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.


~~~~~~~


Jay Abran dished out the first card to Obi-Wan.

Endurance.

Kenobi grinned. This was going to be fun.

Jemmiah�s turn.

Five of Sabres.

She winked at Obi-Wan. Simeon caught the look and knew something was going down.

Sybelle next. Her eyes closed in relief.

Nine of coins.

Kryztan stared at his card, thumbing the edge.

Two of Staves.

Griff watched as Abran threw him his card face down. He turned it over.

The Evil One.

Letina licked her dry lips.

Three of Sabres.

This is terrible, thought Healer Leona as she watched the game unfold slowly. Jay Abran looked cool and collected in his role as games master. Jemmiah looked plain excited by the whole thing, as did Obi-Wan. Simeon wore a frown of concentration as the cards were dished out one by one. Kylenn and Jodi Mullicar appeared equally nervous as they studied every move.

Simeon�s card.

The Idiot.

�Ok, ok. Stop laughing.� He complained as everyone howled at the aptness of the card he had received.

Letina wiped her eyes on her sleeve. Poor Simeon! If she didn�t know any better, she could have sworn that these cards were stacked!

There was that look again, this time between Abran and Jemmiah. A secret communication between co-conspirators.

Dimallie�s turn.

One of Flasks.

Leona just couldn�t see what the great enjoyment factor was in this thing. She wasn�t against the consumption of alcohol, but to take part in something as idiotic as this� She saw Jemmiah knocking back another glass of Fire Scorch and had decided that enough was enough, when a cry of delight went up around the little group.

�Obi-Wan! You get first crack at the concoction from hell.� Jay Abran shouted with considerable glee. �Somebody write this lot down. Something tells me it�s going to have a bit of a kick!�

Kenobi spared Kryztan Harkley a glance, but his eyes were fixed firmly on HIS girlfriend. Obi-Wan�s annoyance grew rapidly. He really wished Jay would rig it so that Harkley would have to drink this thing, instead of who they had planed for originally�

Gritting his teeth, Obi-Wan set to work thinking of the most lethal combination he could ever come up with�.

*******

Meri wandered miserably past all the masters and padawans, taking in the various stages of inebriation and maudlin that had started to set in. She almost wished she were back at the temple. An evening with the predatory twins did not appeal remotely to her. As she moved towards the other end of the bar in search of a free drink, Meri reflected on how the padawans and masters seemed to compliment each other so well.

Master Berlingside had been the temple heartthrob in his day, and now Kryztan was rapidly assuming that mantle. Kylenn, like Yaddle, was kindly and sensitive. Obi-Wan seemed remote at first, like Qui-Gon, but on knowing them better it was clear that they possessed a dry sense of humor. Ambianca and Junine were regular chips off the original block. The former looked, sounded and contrived to act like her master at all times. Not surprisingly she had few friends. Junine was quite frankly a pain in the rear. Master H�darri had set her a bad example in how to get along with people.

Dimallie was innocence personified, and Leona was a ready shoulder to cry on when things went wrong. Which they did frequently.

As for Simeon, he and An-Paj made an unusual pair. You could never refer to the Master Healer as hapless, so in that respect they had little in common, but they both had that same twinkle in their eyes. Both were only too happy to go out their way for other people beyond the call of duty.

Both would make you laugh.

Meri wasn�t convinced that An-Paj shared Simeon�s fondness for extremely strong liquor, but then Simeon never did things by halves. That was why she was not remotely surprised to see him amidst a lively looking group right at the very back recesses of the cantina, amidst the darkest shadows and smoke. What DID surprise her was the sight of Padawan Kenobi with his arm round Jemmiah Gleshan, who to Meri�s understanding had been left behind at the healers. Adi Gallia had certainly banned Sybelle from attending; yet there she sat, smuggler boyfriend in tow.

What took her breath away the most was the sight of a nervous looking Dimallie AND Healer Leona, who appeared to be wearing a dress not normally associated with the temple dress code!

This looked a much better prospect for fun!

�What�s going on, guys?� She waved lazily at Letina.

�Deathmatch.� Letina grunted.

�Does Qui-Gon know you�re here?� She grinned at Kenobi and Gleshan.

�Evidently not.� Jemmiah replied. �We�re still alive.�

�He�s got a really guilty conscience, you know. I overheard him speaking to Master Windu. Kept wanting to call the temple to see how you and Kenobi here were getting on in his absence!�

Jemmiah gasped audibly. �He didn�t!�

�No, Mace stopped him. But imagine what would happen if he DID!� She grinned.

�That ISN'T worth thinking about.� Obi-Wan gulped. �You always did have a sadistic streak in you.�

�And it�s got worse with age.� Meri crossed her arms smugly. Leaning over beside Jemmiah she whispered in the younger girls� ear, �Who have you got Abran stacking the cards against this time?�

�Who says we have?� Jemmy asked, eyebrow raised.

�You. I can tell. I know what you�re like. So does Mace Windu. Those posters were VERY imaginative, weren�t they?�

�Yeah, alright.� Jemmy conceded. �You want in?�

�What, and risk being the unfortunate vrelt who has to down this?� She frowned, indicating the elongated flagon where Obi-Wan�s selection of drinks was happily mixing and fermenting. �I think not. I�ll stand beside Tanni Welasa where it�s nice and safe, thank you so very much.�

�Suit yourself.� Jemmy smiled.

�Oh, word of warning.� Meri lowered her voice even further. �Padawan�s Dumb and Dumber are having a real dig at you. If you want to stay out of Qui-Gon�s sight for a bit longer, I�d keep out of their way.� She glanced at Kryz Harkley, who was still casting covert glances at the Corellian girl.

Watch out for him, too, Meri thought to herself.

She sat and watched distractedly as the cards went round and round the table. Jemmiah drew the Mistress card, which caused a lot of snickers from her fellow fugitives in the same way that Cates had.

Jay Abran�s really enjoying himself here, Jemmiah thought.

Sybelle drew the six of Sabres, Kryztan the eleven of Staves.

Meri saw Jay Abran�s eyes fixed on Jemmiah and she almost imperceivably blinked towards Simeon, who was by then on his third glass of Purple Twilight Cider. She stared at Abran�s magician like hands, continuing to reel off cards at a considerably faster rate than earlier.

�Slow down!� Kylenn grumbled.

�Sorry.� Abran slipped the second Ace from his sleeve and tossed it to Simeon Cates.

�Ace of Staves!� Crowed Jemmiah. �Simeon, make this a good one, huh?�

�You betcha!� He grinned, flicking his black braid behind his ear.

*******

I feel really terrible about this, Qui-Gon thought to himself. I really should check on Obi-Wan. If it�s not too late, he could still join in�

No. I�ve made my decision. I can�t change my mind just because I feel guilty about sitting here with Mace and the others whilst he is grounded. What sort of signal would that give, anyway? He�d think he could do as he pleases. Best to stick to the decision, however much I regret it now. I can try and make it up with him later. As for Jemmiah, she must be feeling very miserable right now. Perhaps I ought to check on her. After all, I�m technically her guardian in Evla�s absence. Whatever I think of her relationship with my padawan, I can still keep an eye out for her.

Qui-Gon spared a brief glance towards Sal-Fina. Damn the woman! She just had to be in the same room as him and the hairs on the back of his neck would stand on end with annoyance. This was his punishment for his unfair treatment of Obi-Wan and his short temper with Jemmiah.

And what punishment!

Standing up, he walked over to the bar, just yards away from Sal-Fina. �Another Alderaani Black Rum, please.� He ordered from the barman.

�You�re going it a bit, Qui dear.� Sal-Fina�s honeyed voice filled him with irritation.

�Maybe I like things blurred.� He retorted.

�So you can see two of me instead of one.� Her face lit up. �That�s some crush you�ve got.�

�That�s some imagination you�ve got.� He smiled a sickly-sweet smile, enjoying the deflated look that edged on to Sal-Fina�s face.

He pulled out his com-link.

*******

�Sith!� Sybelle glanced at the contents of the deathmatch flagon. �That looks highly toxic!�

�It�s s�posed to be.� Meri laughed from the side.

�Ready?� Jay Abran smiled as his hands went to the cards. �Ok. My turn. Three of Coins.�

I can hardly watch, thought Leona. Qui-Gon is sitting a bars length away and he is going to find out about this whole stupid game and I am going to get into so much trouble. An-Paj will never trust me again after this...

�My turn!� Jemmiah brandished the Ace of Sabres with delight. Jay Abran just winked.

�This�ll be interesting.� Obi-Wan rolled his eyes.

�I think we�ll have a quarter measure of Old Corellian Brandy, a half of Purple Twilight, a half of Alderaani Black Rum, a dash of Corelli Cold Comfort, a quarter Fire Scorch, a half�.�

�That�s disgusting!� Meri chuckled.

�The more disgusting the better.� Jay Abran grinned ferally.

Leona groaned, and decided now would be a good time to find a fresher. She just couldn�t keep up with these kids, and she was hardly old herself. Sighing, she thought wistfully of Qui-Gon Jinn. There was little hope there now.

Don�t give up, her inner voice chided as she left the group to its own devices for a little while.

She hoped Dimallie would be sensible and not drink too much while she was away.

*******

�What do you mean, she�s not there?� Qui-Gon�s voice contained more than the faintest hint of worry. �Where is she?�

�Is that Master Jinn?� The voice of An-Paj suddenly took over from Healer Xadaani.

�Yes, could you please explain what Ferdi was trying to tell me.� Jinn�s tone was sharp.

�She is not in the ward.� An-Paj replied equally severely. �She�s not on the premises. My first guess was that she might have been hiding round your apartment with young Kenobi.�

Qui-Gon�s eyes clouded over with anger.

�But that doesn�t seem to be the case. I spoke to Padawan Rouaine. She says Jemmiah told her she was going to get some fresh air.�

�Didn�t she try to stop her?� Jinn asked incredulously.

�She said she thought she�d been discharged from the infirmary.� An-Paj�s voice seemed to convey a suitable amount of distrust.

�What do you think?� Qui-Gon couldn�t make up his mind if he were more furious than concerned.

�I wouldn�t want to think she was wandering round the streets in that condition.� An-Paj said shortly.

�Sith!� Qui-Gon grumbled.

�What do you want me to do?� An-Paj asked.

�Make sure you�ve got restraints for her the next time she finds herself in hospital.� Qui-Gon replied. �I don�t know. If you hear anything else, keep me informed.�

�Will do.� An-Paj cut the transmission.

Hell. This was all he needed.

Now he REALLY felt guilty.

*******

Jemmiah breathed rapidly. This was getting to the exciting bit. Abran dealt the cards once more.

The Star for Letina.

The Seven of Flasks for Kylenn

. The Eight of Coins for Jodi.

Simeon was becoming more and more convinced that something was up. The secret glances between Obi-Wan, Jemmiah and Jay Abran. The fact that all the Aces so far had gone to the experienced drinkers, so they would know exactly the worst things to go into the flagon.

Griff Rendar had the Two of Sabres.

Jay Abran had picked Moderation. That caused some giggles.

Kryztan was given Demise.

Jemmiah turned over her card.

The Commander.

Kenobi looked unconcerned as he turned over his card.

The Master.

And so it went on. Round and round, until the cards were rapidly diminishing from the little stack besides Jay Abran. You could cut the tension with a knife.

�Where did Leona go?� Frowned Jemmiah as they had dealt Simeon�s card. Everyone looked up, except for Jay Abran and Meri, who saw the former repeat his earlier trick with his sleeve. And the next person was�

OH, NO!

�Dimallie!� Kylenn squealed as she saw the remaining Ace land on the table in front of the shocked apprentice. �You�ve got the last Ace!�

�B-but I can�t have!� Wailed Dimallie. �I don�t even drink.�

�Then it�s a very good time to start.� Jemmiah smiled.

Simeon looked at Jemmiah and shook his head, half out of admiration for her cunning, and half from despair on Dimallie�s part. This was Jemmy�s revenge for her accident the other day. By looking at the satisfied expression on Obi-Wan�s face, this was probably his revenge for the Sports day fiasco six years ago, where Dimallie had very nearly drugged him to death�

Jay Abran didn�t need an excuse. He just liked a laugh.

�Come on, Dim.� Grinned Sybelle. �Drink up!�

�And don�t dare spill any,� Meri added, �Or you�ll have to pay a penalty!�

�What?� Jemmiah mouthed.

�Shhh. She doesn�t have to know we�re making this up!� Meri whispered.

�A PENALTY!� Dimallie looked stunned.

�I�m afraid so.� Obi-Wan rested his chin in his hands. �We�ll try not to make it too bad.�

�Maybe.� Snickered Letina.

�It�s best if you drink it in one go. That way you don�t notice it burning your tonsils off on the way down.� Abran commented.

�Or on the way back up!� Jemmy chuckled.

Meri�s eyes gleamed with amusement. Of all the victims to pick� Oh, Jemmiah. You are cruel!

�Come on, Dimallie! You only live once!� Kryztan offered.

�That�s what I�m afraid of.� Dimallie had gone white.

She touched the flagon against her lips, then hesitated. She had the vaguest feeling of being abandoned by Leona, and a wave of disappointment hit her. But she couldn�t afford to lose face in front of the others.

She closed her eyes and started to drink.

"Excuse me." Everyone turned to see the bartender, holding a very drunk Garos Hmiol. "Is he with you?"

Hmiol spoke up. "Tell I'm not him drunk. He let won't me drink have." his head swayed side to side.

Obi-wan was amazed. He had never seen Padawan Hmiol in THIS condition before. "Um, Garos, how many Riptides did you have?"

"Oh think I thirty about so or."

"THIRTY!" He could easily handle thirty Riptides on a good day, it was not a very strong drink, but Hmiol was not used to alcohol. Garos was one drink away from the floor.

Obi-wan turned to Simeon. "This is YOUR fault!"

"Relax." Simeon said, calm. "He'll be sober enough in a couple hours, they're only Riptides." He grinned. "Besides, I think it's an improvement." He turned to the bartender. "Set him down over there." He said, pointing to a table across from them, "And get him a cup of cafe'."

Hmiol sat at the table, muttering something.

*******

�Dimallie?�

No answer.

�YOO-HOOOOO!�

�Sith! She really doesn�t know how to drink.� Muttered Obi-Wan, as he bent over to see if there was any sign of life from Leona�s comatose apprentice.

�That penalty was a little severe.� Jemmy grinned at Meri. �One ice cube down the back every time she stopped drinking!�

�She looks like she�s been swimming.� Sybelle nodded in satisfaction.

�Is she alive, or has she surrendered to the force?� Letina asked, amusement easy to read on her face.

�Oh, she�ll be OK. Won�t she, Simeon?� Kryztan shot a smile at Jemmy.

Kenobi glowered and put his arm round her shoulder.

�Hmm? Oh, yes. I�m sure she�ll be fine. Although quite what she�s going to be like after another ten plus cantina visits, force only knows.� He stared at her. �I think it was the Alderaani Rum that floored her.�

�Thank you, Healer Cates. Your professional opinion is noted.� Obi-Wan clapped him on the shoulder, and watched the young man sway a little. Jay Abran was correct.

He couldn�t hold his alcohol.

�We�ll have to tidy her up before Leona comes back.� Meri pondered aloud.

�She�ll not notice.� Simeon hiccuped.

�Not notice?� Jemmiah snorted. �Her precious dumpling Dimallie is lying slumped unconscious over the table, and Padawan Nice-but-Dull over there," she indicated Hmiol, "is insensible. Not that he was up to much conversation-wise before.� She looked around for inspiration. �What do we do? Stand �em in the corner with their arms outstretched and pretend they�re coat wracks?�

�I think that�s a GOOD idea.� Simeon clapped his hands. �I�d like to see that. Who wants another drink?�

�I�ll have a Flame-out.� Jemmiah said. �Thanks.�

Obi-Wan looked uncomfortable. �You�ve had quite a bit for just one cantina.� He said quietly.

�Hell�s teeth, when did you turn into Master Jinn?� Jemmiah pinched him on the cheek.

�Where�s Abran got to?� Meri folded her arms impatiently. She stared further up the bar. From the side exit, she could just about make out�

�HEALER LEONA!� She exclaimed shrilly.

�What?� Letina panicked. �What do we do with her?� She pointed at Dimallie.

�Look, she�ll hardly notice anything is wrong.� Simeon declared.

�Not with you, maybe.� Jemmiah bit her lip. �OK, guys leave the talking to me?�

�Are you sure that�s wise?� Obi-Wan muttered.

�Just DO it, pigtails! Go prop her up or somethin', quick!"

As Leona walked towards the group at the back, all her instincts told her something was VERY wrong. The closer she got, the more obvious it became. She didn�t have to be An-Paj to work out what had happened.

�Dimallie?� She squeaked in concern.

�She�s absolutely fine, Leona. Absolutely nothing to worry about.� Jemmiah crossed her fingers behind her back.

�Fine?� Leona blinked. �How can you say that? Look at her!�

�She is! Cross my heart and hope to marry a Sith.�

�She�s out cold!�

�No you�re not, are you Dimallie?� Jemmiah turned round, just in time to see Meri�s hand working Dimallie�s head at the back like she was a giant puppet.

�Yes!� Meri piped up in a very artificial sounding voice, Dimallie�s head lolling backwards and forwards.

Jemmiah nearly collapsed with laughter yet somehow managed to keep a straight face, which was more than could be said for the others.

�She never said that.� Leona said coldly.

"Sure she did.� Jemmy smiled. �Dimallie, give us a wave, girl.�

From behind, Obi-Wan sneaked out a hand and worked Dimallie�s arm rather obviously, flapping it up and down like the wing of a bird.

�See?� Jemmy said. �She�s just raring to go. I�m telling you, nothing has happened to her��

There was a clatter of booted feet against the cantina floor.

�I�ve got the mop and bucket!� Jay Abran shouted. �All we have to do is clear up all the sick before Leona�� His voice trailed off.

There was a long and deadly silence. Eventually, Jemmiah broke it.

�Can I get you a drink, Healer Leona?�

Leona stared hopelessly at her padawan and her so-called friends. It was by Dimallie's own will that she now lay senseless on the table and as much as she'd like to whisk her apprentice out of the clutches of her mischief-loving peers Leona knew it would be unwise.

Dimallie was old enough to make her own choices and as her master, Leona had to allow her to learn from them, no matter the consequences. The girl wouldn't grow as a person if she were always there coddling her, nor would it win the respect and acceptance she so desperately wanted from those she called friends.

If this was what Dimallie wanted then far be it from her to deny the girl her friends.

Knowing what the results of this evening's activities would probably be for all those seated around the table, Leona made the decision to turn a blind eye to all but the most blatant of offenders. She still had to look after Jemmiah.

Seating herself in an empty chair she turned to the Corellian girl with a smile, "I think I'll have a virgin muja spritzer" she said, glancing at Obi-Wan who immediately jumped up to get it.

Returning with it he placed it in front of Healer Leona who in turn traded it with the Flame-out in front of Jemmiah.

"The very least you can do is go easy on the alcohol, this is only the first stop." raising the Flame-out in salute she drank it down, noting the glare from Jemmiah and the look of relief on Obi-Wan.

"And Jay Abran, feel free to make use of those instruments you've so thoughtfully provided."

*******

Muttering to himself, An-Paj completed his search of the Temple. No Jemmiah. No Obi-Wan.

Why do I get the feeling that where ever they are, they are together?

Frowning An-Paj decided that there were only two places that pair could be. Since he didn't think Qui-Gon gave Obi-Wan a large enough allowance for a hotel room, that just left... the cantina crawl.

"Sith! He's going to kill that girl."

Storming into the healer's An-Paj grabbed a medical bag, and two pair of force restraints. They're coming back here whether they like it or not.

Noticing Padawan Giana looking very forlorn at the front desk, An-Paj realized she must have been planning on going to the cantina crawl. Hitting her up for information, An-Paj headed out the door.

Obi-Wan will regret the day he decided to mess with THIS healer.

*******

�Where does she get off telling me what to drink?� Jemmiah couldn�t believe the temerity of Healer Leona. She�d thought her a quiet, timorous little creature whose one aim in life was to be affable and avoid causing trouble of any description. It seemed now that the worm had well and truly turned.

Well, two could play at that.

She gave Abran that look. The one that meant there was a hidden agenda of sorts. Kenobi saw it. Simeon, how ever unsteady he was becoming, recognized it also. Sybelle nudged her boyfriend knowingly. There was some fun in the offing.

�You know, Leona, this stuff�s awful.� She groused at the table.

�That�s a pity.� The healer replied. �I�m going to see that you�re drinking it for the rest of the evening.� She saw Jemmiah pull a face. �Or you could always go back to the healers.� Leona added pointedly.

Victory, thought Leona, as Jemmiah seemed to give a sullen impression of relenting with little good grace at all. What she hadn�t seen was the glint of sheer devilment in those copper eyes.

Obi-Wan whispered in his girlfriend�s ear, �What are you up to now?�

�Revenge, dear Ben. Pure and simple. I�m not a vindictive person by nature, but if it got out that I had allowed myself to be mollycoddled all evening by a healer masquerading as a strip artiste, I would never be able to hold my head up in a Cantina ever again. And we wouldn�t want that, would we?�

�And?� He prompted.

�Buy me a Autrial-Slammer.� She said wickedly.

�NO WAY.� Obi-Wan refused point blank. �That�s FAR too strong.�

�It�s not for me, silly.� She jerked her head sharply at Leona. �It�s for a certain Healer of our acquaintance.�

�You promise?� Kenobi felt a smile tug at his lips.

�Of course. Would I lie to you?�

�Yes.� He grinned.

�Well, nevermind that now.� She mumbled in reply. �Would you indulge me in this one?�

He stood up, the grin spreading even further. �A Slammer. OK.�

She watched Obi-Wan retreat to the bar, as did Leona. The latter did not feel as reassured as she had a minute or so earlier, as Jemmiah�s seeming compliance had evaporated before her eyes. She had unwittingly made this a test of wills.

And she had the horrible feeling she knew who was in control. In the background she became aware of several interested spectators. Oh, Sith!

�Can I get you a drink, Leona?� Jay Abran enquired gallantly.

�Same as before.� The healer looked askance at her opponent. She wasn�t sure what the Corellian had planned, but she didn�t think it would be pleasant. They met each other�s stares. Jemmiah smiled that very charming smile. Leona settled for remaining cool in the line of duty, as she waited for their drinks to be brought back to the table. I don�t like the confident way she�s looking at me, thought Leona nervously. I feel like I should be on the lookout for a hidden blade inserted in the back of my seat�

Kenobi returned first with Jemmiah�s Slammer.

�Here you go.� He placed the blue drink in front of the girl. �I hope you know what you�re doing.�

�I do.� Leona replied, reaching across for the glass and pulling it out of Jemmy�s reach.

�Hey.� She pouted. �That was mine.�

�Not any more.� Leona smiled simply, tossing her head back and swallowing the contents without much of a thought.

Jemmy observed the entire scene with a detached interest.

�Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!� Leona managed to cry out through her burned voice box. �Whaaaa?�

�I think she�s trying to ask what that stuff was.� drawled Simeon. Tears had come to Leona�s eyes, but the power of speech continued to elude her.

�It was a Slammer. Bit of a specialty in this place. Oh, I should really have warned you that it has a bit of a kick, but when you go around stealing other people�s drinks, you have to find these things out as you go.� Jemmiah smiled a tight smile.

Jay Abran returned with Leona�s low alcohol drink and was about to set it down in front of her when Jemmiah took it from his grasp. �This must be mine, I think.� She raised her glass and nodded at Leona.�As we say on Corellia, �There�s no fool like a sober fool.��

Jemmy batted an eye in slow motion. �Cheers!�

*******

An-Paj slipped unnoticed into the bar. Well, unnoticed except for Healer Leona who just about fell out of her chair. Sith! What's he doing here?

Looking around to make sure they hadn't been spotted, Leona did, what she convinced herself, was only living up to her arrangement with Dimallie and Simeon. Using a Force push that was probably misjudged a bit after that last drink, she ducked Obi-Wan and Jemmiah under the table.

Glancing around the cantina, An-Paj at first saw nothing out of the ordinary. Then... Force, is that Leona? What on Coruscant is she wearing? Striding over, he intended on finding out exactly why she had such a guilty look on her face.

Lilith asked for a Riptide the next time around. She wanted to make sure she stayed sober enough to truly enjoy the spectacle the Jedi were making of themselves. She ignored the suspicious glances Griff kept shooting her way. It wasn't her fault if he had a chip on his shoulder and there was no way this side of the galactic rim she was going make it easy for him to start a fight. The last thing she needed was to be picked up by the cops and tossed in jail for the night. She had to leave early the next morning if she was going to meet the deadlines for the rest of this run.

Krelo waved to a few of the knights and masters she was on good terms with, a depressingly small number in this crowd, and downed yet another drink. She'd spied the padawans in the back playing a Corellian drinking game and was thinking seriously about wandering over to join them. There were all too few opportunities for that sort of fun at the Temple.

At the back of the Cantina, things were getting very tense.

�What�s going on!� Jemmiah�s expression had turned rapidly from smug satisfaction to alarm within the space of a few brief seconds. �Is this your doing?�

Obi-Wan shook his head, eyes wide and round. He mouthed the words �AN-PAJ� and pointed frenetically above the table with one finger.

�Oh, holy Master Yoda�s sainted underwear.� Jemmiah hissed. �Why is HE here?�

�Because he knows that YOU are.� Kenobi mumbled. �Keep still. I�ll try and shield us.�

She tucked herself up as small as she could manage and pulled the plasti-table cover as far over as it would. Obi-Wan likewise huddled himself into a ball, concentrating on masking their presence. He looked at Jemmy and impulsively grabbed her hand.

�Whilst we�re down here�� He grinned.

*******

�An-Paj! What a delight to see you here. And so unexpected.� Leona said in an unnecessarily loud voice.

�Leona? I thought it was you,� An-Paj walked slowly over to the table where she was sat and cast his eyes appreciatively over her, �But I confess I did think I was imagining things at first. This isn�t your normal look at all. Not that it isn�t most becoming.�

Leona blushed slightly at the compliment. Under the table, Jemmiah made a gagging gesture and Obi-Wan stifled laughter. What a smooth talking old devil An-Paj was.

�I was wondering why you were over here with the padawans, though.�

Everyone froze, including the two hidden fugitives.

�Well�� Leona stammered, wracking her brain for a plausible excuse, �It�s a little embarrassing.�

The healer frowned. �Go on.�

Seeing that she was reluctant to divulge her great secret, An-Paj pulled up a seat next to her. His leg nearly caught Obi-Wan in the face as he crossed his legs under the table.

�It�s my padawan.� She confessed eyes downcast. She indicated the sprawling mass in the corner that was Dimallie. �I think she overindulged a smidgen whilst I was answering a call of nature.�

�She lost a drinking match?� Hazarded An-Paj with a rueful expression.

�How did you know?�

�Dimallie doesn�t strike me as the type of person who is used to alcohol.� He replied. �She doesn�t seem the sort of person who would drink that heavily without some severe cajoling.� He looked around him, at Simeon and Jay, both of them fidgeting under his scrutiny. Kylenn looked worried and even Meri appeared subdued.

�Where is she, Leona?� An-Paj interlaced his hands and leaned forward conspiratorially.

�Where is who?� Leona swallowed.

�I think we both know who. Is Kenobi here, too?� An idea struck him. �Perhaps I should speak to Master Jinn. He must be beside himself with worry, with that poor girl wandering round the streets with a concussion.�

�Oh?� Leona feigned surprise. �You mean Jemmiah?�

�Yes, the one and only.� An-Paj nodded. �Now don�t tell me she was never here?�

�Well,� Leona picked her words carefully, �If she was, I don�t see her now.�

An-Paj took that in.

�I know that young lady�s remarkable talent for finding trouble. I also know the mark of one of her victims.� He pointed at Dimallie.

An-Paj tried another tack. �I shouldn�t want to risk an excess of alcohol mixed with a fairly recent head injury. That�s not the way to be setting yourself up for a ripe old age. Downright dangerous, in fact.�

Leona�s worry began to surface again. What kind of healer was she when she was jeopardizing her patient�s wellbeing in this manner? She was half tempted to tell him exactly where they were, when An-Paj spoke again. �Anyhow, I�ve brought a little back up with me, just in case we find we should have to persuade Ms Gleshan to return with us. For her own good, you understand.�

Jemmiah cursed silently under the table. She could almost here the smile in An-Paj�s voice.

�Well, if you�re all sure that you haven�t seen them, I shall be off to give my report to Master Jinn. I wouldn�t want to use these RESTRAINTS we�ve got with us. If you should come across Jemmiah, you might let her know that we were searching for her.�

Jemmiah sat up bolt upright in terror and nearly hit her head off the table.

The healer cast a baleful look at his apprentice. �Remember what I always say about misery, Simeon. A little of it can go a long way. If you find that you�ve enjoyed yourself too much tonight, just remember that I will take it upon myself as a teacher and mentor to make sure that you will be suitably miserable tomorrow.� He raised a cautioning eyebrow.

Simeon took the hint.

�Enjoy yourselves, everybody. Nice dress Leona. I wish my wives would wear something like that from time to time.� He sighed, and went off in search of Qui-Gon, pausing only to give the table that Obi-Wan and Jemmiah were sheltering under the briefest of smirks in passing.

Leona watched the healer�s retreating back as he headed towards the other half of the bar. When he was safely out of earshot, she let out a sigh the strength of a hurricane.

�Oh, I thought we�d had it that time, for sure!� She groaned. �My heart�s thumping like a Wookie tree-drum!� She pleaded with her eyes to Simeon. �Go fetch me another drink, huh Simeon?�

Simeon blinked in surprise.

�I�ll have another Slammer, or whatever that blue stuff was that Jemmiah was drinking. Once you get your voice back they�re really quite pleasant��

Obi-Wan crawled out from under the cover. �He knew we were here, somewhere.� He gasped. �An-Paj always knows. He can smell a patient at a thousand paces.� He looked back towards the table. �Leona, she�s not coming out.�

�What?� Leona frowned.

�Just what I said.� He looked frustrated. �An-Paj did that on purpose. He mentioned restrainers and now she�s to scared to do anything except hide under the table.�

Leona puzzled over this. �Don�t be silly, Obi-Wan. Whoever heard of��

�She has a real phobia about being restrained. I mean REALLY big. When she was on Nargotria, a lot of the captives were kept restrained for the most trivial reasons. She�s sitting under there shaking like a leaf.�

The healer pursed her lips. So Jemmiah had a weakness after all.

�Do you want me to speak to her?� She asked Obi-Wan.

He nodded.

Acutely aware of all the strange looks she was getting from the other padawans, Leona bent down on her hands and knees and started to crawl under the table, uncomfortable in the realization that the slit in her dress was showing a lot more than it should. What the heck. She couldn�t just leave the girl to sit under the table all night.

Simeon returned with her drink.

�What�s everyone staring at?� He asked.

All the males turned to him in one fluent move and stretched their hands out simultaneously to indicate the shapely rear of Healer Leona sticking out from under the table. �Oh!� Cates smiled happily. �The things you see when you don�t have your lightsabre!�

"Jemmiah?" she said softly, shocked by the normally extroverted girl's behavior. Eyes wide with fear, she appeared to be shaking like a tauntaun at midnight on Hoth.

"Jemmiah." she repeated, the girl's eyes finally focusing on her. "Are you alright?"

A stupid question, it was obvious she wasn't, but she needed to get the girl's attention. Leona knew only the barest of Jemmiah's history. That she came from Nargotria at the age of ten and was a sometimes ward of Qui-Gon's when she was on Coruscant.

"I won't be put in restraints." she told the healer quietly, "I can't."

Crawling completely under the table, she sat next to the girl, looking into large wide eyes full of fear. Leona didn't think it possible to ever see the girl so vulnerable, her lively spirit so broken. Just looking at her broke the healer's heart.

Taking the girl's hand in her own, "No one's going to put you in restraint's Jemmiah. Not Qui-Gon. Not An-Paj. They'll have to come through me first." she said with forceful resolution.

Jemmiah blinked at the healer hearing the promise in her voice.

"Now I'm not saying there won't be any repercussions from this little adventure of yours. You did leave the infirmary against medical advice, and Master Jinn's wishes, which I may add, were for your own good. We'll all be dealing with the consequences of our actions tonight, but I see no reason you and I can't make the most of it. Within reason, of course." the healer added with only the barest of lecturing tone.

An astonished look crossed Jemmiah's face at the caring nature of the healer. It was rare when someone showed her that type of kindness, even when they were subjected to her wild inclinations. Master Jinn had been one of those rare individuals.

Seeing that the girl's tremors had subsided and the sparkle had returned to her eyes, Leona ventured, "Why don't I just remove myself from this rather uncomfortable position." she shot a hesitant glance at the many legs that surrounded the table, remembering the show she had probably given.

"Simeon" she said, holding her hand out waiting. Taking his cue, Simeon placed her previously ordered drink into her hand. Raising the glass to Jemmiah, who now wore an impish grin, Leona quaffed the drink then began to crawled out from under the table with as much dignity as possible

*******

An-Paj glanced around. He didn't want to play chaperone, and he couldn't go back without Jemmiah... and Kenobi if he could get his hands on him.

Spotting Qui-Gon and Mace across the bar, An-Paj ambled over.

"An-Paj, I was under the impression that you wouldn't be joining us."

"I didn't intend to Qui-Gon, however, I believe I discovered what became of Jemmiah."

His interest perked, Qui-Gon smiled. "So you have her back in the infirmary then I take it."

"No, and I believe she is here with Obi-Wan."

"WHAT!?!?!" Qui-Gon replied as he sprayed a glass of Alderaanian rum across the counter.

Mace just looked amused. Tonight could be more interesting than I thought.