Repercussions
Chapter 34
Qui-Gon stood in the doorway of the small room, staring at its occupant. Gaikusan had been sedated and restrained on one of the bunks. Keeping him unconscious on the trip home had seemed like the easiest solution. Kyran was in the next room, also asleep. Deep in a healing trance to repair the damage done to him by Gaikusan. Qui-Gon's hand drifted towards the handle of his lightsaber. How much pain and suffering this one man had caused. A year of his life had lost to imprisonment and hiding because of him. His dearest friends had been made fugitives. Two young padawans had been without their masters. Kyran had been brutally tortured because of him. Qui- Gon gripped his saber hilt tighter. They were returning Gaikusan to the Temple, but what then? Would there be any justice or would Gaikusan find a way to manipulate the courts so that he went free?
Kyran had stopped him from killing Gaikusan in the palace dungeon and he had been right to do so. At that moment it would have been an act of anger and vengeance. But what about now? He no longer felt hot fury, instead a calm filled him. It was like the deep stillness before a great storm breaks. Wouldn't destroying Gaikusan now be an act of justice? Fair retribution for the great harm he had caused so many? Qui-Gon unlatched his lightsaber from his belt.
"Qui-Gon?" A quiet voice said behind him.
Startled, Qui-Gon spun around to find Devin looking at him intently. He touched Qui-Gon gently on the arm. "Put the saber away. Let's go make something to eat. You don't need to be in here. Gaikusan can't hurt anyone now."
The temptation to push Devin away, ignite his lightsaber and bury it up to the hilt in Gaikusan's heart flared in Qui-Gon like a supernova. Devin shifted his weight slightly, ready to react. Like a blast of cold air, Qui- Gon realized he was preparing to stop any attack he might make. Bowing his head, Qui-Gon handed his saber to Devin and headed towards the small lounge area. He slumped down into a chair, burying his head in his hands.
Devin wrapped his arm around his friend's shoulders. "Qui-Gon. You resisted temptation. You didn't give in. Remember what I said on Null? Just because you've been tempted doesn't mean you've fallen. Getting back up and continuing the fight is what's important."
"How do I know if I ever got back up again?" Said in a near whisper, Devin almost missed Qui-Gon's reply, sensing it more over their bond rather than hearing it.
"You didn't kill him. You stopped yourself. If that moment back in the room, had you let the Dark Side rule you, you would have tried killed us both without hesitation, without thought. That's how I know." He said gently.
Qui-Gon just shook his head. Devin, at his core of his being, had an almost unshakable faith that justice would prevail, regardless of what hardships might have to be endured. Qui-Gon could no longer share that faith.
Devin studied his friend thoughtfully. "Gaikusan will face his justice. We're almost home. We should arrive by early tomorrow morning."
Qui-Gon couldn't suppress the shudder than ran through him. He had desperately wanted to return to the Temple for so long, now he dreaded it. He realized Devin was looking at him oddly. Forcing a smile on his face, he said, "That's good. Kyran needs better healing than what we can provide. And I know you've both missed your Padawans. It will be good for you both to finally be home."
"Yes. We all need healing." He smiled slightly at Qui-Gon. "Now your name will be cleared and you have more than done your duty in bringing in a rogue Force user. It's been over a year so your probation is likely to be over by the time we get there."
Qui-Gon dropped his gaze to his hands, as if fascinated by how tightly he could grip them into fists. Perhaps if he could grip them tight enough, he could keep the despair he felt from escaping into his voice. "My probation. Yes, that won't be an issue anymore once the Council knows what I've done."
Devin sighed deeply. He a remark meant to cheer him up had instead hurt him. "What have you done?"
"You know, Devin. You just witnessed an example of it. You shared my memories of my time in the Hole. I've touched the Dark side."
"You've done nothing but be human. They don't punish us for being human. Every Jedi is tempted by the dark side. Some are more so than others. They have harder battles to fight. But they keep fighting. Don't give into this despair Qui-Gon. Gaikusan didn't win. He did not break you. Gaikusan battled the Dark side too when he was a knight. He failed. You haven't."
"He broke me, Devin. I had given up. I refused to serve him, that's true, but how could I have still been a servant of the Light when I was so lost in the darkness of despair? How many times would I have given up if you and Kyran had kept pulling me along? Now both you and Kyran have stopped me from killing Gaikusan. Do you think I don't know it would be an act of revenge? But I'd have done it in a heartbeat if you weren't between us. The Council will know that the second they see me. My probation is over because I'll be dismissed from the Jedi."
Devin rolled his eyes. " You are not lost. If you were, I'd've given up hope on you long ago. But I haven't."
"You always were more stubborn than you were smart," Qui-Gon said with a sad smile. "I appreciate it, but somehow I don't think the Council will agree with your assessment."
"Why don't you let them decide instead of deciding for them ahead of time." Devin arched a brow at his friend and then stood to go brew a pot of tea.
"Seems like reasonable advice. Devin, no matter what they do decide, I want you to know how much I appreciate you and Kyran coming for me and staying with me despite everything."
"Not a problem, my friend. I know were the situations reversed, you'd have done the same for us. We're brothers.. Remember?" Devin smiled gently as he came to pour his friend a mug of freshly brewed tea.
Qui-Gon grabbed Devin's arm as he passed by, squeezing it tightly. "I'll remember, brother."
Qui-Gon walked down the ramp, gazing upwards at the spires of the Jedi Temple. No matter what might follow, at this moment he felt a warm peace settle around him. He was home. Behind him, Kyran and Devin emerged. He felt their surge of joy at the sight of the two slender figures standing respectfully behind Yoda and Mace. And the three grim faced Knights. Qui- Gon faltered slightly, he had returned home, but he was still an escaped convict with a rather large price on his head.
"Gone much time, you have been." Yoda said, his tone impassive. Qui-Gon was heartened when he realized that there was a twinkle in the old Master's eyes and his ears were straight up, always a sure sign he was pleased.
Devin and Kyran both came to stand next to Qui-Gon. Devin bowed deeply before Master Yoda. Kyran gave a shallow bow trying to keep his pain in check.
"Gaikusan also you have brought back?" Yoda asked, nodding in acknowledgement of their greeting.
"Yes Master Yoda." Qui-Gon said softly. "I have done as I was ordered. Gaikusan is now in the custody of the Jedi."
"He's in the back sleeproom, heavily sedated." Devin said. The three Knights moved forward into the ship. They emerged moments later with the unconsious form of Gaikusan levitated between them.
"Take him to holding cell three, the healers can attend him there." Mace ordered. As the Knights moved off, their prisoner with them, the Councilors turned their attention back to the three men standing anxiously at the end of the ship's ramp. "There are still warrents out for your arrests. As Jedi, we must honor them."
Devin nodded, placing a calming hand on Qui-Gon's shoulder. "We realized that. It was our hope that with Gaikusan in Jedi custody, the matter of Qui- Gon's identity might be cleared up faster."
Qui-Gon tried to bring the despair he felt settling over him to heel. He shifted positon easing more of the weight on his good leg. "Also, we had hoped that Knight Josel would be able to receive better healing at the Temple rather than being seen elsewhere."
There was a small noise from Jayla, quickly stiffled. The two padawans had been doing their best to stand quietly. They had been allowed to attend only on that condition. Both were thrilled to once more see their masters, but the reminder of their fugitive status had stirred up fear in the girls.
"Hrrmmm. Yes, to the Healers all should go. Confined to the Temple you are, until resolved this is. Padawans, your Masters see to." Yoda ordered.
Both girls rushed forward and bowed formally in greeting, only to be swept into big hugs by Kyran and Devin. Kyran wrapped his arms around Jayla in a bone-crushing hug. She touched his back and he inhaled sharply but held on to her tighter as if afraid she would vanish.
Kyran pulled away and stared at his padawan. She had grown a few inches since he'd been away and she was blossoming into a very beautiful young woman. "Padawan, I do believe you have grown taller while I've been away," he teased trying unsuccessfully to mask the lump that had formed in his throat as he tried to speak.
Devin laughed, holding Jaeli close to him. "Soon you'll be the shortest again, Kyran."
"I'm not short, you and Qui-Gon are just unnaturally tall," he said mock seriously hugging his padawan again. Force how he had missed her. He ignored the stabbing pain in his back as she hugged him back, he never wanted to let go.
Master Yoda hurmphed again. "Yes, true that is"
Kyran laughed and looked towards Qui-Gon, intending to tease him about Yoda taking his side in the discussion. Qui-Gon was standing off to the side, with Mace. There was a sadness in his eyes as he watched the joyful reunion.
Kyran reached out a hand to Qui-Gon. "We're home."
At that Qui-Gon smiled. "Yes. It is good to be home." He said with heartfelt sincerity swallowing past the thickness in his voice at those words. Home. Warmth and peace settled over him once more. He was home and at home he was safe, protected within the walls of the Temple and the embraces of friends.