Thanks to the healers at the temple Obi-Wan was free of infection in a matter of minutes but the burn would have to take time to heal. After just a few hours he was free to leave, albeit with his arm in a sling but no worse for wear. It wasn't hard to find Three - she was seeing a healer about her hand. Her crystal had been completely destroyed in her attempt to save him. She was chastised for taking such a risk. She was untrained and could've seriously hurt all of them by tapping into the life force and not being able to control what came out. Obi-Wan thought the speech she got wasn't called for. She did what was asked from her master to save his life. But now she was without a saber, not that she could hold it in her injured hand.

Three was right - there were a different set of rules for women. While Obi-Wan got pats on the back for being injured in the line of duty she got reprimanded and lectured for her actions. He'd have to find some way to thank her. She helped him, that's all that mattered to him. He would've lost his arm, probably died if not for her 'brash and dangerous disregard for proper protocol' as the masters on the council put it. Master Windu stood up for her - saying she had excellent potential for a proper healer. She bravely came to his rescue. Through their meditation she learned a valuable lesson about the Jedi code. She sacrificed her rare crystal without hesitation. Courage, knowledge and selflessness - she was a model Knight and was therefore promoted on the spot by Master Windu. She still had to complete her trials but it was official.

Obi-Wan was eager to see her. She'd be dressed different, her hair would be different - her braid would be gone. Their connection even felt different. Good, stronger. It made him feel better especially when he saw her. Her top ponytail undone - short dark curls falling over her forehead now. Her clothes were darker but her arms weren't covered. Her tunic was much longer with high slits on both sides - she had dark tights on underneath. She looked so grown up even though she was still seventeen.

"Obi-Wan." She smiled at him and it was suddenly so bright in the hall. They hugged like they hadn't seen each other in years - it had been less than 48 hours. She was careful of his sling and once they pulled away he took her bandaged hand. "I'm fine."

"But your saber—

"Can be replaced." Three interrupted. "Once I'm back on active duty Master Windu will take me back to Ilum for new crystal."

"They took you off of active duty?" Obi-Wan asked.

"By how surprised you are I'm guessing you're leaving on another mission in half an hour." She said and crossed her arms. She just shrugged it off. "That's fine. My suspension will give me more time to think about my future here."

"Oh? Are you thinking of going into the Consular division?" He asked hopefully. He wasn't stupid - he could feel her disappointment. He knew what she meant he just didn't want to say it and make it real.

"No, I'm wondering whether I should stay or not. My final trials are in a few weeks…" She trailed off and sighed.

"Don't decide anything just yet - can we talk more when I get back?" Obi-Wan asked. Three noticed Qui-Gon approaching them - undoubtedly coming to collect Obi-Wan for their mission.

"Sure. I'll be here." She assured him and forced a smile. He wanted so badly to kiss her, to tell her if she stayed they could be together but he couldn't. Truthfully he didn't want to have the responsibility of being her reason for staying. For half a second he wondered if Van was right - maybe she wasn't strong enough for the order. Qui-Gon always told him 'life wasn't fair or unfair - it just was'. If she felt as though she'd be better off dropping out then she had to do what was best for herself.

"Okay… Bye…" He said as he turned to meet Qui-Gon. It felt very awkward - like he had more to say but didn't have the courage to. She just waved at the two as they left.

'Face what you fear.'

Master Windu's last statement echoed in Three's head as she walked through the empty temple. It felt like she had gone through every wing of the building but she still hadn't found anything. It was how she knew she was still in deprivation - the temple was empty, still and quiet. There was even a lack of the Force which she knew was impossible - the Force was everywhere. It was especially vibrant within the temple with some many Jedi walking the halls. But this temple was dead, baron save for the few beams of sunlight that shined into the grey environment. Three kept walking, searching. She knew this was actually her fear. No nemesis but her own loneliness - reminding her that no one was in her corner.

'I'm here.' She turned when she heard Obi-Wan's voice. She went into a nearby door and saw a vision of Obi-Wan. The room changed - no longer the temple but a quaint private residence. As Three looked around she realized the room was a nursery. Obi-Wan turned to her and smiled. Her eyes immediately went to the infant in his arms. Sleeping soundly against his chest. Tan skin with a few auburn curls on it's head. 'There's mommy - where have you been?'

"I—" Three almost answered the hallucination but instead she took a step back. Obi-Wan looked worried for a moment.

"What's wrong, love?"

"This isn't…" She took another step back until she could reach the door. She went back through and slammed it shut. She had to stand there for a moment and breathe. She put the image out of her mind - that was what she desired, to be with Obi-Wan, to be able to have a life and a family but that wasn't her future. She couldn't think of anything worse than being pregnant. As soon as she thought that it seemed her belly ballooned out and she was suddenly standing in front of the Jedi council. Mace was there - avoiding her gaze. He looked so disappointed, so ashamed - taking her failures on his shoulders.

"Potential you had, squandered it you have." Yoda said.

"This… wait."

"Who is the father?!" Another council member demanded to know. She looked at Obi-Wan who was suddenly there in a seat of his own on the council. "Unacceptable!"

"You are both stripped of your rank and exiled from the order!"

Three closed her eyes tight and willed the vision away. They wouldn't do that. Her master wouldn't allow it. She did have a small fear of ruining Obi-Wan's tenure. The one good thing about the vision was that he had a seat on the council. She believed he was wise enough to be there. She opened her eyes to find she was back in the main temple - alone again. What disturbed her a little was that in her visions Obi-Wan looked older - his hair had been longer and he had the makings of a beard growing along his chin. The thought of him on the council, as a father - those roles suited him. It was the fact that he was involved with her that caused problems.

"You should leave." Three turned around and saw herself. Once again her mind made her appear older. "These are your fears. The only thing keeping them from becoming a reality is leaving." Another version of herself appeared next the one speaking. This one was older as well but she was wearing lighter clothing and she had an infant swaddled in her arms.

"Your heart knows that isn't true. You can show them. Show them all just how strong you are. You can have Obi-Wan. You can have his child. You can have your rank - you can be great. But you mustn't doubt yourself." She said as she smiled.

"You'll end up alone. Raising your bastards on your own - Obi-Wan will not leave the order for you. He'll disown them, cast you out and cleanse himself of your black curse."

"You know Obi-Wan would never do that. He loves you. Mace loves you - he'd be there for you if no one else would."

"You can only count on yourself. The order couldn't even be bothered to name you. You are just another in a long line of irrelevant females. You'll never be their equal. See how the council favors the boys. Obi-Wan was commended while you are condemned. Leave this empty place and seek more. You're worth more - you deserve more."

"You deserve happiness. You must find it." The vision of herself holding the child reminded her of the things Sana said to her. The darker dressed version was all of her fear - all her hatred and resentment for how she perceived her treatment in the order. If she held on to those feelings it would lead to the dark side and then she'd truly be alone. If she became a Sith then her master would shoulder the shame - branded forever for not being able to teach her the right way. She wouldn't let that happen. Her master didn't deserve it, he did the best he could and he taught her so much.

"I don't need you." She banished her darker thoughts and the vision faded. She looked at her lighter self. "I'm not sure if I want everything you represent."

"That's fine." The vision looked down at her bundled child. "There are many paths to happiness." She then faded as well.

Three felt life return to the temple. She could hear the murmur of distant voices, the hum of the city outside the walls. The lives of all the people going about their day. Their pleasures, their pains and the life force which they were all connected to. Three gasped as she opened her eyes. The deprivation room was still dark and silent save for the gentle lapping of the shallow water she lay in. She sat up, reveling in the feel of the water as it cascaded down her neck and over her shoulders. After several minutes she got up and sought out the door. She exited the room and found Mace waiting for her in the hall. He offered her a small smile and a towel. Confident that he knew what the look on her face meant. She was eager to find her way - she had let go of the stigma she had felt since she was a child.

"Are you hungry?" He asked. She put her hand over her stomach - she felt it rumble and nodded.

"Yeah, how long was I in there?" She asked.

"About nine hours." He said like that was normal. Truthfully the trials varied from Jedi to Jedi. Some completed theirs in less than a minute - others took days. The longest on record was a week. "Wanna go to Dexter's?" Again she nodded and he guided her forward when it looked like she was still in awe of her epiphany.

Sana could barely contain her excitement when Three came into the shop alone. Sure she would miss seeing Mace so much but the sight of Three unescorted meant something big had happened. Her braid was gone. Her hair was free and she looked so happy. "Oh my goodness… you're a Knight!" Sana exclaimed as she hugged Three.

"As of last week." Three said. Sana pulled back and played with her hair.

"I like it this way. So curly and cute." She said. "So you're on your own now?"

"Sporadically." Three explained. "I'm a Knight but I still have to choose a division and pass certification. Master Windu might still take me along on his missions. But for the most part I am 'the master of my own actions'." Sana thought that last part might have been something out of the Jedi handbook.

"You're are glowing." She smiled for a moment before she gave Three a long look. "But there's something else too." Three lifted her brows - sometimes she suspected Sana was force sensitive. That wasn't the first time the older woman had been able to sense her feelings. Nevertheless Three felt a little nervous - this was her first session without her master, they could talk about anything. She could finally talk to someone about Obi-Wan. "It's that boy isn't it? The pale one - what's-his-name - Opee."

"Obi-Wan." Three corrected her. "Yes, we started… a um relationship." She jumped when Sana let out a loud squeal. She grabbed Three and led her into the back.

"Tell me absolutely everything about him." She said gleefully. "Do you have a picture?"

"Oh yeah." Three said as she reached inside her robe. She pulled out holo-device and pressed the button. When she found a recording of Obi-Wan she handed it to Sana and she watched as Obi-Wan levitated a book.

"He's handsome… my goodness look at that smile." Sana said. "What's that on his forehead?"

"A mole." Three answered. "He's got this beauty mark right under his right eye."

"How does he treat you?" Sana asked.

"Like he's amused by the way I behave - but he's not condescending like the other males. He listens when I talk. He likes the way I kiss - he thinks it's cute—"

"Whoa! Back up - you've kissed him?"

"Yes."

"In real life - not in a dream or through the force or whatever?"

"Yes."

"On the lips?"

"Yes." Three answered. Sana could tell by her tone she was getting frustrated. "He wanted to touch me - I kind of freaked out."

"That's normal." Sana said and clapped her hands together. "I've got so much to tell you now. So much you're going to learn about your body and his body." She searched through a nearby trunk and pulled out a few hollo-drives. "Be sure to lock your door - some of these are pretty graphic."

"Jedi dwellings don't have locks." Sana looked at her like that was the worst thing she had ever heard.

"Well then in that case I guess just be careful." Sana noticed the frown on her face and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"This feels weird. Like… why don't the masters teach us about this sort of thing? Normal contact surely doesn't lead to the darkside. I mean when Obi-Wan stopped kissing me and we had to jump right into a fight I nearly lost my mind from the frustration."

"I guess they think you'll figure it out on your own. But for females it can be dangerous. People take advantage because we're the fairer sex. We suffer a lot more consequences from not knowing." Sana said. She looked at Three for a long moment before she pulled her into a tight hug. "You be careful out there on your own."

"I will. Don't worry." Three patted her back. Sana let her go and sighed.

"You're smart. That Obi-Wan does anything you don't like you punch him right in the balls." Three laughed at her suggestion. Hitting below the belt was against the rules of hand-to-hand combat but it was a rule that was only beneficial to boys.

"Y'know Sana I've been thinking - not all the girls in the temple have someone to confide in and teach them all the things you've taught me. The lessons about puberty and sex are seriously outdated and stacked against females. They just teach suppression, abstinence - keep the other girls ignorant of the dangers. I wish you could be on the council - you know a lot and you could be a great voice for Jedi women." Three said.

"Nah, I don't have the aptitude for that. You're an exceptional pupil - teaching you was easy. Plus I'm a little old to be going through the training, no?"

"I guess." Three said and chuckled.

"But, there's no reason you can't propose the idea of specialized lessons for girls to the council. A lot of them might go for it - be relieved at the thought they never have to answer a difficult feminine question."

"You really think I could?"

"Of course. If not you, then after you pass the knowledge will be lost and so will every future female that passes through that temple. Didn't you say the drop out rate was high for girls? It's because there's not really anyone they can look up to. You could be that beacon for them. You could make sure no girl is ever unsure of her place within the order."

"The idea is larger than life."

"You can do it. Just read those files, type up a lesson plan, outline what you want to do. How can they say no? You want to help - isn't that the very basis of the order."

"Something like that." Three smiled.

Obi-Wan wasn't eager to return to the temple and Qui-Gon sensed this. He asked repeatedly if there was anything else - anyone else - that needed their help. He assured his apprentice that there was nothing, they could finally have some down time but that seemed to distress him even more. Prolonged time at the temple meant he'd run into Three and he'd have to face everything they left up in the air the last time they spoke. Normally if he spent more than a week away from the temple he'd send her a message. It had been nearly three months and he hadn't sent anything. She was probably furious with him. "Is something troubling you?" Qui-Gon asked as they were coming in for a landing.

"Yes." He blurted out. The instant he did he regretted it. Now he'd have to explain to his master how he had broken the rules. And if he lied that would be another disgrace of the code.

"It's your girl, isn't it?"

"I— wha—Master you know it's against the code to have…" He trailed off as Qui-Gon stared at him. "Yes but please don't refer to her as 'my girl'. It's Three, you remember her right?"

"Hard to forget someone who you traveled with for nearly a year." Qui-Gon nodded.

"She's already a Knight - she's probably realized what a mistake it was to kiss me and moved on. I didn't message her the whole time I was away she probably thinks I don't care—" He tensed when Qui-Gon put his hand on his shoulder. He was either about to be scolded or comforted - he was so flustered he couldn't sense anything from his master.

"Calm down." He instructed. "First off you haven't broken that big of a rule so put it out of your head that you're doing something terribly wrong. Mutual fondness is perfectly acceptable." Obi-Wan sighed - he felt a little better but Qui-Gon was known for disobeying the code so he'd have to verify that later. "Second if she really does care for you she won't hold it against you that you were preoccupied. If she didn't send you a message it means she was probably busy as well and didn't notice." The thought lifted some of the weight from Obi-Wan's shoulders. But now he was curious as to what Three had been doing in his absence. "Either way it's easily fixed. Go find her. Take her Dexter's for some dinner. Get caught up."

"Thank you master." Obi-Wan said before they disembarked. When the walk way extended from the ship he was surprised to see Three standing there on the landing platform. Qui-Gon nudged him in the shoulder to shake him out of his surprised stupor. Obi-Wan smiled wide and trotted to her.

"You're here." He said in complete disbelief. It was almost like he was dreaming. She didn't look upset or put off. In fact it looked like she had run to the landing as fast as she could as she was still out of breath. She smiled.

"I heard you're missions went well - I wanted to be here…Welcome back." She panted a little.

'I missed you.' They both heard the thought that pinged through their connection and chuckled. She looked so grown up with her hair loose. It had grown out a little - more lush and curly. The way she looked at him - she didn't have an ounce of malice towards him. In fact she seemed a little nervous - maybe she was lamenting not sending him a message. Qui-Gon was right, it didn't matter.

"Wanna come with me to Dexter's?" He asked.

"Yeah." Obi-Wan offered his arm and she looped hers in it. They were about halfway to Dexter's when he stopped and leaned over. She turned her head just in time to catch his kiss on her lips. Explaining in one small gesture what a million words couldn't convey. Three seemed less troubled about her future within the order. She wanted to stay, she felt purpose, she wanted to help people. She wanted to be with Obi-Wan but he could tell that was just an added incentive and it eased some of the apprehension he had been feeling about them being together. He wasn't her sole reason for staying. For the first time since they kissed he felt like he could handle this kind of relationship.

They ate dinner and got caught up just as Qui-Gon suggested. They talked so long the restaurant was closing by the time they noticed how late it was. When they got back to the temple it was almost devoid of life. Obi-Wan told her about all the places he had gone and she told him about how much she learned in her Consular courses as they walked to the 'padawan-commons'. It was a specific section of the temple that had two bedroom dwellings for Jedi that had an apprentice. "Are you and Master Windu still this way?" he asked as he headed down the hall.

"No. Since my trials I'm no longer a padawan and he let me move out on my own. Well not my 'own-own' but y'know over in the single room dwellings in tower four. Has my name on the door and everything." she said.

"Not that I'm counting but your trials… um courage?"

"When we rushed headlong and fool heartedly into that city to save Master Windu and Jinn." She said. He knew the detrimental remarks weren't her own but the snide comments of whoever had reviewed her trials. Her master wouldn't have added those in.

"Skill?"

"When I healed you without any prior knowledge of the art. Also counted as my 'trial of the flesh'." Three said. She took off her glove to show him the burn mark her crystal had left on her palm. He took her hand and gently ran his thumb over the rough scar. He could almost hear Van's vulgar jokes about 'hand jobs'. Thankfully he had yet to run into the other man.

"Spirit."

"I went into deprivation and faced myself." She said. "It didn't count as insight even though I was able to thwart my doubt and resist my desires when they were offered to me. But I'm working on something with Sana to make them realize I see beyond my own world."

"Wow." Obi-Wan sighed. "Qui-Gon says I have courage, skill and insight. I'm going to be honest flesh and spirit terrify me."

"You've already passed flesh." Three said as she touched his bicep where he had gotten shot. Thanks to the healers there was barely a mark there.

"Not the pound of flesh they were looking for I'm afraid."

"It's almost like the masters on the council hope that we die before we pass."

"The life of a Jedi isn't an easy one. Look at everything we have to do for the galaxy. We must be tested to make sure we will not crumble under such great responsibility." Obi-Wan said. "But there are somethings the trials can't prepare us for." He glanced at her. "There are somethings that make it easier…" He knew one day he'd have to make a decision - Three or his duty to the order. He wasn't ready to think about that. Right now he just wanted to kiss her. Allow himself that sweet contact. Indulge just a little - in all honesty it wouldn't hurt anyone. Certainly not the integrity of the order. He touched one of her little curls - twirled it around his finger and smiled. They didn't even glance around before they kissed. Once again it did wonders to relieve Obi-Wan's stress. Especially when she pulled back and playfully rubbed their noses together. Another soft peck and she giggled quietly when he put his hand on the small of her back. There was something different about her. She was more confident in the way she kissed him. She didn't tense up or seem disgusted when he slipped his tongue between her lips. It sent an intense jolt through him when she sucked it. Her lips were plush and warm around it. Three let out another soft chuckle and Obi-Wan felt like he was missing the joke.

"Where'd you learn that?" He asked.

"You didn't like it?" Three answered his question with another question.

"I— no it was fine."

"Just fine. I felt your skin heat up." She said as she ran her finger along the collar of his robe. He bit his bottom lip for a second when he felt her nail scratch him gently.

"Three—" They both jumped apart when they heard someone coming down the hall. Obi-Wan bumped into the door behind him. It opened a moment later and Qui-Gon looked at the pair for a moment.

"Good evening, Master Jinn." Three greeted him without missing a beat.

"Almost 'good morning'." Qui-gon commented on the late hour.

"Forgive us master—"

"No apologies needed." Qui-Gon interrupted. "I'm lucky to have such a promising Knight escorting my young apprentice around."

"Young? We're the same age." Obi-Wan sighed.

"Just making sure he got here safely." Three joked. They shared a chuckle and once again Obi-Wan felt like he was missing the joke. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Sure."

"I've got Alchemy until noon but I'm free after that if you want to meet me… you know where to find me." Three said before she tapped her forehead. "Good night Master Jinn… Kenobi."

"Good night." Qui-Gon said cheerfully. As he watched her walk away he all at once felt embarrassment and panic radiating off of Obi-Wan. "Something wrong?"

"No. I'm going to meditate." He answered quickly and scuttled off to his room. Once alone Obi-Wan pressed his back to the door and gripped his crotch. He tried to calm down. There were too many emotions swirling in his head. The way Three kissed him, how they almost got caught, the knowing look on Qui-Gon's face and the fact that his master nearly noticed him staring at Three's backside as she walked away. Her hips were bigger and when he saw her rotund buttocks - her toned thighs - it was all he could think about and he couldn't stop his desire from oozing on to every bond he had. When he tried to pull it back in he was suddenly so hard it made his entire body ache.

Obi-Wan nearly broke his belt trying to get it off. He slid his hand into his pants - his other hand going over his own mouth as he knew he'd more than likely need to muffle the noises he made. He was so hot, so ready that he barely stroked himself five times before he was cumming. He doubled over, trying to will himself not to pass out from the abrupt orgasm. He could barely breathe - no sound came out his mouth when he exhaled. It felt so good - all tingly and numb at the same time. His muscles tensing and relaxing on their own. He couldn't move or think for a few long blissful moments. His wits came back gradually, he thought about how it felt when Three sucked his tongue and it made him shudder. He stood up straight and let his eyes drift shut.

As he stood there he started to wonder what Three's skin felt like. How she tasted. How soft and moist her- Obi-Wan cut himself off. He barely had enough energy to peel off his soiled clothes before collapsing on to his bed let alone rub himself off again. As his over sensitized skin touched the sheets he moaned - his body and mind not on the same page as he started to get hard again. It'd diminish once he got to sleep. He tried to roll over and cover himself but he had not an ounce of strength to do so. If his master came in his room he'd get a bird's eye view of his bare ass. He didn't care right now. As he drifted off he could swear he heard Three whisper his name.