LianneZ4 – Yes, Crion definitely feels more free to speak his mind now that he is older.

sterling5842 – I am glad you liked this scene enough that it stuck with you. I enjoyed writing it. I think Crion would have no problem with saying, "I told you so." As a high school teacher, I agree that putting teenagers in a diplomatic role is brave. Maybe the rewards of a jedi master are the same as a teacher in this respect – we get to see adolescents that terrify us initially mature and surprise us. Soren is good to Xanatos. Everyone needs a confidant. And yes, Xanatos had an "ah ha" moment when he realized where Crion was.

Chapter 13

The evening meal was finished, but Obi-Wan still sat at the table with Qui-Gon enjoying friendly conversation. Anakin had retreated to his room to tinker with some piece of machinery. Obi-Wan cast a glance across the table at his apprentice. Crion seemed to be listening attentively, but his unusual quietness and tense posture betrayed that he was highly distracted. The only movement he had made was to take an occasional peek towards Anakin's door.

"I can't believe you actually crossed the bridge," Qui-Gon said, shaking his head.

"Oh, you would have crossed it as well, Master. The Force would have clearly shown you that it was necessary to complete the mission."

"And Anakin would have been every bit as skeptical as I was," Crion added.

"I was going to ask you, Crion. If your master lacks the strength and speed of youth, how old does that make me?" Qui-Gon asked teasingly.

"No comment," the teenager mumbled.

The half-hearted answer gave Obi-Wan reason to pause. It wasn't like his apprentice to pass up such a wide-open invitation. Something was wrong.

"Padawan, what is troubling you?" Obi-Wan asked. "You seem distracted."

"I am sorry, Master." Crion made an almost imperceptible glance toward Anakin's room and then lowered his voice slightly. "Keyan returned this afternoon, and Sienn's master is away on a solo mission. This is the first time the three of us have been at the Temple together in over a year. I am sort of anxious to see them."

"I can imagine you are. Why are you sitting here listening to us 'old men' rehash a mission?" Obi-Wan said chuckling. "Get out of here and go see your friends."

Crion jumped up, nearly toppling his chair in his haste to leave.

"Just don't stay up 'too' late," Obi-Wan warned in a half-teasing tone of voice. "I know you don't have classes tomorrow, but I still expect you up in the morning for meditations and katas."

"Yes, Master."

Crion offered a quick bow. He had just about reached the door when he was stopped by another voice. "Hey Crion, wait up!" Anakin poked his head out from his room, still wearing a pair of magnifying goggles. "I just need to put my boots on."

It was barely noticeable; only the fact that Obi-Wan knew his apprentice well allowed him to see that the teenager had bowed his head slightly, long lashes quickly sweeping down to hide the disappointment and annoyance Crion felt.

"I'm not waiting forever, Skywalker," Crion called out. "And take off those ridiculous goggles."

It all of a sudden made perfect sense to Obi-Wan. His apprentice had been trying to find a way to sneak out for most of the evening so as to avoid having a younger tag-along. He could sympathize and was trying to think of a way to help his apprentice, when Qui-Gon spoke. "Anakin, I actually had plans for us this evening," the Jedi master offered with a hint of disappointment coloring his voice.

"Really?"

Anakin briefly glanced from Crion to the Jedi master sitting at the table. His face tensed, almost pleadingly at Qui-Gon, making Obi-Wan wonder what sort of nonverbal communication was happening.

"On second thought, I'll catch up with you guys tomorrow, Crion," Anakin finally said, earning a warm smile from his mentor.

"You sure?" Crion asked. He exchanged a brief worried glance with Obi-Wan to make sure the situation was all right.

"Yeah," Anakin answered.

Without asking again, Crion burst out the door, allowing a hasty expression of gratitude to flow across his bond with his mentor.

Anakin sunk down in the chair next to Qui-Gon, doing nothing to hide his disappointment. "Why didn't you want me to go with him, Master?"

"Two years may not seem like much to you, Padawan," Qui-Gon said. "But the gap between fourteen and sixteen is a lot wider than two years. Crion has been generous and patient to share his friends with you, but it is important that he have time with them alone as well."

"But, they're my friends too," Anakin pleaded.

"I know, and there is plenty of time tomorrow for them to attempt to drown you in the Room of a Thousand Fountains, or for whatever other abuse you choose to put up with, but give Crion his time tonight."

"Okay."

Anakin turned to return to his room.

"Get your robe, Padawan," Qui-Gon said.

"Why?" Anakin asked as he turned back to face his master.

"I was quite serious about having plans. I am in the mood for dessert and thought we might stop by Dex's. Are you up for it, Obi-Wan?"

"It appears my padawan has abandoned me for the evening, so yes. I haven't seen Dex in a while."

Anakin's eyes brightened with the new excitement of having both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to himself for the evening. "Can I stop at a few junk stores? There are a couple of parts I need."

"I don't see why not," Qui-Gon answered.

Obi-Wan waited until Anakin had disappeared into his room again. They had some time before the Chosen One managed to find his robe in the chaos of spare parts and half-completed projects.

"How did you know?" Obi-Wan asked Qui-Gon, lowering his voice to a near whisper. He thought he had been the only one to pick up on his apprentice's agitation.

"You have no idea how much Crion's mannerisms are like his father's were at this age," Qui-Gon said softly and somewhat sadly. "He's his own person; I know that. Any doubts I may have are removed every time he opens his mouth. But with the way he carries himself, he …"

Qui-Gon allowed the thought to trail off as Anakin rushed back into the room, crumpled robe in tow. "Let's go," the boy said eagerly.

"All I was saying is that there are some missions that have to be a little more difficult on all female master and padawan teams, like you and your master, because you are … well … more sensitive and emotional."

Keyan spoke slowly in his best negotiating voice as he tried to backtrack out of the minefield he has just wandered in to.

"That is something a male would say. Why does one of my best friends have to be so hopelessly typical?" Sienn stared Keyan down, her deep brown eyes sparkling in challenge. "Next thing, you will be saying is that all us females should wait back at the Temple and take care of the younglings while the male Jedi go out on missions."

"Whoa. You're completely twisting what I said," Keyan shot back with a helpless sigh as he held his hands up in surrender. "Crion will back me up, won't you?"

"Keyan, I hate to point out the obvious," Sienn taunted triumphantly. "He is also a male, and hopelessly flawed in his thinking."

"Come on Crion, help me out here," Keyan pleaded. "Crion?"

When no answer came, the pair looked up to see their friend draped across the sofa sound asleep. Keyan let out a devious laugh, forgetting all about his and Sienn's disagreement. Jumping to his feet, he rubbed his hands together as he began to look around the room.

"What are you doing?" Sienn asked.

"I'm thinking. Crion is out cold. This is too good of an opportunity to pass up. I wish Anakin was here. He's more creative. I could make up his face … or better yet, does your master have any of the G'lak hot paste left."

"You wouldn't," Sienn said, trying not to laugh. She had no idea what her master saw in the stuff. The last time Sienn had tried it, she had lost her sense of taste for the better part of a week. "He'd get you back, and I really don't want to be stuck in the middle of a prank war between the three of you again."

"I'll never have him this vulnerable again." He stopped, frowning as he heard the chiming of his comlink. "Alas, a perfect opportunity lost. My master's sabaac game must be over. That is my reminder to come home." Keyan snatched up his robe and headed toward the door. "You probably should wake Crion up and send him on his way. He isn't blessed with someone nocturnal for a master. Master Kenobi will have him out of bed at 0500 or some such Force-forsaken hour."

"See you tomorrow for morning meal, right?" he asked

"I'll be there," she said. "But, let's change the topic of debate."

As the door slid shut, Sienn turned her attention to Crion. Dropping down on her knees next to the sofa, she took a moment to just watch him. She hated to wake him when he was sleeping so peacefully. Why did human males have to look so ridiculously adorable when they slept anyhow? She reached out a rose-colored hand and fingered the soft spikes that rested along his forehead. Long ebony lashes fluttered ever so slightly against pale skin.

Another female padawan had once asked her what it was like to be best friends with someone the rest of the female padawans in the Temple spent so much time talking about. Sienn hadn't really thought much about it until her and Crion had kissed. They had both quickly agreed it was something that shouldn't happen again, Crion even going as far to suggest they not be alone again until his hormones were under control.

"Crion," she called gently, giving a not so gentle nudge through the Force when he failed to respond. "I'm kicking you out … so we won't be alone together … remember, like we agreed," she said when confused, bleary eyes met hers. "And to stop you before you drool all over the sofa."

He sat up abruptly, wiping his mouth. "Not drooling," he mumbled groggily

"No you weren't, but I couldn't resist," she said, laughing out loud. "It's not as bad as what Keyan wanted to do to you."

"I can imagine," Crion groaned. "What time is it?"

"A little after 0200."

"Morning should be interesting," he murmured, dropping a heavy head back against the sofa.

"Go get some sleep in your own room, then," Sienn scolded.

Standing, she tugged on his arm to pull him to his feet before walking him to the door. He must have noticed the frown on her face because he paused outside the door, leaning against the frame. "You won't always have to kick me out," he said softly as he brushed his fingers down her cheek. "I just don't trust myself right now."

"I know." She flashed a reassuring smile to tell him all was well. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight."

He leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before starting down the corridor.

As the two friends parted ways, neither noticed the third figure who had quickly hidden when coming upon the unexpected scene. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but it was of great interest to him to see his rival coming from a female padawan's quarters at such a late hour, especially when it was known that her master was away. Not that it really surprised him, or that he even really cared what Crion Ryal did, but he was sure it would absolutely delight the gossip mongers among the padawan ranks.

Keyan took a deep breath before chiming at the front door to Crion's quarters. He had hoped that Master Kenobi would be here, but had passed him heading out to an early meeting of some sort. Why hadn't he taken Crion with him? It would have made things much simpler.

"Hi, Keyan," Crion said as the door opened.

"I just saw your master leaving and wondered why you weren't going …"

"His meeting is at the Senate building. I don't really need to be there. I am sure I'll get what they discuss in the briefing before we are formally assigned the mission anyhow."

"I see." Keyan stepped inside, another deep breath as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Have you been out much this morning?"

"No, I am still recovering from my master's abuse. He decided that we should spar instead of katas – hardly fair when I was half asleep."

"There is something you should know," Keyan said decisively, deciding it was better to just get it out in the open. "Bror Talik saw you coming out of Sienn's quarters. As you can imagine, there were some pretty vicious rumors floating around the dining hall about what you were doing there the middle of the night."

His friend's face fell sober and tense. "Does Sienn know?"

"She was coming to meet me for morning meal when someone confronted her. She doesn't want to come out of her quarters now and for obvious reasons, really didn't want me to come in to check on her."

Crion dropped down onto the sofa. His feelings were no mystery, betrayed by a clenched jaw and vivid anger swirling in the Force. Keyan was relieved when it finally dissipated, his friend letting go of it. But, when Crion looked up, there was a flash of something in midnight blue eyes. Suddenly they were eight years old again, and Bror had just made Sienn cry, teasing the small girl about being so scrawny that a master would never choose her. Crion stood up and started for the door.

"Where are you going?" Keyan asked.

"To have a nice chat with Bror, of course. I could really care less if he tells the entire galaxy that I am sleeping with every willing female in the Temple, but he has no right to hurt Sienn."

"I can't let you do this," Keyan said as he stood in front of the door. He had to look up to meet his friend's gaze, but what he lacked in height was made up for in brawn. He was a formidable obstacle.

"Move," Crion commanded. "You know me well enough to know that I would not leave my quarters if I was not in control."

"It's not you that I'm worried about," Keyan admitted. "You know what will happen if you go confront him."

"I am more than aware of that, and also of the consequences, but I can't let it slide this time." Crion's face set into a deep frown when his friend still refused to move. "You won't be able to stand there forever."

Keyan reluctantly stood aside, allowing his Crion to pass. "You're forgetting your saber," he said, glancing to where the weapon was still sitting on the table.

"I won't need it," Crion replied. "But, I do need a favor."

"What is it?"

"I need you to find Anakin and make sure he stays away from this. He likes Sienn a lot, and I don't want him getting into any trouble."

Keyan let out a frustrated sigh as he continued to follow Crion. Keeping Anakin away was easier said than done.