A/N: Okay, on with the story... I left you with an evil cliffhanger and I don't want to let you wait too long :)))
Thanks to all the reviewers. You can't imagine what it is worth for someone writing here to get feedback.
And special thanks to my wonderful beta Blueowl.
Chapter 9
Tahl and Qui-Gon had invited Shmi, Cliegg and Owen for dinner. Qui-Gon smiled when remembering the look of gratitude in Shmi's eyes when he told her that the Council had granted her permission to see Anakin. Master Yoda had let them know that the meeting should take place the next day to give Shmi enough time to settle first.
Everything seemed fine. Tahl had her friend back and Qui-Gon just indulged in this feeling of homecoming he had never experienced before. Bant had told them that Obi-Wan had fallen asleep almost instantly when he got back to his quarters and Shmi was eagerly waiting for her meeting with Anakin. Nevertheless, Qui-Gon was on alert. There was something in the Force, something dark and it bothered him. Tahl looked at him with worry and he threw her a glance telling her to follow him.
Both of them left while the rest of the party was preparing dinner. Outside, Qui-Gon took her hand, "What is it, Qui?" she asked and placed her other hand on Qui-Gon's cheek.
"I need to look for Obi-Wan, I have a bad feeling and it has something to do with him."
She nodded. "You know that he's probably just asleep, don't you?"
"Yes, but there —" In this moment he felt a deep desperation washing over the bond. "I have to go now!" he exclaimed and hurried to his quarters, leaving Tahl standing speechless at her door.
He didn't bother to knock and rushed into Obi-Wan's room. All his fears were confirmed when he found his former Padawan writhing on the bed, beads of sweat on his forehead. The young man was fighting something.
"Oh, don't do that to me, Padawan," he shouted and took the Knight's head in his hands. He tried to reach Obi-Wan's mind over the bond and was met with darkness. There was a presence and it had a grip on his former Padawan.
/Let him go!/ Qui-Gon cried desperately, sensing the presence taking over Obi-Wan's mind.
/He's mine! Leave him alone!/ The response send shivers up and down Qui-Gon's spine. 'Force, it is the Sith Lord.' he thought. How was this possible?
/He is grounded in the light, he will never be yours!/ Qui-Gon tried to keep the conversation flowing, realizing that it was enough distraction for the dark Lord to not proceed with his plans.
He heard an evil chuckle. /You don't even know him, Qui-Gon Jinn. He is destined to take over the Galaxy at my side./
The darkness was cold and Qui-Gon began to tremble. 'Stay in the here and now,' he admonished himself. 'Ground yourself in the light, he can't harm you then.' But he wasn't sure if his energy was sufficient to pull Obi-Wan out of the Lord's grip.
Then Obi-Wan's second bond flared to life and Qui-Gon felt relief that Anakin had come to the Knight's aid once more. With a combined effort, they tried to get a hold of Obi-Wan.
The evil presence seemed to ache when it felt the overwhelming power of light coming from the young boy and withdrew immediately.
Panting heavily, Qui-Gon came out of his trance and noticed without surprise that Master Yoda was standing behind them. Then his gaze wandered toward the boy, who sat there silently, tears running down his cheeks. He pulled him onto his knees and the child threw his arms around him, weeping until his tunic was wet.
"Felt that Obi-Wan was in trouble he did," The Master said to explain Anakin's presence. "Met him in the hallway I did."
Qui-Gon nodded, "So, you felt it, too, Master."
A nod of assent came from the ancient Master, while Qui-Gon was still trying to calm the young boy.
When the weeping stopped, he asked, "What did you see, Anakin?"
After one last sob, the boy began to speak, "I slept and suddenly there was a desperate cry coming over the bond. Then I felt darkness, a fight. . . ." The boy began to shiver. "There was someone in Obi-Wan's mind."
"Found a way to his mind, the Sith Lord has," Master Yoda stated, receiving an incredulous look from Qui-Gon. "Dangerous this is. Not knowing when the attack is coming, he will."
"What does that mean, Master?" Qui-Gon asked, carefully caressing the young man's head, hoping to awake him while holding Anakin in his other arm.
"Protect him better we must. Not leaving him alone the Lord will. In our power it is to keep him to the light side," the ancient Master replied. "Talk with the Council I will."
The boy looked up to Master Yoda. "He said that Obi-Wan belonged to him. He tried to sever the bond he has with me."
Qui-Gon swallowed. If the Sith Lord had succeeded with his plan, the pain would have driven Obi-Wan insane.
"Ani, did you hear more?" he asked, realizing that the boy had witnessed more of Obi-Wan's struggle than he himself.
Anakin nodded. "He told me to keep my hands off him or he would come to take me as well, then . . . then I concentrated on the bond as Obi-Wan had told me to do, if I needed to reach him. I felt the Force getting stronger and then he was gone."
Qui-Gon shared a short glance with Master Yoda and saw the same awe in the ancient Master's eyes as he felt. "You did well, Anakin, you saved him again. Your bond with him is a blessing," he said, knowing well that a few Masters regarded the bond with suspicion.
"Crucial both of your bonds are to protect him," Master Yoda said, confirming Qui-Gon's words.
"He isn't even awake yet," Anakin countered, now looking with pained eyes to the motionless form of Obi-Wan.
"A healer we must call," Master Yoda said, taking out his comlink. But before he was able to push the button, Tahl was already entering with a pale face.
Without needing further explanation, she rushed at Obi-wan's side. "Let me feel his pulse, Qui," she said as she carefully put Qui-Gon's hand aside. "It's racing. He should wake up soon, but something is keeping him from doing so. What happened?"
Shortly, Qui-Gon tried to explain and Tahl nodded her understanding. "He fears the darkness. He must have lost his connection to the Force and isn't able to get it back on his own."
"Is my bond with him able to help him?" Qui-Gon asked and received a nod from Tahl.
"I think you should be able to pull him out, Qui."
Qui-Gon concentrated on the bond, /He's gone, Obi-Wan. You are safe./
To their astonishment, the young man reacted immediately, slowly opening his eyes. He seemed even more exhausted now, than before he went to sleep. "He found me," he said weakly, and Qui-Gon knew of whom he was talking.
"Yes, but we won't let him get near you again, Obi-Wan," he said, his voice shaking.
Obi-Wan smiled wanly and then sat up. "You won't be able to protect me against him. It's something I have to do by myself." Before Qui-Gon was able to protest, the young man seemed to take in his surroundings and his gaze stopped when it fell on Anakin. "Ani?"
The boy flung his arms around him. "You're back." he exclaimed. "There was this man with a dark robe; he wanted to take you with him."
Once more, Qui-Gon shared a glance with Master Yoda — the boy had not only felt the Sith Master but had actually seen him.
Obi-Wan slowly rubbed Anakin's back, trying to soothe the boy. "It's alright, Ani, he didn't take me. I'm here and you helped me with that."
"What was it?" Anakin asked, now looking up into Obi-Wan's eyes.
Qui-Gon saw the young man swallow deeply before responding. "That, Anakin was a Sith Lord. He used the Dark side of the Force. Did you feel it?"
Qui-Gon held his breath, realizing that Obi-Wan was about to explain something important to the boy.
The child nodded and the Knight squeezed him once before saying. "You will encounter this darkness again, Ani, but as long as you won't give into it, it won't be able to do you any harm, do you understand me?"
Anakin looked almost appalled. "Bah, I'd never give in to something like that, Obi-Wan."
Contently, the Knight nodded and it almost broke Qui-Gon's heart to see the rueful smile on his former Padawan's face.
Master Yoda looked thoughtful at them then he concentrated and Qui-Gon felt the Force shift. Master Yoda had erected a shield around them.
"Protect them for tonight this will," the Master said and turned toward Tahl. "Stay together they should. Rest they need. Only his exhaustion has allowed the Dark Lord to come through."
"Ah...," Sidious came out of his Force trance holding his head. What had severed his connection with Kenobi? He'd never had thought he would be able to reach the Knight's mind anyway, but then it had been almost natural, as if he had a bond with the young man. The Knight was exhausted and his shields were weakened. The nightmare had done the rest. Obi-Wan Kenobi's mind had been a complete mess and he had been able to enter without resistance. The Knight had almost welcomed him. If Master Jinn hadn't had this strong bond with him, he would have been able to reach the core of the Knight's existence and could have destroyed him. But this other presence had been strong, stronger than anything he had felt before. Who was it?
At least he knew now that it was possible. He simply had to wait and patience was a trait he was quite good at.
Still wondering about the other presence, he decided to find a way to get that information through one of his spies. Perhaps Kenobi wasn't his only option in getting a strong new apprentice.
In the healer's wing again, Obi-Wan groaned inwardly when he awoke. Ask Tahl what to do with him after a nightmare. She will ever vote to bring him here. He rolled his eyes. She knew well enough that he hated being here. He felt Anakin's arms around him. The boy was sleeping peacefully. At least she hadn't had the heart to separate them, he thought smiling.
Before he closed his eyes again, he looked around, asking himself what had woken him and was met with a grinning Qui-Gon seated on the other bed.
"You could try to be polite and give Tahl another face when she is coming to set you free," the Master said, not stopping to grin, "And after all, I had to join you here. You're not her sole victim."
Obi-Wan had to laugh at that. "Poor Master Jinn. And there I thought you were in love with that bossy woman."
The Knight smiled when he saw the touch of red appearing on his former Master cheeks. "Well... you see... She's not all bossy, sometimes she can be quite... uhm... nice."
Now the young man laughed out loud and Qui-Gon joined him. Their laughter was interrupted by the woman in question entering the room. At the same time, Anakin stirred and sat up, rubbing his eyes sleepily.
"Good morning you three," she said with a smile on her face. "I am curious, what's so funny this morning?"
Both men stopped and looked at each other, only to start laughing with all their heart again. Tahl shook her head. "Must be the relief, I assume," she murmured and smiled at Anakin, who seemed to ask himself what had gotten into the men like her.
She took Obi-Wan's hand to feel his pulse. "Everything normal, Knight Kenobi," she stated with a stern face. "I think you should make yourself presentable. Queen Amidala has requested your presence. She's waiting in the visitor's room."
Obi-Wan looked at her with surprise, "She didn't go through the Council with her request?"
Tahl smiled broadly now. "No, she didn't. She asked specifically to meet you in private." With a wink, she left and both men were staring after her with a question in their eyes.
Anakin looked from one to another. "Who is Queen Amidala?" he asked and Qui-Gon saw Obi-Wan flinch.
"She's the Queen of the Naboo, Ani," the Master responded to the boy's question, not leaving Obi-Wan out of his eyes. "Her planet is in a crisis and we met her on our last mission."
The boy took in this information. "You're going to help her then," he stated.
Obi-Wan seemed to have re-found his speech. "Ani, it's not as simple as it sounds. We have to wait for the Senate to decide that."
This evoked a grim face from the boy. "But if she needs help, we must help her. That's what Jedi do."
Qui-Gon cleared his throat, preventing Obi-Wan from answering. He took the boy out of the Knight's arms. "Listen Ani, it's too soon for you to learn this lesson, but there are things we need to consider as Jedi. We can't just decide alone who needs our help and who not. We have to let the Force guide us."
While Anakin seemed to process what Qui-Gon had said, Obi-Wan was hurrying to get dressed.
"What does it mean, that she wants to see me privately?" he asked, lacing his belt.
Qui-Gon shrugged. "I don't know, my Padawan, but you wouldn't want to let her wait, would you?"
Already fully dressed, Obi-Wan turned around to face his former Master, who was grinning with mischief in his eyes.
"Uhm... No, I wouldn't, uhm. . . ." He looked up, then his gaze fell on Anakin. "Why don't you come with me, Ani, I'm sure she'd love to get to know you." He ignored Qui-Gon's stunned expression.
"You'd take me with you?" Anakin asked with wide eyes.
"Why not? She is a nice girl and you could at least greet her." Obi-Wan said, trying to maintain an innocent tone. He needed to introduce Anakin to Padme and he cursed himself for not having thought about that earlier.
Qui-Gon stood up now and Obi-Wan could tell that he was suspicious because of this suggestion. "You know what, Ani? I'm going to dress too and greet the Queen. After that, I need to speak with you about another matter."
Obi-Wan nodded, they had to tell Anakin about Shmi. He had almost forgotten about that. Not able to refuse, he waited for them to get dressed.
On their way to the visitor's room, Obi-Wan asked Qui-Gon over the bond, /You're going to tell him alone then?/
Qui-Gon smiled at seeing the boy walking a few meters ahead of them, eager to explore his surroundings as always. /I will. Would you tell me why you wanted Anakin to meet Padme?/
Obi-Wan looked back to his former Master innocently. /Thought it was a good idea, that's all./
Qui-Gon nodded. /Yes, really good idea, my Padawan./
The sarcasm in this statement was clear and Obi-Wan didn't answer, hoping Qui-Gon would drop the subject.
"Stop speaking about me over your bond," Anakin said, turning around and both man had to laugh at that. The boy wasn't able to understand them but he always felt them speak.
They entered the visitor's room and Obi-Wan noticed with astonishment that Padme had come alone without a handmaiden accompanying her. 'Force, I'll never hear the end of it,' he thought to himself and the expression in Qui-Gon's eyes confirmed his thought.
She turned around and looked at them with surprise.
"Your Highness," he said and bowed. "May I introduce Anakin Skywalker to you." He took the boy's hand and led him toward Padme.
She smiled and knelt down, giving Anakin her hand. "I am pleased to meet you, Anakin," she said and Obi-Wan felt the boy's embarrassment.
"Hello... uhm, Highness," Anakin stuttered and Qui-Gon moved beside him.
"Your Highness, we just wanted to greet you. We'll leave instantly to let you talk to Obi-Wan alone."
She smiled at them. "Thank you, Master Qui-Gon. I hope everyone arrived safely."
Obi-Wan had to smile. Apparently, she had realized that the boy knew nothing about Shmi until now. Once more, he asked himself if she was Force-sensitive.
Qui-Gon bowed. "Yes, we did." He looked down to Anakin who was hopping from one foot to another, apparently impatient to leave.
"Queens aren't that interesting to you, I assume?" Padme said and the boy smiled shyly.
"Honestly, I wanted to show Qui-Gon my new project, perhaps you want to come later and see it, too? I'm building a protocol droid."
She nodded. "I'd love that, but I'm sorry, I have to free my people first."
Obi-Wan was pleased to see that Anakin seemed to get back to his normal behavior when he said, "Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon told me about that. Don't worry about it, Highness, the Force will tell them to help you."
She laughed and Qui-Gon took Anakin's hand. "I'm sure about that, Ani, but now we really have to go. So that the Queen and Obi-Wan can talk privately," he emphasized the last word and Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. Then the Master left with Anakin and Obi-Wan found himself alone with Padme.
Suddenly he felt self-conscious, but dismissed the feeling immediately. 'This is Padme, she is your friend, and she is destined to be Anakin's wife...' he reassured himself.
"How did you know?" she asked, interrupting his thoughts.
He looked at her, trying to read what she was talking about. "How did I know what?"
"My Senator advised me to call for a vote of no confidence against Chancellor Valorum. And if you hadn't warned me, I would have done it without thinking further. So how did you know it?"
He shifted from one foot to another, not knowing how to respond. "Padme..."
She held her hands up. "And don't tell me it was a distinct feeling in the Force, which told you to warn me. No," she made a step toward him, "I won't have that, Obi-Wan; your warning was too specific."
He should have known that Padme wasn't fooled. He also should have known that she wouldn't accept the fact as it was. However, he couldn't tell her the truth.
He inhaled deeply. "I had a vision," he said, trying to sound convincing enough.
She nodded, "I thought that." Obi-Wan let out the breath he just realized he had been holding.
"What did you see?" she asked, and the urgency in her voice told him there was no way to flee this situation.
"I saw you calling for a vote of no confidence against Chancellor Valorum. Senator Palpatine became Chancellor after him but it didn't change the outcome of your crisis. The Republic won't help you, even with a different Chancellor, Padme."
She sat down on a bench and he followed, placing himself beside her. "Who?" she asked her eyes glistening with tears, "Who is going to help me then?"
He took her hand. "I will, Padme, and if you want, you can get the Jedi's help." He was surprised that he had said that, the moment the words came out of his mouth. However, it was true and it was the perfect solution. Perhaps he had needed Qui-Gon's answer about letting the Force guide a Jedi's decision as much as Anakin.
She shook her head. "But that's not possible. If the Senate doesn't decide to do anything about it, the Chancellor won't allow the Jedi to interfere."
He nodded. "Unless it's in its core a Jedi affair. If the Sith are involved, the Jedi are allowed to take sides against the Sith. The warrior we defeated on Tatooine was a Sith, Padme."
She took a deep breath and he could see that she tried to process the information he had just given her. "The Sith?" she asked incredulously. "I read about them. They are from the Dark side, aren't they? They are the natural opponents of the Jedi."
He nodded. "Yes, they are. And one time I'm going to explain you more about them. Now," he said, placing his hand on her shoulder, "Now, you have to listen closely to what I tell you and then, if you decide to trust me, you are going to do exactly what I told you to do."
She looked back at him, her expression confirming her trust in him and he began to share his plan with her.
The window shades in Master Yoda's room were down to prevent the sun from lighting the whole room. Mace was sitting at Master Yoda's side and the ancient Master had just shared with him what had occurred the night before.
"He was attacked? Here in the temple?" Mace was shocked and Master Yoda closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.
"An attack on his mind it was. Due to his exhaustion it was possible," Yoda replied and heaved a sigh.
"But Master Yoda, how is this even possible? I mean, the Jedi temple is the best protected place we know."
"A connection there is. Block it we must. But open his mind he needs to us to do that."
Mace swallowed deeply, "I don't like the idea of that, Master. He already told us that he is going to open his memories to us. But he can't at the moment."
Master Yoda looked down. Mace was right, Obi-Wan had to be ready first. "Wait we must. As long as there is no block, not letting him near the Sith Lord we should."
Mace nodded his assent. Then Yoda moved on to tell him about Master Dooku and the fact that he was still on Naboo.
"That's not exactly what we had sent him out for, Master," the Korun-Master said, shaking his head.
"Sure I am that of use he will be. Think that the crisis is over you should not," Yoda said to explain his motives.
Mace nodded. "I am sure that you're right, Master. But we cannot get involved. Until now, only the Council is aware of the fact that there is a Sith Lord out there."
"Hmmm. Think that handled secretly it should you do?" The ancient Master looked to the window, "Not sure that the right course this is I am."
"Master," Mace said, and Yoda felt that the time had come for his friend to ask the questions he had kept to himself when Yoda had explained to the Council why he had decided to let Anakin see his mother. "You seem to change the course of the whole Jedi order. Are you willing to explain, at least to me, why you do that?"
"Never thought that the Sith could reemerge we did," the ancient Master responded, "Changed they have. Change we must to be able to face them. Attachment always our sore point it is. A way for the Sith to turn a Jedi. Trying to deal with it we must. Suppressing feelings only opens the door for the Sith. An experiment in mind I have."
Mace didn't seem to believe his ears, "But... What kind of experiment?"
Before Master Yoda was able to explain, the comlink beeped. Mace took it and responded, "Windu here."
"Master Windu," a Padawan said with insecurity in his voice, "Queen Amidala of the Naboo has requested a Council-meeting this afternoon together with Chancellor Valorum."
"What?" Mace replied, "Since when do sovereigns of planets request Council-meetings, Padawan?"
"I — I don't know, but she said the Council is obligated to hear her out if she had the support of the Supreme Chancellor."
"Right she is," Master Yoda said. "Call the Council-members you should, Padawan."
"Thank you, Master Yoda."
Mace shut the comlink down. "What does this mean, Master?" he asked and stood up to begin pacing.
"Not our decision it is anymore how to deal with the Sith. Already informed the Chancellor is."
"But how did she know that? Who told her the warrior was a Sith. We didn't." Mace wasn't able to stop pacing.
"Ask that you should not. Deal with the fact that she knows we must. And prepare ourselves for the battle on Naboo we will."
Mace stopped suddenly. "That was the reason why she told the Chancellor. She must have known that it would be the only way to get the Jedi involved." He shook his head, then realization dawned on him, "Kenobi." he stated and received a nod from Master Yoda.
"Trust him we must."
Dooku had investigated enough on Naboo by now. He had placed his ship in the jungle and tried to get some rest. He hadn't been able to contact Master Yoda again because the Trade Federation had done a good job in interfering with all outgoing signals from the planet. However, he was sure that he would be needed here. The Jedi's business on this planet was far from over. He had felt that the Sith apprentice had left the planet. However, darkness remained. This planet was central to the history of the Sith. Dooku knew that he had been sent out for other reasons, but during his search he had made up his own mind about his first task. He wanted to discover the Sith and destroy them. The Jedi had already waited too long. He didn't approve of Master Windu's and Master Yoda's plans to keep Obi-Wan's identity a secret. The Senate was corrupt and the Jedi should have taken over the Republic long ago. Kenobi was the key to accomplish that. He should play a central role. Instead of profiting from his knowledge the Masters had treated him like a young inexperienced Knight.
He gave himself over to the Force, trying to find answers to his questions. Deep in meditation he would wait for a sign from his fellow Jedi. He knew they would come. He just had to be patient.
