Title: Crossing the Lines

Summary: Obi-wan Kenobi knows revenge leads to the Dark side, but after what his Master has done to him, it's worth it, isn't it?  Especially since Qui-gon betrayed him.  PG for violence.

Disclaimer: Star Wars and Everything in it belong to Mr George Lucas, I make no money from this at all, but Kelyl Tanner is mine.

Acknowledgments: As always, Jesus, Padawan Nik-ka, Redtailhawk, my sis, Ginger Ninja, Chewbacca, Yoda, Orin, Galahan, thanks too to Redtailhawk and Kochan for their comments, I've added some in…

a/n: see, I managed to finish up on time, next chapter should be up, by, um, Friday or Saturday, I think.  Latest, but I'll see if I can put it up earlier.  =)  school's starting… oh yeah, and does anyone know if blasters or blaster rifles have silencers?

Chapter 3:

Obi-wan pulled on the dull-grey uniform reluctantly, then picked up his comlink and put it in a pocket.  He strapped the required blaster to his hip and slung the strap of the blaster rifle over his shoulder. He put on a deadpan expression and turned to the mirror.  His reflection stared back, and Obi-wan was satisfied that he looked like one of the guards that patrolled the Central Building.  One last thing.  He picked up his lightsabre, then realised that he had nowhere to hide it.  Obi-wan shrugged, he would have to do without that particular weapon.

"I look okay?" Obi-wan asked Kelyl Tanner.

Kelyl looked up at Obi-wan, "Yeah, but you forgot this."  He handed Obi-wan a set of I/D 's that would get them into the Central Building.

"Where'd you get these from?" Obi-wan flipped the cards over in his hand.

"Don't ask.  They're not fake, at any rate," Kelyl answered flatly.  Obi-wan decided not to probe. 

Qui-gon stepped out of the transport slowly and carefully, trying to look relaxed, but looking around himself cautiously at the same time.  The hangar they'd landed in was a small one, just enough for two or three medium transports.  Qui-gon reached out to the Force.  The people were scared, he realised, which immediately put him on alert.  But why?  He detected some anticipation, but it was mostly fear.  Fear that this won't succeed, and fear… that this would succeed?  Qui-gon shook his head, it just didn't make sense at all, but he had expected it.  No-one wanted more bloodshed, they were afraid of it.

This planet is in a real mess, Qui-gon mused.  He had barely walked ten steps before a young man of about twenty or so ran up to him. 

"Master Jedi!"

Qui-gon turned to face the man, who was wearing a dull grey uniform, but no weapons, "Yes?"

"Follow me, I bring you to your quarters," the young man said.  Qui-gon detected a hint of excitement in his voice.

The Jedi Master followed his escort to the turbolift in a corner of the hangar.

"Are you sure this is going to work?" Kelyl Tanner asked Obi-wan Kenobi.  The pair were standing in a backalley about a hundred metres away from the Central Building.  Obi-wan knew Kelyl was questioning his idea to impersonate the guards.

"I hope so…I mean, they don't exactly count their guards, do they?" Obi-wan reached for the hilt of his lightsabre, then realised he hadn't brought it along,  he felt uncomfortable without his lightsabre, but he tried not to show it.

"No, if we're lucky," Kelyl pushed his hair out of his eyes and retied it.  Obi-wan could tell his partner was uneasy too.

"There's no such thing as luck," Obi-wan answered softly, as a flicker of memory.

Kelyl checked the silencer on his blaster rifle once, then answered, "I know.  Let's get going, or we'll be late."

They walked out onto the streets, confident and proud.  Obi-wan was tense, but Kelyl was more relaxed.  Obi-wan realised his friend was better at projecting an image, maybe because Kelyl always hid under a mask, and Obi-wan had only glimpsed through it once or twice.  And what he'd seen had scared him.  Hatred.  Hidden anger.  Indifference.  And, most frightening of all, the ability to kill in cold-blood without blinking.

That's what's different, Obi-wan thought, he dares to get back at those who hurt him.  I don't, I'm a coward, but I can learn.  I will pay Qui-gon back for what he did to me.

Obi-wan turned to Kelyl, "When this is over, I have a score to settle with someone, and I might need your help."

Kelyl grinned grimly, "Sure.  Anytime."

Obi-wan shivered slightly.

Qui-gon studied the datasheet they'd given to him.  He was supposed to be in the Central building by fourteen hundred hours, standard time.  That was just barely three hours away.  He sat down on the bunk they'd given to him.  His quarters weren't exactly Spartan, but they weren't luxurious either.  Just a bunk in one end, a 'fresher at the other end, a computer, and a datapad charging port.

The young man he'd met just now promised to be back for him at one-thirty, to bring him to the Central Building.  He had reminded Qui-gon of Obi-wan, the same youthful and innocent eagerness to please and to do his job right.  Why didn't I appreciate it?  Qui-gon wondered, realising he'd always taken Obi-wan's loyalty for granted.  He betrayed me on Melida/Daan, then thought he could come back.  Then he blamed me for never trusting him.  Qui-gon shook his head slowly, Obi-wan deserves it, how can I trust him, when he broke my trust?  But a nagging little voice invaded his head, He did everything he could and more to try and show you, you just refused to see that.  Now he's gone, and you're a failure. 

No. Obi-wan…  Qui-gon buried his head in his hands, and, for the first time since his Apprentice's death, he cried.  If only, if only Obi-wan would appear again.  Qui-gon vowed he would treat his Apprentice better, but it's no use, he's dead. 

The Central Building wasn't very impressive, but it had been re-painted, and that was something on Seylar, where ammunitions fire had left huge scars in the sides of buildings and houses.  The Building was about five or six storeys tall, Qui-gon guessed.

His escort led him through the double doors and into a lobby, which was empty save for a few people and aliens lounging around, and the guards.  It seemed as though the whole building was heavily guarded.  Qui-gon saw men in dull grey uniforms walking around holding blaster rifles, and a chill ran down his spine.  This time, the stakes were high. Too high for anything to go wrong as the peace of the planet depended on this conference's success.

He shivered a little, and suddenly, a coldness ran through him like a knife.  Qui-gon nearly jumped, but he managed to retain his composure, although he was badly shocked.  The Force was warning him.  Something wasn't right.  Everything looked alright, but Qui-gon knew, somehow, that it wasn't.

"Are there always so many guards?" Qui-gon asked his companion.

"Yes, Master Jedi, security is tight here.  There are some people who wish to destroy the peace," the young man answered guardedly as they entered another turbolift and ascended to the sixth floor.  The lift doors opened, and Qui-gon's escort pointed down the hallway to the left.  "Go straight ahead, and at the end you will see a door, knock on it and then go in.  I will leave you now."

Qui-gon nodded.  "Thank you for your help."

"You are welcome sir," the young man turned to the Jedi, "Please, help them to agree.  The war killed my parents, and it killed so many people.  Don't let them fight again…"

"I'll do my best," Qui-gon smiled warmly.  The escort disappeared into the turbolift.

"Where are they holding the meeting?" Obi-wan whispered to Kelyl as they walked along a hallway on the second level, checking to see if the rooms were occupied.  All were empty.

"How would I know?" Kelyl retorted.  "Sure as anything nobody invited us."

"If we check all the hallways, it could take ages," Obi-wan frowned slightly.

Kelyl and Obi-wan reached the turbolift and they entered it.  "You're right.  Maybe they're holding it where there's the most number of guards?"

"Well, that makes sense…" Obi-wan thought for a while, "I'd guess the sixth floor, a lot of the other guards were headed up there just now."

Kelyl shrugged as he pressed the button on the turbolift.  "Your guess is as good as mine."

"Sith," Kelyl muttered when they stepped out of the turbolift.  Obi-wan had been right.  There were guards stationed at ten metre intervals along the whole hallway, one on each side.

"We need an excuse to walk down there…"

"Leave it to me," Kelyl held his rifle ready, then walked down the hallway confidently.  "Look like you know what you're doing," He advised in a low tone.  Obi-wan followed silently.

Kelyl reached the first guard, and told him something in a low voice.  Within seconds, the guard had raised all the other guards on their comlinks, and summoned them off the sixth level.

"What did you tell him?" Obi-wan asked.

"That they should patrol the third floor instead, sort of like a decoy.  I managed to convince him it would be more effective.  When he protested, I threatened I would kick him out of his job, and anyway, I told him we would keep watch here."

"That's lame," Obi-wan snorted.

"That's why they employ guards.  To be stupid and follow orders," Kelyl answered matter-of-factly, contempt evident in his voice.

Obi-wan looked at his Chronometer, "They've been inside for some time already.  I think it's time we crashed the party."

"Okay," Kelyl armed his rifle and removed a thermal detonator.  "Let's give them some fun."

Qui-gon watched as the two sides made introductions rather awkwardly.  The True Government and the Rebellion were trying to sort out their differences first, before they discussed forming a new, joint government, and Qui-gon would have found the way they approached each other rather funny, if it hadn't been such a volatile situation.  Everyone knew that one wrong move now and the planet could be plunged into another long, drawn-out war.

The chill hit him again, and this time, Qui-gon became fully alert.   He didn't have his lightsabre – no weapons had been allowed – but he used the Force to enhance his senses.  Nothing seems to be wrong…

The door crashed open, and Qui-gon saw two figures standing in the doorway, both about he same size, but one slightly heavier built than the other.  The shorter figure, took a step forward into the brightly-lit room, and Qui-gon recognised the features of a young man he had spent nearly seven years of his life with.  No…Qui-gon's heart sank and his spirits rose at the same time, conflicting.

Obi-wan?  He reached out through the bond, trying to touch his apprentice.  Around him, everyone froze.

"One wrong move, and I shoot, got that?" Kelyl snarled, his blaster rifle levelled.

Obi-wan's eyes scanned the room for any hostile intentions anyone might get, and settled on a man who sat in the centre, wearing a cloak.  Qui-gon!  He stiffened unconsciously.

Kelyl noticed Obi-wan's reaction, and understood it.  One of the officials began to talk, but he cut them off, "Shut up, all of you."

Qui-gon's eyes sought out his apprentice's gaze, and held it.  He expected relief, but not the anger and hatred that radiated from his apprentice.  The glint of barely restrained anger and hatred in Obi-wan's eyes.  Qui-gon turned away suddenly, fighting back tears.  What had changed?