Master Apprentice Archive IS9: Inner Resolve Quick search:

Homepage: Kalynn's Fan Fiction - XFiles, Profiler, Star Wars: TPM, Hercules, Young Hercules, XMen:
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Rating: PG
Archive: m_a, if you have permission go for it.
Classification: series story, angst
Series: Inner Strength Series, # 9
Warnings: AU (compared to JA), knowledge of previous stories in series needed.
Summary: Qui-Gon disappears while on his mission. Back home, Elyzabe, Mace and Obi-Wan wait and worry before taking action.

Feedback: Was it worth the threats? ;)

Notes: Due to the length of time between IS8 and IS9, you might consider rereading the previous part to catch up to where this fic starts.

Thank Yous and Apologies: First and foremost thanks to all of you who've followed this series, and my apologies as well for this segment having taken so long to finish.

Disclaimer: *insert witty remark here* gee, they're not mine and for me they reap no profit. ;-) I don't know about you, but I'm not surprised by that.

On board the Republic Cruiser Maverick, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn knelt in meditation. Two days from Coruscant, there were still two more before the ship would reach Nahbey.

He sighed and broke from his meditation, but remained kneeling. The overpowering wariness about the mission that had settled upon him after that last disastrous Council session had yet to lift.

It was far from the first time he had disagreed with the Council. However, it was the only time he knew of them resorting to nothing short of blackmail to achieve its ends. Releasing a long breath, Qui-Gon unfolded his legs and stood.

Walking across the small quarters, he sat on the sleep couch and opened his bag. Intending to pull out the datapad that contained information about his mission, he instead found himself looking at the small package Elyzabe had given him not long before his rushed departure.

Not for the first time, he pulled the wrapped object out and simply held it. It was small in his hands and quite light. While his own foresight was limited at best, his instincts boded for a long mission ahead. Knowing this, he was uncertain if he wanted to open her gift so soon or wait until he might truly need the connection to home. Funny, he hadn't thought of Coruscant as home in a long time before meeting Obi-Wan.

Rather than continuing to debate the action, he carefully unwrapped the package. The delicate object inside caused Qui-Gon to pause, before reaching out with one hand to trace the faint lines of the holo-image. Blinking slowly, his surprise slid into a sad smile.

The small boy in the image wasn't looking at the person who took the image, who he knew to have been Elyzabe herself. He looked closely at the image of Obi-Wan: sitting on the floor with his hair mussed and forehead scrunched as he worked. Though it was hard to see, he recognized the small fish that also rested on the worktable next to his sleep-couch.

Looking at the young boy, Qui-Gon found himself reminded yet again why he was heeding this call from the Council. One that there seemed very little right about, and otherwise would have fought. Gently brushing his fingertips over the photo, Qui-Gon then placed it next to the fragile fish the image showed being created. With a last glance at both, he retrieved the datapad and set to work preparing for his mission.

He had a very important reason to return home.

The chime sounded an end to the day's classes, and Master Kohn watched as the young students piled out of the classroom. Children's laughter echoed off the walls as they headed toward the dining area, Padawan Jonis leading the way.

However, the smile that the laughter sought to bring was dulled by the small boy still sitting in the back of the room. Standing, Elyzabe frowned, her concern growing. She walked to the back of the room where Obi-Wan was sitting.

"Obi-Wan?" she asked softly, leaning against the side of the table in front of the boy. Elyzabe ducked her head to try and see his eyes, which were hidden behind a fall of bangs.

Obi-Wan's head shot up, and he looked quickly around the empty room. He blushed and ducked his head. "Sorry, Master Kohn. I guess I wasn't paying attention."

The teacher ruffled Obi-Wan's hair. "You seemed to be in your own little world." She smiled softly and reached out through the Forced, filling it with a sense of comfort. "Care to share it with me?"

The little boy shrugged, his eyes darting around, looking at everything but his teacher. "I'll try and do better, Master Kohn," he said, lowering his head to stare at the tabletop.

"Obi-Wan." Elyzabe bit back a sigh and gently tugged his chin up with her hand. "It's okay to miss Master Qui-Gon."

Again, Obi-Wan shrugged. However Elyzabe didn't miss the faraway look in his green eyes or the way he chewed on his lower lip. "Jedi go on missions, so that they can help people," he said. Meeting Kohn's eyes, his eyes were bright. "Master Qui-Gon told me so."

Elyzabe smiled at the child. She was constantly impressed by how mature he was trying to be. But at the same time, he was only a little boy and it saddened her that he was being forced to do so. "Master Qui-Gon is a very wise man," she agreed. Kneeling next to his chair, she tilted her head to the side. "However, he has gone on missions before and you weren't so sad."

Obi-Wan blinked before looking at the teacher with wide eyes. The moisture was back in his eyes and a fine tremor ran through him. "Something's different."

It was impossible not to feel his distress and she wrapped an arm around his thin shoulders. She was struck by what he had said. "How so, Obi-Wan?"

"It just feels different," he said in a small voice. Elyzabe understood the confession and gave his shoulders a comforting squeeze. Rather than explaining, he added, "May I be excused to catch up with the others, Master Kohn?"

Her smile faded and Elyzabe dropped her arm and stood. "I'll escort you to the dining area, all right?"

The boy nodded, no longer staring at the desk but neither would he meet her eyes. "Thank you."

Kohn fought the urge to rub her hands over her face. The downcast demeanor of the boy was painful to witness. Qui-Gon had only been gone three days, and already the change in Obi-Wan was great.

During dinner, Elyzabe's attention was focused on Obi-Wan and Bant. She watched as Bant struggled in vain to make him smile. For the past three days she had seen similar attempts, all of which had failed. She had to give the Mon Calamari girl credit for her determination. It seemed that nothing any of those remaining tried -- even Bant's best efforts -- Obi-Wan remained sad.

"How's he doing?" Mace Windu's voice startled her, causing Elyzabe to turn quickly.

She rubbed a hand over her eyes. Lowering her hand, she met Mace's gaze and saw a concern to match her own. "Honestly, he is about as I feared he might be." Mace jumped slightly when she growled low in her throat. "He's torn apart and for no reason whatsoever."

Dropping into a seat next to the teacher, Windu looked at the students for a long moment. "I would have been by sooner, but it would seem that the Council seeks to keep me quite occupied ever since Qui-Gon's departure." He shook his head. "One can only guess as to why exactly."

"Occupied?" Elyzabe's eyes narrowed. She searched his gaze before letting out a long breath. "I don't understand. What is it they want to hide so badly?"

"I'm uncertain, although I have no doubt it is related. To be busy is one thing. The pointless, but constant, meetings and debates they have seen fit to assign to me of late..." He shook his head and closed his eyes briefly. Looking at Elyzabe, he recognized the calculations that were running through her mind. "This is another matter entirely. There is little doubt to the timing."

"I don't like this, Mace." Elyzabe glanced at Obi-Wan and Bant, who had yet to give up at her attempts to cheer him. It was easy to see Obi-Wan's sadness was beginning to take its toll on her as well. The teacher sighed and turned her attention back to Mace. "And I fear what the outcome might be, if we remain in the dark as to the true course of this path."

Mace placed a hand on Elyzabe's shoulder, lowering his voice he replied, "Those are my feelings as well. However, I think we must wait. There will be a time to move, but this is not it."

"No," she said, shaking her head. She stared at Obi-Wan, her eyes sad. Gesturing toward the boy, she said, "But that knowledge does little to make watching his suffering any easier."

Windu thought for a moment, his steady gaze resting on Obi-Wan. "What of his pet Ja'des kitten?"

Her eyes widening, Elyzabe almost smiled. "That's a wonderful idea, Mace. I took him to see Fyre the evening after Qui-Gon left, but he hasn't been able to return since."

"I'll take him to the gardens, if you'd like," Mace offered, standing.

Rising to stand next to him, she smiled her thanks. "I would appreciate that. Would you mind watching after two of them?"

"Under normal circumstances, there would be no chance of me agreeing to that." He tried to force humor into his words, but didn't quite manage it. Nodding he smiled faintly. "However, it would appear as though these are far from normal circumstances."

Elyzabe had a sad half-smile on her face. "I know." Turning, she walked over to the children. "I can tell by sheer noise that your dinner must apparently be over," she joked, forcing a smile as she attracted their attention. "That being so, please return your trays and Padawan Jonis will lead you to the Waterfall gardens."

While the children lined up to return their dinnerware, Jonis approached Master Kohn. Out of habit he lowered his voice. "Master?"

Elyzabe smiled at Jonis. It wasn't hard to tell that he was confused by her actions. The surprise was that he wasn't used to it after so long. "Please escort the children, Jonis. I'll be there shortly."

He bowed. "Yes, Master Kohn." He was still confused, but training kept him from asking more.

Seeing Obi-Wan lingering near the back of the group, Elyzabe sighed. "Obi-Wan, Bant, might I have a word with you?"

Two sets of wide eyes turned to look at her, sparing a quick glace for each other. "Yes, Master Kohn," they said in unison, before walking toward her. Elyzabe almost laughed at how the two children so mirrored one another. It was a rare bright spot in the chaos that had become their lives.

She waited for the rest of the children to leave the dining room before motioning them toward two empty seats. Sitting across from them, she glanced over at Mace, who was standing where the children couldn't see him.

"I know that the rest of the initiates are going to the Waterfall gardens, and I'm aware, Bant, that these are among your favorites." She smiled at the girl and then at Obi-Wan. "But I thought I might present you with an additional option."

Looking over at Mace, she waved the master over to them. The children looked and saw Master Windu approaching them. "I know I'm not much of a babysitter," he began, trying to smile. "But I thought you might enjoy spending some time in the Animal gardens, Obi-Wan." Turning to the other child, he added, "And I was hoping you might join us as well, Initiate Bant."

Light flickered in Obi-Wan's eyes, the first real reaction anyone had seen in him since Qui-Gon's Naming day gathering. "Really?" he asked, looking to Master Kohn.

"Yes, really," she replied, warmed by the reaction. "However, please try not to fall in the stream this time." She winked at Obi-Wan and ruffled his hair.

He ducked his head, a faint blush staining his cheeks. "Yes, Master Kohn."

"Back by bedtime, Mace," she told the other Master who merely rolled his eyes.

After Obi-Wan and Bant stood, he motioned them toward the door. While the two initiates walked ahead, Elyzabe held Mace back a few steps. She then whispered softly, "Thank you."

Mace nodded in acknowledgement, but was kept from replying when they overheard Bant giggle and ask Obi-Wan, "You fell in what?" The masters smiled, and Mace hurried to catch up to the children.

While Elyzabe continued on to the Waterfall gardens, Obi-Wan and Bant were searching for Fyre within the Animal gardens. Trying not to interrupt what fun might come of the time, Mace hung back, staying only close enough to ensure that they indeed did not fall into any trouble.

By the time the Maverick reached Nahbey, Qui-Gon had finished reading all of the information provided by the Council, which was very little indeed. The feeling of wrongness was only magnified by the limited detail the information provided.

The planet of Nahbey held a rigid status structure, each had a level into which they were born and from which they died. The trade workers had for generations been the foundation of the society, but in the past decades had grown more and more disenchanted with the idea of their labor supporting those above them.

The information provided little beyond the fact that the workers were pushing for a change, by any means necessary. As a result, the Ambassadors for both the workers and overseers were forced to the negotiation table. Where all efforts had stalled.

Having spent much of his time in meditation, seeking some peace with the situation in which he found himself, and the rest practicing form after form in the ship's hold, Qui-Gon was pleased to finally be at his destination. He wanted little more than to do his duty and return home.

Walking down the ramp, he squinted against the harsh sunlight that bathed the world of Nahbey. Tugging his cloak tight against the brisk wind that whipped around the ship, he moved toward the small group waiting for him.

The man standing in the front bowed stiffly. "Master Jedi. So good of you to come. I am ali Torrin." Qui-Gon nodded his head in return, recognizing the formal title of one of the ruling party. "As Secretary to the Governor, I am to take you to see him."

He gestured behind him, to his left. "This is zah Opins, Ambassador and representative of the Trade workers." The second man bowed, and Torrin turned to his right. "This is zah Regin, Ambassador and representative of the Trade overseers."

Qui-Gon nodded to each in turn. "Ambassadors. I look forward to negotiating with each of you in good faith." They titled their heads in response, but remained silent.

"This way, if you please, Master Jedi." ali Torin gestured behind him toward a recessed doorway. "I will take you to your rooms, and then to meet with the Governor."

"Thank you, ali Torrin," Qui-Gon replied before moving to walk alongside the man into the large building.

Sitting near the stream that wound through the Animal gardens, Bant and Obi-Wan watched as Fyre chased a draigon-butterfly nearby. Bant watched her friend for a long moment, concern written in her large, dark eyes. It was much the same as she had for the many days since Qui-Gon had left.

This was the second time Master Kohn had asked them if they wanted to visit the Animal gardens and Bant was more than a little worried about her friend. Besides that, she was growing suspicious about everything else.

"Obi?" she asked timidly.

Looking up quickly, Obi-Wan was surprised to find his friend staring at him. "Yeah?"

Chewing on her lip, she paused before replying. "I know you're sad that Master Qui-Gon went away..." She met his gaze, blinking slowly. "But he's gone on lots of missions, why are you so sad this time?"

Obi-Wan lowered his gaze and Fyre nudged his head up under Obi-Wan's hand. Petting the kitten, Obi-Wan hesitated. Focusing on the kitten, he refused to look at Bant. "Because it's my fault," he finally said, his voice barely a whisper.

Bant's always-large eyes widened in surprise. Denying his words, she shook her head quickly. "How could it be your fault? You're a little boy."

Shrugging, Obi-Wan wouldn't meet her gaze. She could barely hear him when he spoke. "It's different this time. Wrong. And it's because of me."

Bant crawled over next to Obi-Wan, putting her arm around his shoulders. "I'm sorry."

He looked at her in confusion, but his were eyes just sad. "Why are you sorry?"

"Just because you're not happy." She half-hugged him, using her free hand to pet Fyre. Bant laid her head on his shoulder. "We just wish you would smile again."

Their conversation was interrupted when Padawan Jonis cleared his throat. Bant sat up straight and they both looked up at the padawan. "Time to go, children," he said quietly.

"Yes, Padawan Jonis," Bant replied, Obi-Wan nodding in silent agreement.

While they stood and brushed the grass off of their leggings, neither saw the shadowed look that crossed Jonis' eyes.

Elyzabe looked up after hearing a soft knock on her office door to find Padawan Jonis standing there. She smiled, a tired expression, and waved him into the room. "Yes, Padawan?" He hesitated, causing Elyzabe to become concerned. "Are you alright?"

Jonis shook his head, before sitting in one of the chairs in front of Kohn's desk. "It's the boy, Master. Obi-Wan."

Her eyes widened, and Elyzabe stood and moved around her desk. Leaning on the front, she looked closely at the young man. Several possibilities came to mind, but she pushed them aside. Better to not borrow trouble when they could afford it.

Keeping her voice level, she asked, "What about Obi-Wan?"

Looking at his hands for a moment, Jonis collected his thoughts. "I overheard him speaking with Initiate Bant this evening while at the Animal gardens."

Elyzabe nodded. "He has been upset since Master Qui-Gon left on his last mission." She stared off into space for a moment. "I had hoped playing with Bant and Fyre might help."

Jonis met the Master's gaze, and she was shocked by the haunted expression in his eyes. "He blames himself, you know," he finally said in a whisper. "I heard him telling Bant that he believes it to be his fault that Master Qui-Gon was sent away."

Sadly, that didn't surprise Elyzabe. She nodded, and her voice faded. "I know."

"You know?" Jonis' voice raised in disbelief. He fidgeted with his hands, longing to pace around the small room. "And still no one does anything?"

Elyzabe rubbed the bridge of her nose with her hand. Somehow she managed not to sigh in frustration. When she replied, her tone was formal. "We're working on it, Padawan Jonis. Whether their decisions make sense or not, the Council is not to be taken lightly."

Jonis' eyes narrowed, undeterred. "Even when it is the life of a child at stake?" Elyzabe was forced to admit that Jonis might make a fine teacher himself one day.

"Especially then." The teacher's voice was cool, aloof. She couldn't afford to let Jonis too close, especially if things were to go wrong in the future. If blame were going to be cast; she would keep the padawan as clear of it as possible.

She lowered her voice just a bit. "Something is happening. It is up to us to be on alert to when it occurs."

"Yes, Master," Jonis agreed with a nod. He recognized something in her face, something that told him she would do whatever the child needed her to do. In retrospect, he never expected anything less.

"Good evening, Master." Standing, he bowed and left the office.

Elyzabe sighed and wrapped her arms around her chest. Staring off into space, she couldn't help but think that things were going to get much worse before they got better.

Qui-Gon let out a long breath as ali Legis, the Governor, signaled the end of negotiations for the day. He had been on Nahbey for seven cycles. And still the negotiations stretched out seemingly unending ahead of him.

After the ceremonial gong had been struck, the Ambassadors and representatives all but fled the large chamber. Resigning himself to a more restrained pace, Qui-Gon followed their lead. He wanted little more than to retreat into his rooms. Duty had been served for yet another day.

As he walked through the ornately decorated hallways, Qui-Gon nodded as was appropriate to those he met. However his mind was light-years away for the moment.

Once inside his temporary quarters, he pulled his cloak free and hung it near the door. Glancing around the room, he noted that, as always, a tray of fruit and bread was resting near the Comm-board and that the message light was blinking.

Picking a piece of the fruit at random, he began eating it absentmindedly as he punched the message button. Scrolling through the few collected messages, he paused when he saw one from Mace.

"Qui-Gon." Mace said, glancing around before continuing. "I'm sure if he were to find out, Ysari would declare that communication with you is in violation of some code only he has dreamt of." When Mace smiled coldly, Qui-Gon couldn't help but smile faintly in return. "However, since I have been reduced to constantly running errand boy, I have opportunity to send messages away from under the Council's eyes."

Mace paused then, closing his eyes briefly, the smile gone. "I know you worry for the boy, Qui-Gon. He is well; Elyzabe is keeping a close eye on him, as is his friend Bant. Concentrate on your mission and finish in due course. We'll be waiting for you on your return."

The communication ended and Qui-Gon sighed. Picking up more of the fruit, he continued to read through the messages. With that chore done, he glanced over at the holo-image that rested on his desk. Picking up the image, he looked at it for a long moment before yawning.

Sparing a glance at the chrono, he realized it was still early. Faced with the choice between meditation and sleep, Qui-Gon thought for a moment before he yawned once more. For reasons he was unsure of, he was far more wary after the day's negotiations than was usual.

Deciding that he would meditate in the morning, he walked into the second of his rooms. Pulling off his tunic, he dropped onto the large bed and was asleep in moments.

After Elyzabe finished instructing the class in how to use the balance balls, she began walking around the room, judging the students adaptation to the new lesson. While in part a toy, the balls were also a way to teach. She was speaking with one of the students when she felt something... strange.

She finished instructing the young girl, and quickly stood. A hurried glance around the room revealed nothing. Reaching out with the Force, she searched for the cause of the emotions that held her attention. Her gaze flickered over the initiates and came to rest on Obi-Wan. Near the corner he was staring off into space as if in a trance.

Eyes narrowed in concern, Elyzabe walked across the room. Kneeling next to Obi-Wan, she reached out a hand and ruffled his hair. "Obi-Wan?" she asked softly.

The little boy started, wild eyes turning to meet Elyzabe's. "Master Kohn?" His cheeks were flushed as he glanced around. It was as if he was unsure of where he was.

"Are you feeling okay, Obi-Wan?" When he paled her concern grew. She placed a hand on his forehead, checking for sign of a fever. At the same time, she reached out along the Force that surrounded him. Whatever she had felt earlier was gone, replaced with a lingering confusion.

Obi-Wan shrugged, his eyes returned to normal. "I guess so." He looked at the balance balls and then up at Master Kohn. Ducking his head, he asked, "Could you explain this to me again?"

Elyzabe fought the urge to curse the Council under her breath for what brought him to this point. Usually, Obi-Wan was one of the best students in the class. She nodded, a sad smile on her face. "Of course I can."

Qui-Gon bit back a groan as the brilliant morning sunlight pierced through the drapes and lit up the room. The beginning of day sixteen of the negotiations and still no end was in sight.

Normally there was little that could tax his patience. The determination of each side to thwart the other for as long as possible is an annoyance, nothing more.

However he wasn't feeling entirely patient of late. Sitting up in the bed, he rubbed his head with one hand. It felt as if someone had packed it with cotton and was throbbing mercilessly. Just one more reason to try and convince the Nahbey that a resolution was in all of their best interests.

Standing, Qui-Gon swayed slightly before steadying himself. He shook his head to clear it, and went into the 'fresher. One luxury of a world such as Nahbey was a deep inset bathtub and real water shower. And he felt just bad enough to give into such an indulgence.

Some time later, dressed and feeling almost human again, Qui-Gon dropped into a meditative pose near the window. Feeling the warm light on his face, he let out a single long breath before closing his eyes and sinking into the Force.

His peace was interrupted mere moments later by an insistent knocking on the chamber's outermost door. Sighing, he stood and walked into the main room.

"Enter."

A young boy, not ten seasons old, walked into the room. Standing just inside the door he risked a glance at the Jedi. Qui-Gon recognized the boy as the same child who brought the trays of food and drink each evening.

"Master Jedi," he said in a small voice. Holding out his hands, he offered Qui-Gon a rolled parchment that rested atop them. "For you."

Taking the offered correspondence, Qui-Gon couldn't help but notice how uneasy the boy appeared. Everything about him spoke of nervousness. Reminded of another small boy, he forced a smile to his lips. "Thank you..."

The boy seemed startled by the address. "noh Verhia, sir."

"Thank you, Verhia." Qui-Gon dropped the boy's title, hoping to set him more at ease. "Might I offer you something to drink?" he asked, gesturing toward the table.

Verhia glanced nervously over at the tray from the evening before and shook his head, not meeting Qui-Gon's gaze. "No thank you, Master Jedi. By your leave?"

"Of course, Verhia. Thank you."

With a nod, the wide-eyed boy bowed and turned hurriedly, the door swinging closed behind him.

At breakfast, Elyzabe kept one eye on the children while looking over a stack of reports she needed to sign. She covered her mouth and tried to hide a yawn, hoping no one noticed. The last thing she needed was the students seeing how little rest she was getting. Paperwork on top of no sleep was exceedingly annoying, she had decided.

Mace, who had just entered the dining hall, did notice. Walking over to her table, he took in the changes in his friend. From what he could see, nothing good was coming of Qui-Gon's being forced to leave. "Are you managing any sleep?" Mace asked in a low voice. He had been standing looking over her shoulder at the reports for several moments.

She barely managed not to jump in her seat. Turning, Elyzabe tried to glare at him, but failed miserably in the attempt. "Probably as much as you are since this all started." Biting back another yawn, she paused and rubbed a hand over her face. "Where are they shipping you off to today?"

Mace rolled his eyes and sat next to her. "Today I escort a shipment of Terillian spices from one embassy to another." He waved his hand around in the air, aimlessly. "Quite a respectable job for a Jedi Master, don't you agree? I know I'm relieved my training is being put to good use."

"I don't understand how they're justifying it." She signed yet another report and laid it aside before looking at Windu. Glancing at the children, she lowered her voice. "Something has to give, Mace. Something's happening, and it's getting worse."

"What's happened?" Mace asked, concern marking his voice and his eyes narrowing. He searched Elyzabe's tired gaze, but found no answers. One possibility sprung to mind over all others. "Is Obi-Wan okay?" As he spoke, he glanced over his shoulder at the child.

Elyzabe closed her eyes for a moment and shook her head. Her voice wasn't quite steady when she said, "I feel like I'm watching him slip away." Laying the reports on the table, she took a deep breath. "And damn the Council, I cannot continue to do it."

Windu tore his gaze from Obi-Wan to again look at Elyzabe. Being forced to sit by while one of her students suffered haunted her eyes. "I know," he whispered.

Looking at Obi-Wan, she shook her head sadly. "Last night I found him crying in sleep, today he refuses to eat. What's next?" She made a concerted effort to keep her voice down, but the venom rising in her words made it hard. "What has to happen to force the Council's hand?" She asked, turning suddenly cold eyes to Mace.

Mace had opened his mouth to reply when a padawan rushed up to him. Bowing to both Mace and Elyzabe, the girl asked, "Master Windu, a moment of your time?"

Nodding distractedly, Mace stood. Looking at Elyzabe, he dropped a hand onto her shoulder. Turning his back to the waiting padawan, he said quietly, "I'll find you this evening and we'll speak again."

Kohn merely nodded, watching him leave.

It was just past the noon hour, the sun high in the sky and the room uncomfortably warm when Qui-Gon realized he was losing the battle to keep his eyes open. Drawing on the Force, he kept his attention focused on the proceedings by sheer will.

There had been many such times in the past when his limits had been taxed. However it was usually the result of being physically drained. As it was, he was curious why they were so easily worn by such a mundane task.

Not ten minutes later, he felt as if he were swaying in his seat. The last thing he was truly aware of was his chair falling, and the floor rising to meet him. He thought briefly of Obi-Wan, and his promise to return before blackness claimed him.

"Elyzabe," Mace said, walking into her office. She didn't need to be Force sensitive to realize something new had developed. Her stomach tightened for an instant. For weeks, even since before Qui-Gon's departure, very little news of the good variety seemed to be developing. That didn't leave much other possibility than something else gone wrong.

Fighting the urge to sigh, she nodded. "What now?"

Nervous energy was radiating from him. "I've spoken with my contact on the Council." He paused, taking a deep breath. "It's not good. Qui-Gon has missed his last two scheduled check in times."

"What?" Elyzabe paled, dropping into her chair. She opened her mouth to speak, closed it and opened it again.

"I wasn't informed after the first missed message." He sighed and ran a hand over his head. "But with this one, no one has heard from him in almost two weeks."

"There's no way Qui-Gon would stay out of contact for that long if he could help it." She rolled her eyes. "At least not this time." Leveling a stare at Mace that would scare any padawan and most knights, her voice turned hard. "What are they going to do?"

Mace sat in one of the extra chairs, dropping his face into his hands. "Nothing." He raised his head and shook it warily. "There is no plan of rescue from the Council."

Eyes widening, Kohn looked at Mace in disbelief. "Not even they could be so cold. Yoda wouldn't allow it."

"For whatever reason, Yoda has kept his own council during all of this." Windu sighed. "Apparently he has yet to speak out about it."

Elyzabe looked appalled, shaking her head slowly. Nothing made sense anymore. "Even for his own Padawan?"

"Apparently so," Windu said with a nod. Resting his elbows on his knees, he met Elyzabe's icy gaze. "But you're right. This whole situation just feels wrong."

Her mind was running over the situation, examining and discarding ideas even while she spoke. "If the Council will not do anything," she said, sitting up straight. "Then I'd say it falls to us to do so in their stead." Smiling wickedly, she asked, "Think you're up to finding us transport?"

Mace grinned, encouraged by her reaction. "I like the way you think at times, Elyzabe." Nodding, he agreed. "I think an errand boy can manage that. When do we leave?"

Glancing at the chrono, Kohn thought about what all they would need to do before leaving. "Tonight. And as soon as possible, then."

He took a breath, preparing to broach the one subject he wanted little more than to avoid. "You should get Obi-Wan, we may need him to help find Qui-Gon." He recognized Elyzabe's suddenly hesitant expression, and understood her dilemma.

She blinked slowly, considering the possibilities of taking the child with them on a risky mission. "Okay," she agreed a moment later. When Mace started to nod, she held up a hand. "But his safety comes first." Meeting the other Master's eyes, her own were sad, but determined. "He's only a child, Mace, and a hurt one at that."

"Of course." Mace smiled, recognizing her concern. Mace stood as replied, "Besides, we promised Qui-Gon."

"That we did." Elyzabe stood, moving to follow Mace from her office. Just before the door was to open, she placed a hand on Mace's arm. "I'll arrange what we need to take with us and get Obi-Wan. You find us a transport and we'll meet at my quarters in an hour."

With a mock salute, Mace replied, "Yes, ma'am." More serious, he covered her hand with his own and lowered his voice. "We'll find him."

Nodding, Elyzabe met his gaze with somber eyes; her voice was serious. "For Obi-Wan's sake, we better."

After speaking with Mace, Elyzabe hurried to find the clothing and foodstuffs they would need on their journey. Time was of the essence in their plan, and nothing could be left to chance. As it was they were risking someone finding out with any delay they allowed.

Proceeding carefully, she collected the necessary things a little at a time, depositing them in her quarters. She hoped to attract the least amount of attention as possible. Luckily, most of the corridors were empty as she went about her duties.

Once done, Kohn headed for the gardens where many of the students were practicing their meditations. Finding Obi-Wan was far too easy, as she simply followed the Force to where the sad little boy was kneeling.

A glance around revealed that Bant was nowhere to be found, and she recalled that the young Mon Calamari girl was in another group that afternoon. The rotation of students had been set up some time before, and it was too late to regret their being separated.

Taking a seat in front of him, Elyzabe waited for him to become aware of her presence. She took the time to settle her own nerves as well. It wouldn't do for anyone to wonder why she was anxious.

A few moments later, the child's eyes snapped open and he looked at her with a heartbreaking gaze. "Master Kohn?" he asked, his brow scrunching in confusion.

She smiled, brushing his hair away from his forehead. Making sure to speak in a voice that wouldn't carry, she said, "I need you to come with me, Obi-Wan."

Although his confusion only increased, Obi-Wan nodded. One of the first things he had learned as an initiate was to obey the teachers. "Okay."

"I'll tell you more in a little while, okay Obi-Wan?" She asked in a soft voice. Again he nodded. Over time he had realized that his teacher did care about him, and he trusted her.

Standing, she waiting for him to follow and took his hand. She smiled down at him, and felt her heart twist when the normally cheerful child didn't return the gesture. All the more reason to find Qui-Gon and bring him back where he belonged, she thought.

As they left the gardens she passed directly by Padawan Jonis. "Master Vrim will be here shortly," she whispered so that only Jonis could hear. The dependable padawan had been informed as to some of their plans and nodded. As he watched them disappear through the large doors there was a relieved smile on his face.

Once in the hallway, Obi-Wan looked up at Master Kohn with an uncertain look on his face. "Are we going to see Qui-Gon?" he asked, chewing on his lip and trying not to sound hopeful.

Elyzabe squeezed his hand and tried to smile encouragingly. "I hope so, Obi-Wan."

It was a short walk from the gardens to Elyzabe's quarters. Obi-Wan's eyes widened when he saw the pile of supplies. Leading the boy to the couch, Elyzabe motioned for him to sit.

"I'll start something for dinner, okay?" Walking over to the kitchen, she looked at Obi-Wan, who pulled his knees up onto the couch and wrapped his arms around them. She sighed softly, hating everything about the situation they had been thrust into.

Busying herself with making dinner, Elyzabe tried not to think about everything that might go wrong with what they were preparing to do. The only way to go was forward, she said to herself.

All that was left to do was wait for Mace to arrive.

It was later than they had planned, but Mace finally did arrive at Elyzabe's quarters. Pressing the buzzer, he waited for a minute before she answered the door.

Opening the door, she was surprised to see Mace standing there in casual clothes. She ushered him inside, sparing a glance at the hallway behind him. Satisfied it was empty, she shut the door and asked, "Did you find a ship?"

He turned and nodded, meeting the teacher's level gaze. "It took a bit more fast talking than I'd like, but nothing more than I would have expected." He glanced at the chrono on the wall. "We leave in an hour."

"Then let's finish dinner." She gestured toward the kitchen, where Mace could see Obi-Wan sitting at the small table. He surmised he had arrived as she was trying to coerce dinner into the boy. Lowering her voice so that only Mace could hear her, she added, "If we eat, maybe Obi-Wan will, too."

Looking over at Obi-Wan and then back at Elyzabe, he nodded in understanding. He dropped his small bag on the couch next to the pile of supplies Elyzabe had gathered. "Did you get everything?" he asked, looking over the assorted packages and bags.

"I think so," she said over her shoulder. "Everything I could think of, at any rate." He walked into the kitchen and began fixing himself a plate of the food she had prepared. Elyzabe half-smiled. "It's been a great many years since I went into the field."

Mace laughed, taking a seat at the table beside Obi-Wan. He glanced at the withdrawn little boy with the wide eyes. "Don't look at me, I'm just an errand boy."

Obi-Wan looked from one Master to the other, blinking. "I don't think I'll ever understand Masters," he said, not quite smiling.

Elyzabe laughed and reached over to ruffle his hair lightly. "There are a few I don't quite understand myself, Obi-Wan." She smiled conspiratorially at the boy before adding, "And Master Windu here is near the top of that list."

"Why are you talking about me?" Mace asked, winking at Obi-Wan. "I'm as boring as they get."

"I can't argue with that one," she replied with a smile, taking another bite of her dinner. Casting a sideways glance at him, she laughed softly.

Mace shook his head, the smile that wasn't on his lips shone in his eyes. "Would you quit looking at me like that? I'm not Yoda, nor do I have two heads and six eyes."

"Was I looking at you?" Shaking her head, she bit back a laugh. "Can't imagine why. Tell me, did you ever have hair?"

Distracted from his melancholy by the continued bantering, Obi-Wan finished his own dinner. Although everything was far from all right, Obi-Wan felt better for the moment. For the first time since Master Qui-Gon had left, he felt like things might be okay.

The next time Qui-Gon woke, he found himself lying in a darkened room. Propping up on his elbows he looked around, squinting in the darkness. Unable to see anything he sat up on the bed, but paused when his head started spinning.

Qui-Gon tried to remember what had happened, how he had ended up asleep in a room he didn't recognize, but everything was fuzzy. He could remember being sent to Nahbey, to attend the negotiations. However, the details of those negotiations were blurred.

Nothing made sense, least of all why he felt as if he had been run over by a transport.

He stood only to stumble back onto the bed. The noise, however, gathered attention and two men rushed into the room. The light that suddenly filled the room caused Qui-Gon's eyes to water and he blinked quickly to clear them.

"Rest, Master Jedi. You are ill."

Qui-Gon looked at the men. He was unsure if there were two or four, as his vision continued to blur. "Ill? Where am I?" Qui-Gon winced at hearing his voice, gravely from disuse it tore at his throat.

The second man nodded, handing him a glass of water. "You are in our healing ward. You collapsed during the negotiations."

Drinking the offered water, he took a deep breath and thought for a moment. "Collapsed?"

"Yes, Master Jedi. It would appear..." The shorter man hesitated, refusing to meet the Jedi's gaze.

Qui-Gon blinked, his vision blurring as the man spoke. After a pause, the other man finished his statement. "It appears that you have been poisoned."

The room began to spin, and the healers each put a hand on his arms to steady him. "Rest, Master Jedi. You need to rest."

They helped him to lie down, but it did little to ease the overwhelming vertigo and soon he slipped back into unconsciousness.

They carefully bundled their supplies into as few satchels as possible, and with minutes to spare began the walk from Elyzabe's quarters to the transport bay. Both she and Obi-Wan had changed into civilian clothes, with their Jedi robes over them so as to hide that fact.

Reaching the entrance to the hangar, Mace stepped inside and looked around quickly. Finding the large room empty, he waved Elyzabe and Obi-Wan forward. Nodding in response, the teacher prodded Obi-Wan forward.

The group had only taken a dozen steps when a soft tapping from the shadows to their left caught Elyzabe's attention. Looking over her shoulder, her eyes widened when she saw Yoda approaching. She rested a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, causing him to stop, and cleared her throat to gain Mace's attention.

Shuffling across the smooth floor, Yoda only paused when he stood directly in front of them. Closing his eyes, he let out a long breath. "Going to find Qui-Gon, you are." It wasn't a question, and each of the four knew it.

Mace opened his mouth to reply, but Yoda rapped the floor with his gimmer stick. "Excuses do you not need." The small master looked at Obi-Wan for a long moment, and the youth didn't dare breathe. "Danger my Padawan is in. Find him you must."

Elyzabe stared at Yoda, shocked. "You know this? And yet you've done nothing?"

Yoda shook his head sadly. "Larger pattern at play, a pawn he is. Pawns are you all. More needed to be seen, before anything could be done."

"We need to go," Mace interjected after glancing over where the pilot stood impatiently. "He won't wait forever, I'm not paying him that well."

Elyzabe nodded at him and the pilot. "Okay." Looking back at Yoda, she took a deep breath. "Why now?"

Mace growled under his breath, looking back and forth between the pilot and the other Jedi. "Does it matter?"

"Yes," she replied in an icy voice, not wanting to hear any arguments to the contrary. "It does."

Yoda simply shook his head. "Shadows there are. Light there must be." With that he turned to leave, leaving a blustering Elyzabe in his wake.

It was easy to see she wanted to question the cryptic comment, but Mace placed a hand on her arm and tilted his head toward the transport. "We'll deal with that when we return."

She nodded curtly and took Obi-Wan's hand in her own. Shifting her packs, they followed a step behind Mace. Glancing down at the child, Elyzabe recognized his wide-eyed look. Forcing a smile, she asked, "Have you been on a real transport, Obi-Wan?"

"Once, but I don't really remember," he said after a pause. Faint memories of he first time he arrived at the Temple flickered in his mind, and he shivered. Shaking his head, he stared at the ship. "Are we really going in it?"

It was Mace who answered, hurrying with every step they took. They had to leave before any other unexpected visitors tried to stop them. "For the next six days, Obi-Wan."

"Wow."

Elyzabe met Mace's gaze over Obi-Wan's head and almost grinned. "Something like that, Obi." Personally, Elyzabe hoped that they could keep the boy from going stir crazy after so many days cooped up in the transport.

Hurrying up the ramp, they ignored the scowl of the lanky pilot and moved to stow their gear. Within moments, they were airborne and waiting for permission to leave the atmosphere.

Again Qui-Gon woke in the darkened room. He had no way of knowing how much time had past since the healers' visit and found that when he tried to figure it out, the pounding in his head quickly brought him to a standstill.

At least, he thought he remembered a visit from two... or was it four of the healers? Frustrated, Qui-Gon sighed.

He shook his head, hoping to clear the fog that seemed to have settled upon him, but all he succeeded in doing was causing the room to spin. Biting back a groan he closed his eyes and clutched his head in his hands. Once everything had stopped moving, he dropped his hands.

Taking a deep breath, Qui-Gon sought to center himself. He knew it was imperative that he find out what exactly had happened to him. Turning his attention inward he settled into the Force as best he could. It was easy to find the source of his ailment. There was a darkness within him, pulsing throughout his veins.

Reaching out toward the poison, Qui-Gon just grazed it before he gasped and recoiled. He struggled for breath, his attentions forced outward by the pain. Blinking quickly, the Jedi couldn't believe what had just happened. It burned, as if the Force itself had rejected him.

Managing to control his breathing, it was of no use to a Jedi to panic he knew well, he again tried to drop into a meditation of sorts. Once more he was repulsed by whatever raged inside him. There was a fire burning in his mind, blocking him whenever he fought to slip within the Force.

Trying to find any connection to the Living Force, he reached out blindly -- driven more by instinct than consciousness. Without the Force it was as if he couldn't breathe. Qui-Gon couldn't remember a time that the Force wasn't at his nearest touch.

Sweat beaded his forehead and he closed his eyes. For the first time in his life he was truly alone in his own mind. Falling back onto the bed, a wave of weakness pouring over him, he was compelled to admit he didn't care much for the solitude he so often claimed to seek.

Again the healers entered the room, but Qui-Gon was barely aware of their presence. He caught clips and phrases of their conversation, but try as he might to wake completely, his body would not follow.

"... high fever ... cooling cloths ..."

"... swelling in the mind ..."

"... breathing labored ..."

"... help me raise him ..."

"... losing ... too fast ..."

Their words echoing in his mind, Qui-Gon struggled to breathe before finally losing his fight to stay conscious.

On board their transport, Mace and Elyzabe were huddled together at the small table in the briefing room. Right next door was the main sleeping quarters where they had placed Obi-Wan in the hopes he would get some sleep.

They had been en-route to Nahbey for several hours before Elyzabe had finally managed to convince Obi-Wan to rest, and in the time since the two masters had been debating the situation they were rushing to face.

Standing, Mace began to pace next to the table. His arms crossed in front of him, he rubbed his chin with one hand. "It doesn't make sense," he said absently, not turning to face Elyzabe. "The Nahbey have nothing to gain by either capturing or holding Qui-Gon."

"True, but more foolish things have been done for less," she countered, watching Mace's restless movements. One would never guess it would be he who could not contain his agitation. There had been debate at the Temple if one Master Windu was indeed made of stone.

Elyzabe barely had time to wonder if the pool for proving otherwise was still open when he broke her from the thought. "Maybe. But it still doesn't feel right."

"Okay." She nodded, fiddling with a stylus from the table. "Say it's not the Nahbey. They're simply caught up in a larger picture." Mace stilled his pacing long enough to look over at the teacher. "Then who?"

He rubbed his face with one large hand and sighed. "I don't know. That's the problem."

She nodded. "Exactly."

Before Mace could reply a noise from the neighboring room caught their attention and Elyzabe was out of her seat and through the door before Mace could even turn. Following her, he entered the bedroom to find the teacher sitting on the edge of the leftmost bed.

"Obi-Wan?" she asked softly. The boy was tossing restlessly, tangling the sheets around him. Her hand on his shoulder, she pushed along the Force, surrounding him in a cocoon of calm. "Obi? It's okay." She continued to whisper, running a hand through his hair.

With a gasp the boy's eyes opened and in less than an instant he was sitting straight up in the bed. He looked around the unfamiliar room quickly, as if unsure if he had really escaped the dream.

Waiting until Obi-Wan met her eyes, Elyzabe nodded. "You're awake. It's okay."

Large tears sprung up in his eyes, and he began shaking. "It's wrong," he whispered. "Everything's wrong."

Not understanding the words, Elyzabe pulled the child into her lap and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Rocking him back and forth she made shushing noises. "I know, little one."

At the mention of the name Qui-Gon so often called him, Obi-Wan sniffled, causing Elyzabe to hold on more tightly. She closed her eyes, struggling to buffer the anxiety and despair that radiated from the little boy with hope.

After a time the shaking began to subside and no longer were tears wetting her tunic. Looking up at Mace with tear-filled eyes she shook her head. "This can't go on."

Mace nodded, having until then not seen the worst effects of Qui-Gon's absence. He tore his gaze from Elyzabe's haunted one and stared at Obi-Wan for a long moment. In a hushed voice that she almost couldn't hear, he replied, "No. It can't."

He turned and left Elyzabe with Obi-Wan. Leaving her to settle Obi-Wan back into the bed he turned his attention to the information they had managed to gather on Nahbey. In the background he could hear Elyzabe's voice singing softly.

She continued singing the ancient lullaby until she was sure Obi-Wan had fallen back into a less fitful sleep. And even then she held him close, offering what comfort she could.

The days passed slowly for the three on the transport and they soon fell into something of a pattern.

Elyzabe and Mace took turns staying with Obi-Wan when he was awake while the other continued to research what they could about Nahbey. They shared meals, even attempted what might otherwise be considered normal conversation. When the boy slept, they would match notes before falling into uneasy sleep themselves.

It was the fourth day out of Coruscant, and Mace was taking his turn sitting with Obi-Wan. He was trying to teach the boy to play Euilan squares, a game he and Qui-Gon had played as children, but was having little success.

Glancing at the door that separated them from the room where Elyzabe was continuing to pour over their notes, Mace silently wished the positions were reversed. There was a reason he rarely interacted with the children at the Temple -- simple fact of the matter was he wasn't very good at it. Not that he would ever admit it.

Obi-Wan was sprawled across the bed, his chin resting on his hand, only half paying attention to the board. It seemed the longer they were away from the Temple the more introverted the child became. And nothing he or Elyzabe tried had any effect on the downward spiral.

Mace knew his friend was near making herself sick with worry. If he ever doubted her devotion to her students before, he would never do so again. Watching her try to comfort Obi-Wan through nightmare after nightmare was beginning to wear upon him as well.

Reaching over, Mace ruffled Obi-Wan's hair. The feelings of guilt surrounding the boy continued to surge then recede. They had noticed whenever Obi-Wan felt extremely guilty that it was near impossible to distract him from it. However it didn't stop them from trying.

"Has Master Qui-Gon ever told you about this game, Obi-Wan?" Mace asked, his voice sounding rough after hours of no use.

The boy blinked, looking up at the Jedi slowly. He shook his head. "No."

Mace forced a smile on his face and his voice light. "That would probably be because he never won."

"Really?" Obi-Wan asked, his eyes wide. "Never?"

Mace almost laughed at the skepticism in his voice, but just shook his head instead. "Well, not very often at any rate." He leaned forward, as if about to share some great secret. "It's sad really. His hands were always too big."

Obi-Wan smiled. It was only the faintest turn of his lips, but it was the most reaction they had seen in days and Mace felt his heart lighten at the sight. "I wish I was tall like you and Master Qui-Gon. But maybe it's okay my hands aren't so big." As he said the latter, he moved one of the small balls on the board.

"You'll be big soon enough," Mace replied, smiling with genuine warmth. Taking his own turn at the game, he thought for a moment. "Maybe not as tall as Master Qui-Gon, but that's not a bad thing."

Obi-Wan looked up, affronted, till he saw the sparkle in Mace's eyes. He giggled. "Now you're just being silly."

Mace pretended to be shocked. "Just don't tell anyone, please. It would be the end of me."

"Of course not. Kinda like how Master Qui-Gon likes bedtime stories..." Obi-Wan stopped talking, his mouth falling open. He smiled and said awkwardly, "Oops."

"Bedtime stories?" Mace's interest was piqued. With a grin, he winked at Obi-Wan. "What about bedtime stories?"

The child shook his head, pretending to focus on the game. "Not supposed to tell."

The Master grinned. "I never do get to hear the good stories."

"You? What about me?" Obi-Wan asked before he could stop himself. "I mean..."

Mace nodded, chuckling. "I understand, Obi-Wan. I was an initiate once upon a time, myself, you know."

"Those were the days when Master Yoda and Mace here both had full heads of hair," Elyzabe interjected. They looked up and saw her leaning on the doorjamb, smiling slightly.

"Really?" Obi-Wan asked, turning from his teacher back to Mace.

The man shook his head warily. Winking at Elyzabe he replied, "Don't believe everything she tells you, Obi-Wan."

"Oh stop it." She laughed and walked over to the bed. Looking at the game board, she shook her head. "Losing as always, Mace?"

He rolled his eyes. "On that note, I think I'll go find something to drink." He stood and looked over at Obi-Wan. "Would you like anything?" The little boy shook his head and Mace nodded in reply. "All right. Behave you two."

"You forget who you're talking to," Elyzabe retorted right as Mace left the room. Shaking her head in silent laughter, she sat next to Obi-Wan. "So did you have fun playing?"

He nodded and Elyzabe felt a wave of relief and gratitude flow through her. Smoothing his hair from where Mace had ruffled it, she smiled. "Good, I'm glad."

One healer was in the room when he noticed their unexpected patient stirring in his sleep. Picking up a fresh bowl of cool water, he walked over to the bed.

When he was but a few feet away he could hear Qui-Gon muttering under his breath as he fought the covers. A frown crossed the healer's face. None of their kind knew what to do for a Jedi, nor what the effects of poison from which he suffered were. However their orders were firm, they were not to seek outside help. The fate of the Jedi before him lay in the hands of him and his brethren.

Dipping yet another cloth in the bowl of water, he draped it across the man's forehead. Fever raged within him, turning his face a scarlet red and soaking his hair. The cooling blanket that was lying on top of the Jedi master seemed to be fighting a losing battle.

He tried to make out some of what the man was saying, but for the most part could not. And what little he did understand did not make any sense. Having never left his home, he knew little of life elsewhere. Least of all what or who an Obi-Wan was.

Perhaps it was the man's son, he thought. Wringing the cloth and rewetting it in the water, he shook his head. If so, it was but one more reason to help the once-strong man to defeat the specter within him.

"noh Trinn," another healer said, stepping into the room.

Trinn stood and bowed. "Yes, jol Rolgs?"

The second healer, Trinn's direct overseer, continued. "We are readying the soothing baths. Please prepare the Jedi."

With a long look at the still unconscious Jedi, Trinn sighed. "Yes, jol Rolgs." He could only hope they had not delayed too long in seeking the baths. But his station did not allow for him to question the elder healer.

After Obi-Wan finally fell asleep that night, Elyzabe pulled the door closed behind her and walked over to the table. Dropping her hand onto Mace's shoulder, she gave it a squeeze. "Thank you."

He was startled by the emotion her voice carried. Confusion showed in his dark eyes when he looked at her. "For what?"

Sitting, she smiled tiredly. "For making that little boy laugh and smile. I was beginning to worry he had forgotten how."

"I wish I could say it was nothing," he said, standing and walking over to a small cold-box. Pulling two bottles of water from inside, he handed one to Elyzabe. He took a drink of his own and thought for a long moment. "I'm still not even sure what did it. I'm just glad it worked."

"So am I." Sighing as she looked across the pile of data-pads, she opened the bottle of water. "Find anything?"

"Right now I'd settle for finding the old windbag himself," he said half-sarcastically, dropping into his chair next to Elyzabe.

Elyzabe smiled softly, understanding his irritation. Resting a hand on his arm she agreed. "I know. So would I."

She titled her head to the side, water bottle in hand, halfway to her mouth. The teacher was lost in thought for a long moment before finally snapping out of it. Putting the bottle down, she narrowly avoiding splashing water all over the table. "All of this -- everything we're going through -- it comes back to one thing."

Looking at Mace from the corner of her eyes, she nodded in silent agreement to her own trail of thought. "What?" he asked, the smallest trace of irritation finding its way into his voice. "Or should I ask who?"

"Everything goes back to the Council, Mace. We've known that all along." Taking a deep breath, Elyzabe's eyes were bright with realization. "We've just never stopped to consider if it was one central power manipulating the Council."

"We've been too distracted by what they were doing." Mace nodded slowly, lost in thought. "Keeping us busy and off center."

"Yes!" Elyzabe replied, a little loudly. She froze an instant later, listening for any sounds from the darkened sleeping room. Once she was sure Obi-Wan was still asleep she took a calming breath. "Exactly, Mace. We've known all along there was something larger going on. It was just the individual parts didn't make sense."

"Okay, knowing this... We still don't know who or what."

The fire drained from Elyzabe's eyes and she ran a hand through her hair. "I know, but my instincts say that finding Qui-Gon and getting him back to Coruscant is the key."

Mace put a hand on her shoulder. "The answer is probably right in front of us only we're too tired to see it. Why don't you go get some sleep?"

"What about you?" she asked, covering a yawn with her hand.

He shook his head. "I wasn't nearly as run down as you when we left. I'll be okay for a little while longer."

"Okay," she said, standing. It was a testimony to how tired she really was that she didn't argue with his logic. "But if you find anything..."

Mace nodded seriously. "I'll wake you, first thing."

"You better." Her water, practically untouched, was forgotten as she quietly went into the bedroom to check on Obi-Wan and get some rest.

The soothing baths were prepared as jol Rolgs had said, and soon three additional healers came into the room to help Trinn move Qui-Gon.

When they lowered the Jedi into the swirling waters he began thrashing in their grip, almost breaking free more than once. It was all the small healers could do to keep a hold of the larger man until he accepted the cool water around him. Each of the men was soaked through by the time the struggle was over.

Within moments jol Rolgs began the process of steadily cooling the water. It was a precaution taken to avoid excessive shock to the Jedi master's already taxed system.

Only his head remained above the water, and it was noh Trinn's job to use a cloth and pull the waters there as well. As he did so, Trinn placed his ear close to Qui-Gon's mouth in an attempt to hear more of his muttered words. This time it wasn't 'Obi-Wan' that he heard. Rather it was the word Bri. Again he could only wonder what a 'Bri' was.

He was kept within the soothing waters for several long hours, Trinn never leaving the side of his charge. The fever, however, continued to rage. From what the man could tell they had only succeeded in stalling the progress of the poison.

Trinn cursed the ambassadors and the governor under his breath. If they had been allowed to call for help, he might not have advanced so far. The Jedi had gradually stopped speaking while in the healing chamber, and the longer he remained in the waters, the less he spoke. When the time came to remove Qui-Gon, he had stopped speaking entirely.

Upon reaching the orbit of Nahbey tensions were running high in the small ship. The pilot, who had done his best to stay away from the Jedi during the journey, kept his mouth shut and focused on the rather menial task of holding position while Mace spoke with an ambassador over the vid-link. Spoke? The man snorted under his breath at the thought. Yelled was more like it.

When the transmission ended, Mace let out a sound that was part sigh and part growl. Slumping into the navigator's chair he was silent for a long moment before turning to the pilot.

"We are to land at the capitol city's port." He turned to leave before adding over his shoulder, "Immediately."

The pilot nodded, knowing it best not to say anything other than what was necessary. "Yes, sir."

As Mace walked back to where he knew Elyzabe to be waiting with Obi-Wan, he could feel the ship's descent through the vibrations in the floor. He had just entered the briefing room when Elyzabe jumped out of her seat.

"Well?"

He nodded, picking up the bag of medical supplies, just in case. "They aren't happy about it, but we have permission to land. We should be on the ground shortly."

Seeing what Mace had chosen to carry with him, Elyzabe's eyes widened. "Did they..."

"No," he answered quickly, realizing what she was thinking. "They revealed nothing other than an obstinate stubbornness."

She let out a long breath. "Good. For a moment..." Elyzabe shook her head as if to rid herself of such thoughts. "Never mind, it isn't important."

Mace kneeled in front of the child. "Ready to go on your first mission, Obi-Wan?" He smiled, hoping to keep the child's spirits high.

"Yes, sir," he replied in a small voice. Obi-Wan looked up only long enough to nod before ducking his gaze back down to his hands.

Elyzabe sighed softly and rested a hand on top of his head. Dropping to her knees next to Mace she tried to smile. "It will be okay, Obi-Wan. You just have to keep hope."

Obi-Wan looked at his teacher, as if debating the truth behind the words. Chewing on his lower lip he nodded again. "Yes, ma'am."

Mace recognized the feel of their slowed descent. "Speaking of, you ready to go?" When Obi-Wan stood, Mace nodded. "I'll take that as a yes."

As he continued his vigil, persisting in his efforts to do what little he could to try and cool the fevers, Trinn began to notice an increase in activity behind him. Normally the central area of healing was a somber, calm place and the change triggered an alarm within Trinn. Something was happening, and he had no doubt it had everything to do with his patient.

Ever since the mumblings had stopped while he was in the soothing waters, the Jedi had been eerily still and quiet. If it were not for the brilliant red of his cheeks and shallow breaths, he would have doubted the man still lived.

Glancing through the doorway, where several of the overseers were hurrying past, Trinn found himself hoping whatever -- whoever -- it was would get here soon. Never before had a part of his duties as a healer been merely to sit by while another suffered and died. The young healer silently thought that he would like to keep it that way.

The sun of Nahbey was blazing in all of its glory when the three Jedi stepped off the landing ramp and onto the planet. They had changed from casual clothes and back into formal Jedi robes and the heat beat down upon the dark material.

Mace and Elyzabe squinted, while Obi-Wan held a hand up over his eyes. They were alone on the platform, but had barely taken five steps -- Obi-Wan carefully placed between them -- before two men emerged from a hidden doorway.

"I must ask you to please halt," the man on their right said. When Mace opened his mouth to object, he held up a hand. "I am ali Torrin, Secretary to the Governor." He gestured to his right. "This is ali Havk, Head of the Governor's Cabinet."

Elyzabe and Mace bowed politely, both accustomed to the bureaucracy that governments seemed to crave. "I am Jedi Master Mace Windu, and this is Master Elyzabe Kohn." He motioned to his left and Elyzabe tilted her head. Everything about the situation was rubbing her the wrong way, even after such a short time. It was not hard to see the men were nervous and hiding something.

"We have come to retrieve Master Jinn," Elyzabe said in a steady voice, concealing the annoyance that was fast growing within her. "If you would please take us to him."

Torrin shook his head, sharing a nervous glance with Havk. "I am afraid this I cannot do, Master Jedi." He shrugged and held up his hands. "Now if that is the extent of your needs, we would like to thank you for your visit, but ask that you leave."

"No." Both men blinked at the hard reply. A part of Elyzabe smiled on the inside. It was always nice to keep stubborn, arrogant representatives on their toes. "We will not leave. Not without Master Jinn."

Obi-Wan looked up at Master Kohn, his eyes wide. She must have felt his eyes on her, for she gave his hand a squeeze. Her eyes, however, remained leveled on the two Nahbey representatives.

Mace shook his head. "As you can see. We will not leave without him." He took a step forward. Outwardly the movement was in no way threatening, but both men flinched. "You may bring him to us, or we shall go to him. Those are the options I see laid before us."

Havk looked flustered and Torrin shook his head. "We will have to speak with our advisors, Master Jedi."

"You do that," Mace replied, with the barest hint of a smile.

Paling, the two men turned and fled through the door. After watching them go, Elyzabe turned to Mace, stunned. "And to think, it was the smile that did it."

Pointing toward the door, Mace suggested, "We might as well get out of this miserable sun." Elyzabe nodded in agreement, not liking the pink tint Obi-Wan's cheeks were already taking. As they crossed the remaining distance, Mace chuckled. "Besides, why shouldn't my smile open doors?"

"Only when you need to scare the doors open, Mace." She smiled and shook her head. "They all but ran away."

Mace held the door open and then pulled it closed behind them. They stood in the relative cool for a long moment before he replied. "I've always thought it was that the doors were opened that counted."

"I'll be sure to consult with Yoda on that one." Ignoring his mocking look, she kneeled in front of Obi-Wan. "How're you feeling? Not too hot?"

The child shook his head, but his eyes were glazed over. "Not hot." He swayed slightly and shook his head again. "I don't feel so good, Master."

Alarm flashed in Elyzabe's eyes and Mace was kneeling next to her in an instant. She searched through the Force, but could find nothing wrong. Sparing a glance to Mace she whispered, "We need to get Qui and get out of here. I don't like the feel of this."

His jaw set, Mace nodded. "Okay. You stay with Obi-Wan. I'll see what I can do about speeding things up around here."

She nodded her agreement, but didn't take her eyes from Obi-Wan as Mace disappeared down the curving hallway.

The latest bowl of water having turned warm, Trinn sighed and simply looked at the Jedi. There was little more he could do. More noise caught his attention from the hallway, half heard phrases that lead Trinn to think that maybe someone was here to do something for the Jedi master.

Taking a chance, he stood and left the room. It wouldn't do for a worker to be found sneaking around away from his post, but he felt as if he had to try. The hallways were empty except for the random pockets of commotion and he easily avoided any prying eyes.

Trinn wasn't sure exactly where he was going. It was as if something was pulling him toward the docking bay. Not giving himself time to listen to the doubts that were whispering in the back of his mind, he followed his instincts. It just seemed like what he should do.

As he followed a long winding corridor he had never stepped foot in before, he heard could hear a woman speaking, the noise echoing softly along the walls. A voice inside him screamed to follow it and he didn't question, like he might normally. Nothing, he had decided, was normal anymore.

Reaching the end of the hallway, he saw a woman and a small boy standing just inside a heavy door. He assumed the door led to the landing pad itself, but wasn't sure.

Trinn had taken two steps forward when the woman noticed and froze him with a steely gaze. She was kneeling next to the boy and pulled him against her side as he approached. "Who are you?" she asked before he could come too close.

Blinking fast, Trinn clenched his hands into fists and willed his heart to slow. "Forgive me, I am noh Trinn." He licked his lips nervously, examining their clothing. Hearing his status title, Elyzabe was surprised that he would be here, much less risk speaking to them. A piece fell into place. "Are you also Jedi?"

Careful of Obi-Wan, Elyzabe stood. "Yes. I am Master Kohn. Have you seen Master Jinn?"

For a moment she was worried Trinn might turn and flee. What little color was in his face drained when she spoke and he swayed slightly. "Yes." He coughed, his throat suddenly dry. "I am the healer assigned to sit with the Master Jedi."

"Can you take me to him?" she asked, urgency coloring her words. Keeping a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, she took a step toward the young man. It was easy to see the desire to help that surrounded Trinn. "Please?"

After a moment's hesitation, he nodded. "Follow me, but we must be careful not to be seen."

She nodded and took Obi-Wan's hand. "How do you feel?" she asked the boy, brushing a lock of hair from his forehead.

"Weird." Again he swayed slightly, his eyes not quite focusing. He shook his head, his eyes pleading with Elyzabe. "But I want to go find Master Qui-Gon."

Silently wishing Mace were there to help, but unwilling to call him on the communicator -- yet -- she nodded. "Okay. But if you start feeling worse, you have to let me know. Alright?" When he nodded she turned back to Trinn. "Take us to him."

~<>~<>~

Reaching the Governor's offices, Mace was again stalled. And again, it was ali Torrin that was the cause.

"I'm sorry, Master Jedi. No one is allowed inside his offices without express permission." The Secretary's head tilted to the side, his face growing redder by the moment. "Permission you do not have."

Mace glared at Torrin with cold eyes. "Then get it for me."

Flustered, Torrin began wringing his hands. "I cannot," he replied in a broken whisper.

"Then who can?" he asked, his voice raising. He could only wonder where his supposed never shaken exterior had gone.

At that moment the door in front of Mace slowly opened. "I can," said a new voice.

Mace's attention spun from the Secretary to a short, spindly man. "Governor?" he asked. The man nodded. "I am Master Windu, representative of the Jedi. I am here to take Master Jinn home."

Seeming confused, the Governor shook his head. "I was unaware of any transmissions requesting such efforts."

"It was the lack of such transmissions that alerted us to the problem." His hand strayed to his side rested on the hilt of his lightsaber. "Would you have it be known that Nahbey attempted to hold a Jedi against his will and then refused to release him?"

The threat was clear, and the Governor's eyes went wide. "Why I've never heard such a thing."

Mace growled, his patience having been worn thin by the Council, finally snapped. "I'm sure you haven't. But the fact remains you are holding him. I do not know why you are doing so, or who put you up to it." When the color drained from the Governor's face, Mace understood. His dark eyes were shooting daggers, guaranteeing the smaller man he meant business. "But I can assure you, whoever it was, you want to cross me no more than you do him."

Clearly shaken, the Governor nodded. Looking over at his secretary, he said, "Take the Master Jedi to the healing quarters, Torrin." When it looked as if the Secretary might argue the Governor shook his head. "Do not argue, Torrin. Just obey."

The command left no room for discussion and other man bowed. "Yes, Governor." Turning eyes full of disbelief and flustered annoyance at Mace, he pointed to a door on the far right. "This way, Master Jedi."

Mace spared only a glance to the seething emotions around the man and nodded. Not waiting for the Secretary, he turned and walked toward the door.

Elyzabe and Obi-Wan followed Trinn through the winding passageways in silence. She was on the alert for others. When they did encounter others, they were forced to hide in the varied alcoves that lined the walkways. Elyzabe was less concerned for herself and Obi-Wan, sure in the fact that she could get them back to the transport if need be, than what being caught might mean for their young guide.

As they neared the healing ward the corridors grew busy, and avoiding others was almost impossible. So instead they relied on speed to see them to their destination. Rather than cause Obi-Wan to tire himself even more, Elyzabe picked him up and carried him the remaining distance.

When they entered the small, dark room Elyzabe couldn't see for a moment. After her eyes adjusted, what she saw before her ripped a gasp from her throat. Qui-Gon lay in the bed, his cheeks drawn and spotted with fever. His normally full frame had begun to thin already.

She turned so that Obi-Wan's line of sight was cut off and addressed the healer. "What has happened to him?" As she asked, Obi-Wan fought against her grasp, trying to climb out of her arms.

Trinn lowered his eyes. "He has been poisoned, Master Jedi. I know not why or by who."

"What kind of poison?" Elyzabe was fighting a losing battle to keep Obi-Wan in her arms. Shifting slightly, she managed to hold on for a little while longer. Not knowing what they were dealing with, she wanted to keep him from any actual contact with Qui-Gon.

The young healer blinked slowly. "I believe I over heard one of the greater healers saying that it is Herrins root. Very rare and it affects each species differently." He paused, his gaze finding Qui-Gon. "I've done everything I knew to do, but still he weakens. We do not know how to cure it, but yet we were banned from contacting the Otherworlds."

Elyzabe made a mental note of the poison's name and nodded. Freeing one hand from Obi-Wan, she placed it on his arm. "Thank you Trinn. The Jedi are in your debt for helping one of our own." When the young man blushed she actually smiled. "I can only hope that your assistance will not cause you problems with your overseers."

"It shall," he replied matter-of-factly. "However sometimes there is what you are told to do, and what you should do. In this case, I allowed myself a choice." Trinn moved over next to Qui-Gon as he spoke and began bundling him in a blanket for the journey. "I do believe I chose wisely. Please do not worry for me."

Watching the tender way he dealt with his patient, Elyzabe was touched. After all that she had read about Nahbey, this was not the kind of action she had expected. A part of her heart warmed to know that people such as Trinn did still exist in the galaxy. And because of that, she found herself wishing there was something they could do to help him.

Obi-Wan calmed significantly when he saw that the other man held Qui-Gon in his arms. Looking at Elyzabe with unblinking eyes he asked, "Can we go home now?"

"Yes, Obi-Wan." She nodded, sniffing slightly. "We're going home." She looked up at Trinn, who handled Qui-Gon's greater bulk with ease. He was obviously stronger than he appeared. "If you would lead the way, please, Trinn?"

He seemed surprised by the question, another blush coloring his cheeks. Elyzabe wondered at how easily his emotions showed on his face. It was refreshing in a way. "Of course, Master Jedi."

When Trinn walked past Elyzabe and Obi-Wan, she reached out a hand and caused him to pause. "Thank you, Trinn." She smiled warmly. "And please, call me Elyzabe."

The healer opened his mouth to reply, but no words came. Instead he merely nodded silently. She thought it might have been a bow, had his arms not been full. His eyes moved between Obi-Wan and Elyzabe before he gestured toward the door with a tilt of his head. "This way, we must hurry."

"Of course, we'll be right behind you."

After quickly glancing around, Trinn moved into the hallway. Elyzabe followed, also looking to make sure that they weren't being observed. Obi-Wan, for his part, never looked away from the unconscious form of Qui-Gon ahead of him.

When the Governor's Secretary led Mace into the healing chamber, he stopped short -- almost causing the Jedi to walk into his back. Seeing the empty bed, the shorter man's mouth opened and closed several times as words refused to come. Stepping around the floundering man, it was easy for Mace to see that the bed had recently been slept in.

"Is this your idea of a joke, Torrin?" He turned as he spoke, ignoring the empty bed in favor of intimidating the other man. When the Secretary remained mute, he added, "Or shall we continue to watch your impersonation of a flounder fish?"

Shocked out of his stupor, the man shook his head. "How dare you. I am the head assistant to the Governor of Nahbey, and..."

"And I ceased to care the moment you withheld Qui-Gon Jinn from my custody," Mace interrupted. Silently he knew that the Council would have his hide if the Nahbey were to complain, but he failed to mention that point. "Now where have you taken him?"

Throwing his hands into the hair, he shook his head. "Nowhere! On the heads of my forefathers, he was to be waiting here."

Mace stepped closer, so that he was leaning forward and almost nose-to-nose with Torrin. "Then I suggest you find him." His low voice rumbled in his chest and caused the bureaucrat to jump. "Now."

Wanting little more than to be free of the Jedi, agreement or not, the Secretary bowed awkwardly. "Yes, Master Jedi." He turned to face the two men that had followed them waving his arms in the air while barking orders.

Mace had just walked out into the hallway when his communicator beeped. Dread filling him, he went back into the room so that neither the Secretary nor his men could eavesdrop. With a final glance around, he pulled it from his belt and activated it. "Yes?"

Elyzabe's voice echoed scratchily from the speaker. "Come to the ship."

"What?" Mace's brow scrunched in confusion. "I'm still trying to find Qui-Gon."

More static ripped from the small device a moment later. "We have him. We need to go. Now." The shock that rippled through him didn't show on his face, and a million questions crossed his mind. Rather than asking, as they would have ample time on the return trip, he only nodded.

"On my way." Returning the communicator to his belt he ducked out of the healing chamber. A quick look around to orient himself, he turned to the right and proceeded down the corridor. Just to be certain, he reached out along the Force until he felt Elyzabe's familiar signature.

Hurrying his steps, he followed that signal, echoed by a fainter one from Obi-Wan and one that was fainter still, from Qui-Gon. The Secretary called to him from several doors back, but he ignored the man. Protocols be damned, he thought silently. What was one more thing for the Council to complain about with a list as long as his and Elyzabe's?

Reaching the ship was remarkably easy. The near-panicked search for Qui-Gon had worked the main building into an uproar and it was a remarkably simple task for Mace to slip by in the confusion. Even with the satchel of medical supplies thrown over his shoulder no one paid him any mind.

Nonetheless he was relieved when the doorway to the landing bay was in front of him. As he neared it, he was met by a young man in healer's robes. Just when they crossed paths the man whispered, "They are waiting for you. Fare well, Master Jedi." He gave the briefest of bows, such that an observer might not have even seen it, and was gone.

"Elyzabe?" Mace's voice rang out through the ship as soon as he was aboard.

Noise from the passenger compartments greeted his question and he turned that way. "Back here." Her voice carried through the hallway. Then to the pilot she added, "Get us out of here!"

When he reached them, Obi-Wan was perched on one of the beds while Elyzabe had turned the next one over into a makeshift medical bed. He watched in silence, standing out of the way as she buzzed around the bed. When she pulled the bag from his shoulder and ripped into it he jumped.

Plugging in various pieces of equipment and attaching several monitors to Qui-Gon, she didn't speak for several long moments. Mace, having finally seen his friend clearly, was stunned into silence while she worked.

Clearing his throat he finally managed, "Is he?"

Not looking away from her patient, Elyzabe shook her head. "He's alive. We just need to keep him that way." At that she did turn and glance over at Obi-Wan.

Mace read her intentions and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Why don't you come with me, Obi-Wan? It might be best if..."

"No!" The boy's cry echoed off the walls and Mace pulled back half a step. "I'm not leaving him again."

The sheer determination in his voice was impressive, if not offset by the pout on his lips. He crossed his arms and continued to stare at Qui-Gon. If strength of will could save their friend, Obi-Wan's would be the one to do it.

It was the tears in his eyes that ended the debate, though. Elyzabe nodded, "Okay, Obi-Wan. You can stay." During this time, the teacher had yet to slow down. Taping a monitor to Qui-Gon's temple, she looked over at Mace. "Find me anything and everything on Herrins root, and I mean now."

The plea mixed with worry and resolve in her eyes galvanized him into motion. "I'm on it," he said with a quick nod before ducking back into the other room. They had just reached orbit when he connected to the Temple database through the computer.

Entering his search parameters, he tapped his fingers on the desktop. If there was one thing he didn't have at that moment, it was more patience to spare.

Sometime later Elyzabe collapsed into the chair next to Mace's. "Tell me you've found something."

Sighing, Mace stretched his arms up over his head. "Nothing. Not a mention of it anywhere." He looked at his friend for a moment, taking note of the bags under her eyes. "You don't look so good, Elyzabe."

"I'll survive," she replied warily. Glancing at the computer screen she rubbed a hand over her face. "But we need to know what that root does to humans. Specifically Force sensitive ones."

Mace blinked in surprise. "There's a difference?"

"I think so." She nodded and yawned at the same time. "Somehow it's cut him off from the Force. Combined with the fever and the viral properties... It's smothering him from the inside out." Mace continued to scroll through indexes while she spoke, however he had to turn to hear her when she added, "There's brain swelling and the other readings are off the charts."

He lowered his voice, hoping that if Obi-Wan was still awake it would not carry through the open door. "Will he make it?"

Moist eyes looked up to meet his. "I hope so, but I don't know. I'm a teacher, there's only so much I can do." The hopelessness she had been fighting since they found Qui-Gon filled her voice.

"How's Obi-Wan?"

Resting her elbows on her knees, Elyzabe shook her head. "He's no longer ill, thank the Force. I'm not sure what was wrong." Brushing her hair away from her face, the teacher sighed sadly. "But he's so determined. He feels guilty for what's happened, I worry what he'll do if we do lose Qui-Gon."

"Then it's simple," Windu replied, trying to smile. He could easily see the signs of exhaustion in the other master and wondered what toll this adventure was going to take on all of them before it was over. "We simply won't let the old windbag get away from us."

Elyzabe smiled half-heartedly at his attempted humor. "I can only hope it's so easy."

"You get some sleep and take Obi-Wan with you into the other sleeping room." His tone brokered no arguments and when she tried to object he held up a hand. "I'll keep looking and in a while I'll wake you and we'll trade."

She still didn't look convinced but nodded anyway. Neither had been able to get much sleep, but when Elyzabe refused to argue it only proved how tired she was. Inwardly, Mace was grateful for at least one small favor. "Okay, but I can't guarantee either of us will get any rest."

Motioning for her to leave, Mace shook his head. "You're practically asleep on your feet. Somehow I doubt it will be problem. Go on, I'll wake you soon."

"Yes, Master." She winked and stood, Mace watching as she pulled the other door closed behind her.

Turning back to the computer console, he blinked quickly and ignored the urge to yawn. There would be time to sleep later. For the moment, his concern was discovering what in the universe Herrins root was.

Elyzabe woke to someone shaking her shoulder. Possibilities -- most of them bad -- ran through her mind and she sat up quickly, almost hitting Mace's chin with the top of her head. "What?" she asked, wide-awake.

"I found it," Mace whispered. He jerked his head in the direction of the door, "In there, so we don't wake Obi-Wan."

She nodded, following him from the secondary sleeping room and into the other, which was only semi-dark. A quick glance over at Qui-Gon and the monitors attached to him revealed no change and a part of her wondered how long she had managed to sleep.

In the bright light of the main room, Elyzabe squinted. Once Mace closed the door behind him he gestured to the computer. "It was buried in an old document."

Sitting behind the console, Elyzabe blinked quickly and began to scan the information. "How old is old exactly?" she asked, not turning to address Mace, her attention focused on the screen.

"Very. About five hundred years."

Elyzabe whistled under her breath. "That's old." Finished reading the limited information once, she glanced at the chrono. "Mace, it's almost dawn." At his obstinate look, she growled. "Okay, on Coruscant, at any rate. Get some sleep."

Looking at him, she would guess he looked almost as bad as she had earlier that night. He tried to fight a yawn, but failed miserably. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," she replied with a barely there smile. "Go." She waved a hand toward the door. "Just don't wake Obi-Wan. It took me an hour to get him to sleep earlier."

Turning her attention to the information that Mace had managed to find, Elyzabe barely noticed his leaving the room. Nor did she pay attention to the time that passed after that. Instead, she saved the scrap of data and went in search of more.

Occasionally she would glance through the open doorway into the room where Qui-Gon lay. As she researched part of her mind was attuned to the readings on the monitors. With little information and the barest of equipment, she couldn't afford any of the chances that being totally distracted might bring.

It was mid-morning on Coruscant when she found another, even older, record of the elusive poison. She read the passage once, scrolled up and read it again just to be sure.

"Herrins root is poisonous in its natural form. Not always deadly, some seem to possess a natural immunity. There is no known antidote. Found only along the Outer Rim, scattered along a handful of worlds, it is not believed that it will ever present a great threat to the Republic."

Elyzabe wanted to growl under her breath. Apparently any threat wasn't enough -- it was typical bureaucracy. Continuing to read, a cup of tea never far from her side, she found another source. At over eight hundred standard years, it was the oldest of the group. It was the report the Jedi had feared she might find.

"In the unlikely event of ingestion by someone with a connection to the Force, death is certain. The subject is subjected to a slow asphyxiation on both the physical and spiritual planes. Cure, none."

As she took in the information, the knot in her stomach tightened. Upon reading it a second time, a heavy weight settled in her chest.

She sighed and lowered her head into her hands. If the data was to be believed there was nothing they could do, and all of their efforts had been for nothing. Taking a deep breath she sat up straight, she knew that was no way to approach the situation. Determined to do whatever they could to change the odds, she stubbornly refused to think otherwise.

Next to the computer was a commboard. Activating it, she punched in the coordinates for the Jedi Temple. After a delay she was routed from the main board to Yoda's quarters. Moments later the tiny master's face appeared on the screen.

"News you have?"

Elyzabe nodded, happy to skip any preliminaries. "Someone has given him Herrins root." As she spoke, she watched Yoda's eyes for any signs of recognition. "Mace and I both have spent most of the night researching."

"Feared the worst I did, toward the end." She refrained from asking why he had kept that thought to himself, nor spoken for his padawan in the Council. "Little you found, hum?"

"No, Master Yoda." She shook her head, remembering the extremely limited -- yet condemning -- detail she had read. "Three small mentions in the records and even those are hundreds of years old."

Yoda nodded, his eyes closing for a long moment. "Bring him home you must." Lack of sleep and an excess of worry almost drove Elyzabe to roll her eyes at the diminutive master. As if they were doing anything but bringing him home. She was startled from her thoughts when he added, "Yes, home. If a chance he is to have."

"It said that there is no cure." Elyzabe's surprise broke through her voice. "How might the healers save him?"

"Always a chance." For a second she would almost swear he smiled. "Stubborn my padawan always has been. Change now, I doubt he will."

She had to agree with Yoda on that point. It was that stubbornness which had kept Qui-Gon alive so long already. "We are en-route, but are barely a day out of Nahbey." She paused, glancing toward the bedrooms when she heard Mace enter the room behind her. "We should be back in five more days."

"Waiting we shall be for your return." The screen faded to black and Elyzabe sat there for a long moment before turning to Windu.

"Well?" he asked, tunics rumpled with sleep but his eyes alert.

Motioning toward a chair, Elyzabe handed him the two newer data-pads. "I've found two more records." She paused for several moments as he looked at the data. Sighing, she finished. "Unless it's wrong, or something happens..." She met Mace's gaze with sad eyes and finished in a barely audible whisper. "He's not going to make it."

Shock filtered across his features and Mace placed the pads on the desk. "There must be something we can do."

"I'm afraid it may be out of our hands," she said, standing. Elyzabe rested her hand on his shoulder briefly before leaving the room. What she had no idea how to do was tell Obi-Wan.

The days passed in a subdued blur. For the time being Elyzabe had decided against telling Obi-Wan about their findings. She didn't know if it would make it any easier for the boy, but knew for a fact it would break her heart.

As it was, she was relieved that whatever had caused him to feel poorly while on the planet had passed. Immediately after she managed to get Qui-Gon as stabilized as possible she had ran several scans on Obi-Wan as well. Nothing registered as out of the ordinary.

The thought crossed her mind that maybe it was something to with the bond they shared, and the effects of the poison on Qui-Gon's connection to the Force. However she had no proof. Whatever caused it she may never understand; but was content to be relieved with the knowledge that physically at least Obi-Wan was okay.

These thoughts never far from her mind, she saw to Qui-Gon. Dutifully she persisted in replacing the cooling packs and fluids while keeping an eye on Obi-Wan as he kept a vigil with the comatose Jedi master. Mace hovered in between, continuing to research the poison and sitting with his friend.

When Obi-Wan sat with Qui-Gon, he held one of the larger hands in both of his own. He told Qui-Gon stories about the Temple and Fyre, about what had happened while Qui-Gon had been away. At some point Elyzabe heard him mention something called a snarfblat, but had no idea what the child was talking about.

She smiled sadly watching him one evening as he continued talking to Qui-Gon. If he wasn't asleep or eating, Obi-Wan was with the unconscious master. It was hard to believe that Qui-Gon was cut off from the Force, as strongly as it filled the room.

When they were not quite two days away from Coruscant, Elyzabe was sleeping in the next room, but Obi-Wan couldn't sleep. Bored, and wanting to see Qui-Gon, he snuck out to sit with him. He was careful to be quiet, so as not to let Master Windu -- who was in the outer room -- hear him.

He had only been sitting there for a few moments when Qui-Gon stirred, causing the boy to jump. Obi-Wan's first instinct was to run and get one of the masters, but a larger part of him didn't want to go anywhere. He wanted to stay with Qui-Gon.

Crawling up on the bed, cautiously so as to avoid the equipment, he looked down at Qui-Gon's eyes. "Master Qui-Gon?" he asked in a hushed whisper. Obi-Wan's forehead was scrunched in confusion. Qui-Gon's eyes looked funny.

The man blinked slowly, staring at the boy perched above him. "Who?" he managed to rasp. Qui-Gon licked his lips, but it did little good. Coughing softly, he tried again, but even sitting right beside him Obi-Wan could barely hear him. "Who are you? Where?"

Obi-Wan blinked, tears springing to his eyes. He tried to touch the bond they shared, like Master Qui-Gon had shown him, but it was as if the connection wasn't there. "Master?" he asked in a shaky voice.

Qui-Gon's eyes fell closed, the confused look never leaving them. Shaking his head from side to side, the tears in Obi-Wan's eye spilled over and covered his cheeks. "Master?" he asked again, not expecting a reply.

He pushed at the bond they shared, only this time he didn't stop when there wasn't a response. Instead, Obi-Wan kept pushing.

A monitor began screaming and the boy almost jumped off the bed. Elyzabe and Mace both rushed into the room at the alarm. One eye on the monitors and another on Obi-Wan, she pulled him from the bed and into her lap. He continued to cry as she sat on the extra bed and rocked him gently. "Shh, shh," she repeated.

Mace checked the sensors and pressed a button, causing the noise to cease. Elyzabe looked over the top of Obi-Wan's head at him. "What happened?"

"Brain pressure spiked," he replied in a shaky voice. Watching the monitor he shook his head. "But it's back to where it was now."

In Elyzabe's arms, Obi-Wan was shaking. "My fault," he mumbled, pressing his face into his teacher's tunics. "My fault."

"What's your fault, Obi?" she asked, rubbing her hand over his back soothingly.

He took a shuddering breath and rubbed his knuckles over his eyes. Instead of looking at Elyzabe or Windu, he looked over at Qui-Gon. "Master Qui-Gon woke up."

The two masters looked stunned at his words. "He woke up?" Mace asked with incredulity. When Obi-Wan nodded, Mace rubbed the bridge of his nose. Meeting Kohn's gaze he held out his hands. "How? There's no sign on the equipment."

She shrugged, looking at Mace over the top of Obi-Wan's head. "I don't know, but if Obi-Wan says he woke up, then he did." The tone of her voice was one she might use in class, not allowing for any question in the matter. Brushing Obi-Wan's hair from his face, she asked softly, "What happened then?"

"He didn't know me." His tortured whisper echoed in the quiet room, broken only by Obi-Wan's hitched breathing. He turned at looked up at his teacher, lower lip shaking with pent up tears. "Why didn't he know me?"

Elyzabe pressed her lips to the top of Obi-Wan's head. "Oh, Obi-Wan. I'm sorry."

The boy just shook his head. Taking a shuddering breath he blinked away fresh tears. Elyzabe wrapped her arms around him more tightly and glanced at Mace with tears in her eyes when Obi-Wan repeated in a whisper, "He didn't know me."

Although upset, Obi-Wan wasn't deterred by Qui-Gon's not recognizing him. If anything, he was propelled by it. He fell into a fitful sleep in Elyzabe's lap, but when he woke up he went directly to Qui-Gon's side and continued to tell him stories.

Once when Elyzabe went into the other room to speak with Mace, Obi-Wan crawled up into the bed next to Qui-Gon. He laid his head onto the master's chest and sniffled softly. Beneath his ear, Obi-Wan could hear the beat of Qui-Gon's heart.

Without thinking about it he reached for the bond in his mind. Like before, it wasn't right, but it was different somehow. It was more like there was static in his mind rather than an empty place. Remembering what had happened earlier, Obi-Wan was careful not to push at it. Instead he simply concentrated on the Force -- like they were trying to learn in class -- and surrounded the broken bond with it.

"I miss you," he whispered as the steady beating lulled him to sleep.

A short time later Elyzabe woke Obi-Wan, knowing if she didn't convince him to eat a meal before they landed it would be near impossible to do so. Opening sleepy eyes, the first thing he did was reach for the bond in his mind. Even half-asleep he gasped when he felt it.

Elyzabe looked at him, instantly worried, but her concern faded when Obi-Wan smiled. "It's there." He looked at his teacher, excitement shining in the large green eyes. "I can feel him! He's gonna be okay!"

She knew there was a chance everything still might not be all right, but she couldn't bring herself to dampen his enthusiasm. Rather, she longed to share it. Lifting him from the bed, Elyzabe smiled when Obi-Wan threw his arms around her neck. "Thank you," he whispered in her ear.

Pulling back far enough to see his face, she looked at him quizzically. "Why are you thanking me, Obi-Wan?"

"For finding him." The boy ducked his head, smiling bashfully. "I hope you don't get in too much trouble."

She laughed. "Well, let me and Master Windu deal with that, okay?" Dropping him onto his feet, she ruffled his hair. "Right now, let's just get you something to eat."

Smiling, Obi-Wan nodded. "Okay." With a pat on the back, she sent him scurrying into the other room where Mace was waiting with their meal.

Elyzabe, however, paused next to Qui-Gon's bed. Leaning over his sleeping form she whispered, "Now you have to get better, Qui-Gon. You can't let that little boy down." She smiled, an evil thought springing to mind. "Besides, I know how much you want to get the last word over me. Wake up and maybe one day you will."

Walking into the main room she laughed when she saw Mace trying to get Obi-Wan to eat. Obi-Wan, meanwhile, was bouncing in his seat. Hardly stopping for breath, he was talking non-stop. Seeing Elyzabe, Mace growled. "You're the teacher, you do this."

"Now, now. You did say you'd take care of lunch if I woke him up." When he sighed in defeat she almost cackled. Taking her own seat she grabbed a piece of the bread and shrugged. "Deal's a deal."

Mace grumbled under his breath, causing Obi-Wan to stare at him open-mouthed. "You better have not said what I think you did, Mace Windu," Elyzabe said in full teacher-mode.

Glancing up at her, Mace grinned sheepishly. "Oops?" She had to admit, it was the first time she could remember seeing him with quite that expression. There seemed to be an unending string of firsts with this group in her life on a regular basis.

Obi-Wan looked back and forth between them. "What's a..." The rest was muffled when Elyzabe covered his mouth with her hand.

"It's not something worth knowing, Obi-Wan," she replied in what the students thought of as her lecture-tone. "And not something I want to hear you repeating again." She waited until he nodded before dropping her hand.

When she looked up at Mace it was with daggers in her eyes. "Right, Master Windu?" Deciding he would rather not be stranded on-ship with Elyzabe on the warpath, he merely nodded and concentrated on the meal. She smiled, almost vicious in victory, Mace noted. "That's what I thought."

Obi-Wan giggled and took a drink of juice. "I may never understand you, but you're still funny."

"Yes, dear," the teacher said in agreement, patting Obi-Wan's hand. She offered a much softer smile to her student. "But either way you have to finish your meal before we reach Coruscant. So get going, kiddo. I know how slow you eat when you're talking."

Still laughing, Obi-Wan obeyed and finished his meal in what was probably a personal best time. When he had gone back into the sleeping room she grinned and clapped her hands once. "See? Not so hard."

"You," he said, pointing at her as he put the dishes into the recycler. "You are evil. Pure and simple."

"Judging by what you just taught Obi-Wan, I'd say I'm not the only evil one around here, Mace." When he didn't have a comeback she smiled sweetly and disappeared back into the sleeping room. Definitely vicious, he thought, watching her leave.

They were awaiting clearance to land when Qui-Gon awoke for the last time. Mace and Elyzabe were in the cockpit, arguing with the central air command for priority landing. Obi-Wan, however, was perched on the edge of the bed, his attention riveted to the slumbering Jedi. When the blue eyes opened and slowly focused on the boy, a huge smile split Obi-Wan's face.

"You're awake!" he said excitedly. When Qui-Gon didn't respond some of Obi-Wan's enthusiasm dimmed. His smile fading, he looked at his hands. "You still don't remember?" He risked a glance up at the once again familiar eyes. "But I can feel you now."

It took much of what little energy he had, but Qui-Gon raised his hand enough to tip Obi-Wan's face upward. The slightest trace of humor lit his eyes and he tried to smile. "I remember."

Hearing those two hoarse words, Obi-Wan's mouth fell open and he threw his arms around Qui-Gon's neck. He remembered the wires and equipment a moment later and pulled back quickly. "I'm sorry." The words were more a rush of air than sound.

Qui-Gon shook his head, watching the flurry of emotions that appeared on Obi-Wan's face. "It's okay, little one." He had to stop and lick his lips. Fighting for every word, it was hard, but he needed to say them. "You didn't hurt me."

"You're sure?" The last thing he wanted to do was hurt Qui-Gon again, not if he finally had him back. He had been scared enough recently without that. "I don't want to hurt you again."

Qui-Gon's eyes scrunched at the edges. "When have you ever hurt me, little one?"

"Before, when you were asleep." He stared at the sheet, tracing patterns on it with his fingers. His voice pleading for understanding, he jerked his head from side to side. "I didn't mean to, honest."

"Obi-Wan?" He waited until the boy would again look up at him before continuing. "I know you wouldn't hurt me on purpose. So does Master Kohn."

Curling up next to Qui-Gon on the bed, Obi-Wan sighed. "Please don't go away again."

"I'll have to leave sometimes, little one. You know that." He wrapped one arm slowly around the little boy, ignoring the effort it took. For the moment all that was important was to reassure the child in his arms. "But something tells me that even if something does happen, you'll be right there to find me."

"Me and Master Kohn and Master Windu?" Obi-Wan asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

Easily able to imagine the three of them taking off on a crusade, Qui-Gon smiled. "The whole troop, I'm sure." He brushed a fallen lock of hair from Obi-Wan's forehead, grateful that he had the strength to do so.

Obi-Wan didn't get a chance to reply because Mace walked in a second later. "We're about to land at the Temple. You should be with Master Kohn right now," he said to the little boy.

"Do I have to?" Obi-Wan sat up on the bed, a full-blown pout forming. "I'd like to stay here."

"Yes, you do." Grinning, Mace shook his finger at the boy. "And save your pouts for someone who'll fall for them, like Master Qui-Gon here." Picking Obi-Wan up off the bed, Mace dropped him onto the floor. "Now go."

"Yes, sir." He laughed as he narrowly avoided Mace swatting him on the shoulder. "I'll see you at home." His smile widened as he waved at the two men.

Smiling, Qui-Gon nodded and watched as Obi-Wan hurried from the room. "You too, little one." When he was out of sight, Qui-Gon met Mace's dark gaze. "Fancy meeting you here."

Taking a seat on the second bed, Mace laughed. "Saving your hide, as usual, it would appear." Turning serious, he folded his arms over his chest. "You gave us a scare, Qui. I still don't understand what happened to save you."

"I know." Qui-Gon's rough whisper was hard to make out, and Windu offered him a glass of water. Qui-Gon's hands shook as he tried to hold the glass, and Mace reached out a hand to steady it. "Thank you," he rasped after taking a drink.

"I don't know how much we'll be able to see you when we get back. From what I heard just now, you're quite the medical miracle, or so the healers think." Mace ran a hand over his head and leaned back against the bed. A twinkle in eyes, he grinned. "No telling how long they'll want to play with this new toy."

Growling, Qui-Gon rolled his eyes. "Don't even think it." After taking another drink of water he thought for a long moment. Even with his memory beginning to return he was at a loss as to what exactly was going on and it bothered him greatly. "What happened while I was gone? Either I'm remembering less than I think or there is definitely something you're not telling me." He gave Mace a long look. "How did you get permission to find me?"

"More than I have time to go into, and we didn't have permission. Only Yoda knew we had left." Staring at his friend for a long moment he let out a long breath. So much had happened in such a rush that his mind had yet to assimilate it all. "You don't need to worry about anything right now but making sure you're getting better. Otherwise Elyzabe will probably kill us both."

Qui-Gon winced slightly at the thought. "She'd do it, too."

"Yes, my friend, she would. She's already got points against me for a little curse incident earlier." His almost wicked grin faded as he glanced at the chrono. "It's time to go. I'll be right back, probably with healers in tow."

Rolling his eyes, Qui-Gon replied, "I'm sure I'll be here." He had just reached the door when Qui-Gon spoke. "Mace?" After the other Master turned, he added, "Thank you."

"You already thanked me for the water, Qui-Gon."

He winked as he spoke, causing Qui-Gon to sigh. "You know what I mean."

"Yes," Windu said with a nod, serious again. "I know, Qui. I know. You're welcome."

Qui-Gon pressed his lips together and watched him leave. Within moments he fell into a fitful doze.

Their arrival on Coruscant was marked with a flurry of activity. An entire group of healers were on the landing platform eagerly awaiting Qui-Gon, so as to escort him directly to the infirmary.

Mace led two of them, complete with a portable medical bed, to where Qui-Gon was resting. The transfer was done quickly, and soon Mace, Elyzabe and Obi-Wan stepped off the ship.

Once the healers left, there was but one waiting for them. They each bowed to Yoda, even Obi-Wan, before watching as Qui-Gon was whisked away. Obi-Wan's eyes tracked the master, not wanting to let him out of his sight. Elyzabe squeezed his shoulder understandingly and gave him a smile.

"Happy to see you safe, I am," Yoda said, his ears twitching. Looking directly at Obi-Wan, he smiled. "Much good you have done, young one. Right I was to watch over you."

It was hard to tell who looked more surprised at his statement, Obi-Wan or Elyzabe. "Thank you, Master," Obi-Wan finally managed to say, offering another short bow.

Looking up at Elyzabe and Mace, Yoda motioned for them to kneel before him. "Better this way, see you I can," he muttered under his breath. Each of the other masters hid a smile at the comment. "More there remains to do. Great problem averted, you have. But finished it must be."

Mace and Elyzabe shared a concerned glance while Obi-Wan merely looked confused. "Master Yoda?" Mace asked a moment later.

The old Jedi nodded, his gimmer stick tapping on the floor. "Go before the Council in the morning you will. The three of you." Lowering his gaze he shook his head and sighed. "Stop this, I could not. However, there for you I will be."

"Even Obi-Wan?" the teacher asked in disbelief. When Yoda nodded she looked at Mace, the shock she saw there told her she wasn't the only one to think this was odd. "Thank you for telling us, Master Yoda." She nodded and stood, taking Obi-Wan's hand in her own. "If you will excuse us? The hour is late and I would like to let Obi-Wan get some rest."

Again Yoda nodded, ears dipping low. "Yes. Good idea that is."

Taking Elyzabe's elbow in his hand, Mace waited until he had her attention. "I'll walk with you back to your quarters. Obi-Wan might as well stay there tonight."

"No." When he tilted his head in confusion, she shook her head. She glanced at the child in question. "Obi-Wan, would you walk ahead with Master Yoda for a moment?" The look he gave her told Elyzabe he didn't understand but was willing to play along. Once he was out of earshot, she continued. "I mean would you please go by the children's room and pick up Obi-Wan's stuffed wookiee first?"

Comprehension of what she was asking showed in his dark eyes. "Sure, I'll have the padawan on duty help." Shifting the bags he carried he winked. "Right after I take all of these by my quarters."

"Thank you," she replied with a weary smile. For the moment all she wanted to do was put Obi-Wan to bed and fall asleep herself. The Council and its implied punishments were thrust to the back of her mind. "I'm sure he's missing it after so long."

"No problem. I'll meet you at your quarters in a few minutes." As they caught up to Obi-Wan and Yoda, Mace turned down a side hallway that went toward his quarters.

A few moments later they reached another division in the corridor. "Take care of the boy," Yoda said quietly. "And yourself. See you at the ninth bell, I will."

She bowed informally before picking Obi-Wan up into her arms. All of his earlier energy had left him drained and barely awake on his feet. "Good evening, Master Yoda."

The ancient master shuffled off in the other direction, leaving Elyzabe alone in the hallway. "Where are we going?" Obi-Wan asked drowsily a moment later.

"You're going to stay with me tonight. How's that?" She smiled at the sleepy boy. "Sound like a plan?"

Yawning, Obi-Wan nodded and lay his head on her shoulder. "Yes, ma'am."

When Mace finally arrived at her quarters, Elyzabe had changed into a pair of dark blue pajamas and was making tea. She let him in quickly, glancing into her bedroom to make sure the noise hadn't woken Obi-Wan.

"Is he asleep already?" Mace asked, holding up the wookiee.

Taking the offered toy, Elyzabe was careful not to handle it too roughly. "Yes, but I'll put it in there with him." Staring at the worn toy she smiled sadly. "He has so much wrapped up in this small toy..." She blinked quickly and looked at Mace. "Thanks for bringing it."

He nodded and waited while she walked quietly into the bedroom and placed it in the slumbering boy's arms. She brushed his hair back and smiled as he curled around the wookiee. "Sleep well, Obi-Wan," she whispered.

After she walked back into the sitting room, Mace asked, "Any more nightmares?"

"No, luckily." She walked past Mace and into the kitchen; a moment later he followed. Elyzabe held out a cup. "Want some?"

Taking a seat at the kitchen table he nodded. "Please. Otherwise I'm going to fall asleep before I even reach my quarters."

"I understand how you feel." She smiled, handing him a cup and taking a seat at the table. "I'd like to sleep for a week, myself." Pulling her feet up into the chair, Elyzabe wrapped her arms around her knees. There was a long moment of silence; both of them content not to speak. When she did, it was the barest whisper. "I can't believe we pulled this off."

The teacup halfway to his mouth, Mace laughed uneasily. "We haven't yet. There's still tomorrow morning."

"What's the worst they can do?" Laying her forehead on her knees for a moment, Elyzabe sighed. "Okay, I know we've thought that before, but . . . We're safe. Qui's alive. Obi-Wan's happy." Raising her head she met Mace's steady gaze with a determined one of her own. "I'm going to do whatever I have to if it means keeping it that way."

Mace leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. He had no doubt that she would indeed do just that. "In till the end?" he asked, his eyes twinkling.

She gave him a lopsided smile. "Isn't that something you, Qui-Gon and Bri would say right before getting in trouble?" When he nodded her smile widened and she held out her hand. Mace looked confused but took her hand anyway. "In till the end," she repeated, shaking his hand.

They both began laughing then, as much from lack of sleep and the sheer relief that everything had worked out. His eyes sparkling, Mace sighed and wiped the corners of his eyes. "Bring on the Council?"

Elyzabe nodded, still giggling. "Bring them on."

They knew that come the morning everything could change again, but they still gave themselves that one moment's peace. They had earned it.

End