Trigger Warning: Pregnancy and child birth. Don't worry, no gory details are given. May also contain emotional triggers relating to giving a child up for adoption.

Chapter 20 - Unexpected - Part 3

About Six Months Ago:

Pregnancy, Siri was learning, was no easy task. Her body hated it. Hated her for doing this to herself. She was huge, and the baby was sitting right on her bladder What's more, Bant took the Healer's side when they tried to restrict her activity to a bunch of stupid exercises.

Call it an overreaction if you will, but Siri could not stand it anymore. She was bored. Taking advantage of a moment when her Healer attendants turned their backs, Siri slipped away. She was now sneaking around the Temple of Eedit, looking for, if anything, a place to stretch her legs, and something to keep her mind busy on.

"Siri, Siri," one of the healers called. Siri rushed to find a place to hide before they looked down the passageway she was in. She found a door, which she opened and slipped inside. Shutting the door behind her, Siri breathed a sigh of relief.

Her movement attracted the attention of the one already in the room. He seemed to jump off of the furniture or down from the ceiling, Siri didn't know.

"Who goes there?" A greying man with a scar down his face approached her.

"S-s-siri," she stuttered. Then with more confidence, asked, "Who are you?" She realized they were not in the residential wing, but the older part of the Temple. He probably was not allowed here either, so she didn't have to fear him turning her in.

"Poison Spitter," he replied with.

"Ha." Siri laughed. "That's cool. They call me 'She who won't stay in bed.' Glad to meet you."

As he laughed his face wrinkled like it had been a while since that had happened before.

"It should be plainly obvious what I'm in here for." Siri motioned to her stomach "What are you in this lovely Temple for?" Siri asked.

"I appreciate the quiet," Poison Spitter replied. "I'm a permanent resident. At least until they get another idea to reintegrate me."

"You don't want to go back?" Siri interpreted.

"Back? The Temple never really was my home." Poison Spitter turned and closed his eyes with a memory. "I spent my better years away from the Temple. Six months in the Dantooine Outback. There was the time I was named Godfather to the Chief of the Blood Rack Gang's daughter."

"Gee, that probably breaks the code in so many ways, but who am I to judge?" Siri remarked.

Poison Spitter smiled again. "I was a Shadow. The best! There was a big feast to celebrate her birth. By the end of it I had arrested him and all of his men. One of 'em tried to fight me." He pulled his robe off his left sleeve, revealing a scar along his shoulder. "Don't worry, I gave him one bigger," he said with a smile.

Siri smiled too. "So what happened to the kid?"

"Her mom took her. Turns out she wasn't the Chief's kid after all. It's what mom told the other guy, at least."

There was a quiet moment where they both thought about what to say next.

"So," Poison Spitter drawled. "What keeps you busy in our great Temple, here?"

"That's exactly why I'm here. See, I'm used to training all day, but here, I can't train. I can't do anything."

Poison pulled back. "What do you mean you can't train?"

"Well, I'm not exactly in the shape to be running and swinging a lightsaber," Siri pointed out.

"You can train in your condition. I killed three Pirates when I was getting this fixed, lying in the sickbed." Poison motioned to his leg, and Siri realized it was prosthetic.

"Wow, now that sounds like a story I want to hear."

Some Time Later:

While childbirth was excruciating, both for the mother to be and the care team who had to listen to the cuss words and dodge Force Pushes when Siri "lost control," it all had a sweet, golden lining. A precious baby girl.

Bant couldn't learn enough about how to take care of the little one. She was working with the Healers to keep track of the baby's growth on a chart, and she approached the nursery to take the next set of measurements.

As she opened the door she began to hum a Mon Calamari lullaby. She was sure it would have sounded better under water, but human infants can't swim yet.

"Oh!" Bant screeched in embarrassment when she realized she wasn't alone. "I'm sorry, I…"

"No. I…" Siri blushed and stood back.

"You know, you should have just asked someone. We'd bring her straight to you," Bant said.

"I know, I just didn't want anyone to know..." Siri's eyes trailed down to the crib where her hand lay almost clutching her baby.

"...That you're having doubts?" Bant finished for her.

"It isn't doubts anymore. I know this decision is the best, for her and for me. It's just, It feels like something inside of me is preparing to be cut. I can't stand the thought of not seeing her anymore. To be at the temple every day. Having her just down in the creche, and being forced to ignore her, like she's not even mine. That's why I came down here. To say goodbye." Siri's voice broke.

"I understand. Go ahead, and take your time. But, you know, I'll be going into the Creches a lot for my new focus. I could always sneak you in with me. The council doesn't even have to know." Bant told her.

Siri laughed. "I've taken a shadow assignment, you see. I won't be coming back to the Temple for a while. But if you could look out for her for me…"

"Don't even doubt it. Of course I will look after her," Bant promised before Siri could finish asking. Is this about the training you've been doing with Master Ranbull?"

"Poison Spitter," Siri corrected.

"Pardon me, but, Force knows, his given name is Master Ranbull, and I will use it." Bant declared. Siri rolled her eyes. "You know, he's missing a limb, has a bazillion scars all over, and all he tells are stories about people trying to kill him. You'd think that would be enough evidence for most Jedi to say no to any shadow assignments, but not you." Bant sighed dramatically.

Siri laughed. "Yes, Poison Spitter is an excellent teacher. I got down here without anyone catching me, didn't I. Master Adi was shocked when I asked for the mission, but Master Windu was soft and remarkably easy to talk into it.

"Did you just say Master Windu was soft?" Bant shook her head.

"Yeah, I think I earned his respect, somehow. That or the whole child bearing thing makes him nervous." Both girls shook their heads and laughed.

Three Months Before Naboo:

Mace opened a file sent to him from the Halls of Healing. It was concerning an initiate and a Paternity test. He never imagined reading "You are the Father," would be a part of his job as a Master of the Order, or as a Jedi to begin with. But then Yaddle made the point that the results would be important to the healers, providing them with a fuller medical history.

And of course, if the results were positive, they'd have to discuss what to do with the Padawan's Master, as it clearly is evidence the Padawan broke the code. If Dooku hadn't left the order, he'd be dreading the confrontation.

"Based on the sample provided…" Mace read. "The probability of paternity is 99.99998 Percent."

"Well, that solves that, then."

He pulled up another blank document and began writing: "Master Jinn, You are requested to confer with the Council at 10:00 tomorrow on matters of utmost importance." Mace was about to hit send, then he realized Master Jinn would probably bring Obi-Wan with him. That Master's reliance on using the young man for note taking was worrying. "And come alone."

'That should do it.' Mace hit send, and blind carbon copied it to the other members of the Council, with a note describing the test results. 'There we go. Now to grab lunch. I think I'll try that new place Senator Palpatine suggested. Senators usually know their stuff when it comes to good grub.'

Qui-Gon wondered what the Council wanted him for. The message was oddly cryptic, specific only in its final note. 'Come alone.'

Qui-Gon shrugged. 'Probably a mission and needs to be kept secret. Still, if they wanna fuss about me not using it as an educational opportunity…'

At the hour specified, the Council Chamber door opened for his appointment. Qui-Gon noticed that Adi Gallia glared at him as he walked in. The usually temperamental Master had been cold to him lately. Colder even than Mace Windu on a bad day! Qui-Gon would have been joking with his Padawan over this, but lately, it seemed, everything that reminded him of Siri made him sad. 'Gee if only everything in this place didn't remind him of that girl.' He sighed. 'At least Bant is supposed to return sometime today. If she cannot cheer him up, nothing can.'

"Masters," Qui-Gon bowed in greeting. He found himself still looking around for his old Master, even after Dooku left the order.

"Qui-Gon," Mace acknowledged.

"What have I been summoned here for?" Qui-Gon hazarded the question.

"First, you must know that my Padawan hasn't left the Order. She is on a Shadow Assignment," Adi spoke up. "But before this she was in the Temple of Eedit. Her retreat was not respite."

"Oh." Qui-Gon was starting to appreciate Obi-Wan being uninvited. "What was her retreat, may I ask?"

Mace and Yoda turned to stare at the door behind Qui-Gon.

"Enter," Yoda summoned, and the doors opened.

In walked Master Kit Fisto, and behind him, his Padawan, Bant Eerin. Qui-Gon did a double take. The Padawan was carrying an infant youngling.

"This is what Padawan Siri produced on her retreat." Mace swung his hand to indicate the Youngling.

Qui-Gon scratched his head. 'What are they implying here?'

"It's Padawan Kenobi's. We've done the DNA test," Mace informed him.

Qui-Gon gasped. He turned to stare at the Youngling, barely able to breathe.

"... What are your thoughts?" Master Eeth Koth asked.

Qui-Gon realized he didn't hear the statement before it. "I'm thinking, there may be more truth to my Padawan's rants about Healers just wanting to steal his blood than I thought." He resorted to humor, to add levity to the moment. Naturally, no one laughed. The Council had no sense of humor. And Padawan Eerin glared like she took a personal affront to his words.

"Padawan Tachi has given custody to the order. As to Kenobi's sample, it was easily obtained from his regular medical exams," Eeth stated.

"He is not debating the council's right to run this test. He was jesting." Mace corrected dryly.

"Corrective action, we need to take," Yoda said.

Qui-Gon's eyes went wide. "No!" He shouted. "Obi-Wan is not attached. There has been a little bit of attraction between them. I'm sure that's what this was. Lust and nothing more. You can't let one moment of weakness derail his whole life. His training." Qui-Gon's lungs were gasping for air.

"So sure are you, that one slip this was?" Yoda asked.

"Yea- Yes, I am." Qui-Gon said with more surety than he felt. Up until a moment ago, he'd of laughed at any suggestion that the boy he raised was doing that.

"What about the Mandalorian Duchess?" Adi raised her eyebrows. "There were rumors concerning her…"

"Rumors." Qui-Gon defended. "Of a gossipy press concerning an unconventional leader. Nothing more. I was on that mission too, and…"

"And? Were you with them a hundred percent of the time?" Mace asked, with eyes that already knew his answer.

"I-I," Qui-Gon stuttered.

"Know this, you do not," Yoda spoke slowly, as if he were preparing to pronounce a verdict.

"Wait! Please!" Qui-Gon shouted. "Obi-Wan still believes the official story, that Siri left the order. If punishments must be given, let him continue to believe such. Consider that punishment enough. But please don't tell him any of this. He'll become attached instantly." Qui-Gon folded his hands with his plea.

"He has a point." Ki-Adi-Mundi shared. "The bond between father and child is instinctual. Without training to resist such attachments, even I would be subject to them."

The council eyed each other in that silent way they sometimes communicated. Adi sighed, then she looked down at him with pity. As if she empathized with his position. She nodded to the others, silently surrendering to their point of view.

Then Mace spoke for them all. "Very well. No one will tell Kenobi about Padawan Tachi's position, or the Youngling in the Creche. The Council will consider matters resolved. But if another situation occurs, even remotely similar, we will not be so lenient."

"Oh, don't you worry. I'm going to be giving him another talk. The full 'Resisting Temptations of the Flesh' lecture Master Dooku once gave me. And I'll be keeping my eyes on him all the more," Qui-Gon reassured them.

"In peace, go," Yoda closed.

Qui-Gon turned to the Padawan holding, he supposed, his grand-something, but Bant turned to follow her Master out of the chambers. Qui-Gon turned instead to Master Yoda. "May I ask, Master. What is the Youngling's name? If I am supposed to be keeping Obi-Wan and the youngling separated, it could help to know."

Yoda turned back to answer, "Initiate Abigail Tachi, her name is."

"Tachi?" Qui-Gon exclaimed.

"Given by her mother, it was," Yoda answered. "Tell us of her father, Siri did not.

"Of course. I guess it will be easier to keep her a secret without having another Kenobi running around here." Qui-Gon teased. Then his mind added, 'Oh my! There's going to be another Kenobi at the Temple. One was enough trouble!'

Present

Obi-Wan put on his sleeping robe and climbed into bed. He jumped with alarm when he felt an unrest in his Bond with Anakin. There was no point checking on him. The boy was asleep in the next room.

Obi-Wan knew that Anakin had nightmares, but usually he awoke not remembering much. This one didn't feel too traumatic. He figured he'd let the boy sleep through it.

It's what the Healer's had been wanting him to start doing, anyways. "He'll never learn to settle on his own, if you don't let him try," they kept saying.

Obi-Wan made himself comfortable, and snuggled into his mattress. A part of his mind continued to listen for Anakin to settle. Several minutes later, he groaned, and pulled his pillow over his head.

With a reluctant sigh, Obi-Wan pulled himself out of bed. 'Just going to have to wait until tomorrow night to follow the Healers' orders.'

Obi-Wan walked into Anakin's room and stood looking down at him. 'What I wouldn't give to see into your nightmares and put your fears to bed.'

Shaking him awake, he whispered, "Anakin. Anakin. You were having a nightmare. Do you want some warm blue milk?"

"Umm-hmm." Anakin nodded, and wordlessly followed him into the main room.

Obi-Wan heated the milk up, then turned around to hand the mug to Anakin. "Do you remember what it was about?"

"Not everything. There was a spider, shadows, and a fat girl," Anakin answered.

Obi-Wan relaxed into the seat beside the boy. This was a topic he could cover. "You know, spiders scare me too."

"I wasn't scared," Anakin insisted. "The fat girl was sad. I don't remember why, but it didn't have anything to do with the spider or his shadows. I remember wanting to help her, but I couldn't."

"Hmm?" Obi-Wan hummed.

He remembered how, when they were on Naboo, he was given time by the council to bond with Anakin. They had visited a Naturalist, who offered to bring out a live spider to show them. Obi-Wan would have refused, but Anakin lit up. He couldn't refuse, so Obi-Wan practiced his breathing exercises while Anakin nearly touched the Poison Spitter, or so it was called.

'No, he probably wasn't scared of a spider in his dreams.' Obi-Wan sighed at another mystery he wouldn't be able to solve.

"Alright, if you're done with your milk, you can put it in the sink. That's good, now off to bed."

Hello,

Well, that was part 3. I hope you see why it was worth it. The story of Siri was too big to merely allude to in future chapters. Now that I've taken you back in time, we'll get to go ahead and see what is next for our heroes. Will Obi-Wan find out about Siri, and Abigail? Will there be any fallout for keeping it a secret for so long? And what is Yoda's "Little Experiment," from part one?

Thanks again to MMM73181 (from Fanfic dot net) for kindly beta reading these three chapters. Your help has been invaluable to me in forming the Siri character and deciding what to have happen next.