Targets of the Dark Force

by Estel Baggins

The Star Wars trilogy with a living QuiGon, and lots of different challenges than occurred in the Jedi Apprentice and Jedi Quest series.

14. Ragoon 6

Author's Note: Thank you to all those who have been patiently waiting for this next chapter. I'm amazed at how long this took to write.

Targets of the Dark Force (Ragoon 6)

The air was thinner than Anakin was used to, but by the third day his lungs had adjusted and he was really starting to enjoy himself. He could feel the weight of all his worries drop away, one by one, as he scaled walls of sheer rock and hiked over narrow ridges that extended for miles.

And there was more: he watched Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, who had seemed a little tense around each other, relax and slip back almost into an old groove. Obi-Wan did a little more of the leading, and Anakin followed him, but in other things- conversations, for instance- Qui-Gon usually took the lead, as he had before. And as the two Jedi Masters relaxed, Anakin began to believe that everything would be all right.

On the fourth day, Obi-Wan called Anakin to his side. They were standing at the bottom of a cliff they couldn't get around. "Your turn, Anakin," the Master said. "Find a way up."

Anakin grinned. Until now, Obi-Wan had chosen their way. And while his Master had always chosen correctly, Anakin had hoped he would soon be trusted with that task. I must have done well meditating last night. Anakin reached for his cable launcher. Gazing up at the wall, he sought a crevice with his eyes. He couldn't see any. Closing his eyes, he reached up with the Force, and "saw" the ledge at once. He focused on the ledge's position in the Force, then set off the cable.

It missed.

Anakin darted a glance to his right, expecting to see Obi-Wan gazing at him with mildly disapproving eyes. But Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were a few paces away, studying a map. Obi-Wan's eyes, and seemingly all his attention, were on the holographic map.

Anakin turned back to his task. Calling the Force around him, he found the ledge once more. But before he could shoot the cable, the Force nudged him to look a little higher up. Just within the reach of the cable was an outcropping of rock. It couldn't be stood on, as the ledge could, and Anakin wanted to discount it. But the Force continued to nudge him, and Anakin thought, All right, if you say so. He shot the cable and this time it caught. Tugging it, Anakin nodded in satisfaction. He looked around for his master, and found Obi-Wan back at his side.

"Excellent, Padawan." Obi-Wan considered the outcropping of rock. "We'll have to send someone up who can balance on that little spike and send the cable up again." He met Anakin's eyes. "Are you ready for that task, Padawan mine?"

Anakin nodded. "Always."

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Make sure you're connected completely to the Force before you go up. We'll be here just in case."

As Anakin started up, he heard Qui-Gon ask, "Shouldn't you have directed him towards that ledge?"

"It might have been easier," Obi-Wan answered very quietly.

Anakin tapped into his connection with Obi-Wan as he gained the spike. With his mind divided, it was difficult to balance, but he wanted to hear. He leaned against the mountain, even though it froze his blood, and listened. Obi-Wan said, But Anakin needs to learn. And I'm fairly sure that spike will hold.

Do you think he was trying to show off?

I sense no arrogance in him. He believes this is the best course of action. Then, as if realizing that Anakin hadn't moved from his place a third of the way up the cliff, Obi-Wan sent, Are you all right, Padawan?

Yes, Master. Anakin turned his attention to finding the next cable hold. He saw the next place with his eyes, confirmed it with the Force, and went up. The next hold was a long, wide ledge, and so Anakin stood on it and waited for his master and Qui-Gon.

Obi-Wan sent his cable upwards to hook around the same spike Anakin had found. But as he started up, he used the Force to push off against that narrow ledge Anakin had first spotted. The ledge crumbled at once, raining rock down on Qui-Gon, who used the Force to guard himself.

Obi-Wan was thrown a little off-balance by the ledge's brittleness, but he righted himself and gained the spike. A moment later, he joined Anakin on the wide ledge. As they watched Qui-Gon scale the cliff, Obi-Wan smiled at Anakin. "Excellent choice, Padawan mine. The Force showed you options beyond the obvious and you trusted it."

Anakin asked, "Did you know the ledge would break?"

Obi-Wan shook his head. "No, but I suspected it might. You chose the spike; I will always be inclined to trust your judgment, Anakin."

"But I'm only a padawan."

"The Master-Padawan relationship isn't built on the idea of you following everything I teach. A true Master-Padawan relationship is built on mutual trust and mutual respect. If I didn't listen to your ideas and let you try them, I wouldn't be a very good Master. And the same goes for trust. I must always be ready to weigh what I feel is right against what you feel is right, and choose between the two."

"So you won't always take my way…"

"But I'll consider it every time. Yes."

Anakin grinned. "Do you want to lead the last bit?"

"Thank you, Padawan, but no. This is your cliff. Lead on."

oOo

Three months to the day since they landed on Ragoon 6, Anakin found his mind quiet and still. Every part of his mind seemed to be taken up with sensory input. He drew the chilly air in through his nose, savoring the no-smell of it. Then the wind shifted and he inhaled the rich, fragrant campfire smoke, relishing the feeling of safety that came with it. The fire talked to itself in a soft, insistant voice, and Anakin lost himself in listening to it. But he was soon drawn to the sound of Qui-Gon searching in his pack for something.

And as his eyes wandered from the older Jedi Master to his own Master, the boy's attention was caught by the serene expression on Obi-Wan's face. Of course he's serene; he's meditating. He meditates every night before we go to sleep. And sometimes he's still meditating when I fall asleep. Anakin's eye traveled from Obi-Wan's closed eyes to his hands, which rested in his lap, and to the swollen curve of the man's belly. Obi-Wan was starting to show, and many times Anakin would watch Qui-Gon rubbing his hand back and forth over Obi-Wan's stomach, or even resting his head there to listen.

His gaze continued down and he wondered, for the hundredth time, it seemed, how Obi-Wan could walk when his ankles were so swollen.

I know it's hard for him. We have to rest at midmorning, at noon, and three hours before sunset so Obi-Wan can get off his feet. But he keeps going, keeps trying to walk. We've started our journey back to our ship, but it took us three months to get this far, and that was before Obi-Wan had to rest. Will we make it back in time for him to have the baby, or will he have to give birth out here? Anakin shivered. I don't know how to deliver a baby, and I bet Qui-Gon doesn't know, either.

As his eyes traveled back to Obi-Wan's face, Anakin relaxed by the tiniest margin. Obi-Wan's expression was unfailingly serene.

He could be hiding himself from me. He could he putting a good mask on. But when he reached out to the Light Force, Anakin felt it hum around Obi-Wan, both halves swirling around him in tandem. Some of the tension in the padawan's shoulders eased. Whatever Obi-Wan might be suffering, his connection to the Force was stronger than ever.

Qui-Gon surfaced from his search. He was holding two small stones, one blue, the other green. He held them in his hands and smiled at them as though they were children. Then he glanced at Anakin and gestured for the boy to join him. "These stones are Force-sensitive, Anakin," he whispered, his lips barely moving. "I gave Obi-Wan one of these when he turned thirteen." Closing his eyes, Qui-Gon seemed to draw strength from the stones. He handed one to Anakin.

"It's warm!"

"Yes. It's a reminder that the Force is always with us. That one is for you. This one-" he held up the stone and smiled at it again- "is for our little one, whenever he or she arrives."

Anakin turned the stone in his hands. It felt wonderful, as if the Force was something he could touch with his hands, not just with his mind. "But… But shouldn't Master Obi-Wan be giving me something like this?"

"We already talked about it," Qui-Gon answered. "He has time to plan for your gift. Besides, he said he didn't want to copy me." The master winked.

"Okay. Thanks." Anakin moved to tuck the stone into his pocket.

The world of the Force exploded and Anakin dropped the stone as his hands flew to his temples. The Dark Force that roared around him felt like an ice pick digging through his skin. Dimly, he realized that Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were up and ready, but he couldn't move. The sensation intensified and he gasped as the world seemed first to light up, as with a lightning flash, then dimmed until he couldn't see Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon anymore.

"Master? Master, where are you?" Anakin reached out with the Force, still calling. The Dark Force tightened around him, cutting him off from everything he knew about the Light Force.

Wait. The stone is Force-sensitive. Maybe- Squashing his fear, Anakin began to feel around for the fallen gift. A hand seized his wrist in the darkness and Anakin jumped, trying to pull away. Logic told him it was Obi-Wan or Qui-Gon, but the Dark Force was seeping into his mind, blotting out his reason.

"Anakin! Anakin, hold still." Hands gripped the padawan's shoulders and the hand on his wrist squeezed for a moment before easing up. "Everything's all right, Padawan mine. Center yourself and reach out. I'm here. Our bond is still intact. Access it." The hands on Anakin's shoulders were drawn away and two hands held Anakin's one. The Force-sensitive stone was pressed into his palm.

At once, warmth radiated from the place where the rock touched and Anakin followed the new-made link outwards, calling the Force to him.

Almost at once, he felt Obi-Wan's presence in his mind and he relaxed. The darkness vanished as if it had never been, and Anakin blinked up at the concerned face of his master. Obi-Wan crouched before him, his eyes intense.

"Anakin?"

"Yes, Master." Anakin dropped his eyes. "I'm sorry I panicked. I couldn't feel the Force, not the right one. It was like being drowned in space with no stars."

"Don't be hard on yourself, young one. The Dark wave was very strong." Obi-Wan glanced over his shoulder to where Qui-Gon was standing, his hand on his lightsaber hilt, his eyes questing in the darkness of evening. "Anything?"

"No. Whatever it was, it's gone now." Qui-Gon relaxed his posture with what to Anakin looked like an obvious effort, and returned to the fire. He took his seat again and urged Obi-Wan to do the same. "You walked more today than yesterday."

"I felt stronger today," Obi-Wan answered, his eyes moving back to Anakin. "Listen to me. The Force isn't just 'out there, everywhere.' It's in you. You can always find the Force in yourself, Anakin. When we connect to the Living Force or the Unifying Force outside ourselves, that is because we seek the information and energy the Force can give us. But a kernel of that same Force lives in you. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, reach into yourself first. Connect the Force in you to the Force outside and you will be much stronger than if you just depend on what is around you. The Force is everywhere, but sometimes we can't access it." Obi-Wan wobbled slightly.

"Please sit down, Master. I'm okay."

Obi-Wan obeyed, smiling. "You look as though you want to ask me something."

"Why couldn't I touch the Force? Why was I cut off so completely?"

"Well, I'm not the Force, but I have two thoughts, but they come to the same: you were unprepared. As a Jedi, you must always have a shield ready in your mind. That shield will protect you. Also, because you have never been so overwhelmed by the Dark Force before, you weren't ready to deal with the tide of emotions it brought. Not just fear, but anger, lust, drive, hatred. Did you sense all those things?"

Anakin shook his head. "I'm sorry, Master."

"Don't apologize, Padawan. You're new to this. Am I right in guessing that most of what you felt was fear?"

Anakin nodded, trying not to show how disgusted he was with himself.

"Take in a breath. Hold on to whatever is distracting you at this moment. Good. Now, let it go." Obi-Wan took Anakin's hand again. "When we are touched by the Dark Force, it touches each of us in the best way it can: it seeks out the emotion that we battle with and reflects that emotion back to us." He darted a glance at Qui-Gon, who nodded. Looking back at Anakin, Obi-Wan said, "For you and me, the Dark Force reflects fear. But it's different for all Jedi. For Qui-Gon, the Dark Force reflects anger. Do not be ashamed of what the Dark Force showed you; learn from it. If fear is your most powerful negative emotion, meditate on it. Only by seeking help from the Light Force can you hope to challenge the Dark Force when it comes."

"Do you meditate against fear every night?" Anakin asked.

Obi-Wan smiled. "Yes, Anakin, I do."

"But Master, you've been working against fear for a long time! Isn't it ever going to go away?"

"Usually our strongest emotions don't disappear entirely. They are part of what makes us who we are. But they cease to have power over us. The moment the Dark Force reflected fear back to me, I was able to combat it with what the Light Force has taught me about dissipating fear. And someday soon you will be able to do the same. You're a quick learner, Anakin; this is just a new lesson. Being a Jedi is more than-"

Anakin yawned, trying unsuccessfully to hide it. "I'm sorry, Master."

Obi-Wan chuckled. "I'm turning into the lecturing teachers I dreaded so much when I was a padawan. It's all right, Anakin. Get some sleep. We'll talk more about this in the morning." Obi-Wan rose, wincing. He put a hand to his stomach, then sighed.

Anakin squirmed into his sleeping bag. He watched Obi-Wan move towards Qui-Gon around the edge of the campfire. "Master?"

Obi-Wan glanced over his shoulder. "Yes?"

"Who sent the Dark Force this time?"

"I don't know, Anakin. We didn't sense any intelligence behind it. Perhaps it was a warning."

"Of what?" Anakin sat up.

"Lay down, Anakin. There's no way to know anything more just now. Tomorrow may provide more answers. For a certainty, we are safe for the night."

Anakin's eyes were closing. "Good night, Master."

"Good night, Padawan mine. Surround yourself with the Light Force before you rest. It will calm you."

Anakin yawned again. "Yes, Master." In moments, he was asleep.

Obi-Wan sat beside Qui-Gon. "I don't like this. The first time, it was ber'Nac. Now we can't know what it is. Surely it's not the malia."

"Obi mine, dangerous the native animal hunters of Ragoon might be, but Force-sensitive they are not." Qui-Gon kissed his lover gently. "I don't have any more answers than you gave Anakin. Surely you know that."

"Yes, I know." Obi-Wan groaned softly and leaned back on his hands. Gazing at the stars, he said, "It's only that I feel as though we're a target for the Dark Force."

"Obi mine, we're Jedi. Of course we're a target. You're a Knight now; please don't make me take you back to Temple and teach you all over again."

"But more than most Jedi," Obi-Wan went on as if Qui-Gon hadn't spoken. "It's been drawn to each of us in different ways. Xanatos turned from you, ber'Nac found me, and ber'Nac called to Anakin, even if he didn't know what he wanted. Or maybe it was the other that called to Anakin. Whoever it was, we're being stalked, or that's what it feels like." He shifted and his hand went to his lower belly. He rubbed it distractedly.

"Are you in pain, love?" Qui-Gon reached out and brushed Obi-Wan's hair out of his face. He saw the sweat glistening on Obi-Wan's brow. "Are you hot?"

"No, just…" Obi-Wan gasped. "Qui-Gon, I think-" But before he could say what he thought, his face cleared and he relaxed, sighing. "It's not yet," he said. "I think I overdid it today, though. No more skipping mid-afternoon rest, no matter how good I feel at the time."

Qui-Gon placed the Force-sensitive stone against Obi-Wan's belly. "Was that a contraction?"

"No. I'm still two months away from delivering, Qui-Gon. It was not a contraction."

"You sound more determined than sure," his lover answered.

"I'm seven months pregnant. It can't be a contraction." Obi-Wan closed his eyes. "I need to sleep. Will you douse the fire?"

Qui-Gon didn't move. "If you really need help, Obi mine, I'll run ahead and fly the ship back this way."

"No." Obi-Wan's eyes had snapped open. "Don't even suggest it. I'm not sure Anakin and I could hold off the malia without you. And they're not like most animals: they can climb, they can swim, they're fast as lightning-"

"All right, Obi mine, all right. Forget I suggested it." Qui-Gon sighed. "But no matter how much we rest tomorrow, we have to keep moving."

"I know that." But the hand Obi-Wan put on his lover's arm softened his words. "I'm sorry, but I think the mood swings have started. I should meditate some more."

"You've meditated enough for one night. Go to sleep. I'll watch over you." He helped Obi-Wan get comfortable.

"Don't stay up all night watching over me," Obi-Wan said, suppressing a yawn with hardly more skill than Anakin.

"I won't. Sleep now," Qui-Gon moved his hand a little.

"Don't try those Jedi mind tricks on me." Obi-Wan smiled. "But since it's a good suggestion, I'll listen to you anyway." His eyes drifted closed.

Qui-Gon doused the fire. His eyes were drawn again and again to his sleeping lover, and each time he thought of the baby growing inside Obi-Wan, a thrill ran through him from head to toe. It wasn't a pleasant sensation.

oOo

Anakin shook the tree with his hands, his eyes trained on the swaying, red fruit above. It was dinnertime and Qui-Gon had sent him back along the trail to collect some of the ripe 'puls they had both noticed. Normally, they would have stopped and collected the fruit together, but Obi-Wan was dizzy and weak. He needed to find a clearing where he could rest and the malia couldn't set upon them by stealth. And since he had already fought two packs of malia, Anakin wanted the open ground almost as much as Obi-Wan needed it. The young padawan wasn't afraid of the creatures; he'd felt more in control once he'd actually seen them. But fear and respect weren't the same thing.

Anakin shook the 'pul tree harder. Qui-Gon must really trust me to let me get these alone.

Either that or he's so worried about Obi-Wan that he's not worried about sending me off for a few minutes. Anakin frowned and slammed his palm against the tree in frustration. That's probably it. Obi-Wan is everything to him.

Be mindful of your anger, Padawan. It is a distraction.

Anakin was instantly ashamed of his thoughts, but he put the feeling aside and reached out to deepen the bond. Obi-Wan had been keeping his distance from both Anakin and Qui-Gon all morning, insisting that he needed to commune with only the Force for a while. Now that his master was talking to him, Anakin was more than willing to reforge the connection.

Obi-Wan stopped him before he could get too close. I'll let you feel what I am feeling, if you still want to, when you return to camp. For now, I'd like you back in camp as son as possible. The malia always grow bolder as the sun sets.

The genuine love and concern in Obi-Wan's voice made Anakin forget any anger he might have had. The padawan shook the tree again. As soon as I get some 'puls down I'll come back, Master.

Obi-Wan smiled; Anakin sensed it over the connection. Try using the Force.

Anakin started to ask how he could do that when excruciating pain ripped from his head to his thighs. He fell against the tree, just catching himself with his hands. Even as he struggled to breathe, he understood that the pain wasn't really his. Master! Master Obi-Wan! Anakin pushed himself away from the tree and staggered down the trail. The pain ebbed and flowed, granting him all-too-brief respites before returning, just as strong. He sensed that Obi-Wan was fighting something, but Anakin couldn't tell what it was. He prayed the malia hadn't dared the clearing.

Leaping around the final turn before the camp, Anakin tripped over a stone. He caught himself and approached the campfire. No malia in sight. Obi-Wan lay on his back by the fire; his hands were fisted at his sides. The pain had receded from Anakin's body, but he knew just by looking at his Master's face that Obi-Wan was simply blocking him again. Anakin thought about demanding to be allowed to help, but a thought occurred to him that he couldn't shake: maybe Obi-Wan was blocking Anakin from the pain so he could help.

Dropping to his knees at his master's side, Anakin took Obi-Wan's hand. At once, Obi-Wan gripped Anakin's hand as he sought surcease of pain.

"I'm here, Master," Anakin said, keeping his voice steady. He glanced at Qui-Gon, who was tending a pan of slowly-heating water. The padawan's eyes widened when he saw the knife Qui-Gon was sharpening. "What are you going to do with that?"

Qui-Gon didn't look at him. "Remove Obi-Wan's tunic. And keep him still."

"I'm not a padawan." Obi-Wan let go of Anakin's hand and tried to open the two fastenings at the top of his tunic. Then another contraction ran through him and he sucked air between his teeth. He smiled at Anakin as the padawan took his hand. "All right; I can still take orders. I'm sorry, Anakin. That wasn't fair to you."

Anakin shook his head. He'd barely registered the insult to his rank "Master, you're hurt. I-" Obi-Wan winced and Anakin tightened his grip. "It's all right, Master. The pain will pass. We just have to take more rests and-"

"No, Anakin." It was getting hard for Obi-Wan to speak clearly. "The pain will only pass when the baby's born." Throwing his head back, Obi-Wan stared at the darkening sky. Sweat streaked down his skin. He bit his lip, then said, "Anakin, open my tunic all the way. You'll have to cut it."

Anakin fumbled for his knife. When he held the blade upright in his hand, he wasn't sure he could use it. His fingers, his hand, his whole arm, felt too clumsy.

Obi-Wan met his padawan's troubled gaze. "The Force will guide you. Reach out to it."

Anakin obeyed, releasing his anxiety. At once, the Force filled him and he relaxed into it. He cut away the fabric of Obi-Wan's pull-over tunic without incident. "Now what?"

"Now get behind him and hold his shoulders." Qui-Gon had joined them with the knife and the water. "Obi mine, drop your shield and connect to the Living Force."

"…I don't… want Anakin to feel…" He shuddered strongly. "Anakin…"

"I'm here, Master," Anakin was behind Obi-Wan now and Qui-Gon lifted his former padawan so Obi-Wan's head and shoulders rested in Anakin's lap. "I'll be all right. Just reach out to the Force. It will help you."

Qui-Gon set the water aside and made sure the knife edge was keen. "Grip his shoulders tightly. Don't let up for an instant. You can help him as you did on Naboo."

"No!" Obi-Wan thrashed. "Anakin, I don't want you to feel-"

"You have no choice," Qui-Gon said. "The baby's coming now."

Anakin reached for Obi-Wan. At first, he felt only the wall around his master's mind, but then it fell and agony flew from Obi-Wan's mind to his. The young padawan bore down on the shoulders under his hands and struggled to speak clearly. "I'm here, Master. It will be over soon."

Qui-Gon rested the tips of his fingers on Obi-Wan abdomen. "Draw in the Living Force, both of you." He studied the skin before him for a moment. "Hold very still."

The pain in Anakin's mind was suddenly blotted out by a wave of the Dark Force twice as strong as the one he'd felt the day before. The fear came with it, but before Anakin could begin to fight it, he heard a voice say, Stay away from my padawan. At once, the wave receded and Anakin was drawn close to his master. Obi-Wan was still in pain, but the Living Force had filled him, helping to ease his suffering.

Qui-Gon made the first cut.

oOo

Obi-Wan screamed. Tears leaked out from beneath his tightly-closed lids. His hands were balled into fists at his sides. He held himself almost as still as stone, only gasping between screams. Only Anakin knew that Obi-Wan's cries were not wholly derived from the pain he endured. Qui-Gon had sealed his mind so that he wouldn't be distracted by his lover's pain. He couldn't feel the Dark Force that swirled around Obi-Wan and his still-unborn child. For the moment, the Dark wave ignored Anakin, but sent Obi-Wan vision after terrifying vision even as it gnawed, reduced, and finally broke his connection to the Living Force. Only the Unifying Force that had lived, natural and far stronger than the Living Force within Obi-Wan saved the young Master from going insane. He couldn't feel Anakin trying to reach him, but he heard his padawan's voice sometimes, and that, too, helped.

Qui-Gon, meanwhile, struggled to remove the tiny miracle before Obi-Wan could bleed to death. He moved quickly, but his lack of connection to the Force slowed his hands. At last, knowing that the birthing was taking too long, and disturbed by what he saw as Obi-Wan's lack of control, Qui-Gon dropped his shields. Only then did he feel the Dark Force coursing around him. Casting out a net of the Light Force, Qui-Gon attempted to shield Obi-Wan, Anakin and himself even as he worked with the Living Force to slow Obi-Wan's bleeding.

Not even he had the strength to do all of this. Besides, he thought bitterly, the net isn't protecting Obi-Wan from even the least of the attack. Focusing his entire connection to the Force on the fragile life of child and papa, Qui-Gon drew the baby out, slapping it gently and cutting the umbilical cord.

And as Obi-Wan's daughter took her first breath to cry, the Dark Force sank its teeth into Obi-Wan's mind. The young master lost the ability to scream. His sudden silence frightened Anakin and Qui-Gon more than his scream.

Obi-Wan couldn't breathe.

"Master!" Anakin pounded on the dark wall that stood in his way. "Master! Breathe!"

Qui-Gon thrust the bloody, wailing baby into Anakin's arms and began to heal Obi-Wan's wounds with bandages, a poultice of bacta and the Living Force, which increased the speed of the bacta. His eyes burned like blue flames and his mouth was drawn down in concentration. Silently he sent, over and over, Obi-Wan, breathe. You can. Breathe. Obi-Wan…

oOo

Six figures, all shrouded in darkness, surrounded Obi-Wan, circling him like vultures. Obi-Wan huddled in a spotlight of the Unifying Force. He lacked the strength to take the offensive, but the Unifying Force was holding his attackers at bay for the time being.

The man didn't know he had stopped breathing.

...ster O..an…

Obi...reathe…breathe!

Obi-Wan's attackers pressed close around the edge of the light. Give up, little Jedi. Give up. You don't have the strength to resist us. Give up.

But they didn't dare the light, and that gave Obi-Wan a little of the strength he'd been lacking. And as he pushed himself to a sitting position, he drew a breath. His lightsaber appeared in his hand and Obi-Wan reached out beyond his enemies, seeking both the Unifying Force inside and outside himself and the Living Force that he knew awaited only his reach.

The shadows moved a step closer, but they held no terror for Obi-Wan any longer. As the Light Force surged through him, Obi-Wan stood, brandishing his weapon. Face me or depart. Don't hide in darkness anymore.

The shrouded figures retreated, leaving room for the pool of Unifying Force to grow. But before they departed, one of them whispered, We came only in response to the child. When she is ready, she will fulfill her destiny in us.

Then the shadows were gone and Obi-Wan was alone in his mind.

Nodding to himself, Obi-Wan sheathed his imaginary lightsaber and started the difficult journey to the surface of his mind.

oOo

Anakin stared at the baby in his arms for a moment, then set her in his lap. Quickly, he used his knife to cut away part of the tunic he wore. Calling the bowl of hot water to him with the Force, he dipped the corner of the tunic in and began to wash the blood away. In his mind, he was calling to his master again and again, but there was nothing he could do physically, so he used his hands. It was cold in the clearing, certainly no place for a baby with no clothes on.

Obi-Wan drew in a breath and let it out. His eyes were closed and he didn't seem aware of the world around him. But he's breathing. Everything else can wait. Anakin grinned and began to hurriedly clean the baby, removing all the blood, but wanting to wrap the child up as quickly as possible. A stiff breeze had sprung up and was whistling among the trees.

When Anakin had finished, he glanced up, thinking he needed to find something warm to bundle around the little girl. She had stopped crying and had fallen asleep.

Qui-Gon, bare-chested in the wind, tossed Anakin his tunic. When the baby was safely bundled into the cloth, Anakin dared to look at his master's abdomen. The blood there was gone, replaced by the bacta poultice. Qui-Gon was rummaging through their packs, looking for more clothes to replace the ones they had all lost.

Obi-Wan's head had slid down a little so it was resting on Anakin's ankles instead of his lap. Now the Master groaned and opened his eyes. His hand went to the poultice, but Anakin caught his wrist.

"Master, you're healing. Lay still."

Obi-Wan turned his head slightly so that he could see Anakin smiling down at him. "Hello, Padawan mine. You seem to have held up well through all this." Then his eyes rested on the bundle in Anakin's arms. "Is that… Is she all right?"

Anakin nodded. "She's asleep." He held the baby so Obi-Wan could see her face. The red peach fuzz of her hair made Obi-Wan smile.

"Annie Jinn Kenobi," Obi-Wan murmured. Then he met Anakin's eyes. "If you don't mind me giving her your nickname. But you helped bring her into this world. It's only right that she should be named for the padawan that I am so proud of."

Anakin blushed. "Master, you don't have to do that…"

Obi-Wan reached up, touching Anakin's arm. "Look at her and tell me she doesn't look like an Annie."

Anakin frowned. She looks more like Obi-Wan to me. But when he looked at his master, the boy felt compelled to agree. Obi-Wan wanted to name his baby Annie; Anakin wanted only to make his master happy. "Okay, Master. Her name is Annie Jinn Kenobi." He paused. "But won't the Council have something to say about that? I mean, they don't want all the Jedi to know that sometimes love is allowed, right?"

Obi-Wan smiled. "Yes, Anakin, that's true." He glanced down at the poultice, then at Qui-Gon, who had returned from emptying the bloody water and cleaning the knife a safe distance from their camp. No need to draw more attention to themselves than was strictly necessary. Obi-Wan's gaze was clouded for a moment, but then his smile shone forth again. "You would both make excellent midwives." He frowned, pretended to consider. "Though I don't know if I could stand to see you both in white dresses."

Anakin was more than willing to smile and go along with his master's light mood, even though he wanted to know exactly what had attacked his master and why. Simple: it was the Dark Force. That just leaves the why.

Qui-Gon took Annie from Anakin and handed the boy a fresh tunic. "Here." He crouched beside Obi-Wan. "You're going to need to heal through the night, Obi mine. But you should be strong enough to travel in the morning." He held Obi-Wan's gaze. We have much to discuss.

I know. Obi-Wan looked away. "Anakin, would you mind handing me my tunic? Qui-Gon left it by my pack. If I can't wear it, at least I can cover up."

Anakin laid the tunic over his master. His eyes were serious. "Master, who sent the Dark Force again? And why was it trying to attack you? It seemed to have intelligence behind it, a mind driving it. But I couldn't sense anyone."

"Why do you think someone sent it?" Qui-Gon asked, laying the baby in Anakin's arms so he could slip into his own tunic. He gazed at the boy, very much aware that he and Anakin were unconsciously sitting in such a way as to be able to move if they needed to defend Obi-Wan. Then he realized Obi-Wan was laying flat on the ground. Not a problem for a healthy Jedi, Qui-Gon didn't like the way Obi-Wan had to tilt his head to look at them. He fetched a pack and moved Obi-Wan so he reclined on it as comfortably as possible. He was about to talk to Obi-Wan about something, anything trivial, just to get his lover to look at him when Anakin answered his question

"The Dark Force is like the Light Force; it doesn't usually send specific images. Right?"

"Some Jedi can have visions," Obi-Wan answered. "But you're right in that it isn't a frequent occurrence." His eyes were closed, but his voice was still awake and aware. "Do you think someone intentionally sent me the visions to either distract me or hurt me?"

Anakin nodded. "Yes. Why else would you get visions of darkness and suffering?"

"Do you remember me telling you that the Dark Force identifies and amplifies our strongest negative emotion?"

"Yes, Master, but-"

"And isn't that what you're describing?"

"Yes, Master, but this felt…" He groped for a word. "Different. Very different. There was definitely intelligence behind the visions."

"There is intelligence behind the Light Force, too. Back when you and I first met, I talked to you about trusting in the Force. You asked me if the Force could think. Do you remember that?"

Anakin was nodding again. "But, Master, it didn't feel like that. Something else had to be going on."

"Why?" Obi-Wan's voice was fading.

"Enough for tonight," Qui-Gon said. "Get some sleep, Anakin. I will see to our little one." He took Annie back from the boy.

"Wait." Obi-Wan's eyes opened and he reached out for Anakin. "There's always a reason we believe something. Let me tell you why I think it was solely the Dark Force."

"Obi-Wan, do you have the strength for this?" Qui-Gon gripped Obi-Wan's arm. And will you have the strength to talk with me later?

"Yes. Padawan mine, the Dark Force spoke to me before it departed. Now, you and I know that the Dark Force can never be trusted. Be that as it may, sometimes a kernel of truth can be found in the lies. That we must judge as time passes. Here's what it said to me: 'We came only in response to the child. When she is ready, she will fulfill her destiny in us.' No one else knew I was having a baby besides you, Qui-Gon and the Council. So no one else could have sent the message."

"But whoever it was said 'we.' The Dark Force is only one. Maybe someone found out through the Dark Force. The Dark Force can be used to read minds, right?"

"Only when two people are in close contact," Qui-Gon said.

"Or when one is very weak." Obi-Wan frowned. "It's possible. And if it was a Sith, we don't know the extent of the powers one so deep in the Dark Force could command. But…" He looked from one face to the other. "But we are a target for the Dark Force, so why couldn't that side of the Force send us messages without an intermediary? The Light Force does that at times. What would stop the Dark Force from doing the same?"

"We're being watched by the Dark Force?" Anakin asked.

"Obi-Wan, there is no evidence-"

"How?" the padawan continued.

"The Dark Force doesn't single out Jedi," Qui-Gon said.

"But if the Dark Force can attack Jedi specifically, why can't-"

"The Dark Force attacks Force-sensitives not just Jedi."

Obi-Wan held up his hands. "Please stop." His soft voice halted the argument at once. "None of us knows everything about the Dark Force; we don't even know half of what there is to know about the Light Force, even when we put all our knowledge together. Let's not argue about this anymore. When we return to the Temple, we'll bring our debate before the Council. They will help us find a direction to follow." He yawned. "And now, I must sleep." He sighed. "But Annie needs to be fed. Qui-Gon, we must find a wild g'hoat. They're everywhere on Ragoon 6 and their milk is very close to that of a human." He yawned again. "And then we must get back to Coruscant."

oOo

Anakin spent a restless night. Whenever he managed to fall asleep, nightmares assailed him. They were all pretty much the same, but Anakin did his best to keep them separate, sure that doing so was important somehow.

Each time he awoke, he filed away the common elements and then set aside the unusual things. The young padawan wasn't sure he'd be able to keep everything separate, but he tried.

Common elements: an older Obi-Wan, at lest ten or fifteen years older than the one Anakin saw before him. An upraised lightsaber, its blade red. Obi-Wan's face was tainted red by the light, but it looked as if he'd been dipped in blood. An indistinct shape loomed over Obi-Wan's shoulder. Anakin couldn't see it clearly, or even guess what it was. But it was always there.

Unique elements: sometimes Obi-Wan stood still, sometimes he brought his lightsaber up to challenge the red one. More: Obi-Wan backed up twice, and each time his eyes were lit with more fear than Anakin ever thought his master could possess, let alone allow to show. And once, another lightsaber joined Obi-Wan's. Anakin cuoldn't see who wielded it, but this was the only time Anakin heard sound. Obi-Wan said, "No. You don't want to fight next to him. Come home. Please come home."

The sixth time Anakin woke up, it was dawn. He went to the low-burning fire and warmed his hands, then fed the blaze with a few small sticks to bright it back. He watched Obi-Wan sleep beside Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon was holding the baby on his chest as he slept, and one of Obi-Wan's hands rested on the older man's arm, near the baby's head.

I'll have to start calling her Annie sooner or later. I might as well start now. Anakin glanced around the clearing, scanning the tree line for unfriendly eyes. Not that he would always be able to spot the malia coming, but he wanted to make sure he at least checked.

"You're up early." Obi-Wan's soft words drew Anakin's attention and he left the fire to sit beside his master. Obi-Wan looked stronger than he had the night before, and Anakin breathed a silent sigh of relief.

Unsure of how to answer his master, the boy simply nodded.

"Do you want to tell me why?" Obi-Wan shifted, pulling the tunic back to reveal the poultice. He touched it lightly, nodded, and removed it. The cuts Qui-Gon had made were little more than discolored scratches. Obi-Wan smiled, sat up, and slipped into the tunic. "Much better." He gazed at his padawan, letting the boy know without words that he was waiting.

Quietly, not wanting to wake Qui-Gon or the baby, Anakin told his master everything, starting with the commonalties between the nightmares. When he was done, he bit his lip and searched his master's face for a reaction.

"Why do you call these dreams of yours nightmares?"

Anakin blinked. "I… Should I just call them dreams?"

"No. You should call them whatever your heart tells you to call them. If they were nightmares, call them so. But why were they nightmares?"

"You were fighting a Sith. No." That's not right. Anakin switched to their mind connection, wondering why he hadn't thought of it in the first place. He sent, You were cornered by a Sith. You had nowhere to go. And sometimes you fought, and then it was just a dream, because I thought you would win. But sometimes you just stood there and I couldn't read your expression. And two times you backed up, and I saw how afraid you were. Those were nightmares because I thought you would die. The boy blushed. When I was asleep, I couldn't tell I was asleep.

Most dreams are like that, Padawan mine. Obi-Wan had taken Anakin's hand. I beg you to remember that. Aside from that, let's talk about the reasons a Jedi would refrain from fighting.

But, Master, it was a Sith! You couldn't talk to him!

A Jedi's first job is diplomacy. Obi-Wan was silent for a moment. And now on to the second, more uncomfortable possibility. If I seemed afraid, and was unable to hide this from my opponent, then maybe I wasn't strong at the time. But heed me, my very young padawan: even if I die in fear someday, I will still die in the Light Force and so I will not be overtaken by the Dark Force. Believe that. He could feel Anakin's fight against that idea. You aren't quite ready to accept death as a natural part of life. More training will help you in that area, I think. And some time must pass before you are truly ready.

But please remember that these were only nightmares. They might be visions, but their very lack of congruency makes that hard to believe. And even if they were visions, they will not occur for a decade or more. Let's concern ourselves with today. Keep them in the back of your mind. Maybe they will teach you something new. But don't let them rule your every thought and action. If you want, we can discuss these nightmares with the Council when we talk about our debate.

You rely on the Council a lot, Anakin sent, then winced. Master, I didn't mean that the way it sounded.

Obi-Wan smiled across their connection. Please always speak the truth like that to me, Anakin. Please always be willing to tell me what you believe. Only then can we work together as a padawan and master team should. As to my looking to the Council, I will always seek knowledge from those who are wiser than I am. I will not always follow their commands, but I will weigh their ideas as much as my own will allow before acting. Only then can I learn. And I don't just listen to the Council. I listen to the Force, to my heart, to Qui-Gon, to you, and to the many friends Qui-Gon and I have made over the years. Obi-Wan waited a moment, to make sure Anakin had taken all oft hat in. Then he stood. Let's wake Qui-Gon and get moving.

Anakin scrambled to his feet. Can you travel, Master?

Not as well as I could when we first came here, but certainly better than yesterday. I'll make it, Padawan mine. We have to keep moving. We can't talk to the Council without being back at the ship. Obi-Wan laid a hand on his padawan's shoulder. Anakin, I need to talk to you about something serious.

I thought everything we discussed was serious. Anakin gazed up at his master in confusion.

Obi-Wan nodded. Much of it is. Maybe serious isn't the word I meant. But I need you to take what I say and weigh it carefully in your own mind. What I'm about to tell you is as important as anything I teach you about communing with the Force. Will you promise to think on what I say, think but don't speak until you've formed yoru own conclusion?

Yes, Master. Anakin wanted to ask if he was about to hear some deep secret about the Force, the Jedi, or both, but didn't. The gaze his master turned on him was unfailingly determined and fierce, as if Obi-Wan was about to enter a battle for life and death.

Here's the statement you must weigh: Qui-Gon is not cruel or foolish, only human. Obi-Wan waited until he was sure Anakin had received the message, then he went to where his lover lay and touched his shoulder, speaking softly.

All that day, as the three of them traveled, as Qui-Gon caught and brought a g'hoat along with them, Anakin turned his master's words over and over in his mind. At first, he was completely willing to agree with Obi-Wan and couldn't see why his master had stressed that he listen only and meditate on the words without voicing his opinion.

But as the sun climbed towards noon and hung there briefly, new thoughts came into Anakin's mind. Memories of Qui-Gon sending him back along the trail to pick 'puls were overshadowed by what Anakin saw as Qui-Gon's unnecessary anger at Obi-Wan's mistakes. And other sensed arguments enveloped these sure recollections. He'd heard Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan arguing on the shuttle back from Naboo, but he hadn't spoken of it.

And, infinitely worse, and more painful because it was recent, he'd felt Obi-Wan's anguish yesterday, hidden though it was among the fears the Force sent him. The baby wasn't Qui-Gon's. Would that anger Qui-Gon even more? Anakin thought it might, and his own anger at the older Jedi grew.

Qui-Gon is not cruel or foolish, only human.

Oh. That's why he told me. Anakin tried to plan what he could say to his master when Obi-Wan was ready to hear his opinion. But, Master, Qui-Gon doesn't love you. Why are you asking me to be patient with him when he doesn't even take care of you?

He stopped. That isn't an opinion. Those are questions.

Anakin watched Qui-Gon during lunch. The man fed the baby while Obi-Wan rested, then Obi-Wan took his child from Qui-Gon and kissed her softly before changing her. "We can't bury everything well enough," he said to Qui-Gon when Annie was comfortable again. "The malia will follow us again soon."

"Then we must fashion a sling so she can be carried by any of us either on a hip, on our backs or in front of us."

Obi-Wan nodded. "That will be easy enough." He stood and moved to stand beside Anakin, who had been eating steadily. He hadn't even bothered to sit down to eat. Promise me, Padawan mine, that you won't listen to the conversation I'm going to have with Qui-Gon this afternoon. I need to tell him what I think you already know, but I'd like your mind to be completely focused on the trail and our surroundings. The malia will come. You may well be the first to sense them.

Anakin was tempted to believe that his master just didn't want to be overheard, but when he touché Obi-Wan's mind, he found that this was a very small, secondary reason. In truth, Obi-Wan was deeply troubled about the malia. The smell of waste was closely associated in the minds of the deadly hunters with fear. The malia would be even more eager to track the three Jedi because of the baby. I won't listen, Master. I promise.

Obi-Wan touched Anakin's arm briefly. Thank you, Padawan mine. He turned away. "We should try to make good time before the sun sets."

Qui-Gon rose, holding out the improvised baby-sling to Obi-Wan. It won't shield her from any attack, but it will keep her nestled against whoever is going to carry her." He slipped the sling over Obi-Wan's shoulder and helped to seat Annie in it. The sling kept the little one close to Obi-Wan's chest so she could draw on his body heat.

"Qui-Gon, it's perfect." Obi-Wan touched his husband's hand and smiled. "Thank you."

The older man smiled. "Come. We do have to get moving."

Anakin set himself up a little behind the other Jedi and divided his attention niety-ten between watching for malia and keeping an eye on the set of his master's shoulders. He watched them tense, relax, tense, relax, as Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon held their silent conversation.

oOo

Obi-Wan at first couldn't think how to begin, so he simply walked beside his lover, trying to take comfort in the warm weight of his daughter against his chest. But thinking of her put him in mind of her father, and he couldn't draw any strength or joy from her presence. Again and again his mind turned back to the message the Dark Force had given him, and even though he knew he shouldn't, couldn't, trust anything the Dark Force sent him, there seemed to be a kernel of truth in it. That made no sense; Annie was only a baby. She was as non-threatening as a drink of clear water. But Obi-Wan couldn't shake the feeling, no matter how much he tried to convince himself that all would be well.

Qui-Gon moved closer to Obi-Wan so that their arms touched. Tell me what you have to tell me, Obi-Wan. It won't do you any good to keep it in.

I'm afraid I'm being unreasonable. Maybe my connection to the Living Force isn't strong enough yet for me to-

Your connection is fine. Both of us are balanced now. Tell me.

She's not your daughter, Qui-Gon. Not by blood. She's ber'Nac's. I can feel it. And she doesn't loo like you.

She doesn't look like ber'Nac, either; it's as if she was made of only you. Maybe she is mine.

She can't be. She came too early. Obi-Wan could feel the tension creeping into his neck and tried to release it. You were right; I was trying to convince myself that she was ours. That's why I ignored the contractions. I didn't want to face the idea that she came from him. I wanted to forget him and move on.

Qui-Gon grabbed Obi-Wan's elbow. Don't be a child, Obi-Wan. You know the Jedi do not forget heir experiences, but learn from them. Don't bury ber'Nac as you buried Xanatos. He sighed. That's one of the big differences between Jedi and Apprentices: Jedi know that you can't bury something. If you bury it, it's still alive. It will come back again and again, rising to devour you each time. And the deeper you bury it, the stronger your fear or pain will be when it digs its way out again.

In his mind, Obi-Wan cringed.

Qui-Gon went on, refusing to wait for Obi-Wan to gain control of his emotions, If you make it part of you, the thing finds its place in the Light Force. Isn't that what you want? Isn't that what you're trained to want? You're a Master now, Obi-Wan; you must do what is expected of a Master. If you don't, you'll either leave the Jedi Order and abandon the Force forever, or seek out the Dark Force. Qui-Gon wrapped his arm around Obi-Wan's shoulders. I don't want that for you, Obi mine. I love you. Please remember your lessons. Someday soon, I won't be here to help you.

Panic lit Obi-Wan's mind for an instant, but he released it much more easily than he had his fear. He ignored his first question, not wanting to ask quite yet, and asked instead, Doesn't the fact that Annie isn't yours bother you?

Yes. Like you, I don't want to be reminded that ber'Nac raped you. Qui-Gon kissed Obi-Wan's cheek. But don't think for a minute that I won't love her as my own. The Force has taught us both that out of suffering can come great joy. She can be our joy, Obi mine. Never doubt that.

But the warning from the Force-

It was the Dark Force and you can't trust it! Qui-Gon began to walk a little faster, forbidding Obi-Wan with a glance not to walk beside him, at least for the time being. Honestly, Obi-Wan, when are you going to stop asking youngling questions?

Obi-Wan's mouth tightened into a line. Didn't it ever occur to you that the Light Force might have been trying to tell me something as well? I didn't feel anything, but sometimes the answers are just there. That's happened to you more than once, so you can't discount it.

But it's never happened to you, so what makes you think it's happening now?

I've never been connected to both halves of the Light Force before, not to such a degree that I can feel the plants grow if I quiet my mind. Maybe I just needed to be connected as you are to feel-

You can't hang your cloak, let alone your hopes, on 'maybe.'

And you can't just plan the future or interpret the present with facts only. True intuition comes from the Force; you taught me that. Don't try to say that I'm not ready to have trustworthy intuitive flashes. That was true when I was thirteen, and even then I sometimes surprised you. Now, I have passed the Trials and have been approved by Yoda. I am just as ready as the next Jedi to trust my intuition. It will never be my sole way to gather information, but I will no longer ignore it. Obi-Wan chuckled suddenly, startling Qu-Gon into looking around. His former padawan went on laughing. He quickened his pace and walked beside Qui-Gon once more. Have you noticed how our arguments lately are always the same? We return again and again to the teachings I've learned from you, and not I'm the one arguing for them.

Qui-Gon's frustration had eased. I'm not infallible. I make mistakes. Maybe my teachings aren't right.

Obi-Wan shook his head. You always took care to say the right things to me, and to the beings we met. No; the teachings I've memorized, the ones I believe in, are right. Never doubt that. And if you're ever worried, know that Yoda reaches the same things you do. And I'm sure Master Yoda can be wrong, too, but he's wrong a lot less often than we are. Obi-Wan took Qui-Gon's hand. I love Annie; never doubt that, either. But it's always been hard for me to work through what I see as a critical flaw: I've played the whore too many times for it to be coincidence anymore, or just bad luck. The Jedi don't believe in luck, good or bad, anyway. It's a little easier for me to deal with this tendency of mine than it was when I was fourteen. At least I don't forget Xanatos is dead, or that ber'Nac isn't right behind me. But I still have much work to do. Maybe I should stop meditating on my obedience to the Force quite so much and spend more time meditating on not being dominated by memories and the attacks that will come in the fututure.

Obi-Wan, don't think like that. You may not be attacked ever again.

Obi-Wan laughed again, and it was still a genuine sound of amusement. That's like saying we won't have another argument ever again. Qui-Gon, I'm not going to give myself over, but each of us has a destiny that the Force assigns us to. I think others looking at me is part of what I'll have to deal with. He grinned. Until, that is, I get old and grey, like you.

But Jedi don't age always, Obi-Wan. We live for centuries, because of our connection the Light Force. It's just that the Force chooses when each of us will stop aging. Qui-Gon touched Obi-Wan's cheek. You might stay like this, my beardless boy.

So when is the Force going to decide you've aged enough? Obi-Wan ducked Qui-Gon's swat at his head and blocked the next with the Force. Qui-Gon, not that I'm complaining, but are we setting the best example for my young padawan?

"Master! The malia are coming!" Anakin's lightsaber hummed to life.