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Title: Downtime

By: Judy Marchman

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Rated PG-R (eventually)

Disclaimers: The Jedi belong to George Lucas, and so on and so on. Amandia is my creation.

Feedback is welcome.

Aurthor's Notes: Don't like to read my stuff too closely or it'll never get posted, so hopefully not too many typos, etc.

Setting: About three years before TPM. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan have just returned from a "diplomatic mission to Alderaan." Both are ready for a break having been on the go for several months straight. Qui-Gon has just returned from a welcome massage session with his favorite masseuse Kayla and is enjoying a light dinner with Obi-Wan before "catching up" later that night with some old friends, notably Raven, ElaineMc, Sharon, Tammy, Laura, and Kim, et al. (That's for Qui-Gon's crew. He,he! This story is for Obi-Wan's girls!)

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"Well, Master, it'll be good to have some downtime for a change," remarked Obi-Wan Kenobi with a smile as he and his mentor, Qui-Gon Jinn, ate dinner in one of the mess halls serving the Jedi Temple. They had found a quiet table near a window that allowed a nice view of the Coruscant twilight sky. "Yes, it will, my young Padawan," Qui-Gon breathed in deeply, taking in his surroundings. They were home, finally.

"At least our debriefing with the Council is over," Obi-Wan couldn't resist an unrepentant grin. He could feel his Master's inward grimace. Qui-Gon had developed a slight aversion to going before the Council since the older man usually was called on the carpet for something when required to appear. So although everything on this last mission had gone smoothly, and more importantly, by the Code, Obi-Wan had still offered to go in his Master's place.

"I could make the report if you like," he had said. "Seeing as how there really isn't anything to report, other than 'diplomats delivered safely, everyone's happy.'

But Qui-Gon had refused, as his apprentice knew he would. "No, Obi-Wan, although thank you for the offer, but this is part of one's duty as a Jedi Knight. Sometimes you must do things which you may find…" Qui-Gon had grinned down at Obi-Wan's knowing and amused look. "…less than pleasant."

But the day apparently had gotten better for his Master, Obi-Wan thought, returning his attention to the present. The Jedi Master had returned from a massage session in very good spirits. Obi-Wan knew why, but he said nothing, his gaze following that of his Master's---to the Coruscant skyline. "Yes, my young Padawan," Qui-Gon sighed, sitting back, looking at his apprentice. "At least *that* is over with." Amusement shone in his eyes. Obi-Wan knew him too well, Qui-Gon reflected. But he knew his apprentice well too and could tell the young man was eager to be off. Well, they both had some catching up to do with friends and uh, acquaintances.

He rose, impossibly graceful for such a large man. Obi-Wan followed his Master's lead. They mirrored each other, with their flowing robes, hands tucked discreetly away, the purposeful yet controlled stride. Obi-Wan spoke first, "Good night, Master." Qui-Gon placed a hand on the young man's shoulder.

"Good night, my Padawan. I'll see you at 0600. Be ready for a training session." "No rest for the weary?" Obi-Wan replied, a grin lighting up his face. There

was rest and then there was idleness and his Master couldn't stand the latter. "No, no rest for you, Padawan." Qui-Gon tried to keep a straight face, but his eyes were smiling. Obi-Wan no doubt sensed his Master’s amusement anyway. Qui-Gon nodded, turned and headed for his planned rendezvous. Obi-Wan watched his Master go. 'Does he know that I know where he’s going,' he thought. 'Well, I suppose it really makes no difference, does it?'

<No it does not, Padawan.> came the reply. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, then started off to his quarters to prepare for the evening’s festivities.

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Amandia wasn't certain how she wound up outside the Jedi Temple. She had just been running for what felt like forever. Hiding behind a pillar, she dared a peek around. Surely, the person or persons chasing her had not been able to follow her all this way. Wait?…How far had she run exactly? Her heartbeat was pounding in her ears, her breath coming in gasps. She'd never been so scared in all her life. She squinted in the darkness. She wished she could tell how many were after her, but she’d been too busy trying not to get caught.

No one appeared to be out there, but shadows were everywhere thanks to a constant stream of ships above and the towering edifice of the Temple. It stood alone on Coruscant, the other buildings near it looking miniscule in comparison. How had she come to be here?

Amandia recognized the Temple from pictures, but she'd never been to this part of the city. She chanced another brief look, then darted toward an entranceway. The adrenaline was beginning to wear off and her legs were turning rubbery, but something in her spurred her on. She heard footsteps running behind her. 'NO!' she thought. He, she, it…they… still can't be there! She was almost to the door--by the Gods! she thought suddenly, would she even be able to get in?

Desperation rose. The footsteps were getting closer and closer. She could feel them. Suddenly, she was at the door, a side entrance. It didn't open. A control panel was to the right. Amandia was gasping now. Tears were forming. No, no, no! Blindly, she pounded on the control panel. Something had to work! Then “whoosh!” the door slid up. Amandia leaped inside and smack into a solid figure. She fell back, stumbling. Glancing up, she screamed. A robed and hooded figure stood in the doorway.

‘Oh Gods, I’m surrounded!’ was all her fear-clouded mind could think.

Acting purely on instinct, Amandia turned to flee, but before she could move the hooded figure pushed her to the ground. A blue stick of light…a ‘lightsaber’ her mind registered fleetingly…suddenly glowed from out of nowhere and just as suddenly deflected four laserbolts.

Two yelps of pain could be heard from the darkness and before Amandia could pick herself up, the task was being done for her as the hooded man dragged her inside. The door hissed down to seal quickly. Amandia lay on her side just inside the doorway trying to control her rapidly beating heart. The hooded figure bent down and gently touched her shoulder.

“Are you okay?” came a cultured voice, but Amandia was still too caught up in fear to notice the gentleness of the touch or the voice. She scrambled blindly away from both. “Stay away from me!” she screamed. “Don’t touch me!” “It’s all right, you’re safe now. No one’s going to hurt you.” The voice was soothing. Strong hands gripped her shoulders again and again Amandia just reacted. Striking out, she solidly connected a fist with the person’s jaw.

“Ow!” came the voice inside the hood as the person rose quickly. “Watch it now! I’m not going to hurt you. Honest!” This time the voice was laced with exasperation and his words finally registered with Amandia. She looked up from her crouched position, her fists still clenched before her.

Her wary gaze took in the brown robe and hood. The person wasn’t all that tall really, not on a second look. Not that she’d been paying that much attention the first time around. The person had seemed huge when she had run into him. Two hands appeared out of the robe and pushed back the hood. A youthful and handsome face was revealed with glimmering hazel-blue eyes. Curiosity shown in them and amusement danced over his face with the hint of smile forming at the corner of his mouth. His hair was spiky on top and a long braid hung to one side.

He reached out a hand to help her up. Without thinking, Amandia took it…something made her trust him…and allowed herself to be pulled up. She couldn’t tear her eyes from his face. He was beautiful. Amandia wouldn’t be able to remember later if she’d spoken that out loud, but regardless, the beautiful man responded. “Well, beautiful isn’t the word I would choose, especially after that neat right hook you caught me with. How I’m going to explain the bruise, I just don’t know.” His tone was chiding and teasing all at once. She’d hit him! Amandia realized. Suddenly she couldn’t seem to breathe. She’d never hit anyone before. “Oh dear…” she said weakly, her hand moving towards his face. Then she promptly fainted. Obi-Wan Kenobi easily caught the girl. Shaking his head ruefully, he chuckled, “Now, this is a first. Girls falling at my feet.”

Chapter 2

“Oh shit!”

Obi-Wan leaped up from his floor pallet, his heart pounding. Did that chronometer say what he thought it said? Nearly falling back down when he tripped over his cloak, the young man grabbed for the clock. His shoulders sagged. Yes, he was doomed. “He’s going to kill me!”

06:10.

That’s what the chronometer had been blinking when Obi-Wan had groggily opened his eyes. It had only taken a few moments for the adrenaline to kick in. Now, he rushed around his room grabbing his workout gear. He flew into the bathroom, making no effort to remain quiet.

Amandia sat up slowly, blinking her eyes and glancing about trying to remember where she was. She was in his bed, the Jedi’s. Curses could be heard coming from the bathroom. The next moment, Obi-Wan came back out hopping around on one foot while trying to get uncooperative leggings on. “Damn.” he kept repeating. The sight was so incongruous with the gallant young rescuer he’d been last night that Amandia had to giggle. Obi-Wan looked up, a frustrated glare in his eyes. He pointed at her. “Stay here. You’ll be safe. We’ll talk later.” Amandia just blinked at him, still grinning. He huffed, then hooked his belt, picked up his cloak and headed out the door. Obi-Wan could hear her laughter follow him down the corridor.

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Obi-Wan screeched to a halt outside the practice room he and Qui-Gon used regularly. He was in for it. He was supposed to have met the Jedi Master at 0600. He was late, but he wouldn’t have been quite as late if he hadn’t had to go back halfway here to retrieve his forgotten lightsaber. Amandia had still been laughing at him. A good morning, this was not. Qui-Gon was leaning against the wall, arms crossed and eyes closed. They opened as soon as Obi-Wan stepped across the threshhold. “I was wondering when you would finally get her, Padawan. You’re twenty minutes late.” “Yes, Master. I apologize for my tardiness.” Obi-Wan knew that there was no use in trying to explain now. Qui-Gon would find out about Amandia soon enough. He noticed that his Master appeared tired, with bags under his eyes and appeared to shifting uncomfortably. “Damned whipped cream.” Obi-Wan wasn’t sure if his Master had spoken that aloud or not, but stifled a chuckle nontheless. It appeared neither of them had gotten much sleep although leave it to Qui-Gon to be punctual no matter what. “I’m ready for my lesson, Master.” Obi-Wan said. He tried not to yawn. Qui-Gon indicated his apprentice should move to the mat and the workout ensued.

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Four hours later, Obi-Wan dragged a very weary body into the quarters he shared with Qui-Gon. His Master had put him through the wringer this morning. Obi-Wan didn’t even want anything to eat--unusual for him. Qui-Gon had decided to go for a swim--something about soothing sore muscles. That was just fine with Obi-Wan, who just wanted to take a nap. “Ahh,” he sighed as he sank down on the couch in the living area.

Maybe he would just stay here for awhile. Not only was he exhausted but he had a couple of singe marks to deal with too. Gods, had he gotten chewed out for that, well, chewed out in his Master’s quiet but deadly serious-puts-fear-in-the-hearts-of-men-and-other-assorted-creatures way. “Focus, focus, focus.” Obi-Wan felt himself drifting off.

“Umm...hello?” His eyes snapped open at the soft voice. Staring down at him was the girl from the night before…Amandia. “Are you okay?” she asked, observing a scorched part of his tunic. “Yes,” he groaned as he sat up. “I’ll be fine.” He looked at her for a moment.

“You’re still here?”

“Well, you did tell me to stay put and considering what’s waiting for me out there...” Amandia’s voice trailed off as she watched him climb to his feet. He nodded, then walked stiffly over to the kitchen. He didn’t look pleased. Now, Amandia began to get worried. She wasn’t sure what to make of the young Jedi. Didn’t he remember how he’d rescued her last night? How they’d talked all night as he tried to calm her down?

He’d been so kind...Obi-Wan Kenobi...that was his name. He’d been so kind, she reflected again, and funny. And he’d made her feel safe. Then this morning, it was like she was seeing a completely different person. Obi-Wan apparently had sensed her discomfort because he smiled at her as he returned from the kitchen. She noticed he was carrying two cups of something.

“Tea?” he asked, his hazel eyes showing some of the spark she had seen last night. He did look tired. She accepted a cup. “I’m sorry for my behavior just now,” he said, sitting back down on the couch next to her.

“It’s just this morning hasn’t exactly gotten off in the best way for me. I was late to a sparring lesson with my Master and he’s a stickler for puntuality, thus the lesson lasted twice as long as it would have. My punishment.”

“It looks like you’ve been tortured or something.” Amandia ventured a smile, then bit her lip. “Well, let’s just say it was a nice lesson in stamina,” joked Obi-Wan. He grinned ruefully. “I’m sorry if I...” Amandia began. “No, it’s not your fault. Don’t worry about it. It was my responsibility to be there on time and I failed. I have faced the consequences--believe me.” He stood and stretched, his muscles complaining. He groaned. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take a shower. We’ll discuss your predicament in a bit. We’ll have to fill in my Master on the particulars anyway.” Once again, his take-charge attitute was firmly in place. Amandia nodded, blushing slightly at the thought of her Jedi in the shower. Her Jedi! Now where had that thought come from?

Part 3

Amandia Samgral could hear the water running in the shower. *He* was in there. Right now. She tried to envision what he looked like...No! Better not to go there right now. As tempting as it was to dwell on her handsome rescuer, she needed to focus on what had happened to her yesterday.

She’d spent the morning avoiding doing just that. The nightmare from last night had still been too close and with Obi-Wan gone...it had creeped her out too much to think about. So she’d busied herself with exploring her surroundings. First, Obi-Wan’s room. It was pretty spartan. A few personal possessions.

She noticed the lack of family holoscans. Although, there was one, in a simple frame: a young, grinning Obi-Wan and a very tall, serious-looking man, another Jedi, judging by his clothing. It must be his Master, she surmised. The one he was late in meeting. No, she thought, I wouldn’t want him mad at me, that’s for sure.

The photo rested on a dresser built into the wall, and there was a small table next to the bed, which was fairly utilitarian itself. It had slept okay. She had put the chronometer back on the bedside table. Obi-Wan had placed it next to his pallet last night with every intention of getting up on time.

She had made the bed, then chanced a quick shower. She had felt so grimy. Unfortunately she had had to put back on her clothes from the day before. Ick. After pulling her hair back in an efficient ponytail, she had ventured out into the apartment at large. Cautiously at first, then when she realized she really was safe here, curiosity had taken over.

The place wasn’t bad, actually. She didn’t really remember much of it from last night, in part from her being unconcious when she was brought in here, and also from the fact that she’d been so terrified, she hadn’t wanted to leave Obi-Wan’s room. Gods, he’d been so kind...she heard a noise, bringing her attention back to the present...only Obi-Wan in the shower. Ugh! Don’t go there, she told herself harshly.

Glancing around the apartment again, she returned to her reverie. The room looked comfortable and actually lived in. Amandia really didn’t know what she had expected. Somehow she thought Jedi Knights wouldn’t have need of creature comforts like furniture. She didn’t really know what she thought they’d use, though. Maybe levitate? Hmm. Well, anyway, now she knew. And how. After Obi-Wan’s less-than-graceful exit this morning, she definitely knew Jedi were living, breathing, messed up sentient beings like the rest of the universe.

She chuckled under her breath. The mystery was gone. Well, not all of it...her thoughts and gaze returned to the bathroom door. The shower had stopped. He would be getting dressed now, she supposed. Sighing, she got up off the couch and went over to the window that showed the magnificent Coruscant skyline. An advantage of being a Jedi Master, she supposed -- a great view. She wasn’t exactly sure in which direction she was looking. Which way was home from here? Was anybody looking for her? Or had the same beings who came after her come after her family as well? She wasn’t even sure why she had been chased. And should she try to contact her family? Could she? So many questions...

She looked down at the flowering Keppil plant sitting on the windowsill. She had one like it at home. Would it still be there? It looked like it needed watering. Going to the kitchen, she rummaged in the cupboards for a glass, the filled it at the tap.

Amandia found herself talking softly to it -- ‘Yes, aren’t you a pretty plant?’ -- like she did at home, as she fed it water.

“The plant will appreciate the compliment, I’m sure,” a low voice behind her said. Whirling, she dropped the glass, shattering it on the floor.

TBC...