Chapter 6


A/N: I made some changes to this chapter. I just added a bit more description of Jessica's lightsabre. Oh, and Qui-Gon gets reminded of Dooku.


That night, Qui-Gon stood in the doorway of Anakin's room, watching him sleep. Everyone else was asleep – or so he thought. He stood there, contemplating the boy. He could sense that there was something different about this boy, something special.

He started at a touch on his arm. He spun, igniting his lightsabre as he turned. The end of the sword stopped centimetres from Jessica's neck. He touched the activator button, but didn't put the blade away just yet.

Jessica grinned. "Shouldn't you be more conscious of your surroundings, Jedi?" Before he could say anything, she stepped backwards, away from his lightsabre, and beckoned him to follow. She led him out to the back porch and sat on the railing.

"You've got some explaining to do."

Jessica bowed her head, and sighed. "I do, don't I?" She suddenly laughed.

"What's so funny?"

Jessica looked at Qui-Gon and smiled faintly. "I've done this a few times now; had to explain myself like this. I've never been nervous about it." She shook her head. "But I am now. Probably because you're a Jedi."

Qui-Gon reached into the Force, ready to spot any lies that she told. Jessica sensed it. She smiled wearily. "Don't worry. I won't lie to you now. In any way." Saying this, she released the Force.

She had held the Force around herself, masking her Force signature. Now she revealed it. There was both light and dark in her aura. There was so much darkness around her, Qui-Gon ignited his lightsabre again. But he closed his eyes and examined her aura again. Yes, the Dark Side of the Force swirled around her; he realised that she had used it at some point. But the Light Side of the Force also surrounded her. He could sense that she was good.

"I'm what is known as a Grey Jedi."

"But you're Force signature… It's so dark."

Jessica nodded. "I used to be a Dark Jedi. Or, rather, I was trained as a Dark Jedi. But it didn't work out." There was a ghost of a smile on her lips. "Even when I was angry, even when I was using the Dark Side, I was treating the Force as an ally. I didn't bend it to my will, like you're supposed to on the Dark Side."

"If you're of the Light Side, why didn't you come to the Jedi Council?" asked Qui-Gon.

"I've had freedom for too long. The Jedi Code is too constrictive. No attachments, no feelings… I couldn't live like that. I don't think its right. I don't think I could put myself under the command of the Jedi Council, either. I prefer to think for myself; to follow my own conscience."

Qui-Gon felt the words ring true in his own soul. He could imagine himself as a Grey Jedi, doing the will of the Force, but not under the control of the Council… He shook himself from his imaginings when he heard Jessica speak again.

"Anakin wasn't imagining things, as I made out at dinner." Qui-Gon sensed Jessica's guilt over her deception. She reached beneath her cloak and pulled out a lightsabre.It seemed familiarto Qui-Gon. Then he realised why. Itwas slightly curved. Qui-Gon's master,Jerrard Dooku, had a lightsabre like that.

'She's probably amaster ofMakashi,'he thought.

Jessica moved her hand, and gently pressed the activator button. A golden-yellow beam erupted from the end.

Qui-Gon recalled his mind from thoughts of his Master. "Speaking of Anakin…"

"Did I sense the Force in him? Yes. He needs training. He's special."


A/N: Is that how you spell Dooku's first name? If anyone knows, could you please tell me? I would be grateful.