Disclaimer: Don't own Star Wars... tear

doreenthatshot- hmm... yes, I could see why you might think that...but alas Mara Jade won't be appearing in this story...as far as I know...

Thanks again Music is my Muse, Agny and Hippie Jade, I appreciateit :)

Yay! I'm on a roll! I think it's because I already know where I want to go with this part of the story. This one is a bit longer, it sort of just wound up that way...


Prologue

3years later: Coruscant

Jedi Master Ellis felt sick. She hadn't been sleeping well for days, and that was never a good sign as far as Jedi were concerned.

Perhaps she just needed rest.

Yes, that had to be it. With innocent people, as well as fellow Jedi, dying daily, such constant loss and pain would be tiring on anyone attuned to the living Force.

But, no…that wasn't it. Maybe it played a part in her unease, but what had her off-balance was something else, something that eluded her senses.

Jedi Ellis walked silently down the halls of the Jedi Temple. She had just come from the Senate after speaking with Chancellor Palpatine. Carmena had been reassigned to command a Clone Army out in the Outer Rim system that had been commanded by Jedi Master Lieri Fateru. Tragically, Master Fateru had been killed in the cross-fire of planet natives and the Separatist Droid Army.

Another Jedi would take her place protecting the Chancellor.

The Jedi were dwindling, more died every day. She, herself had been asked continually when she would choose an apprentice considering she had yet to pick one, and the Jedi Order desprately needed to increase it's numbers.

She had been through the palace many times to look for an apprentice and had seen many of the younglings who were looking for a Master. But every time she was faced with the decision of choosing a Padawan, she felt a nagging sensation in her mind that told her none of the ones she had seen were meant for her.

She had turned away many children who were worthy to become Jedi.

There were some extraordinary younglings at the temple that would do any master proud, but Carmena felt like she was waiting for someone, one that she would know instantly as her padawan. But as of yet, no such padawan had surfaced.

Carmena's thoughts returned to the matter at hand. She would no longer be seeing Palpatine, as she was no longer to be in his service and would soon be going to the Outer Rim.

Perhaps the Jedi Council suspected…no they couldn't have, she sensed no suspicion from them. She had been at Palpatine's side for years now, it would be expected that eventually she would move on to a new mission.

But, she couldn't help but feel a great sense of loss at the news.

Carmena loved him. She was forbidden by Jedi Law to do so, but she did just the same. Her loyalty to the Jedi, and that of her own heart were being pitted up against each other.

She felt, well, conflicted… to say the least.

There it was again.

The whole room felt like it was spinning. She grasped onto a nearby pillar to ground herself.

-What is wrong with me?-

The room began to blur, and she couldn't focus.

Then she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Master Ellis, are you alright?" asked a concerned voice.

Carmena concentrated on the figure as best she could.

Obi-wan Kenobi?

She must have been hallucinating; she was positive that Obi-wan and his apprentice, Anakin, were still off-planet in the Outer Rim Sieges.

As if sensing her confusion, Obi-wan spoke, "Anakin and I came back shortly to meet with the council, and take a few days leave."

"Oh", Carmena pitched forward slightly, "I see."

"Are you feeling alright? You look like you just fought an angry Wookie…and lost."

She smiled slightly at his comment, but not too much as she felt she may puke.

"I'm not sure…I think I may be a little under the weather."

Obi-wan frowned; it was quite uncommon for a Jedi to get sick. A Jedi's immune system was so high it was practically unheard of, especially for a Jedi Master.

Something was out of place.

But, Carmena was a Jedi Master, not a Padawan learner. He didn't want to question her on the subject, no matter how unusual. It wasn't his place.

"Would you like me to take you to the Healers?"

Carmena regained her composure as best she could; she was still quite a few shades paler than usual.

"No, no… that's quite alright. I think I just need some rest."

Obi-wan nodded, "At least let me help you to your quarters."

"Yes, alright,I would appreciate that Master Kenobi."

Carmena felt well enough to walk on her own, so Obi-wan walked in step along side her to ensure she made it to her destination.

It had to be stress.

Carmena was definitely under enough of it that was for sure. Perhaps if she meditated for a few hours before she slept she would feel better.

Why did she have such a bad feeling that why she felt so ill was something much worse than stress?

"So, I hear you are going to be taking over Master Fateru's Clone Army...?"

Huh? Ah yes, she had nearly forgotten that Obi-wan was with her.

Carmena nodded in response. "Master Fateru was a great loss to the Jedi. And the Republic."

Obi-wan's face-darkened at the thought of the Jedi's death, "Indeed, he will be missed."

Master Kenobi appeared to be deep in thought for a moment before he spoke again.

"You know the Chancellor quite well I'd imagine having been his guard for so many years? Am I correct?"

Carmena looked surprised, he didn't suspect did he?

"Yes, I would like to think I know him well enough."

Obi-wan looked ahead of him his brow furrowed. "I ask only because I am worried that he is a danger to the Republic."

Carmena looked at him incredulously. He didn't suspect her of anything which was somewhat of a relief, but what he was suggesting was ludicrous.

Obi-wan continued, "Chancellor Palpatine has stayed in office far past his term… I fear perhaps he craves far too much power, more power than he could ever hope to gain in the Republic. I thought since you have known him for so long perhaps you would have a better opinion of his character, and whether or not my suspicion is sound."

Master Ellis tried to contain her anger, as it attempted to boil over, "I can assure you that Chancellor Palpatine has the best interests of the Republic in mind in all of his actions. He is a good man. Palpatine would never want anything for himself that would bring about the downfall of the Republic."

Obi-wan could feel her anger raise as she spoke. Carmena seemed far too angry for a question that seemed quite valid in his mind.

Her reaction to his questioning of Palpatine was quite reminiscent of his own Padawan's blind loyalty to the politician, a thought that set him at unease.

They approached the door to Carmena's temporary quarters.

"No if you'll excuse me, Master Kenobi, I really must get some rest."

Carmena had spoken to Obi-wan a bit colder than she had intended too, but she was far too drained to consider apologizing.

"Yes, of course Master Ellis." Obi-wan bowed slightly. "And please do consider what I have said of the Chancellor, not for my sake, but for the Republic. Something is amiss with Palpatine and we all should be wary, for I sense a great deal of danger in trusting him. Good day, Carmena. I hope to speak with you again soon. May the force be with you."

"And with you as well, Master Kenobi."