A/N: Hehe, another chapter. Hooray for spare time! Thanks to CK and Miz Greenleaf for my reviews. About the two Padawan's thing...I mean Jedi's aren't allowed to love but here I am writing a romance fic! I think I'll just take some artistic licence! OR how about this...the reason Masters aren't allowed two Padawan's is because of what happens in this fic! How's that? After-all, Qui-Gon already had two Padawan's once (Ariana and Obi-Wan) and soYoda decided he couldn't have two again (Anakin and Obi-Wan) How about that? :oD

In truth, Qui-Gon had to have two. It wouldn't work if Ariana still had Aurelia (oh, before I forget - Aurelia is pronounced Oh - Ray - Lee - Ah) because then she wouldn't have the closeness she needs with Obi-Wan for my romance plot to seem believeable.

Anyway, this chapter is the first one where Ariana begins to stir, shall we say. I re-read this chapter and there are no puns intended, I swear at the end. It's platonic delving on Obi's part...for now! Enjoy!

Chapter Seven - Beginnings.

Ariana was busy gazing dumbly around the titanic palace to notice much else what was going on. The ceilings must have been one hundred feet high and everything was so incredibly grand. The white wash looking marble glistened in the afternoon sun and the glassless high windows allowed a subtle breeze to flow through them.

"Ariana," Qui-Gon said quietly, keeping his gaze trained ahead of him as they stalked down the corridor, not making eye contact with anyone. They had only just passed the main entrance after the security droid registered the Jedi after a few painful minutes.

Ariana who was gazing up, looking at the murals painted on the ceilings, depicting wondrous scenes that would take all day and then some to truly see and appreciate all the work, completely ignored Qui-Gon's quiet call.

"Ariana," He said more firmly and slightly more audibly causing Ariana to jump and Obi-Wan to scowl down upon her.

"Apologies," Ariana said first in earnest. "Apologies Master. What is it?"

"Keep your eyes down child," Qui-Gon chided. "Look ahead."

Ariana obeyed and felt Obi-Wan bristle next to her. She trained her gaze in front, allowing a clear expression to sweep over her face. She pretended she was no-one but everyone at the same time. Someone you wouldn't miss but would be foolish to toy with.

The palace was unusually empty and eerily quiet and as the trio walked deeper into the home of the Queen, less and less people were noticeable. It would be foolish to think that a palace as grand and cherished as this would be deserted so the Jedi silently kept their guards up.

So swiftly and suddenly so Ariana barely noticed, although she felt something in the Force which she couldn't quite decipher at once and by then it was too late. A young woman had strode up to the Jedi after rounding a corner mere feet away.

"Welcome Jedi. Follow me," She said at once, in low, slow tones. Qui-Gon obeyed at once and followed the woman, Obi-Wan and Ariana following suit.

Ariana dared a glance at her fellow Padawan and oddly found Obi-Wan returning her puzzled look. Instantly, she forgot her hostility toward her friend and was glad she wasn't alone in her thoughts. And that Obi-Wan got confused with their Master too sometimes.

The foursome walked in silence at an extraordinary pace until the woman came to an abrupt stop in front of a flowing curtained doorway. Ariana watched the material, dancing in the barely there breeze. It was some kind of special looking silk for it looked light and see through but when the woman pulled it across so the Jedi could enter, it gathered heavily in her arms.

Qui-Gon gave the woman a subtle nod and ducked his head slightly so his tall frame could enter the room. Ariana was next and the woman followed after Obi-Wan.

Inside was a homely looking smallish room. The walls were also white wash marble but there was a rustic looking table sitting on a worn rug. Upon the table was a bowl of interesting looking fruit.

The breeze Ariana noticed was coming from the open doors of a small balcony, the low wall there to protect the wanderer was covered in creeping ivy that seemed to be growing ever so slowly in front of Ariana's eyes.

The woman turned to the three assembled Jedi, her large brown eyes scanning over them all.

"Hello Master Qui-Gon," the woman said slowly before turning to the Padawan's. "I am Senator Peridala," She announced formerly.

"Peridala, these are my Padawan learners, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ariana Evensong," Qui-Gon explained and Ariana watched as the Senator trailed her eyes over Obi-Wan before herself. Whatever the Senator was looking for, she apparently found because she smiled warmly and offered them a seat.

"My Padawan's won't be staying," Qui-Gon said at once just as Ariana was about to take the offered chair. They both looked to their Master, eyes questioning motives.

Peridala looked between the Master and his learners. "They may wait outside. There is a vineyard they may look around if they wish."

Obi-Wan, who was looking at Qui-Gon with an expression that was hard to read, bowed his head and lowered his eyes before obeying the request and striding over to the balcony and skipping down the marbled steps rhythmically.

Both Qui-Gon and Peridala looked to Ariana expectantly and with a small sigh, followed Obi-Wan into the warm afternoon sun.

She knew Obi-Wan would blame her for their expulsion. Usually, Obi-Wan was never from Qui-Gon's side during missions and Ariana believed it was her presence which was causing Qui-Gon to treat Obi-Wan differently.

Ariana spied Obi-Wan standing at one edge of the vineyard, which was almost bare in the heat, looking out across the land that was behind the palace. Trees and grassy, rich looking meadows stretched forever. On one side there were small looking but foreboding mountains. They were easily climbed, Ariana didn't doubt but the rich brown of them reminded her of something she should stay away from.

Ariana approached Obi-Wan and stood in silence by his side, listening to his breathing. She copied him by resting her hands on the white criss cross fence that separated the vineyard from the spreading meadows and squinted her eyes, trying to see how far she could see. She was momentarily mesmerised by the twinkling of something quite far from them and assumed it must be a lake or some other water reserve. It sparkled and winked in the lazy sun and Ariana felt an incredible urge to start making her way over to it to investigate further. But she knew she mustn't.

"Obi?" Ariana tried. "Obi I'm sorry."

He didn't reply at once but Ariana looked at him intently until he did.

"For what?"

"For…" Ariana found she wasn't entirely sure. She wanted to say something along the lines of 'for coming along' but that wouldn't be right. Master Qui-Gon had said she had to come along, so there was a reason she was present.

"I am sorry," Obi-Wan interrupted as Ariana was contemplating her reply. She looked at him, confused.

"Why?" She breathed. Obi-Wan had little to apologise for, mainly because he did very little.

"For being insufferable for most of this trip. I was smarting because of your inabilities and immaturity when really, it is me being selfish. I should be helping you, nurturing you. It isn't your fault you have never been on a mission and I should be helping you to understand. Please accept my utmost apologies Ariana."

Ariana was speechless. Obi-Wan's words were correct but she never thought he'd actually admit them and apologise about them.

Obi-Wan placed a hand on her forearm and gazed intently at her, like he a habit of doing to people. He was looking inside her, Ariana could feel it.

"Stop it Obi-Wan," Ariana said quickly, her voice shaking slightly. "Please."

Obi-Wan blinked and ceased but he kept his eyes on her, waiting his reply. Ariana sighed at his intensity and frowned slightly, so her eyebrows creased.

"I forgive you Obi-Wan," She said at long last and Obi-Wan actually smiled very quickly. He took his hand from her arm and his eyes from hers to look out across the land again before turning and going to inspect the last of the fruit that was hanging sparsely from the vineyard.

Ariana looked to the floor, listening to Obi-Wan rustling parched leaves to get a better look at what kind of fruit it was. He wouldn't take any of course but he could inspect none the less.

She turned and lent her waist on the fence so she could watch Obi-Wan wander around serenely as if he were inspecting his own crop. Ariana, who was still slightly shaky from Obi-Wan's delving, sighed and then smiled slowly as Obi-Wan found a spot he liked and in the wonderful air, sat down and began meditating.

Ariana was smiling but inside she was fretting slightly. Something warm and bright was glowing inside of her. It felt like the sun on the skin but inside, just below her heart and just above her stomach. It didn't feel right, the Force told her that. Something was wrong and Ariana hoped Qui-Gon didn't notice.

Through all that however, Ariana felt something else from it. Ever so slight, very quiet, enjoyment.