Confusion
by Nicole D'Annais (ndannais@fbi-agent.com)

Homepage: http://adult.dencity.com/ndannais

Paring: Q/O

Rating: NC-17 (more or less)

Category: AU, Angst, Drama, Action/Adventure

Series: This started out as just a sequel to my story "Uncertainty" but along the way it became the second part of a series called "Fighting Shadows."

Archive: Master and Apprentice--anyone else ask please

Summary: An alarming interruption to Obi-Wan's mission disrupts Qui-Gon's mission as well, and leaves the Jedi with more questions than answers.

Disclaimer & Feedback: I don't own anyone, much less these fine characters--although I own a couple of action figures of them, does that count? Probably not. Oh well, I refuse to make any money off them, and crave feedback as much as Obi-Wan craves Qui-Gon and vice versa.
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//The Malari is the weak link. You should press him.//

Qui-Gon thanked the stars that he had too much training to physically roll his eyes. He'd grown used to the mental conversations they had on and off throughout the day, but now was not the time. //Obi-Wan, I know what I am doing. Perhaps you should go back to your own negotiations and leave me to mine.//

//We're taking a break. Besides, yours are far more interesting.//

//Be that as it may, I have to concentrate. It is my duty.//

He felt a sigh travel along the link between them. //It's bad enough that duty keeps me half a galaxy away from you more often than not, now I can't even enjoy the part of you I do get?//

//Padawan....// The warning was evident in Qui-Gon's tone.

//Wrong person. Your padawan is, I would imagine, standing right next to you.//

Qui-Gon glanced down at Anakin, who was indeed standing right next to him. And giving him a rather odd look. //He is, and I think right now he is wondering about the strange stirrings in the Force he's sensing in me.//

//Fine,// Obi-Wan sighed. //I'll leave you alone for now.//

//I'll let you know when I am finished here.//

//Don't worry, I'll know.// With that last implication that he'd be listening in, Obi-Wan went silent, at least across the link between the two of them. But for the rest of the day, Qui-Gon was aware that the other man was listening. As a result, Qui-Gon spent as much time paying attention to Obi-Wan's negotiations as he did his own.

By the end of the day, nothing had been resolved between the Malari and the Tenegar, and Qui-Gon had the beginnings of a nasty headache. He sent Anakin to his room to work on his lightsaber and sat down, eyes closed against the glare of the overhead lighting.

//Qui-Gon?//

The soft voice in his head soothed the ache a bit, and a small smile settled on his lips. //How were your negotiations, Obi-Wan?//

//You mean you don't already know?//

//I have a good idea, yes.//

//How were yours?//

The smile grew. //You mean you don't already know?//

//I have a good idea,// Obi-Wan parroted. //Are you done for the evening, or am I bothering you?//

//Yes, and you're never a bother.//

//Right. That's not what you said earlier today.//

//You were a distraction, not a bother. We each have our own duties. You know that.//

He felt Obi-Wan's mood darken. //Believe me, I'm well aware of that.//

//You worked very hard to be a Jedi. You would give up all that work and training, not to mention the good that you do with it, to spend more time with me?//

//I'm not sure you want the answer to that.//

//Obi-Wan. Stop thinking out of frustration and be honest.//

//I don't see why I can't do both.//

//Because the galaxy's need for the Jedi is increasing steadily, and for some reason our numbers seem to be decreasing. We are needed everywhere, and there are not enough of us to go around. But you know all that. So why, then, are you choosing to ignore it today?//

Obi-Wan hesitated a moment before answering, //These negotiations...they are...//

//Boring?//

//Yes, but there's more to it than that.//

//How so?//

//I sense something...not between the Nisanti and the Berilians, but something else. Something nearby.//

Qui-Gon sat up in his chair, the last remnants of his smile turning into a deep frown. //What do you sense?//

//Whatever it is, it isn't of the Light,// Obi-Wan said. //But then you already knew that, didn't you?// he asked in attempt to bring back the levity of the earlier conversation.

//Can you focus in on what exactly you're sensing?//

//I haven't been able to get more than a faint sense of Darkness.//

//Then why did you say it was nearby?//

//Something...I don't know. I just know that it is nearby. Hiding, I suspect.//

//Be cautious, Obi-Wan.//

Qui-Gon felt the flicker of amusement from his former student. //I have tangled with the Dark before, if you remember. I think I can handle myself.//

//And it is exactly when you think that way that they have the advantage. Be careful.//

//I will.// Obi-Wan promised. //But I don't want to talk about it anymore right now.//

Privately, Qui-Gon thought they should talk about it a great deal more, but he was willing to indulge his love in a little distraction first. If nothing else perhaps it would give him time to figure out what course of action to advise. //What do you want to talk about?// he asked, although he already knew the answer.

//Sex,// Obi-Wan answered immediately.

Qui-Gon laughed out loud. His Obi-Wan was nothing if not blunt. //Very well. When human beings reach a certain state in their maturity, they begin to feel certain urges. These urges manifest themselves in physical asp--// He stopped as he felt a trace of ghost-like lips travel their way from his ear down the side of his neck. //Obi-Wan, what are you doing?//

//If you're so well-versed you can give a dissertation on the subject,// he responded, //you should know what I'm doing.//

//I thought you said you wanted to talk about sex,// Qui-Gon teased.

//I now realize that talk is highly overrated in some situations.//

Qui-Gon closed his eyes again, relaxing into the seat as those phantom lips worked their way down his chest now, raising goose-bumps that rubbed harshly against the fabric of his tunic.

He opened his eyes to glance at Anakin's open door, then stood and crossed the room quickly. "Anakin," he said, using every last bit of his strength to appear normal as Obi-Wan's mental caresses dipped below his waist. "I will be in my room meditating."

"Yes, Master."

Qui-Gon nodded and hurried to his own room, closing the door behind him. //You could have at least paused while I was talking to my student,// he said, the rapid deterioration of his composure seeping into even his mental voice as he ripped off his tunic, welcoming the cool air of the room on his suddenly warm skin.

//Yes, Master,// Obi-Wan replied, the words having quite a different effect when spoken directly into his mind by this man. The mental stimulation continued, causing his erection to push painfully against his trousers as he lay down on the bed. Obi-Wan poured his own emotions into their link, his satisfaction at being able to at least do this, his own arousal--

White hot pain flaring through his mind. Then nothing.

//Obi-Wan?// Qui-Gon sat up, all thought of arousal completely forgotten. //Obi-Wan!// Nothing. Cursing, he picked up the comlink and sent an urgent call out to Obi-Wan, but again there was no response. He knew the other man had been in his quarters. Either he was incapacitated, or someone had taken him away by force. Or both.

Qui-Gon closed his eyes and pushed the fear and anger deep down inside himself, breathing deeply until he felt some semblance of control. Then he activated the comlink again, this time to contact the Council.

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"Agreed, it is," Yoda's voice said from the comlink speaker. "Go to Berilia you may."

"Thank you, Master."

"Not a favor," Yoda replied curtly. "Know of your connection, we do. His best hope you are."

"Thank you all the same," Qui-Gon replied before shutting off the comlink and calling for Anakin as he packed.

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They arrived on Berilia in record time, but still not fast enough to suit Qui-Gon. He spent the trip studying information on the planet, especially maps of the area where Obi-Wan had been staying. And trying not to let his fear get the best of him.

When they landed, he and Anakin wasted no time in getting to Obi-Wan's quarters. Qui-Gon knew what he would find, but it didn't stop him from searching the entire place before dropping into a chair as if his body would no longer support him.

"Master?"

Qui-Gon shifted his eyes to his student. "Yes, Anakin?"

"Where do you think Obi-Wan is?"

"I don't know," Qui-Gon answered with a sigh. He closed his eyes and concentrated, feeling the Force flow through him as he focused in on Obi-Wan's distinctive signature in the room. He found the impression quickly, the familiar sense at once both comforting and disquieting. The sharp spike of pain he remembered from their last communication was even worse in this location, and after that there was simply nothing. As if he had ceased to exist within the Force.

Qui-Gon discarded that thought. If he had died, his presence would still be there in the Force. And if someone had killed him, there would have been no need to take the body. The most likely answer was that someone had used some sort of Force dampening device, one that worked instantly and completely.

There were dampening fields available, despite the Council's attempts to track down every one of those devices even rumored to exist, but there were no known weapons that could sever a connection with the Force that quickly or that strongly. At least not in this day and age.

He had heard of such a device, but it no longer existed. It had disappeared. In fact, it disappeared with the Sith. But if the Sith had suddenly reappeared, why not the device as well?

He reached for his comlink. Anakin had been on the floor observing, but now questioned, "Master?"

"I must speak to the Council at once."

His call to the Council chambers was put through immediately. "Master," he began, directing his speech to Yoda, though aware of the others listening, "I believe the Sith to be behind Obi-Wan's disappearance."

"What proof have you?"

"Nothing physical. But from my examination of the events surrounding his last communication with me, his connection with the Force was completely severed in an instant. I know of no other device save the one developed by the Sith that could do this."

"That device disappeared with the Sith," Mace Windu interjected.

"And considering that one of the Sith almost killed me not that long ago, and the Dark presence Obi-Wan felt before he disappeared, I think it is safe to say the device could have survived with them all along."

"Disturbing, this is," Yoda said. Qui-Gon refrained from commenting on his ability for understatement, but his former Master caught the thought anyway and frowned. "Continue your search for Obi-Wan. Search for answers on this weapon, we will."

"Thank you, my Master," Qui-Gon said before ending the transmission.

Anakin looked at him expectantly. "What now, Master?"

"We search," Qui-Gon answered as he rose.

Anakin stood as well, following his master to the door. "How will we know where he is if you can't sense him?"

"We'll have to search the old-fashioned way. And I may be able to sense him when he is close enough, Force or no Force." He hoped he could, otherwise they could walk right by a room where Obi-Wan was being held and never know it. His jaw tightened as he tossed that idea aside. He would sense him. Even if he didn't know it. The Force would guide him to Obi-Wan.

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"Master?"

"Yes, Anakin?" Qui-Gon scanned the area, looking for anything unusual, anything at all that might lead him in Obi-Wan's direction.

"If Obi-Wan doesn't have the Force, then can't we just look for a spot where there is no Force?"

Qui-Gon stopped searching for a moment, leaning down to give the boy his full attention. "Obi-Wan still has the Force, Anakin. The device just makes it impossible for him to use it, or even find it."

"It takes away his Jedi powers?"

"Not exactly. His powers, along with the Force, are there inside him. He just can't get to them."

"Kinda like the time I got my foot stuck in that trap, and I couldn't reach the key on the table to get it out?"

Qui-Gon smiled. "Something like that, yes."

"So even though Obi-Wan can't reach the Force, you may be able to tell where he is?"

"Maybe; I don't know. Our knowledge of this weapon is very limited." Assuming that the Sith weapon was what incapacitated Obi-Wan. And that whoever used it hadn't done more permanent harm since capturing him.

Qui-Gon shook off the negative thoughts and straightened, heading for a bar near Obi-Wan's quarters. In his experience, creatures who frequented bars tended to notice any possible danger nearby. If anyone had been lurking about the area last night, someone there might have seen them.

He wondered about the advisability of taking Anakin into the bar, but considering the Dark forces at work, his apprentice would be safer with him than waiting outside. To his relief, it did not appear to be a particularly dangerous establishment. He headed straight for the bartender.

"We don't allow children in here," the small Berilian said as Qui-Gon approached.

"Nevertheless, he may stay," Qui-Gon said with a slight wave of his hand.

"He can stay," the green creature agreed.

"Thank you. If I might ask," he continued, using the Force to ensure he would be allowed to ask, "who was working here last night?"

"I was. I've been here for almost twelve hours; my shift ends in a few minutes."

"I was wondering if you might have seen anyone unusual outside the dwellings across the street last night?"

The bartender's floppy ears wiggled, a Berilian sign of amusement. "Most of the offworlders we get here are unusual. I'm supposed to notice one out of the many?"

"You might, if he were there long enough." Qui-Gon pushed the creature's mind again with the Force, aiding his memory, along with his willingness to cooperate.

"There...was one," he answered after a moment. "Too dark to see him though, especially with that hood over his head."

"Like this?" Qui-Gon asked, indicating the hood attached to his own robe.

"Yeah. Like that."

"When was this?"

"Just after the day had turned."

Qui-Gon processed that information. Around midnight by local time, before he and Obi-Wan had even begun their conversation. If it was the person responsible, he must have lain in wait for some time. The dark cloak could be a further suggestion that the Sith were involved, but by no means was it proof on its own. Many criminals hid themselves behind dark clothing with hoods.

"And you saw nothing else?"

The bartender's ears flapped as he shook his head. "I saw him two, maybe three times whenever I looked out for about an hour span, then he was gone."

"Thank you for your help," Qui-Gon said, his thoughts churning as he pressed Anakin toward the door, following close behind. An hour. Enough of a time frame to place him there during the act. Even if he weren't involved, the cloaked man might know something.

Now if he could just figure out how to find him.

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"Excuse me."

Qui-Gon hadn't made it ten steps from the door before a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He turned to see a human woman.

"I heard you asking about a man in a hooded cloak?"

"Yes."

The young woman glanced down at the ground before continuing. "I met a man like that last night. He came into the bar late."

The woman appeared to be less than reputable; judging from her scant clothing and the fact that she worked in the bar at night, he could guess her trade. "The bartender didn't mention that."

"J'ayk was on break when the guy came in. He wouldn't have known. By the time he got back, the guy had already gone upstairs."

"Upstairs?" Qui-Gon knew there was more to the story than that or she wouldn't have come after him.

"With me." She glanced at the ground again. "He paid, we went upstairs..." she seemed to notice Anakin listening with interest and paused. "You can figure out the rest."

Qui-Gon studied her, trying to decide if she was honestly trying to help, or if she was a part of the whole plot. Of course, considering his lack of leads, she was his only help, regardless of her motives. "There must be more to it than that, or you wouldn't be out here."

"He was bragging about some powerful weapon he'd used earlier. Somebody had hired him to obtain some 'cargo' as he put it, and he'd used this weapon to get it. Said he'd never seen anybody drop so fast from something that didn't have lasers coming out of it."

The Sith weapon. If she was telling the truth, then it did exist, and the cloaked man used it to kidnap Obi-Wan. "Do you know where I might be able to find this man?"

She shook her head. "He left this behind, though," she said, pulling a rather large button out of her pocket. "Must've fallen off at some point and he didn't realize it. I found it in the floor, near the door."

Qui-Gon took the item. It seemed a bit coincidental, but he had nothing else to go on. "I still don't understand why you're helping me."

Her mouth tightened. "This guy...he's not very nice. Not very gentle either, if you get my meaning," she added, glancing at Anakin again. "I wouldn't mind seeing him caught for whatever else he did."

For the first time he noticed faint bruises on the woman's cheek and shoulders, and a hand-sized bruise on her neck. A believable motive. But was it real, or manufactured?

"Thank you," he said, pocketing the button and turning to leave.

"I hope you catch him," she said before she went back into the bar.

"Master?" Anakin asked as soon as she was gone.

"Yes, Anakin?"

"What did the man to do her?"

Qui-Gon sighed, not even remotely able to deal with such a talk at the moment. "Never mind, Anakin. Right now, we have to concentrate on finding him." And with only a button to guide them. It wasn't much.

But at least it was better than nothing.

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"Master?" Anakin asked again after several minutes.

"Yes?"

"How are we going to find this man with a button?"

Qui-Gon shook his head. "I don't know." He studied the button for a moment. It was fairly new; that much he could tell. No signs of wear. "We'll have to trust that the Force--" he stopped abruptly as something at one of the street vendor's stands drew his attention.

As he moved closer to examine it, the vendor hurried up to make a sales pitch. "Fine cloak, sir. The best Berilian fabric. Three handmade--"

"Where do the buttons come from?"

The vendor cleared his throat. "As I was saying, three handmade buttons, created by my mother, there." He pointed to a stoop-shouldered Berlian woman seated at a craft table. "Each set of buttons different from the last. They are highly prized. Our cloaks are a little more expensive than others', but they are well worth it."

"It's the middle of summer," Qui-Gon noted dryly. "You sell many cloaks now?"

"People travel to cold places in the summer. They buy them before they go."

"How many have you sold in the last week?" he asked, using the Force to persuade the vendor to tell the truth.

"Two."

Qui-Gon pulled the button out of his pocket, invoking the Force once more as he asked, "Do you remember who you sold this one to?"

The vendor took the object and studied the design. "Ralak. He bought it not three days ago."

"You are sure?" The Berilian nodded. "Where might I find him?" Qui-Gon asked, again reaching out with the Force.

"Before lunchtime, Ralak is usually at the Resatan." The vendor pointed to a building at the far end of the square.

"What does he look like?"

The vendor held his hand up above his head. "Tall human. Thin, dark hair."

"Thank you," Qui-Gon said as he took the button back and turned, checking once to see that Anakin followed him toward the building. He stopped on the covered sidewalk directly across from the Resatan and began examining the wares of a street vendor there.

As Qui-Gon moved on to the next vendor, Anakin grew confused. "Master?"

"We wait," Qui-Gon said quietly. Anakin nodded, although the confusion did not leave his face. They did not have to wait long. Qui-Gon had just moved to the third vendor when a man matching Ralak's description and carrying a dark cloak walked out of the building.

"Stay with me, Ani." They followed him through several squares until he stopped at a building on the edge of the business district. The building appeared to have been an institution at one time, but was stood empty, despite the crowded market that flourished nearby.

Ralak pushed a keypad next to the door, then entered the building. Qui-Gon moved quickly to a window and watched as the other man walked down a hallway, stopping at the end and pushing another keypad. Qui-Gon counted the doors between him and the one Ralak was entering, then hurried to the corresponding window, Anakin close behind him.

He made it to the window, using the Force to hide himself from view and peer in just in time to see Ralak draw a strange sort of blaster from under his cloak. The Sith weapon.

"You're awake. I cut this one a little close." He aimed the blaster below the window.

"No!" Obi-Wan's plea rose up to the window before the blaster jerked without a sound, and Obi-Wan went just as silent. Qui-Gon's hand tightened violently on his lightsaber, but he only watched as Ralak turned and left the room, keying the lock code before whistling his way down the hall and out of the building.

When Ralak was gone, Anakin looked up at his Qui-Gon, still at the window. "Master? Should we follow him?"

"No. We know Obi-Wan is here. Ralak will return." The only question was when? He'd hit Obi-Wan with the weapon after midnight, it was almost noon now. Had he been back to use the weapon in between, or did it last for a full twelve hours? Obi-Wan couldn't have been awake long; he hadn't attempted to call for help, and the one word he had said had been weak.

The Council had had time to gather information on the weapon by now. It was time to check in and see if they had anything useful.

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Qui-Gon moved to a position behind the building where he could not be seen, keeping Anakin in sight, but just far enough around the corner to serve as a lookout, and activated his comlink. Mace Windu responded to the call. "Have you learned anything about the Sith device?" Qui-Gon asked immediately.

"Only ancient history," the Jedi Master responded. "According to the books, the Sith had a weapon called the Pal'tre that ripped away all ability of a Jedi to even touch the Force. It's worse than the strongest Force dampener we've seen--and that is based on accounts from hundreds of years ago; who knows what kind of improvements they've made? Assuming, of course, that this is the same weapon."

Qui-Gon related his own story of the weapon. "What you saw agrees with the accounts in the books," Mace agreed. "It sounds like the same device."

"Is there any mention of how long the effects last?"

"No. Only that they were not permanent at the time."

"Then I will wait for this Ralak to return and get Obi-Wan out when it is most likely the effects are wearing off."

"Qui-Gon...I don't need to remind you that we desperately need information on the Sith and the Pal'tre. This is not just about your former Padawan."

"Then don't remind me," he said as he closed the link. He called Anakin back behind the building where they sat and waited, biding their time until Ralak's return.

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Night fell, the vendors closed up, and the market square became quieter, the only sounds the muted noise from the various restaurants and bars. Still there was no sign of Ralak. Twice Qui-Gon had had to quiet Anakin when the boy began to fidget, still not used to waiting patiently for long periods of time. They ate the rations Qui-Gon carried in his belt around ten, and Obi-Wan remained silent, and the door remained locked.

It was close to midnight before Qui-Gon heard footsteps headed toward the building that held Obi-Wan. He stood quickly, knocking over his apprentice, who'd been leaning against him, half-asleep.

Qui-Gon put his hand to Anakin's mouth for a second, just in case his student raised any questions before he realized the need for silence. Then he motioned for the boy to follow him around the side of the building. They crept silently down the walkway, stopping to peer around the next corner.

Ralak was just footsteps away, keying in the entry code. As the door opened, Qui-Gon lunged around the corner, tackling the man and using the Force to knock him out. He dragged Ralak into the building and down the hall. Anakin followed and closed the door behind them.

Qui-Gon stopped at Obi-Wan's door and quickly disengaged the lock. His former Padawan was slumped against the far wall, his eyes closed. He didn't appear to have been mistreated beyond the use of the Sith weapon. Qui-Gon dropped Ralak in the middle of the floor, motioning for Anakin to come into the room and shut the door.

Obi-Wan groaned as Qui-Gon moved him into a more comfortable position, flat on his back on the floor with his head in Qui-Gon's lap. His eyes fluttered open briefly. "M...Master?"

"I'm here, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon pushed Obi-Wan's hair back, the unnecessary gesture meant to soothe. Which one of them it was supposed to soothe he wasn't quite sure.

Obi-Wan opened his eyes again, then winced. ."What happened? My head feels like...feels...Qui-Gon, I can't feel the Force." The panic in his voice rose with each word. "What did he do to me?"

"Shhh, you'll be fine." Qui-Gon continued to stroke Obi-Wan's hair. "The effect is not permanent." He refused to voice his fears about that, thankful that Obi-Wan couldn't read his thoughts at the moment.

"It will wear off? When?"

"Patience."

"Patience?" Obi-Wan breathed deeply a few times and some of the panic in his eyes subsided. "Easy for you to be patient, you're not the one who feels like he's lost a limb," he grumbled as he tried to sit up on his own. "Ouch!"

Qui-Gon helped him sit up, trying not to wince himself at the pain he could see radiating from every inch of Obi-Wan's body. Anakin had been watching from a distance, but now he joined them. "Obi-Wan? Are you okay?"

"I feel like h--" he stopped himself as he realized who he was talking to. "I don't feel very well."

"Can I do anything?"

"At the moment if you could both whisper, that would be nice," Obi-Wan said quietly as he held his head with both hands.

Qui-Gon touched Obi-Wan's forehead and concentrated for a moment. "That should help a little. I don't want to do too much. Not until the effects of the weapon have worn off."

"What weapon?"

"How much do you remember?"

Obi-Wan shook his head, then stopped, wincing again. "I was...talking...to you, then there was a blinding pain in my head, and when I woke up, I was here, and I couldn't find the Force."

"Do you remember him?" Qui-Gon asked, pointing at Ralak.

The other Jedi thought for a moment. "He came in with a weapon of some kind and pointed it at me, and knocked me out again."

"He only came back once?"

"I think so. I'm not sure."

Qui-Gon nodded. "If that's the case, then since you're awake, I would think the effects should wear off soon.

Obi-Wan shuddered as he noticed the weapon lying next to Ralak. "What is that thing?"

"I'll explain later. Right now we need to get out of here in case someone misses him and decides to check up on you." He stood and helped Obi-Wan to his feet. "Can you walk?"

"I think so."

He didn't ask any more questions, but Qui-Gon knew that wouldn't last once they were safely on board the ship. "Let's go, then. Anakin?"

"Yes, Master?"

"Can you help Obi-Wan?"

"I can walk."

"Humor me," Qui-Gon said, meeting his lover's eyes and letting a little of the worry from the past day show.

After a moment, Obi-Wan nodded slightly and leaned on Anakin's shoulder with his hand. Qui-Gon picked up the Pal'tre and secured the weapon safely in his robes, then lifted Ralak, placing one of the unconscious man's arms around his shoulder. He hoped to make Ralak look like a man who'd had too much to drink and was being escorted home. As long as they didn't run into anyone who knew Ralak before they reached the ship, they should be fine.

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They made it to the ship without any incidents. Qui-Gon locked Ralak in a small room, then stowed the Sith weapon away in a special box. He walked into his quarters to find Anakin attempting to play nursemaid. He could see Obi-Wan was trying to be tolerant, but was about to reach his breaking point. "Anakin," Qui-Gon said as he crossed the room to the bed, "why don't you go work on your lightsaber?"

"Yes, Master," he responded. "But what are you going to do to get rid of me when it's finally done?" he asked as he left the room, obviously not expecting a response.

Qui-Gon watched him leave with a smile that faded as the door closed and he turned his attention back to Obi-Wan. "How are you?"

"My head is better. But I still can't feel the Force, Qui-Gon. It's like it's not even there." His face was a mask of frustration. "What if--"

"It will wear off," Qui-Gon insisted as he sat down beside the younger man.

"What will wear off? You haven't even told me what it is."

Qui-Gon sighed. "We think it's the Pal'tre, a Sith weapon. There are reports of them having been used when the Sith order was large and powerful. This appears to be a modern-day version of the same weapon."

"These reports must be hundreds of years old. You don't know what kind of advances they may have made since then."

"Ralak had to come back and use it on you again. If the effects were permanent he wouldn't have had to do that."

"Unless it was just to keep me unconscious. Maybe they just weren't sure. Or maybe he just liked to torture me. You don't know."

Qui-Gon gave in. "You're right. I don't know."

"What if it's permanent? What if I never--"

"Don't. There's no need to borrow trouble. We have enough of it as it is."

"Easy for you to say. You don't know what this is like. I feel like my arms have been cut off or something. Worse. A Jedi can compensate for missing limbs with the Force. But a Jedi can't compensate for the lack of any sense of the Force itself."

"I know this must be hard--"

"You do? I'm sorry, remind me of the last time you've been completely without any sense of the Force. Oh, right, that never happened to you! I don't think you could possibly--" Obi-Wan fell back onto the bed, eyes tightly closed, teeth bared in a grimace of sheer pain.

Qui-Gon could feel the pain through the Force, staggered by just the latent images of such agony. "Obi-Wan," he said urgently, leaning over his lover, pulling his head into his lap for the second time that day. "Obi-Wan!"

"Stop!" Obi-Wan managed to grind out.

Qui-Gon watched helplessly as waves of pain rolled through Obi-Wan's body and through the Force. After a moment, he realized that if he was sensing Obi-Wan's feelings through the Force again..."Obi-Wan?" he asked, softer this time, as the man's face relaxed into a deep frown.

"I'm...okay...."

//Can you hear me?//

Obi-Wan winced again. "Please...not yet. Talk."

"You did hear me, then?"

"Yes, but it still hurts that way."

Qui-Gon frowned. "I take it the return of your abilities was as painful as the removal of them?" Obi-Wan nodded carefully. "But they have returned." Thank the Force.

One corner of Obi-Wan's mouth turned up. "I knew you weren't sure about that."

"Maybe not; however, I was right."

"This is definitely one of those times I had no desire for you to be wrong."

"You mean there have been others?"

His smile grew. //Once or twice,// he admitted, trying out the mental connection.

//Does this hurt?//

//Not anymore. The pain is fading quickly.// Qui-Gon made a mental note of the events surrounding the return of Obi-Wan's abilities, and Obi-Wan smiled. //Always thinking of duty.//

//I was not thinking only of duty.//

//You were writing your report in your head.//

//I was filing away the facts so that I could attend to other things.//

Obi-Wan's eyes darkened. //Such as?//

Qui-Gon leaned down and touched his lips to Obi-Wan's, brushing them twice. "I think you are in need of a bath."

Obi-Wan looked down at his clothes. He hadn't been abused, but he hadn't exactly been taken care of either. The dirt and sand from the floor he had spent the last twenty-four hours on had taken their toll on his clothing and hair. In addition, the room had been rather warm, and sweat had caused the dirt to stick to most of his skin. "It appears you are right again."

"I'll try not to make too much of a habit of that," Qui-Gon said. His tone was apologetic, but the light in his eyes was anything but. "There are no baths on this ship, but there are hot water showers."

"That sounds wonderful." Obi-Wan stood up, then almost fell back down.

"I think you might need a little help," Qui-Gon suggested.

"If you're waiting for me to try to keep you out of my shower, don't hold your breath."

Qui-Gon grinned as he helped his lover to his feet and to the bathroom adjoining his room. The shower was small, but the two of them managed to fit, more or less. As he washed Obi-Wan's back, Qui-Gon didn't mind the closeness. Now that the rescue was over, his mind was reeling from how he could have lost Obi-Wan forever. He had grown used to Obi-Wan's presence in his mind wherever he was, and while it was a poor substitute for having the man at his side, it was better than nothing at all. To lose him completely...

//But you didn't.//

Qui-Gon's head jerked up, dark blue eyes locking with blue-green as the younger man turned to face him. "I know."

//My mind has recovered,// Obi-Wan assured him. //You don't have to coddle me, or limit our mental connection.//

"Perhaps I like the luxury of speaking to you and hearing your voice with my ears instead of in my head."

Obi-Wan smiled. "Then talk...if you can," he added as he leaned up to kiss his former Master. He did not content himself with the small pecks Qui-Gon had given earlier. This kiss was a slow exploration. He slid his tongue past Qui-Gon's lips, teasing the other man's tongue into a duel, then sucking it slowly into his own mouth. His lips closed on the tongue gently as he pulled away to nibble his way down Qui-Gon's neck.

"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said as he drew in a ragged breath.

"Yes, Master?" he replied, the word crumbling more of Qui-Gon's defenses.

"You...need time..." Qui-Gon lost his train of thought as Obi-Wan tasted his nipple.

Obi-Wan looked up at him, his eyes twinkling. "I plan to take time," he said with a grin before he bent back to the nipple, teeth teasing it into a hard knot.

Qui-Gon tried once more before his control slipped completely. "You have to recover."

"I am recovered," Obi-Wan said, looking up once more, eyes serious this time. "Or near enough," he amended. "I need this, Qui-Gon. I need you." Sensing the man was on the verge of giving in, he added, "Please."

Qui-Gon pulled his lover to him with a groan, crushing their lips together. He pushed Obi-Wan against the wall, tasting the other man's skin, remembering sensitive spots as he worked his way down his neck and shoulder, across his chest and lower, until he reached his waist.

Obi-Wan urged him lower. Qui-Gon's hand reached up to stroke the other man's growing erection, his tongue ran its way up the length of it, slowly, making sure not an inch was missed. When it reached the tip, his entire mouth moved down the hardened shaft, earning a low moan from Obi-Wan.

Several more trips down that path had rendered Obi-Wan boneless against the shower wall. His verbal communications were incoherent, but Qui-Gon could hear the mental command. //Inside me! Now!//

//My pleasure,// Qui-Gon sent back as he released Obi-Wan and slid up the length of his body. He reached for the soap, lathering his cock, then dipping soapy fingers into Obi-Wan's tight passage. He used a bit of the Force to lift Obi-Wan off the floor, his back still pressed against the shower wall. Obi-Wan's legs wrapped around his waist, their lips meeting again as Qui-Gon thrust deep inside his lover.

As their bodies joined, their minds sought each other out, fusing together, the mental contact increasing the physical sensations to almost unbearable heights. Qui-Gon felt sharp spikes of desire shooting down his cock. He reached between their bodies and began stroking Obi-Wan, determined not to be the only one receiving such pleasure.

The close mental contact enabled both of them to draw out their lovemaking, but eventually they had to give in. Qui-Gon came in a sudden rush, shocking him after the extended period of holding back, and Obi-Wan followed him over the edge moments later.

The water was turning cold by the time they picked themselves up off the shower floor. Qui-Gon had to help Obi-Wan to the bed, drying him off carefully, making sure to reach every bit of skin before crawling into the bed beside his love and pulling him tightly into his arms. He sent a mental check to Anakin, then, assured of the boy's safety, joined Obi-Wan in a dreamless sleep.

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Qui-Gon awoke with a start, frowning as he tried to figure out what was wrong. The ship was quiet. One quick test through the Force revealed that Anakin was sleeping peacefully in another room. And Obi-Wan was curled up against him in his bed. All seemed right.

Then what was wrong?

He shook his head, trying to clear the feeling away, and started to lie back down when he felt it again. The presence that woke him up. A powerful and very close presence. He cleared his mind and focused on it, trying to determine the origin, but was repelled by a wave of Dark power from the Force. His reaction woke Obi-Wan. "Qui-Gon?" he asked, voice fuzzy from sleep.

"Someone is near."

Obi-Wan sat up, the last traces of sleep gone from his consciousness as he rose and gathered fresh clothes. "What is it?"

"I don't know, but whatever it is, it has nothing good on its--"

The ship jerked suddenly, the whine of the engines turned into a screech, then fell into silence. Too much silence. "The engines are dead," Obi-Wan announced unnecessarily as he hurried his efforts to get dressed.

Qui-Gon finished putting on his own clothes and grabbed his lightsaber as he headed for the door. "Join me on the bridge when you--" Again his words were cut off as the ship made a sudden dive, throwing him backwards, straight into Obi-Wan. The two Jedi landed in a heap in the floor, Qui-Gon's head hitting the hard surface with a sickening crack. He dimly heard Obi-Wan calling his name before everything went dark.

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The first conscious thought Qui-Gon had was that coughing hurt. The second was that if coughing hurt, he must not be dead. "Obi--" he stopped to cough again before he could finish the word. "Obi-Wan?" When there was no answer, he sat up, ignoring the dull pain in his chest as he squinted at his surroundings. Their cabin, or what was left of it, was bathed in sunlight, due to the large hole in the roof--or was that the floor? He blinked dust out of his eyes and looked at the wall. The bed, which was attached to the wall, was still upright, so the hole must be in the roof.

"Obi-Wan?" he called again, as he struggled to his feet. His first attempt at standing almost landed him on the floor again; his second went a little better. He found Obi-Wan a few feet away, lying on his back, eyes closed.

He carefully pulled a chair off his lover's legs, then sat down beside him. His fingers brushed across a gash on Obi-Wan's forehead. Not too deep; it shouldn't cause any permanent damage. "Obi-Wan?" he said gently, his hand sliding down the other man's cheek. When there was still no response, he felt for a pulse. He found it, strong and regular, no sign of distress. Just a knock on the head then.

Qui-Gon checked the nearest chronometer, only to find it broken. He had no idea exactly how long he'd been unconscious, but judging from his lack of hunger and the fact that he did not seem to be too injured, it couldn't have been that long. If Obi-Wan came around in the next few minutes, he should be fine. He refused to think about what he'd do if that didn't happen.

He reached out with the Force, searching the ship for Anakin's presence, but couldn't find it. Even if the boy were unconscious, Qui-Gon thought he should be able to feel something, Chosen One or not. Still, it was possible if he were hurt or injured, he might be so weak that his presence just wasn't registering. Barring that, there were a dozen other scenarios that leapt to mind, but Qui-Gon dismissed them all. No sense in thinking of them until he knew for sure Anakin wasn't on the ship.

In order to know that, he needed to search. And he was reluctant to leave Obi-Wan, even though he was reasonably sure the other man would be fine. He should go search for the boy and just keep a small focus on Obi-Wan so he would know when he woke. That was definitely the best plan.

And exactly what he would do. In a minute. As soon as he caught his breath.

Before he could find another excuse to linger, Obi-Wan's eyes blinked open. "Qui-Gon?" His voice was hoarse, but fairly strong.

Qui-Gon slid his hand down Obi-Wan's cheek again. "I'm here."

"The ship crashed."

The Jedi Master smiled. "I noticed."

Obi-Wan nodded, his eyes a little cloudy. "The others?"

"I'm not sure yet. I only awoke moments before you. I can't sense Anakin, however."

Obi-Wan struggled into a sitting position, with a little help. "We have to look for him."

"*I have to look for him. You need to stay in one place until you regain your balance."

"I'm fine," the younger man insisted as he pushed against the fallen chair to stand. "See? Perfectly--whoa!" He caught the chair, which was the only thing that kept him from falling.

"I see that," Qui-Gon barely managed to hide another smile. "Maybe you should just sit down for a few minutes."

"No, we need to find Anakin."

"I will find him, Obi-Wan."

"You're not leaving here without me."

Qui-Gon frowned down at him. "Then we'll both stay here."

"We need to find Anakin." Obi-Wan let go of the chair and stood up straight, managing to actually stay on his feet. "See? I'm fine."

Qui-Gon shook his head. "Fine. Come with me if you must, but if you feel at all off-balance you are to tell me at once."

"Master, I frequently feel off-balance when you are around," he said with a smile as he followed Qui-Gon out of the room.

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As they searched the ship, Qui-Gon spent as much time watching Obi-Wan as the searched the ship as he did looking around. He knew there wasn't much to see--the ship was destroyed, holes punched through the walls in most rooms, tree-limbs and rocks strewn all over. They found the pilot still in his seat, slumped over the controls. Qui-Gon frowned as he checked for a pulse. "He's dead."

"It was a nasty crash," Obi-Wan said, his hand gingerly touching the cut he seemed to have finally discovered on his forehead.

"But he doesn't have any signs of a fatal injury from the crash."

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Perhaps something else happened to him before. Maybe that's what caused the crash?"

"Possibly. Although it wouldn't explain the engine failure."

"What engine failure?"

"Don't you remember? We woke up, the engines died, and that's when we started falling toward the planet."

The younger man thought for a moment, then shook his head. "The last thing I remember is going to sleep," he said before he started to smile. "I remember before going to sleep very vividly, though."

"You don't remember waking up?" Obi-Wan shook his head again. "You don't remember getting dressed?"

He blinked. "I didn't really think about it when I woke up after the crash, so I suppose somewhere I must remember it...."

Qui-Gon checked the cut on Obi-Wan's head again. "How many fingers am I holding up?" he asked as he raised three fingers.

"Three. Well, actually, you're holding up four fingers and a thumb, but only three are extended, so I assume that's what you meant."

Qui-Gon took a deep breath. Apparently there was very little wrong with his former Padawan's motor skills, but obviously the knock on the head had shaken him up a little. "Maybe you should go lie down while I complete the search."

"No. I am not leaving your side."

The stubborn look on Obi-Wan's face was one that Qui-Gon knew all too well. "Very well, then." Perhaps the effects of the concussion would wear off soon. For his sake, he hoped so.

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"Are you sure you checked his room?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Yes. In fact, we searched it a second time the last time you forgot that we'd searched there."

"I did not forget," Obi-Wan insisted. "I simply wanted to be thorough."

Qui-Gon fought the urge to ask why he wasn't sure they'd searched there if he hadn't forgotten. The Jedi preached patience, but it had never been one of his strong suits, and worry for both Obi-Wan and the still-missing Anakin was not helping his tolerance. "He's not here." And they knew that Rulak didn't have him. He'd been found dead in his room during their search.

"I can see that. The question is, where did he go? He's not in his room."

Qui-Gon fought down the equal amounts of annoyance and worry that statement produced and closed his eyes, feeling out through the Force as far as he could. He sensed a great many life forms, but no Force-aware ones. And then he caught a faint sense of Force manipulation. He waited, and the manipulation grew stronger. Someone was searching. Someone with little training. //Anakin?//

//Master Qui-Gon?//

Qui-Gon sighed with relief at the knowledge the boy was alive. //Where are you?//

//I'm not sure. A ground transport of some kind. Two men took me from the ship.//

//What direction are you heading?//

//Northwest. That much I know.//

//Are you hurt?//

//No. Are you and Obi-Wan okay?//

//Yes. Stay put and don't let them know you're in contact with me. Keep me informed of any change in your position.// Qui-Gon opened his eyes. "We have to leave."

"We aren't packed."

Qui-Gon gave Obi-Wan a confused look, then shook his head. Obviously the younger man was not going to make any sense the rest of the day. However, he had a point, in a way. "We need to gather some supplies to take with us. Do you think you can handle that?" He'd just remembered something important he needed to take.

"I'm not some wet behind the ears Padawan, Qui-Gon. I can handle supplies."

"Good."

"Just point me toward the market and I'll go get them."

Qui-Gon took a deep breath, then grabbed Obi-Wan's arm. "Come with me."

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They stopped by the supply room to salvage what emergency supplies they could, then went back to their cabin. Qui-Gon cleared rubble away from the bed so he could open the drawer beneath. He relaxed slightly when he saw that the locked box was still there. Carefully he opened the box and took out the Pal'tre. At least whoever had Anakin hadn't taken that.

He turned quickly at a loud crash beside him. Obi-Wan had dropped a metal tray and was staring at the weapon, eyes wide, face pale. Qui-Gon placed the weapon carefully on the bed before reaching out to touch Obi-Wan's arm, dropping his hand quickly when Obi-Wan flinched. "That...thing. Where did it come from?"

"We took it from Rulak when we found you, remember?"

"No. Get rid of it."

"Obi-Wan--"

"Get rid of it!"

Qui-Gon put the weapon back in the box as fast as he could and locked it. "There. It's gone."

"Keep it away from me."

"I will." Qui-Gon stuffed the entire box in a sack and slung it over his shoulder. Obi-Wan picked up the few belongings they'd saved from the room, along with a bag of supplies and followed, but he kept a close eye on the sack holding the weapon. Qui-Gon, in turn, kept a close eye on Obi-Wan, wondering just how badly the two traumas so close together had affected his mind. And hoping once again that the effect was only temporary.

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"Anakin doesn't think they have more than an hour's head start on us, so we should be able to catch up when they reach a city." Qui-Gon had managed to figure out that they'd crashed on Madra, a planet with many large cities. "They'll probably try to hide there until they get a ship, assuming there isn't one waiting for them. They won't know that we can find them quite easily, even in a city."

"Why did they take Anakin?"

"I don't know."

"Don't you think that's strange? Granted, he's a great kid, but really, there were several things of value on the ship. Why take him?"

Qui-Gon shook his head. "Perhaps because that's what they were looking for?"

"There are far easier and less destructive ways to have children, Smaster."

Qui-Gon stopped and stared at the other man. "What did you call me?"

"Master? I have used the title from time to time since becoming a Knight. I hardly think now is the time to voice an objection."

"I'm not objecting, but you--" Qui-Gon shook his head again. "Never mind."

"Well if you're not objecting then what are we waiting for?" He started walking again. "Really, we have a mission. We have to save Nanakin."

"Anakin."

"Right. That's what I said."

Qui-Gon opened his mouth, then closed it. There was no use. He would just have to keep a very close eye on his former student while searching for his current student. And then keep an eye on them both. The thought of it made his own head hurt.

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Qui-Gon gritted his teeth as Obi-Wan fumbled his way through the fourth verse of a children's song. At least he thought it was supposed to be a children's song. The tune was vaguely familiar. He wondered briefly if it wouldn't be easier just to put the man into a Force-induced sleep and carry him the rest of the way. It would certainly be quieter.

"Don't you remember the words, Qui-Gon?"

"No, and neither do you."

"Of course I do. 'The slimy, grimy poddlewog ate up all the mice. The eensy, teensy Hutt said he'd take his head for a price....'"

Qui-Gon tuned the words out, unable to make any kind of sense out of them at all. With any luck Obi-Wan wouldn't remember them when he came to his senses. Of course, if he did remember, it would be much more fun to torture him with later.

He finally managed to get Obi-Wan to quiet down and act mostly normal as they reached the outskirts of the city. His concern that Obi-Wan would wander off made him hold onto the other man's arm as he concentrated his focus on Anakin. His probe though the Force was met instantly. //Master, they're moving me.//

//Where?//

//A space ship.//

//What do you see around you?// He looked around as Anakin described his surroundings, hoping to see a landmark that matched something the boy mentioned. He'd almost given up when Anakin described a sign that sounded familiar.

Qui-Gon spun around, his eyes landing instantly on a sign that fit the description. //Hang on, Ani. We're coming.//

"This way." He pulled Obi-Wan along, the other man going without question, although that wasn't much of a surprise. He didn't know how good Obi-Wan would be in a fight in his current condition; he hoped he wouldn't have to find out. If he did...well, there was always the Force-induced sleep option.

They hurried down an alley that led out to a landing pad. As they arrived at the pad, a ship took off. Qui-Gon watched it with a sinking feeling. //Anakin?//

//We've taken off, Master.//

Qui-Gon cursed. "You're not supposed to say things like that around Anakin, Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan reminded him.

"Obi-Wan...." Qui-Gon spotted a ship in pre-flight. "Come on." He grabbed Obi-Wan's arm again and ran to the ship, surprising the pilot. "You will take us to follow that ship," he commanded, pointing at the distant twinkle of metal that was the departing spaceship.

"I will take you to follow that ship," the pilot agreed, grabbing the last of his cargo and boarding, both Jedi right behind him. Qui-Gon checked with Anakin for direction, counting on Anakin's piloting knowledge even as his fear grew. He hoped the boy's sense of direction was right. He didn't have much else to go on at this point.

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They caught up with the other ship quickly. "Now what do you want me to do?" the pilot asked, an edge in his voice that suggested he wasn't thrilled with his own compliance, even if he couldn't help it.

"Target their engines." Qui-Gon's tone would have demanded compliance even if the Force hadn't been behind his words. "Quickly, before we're completely out of the planet's atmosphere."

The pilot fired, and moments later the other ship stood completely still. Even as fire shot out from the engines, the vessel began to fall back toward the planet surface. "Follow the ship!'" Qui-Gon ordered, only to question the decision a moment later as two escape pods jettisoned from the other craft.

"Sir? Do I follow the ship or the pods?"

Qui-Gon concentrated. //Anakin? Where are you?// Before he could get a reply, he felt a surge through the Force, followed by a resounding thud behind him. He turned around to see Obi-Wan lying on the floor. He tried to focus in on Anakin again, but couldn't quite read the boy.

"Follow the ship," he said, trusting that the Force had guided him to make the right decision as he hurried to Obi-Wan's side. A quick check of the other man revealed that he was unconscious. None of his other life signs showed reason for alarm, but given his recent behavior, there was cause for worry.

Qui-Gon turned away from Obi-Wan and back to the other crisis at hand. He concentrated again. //Anakin?//

//I'm in the cockpit of the ship,// his Padawan replied.

//Good.// Qui-Gon breathed a sigh of relief. //Are any of the controls working?//

//No.//

Qui-Gon glanced over at Obi-Wan, still unconscious on the floor. No help there. He didn't think he could cushion the ship enough by himself. He wasn't Master Yoda; he hadn't had 800 years to perfect his skills to that level. He needed a little help.

He supposed now was as good a time for a lesson as any. //Anakin, I'm going to need your help. I want you to picture the ship in your mind.//

//But Master, sir--//

//Listen to me! Close your eyes and picture the ship.// He gave the boy a second. //Can you see it?//

//Yes.//

//Remember how you lifted the rocks last week?//

//Yes, but Master the ship is much bigger--//

//No! It's the same principle. I want you to reach out and hold the ship up just like the rocks. Guide it to the ground.// Qui-Gon felt Anakin begin to weave the Force around the ship and added the full strength of his own power to that web until it slowed the descent of the craft. The ground was close, but by the time it hit, it was going slow enough that he hoped Anakin had not been harmed.

He glanced at Obi-Wan again. He had one patient. He didn't need another.

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Qui-Gon sat beside Obi-Wan's bed, keeping an eye on the still unconscious man even as his mind wandered. Anakin's report on his captivity had been disturbing. Even now, when it was likely his captors were lying low, he was reluctant to leave the boy alone. Two Knights had come with the Healer and were watching over the boy while Qui-Gon stayed with Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan. He hadn't realized just how serious the blow to Obi-Wan's head had been until his former student had passed out on their borrowed ship. He should have paid more attention to the signs, but he'd assumed he would know instinctively if anything were seriously wrong. As it was, the Healer had managed to reduce the swelling in Obi-Wan's brain, and he was expected to make a full recovery. Despite the fact that he had yet to wake up, he would be fine.

Qui-Gon refused to consider any other alternatives. Anakin's report had revealed that one of the captors had been the Sith. There was still no way to know if he was the master or the apprentice, but one thing was clear; he was strong in the Force. He had kept his presence hidden from the Jedi chasing them, and he had wanted Anakin. Offered him power. Power to free his mother.

Yes, he was strong indeed.

Qui-Gon needed someone to discuss this with. He wasn't sure if the Sith had managed to do any harm to Anakin. The Healer had checked the boy over thoroughly, and could find no damage, but if the Sith could hide his presence so completely from a Jedi Master, who knew what he could do to Anakin without anyone being the wiser?

He didn't want to alarm the Council, especially not with the doubts they still had about Anakin. He also didn't trust anyone else to train the boy, so his discussions on the matter needed to be limited to someone he trusted. Someone he knew could help him figure out his own feelings on the matter, as well as give him good advice.

He needed Obi-Wan.

As if on cue, Obi-Wan stirred. Qui-Gon leaned over him, waiting for his eyes to open. A moment later he was rewarded as Obi-Wan blinked, then squinted up at him. "Qui-Gon?"

"How do you feel?" He waited for the answer, ready to call the Healer if necessary.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them again. "I'm still breathing," he said with a ghost of a smile. "My head hurts."

That was all Qui-Gon had been waiting for; he alerted the Healer immediately. "The Healer can do something about that."

"Healer?" Obi-Wan looked around, apparently only just realizing they were in a sickbay on an unfamiliar ship. "What happened?"

"How much do you remember?"

"You rescued me," he said, concentration etching fine lines into his face. "Our ship...we were attacked and we crashed...." He frowned a moment more, then shook his head. "The rest is pretty vague. Images, fragments of conversations...nothing that makes much sense."

Qui-Gon smiled. "Don't worry, it wouldn't make much sense if you could remember it clearly."

"What?"

"Never mind. You hit your head when we crashed." His fingertips brushed over the nasty cut on Obi-Wan's forehead. "In a couple of places. There was some swelling in your brain, but the Healer has taken care of it. We've just been waiting about a day for you to wake up."

"So I'm okay then?"

"I imagine she's going to want you to rest for a few days, but you'll be fine."

"Rest?" Obi-Wan scowled. "I hate resting."

"I'll see if I can't come up with something to occupy you during your convalescence," Qui-Gon murmured, kissing his lover's forehead.

Obi-Wan's scowl was instantly replaced with a smile. "I'm sure if anyone can think of a way to keep me in bed, it's you."

"A tempting challenge." Qui-Gon kissed his lips lightly, then pulled back. "But for now the only thing you're doing in this bed is sleeping."

"I'm tired of sleeping."

"Obi-Wan...."

His smile grew. "The 'Master' tone doesn't work on me anymore, Qui-Gon."

"Perhaps not, but I could still put you to sleep if I wanted to."

Obi-Wan sighed. "Fine. I'll sleep. But only if you stay."

"I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

"No." Obi-Wan moved to the far edge of the bed and patted the space beside him. "Here."

"It's the middle of the day."

"And yet you expect me to sleep."

"I'm not the one who's sick, you are. You need sleep."

Obi-Wan snorted. "And if I know you, you've spent the last day taking care of a dozen things while watching over me and have barely slept at all."

"That's not the point."

"It is the point." Obi-Wan patted the bed again. "You want me to rest. Fine. I want you to rest. And one will not happen without the other."

"How did I end up bonded to someone so stubborn?"

"I had a good teacher," Obi-Wan replied with a grin as he pulled back the blanket, inviting Qui-Gon in. After a moment, Qui-Gon pulled off his boots and climbed into the bed, allowing Obi-Wan to settle in against him. He held the other man as he drifted off to sleep, but despite Obi-Wan's urging, his mind would not respond to the need for rest. It was too distracted.

Anakin had to be protected from the Dark Side. His power was too great, his importance to the Force too much to lose. But how did he protect the boy from something he couldn't see? It was like fighting shadows.

Sleep was a long time in coming.

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End--for now. Comments? ndannais@fbi-agent.com