Chapter 3

Two weeks passed, finding Qui-gon utterly bored. He wanted so much to be free again. The temple, his quarters, all his surroundings brought back memories. At least when he was out on the murderous and vicious battlefields, he didn't have to think of Xantos.

Yoda observed Qui-gon from a distance, and saw that being restricted, while keeping him from destroying himself, made Qui-gon stir crazy. Yoda knew how painful the memories were. Perhaps it was not fair to force him to re-live it all. Qui had had two weeks of rest. Letting him out again, provided it wasn't so extraordinarily dangerous, wasn't the worst idea in the world. The old master went to Qui-gon, and released him from his confinement.

But while he was there, Yoda sensed Qui-gon's emotions were fighting a feeling of correlation. Sensing a bond you are, Qui-gonYoda mocked with a chuckle of self-congratulation. No, Master. I don't believe soMaybe, just maybe, the Force could still revive the Qui-gon Yoda remembered so fondly. Give it time, the old master willed himself. Time will tell.

Qui-gon was off on a mission the afternoon of his release. His mission was chosen for him along with the insistence that he take a partner. An older gentleman, Master Rawitz, was assigned to Qui-gon (his purpose being more to baby-sit Qui-gon than to assist in the mission). They arrived on Derwin III by early evening, neither of them haven spoken a word.

A week and a half passed. The mission was uncomplicated; mostly debate on what the Capitol's next move would be. Master Rawitz and Qui-gon exchanged very minimal conversation and made separate reports to the Council. And, of course, Qui-gon's attitude was less than sparkling.

The assignment seemed harmless, but it wasn't. Nothing could be that simple. There were no witnesses, not Rawitz, Qui-gon barley knew it was happening. He was scarcely eating. He got little sleep. The simplest tasks suddenly had the power to exhaust him. And as the days passed, it didn't become better. But, hiding things had become so natural to him; no one had any idea Qui-gon was suffering.

It, of course, didn't stop him. During the usual daily discussion with the highest-ranking officials of Derwin III, a message was received from their generals. Their armies were being beaten back, knocked out. It wouldn't be much longer before there was no chance. As the room flew up in arms, Qui- gon leaped from his seat and sprinted to the door, Rawitz on his tail.

"Jinn! Where are you going?" Qui-gon barely turned his head as he passed through the door.

"I'm going out there." Rawitz stood stunned for a moment before trotting after Qui and grabbing his shoulder.

"Are you crazy? There's no reason for us to go out there. There is nothing we cou—" "I didn't say we." Qui-gon reproached. He began walking again.

"Qui-gon, you'll be killed. It is completely out of control. There is nothing you could do. It... it's pointless to even consider going. There is no reason." Rawitz found the notion so completely worthless, the words he strained seemed empty. Never the less, Qui-gon stopped. He was right, and Qui had no way around that. It was foolish. Qui-gon pushed past Rawitz, heading down the opposite corridor to his room. The elder followed him with his eyes, then proceeded to contact the council.

It had been a warm day, and a busy one, too. Young Obi-wan Kenobi was tired and anxious to crawl under the cool, comforting sheets of his bed. Finally, his setting was quiet and at rest, and he could hear himself think. Something had been picking at his mind all day; he had wanted so much to deal with it, but every time he tried, a new game would come up, or he'd have to make it to "safety" in a fresh contest of tag.

But now, it was clear: Master Jinn. What was it about that man? Why did he feel so close to him when he knew so little? It was the single strangest emotion he had ever had but, even in its oddity, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. As he drifted to sleep, Obi-wan wondered if Master Jinn, or anybody for that matter, ever got this feeling too.

Qui-gon sat at the back of the transport, grudgingly punching out his report. After his little "incident" had been spilled to the council, the two Jedi had been sent straight home. It had been the council's intention of bringing them home with in the week anyway, but Qui-gon knew trouble was waiting. He'd probably be locked up again, for a longer sentence, no doubt.

Secretly however, he was glad of it. He frequently had to close his eyes while writing to keep from fainting. Qui-gon knew he was sick, he knew it was serious but outwardly, was too stubborn to admit it, or to ask for help. By the time they got home, it would be late. The council would wait until morning; he'd have plenty of time to rest.

But late that night, when he tripped through his door, he fell unconscious on to his bed. Qui-gon sure lucked out in the fact that the council decided till afternoon to ask for him.

Obi-wan awoke with a weird start. He sensed that Master Jinn had returned. He didn't know how, but he didn't care. He jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes, and carefully slipped out of the quiet nursery.

He remembered with flawless acuteness the way to the Jedi's quarters. When he reached it, he buzzed the door. No answer. Again. No answer. Now Obi was confused. His mind was telling him Master Jinn was here, but reality said he wasn't. He tried three more times. Nothing. Suddenly, Obi- wan became frightened. He knew it; he could feel it. Qui-gon was there. Something was keeping him from the door. Fear surged through the child and he heroically tried to pry the doors open with his tiny fingers. He pulled with all his teeny might. Tears sprang to Obi's eyes- why was he being stopped? Something was wrong; he had to help.

A fire kindled inside him; it was so strong, so powerful. Without even realizing it, Obi flung himself against that door, and pulled again. But this time it wasn't just his arms. The strength came from that flame. Slowly, the doors moved apart until they were wide open, right there in front of a stunned Obi-wan. How did I do that? he thought. But he raced in and feverishly searched for Master Jinn. When Obi-wan found him, his fear returned, and he shook Qui-gon, calling his name. With no reply, Obi-wan ran out of the apartment and sprinted all the way to the Healers.