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: I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Christmas. I know I did. I'm afraid I have a bit of a dilemma though. I was planning on uploading chapter sixteen on Friday, but since is planning on upgrading that day, I have no idea when I should update next. Any suggestions? I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Torture and Death

By Kekelina

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Chapter Fifteen: Return to Coruscant

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Silence. A dark vacuum of nothingness, a black hole deep in space. That is what Qui-Gon felt when he tried to grasp onto the once-familiar training bond he had shared with Obi-Wan during their time together.

After initially feeling Obi-Wan's sudden onslaught of pain through their diminished bond, he had continued to feel a dim throbbing every day following. At least he had until he had woken up one morning about a month and a half after the first time to feel nothing. There was absolutely nothing. No pain, no anger, no fear…it was if the bond had been severed completely, but Qui-Gon knew it hadn't. He could still feel its thin threads in the back of his mind. No, the bond was not severed; Obi-Wan was not dead, but it had been clamped to keep anything from travelling to Qui-Gon's end.

Had that been Obi-Wan's doing? Most likely.

Ever since Obi-Wan became a Knight and Qui-Gon took Anakin as his Padawan, Obi-Wan had become increasingly distant with his former Master. It made sense to Qui-Gon that Obi-Wan would try to limit what Qui-Gon could feel through their lessening bond, in hopes that he wouldn't get involved. Qui-Gon's heart dropped at the thought. If Dooku hadn't left for Coruscant for the third time in one standard month, leaving Qui-Gon in charge, he would've tried to help Obi-Wan. He just didn't know where to begin.

If the Sith harms Obi-Wan in anyway… Qui-Gon shook his head. Revenge was of the dark side. He would be no better than the Sith he was trying to destroy.

He wished Obi-Wan could see how much he cared for him. He got the distinct impression that Obi-Wan believed he didn't care about him anymore. How wrong he was! Qui-Gon loved Obi-Wan as a son, just as he loved Anakin as a son…and Xanatos at one point in time. He had tried to talk to Obi-Wan many times, but the boy – man, Qui-Gon reminded himself – had come up with excuse after excuse not to have anything to do with him. After ten years, Qui-Gon still hadn't given up, but he knew what to expect whenever he tried. It had simply become a fact of life.

Life went on.

Metallic feet clacked on the durasteel floor, letting Qui-Gon know someone had joined him as he overlooked the droid factories. The being gave a hacking cough and walked over so that he was standing to the right of Qui-Gon.

"Jinn," the cyborg General said, the nicest greeting Qui-Gon would ever receive from him.

Qui-Gon glanced at him from the corner of his eye and nodded his head respectfully. "General Grievous."

Silence returned between the two as they both gazed over the army they were creating. Machines making machines, Qui-Gon thought with a sense of irony. General Grievous coughed again. "How is production coming?"

"We're right on schedule," Qui-Gon said placidly.

He still wasn't sure if he agreed with Dooku's plan. He wasn't sure it would help matters at all, but he'd had little choice in the matter. Even if he had refused to follow along like the others, he would've been horribly outnumbered and perhaps risk everything his Master had already achieved. He had discussed the matter with his former Master in private, and Dooku had assured him that everything would be fine. Qui-Gon still had his doubts. It wasn't easy for Qui-Gon to simply go along with it, when, as a Jedi, he had disobeyed the Council numerous times.

"Good."

With another horrid cough, Grievous left Qui-Gon alone with his thoughts.

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"Milady, come look," Dorme called to Senator Amidala.

After almost three months of hiding on Tatooine without any attempts on her life, Padme had all but demanded to return to Coruscant. She was never the type to hide, and she hadn't been thrilled with the Jedi's plan to begin with. She had gone along with it because she realized she had been in grave danger, but it had been quiet for many months, and she had more pressing things to worry about.

The Lars Family had taken very good care of her after Master Jinn and Anakin had left her on Tatooine, and she would be eternally grateful for everything they had done. They had treated her as one of their own; they had given her jobs to keep her busy, for living on a farm was no easy task, and Beru had even asked her to be her Maid of Honor for her and Owen's wedding. It had been a simple wedding, with only a minister and two guests, but it had been beautiful all the same.

"What is it, Dorme," Padme asked as she walked in the room, her elegant senatorial dress sweeping the floor. She had a meeting with Chancellor Palpatine later that day to catch up on the news of the Senate.

Dorme was standing in front of the holoscreen watching the latest news from the HoloNet. "It's Master Jinn," she replied, pointing to the screen, which sported a large picture of the Jedi Master. Padme gazed at the screen in surprise and turned up the volume to listen to the report.

"It appears the Separatists have gained yet another strong leader for their cause. Qui-Gon Jinn, ex-Jedi Master, has followed in the footsteps of another ex-Jedi Master, Count Dooku, and joined their forces as second-in-command. The Jedi Temple has yet to give a statement regarding this information."

The report turned to other news, and with a sigh, Padme shook her head. Was that why he had left her and Anakin on Tatooine? To join the Separatists? That didn't seem possible. He was a Jedi Master; he had been protecting her from the Separatists. Why would he turn his back on the Jedi and join a force trying to rid the Republic of everything it stood for?

"Contact the Temple and ask them if this is true," she told Dorme. She wouldn't believe it until it was confirmed by the Jedi. It simply didn't make any sense.

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"Ah, milady, welcome back," Palpatine greeted as Padme stepped into his large office.

Padme smiled politely as she quickly familiarized herself with his office yet again. Everything was the same as when she had left, not a single piece of microscopic dust out of place. What a sharp contrast to Tatooine, where sand could work its way into even the tiniest of crevices and stubbornly refuse to move.

The Chancellor offered her a chair and she sat. He did likewise and gave her a broad smile. "It's good to have you back, Senator."

"It's good to be back, Chancellor," Padme replied, meaning every word.

"I suppose you've already heard about Master Jinn," Palpatine said grimly, getting right to business.

Padme nodded. "I heard a report on the HoloNet this morning, but I don't believe it."

Palpatine sighed and looked at her sadly. "I'm afraid it's true. Master Yoda was here earlier, and he confirmed what the HoloNet is reporting."

Padme gave a sharp intake of breath. "Much has happened since you've been gone, Senator," Palpatine lamented. "The galaxy is a dark and dangerous place. The Jedi are doing the best they can, but I fear there are things happening that are greater than any of us can ever imagine."

Padme let his words wash over her. Something else had happened; he was hinting at it. "What else has happened, Chancellor?"

Palpatine sighed. "While Master Yoda was here," he began, "he also informed me than one of their number has gone missing – presumably captured."

"Who?" Jedi didn't go missing very often or very long…unless they had died.

"Knight Kenobi," he told her sadly.

"Obi-Wan's missing," she asked in disbelief. Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi had been very good friend ever since he and Master Jinn had helped her gain victory over the Trade Federation on Naboo. It had been ten years since she had last seen him, but they had communicated a few times over the years. His death would be a horrible loss, not only to the galaxy, but to her as well. Padme had lost too many friends over the years.

"Yes," Palpatine answered. "Since about the time you left for Tatooine." Three months… "Master Yoda has assured me that they are doing everything in their power to find him, and they are confident that he will be found soon."

"I hope so."

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The Other Author's Notes: Well, Qui-Gon's doubting, Padme's returned, and Palpatine's lying…as always. What will happen next? Stick around for the next chapter to find out. It will decide Obi-Wan's fate. Don't forget to review! Happy New Years, in case I don't update before then!