See Chapter 1 for info & warnings

I need some distraction

Oh beautiful release

Memories seep from my veins

Let me be empty

And weightless and maybe

I'll find some peace tonight.

~Sarah McLachlan "Angel"

Tanilea knew the moment Qui-Gon died. She could feel it not through the Force but through the bond of their love. She had been sparring with Livien, trying to keep her mind focused on other things, anything but the mission her lover and best friend had undertaken. The moment Qui-Gon was wounded, Tanilea fell to her knees with a gasp. Livien ran to her side. "Master? Are you alright? Master?"

"No. No, something is wrong," Tanilea mumbled more to herself than to her Padawan. She allowed Livien to help her to a chair. Seconds later, Tanilea felt her heart being ripped from her chest.

"Master! What is it? What is happening?" Confusion flowed in waves from the girl, adding to Tanilea's distress. "Please, Master, speak to me!"

/Calm yourself, Padawan./ She could not trust her voice to remain steady. /I sense a disturbance in the Force./ Even her mental voice wavered dangerously. She knew what had taken place. The images in her dream flooded in one after another, over and over, ending always in Qui-Gon's death. And no amount of calming exercises could stop the tears. Livien helplessly put her arms around Tanilea and whispered soothing words. /Thank you, Liv. Thank you./

When Tanilea had become a bit more centered, Livien asked quietly, "What has happened, Master?"

"Qui-Gon-Master Jinn-is dead. I felt it."

Silver eyes widened with horror. "Perhaps you are mistaken! Perhaps he is merely injured."

"No. I told you once of my dreams, Padawan. I know a dream may not always hold truth, but I know that these did... I could feel their truth from the beginning. Even-even when Qui-Gon told me not to worry about them, I did. The certainty of the dreams is the certainty that led me to you, Padawan. I know he is dead." /Now what?/ she thought hopelessly. /What do I do? How do I go on without him?/

Her Padawan obviously felt the sadness setting in. "Master Jamelle... should I get someone? Is there something I can do?"

"No. No, thank you, Liv. We should go to the Council. They should be told if they do not already know."

When Tanilea and Livien entered the Council chambers, the Jedi Knight felt a mild shock at seeing a small holo of Obi-Wan standing before the Council. Quietly, she and her Padawan crossed to stand near Master Yoda.

"We will arrive on Coruscant later today." Obi-Wan's face was a mask. No sorrow. No anger. No emotion at all. Only his eyes revealed his pain, two twin pits of despair and anguish. And guilt.

"Sorry we are about Master Jinn's loss," Yoda said sincerely. From the expressions on their faces, it was obvious that the other Masters agreed with the sentiment completely. "Glad we are you survived, along with the boy."

Obi-Wan gave a final shallow bow and ended the transmission. Tanilea released a breath she had held for an indefinite amount of time. /The dream was right./ With the breath left her final shred of hope. Livien clasped her hand gently, then squeezed it.

Master Yoda turned toward her. "Came to tell us, you did."

"Yes, Master."

"Felt his death through the Force, did you?"

"No, Master. I... I felt it in my heart as well."

"A bond you shared." Yoda seemed lost in thought for a moment. "Notify you when Jedi Kenobi arrives, we will."

Tanilea bowed and exited the room with Livien in tow, knowing the notification would be not so that she could see her friend, but so that she could see the body of the man she loved.