Thank you, Lie, Tanydwr, KTfanfic, darthaquafina, and rose. I'll update as often as I can but RL has a way of getting in the way. Isn't that nice of it? rolls eyes I hateRL. As for the boy, wouldn't telling be a spoiler? Hope you all like this part.

654321

Up, down.

Up, down.

Up, down.

The gentle motion that rose and fell steadily rocked the child comfortingly even as he snuggled further into it, accepting the peace with a calmed mind. A dream, he thought, perhaps it was all just a dream. This he thought for he could feel the familiar tingle of the Force emitting from the person who held him as securely as he'd been held in his mother's arms.

Opening his eyes, he glanced about, a sting of disappointment filling him as he studied the man he rested upon so easily. It faded away as he curiously studied him.

The man's hair was neither to long nor to short, it was just right for his face. The unusual reddish gold color shimmered in the dim light. His young looking face was tanned and gentle, though there was a sternness to it he was used to seeing only on the faces of the Jedi Masters he had been surrounded by.

It wasn't his Master.

No, not quite. Yet, there was a feel to this man that was remarkably similar. May be it was the slight laugh lines on his face. They weren't as deep as the ones his Master had. But then, no one in the whole Galaxy seemed to have laugh lines that deep.

His Master radiated laughter, even in the midst of a stern lecture. Or a fight, though his Master seemed to prefer to avoid such things for all his immense skill. He could still see the way he stood, the sunset framing him as they observed the people around them.

Another image flashed before his eyes, the memory teasing his senses. A more frightening one replaced it. An image of blood struck him. He could see it flowing freely from a deep wound. Smell it on his hands as he ran away from the falling man.

Of the ghastly image that had turned to him, grabbing his…No, he mentally shouted, don't think! Don't think about that! It can't hurt you if you don't think about it.

STOP IT!

Ignoring the tears that started to cloud his eyes, he ducked his head back down, hiding once more within the warm neck.

Don't think. Don't remember. Don't let him find me. He pleaded, hoping that the Force would be generous, would hear him as it never had before.

His mind desperate to hold onto the peace, he concentrated on the steady motion beneath him.

Up, down.

Up, down.

Up, down.

His heartbeat slowed to beat in time with the motion. Calm once more, he opened his eyes again cautiously and glanced about, not moving. Not wanting to destroy the moment again. The boy couldn't let anything destroy the moment, the peace, and the stillness.

He needed it to quiet his mind, his aching and bruised heart. Too much had happened to him, too much had been lost in a brief moment. He wouldn't lose this too.

After a time, peace seeped back into his hungry body as the tranquility embraced him within its lovingly, protective arms. For the first time in what seemed like forever, there was no noise within him. No busy sounds that clamored for his immediate attention.

He could rest for he matched the stillness about him. The constant hum, the incessant hum that had dominated his life, was silenced. Yet, he did not fear or mourn the loss for he could still feel it, hovering beyond the edges of the peace that enclosed his mind.

"Are you hungry?" A soft voice broke into his thoughts.

He liked the sound of the voice. He remembered it from before. He'd liked it then too. It was soft with a lilting tilt to it that spoke of laughter. Of music and warm hugs. He liked the hugging, the holding arms from earlier. They made sense to him when little else did. But then there was a movement that he didn't like. The warm hand that he hadn't consciously recognized within his hair started to withdrawal.

The boy panicked.

Feeling that loss-so achingly similar to the one he'd just felt-and followed the hand, mewling in protest. The hand stopped and returned to its former position, caressing him gently. Still not looking up at his benefactor, he settled back into the warmth.

The touch and the feelings behind it were to familiar for him to give up. He didn't want to give them up. Not now that he'd found them again. Though the waves of feelings behind it were spicier with the slightest edge of irritation to it, as though the man didn't know how to respond to this, he didn't want to let go.

The boy supposed he should feel guilty for this. For putting this man into an awkward position, a position that he seemed ill equipped to handle. That he should try to…do something to ease those feelings of unease. That he should rebel at the way he could only helplessly cling to this man who seemed so familiar to him.

He just couldn't bring himself to care as he snuggled further into the warmth, grasping onto the familiar brown robe. No, he thought idly, tracing it with his calloused fingers. Not quite the same. It was brighter than the ones that colored his world at the Temple. It was softer, more threadbare, for all the care that had been lavished upon it over the years.

He liked the way it smelled and felt. Soft and clean, if a little patched up in places. The garment was well cared for, speaking well of the man who wore it. It made him feel safe here. It spoke of a home he had once had but lost. It spoke of his mom and her gentle affections. The way she would take care of him without fail, no matter how many times he messed things up.

A sigh rumbled through the man's chest seconds before the breath tickled down from his hair and over his cheek.

Tears welled up as his head tilted to the side, the weight of the braid gone. No, he thought fiercely. Don't think about that. The loss was necessary. Just feel.

"Unusual for a boy your age but, from your behavior, I take it that you aren't hungry," he said, a slight laugh in his words. "I am though. Would you mind terribly if we changed location? I am unused to lying in bed all day for any reason. It seems to me to be a general waste of time spent elsewhere. If you do not wish to go with me, you are more than welcome to stay here."

Stay here? He thought, breathing faster as the now familiar red and black face flashed before his eyes. Instantly, his grip tightened, protesting the offered release.

Another deep sigh came.

"I'll take that as a no. Would you mind loosening your grip just a tad? I have come to be very fond of breathing and would hate for it to cease in such a useless manner." The underscore of humor lessened the sting of reproach in his words.

The boy gave it some thought, nodding thoughtfully. What he said made sense. He couldn't help him if he couldn't breath. Taking a deep breath, he slowly let his grip around the man relax.

Slightly.

"Thank you. You have a grip a mynoch would envy," he commented. Shifting the boy over in his arms, he pushed himself up. Once standing, he reoriented the weight again before walking into the fresher. Standing there in the natural light of the room, he critically studied their appearance in the mirror.

His head shook, taking in the puffy eyes and the just woke up sleepy look on their faces. "We look absolutely disgraceful and uncivilized."

That caused the boy to pull away, looking at him in confusion before facing the mirror. Carefully avoiding the right side of his face, he studied them, resting his head against the shoulder. He didn't know what the problem was.

He thought they looked fine.

When the boy remained silent, he spoke again. "I am going to put you down right here. Don't get nervous," he quickly soothed. "I just need to wash my face. Wouldn't you like to do the same?" he asked, noting the wild desperation in the eyes that met his.

Once more, he was made aware of his own inadequacies in dealing with a child-especially this child.

The boy's face scrunched up in thought. He seemed to be weighing all options as he stared at their reflections in the mirror. Finally, he let go and the man released him so that he was sitting on the countertop. Standing up, he noted that he had not been entirely released.

A part of his Jedi robe was clutched firmly in a white knuckled grip.

Though surprised by this, he said nothing. Reaching over, he wet a cloth and handed it to the boy. Bending over then, he cupped his hands under the warm stream of water and threw it into his face. Rubbing briskly, he was pleased to feel some life return to him. Occasionally, he would glance at his silent companion.

He had not moved from his place. Nor had his eyes left him.

It was unnerving the way he just sat there, watching as the traces of their nap were washed away. The damp cloth held in his hands.

Forgotten.

As for the boy, he liked staring at this stranger. He liked the way he looked. He especially liked the way he didn't scold him for not washing himself.

He just gave a sigh and took the cloth from him, gently wiping off his face. The cool touch felt nice against his skin. For all his sighing, I hope that this is…the thought was cut off by a brisk knock. Jumping off the counter, he threw himself at his protector, shaking life a leaf in a breeze.

Found me, he thought, shivering. He's found me.

Firm hands gripped his shoulders. Try though he did to hold on to him, he found himself being pushed firmly away. The man knelt down in front of him, a hand cupping his chin and lifting it to meet his gaze. The softness in them warmed him.

"It's all right," he soothed, "I am expecting company. Come along, young one."

Rising slowly, he held out his hand and was gratified when it was accepted after an interminable debate. The two made their way out into the main room, the boy lagging behind. He dropped farther behind the closer they got to the door where a shadowy figure waited.

Finally, he stopped, eyes focused intently on the figure.

The knock sounded again. It went unheeded as the man approached the boy. Kneeling down once again, he held out his arms with a resigned sigh. The boy rushed into them, clinging to him. Must hold on tighter, he thought. This one's elusive, wants to be free, I can't allow that yet. I need this just now. Please, just let me have this for a little while before…

STOP THINKING!

Getting up again, he shifted the boy until his rested mostly on his side and walked over, complaining lightly as they went. "You know, it's a good thing you're so short and skinny. Otherwise we would be having a problem." Opening the door, he revealed the Twi'lek there, his hand raised to knock again. On his face was the closest thing to an impatient expression he'd ever seen on a Twi'lek. "Hello, So'la."

"About time, I was beginning to wonder what…" he complained, dropping it instantly at the sight of the young boy. "Who's this?"

"So'la, this is the young Padawan I found." If he felt the grip tightening, he didn't let it show. "Padawan, this is one of the Jedi who live here, So'la."

Padawan, he thought, hearing the word with shock. I was once somebody's Padawan. He glanced out into the bright light, and then ducked back into the curve of the warm neck.

"Padawan?" So'la softly questioned, his smile never wavering.

He shrugged. "What else do I call him? He hasn't said a word since I found him. Have you gotten through to the Jedi Council?"

So'la saw the tension increase. It radiated off of the boy. If he got any tenser, he thought, he would snap in half. "Do you think it wise to speak so in front of him?" he softly asked.

"I am not going to treat him like a child," he firmly said, taking no offense. So'la had more experience with children. Yet, he did not think it best to listen to him. "Whatever happened to him has left him as anything but one. I will not keep him in the dark. The call is not mine to make. While I may address him as Padawan, he is not mine."

"Obi-Wan," So'la started.

Obi-Wan? The child was startled to hear the name. It was beyond his hopes to find him and so soon. His heart raced, nearly choking him in excitement-and dread.

"I could be, if you wanted me," he whispered, startling the both of them. Pulling back at the incessant tugging on his small ponytail, he looked up into incredulous eyes. "If you really are Obi-Wan Kenobi."

TBC...