Content Warning: I do intend to keep this story at a T rating, but this chapter includes humor that may be more PG-13 than PG. If it's not your thing, go ahead and skip to the first chapter break. And tread lightly in the last scene.

Chapter 26 - Homework and Council Orders

"Yes, that one," Obi-Wan specified. He tried to hold his head up high and proud, though it wasn't every day that he was asking the Council for allowances. "I'd like to attend."

"But it's just a routine physical. Every youngling gets them," Mace said.

"Oh, but keeping track of her health is a part of parental responsibility," Ki-Adi-Mundi pointed out.

Mace and Yoda shared a look. "Very well. We will allow it. But, you are aware that the infant will receive a shot at the appointment."

"Y-Yes." Obi-Wan gulped. He was not a fan of needles, and wished they hadn't bought it up. "Yes, I am aware."

"Then we will inform the Healers of this decision. Master Don says you and Siri have been doing well in his classes. We will let you take her to the Halls of Healing tomorrow for the appointment," said Mace.

Obi-Wan smiled. This was going better than he'd anticipated.

Then Ki-Adi-Mundi opened his mouth. "On to our next business. You and Knight Tachi have reinstated carnal relations." He looked to Obi-Wan for confirmation.

Obi-Wan nearly had a heart attack. His mouth went dry and he felt lightheaded. "Huh!"

Mace looked down at him with a critical eye. "Remember, we do not forbid attachment, but as a condition we require you to be honest and to answer all of our questions."

"Oh, uh ye-ah." Obi-Wan put his arms deep into his sleeves as he slowly answered the question. He was sure he was blushing. He couldn't say how the Masters reacted, his eyes refused to leave the floor.

"How many times?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked.

Obi-Wan took a step back. He wasn't the only Jedi there who reacted to his questioning. Several other Masters were giving the Cerean Jedi dirty looks.

"Research suggests that three times a night would maximize the chances of conception." Ki-Adi-Mundi explained to the group. "Now, if he has trouble with endurance, or if the difficulty lies in limiting his passions, there are things we can suggest."

"He's not wrong." Oppo Rancisis stated. "You can't call this an experiment with one test subject. We want to see if Younglings can be raised the Jedi way, with parental attachment. For that, we need more younglings."

All eyes predictably returned to Obi-Wan.

"Well, that was effective," Mace muttered.

"Yes, I do think so." Ki-Adi-Mundi said cheerfully.

Mace turned to scowl at the Master.

"The poor boy was scared stiff by your forward questions," Adi chastised.

Ki-Adi-Mundi shrugged. "Well, if we don't deal with these topics, who will?"

"Just don't do it while I am in the room. If you ask questions that specific again, I'm going to poke my eyes out!" Adi shared.

"But we haven't covered the whole breadth of the topic yet," Ki-Adi-Mundi complained.

"What's next on our schedule?" Mace asked, hoping for a distraction.

"Comm Tatooine," Yoda read. "Coming soon, Anakin will be."

"But wait, Obi-Wan was just here," Mace noticed.

"Hello Masters," Qui-Gon walked in and bowed. Behind him was the Youngling Anakin.

Mace nodded, as he figured his headache that morning was prognostic. 'How much longer till I can assign Qui-Gon another long-term mission?' he asked himself.

"Anakin, are you ready to talk to your mother? Come up here and we'll make the call," Mace said, summoning the boy to come closer. Qui-Gon stepped to the side quietly.

The bluish Holo of Master Piell appeared in the center of the room.

"Masters, I have been discussing the upcoming Liberty Day… I apologize. That's what the locals are calling the first day they will be recognized by the Republic. Anyways, they have invited us to come celebrate the day with them."

"Hmm," Yoda hummed.

"Once their status is rectified, the planet will be a lot safer. We will have jurisdiction to enforce all republic laws instantly," Plo said.

"Yes, perhaps we can put word out and see how many knights are interested," said Adi.

"Five knights, a vessel will hold. Preference to those with Padawans, we should give." Yaddle said. "A valuable learning opportunity, it will be."

"Hrm," Yoda mumbled again. "A Praxeum Ship instead, we shall bring. More Jedi, it will hold."

"But Master, a whole Praxeum Ship! Just how many knights are we sending?" Oppo gawked.

"The Creche, I want to send," Yoda answered. "Unused to new students, our Younglings are. A valuable learning opportunity, this will be. An opportunity to see Anakin's homeworld, they shall have."

Mace looked down and saw Anakin wiggle in excitement, where he sat between him and Yoda.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Mace asked.

"Yes, Master, I would. Initiate Freya says she doesn't understand why I hate sand so much, but if I can show her the dunes of Tatooine, I know she'll get it."

He looked up again at the conversation. Oppo was speaking, "I agree. It can be a chance for the younglings to see another culture, and learn about the benefits of democracy."

"Ooooh," Ki-Adi-Mundi excitedly tapped the armrest of his chair. "We should talk to the Creche Masters about this. They can come up with special homework assignments for the Younglings." He smiled and nodded to his fellow Masters.

Anakin coughed.

Mace agreed with the youngling. He may be a Master, but he'll never get excited about homework like Master Mundi. "Perhaps one or two. We want them to still have some enthusiasm left to enjoy Tatooine," he said.

Ki-Adi-Mundi huffed in disappointment. Anakin's smile returned.

Qui-Gon raised his hand from where he sat. "If I may be of service, I would like to volunteer to help the Creche Masters on this trip."

Mace nodded. "Thank you for your offer. We'll keep that in mind, Master Jinn."

"Thank you, Masters. That is all I have to discuss." The Holo form of Master Piell bowed and walked out of view.

A few seconds later Shmi walked in range of the device.

"Mom!" Anakin called out. He stood up and stepped towards her Holo.

Shmi smiled at her son. "My Ani. First, I'd like to thank your teachers for all they have done for us, and for Tatooine."

Mace smiled placatingly, "It was the Jedi way, ma'am."

"We will be happy to host your children here for Liberty Day. Our community is planning a big celebration," Shmi added.

Mace bowed, and she turned to Qui-Gon.

"And Master Jinn. It is a pleasure seeing you again. When your brothers visited, I did ask after you, and I am glad you found a purpose caring for the young."

Qui-Gon bowed respectfully. "Anything I can do to be of service."

Mace made a mental note to find this in the Council minutes and preserve it for later.

Shmi turned back to Anakin. "I want to hear everything you've been up to. How have you been? I heard you mention a Freya. Is she a new friend of yours?"

Anakin shyly looked down at his feet. "I don't know. She's nice, but…" Anakin shrugged. He never finished the statement.

"Well, I look forward to meeting all of your new friends when you get here. You'll have to introduce me," Shmi said.

"I miss you," said Anakin.

As they spoke, several of the council members were getting up and shifting their attention to other tasks. Ki-Adi-Mundi pulled out a datapad, and read something on it. Plo and Depa had a quiet conversation, which included laughter. And Saesee Meditated in his seat.

Mace tried to focus again on Anakin. The boy was animatedly telling her about one of Master Tiin's lessons, he believed. He waved his hands to reflect a speeder in one of the Holo sim-programs the Master teaches with.

Then Ki-Adi-Mundi got up and walked over to Mace. "Master, I just read this message. It's from the teams going over the information seized from Krayn's estate. They say there is another establishment run by Krayn's men, and it's on Tatooine." He waved his datapad as he spoke.

"Criminals, these men are. Free their slaves, it's unlikely they will," Yoda added.

"Hmm no. But it's also unlikely that they heard about the arrest of their colleagues." Mace started to wave his finger as an idea came to him. But we'll be there with plenty of knights. We can bring a blaster cannon and shoot down the door. Our initial warrant should still be in effect. Once Tatooine is Republic territory, that is."

Yoda seemed appalled by the mention of a cannon. Mace kicked himself for forgetting the alternate future and its wars.

"What about Knight Tachi?" Ki-Adi-Mundi suggested. "If we send her in, she can open the doors for our knights. And she can help separate them from the slaves, too."

"Hmm fewer risks, there will be, if Knight Tachi, we send. Intact, her cover still is."

"Alright, I'll send her a summons. We can tell her about this later today," said Mace. "Hey, I guess this puts Kenobi's Homework on hold." He braced for Yoda to whack him with his stick.

Yoda merely hummed. "Perhaps, perhaps not."

Mace rolled his eyes.

"Hi Anakin, how did your conversation with your mom go?" Obi-Wan asked while he sat drinking from a tall mug.

"It went great!" Anakin answered. "We're going back to Tatooine."

"What!" Obi-Wan stopped mid-sip to look around in alarm.

"The whole Creche is going, actually," Qui-Gon added. "Master Yoda thinks it'll help the other Younglings to see his homeworld. Plus, with them gaining Republic Status, and freeing slaves, it's a historic event. A once in a lifetime educational opportunity. I've already volunteered to go with them, but they are expecting a lot of volunteers once the news is out. Those with Padawans will be given the first priority, naturally."

Obi-Wan was going to inquire what this meant for him, when Siri walked in.

"Hey, are you relaxing after your meeting with the council today?" She asked him.

"Oh." Obi-Wan struggled not to blush at the thought. "I'm going to have to talk to you about it later. Good news though, we can attend Abigail's next appointment with the Healers."

Siri looked into his eyes and laughed. "Yeah, I was summoned there this afternoon. If yours was anything like mine was, it's a wonder that there's no alcohol in that cup." She sniffed it to check. "I have news to discuss with you later, too."

"I'm sorry. Just, they hounded me with questions. I got flustered." Obi-Wan was sure he was blushing now. He knew she wouldn't like him confessing to the Council, even if all he did was confirm their theories.

"Don't worry." Siri leaned closer to him and whispered, "I gave you glowing reviews."

"Huh." Obi-Wan's mouth dropped in shock. "Wait! What did they ask you?"

Siri looked pointedly at the Youngling and Master who were standing nearby watching them, then she turned to address Anakin. "Anyways, I was thinking that I'd treat you to dinner at a restaurant today." Anakin brightened up even more. "What do you feel like having?"

"Can we go to Dex's?" Anakin suggested.

"Where's Dex's?" Siri asked.

"Didi's old cafe," said Qui-Gon.

"Didi's! With the slop and the smell? You let Ani eat there?" Siri looked accusingly at them both.

Qui-Gon answered, "No, goodness I didn't let Obi-Wan eat there before. But they are under new management now, and the place is much better."

"Hmm, I think I'll have to judge this place for myself," Siri said.

"Alright Anakin, go get ready," Obi-Wan ordered. The excited youngling ran past him to the back rooms. Obi-Wan turned to Siri and whispered, "Thank you for this."

"Oh, well. I'll get out of here. Have fun." Qui-Gon tried to slip out.

"No wait. Why don't you come with us? To Didi's, Dex's cafe," Siri invited.

Obi-Wan nodded his approval.

"Okay, I think I will. Do you want me to fly, or…?" Qui-Gon left his question hanging.

"I can fly us." Anakin walked back in. Siri gawked, and Anakin ran up to her. "No really! Master Tiin let me fly in a simulator today." He looked at Qui-Gon. "Tell them. I flew the course in record time and I didn't crash once."

Qui-Gon looked very much like he was trying to suppress his laughter. "Oh Anakin, it was an evaluation course. It means that it's supposed to show areas for improvement. And that's not all Master Tiin said, is it?"

Anakin sighed. "No. He said something about speed limits, and right of way. But I don't understand. With Twin repulsorlift engines, who would limit the speed."

Siri cracked up. She pointed to Obi-Wan. "I can't wait until he's old enough to fly you on missions."

"Ha ha ha," Obi-Wan mock laughed. "Thank you for your offer, but I will be flying us there."

Anakin looked disappointed. Then he asked, "Can I have a milkshake?"

"Sure, why not," Obi-Wan answered.

"Mmmmm," Obi-Wan moaned as he snuggled in next to Siri. He had to admit, the woman was brilliant. Bringing Qui-Gon to Dex's today, Anakin had plenty to do, and he got tired out easily. He didn't even have the energy to complain about not piloting their return trip. Now with him in bed, it leaves more time for…

"Obi, I want to talk." Siri interrupted. "About the meeting today."

"Oh, not that. I just want to forget about that right now." Obi-Wan leaned over and started kissing her neck.

"I have orders," Siri said.

"Yeah, me too." Obi-Wan moved so he was kneeling on the bed over her, still kissing her neck.

"I have to go back undercover," Siri said, and the words put a halt to Obi-Wan's activity. He leaned back and looked into her eyes, ready to listen.

Hello Everyone,

This chapter I was trying for humor, and it's really hard to know what's funny to everyone, or just me. So if it makes you laugh, please leave me a review or a comment.

Poor Obi-Wan, I do so enjoy putting him in uncomfortable places. The boy doesn't know what he signed up for yet, agreeing to be Yoda's Guinea Pig.

I think it is realistic that the Jedi would not understand common social laws, since they've never dealt with this before. And Ki-Adi-Mundi has several wives because of his people's low birth rates, especially when it comes to boys. It makes sense that he would have been encouraged to be uh, productive before, and that he'd know of the research regarding this. Btw, that statistic in there is not based on any facts whatsoever. I don't have the courage to Google what I'd have to, to use a real stat… I've googled a lot of things for my writing, but I draw the line there.