Carmen Thanks so much! Athena Leigh It's pretty sweet to write them too! Thanks.

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This is ridiculous.

I am a Jedi Knight, not a child engaged in his own personal little tantrum, on the floor of my mind, kicking and throwing up my fists.

Everyone has their excuses for what they are hesitant to do, and as we are taught in the Temple, such hindrances should be mowed down like willowy weeds.

Yes. I will be galvanized. I will push aside the thorny brush that has invaded this path, and if my fingers bleed, I will cherish the scars.

It is what my Master would have wanted.

Next to him, what do I know of the will of the Force?

I feel a warmth rush to my face. For all the times I have imparted my 'wisdom', my opinions and guidance to Anakin—if only he knew how I doubt every word. What would he think of me then, a man who teaches the very things he mistrusts?

Would he even want this silly bead, grasped in the sweaty palm of a trembling hand?

I can imagine his disgust, if he ever learned just how much he lost when Qui-Gon passed from one world into another.

And, worse, how would he react if he knew that I am withholding an honor from him, as though I were superior, and looping the bead into his braid would be sullying it.

I wish…I wish he knew that I would give life and limb to set this right, to step outside of this cramped prison and be freed of its aged shackles.

I've been pacing, I realize, and move slowly to the bench. I lower myself to the slick cushion and rest my head against the back.

If I close my eyes, maybe…

"Master?"

I hear the small voice, and my natural reaction is to jump to my feet…but I only lift my head, very calmly, and slip the bead into a pocket.

Anakin is standing in his sleep clothes, framed by the doorway, a troubled expression marking his young face.

I should've been quieter, or shielded better. Anything that would have prevented the melancholy sheen over his eyes. "Padawan? What are you doing awake at this hour?"

He shrugs. "That's what I was gonna ask you."

I manage to smile. "I'm sorry that I disturbed you. I know you need your sleep, especially after the mission you've had."

He sits beside me, his feet dangling a few inches off the ground, the bare toes curling and uncurling.

Funny. I used to do that.

"I wasn't sleeping too great either." He quirks his mouth to the side. "Don't you need your sleep too?"

I hear his concern, feel it like a dulled knife twisting in my gut. "Masters are world-famous insomniacs, didn't you know?"

He smiles.

My forehead creases. "You do know what an insomniac is, don't you?"

"Yeees, Master." He rolls his eyes. "My mom used to call me one all the time."

"Oh." I fold my hands in my lap, and glance out the window. A mentioning of her never fails to bring a strange static to our bond. However brief, it still alarms me, and renews my belief that Jedi initiates should not be acquainted with their birth parents.

If I knew my own mother, I wouldn't be able to stop myself from talking about her either. No matter how much it pained me.

"This ship's a yawn." Anakin observes, leaning his chin into the heel of a small hand. "The pilot wouldn't even let me in the cockpit. He's a—"

"Anakin." There's an edge of rebuke in my voice. "We must respect his wishes."

"I know." He blows out a breath. "If I had my own ship, I'd let anyone go in the cockpit. I'd never be mean like him."

"I'm sure you wouldn't." I ruffle his sleep-tousled hair. "But maybe he's just protecting his property against little ruffians that would hit the wrong button and send the ship careening towards innocent bystanders, including one very innocent Jedi Master—"

"Alright!" He interrupts with a tugging, mischievous grin. "It happened that one time and you never let me forget it."

"That's right. Never." I smile, half-hoping the sentiment will reach my heart—and become real again. "How else would I able to torture you?"

"I don't know." He giggles. "Get creative…Give me all the desserts I want."

I cock an eyebrow. "How is that torturous?"

"Maybe I'll get a stomach ache?"

"Ugh. You are a stomach ache."

Where moments before there was merely quiet, his light, bright laughter fills the viewing room.

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More to come…