Authors: Emma Grant, Jedi Rita, Elocin Oco, and Ms Swift
Rating: NC-17
Summary: The Senate investigation into the Gollin 3 mission begins....
Warnings: This episode describes acts of non-con and chan sex within the context of the hearing.
Disclaimer: Most of these characters belong to other people. Their creators probably wouldn't recognize our versions of them anyway...
Feedback: Sure!
Note: This is the finale to season 2, written by the entire QAJ team. Thanks to all for reading this season and to Helens for her contributions to the season.
Part 1 || Part 2 || Part 3 || Part 4
(Xan)
"They should have let me in to observe," Aubris repeats. "I'm his master. Doesn't that mean anything?"
I raise an eyebrow at him. "Ah, but you weren't his master when all of this happened, were you?" Aubris scowls at me, and I can't help but grin. I just arrived from a meeting of my undercover ops seminar, and I was surprised to find Bruck's testimony hadn't yet ended. "Bruck is the reason this hearing started in the first place," I remind him. "I'm sure he'll do fine."
As if on cue, the door slides open and Bruck bursts through. He's unnaturally pale, and his eyes find Aubris immediately. "Master," he says, voice barely more than a whisper.
Aubris stands, and his arms are immediately full of shaking padawan. Bewildered, he pulls Bruck against his chest, stroking the boy's newly cut hair and whispering to him. I turn away to give them some privacy.
This isn't good. If the committee reduced Bruck Chun to shambles, what are they going to do to me?
The door slides open again and the rest of the Jedi contingent file in: Qui, Obi, Faelin, Adi and Siri. I opted not to watch the testimony today, but from the expressions on everyone's faces, I'm beginning to wonder if that was a mistake.
"What happened?" I whisper to Qui. He shakes his head and nods towards Bruck. "They all but accused Jal Benyat of selling his own padawan into slavery, and worse." He fills in more of the details, and I'm sure my face is getting redder by the minute.
"This is complete shit," I mutter, clenching my fists. "They're using us for their own selfish gain." I watch Bruck being comforted by Aubris, and shake my head. This was a mistake, and I know I'm partly to blame. If only I'd been mentoring Bruck, perhaps he wouldn't have turned to others for help.
I turn to see Obi staring at Bruck and Aubris. "When did that happen?" he asks.
"A few days ago," Qui responds, stroking Obi's back. "I'm happy for them, actually. Chun needed another master, and Aubris needed someone to focus on." He glances at me, pointedly.
"Someone else to take advantage of, you mean," Obi scowls.
"Careful, now," I say, poking him in the ribs with an elbow. "You're starting to sound like the committee." Obi seems chagrined by that comment, and stares at the floor in front of him. I turn to Qui. "I'm going to review Bruck's testimony, I think. I'm up first tomorrow, and I should probably know what's coming. I'll be over later." Qui nods, and turns back to Obi, who's still pouting.
Bruck and Aubris leave, and I cross the room to where Adi and Siri are conversing. Adi tucks a strand of hair behind her padawan's ear, smiling at her. Siri doesn't respond. Adi nods curtly as she sees me approach, and their conversation stops.
"Xanatos," she acknowledges, her tone a little clipped. I smile coolly in response; she's made no secret of her opinion of me since the mission.
"How are you, Siri?" I ask.
Siri looks up at me, her face a mask of stoicism. She hasn't spoken to me since we received the news about Keli and his master yesterday. She shrugs.
I cast a wary glance at Adi before continuing. "I just wanted to tell you that I've been in your situation, when I wasn't much older than you. If you want to talk--"
"I'm fine," Siri replies, looking away. "I'll be fine."
I can only nod and wish them both good day as Adi guides her padawan away. They exit, leaving me alone with Qui and Obi, who seem to be having an intimate moment.
There's a computer terminal in the corner of the room, and I decide to log on to the Senate subcommittee hearings page. With a high enough security clearance, one can access the holo-feed of the day's proceedings, it seems. I just happen to have a very high clearance. I cue it up and scan through today's events, paying careful attention to how the senators react to various statements Bruck makes. Palpatine seems mainly to be observing, soaking it all up. Dooku's allegations about Palpatine flit through my mind. He'd mentioned that a small group of senators had been involved in most of Palpatine's efforts of late. I think I'm going to have to spend some time in the archives tonight.
I turn to ask Qui a question, but he and Obi have already left. I download excerpts from the testimony into my datapad and head out the door -- only to collide head-on with Bail Organa.
He looks stricken, as if he's just seen a ghost. I can't help but put my hands on his shoulders to steady him. "Are you all right, Senator?" I ask. I wouldn't feel so benevolent towards a member of that committee ordinarily, but he appeared to be trying to stop Mallix's inquisition. I suppose he does care about Obi, after all.
"Sorry," he mutters, and then attempts to smile. "Hello, Xanatos."
I nod. We'd never really spoken to each other until a few days ago. "You're probably looking for Obi-Wan. You might want to give him a few hours, though." I attempt a grin, but he doesn't return it, and looks even more distraught. "Forgive me, Senator -- it's none of my concern."
"No, it's fine," he replies, shaking his head and backing away. "It's been an incredibly shitty day, that's all." I bow and start to turn away, but he stops me. "May I ask you a personal question?" His voice is small, almost tentative.
"Of course," I reply, trying not to smile. After all, what is considered personal by a Jedi and by an Alderaani are two entirely different things.
He opens his mouth, and then blushes and closes it again. "No, never mind," he mutters.
"Now you've made me curious," I reply, grinning despite his discomfort. "I promise I won't be offended."
He takes a deep breath. "It's none of my concern, of course, so you needn't answer, if it's too personal or--"
"Senator," I prod, raising an eyebrow.
He blushes again. It strikes me that he's very good-looking. I can see why Obi has gone to such lengths to keep this man in his bed.
"All of this talk about relations between masters and padawans has got me thinking," he says, struggling to keep his eyes fixed on mine. "I was wondering what your experience is... in that matter."
I laugh before I can help myself. "Senator, you must realize by now that sex is hardly a personal topic for Jedi." I grin, and he pulls an exasperated expression. "To answer your question: no, Qui-Gon and I have only been lovers recently. He refused my attempts to seduce him when I was his padawan." Bail nods, though he seems confused. "Of course," I continue, "he showed no such restraint with Obi-Wan. Not that many could resist him."
Bail stares at me for a moment. "And now...?"
I shrug. "They've been lovers off and on for years, so I could hardly expect Qui to turn Obi away just because I've come into the picture." Bail pales at that, and I fear I've said more than he wanted to know. I've seen them together at Rising, though, and I know Bail is aware Obi isn't the monogamous type. Still, he probably doesn't need to be reminded so bluntly. "I'm sorry," I say, wincing. "I didn't mean to offend you."
He shakes his head, even paler now. "And this is... considered normal ?"
"For some it is. The general wisdom is that relationships between masters and padawans should wait until both parties are of legal age, but that policy isn't enforced, by any means."
Bail takes a deep breath and then releases it, slowly. "I don't understand. This all seems completely repulsive to me." He looks bewildered again, and then asks, "Years?" I'm sure my confusion is apparent on my face, because he amends with, "Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. You said--"
"Four, five years," I shrug. It was the wrong answer, I immediately realize. Bail backs away, stricken. "Senator... Bail, please--"
"I'm sorry," he says, folding his arms over his chest and looking away. "I need to... I'm very busy. Excuse me."
He stops then and walks away, leaving me to gape after him in the corridor.
I spend two hours in the Archive, looking for everything I can find about the senators on the committee. There must be a pattern, but it's impossible to piece it all together in so little time. Mallix has ties to the Trade Federation; that much is clear. That organization seems harmless enough, though. It doesn't even have much power except on the Outer Rim. Ziracch seems unconnected to Mallix prior to this committee membership, though he's worked with Palpatine before. He also has ties to the Mining Conglomerate, a relatively new organization I know little about.
Bahr's name is quite familiar, however. When I was undercover, my actions were frequently restricted by the Bahr Act, which requires non-human slaves who have escaped to the emancipated regions of the Republic to be returned to their rightful owners. The fight over the act in the Senate was huge, and it only passed because of a few last-minute coalitions formed between worlds on the Rim and some powerful planets that benefit economically from slavery, though indirectly.
If Anakin Skywalker weren't human, he could be legally returned to Tattooine under the provisions of the Bahr Act. After all, I stole away with him and his mother in the night, right under the nose of his owner. I think there's still a price on my head in that system.
I push away from the monitor and rub my watering eyes. I'm starting to have trouble concentrating, and I need to relax and prepare for tomorrow's inquisition. I'm sure Obi and Qui must be finished by now.
The walk to their shared quarters isn't a long one, given Qui-Gon's rank in the Order -- the closer one lives to the Council chamber and the Archive, the higher one's status is. I don't bother to signal my entrance; I just palm open the door.
Qui is alone, though, sitting on the sofa and studying his datapad. He looks up and is clearly relieved to see me -- probably a sign I should turn around and walk away. I close the door behind me and lean back against it. "What is it?" I ask.
Qui looks tired. "Dooku was here earlier," he says. "He's uncovered some information about the committee, information he believes will help us."
"Is that even possible?" I snort.
Qui ignores the comment. "He can link Bahr, Mallix, and Zaricch to an interest in the Sith. He has evidence, in the form of coded communications between the three of them."
"He does?"
"And there is also evidence that someone has deleted files related to these senators and Senator Palpatine from the Jedi Archive."
"What?" I reply, gaping. "That's impossible!"
"Apparently it isn't," Qui shrugs. "Several years ago, Dooku filed a report relating to the implementation of the Bahr Act, and it has been removed from the archive. When he went looking for more information on that particular mission, it was also gone."
"I wonder what else is missing," I muse, reflecting on the difficulty I had researching those senators.
"Indeed," Qui nods. "Dooku has a source in the Senate who believes the committee is going to pursue a tip that the Order misuses video footage of underage padawans."
"Bail Organa told me that as well," I say.
Qui raises an eyebrow. "And he believes the Council is aware there is a problem, but they've looked the other way."
"That's quite a charge," I snort. "I suppose he has evidence supporting that one as well?" Qui nods in response, and a thought occurs to me. "Wait, how did Dooku get access to the Archive? He left the Order years ago."
"He still has friends here," Qui replies with a small smile.
"Friends who will pay a price, if Dooku is caught in the Archive," I retort, though I can't help but smile a little. This is typical of him, really. I sigh, shaking my head. "I hope you know what you're doing, Qui."
"I do," he replies. "Dooku took his evidence before the Council today, and they turned him away. They wouldn't even listen to him, or even consider the possibility that he was speaking the truth." He shakes his head and looks as sad as I've ever seen him. "I fear the Order is damaged beyond repair."
I watch him for a moment: he's tired, and worried, and I've never known him to be so pessimistic. "What does that mean, Qui? What's going to happen?"
He frowns. "I don't know, Xan. I don't know anything, right now." He sits on the sofa and rests his head in his hands. When he speaks again, his voice is muffled. "Before this week -- before this hearing, I wouldn't have agreed with Dooku. But the way the Council have allowed these padawans to be treated, the way this committee has been given unrestricted access to the mission records... I would have never believed that possible, either."
I shudder at the thought of Senator Bahr reading my mission logs. I wouldn't be surprised if his name came up somewhere within, as an epithet.
"I'm sorry," I say. "I can't help but feel this is all my fault."
"Don't be ridiculous," Qui replies, trying to smile.
We're both silent for a moment. I realize I haven't moved from my spot just inside the door, and step toward him.
"Xan," he says, eyes finding mine, "I could use some time to think."
I stop in my tracks, and bow to him, out of habit. "Of course, Master."
My thoughts whirl as I head down the corridor. Qui, wondering about the future of the Order? I was just beginning to feel I had a place in the Order again, perhaps even a home, with Qui-Gon. I'd pictured us working together, even living together once Obi moved out. I've wanted stability all my life. I've wanted to belong somewhere. I've wanted something I could count on, someone predictable, someone to...
I look up and realize my feet have brought me to the initiates' residential wing. I smile and shake my head. Will of the Force, indeed.
I check the interactive directory on the wall and find Anakin's quarters. The door opens before I have a chance to even knock, and Anakin's face is beaming up at me.
"Xanatos!" he says, a bit breathless. "What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see you," I tell him, smiling. "May I come in?"
"Sure!" He steps away to reveal an incredibly messy room: pieces of machines and droids are scattered everywhere, datapads clutter his small desk, and a game seems to have been paused on the terminal screen. He pushes some dirty clothes off the bed and gestures for me to sit. I do, grinning. Only a twelve-year-old boy could be so unembarrassed about this mess.
He sits next to me, cross-legged, and smiles. "I could feel that you were coming here," he says, blushing a little. "I knew you were getting closer, and then you stopped just outside my door."
"Really?" I ask, impressed. We've always had a strange sort of bond, ever since I brought him to the Temple when he was five years old. He clung to me on that trip, preferring me even to his mother. "Have you spoken to your mother recently?"
He nods, but seems unconcerned. "I told her you were back. She said to give you a hug for her." He blushes again as soon as the words leave his mouth, and he looks away.
"I'll take you up on that later," I reply. I pause, wondering if this is the right thing to do -- for both of us. I hope so. "Anakin, I think you know I've been watching you for a long time. You've made a great deal of progress, even though you started a few years behind everyone else."
"Just like you did," he says, looking up at me expectantly. I imagine he knows what's coming, considering how well he can read me already.
I grin. "Do I even need to ask, or should we just consider this done?"
He returns my grin and launches himself at me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I find myself flat on my back, with some sort of metal object poking uncomfortably in my shoulder and my new padawan pinning me to the mattress.
We both laugh, and I wrestle him beneath me, pinning his shoulders down. I smirk at him. "At the rate you're growing, I won't be bigger than you much longer, Padawan. I should take advantage of these opportunities to put you in your place." His fingers find my ribs, unfortunately, and he tickles me into submission. It's only when we hit the floor hard that we stop.
"Thank you," I tell him, pulling him into an awkward hug.
"You're welcome," he whispers, before wriggling away. "Um... thank you, I mean." He shrugs.
"Have you eaten?" I ask. He shakes his head. "How about sharing a meal with your new master, then?"
Anakin's eyes are sparkling, and he looks as happy as I've ever seen him. Something sparks in me, as well -- I think this may be one of the best decisions I've ever made. I was thinking of moving to new quarters, anyway.
I glance at Qui's face, and it seems he can't decide whether to laugh or glare at me. The rest of the Jedi in the room are hardly as forgiving.
Senator Mallix is bristling with anger. "I suggest you answer the question," he says.
"I am under no obligation to disclose confidential details about a mission for which you do not have a security clearance," I reply. "Only the Jedi Council can authorize such a disclosure."
"We had hoped that as leader of the mission, you would be cooperative," Bahr interjects. "I believe we have made it clear that it is in your best interests to do so."
"Yes," I snort, "you've certainly made it clear you're looking for someone to blame. I don't intend to make myself a candidate." The room titters at that remark, and I suppress a smile.
The senators at the dais glare at me, though Organa's eyes show a glint of humor. He's been unusually quiet today, as if he assumed I could handle myself and didn't require intervention from him.
"Knight Xanatos is technically correct," Palpatine says, folding his long fingers together. "Those testifying have taken no oath, after all. We are relying on their good will and cooperation, and if they feel they are being threatened, they are under no obligation to incriminate themselves."
I decide it's best not to respond to that remark. Palpatine smiles at me, and I return a smirk. Oily fucker, that one. Dooku is right -- he's not to be trusted. I've been watching him all morning, and it's becoming clear that he's orchestrating these proceedings. The other senators look to him when in doubt, and he gives subtle signals: a nod here, a raised eyebrow there. Even Organa seems to be following his lead, though I don't think he's in league with the other three. He doesn't even seem aware that Palpatine is playing both sides.
Either that, or he's better at this game than I would have thought.
"Perhaps," Palpatine continues, eyes narrowing, "we should focus on a different topic, one with which Xanatos would feel more comfortable."
Mallix glances at him, and then consults his datapad before turning to me. "Very well. Our understanding is that it is standard practice to recover surveillance video showing Jedi in difficult situations. Is this true?"
"Yes," I reply. I know where this is going. "Such video can be harmful to the individuals involved if left at the source. If we know such video exists, we make every attempt to collect it and delete it from the host's system. I believe Padawan Tachi testified that she discovered the presence of a video surveillance system in the cell block when she had access to the security system's database, while we were implementing a rescue operation there. That information was filed in her report, and a data recovery specialist went undercover to retrieve the files and destroy the originals."
"Yes," Mallix says, studying his datapad. "She also testified that she had no knowledge of what that video footage might contain. Who reviews footage such as this, when it is brought back to Coruscant?"
"It depends on the type of mission," I reply. Why are they asking me this? "I believe the Council reviews cases in which the outcome was controversial."
"And in this case?"
"I believe the procedure in this case was standard for a mission involving the death of a Jedi." They've already asked me about the nature of my relationship with Jal Benyat, and I told them it was none of their business.
"Do you mean to say," Bahr asks, "that this mission would not have received special attention were it not for the death of Knight Benyat?" I nod, and his eyes narrow. "The sexual abuse of two padawans was not considered worthy of a special inquiry?"
I suppress the urge to wince -- they won't like the answer to this question. "Since both padawans were of legal age, no investigation was warranted. Both were recommended to counseling, as is standard procedure, but--"
"But Padawan Chun testified that he has been in such situations since the age of fourteen! Does that not warrant an investigation?"
I grit my teeth. "Padawan Chun's experiences on prior missions were irrelevant to this mission. There was nothing to investigate."
Bahr opens his mouth again, but Palpatine stops him, saying, "Senator, it was not Xanatos's decision to determine which aspects of the case to investigate. You are asking him to guess the motivations of the Council. Any response he gives will be his own opinion, and of limited use to this investigation."
Organa smiles and leans back in his seat at those words. I wish I shared his confidence in Palpatine's intentions.
"However," Palpatine continues, "I believe there are a few more issues on which Xanatos can enlighten us."
The room grows quiet again, waiting for him to ask his next question. The sense of foreboding I've been feeling all morning comes to the surface of my thoughts once more.
Mallix seems to consider this his cue to speak. "How are cases handled in which sexual abuse of a minor is involved?"
"I'm not certain," I reply. "I've not been involved in such a case before."
Mallix's eyebrows shoot up at that, and he examines his datapad. "Oh, but you have , Xanatos. I have before me a report of a mission you were assigned five years ago, in which you report being forced to rape a humanoid female child--"
"That report is confidential!" I spit, rising to my feet. "You should not have access to such files, nor should you be revealing that information in this forum." I glare at the senators, all of whom are staring at me in surprise. "I have already made it clear that I will not answer questions about confidential missions."
I resume my seat, and try to regain my calm. I am angry, though -- angrier than I've been in a long time. I've done many things in my life that I want to forget, and that particular mission is one of them. I refuse to be judged for something so horrible, and taken completely out of context.
"Perhaps we should adjourn for a few minutes," Palpatine suggests. I see him glance pointedly at someone behind me, but I don't look to see who it is. I focus all of my energy into glaring at him. He doesn't look at me.
I feel a hand on my shoulder, and turn to see Adi Gallia staring down at me, a solemn expression on her face. "A word?" she asks, gesturing toward the door that leads to the private chamber.
I stand and follow her. Once the door closes behind us, I see a glint of anger in her eyes. It catches me by surprise.
"Xanatos, you will cooperate with this investigation," she says, forcing her tone of voice to be calm. "The Council allowed the committee access to those files, and declassified them for the purposes of this hearing."
"What?" I'm so stunned I can only blink stupidly at her for a moment. "How can they... I wasn't informed!"
"I'm informing you now," she replies.
"This is ridiculous!" I hiss, struggling to contain my outrage. "They're trying to create a scandal, can't you see that?"
"The decision was made to cooperate fully," Adi says. "We opened our archives. To do otherwise would have made us look as if we have something to hide."
"But they don't understand our ways," I reply. "Do you have any idea how all of this looks out of context, from the outside?" She gives me a blank look, and I can't help but groan. "Councilor, with all due respect, this was the wrong thing to do. We're going to be skewered by this committee, whether we are open and honest, or not."
"That is your opinion, Xanatos," she replies, now sounding annoyed. "The Council has made its decision, and you are expected to abide by it."
"Even if I know it's the wrong thing to do?" I say, giving her a defiant glare. "It's my ass up there on trial, you know."
"This is not a trial."
I snort. "That's what you think."
She bristles, Jedi control slipping at last. "You are out of line, Knight! You will cooperate with this investigation, or you will face consequences from the Council." With that, she brushes past me and storms out of the room.
I take a moment to collect myself before going back inside. I have no idea what I'm going to do. I glance at Qui-Gon's face as I return to my seat. He tries to smile, but he's a bit pale. Obi won't look at me, and Siri is studying her fingernails. So much for my friends' support.
"If we're all ready to resume?" Palpatine asks. His tone is congenial, which makes me want to throttle him.
Mallix leans forward, peering at me over his datapad. "Knight Xanatos, I would like to return to the topic of collected surveillance videos, if we might." I nod at him, and he returns an unsettling smile. "Where are these videos kept?"
"In the archive," I reply. "Which I'm sure you must know by now." My smirk is ignored.
"And videos which feature underage beings in sexual situations?"
I shrug. "They're kept in the archive as well, I believe."
"And if one wanted to view those videos, what sort of permission would one need?"
"None, if the videos in question were unclassified." I snort. "I suppose the classified one would be available to any senator who wished to investigate them."
Mallix ignores the gibe. "So these illegal, sexually explicit videos are available for anyone to review, if they're unclassified?"
"Yes," I reply.
"Are they kept anywhere else?"
I shrug. "I'm not sure what you mean."
Mallix frowns, as if thinking. "Would there be any reason for a Council member to keep copies of such videos on his personal account?"
I hold my breath for a moment. I know exactly what they're getting at. I resist the urge to turn around and look at Adi. She wanted me to cooperate. I'll show her cooperation , then.
"No," I reply. "There would be no reason whatsoever. None that I can think of."
Mallix looks surprised, and glances at Bahr. Even Palpatine appears to have been caught off-guard by my response.
"And are you aware of any member of the Council who might have such a cache of videos?" Bahr asks.
"No, I'm not aware. I can't imagine the Council would condone such behavior, or tolerate it of they knew it existed." I think I can feel Adi's glare hitting the back of my head.
Mallix studies his datapad intently. "We have received information implying that a Councilor by the name of Plo Kloon has a large cache of video in his personal account. These videos are alleged to depict underage Jedi padawans in various situations, most of which involve sexual activity."
"Are those videos from actual missions," I ask, "or are they from the security feed of the backroom of a club here on Coruscant?" The room titters, and Mallix fixes me with a contemptuous smile. He thinks he has me.
"To your knowledge, would Councilor Kloon have any legitimate reason to keep such a collection?"
I return his smile. "I know of no reason. He isn't associated with mission assignment or review, to the best of my knowledge. Perhaps you should ask him that question."
The senators at the dais confer in a hushed whisper, then turn back to face us. "We will adjourn for today," Palpatine says. "We will reconvene tomorrow, at which time we will ask Councilor Kloon to testify." He is looking at someone behind me as he speaks; I assume it's Adi. "Xanatos, we appreciate your cooperation with this committee."
I glare at him, but he only smiles.
"You've got balls -- I'll give you that," Qui says as we collapse onto the sofa in his quarters. I grin and kiss him, and Obi-Wan shakes his head in mild disgust.
The door chime sounds, and Obi goes to answer it. "Anakin," he says, surprised. "This isn't a good time--"
"He's here to see me," I say, and Obi steps aside to let Anakin enter. The boy glances nervously at Obi as he passes, and then sits beside me.
"I heard you really gave it to the senate committee today," he grins.
"Where did you hear that?" I ask.
Anakin shrugs. "Everybody knows."
"Confidential, my ass," I mutter. "That was exactly my point in refusing to answer their questions."
Obi rolls his eyes, and then stares at Anakin. Anakin fidgets a bit and moves closer to me. It occurs to me that I haven't yet told them the news.
I stand and pull Anakin to his feet to stand in front of me. I put my hands on his shoulders and smile at Qui.
I don't even have to say the words -- Qui breaks into a grin. "Welcome, Padawan Skywalker," he says, extending a hand to Anakin.
Anakin's eyes widen, and he smiles as he takes it. "Thank you, Master Jinn."
Obi's jaw is clenched, but I'm not certain if it means he doesn't approve of me taking a padawan or of Anakin having a master. After a moment, he forces himself to smile. "You'll have your hands full with this one," he tells Anakin, and winks at me. Anakin beams.
The buzzing of my commlink interrupts what's beginning to feel like a warm moment. Adi Gallia's voice fills the room: " Report to the Council chamber immediately ."
I can't help but grimace as I switch it off. Qui and I exchange a glance. I knew this was coming. They're not happy with me, and I'm sure they'll find many creative ways to let me know.
I sigh and glance at Anakin. "Want to come watch your master get reamed by the Council?"
"Wicked!" he says, grinning. Ah, to be twelve again, and so enthusiastic about everything. "I'm thirteen tomorrow," he supplies.
I must work on my shielding.
"Actually, would you mind if I kept Anakin here?" Qui asks, raising an eyebrow. "I have some things I'd like to talk to him about." It might be best if he doesn't see this.
I nod and squeeze Anakin's shoulder. He looks up at me, and then back to Qui, and nods his agreement.
I glance at the chrono on the wall of the Balilaka Tea House -- it's hard to believe only four hours have passed since I walked out of Qui's quarters, with no idea what was about to happen. When I finally returned there, in shock, he immediately commed Dooku and brought me here.
"Kloon was livid," I tell them, studying the tea leaves in the bottom of my cup. "He believes it's my fault that he has been called to testify before the Senate committee."
"They were investigating him before you said a word," Qui snorts. "This scandal is going to damage the image of the Order, perhaps irreparably."
"I expected to be dressed down," I sigh, unable to stop thinking about my own troubles. "But this... Yoda was the only one who advocated for me. And I don't even get a chance to defend myself! They're going to review my records and decide whether or not to expel me from the Order, and there isn't a damn thing I can do about it." I shake my head again; all of this is surreal.
"Yoda is wise," Dooku nods, "but his hands are tied. I believe he sees what is coming, and that it might be for the best."
I snort. "Have I become such a liability to the Jedi?" Dooku's eyes are warm and sympathetic, and Qui appears to be lost in thought.
"Not a liability," Dooku replies, pouring more tea into my cup. "A danger. You, like your master, are far too independent for the Council's liking. You follow the will of the Force, and they follow the will of the Senate, more often than not." He pauses, and Qui's eyes regain their focus to look up at his former master. "And the Senate is falling ever more under the influence of the Sith."
We're quiet for a long moment, sipping bitter tea and staring at the table before us. I look up to see Qui watching me. He smiles, sadly, and I return it. And then it hits me: I could lose everything.
"Fuck," I groan, squeezing my eyes shut. "What am I going to do if I'm expelled? What would happen to Anakin?" I feel Qui's hand on my thigh beneath the table, squeezing lightly in a gesture of support. I don't dare open my eyes now; I refuse to cry about this.
"You could join those of us who believe the Order is on the wrong path," Dooku says. "There are others. Some who have been expelled from the Order for political reasons, others who have left because of philosophical differences. We have established a base of operations on one of the moons of Yavin" I open my eyes, and Dooku leans forward, whispering, "We're starting a new order of Jedi, Xan. An order that is dedicated to following the will of the Force, not the political machinations of the Republic. An order of Jedi who will work for the common good, unrestricted by the laws of the Senate." His voice lowers even more. "An order that isn't afraid to use the power of the dark, when necessary. It is the only way to defeat the Sith, and even Yoda understands this."
I blink at him, uncertain if I believe what I'm hearing. I look at Qui; his eyes have narrowed, but I can see that his mind is racing, processing everything. I look back to Dooku, and see the determination on his face.
"How many?" I ask.
"Nearly forty," he replies. "Feln and his padawan are joining us as well; they're leaving with me tomorrow. There's room on the ship for you and Anakin."
"Anakin?" I repeat, surprised. "I couldn't ask that of him. He wants to become a Jedi so badly, and this--"
"He will be a Jedi if you join us," Dooku assures me. "There are other padawans at the base, and we've begun training them. Several Jedi have encountered children, even teenagers, who are strong in the Force, and have brought them to be trained. We will turn none away."
I take a deep breath and release it, slowly.
My steps are shaky as I near Anakin's quarters. Qui sent him back here when the boy began to sense my unease in the Council chamber. He'd hoped Anakin would find something to distract himself from worrying about me. I know Anakin well enough to know that didn't work.
His door slides open before I can knock, and he stares up at me, face pale. "What happened?"
"Sit down," I sigh, walking in past him. I sit on his bed, but he stands before me, looking down at me. I take his hands in mine, and tell him everything. He listens for a long time, blue eyes full of sympathy. "If I am expelled, I will leave and join Dooku," I tell him. "I may do so anyway. You can choose to come with me, but it isn't too late for you to find another master and remain here."
He smiles and squeezes my fingers. "I already have a master, you know." I start to remind him what he'd be giving up, but he cuts me off. "Xan, if it weren't for you, I'd still be a slave, fixing rusted out droids and landspeeders on a barren rock of a planet. My mother would still be a slave, and might even have a few more illegitimate children to show for it." He clenches his jaw and pauses, then looks down at our clasped hands. "You were the first Jedi I'd ever met, and I thought that was what Jedi did -- that they freed slaves. And I wanted to be just like you. But then I came here and learned that what you did was technically illegal." He looks back up at me, a determined expression on his face. "I was going to leave here if you didn't take me as your padawan. My mother and I were going to leave Coruscant, find a way to build a new life for ourselves."
"You still can," I tell him. "You're free to do what you want with your life."
"I want to be a Jedi," he whispers. "I want to be like you. I want to find my aunt and uncle, and I want to free them. I want to free all the slaves in the Galaxy."
I stare back at him, and the dark intensity in his eyes startles me. I knew he was powerful the very moment I first met him. He will be a great Jedi. "I believe you just might," I reply, pulling him towards me. He leans into my chest, allowing me to hug him. He's already so tall, growing up so fast. I cup his face in my hands and kiss his forehead, whispering, "I would be honored, Anakin Skywalker, to call you padawan, whether in this Order or another."
He grins and squirms out of my grasp. "If we're going to be Jedi in a new order, would I still have to get that stupid haircut?"
I can't help but laugh. "Anakin, if it were up to me, you could wear your hair however you like."
As I walk back to my own quarters, I feel strangely light, nearly optimistic. It's almost as if a great burden has been lifted from my shoulders.
I turn the corner, and smile.