First Chap = Disclaimers
Thanks to all my reviewers!!
Oh, I know that Mace seems a touch uppity in this chap. Don't worry, I do like him so he won't end up that way.
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Jaina breathed deeply as she piloted her craft down through the levels of Coruscant. Encapsulating history had now shot up onto her top ten things she detested. It ranked right under not being able to spend quality time with Obi-Wan because of Jedi business. She had just managed to finish the original Thrawn saga before the ship signaled that they were approaching coruscant.
Leia had arranged for them to land at a more secure and out of the way docking port given their passengers. So, they were landing at what appeared to be a very dingy and rickety docking station. Lando said it belonged to a friend of his. "Don't ask," was his formal comment.
The landing struts made contact with the platform with minimum jostling. Jaina sighed and turned off the engines. Windu would no doubt chide her for un-Jedi like pride in her piloting; she thought with a snarl. Composing herself, she went to inform the others that they could disembark.
Waiting on the platform, Luke ran his cybernetic hand through his sandy hair. Four new Jedi were on that ship. One of them was Master Yoda. He could hardly contain his excitement when he told his family.
Qui-Gon's reaction had puzzled him. He had appeared to be rather subdued at the news. It was almost like a child that was told he could no longer play with a certain toy.
Luke shook his head. He could have just imagined the whole thing. Qui-Gon was still an enigma to him. Jinn's brain seemed to follow a different path than Luke's did. Luke still could not fathom how Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan could ever have accomplished anything together. They seemed so different.
Luke's eyes traveled to the Jedi he had just been thinking about. Qui-Gon, Leia and Anakin had come with Luke to greet the guests. The others were waiting at Leia's ambassadorial suite.
Gusts of wind blew across the platform while they were waiting for the hatch to open. Then it did.
Obi-Wan came out first followed by Mace, Siri, Bant and Yoda. Jaina was at the end and secured the hatch before following the others. After she closed the hatch, Jaina went to bring the shuttle over that would take them to Leai's apartment.
Mace's eyes scanned the four waiting. He would recognize Jinn's stance anywhere. How a Jedi could look so calm and so defiant at the same time was amazing. The shorter man on his left would have to be Luke. He assumed that the woman waiting was Leia. Her Force signature was too close to Luke's to be anything else but his twin. His eyes focused on the tall figure on the end. He didn't know who it was. The stranger's hood shielded his face from view.
Mace halted as Obi-Wan came to a stop and gave a short bow in greeting. As Obi-Wan gave a short introduction, Mace scanned the small assembly. Luke looked uncomfortable at the respect that Obi-Wan was showing in his speech. Leia, on the other hand, looked as comfortable as could be, a clear indication of her years in politics.
Qui-Gon caught Mace's eye as it landed upon him. He answered it with a smarmy grin. Irritated as he was by Qui-Gon's traditional disregard for any council member, mace did not hear the name of the fourth greeter. It did not matter. Siri repeated it in a rather shrill squeak.
"Anakin?" Four pairs of eyes were burning through Anakin's hood.
Anakin frowned in confusion. What was wrong? Then he caught a conspiring glance from his former Master. A light bulb clicked on in Anakin's head. Obi-Wan hadn't given his last name. Anakin's face twisted in a smirk he had learned from Obi-Wan as he pushed his hood back.
"Anakin Solo. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."
Yoda chuckled. "Hmmm, tall you are. Your grandfather's twisted sense of humor, you also have."
"Actually, I think he got his humor from his Master." Qui-Gon interjected.
Bant looked pleasantly at the younger Knight. "You are not like the other Jedi."
Obi-wan smiled. "You always were very perceptive, Bant. Anakin was my apprentice. He was not trained at the Jedi Academy."
"Hmmm, Skywalkers you seem to be collecting, Master Kenobi."
Mace sighed. "Well I don't think that he will be able to train any more. All of your children are Jedi, are they not Senator Solo?"
Leia nodded in affirmation. Before anyone could comment, Jaina pulled up with the shuttle, and they boarded to go to the apartment.
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As they walked down the hallway to their final destination, Qui-Gon took pity upon Mace.
"Mace, I think that there is something you should know."
"Jinn, don't patronize me. I am fully capable of dealing with this situation."
"I'm not patronizing you. I am just attempting to save you some embarrassment."
"I will manage."
Qui-Gon sighed. Well, if Mace wanted to look like an idiot, he could.
The door swished open. Fittingly, little Ben came rushing out to latch onto Luke's legs.
Luke swung the four year old up in the air.
Siri smiled. "Is he an initiate?"
Obi-Wan grinned as he exchanged a knowing look with Yoda. The little green troll had felt the family bond with Luke instantly.
"Actually, this is my namesake, Ben. Luke named him after me."
"He was abandoned?" Mace asked.
"No, Luke knocked up a hot red head and out came a baby." Obi-Wan grinned as the words sunk into Mace's consciousness. He didn't know whether the actual information or the way Obi-Wan had told him had shocked him more. Frankly, Obi-wan did not care.
"He is your biological child?" Mace questioned as they neared the living room of the apartment.
"Of course he is." Mara replied. "And just who are you to question my fidelity?"
A distinct red hue began to creep across Mace's shaved bald head.
Qui-Gon did not pass up the opportunity to gloat. "I told you I wanted to save you. But you just wouldn't listen now would you?"
Mace blinked and blinked again. There had to be someway out of this. "Well, one would be naturally curious. The boy does have reddish hair and is named after Obi-Wan. Rumors could start."
Mara laughed. "You've got a lot of spunk in there. You better hope you can back it up."
Mace relaxed. He hated to use sarcasm and jokes to get out of a situation, but it was better than suffering ultimate embarrassment and continual harassment.
Siri viewed the entire room. "It looks like you've got half the Jedi forces here. Only one missing is Anakin Skywalker."
"Father is in prison waiting for his trial. Otherwise I am sure he would be here to greet you." Luke supplied.
"Cloned your father was?"
"I'm sure Callista did not mention one of her greater failures to you." Obi-wan supplied. "Anakin has been quite helpful since we escaped."
Bant looked at the assembled Jedi. "It appears that we all have quite a bit to discuss."
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Ani laughed as Obi-Wan finished telling him about the four rescued Jedi.
"So, Mace succumbed to Callista's brainwashing and the other three pulled him out of it so they could steal a ship?"
Obi-Wan grinned. "Yes, although Siri swore that she came up with the idea of Bant "seducing" him while she and Yoda moved into position."
Ani shook his head. "I don't think Bant could seduce anyone."
"I think that that was why Windu was shocked and couldn't sense Yoda coming. I must admit hitting him on the head with a walking stick was a bit trite."
Ani nodded. "Everyone has a story about Yoda and his cane."
"Yes they do. Oh, speaking of seduction, I hear that you were attempting to foster such an overture in my direction?"
"Hey, it wasn't seduction, and it was for your own good. How badly did you let her down?"
Obi-Wan blushed.
Ani's eyebrow quirked. "You horny old bastard, you didn't brush her off did you?"
"It was late, I was frustrated, and she was very alluring."
"I don't believe it. I really am the chosen one. Only my relative could bring down the man that can stand in a room full of naked Hapen women and not get affected."
"How did this become a discussion of your ego? AND she did not 'bring me down' we only kissed."
Ani rolled his eyes. "I assumed that. I was surprised that you even got as far as a hug."
"You are incorrigible. I am very grateful that neither of my other apprentices came out with such an annoying opinion of themselves."
Ani grinned. "Speaking of apprentices…"
"Yes?"
"You seem to be getting along quite well with young Ben."
Obi-Wan's head snapped up as he squared his shoulders. "Have you been talking to Qui-Gon?"
Ani laughed. "You know, I think it is a good thing that Jaina's taken a liking to you. You get pulled into Skywalker business so often, you might as well become a full fledged family member."
Obi-Wan groaned. "The boy likes me. I'm around a lot. It doesn't mean that he's trying to bond."
Ani shook his head. "Even you don't buy that. Face it. You've got six years before you once again are shadowed by my illustrious kin."
"I hate you."
"No, you don't. Hate is of the darkside. And don't say that Padme shouldn't have married me. You don't believe that one either."
"You know, there is one big flaw in this entire scheme. If I have children with Jaina, who gets to train them?"
Ani grinned. "I'd tell you, but I don't want to frighten you."
Obi-Wan sighed. "I'll see you later, Ani."
"Bye"
Obi-Wan walked out of the prison and rubbed his temples. Talk of family was all well and good, but there was more pressing business to attend to. With one last groan, thrown in for good measure, Obi-Wan headed to the Senate building to plead his case for action.
