A/N: A very big thank you to a wonderful beta reader named Leann for helping out with this part. (Description just isn't my strong point, but thankfully she had a lot of good input)

Kaime: I'm quite a girly girl myself, so I can sympathize. And yes, you are definately my craaazy reviewer. I luv ya, though.

TinTin: Thanks (again). I was so glad to know that you got that Obi was deliberately trying to get Ani off balance. I wasn't sure if that came across well or if people would think he was just taunting without cause.

Vaderbabe: Thanks so much for replying. Soon enough for you?

Chapter 9

Precious few raised in the temple knew of their origins, thus speculation about such things among initiates was to be expected. One of the more prevalent rumors that had surfaced some time ago was that Obi-Wan Kenobi had descended from one of the royal houses of the inner core, for he carried himself with such confidence and grace that it only seemed logical that he had descended from nobility.

Qui-Gon Jinn remembered absently that his sometimes literal former padawan had not always taken the rumor as a compliment. Do I really look that inbred? he had seriously asked his mentor on one occasion giving the master quite a laugh.

The unbidden memory caused the Jedi master to steal a quick glance over at the table to his right in order to catch a glimpse of his former student. To someone who hardly knew him, Obi-Wan seemed perfectly at ease. But Qui-Gon easily picked up on the young man's nervous fidget and the way he would occasionally look about as if trying to find the nearest rock to crawl under.

If only they could see him now he mused.

Anakin was faring a tad better within the formal setting of the palace dining hall. The young man appeared to be at ease while he slowly sipped the lone glass of Alderaanian wine that his master had allowed him and conversed casually with the Supreme Chancellor. His eyes, however, would occasionally dart about in childlike wonder of all there was to take in.

The padawan's gaze, though, became permanently fixed the moment Padme Amidala entered the room. Her sudden appearance in the dining hall caused all conversation to stop for the moment of a heartbeat as all in attendance took in her stunning form.

She wore a simply cut midnight blue gown with her long hair let down save for the front and sides, which were pulled back in a sapphire clip to allow the features of her face to be fully appreciated.

The dress itself was a gift from Lady Organa and on anyone else it would have appeared plain for it bore no lace , beading, or fringe. But on Padme any of this additional ornamentation was unnecessary as it would only have taken away from her natural beauty.

Qui-Gon thought that the simple look fit the young woman quite nicely. The flabbergasted expression he caught on the face of his padawan let him know that the boy certainly agreed. But this lasted only a moment, for Anakin quickly excused himself from the Supreme Chancellor and approached the beautiful young woman so that he might escort her to her seat.

The boy certainly doesn't lack confidence the Jedi master thought to himself with a smile.

It was also right about that time when , sensing everyone else's distraction, Obi-Wan Kenobi decided he had suffered through enough political jargon for one evening and slipped relatively unnoticed- though not entirely - from the dining hall.

"You're stunning," he said as he offered his hand to escort her to her table.

Padme blushed a bit at the compliment. "Thank you," she smiled.

"You must promise me that you'll dance with me after dinner."

"Of course. Anything for the little boy that saved my planet."

Anakin frowned at the comment. "I'm not exactly a little boy anymore," he pouted unknowingly causing himself to look and sound even younger than he actually was- much to Padme's amusement.

She bit back the smile that was forming on her lips and touched his cheek in a soothing gesture. "I know your not, Ani, but you still are very young."

"Not that young," he corrected. "If I recall you were ruling an entire planet well before you were my age."

"And I wasn't nearly old enough for the job," she said in a soft voice while favoring him with a warm smile. "Do yourself a favor, Ani. Don't try to be a man when you're still a boy. Be young while you still can."

"I'm a Jedi," he replied. "There's no such thing as being young."

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Obi-Wan Kenobi stood casually on the outer terrace and glanced up at the night sky. He had never felt comfortable among politicians and was relieved when he had the opportunity to slip out of the dining room and into the cool night air.

It was a clear night and the stars were clearly visible in the distance. He found it ironic that it was so, because everything else felt cloudy to him at the moment. His instincts were telling him that something wasn't quite right, but he couldn't sense any clear threat through the Force.

The sudden grip of a cold hand on his shoulder caused him to abandon his thought and spin around lightning fast. With danger reflexes kicking in the young Jedi grabbed the hand and prepared to take the figure behind him off his feet. Thankfully, recognition dawned on him in just the nick of time.

"Chancellor?" he questioned, stopping his motions mid act.

"Knight Kenobi, I apologize for startling you," the Chancellor replied in a somewhat shaken voice.

"No apologies necessary, Chancellor. It is I who am at fault. I must have been more distracted than I realized to have not sensed you approaching." he said, steadying the politician before releasing the grip he had on the man's hand.

He eyed the politician curiously for a moment. It was a rare thing for one to be able to sneak up on a Jedi- rarer still for someone to successfully sneak up on him. For a split second the Jedi thought he had seen a dark shadow cross the Chancellor's face causing Obi-Wan to blink. When he opened his eyes, however, the politician simply seemed to be staring at him with what appeared to be genuine concern. Obi-Wan forced himself to shake off his feelings of shock and apprehension.

"I saw you leave dinner, and I wanted to make sure that you were well," Palpatine explained as he regained his composure.

"Fine, sir. I think I'm just a little worn down. I apologize for my rudeness. I meant no slight to either you or Senator Organa by leaving."

"And none was taken, my dear Jedi," the chancellor reassured. "To be honest, I'm surprised that you were sent on this assignment at all, for it seems to be a bit beneath you. Rumors around the Senate have it that Senator Bitsma owes you his life, and that you were quite fortunate to have survived the attack yourself."

"Rumors have a way of being greatly exaggerated," Obi-Wan replied.

Chancellor Palpatine gave a soft chuckle. "Rumors have no need of exaggeration where you're concerned, my boy," he said clasping the young man's shoulder and studying him for a moment. "Now go back to your quarters and get some rest. We'll just say it's Executive's orders, shall we? And don't worry- I'll cover for you inside."

"Thank you, Chancellor. I appreciate your concern and will take advantage of your kind offer." Obi-Wan said with a bow. The young Jedi then turned and headed back to his room.

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The heavily shielded Sith watched carefully as Obi-Wan Kenobi walked into the distance. He suddenly understood his apprentice's fascination with the lad. While Kenobi lacked the raw power that emanated from Skywalker, his courage and sharp mind more than compensated for the difference. But he suspected as well that something of the soul that burned behind those exquisite green eyes also accounted for some of his apprentice's interest. Soulless as Darth Sidious was, even he had to grudgingly admire the young Jedi's unshakable aura.

Distractedly, he raised his comlink to his lips. "Jillian," he called.

"Yes?" came the immediate response.

"Are you set to strike?"

"Of course."

"Be sure to take Skywalker alive," he cautioned.

"And Kenobi?" she inquired sheepishly.

Darth Sidious took a moment to focus on the Jedi in the distance. It truly was almost a shame that he was going to have to kill him.

"Dead," he finally answered, "but...save me the eyes."