Prequel to Lions, Tigers, and Padawans, Oh My!. A fundraising bar crawl? Only Jemmiah could arrange something like that.

Note: This is a group fic written mostly by Jemmiah, with a little help from (in order of posting): Sybelle, Jedi Kylenn, HealerLeona, Wampasmak, Lilith Demodae, LadyJedith, Krelo Rei'ch, Jedi_Daphne, and mouse2. The original thread can be found at theforce.net.

Disclaimer: Qui-gon Jinn, Obi-wan Kenobi, Mace Windu, Yoda, Depa Bilaba and the universe they live in belong to George Lucas. They are respectfully borrowed with no intent to profit thereby.


~~~~~~~


�I can�t do this.� Obi-Wan swallowed. �It�s all very well for the likes of Kylenn. She�s a girl.� His rich voice trembled just a touch in trepidation. �I�d sooner eat one of Master Yoda�s stews.�

�What�s the problem?� Menali Jay Abran rested his lean face in the palm of his hand. �How difficult can it be? You just have to walk up to an assistant and say you want to get some frillies for your girlfriend��

Obi-Wan slumped over in embarrassment and hit his head off the table.

�If this is what he�s like selecting the damned things, what state�s he going to be in when he gets to see her in them?� Simeon Cates smiled wolfishly.

Kenobi raised his head just a touch, just in time to see Abran and Cates staring off into space, clearly trying to picture it�

�Cut that out NOW.� warned Obi-Wan.

�You�ll die of heart failure.� Abran shook his head. �She�s too much for you to handle, friend.�

�Hmm.� Agreed Simeon, chewing his lip. �Remember her sixteenth birthday party? I nearly died when she appeared in that dancing girl outfit. Especially when she made her entrance in that rolled up carpet!�

�I think SHE nearly died when she saw you two with those feather boas.� Abran taunted. �And as for Master Windu��

�My master NEVER gets to hear about that, understood?� Obi-Wan cringed at the memory.

�What, you think we�re suicidal?� Simeon asked balefully.

There was an uncomfortable silence as Obi-Wan returned his thoughts to the task in hand.

�It�s no good.� He said eventually. �If I back out now then I�m a poor excuse for a padawan. I have to try.�

�Do, or do not. There is no�� Simeon began.

�Will you stop quoting Master Yoda at me? Somehow when he dished out that particular piece of advice, I don�t think he had in mind a trip to the ladies underwear section in a department store!�

He began to get nervous. �Oh, come on then,� He muttered, �If I don�t do it now my nerve will go completely. And I want to have it over and done with before my master gets back from his meeting with Master Windu and Master Berlingside.�

They walked companionably through the gardens. All around them was an aura of complete calm and relaxation. Amidst the peace, the tornado that was Obi-Wan Kenobi lengthened his stride, walking briskly and purposefully, an epicenter of turbulent emotions hurtling onwards.

�Say something helpful.� Simeon frowned. �He�s about to burst into tears, by the look of him.�

Abran paused, then cleared his throat.

�All this fuss over a few strands of silk.�

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and if anything stepped up his pace.

�You could always buy her some edible ones.� Jay Abran added helpfully.

Kenobi pulled his hood over his face and stalked away, with the others a few paces further back. How was he going to manage this?�

*******

Sybelle and Letina Sorrell were lounging around in the latter�s apartment, looking thoroughly bored. This in itself was nothing new for Sybelle. If she wasn�t with her boyfriend then she was usually bored. Jemmiah had seen him on a few occasions, and had to admit that he was handsome enough, in a roguish sort of way.

�Don�t you two have any classes to go to?� She grinned.

�It�s OK for you, with your private tutor.� Pouted Letina, tucking a strand of light brown hair behind her ear.

�I didn�t always have a private tutor.� Jemmiah countered. �I had to have regular lessons, like all the other Nerfs. And wear a uniform. Sith, I hated that! I had to take it up in length, it was so dashed ugly!�

�Yeah, I think most people round here remember that.� Sybelle said coolly. �It must be great to wear what you want, although how Evla lets you get away with some of the stuff you put on, I really don�t know.�

�That�s because I don�t leave our apartment wearing this kind of thing.� She indicated her short-ish dress and black boots. �I carry it in a bag, and then change. I also make sure that I keep away from the cr�che area when I�m here.�

�You�ll get caught out one of these days.� Letina warned. �I�m surprised nobody�s mentioned it to your guardian. Qui-Gon, for example.�

Jemmiah looked down at her dress. �It�s not that short. Is it?� She added, as she caught the other two exchanging glances.

�Well�� Sybelle blinked. �The neck line is a bit, how shall we say, daring.�

�So, you think it�s too much?� She suddenly felt insecure.

�It�s a real spanker, Jemmy. But it does make a statement.�

�What statement?� she asked.

�Docking bay for hire: please park your ships here.� Sybelle replied truthfully.

�Sheeeeshh!� Jemmiah sat down beside them. �I didn�t think it was THAT bad.�

�Makeup�s Ok, though.� Letina added.

�Great,� Jemmiah grumbled, �I got something right then.�

�You know, you could look quite classy if you wanted.� Sybelle remarked, unaware of the hurt she was causing, �you just have to adopt less of the Corellian �doxy� look.�

�Cheers, guys.� Jemmiah glared. �I know who to go to if I ever want to have my confidence bolstered.�

Sybelle shrugged. �You asked.�

Jemmiah looked away. This would require some careful consideration.

�I saw Healer Leona today.� She said eventually. Her grin widened at the thought. �She�s got the hots for Master Jinn!�

�You are KIDDING me!� Sybelle laughed. �Please tell me you are having me on!�

�No, I jest not.� Jemmiah�s accent became acutely more Corellian. �She�s gonna join our little Cantina-crawl, just so she can be with him. Ain�t that sweet?� She drawled.

�Oh, force save us!� The Alderaani Letina replied in a clipped tone. �What a combination!�

�No, no!� Sybelle held up her hands, her mind racing with the possibilities. �I think this could be an excellent chance to have a real laugh!�

�How?� Letina asked. �What have you got planned?�

Jemmiah smiled. She could read Sybelle like a book.

�We have to make sure they�re given every opportunity to spend as much time with each other as possible when they�re on the Cantina-crawl. Whilst she�s keeping an eye on him, he can�t keep an effective eye on us.� Jemmy raised her head proudly. �And I have a real good back up plan, just to make sure.�

�That�s what I like to hear.� Smiled Sybelle, clapping her on the back. �Corellian ingenuity.� She narrowed her eyes like a predator stalking her prey. �So. How�s it going between you and Kenobi? I�ll bet he approves of your dress sense.�

Jemmiah blushed.

�Leave the kid alone.� Letina scolded playfully. �Don�t tell her anything you don�t want to, Jemmy.�

She leaned across her friend. �Tell ME instead!�

�Nevermind me,� Jemmiah tried to change the subject. �How about you? How�s smuggler boy?�

Sybelle grinned. �That�s classified information, and not for impressionable young ears.� She looked at Jemmiah. �It�s funny that you�re going out with a Jedi Padawan and I�m seeing the scoundrel. I would have thought it would have been the other way around.�

�I�ll have to ask Master Yoda to predict my future, then.� Jemmiah rolled her eyes. �It�s so annoying! He knows something about me�he�s seen it, but he won�t say what it is! It�s driving me mad?�

�Must be important.� Letina shrugged. �You�re his fave person. Same with Master Windu. Wonder what it is?�

�Must be spooky, knowing that they�ve seen something important in your role for the big, cosmic plan,� Sybelle expanded her arms wide apart, �and not be told what it is.�

�Tell me about it.� Jemmiah groused. �Knowing my luck, I�LL end up with a smuggler, or mercenary with a starship for hire or something. Have ten kids or so, who�ll grow up to save the galaxy or somethin�.�

�You don�t half have an active imagination, Jemmy.� Laughed Letina. �Save the galaxy? Right.�

The door chime sounded, and Letina opened it. Facing her was a crumpled, but fully dressed Kylenn.

�Shouldn�t you be back in your crypt?� Letina frowned.

�Tee-Hee.� Kylenn shouldered her way in. She took in the three co-conspirators.

�Have I got news for you!�

*******

Qui-Gon Jinn peeked into the cafeteria. The room was almost empty. Most of the initiates and padawans had already taken mid-meal and would now be attending their afternoon classes. Deciding he was indeed hungry, the large master entered. Making his way down the counter he placed a variety of healthy edibles on his tray.

Picking a table furthest away from the other diners he settled into a chair enjoying a peaceful meal as he studied a report on the latest environmental issues on Coruscant.

"Qui-Gon!" a familiar voice called from across the room.

Looking up he saw Mace Windu and Master Berlingside heading his way.

"Mind if we join you?" Mace asked, already taking a seat across from his friend.

"Would it stop you if I said no?" Qui-Gon asked with a stoic face.

"Nope." the tall brown-skinned master replied glibly.

"Master Berlingside." Qui-Gon acknowledged with a nod.

"Master Jinn" he replied formally as he sat next to Mace who was already shoveling mounds of some indistinguishable food into his mouth.

Watching Mace for a moment Qui-Gon shook his head in amusement.

"Whaa..?" Mace asked through a mouthful of food.

"The only other person I've seen eat like that is my padawan." he stated.

"It's not my fault Council duties have stimulated my appetite."

"Nor is it your fault when your robes don't fit the same." Qui-Gon teased.

"I told you they shrunk in the wash." Mace replied a little too emphatically, causing his friends to snicker.

"Did you know the temple is all abuzz over the cantina-crawl?" Mace decided a change of subjects was in order. "Word's spread like the Corellian death flu."

"Has Master Yoda found out about it?" Qui-Gon's face paled at the thought.

Mace only looked at him incredulously.

"He knows." Qui-Gon lamented. "The little troll's just waiting for the right time to question me, then whap with his stick." Qui-Gon shuddered.

Now it was Mace' turn to delight at his friend's discomfort.

"Jemmiah's assembling quite a crowd for the event. I heard Pipsqueak is even planning to attend.�

"Pipsqueak?" Qui-Gon asked.

You know, the little assistant healer of An-Paj. What's her name...Leona I think." Mace answered.

"I don't think I know her." Master Berlingside said.

"That's because you don't have the galaxy's most accident-prone padawan like Qui-Gon here." Mace chided.

"Well," Berlingside asked with interest, "What's she look like?"

"Oh, she's attractive enough...but..." Mace began.

"Well, what is it, three arms? Two heads? Horns?" Master Berlingside chuckled.

"No, it's just she's as timid as a mouse. Hence the name Pipsqueak. You know, small and mouse-like." Mace laughed heartily.

"That's not very nice." Qui-Gon admonished.

"Hey, I didn't give her that name. That honor goes to An-Paj."

"So, she's shy, huh?" Berlingside said thoughtfully. "You know what they say about the quiet ones."

*******

Jemmiah, Sybelle, Letina and Kylenn walked quickly toward the department store. They could not afford to stop if they were going to beat Obi-wan there. And yet, Jemmiah did.

"What's wrong?" asked Kylenn.

"Nothing, there's just someone I need to invite to the Cantina-crawl." She replied, a slow smile spreading across her face.

Sybelle was the first to notice who she was talking about. A young blond haired man walked slowly in front of them, staring up at the sky. "Oh, Jemmiah, not him!

"Not Padawan Dull!" begged Letina. "Face it, Jemmy, he just doesn�t know how to have fun."

But they all knew it was too late. Jemmiah and/or Master Windu were always involved in one scheme or another to make Padawan Hmiol crack a smile. She walked toward him as her companions hung back.

"Hey!"

"Huh?" he looked down to see who had spoken. Oh, hi Jemmiah."

"Have you heard about the cantina-crawl?"

"Yeah."

"Typical." Whispered Sybelle. "I've never heard him say more than five words in a row."

"You ought to come." Jemmiah continued.

"Sure, whatever." He gave her kind of a blank look, like he really didn't care one way or another, then continued walking.

Alright, let's go." said Jemmiah as she rejoined them. "One of these days me and Windy'll wear him down." Then they took off again.

*******

�Force save us!� Simeon whistled quietly as the three padawans reluctantly edged their way through the �Best Buy� department store, in what was one of the classier establishments in the neighborhood. �I don�t believe that women actually wear this kind of thing.� He grabbed a turquoise chemise spun from Corelli-silk and rubbed it appreciatively between thumb and finger.

�Simeon!� Hissed Obi-Wan.

�What?�

�Will you stop pawing everything you see?�

�I thought Jemmiah was s�posed to say that to you?� He replied with a cheeky grin.

The look that Obi-Wan gave him could have fried a Wampa.

�There�s so much.� Abran frowned. �Where on Coruscant do we start? Everywhere you turn, it�s wall to wall skimpies!�

Kenobi wished the ground would open up and swallow him. The present was a bad idea. Bringing Simeon and Jay was immeasurably insane. He�d never felt so utterly noticeable: three Jedi wandering about the ladies underwear section in a store. He felt as if everyone in the vicinity were staring at him. He looked up from the ground.

Everyone WAS staring at him.

And besides, Jay was correct. Where did you start? He turned to his friend.

�Help!� He swallowed.

�Calm down, Obi. You�re hyperventilating.� Abran frowned. �It�s easy. All you have to do is glance at some of the stuff and then try and think what she�d look good in.�

Obi-Wan felt himself shake slightly. If the Council had made this one of the trials for padawans to take before achieving knighthood, Kenobi felt he would probably fail.

�This black stuff�s nice.� Called Simeon, holding up a lace bra.

�I think I�ll go off and die somewhere.� Obi-Wan closed his eyes.

*******

�There they are!� Sybelle grinned hugely. �Have you any idea how terrible this looks! No wonder people are staring at them!�

�Where?� Jemmiah craned her head round a stack of synthi-silk under-slips. Her mouth dropped open. �What the SITH is Simeon doing with that bra!�

�I�m so glad we brought the mini-holocam!� Letina gloated. �This is just TOO funny. Kenobi looks like he�s given up the will to live!�

�Hey!� Jemmy frowned. �He�s trying his best�no! Don�t you dare get me those�those�things! You could go sailing with them!� She sighed with relief as she saw Jay Abran replace them on the shelving.

�How come men don�t know anything?�

�It�s biologically programmed into them?� Kylenn hazarded a guess.

*******

�Sith!� Simeon�s eyes widened. �These are practically invisible!�

�Put them back.� Kenobi said levelly. �You�re making an exhibition of yourself.�

�What color are you going to go for?� Abran asked.

�Red.� Simeon muttered. �Definitely red. It�ll match the color of his face.� The two padawans laughed as Kenobi�s discomfort became more pronounced.

�You are supposed to be helping me.� Obi-Wan snapped. �You�re as much use as a round dice!�

�Dice!� Abran yelled happily, as passers by stopped to look at the Jedi. �That�s it! Get her something with spots on!�

*******

�NO.� Jemmiah growled to herself. �Don�t you DARE get me anything with spots!�

�Shh!� Hushed Sybelle. �Pipe down, will you? I�m trying to shield us.�

�But it�s got more underwiring than a hot-rodder!� Jemmy�s eyebrows pleaded.

�Yeah.� Letina muttered, glancing at her companion. �Let�s face it, underwiring is not something you particularly need.�

�A stiff drink is what I�ll need, especially if I have to wear �em.� Jemmiah cursed.

�Keep filming!� Kylenn giggled.

*******

�How about that?� Kenobi wondered, nodding over to a display with a mannequin dressed in what could only be described as, loosely speaking, a few scraps of cloth.

�Yeah, if you want her to look like a Hutt�s plaything, go right ahead.� Abran said cheerfully. �It�s an image I could quite easily live with.�

�Me too.� Simeon nodded, holding up a V-shaped basque against his body.

�I�m going to be sick.� Jemmiah said.

�Not exactly Simeon�s style, is it?� Kylenn wondered out loud. �What DOES he look like?�

Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes and tried to reach out with the force for some inspiration.

�Go on, Ben. Go for the black see-through ones at the far end.� Jemmiah whispered.

�The ones with the ties?� Letina laughed. �Oooh, you animal! The shock�ll kill him!�

�Yeah.� Grinned Sybelle. �Perfect.�

Jemmiah shook her head. �I feel like a Nerf that�s being prepared for the dinner table.�

�Couldn�t you just picture Master Jinn�s face if he could see his perfect little padawan now, eh?� Letina smirked.

�It�s not something I want to dwell on.� Jemmiah stared as she saw Obi-Wan head towards the opposite end of the display. �He still thinks I�m ten years old.�

They watched as a rather suspicious looking assistant appeared beside Kenobi�s shoulder.

�Excuse me, sir. Can I be of any help?� The young man, somewhat obsequious in manner, oozed what he apparently thought was a customer friendly manner.

�Er..no!� Squeaked Simeon, throwing down the pair of velveteen knickers he�d been holding. �They�re not for me, honest!�

Two rows away, the shelves began to quake with unvoiced laughter.

�Uh, yes sir. Of course.� The oily assistant looked Simeon up and down.

�We�re looking for a present. For a friend of ours.� Clarified Jay Abran.

�And what did sir have in mind?�

�We hadn�t got that far.� Abran found himself sweating slightly, absently pocketing a pair of stockings amidst the distraction.

The man glanced at Obi-Wan. �And your friend. What size would he be?�

�It�s NOT a he!� Kenobi replied indignantly. �It�s a she!�

�Sorry, I�m sure.� The man sniffed, looking anything but.

�I�m trying,� Obi-Wan said through gritted teeth, �to find something fun for my girlfriend.�

�Oh, I see sir.� The man replied, laying a hand on Kenobi�s arm and leading him away from the other two. �Well, I�m sure we can come up with something��

�Why is it that everyone in the galaxy think that the Jedi are celibate?� Abran complained. �You say the word girlfriend, and their jaw simply falls to the ground with a thud.�

�Well,� Cates shrugged, trying a corset against him for size, �there are a lot of strange people out there, I suppose.� He paused, wiping the perspiration off his face with a pair of frilly knickers. �What do you think of these?� *******

�Cantina crawl night�s sure as heck going to be interesting.� Sybelle smirked.

�It would have been more interesting if you hadn�t invited that �thing�. What possessed you?� Letina frowned at Jemmy.

�Never mind that. What did he get?� Hissed Jemmiah, watching as a rather smug Kenobi made his way back to his friends some five or six minutes later. �Please, please, please do not be that stripy two-piece we saw earlier.�

�Too late now, sweetheart.� Letina breathed, �He looks kinda pleased with himself, though.�

�I�ll say he does.� Kylenn laughed quietly, patting the holo-cam.

�But we�ve got the last laugh!�

*******

"That is the funniest thing I have ever seen!" Letina laughed hysterically, almost falling off her chair with compulsive laughter as she tried to turn off the holovid. Sybelle's boyfriend Griff Rendar smirked at Jemmiah.

"Imagine how much I could make if I copied that tape and sold it." he commented.

"Don't you dare!" Jemmiah retorted loudly, leaning over and attempting to strangle him. Obi Wan walked into the lounge.

"Jemmy!" he exclaimed in a mock-astonished voice. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, nothing" Jemmiah said, sitting up hastily. Letina and Kylenn tried their best to conceal the holocam and the holovid remote under their seats. "What have you been up to?"

"Oh, you know, not much. Just...um.." Obi Wan muttered turning a brilliant crimson. "See you later" he said as he hurriedly left the room. Sybelle and Griff collapsed into hysterical fits of laughter.

*******

"See you later babe" Griff kissed Sybelle on the lips as he stood up to go.

"I'll be waiting" Sybelle replied, grinning wickedly.

"Oh gross." Letina whispered, making gagging noises. Jemmiah and Kylenn giggled.

"Fine." Sybelle said, folding her arms and pouting. "At least my boyfriend is able to buy me underwear without making a complete exhibition of himself!"

*******

�Is he back yet?� Simeon asked cautiously as Kenobi poked his head round the entrance of his apartment.

Obi-Wan glanced round. He hadn�t sensed his master, but it wouldn�t hurt to be careful. He�d been caught out before, like the memorable time he�d come back from a day out with his friends just a tad later than Qui-Gon had stipulated. OK, three hours later than Qui-Gon had stipulated. His master had waited up in the dark, shielding his presence; so that when Obi-Wan had turned the lights on he�d got the shock of his life�

�It looks fine.� Kenobi checked the room a final time.

Yes, of course. He�s hiding under the table, Obi-Wan thought. He really WAS getting paranoid. Not that he felt that it wasn�t justified: ever since he�d mentioned to Qui-Gon that he was seeing Jemmiah on somewhat more than friendly terms, Qui-Gon had become really strange. He�d get extra lessons, to help drum the importance of his training into his mind. He felt he was always under constant surveillance. And if he came back tired or dull in spirits after a night out on the town, his master would look at him as if he�d just announced he was giving his allegiance to the Sith!

Then there was the little matter of his choice in girlfriend. If Qui-Gon hadn�t actually come out and said that he didn�t approve, he�d made little secret of it. He�d been out with other padawans before, but never anyone who wasn�t force sensitive like himself. In a way, that was part of the attraction. It was refreshing to get another perspective on life, someone whose existence didn�t revolve around the force every waking moment. Or as Jemmy had put it, someone who couldn�t make rocks fly through the air every time they sneezed. He loved her irreverence, and always had.

Qui-Gon didn�t

. This apart, Jemmiah had always got on very well with Qui-Gon, in fact Obi-Wan had been slightly jealous of the way they�d hit it off so quickly, bearing in mind that it had been a good long time before Qui-Gon had accepted his own presence so willingly. They would tease each other unmercifully, which was not normally Qui-Gon�s style at all, and despite her jokes she remained covertly fond of the tall Jedi.

Things had altered dramatically between the two over the last four weeks, and Obi-Wan knew that Jemmiah had been very hurt by Qui-Gon�s coolness to her. And here he was, stuck in the middle.

His master�s words came back to him. Too young and too flighty.

He gestured to the others. �Come on in.�

Simeon barged his way past Obi-Wan and Jay Abran. Simeon was two years younger than Obi-Wan, and sometimes his immaturity showed; yet Kenobi couldn�t help but like him. He could be annoying, yes, but he was basically a considerate person. He�d made a natural addition to the ranks of the healers.

Hapless. That was the word Obi-Wan thought of in regards to Simeon. He�d seen him eyeing a few of the female padawans, like Ambianca, Letina, Dimallie and Meri but nothing had ever come of it. His overly long padawan haircut always seemed to be unruly and a law unto itself just like its owner. Black, hooded eyes and furrowed brows tended to give the impression that there was more going on his head than there was ever likely to be.

Menali Jay Abran was a year older than Obi-Wan. Big mouthed, a show-off and full of self-importance, always quick to lead when others didn�t even want to follow. Tanned skin and bronze colored hair gave him the appearance of some sort of golden statuette of an ancient Corellian God, and at first Obi-Wan had felt rather inferior in his presence. However, his confidence and sense of humor made him likeable, in his own way.

Kylenn certainly seemed to think so, although she would never admit it.

******* �I need to eat something.� Obi-Wan said, making his way to the kitchen area.

�You ALWAYS need to eat something.� Abran frowned. �I�ve never seen anyone eat as much and still have room for more.� He paused. �Except for Reeft.�

�And Ocen-Bai Talz.�

�And Jodi Mullicar.�

�And Tanni Walesa.�

�And Junine.�

�And Bant!�

�Let�s face it,� Abran said after some consideration, �We are a temple full of Gamorreans.�

�You can say that again, TRIFLE BOY!� Kenobi grinned. �Want to explain what you did at Jemmiahs' party?�

Abran blushed.

�So, what DID you pick for Jemmiah?� Simeon smirked, rubbing his hands. �C�mon. We�re dying from anticipation!�

�Why don�t you take a cold shower?� Kenobis� brow creased.

�Sorry, Obi. He�s right. You can�t drag us all the way round the ladies underwear section without actually showing us what you got for your lady love.� He made a lunge for the package that Obi-Wan had left on the side table. Cates got there first.

�Don�t you�� Obi-Wan began, to no avail.

�Pheeeeeeew!� Simeon widened his eyes as he held up the items. �I have a request to make.�

�What?� Obi-Wan grabbed Jemmy�s� present back from Cates grubby little hands.

�Take some holos?� He pleaded.

Kenobi thumped him on the arm.

�Idiot.� He muttered.

�Motion seconded.� Abran raised his hand. �What did she say?�

�When?�

�You went to ask her for a list of people coming on this outing.�

�I forgot.� Obi-Wan looked abashed.

Abran sighed. �You see? You can�t keep your mind off your underwear for more than two minutes!� He reached into his pocket. �Sith!� He called out in surprise.

�What is it?� Cates leaned over to get a better look as Abran pulled out what appeared to be a long, shimmery pair of ladies stockings.

�Where did you get them?� Obi-Wan cried in disbelief.

�I found them in Master Yoda�s bedroom. Where do you think I got them?� Abran said sarcastically.

�You were lucky not to get arrested for shop lifting!� Obi-Wan looked outraged. �Can you imagine the scandal? Having to go back home and tell our masters that we�d been charged with pilfering ladies undergarments. As if the temple doesn�t have a bad reputation as it is!�

�You can talk.� Abran rounded on him. �We�re not the ones who got done for taking illegal drugs at the temple sports day!�

�That was NOT my fault!� Obi-Wan replied, flustered.

�What, Qui-Gon put all those pills in your mouth?� Abran challenged.

�No.� Kenobi looked uncomfortable and decided to change the subject. �What are you going to do with those?� He said, pointing at the stockings.

Abran�s' grin spread. �I�ve got an idea.�

And Master Jinn is not going to like it, he thought!

�Simeon.� Obi-Wan almost wheedled. �I need a bit of a favor.�

�What?� Cates eyed him with distrust. �I don�t like it when you use that honeyed tone of yours, Obi.�

�Hide these for me, will you?� Kenobi gulped, passing him his purchase carefully.

�Pardon!�

�Well, now you�ve seen them, I don�t s�pose it matters� and if my master were to come in and find them he�d become a pyroclastic flow of enraged Jedi. Please!�

�I don�t want them!� Simeon looked as if his fingers might burn and tossed the parcel back.

�Oh, go on Simeon. Qui-Gon would mince me!�

�What if An-Paj were to see me with these? I have to go to the medical suite straight from here! I don�t have time to stash them back in my apartment!�

�I�m sure An-Paj has seen stranger things than that come through the hospital doors in his time.� Kenobi reassured him.

�Mostly you, missing a limb or something.� Abran smirked.

�PLEASE Simeon. You�re my only hope! Until tonight, when I can hand it over to her...�

Simeon let out a deep breath. �I really must be as stupid as people say I am.� He ground his teeth. �Give it here.�

An-Paj is going to have a field day if he sees this, he thought miserably�

*******

"Ow, that hurts!" the small boy cried out in pain as Healer Leona dabbed the angry looking scrap with disinfectant. The initiate's knees were raw and bloodied, the result of the skin having been worn away by pressured motion.

"I'm sure it does. Maybe this will make you think twice about sliding down the banister again." she replied containing her amusement.

The spiral staircase in the center of the Jedi Temple had always proven too great a temptation for the countless children that inhabited its confines.

It rose twenty stories high, looping down in a wide continuous coil and was the proving ground of endless dares and the cause of numerous visits to the infirmary.

"But the padawans do it all the time!" the boy vehemently justified.

Now when was the last time I had heard that excuse, she thought with mild irritation?

"And if a padawan jumped off the top of the Jedi Temple would that be cause for you to follow?" she asked in a demanding tone.

The boy's eyes violet narrowed in disbelieving shock, "No! Of course not." he stated.

"Then let this be a lesson to you. You should learn to think for yourself and not simply follow the actions of others. A Jedi's actions should reflect the ability to know the difference between what is right from what we want." she lectured sternly.

"Yes, ma'am." he lowered his head submissively.

The door opened and Simeon Cates walked through, carrying a small package. He paused scanning the room quickly before entering.

Seeing only Healer Leona attending to a small boy at the far end of the room a look of relief crossed his face.

"Master An-Paj has not arrived?" he inquired with a hopeful grin.

"No, the Force is with you today, Simeon. He was summoned to appear before the Council before reporting here. " The female healer answered eyeing the furtive manner of the padawan. "What have you gotten into this time?" she asked suspiciously.

"Oh, nothing really." he said glancing around the room again. "I just didn't want to be late again, you know how often I get in trouble for tardiness."

"Yes, for that and many other reasons." she admonished good-naturedly.

Crossing to the supply cart, Simeon lifted a stack of wrapped medical instruments and placed the secretive package beneath them.

Satisfied with their not being noticed he crossed to the assistant healer. "What've we got here?" he asked motioning to the little boy sitting with his head bowed dejectedly.

"Spiral staircase." was all she said and Simeon nodded with understanding.

"Looks like you've already given him the standard lecture on jumping off the Temple roof." he said with an air of impudence.

"Why don't you get a couple of small Bacta packs." she suggested, "I've already cleaned the wounds."

Leaving the boy in the padawan�s capable hands she returned to her desk to enter the treatment into her datapad.

"Yes, ma�am?' he replied dutifully.

Smiling down at the boy, Simeon opened two sterile packs and placed them on the offending wounds gently taping them in place.

"Did you forget to use the Force to slow your descent?" he asked quietly of his patient. The boy slowly looked up at him, his eyes huge saucers, brimming with tears. He nodded wordlessly.

"How high did you start?" Simeon inquired earnestly.

The boy hesitated to answer, not wanting to get into more trouble then he was already in. "Tenth floor." he murmured, his voice trembling.

"Tenth floor?" Simeon repeated. "That's impressive. I wasn't brave enough to try the tenth floor until I was years older than you." he confessed.

Instantly the young boy's face brightened at the surprising revelation and compliment.

Leaning in closer to the boy's head Simeon whispered, "You've got to focus on the Force by the time you hit the second floor or there's no way to slow down in time without injury."

The boy glanced immediately in the assistant healer's direction. Seeing her back to him the boy smiled widely, wordlessly mouthing an appreciative 'ok' at the valuable advice.

Raising his voice to normal speaking levels Simeon told the boy he would have to notify his caretaker he could resume activities without restrictions. "They may be a little sore, but you knees will be healed by suppertime." Simeon. "Now we don't expect you to repeat this mistake." the padawan adopted a rigid tone, then winked mischievously.

The boy clamped his hands to his mouth to hide the giggles about to erupt.

"You can return to class." Simeon directed.

"Thank you, Healer Leona," he called out as he headed for the door with Simeon at his side.

"Thank you, Padawan Cates." the boy added sincerely, clearly awed with the older boy.

"Just remember what I told you." Simeon said adding another wink.

Healer Leona had heard the entire exchange between the boys and smiled to herself. There were many instances where Simeon Cates showed little more discipline than the young initiate he had just discharged, but she was fond of the padawan. He showed great healing skills and a rare sympathetic bedside manner. He was just filled with the impetuousness of youth, something she actually envied in him and the other padawans he associated with.

The door open again and Master An-Paj walked in with a frown.

"There's been a request to the Republic Senate from the Venterrian system for assistance with a deadly bacterial outbreak on the planet of Ventrue." the Master Healer stated, "we've been asked to send whatever medical supplies we can spare. The Council has a shuttle in docking bay eleven standing by."

"Leona, we'll need cold storage containers for the immunizations."

She was already on her feet, fleeing to the refrigeration units.

"Simeon I'd like you to handle the transfer of supplies to the shuttle personally." he handed a datapad with the list of necessary supplies to the youth.

"Yes, Master." Simeon responded, pulling a storage bin from the closet and wheeling it to the supply cart.

"Make sure you record everything we send. The Republic will reimburse us the cost of all items sent." An-Paj stated as he began to pull items off the supply cart and place them into the storage bin.

"At least we won't have to solely rely on the annual charity event to replenish our stock." An-Paj chuckled.

Haphazardly grabbing a stack from the shelf, An-Paj was about to add them to the bin when he lost grip on the bottom package and several small, sheer pieces of fabric fluttered to the floor. Simeon stared in horror as his master retrieved the fallen items, holding them up for closer inspection.

"Padawan, do you know what these are doing here?" An-Paj asked Simeon, who face had flamed brightly.

"They're not mine, Master." he stammered truthfully.

"Do you know who they belong to?" the Healer asked, holding the garments out and waving them in the air in a teasing gesture.

Healer Leona walked into the room to the sight of a very red-faced Simeon Cates being grilled by An-Paj who was holding up very intimate female apparel. So that's what he was hiding, she thought. She felt sorry for the stricken youth.

An-Paj had once caught his padawan in a rather compromising position and had promised punishments worth remembering if he didn't keep his focus on his duties and training.

"I asked you Simeon, do you know who these are?" a devilish grin on the Master Healer's face. Without regard Leona strode across the room.

"The items are mine Master An-Paj, I apologize. I didn't expect them to be found before having the chance to get them home."

Stunned by the admission An-Paj only gaped at his assistant as she reached for the items, returning them to their package. Turning toward the door she walked by Simeon. "You can get them from me later." she said quietly and left the room.