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MISSION OF JUSTICE: Part Seven

By MasterHawke, 1999

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DISCLAIMER: You all know the drill -- I get tired of writing everything every time --

RATING: PG

MLORI 7 -- Mining Colony

A loud explosion ripped through the room, pelting the Jedi with falling debris and sending a choking cloud of dust past them up the corridor. The sound of escaping air was loud as the dust cloud was drawn swiftly back toward the gaping hole in the asteroid's surface. As the air pressure equalized a different sound could be heard in the background, the ominous crackling sizzle of a metri cleansing system. As Jareth stood and helped the others to their feet the comlink continued the countdown.

"I hate to rush you, Master Jareth, but the countdown?" Starhawke's voice sounded concerned. "It's getting close."

Jareth spoke softly, "I know, Starhawke, we're coming." The eight Jedi and Commander Tunai picked their way through the rock debris as they reentered the room and headed for the hole that led to the safety of Starhawke.

As the Jedi neared the breach Qui-Gon lost his footing on the rubble and stumbled. Keira and Obi-Wan reached out to steady him, making sure that he didn't lose his grip on Shan-Dowe.

"Master?" Obi-Wan's voice was laced with concern.

The older Jedi slowly shook his head as he knelt over the still body of Shan-Dowe, his breathing was labored as he fought for his friend's life.

Keira knelt and laid her hand on Shan-Dowe's shoulder, "She's weakening. He can barely hold on to her." Her voice was distant as she communicated with the Jedi Master. She stood and helped Qui-Gon back to his feet and the two Jedi moved into the connecting tunnel. As the others followed them closely the first tendrils of the metri cleansing flowed into the deserted room.

Starhawke disengeged from the asteroid and with a short burst of laser fire the ship sealed the hole in the surface before decompression could implode the entire mine section.

On board the ship, Jareth, Obi-Wan, and Tunai headed for the bridge as Deain and Keira stayed with their injured Master.

Keira turned to Anakin and Jesson, "I need the two of you to get the medical kit from the port cargo bay, Starhawke can tell you where it is."

The young Padawans nodded and ran to the hold.

Keira led Qui-Gon into Shan-Dowe's quarters and helped the exhausted Jedi warrior lay Shan-Dowe on her bed. Deain and Keira quickly opened up their Master's tunic and started cleaning up the wound. As soon as Kiera saw the extent of the damage she gasped, "Deain, go get Tunai, I'm going to need his help if we're going to save her life."

Deain nodded and left the room.

Keira turned to Qui-Gon, the Jedi Master's brow was furrowed in concentration. She slid her hand to cover his as it lay resting on Shan-Dowe's shoulder, <Master Jinn?> she sent a tendril of thought his way.

<Keira, she's getting weaker.> The Jedi's mind sounded strained.

<I know, Master, help is on it's way.> Keira looked up as Deain, Tunai and Obi-Wan entered the room, "Commander, I need your help to save Master Shan-Dowe's life. I can't promise you anything except that you will not be harmed, but it is your ability that can save her." She turned as Anakin and Jesson came back carrying the medical kit, she nodded her thanks, "I think Starhawke can fix up something for you to eat if you head for the lounge." She turned back to Tunai as the young Padawans left the room, "What do you say, Commander?"

Tunai nodded quickly, "What can I do?"

Keira smiled, "Deain will be with you, she's healed with me before. I just need you to stay close, when I need your help I'll let you know." She turned back to Shan-Dowe and slipped into a healing trance.

Deain smiled at Tunai, "Relax, Commander, just close your eyes and calm your mind."

Tunai smiled, "I think you can call me Xave." He closed his eyes and relaxed.

<You're doing fine, Xave.> Deain commented softly, <You're a natural.>

Keira reached for Qui-Gon, <Master?>

<Keira?>

<I'm here. What can you tell me?>

<I can barely hold on to her at this level.>

<Go deeper, I can work on the surface and heal her, you need to keep track of Shan-Dowe.> Keira felt Qui-Gon shifting to a lower level as she started healing her Master.

Obi-Wan stood in the doorway watching for awhile then he left and headed back for the bridge. When he got there Jareth was talking to the transport captain.

"Thank you, Captain Fero, but we will be taking Starhawke back to Coruscant."

"Of course, Master Tra'ske. I'll head back as soon as I lift off."

The transmission ended and Jareth turned to look at Obi-Wan, "How is she?"

Obi-Wan shrugged helplessly, "Keira and Deain are healing her right now with Tunai's help."

Jareth sat back in the command chair tiredly, "Starhawke?"

"Yes, Master Jareth?"

"Stop in at Mlori 5, please."

"Yes, Sir!" Starhawke's voice was pleased.

Jareth arched an eyebrow, "Getting a little excited, are you?"

"Well, I figure the only reason that we're stopping at Mlori 5 is to pick up that waste of space that tried to kill Shan-Dowe."

Jareth smiled and nodded, "I think I'll keep an eye on him, just in case you decide to do something out of loyalty."

Starhawke laughed quietly, "I won't do anything to him, I promise." His voice went low, "That's Shan's privelege, not mine."

Obi-Wan grinned, "I like the way Starhawke thinks."

"So do I."

Jareth and Obi-Wan turned at the sound of Deain's voice. "How is Shan-Dowe?" Jareth asked softly.

"She lives." Deain dropped into her chair wearily, "Keira is staying with her right now."

"Master Qui-Gon?" Obi-Wan questioned quietly.

"He's fine, but he won't leave her side." Deain leaned back in her chair, "I didn't realize how much he cares for Master Shan."

"I don't think he knew." Obi-Wan mused as he turned to look at Jareth.

Starhawke landed at Mlori 5 and Jareth soon had Danni T'Ure in custody and back in the ship. Things got a little tense when the Jedi Master brought him on board, Keira had to pull Deain back when her sister tried to throw the man into the cargo bay and vent it to space.

The next three days were filled with Keira still trying to reach her Master's mind, the young healer was starting to get worried about her Master. Qui-Gon was the only one that could reach the stricken Jedi, even he had no idea why Shan-Dowe couldn't surface.

When Starhawke reached Coruscant and landed at the Jedi Temple the healers were waiting for them. They took Qui-Gon and Shan-Dowe directly to the infirmary leaving Jareth, Obi-Wan, Keira, and Deain to explain what had happened to the Council. Danni T'Ure was taken into custody by the Temple guards.

Healer Poli Sased looked up as he felt someone enter the room, he nodded as he recognized Master Yoda and Master Windu walk in, "Councillors." He greeted the men.

"How are they?" Mace asked softly.

Sased shrugged, "Kiera healed both of them on Starhawke."

"Why are they here then?"

"Because Shan-Dowe is trapped in a coma. Qui-Gon is the only one that can reach her mind, the strain is starting to wear on him even with Kiera and Deain lending him strength."

"Help her, he must. Only one who can, Qui-Gon is." The dimunitive Jedi walked over to stand beside his former padawan. <Qui-Gon?>

Qui-Gon's body stirred slightly, <Master Yoda?>

<Know what you need to do, do it you must.>

<But, how do I know that it's what she wants?>

<Search your heart, you must. Find the answer, you will.> Yoda laid his hand on top of Qui-Gon's, <Hurry as well, you should. If weaker she becomes, save her you cannot, or yourself.>

<I understand, Master.> Qui-Gon sent his mind deeper, connecting fully with Shan-Dowe's mind, <Shan?>

<...........Qui?> Shan's mind was slow to respond, <What.........?>

<You were injured, but Kiera healed you, and now it's time to return.>

<....so....tired....Qui....>

<Shan, come on precious one, I promised Garrick that I would take care of you. And I have no intention of going back on my word.> Qui-Gon reached out for her, promising everything, denying nothing, letting the full light of his love flare up and envelope the two of them as he reached for the real world.

Qui-Gon slowly opened his eyes as he felt Shan shudder beneath his touch, he moved over until he was sitting on the bed with her, "Stay with me, Shan-Dowe, don't leave me alone. Stay in my heart and mind." His voice was soft as he strengthened his hold on his new BondMate.

"Qui-Gon?" Shan's voice was rough from disuse.

"I'm here, Shan, I am never leaving you."

"Hold me."

Qui-Gon wrapped his massive arms around her, pulling her back against his chest. The two Jedi fell into an exhausted, dreamless sleep, comforted by their Bond and their love for one another.

Across the room Mace glanced down at Yoda, "You knew that this was going to happen." It wasn't an accusation, merely a statement of fact.

"Hard to see this future was, always in motion the future is." Yoda's ears twitched slightly as he turned to leave the room.

Mace grinned, in his own way Master Yoda had answered his query. He glanced back at the sleeping Jedi, "I wish the two of you all the happiness in the galaxy, treasure your Bond and it will protect both of you forever." His voice was soft and gentle. Mace turned back to glance at Sased, "They'll be fine, Healer, just let them sleep as long as they will." The Jedi Master turned and left the room.

Sased smiled faintly as he walked over and laid another blanket over the two Jedi, he knew of the life-mate bondings. Full ForceBonds were rare among the Jedi, very few were capable of handling the intensity of the Bond. Demands on hearts and minds were great, the loss of privacy was very unsettling to most humans. While he knew of ForceBonds that had survived the death of a lifemate, he had also heard of lifemates dying together, the loss of one mate was not survived by the other. ForceBonds were as different as the lifemates themselves. As he left the room he lowered the lights and closed the door.

Some hours later, Shan stirred slightly as she felt a gentle touch feathering across her cheek and trailing down her throat. She turned her head, exposing her throat to that subtle touch.

"Are you awake, dear?" Qui-Gon's husky voice whispered in her ear as his fingers kept up their explorations.

"Mmmmmm." Shan murmured, "I am now, rogue." She turned her head to smile up at him, "What are you doing?"

"Learning."

"Learning what?"

"Your face, its textures, its softness." Qui-Gon leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose.

"What do you find so facinating about my nose?" Shan's eyes twinkled with amusement.

"It's perfect." He planted another light kiss on the mentioned feature.

"Qui?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"I love you." Shan stared up at the Jedi laying next to her, slowly beginning to lower her shields.

Qui-Gon braced his head on his right hand as he reached for Shan's hand with the left, "And I love you." He began to lower his shields as well.

They both gasped audibly as their minds surged together in full force for the first time, as the connection spread throughout their minds, new pathways were being forged as their minds slowly became one.

It was hard, lowering shields that had stood for centuries, Shan-Dowe was troubled at the thought of causing Qui-Gon any pain as he experienced her centuries-long buried feelings.

"My precious love, the pain is nothing." Qui-Gon's voice was echoed by his comforting thoughts in her mind.

"Say that again." Shan's eyes filled with tears as she stared up at her Bondmate's face.

<My precious love.> Qui-Gon's thoughts were clear even though his eyes were not.

The Bond hummed with barely leashed energy, urging the two Jedi to fulfill their destiny of love.

Qui-Gon brought his hand up to cup Shan's face as his lips gently kissed her.

<Not here, love.> Shan's mind was amused.

<Okay.> Qui-Gon stood and gathered her into his arms and strode purposely toward the door..............

~~~~~ TBC ~~~~~