A/N: Holy Reviews Batman! This is the last of the chapters I uploaded when I first started posting this story. The chapter after this is a long one, but it's only one of two currently completed -- I haven't had time to write as much as I'd like. So, here's the plan faithful readers: I post this week and next week, then for two weeks I'll be out of town, and I'll write up a storm. When I get back, you get a chapter and that Wednesday you get a chapter, and I should be far far ahead. Hopefully.

Thanks for the five reviews. ;) Can I see another five? How about six:feels like an auctioneer:

A. NuEvil: The lesson for Obi-Wan is going to be a while in coming, but we'll get pieces of it here and there. You'll see, I hope it'll be worth it in the end. Thnx for reading.

master kaym: Thanks!

Knight Queen: I will, thanks!

Crydwyn: I'm questioning some of the directions of my story myself, but I'll get there if I have to bleed. Thanks!

The Dancing Cavalier: I'm really glad you like it! I work so hard.


Chapter: Maela and Lilia

Lilia's sleep couch had her suitcase on it and the bag was mostly filled; one step closer to being ready. Her head was in her closet, at the opposite end of the tiny room, and she was trying to figure out if the packing list meant she needed more than one cloak if it said five sets of robes. She pulled out her one cloak, a rarely worn item for Initiates within the Temple, and placed it on her bed next to her suitcase. She would wear it on the transport, she decided. It would make her look like a proper Jedi. And the packing list couldn't mean five cloaks – her bag wasn't nearly big enough.

Her suitcase was neat and she liked it that way. Her robes had been folded and rolled neatly into orderly rows in the case. The datapads with her assignments, references, as well as a flimsybook and stylus were stacked on top. Her toothcleaner and hairbrush and such were in a special pouch also tucked within her suitcase, and as she ran through the packing list that Padawan Kenobi gave her, she declared herself ready. More than two standard hours before she had to be.

Lilia reached into her still open case and pulled out the other datapad that Padawan Kenobi had given her. It contained all the factual preparation for the mission, including the files on Maela's family. But it also contained the letter from home that was her own personal invitation. Missing was the letter requesting her leave from the Temple, the one that must have prompted communication with Master Yoda. She read her letter first, for the fourth time.

Liliana –

Your Uncle has recently been blessed with a son. As you have not been home for over a cycle, we would be delighted if you could join us for the naming celebration.

Master Yoda assures us that you won't fall behind in your studies and that you may even bring a friend. We have plenty of room for them and your chaperone. It will be pleasant to see you under joyful circumstances.

We're looking forward to seeing you!

Much Love,
Your Parents

While her reaction was not violent, the contortions her face twisted into was unbefitting for a Jedi nonetheless, and Lilia was doubly angry at herself for the emotion and the reaction. She set aside the datapad with more force than necessary, and jumped up to stalk the length of the room. With her height, it was merely ten steps at most, but she was agitated and she had to get it out.

Not all of her age mates knew who their family was, and very few visited their family even once every three years – she was the only one, as far as she knew, who saw a member of her family on a regular basis, and the only one who visited home and her parents at least once a cycle. Her aunt was a Jedi Knight and her great uncle was a Master – affinity with the Force was often a family trait – but it made her different, and she didn't like it. Not only did it make her different, it also put her in danger. How could she be a great Jedi if she loved her family? And how could she be a great Jedi if her family loved her?

Love led to attachment, and she could not have that if she was to be a great Jedi. Any interaction could lead to betrayal – the way her uncle had died. Lilia didn't know what to do. All she could do was train, and hope that she found a way to know who to trust. She sighed, and picked up the datapad with the factual details again. She had to learn about Maela's family – luckily, it was a small family compared to her own extended clan. She would be ready for this trip home, this pretend mission, and she would be a great Jedi.

She looked at her chrono. Still an hour and a half until their departure. Plenty of time to learn everything she needed to be on her best behavior.


"She didn't even know people were getting angry with us!" Maela exclaimed, pulling an outer tunic from her closet and tossing it at her suitcase, which lay on her sleep couch.

"That's weird," demurred a girl, Jensine, with short blonde hair as she sat on the floor in front of Maela's closet. She was sorting through Maela's collection of dolls, taking them out of their rosewood box and placing them in a semicircle around her folded knees.

"She was so angry, too, Jens," said Maela. "And she was angry at me! I was just meditating." Maela folded up her clothes, counting out the correct number of garments and consulting the data pad.

"You are coming back, right?"

"Jens," Maela sighed, setting the clothes down and looking backwards up at the ceiling in a childish mockery of frustration. "Stop worrying. That's not Jedi. Master Qui-Gon will protect me, anyway. And I don't think you should miss me either."

"Maybe," muttered Jens as she picked up the doll of Master Adi Galla and stared into its tiny embroidered face. "Why can't I miss you, anyway? You're my friend."

"We have to feel like Jedi," Maela said. She turned back to her packing. "Jedi are strong."

Jens didn't say anything in response to Maela. "Are you taking your dolls?"

Maela didn't answer, but crouched on the floor and started putting the dolls back into the box. Jensine stared at her friend, trying to divine what her friend was feeling, but gave up. Halfway through the process Jens joined Maela and throwing the dolls into a box, and when they were finished, Maela put the box into her bag. She went to her desk, pulled out a smaller box and her sewing kit, and put those in her bag too. Maela didn't want to answer Jens, so she didn't.

Jens got up, brushing herself off and stretching as if to get rid of something she found uncomfortable. "When are you leaving?"

Maela looked at her chrono. "Hour," she said. "Do you have classwork to do?"

"You're lucky you don't have to do it," Jens said.

"I do, just not right now. I have to do it on the trip," she said.

"I better go do mine," Jens said, and stepped out of the open door. She bowed in the doorway, as a Master came in as Jens came out.

"Master Helums!" said Maela, giggling as her visitor came into view. She bowed to the Master in charge of coordinating her lessons. "I'm going on a trip."

"I know, Maela," said Master Helums. "Master Jinn asked me to make sure that you were all ready for your trip."

"I packed," Maela said, pointing to her bag. "And I got my lessons." She pulled the datapad off of her desk to show it to her.

"Well, let's see," said the Master. Very quickly, she managed to check through Maela's things, make sure she had everything, had compiled all of her work, and then the master folded and nestled everything to fit in the youngling's bag. She noted the small box, one she had not seen before on the visits to Maela's quarters. "I see you have your dolls, Maela, and you kit for making more, but what's in this small box?"

Maela looked up at Master Helums. "Do I have to tell?" she asked.

"I suppose not," the master said. She looked at the girl, wondering if it would help the girl's understanding of her own emotions if she made her tell. "Well, It looks like you're all set, m'dear." Maela looked down at her newly neat bag and grinned.

"Thank you Master Helums!" she said and thought briefly about giving the woman a hug. She didn't think it was appropriate, and began tapping her fingers in a dexterity exercise. The master smiled at the girl.

"Have a good trip, Maela," she said. She waited for the girl to bow, and then bowed as well, and then left the room.

She comm'd Master Jinn as she left, gliding down the Temple hallway. "Maela is all set for departure, Qui-Gon."

"Thank you, Tabea," he replied. "We have an appointment with the Council to make. I'll have my Padawan contact them and we'll make haste."


"Well," said Qui-Gon, walking into the room that the four were sharing on the starship, coming in with the commanding presence and confidence in his voice that was customary to him. "I spoke with the Porter," he began, but he stopped when he saw that the lights were dim and Obi-Wan sat in one of the two chairs waiting for him, and two small forms lay in the beds. He quieted his voice to more of a level useful for speaking when two children were trying to sleep. "I'll spare the obvious question and ask if they're asleep."

"Lilia gave a most impressive speech about the discipline of bedtime," Obi-Wan looked up into his Master's face. His arm in its sling was placed carefully in its armrest. "I was fully prepared to let them stay awake until you returned, but Lilia must have memorized the speech from her crèche Master. I always ignored that particular speech."

"Just as well that they're asleep," said Qui-Gon, a soft smile gracing his features. "We need to discuss their lessons."

"Yes, Master," said Obi-Wan. He nestled himself deeper into the chair he sat in. "We should start with the morning meditation that they're used to."

"Keeping their schedules is important," Qui-Gon agreed. "If we wake at the relative same time to the Temple and allow an hour for meditation and morning exercises, we'll be able to be at our assigned table for our assigned meal time."

"We have assigned meal times?" asked Obi-Wan, surprised.

"This is a luxury cruiser," Qui-Gon said. "We may be third class passengers, but they make every effort to make sure that the illusion of luxury is preserved, that includes scheduled meals."

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Then lessons after breakfast?"

"The first third, I think. Then saber practice right before Midday. Midday, then the second two thirds of the lessons. After the lessons are over, it should be dinner, followed by some free time, then meditations, and bedtime."

"Sound good, Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan said. He was fighting back some frustration. He wouldn't be much help in the saber lessons, and would be stuck with all the academic work. "I think I'm going to go to sleep."

"Take the lower bunk, my Padawan. Climbing into the top bunk wouldn't be a good idea with your arm." Qui-Gon smiled at Obi-Wan. "You'll be as good as new in no time."

"Yes Master," He said, and walked over to the sleep couches. He sat on the edge of his bed, and watched as Qui-Gon secured the door, found a comfortable spot on the floor in the living area of the quarters and began to meditate. Obi-Wan dismissed the idea of meditation.

"Obi-Wan?" Maela, whose back had been towards him, turned over in the bed, her blankets becoming twisting around her small form. "Obi-Wan, I can't fall asleep."

Obi-Wan moved across the small division between the two bunks and kneeled beside her bed. "Did you try meditating?" he asked, quietly. He didn't want to disturb Lilia above them, or Qui-Gon protecting them. She shook her head. "You should meditate."

"But I don't want to. Too complicated," she said. Frustration was bleeding into her voice, and with some difficulty she pulled one of her arms out from under her sheets and rubbed one of her eyes with a fist. "I always forget parts, and the ship is too noisy."

Obi-Wan was perplexed at this last statement. The ship was well soundproofed. "I know some simple meditations; do you want me to teach you?" She nodded. "You have to listen with your ears first, okay? Just your ears, stop listening with your head. You'll just hear breathing, okay? Maybe the squeaking of Lilia's sleep couch springs."

Obi-Wan lead her through the Meditation that he had used so recently to help him prepare for his appearance before the Council. And Qui-Gon smiled at the interaction, impassively observing in his own meditation.