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Transitions, Part One

by Harleen Rhydonn

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Rating--PG for now, will become NC-17 eventually

Spoilers--Before TPM

Feedback--Yes, please!! :-)

Disclaimer--With the exception of Harleen Rhydonn and Cuthbert Klaatulu (so far), all characters are the property of George Lucas. I'm just "creatively borrowing" them!

Note: Although the main female character is named Harleen Rhydonn, and I also go by this name, I just want to state that I have created her in my image only. Harleen the story character and Harleen the person are two seperate entities. :-)

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Harleen Rhydonn stood alone at the end of the long corridor of the Jedi Temple, the large black bag containing all of her belongings lying at her feet. There was a comfortable plush chair she could have sat down upon, but she was too nervous. It had been a hectic week for her, filled with the great joy of finally becoming a Jedi Knight and the deep sorrow of her Master, Cuthbert Klaatulu, finally succumbing to his long, mysterious illness. Harleen knew part of the reason why she was sent to another Master and his Padawan for "more guidance"; having to take time out of her training to care for her own dying Master had taken its toll on her. However, something that Master Yoda had said still puzzled her.

"Stay with them, you will. They have become too close."

What, Harleen wondered, did that mean?

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Just outside the Jedi Temple, young Obi-Wan Kenobi struggled to keep up with his Master, Qui-Gon Jinn.

"But, why is she to stay with us? She is now a Jedi Knight." Obi-Wan asked.

"Master Yoda has said that she still needs some guidance, and we can provide that for her. Master Klaatulu's death has obviously affected her, after doing all she could to comfort him in his declining weeks. Besides, Harleen is a very sweet girl, and it won't hurt to have such a remarkable young woman around for a while." Qui-Gon responded, not stopping for even a second.

"I'm not sure about this....." Obi-Wan began.

"Everything will be just fine, my Padawan" Qui-Gon replied, cutting Obi-Wan off in midsentence. "Trust me."

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"Master Qui-Gon!" Harleen cried out at the sight of the Jedi Master.

"Harleen Rhydonn! Congratulations on becoming a Jedi Knight." Qui-Gon decided to dispense with all formalities and allowed the girl to embrace him.

Harleen gave Qui-Gon a kiss on the cheek in spite of herself. It had been at least a year since she had seen him and Obi-Wan. She was relieved when Qui-Gon did not object.

"Thank you, Master." She smiled.

"Please, you may call me Qui-Gon."

"Thank you, Qui-Gon." Harleen then became distracted as she spotted Obi-Wan. She did not remember him being this handsome.

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Obi-Wan was taken aback slightly at the sight of Harleen. She was still very short (Qui-Gon was about half a meter taller than she was). She was now quite voluptuous, with luscious curves everywhere. Her hair was quite different as well: instead of being long and dark brown, constantly worn in a braid; it was now cropped to just above her shoulders and a bright coppery red, of a light that could never be made by nature. Her lips were painted a muted reddish brown, but wore no scent or paint otherwise.

Harleen could feel Obi-Wan's gaze.

"You remember Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon then said, interrupting her thoughts.

"Oh! Yes, of course." Her eyes met Obi-Wan's. "Hello, Obi-Wan. You are looking well."

"So are you, Harleen. So are you." Obi-Wan tried not to let his eyes wander from hers. "Your hair? What did you...."

"I decided I needed to change it. The color is a combination of berries and henna." She gave Obi-Wan a shy smile. He was definitely gorgeous.

"Well....I like it. A lot. It really suits you." Obi-Wan tried to hide his newfound infatuation with her, but sensed that he was failing miserably.

"Thank you." She then realized that Obi-Wan was holding her hand.

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Suddenly, Harleen heard a noise.

It was Qui-Gon, clearing his throat to get their attention.

"I'm sorry, Master." Obi-Wan stammered.

Qui-Gon smiled a knowing smile. "It's quite allright. But it's time to go now."

Obi-Wan picked up Harleen's bag, and they followed Qui-Gon down the corridor and outside the Temple.

To Be Continued......