Lillafiore – I do think that is a very dangerous place, between a padawan and Jedi master.

Incognito12 – Xanatos has a plan.

Chapter 21

Crion sat at the small table in their accommodations staring at the two glasses half full of amber liquid that were sitting in front of him. There was a part of him that was jittery. He wasn't really sure how his master was going to react. At least he didn't have long to wait. Obi-Wan swept from the room he had claimed during the negotiations, travel bag packed and swung over his shoulder. He walked past Crion only to stop and turn a half-bewildered gaze on his apprentice.

"Are you drinking?" the Jedi master asked. There was already a high-pitched scolding tone seeping into his voice.

"No, Master," Crion replied calmly. "I haven't had anything, but I thought we could toast to finally resolving this situation." Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow, highlighting his already stern visage. Crion decided it was best to do what he always did – keep talking. At times – well, at least on a few occasions - his mouth had actually kept him out of trouble. "The legal age is 16 here, Master. You allowed it at the banquets, so I ..."

"Protocol dictated you participate in the toasts at those banquets," Obi-Wan said as he picked up the two glasses and started for the nearby sink. "As far as social drinking, Jedi padawans are to adhere to Coruscanti law and wait until they are legally adults at 18 standard years of age."

"I have a question then, Master."

"Yes?" Obi-Wan half groaned as he placed a hand to his temple.

"Are Jedi supposed to abide by Corusanti child labor laws as well, because I certainly think that a minor like me being shot at and allowed to run around with a deadly weapon …"

"Crion, my word is final on this," Obi-Wan interrupted firmly. "I promise to share a toast with you after every successful mission … when you are of legal age … and Force help me when you are." The Jedi master lifted one glass in a mock toast before tossing back the contents. He immediately began to choke.

"Are you okay, Master?"

"I can see I will also have to teach you the difference between what is palatable and what is cheap swill," Obi-Wan said between coughs.

"I don't understand," Crion sulked as Obi-Wan disposed of the other glass of liquor. "You trust me with important details on complicated and dangerous missions, sometimes putting your life in my hands." That actually was a scary idea come to think of it. "Why are so sure I am going to have some lapse in judgment and run off and get myself plastered the minute I'm legal?" Silence greeted his query. Obi-Wan refused to turn and make eye contact. A smile stretched across Crion's face. "I see – there's a story here."

"A story that concerns lapses in judgment and is not suitable for your impressionable ears right now," Obi-Wan said hurriedly.

Crion was certain it had to at least involve Master Muln and possibly Master Vos. Those were the two names that always seemed to be involved in his master's adolescent "lapses in judgment". "Bant will tell me," the boy teased.

A presence approached the door right before its chime rang out. Crion groaned. It was Kriyk, hopefully coming to just wish them off.

"Bant and I are going to have a serious talk," Obi-Wan said as he walked to answer the door. "She is much too generous with her stories."

The door slid open. Kriyk beamed as he proudly announced, "We weren't expecting him, but I have come to tell you that Nustar's owner wants to meet you in person to thank you for your services."

"Of course," Obi-Wan began politely only to be interrupted by a second voice.

"That will be all, Mr. Kriyk. You may go."

Crion didn't recognize the deep sultry tones, though something about the voice seemed distantly familiar. He was too alarmed by the fact that he had missed a second presence to give it much thought. As he started to his master's side, the owner of the mysterious voice stepped into the door frame and a powerful, barely tamed presence bled into the Force. Crion didn't have a chance to react to the tall man clothed entirely in black – his father. Obi-Wan had already stepped in front of him with saber in hand, ready.

"Stay behind me," the Jedi master whispered, giving a suspiciously desperate nudge through the Force.

"I understand your need to be protective, Master Kenobi," Xanatos said. "But I wouldn't harm my own son."

A gaze of the same deep blue Crion saw in the mirror every day shifted to him as though gauging his reaction to what had just been said. Crion jutted out his chin and met the stare evenly, betraying no emotion.

"So he knows," the fallen Jedi murmured.

"Yes," Obi-Wan replied.

"That will make this all the easier then. You are free to go, Master Kenobi," Xanatos announced as his gaze shifted to meet Obi-Wan's. "Crion, however, will be leaving Patul in my custody."

"That's not going to happen," Obi-Wan said firmly. The statement was punctuated by the sound of the Jedi master's saber splitting the air.

"Careful, Master Kenobi." Xanatos chided with a thin smile as he pulled back the side of his long, dark cloak revealing the saber that dangled from his belt. The tension thickened in the room. Crion could feel his own heart pounding in his chest.

"I believe we are both capable of resolving this without violence, Master Kenobi." From within the folds of his cloak, Xanatos pulled out two datapads and set them on the table. "I have prepared something for you both to read. Please give it due attention."

"What is it?" Obi-Wan asked.

"A glimpse of what will happen if my son does not leave with me," Xanatos warned, challenge flashing in his eyes. "I will give you some time to look it over and come to a decision." Adjusting his cloak, the fallen Jedi gave a curt nod and started to leave. "Oh, I would advise against making any attempts to escape. Nustar is in a complete security lockdown – that goes for communications as well. Your ship is grounded until I give my authorization for it to be released. Also be aware that should something … unfortunate … happen to me, my attorneys have been instructed to proceed with everything you will read in those datapads on my behalf."

The door slid shut. Master and padawan sat in silence for a moment. Obi-Wan was the first to reach for one of the datapads, settling down in one of the chairs as he began to read. Crion followed, more than a bit disturbed by Xanatos, and a confidence that had long since passed into the realm of arrogance.

The documents were legal briefs, full of complicated and intimidating language. Fortunately, it wasn't much different than the language of treaties, and Crion was able to follow. The only problem was that he couldn't believe what he saw – the audacity. How long had his father been planning this? He finished reading and looked up to find his master resting bearded chin on folded hands, eyes closed, deep in thought. The Force spun and twirled in all its brilliance around the Jedi master as he continued to meditate.

"Is he serious?" Crion finally blurted out, not content with silent contemplation. "Can he really do this?"

Obi-Wan opened his eyes, his brows furrowing in deep consternation. "Yes," he answered. "You know the rules about accepting children into the Order. Technically, the Council did violate galactic law when we took you into the Temple. We had your mother's permission, but did not contact your father. He has the right to press criminal charges and the burden of proving that you were indeed in danger rests with the Council."

"Kriff." Crion raked his hands through short padawan spikes. Usually he didn't come unraveled so easily, but the implications … well, the fact that he hadn't been reprimanded for his language at least confirmed the seriousness of the situation. "I have to go with him then."

"That is not an option," Obi-Wan snapped back abruptly. There was something about his master's tone of voice that Crion didn't like. "We will find another solution."

"Master, you read it. You do understand what he will do, don't you?"

"Yes," Obi-Wan said softly, having gained a measure of control. "He is going to press criminal charges against Master Yoda, Master Qui-Gon, the entire Jedi Council, and me."

"I don't want that to happen over me."

From what Qui-Gon had told Crion, the last time the Order had taken on Xanatos in the courts, after Bandomeer, it hadn't gone well. Despite both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan testifying and an overwhelming amount of evidence, the fallen Jedi had come away with what amounted to the proverbial slap on the wrist.

And even if the charges didn't stick, the debacle itself would drag the Order's reputation through the mud. The very thought of the twelve wisest and most revered beings in the galaxy been arrested and led from the Temple, put on trial, accused of kidnapping – it put a sick feeling in his stomach. It made him angry. How many systems already believed that Jedi stole children? How many more would? It would threaten the trust the public had in the Jedi Order.

"Fortunately, the choice is not up to you," Obi-Wan said gently. "Be mindful of your thoughts, Padawan. Xanatos wants us to act emotionally."

And therein was the problem. His master was not thinking like a Jedi at all. No Jedi would allow the Order to fall over one individual. Obi-Wan was thinking like a Jedi master protecting his padawan. The grief of the entire situation was etched over the master's face, though only apparent to one who had been at his side through many trials.

"Master, I am one person …"

Even as the words left his mouth, he thought he would vomit. What was he doing – trying to convince his master to send him away?

"No …"

Crion wanted nothing more than to accept the protection that was his right as an apprentice, but in his mind's eye, sapphire clashed against crimson, strengthening his resolve. His master would prevail, of that he had no doubt. Then how much trouble would Obi-Wan be in – a father facing his son's kidnapper only to be maimed, possibly killed. It would only spiral downward from there, and Obi-Wan knew that.

"Master, me going buys you time - the Council time - to think this through and form a defense." Crion resumed raking his hands through his hair, astonished at the nonsense spilling from his lips. "I mean, worst case scenario – it's less than two years."

"That does not make any sense, Padawan."

"We were just talking about it. I'm an adult in two years, and legally, Xanatos Marojni will no longer have any say in my life. I can come home. I know I will be behind, maybe knighted a bit later than my agemates, but I can catch up, Master … that is if you will still teach me."

"Of course, Padawan," Obi-Wan said in a voice think with emotion as he rested his hands on Crion's shoulders. Closing his eyes, he let out a deep sigh and shook his head. "But, this is all wrong."

"I don't sense that he means to hurt me."

"I am sure he will do no bodily harm, but there are other ways to hurt someone." Concern clouded his master's usually sharp eyes. "You will have to be every bit yourself. Test everything he says."

"Of course, Master." Crion half chuckled, more out of nerves than any real humor in the situation. "It's me we are talking about. He'll be begging you to take me back in a week … or less."

"I am serious, Padawan," Obi-Wan replied firmly. "Xanatos is a very manipulative individual, full of alluring and misleading words."

"You don't trust me?"

"I trust you with my life, Padawan," Obi-Wan assured him. "But you are still a 16-year-old apprentice with your training well ahead of you. This is a trial you should not have to face yet." Obi-Wan clenched onto his saber tightly, making Crion worry that he might just spring to his feet and take the door down.

"I can take on a mission of my own," Crion suggested. "If I can find evidence of criminal activity, it might help."

"And I will do all in my power, call in every favor … even seek an audience with the Chancellor himself …"

"Like he's going to help," Crion half snorted.

"Anakin has his ear, and I dispatched a Sith from his homeworld once – saved his queen. Perhaps that will count for something."

Crion felt his throat tense up. His master had always downplayed the importance of being the first Jedi in a thousand years to destroy a Sith and never brought attention to himself over it. To know he was important enough for his master to consider exploiting that meant more to Crion than the Jedi master likely understood.

"We don't have much time left," Obi-Wan murmured.

"There is something I need to do." Crion took a deep breath and pulled a small shiv from his belt. Reaching up, he pulled the braid that proudly fell from behind his ear taut …"

"No." Obi-Wan stilled his hand.

"He won't let me keep me, Master," Crion said, annoyed at a tear he felt forming in the corner of his eye. "I am not going to have him cut it off or discard it or something. You should have it."

"Allow me then?"

Crion nodded. Obi-Wan took the shiv, a long moment's hesitation before he severed the braid. Rolling it almost reverently, he tucked the hair into a pocket on his belt. For the first time, Crion recognized the feeling punching around in his gut – fear.

The door chimed. Obi-Wan did something not characteristic of himself. Although, Crion had never doubted that his master cared for him, shows of affection were always subdued and reserved. But now, he grabbed Crion into a near bone-crushing embrace. "Don't be afraid."

Crion returned the embrace. The chime rang again. Obi-Wan stood, composing himself and his robe before answering the door. Xanatos stood there expectantly. Another man was at his side.

"Have you come to a decision?"

"Because you have left us no other choice, Crion will be going with you," Obi-Wan replied coolly. "Do not consider it agreement on my part."

"I wouldn't presume such a thing," Xanatos shot back before turning his attention to his son. His tone softened as he said, "Crion, please follow Soren. He will take you to our ship. I have a few things to discuss with Master Kenobi."

Crion shot a hesitant glance toward his master who nodded. Then he was gone.

"I do not presume that this is easy for you," Xanatos began immediately. "It is more than obvious that you genuinely care for him, and for that I thank you. You saw his potential and saw past me when there were many on the Council who probably would have seen him rot in Agricorps to spite me."

"Please, think of your son," Obi-Wan pleaded softly.

"I am."

"He is Jedi to the core," Obi-Wan continued. "He has friends and others he cares about at the Temple. He has a life there and he is happy."

"That sounds strangely like attachment, Master Kenobi." A hint of a smile stretched the older man's lips. "Like you said, he is Jedi. He will adjust. He is no longer your concern."

"He is my Padawan. He will be my concern until the day I join the Force," Obi-Wan replied, allowing every ounce of determination he felt to seep into his voice. "You will listen carefully to me. Threatening the Order, the Council, Qui-Gon – that's one matter. I would gladly give my life for Crion a thousand times over. If you treat him with less value than that or if harm comes to him, you will have a greater problem with me than you can possibly imagine."

"That sounds strangely like a threat, Master Kenobi."

"Yes, and I seldom make them," Obi-Wan said in low tones. With his apprentice now away, he felt free to show a little more emotion. "This isn't over …"

"Good day, Master Kenobi," Xanatos interrupted. "Once we have safely made a jump to hyperspace, communications and your ship will be released to you. As promised, you may go safely."

Xanatos spun on his heel and exited, the door shutting behind him.

Obi-Wan felt his knees give way, his stomach in knots as he sunk to the floor.