A silence followed Bant's question as the four friends considered the forces, or rather THE Force that had brought them all together.

"Call me optimistic, but maybe it's not a precursor to something bad," Sabé said after taking another sip of tea. "Maybe it's a chance for something good."

"A chance for good it is," Master Yoda agreed as he hobbled quietly into the commissary startling all but Anakin who had felt him coming. "An opportunity for more we have been given," he finished as he joined the four younger beings at the table. "Written in stone the future is not, but a strong force destiny can be. The course of a stream a tree branch can change; more is required to alter the course of a universe."

Thinking of the numbers of Jedi and clone soldiers that had been killed at Geonosis, and the rise in violence and hatred that seemed to encompass more and more worlds each day, Senator Amidala sighed. "If there is a hope for peace, then I for one plan to give all that I can and all that I am to foster it. And I could not ask for a better group of people to do so with."

"There's always hope," Anakin said as he offered his seat to Master Yoda, "but now we just have more of a chance."

"A part to play will we all have," Yoda agreed as he settled in with the three women at the table. "For now, Padawan Skywalker, your place is with your Master and young Kenobi."

"Then I guess I'll go join them," Anakin said as he offered an abbreviated bow to the group at the table in deference to his aching head. "If you'll excuse me. Senator Amidala, Lady Sabé, it was a pleasure as always. Healer Bant, I expect I'll be seeing you at Master Obi-Wan's rehabilitation sessions."

"I wouldn't miss it," Bant offered with a twinkle in her eye. "There's nothing nearly so much fun as having a license to torture your friends."

"We were planning on returning to Naboo after the Senate committee meetings," Padmé said with a slight smile, "but I believe we have nothing pressing that requires us to return immediately. Perhaps we can arrange a dinner before we have to go."

"I would enjoy that," Anakin answered before offering a final nod to the group and exiting the commissary.

As he stood and reached out to offer his hand to Shmi Skywalker, Qui-Gon nearly staggered from the level of the Force he could feel surrounding her. Or rather, centered around the child she was carrying. Recovering quickly he gently took her hand in greeting. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

"You as well," she offered as Dr. Je'hall stood and directed the two to the chairs that were located along the wall. "Thank you," Shmi sighed as she lowered herself into one of the chairs. "It is getting harder and harder to rise each day- I can't imagine any graceful way of getting myself off of one of the mats."

"The visions were rather insistent that we arrange to have Shmi brought here immediately," Dr. Je'hall said as she prepared a cup of tea for her. "Her child will have an important role to play- and you will have an important role in his life."

"The Order typically makes the arrangements for Force sensitive children," Qui-Gon stated as he sat in the chair across from the two Shmi and the doctor had claimed. "But we usually wait for the children to reach the age of two or three."

"I do not believe the Jedi are usually able to make trips to the Hutt controlled planets," Shmi answered quietly. "And Anakin is meant to be a Jedi."

"You wish to have the Jedi Temple assume all responsibility for your child?" Qui-Gon questioned.

"That would be inadvisable," Dr. Je'hall interrupted before Shmi could answer. "I know it is customary for a Jedi hopeful to cut all ties to their families, but in this case I believe even your Jedi Council has agreed that some policies and customs may need to be reevaluated."

"You have spoken to the Council about this?" Qui-Gon asked slightly taken aback.

"I have not," the doctor answered calmly as she took a sip of her tea, "but the visions have been very clear, and have so far proven to be quite accurate in predicting what will come to pass. Anakin Skywalker will become a Jedi- and one unlike any other that has ever been."

"Master," Anakin greeted with a slight smile as he knocked lightly on the door frame leading into their shared medical suite.

"Padawan," Obi-Wan acknowledged with a tilt of his head. "I believe you should sit down before you fall down," he continued as he evaluated the pale undertone to his apprentice's skin.

"I'm all right Master," Anakin began, but Ben had already stood and begun to pull another chair over to the other side of the bed so he instead sat down in the offered chair with a small smile for the younger apprentice. Reaching across to his Master, Anakin placed his hand on the other man's forearm, permitting the additional contact their bond required to allow both men to assure themselves of the other's health.

"So while I'm sure everyone knows who everyone else is, allow me to offer a bit more of an introduction," Obi-Wan said once both apprentices were seated. "Anakin, this is Ben Kenobi. Ben, this is my apprentice of nearly ten standard years, Anakin Skywalker."

"It's nice to-" Anakin began as he reached out across the bed to where the younger apprentice sat. However, as his hand connected with the slightly smaller one the bond-ache that had begun to rise again as he had reentered the room flared, causing the lights in the medical suite to flicker as a bright glow surrounded all three men. The glow brightened as it quickly engulfed the room seeming to emanate from directly above the bed where all three were joined- Master to Apprentice and future-Master to future-Apprentice. The flaring colors of yellow, gold and silver grew brighter and brighter until the twining lights settled into a familiar braided pattern that almost appeared solid before fading away again until the room was once more lit by only the med-suite lights.

A moment of silence passed as all three Jedi adjusted to the lower lighting and the feeling of the bond-ache fading away entirely, replaced instead by the sweet humming of a newly settled bond. As Anakin drew his hands back cautiously from where they had been on Master Kenobi's arm and clasping Ben's hand, he took a deep breath. "Now, THAT was interesting."

A/N: Thanks for all the kind reviews and signing up for story alerts- the notices I get via email really do help motivate my muse :)