The Star Witches Saga: EPISODE II Chapter Ten Now Up

[SithLordWiccan]

Chapter Seven's gonna be up in a few minutes. Finishing the edit I gotta do of that is just one of a few things I gotta do right now.

[grimlock72]

that's the same way Anakin felt for Padme, and we all know how well that turned out...

Well... no

I maintain that you can't control your emotions all the time so you might as well learn to deal with them. Keep all sorts of things inside isn't going to solve much.

I would make a horrible Jedi (or soldier for that matter), don't like following certain 'code' thingies without questioning the reasoning behind them. Everyone is "susceptible to fear, hate and anger" the only way to handle that is learn to cope with them, NOT pushing them away or view acknowledging them as a 'weakness'.

Don't Jedi carry normal lighters to light a fire? Using the Force for that would be overkill, besides it might be detected? I hope both girls carry some sort of survival kit at least, they might need it. I don't have a real problem with using any force for lighting a fire really, just make sure you don't come to depend on it.

It's a good thing Tara confided her story to somebody. Can't have been much fun to walk around with that all alone. It occured to me that Tara's Master also broke the Jedi code by telling her all that, didn't he/she? Not that *I* mind of course Tara's conception might indeed have been somewhat of an accident, but LOTS more kids get made that way, she's hardly unique or unwanted because of that.

I can understand Tara not telling her life-story quickly, what would be the point? Tara's mistake is that she equates 'accident' with 'unwanted'. It doesn't help that her mother was killed when she was very young of course . I do think it's sad that the "no-emotions" and "no attachments" rule gets drilled into young easily influenced human beings.

Grimmy

[SithLordWiccan]

[center][/center]

[center]Chapter Seven[/center]

Inside the small but functional slave hovel, Qui-Gon allowed himself a period of relaxation. It had been a hectic period over the past several hours. What had, at first, seemed like an ordinary assignment had sent them clear across the galaxy to land on a planet that was, for all intents and purposes, as far out of the way as one could imagine.

Tatooine indeed held its share of secrets. And one of those secrets had become rather well known to him in such a short time. Having failed to convince the Toydarian junk dealer to accept their money for the damaged hyperdrive that had forced them to land here, one of their number had come across a rather dangerous and mean spirited Dug. And it was only through the intervention of a nine year old boy that had allowed their companion to escape with his life.

Qui-Gon thought briefly for a moment about the boy. There was something more to him that he was ready to admit, but there would have to be a time for that later. All they could do no was ride out the sandstorm.

A sudden chirp caught his attention. Reaching for his comlink, he pulled it free.

”Master?” It was Obi-Wan.

“What is it, Padawan?” he asked.

”The Queen’s just received a message from Naboo,” Obi-Wan replied. ”The Governor has informed her that the people are being killed and the death toll is rising. He’s been informed by the Viceroy that the situation will continue until she returns and signs the treaty.”

Qui-Gon thought for a moment before he reached a conclusion. “It sounds like bait to establish a connection trace.”

”But what if it is true?” Obi-Wan asked.

Qui-Gon shook his head. “Either way, Padawan, we’re running out of time.”

There was a slight pause before Obi-Wan replied, ”Master, I’m rather ashamed to bring this up, but…I fear for the safety of our companions.”

Qui-Gon let out a deep sigh, knowing that he too shared Obi-Wan’s feelings for the safety of Tara and Willow. He had felt Willow’s fear as the invasion began, and knew that she would only feel worse as time went on. And while Tara was a capable and strong Jedi, with no one there to console her, she would eventually break down and be unable to be of any use to anyone. It had been a character flaw of hers for many years, and he, among others, had tried to teach her to think otherwise. There was something to be said for trial by fire training, but this was the last instance he would have expected to have this sort of thing happen.

“I do as well, Obi-Wan,” he said. “But do not despair. They are resourceful. They will find a way to survive and to help the Naboo. Contact me later if anything else develops.”

As he turned off the comlink and returned it to his belt, another thought flashed briefly into his head. During the battle with the destroyer droids onboard the Trade Federation ship, he had felt a surge in the Force. He hadn’t been able to identify it at the time, but now that he had time to think, he realized that it must have come from their companions when they joined hands to follow them down the corridor. Clearly the two were more powerful together than he had thought.

He moved away to join his companions in the living area, hoping that the situation would somehow make a turn of the better.

**

It was the middle of the night on Coruscant, though for the average citizen to refer to it as such would be akin to calling a exploding star a thing of beauty. For while the natural light of the sun had long since vanished, the planet spanning city, with its billions upon billions of residents occupying hundreds upon hundreds of levels of living quarters, entertainment districts and the vehicles that took them to and from those locations, provided a diluted, though still bright in its own fashion, way of illuminating the area. There were, of course, many areas where even that dim glow never reached, but those areas were only frequented by three kinds of people: those with nowhere else to go, those who had a death wish, and those who could do so freely without fear of harm from the previous two.

Darth Maul was certainly among the very few who could count himself in that third category.

To the common being who skulked these dilapidated areas, Maul was little more than a dark cloaked specter, his upraised hood concealing his features from all save those who had the unfortunate happenstance to cross his path. And such people either made haste to find their way out of it or met a very unfortunate end.

Maul paused a moment and moved a gloved hand inside his robes, feeling the smooth metallic form of his lightsaber clipped to his belt. Somehow, it gave him comfort to know that the weapon was close at hand. Though he was adept at various forms of martial arts, there was nothing he enjoyed more than to bring the synthetic red blades of his weapon to life to end the existence of those whom his Master deemed unworthy.

His Master, Maul knew, had great plans for the future, though he was rarely party to discussion about the larger scheme he had planed. And Maul neither cared nor wished to care. He was an instrument to be used in whatever manner his Master desired, nothing more.

And yet…there was always this small part of Maul that realized that in order for him to ascend to the highest levels of the Sith Order, Sidious would have to perish. Maul knew that he could not bring this about himself, as he owed everything that he was now to the teachings he had imparted on him. He banished the thought from his mind just as quickly, as it would not be appropriate to think such things when he arrived.

Reaching a turbolift car, he stepped inside, taking some small pleasure in the fact that the car’s previous occupants, a Twi’lek and a pair of humans, made quite a scene in their attempt to get away from him. It was not the first time such an instance had occurred, and he knew that it would not be the last. He punched his destination onto the inset keypad.

The doors closed and the turbolift moved upward. Inside, Maul once again allowed himself the opportunity to think about the reasons his Master had summoned him. He knew that Sidious’ pawns, the Neimoidians, had failed in their task and that it was now up to him to correct their mistake. What had made him especially eager to do the task was the knowledge that there were Jedi involved. He had longed to bring his blade against that of a Jedi, and knew that this mission would finally bring him that opportunity. He had faced Jedi before, but compared to those he was likely to face now, they had been mere playthings for his amusement. He knew that the Jedi he would face here would more of a test of his skill.

The turbolift opened, showing Maul a rather opulently decorated finishing room. It was furnished in the finest architecture Maul had seen anywhere, all of it draped in the color red. Statues decorated the area as well, recognizable to only himself as ancient Sith sculptures. He knew that his Master was brazen enough to display them in such a fashion, but also knew that there were none among the living who could recognize them for what they really were.

A door silently opened, but Maul knew immediately who it was that had entered the room. He turned to gaze upon the being who had just arrived and knelt to one knee in a gesture of obedience.

Sidious gazed at him for a moment, and then gently waved a hand. “Rise, Lord Maul.”

As Maul did so, Sidious moved towards the door leading to the walkway. Maul fell into step beside and slightly behind his Master as he walked outside into the cool air of nighttime Coruscant.

“You have located the Queen?” Sidious asked.

Maul nodded slightly. It had not taken much difficulty in locating where the Queen's ship had gone. Although he considered the practice beneath him, he monitored the transmissions that had left Naboo since the Queen had left. Knowing that their ability to communicate was hampered somewhat, they would have to be desperate to send such any transmissions off planet. One such transmission did indeed occur, despite the Neimoidians' best efforts to block it. The message itself was brief, but had lasted long enough to determine its destination.

“Where?”

“Tatooine.”

Sidious turned to face Maul. “Tatooine? I had thought that the Queen would be en route here to debate the legality of the blockade to the Senate.”

Maul did not respond. His opinion on the matter was neither wanted nor needed, and he was very much aware of that.

After a moment’s pause, Sidious shook his head slightly. “It does not matter why she is there. She is there. But she will not be there for long.”
Maul tilted his head. Sidious could feel through the Force the eagerness that his apprentice felt for the assignment. He knew the real reason for the excitement, of course.

“Be mindful, Lord Maul,” he cautioned. “The Queen is in the protection of the Jedi. It shall not be an easy task to take her back to Naboo to sign the treaty. And even if you accomplish this task, there is no telling what may await you when you return. I feel a great disturbance in the Force. Something is occurring there even now that I feel will have an impact on our plans.”

If Maul had any misgivings about the situation, he did not voice them. Sidious allowed a small smile to spread across his face. This was his apprentice’s most valuable trait. Once he was given a task, he would go to whatever lengths were necessary to accomplish it.

Maul looked out onto the skyline of Coruscant. In the distance, he saw the spires of the Jedi Temple thrusting into the air. How he longed to walk into that place of light and contemplation and strike down all that stood in his path, to kill those who stood in the way of his Master’s plans, to burn the building to the ground.

That day was coming soon, of this he had no doubt.

[grimlock72]

Man you're quick on the updates aren't you ?

Updates like these are very helpfull for StarWars deprived people like myself Sets up the relations and motives of the Evil People. I wonder if the Jedi can sense Dark Maul and identify him as a danger to them. With the Temple in visual range one would think so.

Hmm... I can see Dark Maul/Sidious as a standard Master/Padawan setup. Granted this master has less lofty goal, but other then that what's different? It is convenient to quickly give people performing Evil Acts another name I suppose, better for PR .

I can't recall seeing Sidious in Episode1, I only remember DM and Palpatine (sp?). Learning new stuff about SW all the time in this story.

I *do* hope Jedi at least learn to think like Evil People, would be helpfull to escape them. And if anyone can explain WHY they send a message from Naboo to Tatooine, instead of just travelling there with a spaceship... feel free to.

On the other hand, that DOES move DM away from Willow/Tara at Naboo. Which is a Good Thing obviously.

How valid would a treaty signed under treat be anyway, heh ??:)

Grimmy

[SithLordWiccan]

Grimmy: First off, I gotta say, dude...go watch Episodes II and III. It'll make understanding this fic a whole lot easier.

I maintain that you can't control your emotions all the time so you might as well learn to deal with them. Keep all sorts of things inside isn't going to solve much.

Yeah, well while that might work, that isn't exactly the angle I can get away with playing in the sandbox that I am.

I would make a horrible Jedi (or soldier for that matter), don't like following certain 'code' thingies without questioning the reasoning behind them. Everyone is "susceptible to fear, hate and anger" the only way to handle that is learn to cope with them, NOT pushing them away or view acknowledging them as a 'weakness'.

And now you know why the Jedi got their asses handed to them in ROTS.

Don't Jedi carry normal lighters to light a fire? Using the Force for that would be overkill, besides it might be detected? I hope both girls carry some sort of survival kit at least, they might need it. I don't have a real problem with using any force for lighting a fire really, just make sure you don't come to depend on it.

Yeah. All Jedi have a survival kit with them. As for why Tara didn't use the Force to start the fire...well, I originally had it that way, but it was pointed out to me by Chris that it would make Tara a more rounded character (and true to Buffy canon) if I didn't have her using the Force to solve every small problem that arose.

It's a good thing Tara confided her story to somebody. Can't have been much fun to walk around with that all alone. It occured to me that Tara's Master also broke the Jedi code by telling her all that, didn't he/she?

Yeah, but when you realize who he is (and you will in the next chapter), you'll realize that he's not exactly the model Jedi, either.

Tara's conception might indeed have been somewhat of an accident, but LOTS more kids get made that way, she's hardly unique or unwanted because of that.

The point I'm trying to make with that is not to make her "unique" or "unwanted". What I'm trying to get across here is that she believes that she's not the Perfect Little Jedi. I mean, Jedi are supposed to be brave, strong, and have a sense of what's going on around them. Ever since learning about her true parentage, Tara has been none of these things. And it certainly doesn't help that she's developing an attraction to Willow, because she doesn't want to open herself up to the possibility of more hurt. (Trust me, this will all become important later.)

I wonder if the Jedi can sense Dark Maul and identify him as a danger to them. With the Temple in visual range one would think so.

The Jedi of this time are a little full of themselves, to say the least. They've got themselves convinced that the Sith are extinct and gone from the universe that they can't let themselves believe that evil has returned.

Hmm... I can see Dark Maul/Sidious as a standard Master/Padawan setup. Granted this master has less lofty goal, but other then that what's different? It is convenient to quickly give people performing Evil Acts another name I suppose, better for PR .

Actually, the Master/Apprentice relationship between Maul and Sidious is considerably different than the Jedi. At this point in time in the galaxy, there are thousands of Jedi running around. But only two Sith. The reason for this is because the ancient Sith, in their attempts to bring about the downfall of the Republic and the Jedi, eventually turned on each other and ended up killing each other. The Sith were resurrected about a thousand years prior to this, but ended up once again falling to infighting and killing each other. One Sith survived however, and realizing that the need for stealth and secrecy was paramount, crafted the Rule of Two, which stated that there could be only one Master and Apprentice at a time.

I can't recall seeing Sidious in Episode1, I only remember DM and Palpatine (sp?). Learning new stuff about SW all the time in this story.

You know, there's things about this fic that you aren't going to get unless you take the time to watch Eps. II and III, like the fact that [spoiler]Palpatine and Sidious are the same person.[/spoiler]

And if anyone can explain WHY they send a message from Naboo to Tatooine, instead of just travelling there with a spaceship... feel free to.

I know you said you watched Episode I, so I'm kinda amazed that you asked this.

On the other hand, that DOES move DM away from Willow/Tara at Naboo. Which is a Good Thing obviously.

Only for a while, though.

[AlysonGoddess]

Thanks for the quick update! But would prefer more willow tara action..even if they dont do anything i dont really care much about the evildoers plans i usually skim over those parts, but i know its a way to set up the story which is good but just maybe a little less of that and more cuz there so cute together!! Im definitly a star wars fan so im enjoying this fic quit a bit. Also i have to say that i love your banner for the story haha it made me laugh not saying that its bad cuz i think it was a really good idea to do the banner that way..but somehow i found that funny but great update keep those fingers writing and update soon plz! with more goodness!!

Erin

[SithLordWiccan]

Erin: Yes, I know that this chapter is most likely gonna get skipped by my readers. I strongly suggest that you don't, however, because its kinda important for things that will happen later in the story and in the overall story that's gonna happen.

And yes, there will be plenty of coming. But I have to kinda set it up first.

Im definitly a star wars fan so im enjoying this fic quit a bit.

I'm glad that you can say that.

Also i have to say that i love your banner for the story haha it made me laugh not saying that its bad cuz i think it was a really good idea to do the banner that way..but somehow i found that funny

I'm glad you like the banner. I do, too. The thanks should really go to Chris, though.

And don't worry. We'll get back to Willow and Tara in the next chapter.

[FineyMcFine]

This was good background and setting-up for whatever's going to eventually happen with Naboo and gives us necessary context for why certain things will happen - especially helpful for those who haven't seen I, II, or III. Good insight also into Darth Maul's mind, such as it is. And yay for WT in the next chapter!

And props to Chris for the bannery goodness.

[Useful_Oxymoron]

Nice update Sithbunny. You know, I always thought, from watching the film, that Darth Maul lacked any substantial depth, until I realized (and is accentuated in parts of this story), that Darth Maul is bascially a muscle-minded bruiser, a dog on the leash of his master to be, unleased, at were, when the master desires it.

(For anyone reading this, spoilers ahead. You have been warned! )

Looking at Palpatine's apprentices, there're all different character types. Maul is a brutish thug, Sith discipline or not. Tyranus, otoh, is a superb and charismatic manipulator and a strategic mastermind. Vader is somewhere in the middle. Still brutish when necessary, but with a certain amount of flair for strategy. If we all see them as tools of the master, Maul would be a club, Tyranus would be a scalpel and Vader would be a balanced Katana. I think of the three of them, Tyranus could be considered the biggest threat to Palpatine if he decided to turn against him, maybe that's part of the reason Palpatine had Anakin eliminate him.

Okay, enough nerding around here. Great story... It's about time for me to get back to Empire at War. Bloody rebels blew up three of my expensive Acclimators, and they're going to have to pay.

[SithLordWiccan]

Sally: Thanks for the comments. I didn't really think that Darth Maul got his props, either in the movie of the EU, so I'm kinda taking him in a new direction here. Chris had some ideas, and I agreed with them. So if you saw the movie, don't expect to see him as he was. He's gonna end up different.

Useful_Oxymoron: Yeah, Darth Maul really is a one dimensional character. Not here, though. Don't worry. When it comes to characters like him who were underdeveloped, they'll get their just desserts.

Irene: Like I said before, even though our ladies don't appear, this chapter makes you see how much they're going to have an impact on future events, and that this fic isn't just "hey, let's plop them into such and such a setting and see what happens."

And yeah, like I said, this update is not to be missed.

Next chapter to go up on the weekend. Probably.

[SithLordWiccan]

[center][/center]

[center]Chapter Eight[/center]

Tara found herself unable to sleep, though she noticed that Willow slept soundly, a remarkable accomplishment given the surroundings and the situation around her. She reached down and moved to ruffle her hair, but stopped just as her fingers reached those red strands.

”Stop it,” she told herself. ”That’s no way to behave.”
She said that as if she believed it. And yet…

She thought of what had happened several hours ago, though it now seemed like decades had passed since her revelation. She had fully expected Willow to freak out when she told her what happened. After all, anyone who had to deal with that sort of thing in their lives must have been psychologically unstable.

There had been times when she believed that, too. Of course, that had been before her Master had told her everything about her past. She briefly thought about her Master and the time she had spent with him during her training.

Nejaa Halcyon had been a remarkable Jedi, and one that Tara had immediately identified with. When she was a Youngling, she had spent many a day in the Temple library reading about his adventures in the Outer Rim. She had always looked up to him, and was overjoyed when he selected her to become his Padawan.

The two had enjoyed many adventures together, though it was during this time that Tara felt her feelings for him change. Although he was certainly an attractive individual, she found that she was spending a great deal of her time when she wasn’t on a mission with Nejaa or training in the company of females. It was a rather surprising thing for her to be doing. She obviously didn’t feel attracted to them, she just preferred their company.

Nejaa hadn’t really commented on it. She never figured out why, but she suspected that it allowed him to do other things that didn’t require him to focus on her. Not that he was ungrateful, he kept telling her. It was just that there were things he did that he didn’t want to get her involved in.

Then came the day that her whole life came crashing down.

**

Tara sat in the public cab as it raced to the landing platform where her Master’s ship had landed sometime ago. She was eager to hear how his mission had gone. When he left, he wasn’t allowed to talk about it. Now that he was back, he hoped that he could tell her now that there was no danger.

Her spirits deflated instantly when she arrived and did not recognize her Master among the figures present. Instead, she saw three members of Republic Security, who was in the process of reading the rights to a tall and imposing man with sharp features and a glare that could burn through duracrete in seconds.

A glare that Tara was surprised to see turn in her direction and turn to surprise.

“No!” he shouted. “It can’t be you! We destroyed your ship!”

Tara was shocked. The man was clearly insane. She started to move away, but found herself backed up against a wall. The man, meanwhile, shoved aside the man whom he had been talking to, flattened another with a punch, withdrew the man’s blaster and started towards her.

“I don’t know how you managed to escape that ship, Jedi,” he snarled. “But I’m going to make sure you don’t escape here.”

Tara was frightened, not only because she was being stared down the barrel of a blaster, but because she had no idea why. The only times she had left Coruscant were in the company of Master Halcyon. And he had never taken her anywhere near this man.

She was jolted back to her senses when she heard a stun blast and saw the man go down, the blaster he held clattering out of his hand to land directly in front of him. She looked up to see the two men the man had knocked out approaching.

One of them looked at her. “Better get back to the Temple, Jedi. There’s nothing for you here.”

Tara had done so, and was surprised to find Master Halcyon there waiting for her. She ran from the public cab she came in and ran into him, hugging him fiercely.

“Master Halcyon,” she said between chocked sobs. “I’m so glad to see you.”

Nejaa gently returned the hug. “I know, Tara.”

Tara’s joy at that didn’t last, as she could sense the conflicting emotions that he was feeling for her at that moment. He was hiding something from her.

“Master? What’s wrong?”

Nejaa took her hand. “Come on inside, and I’ll tell you.”

**

And he did. He told her all about the mission. How he was selected to bring to Coruscant the members of a notorious smuggling gang that had been plaguing Corellian shipping for the past several decades. There had been little done about it for quite some time, given that such instances, when occurring in the Outer Rim, were less likely to raise the ire of the Republic, especially when Corellians made a business out of such practices, and the Republic did not want to damage relations with the Corellians.

Then had come the rumor that the smugglers were being supplied by the Trade Federation, and so action had to take place. Nejaa had been selected by the Jedi Council to do so, given that, as a Corellian himself, he knew the system well.

It was while working undercover as part of their gang that he had a chance to learn about the history of the group, and had managed, through some computer slicing, to find out everything about what happened over a decade ago. How the gang had bribed the Republic liaison to the Diktat to bring a Jedi to Corellia in order to gain an influential bargaining chip with the Trade Federation, saying that they had corrupted a Jedi and would send her against them if they turned their backs on them.

Unfortunately, the Jedi had escaped nearly a year later when the ship had hit port at one of the orbital cities near Duro. The Trade Federation, noting that the smugglers had lost their bargaining chip, captured and killed a great deal of their number. Their leader, identified by the ships records as a “Kieran Maclay”, banded together with several survivors and set out to find the one responsible. When they learned that she was on a transport from Coruscant bound for Alderaan, they seeded the most likely hyperspace path the ship would take with their remaining fleet and vaporized the ship upon reentry.

Tara had taken the news pretty hard. She, like most Younglings, had known little about her origins, and to have it told to her in such a fashion was rather upsetting. She remembered that she hadn’t left Nejaa’s side for a week, going with him wherever he had gone, including some dangerous parts of the underworld that she would never have gone even before this had happened.

But when she became a Jedi Knight, she was told by Nejaa that, despite all that she had learned about the rather soul shattering circumstances of her birth, that he was proud of what she had accomplished as his Padawan, and that someday he hoped that she would teach someone as well as he had taught her.

She glanced at Willow one final time, then allowed the need to sleep to claim her and closed her eyes.

**

Willow walked down the hallways of the Jedi Temple to the quarters that she shared with her Master, who had been away on a mission. When Willow had asked what that mission was, all Tara would tell her was that it was of vital importance to the Republic and that it was too dangerous for her to bring her along. Willow knew that Tara was being a little too overprotective, but she didn’t comment on it and had gone to her quarters without further argument.

That had been three days ago, and Willow had heard nothing since. That in and of itself wasn’t unusual. Most missions that the Jedi undertook were usually top secret with no ability to access the Holonet. But still, the wait was starting to bother Willow. Someone must know something by now.

She opened the door and stepped inside the room, which was as Spartan as a room could be. Two bed on opposite sides of the room, a rather large dresser between them and a table with a computer terminal and holoprojector near the door. She moved to the dresser and opened one of the small compartments where she and Tara stored their belongings.

Inside was a rectangular box. Willow withdrew the box and opened it gently. Inside was Tara’s first lightsaber, the one she had used when they had first met. She had given it up when she became a Master, constructing another to signify her change in status. And although she knew that she should have given up the weapon, she had kept it safe inside this box. Willow was always puzzled about that, but had never asked about it, knowing that Tara would tell her about it when the time was ready.

Just then she heard the door open. She hastily placed the lid of the box back on, yet made no move to return it to where it had been kept. She didn’t have to. She knew who it was.

“Padawan.”

There was no mistaking that silky, half whisper voice. She turned around. Sure enough, Tara was standing in the middle of the door, her hair done in a rather elaborate pattern and wearing a rather revealing dress ensemble that she had only seen the wealthy of Coruscant wear to formal dinner functions. She briefly thought that this must have had something to do with the mission she was on, though that was overshadowed by the predicament she was now in.

“Master,” she said, hastily trying to come up with a reason to explain what she was doing. “I’m…I’m sorry I was snooping inside your things, Master. I mean…I wasn’t exactly snooping, as this is kinda my room too, and I just happened to come across it in the middle of searching for my datapad…and…”

Tara gently shook her head as she moved inside, the door silently closing behind her. “It’s all right, Padawan.” She took notice of what was clutched in Willow’s hands. “I see you’ve found it.”

Willow looked down at the box. “You’re not mad? I mean, it was your first…” She trailed off, unsure of how to continue.

“I know,” Tara said, moving to sit down on the bed. As she did so, she reached for the box that Willow held, who made no attempt to continue holding it.

Tara opened the box and withdrew the weapon, taking a moment to examine it. “It was an exquisite weapon. Or at least, my own Master thought so. Then again, he always did have a way of making beautiful women hear what it was that they wanted to hear. When I used it, it was as if I was one with the Force, and that it was with me.”

She extended her arm to Willow, the weapon still in her hand. “I hope that it does the same with you.”

Willow hesitated for a fraction of a second. What was her Master doing? This was one of the few things that she had kept for herself, and she was giving it freely to her without any questions? She didn’t know what to say.

“Master?” she asked. “Are you sure?”

Tara stood up, her arm still outstretched. “Yes, Willow. I’m sure.”

Giving a crooked half smile, Willow took the lightsaber from Tara’s hand and clipped it to her belt, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction as she did so.

As she did, she noticed Tara moved to the dresser and removed her Jedi robes. “I need to go get changed and washed up. I don’t think I would be doing anyone a great deal of help by parading around the Temple like some undercity streetwalker.

Willow held back a laugh at that, trying desperately to make sure that her humorous comment did not reverberate clear enough through the Force to make Tara aware of it, but as she moved to the door with the bundle of clothes, she gently took her arm and spun her around.

“Master,” she said slowly. “I just want you to know that…”

Tara suddenly stiffened, and Willow could feel that she had become rather uncomfortable about the situation. Willow knew this, and knew that she should apologize, but something clicked in her brain and prevented her from doing this.

“Willow,” Tara said, her voice dropping below a whisper.

Willow slowly brought her face to Tara’s, their eyes locked on one another. Willow felt a surge of energy through the Force, and knew that Tara felt it too. But while she did nothing to hide from it, Tara was blocking it with all of her energy. But she was failing.

Their faces continued to move slowly together and Willow drew a breath, taking in the aroma of Tara’s sense. She knew that Tara’s defenses were crumbling, and that one of them would have to make the first move.

Their faces were now literally inches away from one another, their eyes unblinking, their lips about to touch…

**

Willow’s eyes bolted open faster than a blaster discharge, fighting back the urge to get to her feet.

”Sithspawn!” she thought. ”What the frilly heck was that all about?”

She remembered the incident rather vividly. It had happened six months ago. Tara had gone undercover to Kuat, posing as a wealthy aristocrat hoping to hire the services of a telbun, a cover story for her attempt to discover whether or not Kuat Drive Yards was actually supplying weapons and arms to the Trade Federation. She had later commented on how much the assignment was difficult for her, given her preference for female company. Tara had offered her old lightsaber to Willow, which she took a moment to confirm was still on her person. Tara had gone to change back into her Jedi robes.

But she had not made any moves to engage in any intimate contact with her Master, even though she had very much wanted to do so. After all, they had known each other for ten years at that point. What were they supposed to do when they met? Have a cup of caf and discuss the latest Holonet News gossip?

It was then that she noticed something was on her chest. Turning her head slowly to look beside her, she saw Tara’s arm draped rather protectively across Willow. And she noticed that her face was mere centimeters away from her own. And she was smiling.

**

There were those in the galaxy who considered the morning sunrise to be a thing of beauty, an omen that the day to come was to be one of enjoyment and pleasure.

As he sat on his mechno-chair watching the sunrise, however, Nute Gunray felt nothing beautiful about it, and knew that the day ahead would neither be pleasurable nor enjoyable.

Truth be told, however, he had little reason to feel this way. The Naboo had put up little resistance, with what meager security force the planet had already put under the heel of the droid army. And so far, despite the blockade causing a dramatic drop off in outgoing goods, the citizens were behaving themselves, almost as if they expected that their Queen would come to their rescue.

Gunray allowed a grimace to appear on his face, disgusted with the ease at which Queen Amidala had fled Naboo. Perhaps this was the cause of his uneasiness? No. Lord Sidious had made it perfectly clear that the Senate would do little to bring about an end to the occupation of Naboo by the Trade Federation.

Gunray’s frown deepened as he brought his mind back to the conversation he had with Lord Sidious the previous day. He had allowed himself to believe that victory was his, and that there was nothing that anyone could do to stop him now. In the time since, he had come to realize that whatever victory was to be had here was Sidious’ alone, and that he, like it or not, was merely a pawn in Sidious’ scheme. He did not particularly enjoy that thought, but as long as Sidious granted him what he and the Trade Federation wanted, who was he to complain about how he got it?

No, he thought. Better to remain ignorant to what was going on around him. He stared out at the rising sun and tried to find the beauty in what he was seeing.

And tried to keep his thoughts from drifting to the many things that could go wrong.

[FineyMcFine]

Hm, so it seems that Tara is open, or at least not secretive, about her preference for female company and that that is not necessarily thought of as a bad thing by the Jedi? Canon never really went into that, as far as I could tell. Interesting recollections by them both about their almost-intimate encounter in their quarters.

I'm still a little confused about exactly what Tara's relationship was with her Master. It seems like there are lots of emotions entangled in that relationship - respect and love and learning, but also some complex regret or something.

I very much like it that Tara gave Willow her light saber. A lovely and meaningful gesture that probably meant more to both of them emotionally than it should have. La la la!

[caz]

Sorry that I missed giving fb on chapter 7. A good filler, especially for the kittens who haven't seen the films. I'd like to know more about Darth Maul. I get the feeling that he is connected to Tara in some way - please prove me wrong!

Back to our girls with chapter 8. I am also intrigued by Tara's relationship with her Master, they seem to be very close.

Willow's dream was great . Did Willow subconsciously dream of kissing Tara because the blonde's arm was wrapped around her while they slept?
Maybe the Force had a hand in Willow's dream - guess I'll have to wait and see.

Good update.

Caz

[SithLordWiccan]

Sally:

Hm, so it seems that Tara is open, or at least not secretive, about her preference for female company and that that is not necessarily thought of as a bad thing by the Jedi? Canon never really went into that, as far as I could tell. Interesting recollections by them both about their almost-intimate encounter in their quarters.

Well, it's not so much the whole "gay" thing as much as "friendships". I was trying to keep Jedi Tara as much to Buffy Tara as possible, and that seemed to me to be the best way to handle the whole "female company" thing.

I'm still a little confused about exactly what Tara's relationship was with her Master. It seems like there are lots of emotions entangled in that relationship - respect and love and learning, but also some complex regret or something.

Well, I was originally planning to have this in the second story, but I felt that I owed my readers a glimpse into the relationship between Tara and Nejaa. I probably won't go into it any further here, though.

I very much like it that Tara gave Willow her light saber. A lovely and meaningful gesture that probably meant more to both of them emotionally than it should have. La la la!

Thanks. That scene was actually fun for me to write.

Caz:

Sorry that I missed giving fb on chapter 7. A good filler, especially for the kittens who haven't seen the films. I'd like to know more about Darth Maul. I get the feeling that he is connected to Tara in some way - please prove me wrong!

Oh, I might. Or I might not.

Back to our girls with chapter 8. I am also intrigued by Tara's relationship with her Master, they seem to be very close.

Yeah. I've got something planned, though it won't happen here. What I did here wasn't even supposed to be here, but I felt I teased you enough.

Willow's dream was great . Did Willow subconsciously dream of kissing Tara because the blonde's arm was wrapped around her while they slept? Maybe the Force had a hand in Willow's dream - guess I'll have to wait and see.

Thanks. As for the dream, well...Willow's known for pushing the boundarires, so it wouldn't surprise me that she would dream of .

[eirnlove]

i wish there were something like a *dances around jumping* emoticon.

arghh i need more of this <)))))

[SithLordWiccan]

Irene:

Once again, you've done a wonderful job giving us great background information on this story; Kieran Maclay, Nejaa Halcyon, the day Tara gave Willow her lightsaber, etc. Every chapter flows into the next one without missing a beat.

Thank you very much. I thought it would be difficult to throw people into the story to start off with and then give the backstory as things go on, but it's turning out to be a good idea.

Speaking of lightsaber gifts, Wow!! I mean, that is a very personal gift to give someone. Sort of like Tara giving Willow her grandmother's dolls eye crystal in Season 4. See, this is what I appreciate most about your storytelling, how you incorporate canon events into Star Witches.

Wow! I'm really flattered about this. And you know why? Because this time, I wasn't trying to parallel Buffy canon. I just needed to have a scene in which I can imply vague sexual tension between the two while at the same time have an significant event between them happen. I figured that Tara giving up the lightsaber she had as a Padawan and a Knight to Willow would be a good way to convey this. (I think it's pretty funny how I can get my point across and follow Buffy canon at the same time, especially when I don't try.)

I gotta say that I really enjoyed writing that scene. Particularly the following exchange:

Tara opened the box and withdrew the weapon, taking a moment to examine it. “It was an exquisite weapon. Or at least, my own Master thought so. Then again, he always did have a way of making beautiful women hear what it was that they wanted to hear. When I used it, it was as if I was one with the Force, and that it was with me.”

She extended her arm to Willow, the weapon still in her hand. “I hope that it does the same with you.”

Willow hesitated for a fraction of a second. What was her Master doing? This was one of the few things that she had kept for herself, and she was giving it freely to her without any questions? She didn’t know what to say.

“Master?” she asked. “Are you sure?”

Tara stood up, her arm still outstretched. “Yes, Willow. I’m sure.”

I may think I'm not be able to write smut, but I can sure as shit imply it.

Willow waking up with Tara's arm around her = what dreams are made of.

Thanks. I hoped that you enjoyed it. It's the closest that the two have come thus far. And I'm afraid that for those who want more in the story (read: AlysonGoddess), its the closest you're gonna get until the end.

I'm with Sally. I feel like Nejaa's relationship with Tara went more in depth than just Master and Padawan...is it safe to say that Tara saw Nejaa as a father figure?

Pretty much, yeah. For a child of Tara's age whose had very little in the way of adult heros to look up to, Nejaa Halcyon is pretty much the typical father figure. I mean, compared to him, most Jedi of the time (Mace, Yoda, Qui-Gon, Dooku, etc.) are pretty much legendary. I needed to have someone Tara could see as someone she could talk to about anything while she was training. Of course, the irony of this is that he's, rather indirectly, reponsible for making Tara the emotionally unstable individual she is now. I mean, for a powerful Jedi, she's rather introverted and shy. Of course, Willow's helping to break her out of her shell, which is good.

I should probably also point out that making him Tara's Master was one of the things that made setting things up as I went along a bad idea. I was originally planning to make Quinlan Vos her Master. And that would have worked, until I realized that he was born two years after Tara (Tara was born in 61 BBY, while Quinlan was born in 59 BBY). Then I realized that I would need someone older than that, which was when I came across Tyvokka, a Wookiee Jedi that I probably could have made work, except that he dies two years before Tara meets Willow, and I wanted to have her Master still around. Then I realized that I could use Nejaa Halcyon. Not only was he a Jedi that there was little known about, but when it comes to bending the rules of the Jedi, he could rival Willow. After all, Willow may be a little mischief maker, but at least she's never kept secrets.

eirnlove:

arghh i need more of this <)))))

Dayum! I better get back to work.

[AlysonGoddess]

Well, there getting closer but get to the smoochies damnit!!! im calm really *sigh* but anyway i love how this is turning out and thanks for the less bad guy stuff please update soon! and more plz!
Until next update..
Erin

[SithLordWiccan]

Erin:

Well, there getting closer but get to the smoochies damnit!!! im calm really *sigh* but anyway i love how this is turning out and thanks for the less bad guy stuff please update soon! and more plz!

Although I've kept saying that won't happen again until the end of the fic, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with what's to come in the next chapter.

[Trom DeGrey]

Curiouser and curiouser. This is a terrific ride you're taking us on! I was caught off guard when Tara actually gave Willow her old lightsaber. Is that commonplace? I always thought they built their own, that that was part of becoming a Jedi. It was a very sweet, simple, quiet moment between them. I started laughing at myself when I opened up a second window and did a search on Nejaa Halcyon. If you've got me researching then you certainly have my attention. Looking forward to more!

[SithLordWiccan]

Tom:

This is a terrific ride you're taking us on!

Thanks. It means a lot for me to get praise like this. The only hard part is making sure it doesn't go to my head. After all, I'm no different than the other fic writers here.

I was caught off guard when Tara actually gave Willow her old lightsaber. Is that commonplace?

Yes. There's a pratice among Jedi known as the Concordance of Fealty, in which a Jedi gives his or her lightsaber to another member of the Order. Its considered a serious act in that it symbolizes a unspoken trust between the two.

I always thought they built their own, that that was part of becoming a Jedi.

Yeah. Padawans and Knights often build their lightsabers in the style of their Masters as a sign of respect. When Jedi become Council members, they often build a new one.

It was a very sweet, simple, quiet moment between them.

I'm glad you think so.

I started laughing at myself when I opened up a second window and did a search on Nejaa Halcyon. If you've got me researching then you certainly have my attention.

Well, its not up to me to make you do it, is it?

[Miss Kitty Fantastico]

I'm sorry that I have been gone for so long, and that I missed so many great updates.

I really love that Tara is beginning to open up to Willow, and that Will is able to reasure her that she is a valuble person in the universe.

I like getting to see into the thoughts of Gunnray and Maul, it puts a diffrent perspective on the story. Along those lines, have you ever read Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter, it gives really great insites into how he thinks.

[SithLordWiccan]

Miss Kitty Fantastico:

I'm sorry that I have been gone for so long, and that I missed so many great updates.

Oh, don't worry. Just glad to have you back onboard.

I really love that Tara is beginning to open up to Willow, and that Will is able to reasure her that she is a valuble person in the universe.

Glad you enjoy it. If you liked this, then you're gonna enjoy what's coming up.

I like getting to see into the thoughts of Gunnray and Maul, it puts a diffrent perspective on the story. Along those lines, have you ever read Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter, it gives really great insites into how he thinks.

Yeah. I've read that book. In fact, it was from that book that certain plot points hinted at earlier in the fic (Gunray's fear of Sidious over the death of Monchar, Maul desiring to become a Sith Master, etc.)

[grimlock72]

This story goes deeper into some detail than I recall from the movie. That is easier to do in writing compared to a 2 hour movie I suppose I find it always interesting to know what the Bad Guys think and why they do what they do, as such knowing DM's thoughts is nice. I never did manage to follow the political intrigue regarding blockading Naboo in the film. The Jedi fighting DM, *that* I could understand

It's strange to read about something Republican in the SW universe as doing good, arresting that smuggler person in this case. Takes some getting used to . They need to get a few lessons in how to arrest people though, cuffing them would be helpfull. The man didn't seem exactly insane to me, but rather focussed on the fact that Tara was alive when she shouldn't be (in his mind). So why is it so important Tara be dead ?? Did he really recognize Tara as herself or does she look exactly like her mother?

Wait... Tara never was on that ship, come to think of it... why did Tara's mother leave Tara behind? She must have been about 5 years old back then, that's a difficult decision to take. Hmm.. what's it called "Force Sight" to predict future events? Then again, why fly to your doom?

I'm curious what became of the capture smuggler. Particulairy if he's still alive and if not cause-of-death.

This quote made me somewhat said, in that Tara seems to deny her own feelings (emphasis mine).

She obviously didn't feel attracted to them, she just preferred their company.

It's a fact of Jedi-life I just don't like (which makes me somewhat hesitant about reading this story, but what's life with risks ). Enough about that though .

This was cute though: "Tara's arm draped rather protectively across Willow. And she noticed that her face was mere centimeters away from her own. And she was smiling. "

Willow is somewhat fixated on kissing Tara ain't she? Should be fun if Tara ever accidentally senses her dreams, heh. Does Tara have such dreams as well or is she better training in NOT having feelings? Seems that will wear down rather soon, given how she wants to touch Willow's hair. She just has some things to admit to herself first.

P.S. Can you pleeeease make the topic-title/subject a tiny bit smaller ? About four charachters would be nice, prevents reply-ing people like me from getting "text to long" errors

Grimmy

[SithLordWiccan]

Grimmy:

This story goes deeper into some detail than I recall from the movie. That is easier to do in writing compared to a 2 hour movie I suppose

Thanks.

The man didn't seem exactly insane to me, but rather focussed on the fact that Tara was alive when she shouldn't be (in his mind). So why is it so important Tara be dead ?? Did he really recognize Tara as herself or does she look exactly like her mother?

The reason he went nuts is because he recognized Tara as being too much like her mother, yeah.

Wait... Tara never was on that ship, come to think of it... why did Tara's mother leave Tara behind? She must have been about 5 years old back then, that's a difficult decision to take.

Tara's mother brought her to the Temple, and decided to leave the Order. She was on her way back to Alderaan when her ship was ambushed and destroyed.

I'm curious what became of the capture smuggler. Particulairy if he's still alive and if not cause-of-death.

Hmm....you may find out.

This was cute though: "Tara's arm draped rather protectively across Willow. And she noticed that her face was mere centimeters away from her own. And she was smiling."

I really don't think "cute" was what I was going for here, but thanks.

Willow is somewhat fixated on kissing Tara ain't she? Should be fun if Tara ever accidentally senses her dreams, heh. Does Tara have such dreams as well or is she better training in NOT having feelings? Seems that will wear down rather soon, given how she wants to touch Willow's hair. She just has some things to admit to herself first.

Tara's probably had dreams, though since she's trying to maintain an emotional distance, she's not as fixated on them as Willow is. As for it wearing down, well...let me just say that you might wanna keep an eye out for the next chapter.

[Miss Kitty Fantastico]

Glad you enjoy it. If you liked this, then you're gonna enjoy what's coming up.

Hmm, this sounds really intreaging...

[Darth Pacula]

G'day, Sith.

Sorry I've taken so long to leave feedback, and for missing an update. Real life's been a pain in the ass lately.

One question I feel compelled to ask is how much time has passed? Regardless of how it appears in the movies, it takes time to travel through hyperspace, so at least a few days should have passed. Have Willow and Tara just been hiding out in the woods so far, or was the interlude to provide background set a little bit forward in the future? Just curious.

I liked the glimpses into the character of Darth Maul. He, like so many others, was a bit shortchanged, by necessity, in the movies, so it's good to be shown a little of what makes him tick. He really is little more than a living weapon, isn't he? With little ambition other than to be wielded in battle. Still, given that he was pretty much raised from a child by Sidious to be so, he didn't really have much choice.

So, Tara's master was Nejaa Halcyon, huh? I knew I recognized the name, but it wasn't until I did so research that I remembered who he was. The fact that he was another Jedi who was secretly married was interesting. I wonder if Tara knows that? It could have bearing on her nascent relationship with Willow.

So, is the lightsabre Willow's now using Tara's old one? That's interesting because I alway thought that Padawan's were required to make their own once they reached a certain level of skill. From what I understand, they are supposed to have a greater connection with a lightsabre that they construct themselves. Still, Tara did make it, and through this connection they seem to possess, I suppose that might work as well, or maybe even better.

Oh, and Gunray's an idiot if he thinks he's anything but a tool to Sidious.

Cheers,
Paul.

[SithLordWiccan]

Paul:

Sorry I've taken so long to leave feedback, and for missing an update. Real life's been a pain in the ass lately.

Hope things are working out for you, dude.

One question I feel compelled to ask is how much time has passed? Regardless of how it appears in the movies, it takes time to travel through hyperspace, so at least a few days should have passed. Have Willow and Tara just been hiding out in the woods so far, or was the interlude to provide background set a little bit forward in the future? Just curious.

Well, it would help a bunch if I knew exactly how much time passed in the movie. Unfortunately, I do not. And the fountain of SW knowledge (read: Miss Kitty Fantastico) was unable to help me out here. So I'm basically making it up as I go along. It was my intention that chapters six, seven and eight all occur during a 24 hour period.

I liked the glimpses into the character of Darth Maul. He, like so many others, was a bit shortchanged, by necessity, in the movies, so it's good to be shown a little of what makes him tick. He really is little more than a living weapon, isn't he? With little ambition other than to be wielded in battle. Still, given that he was pretty much raised from a child by Sidious to be so, he didn't really have much choice.

Yeah, Darth Maul was a little screwed. Then again, given that this is an attempt to give those types of characters a little more depth, so don't expect him to be the way he was in the movie.

So, Tara's master was Nejaa Halcyon, huh? I knew I recognized the name, but it wasn't until I did so research that I remembered who he was. The fact that he was another Jedi who was secretly married was interesting. I wonder if Tara knows that? It could have bearing on her nascent relationship with Willow.

Well, she doesn't know yet. That's not to say that she won't, though.

So, is the lightsabre Willow's now using Tara's old one? That's interesting because I alway thought that Padawan's were required to make their own once they reached a certain level of skill. From what I understand, they are supposed to have a greater connection with a lightsabre that they construct themselves. Still, Tara did make it, and through this connection they seem to possess, I suppose that might work as well, or maybe even better.

Willow did have her own during her own training. But Tara underwent the Concordance of Fealty with her (which is my somewhat subtle way to indicate sexual tension between them), so she started using hers. Of course, things may happen to cause Willow to go back using it.

Oh, and Gunray's an idiot if he thinks he's anything but a tool to Sidious.

Oh, yes he is. And he's SO gonna pay for it.

[Darth Pacula]

G'day, Sith.

Well, it would help a bunch if I knew exactly how much time passed in the movie. Unfortunately, I do not. And the fountain of SW knowledge (read: Miss Kitty Fantastico) was unable to help me out here. So I'm basically making it up as I go along. It was my intention that chapters six, seven and eight all occur during a 24 hour period.

Ask, and ye shall receive. According to my research, the base travel time from somewhere in the Mid Rim (like Naboo) to somewhere in the Outer Rim (like Tatooine) is 24 hours, give or take. A Royal Starship, like the one Qui-Gon and co. were on has a hyperdrive with a x1/2 rating, which means that it should cut that to 12 hours. But then there is the fact that their hyperdrive was damaged in the first place, which is why they went to Tatooine in the first place. But at a bare minimum, I'd say at least 12 hours of travel time, and probably another day to cover the stuff they've done on Tatooine itself. I could waffle on further about the time it should have taken them to travel through the core of Naboo to get to the palace in the first place, but I'd better stop now before I totally out.

Cheers,
Paul.

[Devi Crystalseeker]

*waves to Sithy* Still reading here.

I really feel for your Tara, what with her background and how it made her feel about herself... She must be thinking that her being conceived was what ruined her mother's life, yes?

Speaking of which, I must say that your Jedi Tara is very recognisable as, well, Tara. to you for having the girls in character.

With me having a thing for Corellians, I like that you made Nejaa Halcyon her Jedi Master.

Your Willow seems to be very - knowing what she wants, if that dream scene was any indication. Hmmm, could it be that the first actual will be initiated by her? (Don't tell yet! Don't tell yet!)

As for the issue of Tara "liking the company of females" , and how other Jedi would think about it... well, to my knowledge, the subject matter has never been broached in canon, but my personal take on it is that the Jedi didn't have a taboo on same-sex love in specific; they had a taboo on forming attachments. Gay or straight, didn't matter - forming personal attachments was bad. I'd even imagine that if they made a difference at all, it would have been hetero relationships that were more taboo, since they can lead to babies and all the entanglement that brings.

So I'd imagine that if (or should that be "when"?) Willow and Tara take their relationship to the next level (for lack of a better way of putting it), the issues that other Jedi will have with it will be about them forming a personal attachment and how it could interfere with Willow's training, etc., not so much about them being lesbians.

But that's just my take on the issue; it's up to you to develop your own, of course.

[SithLordWiccan]

Devi:

I really feel for your Tara, what with her background and how it made her feel about herself... She must be thinking that her being conceived was what ruined her mother's life, yes?

Not really. She's felt very isolated by the world around her ever since learning how she came into the galaxy (which is an unusual thing, but then again, her Master was an unusual Jedi).

Speaking of which, I must say that your Jedi Tara is very recognisable as, well, Tara. to you for having the girls in character.

Thanks. It's good for me to hear that, considering that is (and still may very well be) the biggest problem I deal with in writing this saga.

With me having a thing for Corellians, I like that you made Nejaa Halcyon her Jedi Master.

Thanks.

Your Willow seems to be very - knowing what she wants, if that dream scene was any indication. Hmmm, could it be that the first actual will be initiated by her? (Don't tell yet! Don't tell yet!)

I won't have to tell. It's all coming soon.

As for the issue of Tara "liking the company of females" , and how other Jedi would think about it... well, to my knowledge, the subject matter has never been broached in canon, but my personal take on it is that the Jedi didn't have a taboo on same-sex love in specific; they had a taboo on forming attachments. Gay or straight, didn't matter - forming personal attachments was bad. I'd even imagine that if they made a difference at all, it would have been hetero relationships that were more taboo, since they can lead to babies and all the entanglement that brings.

I really didn't think that what I meant came out. What I meant to imply by saying that is that while Tara does have a sort of father/daughter relationship with Nejaa, she prefers to be around female Jedi whenever she can, just because she feels more comfortable around them.

So I'd imagine that if (or should that be "when"?) Willow and Tara take their relationship to the next level (for lack of a better way of putting it), the issues that other Jedi will have with it will be about them forming a personal attachment and how it could interfere with Willow's training, etc., not so much about them being lesbians.

Well, I can promise that their relationship will become an issue, but hopefully not in the way that you expect.