Chapter 9: A Dream Shared By Two

Padme's long braided chestnut hair brushed against the back of her knee as she walked the corridor with Qui-Gon. She looked down at her feet, bare against the cool grates. They were minuscule compared to the elder man's, encased as they were in his brown boots. His arm was anchored against her back, his hand splayed on her spine. It was warm and reassuring. Just as she felt all of the time that she was with him, reassured and protected. There was no reason why she should dread this. He would be with her, as he had promised her. But still she shivered with dread.

"I promise, Padme." He reassured as they took a corner, "No harm will come to you. You might feel the pain and anguish, but your physical body here will be protected and fine. I would never let harm come to you intentionally."

She nodded, leaning a little closer to him. As she hung her head, he sighed and stopped to raise her head to his again. "I will be there with you. I will feel the same pain that you do; you will share it with me." Meeting her eyes and nodding, he steered toward his cabin, beginning to pace again.

"Obi-Wan?" she asked, quietly.

"Will be there with us. Physically in the room, that is, Padme. He will assure that neither you nor I will thrash to break the bond." Qui-Gon nodded as they neared the door. "It is fairly simple, Padme. We will go into a mutual meditation, and then we will seek out your memory, your dream."

"Yes, teacher." She murmured.

"Listen." He drew her up just short of the door to look at her. "You are a very strong person, Padme, and this is not going to beat you."

"I know." She said, her jaw set. "I have been through this much already; there is no reason why I can't get through the rest." A small smile graced her features.

He nodded and opened the door to his cabin. Obi-Wan stood to face them, having reached the room earlier to begin to make it ready. The lights were soft to ensure ease of meditation, and two comfortable chairs were placed together. Obi-Wan himself was resting against the far wall awaiting their arrival with faintly controlled impatience.

Qui-Gon looked at the room and nodded approvingly. "Good, Padawan"

Obi-Wan moved toward them, a gleam in his eye. "Have you done this before, Master?"

"Once." He said quietly, "A long time ago, Obi-Wan. But it is something that all Jedi learn during their training. In fact, this will be an introduction for you both." He motioned toward the chair, and led Padme ahead of him.

Padme stopped in front of the chair and stared at its surface. The material seemed cold and impersonal. As she laid her hand upon it, she could feel its lack of friendliness and aloofness. Quietly, she turned her head to the side to look at Qui-Gon. In the dimmed lights of the room, Qui-Gon's features were slightly shadowed; his nose and chin were still sharp and prominent. His blue eyes were soft and kind, supportive. He had not worn his full Jedi garb; his simple tan tunic stretched over his brown pants. As she watched, he removed his brown boots so that his bare feet trod on the floor of the room. To Padme, he was a tall, broad man, willing to do whatever was needed to insure her peace of mind and sanity. Strong and silent, and very caring, he embodied refuge to her.

Qui-Gon made his way to the other chair that was provided and sank into its depths. He waited as Padme laid her hands against the chair again, but was surprised as she turned to stand in front of him instead of sitting in the chair. "Padme?" he asked, raising a hand to hold her arm. "What is it?"

She swallowed and hung her head under his gaze. When she raised her head, she whispered: "Can I sit with you?"

This was not the response to his question that he had expected. He was slightly taken aback by the utterance, but knew that she was not asking in vain. She truly needed his support to be that close. Standing before him as she was, he thought that she looked like a sprite, or an angel. "If that is what would help you the most, Padme, then yes."

She sighed and nodded; seeming almost saddened by the idea. She slowly lowered herself onto his larger frame, allowing him to put his arms around her waist. He smiled gently as the girl fit her head under his chin and nodded to Obi-Wan to move the other chair from the center of the room. As his Padawan moved the chair, he began to whisper lowly to Padme. "Close your eyes. Breathe deeply, think calm thoughts. Choose a word that will serve to alert Obi-Wan or me that we need to end the process. If you say the word, we will awaken and the dream cannot and will not hurt you."

Padme was quiet for a few moments, until she smiled and said, "Brace."

Qui-Gon nodded and continued. "Good. Now relax and let me into your thoughts. Match my breathing with yours.."

Padme could feel the coolness of the sheets behind her back, made even cooler by the breeze that swept across her from the open window. Lying on her back, she felt the same feeling of peace that she always did, lying on her bed as the summer night moved on. She could tell it was her bedroom that she shared with her sister, because of the rustling of the leaves outside the window and the movement of sheets across the room. As she lay there, feeling as though she were twelve again, she knew that she was not. Qui- Gon's quiet voice came lowly in her ear. "Yes, Padme. We have just entered into your memory. Everything will play out as it did, only you will be who you are now."

She leaned back in the bed to feel a hard chest against her shoulder. Sighing, she smiled. Qui-Gon answered it with a chuckle. "Yes, I know this is strange, Padme. And unfortunately, you will have no secrets from me here."

"But you are." Padme flipped over to stare at him. "Here."

Qui-Gon smiled gently, "Yes. Did you think I would let you go through this alone? You will experience this occurrence with me." After a little minute of silence, he asked. "Did you always feel this safe and loved when at home?"

"Yes." Came her simple answer, to which she added, "Except with you and Obi-Wan."

He nodded quietly and waited with her, until there was a slight commotion outside of the heavy wooden door that guarded the entrance to the bedchamber. Without saying anything to Qui-Gon, Padme rose and crossed the room to a chair, from where she pulled her lightsabre and her cover. Before she covered herself, she turned to her friend and motioned toward the door. "There is a disturbance in my father's study. I can hear the talk, and I can feel my father's."

The Jedi lay a hand on her arm and nodded. "Yes, I can feel your father's anger and fear, too. It is righteous anger, not hatred, Padme."

She relaxed visibly and pulled on her cover. Qui-Gon sighed lightly as the girl's form was caught under the light of the moon that filtered in the window. Her light cotton shift hid little of her blossoming curves. With her long hair unbound and falling in waves around her, and her small feet naked against the floor, he thought of how he had, just a lunar cycle ago, thought of her as his charge. The image of her held him entranced for a moment, and in that instant, he knew that she was no longer an innocent girl in his mind, but rather a lovely young woman. But through the vision of beauty he saw, the shadow of fear lurked, and he grimaced as he felt her mind shut off with the emotion.

Without talking, she turned and opened the door, careful of the squeaks, which he knew happened from years of experience. This way, Master, she thought and smiled as his hand encased hers. His voice was warm in her ears as he quietly reminded her, "Deep breaths, Padme; nothing will hurt you here."

The look of deep pain that she shot him and the quickness of her step towards the hidden room filled his soul with dread. She pulled him along the corridor, avoiding most of the areas where the floor was visible, keeping to where the warmth still resided. As she reached a small door, she reached down to pull it open, gesturing inside with her hand. The elder man watched as she scrambled through the door and onto a thin walkway above an open room. He followed along behind her, keeping below the height of the old wooden railing as she had done. As she came to a corner, lit by a soft Crudarian light, she stopped and gazed down in the room. Qui-Gon stopped also, turning his mind to the vision below, but keeping his hand on his student's leg to keep her grounded.

The setting that the Jedi was shown was that of an office, or work center that was most certainly Brace Amidala's. The gathered materials were of old Naboodian heritage: a small globe hologram showing the planet, a strange tapestry made of several hallucinogenic fabrics, collections of wildlife. On the far wall, there was a collection of the Jedi weapons that Brace had been trained in including his sabre and his cloak. Brace himself stood in front of the desk, leaning against it, with his arms crossed on his chest. He was as Qui-Gon remembered, compact, lithe and somewhat handsome.

Brace was having a heated argument with a man that stood in front of him that the Jedi, and, obviously Padme, recognized as Eisley Palpatine. A hologram of Bail Organa, ambassador from Alderaan was outlined on the table between the two men. Brace's voice rose to a fevered pitch as Palpatine argued with him.

"But surely, you see, your election to the councilship of Naboo was in error. The votes were counted wrong." Bail stated calmly.

Palpatine would have none of the peace making possibilities. "I have served this family and the planet well; if there was a problem with the voting methods."

"There is no problem, Palpatine." Brace resounded. "The people have chosen. If you are not the council then.I am sorry, but you have to forfeit the position."

Palpatine hung his head. Nodding his ascention, he moved to the far wall towards the door. "But, of course, King Amidala."

As the door shut behind him, Brace turned to the hologram. "Bail, I'll handle this. There might still be something that I can do. If Palpatine is still in office in one half of a standard lunar cycle, then he shall remain there. Please do not bring this to the Chancellor's."

"It is safe with me, old friend." Bail began to grow dimmer. "Let me know if I can be of any help."

The room dropped into silence as the hologram disappeared and Brace was left alone in the dim room. Qui-Gon moved next to Padme, placing his arm on her legs and facing her. "Padme." He whispered, when she turned to look at him, he sighed. Her eyes were wide with fear, and her breath was coming in heaves. The man reached out and enveloped his companion in a tight embrace. Padme gripped his tunic fiercely, shuddering and whimpering. Qui-Gon knew that the more severe part was coming. He laid his lips on Padme's cheek and murmured, "Remember the word to.."

His words were cut off as the door below burst open as Palpatine and another figure entered the room. The entry was so quick and forceful; the door left an indent on the wall behind it. The second figure as a smaller, less imposing figure than the senator, and covered in a black hood. As he pulled it back, Padme took a deep breath and released it in a rush. The being was humanoid, covered in red and black paint. Its eyes were red or pink; it was hard to tell in the light. Horns adorned its head. With a flash, the man had withdrawn a sabre with two blades and had them lit. The blades flashed blood red in the dimness of the room.

Qui-Gon felt his stomach knot. The pain and fear was coming from Padme, radiating off of her in waves. He wanted to draw her away, but knew that she needed the experience to help cleanse her soul. As she sat watching, the being stepped near Brace and swung the sabre. The King leapt into the air, and the sabre from the wall flew to his hand as he landed. "Palpatine!" he shouted.

The rest of the sentence was cut off as a fight ensued below. The clashes of the purple and the red swords were furious, sparks flying as both beings fought for the upper hand. Brace went to pass under the railing as the Senator's eyes dragged along the upper landing, finding Padme. Palpatine's hand wavered as he pointed. "You may not be willing to change for yourself, Brace."the man's voice was hard. "But maybe you will for your daughter."

Brace stopped, calling without looking. "Padme, run! Run now!" Before he could continue his swings, the opponent swung his sword, plunging it through the man's chest.

Time stopped.

Padme was in shock, her breathing erratic, and her pulse fast and weak. The Jedi gazed at her during this moment of time misplacement. The man knew that the version of events would now be his to interrupt, as it was obvious that the girl's shock would interfere with the vision. He prepared himself for the next situation.

Qui-Gon next found himself next to the girl as she stood in front of the men, holding her lit sabre in front of her. "Father!" she exclaimed.

There was no answer. Padme edged toward the fallen King, crying openly. "Father!"

Palpatine nodded toward her and motioned to his apprentice. "Restrain her."

The girl cried out, whipping the sabre from side to side, blindly making contact with anything that she could. Qui-Gon knew the swings: blinded, untimed, and crazed. Her shock was preventing her from completing the correct moves. He watched helplessly as the man approached Padme. He could do nothing here, but be with her. Quickly, the elder man knocked the sabre from her grasp and pinned the girl against the wall with his own sabre. "Kill her?" it asked its master.

Qui-Gon took a deep breath and moved next to the girl. She was no longer looking for him, recognizing him. She was completely submerged in the dream. Still, he edged behind her, in a crevice, laying his hands on her waist. It seemed as though nothing happened, but after a minute, it became obvious that she was less frantic.

"No." answered Palpatine. "I have a better idea."

The removal of the small gas pack was quick and hard to catch. But once its contents were sprayed in the girl's face, she rapidly fell unconscious. Qui-Gon felt a loss of direction and of logic as the world went black.

Suddenly, the location changed in the dream. It was a small office, more like a utility outpost in the castle. Regardless, the surroundings were cold. He looked at Padme, lying in his arms on a small cot in the corner of the room. She awoke quickly and tried to rise, but he reached over to lay a hand on her arm. She took a deep breath and turned, full of anger, until she saw him. "Qui-Gon?"

"Yes." He whispered, laying his hand on her cheek.

"My father."

"I know, Padme, I know." He leaned closer to her; tears were falling from his face and hers. "But he died honorably. You know that."

She nodded, holding his wrist. He could still feel pain and unbelievable horror coming from her mind. But he could not guess as to what it was, because, the girl had no idea. Before he could say anything else, the door slid open on the small room and the red and black humanoid entered. Behind him drifted in an interrogator droid.

Padme's heart stopped, as did Qui-Gon's. "They would not dare." He whispered.

It was at this point that the dream took on a splintered reality as the memories of Padme's mind began to replay in bits and pieces. Qui-Gon would see the searing of tender flesh, and hear the mental and verbal screams of pain. He could see the electrical charge, feel the devastating effects on the heart and mind. As the pain was applied, quickly and in great amounts, the being would repeatedly say a short concise story, obviously trying to replace the memory of her father's death and the conversation before hand in the girl's head. The pain grew and grew until..

"It's okay, Padme." He could hear himself talking to her physically. Slowing, the dazzling images of pain dwindled until he found himself returned to his cabin on the Republic 7. The room lights were still dim. His Padawan was squatting on the floor in front of the chair, holding one of each of their arms. "Padme."

The girl was in a fetal position on his chest, crying violently. As his full senses came around, he bent near her to pull her face up to his. "Padme. Listen. You are all right. Nothing has happened; it was a memory." As she continued to shake, he pulled her tightly against him. "I know, little one, I know. No one could stand that pain easily. That you did not die is incredible."

Her tears fell on his neck as he cradled her to his chest. Obi-Wan grimaced over her to his Master. The elder man shook his head, indicating that now was not the time to discuss the dream. He motioned to the younger man to leave the room with an order. "Remove that practice droid to the utilities portion of ship and do not call it again, is that understood?" The Jedi had recognized the similarity between the practice droid and the interrogator droid from the dream.

The younger man nearly ran from the room, gathering that it was the source of the current problem and the door slid shut behind him. The sniffles and cries from the girl were slowing, and Qui-Gon eased on his embrace. He continued to stroke her head, talking quietly. "I was at your father's funeral with Mace. We were all told that it was a piloting accident. The body was found burned in the wreckage of his personal fighter. Obviously, they burned it to keep the sabre duel a secret." When the girl did not talk, but her breaths became more regular, he continued. "You, as I remember, were not at the funeral. Senator Palpatine talked for you saying that you and your sister were so sick with grief that you were unable to attend. No one saw you for a lunar cycle. The scars and burns must have needed time to heal."

Padme nodded, whispering, "Sade was ready for the coronation ceremony a good half a lunar ahead of me, but I kept thinking that something was wrong. That the information that we were receiving was not the truth. They sent me to Palpatine to get the information and I disappeared for another cycle. Within a week, I accepted my father's death and took the throne with my sister." She turned her face to the Jedi. "He was murdered by Palpatine. And Palpatine."

"Does not have the right to be holding the councilship." The Jedi continued for the girl.

"Bail Organa would be able to account for that conversation." Padme sat up straight on his lap, her feet dangling off the floor. "We can contact."

"He is on board." The Jedi stated his voice low and warm. "He has been on board for a hour."

Padme leaned forward to rise, speaking as she did so. "I must speak with him. I must ask him to." as the girl reached her feet, her body revolted, folding in on itself. Her legs crumpled, sending her towards the floor. Qui-Gon caught her, easing her back up into his arms as he stood. Gently he carried her over to his bed, laying her on its covers. She shook her head with a sigh of impatience and motioned towards the door. "I must."

"You need rest, little one." He answered, kissing her nose.

"But."

"If you promise to remain in the bed, I will get the ambassador and bring him here." The Jedi conceded, knowing that the girl would move if he did not make the effort. "We will deal with this, but your mind thinks that you have just been tortured and your emotional state is raw. Your body is tired from the day of practice. Give yourself a kiloparsec and you will be physically fine, although I would give it quite sometime before you accept fully the situations.."

Padme gripped his hand, sighing. "My father was murdered. I was tortured. My people and my family have been betrayed. I have accepted the situations, teacher." She met his eyes and sighed. "I feel that I will weep at night until the pain eases, but thank you. Thank you for the knowledge, Qui-Gon."

He nodded, bending to kiss the girl again on the cheek. "Stay here." He admonished. Rising he left the room to discuss the actions of a traitor with an ambassador and an unseated Queen.

Chapter 10: Clouds on the Horizon

And so it was that a Galactic Republic was formed. Before time, and for all time; for thousands of generations a Senate has existed. Created in equality and for the representation of all systems, the governing body exerts its power through equal vote and as the final word on all interplanetary interactions. The position of Supreme Chancellor was created to serve as a leader, a mediator, and the embodiment of parliamentary procedure, but also as a mediary between the Senate and the enforcement arm of the government: The Jedi Knights. The Knights were formed thousands of seasons before the Republic as a philosophical and educational sect, striving to learn and master the Force. They now stand as the force of righteousness in the galaxy. Success has been achieved in the government's ability to check and balance amongst itself.

- Excerpt from Galactic Government: A History.

The new dawn broke on Corsucant. The aging sun rose on the glimmering planet, reflecting well off of the large and powerful buildings outlining the horizon. As the rays swept across the surface, they alighted on the Jedi Temple, a tall, strange looking building. It's dark and imposing structure reflected the severity and control that the students within were taught to emulate. It held a peaceful visage, though, on the outside. Inside, however, was another story.

The halls of the great building were scarred, burned. Several portals looked as though they had been slashed with a large knife. Bodies lined the hallways, mostly those of students and those just accepted by the order for study. Cloaks were lying abandoned on the floors, sabres, both lit and unlit, lay next to their fallen owners. The halls spoke of carnage, of pain. It seemed as though all inside had met a horrible fate. ------ Bail Organa was a young man, barely thirty. His hair was of the deepest black and his eyes were a warm friendly chocolate. And although others might view him as a force not to be involved with, the man was known as being one of the most forceful voices in the Galactic Senate. His home planet of Alderaan was one of the oldest members of the Republic and was known for its peaceful and diplomatic nature. The man that had been born into the ruling family was no exception to its rule, but he knew of the need for enforcement of the peace. As he stood on the deck of the Republican cruiser, he was dressed in very utilitarian clothes: a pair of black pants, a loose white shirt and a vest. Barely concealed under his vest was a standard issue blaster, its safety off. The man was ready for trouble.

As the door slid open behind him, he turned on his heel. He had expected to see Padme Amidala, the unseated Queen of his sister planet of Naboo, but instead was faced with a formidable presence of Qui-Gon Jinn. Bail stood straighter and addressed the Jedi as he came into the room. "Jedi Master, where is Padme Amidala. I was told that she was aboard and I wished to meet with her to inquire after her family."

Qui-Gon tilted his head to the side to address the guards that had accompanied the ambassador on board. "The ambassador will be safe here. You have my word as a Jedi." Turning to Bail, he continued. "Padme is not able to get out of her bed right now, but has implored me to ask you to come to her."

A look of shock and of relief crossed Bail's face. He nodded to his guards to remain in the room. Quietly, he followed the much taller man out of the room, shadowed in the man's cloak. Organa was silent until after door shut and then whispered to draw the older man's attention. "Qui-Gon."

The Jedi nodded, and ushered the man further along until they could talk safely. Once distance had been placed, Qui-Gon motioned for him to continue. "I have news from Corsucant, and it is not good, old friend."

"I have news from Padme that is not either, I'm afraid." The elder man stepped toward his cabin.

"The Jedi Temple has been attacked."

Qui-Gon stopped and swung around to face the younger man. His eyes bore into the others with disbelief. "Attacked! By whom?"

"No one is certain, but the few Masters and Padawan that escaped swear to believe them to be Siths." Organa sighed. "There are a blessed few names that I have heard that escaped."

Qui-Gon leaned against the wall, almost as if needing its support. "Who?" he whispered. "Do you know where they are?"

"Windu, Yoda, a couple of students, that is all." Bail was quiet as he knew that the information would be a heavy blow for his friend. "Naboo is giving them.."

"Naboo!" Qui-Gon shouted, pushing the door mechanism, causing its metal hunk to slide aside. Padme, startled, sat upright on the bed. She met the eyes of both men as they entered the room. Qui-Gon continued, "They are definitely not safe on Naboo. Who offered them asylum?"

Padme swung her feet to the ground, standing with trouble, but maintaining her balance. "Who has gone to Naboo, Qui-Gon, Bail?"

"The Jedi Temple has been attacked, Padme." Qui-Gon answered with terse tones. "The few remaining Masters that were located at the temple have been offered solitude on Naboo."

"Oh," she sat again on the bedding, wincing as she did so. "Was it my sister, or Palpatine that offered the asylum, Bail?"

"Palpatine, supposedly on the orders of the ruling family." Bail answered, moving to embrace the young girl. Padme returned the hug, but quickly returned to business.

"Palpatine is a traitor and a pretender, Bail." Padme began, her eyes meeting and staying with Qui-Gon's tight blue ones. "He murdered my father, and remained in office due to the lack of an argument against him. He does not have the power and the authority to be in office let alone offer asylum. Besides."

Qui-Gon continued to meet Padme's eyes, serving as a support for her as she continued. "the person that delivered my father's death was a Sith apprentice, and called Palpatine, master." She ended, almost talking to herself, as if realizing the fact for the first time. "Palpatine is a Sith."

The two men remained silent for a moment, allowing the severity of the situation to sink into their minds properly. Qui-Gon then moved to the wall comlink and summoned Obi-Wan to his quarters. To the others, he relayed what further information that he had in possession of his mind. "If it was the Sith that attacked the Jedi Temple, they also have information about the other Jedi that are currently training, on a mission, or in seclusion. They can track us all." His voice was hoarse. "We will have to plan quickly."

Padme moved over to stand with her father's friend. Padme continued to recount what information that she could to the younger man. "I remember the night that you and father talked about Palpatine; I was in the room hiding because I sensed trouble. I watched them kill my father. In the confusion that existed afterwards, Palpatine remained in office. My family always looked to him after that occurrence as a structure of continuality from my father's rule to ours; a show of the strength of our lifestyle and culture. He has no power; the vote was in error."

"He has been elected Chancellor." Bail answered, grimacing.

"Regardless, if his councilship from his home planet is in question, he would have to forfeit all." Padme answered, a harshness coming into her voice. "He will be made to forfeit."

Qui-Gon walked across the room to lay a hand on the girl's shoulder, holding her firmly. "He will, Padme. But not by your hand."

Obi-Wan entered the room, quickly bowing to the ambassador and moved to his Master. As soon as the door slid shut, the Master Jedi recounted the occurrence at the Temple and of the dream to his Padawan, watching as the younger man tried to deal with the shock and pain. It was a short battle, for Obi-Wan was quickly becoming a formidable Jedi.

"We must plan." Qui-Gon sighed, "And plan quickly, we can not fail."

Chapter 11: Storms Within

A lone sleek vessel gently nudged the top of the trees and settled in amongst their shadows with little fanfare. It was Alderaani in origin, carrying few weapons and three passengers. It's silver exterior was quickly covered by the dense foliage and the persons within drew a deep breath of relief. Waterfalls could be seen from the landing site, alerting that the city of Theeds was close at hand. Obi-Wan Kenobi was the first being to emerge from the cockpit, reaching back into its depths to pull Padme out on the surrounding metal cage. Qui-Gon Jinn followed behind the girl, rising to stretch his long legs. A quick terse comment was shared by the elder Jedi to his apprentice commenting on the ease and the wellness of position for the landing. The girl nodded and jumped to the ground, followed quickly by the co-travelers.

"Theeds is twenty parsecs to the east." She stated, swinging a pack on her back. Her clothing had been quickly changed before departure from Alderaan. In place of the practice clothing, she wore a light tan tunic over blue pants, belted with a man's belt that was knotted and fell to her knees. Attached to the belt were several utilitarian items and her sabre. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon had fully dressed in their Jedi tunics and cloaks, and had their sabres clipped to their belts. The two men nodded to each other, clasping hands for a moment and then parted. The Master embraced Padme before he moved off into the dark damp of the surrounding forest. Obi-Wan grabbed the girl's arm and motioned the way to the east. Within parsecs, the two parties were a kilometer from each other.

"I hope that he finds the other Jedi quickly." Padme whispered, easily keeping pace with Kenobi as he rocketed through the forest.

"He will." Obi-Wan answered, "He has the easy mission, I might add. We will have our hands full."

"You mean, Ben," Padme shot back as branches flew over her head, " that I will have my hands full, you are simply to keep my back covered while I convince the council against Palpatine."

"An easy job that is, Padme. What with you being a powerful speaker and all." Obi-Wan smiled suddenly, grabbing her arm. "You will have them wrapped around your finger in moments I bet."

"Right." Padme answered none too happy. "But at least I have the hologram message from Bail if they don't believe me. There might be hope in that. Remember, I have been gone for almost two seasons." She was silent as they continued on their way, the forest growing less dense with the passing time. "It will be good again to see my sisters and Sio."

Obi-Wan smiled as the woods came to a sudden end. Ahead was a small waterfall, light blue and sparkling in the sunlight. The houses and buildings of the capital city of Theeds on Naboo, touched by the sun held a light, yet homely hue of gray, brown and pink mixed together. "Let us hope that they listen quickly, young diplomat, or we will have serious problems." He nodded towards the street below. "Let's get moving."

Qui-Gon pummeled through the brush at a tremendous speed, leaving very little tracks behind him. Branches and leaves were swept aside easily and smoothly, not detracting from his vision in the dim light of the deep forest. It was good that he had been able to reach Windu and inform him that speed and hiding was in order. The full story had not been told but enough that the need for cloaking was given. It would be less than a kiloparsec, he gathered, before he was to the place that they had taken as a hideaway.

Before he could travel more than twenty parsecs to the southwest, his trek was stopped by the sound of a twig breaking to his left. He stopped quickly, drawing his lightsabre, prepared for battle. From the fog, however, came two Jedi. One was very young, maybe in his late teens and of Corellian descent. The other was Mace Windu. Both were moving at a fair clip. With just a glance of recognition, Qui-Gon replaced his sabre and called lightly to the two.

Mace drew up and stopped quickly, turning to meet his friend. "Qui-Gon. Thank the Maker."

"By the Force." The younger Jedi answered, moving to grasp the elder Jedi's hand. "Master Jinn."

"Hello, Farre, Mace." Qui-Gon nodded, his eyes sweeping behind the men. "Is there trouble? I don't sense anything."

"None, friend." Mace answered, sweeping his cloak to reveal a comlink. He activated it quickly and nodded behind him. Within seconds, Yoda, two other council members and one student emerged from the thicket to race toward them. Yoda was strapped to the back of one of the younger members of the pack. Qui-Gon nodded in greeting and turned back to Mace.

"Where are you heading?" Qui-Gon was quick to ask. "Why are you not hiding?"

"In return, young Qui-Gon, why is your Padawan and charge not with you?" Mace asked, grasping his friend's arm and swinging him around back the way he had originally come.

"It was decided that we should separate. Padme and Obi-Wan were to go to Theeds to convince the council of the need to remove Palpatine from his position as Senator and I was to go and find you and bring you back to Theeds so that a plan could be developed. I sent Obi-Wan with Padme in case of trouble."

"I only hope that you have taught your Padawan well." Answered one of the council members, drawing to remove his sabre as he turned to begin walking. "For it is into a trap that you have sent them."

Qui-Gon stopped momentarily and sighed. "One or the other, if not the both of them will be able to tell that then. Neither one of them is without the facilities from determining a trap. What kind of trouble."

Windu grabbed his arm and hauled him back toward the city. "Yoda has foreseen the arrival of the Sith warriors. They will mean to remove all problems and questions concerning Palpatine's right to office and all problems from the home front. The fact that Padme and Obi-Wan are both very talented with the Force will only serve to arouse their blood lust. We must hurry. We saw your ship as it landed; we can only guess that if the Sith are indeed here, they must have seen it also."

Qui-Gon shut his eyes for a moment, and turned to run after his friend. "Then a plan must be formulated now as to where we go when we return. Naboo is not safe."

"No, " Mace answered as he moved a branch from in front of his face.

"No, safe it is not, Master Qui-Gon," Yoda sounded. "A planet it must be though. Not friendly to the Republic, it must be. Communications to reach the others we must have."

"Padme Amidala has suggested Tatoonine." Qui-Gon answered, running ahead with Mace as the others fought to keep up. "She states that it is not considered a true member of the Republic, joining in only when it suits them. It is a desert planet, two suns and the terrain is only for the strong at heart. It is also on the very furthest reaches of the galaxy axial arm. Bail Organa has added that it is the best place as any. Plenty of space ports, the civilization that it has is compact and leaves large stretches of the planet unsettled."

"Controlled by the Hutts, it is" answered Farre, grimacing. "Not very good company we would keep."

"If Organa mentions its merits, then good it must be." Answered Yoda, holding the shoulder of the student he rode. "I have seen two suns. Tatoonine it is."

Mace grimaced and sighed as he drew on more speed. "Another planet it might be for us, but unless we get to Theeds and get transportation, it will be a very short trip."

"And Obi-Wan and Padme?" Qui-Gon asked matching his friend pace for pace.

"If found they are, then with us they come." Yoda stated. "Found and gathered must all Jedi be. Young Amidala included."

Obi-Wan drew up inside the Grand House, holding his younger friend's hand. Something was not right, the interior of the house was silent. Almost too silent. Padme could sense the uneasiness also; it was almost a feeling of dread and of anticipation. "Stay sharp." The elder friend admonished as he darted down the hallway, girl in tow. They hugged the shadows. As beings rounded the corner ahead of them, he pulled Padme into an outcropping in the wall and placed himself in front of her. Using the Force, he hid himself from those that passed. Those that passed were wearing black cloaks and carried formidable sabres in their grasp. Between the two middle persons in the procession was Sio Biddle, his corpse carried unceremoniously through the halls of the house he had once served.

Padme shut her eyes as she saw the horrid display pass. Careful to mask and damper her feelings so as to not project them. She kept her eyes shut until Obi-Wan pulled her after him further down the hall. The room into which they stumbled was filled with carnage. Sabres, by their nature, do not leave blood trails, as they sear and seal the wounds immediately. The art of sabre dueling is a clean one. However, the sight bodies cut by sabres can affect even the strongest of warriors when large amounts of bodies are placed in one area. For Padme, the sight was terrifically horrible, as the persons surrounding her were either family or those that had served her family.

Obi-Wan wasted no time in backing out of the room and pulling the girl into another empty room. "Padme." He whispered, holding his sabre in one hand and her face in his other. "Padme, you must mask your emotions. The Sith are here, they will latch onto it and follow it."

Padme raised her eyes to Obi-Wan and nodded, steeling her mind. She knew of her sorrow, knew of her pain, accepted its existence and thereby placed it out of her conscious mind. Obi-Wan continued to grasp her face until he could feel just the slightest glimmer of emotion. "Good, Padme. I promise you when we get out of here, you will mourn, as will I. But not now, not today. We will get out of here."

Padme nodded, removing her sabre from her belt. "That's right, Jedi. We will."

"They will have closed off the outside of the house if they know that we are in here. They will force us toward one exit or room, that is assured, it is the Jedi way. And whether or not they agree with us, they still study the Jedi arts." Obi-Wan thought aloud. "We will have to go for the main entrance, avoiding all of the other areas. They will expect us to avoid it, I know I would normally, but if they expect us to go elsewhere."

"Regardless, Ben." She stopped him with a hand on his arm. "We will have to fight our way out. And possibly to the hanger, if we cannot get back to our ship."

He nodded. Pulling her away from the wall, he sprinted down the hall. As he rounded the second corner, nearing the main stairwell in the house, they were met with a small contingent of Sith warriors, carrying their blood red sabers. Obi-Wan quickly shed his cloak and readied himself for battle as Padme turned on her sabre and bounced on the balls of her feet.

"And so it begins." She said quietly, calming her mind as the swing of sabres began.

Qui-Gon drew up with a shudder as he passed the last of the trees near the edge of Theeds. People were seen running and evading an unknown presence. In his mind, he felt the calmness of battle, knowing that his students together were facing an enemy. "They have met the Sith, Mace." He said quietly.

"I know, I feel them also." Windu grasped his sabre closer to his body as he fought through one contingent of people as they ran. "The Sith must have them cornered in the Grand House."

"They will need help." The other master answered, moving toward the large ruling house atop of the hill in front of them.

Mace nodded to Qui-Gon and held up his hand. With quick waves, he chose one student to accompany he and Qui-Gon. To the others, he pointed toward the hanger. Yoda frowned and sighed knowingly. "Surprising it will be if they live, Mace." He answered solemnly, "Powerful is the Sith, even for a Jedi fully trained."

Qui-Gon frowned and moved off toward the house, his other friend shouting orders and following quickly. Mace tried to slow the man down with a shout, but was brushed off. "I sent them there, Mace, and I will get them out." Was all the younger master said.

"I know, friend, I know. But calm your mind, or announce our presence you will." Mace answered, sprinting through the streets. "And Padme might be the last of the ruling line to survive if she lives. We must ensure her survival."

Qui-Gon's terse nod was all that was given for an answer.

Obi-Wan leapt into the air and performed a flip, using the force to launch a small statue at the head of one of the Sith. The Sith was knocked in the head and shook it viciously. The young Jedi's hazel eyes flashed as he swung his sabre to cut the arm of the Sith. Once it was severed, the rest of the body was set asunder. He saluted momentarily and spun to meet his next opponent.

Padme had already dispatched one Sith and was valiantly fighting her own against another. Her leaps were much higher and more concise than any of her previous practice attempts had been. She swung her sabre powerfully and with accuracy. But the sheer number of Sith, two for each warrior, was more than she could have ever anticipated. She kept time with her opponent, keeping a feeling on Obi-Wan and his fight. She heard Obi-Wan yell in warning as a statue flew at her head. She leapt to avoid it, but caught herself off balance as she came back to the ground. The Sith that she was fighting took the opportunity to swing at her torso, grazing her ribs. She gasped in pain, but continued to fight the being with control.

Obi-Wan immediately retaliated against his opponent, by cutting its sabre out of its hand and by cutting it in half when the opportunity presented itself. He turned to help Padme to find her leaning against a column fighting to the best of her ability against the Sith. He raced to help her, only to be intercepted by flying debris. As he neared, the girl pushed herself away from the support and launched at her attacker. As they rocketed through a nearby door, the door shut, closing Obi-Wan off from her and her from his help. The other Jedi stared at the door in disbelief and frowned, searching desperately for the mechanism to open it.

Inside, Padme Amidala was valiantly struggling to keep her sabre in blocks with the Sith's parries. She was trying to reach inside herself and touch her instincts to hear what they told her. Her mind was focused on the here and now, the living Force. The girl was trying to seal off her pain in her mind to stop herself from needing to address it. As her opponent tried to lead her deeper into the room, she resisted, knowing that once Obi-Wan opened the door, she would need to be close so he could join the fight. She thought that she heard the door open and glanced for the fraction of a milliparsec to notice that it was a trick. She quickly swung her sabre to avoid the swing that she sensed was coming and stepped back. It was then that her ribs began to bleed from the extra strain that she placed on them. She gasped as her hand fought to hold her torso as the other swung in protection. The Sith swung his free hand to hit her torso, and as she went down, he put his sabre through her shoulder.

Obi-Wan searched in vain for the door mechanism finally realizing that it was located on the side that Padme was. He cursed silently, replaying their trek there to see if there was indeed another way into the room. As he turned to run, he lit his sabre as two beings rounded the corner ahead of him. Instantly recognizing his teacher, he gasped. "Padme's inside, and the door is locked on that side."

Qui-Gon cursed as he approached the door, checking the area around the outside to see if there was a way to trigger it. Seeing none, he gestured to his student to run back the other way. Mace had already run down the other hall towards the back of the room. Qui-Gon stayed where he was, hoping that someone would trigger the door from the inside and he could enter.

Padme gasped as her body hit the floor, her sabre still in her hand. Unable to resist another blow, she resorted to sliding forcefully across the stone floor. As she moved, her mind envisioned the throwing of several of the small tapestries toward the opponent. They instantly flew toward the being, tangling his arms for one second, as the girl reached down to hold her torso, fighting to stop the bleeding with her mind. It was then that she noticed the door mechanism. It was on the inside of the room and not on the side that Obi-Wan was. She lifted her hand toward the door and flicked the switch with the Force. It flew open.

As the door opened, Qui-Gon instantly entered the room with his sabre drawn. He engaged the Sith with speed and purpose. Mace was the next person to enter the room and sped toward the pair of duelers. When he saw Padme on the ground, he changed direction and ran to grab her. He could see that the girl was pale, but centered on the fight. Her mind was still in combat mode, unable to change her mindset. As he grabbed her, he saw Qui-Gon swing his blade straight down and with sheer force, cut the Sith's red sabre in half at the handle. Quickly, he delivered the deathblow.

"Qui-Gon" Mace shouted, as the younger master ran towards them. "There will be more."

Qui-Gon reached down to grab Padme about the arms and hauled her against his body away from Mace. "Then we must leave quickly, Mace. Which way is the hanger, Padme?"

"Down the east hall, through the central plaza, second left and two blocks down." She gasped, but the words were clearly heard. Obi-Wan appeared through the door that Qui-Gon entered as they were leaving. He ran to meet them and smiled as he saw Padme grimace in greeting.

"We need to practice, Ben." She whispered in pain.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Padme. You were quite good back there. You definitely impressed me." He answered, lighting his sabre and joining the other student in front of the entourage.

Qui-Gon and Mace tried to keep the girl on her feet and moving. However, as they began to go through the main plaza, her feet gave out. Qui-Gon hooked his sabre and bent to sweep her up into his arms. Mace quickly swiped his hand over her brow with a frown as the younger Jedi adjusted her. Padme's head fell back against Qui-Gon's shoulder with a sigh and she fell into slumber. Qui-Gon nodded thankfully to his friend, tucked the girl's head into his shoulder and picked up the pace.

As they neared the hanger, the second of the students waved from the door. As they entered, they saw a collection of four Naboodian fighters manned with R2 units. The youngest student and the other members of the council were standing near the fighters, apparently preparing them for departure. With the entrance of Obi-Wan and the others, they began to hurry to enter the fighters, knowing that the Sith would not be far behind. Yoda, riding with the student was lowered into a cockpit and was followed by his charge. Mace held out his arms for Padme and his friend handed her over as he leapt to the cockpit of another fighter. Inside he noted that there were two seats and various controls written in Standard Basic. In the back of the spacious fighter was a single bunk; it was obvious that these vessels were for long distance traveling. As he moved his cloak to make a bed for the girl he noted his Padawan jumping into another cockpit. The two men met eyes and smiled. They would travel apart on this one.

Mace shouted for the Jedi to hurry. As Qui-Gon turned to finish with the bed, a crash was heard from the entrance of the hanger. Several Sith warriors entered. Mace cursed as he saw the black cloaked men and turned to Qui-Gon. He released the girl and she floated upward to the younger master. Qui-Gon swept his arms across the space in front of him to move her to the bed and lay her out. He turned to help his friend only to see a warrior standing on the nose of his own fighter. He withdrew his sabre with calmness. He knew that all that was needed was to dislodge the humanoid from the ship; he need not destroy it. Mace suddenly appeared on the nose of the fighter with the other warrior. He swung his sabre as Qui-Gon brought his sabre straight down. The combined effort was too much for the Sith. The being fell from the fighter to the ground with a howl. Without thinking, Qui-Gon activated the cockpit door, sweeping his friend inside with a push. The two men fell to the seats with groans and activated various controls.

Across the hanger, Obi-Wan fought side by side with a member of his student order. The two flipped over the two Sith warriors, swinging their sabres with one hand. Obi-Wan deviated in his plan of attack to land a blow on the warrior that was fighting Farre. The two blows quickly ended that battle, leaving the Sith lying on the floor of the hanger. Both men turned to handle the remaining warrior only to see the remaining elder of Jedi council running toward them. He leapt over their heads to land in the cockpit of the fighter. The two younger men looked at each other and back toward the way that the man had come. Without a second thought the two men jumped after their elder, landing in the cockpit and activating the door. The fighter momentarily lifted off, gliding across the floor, as twenty Sith ran into the hanger.

Obi-Wan grabbed the controls and swept the fighter into a controlled low roll and pointed it toward the door. As the yellow hued Naboodian fighter left the hanger, he sighed with relief. He turned to Farre with a grimace and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Almost as bad as having to practice against Qui-Gon." He commented.

Farre swept the brown fur back from his brow with a knowing grin. "Have you ever practiced against Mace?"

The two men shared the joke as a clearing of a throat came from behind them. They wiped the grins from their faces and set about programming a roundabout course to Tatoonine. The elder waited for several parsecs and then laid his hands on the students' shoulders. "You both did very well. You have come far in your training. I will speak to Yoda concerning your trials; if there is still such a thing."

Farre grimaced, pushing several buttons. "With all due respect, Master, there is still a thing, it just seems to be misplaced right now."

Obi-Wan nodded in agreement. "We will triumph, sir."

Mace groaned with tiredness as he pushed the button to take them a sub-light speed to Danodia, and then to light speed to Tatoonine. The deviation in the course programming, he hoped would be all that was needed to keep Sith confused momentarily. Qui-Gon wiped his brow as he nodded to his friend. "Your student was exceptional, Mace."

"As was Obi-Wan." Answered the other. "It seems that they both may be ready for their trials."

"We do need the help. I'm getting too old for this." Qui-Gon answered, rising from his seat. Padme lay on the cot, motionless, where the men had left her. She was exceedingly pale, a pool of crimson blood was gathering on her tunic around her rib cage. The shoulder wound was completely cauterized, but was in need of attention. He removed his sabre belt and took off his cummerbund, looking around for liquid. Mace murmured as he tossed a container to the other man. The Jedi caught it and knelt next to Padme as he opened the flask. The odor caught him off guard. "Whiskey?" he asked Mace.

"It was all that was here, Qui-Gon." Mace turned in his seat. "Use it on her torso wound. At the least it will kill any infection."

"If it doesn't make her and I intoxicated first." The other Jedi shot back, pouring some on his material and loosening the girl's tunic. He peeled the material aside to gasp at the wound. It was worse than he had thought. The skin was rendered from one side of the rib cage to the other. It had the marks of a sabre wound, cauterized and clean, but the weakened skin had been pulled apart under strain of battle. Blood and clear liquid oozed from the entire wound. He pulled back the shift to see her shoulder wound: a small round wound that went clear through the joint. He sighed as he pressed the wet material to her torso wound. The girl gasped and woke with a moan. Qui-Gon laid a hand on her brow to keep her down as he applied pressure to the wound. She gulped and watched him momentarily until the smell of the liquid he was using hit her olfactory nerves.

"Whiskey?" she whispered. "Master, have you finally learned the art of healing?"

Mace chuckled as he heard the exchange. "I am afraid not, young one. Qui-Gon only has the talent for fighting and insight, not healing."

Padme smiled gently and nodded to Qui-Gon as he grimaced at his friend. The younger Jedi shook his head with helplessness. The wound was very bad. Padme felt the exchange rather than saw it. She laid her hand on her mentor's to stop his movements. Mace watched the movement with interest. His eyes narrowed as the girl moved to grasp Qui-Gon's wrist.

Padme rested completely against the cloak and swallowed. Her master shook his head to her. "I might have encouraged you to take your healing arts to the next level, Padme, but I myself cannot heal. I don't have the ability. There is nothing that I can."

"Yes, there is." Padme whispered, visibly weakened. She met her master's eyes for a moment as he narrowed his eyes. Mace leaned forward on the chair. Qui-Gon's blue eyes widened and he leaned closer to her. "I don't think that will work, young one. But we can attempt..."

"There is no try, Qui-Gon. Do or do not." She answered wisely. She moved to lay her hand on top of her master's. Their fingers entwined and he sighed.

"It will hurt." He whispered, leaning close to her. "There is nothing for it."

"I know." She stated, gasping. "But the alternative is worse; this wound will kill me. I need you to channel me to myself; it is the only way. I need your strength. Just keep your hand on the wound no matter how much I fight or cry out. Do not move your hand until the skin is mended. Then move to the next section. You will see my skin, and my pain. Do not center on it."

Mace's eyes widened at the wisdom and tone of the girl's voice. She had her father's bearing but more wisdom than he had ever exhibited. The tone of her voice was one that, even while she was weakened, there was no question of disobeying her. Qui-Gon nodded in acceptance of the situation and moved to kiss her brow. "So it is, then, Padme."

"Just picture the wound in your mind, and let me see it through you." She intoned lowly. "Keep your hands on the wound."

He nodded, kissing her nose. "I will, Draca." As she lay back, he turned to his friend. "Mace, I will need you to hold her down; I cannot do that at the same time."

The elder Jedi moved to the girl's head, motioning that he would hold her across her shoulders. He settled down to stare at his friend. Qui-Gon's eyes were wide in pain, tears lurking in the depths of his soul. His mouth was a straight line and his mind solely locked on the problem at hand. Padme was breathing deeply; relaxing, meditating as well as she could through the pain. The Master laid his hands on Padme's, entwining his fingers with hers and moving them down to the wound. He shut his eyes and envisioned the wound, its depth and the tearing of the skin that accompanied it. Padme's mouth frowned as she saw the wound through his eyes. "It is bad, then."

The Jedi nodded his head, his eyes still closed. The girl sighed and gripped his hands. Qui-Gon moved his hand to the area of the wound that was the farthest to the right and laid his hand down with force on the wound. Padme saw her ripped skin, the scored rib and the grazed diaphragm. She swallowed as she pictured the organ coming back together and the skin cells meshing and rejoining. As she saw this happening in her mind, the warmth of her master's hands was turning to fire. She gasped with pain and swallowed, trying to contain the pain so that she could work. With effort, she saw the rib returned to its proper condition and lastly the skin repairing itself.

Mace shook his head with disbelief and watched as Qui-Gon picked up their joined hands and moved it to the next section. His look of concentration was hardened. Tears were falling from his eyes as he pressed in on the next section of the girl's body. She arched her neck within seconds, as the pain of healing overwhelmed her attempts at controlling it. He kept his hands on the wound, staring at her face. "Padme." He whispered. "Padme, you must do it. You can rest afterwards. Draw on my strength; it is here for the claiming. Use it."

"It hurts." She grit out, picturing her stomach sealing itself. The skin was coming back together as she took a deep breath and pushed her efforts. The skin sealed slowly. Mace again shook his head, this time indicating to Qui-Gon that the girl was too weak to continue. The younger Master shook his head and moved to the next section of the wound.

Padme grimaced and gripped Qui-Gon's hands. He began to murmur to her in quiet tones about completing the task at hand and about concentration. He knew that if he removed his hands now, and let the girl rest or sleep, they would never heal her. He pressed his hands into her torso with force, picturing the state of the skin as best he could. He could see her plan of action in her mind. He pushed his conscious strength into her mind. His eyes screwed shut and his breathing became as labored as hers. The skin slowly closed and he moved his hand to the last portion of the wound. It was a small portion so he pulled one of his hands from hers, and laced her two hands with his large one.

"Concentrate, young one." He whispered. "I am giving you all that I can. Use it wisely, heal yourself." He leaned down into her face, his other hand stroking her hair near her brow. The girl's eyes were unfocused with exhaustion and pain. She gulped and shook her head with slowness. Her brown eyes met his momentarily and she opened her mouth.

"I can't." she said quietly.

"You can." He answered, " and you will." His hand shook as it hooked under her chin. "You are strong, Padme. More so than I am; this will not beat you. Concentrate on the living Force. Join with it."

She nodded quietly with a strangled laugh. "Still admonishing, Master?" The laugh ended in a gasp of pain. She sighed and closed her eyes.

Qui-Gon's hand slipped below her neck to cup it lightly. "Only for you, Draca." He stated. "You need to finish this. Naboo will need you. Do not make me answer to Obi-Wan or Bail about you." He grimaced as a gasp of pain left her lips as he pressed his hand into the wound. "I need you- you and that stubborn nature and your intellect. If you cannot do this for yourself or for Naboo than do it for me. I have gotten used to you being around, do not do this just when I have gotten accustom to you." His lips inched closer until they touched hers momentarily. When he pulled back, her brown eyes were locked on his. She nodded silently with knowledge and eased back to the covers.

"That's it." Qui-Gon nodded. He watched as the wound began to close itself. "That's it, Padme."

She groaned in pain and gripped his hands as the skin began to join. Through her gasps and light screams of pain, the skin completely joined. Once the task was accomplished, Qui-Gon nodded gravely. Padme was gasping on the bed. The younger master sank back on his hunches, leaning forward. Mace asked quietly about his state. Qui-Gon waved him off and hung his head with a request. "Mace, put her under, let her sleep. She needs the rest to completely heal."

The elder Jedi nodded and placed his hand on Padme's brow with gentleness. Padme opened her eyes to meet those of her father's master and gasped. "Watch Qui-Gon- he will be exhausted." With that, she shut her eyes and faded into a dreamless sleep.

Mace pulled covers over the girl, carefully avoiding her wound. As he tucked her in like a child, he shook his head with disbelief. Qui-Gon rose to his feet, bending over in the low ceiling of the fighter, to collapse in one of the pilot seats. He leaned back in the seat, shutting his eyes. He was bone tired, but it was a survivable level of exhaustion.

His friend joined him momentarily and sank back into his chair. He turned his head once to look at the girl on the bed. "How long has she."

"Four standard lunar cycles." Qui-Gon answered, his eyes closed. "She healed me on a mission without guidance. She is exceedingly strong with the force, and has the facilities to use it. I have had to teach her actually very little; it is just fine tuning what she already knows or has an idea about. If she were to take the trials, I would say that she was ready."

Mace let out a breath with a groan. "I knew that she was gifted. I suspected since her bi`rth, but I did not know that she was that talented. How is her sabre?"

"She consistently practices at Master level. She can take on and outlast Obi-Wan. I have not trained against her." Qui-Gon turned his head to Mace and opened his eyes. "She could become a trainer herself, Mace. She has more insight than I have ever encountered in a lifeform."

"How are her interaction and diplomacy skills?"

Qui-Gon nodded quietly. "Very good. She acted as a mediary on a mission for Obi-Wan and myself. She handled the situation well and was able to keep presence of mind when we ran into trouble."

Mace was quiet, turning to stare out of the view port. He quietly continued his conversation with his friend. "I cannot let her take the trials, Qui-Gon, friend. Her father was adamant and made me promise to that affect. We tested her at her birth for midi cholorians and found her to be exceedingly high. He made me promise then. He said he would let her use and hone her skills, but she was not to live the life of a Jedi." He looked at the girl's reflection in the viewport. "She was to marry the son of Bail Organa and seal the relationship between the two systems. And yet, here she is, lying in a fighter, healing herself while two old Jedi sit and watch her do it. Her life is not as her father wished, and, by the maker, I cannot change that."

Qui-Gon answered quickly. "I think that she actually likes this life, Mace. It might not be as her father wished. I knew Brace, though. If his daughter found this life to her liking, he would have allowed it." His eyes turned soft as he watched her reflection also. "I protect her as I think her father would have wanted. Protecting her has ceased to be a chore and has become a way of life."

Mace was quiet as he shut his eyes. "You have feelings for her." He stated.

Qui-Gon's mouth turned to a straight line. "I will not pretend that I don't know what you are talking about. But it is a hard question to answer."

"As a friend, Qui-Gon. Tell me."

Qui-Gon looked out the viewport. "I do not know what happened, Mace. One day, she was like a child to me. I felt that I had to protect her and shelter her, because she could not do it herself. Then I realized that in most instances, she could take care of herself. Then, when I knew that I should let her exercise her skills, I found myself not wanting her to. I began to notice her as a woman. Not one to protect, but one to."

"Love." His friend finished, turning to look at his friend who had a very stunned look on his face. "You love her, Qui-Gon."

"I would wake up in the sleep cycle and see her eyes. I would wait in the morning to see her lips smile and her eyes sparkle. I would hear her dreams across the living quarters. When she practiced, I was impressed with her abilities and tried to teach her well, but I would begin to notice how high the shirt would pull, how her legs would move."

"And apparently, you want her also." Mace grumbled. He turned back forward. "I noticed the kiss, Qui- Gon. It was hard to miss. Have you."

"No." Qui-Gon answered forcefully. "I am forbidden to have relations like that. I cannot, and I would not want that for her anyway."

"The kiss then?"

"I care for her, Mace." The other man smiled a little. "Besides, a kiss does not make a carnal relation. She needed it, she needed me. That was the way that I chose to help her. If my love was what was needed for her to heal herself, then I had to show it to her. She does not return it, Mace. I am her master, not her lover. Besides, I am old enough to be her father."

Mace was quiet before he rose to check on the girl. As he stood behind his chair, he laid a hand on his friend's arm. "Do not underestimate the power of love, Qui-Gon. I cannot tell you not to care; that is almost as impossible as stopping a sun from setting. Guard your feelings toward her. And do not automatically think that she does not return the emotion. A woman's heart is a mystery even to us. Watch your actions toward her. Continue to protect her. But be mindful of your wants." With that he turned toward the back of the ship.

Qui-Gon turned back to stare out of the window and let his eyes close in pain.

The massive suns of the desert planet barely touched the horizon as the young man knelt before his Master. A certain feeling was conveyed in that magical time of the day, the knowledge of the death of a day, only to await the start of a new one. Obi-Wan Kenobi had felt such feelings before in his youth during return trips to this, his home planet of Tatoonine. Even as a young child of twelve when he had returned to his sister for a vacation, he had often enjoyed watching the great furnaces touch the sand, extinguishing their fires. It was a time for reminiscing, for philosophizing, for communing with the Force to determine your actions. This day was no different. It was the death of a time in his life, and the waiting to begin another.

His knees touched the hot sand with a low crunch. Nearby, the two persons that he had traveled to Tatoonine with lay motionless; existing in a sleep induced healing trance. Their rough landing on the planet had injured them. The elder was severely hurt, as he was the one standing behind the pilot chairs. Farre had been thrown against the control panel, injuring the Maker knew what in his torso. Obi-Wan had hit his ribs and dislocated his shoulder, but the pain was minimal. The image of the shattered cockpit and what was left of its fuselage, though, made Obi-Wan realize that the Force had indeed guided them and protected them. He was thankful. And he could feel peace and thanks of his Master too.

Qui-Gon approached his kneeling apprentice and laid his hand on his shoulder. This was indeed the end of a period, his period of being his Padawan's Master. He smiled gently at the lowered head of Obi-Wan, nodding his in agreement. "They have conveyed on you the title of Jedi Knight, Obi-Wan. It is a passage for you into your destiny. Proud of you I am, young Knight, and am glad that I can remember you as my Padawan. It is with great pleasure that I remove myself as your mentor, and become your equal and your friend."

Gently pulling a blade from his cloak, the elder Jedi knelt next to his friend and cut the braid from his hair. The strands floated to the ground. "And so I remove from you the mantle of a Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Stand proud, stand equal."

Obi-Wan rose to his feet with Qui-Gon, reaching a hand to touch his friend's arm in thanks. "Thank you for your guidance, Qui-Gon, and for your friendship."

"You will always have that, Ben." The man stated, turning to watch the sun sink lower into the horizon. "Have faith in that." They stood in quiet communion for several time periods, just enjoying the other's presence. Finally, the elder turned and smiled with encouragement, "There is a meeting to decide the fate that confronts us all. You must attend now; it is part of your station."

"Yes, Mas." Obi-Wan stopped himself with a smile as Qui-Gon shook his head. "It will take time to loose that habit, I'm afraid, Ben."

The two men smiled at one another and began to walk across the dunes to the makeshift camp that had been erected hours earlier. They had come to this place as Master and apprentice and were leaving as friends. It was the Jedi circle that all lived within in the Order.

Chapter 12: Sorrows

The Tatoonine night fell hard and cold upon those that often found themselves in the elements. The normally warm sands, known throughout the outer rim for their ability to burn the skin, would soon cool, creating soothing feelings. Gentle breezes swept across the vast desert, created from the planet's rotation and the heat of the day. The winds were not so powerful that they blew sand, but rather just enough to spark the fire that burned in the center of a group of travelers. Most slept. The few that remained awake were wrapped in their cloaks, dark brown in contrast to the ivory of the sand. The small gathering sat to one side of the campsite, talking in low tones.

A sole man moved across the dunes to a sleeping woman bundled in a dark brown-black cloak. He pulled the material around her before leaning down and brushing his fingers against her throat. The girl sighed in her sleep until consciousness touched her mind and she jolted awake. "What? Where am I?"

"Tatoonine." Qui-Gon answered quietly, running his hand down her face. "We landed several hours ago." He sighed as the girl's eyes narrowed and then opened more widely. "You have slept since we left Naboo. We did not awaken you; sleep was needed for your healing." Padme nodded, moving her hands to her ribs and touched with gentle pushes the previously wounded area.

"They are healed, I think." Her teacher's voice rumbled in the darkness. By the light of the fire, he drew back the material of his cloak and her tunic to see the pink of new skin across her rib cage. He laid his hand across the area with gentleness. "Practically new, though at what price to your strength is a hard question to ask. How do you feel?"

"Still weak, Master." She smiled gently. "Thank you for your help." She added, curling her hand on his on her torso.

Qui-Gon hung his head with acknowledgment. He removed his hand from hers to sit back on his heels. "There are matters that you are needed for, Padme. Are you rested enough to attend to them?"

"What matters?" she asked, quietly, narrowing her eyes. The Jedi remained quiet as he sat before her, encouraging her to find the answers for herself. With a sigh, she moved her hands to his arms and grasped them below the elbow. Her brow furrowed with concentration as she razed herself slightly.

She was quiet as the thoughts came to her. "Decisions have been made. Plans completed. A three-fold front has been created. Mace will attend to the Temple occurrence, traveling to Alderaan and remaining under Bail's protection. Yoda is to remain here." she moved her hands to his upper arms. "Move into the desert, that is what he has planned. He will work on a central system of worship and of gathering for other Jedi as they come. And you.you are to travel to a space port and construct a network of communication for those remaining outstanding."

"What else, young one." He asked with his eyes closed. "Delve deeper."

Her hands drew back from him as if burned and a light of annoyance shone in her eyes. "You wish me to attend a meeting of Jedi. You want me to plead the case of my skills before them for training." She sighed with impatience. "Qui-Gon, a promise was made to my father. No amount of your will, nor mine will affect this outcome."

A brief smile of knowledge crossed the Jedi's lips before he kissed the hand that landed on his. "This is not a question of my will, Padme. A promise was made, true, and it must be upheld until it is terminated. Mace is one of the supporters of your training. Both he and I feel that you should be trained to decrease the possibility of your seduction to the dark side. They will not be as mindful of your father's wishes as we are."

Padme rested back against his cloak with a sigh. "The promise cannot be broken, Master. My father is dead."

"Aye, that is true, Draca." Qui-Gon leaned down to pull her on her shoulders until she was in a sitting position. He pulled on the sleeves of his cloak until her arms and legs were covered by its rough material. "Brace is dead, but not gone. The others speak with him now and are awaiting your arrival to decide for or against the decision of your training."

Padme's body went limp with nonbelief at the mention of her father in a current gathering. Qui-Gon smiled knowingly and bent to get his arms under her body. As he rose to his height, she slipped her arms around his neck with disinterest. "My father?"

Qui-Gon ceased to walk and looked at the woman's small upturned face as she gazed to him. "He has returned through the Force, Padme. Usually a Jedi can do so upon completion of his or her trials, almost as a natural occurrence. Yoda and Mace and I have had to help your father return, as his training was not completed. But returned he has, his luminous form taking on the memory of his corporeal body. Mace and he are discussing your training, what has occurred so far and what has been sensed in your destiny. Your father wants your input."

"Why did you not wake me sooner?" Padme asked as he began to move again.

"You have had to endure several tests to your strength and your sanity in the last cycle. We felt that your involvement earlier on would only serve to weaken you more." Qui-Gon shifted his arms as he rose over a dune. "We thought it for the best."

"You Jedi assume too much." She stated with annoyance. "He is my father. And no amount of draining of my strength would interfere with my interactions with him."

"Watch your sharp tongue, Draca." He admonished, closing the distance to the small gathering of Jedi.

"Yes, Master." She whispered, her eyes at last falling on her father's surreal, shimmering form. Qui-Gon entered into the ring of Jedi and lowered the girl to the sand with gentle ease. Padme remained in a seated position with difficulty, but kept her eyes on Brace Amidala.

In the flickering light of the fire, Brace's form appeared washed out. His hair was still dark and wavy, falling slightly below his ears. He wore the cloak that Padme remembered from many training sessions. His skin was pasty white, and his image seemed to have a glancing hold on reality at the moment. But Brace Amidala was as he had been in life, and Padme found herself close to tears with the longing that she felt for the old times. "Father." She whispered half in awe and half in pain.

"What a joy it is, Padme." Brace answered quietly. "To see you again. You have grown much."

Padme smiled gently, her gaze never faltering. "Not very much, Father, Jaclin still has maintained her height over me. But it is good to see you, too. I never thought that."

"I have watched over you." Her father interrupted. "I have been with you always. Never fear in that, I will always be with you until you join me."

A tear fell from her eye as she blinked in understanding. "You wanted to ask for my input here."

Brace smiled at her daughter's understanding of the tediousness of the task of maintaining his form for a long time and at the essence of time. "Yes, Padme, my former master has called upon me for the removal of the weight of a promise that was made to me by him when you were born. He states, as does Qui-Gon Jinn behind you, that training you for the Order is currently the only option that they have to insure your protection."

"They fear the Dark Side and the Sith will have an influence over me, Father." Padme answered quietly, hanging her head. "I understand the need to continue the training, as the further into the Light that I travel, the less that darkness will affect me. They think me at a crossroads. They are wiser in this area than I could try to be and will defer to their wisdom in the matter. If they feel that training will protect me, then so be it."

"Is this what you want, flower?" Brace's form glimmered as an emotion passed through his facial features. "Regardless of what their wisdom tells them, I would not remove this from Mace if it is not what you want."

Padme remained quiet, prostrate on the ground. Slowly, her eyes raised to her father with a light of understanding burning in them. "Yes, Father. It is what I want. The Jedi way is the code that you raised me with and for, and I not only understand it, but also want to strive and aspire to it. It is all that I know." Behind her, Qui-Gon nodded his head low and sighed with relief.

Brace was quiet, staring at his daughter with love and longing. "Then so be it, Padme. Mace," he called to his former master. "I remove you from this promise. Take her into the order and train her as you see fit. Hone her skills."

"I will." Mace answered solemnly. "It is the only way, Brace."

Amidala was silent as Padme lifted her head fully to face her father. "I will complete my training, Father."

Brace's form shimmered and began to dim. With regret he called to his daughter. "I must go, Padme. But I will see you another time. Regardless of what occurs in your future, daughter, know that I love you. Keep that in your heart and it will never lead you astray." The last portion of the man's sentence was dimming much the same as his form until all that remained was the blackness of the desert night. The girl was quiet as the Jedi around her took a deep breath in unison. Their complete energy had been used to draw the man into their presence and a time of recovery was in order. She remained peacefully seated until the Jedi began to move. With great difficulty, the girl rose to her feet. Mace crossed the small area to lay a hand on her arm. "Padme. A decision will be made soon about your acceptance and your apprenticeship. Truth be told, you will know the answer by daybreak." He smiled fondly at the girl and sighed. "It was good to see your father again." Padme returned the smile and nodded as the Jedi moved away. Knowing that her presence was not welcome at that point as decisions would be made; she turned gently on the balls of her feet to meet the eyes of Qui-Gon as he stood across the circle.

"A promise is broken, Master Jedi, and another is given." She stated calmly. As her mentor remained quiet, she turned her face to the rising of the three moons of the planet in the east sky. "You will say that it is the circle of life, and I will say that it is not a circle, but a winding of a path." She began to move away form the circle with deliberate steps.

Obi-Wan moved to her side, extending an arm to catch her as one of her feet missed a mark and she teetered. A gentle smile moved across her lips as she touched his face in thanks. He returned the move with a smile of his own, nodding knowingly. "I said that a time would come for mourning, Padme."

"I know, Ben, I know." Her hands fell to his with a grin. "Or should I say Sir Knight. Congratulations. You deserve it."

Obi-Wan gave the girl a squeeze on the shoulder with affection. "Due to your exhaustive efforts to have me train at all times with you, Padme, that is the reason that I attained this." Seeing that the girl was moving back towards the camp, he tilted his head in that direction. "Do you need help?"

"No." she answered lowly. When her friend continued to look at her, she smiled reassuringly. "I am fine, Obi-Wan, and you have a meeting to attend. Another time, no doubt when I have reduced myself to rubble practicing."

Obi-Wan chuckled, moving back towards the group with a quick pace. As he passed his old master, he stopped to stand shoulder to shoulder with him. He followed the elder Jedi's gaze after the girl, turning to look at Qui-Gon with a sigh. "She is healing, Qui-Gon."

"It is the spiritual part that I fear for, young Knight, not her physical body. She is raw tonight, and trying to hide it, I fear." Qui-Gon's hand swept to his tunic belt, resting there momentarily. "Master Yoda," he called, turning on his feet.

Yoda frowned and nodded his acquiescence with quickness. "Know of your wishes, I do, Master Qui-Gon. And speak I will for you. Do as you feel you must."

"Thank you." He answered, hanging his head low in respect as he turned to follow Padme. Mace intercepted the man as he moved past him. Qui-Gon nodded to his friend, reaching out a hand to clasp his. "I will respect whatever the decision is on who is to train her, Mace. I trust that you will trust the wisdom of the matter and the Force's plan for it."

"You know as I do, that Yoda and Ti-Hira and I will vote for her acceptance. That is not the issue. It is that of who will accept her as a Padawan. As a female, she should receive training from one of her own sex. The only two female Masters able to take a Padawan are currently unaccounted for."

"And might possibly be lost completely, old friend." Qui-Gon added. His eyes were sad as he made contact with the man again. "It is a time of flux and danger. And we must strive to keep our minds focused on that which we able to deal with, Mace. My advise, although not a member of the council, is to hold Padme to that which we already have to offer her. It might not be as it was originally dictated, but desperate times call for desperate means. Chose from those that we know of that can train her."

Yoda swept his stick impatiently at the sand with a sigh. "Enough talk, Jedi. The girl shall decide."

"That is unheard of." Obi-Wan interjected with force. "For a Padawan to chose the Master."

"Unheard of, young Knight, no." Qui-Gon stated, nodding to his friend. "But it has been done before, for those that are availed of many choices." He turned to nod to Mace with a sorrowful look on his face. "A choice that she will be unable to make this night, Windu." With little agitation, he turned to walk over the nearby dune after his indebted queen.

Padme sat at the crux of a dune, her face turned to the rise of the moons of the planet, large and looming in the eastern sky. Her face was a mask of pain, waiting eagerly to crack to release tears that would cleanse her. As Qui-Gon approached her from behind, he could see her hair untied and flowing about her back, meshing with his cloak. She shook her head as he neared, indicating the want of being alone. "Jedi, I would prefer to be alone."

"You are never alone, young Padawan." He answered, standing two meters behind her.

She sighed with relief. "They have decided then. I will be trained in full?"

"They have decided that you will be trained, yes." He returned, "But there is the question as to who will train you. Yoda has put forth that you will choose your Master."

"An unexpected honor." She whispered, still sitting with her back to him.

"An unexpected burden." He replied, nearing her and sitting gently along side of her. "Padme, look at me."

The girl sat with her face forward, shaking her head. As he leaned toward her and moved his arms near her face, she raised a hand to stop his intended move. His hands fell back to his lap with a sigh of defeat. She answered to him quietly with feeling. "My family, Master, is gone. I saw their bodies, their limbs asunder. I saw Sio dragged through the halls of the house that he faithfully served. My planet is without a ruler. And I sit on a far away planet talking with a father that died seasons ago. I feel the need to mourn, but."

She stopped with a shake of her head. Qui-Gon moved next to her with a sigh. "But what, Padme. You feel the need to mourn but feel that it is against what you will be trained to do?"

Padme nodded, as a heavy lock of her hair flew in front of her face. "You exhibit no powerful emotions, Master. Calm is all that I feel from you and around you. I should strive to."

"Padme." He whispered, moving lower on the dune so that his face was even with hers. Her brown eyes were wells of tears, threatening to flood. "Someday, you too will learn to release your emotions. In order to release your emotions you need to acknowledge their existence. That is the first step. The second step is to allow yourself to experience them. Once you have the feelings there, the choice is yours as to whether it drives your actions. There are times for emotions such as sorrow, happiness, joy, pain. Never is there time for hate, aggression or fear. But regardless, you must realize their existence, examine the situation and allow the proper actions. We Jedi do feel, Padme, we just choose to exist in peace and meditation instead of acting on our own needs."

"If I start to mourn." she warned, biting her lip.

"It will pass. The time to mourn will pass. The pain will always be with you, but time will lessen the bite." His hand cupped her chin gently. "None can take it from you, Padme. Even I cannot."

A lone tear fell from her eye as she nodded. She sighed quietly, gazing over his shoulder. The Jedi was quiet as he removed his hand and returned to his place along side of her. He stretched out his long legs and leaned back on his arms to stare at the starred sky. Silence became their friend, stretching between them in comfortable structure. "I used to dream, Qui-Gon." Padme began in low tones, breathless in the need to cry. "I used to dream of my adulthood, of what would become of me when I became my own. It was always a clear dream, a strong one, but no mention was made sorrow, of decisions that would weigh on me. With increased freedom to command your own way comes the increase of the weight of choices and the threat of regret."

"It is called maturity, young one." Qui-Gon answered. "All of us have had to encounter it."

Padme hung her head. "I am tired."

"Then sleep." Her mentor reached for the cloak around her shoulder, easing it from its placement. He spread it out behind her. She turned her head to eye her friend and teacher with a half smile that disappeared quickly. Qui-Gon nodded, helping her to lay back, lending support as her muscles tightened. "Rest yourself."

"Here, Master Jedi?" she asked as her body sank into the sand.

"I shall remain with you." He whispered gently, stroking her face. "Just relax, let your feelings come."

Padme nodded, smiling at her teacher. The man moved to lay next to her, staring at the sky as it hung low over them. A short time later, the Jedi felt the girl's shoulders heave with a sob. He turned on his side to look at her with sorrow. Slowly he eased a hand to her shoulder, squeezing gently with a sigh. "Let it go, Padme, touch your loved ones in the Force. They will be with you always."

"I know." She whispered drawing a deep breath with a wince. Tears fell freely, coursing down her face. "I can feel them, but I feel the emptiness where they existed in this life."

Qui-Gon sighed, drawing back from the woman with a frown and removing his sabre belt. With a gentleness rare to a man his size, he bundled the girl to him, lying back on the sand with a stifled groan. Padme rested her head against his shoulder, running her hands across his chest. Her tears still ran, cleansing her face and neck. "I should have been with them, Qui-Gon."

"And you would have died also, Padme, you must see that." Her teacher returned, pulling the girl closer to his chest. "The Naboo line would have ended, young one, and another Jedi hopeful would have perished." At the girl's nod, he lowered his lips to her head. "And you would not have seen Obi-Wan's conveyance of his title. I would be without my student. All things occur for a reason, Padme, and no regrets are accepted for bending to the Force's will in your life."

"Jedi hopeful, Qui-Gon," she said, quietly against his chest. "An exaggeration, sir."

"No. Merely the truth. Not one of the masters here tonight can heal with your level of competence or can meditate as easily. You have a strength to you that only those most attuned to the Force have. You are young, stubborn and sharp tongued, but you do have great promise."

Padme sighed, ruffling the material of his tunic. "But I must chose who is to train me. That is not an easy decision, Qui-Gon. And I am well past the age of being taken as a Padawan."

"And, in direct contradiction to the council and our code, I trained you as such for the past season. Your father also completed a long and strong bout of training when you were young. At this point, it will simply be a honing of your skills and not a teaching role that your Master will have to complete. Besides, you fight with the skills of your father, known in the Academy as a terrific warrior."

"Then I must chose. Though with four of you to choose from, the choice is a limited one. I must be where I am the greatest help to the plans that are made. Each of you has your talents and strengths." Padme rolled onto her back with a sigh of pain for her ribs and stared at the sky. "But I feel the most comfortable with you. And remaining here on Tatoonine to help in the communications area might be the best decision."

Qui-Gon was silent for a moment, before he spoke lowly with feeling. "I might be the last choice you should consider, Padme."

"Why, Master, you are considered one of the best for conveying the ability to be one with the Living Force. Obi-Wan told me often that your name was brought up in the Academy as an example."

"I feel that I could jepordize your training due to other matters, Padme."

The girl turned her head to look at her Master with a questioning gaze. "What?"

Qui-Gon remained flat on his back as he thought and communed with the Force. As the girl next to him had done a season and a half before, he strove to consider the reprecussions of telling her about his feelings for her and its affect on her decision making. Several points were weighed in favor and against. For one, his total honesty in the matter at this time would not only alert her to his emotions toward her, but also remove the problem of those feelings as she would go to another Jedi for training. But if he did tell her the truth and she truly felt that the Force dictated that he was the one to train her, he would be inadvertently interfere with the plan that the Force held for her life. His current first instinct was to hide his feelings from her, knowing inherently that they were his alone and not returned. The harm would be allowing her to remain with him and then releasing his emotions and acting on them. It was, he decided suddenly, like his trials all over again. She was a major testing ground of his faith in the Force, his ability to remain clear of purpose and to remain in control of his emotions. It was not her problem, but rather his. One that last thought, he relaxed and shook his head. "It is not important, Padawan. Make your choice, rely on your feelings, and be at peace."

Padme nodded gently, relaxing against his flank for warmth in the cool desert night. "In the sunrise, Master Jedi."

He nodded, resting his head back against the sand, rubbing his hand on her shoulder. In the depth of his heart, hidden behind years of training, denial and submission to the Living Force, he felt a warmth grow at her innocent acceptance of his embrace. He closed his eyes with a smile graced on his lips and fell into graceful sleep.