"No, Ben. It's bad enough you have to *mate* with that... person." Tal-Ishara Kender pulled out her med-kit and began to rummage around.

He caught her around the waist and pressed soft kisses on her neck. "Are you angry?"

She whirled around and grabbed his chin. "Of course I'm angry, you stupid gundark! She's lusted after you since the minute we walked into the palace. I swear the only reason they required this stupid ritual is to get you in bed." She turned back around and continued her rummaging.

Qui-Gon Jinn and Rees Toth entered the room. "Sorry padawan, we've talked to the king and there's no way out of this. In fact they'd consider it an insult if you refused." Qui-Gon took a seat across from the two younger people. Rees remained standing, studying them both.

"Well," Obi-Wan shrugged, "It's not like I have to die or anything. And it is in the service of the galaxy." Ishara snorted then, not bothering to look up. Rees grinned slightly.

"Oh the sacrifices we make for our order..." Qui-Gon mused.

Ishara looked up from her rummaging. "Well I'll not have you going to that-that-that- thing without some sort of protection."

"Shara, I'm taking my lightsabre with me..." Obi-Wan replied.

"That's not what I'm talking about," she said through gritted teeth. She handed Obi-Wan a few small packets. "Here. I fully expect you to use these, Kenobi."

"What are they?" he asked, turning one of the packets over in his hand.

"They're called condoms," she answered. "I found them in the Terran system and they are extremely effective."

"Effective for what?" He held the packet up. "What's it for?"

"It's for preventing the spread of disease..." she started taking one of the packets from him and opening it. "See you take this and you put it on your... uh, self before you begin. It's quite simple really."

"Put it on myself?" he wondered aloud.

"Of course. You unroll it. It's very accommodating." She began to unroll the thing onto her fingers.

"Um, love, I don't think it will fit," he said with a snicker. Qui-Gon chuckled softly.

Shara smiled sweetly and began to pull the thin skin over her fingers, then her fist then down the length of her arm. The material stretched nicely without breaking or showing any signs of weakness. "Ben love, no one's this big." Rees coughed suspiciously.

"Shara, you're overreacting." Obi-Wan said.

"I'm overreacting?" She near yelled. "We've know the person for four days and she wants to have sex with you and I'm overreacting?"

"Well like I said, it's not like she wants to kill me or anything."

"Ben, there are no known records of a mating between your people and hers. For all we know her body chemistry and yours are incompatible."

Ben folded his arms across his chest. "Now you're being unreasonable."

"I'm being unreasonable?" She stared at him. "Do you want it to fall off?"

"That's ridiculous," he gasped. "It's not going to fall off!"

"What if it does? I did a bit of research and their body chemistry is different from yours or mine. What does it mean? I'm not sure, but I do know how attached you are to your... lightsabre."

Qui-Gon stood quickly, coughing as suspiciously as Rees. Obi-Wan colored lightly. "I can't believe we are having this conversation."

Ishara folded her arms across her chest with the same defiant look. "I can't believe you are being so stubborn. All I'm asking is you put this on before you play 'hide the gimmer stick' with that... person."

"But Shara, I won't be able to... feel anything," he said quietly, shooting another glare at his master, who at the moment was choking on his drink.

"Ben. Love," she growled, "you are doing this for the good of the galaxy, not for your own pleasure. A Jedi would never be so selfish."

That remark seemed to slap his pride. "No. I won't wear it. You're being an alarmist."

She smiled sweetly then. "Fine. But I hope your night with her will be enjoyable since I won't be... attending you until I'm sure of your health and well being."

"That's fine. We return to Coruscant in two days. You can run your tests and everyone's happy."

"I don't think so Ben." He looked at her quizzically. "You see, some ailments have a longer gestation period and are not visible to normal scans. It would be at least three or four months before I was sure you weren't infected."

A snort came from the direction of the two masters as Obi-Wan's jaw dropped. "Three or four months?"

"Or longer. You do want me to be sure." She gave an exaggerated sigh. "But if you insist." She walked over to him and drew him into a passionate kiss, pressing her body against his, stroking him softly with her free hand. She teased him with her tongue and fingers, arousing him with a few strokes. She then pulled away quickly, leaving him breathless and throbbing.

She gave him a sultry glance. "That will have to do until we're sure of your health." She set the packets on the table and walked away slowly. "It's your choice Ben," she purred.

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon watched her go, the gentle sway of her hips hypnotizing them briefly. Rees casually studied the wall, holding in his amusement.

The princess' servant knocked on the door, waiting to escort Obi-Wan to her chambers. Obi-Wan looked at the packets then at Ishara who stood in the doorway of her chamber.

Ishara smiled knowingly, catching her lower lip between her teeth. "One night, or four months Ben." She blew him a kiss and winked.

Obi-Wan stared a few moments longer then swept the packets up into his hand. "When I return, we'll continue our... debate."

"As you wish..." She smiled and watched him leave. Afterwards, she bowed to the masters, excusing herself for an evening of meditation.

Qui-Gon chuckled then turned to Rees. "Would you have?"

Rees quirked a ghost of a grin. "I'd wear taun-taun fur and a crash helmet if I had to."

Qui-Gon's laughter echoed in the chamber.