Have I mentioned that all of the characters belong to George?

Note: From this point on...all of the story was written from the perspective of Cienanos. My partner in crime had to graduate from college and find a real job. Sad really...but anyway...back to our story.

Cienanos

When I returned to the temple I realized that I still had an hour before everyone else would be awake and going about their daily routine. I thought that I would spend the hour doing some much needed meditation. As I rounded the corner on my way to my room I saw Amatu striding in my direction. She had a bad of supplies slung over her shoulder. She saw me and smiled as she approached.

"Another late night?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. I needed to get out and clear my head."

"Well, don't clear it too much or you will have one nasty headache during breakfast. And don't make me remind you of the whole vomiting factor..."

"Don't start..."

"You know...best cure if that does come up is to put some Algarian moss in a glass of Suha juice..."

My stomach started to churn and an unpleasant sensation started to form in my throat as she continued:

"Yeah...and make sure you eat it with a nice lump of fat. That should calm any trouble down...but make sure you..."

"Okay, stop there." I gestured towards her bag. "And where are we going so early in the morning?"

"Just another mission. Got to leave early."

I looked at her shocked and a bit hurt. "You going alone?"

She nodded. "Yeah."

"I wonder why the council always lets you go on missions alone but I never get sent on them."

"I'm competent."

"Oh…very funny. Fine...go..." I said as we started to go our separate directions. I looked at her making her way down the hall. "But one of these days I will get to go!"

"Nano...when that happens...remind me to quit the order."

I smiled as my friend disappeared through the doorway at the end of the hall. She would find some adventure on her next mission. All I would find is my empty quarters and an inability to meditate.

During the next week I found myself falling into a bit of a routine. Lessons with Master Siron, meditation, lightsaber exercises, and more dreams. I began to dread going to sleep. I would often sneak out of my quarters and spend much of the night watching the fountains until sleep would finally demand my attention. Each morning I woke feeling more tired than the day before. I knew that it was becoming obvious to others in the Temple that something was wrong. I could see concern growing on Master Siron's face. Finally, I decided to seek the help of the healers. After a brief exam, I was released back to my duties with the instructions to try and get more sleep. Great. Just what I wanted, to be thrust back into the landscape of blood and fear. After spending an afternoon trying to meditate, I gave up and went to dinner early.

I was sitting at a table poking at my food when Kenobi found me.

"Nano...you look awful!" he said, his voice full of shock.

"Thanks Kenobi, with charm like that, you are sure to win the hearts of ladies across the galaxy."

"Are you sick?"

"Really, I can't stand all this flattery! You better stop those sweet words or people will think you are trying to court me."

His only response was to stare at his plate, his face full of worry.

I set my fork down, "Kenobi, I'm sorry. I'm fine. The healers checked me over. They just say that I need some sleep."

"Maybe you would get some more sleep if you weren't walking the halls at all hours."

I looked into his eyes. "How did you know I haven't been in my room at night?"

His gaze returned to his plate. That's when I knew. He had been following me. As if reading my mind, he glanced up and said, "It hasn't just been me. Domie has been worried as well."

I tried to shrug the matter off. "I don't know what everyone is worried about. I'm fine. I've been acting like myself."

"I beg to differ Nano. My room hasn't been covered in mud in a week, a clear indication that you haven't been up to your old tricks."

I smile weakly, I knew I had to tell someone. "I just didn't want to tell Master Siron. He's already worried enough about me..."

"You can tell me Nano."

I sighed and began telling him about the nightmares. He interrupted me occasionally to ask a question but mainly listened quietly. When I had finished, we sat quietly staring at our plates. I think we were both lost in thought, otherwise I think we would have heard Domie approach.

"I've got something!" she said as she slammed several datapads on the table. I was so startled my fork flew out of my hand and clattered on the try of a passing padawan. The padawan looked startled and hurried away, glancing back at me fearfully. Kenobi caught my eye, "Don't worry, he's twenty-six. He'll get over it."