Title: Meet Me Everywhere
Author: Tasha (Corellia827@aol.com)
Category: Drama, Romance
Pairing: Qui-Gon + female
Setting:  4 years pre-TPM
Rating: NC-17
Archive:  Sith Chicks
Summary: The Jedi Council questions the Courtesan; this is a continuation of
The Courtesan stories.  The other parts can be found at the Sith Chicks
archives or on my site at http://www.angelfire.com/stars2/corellia/page2.html
This story is the sequel to "The Other One"
Feedback:  Please - I appreciate positive and constructive comments. 
Disclaimer: This is just for fun, please don't sue me.  I own very little.




Slowly, Natanya walked up the stairs.  She was weary after her last client,
and all she wanted to do was take a bath and scrub him off her skin and go to
bed.  She felt empty and spent.  It was late, and she hoped a bath would
relax her before she went to sleep. 

Every night she lulled herself to sleep by thinking about her sister and
Qui-Gon.  It had been almost two months since she had seen Elisheva and one
since Qui-Gon, but the thoughts of them filled her mind whenever she was
quiet and at rest.  Qui-Gon especially she missed.  After their brief
encounter at King Wei's palace it had been six months before he could see her
again, and that was only for an afternoon a month ago, when his transport had
stopped on Corellia to refuel and pick up passengers before continuing to
Coruscant.  Sometimes she wondered if it would be better to not see him at
all; the short, infrequent visits were terribly wrenching.  But as soon as
she saw him, her heart would melt and his loving presence would chase away
any of those thoughts.

She had almost reached her room when she heard someone call her name.  She
turned around.  Alina was following her.  "Natanya," she called.  "There's a
transmission for you."

"I'll get it tomorrow," she replied, palming the control to the door to her
room.

"I think you should get it now," Alina said.  "It seems important."

Natanya sighed went back down the stairs.  At the little closet where they
received their transmissions, she pressed a button on the console.  A small
hologram of a man sprang up.  He was dressed in long, mauve-colored robes,
and he appeared to look right through her with deep brown eyes.

"Natanya Tereshko," the man said in a soft but authoritative voice.  "I am
Jedi Master Mace Windu of the Jedi Council.  We wish to meet with you here at
the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.  We will expect you at the Council chambers in
three standard days' time.  Thank you."  The transmission ended and the
hologram disappeared.

Natanya blinked.  What did this mean? Had something happened to Elisheva or
Qui-Gon? How did the Jedi Council know who she was? 

And Coruscant…Natanya had never left Corellia before.  She had no idea how
she would get there.  She played the transmission again, but the message
wasn't any clearer.

One of the mediators had come up behind her and commented, "I guess you've
been found out."

"I don't know what's going on," Natanya replied worriedly.  "Do you think I
should go?"

The mediator smiled wryly.  "When Mace Windu of the Jedi Council requests to
see you, you go."




Natanya stood on Docking Bay 31 waiting for her transport.  She was very
nervous.  Her first flight off-planet, and going to see the Jedi Council -
she didn't know what to expect.  She was even worried about how to dress. 
She wore a long sleeved, dark-blue tunic with silver buttons that reached to
her knees, with side slits almost to her waist.  Under the tunic she wore
slim blue pants and flat silver sandals.  On her head was a small hat, round,
with a flat top, and her hair was bound in a long braid down her back.  She
wore her usual small round dark-blue tinted glasses. 

Her tall, hulking guard stood beside her.  The mediators insisted on her
bringing him, and she had agreed; she wasn't sure she could make this journey
alone.  Gavren was her favorite guard, and she was glad for his quiet
presence.  They each carried a backpack with extra clothes, not knowing how
long they were expected to stay on Coruscant.

They boarded the transport and strapped into their seats.  There were other
people on the ship as well, but everyone kept to themselves.  The pilot
introduced himself and the co-pilot, and they climbed into the cockpit and
began the take-off.  Natanya wished there were a window to look out.  The
ship took off with a rush of sound and speed, and soon they were flying
toward Coruscant.

After a while, she opened her backpack and took out some dried fruit and two
bottles of water, but she was too anxious to eat.  Gavren ate his while
Natanya studied the other passengers and thought about what Master Windu
might want with her.  She took out a datapad from her backpack and tried to
read it.  But she had hardly slept the night before, and she soon dozed off
in her seat, knowing that Gavren would watch out for her. 

She was dreaming of an ocean, large waves pulling her in to the depths while
birds screeched overheard when Gavren nudged her awake; they would be landing
shortly.  She went to the 'fresher and fixed her hair and then joined him
back at their seat.  The landing was smooth and fast, and soon Natanya found
herself on a floating landing platform on Coruscant. 

It was morning, and the sight took her breath away.  She stood, openmouthed,
at the enormous buildings towering over her, the numerous ships of all sizes
and shapes flying over and around her - there seemed to be no ground. 
Everything was fast and loud and sharp.  Gavren was just as stunned as she
was, and they looked at each other and burst out laughing at their
astonishment.  The co-pilot showed them where to get the aircar to the Jedi
Temple. 

Even the aircar ride was thrilling.  The driver grinned at Natanya's excited
comments to Gavren and shouted out the names of the different buildings they
passed.  At the Temple, he helped them out of the car and showed them where
they should enter.  Natanya felt her joy quickly dissipating.  Whatever was
going to happen here, it was serious.  She practiced using her mental shields
as Qui-Gon had taught her, but she had the feeling that her abilities would
not stand up to the scrutiny of the Jedi Council.

They went into what looked like an entrance and stood in the empty lobby,
wondering where to go.  After a moment, a dark-haired man appeared and walked
over to them.  He was tall and thin and wore long grey robes and boots.

"Natanya Tereshko."

"Yes," she replied.  The shimmering feeling she had when she first met
Qui-Gon was all around her now, and she was afraid.

"I'm Jedi Knight Hino." The Jedi looked at Gavren.  "Who is this?"

"This is Gavren, my guard," she told him.  He studied Gavren carefully, then
nodded and turned.  "This way, please.  Master Windu is expecting you."

They followed him around the circular hall to a lift and they all stepped in.
It rose quickly and silently, and Natanya felt her stomach tense up - she
had never been in a building so tall.  Even the towers on King Wei's palace
weren't this high.  She glanced at the Jedi standing so still, his hands
folded in the loose sleeves of his tunic.  His face had no expression.

The lift stopped at the top floor, and Hino led them into another lobby. 
"Your guard must stay here," he instructed Natanya.  Gavren began to protest,
but Natanya put her hand on his arm and said in his language, "It's all
right.  I'll be fine."  He nodded unhappily and sat down on a bench; she set
her backpack beside him.

"Wait here," the Jedi said and the large door in front of them slid open.  He
returned in a few moments, gesturing her in.  She stepped into the large,
circular room, surrounded by windows almost all the way around, ringed with
elegant chairs. Hino led her to the center of the room and left, closing the
door behind him.  Only two other people were in the room, sitting next to
each other.  One was the man from the transmission.  He looked even more
formidable in person, with his keen stare and quietly elegant robes.  The
other was a woman, very beautiful, dressed in tan rough-textured robes and
high boots, with large dark eyes that examined Natanya intently from her
round hat to her sandalled feet. 

"I am Jedi Master Mace Windu," the man said.  "This is Jedi Master Adi
Gallia."  He gestured toward the woman beside him.  "You will call me Master
Windu."  His black eyes were deep and passionately alive, belying the neutral
tone in his voice.

Natanya nodded.  She remembered the name Adi Gallia - she was the Jedi who
had brought her sister to the Temple.

Master Windu studied her for a moment.  "Natanya Tereshko," he said finally. 
"Your presence has become known to us."

Natanya nodded silently in confusion - she had no idea how to respond to that
comment. 

She was afraid to say anything; she didn't know what they wanted, or what
they knew, or how they knew it.  She didn't know if it was her relationship
with Qui-Gon that concerned them or her being Elisheva's sister - and she
wasn't going to mention either of them until she knew.

"Would you remove your glasses, please?"  Master Windu asked.  Natanya took
them off carefully and folded them, slipping them into her pocket.

"I understand that you're Force-sensitive," he said.

"Yes," she replied warily.

"How does the Force manifest itself in you?"

"Excuse me?" 

"How are you able to use the Force?"

Natanya wondered if that was why she was here - were they just interested in
her Force-sensitivity?  "Well, I can often tell what someone is thinking…and
I can tell a lot about a person by looking into their eyes."

"Can you move objects without touching them?"

"No.  I mean, I never tried to."

"Can you influence someone's thoughts?  For example, can you make someone
agree to something they wouldn't normally agree to?"

"Yes…sometimes."

"Do you understand the Force?  Have you studied it?  Do you meditate on it?"

"Not really.  Maybe a little."

"May we do a blood test?"

"What?"

"We would like to test your blood."

"All right."  The Jedi who had shown her into the room reappeared as if by
magic.  He rolled her sleeve up and pressed what looked like a small brush to
her forearm.  It stung a little.  He took the brush and silently left the
room.

Then Master Windu said,  "I'd like to see how you learn about people by
looking into their eyes."  He stood up and walked over to stand in front of
her.  "Go ahead," he challenged her.

"Right now?" Natanya asked.  Her body quivered with the sense of his
Force-signature so close.  She couldn't help noticing his scent, his
strength, the restrained power of his body.

"Please," he said.

Natanya focused her black eyes up onto his, and was immediately inundated
with sensations and thoughts she couldn't process.  It was like the first
time she looked into Qui-Gon's eyes, but this was even more powerful.  She
saw images, colors, she heard sounds of music, of animals, rhythms, she felt
sorrow and pain and joy.  It all passed through her like a shot and then she
realized she was falling -

Everything stopped as Mace Windu grabbed her and helped her to stand.

"Are you all right?" he asked her, holding her steady by her arms.

She nodded, trying to catch her breath.  There was something else in him she
had sensed...should she say it?

His deep brown eyes bore into hers, keeping her silent, then he turned and
sat down again.  He picked up their conversation as if nothing had happened.

"I understand you're a Courtesan."

"Yes," she replied.

"Why?"

"Why?" Natanya repeated.

"Why are you a Courtesan?"

Natanya stared at him. All the "correct" answers, the ones she had been
taught to say, left her mind, and she replied, "Because my mother sold me to
the Courtesan house when I was thirteen."

"I see."  He leaned forward. "The way it's been explained to me," he
continued, "is that the difference between the Courtesans and other women in
that…well…'profession'…is that a Courtesan can become the ideal lover to any
man she's with."

"Well," Natanya said slowly.  She'd heard that rumor before.  "We're chosen
because of our empathy.  I think that helps."

"So you use your Force sensitivity to ensure your clients a pleasurable
experience," Master Gallia said, but Natanya detected no malice in her voice.

"Yes."

"You must be quite good at what you do."

"I guess," she replied shortly.  She didn't like discussing being a
Courtesan; it was enough that's what she was, without analyzing it.

The two Jedi glanced at each other.  Master Windu abruptly changed the
subject.  "We know that Padawan Tereshko visited you on Corellia a little
while ago.  Are you aware that she is not permitted to travel off-planet
alone?"

Natanya found herself becoming defensive. "No.  I didn't know she was coming
to see me until she showed up at my house."

"You were surprised," Master Gallia said.

'"Yes."

"You hadn't seen her in a long time."

"That's right," Natanya answered.

"Did you know she had been abandoned by your mother?"

"Yes, she told me."

"I was the one who found her.

"Yes, she told me that, too."

The two Jedi Masters exchanged glances.

"Padawan Tereshko seems to think your mother was not Force-sensitive," Master
Gallia said.

Natanya nodded.  "I'm not sure," she replied, " but I didn't have the same
kind of connection with her that I had with Elisheva."

"Who is your father?"  Master Windu asked.

"I don't know," Natanya said uneasily.  "My mother was with...a number of
different men."

"None of them seemed Force-sensitive to you?"  Master Gallia asked.

"Well,"  Natanya paused.  She was getting more and more uncomfortable.  "I
didn't really know any of them."

"It makes me wonder that you and Padawan Tereshko have the same father,"
Master Gallia said.  "It seems unlikely, yet you're both Force-sensitive."

"What difference does it make who our father is?" asked Natanya.

A comlink beeped on the arm of Master Windu's chair and he glanced at the
small screen on it.  "Eleven thousand," he said quietly to Master Gallia, who
nodded.

He turned back to Natanya.  "You know a little bit about the Force.  You know
there is a light side and dark side of the Force."

She nodded.

"We have found your sister to be strong in the dark side of the Force.  She
tends easily toward anger and hatred.  Her master has been working with her
on it, and he told us that she has improved since she went to see you, but we
thought it would be useful to know who her father is.  Do you still have
contact with your mother?"

Natanya's lips set in a firm line.  "No."

"Is she still alive?"  asked Master Gallia.

"I don't know," she answered shortly.

Adi Gallia nodded slowly.  She and Master Windu exchanged glances again, and
Natanya sensed they were communicating with each other.  Finally Master
Gallia leaned forward in her chair and spoke.

"We know about your relationship with Master Jinn," she told Natanya.  "We
don't spy on our Jedi, but we know what they do.  We know he's been to see
you a number of times."

Natanya just looked at her.  She felt a wave of cold wash over her.

"Natanya, how much do you charge for an…'encounter'?"

"Three hundred dataries." 

Master Windu's eyebrows rose.

"For how much time?" Master Gallia asked.

"An hour or so…depending."

There was a pause. "It concerns me," Master Gallia said, "that a Jedi has
been spending that much money on that kind of activity.  I don't understand
where he gets it."

"Did you ask him?" Natanya asked, trembling.

"I'm asking /you/."  Her eyes bore into Natanya.

Natanya swallowed and she looked from Master Gallia's set face to Master
Windu's impassive one.

"I...I don't charge him," she said finally.

Master Gallia stared at her quizzically.  "You don't?"

"No."

"Natanya, I'm Corellian.  I know about the Courtesans.  Of the money you
earn, a percentage goes to the house, is that correct?"

"Yes."

"For food, and maintenance, the mediators, the guards.  Is that right?"

"Yes."

"And you're expected to provide a certain amount to the house each month, is
that correct?"

"Yes."  Natanya wondered how she knew all this.

"So every time you're with Master Jinn, that's money you're not earning for
the house or yourself?"

"Yes.  But it doesn't really matter; I don't see him very often."

Adi Gallia studied her.  Master Windu looked at Master Gallia, then back at
Natanya.

"I'm wondering how you seduced him," Master Gallia said.  "Master Jinn is a
very powerful Jedi; your Force abilities must be significant."

Natanya's mouth opened in indignation, but she was too astonished to reply.

"Who's paying you?" Master Gallia asked softly.

"What?"  Natanya didn't know what she meant.

"Who's paying you to be with him?"

Natanya stared at her.  "What are you talking about?"

"I want to know," Master Gallia said deliberately, "who is paying you to have
sexual relations with Master Jinn?"

Natanya looked with disbelief at her and Master Windu.  "No one! No one's
paying me to be with him!"

"Natanya," Master Gallia said patiently.  "We have a Jedi Master who is
having relations with a Courtesan, for free.  It's obvious why /he's/ doing
it.  We want to know why /you/ are."

Natanya felt rage stirring inside her  - who were these people, talking to
her this way? And why was it any of their business?   She raised her voice. 
"I want to know what you're getting at."  She was trembling.

"Please control your anger, Natanya," Master Windu said.

Natanya turned furiously to him.  "I'm not a Jedi," she retorted.  "I can get
angry if I want to."

"We would rather you tell us, Natanya, but we can find out ourselves," Master
Windu continued.  Master Gallia stood up and walked slowly over to Natanya. 
She took Natanya's chin in her hand and turned her face upward, her black
eyes boring down into Natanya's.  Natanya's flimsy shields were already down,
and she didn't struggle as she felt the tingling of the Master's probing
inside her mind. 

Master Gallia's expression slowly changed from its severity to a questioning
mildness.  She studied Natanya for a moment longer, then let her go.

"Is that what it is?" she asked softly, with surprise in her voice.  "You
love him?"

Natanya bowed her head.  She wouldn't cry in front of them; she wouldn't cry.

"You love him," Master Gallia repeated.

Natanya wiped the tears from her eyes and looked up at Master Gallia.  The
Master's eyes now had a softness about them that Natanya wouldn't have
expected.

"Natanya," she said kindly.  "There's no shame in loving someone."

"Maybe there is to a Courtesan in love with a Jedi," Master Windu replied for
her. 

Natanya glanced over at him, startled to see his eyes full of compassion. 
Master Gallia turned and walked thoughtfully back to her chair.  Natanya put
a hand to her eyes, trying to regain her composure.  She felt like she was
standing there naked, her feelings and background and inadequacies laid bare
for the Jedi to examine.  She felt terribly exposed in that big room open to
the sky - she wanted to crawl away and hide and weep.

The two Jedi Masters remained quiet as she stood there, shaking, but the
silence had lost its cold edge.  Finally Natanya sighed and looked up. 
Master Gallia smiled gently at her. 

"We just need one more thing right now.  Would you please take a seat over
there?" she asked, pointing to a round chair toward the back, in the shadows.
Natanya turned and walked over to it, sinking gratefully into its softness,
happy to be out of the center of the room.  She wasn't sure what had been
resolved, if anything.  Master Windu spoke quietly with Master Gallia and
then said something into his comlink.

The large door slid open and Hino entered again.  Natanya watched while
Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Elisheva and a man Natanya did not know followed him in. 
They walked to where Natanya had just been, and they were silent, waiting for
a cue from the Masters.

The sight of Qui-Gon never failed to take Natanya's breath away.  He stood
there so strong, so tall, his hair neatly tied back, his unique profile
serene and regal.  He wore his usual robes and his cloak.  And Elisheva - she
looked terribly young and vulnerable among the older Jedi.

Master Windu began.  "We have been speaking with Natanya Tereshko," he said. 
"We've been curious about her, and why our Jedi have been showing up on
Corellia to see her."  He turned to Elisheva.  "Padawan Tereshko, I
understand why you went to see her, although it was forbidden for you to go
alone.  Master Pron, I assume your Padawan's actions have been dealt with
accordingly?"

The man Natanya did not know replied, "Yes, Master Windu."

"Do you want to pursue this relationship with your sister?" Adi Gallia asked
Elisheva.

"Yes, Master Gallia," she replied soberly.

The Master nodded. "We will permit it," she said.  "Provided you do not go to
see her without permission, and you don't let your feelings for her conflict
with your commitment as a Padawan."

"Yes, Master Gallia," Elisheva agreed.

"Master Jinn," Adi Gallia said.  "your relationship with Natanya is not as
clear.  Did you realize that she's in love with you?"

Natanya froze; she couldn't believe Master Gallia said that in front of all
of them.  She shrank down in her seat, thankful the others didn't know she
was there, waiting for Qui-Gon to answer.  She saw Elisheva turn to look at
him in surprise.

"Yes," he replied quietly.

"I can't believe you let that happen," Master Gallia rebuked him.  "This is a
young woman who knows everything about sex and nothing about love.  Do you
know what it is for a Courtesan to be in love?  It's like death.  How is she
supposed to be with other men if she's in love with you?  This is how she
makes her living - it's not like you can offer her something better." 

She leaned forward.  "Did you seduce her?"

He didn't answer for a moment, and while Natanya wondered about his answer
she was almost amused at how quickly Adi Gallia seemed to switch sides from
reprimanding Natanya to reprimanding Qui-Gon. 

A long moment passed, and then Qui-Gon replied in his mild voice, "I would
say that we seduced each other."

Despite her anxiety, Natanya smiled to herself.

Adi Gallia persisted.  "Are her feelings for you returned?"

There was a short pause.  "Yes," he said.  Natanya exhaled, not having
realized she was holding her breath.

Mace Windu and Adi Gallia exchanged glances, and again Natanya felt that they
were communicating.

"Master Jinn," Master Windu said, "based on what we have learned today,
Master Gallia and I feel that this relationship with Natanya is not entirely
inappropriate.  We can understand your attraction to someone who is
Force-sensitive but not a Jedi.  We know the kind of pressures you live with,
your need for reprieve from your duties."  Qui-Gon remained quiet and
deliberately still; Natanya could sense how disturbed he was by this public
examination of the most private aspect of his life.

Master Windu continued. "And since neither your nor Natanya can expect this
relationship to be anything other than what it is, we think it might not be a
bad thing for either of you.  We will not interfere with it, as long as you
both understand your priorities."  He turned his gaze to the back of the
room.   "Natanya -" he said.

"Yes," she replied.  Qui-Gon turned at the sound of her voice; she glanced at
him and then looked back to Master Windu.

"You understand that Master Jinn has duties and responsibilities and that his
life as a Jedi must come before everything else?  You will not interfere with
that?"

"No, Master Windu," Natanya answered.  "I have my own duties and
responsibilities."

"Yes, I suppose you do," Mace Windu replied, a wry note in his voice.  There
was a hint of amusement in his eyes, and Natanya couldn't help smiling back.

Adi Gallia said, "Well.  Natanya has had a very long morning, and I suppose
she would like to relax.  She will be taken to her room to rest, and then
perhaps Padawan Tereshko would like to have the evening meal with her sister."

"Yes, Master Gallia," replied Elisheva eagerly.

"And afterwards Master Jinn could show her the gardens," Adi Gallia
continued, and Qui-Gon nodded, his demeanor still serious and subdued.  "I
will speak with you again tomorrow morning, Natanya."

Hino suddenly appeared at her side.  "Please come with me," he said.  She
rose and followed him out to the hallway where Gavren was waiting for her. 
Natanya slipped her glasses back on. The Jedi took them down the lift and to
another part of the Temple and down a circular corridor.  He stopped at a
door and pushed the button; the door slid open.  The room was small but
comfortable, minimally decorated, with a large soft chair and a small bed. 
Gavren set their backpacks on the floor.  A large window covering almost the
entire curved wall showed a spectacular early afternoon view of Coruscant. 
Hino bowed and left.  Gavren settled into the chair and immediately fell
asleep, while Natanya went to the 'fresher and took a drink of water, then
removed her clothes and hat.  She lay on the bed, gazing out at the strange,
bright sky.

Natanya was awakened by Gavren, telling her that they had been summoned for
the evening meal.  She quickly showered and dressed again in her tunic and
pants, leaving off the hat.  A bell rang at the door, and Elisheva stood in
the hallway, waiting to take them to the dining room.  As they walked, she
told Natanya about her childhood at the Temple, explaining the different
places they passed.  She seemed anxious and Natanya noticed that she didn't
mention Qui-Gon at all.

They sat in the dining room for visitors; Elisheva told Natanya she was glad
for the change from the Padawan's cafeteria.  Gavren ate with them silently,
as was usual for his species, but Natanya found his presence comforting
rather than distracting.  The two sisters talked quietly about the Temple,
and Natanya's interview with the Masters.  

When they reached the part about Qui-Gon, Elisheva said, "I didn't know you
were in love with Master Jinn."

Natanya set down her spoon.  "I wasn't sure you should know that."

"Why not?"

"Well, I don't think Qui-Gon wanted anyone to know.  It's not exactly
appropriate, a Jedi being involved with a Courtesan.  I didn't want him to
get into trouble. Obi-Wan knew, but he found out by accident.  I guess I
thought that the less you knew, the less you'd have to keep secret."

Elisheva nodded.  "I didn't know..." she began.  "I didn't know a Courtesan
could be in love."

Natanya looked at her.  In many ways, Elisheva was still a stranger to her. 
Did her sister mean was Natanya incapable of love or not permitted to love?
But Elisheva's eyes were warm and curious.  Finally Natanya replied, "Well,
neither did I."

They were just finishing their tea when Qui-Gon arrived, alone, and sat down
in the fourth chair.  He sat quietly while they talked, just watching
Natanya.  When she caught his glance, he smiled gently, and she felt her
heart fill with warmth.  Elisheva glanced at him, then at Natanya, and then
she smiled shyly and excused herself.

"You'll have breakfast with me?" she asked Natanya as she rose.

Natanya stood up and hugged her tightly.  "Yes," she said.  Elisheva walked
out, and Gavren stood up and told Natanya that he was going back to their
room to sleep, and he left also.  Natanya looked at Qui-Gon.

"Let's go to the gardens," he suggested, and she followed him out.  They
walked along the curving corridors, passing many people, Jedi of all types
and species, people who worked in the Temple, many visitors.  Natanya was
awed by everyone she saw.  She was glad for her glasses - they were
custom-made for her, with special Arkanian lenses, that filtered out a lot of
distracting information.  She knew now it was her Force-sensitivity that was
being filtered.  A number of people greeted Qui-Gon as they passed, glancing
at her, and he nodded to them.

"I didn't know you were here," he murmured to her as they walked.

"I arrived this morning.  Master Windu summoned me a couple of days ago," she
replied.  "I didn't know what he wanted."

"Are you all right?  They can be a little rough."

She looked up at him and smiled.  "I'm fine.  It wasn't too bad.  What about
you?"

He shrugged.  "I don't need their approval to see you, but I'm glad they
won't bother us."

"How do you think they found out?"

"I don't know.  I probably wasn't as careful as I might have been."

They entered the gardens.  The fountains and trees were breathtakingly
beautiful; the gardens were lit as if it were twilight.  Qui-Gon turned to
her and removed her glasses so she could better feel the presence of the
Force.  She sighed with the feelings, and had to sit down before they
overwhelmed her.  Qui-Gon led her to a stone bench by a little stream, and
they sat silently, holding hands while the artificial sky darkened.

"I always come here when I'm at the Temple," Qui-Gon told her.

"It's wonderful," Natanya replied reverently.

"Would you like to see the rest of it?" he asked.

She turned to him. "Not really," she said, smiling.

He looked at her, his brows knit together.  "You wouldn't? What would you
like to see?"

"I would like to see your room," she said playfully.  "Is that allowed?"

"Yes," he said, grinning back now, understanding in his eyes. "Of course I
can give you a tour of my living quarters.  It would be interesting for you
to see how we live when we're here."  He rose and helped her stand, but as
they walked toward the doors, he suddenly pulled her behind a tree, pressing
his mouth firmly against hers. 

She felt her whole body weaken, the rough bark of the tree against the thin
fabric of her tunic.  Urgently, his tongue parted her lips, and she sucked on
it, smiling at his quiet groan.  He tasted so sweet - she always forgot that
when they were apart. 

She ran her hands through his long hair, tangling her fingers in it.  His
mouth caressed hers sensuously, his tongue running over her teeth and lips. 
She reached up and slid off his hair tie; his hair fell down either side of
his face, surrounding her like a curtain. 

Qui-Gon broke free of their kiss and took her hand, leading her back into the
gardens.  They walked past the scented evening flowers and deeper under the
dark trees.  Small lighted insects flew around them, and the paved path
became stones, then just grass.  They passed through a short cave, dripping
with cool water, and then they found themselves by another stream, its banks
lined with moss, under a low-hanging tree with phosphorescent scales around
its trunk.  Strange birds sang nearby, screeching and answering each other
over the rushing of falling water.  It was dark, illuminated only by
partially hidden lights embedded randomly in the ground.  Natanya trembled;
even the rocks seemed to vibrate with life. 

Qui-Gon pulled her to him, his mouth capturing hers, his arms wrapped around
her tightly.  She ran her hands under his cloak, feeling the strong muscles
of his back, and lower down to his buttocks and thighs.  He moved apart from
her and unbuttoned her tunic, his eyes staring into hers intently.  Under the
tunic she wore a pale blue-violet camisole; Qui-Gon lightly brushed his hand
over her breasts, forcing a soft cry from her.  Her skin felt especially
sensitized, with the Force so strong around her. Qui-Gon seemed particularly
sensuous; he moved slowly, as if in a dream.  His fingers caressed her firm
nipples through the soft knit fabric, and she felt the sensation all the way
down to her very center.  Dipping his head down, his lips brushed her breast.

"Qui," she breathed helplessly.

He looked at her and smiled, and pulled off her tunic.  She trembled as he
slid the camisole off over her head.  His hands were so warm, his beard soft
as he trailed kisses between her breasts, down to her stomach.  She felt his
humming against her skin. He stroked her hips while his mouth caressed her
stomach, and she sighed and combed her fingers through his hair.

He stood up and took her face in his hands, kissing first her eyelids, then
her cheeks and mouth.  His hand slid down behind the drawstring at the front
of her leggings, his finger stroking her folds softly, touching her
delicately as if she were a flower.  Leaning limply against the tree, her
body tingled as his finger slipped in between the swollen folds, touching her
clit, rubbing gently around her wet opening.

"This is the softest thing I've ever touched," he murmured, his voice heavy
with desire.

She whimpered with the sensations, the need for him overtaking her body.  She
slid away from the tree, pulling him impatiently down to the mossy ground. 
He quickly untied her leggings, sliding them down along with her pale blue
underwear.  He threw off his cloak and unfastened his belt and tunics,
pulling the last tunic over his head.  She reached out for his leggings and
released his warm, quivering cock, squeezing it firmly.

She knelt and kissed him along his hard shaft, watching it tremble as she
reached the head.  He moaned, catching her hair in his hand and grasping it
tightly.  She kissed his inner thighs, then his balls, and drew his firm,
smooth cock into her mouth, smiling at his sudden gasp.  Her mouth kept a
steady rhythm while she caressed his strong thighs. Qui-Gon grabbed her hand
and squeezed it, pulling her roughly to him.

He rolled her onto her back and covered her with his body, his mouth on hers,
sucking on her lower lip.  Natanya wondered briefly about the possibility of
being caught naked and making love in the Temple Gardens, but Qui-Gon's mouth
traveling down her neck, licking her shoulder and then her breast, swiftly
removed any coherent thoughts from her mind. 

The damp ground was warm and velvety, smelling of soil and strange flowers,
and as Qui-Gon slid his throbbing penis into her, she sighed with the
absolute pleasure of it.  The soft lights around them gently lighted his
beautiful face, his eyes shining with love.  He smiled down at her as he
moved within her, her hips slowly gyrating under him, the pressure from his
body setting her on fire.  She called out, while her release built, feeling
his close behind hers.  The trees and rocks seemed to sing out around them
with their climax.



Qui-Gon eased himself up, breathing heavily, leaning on his elbows to look
down at her.  She could still feel him inside her, softening, as he placed
gentle kisses on her mouth.  "So lovely," he whispered, and she sighed, too
overcome with emotion to say anything.

They lay together, their breathing matched and gasping, until he rolled off
her and helped her up.  They dressed silently, listening to the night birds. 
Her legs were sticky with his seed, and she relished the feeling of Qui-Gon's
fluid, of part of him still in her.  Taking her hand, he led her back to the
main path, and they walked slowly to the garden entrance.  At that point he
released her hand, but she didn't protest, understanding. 

They took a different lift to another floor, and he walked down a curving
corridor to a recessed doorway.  The door slid open and she entered the flat
that he shared with Obi-Wan when they were on Coruscant.  It was small, a
living room with an eating area, two small bedrooms and a bathroom.  It was
decorated simply, with a few personal effects.  It was very neat.  A large
window seat looked out at the city and Natanya again found herself astonished
by the view.

Qui-Gon came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.  He kissed
the top of her head, then pushed her hair back and kissed her ear, then ran
warm, wet kisses down her neck.  Her eyes closed.  She felt his hands
unfastening her tunic again, pulling up her camisole, running his hands
luxuriously over her breasts.  He fondled her nipples, teasing them, gently
pulling on them, and her body was on fire again.

She untied her leggings and swiftly tugged them down, along with her
underwear.  She shook out of her tunic, her shirt still pulled up above her
breasts.  He leaned her against the wide window seat; she braced her hands
there, gazing out at the dark sky sparkling with lights.  He ran his hands
over her shoulders, down her torso and to her hips, stroking them while her
body writhed with desire.  She knelt on the window seat and spread her legs
wide apart, waiting for him. 

He drew his tongue down her back, to the cleft at her buttocks while she
cried out, and she heard him removing his clothing.  His large hand slipped
between her quivering thighs, first cupping and squeezing her mound.  His
sensitive fingers followed the curve of her cleft, up and down, then dipping
in between where she was velvety soft and wet.

Her hips circled against his touch, pressing into his hand.  Natanya sighed,
feeling that she must be imagining this:  looking out over the amazing city,
the lights, the ships, while her lover caressed her. She knew she was close
to climax again.

"Please, Qui-Gon, please," she begged.

His laugh rumbled happily against her as she felt his hands move to her hips,
guiding her, and then his cock was there, pressed against her aching opening,
pushing in slowly, head, then shaft, until she felt his strong hips meet
hers.  She cried out, relishing the sound of his moan, one of his hands
holding tightly on to her long hair, the other one caressing her hip and
thigh.  With every powerful thrust, he groaned, and exhaled a few words: "So
sweet...so wet...so good," while she gave a soft cry in response.  His hand
reached around to fondle her swollen nipples, forcing a deeper moan from her,
and she felt his mouth on her neck, his long hair snaking across her bare
back.  She cried out again and again, and quickly his cries matched hers,
faster and faster, until they were both out of breath and glistening with
sweat.  He hugged her tightly from behind and placed warm kisses down her
spine.

She brushed her hair away from her face, panting as she felt him release from
her body.  He helped her off the window seat and drew her to him, kissing her
mouth, running his tongue sweetly over her lips.  His hands ran down her
body, over her hips, then up, cupping her head in his hands.   Her world
became his warm blue eyes, his silver-brown hair, his strong shoulders.  They
kissed softly, existing only in each others' gaze.



Qui-Gon heated water for tea.  They brought it into his bedroom and curled up
together on the small bed.  The tea was bitter, but she didn't care.  It was
so strange to be with him here, in this room overlooking the breathtaking
city.  Resting her head on his shoulder, she stretched her legs over his and
ran her hand slowly up and down his chest and stomach.

"I missed you," she admitted quietly, although the words didn't give the
slightest justice to what she really felt when they were apart.

He took her hand and kissed it, rubbing his lips over her fingers.  They
stayed that way for a long time, until they settled down into the warm bed,
their arms and legs intertwined, their breathing slow and deep.




Natanya had eaten breakfast with Elisheva and her Master.  Natanya was glad
to meet him and to find him so funny and kind.  She was happy that Elisheva
had someone like that to guide her.   Adi Gallia joined them for tea, and
before Elisheva and Master Pron left to prepare for their next mission,
Elisheva held on to Natanya tightly for a long moment.

Adi Gallia chatted with Natanya about Corellia and how she became a Jedi, and
some of the places she had been to.   Natanya told her a little about her own
life, as much as she felt comfortable sharing with someone who wasn't also a
Courtesan. The Courtesans were not encouraged to have outside relationships -
part of their attraction was their mystery.  But Natanya found the Master
very pleasant to talk with now that she wasn't being interrogated, and she
wished that somehow she could know her better.

Suddenly Adi Gallia stopped and looked piercingly at Natanya.  "I wish I
could help you," she said, a strange tone in her voice.

Natanya stared at her in surprise.  "What do you mean?"

The Jedi Master sighed.  "I wish...well, of course it's too late to train you
as a Jedi, but I wish...I wish you could do something else."

Natanya was touched by her concern, but at the same time, she hated anyone
feeling pity for her.  "I'm fine.  I'm lucky, really.  It could be a lot
worse."

Adi Gallia's large dark eyes focused on hers.  "I know...but if I can help
you...if you need to talk to me, please contact me.  If there's anything I
can do, let me know.  I feel a sort of responsibility for you.  Maybe because
of Elisheva...I don't know.  I should have found you earlier.  Perhaps things
would have been different."

Natanya nodded, not trusting her voice.  Her heart ached.  She had been a
Courtesan for eight years; she would be one for many years ahead.  Life had
brought her to this point, and it depressed her to examine it; what was the
purpose?

The Master's eyes grew even darker, showing that she had sensed Natanya's
thoughts.  She stood up.  "Come," she said, her voice strained.  "Mace wants
to say good-bye to you."

They returned to the Council chambers where Gavren waited outside the doors
with their backpacks.  Master Windu was standing inside, talking quietly with
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan.  He gestured to Adi Gallia and Natanya to approach him.

He turned to Natanya.  "Thank you for meeting with us.  I hope you enjoyed
your visit."

"Yes, it was very interesting," she replied honestly.

"You are welcome to come again, whenever you like," he told her, his voice
impassive but his eyes clear and warm. 

"Thank you very much," she replied.  "I would like to."

He nodded to dismiss her.  "May the Force be with you," he said formally,
bowing slightly.

Natanya remembered what she had seen in his eyes yesterday that she hadn't
mentioned.  She hesitated for a moment, then leaned over to him and put her
mouth close to his ear.

"By the way," she whispered, "a little bondage now and then never hurt
anyone."

Master Windu stared at her in astonishment, then burst out laughing.  She
grinned at him. 

Qui-Gon, looking at her questioningly, led her from the room to the lift, to
take her out to board her ship back to Corellia.

END