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Qui-Gon stared at the boy in utter disbelief. In a daze, he stumbled to the nearest chair and sat down hard. Everything they had gained, all the healing, it could not be lost! He refused to believe it. Fate could not be so cruel as to show him the life he could have only to snatch it away. And what of Anakin? He and Obi-Wan had grown quite close over these last days. How was his padawan coping?

"Master..." Ani called out. The pained look on his master's face was frightening him.

"Come here," Qui-Gon whispered gruffly. Anakin slid off the bio bed, careful not to wake the sleeping knight. He walked slowly and climbed onto Qui-Gon's lap. He sighed as his master wrapped his arms around him and hugged him tightly.

"I am sorry, Padawan. I did not mean to frighten you," Qui-Gon apologized in a hushed voice. "To lose all that we have become to one another, I do not think I could bear it."

"But you could get it back," Anakin argued. "I know it would be hard. He went from loving you back to being hurt again. But deep down, he's still Obi-Wan. And he still loves you."

"You are right, Padawan," Qui-Gon agreed. "But to see the mistrust in his eyes tears at my soul."

"The healers said it may not be permanent," Anakin offered, looking for any hope for his master to cling to.

"Let us hope then," was Qui-Gon's only reply.

"Master," Anakin said after a minute.

"Yes, Padawan," Qui-Gon said as he continued to stare at the sleeping knight.

"There's something else," he hesitated

Steeling himself for more bad news, he motioned for Anakin to continue.

"He thinks he's been cast out," the boy whispered in a rush. A wave of guilt followed the words and Qui-Gon tightened his grip on the boy out of reflex.

"Tell me," was all he said.

"He woke up, and I didn't know he lost his memories. He asked about you and I called you Master and he asked if I was your Padawan now and I said yes. Then he noticed his braid was missing and he thinks they threw him out. He thinks they threw him out because of me."

Qui-Gon could feel the pain in that last statement. He turned Anakin to face him and looked down into tear-filled eyes. He sent a wave of understanding and support along their bond.

"It was not your fault, Ani," the Jedi master whispered. "You had no way to know. You were only answering honestly."

"But he thinks..."

"I know," Qui-Gon cut him off. "And when he awakens, I will make sure he knows the truth. All of it."

"The healers said not to tell him anything," Anakin cautioned.

"The healers, my dear Padawan, can go to Hoth for all I care."

Anakin tried not to giggle at the man's reply. He felt some of his apprehension drain away at his master's attempt at levity. He had to trust that everything would be all right again. Any other outcome was just too sad to think about.

Qui-Gon felt the boy relax at his small show of rebellion. He knew boy was deeply worried about Obi-Wan and felt no small amount of guilt over the latest misunderstanding. He would do his best to assuage the boy, but in his heart he knew only Obi-Wan could do that.

Relaxing as best he could in the uncomfortable chair, Qui-Gon tried to clear his mind. He would need his wits about him when Obi-Wan awoke. He would explain all that had happened, as summarily as possible, since Obi-Wan's last memory. He hoped the knight would accept it. Remembering back to the hurt young man of the Council chamber, he knew he had his work cut out for him. And to top things off, Haleen was still on the loose somewhere. Qui-Gon cast that thought aside quickly. His first priority was to Obi-Wan right now. They would deal with Haleen later.

Obi-Wan came awake slowly. He knew he was in the infirmary and that he was not on Coruscant. Perhaps this was where he had been sent after being expelled. But if that was the case, then why was Master Jinn here? As his mind came fully awake, Obi-Wan realized he was not alone in the bed. His eyes flew open quickly, visions of small pale creatures running threw his head. He breathed a sigh of relief that it was merely the Skywalker child curled around him.

"Did you sleep well?" came a deep and familiar voice from beside him. Obi-Wan turned his head to find Master Jinn sitting next to his bed. It was then that Obi-Wan noticed his hand was being held by the Jedi.

"Master Jinn?" he said questioningly, not sure what to ask first. A look of intense pain crossed over the master's face before being locked away. Obi-Wan wondered what might have caused such a look and was about to ask when Qui-Gon held up his hand, stopping him.

"Obi-Wan," he began. "There are things I need to tell you. The healers say not to, but I can not leave you ignorant of all that has transpired. Much has happened since you last recall. Tell me, what is the last thing you remember?"

"The Council meeting," Obi-Wan replied after thinking for a moment. "Where you asked... asked to take Anakin... as your Padawan."

"Then that is where I shall begin," Qui-Gon said, doing his best to ignore the pain in the young knight's voice. "But first, let me tell you, you are NOT cast you. You are actually a Knight now. That is why your Padawan braid is missing."

"What?" came the startled reply.

Patiently Qui-Gon explained it all. From the fight on Naboo, including his near death, to the events of the last few days. He kept his information sketchy, leaving out a good deal of the details, but he told Obi-Wan the important parts. Or at least what he hoped were the important parts.

"You mean to say... we are lovers?" the young man asked. The disbelief in his voice was plain to hear and it hurt Qui-Gon like few things could.

"Not yet," he answered honestly. "But we were working on it."

"And you say I have a bond with the boy, Anakin?" he questioned. He was doing his best to understand everything the other man had just told him.

"Yes, or the beginnings of one," Qui-Gon replied, his voice growing wistful. "I was fancying asking you to formally help in his training. Share the responsibility with me."

"YOU actually wanted ME to help train the Chosen One?" Obi-Wan exclaimed. The look of utter shock on his face made Qui-Gon frown.

"Yes, Obi-Wan. Why does that seem so outrageous to you?"

"Master, with all due respect, if I wasn't good enough to be your padawan, why would you think me good enough to train the Chosen One?"

"DAMN IT, BOY!" Qui-Gon yelled, causing Obi-Wan to flinch. Anakin stirred in his sleep and Qui-Gon quickly used the Force to ensure the boy did not wake up.

"You were always good enough, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon began again after taking a deep breath and sitting down once more. "You were the best padawan I ever had. You are more than good enough to train any apprentice, Chosen One or not."

"I am sorry I upset you, Master Jinn," Obi-Wan replied carefully.

"By all the gods, don't call me that!" Qui-Gon wailed.

"Then what would you have me call you?" Obi-Wan demanded, his own temper growing short.

"Call me Qui-Gon. Call me Master. Call me Jackass. Anything but Master Jinn. Anything but the name of a man you despise."

"I do not despise you, Qui-Gon," the young man said evenly. "I am at a bit of a loss as to how to respond. You tell me we are becoming lovers, yet the last thing I remember is you telling the entire Council that you no longer wanted me. I am having difficulty reconciling the two."

"I know," Qui-Gon said softly. "And I am sorry. So much has happened. I came so close to losing you before this mission even began. I do not mean to upset you any further, but I could not allow you to think that I did not care for you. For whatever small bit it is worth, I love you, Obi-Wan Kenobi. With all that I am, I love you."

"I just need some time, Qui-Gon," the young man replied and Qui-Gon smiled. Not so long ago he had said those very same words.

"We have all the time in the world, Obi-Wan. I will give you the time you wish for, but I will not leave your side. Not here, at least. There have already been two attempts on your life. I will not risk it." The quiet determination in Qui-Gon's voice made Obi-Wan think better of arguing. And truth be told, he was glad for the man's presence. Closing his eyes, he let sleep claim him again. Maybe in the morning, things would make more sense.

The next morning, Obi-Wan awoke to find Qui-Gon sitting beside his bed. Apparently the man had meant what he said about not leaving his side. Anakin was still wrapped around him, sleeping soundly. He smiled down at the sleeping child, marveling at the trust bestowed upon him. He looked back at Qui-Gon and his smile faded. The Jedi master did not look happy.

"I have spoken with the Council," he said in reply to Obi-Wan's concerned look. "They are less than pleased by what has happened. And they are quite anxious for us to find Haleen and get to the bottom of this. They suggested sending in another team, but I asked them to wait until I had spoken with you."

"I would prefer to finish this ourselves," Obi-Wan said. "Unless you think me unable to."

"Do you feel strong enough to try?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Yes," Obi-Wan replied firmly.

"Then that is good enough for me," the Jedi master said as he rose to place another call to Coruscant. "I shall inform the Council that we are more than capable of finishing our mission."

Obi-Wan remained silent as Qui-Gon placed the call. The absolute conviction in the man's voice as he spoke to the Council heartened him. If his master believed in him enough to proclaim it to the Council then maybe things really were the way Qui-Gon said last night. Oh how he wished what his master said was true. Some small part of his mind argued that in all their time together, Qui-Gon had never once lied to him. But the larger part refused to leave him open to that kind of pain again. He would tread carefully where Qui-Gon Jinn was concerned. Besides, right now, they had a mission to complete. Everything else could wait.

Anakin awoke while Qui-Gon was talking with the Council. Obi-Wan quickly brought the boy up to speed on current events. He smiled when Obi-Wan told him of Qui-Gon's faith in his ability to complete the mission. A whispered "I told you so" made Obi-Wan blush. He could easily see how this child had found a way into his heart.

Qui-Gon returned to find the two occupants of the bed awake and whispering to one another. His heart clenched at the scene. At least Anakin was finding a way to bridge the gap Obi-Wan's memory loss had put between them. He rather thought his own bridge would be a bit harder in the making.

"Master," the two occupants said in unison as Qui-Gon approached. All three smiled and the subtle tension seemed to ease just a bit.

"What did the Council have to say?" Obi-Wan asked as Anakin jumped down from the bed and he swung his own legs around and sat up. The motion made him reel slightly causing two sets of eyes to watch him intently.

"They agreed to leave the decision to us," he said. "It would take days to get another team here anyway. I expect they have one en route. Just in case it turns out we can't handle things. But they chose to keep that to themselves. So, for the time being at least, we are still in charge of our mission."

"Good," Obi-Wan replied. His keen sense of duty balked at the thought of others having to come in and clean up the mess he had made of this assignment. It would look badly for him as a new knight, but it would look worse for his master.

"Are you sure you're up to this, Obi?" Anakin questioned softly. He stood by Qui-Gon's side but his eyes were glued to Obi-Wan who had paled slightly since sitting up.

"I have been better, Ani," he admitted. "But I would like to finish this mission. I do believe I am up to it."

"Okay," the boy said. "But if it gets to be too much, say something."

"I promise," the knight replied seriously.

"So what is our first order of business, Qui-Gon?" Obi-Wan asked, bringing the conversation back around to the important matters.

"First, a shower then breakfast," the Jedi master replied. "Then I believe a visit to Mr. Haleen is in order."

The remainder of Obi-Wan's sleep was peaceful. Qui-Gon made sure of that. Both Jedi awoke feeling rested, their centers more at peace. Qui-Gon could sense that the battle to come would be a fierce one and was grateful for the rock-solid presence of the young knight beside him. If nothing else, he knew Obi-Wan would guard his back. And for now, that would have to be enough.

They rose from their bed as quietly as they could, trying to let Anakin sleep. Qui-Gon considered leaving his padawan behind but something in the Force told him it would be a mistake. He would have to trust that bringing the boy with them would not be an even greater one. Force help him, but he wanted to gather the other two up and run far and fast, leaving this mess for someone else. But Obi-Wan wanted to finish it, so Qui-Gon would remain by his side. Right where he belonged.

They reached the landing bay well in advance of Haleen. Concealing themselves as best they could, the three Jedi waited. Qui-Gon meditated, hoping to set an example for his young padawan to follow. To the boy's credit, he did his best to emulate his master, curbing his youthful
exuberance ruthlessly. Obi-Wan, on the other hand, was the picture of serenity. On the outside, anyway. His inner emotions were anything but serene as he struggled against both his fears and his desires for vengeance.

As much as Qui-Gon wanted to reach out to the young knight, he held back. Some battles could only be fought alone. Before Obi-Wan's amnesia, he might have offered. Now, he could not. His place with the other man was tenuous at best and he knew it. He pushed away his despair at the thought of what his life would be like should Obi-Wan never regain his memories. This was
neither the time nor the place for such things. He would trust in the Force to see them through this. Any other alternative was unthinkable.

Hours passed before a cloaked figure entered the hanger. Haleen's aura was easily identified as was the fear surrounding it. Cautioning Anakin to stay back, the two Jedi stepped out from their hiding place and confronted their enemy.

Haleen halted in surprise as he came face to face with Jinn and Kenobi. His employer has assured him that the two would be busy elsewhere while he made good his escape. He knew he should never have trusted the man. Now he stood before two very angry and very well armed warriors. One of which he had tried to kill not once but twice.

"Going somewhere?" Obi-Wan asked menacingly, his lightsaber ablaze.

"Devan Haleen, you are under arrest for the attempted murder of a representative of the Republic," Qui-Gon said, his voice devoid of emotion. "You will come with us for questioning."

"If I leave here with you, I'm a dead man," Haleen said as he took a step back.

"If you try to leave here any other way, I promise you, you will be just as dead," Obi-Wan replied. The look in his eyes showed no mercy. This man had tried to kill him twice. He was a danger to him and he was a danger to Qui-Gon and Anakin. Haleen would either come with them now or he would die. Obi-Wan would not allow the threat to his companions to continue.

"Jedi don't seek vengeance," Haleen whispered, more to himself than the two men standing before him.

"But we do protect our own," Obi-Wan said in reply. "You will come with us and be placed in custody or I will kill you where you stand. The choice is yours."

Devan looked between the two Jedi. He could tell the master was surprised at the younger man's words. However, he could tell the man was ready to back his partner, regardless of the outcome. Knowing he had little choice and hoping the Jedi could protect them, Devan did the only thing he could.

"It looks like I have little choice," Haleen said, his voice tired and resigned. "But you have to protect me. If he finds out I've told you anything, he'll kill me."

"Agreed," Qui-Gon said quickly before Obi-Wan could reply.

"Who is this he you've been referring to?" Obi-Wan asked as they turned to lead the man away.

"Xana... arghhh!" Haleen's words turned to a scream as a blaster bolt slammed into his chest.

The two Jedi moved instinctively, putting the fallen man between them as they scanned the area for danger. Whoever their attacker was, he was masking his presence. As much as they wanted to search for him, they could not leave their prisoner unprotected. And splitting up was not an option.

With Obi-Wan standing guard, Qui-Gon knelt beside the fallen man. Haleen was still alive, though barely, and was fast running out of time. The energy bolt hit him full in the chest. All they could do now was ease his pain. As Qui-Gon began to dampen the man's pain receptors, their eyes locked.

"I'm sorry," Qui-Gon said softly as the injured man realized there was nothing the Jedi could do.

"Xan.a...tos," Haleen gritted out. "Off...world..."

"Xanatos is behind his?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Ye...yes. Knew...knew you...would come," Haleen said, his breaths growing shallow as his body began to weaken.

"What does he plan to do?" Qui-Gon pressed.

"Cor...u...scant," Haleen whispered. His voice was so soft Qui-Gon had to lean down to hear him. "Taking them...to Coru...scant."

Haleen started to say something else, then stopped. Qui-Gon raised his head and looked into unseeing eyes, now glazed over in death. They would learn no more here. Feeling the burden of his guilt weighing heavily on his shoulders, the Jedi master stood. He opened his mouth to inform Obi-Wan of
Haleen's words when a sharp mental cry sent him reeling.

//Master! Help!// Anakin cried frantically through the bond.

The two Jedi reacted immediately, racing back to the alcove where Anakin had hidden. The sight that greeted them was straight out of a nightmare. Anakin stood backed into a corner, a towering black creature between him and his only means of escape.

The creature was huge, standing taller even than Qui-Gon. Its skin was a gray-black color that allowed it to blend in with the surrounding metal to a remarkable degree. Long powerful arms sported razor sharp claws, but the most frightening feature was the thing's elongated head. An elongated head that ended in a large mouth filled with sharp teeth and dripping mucus.

Anakin was doing his best to push down his fear, but it was difficult. The stunned looks on the faces of the other Jedi did little to relieve him. He knew better than to let himself get backed into a corner, but the thing had come up behind him. He had leapt backward in a valiant attempt to avoid being eaten. It just so happened that his leap landed him here, backed into a corner with no place to go.

All at once, Obi-Wan lunged forward, swinging his lightsaber in a downward arc. The creature responded with lightning speed, dodging back and avoiding the brunt of the blow. The saber glinted off its hide, eliciting a shriek of pain but doing little real damage.

Just as Qui-Gon prepared to join the fight, movement to his left caught his eyes. He swung around, barely managing to deflect a blow that would have taken off his head. The creature howled in pain as the saber bit deeply into its arm. Pale yellow blood jetted from the wound and a steamy hiss rose up where the deadly liquid landed as it slowly dissolved anything it came into contact with.

Obi-Wan used the brief moment of distraction to his advantage. With a flip, he propelled himself through the air to land directly in front of Anakin, putting himself between the child and the creature. If this thing wanted Anakin, it was going to have to go through him first.

The creature shrieked as it realized its path to the small one was not cut off. With no more preamble, the fight began in earnest. Obi-Wan was seriously hindered as he tried to keep his body between Anakin and the threat. He hoped Qui-Gon was fairing better than he was. If not, they would all die.

Qui-Gon battled grimly. He had seen Obi-Wan's desperate leap. He knew the young knight was doing his best to protect the boy. And with his own fight on his hands, he was unable to assist him. Pushing his fear aside, the Jedi master fought.

Finally, Qui-Gon found the opening he was looking for. Sweeping in close, he brought his saber around and upward, slicing through the creature's torso in a single motion. He jumped back quickly, mindful of the acidic blood these things possessed. Now he could help Obi-Wan. He began to turn when a scream
froze him in place.

It was inevitable. Obi-Wan knew it was. Backed into a corner, unable to maneuver, it was just a matter of time. He was not surprised when the creature slipped past his guard. He felt the razor claws rip through his chest and stomach. His scream was one of denial more than pain. He had failed. And Qui-Gon and Anakin would be the ones to pay the price.

Qui-Gon spun around to see Obi-Wan dropping to his knees, lightsaber clattering uselessly on the metal floor. The young man clutched at his stomach, as if trying to keep his insides from spilling out. Behind him stood Anakin, his padawan, white faced and in shock. And about to die.

"NO!" Qui-Gon cried out as he lunged forward with his saber. The thing had just enough time to raise its head before Qui-Gon severed it from its body.

Vicious yellow fluid sprayed out of the headless carcass as it crumpled to the ground. Using the Force, Qui-Gon yanked Anakin out of the path of the liquid then used his own body to shield Obi-Wan from the worst of it.

The Jedi master did not so much as flinch as the acid began to eat through his clothing. His only concern was the knight he protected. Lifting Obi-Wan as carefully as he could, Qui-Gon carried him across the hanger. Anakin raced along beside them as his master carried Obi-Wan to the infirmary once more.

The healers sprang to life when the Jedi master came bursting in carrying the young knight. He was deathly pale and the tunics of both Jedi were stained a deep red. They told Qui-Gon to put him on the nearest bio-bed then they went to work.

"Master," Anakin called out softly as Qui-Gon stepped back to let healers work.

"He'll be all right, Ani," Qui-Gon said as he rested his hands on his padawan's small shoulders. "He has to be."

"He was protecting me," Anakin said softly. "I'm so sorry, Master."

"Hush, Ani," Qui-Gon said and knelt down beside the boy. "He was protecting you, yes. But it was his choice. I would have done the same. And if your positions were reversed, I believe you would have, too."

"But if he dies, it'll be my fault," he said miserably.

"First of all, he will not die," Qui-Gon said firmly. "Secondly, even if... if he did... it would not be your fault."

"Then who's fault would it be?" the boy demanded, angry and terrified.

"No one's fault, Anakin," Qui-Gon answered. "But rather Obi-Wan's choice."

"When he gets better, I hope you have a long talk with him about his *choices*," Anakin said as he surreptitiously wiped the tears from his eyes.

"I plan to, Ani. I plan to."

The other Jedi the Council sent arrived just as the healers were finishing up. Qui-Gon had no choice but to turn the investigation over to them. He informed the Council of Xanatos' involvement and his plans to bring the creatures to Coruscant. They put the entire planet on alert, meticulously scanning any incoming ships before allowing them anywhere near. They also quarantined Bandomeer. No ship was allowed onto or off of the planet. Qui-Gon knew there was at least one more creature out there, but he doubted they would find it. Something told him Xanatos was gone, having slipped through their fingers once more. Not for the first time, Qui-Gon cursed himself for not killing the man when he had the chance.

In the end, they never found Xanatos. They did find the last creature, holed up in one of the mines. The two Jedi made quick work of it. The missing people were all found on Devan Haleen's estate. They were being held in stasis in preparation for being hosts. For each individual, they found a corresponding egg. After seeing all of the victims safely to the healers, the Jedi destroyed everything. The two knights planned to remain on Bandomeer for the time being. There was still a chance Xanatos was there or perhaps nearby. They would not leave the planet and its people unguarded.

It was two full days before Obi-Wan regained consciousness. In that time, Qui-Gon and Anakin never left his side. Qui-Gon's own wounds from the acid were treated and Si Treemba came by to check on them. He was beside himself with guilt that Obi-Wan had been hurt yet again. Qui-Gon did his best to reassure him, telling the Arconian that it was Obi-Wan's own sense of duty that landed him here.

When Obi-Wan finally opened his eyes, Qui-Gon felt a relief so great he almost cried. Anakin did cry as he carefully hugged his friend. He had been so afraid his friend would die. The healers came in and they were forced to stand back and let them do their work.

They spent over an hour going over the young man before pronouncing him out of danger. It would be some time before he was completely healed and he would need a great deal of care in the mean time. He would, however, be able to travel in a few days.

Qui-Gon thanked them and assured them that Obi-Wan would be well looked after. He also made arrangements for them to return to Coruscant as soon as Obi-Wan was able. He wanted to get his love back to the Temple where their healers could take a look at him. There was, after all, still the problem of his lost memories.

"Welcome back," Qui-Gon said once the healers had left.

"It is good to be back," Obi-Wan rasped. "I thought perhaps this time..."

"I'm sorry, Obi," Anakin said softly as he approached the bed. "It's all my fault."

"No," Obi-Wan grated out.

"Here, sip this," Qui-Gon said as he held a cup to his lips. Obi-Wan smiled his thanks and sipped the cool liquid. It soothed his irritated throat, allowing him to speak without pain.

"It wasn't your fault, Ani," Obi-Wan said.

"Master says it was your choice," the boy said. He climbed up onto the bed and gently insinuated himself against the knight's side. Obi-Wan waited for him to get situated before he replied.

"Yes, it was."

"Well, I think your choices suck," Anakin whispered. He squeezed his eyes shut tight at the memory of the creature's claws raking his friend.

"Sometimes... sometimes we make bad choices, Ani," Obi-Wan said thoughtfully. "But sometimes, the bad choices are the only ones we can make."

"Are you talking about you or Master?" Anakin asked.

"Both, I think," Obi-Wan replied, his eyes moving to meet Qui-Gon's.

"You should rest, love," Qui-Gon said softly.

"Will you be here when I wake up?" Obi-Wan asked.

"My honor on it," Qui-Gon replied.

Epilogue: One Month Later

Qui-Gon waited anxiously for Obi-Wan to return from the healers. It had been three weeks since they returned to the Temple, and while his body continued to heal, his memories remained stubbornly distant. Despite all their efforts, the only time Obi-Wan was able to access his lost memories was in his dreams. Qui-Gon was beginning to wonder if the young knight would ever remember.

"And just what will happen to you if he never remembers, old man?" he whispered aloud. That single thought had plagued him ever since Obi-Wan was injured. What would become of their love if all Obi-Wan could remember was the pain?

Pushing that depressing thought away for the time being, Qui-Gon turned his attention to his padawan. At least Anakin had managed to rebuild the trust and friendship they had found. He had been nervous at first, and skeptical.
After all, all Obi-Wan remembered was that he had lost his master to him. That did not exactly provide a strong foundation for friendship. But both young men were quite determined.

Qui-Gon looked up as the door to their quarters slid open and Obi-Wan entered. Given the severity of his injuries the healers had not wanted him left alone. That had left two choices - the infirmary or his master's quarters. Obi-Wan had chosen, with a little persuasion from Anakin, to stay with them. Qui-Gon had insisted that Obi-Wan take the bed. The knight had been too weak at the time to argue and had let Qui-Gon sleep on the couch.

"How did it go?" Qui-Gon asked as Obi-Wan all but flopped down on the couch.

"Not that well, I'm afraid," he replied. "We did manage to access a few of my memories from the mission and the weeks leading up to it. The healers told me they doubted if I would ever regain all of my memories. They also
said they doubt if I will ever have the stamina I used to. I suspect mine will be the shortest knighthood in the history of the Jedi."

"The hell it will," Qui-Gon vowed angrily. "First of all, the damnable healers don't know everything. Secondly, if you want something bad enough you can make it happen. So you have a permanent reminder of this mission. It can be worked around. You can train yourself to overcome it."

"Master, this is not the loss of agility or reflex we are speaking of," Obi-Wan argued. "This is my overall health. They told me to my face they did not think I would be capable of going on missions any longer."

"Just because they say something is so, does not make it fact," Qui-Gon countered. "And would a life here at the Temple, truly be so bad if it did come down to that? I know it is not the life you dreamt of, the life you longed for, but would it well and truly be too horrible to face?"

"No, it would not be," Obi-Wan replied honestly. "Though it would take a great deal of getting used to. And I do not know that I would want to be around me during that time. It would be hard to watch others... to watch you... going on missions and knowing that I could not."

"As I said before, that is not a foregone conclusion," Qui-Gon said. "And if you are restricted in your duties, know that I will remain here as well."

"You have a padawan to train, Master Jinn," Obi-Wan said.

"Actually, he has two. Padawans, that is," came Anakin's voice from the doorway. Neither man had heard the door open, too caught up in their arguments. "Though only one of us is in need of any real training."

"A master can have only one padawan at a time, Anakin," Obi-Wan said.

"Just because I'm his padawan now, doesn't mean you're not," the boy went on. "You will always be his padawan. Just as I will. Just as he will always be Master Yoda's. When he took me as his padawan, he didn't stop caring about you."

"Anakin, the last thing your master needs right now is another burden..." Obi-Wan began, only to be cut off by one very irate padawan.

"Will you listen to yourself?" Anakin raged. "Burden? You are no more a burden to him than breathing is. Don't you understand? This. Is. Killing. Him. He LOVES you. With everything that he is, he loves you. Maybe if you
stopped letting your pain guide you for a few moments, you could see it!"

"Ani, enough," Qui-Gon said softly. He could see fine tremors running through Obi-Wan as Ani's words hit home.

"Master, did you or did you not say that you wanted to ask Obi-Wan to share in my training on Bandomeer?" Anakin asked, a bit more composed.

"Yes," Qui-Gon admitted.

"But you didn't because you were afraid of what his answer would be," Anakin pressed. "You were afraid that he would not want to work that closely with you."

"Anakin, what is the point of this?" Qui-Gon demanded, quickly loosing patience with the boy. Obi-Wan's shaking had grown more pronounced. He would not sit here and watch this man be hurt again. Even by his padawan.

"Please, Master," Anakin said, "just answer the question."

"Yes, I said that," Qui-Gon admitted. "Now what is the point of this?"

"You... you wanted me to help train him? With you?" Obi-Wan asked in disbelief.

"Yes, Obi-Wan, I did," Qui-Gon replied, turning to face the knight once more. "I still do, actually."

"Why?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Because I value your judgement," Qui-Gon said. "Because I wish to be with you. Because I do not think I can do this alone anymore."

"Do what alone?" Obi-Wan questioned. "Raise a padawan?"

"Be a Jedi," came the quiet reply. "I love you and I almost lost you four times over. To lose you now..."

"Say it again," the knight demanded, not daring to breathe.

"Say what again," came Qui-Gon's puzzled reply.

"That you love me."

"Oh, my Obi-Wan." With shaking hands, Qui-Gon took the knight's in his own and began to speak. "I love you. I love you with everything that I am. It hurt so much when I thought I lost you. The mission to Bandomeer was a
blessing. It let me show you how sorry I was for the way I had treated you. It let you forgive me."

"I do forgive you, Master," Obi-Wan said.

"Then I almost lost you three times more and each time it shredded my soul," Qui-Gon continued. "When I found out your memories were gone, I was... I was despondent. Everything we had worked so hard to rebuild was gone. To have you back by my side only to have the Force snatch you away again was more than I could bear. If it were not for Anakin, I do not know how I would have made it through these last weeks."

"I waited so long to hear those words from you," Obi-Wan began. "I had dreamed of my knighting day for years, of the things I would say to you when I was no longer your padawan. To say things did not go as I had planned
would be an understatement."

"I know," Qui-Gon said, shame forcing his eyes down. "I am more sorry than I can say for that."

"Don't," Obi-Wan commanded gently. "You have asked forgiveness and I have given it. Let it lie."

"Obi-Wan, I formally ask that you aid me in the training of my apprentice. I ask that you share this solemn duty with me, that we both might guide him on his path to the Light."

"Qui-Gon, I can not," Obi-Wan said softly. "I am not the knight I was. I am a liability now. I can not train a padawan. How would we go on missions? I have told you what the healers said."

"There are missions and there are missions, my Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon replied. "I will accept your answer if you are saying no because you do not wish to do this with me. But I will not accept it if it is because of some perceived
lacking in yourself."

"To deny Anakin what is his right because his master is an invalid is wrong," Obi-Wan argued.

"You are NOT an invalid," Qui-Gon snarled, cursing the healers that put such a thought into his head. "And if that is your only concern, perhaps we should ask Ani what he would like."

Both men turned to look at the boy still standing beside the door. He had watched during their debate, and held his tongue. Now, he would get to speak. He waited for a moment and weighed all that he had heard. If he did
this, he would have a very different life than that of some of the other padawans. Obi-Wan might well never be able to go on any arduous missions. Was he willing to give that up?

"I would be honored to have you as my master, Knight Kenobi," the young man said formally. Yes, he could give that up easily if it meant having this man in his life, as friend and teacher.

"Are you sure, Anakin?" Obi-Wan pressed. "Think about what you would be giving up."

"What I *might* be giving up," Anakin replied. "And I have. It is my belief that I would gain much more having you as my master than I would running around the galaxy. There are plenty of others to do that. And like Master says, I doubt if we'll be completely Temple bound."

"And if we are completely Temple bound?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I understand that there are some things a padawan has to experience," Anakin said with a shrug. "If you can't come with us, then Master and I will go. Though leaving you behind will be difficult on us both."

"Ani, I would still be your friend even if I am not your master," Obi-Wan said, trying to make the young man see the folly of his choice.

"I know that," Anakin said in exasperation. "But on Bandomeer, we were a family. The three of us. I want that again. I want you to be my master along with Master Qui-Gon. Will you take me as your Padawan Learner?"

"Yes," Obi-Wan said softly. "Though the Council may have something to say about it."

"Not if they know what's good for them, they won't," Anakin replied, surprising both Jedi.

Xanatos smiled as his ship jumped to hyperspace. Slipping past the Jedi had been embarrassingly simple. Now all he had to do was make it back to Telos with his cargo intact. He glanced back over his shoulder and checked the
stasis unit again. It would not do to have the thing come awake while he was piloting.

He realized his actions looked like those of a kicked pup running home to lick his wounds. Perhaps this time he was. But he would have his revenge. One day very soon, he would go looking for Qui-Gon again. And when he found him, he would make him pay in ways the Jedi master had never even imagined.

"The Council session went better than I thought it would," Obi-Wan said as Qui-Gon joined him on the balcony. It was late evening and the sky was darkened, giving them a sense of solitude.

"Perhaps it was their cautious nature," Qui-Gon offered. "With both of us to guard him from the Darkness, there is much less chance he will fall."

"Perhaps," Obi-Wan murmured. "It will be some time before I am able to leave the Temple, even for a short while."

"I know," Qui-Gon replied. "But there is much to do here. You have a training bond to form and there are lessons Ani needs to catch up on. As well as your own training to start."

"I will try my best, Master, but do not get your hopes up," Obi-Wan warned.

"Shame on you, my Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said with a smile. "There is no try, remember?"

"I will keep that in mind," Obi-Wan laughed, the soft sound making Qui-Gon's soul sing.

"I do love you, my Knight," he said.

"And I you, my Master," Obi-Wan replied. "That's one of the things the healers were able to help me remember."

"Obi-Wan?"

"The night before our mission," Obi-Wan spoke softly. "When I gave you your gift. And then again on Bandomeer, when I told you that I wanted us to be together. That I wanted to try. I remember the love that was between us in that moment. If I remember nothing else, that will be enough."

"I was so scared," Qui-Gon whispered as he sagged against the balcony. The sudden relief was almost overwhelming.

"I know," Obi-Wan said. "I still wish to go slowly, but I be honored to share a bed with you."

"Are you sure about this?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Yes," Obi-Wan replied. "The bed is big enough for us both and I find I long for the comfort of your arms around me. Is it too much to ask that we simply hold each other for now?"

"I could spend forever holding you and nothing more," Qui-Gon said with a smile. "Only when you are ready will it go any further."

"Then let's go to bed," Obi-Wan said as he held out his hand. "I am anxious to begin our eternity."

END.