New chapter is up! Well, Anya's going to meet with the council. Will they let her go on the Naboo mission or will they send Qui-Gon instead? Well, you'll just have to read and find out. I'm not going to tell.

Don't forget to review!!!!

Chapter 3

The morning light brightly lit the council chamber. All twelve council members were seated in the semi-circle. Anya stood in the center, facing Yoda and Windu. Her arms were folded up the sleeves of her robe. A tiny bit of nervousness ran through her. The council must had picked up on her nervousness because Windu smiled and some of the nervousness eased.

"Good morning, Anya." the dark skinned master said.

"Good morning, Masters." she replied, bowing.

"Something important you wish to inform us?" Windu asked                    

Anya took a deep breath before speaking. "As you all well know, the Sith has returned."

"Warned us before you have." Yoda spoke.

"The time for them to reveal themselves is now. The Battle of Naboo is coming up. Which means, if my calculations are correct, Chancellor Valorum will be asking for help tomorrow." She said looking at each member. "You then sent Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to Naboo with Valorum's demands. It was o Tatooine where Qui-Gon first in counter the Sith apprentice."

"During the battle, Master Qui-Gon and the Sith were killed." said Oppo Rancisis

"That is way I asked to speak." said Anya.

"What do you mean?" Adi Gallia asked.

"I believe if Qui-Gon goes to Naboo, he will be killed again. If you do send them, send me instead of Qui-Gon. I know it will change the future. But the future is changing with every minute."

"Saving Qui-Gon you are." exclaimed Yoda.

Anya nodded her head. "Yes, master. If Qui-Gon stay here, he'll live."

"Why?"

"Because. . . Hopefully, history or future will change. If so, maybe the Clone Wars won't happen, the Empire will never rise. The Jedi won't be hunted down."

Her last statement brought a murmur. A stab of fear spiked up in her. She was afraid the council would decline.

"We will discus this matter." Windu said.

Hearing the dismissal, Anya bowed. "Thank you." And left.

Once the doors closed behind her, the council started mumbling among themselves.

"If it is possible to save Master Qui-Gon, then I'm all for it." Eeth Koth said.

"Know more about the Sith's return they do. Know the Sith master they also do." Yoda stated.

"We can change history or future and we would be in the position to stop the Sith."

Yoda's ears drooped as he thought over the situation. Do they let Anya go instead of Qui-Gon or let history repeat itself?

Obi-Wan was practicing the Twelfth Kata. He was doing a series of jumps and flips. The young man hoped the exercise would clear his mind. But it wasn't. By now, Anya had met with the council. She was determined not to let Qui-Gon go to Naboo and get killed again. When he woke up that morning, he found the bed emptied. Using the Force, he found no trace of her in the small apartment. That's when he noticed the time. She was meeting with the council. Entering the common area after dressing, he found a note from her. She would see him later at class. Part of him was agreeing with her. Even though the Naboo mission never took place, Obi-Wan could feel emotions swirling up in him. Anger, hurt, frustration were towards an event that hasn't happened yet, to him any rate. The words that had caused those emotions were loud and clear as if Qui-Gon was standing right next to him, saying them.

"I will train him, then. I take Anakin Skywalker as my Padawan leaner."

Two years earlier, Obi-Wan had a dream where a warrior with a red/black tattoo, horn head and wielding a double edge lightsaber, killed Qui-Gon. He had told his master of the dream. Qui-Gon didn't think anything of it. It was just a dream. Even though it might have just been a dream, the young man couldn't shake the feeling that it might be a vision. The next morning, Yoda and Anya were in the meditation garden, talking. Yoda had sensed something was wrong with Obi-Wan. He told the ancient master and Anya of the dream. Anya suddenly became nervous and turns away from the group. Obi-Wan became overwhelmed with fear. He asked her if the dream was just a dream or a vision. Sadly, she explains the tragic tale of the mission and the fall of the Jedi master. Ever since then, the master and padawan were careful.

No longer focusing on the movements, Obi-Wan fell out of the flip and landed hard on his butt. Pain traveled up and down his body before he was able to ease the pain away. Making a face, he stood back up. When he fell, his lightsaber flow a short distance from him. Using the Force, he called the saber back to his hand. He was glade no one was in the training room. That particular kata he had done in the competition a month before. He had won first place. Rubbing where he landed, Obi-Wan got back into position and jumped. He started the move all over again. But this time, keeping his mind on the timing. If not, he would seriously injure or even kill himself with his own blue blade.

He was finding it more difficult to focus. The past two days have been one surprise after another. The biggest was last night. While make love, somehow, he was able to see and hear her thoughts. They were able to speak telepathically. A mind link. It wasn't uncommon for Jedi to speak to one another telepathically. Masters and padawans uses this in the form of a training bond. But this was different. More intimate. Like a bond. It was nothing like a training bond. He had read where bonded couples could speak to each other through a mind link. Obi-Wan had looked into her two color eyes and saw the dual with the Sith warrior. And Qui-Gon's death. He then understood it. He heard her thoughts on the plans to go to Naboo herself instead of his master. What happened afterwards, had shocked him.

Counting their lovemaking, for a second, their souls formed to make one. And in that second, they knew almost everything about each other. It felt as if their souls had bonded together. Then it was gone. Their souls separated and they were two again. Staring at one another shocked, they didn't know what to do. That shouldn't have happened. Since becoming lovers, Obi-Wan wanted to bond with her. He loved her heart, body and soul. And he was finding it more difficult not being with her.

Obi-Wan was about to finish the kata when he felt the presence of his master. Qui-Gon waited patiently next to the training mat. He was watching his padawan finish the twelfth kata Obi-Wan loved so much. The young man landed in front of Qui-Gon, going down to one knee and bowing his head, as the kata ending called for.

"Very good, Obi-Wan."

"You should have been here sooner." Obi-Wan said grumpy as he stood up. He rubbed the sore sport caused by the fall.

"You lost your focus and concentration." Qui-Gon said sensing something was troubling his student. Obi-Wan knew the twelfth kata off by heart. He could do it in his sleep. Something must have caused him to lose concentration and fall out of the flip. "Obi-Wan, is there something you would like to talk about?" Concern was in his voice.

"No, master." The young man stepped off the mat and grabbed a towel that was lying next to his robe on a nearby bench.

Qui-Gon knew Obi-Wan was trying to avoid answering him. There was something he was hiding. He guessed it had something to do with Naboo. "Are you sure?"

With his back turned to him, Obi-Wan clenched his fists inside the towel. Part of him wanted to tell his master of Anya's plans. But he had given his word he wouldn't. His heart ached at the thought of Anya. Maybe he could help him figure out what happened last night. He had trusted Qui-Gon for twelve years now. He was his master, teacher, friend and father. Whenever there was a problem, the other man was there for him. He was probably one of a slue of people who he could trust with his love life. Shoulders falling, he sat down on the bend. Qui-Gon, sensing the change in him, joined him on the bench. He waited until the other man was ready to speak.

Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm down his racing heart. Just the thought of last night made his heart race. "Something happened last night." he said finally.

"What do you mean? Did you two have a fight?"

"No!" Obi-Wan said looking at him. "Nothing like that. It. . . was more intimate." He paused for a few seconds to collect his thoughts. "We were making love. One minute everything was great and the next. . ." his voice trailed off. "For a second, I really don't know how to explain it. I guess the only way to explain it is, our souls joined to make one. As if we were bonded. In that second, I saw memories, Anya's memories. I felt her emotions. The joy she felt when she graduated from the university, the terror of when she was being tortured almost to death, the grief and sadness of losing two very close friends. The passion of when we first made love. Everything we experienced last night sounded like what I read about bonded couples. I know it may sound silly. To us, it felt like the Force was trying to tell us something. Sometimes we can speak to each other telepathically. But it's more then that. It doesn't feel like the training bond or communicating with another Jedi. More like a mind link. More intimate."

"When did it start?"

"Yesterday, I believe."

Qui-Gon rubbed his beard as he thought about what he just heard. He, too, had read about bonded couples and what they experienced. Almost everything Obi-Wan had told him sounded like a bond was forming. He knew the young man's feelings for Anya. And their feelings on forming a bond. Obi-Wan approached her with the subject to learn her reaction. They both every much want it.

"Qui-Gon?" Obi-Wan's concern voice cut into his thoughts.

"I read the same thing. It does sound like a bond is forming." he answered.

A small smile formed on Obi-Wan's lips. He might get his wish after all. Qui-Gon's commlink buzzed, braking the happy moment. "Jinn here."

"The council wants to see you and Padawan Kenobi immediately."

"We'll be right there." Qui-Gon said shutting down the commlink. "The council wants to see us."

"You don't think. . ." the padawan started to say.

"I don't know." Qui-Gon knew what he was about to ask.

Tossing the towel down and grabbing his robe, the two hurried out of the training room. On their way to the council chamber, they bumped into Anya. She, too, was summoned. None of them knew what it was about. When they arrived at the chamber, the doors opened, as if they knew they were there. The moment the three stepped in the doorway, they saw Chancellor Valorum, standing in the center.

What's going on? He's not supposed to come until tomorrow. Anya thought.

//Something must had happened to caused him to come today.// Qui-Gon said through the training bond.

//Could you and Anya miscalculate?// Obi-Wan asked.

//I don't know.//

When they reached the center of the room, they bowed both to Valorum and to the council.

"Supreme Chancellor Valorum, you remember Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi?" Windu asked.

"Of course. It's good to see you again, Master Jinn; Padawan Kenobi." Valorum said.

"Chancellor." Both master and padawan said as they bowed.

"And this is Knight Anya Skywalker." Anya bowed and gave her own greetings.

"Are you aware of the situation between the Trade Federation and the Republic?" Valorum asked.

"The Republic taxed the trade routes between star systems. It's been in dispute since it started. The Trade Federation complained. They finally formed a blockade around Naboo, showing defiance." Qui-Gon replied.

"Since the blockade of Naboo, the senate had been debating the action of the Trade Federation. It's been about a month now since the blockade and the senate still hasn't reached a solution. And if things continue as is, there will never be a solution." explained Valorum.

"That's where we come in at." Mace Windu said. "Chancellor Valorum had asked us to send two ambassadors to Naboo. Once there, you'll meet with the Federation's Neimoidian Viceroy, Nute Gunray."

"Pardon me, Supreme Chancellor. In a solution dealing with arm conflicts, doesn't the senate have to approve? Especially if it deals with the internal politics of the Senate?" Anya asked. She caught the quick disapproval look from Windu before it disappeared behind the calm features. She was going to hear about this later.

"Yes, it does, Knight Skywalker. But I fear the senate will debate even longer to send someone." answered the chancellor.

"You'll be leaving tomorrow morning. A Republic cruiser will take you to the Federation blockade." Windu announced.

A spike of fear roused up in Anya. She couldn't believe her ears. The council was going to send Qui-Gon! Evan after warning them. She shoved her feelings behind several shields so no one could sense them.

"Obi-Wan, you'll be accompanying Anya to Naboo." the dark skinned councilor said. Windu could sense Qui-Gon's puzzlement and shock before the other hid his feelings. "We believe this will give you a good opportunity dealing with negotiations while working with another. We have special assignment for you, Qui-Gon, that require you to be here."

Frustration, puzzlement and shock were running through Qui-Gon. He had shoved the feelings aside. So Anya's meeting with the council did deal with Naboo. What did she tell them that would cause me not to be going? He wondered. And what was the special assignment that required Qui-Gon from going?

"I must be getting back. Padawan Kenobi; Knight Skywalker, come by my office later and I'll give you the information you'll need." Valorum said.

Both Obi-Wan and Anya bowed their heads. With a bow of his own, Chancellor Valorum left the council chambers. Obi-Wan could sense through the training bond frustration and puzzlement. He knew his master wanted answers as to why he wouldn't be going.

"A question you have, Qui-Gon." Yoda spoke up from his chair next to Windu.

"With all do respect, my master, I was on the Naboo mission. . . ." Qui-Gon started to say.

"Handle this, they can. Need you here." the old master said.

"This special assignment, couldn't someone else handle it?"

"No. A month ago, a master/padawan team informed us that the daughter to the royal family on O'Deesa was Force-sensitive. The baby's midi-chlorian count was in the average range. Which makes her a good candidate to be trained. The father, King Neim is still unsure he wants his daughter to be a Jedi. He had asked if he could come and see where his daughter be living, if he decides to let the girl be trained." exclaimed Windu.

"What does this have to do with me?" Qui-Gon asked.

"You have the diplomatic skills that are needed."

"Anyone could show the king around. Why me?" Suspicion was in Qui-Gon's voice.

"We also thought it was best you don't go on this mission." Ki-Ad-Mundi said, giving a hint to the real reason.

"I don't understand."

The chamber was quite. A thought sprung up in his mind. Anya. She was behind this. He glanced over at her to find her staring straight past Windu, out the window. He understood now. And everyone else knew it.

"Warned us, she did." said Yoda.

"I have my reason, Qui-Gon." the young woman said, looking over at him.

Qui-Gon had to bite his tongue from speaking. He was being pulled off the Naboo mission to play tour guide to a king. What did she say to the council? Something was going on and he wanted to know what. "I understand." It was all he was able to say before the frustration showed in his voice.

"King Neim will be arriving the day after tomorrow. He'll be staying for three days. Until then, the time is yours." the senior councilor said.

Qui-Gon bit back his anger. He made a mental note to have a series talk with his padawan about keeping secrets from his master and another series talk with Anya. He tried to read Obi-Wan's thoughts but the young man had his shields rose tight, blocking him. He could have forced his way past the shields. But he wouldn't. He respected his padawan's privacy. The Jedi master had learned in the pasted if something were troubling his student, the man would come to him eventually with it. All he had to do was give him some time. Qui-Gon pulled his focus back to the present as the council went over a few details containing King Neim's visit. Once the briefing was over, he was dismissed.

Anya and Obi-Wan stayed behind as the briefing for this mission continued. Qui-Gon wondered, as he paused back and forth in front of the chamber doors, why he wasn't allowed to stay for the briefing. Probably because he didn't have anything to do with the mission. His mission was to give the king of O'Deesa a tour of the temple. The council point blank told him they didn't want him going. Why? What were they trying to hide? None of this was making sense to the Jedi master. The only thing he did know for sure was that Anya had spoken to the council and now he wasn't going to Naboo.

Clutching his fists, he shoved his hands into the sleeves of his robe. He had decided to wait for his padawan and Anya to get done to speak to them. But knowing missions briefings, it may be some time before they emerge from the council chamber. Taking a deep breath, Qui-Gon let his frustration and anger flow out of him and into the Force. It took several more deep breaths before he was calmed down.

No point on waiting here. he thought.

He tried again to read Obi-Wan, only to find the shields were still up. The young man was blocking him Shutting him out. He didn't want his master learning something. And that something was leading to Naboo.

Braking off his pausing, Qui-Gon headed back towards the turbolift. Perhaps meditation will give a clue as to what was going on. He'll speak with Obi-Wan and Anya later.

The orange shade of sky was the only clue that the sun was setting. Half the day was gone by the time Obi-Wan and Anya left the council chambers and went to the senate building to meet with Chancellor Valorum. Valorum had given them the datacard containing his demands. No one in the senate building paid them any attention. During their meeting, Senator Palpatine wanted to speak with Valorum about the blockade. The moment Anya looked at Palpatine, a chill ran up her spine. She wanted to shiver from the cold that invaded her insides. It took every inch of being in her not to slash Palpatine in half or say something. The senator agreed to come back later after the Jedi had left.

Growing up, she read about Palpatine and the Empire. How he had hunted down the Jedi Knights with the help of Darth Vader, destroyed planets, enslaved countless beings, discrimination towards aliens and females. Both her parents, Luke and Mara Jade Skywalker, her aunt Leia Organa Solo, told stories about Palpatine. Anya had always known that Mara had worked for Palpatine as The Emperor's Hand. If it weren't for Palpatine, her parents would have never met, fallen in love nor had gotten married. That was one thing Palpatine did right. Even though Mara wanted to kill Luke when they first met. Which Anya always thought was funny.

Relief flooded Anya and she slumped back into the arms of Obi-Wan. The air taxi had just lifted off and entered the sting of traffic. The arms around her tighten and she nearly melted into the embrace. A wave of warmth flowed into her. The chill was slowly fading away. Obi-Wan rested his chin on top her head. He gently stroked her arm as she twisted his Padawan braid between her figures. Neither one said a word as they traveled back to the temple. Obi-Wan knew Anya was troubled after meeting Palpatine. The chill he sense coming from her was all he needed to know. He had thought it might be meeting Queen Amidala, her grandfather. He couldn't be sure. Memories of the future suddenly rush before his eyes. He tightened the embrace. Somehow he can picture how Anya might be feeling. She was meeting the past. Some of it, her past or the Skywalker past.

It was a strange feeling. He saw and knew his whole life. Everything from Qui-Gon's death, to training Anakin Skywalker, to the Clone Wars, to Anakin's fall to the Dark Side, the birth of the twins and placing them into hiding and watching over Luke as he grew, waiting until the boy was old enough to be trained and finally his death on the Death Star. But there were images of him talking to Luke on Dagobah with Yoda. That was something he was going have to talk to Yoda about. A serge of emotions rushed through him as he closed his eyes.

Shifting a bit, Anya turned to look up at him. Obi-Wan's face was calm. But she felt the struggle with his emotions inside him. She became concerned. "You alright?"

Obi-Wan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He opened his eyes and stared down into the blue/green eyes that were mixed with love and concerned. "I'm fine. Something caused me to remember the future."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. I think it might have been the feelings I was sensing from you. When we met Palpatine." he said softly.

"Don't dwell on it. The future is changing. I don't know why you, Qui-Gon and the council can remember the future. Just be mindful of the moment. Don't pay attention to the future that may not be." she said giving a small smile.

"Good advice. The future is definitely changing. I don't ever remember riding in a taxi with a very beautiful woman in my arms. And being madly in love."

The small smile grew brighter. He leaned down and captured her lips. The sweet kiss turned passionate. The taxi driver snickered and shook his head. The driver took a quick glance back and saw the two Jedi in each other's arms, kissing.

"Jedi. Can't figure them out." the driver said turning back around.