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...And in breaking news today, a confirmed statement from the Supreme Chancellor's office was released this morning making his relationship with Benjamin Lars of the Callis system official. The pair has formally made a Commitment to one another and will be making plans for a bonding ceremony in the near future though no date was specified....

Vellen was awakened by the sound of a tray being set on a table across her room and the curtains along her walls being drawn open with merciless abandon. She flinched from the sunlight, groaned and pulled the covers over her head.

"Please go away. I didn't leave a wake-up call," she grumbled from under the blanket.

"Come out from under there at once," a strident voice commanded and Vellen responded without even thinking, sitting up with wide, bleary eyes, her hair tumbling everywhere. Standing right beside her bed was a tall, handsome and rather familiar looking older woman. She had strong features, long brown hair just streaked with a bit of gray and blue eyes the exact same color of the Chancellor. Uh oh!

"There's no reason for a young woman of good breeding to be laying about in bed this late into the morning," the woman said in a strong alto voice as Vellen cowered back against the headboard and pulled the covers back up to her chin as though they could keep her safe.

"No ma'am," Vellen finally answered when it seemed the intruder was not going to continue her rant. "I apologize but I've had something of a rough week."

The woman's hard blue eyes softened slightly before she seated herself regally in a chair that a servant had just set beside her. The woman waved the servant out with an imperious air before she propped her hands on her walking cane and eyed Vellen with curiosity.

"Indeed! From the news reports I understand you have been rather busy, young woman," she agreed. "And that is exactly the reason I am here as my eternally thoughtless brother has neglected to tell me anything other than what I have heard in the newsfeeds." She looked distinctly put out. "I should have been the first person informed when he decided to Commit himself to some young being from the outer Rim, but did he?" She stamped her cane sharply and Vellen jumped. "He certainly did not! And did he return my call from only yesterday?" Another stamp. "Of course not!"

The woman scowled and Vellen ventured a timid smile. While she was surprised at the unknown woman's visit, she knew exactly what the problem was.

"Well, madam," she began respectfully, "though he is a man of rank and position, you must realize he is after all just a man. He doesn't realize the importance of letting his family know what he's doing, especially in personal matters." Absently, she pulled on a long tendril of her hair and twirled it around her fingers. "I feel I've trained Benjamin better than that but it's easier to train a cousin than it is the Supreme Chancellor."

The woman eyed Vellen for a long moment before she gave a slow smile. "You are entirely correct," she agreed. "Now, who are you?"

"Vellen Lars, ma'am," the younger woman said with a nod. "Benjamin is my first cousin. He is the one Committed to the Chancellor."

"So I am given to understand," the intruder noted darkly. Vellen bit her lip.

"Benjamin is a wonderful person, ma'am," the blonde stated firmly. "And he truly does love the Chancellor."

The old woman raised an imperious eyebrow. "Does he indeed? I was given to understand that they have not been acquainted for very long."

Vellen nodded. "That is my understanding as well. But Ben has never given his heart lightly. He is an exceedingly private person. And from what I know of the Chancellor - though it is only hearsay and newsfeeds before I met him some weeks ago - Qui-Gon wouldn't give a Commitment Ring without knowing that Ben is exactly who he wants."

"Hummmm." The women looked thoughtfully at the painting above Vellen's bed before she turned again to her captive audience with a plaintive sigh. "However inappropriate my entrance to your room, you have reacted calmly and reasonably, Syn Lars," she stated grandly. "You must have some small amount of breeding. Dare I hope your cousin does as well?"

Vellen felt a flash of annoyance with the harridan before she reminded herself that it was important to respect elders who might make your life miserable. But still...

"He's never caused a galactic incident and he usually eats with his utensils." The older woman raised her brow again and Vellen could see her relation to the Chancellor immediately. "He will never give the Chancellor cause for shame."

"I will be the judge of that," came the stern voice and Vellen almost bared her teeth.

"Ben knows how to comport himself in the highest echelons of society. He can wear a veneer of sophistication so complete that princes have bowed to him."

"Indeed? And when was this?"

"When he was working as a page to the Senate."

"And you believed his story?"

Vellen's eyes narrowed. "My cousin does not lie, ma'am. Ever."

"A rare individual then," the woman noted calmly.

"Yes and I will thank you not to accuse someone of such behavior when you don't know them. The Chancellor is lucky to have Benjamin," the blonde steamed, trying to keep a respectful tone and failing. She crossed her arms and glared.

"And your cousin is lucky to have you to defend him so ably, Vellen Lars," came the response. The older woman smiled slightly. "I am Mari-Gon Prav Alisina."

The name was familiar and Vellen closed her eyes in agony. "Your husband would be...."

"The Viceroy of Sellis, yes," the woman chuckled before she leaned forward and patted the covers over Vellen's leg. "Don't worry, my dear, I won't tell if you don't."

"Thank you, ma'am," the blonde replied in a strangled tone.

Mari-Gon stamped her walking stick again before she rose. "Very well, then, young woman. I will see you downstairs in the breakfast hall within the hour. You and I have much to discuss."

"We do?" Vellen squeaked.

The woman gave Vellen an amused look. "Of course. We have things to plan. It is obvious Qui-Gon can't plan his bonding ceremony so we'll have to do it for him. And the reception," Mari-Gon looked thoughtful as she tapped her fingers on her cane. "Yes, we'll need a proper Commitment reception and then the Honor Assemblies leading up to a proper Bonding Ceremony and the gala Celebrations both before and after. At the end of the year, I should think." She gave a decisive nod and then glanced at the stunned young woman who was contemplating hiding under the covers. "An hour, young woman, no more."

Then she was gone and Vellen was left hoping she had something suitable to wear for breakfast. And in the Breakfast Hall? They had a hall just for breakfast? As she crawled over the covers and off the bed, she wondered just where she had left that map.

Bruck stood just inside Temple docking bay 001 and waited patiently for the shuttle carrying his new charge to arrive. At least to all appearances, he was patiently waiting. Had the young knight's master been there to express an opinion, he would know better. Master Anthru would probably have taken one look at the slant of his padawan's eyebrows and the hint of tightened jaw and immediately suggested that a bit of sparring might be in order.

However, Master Anthru was not available for comment or suggestions so Knight Bruck Chun tried to stand still and wait patiently. It helped that he was practicing a newly favored mental exercise. Carefully and completely, he constructed a mental image of what he would do to the very next person who asked him how he'd gotten such a plush liaison assignment when he was just a newly plucked knight. His lightsaber was heavily involved in the picture as was rope, a ballgag and a small amount of strategically placed plastic explosive.

The young knight finally let go of the pleasing image as he acknowledged that yes, that way of thinking might lead to the Dark Side but damn it! Why did he have to put up with this? Being the liaison for Benjamin Lars should have gone to a senior knight or master, not a newly shorn knight. And if he'd had any doubt about the matter, he'd had any number of knights and masters tell him exactly that over the past twelve hours in varying degrees of courtesy.

As soon as he'd seen Ben off the previous evening, he'd been surrounded by knights and masters all asking questions and demanding answers that Bruck truly didn't have to give them.

Yes, Benjamin Lars was going to be a new languages teacher.

No, Bruck didn't know which languages Master Lars was going to teach.

Yes, Benjamin was an acknowledged master in his field if a junior one.

Yes, Ben was Committed to the Supreme Chancellor.

No, the man definitely was not available for after class tutoring, not if you didn't want Qui-Gon Jinn in your face.

No, Bruck didn't know why he'd been chosen as Ben's liaison.

Yes, he did realize what an honor it was.

And on, and on, and on until Bruck had finally taken his dinner and fled the dining hall. He didn't bother going to his own rooms, though. He knew he would be tracked down there. Instead he fled to his master and begged shelter.

Master Anthru happily allowed his former padawan sanctuary with the proviso that Bruck spill all the information he had on Benjamin Lars. With a long-suffering sigh, Bruck told his master everything from the point when he had arrived on Callis with Master Yoda to their arrival on Coruscant two days prior.

His master just sat back and sipped his tangy juice as he listened to his padawan's recitation. Bruck had been trained well in giving their mission reports and once he finished, his master knew everything that the Council knew. After a few minutes of thoughtful silence, Anthru nodded.

"I don't pretend to understand why Yoda chose as Master Lars' liaison unless he was counting on your acquaintance with the young man to make his first week here easier than it might otherwise be," the master said gently. "And I don't believe it is from his lack of confidence in your ability as a knight."

Bruck flinched slightly at his master's remark as that thought rested heavily on his mind. When the attack against Benjamin had come, Bruck had been the first one down. Even Ben had lasted longer than he had.

Master Anthru knew exactly what his student was thinking and with an affectionate smile reached out to touch Bruck's cheek. "You are a very young knight, Bruck, and still have much to learn. But do not think that makes you any less capable. Master Yoda was the lead on that mission and he is responsible for putting you, Knight Lars as well as your charge in a dangerous situation. You are not to blame."

"But Master Yoda thinks I was influenced by the Sith into suggesting the hoverbike ride that led into the trap," Bruck said, finally expressing his worst fear to the one being he trusted more than any other in the galaxy. "What if it happens again? What if I'm tainted with the Dark?"

"Bruck, if Master Yoda thought that you were heading to the Dark, I don't think you'd be sitting here having a conversation with me. You'd be dealing with the senior soul healers."

"But Master..." Bruck began but his master cut him off.

"Nor would you be assigned to be a liaison for Master Lars, who by your own account, is poised to become the Supreme Chancellor's Consort." Master Anthru gave his student a pointed look. "That is not a position to be taken lightly. I'm sure you've been told endlessly what a great honor that is."

Bruck sighed loudly and rolled his eyes. "Endlessly."

"But it is more than an honor, Padawan. Master Yoda thinks you will be someone Master Lars can trust." Anthru reached out to grip his student's shoulder. "It is good to be aware of the Dark. Now you have been touched by it directly, you'll be more alert to its influence over yourself and others." The older master gave his apprentice a weary smile. "We are all touched by it at one time or another. Having seen it as young as you are, you'll now know what it feels like."

Bruck sighed again as he focused on the present and glanced at the chrono he carried on his belt. The shuttle would hopefully be here soon and he would be too busy to worry about that touch of Darkness. It was something he meditated on every night since they'd left Callis.

"Knight Chun!" a voice hailed him and the young man glanced up and groaned inwardly.

"Master Klas," Bruck replied with a knight's proper bow to a master.

"Waiting for Master Lars, are you?" the master asked as he looked over the new knight and his expression clearly indicated that he found Knight Chun wanting. "Can't believe they assigned such a youngster as the liaison to the Chancellor's future Consort."

"Unexpected, I know, Master Klas, but I will do my best."

For a moment, Master Klas wondered about the vague expression in Knight Chun's eyes before he continued.

"Of course. You're a Jedi. But I thought you might need some tips from an old master at such protocols."

For the next five minutes until Benjamin's shuttle arrived, Bruck studiously nodded his head every few seconds while he wondered if he had any plastic explosives on him.

"With many men there are a number of visible things that occur at the point of orgasm. First the base of the penis beneath the balls begins to throb powerfully. Then, the sphincter goes into a rapid series of contractions and the sphincter spasms open and closed. Next, the ejaculation, which is accompanied by a mighty pulsing action causes the entire organ to jerk up and down as the enlarged urethra beats wildly."

Benjamin casually leaned over to his assigned liaison and whispered, "You know I'm going to have to kill Master Yoda for this, don't you?"

Bruck took in Ben's flushed face and his extremely embarrassed expression and sighed.

"It might be problematical unless you have a good idea as to where to hide the body."

Ben shrugged. "He's small. I bet he'd fit in an exhaust tube."

Bruck chuckled and Benjamin gave him a questioning glance. "I was just remembering how often I had this very same conversation with your brother."

Ben looked surprised. "Owen wanted to kill Yoda?"

The knight beside him just grinned. "Yoda has never been one to refrain from interfering in his padawan's business. Or in his grandpadawan's business."

"So by what right does he interfere in mine?" Ben asked in a worried tone.

Bruck just shrugged. "Perhaps he considers you as another grandpadawan?"

Benjamin looked at his companion with something approaching horror before took a deep breath and dragged his attention back to the enthusiastic young teacher at the front of the class. That's all he needed - for the Head of the Jedi Council to feel he had free rein to interfere in Ben's already complicated life.

Having to sit through this class was just another strike against the evil Green One. Since Ben's classes didn't begin for another week, Yoda thought it might be a good idea for the teacher to sit in on a few classes so he might understand what other subjects his students would be studying.

Thinking that would be beneficial, Benjamin had agreed. His first class sounded quite innocent: a human physiology class for senior initiates. He'd naturally assumed this would be a class devoted to human biology. What he found, however, was that this was a class devoted to the erogenous zones found on the human body and how to stimulate them.

Benjamin just about sank into the floor as the class progressed to more and more detailed explanations. The teacher evidently had no qualms answering any question put forth and Ben could tell the young man was trying to be as descriptive as possible to keep his students' attention. Not that he had any problems doing that. The initiates were all rather flushed and kept glancing at each other thoughtfully.

"Do you have any thoughts to add on the subject, Instructor Lars?" the teacher suddenly asked and Benjamin looked up to find everyone's gaze on him. He quickly straightened in his chair and ignored the low snicker from the knight beside him.

"Ah, no, Instructor Crims, I think you explained the subject quite thoroughly," Ben stammered, sending a swift, 'accidental' kick Bruck's way. The damn Jedi neatly avoided it.

The instructor actually looked a bit disappointed before he turned back to his class. "Very well then. Class, for tomorrow I'd like an short essay on the human male's reaction to the discussed stimuli and other thoughts on ways to cause the desired reactions."

"Oh stars," Benjamin muttered under his breath. He didn't think his face could possible get any redder. "That's homework?"

"You're lucky he didn't assign hands-on research. They demonstrate that."

Benjamin groaned and thanked his luck for small favors.

Bruck just grinned at his friend and stood while they waited for the classroom to empty. Instructor Crims came up to the pair before he left the room, gushing about what an honor it was to meet the writer of the Action Hero series. After a few more minutes, Ben and Bruck were left in a silent classroom with only Benjamin's bodyguards for company.

"Are the rest of the classes like this one?" Ben inquired and Bruck pulled up the schedule Master Yoda had handed him when they'd stopped to greet the little Jedi this morning. As he glanced over the list, he smirked.

"This was actually the least explicit class on the agenda," Knight Chun answered. "Your final class of the day will be..." The white-haired knight reluctantly glanced up at his companion, "Advanced Methods of Fellatio."

Benjamin's green eyes narrowed before he reached out to take the comp pad. With a few strokes on the small keypad, he erased a few things and added a few things. Then he handed it back to Bruck.

"Here is the new schedule Knight Chun," he stated without a qualm. "Planning my classes this morning, the afternoon with Master Windu and then to the Senate."

Bruck glanced from the comp pad to the steely eyes watching him and then he nodded. "Very well, Master Lars," he said. "But will you at least meet with some of the other teachers? They usually gather just after classes let out for the afternoon meal."

"That I have no problems with, Bruck," Benjamin said with a sudden grin. "It's not the people I have a problem with. But I am not sitting through another class like this one."

Bruck gave him a measured look. "Benjamin, I know these classes make you uncomfortable but this is an everyday part of Temple life. You need to get used to such things," the knight commented softly. Ben tried to speak but Knight Chun held up his hand and continued.

"I know you'll be teaching languages and not the more erotic classes but from what I have seen, your students on Callis trusted you with more than just their language questions. They brought you questions from other classes as well as some of their personal problems too. Once the padawans come to that point - and these children will know if you are trustworthy - they will start asking you questions too. You need to be prepared. If you thought your last students were blunt, you don't understand the meaning of the word. And while Jedi children are not ordinary students by any means, they are still just children and will be influenced by your reactions. If you react with embarrassment, you will just confuse them more and possibly cause more harm than good. They have been raised with sexual situations as an every day part of their lives and wouldn't understand why it makes you uneasy."

Benjamin studied the earnest young man standing beside him. Despite the few times Benjamin had seen Bruck expertly wielding his lightsaber, Ben had thought of Bruck as somewhat of a light-hearted rather shallow Jedi. He was not someone to be taken too seriously and he was someone who could play with Vellen without hurting her. She knew as well as he did that Jedi seldom formed lasting relationships and they certainly didn't get involved outside the Order. But Bruck made her happy while they were together.

Now, however, a serious Temple knight stood beside him, all evidence of playfulness gone.

"I understand your concern, Knight Chun," Ben finally replied softly. "Hopefully, I will become...accustomed at least to the more erotic classes offered." The newest Temple teacher sighed before he turned to move from the room. "Perhaps accepting this position at the Temple was a bad idea," he murmured almost to himself.

"No, Syr Lars," Bruck denied quickly. "I can see why Master Yoda would want an influence such as you on the students." He flashed his companion a smile. "Just as anywhere, students here can be difficult and what you are teaching them may save their lives one day, especially in the diplomatic situations. You have a wonderful talent for grabbing a student's interest, I saw that back on Callis. That is a rare gift, having your students want to learn."

Benjamin found himself blushing under the knight's praise. "Thank you, Bruck."

"Students know when a teacher loves what he teaches." The white-haired Jedi just gave him another smile. "Besides, all your classes have been filled completely and a waiting list is already winding around the Temple. You'd be mobbed if you tried to leave now."

"That doesn't really comfort me all that much, Knight Chun," Ben pointed out.

Bruck chuckled. "Just thought you'd like to know, Master Lars."

"Your Excellency," Khamier said as he entered the Chancellor's office followed by Kiyari Jik, the Chancellor's top public relations expert. Qui-Gon looked up in surprise from his place beside the Delothan Senator.

"Primary?"

"I hate to interrupt your time with Senator Alothos but I need to speak with you immediately."

Qui-Gon stood and looked apologetically at the senator beside him. "I am sorry Alothos," he said sincerely. "We can continue this tomorrow."

"Of course, Chancellor," the Delothan trilled.

"Speak with Thalla on your way out and she'll give you a time to return."

The Delothan Senator bowed once, glanced curiously at the stern looking Primary Commander and then left the room. Khamier made certain the doors were sealed before he gestured to the man with him.

"Jik has been notified by some of our plants within the media industry that a major correspondent has already discovered the identity of Lukas H'amill. If you wish to make the announcement public before he does, we will need to hold a media conclave as soon as possible."

Qui-Gon cursed under his breath as he walked to his desk and settled behind it. "Has Benjamin's publisher been notified?"

"Yes, Excellency," Kiyari Jik answered stepping forward. "He understands the necessity of rushing the announcement. I have already begun the process of calling a conclave for this afternoon, pending your approval. We need to make the announcement quickly and control the way it happens or it may seem as if you were hiding the matter."

"Very well, Jik. Make the arrangements for this afternoon. The question of my Commitment to Benjamin will also come up. Be prepared to address it with 'Yes, we are Committed' and 'No, plans have not yet been made'."

Jik nodded once, already making notations on his comp pad as he scurried out the door. Once the office was sealed again, Qui-Gon sighed and turned to his friend.

"Khamier, leave Benjamin at the Temple until the last possible moment. There's no need to upset him with this until he has to know. It makes him nervous enough to know he will be revealing so much of himself to the Republic. There's no need for him to stew until it's time to do so."

The zabrak nodded. "His publisher is already en route to the Senate and will be present to address any questions concerning Lukas H'ammil." Khamier leaned against the desk and crossed his arms. "Qui-Gon, are you certain you are prepared to answer questions on your relationship with Benjamin?"

The Chancellor gave his Primary a dark look. "And why would I not? I have nothing to hide about Benjamin."

Khamier waved his hand. "I didn't mean to imply that you did. But knowing you, I suspect you have not made the announcement to any of your family." The Zabrak leaned forward, his lips curving into an evil grin. "You're announcing your Commitment to the Republic but you haven't told Mari-Gon yet. How do you think she's going to take that?"

Qui-Gon stared at his Primary as his eyes filled with horror. "I forgot," he blurted, "And then I wanted to forget." He pressed his lips together and then grimaced. "Would you happen to know the whereabouts of my sister, Primary Sarin?" he asked flatly. "I need to speak with her immediately."

"Unfortunately not, Excellency," Khamier said as he straightened and moved across the room. "You know she never leaves her travel itineraries with me and her husband said she left Sellis a month ago for a vacation." He stopped before the door and palmed it open before he glanced back with a smirk. "I'm certain she'll forgive your oversight though. Eventually."

Then he was gone, leaving Qui-Gon to wonder how he could keep his sister from ruining his life after she found out she was the last to know he was going to get married.

"So you actually made him meow?" Benjamin asked in awe as he stared at the Jedi master seated across from him. Mirra looked pleased as she remembered.

"Oh yes, he meowed several times. It's the technique, you see. While he loves it rough and rowdy most of the time, as I'm certain you know," she stated with a leer in Ben's direction. "Every now and again, he likes the long, tender, heated exchanges. And that one is guaranteed to make him meow."

Benjamin was busily typing her detailed instructions into his comp pad. This was not something going into his books but he didn't want to forget anything before he tried it. Making Qui-Gon meow in the near future was put at the top of his 'things-to-do-to-Qui-Gon' list. Then he looked up at Mirra with a grin.

"You are a wellspring of information, Master Windu. I appreciate you sharing this with me."

The dark woman smiled and sighed as reached out to touch his cheek. "You are so eager to learn what pleases Qui-Gon. Does he please you as much?"

Benjamin looked at her in complete surprise. "Oh, yes he does," he replied without thought and then flushed hotly. "I mean...ah...he's very attentive."

"I would be surprised to hear otherwise," Master Windu chuckled. "I have never seen him so captivated with anyone as he is with you. Would that I could have trained you up from an initiate, Benjamin. You would have had Qui-Gon wrapped around your finger during your first rotation."

Benjamin blushed again and dropped his eyes, trying to fight against the anger that always rose when he remembered that he should have been a Jedi had it not been for his father.

"Master?" another voice broke into his thoughts and the pair glanced up to find Padawan Bant beside them with Bruck. She was studying Benjamin with her wide silver eyes.

Mirra smiled up at her former padawan. "Yes, Bant?"

"Instructor Lars' shuttle is in the docking bay," she replied with a smile for her master.

"But it's early yet," Ben stated, glancing at the chrono on his comp pad. "I have hours yet before I'm to meet Qui-Gon."

"I'm sorry, Master Lars," one of his guards for today, Lt. Biyan, approached. "We have been asked to bring you to the Senate now to meet with the Chancellor."

Benjamin looked surprised and then nodded as he stood, gathering his comp pad and the books Master Windu had given him for further research. He tucked them away in his shoulder bag, carefully not glancing over the titles. The stars only knew what Master Windu would consider appropriate research.

"Okay, let's go," he said. "Thank you, Master Windu," he said with a bow in her direction. "May I speak with you tomorrow? I only have a few more days before I'll be involved with my classes and I have more questions."

"Of course, Benjamin, you are always welcome," she said with a smile.

"Thank you," he said with a final nod at Bant before he turned to follow his guards. Bruck fell into step beside him, hands carefully tucked into dark sleeves.

"Soooooo, Master Windu shared the secret of the Meow Meditations?" Bruck suddenly asked as they rounded the last corner before the docking bay came into view. Benjamin looked at him sharply.

"The Meow Meditations?" he asked, his voice faint.

"That's what we call the technique described in the books she gave you." Bruck looked at him with a wide, wicked smile. "You may want to get some pointers from Owen before you try anything really strenuous. Not only did he master that technique when he was a mid-level padawan but he was asked to train others in it." The young knight chuckled and then gave a long lusty sigh. "He always was an overachiever."

Benjamin choked and flushed before he hurried his steps. "Bruck, do you know what the acronym TMI stands for?" he stated flatly before he moved passed his guards into the docking bay. "He's my brother for stars sake!"

"I'm not saying sleep with him, Ben," Bruck said with a laugh. "Though in some societies it would literally be a shame not to take advantage of such a source of knowledge..."

"Bruck!" Ben bleated as he covered his face.

"But he can certainly give you some pointers on making Qui-Gon meow."

Benjamin stopped and glared up at the ceiling. "Ancestors save me."

"All right, I won't say anything more today," the knight said with a final chuckle. "But I will see you tomorrow."

The teacher grumbled and blushed his way up the ramp into his shuttle and wondered vaguely what he had done to get himself landed as a teacher of languages in a Temple devoted to sex.

As he was hurried through the hallways towards Qui-Gon's offices, Benjamin steadily tried to ignore the glances, the sideways looks and the outright stares he was getting. He tried but didn't quite manage to do so.

Their curiosity he could handle. He had, after all, come out of nowhere to snatch the most eligible bachelor in the Republic. As far as these people were concerned, until last month he had been a complete nonentity, not worthy of notice.

But within a matter of weeks, Benjamin Lars had gone from nonentity to a force to be reckoned with in the Senate, regardless of the fact that he didn't even hold an office. He held the heart - and the favor - of Qui-Gon Jinn and he knew there was hardly a Senator in this building that wouldn't want his patronage. Which was why the speculation in the eyes of the powerful sentients he passed bothered him so much more than their curiosity. He understood the world of politics well enough to know that he was the new path to the Chancellor as well as Qui-Gon's possible weakness.

His bodyguards - six he'd noticed, despite being told there would only be four guarding him while he was in the Senate - kept people away though several tried to approach him for an introduction. Ben could only be grateful when his small entourage moved through the doorway leading to Qui-Gon's office.

As his guards escorted him into the plush offices of the Chancellor, he found the reception area wasn't empty and he scowled inwardly. He had been wondering why Qui-Gon had summoned him to the Senate so early in the afternoon. This while another man waited before the receptionist's desk - rather, lounged on the edge of the desk while chatting amiably with the woman seated behind it. When he glanced up at their arrival, Ben had a quick impression of black hair and ice blue eyes set in a handsome face before his attention was drawn to the woman whose eyes widened as they met his own.

He knew that look. It was one he'd seen in the faces of everyone who had met Obi-Wan and were now comparing him to what they remembered.

This woman, however, quickly smoothed her expression and typed a few quick keys on her terminal before she stood, gesturing almost imperiously for the man to get off her desk. After a moment's hesitation, he stood and looked over Benjamin again, this time with a more leisurely, calculating gaze. The teacher almost found himself flushing.

"Master Lars?" the woman greeted him as she moved around her desk. The guards allowed her approach and she held out her hand. "I'm Thalla DesInnea, His Excellency's executive assistant."

Ben gave her a smile. "Qui-Gon has mentioned you several times," he said with a chuckle. "In the 'I-can't-find-my-shoes-without-her' context."

Thalla looked pleased and returned his smile with an open one of her own. Before she could continue, however, the doors behind her slid open and Qui-Gon walked out beside another being, a feathered Avian, who fluttered her plumage in surprise when she caught sight of Benjamin. She eyed the young man for a long moment before she murmured a comment to the Chancellor. Qui-Gon turned to look at Benjamin for a long moment before he smiled smugly and nodded. The Avian gave a short, chirp-like chuckle before she bowed and fluttered around the guards and out the front doorway.

Ben watched the Avian curiously, wondering what she'd said to his lover. When he turned back, he found Qui-Gon standing in front of him. Without even thinking, a smile stretched across his face as he lost himself in Qui-Gon's blue eyes.

A long moment later, he heard a stifled snicker. Benjamin turned a narrow gaze on the older man who was watching them avidly, amusement written on his handsome face. Beside him, Ben heard his lover sigh before Qui-Gon looked at the man seated once again on Thalla's desk.

"Vonris, why are you here?"

"Why, I have an appointment, Your Excellency," the man stated brightly before he turned appealingly to Thalla. "Don't I, Thalla, dearest?"

The executive assistant looked a little guilty as she nodded. "His brother made the request this morning, Your Excellency," she explained. "He said you would know what it concerned."

"It will have to wait until later this afternoon," the Chancellor said as he guided Ben past his assistant and the now pouting man. "We have something to see to. Come back later, Vonris and we'll speak then."

Benjamin glanced over his shoulder a final time as Qui-Gon led him into his offices and noticed the man staring at him with a thoughtful look. Then the doors slid shut and Qui-Gon was striding across his office, towing Ben along with a careless ease.

"What's going on, Qui-Gon?" Ben asked as the man led them into his private quarters. The teacher had hoped that perhaps Qui-Gon had decided that a little afternoon snuggle was in order but when he found several people waiting in the bedroom, he quickly revised that thought.

"I'm sorry to throw this on you at the last minute, Ben, but in about half an hour, we're going before a conclave of the media to announce who Lukas H'ammil really is."

Benjamin paled and stepped back. "Already?" he squeaked before he cleared his throat. "I mean, we just discussed this last night."

"I know and if there were another option, I would have taken it. But a correspondent found out who you are and is planning on rocking Coruscant with it during the evening newsfeeds. We need to head that off."

Ben took a long deep breath and then nodded. "All right. But Oyarra needs to be here too. I haven't called him yet."

"He's already here," a thin older man said coming forward. "Chancellor?" he asked for permission. Qui-Gon nodded and he turned back to the young man who was causing all the trouble. "I am Kiyari Jik, the Chancellor's senior public relations expert. Please call me Jik. Your publisher is already waiting in the room adjoining the conclave chambers where the media is gathering. You will have some time to speak with him before we go into the conclave. But first we need to get you dressed and ready for your first meeting with Coruscant's finest raveners."

Benjamin blinked and then glanced down at his clothes. "But these will do fine, won't they?"

Jik looked him up and down before he snapped his fingers. "No."

Several of his assistants clustered around Benjamin, measuring and discussing him as though he weren't present - what his best colors would be, what style, how to fix his hair. After a few moments, he glanced frantically over at Qui-Gon who was surrounded by his own group of designers.

His blue eyes were waiting, however, and he smiled at his young lover gently. Ben suddenly felt as if he were wrapped in Qui-Gon's arms and knew immediately that his soon-to-be-husband was thinking about the night before. They had spent it quietly together, curled in each other's arms rather than passionately as they had the night before last. As the assistants began to pull the young man towards a rather impressive mound of clothes, Qui-Gon silently moved his lips, 'I love you', and Ben smiled.

Benjamin watched on the monitor as Qui-Gon swept into the Media Conclave Chambers and immediately pulled the attention of hundreds of news correspondents to himself with effortless ease. He smiled around the room for a moment before he held up his hand for silence.

"How does he do that?" Ben muttered flatly as he glared at the monitor.

"He's had decades of practice Ben," the tall man beside him replied as they watched Qui-Gon Jinn begin to speak. The teacher turned to the man with an apologetic look.

"Oyarra, I'm sorry you didn't have more notice about this," he began but his publisher just waved him off.

"I knew it was coming from the moment the Chancellor barreled into my office and demanded to know your name," Oyarra replied with a snicker.

Benjamin gave his publisher a narrow glare. "I heard about that. You traded my name for consideration on the next bill concerning off-world publishing and trade rights."

Oyarra just shrugged and grinned unrepentantly. "He's the Supreme Chancellor and if you haven't noticed, he is rather a force of nature. Who was I to stand against him?"

Ben just snorted. "But you made certain to get your meager profit in."

"Benjamin, I'm astonished you would think that I would give information out on my star author for a meager profit." The man looked quite pleased. "There was actually nothing meager about it."

The writer just sighed.

"Honestly, Benjamin, the bill in question will profit the authors as well as the Publishing House. You wouldn't like me to go broke, would you?"

Ben looked extremely skeptical. "Is there even the most remote chance of that happening?"

"Not really, no." Oyarra grinned. "It was obvious that the Chancellor was quite taken with you and was going to do just about anything to get the information he wanted. Who was I to miss such an opportunity? Then when I heard his 'educational tour' was winding up on Callis, I started making plans." The man looked gleefully at his star writer. "Actually, this will work well since you have almost finished your next book, hum? You have almost completed the first draft, hum?"

Benjamin just nodded absently as he watched the monitor and jammed his hands into his pockets. And then immediately removed them when a nearby stylist glared at him.

"Yeah, the entire final draft is done. I'll send it over tonight when I get home."

"You've finished the final draft?" Oyarra asked in surprise. "The final draft?"

Ben shot him a grin. "Yeah, you might say the last few weeks have been an inspiration. I think you're going to love it."

Oyarra beamed at his young companion. This boy had been a constant source of amazement, pride and not to mention revenue for him and his Publishing House. He blessed the dreary, rainy day that blew Benjamin Lars into his office with his first manuscript.

"Send it the minute you get home and I'll get it over to editing," Oyarra commanded but Ben was already looking back at the monitor, chewing on his lip. His publisher laid a gentle hand on his shoulder, pulling his attention back. "Ben, you'll do fine. The Republic is already half in love with you. Believe me, my Relations department have been watching the Chancellor's office handle your publicity with amazement. Revealing Lukas H'amill's true identity will only endear them to you more."

Benjamin said nothing, keeping his doubts tucked well away as he watched Qui-Gon step forward.

"Sentients of the Conclave, thank you for coming on such short notice," Qui-Gon began. "I have a few announcements that I would like to make officially and I know there are no other beings who can get the word out faster than the ones gathered in this hall."

There was a low round of chuckles as a few holo flashes flickered across the room.

"The first and most important announcement I think you are already marginally aware of." He stopped for a moment and grinned at the breathless anticipation in the room. "I am pleased to announce that Benjamin Lars has accepted my Commitment and will be taking his place as my Consort within the year."

An explosion of voices and holo flashes lit the room and Benjamin flinched as he watched his lover expertly field even the most intrusive questions. Then Ben's attention was caught by one of the assistant's waving him over to the door leading into the Conclave Hall next door.

"It's almost time, Syr Lars," she called and Benjamin gave his publisher and friend a final frantic look before he walked over to stand beside the woman. She glanced over him one last time, smoothing a tendril of hair away from his face and straightening a non-existent wrinkle from his dark blue tunic. He'd been briefed and buffed in the last half-hour and he was pulled tighter than a lute string.

The woman's last comment was said with a smile. "Syr Lars, you are a teacher, are you not?" He looked at her in surprise and nodded. "Don't worry then. Just look on all those correspondents as unruly students. If they get out of hand, you can handle them."

He looked at her in complete surprise and then the door slid open and Benjamin heard his name announced. He felt a moment of complete, utter and explosive panic. He was not going out there.

Then he remembered Qui-Gon's understanding expression and those silently mouthed words and he took a determined step forward. Without thinking, he plastered a smile on his face and fastened his eyes to Qui-Gon.

So it was with utter poise and sophistication that Benjamin Lars made his first official public appearance.

"Can I just die now?"

"No you may not. You did amazingly well, Benjamin," Qui-Gon replied confidently, his fingers entwined with his lover's as they strolled through the halls of the Senate later that afternoon. "The correspondents loved you."

"How can you say that?" Ben demanded. "I stammered and blushed and hardly answered any questions coherently. And some of the questions they asked were awful!" Ben shuddered. "And after they found out about my books, their questions got even worse!"

"Very true but that is typical. However, the silence that greeted Publisher Oyarra's official announcement of Lukas H'amill's true identity was a once in a lifetime shock. I've never accomplished that in all my years as Chancellor."

The teacher beside him snorted. "They more than made up for it with the four billion questions that blasted us off the podium shortly afterwards."

Qui-Gon squeezed his hand with a chuckle. "You did fine, Ben," he said in a low tone as they approached his offices. "And I know just how I'd like to celebrate your victory."

Benjamin looked up at him as an eyebrow rose. "Oh? What did you have in mind?" he asked innocently as they strolled through the doors into Qui-Gon's reception area.

"The shuttle won't be ready for another hour yet so I thought...." His voice trailed off as he saw the figure leaning against Thalla's desk with a rather impudent smile.

"Ah, Chancellor!" Lord Vonris enthused as he straightened. "I understand congratulations are in order?"

Qui-Gon sighed and then squeezed Ben's hand. "I have to meet with him today, love, I'm sorry," the taller man whispered in his lover's ear. "I'll be as quick as I can."

Benjamin merely nodded and stifled his impatience as he tried not to glare at the handsome man in front of them. Qui-Gon squeezed his fingers a final time.

"Thank you, Vonris," the Chancellor stated as he strode forward. "Come into my office and tell me what your brother has in mind. You have five minutes."

"Five minutes?" the man almost whined as he moved past Qui-Gon towards the door to his office. "I'm certain it will take much longer." The man's voice lowered suggestively and Benjamin noticed with a scowl that Vonris somehow managed to brush completely against Qui-Gon as he passed.

"Five minutes is all you get, Lord Vonris," Qui-Gon replied as the door shut behind them. Benjamin didn't realize he was glaring at the door until Thalla quietly cleared her throat.

"You don't need to worry about the Telosian, Syr Lars," she said softly as she gestured to one of the chairs beside her desk. "I don't believe I've ever seen the Supreme Chancellor with such a vacuous expression on his face as when he was looking at you today."

Benjamin's eyebrows rose and then he chuckled as he took the offered seat. "Thank you, Thalla, that is a comfort to know."

Then he turned his eyes back to the doorway where his lover had disappeared with that man. That handsome older man. That man who had brushed up against Ben's lover. He felt his teeth beginning to grind.

"I saw the media conclave, Syr Lars," Thalla said a minute later and Ben focused on her again. "You did very well." She beamed at him. "You had the media eating out of your hand. A singular accomplishment for one so new to the press."

"Thank you for saying that." Benjamin winced and sighed. "It was horrible though. I never want to do that again."

Thalla didn't mention that it was something the young man would have to get used to. She watched as his eyes again tried to bore a hole through the office door.

Ben was so focused on staring at the thick wood separating him from the Chancellor's office that he didn't even hear the approach of another presence until he noticed two of his bodyguards moving closer to him. He also noticed one tapping the communicator latched onto his belt.

"Good afternoon, Syn DesInnea," a cultured voice spoke just behind him and Ben turned to find an older human senator standing a few feet from the desk, eyeing the looming bodyguards with something close to distaste. The man was clad all in blue and had a gentle, distinguished look. "I was hoping to find out if the Chancellor had a free moment to speak with me this afternoon."

"I'm sorry, Senator Palpatine, but His Excellency is with his final appointment of the day," Thalla replied with no indication that she might be swayed. "I would be happy to schedule another time for you." Ben watched as her fingers glided over the keyboard in front of her. "The next appointment available with the Chancellor is two weeks from tomorrow. Would that be acceptable?"

"I had hoped to speak with him sooner but that will have to do," the man said with a patient nod. His light blue eyes then flickered over Benjamin and he gave a smile. "And you must be Benjamin Lars?" he said, stepping forward, holding out his hand. Benjamin rose almost automatically, his gaze caught by the gentle look in Palpatine's eyes. "I've been looking forward to...." His words faded as two guards stepped to either side of Ben.

Benjamin looked almost as surprised as the senator did. But he ignored the pair and reached out to take Palpatine's hand. He'd have to meet the Senators sooner or later and hiding behind his bodyguards certainly wouldn't build his reputation.

"It is an honor, Senator," Benjamin said as the man gripped his hand firmly. Palpatine looked pleased.

"I remember you from when you were a page for the Callistan Senator two years ago," the man said pleasantly. "I understand you graduated with top honors in your class once you'd finished your internship. Congratulations."

"I did, your Honor, thank you," Benjamin said, trying not to show his own uneasiness with everyone and their mother knowing his history. But Qui-Gon had warned him that this would be the case. He'd even shown him the PR packet that was given to the media when they first began asking questions about Benjamin Lars.

"With such high marks, I found it quite surprising to find such a promising young politician had chosen a career of teaching," Palpatine continued casually. The senator was stunned at the intense flare of anger and something almost bordering hatred that erupted from the young man. He was equally amazed at how quickly the emotions were buried and that Benjamin Lars had shown no outward sign of his rage.

"My father said much the same thing, Senator," Ben replied, his tone mild. "But I thought teaching was a more worthwhile career to pursue when I returned home. Meaning no disrespect, of course," he finished with a small, correct bow.

"Of course not," Palpatine returned. "Someone must teach those who would in turn govern the Republic. Who better than those who have experienced its workings?" He gave the younger man an understanding smile. "Perhaps your father will accept your choice one day."

Benjamin couldn't quite hide his stunned surprise at the understanding in the senator's tone. "Perhaps," he echoed.

"My father, too, was opposed to the choices I made," Palpatine continued thoughtfully, his eyes holding Ben's gaze. "Perhaps we could talk of this further, Syr Lars. The Chancellor may be some time with his last appointment."

"I would like that," Benjamin said, relaxing as he took a step forward. It was only one step, however, before there was another form standing between Benjamin and Palpatine.

Khamier Sarin was looking up at the Senator with a pair of flat golden eyes.

"I don't believe Syr Lars has time to speak with you further, Senator," Primary Sarin stated in no uncertain terms. "His Excellency will be finished in a few minutes and then they will be leaving for the afternoon."

"Primary," Palpatine replied with a gentle smile. "I understand Chancellor Jinn is with an appointment. You know he always takes his time with his...appointments."

Behind Khamier, Benjamin rubbed his forehead at a sudden headache that had blossomed just behind his eyes. With the senator's words, however, he glanced up with a narrow gaze, glaring first at the senator, then turning to glare at the doorway behind them.

"Chancellor Jinn won't be much longer," Sarin said confidently and then grinned as he heard the door behind him slide open. "As you can see, here he is now."

Palpatine glanced up, only a flicker of anger in his pale eyes as he noted Lord Vonris sauntering out of the Chancellor's office with a smug, almost satisfied look on his face. The handsome man glanced once at Benjamin and smirked before he walked through the office and was gone. Benjamin watched him until he was gone, glaring at Vonris as though he could incinerate the Telosian lordling with a look.

Then Qui-Gon stood beside Benjamin and Khamier stepped out of the way. The Supreme Chancellor laid a proprietary hand on the nape of Benjamin's neck before he even glanced at the senator.

"Palpatine," Qui-Gon finally greeted him with a neutral expression though his eyes burned.

"Your Excellency," Palpatine returned after only a moment's hesitation. His tone when he said the words was almost sarcastic.

"I'm finished for the day, Benjamin," Qui-Gon said quietly into his lover's ear. "Are you ready to go?"

Benjamin glanced up at his lover with angry eyes before he looked away. "Yes, I'm ready," he replied before he turned back to the senator who now had a rather indulgent smile on his lips. "Perhaps we could speak another time, Senator," Ben said as he leaned back against his lover.

"Of course, Syr Lars," Palpatine said with a smile. "It has been a pleasure to meet you." He met Qui-Gon's eyes with bland look and bowed. "Your Excellency."

"Senator."

Then Palpatine was gone.

And Benjamin was glaring at him again.

"What was that about, Qui-Gon?" he asked in a low, even tone. "I was just having a conversation while you were entertaining..." Ben's green eyes narrowed, "...your appointment and then Sarin was here practically snarling at the Senator."

Qui-Gon's eyes frosted over before his eyes flickered to Khamier with a brief thank you. "You are not to speak with Senator Palpatine, Benjamin, ever. He is dangerous."

"He seemed nice enough," Ben began but Qui-Gon cut him off.

"This is not negotiable, Benjamin," the larger man said as he twined his fingers through Ben's and led him towards his office. "Thalla, please let me know when the shuttle is ready for Benjamin and me to board."

"Yes, sir," came her faint words before the door shut and Benjamin yanked his hand away from his lover.

"What do you mean, 'This is not negotiable'?" Ben snapped. "I can speak with whomever I please!"

"Palpatine is dangerous," Qui-Gon said, trying to keep his temper. "I don't want you anywhere near him."

"But you can have 'appointments' with the likes of that Vonris?"

The Chancellor's blue eyes widened just a bit and he felt his temper drain away as he realized what Benjamin's real issue was. "Lord Vonris Chiyari is the brother of a very influential senator, Ben. I had to meet with him. His brother asked me to."

"I don't care," Benjamin fired back, stalking up to his lover. "I don't like him." Ben grabbed the front of his lover's tunic and pulled Qui-Gon down to stare directly into his eyes. "He brushed up against you like some felinoid in heat! You're mine and he has no right to touch!"

Qui-Gon was amazed at the fury in Ben's green eyes. He was actually jealous! The taller man was trying hard not to smile at his lover's possessiveness. Nothing could indicate more how deeply Ben's feelings ran if he actually was to the point of being jealous and showing it.

"You are correct, Benjamin, no one has the right to touch me but you," Qui-Gon said, pulling the man closer to his chest. "You're the only one I want touching me."

Benjamin glared at his lover and then pushed him hard. Surprised, Qui-Gon staggered back a few steps and then landed on a couch. Benjamin was on top of him before he even had time to register that he was sitting. Then Ben's mouth was on his own, taking a hot, deep kiss as his hands burrowed into the dark blue material of the Chancellor's tunic. The teacher ground himself against his lover, feeling Qui-Gon harden beneath him, and he suddenly bit down hard on Qui-Gon's lower lip.

The man yelped in unexpected pain and Ben leaned back just enough to growl against his lover's lips, "If I ever see him touch you like that again, I am going to punch that lordling right in the face."

"You can't punch Vonris in the face, Benjamin," the Chancellor responded without really thinking it through, "His brother is a Senator."

He realized his mistake almost immediately, however, as the fingers of one of Ben's hands twined into Qui-Gon's hair and pulled the man's head back to meet Ben's angry, possessive gaze while the other hand reached down to cup Qui-Gon's already stiff erection roughly.

"I don't care who he is, Qui-Gon," Benjamin hissed between his teeth as his fingers worked their way inside the material of his lover's pants and squeezed hard. Qui-Gon couldn't help but arch into Ben's hand. "You belong to me. He'd better keep his hands to himself!"

Qui-Gon was lost in the emotions that were spiraling between them: anger, possessive lust, and an overwhelming need to claim. He didn't understand his lover's words at all, only the tone, as Ben leaned forward and fiercely took his mouth again even as Ben's fingers began an amazingly rough dance on his erection. The larger man groaned and closed his eyes but Benjamin wasn't having it.

"No, Qui-Gon, open your eyes and look at me!" Benjamin commanded as he pulled back, his fingers tightening in the softness of Qui-Gon's hair. "I want you to see who is touching you."

The older man opened his eyes and met Ben's green gaze. His lover's eyes were filled with passion and lust along with something Qui-Gon had never seen there before, something dark and frighteningly possessive.

"Benjamin...Intemi...you know I love you," he rasped as his hands moved to grip his lover's hips and pulled him closer. Again Ben resisted and didn't seem to hear, as his movements became rougher. And then he was hearing Benjamin's dark voice in his mind, mine...mine...only mine...mine to touch

Qui-Gon stared into his Consort's eyes and opened his own thoughts to his lover, calm, filled with love and confidence that his love was returned. Yours...Benjamin...only yours...I love only you, only you.

For Ben, it was almost as if the words drifted into the air between them. He heard his Intemi's words, felt the man's love wrap around him and Ben stilled, soaking them in, curling into the hands that were as gentle on his body as his own had not been. All his anger and jealousy drained away in a moment as he studied his lover's intent blue eyes, leaving only a desire to pleasure, to adore, to make sure Qui-Gon knew how very much he was loved.

The strokes of Ben's fingers resumed, becoming longer and firmer, his agile fingertips finding every sensitive spot and caressing. He leaned forward for another kiss, this one deep and loving.

"Open your eyes and look at me, my Intemi," Benjamin breathed almost reverently against Qui-Gon's lips. "See who is loving you with his every breath."

Again, the Chancellor found his eyes opening to meet Benjamin's gaze even as his fingers loosened the fastenings on Benjamin's pants. When he tried to take his lover's shaft in his hand, however, Ben pushed it away.

"Let me, my Qui-Gon," the writer said unsteadily as he pressed his hips forward and rubbed their groins together. Qui-Gon groaned and his hands instinctively flexed on Benjamin's hips as he rose to his lover's touch, reveling in his Intemi's touch. He pulled Ben in for a desperate kiss even as the man's hands sped up their silken strokes and caresses.

Barely able to think, Qui-Gon again heard a steady litany of words thrumming through his mind, the cadence of the words echoing the increasing speed of Benjamin's strokes, loveyouloveyouloveyouqui-gonmineminemine.

Then he was lost in the feelings and emotions flowing between them as Ben suddenly arched against him and screamed. Qui-Gon stiffened and let out a roar of his own as the feeling of his lover's orgasm washed over him and pushed him over the edge. His hands tightened around Benjamin's hips as the younger man shuddered and then slowly relaxed, his head lowering to settle on Qui-Gon's shoulder. As Ben tried to slow his breathing, the older man gently mouthed the small bruise on his lover's throat that was never allowed to fade.

Finally, the writer leaned back with a sigh. His expression was troubled as he reached out to touch Qui-Gon's cheek. "I have no idea where that came from but I feel much better than I have all day," he noted with a wry smile. "Even the headache is gone."

The Chancellor chuckled as he took one of Ben's hands and began to clean it with long, thorough strokes of his tongue. The writer watched as his hand was carefully finished before Qui-Gon attentively cleaned the other. When he was done, the older man placed a sweet kiss in the center of each palm.

"I love you, Qui-Gon," Benjamin said softly as his fingers curled around his future husband's cheek. Qui-Gon echoed the touch on Ben's face before he ran his fingers through the soft russet hair now slightly damp with sweat.

"And I love you, Benjamin," he replied in a firm tone.

The writer's eyes dropped as his face flushed. "I don't know why I was so upset about that man, Qui-Gon," he said in a low tone.

"Don't worry about it, Ben," the Chancellor replied with a quick grin. He had his own ideas as to why his lover was suddenly so angry and jealous, emotions that were usually foreign to Benjamin Lars. He made a mental note to ask Yoda just how much influence Palpatine might exert over his Consort-to-be. "You don't hear me complaining, do you?"

Benjamin shook his head with a mischievous smile. "No, but I want you to know that I don't think you would 'consort' with anyone else." Ben forced himself to meet his lover's eyes again. "I guess it was just the stress of the new teaching position at the Temple and then the media conclave and then that Telosian twit rubbing his entire body against yours when he was walking by you!" Benjamin's teeth were grinding as he glared at his lover.

Qui-Gon just cupped his lover's face and gave him a long, slow, messy kiss. Benjamin relaxed into his lover's hands and sighed as Qui-Gon pulled back.

"That won't happen again, Benjamin," he stated firmly, looking his lover in the eyes. "I will make sure of that."

Benjamin snorted. "See that you do, Qui-Gon," he commanded.

"Of course, Ben," the Chancellor of the Republic placidly agreed.

"You're mine and no one else gets to play with you."

"Of course, Benjamin."

"Just so you know. And more importantly, they know."

"Of course, by Intemi."

Benjamin eyed his lover and wondered if Qui-Gon were making fun of him. The Chancellor just looked back at him with a sincere blue gaze.

A sudden buzz over the intercom interrupted the quiet look the two were sharing.

"What is it, Thalla?" Qui-Gon called, not looking away from his lover for a moment.

"Chancellor, your shuttle is ready."

"Thank you, Thalla, we'll be there momentarily," Qui-Gon replied. Then he leaned forward and kissed his lover. "Ready to go, Ben?"

"We can't go like this, Qui-Gon," Ben bleated as he glanced down at the drying white stains on his tunic, realizing for the first time that he was snuggled in his lover's lap in a rather exposed position. The younger man jumped up and fastened his pants. Then his eyes traveled over Qui-Gon's chest which bore the same evidence as his own clothes did.

"You don't think so?" the Chancellor asked as he stood. "It's not like anyone would actually dare to say anything."

Benjamin looked appalled. "We can't go walking out there like this!" he stated emphatically and Qui-Gon sighed, his lips twitching.

"I suppose not, lover," he grinned and took Benjamin's hand. He led his lover towards the room where they had changed clothes only two hours before. "Come with me. We can wash off, change, and be perfectly respectable once again. As boring as that might be."

"At least until we get to the shuttle, anyway," Benjamin pointed out thoughtfully. "Maybe we should take another change of clothing in case we need to change after we land."

Qui-Gon eyed his young lover and then grinned. "Perhaps I'll just start keeping extra changes of clothes in the shuttle anyway. Just in case."

Benjamin grinned. "Probably a good idea, Chancellor."

The gates of Elysèun swung close behind the escorted transport carrying the Supreme Chancellor and his Consort-to-be home. As Qui-Gon glanced over at his younger lover, he smiled. Benjamin had grinned all the way home from the Senate and was now practically purring.

Qui-Gon drew him closer and gave him a sweet, short kiss as the transport pulled to a halt outside the front doors of the ancient mansion. A servant opened the transport doors and Benjamin scooted out and waited until Qui-Gon was beside him before they twined fingers again and sauntered up the steps.

They would have a long, slow loving tonight, Qui-Gon decided as the front door opened to admit them - long and slow, tender too and maybe some chocolate.

He was in the midst of planning his seduction when he noticed that the expression on his butler's face was something just short of being terrified.

"Illms?" Qui-Gon stopped to ask as the man closed the door and turned to his master.

"I'm sorry sir," the man said quietly, unable to meet his employer's eyes. "She arrived this morning after you left for the Senate. She told us not to contact you under any circumstances. She's already gotten to the young miss."

Qui-Gon Jinn, Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, froze, his mind quickly plotting the fastest way back to the shuttleport. He was turning for the door when a strong, alto voice echoed out from a nearby parlor.

"Qui-Gon, I know you're there. Come in here for tea!"

Qui-Gon froze again, wondering just how bad it would be if he grabbed his lover and fled anyway. After a long, considered thought, however, he decided it would be bad indeed. Mari-Gon was quite as ruthless as he when going after something he wanted and she was older, meaning she'd had more time to perfect her techniques. He didn't want another fiasco like those highly embarrassing pictures of him as a five year old that somehow had made it out onto the galactic net.

He sighed as he turned mournful eyes to his lover. "I'm sorry, Benjamin. I'd hoped to prepare you for this meeting."

Confused, Ben looked at Qui-Gon's pale face. "Who is it?"

"It's my sister, Mari-Gon."

Benjamin continued to look confused. From the few comments Qui-Gon had dropped about his sister, Ben had the impression that the Chancellor liked her. Qui-Gon saw his confusion and sighed again. Ah well. Mari-Gon might go easier on a completely unsuspecting opponent. Perhaps it was better this way. Benjamin might come out better with no warning.

Too bad he hadn't had a warning. If he'd had a warning neither one of them would be here.

"Qui-Gon?" the voice called again. "We're waiting!"

Qui-Gon took a deep breath. Then he lay his hands on his lover's shoulders and looked deeply into his eyes.

"Remember, I love you, Benjamin."

The teacher was beginning to get worried as Qui-Gon twined their fingers together again and then led him towards a large set of open double doors. Ben remembered it as a large sitting room. Curiously, Benjamin scanned the room as soon as they crossed the threshold.

Vellen was waiting there, dressed quite formally as she sat quietly beside a very distinguished-looking older woman. The fact that all Vellen did was give him a friendly nod and a smile in greeting made him worry even more. She only looked and acted like this in the presence of her mother.

Then he turned his gaze to the woman beside Vellen and couldn't help smiling. She looked very much like his lover with her strong, handsome features. Her hair was brown and streaked with gray like Qui-Gon's but hers was pulled up in an elaborate hairstyle with a jewel or two caught among the tresses.

It was when he met her eyes, however, he suddenly knew that he was in trouble. They were Qui-Gon's blue eyes and currently they were studying him with a hard, calculating gaze. He hadn't realized he'd stopped breathing until she turned that laser sharp look on her brother.

"Well, Qui-Gon? Aren't you going to introduce us?" she asked, one eyebrow rising slightly.

"Of course, Mari-Gon," the Chancellor replied as he led a suddenly unwilling Benjamin across the room. They stopped just before the woman who was watching them closely.

Mari-Gon was glad to see she'd made her brother nervous. At least he still had some sense. Qui-Gon deserved a bout of nerves after the way he'd behaved during the last months. Like some lovesick fledge fresh out of middle school and weren't her circle of hard-edged matrons sending her communiqués about that?

Until now, she'd never have thought her usually stern and boring brother capable of a public pursuit of a love interest. That was, until she'd seen the newsfeeds of Qui-Gon greeting his younger lover two days ago on his arrival to Coruscant. The very public and very passionate greeting the boy had gotten had stunned her speechless. She'd immediately changed her travel itinerary and headed for Elysèun. She knew her brother well and such a physical display from Qui-Gon at all, much less in the spotlight of the Coruscant media, indicated to her that Qui-Gon Jinn really was serious about taking a Consort.

She had arrived in-system fully intending to take her brother to task for behaving in such a juvenile manner. However, now she had a much more serious task. Now she had to decide if this Benjamin Lars was a worthy partner for her beloved younger brother.

Mari-Gon glanced over at young Vellen and smiled inwardly. The girl had given her confidence about her cousin being acceptable. Vellen had poise and was quite polished. She also had a steady head on her shoulders and a healthy respect for her social elders. Vellen had also been of great help to her as she planned out the next six months in the life of Chancellor Jinn.

Planning the Commitment of her brother to someone he loved was important, of course. But planning the Commitment of the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic - that was something none of her friends would ever be able to top. Vellen would also receive a huge social boost from such a feat, which Mari-Gon would allow since she already liked the girl.

Mari-Gon's blue eyes sharpened as her brother introduced his younger lover. She noticed that Qui-Gon hadn't released the boy's hand, even in her presence. Her brother even went so far as to send her a warning glare. As if that would matter should she not like the boy.

The young man was indeed very handsome and she could immediately see the resemblance between the two cousins. As he gave her a bow and a tentative smile, she thawed just a little.

"My lady, it is an honor to meet you," he said in a respectful tone. She didn't miss, however, how his fingers tightened on Qui-Gon's.

Benjamin held his breath again as he waited for the older woman to reply. Finally, she gestured to the place beside her on the couch where she was presiding.

"You may sit here, Syr Lars," she allowed with a slight nod. Then she turned and glared at her brother. "You may sit next to Vellen and attend her tea, Qui-Gon," she commanded.

Benjamin shot his lover a panicked look but Qui-Gon just squeezed his fingers a final time before he walked over to sit next to Vellen. With a sense of impeding doom, he turned to meet Mari-Gon's familiar blue eyes.

"So, Benjamin Lars," she said with a smile that had a lot in common with wild canids before they struck their prey. "Please, tell me all about yourself."

...And in a recap of yesterday's news, the Supreme Chancellor confirmed rumors that he has Committed himself to teacher Benjamin Lars of the Callis system. They will be making plans for an official bonding ceremony within the year. The Senate Protocol Committee is already scrambling to plan what is needed for the Commitment of a Supreme Chancellor while in office since it has been more than 150 years since such an event took place.

Also, in an astonishing revelation made during the same media conclave, the H'spirition Publishing House formally announced the identity of one of its star writers, Lukas H'ammil, as none other than the Chancellor's Consort-to-be, Benjamin Lars. H'ammil's identity had been a closely guarded secret since the first Obi-Wan Kenobi novel hit the interspace. When asked why he'd finally decided to reveal his identity, Syr Lars just smiled and replied that the whole point of keeping his authorship of the books unknown was a bid for privacy, something which he suspected would be in short supply since he was now involved with Qui-Gon Jinn...

"I'm telling you Bruck, you need to warn the Council!" Benjamin stated emphatically as he paced the floor of his assigned classroom. "I've found the Sith Master and it's Qui-Gon's sister!"

"Ben, you know that's not true," Vellen said with a smirk. "She's just concerned over her brother's welfare. She wants to be sure all this bonding business is handled properly."

"Bonding business?" The teacher stopped in his tracks and glared at his cousin. He still hadn't quite forgiven her for her defection the evening before. "She wants to have a Commitment Reception at the end of the week! She's planned out our lives for the next six months all revolving around parties and meetings and breakfasts and..." Ben's voice sounded strangled so he took a deep breath. "If you like her so much, why didn't you stay with her at Elysèun?"

Vellen's green eyes widened and she shivered. "Not on your bloody life! She wanted to go shopping!"

"But you like shopping, Vel," Bruck pointed out from his vantage point. He was seated comfortably behind Master Lars' large desk, feet propped up and back leaning against the wall.

"I do!" the young woman replied. "But I've heard horror stories about Mari-Gon's shopping expeditions. Even on Callis, my mother told tales of Mari-Gon's exploits in the marketing centers on Sellis. Not pretty."

Benjamin snorted and threw himself down onto a chair and glared. "I'm telling you, she's a Sith. When Vellen is afraid to shop, the end is near."

Vellen stuck her tongue out at him. "It's not that I'm afraid...exactly. It's just that she's so...so..."

"Evil?" supplied Ben.

"No!" the blonde sighed. "No, she's just mad because Qui-Gon didn't tell her about the Commitment before he announced it to the entire Republic! Talk about bad manners! So she has to do something to punish him otherwise he'll never learn and she'll never hear the end of it from her friends." Vellen stopped to buff her nails on her tunic before she continued. "So she's taking care of his bonding. Maybe next time he'll think before he does something like this again."

There was silence in the room and she glanced up to find Bruck and Benjamin staring at her with something close to fear. "What?"

"You're frightening me, Vel," Benjamin said a little too calmly and Vellen pouted.

"Of course, you don't understand," she sighed and then shrugged. "I'll have Mom explain it the next time she sees you."

"No, that's quite all right, Vel," her cousin quickly assured her. "I'll just assume you know what Mari-Gon is doing and why and leave it at that." He gave the blonde woman a final worried look. "Are you sure she's not evil incarnate?"

Vellen rolled her eyes. "Fairly certain, Ben."

The teacher nodded doubtfully and then glanced around the room again, making sure everything was in its place. The students' desks easily filled the majority of space in the room. They were lined up in several rows between the door at the back of the classroom and his own desk at the front. There were even some benches along the edges of the room for those students or teachers who wanted to audit his class.

Ben currently lounged on the bench nearest to his desk as his eyes roamed over the room, making final decisions on the arrangement of the furniture. He'd spent all morning arranging and rearranging the room and he'd finally gotten things exactly as he wanted them. Once he'd completed downloading his curricula onto the terminal on his desk, he could sit back and relax, enjoying the calm before the storm of students he'd have in three days.

Across the room, seated uncomfortably at a desk, Vellen buffed her nails and sighed. "So what are we doing here now?"

"This is planning time, Vel," Ben explained. "I'm getting ready for my students."

The young blonde studied her cousin for a moment, propped up against the wall, eyes closed. Then she turned to their Jedi liaison, feet propped up on her brother's desk, lids half-closed and blue eyes just watching her.

She quickly glanced away from that sensual gaze and willed her girly blush down. Then she pulled out her small comm pad from her carrybag and brought up her list of things she needed to do. While her cousin seemed to think there was nothing else to do today, she had things to accomplish.

"Ben, there's something I've been meaning to ask you about," Bruck said after a few minutes of peaceful silence. Benjamin looked up and raised a curious brow. "Would you tell me about your friends?" the knight asked. "The ones who saved us on Callis?"

The teacher looked pleased and smiled. "I'd be happy to. What would you like to know?"

Bruck's lips curled into an unusually nasty smirk for a Jedi.

"Why did that one with the braid stack your father's car?"

Benjamin's low, wicked chuckle echoed across the room. "Let me start at the beginning."

Special Agent Maxim Ildim sat at his desk and scratched idly at the back of his neck. If he didn't know better, he would think someone was talking about him. After a moment, however, he shrugged off the prickly feeling on his neck and sighed. He perched his chin forlornly on his hand while he idly poked at his keyboard. Much to his disappointment, the number of reports in his assignment inbox did not decrease by any noticeable degree. He sighed and glanced around the large office. At four other desks nearby, his shield brothers sat, obviously hard at work, resignedly accepting the punishment that their commander had handed out.

Four weeks of desk duty just because someone, who shall remain nameless, had stacked Aren Lars' posh little sportster with a purple smoke bomb.

Maxim stared dreamily into the air as he recalled the man's shriek of outrage echoing across the schoolyard. Add that to Benji's look of dawning horror then glee when he'd realized what had happened to his bastard of a father.

Yup, Maxim decided that stack had been well worth the desk time - unfair though it was - to see that expression of satisfaction on his friend's face. Ben's father had always been a yithar's ass and Maxim had waited for just the right moment to pay him back for all the angst he'd put Ben though.

Not to mention the man's scathing comments over the years about Maxim's braid. No one insulted the hair and got away with it.

Maxim was absently fingering the braid in question when a movement to his left caught his attention. He turned just in time to get a rather large spitball right between the eyes. Angrily, the young agent wiped his face and scowled at his partner. Erro just glared back and pointed to his monitor. Maxim's eyes slid back to the large monitor on his desk and found a comm message had opened in the corner of the screen.

'Get back to work.'

Maxim sighed as he started poking at his keyboard again. Erro just had no sense of humor.

The agent spent another hour deciding which email he should actually open first before he finally decided on one that seemed rather important, given the red flashing star beside it. With another dramatic sigh, he considered reading the email just as their commander slammed open the door of his office and stamped into the room.

"Agents Low, Winyer, Arang, Borimi and Ildim! In my office. Now!"

Then the man glared across the room in the general direction of the summoned agents before he stalked back into his office. Immediately, four of the five summoned turn to look at Maxim. He quickly held up his hands.

"I haven't done anything!" he stammered, looking innocent as he tried to figure out what had gotten the usually stoic Commander Zex so stirred up. "I've been an angel since last week, I swear!"

His four shield brothers looked doubtful as they stood and made their way towards their commanding officer's doorway.

"Why do you guys always think it's my fault we get called in there?" Maxim grumbled as he followed Erro.

"Because it usually is," the other soldier replied flatly and Maxim gave another long-suffering sigh.

The five agents trailed into the office and came to stand at attention before their commander's desk.

"Ildim, shut the door," the man sharply instructed the last arrival and Maxim quietly closed the door before he took his place beside Erro and snapped to attention.

Commander Milar Zex looked over the five young men and mentally growled. He was a career military man who was usually very tolerant of his agents' quirks seeing as how he commanded the best of the best. But these five had constantly pushed their boundaries since they'd been assigned to him two years ago. Certainly, they were quickly becoming some of his best agents but even he didn't understand what they could have done to merit their next assignment.

It had to have something to do with the hushed up fiasco they had been involved with last week, which even his own commanders didn't know much about. The Supreme Chancellor's office had stamped on the issue so hard it might as well not exist anymore.

"At ease," Zex finally said and the agents relaxed. "As much as it pains me to do this, you five are being reassigned." Zex scowled at Maxim's look of joy, which the young agent quickly erased.

"Considering the punitive assignment you are currently on," the man stared pointedly at Agent Ildim who actually managed to look a little guilty, "you must realize that this is not a usual mission. It seems the Supreme Chancellor's Primary has requested your presence on Coruscant."

The commander looked at the various expressions of shock on his agents' faces. It made him feel slightly better to know they had been as unaware of this as he had been.

"What exactly is the assignment, Commander?" Agent Low asked, his face the only one to remain expressionless. Though, with Erro that was the norm.

Zex looked over the agents before he leaned back in his chair, effectively giving in to something he would never have allowed had it been anyone else making the request. He would be heartily glad if the Supreme Chancellor never showed his face in this sector again.

"Your presence has been requested to accompany the Chancellor's future Consort to the Y'sang Tourneys which begin in two weeks time. You are expected to be gone for just over a month while the Tourneys run."

The five stared at him. Even Erro showed an expression of mild surprise. Then, as one, Agents Low, Winyer, Arang, and Borimi turned to look at Agent Ildim, who was unsuccessfully fighting an expression of elation. When he noticed their stares, however, he shifted his expression to one of surprise.

"Whoa! What a surprise, huh guys?" he asked, trying to restrain his enthusiasm. "Who would have though Benji would have remembered that one little passing remark with all the other crap he went through last week?"

"Benji?" Zex asked, his eyebrows raised slightly.

"Yeah, Benji." It was obvious Maxim was trying not to bounce. "Ah, Ben Lars. You know, the Chancellor's main squeeze. We had dinner with him last week and I just happened to mention..."

"You know Benjamin Lars?" their commander asked quietly, his eyes narrowed.

"Sure! He went through basic with me and the guys." Maxim gestured to his companions. "Up 'til he decided to haul off to school five years ago, he was our sixth."

Zex glanced at the agents curiously. During the first six months of their two years of compulsory military service, soldiers on Callis were trained hard and assessed constantly. Most went on to become regular army or airforce soldiers and served out their terms of service before returning to their civilian lives.

Some were offered a choice, however, to continue their training and were transferred to more advanced training facilities. At that point, they were assigned to groups of six and trained to become the elite, the best of the best.

Commander Zex had had no idea that the young man who had stirred up such publicity by his developing relationship with the Supreme Chancellor had, at one time, been slated for elite military service. From the few holos he'd seen of the young teacher, Zex found it hard to believe that Benjamin Lars might have been under his command along with these five. But if he'd been anything like his shield mates, Zex could only thank the universe for its small favors.

"Stars forbid there might have been six of you," the man finally stated as he leaned forward to set five data chips on the edge of his desk. "These will have all the information you need for your assignment. You have the rest of the day to prepare. Your transport to Coruscant will be leaving at 0400 in the morning. Let me know if you have any questions. Dismissed."

Agent Arang stepped forward and scooped up the data chips before he saluted along with his companions. Then the five filed out with various expressions of amazement on their faces.

"I can't believe it!" Maxim crowed as he danced around in a little circle. "Benji remembered! We're going to Coruscant!"

"I can't believe it either," Feilan snorted as he handed out the information. "To waste our skills for a month for such a frivolous reason is not very logical."

"Oh, give it up, Fei," Maxim said with a grin. "I know you watch the tourneys religiously when you can. I know you'll love actually seeing them in person."

"We are fond of watching the sport, Maxim, but our assignment is escorting Benjamin to the tourneys," Rebierba pointed out, his expression thoughtful.

"Well, he had to have some official reason to get the brass to allow something like this," Maxim replied.

"But Benjamin doesn't even like Y'sang," Trisan noted quietly.

Rebierba was absently fingering the data chip in his hand, his eyes unfocused and vague. His shield brothers talked on around him for a few minutes, discussing the unexpected development and their upcoming 'mission'. Maxim was obviously all for the trip and the vacation he saw it as. Feilan was against it as completely frivolous though he couldn't argue with orders. Trisan was tentatively accepting as he was a very ardent follower of the sport and Rebierba knew he'd always wanted to see the Coruscant arena. As for Erro, the blond soldier couldn't tell what his silent companion was thinking but Erro had always been that way. It didn't really matter what his opinion was though as wherever Maxim or Feilan went, Erro would follow.

Finally, Rebierba took a long, deep breath and focused again on the data chip in his hand. There was more here than just a trip to Coruscant for a vacation or even just an assigned escort. There was something familiar, something important. As his fingertips caressed the hard metal of the chip, he opened his mind to whatever his Sight would show him.

He'd been told more than once that he should have been a Jedi but Rebierba solidly denied it. Whatever talent he had was not of the Force but a gift his family had passed on for generations. The Sight was something he'd lived with for as long as he could remember and he couldn't count the number of times it had saved his Shield brothers from harm. Now, however, his gift of Sight was rising up to show him that their lives were about to change and not in a small way. This assignment was going to lead to life-altering changes for all of them.

When he finally focused again on his surroundings it was to find his friends watching him with expressions ranging from worry to outright curiosity.

"What'd ya see, Rebeirba?" Maxim asked, his tone gentle.

Rebeirba smiled and then leaned back against the reassuring presence of Trisan behind him.

"Brothers, I think we have the rest of the day to settle our affairs on planet," he said confidently. "Because I don't think we'll be back any time in the near future."

"Oh?" Erro asked, one eyebrow raised a bit.

The young blond nodded slowly. "Remember back when we first were claimed for the elite and I had that vision of us as Guardians?"

His companions looked worried. They all remembered that vision as well. It had been one of the strongest that Rebierba had ever had and it had left him unconscious for almost a day.

"That was shortly before Benji left," Maxim replied.

"Yes, and remember, I could never see him as one of the Guardians and we were worried because we didn't know why he was excluded?"

"We decided it was because he left for Coruscant and was not to be a part of your vision," Feilan said.

Rebierba shook his head. "That wasn't the reason," he replied. "Benjamin wasn't a Guardian because he's the one whom we'll be guarding."

The other four soldiers stared at their Seer for a long minute. Then Maxim poked out his lower lip thoughtfully.

"Do you suppose they have varsa chips and Root Beer on Coruscant? Because I don't want to be stuck there for any period of time without varsa chips and Root Beer. Maybe I better pack some."

Feilan rolled his dark eyes. "Max do you ever think with anything besides your stomach?" he asked.

Agent Ildim leered at his shield brother. "Fei, do you really want me to answer that in a public place?"

Palpatine glared at the face that dared show itself on his comm screen.

"I'm sorry, sir," the bounty hunter said with gritted teeth. "There were unexpected complications. The Jedi ship carrying the ambassadors will arrive in the Naboo system within the day."

The senator's eyes narrowed as he reached out with his dark power. "You're paid to expect the unexpected, Rixen. If you cannot do something so simple as to delay a single transport, I have no further use for you." The man on the screen suddenly gasped as his hand went to his throat. His eyes bulged as he tried to make whatever was choking off his air release him. "You're fortunate you did not come to tell me you failed in person, Rixen, as I would have taken great pleasure in ripping your heart out. So this will have to do."

Palpatine's wrist flicked slightly and he heard the snap of the bounty hunter's neck before the man disappeared from view. With a growl, Palpatine disconnected the contact and with a few keystrokes, sent some of his lackeys to destroy whatever was left of that foolish hunter moments later.

Palpatine swore under his breath and a statuette gifted to him from his home planet flung itself through the air to shatter against one of the blood red walls surrounding him. Then the man stood and paced across his office.

It seemed he was blocked on every front. Jinn was rallying support in the Senate like never before. It would be exceedingly difficult to have a Vote of No Confidence called against him. Not to mention the fact that now other currents were running through the Senate to make allowances for the new power on the scene, Benjamin Lars, acknowledged officially as Jinn's Consort-to-be.

Palpatine snarled. Now the boy was under the same tight security as the Chancellor and there would be no getting to him for the moment. As irritating as it was, he would have to put off his plans to acquire the teacher. The whelp would only have been a diversion in any case. His true focus should be on the Jedi, Owen Lars. The one he had chosen as his next apprentice.

The senator strode back to his desk and activated the holo he kept there. A holo of Lars rose up and flickered from one image to the next, from one scene of blood, pain and fury to the next.

Palpatine watched, his eyes bright with lust, as the vision before him screamed again and again - screamed with pain yes, and hadn't his blood tasted as sweet as death....

But what had amazed the Sith Master about this seemingly serene padawan had been the sheer amount of rage that exploded from the young man once he'd been pushed beyond his control. He had never been able to forget the taste of such perfect rage that he'd savored for one single night.

Then the boy had been taken away by the Jedi. Owen had not been slated in his rotation for the games that Palpatine had played with him and damn the Jedi for actually censuring him for the incident. All he had needed was one more night with the boy and Owen would have been his, body and soul. He would have shown him what could be done with the power of his fury and Palpatine would have had the perfect apprentice.

Yes, he would focus on retrieving his apprentice-to-be once he returned from his current mission. Palpatine scowled as he considered the cowards he was working with in an effort to have Jinn ousted and himself elected as Chancellor. The Nemoidians had better come through with their promises or they would find that even without being the Chancellor, he would have enough power to destroy them. He ground his teeth as he considered that Lars was in the middle of a mission that could possibly end his life before Palpatine could shape it to his will.

The Sith sat behind his desk and forced himself to relax and see the currents of Dark Force that were streaming around him. After only a few moments, his lips stretched into a grim smile. Owen would return from this mission. What that would mean to his plans, Palpatine would worry about later. For now, he knew that Knight Lars was going to be the key to the destruction of the Jedi. So he would go after Owen Lars to begin his training. Once he had Owen in his clutches, Benjamin would doubtless be easy to obtain, lured by the promise of his brother's release. That boy had a rage inside him as well, one that could be put to good use once he was trained as well.

Palpatine watched the holo he had savored many times since he'd had Owen Lars in his power that night and he was soothed by Owen's rage and pain in a way that he'd never allowed himself to before.

Soon, he would have a new apprentice.

"Jedi Councilor Eeth Koth requests an audience, Commander."

Khamier Sarin glanced up from the schematics he was studying with no sign of the concern he felt on his face. The image of his assistant, Huzan, had popped onto the display screen and Sarin didn't want the man to know that Koth's arrival unsettled him. Huzan's attentive black eyes always caught everything going on around him though he never spoke to anyone but his employer of his findings. Otherwise he would have been dismissed years ago.

"Allow him to pass, Huzan, and don't contact me again until I comm you."

The man nodded once and the screen went blank. A few moments later, the door across Khamier's small office opened and the Zabrak stood respectfully. While he had little regard for the Jedi in general, Koth wielded considerable power on Zabrak as well as here on Coruscant. The Jedi was also of a higher rank than Sarin and slight though the difference was, it wouldn't be a good idea to offend the male. Any more than he had already, that is.

The Jedi was silent as he approached the desk. Khamier waited until the man stopped walking before he gestured to one of the chairs across from him.

Councilor Koth looked at the younger Zabrak for a long, measuring moment then he took the offered seat and lowered his hood.

Even if he didn't want to admit it, the Primary was relieved. Had Koth refused the seat, Khamier knew the interview would have been much worse and possibly violent.

After the Councilor had settled, Khamier didn't speak. It had been decades since he'd had been to his home planet and even longer since he'd actually lived there but he knew how to behave towards his elders, especially those that outranked him. Since Koth had requested the meeting, he had the right of the first words.

But he didn't seem too inclined to speak. He merely sat and stared at the younger Zabrak with an assessing gaze. After several minutes, Khamier found himself fighting not to fidget. When Koth finally did speak, Khamier found himself wishing the Jedi would return to silence.

"Why did you mark Knight Lars?"

The words were softly spoken but Khamier had no doubt that the Jedi expected an immediate and truthful reply. And despite decades spent in dissembling, the Primary had one for him.

"Because I wanted him as my mate. I wanted to deny him to others."

"That was not your choice alone to make, Sarin," the Jedi said firmly. "You did not gain his consent before you Kissed him."

"That is not always required, Councilor. He did not deny me," Khamier pointed out, maintaining his casual tone with an effort. Even just thinking of Owen brought the Primary's memories of his night in his human's arms surging to the surface.

"He did not know to deny you, Sarin," Eeth Koth said, his tone heavy. "He did not know what your Kiss meant."

Khamier looked skeptical. "How could he not know? The Temple is very thorough when it comes to making sure their initiates and padawans don't inadvertently get mated. I remember that much at least from my time there."

Koth drew his hands together in his sleeves and Khamier actually caught a look of discomfort sliding across his dark features. "It seems there were certain...irregularities with Knight Lars' education. He was never told of Zabrak rituals so he was unaware that you were staking a claim on him."

Khamier stared at him, his golden eyes narrowed before he shook his head. "That cannot be so, Councilor. Owen responded correctly to my advances, perfectly in fact. He allowed me entrance into his private home. While he'd driven others away, he trusted my touch." The Zabrak looked away, and Koth suddenly scented a Kiss memory rising from Khamier's skin. "He slept with me beside him, he dreamed of me. Then he took me into his body." The Primary suddenly turned back to the Jedi and Koth saw the Commander's golden eyes were bright with an intense reflected passion from his memories. "He tasted my essence and named it sweet honey. None but my mate would find it so." The Primary suddenly stood and slammed his hands on his desk. "Damn it, the Kiss took! He had to know!"

Eeth Koth watched his fellow Zabrak closely, saw his agitation and need for his mate. The Jedi actually felt the truth in his words. He could see that for Khamier, at least, the bond was wanted and needed and well considered. Should the object of the Primary's kiss have been anyone but a Jedi - anyone but Owen Lars in fact - the Councilor would have found a way for the Kiss to be completed.

But the object of the Kiss was Owen Lars, a Jedi knight already the focus of too many prophesies and Force visions. To add Khamier Sarin to the complexity surrounding Knight Lars would be too much of a risk for the Council to allow.

"He did not know, Primary," the Councilor responded quietly, revealing none of the sympathy he felt for the younger Zabrak. "He did not know and was not allowed the choice. When he returns from his current mission, the Kiss will be removed from his blood and you will not be allowed near him until it is done."

"NO!" Khamier exploded before he stalked around his desk. Koth stood to meet the oncoming Primary with the Force if necessary. "Owen is mine by law!" Khamier shouted, glaring directly into Koth's eyes. "You have no right to destroy my claim!"

"You had no right to make it. The law would have protected the claim had you given Owen the choice."

"The bond took, damn it!" Khamier shouted, fisting his hands at his side to prevent them from pummeling the Jedi before him. "It wouldn't have if Owen had not wanted it!"

"What he wanted and what he would have chosen to do might have been two different things," Koth pointed out, trying to use his most soothing voice but distracted by the scent of betrayal and now...despair...pouring off the Primary. "He is a Jedi knight and Jedi do not make a Commitment to one person. We give the entire Republic our Service."

"My Mark would not change that. Owen would just have be a diplomat and a warrior and leave the Servicing to others in the Order!" Khamier stated flatly. "The Jedi were not always the sluts of the Republic."

Councilor Koth pressed his lips together in the only display of emotion he'd shown thus far.

"This conversation is at an end," he said as he stepped back. "I only wanted to inform you of the Council's decision in this matter."

"Now who is taking away Owen's choice?" the Primary sneered even as his mind frantically sought a way to convince Koth to leave his mate alone. "Will you even ask him or will you just rip the Mark from his body?"

"Knight Lars' emotional state will be too influenced by your Kiss for him to make a rational decision," Koth stated. "He will be given over to the Healers upon his return to the Temple."

Khamier felt a familiar tightening of his body as he prepared to rip the Zabrak before him into shreds for coming between himself and his mate. He was heartbeats away from killing the Councilor, Force user or no. Even now he could see Koth preparing for his attack, he could see understanding in the Councilor's eyes along with determination.

What actually happened, however, stunned them both.

"Please don't do this," Khamier begged, his voice rough with anguish. "He is my match, my mate."

Councilor Koth was stunned into showing his compassion and sympathy in the expression that met Khamier's pleading gaze.

"Primary, I...."

"Give him the choice, at least. If he should deny me, I will speak no more of it." Khamier's expression showed the pain such an event would give him.

Koth floundered with an indecision which was completely foreign to him. The expression of pain on the Primary's face was something the Councilor had seen only on Zabrak who had lost their mates. While he had been devoted to the Service of the Republic, most of his species was completely monogamous and Koth knew Sarin would never take another mate should Owen be denied him.

But there were greater forces at work here than this mated pair. Slowly, the Councilor shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Primary. The Mark will be removed."

He watched with a dark foreboding as Khamier's face closed up and hardened.

"So be it then," he said with an icy tone. "If you dare to remove my mark from my chosen mate, do not look to the Senate for support again. By the time I am through with your precious Order, you will wish the Sith to appear and put an end to it." Then the Primary turned away from him. "Get out."

The Councilor reached back to pull his hood up and then moved towards the door. Before it opened, however, he turned back to the Zabrak now leaning over his desk, his head lowered in anguish.

"You would destroy the Jedi for one human?"

Khamier didn't move, didn't look back at him. "You are Zabrak, Eeth Koth. Have the Jedi neutered you with their training? How can you not understand what I would do to save my mate...or to avenge his loss?"

Had the Primary shoved a knife in his heart, he couldn't have found a better way to make Councilor Koth understand his pain. The Jedi just stood a moment more, stunned by the utter insult Sarin had flung at him before he quietly turned and left.

Behind him, Khamier was already making plans. The Jedi might think he would stand by and let his mark be removed without a fight but they would be idiots to do so. They would not take his mate without a fight.

Owen calmly stared out the window of the small room where they had been shown to await the Nemoidians. His eyes wandered over the beautiful blue-green planet below them even as his thoughts wandered again to the Zabrak for whom he found himself constantly aching.

With a sigh, he firmly directed his thoughts away from Khamier for the thousandth time and centered them back to the mission.

"Master, why did you send the transport away?" he found himself asking to distract his thoughts. "We may need to leave this ship in a hurry. I have an exceedingly bad feeling about this whole mission."

"You know our suspicions concerning what is about to happen, Owen," Yinyan said as she came to stand beside him. Outside the window was a beautiful view of the planet of Naboo. "I didn't want the pilots to die if we could save them."

Owen glanced down at his former master. "Are we certain the Trade Federation is working for the Sith?" he asked in a quiet tone that only Yinyan would hear.

"The indications are almost without a doubt. There is thought that the creature you faced on Callis was the apprentice to the master we now face."

Owen contained his shudder at the memory of the dark warrior he had fought. Then he brought his mind back to the mission. He needed to focus on what was happening now and worry about the past and future later.

"I've never seen a nervous droid before," he said, a bit of humor filtering into his voice. "TC-14 is the first."

Yinyan gave her former student a quick grin, her eyes judging his serene expression. She found herself immensely proud of her padawan's control so soon after that damn Zabrak had marked him.

Before she could reply to his comment, however, the droid in question reappeared with a tray of refreshments for them. The two Jedi seated themselves as each took a glass.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to resolve this dispute quickly," she said, with a glance at the nervous droid beside her. "And then we can return to Coruscant and address more important issues."

Owen nodded in complete agreement. He just wanted to be done with this mission. He had plenty of issues to resolve on Coruscant. Issues like what he was going to do to a certain Primary right after they landed. He had already determined that handcuffs would definitely be involved. Whether they would be restraining Khamier for utter pain or utter pleasure, Owen had yet to decide. And he completely denied that he'd had any thought concerning what Khamier might be able to do with the handcuffs.

Nooooooo, not going there.

Again, the knight shoved his thoughts back to his ongoing mission. His master had the patience of the stars but even that would wear thin if she had to bring him back to the Moment one more time. He could decide what he was going to do to Primary Sarin or with Khamier when he returned to Coruscant.

For now, however, he needed to focus. On Naboo. Focus on Naboo. Not on Khamier.

With a sigh, Owen leaned back and absently rubbed his shoulder. Gods, but he ached for his Zabrak. If he had to beat the Nemoidians over the head with a chair, they would get this mission resolved quickly and be gone. He didn't have time to waste here. He just wanted to be home.

Now, he only had to decide where home was: in the revered Temple of the Jedi, or in the strong arms of Khamier Sarin.

The End, for now...