Part VI

The morning of the banquet, Obi-Wan realized he had a difficult task ahead of him. He had to tell Anakin that he wasn’t going that night. Anakin was going to be none too happy about being left behind, but if Obi-Wan was going to keep his promise to Amidala he was going to have to keep Anakin in the dark about the Chancellor’s plan. And it would be more than a little suspicious to ask Anakin to dress as one of Amidala’s guards as he himself was going to be dressed.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath as he pressed Anakin’s entry chime. The door slid up with a hiss and Anakin stood framed in the doorway.

"Master?"

"Anakin, I’m going to ask you to do something that you’re not going to like."

"Master?"

"I’m going to ask you to stay in the Temple tonight."

Anakin looked puzzled. "You don’t want me to go to the banquet tonight?"

"Remember how I told you that there were some things I would do that I wouldn’t be able to explain to you? This is one of them," Obi-Wan said carefully, studying Anakin’s reaction. He seemed confused.

Anakin sighed inwardly. He was doing it again. "Yes, Master," he said quietly.

Anakin waited a count of ten after Obi-Wan left before heading for Kayla’s quarters. He hit her entry chime and waited impatiently for her to answer. After what seemed like an eternity, the door slid up with a hiss. Kayla looked at him curiously. "What’s wrong, Anakin?"

"Obi-Wan just told me I couldn’t go to the banquet for Amidala tonight," Anakin said gruffly.

"Is he going?" Kayla asked.

Anakin nodded. "Yes."

Kayla sighed. "You’d better come with me."

Anakin looked at her curiously. "Why? Where are we going?"

Kayla grinned. "You’ll see."

Obi-Wan left Anakin’s quarters worried about his padawan. His promise to Amidala was driving a wedge between Anakin and himself. And the situation with Kayla wasn’t helping either. They both let their emotions run away with them. Obi-Wan was shaken from his thoughts by a pair of familiar voices from behind.

"Where are you taking me?" asked Anakin suspiciously.

"You’ll see..." Kayla teased.

Obi-Wan ducked into the side corridor before they could see him. He pressed himself up against the wall and peered around the corner. Kayla had Anakin’s wrist and she was pulling him down the hallway, grinning like mad. Anakin was wearing a half-frown, looking very suspicious. What was going on now?

Obi-Wan ducked out of sight as they passed his corridor. He waited a count of five and then moved after them.

Anakin and Kayla came to a halt outside a pair of double doors.

Anakin turned to Kayla. "The pool? You’re taking me to the pool?"

Kayla grinned again. "Could be, could be." She pushed open the doors and dragged him through.

Obi-Wan stood in the corridor staring at the natatorium doors. The pool? Were they going swimming? In their robes? He cracked open the doors and peered through.

Kayla ran towards the pool’s edge, dragging Anakin along behind.

Anakin now had a sneaking suspicion of what she was up to. As they reached the edge, Kayla stopped suddenly, attempting to use their momentum to swing Anakin forward and into the pool. At the last second Anakin grabbed her wrist and pulled her in with him.

Kayla shrieked in surprise. "You!"

Anakin laughed. "Hah! It’s your own fault."

Kayla splashed him.

Anakin grinned. "Oh, that’s how you want to play it, is it? Okay, two can play at that game." He force shoved a wave at her.

Kayla went under briefly, but came up smiling. "Okay, okay, you win," she laughed.

Anakin and Kayla looked up in surprise. "Master Obi-Wan," Anakin exclaimed. "We were just, um..."

"Save it, Anakin."

Anakin pulled himself out of the pool and then helped Kayla out.

Obi-Wan looked at their soaked tunics. "I think you two had better go get changed, don’t you?"

Anakin and Kayla trudged reluctantly towards the doors. Anakin was already outside when Obi-Wan called to Kayla. "Kayla, wait a minute, I want to talk to you." Anakin paused outside the doors, unsure if he should wait for her. Obi-Wan threw a pointed glance in his direction. "Alone."

Anakin turned to leave, and Obi-Wan turned to Kayla. "I would appreciate it if you would stay away from Anakin in future."

Kayla glanced up at him sharply. "Why?" she asked defiantly. "Are you jealous?"

Obi-Wan paused and stared at her hard. "You’re a bad influence on him."

"Bad influence? I’m a bad influence? Exactly how am I a bad influence on Anakin? You’re not the perfect Jedi yourself, and we both know it."

Obi-Wan looked away. "That’s a different matter entirely, and it’s nothing to do with Anakin."

"I think it has everything to do with Anakin," she paused and caught his eyes. "And maybe if you didn’t spend so much time with Amidala he wouldn’t be so upset all the time."

Obi-Wan reached out a hand to her shoulder. Kayla pushed him away. The force of her reaction made him slip on the pool’s edge, and he fell back into the water.

"Obi-Wan!" Kayla cried.

Obi-Wan found his footing in the pool and stood up to face her, dripping wet with the water up to his chest. "Just go," he said quietly.

Kayla bowed her head, turned and left. She muttered "I’m sorry," quietly as she stepped through the doors.

Obi-Wan watched her go, the water dripping from his hair over and down his eyes. She left. She actually left.

Kayla met Anakin halfway down the corridor. She looked at him curiously, as he stood there with a small puddle forming around his feet. "I thought you were going to go change," she said.

Anakin looked up at the sound of her voice. "I was waiting for you. What did he want to talk to you about?" Anakin paused to study her face. "Did he kiss you again?" he demanded.

Kayla frowned inwardly. "No, he just told me to stay away from you."

Anakin’s expression hardened. "I’m getting tired of him telling us what we can and can’t do when he does whatever the hell he pleases."

"I pushed him in the pool, by the way."

"What?!?"

"Well, it was an accident..."

Anakin grinned. "Serves him right, anyway."

"I feel a little bad about it, actually."

Anakin stared at her. "Don’t."

Kayla sighed. "Come on, we should get changed." Anakin nodded and let Kayla lead him away.

Sah-Jen stared after them. "Hmmm. Interesting," he said thoughtfully, before ducking back around the corner as Obi-Wan, soaking wet, came into view.

Kayla changed her robes and re-braided her wet hair before heading over to Anakin’s quarters. The door slid up before she pressed the entry chime.

Anakin grinned at her. "Felt you there."

"Uh-oh. Now I’m in trouble," she laughed.

"Come on in," he said, stepping aside to allow her to pass. "You hungry?"

She nodded. "A bit."

"Okay, let me just get my boots on and we’ll go grab something to eat."

"Sounds good."

Amidala sat in her quarters, staring at the holo-image of Anakin sitting on the coffee table. She hadn’t had much time for Anakin these last few days. She was so busy finalizing the arrangements for tonight’s banquet with Chancellor Palpatine and Master Obi-Wan that she scarcely had time to sleep and eat. Obi-Wan had told her that Anakin wasn’t happy about not being able to attend, but it was unavoidable. There was too much of a chance that he’d figure out what was really going on.

Still, she should go talk to him. Try to ease some of his fears. She got up, and headed for his quarters.

As Amidala approached Anakin’s quarters, she was surprised to see the door slide up and two people step out. One of them was Anakin, hopping on one foot and trying to pull a boot onto the other. The other was a young red-headed woman, who was talking and laughing with Anakin. They both had wet hair.

Amidala paused in the corridor, unsure whether to approach or hold her position. Who was that girl? Why was she in Anakin’s quarters? And why did they both have wet hair? Amidala wondered if perhaps she’d been neglecting Anakin a little too much. Had she lost him to another girl while she was busy trying to protect him?

She called out to him. "Anakin."

He turned, and smiled at her, his face slightly red. Embarrassment? Guilt? "Hi!"

The red-head looked between her and Anakin. "Um, I was just leaving," she said, smiling apologetically. She turned to Anakin. "I’ll talk to you later, okay?"

Anakin smiled sweetly at her. "Okay."

With a quick smile at Amidala, she turned and walked off. Amidala stared after her for a second before turning to Anakin. "Who was that?"

"A friend."

"A close friend?"

"Yeah," he grinned.

Amidala frowned inwardly. "Anyway, I just wanted to drop by to say I’m sorry you can’t come to the banquet tonight. It’s just that things are, well, involved."

Anakin sighed. "I wish you’d tell me what was going on."

Amidala studied him for a moment. I wish you’d tell me what was going on, she thought. "I can’t, Anakin. Not yet. But maybe soon. Hey, maybe you and I can do something together tomorrow?"

Anakin paused, studying her face. "Maybe."

Amidala frowned slightly. "Okay. I’ll see you later then."

"Okay," he said.

Amidala turned and walked off, her frown deepening.

Kayla strode down the corridor towards the dining hall still wearing a faintly bemused smile. So that was Amidala. Kayla wondered briefly what Amidala must have been thinking seeing her emerge from Anakin’s quarters with him partially dressed and her with wet hair. She laughed, faintly embarrassed at the thought. Oh well. She was sure that Anakin would set her straight if he wanted to. Kayla nearly stopped in her tracks as a thought hit her. I wonder if that’s what Obi-Wan was thinking when...

"Hello, Kayla."

Kayla looked up, startled. "Master Sah-Jen," she said the red tinge in her cheeks rapidly spreading.

"You look refreshed, my dear. All pink and glowing."

Kayla hid her frown. "Master?"

"I presume from your wet hair that you’ve just had a shower."

"Oh, um, yes."

Sah-Jen clapped his hands together. "Excellent. Then you’re all ready to leave, I take it?"

"Leave?" she asked, confused.

Kayla stepped out of the transport two hours later and shaded her eyes from the blazing sun. She turned to Sah-Jen. "Master, what exactly is it we’re looking for?"

"I’ll know when we find it," he said, mysteriously. He walked over to the nearest market stall and examined the merchant’s wares. He picked up one object after another, turning each in his hand as he scrutinized it. "No," he finally declared, before moving to the next stall and beginning the process all over again.

Kayla studied his movements. She sighed. "Master, maybe if you’d tell me what you’re looking for I could help you search for it."

He paused, a small metal contraption in hand, and turned to her. "I told you, I’ll know what I’m looking for when I find it."

"Ah," she said. "I see." She shook her head.

"Patience, Kayla. Patience is a virtue, as they say."

She bowed her head slightly, as Sah-Jen moved on to yet another stall. "Yes, Master," she said.

"Ah," he said, holding what looked to be a palm-sized partially translucent rock. He’s looking for a rock? A rock? We came all this way for a rock?

"Yes, yes I think this will work nicely," he said. "Kayla, come here and hold this for me while I dig out my credits."

She walked over and took the rock from his hand. As she did so, she noticed it seemed to hum in her hand. She examined it more closely. Waves of translucent color seemed to flow through it. "Master..." she began.

"I know," he said.

"Oh, okay," she said, transfixed by the luminous color display. She looked up as Sah-Jen completed his transaction with the merchant.

They turned back towards the transport and she went to hand him back the rock. He shook his head.

"It’s yours," he said simply.

"Mine?" she asked.

"Yes."

She looked at him slightly puzzled. "It’s very pretty, but why did we come all the way out here just to get a rock?"

"It’s not just a rock, Kayla. It’s force sensitive. It’s attune to the force flowing through you."

"Oh," she said, studying the rock and trying to manipulate the color pattern. "I’ve heard about these. A couple padawans in the Temple were talking about them one day."

"Yes, it’s an excellent training tool. It allows you to see the Force," he paused. "I thought that perhaps you could use it."

"Master?" she asked, wondering what he was implying.

"You can use it to help center yourself – center your emotions."

She nodded. "Yes, Master. Thank-you Master."

Kayla cradled the rock in her hands, experimenting with it all the way back to Coruscant. She noted that the more attuned she was to the Force, the more the rock glowed bright blue. And the more emotional she was, the more it turned a sort of pulsing purplish red. She also noticed that the color grew slightly more intense when they landed in the Temple hangar. Must be the concentration of Jedi in the Temple, she decided.

Sah-Jen studied Kayla experimenting with the rock, a slightly amused expression playing on his face. Good. The trip had distracted her, got her mind off of...other matters. And the rock would be a good training tool for her.

He powered down the engines and led the way to the landing ramp. Kayla followed him, still staring into the depths of the rock. It was glowing a soft blue and pulsating green.

As they walked through the hangar they passed the royal party, seemingly on their way out. Kayla noticed Obi-Wan walking beside the Queen. He had his cloak wrapped around himself in an odd fashion, concealing his robes. She was startled to see him. She felt a sudden tinge of guilt at leaving him the way she had earlier. He’d seemed hurt. Kayla’s thoughts were interrupted as she looked down suddenly at her hands as they began to hum. Oh, the rock...

Obi-Wan walked through the hangar next to Amidala. He glanced up as he sensed a familiar presence. Kayla and Sah-Jen. He tried to ignore them, but his curiosity got the better of him. Where had they gone? And what was Kayla staring at in her hands?

The rock was busy pulsating a bright reddish color. Sah-Jen glanced from Kayla to the rock to Obi-Wan. Damn. Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn.

"Lovely shade, Kayla," he said in an unusually sarcastic tone.

"Matches your cheeks."

"I...I..." she stammered. "Sorry, Master."

"Yes, yes I’m sure you are. Come along," he said, practically dragging her from the hangar.

Obi-Wan watched them go. Sah-Jen had not seemed pleased. He wondered why, but he couldn’t worry about that now. There were other more pressing matters at hand, and he had to concentrate.

Kayla and Sah-Jen walked along the corridor in silence. Even the rock seemed to sense their mood, and stayed a dull blue. Kayla looked timidly at Sah-Jen. "Master, I..."

"No excuses this time, Kayla. I don’t want to hear them."

"Master..." she began.

Sah-Jen stopped and looked at her. "No, Kayla. You’re too old to still be fighting these childish emotions. Either do something with your emotions or let them go. You have to choose. You cannot continue to allow your emotions to control you. You must learn to control them, or they will be your downfall. Listen to me, Kayla, I’ve seen it happen before." His eyes pleaded with her. "Please."

She bowed her head. "Yes, Master."

His expression softened. "Now, go eat something, my dear. And think about what I’ve said."

She nodded. "Yes, Master."

Kayla walked down the corridor towards the dining hall, deep in thought. Sah-Jen was right. Her emotions had too much control over her. She looked down at the rock she was still carrying. Maybe this little thing would help. Maybe. She pushed open the dining hall doors and stepped through. Anakin was seated inside, pushing some food around his plate. None of it seemed to be making its way to his mouth. Kayla sighed.

"Hi, Anakin. How ya doing?"

Anakin looked up grumpily. "They just left."

Kayla nodded sympathetically. "Ah, yeah, I passed them on the way in."

"The way in? Where’d you go?" he asked with interest.

"Master Sah-Jen suddenly decided that I needed a force sensitive rock." She held the rock up for dramatic effect. "So, we went and got one."

"Oh, um, okay. Interesting." He looked at the rock. "Can I see it?"

"Hmm...can you see my rock...um, let me think...well, um.... Yeah, okay, you can see the rock," she said, grinning. She handed it over.

As Anakin took the rock, it began to hum loudly. He gave it back quickly. "Nice rock you got there."

Kayla laughed. "I think it likes you."

Anakin grinned. "Like owner, like rock."

"Oh, so you think I like you, huh?" she asked, laughing.

His grin widened. "Doesn’t everybody?"

Kayla shook her head and laughed some more. "I’m going to go grab some food, Mr. Popular. Back in a sec. Think you can keep one of those seats open for me, or will you be mobbed by all your fans while I’m gone?"

"I’ll do my best."

Obi-Wan stared across the transport at the Queen and decided to plead with her one last time. "Your Highness, I really do not think this is a good idea."

She gave him an exasperated look. "Master Jedi, I refuse to place Sabe’ in such grave danger."

Obi-Wan returned with an exasperated expression of his own. "Your Highness, she’s your body guard."

"And my best friend, Obi-Wan. I will not use her as bait. If anyone’s going to do this, it’s going to be me."

Obi-Wan sighed. "Yes, Your Highness. But for the record, I don’t approve."

"Your concern is noted, Master Jedi," she said.

Kayla returned to Anakin’s side with a plate of food. He looked at her curiously as she sat down.

"So, you said you saw them as you were arriving?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied carefully.

"And?" he asked.

"And what?"

"And what were they doing?"

Kayla looked at him. "They were walking, Anakin. What do you think they were doing?"

"Oh. Okay."

Kayla thought briefly about teasing him about Obi-Wan and Amidala, but then thought better of it. Last time she tried that she almost got killed. Instead, she pointed to his untouched plate of food and said, "You know, a wise man told me ‘Go, eat.’ Good advice." She smiled.

He set his fork down. "I don’t feel much like actually eating."Amidala sat at the head of the banquet table looking out at the large gathering of finely dressed dignitaries. She realized she wasn't really in the mood for socializing. Her thoughts dwelled on other matters. Not only was she wondering if another assassination attempt would occur, she was also thinking of Anakin's feelings for her. She was sure Anakin loved her but she had a nagging suspicion that she was losing him. Who was that other girl? What did Anakin mean when they were close friends? Maybe she should ask....

**Continue to Part 7**

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