Title: Hidden Shadows Seeking Light

Rating: I wish I knew. I am putting it at PG-13 just because I don't know any better and would rather err on the safe side.

Genre: Drama/Mild Angst



Feedback: If you can't say something nice or constructive please don't say anything at all. I need suggestions to help me improve and encouragement to keep me going. Flames will burn me out.

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters in this story. They are, were and will always belong to Mr. George Lucas creator of an amazing universe. Not only does this story contain elements of the universe that Mr. Lucas created but also the Alternate Universe (AU) found in a wonderful story called An Untimely Frost by CYNICAL21

Just to a little guide as to what things mean:

/-/ Bond thought //-// Private thought "-" Speaking aloud

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Pulmee Den carefully made his way through the abandoned factory. The facility was located a mere 12 miles from the State House practically in the heart of a residential neighborhood. Its location had been an advantage and disadvantage to him. Because of its close proximity to the State House he had been able to have easier access to the factory and could sneak away as needed. The disadvantage of course was the bothersome housing development around it the necessitating the need to keep the lights off and avoid any suspicious coming and goings.

He tripped over yet another hidden obstacle and almost went head first into what had once been a lobby waiting area. Swearing loudly he kicked at the obstacle and almost fell when his foot failed to impact with anything throwing him precariously off balance. He hated being here. He hated the darkness that surrounded him causing him to feel vulnerable. He wasn't use to feeling vulnerable. He was soon to be named as the Vice Commander's replacement. He would be the second highest authority on Tiress. He had no one to fear.

As if arguing with his own logic his mind timidly retraced his footsteps of the night reminding him of the dark lord and the way he had effortlessly played at choking the life out of him. He shuddered and pushed the thought away steeling himself against the knowledge that he would have to one day find out what the dark lord expected for his aid in Den's plan to overthrow the existing planetary government. So far the man had asked for little. He merely wanted the Jedi. That was understandable. Den had noted the obvious distain that the man held for the Jedi. Perhaps he would choke them instead and Pulmee would be free of the dark one.

Finding the stairs leading down, Pulmee once again wondered how he would ever manage to deliver three Jedi to the man. Of course it was really only two Jedi and a boy, but still Jedi were amazing beings able to read people's thoughts, move things with their minds, and kill at light speed with their sabers. Pulmee kept his hand on the railing as he continued to descend to the lowest level of the structure.

He had decided to use the basement as her holding cell. This level was at least partially below ground level and therefore more sound proof. There were a few windows at ground level. Just enough to arouse possible suspicion, so the lights had to remain extinguished on this level as well. Being partially submerged made it darker but at the same time if he couldn't find his way in surely she wouldn't be able to find her way out He chuckled at the very thought of the girl trying to escape let alone having the presence of mind to find her way out of the maze of corridors standing between her and freedom..

As he flashed his light into the far corner the light reflected back eerily from her eyes. He jumped slightly realizing that she was awake. He kept the light in her eyes to prevent her from recognizing him. He hadn't been sure if he would return her or not, but as more time went by he realized that he would have to eliminate her eventually. He would go ahead and do it tonight, but for some reason he felt he might need her as an insurance policy so chose to keep her around for a while longer. Perhaps what the dark lord had said about using her as bait would be an ideal way to lure in the Jedi.

Pulmee was still trying to decide how in the world he would ever be able to capture three Jedi. He knew once he had them he could use the collars but he had to capture them first. He shook his head and ordered the girl to move into the far corner. He could hear her soft weeping as he made his way towards her. He could hear the sound of the durasteel chains dragging across the flooring. He placed her new food and water in the same location as he had every night since he had taken her.

He tried to ignore the sound of her voice begging for her life, her safety, asking so many questions, questions that he could never answer. He stood staring at her for a moment. She was dirty and afraid. He felt sorry for her. The casualties of war were easily identified. They were all seen as a necessary evil in order to achieve a greater good. He tried to see her in this light. She was just a victim. She was the enemy. A girl born to a man he hated, Commander La'Kol. He wondered for a moment how the man was holding up under the strain of having one so close to him taken and possibly dead? He had seen the man in the hallway of the State House. He had seemed upset and distracted. That had been exactly the effect that Pulmee Den had hoped for. He wanted the man to be so distraught that he never saw the coupe coming.

Once he had replenished the food and water he turned to leave. It was then that she had truly started to beg him for release. He turned his mind to the necessary preparations that had to be made for the visiting Jedi. His concerns for the next day drowning out her pleas knowing full well that she would get her release soon enough. Pulmee hated wasting a good lesson but he saw no other way. This girl would learn to be careful what she begged for unfortunately she would learn her lesson no doubt only moments before Pulmee Den answered her pleas and granted her request.





**********

Once Obi-Wan heard the door close behind him he made his way down to the cockpit. He needed to run a few diagnostics and also check to ensure that they were indeed still on course. They had come out of hyperspace once and jumped again over the course of the night. He should have checked it before setting off for his morning katas but then again he hadn't expected to be in the aft compartment for the majority of the morning. Thinking of the attack again he suppressed a shudder and continued on his way.

Making his way past the communication station he noted that there had been a transmission received while the ship had made the new calculations before their current jump. He would activate the message from the cockpit once he started the ship's diagnostic program.

Settling himself into the pilot's seat he keyed in the necessary strokes to activate the program. Once he was satisfied that the system was working properly he hit the record key and triggered the transmission. Expecting more information concerning the mission from the Council or an update from the planet of Tiress, Obi-Wan furrowed his brow readying himself to process whatever vital information he was about to receive. To his delight and surprise the face of Adi Gallia appeared before him. He quickly deactivated the record function feeling a slight giddiness that only Adi had ever produced in him thus far.

"This is a private message for Knight Kenobi from Master Gallia, Jedi Council, Coruscant, transmission code QRTT717." Once the monotone voice of the transmission droid cleared the message for audio and video uplink the screen came to life with the lovely vision of Adi Gallia.

"Obi-Wan, I am sorry that I couldn't speak to you directly but hopefully you are getting some much needed rest. I didn't realize how late in the sleep cycle you would be when the message could be transmitted. I wanted you to know that I have been thinking about you quite a bit. I had no idea that the Council was planning to send you and Qui-Gon out until immediately before you learned of the decision. Needless to say my arguments were overridden. I do hope that all is working out. It will be hard but you mustn't let your emotions concerning your past distract you. Qui-Gon had better be behaving himself. If not remind me to give him a good thumping when he gets back." She paused for a moment and Obi-Wan realized that she was trying to keep her obvious anger at the man under control. It touched him that she would be so protective of him. When she began speaking once more her voice was softer and seductive.

"You know I have been thinking about you a lot. I have been thinking about your eyes, your lips but most of all I have been thinking about your couch. I will be glad when you are back on planet so I can show you how much you have been missed." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively topped of with a playful laugh.

"Now play nice with your ex-Master and his wonder kid. Be careful and May the Force be with you my Knight. " The transmission ended. Her image disappeared and left Obi-Wan still sitting for a moment staring at where it had been before him. Her final words had sent a thrum through his body steeling the realization within him of how much he already missed her after only a little over a day in flight. It amazed him that she had thought to send him encouragement when he himself had not realized how much he had needed it until he had heard her voice and seen her smile. He wasn't accustomed to having someone consider his needs, but he felt it was something he could get use to.

He laughed at himself for being so obviously taken with the woman. He thought back for a moment about what she had felt like beneath his body and was rewarded as a pleasant tingle shot down his spine. Not wishing for a cold shower at the moment he forced himself to think of something else.

Keying up the communications system he decided to respond now and set the transmission to send at their next jump cycle. Clearing his throat he waited for the transmission program to vocalize the send and receive criteria and information. Once he had the green light he cleared his throat and hit the record button.

"Adi, I can't begin to tell you how much your message meant to me. To allay your fears I can assure you that things are much improved between Qui- Gon and myself. I know you will be very disappointed to learn that no thumping will be required." He laughed knowing that she would indeed be a little disappointed. He was working through his anger with the man, but Obi-Wan had sensed that Adi still harbored quite a bit.

"I think he and I may have found a way to work beyond our past and perhaps start anew. I don't want to get my hopes too high but needless to say I already have. " He paused giving her his trademark wry smile. "I promise to do my best to return to you as quickly and safely as possible. I have to admit that my thoughts have also been lingering on my couch and to the brief but wonderful moment we shared on it. I have every intention of picking up where we were interrupted the Force and Jedi Council willing that is. I have heard you have some influence there so use it or lose it." He laughed giving her a frustrated shake of his head. "I will try to send another transmission once I see what we are up against on Tiress." He paused for a moment cocking his head to the side, "Adi I can't tell you how much I needed to see your smiling face. I am feeling pretty lucky right now so just let me know if you want to make any wagers on this mission. Kenobi Out."

Setting in the transmission code he toggled the communications system down then set about checking the results of the tests that he had been running. Everything looked good. They would be coming out of hyperspace in the next hour then making their final jump that would take them to Tiress. He tried to keep his mind off of what was transpiring in Anakin and Qui-Gon's cabin. He was concerned for the boy. Anakin had been in a lot of pain and had somehow been invaded by a wave of darkness. He wouldn't allow his thoughts to consider what could have happened had he not been there to block his bond to Qui-Gon. As if in response to his thoughts he heard Qui-Gon enter the cockpit.

Obi-Wan turned to regard him. Qui-Gon nodded to the co-pilot seat. Obi- Wan gestured to it as well inviting the man to be seated. He caught himself marveling at how much had changed between them in such a short period of time. It was hard to trust it when it had happened so quickly. He pulled back a bit thinking about what he had said to Adi about already having his hopes too high.

"How is Anakin?" He asked shutting down the final diagnostic panel.

"Resting." Qui-Gon's voice was weighed down with great weariness.

"How is his Master?" Obi-Wan's voice sounded soft with concern. Qui-Gon glanced up meeting the knight's gaze.

"Tired, but much improved thanks to you."

"I was very overwhelmed. I didn't have a clue what to do." He looked away wondering if he had followed the appropriate course and if not if Qui-Gon would now correct his mistake.

"Your instincts serve you well. I wouldn't have known myself. I have never felt anything like it. It was so" The Master paused searching for a word.

"Dark and ominous." Obi-Wan filled in his voice hushed in a disbelieving whisper. Qui-Gon nodded in agreement.

"Yes and powerful. I have never felt such power. It destroyed Anakin's shields. There is little to nothing left of them." Qui-Gon seemed lost in concern for his student.

"Well then I am sure that you are aware of his box then?" Obi-Wan asked finding a reason to look away for the moment. He didn't want Qui-Gon to think that he was questioning his or his student's ability so he forced his voice to sound as nonchalant as possible given the nature of the subject he was broaching.

"The box?" Qui-Gon asked obviously confused.

It was as Obi-Wan had feared. Anakin had chosen to keep his secret from his Master. If the situation had been any different Obi-Wan would have given the boy more time to come clean, but being that they would be on Tiress in a day's time it was vital that the Master have a clear picture of the situation. If only he had not been thrown from Anakin's mind before he had been able to reveal what he had found to the Master. Obi-Wan swallowed hard before continuing. He knew the man was about to get defensive but he had to know what Obi-Wan had discovered.

"Yes Master Jinn I had hoped that he would have told you himself. Seeing that he hasn't it is important that you know about it. When I was in Anakin's mind I discovered a box of some sort. I found it in an area of his mind that was being particularly resistive to the light we were using to free him form the attack. I managed to shut the lid and the darkness decreased immediately. It was quite astonishing. Because of this it is my belief that much of the darkness that overwhelmed Anakin came from within and not without." He forced himself to maintain eye contact with Master Jinn. He watched as the man's expression changed from curious to anger evolving swiftly into protectiveness and offense. Obi-Wan steeled himself for what was to come.

"What are you suggesting? That Anakin is dark?" Qui-Gon's voice was low and defensive. Obi-Wan wondered where all the weariness and gratitude had gone.

"No. I am merely voicing a concern that your Padawan is entertaining thoughts and emotions that are not acceptable for a Jedi. I myself had much anger at his age as I am sure you remember and ---" He was interrupted by the Master before he could begin to explain himself

"How dare you compare yourself to Anakin. Have you ever been a slave? Have you any idea what the child endured before I rescued him from that Force forsaken planet? I resent your insinuation. The Council has accepted him as a Jedi candidate and that should be enough for you." He felt a protectiveness flare within himself. Obi-Wan had had the luxury of being raised in the Temple under the care and protection of other Force sensitives. He had never suffered the humiliation of being sold as a piece of property, beaten, rejected before the council-Qui-Gon suddenly at the final thought refusing to revisit ancient history.

"I am not saying he is dark I am saying he is harboring dark thoughts and feelings. He is trying to hide them from you. I am surprised that you were not aware of them. And as far as his past is concerned I never have presumed to know what he has or has not endured. Whatever it was how ever terrible he cannot be allowed to use it as a crutch to harbor that which is not compatible with the light. As his Master surely you know this to be true." Obi-Wan tried to sound objective but knew his own temper was rising in light of the man's questions.

"So you are questioning my ability to be his Master?" Qui-Gon asked angrily.

Obi-Wan shook his head. This was going worse than he had expected. He had known that Qui-Gon was naturally protective of his padawans but this was ridiculous. He wouldn't even stop to listen to what the knight had to say. He was too busy discrediting it.

"What? No, I never said anything like that. This isn't about you, Qui-Gon. This is about your Padawan." Obi-Wan knew he sounded frustrated now. He was exasperated that his words were being taken and twisted so easily. Qui- Gon was twisting his words in order to avoid dealing with the situation.

"I really thought you were past this petty jealousy. Do you still resent him so much that you would blacken his name accusing him of betraying the Force in such a manner? This is unbecoming of a knight." Qui-Gon rose and started to exit the cockpit. That did it. Obi-Wan jumped to his feet blocking the man's exit. He had been accused of jealousy by this man one too many times. Once again Qui-Gon was managing to take another child's failings and project them on to him. He had fallen for this too many times in his life. This wasn't about him and he wasn't about to allow the man to continue believing that it was.

"This isn't about petty jealousy. This is about arrogance and the inability to see an obvious flaw in your student. " Obi-Wan seethed.

"Well I have always been a bit blind to the flaws of each of my students." The words were meant to draw blood and they did. Obi-Wan stumbled over his own thoughts at the Master's attempt to wound him. Knowing his expression had betrayed him and revealed how deeply the man's words had cut him. Obi- Wan swallowed hard and pushed his hurt aside.

"You were never blind to mine. You made me aware of each and every one of them over and over again. But this isn't about me. Believe it or not Qui- Gon Jinn but I am not the only padawan you have ever taught that had human frailties. I am no longer your concern, but Anakin is. I suggest that you stop trying to correct my flaws and concentrate on his. " Obi-Wan stood his face inches from that of the larger man's.

"Yes I see now that I missed a few of yours. Perhaps I can learn from my mistakes." Qui-Gon noted sarcastically.

"I am merely a reflection of the one who created me." Obi-Wan pushed the man away and exited the cockpit. He was furious and desperately needed to meditate. They had already had a dark presence attack two minds on the ship there was no sense inviting further invasion.

He was shocked at how awful their discussion had gone. What he had hoped to be a peaceful and thoughtful discussion had immediately deteriorated into personal attacks accomplishing nothing. The man was so protective of Anakin that he had refused to even consider what he had been told concerning the boy. Obi-Wan wasn't sure what concerned him more Anakin's dark box or Qui-Gon's need to make excuses for the boy thereby allowing him to continue on a path that was not suitable for a potential Jedi.

He sighed deeply and decided that he needed more than meditation. He needed to pace but the ship didn't really lend itself to that. He would have to settle for katas in the cargo hold. He doubted it would bring him much peace but he had to stay busy. The last thing he wanted to do was think about what had just happened. Walking into the cargo hold he was amazed at how quickly his emotional state had shifted. He had walked in earlier full of hope for the future, but now he felt overwhelmed and hurt. How could Qui-Gon hold him is such low esteem. He had accused him of petty jealousy before. The time with Xani years ago came rushing back to him. He shook his head and fought to keep the tears from filling his eyes. Sometimes he hated the man. He really did.

As he forced himself into the first position of the seventeenth kata he could heard his Master's voice in his head "Hate leads to.."Obi-Wan smiled. Qui-Gon might allow Anakin to fall to the darkness but he would not cause Obi-Wan to as well. He released his emotions into the Force regaining a firm hold on his center, sinking into a deep concentration he began to move.

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Qui-Gon watched the young knight disappear ahead of him down the corridor. He sighed part in anger and part in frustration as he realized that he had just managed to surrender whatever ground he had conquered the night before. Of course they had to be able to disagree but he had allowed his temper to turn the knight's concerns into a personal attack. He had overreacted. It had been a combination of fatigue after all that had happened that morning along with the natural protectiveness he felt where Anakin was concerned. He had had such a battle with the Council and the rest of the Temple to see him as a legitimate candidate. He couldn't stand the thought that someone would accuse him of harboring darkness. That would destroy any chance of the boy ever being a Jedi.

He still didn't understand why Obi-Wan had accused Anakin of harboring such thoughts. He had been in the boy's mind and had not come across anything remotely like the box the knight was referring to. There had been darkness but it had come from without into the boy's mind during the attack. Thinking back over the time he and Obi-Wan had spent that morning flooding light into the boy he tried to objectively consider what Obi-Wan had just told him. There had been a moment when he remembered seeing the knight staring at something and he wondered if it could have been the box that e had mentioned. His felt a cold shudder go through his body.

It was not like Obi-Wan to make baseless accusations. He had no reason to be jealous of Anakin. He had a year ago but not now. He was a knight. He had nothing to gain from discrediting the boy. Sighing out of frustration Qui-Gon mentally kicked himself for underestimating the man once more. This had turned into a nasty habit. He winced as he thought of the hateful and hurtful words he had launched at the man.

Only twenty-four short hours ago he would have given anything to have had a pleasant conversation with Obi-Wan and now he was back to alienating him once more. Over the years various individuals at the Temple had mentioned that he caused Obi-Wan more harm than good. He had always believed that they had been wrong but now in light of their recent and not so recent history he was starting to believe that perhaps they had a point.

He shook his head and sunk back down into the co-pilots seat. Staring out into space he wondered if things had always been this way between them? Qui-Gon couldn't remember it always being so volatile. When had things started to go wrong? Was it after Tahl's death? Had it been during that terrible cloning discovery? He wasn't sure, but he suddenly felt incredibly exhausted.

He had screwed up. It was getting to be par for their relationship. He would screw up, hurt the young man, and then apologize. The knight would accept his apology and they would try to build back what ground they had lost. Up until last night Qui-Gon had feared that Obi-Wan had reached his limit with forgiving his old master, but they had made their peace. Now he just had to hope that that peace was still intact with just a few bruises. He made a mental note to apologize to the young knight as soon as possible,

With that settled, Qui-Gon turned his thoughts back to his current Padawan. He made his way out of the cockpit and began making his way back to the cabin he had left only moments before. It was time for him to visit his Padawan and get some answers for himself. If what Obi-Wan suspected was true then there was a reason that Anakin had been targeted for the attack this morning. If he was harboring darkness then naturally dark seeks out dark just as light seeks out light. He found himself seeing the image of Obi-Wan's light pushing past the shadows of darkness that had filled the boy earlier in the day.

If a box existed then it was imperative that Qui-Gon find it before Anakin rebuilt his shields. If the boy wanted to be a Jedi he would have to learn that the light will not abide the darkness nor the darkness abide light. They cannot exist in the presence of the other. To choose the light is to choose the path of a Jedi, but to choose darkness is to become a Sith. Qui- Gon shuddered wondering for a moment if that had been what had attacked the boy. Noting wanting to waste any more time in speculation he felt himself pick up his pace.

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Anakin slowly felt himself rising to the surface. He had vague memories of the pain that had overtaken him. This caused him to move very cautiously through his thoughts. It was as if he needed to tiptoe to keep the painful ones asleep. As he opened his eyes and took in the darkened cabin he began feeling more confident. He tried to piece together what had happened. He remembered being sent to meditate, feeling the other presence, and then darkness and pain. He remembered his relief when he had felt his Master enter his mind and start to stop the pain that was coming from their bond. He also remembered Obi-Wan.

As the name formed on his lips he sat up causing a slight wave of nausea to shake him slightly. The knight had been with his master in his mind. He had seen the box and had closed it. Anakin felt a panic overtake him. How would he keep it from his Master now? How would he protect his box and the comfort he needed so desperately from it now that it had been exposed. He was sure that Obi-Wan would tell his Master. The knight would do anything to come between them. He had never forgiven Anakin for being the one that Master Jinn had chosen. Perhaps there was something there. Perhaps he could use that to discredit the knight. He filed that thought away for later consideration. He had work to do now.

He searched within his mind for a better hiding place. He wondered how the other presence had come into his mind and decided that perhaps in tracing that link he would find a place where he could hide his thought box.

He picked up on the being's signature and started tracing it through his brain. It was much like a piece of yarn as it wove itself in and out of all of Anakin's thoughts, memories and emotions. Anakin was both impressed and outraged that the being now knew him so intimately. Even his own Master didn't know all of these things about him.

His mind felt tender in places where the dark figure had invaded his thoughts. He suppressed a shudder as he considered the man. He had to hide his box first then he would consider the man he had seen so vividly standing beside his box. The man who had known exactly where to look and what had been lurking within the box. The man whose power had overwhelmed the boy and had shattered his shields, had attacked him so thoroughly and left him weak and unconscious.

After much searching Anakin finally located the point where the man had entered his mind, it was near his memory center. It seemed he had focused on angry memories as his passport into the Anakin's mind. It seemed a safe place to keep his box. He had never been to this place and doubted his Master could even find it. It was thoroughly buried. Leaving the box behind him he rose from the center of his mind. As he opened his eyes he heard the soft sound of the door and watched as his Master entered his cabin.

//Perfect timing.// He thought to himself.

He noticed the dark circles of fatigue and concern that hung under the man's eyes. Smiling faintly Anakin cleared his throat to speak.

"Master you look tired." His voice was weak.

"As do you my Padawan. We have both had quite a day. How are you feeling?" Qui-Gon asked laying a hand along the side of the boy's head.

"I have a bit of a headache but other than that just tired. I am not sure what happened. One moment I was meditating as you asked and the next I was on the floor." He shook his head carefully.

"Did you sense anything before you lost consciousness?" Qui-Gon asked.

Anakin bit his lip judging the man before him. He feigned trying to remember when in reality he was deciding if it would be safe to tell his Master what he had felt. He wasn't sure that his Master would want to continue training him if he knew about the darkness. Anakin suspected that it was the darkness he had toyed with that had somehow led the dark one to him. He had brought this on himself. Finally deciding that ignorance would save him from more difficult questions and deceptions, he shook his head.

"No. I just felt pain and then went out. Why do you ask?" Now it was time to test his Master. He already knew his Master was capable of lying to his padawan. Anakin wanted to see if that was a skill reserved only for Obi-Wan or if the Master extended it to all of his students.

Qui-Gon noted the fatigue that lined the boy's face and the care he took when moving his head. He didn't want to deceive the boy but he also didn't want to cause him any undo alarm. It could have been an isolated incident. Of course he would need the boy to trust him in order to learn about the existence of the box Obi-Wan had spoken of. They still had another day in space. Perhaps the thing to do now was to get the boy some food, some guided meditation and further rest. Tomorrow they could discuss what had happened and also about the box. Qui-Gon smiled at the boy trying to alleviate the anxiety he saw on the boy's face.

"Oh it is nothing. We can discuss it later. Do you feel up to going to the galley? " Anakin's stomach answered for him as it growled loudly. They both smiled. Qui-Gon offered his hand which Anakin gladly took as he steadied himself. He stared up momentarily at his Master. Qui-Gon hadn't really lied to him just then, but he hadn't told him the truth either. As they set out for the galley Anakin used all the energy he could spare to start reconstructing his shields. He had a feeling he was going to need them.

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Ok so this is a little longer. I haven't even started on the next post so it will probably be next Monday before I have it ready. I will try to get better and set a day of the week so it is easier to know when to look for the next chapter. Again there are referenced to An Untimely Frost so thanks to Cynical21. Let me know what you guys think. I tried varying the sentence structure some but still am working on it. Thanks to everyone who posted a review. The comments and tips always help me so much!!!