***Chapter 23***
The Supreme Chancellor's ship lands in the courtyard of the main hangar. Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Lexi, Anakin, Amidala, her handmaidens, Captain Panaka, and several guards surround Gunray and Haako.
"Now, Viceroy, you are going to have to go back to the Senate and explain all of this," Amidala commands.
Panaka steps in front of the Neimoidians. "I think you can kiss your trade franchise goodbye," he smirks and then walks toward the ship.
Obi-Wan watches silently. The Neimoidians follow Panaka to the ship. The Jedi, Anakin, and a guard follow behind Haako and Gunray.
Palpatine and several republic guards descend the ship walkway. Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Lexi, and Anakin stop before the Supreme Chancellor and bow. Panaka and the guard escort the Neimoidians onto the ship.
"We are indebted to you for your bravery, Obi-Wan Kenobi. And it's good to see you are well, Master Jinn." Palpatine says. He then turns to Anakin with a smile, "And you, young Skywalker, we will watch your career with great interest." He pats the boy on the shoulder and then walks over to the Queen.
The Jedi Council and Tahl Jinn exit the ship and stand beside Obi-Wan and Anakin. Feeling Anakin's discomfort with the Council, Obi-Wan puts a hand on the boy's shoulders.
Palpatine reaches the Queen and gives her a huge smile and bows slightly.
"Congratulations on your election, Chancellor."
"Your boldness has saved our people, your Majesty. It's you who should be congratulated." Palpatine replies. "Together we shall bring peace and prosperity to the republic."
The Council meets with Obi-Wan, Lexi, and Qui-Gon individually in the Queen's throne room. They question each of them on exactly what happened from the time Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had been ordered back to Naboo up to the battle's end. They listen patiently, and a few occasionally nod their heads, but otherwise they give no indication on what they are thinking.
The Council is a bit taken back when they complete Obi-Wan's debriefing. The young man does not leave immediately and when asked what is on his mind he tells the Council that when the time comes for him to be knighted, he wants Anakin as his Padawan learner. The Council members look at each other, but do not say anything. Each had been sure that Qui-Gon would make another bid for the boy…no one had ever expected such a request to come from Obi-Wan.
After speaking with everyone, the Council is positive that Lexi had not gone to Naboo with the thoughts of disobeying the Council. 'Oru had done what he felt he needed to do to protect his good friend and his Padawan. But now Lexi will need a new Master. She is still too young to be knighted.
After the individual Council meetings, Mace Windu meets with the three Jedi in Qui-Gon's recovery room. "In light of what has occurred in the battle for Naboo, the Council has decided to reevaluate our previous decision in regards to young Skywalker."
Qui-Gon is satisfied that Anakin is getting a second chance, so now his focus is on Obi-Wan and Lexi. "And the Padawans?" he asks. Certainly Obi-Wan proved, without a doubt, that he should be knighted. And with 'Oru gone, who would be assigned to finish her training?
"Master Yoda will meet with Obi-Wan and I will meet with Alexis to discuss what the Council has decided."
Oh, great. Lexi moans to herself. I have to meet with Master Windu? This cannot be good.
"Skywalker will be tested now. After we have finished his testing, we will meet individually with Obi-Wan and Alexis."
Mace, Obi-Wan, and Lexi stand and bow. As soon as Mace leaves the room, Lexi falls back into her seat and groans.
Yoda paces before Obi-Wan who is kneeling in the center of a small room in the Naboo palace.
"Confer on you the level of Jedi Knight the Council does. But agree with you taking this boy as your Padawan learner, I do not." Yoda says. He slams his walking stick to the ground on the word 'I' to emphasize how much he is against Anakin's training.
"Qui-Gon believes in him," Obi-Wan replies.
Yoda lets out a slow sigh and stops before Obi-Wan. "The chosen one the boy may be…nevertheless, grave danger I fear in his training."
"Master Yoda, I gave Qui-Gon my word. I will train Anakin," Obi-Wan answers strongly.
Yoda turns away from Obi-Wan and begins pacing again, grunting with each step.
"Without the approval of the Council if I must," Obi-Wan adds.
"Qui-Gon's defiance I sense in you," Yoda replies, looking away from Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan gives a slight smile at the comparison. "Need that you do not," Yoda continues. The small Jedi Master takes a deep breath, "Agree with you the Council does." He turns to face Obi-Wan once again, "Your apprentice, Skywalker will be."
Obi-Wan bows to Master Yoda. The Jedi Master just turns away in disappointment.
Mace Windu sits on the edge of a chair with his elbows resting on his knees and his chin resting on his hands, staring at a very uncomfortable Lexi. She stands before him trying not to fidget and wondering when he will speak. While it has only been a few minutes since she entered the room, it feels as if he has been staring at her for hours.
Finally the Jedi Master speaks. "The Council believes you had no knowledge of our meeting with Master 'Oru, and that coming to Naboo was indeed his decision and you were following your Master's orders."
Lexi relaxes ever so slightly, but quickly stiffens again, knowing Master Windu was not finished.
"So this time you were not the one going against the Council."
His emphasis on 'this time' only makes her more uncomfortable. She has been very careful to obey every mandate since she and Obi-Wan were officially allowed to date, not wanting to jeopardize their relationship.
The Jedi Master is silently staring once again. Lexi's mind races…she should say or do something…but what?
She decides the only thing she can do is defend her Master. "Master 'Oru only defied the Council…"
Mace cuts her off with a wave of his hand. "We are well aware of what Master 'Oru's intentions were. The problem is, not that he is gone, what do we do with you?"
She bites her lower lip in thought…not exactly sure what he expects her to say.
"You have already had two Masters, and you are not ready for knighthood. I'm just not sure there is another Master ready to take you on to finish your training."
His words sting, but she doesn't let it show. Her first Master had abandoned her early in her training. It wasn't anything Lexi could have controlled, her Master had decided to leave the Order. And as guilty as she feels about 'Oru's death, there is no way she could have prevented it.
"You will remain at the Temple when we return to Coruscant until the Council comes up with a solution."
Lexi swallows hard and bows, "Yes, Master."
Lexi wanders aimlessly through the palace halls until she finds herself back at Qui-Gon's room. The Jedi Master is trying, rather unsuccessfully, to get out of bed.
"You are not getting up yet and that is final," Tahl smirks.
"I've already been up…several times," Qui-Gon groans, he knows it is useless to argue with Tahl when her mind is made up.
"And the more you get up, the longer your recovery will take."
"The kids don't like it when Mom and Dad argue," Lexi teases.
"Well, if certain stubborn Jedi would just listen to reason, there would be nothing to argue about."
"I'm glad you came by, Angel," Qui-Gon says, changing the subject. "We need to talk to you."
"Angel? It's been a long time since you've called me that…this must be serious."
"Come, sit down," he says gently. Lexi walks over and sits on the edge of the bed.
Tahl stands beside her and places a hand on Lexi's shoulder, "I just wanted to let you know why Master 'Oru didn't tell you he was dying."
"How would you know?" Lexi asks. "Wait, you knew he was sick?"
"One of the advantages of being blind," Tahl shrugs. "When you can't see, your other senses are stronger, and beings tend to drop their guard as well. I figured out quickly that he was sick, but he asked me not to tell anyone, not even Qui-Gon."
"Why?"
"He was going to tell you as soon as he found someone to complete your training. He just didn't want you to be abandoned again."
"He couldn't find anyone, could he?"
"Are you concerned no one will want you as their Padawan now?" Qui-Gon asks.
Lexi shrugs, "Maybe."
"More likely she is worried she will be stuck at the Temple taking classes with Master Windu," Tahl teases.
"That's not funny!" Lexi smirks and throws a pillow from the bed at Tahl.
Obi-Wan walks in the room and all eyes turn toward him expectantly. He quietly walks over to a chair near the bed and sits.
"Well…" Lexi says.
"Well what?" he shrugs.
Tahl tosses the pillow at smacks Obi-Wan in the head with it. "What do you mean, 'well what'?"
"Oh, that," he laughs. "Hope your back and arm are feeling better, Master, because you have a knighting ceremony to perform."
"Well it's about time," Qui-Gon teases. "I was beginning to think I was going to be stuck with you for life."
"You are stuck with him for awhile longer. Lexi and I will go out and get the final preparations for the funeral done and prepare for the ceremony. Obi-Wan will stay here and make sure you don't leave this bed."
"Great," Qui-Gon smirks as Tahl and Lexi leave the room.
Obi-Wan walks over to Qui-Gon's bedside. "I just want you to know I kept my word. I have requested to take Anakin as my Padawan learner."
"I never doubted you," Qui-Gon smiles. "Now, let's go for a walk before I go stir crazy."
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan chuckles.
