Chapter 15

"You had better get dressed," Eleta said, shaking her companion to stir him to complete awareness.

"So eager to get rid of me?" Xanatos asked sleepily, his bottom lip jutting out in a perfect mock pout. She hated it when he made that face.

"No … it's just … if my master comes back, we should … I don't know ..."

"Ah, yes," he remarked sarcastically, running fingers lightly down her bare shoulder as he sat up. "We wouldn't want to spoil your master's idea that you are still a naïve little girl."

The young woman pulled the covers more closely around her body, battling against feelings of shame and doubt, wondering why she had even gotten involved with her fellow padawan.

"Don't you worry about what your master would think?" she asked, surprised when she received laughter in response.

"My master has no absolutely no illusions about my innocence," Xanatos said as he began to dress. "And frankly, as long as I don't get into trouble and it doesn't interfere with my training, I don't think he cares."

"Well, mine definitely wouldn't approve," she shot back. "I mean, what would I tell her if she found out?"

Panic gripped her. She found it hard to take a breath at the thought of explaining why a man was in her room, let alone in her bed. Gentle fingers against her face drew her from her turbulent thoughts.

"We aren't doing anything wrong," Xanatos said softly. His tones were sultry and hypnotizing. Lips brushed softly against her neck, quiet whispers filling her ear. "We are both adults. This isn't attachment. It isn't love. It's just two friends enjoying each others' company. That's all."

He then passionately captured her lips, leaving her breathless when he pulled away again. When she looked into his eyes, she could almost convince herself that he felt something, that she wasn't being used. Still, she found it hard to understand how he could be teeming with passion at one moment and speak with such cold indifference the next.

The chiming of a comlink broke the silence. Xanatos reached down and retrieved his belt, quickly silencing the impatient device.

"Aren't you going to answer it?" she asked. "What if it's important?"

"It was just an alarm I set," he explained nonchalantly. "I have to be in the Council chambers for briefing in half an hour."

"But you just got in last night," she protested.

"I know. For some reason the Council seems to sleep better at night with my master and I away from the Temple," he said as he fastened his belt around his tunics.

"You didn't say you were going so soon."

Somehow she had gotten the impression she would see more of him than a quick afternoon in her bed. She should have known better.

"I believe I said that if you wanted to see me, it would have to be this afternoon," he replied rather pointedly.

"But, I …"

"Look, Eleta," he snapped angrily, something cold shifting through his eyes. "I really don't have the time for a fight now. I can sense my master looking for me."

Instantaneous panic spurred her on, and she began to quickly dress, not wanting Qui-Gon Jinn to find her in such a state when he arrived. She had just managed to get herself together when the door chimed. One last look in the mirror assured her that her hair was in place.

She hurried with Xanatos to the door, worrying her lower lip as it opened. Master Jinn was bound to ask questions.

"Padawan, you do remember that we are due in front of the Council?" the Jedi master asked.

"Of course, Master," Xanatos responded dutifully. "I was just leaving."

"Padawan Uaay," Qui-Gon said, addressing her.

"Master Jinn." She bowed respectfully.

The tall Jedi master started down the hall. Xanatos turned back to her, fingering her face once again. "I'll send you a message when we get situated wherever we are going," he said.

"Yeah," she whispered to herself as he hurried after his master. "Just like you always do."

Obi-Wan stepped out of the Council chambers, feeling much better than he had when he arrived. In fact, the feeling of relief was nearly overwhelming.

"How did it go?"

"Master." Obi-Wan offered a warm smile as Qui-Gon got up from one of the benches near the door. "It went a lot better than I expected. Except from grounding Crion from this mission, they have deferred discipline to me."

"So, perhaps what you had thrown out earlier?"

"Yes, that should work fine." Obi-Wan took a glance at the time. "I am going to check on Crion, and then I need to go pack."

"I will tell Anakin that we are having a guest."

Obi-Wan started toward the Healers' Ward, oblivious to the fact that the doors to the Council chambers had once again opened and shut.

"Is your apprentice pleased with the trouble he has caused, Master Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan stopped and turned toward the feminine voice belonging to Eleta Uaay, master to Bror Talik. She was a tall, slender woman, beautiful with long dark hair and light olive skin. For reasons Obi-Wan couldn't quite explain, she had always been hostile toward him and especially Crion. Right now, accusing dark brown eyes stared at him from her face.

"Master Uaay, we have already discussed this before the Council." He was tired and not feeling very diplomatic at the moment. "While I conceded that my apprentice was not innocent in the matter, neither was he the only one guilty. Under the circumstances, I think the Council was quite generous with both of our charges."

"Mine is on three months of probation." She folded her arms across her chest. "In comparison, yours is receiving a slap on the wrist."

"I assure you," Obi-Wan said pointedly. "He will not see it that way."

"I would urge you to have a long discussion with your apprentice about what he was doing in Padawan Mobok's quarters in the middle of the night."

"I have, and as I told the Council, I am confident there was no wrongdoing." He nodded politely, offering a forced smiled. "If you would like to discuss this further when I return, I will have more time then. Quite frankly, I am at a loss to understand the resentment you seem to harbor toward my apprentice."

Obi-Wan turned to leave, the female Jedi master's next words catching him off guard. "I knew his father … very well."

Obi-Wan walked back over to her, keeping his voice low as he spoke. "The only reason you would know of his parentage is because you at one time considered training him."

"A mistake the Council thankfully kept me from making," she replied bitterly.

"Let me ask you." Obi-Wan inclined his head, reigning in his irritation. "What do you know of your parents?"

"Nothing really," she said with a casual shrug.

"Nor do I. For all we know, our parents could be criminals of the worst kind, murderous, treacherous, without conscience. Yet, we have the freedom to be who we are without that knowledge hanging over our heads. I have tried very hard for my apprentice to have the same." Master Uaay seemed thoroughly unimpressed with his plea on Crion's behalf. Obi-Wan took another deep breath, releasing more frustration to the Force before adding, "I trust you have not divulged this information to your apprentice, and that such gossip will not be working its way through the padawan ranks."

"No. I would not disregard a Council directive."

"That is a good thing. Now, if you don't mind, Master Uaay. I am leaving on a mission in just a couple of hours and have much to do before I catch my shuttle."

"Of course, Master Kenobi."

With a curt nod of her head, the Jedi master turned in a swirl of robes and stormed off in the opposite direction. Obi-Wan continued on to the Healers' Ward, centering himself as he found his apprentice's room. As he entered, Crion looked up quickly, betraying that he had been giving considerable thought to what the Council might do.

"Well?" he asked hesitantly.

"The Council was not pleased with your verbal baiting of Padawan Talik, but took into consideration the witnesses that said you were attacked first physically, and then by a saber, and only fought in defense."

"So, what's my discipline?"

"The Council has grounded you from this mission, partly for discipline, partly because you are now recovering from an injury," Obi-Wan explained.

"Who will be taking over the mission?" Crion asked.

"I am still going. I negotiated the previous treaty and have already met with Senator Jikawy. There is no other choice."

"But, you will be alone."

"I will be fine," Obi-Wan assured him, taking a seat on the side of the medical cot. "I completed quite a few missions on my own before I began training you."

"I am sorry, Master," the boy replied with genuine regret.

Obi-Wan had known that this would be Crion's worst punishment, the natural consequences of his actions that would prevent him from fulfilling his role as apprentice. The next part was more of a formality.

"While I am gone, you will be staying with my master and Anakin," he said.

"A fate worse than death," Crion murmured to himself. "I can't just stay in our quarters?"

"You will be on restriction while I am gone. If you are not in class or in the company of a master, you will return to your temporary quarters."

There was no protest, no whining. Crion did nothing without weighing consequences and whether his actions were worth those consequences. Obi-Wan saw only acceptance in his apprentice's eyes.

"I want you to be helpful to Qui-Gon and Anakin; be a proper guest. If you find you are running out of things to do, Bant mentioned she could use help with organizing some files."

"Yes, Master," Crion said with a definite nod.

"I really want to talk more about this when we get back," Obi-Wan added, softening his voice. "Right now, unfortunately, I need to pack. I will check back before I leave."

As he approached the door, he turned back to Crion. Perhaps he just didn't want to leave on such a stern note. "Son of a Kowakian monkey-lizard?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I didn't want to add foul language to the trouble I was already in," Crion explained.

"That makes absolutely no sense, Padawan," the Jedi master replied shaking his head.

The door slid open. Obi-Wan was surprised to see Sienn standing there. "Master Kenobi," she said, bowing respectfully. "I know that Crion is in trouble. I just wondered if I might say something."

She looked pitiful with pleading brown eyes and a sad face. Even her lekku were drooped. Obi-Wan found he couldn't resist the small request.

"Quickly," he said, making a mental note to never take a female padawan. He had a feeling he would probably let her get away with murder.

Sienn approached Crion, studying him with those large expressive eyes. She shook her head sadly for a moment. "You are an idiot," she spat out. "I don't know whether to be touched or appalled at you behavior."

"If you want to lecture, you will have to get in line," Crion replied, shrugging.

The Twi'lek let out a dramatic sigh. "I'll talk to you when you are off restriction. I hope we both aren't old and decrepit by then."

Turning, she offered Obi-Wan one last bow before hurrying from the room.