This was a bad idea, Siri mused as she ducked to dodge a cobalt bottle hurtling through the air. When she sought refuge from the melee under the nearest table, her fingers closed around the hilt of her lightsaber. She hoped she would not have to use it; the Jedi weapon never failed to attract a lot of attention, and that was one thing she needed to avoid.

Under different circumstances, this sort of impersonal brawl would have been a perfect way to release some tension, and it did feel a little cowardly to be hiding under the table. Then again, knowing when to fight – or when not to fight – was just as important as knowing how to fight.

Even if she was the one who started the whole thing.

As much as she would love to throw a few punches, she needed to stay focused on Jak.

From her vantage point, Siri watched the ginger-haired man, who was holding his own in spite of the four Corellian whiskeys he'd had before the fight started. As he casually sent a Rodian sliding across a long wooden table, Siri shook her head, brooding on how this evening had gone so wrong.

Before she and Jak left the Temple, Siri had set some ground rules:

"I'm choosing the place," she said firmly. "We need to avoid joints where Obi-Wan is easily identified. No one must know that there is a clone of him."

Jak grinned, flashing his teeth, "I could just pretend I'm him." He lifted his chin and adopted a more formal tone, exaggerating his Core accent. "I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, the ever-so-perfect paragon of Jedi Knigthood."

Siri had to bite her lip to contain her laughter. "Very funny. I'm sure he would just love that impression." She shook her head. "Seriously, when you're in the sort of dive we're going to, it's better to not be known as a Jedi. For some reason, the stupid customers like to pick fights with us. Times are sensitive, and it's better for the Order that we not be seen as troublemakers."

"Well, then you have no worries," Jak declared, placing his hand on hers. "I am no troublemaker."

Siri pressed her lips into a tight smile and thought, I doubt that.

A little while later as she and Jak walked through the doors of the cantina, she decided that the word "dive" didn't do the place any justice. Smoke hung thick in the air, and the stench of sweat, slime and other creature fluids almost made Siri retch. A pulsing backbeat could be felt but whatever music was playing was overpowered by the raucous interactions among the patrons.

"Nice place," Jak scanned the room, then turned back to his companion with a half-smile. "Quite the ambiance."

Siri shrugged unapologetically. "Sorry. You wanted to see Coruscant. It doesn't get much better than this."

"No need to apologize," he said, extending his hand toward an empty booth. "This evening is really about the company, isn't it?"

"Of course." After sliding into her seat, Siri looked down at the sticky tabletop. She wrinkled her nose, then decided it would be better to focus on why she was there. The pair made some small talk and ordered a round of Corellian whiskies. When they arrived, she tilted her head back and downed the blue liquid in one gulp.

"Impressive," Jak said. "Is that what they teach Jedi initiates?"

"Nope." Siri grinned and cocked her head. "That's pure worldly experience."

"I'll bet your stiff Obi-Wan wouldn't approve." He took a sip and grimaced. "That's tough stuff."

"Approve?" she asked, a smirk crossing her features. "He wouldn't be one to talk. That ale you have – he could have three or four of them before feeling any effects."

"Oh, really? Well, I can't let him drink me under the table, now can I?" He guzzled the whole glass then signaled for another round.

This is going to be easier than I thought, she mused, nursing her second drink as she watched Jak force down his whole glass.

An hour later, Siri rested her chin on her hand, thinking, This is going to harder than I thought. Jak was starting to slur and wobble a bit, but all her questions about him and his training had gotten nowhere. Now he was too far gone to say anything really meaningful.

"Siri," he drawled, placing his hand on hers. "Has anyone told you that your eyes are as blue as the … as …as this drink?" He held up the glass. "Cheers!"

iOh boy./i "Jak, maybe it's time to go." She did a mental scan about the room for Obi-Wan, but didn't sense him nearby. So much for all his concern. Oh well, it would look strange to have him standing next to his clone anyway. That sight would surely raise too many questions. On the other hand, she thought, her irritation rising, he said he would be here. How could he leave her alone like this? Not that she needed his help, of course, but when you set expectations-

"General Kenobi," a silky voice purred. Siri looked up and saw a Twi'lek slide into the booth next to Jak. Her neon green mini-dress showed off her deep blue skin – and there was a lot of that skin to see. "A surprise for sure. And who is your friend?"

"None of your business." Siri snapped, taken off guard. "Can't you see we're busy? Just go away."

"Now, that's not polite, Siri," Jak said with a lazy smile. "Always room for one more."

The Twi'lek's dark eyes flashed triumphantly at Siri, then she turned and ran her finger down Jak's jawline. "I've heard so much about you, Hero of the Republic."

I need have a little talk with Obi-Wan about the company he keeps, Siri thought. Out loud she said, "This really isn't a good time."

"Oh, I'll bet the good general here would disagree." The Twi'lek lowered her voice and leaned into Jak. "I have some news for you ... about a certain former Jedi you've been seeking? But you'll have to pay up."

"Sorry, dear. We're a little short on credits. Maybe another day," Siri said in what she hoped was a dismissive tone.

"Oh, I don't need money," the Twi'lek drawled. "For General Kenobi, a kiss will suffice."

Siri was fairly certain that she didn't want Jak to hear whatever information this creature had for Obi-Wan, and she was very certain she didn't want Jak to kiss her. That could set a bad precedent for his progenitor.

Of course, it may already be too late for that. She reminded herself again to have that talk with Obi-Wan about his choice of informants. She pushed aside her growing ire and returned to the present. She had no idea how important that information was, but if Jak was an agent of whatever evil they were fighting, giving him that little tidbit could compromise lives. She did one more frantic nearby scan for Obi-Wan, but couldn't find him.

There was no help for it, she would have to take care of things herself. And they would have to get out fast before the little troublemaker realized she wasn't dealing with the real thing.

Siri stood up. "Come on, Obi-Wan," she said deliberately in a loud voice. "We have to go. Now."

The Twi'lek pouted and put her arm around Jak, her lekku twitching. "You go. He can stay with me."

"Do I have to break your arms to get you to go away?"

"Why should I go away? If you want to leave so bad, you go. You're spoiling my fun."

"You think I'm spoiling your fun? Well, then you won't mind if I do this," Siri picked up her nearly full glass of whiskey and threw it in the Twi'lek's face. "At least it matches your skin."

Immediately, the lithe creature lunged across the table, one of her hands catching on Siri's face. Siri yelped and used her hands to push her antagonist away. The force knocked her into a table, causing the drinks to soak the laps of several patrons. A Klatooinan stood up, eyes flashing from under his protruding browbone. The hulking figure lumbered toward Siri, but before she was within reach, Jak intervened. With a few moves that were too quick to see, he had the creature on the ground.

Siri didn't have time to admire his technique, since it appeared the Klatooinan wasn't alone. As she took a defensive stance, many of the bar's other patrons decided to get in on the act, turning the establishment into a mass of uncontrolled chaos.

The scene in Siri's head dissolved to the present as she caught sight of a rather burly Chagrian heaving a chair in air, apparently with the intent of smashing it over Jak's head. Instinctively, Siri's leg slid out from under the table, and a quick sweep brought the giant tumbling to the floor. A quick focus on the horned creature's mind persuaded him to leave the establishment and find a quiet place in which to contemplate the meaning of life.

Sir's eyes went back to Jak, still entangled in the frenzy. As he bashed the heads of two beings together, she couldn't help but marvel at how graceful he still seemed, even when he stumbled.

Her mind conjured up images of another who seemed to have that same innate grace, no matter the circumstance. It must be in the genes, she mused.

And speaking of the war hero, Siri wondered where he was. She looked into the Force and felt his distant presence. So much for help from that front. It's too bad, because a well-timed entrance would be just the thing right now. She winced as Jak took a fist to the eye. Ouch, that's going to sting in the morning.

Well, better late than never, she thought, as she was about to crawl out from under the table to execute her own plan. She froze as a hand clamped on her shoulder. Before she could act, she felt a whisper in her ear, "My Master sends his greetings – and apologies that he is unable to be here personally." Anakin's blue eyes glinted. "Looks like I've missed some fun."

Siri snorted, saying, "Just your typical drunken brawl, nothing too exciting."

"Is that why you're hiding?" His tone sought to provoke, but Siri maintained her calm.

"I'm not hiding. I'm biding my time."

The sound of shattering glass interrupted her. "Guess my time's up," she said ruefully. "I better end this."

"Allow me." A grin swept over the young Knight's face. "Ending fights is my specialty."

Siri raised her eyebrows. "Have at it. But no amputations."

"Awwww. You're starting to sound like Obi-Wan." That remark earned him a glare.

"And be discreet!" she hissed. "No one is supposed to know about the clone."

With a flourish, he was out from under the table and by Jak's side. He cut a striking figure, his height being only one thing that made him stand out amid the crowd. When he spoke, his voice carried authority. "I'm sorry to tell you this, gentlemen, but the entertainment portion of this evening's program has come to an end."

Unfortunately, the bar customers were too rowdy and inebriated to listen.

Anakin held out his hand and a wave of the Force sent all the fighters, except for Jak, hurtling to the back wall. Jak eyed the Jedi with dismay. "You're taking away all my fun," he said moaning. "I could've handled them." He started to stumble toward the pile of drunken bodies.

Anakin's teeth flashed through his wide grin. "Oh, Master, you have no idea how many times I've wanted to do this." His fist connected squarely with Jak's jaw, and the shorter man fell to the floor in a heap.

So much for discreet. But Siri couldn't help sniggering at the absurd situation as she emerged from under the table and peered the figure on the floor. "You took care of him, all right. I'm sure Obi-Wan will be pleased that you've been able to take out your frustrations on someone else."

She tilted her head in the direction of the door, "Let's get him out of here before we get blamed for the mess."

"I have a speeder in the alley." Anakin heaved the unconscious man over his shoulder and headed toward the entrance.

As the speeder rose to join the Coruscant traffic grid, Siri started to relax. She leaned her head back and let the breeze cool her face. When her heart rate returned to normal, she turned to look at the young Knight in the driver's seat. Was it her imagination or had he grown harder, darker even, since his Padawan days? Of course he has, he's grown up now. And after facing Count Dooku – and losing part of a limb – that could account for some of the intensity. Her eyes flicked to Anakin's gloved hand before focusing back on his face. He was quite a handsome young man, though, and it was no wonder the good Senator had a thing for him. While she hoped Obi-Wan would find the right way to deal with that problem, she was very glad it wasn't her problem.

Feeling the weight of silence, Siri spoke.

"Thank you, Anakin. I was just trying to think of how to end the whole thing, but you have a way of tying things up rather neatly."

"I've had lots of practice. Obi-Wan would say I've had more than my share."

Siri chuckled. "I do remember once running into him when he had just returned to the Temple after having spent a whole night chasing after you. I tried to talk to him, but he just shook his head and mumbled something about how the Force didn't give men wings for a reason."

"I wish I could say I knew what day that was, but truthfully I can think of a lot of times when that could have happened." Anakin's lips quirked up at the edges. "I would guess that his dislike of flying didn't happen until after we became acquainted."

"And you would probably be right. Back when they were thinking about starting the Jedi starfighter program, I could have sworn that he was ready to cut his braid and be a pilot."

"Really?" Anakin's interest was piqued.

"Oh, you know he never would have done it. Too much loyalty to Master Qui-Gon." A wave of sorrow washed over Siri as she recalled the circumstances of his death, as Garen had told them to her. She'd never had a chance to talk about it with Obi-Wan. She pushed aside the sadness and returned her focus to her companion.

"Enough about the past. I want to know what your thoughts on Jak are."

Anakin's forehead creased. "At first, when the Council told us about Jak and we met him, I found it so hilarious. It's not often you see Master Obi-Wan get so flustered. Of course, he kept a straight face, as always, but I could FEEL that he just wanted to sink into the floor."

Oh, she wished she could have been there for that.

Anakin continued, "I just wonder: Why do you think they picked Obi-Wan to clone? If there is a dark purpose behind all this, wouldn't have they picked someone more powerful to clone? Like Master Windu or …"

"Or yourself, perhaps?" Anakin's face reddened at her sharp look. "You may have been Obi-Wan's Padawan, and he loves you as a brother, but I believe you still underestimate him."

Anakin shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Siri decided to back down before things got too heated. Her tone was more controlled as she said, "Obi-Wan seems to think they got his genetic material during his visit to Kamino. Have you ever been there?"

A tension around his eyes seemed to disappear, and he looked mollified. "No. I guess that would explain it."

Siri mentally rolled her eyes. The boy is still young and arrogant. His war hero image wasn't helping, either. She could only hope that experience and maturity – and a good walloping or two – could drive home the lessons that Obi-Wan apparently hadn't been able to.

When they reached the landing pad at the Temple, Anakin hoisted Jak over his shoulders and went to take him back to the quarters he shared with Obi-Wan. Siri walked toward her own rooms. There was nothing she wanted more at this moment than to scrub off the grime of the bar and get the smell of stale smoke out of her hair.

As she approached, she sensed that Obi-Wan was in her quarters waiting for her. She hastened her step, as she was looking forward to telling him exactly what she thought about some of his questionable methods of gathering information. The perfect Jedi, indeed, always following the rules, she railed inwardly. Her inner tirade continued as she passed through her doors. Letting some floozy drape herself all over him just for a little hearsay. And kiss him! I'll bet the Council would like to hear-

Siri's thoughts were cut off when she spotted the target of her aggression staring at her with a heat in his azure eyes that stunned her. Before she could open her mouth, she saw his cloak swirl behind him just before he pushed her against the wall and crushed her lips with his.