Kobal managed to get release papers drawn up for M'Rina. He worked quickly as well, evidence that he was also concerned about her being arrested. Kiern took the papers and then walked out of the building, flanked by the two Jedi. He was still tightly wound and fuming, and he practically ran to the prison which was located in the Imperial sector.
"Won't the guards recognize you?" Qui-Gon asked.
Kiern didn't answer, just walked inside and went straight to a desk where he slammed the release paper onto it. The guard on duty looked at the trio apprehensively but slowly picked it up and looked at it. "This can't be right. Captain Bron said -."
"Well the Emperor wants her released. Are you questioning him?" Kiern asked with a raised eyebrow.
The guard hesitated a moment and looked at the form once more. Kobal must be very talented with forgeries if he could pull off a falsified document from the emperor. "L-Let me see your papers." The guard said, though how that would help none of them knew. Kiern rolled his eyes and pulled out his documents, so Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan followed suit. All of their papers were falsified, but the guard didn't notice that either.
The man slowly sighed and looked around as if to see if the captain was nearby to watch him disobey orders. He then slid their papers back and stepped away from the desk. He disappeared down a hallway and was gone for some time.
While they waited Kiern paced back and forth. "If he's touched her…I swear to the Gods I'll kill him. I'll wring my hands around his neck-."
"Calm down." Qui-Gon urged him. The last thing they needed was stopping Kiern from committing murder, and he had no doubt that the man meant every word he was saying.
"Calm down? You want me to calm down?! You have no idea what Bron is capable of. I've seen what he can do. He gets a kick out of torturing people and he's had his eyes on all of us for years!" Kiern rounded on Qui-Gon and opened his mouth to say more, but Qui-Gon grabbed his arm and stilled him.
The Jedi master spoke in a low whisper. "And shouting that in the middle of his prison is going to get his attention. We need to get M'Rina out of here and away from Bron with as little commotion as possible."
Kiern looked at him for a moment and then scowled and looked away. They fell into silence and only moved once they heard the guard coming back. M'Rina was behind him, looking confused. Her eyes looked at Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon with hope, and then they settled onto Kiern.
Immediately her gaze tightened and she glared at him, but she wisely kept her mouth shut. Kiern noted her look and sighed sadly and looked down at the ground. Qui-Gon had never seen him so remorseful. After getting all of their papers back, save the release form from the emperor, they turned and left the prison.
The tension was high, M'Rina kept glaring daggers at Kiern and Kiern adamantly avoided her gaze. In front of them, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon walked them back to M'Rina's home.
Once inside, the young woman erupted. "Him?! You asked him to help me?! Do you even know who this man is?" She reached out for something and grabbed a portion of a vase and then hurled it at Kiern. Obi-Wan stepped up to her and grabbed her wrists to prevent her from doing that again. Kiern just let it hit him and fall to the floor where it shattered.
"Yes, we know who Kiern is, we had no choice but to ask him to help you." Qui-Gon tried to reason with her, but she jerked free of Obi-Wan's hold and threw something else at Kiern.
"He's a liar. A backstabber! He'll sell you out without a moment's hesitation! He'll use you and then throw you to the dogs!" This time M'Rina grabbed a pillow from her couch and hurled it Kiern, who once again let it hit him.
"Hopper, I-." Kiern started but the young woman threw a hand up.
"Don't! Don't call me that! Get out of my house!"
"M'Rina you need to stop yelling. Someone will notice and call the guard." Qui-Gon cautioned but she ignored him.
"I never want to see you again! You used me! I was nothing to you!"
"That isn't true." Kiern tried and weakly took a step towards her but she threw another vase fragment at him. He flinched as it shattered against his shoulder and then slumped in defeat.
Qui-Gon sighed and shook his head as the two continued arguing. He walked towards the window and looked outside. There was nothing for a moment, but then four red guards began approaching. He looked to Obi-Wan who turned and grabbed M'Rina once more. "Time to go." He said and Qui-Gon grabbed Kiern.
"Why don't we just leave him here?! He's the one who deserves to get thrown in jail! Not me!" M'Rina shouted until Obi-Wan clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Sh!" The teen ordered harshly and then led them to the back and opened up a window. They managed to sneak out to the alley behind M'Rina's home just as the guards entered. They could hear them ransack the place as they snuck away. At first Qui-Gon thought Obi-Wan was taking them to Alia's inn, which he thought would be a bad idea given the volatile situation of their past relationships – surely Alia had no fondness for M'Rina.
However, Obi-Wan was actually taking them to Kiern's home. It was across the city and they walked silently and quickly, avoiding any and all red guards that crossed their way. Bron must have noticed M'Rina went missing and was sending out his men to look for her.
When they arrived at Keirn's home the man locked the door with a thick iron pole that ran across it. The four stood silently until M'Rina huffed and walked to the living room and sat on the couch. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked forward angrily.
"What happened between you two?" Obi-Wan asked simply as he followed M'Rina and sat across from her.
"I already told you. I met him and his little crew of criminals a few years ago. When we got cornered, they left me there to take the fall. Like I was nothing!" She went to grab something from Kiern's table to throw at him but Obi-Wan stopped her by grabbing her wrist. She glared at him and he just shook his head. She huffed once more and leaned back against the couch.
"That isn't what happened. I wasn't even there. If I was I wouldn't have let them leave you behind!" Kiern insisted as he walked over as well.
"Hn. That isn't what Alia said." M'Rina murmured somewhat childishly. She turned up her nose and looked away.
"Will you two be civil and just explain?" Qui-Gon asked, knowing there would be no peace until this was settled. He needed them to work it out so he and Obi-Wan could return to the site and finish their business.
M'Rina looked to him and sighed. "Fine. I'll tell you what happened." She shifted on the couch and crossed one pant covered leg over the other. "I was just a teenager when I met Kiern. I was living in the slums, under an awning and was starving. He told me that if I did some job for him and his crew then he'd give me part of the cut. So I did, and I stuck around after that. At first I was this big inconvenience to the whole lot of them; Kiern, Alia, Kobal and Napst. But…I thought after a few months they really accepted me.
"Kiern and I…" She cast a hesitant glance to the man. "We started up a month after I joined the group. I thought I actually meant something to him, but he and the others were just waiting for a chance to let me take the fall. It happened seven months after I joined." M'Rina looked over at Kiern angrily again and tightened her lips into a thin line.
"We had brought in a big stash of artifacts from the main site – since they kept mining, more and more of the sites disappeared, and that made the artifacts more valuable. Unfortunately, Bron caught us as we were entering the city. We ran for our safe spot in the slums where we were supposed to meet Kiern who was getting the buyer ready. We got cornered on our way there, though." M'Rina's eyes got distant and she looked somber.
"Alia told us we had to hide the goods and come back for them later because they were slowing us down. So we did. But the guards were closer than we thought. We were all helping each other up and out of the hide out. Alia was supposed to help pull me up, but then she let me fall and told me that Kiern made her promise to cut me loose if things ran south. That that was the only reason he kept me around…" M'Rina wiped a tear away and sniffled a bit, looking blankly ahead and avoiding the gaze of everyone else.
"Then she was gone and I had no way to get out. I tried running out the front door because I had no where else to go, but the guards were there and grabbed me. They were taking me away when Venik passed by and vouched for me. He told them that the artifacts weren't stolen…That I was moving them for him as a representative of the university. If it wasn't for him I would have been thrown in prison." M'Rina finished and slowly looked over at Kiern with cold eyes. "No thanks to you."
Kiern was looking at her sadly and then slowly shook his head. "Hop-M'Rina. That isn't what happened. I never told Alia those things. I didn't want you out, I wasn't waiting for some chance to just let you take the fall for us! Alia said the guards grabbed you and pulled you back. She said that there was nothing they could do…I went looking for you. I searched the prison for you. I looked every where. When I final found you it had been a year and you were settled at the university….with your boyfriend." Kiern spat the word out as if it was toxic.
"Lyle isn't my boyfriend." M'Rina answered as if it was a reflex. She then pushed herself up and pointed her index finger at Kiern. "And I don't believe you! You lie to everyone." She suddenly pushed passed them all and disappeared down a hallway. There was a slamming of a door and Kiern rolled his eyes.
"Well at least she remembers where her room was…" He murmured and leaned against the wall weakly. He let his head fall back against it and he closed his eyes. "Look, I know you probably believe her and think I'm some philanderer, but…I really didn't tell Alia to cut M'Rina loose. In fact…I was thinking of doing the opposite. I wanted it to be just me and Hopper. The group was getting so much attention and it wasn't good for business. I figured if it was just me and her, we could live off my savings. Then she could have a normal life. No more guards, no more running…" He trailed off and waved his hand weakly.
"That's why you never approached her after you found her? Because you thought she already had what you'd tried to give her?" Qui-Gon asked and Kiern nodded slowly.
"Yeah. Not that it was ever any of your business." Kiern murmured as he looked down the hallway towards the room M'Rina had disappeared in. "Just…Don't let her do anything stupid, okay? She tends to jump first and think later."
"We've noticed." Qui-Gon commented and then watched as Kiern turned and left the home. Where he was going he didn't know. He slowly turned back to Obi-Wan and noted the pensive look on the teen's face. "What is it?" He asked.
Obi-Wan jumped a bit a looked at him and then to the floor bashfully. "Nothing." He said, but Qui-Gon wouldn't have it. So he stepped to his student and put his hands on his shoulders.
"You know you can tell me anything." He reminded kindly and Obi-Wan nodded a bit.
"I know. It's just…sometimes you get freaked out and I….Didn't want to…" He trailed off nervously and Qui-Gon sighed and gently squeezed Obi-Wan's shoulders.
"Whatever it is, I won't freak out. I promise." He assured so Obi-Wan looked up at him and then weakly motioned to the front door where Kiern had disappeared.
"The Force - It was telling me - that Kiern and M'Rina are -. It wants them together." Obi-Wan finished and looked up at Qui-Gon as if waiting for the 'freak out'.
Instead, Qui-Gon simply nodded. "Well, the Force tends to get what it wants. It should be interesting to watch how this plays out." He commented and Obi-Wan nodded in agreement, relaxing when he wasn't questioned about having a conversation with something that wasn't even supposed to be sentient. "For now…Perhaps we should wait until M'Rina is more…pliant before trying to get to the site."
"What if Bron destroys whatever is underneath?"
"I doubt he will. Clearly the Empire knows something is underneath or else they wouldn't be bothering with mining the sites at all. The Talrumium Kiern told us about when we first got here must be made from the energy collectors. Whatever is buried beneath the main site might not even be able to turn on anymore…We'll just have to see." Qui-Gon sat on the couch slowly and thought about what could be hidden beneath the site and how it was connected to Obi-Wan's past.
"You fool! They found the tunnels! They'll be suspicious now! They'll look for answers!" The emperor screamed angrily. His plan had been so perfect, and after waiting for over a decade for it to come into fruition, it was beginning to crumble.
"I'm sorry, my Master. I didn't think they would move this quickly." Dooku apologized profusely and gave a deep bow to emphasize his sincerity. He was prostrated on the floor, his wrinkled forehead touching the cool tile of the emperor's high tower.
"Well you clearly underestimated them. As I have overestimated you!" The emperor sneered and turned to look away from his groveling underling and out the window, as if hoping to see his prey.
"The girl has been apprehended, Master. Without her, I doubt they'll find the machine." Dooku tried to salvage what little of the situation as he could.
"They don't need the girl!" The emperor slammed his fist against the armrest of his throne and shook his head angrily.
"What do you want me to do, Master?" Dooku cursed himself as his voice shook. To appear weak now would undo everything he'd worked for.
"Find them. And kill the Jedi. Leave the boy for me." The emperor ordered in a low, oily voice. "Now go!" He gave a wave of his hand and Dooku suddenly stood and fled from the room. When he was gone the emperor turned and looked to the other man standing in the room.
"We must tie up all the loose ends. Make sure Bron takes care of the girl, as well as her old associate; the thief." His voice was calmer now, but by no means kind.
Lyle looked upon the emperor and gave a deep bow. "With pleasure, My Master."
M'Rina emerged a few hours later and fixed them up some dinner. "I remember first coming here…this was where everyone hid out, when the crew was all together." She explained as she stirred a pot of soup. Qui-Gon wasn't surprised as the home had multiple stories and could accommodate many. "I was mostly just the errand girl. Fetching this or that for whoever…Mostly Kiern. That's why they started calling me Hopper. Kiern would always say, 'Hop to and get me this, or that'." She rolled her eyes a bit.
"Kiern seemed genuine when he explained what happened. And, having been around him for the past few days, I can vouch that he had been looking out for you." Qui-Gon said softly as he scavenged for some bowls in Kiern's cupboards.
"I don't care. Kiern's a liar, he's selfish, he's arrogant, he's…" She didn't seem to be able to come up with any more, which seemed to aggravate her even more so she huffed and slammed a lid on the pot she was stirring. "You've known him a few days. I knew him for months! I've seen the real him."
Qui-Gon was silent for a moment until he looked at her; she had her arms crossed over her chest and she was leaned against the counter and huffing. "As you know, I've been to many different planets. As a result, I've met many different kinds of people. In my experience, men like Kiern, men who act as if they don't care, are really the ones who care the most; they're just afraid."
"What does he have to be afraid of? He has enough money to do whatever he wants. People practically worship him. When I first met him, Alia and all the others wouldn't even think twice about doing whatever he said. They just blindly followed him like a bunch of chattel." M'Rina spat with a scowl.
"Perhaps that's why he liked you and wanted you around, rather than the others. Because you questioned him, you made him a better person." Qui-Gon suggested, trying to get the idea in M'Rina's head. If the Force wanted the two of them together than he would try to help them along as best he could. However, he knew very little about romantic love. His only long term relationships were with his apprentices and those were hardly romantic.
"If that's all true then why wouldn't he just bring me back?" M'Rina demanded as her shoulders slumped. "I wanted to be with him…Always. I just don't understand why he was there all this time and didn't say anything."
"Because; as selfish as Kiern is, and as much as he loves himself - He loves you more." Qui-Gon knew that if anything was true about Kiern, it was that. Now that he had the full picture he could see how Kiern's actions reflected it. He would never commit to Alia, he was always following M'Rina around to make sure nothing happened to her, any negative comments Alia made about M'Rina Kiern rebuffed; he loved her.
As if waiting for the perfect moment Kiern came in through the backdoor. M'Rina tensed again and suddenly turned back to stir the soup, now boiling over the fire. Kiern looked between the two of them and then slowly pulled something from his back.
It was Venik's journal.
Qui-Gon wondered how Kiern got it – Bron had taken it himself and surely had it on his person. But Kiern was crafty, and apparently a better thief than Qui-Gon gave him credit for. Distantly he realized both Kiern and Obi-Wan were skilled pickpockets.
Slowly, Kiern walked to M'Rina who kept her back to him. His boots thudded quietly in the room and came to a stop just behind her. He softly touched her shoulder and then silently placed the notebook where she could see it.
M'Rina stared at the book for a moment, then she slowly turned and looked at Qui-Gon. "Do you think you and Obi-Wan could…give us some time to talk?" She asked softly and Qui-Gon nodded and immediately stepped out of the kitchen.
Obi-Wan was in the living room meditating so he gently shook the boy's shoulder. When Obi-Wan opened his mouth to ask why, he raised a finger to his lips and just motioned to the door. They left the two former lovers to reconcile in peace.
"What happened?" Obi-Wan asked once they were out of the house.
"Kiern proved he had a heart after all. It was very dramatic." Qui-Gon said evenly but with a slight smile.
"I knew it. He's just a big softy."
"I wouldn't go that far."
The two walked through the city as night settled. They were quiet, simply enjoying each other's company. Qui-Gon was wondering how much longer he would be able to when Obi-Wan spoke. "Master, the Pratiri aren't here."
"I know." Qui-Gon said softly. "But they were, sometime."
"So what are we going to do if whatever is beneath M'Rina's site doesn't tell us where they went?" Obi-Wan asked him.
"Keep looking."
"Why?"
Qui-Gon stopped and looked down at Obi-Wan. "Because…We have to."
"Because the council told you to?" Obi-Wan accused.
"Because it's what is best for you."
"What will happen when we get there?"
"I don't know. But I promise you that whatever it is it will be for your benefit."
"I don't care about that." Obi-Wan slowly reached up to his neck and pulled out the twine that kept his river stone wrapped around his neck. "I care about you, Master. You're the only family I've ever known. Before I met you, I was a street rat, begging and stealing. You're the only one who has ever just…been there for me. I don't want you to leave me behind."
"I -."
"I know you won't want to. But you would, wouldn't you? If we find them, you'd leave me with them and go back to Coruscant." Obi-Wan sounded upset now, so all Qui-Gon wanted to do was calm him down.
"Padawan, I haven't even thought that far ahead. All I've thought about is finding them. Beyond that, we'll just have to deal with things as they happen." Qui-Gon said and Obi-Wan sighed, clearly not happy with that answer. Qui-Gon figured that came from wandering around for three years without any answers…But there was little else he could do about it. He softly put his hand on the side of Obi-Wan's neck and stroked his cheek with his thumb. "Is that enough for now?" He asked gently.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes for a moment and then nodded. "Good…Please just keep trusting me, Obi-Wan. You know I love you, don't you?" Qui-Gon asked softly as he kissed the top of Obi-Wan's head.
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan said bashfully before smiling at him. "I love you too." He said and his smile fell as Qui-Gon suddenly tensed. "Master?"
Obi-Wan felt a wave of déjà vu hit him as he followed his master's gaze and saw Dooku.
I thought you guys have been so good you deserved a bonus. That, and I had a lot of time on my hands this weekend. So, this chapter was way ahead of schedule! And Lyle is evil! Is anyone surprised? If you were...well...you shouldn't have been. I mean, it was pretty obvious, right? He was a jerk to everyone. Also, was it too focused on the relationship stuff? From here on out it is all about action! (That's the fun stuff right?) But seriously, what do you guys think of Kiern and M'Rina? I know some of you like them, but...I don't know, I always get nervous adding a romantic aspect and worry people won't care or feel connected. So let me know.
2thesky: Thank you for letting me know! Every time I post a new chapter I get anxious about whether or not people will like it, so hearing that you do makes me feel so much better!
AnnaGranger27: Obi-Wan is special. And yes, I realize it's kind of a stretch, but he's just sort of...better...than everyone else. Also, he has a job to do and the Force is making sure he's got the skills to do it. Thanks for your review!
ErinKenobi2893: AHHH! I was hoping someone would recognize that! You so get me...Every chapter, you just get me. :) And no, not a pervert, but not exactly who you want to be in charge of your police force...I'm glad to hear from you!
Kungfukittykat: Oh good! And I'm glad you thought so, yes, Obi-Wan is pretty talented. But if he wasn't so different, then the Temple wouldn't have excluded him and so I needed to make sure that he was really strange. And what better way than by being unreasonably good with a lightsaber? Thanks for reviewing!