(End of the Great Galactic War)

I walked nervously beside my Master as the Imperial solders marched down the hallway past us, their helmets sending the internal scream 'Enemy!' through my head even though I knew it would soon be otherwise thanks to the Galactic Senate.

My Master sighs beside me, hearing my thoughts, and wraps her arm around my shoulder comfortingly. Her Jedi robes rustling as I leaned into her.

"What did I tell you young one? Have you forgotten so soon?"

I look up into Masters blue eyes as she playfully scoffs at me, her smile bringing out the wrinkles along her mouth and eyes that told of her aging, her greying hair pulled into a simple dark bun atop her head.

"Now Calese, we just got off the ship, how could you have forgotten your Masters words so fast?" She tried to do a mock frown, but it quickly went back to a light filled smile.

My heart flutters in joy as I smile back up at her, the disappearing troopers forgotten as peace and love flows over from my Masters side of the bond.

"Of course not Master. Though..." My smile and voice takes on a playful edge. "I had forgotten how many wrinkles you had. I mean, I'm shocked! They've grown!"

We came to a stop as she bursts into laughter, my Master never being the one to care about her image in front of others when it came to me, drawing the attention of a few Alderaan officials coming up the hall.

They simply glance at us curiously as they pass though, the hall once more becoming empty of others as they turned the corner.

She playfully pokes my arm as her laughing stops. "It's called aging Padawan, and you'll soon be sporting wrinkles and a spunky Padawan yourself! Just look at how old you've gotten!"

I roll my eyes playfully before I pull away, crossing my arms in a joking pout.

"I'm fifteen, Master. Hardly as old as you."

Warmth pours through the bond once more as she puts her hand on my head and smiles. "Hmm, suppose not."

The force suddenly chimes in whispered warning around me, distracting me from our verbal spar easily as I glance behind us a little worriedly as more Imperial troopers started coming up the hall, losing my smile instantly as a small spike of fear went through me at the sight of them.

I didn't like being here.

Not at all.

"Master, why are we even here?" I look down as I realize what I had just asked, embarrassed by my fear. "I mean, I understand the importance of peace, but why us? Why did the Council send us specifically to Alderaan as well?"

She removes her hand from my head and squeezes my shoulder lightly as the troopers walk by, one of them muttering "Jedi scum" in passing, making me flinch.

"Do not think badly of the Council young one," Her voice was quiet, sympathetic, yet stern. "I understand you aren't ready yet, but I need you here."

She pulls me into a hug, surprising me.

"I need you where I can protect you. And I could not protect you if I left you at Coruscant. Do you understand?" Worry and fear course through the bond, something I've never felt from my Master before.

"I do not trust this whole Treaty idea. The force is screaming at me in warning, but I cannot defy the Council and the Senate' s wishes for peace, so I must do what I must, and keep you close. It's the only way."

I hesitantly hug my Master back, confused by her words slightly but enjoying the sensation, the fierce protectiveness, that I sensed from her, but knowing it isn't something that's allowed lightly.

"...Master, I think I understand... but... aren't these feelings against the Jedi code? I thought..."

She hugs me closer, her feelings pouring into me from the bond, like an open book, nothing was hidden. It felt... It felt like love.

My hands tighten on her robes.

It couldn't be though... that was against the Jedi ways.

We weren't supposed to feel love this strongly, as if...

As if I was a daughter to her.

"Stay strong for me Calese," I felt her smile softly. "You will be able to leave soon, I promise."

The Force echoed like a chime in my head at her words.

I could tell it was trying to tell me something, but I wasn't sure what.

Filled with a sudden feeling of forboding that I couldn't place I pulled back from the hug and looked up at my Master, not quite letting go as I still grasped her robes tightly.

"...Together?" I could hear the edge of a new fear within my voice, sending it wavering slightly.

I internally frowned at this though, unsure as to why I would be feeling such a way over her words alone.

Why was I so afraid all of a sudden?

Even the Force felt different since we got to Alderaan.

It was all rather... unusual.

Did the presence of the Empire alone influence it that much?

Unaware of my confused inner thoughts my Master simply smiles warmly, putting my unease to rest within moments as her own worry and fear disappeared from the bond.

"Yes Calese. Together."

Later that day after everyone had gathered on Alderaan from both sides, the negotiations for the Treaty of Coruscant began.

We were all escorted to a large grand conference room. A large oval table with elegant high backed chairs lining the sides was at its center, showing clearly the separation for those who would soon sit there.

My Master and I along with several other Jedi Masters and the Senate representatives were the first to arrive. I looked around the room in awe as my Master directed me over to the wall to stand along side the other Jedi Masters, the representatives beginning to talk quietly about strategies as they seated themselves. We were told by the Council before leaving that we were to stay in the shadows and not interrupt unless needed to, and to be ever watchful for the Empire's deceit.

I honestly didn't think I would be able to do that without obviously staring at them though, so I was going to leave the subtle parts of our mission to the Masters.

They were Masters for a reason, after all.

Curious I glance to the other Masters from under my robe as I stepped into position beside them, my Master going to stand at my other side quietly as I did so.

The other Masters had their hoods up too.

Were they told to do so as well? Like my Master had told me?

Sensing my thoughts that I had unknowingly broadcasted their way they turned to me and smiled warmly, my cheeks flushing red in embarrassment instantly as I threw my minds shields up with a quick mental 'Sorry' their way for staring.

My Master felt amused by my slip up, I could feel it through our bond, which didn't help my face at all.

Thank the Force she had me put my hood up.

Calming my mind I focused on the people from the Senate in front of me. As I watched the last of them settle down, a plan clearly decided upon among them, the Empire arrived.

I shivered from the rush of cold that entered the room as the doors opened with a resounding clack, shrinking back unconsciously as mummers from the other delegates immediately started up. Many of the delegates from the Empire looked across the room in disdain, clearly unsatisfied, the one in front more so than the rest.

"Ah, seems we are made to be fashionably late." He says with a sneer. "Guess there's no helping it, lets get this over with. I have more important matters that need attending."

As the Empire's people sat down in the chairs across the table, three figures robed in black went to the shadows along the wall behind them, mirroring the Jedi Masters beside me, their hands clasped in front of them in an aloft manner.

I frowned as I watched them from under my hood, unable to see beyond their shoulders, but finding myself filled with great curiousity to do so.

Who were they?

"Don't."

Startled to hear my Masters voice in my head I glance over to her just as her hand quietly goes to my shoulder.

"Keep your face and presence hidden. Let the force shroud your mind, just as I taught you." Her face looked grim under her hood, her lips forming a tight line. I glance quickly to the other Masters to see similar expressions across their faces as well.

Confused as to why but doing so anyway I lowered my head, shrouding myself more thickly in the Force and only letting my Masters presence come through our bond as I reached out and touch her troubled mind in question as I grew worried.

"...Who are they, Master? Are they Sith?"

The hand on my shoulder tightens slightly as her voice comes into my mind. "Yes, and no, just keep your guard up my Padawan."

She went silent in my mind, and no matter how much more I tried to ask more, she just gave me a firm refusal to answer, leaving me to sign and turn my attention to the table as negotiations began.

On and on they went, about the politics, the planets, the military, yada yada, I just zoned them out after what seemed like hours. Things seemed to be heating up and nothing had been agreed upon yet. It was all honestly rather boring too me. I was more interested in the mysterious figures that radiated power behind the table I was currently stuck looking at.

I know I had silently promised my Master, but it was extremely hard not to take a peek.

Licking my lips I glanced to my Master and the others beside me as the voices droned on. All of them seemed entirely focused on the people at the table and the black robed figures behind it.

I quickly look down as my mind begins to race, careful not to let anything slip down the bond to my Master.

They weren't looking or even paying attention to me, so couldn't I just take a quick peek?

If the robed figures were mirroring the other Masters as well, then they wouldn't even notice me either.

A small smile comes to my lips.

Today would be the day I was glad to be a Padawan, cause everyone would overlook me.

I'm no threat or concern, after all.

Letting out a small breath I stilled my body.

I wanted to look. I had the means to find out who could make my Master worry so much, and I was going to use it.

I raised my head slowly, watching the robed figures bodies slowly come into view. I focused on the one in the middle, a man judging by the looks of it, and raised my head completely into view of his.

Yellow.

Yellow eyes looked directly into my teal ones.

Everything stopped. it was if the whole world fell away, and all there was was his form clad in darkness, and his yellow eyes.

He smirked, and my mind seemed to stutter as realization dawned on me.

I was looking into his eyes. He saw me. We are looking at each other, and this whole plan of mine to go unnoticed failed.

Oh Force.

Suddenly dark tendrils surrounded my mind, seeking a way in, and everything went cold. I shivered as I felt his mind surround me, the sensation of even my Masters bond fading from my mind as the room turned to darkness. Only we stood in this dark nothingness, and the dark certainly wasn't my friend. I winced in pain as those dark tendrils began probing along my mind eager to get in. I gritted my teeth, one thought projecting itself with my determination.

I wouldn't let it in. Not ever.

A dark chuckle sounded in my head at that thought.

"Oh, so you're a human. I couldn't tell before with that hood of yours on." His voice held contempt and amusement as he smirked. "It's a pleasure to meet such an adorable little Padawan."

I froze. Every thought of fighting fell as I saw an image of myself projected through my mind from the man before me.

Standard Jedi garbs, my cloak hood pulled over my head, yet hiding nothing of my light skin color, teal eyes widened in shock and fear, and the few viewable strands of dark brown hair cascading down the side of my face.

I stilled, hastily releasing my fear into the Force as I pushed back at those tendrils, doing my best to keep them out of my mind. This is the enemy my Master fought with all the time, I couldn't lose to him, I didn't want to shame her. Calling on the Force I thought I saw a faint glow began to build around me, but I ignored it and focused on him.

"...You are talking to me within my mind, just like my Master can. How?"

His eyes narrow as he seems to study me, tilting his head to the side curiously.

"Oh, you are gifted as well." He suddenly smiles, his eyes seeming to glow with more power than I could possibly possess. "You seem more open-minded than the pathetic lot around you, so how 'bout we make a deal?"

I frown in confusion at what he says. "What do yo-"

Suddenly I scream and grab my head as I fall to my knees. Pain pierces my mind, the cold darkness flooding in as his mind tore open mine.

I whimper at the feeling as his form is swallowed by the darkness, reappearing directly in front of me and crouching down smoothly, lifting my chin so I'd be forced to look into his eye as my arms fell to my sides uselessly, my hood falling back as well and revealing the long braid that the strands before had escaped from.

I couldn't look away. Couldn't...

My fingers twitched helplessly as my strength was pulled into the nothingness around us and went into him, pain easily replacing it within my body.

...What was he doing to me?

"You see young one," He begins calmly, eyes never leaving mine. "I have this knack for connecting with minds. Especially those with such a weak defense as yours. It was just too... tempting, to resist after our eyes met. You just seemed so... eager."

I wanted to look away so desperately as his eyes gleamed with something I couldn't understand, his smile looking all to much like a predator baring its teeth in that moment.

"Tell me child, did that master of yours teach you that weak shield?" His eyes took on a mocking pity look as something in my eyes must have answered for me. "Ah. How shameful. You won't get far at all around those like me with that kind of shielding technique. You should find someone else to teach you before it's too late. Someone... better."

I grit my teeth and glare at him, my anger overriding the pain he was sending through my mind.

"You don't know anything about my Master! She's not weak, and neither are her technique's! Take that back!"

He simply grins." Hmm, no, I think not."

The darkness around me turned my anger over my Master into rage, giving me the strength to push the pain away enough to grab his arm. His voice seemed to echo throughout my mind and I couldn't make his out from the voice of the darkness whispering to me as well, but I heard the laughter, and it fueled my rage.

"Shut up shut up shut up! Get out of my head you sith spit!"

I struggled to jerk away to no avail, his hand keeping a firm hold on my face as he laughed heartedly. That laugh of his being more terrifying to me than the pain he caused.

"Well well, you certainly didn't learn that from your master." His chuckle echoed through the dark and my mind, almost like the darkness was laughing with him. "Hmm, yes, I think I would rather like making a deal with you. What do you say? Your masters life is such a small thing to bargain for, no?"

I stop struggling in shock as my eyes widen.

Did he want to kill my Master?

A light suddenly flashes into existence behind the Sith, sending the darkness away screaming in fury as my Masters voice seemed to echo out from within it.

"Calese!"

I look to it in surprise, my eyes watering at the bright light after seeing nothing but the darkness around us for so long.

"Wake up, please! You must wake up Calese!"

...Wake up? I was asleep? But that would mean...

He had already entered my mind completely. He's been in control this entire time.

My attempts to keep him out were useless.

He was just playing with me.

...Was I even still in the conference room from before?

Distantly I hear another voice murmuring from the light as well, but my attention is drawn back to the Sith as he glances behind him and sighs in apparent annoyance, irritation making his hold on my face tighten enough to bruise.

"Our fun is over it seems. Guess we'll have to resume this conversation later."

His turns back around as I wince from the pain, his glowing eyes peering into mine once more as he smiles down at me, almost threatening to consume me with the sheer depth of his hatred I gleamed from their surface.

"Remember little one, your anger gives you power. When we meet again, I expect you to use it. Who knows, maybe you can actually stop me from killing your master."

His chuckle echoed through my mind as the light pulsed before letting out a blinding flash, consuming everything and chasing back the darkness completely, sending me into the blissful warmth of my Masters bond as the man disappeared.

My mind was mine once more.

The world swam back into my vision groggily, everything blurry as I struggled to look around and make sense of where I was.

I couldn't even ask, my tongue felt like lead in my mouth. In fact, my whole body felt heavy.

Why was that?

Well, at least it seemed like I was on a bed. That was nice at least.

A mans voice suddenly interrupts my groggy thoughts.

"It seems we were able to reach her this time. It must have been the will of the Force."

The sound of a woman's sob could be heard afterwards, and the man sighed.

"This is why we don't get attached. You could have very well ruined all peace negotiations with that outburst back there. What were you thinking, accusing the Sith Lord like that?"

I turned my heavy head as much as I could to the side to look for the voice just in time to see a blurry man put his hand on the shoulder of who I could only assume was my Master, sitting on the bed edge of the bed beside me.

She was blurry as well, but I thought I could make out tears on her face.

It was all I could do to blink helplessly as they continued talking about me.

"I-I couldn't help it! You saw what happened! He was doing something to her!" The woman hung here head as if remembering, the man shaking his head in response.

"No, I saw your Padawan fall unconscious after things started heating up in there. Padawans aren't exposed to being in the same room with three powerful Sith Lords and such negativity on a daily basis in the Temple. All of that energy could've easily made her pass out. You could just be over-thinking this, Shala."

I saw my Master stand as she let out an angry sound. "Don't you dare do this to me. Not you too, Andar!"

My vision was clearing, and I could finally see her clenched fists as she stared the Mirillian down.

"You didn't feel what I felt! Our bond was forcibly blocked with the Dark Side only moments before she fell unconscious! I heard him laugh through our bond, Andar! As she was finally coming away from the Dark Side that surrounded her! You think that was over-thinking on my part, too?!"

She glared daggers at the fellow Jedi Master, daring him to deny our bond.

I wet my lips, finally able to move somewhat as I tried to speak up, my tongue still feeling like lead.

I didn't want them fighting, this wasn't right.

The man frowned at her and folded his arms, never once breaking eye contact. "Calm yourself, Shala. I don't deny your bond. If you felt it then there is truth to what you say. But we must be cautious with this. We'll ask them to launch an investigation, and keep her at the Temple for a couple months."

She gaped openly at him. I could feel her helplessness through our bond. "Ask them to lead an investigation?! On a Sith Lord?! The Empire would never do that!"

The man simply sighs and hangs his head in resignation.

I could clearly see the bags under his eyes now, which makes me question how long I'd been out, and how long they'd been watching me.

"That is all we can do at the moment. Your outburst earlier had all the Delegates kick us, and the Sith, out of the conference room." He rubbed at his left eye tiredly with the palm of his hand. "For Force sake, Shala. You drew your lightsaber. Do you know how badly that could have gone? We're lucky all they did was kick us out."

My Master deflated at that, sighing as she released her emotions into the Force.

"No... You're right." She sat back onto the bed heavily. "I shouldn't have done that, I-I lost control of myself."

The man frowns in concern at this and looks back up to her, placing his hand back on my Masters shoulder.

"That doesn't sound like you Shala. Are you okay? You should go see the Council if somethings bothering you that deeply. Let someone help."

My Master stands tiredly at this and smiles to the man in thanks. "You're right, of course, I'll have my Padawan seen by the Council as well then. To make sure the Dark Side doesn't have any lasting effects on her."

He nods approvingly at this and smiles. Clearly glad to see her making logical decisions once again.

"Good. Then I'll leave you and your Padawan here for the night. The first ship leaves back for Coruscant tomorrow evening, you should both head back there first. Me and the others can keep an eye on those Sith Lords for you."

As they walk to the door and say goodbye I stare at the ceiling numbly.

Something was bothering my Master that deeply? Why didn't she tell me about it?

Maybe I could've helped...

I slowly sit up, already gaining function back a little bit ago, but not possessing the will to interupt the Masters at the time as they talked.

Honestly I was too shocked by my Masters outburst, and the news of what her previous one caused, to say anything.

She almost ruined the Treaty for my sake...

That was a worrying thought.

My Master came back into view of the bed and froze in surprise before rushing back over to my side, pulling me into a hug as she flopped onto the bed beside me. Warmth and relief pouring off her in waves as I hugged her back.

"Calese, oh how I was worried!" She pulls back a little, looking me up and down. "Do you hurt anywhere? Don't be afraid to speak up Padawan, I'll heal your pain for you."

I smile a little sadly at that, realizing she must've felt some of my pain through the darkness. That man allowing her too through our bond to cause her pain as well.

"No, no, I'm much better now, it's just..." I bite my lip a little, my Master frowning in concern as I did so. "Master... Why are you not well...? Is it because of those warnings the Force has been giving you...?"

She shook her head firmly, not giving me time to organize my thoughts and say more.

"That isn't something for you to worry about, Padawan. It was my error for letting it get to me so much, you just focus on developing your mind shields better." She pulled me back into a hug. "I know you heard all of that between me and Andar... I'm sorry. We'll leave tomorrow."

She pulls back once more and smiles at me. "We both need some much needed rest, that's for sure. This week has been full of new experiences for the both of us."

I give a small smile at that. "Yes, it has."

Then I remember his words.

"Master, that um... that... Sith Lord guy..." I swallowed. "In my dream, he said he wanted to make a deal with me, and... and take your life."

I glance down at the end, unable to meet her eyes. Ashamed of being so easily played with by him.

My Master was silent for a moment before pulling me close once more, sensing my inner shame over the matter.

"Don't ever feel that way, Calese. He had a strong ability to connect to minds. To block my bond with you was no small feet."

I felt determination build from my Master through the bond before she speaks again.

"I'm not easy to kill either, Padawan. He'll have to do much more than wave that fancy lightsaber around to take me down."

She strokes my hair as I begin to quietly cry into her chest, my small laugh hiding none of the sadness or worry I was feeling from my Master.

"We will leave tomorrow and be done with that man, my dear Calese. I'll never let him near you again. I swear it through the Force and back."

I drifted back to sleep quickly like that, in her arms, aware of her using the Force to help me sleep and protecting my mind, yet unable to stir myself enough to care as the Force chimed urgently in warning again.

I felt safe.

What could the Force possibly have to warn me about?

I sighed within my mind groggily, content to drift away in my exhaustion.

...I'll just ask Master about it in the morning...

With that final thought echoing dimly in my head, I slept.