A/N: I'm sooooooooooooooooooo sorry about not updating sooner. I was busy with exams, than helping my parents settle in. I sat down and was ready to type up this chapter but then I hit a writer's block. It stunk and I felt so bad as the days passed on. So I forced myself to sit down and write! Hope this chapter makes up for the time lost.

Disclaimer: I don't Obi-Wan, Xanatos or Mace but I do own Nyree and Austral.

Ch. 24 To be good or to be evil that is the question.

Sitting by the small pond, watching the fish dart through the vines of the lily pads, Obi-Wan let calmness wash over him. At first one might think the man was focused intently on the fish but on closer inspection, he had withdrawn calling out to a person whom he hoped still existed besides the vague images of memory.

"Young one."

Life sprang back into Obi-Wan as he smiled at the figure across the pond. Austral stood before him, glowing in a soft blue light. She wore a simple dress and her dark hair pooled around her shoulders.

"I," now that his aunt, a person whose life he lived, Obi-Wan was at a loss of words.

Austral crossed her arms in front of her, hands disappearing in the sleeves. "Love is a complicated emotion. No one can provide answers."

"Then you know."

"I can sense jealously that is all. My brother used to have that same look on his face when he first saw his wife. She was a delicate creature, a person from the highlands. Men flocked at her, but she only had eyes for him."

Obi-Wan frowned. "This is different."

"How?"

Obi-Wan shifted at the closeness of Austral's voice. She now sat beside him, her eyes shimmering with understanding. "It's just…Xanatos and Nyree. They seem to fit."

Austral laughed, "You've become blind despite your enlightenment. See beyond the shadows that creature has cast upon you." With a wave of Austral's hand, the Sith child, who had eavesdropped in the shadows, shrieked and ran into the dark.

"He follows me. I know that he is what I can become and it is hard to fight him alone," commented Obi-Wan, an ancient haunted look accenting his features.

Austral stared at him, love pouring out of her. "You are never alone, Obi-Wan. You have Xanatos, Nyree, and the people in your home. And don't forget, our ancestors guide you, lend you power through the Force. Then there is always me."

A smile tugged at the young man's lips. "A devil on my left shoulder and a goddess on my right. Balance is the key-"

"To fulfillment," finished Austral. The old proverb brought a comfort silence between the two.

"Does she love me, Austral? Does Xanatos love her?" asked Obi-Wan, anger evident in his tone.

"That is something they must reveal to you. But remember, there are different forms of love, young one. And the love between you and Xanatos is a bond of brothers. But the love that is planted between you and Nyree is something rarer, something that when bloomed will stand the test of time." With that said, Austral leaned forward, kissed her nephew on the cheek and fluttered away in the form of orange rose petals on the soft winter breeze.

"She's a funny and stupid woman," joked the Sith child, emerging from his hiding spot. He didn't like the woman one bit and his disgust was evident on his face.

"Shut up." Obi-Wan's stern voice made the child flinch slightly.

Obi-Wan rose and marched to the study. Seeing the balcony doors open, Obi-Wan waltzed in and stood erect in front of Xanatos. Xanatos was slouched in a large chair reading a book.

Closing the book, the Dark Jedi met the emotionless gaze of his companion, "I was wondering when you would come."

Obi-Wan's lips narrowed. Austral said the two had a brotherly love. He never would have considered that in a thousand years. Sure he had grown found of the man and he…oh fine so he did love Xanatos like a brother. But did Xanatos feel the same way?

"What no comeback? I must say, Obi-Wan, I don't like this new you." Getting up from the chair, Xanatos went to the shelf and slide the book back in its spot.

"Do you and Nyree have…have…a thing?" accused Obi-Wan. He wanted to sound calm, but the anger that Nyree might love another hurt him and he didn't know why.

An abrupt laugh burst from Xanatos. "Nyree and I having a thing? I swear, boy, you might have the experience of someone well into their prime but sometimes your teenage side comes out. A thing? What kind of nonsense is this?"

By then, Xanatos had faced Obi-Wan, a full fledge smirk on his pale, scarred face. Without a second thought, Obi-Wan lunged forward. Grabbing a handful of Xanatos' dress top, he slammed his brother into the bookshelf.

"Don't play games, Xanatos. Tell me the truth! I'm tired of games, of lies and most of all secrets. Now, do you have a thing for Nyree?"

One might think Obi-Wan's would have yelled at this point, but the young man's voice had lowered and had become sharp as a vibroblade.

Xanatos merely matched Obi-Wan's anger with his own, "How dare you say such a thing, you insolent little brat! If any thing existed between us it would be that of hate. All she does is counter everything and threaten my very control over this house. It is very evident that she loves you more than life itself. When you were out, all she did was mope and talk only of you and tend you. A thing? In my mind, Nyree is only another servant who is trouble. If you want her, take her. She is your property and I don't mess with something that is not my own."

With that, Xanatos knocked Obi-Wan's arms away and stalked over to the bar. Pouring himself a large glass of Alderean rum, Xanatos fought to control his rising anger. He had been hurt by Obi-Wan's accusation. It stung almost as bad as when Qui-Gon killed his father.

"I'm a bachelor Kenobi and that is how I intended to live life until death or revenge is satisfied."

This time it was Obi-Wan's time to laugh. Xanatos eyed the boy strangely, "It seems that you need more time to heal boy."

Obi-Wan ran a hand through his hair. Xanatos didn't love Nyree and that outburst was the only way he could show Obi-Wan that he did care for him. "Thanks Xanatos, I needed to hear that."

Xanatos raised an eyebrow. Obi-Wan locked eyes with his brother and the bond between them gleamed with apology from Obi-Wan's outburst and forgiveness from a man whose mind was set on revenge. Only alone did the two allow for all facades to drop away and comfort each other from harsh reality. A sad look entered Obi-Wan's eyes as the Sith child sent a death glare at Xanatos.

"He haunts my waking steps, Xan. He won't leave me."

The Dark Jedi placed the glass on the table and walked over to Obi-Wan. The boy seemed so happy a minute ago, so relieved. But now, he sunk back into himself as if gazing upon hell itself.

Placing a gentle hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, Xanatos felt as if he was back in time when he had to comfort a 13-year old from nightmares that sent him screaming into the night.

"Obi-Wan. This person you talk of, he might haunt you but think of it as this. Sometimes a curse is a blessing in disguise. The death of my father haunts me; I see his burnt body everywhere. It's the first thing I see in the morning and the last before sleep takes me. But if I weren't reminded every day of his death, of why I turned to the Dark Side, I wouldn't be where I am today. I wouldn't have strove to gain this much power, this much wealth. I wouldn't have met you and learned of our ancestral powers."

Obi-Wan twitched, "So you saying that I should accept him?"

Xanatos frowned, "Not accept, and just acknowledge. It will only make you stronger, if that is even possible." With that, he punched Obi-Wan on the arm.

The young man rubbed his arm, "What's that for?"

"For making me soft."

"Hmph." Obi-Wan paused, "Where's Nyree?"

"She got a message from Dathamoor, I guess something happened in her village and she's packing up."

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, "I hope it has nothing to do with me."

Xanatos chuckled, "Brat, everything around here involves you. Remember that lovely incident at the last party a couple years ago-"

"No, Xan, please don't make me remember."

"If I remember correctly, someone tried to flee a group of young, attractive women and ended up-"

A scream erupted from the lobby. Xanatos, followed closely by Obi-Wan bolted to the door.

The elder man sneered, "What the Sith is going on now? It's too stinkin' late for anything to happen!"

Kicking open the doors, the two took in the scene. Nyree had fell to the ground, her suitcase lying next to her. Towering over her in the doorway, a hand resting on a cylinder, Mace Windu glared at the pair. Obi-Wan shifted his shoulders, readying himself for a fight.

Xanatos' pale blue eyes narrowed into slits, as he muttered, "Wonderful."

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A/N: Ok, first of all, there is no implied Obi/Xan slash. The two are just best friends now, like I said, brothers. Obi loves Nyree and Xan…well; he's single right now. By forcing myself to write this, I've overcome my writer's block. So hopefully, I'll have another chapter up next week!