Chapter Five

"Plan B"

It was on rare occasion the Council called him in to listen to a briefing, although they called him often. He was actually presently serving as a consultant to the Council, having turned down an appointment several years ago. As a consultant, he would sit in on meetings, which concerned team assignments, especially if they had been called to a system he was familiar with. He would also give his opinions on readings of the Living Force, the eminent uprising of the Sith, or the growing tension between the Jedi and the Senate.

He sat in the council chamber this afternoon, however, waiting with anticipation to hear from Obi-Wan and Anakin, who were calling in to report on the safety of Senator Amidala. His hopes were high and he was in good spirits: If only Mace Windu would quit glaring at him.

"Transmission received, Masters," the tech duty padawan announced before activating the overhead holoprojector. In the middle of the oval room, two forms took shape, their bodies comprised of points of blue light.

"Greetings to the Council," Obi-Wan announced before bowing reverently. Anakin imitated his Master from slightly behind Obi-Wan's right shoulder, just where his own padawan had once stood, Qui-Gon remembered fondly.

"Proceed with your briefing, Master Kenobi."

Exactly how he remembered Mace during these type of briefings: Precise and to the point.

"My apprentice and I have been guarding Senator Amidala at Varykino, her family's lake retreat on Naboo," Obi-Wan said loud and clear. "There have been no signs of danger to her or her family since our arrival, and no disturbance of the Force either. It is my opinion, therefore, that the threat to Senator Amidala's life on Coruscant was a false alarm. I respectfully request the Council give permission to abort the mission and return the Senator back to Coruscant."

During Obi-Wan's report, Qui-Gon tried to remain focused, but the severe looks he kept receiving from Master Windu were becoming a bit distracting.

"Permission granted, will be. Return the senator to her home, you shall," Master Yoda made the decision, once again as had taken place over many, many years in this room.

"Masters, if I may be granted an audience," Qui-Gon chose to speak before the transmission was complete. Every council member seemed to be surprised by his interruption, except for one, of course. "I need to speak with Padawan Skywalker regarding a personal matter," he finished, noting surprise also transforming Obi-Wan's face as well.

"Take your discussion into private chambers, you should," Master Yoda dismissed him with a wave of his claw, and Qui-Gon took the opportunity to exit the room to pick up the comm in the antechamber opposite the main entrance to the council chamber.

"Master Qui-Gon, you wished to speak with me?" Anakin's voice crackled through the miniature holoprojection.

"Is Obi-Wan out of hearing range?"

"He's gone to inform the senator we'll be leaving soon to return to Coruscant."

"Good, because I wanted to ask you how things were progressing."

Anakin didn't pretend not to know what he was talking about, which was a good thing, because personal communications on the Council's credit was generally frowned upon.

"Not good, Master Jinn. Not good at all!"

"What? What do you mean? Have they not been spending time together?"

"Yes and no," Anakin replied, scratching his head. "Master, honestly, I don't think they like each other!"

"That's not possible," Qui-Gon argued. He remembered seeing them together before his injury. They had shared several moments of awkard interactions, blushing furiously as they flirted with one another. He had seen the blossom of young love before, and the two of them were definitely in love. He knew it, even before his Padawan had told him!

"I'm sorry, but It is possible. They've been spending time together, I've made sure of it, but they rarely speak, and don't seem to enjoy each other's company very much."

Qui-Gon pondered for a moment while he gathered his thoughts. There had to be something he could do, and then it occurred to him.

Obi-Wan had been in love before, at the ripe age of 15. It had been with a padawan his own age. Her name was Siri Tachi. At the time, Obi-Wan had emphatically denied he had any feelings for the girl, that is, until another padawan, who happened to be Obi-Wan's biggest adversary, showed an interest in her. After that, Siri became the most beautiful and most intelligent girl he had ever met, and he loved her more than he had ever loved anyone before.

Bruck Chun's unexpected interest in her was all it had taken.

Qui-Gon knew exactly what needed to be done. He looked at Anakin carefully, as well as he could from 34,000 light years away, and decided he was fairly capable of handling such a task. He was young, in top physical shape, and fairly good-looking for an 18-year-old human male. Plus, he already knew the woman.

"I have an idea, which I believe will work," Qui-Gon explained, "if you'll agree to give it a try."