AN: Hey guys, well here is the next chapter and if you were reading the original version then this is where you want to pick the story up from. The fic is finished now, I'm just waiting to hear back from my beta for the epilogue.
Chapter 10
The humidity was the first thing to hit Obi-Wan as he stepped from his ship. The planet Tyron was covered in dense forest and the almost constant sunlight made the air hot and heavy. The Shadow had no idea what his old master's mission was, he had only had time to send a brief transmission to Mace informing him of his new duty, so he had little idea of what to expect. However, he did know that Qui-Gon was already in danger. With his unique senses he could feel the other Jedi; the master was weary, but not exhausted; hungry, but not starving; and not concerned for his situation, just confused. Whatever the situation, it was a mystery to the master, also.
Taking a moment to locate Qui-Gon precisely, the Warrior widened his search within the Force, feeling the presence of others around the older Jedi, all intent on killing their prey. Qui-Gon had already been running for two days. It was time to end the game of cat and mouse by introducing a new kind of predator.
Obi-Wan ran silently into the forest, tracking the Jedi and his pursuers. When he was very close to the group, the forest fell silent.
'Damn, shock grenades,' Obi-Wan thought just as the wave from the grenade flowed through the forest. Qui-Gon had sensed it as easily as Obi-Wan and avoided its incapacitating effects. The Shadow lunged at the nearest bounty hunter. With one slash of Obi-Wan's lightsabre, the attacker on the right, that had been firing at the older Jedi, fell dead at the Warrior's feet. Obi-Wan then sent a nudge towards Qui-Gon through the Force, encouraging the master to begin running again.
Obi-Wan worked his way through the bounty hunters as Qui-Gon ran to his ship. He realised quickly upon joining the battle that it was not a fight that the master had needed any assistance with. The danger was not here on Tyron, but would appear somewhere else. The Shadow played a little with his opponents, not being quite as deadly as he would normally be when someone was threatening the life of a Jedi.
He heard Qui-Gon's ship powering up and the sound of burners engaging. He looked down at the man who he had just felled. He still lived.
"Who hired you?"
There was no answer.
"What was your purpose?"
Still nothing.
With no time for subtlety, Obi-Wan brought the blade of his sabre to within an inch of the man's flesh and with the Force behind his words he said,
"Tell me."
The fear of another and his survival instinct overrode any fear the bounty hunter may have had for the Jedi protector. Obi-Wan sensed his resistance and knew he would not get anything from the bounty hunters. He allowed those that remained to live and let them run to the clearing where Qui-Gon's ship was taking off. He allowed them to go and just as suddenly as he had come, he retreated back to his ship to follow his quarry to Coruscant.
"Did you ever discover who hired the bounty hunters, Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon asked, bringing the Shadow from his memories.
"Not yet, but I will, I hope."
"So, your first vision of me then, wasn't really a vision."
"No, sometimes it works out like that." Obi-Wan could not explain what he felt through the Force to Qui-Gon, or any one else; it was a sense unique to him.
"I followed you to Coruscant and spoke to the Council, briefly. I told them it was time and that I followed you to Naboo," Obi-Wan continued with his story. "It wasn't until Tatooine and the tattooed warrior that I realised that it was he that was the danger and that it would all end on Naboo."
"What about your vision of the future?"
"That, too, was on Naboo, as I watched you fight the Sith.
"I felt the moment stretch on, but instead of living within its confines as you had always taught me, I looked beyond it, into time where possibilities lie and where the unwritten future can be glanced. I saw the spiralling Darkness and felt the grief of a padawan, who could have been me, as I watched my master die. I felt the heat of a red blade close to my face; I felt it enter you as the phantom future played out before me in its horrifying possibilities.
"I knew that this future could never be; I had discovered my gift. I would not let you die bathed in a blood red light. I would stop what I had been unable to do so in another life, another time, another universe.
"I fought the Sith Warrior with the vision of blood and death in my eyes, and not just your death, but all those that would follow if I could not prevent a single death. I watched you fight him, Qui-Gon; watched as you pushed him back towards rotating shields whose light was the colour of blood.
"I screamed, Qui-Gon, matching the denial of another me, I let it echo through my entire being and I pushed you from the walkway, knowing that you would be able to control your fall." Obi-Wan stopped talking for a moment, caught up in memories both painful and distressing.
"I remember that, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said with a calming voice, hoping to keep Obi-Wan with him in the present and not be swallowed by harsh memories. "I remember watching you fight and for the first time truly understanding what you were."
"I fought with fear, Qui-Gon," the younger Jedi confessed. "I could see your death, but I also saw beyond that to my knighting and my first apprentice."
"Anakin."
"Yes, my heart knew that I was not ready for a padawan learner. And if I am not ready, how could the me who had watched his master die and was knighted because of his defeat of a Sith be ready for such a responsibility?"
"You became Anakin's master after my death," Qui-Gon summarised. " But I didn't die, so why then is there a ghost of a bond?"
"I don't know for sure, maybe it's because the future I prevented was a powerful one, a dominant one that was difficult to change."
"But you did," Qui-Gon reminded Obi-Wan, hearing grief creeping back into his lover's voice.
"Maybe." Obi-Wan allowed the word to linger in the air between them, reluctant to explain its meaning, knowing that Qui-Gon would understand that which he left unsaid.
"The danger to me has not passed, that future could still be."
"The danger does not threaten you now, but still it lingers at the back of my mind." Obi-Wan felt frustrated that he could not explain the feeling of danger better. "Your fate is twined with that of the Chosen One. You are vital to his life and training, Qui-Gon, and this puts you in harm's way."
"I have faith in you, Obi-Wan, even when the faith you place in yourself wanes."
Obi-Wan felt relief at the end of the conversation. He now wanted nothing more than to spend the remainder of their time together snuggled in Qui-Gon's arms, sleeping peacefully for the last time before returning to the dangers of the galaxy, which was why when Qui-Gon spoke again, Obi-Wan pushed away from him suddenly; he had not been prepared for Qui-Gon's question.
"It doesn't explain one thing, though, my own. Why do you hate Anakin calling you master so much? It cannot simply be because of my death."
Qui-Gon had not meant to take advantage of Obi-Wan's vulnerability, which was why he was so surprised when Obi-Wan broke from his embrace and when, for the first time that night, tears made their way down Obi-Wan's cheeks.
"Obi-Wan?"
"Because I have seen a future where I am master to the Chosen One, where I failed you, him and the Jedi; that future is a Dark one." Obi-Wan could not continue with words so he spoke to his bondmate's mind instead. 'It is a future I cannot bear to see or allow to exist.'
'What did you see?' Qui-Gon asked, fearing the answer.
'I cannot tell you that, Qui-Gon.'
And for that a small part of the Jedi master was glad.
"Come here, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said as he reached out to his bondmate. "I'm sorry my question hurts you so."
Obi-Wan returned to his lover's arms, relieved to be back within their comforting strength.
"Let's get some rest," Qui-Gon suggested and Obi-Wan wordlessly agreed. He shed his cloak and walked back to the bed, lying down amongst the tousled sheets. Sighing and knowing that breaking the silence may make things worse, Qui-Gon, too, returned to the bed.
Obi-Wan did not get the peaceful slumber he had hoped for, instead his dreams were invaded by the vision of a future where Darkness ruled the galaxy and where the Jedi were no more. Qui-Gon tried to guard Obi-Wan's dreams as much as he could, but a part of his lover's mind was forever shielded from him; a place where the Shadow protected all that he had seen, protected all that only he would ever see because of his Force-guided intervention.
The night passed for the two Jedi; morning came and with it the rising sun and the light of day. It also brought with it the saying of farewells.
"Will I see you again, beloved?" Qui-Gon asked, Obi-Wan's troubled night shaking his calm resolve.
"Of course."
Qui-Gon did not ask when and Obi-Wan did not offer any answer to the unasked question. Both knew time for them was a gift granted by the Force only when it could.
"Good bye, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan did not say farewell, he only bowed his head to his master and then turned, walking away, melting into the crowd that passed them on the walkway. As Obi-Wan disappeared from the Jedi master's sight, so too did he disappear from his mind.
Qui-Gon returned to the Jedi Temple and his life as a Jedi master. When he reached his quarters he found Anakin there already, preparing first meal.
"Did you have a nice evening with your friends, Padawan?"
"Yes, Master," Anakin answered, continuing to lay the table. "How is Obi-Wan?"
"He is fine."
"He didn't come and see me," the young Jedi said casually.
"He didn't have long."
"I understand." And Anakin did. Qui-Gon could sense through the bond the boy's regret at not seeing his friend, but also his acceptance of the situation.
"A mission we have for you."
Not a week had passed since Obi-Wan's visit when Qui-Gon had received the summons from Mace for him and Anakin to appear before the Council. There they now stood, receiving their first mission briefing as a master-apprentice team. Qui-Gon could feel excitement surge through Anakin as Yoda spoke. He smiled at his youthful enthusiasm. The mission was a simple matter, which was usual for first missions, but this did nothing to curb Qui-Gon's padawan's anticipation. They were to bear witness to a marriage that would join two houses of a planet where the Jedi had brokered a settlement millennia ago.
Qui-Gon listened passively until Mace issued a direct Council order that was unrelated to the current mission.
"Upon your return," the highly respected Jedi began. "We will require your decision on whether you wish to accept our invitation to join the Jedi Council."
Qui-Gon heard Mace's words and was preparing himself to argue their order, as part of him was angry with them for forcing the issue, especially in front of his apprentice. However the rest of him realised he had been procrastinating on making a decision. He let the argument drop before he even began it, admitting at least to himself that he had avoided the decision long enough.
"Yes, Masters," was all he said, and upon seeing the surprised look on half the Council members' faces when he had not argued the issue, he suddenly understood Obi-Wan's perverse pleasure at deliberately baiting the Council.
"May the Force be with you," Mace dismissed them with the usual parting words, but Qui-Gon was sure the other Jedi, behind his scowl, was thinking that the Shadow was having a bad influence on their resident maverick. To be a loose cannon was one thing, but another Jedi like Obi-Wan was another matter entirely. Qui-Gon had not meant to vex the Council on purpose, but decided that borrowing some of Obi-Wan's more irritating habits may be a good idea.
The master-apprentice team walked from the Council chamber and went to prepare for their first official mission together.
"I cannot possibly be in any danger here."
Qui-Gon did not know what caused him to speak out into an empty, silent room, but something had stirred within him and he knew that the Shadow was there to hear his words.
"You're getting better at that, beloved," said a very familiar voice. "Unless I'm…"
Qui-Gon turned to the owner of the voice as he trailed off into doubt. Qui-Gon cursed himself a little for not thinking before he spoke, forgetting momentarily Obi-Wan's fear of his diminishing senses.
"No, Obi-Wan, it was not you," Qui-Gon hoped he was being reassuring as his bondmate still had not dropped the shields he had around his end of the bond. "Part of me just knew you were close."
Obi-Wan smiled a little to hear that and he finally let go of his grasp on the Force, allowing his master to sense his presence properly.
"You are well?" Qui-Gon enquired, as he swept his gaze over his lover who, this time, was not dressed in the usual Jedi garb. Instead he wore tight fitting black leathers with numerous weapons on display. His hair was loose and fell wildly about his shoulders.
"I am well," Obi-Wan confirmed. "And you are right, there is no danger to you here."
"Another quick visit?" Qui-Gon asked hopefully, a feral grin briefly broke out across his face.
"Better that that, beloved." Obi-Wan walked slowly closer, swaying his hips just so, knowing the effect it would have on his bondmate. "I have come to give you and your apprentice a lift home."
"And then?"
"Barring any emergencies, I shall be staying for a while."
Obi-Wan was now close enough for Qui-Gon to touch, however he did not reach out, wanting to draw out the moment, holding off the joyful sensation of touching his lover, until Obi-Wan came to him completely.
There was barely an inch between them when the lavish apartment doors burst open and a very excited Jedi apprentice barrelled in.
"Obi-Wan!" he squealed.
"Anakin," Obi-Wan said, smiling, glad to see the young Jedi well. "How are you?"
"This place is awesome," Anakin told him by way of answer.
Qui-Gon had been right about his initial assessment of the mission. It had been simple and a formality. For Anakin it had been the most thrilling few days of his life.
"Are you here for long?" the boy asked courteously, trying not to get his hopes up.
"I will attend the final banquet with you tonight and then I shall pilot you both back to Coruscant."
"And then?"
"After that we'll just have to trust the Force."
"I can do that." With the formalities out the way, Anakin ran to Obi-Wan and gave him a brief, tight hug. "I'm glad you're here, Obi-Wan. Master misses you when you're gone."
"And I miss him," Obi-Wan told the boy solemnly while trying not to smile at his bondmate.
'He misses you too, Obi-Wan.'
'I can see that, Master.'
'Just making sure you realise how loved you are.'
'I realise.' Obi-Wan finally gave in and let his smile blossom onto his face.
"You have to change," Anakin's abrupt observation brought the bondmates back to the present. "You don't look like a Jedi at all."
"I shall, Anakin. Why don't you work on your lessons while Master Jinn helps me."
Anakin gave both the older Jedi a look that showed them he did not believe them, despite their best innocent faces.
"Okay, but don't be too long."
"Padawan," Qui-Gon's voice held a warning.
"Sorry, Master."
The bondmates watched the apprentice scurry off to his own room before they turned to the second, larger bedroom of the suite that the Jedi had been provided with.
"Wow," Obi-Wan said upon entering the room that Qui-Gon had been using. "How come when I was your apprentice we never stayed in places like this?"
"This is our first mission together, Obi-Wan."
"My first mission consisted of hutts, dragons and corrupt miners."
"That's because you're a trouble magnet."
Obi-Wan decided he could not argue with that. It certainly seemed true when he had been a padawan, and since his knighting, his duty essentially meant he went looking for trouble. Obi-Wan put down the small pack that he had brought from his ship and then proceeded to explore the room and its opulent, private fresher.
Qui-Gon watched him with some amusement.
"You're worse than Anakin."
"Am not," Obi-Wan's disagreement was followed by a squeal which contradicted his statement. "Real water showers."
"Obi-Wan…"
"Join me?" Obi-Wan stood in the doorway between the bedroom and the fresher, undoing the snaps on his leather jacket. As more skin was revealed, Qui-Gon could see that Obi-Wan was wearing nothing beneath it.
"Okay, but we mustn't be long."
Obi-Wan smirked and turned back into the fresher. Qui-Gon followed him in, removing his own tunics as he went.
Qui-Gon stood naked, content for the time being to watch his bondmate under the water spray. Obi-Wan had always been sensual and by the way he was groaning it was clear to the Jedi master that his lover had been without the luxury of a real hot water shower for some time.
The entire image was evocative and finally Qui-Gon could resist no more and stepped forward into the cubical and kissed Obi-Wan passionately, only dimly aware of the warm water cascading about them.
"Mmm, Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan let out another enthusiastic moan that went straight to Qui-Gon's groin. "I love you."
"And I you," Qui-Gon managed to get out between breathy kisses.
Obi-Wan broke from the kiss, giving his lover a hungry look, and then he dropped to his knees.
"Ah, Obi-Wan, we don't have time for…" Qui-Gon did not finish his token resistance as Obi-Wan's mouth engulfed his half erect penis. Obi-Wan's talented mouth quickly awakened it to its full length and it was not long before Qui-Gon was coming loudly into his lover's mouth.
Obi-Wan swallowed quickly and happily. Warm, insistent hands pulled him up from his knees to stand once more under the steamy hot shower spray. He was kissed once more, however this time it was slow and lazy. Gentle hands stoked his body, cleaning away sweat and dirt from long, hard missions and the tension of time spent from his bondmate fell from Obi-Wan's muscles. He allowed the loving touch, the luxury and pampering, knowing that Qui-Gon needed it as much as he did.
'Who knows when I'll have you with me again,' Qui-Gon whispered into his mind as he rinsed the soapsuds from his hair.
Before long both Jedi were clean and could no longer put off stepping from the fresher and back into their roles as Jedi.
"Soon we'll be back at the Temple," Qui-Gon reminded Obi-Wan, sensing his reluctance to dress in his traditional Jedi tunics.
"Will it be better there, do you think?"
"Better? Maybe not, but different and perhaps easier. One day, Obi-Wan, the Order will know their Shadow and then…" Qui-Gon trailed off, unsure how to finish.
"It'll be better," Obi-Wan finished for him. "It's a hope, Qui-Gon, one that is almost tangible. That's how I got through five years of being alone: I held onto simple hopes."
"Like the soulbond?"
"Yes, just like that."
"A different hope then, for a different time, one I can share in."
The Jedi dressed and met Anakin in the living room of the lavish apartment they had been gifted with. The padawan was more than ready to leave for the evening festivities, never realising the struggle that warred in Obi-Wan to be a Jedi in the open nor seeing within his master the hidden fear that Obi-Wan was slowly being pulled apart by the demands placed upon him.