***Chapter 26***

As they walk out of the knighting ceremony, Obi-Wan takes Lexi's hand. "Let's go get ready for the peace celebration."

"Get ready? Aren't we ready now?"

"Do I really have to say I just want to spend some time with you before the ceremony?" he laughs.

Lexi shrugs, "Sometimes. I do have a lot on my mind right now. Let's go by my room first…I have a knighting gift for you."

"Really? Well, I just happen to have something I want to give you as well…and it would be nice to have a little privacy when I give it to you."

"Oh, really," she grins, her emerald green eyes staring deeply into his blue eyes.

"Lexi!" he blushes. "Just come on…it won't take long."

"Alright," she sighs. "But you know how I hate surprises."

"Patience, my Love, patience…"


"Annie, what are you still doing here?" Qui-Gon asks as he comes out of the room where the knighting ceremony had been held. He had stayed behind for awhile to speak with the Council privately.

Anakin looks over at Tahl, who waited with him, not sure if he should say anything in front of her. He sighs and decides to just ask what he is dying to know. "I was just wondering why you didn't pick me for your Padawan."

"Obi-Wan will be a very good Master, Anakin. You should be happy to be learning from him."

"I know. I am. But, he has never trained anyone before." Shouldn't I be with someone who knows what they are doing?

"Annie, I will be recovering for some time. You need someone who can start your training right away. You've missed so much already."

Anakin sighs and looks down at his feet.

Tahl walks over and places a hand on the boy's shoulder, "Obi-Wan will be back soon to take you to prepare for the peace celebration. Give him a chance. You will not be disappointed."

Prepare?

"Why don't we grab a bite to eat while we wait for Obi-Wan to return?" Qui-Gon suggests. "I'm sure it won't be long."


Lexi retrieves Master 'Oru's lightsaber from her things and then holds it out to Obi-Wan ceremonially. "Since your lightsaber was destroyed…I know he would have wanted you to have this."

Obi-Wan's eyes widen in surprise. "Lex…are you sure? I can always make a new saber. I don't want you to…"

Lexi puts a finger to his lips. "Obi-Wan, I am sure. You mean everything to me. I can't imagine anyone else using Master 'Oru's saber."

Obi-Wan gently takes the lightsaber from her hand and clips it to his belt. Lexi's eyes well up as she watches. Obi-Wan stops and pulls her into his embrace and kisses the top of her head.

"Are you alright?"

"Of course I am. I'm just so proud of you. But, it is hard to look at your head now," she teases.

Obi-Wan just chuckles, "You were very fond of my Padawan braid, weren't you?"

Lexi shrugs, "I'll get use to the new look." She runs her fingers over his right ear. "Maybe I'll just grab you by the ear when I want your attention now," she grins and then she gently tugs on his ear and pulls him to her for a quick, soft kiss.

Obi-Wan steps back slightly and smiles. He takes her hands and gently places his braid in them. She takes it and looks up into his eyes.

"I want you to have it," he says softly. She just smiles at him and places her hand gently on his right cheek. He lowers his head to hers and kisses her softly.

"Thank you," she murmurs against his lips.

Lexi's comlink buzzes and when she answers she is greeted by the familiar voice of Master Yoda.

"Back to the Council you must report."

She gives Obi-Wan a questioning look, but he just shrugs his shoulders. "Yes, Master," she replies. "I'm on my way."

"What would the Council want with me," she wonders aloud.

"I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. I'll walk with you. I need to pick up Anakin for his haircut anyway."

Lexi wraps her arm through Obi-Wan's and they walk together back to the room where he had recently been knighted.

"What made you decide to take Anakin as your Padawan?"

"I promised Master Qui-Gon I would. I know at the time he thought he was dying, but I was sure he would survive. I had to honor my pledge to him."

"Had to? You didn't want to?"

Obi-Wan gives a mischievous grin, "Well, I did want to. I just didn't want you to think that I chose Anakin over you. I could have requested to have you as my Padawan."

Lexi laughs, "Oh, you know the Council would never allow that! But you would like that, wouldn't you?"

"What do you mean?" he asks innocently.

"You would just love to hear me call you Master."

Obi-Wan blushes. "No…I just…Lexi! Why do you always do this to me?"

"Do what? Are you saying you wouldn't like it?"

"I…I…"

"Exactly. You know you would." She grins and leans in close to his ear, "Master," she whispers.


Tahl is standing outside the ceremonial room when Obi-Wan and Lexi arrive.

"I'll be out here waiting when you are done," Obi-Wan says softly. Lexi nods, takes a deep breath, and enters the room alone.

The room has been cleaned of all the items from the knighting ceremony and now just the Jedi are in the room. The Council sits in a semi-circle, exactly as they sit in the Jedi Temple. Qui-Gon stands in the center of the room and gives Lexi a warm smile as she enters. She returns the smile and quietly walks to the center of the room as well.

"Padawan Alexis," Master Windu nods, "thank you for joining us."

I don't think it was really an option. Lexi bows to the Council.

"Master Qui-Gon, requested this meeting you have," Yoda acknowledges.

"Yes, Master," Qui-Gon replies. "I would like to complete Padawan Alexis Aurelia's training. I request her as my Padawan learner."

Lexi turns to him, her eyes wide with surprise. She embraces him and hugs him tightly. Qui-Gon grunts slightly from the pain and she quickly softens her embrace. "Sorry."

"Accept the request, you do?" Master Yoda grins.

Lexi quickly turns to face the Council once more. "Yes, Masters. I do accept."

"Granted then, the request is."

"Alexis is now your Padawan, Master Jinn," Mace Windu says with a nod. "May the Force be with you." Those two together…May the Force be with us all.

Qui-Gon and Lexi bow and leave the room together. In the hallway he turns to Lexi and places a hand on her shoulder. "Now, it isn't going to be easy training with me. I will be very tough on you." A slow grin spreads across his face.

"Yes, Master, I am looking forward to it."

Obi-Wan walks over with a huge grin on his face.

"You knew? Why didn't you say something?"

"I didn't want to spoil it…I know how much you love surprises."

Lexi gives him a playful glare. "Master," she says, turning to Qui-Gon, "did Obi-Wan tell you his new nickname?"

"No," Qui-Gon says slowly. "I would love to hear it though."

"No! No you wouldn't," Obi-Wan says quickly, putting his hand over Lexi's mouth. "We need to get going…Anakin needs to prepare for the celebration." He starts to walk away backward, pulling Lexi with him. "Come on, Anakin."

Qui-Gon watches, chuckling as they walk away. What a pair those two make.

"Are you coming?" he asks Tahl.

"No, I'm meeting with the Queen to make sure our surprise visitor is ready. You go ahead and have fun…just don't overdo it."

"Yes, dear," he laughs.


"I think it's time we make Anakin look like a Padawan," Qui-Gon says.

"I was thinking the same thing, Master," Obi-Wan agrees.

Anakin perks up. "I want to look like a Jedi!"

Lexi ruffles Anakin's shaggy hair. "I suppose the first thing you need is a haircut."

"That he does, let's get going," Obi-Wan says.

It doesn't take them long to find a hairdresser. One of Padmé's handmaidens is skilled in that area. She does the Queen's elaborate hairdos. Padmé also has the person in charge of her wardrobe find Anakin clothing that closely resembles the Jedi tunics until he can get back to the Temple and be properly outfitted. With his new clothes on he almost looks like a Jedi already.

The handmaiden works on Anakin's hair, her face awash in concentration. She cuts the boy's hair very short in the traditional style of a Padawan learner. She leaves a small amount of it long, behind his right ear as Obi-Wan instructs. She steps back and examines her work, then glances at Obi-Wan.

"Very good, thank you," the Jedi declares. The young woman nods and quietly exits the room.

The boy rubs his hands ferociously through his newly cropped hair, sending shards of dark blond clippings everywhere. A few land on Obi-Wan's cloak. He brushes them off with mild annoyance.

Anakin examines his new haircut in the mirror. "I like it," he says, a crooked smile slowly creeping onto his face. He looks up at Obi-Wan, "It's just like yours."

Obi-Wan studies the boy's admiring face for a moment. He turns around, hiding the small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"There is one more thing," Obi-Wan says over his shoulder.

"What?" Anakin asks curiously.

Obi-Wan turns back towards Anakin, who is watching him intently. Crouching down, he waves the boy over to him. Obi-Wan studies the long lock of hair behind the boy's ear for a moment. Anakin stands quietly, unquestioning as Obi-Wan carefully weaves the strands together and ties off the end with thin pieces of string. He rocks back on his heels and studies Anakin's new braid.

"That should do until your hair grows long enough," he says.

Anakin turns towards the mirror and looks at the braid appraisingly. A smile spreads across the boy's face. "I'm really a Jedi."

The young Master allows himself a small, satisfied smile as the stands and pats Anakin on the shoulder. "Come along, Padawan," he says, using the word quite deliberately.

"Yes, Master," Anakin replies. The two exchange retrained grins before heading out into the hall.

Lexi and Qui-Gon exchange very amused grins as they head out after the two of them. "They are completely adorable together," she whispers to Qui-Gon.

The tall Jedi Master just laughs. "I completely agree."


Horns blow, confetti flies, and people cheer and dance. A parade of Gungan soldiers march and play instruments as they make their way down Theed Central Plaza toward the Palace steps.

Queen Amidala, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, and Governor Sio Bibble stand beside Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Lexi, Anakin, and R2 at the entrance to the palace. Behind them stand the handmaidens, Naboo soldiers, Tahl and the Jedi Council. Sio Bibble stands in the center of the group, holding the Globe of Peace.

Jar Jar, General Ceel, and Boss Nass exit their mounts when they come close to the palace steps. Together they climb the steps and stand before the Governor. The Queen and the Governor step forward to Boss Nass. Amidala takes the Globe from the Governor and hands it to Boss Nass. The Gungan smiles as he takes the Globe. He turns to the crowd and hoists it high above his head, shouting, "Peace!" The crowds begin to cheer even louder than before.

Amidala glances over to Anakin and gives him a smile, which the boy promptly returns. Obi-Wan stands quietly beside the boy, thinking back on all that has transpired over the past few weeks and how much has changed. He is aroused from his thoughts when he feels Anakin staring at him.

"What is it?"

"I don't know."

"Are you nervous about going back to the Jedi Temple?"

"No…I don't know…maybe…"

"Well, I know something that might make you feel better about it," Obi-Wan says with a grin.

The boy looks up at him questioningly.

"We've been working on a surprise for you, and I believe the surprise has just arrived. Look behind you."

Anakin looks over his shoulder. Standing in the center of the handmaidens is Tahl, and standing with her is his mother, Shmi. He stares in disbelief for a moment, and then looks back to Obi-Wan.

"Go ahead," Obi-Wan grins.

Anakin turns and runs into his mother's arms.


The celebration winds down and the Jedi prepare to head back to Coruscant. Mace and Ki-Adi decide to remain behind long enough to make sure the Sith does not return for the Queen.

Anakin has enjoyed spending time with his mom again and telling her all about his adventures since he left Tatooine.

After finding out from Qui-Gon that Anakin's mom was still a slave on Tatooine, Lexi and Obi-Wan had gone to Amidala and requested she help free Shmi. After all, without Shmi's son, the droid control ship may not have been destroyed and the outcome of the battle could have been much different. The Queen quickly agreed and sent Ric Olié and several of her soldiers with the money needed to free Shmi.

"Will you be coming to Coruscant with us, Mom?"

"No, Annie," Shmi smiles. "I am going back to Tatooine."

"Going back? But, Mom, you're free! Why would you go back there?"

"It's where I belong, Annie. I'm a free woman now, and the Naboo have given me enough to buy my own little farm. I'll be happy there. Coruscant just isn't the place for me."

Anakin sighs.

"You certainly knew I couldn't stay at the Jedi Temple with you…"

"I know. I wish you could though."

"You will always know where to find me," Shmi smiles. "Now go, become a Jedi Knight like you have always dreamed. Make me proud."

"I will, Mom. I promise."

Anakin turns and runs to the ship where the Jedi are boarding. Obi-Wan stands at the bottom of the boarding ramp and waits for him. Anakin rushes to his side and Obi-Wan puts his hand on the boy's shoulder as they board together. The ramp closes and Shmi watches proudly as her son and the Jedi leave Naboo.

~*~ End ~*~