The Visitor

Chapter 1

"Obi-Wan, I want you to clean up your quarters. We're having a guest come for a few weeks."

"A guest?"

"Yes, an old friend of mine, Master Finnae, is going away on a diplomatic assignment to a planet that has very strict rules regarding the display of females. His Padawan is a girl about your age and he is understandably reluctant to take her along. Her name is B'Jara. She'll be staying with us."

"A girl?" Obi-Wan's voice nearly cracked with incredulity. He was nearly fourteen and his voice was still in that awkward, transitional phase.

Qui-Gon chuckled knowingly. "Lay one hand on her, Padawan, and I'll have your hide."

"Yes, Master."

* * *

"What?! Why do *I* have to be the one to sleep on the couch? I live here for Sith's sake!"

Qui-Gon frowned at his Apprentice's use of language. "You will keep a civil tongue in your head, Padawan."

"Sorry, Master," Obi-Wan said contritely. "But it's not fair. How come I have to give up my room?"

"Because you're gracious and chivalrous."

Obi-Wan was about to come up with an impudent remark to the contrary, but thought better of it.

Qui-Gon chuckled faintly. "Or at least I'm raising you to be. This will be good practice, Padawan."

Obi-Wan scowled darkly at his Master, but said nothing.

B'Jara would be arriving the following morning and Master and Apprentice were having a heated debate regarding accommodation. Obi-Wan was furious at being put out of his room, especially since it meant he had to be rather creative at hiding some of his more *personal* belongings. Qui-Gon tended to turn a blind eye to the needs of an adolescent boy, having been one himself year ago.

Chapter 2

"Greetings Master Jinn. I bring the gratitude of my Master with me." The voice belonged to fifteen year old B'Jara. She bowed respectfully to Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon smiled at her. "Be welcome, Padawan B'Jara. This is my Apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi." Qui-Gon nudged the reluctant boy forwards. Obi-Wan's first impression of B'Jara had already been sullied by the fact that he had to give up his room. He put on a polite front, however. Apparently some of Qui-Gon's diplomacy training was paying off.

Obi-Wan bowed slightly. By virtue of her age, she was his senior and he had to respect that. But he'd be damned if he was going to give her a single drop more than he had to.

Qui-Gon turned to his somewhat reluctant Apprentice. "Obi-Wan, I think it would be a good idea if you showed B'Jara to her quarters and then took her to the dining hall."

Obi-Wan's eyes opened wide and a frantic, panic stricken look fluttered briefly across his features.

"Yes, Master," he managed to choke out.

Five minutes later found the two Padawans walking side by side down the hall.

"So, Obi-Wan," B'Jara began, "What do the people around here do for fun?"

"Fun?"

"Yeah. You *do* know what fun is, don't you?"

"Of course I know what fun is," Obi-Wan said irritably. "But you live here too, don't you?"

"Master Finnae and I have been working on a settlement on Donis Tertius for the past four years. So, no, I don't live here. Not really. I was chosen at eleven. We didn't get out much at eleven."

"Yeah," said Obi-Wan noncommittally.

"You never answered my question, Obi-Wan. What do you like to do for fun?"

"Well," Obi-Wan began slowly. "There's the river that runs through the compound. My friends and I go swimming sometimes when we've finished our studies."

"Studies? You mean like real classes?"

"Mm hmm."

"So you have to turn stuff in on deadlines and all?"

"Mm hmm."

"Wow."

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. She was annoying the Sith out of him.

"What happens if you don't turn it in on time?" B'Jara asked, eyes wide.

"Well, if you and your Master are away on a mission or something, you're supposed to turn it in when you get back. But some of the missions don't allow for study time, so as long as you have a good excuse, it's okay."

"But if you're still here?"

"Then you get points taken off. Or sometimes if it's not in on time you don't get credit at all. It depends on who's teaching," Obi-Wan answered.

She looked shocked. "But…but what about a social life?"

Obi-Wan sighed. He'd never met so vapid a Jedi before. "I don't really have one," he answered honestly. "I mean, I have friends and all, but it's been ages since I left the Temple to do anything other than for a mission."

"Well," said B'Jara with a gleam in her eyes, "We'll just have to rectify that little problem."

Chapter 3

Obi-Wan was glad to have reached the dining hall when they did. Maybe now B'Jara could finally do something else with her mouth now besides talk his ear off.

Spotting a place to sit, Obi-Wan and B'Jara made their way through the thick crowd. Obi-Wan was about to sit down, when suddenly his tray went flying up at him, nearly spilling over.

"Watch it, Kenobi!" Bruck fumed at him, passing by.

"Great." Obi-Wan mumbled, "What else can go wrong today?"

"Are you going to let him get away with that?" B'Jara challenged.

"Get away with what? It was an accident." Obi-Wan grumbled, setting his tray down.

"Is he always that way?"

"Yeah, that's Bruck for ya."

B'Jara smiled, picking up a spoonful of her pudding.

"What'd you say his name was again?"

"Bruck." He said a little more loudly.

At that moment, Bruck turned towards Obi-Wan as B'Jara sent her spoonful of pudding flying, landing directly on its target's face.

"KENOBI!" Bruck fumed, picking up his salad and walking over to Obi-Wan.

"B'Jara!" Obi-Wan hissed, "what did you do that for?"

Bruck suddenly came up behind Obi-Wan, his salad balancing in his left hand. "Think that's funny do ya?" Then poured the salad on top of Obi-Wan.

"Hey!" Obi-Wan objected, standing up.

"You know Obi-Wan you were right, this dickweed really is lame." B'Jara announced loudly.

Obi-Wan's eyes went wide at B'Jara's comment, as Bruck glared at Obi-Wan. He picked up Obi-Wan's piece of pie, tossing it at his enemy. Obi-Wan saw what was coming and ducked in time for the pie to fly by, but landing on the back of another Padawan's head. The boy glared throwing an apple back. Bruck dodged it easily as the apple hit a female Padawan on the head and landing in her soup.

Obi-Wan sat down in a daze as soon food began flying all over the place, aimed at other Padawans. B'Jara smiled, folding her arms in satisfaction.

"Now that's how you have some fun." She grinned.

* * *

"ENOUGH!" A loud shout sent the room into a silent hush, as food stopped in mid-air with the help of the Force. Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn stood, wearing a stern expression, his hands on his hips at the suddenly frozen Padawans before him.

"Alright, who started this?" He demanded.

All fingers suddenly pointed to Obi-Wan. The Jedi Master strode over to his padawan, grabbing him by the elbow and leading him out the door.

"We need to have ourselves a little chat, *Padawan*."

B'Jara, of course, was right behind them, not wanting to miss out on anything.

* * *

"Now Obi-Wan, do you want to tell me what exactly happened?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Master, before you say anything, I didn't start it! I didn't even throw anything."

"Oh? Then who did?"

"Well..." Obi-Wan started, fumbling for words, "B'Jara did."

"OBI-WAN KENOBI!" The Jedi Master boomed at him.

B'Jara looked at Obi-Wan in a mock hurt expression.

"She is our guest Obi-Wan, how could you even think of blaming her?"

"But.... Master..."

Qui-Gon held up a warning finger, silencing his Padawan.

"You, young man, will march right back into that dining hall and begin cleaning up the entire mess. Is that understood?" He asked with a dour expression.

Obi-Wan started to say something but thought better of it. "Yes, Master." He apologized, slowly walking out.

"Sorry Master Qui-Gon, I wasn't sure what to do when everyone started throwing all that food." She told him innocently. "I'm not used to such behavior."

"It's all right B'Jara. I'm sorry you had to have been caught in the middle of all that."

* * *

Later that evening B'Jara snuck out into the living room, waking up Obi-Wan.

"Huh?" He asked sleepily.

"Hey, sorry about today. I didn't mean to get you into trouble."

Obi-Wan grumbled something unintelligible, turning angrily away from her.

"Come on. I really am sorry."

"It's all right don't worry about it." He said, trying to get back to sleep.

"Come on. Get up." She told him.

He looked at her strangely a moment. "What?"

"Come on, I'm going to make it up to you, now get up and get dressed."

"And just why should I trust you?"

"Look, you won't get into any trouble. I promise."

Obi-Wan thought a moment, trying to decide what to do.

"All right." He said, getting up. And together they headed out into the night.

Chapter 4

Obi-Wan followed B'Jara down the hallowed halls of the Temple. When she reached the main entrance and walked out into the night he stopped.

"Oh, no. I'm not leaving the Temple. Not without telling Master Jinn and he'd never give me permission to go out in the middle of the night."

"Oh, come on, Obi-Wan. Don't be such a baby. You said you didn't get out much. Well, I'm taking you out. Don't worry. What can go wrong?"

"No way. I didn't think you meant *out* as in out of the Temple. I'm fine with doing anything inside the complex, but I am *not* going outside."

She smiled sweetly at him. "You're too fond of the rules, Obi-Wan. Besides, I'm ordering you to get out and have some fun."

"You can't order me around."

"Can too. I outrank you."

"Yeah, by a year."

"So? I still outrank you. C'mon! Let's go!" B'Jara tugged on his arm. Obi-Wan followed reluctantly.

* * *

Coruscant was truly the city that never slept. Trillions upon trillions inhabited the city that encompassed an entire planet.

"Where do you know that's good?" B'Jara asked him.

"I told you before, I don't get out much. So why are you even bothering to ask me?"

"Well, I _thought_ you might have heard people talking. Excuse me."

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. This was too much. First she'd gotten him in trouble for the food-fight that he hadn't even participated in. Now she was dragging him through the streets. He stared in mortification as she hailed an air-taxi.

"How are you planning on paying for this?" He hissed in her ear as he followed her into the air-taxi.

With a grin and a wink, she held up a data chip.

"Where the Sith did you get *that*?"

"In your room," she said with a grin.

"Give that back!"

"I don't see why you're so upset. I mean, it's not like I *stole* it or anything. I just took it so we can have some money tonight. You certainly didn't think of it."

"I was still half-asleep when you dragged me off the couch!" Obi-Wan protested.

"Relax, Obi-Wan."

The pilot of the air-taxi was looking at them curiously - with all four eyes. "Where to?"

"I dunno. Take us somewhere fun," B'Jara said ambiguously.

"Right," said the pilot sarcastically. "Fun. Aren't you a little young to be having fun?

"We're older than we look," B'Jara said confidently, with a minute wave of her hand.

"You're old than you look," the pilot repeated, eyes momentarily glazed. "Fun is to be had in plenty. You're lucky you got me as a pilot. I know some of the best clubs in this sector."

"Great!" Said B'Jara, "Let's go."

Obi-Wan was flung back in his seat as the cabby swerved violently, and made a 360-degree turn. He thought was going to be sick. They sped off, scooting in-between other cloud-cars in the traffic lanes.

The ride was so horrific that Obi-Wan stumbled out, greenish, when they reached a club the pilot thought they would enjoy. B'Jara paid him with some of the credits off Obi-Wan's data chip. With a parting wave at the pilot, she dragged Obi-Wan to his feet.

"C'mon. Let's go in."

"They won't let us in. We're too young."

B'Jara rolled her eyes. "Never underestimate Jedi mind powers."

"You can't do that! It's not right."

"Sheesh! Don't you ever get tired of following the rules all the time?"

Obi-Wan flinched. That stung. In retaliation, he snarled back, "Do you ever get tired of being a total bitch?"

Her eyes widened briefly in shock. "I can't believe you just said that! That was so mean!"

Obi-Wan sighed. Maybe it was a little mean. But he'd still meant it. Or he did until he saw her lower lip tremble. He sighed again.

"I'm sorry, B'Jara. I didn't mean it."

She thought for a moment before shrugging. "S'okay. We came out here to have fun. So let's go have fun!"

Taking his hand in her own, she dragged him into the club entrance. With a wave of her hand, the bouncer at the door stepped aside and they entered into the world of pulsing lights, writhing bodies, and loud music.

Chapter 5

Obi-Wan's head began throbbing as soon as they got inside. He couldn't help but constantly look over his shoulder wondering if his Master would come in at any moment and catch them. Oh Sith, but he had a bad feeling about this. Why didn't he just stay in bed?

"I'll be right back." B'Jara told him, walking off.

"Where you going?" He asked. They practically had to shout at the top of his lungs to hear each other. She left anyway but came back a moment later with two drinks.

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "We are NOT!" He objected immediately.

"It's just one drink! Here." She shoved it into his hand anyway.

Obi-Wan sighed, shrugged, then finally sipped the drink. He winced, making a face at the strong flavor. B'Jara gulped hers down without hesitation. Why did he have the feeling she wasn't what she seemed?

B'Jara stopped suddenly, a foolish grin frozen on her face. Without warning, she shoved the empty glass into his hand.

"Here, go have fun, bye." She said quickly without looking at him.

Obi-Wan frowned, watching her wade through the crowd, then rolled his eyes again at her destination.

Immediately, she began flirting with a man a few years older than she. Obi-Wan watched her bat her eyes at him, laughing. He smiled back, resting a hand on her lower back. B'Jara rested her hands comfortably around his neck.

"Damn," Obi-Wan murmured quietly, "why doesn't she just climb into his lap and start purring?"

As soon as he said this she hopped up into his lap giggling.

Suddenly someone grabbed him by the elbow, pulling him onto the dance floor.

"Hey cutie, wanna dance?" A heavy-set woman in her 50's purred. Her gray beehive-styled hair bounced to the rhythm. Obi-Wan started to say no but with the over-eager look on her face, he couldn't just hurt her feelings. He paled, watching her blow him an overly applied, red lipped, kiss.

Obi-Wan didn't know how many songs had passed, and he wondered how many more would pass having been stuck with this odd, overly energetic woman. Obi-Wan glanced around for B'Jara. Suddenly he froze, watching B'Jara head out the door with the man she had met.

"Excuse me." He told the heavy-set woman, disappearing. She pouted, as her cute little dance partner took off.

"B'Jara!" He hissed, grabbing her arm.

She glared turning to him. "What?"

"Where do you think your going?" He questioned.

"Look," She said, removing his grip irritably, "I'll be back in about an hour, wait here."

"WAIT HERE? You can't just take off with this stranger!" He objected.

The new boyfriend growled at his new enemy defensively. She smiled at him embarrassed. "Little pesky brother hun, don't worry." She lied.

Obi-Wan's jaw dropped, /brother?/ he thought.

B'Jara glared at him once more, finally leaving.

"One hour!" He reminded, watching her leave.

"OOoooohhhhhhhh THERE you are sweet cheeks!" The fat lady giggled, grabbing his arm, leading him back to the dance floor. "We still have more dancing to do! Come on!"

Obi-Wan moaned softly, this was going to be a LONG night.

* * *

Qui-Gon Jinn awoke to the sound of the door chimes. He jumped, startled awake. Glancing quickly at the clock, he frowned. 3:30AM.

Quickly he put on a robe, heading for the door. Opening it, he frowned in confusion. Obi-Wan stood there next to a very tall Calamaranian man. He held out his hand expectantly.

"200 credits please." He said with a smile.

Obi-Wan stood there a nervous smile on his face.

"Who are you?" He asked the Calamaranian.

"Cab driver."

"And where exactly did you pick him up?"

"Riko's Dance Club."

The Jedi Master looked at his padawan in astonishment, which quickly passed.

"One moment please." He told the cabdriver, grabbing the young Padawan by his earlobe.

Obi-Wan yelped in surprise, with no choice but to follow his Masters lead. He let go, placing him in the corner. Obi-Wan sighed as his Master paid the cab driver.

The man left and suddenly Obi-Wan felt a strong painful pull to his ear again, spinning him around.

"Have you been out ALL night?" The Jedi Master asked surprised.

"Uh...yes, Master. But I can explain," He started quickly, "You see B'Jara wanted to go to this really cool club, which I didn't want to go to by the way. And she met this guy and left with him. I waited like she said, but she didn't return and I lost her and didn't know what else to do but come back and...."

The Jedi Master finally held up his hand, shaking his head in confusion, "What? Padawan! B'Jara has been here all night."

At that moment, B'Jara came out of Obi-Wan's room sleepily. "What's going on?"

"B'Jara, it's all right go back to bed."

"But Master..."

"SIT DOWN PADAWAN."

Obi-Wan obeyed instantly. Qui-Gon sighed, closing his eyes while attempting to apply a Jedi calming technique.

"I meant on the couch Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan crawled up on the couch, swallowing nervously.

"Is this what being a Jedi means to you Obi-Wan?" The Jedi Master asked calmly, shaking his head again.

"I..."

"Just go to bed Padawan, we'll discuss your punishment in the morning."

At that he turned and went back to bed.

B'Jara smiled at Obi-Wan. *Sorry.* She mouthed quietly, turning back into the bedroom.

Obi-Wan flopped down on the sofa. Somehow he didn't think he was going to get any more sleep for the rest of the night.

Chapter 6

Obi-Wan felt sick. He swallowed. His head hurt too. Barely making it to the bathroom, he leaned over the edge of the waste-recycler and was violently sick.

When he was finished, he rocked back on his heels and wiped his mouth on the back of his hand.

"Feel better?" The concerned voice belonged to his Master.

Obi-Wan nodded, blearily.

"Do you want to go to the clinic?"

He shook his head. He swallowed with effort. "I'll be okay."

Qui-Gon lay one broad, callused hand against Obi-Wan's forehead in a surprising gentle manner, considering how angry he was. He sighed.

"What did you have to drink, Obi-Wan?"

"I don't know," he answered truthfully. "It was pink."

Qui-Gon rolled his eyes. "If you're finished emptying the contents of your stomach, you may go back to bed."

"Master, please don't be mad. I can explain."

"Mad? Oh no, Padawan. We're way beyond mad."

Obi-Wan wanted to curl up and die. "Master, I'm sorry." He didn't know what else to say.

"Go to bed, Obi-Wan. Just go to bed."

* * *

The next morning, after having showered and changed, Obi-Wan stood before his Master. His knees trembled. He'd never been so scared - not even on some of the most harrowing missions.

Qui-Gon stared down at his young charge. Only after hours of meditation had the Jedi Master been able to get his warring emotions under control. As was the Jedi way, he began the admonishment by laying the boy's sins out in the open.

"Obi-Wan, you left here, left the Temple, in the middle of the night, without permission."

"Yes," Obi-Wan answered.

"Once out in the city, you went to a club - a nightclub."

"Yes, Master."

"Where you proceeded to use your Jedi powers to get you past the guards," Qui-Gon continued.

Obi-Wan thought for a second. B'Jara had been the one to do that part.

"Not exactly, Master."

"Oh?" Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't use *my* Jedi powers. B'Jara used hers."

"Padawan, we've been through this before. B'Jara was here all night."

Obi-Wan sighed. "No, Master. She was with me."

Qui-Gon held up a hand. "We'll discuss that part later. Where was I? Oh, yes, once you entered the club, you stayed for several hours and had an alcoholic drink."

"Yes, Master."

"Tell me again in case I missed it the first time - how old are you, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan flinched slightly. "Thirteen."

"And how old does a Human on Coruscant have to be to drink alcohol?"

"Eighteen."

"Very good, Padawan," Qui-Gon stepped back, regarding the melancholy boy.

Normally Obi-Wan was a quiet young man, and although he had his rebellious moments, Qui-Gon had never thought him capable of sneaking out to go to a bar - at least, not at thirteen. That was something he didn't think he'd have to face till Obi-Wan was in his late teens. And B'Jara. That was a conundrum. He was absolutely certain the cherubic Padawan had been sleeping in the room next to his own all night. Yet Obi-Wan was equally certain that she'd been out with him. He hadn't been lying when he'd said that. Qui-Gon could tell.

Qui-Gon closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. He put his hand to his forehead. He supposed it was some sort of ironic twist of fate that he had to have an Apprentice as impudent as he had been at that age. Qui-Gon knew if he mentioned the fiasco to Master Yoda that the aged Jedi would only huff that he was getting just what he deserved.

Obi-Wan stood staring at his boots. Qui-Gon was taking a long time. He ventured a look upwards. Qui-Gon's eyes were closed and he appeared to be meditating.

"Master?" He asked hesitantly.

Qui-Gon's eyes flew open. "Padawan, go sit in your quarters for now. Meditate on your actions. I, too, shall meditate on this and I will speak with you in a few hours."

"Master? My room? B'Jara's in there now."

Qui-Gon's eyes rolled heavenward. /What did I ever do?/

"Padawan, just go… somewhere." He waved his hand vaguely. Obi-Wan shuffled off. He wished he could just get this over with. The anticipation was killing him.

* * *

Several hours later, the Jedi Master emerged from his quarters. Obi-Wan was sitting on the floor in the living room, staring at the wall, knees drawn up to his chest. He suddenly looked very young.

"Obi-Wan, come here." Qui-Gon sat himself on the couch. "Sit down." Qui-Gon had managed to assuage the headache he'd had since the cabdriver had arrived at his door the night before, but it threatened to return at any moment.

Obi-Wan came over timidly, sitting down gingerly on the edge of the sofa.

"Relax, Obi-Wan. I'm not going to hurt you."

Obi-Wan nearly fainted from relief.

"But that does not mean you will not be punished, Padawan."

The young man's eyes opened wide. "Master?"

"Obi-Wan, you are confined to quarters for the rest of the century." He held up a hand as Obi-Wan started to protest. "Moreover, you will have no recreational time whatsoever. That includes any holo-vids and/or magazines that you have in your room. You will not be permitted to go *anywhere* without me or another Master. That includes class and meal times."

"But, Master-"

"I'm not finished, Padawan."

Obi-Wan winced. "Yes, sir."

"You are hereby assigned extra lessons and exercises. Any free time you have remaining will be spent scrubbing the infirmary on your hands and knees. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Master."

"And, since you have demonstrated a considerable lack of maturity, I think it advisable that you be left behind, should I be sent on a mission any time soon."

Obi-Wan's eyes flew wide open. "Master?" He nearly gasped.

"You heard me, Padawan."

Obi-Wan squeezed his eyes shut. He suddenly felt very dizzy. He thought he might faint. His hand gripped the edge of the couch, and he tried hard not to fall off.

"Obi-Wan, answer me one thing. Why?"

The look of disappointment on his Master's face was enough to make Obi-Wan feel a thousand times worse than any punishment Qui-Gon could cook up.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath. All his Jedi training had taught him that honesty was always the best policy. "You may not believe me, Master, but I went with B'Jara because she told me to."

"B'Jara told you to? Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon began ominously.

"Master, please believe me. She did. I know you think she slept here last night, but you're wrong. She was out with me in the city." Obi-Wan nearly wailed with despair.

"Alright, Padawan, calm down." He turned to the hall. "B'Jara," he called. "Could you come out here, please?"

"Yes, Master Jinn?"

Qui-Gon motioned to a chair. "Sit down, B'Jara. The three of us need to have a little chat."

Chapter 7

B'Jara sat down on the edge of the couch, attempting to hide her nervous hands so not to give herself away.

Qui-Gon watched the girl with a nod. He knew Obi-Wan was telling the truth. The boy has never lied to him before and he knew it. He wasn't about to accuse the girl outright; he had to wait for her to tell him. He had been waiting since she had arrived here.

"Of course you both know that lying to a Jedi Master is one of the worse offenses," He started. They both nodded. He watched B'Jara glance downward as she nodded. "It is the first wrong step towards the dark side. Stirring up trouble because of one's boredom will always come back tenfold to the one who starts it."

B'Jara fidgeted nervously, keeping an eye on the door.

The Jedi Master watched both of them closely. Obi-Wan watched his Master unblinking.

"Obi-Wan claims you were with him when you went to the dance club, yet you claim you were here all night. B'Jara, Obi-Wan has never lied to me so far and I would hate to think he has recently started. I seem to have a dilemma. Any suggestions?" Qui-Gon asked.

When neither of them answered he said: "Well I guess I have no choice but to send you both before the Council. I'm sure Master Yoda would know who's telling the truth and who's not."

"NO!" B'Jara yelled out suddenly. "I ... uh...mean that's not necessary." She stuttered when they both looked at her curiously.

"Do you have a better idea how to solve this then?" He asked again.

"All right then, let's go..." He started when she didn't answer.

"No, wait.... please." She pleaded softly.

Qui-Gon turned to the reluctant girl who couldn't seem to meet his gaze. B'Jara glanced over at Obi-Wan, who had a pleading look in his eyes.

"Oh stop it, Obi-Wan. Don't give me that heartbreaking look." She snapped.

"B'Jara?" Qui-Gon asked.

B'Jara flopped down on her back covering her face.

"B'Jara..." The Jedi Master urged.

She got up suddenly, turning her back to them, lowering her head. Qui-Gon gently spun her around, lifting her chin and forcing her to look at him.

"Is there something you'd like to tell me, dear?" He asked softly. Qui-Gon watched as B'Jara's chin quivered slightly.

"I ...I lied to you." She whispered, looking down again.

"I know, B'Jara. I know." He told her reassuringly.

She glanced up at him surprised. "Huh?"

"Now, what else do you have to tell me?" The Jedi Master asked.

B'Jara swept a piece of hair from her eyes, attempting to speak. "I told Obi-Wan to go to the dance club with me." She glanced over at Obi-Wan again who smiled at her. She rolled her eyes at him continuing. "He didn't even want to go, he complained practically the whole time."

"I see."

"I also started the food fight." She finished.

"Well, young lady, I'm glad you have decided to speak out. Now, for the remaining two and a half weeks you are here, you shall have the same punishment as Obi-Wan."

"Yes, sir." She sighed.

"But Master!" Obi-Wan protested violently.

Qui-Gon closed his eyes for a long moment before saying, "Yes, Padawan?"

"Now that you know it wasn't my fault…" He trailed off, uncertain of how to ask his Master to alleviate his punishment.

"Obi-Wan, are you suggesting that I lower your punishment because this was all B'Jara's fault?"

Obi-Wan nodded.

"Padawan, did you or did you not allow B'Jara to talk you into doing something you *knew* was wrong?"

"I did, Master," Obi-Wan nearly whispered.

"Then you have your answer, Padawan."

"But-"

"No buts, Obi-Wan. I don't want to hear another word." He turned towards B'Jara. "From either of you."

"Yes, Master Qui-Gon," both of them chorused.

"Obi-Wan, I believe I said you were to have extra lessons."

Obi-Wan winced. "Yes, Master."

"Very well. Go get your texts."

Obi-Wan sighed dejectedly, but obeyed.

Qui-Gon looked at B'Jara. "Did you bring any lessons with you?"

She nodded. She was afraid to open her mouth for fear she'd lose her composure. She did *not* want Qui-Gon to see her cry.

"Very well. Go get them."

She nodded again and walked down the hall to Obi-Wan's room.

* * *

Obi-Wan looked up as she entered. He was digging through his closet, looking for the data pad that contained his astro-nav text.

"This is all your fault," he hissed at her.

"Shut up, Obi-Wan."

"No, I will not shut up! I wouldn't even be in this mess if it weren't for you."

"Look, okay, I told you I was sorry."

"You are not sorry. I'll bet you did this on purpose, but now that you've gotten caught, you're not so high and mighty any more, are you?"

A cough from the doorway made them both turn, startled.

"I believe I said I didn't want to hear another word from either of you." Both Padawans blushed a deep red. Qui-Gon stood aside and they filed out of the room.

Qui-Gon pulled back a chair from the kitchen table. "Obi-Wan, sit here."

"Yes, Master."

Qui-Gon walked across to his desk, which sat against one wall. "B'Jara, I want you to sit here."

"Yes, Master Qui-Gon," she said quietly.

"Now," said Qui-Gon. "You will sit and you will study. If you have questions, you may ask me, otherwise, I don't want to hear a single word. Is that perfectly clear?" His voice was mild, but held a note of iron that brooked no argument. Obi-Wan had come to recognize it in the short time they'd spent together. He heard it often.

Both Padawans nodded, for once struck dumb by the sheer power emanating from the Jedi Master.

Chapter 8

The next two weeks passed in relative tranquility, largely because Qui-Gon had placed the two Padawans under martial law.

One morning, Qui-Gon sat, reclining on the settee, reading. Obi-Wan and B'Jara sat on opposite sides of the room, each intent on studying - or at the very least, pretending to study.

The door chime sounded. With a faint sigh, Qui-Gon went to answer it.

"Finnae! Am I ever glad to see you," Qui-Gon said. It was B'Jara's Master, home from his mission.

Finnae seemed to be slightly surprised. "Has something happened?" He asked, confused.

The corner of Qui-Gon's mouth quirked. "You could say that," he said softly.

B'Jara sprang up from the desk where she had been studying. "Master!" She cried, throwing herself into his arms.

Finnae patted her back awkwardly. "Here now, B'Jara. What's wrong?"

"Uh," Qui-Gon began. "Why don't we all go have a seat?"

Finnae looked at Qui-Gon questioningly. Qui-Gon shrugged.

When all four of them were seated around the living room, Qui-Gon began by saying: "B'Jara, why don't you tell your Master what you got up to?"

B'Jara looked up at her Master, large eyes pooling with unshed tears. She sniffled. "I'm sorry, Master. I just wanted to see a little of the city. I didn't mean to get in trouble. I didn't know it was against the rules."

"You did too!" Obi-Wan exclaimed. "I told you. I told you we shouldn't leave, but no! You had to go out and 'see a little of the city,' didn't you?" Two weeks of pent-up aggression had taken its toll on the young man.

"Easy, Padawan," Qui-Gon warned softly.

"Master, I-"

"Padawan Kenobi," Finnae began. "Just what are you saying?"

"I'm saying that B'Jara dragged me out of the Temple in the middle of the night. She even pulled rank on me and ordered me to go with her. She stole a credit chip from my room and we took a taxi to this club. Then she off and disappears with some random guy!"

B'Jara started to cry. Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. /Does she _always_ have to be the drama queen?/

B'Jara looked up at her Master, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I just wanted to have some fun," she sniffled.

He rose in one smooth motion, hauling the still-sniffling B'Jara to her feet. "Get your things, my girl. Now."

She nodded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. She returned a few moments later, carrying a satchel.

Finnae's face hardened. He turned to Qui-Gon. "My apologies for inflicting pain upon your household, Master Jinn," he began formally. "This will not happen again."

The corner of Qui-Gon's mouth quirked as he bowed in return. "Be well, Finnae. May the Force be with you."

"And with you," Master Finnae replied.

As the door swished shut behind them, Qui-Gon turned to his own Apprentice.

"Well, Padawan, I learned something today."

"Master?"

Qui-Gon tossed one arm around Obi-Wan's shoulders. "I'm lucky to have you, brat."

Obi-Wan looked up at his Master. "Does that mean I'm not confined to quarters any more?"

Qui-Gon considered for a moment. He took a deep breath. "Are you going to be sneaking out again any time soon?"

"Well," Obi-Wan began with a smirk. "I don't have any plans at the moment…"

Qui-Gon chuckled. He ruffled his Padawan's hair. "Well, I suppose, if you promise to be good…"

"Master, you make it sound like I'm three."

Qui-Gon looked down at his Apprentice. He quirked an eyebrow. "Padawan, what you did was extremely irresponsible."

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan bowed his head, prepared for another lecture.

"However, sometimes your maturity makes me forget that you're only thirteen. I, too, did some pretty stupid things at thirteen. To which Master Yoda will undoubtedly add more if you ask him," Qui-Gon paused, rubbing his hand over his face. "So, in answer to your original question, yes, Padawan, you are no longer confined to quarters. I trust you've learned your lesson?"

"Yes, Master."

"Excellent. Now run along, Obi-Wan. I'm sure your friends have missed not seeing you for the past couple of weeks."

Obi-Wan looked up at his Master and grinned. "Yes, sir!"