To Listen

Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble.

--------------------------------------------------------------

The week that Eva spent on Tatooine past without incident. Other then a few angry business men, whose quarrel was Obi-Wan's job to settle, nothing remotely strange occurred. Soon they were back on Star Soarer, the ship that had taken them to the desert planet. When they arrived at the Jedi Temple it was bustling with activity. All the Jedi had returned to vote for the Jedi Council.

Eva spent most of the next few days busily running errands throughout the temple. After hurrying to the other end of the Temple and back she slumped onto the couch, though she only had a moment's rest.

"Eva," called Anakin, "I'm going to the Council meeting. Your Dad told me to ask you to run these Temple defense plans to Threepio." Anakin had been elected to the council, along with Luke, Master Yoda, Master Kenobi, Master Windu, and another master whom Eva had never heard of. Sighing she took the plans from Anakin's out stretched hands and hurried out of the room.

"Artoo, have you seen Threepio?" she asked when she spotted the droid.

A series of beeps were the only reply. "No? Alright. He's probably telling a bunch of 4 year olds that the world is gonna end or something." Said Eva, sighing. She turned down the next hall.

"Send Obi-Wan, and that new Padawan of his. She's your daughter, right. Eva or something." Said a voice that Eva did not recognize. She froze when she heard her name coming from the room just ahead of her. The door was slightly ajar and she stepped closer to listen.

Two resounding, "No's" followed the man's suggestion. Eva recognized the voices at once and frowned.

"You can't keep her from doing what a Jedi is supposed to do. Just because she's your daughter….or granddaughter for that matter… does not mean you can shelter her."

"Do I need to remind you what happened last time she went on an Imperial mission?" said Luke.

"She was captured. So what. She got out of there alright."

"That's because I went to—"

"If I remember the report correctly, she was already out of her cell and escaping when you arrived."

"But she is too young for this mission…"

"She was the same age when you sent her back in time. And that mission was surely harder then this one."

"But…"

"And Obi-Wan will be with her."

"Can't we just send Obi-Wan?"

"We need her to disable the wires, and to get to that she will have to go through the ventilation system. I doubt Obi-Wan would fit in there."

"But the place will be swarming with Imperials, she is only twelve—"

"I'm 13. " Said Eva quietly from the doorway.

"What?" asked Luke.

"I said I'm 13. Probably 14 on some planets."

"You're not supposed to—"

"Be here. I know and I'm really, really, sorry. I was taking these papers to Threepio and I couldn't find him, and I heard my name…" she trailed off quietly.

"And you're not thirteen yet……"

"Yes I am. I turned 13 the other day." She muttered, shrinking back from the Council, all of whom were watching her with extreme interest.

Luke only looked taken aback for a moment before a brief look of realization crossed his face. But as quickly as it appeared it was gone, "Thirteen is no better then twelve. You're still too young to go on such a mission. This is a big step if we succeed."

"I know, that's why I want to help. And besides you were only 5 years older then me when you faced Anakin." Said Eva gesturing at her grandfather.

"Exactly, I was 5 years older then you, that's five years stronger and—"

"Not five years more training though. I've had more training then you had on Endor. You had what….two months of training with Master Yoda? I've had…at least eleven years." Said Eva indignantly.

"You're not going."

"That's not for you to decide. You only have part of the vote."

"Take those defense plans to Threepio, he's in the main hall. Then you are to go to your room. We'll discuss this and let you know our decision. And make sure you close the door completely."

Eva took a deep, calming breath and turned to leave the room. With a click the metal door closed. She hurried to the main hall to find Threepio.

"Here, I was supposed to give these to you." She muttered, throwing the plans into the droids hands.

"Thank You, Miss Skywalker."

She muttered a quick goodbye and set off towards her room.

Half an hour passed before her door eased open.

"I forgot your birthday." Said Luke.

"It's ok. You were sorta busy trying to save me….so I guess I'll forgive you."

"I just can't figure out why Siduos kept you and not Obi-Wan or myself."

"Well, there is the whole business of him hating me."

"Why would he hate you?" asked Luke sarcastically.

"Oh, I expect it has something to do with me lying to him, and then of course I didn't let him kill me…"

"Now why would you do such a thing, Eva?" asked Luke, still sarcastic.

"Oh and me helping him fall into a pool of lava probably didn't help him like me."

"Probably not

"So am I going?"

Luke sighed, "Yes….but I don't like it."

"That's fine with me. When do I leave?"

"In a week."

"A whole week!"

"During which you are grounded and will spend the majority of your time with Obi-Wan training."

"Why?"

"You didn't think you could eavesdrop on the council without getting in trouble did you?"

"No. at least its just training" grudged Eva.

"Good. Now, go meet Obi-Wan in the kitchens."

"Why in the kitchens…I though I had to train…."

"Yes, you'll be learning how to wash dishes because the droids need two extra hands, and since you won't be going anywhere I figured you could help them."

Eva opened her mouth to protest but quickly though better of the decision. Silently she stalked out of the room and down the next hall.

An hour later Eva stumbled out of the kitchen, her hands pruned and damp. Obi-Wan walked beside her chuckling.

"What are you laughing at?" snapped Eva darkly.

"Oh, nothing just remembering a curiously same punishment that Anakin received once."

Eva looked up, intrigued "What punishment?"

"Well, I can't seem to remember what he did but the council made him stand behind the dinner counter and serve the dinner with the droids. Oh my, it was funny. He had to wear one of those things, oh what are they called, they keep the hair out of your food…well, he looked quite hilarious. If I remember correctly every one was amused. Even Master Yoda smiled."

Eva smiled.

"Oh, I wouldn't get to happy if I were you. You're on dish duty again tomorrow." Said Obi-Wan

"I have a feeling I won't be the only washing dishes tomorrow, though."

"And why is that."

"You'll see."

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

I apologize for the delay in the story, I was quite busy rereading the Harry potter books, oh and please review review review review. Your reviews inspire me to update sooner so...