaintance as an adult."

"The honor is mine, M'Lady."

They sat down quickly and began the meal in silence. Half an hour later, no-one had said a word.

Qui-Gon cleared his throat. "Since we are all present, perhaps now would be a good time to explain certain things."

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Two hours later, four Jedi were staring out at the sky on a small veranda.

"That went well."

"Obi-Wan, your sense of humor got worse when I passed on."

"What do you think was worse, Luke's righteous indignation about Callista or Leia calling Ani a spineless womprat and tossing potato salad on his head?" Anakin asked.

Ani looked over at the other four. "I deserved the potato salad. I deserved it all."

Qui-Gon shook his head. "And I thought Obi-Wan could brood. Wasn't Ms Organa-Solo the one who helped get your statue put up as a hero?"

"Commemorating a dead father and living with him alive are two different things." Obi-Wan stated.

Ani smiled a wan smile. "At least we know Luke is going to have plenty of time to meditate tonight. I don't think Mara will be getting anywhere near him after her 'You would never defend me like that' speech."

"I believe Mara has had a rough time with the memory of Callista. Everyone thought she would be so perfect for Luke. They accepted her. Mara was someone known out of necessity. She had to earn everyone's love." Anakin sighed.

"I believe we can count Han and Chewie on our side as well. They immediately accepted Anakin and his general story. The detailed version does not appear to have swayed them." Obi-Wan observed.

Qui-Gon nodded. "Three smugglers on our side. What does that say about us?"

"It says we haven't changed. We're still the 'defiant' training line. The Jedi 'council' doesn't like us all that much, but the populace does."

Ani turned towards the door. "At least they are letting us stay. We still have a chance that way."

"Agreed, I suggest that we retire for the evening. I have a feeling that tomorrow will be…draining."