We're planning to leave tomorrow morning. Later in the morning, because it seems that it's that time at whichthe Trade Federation'sguard is weakest. This is going tobe a little difficultgetting past the trade federation blockade. I've spent the day with Qui-Gon in preparation, talking to the Queen, her advisors, and handmaidens, oddly enough. Queen Amidala seems a lot more distant today, probably a little uncomfortable about leaving.

I haven't seen Zanni all day, only Jase, and now it's evening. Qui-Gon leaves after dinner, and I walk over to the queen's handmaiden Padmé.

She looks at me intently as I approach. "Excuse me, but do you know where Zandra is? Where she's been all day?"

A playful smile dances across her lips. "It's been her, well, day off, I suppose you could say. She's been out with E'Riq and others. I think Jase has joined them by now too. You'll probably find them at the Lanjak Pub. It's a favorite of theirs."

I thank her and leave, feeling her eyes on my back. I've never seen that handmaiden before. Then again, they all look mostly alike.

I hurry across town and find the pub, hearing the loud talking and music from within a long ways off. As I approach the brightly-lit building, I catch a glimpse inside. I can see Zanni and E'Riq sitting together at a table, laughing and talking, bothseemingvery drunk. Other people are coming by and talking to them and shaking Zanni's hand. E'Riq leans over and whispers something in Zanni's ear at which she laughs, and I find myself bristling a little. I silently scold myself and enter the pub.

Few people notice me, and those that do don't really pay me much mind. I walk slowly over to Zanni and E'Riq, and the person they're talking to looks at me and his smile fades a little. E'Riq turns around and sees me.

"Obi-Wan!" He waves me over and I oblige.

Zanni turns when she hears my name and grins, indicating the seat on the other side of her that's empty. Jase comes over and sits across from them too.

"I didn't know the Queen's personal security guards get the night off. Especially to go out drinking," I yell above the noise.

Zanni laughs. "Neither did I."

I sit down, and refuse an offered drink. Jedi aren't supposed to drink, we're not allowed to, although it does take quite a bit for us to become intoxicated. "So have you been here all day?" I ask.

Zanni shakes her head as she swallows another sip of her drink. "No, E'Riq and I were working out earlier."

"If that's what you call it," Jase adds from across the table.

Zanni gives him a startled look and E'Riq chokes on his drink.

"I saw you two, just sitting around chatting and goofing off," Jase states proudly.

Zanni laughs again and E'Riq seems to let out a small sigh of relief.

"How many drinks have you had?" I ask Zanni.

"Oh, I lost count an hour ago." She laughs again and E'Riq smiles at her.

"She's one of the most amazing drinkers I've ever seen," he says to me, putting his arm behind her so that she doesn't tip her chair over.

A waiter comes by with more drinks, and Zanni takes one. I quickly take it from her hand, and she pouts at me

"I think you've had enough."

"Enough? Pha! I'll tell you when I've had enough." Zanni snatches at the drink but I pull it away quickly enough.

"Oh come on, Obi-Wan, give her the drink. She's a grown woman, she can take care of herself." E'Riq reaches for the drink.

I hand the drink to the waiter and have him take it away.

------------

I can feel the testosterone clashing, and watch Obi and E'Riq carefully.

"Oh come on now, you didn't have to do that."E'Riq stands up.

Obi stands too. "Well maybe you should be more careful with people, buddy-."

I stand up between them and put a restraining hand on each of their shoulders. "Listen, stop it right now you two." I turn to Obi. "Trust me, E'Riq's a lot stronger than he looks, and little drunk, so it's not the best idea to go picking fights with him." I turn to E'Riq just in time to see his smug smile at Obi before it disappears. "And as for you. Are you that dumb? This guy's a Jedi! How do you expect to fight him?" I remove my hands and look at both of them. "Now, if you two can't behave, then I'll have no choice other than to whip both your butts, understand?"

Much to my surprise and amusement they both hang their heads a bit and mumble apologies. However, Obi seems to come out of it and protest.

"Zanni, do you realize what you're doing to yourself? Alcohol is very dangerous, especially when consumed in large amounts. You know that. And I just don't want anything bad to happen to you."
I glare at him, but his large blue eyes still work like a charm. After a moment I make up my mind. "Okay, well it's getting late anyway and I should be heading back to the palace, so I'll bid you guys good night."

I start to leave when Obi catches up to me. "I think I'll walk you back."

I sigh. "Fine."

As we leave, I turn to E'Riq and give a helpless shrug and then walk out the door. I suppose it's for the best. However, I'm very annoyed with Obi and a little embarrassed even. Shit, I wouldn't have left the queen if I had felt any danger might come to her. I can feel everything that's going on inside that palace, and around it. And nothing is stirring.

We walk along in silence for a little while, and then Obi speaks, "I'm sorry, Zanni, I just don't want anything to happen to you."

I stop and look at him, and he stops too. "You don't want anything to happen to me? In case you haven't noticed, I'm not eight years old anymore!"

------------------

As a matter of fact, I have noticed. I've really noticed.

------------------

"It's not your job to look out for me!" I yell at him.

"Hey, people do funny things when they're drunk."

"Funny things? Listen, I know when to cut off, and I'm fine! I don't need some stinkin baby sitter! And this is my last night here, I thought I deserved at least a little while to say goodbye to my friends!"

"Listen, Zanni, I didn't tell you to leave. I just told you to stop the drinks. And it's hard to know when one's cut off point is, anyway!" he yells back at me.

"Oh, and how would you know? Little Mr. I'm-A-Perfect-Little-Jedi? And trust me, I'm not that drunk. I've only once been drunk enough to have my judgment impaired and sure I made a mistake, but I-." I abruptly cut off, not wanting to continue that. It isn't anything, really, just an embarssing story I'd rather not tell.

"But you what?" he asks.

"Nothing! Okay? Leave me alone!" I start walking again.

He grabs my arm and stops me. "But you what?" he asks again, a lot more gently.

I shrug in frustration. "Nothing!"

----------------

Her voice trails off. Silence.

"What happened?" I finally ask.

She shakes her head.

"Zanni. What happened?" I look her right in the eyes.

She doesn't say anything.

By this time I'm starting to get heated up again. "Zanni, tell me." I say firmly. "No, Obi."

I try to probe into her mind, but she's somehow managing to shield me. I do catch something...something involving E'Riq. "What did he do to you?" I demand.

---------------

I'm startled by this. "What do you mean, 'What did he do to me'? What did WHO do to me?"

"What did E'Riq do to you?"

Force-damned Jedi, being able to pick up on thoughts. "He didn't do anything to me!" I cry. "I can't believe you're saying this! You're being so jealous!"

"I am not!" I shoot back. But I feel the truth to her statement.

"Yes you are! And you know what, if E'Riq were to have heard a rumor about what happened between us on that picnic, he wouldn't go around saying, 'What did that Jedi do to you?' He's above that!" I start walking again, this time much faster.

Obi catches up and grabs my arm away but I pull away.

He stops walking, and after a moment I hear him calling from behind, "Zanni, please!"

I stop. Fine. "What?" I ask as I turn around. I'm surprised to find him now only a couple feet behind me. He can sure move fast.

He comes up close so that his face is only a few inches from mine. "I'm sorry, Zanni," he whispers, almost inaudibly.

I take a step back. And I take a deep breath. After taking a moment to cool myself down, I speak. "Listen, Obi, I'm just a little emotional right now, leaving all these people and all. I mean, they've become like another family to me. And you here. I'm not sure I'm used to it yet."

He remains silent, looking at me intently.

I look around and find that we've approached the palace. "I'm going to go to bed now, and I'll see you in the morning, okay?"

He nods. "Good night."

"Good night." I turn and walk into the palace, feeling his eyes on my back.

- - - -

The next morning I wake early and help the queen and her handmaidens prepare for the voyage. I myself am dressed up like the other handmaidens, hair, dress and all.

Everyone's gathered at the ship, and the crowd divides as we arrive. Dormé and Padmé go over to the advisors to say goodbye, and farewells are being made all around. I spot Jase and walk over to him.

He smiles at me as I approach, and I can't help but smile back. "Well, I suppose this is goodbye."

He nods. "Yes, it is. But only for now. You will bring the Queen back soon, right?"

I laugh and hug him. "Of course."

I bite my lip. What's going to happen when we get back to Coruscant? Am I going to continue my mission or stay there when the Queen returns? I hug Jase a little bit tighter.

-------------

I stand with Qui-Gon and wait patiently for the queen to finish. Looking around, I notice E'Riq looking at me, and he motions me over to him.

I oblige.

"I know we've had our differences, Obi-Wan."

I nod.

"But we also have our similarities." He looks over at Zanni for a moment, and I catch his drift.

He looks back at me and looks me forcefully in the eyes. "She is a very special young woman. And you are a very lucky guy. I can see that you love her, so I'm sure I don't have to ask you this, but I will anyway. Take good care of her."

I nod again.

"I'm serious. If I ever get word that anything has happened to her, then it's your ass I'm coming after. And you being a Jedi doesn't intimidate me one bit. So, do you promise to take good care of her?" He holds out his hand.

"Of course." I take his hand. After a moment he withdraws his hand and nods his head in dismissal. I turn and walk back over to Qui-Gon, not entirely sure of what to make of that encounter.

------------

"I think there is another young man that you should go say goodbye to." Jase nods at E'Riq.

I give Jase one last hug and say goodbye, and walk over to E'Riq.

We stand and look at each other for a moment, and I feel a stinging sensation behind my eyes. One I haven't felt in quite a while. I reach forward and hug him, and feel the tears threatening to invade my eyes.

He pulls back and continues to hold me, but looks at me.

"You know, if it wasn't for Obi-Wan..." My voice trails off. I'm sure he knows the answer to that one.

He nods knowingly and tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "...then we might be saying goodbye a little differently," he finishes.

The tears win, and I feel them streaming down my face. I quickly bury my face in his shoulder, not wanting anyone to see my cry. No one has ever seen me cry. I can sense his surprise, but he holds be tightly, and doesn't draw attention to it. I'm finally able to control the tears again, and rest my chin on his shoulder.

He whispers in my ear, "You know, your Jedi is watching me very closely."

I smile. "Well that's his problem."

E'Riq pulls back again. "Take good care of yourself."

I nod.

He leans forward and kisses me on the forehead. "Goodbye."

I turn and see that the queen is ready to leave.

I turn back to him almost in panic. "Bye, E'Riq."

He nods and I go and join the queen.

We board the ship,and I look back at him one last time before the door closes.