Qui-Gon lifted Leila out of the speeder and set her down.

She stood there quietly and waited for him. She took his hand and together they went up the steps.

When they where halfway up, he stopped. And knelt in front of her. "Leila, are you alright?" he asked gently.

She nodded. "Yes Father," she said softly.

"Do you not want to become Master Yoda's Padawan?"

"I do, Father."

"Then what's troubling you?"

Suddenly tears filled Leila's crystal violet eyes and she threw herself into her Father's arms. "I don't want to leave you! And I don't want you to leave me." She burst into tears.

Qui-Gon was startled by this outburst. Since she had been two, she hadn't cried often. He smiled as he realized her worry. He stood, still holding her and continued up the steps. "Perhaps I didn't explain myself very well, Leila," he said as he went slowly up the steps. "I have lived in the Jedi Temple for years. When you came along, the Council suggested I move to our old apartment. So I did. Now, you are going to live in the Temple and become Master Yoda's Padawan. And I will live in the Temple as well. The Council has I asked that I chose another Padawan myself. So, I will. But I'll live in the Temple with you." He stopped in front of the doors. "How's that?"

Leila's tears had stopped. The dark look of fear and worry was gone from her eyes. And she managed to smile. "I'm better now."

Qui-Gon smiled and kissed her cheek. "Good." He opened the door. And they entered the Temple.

Mace was waiting by the door. He bowed respectfully to Qui-Gon. "Master Qui-Gon. And Leila."

Qui-Gon bowed, still holding Leila. "Master Windu."

"So this is the day," said Mace as they three of them made for the Council Chamber.

"Yes," said Qui-Gon.

"Have you chosen you're new apprentice yet?" asked Mace.

"No," said Qui-Gon. "I'm in no hurry. I want to make sure Leila is happy first."

Mace looked at Leila. She hadn't said anything to him and that was unusual. "Did she sleep well last night?"

Qui-Gon looked at Leila. "Did you sleep well last night, Leila?"

She shook her head.

They questioned her further but she wouldn't say anything else. Instead she laid her head on Qui-Gon's shoulder and closed her eyes.

Slightly alarmed Qui-Gon almost left the Temple immediately. But Mace convinced him that whatever was wrong with Leila, could be fixed just as easily there as somewhere else.

"Besides," he said. "Where would you go?"

"Back to our apartment. Mace, I decided to keep the apartment, even while we live here. As she gets older, Leila might need a place she go and rest."

"But we…"

"I know what it's like to rest here," said Qui-Gon dryly. "And so I kept the apartment for her."

"As you wish," said Mace.

They got onto the elevator and shot upwards. They got off the elevator and entered the Council Chamber. It was empty, save for Yoda.

Mace went and sat down in his seat.

Qui-Gon stood at the center of the room and bowed to Yoda. "Master Yoda. I have brought Leila back. She's five now, just as we agreed."

"Brought her back to serve the Jedi, now have you?"

"Yes," said Qui-Gon. He set Leila down.

She regained her composure and bowed to Yoda and Mace. But still, she said nothing. Qui-Gon had dressed her in the small Jedi robes that Younglings wore. Only hers was black. Everything was black, from the under tunic to her boots. Her hair was brushed and tied back neatly. But her eyes where dark.

"Study the Younglings, you must go and do now," said Yoda to Qui-Gon. "Speak with her, I must."

Qui-Gon hesitated.

Leila turned and looked at him.

"Perhaps…" began Qui-Gon.

"Send for you, I will. When done, I am," said Yoda.

Still Qui-Gon looked at Leila.

Her eyes where dark with some kind of fear. A kind that Qui-Gon had never seen in hr before.

He looked at Yoda. "She's frightened. And I think its best I stay with her."

Mace stood. He stood next to Qui-Gon. "I'll stay with her."

Qui-Gon looked at Leila. "Will you stay with Master Windu?"

She looked at Mace. And held out her arms.

Mace smiled slightly but lifted her. He looked at Qui-Gon. "I'll come for you when he's done."

Qui-Gon stepped foreword. "Don't leave her," he said firmly. He bowed to Yoda and left the room.