Part Two

Padme walked arm-in-arm with Boss Rugor Nass. They had been through a day of celebrations and parades as the Human Nabooans welcomed the Gungans into Theed and it was good to see everyone happy. It seemed like ever since the Trade Federation had been trounced she'd been receiving nothing but a steady stream of bad news as just assessing Theed's damage from the occupation mounted with more and more bad reports. Thus, it did Padme's heart well to see people able to revel in freedom once more, even with so much more work to do.

But the time for celebration was shifting. The sun was starting to set, so she and Nass were slowly leading the way along the Solleu River's bank toward the Funeral Temple. This funeral was for Qui-Gon Jinn and everyone agreed to wait for the Jedi High Council to arrive. It had given many people time to organize and sort through things, and this funeral would be for everyone who had died, not just the Jedi Master who gave his life to free her people.

"Mesa so sorry dis bombad Jedi, hesa dead," Nass said quietly. "Hesa good Hisen. Hesa no good at backin' down. Me likin' such strengthen."

"I agree," Padme replied, giving a small, sad smile. "He didn't back down from me either, but in the end, he still listened, even if he didn't agree."

Nass nodded, patting her arm with a gentleness belied by his size. She'd gotten to like him over the past few days. He was very bossy and willful, but if he liked you, he was wonderful to work with. The talks and meetings they'd already had on rebuilding were starting to get things going. Her gentle compromises and his willful passion at working together made anyone they would sit with eager to get started. He trusted her people because he trusted her and she was very grateful. It made things much smoother.

But for all that things were finally beginning on a large scale, it was the more personal scale that made her heart ache.

She glanced ahead of her, where, as per Nabooan tradition, the most bereaved of Qui-Gon's "family" led the way: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. When they had shown up at dinner the previous night, Padme outlined everything she'd had her handmaidens look up in regard to guardianship of children given to the Jedi and the customs of adoption here on Naboo. It was to their favor that Obi-Wan had been a legal adult for many years, and from everything they could dig up, any court would have no issues with Obi-Wan becoming Anakin's legal guardian. The problems seemed to lay in the fact that Anakin's mother had given up her parental rights to the Jedi (as was tradition when a parent gave a child to the Order) and there had never been an instance where a child was then rejected from training. (Obi-Wan explained that if a child never became a Knight, there were other areas the child could work and still be a Jedi, such as the AgriCorps. Anakin had fumed at that, demanding why he hadn't even been given that as an option.)

It had been a long night of legal rigmarole, which Obi-Wan had quietly thanked her for when he carried a sleeping Anakin away when they were finally done. Padme's handmaidens had already started contacting Nabooan courts to start the paperwork for Obi-Wan to become Anakin's legal guardian. It would be a long process, and it would not be easy. Naboo, as a whole, frowned on making children have a legal guardian. Since it was a peaceful planet with nomadic histories, there was a firm belief that children would be taken care of by the clan, usually through adoption. If a parent were unable, then an aunt, uncle, grandparent, cousin or some other family member would take the child in. If the child were somehow orphaned, then another family would adopt. Obi-Wan had quietly refused adoption and when Anakin demanded why, the young Jedi simply said that he didn't want to try and replace Shmi. Anakin had accepted the answer, but Padme didn't. After Anakin had fallen asleep, Obi-Wan had admitted (after much badgering) that Jedi didn't have families because it was an attachment that could be used against them. Padme had internally scowled horribly at that, but did as he wished. She could revisit the issue later, when Obi-Wan wasn't suffering from such upheaval in his life.

Now the young Knight and his Padawan were walking hand in hand toward the funeral pyre of the only father figure either of them had ever known.

Padme so wished she could do something for them.

"You tellin' me ifen dey needin' any help," Nass nodded in their direction.

Padme turned and smiled. "I will. Knight Kenobi is working to become Anakin's legal guardian. I think he's too intimidated by adoption."

Nass nodded. "Hesa becomin' a parent. Parentin' isa bombad scary." Nass turned with a wide smile. "You needin' me givin' advice to da fraidy frog?"

"No," Padme chuckled. "I think that 'fraidy frog' needs to figure a few things out himself."

The Gungan gave his own quiet chuckle (quite remarkable given his usual guffaws). "You understandin' teachin' the Gungan way!"

A tall Quermian Jedi stepped forward from the other Jedi that were walking around them. Padme recognized the height as Master Yarael Poof, one of the Council members that had rushed here from Coruscant after hearing the news of Qui-Gon's death.

"Padawan Kenobi," Master Yarael said quietly, "might I have a word with you?"

Obi-Wan nodded. "Of course. How may I help you?"

The High Council member glanced down at Anakin. "I was hoping we might speak privately."

"Anything you have to say can be said in front of my Padawan."

"And Obi-Wan's a Knight," Anakin added. "That Yoda-guy-"

"Master Yoda," Obi-Wan corrected quietly.

"That Master Yoda-guy said so himself. He's a Knight and you're just calling him a Padawan. That's my title now, right?"

The Quermian Jedi nodded, his small head and long neck looking more like a spindle with a finiel. "You are correct. I am used to addressing him as a Padawan, forgive the misnomer."

Anakin nodded.

"Now," Yarael said, waving his hand in front of the child. "You will let me speak with Padawan Kenobi privately."

Padme frowned horribly.

Anakin shook his head stubbornly. "No I won't. Obi-Wan said anything you had to say you could say in front of me and stop calling him Padawan! He's a Knight!"

Yarael smiled and waved his hand again. "You will let me speak with him privately."

Obi-Wan pulled Anakin behind him even as the boy continued to protest.

"I dislike that you are trying to send Anakin away, and I suggest that you please stop or you'll not have me to converse with," Obi-Wan said in low, calm, but very firm tones; it was an ultimatum thoughtfully and carefully given, and Padme was reminded that Jedi often participated in negotiations, and it appeared that the young Jedi had some skill.

"So it is true, then," Yarael said, his eyes looking down at Obi-Wan. "You are leaving the Order for this boy."

"I'm not a boy I'm a Padawan!"

"And a Padawan's place at this moment is to be quiet and to observe," Obi-Wan said softly, his eyes not leaving Yarael's, so high above his full height. To the tall Jedi he said, "I cannot in good conscience say that I am 'leaving' the Order. Rather, I prefer to believe that I am carrying out its directive merely in an unorthodox fashion."

Yarael's small head swung back and forth in negation slightly, his face etched in disappointment. Padme had expected this, on some level; she knew that Obi-Wan was sacrificing a great deal for Ani and that the other Jedi would disapprove. She turned slightly, trying not to be obvious as she eavesdropped for a second time - and this time without Ani to provoke her. She threw a glance at Boss Nass and saw that he too was listening with some interest, but other things were quickly taking his short attention and it was not long before he wandered off.

Yarael spoke again. "Padawan Kenobi, the Council has been anticipating your knighthood for some time. Your talent to cast aside negative emotions even in the most dire of circumstances is remarkable and you have exceptional skills in so many areas; you have also - in spite of Qui-Gon - been a strict adherent to the Code. You have the potential to be the greatest of Knights, to even be a member of the High Council. You can serve the Force with the Jedi as you cannot if you willingly throw it all aside to train this boy. You yourself saw your own potential when you fought to even become a Padawan. I cannot understand why you are renouncing that which defines you."

"And that is why you cannot understand," Obi-Wan said in soft tones. "Master Poof, you seem to think I have somehow changed. I have not. My belief in the Code has not dimmed or faltered; in point of fact I have not held it in higher regard. One of the functions of a Jedi is to pass on what he or she has learned; to train the future generations with the wisdom gained from experience. That is what I am doing. Consider, Master Poof, all the Initiates currently in the Temple. Partially trained by Yoda, they know the basic techniques of the Force. Can any of them, any of them, resist one of your compulsions the way young Anakin has just done? And he without training?"

"Wait, wait," Ani said, piping up. "Does that mean I did something impressive?"

Obi-Wan at last ripped his gaze away from the tall Jedi Master and looked down to Ani. "Your talent was never in question," he said softly, his voice perhaps still neutral because of the conversation he was having with Yarael. Padme saw Ani swell in pride out of the corner of her eye and smiled slightly herself. He was such a cute boy.

Turning back to Yarael, Obi-Wan said, simply, "How can he not be trained? All of us can see his potential; all of us can also see the uncertainty of his future. In light of that, perhaps the question instead is why we are not training him, guiding and molding and helping him turn away from that very uncertainty?"

"I will not play a war of words with you, Padawan Kenobi," Yarael said, his small head lifting so that he looked even further down to Obi-Wan. "Qui-Gon often battled over semantics when he did something he knew the Council would not be happy with. It only caused headaches for all involved, and it is a shame that you, like your Master, lower yourself to such tactics."

Padme spun around, furious. She couldn't believe that a Jedi was insulting Qui-Gon! At Qui-Gon's funeral! She would never have thought, never, that a Jedi could be so cold! Obi-Wan's face had gone utterly white, and Anakin was already protesting, his voice rising and drawing attention of other mourners. Padme marched directly in front of Obi-Wan, placing herself in front of the two grieving parties and ready to start a "war of semantics" all her own.

She didn't have to, however. Nass, whom Padme had thought had wandered off, was suddenly giving a great laugh and placing a massive hand on Yarael's thin shoulders.

"So!" he said expansively. "Yousa Jedi? Me no believin' it til me seein' it. Jedi, deysa all frail like you? You lookin' like mesa break you in two with one hand. Now, Hisen, deysa look frail, but deysa got spirit! Gungan spirit! Come, show me what yousa got."

Padme moved very quickly, ushering Obi-Wan and Anakin away before the Jedi could perform some kind of mind trick on Nass and seek them out again. The circular atrium was small, and many other Jedi filled the space as ministers of the Funeral Temple prepared Qui-Gon's body for cremation. The stone pedestal already held the Jedi's body, his face serene in sleep, his hand clasped together over his abdomen, hiding the mortal wound that he had suffered. More wood was added to the pile, evergreen firs that filled the atrium with a sweet scent that the Naboo believed lead the people back to the planet from whence they came. Senator - no, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine joined the three, his eyes questioning what had happened.

Ani looked up to Padme, still upset. "It's my fault isn't it?" he asked, pleading. "It was 'cause of me that everyone's fighting-"

"No," Padme and Obi-Wan said at the exact same time. Padme followed up, "He wasn't there, he doesn't know what happened, so he has no right to make that kind of judgment on Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, or you."

Obi-Wan, too, added his own supplication. "My Master was strongly aligned with the Living Force, his mind was always filled with the here and now. And because he followed what he felt, he often fell into conflict with the Council."

"What's happened?" Palpatine asked.

"Nothing," Obi-Wan said quickly, his face closed off. "There was a simple disagreement. It is a private matter and hardly worthy of your concern, Chancellor."

Palpatine frowned, his face worried, and he glanced to Padme who shook her head. She would not break Obi-Wan's trust. Nass rejoined them, smiling broadly at his accomplishment, Jar Jar at his side. Together, the six of them stood closest to the pyre. Nass positioned himself next to Obi-Wan and Anakin, looking pointedly at the Jedi and openly broadcasting that he was guarding the two. Padme took Obi-Wan's other side, wishing to do the same. The ministers left discretely and as one all the Jedi lifted their hoods.

A Jedi funeral had no words. There was no need of them because all thoughts and feelings were sent to the Force, the place where the deceased now resided, and the direct communication made words unnecessary. Naboo, Padme, however, always believed that words were very important. Obi-Wan held the torch, but her hand shot out quickly, pausing his. He looked at her in askance, but she stepped forward, looking at the fallen Jedi.

"You saved my planet," she said to the respected Qui-Gon Jinn. "You saved my people. You saved me. I owe you more than I can offer to repay; but I will do everything in my power to honor you." She turned to Obi-Wan, looking him in the eye. "Everything in my power," she repeated.

Stepping back, Nass picked up on her precedent and stepped forward. "Mesa didn't know you well, but yousa Gungan in spirit. Mesa proud to have met you."

Chancellor Palpatine stepped forward, "Whatever others thought of you," he said, eyeing the Jedi in a quick glance, "Know that all of Naboo is grateful to you. I will fight to see the Trade Federation brought to justice for your murder." He stepped back.

Anakin stepped forward next. "Mister Qui-Gon," he said softly, a little unsure of himself. "I'll work really hard to be what you wanted me to be."

At last, Obi-Wan stepped forward, torch in his hand, hood hiding his face. His back was unnaturally straight, and he stood over Qui-Gon for a long, long time.

"... Master... I..."

Padme's heart broke, and her eyes suddenly filled with tears. She blinked rapidly.

The moment hung in the air, Obi-Wan seemingly unable to break free of it, until little Ani stepped forward again. He looked up to his knew master and put a hand on the torch. Padme could see Obi-Wan's head tilt to look at the boy and, together, they lit the pyre and stepped back. Below them, in the other chambers, other pyres were lit, as were the public pyres in the squares of Theed. The sun set, casting the sky in blues and lavenders; one of the moons rose up in the sky; the sound of the fire and the falls of the Solleu river melded in sad chorus; and the scent of the fir needles filled the air. Padme watched the fire, determined to give Obi-Wan and Ani at least that much privacy as her mind started to work out what else she could do to help her two new refugees.

It was full dark when the ceremony ended. Insects were chirping and buzzing in the cool night air, offering their own songs about life and its cycle. The Naboo council left first, Nass and Jar Jar soon after. The Jedi, too, left after bowing one by one to the cooling embers. Padme still stayed, waiting for her two charges. Palpatine, too, lingered, pulling her aside as Obi-Wan and Anakin still communed with the pyre.

"I seem to have missed some event I was unaware of," he said. "Why are they not leaving with the Jedi? I heard the boy was to be trained. He saved Naboo, did he not? I was looking forward to watching his progress, offer him an ear now that I have permanent residence on Coruscant."

Padme hesitated; it was a private matter and she did not wish to speak of it without permission, but Palpatine was one of her teachers and always offered excellent council. "They will be staying on Naboo for a time," she said slowly, hoping that would be enough.

Palpatine's eyes narrowed, she could see the thoughts spinning back and forth in his mind. "I see," he said slowly, his eyes flicking to the two. "And that young Jedi? He will be training the boy?"

"Yes."

"I see," he said, rubbing his chin. "I see. Most unfortunate. I have never thought... but there is little I can do about it I suppose." He shook his head slightly, a sad grin on his face as he took Padme's hands in his. "I'm leaving with the Jedi to Coruscant. Now that the turmoil has passed and the mourning can begin, it would appear I have many responsibilities to uphold. I will, however, be visiting between sessions. Those two have my heartfelt admiration, and if there's anything I can do, make sure they know it."

Padme nodded. "I will. Thank you."

And that left the three of them.

Anakin was tired and fighting it bravely, but he leaned much too heavily on Obi-Wan's leg. The Jedi - former Jedi, Padme corrected, was still staring at the embers and ash. Padme put a gentle hand on his arm. He blinked, slightly startled, and turned to look at her. She smiled gently in the dim light.

"... 'm cold," Ani mumbled, pressing his face into Obi-Wan's hip. The former Jedi froze slightly, Padme saw uncertainty flood his face until he schooled himself; he shrugged off his cloak and wrapped it around the boy's shoulders. Anakin snuggled into it before wrapping his arms around Obi-Wan's neck, intent of being carried. Obi-Wan froze again, but complied and picked the boy up.

"You don't need to look so scared all the time," Padme said softly. "You're good with children."

Obi-Wan said nothing at first; he always preferred to think on his reply before offering it. "I've never been with children before, not really. I... don't know what to do."

"You're doing fine," Padme assured. "No parent knows what to do when they first have children. My parents never knew what to do with me and I'm not the oldest." She hesitated, but thought he needed to hear it and added: "I'm sure even Qui-Gon was lost on what to do with his first Padawan, or even you."

Obi-Wan's carefully blank face started to slip but he was able to hold onto it. "The relationship between Master and Padawan... it is not that of a parent and child. That is attachment."

Though Padme was the first to admit that she did not know much of Jedi teachings and traditions, she did feel that this needed to be said. "Did Qui-Gon teach you? Mold and shape you? Did he look after you when you were sick or injured? Did he put his hand on your forehead when you had a fever? Did he make sure you learned from your mistakes? Did he counsel you on what a right or wrong decision was? Did he let you grow?

"These are the things a parent does, and though I know little of how Jedi are raised I watched the two of you enough to know that he was as much as your parent as you will be to Anakin."

"Your Majesty, please," he said softly, turning away. Padme had risked the push, and now she had pushed too far.

"I'm sorry," she said sincerely. "I don't mean to hurt you further, I know that this is a difficult time for you."

They walked the dark path in silence, insects still singing their songs with the omnipresent sound of the falls. Padme once more was cycling through the things she could do for them, trying to see what more she could offer. When they exited to the Main Boulevard, the wide expanse still filled with other pyres, other souls rejoining Naboo soil in mass exodus, Obi-Wan suddenly came to an abrupt halt. Padme paused, looking over to him, trying to discern the reason for his halt. "So many people..." he whispered.

"Obi-Wan?" she asked.

He turned to her. "Your Majesty," he said in complete formality. "You have gone out of your way to show me hospitality in the last two days in spite of all the things you no doubt have to do. It would be rude of me to ask more of you. I... we... I will find employment tomorrow. And lodgings. We will not trouble you further."

Padme blinked, not completely certain she was hearing correctly.

"Please, Knight Kenobi, I am at your disposal," she replied, mimicking his formality. "Were it not for you and young Anakin, my people would still be suffering. My people are with me in wishing to do what we can to repay you for all you've done for us."

"A Jedi does not do things to see recompense," Obi-Wan replied quietly, his eyes still scanning the number of pyres. "We do things because they are the right thing to do. It was the right thing to do for my master and I to face that Sith creature. It was the right thing to do for you to seek out and outwit Nute Gunray. It is the right thing to do for me to train Anakin." Padme wasn't sure, but she thought she saw Obi-Wan squeeze little Ani closer for a brief moment. "We do because no one else can. There is no need for prizes or payment."

Padme gave a sad smile. "Such selflessness. Then do not consider this compensation for work so desperately needed. Consider this a gift from a grateful people."

Obi-Wan shook his head again. "A Jedi is self-sufficient. Left alone anywhere in the galaxy, a Jedi can continue to do what one must. I now find myself in such a position. I will find work and lodgings tomorrow, if you will look after Anakin for me."

"But you are not alone," Padme replied, every inch of royalty in her voice. "You are not isolated on an empty world left to fend for yourself. You may not have your Order behind you, but you have not been left alone. Merely, instead of going to your Order for aide and assistance, you may now come to me and the people of Naboo."

"Your offer is greatly appreciated," he bowed to her. "But Anakin and I must find our own way."

He slowly descended the stairs, Anakin still asleep in his arms.

Padme watched the lone man navigate the pyres still smoldering, seemingly a single shadow under the moonlight. "Do not isolate yourself as some punishment you feel you need for your master's death," she said. "We all need help. It is not a weakness to ask for it, but a strength."

Obi-Wan paused, his head tilted back slightly. But after a moment he kept on walking alone.

Author's Notes: Er, wow, over thirty reviews for the first chapter! So many people have expressed such high expectations... We have no idea if this is going to live up to them or not (most likely not...?).

This fic is done and written, a hundred seventy-something pages, eighteen parts (including epilogue), and all we can say is thank GAWD it's over. The idea of this fic has been in our heads almost as long as Simple Steps was, but alas this fic suffered - perennially - from a lack on inspiration and drive. We were constantly dragging our feet writing it, one scene could sometimes take over a week to write and instead of being excited at getting the keyboard we would moan with dread that it was so-and-so's turn to write. There is a consistent lack of quality in this fic, especially in later chapters, especially compared to Simple Steps.

It hurt so much writing it that we actually cut this fic short. In the original design, there was an Obi-Wan half and an Anakin half. After spending six months (! That's inexcusable!) struggling to deal with Obi-Wan's mourning and moping, the second half was supposed to be Anakin in his teen years as he discovers girls, gets bitter over the Jedi, and rebels against the galaxy at large. We saw that and started to feel physically ill, and so this fic stops a little over a year after it starts, covering how Obi-Wan tries to adjust to life outside the Order.

In this, at least, we had some fun. Not being particularly rich ourselves, we were able to nod to certain worries and concerns and fights over money that I don't think are EVER written about anywhere. Problems aside it was fun writing about, er, some of the things that will happen.

In the end, we leave it up to you all, the readers, to decide if this fic is good or not. We drop this second chapter in the break we're taking from Small Steps and let us know what you think.

Poor Obi-Wan... he'll need much hugging over the course of this fic. Padme will show up intermittently throughout the course of the plot, and Anakin, well; he'll be Anakin. Oh the trouble he gets into...

We tried hard to make sure the Jedi aren't coming across as cruel or mean. It's different points of view and not understanding what Obi-Wan has chosen to do. We doubt that a Jedi could ever be cruel to someone in mourning (or anyone in general) and we can only hope that, despite the strong protective drive we all have for Obi and Ani, the Jedi only appear as those who don't understand what Obi-Wan is doing because it's unlike what they normally do.

These first few chapters are also hard for writing Obi-Wan because he's knee-deep in angst right now and we aren't fond of the overpowering nature of the angst he's going through, particularly in the next chapter.

Speaking of.

Next chapter: Job hunting.