Witch's thoughts: CHAPTER 20 BETAED! so I recommend it to you now for reading:) Rhea got some time from her busy scheldue and managed to check two chapters at once! many, many thanks for that:) I also thank FelesMagica, Blackrose and WanderingMidnight for their reviews! they enabled me to write, when I had terrible writer's block, so thank you all, again:)

now, time for some explanations. this chapter took a little more time than usually, as you must have noticed, because me and my beta as well, entered quite busy time of year, meaning that I have my exam session which takes up almost all my free time and Rhea started with her colleage year already. this also means that it's highly probable that next chapter will be posted in October, if everything will be alright. not that I can promise anything, unfortunately, but I'll try. however, I hope that when my session is over, I'll be able to come back to usual pattern, next-chapter-in-two-weeks one:) so stay tuned.

in this chapter, one big question is answered... which one? read and get to know^^

Enjoy!

It's not fair. It's totally not fair.

I'm quite sure that I'm just a normal man. Human. But now I'm not so sure. Not anymore, that is.

I'm seeing everything in colours… and I have a stupid feeling of déjà vu, for some reason…

Okay. Someone tell me, what in all Sith Hells, is going on? ! I can't take it anymore! Everything is blue again! Force help me…

/

Obi-Wan curled up under a blanket and hugged his knees tighter. His head felt funny. All fuzzy and…

"Obi-Wan? How long are you planning to stay in bed, Padawan?"

Ouch! And hurting! Obi-Wan covered his throbbing head with arms, moaning helplessly. He heard quick steps, before blanket flew from his body, only to reveal worried Qui-Gon. His Master observed him, frowning.

Not that he cared, in that particular moment. Not when all sounds had weight and all smells were blinding him with colours. He groaned again, trying to cover his eyes from a light that irritated his already hurting eyes.

Qui-Gon placed his big hand over his Padawan's forehead. It burned.

"What's wrong, Obi-Wan?" he asked, not really waiting for an answer. The boy only groaned, as if afraid if he started to talk, his stomach would fly away through his mouth. He hid further under the blanket, putting it over his head with one, shaky and weak, movement of arm. Qui-Gon stood over him for a second, through their training bond getting into young man's mind, ready to encounter whatever he found there…

… And withdrawing, surprised. Well, that was unexpected.

He came over to Obi-Wan's bed again, through the fabric feeling for his Padawan's head, to place both hands this time, on his face. Before Obi-Wan could protest, what would be an act of crazy strength from his side, considering a state he was in, Qui-Gon started to chant quietly something that didn't resemble a song, a prayer, or even a poem. It was enough to say that young man's body relaxed, when Obi-Wan's consciousness was gently taken away from him.

Qui-Gon carefully covered his Padawan with a blanket properly, corrected the pose of his body, so he would not to slid from the bed and spent a minute or two, to close the shutters. Then, he just stood there, observing the young man who, even sleeping, didn't stop grunting in pain and moving restlessly all over his bed. Qui-Gon's heart ached seeing such a view; not only did he not want to see his Padawan like this, vulnerable and sick, but also he couldn't bear the thought that young man was alone here, without anyone to tell him that everything will be all right. No, wait, he was there; his Master and mentor, it was his job to ease Obi-Wan's fear… but he wasn't quite sure that if he got to touch Obi-Wan, to hug him and feel him, would he be able to stop? Qui-Gon shook his head in miserable denial, but he was alone, he could, even if only once, be honest with himself. He was afraid. He loved Obi-Wan so much that he was afraid of it. What was wrong with him?

Obi-Wan cried a little louder and turned to lie on his back, kicking off the cover, now sweaty and feverish. Only with all the strength of his will, did Qui-Gon not move. Force, let them be quick…

A sudden noise from the corridor tore his eyes from his Padawan's heavily breathing body. He clenched his teeth and with effort, shielded from Obi-Wan. Strange nothingness in his mind was terrifying.

He left young man's room, closing the door behind himself. In the corridor, Quella was just finished with taking off her highly-tied shoes.

"What's the matter, Qui-Gon? We came as fast as I…" she suddenly stopped. Then frowned.

Shakti, with wide and unblinking, martyred eyes passed her Master, and walked near Qui-Gon without making any other sound, even without the polite "hello" she always said in the first place. She stepped confidently into Obi-Wan's room, not caring, or maybe even not aware that two Masters followed her silently, both surprised and a little worried. The girl stopped; she shed her robe, took off her shoes, then picked up blanket that Obi-Wan had kicked off and sat on an edge of the bed. Small cry escaped Obi-Wan's lips.

Qui-Gon clenched his fist so hard, that his nails dug into flesh and he could feel blood sipping slowly along his fingers. Shakti crawled on the bed to Obi-Wan's side, careful not to take up too much space, still observing his face, attentively. Covering herself with the blanket, she sat down near his head, curling up in herself and hugging her knees. She whispered something, that even with Jedi hearing, Qui-Gon couldn't make out what it was; however, it worked. Obi-Wan fell silent, stopped moving and his breathing wasn't so ragged anymore. The girl placed her fair, small hand on his forehead, starting to stroke sweaty strands of hair that she could reach. Now Qui-Gon gritted his teeth.

Quella grabbed his arm. Looking at her, he felt another painful pang - the woman paled and her eyes were many times bigger than usually. She covered her mouth with a hand and once for a time, she didn't comment anything. After a moment, when she looked back at him, her gaze was uncomprehending. He nodded shortly. Quella turned to leave the room and two younglings alone, but Qui-Gon wanted to look again at his Padawan before he left.

Green eyes with dilated pupils waited for him. Shakti stared at him, her eyes equally feverish and sick as Obi-Wan's were; the only difference was that she was awfully silent. Qui-Gon couldn't bear it. He backed off.

Quella waited for him in the kitchen, her head lowered on her hands in tired gesture. He sat beside her.

They didn't move for a while. And then…

"It's too early!" Quella burst out. She jumped from her chair and started to nervously walk around. "Damn it all, it's bloody too early!"

"Sit down." Qui-Gon said quietly. He followed her with his eyes, not moving in any other way. Quella turned violently to him.

"Does it not affect you? Our Padawans are connected, for Mother Force's sake!" she yelled. He caught her arm in firm grip and forced her to sit on chair she vacated moment ago.

"For me they can even be married, if only Obi-Wan will be healthy again" he said through gritted teeth. She threw him an angered look, but couldn't hold his stare. She looked away.

"All right. But don't come to me when something goes wrong" she hissed, freeing her arm from his hand.

"What can go wrong?" Qui-Gon growled at her. Quella snorted.

"With them? Everything, fucking everything! They are different species, that's one, she is not a normal one and he is not supposed to bond like that, that's two, and Sith Hells, they are too young to even think about it!" Quella stood up again, but this time Qui-Gon didn't stop her. She panted from her anger, walking around with fingers clenched like claws, as if looking for something to smash into pieces. He stroked his temples, before looking up.

"How long the transient period will last?" he asked, careful not to think about it. Quella kicked the table.

"Don't know. Hours, days? Maybe minutes. I don't know Qui-Gon! It differs." she kicked the furniture again, but now Qui-Gon could see that her arms are shaking.

"It will be okay" he said gently, reaching for her. She didn't fight him off. "You are upset. Why is that?" he placed her on his knees, and hugged tightly, for a moment pushing the case of two Padawans aside. He could feel it through his shields that Obi-Wan's mind was at ease, at least for now. Also Shakti's presence in young man's room stopped to emanate distress so much, so he thought he could leave them be for a little.

Quella shifted uncomfortably.

"I… um… I talked with Taceho."

"And?" he stroked slow, soothing circles on her back. She didn't react.

"And we…" she bit on her lip, indecisively, then grunted with frustration "hell, what's happening to me? We had an argument, Qui-Gon. Quite bad."

He quirked an eyebrow at her.

"Very, very bad." she specified. Her arms surrounded his neck and Quella nestled into him with relieved sigh. "And don't give me that look. It wasn't my fault." then, she quickly corrected herself "this time, that is."

"What was it about?" he saw Taceho angry only once, and it was enough to worry him; young Knight was an example of perfect, stoic calmness and he always had a soft spot for Quella since they met.

"About Shakti" Quella murmured after a moment of reluctant silence. Snuggling further into his tunic, she clenched her fist lightly over a place where she could feel his heart beating. Qui-Gon waited.

"He said that she shouldn't be here. That she is too scarred, even more than he expected her to be… that if the examination was to be performed again, he wouldn't let her pass it" she whispered, sounding tired. Qui-Gon nodded absent-mindedly. That was a serious threat. Taceho was the only emphatic in the Temple right now, and it was his duty to check mental sanity of special case Jedi. And Shakti was definitely, a very special case. But…

"Why would he do that? Even Master Yoda said she is scarred, yet he let her stay." he said.

"I told him so" Quella shifted that right now she was talking to Qui-Gon's shoulder and playing with his tied hair "but he said that she is developing strangely as for her race and that even a small event can make her dangerous for us… doesn't make sense to me, you know? But 'Ceho said that her mind is so twisted that one could open bottles with it. And, that she developed too quickly and it's dangerous too… well, about that, I knew, but…"

"What does it mean? Too quickly?"

"Too intelligent for her age. 'Ceho claims that she had found a model too old for her to base on, and as she wants to fit in, her mind developed. And it can create a serious tension between ten-years-old body and twenty-years-old mind."

Qui-Gon moved backwards to look her in the eye, "Twenty? Is it that much?"

Quella shook her head, "Not yet, but soon. Well, I couldn't say much at that one… but I believe I can neutralize it and train her to keep her sane…"

They both lapsed into silence, obviously deep in thought. Qui-Gon knew that this day didn't begin well, and right now it was only getting worse. He sighed inwardly, adjusting her on his knees. Both of them needed a little of meditation, but right now neither of them wanted to move. Feeling her distress clearly in his mind, he waited.

They sat for some time, with a soft buzz of freezing unit as an only sound, when Quella stirred and hugged him tighter.

"I don't want to think about it. Talk to me." she pleaded. He nodded.

"How was your mission?"

"Good." Quella shrugged neutrally. "I got out without problems. Nobody even tried to stop me."

"Did you kill… what are you calling them… 'The target'?" Qui-Gon reached over the table to catch two cups and a pot of warm tea that sat patiently on nearby counter. The woman laughed.

"Kill? Kill? Of course not, Key" she said warmly, gently touching his face and lovingly tracing a line of his lips with her long fingers "I promised you I wouldn't kill again, right? Not when it's not needed." her hand moved higher, to caress his cheek and ear "Don't worry. He will live. 'To kill' was not the order." she whispered, kissing him and snuggling into him once again in a way that Qui-Gon was able to use his arms. She took her cup of tea with grateful nod, starting to sip quietly even before the man put back the pot.

"Now, will you tell me…"

Their quiet voices were only sounds in otherwise silent apartment.

/

"Obi! You monster!"

Garen again lost his 'saber, after Obi-Wan twisted his grip with his own blade. Walking away to fetch it, he didn't stop to bitch about his loss.

"I don't know how you've done it! It was dirty! It must have been dirty! I can't believe you won again! I refuse to admit it!"

"Oh c'mon." Obi-Wan yawned. He felt fantastic, really, and sparring with Garen only made his breath to quicken a little. No sweat.

Bant looked at him again, suspicion growing in her mind. When she went to his quarters to visit suffering and sick Obi-Wan, said Obi-Wan was already sitting on his bed and talking with that girl, Knight Alberona's Padawan, Shakti. As Bant discussed it earlier with Garen, they agreed that a little exercise wouldn't hurt and Obi-Wan would surely feel better after it, but as it turned out, Kenobi felt alright already. However, he didn't decline the offer, but what surprised Bant even more, was that he asked the girl to accompany them. She didn't have anything against Padawan Aumeros, she was just a cute little girl, but she couldn't understand why Obi-Wan was so caring towards her. That's true they were seeing each other frequently, as Knight Alberona seemed to be living with Master Jinn, but Obi-Wan had changed a lot lately, spending some of his free time with this girl instead of his friends, as he used to.

When she was said to be his charge from Dantooine, it was okay; right now, it had started to make her think. It wasn't that he was strange, but Obi-Wan… she couldn't name it. Sometimes he had eyes that told everyone near that he was in a far away or in different world, but again, Obi was always so air headed…

Some strange feeling made her head to violently turn around. It felt as if there was a …that's right, what? A hole in the Force? No, that's not it. It was more like a place where the Force was weaker, plainer, more normal… it can't be, it's a Temple full of Force sensitives, there was no such place where the Force should be less intense! She turned from the guys who now started to argue, or rather Garen had started to argue, when Obi-Wan just laughed and calmly defended himself from advancing friend. The weird place was in the shadow of the arena, near the stairs to the next level. It changed now, the energy flow stabilized, as if suggesting that everything is alright so there is no point in taking any interest in that place. Bant wasn't fooled.

She noticed that the girl, Shakti also was looking around. She was sitting on bench a little away from them, according to Obi not wanting to fight, just to watch. They took her with them, as Kenobi didn't want to part with her, saying that her Master entrusted girl to him for today, and well, who would like to anger Quella? Bant just shrugged, because honestly, what could she say? The girl wasn't troublesome, she took a book with her and was reading quietly in the corner, just from time to time looking up to observe fighters with unmoving, thoughtful glance. Bant didn't know why, but little girl's eyes were strangely scary. They shouldn't be so... Old, should they?

Bant came back to her interest in change of energy flow. She focused on especially dark place in the staircase. What was there…?

Bant flinched, when she realized who she was looking at.

Quella Alberona was standing quietly, hidden in stairs' shadow. Supporting her back on the wall, she crossed her arms on her chest, apparently busy with observing three Padawans fighting. But right now, she stood straight again, beckoning at someone behind Bant's back. The Calamarian girl didn't have to turn around to see who it was, as Shakti passed her without a sound, running to her Master. From behind, Bant could hear that boys started to fight again.

Quella said something, that girl agreed to, the woman bending over the small figure of her Padawan. With a laugh that Bant couldn't hear, the girl swirled into her direction, waving her hand as if greeting her or saying goodbye. Then, Shakti went out through the main gate, as if nothing happened. Bant followed her with her eyes. Just like that? She didn't even tell Obi-Wan that she was leaving! What a strange girl. But, like Master, like Padawan…

She turned around again, only to see that staircase's shadow was empty. The number of annoying, angry white-haired Jedi Knights equalled zero. What did it mean? She had been there, she had observed them. What for? For how long? They had been sparring for quite some time, in various combinations and pairs. Did she see how Obi-Wan defeated both of them at once? Or maybe she was there from the time Garen attacked Obi-Wan from behind? What would that mean? What did she want? Why did she tell the girl to go away?

"…ant… Bant!"

She flinched, when Garen moved a hand in front of her face.

"You okay?" asked Obi-Wan who also came near to her. They'd either finished sparring or stopped, worried why she was so quiet, when she usually cheered for them. The girl shrugged.

"What's the score?" she asked instead of answering. That matter could wait.

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, when Garen started to yap.

"He won again! I don't know how he does that! There has to be a catch, he can't be that good!"

Bant smiled. So, that's how it was? Obi-Wan got really better since their last spar. Surely, Master Jinn gave him a heavy work out. No surprises here. And Obi-Wan was a skilful swordsman after all.

"Hey, where is the princess?" she heard, Garen had noticed the absence of Shakti. Both of them looked at Obi-Wan, who didn't seem to care. He shrugged.

"She said she has something to do and is going first." he said, adjusting his light saber grip, not seeing that his friends blinked in surprise. They looked at each other this time, but either of them seemed to understand nothing.

"When did she say that, Obi?" Garen quirked an eyebrow at him, he was quite sure that he didn't hear anything like girl shouting and she couldn't do it any other way, if he was right… if he was…

"You've done it again" he said with reproach. It was Obi-Wan's turn to not understand. Garen snorted.

"Earlier, when I found him sitting with princess, you see, they were staring at each other, and that Obi here, said that they were talking. I always knew you were a weirdo, Obi-Wan, but hey, you are nearly as strange as I am! It can't be!" he talked, turned to Bant and ignoring the third Padawan, who again, rolled his eyes.

Obi-Wan shrugged, firming his grip on his light saber and aimed it, ignited, at Muln's neck. The other two stepped back immediately.

"Get your saber out, Muln!" he yelled.

With laughter, three Padawans launched into another duel.

/

Quella was sitting quietly in Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's dark apartment. She was thinking. Thinking about what her Padawan had in mind earlier that day, when she finally got to be near Kenobi.

Quella had a good memory. Sometimes, it was the only thing that made her move forward - memories. Who she was, who she used to be, what she had lost and what was for her to gain… because of all these things she wasn't allowed to give up, to find peace. She wasn't even sure if she had found herself, or did she get lost in all those escapes? She didn't know. Does she want to know?

And now that Kenobi. It wasn't his fault, she knew that, but in her eyes, it didn't make him less guilty. What could they do now? Nothing, just go with a flow, otherwise, if not directed, it would throw them on the rocks. And Quella was an expert in avoiding rocks.

She had already chosen the path to walk on, but was it really the best one? It wasn't, she knew it wasn't, but at the same time, it was the only way that ensured achieving the goal, with as little damage as possible. Nonetheless, the damage would be done.

She shifted on the couch, unconsciously scratching a pillow. Should she be honest with Kenobi? She needed his trust, no matter how much she hates to admit that…and his cooperation. He's intelligent enough to actually manage that job… Maybe he won't die. Would he run away the minute he found out what was going on, or maybe not, maybe he would stay and help the girl? His is Qui-Gon's Padawan… Qui-Gon…

Her heart ached as she curled up in miserable ball, holding her knees with pillow under her chin. That one thing was inevitable - Qui-Gon can't know! This would break his heart and she would rather kill herself than consciously let him suffer. He can't know…

Quella wept shortly, before her head snapped up in sudden decision. No, it's right! He will do it! She saw him fighting, he won't die! He won't, he won't, he won't…

Feeling familiar presence coming near, Quella jumped from the couch, composing her wandering thoughts.

It's him.

The man opened the door and stopped, startled, to see her sitting in the middle of the room. She smiled, because she knew he hates that.

"Sit down, Kenobi." she said coolly "we need to talk."

/

It was… weird.

Obi-Wan couldn't find a word to describe what he had just experienced. Quella wanted to talk with him? With him? For Force's sake, if he was with his Master, he would hidden behind him from the unconscious instinct of everyone who was in Quella's presence more than five minutes, but as she surprised him alone, he had no choice.

Now, hours after, he felt as if his head had been ripped open, some new things had been thrown in and everything was sewn back.

Great.

Well, in one thing he agreed with her; whatever he chose, his Master could know nothing about it. Just… no. No excuses.

He groaned, his headache was back. He felt so good just hours before and now it was back again, making him want to cut his own head off and hide it somewhere. What's more, something he couldn't remember was nagging him… he knew it was something connected with their last mission, when he spent all the way back in bandages and with painkillers clouding his mind. Something happened then… he couldn't recall details, but it felt like a dream… maybe it was a dream? Nah, if it was, he wouldn't be bothered so much… someone laughed… and that colour… brown?…

Unconsciously, his mind registered the usual noises of apartment at this time of day, such as the heating unit, the shower, the opening and closing doors; however, when the door to his room quietly hissed open, his attention snapped back to present.

It was dark already, even darker with shutters closed, as he didn't change their position after his Master had adjusted them in the morning. He could only see a small figure in the centre of his room, which stopped, when they noticed he was awake. A sudden wave of sky-blue and brown emotion dyed his vision and vanished. Obi-Wan gasped.

Everything was so simple again. He smiled.

"Hello, Baby."

Obi-Wan couldn't see it in the darkness, but he felt, he felt that Shakti smiled back.

Witch again: I hope that you liked the chapter^^ reviews are much appreciated!

all repetitions made consciously;)