Fallen Angels
Chapter 3

By obi's girl

Chapter 3, Post 1

Obi-Wan sighed heavily as he sat on the bed he shared with his wife; Sabé sat opposite of him in the dresser chair, brushing her long brown hair. Though her back was turned to him, he could sense something was troubling her and the distant look on her face that was reflected in the mirror gave her feelings away.

"It was good to see your sisters. I know how much you miss Naboo." Sabé hmm'd but didn't say anything, her thoughts still lingering. "It would be nice to take Mara one day to Naboo, to meet her grandparents..."

Still, no response. Obi-Wan cleared his throat. Sabé looked up at her husband, smiled. "Yes, dinner was nice," she murmured.

"I know dinner was nice but that wasn't what I was talking about. Sabé, what's bothering you?" Obi-Wan asked.

Sabé huffed, put down the brush and turned to her husband. How was she going to tell him the subject of her worry was politics? She'd vowed long ago that politics wasn't a concern for her anymore. "Does Anakin still report to you what's going on in the Senate?"

Obi-Wan shrugged, "Of course, he does," he paused, "Sabé what were you talking about earlier with Devin on the balcony?"

"...Devin brought it up, so it wasn't my fault," she started. "My family's worried about matters in the Senate, that's all Ben."

"I thought you had given up that life? Darling, you shouldn't have to worry about politics anymore. You're a teacher, wife and a wonderful mother."

Sabé frowned, hiding her face in her hands. "I know, but some part of me, still worries, Ben. I worry about Anakin, too. He's in there everyday, watching the Chancellor, whose dealings in the Senate are already very suspicious....I mean, aren't you worried about what the Chancellor has been teaching him?"

Ben gestured she leave the dresser table; Sabé smiled and sat down beside him as he leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Of course, I worry, love. But I trust Anakin, and I know, if he ever suspected something wasn't right in the Senate, he'd tell the Council and me about it."

Sabé snuggled her husband's chest. "I know he would, but what if the Chancellor told him to keep it secret?" Obi-Wan frowned, sensing that if the Chancellor told his Padawan to hide things from him and the Jedi, he would...but to what cause?

Palpatine watched young Anakin as he paced around the office. He was apprehensive, worried about something. The Chancellor smiled, breaking the silence between them. "How is Mara?"

The Padawan turned to him and shrugged. "She's doing well in her classes, milord. Every week, one or two members of the Jedi Council tutor her individually. I think Mara likes the attention...she knows that she's...."

"...special?" Palpatine asked.

"She doesn't fear me anymore. It used to be, every time I was around her, she'd cry and shout, but now, I don't know, she's changed and more accepting of me," he paused and grinned. "She's gotten cuter, too, and looks more like her father."

Palpatine grinned, folding his fingers and leaning back in his chair. "Yes, I'm sure Master Kenobi enjoys fatherhood," he paused, "and Mara's a very gifted child. It's good he's providing her with a good education."

"She's the daughter of one of the most legendary Jedi Masters, milord. I wouldn't expect any less."

"Her powers are growing then?" Palpatine whispered, "I remember, the first time I met her, she seemed to be able to sense other people's emotions."

Anakin shrugged and turned to him, "It's been almost three years, milord. Her powers are already matured, she just needs to be nurtured."

"And nurtured she will be."

Sabé lovingly hugged her oldest sister as Mia stood off to the side, saying goodbye to Ben and Mara. "I'm sorry you couldn't stay longer," Sabé cried, letting go of her sister, "I wish you could have stayed a couple more days."

Devin shrugged. "Me too but we're all family women, Sabé," she glanced at Ben and smiled, hugging her brother-in-law. "You need to bring Mara to Naboo sometime, Ben. That girl needs to see her grandparents, as well as her second home."

Ben nodded, smiling. "Anakin and I have a new mission coming up, but afterwards, we're scheduled for some downtime, so I think we might all go back to Naboo for a much needed rest."

Devin and Sabé hugged again, then Mia hugged her sister goodbye and the three parted. Mara waved goodbye to her aunts, clinging to her father's leg. Sabé bent down and picked up her girl, carrying her back inside the apartment. "You, little one, have an appointment early this morning with Master Yoda," Sabé said, carrying her to the table, "So, eat up and then grab your things. I have time to walk you down there and then stop by the classroom to finalize today's lesson plan."

Mara took two or five more bites of her food, and then jumped from her chair and scurried into her room, grabbing her things.

"Busy today, are we?" Ben asked from behind, wrapping his arms around his wife.

Sabé shrugged, turning to look at him. "I have a short class today...would like to have an early lunch later? I heard Master Yoda has a big lesson planned today for Mara."

"I heard that too, but he wouldn't tell me what," he swirled around, facing her. "I'd love to have lunch with you, but Anakin and I have a late meeting with the Council about our next mission, and I'm meeting with Master Unduli and her apprentice."

"Tonight then?"

"I don't know if that's possible, but I'll try." Ben said and kissed her again.

Sabé smiled, wrapping her arms around him and then let go, cleaning the plates from the table as Mara left her room, carrying her backpack and dressed in her Padawan learner clothes. "Ready, Mama."

Obi-Wan laughed. "Yes, we can see you are." He knelt down and kissed his daughter's cheek. "Be good for Master Yoda today, Mara. Listen to him and have fun, too. Anakin and I are going to a very important meeting today, so Mama will pick you up today after your lesson." Mara nodded obediently. "You might have to wait awhile, so if Master Yoda gives you extra lessons, work on them while you're waiting."

"Yes, Papa, I will." the girl said, hugged him goodbye and then ran to the door, waiting patiently.

Sabé wiped her hands on a towel, leaned over the table and kissed Obi-Wan one more time. She grabbed some holopads and left with Mara.

Master Yoda paced the empty room, tapping his gimmer stick as he waited for Sabé and Mara to arrive. He truly adored Mara; she wasn't afraid of her gifts anymore and was more understanding of her powers.

"Sorry we're late, Master. A student of mine passed us in the hallway and asked me some questions about her last test.." Sabé began to apologize as she and Mara hurried into the empty room.

"No need you have for apologies, Sabé," Yoda said and faced his student. "Ready, are you, Mara?"

The redheaded girl nodded excitedly, running over to the wall and placing her backpack in the corner, and then returned to her Master's side. Master Yoda smiled and turned to Mara. "Special lesson, we have planned for Mara. Surprise lesson."

Sabé knelt down, kissing her daughter goodbye and then quietly left the room.

"...If Ansion secedes from the Republic, there is no doubt, the planet's secession will create a domino affect in the Senate." Mace explained to Luminara and Bariss. Anakin stood beside Bariss, his Master still notably absent from the meeting, but Anakin knew he was probably on his way.

Mace caught Anakin's worry and then cleared his throat as Obi-Wan walked quietly into the chamber and bowed to him. "Sorry, Master, for my tardiness. We were all busy this morning."

"I know about Mara's appointment with Master Yoda, you're excused," he said and then his smile disappeared as he explained the situation to him. "This is a very delicate situation, Obi-Wan. The Senate cannot be splintered any farther than it is right now. Your apprentice will brief you on more details."

"I understand, Master." The four Jedi bowed and left the chamber. "I need to stop by Sabé's classroom and tell her about the mission. I don't want her to worry about how long I'll be gone."

Anakin agreed and the two parted, Obi-Wan walking toward the classroom and Anakin returning to the apartment to pack his things. Luminara turned to her apprentice and smiled, the two of them returning to their quarters to pack their things.

"You don't know how long you'll be gone?" Sabé asked her husband as he leaned on her desk. Obi-Wan shrugged, glancing around the classroom. He'd visited her many times to talk to her between classes, but every visit, it seemed the classroom changed a little bit. Sabé gestured to the Nubian fish on the wall. "During break time, the girls made those and I helped them hang them up around the room. They were intrigued about my story of the fish from Naboo."

Obi-Wan laughed and then frowned again. "I'll be back. This isn't the first mission Anakin and I have been on since we've been married..."

Sabé smiled coyly. "I know, but I'm still allowed to worry, right?"

"I'd worry if you weren't worried," he admitted and kissed her. "Hopefully, the negotiations will be short and I'll be back here by the end of the week."

"..and if it takes longer?"

"I'll write to you if the mission will be longer," he said. "I love you, Sabé Kenobi."

Sabé smiled and pulled his tunic so he bent down towards her. "I love you, Ben Kenobi," she said and kissed him. "Now, get out. My first class starts in ten minutes." Ben grunted, leaned off her desk and walked out of the classroom.

tbc

Chapter 3, Post 2

"Clear your mind," Yoda instructed the redheaded girl. "Let the Force flow through you and reach to your parents, you will. Concentrate."

Mara reached out with the Force, searching the Temple for her parents' life signature. Normally, a youngling would wait two or three years before attempting such feet, but Yoda believed Mara was ready for the task.

"Concentrate, you must, ignore distractions around you."

The girl delved deeper into the Force, looking through the various hallways in the Temple. She paused briefly, hearing young children in a nearby classroom and went in that direction. As soon as she saw her mother leaning on her desk, instructing the young Padawans, Mara retreated, looking next for her father.

She heard Master Yoda tell her again to concentrate and she walked on towards the apartment. Mara felt her father and Anakin were busy doing something but two unfamiliar forces were with them. They didn't seem 'bad' but Mara still lingered, her ethereal body walking through the door and into the apartment. Mara watched the two figures. The elder, a Jedi Master stood calmly and her Padawan's eyes wandered around the room. As Mara continued to study the Jedi, the woman with blue eyes flinched and turned in Mara's direction, sensing a ghostly presence in the room. Mara shrieked and quickly left the room, re-entering her own body.

"Found you, someone did."

"A woman with bright blue eyes saw me. Not see, she felt my presence in the room. It scared me. She wasn't supposed to know I was there but she did." Mara said.

Master Yoda hmm'd, walking slowly around her. "Finished, our lesson is. Wait for your mother, you will, and meditate, you will, on this."

"Master," Bariss asked, "is something wrong?" The Master blue-eyed turned to her apprentice. Something important had happened. The presence in the room, it felt vaguely familiar, almost child-like. Child-like? Mara?

Before Bariss could question her further, Anakin and Obi-Wan entered the room. "Is everything all right?" Obi-Wan asked, sensing Luminara's distress.

The woman shrugged. "It felt as if someone was watching me but I knew no one else was here except for Bariss, and she was at ease." Luminara paused, rubbing her forehead. "Whatever it was, it is gone now."

Obi-Wan hmm'd, perhaps it was a Sith projecting himself to Luminara but he didn't feel from her that the presence was dangerous. The Jedi glanced at her one more time but she nodded she was all right. "I talked to Sabé earlier, and told her about the mission. I'd like to talk with my daughter and tell her I'll be gone, but I know we're in a hurry."

Mara wrinkled her nose as she waited for her father to pick her up. She'd finished meditating early and now, in the typical 2 1/2-year-old, 'I'm bored' fashion, kicked her heels against the table she was sitting on, watching several Masters and Padawans walk about the Temple. Everyone always seemed to be going somewhere important in the Temple; she'd never seen the halls or a classroom empty.

Still, after living in the Temple for almost three years now, Mara had to admit that she hadn't explored other rooms and hidden corridors, or walked through the exotic Temple gardens.

Mama told me once the Temple Gardens were so beautiful and serene, but not like the gardens on Naboo. Mara remembered and suddenly hopped off the table. She grabbed her backpack, flinging it on her back and started down the hall. There weren't too many Masters around to ask for directions to the garden, but she figured she could use her Jedi senses to help her navigate.

Mara wandered down the corridor, disappointed she hadn't found any special rooms or doors that led to the famous Jedi gardens. She was bound to turn around and return to the hall she had come from, but then she remembered that she really didn't know which way she had come from since all the halls looked the same.

I'll let the Force guide me. she decided and continued down the hall until she came upon the entrance to the Hall of Fountains.

It wasn't the Jedi gardens, but it was still very beautiful. The lush planet, spectacular flora and crystal fountains made her eyes widen, marveling at the beauty before her. Mara wandered around the small hall, stopping to smell several of the flowers at the foot of the fountains. It was beautiful and rich in the living Force. She couldn't grasp the difference between the living and physical Force -- the Force was one. They were not two separate entities or at least, it was too confusing for her and she decided that the Force was one.

That's a lot of thoughts for a little girl.

She frowned, scanning the area around her. No one else was there, but like the blue-eyed woman, she sensed there was someone else in the hall with her. Mara steadily stood up, grasping her backpack, ready to use it as a weapon if she needed to.

There's no need for that, Marai the voice said again, this time accompanied by a physical form.

Mara tentatively walked closer to the blue thing, reaching her hand out to it. The blue thing smiled, holding out its hand to her as Mara rested hers in it. It was a weird feeling, her solid hand touching a non-solid substance but it fascinated her at the same time.

"Why are you...? What are you? How can I touch you when I know you're not --- what are you?"

The blue blur laughed, You're very inquisitive, Mara. I'm not sure where to begin...

"Are you a ghost?"

I am a ghost, and my name is Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Master. I was your father's Master.

Mara plopped down on the grass, a confused look flashed across her face and then vanished. "You used to teach my father? I think I remember hearing about you. You know my mother too?"

Yes, he said. Do you like this place, Mara?

"Yes, it's very beautiful..." she said. A thought suddenly occurred to her and she turned to her ghostly visitor. "Did you guide me here?"

Qui-Gon smiled, I did. The living Force is strong here, Mara...I knew you would like it here and I wanted to talk to you in private about your powers.

"What do you know about my gifts?"

I've been watching you since your birth. I come to you now because your powers are at their peak and you need more guidance than Master Yoda.

Mara hmm'd and then looked at Qui-Gon seriously, "What can you teach me?"

For this visit, I do not plan to teach you anything, simply warn you. There is a darkness coming upon the Republic, from within and without. Don't trust anybody except your parents, Master Yoda, Master Windu and Master Unduli.

Mara raised her hand, smiling timidly, "Um, who's Master Unduli, and what darkness? What are you talking about?"

Master Unduli is the blue-eyed woman you saw in your parents' apartment..he paused suddenly and sighed. I fear the darkness cannot be prevented but it is important that you don't draw attention to yourself. Others are watching you.

"What others? Why do I have to hide my potential?"

Qui-Gon was silent again, a far off look in his eyes, I'm sorry that I'm being cryptic, Mara, but there are some things that I cannot reveal to you.

"You're not a very good messenger!" she said, causing him to laugh.

Sabé paused briefly, sensing something peculiar and then dismissed the feeling as she continued to the classroom where she had dropped off her daughter for her lesson with Master Yoda. Her husband was supposed to pick Mara up after his meeting, but Obi-Wan had been called by the Jedi Council to go on a mission on Ansion.

"Master Yoda," she greeted the small Master, bowing, "Where's my daughter?"

Yoda's ears perked up, surveying the area. She had left earlier but he assumed that Obi-Wan had come by and already picked her up. Sabé immediately felt her heart pound and she felt like screaming. Where was her daughter? The two of them quickly began to search the hall, calling her name.

Mara fiddled with her sleeve as she sat there on the grass. Her ghostly visitor wandered around the hall, admiring the flora. He still confused her. Qui-Gon had told her to keep her powers a secret, as to not draw unwanted attention to herself, but he didn't specify whom. She tried to question him further but he didn't give her any helpful details. It infuriated Mara.

How was she, a 2 1/2-year-old girl with enormous potential, supposed to be able to tell apart the good people from the bad? She wasn't an experienced Jedi, she was still learning, and his vague advice didn't help her at all. Finally, Mara stopped playing around with her sleeve, stood up, grabbed her backpack and stalked towards Qui-Gon.

"Why won't you tell me who I should worry about? I need to know, my parents need to know."

Qui-Gon turned to her but before he could say anything, he felt Sabé and Master Yoda were searching for her. I'm sorry Mara, but I have to go. I'll contact you again.

Before she could protest, he vanished from her sight. Mara huffed and walked out of the hall as her mother and Master Yoda rounded a corner. Sabé ran to her daughter, kneeling down to hug her. "Oh baby, we didn't know where you were! Why did you walk off like that?"

Mara glanced at Master Yoda, and then remembered her visit from Qui-Gon. "I wanted to see the Jedi gardens."

"That's nice, Mara, but you shouldn't wander off on your own," Sabé said and turned to Master Yoda. "Thank you Master for helping me."

Yoda smiled to Sabé, and then looked pointedly at Mara, and then his expression softened. "Careful, Mara. Worried, your mother was about you. Scared me too, you did, and I am not so young!" Sabé smiled her thanks again to Master and then the Master turned and left the hall.

"Mama, I'm sorry I scared you...I--" Mara started and then paused, unsure if she should tell her mother about Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon had assured Mara that her parents did know about him. "I was visited by a ghost."

Sabé frowned, stood up, grasped her daughter's hand and began to walk her down the hall back to their apartment. "Ghost? Did he tell you his name?"

"Qui-Gon Jinn."

Sabé froze and quickened her pace towards the apartment. Once they both arrived, Sabé shut the door and turned to her daughter. Qui-Gon? No one had heard from him in years, not since he died on Naboo. As far as Sabé knew, he hadn't even appeared to Obi-Wan, so why would he appear to Mara? "What did he say to you, Mara?"

"I should be wary of outside forces that'll threaten the Republic, from without and within. He didn't tell me whom specifically, though. He was very cryptic."

Sabé moved to the com, connecting their apartment communication system to her husband's mini comlink.

tbc

Chapter 3, Post 3

"Curious, my former Master would appear to Mara but not speak with me." Obi-Wan mused as he sat alone in front of the console onboard their small Jedi ship. Barris and Anakin were sparring in the small makeshift gym and Luminara was meditating.

Sabé shrugged. "If Qui-Gon knew something was going to happen to the Republic, I would think he wouldn't be cryptic about it."

Ben hmm'd, rubbing his chin. As she watched him, Sabé noted the small red-brown hairs on her husband's chin. "You're growing a beard?" she questioned.

Obi-Wan shrugged and stopped rubbing his chin. "I was hoping you wouldn't notice. At this point, it's only a goatee. Do you like it?"

"I'm used to the clean-shaven Obi-Wan Kenobi, but it doesn't look bad on you," she mused and then returned to the subject at hand. "Why do you think he contacted her and not us directly?"

"I don't know, but you should tell the Council about this. I'm sorry I can't be there with you Sabé..."

Sabé waved her hand and smiled. "I knew the difficulties of being married to a Jedi Master, Ben, and I accepted them. Promise to come home safely to me and Mara."

Obi-Wan smiled. "You're a strong woman, Sabé...I promise to return safely. May the Force be with you."

"...and with you, my love."

"Very cryptic, Qui-Gon's message is," Yoda mused, looking particularly at Mara. He knew Mara's powers were growing and her full potential had not yet been revealed to her, but what if that potential was meant for something dark? "Called to you, he did, but why now? Why not appear to your parents?"

Mara shrugged, tilting her head slightly. "He wasn't very helpful with the details."

Sabé rested her hands on her daughter's shoulders and then suddenly jerked back as a flash of images moved slowly before her. A man in black extended his gloved hand to Mara and she took it, going with him.

"No!" she cried.

All the Masters' heads turned to her and Mara looked up at her mother, her green eyes asking her what was wrong. How could Mara go with a strange man and not fight him? Mara searched her mother's eyes for whatever was bothering her but Sabé told her to wait outside. The girl looked at the Masters and left the chamber.

Mace asked the question all the Masters had been pondering since Sabé's vision. "What did you see?"

Sabé shrugged, smiling foolishly, "I don't even know it was possible. I'm not a Force potential, I have no powers...How could I see what I did?"

"Tell us first what you saw. Tell you, we will, how it was possible."

"I saw Mara..she went with a man in black. I'm not sure if he was human but he carried a red lightsabre."

Mace suddenly tensed. "Only a Sith carries a red lightsabre. You say he wasn't human... was he wearing a black suit?"

Sabé replayed the images in her head and nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, he wore a black suit. I'm sorry, I don't know if it was a premonition of the past or present." Sabé paused and looked to Master Yoda, "How is this possible? Only Jedi can visions like this and I'm not...."

"A conduit," Ki-Adi-Mundi answered, "Qui-Gon visited your daughter to speak with her about hiding her powers from other people. He called to her using the Force, it's possible Qui-Gon used you as a conduit for this vision."

Sabé thought about what the Master said and then turned to Yoda. "What about Mara? Is she is in any danger? If there's a Sith Lord out there that wants to exploit her powers and use them for darkness, I deserve to know about it so her father and I can protect her."

"Sabé, Mara's a Jedi. We all want to protect her because she's one of us, we all care for her very much," Mace said and smiled. "I suggest since you aren't able to accompany her everywhere she goes while Obi-Wan is away on a mission, we'll ask Qui-Gon to watch her. She already knows of his presence because he appeared to her."

"What about my vision?"

"Worry about that, we will. Protect your daughter, you must," Yoda said, "and research this man in black, we will."

Sabé bowed and left the chamber. Despite the Master's words, Sabé felt the need to do a little research of her own.

After leaving the Council Chambers, she left Mara to the crèche Masters. Sabé thanked them and hoped she wouldn't be long in her duties and quickly slipped back out, walking towards the Jedi library. There weren't too many Masters or Padawans around researching, so she found a terminal in the main part of the library, sat down and began to search the database. Only she didn't know where to start.

Sabé tried using one of the simpler search engines, typing, in 'Jedi visions.' The search was too vague, bringing up records and records of Jedi visions and different accounts. She cleared the search again, this time typing in, "non-Jedi visions." Thankfully, it narrowed down the search a bit. Surprisingly, there was only one other non-Jedi that had received a prophetic vision of things to come. Sabé read through the account, taking notes on her holopad and then left the terminal, looking for the Master librarian.

"Excuse me, Madame, but I need some help looking for a book."

Madame Jocusta Nu turned to Sabé, smiled and stepped out from behind her desk. "What type of book are you looking for?"

Sabé thought carefully, smiled and turned to her, "Do you have anything about non-Jedi having prophetic visions and their accounts of the anomaly?"

Jocusta frowned and returned to the computer terminal behind her desk, checking what was on record. She sighed and looked at Sabé. "I'm sorry milady, but since there are few non-Jedi that have had visions from the Force, I'm afraid we don't have any available books on the topic. Visions of the future are rare occurrences especially when it comes to non-Jedi."

"But is it possible for a non-Jedi to have a vision about the future?"

"Not impossible, but very rare...Do you know of a recent case where a non-Jedi had a vision?"

Sabé shrugged. "No, I don't. Thank you for your assistance, Madame." Madame Jocusta bowed and went back to her terminal as Sabé left the library.

"You're back already?" the head crèche Master asked. "I put Mara down to play with some toddlers."

Sabé smiled. "I'm sorry, Master, but I need to take Mara home now...I hope she won't be too angry with me for disrupting her play time. I promise, she'll stay longer next time."

"We welcome Mara here anytime she can spend time with us. She's a very gifted and beautiful child, milady," the Master said as Sabé followed her into a playroom. Mara was sitting on a rug, entertaining three other children about stories of her legendary father. Sabé smiled and walked over quietly, sitting behind the two children as Mara looked up at her and frowned.

"Go now?" the girl asked.

Sabé nodded and Mara reluctantly stood. "Sorry, we'll talk again sometime later. Next time, I'll tell you about my encounter with a blue man."

The children laughed as Mara followed her mom out of the crèche. "Did you find anything useful, Mama?"

"No, I'm afraid not, but I need to talk to your father and tell him about my vision."

Mara studied her mother as she walked to the holo screen. She understood fear, but she failed to understand her mother's worry about the situation. In fact, Mara didn't understand what was going on at all. She knew Qui-Gon's visit was important since he hadn't visited the Jedi in years, but Mara didn't understand the mystery and darkness surrounding his appearance. She shrugged, walking towards her mother and tugged her sleeve. "Mama, what does it mean?"

Sabé shrugged and mused, "I don't know, baby, but it's not good." She waited awhile longer for the com to connect to Obi-Wan ship but she received a 'did not connect message' and Sabé turned off the screen. "Honestly, I don't know what to do...I don't know what Qui-Gon's message means, I don't understand the vision I had or why you would even go with a strange man, who might possibly be a Sith Lord....I don't understand anything!" Sabé cried, burying her face in her hands.

"I mean, why couldn't Qui-Gon say what he meant? Why did he have to be so cryptic? It doesn't really help anything," Sabé rambled.

Mara sat down on the carpet, cross-legged and then peered up at the holo screen as she saw Qui-Gon's blue reflection. "Mama..."

Sabé shook her hood, wiping her face. "Not now, darling."

"Mama."

Sabé huffed and finally looked up, noticing Qui-Gon's reflection in the holo screen and turned to him. She wanted to yell at him for so many reasons, but Sabé maintained her composure. "Why?"

I can't stop what's coming, Sabé. I wish I could, but I can't. The vision was meant to warn you. Mara has extraordinary powers...if the Sith ever discovered her abilities, they would use her for their own gain. He glanced at Mara. I know you're too young to understand any of this, Mara, but you can't let the bad men use you.

"It would help us if you told us who the bad men are. Why can't you tell us that?" Mara cried.

Qui-Gon sighed, tired and angry with himself. I can't because what is going to happen is supposed to happen. It's been prophesized by the Jedi...

"The balance of the Force," Sabé answered. "What does that have to do with Mara?"

I'm sorry, Sabé. I can't tell you that.

Sabé laughed sarcastically. "You're supposed to be Obi-Wan's mentor and friend, and you can't even tell me, his wife, why we have to hide Mara's powers and from whom?"

I can't because it won't do any good. It won't change anything.

"I think you should go, then. If you won't give me a clear answer, you're clearly wasting our time." Sabé paused and looked at Mara. "I'm sorry I'm being abrupt..."

I understand. He looked at Mara and smiled. May the Force be with you. Mara didn't respond to him as he disappeared from the room.

Rather then dwell on Qui-Gon's cryptic meanings, Sabé tried to put it and the vision out of her mind. Mara continued her daily routine of attending classes with several of the Council members but after each session, she was instructed to stay in the crèche where she could be watched more closely by the crèche Masters.

Sabé glanced at the classroom chrono, smiled and quickly grabbed her things, rushing to the crèche to pick up Mara and then take her to see her father. Obi-Wan would be returning today with his apprentice, Master Unduli, and her apprentice. Three months, it had been three months since she last seen or talked to him.

Despite the fact he always assured her he would come back, there always that dread that when his ship landed and he wasn't there to greet her, and Sabé have to explain to Mara why her father wasn't there to greet them.

Sabé reached the crèche, said hello to the Masters and thanked them for looking after Mara and quickly left again. They reached the platform about an hour early, but the deck officer on duty assured them their arrival wasn't too early. Sabé smiled, bracing her hands around Mara's shoulders as they waited there for a glimpse of a silver ship. Sabé told Mara it would be silver, but she knew it was an old red-brown cruiser.

The deck officer signaled Sabé and Mara to clear the deck as they noticed a red-brown cruiser fly cautiously through Coruscant's fog. Sabé told Mara to wait until the ship docked and the ramp opened.

Master Luminara and her apprentice exited the ship first, followed by Anakin. Sabé frowned and looked down at Mara, who was anxiously waiting for her father. Sabé knelt down beside her, prepared to explain that something happened and then Mara screamed, running from her arms and into her father's robes.

Sabé sighed and thanked the Gods he was all right and calmly walked across the platform to join her daughter. Obi-Wan smiled, hugging his daughter and kissing her cheek. "Oh Mara, I missed you. I don't know if it's possible but I think you've grown an inch while I've been gone."

Mara giggled, blushing. "Daddy, I'm still the same."

He laughed and then raised his gaze, noticing Sabé emerge from the fog. Obi-Wan stood up as Sabé approached him, and he pulled her to him, kissing her passionately. "Hello, my wife," he whispered.

Sabé smiled and blushed. "Welcome home, Ben," she whispered and hugged him, whispering in his ear, "I missed you...we both did."

"I'm sorry we couldn't send word to you everything was all right," Ben apologized as they started to walk off the platform. Mara looked curiously at the dark robed woman with blue eyes. Luminara glanced at her and smiled, and Mara returned her smile.

"Don't worry about it, Ben," she said and turned to him, kissing him again. "I'm happy you're home."

Obi-Wan smiled and then frowned as he looked at Anakin and Luminara. "Oh, we have to report to the Council immediately and give them our mission report, but Anakin and I will meet you later."

Anakin groaned. "Do we have to give the mission report now, Master? We just arrived here. To be honest, I think we need at least a long day of rest before worrying about the Council. I need a rest, anyway."

"I suppose we could hold off seeing the Council immediately for today but tomorrow, we have to wake up early to report to them."

Anakin bowed, grabbed his things and started off towards the apartment. Sabé laughed to herself, watching Anakin leave, and glanced at Luminara and her apprentice.

"We should be leaving too," Luminara said and bowed to Sabé. "It was good to see you again, milady," she said, and she bowed to Mara as well before leaving with Bariss.

"What's been happening here while I've been gone?" Ben asked Sabé as she came from kitchen, carrying two cups of tea. "I know there's never a dull moment in the Temple."

Sabé shrugged and handed him his cup. "I had a vision, your former Master is still very cryptic, and I don't think even the Jedi Council knows what's going on."

Obi-Wan frowned. "I'm sorry I wasn't here...You had a vision? Only Jedi have visions, non-Jedi having visions is very rare..."

"The Council thinks Qui-Gon used me as a conduit, which he probably did, but it would have been nice if he gave me a warning first!" she said, emphasizing to air that she didn't appreciate his help.

Obi-Wan smiled and soothingly rubbed her back. "Qui-Gon was always very cryptic when it came to Jedi prophesizes. I know he wants to help, otherwise he wouldn't have appeared to Mara and give you that vision."

"Maybe," Sabé muttered. "To be honest Ben, I'm as confused as the Council. I don't know what role Mara is supposed to play in all of this, or who that man in black was that she went with..."

"What man in black? Sabé, you didn't say anything about a man in black. Who was he? Do you know?"

She shrugged again, "He carried a red lightsabre, but only a Sith wears a weapon like that, and as far as we know, the being you faced on Naboo was a Sith, but you killed him, so I don't know who this new Sith could be. The Council doesn't know either."

Obi-Wan stood up and grabbed a pad and paper from his desk and gave it to Sabé. "Have you researched him? I could..." He started towards the computer but Sabé blocked his path.

"No Ben, I know you won't find him in the records. The vision was from the future, I'm certain of that," Sabé said. "I don't want to talk about this anymore. You're home, returned safely to me and I just want to enjoy your company."

Ben smiled, putting the pad and paper aside and stood up. "Then join me in evasive maneuvers, milady?" Sabé blushed, stood up and walked quietly to their room, Ben following behind her.

tbc