"Going somewhere, Master Qui-Gon?"

Qui-Gon Jinn turned at the sound of the voice. He bowed. "Yes I am, Master Yoda."

"The failure of your apprentice, w as surprising," said Yoda.

Qui-Gon's second apprentice had just failed the tests that would make him a Jedi Knight. "He was not suited for the life of the Jedi. As we see now."

"Another apprentice, will you take?"

"Perhaps."

"Where are you going?"

"To visit an old friend of mine. On the system of Edoran.."

Yoda nodded. "Come back, alone you will not."

"What?"

"May the Force be with you." Then Yoda turned and left.

Qui-Gon stared after him for a long moment. Then got into his speeder and left.

Toruan watched with hooded eyes as the Jedi knocked on Thardon's door. The door opened and the Jedi disappeared inside.

"Qui-Gon! I wasn't expecting you!"

"Well, my apprentice failed to get into Knighthood. So I decided to take a quick break and come and see you," said Qui-Gon as he sat down. "I needed a break."

"This is good," said Thardon. "Something strange happened four days ago."

"What?"

"A man showed up at my door. He gave me this baby and said I was to give it to you when you came."

Qui-Gon's eyes narrowed. "A baby?"

"Yes." Thardon stood. "I'll go and get her. He also left a hologram for you as well." Thardon left the room.

Qui-Gon was deep in thought. A baby? For him. Qui-Gon knew very little of babies. Having had very little…actually, no experience with them at all.

Thardon reentered the room with a small black bundle in his arms. "She's awake." He held the baby out to Qui-Gon but Qui-Gon shook his head. "There must be some mistake."

"Qui-Gon, there's no mistake." And Thardon relayed everything that had happened that night. "Now, take her." Thardon placed the baby in Qui-Gon's arms.

Qui-Gon looked at the baby.

She stared up at him with wide violet eyes. She had a head full of black hair that was as soft as down. Slowly she raised a tiny hand in the air and began waving it around. Then she smiled.

Qui-Gon was enchanted. "She's…"

"Beautiful, I know," said Thardon. "If the man who had brought her here, hadn't been so…mysterious, I would have kept her for myself."

Qui-Gon looked up. "Mysterious?"

"Yes," said Thardon. "I spoke to him for about five minuets. He was dressed completely in black and his face was hooded. He said he would be watching me to make sure I did as he asked."

The baby grabbed at the jewel hanging around her neck.

"What's that?" asked Qui-Gon.

"It's a diamond of some sort," said Thardon as he sat back down. "I've never seen one like it. It's perfect."

Qui-Gon studied the baby. "Where's the hologram?"

"In the robe with her."

"I think I should leave," said Qui-Gon slowly.

Thardon nodded. "Yes. I want him to know I did as he asked." He opened the door for Qui-Gon. "May the Force be with you, Qui-Gon."

Qui-Gon went quickly down the road toward the landing pad where he had left his speeder.

"Master Qui-Gon Jinn." A shadow stepped out in front of him.

Qui-Gon stopped. Slowly he shifted the baby over to one arm.

"You needn't go for your lightsaber, Master Qui-Gon," said the shadow in a deep voice. "I have no wish to harm you."

"Then what do you want?"

"To say goodbye to Leila."

"Leila?"

"The baby you carry."

Qui-Gon looked down at the bundle. And then back at the shadow. "This is your child?"

"No. Now it is yours. Guard her well. Love her and see that she grows up." the shadow stepped foreword. "May I hold her once more?"

Slowly Qui-Gon gave him the baby.

Toruan studied the baby's face. She was wide awake and staring up at him. At the sight of his face, she smiled and squealed with joy. He kissed her forehead and handed her back to Qui-Gon. Then he turned and melted into the shadows.

Qui-Gon stared at the spot he had been a moment ago. And then hurried to his ship. Quickly he lifted off and shot for space.

Toruan watched as Qui-Gon got into his speeder and lifted off. moments later the ship lifted off. And Toruan turned back for the house of Thardon.

Thardon answered his own door that night. He was startled by the sight of the shadow. "I did as you commanded."

"You did well." Toruan dropped a small sack on the floor. And was gone.

Thardon slowly bent down and picked up the sack. He opened and stared. Inside was more money than wealthy Thardon had ever seen.