First chapter = disclaimers
{Telepathy}
A/N: please forgive me for twisting another famous scene to use in this fic. (I couldn't resist)
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Obi-Wan shifted uncomfortably on the plush sofa in Leia's apartment. So far, the "family" had accepted his story about Qui-Gon. That had not, however, lessened the hostilities.
"So you're just sort of a benevolent guy that picks up strays?" Mara's eyes pierced Qui-Gon's.
{Padawan, are you certain you're not related? She does seem rather protective.}
{Ceretain, Master.}
"Qui-Jon has a habit of picking up all types of pathetic life forms," Obi-Wan answered Mara.
{I'm going to make you do the fifth meditation for that one.}
{Oh, I'm sure they won't have any suspicions about me whirling ten objects around in the air while reciting Jedi litany, Master.}
{I hardly think that that will surprise them after you jumped out that window.}
"How do you support yourself?" Mara continued unintentionally interrupting the private conversation.
"O - Ben and I take odd jobs to help out any communities we can."
{Nice save. You made the "O" sound like an "Oh."}
{That is why you are the apprentice, and I am the Master.}
Leia smiled at them, "We cannot thank you enough for what you have done for Ben, but surely, you both want what is best for Ben. If you stay with us, Ben, we can help refine your training in the Force. You won't have to work the underside of Coruscant to feed yourself."
{I think I used that one on the parents of a prospective initiate once.}
Obi-Wan smirked at his Master's comment as he responded, "With all due respect, Senator, my place is my place in life. While I appreciate your offer, all I truly wish for is to return to my life."
Mara frowned, "In essence, you don't believe us."
"Should I? I understand that you are Jedi, but I cannot accept that I am your son."
"Why? Because we're too famous?" Jacen asked incredulous that anyone would doubt the words of his family.
{Umm, how do I answer that Master?}
{I'm not sure. I did not have too much of an opportunity for research. I didn't know that they were famous. Best to go with the truth.}
"No, because I was born before your grandfather was, Jacen."
{Judging by the gaping mouths, Obi-Wan, I think that was too truthful.}
{I was tiring of this stupidity. We were accomplishing nothing. Besides, I have not revealed who we truly are.}
Luke's face contorted in confusion, "You can't possibly believe that. Mr. Windu would not be here if that was true."
"Qui-Jon was with me when your fancy machine pulled me."
"You deceived us," Mara noted although her tone was more approving than it was condemning.
"I did not know how much to trust you."
Anakin broke into the conversation for the first time, "It does make a certain amount of sense. We knew that we'd pulled Ben from another time and place. Why not the far past instead of the present?"
{Ah, there is intelligence in your family. I was beginning to think there was only diplomacy and hostile tendencies.}
{Master…} Obi-Wan's frustrated groan was his only response.
Luke was trying to reconcile how Ben could have known Qui-Jon was on Coruscant if they had both been pulled from the past. Han was ready for a more concrete action.
"Look, I don't know all about the mystic Force or fancy time traveling transporters or stuff like that. What I do know is that you've got to be stupid not to see the family resemblance. Why don't we just have your genes tested? You can go out and buy the equipment yourself from whatever dealer you choose. I'll pay the bill."
Qui-Gon smirked, "I do believe that is a wonderful suggestion."
{Master, Are you crazy?}
{Obi-Wan once we call their bluff and have concrete evidence that you are not 'Ben,' they will have to return us.}
{Or kill us.}
{True, but we can defend ourselves. And I tire of this double talk and intrigue as well as you do.}
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Two days later, Obi-Wan Kenobi sat assembling a very expensive blood testing kit. He patently refused to let anyone else even touch the machine. He insisted on carrying the box that it was in. He refused to let it out of his sight. He had even insisted on sleeping with it in his room. Qui-Gon had slept on the floor by the door of the room.
Han, Leia, Mara and Luke sat staring at Ben while he worked. Qui-Gon had been whisked off by Chewie and the younger Jedi ostensibly to keep him out of the way of Ben's work. They had actually ended up in a long discussion of the merits of Wookie society.
Han swirled the remnants of his drink, "So, which side of the family does his paranoia come from?"
Luke sighed, "I'm thinking Mara's. I've never been particularly paranoid."
"It isn't paranoia, farmboy, its sense. And if I was in Ben's situation, I'd be doing the same thing."
Leia shook her head, "Well, this will prove our story, but can we believe theirs?"
"It is difficult, but not impossible to believe. After all, we all knew that Ben had been sent backwards in time," Luke replied.
"Well, if they're telling the truth, we're going to have some problems kid. We can't just let Windu out on the streets when he doesn't have any business contacts. Not at his age," Han commented.
Mara snorted, "You feel sorry for him."
"Of course I do. You and I both know what kind of life is out there, Mara. Besides, I'd think you'd be grateful for the job he did with Ben. The kid has some talents."
Leia raised a hand to stop Mara's retort, "We will simply offer them the support that they both need. We can also see it as an opportunity. They lived in a time that we have so many unanswered questions about."
"Yes, but what about the fact that removing them from that time may alter this one?" Luke wondered aloud.
"Wonderful, temporal mechanics! Look, I'm pretty sure the whole timeline would have collapsed by know if it was going to collapse. Heck, maybe it already has. Maybe Leia and I were running a seedy diner and had seven kids and removing those two from time changed that. We don't know, so we don't worry about it," Han dismissed the subject with a final flick of his wrist.
Mara sighed, "I think that was Han speak for let the Force guide us."
"I would have to agree," Obi-Wan's quiet voice came from across the room.
"You were eavesdropping," Mara accused.
"And you are perversely proud that I was," Obi-Wan replied.
"Are you done?" Luke said with a slightly anxious twinge to his voice.
"I am. Would you and Mara be so kind as to donate some genetic material?"
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Qui-Gon Jinn slipped quietly into Obi-Wan's bedroom when he returned. His apprentice had disappeared into the room with his tester as soon as he had collected enough samples for a positive conclusion. He had not yet resurfaced to announce the results.
"Padawan?" Qui-Gon kept his voice soft so they could not be overheard.
"Master," Obi-Wan's voice was equally soft. He gently held out the test results to Qui-Gon's waiting hands.
"No," Qui-Gon whispered, "this isn't true."
"I know it's impossible."