First chapter = disclaimers
Phoenix Wolf: Glad to hear from You! Exams are buggers, so don't apologize. Thank you for the great compliments!
{}- telepathic thoughts
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Obi-Wan shivered as the ship flew through hyper space. He did not recognize the class of the vehicle, but was not overly concerned about it. He had overheard that the ship had been specially designed by "His Father" for "His Mother." Apparently they had enough money to custom build ships. He was not surprised about that. His "Aunt," from what he had gathered, was fairly high up in the political structure of Coruscant. Money inevitably followed the influential and their close friends and relatives.
Absently, he played with his braid. Qui-Gon would no doubt chide him for indulging in the bad habit, but Obi-Wan felt a certain amount of right. After all, Qui-Gon was not the one who was trapped with a bunch of people claiming to be relatives. With a sigh, he began to center himself. A few minutes later, he recognized the feeling of having eyes watching him.
Obi-Wan slowly raised his eyes to see Mara leaning against the doorway watching him.
"I wasn't aware they taught meditation to thugs," she stated without preamble.
"Who says they taught me? It is a self-learned art," Obi-Wan paused and decided to use his acting experience, "It helps to keep the voices out." His voice was purposely uncertain.
It wasn't even a lie. It was simply one point of view. Consequently, Mara seemed to believe him.
"Yeah, Luke has problems with that sometimes. Me, I'm not the touchy-feely type."
Obi-Wan smirked, "You prefer to plan and organize to living in the moment?"
"You could say that. You could also say that I tend to be more suspicious than Luke."
"Meaning, of course, that you are suspicious of me. I find that quite humorous."
"Really?" Mara asked sarcastically.
"Yes, after all, you brought me to you. If you have suspicions, you have no-one to blame but yourself."
Mara shook her head. "You like to play with fire don't you?"
"I wasn't aware of any hostilities laid before me."
Mara frowned, "You are either more naïve than your father, or you are too tricky for your own good. I'm favoring the latter."
"I wouldn't know how naïve my father is. As for being tricky, I need to stay alive. My lifestyle isn't prone to safety."
Mara sighed, "I have to hand it to you. You're good. Hell, you're probably one of the best shysters that I've met in a long while. You're telling the truth, but you aren't telling it in a truthful way. Don't think I don't know that."
"It would be very unrealistic to suppose you did believe me. One doesn't stay alive by underestimating others."
"We aren't your enemy, Ben."
"Yet, you do not tell me the whole truth either."
A set of footsteps started moving in their direction.
Obi-Wan unconsciously brushed against the Force signature of the newcomer. "That will be Anakin fetching us for dinner. I suggest that we continue this conversation later."
Mara nodded and allowed Obi-Wan to pass her, then followed after him. It was too bad really. When he was young, he had been so much like his father. Now, it seemed that Jade should have been his last name.
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Qui-Gon rhythmically drummed his fingers against the top of the table he was sitting at. After three days of being in the future, the authorities had apparently given up searching for him. The small footnote he had made in the newscasts had dismissed his appearance ad some illusion performed by a skilled street magician. As they could not find any evidence that he had broken any laws, the search had died out quite quickly.
The problem was what to do. He knew that whatever had pulled him to this time originally been puling on his apprentice. Whether Obi-Wan had ended up in the same time was another problem. He obviously was not on the same planet. Their bond would have immediately responded from the amount of pressure Qui-Gon had recently applied to it, even if Obi-Wan were unconscious. The only other option was that whatever had caused the vortex had also caused Obi-Wan's death. As far as Qui-Gon was concerned, that was not a viable option.
He smiled politely as he paid for his pathetic drink and meal. He had felt bad about stealing to pay for his food, but he did not feel too badly. After all, he had stolen from a spice dealer.
He fingered his lightsaber as he walked out into the street. He did not wish to use it as it would draw attention, but it was better to be alive and slightly noticed than dead out of stubbornness. A slight pang hit his heart as his hand slid involuntarily to the saber hanging next to his. Obi-Wan had been deprived of handling its weight for far too long. That he might never hold the weapon again was not a pleasant thought.
Qui-Gon frowned in his most imposing manner. He was beginning to think in terms of uncertainties and the future. Obi-Wan and the council would be thrilled that the young Padawan had rubbed off on the Master. Too bad none of them were there to witness and gloat.
Glumly, Qui-Gon began to wander down the street waiting for guidance from the Force.
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Obi-Wan held his breath as they began to maneuver into the atmosphere of Coruscant. They were, of course, landing a far bit away from the Temple, but Obi-Wan knew enough people that he could manage the distance. All he had to do was get away.
He shrugged the small bag that held his new clothes over his shoulder. Best to look like you are going to do what your captors want right up until you make your escape. The pleasant look on his face did not fool Mara, but the other four were so happy to see him not moping that they did not seem to question it.
He obediently followed Luke and Jaina as Anakin escorted him down the ramp. Mara and Tahiri followed from behind. Ahead of them stood a Wookie, two dark haired men and a brown haired woman. Probably more "relatives," Obi-Wan presumed.
He was not incorrect. The woman was his aunt and one man her husband. The other human male was another cousin. At least, Obi-Wan caustically thought, they didn't try to tell me I was related to the Wookie.
Obi-Wan smiled politely as they were introduced to him. The older man seemed to be shocked while the other two humans hid their concern well. Obi-Wan was not sure what the Wookie thought, he had never been particularly strong in reading Wookies.
An insistent tug began at the back of Obi-Wan's mind. His eyes widened when he realized what it was. {Master?} Obi-Wan was surprised at how quickly Qui-Gon had contacted him.
{Padawan, where are you?}
{I missed you also, Master.} Obi-Wan teased back.
{Now is not the time, Obi-Wan.} Qui-Gon admonished.
{I am somewhere to the south of the Senate complex} Obi-Wan added a mental sigh on the end of his statement, {You don't know what I've suffered in my absence.}
{I am certain I will find out. Can you get away?}
{I was planning on escaping to the Temple fairly soon.}
{NO! Don't go to the Temple. I'm afraid that something has happened that may shock you.}
{Very well, what do you suggest?}
{Can you locate me by concentrating on our bond?}
{Don't insult me Master, I've been doing that since I was sixteen.}
{Obstinate Apprentice.}
{Disobedient Master, I shall be with you shortly. I believe my opportunity for escape is close at hand.}
{Obi-Wan, I do not care for that reckless tone. What are you going to do?}
{Nothing, just jump off of the hundredth story walkway into Corscant traffic.}
{Ah, I shall let you concentrate then.}
{It would be most appreciated.}
Luke frowned, Ben's mind seemed to have wandered. The boy was surreptitiously eyeing the windows that lined the walkway that lead to Leia and Han's apartments. He was about to ask what was wrong when the Force suddenly surged. Where Ben had been standing seconds before was a patch of carpet and shattered glass.
A large hole was in one of the windows where Ben slammed his body against the pane. Mara was already leaning out of the window, tracking Ben with her eyes. Before Luke said anything, she had followed her son's lead. With nothing else to do, Luke gathered the Force around him and jumped.