I reached the doorway without incident and, looking round surreptitiously once more to ensure that I would not be missed for a while at least, I stepped through and breathed a contented sigh. As I had hoped, the air out here was cool and fresh with a tinge of dampness. Looking skyward, I noticed that the gray clouds from earlier were beginning to ease slightly, allowing the faint light from one of the smaller moons to shine through. I leaned against the balustrade and rested my hands on its edge, gazing out at the lake before me. I didn't know how long I stood there dreaming, but I was interrupted by the presence of someone I could sense. Obi-Wan.

"We missed you inside," he stated simply. "I sensed you were...disturbed," the apprentice continued hesitantly when I made no immediate reply, caught up as I was with trying to gather my thoughts. There was a pause as he made his way to stand just behind me. "Is everything all right?" he asked softly, with a note of concern in his voice. It seemed nothing escaped him.

I turned towards the Padawan, touched by the care he showed. "I just needed a bit of fresh air. The Chadra-Fan are delightful, but they can be a little...overwhelming." I smiled at him reassuringly, then nodded at the vista before us. "Sometimes I still can't believe I'm here."

The apprentice's eyes followed my own as he too stepped to lean against the wall. "Sometimes it seems like a dream to me as well," he murmured, almost absently. His gaze was upon me once more -- I could feel its intensity even though my eyes were riveted on the sparkle that glinted off the rippling waters of the lake when the moon peeked between the clouds. The heat rushed unbidden to my cheeks but before I could react further, I was struck by a sudden change to Obi-Wan's normally serene presence. I could almost feel a jumble of emotions pouring off him, as though a million thoughts rushed through his mind in a split second only to coalesce into a single impression. Then, before I could even think to identify it, it was snatched away as the Jedi serenity slammed firmly back into place. Befuddled, I stood frozen, looking outwards but not seeing anything, wanting desperately to ask him about it, but the words would not come. My eyes remained fixed on the lake, refusing to be averted despite my wish to look at the young apprentice. A long moment passed, then the touch of light raindrops against my skin broke the spell and I inhaled deeply, relishing the ability to move once again. Obi-Wan had stepped away but it was clear he was still distracted.

Not quite knowing if I should ask about it, I attempted to lighten the mood. "So, tell me. Do they teach you how to dance at the Temple?"

To his credit, Obi-Wan took the question in stride. "A little." He leaned back against the creeper-covered wall, tilting his head to one side as his lips curved upward with a smile that brought dimples to his cheeks. "You never know when it might come in handy. It helps when you're trying to distract a pretty female..." he added, his smile widening.

Playing along, I enquired with a teasing grin, "And do I count in that category?"

The turmoil I sensed earlier returned with a fury before the apprentice managed to clamp it down. "That depends," he countered. "Can you dance?"

"A little."

"Show me."

I studied his face intently, wanting to do as he asked, but suddenly hesitant. I was not all that experienced a dancer and something told me I would fumble even more while dancing with Obi-Wan. Even as I tried to work up my courage, my ears unconsciously picked up the strain of music from the hall. I closed my eyes briefly, swaying slightly in tune to the music which bore a resemblance to a waltz. With the soft lilting sounds of pipes and flutes, it seemed to be telling a story all its own and I was overwhelmed by an urge to do as Obi-Wan asked.

"Alright." I gathered his hands in mine, pretending not to have noticed the slight catch of his breath at my action. I smiled at him. "Not regretting this already, are you?"

Recovering his composure, he smiled back, "No, I am always eager to learn."

"Good." Holding his left hand at eye level, I guided his right palm to my left shoulder blade and rested my own left hand on his shoulder. Looking up at his face, I found him smiling at me in curious amusement. The light rain had coated the both of us with a dampness that clung to his spiky hair, making it glint in the soft light pouring out of the hall. With difficulty, I pulled myself back to the present.

"Pay attention," I said, more to myself than him. His lips split into a wide grin. Slowly, I guided him through the steps of a waltz, counting out the beats under my breath for him. After two runs through the basic steps, he subtly began leading me in the dance, his grace and natural light-footedness making him a pleasure to dance with. We moved slowly in time to the music, the slight pressure of his hands guiding me smoothly into the next steps. I glanced at his face, smiling shyly when he flashed me a charming grin that had my stomach in knots.

"Ouch," I said suddenly. "That was my foot!"

Obi-Wan pulled back, chagrined and embarrassed. "I'm sorry!"

I laughed lightly, "It didn't hurt that much."

"Perhaps it takes a Master to show his Padawan how it should be done," a deep voice interjected into the moment. We both looked towards the voice as one. Master Qui-Gon was leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed against his broad chest, his frame silhouetted by the light.

I blushed involuntarily. "Have you been standing there long?" Obi-Wan and I had been so caught up with the dance that neither of us had noticed the Jedi Master's presence.

"Long enough," came the reply. There was an awkward moment as the three of us stared at each other.

"Well, then," I said in an attempt to ease the tension, "May I have this dance?"

Qui-Gon started slightly. "You two were doing fine."

His Padawan smirked. "That's not what you said a moment ago." The young man turned to me. "I've always harboured a suspicion that Master Qui-Gon was afraid of being caught on the dance floor." He paused, looking teasingly at his master. "That queen who had her eye on him was always trying to get him to dance and he kept coming up with the most inventive excuses..."

I laughed, sensing the lightening of the mood and thankful for the effect Obi-Wan's words had caused. "Come now, you aren't going to let him get away with that without trying to disprove it, are you?" I asked Qui-Gon playfully. "Hmmm...?"

The Jedi Master looked from me to Obi-Wan. Then he smiled calmly, "I suppose I can't."

Obi-Wan's face broke into an amazed grin. "This I have to see."

"Indeed you should pay attention, my Padawan." Qui-Gon gently took my hand as he placed his arm around me. There was an awkward moment as I adjusted to his height, then a strain of music reached our ears -- a different piece but with the same beat. Qui-Gon smoothly moved me into the first steps of the waltz. I gasped at his skill. In dancing as in all things, his movement was graceful and light. He had a firm but gentle lead, guiding me to where he wanted me to be with just the slightest pressure of his hands, the subtle positioning of his body readying me for the next step. This combined with our connection through the Force, gave me the impression that I was floating amongst the clouds. I stared unseeing at his chest, too shy to look up into his eyes. Already, I felt light-headed at the sensations of being held so gently yet firmly, and I could not quite believe that I was actually dancing in the arms of Qui-Gon Jinn. The music ended all too soon and the sound of a light clapping from Obi-Wan broke through my consciousness. Reluctantly, I moved away from Qui-Gon and looked at the apprentice. "You see my Padawan? That is how it should be done," Qui-Gon said lightly. He turned to me and bowing slightly, added, "Thank you Stacey, that was lovely."

"Thank you, Master. It was indeed a pleasure for me as well. You are a superb dancer."

"Yes you are, Master," Obi-Wan agreed. "Why is it you never taught me before?" he asked, his eyes twinkling.

The corners of Qui-Gon's lips quirked upwards slightly as he raised his eyebrows teasingly. "I was quite certain you would work things out on your own, Padawan." The smirk became even more pronounced. "Besides, I had no wish for my foot to be stomped on by an over-eager apprentice." Obi-Wan's eyes widened with mock indignance and I laughed at the sight. Qui-Gon chuckled as he slapped his apprentice affectionately on the shoulder. "Perhaps we should return to our guests," he continued smoothly. Both Master and apprentice turned questioningly to me. Feeling considerably better, I met both pairs of eyes with a nod and a smile. Qui-Gon's gray eyes softened in understanding. "Although...," he added with a twinkle in his eye, "we should keep my dancing abilities to ourselves. I'm sure the Chadra-Fan have never seen a Jedi dance before and I would rather not be the first to show them."

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan replied, then grinned cheekily. "We certainly wouldn't want you to get your foot stomped on by an over-eager Chadra-Fan," he quipped, ducking quickly through the doorway before Qui-Gon could say anything. The Jedi Master shook his head ruefully, a small smile playing across his lips as he offered his arm to escort me back into the hall. I smiled shyly before accepting his offer, slipping my hand into the crook of his arm and letting him guide me indoors.

On to part 14

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