The moment Qui-Gon stepped off the transport he knew something was wrong

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.

A/N: Thanks to all who have read and reviewed.

The moment Qui-Gon stepped off the transport he knew something was wrong. The entire Temple was giving off a deep sense of sadness that would have been palpable to even those who weren't Force sensitive. He reached out, feeling the way the currents were moving around the Temple, searching for some sign of what had happened.

When that didn't work he reached out again for Yoda, knowing the diminutive Master would tell him what was wrong. However all he got from Yoda was an immense feeling of sadness and worry tinged slightly with happiness. Qui-Gon latched onto that feeling, wanting to know what was going on.

He was ripped from his semi-trance when the other end of his training bond with Obi-Wan flared up before dying again. With disbelief coiling in the pit of his stomach he tentatively reached down the bond he had shared with Obi-Wan that oddly enough hadn't been broken by his Padawan's death. Obi-Wan's end of the bond had been closed, but there was no doubt in his mind that his Padawan was alive.

Brushing aside Yoda's soft probe on inquiry Qui-Gon headed for the first floor where he could feel his Padawan's signature. The moment he stepped off the turbolift he stopped, breath catching in his throat. Obi-Wan was talking to Garen, smiling at something his friend had said. His former Padawan's hair was longer then he had ever seen it, falling to the middle of his back, though it was pulled out of his way in an intricate braid. He looked shorter and slighter than he remembered but it had been more then a year since he'd last seen him so that could account for the difference.

Qui-Gon remembered to start breathing again, still unable to take his eyes of the younger Force user, his heart beating unsteadily in his chest. He reached out with a tendril, not sure what he was expecting from his former Padawan. Anger, betrayal maybe even hate. However, he wasn't prepared for the feeling of warmth and affection he received when Obi-Wan felt his presence.

Obi-Wan rested his hand on Garen's shoulder. "Can we continue this later Garen? I have someone else I need to talk to."

His friend glanced towards the turbolifts, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Okay. And please be careful. He took your death rather hard and didn't come out of his room for days. It wasn't until Master Windu dragged him out to spar that we found out what happened."

Obi-Wan nodded, his eyes never leaving his former master. "I understand."

He smiled at Qui-Gon, multi hued eyes soft. "I've missed you Qui-Gon."

Before he realized what he was doing Qui-Gon had the smaller man in his arms. "I'm so sorry Obi-Wan. I should never have let my anger get the better of me." It took him several seconds to realize they were swaying and that Obi-Wan was holding on to him just as hard, fingers clenched in his robe. He pulled away from the younger Force user so he could see his face, ignoring the people who were staring at them. "We need to talk. Come to my quarters after I meet with the Council."

Obi-Wan shook his head, never loosening his grip on Qui-Gon's robe. "The Council is busy with other things." At the questioning look in the sharp blue eyes he finally released the man's cloak with one hand. "A Sith managed to infiltrate the Temple. He killed Siri and somehow planted Bruck's scent all over her body. He then did something to Bruck and when the Council tried to discover who the Sith was Bruck died. They are recalling all the teams."

The older man sighed. "So they've finally decided to make their move. I suppose we've had our peace for to long. I'll go see Yoda later." He picked his bag back up and headed towards his rooms, Obi-Wan at his side.

--

Qui-Gon poured the tea into two small cups, setting one in front of Obi-Wan. He took the chair across from the younger man unable to stop staring at the younger Force user. "Why did you move in front of Xanatos?"

Obi-Wan took a sip of his tea, eyes focused on the table. "I don't know. I could feel something through his shields that wouldn't allow me to let you kill him, and I knew I wasn't going to be able to stop you. Moving in front of him seemed like the most logical answer. I thought if you saw me you would stop." He could feel the Force swirling around the older man, the energy dangerously unbalanced.

"I wish I had. I wasn't aware of what was happening until I felt your death through our bond." Qui-Gon rested one hand on his former Padawan's. "All I can say is that I'm sorry, and I realize that an apology is not nearly enough to make up for what my actions caused."

He paused, feeling Yoda touch his mind. "And sadly this has to wait until later. Master Yoda wishes to speak to me."

"Don't worry. I haven't yet had time to see Bant. If you need me I'll probably be in her rooms."

They left the room together, Qui-Gon watching as Obi-Wan disappeared down the corridor leading to the quarters of the new Knights.

--

Qui-Gon sank to the floor in front of Yoda's chair legs folded under him, just as he had when he was a Padawan. "Master Yoda."

Yoda tapped the man on the knee with his cane. "Glad your Padawan has returned you are."

"I am, but there's something not right. He's more withdrawn, seems less respectful. He's changed so much I can no longer see the young man I took as my Padawan." He rubbed the bridge of his nose, letting the warm humidity of the room ease his tension.

The small Master's ears flattened and he knocked the man on the shin. "Been through much Obi-Wan has. Officially granted him the rank of Knighthood we have. Earned it he has."

The man suppressed the urge to rub his shin knowing it would just cause Yoda to hit him again. "He has earned it."

"Proud of your Padawan you are, but bothering you something is about his return." Yoda hopped off his chair and wobbled over to the table where his tea kettle was sitting. He poured a cup and floated it to the table next to his chair. "Tell me you will."

When Qui-Gon spoke his voice was low and dark with pain. "I don't understand how he could be alive. I saw the wound Master Yoda. His heart was gone, like it had never been there. I realize his new powers are amazing, but to completely recreate his heart seems an impossible feat."

Yoda nodded, clawed hands reaching for his tea. "Believe him a clone you do. Beyond Xanatos' resources that might not be. If clone he is an excellent example of one. All of Obi-Wan's memories he has, discovered this I have through a mental probe. Only suggestion I have is to treat him like the old Obi-Wan. If a clone he is, eventually he will slip."

The room was silent for several seconds before Yoda spoke again. "Enough on Obi-Wan. Received an anonymous message we have. Tells of a Force sensitive child, a boy of six. Nearly too old for training, but to Tatooine you will go, with Obi-Wan. Bring him back to the Temple. Leave tomorrow you will."

--

Obi-Wan shed his robe and sank onto Bant's couch, smiling at his friend. She was in the kitchen making tea and he could feel the Force currents in the room, how they were swirling around her, completely out of sync. Of course showing up at her door had probably been the worst way to announce his reincarnation. He'd thought about calling her but that had seemed impersonal and cold.

She came back into the common room and set the tea on the table before settling on the couch next to him. Her finned hand smoothed down his braid, silver eyes glowing slightly with tears. "I heard the rumors but I couldn't bring myself to believe them. Then you showed up at my door, looking just like I remember."

"If only it were that easy Bant. I've seen things and had things done to me most people wouldn't survive. I lived for a year without being able to touch the Force." He pulled her hand from his hair and folded it in his, fingers stroking over her slightly damp velvety skin.

The Mon Calamarian turned so she could look at her friend. "So the rumors of what Xanatos did to you are true?"

Obi-Wan rubbed at his face with his free hand. It had taken him several years to decipher Bant's facial expressions but it had been worth it. He could tell she was worried about him and was on the verge of tears. He'd always hated seeing her cry. "There's something I have to tell you, but you have to promise me you won't ever repeat it. It's extremely important."

Bant nodded leaning forward. "Of course Obi."

The man moved so he was facing Bant, one leg pressed against the back of the couch. "Much of what I told the Council isn't true. Xanatos didn't keep me prisoner, and I didn't have to escape. We've been lovers since I turned eighteen. I've been with him for the past year and he helped me reconnect with the Force."

Silence pervaded the room, the trickle of water from the fountain in the corner the only sound. Bant blinked slowly her hand tightening on Obi-Wan's. "Oh." She forced what passed as a smile for Mon Calamarians. "I suppose that makes sense. I mean you were both Qui-Gon's Padawans, so you'd have a lot in common. And as long as you're happy, that's all that matters."

Obi-Wan smiled at her, hand brushing across her cheek. "You're upset. Although I don't suppose I can blame you. If someone told me when I was fifteen that I'd end up with him I think I would have seen about getting them committed." He got to his feet and kissed her on the cheek. "I'll leave you alone for the time being and let you think about all of this."

He strode out of the room, feeling like a jackass.

--

Qui-Gon folded his arms inside his robe as the chime sounded in the room. The door slid open to reveal Bant, looking pale, her huge eyes glimmering with tears. "Master Jinn."

"Hello Bant. Is Obi-Wan here?" He could see his Padawan's robe draped over the couch, a dark spot against the sea green of the room.

She shook her head, finned hands tight on the door. "No. He left about ten minutes ago. You might check in the training grounds. He seemed a little tense and he usually likes to beat on a training droid. Makes him feel better."

The man smiled wryly. "Of course." He could well remember when Obi-Wan was younger, how he would spend hours training, burning through his anger rather than meditating. Many of the Masters had worried that be releasing his anger in combat was going to be his fall but Obi-Wan had proven them wrong. "Thank you. Have a good evening."

Turning on heel he walked away and headed towards the lower levels where the training rooms were. It seemed everyone he passed was watching him, trying to gauge him. He knew it was because of Obi-Wan's sudden reappearance. News of his return had spread through the Temple almost as fast as that of his death had.

It wasn't too hard to find the younger man when he entered the salle. Masters and Padawans were ringing one area and he made his way forward, pausing in shock. Obi-Wan was fighting against one of the dueling droids that was armed with twin lightsabers. Rather than using the Soresu form he had mastered he was fighting using Juyo. It was obvious to anyone watching he had not mastered the form but he was adept in it, something that disturbed Qui-Gon. Masters Windu and Billaba were the only people in the Temple who had mastered the Seventh form and he knew his Padawan had never trained with either of them. There was only one other person who could have taught Obi-Wan Juyo.

Xanatos despite his young age when he'd left the Order had been close to mastering Juyo, something that had bothered Qui-Gon that his young Padawan had decided to take that form as his principal. If anything, it should have keyed him into what had been going through Xanatos' mind.

With a final quick move he shifted into Ataru and decapitated the robot. The head went skittering across the floor, coming to a rest at the feet of a terrified looking Padawan. Obi-Wan deactivated his lightsaber and stalked past the cleaning droids that were already coming to remove the dead droid. Ignoring the Masters and Padawans who had stopped to watch him he continued out of the salle.

Qui-Gon followed after and waited until they were alone before he spoke. "I must admit that was a rather powerful display. I hadn't realized you were so adept in Juyo."

Obi-Wan glanced at the other man who had fallen in step with him, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I didn't have a choice. Xanatos decided in addition to being his captive I also had to be his sparring partner. If I had not learned Juyo I probably wouldn't be standing here."

The older man could feel the Force twining around his companion, a sign he remembered from when he'd taken Obi-Wan as his Padawan that he was upset. He watched as the younger man took a deep breath and the currents around him died, leaving him as a kind of dead spot in the Force. Feeling it was the best time to broach the subject of their trip Qui-Gon stopped walking. "Master Yoda wants us to head to Tatooine tomorrow. He's received a message about a Force sensitive boy on the planet." He noticed how Obi-Wan stiffened and logged it away as another sign of something wrong with the smaller man. "Of course, if you're not feeling up to the trip I see no reason why you can't remain here."

"Compared to the year and a half I just spent on Hoth Tatooine will be a godsend." Even as he spoke he slid down his bond, tickling Xanatos awake.

(It's the crack of dawn here little one. I hope you have a good reason for waking me.) Xanatos' 'voice' was rough with sleep, underlined with irritation.

Obi-Wan kept half of his mind on what his former Master was saying, focusing the rest of his attention on his mate. /Yoda is sending Qui-Gon to Tatooine to collect Anakin and evidently he wants me to come along. I can't really see a way to get out of this without them getting suspicious./ Their bond was silent for several seconds before Xanatos spoke.

(Of all the Sith damned things the god damned troll would want.) The older man's anger pulsed along the bond and Obi-Wan pulled it in, reveling in the feel of Xanatos' rage, a slow coil of pleasure forming in the pit of his stomach. (Somehow I wouldn't be surprised if he knows what we're planning. I'm going to go to Tatooine and talk to Shmi and Anakin. We don't have to worry about her saying anything that might cue them into what you are, but I'm going to have to place a compulsion on him. There is no way he would be able to keep quiet. When are you leaving?)

/Tomorrow morning. They already have the ship lined up and ready to go./ Rather then waiting for his mate to answer he focused on what Qui-Gon was saying. "Of course Master. I'll meet you on the landing pad tomorrow morning."

When Obi-Wan turned away Qui-Gon rested a hand on his shoulder. "What happened between you and Bant? She seemed upset when I went to her room."

Obi-Wan tossed his braid over his shoulder and shifted, the older man's hand sliding off. "I'm afraid my sudden reappearance startled her. I should have contacted her first, rather then just showing up on her doorstep. I left her alone so she could meditate. I was hoping it would make my reappearance easier on her." He bowed slightly. "I'm going to retire for the night."

--

Obi-Wan unclipped his lightsaber and moved it towards his back, making sure it was hidden beneath his robe but within reach. Qui-Gon had decided they would go to the Skywalker residence dressed as Jedi, even if it would serve to upset the residents of Mos Espa. He drew his hood up and left his stateroom to join the older man at the ramp.

Qui-Gon ran his eyes over his companion, finally paying attention to what the smaller man was wearing. Besides the black clothing that served to accentuate Obi-Wan's ever changing eyes he was wearing a sleeveless black leather tunic and a thin silver band circled his left middle finger, inscribed with some kind of runes. "Don't you think a hood is a little extreme?"

"No. Even this late the sunlight is enough to burn and I'd rather not look like a tomato for the duration of our visit. No one would respect the Jedi ever again." He touched the pad by the door and with a hiss the ramp lowered and they strode down, perfectly in step together. The trip through Mos Espa was quick with Qui-Gon leading the way, his long strides taking them down the small street where Shmi and Anakin lived.

The older man pressed the door chime and the soft tinkle echoed through the small apartment. Moments later the door opened partially to reveal Shmi, a towel hanging from her hand. "Can I help you?"

Qui-Gon smiled softly at the woman. "I'm Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and this is Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. We received a message that your son was strong in the Force. I'd like to talk to him if I could."

Shmi glanced at Obi-Wan, a brief flicker of her eyes before she stepped back, the door swishing open. "Of course. Anakin, we have visitors."

Anakin came running out of the back and stopped next to his mother, one hand tangling in the hem of her shirt. His eyes drifted to Obi-Wan and for a brief moment the man thought the boy recognized him, that somehow he had managed to break Xanatos' compulsion but his eyes moved back to Qui-Gon. It was moments like that Obi-Wan was glad his former Master was such a powerful figure. It made it easier for him to go unnoticed.

He gazed up at Qui-Gon. "Are you Jedi?"

The man went to one knee in front of the boy. "Yes. We received a message at the Temple informing us of your Force sensitivity. I would like to test you so we know how strong you are. If you are strong enough you can come back to the Temple and train to become a Jedi." He looked up at Shmi. "But in the end you have to remember the choice is up to your mother."

"Of course you can test him. However, I won't be able to stay. I have some parts I need to take to Watto tonight." Shmi gently removed Anakin's hand from her shirt and picked a small bag up off the floor. "I should only be gone for a little over an hour."

Obi-Wan stepped forward. "Allow me to escort you. It's getting late and I would hate to have anything happen to you."

"An excellent idea Padawan." The older man got to his feet. "I'll remain here with Anakin so I can test him and we can get to know each other."

Shmi and Obi-Wan stepped outside. Once the door slid shut Shmi spoke, her voice pitched low so no one could over hear their conversation. "I didn't think I'd be seeing you and Xanatos again anytime soon."

Obi-Wan took her elbow and led her away from the house. "We hadn't been planning on it. How much of my past has Xanatos told you?"

The woman stepped aside as a laden Dewback passed them. "Only that you've been together for the past four years and that you're bonded."

"I was a Jedi Padawan when I first met Xanatos. Qui-Gon had been his Master and Xan had fallen to the Dark side. Several years later Qui-Gon took me as his Apprentice and Xanatos tried to kill us on Bandomeer. We bonded then, though I had no idea. Three years later we realized our bond had become a soul bond. For four years we managed to keep the bond a secret from Qui-Gon and the rest of the Jedi. Last year we were sent to Haruun Kal to find Xanatos and capture him, or kill him if necessary. Xan tripped over a rock as he was dueling Qui-Gon. I jumped in front of the killing blow, sparing Xanatos."

"Somehow he managed to trap my essence in a Force sensitive crystal and later I took over another person's body in a kind of Force possession. A year and a half I couldn't feel the Force, and it was hell. After I regained my ability to touch the Force, I attacked Xanatos, blaming him for what had happened. Had I been given a chance I have no doubt I would have killed him. I had been a fallen Jedi the moment I stepped in front of Qui-Gon's blade. My anger and frustration turned me into the Sith I am now."

Shmi smiled softly, one hand coming up to brush across Obi-Wan's cheek. "Thus explaining why you were so tense. Obviously Master Jinn doesn't know how far you've fallen, and he won't find out from me. Xanatos freed Anakin and I and because of that I am indebted to him. Because you are his bondmate, and the one he loves, I am also indebted to you." Her smile widened and she stepped back. "Xanatos is at Docking Bay three if you'd like to see him. I'm going to see some of my friends and then we can meet up back here."

They separated and Obi-Wan headed for the spaceport, wrapped tightly in the Force, causing people to not notice him. He didn't think Qui-Gon would ask around about his travels during the night but it would be better to not risk it. As he entered the spaceport he sent out a sleep compulsion to every sentient thing within twenty meters easing them to sleep.

Smiling softly he entered the code on the door leading into the hangar before crossing the sand to the ship. Despite the fact Xanatos was on the ship he had locked it up tight and set the alarms. One wrong number entered on the pad and electricity would jump from the buttons to the person, killing them instantly. Obi-Wan could have opened the ship in his sleep. For some unknown reason Xanatos had programmed the code as Obi-Wan's birthday, something that never failed to amuse the younger man.

He entered the ship and reset the codes before seeking out his mate. Xanatos was in the small shipboard office, the desk scattered with datapads and flimsiplast notes. The older man's normally sleek hair was coming out of the braid and in the bright lights of the ship Obi-Wan could make out the fine lines radiating from the corners of his mate's eyes and mouth. There were also grey strands lurking in the dark silk but he wasn't going to point those out to Xanatos.

Xanatos looked up from the datapad he'd been reading when he heard Obi-Wan's boots on the deck. "I didn't think Qui-Gon was going to let you leave. I'd have thought he was going to make sure you didn't disappear as suddenly as you came back."

Obi-Wan shrugged out of his robe and shed his outer tunic before kicking his boots off. "Shmi is covering for us." He strode across the small room and straddled his mate, the tickle of Xanatos' arousal already burning through their bond. "We have an hour."

The older Force user smiled as his hands slid under the waistband of the smaller man's pants. (I think we'll manage.)

--