Master
Apprentice  Archive
For the Worst
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Pairing: X/O eventually
Archive: Master_Apprentice, my site at http://www.geocities.com/area51/keep/8613/artists.html, anyone else, just ask
Category: AU, Angst, Drama, Xanatos/Other, Obi/Other, Pre-Slash
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None, pays absolutely no attention to canon
Sequel: For the Best
Summary: The Jedi are not the only ones to search for Qui-Gon and his charge. Feedback: Very welcome.
Warnings: M/M relationship. This is a very different AU. Direct sequel to For the Best, may be a bit confusing if you haven't read that story first.
Notes: Thanks for the always wonderful beta by Maig!
Knight Askari T'shen silently followed his partner, Knight Tradus Porim, into the Council's chamber. Askari had been here many times over the past three years and did not look forward to another session. With every mission status report given by his partner, the Councilors became more grim and though they said nothing more than 'keep searching', Askari could not help but feel they somehow blamed him personally for the team's lack of success.
Force knows that no one would dare to blame the arrogant, vastly annoying and almost willfully ignorant Porim, Master Mace's own blessed padawan, for the team's lack of success despite the fact that every lead they had followed dried up as soon as Knight Tradus Porim opened his mouth.
Askari took a deep breath and centered himself, keeping his irreverent thoughts deep behind his serene expression and impressive shields as Porim presented their lack of findings to the Council. He had tried to keep his dislike of Tradus strictly under control, had almost meditated himself into hyperspace trying to release his aversion of the other knight into the Force. But three years of following him on a fruitless search for Qui-Gon Jinn and the boy the former master had abducted from the Temple was enough to try the patience of Yoda himself.
As Knight Porim continued the report, Askari made sure his shields were firmly in place before he let his thoughts drift to his own self-assigned mission. He had taken on the task from a desire to understand why one of his best friends - and a favored lover - had Turned to the Dark.
The Council had never explained what had happened the night that Xanatos had Turned and killed three Jedi on his way out of the Temple but Askari had found the official rumors he'd heard to be laughable. He had been only a year ahead of Xanatos and he had known the padawan well, perhaps as well as Master Jinn. The two apprentices had shared more than a few long evenings with together.
That Xanatos had killed three knights of the Order could not be questioned. That he had been trying to get to the Kenobi child was also a documented fact. But the reasons for his actions had never been fully established by anyone and Askari just could not believe that Xanatos had finally cracked and gone off the deep end as the Council had stated.
Then there were the other rumors, seldom spoken but more believable to Askari, that indicated perhaps Xanatos had not turned to the Dark on his own but had been driven to it. Betrayal. A broken bond. A broken soul. The Kenobi boy catatonic in the healer's wing under heavy guard. And finally the boy's disappearance on the same day that Master Jinn had resigned and left the Temple.
That Master Jinn had left had stunned the Order. He had been one of the outstanding warriors of the Jedi, a diplomat without peer, and had never wavered in his dedication to the Order he served.
But when Master Billiba had left without even a word anyone, not even her own former padawan, Askari had truly started to wonder why.
Over the past three years, the young knight had questioned other Jedi, those in the Temple and those he encountered in their search for the missing master. He had researched every piece of data he'd found in the archives on the event of Xanatos' Turning and then quietly spoken with every witness he could find from that night three years back.
It was amazing how many of those witnesses had been transferred out of the Temple and were rarely allowed to return for downtime, especially those Jedi who had occupied apartments next to or near Master Jinn's apartments. But where there was a will to follow the Force, a way opened and Askari eventually spoke with everyone noted to have been in the area.
Most surprising were the accounts of the afternoon before the Turning, which he had gotten from unexpected sources in the crèche. Adding that information to what he had already gathered, the knight slowly developed his own theory as to what had happened that night.
When he stepped back to study the hypothesis, he started to question his own ability to reason and wondered if he wasn't chasing moonbeams. If such a thing were true, it called into question everything that Askari believed about the Jedi Order. It certainly left him with little trust or confidence in the Jedi Council.
Despite his growing doubts, he spoke to no one of his findings though he suspected he was not alone in his research. The Council insisted that he and Porim keep searching for the missing pair though Askari knew their talents could better be used in other missions. He had requested reassignment once and had been flatly turned down with the statement that he was needed on this mission. He suspected that it was because of his former master. Rumor had it that when she had left the Temple, Master Billaba had found her way to Master Jinn's side. Askari though that perhaps the Council hoped that his link with his former master might give them an idea of where Jinn was hiding.
The knight wondered how Master Windu had handled that particular rumor when it made its way to him. It was well known that the master had cut all ties and decried all friendship with his yearmate and companion. Then to find out that his own former padawan had possibly joined with Qui-Gon in his mission to keep the Kenobi boy out of Jedi hands...it must have cut him deep.
"Have you anything to add to Knight Porim's report, Knight T'shen?" Master Windu suddenly asked him, bringing the young man's full attention back to the Council.
"No, Master Windu," he responded with a dutiful expression.
The tall master looked at him with a heavy gaze before he nodded. "You will continue to search. I do not care what it takes but you will find Obi-Wan Kenobi and return him to the Temple."
"And what of Jinn?" Porim asked, his voice edging into arrogance. Not Master Jinn or Qui-Gon Jinn, only Jinn. Askari saw Master Yoda's right ear flick ever so slightly though the councilor said nothing of the knight's presumption.
"Kenobi is the focus of your mission," Mace confirmed. "Whatever it takes, we must find him."
Porim bowed and his lips curved in a deadly smile as he considered what his former master had not said. Master Yoda's eyes narrowed and he suddenly thumped his gimer stick sharply on the floor.
"Attempt to kill Master Jinn, you will not!" the small Jedi instructed harshly, his green eyes spearing the young knight with a hard look. "Misguided, he is. Enemy of the light, he is not!"
"Forgive me, Master Yoda, but should he stand in the way of my mission..." Porim began confidently but the small Councilor stood, drawing his authority as Head of the Order around him in a way that he seldom did.
"To find Obi-Wan and report back, your mission is," Yoda stated in a neutral tone that seemed far more eerie than any Askari had ever heard from him. Yoda's ears were low he continued speaking. "Retrieve the boy, we will. No reason, there is, for you to confront Master Jinn."
There was silence in the chamber as Yoda held the knight's eyes. Porim finally glanced away. "Of course, Master Yoda," he said through gritted teeth.
"Remember you will, that reasons there are for your orders." Yoda fingered his walking stick before he sat down and continued to glare at the knight. "Master of the Force, is Qui-Gon Jinn. Defeat you easily he would, or worse, should you give him reason."
Askari's jaw dropped for a moment at the small master's tart words and Porim slowly reddened with embarrassment. The younger knight quickly shoved his snickers into the Force as he assumed his serene expression again. Absently, he noticed Mace's sour look in the head councilor's direction.
"If that is all, Master Yoda?" Mace asked as he turned back to the knights standing before them.
"One thing more, there is," Yoda said calmly. "Difficult and time consuming has this mission been. Time off from this search, you need. Leave in five days, you will, for Yomith."
This was turning out to be the best mission report Askari had heard to date. He could have kissed Yoda for the time off the Councilor had just given them - time Askari planned to spend well away from his annoying partner.
Knight Porim, however, was not so happy, his irritation at the order quite palpable to everyone in the room.
"Five days? But Master Yoda, we could be on Yomith and found Kenobi by then!"
"Found him you have not in three years searching," the head councilor interrupted, his eyes moving more towards Mace, who was looking distinctly put out. "Downtime in the Temple you need. Meditation on arrogance and presumption, you need. Five days of rest and meditation. Find your focus again, you will. Less likely to make mistakes, you will be."
Porim stared at the little master and flushed at the suggested meditation. He quickly looked to his former master but Master Windu merely looked back, expressionless. The knight shoved his hands into the sleeves of his robe before he bowed again. "As you say, Master," he said sullenly. "Is that all?"
"You are free to go," Master Mundi said quietly as his eyes moved questioningly from Mace to Yoda then back to the pair of Jedi. "Report back to us before you leave for Yomith."
Askari and Porim bowed slightly and left the chamber. As the door slid shut behind them, Knight Porim promptly started cursing in every language he knew.
"Interfering dwarf," he finally hissed as the pair came out into the main corridors. "He's just trying to protect Jinn by keeping us here for five days while he's probably trying to contact the man to let him know we're coming!"
Askari stopped and grabbed his partner by the arm. "Do not suggest that Master Yoda is working against our mission," the knight snapped. "He is the Head of the Council and knows far more than either of us about what is going on with this situation."
"He is using his position to protect his former padawan!" Porim seethed loudly as he jerked his arm from Askari's grasp. "He always favored Jinn even when the man didn't deserve it."
"You assign characteristics to Master Yoda that might better find a place with your own master," Askari said in a flat tone as his gray eyes flashed intently.
"How dare you?" Porim gasped as stepped forward, anger written on his face.
"No, how dare you, Knight Porim?" Askari interrupted harshly. "You just challenged orders issued from the Head of the Council. Think you, Master Windu will protect you if you bring back the head of Qui-Gon Jinn?"
Several gasps pulled the combatants' attention to the spectators who had slowed as they passed on their way elsewhere. Porim glared at the eavesdroppers before he turned back to his partner. He tried to attain some level of serenity.
"I can see now why Master Yoda has suggested some down time here at the Temple for you, Knight T'shen," he said, his voice still carrying shades of anger. "Obviously, you have been away from the serenity of the Temple for too long. I suggest you use the time meditating the Sirius cycles."
"And I suggest you remember to whom Master Yoda was speaking when he suggested meditations on arrogance and presumption, Knight Porim," Askari replied, his expression serene as though he were discussing the weather. Tradus Porim grit his teeth but before he could speak again, Askari gave a slight bow. "See you in five days, Tradus," the knight stated as he walked away. He didn't have to look back to see Porim storm off in the opposite direction.
Even as he felt his partner's presence fade into the overall aura of the Temple, Askari was cursing his angry tongue. He had been so careful not to antagonize Porim in the past months but Knight T'shen just could not let the slight to Yoda pass. There were enough rumors flying about the Order without suspicions of duplicity falling on the Head of the Council.
As far as Askari was concerned, it was not Yoda but Master Windu whom they should be wary of. And now, because of his angry words, Mace would have some idea that Askari didn't like him and definitely didn't trust him. There was no doubt that Tradus was heading right to his former master with Askari's indirect accusations of favoritism.
The young knight sighed and headed to his own quarters. Meditation was definitely in order and later tonight, Force willing, Askari would try to see Master Yoda. Perhaps it was time for him to speak of his own suspicions to the old Jedi. At best, he might gain a better idea of what had happened three years ago when his best friend had Turned against the Order. At worst, perhaps he would finally be yanked off this hellish, ongoing mission and sent to the Outer Rim. Even dealing with the drug running Hutts would be better than spending any more time in Knight Porim's company.
Depa Billiba smiled gently at the old woman who handed her a package of fruit which she settled into her bag. Old Feesa always had a kind word for her as well as the recent gossip when Depa came to the village for supplies and the old cart keeper always had a small cream fruit which she saved ''specially for the boy since we's all know how much younguns eat'. Today was no exception as the old woman eyed the boy leaning against Depa's side, watching her with green eyes that seemed far too old for his young face.
"I's saved this for you, youngling," Feesa said with a smile, showing off her various missing teeth. "Would ya like it?"
The boy showed little expression as he leaned against his tall companion but his eyes seemed to lighten as he slowly nodded. Feesa grinned as she leaned down to hand the fruit over and the little one gingerly took it before burying his face in Depa's faded teal robe.
"What do you say, Ben?" Depa asked gently as she ran her fingers through his russet hair. The boy looked up at her and then at Feesa. He bit his lip and took a deep breath.
"Thank you, M'lady," he said in a soft, awkward voice but the small smile which briefly accompanied his words before he hid his face again made the old woman beam.
"The lad'll be a heart-breaker when 'e grows up, mark me words," Feesa cackled as she winked.
Depa shook her head as she gathered her shoulder bag and basket. "Not my little Ben," she denied as she reached down to take Ben's hand. "He'll hold close and cherish the heart he's destined for."
"Tha' won't stop the little ladies, tho," the cart keeper noted. "See thee next week, Kindle?"
"Of course, Feesa," Depa said with a nod. "Thank you for the spice tips."
"Always willin' to help a young couple make their way!" the old woman stated loudly. "And cookin' well will keep yer man happy."
"Quin definitely had a lot to say about that last recipe you gave me," came the reply and Depa had a hard time keeping a straight face as she looked down at her small companion. "Didn't he, Ben?"
The boy looked up and gave a definite nod though he said nothing. Feesa looked quite pleased as the pair finally moved away. "I'll give ye another recipe to try next week, Kindle lass," she called.
"Thank you, I'll look forward to it," Depa called back as they walked into the crowds. Her attention was drawn down to where Ben was tugging her hand and looking at her inquiringly before he made a face like he was tasting spiced lemons. She chuckled slightly and shook her head. "No, not really, little one," she assured him. "Feesa is only trying to be nice but I think Quin would toss me out of the house if I cooked another roasted olislug, don't you?"
The little boy smiled slightly but shook his head.
"No, he wouldn't toss me out but he would be far from pleased."
She got an agreeing nod and Ben tightened his fingers around hers as Depa led him through the village towards the spot where they would wait for the rickety transport that shuttled farmers out to outlying homesteads. Most of the day had been spent gathering fruit and spices they needed from the village market and while she was glad for the additional company, Depa would be glad to return to the quiet of their small homestead.
With a sigh, Depa settled onto the bench to wait for the next scheduled arrival of the transport and her young charge sat down close beside her, his fingers almost absently curling into the folds of her robe. Depa studied the boy for a long moment before she turned her thoughtful gaze towards the small village.
She had never thought that she might be happy with anything but what she had been raised for: her career as a knight, a position as a councilor, the trust of the Order. But as Obi-Wan snuggled up beside her, Depa had to admit that despite the fact that she was traveling with a fugitive from the Order that they both once served, she was happy.
Depa glanced down at Ben with a smile as she touched his hair again. He gave her a winsome smile before he turned back to watch the children playing just across from the transport stop. Several of the village youths were enjoying the last of the summer weather in the small play area across the road and laughter echoed through the air. Ben watched the other children almost curiously.
"Would you like to join them, Ben?" Depa asked a bit hopefully. "We can wait for the next transport if you'd like to play awhile."
The boy glanced up and quickly shook his head before he turned back to watching the other children. He rarely spoke unless prompted and Depa sighed inwardly at the boy's reluctance to interact with anyone outside herself and Qui-Gon. But at least there hadn't been a look of panic in his eyes at her suggestion.
It was only a few minutes wait before the crowded transport arrived. Depa paid the driver for two seats and she and her charge settled in for the long ride. Ben nibbled at his fruit and stared out the window at the passing scenery as Depa slipped into thoughts of the last three years.
She and Qui-Gon had moved several times, staying ahead of the Jedi by keeping their eyes, ears and Force sense open. She suspected that Qui-Gon maintained a contact or two in the Temple who sent him periodic information on the search for Obi-Wan just as she, herself, had friends on Coruscant she kept in contact with. Between the two former Jedi masters, they had managed to keep their young charge hidden from the Order in the outlying settlements of the galaxy.
Depa had found Qui-Gon almost immediately after she'd left the Temple and offered to go with him to help keep Obi-Wan hidden. He had refused her at first, still angry about the Council's actions towards his padawan, but Depa was nothing if not stubborn and Qui-Gon found that wherever he went, she followed. Eventually, he gave in and allowed her to move with them.
At that time, Obi-Wan was still lost in his own mind, still searching for the deep link, which had been torn away from him. It had taken patient months to coax the boy into consistent consciousness and then several more before he started to function normally again.
Depa glanced down at Obi-Wan and remembered the first word he'd spoken after a year of silence. He had looked up at her one morning at breakfast and said, "Xantoes?"
His voice was raspy from disuse and the tone he'd wrapped around the word was the saddest she'd ever heard. Beside her, she felt more than saw Qui-Gon tense. Gently, she'd reached over and brushed the hair from his eyes. She knew what Obi-Wan was asking.
"He is well, Obi-Wan," she'd said as she glanced at Qui-Gon. The former master's eyes were infinitely sad as he gazed at the little boy. Her next words were meant as much for Qui-Gon as for Obi-Wan. "And one day, you'll see him again."
The boy had looked at her a long moment before he'd turned back to his breakfast. He'd never mentioned Xanatos again.
Depa was pulled from her thoughts as Obi-Wan gently snuggled against her and closed his eyes. The former Jedi reached around him to take the fruit core from his relaxing hand and drop it into her bag before she settled her arm around his shoulders.
An hour or so later, Depa and her small companion watched the ancient transport rattle away before they turned to move up the path that led into the valley where they had been settled for the past six months. It was a pretty walk, if a bit steep, but neither Depa nor Obi-Wan had trouble with it. The little boy carried the small basket containing spices while his companion shouldered the fruits and vegetables that she had bought.
At a probing mental query from Qui-Gon, Depa glanced up at the sky and realized it was later than she had thought. She sent back a silent response before she hurried their steps a bit. Obi-Wan looked up at her curiously.
"Qui-Gon has dinner ready," she replied with a smile. "I did not realize it was so late." He nodded and then tugged a bit on her hand to indicate they should go faster. "All right, all right, I know you're hungry."
She was about to chide him on impatience when he suddenly came to a stop. He looked around sharply. Depa tensed as well and opened her sense completely, wondering why she'd let her guard drop so quickly when they'd settled on Yomith. She suddenly had reason to curse when she found the life presence of seven beings hidden in the forest around them.
"Drop the bags," a voice called from the woods to their left as the men she had sensed suddenly appeared, warily watching her as they pointed various types of blasters at her.
Obi-Wan barely noticed them, however. He glanced up at her with a frightened look on his face.
"Master!" he cried before he pulled away from her and ran down the path, instinctively dropping into a Force-assisted run that would put many a senior padawan to shame. As far as the men surrounding them were concerned, the boy might have just disappeared. Blasters were suddenly held in the firing position as the men closed in on her.
"Damn it! Where'd he go?" the leader demanded as he approached her, blaster held at ready.
She looked at him, her dark eyes expressionless as she dropped into what her former padawan had affectionately called her 'analytical, serene, and totally ready-to-kick-ass mode'.
"I wouldn't worry about the boy, if I were you," she stated calmly. "You have bigger problems.
Qui-Gon Jinn looked over the small homestead nestled into the side of this quiet valley and slowly let out a long breath. He'd sunk much of himself into the little place in the last six months despite the fact that he might have to leave it at any moment. Over the past years, he'd had to leave a lot of places he'd grown to love and each time he felt as though he were leaving a bit of himself behind.
The tall man sighed as he leaned against the doorway and watched the sun sinking beyond the wall of the valley. He could feel the evening wind rising and he wondered when Depa was going to get home with Obi-Wan.
A brief smile flickered across the man's face as he considered his small charge. The little boy had started speaking a bit more over the past months that they had been on this backwards little planet though he was, by no means, talkative. Qui-Gon and Depa thought it a very good day when they got more than a few words at a time from the boy and a smile from him was even more treasured. Slowly but surely, Obi-Wan was recovering from his ordeal at the hands of the Jedi Council though Qui-Gon silently worried that he'd never be the same exuberant child he remembered so briefly from the Temple.
Absently, Qui-Gon sent a probing thought along the link he shared with Depa. He got the impression that she and Obi-Wan weren't very far away and would be along shortly. He also got the impression that dinner had better be ready when they arrived.
Again, a smile flickered across his lips as he glanced into the small kitchen just beyond the open door. A rich stew was bubbling over the stove and the table was already set for the three of them. Depa would have no complaints from that direction.
Qui-Gon was about to go inside and complete his dinner preparations when a slight movement called his attention to the hillside along the path leading out of the valley. Curious, he focused on the area where he had caught the movement. Very few people came to see them and no one came without calling and letting the 'newly bonded' pair know beforehand. It was with a sense of foreboding from the Force that Qui-Gon found the presence of at least five sentients.
Instinctively, the former Jedi pushed out with all his senses, sweeping the area around his little home and found possibly six more, one of whom he found terribly familiar.
With a sinking feeling, Qui-Gon sent a warning burst along his bond to Depa as he called his lightsaber to his hand and stepped forward.
"Xanatos," he called, his voice echoing off the hillsides.
"Qui-Gon," came the calm reply as the former padawan stepped into view. As if that were the sign, the others with Xanatos appeared from their hiding places, all armed and well aware they faced a Master of the Force. "I'm surprised you let us get as close as this. You must be slipping."
Dressed in dark leathers, Xanatos walked forward with a casual, easy stride but Qui-Gon could feel the tension wound around his former apprentice's presence. Three years had done much to mature the young man. His dark hair had grown long and was pulled back from his face in a tail while his blue eyes were hard. His face now lacked any compassion that once might have been there and on his hip rode the lightsaber that Qui-Gon had helped him build - the saber that had taken Jedi lives. Qui-Gon wondered what color the blade was now.
"What do you want, Xanatos?" he asked, his voice mild.
"You know what I want," Xanatos growled as he stopped a few feet in front of his former Master. His men flanked him, ranging across the front of the house. "Where is Obi-Wan?"
Qui-Gon tilted his head slightly. "Xan, do you think I've kept him from the darkness infesting the Jedi for the past three years only to hand him over to the darkness infesting you?"
"He is mine!" the younger man snapped.
"He is not a possession," came the neutral reply though Qui-Gon's hands dropped to his sides. "He is a little boy."
"He is my bondmate no matter what you tried to do!" Xanatos seethed. "And I will have him back!"
Qui-Gon stepped forward, his lips pressed together in a show of anger the former padawan had never seen from his Master. Xanatos had his saber in hand before he could think but Qui-Gon stopped just in front of him.
"I had nothing to do with what happened to your bond, Xanatos," the former Jedi said in a low, angry tone. "If I had known what they planned, I never would have left you or Obi-Wan on Coruscant."
Qui-Gon saw the doubt that raced across his former apprentice's face for a moment before Xanatos firmed his determination again.
"I want the boy," he demanded.
"You cannot have him."
Xanatos stepped back and ignited his lightsaber and despite the situation, Qui-Gon gave an inward sigh of relief. The blade was not red but a deep umber that softly hummed in the afternoon light. The men who followed him moved several paces back as Qui-Gon palmed his own saber.
"Don't make me go through you, Qui-Gon," Xanatos said in a hard voice.
"You will have to, Padawan," the former Jedi Master replied, ready to defend himself. Xanatos' lips narrowed at the title.
"I am not your padawan," the man growled as he flashed his blade. "I am not a Jedi and want nothing to do with them ever again!"
Still, Qui-Gon's blade was not ignited. "I understand that, Xan," the former master stated in a no-nonsense tone, "but Obi-Wan is not ready to go with you. You are not ready to take him."
Xanatos' eyes narrowed into blue slits as he raised his blade. "You no longer have the power to make decisions for me, Qui-Gon Jinn," he grated. "Defend yourself!"
Qui-Gon ignited his blade just in time to parry his former apprentice's strike. "Xanatos, this is not the way!" the master snapped.
"He is mine! I will have him back!" Another strike, another parry, another whine of blades crashing together.
Qui-Gon didn't answer as he was distracted by Depa's sudden mental shout.
Depa?
I am surrounded. Obi-Wan got away from me. He knows something is wrong. I think he is headed in your direction. Her words were calm but he could feel her distraction as she dealt with the immediate threat.
"Where is he?" Xanatos demanded, bringing Qui-Gon's attention back to his fight. He could tell his former master was distracted and used it to his advantage as he picked up the speed of his strikes.
He lunged again as Qui-Gon suddenly backpedaled, pulled his blade up and shouted, "Obi-Wan, no!" One of his men shouted "Sir!" at the same time just as a small form barreled into Xanatos from the side, knocking him neatly off his feet. He was up within a few seconds and ready to fight but then he realized that he'd been side swiped by the very one he'd come looking for.
Obi-Wan wasted no time in swarming up Qui-Gon's tall form and wrapping himself tightly around the former master. Xanatos could barely hear the boy's voice repeating, "No no no no..." as Obi-Wan buried his face in Qui-Gon's neck and sobbed. He was visibly shaking and Qui-Gon wrapped his arms around the little one.
"It's all right, Obi-Wan, I'm fine, you're safe...."
And with those words, the former Jedi turned his back on his student and walked into the house. Xanatos stared at the open doorway a long moment before he deactivated his saber and attached it to his belt.
"Sir," one of his men called and Xanatos turned to him. The man pointed down the path as Depa Billaba moved smoothly over the ground as if she were treading the Council hallways on Coruscant. Xanatos gestured his men aside as she stalked up to him and gave him a glare that would have done a Sith master proud.
"You might wish to pick up the ones you set on me. They most likely need medical attention," she said before she too walked into the house, still leaving the doorway open.
Xanatos stared into that open doorway for a moment wondering if he'd ever had control of this situation despite that the fact that he'd initiated it. At least now he knew where his bondmate was.
With a flat expression, he turned back to his mercenaries. "Kans, you and R'na stay here. Send the rest to pick up the ones Master Billaba laid out."
The man nodded with a wary glance at the house before he turned to do his employer's bidding. Xanatos, however, had already dismissed the man from his mind as he turned back to Qui-Gon's home.
The former padawan struggled to focus his mind on his mission - that of retrieving Obi-Wan - but all he could see was Obi-Wan shivering in Qui-Gon's arms. The boy had actually defended Qui-Gon against his attack. But Obi-Wan was his bond mate, dammit! And if anyone should have been attacked, it should have been Qui-Gon!
Xanatos stared at the open doorway of the house for a long moment before he stalked purposely inside. He took only two steps before he stopped and looked around, surprised at how homey the place was. An open great room with many cushions for comfort scattered along the walls. Near the kitchen area was a table set for three and the scent of a rich stew, a particular favorite of Qui-Gon's if Xanatos remembered correctly, filled the air.
There was no one present though he could feel their presence in the Force. He could hear Obi-Wan still crying in a back room and Qui-Gon's soothing tones. He could also hear the banging of doors and the slamming of drawers and he had to wonder if that was the ever-so-serene Depa.
He moved towards the hallway from where Obi-Wan's sobs were echoing when Depa appeared with a couple of carrybags. Her eyes were cold and her expression frozen as she dropped the bags she was holding and stalked towards him.
"You," she snapped and then pointed towards a chair near the kitchen table. "Sit!" Xanatos looked at her as if she'd lost her mind but Depa merely grit her teeth and repeated her command. "Sit down."
Xanatos sat.
"Now you will listen to me," she stated as she moved to stand before him. He could see her struggle for serenity and he could tell the exact moment when she finally decided that serenity just wouldn't cut it this time.
"We have spent the last three years putting that little boy back together," she began in a voice that would freeze the desert sands of Ashoth. "He didn't speak the first year he was with us and he didn't smile the second year. We've made great strides with him but it's only in the past few months that he can get through an entire night without a nightmare and then you come along and scare him right out of his next year's growth!"
Xanatos watched as she actually paced in front of him and then came to a stop before him. She leaned forward to make sure he was paying attention and the former Jedi padawan leaned back ever so slightly.
"I understand that you want your bondmate back, Xanatos, and I understand that you've been driven to rash actions in the past years because of the broken bond. But if you ever make Obi-Wan cry like this again, I will personally make certain that you never have the ability to consummate any bond much less the one between you and Obi-Wan. And the next smuggler I come upon with have a new pair of fuzzy decorations to hang in his cockpit. Do I make myself quite clear on this?"
Xanatos had a sudden memory of his former lover, Askari, saying, "Jedi may be the guardians of peace in the galaxy and believe in virtues of patience, courage and wisdom, but when Master Depa starts talking through her teeth, you'd better just lay low and say 'Yes, Ma'am'!"
"Yes, Ma'am," he said and Depa eyed him for another long moment before she backed off a step or two. Xanatos straightened in his chair and then stood. "But there is something that you need to understand, Master Billaba, and that is that Obi-Wan is my bondmate and I am not leaving without him."
"Obi-Wan is not ready to go with you," she replied firmly, obviously regaining control of her anger before she turned to pick up one of the bags she had dropped on the floor and moved towards the kitchen. "And you are not ready to take him."
"What the hells do you mean, I'm not ready to take him!" Xanatos snapped as he followed her. She didn't answer as she set the open bag on a counter and started opening various drawers. When she didn't respond, he grabbed her arm and pulled her around to face him. "I want him back!," he said in a low, rough tone. "I need him! Every day I feel the pain of the separation from him. Every damn day the pain gets harder to bear!"
"Then come with us," Qui-Gon said from the hallway and Xanatos jerked around to face him. Obi-Wan was still curled around him, arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders and his face buried in Qui-Gon's neck but at least the little boy had stopped crying. Xanatos drank in the sight and presence of his little bondmate for a full minute before he understood the words his former master had said.
"What?" he asked faintly.
"Come with us, Xan," Qui-Gon said. He moved closer to the former padawan until the small form moved restlessly in his arms. "We have to move to another location."
"Why are you leaving?" Xanatos asked, trying to bring his mind into focus while Obi-Wan's presence wreaked havoc with his concentration.
"If you could find us here on Yomith then so can the Jedi," Depa stated as she threw various items from the kitchen drawers into the bag on the counter. She seemed to be making quite a bit of noise as she did that.
"We've already set up our next location," Qui-Gon continued in a persuasive tone, ignoring the glare Depa was sending his way. "All we need to do is pack our bags and leave. Come with us."
Xanatos cleared his thoughts enough to understand the offer that his former master was making.
"Why?" he finally asked, "I tried to kill you, Qui-Gon. Why do you think you can trust me?"
"You were trying to get Obi-Wan, Xan," the master stated calmly. "I could not allow that because neither of you is ready. But it is not our intention to keep you separated." There was an un-jedi-like snort from the kitchen area but both men ignored it.
"Qui-Gon," Xanatos responded in a tone that hardened as he spoke. "I don't care what your intentions are. All I want is Obi-Wan. I don't want you, I don't want Master Billiba. All I want is my bondmate."
The master stared at his former student with a sad gaze before slowly nodded. "Depa, will you come here please?"
The woman walked over and with a little coaxing, Qui-Gon transferred the child in his arms over to her. Then he turned his full attention to his former apprentice.
"Very well, Xanatos," he said in a weary tone. "I will show you why we cannot allow you to take him yet."
At his words, the link that had never fully broken between them flared to life with images that Xanatos found he could not block out. Images of a pale and lifeless Obi-Wan, attached to life-support systems in the Temple, of Qui-Gon and Depa slowly coaxing the boy back to consciousness, visions and sounds of the boy awakening in the night with screams of terror. Xanatos was buried under a kaleidoscope of images from the last three years as Qui-Gon and Depa struggled to bring the little boy back to life.
"Please. Please, Master, stop," Xanatos whispered from the floor where he had fallen to his knees, his hands pressing against his chest. Tears glistened unheeded on his cheeks. "Please. Hurts. It hurts."
Qui-Gon knelt beside him, a hand in the younger man's hair. "I'm sorry, Xan, I know it hurts. I know you hurt. But taking Obi-Wan now would not ease that pain. It would only make it greater. He is not ready to let you back into his soul. You both need to heal first."
Xanatos struggled to bring his breathing under control and to will the pain in his chest away. He had learned how to ignore it, the constant pain of his broken bond, but this time it was so strong, he could not concentrate enough to control it.
Then a soft touch to his cheek brought an immediate lessening of the pain as if a cool wind had passed over him. Xanatos opened his eyes to find Obi-Wan standing behind Qui-Gon's shoulder, one hand twined in the master's brown hair while the other reached around to wipe at the tears on Xanatos' face. The little boy met his eyes for only an instant before he turned to Qui-Gon.
"Hurts, Master, make him stop crying," the boy said in a soft tone.
"I know he hurts, Obi," the man replied seriously. "But I think you made him feel better."
Obi-Wan considered this and then he changed the subject. "We're leaving?" he asked.
"Yes, we're leaving tonight."
The little boy sighed and glanced down before he nodded. "I'll help Depa."
Then he walked back to the other master, who had viewed the little interchange with wide eyes. Qui-Gon watched the boy for a moment with a fond smile on his face before he turned back to find Xanatos glaring at him.
"Is he your apprentice then?" the man asked, his tone flat as he raised his chin. Qui-Gon could sense various emotions whirling through the shields which had collapsed for the moment. Anger, hurt, betrayal.
"No, Xanatos, he is not my apprentice," Qui-Gon stated with no doubt. "I teach him what he needs to know to learn the ways of the Force until such a time when he can decide if he wants to continue."
"Then why does he call you Master?" the younger man demanded.
Qui-Gon looked at him for a long, silent moment before he gently reached forward to wipe at the tears still on Xanatos' face.
"Because, that is what he remembers you calling me," he replied as he stood. "Are you coming with us?"
Xanatos took a deep breath and then stood, facing the man he'd once revered above all others. "Yes. Yes, I am coming with you."