Never Alone

by Krystine (Krystine3@worldnet.att.net)

Archive: MA, anyone else just let me know

Category: H/C, Angst, slightly Non-Con

Rating: R

Pairing: Q/O, Q/CD (implied)

Warnings: Contains spoilers for Ep II, there's a threat of non-con

Diclaimer: The characters/places used in this story all belong to Mr. Lucas, no disrespect (or profit) is intended.

Feedback: All comments are greatly appreciated

Notes: Huge thanks to Crystal for all of her help and suggestions

Summary: While being held prisoner on Geonosis, Obi-Wan learns he is not alone.

Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi knew he should be focusing his attention on formulating an escape plan, but the tiny blue arcs of energy the restraining force field directed into his body at regular intervals made it difficult to concentrate for any length of time. With luck, the Council had already received his transmission and was in the process of dispatching a team to deal with the threat on Geonosis.

More than likely, he speculated, it would be his apprentice arriving first with the noble intention of rescuing him. As much as Obi-Wan appreciated the thought, he sent a silent plea that Anakin would obey the Council's orders and stay with Senator Amidala on Naboo. No, he remembered ruefully. His padawan had already gone against orders and was on Tatooine. What was he doing....?

The thought was interrupted by another sharp electric pulse traveling over nerves already seared by the blast of the droidekas' stunner. The field restraining him blocked all connection to the Force, preventing him from dissipating the currents into the cavern around him. Biting his lip to stifle the cry of agony, Obi-Wan waited for the pain to peak before slowly receding into numbness, allowing him a small respite before the next pulse generated.

Rotating towards the front of the chamber, Obi-Wan was dismayed to find former Jedi Master, Count Dooku, standing at the entrance watching him intently. "My friend," Dooku greeted. "This is a mistake, they have gone too far!"

"I thought you were their leader here, Dooku."

"I had nothing to do with this! I assure you, I will immediately petition to have you released," the noble man promised as he approached the captive Jedi.

"Well, I hope it doesn't take too long," Obi-Wan replied, straining to keep Dooku in his vision. "I have work to do."

"And may I ask why a Jedi Knight is all of the way out here?"

"I've been tracking a bounty hunter named Jango Fett. Do you know him?"

The older man waited until the suspended knight rotated to face him before answering. "There are no bounty hunters here that I'm aware of. Geonosians don't trust them."

Obi-Wan snickered. "Well who can blame them? But I assure you, he is here."

Count Dooku's eyes narrowed at the suggestion. Waiting until the Jedi made another full rotation, the elder softened his manner and began walking alongside the suspended captive.

It suddenly occurred to Obi-Wan that too much time had passed since the last shock had been generated. Wondering if the reprieve was due to a kindness bestowed by his captor or an attempt to catch him off guard, he allowed the thought to distract him and was completely unprepared for the Count's next statement.

"It's a great pity our paths have never crossed before, Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon always spoke very highly of you."

Obi-Wan's eyes closed involuntarily at the mention of his slain master's name. Not a day had passed since Qui-Gon's death that he had not thought of his master, had not missed him.

"I wish he were still alive," the former Jedi Master continued wistfully, oblivious to Obi-Wan's grief. "I could use his help."

At that, Obi-Wan's head turned sharply and he glared at the man speaking to him. "Qui-Gon would never join you," he hissed.

"Don't be so sure, my young Jedi. You forget that Qui-Gon was once my apprentice just as you were once his."

Flicking his wrist at the wall, Dooku used the Force to manipulate the controls of the field restrainer, halting the rotating knight. Obi-Wan's groin was now directly at his eye level.

"I saw to his instruction in a great many things," the elder boasted, the implication all too clear.

"No!" Obi-Wan fiercely defended. "Qui-Gon would never!"

"Ah, but he did. He craved my instruction, begged for my touch. Just as you soon will, Obi-Wan," Dooku promised as he caressed the suspended knight's inner thigh.

"Never!" Obi-Wan vowed as he struggled to pull away from the hand now fondling his leggings over his cock.

"A challenge," Dooku noted, amused at the certainty of his captive. "I would expect nothing less from Qui-Gon's apprentice. I look forward to breaking you, young one."

Obi-Wan turned his head and focused his vision on the far wall as his leggings were loosened. He was determined not to give Count Dooku the satisfaction of seeing him dishonor his master's teachings by crying out like a frightened child.

"Yes, I shall enjoy this..." Dooku halted in mid-sentence, acutely aware of the humming sound now filling the small chamber.

Obi-Wan heard it too, just above the crackle of the field restrainer. He instantly recognized the hum of an activated lightsaber. It seemed to be originating from somewhere behind him, but Obi-Wan was unable to turn far enough to see who carried the weapon.

Count Dooku, meanwhile, had a clear view of the new threat. Taking a few steps back, he acknowledged the chamber's additional occupant as the man approached.

"Qui-Gon Jinn," he noted dryly, unconcerned that the Jedi standing before him had been dead ten years. "I must admit, I did not expect to ever see you again. Trust you to find a way to come back."

Qui-Gon stopped in front of Obi-Wan, noting the bands of energy restraining and suspending him, before gazing into the shocked knight's face. A brief flash of sorrow passed through the blue eyes before he turned away, once again regarding the person responsible for his padawan's imprisonment.

"What have you done to my padawan?"

"Only what he truly desires," Dooku replied as he powered his own lightsaber and brought the deadly blade against his former apprentice.

"Liar!" Qui-Gon hissed, easily blocking the blow.

Obi-Wan watched helplessly as the red blade carefully slashed repeatedly at his master. Each onslaught was met and driven back by the steady green blade. It was as though the battle at the generator core on Naboo was taking place all over again - Qui-Gon fighting the red-bladed terror, Obi-Wan trapped and unable to do anything more than watch.

The two warriors moved around the chamber, exchanging intricate parries and strikes in a fighting style rarely practiced by contemporary Jedi. The movements were simple yet precise, requiring deftness borne of instinct rather than thought. The overall effect created the illusion of a dance that would have been truly breathtaking if not for its deadliness.

As the battle progressed, neither side showed signs of fatigue until a carefully manipulated opening was exploited. A shower of sparks flew around the combatants as one blade was clumsily brought to the side in a desperate attempt to block the strike at an unprotected flank. The advantage of the battle now seemed to be shifting as one man initiated a series of fierce attacks forcing the other to scramble back to the center of the chamber to avoid being struck.

In a desperate attempt to regain control, Count Dooku maneuvered so that Obi-Wan was to his right. Without hesitation, he aimed his strike at the suspended man's thigh and as expected, the blow was deflected, forcing his blade down and piercing the power cell of the force restrainer.

Amid a shower of burning sparks, the electric bands encircling Obi-Wan's wrists and ankles disappeared, immediately dropping the knight. Before he could hit the ground, an arc of blue lighting struck the weakened man in the chest, propelling him across the cavern. Qui-Gon could do no more than send out a Force buffer to help cushion Obi-Wan as he collided painfully with the rock wall.

Taking advantage of his opponent's distraction, Dooku made his escape. As much as he despised retreat, he understood he could not defeat a man Force-strengthened in his return to life. There would be another time to capture Obi-Wan Kenobi, he would make certain of it.

Qui-Gon watched the retreating figure for a moment before rushing to his injured apprentice. Lifting the bruised body, he carefully cradled Obi-Wan in his arms.

"Master?" Obi-Wan whispered, struggling against the dimness blurring his vision.

"Don't try to speak, Obi-Wan. You're safe now," Qui-Gon soothed. "Rest and regain your strength."

"How?" the weakened knight questioned as trembling fingers reached to touch the graying beard.

Qui-Gon smiled as he caught the unsteady hand. He gently rubbed his face against skin burned by the electric restraints before brushing light kisses across each finger. "It is the will of the Force, my Padawan. I continue to serve it now, just as I did when I was at your side."

Exhausted eyes regarded the older man for a moment, accepting the words as a lesson that confirmed the very heart of the Jedi code. There is no death; there is the Force. The man now holding him was proof of this.

Looking into the eyes he remembered so well, Qui-Gon hesitated only a moment before bringing his lips to meet those of his beloved in their first kiss. The kiss, though brief, conveyed the emotions and promises Qui-Gon had been prevented from revealing during their time together as master and padawan.

Knowing time grew short, he reluctantly pulled away. "I must go now, Obi-Wan. I cannot stay."

Panicked, Obi-Wan tightened his grip on the hand of the one who had returned to save him "No, Master. Please ... don't leave me again."

Leaning forward, Qui-Gon gently nuzzled Obi-Wan's forehead. "I am always with you, my Obi-Wan. Never doubt this," he whispered before sealing his promise in an impassioned kiss.

Withdrawing regretfully, Qui-Gon carefully settled his beloved on floor. "Rest now," he coaxed with the Force. Unfocused eyes blinked questioningly a few times before closing in obedience.

"You are never alone, my love" Qui-Gon whispered as he stood. "Never alone."

The heavy metal door clashed against the rock wall, its echo piercing the quiet as Anakin Skywalker rushed forward and found his master lying on the ground against the far wall of the chamber. Ignoring the cloud of mist lingering over the unconscious man, the young apprentice quickly covered the remaining distance and dropped to his knees, gingerly lifting the limp body into his arms.

"Everything is all right, Master," the young man soothed as he embraced him. "I'm here now. You're not alone anymore."

A small smile played across the master's face. "Never alone," the sleeping man muttered. "Never alone."

Finis