Title: Adjustments

Author: Ornery

Series: Loving

Fandom: The Phantom Menace

Status: Complete

Category: AU

Rated: G

Pairing: Q/J

Warning: None this part.

Summary: In which New Rules for Council Membership are established on a rotating basis. And the Old Councilors "get their's".

Adjustments
(In which Jane 'adjusts' the Temple and its inhabitants. )
By Ornery

The new Jedi Council members were sulking. The only reason that they had to put up with the Republic Wide headaches was that they didn't have padawans. As soon as they bonded with one, they would be
replaced by someone who didn't have one. And they weren't allowed to take one until they'd put in a full year on the Council. But no Jedi sulks for long, they just weren't made that way, and before long they
had begun to get on with the business of the Republic.

Mace and Yoda watched their sparring padawans as they moved through the earliest motions of Beginner Level Lightsaber-assisted Katas. Both former Council members were a bit depressed at having been out
maneuvered by Qui Gon's wife. From time to time, each Master called a halt to demonstrate something or correct a stance. Both masters sighed.

"More time I have."

"And fewer headaches."

"Get enough sleep, I do."

"And I have time to actually enjoy living, for a change."

"Very good padawan, she is."

"Mine's the smartest child in the Order."

They paused, looked at each other, sighed and went back to watching the human and the wookie.

"Right, she was."

"Yeah, I know."

"Constant rotation of Council Seats, complacency will prevent."

"And they don't have a chance learn the job well enough to enjoy it too much."

"Am 'real, live Jedi' again."

"Me too."

*Pause*

"I like it, Yoda. I've really missed this."

"So too, have I."

"But, does she have to rub it in quiet so hard?"

"Mean what do you?"

"She has us assigned to help in Qui's older class. He's starting some younger ones this afternoon."

Yoda froze, then groaned. "This I knew not. Due a field trip, they are. One month off world."

"Oh Force, she didn't mention that!" Mace was alarmed. "Only former Councilors were assigned to this. By the CURRENT council. The orders have already been cut."

They sat in quiet desperation for a few moments. Then Mace said, "She doesn't leave loopholes, Yoda."

"Know this, I do. A way out, there will not be. Camping with fifty five-year-olds, we twelve *will* go. Good this is *not*!" And Yoda shuddered.

END