Ben sat in his dimly lit quarters and stared blankly at the ceiling. Things certainly weren't going according to his plans. But, things hadn't really gone like that since a certain battle against Darth Maul so many years ago.

Why? That question taunted him. It had taunted him for years. Why did Qui- Gon fake his death? Why did he keep the truth hidden? Why did he chose to train such a dangerous boy? Why did he leave? Why did he try to turn an innocent queen into a pawn in his jaded game? Why had he gone mad? Why had he returned? Why did he dare to tell of the dark side's deception? Why? Why. . .

Snap. Hiss.

That noice was all too familiar to his weary ears. He glanced across the room and found his light sabre upon the floor, cold and untouched. He had thrown it in his irritated rage, vowing to never use a jedi's weapon again. If his light sabre hadn't been activated, there was only one other that could be. He quickly leapt from his chair and snatched the cold weapon from the floor. With a jedi's speed, he raced down the hallway and into the guest quarters. How had he heard such a noice from that distance? Damned jedi skills.

A haunting gaze danced in Qui-Gon's eyes as he began to turn the brilliant, green blade toward himself. Ben, with his cat-like grace and speed, activated his light sabre and deflected Qui-Gon's from piercing through. The older man stared in disbelief.

"This is wrong, Mas-, Qui-Gon." Ben said.

"How is it wrong? You're going to kill me eventually, so why can't I save you the trouble?" Qui-Gon inquired.

"I'm not going to kill you. I'll find some way around it. Don't do this... please." Ben pleaded.

"Why are you so concerned now? Moments before your arrival, you were ready to kill me. Your life would be a little less complex without me in it. Your mission would be completed if I was dead. Your Emperor would be pleased if you killed me." Qui-Gon said, nearly in monotone.

"But my conscience wouldn't be clear, my heart would ache from guilt, and my mind would never be able to grasp what had occured. Killing you isn't the answer." Ben replied.

"Revenge. Wouldn't you like revenge? I hurt you terribly; wouldn't you like the chance for revenge?" Qui-Gon questioned.

"I've had the opportunity before. Killing you isn't the answer." Ben stated firmly.

"Then let me kill myself." Qui-Gon said, nearly hissing as he tried to push the blue lightsabre away. Ben was quick to respond, as the lightsabres clashed again. It was becomming a battle of strength as the two fought to keep control over the other.

"You have no reason to do this. Just escape while you still can. It doesn't need to be this way." Ben stated.

"No, I've ruined too many lives. I've destroyed your life and Anakin's. In the midst of that destruction, I've also destroyed my own life. Everyday I've driven myself deeper into madness wondering where you were, if you were alright, if you were on the dark side. I've ceased to make lifeforms happy, therefore it's only logical that I take my own life for the good of other innocent lifeforms." Qui-Gon whispered in a haunting tone.

His words acted as the worst sort of distraction. Ben was enthralled by the words for a moment too long. Qui-Gon had moved his lightsabre back toward himself and proceeded to pierce it through his midsection just as the sith should've. Ben let out a scream of pure agony, just as he had when the security curtain trapped him from aiding his master.

Qui-Gon's weary body fell almost lifelessly to the floor. His lightsabre, deactivated, fell beside him with a loud clatter. Ben kneeled beside the fallen jedi knight and held the old man's head in his hands. He was still breathing, but it was clearly difficult and painful.

"This... this isn't your... fault..." Qui-Gon stammered.

"But, Master-" Ben replied with tears glistening in his innocent, gray-blue eyes.

"That innocence... I thought it.. was.. dead." Qui-Gon mumbled softly, "but it's still there.. in your.. eyes."

Ben nodded, unsure of what else to do or say.

"Promise me.. promise..." Qui-Gon stammered.

"Yes, Master," Ben replied.

"Go back... to the.. council... to the... light... side. Leave the.. dark.. side and the... empire. Promise.." he mumbled.

"Of course, Master." Ben replied.

"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan... so sorry.." Qui-Gon mumbled as he slowly began to fade away.

"No! Master, don't leave me! Master!" Ben cried out as the older man faded away until he vanished into the Force.

Hours seemed like days as they slowly passed. He stared blankly as though he expected his master to live again, but of course he never reappeared. The Organas tried to comfort Ben, but he ignored their efforts. The wound upon his heart was too fresh and too deep to be comforted so easily.

Why?

The question continued to taunt him. He didn't understand. Everything was so painfully jaded. Reality was cold and cruel.

Why?

He had called Qui-Gon "Master" again. He had treated him with undeserved respect. He had tried to keep Qui-Gon among the living. He had allowed the innocence to return to his gray-blue eyes.

Why?

He grieved, cried, screamed in agony. He wished there was something more he could've done. Pain dwelled deeply in his wounded heart.

Why?

Why. . .