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"Owen?" the zabrak called warily but the Jedi just held up his hand.

"Wait a minute, Khamier," he said casually. "I have some pending business." The man turned and strolled back to where Palpatine was held against the wall.

"I really wanted to make this last, Maaaaster," he sighed regretfully but Khamier's here and we have some matters to take care of so I'm just going to kill you now. In the future, I hope you remember not to touch me. I hate that."

Then the darkened Jedi gestured and every knife in the room jerked up, almost as if they were at attention, and then whipped through the air, stabbing into the senator with a vicious violence that made Owen smile. After a few weak struggles, the figure went limp and even when the Jedi released his Force hold, the dead senator hung there, pinned to the wall by the blades embedded in him.

The Primary stared at his lover as Owen turned to him with a very pleased expression on his face, his black eyes smug.

"Now, you and I have business to attend to, lover," he purred as he approached.

"First we need to get you to a medic," Khamier said as his eyes skimmed over his mate and he felt a raw animalistic rage sweep through him. How dare that bastard damage his Claimed?

Owen just smiled at the blast of anger from his mate. He stopped and held out his arms before he turned in a slow circle to display all the damage to his body.

"Don't you like it, lover?" Owen asked as he turned. "He put an anti-bacta gel on his blades to make sure the scars will never fade. He said he wanted to mark me." The knight's voice cracked when he said it. His eyes were dark with shadows and pain as he looked intently at the zabrak.

Khamier just growled and strode forward, wrapping his arms around his lover and pulling him close, regardless of the blood, regardless of the danger.

"You're already Marked!" he ground out. "He may have marked your skin with blood, but I am in your blood and you belong to me!"

Owen froze, the words, 'don't TOUCH me' hovering on his lips. His body was a minefield of agony and his mind was dizzy with the darkness that was consuming him. What fucking right did this being have to touch his body?

But this was Khamier, his lover, his mate, his...owner?

No one OWNED him! He had just proven that to the corpse that was Palpatine. The knives embedded in the limp body quivered as they started to pull out of the wall.

But then the words began, whispered words, tender words. Khamier pressed his cheek against Owen's and spoke directly into his ear.

"I love you, Owen," Khamier murmured into his ear. He felt his lover tense but continued, hoping his words would reach Owen when nothing else would. "No one should have ever touched you but me. No one else will ever touch you but me." He reached up to run his fingers through Owen's matted hair, holding his lover tightly. "We belong together, you and I. Wherever you go, I will follow. Whatever has happened, you are my beloved."

And the galaxy paused as one knight made a choice that would decide the future.

Stay and defy his Order to be with Khamier, perhaps losing everything he'd ever worked for.

Leave and take Sarin with him to destroy the ones who would dare to keep them apart.

Owen idly caressed Khamier's cheek and considered.

The zabrak would come with him and lose himself in the darkness just as Owen was lost. Khamier had the same rage inside him that Owen had caged and between them they could foster and feed on the fear of a solar system.

Or Owen could follow the light in his zabrak's eyes back to a place where he had the love and support of family and friends. Even if his place in the Jedi was gone, he had family and friends who loved him. Indeed, he could carve his own destiny if he so wanted.

Khamier was whispering words of love over and over as his fingertips caressed the Mark he had given his lover. "Where you go, I will go. Those whom you take to your heart, will I also take into my heart. Those who stand against you, will I stand against. Owen, hear me please, Owen, I love you."

And his choice was made.

"Touch me please, Khamier," Owen said, his voice thick with grief and tears.

"Oh gods, Owen, thank the gods," Sarin said as he ran his fingers along his lover's arms, trying to avoid the worst cuts but unable to stop touching his mate. "I thought you were lost."

"Just touch me," the younger man almost sobbed. "Touch me, claim me." Owen pressed his body against Khamier's and begged. "Complete the Kiss, Khamier. I never want anyone else to touch me again."

"Owen, you're hurt. Your body is sliced up worse than anything I've ever seen," Khamier said bluntly.

The knight protested weakly and Khamier pulled his lover close and whispered, "Owen, I don't want you to ever remember my touch with pain."

"Please, Khamier," Owen asked in a heartbreakingly ruined voice. "I need you to finish Claiming me. The Council will try to remove the Mark again. Koth gave me the choice. The rest of the Council may not."

The Primary growled low and long but he continued to hold his lover gently. "Are you certain that is what you want?"

"Please don't make me beg, Khamier," Owen replied as he buried his face in Sarin's neck. "Just touch me. Kiss me. Love me."

And Khamier did, taking his lover's mouth in a fierce kiss as his hands moved over Owen's body. Then he took a step back and stared into Owen's confused eyes. Confused brown eyes, a beloved color.

The zabrak then glanced over the room behind him. Chun and Lars were still down but Xanatos had gotten back in the room and was watching him closely. The dark-haired man inclined his head slightly in a direction towards the back of the chamber and Khamier noted the doorway that hopefully led to the bedchamber. Without bothering to acknowledge the agent, Khamier took his mate's hand and led him towards the door. It opened silently and the lights came up as soon as they passed into the room.

It was a large, elaborate bedchamber with a huge bed centered against the far wall. Immediately, he moved across to Palpatine's bed and ripped off the comforter before he dragged it over to his lover. It fluttered to the floor at Owen's feet.

"I refuse to take you in his bed but neither will I allow your skin to touch the floor," he said gently as he lay Owen down and then quickly took his own clothes off and joined his mate.

"Force, Khamier, I'm so sorry!" the knight whispered as Khamier pulled him close and slowly rubbed their bodies together.

"You did not give anything willingly, Owen," his lover soothed. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

"I look like a patchwork demon," the knight whispered in a hurting tone that sounded much younger than Owen had ever been allowed to be. "You deserve someone perfect."

Khamier stilled and then reached up to hold his lover's face in his hands. "Perfection is defined in the eye of the beholder and you are beautiful to me," came the firm reply, as he looked straight into Owen's eyes.

A moment later, Owen relaxed completely against his mate, hissing under his breath at the pain of his injuries but wanting the touch of Khamier more than anything in the world at that moment.

Then, with his mouth and hands, Khamier worshipped Owen, touching every part of his mate with a gentle reverence as he tried to keep from breaking open the wounds his lover had suffered at the Sith's hands. With a growl, he carefully removed the cock ring Palpatine had left on his mate. Owen whimpered and came weakly as Khamier crooned soothing words into his ears. Sarin worked slowly to erase the touch of anyone else from Owen's mind.

"Do you want to continue, Owen?" he asked softly. More than anything he wanted to claim his mate at that moment but even more, he wanted Owen to want that as well.

There was no hesitation as his mate replied, "Yes, please!"

Gently, Khamier's hand trailed down to prepare his mate, wanting to be inside Owen and staking his claim before anything else could try to tear them apart. When he encountered slickness at Owen's entrance, the knight froze and looked up at his lover with a guilty, worried expression.

"Did he-" Khamier ground out the question but Owen was quick to interrupt.

"NO!" he denied vehemently. "No, he was going to but he just...prepared me," he finished with a shudder and then shut his eyes. "You said...you said I didn't give him anything willingly but I begged him to fuck me so he wouldn't cut Ben." Owen stared up at the ceiling, moisture trickling on his cheeks as he spoke. "I begged and begged but he said I wasn't sincere enough and he kept cutting Ben. You should hate me."

"You were trying to save your brother," Khamier said calmly. "There is no blame in that."

"But I kept begging, only it wasn't for him to fuck me. I just wanted him to come close enough so I could kill him," Owen said. "I felt the rage inside me like it was a physical thing that I could use to kill him." He blinked several times and then closed his eyes. "And it was."

Khamier pulled his mate as close as he could possibly get and spoke directly into his ear.

"Greater men than you have been driven beyond the brink of sanity and not had the strength to return," the zabrak stated without a doubt in his tone. "Yes, that rage is there and the Sith wanted to control it. But he didn't win and you conquered your own rage." Khamier gently caressed his lover's cheek, bringing Owen's attention to the present.

"I'm going to complete my Kiss, Owen Lars. You'll be bound to me and only me for the rest of our lives, even as I'll be bound to you. Do you want this?"

Owen nodded slowly and spread his legs, allowing his lover to settle between them. "Yes, I want that, Khamier Sarin," he replied softly as he lifted his knees and arched weakly upward, wanting to know the feel of his lover's skin against his, erasing the horror of the past day.

Khamier's golden eyes held his own steadily as the zabrak filled him, slowly and carefully. One hand gently gripped his mate's hip as the other hand held himself up so he didn't hurt his lover with the weight of his body.

"My Owen, my mate," Khamier whispered as he sank as deeply as he could into his lover's body. "Gods I love the feel of you around me."

His lover wrapped his legs around Sarin's waist and pulled Khamier as close as possible.

"Wait, please," Owen sighed and Khamier immediately stilled, his eyes looking deeply into the knight's brown ones.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked quickly.

Owen shook his head and shifted his body, running his hands up his lover's arms. "I just want to feel you." The man closed his eyes and slowly squeezed his lover from the inside. Khamier cursed under his breath as pleasure swarmed up from body.

"Owen," he breathed the name through gritted teeth as he struggled to keep himself from losing control.

"I just want to feel your touch, Khamier," he groaned. "Please touch me, fill me." Owen opened his eyes and looked into the sun-colored gaze above him. "Claim me, please, my Khamier."

"Always," the zabrak returned as his body slowly began to move. Owen's fingers curled around his lover's upper arms and hung on, unable to do anything but revel in Khamier's touch. "You will be mine until the day we pass into the next life."

"Love you, Khamier," Owen replied in a reverential tone. "I love your touch...oh!" the younger man gasped out as his lover suddenly pulled back and thrust deeply inside him again. "Oh Force!...love your touch...oh Cali!...your taste in Jedi...and the...oh ANCESTORS...way you scare the padawans...gods yes!...Khamier!...your taste in clothes..."

Khamier Sarin savored the way his hurting knight quickly evolved into the babbling man beneath him. He had been so worried his lover's mind might be damaged beyond repair. But surely if his Owen could babble, he would be able to recover even from the horror of Palpatine's touch.

Focused completely on making sure his mate felt nothing but pleasure, Sarin measured his thrusts with care. But the overwhelming joy of being with his mate again, being inside his mate, was quickly overwhelming his senses. He knew he wasn't going to last with the scent of his Owen surrounding him.

Even as he felt his climax approaching, he carefully leaned down and placed his mouth over the silver scar from his last Kiss. Then he made certain his shoulder was near to his lover's mouth before he gripped his lover's erection and squeezed.

Owen keened as he arched up, his mouth finding Khamier's shoulder and biting deeply, even as Khamier teeth gently penetrated his mate's skin. Owen came hard into his hand as the zabrak sucked greedily on his Claiming Mark and shuddered with his own orgasm.

After a few moments, Owen licked his shoulder gently and Khamier moved back enough to meet his lover's much saner gaze. He held Owen's eyes for a long moment as he rubbed the man's come onto his hand. Then he guided Owen's coated palm onto his own bleeding Mark. Khamier closed his eyes and moaned in bliss as his body shuddered again in a powerful orgasm.

When he was coherent again, he realized Owen was whispering familiar words in his ear as his hand stroked through Khamier's hair.

"Where you go, I will go. Those whom you take into your heart, will I also take into my heart. Those who stand against you, will I stand against also."

Khamier closed his eyes against the tears that threatened as Owen pulled him close.

"I love you," Owen whispered as his body finally shut down and succumbed to shock and exhaustion, his words to his mate following him into his dreams.

Khamier dressed quickly and took a great deal of care when he wrapped his mate securely in the comforter, hoping Xanatos had been smart enough to call for medics with the invading troops. He dressed quickly, watching to be certain Owen would remain asleep. He honestly hoped his mate wouldn't regain consciousness until after he got to the Temple healing wing.

Then with a sigh, he let his mind address the other issues in the next room, primarily the injured Benjamin, the downed Chun and the flattened Xanatos. His life never could be easy, he thought with a sigh.

With a final, lingering growl, Khamier carefully picked up his mate and went to see what had happened in the other room while he and Owen had been in a galaxy of their own.

He found that Chun had finally gotten off his ass - injured, huh! - and attended to Benjamin, getting the Consort bandaged and healing what damage he could with Xanatos' help. Benjamin sat between the two Jedi, glaring at the dark-haired stealth agent with a suspiciously jealous expression while Bruck and Xanatos had their hands over the Consort's ears.

After a moment, the two Jedi dropped their hands and Bruck leaned down and said something softly into the Consort's ear. Benjamin sighed and nodded as he reached up to touch his ear.

At that point, Khamier moved forward and all three looked up at him with various expressions of worry or anger as he strolled across the room.

"What is the status of the Chancellor's guardsmen?" he asked, hoping to cut off any questions concerning his relationship and activities with Knight Lars as he settled the unconscious form of his mate next to his brother. He was out of luck.

"What the hells did you do to my brother, you bastard?" Benjamin demanded as he reached out to touch Owen's face. Khamier, however, grabbed his wrist before he could do so.

"Don't touch him right now, Syr Lars," the Primary stated in a grim tone. "He would not like it."

"What are you talking about, he's my brother!" Ben snarled back, his green eyes bright with emotions that rolled over the two highly sensitive Jedi: grief, pain and horror at what Palpatine had done and guilt at being used against his own brother.

"Benjamin, don't," Bruck said as he carefully pulled the teacher away from his brother. "Owen was falling to the Dark. Primary Sarin saved his life by anchoring him in the Light. He was the only one who could have reached Owen at that point." The knight looked straight into Khamier's eyes. "Thank you."

"I didn't save him for you, Chun," Sarin stated bluntly as he settled next to Owen and pulled the bundled knight close. "Don't even think about touching him."

Before Bruck could respond to that obviously ridiculous threat, Xanatos interrupted with a stern look at the white-haired Jedi.

"Chancellor Jinn's people have already gotten into the complex. I think we should just remain here until they get this far. I've radioed for medical teams to be with them. I've also locked the door against any of Palpatine's people but they've probably already left by whatever exits they could find.

"Efficient as always, Chiyari," Khamier drawled with a smirk as Bruck suddenly stiffened.

"Chiyari?" Chun echoed.

"I thought you were a Du'Telos," Ben said with a narrowed gaze.

Xanatos gave the Primary an extremely nasty look as Benjamin continued.

"Are you related to Crion Chiyari?" he asked curiously, his dislike of the man fading slightly. He certainly didn't seem to be a brainless aristo now. Ben pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Didn't he have a son named Xanatos?

"So much for undercover work," Xanatos sighed and leaned against the wall with a thump

"Who's Crion Chiyari?" Bruck asked his friend.

"The King of Telos."

Bruck blinked and looked at the man he knew as Vonris Du'Telos. He just got a bland stare in return before the knight turned back to Ben.

"Are you sure about that?"

"I'm doing my next book there," Ben explained tiredly. "I had to research the general government and there was a mystery there. Might be useful in my book."

"A mystery?" Bruck asked as he glanced sideways at the dark-haired Du'Telos-Chiyari.

"Yup. Apparently Chiyari's youngest son was kidnapped from the palace one night and never heard from again." Benjamin sighed. "It was sad really. His parents were obviously upset but seemed to take it very well. He was supposed to be given to the Jedi the following week, too. The little one had been tagged as incredibly Force sensitive."

"Really," Bruck asked curiously. He didn't even look towards the man he'd known only as Vonris Du'Telos until moments ago.

Benjamin nodded. "If I remember correctly, it was recorded that Owen's master, Yinyan, had been the one to search him out."

Bruck Chun leaned back against the wall and sighed as his eyes wandered over the small, exhausted group. Khamier was holding his mate close and growling low in his throat as he stared with hard, gold eyes across the room at the corpse pinned to the wall. Benjamin leaned against Bruck's shoulder, absently touching his ear and staring at his brother with a worried expression. And Du'Telos - Chiyari if Khamier was right - was watching him with a curious blue gaze, almost as if he were waiting for Bruck to blurt out his suspicions of just who the man was.

After a moment, however, Bruck just leaned against the wall with a sigh.

"It's funny how things like that work out sometimes," he finally said in a soft tone.

24968.06.12

...And in planetary news, Supreme Chancellor Qui-Gon Jinn is making his initial Commitment vows this evening to his Consort-to-Be, Benjamin Lars, at a family reception on his estate, Elysèun. It was just over two weeks ago that Syr Lars was kidnapped and tortured by Ethril Palpatine, the Senate representative of the Haryan Sector. Lars, also the writer of the wildly popular Jedi Action Hero series, seems to have made a complete recovery according to his physicians. Senator Palpatine was killed during the rescue of Syr Lars and it was later proven that the Senator had been deeply involved with the Trade Federation and its attack on his own home planet of Naboo.

"Family and friends, we gather together this evening in a celebration of joy. These two beings have stepped forward to commit themselves to a hand-fasting period, declared by the Gods to be no more than one half year and one half day," the priest intoned formally. "During this time, they will examine their relationship with each other, their lives and their lifestyles, their goals and their dreams to determine if they are compatible for a bonding Commitment for the rest of their lives."

The priest looked at first Qui-Gon and then Benjamin, his luminous eyes holding a serious expression. "A bonding Commitment is a permanent state in the eyes of the Gods so use this time wisely and choose a path that will bring joy and contentment to your lives."

Qui-Gon glanced back for a moment at his sister who was smiling up at the man by her side, her eyes holding the same expression of love that had been there when she'd first Committed to him more than thirty years ago. She had bonded to her husband in a huge celebration that had swept social circles on his home planet and set the standard for a bonding ceremony for decades after. It had very much been a political marriage but his sister never would have accepted Farrand's Commitment had she not been so in love with him that she had faintly suggested eloping if that was what he had wanted. While there had definitely been arguments and explosions in their marriage, Mari-Gon had never regretted bonding to Farrand and celebrated her bond day every year.

That is what Qui-Gon wanted and that is what he knew he would have with Benjamin. With a smile he looked over at Benjamin and caught his gaze as the priest turned to him, holding out the sacred book of his order. He nodded once at Qui-Gon, who stepped forward and laid his hand on the right side of the book. Then Ben stepped forward and laid his hand on the left side. The priest looked from one rythieum-adorned hand to the other. Then he looked up with a serene smile.

"Do you, Qui-Gon Yorv Jinn, handfast yourself to this man, Benjamin Lars, promising that for the next half year, you will examine the paths of your hearts and minds and spirits?"

At the sound of his hated full name, Qui-Gon briefly closed his eyes and resisted the impulse to turn and glare at his sister. Only Mari-Gon would have dragged up his middle name and thrust it in front of everyone in their entire family.

"I do so promise," he stated calmly.

Yorv? came the mischievous thought though Ben's expression was as solemn as a moment before.

Pay attention, Qui-Gon sent back. This is important

Okay Yorv.

"Do you, Benjamin Lars, handfast yourself with this man, Qui-Gon Yorv Jinn, promising that for the next half year, you will examine the paths of your hearts and minds and spirits?"

"I do so promise," Ben stated with a brilliant smile at Qui-Gon. Followed quickly by, I do so promise, Yorv.

Benjamin heard a vast sigh in his mind. I am going to kill my sister.

"Then, with the favor and approval of the Gods, I do declare this couple handfasted for the next 210 days, at which time they will vow a Commitment to one another or take their separate paths."

There was a general cheer around the room and clapping as Qui-Gon reached forward to take Ben's hand and the priest carefully wrapped a length of delicate rythieum loosely around their wrists.

Bruck idly sipped at the horrendously expensive, wonderfully tasting champagne provided for the Chancellor's reception as he reveled in the fact that he was not in the middle of anything currently happening. He'd only been a knight for less than a month and already he felt like he needed a vacation. He just didn't understand how he kept getting involved in the middle of these galaxy-shaking Incidents when all he wanted was to be an ordinary Jedi knight, sleeping his way through diplomatic missions like everyone else. But just in the last month, he'd had to deal with the Jedi-eating Primary of Republic Security, the Supreme Chancellor and his book writing Consort, the Chosen One, a Sith Master, a Sith Apprentice....

The white-haired knight took a hasty sip of the champagne from his glass and tried to force his thoughts away from that topic. He was still coming to terms with the fact that one of his best friends had killed her own master and plotted against the very Order she had once loved.

When the Chancellor's guards had found Bant, tortured almost to death and imprisoned in a dark cage inside Palpatine's complex, they had thought she was one more of the Sith's victims. At least they had until she'd tried to kill one of the guards who happened to be standing between her and the gurney that was carrying Knight Owen Lars out of the building. Primary Sarin hadn't even blinked when he shot her down.

Barely understanding what had happened, Bruck had gathered her close. Bant hadn't struggled, she was barely alive at that point, but Bruck had caught her beautiful silver eyes with his own calm gaze and held her fast until she was gone. He had seen her attack the guard, heard Xanatos shout out the warning that she was Sith but, even now, he couldn't comprehend that she had chosen to serve the Dark.

An eternity might have passed while he sat on the cold floor, his friend's cooling body in his arms. Owen and Benjamin were long gone, swept away by their respective lovers to safety but still, he couldn't make himself let go of his friend, knowing he'd never see her again.

It had been Xanatos Chiyari who gently coaxed him into letting his friend's body be bundled up and returned to the Temple; Xanatos who made certain that he got back to the Temple himself though Bruck hardly remembered how. He vaguely remembered Chiyari handing him over to his former master and Anthru guiding him away from the Jedi agent.

With a sigh, Bruck took another sip of his champagne. Xanatos must have thought him completely unworthy of his rank as a knight considering how quickly he'd broken down once he was with his master. At least he hadn't cried until he had curled up with Anthru in his quarters. He'd spent a solid week with the soul healers before he could sleep through the night without nightmares.

Now, however, Knight Bruck Chun was recovering as well as the others who had suffered through that nightmare of a mission and he was looking forward to a nice, predictable assignment to some backwater planet where they usually send first year knights. No more reporting directly to the Chancellor, no more having to deal with Khamier Sarin, no more worrying about why Master Yoda was looking at him with that appraising, green stare similar to the one he was throwing Bruck's way just now.

Bruck took a longer drink from his glass.

"You're looking spooked," a low, rough voice said beside him. Bruck just shuddered and looked away from the Head Councilor to meet Owen's amused gaze.

"Yoda is looking at me again," he complained. "I hate that. It makes me think he's up to something."

"He usually is up to something," Owen said with a faint grin.

Bruck glanced up at his friend with a mournful look. "That isn't very reassuring."

"It wasn't meant to be," the older knight stated calmly.

Bruck just took another long drink from his glass. "I saw your master earlier," he noted with a smile at his mentor, "dancing with a rather prominent senator. Yinyan has made a good recovery."

Owen's serene expression wavered for a moment, showing how pleased and happy he was with that fact. "Yes, a complete recovery. She still thinks Khamier ought to be shot, drawn and quartered though," he replied with a soft chuckle.

"It must have been a surprise to find the Primary of Republic Security stuck firmly to her padawan's bedside when they released you from the tank," Bruck pointed out.

This time Owen snickered. "Oh, she had quite a bit to say to him," the knight said. "Fortunately, he took it quietly. There was no blood shed."

Bruck looked surprised. "Really?"

His mentor sighed. "It was a close thing though."

"I imagine so," the younger knight snickered. Then another figure caught his eyes. "Vellen is looking very well this evening," he said with a slightly wistful tone that Owen didn't acknowledge.

"Yes, I was actually wondering if you'd noticed that she has managed to attract yet another mooning sycophant?"

Bruck's eyes quickly darted over the crowd until he found Owen's cousin again and then noted that she was surrounded by not one, but three well dressed and obviously well off young men. He turned back to his mentor with a smirk.

"You know she's going to kill you and Ben if you don't stop running off her conquests."

Owen just raised a brow. "And what about that little display not a hour ago that sent two rather high ranking aristos from Kliyor running back to their Mamas?"

Bruck just waved him off. "They were beneath her. Not worth her time."

"And those slimy jawas are?" Owen asked.

"I didn't say they were," the white-haired knight corrected his friend. "Just that Vellen is going to kill you and Ben if you continue spoiling her fun."

The taller knight just smiled innocently. "I think we need to speak with my cousin about her choice of company this evening."

"We'd better hurry. Ben and his watchdogs are already headed in her direction."

Vellen smiled up at the very handsome, very rich, very vapid young man who had spent at least the last five minutes detailing his father's extensive estates and titles. His two cronies just nodded every now and then, giving her a look that indicated how lucky she was to have Lord Gioge's attention. Her pleasant expression had become somewhat strained after the first few minutes and she wondered how long it would be before one of her annoying guard dogs actually came and saved her.

It was only a few minutes more before Benjamin stalked up to her side, his green eyes glancing over the lordling and his cronies. His presence was even more intimidating because of the two expressionless, hard-edged guards who shadowed him constantly. Both stepped forward with grim expressions on their faces as they circled the trio of lordlings appraisingly.

After a moment's surprised silence, the longhaired bodyguard moved to stand at Benjamin's side. The Consort gave the man an inquiring look.

"They seem harmless, Syr Lars, but I could shoot them anyway, if you wish," the guard offered. "It would save the Republic the cost of having Primary Sarin personally screen them before allowing them to speak with Syn Lars." The guard gave the three now extremely pale aristocrats a wide smile.

"Thank you, Lt. Ildim, I'll take that into consideration," Ben replied serenely.

"No need for that, sir," Lord Gioge stammered quickly before he sent Vellen an almost apologetic glance. "We were just on our way." And he and his friends disappeared into the crowd. Vellen gave an inward sigh of relief before she turned to Benjamin and his cohorts and glared.

"Must you run off every man I choose to speak to?" she snapped.

"Now, Vel," Ben's soothing tone was completely at odds with his mischievous expression. "We wouldn't want you consorting with undesirables, would we?"

"And I suppose you and your Enforcers here are the ones who decide just who is 'undesirable'?"

Maxim, of course, looked delighted with that label. "Hear that, Erro? We're Enforcers now."

The other dark haired guard just blinked innocently. "Heh."

Vellen's expression darkened.

"That was entertaining," Bruck's voice came from behind and Vellen instantly turned her glare on the two approaching Jedi. The white-haired knight instantly stopped in his tracks with a worried, "Whoa."

Owen, on the other hand, just strolled up to Vellen and settled his arm across her shoulders. "I hope Benjamin is keeping the undesirables at bay, my dearest cousin," Owen said with a sweet smile that widened a bit more as he heard the slight growl coming from deep in her throat. "I see that he is."

"You know, I'm going to get you three for this," she replied through gritted teeth as her eyes swept over the men surrounding her. "And your little watchdogs too."

"Hey!"

Maxim sounded a little offended and Vellen might have worried except her eyes caught the approach of the woman who was quickly becoming her mentor and social sponsor. Her gaze suddenly brightened and flickered to Ben who had also noted the approach of the women who was quickly becoming the bane of his existence. Vellen saw the quick consideration of retreat that flashed through his eyes before he realized there was no way to do so without being rude. And no one was ever rude to Mari-Gon Prav Alisina if they had even the smallest survival instinct.

Vellen sent her cousin a bright grin and Benjamin just glared back.

"Ah, Vellen," Mari-Gon greeted her with a gracious nod and Vellen dipped a slight curtsy, "Gentlemen," the woman continued, deigning to acknowledge Knight Chun in her greeting to Benjamin and Owen. "And are you enjoying yourselves?"

"Yes, Madam," Benjamin answered properly.

"It is a very nice reception, Madam, Owen said formally.

"I'm sure that the Chancellor and his Consort will always remember such a beautiful handfasting, Madam," Bruck stated with a simple sincerity that won an honest smile from Mari-Gon.

"Thank you, young man," she said as she glanced from Bruck to Vellen with an almost wistful expression, one that Vellen herself shared as well.

Her expression changed to a more determined one, however, as she turned and beckoned forward a handsome man who had discreetly followed her across the room.

Vellen noted he was perhaps at his thirty yearmark with elegantly short, brown hair and intense blue eyes that seemed very familiar to her. She met the newcomer's gaze with a smile and a nod as Mari-Gon drew him to her side.

"This is my son, Aligon Prav Alisina," she said, her eyes on Vellen as she introduced the man. What she saw in Vellen's green gaze was quite satisfactory before she turned to her son. "Aligon, you have yet to meet Qui-Gon's Consort, Benjamin Lars," she continued as she drew her son over to shake hands with Ben. "I find him quite acceptable in keeping my brother in line."

Benjamin was horrified to find himself blushing at Mari-Gon's blunt introduction and it didn't help to hear Maxim's quiet snicker behind him but Aligon just smiled and nodded as he grasped Ben's hand. "You get used to it," he said quietly in a reassuring tone. "It's almost a sign of affection."

"I suppose I'll have to get used to it, but it might take a while," Ben murmured back with a half-smile.

Aligon's lips curved in a gentle smile that was very similar to the one he saw on Qui-Gon's face when he was feeling affectionate.

"And this is Knight Lars, Ben's brother," Mari-Gon continued her introduction. She turned to Aligon with a stern expression. "Normally, I would expect you to shake Knight Lars' hand but he was recently mated to a zabrak and I would be greatly put out if Qui-Gon's Primary attacked you. Especially since Sarin is stalking over here now."

This time it was Owen's turn to blush as he darted a glance across the room, unerringly finding that Khamier was indeed stalking across the room as guests just melted out of his path.

"Really, Owen, you must do something about civilizing your bad-tempered mate," Mari-Gon chided him.

The knight just blushed a bit harder, to Bruck's great delight. It took a lot to make Knight Lars blush.

Aligon, however, just blinked once at his mother before he turned and studied the oncoming, practically snarling Primary. Then he turned back to give Owen a half-bow.

"It is an honor to meet you, Knight Lars," he stated calmly. "But I hope you'll understand if I stand a little farther away from you. Newly mated zabraks aren't the most rational of beings."

"A fact I am quickly coming to understand," Owen said with a sigh as he watched his lover's approach with a wary eye. Khamier just strode up and placed himself between Owen and Aligon, silently glaring at the man.

Mari-Gon rolled her eyes before she gave the knight a brief look of understanding. Then she guided her son a few steps over to Vellen. "And this is Benjamin's cousin, Vellen Lars," she introduced, her tone decidedly warmer than it had been before. "She has been my very able assistant in coordinating the hand fasting."

Vellen was highly pleased at the compliment from her mentor and smiled as she held out her hand to the handsome man. Aligon bowed over and kissed the air above her palm before he straightened and smiled.

"I am pleased to met you, Syn Lars," he said in a warm tone. "My mother has spoken much of you."

"Indeed?" Vellen responded calmly despite her surprise at Mari-Gon speaking about her to anyone. The women had certainly never mentioned she had a son. A very handsome son, at that. But the social etiquette her mother had been drilling into her for years came to the fore and she smiled prettily. "I am pleased to meet you as well."

"I understand there are musicians playing in the ballrooms," Aligon responded, offering his arm. "Perhaps you'd care for a dance?"

Vellen actually looked surprised at the offer but her expression quickly changed to one of delight. "I would like that, Syr Alisina," she said with a shy smile as she took his arm.

"Please, I would like it if you called me Aligon," the group they left heard him say as he guided Vellen into the crowd. "We are related now, you know."

There was silence for almost a half minute before Mari-Gon turned back to the group of men Vellen had left behind.

"Now, gentlemen, I will offer this warning only once," she said, her blue eyes hardening as she pulled out an elegant fan from an invisible pocket in her ensemble and tapped it meaningfully in her palm. "Do not even try to run my son off from Vellen. First, it would have no effect as Aligon has been watching your shenanigans all evening and found them highly amusing. And second, it would make me very angry." Her glare swept over each man. "And you don't want to make me angry."

An almost inaudible growl came from Khamier as he glared at Qui-Gon's older sister. She just stepped closer to him and held his hard gaze effortlessly. "And don't you growl at me, Khamier Sarin," she stated in a low tone Sarin immediately recognized as one used by Chancellor Jinn when he meant business. "Do I need to mention that I am personally acquainted with Khalania Sarin?"

Owen was shocked when his deadly and unflappable lover flinched. But Mari-Gon just continued. "Don't think she is unaware of your taking a mate. I understand she has been putting out inquiries as to the exact details of the matter."

"You wouldn't," Khamier snarled.

Mari-Gon just unfurled her fan with a snap and idly fanned her face.

"Do you really want to know if I would?" she asked as she glanced over the group again. "Keep these hooligans in line, Sarin. I don't want to have to come over here again."

With those final words, the Countess of Sellis gracefully moved away into the crowd, leaving behind a very quiet group of men.

"Ancestors, Benji!" Maxim finally spoke up, his expression horrified. "Are you sure you wanna marry Chancellor Jinn?"

Benjamin just sighed. "Yes, without a doubt. But Qui-Gon assured me she is rarely on Coruscant," he said with a hopeful tone.

"You'd better hope so," Bruck agreed with a slight shudder. "She is one scary woman. And I know from scary."

"Who is Khalania Sarin?" Owen asked, turning his attention away from his brother's playful bickering with his friends.

"The head of my clan," Khamier stated through gritted teeth. "I cannot believe that woman would threaten me with Khalania."

Owen studied his lover quietly for a moment. "Will it cause you trouble to be bonded to me?" he asked hesitantly. "Will it shame you in any way?"

Khamier turned to him immediately and stepped close enough that they were touching. "No, Owen, in my clan there is no shame in bonding to a Jedi. Actually, it is considered an honor to be able to entice one such as you into a monogamous claim." The zabrak looked very smug for a moment before his golden eyes hardened again and he glared in the direction that Mari-Gon had disappeared. "The problem lies in the way I went about claiming you," he continued in a low tone. "It was not...strictly...traditional."

Owen's eyebrow rose slowly. "Meaning...."

Khamier glanced away, his eyes moving through the crowd as he answered. "Meaning that since the bond wasn't consummated as traditionally as it could have been - there being some question about consent - she might have...words...with me."

The zabrak's tone was neutral, completely even, but somehow, Owen understood the threat that his clan leader might be for Khamier. After a long, considering moment, Owen reached out to twine his fingers with Khamier's, the long material of his sleeve hiding their clasped hands.

"As long as her words are just words, I will have no problem," Owen stated, his voice calm but Khamier could hear that there was a darkness to his tone that he'd never heard before. "But should her words degenerate into anything that might cause you pain, your clan would soon be looking for a new leader."

Khamier blinked at the threat implicit in his mate's tone. This was the first time Owen had indicated any sign of possessiveness, something completely unexpected in a Jedi mate, even one claimed by a zabrak. And Khamier had no doubt that Owen would step forward and kill one of the deadliest clan leaders on Zabrak without even thinking twice should the female hurt him.

He couldn't help the delighted smile that spread across his face.

"Force, if Mari-Gon Alisina is scary, seeing Khamier Sarin smile like that is enough to scare Yoda," Bruck stated and then blinked as he realized he'd said that out loud.

Sarin and Owen both turned to glare at him as Benjamin tried not to snicker.

"Is it hot in here or what?" the white-haired knight stammered quickly. "I think I need a drink." And Bruck quickly moved off into the crowds, wondering why the hell he ever opened his mouth around the Primary these days.

Ben chuckled as Bruck disappeared before he turned back to his brother and his brother's mate. "Speaking of Mari-Gon, have you considered that since Owen is my brother and you're his mate that you are now related to her?" he asked Khamier with a smirk.

The Primary momentarily looked worried before Owen suddenly stepped between them with a smirk of his own. "Have you considered that Mari-Gon is one of the most highly sought-after matchmakers in the system and that she just introduced Vel to her son?" he asked his brother. "I might be wrong but I suspect that Vellen might find it amusing to refer to you as Uncle Benjamin."

Ben looked a bit horrified before he shuddered unhappily. "Ancestors forbid," he swore. Maxim and even Erro started chuckling and Ben shot them a flat look. "That's not funny."

Neither guard replied as they turned back to scanning the crowd, studiously ignoring the pout on Ben's face.

"I'm going to do my best to squash that image, Owen," he finally allowed and turned the conversation to another topic. "Have you thought about Master Yoda's idea any further?" Ben asked hopefully. "It would really solve a lot of problems."

Owen looked unsettled for a long moment. "I still don't think it's a good idea, Ben," the knight said in a wavering tone that immediately roused Khamier's danger instincts.

"If Yoda is involved, you are right to be wary, Owen," the Primary stated flatly. "What is this idea he has come up with?"

"Well," Owen began hesitantly but Benjamin interrupted to explain.

"There were some talent scouts at Temple a few weeks back looking for Jedi to play parts in the vid they are producing from my first book," he explained in an excited tone. "They wanted me to do it but I've already taken on re-writing the script not to mention having daily classes at the Temple. After I explained how I just couldn't take on the role to Yoda - who set up the whole audition in the first place - he suggested Owen for the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi." Benjamin just beamed at his brother. "He'd be perfect. I think it's a great idea and I know Owen could handle the role."

Again, Owen looked hesitant. "I don't know, Ben...."

"No."

The word was flat and uncompromising. Owen and Benjamin both turned in surprise to Khamier, who wore an expression of anger.

"What?" Owen asked mildly.

"No, you are not playing that role."

The knight looked curious. "And may I ask why not?"

Khamier's eyes just hardened as he glared at his mate. "I've read that book and I know just how much flesh that character will be flaunting across the vid screen." The Primary crossed his arms belligerently. "There is no way I would allow my mate to show his body in such a way."

"Allow?" Owen slowly raised both his eyebrows in an expression of benign surprise.

"That's right, Mate," Khamier answered, digging himself deeper into trouble. "I won't allow it."

"Is that so?"

Benjamin stepped back, looking from Owen to Khamier and back. He knew when it was a good time to retreat just as well as Bruck did.

"Well, I think I see Bruck over there holding up the wall," he said, stepped away from the oblivious couple. With another worried glance at his brother, Benjamin fled with his guards close behind, hoping Owen didn't do Khamier too much damage before they got to the making up.

Bruck knew the moment that Benjamin started moving towards him. In the weeks since the kidnapping, the new knight was completely dismayed to find the seeking bond he'd forged in the midst of the aural detonation was indeed permanent. He knew at all times exactly where Benjamin was though fortunately, he had no sense of the teacher's emotions or actions. Bruck was busy dealing with his own suddenly strengthened senses and was glad to not have to worry about his friend's emotions as well. He had returned to lessons with his master though some of his abilities now seemed to surpass what Anthru could teach.

The knight pushed those thoughts away as he watched his friend approach with something close to amusement. Ben had not yet become used to total strangers stopping him to introduce themselves though the knight had to admit it didn't happen quite as often as it might if Erro and Maxim didn't look quite as intimidating as they did. As it was, Benjamin was only stopped a few times before he made it to Bruck's side.

"Gods, those people are annoying," the teacher seethed as he glared at the wall and tried to calm himself. "I need more guards."

"I'll remind you that you said that when the Chancellor increases the number of guards you wander around with." Ben just gave him a scowl before he took a deep breath and turned to face the room again. "So why did you retreat from Owen and his draigon?"

Benjamin's scowl quickly turned into a smirk as he glanced towards the now empty spot where he'd left his brother and his brother's mate.

"Sarin told Owen that he 'wouldn't allow' him to take the part of Obi-Wan in the Master/Apprentice vid."

Bruck blinked once and then snickered. "Khamier doesn't know Owen quite as well as he thinks he does," was the white-haired knight's comment.

"Yep," Ben said smugly. "Owen was vacillating on taking the role but Sarin probably just made his decision much easier."

The teacher glanced at his friend with a grin that quickly turned to a frown as his gaze fell on Qui-Gon. While he was always happy to be near his bonded lover, a rather simpering Vonris Du'Telos accompanied Qui-Gon as they made their way towards Ben and his Jedi Liaison.

"What is he doing here?" the teacher ground out and Bruck glanced in the direction Benjamin was glaring.

The white-haired knight was not surprised to find the well-connected Du'Telos at one of the most important social functions of the year. But he didn't quite understand the heavy disappointment he felt at seeing the vibrant Xanatos Chiyari once again submerged in his identity as one of the Senate's biggest fops. He met the man's gaze for a long moment, hoping to catch any indication that this man was more than what he seemed to be but Vonris' shallow eyes reflected nothing but the glee of a pleasure seeking noble.

Turning away with a sigh, Bruck moved closer to Ben. "You know he doesn't really have any designs on Qui-Gon," he consoled his friend quietly.

"I know, but people have seen that I don't like Vonris one bit. It would look strange if I didn't bristle."

The white-haired knight just chuckled softly. "I think you just like showing the Chancellor how possessive you can be."

Benjamin spared him a wink before he returned to his scowling.

"Well, I'll leave you to your bristling then," Bruck said, his blue eyes flickering towards the oncoming men and then back to his friend. "I think I've done enough hobnobbing for one evening."

Benjamin looked at him in surprise. "But Bruck, you can't leave yet. Mari-Gon said Qui-Gon and I can't leave until midnight," he complained as Qui-Gon and Vonris arrived. "If we can't leave then you can't either."

"But Lady Alisina hardly knows I exist," Bruck pointed out in a rather relieved tone. "She won't mind that I left a bit early."

"You underestimate my sister, Knight Chun," Qui-Gon stated firmly as he joined the pair and wrapped his arm around Benjamin's waist. Vonris slid into the space beside Bruck and leaned against the wall, looking for all the world as if he were watching Qui-Gon with his Consort. "She is well aware of exactly who you are and she'll know - and make sure you regret it - if you leave this soon."

Bruck just blinked up at the Chancellor. "Why?" he blurted out forgetting for a moment the taller man's rank. "Why would she care?"

Qui-Gon just gave him a half-smile. "Khamier and his agent may have been there but you are the one who saved Owen's life and Benjamin's," the man said quietly. "Had you not been there, the situation would have turned out very differently."

The knight felt his cheeks warm with an embarrassed blush. "I did what any other Jedi would have done in my place, sir," he said and then glanced briefly at the faint scar down Benjamin's cheek. Because of the gel Palpatine had coated his blades with, even bacta couldn't completely remove the scar. "I only wish I had gotten there faster."

Benjamin looked as if he were about to dispute Bruck's claim when a low voice entered the conversation with a firm, no-nonsense tone.

"No one could have gotten there faster, Bruck Chun," Vonris said quietly in a voice Bruck associated more with Xanatos than his alter ego. "The Force moves as it will. There were more things happening at that moment than anyone could possibly be aware of and through it all, you kept your focus. Some seasoned knights wouldn't have done as well."

Bruck stared at the man with an expression of disbelief as Vonris just studied his nails and scowled.

"Knight Chun," the Chancellor began, bringing Bruck's attention back to Qui-Gon. "I know the Council has given you a commendation for your part of this mission but I wanted to give you my personal thanks as well," he said with a sincere expression. "Your quick thinking when you were attacked ending up saving my Consort's life."

"And let us not forget the boy's extraordinary ability to bait Primary Sarin," Vonris suddenly added with an almost gushing pride. "I've heard the zabrak has never ground his teeth so loudly."

Qui-Gon suddenly looked quite interested in his vapid companion, as did Benjamin.

"Indeed?" they said together and Bruck turned a glare on Vonris that had absolutely no effect.

"Oh yes," he said with a smirk. "Sarin has actually placed him on his 'no further contact' list. Knight Chun here had no qualms whatsoever in standing up to the grouchy rancor, especially when the conversation concerned Knight Lars. It was quite entertaining to watch them interact," the aristocrat chuckled wickedly and then blinked. "Or so I've heard."

The Chancellor's expression grew a bit mischievous as he nodded. "That makes my decision concerning Knight Chun's placement even better," he said, glancing down at his Consort who beamed back at him.

Bruck stilled, a feeling of panic slowly filtering up his spine. "My placement?" he asked faintly.

Qui-Gon looked a bit surprised. "Master Yoda hasn't spoken with you about it?" he asked.

The white-haired knight closed his eyes briefly and prayed for patience. "No, sir. He hasn't spoken with me the past few days."

Chancellor Jinn looked thoughtful for a moment until Benjamin elbowed him and nodded towards his liaison. Qui-Gon briefly eyed his Consort and then sighed.

"Considering the events of the past months," he began in a formal tone, "and the fact that you now have a strong bond with my Consort, I discussed with Master Yoda the possibility of a permanent position for you as Jedi liaison to the Senate with your focus being on the Consort's office."

Bruck wanted to believe that Yoda had denied the request but he knew that was useless. The expression on Ben's face indicated that he was very happy with whatever had been done.

"And Master Yoda indicated that I would be happy to accept?" he asked with a sigh.

"Master Yoda said he would speak with you about it and if you found the idea favorable, he would assign you the position," Qui-Gon corrected.

The knight glanced away for a moment, considering the idea. "Chancellor Jinn, don't you think a more experienced Jedi would better fill such a post?" he finally asked. "I am only a month knighted and I still have much to learn. I wouldn't want Benjamin to suffer for that lack of experience."

"I haven't suffered yet," Ben said firmly, interrupting the conversation. "You made my transition to Coruscant much easier than it might have been and I've already learned a lot about the Jedi just by being in your company." The Consort looked at his friend with a pleading gaze. "I am comfortable with you, Bruck. You know what you're doing and if you don't know something, you know where to find out what is needed."

Bruck looked at his friend with a still-doubtful expression and Benjamin rushed on. "Besides, Yoda said it doesn't have to be permanent if it doesn't work out. And we're going to have to have lessons for the next several months together anyway. You might as well take the assignment."

The knight looked bewildered again. "Lessons?"

Benjamin's excited expression dimmed somewhat. "Let me guess. Yoda didn't mention them either."

Bruck just shook his head and Ben grumbled under his breath. Then he stepped closer to Bruck and lowered his voice.

"You know my bond with Qui-Gon?" he asked as he glanced up at his lover with a sudden gentle smile. Bruck just nodded. "It finally seems to be settling a bit. Yoda thinks it's time that I get more control over it and as I gain control, so will Qui-Gon."

The knight nodded as his eyes flickered from Ben to his Consort and back. "I understand the need for that. You need to learn to shield from Force sensitives. But where do I come into this?"

"You need training too," Ben answered. "Yoda implied you'd need lessons to learn the extent of your new abilities."

"But I'm already working with my master!" Bruck suddenly burst out. "Why does that ancient, little-"

"Bruck," the low admonishment in Xanatos' tone cut off the knight's words but Bruck didn't even glance his way before he started again.

"Not that I'm against working with you Ben, but I'm already working with my master," he finished.

"Master Anthru is an excellent knight, without a doubt," Xanatos stated softly, stepping closer. "But your newly heightened abilities already surpass his. He cannot teach you what he doesn't know."

The young knight suddenly rounded on the aristocrat. "And I suppose you can?" he asked, his tone scathingly sarcastic. "Perhaps you can spare me an hour or so out of your busy schedule of sucking up to the Chancellor to teach me how to mind whammy the Council into dangling Master Yoda over the nearest narth pit?"

Benjamin looked surprised at this suddenly sarcastic side of his usually laid-back liaison. Xanatos, however, held the younger man's angry gaze and slowly smiled.

"Of course I can," he said calmly.

"What?" Bruck suddenly looked extremely nervous as he glanced over to his friend. Ben looked as baffled as he felt.

"Your teacher has been tapped already," Qui-Gon supplied in the sudden silence. "A highly skilled knight is being recalled from his current task and assigned to train Benjamin on shielding and bring your skills up to acceptable levels, Knight Chun. Once that is done, your assignment as Senate Liaison will begin."

Bruck just blinked at the Chancellor. Then, after a long moment, his blue gaze swung back to Vonris, who was currently studying the nails on his left hand.

"Stars blast it all," he cursed in a high, shrill tone. "I broke a nail. And after I spent a fortune on my manicure too." He looked up pleadingly at Qui-Gon. "You wouldn't happen to keep a manicurist on staff, would you?"

Qui-Gon's lips twitched at the expression of horror that was spreading across Bruck's face. "No, I'm sorry, Vonris."

The lordling pouted and sighed.

Bruck swung his disbelieving gaze back to Benjamin and his lover. "I must have been a very bad initiate and my punishment is finally catching up with me," he said, shaking his head.

"I have to wonder what I did in the past to deserve this myself," Ben noted as he glared up at Qui-Gon. The Chancellor studiously ignored him.

"Seeing as I have such a fate in store, I don't think Lady Alisina's ill will could quite compare," Bruck finally stated as he bowed to the Chancellor and nodded to Benjamin. "It's been a lovely reception. I truly wish you the best. I'm running away now."

"Excellent, Knight Chun," Vonris suddenly stated with a wide smile. "Perhaps you might provide me escort to the guests' wing. I think one of my staff may be able to correct this horrifying hangnail."

The knight opened his mouth to tell the man exactly what he could do with his hangnail but Vonris was already twining his arm with Bruck's and leading him off, chattering idly about his nails and how difficult it actually was to find a manicurist who knew what they were doing.

Qui-Gon and Benjamin watched them go with growing smirks.

"Ten credits that Chiyari will bed Chun within the week," Qui-Gon murmured into his Consort's ear.

"Nope, Bruck won't give in that easily," Benjamin replied. "I'd say at least a month."

"Why do you say that?" the Chancellor asked.

Ben grinned up at him. "I just have a feeling," he said. Then he glanced up curiously at his lover. "Did you know that your sister introduced your nephew to my cousin?"

The Chancellor looked surprised. "Aligon?" he asked slowly. "Mari actually went out of her way to introduce them?"

"Yes, he asked her to dance," Benjamin glanced off in the direction his cousin had disappeared in. "Should I be worried?"

Qui-Gon Jinn looked at his Consort and slowly drew him close. He leaned down and touched Ben's lips in a sweet, tender kiss before he drew back and smiled.

"You have nothing to worry about, Ben. Aligon is a very good man and should Vellen choose to allow him to chase her, he'd make a very good husband for her."

"I just want her to be as happy as I am," Benjamin said softly as he reached up to caress his lover's face.

"She will be," Qui-Gon assured him with another kiss. "And just think, if she marries Aligon, you'd be her Uncle Benjamin."

"Qui-Gon, don't say that!"

"With the way they were eyeing each other on the dance floor, I would say Uncle Benjamin might be escorting his niece down the aisle in the not too distant future," Owen teased as he and Khamier arrived just in time to hear Qui-Gon's words. Benjamin glared at his brother as he turned in Qui-Gon's arms to face the new arrivals.

"As the older sibling, I think you should have to walk her down the aisle," he pointed out in a grumpy tone. Owen just chuckled and Ben's glare softened.

He had seen very little of his brother during the last two weeks as Owen had been confined mostly to the Temple medical wing and the custody of the Order's best soul healers. He, himself, had been treated there as well but released after only a few days but he'd never forget the sight of his brother's bleeding body hanging from Palpatine's ceiling.

He closed his eyes for a moment, willing away the image and he felt Qui-Gon's arms tighten around him. When he opened his eyes again, he found that his brother had stepped closer.

"Are you all right, Ben?" he asked in a soft tone. The younger man just nodded slowly.

"I'm just glad to see you feeling better, Owen," Ben replied, searching his brother's eyes. "You are, aren't you?"

Owen just gave his brother a half-smile as he reached out to squeeze Ben's shoulder. "I'm getting there, Ben," he said and then glanced at his mate. "Khamier thinks so, anyway."

"Stubborn Jedi," was Khamier's comment. The Primary crossed his arms and glared though Benjamin noted Sarin's notorious Jedi-freezing expression wasn't quite on par with his usual scowl.

"I take it that means you've decided to take the part of Obi-Wan?" Ben said hopefully. He glanced from Owen's smirk to Khamier's expression of disgust.

"I do believe I have," the Jedi replied and grinned when his mate just stepped closer, taking his hand.

"He's to have a body double for the scenes with skin showing," Khamier announced flatly, his eyes daring anyone to deny him.

Benjamin just laughed. "Qui-Gon said much the same about me when I showed him the script."

Khamier snorted but said nothing.

"Besides, it's Owen's ability to portray Obi-Wan that I'd like to see on screen," the writer continued as he turned to his brother. "So much of him came from you and your stories that you might as well be him anyway."

Owen just stared at his brother in surprise. "You never told me that before. I thought you dreamed of him."

Ben leaned back against his Consort thoughtfully. "I did to begin with but there is only so much you can pull from a dream," the writer replied. "It was your example, your strength of character I used to complete Obi-Wan Kenobi. If I ever had been a Jedi, I would have wanted to be a Jedi like you, Owen. So that is what I made Obi-Wan."

There was silence for a moment before Owen gave his brother a full smile. "Thank you, Ben," he said and his brother grinned.

"Enough with this mush," Khamier stated flatly as he drew his mate closer and entwined their fingers. "We just came to ask the Chancellor's permission to leave for the evening. Owen is tired and A'larni is doing well overseeing your security."

The Jedi sighed. "I am not tired, Khamier," he stated as if it was something he'd said several times already. "You just want to leave."

Khamier didn't reply. He just gave the Chancellor an inquiring look.

Qui-Gon nodded with a smirk. "You may go," he said as he sought out the Secondary who had done so well during Khamier's absence. He was close by, watchful and wary. "I have no problem with A'larni being in charge."

"Good," Sarin replied as he turned to give his Secondary a nod. A'larni acknowledge the signal with a nod of his own before Khamier turned to his mate. "Let's go."

Owen looked at him with a considering gaze, wondering if he should encourage Sarin's demanding tendencies or take a stand and say he wanted to stay a while longer.

Khamier growled under his breath. "Let's go and I'll..." his voice lowered as he leaned forward and whispered in Owen's ear.

After he listened for a moment, Owen's lips curved in a slow grin. Then he looked at his mate with a slow-burning gaze. "I think it' time to go now."

Khamier returned his Jedi's look before he nodded absently at the Chancellor and his Consort. Then he led his mate away through the crowd.

Benjamin let out a wistful little sigh. He looked up at his lover with a hopeful gaze. "Think we could get away with leaving early?" he asked.

Qui-Gon took Ben's hand and gently kissed Ben's palm. "Another hour and then we can slip away, my Ben."

The younger man sighed and then smiled. "I suppose I can wait another hour."

"And then we can..." his lover began before leaning down to whisper in Benjamin's ear. After a long moment, Ben's cheeks grew flushed and he glared up at his Consort when Qui-Gon drew back.

"Another hour?" he demanded in a cranky tone.

"The wait will make it all the more pleasurable," Qui-Gon purred.

Benjamin gave him a disbelieving look and Qui-Gon pulled him closer.

"You know I love you more than anything else in this existence, don't you," his Consort murmured in his ear and Benjamin smiled up at him.

"As I do you," he replied softly.

"I hope so, because here comes Mari-Gon," Qui-Gon noted.

Benjamin grimaced. "Can we hide?"

"No, she's seen us."

"We have guards, you know."

"Alas, I can't have them shoot my sister," the Chancellor said forlornly. "Her husband might get upset."

Ben looked up at Qui-Gon, his green eyes wide. "She's going to make us...mingle, isn't she?"

"I'm afraid so."

The word that came out of Ben's mouth at that point raised his lover's brows.

"I really must love you to put up with her, Qui-Gon," Ben noted.

"And I appreciate that, truly I do," Qui-Gon replied fondly.

"Qui-Gon! Benjamin!" Mari-Gon called out stridently. "Stop kissing over there in that corner. There's a whole roomful of people who want to speak with you."

Benjamin blinked at the oncoming matron before his face heated in a full blush. "Oh, Cali."

"I really, really love you, Benjamin," Qui-Gon reintegrated.

"Come along now," Mari-Gon commanded. "You have lots of people to meet."

EPILOG

Yoda watched fondly from across the room as Benjamin and Qui-Gon were dragged back into their reception by the determined Mari-Gon. Qui-Gon spoke at length to his sister before he kissed his handfasted Consort again and he dragged the boy off in the direction of the ballrooms, their guards trailing alertly behind them. Mari-Gon looked fondly after them until she found another target somewhere else in the room.

The Head Councilor was seated contentedly in a corner and watched the events of the evening play out with a satisfied air.

He was glad that Knight Chun had finally been taken care of and practically shoved down the first steps of his destined path. The ancient master had worried about Bruck's humility and his lack of ambition considering what Yoda saw in the boy's future. Bruck was going to become one of the strongest and most influential Jedi in the Order and Yoda wanted to make certain he was prepared. But with Xanatos Chiyari interested in the boy, that was one less worry hanging over the small master's meditations.

And Chiyari was definitely interested. The undercover knight had come to Yoda personally with a request that he be allowed to teach Chun how best to use his newly heightened abilities and Yoda had granted that request with no reservations. Bruck needed to re-learn some of the basic facets of his skills and Xanatos would be a good teacher for the younger knight and much more than a teacher if Yoda was reading the hints he was beginning to see in his visions correctly.

Speaking of visions, Yoda closed his eyes briefly and again studied the images his latest meditations had revealed. No longer was the Darkness looming over half of the paths leading into the future. The vision that had been plaguing Yoda for so many years was finally gone, dissolved along with the other dark paths that Owen's Choice had destroyed.

Yoda only regretted that Eeth Koth had not lived to see what his decision of leaving the Mark alone had wrought. Owen may have been the Chosen One but Eeth had made the most vital decision of all. Had he not chosen to allow Owen to keep Khamier's Mark and the protection that had provided for the knight against Palpatine, Owen would have Fallen and taken Khamier Sarin with him.

The small master still shuddered at the images that had played out before his eyes: the Temple in ruins, Jedi bodies rotting in the red sunlight, and worst of all Owen Lars and Khamier Sarin gleefully stalking through the rubble, Malevolent and Maul, two powerful Sith who stood not as Master and Apprentice but as two equals whose power had destroyed the Republic and all it stood for.

But that was a vision that would now never come to pass and as Yoda opened his eyes, he smiled at the celebration that was going on around him. Not only had he managed to make sure his knights were happy but with Qui-Gon Jinn so absorbed with Benjamin Lars, the Temple funding was now completely protected from Senate cut backs. That was something for which Yoda had been waiting for many years because now he could begin to shape the Jedi Order into what it was meant to be all along: knights well-respected for their abilities as warriors, diplomats and scholars and not just their talents at mind-blowing pleasure.

Master Yoda stood and walked away from his seat, moving through the assembled crowds with ease. It was time for his nightly meditations and then sleep. And perhaps tonight he might see that which he sought every evening in his communion with the Force; a sign that Obi-Wan Kenobi had, at last, found the peace and the master he had been so intently seeking. Yoda could only hope that it was so.

In the one hundred seventh year of the spiral,
in the month of the blue moon,
on the day of the rising star,
The Child of Decision will be born.

And all will abide by it until the next Child of Decision be born.

Master Ps'sarsith Zmen, Theran Temple
year of the Republic 21852

The End