BY: p_stotts
CATEGORY: AU, H/C, drama
SETTING: 7 years pre-TPM
RATING: PG
SUMMARY: Qui-Gon is injured in a pirate raid, and Obi-Wan is taken prisoner. The Jedi master�s ensuing search for his padawan garners more than the expected results.
DISCLAIMER: I don�t own any recognizable characters from the SW universe. All the others are mine, however.
FEEDBACK is most welcome.
SPECIAL THANKS to Moonscribe, for all your help, encouragement, and beta.
Part 1
Hermano held an expensive silk handkerchief to his nose as he made his way through the lower level of the slave market holding cells. Over the years he�d visited hundreds of these places in the service of his master. In all that time he�d never gotten used to the stench of putrid excrement and dead bodies. But, this was a necessary part of his work. Sometimes he�d find a hidden jewel amongst the discarded refuse of the lower levels. He knew most of the slave traders looked on these poor wretches as a liability, and if some poor sucker was willing to actually pay for them, well�so much the better.
He was just beginning to think that he wouldn�t find anything worth saving on this trip when his empathic senses homed in on one particular dark cell.
�Open this door,� he instructed the slaver. �I want to have a look inside.�
�Ya wan�t fine anathin in thar bud trubble,� protested the slaver.
�Open it,� Hermano said, pressing on the other man�s mind slightly.
�Ahrat, but Ah warnt ya,� the other man acquiesced.
Allowing his eyes to grow accustomed to the darker interior of the cell, Hermano was able to spot a filthy huddled figure in the corner. Pressing his handkerchief more firmly over his nose, he drew close enough to the figure to ascertain it was a young, human male, perhaps twenty seasons. The unfortunate man had once been healthy and vital, but his stay in the slave hold had obviously not been good for his well being.
Studying the injured man with sharp eyes, Hermano immediately noticed two things, a Force collar and a padawan braid. Sighing in disgust, he turned to the slaver who stood warily in the doorway.
�I�ll give you twenty daktari for him,� he stated in a firm voice.
�Ah cannut let im go for thad miserble prahss!� protested the slaver. �E�s wort at leese fahv hunderd daktara!�
�Wrong,� countered Hermano firmly. �He WAS worth five hundred daktari, until he was beaten into submission. Now I�ll be lucky if he doesn�t die before I get him to my transport. I�m doing you a favor by taking him off your hands. YOU should be paying ME for the service.�
The slaver looked from Hermano to the miserable figure on the floor. Obviously the man saw something of value in the slave, or he wouldn�t want him at all. He also knew that the buyer was right. In his current condition, the slave wasn�t worth even twenty daktari.
�Ahrat, ya haf a dall,� he grudgingly agreed. �Ah�ll haf ma men deliva im ta yah shep.�
�No, that won�t be necessary,� said Hermano, pulling out his comlink. Two more men appeared a few moments later with a hover-stretcher.
*Be gentle with him,* Hermano instructed them telepathically. *He�s badly injured. * The two men had been through similar rescues a hundred times. Reaching out with their hands, they made it appear as if they were lifting the slave onto the hover-stretcher, when in actuality Hermano was using his telekinetic abilities to carefully lift the injured man. If done right, the hapless slave wouldn�t even realize he�d been moved, and the slaver would be none the wiser.
As the two men guided the hover-stretcher from the slave hold, Hermano sent parting instructions to them before continuing his search. *Make him as comfortable as possible once you get him on the transport, but don�t remove the Force collar until Patri can take a look at him. It wouldn�t do to have him thrashing around and injuring himself further. *
*As you wish, my Lord, * replied one of the men telepathically.
�Now, let�s see what else you have to offer,� said Hermano, returning his attention to the slaver.
*****
Hermano returned to his transport several hours later with twenty more slaves in tow, ten of them children of various ages. He�d had more luck when he�d perused the upper levels of the slave hold where the healthier and more docile slaves were kept on display. Approximately half the slaves purchased on this trip were Force-sensitive; an added plus that would please his master a great deal. The others could be educated, or taught a trade. It had been a most fortuitous journey.
�Fire up the engines, Ando!� shouted Hermano to the pilot after he�d boarded. �Show our guests to their quarters and have the servants get them cleaned up and fed,� he said to an assistant that was hovering nearby.
�Yes, my Lord,� said the assistant before turning to usher the frightened slaves further into the ship.
�Patri!� yelled Hermano, as he made his way toward the infirmary where he knew the young man from the lower slave hold would be.
�You don�t have to shout, Hermano,� scolded Patri when he entered the infirmary, her dark eyes flashing annoyance. �I am telepathic, you know.�
*Yes, my dear. I apologize for my rudeness, * soothed Hermano. *I�m just concerned about our young guest here, * he sent, indicating the unconscious man on the infirmary bed.
�Well, you have every right to be,� replied Patri as she returned her attention to the injured man. �It�s a miracle he�s still breathing. I�d be willing to bet a month�s worth of credits that at least half the bones in his body are broken.�
Hermano came to stand by the bed in order to get a better look at the young man he�d just rescued from certain death. �He looks even younger than I thought, now that you�ve gotten him cleaned up. I�d guess he�s about seventeen seasons at the most.�
Patri smiled at the careful way Hermano reached out to brush the hair out of the young man�s face. For such a large man, he could be so gentle, especially with those less fortunate than himself. �I�d say he�s closer to eighteen seasons, but that�s still way too young to have gone through what he did.�
�Indeed,� agreed Hermano. �I see you removed the Force collar.�
Patri frowned. �That awful thing! I couldn�t bear to leave it on him a second longer. He settled right down as soon as it was off, too.�
�I instructed the others to leave it on until you could take a look at him,� he explained. �The slaver said this fellow was a lot of trouble. I didn�t want him going berserk on us as soon as he realized the thing was off.�
�This pup?� chuckled Patri. �He�s been good as gold. I�m sure their idea of trouble was his idea of trying to escape.�
�And, you don�t think he�ll try to get away from us?� queried Hermano.
�In his condition, he couldn�t get away from a two-year-old girl,� replied Patri.
Hermano reached out and placed a concerned hand on Patri�s shoulder. She was a deceptively small woman, seemingly fragile. Her pale face, and gentle features often misled those larger than her to mistake her for being weak. It was an assumption most regretted. �Don�t let your guard down, all the same. You did notice the braid behind his right ear, didn�t you?�
�Yes, Hermano,� she replied, reaching up to cover his hand with her own. �If anything, it means he�ll be less likely to jump to conclusions than most others.�
�Just be careful, and let me know if he gives you any trouble.�
*****
Qui-Gon Jinn winced at the lingering pain in his newly healed shoulder, as he packed a travel bag. He had just been released by the healers after more than a month in their care; his injuries being the result of a pirate raid on the transport he and his padawan had been traveling on.
At the thought of Obi-Wan, he closed his eyes a moment and took a deep breath. It wouldn�t do his padawan any good for him to let his emotions get the better of him. The whole time he�d been laid up, search parties for his missing apprentice had turned up nothing more than confirming that the pirates had indeed taken him as a prisoner. Now Qui-Gon was preparing to resume that search, even if he had to go against Council orders to do so.
�You should at least wait another few days before rushing off,� said a concerned voice behind him. �You�re barely recovered from your injuries.�
�I have to find him, Mace,� replied Qui-Gon as he continued to pack. �He�s been out there on his own for over a month, enduring Force knows what. He probably thinks I�m dead.�
�Qui�I know you don�t want to hear this right now, but��
�NO MACE!� shouted Qui-Gon, turning to face his friend. �I won�t even consider that possibility! I know he�s still alive! I can feel him HERE,� he said pointing to his head, �and HERE!� he pointed to his heart. �And I�ll keep searching for him until I have hard evidence to the contrary, even if I have to leave the Jedi to do it!�
�Well then�I�m going with you,� replied Mace. �You could use the help, and if the truth were told, I don�t really believe he�s dead, either.�
Qui-Gon allowed a grateful smile to show on his face. �Thank you, my friend. You�d be welcome.�
Part 2
Shortly after departing from Coruscant, Qui-Gon felt a strengthening in his bond with Obi-Wan. It was as if whatever had been blocking their training bond had been removed. Qui-Gon couldn�t get more than a sense of what was happening with his apprentice, but at least he now had confirmation that the young man was still alive.
After a week of travel, Qui-Gon and Mace had managed to track the movements of the pirates to the Outer Rim region of the galaxy. The nearer they got to the region, the stronger Obi-Wan�s presence in the Force grew. They knew they were getting close. It was only a matter of time now.
*****
�Master, it�s good that you�re finally home,� said Hermano as he took the man�s coat.
�It�s good to be home, Hermano,� said the master as he affectionately slapped his servant on the back, and headed toward his private sitting room. �And how did you fare on your trip, my friend?�
�Very well, Master,� answered Hermano as he poured drinks for the both of them, and then seated himself comfortably across from his benefactor. �I found twenty-one excellent prospects, eleven of them Force-sensitive to one degree or another. One of those is a Jedi padawan. Patri estimates he�s about eighteen seasons old.�
The master set his drink down and gave the other man his full attention. �A Jedi padawan? Are you certain, Hermano?�
�The slavers had him confined in the lower slave hold. He was wearing a Force collar and has a braid behind his right ear,� replied the servant.
Hermano watched his master intently as the other man sat back in his chair and absently stroked his lower lip in thought. His master was what some would call a handsome man, with coal-black hair, pale skin, and ice-blue eyes. But, he could also be a very intimidating man when the moment called for it, although Hermano had always found his master to be kind and fair toward all the servants. A fact which made Hermano fiercely loyal as a result.
�Where is the boy now?� asked the master.
�He�s still in the infirmary I�m afraid,� said Hermano with sad eyes. �He�d been badly beaten, and was almost dead by the time I found him. I�m afraid he�s improved very little in the meantime, but not for lack of trying on Patri�s part.�
The master smiled knowingly. He knew how Hermano and Patri felt about each other. He also knew what a caring and dedicated healer the small woman was. �I�m sure Patri has done her best. Tell her I�ll stop by to see the boy in the morning.�
�Yes, Master,� said Hermano as he rose to bid the man goodnight. �If there�s nothing else you require��
�Yes, of course,� said the man. �Have a pleasant evening.�
�Good sleep, Master.�
*****
Obi-Wan opened his eyes, and just as quickly shut them against the pain of the daylight in the room where he was being held. Taking a few shallow breaths, he opened his eyes just a crack to try and take in his surroundings, but couldn�t get his eyes to focus. All he could make out were blurred images that swam around too quickly for him to recognize, making his already upset stomach that much more nauseous.
Trying to suppress his body�s gagging reflex did no good. He tried rolling over onto his side, but found the pain too excruciating to move, and started choking on his own vomit. Gentle hands were there in an instant to help him turn his head enough so he could expel the vile-tasting bile into a pan. When he was done, he felt a warm towel gently cleaning his face and neck.
He was furiously trying to make out the image of whoever was taking care of him when a soft voice in his head pushed him back to sleep. Obi-Wan was too weak to fight the suggestion, and he succumbed in seconds.
Patri looked up from the now-sleeping Jedi padawan to greet her master with a smile. �It�s good to see you back and looking so well, my Lord.�
�It�s good to see you, also Patri,� the master returned the greeting. �How�s our young charge doing this morning?�
Patri shook her head sadly. �He�s not a whole lot better than when we first brought him in. I�ve managed to set most of his broken bones, and they�re beginning to heal, but he sustained quite a blow to his head. He�s only regained consciousness a few times, and when he does, he usually gets sick, as he did just then.�
The master nodded to acknowledge the healer�s report, and then took a seat next to the bed, intently studying the young man�s face. He was pitifully thin, and bore all the marks of the abuse he�d obviously suffered while in the hands of the slavers. Gods only knew how long that had been.
Something about this young man seemed tantalizingly familiar to him, as did his Force signature. Closing his eyes in meditation, it only took the man a moment to realize who the young Jedi was.
Looking at the injured young man with gleaming eyes, the master sat back in his chair and smiled. �Well, well, well�Obi-Wan Kenobi. Who would have thought we�d meet again under these circumstances?�
�Do you know this young man, Lord?� asked Patri.
�Yes,� he answered her absently. �At one time we knew each other very well. But, it�s been several years.� Rising from his chair, the master gave Patri some parting instructions. �Keep me apprised of his progress. I want daily reports�more often if his condition changes suddenly.�
�Yes, my Lord,� said Patri to the retreating figure of her master.
*****
The two Jedi masters hurriedly exited from the slave hold, both shaking with moral outrage at what they�d witnessed within its walls. But, the trip had been more than worth it.
Qui-Gon Jinn had been relentless in tracking the movements of his missing padawan since pirates had abducted the boy, and he�d recovered enough from his own injuries to pursue them. By using almost every Force skill he knew, from following the long-cold trail of Obi-Wan�s Force essence, to mind-tricking witnesses into giving up information, to hacking into confidential computer records, the Jedi master had at last found out the location of his apprentice.
Although the methods his friend used were sometimes borderline unethical, Mace had turned a blind eye to all of it. He knew just how on-edge his friend was, and if cutting a few corners would get them to Obi-Wan quicker, then he was willing to overlook a few things in the process.
They re-boarded their transport quickly and headed for the planet Romedin, in the neighboring star system. Evidently, a representative of a wealthy slave holder had procured Obi-Wan for the pitiful sum of twenty daktari�an amount that led both Jedi masters to believe that the padawan must be holding onto his life by a thread at this point.
Leaning back in his seat with a sigh, after the ship had successfully made the jump to hyperspace, Qui-Gon reached out to his apprentice for the thousandth time. *Hold on, Obi-Wan. Just a little bit longer. I�m on my way. *
*****
Obi-Wan slowly became aware of his surroundings as he came out of the Force-induced sleep that he�d been in. Opening his eyes, he was once again swamped by a sense of dizziness and nausea.
The gentle Force-touch of another quickly brought his vision into focus, and settled his stomach. Sighing with relief, he gingerly turned his head toward where he felt the presence of his caretaker, his eyes widening in horror.
�Shh, calm yourself, Obi-Wan,� said the man. �I�m not going to hurt you.�
Obi-Wan�s lips moved in an effort to speak, but only a strangled gurgling sound came out. Finally, taking a calming breath, he was able to utter only one word, �Xan�atos,� before losing consciousness once more.
Part 3
Hermano worriedly approached his master, who was staring out the window with unseeing eyes. Xanatos had been spending a great deal of time sitting by the bed of the young Jedi padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Something about the young man was troubling his master, thus troubling Hermano.
�Is everything all right, Master?� asked Hermano as he came to stand beside the man who had not only saved his life several years ago, but whom he had come to love like an older brother in the time since then.
Xanatos smiled and looked at his right-hand-man. �I�m fine, Hermano. Nothing that a little patience won�t cure.�
�Something about the young Jedi troubles you, doesn�t it?�
Xanatos returned his attention to the outside scenery. �His master will be coming for him soon.�
�But�isn�t that a good thing?� asked Hermano, clearly confused.
His master took a deep breath. �Yes�yes, I suppose it is.�
Hermano knew from Patri that his master and Obi-Wan were acquainted from sometime back, thus he assumed that Xanatos was also acquainted with the young man�s master. �You and the boy�s master�did not part on�good terms?� he guessed.
Xanatos smiled and turned to the other man, giving his shoulder an affectionate squeeze. �Your empathic skills are getting more impressive all the time, my friend.�
Hermano returned the smile and let the matter drop. Evidently it was a subject that his master didn't wish to discuss just then.
*****
As time progressed, Obi-Wan had been able to stay awake for longer periods at a time, although he still tired easily, and overall he felt like something a rancor had spit back up. He knew he�d been close to death, and would probably be dead now if not for Xanatos�a fact that both concerned and confused him.
He couldn�t think of why Xanatos would want him now, after all these years. After all, they�d been down that road five years before and he hadn�t betrayed the Jedi then. Why would Xanatos think he�d do it now�because he was in such a weakened condition? No, it had to be something else. But, for the life of him, Obi-Wan couldn�t figure what that something else could be.
He tensed as the woman healer who�d been his primary caretaker sat down beside his bed. �I see you�re awake,� she said softly. �How are you feeling?�
Obi-Wan automatically reached for the Force to calm himself, thanking the gods again for the fact that they�d removed that damnable Force collar. Staying silent, he closed his eyes and turned his head away from the small woman.
Patri�s keen healer�s sense detected both the boy�s distress level and his attempt to calm himself. �I know you think you�re still in danger, but you aren�t, you know.�
*Liar! * Obi-Wan couldn�t help sending, never suspecting that the woman would pick up on it.
*Watch your manners, young man! * she immediately sent back. *I�ve been nothing but truthful and kind to you. So, don�t take liberties with my hospitality. *
Obi-Wan slowly turned his head to look at the woman, his eyes wide with surprise. *I�apologize, * he sent after a moment.
The woman smiled kindly at him then. �You know my master, don�t you?�
He continued to stare at her for a time, not answering the question, but not looking away either. Finally, he closed his eyes and allowed himself to fall back into an exhausted sleep.
*****
�He�s in there Mace, I can feel him,� said Qui-Gon as the two men kept to the shadows of an alley across from a prosperous-looking estate.
�Can you tell if he can feel that you�re near?� asked his friend in return.
�I don�t think he can,� said the Jedi master, shaking his head. �He may be too weak. I can sense that he�s there, and that he�s alive, but that�s all.�
�The place looks heavily guarded,� observed Mace. �I can feel the presence of a great many sentient beings as well.�
�We�ll wait until dark, then we�ll move in,� said Qui-Gon, pulling his cloak around him more tightly as he sat down to wait for the coming evening. Nodding his agreement, Mace joined his friend on the ground, each man sinking into his own private meditations in order to pass the time.
*****
Patri sighed as Obi-Wan refused any more of the broth that she�d offered him. He�d been able to take a few spoonfuls, but the act of eating exhausted him. �You won�t heal very fast if you don�t start eating,� she gently scolded.
�Can�t�� he murmured softly as he closed his eyes.
Patri watched him a few moments, mentally arguing with herself as to the benefits of reopening a previously unfruitful conversation.
�Obi-Wan, whatever was between you and my master in the past, is just that, in the past,� she began.
As always, when the healer tried to talk to him about Xanatos, he turned his head, refusing to listen to what he knew were lies.
�Oh, no you don�t,� she said firmly as she reached over and gently guided his head back until he was looking at her again. �Didn�t your master ever tell you that was rude?�
At the mention of Qui-Gon, tears sprang to Obi-Wan�s eyes. The last time he�d seen his master, the older man had just taken a blaster shot to the chest and was lying unconscious on the floor of their transport. He didn�t know for sure if his master was alive or dead. Although, there were times, especially recently, when his master seemed so near he could almost reach out to him along their training bond. Something he would have tried if he�d had the strength.
Patri�s eyes softened when she saw the young Jedi�s distress. �Don�t worry, you�ll see your master again,� she whispered softly. �I promise. As soon as you�re well enough to travel, my master will contact the Jedi to come get you.�
Oh, how Obi-Wan wished he could believe that! Life had been so hard since the pirates had captured him. The first thing they�d done after overpowering him, was to snap that Force-collar around his neck. Then they�d beaten him unconscious. When he�d awakened, he�d found himself in that black hole of a slave cell. That was a nightmare he�d thought he�d never escape from, something he�d tried the first chance he�d gotten. That had garnered him a beating he still couldn�t remember much about; something he was certain he should be thankful for.
The next thing he knew he�d awakened in this infirmary room, being cared for by Patri. He still didn�t know how he�d gotten here, but at least his treatment had vastly improved.
�Obi-Wan,� Patri tried again. �I don�t know much about my master�s past, but I do know this�he�s been nothing but kind and decent to all of us, and we serve him willingly. We�re not his slaves, you know. We call him Master and Lord, out of respect. All of us were once in your situation, maybe not to the dire degree you were, but we were all slaves once. Master bought us, cared for us, and then trained us to use our natural talents to the best of our abilities. When the time came, he gave us the freedom to choose our destiny. A great many of us chose to stay with him. Those that didn�t were given provisions, credits, and a ticket to the destination of their choosing. He�ll do the same for you, too.�
Obi-Wan stared at the healer in shock. He simply couldn�t line up what the woman was telling him with what he knew about Xanatos. If what she said was true�but he knew it wasn�t. It just didn�t make sense.
*****
As soon as it was dark enough, Qui-Gon and Mace silently slipped across the street and over the wall of the large estate where they knew Obi-Wan was being held. They moved carefully but quickly. The last thing they wanted was to be discovered now, when they were so close to their goal.
*****
Patri got up from her chair next to Obi-Wan�s bed. Looking down at the boy, she smiled as she watched him sleep. She knew that what she�d told him earlier about Xanatos was causing him a lot of confusion. She�d have to ask Hermano about it later. Of all the servants, he had been with their master the longest. Perhaps he would know why the young Jedi was having such a hard time trusting the man she would gladly lay down her life for.
Knowing Obi-Wan would sleep for awhile, and that he was too weak to get out of bed even if he did wake up, she left the room to return the dinner tray to the kitchen. Proceeding down the corridor and turning the corner to go toward the back of the house, she thought she caught some movement out of the corner of her eye. But, when she stopped and looked down the connecting hallway, she couldn�t detect anything out of the ordinary. Shrugging, she continued toward the kitchen.
*****
Qui-Gon and Mace crept down the corridor after they�d seen the female servant go down the other hallway. Obi-Wan was so close now that Qui-Gon wanted to rush to his side, but he knew they had to be careful. As they came to the passageway down which the servant had gone, both men poked their heads around the corner to make sure it was clear. That done, they stealthily made their way toward the room where they knew the padawan would be.
*****
Patri nodded a greeting to Xanatos and Hermano as she entered the kitchen, setting Obi-
Wan�s dinner tray on the counter for the cook to clean up later. A sudden tensing in their master�s demeanor made Patri and Hermano instantly alert.
�He�s in the house,� said Xanatos as he rushed out the kitchen door, followed closely by Patri. Hermano pulled out his comlink to alert security before he followed after them a moment later. They didn�t know who �he� was, but they knew by the way Xanatos said it that there would be trouble.
*****
Qui-Gon scanned the room with the Force to make sure Obi-Wan was alone. A quick nod to Mace and both men slipped into the room, where they stopped short at the sight of the young Jedi on the bed. He was in an infirmary of some kind, and was obviously being well taken care of, but he still looked like he�d been through hell.
Working together quickly, the two Jedi masters carefully unhooked Obi-Wan from various monitoring devices, gently pulling out the intravenous tubing that was feeding him medicine and nutrients. They�d situate him in their own infirmary once he was safely aboard their transport.
With a nod to Mace, Qui-Gon slowly worked his arms under his stricken padawan to gently lift him, but froze when he heard the unmistakable sound of a blaster being cocked behind them.
�What do you think you�re doing? Put him down!� said an angry female voice.
Part 4
Relinquishing his hold on Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon slowly straightened up, and looked at Mace as they both turned to face their opponent. Both men stood stock-still in shock as they took in not only the sight of a tiny but determined woman, but also of Qui-Gon�s former padawan, Xanatos. The two Jedi masters had their lightsabers in hand in the blink of an eye.
�I don�t know what game you�re playing here, Xanatos,� said Qui-Gon in a quiet, firm voice, �but, we�re getting out of here, and we�re taking Obi-Wan with us.�
�You�re not going anywhere with that boy!� said the woman firmly. �I haven�t spent the past two weeks bringing him back from the brink of death just so you could kill him with some heroic rescue attempt.�
�Patri,� said Xanatos calmly as he reached out and placed his hand over her blaster, �lower your weapon. The Jedi won�t attack unless you do.�
Slowly, but reluctantly, Patri lowered her weapon to her side. Xanatos hadn�t even drawn his weapon.
�You�re free to take him, Qui-Gon,� said Xanatos. �But, if he dies now, his death is on your head, not mine.�
Just then another large man came up behind Xanatos. �Master, what�s going on here?�
�They�re trying to take the boy, Hermano!� cried Patri. �Please, you must realize that he�s too weak to be moved!�
Qui-Gon seemed oblivious to everything else in the room except Xanatos, whom he hadn�t taken his eyes off of. �You�re under arrest Xanatos, for crimes against the Republic,� he said finally. �Throw down your weapon and give yourself up.�
Xanatos shook his head, and chuckled softly. �My Master, do you think you�re in any position here to be making such demands?�
Qui-Gon took a step toward Xanatos, but a hand on his arm arrested his movement. �No,� said a weak, rasping voice.
The two Jedi masters whipped their heads around in the direction of the voice to find Obi-Wan awake, his hand holding onto Qui-Gon's arm.
*Mace? * sent Qui-Gon urgently.
*I�ve got your back, old friend, * he sent in reply.
With that, Qui-Gon powered down his lightsaber and turned his full attention to his injured padawan as he knelt down beside the bed.
�Obi-Wan?� he said as he gently took the young man�s hand.
�Sssaved�me�� he whispered painfully.
�What?� asked Qui-Gon, leaning closer. �Who? Who saved you?�
�Xan�Xanatos�saved me,� Obi-Wan finally managed to get out.
Qui-Gon�s eyes widened in surprise. One glance at Mace told him the other Jedi master had also heard his padawan�s revelation.
Behind them, Patri smiled. The young man had come to a decision.
�P�please�don�t hurt�him,� Obi-Wan pleaded before his head fell back onto the pillow in exhaustion.
Not understanding any of what was going on, Qui-Gon looked into Obi-Wan�s imploring eyes and found that he had to trust the young man�s instincts. After all, he was the one who had lived through all of this. �Alright, Padawan. I won�t do anything for right now,� he promised.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and sighed with relief.
�Well, I don�t care who you are,� said Patri in a scathing voice as she shouldered her way past a shocked Mace, once she perceived that the crisis had been avoided, �you�ve done enough damage to my patient for one day, thank you very much. Now, out of here, both of you! He needs rest!�
Qui-Gon straightened up to his full height and glowered at the healer. �I�m not leaving him,� he said in a firm voice.
Patri was about to give the pig-headed Jedi master a good tongue lashing, when she heard chuckling behind her.
�Trust me, Patri,� said Xanatos with a smile. �This is one argument you won�t win. Better to just pull up a chair for Master Jinn and work around him.�
*****
Patri straightened up from her examination of Obi-Wan and nodded with satisfaction. In the last few days since Obi-Wan�s master had entrenched himself next to his padawan�s bed, the young man had made tremendous progress. Because of their training bond, Qui-Gon was able to feed Force energy to his apprentice much more efficiently than Patri or Xanatos could, and because Obi-Wan trusted his master implicitly, he�d accepted his help without reservation.
Surveying the room now, Patri shook her head in disbelief at the ridiculous scenario that was playing itself out. Qui-Gon sat by the bed, afraid to leave his apprentice alone for even a second. Mace Windu stood by the window, watching over his friends and protecting their backs. While on the other side of the room, Hermano was leaning against the wall, seemingly trying to protect Patri from any aggressive moves the Jedi might make.
�Hermano, go do something more useful than taking up space and getting in my way. I�ll be fine. The Jedi aren�t going to bite me,� said the healer in frustration, shooing him from the room.
Turning to Mace, she proceeded to kick him out, as well. �You! Go with him! Hermano, show Master Windu where the kitchen is and help him get something to eat. Bring something back for Master Jinn when you�re finished. I know I won�t be able to get him to go anywhere.�
*Are you sure, Patri? * sent her concerned lover.
*Perfectly sure, * she reassured him. *Now, go! *
Sitting down in a chair on the opposite side of the bed from Qui-Gon, she smiled in his direction. �Now, maybe we can breathe a little more freely.�
Glancing at the woman, Qui-Gon returned the smile, then turned his attention back to Obi-Wan.
Deciding she might not ever have another opportunity like this again, Patri ventured to ask a question that had been uppermost in her mind ever since their initial confrontation. �My master addressed you as HIS master when we first met. Was he once your apprentice?�
Qui-Gon regarded the small woman warily, but only sensed mild curiosity coming from her. �Yes�he was my apprentice before Obi-Wan.�
�Obviously, things didn�t work out,� she observed gently.
The Jedi master took a deep breath and let it out slowly. �No, they didn�t.�
�And�that hurt you a great deal, didn�t it?�
Qui-Gon looked at her with pain-filled eyes, but remained silent. After a moment, he returned his gaze to his sleeping apprentice.
�Sometimes, old demons die hard,� she said softly, looking at him intently.
Lifting his eyes, he stared at her for a long moment. Finally he nodded his head in agreement, then settled back in his chair and closed his eyes, signaling an end to the conversation.
*****
Sometime later, Mace brought some food back for Qui-Gon in a warming plate, and silently sat it on the bedside table so as not to disturb his sleeping friend. Content that all was well, he settled himself on the floor in the corner, and sank into meditation.
Patri smiled as she sensed the caring friendship that existed between the three Jedi. Settling back in her own chair, she went back to reading the holo-novel she�d started that morning.
A slight movement on the bed brought her attention back to her patient, who was now awake and looking at his master. Patri watched as a small smile crept onto the boy�s face. Very slowly he moved his hand until he�d settled it on top of Qui-Gon�s hand that was resting on the bed, being careful not to wake his sleeping master.
The healer leaned closer so she could whisper to Obi-Wan and not disturb anyone else in the room. �You�re very fond of him, aren�t you?�
Turning his head carefully so he could look at her, he nodded his agreement, his smile never wavering.
�That�s good. I think he needs that more than you could imagine right now,� observed Patri.
�It�s�hard for�him being here,� whispered Obi-Wan slowly.
�Still, wild banthas couldn�t tear him away from this room,� she whispered back.
Obi-Wan�s smile grew wider. Then he closed his eyes and went back to sleep.
Part 5
�Qui,� said Mace quietly as he laid a sympathetic hand on his friend�s shoulder, �why don�t you stretch your legs? I�ll stay with Obi-Wan.�
Qui-Gon sighed heavily and gave his friend an appreciative smile. �I think I will,� he said getting up from his chair. �Thank you.�
As soon as Qui-Gon walked out into the hallway, he came upon Xanatos standing by the window. Approaching his former apprentice and standing beside him, Qui-Gon hid his hands in the sleeves of his robe and stared out into the night.
�Why are you helping us?� he asked quietly. �What do you think you�ll gain from all this?�
�Come now, Master��
�Don�t�call me that!� interrupted Qui-Gon in a quiet but firm voice, enunciating each word clearly. �I�m not your master.�
Xanatos merely chuckled and went on. �At least give me credit for having learned a few things in the time since our last meeting.�
Qui-Gon clenched his jaw shut, and continued to stare out the window.
�After we�parted ways, I took a long hard look at my father�s business, and his�business philosophies. I found two key areas that he�d neglected. One, always take care of the people around you, and they�ll follow you anywhere. Two�don�t make any unnecessary enemies in the quest to achieve your goals.�
Xanatos looked sideways at Qui-Gon and gave him a self-conscious half-smile. �I regret making an enemy of the Jedi�and you.�
Qui-Gon turned his head and leveled a cold, hard stare at Xanatos. The other man never even blinked as he continued his explanation. �When my father was killed, I felt anger and betrayal�mostly at him. You were just a convenient target at that moment,� he said with a sigh, returning his gaze to the darkness outside. �I didn�t realize that until just a few years ago, and by then it was too late.�
�Do you really expect me to believe all this?� asked Qui-Gon.
Xanatos gave off a little snort. �Not really�but, it�s worth a try.� Turning to face Qui-Gon, he stared at him until the older man returned his gaze. �I regret that we parted on�shall we say�less than amicable terms. I lost one father when he died�then, I pushed the other one away.�
�Excuse me, my Lord,� interrupted Hermano, �there�s an incoming message for you. They say it�s urgent.�
�Tell them I�ll be there directly, Hermano,� said Xanatos without a backward glance.
�As you wish,� answered the servant with a respectful bow.
�Sorry to cut this joyful reminiscing short, Qui-Gon,� said Xanatos with a sarcastic smirk, �but, it seems I have business to attend to.�
Qui-Gon maintained his stoic Jedi master appearance until Xanatos had disappeared around the corner. Only then did he close his eyes in an attempt to bring his roiling emotions under control. With a deep sigh, he turned to go back into Obi-Wan�s room.
*****
Xanatos entered the communications room as Hermano turned on the holographic image. �Stay, Hermano,� he said when he saw who was calling. �I may need a witness to this.�
�Yes, my Lord,� said Hermano as he stepped into the shadows at the back of the room.
Turning to the image, Xanatos switched on the audio and greeted his caller. �Lord Sidious! To what do I owe this auspicious honor?�
�Be quiet you fool, and listen to me,� answered Sidious by way of greeting.
Xanatos set his mouth in a firm line, his ice-blue eyes flashing in anger. Other than that he remained silent and waited for the dark lord to speak.
�I understand you have Jedi staying with you�two in particular that I am very interested in,� he informed the younger man.
�I don�t know where you get your information from, Sidious,� chuckled Xanatos, shaking his head as if he didn�t know what the Sith was talking about. Meanwhile, in his mind he was quickly scanning the list of his servants and employees, trying to decide which one was the source of this leak.
�That is none of your concern,� snapped the dark lord. �I want them dead! I will, of course pay you handsomely.�
Xanatos locked eyes with Sidious. �Let me make something perfectly clear. You know as well as I do that I hold no love for the Jedi, especially these three. But, while they are under my roof, they are under my protection,� he said through gritted teeth, his eyes never wavering. �What you do to them after they leave here is your business, but while they are here they are my guests and I will treat them as such. Do I make myself clear?�
�Still protecting the downtrodden?� sneered Sidious. �How pathetic!�
�Why Sidious!� exclaimed Xanatos in mock indignation. �I�m crushed!�
The dark lord smiled; well at least that�s what it looked like to Xanatos. �I would rethink my position if I were you,� he said in a veiled threat. �You have much to lose, and everything to gain.�
�You have nothing I want, Sidious,� spat Xanatos, �and I don�t owe you anything. I�ve been very careful on that score. And, don�t even think of sending that pitiful apprentice of yours here to do the job for you. If he even sets foot in my house, he�ll be fighting more than the Jedi.�
�As you wish, young lordling,� smiled Sidious before the connection terminated.
Xanatos didn�t miss the insult, or the threat. �Come, Hermano!� snapped Xanatos, whirling around and speeding out of the room. �We have much work to do.�
Part 6
�Why, Carlin?� asked Xanatos.
The shaking servant was standing in the shuttle bay of Xanatos� estate, surrounded by four of the master�s most trusted employees, as well as Hermano and Xanatos.
�Why would you betray me like that after all I�ve done for you?� he asked again.
The servant, who was approximately twenty-five seasons, had only been with Xanatos six months. But that was long enough for him to realize that he�d committed a grave mistake.
�Please, my Lord,� said Carlin nervously. �You must understand�they said they would kill my wife and children if I didn�t give them what they wanted.�
It had only taken Hermano two days to discover the traitor who had leaked information to Darth Sidious about the Jedi being guests in their household. He�d quickly dismissed from suspicion any of the servants who didn�t have access to the main house, knowing the Jedi would have been careful to gain entrance unnoticed. He�d also overlooked the most trusted house servants in favor of the newest additions to the staff. A perusal of the communications records had then narrowed the search down to one person�Carlin.
�Why didn�t you come to me, then?� asked Xanatos. �I could have protected them!�
�Forgive me, Lord,� pleaded the servant, falling to his knees. �I was afraid!�
Xanatos took a deep breath and let it out slowly. �Where is your family now?�
�On Coruscant, my Lord,� answered Carlin quickly.
Xanatos walked behind the kneeling man, and addressed one of the servants. �Raul! Contact our operatives on Coruscant. Have them take Carlin�s family off-planet to a safe house until further notice. Tell them I�ll hold them personally responsible if any harm comes to them.�
�Yes, my Lord. It will be done immediately,� answered the servant before disappearing back into the main house.
Turning his attention back to Carlin, who was still on his knees, Xanatos drew a small blaster from underneath his cloak and fired it point-blank into the back of the man�s head. The servant was dead before he hit the pavement.
�Dispose of him discreetly,� he instructed Hermano. �Make sure no one ever finds the body.�
�Yes, my Lord,� said Hermano with a bow as Xanatos turned and strolled back into the house.
*****
*Patri, * sent Xanatos from outside Obi-Wan�s room, *come out into the hallway a moment, please. *
�Excuse me a moment,� Patri said to the two Jedi masters, as she quietly slipped from the room. �Yes, my Lord?� she addressed her master in a whisper once she�d closed the infirmary door behind her.
�How soon before Obi-Wan can be safely moved?�
�Well�I suppose he could be moved now if we had to,� replied the healer with some confusion, �but I wouldn�t recommend it.�
�Go see Hermano and make the necessary preparations,� Xanatos instructed. �He�ll know what to do.�
�But, Lord��
�Please, Patri!� he interrupted. �Not now�trust me.�
�Yes, my Lord,� she answered, and turned to find Hermano as instructed.
Taking a deep breath, Xanatos opened the infirmary door and entered the room. Both Jedi masters came to their feet slowly when they saw him, not knowing what to expect.
�This location is no longer safe for you,� Xanatos said without preamble. �I�m making arrangements for Obi-Wan to be transferred to your ship. I only ask one favor in return for my hospitality�take Patri and Hermano with you when you go.�
�I�m afraid not, Xanatos,� answered Qui-Gon. �I don�t trust you as far as I could throw a Hutt. I don�t know what it is, but I know you have a hidden agenda in this somewhere.�
�I don�t have time to argue with you, Qui-Gon!� replied Xanatos urgently. �In a little while, all hell is going to break loose around here. I�m dispersing my servants to safety. You need Patri to care for Obi-Wan during your trip, and Patri won�t go without Hermano�not once she realizes she won�t be coming back.�
Qui-Gon crossed his arms, his face unreadable. �No,� he said softly, but firmly.
Patri quietly re-entered the room and stood in the doorway observing the exchange between former master and former padawan.
�What do you want, Qui-Gon?� yelled Xanatos. �Do you want me on my knees, begging you? I�ll do it, if that�s what it takes!�
As Xanatos fell to his knees in front of Qui-Gon, the Jedi master�s eyes met Patri�s. Seeing her pained expression melted his heart. He may not have trusted Xanatos, but he did trust the healer.
�Alright,� he said softly, turning his back on Xanatos to return his attention to Obi-Wan. Looking at his apprentice, he saw that the boy had also witnessed the exchange. The look in his padawan�s eyes told him he�d made the right decision.
*****
Xanatos stood by the Jedi�s transport saying goodbye to Patri and Hermano one last time. Knowing her master wouldn�t want a tearful scene, Patri hugged him firmly before quickly retreating to the interior of the ship.
Hermano remained a few moments longer, looking into the face of his beloved benefactor as if he were trying to burn the image into his mind. Xanatos handed him a data card as he shook his hand. �These credits are untraceable. There should be more than enough here for you and Patri to start a new life wherever you desire,� he told the servant.
�I won�t ever see you again, will I?� asked Hermano.
�You never know, my friend,� answered Xanatos with a smile, �but, it�s doubtful. Take care,� he said as he drew the other man into a hug. Then backing away, he turned and disappeared into the crowded terminal.
Hermano watched his master walk away. Then, straightening his shoulders, he too boarded the transport�bound for Coruscant, and a new life.
Epilogue
Obi-Wan closed the bedroom door softly after having looked in on Anakin to make sure he was asleep. It had been an emotionally exhausting day for both of them, and tomorrow would prove even harder�having to witness the victory celebration of the Naboo and the Gungans when that was the last thing either of them wanted to do.
Strolling through the common area of their quarters in the royal palace, Obi-Wan nodded to Sabe, who�d been kind enough to volunteer to watch over Anakin while he slipped out into the night to attend to one last duty.
Pulling his hood up as he exited the palace, Obi-Wan crept silently through the dark streets of Theed and out into the countryside, making for the top of the grand waterfall. Hiking up the path, he looked up to see a lone figure waiting for him, silhouetted against the moonlit sky.
Nodding a greeting, he came to stand beside the other man, both of them silently taking in the beauty of the stars above them. �He would have been pleased that you came,� said Obi-Wan finally.
His companion smirked. �No he wouldn�t have. He would have been wondering what my ulterior motive was.�
Obi-Wan didn�t try to deny it. It was the truth, and they both knew it.
Sighing, the other man shook his head sadly. �I�ve done a lot of wrong things in my life. But, I only have one regret�that I could never win back his trust.�
�You won back my trust,� said Obi-Wan softly, turning his head to regard the man beside him.
Glancing at the young Jedi sideways, the man�s countenance broke out into a wide grin. �Yes, but you�re young and foolish.�
Obi-Wan couldn�t help returning his smile in kind.
�Think you�ll be needing any help with that new apprentice of yours?� the man asked after a few moments, giving Obi-Wan a sly look.
�I�m not that young and foolish, Xan,� replied Obi-Wan with a chuckle.
Xanatos threw back his head and laughed at that. �Excellent answer!� Regaining his composure, he placed an affectionate hand on Obi-Wan�s shoulder, mimicking a gesture they both knew so well. �There�s hope for you yet, little brother,� he said with a smile. �There�s hope for you yet.�
The End
�Trust once broken, is twice hard to repair.� � p_stotts