Part IX
Kayla awoke the next morning felling much better. She yawned and stretched her arms above her head. She rose slowly out of the bed and went to freshen up. She didn't know how long she had been asleep. Several minutes later she stepped out of the shower and changed into clean tunics. She pulled on her boots and headed off to the throne room. She was halfway there when met up with Obi-Wan coming down the hall.
"Kayla...um...can we talk?"
Kayla looked up at Obi-Wan. "Um...yes," she said barely above a whisper.
The two walked out towards the gardens just outside the palace. The walk to the gardens was a quiet one. Obi-Wan tentatively reached for Kayla's hand; he was trying to let his instincts take over. He really didn't know how to go about this. He took a deep breath and turned to face her, his hand still cradling hers. "Kayla...I love you," he whispered softly.
"What?" She couldn't hear him over the roar of the anti-grav units of a nearby landing shuttle.
Just his luck, he finally tells her that he loves her and she doesn't even hear him. They looked up to see who had just arrived. It was a Jedi ship.
Obi-Wan and Kayla watched with interest as a small figure approached. A few seconds later revealed their guest was Master Yoda.
"Kayla, speak to you I must."
Kayla looked over to Obi-Wan and then to Master Yoda.
"Later talk to her you can."
Obi-Wan walked off, stealing on more glance at Kayla.
"Loves you he does," Yoda commented.
"Huh?" Kayla blinked and looked at Obi-Wan's retreating back.
"Mind you not. Discuss the battle we will."
"Yes Master Yoda," she said still staring in the direction Obi-Wan had left.
"A match for you the Sith was not?"
Kayla turned and kneeled in front of the Jedi Master. "Master Yoda, I did what I felt was necessary," she said matter-of-factly.
"How feel you with your decision?" he questioned the young girl in front of him.
"It was a terrible ordeal. One I would rather not have gone through, but I understand now why I have trained all these years."
"Hmmm. It is what we wished to hear. Confer on you, the level of Jedi Knight, the Council does. Talk now to your Master I must."
Kayla stood there in shock. Did she just hear him correctly? She was promoted because she lucked out and...killed the Sith. And what did Master Yoda say...'Love you he does'. Obi-Wan loves...me. Kayla watched as Yoda walked towards the palace. She decided to find Obi-Wan, since her master was going to be talking to Yoda at the moment. She wanted to tell him that she was a Knight...a Jedi Knight. She closed her eyes concentrating, she wondered where Obi-Wan had gone. The answer came easily through their blossoming connection. He had gone to the falls. With that she exited the gardens and headed to the falls. She found Obi-Wan sitting at the cliff's edge looking over Naboo. She was about to call out his name when he turned to look up at her from his position on the ground. She walked over to him and sat next to him in the cool grass. "Obi-Wan."
His blue-gray eyes met her green ones. "Kayla."
"I'm a Knight now."
"Huh..."
She grinned slightly at how tongue-tied he had become lately.
"Yes, Master Yoda told me the council decided because of my actions in the forest yesterday that I had completed my training."
"Oh, congratulations. I...think you will make a great Jedi Knight."
"Obi-Wan, Master Yoda said something strange."
"What?" He looked confused.
"Love you he does," Kayla responded imitating the Jedi Master.
"Who..." he stuttered.
"He was referring to you, Obi-Wan." She took a deep breath. "Was he...correct?"
Obi-Wan continued to look at Kayla. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath. "Yes. Kayla, I love you. I have loved you for sometime" he said, relieved to finally have the matter out in the open. Even if it Master Yoda was the one to make the point for him. Obi-Wan leaned over to kiss her and hold her, tenderly.
Master Sah-Jen stood in the throne room looking out a window over the gardens. He felt a great sense of happiness radiating from Kayla through their connection. He turned around when he sensed someone enter, and noticed Master Yoda walking towards him.
"Master Sah-Jen, speak to you I must."
"Yes, Master."
"Trained her well. Saved her it did."
"Master Yoda, I only did what was necessary. I believe she is ready for the trials."
"Unnecessary the trials are. Jedi Knight is she."
Sah-Jen looked at Yoda, a smile on his face. "So that is why you wanted to speak to her?"
"Yes. Needed to know she was ready I did."
"Master, do you know where she is now? I would like to speak to her."
"With Obi-Wan she is. Love her he does," Yoda said noticing the expression of sadness on Sah-Jen's face.
"Worry you not. Foreseen this is."
"Master?'
"Their love was foreseen. Known a while it has. Happy they shall be," Yoda noticed the look on Sah-Jen's face lighten slightly.
Anakin and Amidala wandered throughout the palace gardens, enjoying the fresh air. "Anakin."
"Yes, my love."
Amidala looked up at him. He called her his 'love'. "Um...I..." Amidala took a deep breath and cleared her mind. "I wanted to show you the falls," she said grabbing his hand and gently pulling him in the direction of the cliffs that overlooked the falls. As they approached they noticed a young couple on one the cliffs. Upon closer inspection they noticed who the couple was. Obi-Wan and Kayla. They were kissing. The two stopped in their tracks.
"Well..." Anakin started.
"Um...uh..." Amidala stuttered.
The pair slowly turned and walked away, exchanging grins.
Sah-Jen walked down the corridor lost in thought. Not only had Kayla 'graduated' to the level of Knight, she was with Obi-Wan. He had always thought of Kayla like a daughter, and he didn't think Obi-Wan was good for her. He may love her, but will he be there for her when she needs him. He sighed continuing his journey to his guest quarters. He wanted to be alone and meditate. He almost ran into Anakin and Amidala.
"Master Sah-Jen, are you okay?" Anakin asked.
"Yes," Sah-Jen replied never missing a step.
Anakin turned to watch the older man walk away. "What was that about?" Anakin mumbled under his breath.
Obi-Wan gently broke the kiss. He could feel their connection growing stronger, and he knew she could as well. Obi-Wan realized they would be missed soon and began to stand, pulling Kayla up with him. They walked at a leisurely pace back to the palace, hand in hand. When they reached the palace entrance they slowly released each other's hand.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
She sighed. "As ready as I'll ever be."
They walked into the palace and towards the throne room. Both took a deep breath before entering the room. Anakin was sitting on the floor next to Amidala's throne. Anakin was looking up at Amidala, they were talking and laughing.
"Anakin. Amidala," Obi-Wan said inquisitively. What was going on?
Anakin and Amidala turned to look at Obi-Wan and Kayla, they both straightened up and tried desperately to control their laughter.
"Yes, Master?"
Obi-Wan took a deep breath.
"Anakin, I have some wonderful news. I am now a Jedi Knight," Kayla said. "Master Yoda, just informed me that the Council has decided I have learned enough to qualify."
Anakin looked at Kayla. He was happy for her and not only because of her new status. "Congratulations," he said, standing. He walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek. Amidala rose and joined Anakin and gave Kayla a hug.
"Master, I saw Master Yoda before he left. He told me that we should stay on Naboo for a few days to sort things out. What did he mean by that?" Anakin said with a mischievous smile.
Obi-Wan looked at Anakin inquisitively. Did he know of his feelings for Kayla? "Anakin, I couldn't imagine what Master Yoda meant."
Just then Amidala, grabbed Kayla's arm and led her out of the throne room and down the hall. Obi-Wan and Anakin stared after them.
"What was that about?" Obi-Wan muttered softly.
Anakin shrugged.
Amidala led Kayla down the hall and towards her quarters. She pressed the entry chime and the door slid open with a hiss. "Your Highness," Sache' questioned.
"Sache' I need to speak with Kayla in private. Please do not disturb us unless it is of the gravest importance."
Kayla wondered what Amidala was up to, but wasn't going to search her mind to find out. Kayla sighed and followed Amidala into her bed chamber.
Amidala sat down on the couch in her room, and looked up at Kayla.
"Kayla, are you and Obi-Wan in love?"
Kayla looked over at Amidala, surprise in her eyes. "Um...yes.
How did you know?" she asked inquisitively.
"Well I saw how Obi-Wan looked at you the other day, then there was yesterday morning, and well Anakin and I saw you two kissing."
Kayla stared at Amidala a little shocked, red creeping into her cheeks. "You saw us," she stuttered.
"Yes, and well I just thought maybe I should save you from Anakin."
"Save me from Anakin?"
"Kayla, he's your best friend. You know how he is," Amidala teased.
Kayla sighed. Amidala was probably right. Anakin would have probably teased her mercilessly.
"Amidala, my...Master Sah-Jen does not know about us, and I think it will be best if he hear the news from me."
"Of course."
Amidala and Kayla talked for hours about the guys before finally emerging from Amidala's inner sanctum. The handmaidens stared at the pair inquisitively.
Amidala turned to look at Kayla a mischievous look on her face.
"Well, that outfit will not do," she said grinning.
Kayla gulped. "Amidala...what are you going to do to me?" she questioned.
"Make you into a princess," she said still grinning. "Eirtae'. Sache'. Find an outfit for Kayla to wear tonight. Rabe' lets work on her hair."
"Amidala..."
"Shush."
An hour later Kayla no longer looked like a Jedi, she did indeed look like a princess. Amidala stood back admiring her handiwork.
"Now Kayla, lets see what reaction we get out of Obi-Wan."
"And Anakin," Kayla added a slight grin on her face.
"Yes, Anakin will be a little surprised to see his best friend dressed like this," Amidala said giggling.
"Yane' could you please inform Obi-Wan and Anakin that supper is about to be served. Tell them we will join them shortly."
"Yes, Your Highness," Yane' said while scampering out the door.
"Amidala, what about Master Sah-Jen?"
"He informed the staff that he wanted to eat alone tonight, Kayla."
"Oh...I see. I hope he is alright."
"I'm sure he is just a little sad that you are no longer his apprentice. I am sure he will be fine in the morning."
"I hope you are right." Kayla decided that after supper she would go talk to her...Master Sah-Jen. She still wasn't used to him not being her master.
Obi-Wan and Anakin entered the elaborate banquet hall.
"Master Jedi, you will sit here and Anakin you sit here," Yane' finished her instructions and wandered back to Amidala's quarters.
"Master, I feel we have been set up."
"I sense that too, Anakin."
Amidala and Kayla walked down the hall towards the banquet hall. Amidala was determined to make this a night for Kayla to remember. Sabe' entered the room dressed in elegant attire. "Gentlemen, your dates have arrived," she said then nodded her head.
Anakin and Obi-Wan rose as a young lady entered. Amidala had made sure Kayla entered the room first. Upon closer inspection, Obi-Wan and Anakin noticed that the young lady was Kayla. Obi-Wan just stared at her not being able to form a coherent thought. Anakin was too shocked at seeing his best friend dressed so elegantly that he all he could do is stare at her as well.
"Ka..Kayla," Obi-Wan stuttered.
"Yes."
"You look so beautiful." He took a deep breath and walked over to her taking her hand and kissing it. Kayla blushed slightly and allowed him to led her to the table.
Amidala walked in and noticed the expression of shock on Anakin's face. The look was too much, and she giggled softly.
Anakin walked over to Amidala taking her arm in his and led her to the table. "So this is what you were up to," he whispered in her ear.
When supper was finished Amidala had suggested they walk through the gardens and then to the falls.
"Anakin, I would like to show you something."
Anakin realized what she was doing and let her led him further into the garden.
When the Anakin and Amidala were out of sight, Kayla turned to Obi-Wan.
She looked up at him, her eyes showing something was troubling her.
"Kayla, what's wrong?" he asked gently.
"I'm worried about Master Sah-Jen."
"Oh...Kayla do you want to go talk to him?"
"Yes, but I am not sure I can."
Obi-Wan looked at Kayla and pulled her close. He leaned down and kissed her. "Then I will go with you," he said already walking towards Sah-Jen's guest quarters. Kayla followed him, knowing that her...Master Sah-Jen wouldn't be happy to see them together.
Obi-Wan and Kayla reached their destination. They took a deep breath and Kayla pushed the entry chime. Sah-Jen opened the door to see Kayla and Obi-Wan standing there.
"Master, can we speak with you?"
Sah-Jen sighed deeply. "Yes, come in."
"Master are you alright."
"I'm fine."
"No you're not. I may be a Knight now, but I can still hear your thoughts through our connection."
"I'm sorry for the way I have been acting," Sah-Jen stated.
"Why? You were just worried about me."
"Kayla, I shouldn't of let my worries interfere in your life."
"Master..."
"Shush, Kayla. Obi-Wan I need to apologize to you. I was afraid you would hurt Kayla, and I didn't want to see that happen. Because of that I tried to keep you away from each other. I didn't realize how much you loved her. I refused to see it. Master Yoda told me that your love had been foreseen"
Obi-Wan and Kayla looked at Master Sah-Jen, looks of confusion on their faces.
"Master Sah-Jen, I can understand why you were worried. It took me a long time to even to admit to myself that I cared for Kayla," Obi-Wan finally spoke up.
The three of them sat around the coffee table to talk about the last few days.
Night started to fall, and Obi-Wan walked Kayla to her quarters. He kissed her goodnight. "I love you."
"I know," she responded before walking into her room.
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