Chapter 35: The Thin Line Between

When Obi-Wan came to, he was blindsided by a throbbing headache. He squeezed his eyes shut in refrain, a soft groan escaping his lips. He turned, feeling the plush of comfort supporting his back. Faint images trickled back into his mind, swarming together until he remembered how he got to this state. A swarm of droids. Blasters raised. A lightning bolt zapped to his chest.

Still weak from the stun's effects, Obi-Wan gradually rose when he was jerked down by a tethered electrical rope. Obi-Wan scrutinized the rope, tugging to measure the strength, but the rope didn't budge and an electric current shocked him into an excruciating muscle spasm.

Obi-Wan winced, clamping his teeth down to cope with the pain. Once the current passed, he slipped out a labored breath. He swallowed, tasting a metallic tang on his tongue. The Sith's hospitality nearly bettered every day since he was welcomed. He usually marveled at the effort used to secure him, but his discomfort at the electric tremors crawling down his arm to the rest of his body prevented him from admiring the extremity used.

The tremor let go and Obi-Wan took that brief reprieve to examine his surroundings. He was locked in a windowless room, chained to a small bed. There was a door, but not handle or even a pad was available on his side. Escape was impossible.

Patience, he reminded himself. Patience was key. The Force will provide when ready. He needed to believe in that speck of hope. After all, Satine got away. That was more important than his freedom anyway. Another electric shock zapped him and Obi-Wan bared the pain. No amount of pain would make him regret his actions.

A flare lit up in the Force, warning Obi-Wan of an approaching storm. He jerked his head to the door just as it opened.

Qui-Gon Jinn filled the doorway with his large frame. Blue eyes glowered at him, flutters of disappointment crossing those raging rivers of blue and yellow. He stood in the doorway briefly before taking a step further into the room. The door slammed shut.

Qui-Gon traveled about the room, his eyes never leaving Obi-Wan. Finally, his feet came to stop just close enough that if he needed, he could choke Obi-Wan with his bare hands. But his hands to not rest on Obi-Wan's neck. They fall onto the mattress as he leaned, blowing out steams of hair through his flared nostrils.

"Disappointment, I fear, would be an understatement," Qui-Gon finally spoke. "I have done everything in my power to make you comfortable with this situation and yet… you seem to go out of your way to make it incredibly difficult to do so."

Obi-Wan remained silent.

"Hours ago I would have apologize for such crude restraints, but now, I see the use for them," Qui-Gon roamed his eyes over the electric ropes that kept Obi-Wan strapped down. "Unpleasant, but it keeps a prisoner in check."

"I'm downgraded from guest to prisoner," Obi-Wan noted, though he always considered himself to be a prisoner. "It's about time I received my proper title."

Qui-Gon's eyes burned. "You're not a prisoner, but if you keep disobeying, I can assure you that you'll be treated as one in the future."

"Is that a promise?"

"It is."

"Then I have nothing to fear." Obi-Wan turned his head away from Qui-Gon, choosing to look straight up at the ceiling. "Thank you for passing on your feelings and veiled threats. I'll keep them noted as I waste away here."

Qui-Gon raised his brows. "You think I would leave you here?"

Obi-Wan did his best attempt at a shrug. "You've abandoned me before," he said. "It would not surprise me for you to do so now."

Qui-Gon fisted the sheets. "You need to stop saying that," he growled. "I did not abandon you."

"No?" Obi-Wan scrunched up his face in mock thought. "My memory must be fading, because I have very few recollections of the two of us doing anything together."

"I guess it is," Qui-Gon grunted in returned.

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes in grievance. Disinterested in talking in circles, Obi-Wan took a stab at the very center of their conversation. "Perhaps we should get on with the punishment," he announced. "I'm sure Count Dooku is more than ready to teach me another valuable lesson."

Qui-Gon did not appreciate his commentary. "You'll find yourself disappointed," he gravely informed Obi-Wan. "Such punishments are not on the table for you."

That surprised Obi-Wan. He flipped his questionable gaze to Qui-Gon. "It's not?"

The Sith Lord shook his head. "No. It's not," he repeated. "Though it should be considering you took a shot at me."

"I knew you would deflect it," Obi-Wan said. And he did. The shot was only meant to distract him. "Besides, it was set for stun. Not to kill."

"Which is why I reconsidered punishing you," Qui-Gon said, folding his arms in a more relaxed posture. "I knew your main goal was not to escape, but to distract me and everyone else from your true purpose."

Qui-Gon smoothed his beard. "We have our men searching for the Duchess as we speak. We will find her."

"I doubt it," Obi-Wan stated. "She's long gone by now."

"Is she?" Qui-Gon hummed. "Probably not as far as you like. After all, we grounded all ships the minute I discovered your deceit. No ship has entered or exited from the palace."

The galaxy must have stilled and the stars vanished before him. He saw complete darkness as fear seeped through the cracks of shield. Qui-Gon had to be lying. He must be. He watched Satine board the cargo ship. It was getting ready to leave. He saw the pilot…

"You're lying!" blurted Obi-Wan.

Qui-Gon shook his head. "I'm not. Do you think of me foolish to not ground all ships once I found you missing? Dooku and I are not padawans. We learn from mistakes."

Obi-Wan's heart raged, pumping blood faster than he could even breathe. But then he remembered. Qui-Gon said his men were searching for Satine. Meaning they have yet to find her. Which meant he did not have her.

That knowledge quelled his fear and left a small trace of a smile. "If you have not found her yet, then I doubt you ever will."

"I commend her ability to hide for this long, but that is not surprising," Qui-Gon admitted. "After all, she spent a good portion of her first year as a Mandalore ruler in hiding."

Obi-Wan gritted at the insult Qui-Gon threw at her. "Only because her protectors failed to stop the madness brewing on the planet."

"Yes, the very protectors who kept her alive during her time on the run," Qui-Gon mused. "I do wonder how long she could survive on her own."

"She's stronger than you think."

Qui-Gon patted Obi-Wan's chest. "You would know," he snickered.

Obi-Wan arched his body, jerking it to throw Qui-Gon's hand off him. "Don't touch me!" he hissed. "And yes I would know because you constantly left me in charge of keeping her safe while you ran off to Force knows where to meet up with our enemies!"

Qui-Gon released an air of annoyance. "I left to give the two of you privacy," he said. "Do you honestly think I needed to visit Death Watch that many times to get them under my sway? No. In fact, not all my departures had anything to do with meeting up with Death Watch. I left because I could sense your desire for her."

Obi-Wan's upper lip curled into a snarl. "And to think I thought you were trying to keep us safe."

"I was," Qui-Gon agreed. "My meetings with the Death Watch meant no harm would come to you or the Duchess. At least, until the Duchess became a problem. Even then, I managed to get Death Watch to spare her. All for you by the way."

Qui-Gon returned, peering down at Obi-Wan with befuddled confusion and sadness. "So, you must forgive me why I am surprised you forced Satine to run," he confessed. "You love her. She loves you. You both could have been happy. Had everything you wanted. I told you this."

Obi-Wan's chest rose once. "And I told you we could not."

"Why is that?" Qui-Gon pressed. "Why do you refuse to let yourself be happy?"

"I'm not refusing to be happy."

"Then why do you keep pushing everything good away?" Qui-Gon relentlessly interrogated and Obi-Wan felt his shields bend against the onslaught. "Tell me!"

"You wouldn't understand," Obi-Wan returned, aggravated. He twisted his restraints, receiving multiple electric jolts, but he embraced the pain in hope he could break out of the restraints. "You can't understand."

Qui-Gon watched at the futile attempts to escape the restraints. "Explain then? You and I have nowhere else to be at the moment."

Obi-Wan tugged, his nostrils smelling burnt hair and mouth tasting more like copper. "We just can't be together."

"Why?"

"Why do you even care!?"

"Don't change the subject."

"I'm not!"

"Then explain."

Obi-Wan grinded his teeth so hard his whole jaw began to ache. "Leave me alone!"

Qui-Gon snatched his chin, forcing Obi-Wan to look at him. "Tell me why, Obi-Wan."

"You won't understand! A Sith cannot possibly understand!"

"Maybe I can?"

Obi-Wan scoffed. "I doubt it."

"Try me. Explain."

"Leave me alone!"

"Tell me."

"Why can't you—"

"Tell me, Obi-Wan."

"Because I would HATE her!"

The feral, desperate scream didn't sound like him. Yet, it poured out of him. The last word still dripping off his lips and echoing in his ears. All the heat inside him blasted out in a flaming fire. His heart burned. All that anger, fear and despair ripped through him mercilessly and he unleashed it to free himself from the pain.

He must of spook Qui-Gon for his old master retreated a bit. Bewilderment etched in his face as he gazed down on Obi-Wan. It was clear he did not expect the outburst.

Shallow breaths panted out of him as his body tensed. "I would hate her," he repeated, his tear ducts flooding. "And she would hate me too."

All of his reserve strength zapped out of him, draining more and more upon each breath he took. He closed his eyes, unable to handle looking at Qui-Gon. "She'd hate me for keeping her here. For keeping her away from her people as they suffer," he trickled out. "And I would feel guilty for it. So much that it would make me angry and I would hate her for blaming me.

"The thin line would break," Obi-Wan uttered, exhausted as his body sunk lower into the mattress. "I do not want it to break for us."

No noise was made except for the occasional whimper that slipped past Obi-Wan. He hadn't meant to cry. It overcame him. The violate emotions took control of his mind and limbs that he almost felt like he was trapped within his own body. A caged prisoner as he watched himself betray himself. In front of Qui-Gon no less.

A long silence stilled the room. Qui-Gon did not say a word, but Obi-Wan sensed his eyes upon him. A panoply of sympathetic understanding and true pity, but a quiet retreat to offer safe space to regain composure.

It took Obi-Wan a few minutes to convince himself to reopen his eyes. When he did, he immediately found Qui-Gon. The Sith Lord moved to the door. He stood at a relatively respectful distance he could give in the small room. His head was humbly tilted downward to respect privacy, but ready to engage when needed.

Obi-Wan stared at him, trying to find his voice again. "Do you understand now?" he croaked, his throat sore from his cries. "We can never be together."

Qui-Gon removed himself from the wall, slowly strolling up to the bed again. He fell against the edge of the bed, but did not sit down. And when he spoke, it was with a quiet tone: "Why did you not tell me?"

"I did."

"Yes, but not like this."

Obi-Wan's chest fluttered down. "That was because you wouldn't believe me," he confessed. "You always took to your own counsel. No one else's." Obi-Wan glanced away, head turned to another bare wall. "You got your answer. Now—leave me alone."

Obi-Wan didn't hear the soft footfalls of retreat as he hoped. Rather, he heard snaps and clicks, and his restraints disengaged, releasing him. Obi-Wan narrowed at the disabled restraints before turning his head back to Qui-Gon.

The Sith Lord gestured Obi-Wan to get up. "Come on."

"Leave me be."

Qui-Gon's expression remained impassive. "I promised you that I wouldn't leave you here," he reminded. "I'm keeping my word." He ushered Obi-Wan to hurry. "Come on."

To encourage him out of the bed, Qui-Gon shook Obi-Wan to rile him up. Obi-Wan wiggled away, nearly falling over the edge until he leapt off the bed, his landing imperfect. He scuttled away, his feet tripping over one another as he moved alongside the walls. He stayed pressed up against the wall, eyeing Qui-Gon questionably and threateningly.

Qui-Gon didn't react. He headed for the door as it automatically opened for him. "Follow me, young one," he said. "Brush away those tears and follow me."

Obi-Wan shot his hand to his face. His cheeks slippery from trails of tears. He wiped them away, his face reddening as he remembered his outburst. Qui-Gon waited by the door. He didn't say anything more, but Obi-Wan lumbered over to him in defeat. It was pointless to object over something as trivial as staying locked in a room. Another fight would come along and he needed to save his dismal strength for that one.

Satine did as she was told. She found a safe compartment to hide in as the pilots marched up the ramp, discussing their next routes and shipments. As they drone on about different trading posts, Satine heard the beeping of a comlink interrupt the conversation.

"This is Captain Uwen," came a human voice. "Yes sir! Will do sir!"

A click signaled the conversation ended. "Looks like we have prisoners on the loose," said Captain Uwen. "All ships are grounded until found."

"Which prisoners?"

"Female and male," answered Captain Uwen. "That's all I got, but our trip out is postponed. I say we hit the town and grab a few drinks."

"Shouldn't we be looking for the prisoners? Maybe they're on the ship?" came a new and squeakier voice.

Satine cringed at the thought of them spotting her. She nudged closer to the back end, her spine breaking against the wall. Luckily, the others laughed at the suggestion. "Us? We aren't soldiers. Just pilots. Besides they have that whole droid armada going. They'll find who they lost soon enough. I saw we get pissed."

The clanking of boots hitting metal, fading in the distance comforted Satine. She breathed easier now that she knew they were gone, but her heart still raced at full speed. The ships were grounded. She was still stuck on Serenno and all of their hard work at escaping was plummeting down the drain. Satine could not keep hiding in the ship. Eventually, they would find her and… and… Satine did not even want to think what the Sith would do to her. Already, she panicked about what they would do to Obi-Wan once they found him. She didn't need to indulge herself with torture fantasies for herself.

Certain she could not keep sheltered in the ship, she carefully removed herself from the secret compartment. She was alone. Not a soul on the ship. She fixed her military uniform, cuffing back the sleeves and stealthily swiped back down the corridor to the ramp. She peaked out, watching laborers working on the crates with only a few soldiers left behind to remain order. It seemed the other soldiers rushed off to find her and Obi-Wan.

Satine waited for the coast to be clear before she disembarked from the ship. The moment no one looked in her direction. She slipped off the side of the ramp and ducked behind objects as she hopped from one end to the next. No one noticed her strange behavior. With the loss of manpower, the laborers and remaining soldiers were doing their best to remove the crates from the docking bay to their rightful destination.

Cowering behind a pillar, she recognized the voices from the ship. Captain Uwen and his comrades. She took a quick glimpse and spotted them hovering near speeder bikes. They were arguing with another man, getting a bit heated as Satine watched one of Captain Uwen's men jab a finger into the other man's shoulder. Some more shouting, causing a maelstrom distraction in the tiny hanger bay. More soldiers joined to support their own from the pilots.

Her gaze turned away from the argument to the rows of speeder bikes sitting unattended. She glanced back to the fight again. They were still oblivious of her, squatting beside the pillar. She considered using the stun blaster to knock the soldiers and pilots out, but there were far too many and too much commotion that would gather more unwanted attention. Crouched, she thought of her next available option. An idea prickled in her mind. It was the best choice for her. With the fight was increasing and their attention to their vehicles decreasing, it was the perfect time to enact her plan. Her only time.

She crawled to the closest speeder bike, camouflaging herself as best she could. She didn't have the keys, but she didn't need keys. During her year on the run, she watched Obi-Wan perform multiple vehicle hijacks through re-wiring. He even spent one afternoon teaching her some rudimentary knowledge about engineering.

Careful to not make a sound, she popped the cover to reveal the cascade of colorful wires that embedded into the speeder bike. Red, blue, green and yellow. All of them tangled with on another like deep-rooted tree. She studied the maze of wires, recalling how Obi-Wan re-wired a speeder bike. Nervously, she glanced back to the front of the hanger. The pilots were getting louder as the soldiers pulled their blasters from their holsters. Satine ducked down. The fight was nearing to an end and Satine could not let them see her.

She quickly untangled the two wires she needed. Blue and green. She remembered well because they were the colors of Obi-Wan's eyes. Giving a good tug, she got the two wires to come undone. She flickered her eyes passed the speeder bike, checking in on her distraction. They were still occupied with one another, much to Satine's relief and surprise. She honestly believed the soldiers would have started shooting by now.

With great care, she used her nails to strip the wire to its bare copper. Now was the moment she dreaded and revered. If she got it to work right away, she could escape to the real world. If it didn't, then she was sitting duck, calling for all predators to her exact location. She did not want the latter.

Taking a deep breath, she prayed to whoever or whatever that it would work.

Satine brought the wires together. A brief touch at their tips and a flash of a spark erupted on the ends. Satine jumped at the same time she heard the engine give an awakening grunt. It whined back down, croaking back to sleep. Satine stared back down at the wires. She tapped the wires together again.

The engine roared louder, but it faded to soft thwacks in its dying wake.

"Who's over there?"

Satine flipped her head up. Looked like she stole the show. Both the soldiers and pilots halted their fight, all turning their attention to her. This was not good.

Satine brought the wires together again and the spark cackled in mockery at her attempt as the engine whizzed into a sputtering mess.

"Hey! Get away from that bike!"

"I think she's the prisoner. Halt! You are under arrest!"

Oh no I am not! Satine blared in her own thought as she furiously brought the two wires again. The wire sparked and snapped. The engine howled its disturbance before it fell into a thundering hum. The speeder bike was fully engaged.

Satine scrambled onto the seat as the soldiers rushed at her. She thrusted the release switch. The speeder bike rose off the ground. As the soldiers drew close, Satine squeezed the hand clutch all the way down.

The speeder bike jerked before it blasted out of the hanger at full speed, leaving Satine's terrified screams scattering in the wind.

Qui-Gon did his best to keep to the meandering pace Obi-Wan designated to. His young apprentice dragged his feet, kept his head down and said nothing since they left the room. He stayed a few steps behind, but not too far. Qui-Gon kept him in range in case he needed to whip around and stop Obi-Wan from doing something unwise. Not that there was any need to. Obi-Wan wasn't going to run and there was no danger afoot.

Qui-Gon checked again on Obi-Wan. His apprentice no longer had tears tracks running down his cheeks. His eyes remained slightly pink, but nonetheless, the signs of his distress were less visible on his face. In the Force, that was another story.

The bond was fragile. Any attempt to even communicate through it could leave it in shards again. Its double-edged creation pricked Qui-Gon's Force presence mercilessly, bombarding him with old feelings to which dragged him into a brooding nature. Though these were not feelings of his own. They belonged to Obi-Wan. His broadcasted remorse darkened all things, leaving little trace of happiness left as it suffocated life itself and provoked the Living Force into disruption.

Obi-Wan always had the talent to cause trouble.

Qui-Gon, however, refrained from saying anything. Since Obi-Wan's confession, Qui-Gon could not stop to think that the young man made an excellent point. Qui-Gon never took into consideration that there could be repercussions. He thought that their love would conquer all doubts and conflictions. Qui-Gon believed he was doing right by Obi-Wan, giving him the love of his life. No longer obligated to their duties, they were free to love fiercely and unconditionally, without being scorned or shamed. In all honesty, Qui-Gon truly believed he was doing them a favor.

And yet, Obi-Wan's heartbreaking declaration was a viewpoint Qui-Gon did not considered. Love turning to hate… it seemed implausible. How could something as pure as love turn as dark as hate? It was highly unlikely and yet, Obi-Wan gave him a perfect set-up as to how it could happen to him and Satine. In fact, now that Qui-Gon considered it, their interactions appeared to be directed to that destructive point.

They rounded the steps, winding further down until they came to a heavy door. Qui-Gon opened it and shepherded Obi-Wan into the room. Obi-Wan blinked, becoming animated as he quickly scanned the room, taking evidence as he gathered up his thoughts.

"We're in the kitchens," Obi-Wan concluded as he eyed the counters filled with cutlery and appliances.

Qui-Gon nodded. "You missed dinner and I doubt they'll have something hot ready to eat, but… you do need to eat." Qui-Gon pulled out two stools that lined up against the island counter. Obi-Wan slowly settled himself on the seat when a robust woman with thick gold curls walked into the room, carrying a box of produce in her arms.

She startled at seeing them sitting in her sanctuary kitchen. She eyed them, peering at the two until her grey eyes twinkled in glee. "Obi-Wan Kenobi?" she inquired, hope rising in her pitched voice. "Is that really—oh! My goodness! It is you!"

Obi-Wan recognized her as well. He pulled himself off his stool as the woman came bounding around the corner. "Joline," he said with a smile that removed all traces of his sadness. "It's good to—"

He was immediately cut off as Joline wrapped her thick arms around him, squeezing him in an unforgettable embrace. He rosy cheeks burst into a delirious smile as she rocked Obi-Wan with delighted laughter. Qui-Gon humorously watched, sharing a smile as Joline squealed. Once Qui-Gon sensed Obi-Wan's struggle to breath did he wave Joline down. "Let the boy breathe," he said and Joline reluctantly released Obi-Wan.

But, she didn't stop beaming at him. "I told Lord Jinn that you would come back home one of these days," she said to Obi-Wan, turning to look over his shoulder to Qui-Gon. "Didn't I tell you?"

"You did," Qui-Gon assented.

"I knew you would come back," Joline persisted to say. "Everyone else may have believed you were gone for good, but I didn't. Nope. Not a day went by where I doubted your return. I always knew you would return."

She looked over Obi-Wan's face with hungry eyes. "Oh and you have such a handsome face," she cupped both sides of Obi-Wan's face, tilting it one way to the next to see all angles. "Doesn't he have a handsome face, Lord Jinn? I'm sure you attract ladies wherever you go. With those eyes? And with that hair? And bone structure? Force-sake! I can't believe you aren't even married yet!

"Wait—you look positively ill!" Joline exclaimed, the joy in her eyes fallen to grey clouds of worry. "You're so thin. And fragile. Have they not been feeding you enough wherever you were? I mean… this is outrageous! You're practically starved!"

"Joline?" Qui-Gon's voice carried over, knowing that he needed to stop Joline from going on her long ramblings. "That's the reason we're here. Obi-Wan missed dinner and I know you probably don't have anything hot at this moment, but do you have anything ready?"

Joline smiled slyly at Qui-Gon. "Of course! I can whip up something quick. It'll be cold, but filling and full of the right nutrients to get you back to strength." Joline said, patting Obi-Wan's cheek. "It's good to have you home again, Obi-Wan."

"Yes it is," Qui-Gon agreed and he flicked his eyes up back to Joline. "The food Joline?"

Joline, who kept smiling over at Obi-Wan, jumped. "Yes! Right of course! I'll be quick," she said, turning away from the group. "Stay there. I'll be back!"

She dashed off, going back down the same corridor she came from just a moment ago. For a human nearing the age of fifty, she certainly kept a bounce in her walk. Obi-Wan returned to his seat, raking his fingers through his hair to smooth it back down from Joline's ruffling.

"I see Joline has not changed a bit," Obi-Wan observed.

"Still as lively as ever," Qui-Gon commented. "She did miss you though. Always held hope that you would come back."

"I missed her too," Obi-Wan said, looking to the corridor where Joline ran off to. "Especially when all I could scavenged up to eat was slugs."

Qui-Gon wrinkled his brow. "Tasty," he deadpanned.

Quick and scurried footfalls pitter-pattered the floor until Joline's big form returned carrying a small tray. She shuffled to Obi-Wan's side, placing the tray down as she pulled out a bowl of what appeared to be rice and white beans with a side of dried tonitran jerky and a slice of bread.

"I know it's not the best meal," Joline said, sounding disappointed in herself. "But it should keep that belly warm until morning. I'll make sure your breakfast tomorrow is hot and full of your favorites. Oh! Before I forget," She placed a cup of tea in front of Obi-Wan, the steam somewhat settling over the rims of the cup. "It's your favorite. I scrounged up a packet for you and added a drip of honey in it. Just as you always liked it."

Dooku wouldn't have dared to even touch the plate, but Obi-Wan, he was very appreciative as he picked up his fork to dig in. "You're too kind for this world, Joline," he said, smiling. "Thank you."

Joline gushed as she patted Obi-Wan's head. "Anytime, my boy. Anytime at all."

Obi-Wan dug into his meal, eating the rice and beans in big bites. Qui-Gon's eyes raised from Obi-Wan to Joline, signaling her to leave them in peace. Joline got the message and slipped away, taking her box of produce with her.

Alone, Qui-Gon waited until Obi-Wan's stomach was satisfied. It took him a long time to reach to that point. After all, Obi-Wan not only missed dinner, but had little to eat at breakfast and lunch. He must have been starving when Joline set down the platter. The young man depleted the rice and beans, scarfed the slice of bread and nibbled on the dried jerky. It wasn't the best of meals, but then again, anything was better than cooked slugs. At least, Qui-Gon would like to think so.

With a satisfied groan of a filled stomach, Obi-Wan pushed away his plates and resigned to the bliss of a full stomach. Qui-Gon saw it as his opening.

"I want you to know that I am sorry I forced you and Satine into doing something neither wanted to do," he started off, avoiding Obi-Wan's hardened gaze to keep him from faltering in his announcement. "That wasn't my intention, but I see my mistake and I apologize."

Obi-Wan folded his arms across his chest, jutting his chin in defiance. "That's a first for you. Admitting to a mistake. How brave of you."

Qui-Gon very much wanted to zip Obi-Wan's mouth sometimes. "Indeed, which is why, to show good-faith," he said, luring Obi-Wan to listen carefully to his next words, "I decided that once we find the Duchess, we'll ship her off to Coruscant or wherever. Provide an apartment there for her exclusive use."

"You mean you are letting her go?" Obi-Wan looked hopeful, lowering his arms down to his lap.

"It means we are letting her leave the planet," Qui-Gon corrected, not wanting Obi-Wan to get the wrong impression. "We cannot simply release her. Not if she plans to win her planet back from Death Watch. Arrangements will be made that will allow the former Duchess to live comfortably. I can only offer that much."

Obi-Wan rolled the offer through his brain, picking and scrutinizing every word. It was a far nicer deal than what Dooku originally implemented. He optioned she be returned to Death Watch. By all means though, Qui-Gon was sincere in his offer to spare the Duchess of humiliation or execution. He would send a team with her, set her up in an apartment in whatever planet she desired (not Mandalore) and provide whatever she reasonably needed. It was the best offer Satine would get in the circumstances she found herself in.

The contemplative quieting had gone long enough. "The alternative is not better, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon advised his old padawan. "She'll die and you don't want that on your conscious."

A single brow arched high up on his forehead. He tipped back in his seat, a man with grim introspection. "No, I do not wish for that," he muttered, brushing his back fingers against his mouth. "But, it's not me you need to convince. It's the Duchess of Mandalore." The mercurial temperament shifting as Obi-Wan eyes lightened in mockery. "And you have yet to find her."

"It's only a matter of time."

Obi-Wan's smile widened. "Is that what you told yourself when Anakin and I left?"

"You're here now, are you not?"

"Still don't have Anakin."

And yes. That was a proud achievement for Obi-Wan in keeping young Skywalker away. It worked for seven years until he passed the boy off to the incompetent Jedi. And now, Qui-Gon had the opportune moment to put Obi-Wan in his place. Qui-Gon lightly tapped against the counter, debating on whether to dismount Obi-Wan from his self-righteous pedestal.

Before Obi-Wan woke from his stupor, Qui-Gon had no intentions of informing him of Anakin's arrival. He planned to keep them separated for the first few weeks of Anakin's introduction as punishment for Obi-Wan's defiance. Those thoughts were created out of anger and he calmed himself back down to sanity level as he spoke to Obi-Wan. Once retreated to a cool head, Qui-Gon realized the pointlessness in the separation. The two would sense the other and do their utmost to be reunited.

Decision made, Qui-Gon rose out of his seat. "I actually have a surprise for you," he told Obi-Wan, which made the young man tense in apprehension. "I was to show it to you after dinner, but… you were a bit occupied at the moment.

"To which afterwards I even debated whether to show you or not," Qui-Gon rumbled on as he nudged his head for Obi-Wan to follow. "But I believe you would find out sooner rather than later anyway."

They left the kitchens, leaving Obi-Wan's dirty plates for Joline to handle. Qui-Gon led the way, mentally checking on Obi-Wan every now and then. Obi-Wan remained wary, guarded as he followed just a single step behind Qui-Gon. A defense mechanism he must have picked up living on the run. They weaved their way through the palace, getting closer to the destination.

He checked back on Obi-Wan. The young man's brows furrowed in familiar concentration. His eyes slid from one door to the next, sensing something that he couldn't quite believe. Puzzled, he flashed his eyes to Qui-Gon. "May I ask what type of surprise this is?"

"You may."

Obi-Wan didn't. He fell back to his quiet nature, cataloguing everything to help him narrow down his answer. He was always like that. His legs may not be running, but his mind always was.

Qui-Gon stopped in front of the door, moving to make room for Obi-Wan to stand beside him. Obi-Wan took one look at the door, face pinched in a quizzical misinterpretation. He sensed a presence on the other side of the room. It was muted, due to inhibitors they locked on Anakin. Nonetheless, Obi-Wan sensed him and the familiarity crossed along his face.

He looked to Qui-Gon. "Who's in there?"

Qui-Gon gave him a tiny smile. "You'll see."

He opened the door with his handprint. The scanner read and accepted the print. The doors softly hissed and creaked before it whizzed opened to a large bedroom.

On the bed, tucked in with blankets, was Anakin Skywalker. Still sound asleep from where Qui-Gon left him.

Qui-Gon turned to say more to Obi-Wan, but the young man shoved passed Qui-Gon and sprinted to Anakin's side. He perched himself on the edge of the bed, hands on Anakin's shoulders as he murmured to the sleeping child. A stir awoken, a light flickering back to life as Anakin's limbs rolled in a stretch.

Qui-Gon heard a question whisper between them before small arms suddenly engulfed Obi-Wan. Blonde tussles of hair burrowed into Obi-Wan's neck, muffling cries of delight from the boy. Qui-Gon caught a few mutters of comforts from Obi-Wan as he embraced the child in his arms.

As the reunion unfolded, the Force rose in high tide. A clash riveting within the Force. A cold wind whiplashed through the Force, a chill struck straight to the bones. But, a rising sun melted the cold away. The Force slowed and a warm glow enveloped to a quiet tranquility. Rising from the quiet, Qui-Gon heard a gentle hum. The same song he heard when Obi-Wan and Anakin met on Tatooine.

A soft sigh slipped passed his parted lips as he lingered at the door. All was well. He reunited them again and the Force sang its approval, joyous that its favorite children were back together again. No more darkness. No more turmoil. All would be well as long as the two were together.

Qui-Gon understood. The prophecy spoke of a rebalance. An ending to all they know and a beginning of a new era.

Noiselessly as to not disrupt the reunion, Qui-Gon removed himself from the room to offer Obi-Wan and Anakin privacy. Let the boys catch up and rest before the sun rises full. Tomorrow, they will begin fulfilling their destinies.