Chewbrok – Welcome. Like I said, this is extreme AU, but our characters are still there.
Jacen200015 – Thanks for giving it another try.
Trakrat – I have quite a few chapters already written so posts should be pretty steady.
Chapter 2
"Mum? … Dad?" His voice sounded weak and hoarse to his own ears, barely heard over the howling of wind in the background. He tried to look around, but his view was obscured by a piece of metal arranged to provide some sort of shelter. Instinctively, the boy reached for his second sight. They would come if he called for them, but his precious connection to the Force was hampered by tendrils of searing pain coursing through his head. He couldn't reach past it.
"Mum? … Dad?" He yelled more loudly this time, choking between each word on the harsh smoke that clogged the air. The exertion consumed the rest of his energy and darkness crept in along the edges of his mind, but he willed himself to stay alert. He could hear the brisk scuffling of footsteps across the dirt.
The face that came into view was neither his mother nor his father, but that of an old friend. Tangled hair framed a bruised and swollen face which was caked with dirt and dried blood that had flowed from a gash on his forehead and been wiped away. His nose was obviously broken.
"You're okay Obi-Wan, but you must be still," he said in hushed tones as he crouched down next to the boy. "You have a few cracked ribs and your leg is broken. I set your leg and gave you something for the pain."
"Master Qui-Gon, my head hurts," Obi-Wan mumbled incoherently.
"I'm afraid there is little I can do for that, but I will do what I can."
Obi-Wan felt the Jedi master's large hand come to rest on the side of his face and the surge of warm currents of the Force which momentarily relieved the icy fire lacing through his mind. He relaxed and gained some clarity, finally able to focus his eyes on the man hovering over him in concern.
"Where are my mother and father?" he asked hesitantly.
He saw Qui-Gon's posture slacken and knew the answer before the words were spoken. "They didn't survive the crash, Obi-Wan." He paused. "They are one with the Force now." Obi-Wan felt the comfort of the Force flow through Qui-Gon's touch again. "Your bonds with them were severed. I know it hurts."
Obi-Wan felt a stinging sensation well up in his over-dried eyes. Although he tried to calm himself and hold back, the tears came and his body shuddered. With the expression of his grief came shame. He was thirteen years old – old enough to finally be recognized as a padawan, and Jedi shouldn't cry.
"It's okay to let it out, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon stroked a hand through the ginger locks plastered to the young man's forehead. "It's okay."
It was then that the boy noticed the paths worn through grime on the Jedi master's face, the trails tears had taken as they had fallen from the cerulean orbs now watching him. He was afraid to ask, and only a name came from his lips in a whisper.
"Master Kara?"
The question was apparently unexpected and a fissure opened in Qui-Gon's composure. Obi-Wan watched as the large man's body began to tremble and moisture glistened in his eyes.
"She … she too has passed on," he said softly, reverently.
Qui-Gon closed his eyes, allowing a few tears to trickle away. When he opened them again, the battle was won and his composure was intact.
"Obi-Wan, I need you to rest. I was able to make a transmission and help is on the way. I need to stay by the com unit."
"Don't leave," the boy said in a panic. Since he could remember, his parents presences had been a constant in his mind. Now, it was empty. "I don't want to be alone."
"You're not alone Obi-Wan – you'll never be alone."
Obi-Wan felt the suggestion come from the Force. He didn't fight it. His eyelids grew heavy and he gradually slipped into the comforting darkness of a deep sleep.
Obi-Wan would be the first to admit that raising him had not been easy. He was a thirteen year old boy, grieving and angry, but Qui-Gon had raised him with gentleness and wisdom, and Obi-Wan had excelled. He had graduated with top honors from the University of Coruscant and immediately accepted into the diplomatic corps. While he would have been more than content with a career mediating disputes, helping to protect peace in the galaxy, he had been noticed by the lead senator representing his system and offered a position as his chief aide. There had not been an opportunity since the fall of the Order for a Jedi to be so near to the Senate. So despite the fact that being close to the pit of vipers that was the Senatorial arena made his skin crawl, he had accepted the position.
"Obi-Wan, please come in."
Olin Kitab was a solid, broad-shouldered man with a loud, booming voice. As Obi-Wan entered, the senator clutched his hand with both of his. "Good to see you."
The large man was known for his gregarious nature and infamous for his ability to sweet talk his colleagues into nearly anything he desired with his winsome manner. Perhaps that was why Obi-Wan went on guard – his superior was nervous, hiding something. The casual observer would never be able to see it, but Obi-Wan had worked closely with him. It was only lightly etched in the nuances of his expressions and gestures, but it was glaringly obvious through the Force.
Obi-Wan entered the office and took his usual seat across from the senator's desk. As Kitab settled into his chair, the younger man glanced around the spacious office. Other senate offices he had been in were filled with fine art, statues; Kitab was about people. Images of those he served, some painted, some printed, adorned his office walls. Holos lined the shelves. Some found the ghost-like quality of the tiny images looking down on them disturbing, but to Kitab it was a reminder of why he served.
"How was the Judicial Oversight meeting?" Kitab asked.
"Rather ordinary, I'm afraid," Obi-Wan said, passing a datapad to the senator.
"In that case, I'm glad you were there instead of me," the senator said with a bellowing chuckle as he reached out to grab it.
"I passed on your suggestions. There is much discontent over the appointment of Gyran Tes."
"I'm sure there is." He narrowed his eyes, his lips turning up into a playful grin. "However, I think he will be a great asset to the judiciary."
"Some think that his views …"
"Obi-Wan," the senator interrupted. "I can read your briefing, and I am sure it is as overly detailed as always."
Obi-Wan didn't speak. The senator's tone and mood had turned suddenly serious. It wasn't normal for him and the young man found it disconcerting.
"I have an important matter I need to discuss with you. Senator Derih is stepping away from public service."
"He will be a great loss," Obi-Wan said, clearly surprised.
"He will. Men like Derih do not come along every day." Kitab pulled a bottle and two glasses from near his desk and poured a generous portion in each glass, setting one in front of Obi-Wan. "It's Alderaanian Brandy – a very good year. I've been saving it for a special occasion." He drank deeply from his glass.
"I'm afraid I don't understand how Senator Derih leaving is a special occasion, Sir."
"That is what I like about you Obi-Wan. It seems that there are few in the Senate anymore who are content to just humbly serve." A wide smile spread across the senator's face. He raised an eyebrow as he took another large drink. "I didn't bring you on a year ago to be just another senate aide. I have known he was leaving and I am hoping you will consider taking Derih's seat."
The world blurred in Obi-Wan's mind and he found himself taking a rather large sip of his drink as his thoughts surged into fast forward. There was no doubt that the opportunity was tremendous for the Jedi. But the public eye had a way of dragging secrets kicking and screaming from people's closets, and Obi-Wan had a big secret. He was nearing knighthood. What would it mean for his training? The admonishment to focus on the moment came from somewhere and he slammed the brakes on his thought process in time to hear, "Are you okay?"
Obi-Wan recovered quickly. "I am speechless Senator, to be sure; it is a remarkable opportunity. I suppose I am just feeling my age, or rather lack of age right now." A shy smile slipped to his lips.
"There are senators your age and even younger." It was a challenge; the senator was in full form.
"Not many." Obi-Wan said, looking out the window over the senator's shoulder. "I must ask. What are the circumstances surrounding Derih stepping down?"
"It is a planned retirement. We've known it was coming for a few years now. Why do you ask?"
Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "It is no big secret that you and Derih don't always see eye-to-eye. Younger senators are naïve and easily controlled." He took another sip of his drink, making eye contact over the rim of his glass.
"I see," Kitab said. "It would be reasonable to question my motives." The senator wasn't angry at what could very well have been considered a veiled accusation. He rested his mouth on his fist and stared at Obi-Wan, a gesture that very clearly asked for the younger man to elaborate.
"All I am saying is that now I prepare briefs for you and represent you while trying to stay as neutral as possible, but you know that we have differences of opinion. That will come up and I can't always vote the way you want me to."
"I would expect nothing less from you. The fact is I'm so damn stubborn I need someone to challenge me from time to time. I have no illusions of controlling you." He leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest.
Obi-Wan paused. He sensed truthfulness, but still didn't know how to respond.
"I obviously don't expect you to make a decision like this right now, and would be wary if you did. I am planning to spend winter holidays off-world so there won't be much to do here. I would like you to consider taking a month or so leave of absence. Go home or at least somewhere away from Coruscant to think."
"Thank-you Sir. I will consider it." The senator had no idea just how many needed to be consulted before he made such a decision.
Obi-Wan keyed in his code and entered the apartment he shared with Qui-Gon. He pulled off his coat and hung it in its place next to the door, noting the very long coat already hanging there. He made his way to the sitting room, unbuttoning the top two buttons of his shirt.
"Sorry I'm late, Master."
Qui-Gon didn't look up. He was completely engrossed in something he was reading from a datapad, a hand across his chin hid a quirky grin from view. He laughed out loud.
"Master?"
"I am just reading an interesting bit of fiction here."
"A novel?" Obi-Wan asked, reaching to snatch the pad out of his master's hand.
Qui-Gon dodged the grab. "No, an essay from one of my students." Obi-Wan sunk down onto the sofa beside him, and Qui-Gon laid the datapad to the side. "Have you been drinking?" the older man asked, wrinkling his nose somewhat.
"One glass of Alderaanian brandy – that's all. It was a good year."
"I don't want the good senator's bad habits wearing off on you Obi-Wan …"
"I have been offered a Senate seat," Obi-Wan said abruptly.
Qui-Gon merely raised an eyebrow. "The elders will be pleased." It wasn't the reaction Obi-Wan was expecting.
"Did they – you anticipate this?"
"We had hoped it would be the outcome when he brought you on staff, but we didn't think it would happen so soon. What did you tell him?"
"He doesn't want an answer now. He said to take a leave of absence and think things over."
"A wise man." Qui-Gon smiled at Obi-Wan. "So it appears that I have mid term break and you actually have vacation for once. Where should we go?"
"Dantooine, of course."
"A lot of Jedi will be there this time of year, including most of the elders." Qui-Gon rubbed his fingers down his beard thoughtfully. "I need to prepare some lessons since I'm going to have your undivided attention."
"Have mercy on me, Master," Obi-Wan said smiling. "This is supposed to be a vacation."
