Archive: master_apprentice. Anyone else, just ask.
Rating: NC-17-mostly for the hurt part
Warnings: a lot of angst, huge gigantic amounts of angst. Also
large amounts of hurt/comfort
Spoilers: Nada
Summary: On a trip to Quafala, Qui-Gon meets an old enemy.
Feedback: This author grovels for feedback.
Note: This story is A/U because of the authors playing with
Qui-Gon's background.
Disclamier: Sure, yeah, I own Star Wars. I also own Obi-Wan and
Qui-Gon. Sorry about that, only dreaming. I only borrow these
guys. I don't own them.
Thanks to: Padawan Chan, Padawan Tera, Nati_A, Cousin Miska for
much needed Alpha reading.
Thanks to: Kendry for beta'ing this.
The suns of Quafala were beating down on Obi-Wan. The humidity
just hanging in the stifling air. He was melting, absolutely
melting. The conference they attended had been over quickly,
meaning that they had two weeks before their transport would
arrive to take them to their next assignment. A holiday his
Master called it. This lake was beautiful, surrounded on one
side by rocks. Very secluded, perfect.
He glanced at Qui-Gon, who seemed not to mind the sun. "If you
used the force, you wouldn't mind the sun."
'I'm trying, Master." Obi-Wan sat down beside the water.
"Did you notice that your planet of ancestry was always very
chilly?" Qui-Gon sat down by his Padawan.
"It felt good to me." Obi-Wan shrugged. "One of the few places
that wasn't always hot."
"We're on holiday. Why don't we take a swim?" He looked at his
Master, who raised one eyebrow at him. Then he reached over and
unfastened Obi-Wan's belt.
"Are we going to swim, or not?" Obi-Wan couldn't hide his
smile.
"Swim, you need the exercise." He began to work on Obi-Wan's
shirt. "Then later, perhaps something else." He said
suggestively.
"Really?"
"It depends on how well you work out. You're still learning."
Qui-Gon stood up, stripped off his clothes, and dove into the
water.
Learning, why does everything have to involve learning?
Obi-Wan quickly took off his clothes and followed his Master
into the water. Obi-Wan felt lightheaded as he entered the
water. He could feel small water insects surrounding him.
"Master, there's something about the water."
"I don't feel anything." Qui-Gon swam underwater.
As They swam for awhile, Obi-Wan continued to feel dizzy from
the water. Qui-Gon swam up behind Obi-Wan. The Padawan could
feel his Master's breath on his neck, his body pressed against
Obi-Wan. Helpless, he began to respond to the feeling.
He finally decided that it's time. Obi-Wan tried to turn
towards his lover.
Qui-Gon's hands on his shoulder kept him from moving. "This is
part of your training."
"Yes, Master." He yelped.
He could feel his Master smile against his neck. "I want you to
move the rock that is on the side of the bank."
Obi-Wan closed his eyes. He concentrated on the rock, using the
force to touch it, beginning to pick it up. Lifting the rock
higher, and higher. Qui-Gon began to kiss him lightly on the
neck. The rock crashed into the water.
"You lost your concentration." Qui-Gon said.
"Master, you are the one that kissed me." Obi-Wan pointed out,
as the waves of dizziness grew inside him.
"You are too easily distracted. When something is on your mind,
you cannot control the force." Qui- Gon's words were like silk
on his neck. "You must still your mind. Forget what is
happening around you."
"Yes, Master."
"Close your mind. You were able to do it when you where abused
by Hayata."
Obi-Wan tried to fight the sick feeling that was in the pit of
his stomach. He felt as if something was crawling through his
blood. "That was different."
"The technique can still be used. Try it while you are raising
the rock out of the water."
Obi-Wan tried to close his body down, just concentrating on the
task he had to accomplish. He felt the rock with his mind.
Lifting it out of the water, could feel something touching him,
caressing hisbody, trying to entice him. It didn't matter, his
job was to pick up the rock.
He set the rock down gently on the river bank.
Very good. Qui-Gon said in his mind.
It worked, Master.
On Ahwatukee you weren't able to control someone else's
mind. The touches became feather soft. Then the hands went
forward, caressing his chest.
Then suddenly Qui-Gon swam away from him, and got out of the
water. He picked up his robe. Slowly, very slowly, he began to
dry himself off. Drying his chest with small circles, then his
stomach.
Obi-Wan's body was at full attention. The eyes of his master
were on him, preventing him from touching himself.
"What are you thinking?" Qui-Gon's rubbing went lower. He began
to dry his hardened penis.
"Master?" Obi-Wan yelped.
"I suggest you get out of the water before you come." A slow
smile drifted over Qui-Gon's face as he looked down to
Obi-Wan's penis. "I want that to be inside me."
"This isn't a test?" His voice cracked again.
"It's your reward."
Obi-Wan swam to the side of the lake. Qui-Gon reached out, and
pulled him onto the shore. Then as Obi-Wan was crushed to the
older man, the air felt like it was being sucked out of him.
For the first time, Obi-Wan realized how much his master had
been holding back.
Qui-Gon pulled him to the ground. His large hands running over
the Padawan's body. Obi-Wan found himself being pushed onto his
back.
"Master?" Obi-Wan's question was quieted by his Master's kiss.
Qui-Gon moved so that he was lying on top of Obi-Wan. The
Padawan tried to split his legs, but instead, the master
straddled his legs across Obi-Wan's stomach. Then he lowered
himself onto Obi-Wan's cock. He raked his nails across his
Master's skin.
Obi-Wan could feel a stirring in the force, something evil. It
was moving closer. There was a noise in the bushes. A shot rang
out, then another, then a third, which whizzed across Obi-Wan's
chest. Qui-Gon slumped onto his lover, unconscious.
Obi-Wan gathered up the force, and pulled his lover off of him.
The older man's body sank to the ground. A large wound in his
shoulder and there was a large cut on his head.
Their enemy stepped out of the bushes, a he turned on his
lightsaber. The enemy looked at Obi-Wan and his Master with
hatred.
Obi-Wan got up. Where's my lightsaber?
Clothes!
The enemy was too quick for him, and used the force to capture
the lightsaber.
It caught him off guard. He wasn't able to get his thoughts
back together. Something hit him from behind, and everything
went black.
Qui-Gon woke. The first thing he felt was pain from the battle
wounds. A shoulder wound. The pain in his head was a constant
pounding. He reached up, his fingers felt blood. A head wound.
He closed his eyes, trying to gather the force around him. The
pain kept him from being able to heal himself.
The concentration wasn't there.
Dizzy, where was he? He looked around. He was in a cave, on a
cot. There were bars that ran from the roof to the floor.
This place was full of the Dark Force. Every part of the cave
seemed to be inhabited by it. It would take time for him to get
enough power back to overcome it. He would need help.
Obi-Wan! He reached his mind out to his Padawan. The
younger man was still alive, but unconscious.
He struggled to sit up. On the other side of the cave, Obi-Wan
lay on a hospital cart, on his stomach. His hands above his
head, fastened down.
The captor walked towards the Jedi. He was dressed in a black
cape, with a hood covering his head. With a flourish, the
captor took off his hood. Jet black hair spilled down his back.
His eyes glowed like a snake. There was a scar on his cheek, an
incomplete circle.
"Xanatos!" Qui-Gon gasped. "What do you want from me?"
"That would be telling." He smirked.
"Still trying to settle a score with me?"
"You are here because my master commands it." Xanatos smiled.
"My new Master that is."
"Who is your new Master?"
"My Master's name is unimportant." The man walked to a
workbench. He picked up a whip. "You moved on. Didn't you
expect me to do the same?"
"The dark side isn't the answer!"
"Yes, it is!" Xanatos brought the whip down onto Obi-Wan's
back. The crack reverberated around the cave, then again, and
again. He glanced to Qui-Gon and smiled evilly. Then
crash another hit.
Qui-Gon tried to gather the light side of the force around him.
However, he found the dark side crushing out the light.
Helpless, he was too incapacitated to help Obi-Wan.
The dizziness increased, until he had to lay back down. He
tried to close his mind to the sound of his Padawan's beating,
finding the that his injuries prevented it.
Xanatos.
Qui-Gon had hoped he had seen the last of his former pupil. He
believed in him, when everyone else had doubts. He had broken
all the rules for Xanatos. That included the rules of the Vaar.
In his weakness toward Xanatos, he had almost destroyed his
ability to love anyone else.
Xanatos had just turned 18 when he first showed his interest in
Qui-Gon. "Have I ever told you how handsome you are?"
"What does my physical looks have to do with anything?"
"Master, I am having trouble keeping my concentration when I am
near you." He moved close to Qui-Gon, touching his face. "I
want you."
"You're not old enough to complete the Vaar." Qui-Gon tried to
take Xanatos's hands away from his trying to take off his
Master's tunics.
"I don't want a Vaar. It's an outdated concept." Xanatos
unfastened Qui-Gon's belt. "I want us to be together. Is that
so wrong?"
"Yes, it is wrong." Even as he said it, he let Xanatos kiss
him. He indulged him, the way that he had always given in to
Xanatos. Letting him into his heart, not realizing the pain it
would cause.
Master, He was woken by the sound of Obi-Wan whispering
in his mind. I can't feel you, Master.
Still your mind. Qui-Gon tried to soothe. He tried to
gather the healing forces around him, and found it they were
crushed out by the dark side.
I can't remember getting here. The confusion swelled
around the Padawan.
It's the anaesthetic. Your memory will return. Qui-Gon
staggered to his feet. It took all his energy to get to the
cell bars.
Qui-Gon looked across the cave. Obi-Wan was still on the cart,
his back covered with open wounds.
Xanatos came back into the cave. He sneered at Qui-Gon, but
didn't say anything.
"Leave him alone, Xanatos." Qui-Gon gasped. "It's me you want."
"If I tortured you, You would overcome it." He reached out,
touching Obi-Wan's hair. "If I hurt your lover, that hurts you
much more."
Master, don't give into him. Whatever he wants isn't worth
it. Obi-Wan's mind felt stronger, the confusion gone.
"What do you want from me?" Qui-Gon asked.
"I want you to join me on the dark side."
"I can't go to the dark side." Qui-Gon closed his eyes, trying
to fight the darkness that was closing in.
A chair flew across the room, crashing into Xanatos's back.
Xanatos fell to the ground. Suddenly as Obi-Wan pulled up on
his bonds, they opened for him. Then he sprang to his feet.
Xanatos waved his hand, and a tool box flew towards Obi-Wan.
The Padawan ducked, and the box crashed into the wall.
"Your Master taught you well." Xanatos got to his feet.
Obi-Wan saw his lightsaber on the workbench. He held his hand
out, and the weapon flew into his hand. At the same time,
Xanatos took out his lightsaber and turned it on. Obi-Wan began
to fight with Xanatos. The older man was skilled, but fighting
was one of Obi-Wan's natural talents.
"You must see that you cannot lure us to the dark side."
Obi-Wan said coolly.
"I don't want you. I want your Master!" Xanatos countered. "Did
he ever tell you about our relationship?"
"You were his Padawan."
"I was more than that. I was his lover." Xanatos sneered. "He
used my body, then he left me!"
It didn't happen that way! Qui-Gon telepathed.
I know.
Xanatos rushed Obi-Wan. As they fought, he turned towards
Qui-Gon. A shot rang out. Qui-Gon was too weak to fight it. The
Master sank to the ground, clutching is his leg.
"The next shot will probably kill him." Xanatos stepped away
from Obi-Wan, and turned off his lightsaber. "Do you really
want your Vaar to die?"
Get out of here! Qui-Gon ordered. Leave me!
"If I give up, will you let my Master live?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Of course."
"I want your word."
"I won't hurt Qui-Gon. You have my word." Xanatos said.
Obi-Wan, don't! Qui-Gon ordered.
The Padawan knelt down, and put the lightsaber on the floor.
Then he stepped away from it, with his hands up.
Xanatos stepped up to him, and punched Obi-Wan across the face
with his lightsaber.
Vengeance. Xanatos would now have his vengeance against
Qui-Gon. For a love that they had once shared.
I never betrayed you. Qui-Gon remembered. The
betrayal was yours, not mine.
The Vaar that should have formed between the Padawan and the
Master never formed. There wasn't even the mental bond that
usually formed between Master and student. Qui-Gon was still
certain of Xanatos's feelings towards him.
They had been on Coruscant, waiting for Xanatos to take his
last test, and become a knight. He had been able to attend a
gathering of the new apprentices, commemorating their first
year of having Masters. Xanatos had disappeared during this
gathering. He didn't worry about it. Xanatos did that often
when he was bored.
Hayata was there with his new apprentice. Qui-Gon had
befriended the young boy. A shy, good looking boy who was
afraid to look others in the eye. He reminded Qui-Gon of
himself at that age.
Qui-Gon had then been stopped by his former master Yoda, and
his friend Mace Windu. He had spent several hours fighting with
Windu and Yoda about the fitness of Xanatos. His lover was
ready, he could feel it.
"Giving into the dark side you are," Yoda had told him.
"He doesn't trust you enough to form a Vaar." Windu agreed.
"Something is hidden within him."
"He is ready!" Qui-Gon insisted.
"Why can't you wait just a few more months?" Windu said. "If
you are certain about his ability, then he can wait."
"Impatient you are." Yoda said. "One more test, he must have."
Qui-Gon returned to their quarters to tell his Apprentice the
news. The room was dark.
"I learned to bed the old man. He gives me anything I want as
long as I sleep with him." He could hear the sound of his
Padawan's laughter.
"How could you lower yourself to sleeping with that
thing?" The voice of another Jedi who was also there to
take the last test.
"It isn't easy. He's a bottom! Can you imagine that? A bottom!"
"What about me?" The Jedi asked.
"You're different, you're too easy to love." In the half-light,
Qui-Gon watched Xanatos kissing the Apprentice. Then, he pulled
the new lover back onto the sleep-couch.
Heartbroken, Qui-Gon turned, and walked out of their quarters.
Trying to gather his thoughts, he leaned against a hallway
wall. Tears stung at his eyes.
In his pain, he could hear a Padawan begging his Master not to
hurt him. Then the sound of a chair hitting the wall.
How dare you talk to Qui-Gon Jinn without my permission!
Hayata demanded.
"I don't understand. Why can't I talk to Qui-Gon? He's been so
nice to me."
There was the sound of someone being hit, then a thud as
someone hit the floor.
He was asking questions! You gave him answers that could
take you away from me.
"Please, Master, let me stay with you."
"No matter how nice Qui-Gon is to you, you will not talk to
him!" was the command.
"I promise, Master, I won't."
You know, I am your only hope. Qui-Gon could hear
Hayata's voice in his mind. You are unworthy of being a
Jedi.
"I am unworthy of living." The boy agreed.
There was a sound of another blow. Do you feel pain?
I'm trying to block it. He told his Master.
"If you weren't so savage, you would use the Force to block the
pain!" Another hit, this one louder. Then a sound of the Master
turning on his lightsaber. "You are failing in your training.
This will teach you a lesson!"
Qui-Gon couldn't stand there and let a child be hurt. As he
went through the door, he didn't realize that he was going to
rescue his future.
Obi-Wan woke to the sound of someone working at a bench close
by. He looked to his side. A man was working on a tube that was
longer then the usual lightsaber. Twice as long.
This place swirled with the energies of the dark side. The
darkness formed around one person. Xanatos. He could sense that
his captor had gone over to the dark side.
His body hurt. His back raw, sore. His jaw ached. How did this
happen? The confusion had returned. Not only that, it now felt
as if tiny things were crawling over his body. He was fastened
to a wall, hands high above his head. Legs spread.
Master...
Xanatos's head snapped up. He put his work down, then went
towards Obi-Wan. The man's eyes were different, glowing golden
like a snake. He grabbed the Padawan's hair, pulling his head
up, kissing him roughly.
"This one is beautiful, Qui-Gon." Xanatos hissed. "Too bad he
has to die."
"Leave him alone!" Qui-Gon gasped.
"Make me!" The man ran his hands down Obi-Wan's body. "One
word, and I will release him."
"What word is that?"
"Give in to the dark side!"
Master, you can't! Obi-Wan thought. I am not worth
your turning.
Xanatos paced around the room like a tiger, waiting to strike.
Obi-Wan vowed never to give him that sign. His captor might
hurt him, but he would overcome it.
Xanatos took off his gloves, and tossed them onto the
workbench. He went to Obi-Wan, reaching out, stroking his hair.
Then suddenly the captor's fingers pushed against Obi-Wan's
skull. He could feel Xanatos's mind invade his. Obi-wan closed
his mind to the intrusion. He tried to shut his mind down the
way he had with his body.
Obi-Wan tried to fight back, and as he did the enemy shoved his
way into Obi-Wan's mind. It was worse then any torture he had
felt before, the total violation of his mind. Mindrape was the
term, but this was worse then any physical rape he had ever
endured.
You can't resist the darkness. The golden eyes filled
his mind, copying every memory that Obi-Wan had. The way a
computer expert might copy a hard drive. The original would
still be there, but the memories would be elsewhere too.
Xanatos went through his memories, until he knew everything
about the Jedi.
No matter how much you deny it, the darkness is a part of
you!
Spent, Obi-Wan could feel his legs being unfastened. From the
mindrape, he could feel what Xanatos was planning to do to him.
He tried to relax himself to the upcoming attack. The enemy
first had his mind, now his body.
Obi-Wan was dragged to the cell. Then dumped onto the floor.
Obi-Wan cried out in pain. He felt empty inside. The enemy knew
everything now, everything. The darkness was inside of him.
He could feel the hands of his Master on him. Groaning as
Qui-Gon picked him up, the Master carried him to the cot. As he
put the Padawan down, his Master sank to the floor.
Master.
I'm here.
Master, I tried to fight.
I know.
I betrayed you!
You didn't betray me. Qui-Gon stroked his hair. Your
mind was raped.
I can feel the darkness in my mind.
That will pass.
He took my memories. Does this mean he has a Vaar with
me?
Of course he doesn't. The Vaar is through the force.
Heal me.
Obi-Wan could feel his master trying to gather the healing
forces around him. The darkness was there, fighting him.
Drowning out the light.
I can't heal you. Qui-Gon walked to the bucket of water.
He put some in a bowl, then brought it back to the bed.
Turn over, I must bathe your wounds.
Obi-Wan did as he was told. He could feel Qui-Gon tear the
cloth, then he felt something touch his back. The water was
cool, but the cloth raked at the wounds. Obi-Wan bit his lip to
keep from crying out.
Master, I'm sorry I was so weak.
You're not.
A Jedi can overcome anything.
This place will take both of our strength to overcome it.
Which means you must be well. Qui- Gon put a cup against
his lips. "Drink."
Something told Obi-Wan that the water was dangerous. That it
would kill him. "I'm not thirsty."
"You need the water to help you heal."
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan knew the sense of his Master's words. He
drank the liquid. As soon as he did, he felt dizzy, very dizzy.
It felt like there was insects entering his body.
"Is the water drugged?"
"I've drank it several times. Nothing happened to me." Qui-Gon
said.
"I'm dizzy."
"You need to rest." Qui-Gon soothed.
Obi-Wan looked away from his Master. "I wish I could forget."
"You don't want to do that."
"I am now a part of the dark side." Tears stung his eyes. "I
betrayed you. The worst thing was that you had to watch. I'll
never be able to forgive myself."
"Are you sure you want to forget?" Qui-Gon asked again.
"I'm the one who is asking you."
Qui-Gon reached out, and began to stroke Obi-Wan's forehead.
"Through our Vaar, we can erase your memories of captivity."
"Then let's do it."
"Are you sure?" There was a tentativeness to Qui-Gon's voice.
"Erasing memories is a tricky thing. We might go too far."
"I don't care. I want to do it." Obi-Wan looked up to his
Master. "Please."
There was a beeping noise that came from the other side of the
cave. Xanatos went out of sight.
"Yes, Master." The captor said.
"How is your experiment progressing?" The Master's voice was
raspy.
"The Padawan has been beaten several times. I predict that he
will die with the next beating."
"Excellent. What about Jinn?"
"He has yet to come to our side." Xanatos admitted.
"How does he react to the torture of his apprentice?"
"It doesn't seem to bother him."
"I see that Jinn is beyond turning. He is severely injured."
"Master, I am sure I can sway him to our side," Xanatos almost
begged.
"They are at an end to their usefulness." The Master said. "You
will leave them locked in their cage. Give them a three day
supply of water."
"What about me?"
"You will rejoin me. As soon as possible."
"I do not agree with you," Xanatos said.
"It doesn't matter if you agree with me." The man's voice
crooned. "Just think of the powers you will receive if you stay
with me."
"I will obey."
Obi-Wan woke. He was lying nude on a cot. Pain racked his body.
He knew he had been beaten, but didn't know who did it. He
could tell he was in a cave.
How did I get here? Obi-Wan thought back, and couldn't
remember. The force swirled around him. He used the force to
steady his mind.
His Master was sleeping on the ground. There was blood matted
in Qui-Gon's hair. There was a large bandage made of a torn bed
sheet wrapped around his head. It was soaked in blood.
There was another bandage tied around Qui-Gon's thigh. An open
wound on his shoulder.
For the first time, Obi-Wan realized how hurt his master was. A
wave of guilt overcame him. How did this happen?
He slid off the bed with a groan. It hurt for him to move, but
his Master needed him. He half-crawled, half-walked to the
sleeping man.
Obi-Wan reached out, touching his mentor's hair. Then he moved
the bandage out of the way. The cut was very deep, he could see
the bone underneath, cracked.
Obi-Wan tried to concentrate on his Master's wound, and tried
to gather the healing force around him. His own pain made that
impossible.
Separate your mind from your body. He could remember his
Master telling him.
Obi-Wan distanced himself from his body. The pain no longer
mattered to him. It was there, but not as strong. He
concentrated on gathering the healing forces. His hand above
Qui-Gon's cut.
He watched as the bone began to knit together. The skin of the
cut began to heal, edging together.
As soon as the cut was healed, Obi-Wan sank to the floor. His
mind and his body exhausted.
I must try to heal his other wounds.
With his remaining strength, he healed Qui-Gon's shoulder. Then
he pulled the bandage off of Qui-Gon's leg. The bone was also
broken. He closed his eyes, his exhausted body no longer
existed. Only the manipulation of the Force. The Force slowly
began healing the injury.
Blackness surrounded Obi-Wan's mind, and he sank into
unconsciousness.
Qui-Gon Jinn woke. The light side of the force swirled around
him, comforting him. The dark side was gone. Was Xanatos so a
part of the dark, that there was no light left?
For the first time in a very long time, his head was no longer
hurting. The dizziness was gone. Then he realized the bandage
was off of his leg. He reached down to it, and felt healed
skin.
The thought came to him in an instant. Obi-Wan!
His Padawan's head was lying on his chest. His skin hotter than
usual. What was Obi-Wan doing on the floor with him? Why was he
sick?
Qui-Gon sat up, and groaned. His shoulder wound still hurt.
When he reached up and touched it, all he felt was newly healed
flesh. The rest was healed. He gently set Obi-Wan on the floor.
There was only one way that Qui-Gon had been healed. It had to
be his Padawan. He reached out, stroking his lover's spiky
hair. "I underestimated you, beloved." He reached out, trying
to reform their Vaar, but there was nothing left of their mind
bond. It was wrong of him to do this, but he had to know. He
entered Obi-Wan's mind, and looked for memories of their
relationship.
Then he realized that Obi-Wan was no longer his beloved. He had
taken the younger man's memories of their Vaar. Then somehow
severed the ties. He blamed himself for this. Yes, Obi-Wan had
asked for the mind erase, but he had been the one that took the
Vaar from them.
He could feel the living force, drawing near, trying to give
him comfort. Now that there was only the light side, Qui-Gon
could concentrate on the healing forces. It was simple to heal
his Padawan's back.
He began to work on the fever that was wracking Obi-Wan. Even
though he had the healing forces, he couldn't find the cause of
the fever. Without the cause, he couldn't cure the results.
Frustrated, Qui-Gon got to his feet. Xanatos was gone, but he
would be back. His former Padawan wouldn't walk away when he
wanted vengeance. He would take Obi-Wan away from here to
safety.
No longer injured, he used the Force to open the cell door. He
surveyed the cave. To one side there was a wardrobe. He opened
it, and found clothes. Both his and Obi-Wan's. He pulled his
on. He used the force to see if anyone else was around. He
could only feel the presence of Obi-Wan.
He went outside the cave. He could see the lake where he had
swam with Obi-Wan. It was only a 30 minute ride by aircar to
the nearest town, but there was no aircars around. The only
thing of transport was a pack animal that had been left behind.
The bodies of the guards were by the pack animal. Both had been
killed by a lightsaber.
There was a note attached to the animal. Qui-Gon picked it up.
My Master has called me away. Never fear, my vengeance is not
complete. I will hunt your Padawan, and kill him by my own
hand. I can always tell where he is by our mental bond. He is
always by your side, is he not?
Vengeance will be mine!
Xanatos
Qui-Gon crumpled the note. He wouldn't stay around waiting for
Xanatos. If his former student wanted a fight, then he would
have to look for Qui-Gon.
As Obi-Wan woke, the first thing he realized was that he was
moving. Even without opening his eyes, he could feel the
presence of his Master walking along the side the pallet.
Master? He telepathed.
I'm here, Obi-Wan.
Where are we going?
We escaped.
What happened to us?
It's better if you don't remember. Qui-Gon got out a
gourd of water, and poured some into a cup. Drink.
Obi-Wan was revolted at the thought of drinking. "No."
"You need liquids." Qui-Gon insisted. "Do it on your own, or I
will use a mind trick and force you to drink."
Obi-Wan drank. The water burned his throat. The feeling of
insects crawling through him came back.
"You need some more." Qui-Gon poured another glass.
"Please, Master. Don't make me drink!" Obi-Wan begged.
Qui-Gon put his hand underneath Obi-Wan's head. Then he put the
cup against his lips. "Drink!"
"I've had enough." His words drowned out by the water Qui-Gon
forced into his mouth.
After drinking the second cup, Obi-Wan felt his Master touch
his mind, and will him to sleep.
How dare you do the mind trick on me? He thought before
falling asleep.
Obi-Wan woke. This time he was lying on the ground. He could
hear the sound of the pack animal in the background. He could
smell a fire, and cooking food. Qui-Gon was here.
He opened his eyes. Master.
The man was stirring a pot of food. He turned towards his
Padawan. How was your sleep?
How are you? Obi-Wan asked concerned.
Much better. Qui-Gon looked down at the man. You
healed me. How?
I used the Force, Master.
But you are hurt yourself.
My pain doesn't matter.
Qui-Gon's eyes were serious. "You are seriously injured. Your
healing of me could have killed you."
"If it saved your life, then it was worth it."
"I am not worth the risk."
Obi-Wan reached out, and touched his Master's arm. "Shouldn't I
be the one that decides that?"
"If you ever do anything as insane as this again, I'll kill
you." Qui-Gon promised.
"Yes, Master."
"Patience, my be..Padawan." Qui-Gon's eyes filled with regret.
"You must eat, and get well. Then we can go back to training."
The rumbling in Obi-Wan's stomach made him admit, "I am
hungry."
Qui-Gon went to the fire, stirred the pot, then dipped
something out into a bowl. He picked up a spoon, then went back
to Obi-Wan.
"Try this." Qui-Gon offered a spoonful of the stew to Obi-Wan.
Stew. Why does he always have to fix me stew? I hate
stew! He thought.
"I'm so hungry that grass would taste good." Obi-Wan tasted the
food. It was spicy, but good. He nodded, and Qui-Gon fed him
another spoonful.
His Master fed him, taking as much care with him as he would an
infant. Then he poured a glass of water from a gourd.
"No water, please." Obi-Wan begged.
"You need liquid." His master waved his hand. "You must drink."
Obi-Wan felt his mind sway to the thoughts of his master. The
water tasted horrible, it made him feel dizzy.
"I want to try to heal your fever again." Qui-Gon told him.
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan willed his mind to help his master.
Qui-Gon closed his eyes, and ran his hand down Obi-Wan's body.
"Can you feel where the fever is coming from?"
"No, I can't."
He could feel the gathering of healing forces, and Qui-Gon's
attempt to cure him. The fever did not break.
Qui-Gon's eyes opened. "How are you feeling?"
"I still feel ill," he admitted.
"I'm sorry, I still can't cure you." Qui-Gon waved his hand.
"Sleep."
Qui-Gon felt frustrated. The force wasn't helping him cure
Obi-Wan's sickness. No matter what he did, or how much he
worked to heal his lover, Obi-Wan got worse.
They entered the city. People looked at them strangely, but
left them alone. Qui-Gon remembered where the local hospital
was located. A delegate to the conference had become ill, and
Qui-Gon had visited him. Now he was taking his lover.
He left the pack animal outside the emergency room. Then he
lifted Obi-Wan in his arms. His lover seemed to be lighter then
usual.
He's lost so much weight.
Qui-Gon carried his Padawan into the emergency room. The nurse
on duty wrinkled his nose at their scent. "I am sorry, but the
free clinic is tomorrow."
"Don't worry, I can pay for the bills."
"I would like to see some money before he is checked in," the
nurse insisted.
Qui-Gon set Obi-Wan in a chair. He waved his hand. "Money is
not necessary. You will treat us."
The nurse blinked once, then twice. "Come this way."
Qui-Gon picked up Obi-Wan and followed the nurse to a examining
room. He set the young man on a table. The nurse picked up a
flimsy pad.
"What is the patient's name?"
"Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Occupation."
"Jedi. His expenses will be paid for by the Jedi Council."
"Place of birth?"
"He was born in the Union of Xiaodan."
"Is he Xiaodonian?"
"He's Ahwatukee."
The man flinched, then said, "A doctor will be here to see him
shortly."
Less then two minutes later, three doctors came into the room.
They shoved Qui-Gon away from Obi-Wan and began to examine him.
"How much unprocessed water has he drunk?"
"Quite a bit. We were in the wilderness." Qui-Gon wondered why
they were asking him about water.
"How long?" The second doctor demanded.
"I'm not sure, four, five days."
"We need you to leave." The doctor tried to push Qui-Gon
towards the door.
"What's wrong with him?" Qui-Gon demanded.
"Untreated water is lethal to an Ahwatukee."
"Lethal?" Qui-Gon asked.
"It acts as a slow poison to the Ahwatukee system," the first
doctor said.
"The sooner we get him treated the better. Now go to the
waiting room," the third doctor said.
Qui-Gon nodded, and left the room. He sank down in a corner
chair. Guilt washed over him. Obi-Wan had insisted the water
made him feel ill, but Qui-Gon had ignored him. Healing him,
then forcing his lover to drink, even when he begged not to.
He had felt it made him ill.
Qui-Gon reached out to his lover using the force. His life
readings were very low. Obi-Wan was near death.
Qui-Gon blamed himself for their capture. Xanatos wanted
revenge on him. He would be back, it would be only a matter of
time.
Qui-Gon would have to protect his Padawan. His Padawan's
torture had happened because of his connection to Qui-Gon. The
Master decided that the best way to protect his lover was to
sever that tie.
He took the communicator off his belt. He programmed a call to
Corusant. He would ask his old friend to be Obi-Wan's master.
He hated to do it, but it would be the best thing for him.
Then when Xanatos came for his revenge, only Qui-Gon would be
at risk. Never again would Obi-Wan's life be at risk because of
him. He loved his Padawan too much to be the cause of his
death.
Obi-Wan woke. He was lying on sheets. Clean sheets. For the
first time in a very long time, he didn't feel ill.
Qui-Gon was sitting in a chair beside his bed, his long body
too tall for the chair he was sitting in. He looked miserable.
It wasn't because of the chair, it was something else.
Something Obi-Wan couldn't put his finger on.
"Master?" He gasped.
Qui-Gon sprang to his feet. "How do you feel?"
"I feel a lot better." Obi-Wan paused. "Master. Where are we?"
"You are in a hospital. It seems I got you here just in time."
"I don't understand."
"This planet's unprocessed water is lethal to an Ahwatukee."
"How can it be lethal?"
"There is a algae that is naturally present in unprocessed
water. The algae is toxic to you."
"That's why I felt dizzy every time I drank some." Obi-Wan
guessed. "I felt there was something wrong."
"I'm sorry. I should have listened to you." The man got up, and
stared out the window.
"It wasn't your fault." Obi-Wan began.
"Qui-"
"Drop it!" Qui-Gon ordered.
Obi-Wan was in the hospital for three days. The entire time
Qui-Gon was there, caring for him. The man had changed, closing
himself off to his Padawan. No longer could Obi-Wan feel his
Master's dreams, his thoughts.
Then suddenly, Obi-Wan was alone.
The fourth day, Obi-Wan Kenobi woke to find his Master gone. He
reached out to his Master with his thoughts. There was nothing
in response.
The younger man, in a near panic, reached out, touching the
call button. A nurse answered. "Desk."
"My Master, has he been here today?"
"Your Master?"
"His name is Qui-Gon Jinn. Tall, long hair, beard."
"Just a moment."
A few minutes later, the nurse came in. She handed Obi-Wan
Qui-Gon's holo projector, and a small package. Then she left.
Obi-Wan turned it on. The shape of Qui-Gon Jinn shimmered in
front of him. "If you are watching this, I want you to know I
am sorry. A Master who almost kills his Padawan does not
deserve to be a Master or a Jedi. Because of this, I have left
the Jedi." Qui-Gon seemed depressed. "I have contacted the Jedi
council. Mace Windu has agreed to be your new master. Windu has
requested that you travel to Coruscant after your recovery." He
paused again. "I regret our relationship has turned out like
this. Do not look for me. My feelings for you are dangerous for
you. This way you will have a new life, perhaps you will find
another companion for yourself. I love you, Obi-Wan."
Tears in his eyes, Obi-Wan opened the package. Inside was a
lifestone on a chain. Qui-Gon had always wore it. Now it was
his. Holding it, Obi-Wan Kenobi began to cry.
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