Thanx for all the reviews! I'm going away for about a month, and I'm not sure if I'll have access to a computer, so I won't be updating for a while, but I will try and write the next few chapters, so I can post when I get back. Oh, and the italics aren't working again, grrr.  

The sun was slowly rising, turning the sky a dazzling gold and red, casting a warm glow across the planet. The city of Sera slept on, unaware of this rare, magical beauty.

The Seratiniun Hall of Negotiations rose from the city, a tall fountain of marble intricately carved and patterned. On one of the balconies two figures balanced, cross-legged, on the wide stone rail. Her hair shone like spun gold, capturing the beauty of the sunrise in every strand. His blue eyes were closed in meditation, calm and peaceful in the morning light.

They had been there for many hours, barely moving, barely speaking, simply finding comfort in each other's presence. After waking from another painful, suffocating dream, Leyana had ventured to her balcony, only to find Obi-Wan seated on his. Joining him, together they had stared up at the stars. He had not asked her why she was awake, and she had not asked him. She was grateful for the silence that had fallen between them, that he did not ask the questions she was unwilling to answer. Something had changed between them, though she wasn't sure exactly when it had happened. Perhaps it was when she comforted him after the explosion, perhaps it was when she had decided to confide in him about the note, perhaps they had just learned to trust each other. The awkwardness was gone, replaced by companionship; she felt as if she had known him for years, and this was just another journey together. It wasn't of course, sooner or later their work on Seratina would be done, and they would be parted. She wasn't sure why this made her feel slightly anxious, but pushed the thought firmly to the back of her mind. It wasn't important now.

Over the last three days, investigation had been primary in their affairs; the testing of the teeltas was suspended until those responsible for Governor Thelos's death could be found, and everyone was aware that the month of the sun was creeping ever closer. Leyana found the whole thing highly suspicious. The mysterious cloaked man at the metal works for a start. Why be so conspicuous if you were planning on stealing something? It's almost as if he wanted to be linked to the theft.

To her surprise, Obi-Wan opened his eyes. "Linked to the theft?" he whispered.

She froze, shock written on her features. Had he just read her mind? "How…?"

Obi-Wan shook his head. "I don't know, I was just thinking about the mission, and this...thought…floated into my mind, but it was like you were saying it."

For a moment neither of them spoke, trying to process this unusual information. To touch another's mind, Jedi had to be close, to have some sort of bond. Between a Master and Padawan, or good friends it was nothing, but Obi-Wan and Leyana had barely known each other two weeks. And I didn't even try to speak to him…

"Odd," she said, because she couldn't try to convey what she was feeling.

Obi-Wan nodded. "Odd," he agreed.

They looked across at each other and laughed suddenly, the tension disappearing, the strange communication almost forgotten. Leyana sighed and stretched her arms above her head.

"It's so beautiful," she whispered, gesturing to the sunset.

"I wish moments like this could last forever. I wish I could stay here forever. With you."

Leyana glanced at him, she had a feeling he hadn't meant to say that last part, but strangely enough, it was exactly what she was feeling. He felt so comfortable with Obi-Wan, as if nothing bad could happen when they were together. The dreams suddenly seemed so far away, the notes nothing more than a childish game. With him she was safe. She wanted to tell him this, to tell him the affect his presence had on her, but instead she asked, "Do you think the mysterious cloaked man is linked to the explosion?"

For a brief moment something odd glimmered in Obi-Wan's eyes, almost like disappointment, but then it was gone, and he was nodding.

"Seems too much of a coincidence not to be, but I also think you're right, that he was too obvious, that he wanted to be remembered."

She sighed in frustration. "It's suddenly so complicated."

He nodded. "And I have a feeling it's about to get a lot worse."

Her mind flitted back to the latest note, You look so peaceful when you sleep. Do you dream? "I know what you mean."   

***

Qui-Gon paced the length of the room, frustration rising in him. Why couldn't she see it? Why wouldn't she understand?

Shara watched him from the bed, cross-legged, calm, her violet eyes following his movements. "I think you're overreacting."

He whirled to face her. "This will end badly."

The silence which followed was thick with tension.

Qui-Gon sighed and strode to the window, watching the two Padawans from behind the curtains, ignorant to his observation. He knew their feelings for each other were growing, that they were becoming closer than they should. He could not let that happen. He had nurtured Obi-Wan, turning him into the best Jedi Knight he could be. Leyana could not be allowed to ruin all that by leading Obi-Wan astray.

"They're young Qui-Gon, let them have some fun. Soon enough this mission will be over, and they will forget all about each other."

"So sure are you? I know what I see-"

"And I know my Padawan," she interrupted fiercely. "She is dedicated. She will not stray." She hesitated, then she added, "I think we should let them go back to the metal works together."

"No," Qui-Gon snapped. "No. I will go back with Obi-Wan. You and Leyana can return to the lab."

"I want Leyana to do something on her own. She's almost ready for the trials, she needs to be able to work solo."

"That is your concern, not mine."

"Yoda sent us both on this mission. We should both be making the decisions."

The tense silence returned as the two Masters glared at each other.

Although Qui-Gon barely knew Shara, he already thought her to be to be too rash and too relaxed. She had passed the trials at eighteen, and taken a Padawan when she was only twenty. She was an accomplished Jedi, whom the Council held in high esteem. But one thing was certainly clear about her: she did not like being told what to do, especially, it seemed, if the person telling was Qui-Gon.

"You're too reckless," he said. "The incident at the warehouse has proven this."

Her eyes flashed dangerously, and Qui-Gon wondered if he had pushed too far.

"How dare you question my capability," she hissed. "What gives you the right to judge me?"

"Twenty years more experience," he replied dryly.

"So that automatically makes you better than me?"

He sighed, tiredly. "No. It doesn't make me better than you. It makes me more cautious."

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "This isn't just about our Padawans is it?"

"No," he agreed. " It isn't. It's about you constantly allowing Leyana and yourself to be cornered by danger. The lift, the warehouse. That incident with the pirates."

He saw her scowl at the mention of the pirates who had way layed them on their journey, but he ignored it. "How can I trust you if you keep getting yourself almost killed?"

She took a deep breath, as if to calm herself. "I did what I thought was best in those situations. I had to think on my feet, we do it everyday!"

"Well then, perhaps you are making the wrong decisions."

Silence.

"I do not believe this is working as a team, Qui-Gon." Her voice was icy, almost dangerous.   

He passed a hand over his eyes. Suddenly he felt old. Too old to battle with Shara's vivacious spirit. "No," he agreed. "I am being unfair. Please forgive me. Of course Obi-Wan and Leyana should go to the metal works together. It's the normal situation in such a circumstance."

She shot him a slightly odd look. "Riiiight. Well, I'll go and tell them then, if it's the "normal situation in such a circumstance". Unless I need your permission of course."

She sailed out of the door, leaving him no chance to reply. He clenched his jaw. He hated it when people made fun of him, rare though it was. In fact, he didn't think he'd ever known anyone as successful at getting under his skin. This mission was not going well.

***

Leyana gasped as the Dingen slowed, giving her a first glimpse of their surroundings.

 "It's beautiful!"

Obi-Wan nodded in agreement. It was even prettier than he remembered. The sun shone across the grass and lakes, the breeze rustling the trees of the forest.

"Look!" Leyana cried. "Reyoltoes!" She pointed to the blue creatures Obi-Wan had seen on his last visit. "They're very rare," she said. "Usually only found on the moons of a planet. It's amazing a colony has survived on an actual planet."

He watched the way her golden eyes glowed, lit with enthusiasm, as she talked. Her lips captivated him. Full and soft, the palest pink with a golden shimmer.

He coughed. "Shall we, uh, go inside?"

She nodded, and followed him out of the transport. "Do you think we'll gain any useful information?"

He glanced at her as they started across the field. "I don't know," he admitted. "Edetha said the man was cloaked, so she couldn't really see him. But perhaps the other workers have some useful information."

She looked thoughtful. "Perhaps."

There was a pause, then he asked, "What are you thinking?"

She looked at him, smiling. "How beautiful the sun is." She reached out her arms, as if she could gather the beauty of the day and hold it. Her eyes were closed, so she couldn't see the small dip in the grass before her. Obi-Wan sensed the danger, saw her fall, arms still reaching, and suddenly found her held tightly in his arms, steadying her. They looked at each other, their faces only centimetres apart, their bodies locked together. Tension flared between them. He could see a flash of his own feelings written on her face. Desire. Fear. Desperation. Frustration. They were so close, so close… Suddenly she laughed, and the odd spell was broken. They pulled away, a hint of a blush colouring their cheeks, relief tingeing their expressions.

I have to stop feeling like this. I'm a Jedi.

She smiled uncertainly at him, and they continued across the field, avoiding each other's gaze. As they approached the great, domed building, Obi-Wan felt an odd sense of warning sweep through him. Danger was nearby. He could feel it. The doors were open, as they had been on his last visit, but as the Jedi stepped inside they realised something was very, very wrong.

The place was deserted. Papers floated from desktops in a gentle breeze. Objects lay, carelessly, on chairs. The great fires only shimmered in their holes. It was like everyone had just got up and walked out. As if the place had been abandoned.

They took a few steps inside, taking in their surroundings.

"What the hell happened here?"

Obi-Wan shook his head. "I don't know. It's like everyone's just…vanished."

Leyana looked worried. "Maybe we should report back to Shara and Qui-Gon. See what they think." Obi-Wan moved further into the building. "Let's look around first." He squinted across the room, at Mickel's clear office.  "There's something stuck on that wall. Maybe it has some information." He could see it clearly now, a piece of yellow paper with black writing, stuck to the partition, plainly visible. H e reached for it, pulling it into his hand.

"What does it say?"

As he read the words, he felt his stomach drop, dread flowing through his veins.

I knew you would be here. Now I can see you awake too.

"We've walked into a trap."

***

Leyana stared at him, trying not to show the sudden panic she was feeling. "A trap?"

Obi-Wan handed her the note. She squeezed her eyes shut, to block out the words. Now I can see you awake too. "This isn't happening," she whispered.

"We have to get out of here." Hands grasped her elbows, forcing her to open her eyes.

"Leyana do you here me? I need you to stay strong. We'll be okay as long as we're together."

She took a deep breath and nodded. "I'm okay."

She wasn't, but Obi-Wan was right. She couldn't afford to break down right now.

"Okay, let's go."

Holding her hand, Obi-Wan began to lead her toward the door, but had barely taken three steps when they were plunged into sudden darkness. His steps faltered. She gripped his hand.

In front of them, the door swung closed.

For several long moments silence enclosed them, then Obi-Wan's hand was torn from hers, the space next to her body filled with air.

"Obi-Wan?"

She heard a grunt, then a crash followed by a moan.

"Obi-Wan?"

The sounds of a fight reached her ears, and panic threatened to engulf her.

Calm down. Use your Jedi training. You don't just use your eyes to see.

She opened her mind and let The Force in. She could sense the fight to her right. Obi-Wan and a larger, stronger opponent. She whipped out her lightsaber, the blue glow lending a relief from the dark. She leapt through the air, landing carefully on a table, her weapon swinging towards their attacker. Shock raced through her as red glow appeared out of nowhere, blocking her attack, the powerful stroke forcing her back.

A lightsaber? But that's impossible.

And yet it was a lightsaber, now battling fiercely with Obi-Wan, whirling, twisting, stabbing in the dark. Pushing away her surprise, she leapt back into the fray, covering Obi-Wan's flank as he parried the stranger's blows. She leapt, somersaulting over the mysterious enemy, racing her weapon defensively.

He attacked.

She had never felt such power. It raced shock after shock up her arm as their weapons tangled. She spun, dived and ducked, calling on every Jedi skill she knew, but he was right there, meeting every thrust, parrying every blow and forcing her backwards, away from Obi-Wan. With a sudden burst of energy she felt herself flying through the air, propelled by The Force, powerless to stop herself. She landed hard on the floor, the wind knocked out of her, unable to move. She hugged the cold ground, battling her fear, the sound of Obi-Wan's fight filling her ears. She had to help him.

She stood, her eyes easily piercing the dimness now they had adjusted, and located the two flashing lightsabers. Their opponent was dressed in black, blending with the dark shadows, constantly moving, almost too quick for the eye. He or she moved with perfect grace, indefinable skill. Leyana ran through the maze of desks toward them, desperation filling her lungs. The black fighter kicked Obi-Wan's legs from under him, but a moment later he appeared, flipping backwards through the air. He slashed with his lightsaber, but his opponent had already sensed the move, leaping back then forward, his leg kicking Obi-Wan's weapon to right, his lightsaber plunging into the Jedi's left side.

Leyana's steps faltered. She saw their movements as if in slow motion. The figure jumping back then springing at Obi-Wan, his foot appearing out of nowhere, pushing away the blue blaze as if it was a stick. She heard the sickeningly blank sound as the red glow buried itself in Obi-Wan's body, then reappeared, glaring across the room.

Obi-Wan's eyes widened in surprise, a soundless gasp escaping his lips. He turned in the dark, but before Leyana could meet his gaze, his eyes rolled back into his head, and he fell. Silence was magnified and time slowed to a crawl as his body crumpled beneath him, arching gracefully through the air towards the ground. The sound as he hit the floor echoed in her ears. He lay, unmoving.

The figure leapt at her, materialising from the dark. It grabbed her, pulling her close, and she could see black eyes, their gaze scorching her skin.

"Soon," it whispered.

Then it jumped up onto the catwalks above and through an open window, disappearing from sight.

***