Disclaimer: I own nothing. Well, that's not true. I own this computer, and a nice TV, and an X-Box, but that's about it. Everything else belongs to George or Joss. Possibly everything, if they decide to sue me...

Thanks, as always, to my Beta Katilwen for tidying up.

Chapter 3

You Got to Have Faith

"You're late."

Buffy into the Council Chambers and looked at her Master.

"A Jedi is never late." She said with a small smile, "Nor is she early. A Jedi arrives precisely when she means to."

"And this Jed meant for you to arrive five minutes ago." Mace said, a frown on his serious face. "Take you place, my Padawan."

Buffy nodded respectively and stepped up besides her brother and Obi-Wan, who shook his head slightly in disappointment. "I just finished giving our report to the Council, Padawan." He told her, looking at the girl for the first time since she entered the Council Chamber. "What did you have to report about Senator Naberrie?"

"Her investigation started before the attempts on her sisters' life." Buffy reported, adopting an at-ease stance with her hands clasped behind her back. "The only things she's been able to discover is that every person or group she's looked at gains nothing from Padmè's death."

"I see." Mace said, leaning forward. "And yet, someone has gone to considerable effort and expense to hire not one, but at least two Bounty Hunters to end her life."

"Track down this bounty hunter; you must, Obi-Wan." Yoda told the Knight. The other Masters nodded in agreement.

"Most importantly, find out who he's working for." Mace added.

"What about Senator's Amidala and Naberrie?" Obi-Wan asked. "Senator Amidala will still need protecting, as will Senator Naberrie if she stays by her side."

"Which she will." Buffy added. "Wil- Senator Naberrie will protect her sister, no matter what the risk is to herself."

"Handle their protection, your Padawan's will." Yoda said to Mace and Obi-Wan. Buffy felt her brother's spirits soar at the announcement; she herself wasn't as surprised. It was her trial, after all…

"Anakin, escort the Senator back to her home planet of Naboo." Mace said. "She'll be safer there. And don't use registered transport. Travel as refugees. Buffy, you will continue your assignment, and protect the Junior Senator. While the bounty hunter said she wasn't a target, whoever is trying to harm Senator Amidala may try to use her sister to get to her."

"Yes, Master." Buffy replied with a nod.

"As the leader of the opposition to the Military Creation Act, it will be very difficult to get Senator Amidala to leave the capital." Anakin pointed out.

"Until caught this killer is, our judgment she must respect." Yoda responded.

"But I know how deeply she cares about the upcoming vote, Master." Anakin argued. "She is more concerned with defeating the act than with-"

"Anakin," Mace interrupted, "Go to the Senate and ask Chancellor Palpatine to speak with her." The tone in his voice said that these were his final words on this matter. Yoda then dismissed them with a nod, before turning to face Buffy. "Buffy, a moment."

The Slayer stayed as Anakin and Obi-Wan left and faced the Masters. As the doors closed, Mace spoke.

"How goes your other research?" he asked. Buffy sighed.

"It's coming to an end, I'm afraid." She replied. Willow hasn't managed to find anything, either. Though her magic still functions here; she made good use of it in the bar."

"Yes, Obi-Wan told us about how she shielded him." Mace replied. "Most impressive."

"And to think, she could have been putting her talents to use right here…"

"Buffy." Mace cut in sharply, ""We've had this conversation before. She didn't belong here."

Buffy wanted to retort, wanted to say, Yeah, well neither did I, but ten years under his tutelage had taught her a how to spot a hopeless battle. So she bit her tongue and nodded curtly.

Mace eyed the girl. It's not like her to give up so easily on this subject; he thought to himself, and then pushed the thought o the back of his mind. She would do her duty, and not let her personal opinions get in the way.

"Go to the Senate and collect the Junior Senator. You two will travel with Anakin and Padmè, but try not to stick together too much, at least until you are on Naboo."

"Don't want us to be one big target- instead we will be two smaller targets. Harder to get to." Buffy reasoned, and Mace nodded in approval.

"Exactly. Now go, and may the Force be with you."

"May the Force be with you, Master." Buffy replied, and then turned to leave. She stopped when she heard her Master say "And Buffy?" she turned around once more, curious as to the delay. Mace gave her a sympathetic look.

"I'm sorry you couldn't find a way home." He said, and then added, "Though I'm not sorry you're staying."

Buffy gave him a small smile. "Thank you, Barney." She gave him a wink, then turned and walked out of the Council chamber, chuckling to herself at the aggravated look on her Master's face.

Buffy walked the corridors of the temple, heading towards the landing platform to grab a shuttle to a Senate. She was just about there when a voice stopped her.

"So, I hear you're undergoing your trials, Elizabeth."

There were only three people who could get away with calling her Elizabeth- her mom, Shmi, Anakin, and….

"That I am, Master Halcyon." She said with a smile as she turned to face one of the few true friends she had made at the temple. Nejaa Halcyon had become something of a second mentor to Buffy; whenever Master Windu had been busy with Council business, Hal, as he liked to be called, never minded sparing with Buffy, or imparting some of the wisdom he had gained over his years in the Council to her. Especially since reaching the rank of Master a few years ago. "Come to wish me luck?"

"As a matter of fact, I did." Halcyon replied. "I look forward to seeing you join the ranks of the Jedi Knights. Especially if you can do it before you hit fifty…"

Buffy glared at the venerable Jedi Master. "Ha, ha, ha. Everybody's a comedian today. Do you really want me to kick your ass up and down theses so-called hallowed halls?"

"Depends. Are you going to use your walker?" At Buffy's death glare, he held up his hands. "Peace, Buffy. I just wanted to wish you well. I also heard that you've given up your search for a way home, is that right?"

Buffy let out a soft sigh. "Yeah. I'm coming to the realization that I'm never going to find anything here that'll lead me back home."

Halcyon walked up to Buffy and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Buffy, I know you spent the past ten years believing you'd find a way home. Believing that being a Jedi would allow you to find the path home. Now, that belief is gone."

"That about sums it up."

"Let me tell you something, Buffy." Halcyon started, moving closer to the Padawan. "Years ago, I was faced with a situation that made me question everything I believed in. Everything I held faith in proved to be, in my eyes, false. It very nearly destroyed me, and if I hadn't…" he trailed off then, lost in a memory. Shaking his head lightly, he came back to the present. "I learned a very important lesson then, and I want to pass this on to you. If you want to pass your trials, if you want to be the great Jedi I know you an be- find something to believe in. Anything. Because only that belief can carry you through the dark times ahead."

"I'll remember that, Hal." Buffy said with a warm smile. She turned to leave, and then glanced back. "Out of curiosity, what do you believe in, Hal?"

"Simple." He replied with an enigmatic smile. "My family."

Buffy chuckled. "Well, you're too old to be a brother, so how about an annoying uncle?"

"Whatever works for you, Elizabeth." Halcyon smiled as Buffy entered the hanger bay, then turned and headed back to his own quarters. Once inside, he locked the door and headed over to his small desk at the far end of the room. He opened the small drawer and reached into it, till his hand brushed the door to the hidden compartment in the back of it. Pushing on the door, the compartment opened, and he withdrew two of his most prized personal possessions- a plain, gold band, and a holopic of himself, a woman, and a small, dark-haired boy.

"See you soon, sweetheart." He whispered to his family.

While Buffy was talking to Halcyon, Anakin was already in an audience with the Supreme Chancellor. He felt no fear or discomfort in this office; though he hadn't spent much time with Chancellor Palpatine, the few times he had spent talking with the Chancellor always made him feel as if he was taking an honest interest in the young Jedi. Anakin considered Palpatine to be another mentor- not quite as important as Obi-Wan, or even Buffy, but important nonetheless.

Of course, it wasn't a relationship that Buffy was particularly fond of. She never did like Chancellor Palpatine, for whatever reason.

"I will talk to her." Palpatine said after Anakin asked for him to speak with the Senator's Naberrie about leaving Coruscant for Naboo. "Senator Amidala will not refuse and executive order and Junior Senator Naberrie will follow where her sister goes. I know them well enough to assure you of that."

"Thank you, your Excellency."

"And so, my young Padawan, they have finally given you an assignment." The Chancellor said warmly. "Your patience has paid off."

"Your guidance more than my patience," Anakin replied. "I doubt my patience would have held, had it not been for your assurances that my Jedi Masters were watching me, and that they would trust me with some important duties before too long."

"You don't need my guidance, Anakin," Palpatine said, smiling. "In time, you will learn to trust your feelings. Then you will be invincible. I have said it many times: you are the most gifted Jedi I have ever met."

"Thank you, Your Excellency." Anakin replied politely, though inside his spirits were soaring. Hearing such compliments from the Supreme Chancellor- it was an experience like no other. This was an accomplished man- more accomplished, some would argue, than anybody else in the galaxy at that time, and he understood that Palpatine wouldn't hand out compliments such as that lightly.

"I see you becoming the greatest of all Jedi, Anakin." Palpatine continued. "Even more powerful than Master Yoda."

Palpatine smiled as Anakin came and joined him by the windows that overlooked the traffic lanes of Coruscant, and the two stood there for a time, contemplating the future.

Though those tow futures were vastly different.

"Two visits in as many days. What did I do to get so lucky?" Willow teased at Buffy entered her office at the Senate building. Buffy smiled as she flopped down into one of the chairs that faced her friend's desk.

"Just here to let you know the plan." She said. "Anakin and I are to escort you and Padmè back to Naboo, until the Council can find out whose trying to kill you two and stop them."

Willow nodded. "Good plan." She said. "Just two problems- one, I'm not running, and two, Padmè sure as hell isn't running. So," she leaned back in her chair, a determine look on her face, "What else have you got?"

"Nothing, because that's how it is, Wills." Buffy replied equally determined. "As a matter of fact, Ani's talking to the old man right now to get him to make your evacuation an executive order."

"The 'old man' you speak of is the Supreme Chancellor, Buffy." Willow said, sighing in defeat. "And that's not fair."

"Anything that keeps you safe is fair game, Wills." Buffy replied earnestly. "I'm not taking any chances on this. Neither is Ani, and neither is the Council."

"I know." Willow replied resignedly. "It's just…this vote. It's important to Padmè. She WANT'S to be there, to see it through."

"And you don't?"

"I'm of the Sunnydale school of thought." Willow replied. "Better to be prepared that to be caught in the graveyard without a cross, you know? But Padmè believes in finding a diplomatic solution, and that in defeating this Military Creation Act diplomacy will have a chance."

"And you support her?"

"Always." Willow sighed. "Look, Buffy- I may not agree with her decision, and goddess knows we've had our own arguments about it, but while I think it's better to be prepared, I also know that we're not dealing with demons, and that's there's a chance that diplomacy could actually work."

"Look, Wills," Buffy replied. "I know how much this means to you. And I promise, the Council is going to do everything in their power to help resolve this crisis as fast as they can- and I never thought I'd utter that sentence- but for now, please, just do what were asking of you and come with us back to Naboo. We've both lost so much over the last twelve years…I don't want to loose you, too."

Willow looked at her friend, and then sighed once more. "Alright, fine. You win. I'll go. But I'm not telling Padmè! No way in hell am I breaking the news to her."

Buffy nodded in agreement, and then smiled evilly. "Don't worry- we'll let Anakin do it."

I am concerned for my Padawan." Obi-Wan stated as he walked with Yoda and Mace Windu down the halls of the Jedi Temple. "He is not ready to be given this assignment on his own."

"The Council is confident in this decision, Obi-Wan." Yoda replied.

"The Boy has exceptional skills." Mace agreed.

"But he still has much to learn, Master." Obi-Wan argued. "His skills have made him…well, arrogant."

"Yes, yes. It's a flaw more and more common among Jedi." Yoda remarked. "Too sure of themselves, they are. Even the older, more experienced Jedi."

"Remember, Obi-Wan," Mace remarked, "if the prophecy is true, your apprentice is the only one who can bring the Force into balance."

Obi-Wan nodded in agreement. That little fact had been burned into his brain by his old Master, Qui-Gon. He had been the first to predict that Anakin was the boy of the prophecy. Of course, what he had failed to mention was what bringing the Force into balance would mean.

"If he follows the correct path." The Jedi Knight told the two Masters. Yoda didn't say anything, but Mace felt compelled to say something.

"His sister will keep him on the path. Of this I'm sure."

"Attend to your own duties, you must." Yoda reminded Obi-Wan. "When solved is this mystery of the assassin, other riddles might be answered."

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan replied, and then he held up the small toxic dart he had pulled from the assassin in front of his eyes.

TBC

Author's Notes: I've decided to push my updates to every Monday, instead of Friday, if only because my story get's buried on TTH during the weekend. Plus, it gives me more time to write.

I've become addicted to two things- 'House' and 'Serenity'. Looks for certain bits of dialogue from both to start popping up every now and then. First person to pick out the lines gets a cookie!

Review Responses:

CharmingStar: I'm glad you've like the story. Hopefully I'll be able to continue the quick updates, although I've learned that some chapters just don't like to be written.

Bobboky: I'm going to admit something right here- I screwed up. I meant it originally to be that Buffy saw someone in pain, but didn't know who it was. I screwed up. However, this issue WILL be addressed next chapter.

General Mac: Anakin will have his brush with the Dark Side in about two chapters. Will he go that way? I'm not telling….

Allen Pitt: I couldn't sop laughing at 'Darth Jar Jar'. Oh, dear god… We will see Dawn again, and in bigger news, we will be seeing another character from the Buffy-verse coming soon.

Just Me Prime: Glad you liked it, more Buffy/Obi-Wan bickering will be forthcoming.

Jedi-Princess: You remember how Buffy was with Giles? Mace is ten times more strict, so I figure that she's ten times more stubborn. And Buffy doesn't dream about Joyce, she dreams about her other mom- Shmi. And since this will be posted Monday, how did you like the special three hour Raw homecoming? For that matter, how did you like the last night on CENSORED TV?

Stcobb: Here you go!

devine-desire: You think THAT was scary Willow? You ain't seen nothing yet…

vampire-haruka: My thanks for the compliments. They really mean a lot.

MaxCobra: Glad you've enjoyed it!

Cycloneozgirl: I am insanely jealous that, not only are you on a beach, but you're in Australia to boot. Reminds me of a Harry Poter story I read once…

RaeAngel: I'd answer your questions, but that would be cheating. You're going to have to read to find out!

Damia - Queen of the Gypsi's: There was some definite foreshadowing for Buffy and Ben- but the end result is a long ways off.

Marz1: I had to keep Fett a secret for the purpose of the plot. That, and even with their spiffy powers they can't stop someone if they don't even know they are there. And yes, Buffy and Willow will DEFINITELY make a difference in the outcome of the story.

Next chapter- the gang leaves for Naboo and Obi-Wan goes to see an old friend.