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.


~~~~~~~


�Stop that!� Obi-Wan chided.

�Stop what?�

�Flirting with me!�

�Sorry, I didn�t realize I wasn�t allowed to flirt with my boyfriend.�

�One kiss, you said.�

�I didn�t hear you complaining. I�M the one who�s covered in bite marks!� She teased.

�Sith!� He sat up. �Did I do that?�

�Either that or there�s an invisible vampire doing his rounds on the ward.� Jemmiah rubbed her neck.

�How�s your head?� Kenobi asked, blue eyes twinkling.

�Better. You know, I�ll have to get hurt more often.� She grinned at him.

�As long as I get to kiss it better.� He said smugly.

�Urgh! That sounded just like Sybelle and her boyfriend.� She groaned, staring up at the ceiling. �Qui-Gon doesn�t exactly approve of us, does he?�

�Perhaps not.� Obi-Wan watched her face fall slightly. �He thinks you�re too young and flighty. He just thinks I�m irresponsible.� He leant forward to kiss her forehead. �So it�ll be up to us to prove him wrong.�

�How?� She asked, the thumping in her head worsening as she thought of Qui-Gon Jinn.

�By not getting caught!� He grinned suddenly and jumped up along side her on the bed.

*******

An-Paj and Ferdi Xadaani hovered just outside of the screen. They traded coded looks.

[Ready?] An-Paj smirked.

She nodded.

[One�two�three!]

The curtain flew back to reveal what appeared to be a very flustered and guilty looking padawan in an extremely compromising situation.

�GOT YOU!� An-Paj roared happily.

Jemmiah nearly bit her own tongue in shock, and Obi-Wan fell off the bed in surprise.

�Caught in the act, as it were!� An-Paj gloated, clearly enjoying the whole farce.

�We didn�t get that far.� Jemmiah glared at him. �Nor are we ever likely to, at this rate.�

�That is a misuse of Temple facilities.� Ferdi sternly indicated the bed.

�It�s more comfortable than the floor, and more private than the Bacta tank in the regeneration unit.� Jemmy said hotly. Kenobi blushed crimson once more, and An-Paj threw his head back and howled with laughter.

�An-Paj!� Frowned Ferdi Xadaani. �I thought this was supposed to be a lecture.�

�Oh. Yes.� He remembered. �Sorry.� He turned to face the young couple. �Are you wearing lip-gloss again, Kenobi?� He asked. Obi-Wan put his hand up to his face and wiped his lips, frowning as it came away covered in �Brandysnap� colored oil.

�I should of course refer this little matter to your master.� He looked at Obi-Wan, who swallowed visibly. �But I won�t. On one condition.�

The guilty pair looked at each other.

�What?� They asked in unison.

�I want to know- the truth mind- if that�s a love bite that you�re girlfriend is trying so very unsuccessfully to cover up.

Jemmiah closed her eyes. �No, sir. That�s not a love bite.�

�It�s not?� An-Paj folded his arms.

�No. It�s more of a nibble.�

*******

Qui-Gon Jinn opened the door to find two startled padawans.

"Oh...Master Jinn... we were looking for Obi-Wan, to ah, tell him about ah... Jemmiah.." Simeon's voice came out in surprised gulps. They hadn't expected to find Qui-Gon home already and his formidable appearance at the door produced an almost automatic flight response in young Cates.

"He already knows Simeon, I'm sure he's at her side at this very moment." the large Jedi said gruffly. "Master Jinn, I want to apologize for the accident." Dimallie stated softly, her voice trembling " It was my fault. I didn't mean to hurt anyone."

"That's why they're called accidents" Qui-Gon's manner softened, sensing the girl's apprehension. It was one thing to command an air of respect and authority but the look of fright on the faces of the two padawans illustrated a severe perception they had of him.

"I'm not the one to apologize to Dimallie" he said kindly, "Jemmiah's the one stuck in the infirmary for the next day. I suggest its there your plead your case. She'll need all the cheering she can get inasmuch as she'll miss out on the cantina-crawl

That was an understatement to be sure. Qui-Gon was fairly sure it would take nothing less than restraints to keep her from that particular event.

"But she might be better by..." Simeon suddenly found his courage.

Qui-Gon held a staying hand up "Master An-Paj made it perfectly clear that was out of the question."

"Yes, Master Jinn." Simeon answered dutifully, with downcast eyes.

"I'll let Obi-Wan know you�re looking for him. Good day Dimallie, Simeon." Qui-Gon ended the conversation, closing the door behind him.

"Do you really think you want to risk that man's wrath?" Dimallie asked as they headed back toward the infirmary.

"Have you every seen Jemmiah in one of her Corellian tantrums? I'll take my chances with the big guy." Simeon answered drolly.

"I suppose it doesn't matter what we do now, someone's bound to come out of this in trouble." Dimallie bemoaned. "I can't believe I coerced my master into doing this. I am so going to get it."

Simeon looked quizzedly at her. "Whataya mean?" he asked confused.

"Oh, never mind." Dimallie huffed in disgust; "some guys are just so blind."

*******

This was slowly turning into the biggest mistake of her life.

Leona desperately wished she could just quietly back out of the entire event now. Its not like anyone would even know she was missing, at least that would have been the case until her padawan had decided to make Jemmiah Gleshan the latest victim of her perpetual bad luck. Now she had agreed to participate in a scheme that at the least might result in an official reprimand and at the worst could cause greater injury to a patient.

She couldn't believe how things could take such a turn for the worse.

Why hadn�t she been content to just admire from afar? she thought, making her way to check on Jemmiah.

*******

An-Paj smiled as he withdrew the curtains from round Jemmiah�s bed. He�d gone out of his way not to show how thoroughly amused he had been, especially regarding Obi-Wan�s bright red face, but it had been impossible in the end.

�I think visiting time is over, young man.� An-Paj put a guiding hand on the padawan�s shoulder and waved his other in the direction of the door. �May I also suggest the next time you fancy �nibbling� something you go for lunch in the refectory. Not as appealing, I grant you.� He just about covered his mirth.

�May I come and visit her again?� Obi-Wan looked completely abashed, and the healer almost felt sorry for him. Youth and hormones were a dangerous and explosive combination. Explosive in this case should Qui-Gon find out what his padawan had just been attempting�

�Of course.� An-Paj nodded. �Just make sure the curtains are open this time.�

�So you can check up on us.� Kenobi muttered.

�No, so I can have a good laugh!� An-Paj replied before walking off.

Great, thought Kenobi. Just great. Now he had to find Simeon to retrieve Jemmiah�s present. Handing THAT over in plain sight of everyone was going to be hysterical�

*******

As Kenobi and An-Paj left the ward, Leona slunk up towards Jemmiah�s bed.

She looks really terrible, Leona told herself. How on Coruscant could she be a party to this? Yet her feet propelled her forwards when her every instinct was to run.

Too late. Jemmiah opened a tired eye and regarded the petite healer like a cannoid eyeing a vrelt.

�Another visitor.� She mumbled sourly. �People can�t seem to keep away from me at the moment.� �I take it from that remark, An-Paj has stopped by to give you another painkiller.� Leona found her stride and slotted naturally back into her professional routine.

�Unfortunately, yes.� Pouting, Jemmiah shuddered. �There�s nothing like an injection to ruin your love life, if you know what I mean?�

Leona didn�t want to know, and didn�t particularly want to, either.

�And how�s Padawan Dimwit?� Jemmiah feigned concern. �Knocked any other innocent passers by on the head? Drugged a few padawans in the last day or so?�

�That�s a little unfair.� Leona frowned. �I admit that she does have a tendency to be slightly accident-prone, but��

�Most people have their accidents BEFORE they arrive here,� Jemmiah grumbled, �They don�t expect to be mowed down when they�re safely inside!� She tried to shift slightly against her pillow, and only succeeded in aggravating the pain in her head.

�Sith, that hurts!� She yelped.

�Damn.� Leona muttered. �That makes what I am about to say even more difficult.�

Jemmiah continued to eye her, weighing her up.

�This isn�t about our little conversation earlier? About Master Qui-Gon Jinn, and how head over heals in love you are with him?�

�I am NOT.� Hissed Leona, trying to get Jemmiah to quiet her already hushed voice.

�Yes you are.� Jemmy sighed. �It�s written, plain as the nose on your face.�

�Do�do you think I�m plain, then?� Leona felt crestfallen.

�Noooo!� Jemmiah reassured her. �Not a bit of it. There�s plenty of men would be falling over themselves to ask you out.� She paused. �If you�d let them.� She added.

�I�I don�t know what sort of �women Qui-Gon likes.� She blushed.

�A good brain. He likes someone who can hold an intelligent conversation. Just don�t get bogged down with all the gory details of the afternoon surgery, or how Master Quirida-Xac�s piles are doing. He�s seen an awful lot of this place over the years.� She grimaced. �We all have.�

�What about how I LOOK?� She persisted.

�Well, I wouldn�t overdo the make-up. Nothing too garish, you know? I�ve seen the way he glares at me when I�m wearing �Supernova Red� lip-gloss. Especially when it ends up all over his padawan.�

�And hair?� She asked hesitantly.

�He likes long hair. � She looked at Leona�s own hair, tied back and neat. �Wear it loose. Let him see a new side to you.� She risked a smile. �I could help you, if I wasn�t in this bed.� The eyes that unblinkingly fixed themselves on Leona were screaming at her to help her out.

�Oh, yes. That�s what I came to say. Simeon and Dimallie are working on a plan to get you out of here.� Leona looked away from her.

�Excuse me?� Jemmiah blinked. �Did I just hear right? YOU and the incompetent twins are going to help me escape from the house of horrors?�

�I didn�t want any part in this.� Leona confessed. �You�re not well, and��

�Qui-Gon wouldn�t be happy with you if he found out that you�d helped to engineer my bid for freedom.� Jemmiah supplied.

Damn! She�d done it again, Leona was furious with herself. Could everyone read her so easily or was it just this Corellian minx?

�It�s just me.� Jemmiah said smugly. �Don�t worry about it. I�ve always been able to second-guess people. Comes in very handy in matters of blackmail�� She let her words tail off.

Healer Leona got the message.

�I don�t know what the others have got planned. I�m just the distraction. It�s down to your young man to get you away from the wrath of An-Paj.�

And very much risking the wrath of Qui-Gon Jinn, thought Jemmiah.

�You know, this could be fun.� Jemmiah smiled.

�Fun? I am shaking like a leaf.� Leona complained.

�Well, you know what the cure for the shakes is? A night out on the town. There�s this VERY special little Cantina that I know of, called the �Hell�s Chance.� It serves a house drink that�ll knock years off your life!�

�I remember.� Leona shook her head. �I treated Obi-Wan�s rash, remember?� She suddenly spotted the red, circular mark on the side of the girl�s neck.

�Don�t worry. I�m not infectious.� Jemmiah said uncomfortably.

�Where did you get THAT?� She looked shocked.

�I don�t know. I just kinda�er, appeared.� She lied.

�That�s a LOVE BITE!� She gasped.

�I wish people would stop saying that.� Jemmy corrected her. �It�s hardly a graze.�

�Was this Obi-Wan?� Leona stood up. �Qui-Gon will go mad when he sees that! And it happened on my shift, too!�

�Turn a blind eye to it. I did.� She smirked.

�I�m surprised he didn�t leave his teeth in there.� Leona scolded. �What DO you think you were doing?�

�Not as much as we�d have liked.� Jemmy admitted. �The big boss man caught us.�

Leona couldn�t believe it. �That looks enflamed.� She pointed at the mark.

�I�m afraid that�s the effect I have on Obi-Wan.� She deadpanned.

�Teeth are covered with bacteria, didn�t you know?�

�Yes,� An-Paj replied, suddenly reappearing and causing both of them to jump in the air slightly, �That�s why I�ve brought this young lady my special anti-�nibble� kit.� he whipped a cloth off a metal bowl containing a hypodermic.

Jemmiah�s eyes rounded, and she grabbed hold of Leona�s hand. �GET ME OUT OF HERE� She mouthed.

An-Paj viewed the exchange and said nothing. Something was afoot, in these very wards. And he was determined to find out exactly what it was.

Sith! Leona thought, as she rolled up Jemmiah�s clothing from her arm. If Qui-Gon finds out that I am helping Simeon and Obi-Wan, he will never speak to me as long as I live�

*******

"This is getting ridiculous." Qui Gon fumed.

"Tell me about it." Adi Gallia rolled her eyes. "I found out about Sybelle's extra curricular activities. You know who her boyfriend is? Griff Rendar! Force knows what else she's hiding from me."

"This has all gone too far." Qui Gon admitted.

"What do you suggest we do. Ground them?" Adi asked, raising her eyebrows. "It would be a shame after all the hard work they've put into this."

"It's the only way to teach them a lesson." Qui Gon said decisively.

*******

"HE DID WHAT?" Jemmiah almost screamed.

"Sorry." Obi-Wan said, sitting on the edge of her bed.

"It's all your fault." Sybelle muttered sulkily. "If you'd been able to control your masculine urges none of us would have got into this mess."

"You have to help us." Jemmiah turned to Leona. "Sneak me out, then Obi Wan, Sybelle and I will meet up with you later once the masters are too drunk to realize we're there."

"That'll only take half an hour." Sybelle said sarcastically.

Leona groaned inwardly. This was going to take a LOT of planning.

*******

THE EVENING OF THE BIG EVENT HAD ARRIVED.

Captain Demodae of the light freighter Scorpion sat nursing her drink. It was only her first one, but she wanted to make sure she could last the whole evening with her friend. Krelo Rei'ch, newly knighted Jedi and fellow carouser, could hold her liquor like no one else the well traveled captain had ever met. Probably uses some sort of Jedi Force technique to keep from getting drunk, she thought. There's no other explanation.

Lilith was a big woman, 6'1" and a lean, well-muscled 88 kilos, and she could down the drinks with the best of them, but the red-haired woman by her side was an inhuman drinking machine.

"So, what's the news from the temple?"

"Hmmmph," Krelo snorted irreverently. "The annual fund raiser for the infirmary is going to be a singing thingy again." The knight downed her shot of Corellian whiskey and hissed through her teeth at the way it burned so pleasantly down her throat. "Three guesses why I asked you to meet me here tonight? There's no way, this side of getting tossed out of the Temple that I'm going to be subjected to that little green troll singing "H-A-P-P-Y, I am.' Not again, at any rate."

"Please," Lilith held up a hand to forestall the coming tirade. "I heard all about it last year. I don't blame you for sneaking out."

"Well, it might not have been as bad as I imagine. There were rumors of something else going on beforehand, but I didn't stick around long enough to find out. I wasn't going to risk being drafted to help organize the artistic travesty."

"No one who can carry a tune in a bucket would," Lilith reminded the hot-tempered Knight. "You forget, I was at the last one, and I heard what passes for singing among the lesser talented of the Temple's denizens. That's not an experience I wish to repeat. Once was more than enough for me." Demodae sipped at her Alderaanian Screwdriver and sighed. Maybe she could convince her droid to sing for them later. M1-CK had a very nice singing voice and she had programmed his repertoire herself.

"Well, at least we won't be subjected to padawans and knights attempting to sing tonight," Krelo muttered. "You won't find many Jedi in bars on a fund raiser night!"

*******

�Have you got my things?� Hissed Jemmiah to Sybelle. The dark haired girl nodded in response, holding up a canvas shoulder bag into Jemmy�s view. �I think I�ve got everything. Dress. Boots. Make-up. Hair clasp. Perfume. Moisturizer. Mini holo-cam. Jewelry. Wrist-chrono�headache pills.� She delved around in the bag with her left hand. �Something we probably shouldn�t mention in front of Healer Leona.� She grinned.

�Just hang on a moment,� Leona�s eyes almost popped out as Sybelle�s meaning began to ring warning bells. �Just what sort of night had you two girls got planned?

�Dunno.� Sybelle giggled. �What sort of night did you have planned with Master Jinn?�

Leona looked scandalized. �I had no such thing planned! And you certainly shouldn�t either.� She glared at Jemmiah. �Yesterday you were flat on your back!�

�You got to hand it to that Kenobi, he�s a fast worker.� Sybelle laughed as Jemmiah blushed faintly. �I suppose we should be grateful that you were conscious at the time!�

Jemmy�s hand went up to the raw bite mark on her neck. She�d have to cover it with a silken scarf or something, at least when Qui-Gon was around. Not that she was in a hurry to meet up with him.

�You WERE awake, weren�t you?� Leona swallowed. �There are laws against�you know, interfering with the patients.�

�Healer Leona,� Jemmiah answered her with a small, rueful smile, �Let me assure you that the interference was more than welcome.�

�Good.� Leona sighed with relief. Hang on. She didn�t quite mean that.

�Interference is about all I can hope for, anyway.� She paused dramatically. �Master Jinn has the apartment patrolled by three vicious Farfalaks with electrocuted fences and search lights. And if his padawan even smiles at me my force sensitized chastity belt gives me a reminder I�ll never forget.�

�Qui-Gon is NOT like that.� Leona muttered.

�You�re kidding!� Jemmy grinned a lazy, lop sided grin. �It�s all work and no play at Camp Qui-Gon.�

�Don�t worry about a thing,� Soothed Sybelle. �All relationships have some teething problems.�

�Only in your case it�s in the neck.� Leona complained, motioning to the rather obvious love bite. �There�s no way Qui-Gon won�t notice that. Even if he IS drunk.�

Jemmiah glanced surreptitiously around her and snatched the bag away from Sybelle.

�Thanks.� She winked. �What�s the plan?�

�Obi-Wan is going to pay you a little visit in about five minutes. When you�re ready, you can get changed behind the privacy screen into your dress. Then we�ll sneak you out. We�ll leave the screens closed so that they won�t realize you�ve gone for a bit.� Sybelle looked at Leona. �If An-Paj or Ferdi or any of the other masters arrive, Leona here will think of some cunning way to distract them.�

�I will?� Leona didn�t look hopeful.

�Sure you will.� cheered Jemmiah. �What about the others?�

�Simeon is waiting outside with Tanni Welasa, Ocen-Bai Talz, Kryztan Harkley, Jay Abran, Kylenn and a few others. Letina�s going to help you with your hair and make-up while we travel down there. Oh,� Sybelle looked warily at Jemmiah. �Bad news.�

�What?� Jemmy frowned.

�Ambianca�s turning up, too.�

�But that means that��

�Sal-Fina is going. Correct.�

Leona shook her head. �Sal-Fina? Refresh my memory��

�Blonde. Tall. Gorgeous. Leg�s up to her ear lobes. Need I say more?�

Jemmiah was most unhappy by this turn of events. This could wreck her whole evening. Qui-Gon and Sal-Fina had been lovers some time ago, although he was a little older than she was. Nobody had known why they had split up, except that they had argued every day since, for the last thirty-five years. Jemmiah had her own theory that this was the reason for his severe disapproval of her own relationship with his padawan, in that it mimicked their own doomed affair, even down to the age difference. They ALWAYS spat at each other and rubbed each other up the wrong way. And if Jemmiah was right, they both still fancied the pants off each other. Jemmiah looked at the petite healer. Hers was a different type of beauty, but the Corellian girl felt sure that she was in for some stiff competition if she wanted to capture Master Jinn� s heart.

No need to tell her that. Not yet.

�Let�s get ready to party!� Jemmiah forced a grin, and clapped her hands together. She tried to stand up to quickly and felt the ground swim about her in an alarming manner. Sybelle steadied her.

�Any dizziness?� Leona asked, pulling the curtains with a swift motion.

�N-no.� She lied, wondering how she was going to last the night if she was like this BEFORE she got molassed. �Not too bad.� She shot Sybelle a warning glance to keep quiet.

Sybelle pulled out Jemmiah�s black dress. �I hope you realize there�s a treble bet going on.� Sybelle grinned at her companions.

�No?� Jemmy said, spilling her array of accessories onto the bed. Her head was really painful, but she couldn�t afford to show it, not with Leona staring at her so anxiously. The Bacta patch was off, and the wound had healed, but her skull still felt as if it had been placed in a vice.

�Yes.� The raven-haired girl brushed out a crease from the velveteen fabric. �Firstly, that we get out of here without being caught. Secondly that if we DO get out of here, that you can stay on your feet for the whole night.� She snickered, considering her next remark. �And thirdly, that you and Obi-wan manage to sneak away for a night of passion at some point in proceedings.� She winked.

Leona�s mouth fell wide open.

�I�ll try and do my best on all counts.� Jemmy shrugged with a wicked gleam in her eyes. Sybelle shrugged her shoulders. �You won�t do it.� She smirked. �I�ll bet you ANYTHING you want that you won�t end up in bed with Kenobi after tonight. Your both too scared of being caught by Mr. Iced-Jinn.�

�Done.� Jemmiah shook on the bet.

�Stop this at ONCE!� Leona lectured. �Have you two got no morals at all?�

�Not me,� Sybelle smiled, placing some scarlet lip-gloss on her pursed mouth as she stared into Jemmiah�s compact. �She�s the one with the morals. For the moment.�

�Ah, the art of corruption.� Sighed Jemmy, enjoying the look on Leona�s face. If only she knew that the whole bet thing had been a wind up!

�Psst!� Came a quiet noise as Obi-Wan tried to get their attention.

�Ah, lover boy has arrived in time to sweep his fair lady off her feet.� Sybelle fluttered her eyelashes. �You�d better get out there and make sure the coast is clear.� She nodded to Leona. The healer found herself wondering for about the fiftieth time that evening what on Coruscant she had gotten involved in. But it was too late to back out now.

She had to think of Qui-Gon.

�OK.� She mumbled. �If you�re sure you are up to this.�

�It�s not the only thing she�ll be up to.� Sybelle added cheekily as Leona exited. �Come in, Kenobi.� She called.

�Are you decent?� He replied, unsure.

�Yes.�

�Oh. Then I�m staying outside!�

�Funny boy! Get your rear in here and give Jemmiah that present you were telling me about!� Sybelle chortled.

Please don�t let them be the striped ones, thought Jemmiah desperately.

�Well, I�ll leave you two love birds to it.� Sybelle giggled. �I�m going on sentry.�

Obi-Wan glanced at her. �How are you?� he asked.

�Sick.� She sighed. �Sick of this place!� Her gaze settled upon him. �Sick of Master Jinn treating me like I were still ten. I�m sixteen, for Sith�s sake!�

�I know.� He answered in his polished accent. His smile suddenly spread. �I got you a present. Something that will definitely NOT make you feel you�re being treated as a ten year old.�

Jemmiah held her breath as he handed her the package. Her hands fumbled with the fastening, wondering what hideous creation he had insisted on buying her.

Obi-Wan watched her quietly as he saw her eyes round in shock, and then complete delight.

�Ben, this is brilliant!� She yelled, then quieted her voice. �It�s the black, see-through ones with the ties!�

�Eh?� Kenobi frowned.

�I mean, just the sort of things I would have chosen. Had I been there. Which I wasn�t.�

�You like it, then?� He asked, puzzled by her reaction.

�Sith, yes!� She smiled happily. �How did you know my size.�

�Calculated guess.� He whistled. �Big was all I had to go on.�

She hit him.

�So, do I get to stay for the costume parade.� He smirked.

�No.�

�What about the grand unveiling?�

�Cheeky devil!� She pouted. �Clear off, handsome. I�ve gotta get changed!�

*******

Simeon and Dimallie paced the corridor outside the ward where Jemmiah�s bed was. Simeon had made sure his boots were extra-sparkling and polished. Not that it would do any good. The last time he�d been on one of these Cantina trips, he�d been sick all over them.

�Come on.� He hissed, looking at his chrono. �Where are they?�

�It�s Healer Xadaani!� Dimallie gasped, looking through the plast-glass door. �She�s heading in their direction.�

�Sith!� Cates swore. �Now what do we do?�

�Go back to Jay Abran and the others. Tell them we�ll be coming as soon as we can.�

�What about you?� Simeon frowned.

�Don�t worry.� She held her head up high. �It�s a far, far better thing that I do�,� she said before grabbing a trolley with a container of disinfectant on it, and walking over towards Ferdi Xadaani.

Simeon stared as he saw Dimallie deliberately steer the trolley right into Healer Xadaani, and contrive to upturn the container of disinfectant all over her. She wasn�t as stupid as she looked.

Ferdi was having a more difficult time believing that. A few choice words were being leveled at the beleaguered padawan, before the drenched healer exited the way she came, the closed privacy curtains forgotten for the time being.

�That�s my girl.� Smiled Simeon, before realizing what he�d said.

*******

Kenobi gestured to Jemmiah.

�Come on! We�ve got to go!�

�OK, OK!� She moaned. �Give a girl a chance.�

�What do you need all that make-up for, anyway?� He asked her. �You look beautiful enough as it is.�

�Crawler.� She shot back. �You just want to see me in my underwear.�

�Seriously, we HAVE to get going before An-Paj spots us.�

�I�m coming!� She stepped out from the curtain. �I�m just pleased I�m at the bed near the wall.�

She gave a quick twirl. �Will I do?�

Kenobi swallowed. The dress was perhaps a little longer than she normally wore, but the effect with the knee length boots was still striking. Her long, chestnut hair was tied back with a jeweled clasp in the shape of a butterfly, giving her an altogether more classy appearance.

Doxy am I, she thought? I�ll show Sybelle who�s the doxy.

�I�ve never seen anything lovelier in Kruskan-skinned boots.� Obi-Wan smiled. �Except perhaps that naked mannequin in the department store I saw yesterday.�

She hit him again.

�I�m not sure what you�re going to do with that.� He pointed at the circular mark on her neck.

�I�m showing that off. It�s my trophy.�

�I�m an endangered species. At least the amount of time I�ve spent with the healers should qualify me for that title.�

�You will be if Master Jinn catches up with us.� She shouldered her jacket. Simeon was waving to them like someone possessed.

�Right. Ready?� Obi-Wan hissed. �GO!�

He bundled her along towards the corridor, and when she nearly slipped it occurred to Obi-Wan that risking her health in a silly stunt like this evenings might not have been the most sensible of ideas. But she would never back down.

�Where�s Leona?� He asked as they made it safely to the door.

�Engaging An-Paj in some pointless conversation a bout the weather, I think.� Sybelle muttered. �Let�s catch up with Jay Abran.�

*******

An-Paj was a naturally suspicious person. It helped him to become the top-flight Master Healer he was. That was why when he saw Simeon and Dimallie loitering outside in the corridor he guessed that something strange was going on. When Dimallie looked pleased at having caused some damage to Healer Xadaani instead of her usual doleful expression he became even more convinced that something was wrong. Then, when a clearly nervous Leona had entrapped him in a pointless conversation about the weather, the importance of hospital corners for bed linen, and his six wives, he knew without a shadow of a doubt.

They were covering for someone.

Jemmiah. It had to be. Ever since she had been admitted to the ward there had been a distinct feeling off bliss and tranquillity flying completely out of the window�

When Leona had eventually left him, looking somewhat relieved it had to be said, An-Paj had made it his first priority to check up on Jemmiah, and when he had arrived it was a familiar sight that met his eyes. The privacy curtains were pulled.

Again.

An-Paj sighed. He�d gone easy on them before, but he really couldn�t overlook it this time. Deciding that there was little point to subterfuge on this occasion, he stormed over to the bed.

�OK, you�ve had your fun.� He growled warningly, pulling the curtain back. Only to be met with�

Nothing.

The bed was empty. And his patient was gone.

�Sith!� Swore An-Paj.

*******

Leona walked to her apartment after leaving An-Paj and the infirmary. A myriad of thoughts circled her mind. Landing then taking flight again like a flock of restless birds each one adding worry to her already overwrought conscience. Heaviest among the concerns was Jemmiah.

The girl was a regular Corellian pain. Disrespectful, devious and thoroughly hedonistic, the girl seemed to have no regards for authority of any kind. Still, she had been a patient and it had been Leona's responsibility as a healer and an adult to take care of her, even if it meant saving her from herself.

And what did she do, not only allow her to leave but aide in the process as well.

Palming the door open, the healer was pleased to see that her padawan and already left for the night's big event.

There was another point against her, she thought. What kind of example was she setting for her apprentice? With hanging shoulders she trudged to her bedroom feeling very much like a woman about to be thrown to the rancor.

Except she thought that even a rancor might be a more painless punishment then what ever the Jedi High Council might devise. It was a hopeless situation. She was a doomed woman. The best she could hope for was to salvage what would be left of her reputation by trying to make sure that Jemmiah didn't injure herself further.

With that one, small comforting thought she decided a spot of meditation would be a good idea. Releasing her fears into the Force she began to feel somewhat better. Since there was no choice for her in going she rummaged through her closet for something appropriate to wear. Most of the space in there was occupied by her daily worn loose tunics and green healers robes. There was nothing to speak of in the way of nightwear.

That feeling of hopelessness began to creep in again when a sudden spark came to mind.

If she was so sure that the conclusion of this night was already set in stone then there was no reason to fret endlessly about it. If she was going to go down then she might as well go down with a bang.

A small satisfied smile crept over her face. That's right, if this was going to be her last night she'd better make the most of it. Digging in the back of the closet she pulled out a dust-covered garment bag. Carefully opening it she removed a mid-length dress.

Given to her by her master at the time of her knighting she had considered the dress an amusing joke. Master Truson had gone and picked out something that was so alien to her she had actually laughed when he presented it to her. "You never know when the desire to not be yourself should come up." he had told her seriously.

Now almost two decades later she was confronted by such a desire. Slipping on the dress she stood before the mirror almost in shock. Yep, that is certainly not me, she thought looking at the reflection.

Everything about the dress screamed not Leona.

Accustomed to the long, loose robes that she could hide in, she didn't even mind that they made her look rather chunky. This dress hid nothing. Silver gray, it was made of lightweight Alderaani velvet that gently clung to her body accentuating her ample curves. Though a contrasting color, it highlighted her auburn hair and brown eyes in a pleasing way.

Any jewelry worn would only cheapen the look and as much as she wanted to brush out her hair out she liked the way it waved when air-dried.

Applying a minimal amount of make-up she completed her transformation. She even had a matching purse big enough to put the small medpac An-Paj had given her. Charcoal gray pumps finished the look though she would have to remember to slow her normally brisk stride in them.

Stepping back she surveyed herself. Not half bad, she thought with a gleam in her eye.

No, not bad at all.

*******

The pilgrimage to the first cantina, The �Smuggler�s Way�, had started with a hover-bus journey from the temple. Not a particularly long trip, but allowing enough time for the girls to preen themselves into shape whilst the male padawans had looked on with a mixture of disparaging fascination. Kryztan admired himself, looking in a mirror he'd borrowed from Kylenn. Obi-Wan was sitting down on the padded seat, Jemmiah leaning heavily against his side, warm and comfortable. Kenobi smiled. He could get used to this.

If his master let him.

As for Jemmiah herself, she was starting to feel the effects of the day before. Her head felt dangerously light and so she decided to use Obi-Wan as a substitute cushion for the remainder of the journey.

Before she knew it, she was in the middle of a very strange dream�

�Black knight on C5 takes bishop on D3. Check.�

It was so cozy at the bar, and even people�s voices didn�t sound but rustled tenderly, like breakers, unforgettable ocean breakers at the Eastern Lea-Coast, Alderaan�

�A velvet season.� Said Mace.

�What?�

�I said �velvet season�. The warm months of early Alderaanian autumn, a romantic symbol of the last love, when the tired luminary� Oh, you just look at them! Whe-e-e, she made him laugh, laugh, laugh, o-la-la.� Master Windu hesitated a moment then put it in more mathematical way: �Black pawn on G4 takes knight on F3!�

�You�re trying to say that healer takes master.� Jemmiah greened. �No need to be a chess master to notice it, yeah?�

Dimallie kept smiling silently. She admired Leona�

Obi-Wan released a sigh. He refused to believe his eyes�

All of them crowded at the counter shooting quick glances at the table, where�

� �On the rocks, please� Oh, Force save me, look over there, she forced him to castle queenside ��

�Ma-aster Windu� Sybelle yawned loudly. �Will you stop translations into this ancient boring? This scene at the corner seems to me old-fashioned enough� Even your velvet-season-speech was better.�

�Our little healer is nothing but a witch.� Murmured Mace, it seemed he�d lost his �velvet mood� already. �Definitely. In a couple of minutes she�ll pick up her broom, whistle and fly out with poor guy in her armpit.� He frowned thoughtfully, starring at his empty glass.

�Alright, let�s tease �em a bit� Sybelle let her eyelashes flitting, and an ardent glance was shot at Master Jinn.

It didn�t work at all.

�You�d better stop flirting� advised Jemmiah friendly �at the risk of meeting Killer Leona.�

The small society livened up, inspired by such a prospect.

�Wow�� Mace looked amused. �Leona P�lila�s Deliciously Sinister Debut As A Bad Seed. It must be an intricate thriller, named�err�

�Healer�s Sweet Revenge� Jemmiah�s voice was silky-smooth. �Healer�s Revenge�� She repeated; the words were delicious.

�Needles!� echoed Obi-Wan immediately and frowned for some mysterious reasons.

�And syringes!� The others joined in.

�Stomach washing!�

�Amputation knife.� Sybelle greened wildly.

�No. That�s boring� Declared Mace, sending her a glimpse full of vengeance. �Surgery� It�s too old-fashioned.�

�Well, a laxative then� Suggested poor Obi peacefully.

�Laxative, yeah.� Jemmy nodded. �With sleeping pills. Double dose.�

(After a short pause the entire choir together)

�Hm-m, as a matter of fact it wasn�t a good idea to make Healer Leona jealous�

�With a double dose� It might work.�

�Hey, you�re a natural-born healer, Jemmy. Professional touch!�

�A healer�� Jemmiah squinted. �No. I�d never� I�d have Obi-sick in a day or two. Just imagine: Obi tomograms, Obi blood tests, to say nothing of fifty-five volumes of Obi case reports in my office! No.�

She sighed sorrowfully and made an attempt to pour herself some more�

�Sith.� Whispered Mace Windu all of a sudden. �Look at them. It� It simply can�t be.� His eyes widened unimaginably�

�Mirage�� thought Dimallie being deeply touched.

�Nightmare,� thought Sybelle.

�M-master?!� thought Obi.

�Checkmate,� thought Jemmiah. �Bravo, Leona!�