Fate
Part one
Warnings: Slash. Male/Male romance. Nothing less from me, ne? Slight AU, since this happens during Ep. 2. *shrugs* And some spoilers.
Pairings: It?s a surprise.
Archive: If you want it, Juliana, go for it. It?s all yours. The rest of ya, ask first!
Author?s notes: THE GOD OF DEATH IS BACK FROM HELL!!!!!
To MiSTers: (I keep expecting my stuff to be msted one day?) Niya! Don?t you just love me? Hey, it could be worse. It could be Jar Jar and *his* clone. *maniacal grin* Boy, am I evil.
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The sun was rising slowly, or so it seemed to Obi-Wan Kenobi. The thirty-five-year-old Jedi Master sat cross-legged in the traditional meditation style on the balcony to his room. He never felt as comfortable as this when he was away from the Temple. He?d spent his whole life here, this was where he?d grown up.
The Temple was the pinnacle of his existence.
And, of course, his dead Master Qui-Gon Jinn. But Qui-Gon was more his epitaph, at best. At worst, the best friend he?d ever had.
Obi-Wan let a sigh escape his lips. Today was the day it had happened.
It was the anniversary of the day his Master had passed from his life.
Obi-Wan thought back to all of the people who had passed in and out of his life like the passing of a tide. Cerasi, Qui-Gon?s friend Tahl, Garen who was still a pilot for the Jedi, Guerra and Paxxi the two brother diplomats of Phindar, Andra and Den the now married couple who were *still* trying to reorganize their home world. All friends whom he?d lost contact with over the years, or in some cases, had been torn from his life by death.
But they?d all left an imprint on his life, whether good or bad. Like, Xanatos for instance. Qui-Gon?s apprentice before he?d taken Obi-Wan. The one who had betrayed him and had taken sides with the dark side. That had been an important journey for them to take.
Obi-Wan hated to admit it, but if it wasn?t for Xanatos, he and Qui-Gon might never had been Master and Padawan in the first place! Obi-Wan would have been off to the Agri-Corps and Qui-Gon would have trudged off to some other planet. On another mission. And Obi-Wan Kenobi would have become a farmer.
Anakin Skywalker might still be on Tatooine, given how cold Qui-Gon had been during the time after Xanatos. Of course, cold was not the right word that Obi-Wan wished to describe his beloved master during that time. More like closed. Qui-Gon had used the word cold.
To this day, Obi-Wan could still feel that his mind was connected to his dead master?s. Not only was that disturbing, it was heartbreaking. He missed Qui-Gon very much.
Of all the Masters at the Temple, and of all the teachers he?d had, Qui-Gon had been the closest thing he?d had to a father. And for that, he cherished every blasted memory he had of the old, whiskery-faced Jedi Master.
Anakin was probably still asleep in his sleeping quarters. He couldn?t be sure. He didn?t feel the boy too good these days.
In fact, he never really had.
Their friendship was so unlike the one he?d had with Qui-Gon.
Probably for one very special reason: Qui-Gon had been like his father for over twelve years, and even after his death, he still was. Their friendship surpassed even death.
Anakin on the other hand was something else.
Oh, it was close to that while Anakin was growing up. But now, it seemed more like? Like they were just pals.
An Apprenticeship could balance on just that, true enough. Many were like that. But, to Obi-Wan, it hadn?t been what he was going for.
Obi-Wan knew he?d been trying to recreate the relationship he?d had with Qui-Gon again with Anakin. It made sense, after all.
Obi-Wan held in the second sigh. He was just missing Qui-Gon again. That was all it was.
Funny, you call it an anniversary. Like you celebrate it.
Obi-Wan smiled sadly at the voice who had invaded his thoughts. Qui-Gon again.
Is that really you, or is it my imagination? Obi-Wan asked. He?d asked similar questions to the voice before, but had never really gotten an answer. This time, he did. Kind of.
There is no death, Padawan. I never left you. I never will.
That?s comforting. Do you follow me to the bathroom as well?
Obi-Wan could almost hear a answering laugh travel through their sustained bond. You?re in rare humor today.
I don?t celebrate it, Master. How could I? I just take time every year to sit aside and watch it rise in the sky. Is that so wrong?
Why do you still mourn me?
I cared about you. Still do. You were my father.
?That?s not my point,?son.?
Obi-Wan felt shock as that word was spoken. Yes, spoken.
His eyes flew open and before him stood his master, as if alive. Only, transparent. The force seemed to radiate off of Qui-Gon?s form, around and through him.
Obi-Wan nearly gasped. Nearly.
?W-what--??
?Shh,? Qui-Gon?s spirit said gently. ?You?ve seen me like this before, remember??
Obi-Wan nodded slowly. ?In dreams, but? Was that really you??
Qui-Gon smiled slightly. ?I couldn?t help it, Padawan. They were such bad dreams.?
Almost like an automaton, Obi-Wan went to sit on the railing next to his dead master. He seemed hypnotized, staring at the ghost. He?d almost forgotten what Qui-Gon had looked like, the contours of his face as they moved into a slow smile. Like it was doing now.
The memories rushed back painfully.
Qui-Gon taking him as an apprentice for the first time on Bandomeer. Fighting with Xanatos. Tahl?s death, Qui-Gon crying on her motionless form. Qui-Gon acting on his rage, searching desperately for Tahl?s killer. His fear of the Sith Holocron, and how Qui-Gon had quelled that with a few gentle words that gave his strength. The words his master had ever told him, words that had meant so much at the time.
Words. That?s all he had of his master now. Words, a transparent ghostly figure beside him, and a rock?
The rock. His thirteenth birthday present.
Unconsciously, his hand sought it out in the pocket above his heart of his tunic. It was the river stone that Qui-Gon had found on his home planet when he was just a boy. It was black with red streaks that ran across the surface like claw marks draped in blood.
Tears welled in his eyes. Obi-Wan blinked a few times, and one droplet fell down his cheek.
A deeply hurt look crossed Qui-Gon?s features. He was about to reach out and snatch the tear away, when his hand stopped centimeters from Obi-Wan?s face. The hand drifted back onto his lap.
?I can?t?? the image said with remorse. ?My hand will--?
?I know,? Obi-Wan said, getting his emotions back under control. He wiped at his eyes with the back of his sleeve. ?It happened in one of the dreams. Your hand went right through me.?
Qui-Gon nodded and sighed. ?I have to tell you about something that?s going to happen to you. It will be very troubling.?
?What??
?I can?t tell you the details, that would be cheating.? A small smile creased over his face.
Obi-Wan shared the smile, only his was a bit shaky. ?No fair,? he joked.
Qui-Gon chuckled, then turned serious again. ?You?ll have to make a lot of decisions on this journey, and a lot of them you might not like. You also must remember that you will always find friends in mysterious ways. And in mysterious people. The Force works in strange ways.?
Obi-Wan nodded. ?Thank you for the counsel, my Master.? He paused only a moment, as he stood and opened the sliding door to go back into his quarters. ?My father.?
Always welcome, my son.
Obi-Wan didn?t turn back. He couldn?t bear the sight that Qui-Gon, even in his ghostly shape, wouldn?t be there if he did. He wanted to keep that memory of the last sight he had of his master safely locked away. His forever. His father.
***
He and Anakin were called into the counsel chambers shortly after they?d had breakfast.
Obi-Wan decided selfishly that he would neglect to tell his Padawan of the talk he?d had with Qui-Gon?s ghost. Although he did think of mentioning it to Yoda, if he could talk to the ancient master in private.
Anakin was unusually silent that morning. Usually the boy was talkative, at the very least sociable. But today he seemed lost in his thoughts.
Obi-Wan knew that if they were heading for the Counsel Chambers, that Anakin would need to compose himself and concentrate.
?What?s with you today, Padawan? Silence does not suit you.?
Anakin smiled, and it seemed almost to release his tension. ?Sorry, Obi-Wan. I was just thinking about something.?
?Qui-Gon?? Surely Anakin remembered that today, ten years earlier, their mentor had died.
Anakin?s smiled turned sad. ?No, actually. But that?s never from my thoughts as it is. No, I feel strange today. Like something?s going to happen.?
Obi-Wan closed his eyes for a moment, stretching out his own senses. Things just seemed so easier for Anakin? Though he still had much to learn, Obi-Wan chided himself. ?I feel it too, Anakin. The Counsel has called us in for a meeting. Perhaps we are going on a very exciting mission.? His eyes came open again, a small twinkle in his teal eyes.
Anakin laughed. He knew his master was poking fun at how eager he used to be to go on ?exciting? missions when he was younger. Yoda had said that no matter if the mission was exciting or not, it should always take a Jedi?s full attention. Anakin tried to live by that now. But he did find it difficult from time to time when the mission turned out to be nothing but negotiations between neighboring planets over who got the most share out of something.
They stepped together into the Counsel, and to Obi-Wan?s surprise he saw almost all the members were present. This was not going to be an easy assignment.
Indeed, all were there, except Jedi Master Eeth Koth, a Zabrak, who was still leading a investigation to find Qui-Gon?s killer. Eeth had been disturbed when he heard the news that Qui-Gon might have been killed by a Iridonian Zabrak, and so took head of the extensive search. But as far as Obi-Wan knew, Eeth had yet to find anything of the mysterious Sith?s identity.
Another missing member was Saesee Tiin, who was probably still test piloting that new starfighter the Jedi had developed. He?d heard great things of these ships, and knew that Anakin wouldn?t hesitate to pilot it if the boy could get his hands on one.
Once in the center of the room, the two Jedi bowed to the others in the circular room.
Mace Windu began things immediately. ?We have some startling news for you both. This is very difficult to explain.?
?What is it?? Anakin asked, his brow furrowed. Obi-Wan was always amazed how unafraid his apprentice was about the Counsel. He just sauntered right in like he owned the place, and talked to the Counsel members without hesitation. Obi-Wan had never been able to do that when he was a boy. In fact, he didn?t know anyone who had been.
?One moment,? Mace said, and picked up his com unit. ?Send him in.?
Obi-Wan turned toward the door when it reopened, but was not prepared for who he saw in the doorway.
In fact, even if Qui-Gon had told him exactly what was going to happen that day, he still would not have been prepared.
Anakin?s mouth dropped open. ?Oh, no way. It--it?s you, Obi-Wan!!?
Obi-Wan was so shocked he didn?t bother to tell his Padawan he was beginning to sound hysteric. For, the young man in the doorway was, in all sense of the word, him! Ten years younger, in fact. While Obi-Wan now had a beard since the time he?d taken Anakin as his apprentice, and the rest of his hair was longer as well, the same could not be said for his double in the doorway. The young man could pass for his exact copy, had Obi-Wan still been twenty-five.
Then, it was as if a shield had been dropped from around his mind, and he felt the young man?s presence in the Force. He was totally bewildered to find what the Force had to tell him about this stranger.
The stranger was him.
Obi-Wan fainted on the spot.
***
Obi-Wan woke up next to the sound of a very enthusiastic voice. Anakin?s.
?So, I flew that sorry excuse for a ship for about three hours, and pulled it out of the hyper drive like nuts when I felt an evil presence pass by us.? Anakin?s voice paused. ?I think he?s awake.?
Obi-Wan tried to talk, but the only sound that came out was a groan. His head hurt like hell.
A voice answered this thought. ?You fell back onto the floor pretty hard. So, it?s normal that your head would hurt.?
Obi-Wan?s eyes shot open as he suddenly remembered the circumstances for which he had fallen asleep. His eyes met those of the speaker?s. They were the same teal as his own. Only, Obi-Wan knew that his own did not look so alert as the other?s.
?Obi-Wan, can you believe it?? Anakin was beside the Obi-Wan double. ?You have a clone! Some one copied you!?
The said clone laughed softly. ?More like some ones, Anakin. Kaminoans are the ones who developed me.? The young man looked back at Obi-Wan, his eyes revealing that he somehow understood what Obi-Wan was feeling. ?You?ve heard of the Kamino project for developing a clone army, I take it??
Obi-Wan nodded, his head still dizzy. His mind was clearing up nicely though, and he was getting over the initial shock of seeing his? His clone. Okay, maybe he?d need a few more minutes before he got over it. Hours maybe. Days. He liked the days estimate the best.
?Well, they got hold of samples of different Jedi. After your experience with the Sith that killed your master ten years ago, they thought you would be an interesting host.?
Obi-Wan was hurt that he heard his own voice speak of Qui-Gon?s death so indifferently.
The clone smiled and reached over to the nightstand, picking up a small plastic cup. He brought it to Obi-Wan?s lips, tilting the other man?s head up so he could take a drink.
?But I escaped them,? the clone said, almost gleefully. ?I have a mind of my own, because they didn?t put any prohibitors in my DNA structure like they do the others. That?s what they do, to make them obedient. I couldn?t stand it anymore, so I left.
?I knew who my host was, you, and I knew where I could find you. Here. So, I came here. I knew you would not send me back.? The clone?s face was so close to his face now, with that same gleeful expression on his face. Obi-Wan could feel the clone?s breath against his face.
Uncomfortable, Obi-Wan felt himself gulp. He didn?t like the clone being so close. It was ? disturbing.
The clone?s face turned almost gentle. ?You should be worried about me. My presence here may start a war.? He pulled back and sat upright. Absently, he brushed the side of his blue robes that he wore as he spoke. ?They did, however, accelerate my growth, like they do the other clones. Only, I got my aging to slow down to a normal state last year. Now, I age like a normal human.? He winked at Obi-Wan. ?That really ticked off the Kaminoans, when they discovered that.? He shrugged indifferently. ?Like I care. They screwed around with you, Obi-Wan, so I screwed around with them. It was the least I could do for my host.?
The clone smiled at him, but Obi-Wan got the feeling that it was self-mocking.
?Ben says there are millions of clones in the clone army!? Anakin broke the short silence enthusiastically.
?Ben?? Obi-Wan asked. He found himself able to speak now.
His clone nodded. ?That?s what the doctors all named me. Since I?m the only clone they made of you. I was a test subject, really, to see if a trait like the midi-chlorians could be passed on from host to clone.? Ben paused, turning his head toward the door.
Obi-Wan saw with surprise that Ben was levitating the now empty plastic cup he?d been drinking to the small garbage can next to the door. It floated smoothly in the air.
Ben looked back at him and smiled. ?The experiment was a success. I retained your skills. But, they did decide rather quickly that my nature was too much of a risk to make other clones like me, or to make others that were mindless Force users.?
Obi-Wan remembered himself at a young age, and he could not think how that could be the same as his clone?s. Ben reminded him strangely of Anakin.
I have a bad feeling about this, Obi-Wan thought.
?As you should,? Ben said. ?I could be starting a war.?
Obi-Wan shot him a half glare. ?Stop that.?
Ben looked at him innocently. ?Stop what??
?Stop reading his thoughts,? Anakin said, almost absently. ?That?s amazing how you can do that.? That last part was eager.
Ben nodded, his attention turning to the Padawan. ?Isn?t it though? I thought it was rather strange when I walked in that window room with you guys, but I?ve gotten used to it now. It?s fun hearing someone else?s thoughts besides my own. I don?t think the other clones could do that.?
Obi-Wan decided rather quickly that his clone talked too much. ?So, why are you here, exactly, Ben??
?I came for Jedi protection,? Ben said, almost excited. ?I have a mind of my own, so I?m practically human. If anything, I?m at least a living being. They can?t keep me against my will. I asked the short one--Yoda--and he said that you?d be my official protector. If you would take the mission.? Ben?s teal eyes were pleading. ?Please, Obi-Wan, take the mission. I?ll be really good! I promise.?
Obi-Wan couldn?t help but smile at Ben?s behavior. He sounded like a child. It was strange hearing and seeing himself like that; happy and innocent. He sighed. ?What choice do I have? And, we need to know more about this clone army as it is. Since a Jedi that went there ten years ago was killed, we haven?t heard much progress about the army.?
Ben looked rather sheepish. ?Truthfully, Obi-Wan. I don?t know much about the army. I was kept in a separate sector from them, so I really don?t know what was going on.? He smiled widely. ?But I am useful. I know seven thousand forms of communication, how to pilot any vessel, and I can hack through any system in the galaxy. And I know four hundred ways to give sexual pleasure!?
Obi-Wan chocked on that last part. He stared at his clone, dumbfounded. Had he heard that right?
Anakin laughed. ?I had that same reaction when he told Yoda, Mace, and I that!?
Obi-Wan almost died. ?You said that to Master Yoda and Master Mace!?? He was going to have to kill himself later if he didn?t die from the shock in a few seconds.
Ben smiled shyly, and had the decency to blush. ?Yeah. They did tell me that it was inappropriate to say that sort of thing to other people, but I figured since it was you it would be okay.?
Obi-Wan felt strange seeing that smile. He didn?t remember ever smiling that way. It was a nice expression.
?It?s okay,? Obi-Wan said after a moment of thought. ?I want to learn about you anyway. I might as well start now.?
Ben smiled brightly and hugged Obi-Wan.
Obi-Wan froze for a moment as the young man clung to him. Awkwardly, he patted Ben?s shoulder.
?I?ve never hugged anyone before,? Ben said in a small voice. Obi-Wan looked more closely and saw there were tears in the young man?s eyes.
Anakin caught on the hint of the beginnings of a tender moment and took his leave. ?I?ll be back later, I?ll tell Yoda and Mace you?re awake.?
There was a slightly sneaky smile on his Padawan?s face as he left. Obi-Wan was too worried about Ben to think too much about that.
?Why are you crying?? he asked.
Ben let out a soft laugh. ?Sorry.? He pulled back and wiped at his eyes. ?It?s because I?m happy, I guess.? He grabbed Obi-Wan?s hand. ?I thought I?d never find you!? A tear fell from his eye and slid down his already wet cheeks.
Obi-Wan smiled and shook his head. He sat up and reached over to the table to grab a handkerchief. He wiped at Ben?s tears, drying his face. ?You don?t need to cry. You did find me. You?re alright now.?
Ben smiled and nodded. ?I was more worried about you. I was afraid you?d leave before I got here.?
Obi-Wan?s brow creased. ?Why??
?Because Senator Amidala is coming to Coruscant to vote on the creation of the Republic Army,? Ben replied a little too easily.
?What?? Obi-Wan was surprised. He hadn?t heard that Padme Amidala was coming to Coruscant! ?Are you sure? How did you find this out??
?I?m sure. I read it in the computer files before I left Kamino,? Ben explained. ?She?ll be arriving in a few hours.?
?Do you know for sure when?? Obi-Wan asked. He had a guess why the computers would keep track of something like that. The reason was not good. They were planning to kill Padme.
Ben shook his head, his expression now serious as if he was picking up on what Obi-Wan was thinking. ?In the early morning, that?s all I know.?
Obi-Wan thought quickly. ?It?s too dangerous to try to contact her--We?d have to find out what ship she?s on. Do you know where she?s landing.?
Ben nodded enthusiastically, telling his host where.
Obi-Wan jumped out of bed; he had to tell Yoda and Mace about this. But, he was unprepared for the dizziness that the sudden leap had caused and he staggered. Ben was at his side quickly, and he kept Obi-Wan upright.
?Can you walk?? he asked.
Obi-Wan nodded. ?We need to get to Yoda now.?
Ben nodded. ?I know.?
***
Obi-Wan had been right. Someone had tried to kill Padme. They did contact her in enough time to tell them of the plot. A decoy was used in Senator Amidala?s place and unfortunately died for her in an explosion. Padme was now safe in her senator apartment.
Obi-Wan and Anakin were assigned to protect her. Ben could come along, since Obi-Wan had to look after him anyway.
?So, what?s this girl like, anyway?? Ben asked. He was fiddling with the hem of his blue robes.
There was a thread loose there.
Obi-Wan absently reached over and tore off the thread. ?She?s a Senator,? he replied simply.
?Master,? Anakin said. ?She?s our friend, you could sound a little more positive.?
?I don?t trust politicians, even if they are my friends,? Obi-Wan replied, looking out the window of the elevator.
Ben looked from Master to Padawan and laughed. ?She sounds like a swell gal. Can?t wait to meet her.?
?You?ll like her,? Anakin assured.
Obi-Wan sighed.
Ben looked at him thoughtfully, then took his hand. Their fingers intertwined. Startled, Obi-Wan looked at his clone. Ben?s eyes were closed now and he was still laughing softly, as if at some private joke.
I didn?t notice how beautiful I was, he thought, and was startled by that. Now, where did that thought come from?
Ben stopped laughing and looked at his host. He smiled warmly, and there was love shining in his eyes. Obi-Wan blinked at him for a moment, then calmed down as Ben?s mind met his. It was a soothing, warm touch, and he found comfort in it like in an embrace. His grip on Ben?s hand tightened.
The door suddenly opened. Obi-Wan was so caught up with looking at Ben that he hadn?t noticed the elevator stop. When they stepped out, Obi-Wan still held on to his clone?s hand.
Jar Jar Binks was there to greet them. He was about to say a warm hello, when his mind rejestered something wrong with the situation.
Ben.
Jar Jar screamed.
?Jar Jar, calm down,? Anakin soothed, placing a hand gently on the Gungan?s shoulder. ?This is our friend, Ben. We?ll explain everything in due time, we promise.?
?I should hope so,? said a familiar feminine voice from the doorway.
They all turned to see Senator Padme Amidala standing in the doorway opposite the entrance of the elevator. She smirked at them. ?It?s nice to see you again. Does Anakin have a double too, and you thought it best to leave him at home??
Settling down in the living area, Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ben quickly explained who and what
Ben was and what was going on.
?We?ll find out who?s trying to kill you, Padme,? Anakin said. ?I promise.?
?Anakin--?Obi-Wan was going to object, but he felt his hand be squeezed tightly. Beside him, Ben was shaking his head silently.
Don?t correct him in front of Padme. Don?t embarrass him.
Obi-Wan scowled at his clone. ?But--?
Shush. Or I?ll make you be quiet. You can do it later, but not now. Wait.
Ben smiled warmly at his host. Leaning forward, he kissed his cheek lightly.
Obi-Wan?s world seemed to stop because of that kiss. He gazed back at the younger version of himself, a much more beautiful version of himself in his opinion, in a dazed state. Ben smirked and turned to Padme.
?Anakin is right. We will find out who is doing this. But, not now. First, we?ll work on protecting you. Then we?ll take our case up with the Counsel to see what we can do. How?s that sound??
Padme looked as if the answer was satisfactory. So did Anakin. Obi-Wan looked at them, then quickly back at his clone. Ben had found a way for both Anakin and Obi-Wan to have their ways, so that they wouldn?t fight.
He smiled at Ben. ?Very well. But, if it?s alright with you, I?d like to talk to Ben alone for a second.?
Padme smiled. ?You can go in my room, if you?d like.?
Obi-Wan nodded. ?Thank you, Senator.? He rose and dragged Ben after him, still holding onto his hand.
Anakin watched them go, a small smile on his face. ?Those two are certainly getting close. We met him just yesterday, too. Master Obi-Wan doesn?t usually trust people so quickly.?
Padme frowned. ?They?ve been holding hands this entire time. You?d think they?d have known each other forever.?
Anakin nodded.
?Meesa likin? Ben-sir,? Jar Jar said brightly. ?He seema a nice guy!?
***
Stepping inside the daylight-lit room, the door shutting behind them with a whoosh, Obi-Wan turned on Ben.
?I should have corrected him right there, you know,? he said, trying to keep his voice even.
Some how, he just knew Ben understood what he meant.
Ben nodded, now looking sheepish. When they?d stepped in the room they?d let go of each other?s hands and he was missing that comforting link. ?I?m sorry about that. But Anakin feels strongly about Padme. I didn?t want him to be mad at you because you embarrassed him. And he would have been, you know.?
Obi-Wan sighed. He couldn?t blame Ben, he?d been trying to do the right thing. It was something he might had tried doing if he were younger. ?I know, Ben. It?s okay.?
?You?re mad at me, aren?t you?? Ben looked down to the floor, glancing back up at him shyly.
Obi-Wan?s eyes widened. ?No, of course not, Ben. It?s just that?I was frustrated with you. You should check with me before you make a decision like that.?
?I?m really sorry, Obi-Wan,? Ben said quietly, not looking up at him anymore.
The Jedi Knight felt his heart contract. Then, suddenly he realized what Ben was doing. He was trying to manipulate him. He laughed suddenly, finding it hard not too. He had a vague idea why Ben was doing it, too, that was the funny part. Qui-Gon, if you knew about all this, I?m gonna get you when I cross over, I swear!
Ben looked up at him, startled. ?Don?t think that!? he cried.
Obi-Wan blinked.
?Don?t talk about your death so lightly,? Ben emended, looking down. He looked so adorable
doing that.
Obi-Wan smiled. He reached up and brushed Ben?s cheek. ?It?s alright. I?m not mad at you, I promise. And I don?t take my death lightly, not at all. I was making a promise to kick the living daylights out of my master when I do.?
?Why??
?Because I?m almost positive he knew about you and he didn?t tell me.?
Ben looked utterly confused.
Obi-Wan touched Ben?s temple and concentrated on the memory of the previous morning, of when his dead master had visited with him. When the memory had reached Ben?s mind, the young man gasped. He stepped and crumpled into Obi-Wan.
Surprised, Obi-Wan rapped his arms around Ben, keeping him upright. ?What?s wrong??
Ben looked up at him. ?He came to you. Our father.?
?What??
Ben smiled. ?I share some of your memories. The strongest ones. And the strongest ones are of Qui-Gon Jinn.? He buried his face in Obi-Wan?s chest. ?I loved him too.?
Obi-Wan was shocked for a long time, staring down at the clone in his arms. Then, once his mind had excepted this, he took Ben to sit on the edge of Padme?s comfortable looking bed. Ben wrapped his arms firmly around Obi-Wan?s waist and seemed content for them to stay that way forever.
Obi-Wan ran a hand over the sheets, letting Ben rest against him. He didn?t know why he was letting his clone do this, but he didn?t see why not. And he liked holding the young man to him, he admitted to himself. A protective streak suddenly found its way to his heart, and now he felt compelled to do so. Ben did need his protection, from the cloners, from the entire galaxy. Ben, for all his knowledge, didn?t know a lot about the world--about Coruscant--so Obi-Wan naturally had to take care of him. But now he felt an attachment to the young man he held.
The sheets were soft. He was still tired from not sleeping much for two days, and he felt compelled to lay back on those sheets, with Ben, and stay there for a few weeks, forgetting all the world.
The thought surprised him again. He was tired of getting so surprised by all these little things.
?We should go back,? Ben said, his voice muffled into Obi-Wan?s tunic. ?Anakin will need our help.?
Our help--are we so alike now? Obi-Wan sighed, letting his hand run through Ben?s short
cropped hair. ?I know. But not just yet.? He used his other hand to tilt Ben?s head upwards.
Ben looked at him with wide, startled eyes. Obi-Wan brought his face close to his, but hesitated.
?What are you doing?? Ben asked in a low voice.
Obi-Wan looked away. ?I don?t really know.?
Ben leaned forward until their foreheads met. ?Obi-Wan?? he murmured, almost pleading.
Obi-Wan looked back and felt like he was falling into the eyes the eyes he met. Before his conscious could stop him again, he brought his lips down on Ben?s.
Ben didn?t respond, and for a moment Obi-Wan was afraid he?d made a critical error in his clone?s feelings. But then, the young man began kissing him back and he melted into that enthusiastic response. Ben wrapped his arms around Obi-Wan?s neck and tilted his head to the side to deepen the contact.
Obi-Wan moaned as his mouth was opened and Ben?s tongue entered. He gripped around Ben?s waist and held the other against him tightly.
Their thoughts were entwined by the kiss, and their minds were exploding. The kiss for both of them felt so good and right that they didn?t ever want to break it.
But then the door opened and they heard a gasp.
Ben and Obi-Wan sprang away from each other guiltily and looked up to see Anakin and Padme standing in the doorway. Padme?s mouth hung open in surprise and Anakin was trying his damndest not to laugh.
Finally, he did. His master looking up at him with that painfully guilty expression was just too funny. Ben joined in.
?We came to get you,? Padme said softly. ?Captain Typho wishes to speak with you about my security.?
?Right,? Obi-Wan nodded and rose. Then looked back down at Ben, who was sprawled on the bed, laughing and looking evermore gloriously beautiful. Obi-Wan grabbed one of Padme?s pillows and playfully hit Ben with it. ?Come on.?
?I?m coming,? Ben replied, rose, thought about what he?d just said, and collapsed into a fresh amount of laughter. Obi-Wan practically dragged him out of the room.
***
For the rest of the day while they talked to Captain Typho, Obi-Wan kept thinking of how much he wanted to drag Ben to some secluded location and have his way with him. The thought, while incredibly confusing, felt tempting. He barely managed to retain anything anyone was saying. Luckily, Ben understood what was going on in his host?s head and talked for him. His hand found its way back into Obi-Wan?s, and they both held on to that contact for the whole meeting.
It was evening now, and Obi-Wan stepped back inside from where he?d been talking to Typho some more. Ben and Anakin were talking quietly in front of Padme?s doorway. The Senator had just gone to bed.
?Are you sure about this?? Ben was asking quietly.
Obi-Wan didn?t need to be connected to his clone to tell that he was worried about something. ?Sure about what??
?Oh, nothing,? Ben said hurriedly, flashing Obi-Wan a charming smile. It was almost flirtatious.
Anakin saw it and groaned, rolling his eyes.
?What?s wrong with her cameras?? Obi-Wan asked, frowning. The screens on the wall that should have been observing her room were blanc.
?She covered them up,? Anakin replied. ?I don?t think she liked me watching her.?
?I told her that that was the whole point,? Ben explained in a hurry, ?but she wouldn?t listen to me. She?s got Artoo Detoo on alert.?
Obi-Wan shook his head. Padme was acting foolish. ?It?s not that simple. There are many ways to kill a Senator.? He looked closely at the way Ben and Anakin were acting. ?You are using her as bait, aren?t you??
?Her idea!? Ben said, pointing to the closed door.
?Don?t worry,? Anakin said quickly. ?No harm will come to her. I can sense everything that goes on in there.?
Ben and Obi-Wan exchanged a glance. Ben smiled.
?It?s too risky,? Obi-Wan told Anakin, tearing his eyes away from his clone. ?Your not that attuned to the Force, my young apprentice.?
Anakin raised an eyebrow. ?Oh, and you are??
Obi-Wan exchanged another glance with his clone. ?Possibly.?
Ben broke into peals of laughter again. Obi-Wan felt his heart sing at the sound.
***
Later, when Anakin went to stand out in the window, Ben walked up behind him.
?Hey, you,? the happy clone greeted.
Anakin smiled down at him. ?What is it??
Ben shook his head. ?Nothing. You seem tired.?
?I don?t sleep well anymore,? Anakin replied, looking out at the city again.
Ben felt a hand rest on his shoulder. He looked to see Obi-Wan there.
?Let?s talk inside,? the Jedi Knight advised the two young men.
They did, and Anakin talked of his dreams of his mother. Ben seemed especially curious about his mother and asked tons of questions about her.
?I wish I could dream about things like Padme,? Anakin said suddenly. ?Being with her again is intoxicating.?
Obi-Wan was about to temper his Padawan, when his eyes fell on Ben. He couldn?t tell Anakin of the dangers of having attachments, when he felt the same for the clone next to him. It would be hypocritical, and Anakin would know it, and he would learn nothing.
Ben frowned at Obi-Wan?s thoughts and felt guilty. He didn?t want Obi-Wan to get in trouble with the entire Order just because of him.
Looking down at Ben, though, Obi-Wan felt his heart rise and fall slowly. He wasn?t totally stupid, he knew what was happening. He knew this feeling, knew what it was. But until he figured out what to do about it, he couldn?t help Anakin.
Then, suddenly, they all three felt something.
Danger.
?Padme!? Ben cried.
?I sense it,? Obi-Wan said, rushing to the door, his Padawan rushing ahead of him.
TBC
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