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Title: GONE

by: Skye

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Author's Notes: Here's a small start on the Qui-Gon as a child story. Hope it catches your interest. Of course I don't own any of the characters and I'm certainly not making any money off the writing of this (just in case anyone official is watching). I'm just enjoying transcribing the stories as the ether delivers them.

Anyone wants to archive this, feel free.

Rated G

The crimson ship settled through the atmosphere of the grey-green planet, sinking through the clouds to touch down on the landing pad where the localgovernmental delegate awaited. It was a small planet, newly achieving any sort of attention in the Senate. This tiny world has been content to linger in the background of political affairs, their delegates happily following the leads of more powerful neighboring planets. Their existance was recognized. They were included in the Senate. Their place on the trade route was honored, and the little world struggled along, its people living satisfactory lives though not overly prosperous. Still, they were content.

Until neighboring Thylos began growing their crops at a greater rate and exporting at a better price. The versatile plants were native to Trelios. They were ugly plants, with a scent to send anything with olfactory capabilities running in the other direction, but the roots were edible, plentiful and nutritious. The leaves made a delicate tea which some healers claimed had strong analgesic properties. And the vines, once properly prepared, could be boiled, separated and spun into cloth. Nothing from the Yulus plant went to waste, save the stench from it's tiny, rust-colored blossoms. The two worlds hovered on the brink of war as both grew and sold and fought over the rights to share this useful plant with the galaxy. And now, to settle ownership of trade routes and rights to the stinky plants, came the Jedi.

Sighing, Qui-Gon pulled the hood of his dark robe over his hair, shielding his face from the harsh sun of this world and the prying eyes of its inhabitants. To his right, he saw Obi-Wan do the same. Jedi need to command respect and an air of mystery to their entrance couldn't hurt.

There was no indication in Qui-Gon's earlier research to suggest that Jedi had ever visited this planet, and this displeased the master as well. Being the first also bestowed upon them the responsibility for making that all-important first impression; of the order, as ambassadors for the Supreme Chancellor and for the republic itself. It looked to be a prickly little assignment of no importance in the larger scheme of things, but much unrewarded groundlaying for Jedi to follow.

All the work and none of the credit. And to drag their enthusiasm for this assignment even lower, this trip was tacked on to the end of their last assignment which had bee a most delicate, difficult political nightmare of ego and posturing and bratty behavior. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had shared matching relief at the thought of going home, only to find that they had been detoured to this grubby little planet, simply because they were close by and it was on their way.

The gantry hissed, then extended from the ship to the ground. Qui-Gon could feel the vibrations rumble through the deck under his feet and he folded his arms tightly across his chest, anchoring the robe closed as well as the fingers that wished to fidget, to check hair, lightsaber, belt, hood or anything else that might have gone amiss. He stood still, as did his Padawan, watching with inner stillness the crowd revealed as the hatch swung open.

"It looks like quite a welcome, Master," Obi-Wan observed. There had to be at least forty people anxiously pushing toward the ship, jostling to get a good look at the Jedi ambassadors.

"Curiosity seekers," he replied, voice low and carefully neutral. "They wish to see us and perhaps meet us. But take care not to confuse curiosity with support." With that he drew a deep breath, then glided down the ramp toward those assembled, Obi-Wan at his heels as always.

A smallish man separated himself from the squinting observers. He moved toward the Jedi, his face open and anxious to deliver the greeting they could feel hovering about him in tiny, well-rehearsed words. He was slightly smaller in stature than Obi-Wan, but what he lacked in height he made up in squarish solidity from his broad shoulders to wide palms. His clothes were neutral in color, his hair was a sun-bleached brownish blond and his skin was tanned from long hours in the sun working for that precious crop. All in all, he projected the neutrality of something left too long in the sun, all color and joy faded away in the relentless exposure to the sun. Were it not for the bright blue of his eyes, he would have seemed as colorless as the bleached sand beneath their feet.

"Jedi, my name is Lytros," he introduced himself formally. "As representative of this world, I welcome you to Trelios. We bid you welcome," he added with an awkward bow and a sweep of his arm toward the mismatched onlookers.

Obi-Wan felt the master stiffen at the introduction, and the Force carried to him a barely shielded ripple of shocked dismay and surprise. He resisted the urge to turn and stare openly at his master.

Qui-Gon nodded carefully, the lifted his hood and pushed it back. Blue eyes met equally blue eyes and held. "Thank you for your welcome, Lytros. This is Obi-Wan Kenobi," he informed the Senator from the Telios fields. He must have come straight from his labors, Qui-Gon realized, trying to surreptitiously hold his breath as the odor of the flowers wafted toward him. And my name is Qui-Gon Jinn.

Qui-" their host stammered. Q-Gone? D-did you say Gone? Gone?

Leaning over slightly, Qui-Gon bent forward to look more closely at the representative. Obi-Wan felt the master's surge of … anger? Whatever it was, it was quickly bitten back and vanished as though it had never existed.

"Yes, my name is Qui-Gon Jinn, Lytros." Blue eyes bored into eyes of an equal blue. Obi-Wan watched as the color faded from the Senator's face and he backed up a step away from the Jedi, then two steps.

"I need to tell-- I have to-- My-my assistant will show you to your quarters, Jedi. You must be tired after your long journey. I will-uh, I'm. We'll talk later," he finally stammered, then turned and pushed his way roughly through those assembled. The vibrations from rolling from him told the Jedi of deep shock.

Obi-Wan turned to his master in confusion. He'd witnessed everything and had no idea what had transpired right before him.

"Master?" he asked softly. "I thought we were the first Jedi to come to this planet, yet he says he knows you."

"Oh, he does," the tall man replied. "He remembers me well. I believe that was my brother."

Obi-Wan nearly choked. "Your brother?" In all the years he'd known his master, the man had never once mentioned his family, his history, even a planet of origin. "But-but you look nothing like him. He's so short."

"Half brother." Qui-Gon spared him a quick, assessing glance, then turned his attention back to the stretch between the ship and the buildings in the distance. "And therein lies the problem." He sighed deeply, clearly not looking forward to moving into this new and personal crisis now overlaying the political one.

"Come, Obi-Wan. I fear this is going to be a very difficult day." And with that, he swept down the gangway, cloak swirling behind him as he headed toward the lesser representatives who were bobbing and smiling high-stress greetings and promises of creature comforts ahead. Head high, dignity gathered tightly about him, Qui-Gon marched through the small farmers who hastily backed away from this tall, black-cloaked apparition who had frightened their leader into fits and running away.

Chapter 2

Warning: This applies a bit of brother-abuse. Nothing ugly, certainly nothing sexual, just brother-meanness. If this disturbs you, skip on by.

Pounding feet thudded dully against the brownish soil as someone ran up behind them. "Jedi? Please wait, honored Sirs," it gasped as it ran. Qui-Gon took pity on this latest welcomer, coming to a halt as the man panted up to them. "Jedi-"

Oh, this would not do, he sighed in exasperation, feeling the anxiety, fear and awe flowing in waves against his shields. "Qui-Gon Jinn," He interrupted gently. "My name is Qui-Gon Jinn, and this is my apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi." Obi-Wan, obviously distracted, acknowledged his introduction after a moment with a sketchy bow followed by a hasty step backward as the scent of the plant blossoms caught the breeze and wafted toward them.

The emissary nodded nervously, swallowed hard and began again. "Honored Sirs, I am Varelo and I am the assistant to Senator Lytros. He has asked me to see you to your rooms so that you might rest and make yourselves comfortable."

The man's nervousness was visible in his restless shifting of weight from foot to foot and wiping of sweaty palm on his clothing. Definitely not the sort of attaché one normally sees with a Senator, Qui-Gon noted. Poor planet. Everyone works in the fields, even the politicians.

Qui-Gon replied with a gracious inclination of his head, and the little man bounced ahead of them, turning frequently to check that his important charges were following. Qui-Gon managed to shorten his stride and still remain dignified, studiously ignoring both the anxiety from their guide and the burning curiosity from his Padawan.

· * *

"Gunnan!" Lytros hit the door to their home with the flat of one hand, letting it swing away from the force of his homeward charge. "Gunnan! Gunnan, where are you?" Lytros whirled in place, frantically surveying the emptiness of the room.

"What in the nine worlds is the matter with you?" grumbled a lower voice from a side room. "What's the matter now? The Jedi have six legs each and want three lovers before bedtime?"

Gunnan's effort at caustic humor fell flat. His brother was staring at him with huge blue eyes that held shock and fear. "What is wrong with you? Didn't the Jedi arrive?"

"Gunnan, the Jedi is Gone."

"Gone? But he just arrived?"

"Yes, and he's Gone."

Gunnan sighed in exasperation. "Very clever, Lytros. Then where did he go? Make yourself clear. I've work to do."

"The Jedi is Gone," he replied as a less rapid rate. "Remember Gone?" He waved a hand somewhere around level with his hip. "Little Gone? Small boy? Closet?"

Gunnan stared at his brother, then shook his head. "You're seeing ghosts. "How could that possibly be Qui-Gon. He's been gone for some 50 years. Standard - not even Tyrian." He shook his head in gentle annoyance at Lytros overreaction. "Where are the Jedi now. Let's go talk to him without panicking so you can get over this."

"I'm serious. It's Gone. He has the eyes. And he's huge. Tall, very tall like Mother's friend was. I'm telling you, it's the boy."

Gunnan glanced toward the door as though he could see the visiting Ambassadors from where he stood. "You mean that old man we gave that kid to really was a Jedi?"

"I can't do this now," Lytros muttered. "I can't negotiate with him. He's got to hate us. He's got to."

"He was only a little boy. What could he remember?"

"He looked at me. Our eyes met and…and…" He trailed off and began to pace across the small central room.

Narrowing his eyes, Gunnan turned to study his brother appraisingly. "You're afraid of him."

Lytros stopped pacing. "He's a Jedi. And he hates us, I'm sure. AND he holds the fate of our planet in his hands? Oh yes, I'm very scared. If you had any sense, Gunnan, you would be too. Have you forgotten what life was like here then?"

The older brother hesitated at that, memories creeping back unbidden of interaction with his little brother. No, not brother, he corrected himself. Little bastard that mom dropped after Father died.

There was a tentative knock on the door, and the huge eyes of Lytros' assistant appeared in the small space where the door hung ajar. "Master Lytros? Master Gunnan?" he all but whispered into the small room. "I have brought the Jedi."

"Here?" Gunnan raised his eyebrows, then glanced at his brother who shrugged in embarrassment.

"There are no guest quarters, brother. No one ever comes here. I thought they could stay with us….." Before we knew, the words hung unsaid between them. Before the Jedi was identified.

"Well, bring him in out of the heat," growled Gunnan. "Don't keep him waiting."

"Them, Master Gunnan," the assistant corrected.

"Them?"

"There are two Jedi. Qui-Gon Jinn and Obiwind Kenibi."

"Obi-Wan Kenobi," corrected a low voice from outside the door.

"And Obi-Wand Kenobeee," hissed the nervous man. The eyes disappeared from the crack in the door, and hurried footsteps were heard retreating.

"Well, come in," growled Gunnan.

"Thank you," replied the same even voice, and a hand reached through the open space, pushing it wide enough to step through. The hand was huge. Broad and wide with long fingers.

Gunnan glanced down at his own square palm. It, too, was overly large, but lacking the length in fingers.

A tall, hooded figure stepped forward, having to duck slightly to clear the lintel. A second figure stepped in behind him, though he was closer to the normal height of the people of Trelios, Gunnan noted. The Jedi lowered their hoods, and Gunnan found himself face to face with a Jedi who was stranger…and was not. The blue eyes were familiar, but the expression in them was hard and guarded.

"I can sense some anxiety over my presence here," that mellow voice informed him. "Would you prefer to contact the Senate and request another ambassador? No offense would be taken."

"I…uh….."

The expression on the Jedi's face softened slightly and appeared slightly more sympathetic. "I know this was unexpected. We were not scheduled for this mission until this morningand I had no idea who the representatives of this planet were. I am as surprised as you."

"Surprised. Yes," replied Lytros. "I had…had no idea…"

"Please contact Chancellor Valorum," Qui-Gon urged gently. "There can be no negotiation if you cannot trust those working on your behalf."

"That's true enough," Gunnan snorted behind them. "C'mon, Lytros," he ordered, then ducked through another narrow doorway, leaving the Jedi alone in the room.

Alone for the first moment since they stepped off the ship. Obi-Wan stole a glance at his master, trying hastily to appraise this totally-out-of-control situation. Master Qui-Gon might look serene and unruffled, but Obi-Wan knew better. His breathing was faster, and it wasn't the heat. His jaw was clenched, and he had yet to unfold his arms from within his robes - always a dead giveaway of anxiety. And Qui-Gon kept glancing at spots in the room. The table. Certain corners. And the closet. Frequently the closet.

"Master?" he asked softly. "Master, are you alright?"

"I am fine, Obi-Wan," came the stiff, formal reply.

//No you're not. Something is very much wrong here//

//Ghosts of the past, Padawan. Nothing serious, I assure you//

//The past can be very serious indeed, Master. These men…are very much concerned about your presence//

//They have no need to be// Qui-Gon sent him a quick look, silencing the mental conversation. "Why don't we step back outside while they are contacting Coruscant," he suggested. "This home is small and allows very little privacy." He then headed back outside into the heat and glare.

The commscreen glowed in the gloom of the room, shrouded against the midday sun and the brothers huddled before it as the image spoke.

"So they did arrive? Good, they made good time. I'm certain you will be pleased by what they can achieve at negotiations. Master Jinn is my most trusted and successful ambassador. You were fortunate that he was available," the Chancellor added with a slight smile.

"Master…Jinn?" Gunnan began, stumbling over the unexpected title. "Yes…ah, that is…that is high praise, Chancellor. Yes, we are most fortunate to have him. We thank you for answering our request so quickly."

"Again, circumstances were fortuitous. With luck, your dispute can be resolved with equal speed. Please give my regards to Master Jinn." The image on the screen smiled blandly and disappeared, breaking the connection before the others had a chance to alter the conversation.

"Gone is a master Jedi?" Lytros straightened from his crouch over the comscreen, stunned. "He's not only a Jedi Knight, he's a master."

"Why didn't you tell him we didn't want that one?" Gunnan snapped. "Now we're stuck with him!"

"We were anyway, brother. Didn't you hear the praise from the Chancellor? He thinks that Gone is the best Jedi he's got. And what are we supposed to say? We were rotten to him when we were kids and he hates us? That ought to enhance our standing in the senate."

Thoughtful silence was Gunnan's reply, then he shook his head. "So what are you going to do with him?"

"They'll have to stay here. There is no other place to put them."

"Oh, that's great. Bring him back into this house?"

"Gunnan, we have no choice. Make the best of it. Get the negotiations schedules as soon as possible. NOW if possible. Let's get this over with and get them out of here."

"It's sunset. We can't start 'til morning. You know how the Thylans are about sundown."

"Hmph. Then they stay here. We'll put them in the old room." Lytros pushed away from the comscreen and headed for the door. "Come on. Let's get this over with."

The outer room was empty, but the door stood open as a sign that they had moved outside. A quick glance found the visitors standing silently against the wall in a small strip of shade from the overhand of the roof. The sight made Lytros nervous all over again. Tall, silent, hidden in those strange robes…never moving without need. Never talking. They were almost frightening. And when you factored in the grudge that tall one certainly carried, they were very frightening. He'd heard of the powers wielded by a Jedi, and the thought made his stomach knot.

"Come in, please?" he called, and both hooded heads swiveled his way. There was no other movement, just the look in his direction. Their very stillness made his skin crawl. "Come in," he urged again, beckoning to them. This time they did move, striding toward the doorway. He stepped aside, letting them enter.

"We spoke to the Chancellor, and he sends his regards," Lytros repeated dutifully. Qui-Gon received the message with a nod. "The Chancellor spoke very highly of your skills and pointed out how fortunate we were to have you assisting us. It seemed the best course for our people to have you continue the negotiations withThylos."

Qui-Gon considered this silently, then nodded. "I will do my best to assist your planet with this difficulty." He hesitated, then looked over to Lytros. "Do not concern yourself with the past, if that is what is disturbing you."

"I…uh….well…." He couldn't quite say it, couldn't bring the subject out into the open.

"For you are no longer the child that you once were, as I am no longer the child that you knew," Qui-Gon continued. The blue-eyed gaze locked onto his, pinning the smaller man with its intensity. "I am Jedi," he said softly into the electric stillness of the room.

Lytros forced himself to break the eye contact, and shuffled backward a step. "We have no important visitors to our planet, so our lodgings for such guests are woefully inadequate. We would be honored if you would share our home tonight."

"Thank you," replied Qui-Gon and with another nod, swept unguided toward the back room that was to be theirs for the night.

* * *

The room was sparse, but held two beds. They'd had worse lodgings on other planets. Qui-Gon stripped of his robe and draped it across the foot of one bed before dropping almost bonelessly to sit on it. He closed his eyes and drew a shuddering breath, clearly trying to ground.

"Master?" The voice at his shoulder was followed by a light touch when he did not immediately respond. The voice carried concern tinged with bewilderment, echoed by the emotions from Obi-Wan.

"You are confused," he said finally, "and you deserve at least some explanations."

"Only if you wish to share them."

Qui-Gon opened his eyes and glanced over his shoulder, nailing Obi-Wan with that gaze. Tell the truth, that look said. Obi-Wan shrugged almost sheepishly. "Well, yes, Master. I am curious. How could I not be? You've never said a word about your past. Not once to my memory. No one at the Temple knows anything about you, either.

"You asked?"

Squirm, scuffle foot slightly. "Well, yes. A long time ago. I wondered about your past, just as I wanted to find out more about mine."

"There was nothing to tell, Padawan. I didn't know much either. Master Raell found me on a tiny out-of-the-way planet when I was very young. The family gave me up. That is the extent of the formal history."

"There has to be more than that. What transpired between you and - and whatever their names are shows that much."

"I did not know my planet's name. Raell never told me. I never asked. Evidently, it was this one. I recognized my brother when I saw him again. I knew his name. And the scent of those plants," Qui-Gon sighed and rubbed his palms on his thighs. Anxiety, Obi-Wan noted instantly. Extreme anxiety, for this was not a gesture he saw often.

"As I recall, their father died in an accident. Our mother found both comfort and company in another man after her husband died. He stayed only a short time, but left her with a small … gift in parting." He smiled ruefully, indicating the nature of the 'gift.' She had three sons with her husband. She and the eldest boy ran the store. The other two -"

"Gunnan and Lytros," Obi-Wan interrupted for clarity.

"-Gunnan and Lytros," he confirmed, "were to do work here and watch over me. I believe they very much resented my presence."

"And they were unkind," Obi-Wan filled in gently as the lingering silence told of Qui-Gon'' reticence to continue with his tale.

"They were unkind," he replied softly. "As teenage boys can be when they harbor anger toward something weaker than they are. But that is long past, and best remembered at another time." Qui-Gon straightened and gave Obi-Wan a sad little smile.

"We have work to do tomorrow. Best we prepare tonight."

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan nodded, quickly picking up the change of topic. "Do you suppose they will feed us tonight?"

"I imagine. Probably the Yulus root or some other local delicacy."

"Isn't that the plant that smells so horrible?"

"Hmm. Yes, it is. You'll get used to it."

Obi-Wan shuddered at the thought. "I very much doubt that, Master. Evan the Rinitian swamp didn't smell that bad." He glanced back at his master as though hoping for a reprieve, as though it might all be a bad practical joke. "They really eat that thing, Master?"

"Nearly every meal."

"Perhaps the negotiations will be short," sighed the apprentice as he dropped onto the bed. "Please be brilliant tomorrow, Master."

A soft chuckle answered his dismay. "I will do my best to see us off this planet with all possible speed. Hopefully you will not starve before that happens."

* * *

….laughter. The laughter was loud and cruel. Qui-Gon tipped his head back to look up at the figure towering over him.

"Go, Gone. Why aren't you gone, Gone?"

There was no answer to that. None he could give. He knew that nothing he could do would alter the situation or influence its outcome.

"That's why mom named you that, y'know. Because she wanted you gone, too. Nobody wanted you. Nobody wants you here now. "

The tall figure advanced on him, towering over him, smiling mirthlessly. "So why aren't you gone, Gone. Why do you keep coming back?"

"Gunnan, Mother said to watch him. She said that if he went out on his own again we were going to get it." He couldn't see the other voice, only hear it. He dare not look away from the menace bearing down on him.

"Oh, I'll look after him all right. C'mere, stupid brat." Qui-Gon knew without looking that there was no where else he could go, that there was no escape.

A huge hand flashed out, slapping him on the side of the head, causing stars to explode in his field of vision. "I said, c'mere!" The hand closed on his shoulder, lifting and shaking simultaneously. "Where'd you get that," the voice demanded, and something was ripped from his hand. The hand was small, and the fruit large enough to be noticed in his small-fingered grasp, though it was small enough to disappear completely in the hand before him. A silent cry formed within him as his prize disappeared in that hand. "Did you steal this?" "Scorch it, if Mother finds out we'll be in for it."

The hand closed over his shoulder, lifting him clear of the ground in its painful grip. He was hauled across the front room into the corner, where a smaller door was opened. "Get in there," Gunnan growled, and tossed him inside, into the small storage cubby. The door slammed behind him, plunging him into total darkness.

"There. No more wandering. We let him out just before Mother gets home and the afternoon is ours."

The sound of their laughter and footsteps faded, leaving him alone in the dark. His head hurt. His shoulder hurt. And his stomach hurt, too. Gunnan even took his fruit.

He scooted back into the corner and curled up, head resting on knees. There were no tears. The tears never eased the pain anyway, and this scene had been played out too many times before. There was nothing to do but endure until the sun went down and someone came home that might wonder where he was….

Obi-Wan was jolted out of sleep, gasping, heart pounding and shivering over the nightmare. It had been awful; the fear, the utter helplessness, the isolation…the aloneness…. He drew several deep breaths, trying to slow his racing heart and let his gaze wander across the room, only dimly lit by the moonlight from the window.

A tall silhouette sat on the side of the other bed, arms wrapped tight about himself as he rocked slightly. Obi-Wan saw him shiver as he watched.

"Master?" Obi-Wan rose from the bed instantly, swiftly crossing the small room to stand beside Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon looked up and offered a small, sad smile. "I'm sorry. My dreams woke you as well, didn't they."

"That...was not a dream, Master."

"Mmm, more a nightmare, I suppose."

"Master…" He was concerned, but uncertain how to help, how to crowd into personal, painful memories where he certainly was not welcome. "That was more than a dream."

Qui-Gon did not answer and the silence stretched uncomfortably between them. "Memories I did not know I had," he confessed finally. "Go back to sleep, Obi-Wan. There will be no more nightmares tonight."

It had the tone of dismissal. Reluctantly Obi-Wan crept back to his bed, though he lay awake, worriedly watching his master for some time.

~TBC~