A/N: Hello dear ones, here comes my next chapter, finally! I am sorry because real life is not really getting any calmer - but I am happy. At work we try to do the best we can, and I spend a ridiculous amount of time playing Obi in my parents' garden, absolutely worshipping plants and trying to muse about Jedi and the Force while unrooting weeds :). This chapter finally has Fanry in it and I am very excited to read your thoughts about it! I hope you are all well and that you all find some time and peace in your "secret garden", when and wherever that may be. Please take care and enjoy I hope, Meysun.

Storms on Pijal (Stars of the Darkest Night)

A Star Wars Fanfiction by Meysun

Oh, how can, how can you ask me again? / For it only brings me sorrow / The same thing I would want today / I would want again tomorrow

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Chapter Six: Resonance

Palace Throne Room, Pijal.

.

Not once did Master Averross look back at him, long strides leading them both towards a corridor where Blackguards were posted like beads of a long, dark chain. Obi-Wan followed dutifully, staying two steps behind the Jedi Master, as befitting his Padawan rank.

In the seclusion of his mind, behind the woven barriers of his shields, however, Obi-Wan allowed his thoughts to roam unchecked – no doubt Qui-Gon would have been delighted in their viciousness, because his Master had that strange, very un-Jedi habit to positively relish in seeing him seethe.

Qui-Gon used to claim that it was merely because he was enjoying a rarity, but once, his Master had told him the crucial difference – to Qui-Gon's eyes, at least – between anger and indignation.

"Indignation is a rightful fire, Obi-Wan. And do you know why, Padawan mine? Because there is something in that spark caused by values. Not insecurity, not fear. But the clash of events with what one considers moral, right, and true. It has to be released, of course – but, my Padawan… Treasure your indignation, because it might well fuel something in you when all the rest is lost."

That was why Obi-Wan was, for once, not really trying to get rid of the thoughts Master Averross inspired him. He had never expected to be treated as an equal, but as a Jedi, Master Averross was supposed to master his emotions and his frustration, and had a duty to Qui-Gon. Instead, he was treating Obi-Wan like a child, preventing him from interacting with the Council, and was immature enough to give him the cold shoulder because said Council had refused him more reinforcement.

He doesn't even bother to shield.

That was, perhaps, what was shocking Obi-Wan the most. That, and the unpleasant feeling of tiny little darts against his own shields, like a low, permanent sting – consequence of Master Averross' irritation.

When Qui-Gon was in a similar state, his voice turned cold and his words sharp, but he never, ever, took his feelings out on Obi-Wan. His Master was easy to read and told it like he felt it – but the worst he ever did to him was loom. Because deep inside, Qui-Gon was pure kindness and compassion, the Force in him shining golden and warm.

And Force – Qui-Gon had been so right about his brother-in-lineage that Obi-Wan would stoop very, very low and rejoice in telling him exactly why. As soon as he would find him. Because he would.

Obi-Wan forced himself to stand very upright, schooling features and eyes into neutrality, and was ready for Master Averross' downpour of words once the Jedi stopped walking and condescended to acknowledge him again.

They had stopped in front of a pair of closed, arched doors, ornated with ancient Pijali symbols, and Master Averross turned towards him.

"You address Princess Fanry by 'Your Highness'. You do not try to move towards her, you stay exactly in the circle that is allowed to you. You do not interrupt her, you do not presume to tell her what to do, in short, you listen to what she has to say, and when she asks you to, and only if she does, you may reply. Is that understood?"

Obi-Wan almost raised an eyebrow, but held himself in check and replied:

"Yes, Master Averross.

- She can seem… harsh. But she believes in Pijal. She has reasons to behave as she did. She doesn't deserve people trying to bring her down."

There was sadness, longing, and something so intricated that Obi-Wan could not make it out, clouding Averross' words – and it left him puzzled. Ere long, however, the doors opened, and Obi-Wan soon found himself standing in front of the Princess.

He bowed, and when he straightened, his eyes finally met Fanry's – and the surprise he felt was mirrored there.

Princess Fanry had red, copper-coloured hair and eyes that matched the exact grey hue of his. She was about as tall as him, and though her chiselled features had a perfection his lacked entirely, it felt like meeting a female reflection of him. And he could sense, through the Force, that Fanry felt the same.

Surprise, disgust, wonder, exhilaration.

Her feelings flashed through the Force, for the briefest of moments, but when she spoke, Fanry's voice was cold and composed:

"Well. That is quite unexpected."

She studied him for a few seconds and Obi-Wan let her, staying quiet and composed, waiting for her to elaborate.

"Did they choose you for your physique, thinking it might unsettle me?

- Who, Your Highness?", Obi-Wan asked, mildly.

"The Council that sent you."

There was venom in Fanry's voice and Obi-Wan felt the tiny darts still radiating from Master Averross grate at his shields, starting a mild headache.

"The Jedi Council sent us because Master Averross asked for us to come. My Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, is his brother-in-lineage. They were Apprentices under the same Master.

- I do not need anybody from Master Averross' acquaintances to show up and tell me how to rule my people or to give any advice about the situation here. And I think that sending a Squire here, when you asked for a Knight, is insulting you, Rael."

Her features were hard with scorn, and Master Averross opened his mouth, like a stranded fish, but this time Obi-Wan beat him.

"My Master was accompanying me, Your Highness. We were attacked on our arrival here and had to jump out of our ship. The aggressor was flying a small cruiser, alone. I could not discern their features, and after the jump I was separated from my Master, who has been missing ever since.

- And you?", Fanry asked, grey eyes narrowing in that perfect, cold, marble face of hers.

"You were due to arrive yesterday. Your ship vanished from our radars an hour before sunset. Yet you arrived at the Palace two hours ago, with a head wound that was already stitched up before my cousin Lamia tended to you. So do not mistake me for an idiot, Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, and tell me who you met in the Pijali woods."

Master Averross' surprise and indignation kneaded at Obi-Wan's temples, but Obi suppressed the urge to rub them, allowing the Force to gently brush against the pain.

Around me. In me. With me.

"I searched for the shelter of a Celestial Watchtower", Obi-Wan answered. "I was looking for a way to assess the way to the city. There, I met a group of people calling themselves rebels and one of them treated my wounds.

- One good reason…", Fanry said, moving her fingers delicately, and Obi-Wan felt rather than saw every single Blackguard in the throne room straighten in silent threat. "One good reason why I shouldn't call you a traitor right here, and send you back to that corrupted planet of yours."

Obi-Wan looked up, asking for patience, for goodness, for truth in the Force. And then he raised his uninjured arm and lightly touched his Padawan braid.

"The white thread in this braid stands for neutrality", he answered, voice soft. "I am a Jedi Padawan, Your Highness. I do not take sides. I accept help when it is offered, but I am duty bound not to fight for anyone, whenever I am sent somewhere to assess a conflict."

Fanry had a cold smile at this.

"Do you here this, Rael? He is duty bound to not take sides. Isn't that precisely what you did? Picking Czerka's side, trying to force me into signing that Governance Treaty – and to think the very Jedi Council named you Lord Regent…"

She hissed gently between her teeth and this time, Obi-Wan felt distress, pain and hurt bursting forth of Master Averross' shields.

"Your Highness, you know this is untrue. I never meant to force you into anything. I tried to… I tried to help. I tried to do right by you. Fanry."

The name was said tenderly. So very brokenly. And Obi-Wan understood, then, just how shattered Master Averross was. There was no Jedi neutrality there. No calm abandon to the Force. Just the broken shields of a broken Jedi Knight, who had stood too long alone, away from his kindred and his teachings.

"And how was suggesting I surrender Pijal's monarchy power to an Assembly that would be force to join the Galactic Republic helping me? Rael, you know that the Galactic Republic is ruled by Czerka Arms! And you know very well how much Czerka is implanted here! Suggesting this… you might as well have handed the planet directly to them, it would at least have sounded honest!

- Fanry, you know why… You know that the only way to investigate Czerka was to join the Galactic Republic and have the Senate order a proper inquiry here… You would have been Governor. You would have defended Pijal here, and on Coruscant. As you always wished it."

Master Averross' voice was soft. Tinged with so much sadness it made Obi-Wan's heart ache. Or perhaps it was because the Jedi Master did not care, still, for shielding, and was flooding the Force with sorrow and regret.

"No. I never wished that. The Galactic Republic is nothing but a sham. You very well know Czerka controls it all. The only way for us to gain our true independence was to expose them on our own, and get rid of them.

- And then what?", Master Averross exclaimed, pain evident in his words. "You would have stormed their ship, destroyed the Leverage, and then what? Didn't you think Czerka would be asking for retribution? To whom, exactly, were you planning to expose Czerka, since the Republic is a sham, and the Jedi their puppets…?

- I was hoping you would help me", Fanry said, not without softness, but with just the right amount of disappointment to be exquisitely cruel. "I thought that, having been more that Lord Regent, but the closest thing to a father to me, you would have fought for me."

Master Averross stood silent, but the Force wept around him and suddenly Obi-Wan felt himself waver, a tidal wave of sadness washing over his shields, leaving him reeling.

I tried. I tried. I tried so hard.

The feeling was not his, but it almost felt like it, and Obi-Wan blinked, feeling his headache worsen as he fought, hard, to release it into the Force.

"What is it you wish for, Your Highness?", Obi-Wan asked, his own voice sounding foreign to him, words heavy in his mouth with the effort of trying to ride out the violent emotions shaking the Force around him.

Fanry and Averross suddenly seemed to remember he was actually there, and Obi-Wan felt some of the sadness surf back, thank the Force.

"What an interesting question…", Fanry mused, delicate fingers flowing towards her lips. "I do not recall anyone asking me that, and I thank you for your consideration, Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi."

Her grey eyes bore into his, and once more, Obi-Wan was taken aback by their coldness. By the ruthlessness he could read there, and had nothing to do with the warm resolve he had come to treasure in Satine's.

"I want Pijal to stay the monarchy it has always been. I want our people to be able to retain their traditions and beliefs. I want Czerka off our lands, along with their slaves and their Governance Treaty. I want to become Queen of Pijal, as I was always supposed to be, and to rule my people's fate without any interference. Is that so much to ask?"

There was a passion, almost a plead in her words – but to Obi-Wan's ears it sounded fake. Because he had spent a year with one who had also been detained from the power of ruling her people, yet Satine had never made it personal, and had never forgotten that Mandalore was part of a larger galaxy. She had fought so hard for neutrality, but she had always been aware of the fragile equilibrium peace was, and had welcome any change Mandalore had deemed necessary.

And Satine would never, ever have consented to a plan involving possible deaths, or casualties. But Obi-Wan was not facing Satine, and he was sworn not to take any sides.

"How has Czerka Corporation reacted to the assault on the Leverage?", Obi-Wan asked. "And what of the slaves discovered there?"

Once more, Fanry narrowed her eyes at him.

"Did the Rebels tell you I abandoned them? Did they weave you a tale about bad Princess Fanry, who was too selfish to save the poor slaves in Czerka's holds and left them to their fate?

- You assume too much, Your Highness", Obi-Wan answered. "I want your tale. Not theirs."

Her face smoothened, slowly, and for the first time she watched him with something akin to respect.

"I did not know they were there, Padawan Kenobi. I had no idea Czerka would be so foolish to bringing slaves on Pijal in the very holds of their ship. When we stormed the Leverage, we had planned to place detonators in the holds, so as to damage the ship and make it crash. The slaves were discovered in the last hold. By then, Cady and the rest of my troops had already placed the detonators. They turned to me for guidance and I said: "leave them there". But I was not speaking of the slaves, Padawan Kenobi. I meant the detonators. Cady, however, who has proven false and power-thirsty, used it as a pretext to point out I was not caring for the slaves, and to rebel against me. And for this, she deserves death."

Such hatred. Such hurt. Such an unmendable rift.

"I can tell you met her, Padawan Kenobi. I always know it, when Cady has her fingers somewhere. She was my best friend. My sister. And she enticed me as she enticed you, and those Rebels she claims to lead. But she has betrayed me. And my heart is cold now."

Cady. Cady Hillock. Obi-Wan's headache was worsening, and he had to blink a few times, resisting the urge to rub at his stitches.

"What of Czerka Corporation?", he asked, managing to keep the weariness from his voice, and Fanry snorted.

"No doubt they have filled an outraged petition, urging the Republic to punish me for my actions. Not even the unmasking of their slaving habits unsettles them. I am sure you will find their local Chairman very eager to share his views with you. Contact him by all means, Padawan Kenobi. And remember to see him for the false snake he is. Master Averross knows him well. They devised that Treaty between them."

She had a soft snort, oblivious to – or perhaps absolutely aware of – Master Averross' hurt, and then she added:

"Leave me now. I have the Palace defences to discuss with my Captain, and shall receive you again once you met the Chairman. Remember, however, that I do not need your help. I shall scour the Rebels from Pijal along with Czerka, and I shall not sign any treaty I have not written myself. So much for negotiations, Jedi Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi."

She tilted her chin, but Obi-Wan did not move.

"I have one more request, Your Highness", he said softly, and Fanry raised her eyebrows, prompting him to go on. "My Master, Qui-Gon Jinn, is still missing. And I am… I am very concerned."

His injured arm pressed against his chest, in a mute gesture of modesty.

"I cannot feel him in the Force. I think someone is holding him captive. We were sent here to help Pijal – not to harm it. My Master is bound to the same rule of neutrality as myself, and any Jedi. I do not know who is keeping him hostage. But I need to find him. And I have no means to search for him.

- My Blackguards already searched the city, and the forest. They found the debris of your ship, but not your Master. We did not pick up any signal, nor any demand. Perhaps, however, Czerka knows more. Or your Rebel friends.

- May I… may I speak with someone who conducted the search?"

Fanry sighed, and for a brief moment her eyes softened.

"Padawan Kenobi, our search was thorough. You are not the only one worrying about what a missing Jedi Master means. I expect him to be used as some kind of leverage against me. If this is a consolation to you, I think we will soon hear of him. I can send Captain Deren to you, if you wish, once we finish the meeting. He will tell you where we searched. Now leave me."

Obi-Wan bowed, and then he left the Throne Room, feeling Master Averross follow shortly after. He let him lead the way, the pain in his ankle and head slowing him down. This time, however, the Jedi Master waited for him to catch up, and slid an arm around his shoulders, dragging him along, not caring for the way he stiffened.

"Come. I need some air. So do you."

He led him through a corridor, then some stairs, until they entered a room that was clearly his, surprisingly tidy, and quite plain, not unlike it would have been in the Jedi Temple. Master Averross made them cross the room, then he opened the latticed windows leading to a stone balcony – and ere soon they were under the Pijali stars, gazing at the city below them.

"Sit down. You don't want a blaster shot hitting you."

Obi-Wan obeyed, and as he sat down, he realised the thin balcony pillars were shielding him, like a childish fortress, allowing them to see without being seen. He leant his head against the cool stone, and released a long, slow breath.

"You don't look so good", Master Averross said. "You're very pale. I'm sure your head hurts. Mine always hurts, whenever I leave that kriffing Throne Room."

Obi-Wan tried to smile at this poor attempt at humour, but he just managed a weak upturn of the lips. He was feeling exhausted beyond measure, and was fighting back shivers, cold sweat drenching his brow.

"It's alright. Close your eyes, rest a bit. I'm back in a jiffy."

Obi-Wan raised his knees and pressed his face against it, fighting back dizziness and nausea, cursing his concussion, the crash, the mission – before letting go, trying to concentrate only on the feeling of the rough fabric against his skin, his heartbeats and the way blood was slowly rushing back to his head.

"There."

Something warm wrapped itself around his shoulders, and Obi-Wan felt a hand on his hair, trailing through his sweaty, bloody strands. The darts against his shields had vanished, easing the pain at his temples, and Obi-Wan soon felt a soothing warmth against his skull, radiating from Master Averross' palm. It felt like his hand was combing the pain from his head, and Obi-Wan shuddered.

"I'm a dick sometimes. Most of the time. But I'm not too bad at Force-healing."

The nausea was ebbing as well, thank the Force, and after a few minutes Obi-Wan felt able to raise his head and peer up at Master Averross, blinking back his exhaustion.

"Thank you, Master", he croaked, realising he was wrapped up in a blue woollen blanket that had no right to be so soft.

Just as Master Averross had no right at all to be so nice, and to have hands feeling almost like Master Qui-Gon's. Not after having behaved like he did. It gave him whiplash. It made everything so hard to understand.

"You did well, down there", Averross said, quietly. "And it was… it was nice of you not to comment. On the things she said. About me.

- It is not my place", Obi-Wan whispered.

Averross only got up, and came back with a tray sporting a steaming bowl and a jug of water.

"There. Pijali lentil soup. It's quite good. They put some nice spices in it, and some noodles. You need to eat something. I don't think you noticed, with that concussion and all, but you are half starved. That, and you're kriffing skinny. Doesn't Qui-Gon feed you, once and awhile?

- Whenever he can", Obi-Wan sighed, and his quip made Averross smile.

"Eat up, kid."

Averross stayed silent the whole meal, gazing silently at the stars and the city below him. Obi-Wan was hungry indeed, and felt much better once his bowl was finished and his thirst quenched. That was when he realised that Master Averross' shields were tighter, somehow. Almost as if he had fortified them, while he ate.

"I forget, you see. That you can sense it all."

The Jedi Master's voice was quiet, his gaze still fixed on the houses below.

"It has been years. I had forgotten what it felt like. To share the Force. I have become so used to… people not having shields, projecting all over the place… It feels incredible to sense you, and yet – not sense you. You're the first one in years I can share the Force with, and who's actually shielding.

- It must have been…"

Difficult. Horrible. So very lonely.

Obi-Wan projected the words, quietly, and he felt Master Averross shudder slightly, getting used to the sensation once more.

"All of that, kid. And then you get used to it. I'm sorry, though. I think I caused you quite a lot of pain, down there. I didn't mean to."

It felt strange, almost wrong, to have a Jedi Master apologizing so frankly to him. It made him feel as if their roles were reversed – yet Obi-Wan only felt compassion, and forgiveness.

"What do you think of her?", Averross asked, quietly, and though his sadness was shielded, this time, it still hung around him, in the Force.

Obi-Wan pondered his question for a minute.

A child on a wooden horse catching fire, who doesn't know how to jump down.

Averross huffed quietly, turning towards Obi-Wan, sitting down cross-legged in front of him.

"You're a rare one, kid… There's some truth in it, though. I didn't see it coming. Her stabbing the Skykeeper – poor old soul - and getting on her high horse, storming the skies and that ship. The Treaty drove her close to…"

Madness.

The word hovered between them but remained unspoken. Besides, Obi-Wan had sensed something calculating and very much aware in Princess Fanry's words, and actions, that did not ring of madness. Rather of revenge, of perceived righteousness, and of utter lack of judgement.

But perhaps these were just other forms of madness.

"She lost her parents so very young. And she has always been raised believing she would be Queen one day. Since she was a child, it was her favourite topic of conversation. She used to spend ages telling me all about it."

There was longing, and sadness in Averross' words.

"I know what you'll say, kid. That a Jedi isn't supposed to feel like a father, to love someone like his own child, and you'll be right. I tried not to. But I still spent ten years with her. Watched her grow. Watched the beautiful little girl turn into that fine, icy woman you saw. And I cannot help thinking that somehow I… somehow I failed it all. I… I don't know why I'm telling you this."

Obi-Wan just gazed at him, kindly, knees still raised up, huddled in the soft, blue blanket.

"You're just a kid. Of course you don't think about such things, children and so on… It's forbidden anyway.

- But what is a Padawan, if not a surrogate child for his Master?", Obi-Wan asked, softly. "It may not be through shared blood. But through the bond we share in the Force, are we Padawans not something akin to children to our Masters? And them, the closest to a father or a mother we will ever have? Isn't it understandable to care deeply for someone placed under your protection for so long?"

I certainly stumbled on that block as well. I still care. Force, I still care.

Master Averross' eyes turned even sadder.

"I don't know. Master Dooku wasn't like that – he certainly would not have made my mistakes with Fanry. He'd have kept professional. Distant. Just as cold as she is now. I'm not blind, though. I'm not blind enough to not admit that I have been blinded. See what I mean?"

Obi-Wan was becoming used to the way Master Averross' thoughts were unfolding, only to entwine themselves again, and he nodded, quietly.

"You love your Master very much, don't you?", Averross asked, gently. "Don't worry. I won't tell."

He was smiling, once more. And after a while, Obi-Wan nodded, again.

"I think… I think I found a way to locate him", Obi said softly. "But I would need… I would need to contact my friend Quin at the Temple.

- I have a commlink. And a holoprojector", Averross answered. "What do you have in mind, kid?"

The night was advanced already when Obi-Wan had it all ready before him: the holoprojector, Master Averross' data-pad, and his lightsaber. Obi-Wan calculated that it was early evening still on Coruscant, and then he did something he had never done on a mission before.

He called his friends.

"Luminara Unduli, at your service, may I ask who you are?"

Nara's calm, cool voice echoed through Master Averross' commlink, and Obi-Wan felt his chest tighten for a bit, because Force, he missed her.

"Nara, it's me. Obi. I'm calling you from Master Averross' frequency.

- Obi! How are you? How is your mission? Is… are you alright?"

There was so much warmth, and concern. It made him feel so loved, and for the briefest moment, Obi felt almost guilty, because Master Averross had been so alone, and still was.

"I'm fine, Nara, don't worry, but I need your help. Master Qui-Gon is missing, and I… I need you to find Quin, please. And… help him, maybe… if… if it's not too much trouble, of course.

- Obi, do not say such nonsense. Of course I will help you. I have saved your frequency. Let me find him and we will call you back.

- Nara, can you holo-call me back? Quin will need to see… I can dictate you the frequency."

Ere long, Nara hung up, and for long minutes, everything was silent on the balcony. Then Master Averross gently nudged Obi-Wan's knee.

"Obi, eh? That's a nice little nickname, kid. Does your friend look as charming as she sounds? Temple life is definitely something…

- Luminara is my friend", Obi-Wan answered, very patiently, and Averross had a quiet laughter that was soon hushed, as the holoprojector blinked to life.

"What the kriff is going on, Obi? Are you alright?"

And suddenly they were all there. Nara, Kit and Quin, three tiny holo-figures squeezed together, gazing at Obi-Wan with concern, interest, and fierce protectiveness. In that exact order.

"Are these – are these stitches on your head? What the kriff happened to you Obi and how the Force does that add up with you being fine?!

- Shh, Quin, not so loud", Nara shushed, and Kit smiled at Obi.

"Don't pay attention to him. Ever since Nara told him you actually called for help, he's freaking out…

- I'm not! Kriff, Obi, you never call, so what…

- I'll tell you, I promise, just, Quin…", Obi-Wan had raised his hand, extending it towards the holo-figures, and his friend paused mid-sentence, calming down slightly. "You'll have to let me speak, okay?"

He could feel Averross smile, next to him, but the Jedi Master did not comment, watching the four friends interact with interest, and a kind of nostalgic fondness he did not care to shield.

"So… how exactly am I supposed to help?", Quin asked, quietly. "You want me to ask Master Tholme to come and help you?

- No, Quin… I don't think we have the time. I… was thinking you could read my crystal. The way it shines and project in the Force. Because… because it is linked to Qui-Gon's. There's something in my crystal that might be calling to his, like a transmitter to an emitter, you see?

- But… that's unheard of, isn't it?"

Quin sounded doubtful, but his eyes had taken that serious, deep look of absolute focus Obi-Wan knew so well.

"I'm not sure. You remember how hard it was to get data about Ilum? Also, crystals are pretty intimate, that's why I think the Council prefers using Force-signature locations… Do you think you can do it, Quin?

- Yeah. I… I can do it. Just… you're sure, Obi? I… It might be quite the same as… you know… looking at your training bond."

Quin looked oddly nervous, and sheepish. And it made Obi feel even more loved, and treasured.

"I trust you, Quin. Thank you.

- I'll… I'll read your crystal through the holo-net. It won't be as… as intrusive as holding it. Nara will code my reading into a location signal. And Kit will help us search Pijal numerically for a matching signal. Let's hope your Master didn't lose his lightsaber under some kriffing pine-tree.

- I like this one", Master Averross told Obi-Wan, winking at Quin.

Obi-Wan soon closed his eyes, and opened his lightsaber through the Force, pulling the pieces gently apart, until he reached his crystal. He picked it up – and as usual, it felt like a piece of his very heart, and soul, and mind, enclosed in blue kyber.

His hand met Quinlan's smaller, holo-fingers, and they both closed their eyes in the Force. Until Obi felt something brush his crystal, transcending space, distance and gravity.

I'm there. I'll start reading now, Obi.

It felt more intimate than… perhaps anything he had done before, and Obi shuddered, feeling Quin's gentle Force-brushes against his crystal, touching his very core. There was reverence, respect and such devotion in his friend's touch – absolute silence around them, just the stars, the sky, and that tiny, resilient link of care stretching between them.

It is done. You can open your eyes, Obi.

Quin's voice was rough in the Force, but there was something very gentle in his gaze as it met Obi's. And Obi realised there were small tears drying on his cheeks, mirroring the unshed ones in Quin's eyes.

"Thank you", Obi-Wan whispered. "Thank you, Quin.

- We'll contact you as soon as we get anything. Meanwhile…

- Meanwhile take care, Obi", Kit said, as steadfast and gentle as ever.

"I will start coding right away", Nara assured him.

"Get some sleep, Obi", Quin said, very softly. "We have got you. And, by the way, if this turns out – we totally ask the Council to make us Senior Padawans.

- Definitely", Obi-Wan whispered, smiling at his friends.

He watched their small figures vanish into nothingness, but they still felt all there, with him, in the Force, wrapped around him like a second blanket. Master Averross had unfolded a spare mattress on the ground, next to his bed, and as Obi-Wan finally lay down and closed his eyes, the elder Jedi whispered:

"You are lucky in your friends, kid. Don't lose them.

- I won't", Obi-Wan whispered, quietly, like the promise it was.

They would meet the Chairman of Czerka Corporation the next day. And hopefully find Qui-Gon before said day was out – that was another promise.

Obi-Wan fell asleep wrapped into promises and Force-signatures, and an impossibly soft, blue woollen blanket that had every right to be there.

A/N: Oh dear ones... I'm so proud of that idea with the kyber crystal, that is (I think) my own, although it's probable it has been used and I was simply unaware of it. It reminded me of my physic classes about ultrasounds and MRI somehow, that's why Resonance is a little wink as a chapter title. Yeah I know, I am crazy :).

You probably noticed I didn't manage to keep Rael Averross as unfeeling as he was... it was all planned, though, but I know I'm soft. I also didn't want to write Qui-Gon (yet) because let's face it, he's just still hanging around (in every sense of the word) with Rose Cimber for now. I'm obviously super curious about how you find Fanry, and Rael here... And of course, you are right: I couldn't keep from writing the Green Squad back :). They are such a joy to write! I hope you enjoyed. Please take care and stay safe, much love, Meysun.