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The Road to Coruscant

by Susan Anthony (LdyGossamer@aol.com)

Pairing: Qui-Gon/Benjamin, Khamier/Owen

Archive: Master_Apprentice, my site at http://www.geocities.com/area51/keep/8613/artists.html, anyone else, just ask

Category: AU, Romance, Drama, Action

Rating: NC17

Series: Obi-Wan Kenobi: Jedi Action Hero, continued from the Wheel of If Series, Episode 15

Spoilers: For the Obi-Wan Kenobi: Jedi Action Hero series, some for TPM

Summary: The adventures of Benjamin Lars continue. With danger lurking around the corner, will Benjamin make it to Coruscant where Chancellor Jinn impatiently awaits? Will Vellen survive dinner with Yoda? Will Yoda survive the airbike incident? Will Commander Sarin finally nail Knight Lars? Read on...

Feedback: Very welcome at LdyGossamer@aol.com.

Notes: Thank you thank you thank you Terri for your wonderful Wheel of If series and giving me permission to play!

This is dedicated to Maigret as a belated Beta Appreciate Day gift. Thank you VERY much for your patience and perseverance in getting this fic written. It wouldn't have happened without you!

More Notes: The dates listed here are so I can keep track of when everyone is. It goes Year.Month.Date. The dates are from the Coruscant Calendar.

Warnings: M/M relationships. If you haven't read the Wheel of If series, I suggest you do before reading this. Also, this is the third in a continuing series following WOI, Episode 15, after "What Happens Next" and "Further Developments".

Disclaimer: None of these Boys belong to me except Knight Owen Lars whom I want to keep and Commander Khamier Sarin, who wants to keep Owen too.

Coruscant
24968.05.19

Qui-Gon Jinn stared at the monitor on his desk. Before him was displayed the intimidating schedule of appointments that waited for him today once his executive assistant, Thalla, arrived.

But the Chancellor didn't see the words scrolling down the screen. His thoughts were far away, thinking about his lover and wishing intently that he was by Benjamin's side rather than in his ornate office. He had just spoken with his lover not half an hour before and already he was counting the minutes until he could call him again.

Qui-Gon sighed, staring across the room, his blue gaze unfocused. Then he rubbed his eyes and leaned forward. Hells, he was pathetic. If anyone had told him two months before that he would be pining for anyone's company, much less that of a cherished lover, he'd have suggested immediate therapy for the speaker.

The Chancellor grit his teeth and glanced over the schedule, forcing his mind back into its usual analytical mode. As his gaze fell on the first appointment of the day, his blue eyes hardened - Palpatine of Naboo. And Qui-Gon had approximately an hour to finish the preparations he'd begun on the flight back from Callis before he spoke with the senator.

With a flick of his wrist, Qui-Gon hit his communication unit. After a moment, a calm voice answered.

"Sarin."

"I need to speak with you."

"On my way," the bodyguard stated before signing off. It was a matter of minutes before the man was strolling into the executive office. "Qui-Gon," he greeted as he approached. "You're up early."

"Khamier, have you found anything to connect Palpatine to the Trade Federation?"

"No, absolutely nothing." Khamier hesitated for a moment and then continued his voice firm. "Frankly, I might have better luck if I knew where your information came from, Qui-Gon. Senator Palpatine has an excellent reputation within the Senate. He isn't known to dabble in the petty quarrels and corruption of most of his colleagues and has repeatedly condemned some of the more outstanding abuses of power. If there was someone in the Senate goading the Trade Federation, Palpatine would be my last choice."

Qui-Gon's eyes narrowed as he stood and stalked across the room to stare out the window. "And that is exactly how he wants it," the Chancellor replied. "Khamier, believe me, my information comes from an impeccable source. There is no way it could be wrong. Once the tax regulations of the Outlying Trade Routes pass next week, the Trade Federation will blockade Naboo in protest. And Palpatine will be the one pushing them to do it."

"How do you know the tax regulations will pass? The debate is just now heating up and the Senate is still divided."

"It will pass," Qui-Gon said flatly.

Khamier glared at his friend's back before he moved to join Qui-Gon by the window. He leaned his back against it as he studied the Chancellor's expression. "Then what would be the motive, Qui-Gon?" the bodyguard asked. "What could Palpatine possibly expect to gain from the blockade of Naboo? It is a backwater little planet among the backwater little planets he represents?"

Qui-Gon turned to meet his friend's eyes, assessing Khamier's belief in himself. After a moment, he returned his gaze to the crowded skies of Coruscant. "I know you've researched the planets which Palpatine represents and their governments. In your opinion, which one has the most impressionable ruler? Perhaps the easiest to influence and control?"

The Commander looked briefly surprised before his brows came together thoughtfully. "Lord Trul of Ysaga-" he began but Qui-Gon shook his head.

"His clan protects him. His regent is too strong."

"Taj Krisha?"

Qui-Gon snorted. "You've met her mother."

Khamier flinched slightly. He remembered the Taja from her brief stay on Coruscant. Palpatine had introduced the woman to Qui-Gon and she had tried her best to forward her daughter as a potential mate.

The bodyguard quickly ran through his remaining choices and found none save Amidala of Naboo, recently come to the throne with no family to confide in, only a Council of Advisors and a token planetary guard. "Very well. Amidala would be the one I would choose."

"Assume Amidala trusts her senate representative-" Khamier snorted and Qui-Gon glared. "Assume that the girl doesn't know any better and assume that she thinks that Palpatine has the best interests of her planet at heart."

"All right."

"The tax regulations pass. In response, the Trade Federation blockades Naboo. The Senate gets caught up in endless bickering while deciding how to handle it-"

"As if you wouldn't put your foot down hard, Qui-Gon," Khamier smirked but the Chancellor merely looked at him.

"Even I have limits of power, Khamier," he said as he turned back to the window. "Meanwhile, the Trade Federation decides - with Palpatine's push - that the blockade isn't aggressive enough and invades Naboo-"

"What!" The Commander was stunned but Qui-Gon continued. "The Queen, however, is able to escape to Coruscant, where Palpatine is waiting with compassion and words of wisdom for her. This is a terrible turn of events, the Chancellor has failed to keep Naboo safe, rumors of corruption keep him stalemated-"

"Corruption? You?"

"-he cannot provide the necessary impetus to get the Trade Federation off Naboo. The Senate needs a stronger leader. Someone who can help Amidala with her plight. At his prompting, she calls for-"

"-a Vote of No Confidence," Khamier's voice was devoid of emotion as he stared at his friend.

"Now, who would be put forth as possible candidates for Chancellor?" Qui-Gon asked.

Khamier began to answer and then stopped. "These are far-fetched assumptions," he finally said. "The Trade Federation would never attempt such an invasion."

"On its own, no," his companion agreed. "But with prodding for profit, promises of Senate favor and wealth...." The Chancellor turned to his guard. "You know the Neimoidians. What won't they do for profit?"

"Who told you this, Qui-Gon?"

"A very close friend," Qui-Gon said with a stern look. "Someone I trust implicitly." Khamier blinked. There were very few people who would meet such criteria and he thought he knew them all. "I have already requested that the Jedi be prepared to send out negotiators when the Trade Federation blockades Naboo."

Khamier was stunned. "You requested Jedi assistance?" he asked in surprise. Qui-Gon nodded curtly. "And what did they think of your information?"

"The one who told me this was a Jedi himself. The Council stands behind his words." Qui-Gon reached out and gripped his friend's shoulder. "Khamier, I know this is hard to believe. But you know that I am not one to act on something unless I truly believe in it. These things will happen and we must prepare for them. Trust me in this. There is more at stake in these events than just my office."

Qui-Gon's voice carried his conviction. In his thirty years of service to the man, Khamier had learned that when the Chancellor took that tone of voice, there was very little that could stand in his way. He must truly believe this child's tale was going to come true.

The Primary of the Chancellor's Guard met his friend's gaze. "If there is anything to find on Palpatine, I will find it, Qui-Gon," he stated. Khamier saw the relief in his friend's eyes if not in his expression.

"Be wary, Khamier," Qui-Gon said. "I don't want Palpatine to know that I suspect him. Our greatest advantage is in knowing his plans." The Chancellor hesitated, wondering how far he could push his Primary. Would he believe Palpatine was a Sith? "He is ruthless, despite his seeming amiability. Even the Jedi Council is wary of him. I don't want him coming after you."

Khamier's lips spread in a wicked grin. "Just let him try," he replied before he bowed and left the room.

Qui-Gon watched him go and heard him greet Thalla in the outer office before he turned back to the window. He had to proceed carefully and quietly. The meeting today with Palpatine must be circumspect. But the Chancellor knew he would be hard-pressed to hide his disgust of the man.

He had never liked Palpatine no matter what reputation the man held in the Senate. Finding that the senator was willing to destroy his home planet for power, even the ultimate power of the Supreme Chancellor, easily changed Qui-Gon's feelings from dislike into loathing. But even then, Qui-Gon might have merely blocked Palpatine's plans and left him in place to watch him rather than allow him to leave the Senate.

It was Qui-Gon's knowledge of the pain Palpatine had caused Obi-Wan Kenobi, the look in Obi-Wan's eyes as he told Qui-Gon of his losses, that was the final straw. Qui-Gon Jinn was going to do everything in his power to destroy Palpatine before the Sith Master had the chance to accomplish the same thing with Benjamin.

Senator Palpatine of Naboo, representative of the Haryan Sector, moved along the halls of the Senate building at a stately pace. He stopped occasionally to speak with various representatives or their aides requesting an appointment. His face held a pleasantly benign expression of goodwill as he listened patiently to their information, requests or advice.

Finally, he moved through the doorway of his own offices where his administrative assistant quietly waited for his arrival.

"Are there any problems I need to deal with, Iolia?" he asked with a vague smile.

"No sir. You have some messages, though none seemed urgent." She held out a small disc, which the Senator took as they moved across the outer office. "Also, Mojere called and is waiting to see you. He said he had your information."

"Cancel and reschedule my morning appointments. Call Mojere and tell him to come at once."

"Of course, Sir," Iolia replied her expression unchanging.

Palpatine watched the girl as she returned to her desk before he moved toward the door leading to his own office. Silently, the door slid open and then shut behind him as he moved into the spacious room. He stood for a moment in the very center of the room, his expression moving from pleasant goodwill to a burning anger in a moment. He focused on the sharp, blood red shades surrounding him and his hands suddenly clenched. Across the room, a priceless Linnani figurine shot through the air and dashed itself against the wall.

"Damn him!" the senator seethed. "What does he know?"

Carefully, Palaptine considered his meeting with the Supreme Chancellor. Qui-Gon Jinn acted the same as ever he did, keeping his dislike for Palpatine hidden well though both men were aware of their mutual feelings. But there was something else Jinn was hiding and the Naboo Senator needed to know what.

Palpatine paced across the room and seated himself behind his desk, tossing down the message disk his secretary had given him. What did the Chancellor know about Palpatine's plans with the Trade Federation? Why had the man been so hard to read? Jinn's natural shields had always been strong but this morning there was something different about the man's mind.

A chime from the comm unit on his desk pulled the senator's attention back to his office and Palpatine leaned forward to open the link. "Yes?" he asked, keeping his voice low.

"Mojere is here, Senator," Iolia's calm voice informed him.

"Send him in," the man replied and snapped off the link. The door to his office opened a moment later, allowing the entrance of a tall, distinguished man of indeterminate age. Mojere approached, gave the senator a slight bow and then seated himself before Palpatine. Casually, he leaned forward and set a holo cube on the desk before he sat back and crossed his legs.

"What is this?"

"The reason for Chancellor Jinn's seven week absence from the Senate," Mojere replied with a slight smile.

Palpatine's blue eyes narrowed as he stared at the man seated so easily before him. There was no need for his mask with Mojere. After a moment of silence, the senator reached forward and activated the three dimensional holo. An image appeared of a young man in his middle twenties with thick, shoulder length russet hair and an easy smile gracing his handsome features. Palpatine stared at the image for a long time before his hard eyes darted up to meet Mojere's black gaze.

"Benjamin Lars, a language teacher on the planet of Callis."

"Lars?" The senator looked thoughtful for a moment before he turned his gaze back to his spy. "Jinn was on an educational tour," Palpatine stated.

"The educational tour lasted four weeks and the last stop was on Callis. Jinn spent the remaining three weeks of his absence with this young man." Mojere nodded towards the holo. "The Chancellor's people stamped on the media and not much leaked out until just before Jinn left the planet."

Palpatine reached forward to trace the outline of the holo. "Very appealing. As usual, Jinn shows exquisite taste." Palpatine leaned back. "Why does the boy look familiar?"

"He was a page for the Callistan contingent in the Senate three years ago. The rumor is that Jinn noticed the boy then and has only now been able to track him down."

The senator looked thoughtful as his fingertips slowly traced his lower lip. "I remember him now," the man murmured. "He was with the Jedi on-call here whenever he wasn't working. If he were Jinn's toy that would explain his disinterest in other offers." Palpatine's eyes focused on Mojere. "Jinn left the boy on Callis? Alone?"

"No. The boy's brother is a Jedi who was assigned to the Chancellor's educational tour as a bodyguard. Jinn left him behind, supposedly for a family visit."

"Knight Owen Lars," Palpatine stated.

Mojere looked surprised. "Yes. Lars has a reputation as one of the Temple's finest fighters-"

"I know of Knight Lars, Mojere," Palpatine snapped as he gestured towards the holo. "What else have you learned of this one?"

"I was able to get information from the school where he is employed. This is his last term teaching after which he is leaving for Coruscant. Contacts on the planet say that after the Chancellor left, Lars was seen wearing a Commitment ring."

Palpatine's eyes narrowed. "Chancellor Jinn has Committed himself to this...this boy?"

"So say my sources."

The Senator stood and paced across the room. For a long while, he stood and studied the twisted sculpture of a tortured wraith while he considered Mojere's words.

The Chancellor had long been Palpatine's nemesis. In the fifteen years that Jinn had been Chancellor, Palpatine had studied him and had never found a weakness he could exploit. His reputation was solid within the Senate and his support was well earned. Those senators who stood behind Jinn's policies invariable came out ahead of their fellows which brought more backing to Jinn than anything else he did.

And unfortunately, Jinn's security staff was superb.

Palpatine turned back to the holo. But this one - this boy - he would be Qui-Gon Jinn's weakness.

Even as he considered Benjamin, the Senator knew what he could do with such a prize. Hold Jinn at bay in the Senate and hold Owen Lars in his grasp at the Temple. With those two in his control, nothing would be beyond his reach. Palpatine smiled as he considered. And once he had achieved his goals, he could rip the boy's soul away and return an empty husk to Jinn after Palpatine had destroyed the Chancellor. Or perhaps Palpatine would just keep him.

The senator settled himself behind his desk again. "I want the boy, unharmed and untouched delivered to me within the week. Arrange it."

"I have already contacted the appropriate parties."

"And I want Knight Lars as well. Also alive. I don't care in what condition he arrives, just make sure it's in one piece."

Mojere nodded again as he reached for the holo.

"Leave it," the senator commanded and Mojere dropped his hand as he stood. He gave the senator a brief bow and then left the office. As the door slid shut behind him, Palpatine reached forward to touch the holo again.

How convenient you will be, Benjamin Lars, he thought with a smile curving his lips. Revenge against Jinn and Yinyan - a means to finally taking your brother - and all wrapped up in such a pretty package.

Callis, Vermani Territory
24968.05.21

Knight Lars leaned back and stared across the room out the long wall of windows in his brother's home. Beyond the window was sunlight and breezes that Owen would dearly love to be out enjoying. But he couldn't leave his brother alone. The uneasiness he felt concerning the visions that had prompted him to stay behind when Chancellor Jinn left was still very much in his mind.

To make matters worse, Benjamin had been moody and short-tempered since Qui-Gon had left for Coruscant and had spent the majority of his time either at school or at his computer, working on his latest novel. And though he hadn't mentioned it to his brother, Owen suspected that his younger sibling was having trouble sleeping as well. The fact that the Callis media dogged his every step between work and home didn't help his disposition.

Watching Ben's behavior was like reading the textbook on newly bonded individuals who were forced by circumstances to separate. Hopefully, his brother would follow the rest of the text and start recovering his temper within the next few days. Otherwise, Owen might have to set aside his lightsaber and his Jedi ethics to knock some sense into Ben's head.

The Jedi sighed as he ran his fingers through his brown hair. Speaking of setting aside ethics, Owen still hadn't addressed his actions and reactions to Khamier Sarin. It bothered him that he had allowed himself such a loss of control.

Owen laughed humorlessly at that. Allowed himself? There was no choice at all involved in that particular encounter. No, he had straight out lost control of himself and the situation. It had taken all his not inconsiderable will power to keep himself conveniently busy and out of a certain security commander's immediate vicinity. Khamier had tried to corner him several times but Owen had been trained by the best to avoid unwanted advances - even if they were wanted.

The Jedi stood and wandered to the wall of windows as he stared out at the beauty of the forested wilderness beyond. There was no getting around it. While he'd enjoyed their games of predator and prey more than he'd like to admit during the Chancellor's tour, Owen was going to have to avoid Khamier Sarin in the future. It would not be difficult. How often had he run into the man before this tour of duty? Certainly, Benjamin would most likely see Sarin constantly in his capacity as Jinn's Primary but Owen was rarely on Coruscant these days. So, there should be no problem.

No problem at all.

Owen leaned his head against the windows with a thump. Damn, but the zabrak had tasted so good.

The knight straightened quickly and pushed his mind away from that particular thought. A few katas ought to take his mind off such things. He glanced around the room, wondering what furniture he could move to allow himself the maneuverability he needed.

Before he could proceed, however, the comm device at his waist went off with a series of shrill beeps that could wake the dead. Owen answered the comm quickly before his brother came steaming out of his study.

"Knight Lars."

"Greetings, Knight Lars," a cheerful tenor voice came over the comm.

"Bruck!" the knight answered with a growing smile.

"This is your official notice that I'm approaching the Callis system and will be landing within the next two hours," continued the voice on the other end of the comm. Then there was a low chuckle. "What the hells have you been doing out here?"

"Nothing galaxy shaking, I assure you," the knight responded. "Don't tell me they've sent you out here to help me brother-sit. Is your master there as well?"

"Have you got visual, Owen?" came Bruck's reply.

"Definitely. Hold for a moment." The Jedi moved across the living room into the small room Ben had set aside as his comm center. For a house in the middle of nowhere, his brother maintained a high-tech communications center that rivaled some government agencies Owen had seen. The knight slipped his comm device into the larger set-up and flipped on the large screen. Almost immediately, the screen flared to life showing a grinning young Jedi at the controls of a small transport. Owen stared for a moment.

"You've been knighted!" he exclaimed with a huge smile. "Congratulations, you little yipper! First of your yeargroup! Damn, I'm sorry I wasn't there to join in the celebrations!"

"You and me both, Owen," the younger knight said with a wink. "But we managed without you."

"And this is your first solo mission?" Owen asked, his brows raised. The new knight grimaced ever so slightly.

"Welllll, not exactly solo," Bruck stated before he yelped and glanced down.

"Attention you will pay to your flying, young knight!" an irritable voice said from below the viewscreen. "Almost hit that moon, you did!"

"Master Yoda, I know how to fly this ship," Bruck replied with a sigh. "We were nowhere near that moon."

Owen stared with dismay at the viewscreen. "Oh shit," he muttered and Bruck smirked at him before he disappeared.

"Moderate your curses, you will, my padawan's padawan," Yoda instructed as he suddenly appeared in the screen. "Bad example you will set for this impressionable young knight."

"My apologies, Master Yoda," Owen muttered as he thought about all the curses Bruck had taught him over the years. "I had not expected a pair of Jedi to join me."

"Lucky you are!" Yoda stated as he beamed happily. "Bored, I was with the Council. Need field action, I do."

Owen's jaw dropped. "Field action, Master?" he asked in a tone which implied he hadn't heard the words correctly. Yoda just cackled as his ear rose, indicating his extreme good humor. Owen's eyes darted almost desperately to Bruck who stood just behind Yoda in the screen. The new knight gave his friend a sympathetic look that practically screamed 'I'm sorry about this but better you than me'.

A few minutes later, Owen finally disconnected the communication after arranging to pick up his newly arrived back up. He took a long, deep breath before he turned towards the door leading down to his brother's basement study. He idly wondered if he should take his lightsaber with him when he went to interrupt Ben's writing.

This time, however, Benjamin was not inclined towards violence when he was interrupted. He merely stared at his older brother with wide green eyes.

"Excuse me, Owen. But I thought I just heard you say you had to go to the spaceport to fetch Master Yoda."

"We have to go, Ben," Owen replied, trying to keep his expression serene and unpanicked. "I can't leave you here alone."

"Master Yoda is coming here? To stay at my home?"

"Yes," Owen sighed.

"Master 'sneakier-than-a-uma-in-heat' Yoda."

"Yes."

"Master 'more-manipulative-than-a-Hutt's-concubine' Yoda. That Yoda?"

"Yes," Owen grumbled.

"Master 'darkside-wouldn't-take-him' Yoda."

"Yes, Ben." Owen rubbed his forehead, wishing heartily that he'd kept his opinions on his Master's Master to himself over the years. He felt a headache coming on. "I hope you restrain the nicknames you use in Yoda's presence."

The younger man stared at his brother a moment longer. "Why is the evil Green One coming to Callis?" Ben finally asked as he turned back to his console and saved the material he'd be working diligently on all afternoon before closing the file. Owen was silent for a moment and Ben turned back to him. The younger man's eyebrows rose slightly at the hesitant look on his brother's face.

"He said he was bored with the Council and wanted some field action."

Ben's expression was completely skeptical. "Field action?"

"Yes," Owen said, turning away curtly and moving toward the stairway leading up from his brother's study. "Shall we go now? I don't wish to be late." The sith hells only knew what Yoda would do to entertain himself should Owen not be there when the ship touched down.

Benjamin followed him across the room. "What do you mean by field action? What kind of field action?"

Owen didn't answer as he led his brother out the front door. He waited patiently as the door slid shut behind them before he activated the security systems. Benjamin had a wonderful set up as security systems went but since Owen had spent the last two days "refining" them, absolutely no one should be able to get into Ben's home without permission.

However, before the Jedi could continue down to the pad where his brother's transport sat Ben grabbed his arm.

"What do you mean by field action, Owen?" he said, his green eyes narrowed. "What is going on?"

Owen met his brother's eyes with a direct gaze. "Let's go, Benjamin," he said firmly. "I'll answer that question along the way."

The writer's lips flattened. "What aren't you telling me?"

Owen glared at his brother before his eyes turned away to scan the area, feeling the currents of the Force for any dangers that might be lurking, up to and definitely including the rabid media who had dogged his brother's steps since the Supreme Chancellor had left the planet. It had taken a restraining order from the planetary governor - a result of a personal request sent from Qui-Gon - to keep them away from Benjamin's home and the school. Beyond his brother's land and that owned by the school, though, there wasn't much to keep them away except for Owen's rather formidable scowl. And even that hadn't worked for very long.

"Ben, we need to get to the spaceport."

Benjamin crossed his arms. "Tell me now or I'm not going."

Knight Lars restrained the urge to rub his forehead again and confined himself to folding his arms together within the large sleeves of his cloak.

"Ben, my definition of field action and Master Yoda's are two vastly different things," the Jedi stated quietly. "I think he is coming to look you over more than anything else."

The writer assessed his brother's words for truth before he nodded. "All right. So what exactly is entailed in 'looking me over'?"

"Yoda usually makes that up as he goes along. I assume he wants to make sure you're able to keep Qui-Gon Jinn occupied and out of Jedi business."

Benjamin chuckled darkly. "Oh, I'll keep him occupied, all right," he said as he looked over his brother. "What else?" he finally asked. Owen glanced at him with blank inquiry. "The Head of the Jedi Council does not flit off to meet the Supreme Chancellor's new love interest because he wants to 'look him over'."

"You might be surprised what Yoda considers to be important, Benjamin," Owen replied as he glanced around again, keeping his senses alert. "Qui-Gon Jinn is one of the most important people in this galaxy. The Jedi are not going to be the only ones interested in looking you over. Whatever Yoda's reasons are for coming here, you can be certain they are valid. Even if he will never give you a straight answer as to exactly what they are." The knight finally looked back at his brother and said with an almost exasperated tone, "Now can we go?"

Benjamin finally nodded as his brother reached out to take his arm and guide him towards the pad where his sporty little transport waited.

As quickly as he had rushed to get to the spaceport to retrieve Master Yoda and Bruck, Knight Lars was soon wondering if perhaps he could have just picked up Bruck and left his grandmaster behind.

"Look good, did I?"

"Yes, Master Yoda," Owen said, patience oozing from every pore as he piloted Benjamin's transport away from the rabid reporters outside their window, still calling out questions to the small Jedi.

"Robes in place, were they?"

"Yes, Master Yoda," Bruck said in a steady voice that indicated nothing but serenity.

"Hair in place, it was?"

"What hair?" Benjamin muttered under his breath, earning a 'don't-get-him-started' glare from Owen as the knight maneuvered them into traffic for the trip back to his brother's home.

"You looked fine, Master," Bruck assured him as he tried to get comfortable, squished as he was into the almost non-existent back seat of Ben's small, sporty aircar.

"No patience have the young," Yoda replied with a reproachful look at the new knight. "Not everyday, it is, that adored by the media, I am."

Benjamin's eyebrows rose but a swift glare from Owen curtailed the comment on his lips.

"Very true, Master," Knight Lars agreed

"Still think, I do, that I should drive," Yoda noted as he inspected the inside of the sleek transport with admiration.

"No!" came from three throats together and the Head of the Jedi Council sighed mournfully.

"Trust in the Force, you should," he pointed out.

"The cost of replacing this Shadowstar 110 would not be coming from the Force, Master Yoda," Benjamin bluntly pointed out before Bruck or Owen could speak. He glanced back to make sure the small Jedi was securely fastened to the seat. "Besides, you couldn't see over the control panel."

"Judge me by my size, do you?" Yoda asked smugly, ready to deliver a lesson.

"No, by your height. You're too short to pilot my transport," Ben returned with a quick grin. "As to your size, I heard about that incident with Master Yinyan and my brother on Youli 12." The young writer shook his head. "Really, Master Yoda, the Queen Mother? She was twice your age! And considering your age, that's saying something!"

Bruck looked out the window counting the media cars following them and trying not to laugh. Owen stared straight ahead, willing his face to show no expression as he valiantly tried to release his snickers to the Force.

"Age matters not! Pretty, she was. Negotiated hard, she did," Yoda said, his face splitting with a grin. "Good taste, she had. Help it not, I am so sexy."

Benjamin turned to see his brother losing a valiant battle for his serene expression as he piloted the little skimmer into the less populated areas of the Vermani Territory.

"I'm sure you can't help it, Master Yoda," Ben answered blithely.

"Target sighted," a voice said through the comm, "and locked."

Mojere nodded as he glanced over to the command leader. "Lioni, remember they are to be taken alive," he stated. The other man nodded briefly as he relayed the command again to his people. His group tended to be an enthusiastic lot.

"Knight Lars and the brother to be taken alive," came the confirmation. "And the others?"

The command leader glanced to Mojere who held out his hand and took the comm link. "Identities?" he asked the mercenary.

"News feeds confirm Knight Lars was at the space port to pick up two additional Jedi though there were no names mentioned."

Mojere cursed inwardly though his face didn't show his sudden nervousness. While he had no worry that the troop he'd assembled could take out the Jedi, he didn't want to take the chance that the boy would be hurt.

"Assessment?" he asked into the comm link.

"We should proceed," a mercenary confidently replied through the comm. "We are trained to deal with Jedi, sir, and the new arrivals consist of an obviously new human knight and a small green humanoid, possibly an older knight or master though it was hard to tell. I do not think we will have any trouble accomplishing the objective."

Mojere froze as he turned to the man beside him. "Bring up the news feeds," he snapped. "Find out who is with Knight Lars."

The command leader looked surprised at the man's tone but obediently brought up the latest news feeds on his comp pad. Mojere pushed him aside and watched the news report, as Knight Lars escorted none other than Master Yoda through the crowds of reporters followed by his brother and another young knight. Quickly he brought the comm link to his lips.

"Abort mission. I repeat, abort mission." His voice left no room for argument and there was a reluctant confirmation on the other end before it went dead. Mojere turned to the command leader and tossed him the link. "Pull all of your men from the area and regroup elsewhere on the planet. I will contact you later."

"With all due respect, sir, my men can handle three Jedi," Lioni protested. "And now would be a good time to strike; all of them are together in that skimmer."

Mojere merely looked at the command leader. "I am fully aware of your group's capacity, Lioni. You command one of the finest groups of hired fighters in the galaxy. But no one in their right mind will casually go against the Head of the Jedi Council."

"What?" Lioni paled as Mojere snapped his own equipment shut and stood.

"I understand that Master Yoda can be quite vicious when cornered but I do not intend to find out the truth of the matter. Regroup with your people. I will contact you later."

The command leader nodded and disappeared from the room as Mojere tried to decide on the best way to bring this matter to Palpatine. The man had zero patience when dealing with unexpected problems but Yoda was not someone Mojere was going against alone. If the senator wanted the boy and his brother, he would just have to provide the means to get them.

Benjamin was still arguing with Master Yoda as Owen concentrated on the media flitters dropping away behind them. As the skimmer approached Ben's lands, the restraining order from the governor should come into effect but three large aircars continued to follow them and the knight was beginning to worry. There were no outright warnings from the Force but Owen began formulating possible evasive maneuvers until all three transports suddenly broke away and veered back the way they had come. Owen watched until they were off his radar before he released a silent sigh as he trained his eyes ahead once more.

Yoda also glanced behind them, his green eyes calculating and his ears tilted slightly as he probed the Force. Then he turned his gaze to his padawan's padawan as his expression melted into an approving one as he looked over Knight Lars.

A moment later, the master returned his attention to the more important matters.

"Writing your next book, are you? In it, will I be? Hummm?" Yoda said to Ben in a wheedling tone, gesturing with his gimer stick. "Master of Stud, perhaps? Tell you lots of Jedi stories, I can."

An expression of anxiety crossed Ben's face as his gaze flickered to Knight Chun. Bruck, of course, had no idea what Yoda was talking about.

"You are a writer, Syr Lars?" Bruck asked politely.

"Please, call me Benjamin," came the casual reply. "And I do write a little." Ben closed his eyes briefly, willing Yoda to stay quiet. The less people who knew about his other identity as Lukas H'ammil the better. Yoda, however, chuckled gleefully and smacked Bruck with his stick.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi, he writes. Best lay in the Senate, he could be, with the knowledge he has."

"Yoda!" Ben gasped, turning a deep shade of red as Bruck stared at his profile.

"True it is! Humble, you should not be! Satisfied, Qui-Gon Jinn would not be, with just anyone. Special, you are!"

Benjamin was sputtering as he turned to stare out the front of his aircar. Owen was trying not to laugh as Bruck stared, his mouth hanging open.

"You are Lukas H'ammil?" the young knight asked in amazement. "You wrote The Senate Trials?" Bruck found himself flushing as he remembered some particularly vivid scenes.

Benjamin rubbed his forehead in a gesture reminiscent of his brother. "Yes," he sighed. "But I would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone. I value my privacy."

"Of course," Bruck replied, stamping down on the disappointment be felt. What wouldn't the Jedi population give to know the identity of the writer of Obi-Wan Kenobi?

"Thank you."

"Ah." Bruck cleared his throat, seeking the Jedi serenity that seemed to be suddenly star-struck. "Your novels are very good. Very realistic, I should say. You certainly know your stuff."

Benjamin turned in his seat to meet Bruck's eyes with a pleased smile. "Thank you, Knight Chun," he said. "Coming from a Jedi, that is high praise I'm pleased to accept."

"I tell you that all the time!" Owen objected.

"But you're my brother, Owen," Benjamin replied patiently. "So that doesn't count."

"Good writer, you are!" Yoda said purposefully. "Carry much knowledge, you do. Teach at the Temple, you will?"

Benjamin looked astonished and then his expression changed into one of happiness.

"I would very much like that, Master Yoda-" he began but Owen cut him off.

"Ask him what classes you would be teaching before you commit yourself, Ben," he instructed and Yoda shot the pilot of the small vehicle a green glare. Ben looked at the Jedi master suspiciously.

"What classes, Master Yoda?" he asked as Owen easily banked the transport above Ben's home and settled soundlessly onto the small pad.

"Humph," was all the reply he got. Ben turned to his brother with a questioning gaze.

"Remember when you asked about what classes I took when I was a senior padawan? I told you about doing homework and what some of the subjects were?" Knight Lars asked, his lips twitching as he released the doors, which hissed open, letting the warm afternoon air into the transport. "And I do mean 'doing' my homework." Owen glanced back at Bruck and grinned briefly. Knight Chun chuckled as he winked at the older knight.

"Homework wasn't nearly as much fun after you were knighted, Owen," the younger man leered.

Benjamin looked thoughtful for a moment before his cheeks suddenly bloomed with another hot blush. "Master Yoda!" he yelped.

"Do well, you would, teaching Advanced Sex in Politics and Athletics," the old Jedi stated. Bruck couldn't help but agree but after a look at the embarrassed expression on Benjamin's face, he held his tongue. He could actually feel the young man's mortification.

"Forget it!" the writer growled as he climbed out of the aircar and stalked up the pathway followed by Owen, Bruck and finally Yoda.

"New insight, you would offer!" Yoda continued in a persuading tone as he followed quite nimbly behind his prey.

"No."

"All padawans want to take your class, they would! Knights even!"

Benjamin turned back to the old Jedi and crossed his arms. His jaw was clenched with anger though he was trying to control it. Bruck thought he looked remarkably like his brother at that moment.

"I teach language and poetry, Master Yoda," Ben said in a flat tone. "I do not teach sex." The young man's cheeks flushed again as he remembered his brother's descriptions of his 'homework'. While the information had come in handy in some of his books, Benjamin certainly did not want to be teaching such things to his students.

Master Yoda sighed as Ben returned to stalking up the pathway. He gave Bruck a long-suffering look. "Trust in the Force, he does not."

"I hardly think not wanting to teach Advanced Sex classes to a bunch of horny padawans exemplifies a lack of trust in the Force, Master," Bruck pointed out as he followed Yoda.

The two Jedi came to a stop at the open doorway where Benjamin waited impatiently for his brother to check out his home for intruders. The young writer carefully avoided eye contact with Yoda.

"Deal, I will make with you," Yoda said as he stared up at Ben.

"No."

"Teach languages at the Temple, you will, if advanced copy I get of Obi-Wan's next book."

Benjamin's eyes darted to meet Yoda's suspiciously. "That seems like an odd trade, Master Yoda," he noted carefully. "Why?"

Yoda thumped his gimer stick on the ground and grinned. "Get to read it first, I will, before my padawan," he cackled. "Know, I will, what happens to Quinn and Obi-Wan before anyone else. Annoy my padawan, it will. Irritate the whole Temple."

Benjamin stared at the grinning little troll. What was worse, he knew Yoda was completely serious. The writer glanced up at Bruck, who was staring at the Jedi Master with as much surprise as he himself felt.

"Surprised, you are?" Yoda cackled again as he moved into the house. "When 800 years old you are, enjoy such small things, you will."

Benjamin watched the little Jedi disappear into his home before he turned to Knight Chun. "How long did you say you were staying?" he asked.

Bruck gave him a sympathetic look. "Yoda didn't give me a schedule. I'm sorry."

"Me too," Ben snorted as he led the young knight through the door. What else could happen to ruin his day?

"There was a message on the comm, Ben," Owen called from the living area. "Vellen wanted to know why you stood her up again."

Benjamin stiffened and closed his eyes. "Oh. Hells."

After a quick, pleading call to his cousin to explain the reasons he had not shown up for dinner yet again, Vellen agreed to allow Ben to bring his new guests over for the evening since he had nothing to feed the unexpected arrivals. They were all seated as soon as they arrived, the three Jedi taking seats on one end of the table and Vellen and Ben settling into chairs on the other.

"So why are they over there and we're over here?" Bruck asked idly as he covertly glanced at Vellen. "Is this some sort of Callistan dinner custom?"

Owen stifled a smirk at his friend's plaintive tone.

"Not at all. I think Master Yoda intimidated them by starting dinner before the rest of us were seated," the older knight replied as he glanced at the diminutive Jedi seated between them. Yoda glanced up with a narrow gaze as he nibbled on a pasen fruit.

"Hungry, I am," he stated. "Good food this is. Better than the Temple's, it is. No need to be rude, have you."

"Of course not, Master Yoda," Owen replied as he sipped his wine. "My apologies. "

Yoda snorted as he started eating another portion of the sliced yarsen roast. Bruck sighed as he glanced down the table again and thrummed his fingers on the table. Owen casually wondered how much Vellen's chef had prepared.

Meanwhile, Vellen and Benjamin stared in awed silence as Master Yoda proceeded to inhale half the food on the table. Knights Chun and Lars, long used to Yoda's way with edible substances, started chatting casually about Temple gossip and the inevitable politics involved while the master ate his way through the chef's best offerings.

"Do you think he's breathed once since he sat down at the table?" Vellen murmured to her cousin as the Master Jedi used the Force to pull another platter of meat across the table surface.

"I don't know," Ben replied softly. "Maybe he breathes through his ears or something."

"I hope the chef prepared enough food."

"Do you think he'll start on the table trimmings if he runs out of food?"

"Where is he putting it all?" Vellen finally breathed as she leaned forward to take a sip of wine.

"Maybe he's using the Force?" Ben hypothesized.

Vellen chuckled as her eyes idly flickered over the other guests at her table. The two Jedi knights seemed totally immersed in their conversation but she knew from experience that Owen was always paying attention to conversations at the dinner table. She suspected the other knight was just as attentive.

Just as that thought crossed her mind, the younger knight's ice-blue eyes met her gaze for a long moment before he suddenly grinned at her and winked. Vellen felt herself unaccountably blushing as she turned her attention back to her cousin - who was smirking at her.

She glared at him. "Stop it."

Benjamin managed an innocent look before he leaned closer to her. "He's cute, isn't he?"

Vellen took another sip of wine, debating on what answer would provoke the least torment from her cousin. "He's passable, I suppose," she finally allowed.

"Just passable?" Ben asked, his brows rising as he glanced towards the Jedi on the other side of the table.

"I suppose," Vellen said again before she gave her cousin a bland look.

On the other side of the table, Bruck grumbled to his companions. "Just passable?"

Owen grinned. "Vellen has high standards," he noted. Bruck gave him a flat look.

"I am more than merely passable," he pointed out in a huffy tone.

"I'm sure you are."

"The best looking Jedi in my class!"

"Of course."

Vellen sighed over her wineglass as she noted the white-haired knight's arched eyebrow in her direction.

"What do you hear from Qui-Gon?" Vellen asked for a change of topic, hoping to divert her cousin's interest. Benjamin's eyes, so like her own, dimmed somewhat as the young man looked down at his glass.

"I spoke with him this morning," Ben said quietly. "He looked tired."

Vellen leaned over and laid a light hand on his wrist. "I know you miss him," she said gently.

"It's my own fault," the writer replied as he idly played with the ring on his left hand. "I should have gone when he did."

"You would have hated yourself for not staying," Vellen reminded him. "Besides, it's only a few more days and then we'll be on our way, right?"

Benjamin twined his fingers with hers and smiled wearily. "Right. I'm glad you're coming as well, even if it turns out I don't need a decorator."

"And miss a chance of shopping on Coruscant? Not to mention being a guest of the Supreme Chancellor while doing so?" Vel asked derisively. "My friends are already turning green with envy."

Ben grinned. "Glad to be of service, cousin-mine," he said.

Vellen glanced furtively at Knight Chun again before she turned her attention back to her companion, who was smirking at her again.

"I'm sure it's not a bad thing that Knight Chun is going to traveling with us, hum?" he noted, his smirk becoming positively wicked.

"Stop it!" she snapped. Ben sipped his wine and grinned.

"Payback is hell, isn't it?" he commented.

She grumbled under her breath for a moment before she sighed. "Benjamin, I know you don't want to talk about this but have you heard from your father?"

Benjamin stiffened visibly, calling the attention of the Jedi down the table to him. The writer didn't respond to his cousin as he waited for Owen and Bruck to go back to their conversation. Then he reached for his wineglass and took a long sip.

"I haven't spoken to Aren since I returned from Coruscant, Vel," he murmured. "You know that."

"But you'll be leaving again, soon," his cousin said. "Don't you think you should at least let him know your plans?"

"No."

The word was flat and hard. Vellen looked at her cousin's blank expression and let the subject drop though she too noticed Owen's concerned glance down the table. Perhaps her Jedi cousin would be able to convince his brother to at least speak with their father before they left the planet. Vellen understood that Benjamin was not close to his father but she felt he might regret his actions if he never spoke to Aren Lars again.

"Then what of your friends in the military?" Vel asked, changing the subject. "I know you've run around with them occasionally since you returned from Coruscant."

Benjamin glanced up at her with a frown. "I've left messages for them but I think they must be on assignment." He sighed and tapped his glass idly. "I haven't heard anything from them."

"I almost consider that a blessing after what happened the last time you went out with them," Vellen pointed out with a smirk. "How long did it take you to get that dye out of your hair again?"

Without thinking, Ben ran his fingers through his hair. "At least it did come out," he grumbled. "Eventually."

"Your friend Maxim definitely has a unique sense of humor."

Ben responded with a snort before he glanced down the table at the Jedi, still conversing quietly. "Do you think Master Yoda will be finished anytime soon?" Ben asked as he glanced at the timekeeper on the wall. "I would like to get back to the book sometime tonight." He gave Vellen a lascivious grin. "I had to leave Quinn and Obi-Wan in a rather frustrating place."

"Finished, I am," Yoda suddenly announced as he eyed the pair across the table. He leaned back with a very pleased look on his face. "Very good, was the food. Rarely have I had better."

"I'm glad you liked it, Master Yoda," Vellen replied with a pleased nod. "I'll make sure to pass along your words to our chef."

"Tell him myself, I will," the Jedi Master responded and the young woman got a wary look on her face as the little Jedi hopped down from his chair and disappeared through the door leading to the kitchens. Her family's chef was a rather sensitive man and she wasn't entirely sure she wanted Master Yoda talking to him.

She looked at Owen. "He isn't going to upset Fraques is he?" she asked with a concerned look on her face. "My mother would throw me out of the house if she had to go looking for another chef."

"More likely he will try to recruit him for the Temple, Syn Lars," Bruck mentioned with a grin. Vellen looked horrified.

"He can't do that, can he?" she gasped as visions on her enraged mother danced before her eyes.

"He certainly makes the attempt often enough."

"Stop teasing her, Bruck," Owen commanded the younger knight as he dropped his napkin to the table and stood. "Don't worry, Vellen. Fraques won't want to relocate to Coruscant for Temple pay, believe me."

Vellen chewed her lip nervously as she glanced towards the doorway to the kitchen. "But still, what if he does?"

The older Jedi carefully considered his cousin's question. "Well, you are going to be off planet for awhile anyway. Maybe your mother will get over the loss by the time you return."

"Owen!" the young woman wailed just as Master Yoda trudged through the doorway, looking distinctly disgruntled. He turned a green glare on Vellen as she stood nervously. The little Jedi pointed his stick at her.

"Indecent, it is, what people pay their chefs," he huffed in an accusing tone. "That much, members of the Council do not make!"

Vellen stared at the Jedi before she turned a bewildered expression to Owen. "Translation?"

"He's mad because he couldn't match Fraques' salary," her cousin replied.

"Oh." The woman turned back to Yoda, attempting a consoling expression. "I'm sorry, Master Yoda, but Mother is very fond of her chef."

"Humph," Yoda replied as he made his way to the two knights. "Time to go. To his writing, Benjamin must return."

"Of course, Master," Bruck said as he gave Vellen a wink. She blushed and quickly turned to her younger cousin.

"Ben, my father sent a new Stellar 2000 to me today. Care to try it out? I can run the Yancin 770."

The writer's eyes widened before he grinned. "I do believe we're due a little bike time, Vellen," he stated as he glanced at Owen. Ben lost his smile as he looked at his older brother who was slowly shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, Ben, but I can't let you go alone."

Several expressions crossed Benjamin's face before he settled on defiant. Owen sighed inwardly and dug his heels in for a prime battle. Before harsh words were flung, however, Bruck stepped forward.

"If you have another bike, I'd be happy to go along with you," he stated, his gaze glancing towards Vellen before darting back to Owen.

"Oh, I have plenty of airbikes," Vellen assured the young Jedi. Beside her, Benjamin snickered and his cousin jabbed him with her elbow. "I have five bikes including this new one."

"Five?" Bruck looked surprised. "You have five airbikes?"

"The word you're looking for is spoiled," Benjamin noted with a grin. Vellen stuck her tongue out at him.

Bruck shook his head with a half-smile before he turned back to the lead knight on his team. "Then we both can go, Owen," the new knight pointed out.

Owen raised his brows. "Leaving Yoda to pilot Ben's transport back to his home."

Yoda's voice piped up, "Good plan, this is," at the same moment that Benjamin grated, "No way in hell."

The small Jedi's mouth puckered in a pout before he pointed his gimer stick at Ben. "Then ride with you, I shall. Owen can fly the skimmer."

Benjamin looked stunned for a moment before an evil smirk stole across his face. "Of course, Master Yoda," he said smoothly, stepping on Vellen's toes when she started protesting. "We'll have a nice, leisurely ride and Owen can pilot my skimmer home." Ben glanced at his brother. "Right, Owen?"

Knight Owen Lars considered for a long moment, testing his loyalties against his sense of mischief. It wasn't a long battle. "Of course, Benjamin," he said calmly, folding his hands into his sleeves. "I'll be happy to pilot your little transport home."

Yoda gave his padawan's padawan a pleased look as Benjamin rubbed his hands together and exchanged a look with Vellen. "Well, then. Let's rev up the bikes, shall we?"

Bruck looked at Owen curiously but the older knight merely gazed back at him.

"May the Force be with you," Owen pronounced gravely before he turned away. "Because you'll surely need it," he finished under his breath.

Owen moved into the silent house, grateful that Bruck had chosen to fly that airbike after his brother in an attempt to spend more time with Vellen. The Jedi chuckled as he thought about his newly knighted friend. Little did Bruck suspect what Vellen and Benjamin meant by 'a little bike time'. And although Owen did feel a vague worry about Master Yoda, he knew that his brother would never do anything to harm the venerable little Jedi. Of course, he didn't think Yoda even suspected how fast those bikes could move.

After a moment, however, Owen gave his worry over to the Force and turned towards the kitchen. Yoda had been through worse escapades, which Owen knew from experience as well as his own Master's tales from her apprenticeship.

The knight stood indecisively in the kitchen doorway, wondering if he should prepare a sedative for Yoda when the communicator unit chimed a particular pattern from the living area. Owen moved to open the link and immediately, Chancellor Jinn's face appeared.

"Knight Lars," the man greeted him calmly and the Jedi bowed.

"Chancellor Jinn," he replied formally. "I'm sorry, my brother is not here at the moment to receive your call."

Qui-Gon's eyes narrowed into a piercing glare. "Where is he then? Why are you not with him?"

Owen's lips twitched but he smoothed his expression so quickly Qui-Gon might have imagined it. "He is airbiking his way back from our cousin's home. We had dinner there this evening. I am not with him as someone had to bring his precious flyer home but he is accompanied by Knight Bruck Chun and Master Yoda so he is well protected, Sir."

The Chancellor's eyebrows rose. "Master Yoda?"

"Yes, he and Knight Chun arrived this afternoon from Coruscant, assigned to field duty."

"Master Yoda. On field duty."

"Yes sir." Owen's voice was bland.

"I see." Qui-Gon looked at the knight for a long moment, obviously trying to decide if the young man was being completely truthful. "So Master Yoda is out on an airbike with Benjamin."

"Yes sir." Owen showed no expression as he continued. "Benjamin is very fond of airbiking though he doesn't get to pursue the hobby as much as he'd like. He used to race with his school team when he was younger."

"Is Master Yoda aware of Benjamin's racing hobby?"

"I don't believe so, sir," the Jedi replied. "As you know Benjamin doesn't really like to talk about himself."

"I am aware of that, yes," the Chancellor replied in a tone as bland as Owen had used earlier. "You will let me know how the honored Head of Council reacts to his ride with Ben, won't you, Knight Lars?"

"I'll include it in my report, your Excellency."

"Very good." Qui-Gon allowed himself a brief grin before he continued, his blue eyes growing serious. "Since Ben isn't there, however, perhaps you could tell me how he is truly doing."

Owen's expression didn't changed but his hands folded together within the sleeves of his robe. "Why would you think Benjamin is not being honest with you, Sir?" he inquired.

"I don't think he's lying, Knight Lars," Qui-Gon stated firmly. "But I do think he would avoid telling me something if he thought it would upset me."

The Jedi looked at Qui-Gon before he nodded briefly. "Benjamin is feeling some stress over your separation but nothing to be concerned about." Owen gave the Chancellor a brief smile. "He misses you and he is counting the days until we leave for Coruscant."

Qui-Gon's expression relaxed slightly. "Thank you."

"You must be feeling something similar," Knight Lars continued, his eyes assessing the Chancellor carefully. Even with Khamier keeping an eye on the man, Owen worried what the separation of the two might be doing to their fledgling bond.

Qui-Gon didn't reply for a long, silent moment. "You can be quite certain of that, Knight Lars," he finally said before he glanced away. When he turned back, there was a thoughtful look in his blue eyes. "Are you at all acquainted with Senator Palpatine?"

Owen visibly stiffened before he could control his reaction. Qui-Gon noted this even as the Jedi forced himself to relax again. "I am acquainted with the Senator, Sir," he replied, his tone completely neutral.

The Chancellor watched the Jedi closely but there were no more indications in his posture or his expression of his feelings about the Senator. Qui-Gon, however, made a note to speak to the Jedi when he didn't need to be concerned about someone overhearing his words.

"I would ask that you keep Benjamin out of his proximity," Qui-Gon stated.

The Jedi knight didn't betray any emotion as he nodded. "I will see to it, your Excellency."

The Chancellor gazed narrowly at the Jedi, wanting to ask questions concerning Owen's obvious reaction to Palpatine but a voice across the room called his attention to the meeting that awaited him.

"Thank you, Knight Lars. I have a meeting to return to. Please pass along my greetings to Benjamin." Chancellor Jinn gave the knight a brief grin. "And to Master Yoda, when he recovers."

Owen nodded. "I'll do that, your Excellency."

Later that night, Benjamin trudged up from his study, running his fingers slowly through his hair and yawning widely. He was exhausted but only the fact that he knew he had to be at school the following day, even if it was just for morning classes, was pulling him away from his computer. The story was flowing so rapidly these days that there were times he forgot where he was as the plot wrote itself behind his eyes. While his publisher would be thrilled, Ben wished the story would come a little more calmly.

The writer walked through his house to the kitchen where he pulled a small mug from a cabinet and filled it with the hot tea he left simmering constantly when he was on a writing binge. With a small drop of dark honey in his tea, Ben happily relaxed as he sipped the fragrant brew. Not only did it taste good but also it calmed his thoughts and helped him sleep even when the story was running full throttle through his mind.

Holding one hand around the warming mug, Ben flicked off the lights and moved through the silent living area towards his own room. He was halfway through the house when a movement at one of the tall windows caught his attention.

Staring out at the moonslit forests beyond the windows was a small, rather irritating Jedi.

Benjamin approached the small being. "Master Yoda?" he asked softly. "Can I get you something?"

"Nothing do I need," the old Jedi said as he looked up, his green eyes dark in the shadows, "your company, would I welcome," he finished before he turned back to his study of the scenery.

The writer was surprised but after a single glance towards his bedroom and the guest rooms where the other Jedi were presumably sleeping, Ben settled on the floor beside the old Jedi Master. He still felt a bit guilty about the airbike ride. Yoda's only comment upon arriving safely at the house had been, "Jedi reflexes, you have," before the little master had tottered away to meditate.

"Would you like some tea, Master?" Ben asked, unconsciously adopting his brother's form of address for the Jedi.

"Fine, I am," he replied, not taking his gaze from the forests. "Peaceful, here it is. Good choice you made."

Ben followed his gaze across the forests of the Vermani territory. "I think so."

"The Force runs strong here."

"Owen has said much the same."

There was silence between them for a time as Ben sipped his tea and Yoda watched the darkened sky. After a while, the young man set his mug aside.

"Master Yoda," he began, finally deciding to ask what was on his mind.

"Look like him you do," Yoda stated quietly as he turned to Benjamin. The young man was taken completely by surprise.

"I do?"

"Differences, there are. Longer is your hair and darker. Your eyes, not so dark with the experiences of a Jedi." Yoda studied the young man sitting beside him. "But the same you are. Obi-Wan Kenobi, you are. Benjamin Lars, he was."

Ben settled next to the little Jedi and arranged his words carefully. "Qui-Gon explained to me how he met...Obi-Wan. But I don't understand how that could be," he said firmly. "I created Obi-Wan Kenobi from dreams and ideas. How could he actually exist? And how could he be me?"

Yoda twined his claws around his gimer stick and turned his green eyes back to the forests. "Explained to you, did Qui-Gon, about different realities?" Benjamin nodded and Yoda continued. "An infinite number of realities there are, with infinite possibilities. In the reality Obi-Wan came from, a Jedi he was and Qui-Gon Jinn his master. Killed on Naboo was Master Jinn, by the Sith."

"That happened in my book. Obi-Wan's first master was killed by the Sith apprentice." The writer leaned against the window behind him as he felt the blood drain from his face. He considered what it might be like to lose his lover now, much less after spending ten years in his company. He felt a shudder run down his spine and a cold darkness flicker in his heart. After a long moment, he shook his head and turned back to Yoda. "If that is true, how could I have known what happened to him if he was from another reality?"

"Dreamed of Obi-Wan's reality, you did. Perhaps why he journeyed here, that was. But present you were in this reality. Meant for this reality's Qui-Gon Jinn you were. No place was there for Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"But how can I be sure?" Ben asked softly, almost hesitant to ask. This question had been waiting patiently at the bottom of his mind since Qui-Gon had explained why he'd come looking for Benjamin. "What if he looks at me and sees Obi-Wan?"

"Cries out Obi-Wan's name, does he, when together, you are?" the little Jedi asked bluntly and Benjamin felt a full-scale blush wash his face. Yoda gave the young man a stern glare. "Yearns for Benjamin Lars, he does. The Force meant you to stand by Qui-Gon Jinn's side. Doubt that not."

Benjamin glanced away, into the darkness of the world outside. He knew Qui-Gon cared for him. There were times when Ben could almost feel the weight of the man's emotions behind his eyes when Qui-Gon looked at him. But what if all that emotion was directed at Obi-Wan and not himself?

For a master who'd been raising padawans for centuries, Ben's thoughts were clearly visible as they flickered across his face. Yoda shook his head and sighed.

"Listen to me, you will not," he finally said, lowering his ears slightly. "Though doubt not that prove his love to you, Jinn will. Stubborn you both are."

The writer looked up at the Jedi master with a slight smile on his face. After a long silence, Benjamin stared into the tea as he cradled his mug. "Will you tell me more about Obi-Wan Kenobi?"

"Hummmmm. Beautiful, he was. Strong and bright in the Force, he was." Yoda murmured as he turned to look out at the forests once more. "The same light I see in you."

Ben slowly lifted his gaze to Yoda, his eyes gleaming in the shadows. "What do you mean?"

Yoda sighed, a tired sound. "Strong you are in the Force, Benjamin Lars. To the temple, you should have been sent." Ben stared at him, a surprised expression on his face. The Jedi gave his companion a long look. "Know this, you do."

"Yes, but...I didn't really...." Ben's words ground to a halt as his fingers gripped the mug tighter. Owen had told him before that he should have been a Jedi but Ben had never taken his words to heart. It was the kind of thing older brothers said to make their young siblings feel better.

But hearing Master Yoda say the same words in a tone that couldn't be described as anything other than regretful made Benjamin realize that he truly could have been a Jedi Knight.

Suddenly he found himself furious with an anger that seemed to well up from his deepest self. He should have been a Jedi! If it hadn't been for his father, he would have joined the Order with his brother.

"Benjamin," Yoda's firm voice suddenly pierced through the emotions spilling out of him, "let this go."

The writer looked away. His grip on his mug was shaking.

"Seen this with your brother, I have. Much anger you have inside, anger at your father." Yoda watched him carefully. "Let it go, you must, or destroy you it can."

"But I should have come to the Temple!" Ben burst out, his tone harsh in the silence of the room. "I could have been a Jedi if not for my father!"

"Something else, the Force had in mind for you here," the Master said tone that left no doubt. Yoda reached out and laid a claw on Ben's knee, focusing the young man's attention on himself rather than the anger. "Touched countless lives, you have, with teaching, with writing. No small thing this is. Rare is the Jedi who can say this."

"But..."

"Change things, would you?" the Jedi interrupted sharply. "Leave your books unwritten? Leave your students untaught?"

Benjamin jerked his eyes away from the piercing gaze of the Jedi master. "Someone would have taught them," he muttered.

"But not so well as you, Benjamin Lars. Value your skills so cheaply, do you? Think you are not a good teacher?"

The young man gave a long slow sigh as he leaned his head back against the glass wall behind him with a thump. "No. I am a good teacher."

"A good writer, as well," Yoda pronounced as he jabbed Ben with his stick. "Not just any writer, it is, who has books on the Temple required reading lists."

Benjamin looked at him in surprise.

"Great Jedi you would have been, Benjamin Lars. But great teacher, you are. Great writer you are." Yoda poked him in the leg again a bit harder and Ben yelped. "Live in the Moment then see where the Force leads you."

Ben rubbed his leg absently as he forced himself to consider Yoda's words. The anger at his father's manipulation was still there, bubbling beneath the surface, waiting for him to confront it but Benjamin had to admit, at least to himself, that he would regret having to give up his writing and teaching. He breathed in deeply as he made himself loosen the grip he had on his tea mug.

Finally, he gave the Jedi Councilor a half-hearted glare. "Master Yoda, do you never tire of being wise?" he asked.

Yoda merely snorted. "Meditate on your anger, you should," he stated. "Show you how, your brother can."

Ben rolled his eyes. "I see you don't."

"But, a lesson that will be for later. Now, more important things to discuss, have we," Yoda continued, his eyes bright as he studied Ben.

"And what would that be?" Ben asked warily.

"Add me into your next book, have you? Hummmm? Quinn and Obi-Wan getting enough noogie? Important matters, these are!"

Benjamin stared at the enthusiastic little creature and suddenly wished that he had never left his study.

Later that night, across the galaxy, Iolia calmly sent a comm to her employer.

"There is a call for you, Senator."

Palpatine glared at the figure on his comm screen but Iolia didn't react. She simply returned his gaze. "It is Mojere."

"Send the call through," the senator snapped as he turned back to his contemplation of the holo on his desk. A moment later, the communicator on his desk chimed again and Palpatine opened the channel.

"What is it?"

"Complications have developed since I arrived on Callis, Sir," the man reported. "I arrived here with what force I needed to fulfill your request but it seems we have been anticipated."

Palpatine's eyes narrowed. "In what way?"

"Two additional Jedi have joined Knight Lars. At least two Jedi are with the boy at all times."

"You have overcome such problems before," the senator pointed out.

"One of the two arrivals is Master Yoda."

Palpatine felt a jolt of surprise. His faded blue eyes sought out the holo on his desk. His faded blue eyes glared with determination. Yoda was not going to get in his way this time but it was obvious he must tread carefully. Benjamin Lars was more important than he had first suspected.

"Mojere," the senator began in a quiet tone. "The plans have not changed. I will be sending someone to direct this capture. Bide your time until my associate joins you. If you have a chance to capture the boy, take it. Otherwise, you will wait."

"And Knight Lars?"

Again, Palpatine's gaze flickered to the holo on his desk. "Don't return here without both of them, Mojere."

"Understood."

The comm channel disconnected and Palpatine leaned back into his chair. His hard eyes turned thoughtful as he reached forward to activate the holo of Benjamin Lars. It formed beside the holo already displayed on his desk.

Despite their dissimilar coloring, Benjamin Lars was very much like brother. Palpatine's eyes lingered on the first holo and the exquisite expression of pain and fury it held. He caressed the outline of the image once more before he turned his eyes back to Benjamin's holo.

"Why is Yoda interested in you, boy?" He stared a moment longer, carefully considering, before he leaned forward and snapped off both images. He had plans to set in motion, which would allow his apprentice time to reach Callis before Lars and his brother left the planet.

Coruscant
24968.05.24

Leaning forward over his desk, Qui-Gon flipped through the most recent media holos of his lover and then reached out gently to touch one of the better ones. Benjamin had been caught with that sweet smile that Qui-Gon loved and had usually seen when Ben was in the presence of his students. The article referenced with the holo was about Ben's life on Callis and how he'd originally met the Chancellor. Or, at least, what the media had been told of that meeting.

Qui-Gon thoughtfully ran his fingers over the image standing before him. Benjamin could have no idea what a hot commodity he had become to the media but over the past nine days since Qui-Gon had left Callis for Coruscant more and more corespondents had applied for information about Benjamin Lars.

The arrival of Head Councilor Yoda on Callis had only accelerated Ben's media exposure and the Callistan corespondents had become even more rabid about pursuing his lover. Knight Lars had reported that several reporters had already tried breaking the governor's restraining order but between himself and Knight Chun, they were handling the increased attention without a problem.

Even beyond Callis, word was slowly leaking out that Supreme Chancellor Jinn was in the midst of developing a serious relationship with a previously unknown, young sentient. Rumors abounded and more than one senator had 'casually' questioned Qui-Gon about it but so far, Chancellor Jinn himself was remaining quiet.

On Khamier's advice, however, he had allowed his Republic Relations group to create a detailed file on Benjamin Lars to hand out to the media as they applied to his office for information. The Primary had argued that it was better to be able to direct the Republic's perception of the young man rather than leave them to make up their own stories. Reluctantly, Qui-Gon had agreed and then promptly began worrying over his head public relations expert's wicked grin.

"Don't worry, sir," the man had said confidently. "Benjamin Lars was just made to be a perfect compliment to you."

Qui-Gon had glared. "And why would that be, Jik?"

"He's handsome, hails from a rather well-to-do background, his brother is a Senate commended Jedi knight for stars sake! He had a distinguished military career of his own and all the makings of a brilliant political career but gave it up to teach of all things because - and I quote - "I wanted to make a difference in the lives of those who will make a difference in the future of the Republic" - end quote."

"When did he say that?" Qui-Gon had asked, surprised he hadn't heard anything like that from Benjamin himself.

Jik had gathered up his papers and then stood. "Apparently, some bright little corespondent found out that Syr Lars had been a student at the University of Coruscant and thought to look up some of Benjamin's University yearmates. It was the reason he gave to them why he was giving up a sweet political career to teach."

Qui-Gon had glanced away from his Relations expert with a thoughtful look. When he considered the time he'd spent with Ben on Callis, it had seemed far longer than a mere three weeks. But in actuality, he still had much to learn about his young lover.

"And no matter how hard they dig, they won't find any dirt on Syr Lars, which will be a great asset to you," Jik had continued almost gleefully. Qui-Gon had shot him a truly ugly glare.

"There is far more to Benjamin Lars than being 'an asset' to me, Kiyari Jik," he had said quietly. "You would do well to remember that."

Khamier straightened from where he'd lounged beside the now quivering Jik.

"He understands that, Chancellor Jinn," Khamier had replied in an equally quiet tone. "But Syr Lars is going to be a part of your life and thus, a major part of the Republic. He is going to be scrutinized even more carefully than you because those sentients who care will want to know who has captured the elusive Qui-Gon Jinn's attentions since you've never shown such an inclination before."

Qui-Gon had held his friend's eyes for a few moments longer before turning back to Jik. "Proceed with what we have spoken of, Jik. I trust you will keep me informed of the media's infatuation with Ben."

"I will, your Excellency," he said with a brief bow before he left. The Chancellor watched the door slide shut behind him before he turned to his Primary.

"I'm sorry, Khamier," he finally said. "I know you are correct about this but it bothers me to know how on display Benjamin will be."

"You - and he - will have to get used to it," Khamier pointed out as he leaned against the Chancellor's desk. "There is one other thing you will need to decide on, though," he said as he crossed his arms. Qui-Gon looked up at him, waiting. "I said there is nothing to find in Ben's past but you know that his identity as Lukas H'ammill will not be long in coming out. You and Ben will need to decide on how he wants to address that issue."

The Chancellor nodded. "I had considered that but I didn't speak to Benjamin about it before we left." Qui-Gon slowly rubbed his chin. "He will not like it."

"Which is why I'm going to let you talk with him about it," Sarin pronounced before he headed for the door.

"Thank you, Commander," Qui-Gon replied heavily.

"And you might want to do it soon because it's probably to our advantage if he is allowed to announce it himself rather than just being found out."

"You'll excuse me if I'm glad you're leaving, Khamier," the Chancellor sighed as he pulled up his schedule for the day. "I don't think I could stand anymore good news from you."

The zabrak gave him a gleeful grin before he left the Chancellor's office.

The following day, the last that Ben would teach on Callis, Owen watched in amusement as Benjamin's students clustered around his desk, giving the young teacher a hard time about his 'Intemi'. All of the seniors had completed their final exams within a few hours, but most had elected to stay until the official end of class to spend time with their teacher. Benjamin leaned idly back in his chair, smiling at his students as he took their teasing comments.

"Master Ben, you can tell us. We won't breathe a word. We promise!"

"Kaly, you know I'm not going to tell you anything," Ben stated as he gave his students a mock glare. "I don't know why you persist in asking."

"Maybe you'll crack," Kindri replied with an evil grin. "Maybe the guilt of keeping your best class in the dark about something so important will finally drive you to confess all."

Benjamin's eyebrows rose during the student's passionate declaration. "Not likely."

The adolescent shrugged. "It also has its entertainment value." Kindri looked his teacher over with a thoughtful gaze before his lips slowly turned upwards in a rather mischievous smile. Benjamin gave the boy a suspicious look when he turned away and sauntered across the room towards Owen. Kindri stopped before the knight with an innocent expression. The Jedi looked back at him with a neutral gaze.

"Knight Lars," he began.

"Syr Jyam," the Jedi replied in a serious tone. Kindri looked a bit surprised that Owen knew his name but he continued in a confident tone.

"Over the years, I've been repeatedly informed by my parents that elder brothers are supposed to keep an eye on their younger siblings," he stated.

The Jedi raised an eyebrow just the tiniest bit. "I believe that is the custom within families on Callis."

"So, as his older brother, you've been keeping an eye on Master Ben?"

Owen glanced up at his brother for a brief second before he met the student's gaze again. "I have."

"Kindri," Ben growled as he leaned forward, glaring at his student. The remaining young people were beaming at their resourceful classmate. Master Ben would obviously not tell them what they wanted to know but perhaps his brother might.

"Soooooo, what can you tell us about Master Ben and the Chancellor?" Kindri asked in a persuasive tone.

Owen glanced at his brother again, a smirk teasing his lips. Ben was looking close to apoplectic at the thought of what his brother might say. As a knight, Owen knew he should say nothing whatsoever to encourage the young man brave enough to approach him and blatantly try to pump him for information. As a brother, however, Owen was having a hard time keeping his mouth shut.

Benjamin was well aware of this conflict.

Finally, the knight compromised with a tidbit of information, just enough to tease his brother and his nosy students.

"They seem very fond of each other," he said coolly.

"Owen," Benjamin began in a warning tone as some of his other students made their way over to join Kindri.

"From the size of that hickey that was on Master Ben's neck two weeks ago, I'd have to agree," Kaly said as she grinned back at her teacher. Benjamin flushed and adjusted his high collar again.

"Don't you people have somewhere to be?" he asked in an exasperated tone.

"Knight Lars," Kindri continued, ignoring his teacher. "Would you say that the Chancellor is a good kisser? Master Ben won't give us any information at all!"

"Kindri!"

The boy grinned and ignored his teacher while he waited for his answer from the Jedi. Owen merely crossed his hands in his sleeves and gave the boy a bland look.

"I understand the Chancellor excels at many things, Syr Jyam," he said.

"What kind of things?" Kindri pursued. "In relation to Master Ben, that is," he specified.

Owen looked thoughtful for a long moment before he opened his mouth to answer. The students looked positively gleeful for all of five seconds.

Then the bell rang.

Benjamin shot to his feet. "And that's the end of the school quarter, ladies and gentlemen," he said as he moved towards them. "As sad as this is, we have to say goodbye."

As he approached, he glared at his brother who merely maintained his serene look.

"Awwwww, but Knight Lars was about to spill!" Kaly protested.

"You have taken quite enough of Knight Lars' time," Ben stated firmly.

"Master Lars, may I contact you when I get to Coruscant?" Kindri asked with a suddenly hesitant air. "I know you'll be busy but...."

"If you don't contact me, I'll come looking for you!" the teacher stated firmly. "Not just anyone gets a scholarship to Coruscant and I still have contacts there, you know."

Kindri's hesitant smile suddenly widened. "I know."

Benjamin glanced around at his other students. "And the rest of you had better stay in touch as well," he stated in no uncertain terms.

Each student nodded as they gathered their books and quietly left the room. Ben watched them go with a wistful look on his face before he moved back to his desk.

"I'm going to miss them," he said as he gathered his papers and books together.

Owen watched his brother switch off the desk computer for the last time with a heavy sigh. "You'll like teaching at the Temple, Benjamin," he said gently.

The younger man gave a half-hearted smile. "I think I will but I'll miss teaching here." Benjamin sighed as he leaned against his desk. "I loved learning in this school and I loved teaching here."

"And you'll love teaching in the Temple even more," Owen stated. "I know the students will...." The knight's words trailed off as he tilted his head slightly then stiffened before he turned expectantly towards the doorway. Ben noticed his posture and utterly blank expression and he, too, looked curiously towards the doorway.

A moment later, a tall figure sauntered through the entrance, impeccably dressed and well groomed. Green eyes slowly wandered around the classroom with a contemptuous expression before the man acknowledged the pair standing in the back of the room and began to walk towards them. As the older man approached, Owen placed his hands in his sleeves and drew on the serenity his master had worked hard to drill into him for so many years.

"Hello, Father," he said as the man stopped before Benjamin's desk. The newcomer made no reply, however, as his gaze passed over the Jedi knight standing beside Benjamin as if he were not there, coming to rest on the teacher with a vaguely smug expression.

"Benjamin," the man said in a cultured tone.

Owen showed no expression as he had expected his father's cut and released the hurt this caused into the Force almost immediately. He had long ago come to terms with his father's attitude towards him. Benjamin, however, was not able to let the insult go. He picked up the remaining papers from his desk and turned to his brother.

"I think it's time to go, Owen," he said in a flat tone as he stepped away. Owen reached out and grasped his arm.

"He has something to say, Ben," the knight replied, not glancing at their father. "Let him say it."

His brother gave him a look of disbelief. "But..."

"Do not let your anger sway you, Benjamin. Let him say whatever it he has to say and then be gone. Then you will have no questions."

"How kind of you, Jedi," his father said in a mocking tone as his green eyes slid over his oldest son. Ben's mouth flattened at the words but he gave his father his attention.

"You should appreciate Owen's kindness. Otherwise, you'd be talking to my retreating ass," Ben snapped as he slapped his papers down on his desk. "What do you want?"

"Really, Benjamin, one would think a language teacher would use better language," the man said in a chiding voice, as if chastising a child. Ben crossed his arms and glared.

"You always did bring out the best in me. You have exactly one minute to state your business."

The man tilted his head in curiosity. "And then what?"

"You'll be talking to yourself." Benjamin gave his father a grim smile. "That's probably not a big threat, I know. You always liked the sound of your own voice more than anyone else's."

Green eyes so similar to Benjamin's eyes narrowed.

"I suggest you tell Benjamin why you came here, Aren," Owen stated as he folded his hands together again, his dark eyes unwaveringly on his father. He ignored the small voice in the back of his mind that said few beings could comfortably stand the focused gaze of a Jedi for very long.

His father did not acknowledge Owen's remark though he shifted ever so slightly as he casually sat on his younger son's desk.

"Actually, you should be thanking me for coming to find you in this plebeian little school, Benjamin," the man stated smoothly as he glanced around in disdain. "I understand you've been cut by the Directorate and this is your last day here." He turned to his son with a questioning look. Ben felt an expression of surprise cross his face, which he quickly smoothed away. It was enough for his father, though. "I thought so."

"That is confidential information," Ben said, suspicion shading his tone. "How did you hear of it?"

"These things get around, Son," Aren said as he stood and straightened his tunic, wiping off a bit of imaginary dust.

The teacher stared at his father, an expression of disbelief on his face. "You had the Directorate cut me!"

"I did nothing but have lunch with a few friends, Benjamin," Aren Lars replied. "If the Directorate made the decision, you can hardly blame me."

The teacher's jaw clenched as he glared at his father. So, his father had gotten him Cut and not Admin Pomit. Yet again, his father had interfered in his life for his own purposes. Ben couldn't come up with an epithet bad enough to fling at his father.

"However, this does leave you distressingly unemployed," Aren continued blandly, evidently ignoring his son's obvious anger. "And since you can hardly afford that secluded little cottage of yours without financial support of some kind, I'm here to offer you a post with the government."

Even Owen felt surprise at his father's statement. Benjamin had to close his mouth forcefully. It took him a moment to organize his next words.

"Why in the cosmos would I want a post with the government?" he finally grated.

"You should have taken one when you returned from Coruscant three years ago," Aren replied as he looked at his son with a stern expression. He stood and paced a few steps away. "You were more than qualified. I don't know how many people I had to excuse you to when you refused the governor's offer of a position in the Conclave. And when they heard why you had refused...to become a teacher of all things?" The man's lip curled slightly as he turned back to his son. "Most understood when I mentioned how your mother had influenced you."

Benjamin's fists clenched and he hissed out a long breath of anger as Aren blithely continued, "Now, however, you have no teaching options on planet since you've been cut from this school. I spoke with Governor Hylat only yesterday and he was still interested in installing you in his office."

Benjamin's lip curled in an eerily similar expression to his father. "Yes, I'm sure Governor Hylat would like that considering how many times his daughter has thrown herself at me."

"Jehari would be a good match for you, Benjamin," Aren said smugly. "It would certainly raise your political status on Callis and in the surrounding systems. She would have you despite the lurid publicity you've been in the center of these past weeks."

Ben stared at his father for a long moment before he picked up his papers again, pulled his carrysac over his shoulder and stepped away from his desk.

"Jehari probably would have me but I doubt the issue will come up. I'm already involved with someone and I have absolutely no intention of taking a government post."

Aren stepped around the desk and looked down at his son. He was taller than Benjamin, the same height as Owen was and he used that to his advantage. "You can't possibly mean that fling you had with the Chancellor?" he asked in a scathing tone. "I noticed that Qui-Gon Jinn had no qualms about leaving you behind when he had to return to the Senate."

A flash of uncertainty and hurt crossed Ben's features before he tightened his fingers around the gold band on his finger. "He had no qualms leaving because I'll soon be joining him there," Ben replied as he stepped around his father and headed towards the door. "I'm leaving for Coruscant tomorrow with Owen."

"Do you honestly think he'll welcome his Callistan toy on Coruscant to take up residence?" Aren snapped as he followed his son. "Qui-Gon Jinn was just another pleasure seeking politician, looking for a diversion between planets and you fit that bill admirably."

The words were harsh and Ben froze, his hands almost crushing the papers in his grasp. Before he could turn back, however, his brother spoke up in a clear voice that carried no hint of doubt.

"The Chancellor has Committed himself to Benjamin," Owen said quietly. "That is hardly the act of a pleasure seeking politician."

"What?" Aren hissed as he finally turned angry eyes on his elder son.

"Shall I use smaller words, Father?" the knight asked with no inflection. "Qui-Gon Jinn has given Ben a ring of Commitment."

"That is impossible!" the older man insisted, his face growing red as he glanced back towards Ben. "Jinn would never...." His words died away as Benjamin held up his hand, displaying the gold ring on his finger.

"I am going to Coruscant to be with Qui-Gon," Ben stated as he again moved towards the door. Trying to keep his expression calm instead of gleeful, Owen walked past his enraged father as Ben turned back, waiting for his brother to join him. "Oh, and by the way, I'll be teaching at the Jedi Temple. Feel free to contact me there at any time."

"The TEMPLE?!?" Aren Lars roared. "No son of mine will be involved with those thinly disguised prostitutes of the Republic!"

Owen couldn't help the gasp that came from his lips and the brief falter in his step before he continued. He had never heard his father actually say the words before and it was far harder than he thought it would be to push away the pain and anger that still simmered far below his calm surface.

Benjamin gave his brother a concerned look before Owen nodded him onward out the door. He glanced back once before he followed.

"Good afternoon, Father."

Benjamin walked at a quick pace down the hallway, his face as expressionless as a Jedi's. From his post at the end of the hall, Knight Chun glanced up in surprise as the younger man stalked past him without a word followed by Owen, who was equally as silent. Bruck glanced down the hallway outside Obi-Wan's classroom and saw the man who had strolled by earlier, staring after them, a look of rage fixed on his handsome features.

Bruck narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, memorizing the man's features before he followed his friend and their charge towards the entrance of the building. He easily caught up with them before Benjamin slammed open the doors, the noise echoing down the halls bringing curious glances from the lingering teachers.

"Easy, Benjamin," Owen finally said as the trio moved into the afternoon sunlight.

"I hate him," the teacher seethed. "He had me cut, Owen! I loved this job and he had me cut! Every time I see him, I just hate him more!" Owen settled his hands in his sleeves and sighed. Ben gave him an angry look. "You can't tell me you don't feel the same."

The Jedi didn't respond for a moment. "I struggle daily with my feelings for him," Owen admitted quietly. "It is not supposed to be in a Jedi's nature to hate."

Bruck gave his friend an astonished glance as Ben snorted and rearranged the shoulder bag he held. "I don't see how you could feel any other way, Owen. He's a total bastard."

"BENJI!"

There was a single shout and then a male form was plastered all over Benjamin in a tight hug that lasted all of three seconds before the figure was sent hurtling about ten feet. Another second found two Jedi with humming sabers standing between Benjamin and four blasters leveled at them. The fifth figure rolled across the ground from where he had landed and was on his feet in moments with another blaster pointed in their direction.

All movement in the school courtyard ceased as the two Jedi faced down five men in the black and red uniforms of the Callistan military.

Benjamin was stunned at how quickly his brother and Bruck had formed a living wall between him and the men they thought were a danger to him.

After a long, tense ten seconds, Benjamin leaned around his brother's back.

"Ummm, Owen?" Ben said in an almost humble tone. He barely saw Owen's glance flicker towards him with a question. "I know them."

"You know them."

The writer glanced at the five men still pointing their blasters but looking curious now instead of deadly.

"Yes, I know them. We were in the military together. Remember, I told you about them?"

"If you know them, what's with the blasters?" Bruck asked with a suspicious tone. Benjamin gave him a long look and sternly told himself not to make smart remarks to Jedi who are your bodyguards.

"I would think that's a response to Owen tossing Maxim across the pavement then both of you drawing your sabers. Usually those military types don't respond well to threats."

"Or to being tossed on their ass!" came the loud remark from the young man Owen had Force tossed away from his brother.

"The guy has good hearing," Bruck muttered as he powered down his saber.

The soldier had holstered his blaster and was now busy tossing back his long, brown braid and dusting off his rear. He turned to one of his companions with a scowl. "Erro, did he mess up my pants?"

"Your pants are no more wrinkled than they were before," came a long-suffering response from one of his companions.

Owen gave the group a long look and then tried to remember his brother's descriptions of his friends. "That is the infamous Maxim?" he asked with an air of foreboding as he remembered some of his brother's letters. Not to mention Vellen's comments on this particular friend.

Benjamin gave him a beaming smile as he nodded. "Yes, come and meet him!"

Then he quickly moved past his brother and walked over to his friends. A moment later, Owen followed, powering down his pale green blade and motioning Bruck to follow.

Benjamin went first to the brown-haired soldier who had attacked him with a hug. Owen was surprised when his rather standoffish brother immediately embraced the slightly shorter man.

"Maxim, I'm sorry about that," Ben was saying as Owen and Bruck came to stand slightly behind him. "Owen didn't know who you were."

"Hey, it's okay! He got the drop on me is all," Maxim stated as he glared at the two Jedi with wide purple eyes. "Next time, though, I'll kick his ass,"

"They thought they were protecting Ben," a handsome blond with light blue eyes, said as he stepped forward. He held out his hand to Owen as he looked at both knights carefully. "I'm Rebierba."

Owen shook the young man's hand and was surprised at the strength of his Force aura, which the Jedi felt without even having to try. Rebierba's fist tightened for a moment as the young man's eyes briefly lost their focus. Owen had an impression of a light, tentative mental probe against his shields before the blond soldier released his hand and gave him a sweet smile.

Then he turned to Ben and the knight noted his brother actually fidgeted as the blond studied him. Finally, Rebierba turned his blue eyes back to the two knights.

"Why does Benjamin need two Jedi guardians?" he asked them.

"Rebierba-" Ben tried to interrupt but another voice rolled over his.

"Hn. Some guardians," another soldier pointed out bluntly, his cold blue eyes surveying the two knights and obviously finding them lacking. "Ben could have been killed if Maxim had been an assassin."

Benjamin gave his brother an apologetic look. "This is Erro," he said as he turned to the dark-haired young man who glanced at Owen from top to bottom but didn't offer to shake the knight's hand. "And really, there is nothing to worry about," Ben tried to say in a reassuring tone.

"Nothing to worry about? Benji, I could have killed you if I'd wanted to, ya know!" Maxim stated grandly as he tried and failed to look threatening.

"If you had been an assassin, you'd never have gotten close to Ben," Owen replied mildly. "We would have sensed your intent."

"So you say," the fourth in their group said, a dark-haired young man with the slanted features of an Orian aristocrat. "I doubt that your Jedi mysticism would have kept our friend in one piece had we been true assassins."

"This is Feilan," Ben noted as the Orian crossed his arms and studied Bruck and Owen carefully.

"Why is Benjamin's safety at risk?" Feilan asked in a tone that expected immediate response. Owen raised his brows and glanced at Ben, asking silently what he wanted to say.

"For the last time, this is nothing to worry over, Feilan," Benjamin said as he glanced around them. The population of the courtyard had tripled in the last few minutes and every person was staring at them. The teacher sighed as he glanced back at his friends, all watching him with varying degrees of curiosity.

"Why do I not believe you, Benjamin?" Feilan asked grimly.

"I have no idea, Fei," he replied with an innocent look as he tried to get everyone moving towards the front lots where the transports waited. Benjamin glanced back briefly to see the crowd in the courtyard had not drifted away as he'd hoped but rather seemed to be increasing. He sighed as he moved his shoulder pack to the opposite shoulder and tried to forget his audience. He glanced up at his friends with a genuine smile. "I'm glad you guys have come by, though. I've been trying to get in touch with you for the last few weeks."

"We were on assignment. You know what that is like." the fifth solder said quietly.

The teacher nodded with a slightly wistful smile that Owen marked in his memory. "Yeah, I remember," Ben said as he turned to Owen and Bruck. "This is Trisan. We went to primary school together before we joined the military."

The tall soldier merely nodded to the knights, his dark hair almost obscuring his vivid green eyes.

"How did you know where to find me?" Ben asked as he gave his friends a smile.

"The Rotarian told us your whereabouts," Erro stated.

Ben looked perplexed. "What's a Rotarian?"

The dark-haired soldier gave him a flat look. "The green Rotarian who answered the comm at your home. He told us where we could find you and when you would be finished here."

"Rotarian?" Bruck echoed. "You mean Yoda?"

Maxim nodded and flipped his braid over his shoulder, nearly catching Erro in the face. "Short little critter, wrinkled from top to bottom, talks backwards, needs a toupee?"

"A Rotarian?" Bruck still looked a bit stunned. "No one at the Temple has ever mentioned what species he is." The white-haired knight looked curiously at Erro. "Where exactly is his home planet?"

"Rotaria lies in the west center of the Gil'dagobahn quadrant," came the reply. "It is an exceedingly private society and not much is known of it."

"Ya didn't know that, huh? And you're both Jedi! Well, our Erro's just full of useless knowledge," Maxim declared as he slapped his friend on the back. Erro turned a glare on him that would have wilted flowers but had little effect on his cheerful fellow soldier.

"Why do you say green Rotarian?" Owen queried thoughtfully. "Aren't they all green?"

Erro glanced at the knight. "No, there are blue rotarians as well. Green is the rarer color."

Owen and Bruck exchanged glances, trying to imagine a blue Yoda. Despite their combined mental prowess, their imaginations failed them completely.

"Anyway, on to more important matters," Maxim said as he glared at the two Jedi. "Since we're back in town and we're all on leave for the next week or so, we thought we might spend the evening at Sath's catching up." The soldier gave Ben an innocent beaming smile. "What d'ya say, Benji?"

The teacher gave his friend a wary look. "Max, they told us not to come back after that last incident," he stated. Maxim waved off his objection.

"That was two years ago! I'm sure they've forgotten all about that. Besides, Rebierba is footing the bill, right?" He gave the young blond a wide-eyed look.

"And the damages as well?" Feilan asked flatly as he glared at Maxim. The young man just grinned.

"Come on, Benj, say you'll come! You can even bring the watchdogs!" Maxim gave the pair another look. "They can be the token eye candy!"

"They appreciate that, I'm sure," Benjamin laughed and then nodded. "I'd love to come. I need a night out." He gave his brother a curious look. Owen sighed inwardly but nodded.

"We just need to let Master Yoda know," he said.

"Great!" Maxim caroled before he stepped up to his friend. "That's great! I know we'll have a good time!" The man gave his friend a sly look. "There is one other thing though," he said as he threw a companionable arm around Benjamin's shoulders. "I saw your old man walking into the school. You're still sure you don't want me to 'accidentally' drop an infused ion grenade in the back seat of his skimmer?"

Owen gave the soldier a sharp glance, as Benjamin looked thoughtful. Then the teacher sighed. "No, I'm not sure, Max, but you'd better not anyway."

"Well how about a smoke stack?"

There was something in the tone of his friend's voice that made the writer look at him sharply. Max had an exceedingly innocent look on his face.

"Maxim, you didn't!"

From the other side of the school building, a loud boom echoed throughout the courtyards followed shortly by a dark purple plume of smoke rising in the afternoon breeze. This was followed shortly by a distant scream of pure rage.

Maxim looked blissful. "I believe that's our queue to leave," he said absently.

Benjamin stared at the smoke in horrified fascination before he turned back to his beaming friend. "You did," he said faintly. "You stacked my father's car."

Erro stalked up behind his companion and smacked Maxim hard on the back of the head. "Idiot!" he snapped. "I've told you those are not for personal use!"

"Hey! You remember that ich'ta's remark about my braid!" Max protested as Erro grabbed his upper arm in a fierce grip and pulled him towards their black transport.

"We'll meet you at Sath's," the dark haired soldier snapped as passed, dragging his still loudly protesting partner.

"Erro! Leggo! That hurts!"

"I always thought convertible skimmers were overrated anyway," Rebierba noted quietly to Trisan as the pair passed the still stunned trio and followed Erro.

"Skies only know what Zex will say about this one when Lars shows up demanding compensation and punishment for whomever left that stack," the tall solder replied before he glanced back at Benjamin. "See you at Sath's, Ben."

"Yeah sure, Trisan," Ben responded faintly.

"Zex doesn't like Lars anymore than Maxim does," Rebierba replied with a sweet smile. "Besides, anyone could have left it."

"A stack with purple smoke?" Feilan asked sharply as he followed his friends. "Maxim should think these things through and cover his tracks better before he pulls a stunt like this! Lars will know exactly who did it."

Owen and Bruck watched in stunned amazement until the five soldiers got in their transport to leave. Maxim jumped out one last time, waved and shouted, "One hour, Benji!" before he was jerked back into the skimmer and it moved off into traffic.

Then the two Jedi turned to Benjamin with wary glances. The young teacher was struggling between being appalled and trying very hard not to laugh.

"Gods, I just love them," he finally snickered.

"Ben, should we be concerned about Aren?" Owen asked cautiously but his brother shook his head.

"No, a stack doesn't do any physical damage. So to speak," the younger man replied with a wicked smirk as he moved towards his own transport. "It's more or less a smoke grenade."

"More or less?" Bruck asked hesitantly as he glanced at the clearing purple cloud. He could still hear someone screaming in rage on the other side of the school.

"More a smoke and dye job and less damage."

Owen had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Dye?"

"Yes," Ben replied smugly as he moved across the remaining space to his own sports skimmer. He opened the doors and settled into the driver's seat. "And if I know Maxim, that purple dye isn't coming out any time in the near future. Aren really should not have insulted Maxim's braid."

Bruck and Owen exchanged glances before they took a deep breath and got into the skimmer.

"Maybe this isn't such a good idea," Bruck noted for the record.

An hour or so later, Owen wondering if Bruck didn't have the right of it as he stood by a doorway, this time watching the entrance to the small, private room which Maxim had charmed out of Sath's manager.

"Sooooo, Benji," Maxim began as he sipped his ale and leered at Bruck who was holding a post beside the nearest window. "What's up with the Jedi? I can't believe the media follows them around like that. Why would they care what two knights are doing? Good thing the manager was so accommodating and gave us this private room."

Benjamin glanced almost guiltily at his brother standing near the other doorway. Owen briefly smirked at him before he smoothed his expression out again.

"Never mind the Jedi," Rebierba stated. "I want to know who gave you the Commitment ring!"

"What?" Maxim reached out and grabbed Ben's hand and jerked it over for a closer look. Then he leaned back and slapped his friend on the back. "You sly slytherine, you!" the soldier crowed. "Pure rythieum, too." He looked up at Ben and waggled his eyebrows. "He must liiiiike you."

Ben chuckled at his friend. "I think he does."

"So, what's his name?" Rebierba asked.

"And what does he do?" Trisan added quietly.

"And where can we find his records?" Erro demanded with a cold look on his face. Benjamin shot him a wary look before Maxim added, "More importantly, can he afford to keep us all entertained at the reception?"

Benjamin studied his friends' curious expressions. How could they not know whom he had been seeing? Every irritating media corespondent on the planet had been hounding him since the Chancellor had left.

"How deep under cover were you?" he finally asked.

"Very deep," Feilan said with a growl. "Now answer the questions."

"Well..." The teacher got a vague smile on his face that Owen recognized as his mentally grazing expression. "His name is Qui-Gon," he began and Maxim immediately interrupted.

"Man! Named after the Chancellor!" the soldier snorted. "Talk about filling some deep boots! That would suck!"

A muffled laugh came from the direction of the window but when the group at the table glanced towards Bruck, he gazed back with a blank expression.

"Ummm, yeah," Benjamin said slowly.

"So when did you meet him?" Rebierba asked with a glare at Maxim for interrupting.

"I met him about four weeks ago," Ben replied, toying with his wineglass. "He was touring my school."

"Four weeks?" the blond replied in surprise. "And you've already Committed to him?"

Benjamin looked a bit uncomfortable at the question as he twisted the band on his finger. "He gave me a ring. I haven't actually given him one yet."

All five of his companions stared at him in surprise.

"He has Committed himself to you but you have not given him a token in return?" Feilan asked quietly and Benjamin nodded.

"That is not like you, Ben," Trisan noted carefully.

The teacher grimaced. "He caught me by surprise. He had to leave the planet unexpectedly but he wanted me to know how he felt before he left." The words sounded defensive even to Benjamin.

There was silence for a moment before Rebierba ventured, "And how do you feel about him?"

Ben drummed his fingers on the table. "I didn't want him to leave," he stated.

"Didn't want him to leave?" Maxim reached out and grabbed the hand thrumming steadily on the table. "Know what I think, Ben?" he asked. The teacher gave him a wary look.

"What?"

"I think you are whipped and just don't wanna admit it."

"Maxim!" Ben jerked his hand away as Maxim chuckled wickedly.

"I can't wait to meet this guy and tell him all about you!" the solder teased with a wicked grin.

Benjamin blanched. "You are never ever meeting him," he stated.

"Awwww, come on, Benji! We could tell him about that time with the Kishan waitress...."

"So what does he do?" Rebierba interrupted before Max could get started.

Benjamin hesitated only briefly before he answered. "He's in politics."

"Suns, the poor guy!" Maxim exclaimed. "Not only named after the Chancellor, he's following in his footsteps. Talk about being overshadowed!" The long-haired soldier leaned forward confidentially. "You know the Big J was here about four weeks ago."

"Yes, I'd heard that," Ben answered, a smile flickering at his lips. He noticed Erro and Feilan glancing narrowly at the Jedi standing at the doorways.

"I was hoping we'd be assigned as protection because I know you always admired him and maybe I could get his autograph for you or something but no such luck cause Zex sent us for a tour of the Sith hells instead." Maxim rambled on, oblivious to his companions' dawning comprehension. "Did you get to see him at all while he was on-planet?"

"Yes," the teacher replied as he leaned back and played with the ring on his finger. He looked a bit vague for a moment before the smile on his lips turned into a smirk. "I saw quite a bit of Qui-Gon Jinn."

There was another long silence before Maxim's eyes widened slightly. He leaned over to stick his face right in front of Ben's.

"Benjamin?"

"Yes, Maxim?"

"Did Qui-Gon Jinn gave you that ring?"

"Yes, Maxim."

The soldier goggled at him. "Supreme Chancellor Qui-Gon Jinn?"

"Yes Max."

"The Big J himself?"

"Yes, Max," Benjamin replied as he glanced up at his friend with a wary expression.

Maxim closed his mouth and leaned back, the expression on his face warring between amazement and disbelief. Then he smiled brilliantly. "Hey, do you think he could get us tickets for the Y'sang Tournaments on CorusYOWTCH! Hey!"

The soldier turned to glare at the one responsible for yanking his hair and was surprised to find Feilan standing behind him clutching his braid and glaring.

"Idiot," the Orian snapped.

"What? You said you wanted to go!" Maxim asked innocently while he pulled his braid away from the dark-eyed soldier.

Ben watched the two and just laughed.

Much later in the evening, Owen followed the happily chatting group out of the restaurant, still amazed at the side of his brother that he'd seen in the company of his friends. Ben was open and chatty, happy to tell his companions about his relationship with Qui-Gon. Despite the fact that his brother was an intensely private person, the knight saw him whispering intently with Maxim and Rebierba. From the blush on Ben's face and the smirks on his friends' lips, Owen believed his brother was discussing some of the more intimate facets of the past weeks.

Benjamin had often sent him letters during the time he'd been with the Callis military and had told him about the friends he'd made during that period of his life. But this was the first time Owen had ever met them and the Jedi had to wonder why they, and no one else, brought out this side of his brother.

As the party left the restaurant, Owen groaned inwardly at the dozens of media hounds that immediately tried to get a comment from Ben. Bruck did his best to get Ben to his skimmer before too many questions were flung his way but the correspondents were obviously used to this tactic and mobbed the path to Ben's skimmer.

Owen was about to step forward to help his fellow knight when Ben's friends snapped into a formation around him, their furious expressions almost as intimidating as their military uniforms. With formidable scowls and a rather exceptional front, the soldiers pressed effortlessly through the media and gave Ben enough room to step into his skimmer.

"Don't look so shocked, Jedi boy," the long-haired soldier, Maxim, sniggered as he appeared beside the stunned knight to escort him to the skimmer as well. "We've done guard duty lots of times."

"Thank you." Owen glanced at the tall young man and nodded. "And I am sorry about earlier. I didn't know who you were."

The soldier waved off his thanks and his apology with a grin. "Don't worry about it. Erro does that all the time. Oh, and here," he continued as he pressed a small metallic box into Owen's hand. "Rebierba said you'd probably be needing this."

Owen looked down at the small object. "And what is this?"

"It's a tracker. Press the button on the side and it will send your location to us if you need help. It's specially formatted and programmed by Erro to be tracked even while being jammed."

The Jedi glanced down at the box again, a thoughtful look on his face before he offered it back to the soldier. "I don't think it would be wise to get you involved..." he began but Maxim cut him off.

"Take it," he demanded as he stepped back, holding his hands behind his back. "If Rebierba said you'd need it, you'll need it. He's got the Sight, ya know. I'm sure Benji told ya about him"

Before the knight could say anything further, Maxim was gone and Bruck called to him from the skimmer. Benjamin waved at his friends from the back seat as Owen settled into the pilot's seat and lifted the skimmer from the ground. As the teacher sat back, there was a wistful look on his face.

"Your friends are very...interesting, Benjamin," Owen ventured after a few minutes of silence. "I'm glad I got to finally meet them."

"I'm going to miss them," Ben replied quietly. "They are my best friends."

Owen looked back at his brother as he fingered the small device Maxim had pressed into his hand. "You seem very close to them," he noted thoughtfully. "I hadn't realized you'd maintained such close contact. I know it's been five years since you were in the military."

Ben glanced up at his brother, the wistful expression sliding into his eyes again. "I spent four years with them, Owen," he finally replied. "I went to school with Trisan. One doesn't share the experiences such as we had during that time and not develop a strong bond of trust and friendship." The writer sighed absently as he leaned back to study the landscape passing beneath them. "I almost didn't take the scholarship to Coruscant," he continued. "I almost stayed here and took a commission with them." He chuckled quietly in the darkness. "Wouldn't that have pissed off Aren?"

Owen snorted as he pocketed the small tracker and leaned back. "It certainly would have," he agreed. "But don't you think it would have been dangerous to have Maxim and Father in such proximity?"

Benjamin didn't reply but there was an evil sounding laugh from the back seat.

24968.05.26

Benjamin stalked through his house, looking for his brother. It didn't take him long to find the unsuspecting Jedi in front of the communicator, speaking with the spaceport supervisor about their upcoming departure tomorrow morning. The teacher waited politely until his brother finished the conversation and signed off. Then he walked up behind the knight and wrapped his hands around the Jedi's throat.

After a long moment, Owen asked in a curious tone. "Is there a problem, Ben?"

Benjamin bared his teeth and repressed the desire to squeeze. "You brought Yoda here. He's driving me up the wall. Do something about it!"

Owen turned as his brother's hands dropped away from his neck. He looked at Ben with an assessing gaze. "What is he doing?"

"He won't leave me alone!" Ben growled as he paced across the room and back. "He keeps telling me what he thinks should happen in my book! 'In the book, I should be! Tell Obi-Wan who to do, I should!'" The younger man made a deep noise of frustration as his brother breathed in deeply to avoid snickering. "And if it's not about the book, he follows me around, trying to get me to teach sex methodology to underage apprentices in the Temple!" Owen really tried to keep his expression neutral but somehow Ben knew he was laughing. "It's not funny!"

"He likes you, Ben," Owen said as he spread his hands helplessly. "Worse, he's fond of you. My Master would suggest evacuation to the closest black hole."

"But this is my house!" The writer gave his brother a helpless, angry look. "I've packed everything I'm taking with me and it's already been sent to the transport. I've graded all my student's papers and submitted their grades. All I have left to keep me occupied is the data chip which holds all my writing but I can't go near my computer for fear of a little green troll lurking under the desk!"

Owen could feel the bond-stress radiating off his brother as Benjamin continued to rant. The knight glanced away from Ben as Bruck wandered into the room and gave his fellow Jedi a questioning look. The senior knight shook his head ever so slightly as Ben caught Bruck's glance.

"What are you looking at?" he snapped at Knight Chun. Bruck kept his serene expression though he was surprised at Ben's verbal attack.

"I heard the ranting and followed, Syr Lars," he stated calmly. "Yoda is out in the garden for his afternoon meditation or I'm sure he'd be in here as well."

Ben gave the younger knight a glare.

"Benjamin was just expressing his dissatisfaction with Yoda's attendance on him," Owen stated before Ben could give Bruck the same tongue-lashing he'd been enduring.

"We all reach that state at one point or another," Bruck stated with a sigh. "You've held out remarkably well."

"Well I am sick of it now!" Ben said as he threw himself down on a couch. "And if that little troll comes near me one more time, I'm using him for punting practice."

"Benjamin," Owen said, a warning in his tone. Ben merely crossed his arms and glared.

Bruck looked back and forth between the two brothers and chuckled at their identical expressions of stubbornness. Then he found himself the recipient of their mutual glares and cleared his throat.

"How about an airbike ride?" he suggested quickly. "Your cousin left two bikes here. With yours, Ben, both Owen and I could go out with you."

Knight Lars started to shake his head. "I think that might be too risky at this point..."

"I think it's a great idea," Ben interrupted, ready to argue.

"With both of us on hand, he'd be well protected," Bruck added. "Between the two of us, we should be able to handle almost anything."

"Considering that I'm going regardless, that will work out admirably," Benjamin said as he stalked past, on his way to the airbikes. "I'll wait for you at the bikes for ten minutes. Then I'm gone."

Bruck stared after the young man's retreating form until he disappeared. The new knight turned to Owen, who was carefully massaging his temples. "Bond stress?"

Owen nodded.

"The Chancellor?"

"Yes."

"How long has it been developing?"

"Since they met four weeks ago."

"That is a four week old bond?" Bruck stared at him and Owen nodded. "And for two of those weeks, he's been separated from Jinn?" Owen nodded again as Bruck rubbed his tingling forehead, strengthening his shields against Ben's bond stress. "And he's just now showing signs?"

Owen snorted as he rubbed his forehead. "No, you've just been lucky."

"I see." Bruck looked thoughtful. "It's a strong bond. How did they...."

"I don't know, Bruck," the older knight sighed as he moved across the room. "The bond formed completely on its own. I suspect the Council knows more of this matter than they are telling."

"Big surprise."

Owen smiled briefly at his friend. "We'd better get ready to go or Ben will leave without us. Go tell Yoda what we're planning and I'll go get the bikes ready."

"I can go attend to the bikes," Bruck said quickly.

"It was your idea, Knight Chun," Owen pointed out. "You get to convince Yoda."

"Damn it."

An hour and one semi-argument with Yoda later, three airbikes raced above the faint path winding along the valley floor. The riders were obviously enjoying themselves in the waning afternoon light, completely unaware of the small holo probe following close behind them.

"Stupid, weak-minded Jedi. Chun was too easy to sway," a flat voice observed. "Are your people in place, Mojere?"

"They are," the man replied, his eyes flickering over the image on the comp pad he held in his hand. "Lioni signals that they are ready."

"They understand we want all three alive this time?"

Mojere looked up at his companion. "The senator mentioned nothing about the third Jedi."

Cold yellow eyes narrowed. "All three. Alive."

"That will change the plan."

"Mojere, have you any idea what kind of price a newly minted Jedi Knight can bring in the Outer Rim?"

The man looked thoughtful for a moment before he began tapping out instructions on the data pad before him. "The senator will not like it."

"You are incorrect, Mojere. As long as the Jedi suffer, my Master doesn't care what happens to them. Death is usually too easy."

A moment of silence as the pair watched the images on the comp pad. Then a red light flickered in a precise pattern. Mojere glanced up at his companion.

"They are ready."

"Send them in."

Benjamin was almost in heaven. Only Qui-Gon's presence would have made things perfect. As it was, airbiking down the valley of his home was steadily soothing his temper. He knew he had been on edge lately and happily blamed Qui-Gon's absence for his moods. He would have to apologize to his brother, though, for trying to strangle him.

As the trio zoomed briefly over the edge of a lake, he glanced back, seeing his two companions just behind him. He grinned behind his helmet.

"Having a hard time keeping up, Owen?" he taunted lightly through the comm.

He heard an answering snort as well as Bruck's amused chuckle.

"Just don't run into any trees," Owen replied.

"You know me better than that!"

"Yes, I do. That's why I warned you."

Benjamin laughed and veered back onto the path, his Jedi guardians close behind him. He felt the wind rushing past as he raced down the path he'd created himself when he first built his home in this valley. He was half-heatedly considering heading back, when his airbike suddenly jerked and the speed started increasing. In a moment, he pulled ahead of his two Jedi companions as he fought the sudden speed of the machine.

Owen cursed under his breath as he saw his brother pull away. He spoke sharply into the comm. "Ben, what are you doing? Stay with us!"

Ben's reply sent chills down his spine. It was full of static from what Owen immediately recognized as a jammer. "Owen...not doing..."

Owen glanced beside and just behind his bike. "Bruck, do you copy?"

The other Jedi glanced at him briefly and shook his head. Owen cursed as he leaned over his bike and poured on the speed. Benjamin was still pulling ahead of them and Owen reached out to tag his brother's presence in the Force. He might lose visual but he would know exactly where Ben was. He could feel Bruck doing the same.

The older knight tried to get a tighter focus on his brother when the world suddenly exploded in front of him. His bike veered sharply off the path and sheared into the trees. Owen had a split second to think before he was jumping from the airbike and trusting in the Force to land him somewhere that wouldn't incapacitate him. He hit the ground hard and rolled, slamming into the base of a tree as he heard the airbike's explosion just ahead of him.

Immediately, he pushed himself to his feet and palmed his lightsaber, his dark eyes darting around as he moved. A nudge from the Force caused him to jump aside just as a blaster bolt seared into the tree behind him. Another bolt followed quickly after the first, pinning the knight behind the tree.

Owen waited only a moment before he shot away from the trunk, straight into the forest, trusting the Force to keep him from slamming into a tree at his enhanced speed. He felt the heat of blaster fire following him before the thick vegetation swallowed him up. Behind him, he heard angry curses as he pushed himself farther away.

"Damn it, find him!" someone was screaming as he pushed himself faster.

Finally, he pressed against a large, weathered raloak two minutes' run into the forest and took in long, deep breaths as he extended his senses. He found more than a dozen sentients moving in his direction. Reaching farther, Owen cursed under his breath as he found Bruck's presence, sharply muted and unaware.

Knight Lars cursed again before he pulled out the device from his belt that Maxim had pressed on him just yesterday. After only a moment's consideration, he triggered it, hoping, as Maxim had assured him it would, that the jammer their attackers were using wouldn't keep the signal from finding Ben's friends.

Much farther down the trail, Benjamin dug his feet in and gripped the handles of the airbike tighter as he tried to control the machine through sheer force. He tried the braking thrusters but nothing would slow the speed of the bike as he approached a sharp curve in the line of the trees ahead. Instead, the speed increased and Ben could only hold on as the machine took the curve at top acceleration and then started to slow on its own.

On the path ahead of him, the writer made out several figures, all pointing weapons at him. His eyes, however, focused on the tall figure completely covered by a black cloak. Darkness was falling around him but the blackness of the night seemed to be coalescing into that tall, menacing form.

Ben stared at the figure for a few moments as his bike approached the group, slowing as several of the men stepped towards him. In that moment, he was overwhelmed by a single instinct to flee.

Instantly, he reversed strategy and started pushing up the speed on the bike. He leaned low over his bike and poured power into the thrusters. He briefly saw the figure in black stiffen then snap its hand forward as the bike picked up speed. The machine jerked beneath him as he fought for control but the writer grit his teeth and pushed forward, instinctively using more than just the airbike's thrust.

Suddenly, the bike shot through the group like a bolt of lightening and the men scattered as he roared past. He had a moment for a single glance behind him and shivered as he saw a red blade appear just before he pressed further down the path.

He zipped through the trees, trying to get a message through the static on his comm. Worry for his brother increased every moment that he got no answer and though he tried to keep his mind on the trail ahead of him, he kept losing his focus and veering across the path. Through the increasing fog in his mind, Ben didn't notice the black speeder bike fast approaching behind him until it shot slightly ahead of him. Then a red blade of light sliced down on the front of the airbike, sending it careening off the path and into the trees.

Benjamin had only a second to tense before his body flew from the seat of his bike and sailed towards the broad trunk of a raloak tree. It took him a few seconds to realize his nose was inches from a full impact with the trunk but moving no closer before his body was slammed violently down to the ground beside the tree.

He had just enough time to force his body to breathe when long, harsh fingers gripped the back of his neck and yanked him backwards. A voice seethed in his ear, "Trouble me like this again and I'll make sure you arrive at your destination one piece at a time."

Then there was only darkness.