Author's Note: I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that there is no way on God's green earth that I will finish this story by February first. The good news is that the reason I won't finish it is because the plot has developed in such a way that the story needs to be much longer for all things to come out right. I can't guess when this will be finished, but I can say that I will not work on my next novel, or any other fan fiction, until I finish this story. I hope this news doesn't bother too many people, and I hope you'll stay with me for the long haul. Also, I would like to thank Ancient Galaxy for being a constant reader, and I'll thank others that are constant readers as well. Also, I'd like to maek a formal apology: I just learned how to spell Dagobah, so I changed it. Those of you who are used to seeing Degoba, I've changed all the spellings in this chapter and in the chapters before, though those didn't make it to the posted chapters.

Warning: Character death

Xanatos's DiscoveryPg. 466

The Dark Force Lays PlansPg. 485

On DagobahPg. 504

On Dagobah

Annie peeked out the viewport as the ship made its final approach to Dagobah. She remembered with pleasure how surprised Adee had been to discover that she knew just where Obi-Wan was. Adee had been planning to take her and make Yoda tell. She was wise enough to know that would never work. And it made her smile to think that she was more intelligent than a Jedi Master, even if that master was only Adee. She disdained him.

She couldn't know that only desperation had made him clumsy; now that they were away from Yoda, Adee could sense more in the Force than she could, and he could judge it better than she. So unlike Annie, who hadn't bothered to reach beyond the ship, Adee had cloaked himself, creating that empty feeling that only being cloaked completely in the Dark Force made, and sought Obi-Wan's presence. He found it, a flicker of Light Force that was like guttering flame not because of its weak connection but because of its lack of focus.

Adee set the ship down in a firm place, nodded to himself when he was sure the ship wouldn't sink into the surrounding mess, then stood. "Let's go. You're going to be acting as my prisoner, so turn on those youngling charms: fear and confusion. Obi-Wan will do anything to get you back."

She grimaced at him. "I know what I'm doing. Just make sure you don't let him escape or talk you into anything. The Jedi are-"

"Don't tell me what the Jedi are like, child. I'm a member of their Council, remember?" Despite his angry tone, Adee felt a touch of hesitation. This child struck him as much more dangerous than all reason told him she should be. Stop that. She's just a little whiny brat. She's Kenobi's through and through. Except, looks aside, she was nothing like Obi-Wan, and he thought maybe that was why he was bothered. After all, he'd somehow expected her to be a little more reserved. Now he berated himself for that as well as for his momentary hesitation. She's not dangerous, but she's nothing like Kenobi, either. Why should she be? I'll bet she's never seen him more than five or six times; why would she have any reason to act like him?

They left the ship with Adee gripping her arm and keeping his lightsaber concealed for the moment. Obi-Wan would know it was there, but no need to show it just yet. Why threaten with a weapon when simple words would work just as well?

Obi-Wan was standing a few meters from the ship on another bit of firm ground. His lightsaber remained also at his side. He looked to be the perfect likeness of composure.

But likeness is all he is. Adee wondered if Obi-Wan had always been that way- looking composed, and yet divided beneath. No. Yoda would have sensed this and he would have never let Kenobi become a Knight, let alone a Master. So this was a recent development. Good. Whatever its cause, he isn't used to being so out of control.

Adee took two steps, bringing Annie with him. He sensed her anger, like a small heat, and wondered how long before she pulled away from him. But she won't. She's agreed to help me kill Obi-Wan. Does she know he's her father?

Doubtful, that. But she would soon learn.

"So this is where you've been hiding, Master Obi-Wan. I assumed you had left the Order after such a long absence. It will please you to know your padawan has fared mostly well, except-"

"You raped my padawan." The blade was in Obi-Wan's hand, glowing bright as his eyes. "Don't pretend to anything other than what you are." He took a step forward, settling himself to wait for Adee. "Let her go and come face me, Darkness to Light. Unless you are afraid."

Remembering how Obi-Wan had single-handedly pushed him from Anakin's mind, Adee didn't rise to the challenge. Forebearance had never been his strong suit, and yet it came o him now and kept him from abandoning the plan and throwing himself at the Jedi. He doubted Obi-Wan could defeat him blade to blade, but how much of that is true assessment and how much is your belief in his earlier weakness and his inability to back up such mind-tricks with a lightsaber? He graduated top in his class; that's why you waited for him to enter the Trials-room before you attacked him, for fear of his lightsaber techniques. He held his own for twenty minutes against Yoda, even, more than ninety percent of the padawans could manage, and more than a third of the knights could do.

"I won't give her over. She's my insurance. Put your lightsaber away before I decide to kill this young one." He smiled. "I'm sure you don't want to lose you daughter."

"All loss and gain is measured in the Light Force, and it is the Light Force I will obey, not you."

Calm words, but Adee thought he sensed the effort it cost Obi-Wan to say the expected words. "Very well, then." He drew out his own lightsaber, activated it, placed it under Annie's chin.

She writhed away from his loose grip and Force-leapt to Obi-Wan's side. He caught her arm and urged her behind him with a murmured, "Well done, Annie."

Adee fought not to show how furious and surprised he was. What was this betrayal? Did she think to kill Obi-Wan from behind? She hadn't even brought her low-power 'saber with her. Setting all this aside, he twirled his lightsaber. "Come and face me, Obi-Wan. For your padawan's honor. For the ability to protect others from him. How do you know I didn't fondle your daughter?"

The narrowing of Obi-Wan's eyes was accompanied by a blast of Light Force so strong it knocked Adee back against the side of the ship.

But he smiled. That hadn't been all Light Force; not by a long shot. Now, if he could only feed that anger, he would have Obi-Wan. And what a pleasure it would be to be able to tell Calus- No, forget him; tell Sidious- that he, Adee, had driven a Jedi to he Dark Force before killing him. He advanced again, composing new torments. He lowered his lightsaber, wanting to draw Obi-Wan in.

oOo

Force! He has Annie! Obi-Wan fought hard to keep his hands from shaking, to appear calm. His heart cantered forward at a reckless pace and sweat broke out on his forehead. He prayed he was too far away for Adee to see this, and he also struggled to fortify his shields so Adee wouldn't know how anxious he was.

This on top of what he's already done to Anakin? Obi-Wan felt his anger growing, yet he didn't feel it as the block to the Light Force that it was. Just then, his anger was all he relied on, all he needed.

When Adee drew the lightsaber and settled it beneath Annie's chin, Obi-Wan tried to calculate a way to get ot her and cut off Adee's head with the littlest risk to his young one. Before he could even try to push his rage down so he could gauge things correctly, Annie wriggled herself out of danger and leapt to him. His heart soared to see how gracefully and confidently she moved, and his "Well done, Annie," was completely heartfelt.

Then Adee spoke of touching Annie, and Obi-Wan's thoughts dissolved for a short while as he flung out a wave of Force (Dark and Light; yes, he sensed it, though dimly). Then his thoughts reasserted themselves, and he was conscious of the out-of-control fury that coursed through him. He hurt Anakin. I let him hurt Anakin. And now he comes here. I could so easily reach out and kill him, be done with it. He would never hurt anyone again. I wouldn't be angry if he raped me, but no, he had to rape my padawan. A breath. I could kill him, then apologize to the Force. After all, It said I'll be stuck here for another twelve days. I'd have time to heal and repent.

A voice that he mistook, in his angry confusion, for the Light Force, spoke up in his mind: Listen to me, Obi-Wan.

It didn't matter. Force-born or otherwise, those words pierced his anger, marking it as the self-destructive thing it was. Force? Guilt flooded his mind, then was overtaken by grief. I won't do it. I won't kill him. It's just- my padawan…

Let go, the voice whispered. Don't you trust me? Follow what you know is right.

The knowledge of how close he'd come to the Dark Side warred with the desire to be rid of his pain, both that he had caused and that which had been done to him. And I don't have time to work through any of it. Obi-Wan came back to himself, seeing that Adee still hadn't moved. What's he waiting for? Is he still trying for a chance at Annie? Did he touch my daughter?

Stop. His own mental voice now. Stop. You're feeding the Darkness.

Obi-Wan breathed in, breathed out, composed himself. Light Force, you are my strength. Until I have time to meditate on what I did, help me set that aside and attend to this moment. Giving me strength in the Living Force. Thank you. It cost him more concentration to center himself that much than he'd feared, but it was worth it; at once, Obi-Wan felt his equilibrium return. He sensed the memories and ramifications of his brush with Darkness being sealed off and pushed aside. It was a trick he'd learned when he was sixteen, not so very long ago, but now itw as executed for him, via the Force, and he was grateful.

Adee chuckled. "It seems you're having some difficulty, Master Obi-Wan. Would you like me to help you find peace?"

Obi-Wan opened his mind to the child beside him. He sensed the Darkness all around them, but assumed it all came from Adee. Be ready to run, young one. I'll be leading you, and I'll show you a good place to hide.

Can't I help you, Father?

Obi-Wan's heart leapt to hear that title, but he restrained himself, burying the joy under needed discipline. You can help me best by staying safe. And by watching. You'll learn many lightsaber techniques today, I'm guessing, and you may learn something about diplomacy.

You can't talk to him. He's Dark.

He is still a Jedi. He can still be reached. Saved. Again, Obi-Wan wondered why Adee didn't take advantage of the lull, or at least try to spy on their conversation. He would have been shocked and confused to know that Adee was hesitating because he was nothing short of afraid. Obi-Wan would have been even more shocked to discover that Annie inspired that fear. In years to come, Obi-Wan would learn how wise this hesitation was on Adee's part, but for now he knew none of that, and so Adee's hesitation made him cautious.

When Adee spoke Obi-Wan's title of master, he did it like he was throwing an insult. But Obi-Wan used the title with all due respect. "Master Adee, I was hoping we could sit down and talk about all this. You have committed crimes against other Jedi, but even now Yoda can help you. Come back to the Light." Bile rose in his throat, but Obi-Wan swallowed it, refusing to give up. Force, help me let go. Help me help him, if such a thing may be.

The Light Force surged inside him like a cresting wave. Obi-Wan almost smiled. Could I have really given this up? He knew how close he'd come, but he also conceded that it had taken but a word from the Force to bring him back.

Adee sneered. If he could have known it, he was rapidly losing his identity to fear. He was becoming what he needed to be: a patented threat with no will of his own. It was her eyes, peeking out from behind Obi-Wan, that did it.

Adee said, "I want nothing you're offering, Kenobi, unless you're offering yourself again. That I wouldn't mind. I'd like to compare master to apprentice and father to daughter."

"You never touched me!" Annie shouted.

"Calm, Annie," Obi-Wan murmured, releasing his anger. "Reach out to the Light Force. Let it comfort you."

Annie turned away from Adee and stood with her arms around herself. "I'll try, Father."

That slight turn-away was what Adee had needed. He leapt across the intervening distance with a howl borne of need to keep the girl's eyes off him. This wasn't how he'd imagined the Dark Force. Not at all. But he believed he was too far in to ever come out again.

Obi-Wan scooped up Annie in one arm and fled. He bounded from solid ground to solid ground with the Force and practice to tell him solid from sinking. He was aware of Adee giving chase, and dimly aware of Adee's threats and cries, but he ignored the words themselves. They didn't matter. Getting Annie to safety mattered. He kept going. The hollow tree where he wanted her to hide was strong and had at least three exits. She couldn't be cornered there. As he ran, he drew a map for her in his mind, showing her where his ship was hidden and how to get there through the swamp. Can you pilot it?

She hesitated. I think so.

If you're unsure, say 'Kenobi one' to the computer and the ship will take you back to the Temple.

What about you?

Whatever the Force decrees will be. He drew in a breath, surprised at how comforting those words were, how true they felt after his disputes with that all-knowing power. Thank you, Force. Another leap, and another. Then, with the tree in sight, Obi-Wan pointed it out to her and set her down. Go. I'll keep him here. If I fall, you're to go directly to the ship. Don't try to fight him. Just go. Promise me, Annie.

But, Father-

His voice hardened. No time, youngling. Promise me.

She nodded. Yes, Father. She started for the tree.

Keep your head down.

May the Force be with you.

And with you, Daughter. Obi-Wan turned to face Adee. His lightsaber- when had he put it away?- was in his hand once more. "We can still talk."

Only glad to see Annie fleeing, Adee kept on.

His insane grin set off warning bells in Obi-Wan's head. The Jedi master had never seen anyone enjoy killing so much. Even Xanatos had concealed his intentions much of the time behind composure, and then, failing that, with his true thoughts out in the open, he hadn't come anywhere near this level of dementia. Tread carefully, Kenobi, he thought. Something has already happened to Adee. He's already been betrayed by the Dark Force he thought he could trust. Knowing that, Obi-Wan was reluctant to draw his lightsaber against Adee. He decided he would hold off Adee as long as he could with words, then disarm him, if possible.

Then Adee was on him, and they were engaged, blade to blade. Obi-Wan opened his mouth to try and talk Adee out of this deadly path.

An image of Anakin beneath Adee bloomed in Obi-Wan's mind, a poisonous night flower with black petals and a magic center that showed him Anakin's suffering firsthand. Obi-Wan watched Adee drive into Anakin, and heard Anakin scream. He heard, too, Adee ordering Anakin to say where he, Obi-Wan, was, and heard Anakin's reply: Never. This vow was only followed up by more pain as the Dark Force was used against his padawan, burning him, claiming him, filling him.

Obi-Wan's guts twisted and his legs tensed, preparing to spring. He held himself back, only defending himself. He breathed in and out, releasing his anger. Some of it went grudgingly. The rest stayed, and this Obi-Wan shoved far down, knowing he'd have to deal with it later. But I'll have twelve days, so-

Obi! Obi, help me! In the master's mind, he saw his padawan struggling against Adee and only receiving more pain for his trouble. Obi-Wan also heard Zee's voice, felt Zee's power giving Adee even more strength.

The master's anger flared again, and he was hard-pressed to push it down. To give himself time to think, he shoved hard against Adee, forcing the other to retreat a few steps and regain his balance. In that breath of non-engagement, Obi-Wan wish all the anger away.

None of it went, and he cursed silently. He'd let the anger grow too much, hadn't dispelled it. And because it was growing on the fuel of his guilt and earlier anger, it was rapidly becoming a monster he wouldn't be able to quell without meditation or at least more than a breath of retreat. But he had no time.

Thinking quickly, he said, "This isn't you, Master Adee. The Dark Force isn't you. And I'm sure the Dark Force has already betrayed you in things you thought were sure. Come back to the Light where you will never be lied to. The Light Force tells only truth. Come back to that; find peace as you once did."

"I never found peace." But for the moment, Adee wasn't advancing.

Obi-Wan kept talking. He deactivated his lightsaber and clipped it to his belt, knowing he could have it out in time to defend himself, but also hoping that if the weapon was away, the anger would go with it.

The anger remained.

"You can still gain peace and serenity. You can gain an understanding of the universe in terms of helping others and changing their lives for the better. Return to the Jedi and find answers for all your questions. Yoda will help you. I know he will. So will Mace. So will I. All Jedi will help you."

Anakin's remembered screams came again, and for the first time Obi-Wan realized that they were being sent. He groaning silently and tried to reinforce his shields. The images and sounds kept coming.

If I can't either block this or deal with it in some other way, I'm going to attack him. I'm going to try and kill him.

Adee had lowered his blade. He looked stunned, confused, even lost.

That look fueled Obi-Wan's rage. You have no right to look so innocent. He swallowed. Breathed. "Will you return to the Jedi? We can help you. Each of us can help you."

Adee took a step forward, one hand out. His eyes flicked over Obi-Wan's shoulder to the tree. "You don't-"

Obi, please! Obi, I can't- He's going to- Agony hot as a 'saber burn lanced through Obi-Wan's head from ear to ear.

The master groaned out loud. He held up a hand, palm out, as if he could stop the flock of Dark images that way. But even in his pain and repressed rage, he sensed that it wasn't Adee sending the images. In his ignorance, he believed it was the wave of Dark Force that had been searching for him. He didn't really care where it came from; he only knew he must stop it if he was to have any chance of coming out of this on the Light Side. "Adee, if you will return to your ship, I'll be there in a moment. I only need to collect Annie. Then we'll be on our way." His eyes were blurring with the strain of keeping himself in check. He blinked, trying to see Adee, gauge his expression. "Will you wait? We'll be with you shortly."

Adee grunted, nodded. He still wore that stunned expression.

Thank the Force for small favors. If I don't have to look at him, if I don't have to be civil for just a moment, maybe I can calmly walk away from this. His life and mine will both be saved. He turned his back on Adee.

The Light Force surged around Obi-Wan in a warning, and the lightsaber was back in Obi-Wan's hand. He whirled, bringing the weapon up to parry any thrust Adee was planning to use. His lightsaber didn't hit another weapon, but went straight into flesh, straight through Adee's chest. Adee had been holding his weapon up, but way off to the side, as if he meant only to pretend-leap.

Obi-Wan cried out in shock and anguish. He felt the Force ripple around him, telling him of Adee's mortal wound. The Jedi drew the blade back, keeping it steady, then shut it off. He'd somehow managed to catch Adee and keep him upright. After clipping his lightsaber to his belt, he eased Adee to the ground. "I'm sorry," he said. "I'm sorry." He made no excuses. "Even now, reach out to the Light Force and find peace there. Let go of the pain and confusion. Let the Light Force lift you from this place."

Adee's eyelids fluttered. "Tell Zee to stay in the Light." His hand spasmed at his side, and Obi-Wan took it. "Watch for her." His grip faltered, fell away. He chest stilled.

Hurt, and angry because he was so hurt, Obi-Wan made sure Adee's eyes were closed, then he rose. The lightsaber wound smoked, and Obi-Wan grimaced at it. "I didn't mean to kill you."

"Even if he doesn't know it, the Force does," Annie whispered. She had crept to Obi-Wan's side. Her eyes were on the corpse.

Obi-Wan stepped in front of her, then steered her, by the shoulder, away. "I'll be sending you on the ship anyway," he said, "with a message for Yoda: Adee must be buried or cremated, as his brother chooses. I cannot leave here just yet. Other Jedi will have to come for him."

His comlink buzzed then, and Obi-Wan, pulling it out, frowned at the little box. It had gone on the blink half a day ago. He activated it. "Yes?"

"Obi-Wan. Am I glad to here your voice. Adee Larn is looking for you. He's stolen a youngling and-"

"Master Ryn-yn, she's here with me, and Adee is dead." Obi-Wan bit his lip. Saying that last made it true, made it sound and feel like his fault. "Did Master Yoda send you?"

"Myself and seven others. We didn't know how much help you might need. Are you all right?"

"I'm not hurt, but…" He winced. "Please, when you arrive, I'll need to speak with you. How close are you?"

"We'll be making the final approach in five minutes. We've been trying to raise you since we left Coruscant."

"My comlink's been out." Unneccessary, that, but Obi-Wan was rapidly losing all ability make sense and hold a conversation. "I'll see you when you arrive. I'm in the northeastern hemisphere. Can you track me from there?"

"Yes. I have a fix on your position now. Ryn-yn out."

Obi-Wan retreated to a log a little distance from where Adee lay. He chose the log because if Annie sat beside him she wouldn't be able to see more than Adee's general shape in the mist. He called her to him with a gesture, not trusting himself to speak, and when she was beside him, he closed his eyes, laid a hand on her shoulder to keep her there, and tried to meditate.

He was denied this. Instead, facts popped into his head, more like orders than anything, and he listened to them, sensing (instead of guessing) that they were from the Light Force.

The first command: You must not tell anyone that Qui-Gon is still alive.

But, what about Yoda? Or the rest of the Jedi?

You must not tell anyone that Qui-Gon is still alive.

Obi-Wan groaned. All right. But it's going to be hard for me to pretend he's dead.

Command number two: You will spend time with some Jedi that are coming. Not all. You will be with those I tell you. The others will take the body and the girl back to Coruscant. For twelve days will you remain with these other Jedi, and they will give you comfort.

That was well with Obi-Wan.

The final commandment: You will lock the knowledge of Qui-Gon's living behind a small shield. You will know he is alive, but that knowledge will be hidden from others that touch your mind.

That would make it easier for Obi-Wan to perpetuate a lie, a shameful relief. I will.

All this is very important. Universe-changing. Balance-changing. Don't forget any of it. The Force retreated to the back of his mind again.

Obi-Wan opened his eyes and glanced down at his daughter. "Annie, who told you I'm your father."

"Adee." She bit her lip, looked up at him with large, green-blue eyes. His eyes. "Who is my mother?"

Obi-Wan chuckled even as he was moved by the trusting innocence he saw in her gaze. "I supposed I am. I gave birth to you. Qui-Gon Jinn is- was- your father. But when two men bring a child into the world, they are both fathers. At least, that is how many races call it."

"Was? Is he dead?"

Obi-Wan's stomach turned, but the lie rose, paradoxically, on a wave of Light Force. So the Force really does support this. Why? "He died a few hours ago."

"Do you miss him?"

This he could say with perfect honesty: "Very much. We've been apart for years; I haven't seen him since I left the Temple to come here." Sorrow overwhelmed him for a moment. It was thinking of their time apart that brought it on. How much longer would they have to stay like this? One conversation with his lover couldn't do more than whet the loneliness. Obi-Wan allowed the sadness to rise inside him, then he released it into the Force. It went more easily than the anger had, though he knew he would be releasing it again.

"Why didn't you raise me if you're both Jedi? I was right there in the Temple with you."

"When any child arrives at Temple, his or her parents agree to let that child grow up with only the knowledge of the Temple and other Jedi. This system is in place to protect the child and help him or her accept the Temple as home. Not knowing where you come from helps to make the whole galaxy your home, each planet your home planet, each people your people."

"Have other Jedi had children?"

"I don't know. It seems unlikely, because most Jedi are not allowed to love. Qui-Gon and I had to prove ourselves devoted first to the Force before our love was approved. Still, anything is possible where the Force is concerned, and the Force is everywhere." He asked, after a pause, "Are you angry that I didn't come to see you more often, or that I didn't explain this to you sooner?"

"Did Yoda order you not to tell me?"

"No. The Jedi Code urged me not to tell you, but the decision not to tell you was my own. I wish I could have raised you myself, young one, but it was better that you've been allowed to grow up as all other younglings. Knowing who your parents are can cause… problems. Not for all, but for many. I still remember who my parents are, but I haven't seen them since I was three, and so the memories are dim. When I feel homesickness- as most Jedi do- it is the Temple I miss, not my parents."

"Did Qui-Gon know who his parents were?"

Obi-Wan frowned. "I never asked him."

"Will things change now that I know who my parents are?"

Obi-Wan couldn't help but think that answering her questions was like answering Anakin's questions. He felt like a teacher and mentor, not a father. He'd never felt, if truth be told, like Anakin's father. Maybe because I've never known what it feels like to be a father, I can't treat her like me daughter. He wasn't sure if the possibility was depressing or comforting. "Change? They've already done that. You know now where you come from. How that knowledge will effect you depends on you. What are you planning to do with this knowledge?"

"What does the Force want me to do with it?"

That was a question Anakin might have asked in his younger days. With this connection made in his mind, Obi-Wan felt suddenly closer to Annie. His heart opened to accept this new form of caring, and he wondered what sort of father he might have been. His heart, still open, ached like a fresh wound to know how much he'd lost of this small miracle. Again, he released his sorrow. The decisions had been made and couldn't be unmade. And any attempt to 'fix' things would only cause problems between himself and the Force. He'd been separated too often from the Force to ever even want to dare it again, even in theory.

"Father? Are you all right?"

"Yes, young one, yes." Obi-Wan turned to her, laying a hand on her shoulder. "Please don't call me 'father'. It is our job as Jedi to make the whole galaxy our family."

She looked down at her hands. "Yes, Master Obi-Wan."

Her sadness tugged at his heart, and Obi-Wan gave into it for a moment, hugging her. When he drew back, he said, "Being a Jedi isn't easy, but it is the right path for you. You are meant to be a Jedi, Annie, and not only because you are my daughter. You are meant to be a Jedi because this is where the Force has brought you. But to be a Jedi is to accept the Temple as your home. And to think of me as a fellow Jedi."

"I'll only ask one more question about you, then I'll start thinking of you as another Jedi."

Obi-Wan nodded, though he wondered how she could so easily make such a promise. "Agreed."

"What's my real last name? It can't be Jenn. Is it Kenobi?"

Obi-Wan's chest tightened. Her need to know glowed in her eyes. "Jinn-Kenobi. That's your last name." He swallowed, tempted now to tell something few others knew. "And you had a sister: Lindi Jinn-Kenobi. She died long before you were born."

"How old was she when she died?"

"She was still inside me when it happened."

Annie bit her lip. "Oh. Where is she buried? Or was she burned?"

"Cremated. It's called being cremated. She was buried on Fregala, where Qui-Gon and I fell in love." More pain, more sorrow. These emotions seemed to be seeping out of his pores like poison drawn from a wound. Obi-Wan knew he would have to tend the wound itself soon, and wished the Jedi would arrive soon. "And now you know more than any other Jedi, except the Council, about my love for Qui-Gon and the fruits of that love." Dimly, he registered that he'd lied to her, intentionally, not telling her who her true father was, but he prayed the Force would accept that lie and let him go on. Doubtless she would find out the truth later and would judge him, but it was done now, and he couldn't see what else he could have done. How to explain rape to a child?

"I won't tell anyone. I won't tell them you're my father or any of the rest. Does anyone know you loved Qui-Gon?"

"Again, except the Council, no. And Anakin knows."

She put her arms around Obi-Wan and hugged him close. "I'm not angry with you, F- Obi-Wan. I think you made the right decision." She drew back, smiled up at him. "Everything will be all right. I know it. The Force tells me so."

Because he wanted to believe this, and because part of him already did, Obi-Wan found it almost easy to return her smile. "I believe the Force. All will be well." A sound of engines broke the quietly-bubbling noise of the swamp around them, and Obi-Wan looked up, following the ship's descent with his eyes. He nodded to himself. Soon, all would be well. Here came his help. He stood, and Annie rose beside him. "Time for you to go home. Many will be glad to see you." He knew he needed to say one last thing about her new knowledge, even if she seemed to accept it. "If the burden of knowing who your parents are ever overwhelms you, seek the Force, as always, but also seek out Master Yoda. He will comfort you and give you strength."

She nodded. "Yes, Master. I'll do that."

A few minutes later, the ship settled like a giant bird, and the door opened, dropping a ramp down into the half-solid ground. Obi-Wan saw that whoever had been piloting the ship had chosen a good place for it; there was precious little firm ground here, but firm ground was what had been found.

When the ramp had settled, a tall, fair-skinned, silver-eyed Jedi appeared at its top. She surveyed the area, eyes resting on Adee's still form before moving to where Obi-Wan and Annie stood. She descended the ramp. Seven others followed. She crossed, light on her feet and graceful as a dancer, to where Obi-Wan stood. Without a word, she opened her arms.

It was all Obi-Wan could do to keep his composure and not simply fall into her waiting embrace. As she wrapped her arms tight around him, he bent his head and rested I against her shoulder. "Bant."

She kissed his cheek, tightened her embrace even further. "I'm sorry, Obi-Wan," she whispered.

Why? Then: Qui-Gon's death. Does she know already? He didn't speak, but closed his eyes.

I could make his death a reality in your mind, Jedi. Would that make the lie easier?

Obi-Wan's breath caught. No! I- Except it might help. He wouldn't have to keep remembering that Qui-Gon was dead, that he, Obi-Wan, had to play a part in deception. That would help me keep the secret. But… I don't want to feel that pain.

The Force didn't answer with words, instead filling Obi-Wan with the truth that this was Obi-Wan's deicision.

The master weighed the matter as best he could, only dimly aware of Bant's arms around him. The Force says these are matters of importance. And what is important to the Force is important to me. But to lose Qui-Gon… He'd never considered how he would get along if his lover died. I'd have the Force, and all the comfort It brings, but would that be enough? The question rocked him, and at last he knew what he must do. He hugged Bant extra-hard and pressed his face into her soft white-blond hair. If I am doubting my ability to let the Force comfort me, I don't trust enough. Tears trickled down his cheeks. Good-bye, Qui-Gon. I love you. Force, tell him when to come back.

A feeling of consent.

Take the truth from me.

Obi-Wan blinked, drew back. "I felt… something… in the Force. About Qui-Gon. What is it?"

Bant met his gaze. "I think you already know." She cupped a hand against Obi-Wan's cheek. "He's dead."

Anguish like a tsunami's black wave crashed over Obi-Wan, drowning him. The strength to stand left him, and the young Jedi crumpled to the ground, still holding to Bant. Shock and panic warred with a brief, but intense, blaze of anger. Then both were swallowed by all-consuming grief. There was no thought of releasing it or indulging it for a time; he raised his eyes to the sky and screamed, eyes shut tight, clenched hands bringing up faint bruises on Bant's shoulders. "Qui-Gon!" He collapsed against her, sobbing, weak beyond measure, murmuring over and over, "Died in the Light Force. He died in the Light Force."

Yes, the Force told him, agreement that was more sensed than heard.

oOo

Gareth, Arnen, Nela and Adi Galia would be returning to Coruscant. Annie kept saying, "But he was fine a few minutes ago. He just said Qui-Gon was dead. Why is it different now?" Adi had an answer for her, but Annie wasn't ready to hear it.

Before they left, Gareth checked over Obi-Wan's ship to make sure it was still serviceable after all the years of disuse. When he was satisfied, he reported its condition to Ryn-yn. The two of them were standing a little apart from the quartet of Jedi who had gone through Temple together. "She's a little water-logged, and she's sunk a little since Obi-Wan arrived, but the thrusters will get her out just fine. And if that doesn't work, using the Force to lift her out of the mire, then to dry off essential parts will work for sure. And if nothing else, call us. We'll be glad to pick you up."

Ryn-yn's eyes were on Obi-Wan. He nodded, a frown darkening his features. "He's gone through so much, and yet the Force sees fit to heap this new burden on him."

"Makes me think of a crucible; heating up the pain, testing Obi-Wan. Purifying him and readying him for some final battle." Gareth sighed. "Are you sure you want to be the only senior master here? Arnen wouldn't like it if I sent him back alone, but I think he'd forgive me."

"I'll be all right." Ryn-yn closed his eyes for a moment. "Besides, I wouldn't mind talking to Obi-Wan about Qui-Gon for a while, when he's ready. I think such talk will heal us both."

"True enough." Gareth clapped a hand on Ryn-yn's shoulder, commanding his full attention.

Ryn-yn turned to him, meeting his gaze. "Safe journey, my friend."

"And to you. May the Force be with you." Gareth stepped back, folded his arms. "And may the Force bring you peace and comfort in this terrible time." He took another step, paused. "And please don't forget: we're only a call away. Anything you need, we'll give it. Just stay in touch. All right?"

Ryn-yn nodded. "We will. May the Force be with you as well, and may we both live to see the day when such pain as we bear will be healed and swept away."

"Yes. May that day come soon." Gareth headed for the ship. Arnen and Nela had already taken the corpse inside.

Adi was guiding Annie in that direction. She glanced at Gareth over the girl's head and mouthed, All right?

He nodded. It wasn't, and wouldn't be for some time, but Obi-Wan was in good hands here, and so was Ryn-yn. Gareth knew none of them would ever get used to death. It was easier to handle death with the Force, but they were each still feeling beings, with hearts that could be broken as well as filled.

When the ship was gone, Ryn-yn turned back to the quartet nearby. But before he'd taken a single step, his gaze was drawn to the tree behind them. The thing looked long dead, and moss hung all over it, but that didn't account for its general feel of wrongness. Many plants here were dead or dying. Such was the nature of wild swamps. Frowning, he stared fixedly at the tree, reaching out through the Force towards it. Something was definitely off. He closed his eyes, reached-

The tree lashed out at him. Not in the physical world, of course, but- Force! He'd had to make sure of that, opening and closing his eyes several times. Each time his eyes opened, the feeling retreated as if it had never been, then, when he closed his eyes, the tree reached out to him again. He stared at it fixedly, his Force-senses tingling. There! It happened again. Darkness poured from that tree like ink, groped like long fingers.

Ryn-yn shook himself, drew back into himself. Surely Obi-Wan knew about the tree; he'd been here long enough. But the child- Annie- had pointed to the tree as the place she'd hidden during the battle between Obi-Wan and Adee. IF Obi-Wan had known the tree was full of Darkness, he surely wouldn't have sent the girl in there.

Ryn-yn called the attention of quartet. Bant, Siri and Garen looked up at once, and, after a moment, so did Obi-Wan. "We need to move from here," the older master said. "This place isn't safe. Do you have a camp? How far is it from here?"

Obi-Wan swallowed, blinked, scrubbed at his eyes. "Just over that small rise," he rasped.

Ryn-yn saw where he was pointing and decided it was far enough away. "Let's get there."

The three other Jedi helped Obi-Wan to his feet, then, together, they started towards Ryn-yn. The older master didn't move until they were past him. Then he laid a hand on his lightsaber hilt and followed them. The tree didn't call after them, but Ryn-yn kept his senses tuned for its particular reach all the same.

oOo

Garen urged Obi-Wan to lean against him. He wrapped a blanket around Obi-Wan's shoulders and then called the other two young masters with a glance. Siri and Bant joined them, Bant bringing with her a half-full cup of tea. This she pressed into Obi-Wan's hands, curving his fingers around it because he seemed only half with them. For a long time, no one spoke. The three masters sat with Obi-Wan, watched the fire, and listened to the night birds and the peepers. On the other side of the fire, Ryn-yn sat up cleaning some little weapon and staring into the flames. His lightsaber lay beside him. He was expecting danger. For now, the others let him sense the danger and didn't reach out themselves. Obi-Wan's pain was too near, too fresh. They repressed their own pain and did all they could to bring him out of the half-fugue he'd descended into.

As the moon rose, peeking through the clouds now and then, Obi-Wan roused himself. He sipped the tea without seeming to taste it, then closed his eyes and leaned fully against Garen. "I didn't-" His voice broke and he took another swallow of tea. "I didn't know it would hit me this hard. Qui-Gon and I are closer than you think, but I thought I would be able to handle it. I thought the Force would carry me through anything. Even through loss. Isn't that supposed to be what the Force does? Comfort us and help us through everything?" He shook his head. "But maybe it's my fault. I formed an attachment stronger than anything I should have ever tried." He groaned. "But I don't regret it, all the years we spent together. I could never regret that. Even now. Maybe that means I will eventually heal." Another sip. "Force be with me. I miss my love. I want him back. I would anything but defy You to get him back. Give me peace, Force, and let me find peace somehow." His eyes closed, he held out the cup, and Bant took it. "Thank you," he murmured, perhaps to her, perhaps to the Force.

The Jedi masters exchanged glances, unsure if they'd heard what they thought they'd heard. Siri opened her mouth to ask, but both Garen and Bant shook their heads. As close as Obi-Wan and Siri had become in later years, this wasn't something a quick tongue should ask. Atfer a moment of silent debate-by-looks, Garen spoke. "Did you love Qui-Gon?"

Obi-Wan answered, his eyes still closed, his voice only half-there as if he scarcely realized he was talking, "Yes. More than anything except the Light Force. Yoda knew. The Council knew. Qui-Gon and I had to prove our love could be felt after our devotion to the Force was obeyed, that we would never let our love get in the way of the will of the Force in our lives. The Council at last believed us. We went to Ragoon 6 to work with Anakin and to teach other. I was ready at last to learn about the Living Force, and Qui-Gon was ready to learn about the Unifying Force. Our brush with Darth Maul taught us both how truly vulnerable we were. We went to Ragoon 6 to learn, to teach, and so I could have my daughter." He groaned. "Force help me, but she was beautiful, Annie. Not an easy birth, but at least this little one lived. And as to the call of the Dark Force, saying she is dangerous, that she is meant to fill some Dark purpose: I don't believe that one bit. Any child can be turned to Light or Dark; no child is born with his or her fate set in stone." He shrugged a little. "I guess that's why I at first doubted Qui-Gon's assertion that Anakin was born to be the Chosen One. Despite his high medichlorian count, I wanted to believe that anyone's fate could be followed or ignored, creating new destiny."

Siri's mouth opened and closed, and she looked from Garen to Bant to see if either of them had known anything about this. She saw her own shock mirrored on their faces, and she bowed her head for a moment, digesting all Obi-Wan was saying. She did this as fast as she could, trying not to miss anything, for, seemingly, he wasn't done yet.

"For be with me, even after the Dark Force started stalking me, even after it named me a target and tried to slay me or drive me away from the Light, I still refused to believe that she was dangerous. Even now, I know she can be kept away from the Dark Side, though she knows now that I'm her father-" he smirked- "mother, and Force alone knows what that will do to her." His eyes cleared for a moment, and he focused on Bant. "Do you remember when Bruck fell and died? Do you remember how terrible I felt? I felt as though I'd killed him, even though there was nothing I could have done, even though he tried to kill you."

She reached out and took one of Obi-Wan's hands. "You tried to bring him back to the light. I know you did." She glanced at the others.

"We all know you did," Siri said.

Obi-Wan smiled. "Thank you for that." Then his eyes went distant again. "It was hard on Bruck, knowing who his father was, knowing his father was powerful. It tempered his attitude, made him seek something he couldn't have at Temple."

"That didn't happen because Bruck knew who his father was," Garen said. "Bruck turned to the Dark Side because he sought it. Don't forget: what we do wit our knowledge, not the knowledge itself, is what determines our destiny." He rubbed Obi-Wan's back. "Don't forget that. You were the first one to among us to understand that lesson when Yoda taught it. Don't forget it now."

Obi-Wan frowned. "Are you sure?"

"Sure as I am that the Light Force is the right one to follow."

Obi-Wan pursed his lips, closed his eyes, then nodded. "I think you're right." He went completely still. "Then there is hope for her. I'm not wrong to hope." He smiled a little, shaking his head. "It's never wrong to hope, just wrong to let your hope push all other ideas out of your head. Without hope, we would fall to the Dark Force." He shivered. "If I didn't have hope that someday I would be allowed to stop serving as the Force's whore, I wouldn't be able to go on. I simply wouldn't have the strength. There's only so much anyone can bear." He blinked, looked at them, though he didn't really seem to see them so much as sense that he was being stared at in confusion and horror. "You don't know what I'm talking about, do you? It's part of being a target of the Dark Force."

As Obi-Wan explained himself, horror and grief ran between the four listening Jedi (Ryn-yn had been listening since the beginning). Bant unconsciously rubbed Obi-Wan's hand between her two, trying to ease the shivers that ran through him. Siri kept thinking, That's why he was so reluctant to trust others. That's why he sometimes jumped after he returned from Telos. Garen kept an unconscious tally: Obi-Wan was molested twice before he ever became Qui-Gon's padawan, then he was raped by two Jedi (the fact that one was a former Jedi didn't matter to Garen; he had been a Jedi). He had a child by the second rapist (no lies did Obi-Wan tell now; he didn't have the strength or will), and was nearly raped again, this time by Adee, a member of the Jedi Council. Garen thought: If I could ever find them all, I might just have to kill them, if only so Obi-Wan could sleep better at night. Then, remembering that Xanatos, ber'Nac and Adee were already dead, and sensing the Light Force's displeasure with his thoughts, he released his anger and instead worried about what he could do to comfort Obi-Wan.

"I've been hiding all this from you," Obi-Wan said. "Partly because the Council didn't want Qui-Gon and I to tell anyone else, and partly because we'd kept things a secret so long we started relying only on each other for help. I'm sorry." He focused on them again. "I never met to push any of you away. Will you forgive me?"

"Easily," Garen said. "Why wouldn't we? You did what you thought was best at the time; none of those decisions can be changed. And you're telling us now, aren't you?" He caught the nod of approval from Siri, and decided to ask a question, hoping Obi-Wan was here enough to answer it, and hoping he wasn't opening any fresh wounds. "How do you want us to help you? We're here for you in any way you need."

Obi-Wan frowned, closed his eyes, seemed to drift away from them. When he came back, they all read the raw anger and anguish in his eyes. "Help me deal with everything I feel." He told them of what had happened to Anakin, then told them of being compelled by the Force to leave Anakin and go help Qui-Gon. "I went. Of course I went. Obedient Obi-Wan." He shook his head violently. "Of course I went."

"Don't talk about yourself like that," Bant whispered.

"Why not? It's true. I can't seem to defy the Force in anything, and when I do, it doesn't last long."

Siri's speech was clipped. "And what are you? A Jedi. And what is a Jedi? Someone who follows the Force first, not without attachments, but with the understanding that sometimes the Force asks us to give up the attachments we've made. You're doing the right thing, Obi-Wan, and that means having to reap the pain that comes with it. If doing the right thing was easy or even without serious pain, more Dark Force users would be Jedi. So don't question your following of the Force; much as it seems like a curse right now, it's a gift. If you couldn't follow the Force, or chose not to, how many thousands of people would die? Can you name any mission you've ever been on where leaving well enough alone would have solved their problems or guided them in the way of the Force?" He couldn't, and she knew it, but she still waited for him to say so.

"I can't," he said at last. Then, his eyes flicking from one to the next, "How is Anakin? Do any of you know?"

"He was unconscious when we left, but you could contact him now. Reeft stayed with him." Garen drew out his communicator and pressed it into Obi-Wan's hand.

"Wait." From Ryn-yn. "Make sure you can let go of all you feel, Obi-Wan, or Anakin will pick up on that, and I'm sure he'll need only support and love right now."

"He's not going to forgive me," Obi-Wan said. "I left him to Adee."

"Give Anakin a chance to prove you wrong," Ryn-yn answered at once. "You haven't been there to see him grow."

"Through no fault of my own!" Obi-Wan's eyes flashed.

"Don't yell at me, Master Kenobi. And if you can't control your temper or protect the injured parts of yourself, you aren't ready to contact Anakin. If you want, I'll do it so we can know how he is, but you need time to heal before I'll allow any talk between the two of you."

"I could simply reach out to him through our bond," Obi-Wan answered. "We can talk over long distances now." But he didn't close his eyes or disappear into the Force. Slowly, his high color faded and he took several deep breaths. "I'm not myself right now. Please contact him. I'll keep my mouth shut."

Ryn-yn drew out his comlink. "Ryn-yn to Reeft. Come in."

A moment, then, "Master Ryn-yn. I'm glad to hear your voice. How's Obi-Wan?"

"He's going to be fine. He'll be back on Coruscant in twelve days' time."

They could all hear the grin in Reeft's voice. "Thank the Force. Can he talk to Anakin?"

"Anakin's awake, then?"

"He's been so for the last ten or so hours. All of his injuries are healing well. He'll be up walking around by morning- about three hours from now. It might help him to sleep if he heard Obi-Wan's voice."

Ryn-yn started to tell Reeft that couldn't be arranged, then he saw that Obi-Wan was on his feet and gimp-walking around the fire, the need in his eyes overwhelming everything else. Sighing, Ryn-yn handed the comlink over. "Be mindful of your words," he whispered.

Obi-Wan nodded, settled himself beside Ryn-yn. "Reeft?"

"Force, it's good to your voice. How are you?"

"Not perfectly strong yet, but healing. Bant, Garen, Siri and Ryn-yn are here to help speed my recovery. May I speak to Anakin?"

"Obi?" The voice was quiet, nervous, maybe even frightened.

"I'm so sorry, Padawan mine. If I'd had any other choice, I wouldn't have left you. I had to follow the Force."

"Is it true what they're saying about Qui-Gon? Is he really dead?" The padawan's voice couldn't be read.

Obi-Wan didn't have the strength to try to analyze Anakin's voice; he assumed Anakin felt as he did, though less so, for obvious reasons. "He's gone. The Light Force has him now." Obi-Wan cleared his throat and wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand. "Forgive me; I'm still shaken by it."

"He died less than a day ago- how can you not be?" Anakin's voice was stronger now. "I'm all right, Master Obi. Reeft's been taking care of me. And he helped me. I'm not angry with you. The Force called you; all Jedi are supposed to answer that call." He hesitated.

"What is it, Anakin? Please let me help if I can."

"I'm angry with the Force. Why did it call you to save Qui-Gon and then not let you save him? The Force called you, let me get hurt, and didn't even let you save him."

"Many of the ways of the Force are a mystery. All we can do is trust. The Force knows more than we do, knows about past and present and future and guides us where we're meant to go." He swallowed, brushed away his tears again. "That doesn't mean we're not in pain, or that we don't question what happened and why, but as Jedi we have an ally: the same Force that confuses us and even lets us go through pain helps us with that pain and teaches us to be stronger for all that pain." He paused. "And don't worry about gaining trust in the Force; someday you'll either be given incontrovertible evidence that the Force can be trusted in all things, or you'll have to rely on the Force and no one else, and your trust will be established through necessity."

"How you get your faith? The Force hurts you-"

"Allows me to be hurt for Its galaxy-changing purposes."

"Fine. Allows you to be hurt, and yet you still trust it. Why?"

"You've asked two questions, Anakin. Why do I continue to trust? Because I've had too much evidence the other way, too much proof that the Force does the right thing for us, even when we don't believe it." He realized he was speaking Qui-Gon's words, and also that he firmly believed them. His faith had returned to the full-blossomed strength it had been before the Force retreated from him. Closing his eyes, Obi-Wan allowed several tears to fall. Then he cleared his throat. "I miss him," he whispered. "And you, Padawan mine. But my faith is kept alive by all that has gone before, and all that is yet to come. You, the Chosen One, are still alive, and you are still seeking the truth. That, too, is partly the Force's doing, though you always have a hand in your own destiny and attitude. You've taken this, I think, better than I ever have. Your strength is at least ninety percent your own, but ten percent is the sustaining thread of the Force that runs through you." He paused. "And I haven't answered your other question yet. My faith came from the second of those things I mentioned: necessity. I wanted so badly to be a Jedi, and yet could feel so little of the Force, that I clung to that little bit I could feel and dwelt on it, knowing that following the Force was the only way I would ever become a Jedi." He smiled. "You don't have that particular challenge, but you will have some challenge someday, and then your trust in the Force will become like bedrock. And when you have that trust, you'll be ready to bring the balance all Jedi hope for." He fell silent for a moment, then asked, "Am I heaping too much on your shoulders, Padawan mine? I don't know if I've ever told you what the prophecy means to most Jedi."

"Does it mean a lot to you, Master?"

"For me, the prophecy is less important than seeing you rise to your highest potential in the Light Force. I would be proud to have had a hand in the growth of the Chosen One, but I would be even more proud knowing you'd reached for the stars and gained some of them."

"You don't think I'll… fall back to earth?"

"Again, forgive me if I'm heaping too many things on your shoulders, but, no, I don't think you'll fall. You are Anakin, born of the strength of the Light Force, blessed with an inquisitive mind, a quick intellect, and tempered with a balance of strong convictions- there are very few passive Jedi; it just doesn't work that way- and good sense. I can't see you falling." A pause. "But if you ever did, I and others would always be here to catch you and help you rise again. And the Force would always be here to catch you."

"You aren't heaping anything on me. I can handle the responsibility. With help."

"I'll be home in twelve days. Until then, depend on Reeft."

"I have been. He's just like you said."

Obi-Wan chuckled. His pain was swallowed for a moment by mirth. "Truly? Have you seen both his sides, then?"

"Yes, Master. I got in trouble. He made me scrub an entire corridor with only a sponge and a bucket of water. To remind me that humility and obedience are hard work, but that I'll learn more about myself by practicing them, and so I'll be ready to learn about, and help, others."

"You memorized my little speech?" Reeft laughed. "This is quite a padawan you have, Obi-Wan. When he becomes a Knight, I'll be proud to say that I trained him for a few weeks."

"I know." Obi-Wan sighed. "Forgive me, Pdawan mine, but I must go back to meditation, or my time away from Coruscant may be extended. I'd like to be there for your seventeenth birthday."

"That's not for three months."

"Who says the Force might not keep me here that long if I don't do what I'm supposed to? I still need to let go of the anger I feel at Adee; that's going to take a day at least."

Anakin was quiet, then he said, "How do you let go of huge emotions like that? Reeft told me that some emotions have to be worked through instead of dispelled."

"And that's just what I'll be doing. I'll be dissecting the anger, then dealing with it piece by piece. That's why it will take so long. But the great benefit to spending time ridding yourself of one reaction means that reaction will have a hundred-fold harder time coming back the next time. More difficult and time-consuming than releasing other emotions, this will give me a purer connection to the Force and help me to understand myself better."

"I'll get you go, then." Anakin's voice dropped. "I miss you, Obi. I want you back here so desperately I can taste it."

"I know, Anakin. I know. I can do the same. Work as you have been, meditate, spend time working on your inventions. The days will pass soon and I'll be home."

"May the Force be with you."

"And with you. Try not to grieve, Padawan mine. The time will pass. You'll see."

Anakin closed the connection.

Ryn-yn put his arm around Obi-Wan's shoulder. He took the comlink and clipped it back to his belt. "Now your real healing can begin."