Disclaimer: Star Wars brings in tons of money and as I have not seen a single cent of that money, I am not George Lucas and therefore don't own Star Wars. And sadly, that means I don't own Obi-Wan either.

Summary: The second story in the Jedi Trials series. Obi-Wan's been captured, Qui-Gon's left the Jedi Order, and Anakin must learn to trust his new Master. The Republic is on the brink of war and only Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, and Anakin can save the galaxy.

Author's Notes: A snow day! I'm very excited. I woke up this morning and decided that in celebration of one less day in school, I should write another chapter. So I did, and here it is!

Thank you all so much for your kind reviews. Over a hundred! I'm ecstatic! I never imagined that this story would be so popular! Thank you all so much!

Torture and Death

By Kekelina

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Chapter Eleven: The Forgotten Bond

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Qui-Gon sat in the middle of his quarters, wrapping the Force around him as he meditated quietly. He had been utterly confused since he had first felt Obi-Wan's pain surge through their old bond, and after talking with Dooku about the experience, his old Master had allowed him the time to meditate. He hoped it would provide him with some answers.

Allowing his mind to soak up the comfort of the Force, he searched the galaxy for a trace of Obi-Wan. He searched the Force for a long time. Long minutes passed in silence, Qui-Gon's hope trickling away. He was about to give up and join Dooku and the other Separatist leaders when he felt a dim throb coming from his bond. Immediately, he latched onto it and allowed it to gush into him like a flood.

Qui-Gon almost collapsed from the pain he felt.

He struggled to maintain a hold on the bond, which pulsated with new pain every few seconds. He could feel Obi-Wan's suffering; he could sense the fear rising inside his ex-Padawan. He could feel his anger swelling against his rapidly deteriorating shields.

He could feel the dark side surrounding Obi-Wan.

Another wave of pain.

Qui-Gon's mind was being stabbed with a thousand lightsabers. He groaned against it, desperately trying to wrap the Force around him and protect him against this new onslaught of torture.

The pain reached its peak.

Qui-Gon screamed.

Then everything became silent.

Panting, Qui-Gon opened his eyes to find himself lying on the floor of his quarters. His head still throbbed, but the pain was dull now, and he could barely feel the bond again. Struggling to get back onto his knees, he took a moment to calm his frantic nerves.

Then he took off to find Dooku.

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Qui-Gon stood in the shadows, the hood of his Jedi robes pulled over his graying hair, as he waited impatiently for Dooku to finish his hushed conversation with Poggle the Lesser. While to anyone else it may have appeared that Qui-Gon was eavesdropping on their conversation, in truth, he had not heard a single word. His mind was still trying to make sense of Obi-Wan's pain.

What was wrong with him? Was he injured? Had he been captured? Was he being tortured? Was he dying?Qui-Gon mentally shook his head. He was being paranoid. Obi-Wan hadn't been on a dangerous mission, just an investigation. Unless he had already solved the mystery of the assassin… But that didn't account for Obi-Wan's pain. The Council wouldn't send him on another mission so soon, would they?

Qui-Gon sighed. None of this made any sense.

He longed to call the Temple and ask if Obi-Wan was okay, but he knew that wish could never come true. He wasn't exactly on speaking terms with the Council since he had left the Jedi, and he wasn't exactly sure that they would know what had happened to Obi-Wan anyway.

Besides, another mission still didn't account for the –

"Hello, my old Padawan."

Dooku's voice broke through his thoughts, and he started. Gathering himself, he inclined his head respectfully to his former Master. Dooku simply smiled at him kindly.

"Once a Jedi, always a Jedi, I see," he remarked good-naturedly.

Qui-Gon nodded distractedly, deciding how to put in words what he needed to discuss with Dooku. Dooku, however, who had always somehow known when Qui-Gon needed help, beat him to the topic.

"Something wrong? You seem worried."

Qui-Gon hung his head, ashamed that he hadn't been able to hide his feelings from his Master. Figuring the best way to explain the situation to Dooku would be to simply start talking, he began.

"I felt Obi-Wan in the Force."

Dooku beamed. "That's very good. Your bond is still there."

Qui-Gon shook his head, trying to make his Master understand. "He was in pain."

Dooku stopped mid-step and turned to face Qui-Gon. "Oh?"

"I've never felt him in so much pain before, Master," Qui-Gon lamented, remembering all the times he had almost lost Obi-Wan. All of them paled in comparison with this situation.

"He is a Knight now, Qui-Gon. You cannot be there to protect him every step of the way. You must trust him."

"I do trust him," Qui-Gon replied. Even though I haven't spoken to him in almost ten years… "But it wasn't just pain," he continued. "I felt…" He hesitated, unsure of how to go on.

"Yes," Dooku urged him.

"I felt fear. And anger. And the dark side," he finished quietly.

Dooku sighed and became silent for a moment. While Dooku meditated on this new turn of events, Qui-Gon struggled to retain his calm center and keep his face passive. He had already shown quite a bit of emotion today. His Jedi training was slipping increasingly often these days.

"This sounds like an act of the Sith," Dooku finally said. Qui-Gon nodded thoughtfully in response.

"I should search for Obi-Wan."

Dooku shook his head. "No, my friend. That would not be wise. The Sith Lord is more powerful than we can possibly imagine. If you confront him, I sense you will not survive. The only way to ensure young Kenobi's safety is to continue with our plans. We must overthrow the Sith!"

Qui-Gon sighed. That wasn't the answer he had been looking for. He had hoped the Dooku would tell him to go in search of Obi-Wan and bring him back to safety. Qui-Gon desperately feared for Obi-Wan. If this was truly the Sith's doing, Qui-Gon wasn't sure how much longer Obi-Wan would be able to hold up against him. But Dooku was right. They needed take out the Sith. Soon their plan would be put to action, and Obi-Wan would be safe once again.

Qui-Gon realized that Dooku was still talking.

"I have things I must do there," he was saying. "Don't worry; I will return shortly. If you need help, General Grievous will be more than happy to lend one of his hands."

Qui-Gon nodded, half-listening as he watched Dooku slip something into a pocket in his cloak.

"May the Force be with you, Qui-Gon."

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The Other Author's Notes: Qui-Gon really needs to stop listening to Dooku. He was so close to going to find Obi-Wan. Stay tuned for the next chapter when we catch up with Obi-Wan again, who, by the way, isn't doing so well. I tried to get this up earlier today, but for some reason, it wouldn't let me. Oh well, it's up now. Thank God for support staff. Don't forget to review!