THE JEDI AND THE SITH

Author's note: this is an AU where Jedi and Sith co-exist. They are no longer enemies, but rivals. They both use the Force to serve the Republic, even if their methods are quite different.

This story also assumes that you have seen "The Phantom Menace" and that all scenes not
specifically altered herein, occurred as they were depicted in that movie.

PROLOGUE

EXCERPTS FROM THE AUDIO JOURNAL OF QUI-GON JINN, JEDI KNIGHT.

Coruscant, Jedi Temple

My son is gone.

They have taken him away.

I barely had the time to say goodbye before he was snatched from my arms and carried away from the Temple.

From my life.

I am on probation, my knight status under scrutiny, my every action examined to discover hidden, dangerous behaviours.

My status of Jedi is on hold and yet, for the first time in my life, belonging to the Order is not the most important thing in my mind. It seems like my childhood dream, the dream I have worked so hard to transform in reality no longer matters to me.

No, that's not true. Had it been so, I would have defied the Council more, or I would have resigned to be with my son. Instead, I bowed to the masters' will and let my boy be taken away.

Forgive me, my son.

Forgive me, Lydah.

I was not strong enough to fight the Council. I was not strong enough to renounce the life I love.

I tried, but it was not enough.

Forgive me.

My eyes are squeezed shut now, to prevent my tears from falling, and this morning's events flash in front of my closed eyelids.

I am back in the Council Chamber, standing still in the middle room, the unforgiving gazes of the twelve masters fixed on me.

"Knight Jinn, the Council has decided. Your request has been denied. The boy won't be accepted in the Temple." Master Ki-Adi-Mundi's words are like a stab to my heart.

"Why Masters?" I force my dry mouth to say. "The boy is strong in the Force, he has the potential to become a great Jedi. You certainly see-"

"Decided it has been to make an example of your situation for other Jedi. The Code broken cannot be." Master Yoda interrupts me.

"But the Code is not against casual relationships." I insist. "I admit it was unexpected I came to sire a child, and it is very sad the mother died giving birth to him, but there was no attachment between Lydah and me. We just comforted each other during a difficult situation…"

"It is not to the mother you are attached; it is to the boy." Master Ki-Adi-Mundi says again, his eyes accusing.

"He is my son! How could not I care for him?" I all but explode.

Ki-Adi-Mundi shakes his head, sadly but firmly. "Qui-Gon, we cannot accept the boy and create a precedent. If we allow you to keep the boy near you, other knights, especially the younger ones, would feel entitled to be as careless as you were. The life of a Jedi is a life of sacrifice, and our legacy is in the padawans we train from childhood to knighthood. This is why we cannot grant your request. However, you must not worry for your son. We have already found a good family for him; he will be taken there today."

I know I am beaten and I have not the strength to fight more. "Let me take him to them…"

"No."

"But-"

"Enough, Knight Jinn!" Yoda exclaims with a tone that does not admit replies. "Dissolve this attachment you must if to remain a Jedi you wish. On probation you will be until done it you have not."

"I will do as you command, Master," I bow to the Council's will, "but please, let me see him a last time. Let me say goodbye."

A long silence follows my request and a lump constricts my throat, I am sure they are going to say no. And instead…

"See the boy you can, Knight Jinn. Goodbye tell to him and let him go." Yoda's words are a mere whisper and for a moment I sense he is as pained as me.

And so, my son, I have been able to see you before they took you away.

My beautiful child, I don't even have a picture of you. I was so sure you would have been accepted in the Temple I did not think to take one…I thought there would have been plenty of time to do it.

However, I will always remember you-- your red-gold hair, your lively blue-green-grey eyes, your dimpled chin and your beautiful Force aura. Every detail of you it is etched in my memory.

I will always keep you in my heart, my son.

My Obi-Wan.

May the Force be with you. Always.