After a dinner full of laughter and conversation, Mace Windu led a very tired little girl back to her temporary home. As tired as she was, Ja'lisa was not ready to have the night end just yet. She kept up an exited chatter, and Mace was enjoying every minute of it.
Finally they got to Mace's quarters. They were well suited for a man, and Ja'lisa's few things did seem out of place, but this was only until a suitable master could be found for Ja'lisa.
Opening the door, Mace stepped aside so Ja'lisa could enter. She immediately flopped on the sofa and took in her surroundings. One whole wall of the common room was filled with book disks, another wall was covered with holo-pics. Ja'lisa stood up and examined them. There were some of Master Mace when he was a padawan, most of those were taken with another padawan, whom Ja'lisa determined to be Master Qui-Gon. The pictures chronicled the man's life from padawan to Master.
One picture caught Ja'lisa's attention, "Is that your Padawan?"
Mace grinned, "Yes, that's Depa when she was about your age."
Looking up at the Master, Ja'lisa asked, "Can we take a picture like that?" In all her years at the temple, there never were many pictures taken of her. And she never took a picture with Master Dern.
Looking down at the girl, Mace answered, "Of course we can. But you will want to take lots of pictures with your new master."
The girl's face fell, "My new master?" Tears came to her eyes and she looked up at Mace with a face full of pain. "I thought you were going to be my Master."
Placing his hand on his ward's shoulder, "Ja'lisa, I thought you understood. I can't be your master. I am to busy with the council to give you the attention you need."
Ja'lisa shrugged Mace's hand away, "No! That's not why! You just don't want me! Nobody wants me!" She then turned and fled to the room she was using.
Mace called after her, "Ja'lisa, that is not true." Walking over to her room, Mace tried the door. It was locked. As he listened to heartbroken sobs, he briefly wondered if he should override the lock. But he decided against it, that was something Dern Galen would do, and Mace was certainly not Dern Galen. He would allow Ja'lisa the dignity of privacy. When she was calm, they would talk about this.
The next morning, Ja'lisa woke up and felt somewhat embarrassed. Master Windu was kind enough to offer her some sort of belonging and she was completely disrespectful to him. Master Dern was right, she did not deserve to be a Jedi and she deserved to be punished. Grabbing her practice saber, Ja'lisa went out to the common area.
Mace was sitting there drinking tea. Without a word, Ja'lisa knelt before him and dropped the lightsaber in his hand. Confusion showed on Mace's face, "What is this for, Ja'lisa?"
In a soft voice, Ja'lisa responded, "I acted poorly and I deserve to be punished."
The cryptic response from the girl did not clear the clouds of reason. Then Mace asked her, "Ja'lisa, why would you hand me your weapon?"
Shrugging, she responded, "Master Dern used the lightsaber when he punished me. He wanted me to see that even though I carried a lightsaber, I could still be destroyed by one."
Not knowing exactly how to respond, Mace gathered her in his arms and held her tightly. He wished for five minutes alone with Dern Galen. Five minutes was all he needed. After a few minutes, Mace said in a soothing voice, "What your master did was wrong. No one will ever hurt you like that again. I promise."
"But you don't want me either," Came the choked reply.
"Ja'lisa, its not that I don't want you, but you need a Master who can give you the time you deserve," Mace then added, "I will always be here for you, if you need me."
Glancing at the clock, Mace saw that it was almost time for Galen's sentencing. He hoped with that, Ja'lisa could finds the closure she needed and go on with her life.
Ardeth sat up on the bed in the healers ward. His scars almost completely gone. Now, all he had to do was fight the inner demons and maybe he could have a normal life. He never really had friends growing up, Dern saw to that. He was a lonely boy, afraid of his own shadow. But he still excelled in his studies and was a well abled apprentice.
Once he was knighted, Ardeth left the temple and had not been back since. One dangerous mission after another was Ardeth's life. He had gained the respect of dignitaries all over the galaxy as well as his peers. Ardeth had gained the reputation of being a fine Knight with a compassionate heart. Had anyone knew where he really came from, they would have been shocked. He had not spoken to his former Master in the five years that had passed. He would never have seen the man again if not for Master Jinn's letter.
The fact that Dern Galen was able to abuse another innocent child made his blood boil. But he would have the greatest revenge of all, he would live a good life and prove the terrible man who was to have been like a father, wrong. But in order to do that he had to release an old fear. For someone else's well being depended on it as well.
Eleven of the twelve council members were seated when Qui-Gon entered the room, with Obi-Wan trailing behind him. A moment later Ardeth entered and bowed to Qui-Gon and gave Obi-Wan a friendly smile, which the boy returned.
A moment later, Mace entered with Ja'lisa. Leaving the girl in Qui-Gon's care, Mace took his seat as well. Once he was seated he nodded to Yoda, who ordered, "Bring in Dern Galen."
Dern's eyes were filled with anger and hate. He glared at Ardeth first, who met his gaze evenly. Seeing he could not upset his former student, he moved his attention to his recent student. Ja'lisa started to shake and moved her eyes to the floor. Qui-Gon went to put his arm around the girl, but Ardeth had beat him to it. Qui-Gon smiled approvingly, but it seemed to enrage Dern even more.
"Oh isn't that sweet? Two losers trying to go on with their lives," Dern's voice was a disturbing blend of hate and glee. "But they will never be able too! One can't bear to take a padawan and one will never find another master to take her!"
Ardeth heard a sharp intake of breath come from Ja'lisa. He kept his arm protectively around her and responded to his Master's cruel and unfair accusations, "No, Dern. You are wrong. I will take a padawan. In fact, with the council's blessing, I take Ja'lisa Brey."
A shocked expression washed over Ja'lisa's face. She did not know what to think, but it did not matter, because the force was screaming to her that it was right. Ardeth Kralin was the right Master.
Dern did not like the turn of events and was about to verbally attack them again, but Mace warned, "Don't even try it Dern. Knight Kralin, you are certain you are up to the responsibilities entrusted with you when you take a padawan?"
Nodding, Ardeth answered, "Yes Sir, I do. I may need guidance, but I know I can be a good master."
It was Qui-Gon's turn to speak up, "Since Knight Kralin has not had a suitable example to follow, I volunteer to mentor him."
Ardeth gave Qui-Gon a grateful look.
Yoda nodded, "So be it. Your Padawan Ja'lisa Brey is." The ancient Master turned to Dern Galen, "Punished you will be. To the salt mines of Krylos you will go."
Mace finished, "You will live out the remainder of your life on Krylos in a maximum security prison, without the benefit of the force."
The guards started to take Dern away, but he stopped in front of Ja'lisa, "You think you have won? Well, you have not! Remember that! Remember what I have taught you."
Looking Dern in the eye, Ardeth responded, "In time she will remember nothing of what you taught her! I will see to it!"
The guards started to move again, taking Dern with them. The door shut and Dern Galen was out of their lives, forever.