Chapter 6 – The Council

Mariska was standing in the bathroom pulling her hair back when there was an impatient knock on the door. She looked herself over once more and smoothed her beige robes. Adding a little perfume to her neck she opened the door to a very upset looking Obi-Wan.

"Took you long enough to take a bath." He said pushing her aside.

"For your information I also had to do my hair, put on my makeup, and add perfume…"

"Yeah yeah all that girly stuff I know!" He said and shut the door.

Once inside the bathroom her sent engulfed him. It was an overpowering smell that was simply, woman. Looking at his hands he ran his fingers through his hair. It was still on the short side and he wasn't too sure about growing facial hair yet but he would try it out when they returned to the temple.

Taking off his robe and tunic he looked at his bare chest. It was muscular and strong, and he wondered if any girl had ever noticed. Shrugging his shoulders he pulled on his clean clothes and got ready for the first council meeting.

SW+

"The people want full rights. We don't have enough security for them to be parading around with their demands and riots."

"What if they reach the capitol?"

"What of the king and queen?

"Should we recruit more security?

"They would just want more."

Obi-Wan and Mariska had sat in the council chambers on Deltar Six for over two hours and things were already out of hand and he could tell that things never really got very far here.

"What do you think Prince Sampson?"

Everyone was silent as the prince seemed to be lost in thought. He put his hand to his mouth and squinted his eyes looking out the window. "Well, I think since we have our jedi protectors here they could protect the royal family." He said looking at Mariska. "As for the rest of the city, we have enough guards for now. If we need more we will get those who are loyal to us and will simply want to help in anyway they can."

Everyone instantly agreed with the prince and Obi-Wan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He wished he was doing something more productive then babysitting a spoiled prince. He absently let his mind drift to Qui-Gon. He wondered how is former master was handling his new apprentice and if Anakin truly was the chosen one.

"What do you think Master Jedi?"

Obi-Wan looked around and locked eyes with Mariska for a moment who gave him the information silently.

"I think you should start recruiting more security now so when the time comes they won't be afraid, as for us, our place here is to protect and serve. We will do our best to protect the royal family at all costs."

SW+

Qui-Gon stood in the council chambers with his apprentice at his side. The masters had just told him of a mission he was to go on but not Anakin, he would stay there and stay in his classes.

"With all due respect masters, shouldn't my apprentice come with me? I gathered that this mission isn't dangerous at all. He needs some exposure at how things work."

Anakin stood in silence looking out the window.

"Always danger there is. Take the boy you will not, go alone you will. Speed you will need."

Qui-Gon looked at Mace who gave him a 'don't argue about this one' look. Defeated the master stood still and waited for more instructions.

"Leave soon you must. Great fear I sense."

Qui-Gon squinted his eyes, he didn't feel anything. Then again, he wasn't so in tune with the force after his little fight with the sith. Bowing he watched as Anakin did the same and the two left the council chambers.

"I'm very proud that you held your tongue Anakin, I could sense your distress at their decision."

Anakin nodded. "I just want to go with you master, what if you need me? What if something bad happens and I'm not there to protect you?"

The master smiled and put a hand on Anakin's shoulder, I assure you my apprentice that I will be fine. There are jedi all over the galaxy, if the situation calls for it I will request some back up. No need to worry."

Anakin wasn't so sure about that but he nodded anyway. Qui-Gon could still sense his apprentice's doubt but knew that now wasn't the time to talk about it.

SW+

Obi-Wan was meditating on the floor when it happened again. The visions, the nightmares, whatever they were and they were coming at full force.

"I see you still haven't got that boy of yours under control Master."

Qui-Gon looked at Obi-Wan then laughed, patting his former apprentice on the shoulder. "I've been trying; I just can't keep up with him like I could you."

The wind was coming through the window and Obi-Wan went to shut it. The city was in ruins. "Master look!"

Qui-Gon went over to the window and when Obi-Wan looked at him he changed right before his eyes. Count Dooku.

"Where is your beautiful daughter Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan felt his blood boil and then his hand reached his lightsaber but not before he saw a young woman get pushed from the balcony, a rope around her neck. The sickening crack of her neck snapping made Obi-Wan cry out and open his eyes.

"Obi-Wan, shhh, it's alright you were having a nightmare." Mariska said rubbing her hand over his shoulders and back in soothing circles. "Tell me about it."

Obi-Wan shook his head. "I can't. It was too horrible."

Mariska sighed and stood up, Obi-Wan seeing her for the first time. She was wearing that beautiful blue dress that she showed him earlier that day. It looked even better on her.

"Wanting to turn a few heads tonight Miss Ogahn?" He asked, shaking the feeling of dread that was placed on his shoulders not to long ago.

"Well I just would like to tease the boys a little. You know, I'm a jedi and I have my 'husband' next to me."

Obi-Wan smiled that half smile that he was famous for and that made masters turn their female apprentices the other way. "Well well well, my apologies Mrs. Kenobi. Expecting a little something from your wonderfully handsome husband tonight?"

Mariska narrowed her eyes and used the force to pull open the closet doors on the other side and a dark blue suit flew at Obi-Wan, hitting him in the back of the head. She marched out of the room.

"I'll take that as a 'no' then." He said and started to change into his suit.

SW+

In fifteen minutes the Kenobi's were to be announced at the ball that the royal family was putting on in honor of the jedi's arrival. The people of Deltar Six were into parties and social gatherings and when it came to that they didn't take no for an answer.

"Obi-Wan come on! You've been getting ready for a half an hour!"

"Oh I'm very sorry your highness! You only take three times as long as I do."

Mariska heard his voice faintly coming through the closed door. When it was opened Obi-Wan stood there, his head down concentrating on his tie. "I can't get it will you?" He asked and looked up, just catching the end of Mariska's look-over. He couldn't help but take the challenge.

"Like what you see?"

"Look here Obi-Wan, I will fix your tie if you promise to be on your best behavior. We are both adults and should be mature and we are jedi so if you please come here I will fix your tie and we can go to the ball."

Obi-Wan smiled at her again and walked over clasping his hands behind his back and giving her full range of his neck. She grabbed at the fabric but pulled away when he started to laugh hysterically. "Mariska! You know I'm ticklish!"

She giggled and used the force to make the tie do a few complicated loop-de-loops before pulling down in a perfect tie.

"You know Master Yoda would be most disappointed in the way you manipulate the force young lady."

"Young Lady!"

Pretending like that was a perfectly common thing Obi-Wan went to the door and opened it for her, leading her out into the hall way.

"You do look good tonight."

"Shut up Obi-Wan."

TBC