THALIA

"I can't believe you used a Jedi mind trick on me!" Thalia fumed as she walked into her apartment in the Senate Chambers.

"Well, if it makes you feel better it didn't turn out the way I wanted it to." Obi-Wan replied calmly, his hands clasped in front of him.

"That doesn't make me feel better." She replied, pouring a glass of water with shaky hands. "How long does it usually take to fade?"

"Not too sure. I haven't really tried it before." He shrugged, setting the wooden box of Kyber Crystals down on the desk beside him.

"Well you're lucky I didn't wander off and buy Death Sticks or something." She pointed out.

"Not for lack of trying." He muttered and glanced at Thalia who was giving him an 'I'm sorry, what?' look. "Anyway, what are you going to do with these?" He asked, quickly changing the subject.

"I'll send them back to the caves. Unfortunately, we can't track down every one that was sold, but at least Perxeus won't be able to sell them anymore." She replied, opening the lid of the box where about one hundred crystals lay.

"Send them back? You'd trust someone with that?" Obi-Wan asked, surprised that Thalia would entrust a delivery service with something so precious.

"Not like that. I'll show you." She grinned and held her hand out, over the box. Using the power she'd learnt to harness as a child, she used the force to lift the crystals out of the box till they hung in the air, glowing brightly over the table. Thalia focused her force on the crystals power and as Obi-Wan watched, the gem's light died away and the ring on her hand glowed brilliantly before returning to it's natural state.

"Now they're just crystals. No Kyber." She said and relished in the amazement Obi-Wan wore on his face.

"How is that even possible?" He asked, his mouth hanging slightly open.

"I'm sure you know. I saw your face when you read my Midichlorian count." Thalia said and when Obi-Wan didn't meet her eyes she continued. "So, what was it?"

"Over seventy thousand." He replied, looking up at her.

"Okay." She shrugged, not fussed by his answer. "It doesn't change anything from my perspective. I assume your Jedi Council doesn't share my view though."

"No." He said, straightening up and looking Thalia in the eye. "They're weary of what this might mean, especially if the Sith find out. We…they have never come across a being with such a count before, so they do not trust you."

"Well, thank you for your honesty." Thalia nodded as she processed this information.

"Our duty is to protect you, your highness. I believe it would be unwise to lose sight of this and I do not wish to lose your trust. There is no hidden agenda here and I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety." Obi-Wan said so seriously that Thalia was quite taken aback by his sudden declaration.

She always tried to keep eye contact with people because it showed confidence, but Obi-Wan's stare was so intense that she felt a wave of relief wash over her when there was a knock on the door and the red frame slid sideways.

"Oh, sorry. Oh, Master Jedi." A surprised voice came from the doorway and the pair quickly turned away from each other. A young woman stood in the doorway wearing an amazing orange robe and headdress.

"Please." Thalia said quickly and gestured for the woman to enter. As she did so, she cast a suspicious glance at Obi-Wan.

"My lady, I have a message on behalf of Queen Amidala of Naboo." The handmaiden continued, her head bowed before looking up at Thalia. "She wishes to extend an invitation to join her in returning to her home planet of Naboo."

"You may tell Her Majesty that her offer is greatly appreciated and I will graciously accept it. Thank you." Thalia finished and the handmaiden nodded before leaving the apartment.

"You disagree?" She asked, her back turned to the Jedi.

"Not at all." He replied.

"Excellent." Thalia clapped her hands together. "It's been a while since I've seen something green." She added, looking to the sprawling city beyond the windows.