One year later...

Clash!

A collision of green and blue lit up the dark training room. Heat radiating off the light source onto Catelle's skin. Beads of sweat dripped from her forehead as she pushed her opponent back using her unmastered force ability. Readjusting her stance, she focused on the person she had pushed back to attempt to figure out their tactics. As she was slightly distracted, her partner went on the offense and attempted to strike a blow to her side. Reacting quickly, Catelle managed to block the move as she pushed them away with her saber. Attacking from her shoulder, she used a lot of her strength to keep her opponent on their toes as she struck from the other shoulder. The young padawan looked upon her partner who was struggling slightly to keep ahead of her movements, this heightened her confidence as she attempted to strike from her side. Succeeding in her movement, her duelling opponent fell to the floor as she brought her emerald green training lightsaber to their neck.

"Gotcha." Catelle said with a smirk, crouching down to the floor to meet their eyeline.

"I let you win." The other padawan uttered through gasping breaths.

"Sure you did, Kenobi, sure." The girl stood up again and offered her hand to help the boy up.

Taking her hand, he stood up straight and looked down at her, "Since when did you become so capable? It seems only yesterday that you were that babbling youngling that stood sheepishly in front of me."

"Training, I suppose. That and practice, my friend." With a broad smile, she walked over to the side of the room and grabbed her water, taking a sip.

"If Master Qui-Gon finds out that I was bested by a eight year old I shall never hear the end of it." Obi-Wan chuckled as he spoke, knowing full well that if his master found out it would be a running joke.

"Yes, a twenty-four year old lost a training duel against a eight year old. I'll be sure to tell him." Catelle laughed as she wiped the beads of sweat of her forehead. Obi-Wan and her had gotten rather close over the past year, him being the only friend that Catelle had made. Other than when the two were training with each other, Catelle spent the majority of her time clung to the side (metaphorically of course) of her master- watching his moves with such admiration. This led to the young girl having very few friends, however in her mind she blamed this on the Jedi code of not being allowed to have attachment.

"Very funny, Elle. Very funny." In the time that they spent together, Obi-Wan had seemed to develop a nickname for Catelle which she didn't seem to mind.

"Yes, I know I am." She stated with a quiet laugh as she took another swig of her water. In the past year, Catelle had constantly been pushing herself to her limits- pushing away any thoughts of her past. Deep in thought, Catelle wandered over to a window and pulled down on the toggle, opening the covering to see the beautiful city of Coruscant. A city that she had become somewhat familiar with. Learning it's beauty and realising it's faults. The noise of the speeders had become an all too normal sound to fall asleep to. Everything that was different to her home planet was now the new regular. Her eyes followed a speeder as it crossed the sky, the lanes were rather quiet today for a reason that Catelle didn't know. Perhaps everyone was taking a day at home, a day to relax? Relaxing, however, was not on Catelle's agenda.

During her time of thinking, Obi-Wan had wandered over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. Noticing her attention being elsewhere he cleared his throat in an attempt to grab her attention. No answer.

"Elle?" He tried to regain her attention again but with a more verbal tactic. And again, no response.

"Catelle?" Raising his voice slightly, he tried one last time to bring her attention. With a slight jump, Catelle snapped back to reality.

"Sorry, Obi-Wan. I was just thinking." Catelle turned around to face the auburn haired boy with a thoughtful smile.

"About?" Kenobi questioned with a his signature smile.

"Oh, you know. Life." Vereya responded with a giggle.

"Well. Shall we talk about life in the Archive room? It's much more relaxing in there." Obi-Wan suggested. The pair both enjoyed spending time in the Jedi Archives as it was the only place that fell quiet during times of chaos. And plus, Madame Jocasta Nu was always brilliant company.

"Sounds like a plan." Young Catelle agreed with a smile. Growing up, the only things that Catelle had heard about the Jedi were from her parents and even then their information was bleak. She was always simply told that the Jedi kept the galaxy in balance, that it was their duty to keep the peace. Which is why Catelle spent a lot of her spare time flicking through the archives, so she could learn more about this life that she found herself wound up in. Everything that she found out was fascinating to say the least. Not only was she learning about the Jedi but she was learning about different star systems, different planets, different cultures, different species', different civilisations and so much more. She felt like she had seen the galaxy without even having to leave the temple.

As the pair walked out of the training room, Catelle re-entered her thoughts. She had always wondered about Obi-Wan's life before he joined the order, but she never dared to ask. He might not have any recollection of it or it might bring back bad memories of some sort. Although, when he was around Master Qui-Gon they seemed to talk about many a things, like missions they had been on or other things like that and Catelle always found it fascinating. Kenobi felt like the older brother that the girl had never had so when she heard anecdotes of his times off Coruscant she always wanted to hear them.

Obi-Wan looked down at the little girl so deep in thought and smiled to himself. He had to admit that he had formed a sibling like bond with Catelle and her fascination of Qui-Gon and his adventures warmed his heart. Often he would find himself entertaining her with stories of other worlds that he had ventured to and she would always find them transfixing. It was nice to know someone who didn't grow up with the order as it was the little things that she would find most amazing.

As they reached the doors to the archive room their silence was broken by the opening of the door. Catelle stepped in first and Obi-Wan closely followed as the pair rushed over to the shelves that were aligned with books about everything that a Jedi could need. Kenobi instantly headed over to a seat by a computer, he preferred to do things digitally than physically. Catelle ran her fingers along the spines of the covers, looking at each one for a brief second before picking one out at random. Taking it out of the shelf, her palm brushed lightly over the cover before reading the title of the archive she had picked up.

'Mandalore: History and Reputation'

Taking the book and holding it close to her chest, she made her way back over to Obi-Wan and sat down on a seat next to him. Gently, she placed the archive on the desk in front of her and opened it to the first page. Glancing over at the boy's computer screen she noticed that he too was researching Mandalore. Why? She did not know. His focus was soon turned to Catelle as he noticed her sat down next to him with a text in front of her.

"Oh, what did you find there?" He didn't see the front cover of the book so by just seeing the first page of course he didn't recognise it.

"A planetary archive..." Catelle responded hesitantly, she did not know whether telling him which planet would activate a deep rooted memory or whether it was simply okay.

"A planetary archive, hm? And which planet would-" Obi-Wan started to speak, he was confused by the girl's hesitant behaviour but decided not to ask.

"-Mandalore..." Catelle answered the question that hadn't even fully been asked yet.

At the mention of Mandalore, Obi-Wan seemed to freeze in space. All colouration had drained from his face and his palms became sweaty. He took a gulp in an attempt to compose himself but no such thing happened. He began to mess with his padawan braid which Catelle had learned was a nervous action of his.

"Ben? What do you know about Mandalore?" Vereya asked cautiously noticing his quick change in emotions. She too had developed a nickname for her friend that he had seemingly taken a liking too. The nickname was familiar to him so he allowed Elle to call him that. Not that she would know, but she wasn't the first person to call him Ben however she was the first to call him that in a few years.

"Well, um...," Poor Kenobi was at a loss for words which Catelle had never seen from him before, "I have been to Mandalore. An extended mission with the duchess, Satine Kryze. Master Qui-Gon and I spent a year on Mandalore protecting the duchess from insurgents who had threatened her world. They sent Bounty hunters after us. We were always on the run, living hand-to-mouth, never sure what the next day would bring."

"Oh, I-I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked." Catelle murmured only wishing she could back track on her words.

"No, no. I'm glad you did," Obi-Wan put his hands on his knees as his composed himself, "It's the one story I've been hesitant to tell you."

"You don't have to-"

"It's fine, Elle. It's time I did." He cut Catelle off before she could protest.

The next minutes were filled with Obi-Wan recalling his time on Mandalore, every risk he and Qui-Gon took, every aspect of Satine (which he described in such detail and admiration) and how as much as it was challenging he only wishes he could go back.

"And then, there was the incident with the swarm of venom-mites on Draboon. I tried to carry Satine to safety but my clumsy self tripped over and dropped her, resulting in a nasty gash that has most likely scarred." Even though the memory sounded unpleasant, Obi-Wan spoke with such reminiscence in his voice. A happy reminiscence. Like any mention of the duchess provided him with instant serotonin.

"Do you miss her?" Catelle spoke up after a brief silence and asked a rather direct question.

"Her?" Obi-Wan responded in turn, whether he was purposefully acting oblivious or simply just wanted to avoid the question was something I guess we'd never know.

"Satine. You seemed to have developed a close relationship with her."

"Closer than you'll know," He mumbled under his breath so his words were hardly audible, "Yes, I suppose I miss her." A tinge of pink appeared on the boy's cheeks at the thought of the duchess.

Catelle took the time to examine his face as he spoke, his mind seemed deep in thought as he spoke about Kryze. His face seemed to light up as he remembered his time on the planet of the Mandalorian's. A slight smile was creeping upon his face as his cheeks glowed a light shade of rose. He spoke with the same softness that he usually did but this time something was different. His voice was laced with something different.

Endearment.

"Did you love her?" The young girl asked rather randomly after examining his face.

"I- What?," Obi-Wan seemed to choke on air at the question, stuttering over his words, "I- Well- No, no, w-why would you ask that...?"

Chuckling to herself, Catelle responded, "The way you talk about her. It reminds me of the way my...father would talk about my mother. He loved her very much. Even at the mention of Satine's name, you can't help but smile. And before you say anything about the code or whatever, I believe that it's completely normal to have feelings. Especially love."

Silence.

Obi-Wan let out a gentle sigh as he finally spoke up, "Yes. I did love her. I do love her." He started to mess around with his padawan brain once more.

Catelle smiled to herself as he admitted his supressed feelings for the duchess of Mandalore. She knew that it took an immense amount of trust for Obi-Wan to tell her this so she understood that she was one of the only people that knew. Perhaps Master Qui-Gon knew, but whether Obi-Wan knew that he knew is an entirely different situation. Catelle could sense worry radiating off Obi-Wan, the poor boy had dedicated his life to the Jedi Code and this was a fault in his pristine ways of living.

"You're secret is safe with me, Obi-Wan." She spoke with sincerity as she reached up to place a gentle hand on his shoulder. His worry almost automatically melted away as he smiled at the young child in front of him.

"Never in a million years did I think I'd be sharing this with anyone. Let alone a eight year old, no offense." Obi-Wan spoke in a hushed tone, relaxing his shoulders and letting go of his braid that he had clung onto.

"None taken," The young girl said with a soft smile, removing her hand from his shoulder and placing it back on her lap, "So, tell me about her. And not just the boring political side of her, the personal side too."

Laughing slightly, Obi-Wan finally let down his guard as he began to speak about Satine.

"She's beautiful, like truly breathtakingly beautiful. And her beauty is only a reflection of her personality inside. She's funny, head strong, smart, sarcastic, kind, sincere, brave but most importantly...she's loving. I mean, how could I not love her? Every aspect of her is to be admired. The way her hair beautifully frames her face and her eyes, oh her eyes, I could simply get lost in them. She never sees anyone for their faults, but always tries to see the good in people's hearts. I love her, with every fibre of my being, I well and truly love her."

Silence.

Catelle looked down at her hands as she tried to process everything that Obi-Wan had just said. Sure, she had some idea of what love looked like but hearing her friend speak about his love brought a whole new meaning to the word. He spoke about her like she was his oxygen, his life support. But if he spoke about her like this, in this tender intimate manner, why did he still seem regretful?

"But I committed my life to the order," Obi-Wan's loving tone was replaced with a saddened one, "A commitment not easily broken. As much as I loved her, I had to leave. I just wish it had ended differently."

"She sounds like an amazing person, Ben. I hope I can meet her one day," Catelle smiled sincerely at her friend and placed a hand on his shoulder once more, "You two clearly had- have something special."

"And yet, had she said the word...I would have left the Jedi order." The boy admitted to the young girl in front of him. Sometimes he forgot she was only nine because of her mature behaviour.

Catelle froze at these words. Only a love so strong could compel someone to leave all they had ever known behind. After a brief moment of thought, she looked up at him and met his eyeline. Tears lined his water line, clearly speaking about Kryze affected him in ways he would not admit.

"Why was it only her responsibility to say the word?" Her words left Kenobi speechless as his face dropped, matching his previously melancholy tone. Obi-Wan looked down at his hands that were rested on his knee as a single tear fell, splashing down on his robes.

"I'm sorry this must be a lot, I should have been more considerate I-" Obi-Wan fumbled around with his words as he tried to respond to the child in front of him.

"- Obi-Wan, you don't need to apologise for anything. I'm glad you told me. It looks like you needed to tell somebody so...I'm happy that you trusted me." Catelle removed her hand from the boy's shoulder and placed it on top his hands.

"Thank you, Elle." Ben croaked as he wiped away his tear with the sleeve of his robe.

"For what?" Vereya tilted her head in response with a confused expression.

"For this. You were right, I kept all this bottled up for so long in hopes that it would just go away but it never did and I don't think it ever will. But that's okay, as long as the council is kept unaware, everything will be okay in the end." The boy spoke with a new found optimism, as if a spark of hope had been ignited in him.

"You don't need to thank me. After everything you've done for me, helping me fit in over the past year, somehow managing to put up with me and just being an all round good friend ,well, it's the least I can do." Elle smiled at him softly as she spoke, she meant every word that she said as Obi-Wan had been a genuine friend (and her only friend).

Obi-Wan simply smiled in appreciation at his dear friend. He had never spoken about Satine since Master Qui-Gon and him left Mandalore, mainly because it pained him that he could not be with the woman that he loved. But he had made a promise, a commitment, that he had not only made to himself but to Jinn and to the rest of the order. No matter what happened on that planet, he had to come back.

Even if Satine was-

Beep beep.

The sound of a comlink interrupted Obi-Wan's thoughts. Shaking off his thoughts, he picked up his receiver and answered it.

"This is Obi-Wan Kenobi." His voice returned to his usual formal manner which made Catelle snicker slightly.

"Obi-Wan, you and Catelle are being called to the council room. Is she with you?" The voice of Kenobi's master echoed through the speaker of the comlink.

"Sat right in front of me, Master." Kenobi responded to his master with a smile as Elle coiled and uncoiled her hair.

"Good, you two should start making your way to the council room." Qui-Gon stated before ending the transmission.

"You heard him, Elle. We're needed." Obi-Wan remarked at his stood up, putting his hands on his knees for balance sake.

"For what?" Catelle inquired politely, also standing up to join her friend.

"Didn't think to ask." Ben said as he began to walk to the door. With a shrug, Catelle followed closely behind him as they made their way to the all too familiar council room.

Reaching the council room, the two padawan's were instantly beckoned inside. Catelle looked around at the room and at the couple of empty chairs that were not filled with people but were filled with holograms instead.

"Monitoring your progress, we have young Catelle. A skilled Jedi, you will be." The kind voice of Master Yoda praised Catelle for her improvements since she first joined the order.

"Thank you, Master Yoda." She smiled gratuitously as she bowed her head in thanks.

"We believe that since you started training with Obi-Wan your skillset has improved," Mace Windu vocalised from his seat in the semi-circle, "Do you believe this to be true?"

Vereya glanced at Obi-Wan through her peripheral vision before responding, "My master's training is shaping me into the skilled fighter that I aspire to be. Obi-Wan helps me put said training into practice."

"And you, Padawan Kenobi?"

"Catelle is far more skilled than any youngling of her age, in the past year that she has been here she has been pushing herself to be the best she can be and I believe that she is accomplishing that with Master Plo Koon's guidance." Obi-Wan informed the council members.

Master Yoda nodded to the pair of them, seemingly in deep thought over his next choice of words.

"Powerful Jedi, you both will be. Leave, you may." The little green being smiled at the two as they bowed in response.

As Catelle and Obi-Wan walked out of the room the muffled sound of discussion could be heard behind them. Some of the chatter sounded more like arguing than a civilised talk, some voices were more prominent than others as the volume of the room rose and fell randomly. Standing just outside the door, the two padawan's looked at each other in confusion.

Why did the council have to call them to the room for that?

"That was...odd." Catelle looked up at her friend who seemed to share the same bewilderment.

"Yes, quite peculiar indeed..." Ben pursed his lips together in perplexity.

"Are they...arguing?" Elle questioned, looking back at the door of the room they just came from.

"Evidently so." Obi-Wan responded as he placed a hand on his chin, stroking a non-existent beard. "You seem stressed, Elle."

"Me? Stressed? No..." Catelle rocked back an forth on her heels. Okay, maybe she was a little stressed but it was only because the council had just put her on edge.

Resting a hand on his friend's right shoulder, Obi-Wan proposed an idea. "I think we deserve a cup of tea."

"A cup of tea?" Elle almost laughed at the random suggestion as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Yes, I believe we've earned it after today."

Shaking her head in amusement, the young girl responded with a smile, "Then by all means lead the way."

Obi-Wan nodded at the confirmation before starting down the hall once more. Catelle trailed behind him as she tried to keep up with his wide strides. Catching up with him, she kept by his left side as they continued down the long corridor.

a/n {hello! i really hope you enjoyed this chapter! i love obitine so much so i thought i'd give them something a little special to make your hearts melt. i definitely cried writing this chapter so...yeah! anyways, please keep reading, voting and commenting! love you all! <3}