.                      Bonds of Choice #21
                  Star Wars: TPM FanFic Series
                         by HiperBunny
                        (message 2 of 2)
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Qui-Gon approached Kourt's door with a little trepidation.  It wasn't often
that Obi-Wan tried to include him in his personal activities, but the young
Jedi had been positively bouncing this morning, despite the hairdo. 
Obi-Wan had contacted him via comm-link, assuring him that all were safe
and that the day's lunch plans should continue as scheduled.  Something was
up, and Qui-Gon Jinn didn't need the Force to tell him that.  He couldn't
help but think he was forgetting something, something vital about today,
something special.  He'd meant to check the date before he left his
classes, but somehow hadn't done it.

Hmm. Curious.  Kourt's door opened as soon as Qui-Gon sounded the chime. 
The lights were dim, but Qui-Gon could make out odd shapes of  *something*
as he stepped inside. "Hello?" he called.  Not unexpectedly, the door
closed behind him.  He advanced a few steps, trying to make his way towards
the only apparent source of light.  Several rows of tiny candles marched
across…a cake? "What's going on?" he muttered.

The lights flicked on and three voices shouted "Happy Nameday!!!!"

*********************  

Obi-Wan had never been so self-satisfied in his life.  He'd really put one
over on Qui-Gon this time.  And it was Qui-Gon's own fault.  *Maybe he'll
learn to check his dayplanner from now on. * Obi-Wan mused.  Corubia's
quarters were awash in balloons and streamers, flowers and party favors. 
Master Crowe had a pointy paper hat of some sort perched on his head.  They
had all dined on Obi-Wan's stir-fry, spicy, just like Qui-Gon preferred
it.  That had segued into the chocolate cake and an interesting revelation
made by none other than Master Kourt Crowe.

The four Jedi now sat on the kitchenette floor.  The Padawans held their
lightsabers steady while the Masters did their work.  Qui-Gon was carefully
levitating two marshmallows just a breath away from the energy blade.  He
rotated them slowly, making sure to brown all sides evenly.  "Now," he
whispered with solemn reverence.  Obi-Wan levitated the graham crackers and
chocolate squares in next to the marshmallows, close enough for the
chocolate to begin melting.  Qui-Gon settled the marshmallows on top and
brought in the top cracker. "Okay, all done," the Jedi pronounced.  Obi-Wan
switched off the lightsaber and reached for his share. 

Heaven.

"I can't believe you waited so long to show this to me, Master," Obi-Wan
complained, setting up another round of s'mores. 

"I feel a right idiot for putting it off, Padawan." Qui-Gon drew his
lightsaber this time and held it for Obi-Wan to toast the marshmallows. 

When they had finished their second round, Corubia looked up.  "I suppose
we ought to talk about what happened," she began.

Obi-Wan gave her an unhappy glance.  "This is supposed to be a party, Cor."

"No, Padawan... she's right.  I appreciate the trouble you've all gone to,
but more pressing issues are afoot," Qui-Gon said.  "We really must know
what happened today."

"Pardon, 'scuse me, but… what?" Kourt broke in.

Obi-Wan turned an accusing glare on Corubia.  "You didn't tell him?"

"Tell me what?" Kourt asked again.  "Rubi… did something happen at the
Senate?"

Obi-Wan coughed and looked away.  "Uh… yeah."

Corubia crossed her arms and refused to make eye contact with the rest of
them.

"Kourt, they think they saw the ghost of Darth Maul today," Qui-Gon began.

"It *was* him," Obi-Wan interjected.

"Well, you say that, Padawan.  I think you mean it, too… but what about the
others?" Qui-Gon gently inquired.  

"Swed and Jenji went to make their reports as soon as they got back,"
Obi-Wan replied, a trifle defensively.

"And Corubia?" Qui-Gon pressed.

Obi-Wan frowned at his master.  "You know, I think she has a pretty good
reason for not wanting to talk about Darth Maul.  He killed her master, you
know."

"He *turned* her *former* master, Obi-Wan.  She died here in the Temple. 
You know that." Qui-Gon's tone was perfectly even.

"Semantics," Obi-Wan flippantly replied.  "If not for him…"  the younger
man stopped.  What *would* have happened to his best friend if Torlamin
hadn't  turned?  With what he now knew of the woman, he couldn't help but
think her turning and subsequent execution might have been the best thing
for Corubia.  

"Who killed Master Torlamin?" Corubia suddenly asked.

"What?" Kourt demanded, turning towards her again.

"Who… who did it?  How was it done?" she murmured, still not looking anyone
in the eye.  "I think I have a right to know."

"Sis, let it go," Obi-Wan reached over and rubbed between her shoulder
blades.  "It can't possibly matter now."

"Easy for you to say," she replied, voice a little firmer.  "If it was
Qui-Gon, could you just 'let it go' ?  Wouldn't you *want* to know?  Or are
you too scared to face up to that truth, as well?"

"Look, Cor, I know this is hard on you, but there's no need to be nasty,"
Obi-Wan pulled back, stung.

"No need to be… be what?  Be nasty?  Obi-Wan, someone in this room killed
my *Master*.  I know it was justice, but I want to know whose hand it was."
Corubia's mouth twitched.  "Just say it, Master.  Just tell me…"

"No one killed her, Corubia.  She committed suicide," Qui-Gon said.

There was a long moment of silence before he continued.

"She had come to accept certain truths and chose to end her own life… for
the greater good.  I was there when it happened.  I was the only witness,
so I'm afraid you'll have to take my word for it."

Corubia stared at him, appalled.  Obi-Wan had the suspicion that he was
doing the same thing.  "Pan, you… you didn't try to stop her?"

"Stop her, Koatel?  I was there to encourage her." Qui-Gon stood and walked
back into the living room.  "It was the only way to serve justice and
attain peace in this matter."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes, deep shame burning in his stomach.  "I… I don't
understand."

"One day you will, my Padawan.  On that day, I will weep for your
innocence," Qui-Gon replied.

"Darth Maul appeared on the lower promenade," Corubia said, voice once
again firm and steady.  "I think we pretty much saw him at the same time,
though Padawan Kenobi seemed less surprised than the rest of us.  He led us
through the Senate complex to the Kurasian offices.  There, he showed us -"

"Stop," Kourt said, raising his hand.  "Say nothing further."

Obi-Wan opened his mouth to object. "You either, Obi-Wan.  I want you to
make this report directly to the Council.  I don't want them to think I
have coached or meddled in your words.  Just give me time to arrange for
things."

********************  

Obi-Wan paced his room, frowning occasionally at the setting sun.  "This is
so annoying!" he called.

"Patience, Padawan," Qui-Gon absently replied.

"You don't understand, Master.  Right now, this IS patience!  I'm standing
here, KNOWING who the Sith Master is, and I CAN'T tell anyone!" Obi-Wan
kicked his bed and frowned at the fading light once more.

"Find something else to fret about," Qui-Gon suggested.

"Such as?"

There was a long moment of silence.  "Contemplate your physical flaws."

"What physical flaws?" Obi-Wan demanded.

Qui-Gon did not answer.

Obi-Wan stalked into the bathroom and switched on the lights.  What
physical flaws?  He stared at himself for a long time, from a few different
angles, before frowning with frustration.  Physical flaws?  Well, yes…
there must be physical flaws.  *I'm not perfect, after all…* he reminded
himself.  He also recalled that he'd never considered himself physically
exceptional, either.  Attractive, yes, but that had more to do with
personality and willingness to accommodate than anything else. 
Uncomplicated sex was an extremely attractive trait and one at which
Obi-Wan excelled.  Not that this trait seemed very attractive to Qui-Gon. 
Qui-Gon, in fact, seemed bent on getting PAST that trait, for whatever
reason.

He shook his head.  Physical flaws.  Well, his chin was cleft, perhaps that
was the flaw… but it was also nicely symmetrical and altogether a strong
chin.  Hmmm.  Eyes, maybe?  Their consistently undefinable color had often
been a source of frustration when it came to filling out official
descriptions, but otherwise they were perfectly serviceable.  Nose? Nah. 
Mouth?  He knew for certain it wasn't the mouth.  EVERYONE liked his mouth,
and said so.  Brow?  A trifle high, and a dermal blemish to boot… that
might be it.

He stuck his head out of the bathroom and pointed to his forehead.  Qui-Gon
looked up at him, frowned, and shook his head, indicating negative. 
Obi-Wan sighed and went back to his contemplations.  His hair… well,
nothing to do about that anyway, and Qui-Gon had already said he liked
it.   Ears?  A little pokey-out, but nothing offensive, really.  Hmmm.

He shrugged out of his cloak and tunics, giving his arms and chest a slow
once-over.  Despite the latticework of scars punctuating them, they seemed
well enough.  Neither was he overly muscular.  Firmly defined, would be his
word for it.  His tummy was flat and firm as well, but for all that he had
also a graceful flexibility trained into him by Qui-Gon's lessons.  He
turned his back towards the mirror and observed.  Same thing.

It was but a moment's work to strip off boots and pants, but the search was
equally fruitless.  Though there was a paleness of skin, overall, and
perhaps something of too-eager readiness in presentation, he couldn't say
he found himself particularly *flawed* in any significant sense…

"Single sand?" he called out.

"Very good, Padawan.  Get dressed.  The Council will be waiting for us,"
Qui-Gon replied.

Obi-Wan chuckled to himself.  Classic misdirection.  Still, the lesson was
a good one, and one he would remember in the future.  The Single Sand
meditation was a by-product of a physical exercise often given to very
restless, very inquisitive Padawans.  The goal was to find one single grain
of sand that perfectly embodied the ideal of being a grain of sand.  The
search for one single sand had been going on for more generations than
Obi-Wan cared to think about, and was a search he and his friends continued
even though they'd long ago worked the puzzle out.  No grain of sand is
better or more perfect than any other.  This principle, of course, was
applied to other, greater subjects than sand.  Governments, political
leaders, systems of belief, monetary standards, virtually anything a Jedi
might encounter many, varied examples of throughout the course of his
duties.  They were all just grains of sand on the beach, one not much
better than the other, so all would be accepted for their own unique and
self-contained attributes.  It did little good to compare one sand to
another.  It was all sand.

Obi-Wan straightened his cloak and joined his master by the door.  "So, I'm
just a grain of sand, Master?"

Qui-Gon brushed his lips over Obi-Wan's chin.  "Diamond in the rough, my
Padawan."

Obi-Wan flushed with pleasure and followed his master towards the Council
chamber.

*********************  

Qui-Gon was surprised to see a rank of Senatorial guards outside the
Council's antechamber.  It was not often that a senator would travel so far
to see the Jedi.  More often they would summon a Jedi to them, as if the
Order was nothing more than a packet of lackeys to do their bidding. 
Qui-Gon snorted at the idea but said nothing.  

"What is it, Master?" Obi-Wan murmured.

"Circumstances, Padawan," Qui-Gon replied and continued on into the
Councilor's Chamber.  

The whole of the Council was there, not to mention a few others besides.
Kourt and Corubia, Jenji and Teril, Swed and Jayden, plus one or two
civilians unknown to Qui-Gon.  Qui-Gon took his place in the row of
Masters, trusting Obi-Wan to fall in line with his rank-mates.  He glanced
sideways and caught a glimmer of Kourt's 'longsuffering' look.  Well, it
would seem the Council was requiring some convincing on this.  At least
they were taking this seriously.  They could have been ignoring it out of
hand.

"Assumed it is, that your Padawan also saw the spirit of Darth Maul today,"
Yoda began conversationally.  "Why so little does this surprise me, Master
Jinn?"

"Because, Master Yoda, it is in my nature to do anything that might
confound and vex this most honorable Council.  If it would be complicated
for my student to be in consort with a deceased Sith, then surely he must
do it.  For as the Master, so the Padawan," Qui-Gon returned.

"Are you in consort with a deceased Sith?" Master Gallia inquired.

"No, Master.  I have learned to delegate responsibilities," Qui-Gon
replied. 

The others of the Group murmured "The many as the one."

Qui-Gon nodded slowly to them.  "Even so."

"Speak into the record your experiences, Padawan Kenobi," Master Windu
ordered.

Obi-Wan cleared his throat and obeyed, describing the afternoon's events in
clear, precise language.  He never paused to search for a word, nor
faltered in his narrative.  He was at a calm center, focused on obedience
and humble submission to the will of the council.  Qui-Gon was proud to see
how well his student did before the Council.  For once the air was not
crackling with tension and unspoken mistrust.  The Councilors were
listening to each word, mining his recitation for information rather than
suspected duplicity.  Qui-Gon quite envied the young man for their
attentions.

When Obi-Wan had explained the final tableau, of Palpatine and Darth Maul,
Qui-Gon had to grip his serenity with both hands and hang on to his center
for all he was worth.  *Not as if you never suspected,* he reminded
himself.  Still, to know, to have solid proof once and for all… and Obi-Wan
accepted it with the serenity of a true Jedi.  *Must update my contingency
file,* he mused.

The Council was silent for a long moment.  "Have any of you anything to
add?" Master Poof inquired.

Kourt answered for them.  "No, Councilors."

"Padawan Kenobi, your report from San Saloor has been fully reviewed. 
Darth Maul has visited you before.  Do you think you can call him to you
again?" Master Windu asked.

"I do not think so, Master.  I have never called him to me before.  He has
appeared, and I have seen him," Obi-Wan explained.

"But surely you did something to attract his attention," Gallia suggested.

"I killed him.  I think that would get his notice pretty handily," Obi-Wan
replied.

Qui-Gon intervened. "Padawan, moderate your attitude."

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan bowed his head.

"Now then, how do you get him to come to you," Gallia began again.

"With all due respect, Master, my Padawan has already said he does not
summon the Sith ghost.  He's a Jedi, not a soothsayer," Qui-Gon pre-empted.

Gallia sat back, eyes narrowed in thought.  "As you say, Master Jinn."

"Moot, this all is.  Corroborate our theories, their experience does," Yoda
said.  "Implement our plan we should, before too late it becomes."

"Are you really ready to take such a step with nothing but these… these
junior Shadows as evidence?" Gallia demanded.

"My own council I will keep, as to who I trust or not.  Your own
informants, evidence have brought.  Time to move it is, before we lose all
opportunity," Yoda announced.

"I quite agree," Windu added.  "Kourt, if you and yours would be so kind,"
and he gestured towards the perimeter of the chamber.

Kourt bowed and stepped towards the windows, raising his hood and folding
his hands even deeper in his sleeves.  Qui-Gon copied his example, taking
Obi-Wan with him. 

**What is this, Master?** Obi-Wan's mental voice was hushed, tightly
projected and hidden from eavesdroppers.

//Moral support, I'd say.  There are Senators in the antechamber.  I think
the Council has some sort of plot going on.  The presence of this many Jedi
will give the politicians pause.  For all that they like to have us on
their side, for the most part they're scared of us,// Qui-Gon explained.

**But the Council always does what they want,** Obi-Wan objected.

//Not always, Padawan.  And it's not the Council they're scared of.  The
councilors make sure of that.   It's us field operatives that scare the
starch right out of them.  The Council is Wise.  We're wise, strong, quick
and heavily armed.  What's not to be scared of?// Qui-Gon explained. 
//Fear is the enemy of the prominently placed.//

**Then fear is occasionally the ally of the Jedi?** Obi-Wan inquired.

//It depends on just who's shaking in their boots, when and why.// Qui-Gon
stifled a sigh.  Sometimes it was complicated, keeping up with his
Padawan's mental processes.  //Oh skies above.  Senator Vallorum and
Senator Antilles.//

Obi-Wan masked his shock quite well.  **I thought… wasn't Vallorum sent
away?**

//Just because he isn't Chancellor doesn't mean he isn't a Senator.  His
people still support him, especially since the rumors of his corruption
have been so thoroughly squashed.//

**And Antilles?  What can Alderaan possibly have to do with this?**

//They're a neutral representative.  He's probably here to listen for
others, more powerful sectors and sovereignties that prefer to operate
through him,// Qui-Gon explained.  

**I feel like I started an avalanche,** Obi-Wan murmured.

//From the look of things, you might be right.//

Obi-Wan made no reply, but focused his attentions on the senators.  Qui-Gon
quietly observed his student's scrutiny, how Obi-Wan monitored their heart
rates and breathing through the Force, then carefully lowered part of his
mental shielding to get the sense of their thoughts.  As he did so, Qui-Gon
noticed something new in his student.  A reluctance to use one of his
Force-abilities.

//What is wrong, Obi-Wan?//

For a moment, the younger man did not answer.  **It makes me feel naked.**

//And that is uncomfortable?  You've never been ashamed of your body…//

**I can't say the same of my soul,** Obi-Wan brusquely replied.

The sentiment hit Qui-Gon like a sucker-punch to the gut.  //I see,// he
calmly replied, and released his reaction to the Force.  //We will discuss
this later.  For now, merely observe as you would have, before you gained
your telepathy.//

**Yes, Master,** was the obedient reply, but the relief was easy to see.

Qui-Gon turned his own attention towards the senators.  They were doing
their best to seem in control, but it was clear that twenty Jedi did what
only twelve could not.  The Senators were plainly intimidated.  The council
seemed ready to play that for all it was worth.

"Senators, long have we been in communication with you, regarding a certain
individual among your number whom we believe to be a grave threat to the
peace of your Republic.  Long and longer still you have ignored our
warnings.  That time is done.  You will begin to effect the plan we first
brought to you.  Now.  This very evening.  If you do not, we can not be
responsible for the outcome." Master Windu steepled his fingers as he
spoke. 

"And what outcome might there be, that we should so endanger ourselves?"
Vallorum demanded.

"We have foreseen the destruction of the Republic as you know it.  This we
have seen and told you, and yet you behave as if nothing has changed for
you or your peoples.  We bring to you the solution, the possible path to
surviving the dark times to come, and you choose to ignore our words.  This
is your final warning.  These eight Jedi have corroborated the suspicions
that long have been held against Chancellor Palpatine, even before he was
chancellor.  What is more, they have proven an aspect to him that even you
do not suspect.  Do what you can to weaken his position, or we can not help
you," Windu's tone carried the weight of his office, his power and the full
influence of a true Jedi Master.

The Senators shifted uncomfortably.

"We can't…" Antilles began.

"We are not interested in what you believe you can not do," Master Poof
halted him.  "Do what you must or have it done for you.  Are we perfectly
clear?"

"Yes," Antilles ground out.

"Well and well," Knight Mundi nodded his approval.  "We will begin our own
works on the morrow."

The senators took their leave without dismissal and Obi-Wan snorted.  "Smug
bastards.  If the Council has to deal with their sort all the time…"

"That and worse, Padawan.  And still they do the best for more with less
than any other twelve living beings in the Galaxy," Qui-Gon whispered in
reply.

"Then why do you defy them so often?" Obi-Wan inquired.

"Great triumph requires great opposition.  We need each other, the Council
and I," Qui-Gon explained.

"Remain on Coruscant, you all shall, until more certain the actions of the
Senate is.  Need you, we may, to disrupt this Palpatine's position.  Easier
to remove, he will be, if out of the Chancellorship he is.  Fewer guards to
deal with, there will be," Master Yaddle said.

"As you will," Kourt answered for the others again.

"Thank you, we do, Master Crowe.  Once again, engineered you have, a
position of power," the little Master continued.

"The honor is mine," Kourt assured her, bowing low.

"May the Force be with you," Windu absently murmured.

The Group left as one.  "Well, that didn't surprise them a bit," Kourt
cheerfully announced.

"So they've known and done nothing about it this whole time?" Corubia
demanded.

"Well, I doubt they've been in any position TO take action, before now,"
Kourt replied.

"The Council is constrained by a great many regulations.  Over the
millennia, the Senate has sought to hamper their control over the Order. 
For now, they can take no political action on any situation unless the
problem is brought to them by some outside entity," Qui-Gon explained.

"This time, it was you Padawans," Kourt specified.  "Since you're not
really Jedi yet, you count as an outside petitioner.  A fine line to tread,
but one that would hold up to legal scrutiny."

"So we gave them the authority to act?" Jenji asked.

"Essentially," Teril replied.  "Though we're all gonna be grounded for the
time being."

"Sounds good to me," Obi-Wan said.  "I don't want to shepherd with every
ex-lover I have in the Temple.  I don't think my nerves could handle it."

His friends laughed at this remark, just missing the pained looks that
passed among their elders.  Qui-Gon chose not to respond.  *He has a long
way to go before he's ready to hear what I need to say.  I hope I can hold
on long enough…*