~*~

[I] Flashback

The missing of his purse let him feel uneasy. Memories of Xanatos flashed through his mind. Memories of the betrayal, of the hurt. But also this feelings Hadn't let him sleep very well the last days, he das slept in today.

He woke from the blinding light of the sun shining on his face. Blinking against the brightness he turned to the side. The first clear sight that met his eyes were ginger spikes glowing golden and the sweet face of his fourteen year old apprentice, leaning his head on the edge of the masters bed, asleep. The rays of sunshine illuminated Obi-Wan's face and he looked like an angel. Seemingly oblivious to the problems of the galaxy. Seemingly oblivious to the masters troubled mind. Like all peace, sweetness and innocent were unified in one person.

Qui-Gon couldn't help but reach out and caress the smooth checks of the boy. An unconscious smile crept to the Padawans face and he le out a small sigh. Qui-Gon returned the smile and moves his hand to the padawan braid, feeling the softness of it.

Obi-Wan grunted in protest. The masters smile grew wider.

Finally Obi-Wan opened sleepy eyes. When he saw the grinning face of his mentor, he smiled again and straightened. G'd monig, maser," he mumbled sleepily.

"Good morning, Padawan." Qui-Gon replied with an amused expression. "Why are you sleeping with your head on my bed? Did you brake yours again?"

"It wasn't my fault back then! I just sat on it and it broke down." Obi-Wan answered. "And no, this time, it's still in one piece." Obi-Wan's cheeks blushed. "I just wanted to bring you breakfast, but you were still asleep and I couldn't bring myself to wake you. So I decided to wait."

"Breakfast?", the master asked, sitting up.

"Yes." Obi-Wan eagerly stood up and moved to the desk, where he had placed a tray earlier. "Here," he said and placed the tray on the masters legs.

Qui-Gon looked confused. "Thank you, Padawan. But what is that for?"

Obi-Wan smirked. "Don't tell me you forgot sour own birthday?!"

"Birthday, right. But how do you know?"

"I asked master Yoda."

Qui-Gon sighed. " I told him not to tell you." At the hurt expression on the boy's face, he hastily continued. "So you wouldn't remind me that I'm continually getting older."

"But you're not getting old." Obi-Wan smirked again. "Well, okay you have a lot of grey hair, but inwardly you're not old."

Qui-Gon laughed out loud. "Thanks, brat."

"Oh, here." The fourteen year old pulled a little packed out of his tunica and handed it to his master. "Happy birthday, master."

Qui-Gon hesitated. "What is it?", he asked, slowly gripping the packed.

"Open it." Obi-Wan ordered impatient.

Slowly the master removed the lit of the little box and cautiously lifted a ceramic statue. He nearly gasped when a miniature figure of himself and his padawan, starred back at him. The mini Qui-Gon had a prideful hand on his padawans shoulder, wearing an even more prideful look on his face and Obi- Wan had a bright smile on his face. The figures seemed to be alive, so precise were it. The tiniest detail of their lightsabers, the beads of Obi- Wan's Padawan braid, everything was there.

Qui-Gon looked up and instantly saw the worried face of Obi-Wan. He could easily read the thought behind it.[/I]'He don't like it. [I] Still searching for the right word, the master said. "I'm speechless, Padawan. Thank you very much." [/I] 'You really thought you lost the hundred Daktaries back then? [I] Qui-Gon frowned. "But how did you pay for this?"

Obi-Wan blushed and sheepishly answered: "I made it myself."

"You made this?" Qui-Gon asked surprised.

When Obi-Wan nodded, Qui-Gon looked at the statue again, awed. Minutes passed as he caressed the fine lies. Then he looked up again. "You're very talented, Obi-Wan. It's really beautiful. It's perfect. Thank you."

Obi-Wan smiled widely. "You're welcome." [/I]

One hour later

[I] "Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon said with forced calm. The apprentice stopped washing the dishes and turned to his master. "Yes, master?" "I just wanted to wash your cloak, when I found this in it." Qui-Gon said, holding up his purse. Obi-Wan blushed and stuttered: "I'm sorry, master. I didn't." "Why did you take it?" Qui-Gon interrupted roughly. Obi-Wan looked shocked. "Ta.take it?" He frowned at his masters stern gaze. "No, you lost it in the room of a thousand fountains. Bant found it and gave it to me." The master looked surprised. "Is this the truth?"

"Of course, master." , Obi-Wan answered, hurt obvious in his voice.

"Then why did you apologize?" The master questioned, still confused.

"Bant gave it to me the day before yesterday and I forgot to give it to you."

Qui-Gon opened his mouth as if to say something, but no words came and Obi- Wan saw shame wash over the masters face. "I'm sorry, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon stepped forward and laid a hand on his Padawans shoulder. "I couldn't believe by myself, that you would do so such a thing, but." the master stopped, searching for the right words.

"It's alright, master.", Obi-Wan whispered and looked with sympathy at him. "I'm not like Xanatos. I would never betray you.." Obi-Wan stopped and fidgeted nervously, while looking to the ground. The master looked asking at him and when he tested the bond, he saw memories of Melida/Daan. Saw himself taking Obi-Wan's lightsaber. Saw the hurt obvious on his features. Back then he had thought, that he had kept the calm gaze, had kept the feelings hidden. But now he knew that the boy had felt them and had been terribly sorry. And still was. "I mean, never again." Obi-Wan finally finished sorrowfully.

Qui-Gon smiled brightly, truthfully. "I know, my Padawan. I know."

End Flashback [/I]

~*~

Gently, he laid the still form on the bed in one of the ship's sleep chambers. The master sat down beside his apprentice and softly caressed the ginger spikes. He starred down in these blue/green eyes, in his heart still not believing what his mind told him. "I will saver her." , he whispered. "I will save her for you." It cost all his strength to hold back the tears, which burned in his eyes. "I will honor your sacrifice." He took a shuddering breath and spook with chocked voice: "Your death wont be in vain."

\*\Death?\*\

With hard controlled emotions, Qui-Gon reached out a trembling hand and closed Obi-Wan`s eyes. Hid these beautiful stars under lids where they could never be seen again.

The Jedi master stood up and took a moment to collect himself. Then he whirled around to leave the chamber and the ship.

~*~

"Don't be foolish.", Xanatos hissed. "Look at yourself. You could be so much more then a slave."

"Are you ready?", Chans voice sounded from behind him. The dark Jedi spend one last, intend stare on Danielle. "Yes," he snapped angrily while whirling around. Then he left.

"Good," mumbled Chan and looked the young woman over. A satisfied grin creped upon his face. "Shall we?", he said lightly and pulled Danielle on a podium.

The crowd of men cheered up when their gazes fell on the new offer. The slaver fastened Danielle with a chain to the floor.

"Okay, Lady's and Gentlemen. Look at this hot bundle of flesh and tell me you wouldn't like her to obey your orders!" Chan shouted through microphone. "The bidding for Mrs. Pleasure starts at 100.000 Daktaries! And I say 'only' Daktaries."

Even before he'd finished the sentence, the biding begun.

"110.000" "120.000" "130.000" "135000."

The men shared angry looks and bid higher and higher.

"300.000" "310.000" "350.000"

Hesitation was in the air. 350.000 Daktaries were much money, Especially for a beaten up slave.

Chan reacted immediately. "Come up, guys. Come up here and take a closer look." The next moment, four men stood on the podium, circling Danielle.

She winces slightly when Chan ripped the brown cloak from her shoulders. "Well?", he asked, tossing the cloak aside.

"360.000" "380.000" "390.000" "400.000"

Suddenly a giant Corellian stepped on the podium and stationed himself directly in front of the young woman. He looked at her from head to foot. Then he reached out a hand to touch er immoral.

"Hey, hey!", Chan warned and gripped the Corellian's hand immediately. "You will have to buy her first."

The man spend him a dark look and the slaver let go of the hand. Looking back at Danielle, the giant man gazed in the empty depth of her eyes. "She looks a little absent." , he said dryly, his eyes not leaving hers.

"Oh, she is just a little shy," Chan answered with a smirk.

"What's that for.", The Corellian asked, indicating to the collar around Danielle's neck.

"For cutting her from the force." , the slaver said meaningful. Now the giant man turned to Chan and smirked.

"Want to buy her now?", Chan asked.

The man with the 400.000 Daktaries stepped forward. "Hey, the time is already."

"ONE MILLION Daktaries!", the Corellian interrupted.

"SOLD!"



On the other side of the market stood a figure hidden in the crowd. The hood of it's dark cloak covered it's face. The only things that could be seen were the ice blue eyes. Starring at the podium. It didn't move as it watched Chan loosen the chains of the young woman and handing it to the Corellian. The man gripped the chains, then opened a box. Chan looked in and a bright smirk creped on his face. The Corellian said something, probably about the money in the box, then turned and dragged the girl with him. Danielle whirled around, startling the Corellian, kneeled and gripped the brown cloak, lying on the podium-floor. The giant man pulled roughly at the chains, jerking Danielle to her feet. Then they left.

The hidden figure growled in anger and left, too.