Author's NOTES: Thanks again for the wonderful reviews. I will have the next two chapters up soon. I know the first part of this series may really sound cliché, especially with the whole "Revenge" part, but if you stick with me, I'm sure you'll be in for some pleasant surprises later on.

Further Note: ## are the content in a letter.

Enjoy. Read. Review. May the Force be With You.



Chapter 4:

"Master, where are you? Please answer me. Master!!!" Obi-Wan pleaded at the top of his lungs but received no response.

He knew that no matter how hard he yelled or pleaded, Qui-Gon couldn't hear him. No one could. He was alone, utterly alone except for the foreboding darkness that surrounded him. Many times he'd tried to contact Qui-Gon through the Master/Padawan bond, but he couldn't reach him. In actuality, Obi-Wan could barely feel the Force. It was there, surrounding him, begging him to embrace it, but every time he reached out, it danced beyond his grasp like water slipping through his fingers. The place he was in, at least he believed it to be a place, seemed so surreal. It felt like limbo. Obi-Wan could feel his strength dissipated by the minute, leaving him weaker and weaker. Sleep was pulling at him but he dared not lose himself in its grasp for fear that he wouldn't wake up.

//No, I am not going to give in.// Obi-Wan told himself but he didn't know just how long he could hold on. With each passing minute, his will to stay awake diminished.

"Master! Where are you? Please.please answer me.Don't.Leave me" Obi-Wan faltered as he crashed down to his knees in exhaustion, sobbing in ragged cries.

He knew he shouldn't cry, he was a Jedi for goodness sake. But he couldn't help it. He just couldn't. He didn't know where he was, how long he'd been there, or why he couldn't feel the Force anymore. Without the Force, Obi-Wan felt so naked, vulnerable.

After a few moments drowned in his own fear and misery, Obi-Wan wiped away his tears with determination.

//Get a grip Obi-Wan, stop acting like a little kid. What would Master Qui- Gon say if he sees you like this?! He'd be ashamed of you// Obi-Wan admonished himself. //Alright, I can do this. Just give it one more try.//

At that thought, Obi-Wan suddenly remembered something that Master Yoda had told him.

"Do or do not there is no try"

Master Yoda had told him that often during his initiate years when Obi-Wan had tried to cope with his childhood bully, Bruck Chun's constant harassment. It was true, there was no try and now Obi-Wan was determined, Force or no Force, tired or not, he was going to get out of this place no matter what. Gathering all of his energy, Obi-Wan closed his eyes in concentration and reached out for his Master.

*****

"Qui-Gon!" a distant voice called him, followed by something shaking him.

"Wh.what?" Qui-Gon muttered as he woke from his troubled nap. It took him a few seconds for his eyes to focus, but once they did, he saw An-Paj hovering over him with concern written on his face.

"An-Paj! What's wrong? Is Obi-Wan."

"No Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan is still stabilized but I don't know about you."

"Me? You shouldn't worry about me. It's Obi-Wan who needs your attention."

"I know that Qui-Gon, but look at you. You're a wreck. You've been here for two days with neither sleep nor food. And if I say so, you don't smell so good" An-Paj said with a mischievous tone, trying to release some stress for his friend.

Qui-Gon chuckled slightly, "Well I'm glad you're up front with me about how I smell"

"Yes I am, but take my advice Qui-Gon, go back to your room, freshen up and sleep for a while."

Qui-Gon quickly replied, "I can't An-Paj. Obi-Wan needs me and I won't leave him here by himself."

"I know Obi-Wan needs you but if you keep this vigil up, you're going to be sick and you sure won't help Obi-Wan when that happens. He needs for you to be strong for him and the only way that's going to happen is for you to take care of yourself."

"But." Qui-Gon began to protest.

"No buts Qui-Gon. You can leave now on your own or I can call for you to be dragged out. Your choice." An-Paj said sternly.

With a sigh, Qui-Gon nodded in agreement. "Not much of a choice eh? But I'll be back in two hours whether you like it or not."

"Alright, two hours can do you some good. And don't worry, I'll be right here so if anything happens you'll be the first to know."

"Thanks An-Paj. You're a good friend."

"I know I am. Now get going"

With that Qui-Gon left the room and dragged his lethargic body toward his quarters. Though it was already late in the evening, Qui-Gon still saw a few Jedi along the way. They'd greet him and offer words of encouragement, which he'd reply in a diplomatic way.

//Words sure travel fast// Qui-Gon thought to himself.

As he neared his quarters, Qui-Gon sensed a slight disturbance in the Force. He probed out to the Force and sensed something fast coming at him. Qui-Gon immediately ducked to avoid being hit by an object. He quickly searched around him to discern the source of the attack but found himself alone in an empty hallway. There was no sign of anyone. Without further ado, Qui-Gon went to examine the object that had imbedded itself to the wall. It was a small piece of paper pinned to a dagger like device.

//Primitive way to send a message but effective// Qui-Gon thought.

He quickly plucked the dagger device from the wall and retrieved the piece of paper. Silently, he read it.

##Master Qui-Gon Jinn,

How are you feeling Great Master Jedi, given the condition of your Padawan? Frustrated? Angry? Well I'll save you the trouble from guessing. In 4-5 days, all you feel will be pain! Your precious apprentice will die but I assure you it will be a long and painful death.

I'm sure you and all of the Healers must be frantic, trying to identify the toxin. Let me help you out. It is a rare poison that I've designed myself. I call it.the Hall'uc. Does that name ring a bell Qui-Gon? Don't you find it fascinating that the poison is named after the innocent man that you killed?! The man who was my Master!! But no, I will not anger myself over it anymore. You see, I've been through anger and now all I want is revenge.

The toxin inside your Padawan will slowly consume his midi-chlorian. It is like a parasitic virus that will eat up your apprentice's midi-chlorian, and secrete a toxic waste that will one by one shut down his major organs until death comes. But that's not all.through it all your Padawan will relive his most painful memories. You see, that's the beauty of it. Not only will the toxin will eventually kill him physically, it will destroy his spirit as well. Forever will he be condemned to darkness.and there is nothing you can do to help him.

Revenge, Master Jinn.is always sweet.

But before I leave you to dwell with the shock. Know this.

The poison was meant for you, only your apprentice got in the way.

You Know Who.##

"The poison was meant for you". That was what the note had said. Once the meaning of those 6 words finally triggered comprehension, Qui-Gon clutched the piece of paper tightly into his hand and ran back to the Healers Ward. An-Paj may be mad and order to put him in restraints but there was no way he would leave Obi-Wan's side now. Not when every second count.