Chapter 19 - Teaching Methods

Obi-Wan didn't leave Rey's side through the night, neither did Qui-Gon.

"She will be alright, Obi-Wan, she just needs sleep," Qui-Gon said for the hundredth time late the next day.

They were on Naboo in their medical wing, Qui-Gon having insisted it was better not to move her.

"Obi-Wan, her energy is simply depleted."

"It is more than that, and you know it. She gave him her life force."

"She did, and it will likely take weeks for her to be back a hundred percent. Healing is dangerous but she didn't give him anything permanent. She didn't give him years of her life, or her connection to the Force, she just expended a great deal of energy that no amount of practice or endurance could have prepared her for."

He ran a hand through his hair. He knew that, he knew that but it was hard to think with Rey so still, an IV in her arm.

"Go to sleep, Obi-Wan. She will not be happy with you if she sees you like this."

"And you?"

"I am still the Master here, after you have rested, I will."

Obi-Wan nodded, knowing Qui-Gon was too stubborn to alter from his chosen path. And Obi-Wan was tired, clean and bandaged, but so tired.

He took the second cot.

He thought it would be difficult to quiet his mind, but he was out before his head hit the pillow.

Rey woke from a dream of drowning in black blood.

"Easy, Padawan," Master Jinn hushed, placing a large hand to her forehead.

She fell back against the bed, "Obi-Wan?"

Master Jinn smiled and leaned back so she had a clear line of sight to the other bed. He was asleep, mouth slightly agape.

"He's okay?" she asked.

Master Jinn nodded, "Worried about you, but yes."

"What happened?"

"You nearly killed yourself healing that man."

His voice was hard and she flinched, she couldn't quite meet his gaze. She knew the difference between him having told her that healing was possible and teaching her how.

He sighed, "Rey, did you heal him because it was our mission to save him or because he is your father?"

She looked up to meet his dark blue gaze, "Because he was my father," she said softly, "He was dying and… and I want to know Master, I want to know, and I'm so afraid of the answer that I can't bring myself to ask."

He was silent for a long time before he asked, "How do you feel?"

"Weak," she said, "But fine. I tried to stop, but… I didn't know what I was doing."

Master Jinn frowned, "You tried to stop?"

She nodded.

He shook his head slightly, then sighed again. "Rey, I know I am not always the best example of a proper Jedi, but there are reasons the Jedi renounce their family ties."

Her chest felt tight and she felt very small lying down just then, "I don't want him to matter to me."

"It is alright that he does, Rey. But you must not let your emotions cloud your judgement. You could have died yesterday, and Obi-Wan and I could have died trying to save you. You gave too much. Field healing is an absolute last resort. Even your endurance has limits, and this you cannot build, cannot strengthen. There is a set limit to how much you can heal at any given point. If someone was injured now and you tried to heal them, you would be unconscious in a matter of moments."

She nodded, "The Force is limitless, I am not."

He took her hand and squeezed it, "What do you want from Sheev Palpatine?"

Her heart constricted, and a thousand answers and emotions came to mind even as the word that sprang to her lips was a denial, Nothing, I want nothing.

But that was a lie, and she wouldn't lie to Master Jinn.

"I want the truth, I want him to tell me the truth, no matter what it is. I mean, perhaps that's not truly what I want but it's what I need."

"And if he can't give you that? He's a politician, Padawan, and a devious one at that. I remember him from my own Padawan years, he has influence across the galaxy. He will say whatever he thinks you want to hear. You are a young Jedi who is close to the High Jedi Council. Having you as a daughter is an advantage to him.

"You can be his daughter if you wish to be, but if you also wish to be a Jedi, you must be aware that your responsibilities to the Order must always come first. Your choices might not seem large at every turn, but the underlying purpose of his ambitions will always be for his own betterment. And while the Jedi are not always correct, our goals are always to promote sustainable peace throughout the galaxy."

"We serve the Force," she said, squeezing his hand. "I didn't mean to fail you, Master."

He shook his head, "You have not failed, Padawan. Your only failure would be not learning from your experiences. We all make mistakes. The question is not if we are infallible, it is whether we will let our shortcomings corrupt us or if we will strive to overcome them."

Rey sat up, and Master Jinn put a hand out to steady her, "I need to speak with him."

"He is still in intensive care, but he is stable thanks to you."

"Can I see him?"

Master Jinn nodded, taking her arm as she got her legs out from under the blankets.

She was barefoot and the robe she was in was little better than a shift. She had to use the IV stand to help her to her feet even with Master Jinn at her side.

She felt dwarfed beside him in this state.

It was slow going to the end of the hall, but the nurse greeted them warmly.

"He is just coming around, I'm sure the Senator will be happy to see you both," the nurse said, his voice deep, "Senator Palpatine, the Jedi are here to see you. Master Jinn and your daughter, Padawan Palpatine. I'll give you some privacy." The nurse left with a bow of his head.

Senator Palpatine was sitting up, his left leg bulged under the covers due to a cast. He greeted them with a smile and though he still looked too thin and there were bandages here and there, he looked far better than when she had found him.

Master Jinn helped her sit.

"Ah, my rescuers. Naboo continues to owe you three a greater and greater dept," he said, his tone completely sincere. "And you, Rey, daughter, I could never repay you. You have my deepest gratitude."

Rey had grown up around hagglers and con artists, she had even grown handy with it on Tatooine where she had been haggling for actual money as opposed to food portions. She knew when someone had spotted something they wanted, something they couldn't part with.

Her father had that look in his eyes. Sure, his expression was sound enough, warm and humble; ready to love his long lost daughter, ready to give his 'heroes' whatever they could dream to ask for.

But Rey saw the truth in his eyes.

Master Jinn had been right, she wasn't a person to this man, she wasn't a daughter, she was an advantage, a part that would make his world run smoother.

The man who had raised her was there too, in his voice, around the edges of his features, but that man, her father, he was dead. Replaced by this cold-hearted politician who refused to acknowledge her. Refused to drop to his knees and beg for her forgiveness for what he had done to her.

"Who is my mother?" she asked.

His eyes flinched, but his mask morphed from one of welcome to solemn disappointment, "I reached out to the women I was with during the time you might have been conceived, but none match the test we took."

A hot flash of rage filled her, she remembered her parents together, they had raised her together on this planet. She remembered their voices, remembered the forest, far from this marbled palace.

They had been a humble family.

She let the emotions go to the Force, the Light soothing the heartache.

There was nothing genuinely humble about this man before her.

"I will give you one chance," she said in a low voice. "I am Rey Palpatine, because it is the name she gave me. So I will give you this one chance to give me the truth, or I will wash my hands of you."

He frowned, and she might have clapped at his act of confusion if he weren't tearing her apart.

He must have seen something in her own expression because he hesitated before speaking, he looked to Master Jinn, "Could you give us a moment?"

"No," she said before he could answer, "No, he is my Master, this is his business."

She saw her father fight not to sneer. She might have trouble with Jedi at the Temple, with people all trained to calmly handle disputes with respect, but negative emotions she knew how to read well enough.

"Very well," her father said a bit more coldly, "the truth is, Rey, I do not remember all the women I was with over two decades ago, and I never knew I had a daughter until we met on Coruscant."

Liar!

She wanted to scream at him, she wanted to hurt him, she wanted-

She wished she had let him die.

And she hated him for making her weak, both physically and mentally.

She let out a held breath. And just as she had with the Sith shade, she took all the hurt and the unanswerable questions, all the heartbreak, and gave it to the Force.

But unlike then, the Light took it all gently as dust swept away into hot sands, leaving her lungs cleaner, her heart lighter.

It was enough.

She squeezed Master Jinn's wrist and he helped her stand in a deceivingly fluid motion. Her voice was more solid than the stone beneath her chilled feet, "I was told that the High Jedi Council issued a restraining order against you, I would like you to respect it. Do not contact me. If you must, then you can go through the proper channels or contact Master Jinn."

The Senator looked flustered and offended, "I have done nothing against you, child."

She wished he had slapped her, it would have hurt less. She held onto Master Jinn a bit more firmly, pulling on the Force, the Light taking the pain in a warm glow of power, "No, Sheev, you are nothing. And I want nothing from you."

Something dark shadowed his eyes, his voice was not so smooth as he said, "You bear my name, my legacy."

"No," she said, raising her chin, "Palpatine is my name, and I will be remembered long after your bones have been ground to dust. And my legacy will be more than a name, more than the small deeds of some heartless politician from a jungle planet on the edge of the Outer Rim."

He didn't fight to hide his sneer now, his malice finally revealed, "And you think the Jedi are so superior? Your life will be recalled nowhere, your death will not make a single ripple in the galaxy. The Jedi are nothing but the dogs of the Republic."

She smiled because with those words he had just severed any hold he might have had on her.

"Goodbye, Sheev," she said, Master Jinn helping her turn and leaving as dramatically as she wanted.

The Force seemed to skip ahead of her steps, seeming to want her to leave as much as she did.

The tears didn't start until they made it back to their room, Obi-Wan was still sound asleep.

Master Jinn wrapped her in a hug, "I'm so sorry, Padawan."

She rested her cheek against his chest, the tears didn't grow and she didn't make a sound.

She never should have waited for the parents who had given her away.

The people who had measured her life in credits.

Padme had Padawan Rey moved into one of the Queen's personal guest chambers as she no longer required medical assistance, just rest.

None of the Jedi seemed celebratory despite their successful mission. Even Sheev Palpatine was in low spirits.

And Padme had yet to break the news to him, she didn't think the man needed any more bad news. Even the judge had delayed his trial given the severity of his injuries.

Padme was worried about what secrets he had given to unknown foes after what appeared to be a year of torture. As a Queen, she was rarely left alone, but as she had been wearing two hats as Senator and Queen, she had been allowed more freedom. At least in her own suite that currently was hosting three Jedi.

And Qui-Gon Jinn, a man who was one of Naboo's heroes, was a close friend to her these days. It was Qui-Gon who had helped her so much with the abolition amendment and who had introduced her to Master Dooku.

"Satine, I don't know, and I don't want to reach out to them."

"My parents would have never cheat-"

"It is likely our joint sister is older than us," Padawan Kenobi's voice cut her off. "I'm sorry, this isn't important. I shouldn't have called."

"No, Obi-Wan, it is good to know I have a niece, that we have a niece. Stars, but that is an odd thought."

Padme hesitated by the open door, not wanting to eavesdrop. She didn't know the Padawans as well as she knew Qui-Gon. Padme had met both of course, and she knew both were kind and friendly, though she knew also that they were training in a manner that made even the other Jedi pity them.

"It is good to hear from you," Padawan Kenobi said softly.

"I've missed you, Obi-Wan. It is good to hear from you as well. You should bring Padawan Palpatine to visit us, as it seems likely her mother was a Mandalorian, my parents never travelled off world in those days."

"I'm sure Rey would enjoy that, she made quite an impression on the Mandalorians when we were on a mission on Kashyyyk."

"Wait," the woman, who Padme had finally placed as Duchess Satine of Mandalore, "Rey Palpatine, she's not, I mean she isn't the young Jedi weapon Master Maas forged a staff for, is she?"

Padawan Kenobi sighed, "One and the same."

Duchess Satine laughed, "Then I might be requesting your help in a few years. Stars help us, Obi-Wan, she is famous on Mandalore. You have no idea what she has done for the public opinion of Jedi here. The Jedi with a Mandalorian weapon. They might try to claim her as one their own if they discover she shares a bloodline with a Mandalorian, even if it's my bloodline."

His response was dry, "Oh, they already have. They kept calling her a foundling."

The Duchess laughed, "Ah, well, if in the future our planet is ever in need of Jedi aid, I suppose I know who to call."

"I suppose so, I'm sure Rey wouldn't mind in the slightest."

"How are you really, my friend?"

"I'll be knighted when I return to the Temple."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

There was an awkward pause, and Padme decided she would leave them be but the Duchess's next words froze her feet.

"I always loved you, you know."

"I did too, Satine."

"Did?"

"I've changed, I think."

"We aren't truly related, and I heard… well, I heard the Jedi could get married now."

Padme hadn't heard this, she thought marriage was strictly forbidden for anyone in the Order. Why hadn't Master Dooku mentioned it?

Maybe it wasn't such a big deal.

"We have not spoken in years, Satine, and would you truly be happy if I left you behind to fight battles across the galaxy?"

"Peace missions."

"Which usually end in me getting shot at, or having large carnivorous animals chasing after me, such as sea monsters or rathtars."

"Violence breeds violence, Obi-Wan," Duchess Satine chided gently.

"That isn't a luxury everyone has, Satine, not when the choices are killed or be killed."

Padme agreed strongly with this, even as the Duchess of Mandalore said, "Killing is wrong."

"So is standing by and doing nothing," he countered.

"I would die for my people."

"Dying isn't that hard, Duchess, keeping your people alive, that's the ticket."

"If my people weren't warmongers, their lives wouldn't be in danger."

"If your people weren't warriors, maybe your planet wouldn't enjoy the freedoms it has today."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, Satine, I meant no offence, I just- Self-defence and the ability to protect one's people from harm is not inherently bad."

"Since when does a Jedi take the side of warriors from Mandalore?"

"Since I shared a meal with them and found their code as honourable as my own."

"You have changed."

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

"Did I?" the Duchess asked with false flattery, "I must go, Obi-Wan, give our niece my best."

"Of course, it was good to speak with you."

"Yes, congratulations again on becoming a Jedi Knight."

Padme could hear Padawan Kenobi's sigh from across the room.

She hesitated, wondering how she could walk on without him knowing she had been there.

He solved the problem by calling out, "I know you're there."

She straightened her shoulders, she was dressed as Sabe today, so her clothes were formal and her hair was done up, but she wasn't wearing the heavy garments or makeup of the Queen. She walked into the room, head high, her embarrassment masked behind an even expression, "Apologies, Padawan Kenobi."

He shook his head, "No need, I'm used to it. Privacy isn't exactly a thing at the Temple, and I could have shut the door."

"Duchess Satine Kryze is quite the character," she said as she joined him by the window. The day was beautiful, the sunlight dancing on the petals of flowers decorating the stone of the window sill.

"That she is. Her stance on neutrality is noble, but in my memories, it sounded like a better stance than it does today."

"Neutrality has its place," Padme said, "but often, it results in someone else dying for your ideals."

He laughed, the sound boyish. She noticed how bright his blue-green eyes were.

"Yes, but try telling her that."

"I think you did."

He grinned at her, "It went well, don't you think?"

Padme, who was curious by nature, nosy as a result, and direct to a fault, said, "I heard a dreamer suggest the possibility of marriage and then a proud warrior breaking her heart with a difference in politics."

Kenobi laughed again and she had to smile in turn. She knew he was older than her, but for a moment, Padme let herself appreciate how attractive he was. No wonder the Duchess had shared her feelings for him so candidly.

"So your Highness, or is it, Senator? How are you this fine afternoon?" he asked.

"Padme is fine, and I am well, yourself?"

"Rey grows stronger by the day, so I am well. Master Dooku and Qui-Gon speak rather highly of you, by the way."

This time she did flush, "They are good men."

"They want change as much as you do."

"And do you want change, Padawan Kenobi?"

"Obi-Wan is fine, and yes. Especially if it leads to a galaxy without slavery."

"A cause worth fighting for?" she quipped.

He smiled, "Indeed. Not everyone sees what its worth, but slavery is the height of moral corruption. I hope you, I mean Senator Sabe, keeps their office."

"I have decided not to re-elect Sheev Palpatine, though it will do Naboo no favours in the Senate, well liked as he is. But with his upcoming trial, the storm of scandal that will surround him would not do our system any favours either."

Something hard crossed his expression.

Jedi were pretty peaceful people, which made their ability to mask their emotions easier than many politicians could because they weren't hiding their feelings but dispelling them entirely.

But the longer Padme spent around the Masters, the more she came to realize how expressive their faces could be. And at least with Qui-Gon, when he went silent he was silently sassing you.

"Why do the Jedi hate Sheev Palpatine so much?"

"Hate is a strong word," Obi-Wan said cautiously.

"I was told not to trust him."

He looked at her closely, "I guess it is good you don't trust him then."

She tried to school her face better, then thought better of it and rolled her eyes at him, "But nobody will tell me why. Master Dooku said I should ask Padawan Palpatine."

"Then you should ask her."

"But you know. Why can't you tell me?" and she hated how young that made her sound, but she wanted to know what it was almost as much as she wanted to know why they wouldn't talk about it openly.

He smirked, "Because it is her business, and the Jedi aren't in the habit of talking openly about their family relations."

"She's yours and Satine's niece," she said innocently, blinking her darkened lashes at him.

It was his turn to roll his eyes, "Come on, Queenie, let us heed Master Dooku's advice. If you don't and he was right, he would never let you live it down."

She followed him to the connecting door between the rooms, "Dooku is the only Jedi I know of who is as good a politician as he is a knight."

"As he is the duelling champion of the Order, that is a frightening thought."

"I didn't know that," she said as they crossed into the room.

"He's modest."

"My Master is not modest," Qui-Gon said, looking up from his hand. He was sitting cross legged on at the foot of Rey's bed.

Padme saw Rey use the Force to replace a card in Qui-Gon's hand and as he turned to call her out, she laid down her hand, "Jyn rummy."

He laughed.

"We've come to relieve you of your babysitting," Obi-Wan said.

Rey stuck her tongue out at him, before asking, "How was your talk with my grandma, grandpa?"

"What?" Padme asked, completely confused.

"The blood work came back strange," he said by way of explanation. "Your aunt sends her best. Also, you're famous on Mandalore. Don't let it go to your head."

"Satine knows Chakraborty?"

"No, she knew of Maas. Though I don't think she is fond of your weapons master, Duchess Satine does not approve of the warriors of Mandalore."

She cocked her head, "Is Mandalore in a civil war?"

"Off and on."

"She's a fool."

"Padawan," Obi-Wan began, "Not our rathtars, not our ship."

Qui-Gon smiled, "Ah, so I am still able to teach you something." He stood, walking to them, he tugged on Obi-Wan's braid. "Come, Padawan Kenobi, I believe Padme has some questions for our Padawan Palpatine."

Obi-Wan swept Padme a bow and winked at Rey.

Padme watched the two men leave and was left alone with the other woman.

Rey patted the bed, "How are you, your Highness?"

"Padme, please, and I am well. The real question is, how are you?"

"I'm good, all healed, Master Jinn is just being overly cautious. I'm about to crawl out of my skin. I'm dying to go for a run."

Padme sat on the edge of the bed where Qui-Gon had been. Bird song sounded through the well-lit room. "I feel like I should see you around more with how much time I spend at the Temple."

"Master Jinn keeps us busy," she said without malice.

"Master Dooku speaks of you and Obi-Wan often."

She smiled, "As he talks of you: the genius behind the new Republic amendment."

"I was not the only one writing that, Senator Bail Organa helped, as well as the Jedi Masters."

"Senator Organa?" Rey asked.

"You know him?"

"Yes! I mean no, not personally, but well, if there is one planet in the whole galaxy I would want to go to it is Alderaan. I heard it was a paradise."

"It is closer to the Inner Core, but it is much like Naboo actually. The weather is a bit more temperate, however," Padme said, startled by the girl's enthusiasm.

Rey shrugged, her interest not dimmed in the slightest.

"Padawan Pal-"

"Rey is fine if I'm to call you Padme," she interrupted.

Padme nodded, "I wanted to ask you, Rey, what I am told is a personal question."

"Ask," she said easily.

"I was told not to trust Sheev Palpatine by the Jedi, and when I asked why, they said I needed to speak with you."

"Oh," she said, all humour draining from her face, but Padme saw no fear or anger on her features, "That was kind of them."

Padme sighed, "Rey Palpatine, why shouldn't I trust your father?"

"Because he sold me into slavery when I was five years old."

Padme's mind went blank, and then she sprang to her feet and nearly shouted, "He did what!?"

Rey reached out a hand, "It's alright, Padme, please-"

She jerked back from her, "Alright? It isn't alright! That evil… I can press charges. This is Naboo, as his daughter you are a Nubian citizen. That is so many shades of illegal, he's a criminal!"

"Please, your Highness. I'm not a Nubian citizen any longer, I'm a Jedi. I can't necessarily prove what he did. It would be my word versus his and-"

"You were a child!"

"But I am no longer a child," Rey said, her hazel eyes pleading, "Please, Padme, I don't want to be known as the girl whose wealthy and successful father sold her to a slaver in the Outer Rim. I'm more than that. I am a Jedi, where I began doesn't matter as much as who I am today."

Padme had to take several calming breaths, she didn't know if she would ever be able to look at him again. She had hoped he wasn't guilty of the charges being brought up against him, now she hoped he was, now she hoped the bastard spent the rest of his life in a cramp prison cell.

"Padme, I'm alright."

She looked at the young Jedi, bedridden because she healed the man who had damned her. "How could you save him? Why would you?"

"Because I loved my father."

Padme deflated, her heart hurting for this other woman. "That makes it worse."

She shook her head, her shoulder length hair free from her typical buns, "But I can't control him, not what he does, what he feels. But I can control what I do. Maybe a part of me wants him to hurt, but a bigger part of me wants to feel nothing at all. Letting him die when I could save him might have destroyed me."

Ignoring decorum, Padme kicked off her shoes, and slid into bed with her. "You're wrong. You might be a Jedi, but you're still a Nubian, this was your home once, we are still your people too."

Rey bumped her with a shoulder, "So, you're my queen?"

Padme bumped her back, "What do you want to know?"

"Know?"

"About Naboo, what do you want to know about your home world?"

Rey's smile could have outshone the sun, "Anything, everything."

Padme took her hand, and they leaned back into the pillows, "My favourite thing about Naboo, aside from the people, are our lakes, but specifically the pools in the remote places. The places whose architects were the rains and tides, the greenery running wild. Naboo is known for its art. But I believe it is the beauty of this world that taught our people what art is meant to be, to feel like."

Padme talked until the sun dropped below the horizon. Her handmaidens came in to bring food in but she waved them away as Rey had fallen asleep at Padme's side.

Obi-Wan came in, setting aside a tray as he took the seat by the bed. "Thank you," he said softly.

"How could she save him?" she asked, her own voice barely above a whisper.

His smile was sad, "She doesn't have it in her to truly hate someone she once loved."

"I couldn't forgive him for what he did. I will never forgive him."

"She hasn't forgiven him," Obi-Wan said, "she let him go."

Padme respected the Jedi, deeply, but she doubted she would ever understand them.

Despite the unnerving quality of the Temple, Rey was happy to be home.

Both Obi-Wan and Master Jinn were called away by the Council, leaving her free to do as she pleased.

So she went to the training rooms.

Master Jinn had told her to take it easy but wasn't even as if she was injured, any she had suffered were long healed. Besides she was feeling more herself everyday.

Rey was looking for an empty room, when she found Asajj Ventress practicing with Master Mor.

He noticed her at once, "Ah, Padawan Palpatine, finally back from your mission."

She flushed, not liking that the delay had been entirely her fault. But she entered the room, "Yes, Master Mor."

He looked her over, "Chin up girl, everyone gets hurt at some point."

"What are you two up to?"

"Basics," Asajj said, her tattoos flexing as she bared her teeth, "Master Dooku said we aren't allowed to practice Makashi without his supervision."

"Join us," Master Mor said.

Rey bowed her head and took her place at Asajj's side.

Mor sighed as they ignited their sabers, "Two blades is all well and good, but the adjustments you have to make is a hassle."

"Oh no," Asajj simpered, "have we made the Masters' jobs more difficult."

Mor smiled a dimpled smile at her, "You just earned yourself another hour." For a man who wore only black, he had a remarkably fair complexion.

Asajj lunged forward at him, and he ducked underneath her and would have swept her feet if she hadn't jumped out of the way.

She went back to her formations as Master Mor held out his hand for Rey's staff. Not bothering to switch it off, she tossed it to him. He caught it easily spinning it as Master Jinn had done the first time he held her original staff that Jiwarr the Wooki now had.

He did three motions with it before slowing and showing her the Shii-Cho motions that Master Jinn was trying to drill into her instincts.

He tossed her staff back and she copied the motions, Asajj in sync beside her. It was a bit odd training with people she didn't have a bond with.

"So," Asajj said, "I hear you train with younglings."

Rey finished a sweep with her staff, "Yes, I do."

"What a horrid punishment."

Rey couldn't help but smile, "Everyone says that, but it is kind of fun. I didn't grow up here so it is interesting to see how everyone else was trained. Besides, the initiates are adorable."

"Maternal instincts?" Asajj asked with false sweetness.

Rey laughed, "No, no, I'm not cut out to be a mother. And I don't want to be. Master Ali-Alann says I'm very patient, but I couldn't be with the little ones all day unless there was a crisis or something. But sitting in on a few of their classes-" she paused as they completed the final sweep of the sequence before repeating. "Sitting in on their classes is fun, even when they get repetitive, each younglings' questions and reactions make it interesting."

"I wouldn't want to be a mother either," Asajj said, her green blades crossing each other even as Rey's staff swept down.

For a moment Rey thought back to Maul's fighting style and wondered at how easily he had wielded her weapon.

Would he like her staff?

A part of Rey wanted to know about the Force sensitives who weren't Jedi, but it was probably better to ask Maul rather than possibly reveal him to the Order.

She had promised not to expose him.

She had his comm frequency, would he want to meet with her if she called?

"Well done, Rey," Master Mor encouraged, "Shii-Cho doesn't require a pull on the Force, we are trying to train your muscle memories in this exercise, Padawans."

"Why not both?" Asajj asked.

"Both are fine, but when you pull on the Force you ease the strain on your muscles. In this case, we want your muscles to tear and heal. That is a natural part of creating muscle memory. I know, Asajj, you find this repetitive, but all lightsaber forms are based on the basics because the basics are designed to never have the blade in danger of hurting oneself. You can do all sorts of crazy things when that is so ingrained into you that you don't need the Force to keep you safe from your own weapon."

Rey almost sighed with the plain explanation, that made sense. Master Jinn had said versions of the same but Master Mor was more of a straight shooter.

"Asajj, I swear by all the moons and empty places in the galaxy that I will throw you out the window if you try that again."

Asajj spun again, a classic Ataru spin.

Rey had a split half second to turn off her saber and drop to the mats as the Master and Padawan pair went after one another in a lethal exchange of green and gold.

Master Mor did eventually get Asajj to the window, only Asajj managed to pull the Shadow out with her.

Rey leaped out the window, using her unignited staff as handhold to keep herself from falling down the long smooth surface. Asajj clung to her waist, and Rey looked over her shoulder to see Master Mor hanging onto Asajj's right foot.

"You two are ridiculous!" Rey called to him.

"Padawan Rey!"

She looked up into the training room, to see a small group of initiates touring the Master training rooms.

Little Ahsoka, a seven year old Togruta girl ran to her, "Padawan Rey! What are you doing outside of the window?"

Ahsoka was probably one of the most spirited initiates that Rey had met thus far in her detail with Master Yoda, and of her age group, she was the one who could keep up with Rey the best during circuits.

"Oh, you know," Rey said as casually as she could manage as the wind buffered against her, "Just training."

"But out the window?" Ahsoka asked, coming closer to look down.

Rey turned in time to see Asajj bare her teeth at the little one.

Ahsoka pulled back giggling as Master Ali-Alann called, "Come Miss Tano, it is best not to question Master Jinn's teaching methods too closely."

"Bye Padawans!" she called to them as she ran back to her group.

Rey could see Ali-Alann, a man as large as Master Jinn, grinning at her.

He was no fool, he knew this wasn't a training exercise.

When she was sure they were out of hearing range, Rey called down to their esteemed Shadow, "Are you going to climb up or are you enjoying the view?"

"I don't know, Rey," Master Mor mused, "I'm not sure I and my fellow Shadows have checked the outside of the Temple stones yet for Dark energy."

Asajj snarled, "I will give you dark energy." And began trying to kick him off.

Rey sighed, firming up her grip.

AN: Please if you're enjoying this story at all, take a sec to drop a comment or review, they will both make my day and make this story worth sharing :)