Thank you for all the reviews, and I'm so sorry I took so long to get this chapter up! I was too lazy to actually do it, please forgive me! This is the last chapter I have written so far, so it may take even longer for the next one! I'm sorry, you guys! The plot's getting confused in my head, but I'm working through it! Don't worry, you'll get it sooner or later!

Once again, thank you so much for the reviews, they mean the world to me! And please, I beg you, if you liked the movie Behind Enemy Lines, please go read my fic No Room Left to Pretend. Thanks to my sis Akila, by the way, for the title.

If you ever want to talk, I can be found at theforce.net almost daily under the username KrystalBlaze. Thanks again!

~Blazer~

September 22, 2002

BREATHE

PART TWELVE:

CONFLICT

"What do you mean, leave the speeders?" Qui-Gon's voice was outraged. "You said we've still got half an hour to go! We can make that time sooner if we take the speeders!"

Obi-Wan looked down the cliff. The tops of trees spread out before him over a fifteen-mile radius. He cast his eyes to the edge of the trees, using his electro-binoculars to focus on a dark spot about a mile beyond the end of the forest.

"Obi-Wan! Listen to me!"

Twisting the dial, Obi-Wan focused more intently on the dark spot. From so far away the image was a bit blurry, but he could make out an ancient wooden house with a big porch. Next to that was a larger building, about seventy feet in diameter. It was newer, and had two big sliding doors. One was pushed open slightly, and inside he could see-

"Hello!"

Obi-Wan shot Qui-Gon a dirty look. "If we take the speeders through these woods, we're going to die," he said in a matter-of-fact tone. "There are swamps in there, animals, logs, trees-"

"As is probably befitted a forest," Qui-Gon said crossly. "Since a forest can also be known as the 'woods'."

The former Jedi ignored him. "There's path that goes through, but it's too small for speeders."

"Why are we going here again?" Qui-Gon said dumbly. "Oh, I remember. To lose whomever it is that may be following you. We've been going for an hour all ready!"

"You're the one who said we had to take into serious account the possibility of someone following us," Obi-Wan argued. "Personally, I don't think they're following us." He didn't add that he had drastically changed his opinion due to a voice at the back of his head that seemed darker than anything he could possibly imagine. It was nagging him, causing him to truly believe that nothing was wrong at all.

"Oh, now you say that," Qui-Gon practically screamed. He paced on the high cliff, often glancing to the side where they had come. Mountains of rocks loomed in that direction, and one lone road signified the only way back. "We either assume we're not being followed and head back, possibly leading Xanatos back to the Queen, or we go forward."

"Forward," Obi-Wan said before he could think.

The Jedi stopped pacing and turned to look at Obi-Wan suspiciously. "From what you said a second ago, I assumed you would want to go back," he said. "And you seemed to drastically change your opinion on the ride here. Let's run through it, shall we." His voice was strangely dark. "First, you didn't want to lead Xanatos to the Queen. Second, you wanted not to come here. Third, now you want to go there." He pointed across the sea of green stretched below them.

Obi-Wan himself was confused by the thoughts running through his head. One minute he thought he knew the best answer, the next he was contradicting himself. He was beyond tired, and that puzzled him for a minute.

He tore into that thought, wondering how he could have been. He had been in capture, according to Qui-Gon, for about ten hours, and asleep for at least a third of that time. How could he be tired? Yes, he had been shot and beaten, along with falling from a roof, but that could not concoct to the fatigue that was beating at him.

"What's wrong?" Qui-Gon demanded, slightly concerned. He could see the confusion on his former Padawan's face.

"Something happened…" Obi-Wan shook his head. "I'm so tired, Qui-Gon! I can't think!" He turned away from the Jedi. "I don't understand…he drugged me, he had to…"

"Obi-Wan! What are you talking about?"

Obi-Wan went on, ignoring the Jedi. "I remember the wounds I got when I was fighting the droids in the palace. I remember the wounds I got when I was captured. I don't remember any slashes!"

"You were slashed?" Qui-Gon asked. "On your stomach?"

"It showed on the message, I know, but I don't remember the message either. How could I have been slashed and not known it?" Obi-Wan closed his eyes.

"They had to drug you, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon suggested quietly.

"No…" Obi-Wan suddenly jerked.

"Obi-Wan?"

"I remember something…"

~*~*~*~

"He is strong," Sidious observed, listening. Xanatos stood at his side, frightened to say anything. "He is breaking through the mind barrier. He is much stronger than we anticipated. And that will make it all the harder to use and then destroy him. Don't you agree?"

Relieved that Sidious did not seem to be blaming him, Xanatos nodded. "Yes, Master."

"But maybe it isn't just the mind barrier. Maybe he's not breaking through it. He's smart. Plain logic could put this together…" Sidious sighed. "This is terrible that so much of this must rely on luck."

"Master, he seemed to be changing his thoughts," Xanatos said tentatively. "Perhaps some fragments are getting through. It will confuse him."

"A confused Jedi is sometimes worst than a calm one," Sidious snapped. "That means they'll dive into their emotions and more than likely the emotions will be right."

"Yes, Master," Xanatos said respectively.

Sidious bent his head lower. "We must stop him before he can progress further. It was a mistake sending him back. We could have found the Queen without him. She's not important anyway. She'll be dead soon, along with everyone else. When does he take the last dose?"

"Five o'clock, Master."

"That's good. We'll have him stay at the farm until then. After that…we'll take him back into our holding."

"What about Qui-Gon?"

"What about him?"

"I want-"

"I know what you want. Yes, yes, you'll have it while I watch."

Satisfied, Xanatos once again attuned his ears to the voices.

~*~*~*~

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but Chancellor Palpatine instructed me not to let anyone but me disturb him. You can't have an audience," Sly Moore said, her voice hot. "Not to show any disrespect, but this is becoming tiring."

"I must speak with him!" Amidala felt Sola's hand grip her shoulder.

"That will not be possible," Moore said. "I can give you to Senator Bail Organa, who he left in charge, but-"

"No! I need to speak with the Chancellor."

"Again, Queen Amidala, I'm telling you that's not possible. However, the senator of Alderaan will gladly hear your problem."

Sola swore softly. "The Chancellor chose a very great time to vacation, didn't he?" she remarked sarcastically so only her sister could hear. Anakin smiled at her from across the room.

"May I have the Chancellor's whereabouts, than?" Amidala asked reasonably.

"I apologize, but that information is extremely confidential," Moore said.

"Sly, please. My planet is being attacked! I must ask the Chancellor for aide."

"Your Majesty, the Jedi Council has all ready informed me of this situation."

"What?" Amidala blinked. "Then why aren't you doing anything?"

"The Senate is in session right now. I'm sure they are discussing this problem right now."

"There is not a representative of Naboo there right now!"

"I am sure that is being discussed, however, I must leave soon."

"Can you give the Chancellor a message, then?" Amidala pleaded in a last attempt for help.

"I cannot, I've all ready told you." Moore's voice was tired. "I am late for a transport, Your Majesty, is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Yes," Amidala said. "Please patch me through to Senator Organa."

"As you wish," Moore sighed.

"And please ask the Jedi Council to contact me here."

"Of course."

Sola relaxed her grip. "Just when you really need him, Palpatine decides to hit the highway and go on a two-month vacation."

"I'm sure he deserves it," Amidala said, sighing. She worriedly looked at the chrono. "Do you think Qui-Gon rescued Obi-Wan?"

"No doubt, Sis."

"That's comforting."

~*~*~*~

"This is ridiculous!" Qui-Gon paced, his face tightening in anger. Obi-Wan watched him, his face white and shocked. Qui-Gon shook his head once more. This was too much. Scolding himself mentally, he reached down inside and grasped his calm center. He took deep breath.

Obi-Wan, (having gone through the practice many times in vain), just watched his former Master, his eyes torn and ripped. His struggle for composure was in vain. His mind would not leave the memory of what had happened…or what was supposed to have happened. He couldn't make sense of it.

"Okay, okay… say all this nonsense actually happened," Qui-Gon said in a calmer voice. "If this is actually even true, then you're saying you're the middle of some great conspiracy."

"Aye." Obi-Wan let his mind drift back to the flash that had popped into his mind.

"Why are you doing this?" Obi-Wan whispered as Xanatos began to tie him to the pole.

"Power, greed, the things Jedi love the most," Xanatos whispered back, his voice jolly.

"I would have thought Sidious would have grown tired of you by now," Obi-Wan said desperately, hoping to anger Xanatos. Instead, he saw a smile spread on the former Jedi's face.

"It would serve in your best purposes to shut up."

"Hyra," Obi-Wan said gloomily, switching to another topic. "What idiot came up with that name?"

Xanatos slammed Obi-Wan's shoulders into the porcelain pillar. "Lord Sidious did," he growled. "Do not insult him."

"Why do you want this?" Obi-Wan asked, hoping his voice sounded strong. "There's no point. Just leave me be. I gave you everything I had at that point."

"So you say," Xanatos snarled, unable to control himself. "Some things are not always as they seem. I think you of all people should know that."

"Why me? And what is this for, by the way? I saw the paint and needles. You in the mood for a good torture session? I saw the knife."

"We're actually going to use yours, thanks for the reminder." Xanatos made sure Obi-Wan couldn't move and crouched, his hand snapping the dagger from Obi-Wan's boot. For a second, he admired the carvings in it. "This is a very beautiful dagger," he mused. "Much better than the one I was planning to use. I think Qui-Gon will be pleased that we used his dagger to cut you."

"What are you going to do?" Obi-Wan jumped to ask.

Xanatos smiled sickly at him. He tightened Obi-Wan's binds and then disappeared for a few seconds. When he came back, there were several needles in his hand. "Because of you, Obi-Wan, millions of beings will suffer, and the Sith will once again rise into power. Once again, the Jedi will mean nothing. And once again, you will have let Qui-Gon Jinn down. Too bad you will not remember any of this."

Obi-Wan only watched as Xanatos gently pricked his skin and began to press the plunger.

"Are you still awake?" Qui-Gon asked in irritation. He gripped Obi-Wan's arm.

"Yeah, yeah…" Obi-Wan shook his head to clear it. "This is out of control. I don't understand any of it. I suppose that's when he made that message…all the blood was fake. They wanted you to think that I was more injured than I actually was. The only think they did was cut me in the stomach."

"As we have established," Qui-Gon said impatiently. "We can also say it is safe to say this is all happening because of you."

Obi-Wan opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. He couldn't say that was exactly right, but he couldn't deny it, either. After a beat he said, "they also had to drug me. Some drugs that won't let me remember what they did to me. And whatever they did, I think it's the reason I keep changing my mind, why I'm so confused." He looked at Qui-Gon and was surprised to see him perplexed.

"They!" Qui-Gon suddenly exclaimed. Obi-Wan rose an eyebrow at him. "Why do you keep saying 'they'?"

Obi-Wan cocked his head at his former Master. "I think…is that even relevant? In the tape Xanatos kept using 'we'. That must mean there's another party."

"Yes, but… it bothers me that you keep saying 'they.' I think you know who Xanatos' accomplice."

Qui-Gon, fully prepared for an argument, was surprised when Obi-Wan agreed. "Yes, you're probably right, I do. But thanks to whatever drug Xanatos gave me, I can't remember. Unless it's… oh, Force." Obi-Wan turned away from Qui-Gon, not quite believing what he had almost said.

Qui-Gon jumped on him. "Who is it?" He came around and stood in front of his former apprentice.

"What? No, I wasn't going to say anything," Obi-Wan said, panicked. He turned and began to trudge towards the speeders. He could feel Qui-Gon's confusion. "We need to get going. Thea might be going somewhere; you never know, we need to catch her before she leaves, because she leaves a-"

"What are you hiding?" Qui-Gon blurted, running to stand in front of Obi-Wan. His cold blue eyes seemed sharp enough to slice skin. "Stop lying! You know something that will help and you're not telling me!" His voice was close to the edge. "I know you're hiding something! Who is it, Obi-Wan? You know!"

"I wasn't going to say anything, Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan said calmly. His eyes were steely gray and hard as granite. "Honestly. I don't understand-"

Qui-Gon's rage took hold of him. He grabbed Obi-Wan by the shoulders and threw him into the wall of rocks behind him. Obi-Wan popped off of the wall, but Qui-Gon shot forward and again grabbed the former Jedi's shoulders. He slammed Obi-Wan into the wall, pressing as hard as humanly possible, even adding some of the Force into it.

"Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan gasped, his voice pain-filled.

Still seething, Qui-Gon used one hand to snatch Obi-Wan's blaster from his belt. He had it to the general's neck in less than a second. Obi-Wan's eyes widened. "Tell me what you were going to say!" Qui-Gon growled, his voice savage.

"I can't believe you're doing this," Obi-Wan whispered, his sentence ending in a hiss of pain.

"I can't believe you're this stupid not to answer," Qui-Gon yelled in return. He knew this was wrong, but it felt so good! His finger tensed on the trigger. After all the grief this man had caused him… he deserved to die! He deserved to die for everything he had done, every crime he had committed. It would be so easy to end this man's life.

"I'm sorry," Obi-Wan whispered, his voice tear-filled. He took advantage of Qui-Gon's lost of the Force to his anger. His fingers reached to his side and wrapped around a small black device with two silver horns like things on the end. He pressed a button. "I'm sorry I brought you to this."

He jammed the device to Qui-Gon's stomach. A blue flash hit the air lightly and then Qui-Gon slumped to the ground, a pained cry dying on his lips. The blaster clattered to the cold ground. Obi-Wan gasped and fell to his knees beside the now unconscious Qui-Gon.

Why did I do that? Why did I do that? There was no point, how could I do that?

Obi-Wan turned away from Qui-Gon and vomited.

~*~*~*~

"Why did he do that?" Sidious asked, his voice neither pleased nor displeased, but very amused.

Xanatos' breath caught in his throat. "I told him to take whatever means possible to get to Thea's. I apologize if I have displeased you, my Master."

A horrific smile spread on Sidious' face. "At least he retained that."

"At least," Xanatos agreed. He checked the chrono. "I only hope he retained to take the dose."

"He has thirty more minutes," Sidious hushed. "If he doesn't… we'll have to go and get him. We must get him quickly." He looked up at Xanatos. "You understand?"

"Yes, Master, I do."

~*~*~*~

Obi-Wan's legs were killing him. The painkiller was wearing off and the pain was becoming a problem. He had none in his utility belt and Qui-Gon may not have one. And they still had the five-mile trudge to Thea's! He knew they could always go back, but for some reason he knew that Thea's was the only way to remain safe. He looked across the way with a weird hungriness.

His legs screaming, he kneeled next to Qui-Gon's motionless form. He had been out for the last ten minutes. Shaking, Obi-Wan brought out his canteen and emptied the water onto his former Master's face, slapping him softly a few times. Qui-Gon groaned, but otherwise did not respond.

"Why did I do that?" Obi-Wan wondered aloud, just to fill the overwhelming silence. "I mean, he wouldn't have shot me.

"Yes he would have. No, of course he wouldn't. He needs me, remember? This is all my bloody fault, remember? He needs someone to blame it on.

"He can blame it on Xanatos.

"Yeah, he could, but he would like better to blame it on me.

"He could have killed you and then who would protect the Queen?

"A lot of people protect the Queen, not-

"But she likes you the most.

"Yeah, but-

"Shut up.

"Shut up."

Obi-Wan found it slightly frightening that both voices in his head were arguing at the same time. He pitied any insane person who tried to make any sense of what he had just said.

"Wake up, Qui-Gon!" he shouted at the no one in particular.

"Who's Qui-Gon?"

Startled, he scrambled away from Qui-Gon, withdrawing his blaster. He glanced around and saw no one. But he knew the voice. He knew the voice so well.

"Thea?"

"Hey, it took you long enough." He watched as a woman who looked older than he did came from the path. She smiled at him seductively. "Hey, what are you doing here?"

"Just passing through," he said his voice high-pitched. He didn't like the way she was looking at him. Then he wanted to slap himself. He needed her. How stupid was he? "Actually, I was looking for a favor."

"What type and what do you have for me?" Thea rose an eyebrow at him.

He didn't want to answer that question. "Nothing, but this is for the Queen. Thea, you know the Queen needs help right now. I might have a tail and I need to lead them away from her."

"Kindda stupid saying it right out in the open, huh?"

He wanted to top himself.

She smiled. She was a beautiful woman, with a full body and heaven-sent blue eyes. She radiated elegance. She was thin, but not too thin. Her hair was a rusted red color that was now showing off shiny blond streaks. Her simple beauty was lovely. She wore nothing more than a black top and baggy pants. Her boots were knee high, and her belt was very similar to Obi-Wan's. And when she smiled… even he went a bit weak at the knees.

"What do you want, Thea?" Well, he knew what she really wanted, but maybe she would surprise him.

"You remember that party I threw? Well, what we-"

"No. Absolutely not." He didn't even want to think about what had happened two years ago. It had been a stupid thing. It was most of all, an embarrassing thing. If he had only one chance to erase one thing in his life, he would choose that event. Okay, maybe if he had two chances.

"C'mon, Obi-Wan." She started to move closer to him. He looked at Qui-Gon, wishing in vain that the Jedi would awake. "C'mon. You-"

"Anything else you want? Beside that?"

"No."

"Oh, come on! I need your help, Thea. Please. You will be rewarded, I swear. Queen Amidala will reward you in anyway you desire, just not that way. Just hide my friend and I for an hour or so."

"You know how pointless it would be to go to my place? Have you not been thinking properly? If you have a tail, they would have caught up with you by now. And if you do, they've probably heard you by now, anyway. So it would be a pointless thing to do."

Obi-Wan looked across the trees. He needed to get to Thea's! Something would be there…he didn't know what. Something that might fill in his memory. He needed to get there now!

"You left your door open," he said, changing the subject. "I can fix-"

"Sorry, I left it like that. I wasn't planning on being gone long. I ran into a few patrols. Some invasion, huh?"

He moved a bit and pain slammed into him. He winced.

"You're hurt?" Her loud voice was now gentle. Concern filled her face. He had forgotten she had always been soft on weak or injured beings. She had once been nurse. "Why didn't you just say so? Honestly, Obi-Wan, you make things so difficult. I'll take care of the wounds, but then off you go. I can't let you go without proper care. I can see you bandaged your arm by yourself. It's sloppy."

He glanced at the bandage on his arm.

It was perfectly fine.

~*~*~*~

One of the worst parts of this fic, but pretty please review?