Chapter Thirteen

The busy walkway back to his ship parted in front of Bal as if he were royalty instead of a smuggler. He rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, almost hoping someone would have the balls to starts something with him right then. He was ridiculously irritated and not quite sure why – and that just pissed him off even more.

Well, that wasn't quite true… He was self-aware enough to admit he felt jealous, but why that may be is where he was running into a wall. It wasn't as if he was attracted to that little blonde twig. For some strange reason, though, seeing her all close with that Jedi really fucking pissed him off.

His own loud footsteps on the ramp alerted him to the fact he needed to tone it down a notch or two. Kid had been through enough, he didn't need-

"I just cleaned that and you're tracking street dirt in all over!" A child's voice yelled with such vehemence that he actually stopped and considered taking his boots off.

"It's my ship, I can track dirt all over the damned thing if I want," he said, turning toward Alec and then gave a loud laugh – anger from earlier draining away.

The kid had fashioned a kind of apron thing over his front with a white rag tied on his head and was angrily brandishing a polishing cloth at him.

"What the hell are you wearing?"

Alec just scowled even more deeply instead of looking insulted or sheepish.

"I only have one set of clothes and the 'fresher is so gross I'd be dirtier when I came out than when I went in," he snarled, looking scary for someone so tiny. "This keeps the dust off me while I'm cleaning. Which a droid could do instead! I didn't come with you to be your slave..."

"Hey, quit the whining. You want me to teach you to be a smuggler for free? I'm not that generous and you're not a freaking charity case."

Alec still looked sullen, but he didn't yell anymore as Bal walked away still tracking street dirt behind him.

"Did you, uh, hear anything about... about Buffy while you were out?" Alec called tentatively.

Bal hid a smile by keeping his back to the kid, pretending to dig in a compartment on the wall. When Alec had heard Buffy was on Naboo he'd had a freaking fit. Bal was pretty sure his anger really had more to do with her not taking him in herself, or even visiting him on Naboo, than with any kind of blame of the death of his mother, but whatever the reason for it the kid's resentment was real and it was still fresh. So, knowing Buffy was more than capable of handling herself, he'd taken his new smuggling apprentice and left.

But apparently Alec didn't hate Buffy as much as he liked to pretend he did…

"Yeah, she's fine. Caught herself a Jedi while she was out, had him following her around like a puppy."

"Guess you won't be seeing her anymore either, huh?" He said after a beat, voice drifting off as Bal heard him walk away. "What's she need you for if she has a Jedi for a friend."

Oh, so that's why he was so pissed off…


Buffy stared at the bed and bit the inside of her cheek - unsure if she was about to come off as slutty or mature when she finally got up the courage to say they could share. He didn't seem like the type of guy that would assume they'd be sleeping together in a sexy fun times kind of way just because they made out once and she offered to let him live with her, but you never know.

Obi Wan took the decision out of her hands, though. He walked past her, grabbed a pillow, tossed it on the floor along with his bag before dropping with a weird kind of graceful plop at her feet – staring up at her with his hands behind his head and looking perfectly comfortable.

Not sure if she should be insulted or relieved, she shook her head.

"I can take the floor and you can have the bed."

He stuck his foot out with a raised eyebrow and pushed down on the closest corner where the bed promptly lost it delicate three legged balance.

"I prefer a stable sleeping surface, thank you."

The smile that came out was inevitable even as she tried to look offended.

"Don't insult my bed. It's good training – subconscious balancing."

"I have excellent balance, thank you. No further training needed."

Buffy flopped down on the bed with minimal flailing to keep it from tipping. "I guess we should go bed shopping tomorrow."

"Yes, that would probably be a good idea," he answered softly, already sounding sleepy.

It had been a ridiculously long time since she'd slept, and probably the same for him, but she felt restless as she stared up at the ceiling. The sound of Obi Wan's even breathing from the floor somehow both setting her on edge and soothing her at the same time.

There seemed like a lot to do, but nothing at the same time. There was a list of things she wanted to get done – shop for a new bed for herself and one for Obi Wan; make up with Bal; convince Alec not to hate her; free Anakin's mom and all the other slaves in the galaxy. The first three she could do but the last one… She wasn't sure where to start with that.

"I can hear you thinking from down here."

"I hope you don't mean that literally…"

"Is it me," he asked after a beat of silence. "Does my being here disturb you?"

"No," she said, aborting the attempt to roll over and look at him before the bed could dump her on the floor. "I mean, okay, a little, but disturb in a good way, I guess?"

"Disturb in a good way?"

Buffy was glad to hear a trace of amusement in his voice. The last thing she wanted was to make him feel like an outsider after he'd just left the Jedi Club.

"Yeah, I mean, it's weird having another person here. But weird in a good way. I'm glad you're here."

"I'm glad I'm here, too," was his soft reply.

"So, tell me about this slavery thing."

"Ah, now we get to the real reason. Is that what you've been worrying about up there?"

"It just doesn't make any sense. The Jedi act like they hate it but don't do anything about it?"

"Technically, slavery is outlawed. But enforcing it, especially on outlying planets such as the one Anakin is from, is the problem."

"So it's actually against the law but you guys just ignore it?"

"It's not so simple. It's become such an imbedded part of some cultures that entire economies would falter if it were suddenly removed."

"Who cares about that! These are living-"

"Where would they go?" His mild voice interrupted.

"Huh?"

"Where would they go, Buffy? Some conditions are worse than others, of course, but slaves receive food and shelter for their work. Some would need to leave the area, if not the planet, if freed for fear of retaliation from their former owners."

"Then some kind of system needs to be set up to provide that instead of just ignoring it."

"Then there is still the problem of the Hutts. A large portion of their empire is slave trade. They're well connected and definitely know how to hold a grudge. Nowhere would truly be safe for anyone that defied them. And it's doubtful they'd shy away from starting a war to get their way, either. Their reach is far and wide…"

"Then you do it all stealth like, stealing them away."

"They're also embedded with tracking chips. They'll explode if they stray too far from their masters."

"Now you're just screwing with me," she said, rolling to look down at him and upsetting the beds balance.

"No, it's quite true, unfortunately," he said, casually lifting a foot to keep the bed from toppling to the side.

"So, we need to take down the Hutts then."

"Now I suggest it's you that is screwing with I."

She gave him a dangerous smile. "Ready for your first mission as a rebel?"


The next day felt warmer than usual despite the fact Obi Wan knew it was the same temperature it had been the day before. Maybe it was the amount of people out on the street with them, or maybe it was just Crimson Corridor – putting off a dangerous heat to try to warn away those that didn't know better.

There were bigger things to deal with, he knew (like this insane decision that Buffy had made that they would "take down the Hutts") but Obi Wan finally asked the question that had been dancing on the edge of his thoughts since they'd left Naboo.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," she shrugged, stopping to look at some wares in a shop window. "Just don't be disappointed when I don't have an answer."

"You told Anakin you'd never been off Coruscant, but you also said you're not from here," he said, watching as her eyes darted from the items in the window to meet the eyes of his reflection. "You also told me when we first met you'd ended up in the Factory District by accident and just stayed. Can I ask where you're actually from?"

She stared at him through the window's reflection long enough that he started to feel uncomfortable before turning away and continuing down the street. By the set of her shoulders and her silence, he realized he may have made a serious misstep with her.

"I apologize, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he said, catching her arm with his hand and tugging her to the side of the street. "You don't have to answer that."

"I do. It's just… You put an awful lot of faith in me," she said softly at last with a small headshake. "You know next to nothing about me but you still trust me. You've pretty much flipped your life upside down because you think I'm leading some kind of righteous life…"

"I know what's important," he said. "I know how you care and how you fight and how you don't give up. I know you're someone to admire even if you don't know it yourself."

She gave him a soft smile that made something in him twist. "I'm not sure I'm all that. But you make me want to be."

He'd just decided this might be a good time to kiss her when a large Drovian went by and bumped her, sending her forehead crashing into his chin.

"Owww," she hissed, rubbing the red spot forming just below her hair line. "Rude much?"

Her glare melted into a rueful smile before continuing down the street. He followed behind, rubbing his chin.

"Okay, I'm not sure how to say this… I haven't told anyone else," she said.

As she took a few halting steps, apparently pausing occasionally to gather her thoughts, he felt a kind of warm pride mixed in with his anticipation – she hadn't told anyone else, but she was going to tell him.

"I'm warning you now, what I'm about to tell you sounds ridiculous. And I'm pretty sure instead of making you feel better, you'll just be more confused. If you don't just think I'm crazy or a liar, anyway…"

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," he said dryly, falling in step beside her. "I can assure you I've seen many 'ridiculous' things as a Jedi. Things most wouldn't believe possible. I don't think I'll have a problem with whatever-"

"I'm from another dimension."

"…you're…"

Obi wan felt his mouth slow down as his brain sped up and his feet stopped working. Another dimension? Was she serious?

She stopped just in front of him and turned to look at him, hands on her hips and determination on her face.

"A God wanted to kill my sister and opened this giant portal. I jumped in it to save everyone and woke up in the Factory District."

"…you're…"

"Oh, crap, did I break you?" She asked, looking concerned as she stepped closer. "Do you need something to drink or to sit down or something?"

"No, no," he said, giving a brief smile. "Another dimension…That makes sense, actually. You are very odd."

"Umm, hey?"

"Odd in a good way," he said, bumping her should with his own and continuing their trek down the thoroughfare.

He had more questions than he could ask given an unlimited time, but from the way her body slightly sagged and the tightness in her face receded he knew he'd made the right choice by not attacking the topic like an enemy. He'd asked, she'd answered – but this wasn't an interrogation. He'd have to be very careful not to make it feel as such.

"You're not just humoring me? You don't think I'm a crazy liar?"

"Crazy, maybe, but not because of this," he said, earning him a sharp jab to the ribs from her elbow. "And I've never known you to lie to me, despite your previously careful wording of your origins."

"So, you think that's why the Force ignores me? Because I'm not supposed to be here?"

Sensing this was a delicate topic, he chose his words carefully. "I'm not so sure 'ignores you' is an apt description. It does move through you as if you weren't there, but it does move through you. It's not as though you repel it."

She made a noncommittal noise and stopped a child from picking her pocket without looking. Warmth spread through him and he felt suddenly very grateful for the event with the God and the portal that had sent her here – then immediately felt guilty for it.

"You said you have a sister?"

"Dawn," she said with a brief smile. "She's a brat. Or she was, I don't know what she's like now…"

"I'm sorry. I wish there was a way for me to help you find your way back."

It was a statement very close to being a lie. If dimensional travel was something more common, or even rare instead of practically unheard of, he would indeed help her find her way home. But saying that he "wished" there was a way to help her do that was a stretch…

"It's not so bad here," she said with a shrug. "Cute boys, nice sights, Hutts' butts to kick."

She stopped and he followed suit, looking up to the sign on the building they'd paused in front of.

The Tusken Oasis was lit up brightly even this early in the day.

"I thought we were bed shopping? And have you ever seen a Hutt? They're lacking a general butt area."

"Actually, I haven't ever seen a Hutt," she said, looking over at him curiously. "They don't have butts? There are buttless aliens?"

"I think I'll leave it a surprise, I'd like to see your face…"

Giving him a surly look that he answered with a grin, she marched toward the front door - only to be blocked by one of the largest Sanyassans that Obi Wan had ever encountered. His large frame barely fitting through the door he was guarding to stand in front of it, thick arms crossing at his chest as he stood like a boulder blocking the pass.

"We're here to see the Hutt," Buffy said, not looking even slightly put off by the new gigantic obstacle.

The Sanyassan gave a grunt and didn't move.

"Okay then, hard way it is," she said. At his confused look, she put a palm to her head. "Oh, didn't I give you that option? Sorry, sometimes I forget."

Then the guard was down, Buffy having darted forward and slammed his head against the door behind him in a blur of motion. The door, either from the impact or sensing it's the weight of its guard against the bottom, opened. Obi Wan gaped, not only from the speed of the move but the brutality in it.

"I believe you and I should have a talk about diplomacy," he said, jumping over the downed body to follow Buffy inside.

"You honestly think we were going to talk our way past that guy?" She asked. "Okay, then next time I'll let you have a chat with the giant door guard first, how's that?"

"An acceptable compromise, thank you," he answered, pleased to see a small smile peek out along with her disbelieving headshake.

"Slayer!"

The voice was loud and apparently Buffy recognized it because the look on her face went sour. Turning to the left he saw a stocky blond humanoid leaning against the bar grinning at Buffy like he couldn't be happier to see her – an odd contrast to the way Buffy was looking at him.

"Dahl," she nodded, face slipping into something a little more neutral.

"I tell you, good help is hard to find," he said. "First these two and now this?"

With a jab of his finger two forms came from the shadows behind Dahl - two very familiar forms.

"Master!" Obi Wan blurted in surprise.

Qui Gon gave them a small nod and a smile. "A much as I enjoy the sentiment, I don't believe you have to call me that anymore."

"As I was just telling your buddy here," Dahl said, his friendly demeanor going hard as threatening as his eyes shifted to Obi Wan. "I don't do business with Jedi. Or mini Jedi in training. So all three of you can get out."

Anakin's eyes were darting between Qui Gon, Obi Wan and Dahl nervously. Why were they there? This certainly wasn't somewhere a new padawan learner should be. Though Qui Gon might not have gotten the approval of the Council to train him – and even if he did it wasn't as if he stuck to the traditional routes…

"You on the other hand are a sight for sore eyes," Dahl said, his gaze switching to Buffy. Obi Wan's hands twitched at the glimpse of emotions he felt from the man.

"Well, goody for you. Always glad to play eye candy for a skeeve," Buffy said with an eye roll. "We're here to see the Hutt."

Dahl leaned back against the bar and gave a dark grin. "Hutt's dead, sweetness. Which is something you and me should have a conversation about. After these Jedi get out, that is."

Buffy's mouth tightened and she turned to Obi Wan, putting her back to Dahl and Qui Gon.

"I'm not going to get anything with you guys in here - why don't you go outside with the other two and I'll see what he has to say."

Obi Wan was already shaking his head though. He knew Buffy could take care of her self – she'd taken out a Sith after all – but there was something about this Dahl that the Force was warning Obi Wan about…

"Our purpose in coming here was to talk of the slave trade, I'm assuming. Something we need a Hutt for, this mission is void without one's presence."

"He may have left some kind of information behind," Buffy countered. "Something we normally wouldn't be able to see but since he's dead... And I get the feeling Dahl has his grimy fingers in a lot of pies, too."

Though he didn't understand the reference, he still got the point and couldn't deny she was right. He gave a grudging nod while mentally kicking himself for not at least making an attempt to look less like a Jedi when dressing this morning. Part of him still balked at cutting his braid but he could've changed his clothes easily enough. Locking eyes with Qui Gon over Buffy's shoulder, he raised an eyebrow in question. The two knew each other well enough that no words were necessary and Qui Gon answered the unspoken question with a hesitant nod.

Buffy turned to meet Dahl, but Obi Wan grabbed her arm before she could leave. Looking back at him curiously, he leaned in close.

"There's some kind of scanner that locates and deactivates the slave chips. It's possible Yanth had one here, so keep an eye out for it. And be careful, this Dahl is not all he seems…"

"You mean he's not a manipulative, power hungry, sleeze ball?"

He grinned. "Well, then maybe he is what he appears to be. I sense he's much more dangerous than he seems to be though. Just-"

"I'll be careful," she said, putting her hand over his where it rested and squeezed slightly. "Now go play with the other Jedi and see what they were doing here."

Obi Wan gave a nod and stepped back, watching Buffy walk towards Dahl with a heavy feeling. His eyes only left her back when Anakin gave her a small wave and a loudly whispered "Hi Buffy!" as they passed. His lips quirked as she gave him the same exited wave back. Qui Gon blocked his view a second later and gestured to the door.

"Shall we, former apprentice of mine?"

He couldn't deny the small pang those words caused as he turned and stepped back out into the oppressive Crimson Corridor street.

"Do I sense some regret already?" Qui Gon asked, stopping beside him and crossing his arms.

"Not regret, Master," he said, biting his tongue at the slip in address. "But being a Jedi, being your apprentice, is something I don't regret either. Can I ask why you and Anakin are here?"

Qui Gon silently studied him for a moment, then gave a small shrug. "Anakin wanted to see some of the city and the Council thought we may as well get some work done while sight-seeing."

"And your work brought you to the Tuskan Oasis?"

"It's come to light that many of the Black Sun Vigos have been murdered – Yanth the Hutt among them. Yoda suggested it may be prudent to find out why."

Obi Wan smiled humorlessly. "Meaning Master Yoda somehow knew Buffy and I would be here and sent you to see what we were up to."

Qui Gon smiled back, much more entertained by the situation than Obi Wan apparently. "I'm beginning to think so. He seems to have taken an interest in your friend, but is keeping his own council on why. Though what is happening with the Black Sun is indeed a concern."

"They destroyed Greely's operation in the Factory District – possibly retribution from whatever faction was connected to him?"

"Possibly," Qui Gon nodded. "They would have to be incredibly strong and well connected to take out the Vigos we've heard about though. And given the power and scope of the Black Sun…"

"Very worrying, indeed," Obi Wan muttered.

"And the two of you, what's your purpose in being here?"

Obi Wan hesitated, unsure he should go broadcasting their intentions about as Buffy's plotting could ruffle a lot of feathers at best and at worst start a war.

Glancing at Anakin, who was being surprisingly still and silent as he stared at the front of the building they'd just left, he decided maybe staying vague was best, for more than one reason.

"Buffy wanted to speak with Yanth about some Hutt business she was curious about."

But Qui Gon was no fool and Obi Wan heard the question of "Slavery?" echoed in his mind as he glanced at Anakin again. Not wanting to divulge too much or bring up a sensitive subject in front of Anakin, he just gave a terse nod.

They'd been waiting a few moments for Buffy when Obi Wan noticed the intensity with which Anakin was staring at the Tuskan Oasis.

"How are you finding Coruscant, Anakin?" Obi Wan prodded.

"Fine," he answered distractedly, eyes still not leaving the front of the Oasis.

"Everything all right, Ani?" Qui Gon asked.

"I don't like that guy," Anakin said, finally pulling his eyes to them, a sour look on his little face. "I'm not sure why but… he's just… He's a sleemo, for sure, but… I think he's dangerous, too."

"The Force was warning me about him as well," Obi Wan said, his eyes now straying to the front of the Oasis. "I wish I could sense her…"

"Seeing her skills in Naboo, I don't think we should worry too much," Qui Gon said, humor lighting his eyes.

Obi Wan grinned back, and unable to resist a bit of teasing, added, "If I were you, I think I'd be spending a little more time training than sight-seeing – I recall you spending a great deal of that fight on the floor."

"And I shall, after my bruised ego and bruised… other areas, recover," he said ruefully.

"You were on the floor?" Anakin asked, looking up at Qui Gon with big, aghast eyes. "But- But you're the best!"

"An important lesson in life to learn, Ani, is that whenever you think you are the best, the universe likes to challenge that theory. You should always strive to be better, because-"

"Because no matter how big and bad you think you are, there's always someone bigger and badder," Buffy's voice came from behind them.

Obi Wan was pettily pleased to see the surprise on Qui Gon's face and easily read his earlier sentiment about wishing he could sense her echoed in his former master's thoughts.

"Where'd you come from?" Anakin asked, looking around in confusion.

"I left the back way – the guard at the door was starting to wake up and I thought I might feel bad if I had to punch him unconscious again."

"How magnanimous of you," Obi Wan said dryly.

"I thought so," she answered in earnest. "Actually, we should probably move away from the scene of the crime before he or anyone else comes out looking for us."

"Crime?" Qui Gon asked, but started moving down the street.

"Not literally. Well, maybe not…" Buffy said, not looking the least bit concerned. "Dahl was being his usual assholeish self so I thought it'd be easier to search the Hutt's office if his mouth would quit flapping."

"Easier?" Obi Wan said with a raised brow.

"Okay, less annoying," she admitted. "And then a couple more guards came in and- well, you know the story."

"Yes, it's a tale as old as time. Girl goes into suspicious business owner's office, beats everyone unconscious, searches said office and then runs off as everyone is waking up. I heard it many times growing up," Obi Wan told with a faux look of whimsy.

He could feel amusement from Qui Gon and Anakin outright laughed. Buffy's grin was quick and followed by an elbow to his ribs.

"Smartass," she huffed.

"Did you find anything useful?" Qui Gon asked.

She eyed him warily before giving Obi Wan a questioning look, he just shrugged at her. He could tell her he trusted Qui Gon with his life, but he knew that she would only say what she was comfortable with despite his vouching. The Jedi and the Council had both left an unfavorable impression on her…

"Depends what you would find useful," she said vaguely. "What is it you were looking for?"

Qui Gon gave her almost the exact look she had given him seconds before.

"There have been reports of the Vigos of the Black Sun being cut down – Yanth the Hutt was one of them."

Buffy's shoulders went stiff and she turned her gaze stonily in front of her, making Obi Wan raise a brow.

"You know something about this?" He asked in surprise.

"Did you kill them?" Qui Gon asked a beat later, shocking Obi Wan.

"There's no way she would do that," he said in outrage, turning a scathing look on Qui Gon. "That's a very offensive accusation, Master."

"Is it really so questionable?" He asked mildly. "The Black Sun were responsible for the devastation in the Factory District. You think your friend is beyond revenge?"

"You're right, I did want revenge," Buffy said, stopping the denial before it could come out of Obi Wan's mouth. He felt himself shrink away from her, voice lost.

"But I didn't kill them," she said, her eyes locking on Obi Wan's.

"But you would have?" Qui Gon pushed, all humor gone.

"No. I- no," she said heavily and Obi Wan got the feeling she might be trying to convince herself of that. "But knowing what I know now…"

"And what is it you know now?" Qui Gon asked before Obi Wan could.

"Maul, the red and black guy from Naboo, he was there when the Factory District was attacked," she started. "I thought it was him that killed those- that killed my friends."

Obi Wan didn't need to sense her to be aware of the strangled pain in those words. He wanted to reach for her but something told him she wouldn't appreciate it right then…

"The Sith was there, when the Black Sun attacked. You'd said that before, but with everything else going on…" Qui Gon said thoughtfully.

Buffy nodded. "I'm not real sure on the why, but I guess he told the Black Sun guys he was there to help them and after they wiped out Greely's men he turned on them and killed them, too."

"You said you thought he killed your friends," Anakin asked tentatively. "He didn't?"

"No, he didn't."

And suddenly the scene in the generator room made sense. The intensity and personal nature of her fight with the Sith, the words shared he couldn't hear, her lapse in concentration and the look of confusion and remorse as she stared at him falling.

"Oh, Buffy," he said softly, not holding back this time and reaching for her hand.

It twitched slightly in his grip like she wanted to pull away before stilling and gripping back with an almost desperate tightening.

"I'd been chasing him for a while," she admitted. "He was going after the Black Sun head honcho when I found him on… Sorry, I can't remember the name of the place. It was really pretty, with a bunch of water."

"Ralltiir," both Obi Wan and Qui Gon said at the same time, knowing who lived there.

"Alexi Garyn," Qui Gon said.

Buffy nodded. "Dead. "

"My guess would be that he was the last of the Vigos," Qui gon said looking slightly shocked. "The list of the dead… I'll have to check to be sure but it seems that the Sith went from the bottom up and dismantled the organization."

"What would be the reasoning for a Sith to dismantle the Black Sun?" Obi Wan asked.

Qui Gon shook his head. "I don't know, but I'm sure it isn't good. It also brings back the question of whether this Sith was the Master or Apprentice. Given that he was out getting his hands dirty-"

"He was likely the apprentice," Obi Wan finished, glancing at Qui Gon with a barely concealed grin. "We know how Masters like to put unpleasant tasks off on their apprentices."

"You make too light of this, Obi Wan," Qui Gon chastised, but there wasn't any real heat in it and the fact Buffy was snickering next to him kept his smile in place.

"What's a Sith and a Black Sun?" Anakin piped up, taking the conversation to the educational side instead of speculative.

Somehow, the four of them ended up spending the remainder of the day together. It occurred to Obi Wan that Buffy might enjoy seeing the sights Coruscant had to offer, as it was doubtful she'd taken the time off to view them herself, and she seemed interested in Qui Gon's explanations to Anakin (as long as he didn't go on too long, then her focus wandered quickly).

Conversely, he got the distinct feeling that Buffy was going along with it not only for her own entertainment, but for Obi Wan's own sake. He couldn't deny that being near his former Master made him feel a little more grounded – less like he'd just dove into the seas of Ralltiir and was trying to keep his head afloat as the waves buffeted him in an unknown direction – and he felt a surge of affection for Buffy for noticing that and not questioning him or thinking less of him for it.

He also felt Qui Gon's acceptance of Buffy growing, which was a relief. Yoda's curiosity and lack of suspicion certainly helped matters – he knew how much Qui Gon valued his opinion - but Buffy herself was a big factor, as well. Her interactions with Anakin and curiosity during Qui Gon's lessons were softening the edges of his harsher encounters with her. Some of her observations on subjects both surprised and entertained the two of them.

"So there's only ever two of these Sith guys? And you're whining because they haven't been around in ages and they might be back? There's only two! How many bad guys make it that easy?!"

While she was easily distracted by the goings on around them from Qui Gon's lectures, he also caught her interest piquing on surprising subjects that he'd learned when he was Anakin's age, but she apparently had never heard of.

Not really that surprising, he thought, taking in her wide eyed demeanor as Qui Gon told a story of an injured Jedi's recovery in a bacta tank. She's from a different dimension after all, things there must be extraordinarily different.

Qui Gon's voice faltered and Obi Wan felt shock sizzle from his mind. Obi Wan's own breath caught as he realized what a foolish thing he'd just done. He'd gotten too relaxed, enjoying the company and the day and left the bond between him and his former Master wide open, practically broadcasting his thoughts.

Qui Gon's eyes darted to Buffy quickly, who solidified the observation by stopped to curiously poke a shadowmoth resting on the side of a shop. Anakin asked a question and Qui Gon answered, but his attention was mostly on Obi Wan.

She comes from another dimension? He mentally asked.

Seeing no point in denying it now Obi Wan gave a miniscule nod.

She told me this in confidence, I ask that if you care for our bond at all you keep this to yourself.

I can agree to that, he said, to Obi Wan's relief, before adding. Unless there comes a time when she gives me reason not to.

You still don't trust her…

I care too much about you to hand your future over to someone else with no questions asked, Obi Wan.

The subject was dropped then, but his lapse ate at him for the rest of the day. She'd trusted him enough with information that she'd trusted no one else with and he'd promptly betrayed that trust the same day she'd given it to him.

His sudden somber attitude caught her attention and she wasted no time asking him about it as soon as the other two headed back to the Temple – Anakin practically sleep walking at that point from information overload.

"So, what's the what with the silent treatment?"

"I'm sorry?"

"You. You're all quiet and broody, what's up with that?"

He swallowed hard, willing the confession forward that seemed caught in his chest.

"You seem to be getting along better with Qui Gon," he said instead.

She eyed him suspiciously and gave a shrug. "I guess. He's not so bad when he's not accusing me of being evil or talking about how you're not allowed to care about stuff. Is that what this is about? You don't like me talking to him?"

"No, not at all," he blurted in surprise. "Actually, I was relieved to see the two of you not fighting."

"You miss him," she said, face softening. "I'm sorry, I should've realized. Was it good or bad?"

He shot her a questioning look, not following.

"I mean, was it a good kind of missing – like you were glad to be seeing him again – or a bad kind of missing where you feel all depressed and wish things are like they used to be?"

He quietly thought about it before answering. "A little of both, I suppose. I've been with Qui Gon since I was twelve. Walking away from him and all of my teachings… I feel I've made the right decision, but that doesn't change the fact that I feel a little adrift without both."

"Is this something that's okay? The two of you hanging out outside the Temple?"

"I'm not entirely sure," he shrugged. "The Council may not approve-"

"Screw the Council," Buffy huffed. "If the two of you want to be friends, then stay friends. The Council is the freaking friend police, too?"

"They may consider me an unwelcome influence, now."

"I'm sorry," she repeated, making something twist inside him at the sincerity in her voice. "If you'd never met me-"

"Things would've gone on much the same as they'd been and I'd be none the wiser to what I was missing. Ignorance isn't always bliss, Buffy."

Buffy seemed ready to argue this point, but before she could get the words out he lightly pulled her to a stop by her elbow and quickly brushed his lips to hers. It was quick and soft, but it still left him a little breathless.

"And I'd be missing out on that, which would be a crime."

She studied him seriously for a moment and then smiled, the conversation dropped. They returned that night without having bought either of them a bed, but Obi Wan wasn't disappointed in the least. The day had been filled with good company, food and talk. The only mar was his mental slip with Qui Gon, and it ate at him as he gathered his things before going to the 'fresher.

"I have to tell you something," he said, forcing the words out.

"Well, that sounds ominous," Buffy said, turning to him with a smile that melted off as she saw the look on his face. "Uh-oh, what is it?"

"You trusted me today with the information that you were from another dimension. I'm afraid… I betrayed that trust. Qui Gon knows."

The look of hurt as she stared up at him was like a lightsaber to the gut.

"You told him?" She asked softly, looking bewildered. "Why would you do that?"

"I didn't mean to," he said, stepping forward and cringing as she in turn stepped back. "I wasn't shielding enough. I got complacent in his presence. I'm so used to sharing everything with him and we were having such good day, it just slipped through my thoughts."

"Wait, what? Your thoughts? He read it out of your mind?"

"Yes," he answered, not letting any more excuses free as he dropped his eyes to his feet. A second later he was jerking his gaze back up at Buffy as she started laughing.

"You're seriously apologizing to me because someone read your mind," she asked, that horrible betrayed look gone from her face.

He wouldn't let himself off the hook so easily though. "That may not seem like something in the realm of my control to you, but as a Jedi I knew that this was possible. And I knew that a bond between Master and Apprentice makes it even easier. I should have-"

"Let it go, Obi," she said with a wave of her hand as she turned to dig for some night clothes of her own. "Would I have told him? No. But it's not that big of a deal that he knows, I guess. You trust him, right? And it's not like you went babbling about it on purpose. "

Relief swept through him, but he wasn't quite ready to accept such easy forgiveness. "He could tell the Council."

"Then he tells the Council," she shrugged, turning around with a handful of clean clothes and walking towards the 'fresher. "I'm not going to jump for joy about them knowing anything about me, but what difference does it really make? Maybe they'll be more suspicious of me? Be more curious? Who cares, what they think doesn't matter to me."

He caught her arm before she could leave the room, turning gently her to face him. Her forgiveness was real, he could read it on her face even though he couldn't sense it from her.

"You're amazing," he found himself blurting.

"You've said that before," she said with a little smile. "Keep it up and the size of my head will keep me from leaving the room."

The surprised squeak told him she wasn't expecting the hug, and to be honest, he hadn't meant to give it. He didn't realize until her arms wrapped around his waist how worried he'd been about upsetting her.

"Uhh, you can't read my mind right?" She said, words muffled by his shirt.

"I can and that's very acrobatic. You're really that flexible?"

She jerked back, looking up at him with wide eyes.

"I'm kidding," he laughed, watching her slump in relief. "Your mind is frustratingly off limits. Wait, what were you thinking?"

"That you should've taken the shower first," she called as the fresher door closed behind her.

Later on, both settled for the night, the conversation turned back to earlier in the day.

"I got the impression you didn't want to discuss the reason we were really at the Oasis with Qui Gon so I never got a chance to ask – what happened with Dahl?"

Buffy shifted slightly on the bed and, like he'd done it for years instead of a day, he slipped his foot under the wobbling corner of the bed so she could lay on the edge and look over at him.

"He was his usual douchey self. Extra full of himself now that he somehow ended up owning the Oasis. He might've already owned it the last time I was there, actually – Yanth had to have already been dead by then…"

"Did you get anything useful from him before you knocked him unconscious?"

"Not really," she sighed, propping her chin on her arm. "Well, he seemed to think that Yanth was killed over trying to buy some kind of information, not because he was a Black Sun member, but I'm not sure if that matters. He mostly just seemed interested in making some kind of alliance – thinks between the two of us we could run things here in the Crimson Corridor now that Yanth is gone. Told him I'd think about it if he gave me the names of some more Hutts."

"I do hope that was a lie…"

"Nope, I thought about it. Thought about how repulsive it would be working with him every day."

Obi Wan gave a slight laugh. "So, you didn't see a scanner, I take it."

Buffy shook her head. "Not that I'd really know what it would look like, you'll have to show me an example. But I haven't heard much on slave trading around here."

"Yes, it would bring too much attention to it right here in the heart of the Republic. It's easier if they keep it where both the Jedi and the Senators wouldn't be faced with it daily."

"Out of sight, out of mind," Buffy huffed.

"Not out of everyone's," he said reaching up, to touch her hand briefly. "You plan on freeing the Hutts' slaves, then?"

"I plan on freeing one slave, and after that… we'll see how things play out."

"Anakin's mother."

Buffy's answer was a nod combined with a yawn. Obi Wan smiled and shifted his foot so the bed wobbled, causing her to roll back to the center to keep it balanced.

"Get some sleep, Buffy. Worry about being a hero tomorrow."

"'Night, Obi."

"Goodnight, Buffy."


The two figures stood staring out at the city stretched out below. The aura of peace and the pose of standing with their hands folded behind them identical even though their statures couldn't be more different – one tall, dark and broad, the other small, green and stooped.

"Something in the Force is shifting."

"Feel it, too, I do."

"I feel darkness."

"As do I. But also light, I sense."

"Do you think it has to do with the girl?"

"Unknown, she is," he said, bringing his hands to his front along with his walking stick and tapping it thoughtfully on the floor. "Until her motives, we know, young Kenobi must stay with her. Sense her, we cannot. But sense him…"

"And Qui Gon's Chosen One?"

"So much fear…" He answered sadly. "Almost as unknown is his future as is the girls."

"And the Sith?"

"Full of questions tonight, you are."

"I admit, I've meditated on all of these things but have come up at a loss…"

"As have I," he admitted quietly, garnering a sharp look from the other. "But meant to know everything, we are not. Wait, we must…"

Silence fell, and they went back to watching the city.