With You

Chapter 8

Obi-Wan felt her Life Force positively buzzing with nervous energy as their transport set down on the landing pad at the Temple. "Take a deep breath, Cecilia. You are welcome here. Though you made a choice to leave, you are not unwelcome as a visitor—you are welcome here. In fact there are a few who I believe are quite excited to see you."

She frowned and glanced at him, though her attention was focused on the ramp that would descend any moment for them to make their way down and out of the ship. "Excited? Who?" she questioned.

Just then, the ramp started to lower. "See for yourself." He said with a grin as he nodded towards the exit.

She took a deep breath, her left hand beating out a rhythm on the hilt of her lightsaber at her hip. Her clothes had been cleaned while she was in the medbay wearing standard issue medical garb and she was now back in a deep purple sleeveless jerkin, dark grey leggings, and high boots that matched the jerkin in it's shade. Not typical Jedi garb any more, but she wouldn't look terribly out of place at the Temple as there were many who didn't always wear the standard tan and dark brown tunics and robes.

As they descended the ramp Cecilia saw one lone figure waiting and couldn't resist smiling at the small statured, wise, old Jedi. As they approached she gave a slight bow, then went to her knees in front of him, much like she used to do as young Padawan when he would speak to her. It was a sign of respect and regard, and the warmth she felt for him she felt sure he had always returned.

"Master Yoda, I—" Suddenly she found herself at a loss for words, a lump growing in her throat and tears stinging the corner of her eyes. She bowed her head before him, unsure how to proceed.

"Hrmm," He mumbled as he took a few steps forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Good to see you, it is, young one. Welcome, you are, as long as you wish to stay. Questions, there will be. Concerns there will be. But welcome, you are. That is certain. Understood?"

She nodded and smiled as she took a deep breath, centered herself, and looked back up at him. "Thank you, Master Yoda."

"Come, will you, to the Council Chambers? Much there is we would like to discuss with you."

Cecilia inhaled a nervous breath and in one quick motion was back to her feet, glancing nervously at Obi-Wan. He gave her an encouraging nod and she looked back to Master Yoda.

"I will come to the Council Chambers, Master Yoda."

The walk to the council chambers was quiet. Cecilia tried to ignore the stares of those who stopped as they passed by in the corridors.

Obi-Wan glanced over at her. "You are still nervous?" he questioned quietly.

"Of course I am. The last time I walked these halls it was in the reverse direction, heading to a transport off Coruscant and I haven't returned since. It's been years, Obi-Wan. I left the Order—there have to be those who aren't happy with that."

"I wasn't exactly -pleased- with the idea."

She sighed inwardly. "You know what I mean..."

"I d know. I understand. But, Cecilia, you are confident in the decision you made all those years ago—aren't you? You were very clear that you have no intention of returning to the Jedi Order."

She quickly but carefully considered herself—her thoughts, her reasons for originally leaving—and answered. "Yes, I am confident in my decision."

"Then why do you care what they think?"

"What?"

"Please understand, I am not trying to be disrespectful of my fellow council members. But if you left for the reasons I understand you did, and if you are so confident in your decision—why do you care if they are unhappy with you?"

"Because I—I respect them, Obi-Wan. I may disagree with them, but they trained me, cared for my well-being. Because, despite everything, I guess I do care about their opinion of me. And—I just don't enjoy the idea of being questioned."

"Consider that their questions are just... curiosity. Even those who might sound more—unhappy—when they ask their questions. This is your opportunity, Cecilia. Help them understand. You only ever talked to Master Yoda before you left—the others, they—perhaps they are just... confused. Even... hurt."

Cecilia paused. She'd never thought about it that way. She took a deep breath—willing to consider that it wasn't a firing line she was being taken to, but instead a genuine desire for friendly discourse and conversation. "Very well, Obi-Wan. I will remain open-minded about the nature of this meeting. But..."

"But what?"

"Will you stay by my side? I know you have a seat in the council chambers, but—I don't know if I can bear to be standing in the middle of that circle on my own."

"Of course I will."

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Obi-Wan felt as much as he saw her shoulders relax as they continued their journey down the long corridors of the Temple.