Master Apprentice
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Part 8
When the door opened next, Qui-Gon tensed, like a great cat stalking it's prey. But his prey this time was far too small. He watched Salin look around the room in confusion, the door beginning to close behind him. Pulling the boy aside, one of the Jedi's large hands grasped the edge of the door and pulled.
The guard on the other side had not been prepared for an attack. Caught off-guard, the man stood in shocked silence as Qui-Gon backhanded him to the deck then sat on top of him, one hand over the guard's mouth.
"Salin, come quickly. Take the keys from his belt and his weapon."
The boy worked quickly, and held up the items to show that he was done. By this time the guard had stopped struggling.
Salin eyed the downed man cautiously and Qui-Gon stood. "Is he dead?"
"No, just asleep for now. He'll wake up soon enough." The Jedi reached over and took the keys and blaster from Salin, then knelt down in front of him. "Are you sure you want to do this? If they catch us, they'll kill us."
The boy nodded. "It's better than staying here. When they find out you're gone I'll be in trouble anyway."
"Alright then. Which way to get out?"
Mace landed on the outskirts of the ruined capital of Harlisk; far enough out not to draw attention, yet close enough in to insure that Obi-Wan could make the trip. As he walked down the loading ramp he surveyed the area. The city, even from a distance, felt chaotic. The few people that were still there were poor, cold, and hungry. They relied on sheer willpower to live. There were no kind strangers to take them in, no passers-by to give them a spare credit. They were what remained, the people too poor to escape the destruction of their once proud city.
The civil war on Harlisk had gone on for five years, leaving little standing. The Imperial family, so sure of their people's loyalty, had not been prepared for the dissidents when they stormed the capital. The ongoing battle escalated when it was found out that the Captain of the Imperial guard had been secretly giving information to the rebels, and had allowed them entrance to the Imperial Palace. The residents of the city fled, and chaos ensued. Within days the Emperor and his immediately family had been killed, and a new government put in place. The head of this new government, much to his dismay, had his hands full. The remaining members of the Imperial family, mostly lesser nobles, rose up in arms against the new ruler and his government. The two sides, only caring for their own concerns and welfare, never stopped to notice as they ravished their homeworld's resources, destroying what was once beautiful. Now Harlisk was little more than a barren husk. Weapons of mass destruction had marred Harlisk's landscape forever, making its soil unusable.
The Jedi had offered to send a team of Agri-corp engineers to help in the rebuilding efforts, but the offer was summarily refused. The newly founding government of Harlisk, made up of the remaining nobility, had held the Jedi to blame for a large part of the destruction of their planet, stating that if the Order had helped sooner, the war might have been averted. They refused to understand why the Jedi Order could not involve itself in a civil war. One of the most influential members of the new government was the Grand Duchess Elivia Malikin, wife to Senator Boto Malikin of Malistare, the man who now held Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn captive; the man who was planning the total destruction of the Jedi Order.
Taking a deep breath, Mace turned and helped Obi-Wan down from the small ship.
"It's just like I remember," Obi-Wan said quietly, looking around. "Everything's quiet, and people are scared. I really don't like it here."
"I agree, Obi-Wan. So let's work quickly and get Qui-Gon off this planet."
The boy nodded and looked around some more, finally lifting his arm to point to the west of the capital. "I think he's that way."
Qui-Gon stalked through the underground passages, wishing that he had the Force to aid him, but knowing he'd have to rely on his own skills to get out of his prison. He'd been trained for this, as all Jedi were. He kept an eye on Salin, who stayed very close to his back. The boy was terrified, he didn't need the Force to tell him that. A small bit of him cared, and wanted to ease the boy's fear, but that part of him was losing the battle. The drugs they'd given him had made him docile, uncaring for anything or anyone. When he got out of here the healers were going to have a field day with him.
The sound of voices around the next corner brought the Jedi Master to a halt, putting a hand out to catch Salin and quiet him. The two backed into a doorframe and waited. After several minutes they began walking again.
"I think the way out is down there. I'm not sure though, I'm not allowed outside."
Qui-Gon nodded. "That's fine, Salin. We'll take the chance."
A few more minutes of careful maneuvering through the halls and they arrived at a large door. There were no guards posted, which immediately sent off alarms in Qui-Gon's mind. If only he could sense what was on the other side of the door ...
With no other options to be seen, Qui-Gon lifted the latch and opened the door. The sight that greeted him was Boto Malikin and more than a dozen armed men.
"Do you really think I'm so stupid, Master Jinn?" the man growled in distaste.
Qui-Gon pushed Salin back with a shove and turned his head to him face him. "Run."
Without hesitation, the boy did just that. Though guards were coming up another hallway behind them, Salin was small enough and quick enough that he was able to cut through them and keep running.
Breathing a sigh of relief that Salin would be all right for now, Qui- Gon turned back to Malikin and took a step into the room. He wasn't surprised when the door slammed shut behind him.
"I'm surprised you're finally going to face me, rather than hiding behind a door, Malikin. When did you become so brave?"
The other man all but snarled. "Brave? To face a broken man? Don't kid yourself, Jedi, you're nothing now. You're weak, tired, and hungry. Without your precious Force to help you you're nothing."
"Then be the man you claim to be; face me one on one. Fight me. If I'm so weak and pitiful, take out your hatred on me. You hate the Jedi? Here I am. Tell your men to back off."
The glint in Malikin's eyes told Qui-Gon that he would take the challenge, even as he seemed to ponder the situation. His hatred of the Jedi was fresh, and needed to be satisfied.
"Wait in the hallway."
None of the guards moved, then one stepped forward to Malikin's side. "Sir, are you sure? He's still trained ... "
"Do *not* question me," Malikin snapped, turning an angry glare at the guard. "Do you really think that this piece of crap Jedi can win against me? Do you believe so little in our cause?"
"Of course not, I was only ... the just will overcome," the man said as he turned and motioned the other men out of the room.
Malikin turned back to face the Jedi. "I've been waiting a long time for this, Master Jinn."
"I won't hold back this time, Malikin. I could have killed you months ago, but I cared too much and thought you could be brought to justice another way. This time, you've assured I don't care at all. You've brought this upon yourself."
The fight was engaged when Qui-Gon lunged towards the other man, his fist connecting with the side of Malikin's face. Rolling to the side, Malikin got to his feet and wiped the back of his hand across his cheek. It came away bloody.
"I'll kill you, you Jedi bastard."
Pulling a knife from his belt, Malikin took a quick step forward and swiped the blade through the air.
The cold steel connected with Qui-Gon's chest, sending a stinging pain through him. The cut wasn't deep, and Qui-Gon felt the burning it caused keeping him alert. Before Malikin could pull away, Qui- Gon's hand had grasped his, wrestling for control over the weapon. The struggle was short. The Jedi Master found the correct pressure point in Malikin's wrist, and the knife fell to the ground.
Qui-Gon smiled. "The Force is a Jedi's ally. We use it to enhance our natural abilities, but it is not our sole source of strength." With a push, Malikin was against the nearby wall. "Why do you hate the Jedi so much? What have we done to you to bring you to this?"
"What haven't you done?" Malikin spat. "You run through this galaxy like you're Gods. You take children from their families, never giving them a choice in the matter ... "
"All Jedi have the option to leave, whenever they wish. They are never kept against their will," Qui-Gon interrupted.
"You take babies from their mothers and start teaching them how to think. Of course they won't argue that they don't want to be there. They don't know any other way of life! You don't take older children because they have a will of their own, and aren't so easy to corrupt to your ways."
"That's not true. You don't know anything about the Jedi. Your facts are based on rumors and baseless lies."
"Really? Did you know that my sister was taken away when she was three? We never saw her again. I was six, and I remember the horror on her face as she screamed for my mother, begged the Jedi to leave her with her family, promised that she'd be good if they'd let her stay with us. What choice did she have?"
Qui-Gon was surprised, but not shocked. He'd known there was a personal vendetta that Malikin was carrying out; the man's nature practically screamed it. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. Obviously your parents did what they felt was right for your sister. I can assure you that she would have been cared for in every way."
"Like Kenobi is?"
Qui-Gon glared at the other man, then bent down to pick up the knife.. "Obi-Wan Kenobi is none of your concern. Leave him out of this."
"Did a Jedi like you take my sister to their bed when she was four as well? Did they claim to share a soul bond with her, so they could do as they wished to her?"
Pulling himself to his full height, Qui-Gon looked down at the man in front of him and took a step forward.
"I have *never* done anything inappropriate to that boy. Ever. You know nothing of the situation ... " he growled.
"I've read what his mother thought. I've read the official report that stated, in her own words, that she had no reason to believe that this bond even existed. As far as she knew, it was all a lie, so that the Jedi could have her son."
"She was distraught. If you asked her today, she would tell you differently."
"I'm not so sure, Master Jinn. She hates you. Anyone that has spoken to her about her son or the Jedi can see it clearly in her every word."
Qui-Gon was still for a moment, remembering Wenshele Kenobi's reactions after finding out that Obi-Wan had bonded with him. She had been destroyed, heartbroken. He knew that she still had harsh feelings towards the Jedi and towards himself, but had hoped that she would begin to see how much he truly cared for Obi-Wan.
"Wenshele is a fine woman, and she knows I would never harm Obi-Wan, in any way. She is not like you, Malikin. She does not hate. She has a good heart."
The two men stood eye to eye for several seconds, measuring the other, wondering who would make the first move. Malikin smiled when an alarm sounded.
"That would be your precious Obi-Wan now, coming to your rescue. Don't worry, I'll make sure he lives long enough to see your death, and long enough to transmit the virus, of course. I wonder how many friends the two of you have made? How many will you infect?" Reaching up a hand, Malikin grabbed the restraining collar at Qui-Gon's neck and began punching in a code.
"No!" Qui-Gon tried to back away, but he could hear the beeping of the code being entered and knew it would not be in time. Reaching up with his free hand he held the collar together, and with the other he pushed forward. He felt the hot spray of blood wash over him, and closed his eyes. The man in front of him gasped, and then went silent.
Part 9
The alarms overhead blared the arrival of Qui-Gon's would-be rescuers.
"Damn it," Mace swore loudly, surveying their immediate area. He looked down at Obi-Wan, who's eyes had gone wide. "I never said that. That's not a word you're ever going to use. Got it?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "I never heard a thing, Master Windu, and I won't ever use that word."
"Good. We need to get out of here. Come on," he said, bending down to lift the boy into his arms. "I want you to hold on tight, ok?"
"Ok," was the muffled reply.
Mace ran through the corridors, allowing the Force to guide him as it willed. The Force warned him as they were being approached, and he was able to go undetected.
Obi-Wan raised his head. "That way, Master Windu. Quigee's that way, I'm sure."
Mace looked down the hall. There were four guards outside the door, which probably meant the boy was right. Kneeling down, he put Obi-Wan on the ground. "Stay behind me and stay close."
Standing back up, Mace approached the door. The click of the guard's blasters stopped him, and he raised his hands. "There doesn't have to be any violence here. Move away from the door. We're only here for Master Jinn."
"Jedi Scum," one of the men spat, firing his blaster.
The bolt was deflected back towards the guard, but didn't hit him. Mace held his lightsaber out towards the men, and could see that they were shaken by how quickly the weapon had appeared in his hand.
"I'm having a rather bad week, and don't have time to play games. I'm giving you the choice: stand aside, or I'll cut you down."
One by one, the men backed away, and then were gone. With a sigh of relief, Mace moved to stand in front of the door. Trying the latch, he realized it had been locked. He raised his lightsaber, prepared to cut through the metal, then felt a tug on his tunic. Big blue eyes looked up at him.
"Who's that?" Obi-Wan said, pointing to a doorway a few feet away. Looking carefully, he could just make out a shape.
"Who's there?" he called out. "Come out now." He sensed no malice from the person in hiding, only fear and worry. Timidly, he saw a boy with dark curly hair move out of the shadow.
"Please don't cut me in half. I know who you are. You're Master Jinn's friend, and he's Obi-Wan. He's inside. You've got to help him."
Mace looked over the boy and nodded, turning to Obi-Wan. Go stand with him. I'm going to cut our way through."
Obi-Wan moved to the side, eyeing Salin curiously.
"Master Jinn really missed you. He loves you a lot."
The words calmed Obi-Wan and he smiled. "I missed him too."
As Mace turned back to the door it suddenly opened. Qui-Gon stood before them, his chest bare and covered in blood. One hand was held to his throat, clasped around a restraining collar. As their eyes met, Mace gasped. This was not the Qui-Gon he knew, the man he'd loved. His eyes were so cold and lifeless. Gone was the spark that made him Qui-Gon Jinn He put his lightsaber on his belt and reached out a hand. "Qui-Gon? We have to get you out of here. Can you walk?"
Qui-Gon nodded and just stared at his old friend. "I killed him. I killed Malikin."
"Is that his blood or yours?"
"His, mine, both of ours. Mostly his I think."
Mace looked him over quickly, noticing a cut on his chest that was still bleeding rather badly, but seemed to be superficial. Placing a hand over the cut, Mace sent healing energy out and stopped the bleeding.
"Quigee?" a little voice whispered from behind him.
Mace moved aside to let Obi-Wan move up to see his bondmate, then looked up to see tears welling in Qui-Gon's eyes.
"Obi-Wan, why don't we wait for hello's until we're safe, ok?" Mace suggested.
It took a few seconds, as Obi-Wan just stood looking up at Qui-Gon, but he finally nodded. Mace reached down and picked up the little boy, smoothing back his blonde hair. "It'll be all right, Obi-Wan." He said softly when he felt the small body trembling.
"I can't feel him." Obi-Wan whispered in his ear, a little sob escaping his throat.
"Shhh..." Mace looked to Qui-Gon and then to Salin. "It would be easiest if you carried him so we can move faster.
Qui-Gon, as if broken from a spell, suddenly looked to Salin. "Salin. Are you hurt?"
"No. I'm ok. Is he really dead?"
"Yes."
Salin nodded and moved to stand in front of the Jedi Master. Qui-Gon picked him up with his free arm and looked to Obi-Wan. The boy was wrapped securely in Mace's arms, but he could see his body shaking.
"Mace?"
"Not now. There will be time when we're out of here." Mace looked past the door as he turned to leave and saw Boto Malikin's body sitting on the ground against the far wall. A knife had been shoved into his chest. Taking a deep breath, Mace began to move down the hall and towards the nearby exit.
It didn't take long to reach the small ship. Mace had cloaked the four of them using the Force, and that had allowed them to move through the complex undetected. Obi-Wan had continued crying softly throughout the trip, no matter how much Mace had tried to calm him. When they were safe inside, and the ramp secured, Mace moved into the cockpit and began punching in coordinates. Qui-Gon had taken Salin into the sleeping area to get him cleaned up, as well as to attend to his own wound.
The ship rose into the sky, and they were soon breaking orbit and entering hyperspace. With a thankful sigh, Mace entered the com-code for the Jedi Temple.
"Waiting, we have been, for your call."
"I'm sorry Master Yoda, but I *was* slightly busy," Mace mused. "I have Qui-Gon on board. He is only slightly injured and seems to be in good physical health."
"And mentally?"
Mace shook his head. "I don't know, Master. I fear that we are too late."
"And Obi-Wan?"
The little boy lifted his head wearily at the sound of his name. "Master Yoda?"
"How feel you, little one?"
"I miss Quigee, Master Yoda."
"Find him, you must. With you he is, if you look hard enough. Broken, the bond can not be."
"But I can't feel him anymore. Not even a little!" Obi-Wan pleaded.
"Trust me, do you?" the little green Master said, poking his gimer stick at the com screen.
"Yes, Master."
"Go to him you must. Find the bond, you will."
Obi-Wan nodded quietly.
"To Harlisk, a team of Jedi is being sent. Arrive within an hour, they should."
"There are at least three-dozen armed men in the compound, and I'm assuming more. It wasn't well-secured from the outside, they shouldn't have a problem getting in."
"And Malikin?"
Mace paused. "Killed," he said simply, knowing Master Yoda would understand his implied message.
Yoda nodded. "Healers, there will be waiting for your return. May the Force be with you."
"Thank you, and with you, always," Mace replied as the screen faded to black.
Part 10
Obi-Wan opened his eyes and looked around the cockpit. Master Windu was asleep in the pilot's chair, his head propped up in one hand The Master had let him stay and sleep in the co-pilot's chair last night. He hadn't wanted to sleep in the big room with Qui-Gon and Salin, he'd still been a little afraid. But things seemed different now. Master Yoda said *his* Quigee was still in there, so he'd help find him.
Sliding off of the large chair, Obi-Wan snuck out of the cockpit with barely a noise. He never noticed one of Master Windu's eyes opening to follow him out, or the relieved smile the Jedi Master hid behind his hand.
The floor was cold, so Obi-Wan hurried to the large room, hopping a little to keep his feet off the deck as much as possible. He saw Salin asleep on one of the bunks on the far end, bundled in blankets in a way that reminded him of a Nubian butterfly in its cocoon. He smiled, remembering how cold he was on his trip to Coruscant that first time.
His attention was immediately drawn to the larger form of Qui-Gon, who was asleep in a bunk only a few feet away. He was still wearing the strange collar, the one he'd been holding on to when they rescued him, but it looked like someone had taken a lightsaber to it, because now it was all melted on one part. Obi-Wan tip-toed to the side of the bed and watched the older man carefully. His beard was longer, and looked rougher than before. He had a few bruises on his face, but they weren't too bad. His hands were clasped in the sheets, and his shoulders were tense. Obi-Wan's eyebrows furled. His Quigee was always relaxed when he was asleep. He'd plop down on the bed and stretch out, not bunch up all tight like this one. With a sigh, Obi-Wan placed a hand on Qui-Gon's cheek, then pulled back when he realized it was wet. Qui-Gon's eyes opened wide in an instant and locked with his. For what seemed like forever they just stared into each others eyes, then Qui-Gon opened his arms and Obi-Wan flew into them, burying his head into his bondmate's chest.
"I can't feel you, Quigee," Obi-Wan whispered. He felt a hand brush through his hair and gave a little sigh.
"I'm sorry, my Imp. I wish there was more I could do."
Obi-Wan pulled back to look up at Qui-Gon. "But you're not sick anymore?"
"No, I'm not sick anymore. The drugs they gave me have worn off, so I can be happy or sad again."
"You're very sad."
Qui-Gon buried his face in Obi-Wan's blonde hair. "Yes, my love. I'm very sad."
"Can I help to make you not so sad?"
Qui-Gon's arms tightened around him, and he felt a kiss to the top of his head. "You already are, Obi-Wan."
The little boy pondered that for a minute, then shrugged. "But you're still sad."
Finally Qui-Gon pulled back and gave him a little smile. "It's just going to take time. You have to be patient, my Imp. It feels very lonely not to be able to hear you and feel what you're feeling. Do you understand?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "I don't like it either. But we can fix it, right? Master Yoda said it wasn't broken, and I just had to find it."
Qui-Gon looked confused. "Master Yoda said the bond wasn't broken? Are you sure, Obi-Wan."
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Well, then," Qui-Gon almost sighed. "We will have to look for it. But for now, I think we could both use some sleep. It's far past your bedtime."
"Master Windu didn't give me a bedtime."
"Oh really?" Qui-Gon gave Obi-Wan a genuine smile. "We'll I am, and it's past it, so you need to go to bed now."
"Quigee..." Obi-Wan laughed. "Can I sleep here with you?"
Qui-Gon gently kissed the boy's forehead. "I'd like that very much, my Obi-Wan."
As they lay down to sleep, Obi-Wan snuggled close to Qui-Gon, resting his head on the Jedi's chest. He fell asleep to the most beautiful sound he ever thought he'd heard: the sound of Qui-Gon's heartbeat.
Qui-Gon woke when he heard noises from the other room. The lights were on, so obviously somebody was awake. He raised his head and looked down to see Obi-Wan curled up on top of him. A smile broke across his face. As he tried to slip out from under his bondmate he reached out to send a tendril of the Force and keep the boy asleep, but the Force wasn't there, and neither was Obi-Wan. He reached a hand up to the collar he wore and closed his eyes as his fingers met the cold metal. With a deep sight, he instead moved inch by inch until he was out from under the little boy. Pulling up the covers around Obi-Wan, he ran a hand through the boy's hair then slipped out the door.
Mace was busy making something in the small cooking area the shuttle supplied. The Jedi looked up as Qui-Gon entered the room and gave a smile.
"About time you woke up. How's Obi-Wan?"
"Asleep. I think he'll be all right. It's hard on him, not having the bond. He's never been without it, and it frightens him." Qui-Gon sat down at the small table nearby.
"He's not the only one. I saw your eyes, Qui-Gon. You looked lost."
"I was." Qui-Gon met his old friend's deep brown eyes. "I know it's only been a few years, but I can't imagine living without him, or without our bond, Mace."
"A few years? Qui-Gon, you were at that point the minute he was born. I almost had to fight you just to give him to his mother, if you'll remember?"
"How can I forget?"
There was a long silence, then Mace placed a bowl in front of Qui-Gon and poured some sort of gruel into it.
"What is this?" Qui-Gon asked, sniffing at the contents of the bowl.
"Creamed oats. It's good for you."
"It doesn't look particularly appetizing."
"You've eaten worse."
"It smells awful."
"You've smelt worse."
"It..."
"Eat the damned oats, Qui-Gon!" Mace interrupted with a touch of laughter in his voice.
Qui-Gon tried a spoonful and shrugged. "It's alright."
Mace rolled his eyes and put the pan back on the heater. He moved over and took a seat across from his friend. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"The oats?"
"Qui-Gon..."
"What do you want me to say, Mace? I was held for almost a week by a lunatic who thought I was the epitome of evil. He had a plan to use me to destroy the entire Jedi Order, starting with the ones I loved most. He cut me off from the Force and kept me injected with drugs that didn't allow me to feel any emotions. But those kept wearing off. It was like being teased, having my emotions dangled in front of me for a few hours then having them stripped away again. He used an innocent little boy to give me my injections, and threatened to kill him if I didn't allow it. My four-year-old bondmate has been going through hell for the past week because of this, and now I can't even comfort like he needs me to!"
Mace sat silently for a while, his eyes never leaving Qui-Gon's, his expression calm. "Yes, that's exactly what I wanted you to say."
"Damn you, Mace," Qui-Gon said then leaned back and stared at the ceiling.
"Feel better now?"
"No."
"Liar."
"Pain in my ass."
Mace smiled. "Always, my friend."
The smile was returned. "Tell me what the healers think about all this."
"They don't know what to think. They know that the drugs were killing your midichlorians, but the Force restrains are keeping you from transmitting the virus to anyone else. Because your bond with Obi-Wan wasn't completely blocked by the collar, he was at least partially infected." Mace raised a hand to calm his friend. "Partially, Qui-Gon. Enough to make him uncomfortable, and to give him a loss of Force ability. He didn't transmit it, and he still has some access to the Force, just not as much as he should."
"Is it permanent?"
"I don't know. The healer's want a live subject to test."
"Wonderful. Well they can use me, but they're to stay away from Obi-Wan. He's been through enough already."
"It might be necessary..."
"No, Mace. It won't be. Make sure of it. He's four, and he's scared. I won't have him put through anything else."
"You hate the healers."
"With a passion, but if it will keep them away from Obi-Wan I'll sit there for a month and do whatever they need."
Mace nodded, knowing better than to argue with Qui-Gon on the point. "I'll do what I can."
Qui-Gon turned around at the pitter-patter of small feet coming his way.
"Quigee?"
"You, my Imp, used me as your bed last night," Qui-Gon said with a grin.
"Oh," Obi-Wan rubbed at his eyes. "Sorry."
"I might believe you if you didn't have that smile on your face."
"You're comfy?"
"Mmmhmm," Qui-Gon replied as his Imp crawled up onto his lap, scrunching his face at the bowl on the table.
"What's that?" he asked with obvious disgust.
"Don't you start too," Mace answered, trying to be stern and losing the battle quickly.
"I think you should stick with calla flakes, Master Windu."
"You gave him calla flakes?" Qui-Gon asked, pretending to be shocked. "Do you know how much sweetener they put on those things?"
Mace took a deep breath "They were in *your* pantry, Master Jinn."
Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow. "Who's to say I let Obi-Wan eat them, Master Windu?"
Obi-Wan giggled, eating a spoonful of oats with a scowl.
"Well, if they're yours, you need to set a better example for Obi-Wan and not have them in your quarters."
Caught, Qui-Gon stifled a smile. He felt alive again. Even without the Force or his bond to Obi-Wan, it felt good to be able to hold his bondmate in his arms and swap friendly jibes with his oldest friend.
"Thank you for the reminder," he said, admitting defeat for now, and implying far more with the words.
"Any time." Mace replied, understanding completely, as he scowled down at his own bowl of oats.
Part 11
Qui-Gon sat on the bed in the healer's ward, Obi-Wan securely in his arms.
"Obi-Wan, are you sure you won't go back to the crèche with Master Windu? You don't have to be here. I know you don't like the healers."
Obi-Wan lifted his chin defiantly. "You don't like them either, but you're here, so I'm going to be here."
"Yes, but Obi-Wan, I *need* to be here, you don't."
In response, Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around his bondmate's neck and gave his a kiss on the cheek. "I know," he said with a smile that could light a room.
Sighing, Qui-Gon shook his head.
"Oh! I almost forgot!" Obi-Wan reached into his tunic and withdrew a small fuzzy item. "I brought this for you, to make you feel better."
"Your Wookie?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "I thought you might need it."
"That was very thoughtful of you, thank you. I feel better already."
Content that his job was done, Obi-Wan sat quietly on Qui-Gon's lap as the healers approached.
"Master Jinn, we'll need some blood samples. How are you feeling?"
"Tired, Healer T'kel. Take whatever you need."
Eyeing his patient cautiously, the healer moved close to the bed. "Are you sure those drugs have worn off? You seem far too docile."
Qui-Gon glared at him. "That can change rather quickly. The sample?"
"Right, that's more like it. Never let it be said that Master Qui-Gon Jinn entered the healer's ward of his own free will and allowed us to do anything we wanted to him." The man smiled a little and ruffled Obi-Wan's hair. His hand moved quickly to Qui-Gon's arm.
"All done. I'll want you here for observation for the day and possibly tonight."
"I'm going home tonight."
"No, you're staying here until I release you."
"Healer T'kel..."
"If you argue, I can make this much worse."
Qui-Gon shut his mouth.
"What about the collar?" he finally asked.
"We have to find a way to destroy the virus first. If that collar is removed...well, you might as well say goodbye to Jedi with force sensitivity until the next generation is born, and no Jedi would be able to form a bond of any kind to another force-sensitive, ever again."
Qui-Gon held Obi-Wan a bit tighter.
"Why don't you try to relax and I'll be back in with the results in a little while."
Qui-Gon nodded and leaned back on the bed.
"Quigee? She didn't mean our bond, right? It can stay?"
"Our bond isn't going anywhere, ever, my Imp," Qui-Gon said quietly, cupping Obi-Wan's face in one of his hands.
"He was found in the stronghold that Master Jinn was being held in. He is obviously Force sensitive, though he wasn't aware of it."
Mace stood behind Salin, both of his large hands on the boy's shoulders. He had given his report to the council, and had agreed when they'd asked to meet with the young man.
"How did you survive within a group that hated Force sensitives for so long, young man, without your potential being realized?" Master Poof asked.
"I don't know, sir. But it's not that they hate all Force sensitives, just the Jedi. I think they just didn't think about me at all, except when I had to do something for them."
"Know you who your parent's are?"
Salin looked to Master Yoda. "My mother died when I was very young, sir, and I never met her. I don't know who my father was."
"Hmmm..." Yoda placed one of his clawed fingers to his mouth in thought. "Surprised would you be if Jedi your parents were?"
Salin's opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
"Yes, Jedi they were. Jedi your father still is. Lost, was your mother, many years ago. Looked for her we did, but hidden she had been, by her family."
"Master Yoda, I don't understand," Mace interjected.
"While giving him a routine examination, upon his arrival, the healers also took a blood sample," Ki-Adi Mundi explained. "It showed that his midichlorian count is high enough to be accepted as an initiate. Curious, they compared his DNA sample and found it a match to Jedi Knight Talise Malikin."
"Malikin..." Mace whispered, looking to the Council member for confirmation.
"Yes. It's now believed that she had been captured by her brother in an attempt to free her from her Jedi captors." The Councilor's voice remained calm, but his disgust was evident to those who knew him. "When she attempted to escape him, she became simply another Jedi prisoner."
"Sir, but you said my father was here?"
"Yes, young man. Your father is Jedi Knight Gilad Degraz. He and your mother were bonded only a few months before she disappeared."
"Does he...I mean...is it ok for me to see him?"
"Since finding out you were here, your father has done nothing but ask to see you, young Salin. He is waiting for you in the outer chamber. When we are done here you may see him."
The boy's face lit up, but he simply nodded.
Mace smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "You have further questions, then?"
Master Poof nodded, his large neck swaying with the motion. "Salin, did anyone ever say how your mother died?"
"Umm...once, somebody said they were testing her, or she was a test. I didn't get it. But I guess she died because of it."
"Broken before her death, the bond was," Yoda said to Mace. "Felt her fear, did her bondmate, as she broke the bond."
"Why would Knight Malikin break the bond willingly?" Mace asked, then realization hit him. "Unless it was going to be used against her, or against those she loved."
"Yes, see the connection, you do. Broken the bond was to protect her bondmate and friends."
"She found out what her brother was going to do, and stopped him the only way she could." Mace nodded. "She was a fine knight."
"This happened only six months after she was captured. Knight Degraz has stated that she was with child when she left Coruscant."
"But that would mean..." Mace paused to look down at Salin. "But the boy *is* Force sensitive. He's been tested."
"A gift he is, from the Force." Master Yoda smiled at the boy.
"When his mother was infected, he was as well. But due to the way his immune system developed afterwards, instead of being infected, he built an immunity to the virus." Ki-Adi Mundi explained.
"Can the immunity be used to fight the virus?" Mace asked hopefully.
"It already is."
The sun was just setting, casting its purple and red beams across the landscape, when Qui-Gon heard the door to his quarters beeping. Smiling, he walked inside and across the room. He waited a few more seconds, and the beep came again. Laughing he opened the door.
"Where were you, Quigee? We've been waiting forever!"
Qui-Gon bent down to look into his bondmate's eyes. "You've been waiting less than a minute. You need to learn patience, my Imp." Straightening, he held out a hand to the man in front of him. "I'm glad you could come, Gilad. Please come inside."
"Thank you, Qui-Gon. Salin has wanted to visit for some time now, but we thought it would be best to get him settled into the crèche first." The tall man smiled and ran a hand through his son's curly hair.
"Come on, Salin. I have toys here too. Want to see?" Obi-Wan said, taking the other boy's hand.
Salin looked up to his father eagerly.
"Yes, go on, but don't make too much of a mess."
"I won't!" Salin smiled, and before either Jedi had a chance to sit down both boys were firmly entrenched in the toy box.
Qui-Gon laughed. "You should get used to the mess now, Gilad, it really is unavoidable."
"I suppose you're right. I've gotten permission for Salin to stay with me at times, and we've started moving some of his things there. I don't think he knows quite what to do with them, though."
Qui-Gon nodded. "He's never had toys, or friends, for that matter. It will take time for him to learn what it's like to be a child."
"Not long, with Obi-Wan around." Gilad smiled. "He's a fine young man. Salin's quite taken with him. I think that knowing Obi-Wan understands what he's been through helps him a lot."
"Obi-Wan sat him down one day and explained that he knew everything that had happened to me, including what Salin had to endure. Since then they've been nearly inseparable."
"Well, I appreciate it. It's been six years since I thought about being a father, so this took me by surprise. A very pleasant surprise, of course."
"We both owe a great deal to your son, Gilad. If not for him, I would still be infected and cut off from the Force, and we'd both be miserable from not being able to feel our bond."
"I understand. When I lost Talise it was like losing a piece of myself, and we'd only been bonded for a few months. You've had Obi-Wan in your life since the day he was born, and you share a much deeper bond."
"It seems like forever, and then again, sometimes it feels just yesterday. He really is everything to me," Qui-Gon replied softly, staring at Obi-Wan across the room.
Obi-Wan lifted his head and looked to the couch with a smile.
file://Love you too, Quigee.//
"The ties that bind us together can never be broken, Gilad, and for that I will be forever grateful."
Qui-Gon sat quietly on the couch, content just to watch Obi-Wan and Salin play and enjoy their time together. In the back of his mind, he wondered what Mace was doing, and reminded himself to contact his friend again soon to thank him for all he'd done. Yet another tie that could not be broken, no matter how stubborn they both were, or how far they drifted apart.
"I don't know how he got it stuck up his nose, I swear to you, Aronna," Mace pleaded.
"Well, the clay didn't just place itself there, Mace."
"I understand that." Mace looked to the young Rodian in front of him. "I can only assume he placed it there."
"A fine conclusion, Master Windu. You must stun petitioners to the Council with your wisdom and insight."
"Aronna!"
The older woman laughed, and tilted the boy's head back. "A little Force nudge here and a little pull there..."
"Eeeeewwwww," echoed throughout the room as the piece of clay pulled free and landed on the floor. The little boy rubbed his nose and sniffled.
"Go and blow your nose, and don't put anything smaller than your elbow in it ever again," Aronna directed him with a gentle push.
"Why am I here, again?" Mace shook his head, looking at the group of four and five year-olds.
"I believe it had something to do with your request that the Council members never have to serve crèche duty, wasn't it?
Mace nodded, letting out a deep sigh.
"Who'd have thought the Little Green Troll would not only convince everyone that it was a bad idea, but that we should each serve a mandatory one month term every year?"
"Starting with you," Aronna reminded the younger man with a smile.
"Starting with me."
"I think there's a juice spill in the western corner that's just screaming for your attention."
"You're enjoying this far too much, Master Aronna," Mace said with a shake of his head as he reached for a cloth.
"Do you think there will be further problems from these "watchers"," Adi Gallia asked her companions and fellow Councilors.
"Caught, most were, after the records from Harlisk were retrieved. But over? No, always there will be those who fear the unknown. Seek to destroy what they fear, they will."
"And there is still Malikin's family to consider."
"Watched closely, they will be."
"At least this hasn't had a lasting affect on Master Jinn or young Obi-Wan," Plo Kloon pointed out.
Yoda nodded. "Many more times will they be threatened. Only one threat have they overcome."
"But to live without the Force..."Adi began but was cut off by the sound of Master Yoda's gimer stick hitting the ground forcefully.
"Always present is the Force, even when feel it you do not. Binds us all together, it does, never to be broken."
"Yes, Master." Adi replied wisely, knowing to say more would be pointless.
Yoda nodded in response. "Where life there is, the Force shall be. And where love there is, always shall the Force bind us."
Qui-Gon lay on his bed, Obi-Wan curled happily on his chest, and wondered what he'd done to deserve his little Imp. He looked down at the blonde head, rising and falling with each of Qui-Gon's breaths. Obi-Wan slept as if nothing had ever happened, though he knew his young bondmate had been very troubled by the events on Harlisk.
"I love you, my Obi-Wan," he said, knowing Obi-Wan would not hear him. He smiled as the boy repositioned himself a bit, and sent a wave of love through their bond back towards him.
Laying his head back down with a deep sigh, Qui-Gon slept soundly, enveloped in the warmth and light of a little boy's love.
The End