A/N See chapter 1 for Standard Disclaimers.  Sorry for the long stretch between this chapter and the last but it seam to take on a life of its own. It just kept growing. (maybe someone has been sneaking it Miracle Grow)

Chapter 8                   A Meeting of Chance

I hate traveling by public transportation. The accommodations are always appalling, he mused. Shifting uncomfortably and repositioning his body in the seat, Obi- Wan groaned as he tried to avoid sitting on the broken spring. His patterns of move, sigh, squirm, and sigh continued for about an hour. I'm not going to get any sleep this way. It's time to find another seat. Looking around the crowded cabin, Obi spotted an empty seat three rows in front of him. He stood up, stretched his aching back, and moved. Much better, he thought sinking deeply into his new seat and leaning his head back.

 The trip was only three days old and there was the return passage home. Obi ran his fingers through his still spiky hair, rubbed the back of his neck, and settled down to sleep. Sometimes, being a Jedi is easy, and then there are other times…, he thought as he fell asleep.

Obi -Wan was asleep for perhaps twenty minutes when an insistent tapping on his right shoulder penetrated his slumber. "Sir Jedi," she reiterated. He opened his blurry eyes, trying to focus on the face of the co-pilot standing next to him. "Mister Jedi, Sir? I hate to bother you but the Captain requests that you join him on the flight deck. Please follow me Sir."

Oh Force; now what, he thought. Obi–Wan feeling the fear radiating from the young woman, heaved a sigh, "Very well, lead the way." The woman turned around and with hurried steps, lead him past the other passengers, though the refectory, and into the Captain's cabin. She spoke briefly to the pilot and then began to check the panels next to her chair.

Waiting patiently for the Captain to speak, Obi-Wan tucked his hands into the sleeves of his long brown robe. Captain Conklin gestured to Obi and then turned back to the gauges he was studying. Obi wondered what was wrong since this was his third visit to see the Captain, and he had already repaired two major problems.

The ship lacked a competent mechanic and Captain Conklin believed the Jedi could fix anything. The stocky commander waddled over to the Jedi and spoke in a voice edged with tension. "Knight Kenobi, we have another problem. Our heating unit is failing. If it shuts down completely everyone will freeze."

Obi flinched, being a Jedi he had to do something. He could not let these people die. "If you will show me the unit I will endeavor to repair it."

"You're a good man, Knight Kenobi. I knew I was blessed when I received word you would be riding with us," he said leading Obi-Wan to the malfunctioning heating element.

Looking at the unit, he saw the main component had fused itself to the secondary power coupling. This dilapidated rust bucket should not be hauling passengers through space. It needs to be in a recycling plant. I most definitely will not be bringing the younglings back on this ship.

Obi wished Anakin was here; my Padawan could fix this with no problem. Recognizing his mechanical capabilities were not advanced enough to repair the damage, he stood up shaking his head and said, "The motor is fused and it can't be repaired without taking the whole system off line. You need to land this ship within the next five to seven hours."

Captain Conklin swallowed several times staring at Obi before making his way back to the flight deck. He dropped heavily into his chair and pulled up the navigation charts on the computer, "There is a small planet about three hours from our present location. We can set down and affect our repairs there." He grimaced, "Let's hope nothing else goes wrong before we get there."

The co-pilot entered the coordinates for the planet while the Captain explained the detour to the passengers and crew. Obi-Wan looked at the woman entering the coordinates and felt the fear still rolling off of her in waves. He had a feeling that wide spread panic would ensue if the passengers were to find out how bad the situation was.

Obi needed to make contact with the Temple for further instructions, and to inform them of his delay in reaching Bakura.

On Approach to Rican

Qui-Gon turned to the sleep bunks and called, "Dakota." He watched the lump in the middle of bed begin to stir. "Dakota," he called again. "Are you awake?" This time he heard a grumble coming from under the blankets. An involuntary smile lit up his face. During the short time he had spent in Dakota's company, he noticed the many similarities between her and his Padawan.

"You wanted me to wake you before we landed. I'm starting the landing sequences in precisely fifteen minutes and if you want to use the fresher before we land; I suggest you move it." Qui-Gon said turning back to the observation window.

Soon, he thought, we will finish here. Then I will return home and remove this insufferable collar. The grumbling got louder as Dakota flung the blanket off her head and glared at the Jedi's back. I was in the middle of a very interesting dream and he just had to wake me. Blushing as she remembered a piece of her dream, maybe it was a good idea that he woke me. She sat in the bed rubbing the sleep from her eyes and stretching her arms over her head.

 "Did you say landing in…Yawn… fifteen minutes?" She yawned again and stretched one more time before sliding out of bed and standing behind Qui-Gon's left shoulder. Blinking a couple times to make her eyes focus, she looked at the instrument panel. They had made excellent time getting to Rican. "Good job Qui, now if I could only teach you to make coffee," Dakota joked heading to the fresher.

He watched her enter the fresher and shook his head, "Just like Obi," he chuckled. Turning back to the controls, he took the freighter off autopilot and began the descent to the planet's surface. By the time, she is finished with her shower; I'll have us on the ground, Qui -Gon determined. Deploying the landing gear, he maneuvered the freighter into the assigned docking port.

Stepping out of the shower, Dakota gazed at herself in the full-length mirror. Snorting at her reflection, nothing to catch his attention here, she reflected. Her copper colored hair was cropped short and lay in curls around her face. Her almond shaped eyes were the color of emeralds and set off her button nose. Truthfully her best feature, she thought, was her smile.

I wish I had purchased something more feminine to wear. It's not every day I wake up with a gorgeous stowaway watching you. Dakota stumbled a bit as the ship bumped the ground while landing. "Cripes," He has us on the ground already? So much for fifteen minutes, boy, does he need to learn accuracy.

She exited the fresher fully dressed, expecting to find Qui-Gon patiently sitting there waiting. Instead she found an empty cabin and the loading ramp fully extended. Huh, she thought, he sure is impatient today.  She bent over the seat next to the computer terminal searching though the data pads for her shopping list, new load requisition form, and the ship's manifest.

Dakota then looked through her supplies to see if she needed to add anything to the list. Having gathered everything, she proceeded to leave Moondrifter in Qui- Gon's capable hands and headed to her first stop, the Cargo Dispatcher's office.

Stranded

Transportation with mechanical failures seemed to be the bane of Obi-Wan's existence. The last experience like this set in motion the events that took his Masters life. He needed to find transportation for his journey back to Coruscant. That was going to be next to impossible on this backwater planet with an insignificant spaceport.

He started out at the Port Authority Office. The registry showed no ships traveling into the core worlds and the clerk suggested he make inquiries on a ship-to-ship basis. As of yet, Obi had found no ship even going in the right direction. If he couldn't find a ride soon he would need to make contact with the Temple again. The last pilot Obi-Wan had spoken with recommended checking the cargo docks; he might be able to find something there. Picking up his bag and hoisting it over his shoulder, Obi walked toward the other end of the spaceport.

Dakota left her distributor's office with a triumphant smile plastered on her face. Moondrifter had dropped her cargo three days early and Dakota received a double bonus for her efforts.

She was in the store when she decided to pick up something to celebrate with. Not knowing for certain if the Jedi drank, she took the risk of adding a bottle of Corellian Ale to her order.

As she left the store Dakota overheard two pilots talking about a Jedi looking for passage to Coruscant. Walking over to the men she said, "Excuse me, did I hear you say something about a Jedi looking for a ride in to the core worlds? Do you know if he has found anybody going in that direction?"

The man looked at her amused and said, "Yeah, it was a Jed-tie. And nope he hadn't found a ride when I talked to em. Derek told him to try the cargo ships. Ain't that right Derek?"

Dakota thanked the men and headed back to Moondrifter intent on giving Qui-Gon a piece of her mind. He made a deal with me and now that I've put myself out he is looking elsewhere for transit, just when I was beginning to trust him. She felt like he had kicked her in the stomach. The closer she got to her ship the angrier she got. Walking up the boarding ramp she had already planned what she was going to say to that miserable lying excuse for a man.

"Qui- Gon," Dakota snapped.

Qui- Gon, working on the wires under the control panel, jumped when he heard her voice. I hate being without the force. It's not doing my body any good, he thought, rubbing the growing lump on his head. He frowned at her tone of voice and said, "I am in the flight area, Dakota."

She stopped, collected her thoughts and temper. She had no intention of stomping in there like a two year old. Inhaling and exhaling one more time she entered the cabin and said, "Qui we have to talk." She sat down in the pilot's seat gesturing for Qui- Gon to take the opposite chair.

Qui- Gon picked up the towel and cleaned off his hands. He moved out from under the instrument panels, along the floor and dropped into the seat Dakota had pointed to. He was confused and wished for the thousandth time for the use of the Force. I can see she is angry, but why? He was unable to remember doing anything that she should be angry about. Negotiating many conflicts in the past, he found that letting the other person start the discussion was technically the best tact.

"Well did you find a ride yet?" she asked sarcastically. "You sure tried hard enough from all the gossip on the docks." She watched his face to see if he had the nerve to lie to her. Yet, all she saw on his face was confusion. How dare he act like he doesn't know what I'm talking about? He's the only Jedi on the planet and I heard from more than just the two pilots in the store about him looking for a ride. This made her angrier.

"You ignorant son of a Bantha, don't act like you have no idea what I am talking about. You made a deal with me. You came aboard my ship, ate my food, played on my soft heart, and you broke your word at the first opportunity you could. I now know for certain you're not a Jedi. What was I thinking? What I should have done with your miserable hide, was toss it out at the first….."

A lilting burr interrupted Dakota mid-sentence, "Excuse me. May I speak to the captain?"

Intent on chastising Qui- Gon, she jumped at the sound of the voice.  She turned around to look at the intruder and was unceremoniously picked up and set out of the way by a distraught Qui-Gon.

"Padawan" he choked out.

Obi- Wan looked at the man standing in front of him in disbelief. No, it isn't possible. This is not happening, my Master is dead. Narrowing his eyes he growled, "Look, I don't know who you are nor do I care, but don't ever call me that again because you and I both know you are not Qui-Gon Jinn. You and who ever put you up to this sick joke better hope I never see you again." He turned on his heel, and stormed out of the ship and down the ramp.

Qui-Gon stood paralyzed for a moment. Obi- Wan, finished with his tirade, was leaving the ship almost running in his haste to get away. Qui-Gon chasing after him stopped at the top of the loading ramp and looked at the retreating Jedi.  He pounded down the ramp after his distressed Padawan, grateful that his long legs ate the distance between Master and Padawan.

"Obi-Wan stop," Qui-Gon commanded.

Thirteen years of obedience to his Master's voice caused Obi-Wan to react instantly. He jerked to an involuntary stop. This man looks like my Master, sounds like my Master but there is no way he's Qui-Gon Jinn. I can see the danger so why isn't the Force screaming at me to leave.  Obi- Wan caught his breath, turned, and stood as if frozen in place quietly waiting as the man came closer.  Oh force he even walks like my Master.

Qui- Gon stopped ten feet in front of the trembling man and said very quietly, "Obi-Wan, please, you have the Force, use it, trust it, don't think, feel and you will know the truth about me.

Obi- Wan cut the Jedi Master off saying, "Trusting the Force has nothing to do with it. I saw my Master die. I held him in my arms as he took his last breath. I stood there and watched the flames consume his body. You are not him, leave me alone and go torment some else." Head down and eyes wet with unshed tears he turned around and started walking back though the loading docks, unknowingly leaving his Master with a heavy heart.

The tall Jedi stood at the foot of the ramp watching his Padawan walk away, possibly out of his life forever. The thought tore a fresh hole in his heart. He had not felt this empty since Xanatos chose the darkside over the light. Dakota standing behind Qui-Gon thought, that must be the Jedi that's looking for a ride to the core worlds. I have put my foot in my big mouth again, mental note to self, get all the facts before speaking.

"Who was that?" inquired Dakota. Her voice penetrating the level of distress Qui- Gon was experiencing.  She watched the tall man intently for a reaction.

"That was my Obi-Wan, my beloved Padawan," he replied almost inaudibly.

The look on his face told her how bad he was hurting. She wanted to smack the man for his inability to see the obvious. "Then why are you standing there?  Go after him, and explain what happened to you," she urged.

"I can't even get him to look at me. He doesn't trust me and he's not willing to talk," Qui-Gon said with a hint of desperation in his voice.

Dakota bristled and glared at him, "You know for a Jedi you sure give up easy. To think how often the fate of the Galaxy rests in your hands is frightening. Where are all those negotiating skills you claim to have?  He's looking for a ride to the core worlds. Tell him that you have one if you can't think of anything else, and you better hurry or he will be gone."  Dakota stood there with a big smile on her face watching Qui-Gon as he charged down the concourse after his Padawan.

Oh Force, I've got to think of something that will reach him. What can I say to let him know that it's me? Qui- Gon was surprised by the force of Obi's reaction to him. He expected denial maybe, but not his absolute refusal to trust in the Force. He was grateful that the reunion happening on a small planet in the middle of nowhere with an even smaller transport terminal. It would be very difficult to find him on say, Coruscant. He was only about three to five minutes behind Obi-Wan and he had no idea where to look for him. He cursed again at his inability to use the Force. If he had it both their meeting and finding Obi would easier. Sith, when had he ever done things the easy way?

Qui- Gon running turned the corner and plowed into someone. Looking down at the heap on the ground he stood transfixed as a pair of sea-green eyes looked up at him. He was surprised and elated at the same time. He might not be able to access the Force but it was still on his side. It led him to Obi-Wan. Reaching down to offer a hand to the startled young man, he smiled.

Obi- Wan sat up trying to get his breath back debating whether or not to take the proffered hand. He was beginning to get angry; this guy would not leave him alone. He took the hand up and as he came to his feet he did the one thing neither of them expected. He doubled up his fist and punched the Jedi Master. The force of the blow landed Qui-Gon on his butt and shook Obi- Wan to the core. He had not lost control of his temper in years.

tbc