"Master Qui-Gon is old enough to take care of himself, he's not afraid of being left alone," Obi-Wan countered humorously.

"Why did you ask me to stay with him, then?" I reminded. He could only give me a knowing smile, and left me to do as I pleased.

The journey to Coruscant proved so long despite our direct course that I soon felt my body crying out for sleep. I staved it off as long as I could, but in the end, without realizing it, my head fell onto the edge of the couch and I was out. That is, until a light touch against my cheek jolted me unexpectedly awake. I started, and looked to find Qui-Gon awake, smiling wanly. His hand had worked free of mine, and I suspected he had brushed my cheek. "Master?" I questioned.

"Don't let me disturb your rest," he joked. His voice was rough and raspy, though he hardly had the strength to force it out.

I was instantly fully awake, and leaned over him. "How are you feeling?"

"Better. There is little pain, though I don't recall using the Force to speed healing..."

"That was me. Well, really, it was Obi-Wan's doing, he started it, but when he had to go back to the controls, I..." A curious look in his eyes made me lose my train of thought. "What?"

"You healed me?" His gray eyes wandered away, and a slight frown clouded his features. But it was temporary, for when he looked back, the warmth of a smile had returned. "I thought that was you I could hear, calling me back. It didn't make sense, but now I see. It seems I owe you my life."

I shook my head modestly. "You owe me nothing."

Qui-Gon chuckled a little, but winced as the motion made his ribs hurt. "Good, because I wouldn't know how to pay such a debt. Where is Obi-Wan?"

"Here, Master." The Padawan had come in as we were speaking, looking urgent but relieved. He knelt down beside the couch, and grasped his Master's hand even as it was being lifted toward him. "How do you feel?"

"As I said, better. But weak."

I realized the grating of his voice indicated that he needed something to drink, so I got up and found the washroom again, and a cup out of the meager kitchen-area, and brought him water. While he drank, Obi-Wan informed him, "We are almost to Coruscant. We're in good shape, as is the senator's cruiser. No trouble to report after we got off the planet."

"Then the senator did make it to safety. Good." Qui-Gon glanced briefly at me, standing behind Obi-Wan, and then back to his apprentice. "Have you gotten the whole story, yet?"

"No," Obi-Wan replied. "I wanted to wait. Stacey had her hands full as it was, she didn't need me pestering her for a story."

Qui-Gon's eyebrows lifted momentarily, but he made no comment. "Very well, then. You should know what happened, and I wish to know how it went from your end."

I frowned at him. "Are you sure you want to talk about this now?"

"Is there a reason to wait?" I had no answer, so he began the story where he and I left Obi-Wan, telling him about the first shots fired and the panic of the Rodians preceding our descent into the waterways. He described the tunnels we had fled into and the darkness we had to navigate, and my boldness in going ahead of him while he expected the attacker behind. He admitted to knowing that we were being followed, he knew the whole time, but was waiting until we had a way of getting out before forcing the attacker to make his move. The explosions above, though, wrecked any chance of controlling the situation, for the last few had destroyed homes above us, killing a number of Rodians and thus creating a heavy wave of turmoil in the Force, one which distracted the Master for a moment. That moment, short as it was, was all Teeg needed to leap out and play his weapon. Qui-Gon suspected the assassin's haste was what caused his skilled blow to miss its mark. "A man such as he would not settle with merely wounding his enemy. He wanted to kill me, and he might have..." Again, his eyes drifted to me, and this time held my gaze. "But you were there. You were an unexpected variable. He didn't know how you figured into his plans. And you...took him out." A smile lightened his features again. "I will not forget the sight. Neither will he, I'm sure."

"What? I just knocked him into the water. It's not like I single-handedly captured him or anything," I said modestly. "You were the one who fought him, Obi-Wan."

"Nonsense. You saved Master Qui-Gon's life," Obi-Wan insisted, glancing over his shoulder at me. "If not for you, he would have been killed."

"It wasn't his time," I said ambiguously, withholding my mental reaction.

"And now, you," Qui-Gon said, tapping his Padawan's arm. "What have you to say about your end of things?"

"It was exciting, but not dangerous," Obi-Wan said casually. "Everyone was waiting when I got there, and followed me unconditionally like a herd of banthas. It was not hard to get them to stay with me all the way to their ship. I stayed long enough to make sure they got on board and took off before going to our ship, and didn't encounter any troops until I neared the shuttle. I was beginning to worry that I hadn't heard from you," he added. "I knew something had happened. I felt a strong disturbance."

"The lives cut down by the explosion..." Qui-Gon tried to explain.

"And yours under threat," Obi-Wan said. "I felt all of it. I knew you were in pain. But I expected contact much sooner than it came."

The Master smiled up at me. "Because someone was a very persuasive force, who got me as far as she could by herself." His hand lifted off the couch and his fingers curled, bidding me to come closer. I crouched down beside him, next to Obi-Wan. "You showed great courage," Qui-Gon said solemnly. "I knew I could rely on you. Thank you."

I felt a blush creep into my cheeks. "You're welcome," I said sheepishly.

"We shouldn't wear you out," his apprentice cajoled, slowly rising. "We're almost to Coruscant. Rest, Master, build your strength. We will go straight to the Temple and the healers when we arrive."

"Yes," Qui-Gon agreed, tilting his head back along the couch and closing his eyes. "Do that. You've done well, my Padawan," he added softly.

As he headed back toward the cockpit, Obi-Wan glanced over his shoulder with an appreciative smile, but gave the compliment no acknowledgement. I remained where I was, as no one asked me to do anything different. Qui-Gon's eyes opened, and he regarded me in silence for a few minutes. "What?" I wondered of him.

"I underestimated you," Master Qui-Gon replied. "When it came time to act, you kept your head. You were there for me, time and time again. I will not forget that."

The blush warmed my face again, I could not stop it. "They say that you never know what you're capable of until you're put in a life-threatening situation. It shouldn't surprise you that I've never had to do anything like that before."

"Actually, it does." But he said nothing more about it, laying his hand reassuringly on my arm. "Thank you. For everything you did, including staying with me."

I covered his hand with mine. "It was the least I could do."

"It means much to me. But you should get some rest, as well. I woke you, didn't I?"

It was good to see the ordeal had not dampened his sense of humor. I smiled and pulled myself away. "Yes, Master Qui-Gon. If you insist."

*****

The Republic shuttle descended swiftly through the congested atmosphere of Coruscant and navigated to a docking port near the Jedi Temple, where a small landing pod waited to carry us the rest of the way. Obi-Wan had sent transmissions from the ship to inform the Council, the chancellor, and the Temple healers what had happened, so that everyone would be ready for our arrival. There was almost no delay from the moment we landed to the time Qui-Gon was brought into the infirmary where the healers could look at his injury. Since the apprentice would loyally remain at his Master's side, it was up to someone from the Council to come there to see us, to get the whole story. For a long time we were undisturbed, but when someone finally did come down, it was Adi Gallia, the strong-hearted woman in the Tholoth headdress. She intruded just as the healers pronounced their verdict: punctured lung, some internal muscle damage, all healed or nearly so after the combined ministrations of several Jedi. Qui-Gon would be just fine after a few days' rest. Master Adi smiled at him as he slowly sat up and swung his feet over the side of the bed. "Another attempt to get rid of you, thwarted," she noted.

Qui-Gon smirked very slightly at the jest in her rich, warm voice. "Not without a worthy struggle first, I assure you," he responded. A gray-eyed glance flicked my way very briefly. "The Council received our message, then?"

"Yes. Your apprentice was prompt in notifying us of what happened, to you as well as to the planet of Rodia." Her face became serious, as she shifted to business. "Though I would say you were justified in leaving the system so quickly, there are others who wonder why you did not stay to monitor and perhaps influence the outcome of the struggle in Equator City."

Obi-Wan turned to her, his hands tucked in the sleeves of his robe, equally serious but with an underlying fire I could lightly sense. He didn't appreciate being second-guessed by people who were not there, I imagined. "By the time we reached our ships, the conflict had overtaken the entire city," he informed her. "Two stolen ships carried more than enough battle droids and Rodian soldiers to fight a dozen wars, there was no way we could have stopped them from carrying out their intentions. As it was, we had no way of knowing until those ships landed what they intended. Even now, without evidence from the planet, we may not know what that is."

"It was not an invasion," Qui-Gon declared surely. "I expect it was a coup. I sent whatever military forces were not part of the plot to protect the governor, but until someone receives a transmission from Rodia, we will not know if they were successful. I would have tried to evacuate him if it were possible," he added with a hard look at Adi.

The woman nodded. "I expected that would be what you had to say. You did fulfil your mission, though. The senator and his family are safe here. The rest is not in your hands - it will be up to the Chancellor and the Senate to see how this plays out. It is a mess, for certain, but it is not our mess." A spark in her dark eyes as she said this made me think she was probably one of Qui-Gon's supporters on the Council, someone who thought like he did. I liked her immediately. "I don't know what the intentions of the rest of the Council are, but I shall want to hear how you came about this unusual injury, and who your attacker was."

"I would tell you that if I could," Qui-Gon said. "I want to look up some information, first, about notorious hired men who are wanted throughout the galaxy."

Adi raised one delicate eyebrow. "Oh? Well, then. Do as you must. But I want to hear this story."

"And you shall...soon enough," the Master Jedi assured as he slid off the bed and steadied his balance. Too much time on his back, perhaps. "If you will excuse me, Master Adi, I have been ordered by the healers to get some rest. I will contact you when I awake. If the others wish to know anything, Obi-Wan and Stacey have all the information they could want." He glanced at the two of us, as we stood on either side of him, and then bowed his head respectfully before making for the door. We followed, walking beside him like bodyguards all the way to the familiar quarters on the lower level. The room was prepared for our arrival, clean and stocked with whatever we might need. The cot still sat along the wall just outside Master Qui-Gon's bedroom, with a fresh blanket folded and neatly placed on the end of it. Despite the healers' orders, Qui-Gon did not go to bed, but sat before the communicator and tapped into Coruscant's security net. He waved off Obi-Wan's concerned protests. "I will be fine," he assured. "My healing will not be affected one way or the other by a moment's work."

Obi-Wan shook his head, but a tiny smirk lightened his young face. "He is always at work," he complained to me, tossing up a hand. "Even when he knows better."

"Maybe he knows something you don't," I offered in the Master's defense.

The apprentice sighed lightly. "It wouldn't be the first time, I'm afraid." He turned back and regarded his Master, seated before the viewscreen with a reflective frown on his bearded face. "What is it?"

"No word from Rodia yet," Qui-Gon replied. "But I did find this. Come here, both of you."

As I stepped around behind him, a face appeared on the viewscreen, sour and wicked and all-too-familiar. "Beren Teeg," I said darkly, even though I couldn't read the text scrolling beside the picture. "It was him."

"It seems so. Tix's boast was not far from the truth - he is wanted in twenty separate systems for everything from smuggling to murder."

I looked to Obi-Wan. "That's the man who stabbed Master Qui-Gon."

"The man I let flee," Obi-Wan grumbled. "The Republic would have been grateful if I could have subdued him."

"Men like him are not subdued," Qui-Gon reassured, glancing over his shoulder at his Padawan. "Either you would have had to kill him, or he would have killed you. As he has nearly everyone else who has tried to bring him in, according to his record." A dark look slowly gathered on his features. "As I suspected."

"I'm hoping that we've seen the last of him," I mentioned. "Us personally, anyway."

"I would think we have. Unless he has a thing about unfinished business." Qui-Gon leaned back in the chair, inadvertently brushing against my hand, which I had laid on the back of the chair to steady myself. "Very well. I will consider the matter closed, and do my best to get some rest. The two of you are free to do as you like, for the rest of today."

"Of which there is little," Obi-Wan pointed out. "It's late, Master."

"And you look like you could use some sleep. But, that is your choice." Master Qui-Gon rose stiffly from the chair and crossed to his bedroom door, pausing only to glance back at us. "And no waking up the Temple, this time."

Obi-Wan and I shared a grin, recalling the evening before our mission when our laughter had roused him from a restful sleep. "I do believe he doesn't trust us to behave," I remarked sarcastically as soon as the Master had closed his door.

"I couldn't imagine why not," the apprentice smirked, stifling a yawn. I looked at him, and realized Qui-Gon was right - Obi-Wan was dropping from fatigue. While I caught a short nap on the shuttle, he had been awake the entire time, manning the controls. Dark circles beneath his eyes and a drawn, weary expression only proved it.

"Obi-Wan," I said, "go to bed. You need rest as badly as Master Qui-Gon."

"I'm fine," he lied. "What about you? You'll be all by yourself out here..."

"So what? You're tired. Go. Sleep the whole night away." I grabbed his shoulder and turned him around, giving him more than a little push toward his bedroom. He chose not to resist. I added a comforting caress along his shoulders as I nudged him through the doorway. "I'll be fine. Trust me. We're not in a place where people are trying to kill us, I think I can survive a night alone while you sleep."

"Very well." He smiled kindly, and stumbled into his room. I withdrew to the table in the sitting room, glancing at the evil face on the viewscreen before shutting the communicator down. That was quite enough of that. With evening drawing on, I could feel my own body readjusting to the rhythm set by the coming and going of sunlight, and figured it would not be long before I would be asleep, too. But a well-deserved hot shower would come first, and fresh clothing, which I could take care of without anyone to interrupt.

Morning came, but I did not get up until I heard someone else stirring, not knowing what to do with myself except remain curled up under the warm blanket trying to recapture a dream. The excitement of the mission seemed to have no ill effects on me, for my dreams were vivid as usual and filled with weird, wonderful scenarios like my sister chasing me, being unable to get away, only to have Qui-Gon appear and give me the ability to use Force speed through a touch on my shoulder. Fortunately, the silliness of dreaming faded rapidly when I heard the pad of feet emerging from one of the rooms. I worked the blanket off my head and looked up to find Obi-Wan standing there, ruffling a hand through his short hair. He glanced my way and smiled sleepily. "Good morning."

"Morning," I muttered back. "Sleep good?"

"Very." He said nothing more, stepping into the half-open doorway to his Master's room and peeking in. Qui-Gon was asleep yet, but whatever he saw satisfied the young apprentice, so he turned and moved into the center of the sitting room. While I watched, he sank onto his knees and closed his eyes, dropping into a meditative stance. He was only wearing a pair of leggings, no tunic, so I could see the trim muscles of his torso flex as he took a deep breath, relaxed his shoulders, and fell to his usual meditation without giving me a second thought. I watched, taking note of his tousled morning appearance, innocent but masculine, as he conducted himself exactly the way he would have had I not been there. His short hair stuck out everywhere in a disorderly fashion. The thin braid rested noticeably on his bare chest, which rose and fell evenly with his centered breathing. The leggings clung to his skin, defining each tendon and muscle taut with the kneeling stance. I decided at that point it would be best if I turned my eyes away, lest inappropriate thoughts enter my mind where they could be picked up by the Force-sensitive young man. Why me? I wondered mischievously. I would have gotten up then, considering I was wide awake, but I didn't want to disturb Obi-Wan's meditation, so I rolled back over and snuggled into the warm blankets for a while.

It seemed the Jedi Council as well as the chancellor's office knew to take an injured Jedi seriously, for no one disturbed our quarters all morning, either in an official capacity or a friendly one. Qui-Gon slept late and moved no further than a comfortable chair beside the table, wisely taking it easy, though he did send a message to the chancellor apprising him of his status and his recollections of what happened on Rodia. Master Adi was right, it was no longer the Jedi's responsibility to do anything about the political upheaval, so from our point of view, the case was closed. I did about as much as the Master did, spending most of the day sitting around, talking casually with him and his apprentice, who left briefly to use a workout room on the next lowest level to exercise his skills. Our conversations touched nothing of importance, though I did express frustration in not being able to read anything in this Republic. Their alphabet is made up of unfamiliar symbols, which probably do not even correspond with the letters in the alphabet I was used to. "Are you saying you would like to learn to read?" Master Qui-Gon wondered.

"I think it would make things a lot easier," I suggested. "But don't put it like that, it's not like I don't know how to read..."

"I know," he smiled. "Perhaps that can be arranged. It may be a challenge, though."

"I'm not one to shrink from challenges," I assured boldly. "That reminds me...is there any way I could get my hands on...writing stuff?"

Qui-Gon frowned curiously. "Meaning...?"

"Well...I'm a writer. I want to keep a journal of what's happening to me, so I can remember all of this. I'd just ask for a pencil and some paper, but I don't know if that's the way you do things in this galaxy."

The Master nodded slowly. "You can do things any way you wish. If paper and a stylus are your choice, I can surely find you what you need. I know others tend to prefer a computer keypad."

"I could do that too. Anything, so I can write." I smiled eagerly. "There's so much to write about."

Qui-Gon smiled mysteriously in return. "I can imagine."

The door opened to admit Obi-Wan, fresh from his exercises, face flushed, with beads of sweat on his forehead. "Hey, how's it going?" I asked him.

"Fine," he answered, with a nod of his head toward his Master. Qui-Gon nodded back, still smiling. "The workout did me good, I think. Some of the other Knights asked me to relay their blessings to you, Master," he added as he crossed to where we sat, wiping his face with the sleeve of his tunic. "Word seems to have gotten out about our adventure."

"Thank you, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said gently, nodding again. "Stories do pass quickly through these halls."

"Especially when there are a number of Masters and their apprentices visiting the Temple," his Padawan noted. "I've noticed, today, there is a high level of activity in the Temple. It's almost crowded." He turned his attention specifically to his Master. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better," Qui-Gon replied, glancing at me. I had asked him the same question earlier, and got the same answer. "The wound is healing well. The internal damage is not severe, I should be at full strength in a couple of days. I owe both of you a great debt for my healing," he added humbly. "Thank you."

Neither of us said anything, quietly accepting his gratitude. "Have you heard anything more?" Obi-Wan continued to wonder.

"Nothing," the Master said with a shake of his head. "No one seems to want to disturb me. I don't know why, I'm not injured that badly." He gave us both a teasing smile.

"We've been having a good talk," I said, then, with a smug grin at Obi-Wan. "I'm glad no one interrupted us."

Obi-Wan chuckled as he sat down. "I don't suppose that will last."

"No, I owe both the chancellor and the Council a full explanation, and Master Adi Gallia a story," Qui-Gon acknowledged. "Tomorrow, perhaps. Unless anyone comes calling on us. They know where to find us."

"Unfortunately." I could hear a clear note of exasperation in the apprentice's voice, and wondered if he would explain his remark. After a moment of staring at his own hand lying on the table, he did, lifting his eyes to Qui-Gon's serene face across from him. "Perhaps we ought to get away from here for a while."

Master Qui-Gon, sitting with his arms resting in his lap, held his Padawan's steady gaze. "Get away, Obi-Wan? We've only just arrived here."

"It's not that I don't like the Temple, Master," Obi-Wan explained, "but it's hardly a peaceful haven sometimes. Many Jedi pass through here every day. The place is constantly in flux. And, it's not far enough removed from the influence of the Senate. If you're to properly heal, perhaps it would be better accomplished elsewhere."

"What are you suggesting, Padawan?"

Obi-Wan glanced down at his hand again, then slid it off the table into his lap before lifting his gaze again. His eyes were hard and bright with a certain idea. "A retreat, Master."

Qui-Gon's eyebrows lifted. "A retreat?"

"We haven't been on one in a great while." The young man got out of his chair, standing as if to pace, but only wandering a short distance away. Our eyes followed him. "Sometimes, withdrawing to a neutral place is necessary. You and I have done it before. Why not now? It's the perfect time."

The Master shook his head a little. "There's no need, Obi-Wan. I will be well enough to continue my duty in a few days, and we will be back in the field. The Temple is a fine place to stay in the meantime."

"Master, I must disagree." Obi-Wan's voice was soft, respectful, but sure.

"What do you mean by retreat?" I broke in. "I know what they are where I come from..."

Qui-Gon turned and gazed thoughtfully at me. "On occasion, Jedi have the leave to withdraw to a neutral place, a distant planet perhaps, or a temple or retreat center on one of the Republic worlds where we are most welcome. To...take ease, meditate, refresh and re-focus themselves after a particularly stressful mission." He shifted his glance back to his apprentice. "I hardly think this was one of those kinds of missions."

Obi-Wan stood with his hands on his hips, as if demanding his Master's attention. "You need time to rest and recover. The wound may heal easily, but you will need your strength back before our next assignment. And don't act as if you're the strongest man in the galaxy," he chided, his smile admiring. "You're strong, Master, but even you need time to heal."

Qui-Gon took the mild scolding in stride, smiling gently. "The time we spend here will be time enough, Obi-Wan. I will be fine. We don't need to get away to allow me time to heal."

"If not for yourself, then do it for me - and for Stacey," Obi-Wan continued to argue. "I need to focus my mind on my training, and reflect on what I've learned recently. She needs to adjust to being in a strange galaxy, and to get away from the scrutiny of the Council." He glanced at me, as if seeking my support, and I nodded agreeably. "Not to mention, the three of us must take time to examine this strange bond and test its limits. I would not advise going on another mission until we've figured out how this is going to work, Stacey doesn't need to be dragged into another conflict where her life is in danger. Not unless we're clear on this relationship."

It seemed his apprentice's argument was finally getting through Qui-Gon's stubborn shell. He grew reflective, shifting his eyes downward to the floor, and then took a deep breath and let it slowly sigh out. "Perhaps you're right," he said softly. "I can heal here, and you can meditate here as well as anywhere, but Stacey is uncomfortable here because of the Council's attention. They may not be bothering her now, but it is only a matter of time before they pick up where they were forced to leave off by our departure." His warm looked faded somewhat, becoming serious. "I had not thought about the bond formed by the midi-chlorians. What has happened to us is unique, and I have not had time to fully understand it. There are many questions I have, which only the Force can provide answers for, but we cannot fully focus on exploring this bond with so many interruptions waiting." He looked up to Obi-Wan, holding the young man's gaze for a moment, and then to me, searching my face for consent. The smile warmed on his face. "It has been a very long time since we took a retreat. The Council will likely not deny us one now, with my injury."

"We have been on missions continually for more months than I can count," Obi-Wan added as if he needed more evidence to support his claim. "We've not taken time to so much as rest between them. Forgive me if it's prideful to say this, Master, but one might think we deserved a break."

Qui-Gon looked down to where his hands lay clasped on his knee. "Very well," he relented agreeably. "I will inform the Council that I intend to take a retreat - with both of you." He looked up, at me this time, searching my eyes again. The idea was just beginning to sink into my mind, and I liked it. A lot. "There is much happening that we need time to deal with. Only by withdrawing can we give ourselves that time."

"Can the Council say no?" I asked.

"They could. If they could give fair and reasonable evidence why denying us a retreat is necessary," the Master said casually. "Only in times of extreme trouble and hardship have Jedi been called back from retreats, and this is not that time."

"The only thing they may object to is..." Obi-Wan began, his eyes travelling to me. He didn't have to finish his sentence, we all knew what he was thinking.

Qui-Gon nodded to show he had thought of that as well. "They can object, but she needs to be with us if we intend to reach any conclusions about this strange bond."

"Hmm, sounds like this retreat is more work than play," I mused.

"Oh, no. There will be time to relax," Master Qui-Gon assured, smiling again. "We will take some time to choose the location, one that will afford us refreshment rather than hardship. But tomorrow," he said concludingly. "I will take care of all of that tomorrow, when I address the Council on the matter of Rodia. For today, I wish to rest. Nothing more," he smiled, and his gray-blue eyes were on me again. I smiled at him, inwardly thrilled at the new direction my life was taking. There had been a tiny seed of fear hiding deep within me; I feared being separated from them upon returning to Coruscant, in the light of the deadly danger we faced on Rodia. But every fear I had was alleviated by Master Qui-Gon's assurances and Obi-Wan's brilliant idea. A retreat! Now that sounds like a plan.

*****

The cool gray light of morning and a sun dampened by artificially-seeded clouds peered through the great windows of the Jedi Council chambers, falling in muted shafts on the tiled floor. The Council had been convened to hear Qui-Gon's explanation of the events on Rodia, though I had a strong feeling as I stood near the door with Obi-Wan, the Council was not actually there to hear a routine story of Jedi exploits - there was something else they wanted. They took the detailed recounting of his injury in stride, most interested in the movements of the Force which took away his ability to anticipate the attack. Adi Gallia could hardly keep from smirking in wonder and amusement at the story, I watched her face from where I stood. A Jedi Master should not let a mere assassin with a primitive weapon get the drop on him, true, but she understood the circumstances and enjoyed hearing how the attacker was subdued. Qui-Gon got around to telling them how he was given a start toward healing on board the shuttle, and for the first time, someone interrupted him. "That brings up an important issue, one we were unable to deal with until you returned," Mace Windu said seriously. "What kind of interactions are you having with this girl? How strong is she in the Force?"

"We cannot feel her presence, even now," Ki-Adi Mundi reminded.

Master Qui-Gon's hands moved beneath the sleeves of his robe, fidgeting a little in annoyance. "No lessons or experiments have been done, if that's what you're asking," he replied with forced patience. "As I said, I did my best to keep her out of harm's way. She remained in our quarters while we were about our business, until the last day, for I knew then she would not be safe anywhere but with us. I have done nothing unusual with her, Masters, only allowed things to progress naturally."

"This young woman saved Master Qui-Gon's life," Adi offered for the Council to digest, "first in the underground waterway, then on the shuttle with the Force's help. I cannot help but assume he was not mistaken in the need to have her along."

"She may have also been the cause of his wounding," Windu interjected. "We don't know and can't say 'what might have been,' though I suspect things might have come out differently if he had not her to look after."

I immediately resented that, and nearly said so, but Obi-Wan's hand eased onto my shoulder and squeezed gently. "Don't," he whispered so only I could hear. "You'll only make things worse."

Qui-Gon took the harsh declaration without flinching, only dropping his eyes to the floor while he collected his thoughts. "I was not mistaken," he said at last, his voice soft, but resounding with certainty. His eyes flashed blue with determination as he swept them around the Council circle. "The Force is at work here. I do not understand it, but I will not run from something I don't understand. I wish to follow it, find out where it leads."

"As a Jedi should," Yoda murmured. It was the first since greeting us that he had spoken; he had sat silent through the story, pensive and interested. "The issue of which speaks Master Windu is the girl's presence here. Returned you have, so now continue this debate, we must."

An unsettled look passed over Qui-Gon's face. Before he could say anything, Yoda called him on it - or rather, on the feeling which accompanied it, which I could faintly sense. "Disagree with this, do you?"

"Yes, my Master," Qui-Gon said respectfully. "Allow me to present this to you: it would do us all no good to debate Stacey's presence and her abilities to sense the Force until I have myself understood it. It is my wish to take some time to examine the nature of the bond which exists between us, which allows her to sense myself and Obi-Wan, and us her, but nothing more. Once I have grasped it, it may be easier for us all to move forward in understanding."

The Council consulted one another with glances shot across and around the circle, augmented by frowns and nods here and there. Mace Windu didn't look pleased, and I was starting to see that maybe giving him the benefit of the doubt early on was being too lenient with him. He could be very irritating. But before he could comment, Eeth Koth spoke up from the other side of the circle. "Do you have something in mind, then?"

Qui-Gon glanced back at him, letting his eyes wander back toward Yoda slowly. "I intend to take a retreat. Obi-Wan could use the time to reflect on his training, and I would like to evaluate his progress, as well as recover from this injury. It would be best if we could go someplace where we will not be disturbed. Only that way can I find the time to meditate on this unique situation. Some time away will help me focus, and afford me the opportunity to work with her, to find some answers."

Again, Mace Windu looked like he wanted to say something, his dark eyes flashing, but clamped his mouth shut and looked instead to Yoda. The wizened Master's pointed ears perked up, and his eyes widened, but not in alarm. "A retreat, you say?" He hummed over it for a moment. "Yes, time you need. Agreed, I am, that a retreat in order is."

"For how long?" Ki-Adi Mundi asked.

"I don't know," Master Qui-Gon replied. "I haven't even decided where it should take place, yet. I was hoping to do that today, after I brief the Chancellor on Rodia."

"Keep us informed, then," Mace said, his voice controlled. I almost wished I could sense his thoughts, because I wanted to know what was really going on behind those dark eyes. "Have you anything more?"

"Not unless you have more questions."

No one did, so the Council adjourned and allowed us to leave. A couple of the councilors exited with us, and shared the lift down to more populated levels of the Temple. Eeth Koth smiled at me as he edged in beside Obi-Wan, and Adi Gallia cornered the Master in the back. "So, a wanted assassin, and you let him go," she chided, although not seriously. "Are you slipping in your old age, Master Qui-Gon?"

Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow at her. She was certainly in a cheeky mood. "Not that I could see," he answered calmly.

Master Adi smiled. "I could never rattle you," she said, more gently and respectfully. "A valiant story, for sure. Are you recovering well?"

"Very well, thank you."

"And we should all thank this young stranger for your life," she added, looking at me with a tiny smirk. "You acted quickly. Did you realize what was happening?"

"Sort of," I answered. It was the first time since returning to Coruscant that a member of the Council had spoken directly to me. They spoke around me all morning, none of them seemed interested in hearing my first-person account of the events or even of the healing. "I saw Beren Teeg, but I didn't stop to think what to do. I just did the first thing that came to mind."

"Knocked him in the water," Adi said, and her smirk grew wider.

"It is good to trust your instincts," Eeth Koth said, then. "They guide you well. But tell me, how did you know to use the Force to heal Qui-Gon?"

I shrugged. "I didn't. Obi-Wan started it, I just followed his lead. I could feel the Force, it kind of led me after a point. I just...knew what to do."

Koth eyed me, but accepted my explanation with a nod. "You did well, then."

"Exceptionally well." Qui-Gon rested a hand on my shoulder and smiled down at me. I could feel without trying, the gratitude he sought to express. His mood quickly changed, though, as something else crossed his mind. His hand slipped away, and he faced the two Jedi Masters with a more serious air. "Perhaps this ought to be discussed in private, but...why is Master Windu so disturbed by Stacey being with me? I don't understand."

Adi Gallia sighed, and shared a glance with her companion. "We are all uncertain," she replied with a little shrug. "He has not accepted that we must move forward with other matters and allow this one to play itself out in its own time. He is convinced that there is something about her that must be gotten to the bottom of, something hidden from all of us. Perhaps, if your retreat is a success, you will have something to offer that may placate him."

"I doubt that, Master," Qui-Gon smirked. The lift doors opened to our floor. "I will keep you informed as plans for the retreat are completed."

"May the Force be with you," Eeth Koth said, nodding. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan both bowed, and the doors closed with us in the hallway.

We returned to our quarters in time for the noon meal, which we ate together in the main room rather than go down to a dining hall to share with the whole Temple. Soon after, Qui-Gon held a brief conference via communicator with Chancellor Valorum, during which we learned more about the Rodian conflict. Communication had been received that morning while we were in with the Council, a direct statement from a warlord who claimed that he had taken over control of the government, declaring himself Emperor of Rodia or something to that effect. The seat of power would be in his city, now, instead of Equator City, and the governor was exiled - "Thankfully, not killed," Obi-Wan said to me as we eavesdropped. No other details had come out, though there was a good chance the exiled governor would make his way to Coruscant to seek audience with the Senate. Qui-Gon received the chancellor's information with a reserved nod, and that was that. He sat in front of the blank communicator for a while in silent contemplation, but when he roused himself again, the political matter was put completely aside. "Come," he ordered, getting up. "We have business to attend to."

"What now?" I wondered.

He smiled knowingly. "We have to decide where to take our retreat," he answered, his voice lilting with obvious pleasure.

I looked at Obi-Wan, who also looked pleased as we followed the Master out of the room. "Well! Let's get to it, then," I remarked.

A couple of young Temple initiates were studying in the Star Map room when we got there, but they quickly vanished when they saw a Master and his Padawan needed to use it. I watched them hustle down the hall, glancing back over their shoulders in awe, and couldn't help but grin. I still felt like that around this pair, myself. Qui-Gon fell immediately to the task at hand, stroking his bearded chin while he examined planetary coordinates for something appealing. "What are we looking for?" Obi-Wan queried. "Anything in particular?"

"Something far enough out, but not too far," Qui-Gon began, his eyes wandering over the little holographic buttons floating against the blue-black backdrop meant to look like space. "Quiet, not overly populated..."

"But not primitive, either," his apprentice offered. "There was that one place, the forest moon, we went to that one time, Master." His tone was petulant, but facetiously so, as he rolled his eyes comically. "I don't want to ever go back to that one."

Qui-Gon's face broke into an amused smile at something he remembered. "Very well," he said with deceptive calm. "We shall look for something...just populated enough. A friendly place." His eyes clouded wistfully. "Beautiful."

I felt my heart catch when he uttered that word. I had not yet seen Master Qui-Gon as a man who easily expressed an appreciation for beauty. "That sounds like a good idea," I said. "Someplace serene. Maybe...forested? I'm thinking mountains, lakes, beautiful vistas..."

Qui-Gon glanced at me, thought a moment, and then flicked his eyes back to the stars. "Like Alderaan, perhaps?"

"Too populated," Obi-Wan countered. "We would never get a moment's peace."

"There's a Jedi center with a temple on Malastare," the Master suggested.

They continued to run through options, some of which I had heard of before, some foreign, while I looked around the stars for something familiar. They stood close to the coordinates nearest the galactic center, the worlds and moons which were the shortest distance from Coruscant, but I wandered away from them toward the Outer Rim, trying to read names as I went. The night before, I had been treated to a crash course in Republic lettering, so I was able to puzzle out some of the shorter planet names. So many worlds, each one with its own unique species, culture, language...it was next to overwhelming, as it had been that night Obi-Wan took me on a tour of the Temple and first showed it to me. This was my first chance to explore, though. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, touching planets with strange names just to see the information that appeared holographically before me. A thin, muted recorded voice accompanied each entry, telling me the things I could not read. Some sounded quite bizarre, and not at all what we were looking for. Then, my eyes passed a short name, and I sucked in my breath in a little gasp when I realized what it said: Naboo. Even without knowing the letters well, I could read that one. Without thinking, my hand brushed the button and a square flashed up, displaying things like day and year cycle, core composite, distance in light years from the Core, monetary system, ruler...wait. I hesitated, but curiosity got the better of me. I had to know. The recorded voice intoned, Ruler of the Naboo is King Veruna, elected head of state... That was enough. Veruna was still king on Naboo, there had not been an exile yet, nor an election, there was no Queen Amidala yet.... I let out the breath I was holding. There was time.

Qui-Gon's voice suddenly startled me. "What have you found?" He came over and read the entry. "Naboo. It's part of the Outer Rim territories the Republic controls."

"I've heard of it," Obi-Wan said. "It sounds like it might do. A peaceful people, a lovely planet..." He stepped over and touched an icon next to the text on the capitol city, and up popped an image of Theed, with sunlight glinting off its waterfalls and regal architecture. "There, look at that. It might be perfect."

"It's too far out," Qui-Gon murmured. "It would take more time to journey there than we have, I want to spend our time on the retreat - not getting to it." He looked at me, and I could tell he sensed my conflicted feelings. "You don't like the idea of going there?"

"You're right, it's too far out," I said to cover, but I had a strong feeling he knew I was hiding something. "What else did you find?"

"One possibility." The Master returned to the side of the room where he had been looking, and touched one shining star. "Chad. Presumably a beautiful planet. Its main inhabitants are the Chadra-Fan, rodent-like humanoids, a civilized race."

"Have you ever been there?" his apprentice asked him.

"Once, before I took you on," he replied. "It is nice. There was a Jedi center there a while ago, but others have became more popular, so it has fallen somewhat into disuse. The Chadra-Fan are entertaining, to say the least, almost as much as Phindians."

Obi-Wan groaned under his breath, remembering something long past. I giggled. "The retreat center was on the edge of the bayous, where the Chadra-Fan reside," Qui-Gon continued, ignoring his Padawan's reaction. "By a lake, if I remember correctly. It is peaceful and among a friendly race, especially if Jedi seldom take retreat there anymore."

"Sounds perfect," I said. "How far is it?"

"Not far at all. A day's journey at most." Master Qui-Gon turned to consult Obi-Wan. "What do you think?"

"I agree, it sounds like the right place," the apprentice said with a wise nod.

"Then Chad, it is." Qui-Gon folded his arms over his chest definitively. "Now, all we have to do is obtain passage, and inform the Council when we will be leaving."

"And when would that be?" I asked.

"Tomorrow, if passage can be found that quickly." The Master smiled, and turned to leave without acknowledging my surprise.

Obi-Wan hit a button near the door on the way out, which reset all the planets we had called up. The room reverted to an undisturbed state. "No sense in delaying a holiday, now is there?" he said by way of explaining his Master's comment. "I trust it will be a good time, for all of us."

I grinned to myself, letting my imagination start to play just a little. "I hope so."

On to part 10

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