"Well, I had thought that if we had the opportunity, we should seize an unoccupied practice room, but it's not a pressing matter. Merely a wish to cleanse myself through some physical activity," Qui-Gon replied lightly.

"That does sound appealing, Master." My senses luxuriated in the decadent tone of the apprentice's voice, which drifted through the doorway. "Perhaps later this evening?"

"Agreed. I see no reason to disrupt your meditation with unimportant exercise. Your understanding is far too valuable to ask you to forego. Go, do what you must."

I heard the door, and came out instantly to find that Obi-Wan had left. "What's going on?" I asked of the Master standing uselessly in the middle of the sitting room.

He turned toward me with a pleasant look. "Obi-Wan has asked to take some time alone to meditate today." The pleasantness was tempered by a shade of solemnity as I crossed to him. "You were wise to advise him to speak with me last night."

"Is he okay?" I wondered. All I knew was that they had stayed up so late speaking that I fell asleep on Obi-Wan's bed and had to be dragged out very late without any knowledge of what passed between them.

"Yes, I believe so," Qui-Gon answered, and the solemn cloud passed. "His concerns were serious, though. We talked long, and while he has come to a fairly clear understanding of himself, it was his choice to meditate, to assimilate his conclusions and examine them."

I smiled in relief. "That's good. I was worried for a bit, there."

He smiled back and turned away, straightening up a chair as he went toward his room. "I have a small errand to run," he called back over his shoulder, "would you like to accompany me?"

I hesitated, suspicious, and waited for him to come back out of his room. He had merely retrieved comlink and lightsaber and put them in their places on his belt. "Why?"

Qui-Gon blinked at my resistance. "No reason. I just thought you might like to get out of our rooms for a short time. It's not a very complicated errand, just something I want to see." His eyes sparkled with blue. "Perhaps I also just want to get out of our rooms for a time."

His explanation seemed logical enough, and I sensed no deception, though he was much better at using the Force by a long shot and could have easily concealed ulterior motives. "All right," I consented with a cheery smile. "You're right, it would be nice to wander around for a bit."

"Perhaps we'll even get outside for a while," he offered as he headed for the door and passed instantly through it, "and feel the wind on our faces." A sidelong glance flickered my way. "I'm sure that would appeal to you, yes?"

I murmured agreement as I followed him down the corridor. The artificiality of the Jedi Temple's atmosphere was hardly unique on Coruscant, but it reminded me too much of the closed, uncomfortable malls and office complexes of Earth, which I detested in all their sterility. I was a creature of the wild world, and Master Qui-Gon knew that. Though, I couldn't fathom where we could "get outside" and feel the wind around the Temple.

We went up to the topmost level of the Temple and made for one of the other corner spires, not the High Coucil spire. Qui-Gon explained that it would take us near to the Council of Reconciliation, and his intent was to find out what sorts of interplanetary disputes were being handled, in the event the next mission he and Obi-Wan would be assigned to was of that nature. "And," he added casually, "we could inquire about the status of the peacekeeping team on Salji if we wished."

"That's okay," I assured. "I hope they've at least kept the cease-fire from breaking down." I listened to the quiet whir of the lift rising steadily up into the spire for a moment. "How are we going to find all this out, though?"

"There's something you have not seen, yet. Now that you are a ward of the Jedi, it is safe to allow you to see it," Qui-Gon answered mysteriously. I frowned at him, but at that moment the lift coasted to a stop and the doors opened. He led the way into a huge chamber, which housed a sight that made my jaw fall open and a stunned gasp escape. A walkway ran around the edge of the chamber, overlooking an enormous empty space taken up by a glowing holographic projection which cast enough light that our shadows streamed out behind us. The image was reminiscent of a spiral galaxy, only stylized, not exact. Here and there along the gigantic, rotating spiral arms flashed small beacons, which the handful of Jedi hanging along the railing of the walkway could access individually for information. Qui-Gon's hand on my shoulder woke me from my awe. "This is one of the map chambers," he quietly explained. "The Jedi High Council and the Council of Reconciliation have access to the most detailed information on what is occurring in the galaxy. The indicators you see plot places of interest."

He stepped forward into the chamber, then, and I followed, thoroughly impressed as I stood at the railing and looked up at the sense-numbing map of the galaxy slowly rotating past. The illusion of three dimensions utterly fooled my eyes, it looked to me like a galaxy of stars really was floating in the enclosed space of the spire, despite the axis lines and quadrant grids overlaid on the image. There were a few Jedi perusing the map for information, and Qui-Gon asked one if there was anything of interest happening at the moment. "Some," the Knight answered flippantly, "but really, it's the same thing as one can expect day in and day out. The civil war on Rodia has died down, that's sort of news."

"So I heard," Qui-Gon mused, looking up. The Jedi beside us pressed a pad connected to the walkway railing, and one of the beacons flashed green for a moment as if to wink and introduce itself as being Rodia. "I heard it was coming time for another royal succession on Gedomar."

"Already?" the other questioned with a hint of a laugh. "Well, someone will certainly be sent to oversee that, I dare say. The last one nearly wiped out several thousand factionalists."

"Yes, but the Jedi who were there managed to prevent a massacre."

The Knight glanced briefly at Master Qui-Gon as he reached over and accessed the beacon indicating the planetary system called Gedomar. Immediately in front of us, a holographic panel arose, showing an image of the planet and scrolling through pertinent information. "Studying potential assignments, Master?"

Qui-Gon's classic half-smile awoke on his lips as he read the panel. "Perhaps."

"You still have an apprentice, do you not?"

"I do."

"Then you should be sent someplace far more interesting than Gedomar." The Knight pointed to something on the panel which I failed to translate. "Gedomi cultural taboos have historically prevented Master-Padawan pairs from traveling there for any reason."

Qui-Gon nodded, but said nothing more about Gedomar or missions at all. I was struck dumb by the size and complexity of the holomap, and stood there beside him just gazing up at it all while he perused some of the insistently flashing beacons that indicated hot-spots around the galaxy where negotiation teams were either stationed already or urgently requested. In time, the Master nudged my shoulder again and started to walk away. I tagged along behind him in obedience, having had my fill of awe for now. He stepped through a wide archway toward thick, imposing doors, which hissed as they opened upon daylight. Outside. A balcony.

Comprehension came to me with the speed of a lightbulb turning on. "Oh!" I exclaimed as the Master paced slowly through the doorway. "This is where the balcony is!"

Qui-Gon glanced briefly over his shoulder as he clasped his hands behind him. "You know about the contemplation balconies?"

I shrugged modestly. "I, uh...I've seen one, before," I attempted to explain with a cheesy grin. "I just never knew where in the Temple it was located. It's up here?"

"Each of the spires has them," the Master informed me, stepping further onto the balcony and gesturing vaguely in the direction of the next tower, which could be seen just beyond the curve of this one. "For Jedi awaiting a Council or merely seeking a place to be still and listen to the Force." He went right to the end of the balcony and leaned his hands on the railing. I edged cautiously out to join him, though the further away from the spire's reassuring bulk I moved, the more nervous I became. The balcony was small, but at its tip, there was nothing but a few hundred feet of air between it and the roof of the Jedi Temple far below. Qui-Gon was not daunted by the height, and stood gazing keenly at the cityscape abuzz with ship traffic out beyond the Temple complex, a light breath of wind sweeping his long hair back over his shoulders. "Obi-Wan has a number of places inside the Temple where he likes to go to be alone," he murmured, "but for me, there is only one. One of these balconies."

I finally approached his side and gripped the railing, finding it solid and safe. "How come the wind isn't strong up here?" I wondered, gathering the courage to peer over the balcony at the stepped side of the temple pyramid. "It just screams through the other buildings and the landing platforms."

"Something to do with the architecture, I assume," the Master replied.

I looked up at him. "Not the Force?"

He smirked in mild amusement. "The Force has more important things to do than keep it from being too windy on this balcony. No, the builders of the Temple long ago would not have included a balcony at this height if anyone was in danger of being swept off it. It is designed to resist the wind naturally."

"That's cool," I said. "I didn't really think it had anything to do with the Force. I didn't know much about it before I got here, but I've seen in my time with you, you don't use the Force in place of normal functions. Like, there's no need to call something to your hand when your legs work perfectly fine to get up and go get it yourself."

Qui-Gon glanced down at me with a pleased smile. "That's correct. I'm glad you noticed that."

A short silence passed between us, during which I noticed something else. "The air's kind of thin up here, though."

"It is," the Master agreed. "We won't stay very long. I can regulate my metabolism with the Force if need be, but you cannot, so I won't keep you out here past your endurance."

"It's okay," I assured, taking a deeper breath. "It's like being on a high mountain on Earth. As long as I'm just standing here, I should be fine. We can stay out here as long as you want."

Qui-Gon smiled again, one of those pleasant smiles that awakened the lines at the corners of his eyes. I looked away from him, to the endless city and the perpetual traffic that busied the sky. We were on the shadowed side of the spire, comfortably cool and protected from the glare of sun off transparisteel. Even though I disliked the urban, metal landscape before me, I had to admit that feeling the air, the wind, against my skin was exactly what I had been missing, and took deep breaths in spite of the slight tang of pollution. Beside me, the Master also took a deep breath, sighing long as he savored the view and the sky. "Do you know why I prefer coming here to finding a quiet spot inside the Temple?" he abruptly said.

I glanced up at him. "No, why?"

He wore an introspective look as his eyes followed the lines of ships. "It is very easy to consider oneself superior to those we protect. When I stand here, and look out, beneath the metal and duracrete I can feel life, and I know I am but one insignificant drop in a teeming ocean of trillions." His gaze tilted downward and toward me beside him. "It is a very good way of regaining perspective."

I grinned at him, sensing rather than hearing the humor. "I can see that," I complimented. "For me, I get that feeling when I look up at the stars."

"So that is why you and Obi-Wan decided to go up to the observatory," the Master noted.

I shyly averted my gaze. "I guess. I've always watched stars. When he suggested it, there was no way I was going to say no." For a few moments of wordless thought I worked to control the blush on my cheeks and decide what more to say. Looking up again, I added, "And it was a good chance for me and Obi-Wan to talk."

Qui-Gon met my eyes with an indescribable gaze. "Yes," he said quietly. "He's grown very comfortable sharing his thoughts with you. I ought to thank you for that." I shook my head in embarrassment - it wasn't me. "I'm serious. Obi-Wan is a good man and a great Jedi, but he often keeps his most uncomfortable thoughts to himself. I do my best to be a good teacher and encourage him to speak when he feels able, but it's not an easy task." He turned completely, then, to face me, leaning his left hand on the balcony railing. "You encouraged him to share his questions with me last night. That was very valuable. For both of us - for what he had to say left me thinking."

Part of me was curious to know what had happened while I was in Obi-Wan's room and after, but a bigger part of me was uncomfortable intruding on the bond between Master and apprentice, and preferred to be left ignorant about their conversation and any ensuing decisions. "As long as I haven't done anything to upset either of you, then I'm glad," I mumbled, looking everywhere but Qui-Gon's intelligent eyes. "I don't want to be a disruption to your duty, you know that."

"It's not you," he reassured. "Obi-Wan and I must take responsibility for what we feel. It is as I said to you once before: your feelings are your own responsibility, you are not responsible for what I feel."

A flash of memory placed that comment on its original context, and my mood darkened. "You're not...regretting what you feel, again, are you?"

Qui-Gon sighed, and I noticed that he did not immediately say "no." Rather, he looked out from the balcony while he collected his thoughts. "My failure to you in the past was motivated by fear. I didn't think it was right for me to have such feelings for you, regardless of Obi-Wan. I have since become wiser," he admitted with a self-depreciating note, "but my Padawan's questions to me last night awakened questions of my own." He turned almost completely away from me, both hands now on the railing and a distant expression on his rugged face. "There is only one thing that could possibly tempt me to stray from my path as a Jedi."

"Master..." I tried to interrupt, growing from uncomfortable to scared.

"Selfishness," he immediately said. "The sorts of feelings I have for you, while perfectly good in and of themselves, have the potential to turn me into a selfish man. I will do my best not to let them," he added, looking towards me again, "but I feel it fair to warn you, should you catch me becoming distant toward you as Obi-Wan did. He mentioned questioning whether or not his desires were selfish, and I have asked myself the same thing."

The cold feeling creeping up my back had a familiar bite to it. I had convinced myself well before arriving in this galaxy, and reiterated several times since, that by adoring them and becoming too close, I was being selfish as well - and ruining them as Jedi. "Do you think that's what's happening?" I wondered fearfully. "Because I don't want to do that to you, you know I don't."

"My own experience is limited, I can't be sure, but I've observed many things happen to many people because of these sort of feelings. If I am not on my guard, I could find myself seeking only personal gratification, grasping at a semblance of love for the way it makes me feel. That is something I cannot do. Nor would it be fair to you."

"No, and I wouldn't want you to. That does sound selfish, and not very Jedi. Though..." I thought about it, replaying memories and contemplating words. "...I don't think you or Obi-Wan are being selfish. Nothing that's happened between us has given me that impression."

"Perhaps not," the Master admitted. "But the potential exists."

"Yeah, but..." I tilted my head to the side as I gazed at him, trying to figure him out. His thoughts were a jumble, and certainly not open for me to peruse, so I didn't. "...it depends on what you feel, really. What motivates you. You keep saying you care for me, that leads me to believe you're not seeking yourself at all. Care is...outward."

Qui-Gon's face did not change, but the air around us seemed to settle, the buzz of fear and discomfort disappearing. "Yet, I do delight in your presence."

"So? That's not a bad thing. That's not selfish." I stepped a little closer to him, hoping my words would not be lost in the wind. "Back home, there's a saying...a Scripture, actually. 'Love does not seek its own.' Real love, real caring, is totally selfless. Romance is the selfish one." I laid a hand on his arm, belatedly noticing how bold I had suddenly become. "I think, just questioning yourself like this shows that you'd never be selfish. You and Obi-Wan, both. Everything you've done has been completely outside yourselves, you've put me and my welfare ahead of your own and fretted every time you thought you were going to hurt me or one another. Both of you are so giving, you never even think of receiving something in return. If that's not total selflessness, I don't know what is."

A warm smile broke out on Qui-Gon's face, his gray eyes softening. "And even if there are some things that I might desire to do?"

His voice was so gentle, but with an underlying note that I could have sworn was seductiveness, had I not known him better. We stood barely a hand's-width apart, him leaning over me as the wind started to pick up and toss at our hair. For a moment my mind was too numb to form words. "W-well...that's up to you, I guess," I stammered before regaining my courage. "But, getting pleasure as a result of making someone else feel loved is hardly a problem."

"You may be right." The Master chuckled a little to himself, and was about to say something else when we both heard the buzz of his comlink signal. He extracted it from its pouch and turned so his back was to the wind as he answered, "Yes?"

The voice of his caller was too faint for me to make out, though it had a female tone to it. Qui-Gon listened intently to the introduction. "No, Master, you're not interrupting anything," he responded. "Yes...actually, she is right here with me." Another pause. "Yes, we can. We should be there very shortly. Oh? Of course. We will be there shortly, Master." A flick of his thumb, and the comlink was off.

"What was that?"

"Master Yaddle has asked us to come to her chambers," Qui-Gon replied simply. "She wants to clear up all final matters of your status and detail my responsibilities as your guardian."

I sighed. "Great. Well, I suppose, we were just waiting for that, yet." I peered up at the tall Master. "Are you sure you didn't bring me with you on your little errand to have a talk with me about this?"

"Not at all," Qui-Gon insisted as we started for the doors. "I had no intention of having any serious talks. I wasn't even thinking about it until you mentioned talking with Obi-Wan."

"Oh, sure, blame me," I retorted as the doors slid open before us. Qui-Gon laughed under his breath and clapped a reassuring hand to my shoulder.

We weren't kept waiting at Yaddle's door, finding ourselves attended by more than just the diminutive councilor as we entered and were offered seats. Adi Gallia was there, as was Ki-Adi Mundi. The good, the bad, and the...green, I thought to myself. Qui-Gon bowed slightly before taking a seat beside me and facing Yaddle, who was ensconced in a wide, round chair that enabled her to sit at eye-level with just about anyone - save, perhaps, the tall Master on my right. "Welcome, Master Qui-Gon," she began with a kind look at both of us. "Trust I that the day finds you well."

"It does, Master," Qui-Gon warmly replied, nodding. His gaze shifted briefly to each of the others, though neither of them displayed a reaction to him. They sat to the right and left of Yaddle, forming a full circle of chairs. Since the Jedi were never in the habit of small talk amongst themselves, he launched straight into it. "I have done some research into past cases of wards granted asylum among the Jedi, so that I might be prepared to accept the responsibilities given to me."

"Yet, we must first decide what those responsibilities will be," Ki-Adi said cautioningly. "I have been asked to represent the concerns some of us continue to have for this situation."

"And I am to represent the counterpoint," Adi added. I shot her a look, to which she allowed herself a very quick smile, which stole into her large eyes and was gone in a flash. Anyone else wouldn't have noticed it.

"Very well," Qui-Gon accepted. "I assume this meeting is to come to a resolution that addresses all concerns and will be in the best interests of my ward."

"Indeed, foremost is that concern," Yaddle murmured, her gaze settling on me. A patient, kindly look pooled in her green eyes, and I found myself immediately liking her. "The best interests of our friend must be placed first, and her input is requested also."

"Thank you, Master," I said humbly. "I appreciate that."

Yaddle's liquid eyes lifted to Qui-Gon. "Quartered with you, is she?"

The Master nodded. "Since we brought her here, she has been staying in our quarters."

"On a cot in your main room," Ki-Adi Mundi specified. "Master Windu asked me to relay his objection to such quarter."

"Yes, he has mentioned his disapproval to me personally several times, not the least of which was shortly after we returned from Salji," Qui-Gon said sharply. "It's not clear to me what exactly he objects to, all he has said is that it seemed discourteous to Stacey."

I concealed my reaction to his revelation, though inwardly I was assigning Mace the title of "dork" again. So that's what he was bugging Master about that night he visited! Adi jumped in, then. "Stacey, do you feel you have been treated unfairly by being resigned to a cot in their sitting room?"

"Unfairly? No!" I answered honestly. "I consider myself pretty lucky to have that cot. I mean, it is kind of strange not having a room of my own, or personal space, but considering where I am and who I'm with, I don't mind it one bit." I glanced momentarily at Ki-Adi. "It's actually pretty comfortable for a cot."

"Yet you would like space of your own," he noted.

I looked away, trying to be nonchalant. "Well...honestly? It would be nice. But I'm not making any demands. I'll take whatever I can get."

Qui-Gon's hand twitched on the arm of his chair, like he was going to touch mine but restrained himself at the last minute. "You know that you deserve more than what we've been able to give you. Of course, it was not our right to make concessions until you were officially granted asylum."

"I know that. It's okay, Master. Really, I never thought about it. The cot doesn't bother me."

Ki-Adi sighed. "Beyond courtesy, I feel it is inappropriate to allow this to continue."

"Yet, to take her from Qui-Gon may not be in her best interests," Adi argued. "It is my belief that the bond between them should be allowed and encouraged in the interest of developing her sensitivity to the Force."

Yaddle barely moved, only her eyes shifting from one face to the next. "Master Qui-Gon? What is your wish?"

I looked up at him. Qui-Gon was still and inscrutable, blinking slowly in surprise. "My feelings matter in this case?"

"Mine is this matter, now. Yes, your opinion I request and desire," Yaddle answered him.

Qui-Gon lowered his eyes, abashed. "Then, with your permission, Master...I would like her to stay with us. The Force has created something unique between us, and Stacey is not the only beneficiary of her bond to me. Yes, she has become a good friend," he added with a glance at Ki-Adi Mundi, "but more so, her presence challenges my own perceptions of the Force and has caused me to learn many things. She is also a good friend to Obi-Wan, and encourages him in his training to grow beyond even what I may teach him. I see no reason to deny that we want to keep our friend with us, though our personal feelings are hardly important in the decision. Only one thing matters, and that is, what is in Stacey's best interest. To that end, I ask you to let her lodge with us indefinitely, so that we may be available to answer her questions and maintain her abilities with the Force."

"And what of missions?" Ki-Adi prodded, the natural lilt to his voice making him sound almost condescending for a moment. "Is it your intention to bring her with you everywhere you go?"

Qui-Gon's head turned in his direction, and his eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly. "A Jedi's missions are not the place for an untrained woman to be tagging along. I need no lectures, I am aware of this, as is my apprentice. Yet, when she has been with us, Stacey has proven to be useful beyond our capability to understand. Adi knows this."

"I would be foolish to deny that she played a very important part in the mission to Salji," Adi concurred. "I, too, thought it was dangerous to have her there, but she rose above her fears and aided us."

"All I ask is that no restraints be put on her wardship," Qui-Gon continued. "Do not forbid her from coming with us if we ask her to."

"Why would you?" Ki-Adi argued, frowning deeply. "For the delight of her company? That is hardly a request befitting a Jedi, Master Qui-Gon. I am even more deeply endeared to my wives than you are to a friend, and I do not ask them to come with me when I leave Coruscant."

Sitting as close to Qui-Gon as I was, it didn't surprise me that I was able to feel the Force sparking with his indignance. He took scolding when he knew he was in the wrong, but this was not one of those times. "I did not give personal friendship as the reason, Knight Mundi," he said icily. In a second the anger subsided and the Force's presence in the room quieted. "I have discussed this with my Padawan, and we are in agreement. There is a reason the Force brought her here to us, and we consider what she has done to be evidence of this. As Jedi, we ought to be receptive to the Force when it directs us to do something against our own common sense. I would be remiss in my responsibility as a Jedi to disallow Stacey to go where the Force wills her to simply because she is not a Jedi."

"In simple terms, Master," Adi said gently, "do you expect her to be with you at all times, or only when it seems to you that the Force has a purpose for her being with you?"

Qui-Gon glanced her way and relaxed. "The latter, Master. I will not put her in danger needlessly, but the Force knows better than I why it brought her here and where it wants her to go. If it is necessary and appropriate, I wish her to be free to come with us."

"The entire Council is against you on that point, Qui-Gon," the Knight informed him.

"Not the entire," Yaddle uncharacteristically interrupted him.

Ki-Adi blinked at her. "Master?"

The small Jedi Master closed her eyes, much in the manner of Yoda. "Given to me was this matter. All things I must consider." We waited, expecting further comment and not breaking her train of thought until she spoke again. When her eyes slowly opened, they were focused on Master Qui-Gon. "It is known that once you offered a compromise."

Qui-Gon hesitantly nodded. "I did."

"Then propose another, will I. No qualifications or limits shall be placed upon her. Free will she be to go where she pleases, even outside the Jedi Temple when and if appropriate it is. But, separate quarters will be found for her."

"No," I whined, sitting up in the chair. Eyes swiveled to me. "I don't want my own quarters, I want to stay with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan."

"Friends they are, I understand," Yaddle said gently. "But understand also you do that they are Master and apprentice, and have a duty to each other and to the Order."

I nodded reluctantly. "Yeah, I know that. I understand, and we've agreed that I don't want to get in the way of their duty. But staying with them isn't getting the way of their duty..."

"May we at least search for suitable quarters on the same level?" Qui-Gon put in. "As close together as possible?"

"Most of that level is housing for apprenticed pairs," Adi said.

"But not all. There are some interior cells for individuals," Qui-Gon countered. "Master, may we inquire as to whether any of those cells are unoccupied?"

Yaddle thought about it, her long ears twitching. Meanwhile, Ki-Adi Mundi leveled his last protest. "Even Master Yoda has spoken of misgivings about the dealings you have with this woman."

"He has said nothing to me." Qui-Gon shot him a cool, collected gaze. "And until he does, or anyone considers speaking to me directly about their concerns, with proof that anything I have done is wrong, they will have no bearing on my decisions."

"If individual quarters are free on your level, then have them she may," Yaddle decided as if she hadn't heard the last shot. "Cleared she will be at a security level appropriate to a Jedi Padawan, meaning some places she will not be allowed to go unless in your company." She looked at me once again. "Understand you the ways of life inside the Jedi Temple? Commissaries, requisitions?"

"Yes, Master, I do," I said respectfully. "The past couple weeks while Qui-Gon's been stationed here on senatorial request, I've been getting used to how things work. That stuff isn't a problem."

"Good," she hummed. "As a ward of the Jedi Temple, no need have you to work for your board, provided it is as it is for all Jedi. Once suitable quarters are found, you shall leave Master Qui-Gon's and will be considered welcome in most areas. No limits will be placed on your activities, visit anyone you may and allowed will you be to accompany your guardian if the Force wills." She gave Qui-Gon a stern look. "Yet, recorded and cleared by a member of the Jedi Council will those times be."

"Any member?" he wondered. Yaddle's reply was a nod, and I immediately knew what he was thinking. Adi, or Saesee, or Plo could clear such trips, I wouldn't have to get permission from Mace Windu or Yoda.

"And what will she do while you're gone?" Adi wondered. "I know she's a writer, but will that be enough to keep her from getting bored?"

"Well, I don't know," I answered for myself. "I see what you mean. Would I be allowed to sit in on classes for the initiates, and learn about the Force?" I addressed Yaddle hopefully. "Would it be all right if I did that? Can I learn as much as I want about the Force?"

"As I said, no limits will be placed on you," she replied. "Your choice it is. And, I approve of your wish to know the Force. But, if you find yourself after some time seeking activity, or a task to occupy you, within my power it is to find one for you. Always open is my door."

I smiled happily. "Thank you, Master. I'll keep that in mind."

Yaddle slid out of her chair and pottered across the room to a low table which served as her desk and communicator pad. "A record of my decisions will be made available to the Council shortly, and into security and records logs will they be entered. As of this moment, completed are the arrangements." We started to get up to leave, but she had one parting shot for Qui-Gon, which came over her shoulder in the form of a green-eyed stare of authority. "Find quarters for her. Immediately."

"Yes, Master," Qui-Gon conceded with a bow.

We left the Councilor's chambers together, but I said nothing until we were well down the hallway. "I didn't want to leave your quarters," I complained to Qui-Gon. "I want to stay with you!"

"I know you do," he said in a calming manner. "I wish you could stay with us, also. But our quarters are not big enough for three." He paused in the middle of the corridor and turned me to face him. "I did promise never to leave you alone, and I intend to keep that promise." He gazed down at me with a tender smile, cupping my cheek in his palm. "Look at it this way. No one has forbidden you from associating with me, or from visiting us any time you want. You are more than welcome in our quarters anytime, and all the time, as much as you and I and Obi-Wan wish. It's virtually the same thing as you are accustomed to, except that your sleeping quarters will be elsewhere." He smirked mischievously. "And, the next time you feel a need to storm off in a temper, you have somewhere to go besides our refresher."

His remark had its intended effect: I burst out laughing. "Master!" I scolded him. "I'm trying to learn control so I don't do that!"

He chuckled as well, and his hand withdrew. "Come, now. We must look into the status of the rooms on our level, and see if any are open. The sooner we check, the more likely we will find one that has not been filled."

"Master Qui-Gon!" a voice called behind us. It was Adi, coming up the hallway, wearing a pleasant look. She fell into step beside us as we continued toward the lift. "Congratulations. I believe that went much more smoothly than even I expected."

"Yes, Master Yaddle was in an extremely concessionary mood," Qui-Gon agreed with a smile as we walked together, me in between the two tall Masters. "I knew she would be placed in charge of settling the details of Stacey's wardship, but I hardly knew what to expect. I've spent several days speaking to as many people as I could about the different options available to us, and to a ward of the Temple - including Te Haruth."

"The last person to receive asylum among us," Adi correctly observed. "Was her advice of much help?"

"I don't know. I never got to use it." Master Qui-Gon's eyes shone with mirth as he winked at Adi.

Master Adi smiled down at me. "The terms of your wardship are extremely generous. The Force is certainly with you, today."

"I'm starting to realize that," I remarked casually. "Wait till Obi-Wan hears that I have the same clearance as he does." Both Masters chuckled at that, as we paused before the lift tube and Qui-Gon pressed a button to summon the lift. "I really appreciate you being there and speaking on my behalf, Master Adi. You've been a big help."

Adi smiled modestly. "I speak only the truth, as I see it. I trust Qui-Gon enough to make his own decisions on when it's appropriate to let you accompany him on a mission, and not abuse your freedom for personal whims." She shot him a sly look. "If there is any Jedi in the Order who could be trusted not to mistake the Force's voice for his own, it's Qui-Gon Jinn. But be prepared, Master." The positive spark in her eyes faded. "When the rest of the Council hears what Master Yaddle decided, some of them are going to react rather negatively, I'm afraid. Never has anyone defied them to such an extent and succeeded."

A memory floated to me from my past and their future, a Padawan's voice complaining, "Do not defy the Council, Master, not again." It was then I realized that there was much more going on behind the scenes than I knew. Qui-Gon's visits around the Temple in the past few days had been for more than gathering information from impartial sources, he may even have been in the chambers of the wise and powerful in the Order arguing his position while I was sitting around or playing with Obi-Wan. The High Council was probably going to regret leaving the decision in the hands of only one sympathetic councilor.

Qui-Gon, to his credit, seemed not to be ruffled by Adi's insinuations. "The decision has been made, and I doubt anyone will attempt to persuade Master Yaddle to change it."

"No indeed," the other Master admitted. "She is as stubborn as Master Yoda when anyone second-guesses her decisions." The lift doors finally opened for us, and Adi changed the subject as we stepped inside. "Just remember, Stacey, if you find yourself bored after a time, Master Yaddle and I will be glad to help you find something to do. Perhaps there is even some work you could do around the Temple."

"Work? Doing what?" I wondered.

"Non-Jedi are employed in the Temple, you know." Her eyes widened. "You didn't know? Yes, some fill maintenance or service positions which cannot be filled by either droids or Jedi. Some are Force-sensitives who were unable to reach apprenticeship for one reason or another. I'm sure we could find a task that would suit you."

"There is always child care to be done," Qui-Gon offered, sounding completely innocent.

I glowered at him. "You know I don't like kids. Force-sensitive ones have got to be even worse to handle. I'll do just about anything except that."

He laughed. "I know. I was merely joking. By all means, if you want to, seek out work inside the Temple. Your presence will be welcomed by just about any service officer or leader in the Temple."

"We'll see. I want to learn about the Force," I reminded, "so I don't expect to be very bored."

Obi-Wan was in quarters when his Master and I returned, standing near the communicator console. He straightened up when we entered, his face all business. "Master, you have a message," he said right away.

"Oh? From whom?" Qui-Gon went to his Padawan's side.

"A senator's office, I believe - I didn't intrude." He stepped aside as Qui-Gon reached to play back the recording, and glanced at me with a shadow of his usual smile. "Where have you two been?"

"We had a meeting," I grunted in distaste. "They finally made arrangements for where I'm to live and all that." I heard a familiar voice emanating from the communicator, and looked sharply toward it, snatching at the Force for control so Qui-Gon's senses wouldn't be teased with my reaction again.

A full-figure holograph was standing on the console, addressing the Master in curt but polite tones. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Master Jinn. It seems my tour is taking a bit longer than expected. But, you may be pleased to know that I have received the latest updates from Salji, and I shall no longer need to detain you on Coruscant. My aide will transmit a release from my retainer to Master Gallia, so that you may be free to return to the field. My apologies for any inconvenience to you." It was Palpatine, sending a message from who-knows-where.

Qui-Gon stared at the console for a moment after the holographic senator disappeared. "Well," he remarked at last. "So much for that assignment." He glanced back at me with a wary smile and sat down to tap into the Temple's own sort of intranet.

"A lot of good that did you," I snorted. "You've been stuck here for two weeks and having to deal with all of my problems, and now it's all for nothing."

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Even a detour on a determined path is meant for something."

I stared at his back as he turned and retreated, taken aback by his sudden display of wisdom. He sat down and made to act as if nothing was going on, so I decided to go up behind the Master and watch what he was doing. "So what do you think?"

The screen set back in the console was alive with light and color, characters and icons. Qui-Gon kept his eyes on it as he spoke. "I am just about to call up the information. Ah, here. This is our level, and the pulses indicate unoccupied quarters."

I squinted at the diagram that had appeared on the screen. It was a full layout of the floor plan, I recognized corridors and lifts, but the pulses Qui-Gon spoke of were almost too small to individually make out. As it was, the individual rooms along each corridor were tiny squares in a great grid. "I can't tell. Are there any near here? Where are we, anyway?"

A couple flicks of his fingers, and Qui-Gon had isolated a section of the grid and zoomed in. Now the rooms became clearly separated from each other, and the pulses grew to steadily-blinking yellow squares. "This is our quarters," he pointed out with the tip of one long finger on the screen.

Two doors down from quarters, a corridor abutted perpendicularly, leading inward along one of the squares into which the Temple was neatly divided. I had passed that corridor countless times coming and going, and even went down it once or twice, at least when Obi-Wan had taken me for a tour upon my first arrival. As I studied the layout, my eyes wandered along that corridor in scant hope. There were no blinking icons nearby. However, one of the rooms just up the intersecting corridor was colored green against the black grid. "What about that? What does that mean?" I asked.

Qui-Gon's brow knitted, and he entered something onto the communicator pad. The display zeroed in on that square, and text spilled out of the black beside it. "It belongs to a Jedi Knight...but will be open soon. I wonder." He hit a few more buttons, the nature of which I was ignorant of, and then pressed what I knew to be a type of "call" button.

A voice, smooth and kindly, flowed from the matrix of buttons and screens. "Foren. Who is calling?"

"Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Del Foren?"

"Yes, Master," the voice said brightly. "What may I do for you?"

Qui-Gon thought for a moment how to answer. "This may seem like a strange question, but I was checking into the status of quarters on our level and noticed that yours will soon be open..."

"Yes, that is true," Del Foren said, even more brightly. "I have just accepted a Padawan learner and will be moving to larger quarters in order to begin his training."

"Congratulations," Qui-Gon said with a smile. "That is very good news. In that case, would it be a problem if I came by your quarters some time this evening? To see them?"

There was a short pause. "It is indeed a strange request you have, Master Qui-Gon. But, I am in quarters as we speak. If you have a need, my door is open to your visit."

"Thank you. We will be there in a moment." Qui-Gon released the call button on the console and turned to me. "It seems the Force is truly with you, today."

"You think I can get those quarters?" I wondered, daring to hope. According to the map, it was pretty much right around the corner.

"What's going on?" Obi-Wan questioned, having heard everything but still not understanding.

His Master got to his feet and heaved a small sigh. "Padawan...while you were out, we were summoned to meet with Master Yaddle. In order to get her to concede to giving Stacey utter freedom around the Temple and in her dealings with us, she had to accept taking separate quarters."

Obi-Wan's serious face remained unchanged except for the furrow between his brows, which deepened. A sad light came into his blue eyes. His lips betrayed no emotion as he commented, "I find that acceptable. Those are the terms of her wardship, then?"

"Yes. Only that, nothing more. No limits have been placed on her." Qui-Gon smiled at me. "Considering the consensus of opinion against us, I was expecting to have to fight to get those terms, and even then I had little hope. Still, the storm will rail against us yet."

The momentary light of despair winked out of Obi-Wan's eyes, and instead, warmth and hope glowed there. "Then, you're looking for quarters near to ours."

His Master nodded. "If Del Foren agrees, Stacey can have his quarters when he moves into a Master's quarters to train his apprentice. We will go and see right now. Coming?"

Obi-Wan didn't need any further invitation than that, pushing himself out of the chair and falling in step as Qui-Gon and I breezed out. We couldn't help our haste borne of excitement as we strode up to the side corridor, turned left down it, and I counted five doors on the left side. At the fifth one, we buzzed and were admitted into a small room that defined "cells." In whole, it was probably no larger than the living room of my already-tiny studio apartment back home, with a darkened door in one far corner that indicated the refresher. The Jedi Knight, Del Foren, bowed as he received us into his cramped, Spartan existence. "Well met," he greeted us. "To think all this time I have lived so near to you and yet we have not met."

"To be fair, I'm sure neither of us were ever on Coruscant long enough to run into each other, Master," Qui-Gon smirked.

"Please - Foren. I am not a Master yet," the Knight laughed. He was tall and very lean, humanoid but with high, swept-back features and a pale glow to his skin. He appeared as I might have once imagined the Elves of Middle-Earth.

"Get used to it," Qui-Gon chided. "Your apprentice will be calling you that starting very shortly."

"Yes, starting tomorrow," Foren said, his silver eyes shifting to Obi-Wan. "We both have a very long road to walk together. And you are Master Qui-Gon's apprentice?"

"Obi-Wan Kenobi," the Padawan amicably introduced himself.

"And this is our friend, Stacey." Qui-Gon indicated me, and I bowed. "She is..."

"I heard," Foren interrupted, gazing keenly at me. I tried not to squirm under the power of his eyes, which gleamed as if made of pewter. "A visitor of unknown origin, granted asylum among us." He smiled, and I felt more at ease with him. "The Council cannot grant someone asylum and not expect the entire Temple to know of it within a day."

"It was commanded of me today to find her quarters of her own within the Temple," Qui-Gon explained. "Being as she is my ward, I had hoped to find something near to my own quarters, so that I might look after her when I am not in the field."

Foren nodded briskly. "A sensible idea. I take it, since you have come to visit me, my quarters are the closest to yours that may be available?" Qui-Gon said nothing, only smiled. "By all means. I have no attachment to this cell, it is but a stage on my life's journey that I have now passed. I will be removing my personal effects this evening, and after the braiding tomorrow, you may have them if you like."

"Thank you," I said, bowing again. "This is quite a shock. I didn't expect to have the perfect place fall into my lap like this. The Force really must be with me, like everyone says." I looked around the cell. It was small, no doubt about that, with walls the color of cool, brown earth and no windows. It was one of many identical cells which lined the interior hallways of the Temple, serving as austere quarters for ascetic Jedi with no need to hoard possessions or spend much time in them. Del Foren's personal touch was evident, though. White wall-hangings with peculiar artwork and lettering on them brightened all four walls, and a statue of uncertain creation stood on a table in the corner like a straight-backed sentry keeping watch over the room's occupant. The bed was fittingly small, made for just one, and the table near the door and low bureau along the far wall were standard, as if the Temple were a dormitory where all the furniture needed to be identical for some reason. The room's communicator was near the door on the left side, along with a very wide, closed cabinet set into the wall.

"Had you been searching long?" Foren asked the Master.

"No, we had just started," Qui-Gon admitted. "I did not expect to find something so fitting so quickly, either."

Foren nodded slowly, wisely. "The Force has a purpose here. There can be no doubt."

I grinned at that. Heck yeah, the Force is being really good to me today! It must be trying to make up for having to be left behind while they go on missions. "I've been through enough in my time here," I mused aloud, "it's about time something went right."

The Knight offered us tea and talk, which Qui-Gon did not turn down, and what might have been a couple minutes of business turned into an hour and more of friendly conversation, as Foren had questions for a venerable Jedi Master about training apprentices, and also sought to know more about me. I shared what I could and spent the rest of the time listening and looking around, familiarizing myself with the layout even though it was fairly simple. I decided after a bit that I could make it livable, perhaps put some artwork up, collect a few knick-knacks from around the galaxy and create a new home here. Home. The word flitted across my synapses and evoked a brief ache of regret in some inner chamber of my heart. No, it would not be filled with my toy collection, my Indian blanket, my guitar, my CDs, my posters of favorite bands...those were gone. As intriguing as it would be to collect items from this strange and wonderful galaxy to populate my own quarters, the truth was, I was starting all over with an all new life. That which was familiar to me, that I had once called my own, was the past now. The things which defined me would be different from this day forward.

Master Qui-Gon transmitted a notice to Yaddle as soon as he could that quarters had been found for me, and I would be moving into them in a day. Del Foren invited us to be witness at his Padawan's braiding ceremony, a usually small event that Jedi considered to be for the Master, apprentice, and anyone they chose to be present, only. Qui-Gon politely declined, telling the Knight he thought the ceremony to be a private affair, and did not consider himself worthy of intruding. It had looked to me like Qui-Gon and Foren had gotten along grandly, but the Master viewed the budding friendship as not close enough that he should want to share such a private moment between Foren and his new apprentice. While I understood this, I still chided Master Qui-Gon for turning down the invitation. "It would have been so cool to see," I exclaimed. "Master, you don't know how much debate there's been among my friends and...and fans on my world, over what a braiding ceremony is like, or even if all Jedi Padawans get braids."

"Just the ones with hair," Obi-Wan dryly interjected.

I snorted at him. "I see, thanks."

Qui-Gon smiled to himself as he drifted from the room. "The Jedi have very few rituals. Those we do have, we hold very dear, and take not for granted." He paused in the doorway to his room and looked back at me. "It is a very private matter. When I took Obi-Wan as my Padawan learner, I think there were all of three people present, excluding him and myself."

I had already lost the argument, but I persisted stubbornly with a shrug. "Foren invited you, though."

"He did. And I told him I was flattered at the invitation, but it's not my place to intrude." His eyes glowed with amusement as he gazed at me. "Don't worry. I'm sure someday you'll be able to witness a braiding ceremony, and when you do, you'll understand."

I smiled back and him and nodded my agreement before he took his leave and disappeared into his room. Obi-Wan nudged my shoulder with his elbow. "You just want to run back to your home and tell everyone what you saw."

I grinned up at him. "Well, of course! They'd just die to hear what an actual Padawan braiding ceremony is like. Though, they probably want to hear all about you and Master Qui-Gon first. And I have a lot to tell them."

The Padawan smirked as he walked away from me, missing the moment of sobriety that passed over me like a cold draft. There was no reason for me to assume that I would ever get to go home and tell my friends the stories of my adventures. Earth was as unreachable to me now as the fantasy worlds of Star Wars used to be. As curious as I was, there was no point to seeking experiences that I could tell my friends about - because I would probably never see or speak to them again. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself not to think about such things. There were more pressing matters at hand.

On to part 37

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