A/N: So, a kind reviewer of mine - gurnius - reminded me that format in word does not carry over into FFN doc manager format, so I updated the last chapter to include spacers indicating scene change, sorry for that! I am really happy with the response that I have gotten from this, and so, thank you to all of those who reviewed and story alerted (you know who you are) I really do appreciate the reviews, it is nice, but I never beg, I encourage. Just a little extra note. This chapter is the last that I have typed/thought up, although there is a whole story to go with it. When I'll get around to doing that is debatable, so I do apologize beforehand for not being punctual with updates, I have two AP courses to contend with at the moment, and Academic Decathlon, so my life is kinda hectic. But enough with my rambling, here you go!

Star Wars: Universe: Master and Apprentice

This had better be good, Obi-Wan Kenobi thought to himself as he trudged to the Council chambers. Soon Padmé would be going into labor and she wanted him there with her. But he could not refuse a mandate to the council, even if he was the council.

The Council Chambers held only two other Jedi, Master Yoda and a teenaged Padawan. Her braid was only medium in length, about what Obi-Wan would have considered three years worth of braid, hanging from behind her ear.

"Master Yoda, I am here,"

"Good, Master Kenobi, come, come in. Meet someone you must," Yoda spoke from his chair in the center of the room and waited for Obi-Wan to stand before him and the female humanoid Padawan. When he was facing them, the girl turned around.

"Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, meet Padawan Xenali Alin you must," Alin made a fluid bow from the waist, letting her arms reach down past her knees. A second later she came back up again, and cocking her head slightly to the side spoke her greeting to Obi-Wan.

"Master Kenobi, it is an honor" her voice was mature and strong and her green-gold eyes betrayed no hint of emotion, either negatively or positively. Obi-Wan searched out her Force signature.

It was a mixed sense of sorrow and the slightest bit of hate. But it was mending. There was considerable light in her Force signature. "Padawan Alin, a pleasure to meet you," he intoned after a moment.

"And for me, Master," she replied, nodding her head to the side. Obi-Wan listened closely to her reply, but it was not for the words.

That accent… so slight, yet I am sure that I am familiar with it, he thought to himself. "Do I detect a hint of Melida-Daan in your speech?" he asked with a slight smile.

The young Padawan perked at the name of the Planet. "Yes, Master Kenobi, Melida-Daan is my Homeplanet,"

"Melida-Daan is a sort of home for me. I lived there for some months of my youth, during my time as a padawan under Master Qui-Gon Jinn," he smiled at the memory of his beloved Master. "Master Yoda, I do not deny that this is an interesting meeting, but I really must be going, Master. Senator Amidala, as you know, has requested my presence during the remainder of her pregnancy, and she was rather upset when I had to leave,"

"Understand this, I do. Have another reason for this meeting than pleasure, I do. Know it, you will. Padawan Alin. Lost her master she has. Some time ago, before your former apprentice you lost. Recovered from shock, she has. Needs a new Master, she does,"

It was clear to Obi-Wan from the look on the Padawan's face that she had less idea of what the meeting was about that he did himself. He had known that Anakin would be thrown into it somewhere and somehow. All he had done since Anakin's death was spend time with his brother's pregnant wife.

They had a common grievance and they could comfort one another like no other could. Padmé had given R2-D2 over to him as a present, and for safe keeping. It seemed only fit, she had said, that Obi-Wan take care of the droid that Anakin had loved so much.

And for once it seemed that C-3P0 wasn't a nuisance or annoying. He was quiet unless absolutely necessary. And when she asked he told Padme stories from Anakin's youth. So far Padmé was holding up rather well. His memory was painful to her but she felt that the best thing was to, rather than forget him, try to learn to live with only the memory of him.

But take on another Padawan? And so soon? He was barely over the loss of Anakin. How on earth does Master Yoda expect me to be able to deal with this? Training another Padawan when I am barely recovered from Anakin's death? It would not be a good idea. I would hardly be the best choice for this Padawan's master in such a case. But every once in a while, although it had become more frequent of late, the voice in his head was Anakin's. And, depending, he listened.

Come now, Obi-Wan. She has lost her Master, you lost you partner. It's a perfect match. Padawan Alin can help you to heal. Try it, at least. You never know what may come if you don't try.

Yoda's methodical words interrupted Obi-Wan from his thoughts. "Make the choice to take on Padawan Alin as your apprentice, now required you are not. But along with you, take her you will. Consider her for apprenticeship, you must,"

"Of course Master Yoda," Obi-Wan replied, stoic as ever. "Come Padawan, we leave immediately,"

"Master Yoda," Alin bowed to the Grand master and then stepped into stride with Obi-Wan. She remained silently in step with him as they left the Council Chambers. But Obi-Wan was curious.

"Tell me, Padawan, who, who was your former master?"

She paused in her gait. "My, my Master was Terigon Renan(made up character, I'm using creative license, the SWU is so vast…). We served in the Outer Rim sieges for a time before we were separated. It was a terrifying time. Eventually, when my Master was found, albeit dead, they sent me home,"

Obi-Wan knew the feelings well, remembering back on Qui-Gon's death, and even then, on Anakin's feelings when they had been reunited after the Second Battle of Jabiim. Anakin had been horrified at the loss of his beloved Master. Obi-Wan had been in for much affection and attentiveness after he came back from the dead.

"I understand how you must be feeling. It is a difficult situation to find oneself in: Masterless. I hated the feeling," he turned his eyes downward and then continued walking, his Padawan initiate at his side. "I lost my Master as well. And more so, I believed that it was my fault he died. We were separated by laser fields when the killing blow was struck. There was nothing I could have done, but I still felt like I was responsible. Somehow. I felt as if I had failed,"

"And how long did you mourn your Master? For, although Master Yoda says "Mourn your friends not for they are with the Force" you cannot deny that you grieved for your fallen Master,"

Alin is wise and thoughtful, a good quality in any Padawan and especially in one that I shall take on, Obi-Wan thought to himself. "I did grieve. Perhaps I still do. It is of no consequence though, either way, for he is with the Force,"

Alin furrowed her brow. She was displeased with Master Kenobi's response. She sighed. Nothing, it seemed was easy any longer. Especially not the being of a Jedi, Knight or Padawan Learner. "I suppose, Master,"

They walked the rest of the way to the hanger bay in silence. Obi-Wan had left his speeder there (it was one that he thought Anakin would have approved of, although he did not fly it as his former apprentice typically might have), and they did not speak again until half ways to Padmé's apartment in 500 Republica.

Alin broke the silence. "Are you close?" she asked Obi-Wan tentatively. It seemed almost a bold question and she was unsure of how Obi-Wan would take such inquisitiveness on that subject. She had only heard that he was reputed as a strict follower of the Jedi Code and quite the disciplinarian, but wise and kind.

"I care for her," his reply was steady and even. "It was his last request, that I care for his wife and children, that I keep them safe. It is not a duty that I would neglect. The Senator and I have known each other along time. I know her to be a shrewd politician and a loving and caring woman. She is strong and wise and I admire that. She finds me to be a good friend and treats me as such, if not as brother-in-law of sorts," he kept his eyes on the stretch before him, 500 Republica just in the distance. "So yes, I suppose that you could say we are close,"

Obi-Wan could feel Alin studying him carefully. She was analyzing his response thoroughly, both in his facial features and in his speech. He could feel her eyes searching for the faintest hint of betrayed emotion. And he was fairly certain that there was none. But he was lying to the outside world. And the wizened Jedi Master was sure that Xenali Alin, shrewd an observer as she was, would certainly pick up on his emotional state in the coming hours that were to be spent with the expectant mother.

He had no doubt that if he acted differently than normal in Padmé's presence his Padawan would notice. The Senator, of course, would play along as if that was how things always were between them. But the unusual topics of conversation were friendly and comforting. His Padawan would be likely looking for his emotional response. So far, it seemed as if Alin was fond of reading people. Tonight would be a good exercise for her. Perhaps it would provide as a sort of initial bonding experience.

It was obvious from Padmé's initial facial expressions that she was overjoyed at seeing Obi-Wan that evening. She had come out onto the Veranda so gracefully that either Jedi could hardly believe she was pregnant. Her smile was wide despite her sad eyes and she did not try to hide her pleasure at Obi-Wan's arrival. She seemed only pleasantly surprised at her unexpected visitor and causally asked C-3PO to ready for another guest.

"Please come in Master Kenobi, Padawan Alin," she began graciously, inviting the two to sit with her on the couch. It was only unconscious thought that led her to use Obi-Wan's title. When alone, and merely being friends, he was just Obi-Wan, and she just Padmé.

"How are you feeling?" Obi-Wan decidedly asked his friend's widow as he sat.

"Obi-Wan, you know exactly how I am feeling, there is need to ask the question," she replied, seemingly listlessly, forgetting the proprieties of title. "But if you must have me say it for you, physically I feel fine, and obviously there is nothing that can take away the imminent joy of being a mother. And, as you well know, I am sad," It was a simple word, but it summed up the feeling so completely that any other word in its place would have made the feeling seem to be only an act. "I am a mix of emotion,"

"Indeed," Obi-Wan replied with a slight sigh. His Padawan was, for the moment, silent. She was more of an observer, like he, than one to speak out. She thinks before she acts. Another good quality trait. Renan had been doing a good job.

"Do you know the gender of the children?" Alin inquired slowly; she felt herself on unstable ground with that question.

"I do not Xenali. It was something which my husband and I decided would be a nice surprise," she responded after a moment's hesitation. The gender of her children was most important to her. When she did not know that she was carrying twins she had longed for a boy. Anakin however had longed for a girl.

"I hope for a boy and a girl, but, no matter their gender, my children are a gift, and I already love them dearly," The words were heartfelt and it was obvious how much she loved being an expectant mother. But Xenali Alin was not here to analyze the Senator of Naboo.

He wishes for this to be an exercise regarding my ability to read people. He means me to read his emotions, his feelings. I am sure of it. It is what Master Kenobi would think of as an initial bonding exercise. She was looking to her Master quite intently. On the outside he appeared merely pleased with the conversation.

Obi-Wan again sensed with some mild discomfort his new Padawan's intense gaze resting upon him. He had already begun speaking with Padmé again, but her gaze had not strayed from his calm and masked features. She is certainly making no secret of the fact that she is trying to read me. It is not that she is having trouble focusing. No, she can read me just fine. She wishes me to know that she has determined her exercise. She wants to make me uncomfortable.

"Thank you, Obi-Wan for returning, I see know why it was so urgent that you leave," Amidala gestured her hand to Alin. "Was it imperative that you take on a new Padawan?" she asked curiously.

"No, indeed I was presented with a new Padawan. I still have yet to decide whether or not to take her on," he turned to his contemplative Padawan. "She is doing very well," Although the statement may have made little sense to Amidala, it was not so much intended for her as for Xenali Alin.

The night was drawing to a close and Coruscant's artificial sun, the city itself, was supplying all light to the massive city/planet. Obi-Wan sat in the pilot's seat of the speeder. He set the ignition switches and stated the engine. As he began to fly away from Padmé's Veranda he saw C-3PO and the Senator waving at him from the balcony.

They had not been traveling long when Alin spoke. "You care for her, Master, but that is a severe understatement. You care deeply for her and her children. They are strong in the Force. I could already feel their distinct Force signatures. They are a boy and a girl. The Boy is quiet and calm, but inquisitive; the Girl is energetic, eager, and inquisitive like her brother. But that is surprising. If you don't mind the acknowledgment of it, they are indeed Skywalker's children, as distinctly submerged within the Force as they are,"

"You did very well in your first exercise and I am please with your capabilities. You are determined and thoughtful. Perhaps the thing that I have noticed most is how observant you are. You made no secret of the fact that you knew exactly what your exercise was to be. You stared the acknowledgment of it directly into me," he intoned with a chuckle.

Alin went slightly pink. "As you said, I am very determined. But I must ask you; why did the Senator not hide her natural behavior around you when I was present? She seemed as open with you through her emotions as I would assume she is normally," Xenali Alin seemed to the wizened Master to be more comfortable with him already. She was readily and less hesitantly asking questions of him; there was no uncertainty in her eyes or in her thoughts any longer. He could already see that.

Kenobi mentally likened her to a buyer who had just appraised an item and had become extremely satisfied with the imminent purchase. She had evaluated him and his qualities as a Master and her needs as a Padawan and within the course of one night had decided that the match was a good one.

He was beginning to think so too.

There is no doubt that she is a sensible choice for a Padawan Learner. I could not find a better student anywhere. So why can't I make the decision?

Because you are afraid that if you take on another Padawan, you will fail with her too. The thoughts that came to him in Anakin's voice spoke the truth.

But I know that I can do this! What is holding me back?

And again the truth came. Because you are no stranger to loss. First your Master, then Siri Tachi, and then me. You must trust yourself Obi-Wan. You are a wise Master, intelligent and kind, as well as caring. You only seek to do the best that you can with those that you train.

You know me too well, Padawan, you know me too well.

"Master Yoda, I am unsure, of which path to choose," Obi-Wan began tentatively, walking next to the Ancient Master's hover chair.

"Thought long, have you, on your choice, and deeply have you?" Yoda asked reading Obi-Wan well. "Hrmm, unsure you are though your mind made up is," His green brown eyes implored knowingly to Obi-Wan.

"Master Yoda, I feel that if I take on Xenali Alin as my Padawan, I may fail again,"

"Afraid you are! Down this path you must not go. The path to the dark side that is" the green master pointed a finger accusingly at Obi-Wan. "Afraid to fail you are. Feel you do that the fault is yours for loss of Your Master and Apprentice. Learn to forgive yourself you must. Your fault they died, it was not,"

Obi-Wan sighed heavily. The lecture was not unexpected, and not unwelcome. "Very well, Master. You are correct. I do wish to take Xenali on as my Padawan. She is observant and thoughtful and will make a good Jedi Knight someday. She is level headed, but there is no doubt that she is a bold one, and does retain her fears. Not unlike I was when I was young," But her boldness reminds me of Anakin.

"Teach her well, you will. A good match this Apprentice is for you,"

"Yes Master, I feel it too," he only hoped that he could banish his fears in order to teach her to reign in her own.

Xenali was nervous when she was given a request of summons from Master Kenobi to meet with him at his apartments. Would he dismiss her as being too bold? She knew that was how she had appeared. But if she did not find a Master soon, Xenali would not be able to continue in her training as a Jedi Knight. But that was fear, and she knew that master Obi-Wan would be able to feel the fear in her through the Force. Xenali composed herself, dispelling her feelings of apprehension into the Force. Gathering all her courage, she knocked on the door.

Obi-Wan arrived momentarily. There was still a little glimmer of apprehension in her core, but that was only natural. "I am here as you requested of me, Master," she said eventually, as he invited her in and she sat down.

"Yes, so I see. It is good that you have been able to come so soon," Obi-Wan paused, unsure of what to say next. He had never had occasion to actually inform his beloved former Padawan of his pending apprenticeship. Qui-Gon had seen to that.

He took in a breath shortly. "Padawan Alin, after some careful consideration on my part, I have decided to take you on as my Padawan Learner," Obi-Wan felt that he had been rather blunt in such a delicate situation for his new Padawan, but was unsure of any other way to go about it.

Xenali, by contrast, was aglow with his approval of her. Acceptance as a Padawan so soon after their initial meeting – not even three days - and her new Master appeared solid in his groundings for the choice, she only hoped that the deep rooted fear, the knowledge that she could not contain much less dispel, would not force him to reevaluate his decision.

The slight apprehension, Obi-Wan noted, was not gone, the joy Xenali expressed at her new assignment had not dismissed it. A curiosity, he thought, but we have all the time in the world to get to know one another, and become a well-oiled machine as Master and Apprentice. I should hardly be the one worrying. If either of us has occasion to, it'd be her.

You worry too much Obi-Wan. The words echoed in the back of his mind. Anakin. Anakin had never worried, at least that was how Obi-Wan had perceived it. He had worry enough for both of them.

A/N:I hope to God she isn't Mary Sue to any of you. To me she is her own person and very rounded as a character, but this is only the second chapter… Just a note, her name is pronounced - Xe as in Ze-bra, na as in Na-la from The Lion King, and li as in Jet Lee. Just to let you know.