Yay, new chapter! I want to apologize for the wait...I've just been bogged down in school. But more importantly, to the reviewers: You guys are awesome! Your reviews were so sweet and encouraging, which was just what I needed. And so I give you, chapter 2!

Song: "Exit Music (for a film)" by Radiohead

Wake from your sleep, the drying of tears

He wasn't sure what to think. She had left the Jedi. She had left him. She was gone and never to return. How was it that this had come to pass and he had never seen it coming? Staring out at the cityscape of Coruscant, he scoured his mind for a time when he should have foreseen this. And yet all he could think of was their last encounter.

Today we escape…we escape

All of the younglings and most of the Jedi Masters were asleep as Ixais walked slowly into the Temple. Sleep was heavy on her eyes as walking became involuntary and the only thing that the young Knight could focus on was reaching her bed. Stumbling through the main corridor, she managed to reach the lift that would take her to the floor where the sleeping quarters were, only to find him waiting inside. Gently tugging her next to him, he allowed the weight of her body to rest against his as he knew that her mobility would soon be completely compromised. A smile tugged gently at his mouth as her head went to rest instinctively on his shoulder, a content sigh escaping her lips as her eyes fluttered shut.

The chuckle that rumbled low in his throat wasn't loud enough to wake the now sleeping Asis. Not even the jerk of the lift coming to a stop could stir the young woman, who had to be held up lest she crumple to the floor. So as he scooped her up into his arms, Obi-Wan cradled her body against his and carried her slowly to her room, where he was careful to place her gently on her bed. The only sign of life she gave was her rhythmic breathing and the humming sound she made as Obi-Wan kissed her forehead, whispering "I love you" against her warm skin.

Pack and get dressed, before your father hears us

And then, out of nowhere, it had happened; she was walking down those steps, her robes gone and replaced by a gown that he would have given the world to see on her…in any other situation. That tatty old bag was faithfully at her side as she spoke words that seemed a foreign tongue to Obi-Wan. She was thanking the Jedi for their lessons, as though she wasn't a Jedi herself. She was apologizing for having to go, for having to leave them all behind. It seemed a dream to him, but as he saw her hand her lightsaber over to Master Windu, Obi-Wan understood that this couldn't be a dream; dreams never hurt this bad.

Before all hell…breaks loose. Breathe...keep breathing

"Stay, you must, Obi-Wan," Yoda's voice croaked, as the still young Jedi Master watched Asis walk away. Obi-Wan had made a motion to follow her, to stop her and bring her back to the Jedi, where she belonged, but the dry voice of the ancient Jedi Master stopped him.

"But Master Yoda," Anakin started, "We cannot just let her leave! She is our friend," His voice was desperate, but in no way could compete with the panic in Obi-Wan's eyes. Master Yoda only stayed his hand.

"Let her leave, we must. Her decision, this is," came the calm reply. At his Anakin fumed, his youthful passion and temper taking hold of him. A rebuttal came fast to Anakin's tongue, and as he knew was his place, Obi-Wan stopped his young apprentice.

"Master Yoda is right, Anakin," His voice came strained, weak from lack of conviction, "We must respect her choice to leave, no matter how much it grieves us to see her go." And in shame, he swallowed his lie.

Don't lose your nerve. Breathe...keep breathing

As he sat on the docking bay, watching the night life of the city pass him by, Obi-Wan Kenobi remembered a time when he had promised himself that he wouldn't let his feelings for Asis cloud his judgment. He had sworn that he would never let himself fail the Jedi because of the way he felt for this woman. And yet in truth, he had already failed them; he loved her, acted upon it, and made no promise not to do it again...he made no promise to stop loving her. So as he boarded a transport that was passing by, he set out to find Asis, and to fulfill his promise of always loving her.

I can't do this alone

Reviews welcome... 8) --look, smiley face!