First chap=disclaimers
Phoenix Wolf: Yes, it was a touch sweet; I just needed to have a light chapter because things are going to get nasty a little later.
Mordant: Glad you liked it. BTW I finished my other SW fic.
Anne: So glad you joined us!
Cammy: Sad to say, Ani will not be having so great of a life for the next couple of chapters (Hey, you were the one who wanted his life to come back and haunt him."
MasterSolo: Thanks
Heidi: Yeah, I'm kinda fond of that part with Obi too.
Angelx06: Thanks
FireSenshi: Here you go
Silverseer: Well I'm endeavoring to fix the problem with this chapter ;)
All right, fair warning for those reading this story: First, it'll be getting a touch more angsty (I think) after this chapter. Also, I promised that I wouldn't, but I might skip a couple of years (Haven't decided yet).
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Ani sat staring at Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon was staring at Obi-Wan, and Obi-Wan was staring three tables over at his very enamored apprentice.
"It isn't personal Obi-Wan. Things like this just happen." Qui-Gon voiced.
"Then why do they always happen to me?"
"She seems very nice."
"She's sixteen, Ani. He's eighteen. Do the words 'statutory rape' mean anything to you?"
"You know full well my grandson isn't playing patty cake with her. You're just being stubborn."
"My last apprentice played tonsil hockey with his twin, Ani. I don't put anything past your family."
"Ani is right Obi-Wan, you are being too suspicious. What's wrong with a little romance? I always thought the Old Order was too strict about it."
"You thought that about nearly everything in the Old Order, Qui-Gon. Besides, you only think that because you had a thing for Tahl."
"See that's your problem. You've never had a serious, floating on air, hopelessly in love experience."
"Shut up and let me brood, Ani."
A slight clearing of a throat brought the conversation to a halt.
"Ben, could I talk to you?"
"Sit down Luke. Don't worry, Qui-Gon doesn't bite."
Luke sat down. "Well see I um, came to apologize."
"Really, what for?"
"About what I said earlier, you know, about that guy."
"Oh, you've been talking about me? I'm flattered." Qui-Gon quipped.
Luke turned a bright red. "I wasn't anything personal it was just that…"
"Master Luke, Jedi have been telling Obi-Wan horrible things about me for ages. Interestingly enough they tend to bother Obi-Wan more than they do me. He tends to mother hen everyone he's close to."
Ani snorted, "You should see him protect Anakin. You'd think the kid was made of glass by the way he defends him."
Obi-Wan sighed and gave a weak smile in Luke's direction. He'd always been the stable one in virtually all of his relationships. Protecting those around him came as a natural result.
Luke smiled back. "So, what were you talking about?"
A moan escaped Obi-Wan's lips. "We were discussing the sexual practices of your family."
Luke spit the hot chocolate he was drinking across the table as his face flushed red.
Ani grinned. "Contrary to popular opinion, Obi-Wan can spell both Bar and Sex."
"Yes, well I got my information on the second from you Ani. I wasn't the one hitting on women when I was nine. And you drove me to the first."
"You knew him when he was nine?"
"Unfortunately."
"But I thought you said he was an accomplished pilot when you met him?"
"He was."
"At nine?!"
"What can I say? I'm special."
"Ani, your lack of ego astounds me."
Qui-Gon shook his head. "If you'll excuse me, I have an appointment with a Mister Han Solo. Apparently he needs me to pick out some appropriate 'repentance' flowers for him in the forest."
Ani frowned, "Doesn't he have a son that's botanically inclined?"
Obi-Wan swatted at Ani. "Would you ask Luke to pick out an 'I'm sorry' gift for Padme?"
Luke's eyebrows shot up. "Was Padme my mother's name?"
Ani got a slightly dreamy look on his face. "Padme Amidala, Queen and Senator of Naboo, the most beautiful, graceful, angel to ever set foot on Coruscant."
Obi-Wan's head hit the table. "The Force hates me."
Luke looked at him. "You didn't like my mother?"
"Like her? She was a friend, as far as politicians go, you've just never heard Ani talk about her. From the time he was fourteen, anything would remind him of Padme and he would get that look. Then he would talk incessantly about her. Sometimes he wrote really awful poetry."
"Hey, I loved her."
"Yes, and you should thank me for putting up with Jar-Jar while you went off pitching woo."
"I thought you liked Jar-Jar."
"I was very good at being diplomatic."
"Excuse me, but did you say that my mother was a Queen?"
The smile returned to Ani's face. "Yeah."
Obi-Wan stood up. "If you'll excuse me, I believe I will allow your father to tell you about Senator Amidala. I need to go rescue my current apprentice from the evil jaws of twitterpation."
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Ani whistled to himself as he sauntered down the hallway. Luke had been totally engrossed in the story of Padme until he got called away. Apparently, he was going to do a news conference announcing the return of Obi-Wan Kenobi and the turning of Callista.
Thinking about Padme made him think about their children. He was building a relationship with Luke, but Leia was a problem. She had basically refused to leave her room after the announcement. Well, he'd never been one to fear entering a hostile situation.
Walking up to the door, he could see that it was locked. It was a good guess that Leia wouldn't voluntarily let him in. He smiled. He'd never met an electronic pad that didn't like him. The lock readily let him in. Threepio was standing near the door to alert Leia to any visitors. Using the Force, Ani shut him down before he could utter a sound.
"You know, some may find it a touch hypocritical that you have a statue of your father made and then dump potato salad on him."
Leia spun around. "How did you get in here? Where's Threepio?"
"Mechanical objects and I have a deep understanding."
"Get out."
"Now that's not a very nice thing to say to your own father."
"You're not my father, you're his clone."
"Then you have no reason to hate me. I'm just another person."
Leia glared at him.
"Hey, don't blame me. I was trained by a well respected negotiator and married a Senator. I'm very good at winning arguments."
"Why did you have to pop up now? Hasn't my family been through enough? Do you know what will happen when the press gets a hold of this?"
"My guess is that something bad will happen. Yes, your family has been through too much. And I had to pop up now because it's better now than to hide and have more trouble from hiding."
Leia sighed. "I don't know that I can accept you as my father."
"Then don't. You forgave me. That is all I would ask for. Look at me as someone who helped your son."
Leia shook her head. "Are all Jedi like this?"
"No, most are much more proper."
"I'll call a truce. Fair?"
"Fair."
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Jaina smiled as Kyp threw his arm around her. They'd made up as soon as she'd gotten back from her patrol. The wounds that Jacen had inflicted had healed quickly, and they were going to catch a bite to eat.
Turning around the corner, Kyp walked straight into Obi-Wan.
"Hey watch it." Kyp said to Obi-Wan, who was now sprawled on his butt on the floor.
"Well, if it isn't one of the high and mighty Jedi. Here to tell us all what we're doing wrong? I don't know how you can handle a lightsaber. You're so uncoordinated. What did your parents name you before the Jedi glommed on? Oafy-Wan?"
Obi-Wan had had a very stressful week. He was already in one of his cranky phases, and a great deal of things had happened in a short time period. Normally, he would just blow it off. He would just give a scathing remark.
But, he wasn't feeling normal. He was feeling cranky, and Kyp had just landed smack dab on Obi-Wan's #1 pet peeve. Standing up, Obi-Wan brushed off his clothes and began to walk away.
"See you around Oafy-Wan!"
That did it. Obi-Wan turned around and walked straight up to Kyp. Smiled, and kicked him in the crotch.
