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

Naboo, Royal Palace, date unknown

The first entry in days- I don't even know how many. And frankly I don't care.

What matters, what really matters is I am still here.

I am still alive.

My son saved me.

My voice is shaky and raspy but I feel the need to record the events that led me to lay here on this bed now that they are so fresh in my mind. In fact, strangely enough given the trauma my body received, my memory is sharp and detailed — especially for a man that has spent several days in coma.

My previous entry was recorded while en route to Naboo, a blessedly trouble-free journey that allowed us to rest and get mentally prepared for the task ahead.

Once on the planet, Queen Amidala – or better, the young lady we thought was the Queen – asked Jar-Jar to take us to meet the Gungans' leaders as she wanted to propose the an alliance with the Naboo. Thanks to the Force her plan worked and for the first time in a century, the inhabitants of Naboo would fight together for their world.

The Queen's plan called for the Gungan troops to engage the droid army in a battle outside Theed.

It was a battle the Gungans could not win, but one that would distract the invading forces and keep them busy as our party would return to Theed to capture Viceroy Gunray, who was staying in the Royal Palace.

It was easy enough to reach the palace, but once arrived there, we found the Dark Lord waiting for us. I had barely the time to instruct Anakin to find a safe place to stay when the dark figure, a red-black tattooed Zabrak, attacked Obi-Wan and I with his double-bladed lightstaff.

The Dark Lord was very agile and powerful, and he parried our blows with ease.

There was little time to think as the fight progressed, but I remember distinctly some of the thoughts running in my mind during those moments.

First of all, there was the worry for my son. Yes, I know, it is not very Jedi-like, but I could not avoid it. I think worrying for your child is natural for parents, no matter who you are or what you do for a living.

Then there was my surprise about how well Obi-Wan and I fought together. There was an amazing coordination between us, as if it was not the first time we found ourselves engaged in a duel like this one.

Finally, there was the abrupt realization I was - I am - really getting old, that my youth is behind me and my strength is beginning to diminish.

The impetus of the battle took us across the hangar and inside the palace basement, as we slashed and bowed, attacked and retracted.

It looked like we were pressing the Dark Lord to back away from us, but in reality, I now realize, he was purposefully leading us to a place of his choice.

The Zabrak took us across the power station and it was while chasing him along a corridor, I in front and Obi-Wan in the rear, that we were separated by laser walls. The lasers were time-regulated and when they finally switched out, I did not wait for Obi-Wan to join me but rushed forward to engage our opponent alone.

I am not sure why I did it, but I have the strong suspicion I did it to protect my son. Which, given how it ended, is such a presumptuous thought.

I heard Obi-Wan scream my name when the red blade caught me in the

midsection, trespassing me.

The pain I felt when the lightsabre burned through my flesh was both physical and emotional.

As I fell to the ground, I knew I would not survive the wound, for I was already too weakened to even try a Force-healing. I could only hope my suffering would be short.

A great sense of regret washed over me. I had not been able to protect my son and I had lost every chance to come to know him.

I thought back to our last conversation on the ship and felt tears rise to my eyes. What a wasted opportunity it had been!

I was barely aware of the fight still going on near me. I could hear groans and snarls, and the sounds of clashing lightsabres. Then suddenly all was silent and a lump formed in my throat. I tried to turn my head and search for my son, but I was too weak even for that small movement.

Someone approached me and gently lifted my head and shoulders, cradling my broken body.

I opened my eyes and I saw Obi-Wan's pale face hovered over mine, his eyes filled with anguish.

"Father," he whispered.

My heart rejoiced upon listening to the word I had so longed to hear.

"It's too late for me, Obi-Wan," I murmured.

"No," he shook his head, his braid whipping against his neck. I raised my hand and weakly tugged at it, before caressing his cheek with my finger pads.

"I have always loved you...even from afar. I regret I cannot... come... to know...you better."

I managed to rasp before my last strength left me and I felt the Force beckon me— but then my being was invested by a flash of pure, blue light.

"You are not going to die on me, Father," Obi-Wan's fierce mental voice said. "Now that I have found you, I refuse to let you go."

He linked his essence to mine, effectively anchoring it to himself, preventing me from slipping more into the oblivion.

"No, Obi-Wan!" I begged him, "Let me go, don't risk your life for me!"

He refused to listen as he channelled his healing force into me, and soon my being was invaded by calm energy that soothed my wounds and my soul.

"No…" I protested again, trying to push him out of my mind, but I was too weak to fight him. The last thing I remember before I surrendered to the Force's will is my son whispering, "Trust me, Father, trust me."

When I woke up, weak and confused, I found myself in bed.

I looked around trying to understand where I was. As memory returned, my heart jumped in my chest when I saw a figure half-slumped on my mattress.

It was Obi-Wan. He had fallen asleep while sitting at my bedside, and he looked so very young.

"Obi-Wan..."

It was a mere whisper, but Obi-Wan heard it and snapped awake as if I had shouted. He blinked his eyes and straightened, grimacing at his cramped muscles.

"Father," he murmured, taking my hand in his own as he looked at me intently.

"My son..." I swallowed hard. "You saved me."

He nodded, a little smile on his lips.

"You risked too much...you should have let me go."

He shook his head.

"I could not, Father," he said simply.

"Thank you..."

Silence fell over us and I closed my eyes. I was so frustrated by my inability to articulate what I felt in my heart. I was there with my son after he had saved me from certain death and the only thing I could say was "thank you."

A wave of reassurance, understanding and care washed over me – no, washed through me.

My eyes snapped open as I tentatively examined my mind.

There.

I found it.

A newly formed bond.

Stronger than a master-padawan one, deeper than the link between two working partners, more meaningful than any connection a Jedi can form with another.

It was a father-son bond.

My eyes widened and I returned to face Obi-Wan in amazement.

My son was smiling shyly. "I hope you are not displeased," he murmured. "I certainly am not."

"How could I be displeased, Obi-Wan?" I said, my voice gaining strength along the way. "I have longed so much to find you, to be able to talk with you, to come to know you and now...now..."

"Now we will be always together." Obi-Wan smiled, then sobered. "I cannot promise it will be easy, Father. We are very different and I think we will clash often, but no matter how hard it will be, I know for sure I would not trade this bond for anything else. There are so many things I wish to ask you...so many things I wish to tell you..." He stopped and rubbed his beard as his cheeks flushed. "I am babbling."

I smiled. "You are entitled to it, I think."

Obi-Wan laughed and I tried to join him, but the pain in my chest advised me it was too soon.

My son noticed it and looked at me worriedly, but I managed to reassure him using our bond.

Obi-Wan nodded, but said, "You must not push yourself too much. He stood up. "I suggest you to rest for a while. Two members of the Jedi Council arrived from Coruscant two days ago and they wish to talk with you soon, but I wouldn't allow them to come inside until you are strong enough."

There was such a determination in his voice, I mentally smiled at his protectiveness. Then I watched as my son walked away, before I allowed sleep to engulf me again.

All of this happened yesterday afternoon and I did not wake up again until early this morning, feeling much better.

I was not alone in the room, but is was not Obi-Wan.

It was Mace Windu.

"Hello Mace," I said, choosing to talk with my friend and not with the Councillor.

"Hello Qui-Gon," he answered in tone, smiling slightly. "How are you feeling?"

"Better than yesterday, but still far from well."

"I think you are not entitled to complain, considering you should be dead. That boy of yours must have a real talent for healing, Qui-Gon."

I tilted my head at his words. "That boy of mine? You know about Obi-Wan?"

Mace nodded. "Yes, Yoda told me. In your report you failed to include the fact your Sith partner for the mission was also your son."

"I did not consider it to be so important."

Mace threw me a strange glance and went on. "We have come here to check on your condition, see the Dark Lord's remains and to escort the new Supreme Chancellor, Palpatine."

I nodded. "Have you talked with Obi-Wan? He killed the Dark Lord."

"Yes, we did. Yoda says he is a remarkable young man, and I have to agree with him."

I felt my heart swell with pride, but I did not comment.

"Yoda has also said it was a mistake not to accept the boy in the Temple," Mace added after a while, looking at me closely.

This time I could not contain my reaction, nor hide the regret in my voice.

"Do you know how the Sith are trained, Mace? Do you know they are submitted to physical punishments? That my son's back bears the scars of a whipping he received when he was just ten? He is such a bright, gentle-hearted man, Mace, and yet he must cover his more compassionate side because it is not appreciated by his Order. So he hides it behind a shield of cynicism and sarcasm. He would have made a wonderful Jedi..." I closed my eyes and slumped against the pillow, releasing my bitterness into the Force.

"I know, Qui-Gon. Sith Knight Kenobi has allowed us to touch his mind as he showed us everything that happened with the Dark Lord. He has allowed us to see and feel more than we thought — your bond included. We were impressed by what we saw, so much Yoda and I have decided to make an offer to him."

My eyes snapped open and I sat up straight, not minding the pain in my chest as my heart started to run. "What offer?"

"We asked him if he would like to be the Sith legate to the Jedi Temple. Given his training and the fact he is married, we could not offer him more...Qui-Gon? Are you all right?"

"Married?" I all but gasped.

"Yes, to a commercial ship captain slightly older than him. Don't tell me you did not know it?" Mace was surprised and a bit uncomfortable.

"I did not...we didn't have much time to talk about our personal lives."

"Well, you will now have the time. Our offer will allow the Jedi Order to have a closer contact with the Sith, something that might turn out to be very important if, as we believe, your son killed the apprentice and not the master of the Dark Lords. Knight Kenobi is an open minded young man, and he can teach us how to properly deal with his order. Living in the Temple will also allow him to stay near you, learn some of the Jedi ways and permit his Light side the freedom it has never been granted."

I swallowed hard, my mind whirling with many thoughts. My son was married. Yoda and Mace knew of our bond and were going to allow us to stay close. More, they had implicitly admitted they wished to retrain Obi-Wan. It was almost too much to be taken in all at once.

"Did he accept?" I finally asked.

Mace smiled. "Yes, he did."

"And what about the Sith Council?"

"Yoda has already dealt with them. They have accepted, but not for the reasons you would imagine. They do not wish for a closer contact with the Jedi in order to join our forces against the Dark Lords. More simply, they don't trust Obi-Wan anymore, because of the bond he now shares with you. Had he not been hailed as one of the "Heroes Of Naboo" by the press, they would have probably discharged him. But they cannot, for he is now the most famous Sith alive, and they need some good press."

I nodded slowly, troubled by Mace's words. Basically he told me Obi-Wan has been banished from his order because his father is a Jedi.

My friend sensed my turmoil and patted my shoulder. "Don't worry, Qui-Gon. I saw Obi-Wan after the meeting with his councillors, and I can tell you he was anything but troubled. I cannot swear it, but I think I even caught him humming a lively tune."

We exchanged a smile, then Mace stood up. "I must go now, I have a meeting with Queen Amidala. Be well soon, my friend. There are young man and a boy needing you."

"A boy? Anakin?"

"Yes; the Council has granted you the permission to train him."

And with a final bow, he left me alone, as a satisfied grin spread on my lips.

This happened two hours ago and now I am here, waiting for Obi-Wan to come to visit me.

Our new bond tells me my son is currently asleep. I am not surprised he is sleeping in the afternoon. The three doctors that had been periodically checking on me have informed me Obi-Wan has hardly left my side while I was unconscious, despite the fact he too was exhausted due to the great amount of energy he had to used to heal me.

So, since he so badly needs to rest, I am careful to shield my eagerness to see him again. I don't want to wake him up.

I am using this time to think of what I will say to him when he comes to visit.

I wish to know about his wife, of how he was recruited by the Sith, what he knows about his mother. However, the first thing I must do is apologize for the discussion we had about Anakin.

I will apologize for my behaviour and then listen to his concerns, and I will curb my stubbornness should Obi-Wan say something I would not wish to hear.

I will tell my son I consider Anakin to be the Chosen One and ask him to help with the boy's training.

After all, the prophecy says the Chosen One will bring balance to the Force, and the Jedi are not the only ones that would be influenced by such an event; the Sith would be too. Thus, it is only right that at least one of them should be involved in Anakin's training.

I believe this is the Force's will, the reason it decided Obi-Wan and I should meet just now, on this special occasion.

I feel a stir in our bond...my son is awake. I feel his tentative brush against my mind, he is checking to see if I am up or sleeping.

"I am awake, Obi-Wan," I say using the bond and I sense a slight smile on his part.

"Good," he has answered. "I am going to take a shower and then I will be there."

The bond falls silent as I sit straighter on the mattress, smoothing the covers.

I am nervous; I so badly wish to do everything right this time.

I wish to do it for Obi-Wan, for Lydah, and of course myself.

A wave of reassurance has just washed over me from the bond and I cannot help but feel more relaxed. I smile.

Yes, everything will be fine.

I can feel it.

I can feel it.

The End (for now—watch out for the sequel, "A Sith Among The Jedi")