Chaos - Dawn of Erebos

by Leandra and Raina

Archive: yes please, m_a; http://www.threads-of-life.de.vu

Pairing: Q/O

Category: AU, Romance, Action/Adventure, Angst

Rating: NC-17

Disclaimer: The Fiend in Flannel owns Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi. However, Ben, Quiggs, Seda, Eri, Junon, Lieth and Master Rob sprang from the brains of yours truly.

Feedback: always a treat at nuttersincorporated@hotmail.com and raina_at@yahoo.de

Summary: Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan face their most difficult mission yet.

Spoilers: Huge ones for the Fates Universe, TPM and even huger ones for Episode 2. But then again if you haven't seen this movie yet and you're on m_a, you deserve to be spoiled.

Notes: This is the first part of "Chaos", the sequel series to "Fates". In Greek mythology, Erebos is the dawning darkness that was born of Chaos and the first stage of creation.

Series: Yes, Chaos. It starts seven years after the end of Fates. While it is not absolutely necessary to have read Fates to understand this story, some aspects of it will probably remain a mystery if you're not at least rudimentarily familiar with the Fates universe. To catch up on Fates, go here:
http://www.threads-of-life.de.vu

Thank yous: First of all, thank you to our long-suffering beta Tem-ve for her excellent work.
Raina would also like to thank Leandra for taking up the sequel idea and her Episode 2 DVD for important pointers.

Prologue

It was dim in the crowded side street, the narrow, closely-built dwellings letting little sunlight through. An Hartha tugged her hood down to cover her face more effectively and motioned for her Padawan to follow her. Remelia wasn't the most unfriendly of planets, but they were now moving on the underbelly of society, and none of the denizens of that were very fond of Jedi.

Her contact was very shy and had insisted to meet in as large a crowd as possible, which was why they were here on Restday market where the inhabitants of Remelia's capital city sold every merchandise known in this area. Some legal, some not so legal.

Hartha looked around to her Padawan. "Anakin, don't stare. And pull your hood over your hair."

The Padawan nodded and did as he'd been told.

Hartha nodded and smiled at him. "I can feel that you're tense. Relax. I know this place feels dangerous but we need this information. If we knew who's behind the Separatist movement here, it could give us the clue we need to convince the viceroy that we're not agents of the Senate."

"I know, Master," Anakin answered, his blue eyes scanning the crowd restlessly.

Hartha smoothed back her tentacles and reached out with the Force, searching for their contact with her Jedi senses as well as with her eyes. "Well, he seems to be late."

Anakin nodded absently. "Maybe he tricked us."

"No, he seemed genuine. And genuinely frightened. Maybe they got to him."

"Look Master," Anakin said, pointing. "There he is, he just vanished into that side street." He took off at a run.

"Anakin, wait!" Hartha shouted, dashing after her Padawan. Suddenly she had a very bad feeling about the entire situation.

Anakin tore into the side street and Hartha had no choice but to follow. The crowd made her progress slow, but at last she left the mass of people behind as she turned the corner into the deserted side street. "Anakin!" she called, but he didn't answer.

"Anakin!"

Where was that boy? And where was her contact? She reached out with the Force and so had a split second of warning. Her lightsabre was already raised when she whirled around, coming face to face with her informant, who was pointing a blaster at her, firing. She easily deflected the bolts.

Disarming him was a matter of seconds and she had the vermin backed up against the wall with her sabre at his throat before he could count to three. "What have you done with my Padawan, you scum?" she asked through clenched teeth, cursing her slip of attention and the shallowness of her training bond with Anakin.

Her ostensible informant only grinned at her. "Just you wait, Jedi bitch, you'll get what's coming to you."

She grit her teeth. "After you. I hear the prisons in this city are rather unpleasant."

The man's grin widened. "See you in Sith hell, Jedi!" he said gleefully.

Hartha whirled around but it was too late and the last thing she heard was the humming of a lightsabre and Anakin's scream before everything turned glowing white.

Obi-Wan looked at himself in the full-length mirror, then smoothed a crease from his suede pants, remembering another occasion where he had worn them, a long time ago. He had filled out a bit and the pants were tighter than he remembered them being, but they were far from uncomfortable, clinging to his frame like a second skin. He grinned at his own reflection, almost expecting Bant to enter the room and look him over. But Bant was on a mission and he hadn't seen her in almost two years, although they had commed each other from time to time. He had tried to stay in contact with his old circle of friends, but their mission schedule rarely allowed them to meet.

With a last approving look at his mirror image, he grabbed the credit chip from where it lay on the small couch table, and headed out the door.

The speeder taxi already waited for him and while the driver babbled endlessly about how Coruscant had changed for the worse since he had been a kid, Obi-Wan looked out the huge windows, enjoying the nightly view of the city with all its neon signs and shrill advertisements. Months had passed since he had been at the Saltire. In the past five years, one mission had chased the next and leisure time had been rare. Still, he occasionally went to the lower levels of Coruscant whenever he was at the Temple. The Saltire hadn't changed much from the days when he had been a teenager and then a young man. It was still one of the noisiest, raunchiest places in town and the next generation of Padawans was now relying on its dark corners and badly lit twin-booths.

Anakin would love the atmosphere once he was older, Obi-Wan mused. Obi-Wan's own days of adolescence were long gone - at 32 he was as grown up as he could become. Despite the ostentatious serenity his vocation expected, he was only too happy to sometimes shrug off his Jedi tunics and stern demeanour and indulge himself like he had done before he had been knighted.

Today was one of these days. The Saltire was already crowded, and he meandered his way past the dance floor to the bar where he ordered a drink. With the drink tightly clutched in his right hand, he ascended the stairs that led to the balcony, from where he knew he would have an excellent view over the goings-on in the bar. He leaned against the balustrade, and let his eyes skim over the dancing people below.

A small, fragile-looking woman settled in next to him, a whiff of pleasant perfume flooding his nostrils. She turned to him and looked him over once. He smiled at her, then turned his attention back onto the dance floor. A woman wasn't what he was looking for tonight. Still, encouraged by his smile, she started speaking. He answered her questions politely, despite being bored by her small talk. When she offered to buy him a drink and retire to one of the booths with her, he declined. His lack of interest must have shown, because she made her goodbyes, still smiling, and went off to try her luck with another.

Obi-Wan downed the remnants of his drink and put the empty glass on one of the tables next to him. Something, or rather someone on the ground level had caught his fancy. Exactly the person he had been looking for. Tall, handsome, dark hair, large hands, a man.

He made his way down to the ground level again, jumping aside when a crowd of Padawans, clearly recognisable by the braids hanging onto their chests, ran up the stairs and nearly bumped into them. One of them turned, whistling loudly. "Knight Kenobi. Nice pants!"

Obi-Wan laughed, stopping as well. "Junon, does Master Windu know you're here?"

The boy grinned, shaking his head. "No, and I trust you to not tell him."

Obi-Wan placed his hands over his eyes. "I didn't see you, understood?"

Mace Windu's Padawan nodded, his eyes sparkling. "Have fun, Knight Kenobi!" he called, then bolted up the stairs to join his friends.

Shaking his head, Obi-Wan descended the stairs. Exchange one troublemaker for the next, he thought, amused. He made sure that the man he had seen from above hadn't changed his position, then smoothed a hand over his hair, willing the tousled strands to lie flat, before he started walking towards the man deliberately. The man was leaning against one of the columns, arms crossed over his chest, watching the dancing couples with a bored expression. When he saw Obi-Wan approaching, he turned his cool gaze onto him, but didn't change his bored demeanour.

Obi-Wan settled in beside him, mimicking his posture. "You look like you could use some company," he finally opened the conversation, not looking at the other man.

The other man turned to him, contemplating him with a long look from head to toe. "I'm content with observing people." Obi-Wan shivered under the intense gaze, enjoying how it travelled over his frame until the man's dark blue eyes settled on his face.

"May I offer you a drink?" Obi-Wan continued, leaning against the column, one hand splayed on the cool surface, caressing it absentmindedly.

"No. Thank you. Then I would be obligated to enjoy your company," the man said coolly, turning his attention to the dance floor again.

Obi-Wan took the silence as opportunity to study the other man. He was tall, one head taller than he, with a muscular body and angular features. The hazel-coloured hair was cut short, some strands falling into his face, obscuring the dark blue eyes that had looked him over with such scrutiny. His hands were large. They looked like they could crush something without much effort. A pleasant tingle settled into his stomach as he thought about how those hands would feel on his body. Determined to not let himself be irritated by the rejection, he started talking again.

"If you don't want a drink, maybe you'd like to dance?"

The man shook his head. "No. You don't give up that easily, do you?"

Obi-Wan grinned at him. "It's been said that I can be rather determined if I want something. Or someone," he added.

The dark haired man snorted, then let his hands fall to his sides and turned fully towards Obi-Wan. "You're one of the kind that never gets rejected, right?"

"Well," Obi-Wan said, creasing his eyebrows, "there was this one time... Hard to remember, though. Was a long time ago."

"Must have been a very stubborn fellow."

"Oh yes. Stubborn, but very beautiful. Paid out in the end."

"So he fell for your advances on the second try?"

Obi-Wan smirked. "You can say that."

His opponent laughed dryly. "Are you sure it's not the other way around?"

When Obi-Wan shook his head, feeling slightly offended, the man laid a hand on his shoulder. "It was charming talking to you, but now I have to go. There's someone expecting me, and I can't have him wait."

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Your loss. If you change your mind, though," he said, then slipped a small card in one of the man's large hands, "this is where you find me."

The man slipped the card into one of his pockets without giving it a glance. "As I said, I have a date. See you."

Sighing, Obi-Wan leaned back against the column and watched the man retreating over to the entrance. A small grin appeared on his face when he caught himself staring at the man's backside. "See you later!" he called after him, but the man didn't turn.

Qui-Gon checked the address again, then sighed. It appeared he was indeed at the right place. He looked at the seedy hotel again and asked himself for the umpteenth time this evening what the Sith he was doing here in the first place. The sublevels of Coruscant weren't where he usually spent his evenings, at least not these days. Granted, this was attributable more to his working schedule than anything else, but still, even in his wildest Padawan days he had never been in this quarter before, where every second building was a run-down hotel offering cheap rooms by the hour and the buildings in between were bars in which you could acquire the company to go with the hotels.

Well, he already had the company, or better yet, he already had the possibility of company, waiting for him in this hotel. Very, very tempting company at that, and a very blatant invitation too, but still Qui-Gon hesitated when faced with this building, torn between amusement and confusion. What exactly was he doing here, anyway? And should he indeed do what his first impulse had been when he'd heard the throaty invitation to pleasure, should he just turn around, head back to the Temple and read a book? He smiled. No, on second thoughts, he didn't really want to do that, did he? He wanted what awaited him in that hotel room, even if he found the surroundings a bit on the disgusting side. Deciding that there was really only one way to find out what exactly he had been invited to, he cast aside his lingering suspicions and went inside.

Third floor, second door to the left, were the directions he had received from the receptionist. Stairs, the lift was broken. Qui-Gon shrugged and made his way up the rather narrow staircase, trying to banish the growing feeling that the whole scenario was slightly bizarre. He reached the third floor and stood in front of the second door to the left, hovering over the call button. Should he or should he not? And wouldn't it be more fun, and more in character, if he returned home with a book like he had the first time? But then again, he didn't want to be a spoilsport and he had promised to play along when he'd accepted the invitation, so he pressed the chime button.

The door swished open and revealed his host, who was leaning in the doorframe, the unconscious display of his leather-covered body making Qui-Gon's mouth water. His host smiled, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well, hello again. Did you change your mind or did you just come here to gape at me?"

Qui-Gon made himself stop staring and adopted a slightly superior grin. "Don't tell me you mind the gaping. The way you dress speaks strongly against you."

Mischievous eyes and a smile to melt his kneecaps answered him. "Well, it always depends on who's doing the gaping, doesn't it?"

Qui-Gon nodded and let his eyes rake demonstratively over his host's body, imitating the man's way of staring at him earlier this evening. "Definitely."

His host grinned, unrepentant. "Won't you come in?"

Qui-Gon shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant to cover his curiosity. "I don't mind if I do."

His host turned around and he followed the gorgeous man into the room. As soon as he'd crossed the threshold, he froze. The room was lit with a myriad of candles casting a soft, warm, flickering light over the walls and furniture. But it was the room itself that made Qui-Gon stop and swallow back a lump in his throat. How had he...

Arms came around him from behind and a voice whispered in his ear, "Happy anniversary, love."

Qui-Gon turned around and wrapped his arms around his lover. "Ben, how in all Sith hells did you find a room that looks exactly like the palace room on Roon?"

Obi-Wan shrugged. "The architect who built this establishment is Roonian, so I thought I'd take a look at the rooms and this one was as close as it got. I had to do a few things with the lights and the draperies, but..."

Qui-Gon smiled gently. "It's perfect." Only Obi-Wan could do something as heedlessly romantic as this. Recreate their first meeting, then invite him to a room that looked almost exactly like the one in which they'd first made love almost exactly 12 years ago.

"You're such a sap, you know," Qui-Gon said teasingly to cover how touched he was by the gesture and kissed the man in his arms. The much-too-clothed man in his arms.

You're welcome, love. Obi-Wan's mental voice sounded faintly amused, but he returned the kiss with fervour.

When they broke apart for breath and to cross the room to where the sofa and the table with the Alderaanian Spring Wine were, Obi-Wan said, "You know from the way you looked at me in the bar, I was half afraid you'd go home and read or something and I'd have to coax you here by pretending I was ill."

Qui-Gon sat down and Obi-Wan followed suit, straddling his lover's lap and putting his arms around Qui-Gon's neck.

"I considered it, but then I remembered that it's usually a good idea to indulge your whims," Qui-Gon said absently, winding his arms around Obi-Wan's slender waist.

Obi-Wan grinned. "I'll remind you of that the next time my 'whims' get us into trouble."

"I can't be held accountable for what I'm saying right now," Qui-Gon breathed, letting his hands wander over his lover's back and bottom, never taking his gaze off Obi-Wan's eyes, greener than the suede pants covering him so enticingly and so full of love that Qui-Gon just had to kiss him if only to cover for his lack of words.

One hand fisted in his shirt and the other in his hair as they both tumbled into the kiss, exploring, tasting, savouring the familiar and sharing the exotic of the evening, sharing breath, taste and sensation between them as hands glided softly over fabric-covered limbs with the same gentle touch with which their tongues met. There was no urgency in their contact, only the desire of long-standing intimacy with each other's bodies and hearts.

The kiss continued for a long time, then finally Obi-Wan pulled back and gave his lover a long, hot look that made Qui-Gon's bones heat up. He licked his swollen lips, causing Qui-Gon to whimper unconsciously, and whispered in a hot breath against Qui-Gon's lips, "Bedroom?"

Qui-Gon could only nod and take Obi-Wan's hand as he led the way into the adjacent bedroom. The sight of the bed made memories surface in Qui-Gon, of hesitant touches and burning desire, of soft caresses and whispered words of love, all exchanged for the first time and never since taken back or regretted. It had all been so new then, so daunting and all-consuming and passionate all at the same time and he had felt very small and the centre of the universe when he saw his reflection in Obi-Wan's eyes that night.

He looked at Obi-Wan now, sitting on the bed, holding a hand out in invitation with a warm, gentle smile, and all at once he felt it again, the heady, rushing, wonderfully shattering sensation of falling in love again, for the first time and the hundredth time. He was on the bed and covering Obi-Wan's body with his in a heartbeat, kissing Obi-Wan with the accumulated passion of thirteen years' worth of falling in love with him.

He felt Obi-Wan's hands on him, pulling off his clothes, demanding to get to skin, opening the buttons of his shirt and peeling it off to paint his back with wandering caresses. Obi-Wan's hands took their familiar path down his spine to the three letters on the small of Qui- Gon's back, the three letters that spelled his lover's name. Obi- Wan's fingers traced every one of the letters with loving attention while his tongue circled Qui-Gon's.

Qui-Gon broke the kiss and peeled the shirt and green suede pants away, revealing Obi-Wan's skin to the light and his gaze, skin that was more scarred and uneven than it had been 12 years ago, but all the more dear to Qui-Gon because of it.

A ringing slap to his arse reminded Qui-Gon that he was still wearing pants and he quickly stood up and remedied the situation. As soon as he'd got rid of his pants, Obi-Wan pulled him back onto the bed and started his own exploration of Qui-Gon's body. Oh, yes, this was good, these hands on him, hands that knew every inch of him, every sensitive place, knew how to touch and when to touch and how firmly to touch. How could he ever get enough of this or get bored with this person who knew what he wanted before he himself knew and gave it to him with undemanding generosity. He wanted, oh yes how he wanted, more of this, more of anything, for as long as they both would live.

With supreme effort, he pulled himself out of the braincell-meltingly pleasurable things Obi-Wan was doing to the back of his knee and rolled them around so he could take the initiative again and kiss his lover in all the places only he knew about, the ones that made him giggle and the ones that made him squirm. He used his tongue and his hands to drive Obi-Wan to the point of cursing in Dagobese, knowing exactly what to do and how to do it to get Obi-Wan to beg. He ran his tongue over the crease between Obi-Wan's leg and thigh, then lightly nipped his hip-bone, causing Obi-Wan to issue a particularly vile curse, followed by a whispered, "Quiggs..."

Qui-Gon shuddered. That nickname, so frequent in their Padawan days, had now been banished mostly to their bedroom, and Qui-Gon loved it all the more for hearing it uttered mostly in Obi-Wan's raw, throaty bedroom voice.

He didn't need to ask what it was that Obi-Wan wanted. He wanted, no he needed the same thing right now, needed it with an intensity that never failed to take him by surprise. He lifted his lover's legs over his shoulders and slowly, with the aid of the Force, entered his lover's body, falling into the sensation of being surrounded by Obi-Wan, into the green eyes staring into his, into the mind behind that gaze, surrounding himself with Obi-Wan, body and mind as he thrust into his lover's body, again and again, bringing them ever closer together, and Obi-Wan met him half- way as he always did, meeting his thrusts and his mind, matching desire for desire and love for love.

He wrapped his hand around his lover's straining erection and caressed it, matching the rhythm of his thrusts, then abandoned himself to the myriad sensations. Hot, tight flesh gripping his cock, silky hardness in his hands, green eyes staring at him, low moans and whispers of encouragement and love, back arching and hips moving to meet and supplement his own movement, moving as one and still being two, sharing their pleasure across the open, thrumming bond between them. And always the memories of that first time between them, the nervousness and trembling desire of young love.

"I love you...," Obi-Wan whispered, and it was enough to push Qui-Gon over the edge, taking Obi-Wan with him.

Spent, exhausted, Qui-Gon collapsed half on top of his lover, resting his head on Obi-Wan's chest. Hands came up to caress his hair, and Qui-Gon kissed the nearest patch of skin. "I know." It wasn't necessary to say more. Indeed, they rarely said these words out loud. They both knew how the other felt, had always known and would always know. It was enough to feel, to be. Qui-Gon closed his eyes and let himself drift, listening to the soothing sound of Obi-Wan's breathing and heartbeat, feeling his lover's boneless contentment over their bond.

Their floating peace was disturbed by the chime of the comm line in the outer room.

Qui-Gon lifted his head from Obi-Wan's chest, rousing himself with difficulty. "Does anyone know we're here?"

Obi-Wan frowned. "I told Seda, but I thought she and Eri were off- planet."

Qui-Gon shook his head. "No, I saw Eri today with some other Padawans." He rolled to the side of the bed. "I'll go and see who it is."

Obi-Wan pulled him back to the pillows. "I'll go. I wanted to get a glass of that spring wine anyway. You just stay here and think about how you want to spend the rest of the evening."

Qui-Gon grinned and watched his naked lover walk away. He already had a pretty good idea how he wanted to spend the rest of the evening. He listened as Obi-Wan crossed the outer room and poured himself a glass of wine while registering his voiceprint. Then he heard the indistinct murmur of a voice at the other end of the comm line.

Silence. Broken only when Obi-Wan's glass fell to the floor and shattered.

In an instant, Qui-Gon was outside in the common room and at Obi- Wan's side. "What happened?"

Obi-Wan turned around, his face drained of colour. "Anakin...," he whispered.

Qui-Gon's heart sank. "What about Anakin?"

"An Hartha and Anakin were sent to negotiate a peace treaty and disappeared when they were meeting with an informant. The diplomatic corps sent out a search party. They found Hartha dead and no trace of Anakin. Only a lot of blood. Human blood." Obi-Wan's voice was detached and neutral, only his trembling hands gave his agitation away.

Qui-Gon's stomach clenched. Blood. He swallowed. "I'll get my clothes." He had a very bad feeling about all this.

3 years later

~ They were in the Temple gardens, and Obi-Wan watched from his place under one of the willow trees as Anakin chased Qui- Gon along the pebbled garden paths. Qui-Gon was laughing, purposely running slower so Anakin could catch up with him. The 11-year-old boy's legs were short compared to Qui-Gon's long ones. Qui-Gon was still laughing when Anakin reached him, pouncing onto him, tackling him to the ground.

The scenery changed. They were in the Saltire, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan had a drink in his hand, Qui-Gon was sitting next to him watching a nearby couple talking animatedly with each other. Grinning, Qui-Gon leaned towards him. "Looks like Anakin has found a charming young lady." Obi-Wan turned his head to where Anakin was supposed to be standing, but instead of Anakin, there was an indefinable black mass in the shape of a human being. Obi-Wan squinted his eyes, but still the image didn't change. Next to the black form stood a person he remembered well. The former Queen Amidala of Naboo. She inclined her head, smiling at what Obi-Wan supposed was Anakin, then offered the back of her hand for a kiss.

The scene changed again and he found himself caught in his old nightmare. Burnt down ruins, the scent of scorched flesh hanging in the air thickly, almost choking him. Smoke scratching his lungs.

A graveyard, littered with corpses, debris and dust. There was a hooded figure hunched on the ground, breathing heavily, the sound of its breathing sounding like something mechanical, something long dead. He approached slowly, then went down on one knee. The figure raised its head, the hood slid back. With his hands full of blood, Anakin reached out for him, tears running over his scared and desperate face. "It wasn't my fault! Wasn't my fault!"

The rasping sound he had mistaken for a mechanical breathing device were Anakin's sobs. He extended his hand, wanting to comfort the boy, but suddenly Anakin's features dissolved before his eyes and his searching hand reached � nothing. ~

Then something solid and warm touched him, pulling him from the nightmare.

"Ben! Ben," Qui-Gon's soothing voice penetrated his dream and he finally came to his senses, shivering and kicking in their bed. Qui- Gon had wrapped his arms around him, holding him against his chest. He let himself sag back against Qui-Gon's reassuring presence and closed his eyes, willing his breathing to calm down.

"Anakin," he said when his breath came more calmly and the panic attack had stopped.

"It's been three years, Ben," Qui-Gon murmured into his hair, then placed a small kiss on the top of his head. "Three years. There is nothing you can do. We have searched for him for so long, but we never found a trace."

Softly, Obi-Wan disentangled himself from the strong arms holding him, then turned around. "Do you think he's still alive?"

Qui-Gon sighed, then rubbed a weary hand over his eyes. "I honestly don't know. I hope."

Obi-Wan nodded, then buried his head in his hand. "I dream of him so often. Sometimes I wish he was dead so I'd know what happened to him, but not knowing if he's still alive, where he is..." He trailed off when Qui-Gon reached out for him again and gratefully he burrowed into the embrace.

"I dreamt of Queen Amidala too. You remember her, right?" he said, his voice muffled by the expanse of Qui-Gon's shoulder.

"Aaaah. You still fancy her, do you?" Qui-Gon answered teasingly, grinning when Obi-Wan nudged him.

"It's probably because of our new assignment that I brought her into my dream."

"Probably."

"Anakin always liked her. I remember him telling me that one day he would marry her. He was only twelve back then."

Qui-Gon sighed, then pulled back to kiss Obi-Wan again. "The past can't be changed. We must take care of the here and now."

Obi-Wan smiled a bit, then rubbed his nose against Qui- Gon's. "Sometimes you sound a lot like my Master."

"Without the bad grammar, I hope."

"You should take on a Padawan so you can teach him your wisdom."

"Aaaah... no. I'd rather teach you, Knight Kenobi."

"The question is, Knight Jinn, who teaches whom exactly," Obi-Wan retorted, stabbing a finger at his lover's chest to accentuate each word.

Qui-Gon grinned mischievously, but his tone was serious. "We should meditate on this. And on your dream as well." At Obi-Wan's slightly disappointed look, he added, "Tomorrow."

"And now?" Obi-Wan sounded vaguely hopeful, raising his face to Qui- Gon's in expectation.

"Now I'll take care of chasing those nightmares away. By now, I've had my share of experience. I've been with you for what? 15 years? I must be mad."

"Completely nuts," Obi-Wan confirmed, grinning.

He was still grinning foolishly when Qui-Gon leaned in and kissed him. As always, the familiarity of Qui-Gon's kiss made him feel safe and comforted and he pressed forward, taking Qui-Gon down with him. He still couldn't get enough of Qui-Gon and he had often wondered if the time would come when Qui-Gon's kiss didn't excite him anymore.

A hand trailed down his back to his buttocks, the fingers tickling along his spine. He laughed into the kiss, and wriggled his behind, rubbing their groins together in the process. Qui-Gon's hand reached for his backside and started kneading in a circular motion, making Obi-Wan purr with pleasure. A slap was delivered to one cheek, and startled, Obi-Wan yelped in protest.

"Hey!"

Another slap followed and he squirmed, still laughing, trying to evade Qui-Gon's hands. "Bastard, what was that for?"

Qui-Gon didn't answer but started to tickle him, digging his fingers into Obi-Wan's flesh, skimming them over his skin teasingly. Obi-Wan wriggled out of Qui-Gon's grasp and started a counter attack that left Qui-Gon whimpering and begging for mercy. Obi-Wan stopped when they both found themselves dangerously near the edge of their bed, Qui-Gon's right leg already dangling to the floor.

Releasing a breath, Obi-Wan let himself fall back into the pillows, then turned towards his lover, resting his head in his hand. "What was that for?" he demanded to know again.

Qui-Gon winked at him, then rolled closer. "I just love to make you laugh."

"Hmmm."

"Disappointed?"

"I thought you wanted to make love to me, not make me laugh."

"I love to make love to you, but I love to make you laugh too," Qui- Gon said with a straight face, then raised a pillow in defence when Obi-Wan attempted to hit him. Instead, Obi-Wan ripped the pillow from his grasp and hauled himself back onto Qui-Gon's body, insinuating himself between Qui-Gon's slightly opened legs.

"Make love to me," Obi-Wan demanded.

As an answer, Qui-Gon twined his hands into Obi-Wan's hair and pulled his head down, kissing him deeply.

Qui-Gon adjusted his sleeves for the third time since they'd entered the elevator.

"Will you stop fidgeting? Why are you so nervous anyway?" Obi-Wan said, his own sleeves in perfect position over his hands.

Qui-Gon shrugged. "I'm not nervous, I'm a bit uneasy. Your dreams aren't usually a good sign." His lover's nightmares had started three weeks ago and had increased in frequency and intensity ever since, and they all dealt with Anakin. And now they were assigned to protect none other than Senator Padm� Amidala. He had advised Obi-Wan not to dwell on the past, but he found himself uncharacteristically worried about the future.

Obi-Wan smiled at him. "We can't focus on the dreams, Qui-Gon. Live in the moment, remember?"

Qui-Gon nodded, but didn't say anything. They'd meditated on Obi- Wan's dreams quite frequently lately, and they'd both acknowledged them as a warning, a rumbling of trouble in the future. But how far in the future, neither of them knew.

Fingers brushed, then gripped his own, holding on tightly for a moment, then letting go again. He sent a small impulse of gratitude for the steadying gesture to Obi-Wan and centred himself in the Force, releasing his anxieties, returning his focus to the present.

The elevator door swished open and he hid a smile at Obi-Wan's almost inaudible groan as they beheld Jar Jar Binks. The Gungan stormed towards them when they exited the lift and squealed, "Obi!", almost crushing the Knight's hand in greeting.

Qui-Gon would have very much liked to roll his eyes. Obi-Wan hated being called 'Obi' almost as much as he himself hated being called 'Quiggs' by anyone else than Obi-Wan, so he waited quietly for Obi-Wan's reaction and marvelled at his lover's calm demeanour when Obi-Wan only smiled and said, "Hello Jar Jar."

If I ever called you 'Obi', you'd fillet me with your sabre and serve me for dinner.

A muscle in Obi-Wan's cheek twitched. Well yes, but then again I allow you to leave bite marks on my arse, so...

Qui-Gon grinned. So I've got the better lot, no question.

He didn't wait for an answer, for now Jar Jar was greeting him and calling out for Padm� to come and meet them, which she did.

They exchanged friendly handshakes and all said how good it was to see each other again, then got down to business. Qui-Gon followed their usual routine and let Obi-Wan do the talking while he surveyed the room with his eyes and the Force, took note of the security arrangements and then their charge. Padm� had grown from a precocious girl to a strong and admirable woman, and Qui-Gon discovered that it was indeed good to see her again. But he also foresaw that protecting her would not be an easy task.

He refocused his attention on the conversation between her and Obi- Wan, now revolving about her suspicions about who was trying to kill her.

"Well, my Lady, we've been assigned to protect you, but we cannot abandon this responsibility long enough to start an investigation," Obi-Wan said in his best 'I'm-concerned-and-interested-in-your- opinion-but-I'm-in-charge-here' voice.

Padm� was about to object and Qui-Gon thought it wise to intercede. "We will however be most vigilant to catch the assassin while protecting you, my Lady."

Obi-Wan flashed Qui-Gon the tiniest of smiles. Well put, Knight Jinn.

Padm� seemed to be aware that she was being buttered up, but she could hardly raise objections without seeming childish and ungrateful. Qui-Gon felt her put away her irritation with the situation, marvelling at her skill of keeping her feelings off her face. For anyone other than Jedi, she would be almost impossible to read.

She smiled graciously at them and got up. "Gentlemen, I am sure you want to get to work. I will leave you in Captain Typho's capable hands."

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan both rose and sketched bows as she retired.

Captain Typho led them immediately over to the control station to explain the safety procedures, and Qui-Gon exchanged an amused glance with Obi-Wan behind the man's back.

She'll be a handful, I fear, Obi-Wan sent.

Qui-Gon shrugged. We've had worse assignments.

As soon as the words had left his mind, he knew he'd live to regret them.

Captain Typho had finally finished the explanations on the security procedures and had left them alone. With a relieved sigh, Obi-Wan shrugged out of his robe and threw it over the back of a chair.

"Why do they insist on heating the place like this?" he asked, annoyed, striding towards Qui-Gon who was standing near a panorama window that overlooked the Coruscant nightline. The nightly rush hour had begun and streaks of light passed the window, private and taxi- speeders alike.

Shrugging, Qui-Gon turned around, then smiled when he saw the aggravated expression on Obi-Wan's face. "You've never dealt well with heat. It's really not that hot in here."

"Says the man who lived on Tatooine for a year," Obi-Wan remarked dryly.

"Well, we better settle in and make ourselves comfortable. It will be a long night."

"Do you think she's going to be okay?" Obi-Wan asked, nodding his head towards the adjourning room where Padm� slept.

"I left a droid in there. But she wouldn't let me use the surveillance cameras. Typical woman. If she knew I wasn't interested in women anyway-"

"She knows. Believe me. Don't you remember Tatooine?"

Qui-Gon grinned. "If you mean the unbelievably intense bathroom snog, then I have to disappoint you. That was Tahl."

"No. I didn't mean that," Obi-Wan said, then asked, "Say, heard anything from Tahl lately? I remember �"

He broke off and frowned, looking at Qui-Gon. There was a disturbance in the Force, and it came from the other room. Without losing another second, they crossed the room and burst into Padm�'s sleeping chamber. Something was near the bed, something dangerous, creeping � kouhuns � but Obi-Wan's sole attention was drawn to a probe droid which was trying to escape. He reacted instantly, rather on instinct than rationally, and leapt after it, crashing through the window, breaking the glass, and reached out for the droid.

For a moment he found himself in free fall, then his hands gripped the droid's underside and he held on tight. The droid sagged under his weight, but nonetheless kept afloat, taking him with it.

Sith! What was I thinking!

A calm presence entered his mind. Padm� is safe. Good job, Kenobi. Obi-Wan could feel Qui-Gon's astonished amusement over their bond. Now hang on tight onto that droid. I'll get a speeder and pick you up.

Readjusting his slippery grasp on the droid, Obi-Wan sent, I'd appreciate it if you hurry.

He turned his attention back to the droid. It was probably flying straight back to the one that'd sent it. He had to keep his grip on it for that long. Obi-Wan soon found out the disadvantages of travelling by probe droid when his legs bumped the top of a speeder. Cursing, he lifted his legs a bit, but then his hands slipped. The droid made a turn, almost crashing into another speeder.

Qui-Gon, Force damn it! Where on Hoth are you!?

I picked us a nice speeder. Nowadays, speeder shopping takes time and lots of consideration.

Despite finding himself in a dangerous situation, Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and chuckled. Qui-Gon seemed to always have the time to deliver a wisecrack. His senses picked up a disturbance in front of him. A bounty hunter, aiming a rifle at him.

"Oh Sith! Don't you dare!"

Obi-Wan's cursing was good for nothing. The bounty hunter fired, hitting the droid only inches above Obi-Wan's hand. Another shot rang out, but this time, it hit the heart of the droid, destroying it completely. Bits of machinery and hot melting metal were flying all around Obi-Wan, and then there was nothing, except the void under his feet.

Concentrating hard, Obi-Wan reached out for the Force, willing it to assist him and slow down his fall, while simultaneously darting a query over the bond he shared with Qui-Gon. Meanwhile, gravitation pulled him downwards.

I've got you.

It was bloody time!

Obi-Wan tuned his senses towards Qui-Gon's whereabouts, locating him only several levels below him. He allowed the Force to let him sink faster, almost miscalculating when he crash-landed on the rear end of the speeder. Breathing heavily, he pulled himself into the seat next to Qui-Gon.

"What a wacky idea! To jump out of the window from level 89. I always thought Lieth was suicidal, not you." Qui-Gon didn't wait until Obi- Wan had properly settled into his seat to chide him.

"But Lieth jumps without having you to catch him. Did you see the bounty hunter who shot the droid?" Obi-Wan asked in one breath.

"Took a speeder. Went that way," Qui-Gon answered laconically.

"And he's shooting at us. Bastard!" Obi-Wan remarked.

"I'd really like to see the day when jumping out of a window on a whim becomes a thing of the past," Qui-Gon continued, still not able to let the topic rest.

"May I remind you that you said once that indulging my whims is usually a good idea, and would you mind looking at the traffic while driving?"

They found themselves suddenly in cross-traffic and the speeder skittered from left to right under Qui-Gon's manoeuvres to evade the other speeders.

"I tell you to pick up your socks from the bathroom floor every day, you never remember. I said something positive about your whims three years ago in a moment of weakness and I'll pay for it for the rest of my life..."

Obi-Wan sighed, then ignited his lightsabre, trying to deflect the blaster bolts the bounty hunter shot at them. When they almost collided with a commuter train, Qui-Gon jolted the steering sharply to the right, then whipped it around again.

"Where was it you learned flying again?" Obi-Wan asked in an irritated voice once he had found his equilibrium again.

"I can try and find you another droid if you prefer that kind of transportation," Qui-Gon said, grinning, sparing Obi-Wan a side glance.

Obi-Wan deflected another blaster bolt, and sent it back into the speeder's engine where he had been aiming at all the time. The speeder careened out of control, its nose pointing to the ground.

"You got him!"

"Was about time."

Qui-Gon stepped on the brakes hard, navigating the vehicle downward as well, trying to keep up with the bounty hunter's smoking speeder. They watched as it dove nose deep into a dump pile, coming to a screeching halt. Foregoing a gentle landing manoeuvre too, Qui-Gon set down the speeder on the open street, next to an assembly of bars. Their speeder skittered over the ground two more metres, then came to an abrupt stop, knocking Obi-Wan forward, his head connecting hard with the dashboard.

"Next time I'll drive," Obi-Wan snarled, rubbing his head where a bruise was already forming.

"No, I'll drive."

"I'll drive."

"I � He went into that bar!" Obi-Wan said, interrupting himself, and pointed at the entrance of a neon-sign lit nightclub, where the bounty hunter, having freed himself from his smoking vehicle, had vanished into.

Qui-Gon got out of the speeder on wobbly legs and briefly considered kissing the ground, but then estimated how many different diseases one could get from that action and refrained. He sighed and surveyed the bar the assassin had vanished into. His day was just getting worse and worse. Though admittedly Obi-Wan's jump out of the window had probably been the low point.

"Come on, let's get going," Obi-Wan said, readjusting his lightsabre.

Qui-Gon nodded, and side by side they entered the bar. "Did you get a good look at him?"

Obi-Wan shrugged. "I think it's a woman, that's about all I can say."

"In that case watch your back," Qui-Gon said before they separated, scanning the bar with their eyes and the Force. Qui-Gon headed over to the gaming section. I'll check the gamblers. I guess you'll be going for a drink?

He felt Obi-Wan's smile as the other man moved away towards the bar. Naturally. First things first.

At least we've settled who's driving, now that you're drinking.

Dream on, lover. Dream on.

Qui-Gon smiled and returned his eyes to the gaming tables while keeping his Force sense focused on the entire bar and linked with Obi- Wan's. He'd worked with Obi-Wan for so long that he knew instinctively what his partner would do now. Draw attention to himself without seeming to do so, draw out their prey so that Qui-Gon could move in for the arrest. They could do this blindly by now.

He felt a spike in the Force and concluded that Obi-Wan must have done the old 'Look at me, I'm a Jedi' mind-trick ploy on some unsuspecting party. What did you do now, reform a prostitute like on Selaris 4?

Nope. Drug dealer. Will think a lot about his life tonight.

Qui-Gon shook his head and continued to scan the gaming sector. Can you sense her?

Yes, she-

The thought was interrupted and Qui-Gon whirled around as he heard the telltale sound of a lightsabre igniting and felt a spike of Force from Obi-Wan. He was at Obi-Wan's side in an instant, but it was already over. The assassin was lying on the floor, clutching what was left of her arm to her chest, and Obi-Wan had already put away his lightsabre and was tending to the assassin's wound.

The guests in their near vicinity all stared and mumbled, some of them looking less than well-intentioned. Qui-Gon straightened his back and drew up to his full size, turning his most forbidding stare at the guests who looked most likely to cause disturbance. It was enough to quell any interest in the proceedings and Qui-Gon turned to help his partner get the woman off the floor and outside.

What is it with you and severed arms, anyway? he asked.

Well, she was faster than I anticipated.

I noticed that. Qui-Gon thought back dryly.

They lowered the assassin to the ground and Obi-Wan looked at her wound again, sending a Force impulse into it to soothe the pain until they could get her into the Temple hospital.

"Did you know who it was you were trying to kill?"

"A senator from Naboo..." she pressed out through clenched teeth.

"Who hired you?" Qui-Gon asked the obvious question. He didn't expect her to answer, but she murmured the word "Bounty hunter" moments before he heard a swishing sound and a dart hit her neck, killing her instantly. When they looked up, it was only to see an armoured figure escape from them.

Obi-Wan sighed. "Great. Result of the evening: Broken speeder, dead one-armed assassin, one poison dart and no new information."

Qui-Gon looked at the dart. "Well, at least we have this."

"Time enough to check it out tomorrow. I rather doubt that bounty hunter of hers will find another assassin before then. Let's go back, I'm knackered," Obi-Wan said, then stood up and helped Qui-Gon with the assassin's dead body. "And for the last time, I'm driving. That landing just then was awful. I won't put my arse in your hands again, thanks a lot."

"Oh, so you want to sleep in the common room when we get home?"

Obi-Wan missed a step. "Okay, so you're driving. But only if you promise to compensate for the abuse my arse will suffer from your aversion to using the landing brakes."

Qui-Gon grinned. There were some promises he would not hesitate to make.

The landing platform was full of people and both Jedi kept their eyes and Force senses open as their small transport approached the terminal. Qui-Gon held on to the handholds provided as he watched their slow descent.

He wasn't thrilled by the plan. In fact, he was more than sceptical. They had reported to the Council on the assassination attempt, and the ancient, sage body of wisdom had immediately decided that the Jedi would now investigate. They had ordered Obi-Wan back to Naboo with Padm� and had charged Qui-Gon with investigating, which left him with the more exciting job but also put him on the other side of the sector from his partner. No, he did not like this plan at all.

He had got over his separation anxieties a long time ago, especially since he could feel Obi-Wan - however mutely - even when they were at different ends of the galaxy, but he still wasn't fond of the Council splitting them up as a working unit, simply because they had proven their matchless efficiency in watching each other's backs. But he'd of course swallowed his objections because he knew that the Jedi Order could not possibly afford to dispatch a second team or even a single Knight to protect Padm� while he and Obi-Wan investigated. Having both of them involved in this mission in the first place had shown how serious the Council thought the situation to be.

Qui-Gon re-centred his attention in the moment and looked over to Obi- Wan, who was standing with Dorm�, one of Padm�'s handmaiden decoys, trying to calm her fears and nervousness. Allowing himself a brief respite from duty, Qui-Gon raked his eyes over his lover's form, imagining how changed he must appear to Padm�. He had filled out a bit from his Padawan days, his hair was slightly longer and much blonder, and he was a bit scruffier altogether, but what had changed wasn't so much his appearance. Obi-Wan's body language, his stance, his entire bearing exuded a mature poise he had been lacking ten years ago. He radiated confidence, in himself, in his body, in the Force. The laughing, mischievous imp was mostly gone, but Qui-Gon found the man his lover had turned to even more irresistible than the sexy 20-year old he had fallen in love with.

You're staring, an amused voice in his mind chided.

Well yes I am, Qui-Gon answered, unrepentant.

Obi-Wan's lips curved in a slight smile, but he kept his attention firmly on Dorm�, soothing her fears. Qui-Gon caught Padm�'s eyes and smiled as she came over to join him. "Knight Jinn, I wanted to ask you whether you'd heard something from Tahl lately. She hasn't commed in ages and I'm afraid I have little time to keep in contact," Padm� said with a guilty smile.

Qui-Gon resisted the urge to pat her hands and say 'Tell me about it' as he answered, "That's completely understandable, my Lady. You are very busy. I speak with Tahl about once in two standard months and I can assure you, the last time I contacted her she was very well indeed. Mayra, her last-born, had just taken her first steps."

Padm� smiled more brightly. "I'm glad to hear that, and even more glad to hear that you are still on speaking terms. It is none of my business of course, but you did not seem to have separated as the best of friends."

Qui-Gon bowed his head in acknowledgement. "We did not, but we parted with no ill will, and have been able to retain our friendship." Though it hadn't been easy, he added silently, and made a lot easier when Tahl had fallen in love again with the one who was now her husband, a man much more suited to make her happy than Qui-Gon would ever have been, or at least that was what he chose to believe.

The jarring of the landing gear put his mind firmly back on the track of duty, reminding him forcefully that this wasn't a cr�che-year reunion but a mission. Obi-Wan and Dorm� joined them as the vessel set down gently on the landing platform. While Padm� said an affectionate goodbye to Dorm�, the two Jedi took a moment for themselves. Words were wasted between them, and more private caresses had been exchanged earlier, so they just faced each other and looked into each other's eyes for a long moment. "Be careful," Qui-Gon said.

Obi-Wan smiled. "You took the words right out of my mouth. Will you go see Dex about the dart?"

Qui-Gon nodded. He would indeed seek out Master Rob's old friend for help.

"Tell him I said hello, the old scoundrel." Obi-Wan's voice was low and affectionate, but the emotions Qui-Gon received over their bond were worry and a gentle plea to watch his back.

Padm� seemed ready to go, so Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan pulled away from their moment, carefully pulling back from the bond as well so the separation of hyperspace would not hurt the connection.

Qui-Gon bowed to Padm�. "I will get to the bottom of this plot quickly, My Lady." I hope he added to his lover.

Padm� inclined her head. "I will me most grateful for your speed, Knight Jinn. May the Force be with you."

"And with you, my Lady."

He turned to Obi-Wan and again his eyes were drawn to Obi-Wan's blue- green ones. He put up his hand and Obi-Wan put his palm against Qui- Gon's, the only touch they allowed themselves this public. "May the Force be with you, Ben," Qui-Gon said quietly, trying not to remember their more tactile goodbyes back in the Temple when Obi-Wan had all but slammed him against the wall to check if his tonsils were still in place.

Obi-Wan smiled wistfully, obviously thinking about the same thing. "May the Force be with you, Qui-Gon." Quiggs...

Qui-Gon returned the smile and kept it up even as Obi-Wan turned and escorted Padm� to the unmarked transport, a little R2 unit trailing behind them, beeping happily.

Obi-Wan didn't look back, nor had Qui-Gon expected him to, but he watched until his partner and their charge had boarded the ship before he released his grip on his lightsabre.

Captain Typho slapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, they'll be fine."

Qui-Gon nodded, but inwardly he wasn't so sure. He had no time to dwell on his uncertainties, however. He had a job of his own to attend to. Patting the poison dart in his pocket, he gave the shuttle driver the address of Dex's diner.

Standing on the terrace, Obi-Wan overlooked the beautiful lake that spread out in front of the palace. He had woken early, after a night of bad dreams and tossing and turning. Briefly, he wondered where Qui- Gon was and if he'd had success with what he was doing. He had awoken to an empty bed after a particularly nasty dream and had immediately reached out for Qui-Gon's presence, there to calm and soothe him. He had gripped an empty pillow and cool sheets. Momentarily, he had struggled with disorientation and a feeling of nausea. Then he had remembered that he was on Naboo, together with Padm�. He remembered dreaming the dream, watching as Qui-Gon fought the Sith and lost. His dream self always tried to resurrect Qui-Gon, but contrary to reality, he failed in his attempts.

"You had a nightmare last night. I heard you cry out," Padm�'s voice came from the direction of the open glass door.

Turning around, Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes."

She looked as if she, unlike him, had had a wonderful, relaxing night. Her morning attire was well chosen, a midnight blue dress with precious embroideries. Her hair was brushed and flew open across her back. Obi-Wan grimaced at the thought of his own attire, rumpled and untidy.

She took a step closer and leaned against the balcony, looking over the lake, much as he had done when she had approached. "I wish Anakin were here with us," she said, not turning to look at him.

"What makes you say that?"

"I had a dream about him last night." She paused for a moment, lost in her own thoughts. "Do you think he's dead?" Her voice held an anxious quality, quivering a bit.

"I hope not," he answered earnestly, then stepped closer and took in his old position at the railing.

"Do you dream about him as well?"

He sighed heavily, then decided to answer truthfully. "Yes. And about other things. Mostly nightmares."

She nodded and gave him a compassionate smile. "I've always wanted to meet Anakin when he was older. I remember that charming little boy and I can't help but think that there was something special between us -," she hesitated, then looked away, "a connection."

"He always spoke very highly of you, my lady."

"Please," she whispered, "call me Padm�. We've known each other too long for formalities."

For some time, a comfortable silence rested between them, then he noticed Padm� studying him, and he gave her an encouraging smile.

"You love him very much," she stated, smiling in return.

"Who?" Obi-Wan was momentarily confused.

"Knight Jinn."

He laughed softly, then nodded. "Yes," he confirmed.

"I'm glad. It must be wonderful to love somebody so much. I always thought attachments like yours were forbidden for the Jedi?" Her voice trailed off and she blushed slightly.

"Attachments to non-Jedi are forbidden, those between Jedi are only discouraged."

"You've changed so much since I last saw you. I hope you don't mind me saying that."

"I changed?" he asked, raising and eyebrow in amusement. "To what extent?"

Her blush intensified a bit, but nonetheless, this time she held his gaze. "You're less exuberant, more grown up." She interrupted herself, then asked, "Can I tell you something?"

Still highly amused, he nodded.

"I had the biggest crush on you."

Obi-Wan couldn't help but laugh at her confession. "I'm sorry," he finally said. "I actually thought you were enamoured with Qui-Gon."

Padm� started to laugh too, a pleasant, clear sound that carried over the lake. "No." More seriously, she added, "But I saw how you and Knight Jinn were behaving around each other, and I figured that there was something between you. Forgive me, Obi-Wan, but I was very young back then, and easily infatuated."

"I feel flattered," Obi-Wan answered.

"If I had known, though...," she started, but then trailed off.

"It's all right. You had your share of infatuations, I had mine."

Nodding her head, she asked, "When did you know that you and Qui-Gon belonged together?"

For a moment Obi-Wan frowned, then a grin broke on his face. "I wish I could tell you that I knew from the very beginning, but that's not true. He hated me back then."

At her scrutinising, amused look, Obi-Wan bit his lips, shaking his head. "No. You're right. He didn't hate me. But he didn't like me that much either. We didn't start it off very well. All my fault."

"But he came to like you eventually, right?"

"Eventually."

For a brief moment there was silence again, then she turned to go, sighing. "I wish Anakin was here," she repeated, then stepped indoors again, the train of her long blue dress trailing after her.

The stars realigned in their proper position as Qui-Gon pulled his small vessel out of hyperspace. He needed only one glance at the navigational computer to know exactly where he was and what it meant. "Great," he sighed as he manoeuvred his ship into the asteroid belt around the planet. "And what the Sith does he want here?"

He'd followed the hint Dex had given him and on the other end he'd found a much larger mystery than the one he'd been sent to investigate. An army of mysteries. And he'd found his prey, a bounty hunter called Jango Fett.

He sighed once again while he followed Fett's ship at a prudent distance. None of all this made any sense. The Kaminoans were building a clone army for a dead Jedi Master who had surely never heard a word of all this. They claimed the army was for the Republic. The man they were using as a model for the clones had tried to kill Padm�, but had denied any connection to the Jedi Master who had supposedly ordered the clone army. And now said bounty hunter was here, on Geonosis, location of one of the largest weapon manufacturing plants in the known galaxy.

And what the Sith did any of this have to do with Dooku, whom Padm� suspected so adamantly? He tended to trust others' instincts, and he himself had always had his share of suspicion against the separatist movement, but so far he could not see a connection. Qui-Gon was only sure of one thing: He didn't like this scenario one bit.

What made this confusing tangle of lies and deceit worse was that other than a short communication with Yoda and Windu, he had no one to compare notes with and relate his theories to. Not that he had an abundance of theories, mind you, but he was used to having a more critical mind than an R4 droid as a field partner.

And then there was Fett himself. The man made Qui-Gon nervous. Not only was he very hard to read, he had also held his own against a Jedi, and had turned out to be very good in unarmed combat. But then again, if his son - his clone, Qui-Gon corrected himself with disgust - hadn't fired at Qui-Gon, he would have had Fett in custody by now. Lightsabres weren't any good against rockets. And to be fair, Fett was a very good fighter. Their skirmish in the eternal rain of Kamino had been one of the few challenging fights not involving a lightsabre of Qui-Gon's career. He would have almost liked to meet the man in a purely sporting hand-to-hand once. Without rocket-firing sons and well-equipped armour. It grated at his ego that he'd lost the fight, even if he had been outgunned and out-equipped. But at least he'd been fast enough to get the tracing signal on Fett's ship.

A small shift in the Force told Qui-Gon that the Fetts had detected him and only a moment later his instruments and his instincts told him to be quick or be dead. He pulled the ship sharply to the side and gave the engines a boost to evade the detonation. Seismic charges. Bugger.

"This just isn't my day," he grit out between clenched teeth and used the Force to give him the speed he would need to evade the asteroid debris. Another one of the small, expensive killers floated elegantly in the direction of Qui-Gon's small vessel. Sith. Fett was either very rich or even crazier than he looked. Or both. Down looked to be the only option - "Blast, this is why I hate flying," he murmured and plunged his ship into a dive to evade yet another explosion. He was beginning to think that Obi-Wan had got the better end of the job.

When the call came, he had expected it to be Qui- Gon, but it was Seda.

"How are you doing, Kenobi?" she asked, smile audible in her voice.

"Solo. Good. A bit boring around here. Qui-Gon has all the fun on this mission. I'm just hanging around with Senator Amidala, going shopping at the bazaar for flowery dresses and exotic cooking spices."

Seda laughed. "Poor Obi-Wan. But at least you can surprise Qui-Gon with the flowery dresses you bought."

"Ha ha," Obi-Wan said. "Any news from Coruscant, or from Qui-Gon?"

"Qui-Gon's last duty report said that he was on Geonosis. Followed a bounty hunter from Kamino. Probably the bounty hunter that attacked Senator Amidala."

"So he found him, that's good. Anything else?"

"Coruscant is the same as ever. High ozone, heat, smog. But I got a call from Tahl two days ago."

"Tahl called you?" he asked, clearly surprised.

"Why so surprised, Kenobi? I stayed with her two years ago when I was on that dreadful and boring mission on Tatooine, investigating the spice piracy of the Hutts. We've been good friends ever since."

"Haven't heard from her in a long time, but then we're not exactly the best of friends."

"Your fault," Seda murmured, "she's a really nice person."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from her," Obi-Wan replied, not able to keep a hint of irritation from creeping into his tone.

"Still jealous?" she teased, then grew serious again. "She told me something strange." When Obi-Wan didn't answer, she continued, "You remember that Shmi Skywalker married that Lars guy some years ago?"

"Hmmm."

"Well, she was abducted three weeks ago."

"What?" Obi-Wan's attention suddenly rose and he sat down heavily on one of the chairs in the lounge. "Tusken Raiders?"

"No. Nobody knows who it was. Certainly not Tusken Raiders. They would leave tracks. She just vanished from one day to the other. Was out at the border of the farm, checking vaporisers."

"Force!" Obi-Wan cursed.

"Kind of strange, if you ask me."

They were silent for a long time, neither of them knowing what to say. "First Anakin, now Shmi," Obi-Wan finally murmured, skimming a hand over his eyes. He was suddenly very tired. Desperate to change the topic, he asked about Eri, Seda's Padawan.

"Eri's fine. I'm so proud of her. She's doing such a great job with everything she does. Excels in all her classes. I guess she's a bit like Qui-Gon when he was younger, just without the rebellious streak."

Obi-Wan's mouth quirked at the pride he could hear in her voice. "I'm glad she's doing so well. I always knew you would make an excellent teacher, Master Solo."

On the other side of the comm-line, Seda snorted. "Master Solo. I've still not got used to it, not even after 5 years. I'll never get used to it. When will you take on a Padawan, Knight Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan sighed. "I don't know. Seriously, I had hoped that I could take on Anakin as a Padawan, but then he got assigned to Master Hartha. She was a wonderful woman, good teacher, I don't want to say anything bad about her. But it just feels so wrong to me to take on a Padawan other than Anakin."

Seda's voice was compassionate when she answered. "One day that perfect Padawan will come along and you won't be able to say no."

"Maybe."

"I met Lieth today in the mess hall. He's back from a mission too and is waiting for a new assignment. Can you imagine HIM with a Padawan?"

"Good Force! No!" Obi-Wan laughed at the thought. "So far the Council has declined to grant his wish to train a young one. I don't even want to think about the results. Dead Padawan, or a Padawan turned to the Dark Side."

"Most definitely," Seda said, giggling.

"Are you going out with him?"

"As in going steady? You must be nuts!" she said, clearly shocked by the idea.

"No, no! Go to the Saltire, or something."

"Well, maybe. Last time we were in there I had to forcefully restrain him from molesting one of the senior Padawans."

"Hey! Still the same old flirt, isn't he?"

"Yes," Seda hissed between gritted teeth. "And the bad thing is, they love him. He winks at them, and they falter."

Obi-Wan coughed, remembering how jealous Qui-Gon had been of Lieth at one point.

"Listen, I need to go. I hope we'll hear from Qui-Gon again soon. Keep me updated, will you?"

"Of course. Love you, Solo."

"I know," she answered, chuckling. Then the transmission was interrupted. Sighing, Obi-Wan shut off the com-link and sat back, thinking about everything she had told him. The news about Shmi Skywalker's abduction had him worried, but he couldn't say exactly why it bothered him that much. People vanished every day, didn't they, and it wasn't like he had known Shmi very well.

His contemplation was interrupted by Padm�, who entered the lounge wearing one of her impossible flowery dresses that she had bought at the bazaar. Since they had arrived on Naboo, the Senator's usual attire of stiff, ceremonial dresses had given way to girly, long flowing skirts and blouses.

"Bad news?" she asked, looking at his worried face.

"Ah, it's nothing," he hurried to say, not wanting to make her worry too much.

"Nothing from Qui-Gon?"

"He's on Geonosis. He has tracked down the bounty hunter that has threatened your life."

The moment the words left his mouth, he felt a tremble over the at present rather dull and subdued bond he shared with Qui-Gon and he sat up, his forehead creasing in concentration. Another tremble, as if somebody was pulling at both ends of the bond, almost painfully so, and Obi-Wan lifted his hand, rubbing his aching temple.

"Everything all right with you?" Padm�'s worried voice asked from far away. He shook his head, still rubbing his hand over the aching place, when the intensity of his connection to Qui-Gon slowly drained out, as if he had been thrown into icy-cold water. He probed gently, but no echo returned.

"Qui-Gon. He's not okay," Obi-Wan murmured, finally looking up.

"Every time you think it can't get worse, life proves you wrong," Qui- Gon murmured, trying valiantly to suppress the nausea that had settled in his stomach from the stunners. Of course the Force- suppressing rotating energy field did nothing to further settle down his stomach.

His situation was far from encouraging. He had finally found at least some clues to the puzzle and he was now so far that he could piece together a working theory as to what had happened.

Apparently Dooku was responsible for the assassination attempts on Padm�, but only because the Trade Federation wanted her dead. She was the price to pay for their loyalty. Well, her and more credits than he could probably imagine, Qui-Gon amended. Dooku was obviously also the one behind the clone army, which made sense since Dooku had once been a Jedi.

Dooku seemed to be a ruthless megalomaniac mastermind out to plunge the Republic into the bloodiest war since its creation, and he apparently had no scruples whatsoever. Clearly, the man had fallen to the Dark Side. But was he indeed the Sith Lord the Council had searched for over the last ten years? Was he the mysterious master of the creature Obi-Wan had killed on Naboo? All evidence pointed towards it, but he would not form an opinion just yet. He would wait until he could speak to the man himself. He guessed it was only a matter of time until Dooku would visit him. Undoubtedly, the man would then tell him of the manner of his execution.

Qui-Gon had little doubt as to what kind of fate awaited him. He still retained the hope of being somehow rescued, though. He'd been in worse predicaments, and since Naboo he had learned to fear only one aspect of death. Obi-Wan. He was terrified of leaving Obi-Wan alone, of being separated from him, even though he knew they would always be together in the Force.

He couldn't feel their bond anymore, and he was sure Obi-Wan couldn't feel him either, so his partner was undoubtedly aware that Qui-Gon was in trouble. Qui-Gon only hoped that his impulsive lover wouldn't do the next logical thing - the thing Qui-Gon would do were situations reversed - and jump on the next transport to come and save him. The Council were aware of his predicament, help would come. But hopefully help would have backup.

"Qui-Gon Jinn." A voice addressed him from the door to which he just had his back. He recognised the cultured voice at once.

"Count Dooku," he responded politely, as if they were meeting at a Senate reception.

Dooku moved so that Qui-Gon could see him now as well as hear him. "And what brings a busy Jedi Knight all the way to Geonosis?"

Qui-Gon reasoned he might as well come out with the truth and see if he could bring Dooku to flinch. "I'm looking for a bounty hunter called Jango Fett. Have you met him?"

Dooku didn't flinch, and honestly Qui-Gon would have been disappointed if he had. "There are no bounty hunters here. The Geonosians don't trust them."

"I share the sentiment, but he's here all right. He welcomed me very warmly to the system," Qui-Gon said, his voice dryer than Tatooine summers.

Dooku smirked, an altogether unpleasant sight. "It's a pity we've never met before. Your Master and I were rather good friends. He and I shared many of the same reservations against the Jedi code."

Qui-Gon's eyes narrowed as he felt anger rise. "Don't you dare compare yourself to my Master. He left the Order for spiritual reasons only."

Dooku smiled, a gesture that made the hair on Qui-Gon's neck stand up. "Your Master knew how corrupt the Republic really was. He felt it was wrong for the Jedi to get involved with a body like the Senate, but even he did not fathom the greatness of the corruption. He was not aware, as I am, that the Senate is controlled by a Sith Lord."

Qui-Gon scoffed. "A Sith Lord. Who is of course able to fool not only the entire Jedi Council, but also hundreds of Jedi Knights and Masters, and that over the course of years. How stupid do you think I am?"

"The Dark Side has blinded the Jedi. Don't tell me you've never felt the limitations of their vision. Don't tell me you have never doubted the wisdom of the Order's course. You would not be your Master's student if you didn't."

Qui-Gon was silent, for he knew that in truth, there was no arguing with that. He'd had his share of differences with the Council, Order rules, and politics in the past.

Dooku's unpleasant smile widened at Qui-Gon's silent admission. "Join me, Qui-Gon, and together we will destroy the Sith and bring a new order to the Galaxy. One in which the Jedi will be free to pursue nobler goals than petty politics."

Reason said that a lot of what Dooku said made sense. But Qui-Gon trusted reason only so far. Every instinct he possessed told him that Dooku was of the Dark Side, that he was not to be trusted, that joining him meant leaving behind all that was good and right. His instincts formulated his reply, "Go to Hoth, Dooku!"

Dooku's smile vanished. "Think about your next move, Qui-Gon, you...," he trailed off as the door opened again, but Qui-Gon could not see who had entered, the force field rotation had him face the opposite wall. Dooku meanwhile addressed the newly arrived person, "He will not cooperate."

"Well, it was only to be expected, was it not? He is too stubborn and convinced of his own virtuousness for that. But don't worry, his partner will soon be here, and we'll try again."

Qui-Gon's heart was pierced by a shard of fear. Obi-Wan! That voice. He knew that voice, but who... The force field completed its rotation and granted him full view of the newcomer. Qui-Gon's eyes went wide. "You!"

"I want to come with you!" Padm� repeated, more forcefully this time.

Obi-Wan shook his head vehemently, then turned around and continued his way to his quarters. "No, you're not. It's far too dangerous for you, and by the way, what would you want on Geonosis?"

"Bounty hunter, remember? The one who wants to kill me?"

"Just the more reason for you to stay here where you're safe!" Obi- Wan growled, almost shoving the door in her face. Senator or not, at the moment Padm� was behaving very childishly, insisting on accompanying Obi-Wan to Geonosis.

Without looking if she was following, he entered his quarters and strode over to the communication unit embedded in the southern wall of his quarters.

"But you must take me with you! You're supposed to take care of me! How do you want to take care of me if you're on Geonosis and I'm here?" Padm� ranted on.

"You're under protection of the Jedi Order. We will contact the Council and you -," he interrupted himself, "WE will obey the Council's demands in that matter, Padm�!" Obi-Wan snapped, his usually calm demeanour breaking apart under Padm�'s plainly childish demands.

With a pout the young woman sat down on the edge of his bed, crossing her arms in front of her chest, but for once she had shut up, and Obi- Wan was only too grateful for the wonderful silence that suddenly filled the room.

Sighing, he typed the coordinates of the Coruscant temple into the keyboard and called up the Council's emergency line. Almost immediately he was put through to Master Windu. Frowning, the Jedi Master folded his hands in his lap and leaned forward.

"Anything the matter on Naboo, Obi-Wan?"

"No," he shook his head, "we're fine. It's Qui-Gon, Master. He's in trouble. I've heard he's on Geonosis."

Master Windu nodded slowly, then adjusted the transmission so that all of the currently present Council members could take part in the call. "Yes. We received a call from him about 2 hours ago and the transmission was suddenly interrupted. We're assuming that he's been attacked."

Obi-Wan cleared his throat. "Which measures are going to be taken, Master Windu?"

"We're sending a special unit to Geonosis immediately, but it will take some time for them to arrive there. We have some Knights stationed on Kalabra, but we can't reach them. You're the closest to Geonosis at the moment. We're going to send somebody from the Malastare Temple to Naboo as soon as we can to take over the protection of the Senator. Senator Amidala is to stay with Captain Typho. You're going to Geonosis to check the situation. We're sending reinforcement immediately."

At Windu's words, Obi-Wan shot a satisfied sideways glance at Padm�, who was almost fuming by now, kneading her bottom lip between her teeth in an attempt to stifle her protest.

"Thank you Master Windu. Is there anything else I should know?"

"Yes. We know that Geonosis is involved with the Separatist movement. They have been building weapons and droids for the Techno Union over the last decades and pledged their loyalty to Count Dooku, the leader of the Separatists."

"Isn't Count Dooku a former Jedi?" Obi-Wan asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Yes. We're not sure if he's involved in the ploy, but be careful. He's a very powerful man."

Obi-Wan nodded. "I'm going to check up on Geonosis and leave in the next hour. Thank you, Master Windu."

"Good luck, Knight Kenobi. Report to the Council immediately if there are any complications."

"Yes, Master."

He bowed deeply, then shut off the transmission. Turning around to Padm�, who was still sitting on his bed with an angry expression on her face, he said, "You've heard Master Windu. You're staying here with Captain Typho and awaiting the arrival of my replacement."

"But-," she started. Obi-Wan cut her off with a wave of her hand.

"No more, Senator. I hope you understand that we have to ensure your security, and that can't be done with you following me along to Geonosis."

Her brown eyes sparkled angrily, but she finally nodded. "As you wish, Knight Kenobi. I leave you to your preparations, but don't expect me to wave goodbye at the port."

"I won't."

"Good," she snapped, then stood up, her head held high. With a last scornful glance she left the room, arrogance and the hurt of being treated like a defenceless puppy coming off her in waves.

He sighed in relief when the door shut behind her and sat down on the bed, rubbing the bridge of his nose between his fingers.

"What have I done to deserve this," he murmured. Padm� Amidala was one of those girls that were rather determined when an idea had settled in their pretty head. He was surprised, and also a bit irritated that she had given up so easily. He had to keep his guard up.

Damn. Damn. Damn.

Qui-Gon's vocabulary, his very world it seemed, had reduced itself to this word. He had gone from shock to vague hope to fear to desperation in about twenty seconds after seeing the person who had interrupted him and Dooku, and now he was at swearing and praying.

Please, Force, let Obi-Wan have the sense to stay away, or at least let him bring about 500 other Jedi with him. Or a small regular army. He had only glimpsed a small portion of the war machinery on this planet, but he didn't need much imagination to supplement the things he hadn't seen.

Damn.

He was more and more convinced that this mission was cursed from the deepest pits of the seventh Sith hell, with little view of betterment. Hope was frail, and his wish for freedom fraught with fear of the consequences. What if a Jedi attempt to free him led to war? But wouldn't war erupt sooner or later anyway?

How Qui-Gon missed the surety of the Force singing through his veins, connecting him to the Moment with clarity and strength. With the Force, he would be able to tell if the currents of the Living Force screamed of inevitable bloodshed and violence. With the Force, he would be able to warn Obi-Wan to stay away. He hated being the victim, being the one who had to wait for rescue, being the one to bring danger to Obi-Wan. He hated waiting for the inevitable. Waiting for the shards of destiny to hit them once more. He wasn't stupid enough to misread the signs again. Obi-Wan's dreams had all pointed to this moment, he knew that now. What would be, would be. But they had dared fate once before.

One thing was clear to Qui-Gon as he hung in suspension of gravity and the Force. His life would never be the same again.

Annoyed, and near to strangling the young woman, Obi-Wan turned around and clamped a hand over her mouth. "Now shut up, will you! It's bad enough that you've sneaked on board of my ship as some kind of stowaway, now you're endangering my mission with your babblemouth. Shut up, or I swear I'll gag you with my belt. Do you understand me?" he hissed through clenched teeth, eyes sparkling furiously.

Slowly, he took his hand from Padm�'s mouth and watched as she nodded, clearly taken aback.

"Fine."

His usual serenity was worn to a minimum and he was angry that the girl could make him lose his cool, but since he had arrived on Geonosis, finding that Padm� had hid herself in the cargo area of his speeder, he had a very bad feeling about the whole rescue mission. He couldn't leave her back at the ship, so he'd had to take her along with him, knowing very well that that meant not only endangering her, but also his mission.

They had found their way into a huge cave, where a droid factory produced state-of-the-art battle droids. If Master Windu was right and the Geonosians built these droids for the Separatist movement, then that could only mean one thing: war. In any case, he had to be extra careful.

Silently they made their way along the rocky cave side of the factory, careful to not arouse attention, but the droids working were too occupied with their assembling. Finally they reached the end of the large hall, where a small corridor led deeper into the compound. "It's all too easy," Obi-Wan murmured, slightly worried. He shared a look with Padm�, who nodded, her blaster held in front of her, ready to fire. They crept into the badly lit corridor, slowly making their way forward. The ceiling was low and the walls narrowed down. Steel doors were inserted into the wall every 50 feet, possibly leading to other corridors. A dim light in front of them indicated the opening to a larger room.

Suddenly a door swung open right in front of them and a man dressed in a heavy black robe stepped out, accompanied by several battle droids. Within seconds, Obi-Wan called his lightsabre to his hand, ready to defend them, but the man held up a hand, chuckling humourlessly.

"I wouldn't try that, Master. We got you surrounded. And you don't want me to kill Padm� here, do you?"

The hand reached up, sliding the hood back, revealing a young, narrow face.

"Anakin!" Padm� gasped, then lowered her blaster. Obi-Wan drew in a sharp breath.

"Do you remember me? You're still as beautiful as ever." The young man smirked, then stuck out his right hand. "Your lightsabre, if you don't mind, Master Kenobi."

"That's not a wise decision, Anakin," Obi-Wan said, trying to sound calm while conflicting emotions raced through his mind, battling for supremacy, but nonetheless he tossed his lightsabre to Anakin, who caught it expertly. Anakin then turned to Padm� with a leer.

"And that blaster, Padm�."

With a look full of shock and disgust, Padm� threw him her blaster, then stepped closer to Obi-Wan, in search of protection from Anakin's glare.

"Now, if you two would be so kind and follow me. There is somebody already waiting for you," Anakin said, the amusement still evident in his voice.

Obi-Wan bit his lip, suppressing a curse.

Turning to Padm�, he whispered, "Don't do anything rash."

She nodded, then put on a determined look, probably to hide the fear he had seen in her eyes earlier, and followed Anakin.

They were led into a small room far away from the droid factory, all the while heavily guarded. Obi-Wan sighed when he saw Qui-Gon hanging in a force field, suspended in the air. He wasn't sure himself if his sigh was out of relief that Qui-Gon was still alive and apparently well (despite that he had been cut off from the Force for quite some time now) or a sigh of resignation. Qui-Gon acknowledged him with a resigned nod of his head.

Anakin uttered a sound of contentment and sat down in a large armchair at the far end of the wall, leaning back and surveying the scene.

"What a happy reunion," he finally said, clasping his hands together. "My Master," he pointed at Obi-Wan who hid his irritation at being addressed as such, "my Master's lover," Anakin waved in Qui- Gon's direction, "my future wife -," he said, grinning at Padm�.

"If you think I'll marry you, you must be mental!" Padm� responded immediately, snorting.

Anakin shook his head. "Tsk, I thought you had better taste than this. And what would my poor mother think of this?" He pointed into a dark corner where, propped up in a chair, Shmi Skywalker was sitting, her head sunken to her chest, dead eyes staring at the ground.

"And I thought it was your awful body odour that stank so horribly," Qui-Gon remarked dryly.

Anakin refused to pay Qui-Gon any mind, and still smiling, addressed Obi-Wan again. "Master, do you have any idea how powerful I have become over the last three years since I got rid of that useless woman?"

"It was you who killed An Hartha," Obi-Wan answered slowly, still trying to grasp the concept.

"Exactly. And what a pleasure it was! You were supposed to be my rightful Master."

"Anakin-" Obi-Wan started, but was cut off with an impatient wave of Anakin's hand.

"Ah, don't, Master. I offer you the possibility to complete my training and become the most powerful Force user of all. Together we will rule the galaxy and put an end to the Republic."

Obi-Wan shook his head. "No. I won't complete your training, Anakin."

With a growl Anakin stood up and walked over to Obi-Wan, a threatening look on his face. "You will!" he snarled.

"No. You need help, Anakin, but not mine as a Master."

The young man, who at 19 was already a head taller than Obi-Wan, glared down at him, anger in his eyes.

"If you don't join me, you will regret this deeply!"

Obi-Wan held Anakin's gaze, but refused to answer. Anakin had truly lost all sense or sanity. Memories of the boy Anakin had been swirled through his mind. His interest in Anakin Skywalker hadn't diminished over the years and while the Council hadn't granted his wish to train the boy as Obi-Wan believed he had been destined to, he had tried to spend as much time as possible with him. He often had seen himself as Anakin's older brother, not his father or teacher, although he had tried to teach him in the ways of the Force. But not now. Not like this.

"It's not too late for you, Anakin. Set us free and come back with me to Coruscant," Obi-Wan tried.

Anakin snorted, then looked at him with disgust. "I'm not stupid. Why would I do that?"

"So I can train you properly." Obi-Wan hoped that he could tempt Anakin. The boy was clearly on the verge of breaking under the strain of the raw power he had so brutally plunged into.

Shaking his head, Anakin finally turned to Padm�, who visibly shied away from his presence. "This guy is hopeless," he said to her, waving a hand at Obi-Wan. "Now, do you have more sense?"

Padm� didn't answer, but stared at him, trying to hide her confusion and her disgust at what he had become. Anakin grinned again, showing a row of white teeth. "You know you want to marry me. You've wanted to ever since I was a kid."

"You're not a kid anymore. You don't resemble the little good boy I've known. You're not Anakin Skywalker. I don't know what you are, but you're not him," she spat into his face, her sudden courage surprising even herself.

"You don't know what you're talking about. All of you!" he shouted, addressing the room at large. "You're nothing but fools, unable to see the true way!"

Obi-Wan shared a look with Qui-Gon, who craned his neck to see what was going on, as the rotation of the force field brought him facing the other wall again.

Turning to Obi-Wan again, the gleam in Anakin's eyes was that of a madman. "One last chance, Master. What will it be? Yes? Or no?"

Obi-Wan released a gush of air, not able to hide his frustration. "I won't train you, Anakin."

"Fine!" Anakin shouted, clearly enraged, then turned around on his heel. "Then you'll have the pleasure of watching your lover being eaten by wild animals."

Qui-Gon, who was facing them again after a full rotation of the force field, groaned loudly. "Oh come on," he said, "how lame is that!"

Qui-Gon scoffed as the guards chained him to the post. Sand and heat. How fitting. He surveyed the arena as it filled with the insect- like Geonosians. Drums sounded, the crowd roared, and suddenly Qui- Gon felt very small. He took a deep breath and centred himself in the Force, releasing his apprehension and sharpening his focus. His ability to use the Force was diminished from over a day of suspension in that force field, and he had a feeling he would need every bit of energy he could get.

Once again, he let his eyes wander over the crowd, ignoring the guards snickering at him and the wild cries for his blood from the audience. The arena was a pit of dark energy, disturbing the Living Force of this place, but his eyes were seeking the one friendly face this abomination had to offer. There he was, next to Anakin on the balcony with the Geonosian duke and Dooku, next to Padm�, who stared vacantly into space, under the influence of the Force suggestion Anakin had placed on her to keep her quiet. His head held high, back arched, defiance in every muscle of his body. His Obi-Wan. Oh how Qui- Gon would love to see his eyes right now. Obi-Wan's mere presence did wonders for his courage. As long as they were together, everything was possible. He would not, could not, contemplate what would happen if death did indeed take him today. If he did, his courage would fail and his tenacious hold on the Force slip, so he concentrated on the Moment and let dread go.

He smiled for Obi-Wan's benefit, even though he doubted his lover could see it from afar, allowing himself a brief regret for the Force collar around Obi-Wan's neck and the continued silence of the bond, but he released it into the Force and let the calmness of total focus descend over him as the drums and the order from the duke signalled the beginning of his execution.

The doors to the catacombs opened and Qui-Gon rolled his eyes at the dramatic death these people had devised for him. Why they hadn't just shot him was beyond him, but he supposed the crowd wanted its meat, its mood-setter for the long and bloody war these people were about to commit themselves to.

The creature that slowly emerged out of the shadows of the catacombs was large, green, and reminded him of an especially nasty Dagobese stick insect. Only he would be the one getting crushed if he wasn't careful.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and took survey of the situation with the Force, letting his senses take in all living beings in the arena with him. He would not give in without a fight. If they were going to kill him, he would sell his life for as high a price as he could get. He would not leave Obi-Wan alone if he could prevent it. Determined, focused and calm, he opened his eyes. He was Jedi, and as such he would live and die.

The creature advanced at him, but with a swift turn, he avoided a swipe of its sharp insectoid forelegs, the weapons this animal obviously used for hunting.

He timed his movements and the position of the chain so that the next strike severed his bonds, hitting so close to his wrists that the skin of his hands got scraped and the handcuffs came off as well, and he could move away from the column he had been bound to. The creature followed his movements with eager eyes, but his senses told him that it was a primitive and rather stupid hunter, its body armour and fierce strength obviously overriding any need for intellect. Qui-Gon evaded strike after strike with ease, keeping a part of his attention on the creature and using his senses to monitor the positions of the guards.

He let the arena, the noise, the feel of Obi-Wan's anxious eyes on him, the bloodlust coming from the audience all fade from his notice and concentrated only on the beast and the guards. Selecting a guard behind him as a target, he swiftly backed away, leading the creature on with him, towards the guard, but not too close so the guard wouldn't get suspicious and move.

Another blow. He jumped, somersaulted backwards and landed behind the guard on the back of the animal that carried him. With a few swift movements, he unseated the guard, grabbed the reins and the guard's weapon and spurred the animal on to carry him away from his hunter.

The other guards were surprised by his manoeuvre and were already closing in on him to take back their animal, but he reared it around and faced his attacker once more, gripping the spear tightly, letting the Living Force flow through him. He breathed deeply once, let the calm fill his every cell, and threw the spear.

Qui-Gon closed his eyes as the piercing dying scream of the creature filled the arena, letting relief seep through him. He had escaped one death. Another was waiting.

The roar in the audience swelled to deafening proportions, but Qui- Gon only heard the metal scraping against metal as the destroyers moved into place. He opened his eyes and found himself surrounded by a dozen war droids, a dozen blasters aimed at him. "Now that's hardly sporting," he murmured to himself. His eyes were inexorably drawn to Obi-Wan, pale and incredibly beautiful among all these bloodthirsty beings, he alone untainted by the dark emotions swirling around. "I love you," he whispered, aware that it in all likelihood would be the last time he had a chance to say it, even if Obi-Wan could not hear him. He smiled. They would see each other again in the Force. And until then, he would watch over Obi-Wan from there. For as he knew from first-hand experience, there was no death.

Just as he was about to avert his eyes and face his death, he saw a flash of purple and was almost blinded by the intense rush of hope.

Despite Anakin's overly dramatic announcement, Obi-Wan had to admit that watching helplessly as Qui-Gon fought against the acklay hadn't been one of the high points of their relationship. Still he had allowed himself a prideful smile when Qui-Gon had efficiently outmanoeuvred the creature.

The Force collar around his neck prevented him from reaching out with his mind to Qui-Gon and lending him his strength. The prolonged silence over their bond was highly discouraging and it felt like he lacked his sixth sense, which quite obviously he did. He wasn't able to do anything in his current situation. Cursing, Obi-Wan yanked at the cuffs that held his wrists bound behind his back, secured with a small chain to an iron ring embedded in the stone wall next to them.

Obi-Wan had given up all hope when the destroyers had been sent into the arena and circled Qui-Gon. It was then that for the first time the possible reality of losing Qui-Gon entered his mind and an unpleasant tremble ran down his spine. So far his hope in Qui-Gon's abilities had told him not to worry, but as the situation changed, so did his trust that they would get out here alive. His heart contracted painfully and he longed to scream in frustration at his inability to help his lover. He had known that the day would possibly come where they would be separated by death. A Jedi's life was destined to be short, considering the dangerous situations they found themselves in again and again. But not now, not yet, not like this!

Obi-Wan had always wished for them to die together in a fair battle if the time would come. He knew that they would see each other again in the Force, but he truly wasn't prepared to spend the rest of his days among the living alone and cut off from his lover's presence.

Suddenly, the situation in the arena changed. From one second to the next, the familiar flash of lightsabres lit up like beacons around the Geonosians, on balconies and on the stands. Obi-Wan, robbed of his connection to the Force by the Force collar, hadn't sensed them, and he wasn't sure if Qui-Gon had, given that he had been occupied with fighting for his life. With a small smile on his face, Obi-Wan looked down into the arena again. Qui-Gon had used the sudden confusion and had found himself fighting back to back with none other than his former Master, Mace Windu, and Windu's Padawan Junon. They covered each other's backs, reflecting the laser bolts shot in their direction, knocking out one battle droid after the other effectively.

Next to Obi-Wan, Padm� was still staring numbly at the scene unfolding in front of her. The combined force of the estimated 200 Jedi diminished the count of battle droids one by one, but for every 20 battle droids, one Jedi fell.

Again, Obi-Wan yanked quite fruitlessly at the cuffs that bound his hands. If he couldn't get his hands free, there was no way he could contribute to the battle going on below him. He felt powerless and useless, a feeling he hated more than anything else. Padm� would be of no help and he couldn't use the Force to make her open his chains.

Frantically, he looked around for any possibility to escape. On the balcony, Anakin, Dooku and Archduke Poggle the Lesser were commenting on the battle, obviously arguing about what to do next.

"The Jedi can't stand up against the army of battle droids," Dooku murmured. "They haven't got the slightest chance," he continued, arrogance clearly audible in his voice.

And he was right. The seemingly endless supply of reinforcements made the battle impossible to win, the battle droids clearly outnumbering the Jedi.

"This isn't how it is supposed to be," Nute Gunray intervened, throwing his hands in the air.

Dooku smiled an ugly smile, laying a hand on the viceroy's shoulder. "Be patient. They will die." Then he turned to a figure hidden in the shadows. "Jango, I need you down there."

A man stepped from the shadows, clad in heavy armour that looked slightly familiar to Obi-Wan. Jango Fett. The bounty hunter Qui-Gon had been following to Kamino. Jango nodded, then took off, leaving behind a small cloud of smelly smoke from his rocket-pack.

Down in the arena, the Jedi had been slowly driven back. Heaps of cut- down battle droids piled in front of them, but now the Jedi were retreating to the centre of the arena, slowly being circled by the approaching droids. Obi-Wan searched for Qui-Gon in the crowd, finding him still fighting back to back with Mace Windu. New reinforcements of battle droids approached whenever the rows of droids thinned.

Dooku grinned, then stepped forward to the balcony, resting a hand on the railing, lifting the other hand. The droids in the arena lowered their weapons, and in return the exhausted Jedi who suddenly weren't shot at anymore, shut off their lightsabres, too. The battle had stopped.

"Master Windu! You've fought gallantly. Worthy of recognition in the history archives of the Jedi Order. But now it is finished. Surrender � and your lives will be spared," Dooku addressed the Jedi Master, a smile of triumph playing around his lips.

"We will not give in so easily," Mace Windu shouted from below.

Chuckling, Count Dooku raised his hand again to give the droids order to fire away. "Then you'll be destroyed, I fear, my old friend."

Desperately, Obi-Wan watched as the droids raised their weapons again, ready to shoot. The sudden roar of approaching transportation made him look skywards. Several Republic assault ships were gliding towards the ground, spitting out heavily armoured troops, dressed in white battle suits. On one of the sinking assault cruisers, he spotted a small figure, dirty-brown robe fluttering in the crosswind. Master Yoda. The Reinforcement.

The assault ships landed in a cluster around the Jedi. More troopers spilled out, starting to fire at the droids. In a mad dash, the remaining Jedi ran towards the assault ship, scrambling on board one by one.

"We need to evacuate," Anakin said next to him.

Dooku nodded. "Take your prisoners. We need to go, now."

Frantically, Obi-Wan searched the chaos in the arena for Qui-Gon, who was dashing towards him, despite the stream of people fleeing into the assault ships in the opposite direction.

"Qui-Gon!"

Qui-Gon looked up and caught his gaze. Then, somebody unfastened the chain from the iron hold, gripped the back of Obi-Wan's tunic and hauled him from the balcony.

A rush of cream and brown, and suddenly he was surrounded by five Jedi, among them Seda, her Padawan Eri and Lieth. Another rush of blue and green, and lightsabres were dancing to shield him from the blasts that would have taken his life.

Qui-Gon was immobile for only one second, then he jumped down from his ride and ran the short distance towards his fellow Jedi. Lieth turned around and grinned, then tossed Qui-Gon a lightsabre. "Hey Jinn, heard you were in a bit of a tough spot."

Qui-Gon grinned back and held out his hands so Lieth could free his still-tied wrists. "I've never been happier to see you, Erics," he said and ignited the lightsabre, joining his fellow Jedi in battle.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Master Windu jump down from the balcony, his purple lightsabre making him unmissable in the crowd. Windu, closely followed by his new Padawan Junon, ran towards him, and Qui-Gon made his way through the chaos of battle droids, Geonosians and Jedi to once again fight side by side with his Master. He reached Windu and Junon and the three of them wordlessly fell into position and fighting rhythm.

"Where is Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon asked over the din of the battle.

"Still up there. I couldn't get to him, we'll have to do it later."

Qui-Gon's stomach sank. Damn.

It was soon clear to Qui-Gon as he fought and fought and fought that his triumphant feeling of being saved wouldn't last very long, for the Jedi were vastly outnumbered and outgunned, and what was worse, they had no defence against the strange traditional Geonosian energy pulse weapons. He saw Master Koth surrounded by several droids, watched as Knight Marfi's Padawan fell to the dust and another Master he didn't know crumpled to the ground under blaster fire.

Dust and blood and dying Jedi passing into the Force made for a cocktail of sensations Qui-Gon found overwhelming as he fought on. Then suddenly, there was silence. The complete, eerie silence that followed a cacophony of sound. No blaster fire, no Force calls, nothing.

Warily, Qui-Gon lowered his lightsabre and wiped his brow with his sleeve. He cast an eye up to the balcony, but he couldn't catch a glimpse of Obi-Wan, Anakin was blocking him completely. He had to get up there, he just had to.

While Dooku and Windu exchanged pleasantries about the Jedi's surrender, Qui-Gon's mind was working overtime, trying to find a way up to the balcony once hostilities were to recommence. The problem was breaking through the ring of battle droids and Geonosian warriors, but if he recruited Junon, Seda and Eri, maybe they could do it. His planning was interrupted by the recommencing blaster fire and his entire concentration was again taken up with not dying for the hundredth time this day.

They were going to be overwhelmed, though, in a matter of minutes. The Jedi's ranks were dangerously diminished and Qui-Gon himself knew that very soon he would just drop with exhaustion. No sleep, no food and Force deprivation had taken their toll, but as long as he could he would swing his sabre.

He faced his umpteenth battle droid now. Evade. Deflect. Spin. Slash. Suddenly the droid exploded before his blade had even made the most fleeting of contact. He looked up and smiled with relief. Finally, the backup. A small army of backup, from the looks of it.

The Jedi moved towards the transports but Qui-Gon saw his chance and started to run in the opposite direction. "We have to get to the balcony!" he yelled at Windu over the noise of the transport.

Qui-Gon looked at the balcony again, but chaos had reached the people there as well. He could see nothing but moving bodies and the glint of metal here and there. He wondered briefly what had happened to Jango Fett, but then remembered seeing his former Master kill the bounty hunter.

He heard Obi-Wan call out to him from above, and finally Qui-Gon could get a glance at what was happening on the balcony. "Sith!" he cursed when all he saw was a glimpse of Dooku leading Obi-Wan away, a blaster at his head, and Anakin dragging a practically catatonic Padm�.

"We have to get to them!" Qui-Gon yelled, before he was dragged to the nearest transport by his former Master.

When they reached the hangar, Dooku, Anakin and the prisoners had obviously already boarded a transport, speeding towards the sunset. Qui-Gon gestured at the pilot, a clone warrior he had noticed only now, to follow the transport. "Master, what are these clones doing here?" Qui-Gon asked, bewildered.

"Master Yoda went to Kamino and apparently thought we'd need a bit of help. Chancellor Palpatine has authorised the use of the clone army in the service of the Republic."

Qui-Gon shook his head. "I don't like this one bit."

"Neither do I, Padawan, but frankly right now I'm glad to be alive," Windu said with a wry grin.

"I missed you, Master," Qui-Gon said sincerely.

Windu nodded and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "I'm glad you're all right, Padawan."

Qui-Gon sighed. "The day's not over, Master."

They caught up with the other transport as it arrived at a small emergency hangar. Qui-Gon, Windu and Junon jumped out of the transport as soon as it had slowed down and ran after the group, lightsabres ready but not yet ignited. If they stopped Dooku and Anakin, they could possibly end this conflict, not to mention that Qui-Gon shuddered to think what either Dooku or Anakin would do to Obi-Wan or Padm� should they escape.

But he had no time to worry, he needed all his remaining focus to prepare for the fight that lay ahead of them. They stormed into the hangar, needing no more than a glance to tell them where to go. Qui-Gon knew that Windu and Junon would engage Dooku, so he needed to deal with Anakin. The three Jedi caught up with the traitors as they were about to board their ship. With dismay, Qui-Gon saw a crumpled form on the floor and recognised it as Obi-Wan. Padm� was sitting next to his unconscious lover, looking as if she was almost catatonic.

But Qui-Gon had no time for more than a stab of worry, for neither Dooku nor Anakin lost any time in attacking them. Lightsabres ignited, sizzled and met. Both Anakin's and Dooku's sabres were red. Qui-Gon released his fear into the Force, let the soothing touch of the Living Force take away his exhaustion and engaged.

They fought in silence. Strike. Parry. Turn. Anakin's technique was flawless, but under normal circumstances he would have been no match for a seasoned Knight like Qui-Gon. But the fight in the arena had already taxed Qui-Gon's depleted resources to a dangerous extent and he hung on to his focus and concentration by the skin of his teeth. He felt the dark emotions come from Anakin, hate, anger, fear, and allowed himself a brief stab of grief for the bright young boy he had known. He had tried to talk to Anakin several times while in that Force field, but he had met nothing but anger, defiance and an underlying frantic madness that made him shudder.

They fought and fought, green and red blade painting shadows on the wall, on his unconscious partner, on Padm�, the other three fighters locked in a combat as deadly as theirs. Qui-Gon felt his focus erode, felt the Force drain away as his exhausted body lost grip of it. It was inevitable now. He would lose.

Searing pain flared in his leg and he crumpled to the floor with a pained grunt. He had escaped certain death twice this day. Three seemed to be his lucky number. He lay on the floor, lightsabre still clutched in his hand, but unable to get back to his feet, waiting for Anakin to kill him. But the moment he crumpled to the floor, Anakin turned and ran towards his captives. "No!" Qui-Gon screamed, fear gripping and paralysing him as the Force left him in a rush. Unconsciousness beckoned, but he refused to surrender to it. He had to know what Anakin would do to Obi-Wan.

Windu, Junon and Dooku were still engaged in one of the most ferocious sabre fights Qui-Gon had witnessed in his life, baldes moving faster than he could keep track of without the Force. He was briefly reminded of Obi-Wan's and his duel with the Sith on Naboo. Both masters of the blade were determined, it seemed, to fight this out until death.

Qui-Gon returned his eyes to Anakin, half expecting him to join the fight and help Dooku, but apparently Anakin had no interest in the fight. He gave a sharp command to Padm�, who stood up and walked slowly to the waiting ship. Then Anakin dragged the unconscious Obi- Wan to the ship.

Qui-Gon's heart contracted in blind fear. Please, no. "Obi-Wan!" he screamed, hoping to rouse his lover, but Obi-Wan didn't stir. He wasn't dead, though, Qui-Gon could see him breathe. How long Anakin would let him live was another question, one Qui-Gon was afraid of answering.

He knew it was futile to try to stop Anakin. He couldn't get up, and crawling over to the ship would only result in getting them killed. Dismayed, he had to watch as Anakin dragged Obi-Wan into the ship and the ramp rose slowly to obscure his lover and the madman who had captured him. An idea struck him. The Geonosians had taken away his weapons, but not his utility belt, and he still had one tracer left. He used his last resources of Force energy to throw the tracer and collapsed in exhausted relief as it attached itself to the hull of Anakin's ship.

Only moments later, the engines roared to life and the ship began to move out of the hangar. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Dooku start and Windu's purple lightsabre make contact with the man's chest. Dooku crumpled to the floor and Windu rushed over to Qui-Gon, but Qui-Gon's gaze remained fixed on the ship that took Obi-Wan away.

Unconsciousness beckoned. This time Qui-Gon succumbed.

To be continued