Chapter 1 Surprise
Qui-Gon Jinn watched Obi-Wan Kenobi as he slept on his sleep couch in his hut on Tatooine. He remembered the eager boy he raised from the age of almost 13, and never dreamed that this fine, gifted Jedi who he loved like a son would end up an exiled hermit alone on a dry, dusty planet; a price on his head in the Galaxy. Through the netherworld of the force he had watched Obi-Wan suffer tortures, great losses, battles, injuries, heart breaks, and the ultimate heartbreak; the whole Jedi order destroyed by his own padawan who had chosen the Sith over the Jedi and who had become the nefarious Darth Vader. Qui-Gon grimaced as he remembered that he himself, while he lay dying and being held by his Obi-Wan, took the last few breaths he had and insisted on Obi-Wan training Anakin. Obi-Wan had still been so young, still a padawan himself and probably wouldn't have been taking the trials for a few years yet, but being the faithful, dedicated apprentice he was, Obi-Wan would not turn his Master down. Qui-Gon sighed as he remembered the high price Obi-Wan had paid for his faithfulness.
Obi-Wan stirred in his sleep a little and Qui-Gon knew he was dreaming again. Three years had passed since the awful battle at Mustafar when Obi-Wan, leaving Anakin as good as dead, picked up his former Padawan's lightsaber and walked away and the shock he experienced so many months later when he learned that the infamous Darth Vader was none other than Anakin. The guilt and grief Obi-wan went through those first few months in exile had filled Qui-Gon with concern for him but he had felt he couldn't begin the training he had promised him till he worked through most of that guilt and grief. It wasn't till Obi-Wan left the planet for a short while to help Ferus Olin that he had finally started to come out of himself and learn to open his heart and love again. Qui-Gon then felt he could begin the training with him. Over the last couple years they had many good meetings together in training and just talking. Qui-Gon was glad he could be there for his former Padawan, to a certain degree. Obi-Wan accepted his situation without complaint. He did his duty. He watched over the toddling Luke and his small family, even though he was largely an unwelcome sight to Owen Lars, and tried to make his tiny ever dusty, dry little hut a home for himself. Even though Obi-Wan seemed content, Qui-Gon saw the look in his eyes from time to time; the far away longing, the emptiness and loneliness. Qui-Gon could give him some companionship, but not the flesh and blood companionship he knew Obi-Wan missed. Yes, Jedi were trained to be alone and be content with that if needed but they always knew there was a Jedi Order waiting for them, a Temple home to return to. Obi-Wan had none of that now, it was all completely gone with only a very few Jedi surviving Order 66 and many of the few who did survive, who foolishly tried to band together and fight back found the unforgiving blade of Darth Vader swiftly cutting them down. Qui-Gon watched him sleep and wished there was something he could do for him. He thought a moment, and decided to pay a little visit to the only other Jedi he knew wise enough to stay in exile...Yoda.
A few days later Obi-Wan had returned from his rounds. He had checked on little Luke, and had enjoyed watching him playing in the front of the Lars'little homestead. He watched with a smile as Luke ran with open, happy arms into Beru's loving arms to be taken in for the evening. Lars was doing his usual routine making sure everything was secure. Obi-Wan smiled approvingly at Lars diligence, and turned to go back home. He had just gotten home and was sitting down to his evening meal when he felt Qui-Gon's presence in the room. Soon Qui-Gon's form faintly appeared to him. Obi-Wan smiled, his eyes lit up his bearded and worn, but still handsome face as he gazed at the blue form of his former master.
"There you are! I wondered what happened to you. You've been gone so many days!"
"I had a little errand to run," Qui-Gon replied. "I've been visiting with Yoda these past few days."
"Oh, and how is he doing?"
"Well," Qui-Gon grinned "his is the opposite of your situation...very muggy and wet there, but he likes it."
"Oh, what I wouldn't give for some of that," Obi-Wan sighed, shaking the dust out of his hair for the millionth time.
"Yoda said some interesting things to me, and told me how to find...someone...and, well.." Qui-Gon wasn't quite sure how to continue, "I think you will.."
"Will what?" Obi-Wan asked, questioning eyes wondering why Qui-Gon was acting so vague about whatever he was trying to tell him. Why, he almost looked embarrassed and Obi-Wan opened his mouth to say so when someone knocked at the door. Obi-Wan jumped, surprised that he had not even been aware anyone was approaching...he looked at Qui-Gon alarmed.
"That's not good." Obi-Wan said, concerned. "I can't let my guard down. I must be more careful." he reprimanded himself, getting up from his chair to face the door. He could not sense anything evil or wrong at the door, but nontheless reached for his lightsaber to be sure.
"Um...I don't think you will be needing that," Qui-Gon said with a smile. "Just open the door."
Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon quizzically, and opened the door. His heart stopped in his mouth as he gaped at the person standing in the doorway. She was thin and worn with some age starting to show on her, but her hair was still as blond as ever just touching her shoulder and pushed behind her ears. She wore a simple tunic with a sash, and a dark robe draped around her shoulders, open but still hiding the lightsaber she kept concealed at her side. She carried a bag, which hung over one shoulder. Her dark blue eyes rimmed with tears when she saw him. Obi-Wan swallowed hard...he would know her anywhere.
"Obi-Wan" she whispered, her lips trembled as a bright, glad smile began to light up her face.
"Siri!" Obi-Wan choked out, his throat tightened with emotion and tears welled up as she came in the room and closed the door. They wrapped their arms around each other and held each other tightly. They didn't try to hold back the tears.
