Author's Note: I've finally put the finishing touches on another chapter - thought I would keep it light and fun since we have one last roller coaster ride coming up! Padme's Sister - Siri's routine is going to be very un-Jedi like - and I mean that in a good way! Stay tuned! ;-) Elmthesmartypants - Don't worry - Padme will be very careful, especially now that little Luke and Leia are on the way! Meandmysharpie - Siri will definitely meet some resistance, but I have a feeling she will overcome it all! If not, she could always borrow your boots, right? Hee! Hellish Red Devil - Mace's plan is unfolding right before your eyes. Now, we just have to wonder if it will be successful? And I'm glad you liked the shirt! Erik's Leadinglady - Thanks for the review! You always find a way to make me laugh - hope you enjoyed your waffles! You're making me hungry! RavenRulzRF - Welcome to the story! I'm so glad you seem to be having fun with it. Hope you'll stick with us. All - Real life is crazy so I am very grateful for your patience. I love the holidays, but wow - it is one thing after another! Hope you enjoy this chapter - I'll be back as soon as I can with more!

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Siri waited with two cups of hot tea, a blanket and a small Holo-player. She tapped her fingers on the arm of the chair, watching the spiraling paths of steam as they curled into each other, wafting their way to the ceiling. Her patience paid off fairly quickly as she heard the quiet hiss of the adjoining door and watched Padme slip into the darkened suite.

Immediately, Siri noticed her friend's eyes were red rimmed from crying. More than ever, she was glad she had recruited Padme for this first task. It would be good to get her mind off her dilemma; the stress couldn't be good for the baby.

"So, what do you need my help with?" Padme asked, still sniffling slightly.

"Well, it's something very important," Siri said ominously. "Are you sure you're up for it?"

Padme lifted her chin and narrowed her eyes. "Of course."

The Jedi grinned, happy to see the fire returning to those brown orbs. "Very well then. Let's get started." With that, she spread out a collection of metallic disks on the floor.

Padme's eyes lit up in recognition.

"Music?" she asked, running her hands over the objects.

"Yes," Siri replied. "Our mission, should we choose to accept it - is to select the music for this week's routine. The song we choose will determine everything - our costumes, the pace of the routine, the moves we implement-"

"I see," Padme nodded. She straightened her shoulders and grinned impishly. "We need to choose something outrageously fun."

Siri silently agreed, but couldn't refrain from giving her a hard time. "Are you sure? I was kind of leaning towards something dramatic."

"No thank you," Padme cried. "I think we've all had enough drama the past few weeks."

"Make that years," Siri muttered.

"Speaking of which, have you done what Master Windu advised? When your heart and mind are calm-" she began to recite.

Siri cut her off.

"No."

"But, Siri, you really should-" Padme tried again.

"I can't," she mumbled. "My heart and mind are never calm when it comes to Obi-wan. Let's just leave it at that, okay? I need to sort through this myself and I will, but at my own pace."

Padme looked doubtful, but didn't say anything further on the subject. Turning her attention back to the task at hand, she started to sort through the disks. She had only gone through three or four, when she held one out to Siri.

"This one," she stated simply.

Shocked by the quick decision, Siri examined the title and recognized the title instantly. It was a song that had been wildly popular years ago, but still managed to get people up and moving. Loud and boisterous, it certainly didn't fit the normal soothing tones the Jedi were encouraged to enjoy...

…Which just might make it the exact thing they needed.

"Padme," she grinned. "You're a genius!"

NEXT MORNING - PRACTICE RINK B

Siri laughed inwardly at the expressions on the two Jedi's faces as the music blared through the rink. Disbelief, confusion and curiosity each made an appearance, before they settled on reluctant acceptance.

"It's enthusiastic, don't you think?" she chirped, nudging Obi-wan in the ribs with her elbow. "It should give us a wonderful opportunity to be creative."

"Siri, don't you think we should choose something more dignified?" Obi-wan suggested hopefully.

"Nope," she replied lightly. "That just wouldn't do. Not for what I have planned."

"Why do I have a feeling we should be afraid?" Anakin muttered.

"Not afraid, young Skywalker," Siri teased. "You should be feeling... adventurous."

"Somehow that's even worse," Anakin mused.

She grinned.

"All right, Tachi," Obi-wan relented. "I give up. What do you have in store for us?"

"Patience," she admonished. "All will be revealed shortly."

Just then, Padme scooted onto the ice, some sort of dark fabric piled in her arms. "I found what you needed!" she called. "You were right! The costume droids had plenty to choose from."

"Wonderful!" Siri beamed. She hurried to take some of the burden from her friend's arms. She unfurled it and gave one to Anakin and the other to Obi-wan.

"Capes?" Obi-wan asked incredulously. "You want us to wear capes?"

"No offense, Master Tachi, but who would want to wear a cape?" Anakin asked, disdain coloring his words.

"You won't really be wearing them, they are just... visual aids. Besides, they aren't that much different than our cloaks."

"Cloaks are majestic," Obi-wan pointed out. "Capes are for-"

"You won't have to wear them for long," Siri interrupted. "Just for the initial trip onto the ice. Then, you will cast them off and begin dancing."

"Dancing?" Obi-wan sputtered. "But we're on ice!"

"That's what makes it so unique," Siri replied lightly. "All right, shall we get started? Anakin, once we make our grand entrance, you will be dancing with me. Obi-wan, you will be partnered with Padme."

"I think you have this reversed," Anakin protested.

"But that's the beauty of it, don't you think?" she trilled. "We're going to turn this Arena on its ear!"

"Oh dear," Obi-wan sighed.

OBSERVATION AREA – SAME TIME

"Loud, that music is," Yoda complained.

Mace nodded, even as he smiled at the two couples several stories below. They were working diligently on the first part of the routine and already, an argument appeared to be brewing.

"It is an interesting choice, don't you think?" he replied. "A wise one, I believe."

Yoda was silent for a moment, before he stated, "Coming, the darkness is. Sense it strongly, I can."

Mace sighed. "I sense it too. Our shields will not protect their dreams much longer. Already, Jarrick has broken through a few times – to Master Tachi especially. I expect it will only get worse as he draws closer. The Force is becoming too clouded."

Yoda leaned on his gimer stick, looking tired but determined. "United, they must be or defeated we are."

"I have already notified the Jedi who will be running Security next week," Mace noted. "Master Fisto has agreed to be our main contact."

Yoda nodded in satisfaction, but reminded him, "Resolved strictly with a light saber, this fight will not be. Distrust, fear… Those are the weapons the dark side will use."

Mace studied the scene below and said simply, "Our friends will do what is needed. Anakin will not fall."

"Come far, you have on your feelings about Skywalker," Yoda pointed out.

"We survived a reality show side-by-side," Mace reminded him, his tone dismissive. "I suppose that tends to stick with you."

"An opportunity, glad I am, to have missed," Yoda responded. "However, won the race, I would have."

With a rueful smile, he exited the room.