First chap = disclaimers
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Anakin stared blankly at the back of his father's head. He had no sooner bid Tahiri goodnight than he had been called to a secret meeting at his uncle's apartment. When he arrived, Han and Chewie were already sitting with Lando and Luke. Mara and Leia were in the kitchen fixing drinks of alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties. Little Ben was being put to bed by Obi-Wan.
Apparently, once Anakin had arrived they were just waiting for the twins. The door swished open allowing Jacen and Tenel Ka in. Jacen shot a Han like grin over at his brother while the Dathomirian warrior strode over to stand by Chewie. Jaina followed two minutes later, her hair falling over her shoulders and her breathing heavy.
Jaina blushed as she looked around the assembled room. "Sorry, I was busy talking to Tahiri. My comm. unit was on mute."
Obi-Wan shot a smug look at Anakin and the young Solo knew exactly what his Master had been thinking. Jacen, however, beat Kenobi to the punch.
"Didn't Anakin take out Tahiri tonight?"
"Yes, well, I did. Anyway, ummm, what are we here for?" Anakin stammered.
Lando stood up and smiled. "I have recently received a report from my…Scouts."
"*You mean space traders.*" Chewie interjected.
Lando shot a scathing look at the Wookie and continued. "Whatever you call them, they've found a hole in the Hutt defenses. They have also found a planet that we may be able to launch an attack from if the locals agree."
Luke looked up and smiled. "That is good new Lando, but we don't have the Senate's permission yet."
"True," Tenel Ka spoke, "But, that does not mean you cannot secure their allegiance. Why do you not send an envoy to at least start negotiations with this planet?"
Leia smiled approvingly at the younger woman. That had been her thought as well. "I agree with Tenel Ka. Why don't we go and begin negotiations with this planet?"
"It would be a prudent move. What is this planet called, Lando?" Anakin asked.
"Well, we haven't had much success with dredging up information. But, we do know that the planet is called Kamino…"
Lando broke off at the sight of a venerable Jedi Master hitting his head against Luke's coffee table.
"Ben?" Luke's voice queried, afraid that all the meetings had finally caught up with the elder Jedi.
"Why me? Why? Why does my life have to be repeating itself? Train a Skywalker, have a battle, train a Skywalker, have a battle. Now the stupid planets are repeating themselves."
Mara looked at him. "SO, I'm guessing that you know about Kamino?"
"Of course. One would think being a member of the Empire you would to. Do the words 'Clones" and 'storm toppers' mean anything to you?"
Han looked at him. "Isn't that a rhetorical question?"
"They created the clones. They built the clone army for Palpatine. Don't tell me your history books are that barren."
Leia looked at the others in the room. The only person that seemed to have a vague knowledge about Kamino was Mara, and even she was a bit puzzled.
Obi-Wan snorted. "Well, I must say, Palpatine was very thorough. If you want me to, I will go to Kamino and open a dialogue. I evidently know a great deal more about their culture than you do. I have been there before."
Luke pursed his lips and looked at Leia. Leia smiled over at Obi-Wan.
"I'm sure that the Senate could spare you for a few days while you established communications."
The room nodded in general consensus. Luke, however, raised his hand.
"I agree that Ben will be the most likely candidate, but I would like to send someone else along. I don't want to send him on a solo mission, and I think it would be best if there was a representative of the current Republic or Jedi Order with him."
"Why not both?" Jaina asked. Taking a breath she continued. "Look, I'm a member of the New Jedi Order. I'm also a member of the New Republic military. I'm logically the best choice and I'm sure that some strings could be pulled to get me off of official duty."
Mara looked at her former apprentice and hid a grin. Somehow, she didn't think that Jaina's motives were all that pure. Mara might have thought that, but her only voiced opinion was positive of the plan, as was everyone else's.
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Qui-Gon Jinn sighed as he walked through yet another Coruscant hallway. He'd disliked Coruscant when the Temple was still there. Now, it was even worse with the lingering taste of evil that still lurked about.
He had been called to replace Obi-Wan as his former apprentice left for a "top secret" mission. He was currently on his way to speak with Obi-Wan before the boy departed.
That thought caused a hesitation in Jinn's stride. How could he still think of Obi-Wan as his boy? By any standard Obi-Wan was well past his adulthood. Yet, Qui-Gon didn't believe that Obi-Wan would be anything but his. His last apprentice was the closest thing that he would ever have to a child.
Logically, Qui-Gon knew that the new rules allowed for romantic relationships, but he just didn't feel that urge anymore. Even if Tahl were to come back, he did not believe that he could have children. It wouldn't be fair. Obi-Wan would always be his favorite. His children would resent that.
Obi-Wan, on the other hand, he could use a bit of romance. Qui-Gon was not opposed to becoming a surrogate grandfather.
Smirking to himself, Qui-Gon rung Obi-Wan's doorbell and was granted entrance. Inside the small quarters, Jinn could see Obi-Wan methodically packing a small bag. Sea colored eyes snapped up at him.
Qui-Gon flinched. When Obi-Wan's eyes looked Blue, he was happy, green meant passionate, gray meant irritation and was normally associated with battle. They were gray.
"You are not happy with me for some reason."
Obi-Wan pursed his lips. "Well, at least you are perceptive. No I'm not happy with you. Care to guess why?"
Qui-Gon tilted his head to the side. He had an idea, but why Obi-Wan was so upset was beyond him. "I take it that this has something to do with the bed on your trip here?"
"Your brilliance astounds me. Do you have any idea how embarrassed I was?"
"You were embarrassed? What, were you sore in the morning?"
Obi-Wan flushed bright red. "That… that doesn't even deserve a comment!"
Qui-Gon frowned. "I had no idea you would be so reactionary about sleeping on the floor."
"What?"
"Well, I thought your gallantry would endear you to her. Obviously, I was only able to make you irritated."
Obi-Wan refused to make eye contact. "Oh."
Qui-Gon knew that particular 'Oh.' It wasn't the 'We just had a misunderstanding' 'oh'; it was the 'We were on totally different pages' 'oh.'
"Obi-Wan, did I miss something?"
"Iddnslpontheflr."
"You realize that comment sounded suspiciously like the time your mouth swelled up in an allergic reaction, don't you?"
Qui-Gon watched in amazement as Obi-Wan's red face made his hair look positively pale.
"I didn't exactly sleep on the floor. We, sort of, shared."
"You slept in shifts? OH, You slept…together."
"Don't say it like that. It makes it sound like I'm a dirty old man."
"Obi-Wan, you haven't even had a crush since you turned twenty-one. I hardly think you qualify for pervert status."
Obi-Wan smiled his thanks and closed his bag. "Well, now that that embarrassing talk is over with. Why don't I brief you on the wonderful intricacies of modern day boredom. AKA: Politics in the modern Republic."
