So as promised here is the next instalment! This chapter is the longest I've written as of yet and so took quite a bit of tweaking to get right! Thank you to everyone who has taken an interest in the story it really fuels my imaginative process and feedback is always useful.

YumikoWantsCake - Thank you for taking the time to review it is very much appreciated :D Glad you are liking the story, Enjoy!

Annie Walker - I'm glad you're enjoying things! All I will say is it won't be long now until you find out the employer's identity along with their plans for Obi wan and Anakin. Enjoy!


Skepaf was horribly confused, communication with his employer was distressing at the best of times, let alone when he pulled things like this! It was as if the elderly man on the screen in front of him had seen somebody else in the room, yet when Skepaf had peered at the exact same point he saw just empty space. Not wanting to displease his already agitated employer Skepaf thought it best to move on from the subject entirely, he was not startled by many people that he had come across but this being irradiated darkness so intense that it sent shivers up his spine.

Coughing slightly until his employers dark unforgiving eyes were averted back to him he continued with his previous line of enquiry, preying to anyone that would listen to hold back the outrage and fury in the man.

"Yes we should arrive at the coordinates in four standard hours."

Skepaf's voice came off rather more shakingly than he would have liked, the past few minutes of this conversation had rattled him so, there was just something about this man…

The sooner this whole messy business was over the better, dealing with Jedi was not something Skepaf wanted to make a habit of. They were very dangerous and even harder to contain than capture in the first place, the two troublesome Jedi now situated in the hold of the ship were something to attest to that. They took out over half of the men he was given! If it weren't for that brat falling into their hands Skepaf was sure he wouldn't have two Jedi prisoners now, Kenobi would have sliced through each and every one of them had his apprentice's life not been threatened.

Skepaf shuddered with the memory of all the bodies on board the ship, he had heard legends of what Jedi were capable of but had never witnessed such ferocity and strength first hand. He knew one thing he would never deal with Jedi again, the only thing keeping him from dumping the two men below him and running to the far side of the galaxy was the substantial pay day that was awaiting him. Not to mention the wrath of his employer, somehow the man invoked more fear in him than any Jedi he had ever met. It was the eyes, those piercing eyes that seemed to look into Skepaf's very soul. Trembling Skepaf steeled himself for the resentment in the gaze as he pondered the next topic of discussion.

"What assurances do I have that the Jedi won't come looking for me? I can't imagine they will take kindly to having their own kidnapped."

As expected the employer's eyes narrowed dangerously, he seemed to brush up against Skepaf's very mind. The feeling made him oh so very sick but the thought of not being able to return to his family pushed him through it, so he pressed his point forward instead of squirming under the glare as he would have done usually.

"The men I hired for the operation will not trace back to either of us, and if you've done your job properly then there should be nothing to worry about."

The last part of the sentence was more growled than spoken, Skepaf understood the message his employer did not want to hear anymore on the subject. Knowing he was treading on very precarious ground now Skepaf nodded quickly and replied.

"Yes of course, I will see you in a few hours with the Jedi." Skepaf nervously finished.

The man seemed to be appeased by the change of tone and nodded a farewell with a small smile on his face that didn't quite reach his eyes before cutting off the communication.

Skepaf breathed in a sigh of relief, that was close. He really should refrain from questioning his employer again before the handover, anyone could sense how dangerous he was! Skepaf's thoughts drifted back to the Jedi in the hold and pulled up the security feed on the terminal, this whole thing was making him feel uneasy and he had the sudden urge to check what the prisoners were up to.

Skepaf frowned as everything seemed to be as it should be in the cell, the boy was curled up against the older Jedi and he seemed to be comforting him well. Skepaf had to keep up this cold distant facade around the two prisoners until they were handed over, he needed to get back to his own family and that desire outweighed everything in his own mind. Their relationship had touched a nerve with him, Skepaf had always heard of Jedi having no attachments and they were all meant to be cold and distant. The two humans before him however couldn't have proved that rumour more wrong, it was indisputable the affection they had for each ever and Skepaf had felt something he hadn't felt in a long time when he had used that against Kenobi. Guilt.


Shifting slightly Obi wan gazed down at his apprentice, he seemed to be deep in thought which was of no surprise to Obi wan. The boy had been through a rough ordeal and had to think through his muddled thoughts, Obi wan loathed not being able to help his young padawan, this was a time where joint meditation was really required Anakin would be having a tough time dealing with all the new thoughts and feelings that had been thrust upon him, which was primarily down to Obi wan.

Obi wan really could do with some time to think through everything as well although every time he tried to push all thoughts out of his head and meditate however, he could frustratingly no longer find his inner calm and stay deep in thought for any longer than a few minutes. It was deeply disconcerting how much the Jedi relied on the force and without it seemingly simple tasks were made almost impossible.

His throbbing head and ribs probably didn't help the matter if he was honest, grimacing again as the broken bones in his chest jarred when he tried to find a more appeasing position to allow himself to breath without intense misery. Obi wan's arms had long gone numb in the strained position that they were held behind his back, Skepaf was taking no chances with him it seemed.

Obi wan rested his head back against the wall and closed his eyes, willing for any relief from his various injuries. Without warning he felt a burst of energy slam into his mind, it was enough to nearly knock him over. Startled eyes darted around the cell, trying to ascertain the location of the intrusion of whatever that was, looking down at Anakin he could see his young charge deep in concentration.

Just when Obi wan was about to pass the ordeal off as a consequence of concussion did he feel the sharp burst again, this time he recognised the feeling though and grappled for it mentally willing to keep a tight hold of the energy he had been without for what felt like a life time. The force.

It was even more painful than having it ripped away from him the first time, being able to feel the force and watching it slip away from his mind. Obi wan knew they were being watched and did not want to give away his new found feelings of the force, he was sure this force suppressant wasn't supposed to wear off so quickly and peered down at his apprentice again. No he couldn't be… could he?

Obi wan's thoughts were interrupted again as he felt more energy than before flow into his empty mind, this time he traced back the origins of the energy flow to his bond with Anakin. That boy is brilliant!

'I know, Master'.

The mental message across their training bond almost reduced Obi wan to tears, there was so much relief brought from hearing Anakin's voice inside his head again. Oh force I'm going to regret thinking that….

'Yep I'm never letting you forget this one.'

Obi wan could hear the overwhelming joy in his padawan's voice, this whole ordeal must have been terrifying especially with losing connection to Obi wan for the first time.

'Anakin, you know it doesn't count if you read my thoughts' Obi wan beamed back along the bond, he had missed this feeling so much!

The force started to recede slightly and Obi wan panicked again, he had distracted Anakin and whatever his padawan was doing to give his master temporary access to the force was waning. With further conviction he heard Anakin slip further into the force doubling his previous efforts, which Obi wan felt as more and more force energy came tumbling into his mind across their bond.

This time Obi wan did not waste the opportunity and set to work, he guided the force around his body with one major task in mind, getting rid of this damn force inhibitor drug. Several painful minutes later most remnants of the inhibitor in Obi wan's blood stream had dissipated and both master and padawan collapsed back against the wall exhausted from the exercise they had both undertook.

Obi wan felt the force swell around his battered body and harnessed it with eagerness he had never felt before, grasping as much as he could possibly contain he allowed the force to flow through his veins bringing about rejuvenation of the many injuries that graced his body. He felt he was too weak at the moment to enter a full healing trance so just concentrated on alleviating the pain and dealing with the major ailments such as the jiggling bones in his rib cage.

Both master and padawan were gasping for breath trying to lower their racing heart rates, content with the knowledge that they could once again feel each other in their minds. Obi wan gazed down at awe at his padawan, his connection to the force had surprised many masters but this was something else. Obi wan had never seen anything like it and welled up in pride with how much Anakin had learnt in such a short space of time, it was an incredible feeling being so close to somebody with such a connection to the force. It was more than every Jedi Obi wan had ever been in the same room as, Qui Gon, Mace Windu and even Master Yoda.

"Are you okay, Anakin?" Obi wan's voice was not as steady as he would have liked, having the force return to him so abruptly was a draining experience.

"I think so, Master." Anakin was faring no better and was also taking deep breaths whilst talking.

'How did you do that, Padawan?' Obi wan thought it best to converse over their bond as they were most likely being watched and quite frankly he had dearly missed this feeling.

Anakin beamed up at his master thankful that he could once again feel his bright pulsing presence in the force, granted it was weaker than usual because of the remnants of the suppressor but it was far better than the loneliness he had felt in his mind the past few hours. Anakin didn't know how Obi wan had managed it, being cut off from one being was bad enough but everything at once!

He had run a quick scan over his master and relished in the fact that Obi wan was once again getting control of the force and had started alleviating his more serious injuries. Anakin could now feel the pain his master was in over their bond, knowing this was the suppressed feeling Anakin grimaced not wanting to imagine how the pain would have felt without the aid of the force.

'I don't know exactly, Master, I was in a deep meditative state then something brushed up against my mind. I don't know what it was exactly but I then sensed wisps of our bond in my head again, something was urging me to grab hold of them so I did. Then it was just like pushing energy into them, the first time I did it it hurt but then the more the bond opened the easier it was, and when I felt you in my mind again I kept the flow open.'

Anakin relayed the moments that had led this to point watching as his master absorbed the information, brows furrowed deep in thought. He had seen what he thought was pride, bewilderment and comfort in Obi wan's eyes the moment he had realised what Anakin was doing and the thoughts were further enforced as his master's feelings pulsed brightly along the bond.

His master's shields were wide open, the energy that he had used to heal his injuries and rid the force suppressant from his system had obviously taken their toll on Obi wan. It worried Anakin that any force sensitive would now be able to read his master's inner most thoughts so he had sent as much force energy through the bond until he felt Obi wan's mental shields start to be rebuilt again.

'Thank you, Ani, that was much needed, you're going to tire yourself out if you try that again though.'

He knew his master was right he felt exhausted, not just exhausted but more tired than he had ever felt in his life, drained. Content with feeling his masters presence again Anakin stopped pushing force energy through to Obi wan and rested against his side.


Obi wan wouldn't have believed what just happened if he hadn't been on the receiving end of it, that was truly remarkable. He had never heard of anything else like it from any other Jedi, granted there weren't many moments when Jedi were cut off from the force but it seemed Anakin had accomplished the impossible yet again. That boy is full of surprises. Obi wan appreciated the added energy which he had used to rebuild some of his shields, he would need them if this mysterious employer was force sensitive which Obi wan knew deep down was the most likely solution.

With the ability of the force again Obi wan had an idea, it was something he had thought of earlier but after his padawan's last experience venturing out with the force Obi wan dared not risk it. He knew he had almost lost Anakin then, and there was no way he was risking that again, besides the boy was positively exhausted and who was to blame him after what he'd just achieved?

'Well whatever just happened, Padawan, I am truly grateful, your skills and wisdom in the force astound me on a daily basis!' Obi wan sent the equivalent of a mental hug with the message, it was the best he could do without the ability of physically being able to hug Anakin at the moment.

At his apprentice's wary glance upwards he could sense Anakin knew what he planned to do.

'Are you sure, Master? It could be dangerous…'

'Yes, Padawan, this may be the only chance we get to send out a communication before we get dropped off with this employer.'

At Anakin's still worried glance he added smiling 'I'll be alright, Ani, I've done this hundreds of times'

Whilst that was true Obi wan had never tried this neat little trick for the length he was planning and also not from this distance, especially after just being suppressed from the force for so long but he kept these small details to himself not wanting to worry Anakin unnecessarily.

'Keep watch for me, Padawan, I'm going to be quite far under and if anyone notices I'm using the force again Skepaf will not be pleased.'

'Yes, Master, be careful please.'

Obi wan picked up on the worry in Anakin's voice, it was palpable. He's only worried I will get hurt, he doesn't want to see that again…

Preparing himself for the upcoming task Obi wan straightened his back as much as he could with his injuries, closed his eyes and sunk deep within the force revelling in its power and expanse once again.

It was a remarkable feeling being able to actually grasp onto something for the first time in hours, albeit it was requiring more energy than usual to maintain the connection, it was there. Obi wan would have to concentrate more than he ever had in his life to complete this task, no distractions no outside influences. Sinking deeper into the force Obi wan sought out the life essence of the guard assigned to their corridor Anakin had informed him of.

It didn't take long for Obi wan to latch himself onto the primitives mind, despite it being a long time since he had tried something like this the feelings rushed through him naturally as if it were only yesterday.

Pushing thought suggestions into the beings mind Obi wan was rewarded with compliance as the guard moved away from his post and towards the bridge. They only had to get one communication out to the Jedi council about their location, only one would be what it took.

Obi wan felt the man get closer and closer to his final destination and struggled with the strain of keeping up such powerful force suggestions over such a distance. He was effectively puppeteering this man, it would usually be frowned upon but desperate measures…

Agonisingly the guard made his way slowly onto the bridge, Obi wan felt his control slipping and the man even looked around in confusion wondering how and why he was on the ship's bridge. With anew strength Obi wan pushed even farther into the beings mind bringing the simple minded creature under his control again, he felt that he couldn't hold this up much longer but he only needed this to hold for another minute or so.

The man headed towards the nearest available communications terminal and Obi wan strained as the communication channel for the Jedi council were agonisingly slowly punched in, so close now just a few more moments.

Abruptly the guard was spun around away from the terminal and Obi wan sensed Skepaf the captain and he was fuming…


Skepaf glanced around his bridge, all the men were preparing for the last leg of their trip. He could tell from the faces from each and every one of them that they were exhausted and couldn't wait for this assignment to be over. Skeapf didn't blame them he felt exactly the same, the sooner they handed the Jedi prisoners over the sooner they all could go back to their lives considerably richer.

One of the men caught Skepaf's gaze as he robotically wandered onto the bridge, marking it down as tiredness Skepaf's eyes averted to the rest of the bridge once again. Before long however his gaze was falling upon the newly entered man again as he seemed to stumble looking confused, before returning to moving robotically towards a terminal.

Every instinct in Skepaf was alerting him to this situation not being quite right, he started to move towards the man with his hand reaching for his blaster. Wasn't that the guard from the Jedi's corridor?

When he reached to lean over the man's shoulder his hunch was proved correct as Skepaf witnessed the guard inputting a communication channel which he had no right doing.

With haste Skepaf jolted the guard around away from the almost complete communication and threw him across the floor. The guard skidded towards the middle of the floor eyes wild and uncontrolled as his senses returned to him, everything on the bridge had fallen silent every single man had observed the blaster held in their captain's hand.

"Sir, what, what am I doing here? I don't understand one minute I was guarding the prisoners then, then…" The guard reeled off towards the end as pure horror and confusion covered his features as he truly didn't understand how he had got here.

Skepaf took one glance at the fallen man and saw the confusion and fear in the guard's eyes, Skepaf was a great reader of people and saw straight through this man. He did not have it in him to pull this off, that only led to one other possibility that explained why the man seemed to move in such robotic movements.

"Kenobi…" He spat out the name venomously as realisation dawned on him that the Jedi currently a prisoner was controlling HIS men's minds.

Signaling a group of guards to accompany him to the hold he barked out the instruction to prepare a double dose of force suppressant, and proceeded to storm off the bridge towards the hold anger blazing.


Back in the cell Obi wan had collapsed forward at the sudden loss of connection from the being, he knew what had happened Skepaf had twigged something was up and pulled the guard out of his control, Obi wan hadn't been able to finish sending the communication he had failed.

"Master what happened what is it?!" Anakin pushed forward to help Obi wan back onto his knees worry strew in his voice.

"He knows, oh force he knows… I'm sorry Ani I couldn't complete the communication before the control was ripped from me" Obi wan replied apologetically.

Both he and Anakin's heads whipped upwards as they felt, no, were pummeled with raging anger which was undoubtedly Skepaf's as he stalked closer and closer towards the hold. They glanced at one another and instinctively moved further away from the entrance to the cell, Obi wan could feel fear pouring off his padawan and if he was honest with himself could feel his own heart rate increase. This is going to hurt…

"I'm scared, Master, he seems really really angry." Anakin's blue eyes penetrated right through to Obi wan's heart which nearly broke with his apprentice's tone.

"It'll be okay, Anakin, it's alright to be afraid you just need to learn to release it into the force to move forward. They need us alive so try not to worry." Obi wan added trying to keep Anakin upbeat before the oncoming storm crashed into their cell.

Obi wan was no fool he knew what was coming, he could feel it. The thought terrified him, he gazed into the captain's very soul and witnessed so much venom, so much hate. That's going to be taken out on me… at least he won't harm Anakin. The thing Obi wan was most fearful of though was the upcoming void, he would bepumped with more of that dreadful substance and his connection with Anakin would be once again severed.

"What do you mean he won't harm me?" Anakin questioned genuinely confused.

Obi wan nearly chided his padawan for reading his thoughts whilst he had compromised shields but if he was honest he could very well have been projecting and it was not what Anakin needed to hear right now. Glancing down at the blood covered face of his young charge he explained quickly that he had made a deal with the captain to keep Anakin out of the firing line, he further added Skepaf had guaranteed Anakin's well being whilst under his care.

"But, Master, you can't take all of this on by yourself!" Anakin was truly horrified his master had offered to take everything the captain would dish out over their journey.

Obi wan smiled down sadly at Anakin, regretful over what the boy was about to witness but thankful that he would not have to stand by and watch whilst Anakin was further hurt and having to bare his heart breaking.

"It's my responsibility as your master, Anakin, I swore a vow to protect you and I intend to keep it. Besides as we've already covered, my looks are hardly going to be winning any beauty contests one of us has to be face of the team." This was Obi wan's last chance to lift Anakin's spirits before Skepaf and his men arrived, they only had moments as the heavy hurried footsteps got closer with every passing second.

He was rewarded with a smirk from his padawan and an understanding gaze on his face, it was simply unfair that Anakin was having to go through all of this at such a young age but Obi wan believed that he would be strong.

'You have to be strong, Padawan, this isn't going to be pleasant but believe that there is nothing you can do to help me. I got myself into this mess and am going to have to deal with the consequences. Now move to the wall I don't want you getting caught up when they storm in here.'

Obi wan spoke the last message across their bond, reveling in the security he felt of having Anakin in his head. This would be the last time for who knew how long that they would be able to communicate this way and just be a comfort for each other, the thought of having Anakin ripped away from his mind again was enough to nearly bring Obi wan to tears.

Anakin latched onto Obi wan in a vigorous hug before scurrying towards the edge of the room as the force field to their cell fizzled out of existence and a very irate captain stormed into the room flanked by no less than eight guards all equipped with shock sticks. Still afraid of me then, Obi wan mused, the captain was no fool obviously.

"I warned you Jedi, you shouldn't have crossed me!" The captain spat at Obi wan before he nodded to the guards who all poured into the cell.

'No matter what they do to me, Anakin, I need you to promise me to keep faith and I promise I won't blame myself if you don't blame yourself.'

He could tell the boy was struggling with the prospect of promising something like that, he didn't want Obi wan to go through this, force I'm not exactly relishing the idea myself, Obi wan admitted to himself as the pirates surged towards him.

'Anakin, please promise me.' The last thing Obi wan needed was Anakin brooding again and blaming himself, they had to stay objective now more than ever, and besides it was his smart idea to try this. Not so smart to get caught doing it, Kenobi, Obi wan chided himself, he only had seconds now and glanced across at Anakin.

'I promise, Master, I can't promise I won't want to kill them though.'

Obi wan almost smiled until he was reminded very violently that this was going to hurt as eight venomously angry pirates reached his position. He saw from the look in Anakin's eyes that he meant it he wouldn't blame himself, Obi wan stopped himself from lecturing his padawan over the pitfalls of anger at this moment. He knew if their roles were reversed he wouldn't be able to contain his distaste either, Jedi always upheld the no attachment rule but no one seemed to admit that the padawan/ apprentice was one of the strongest relationships ever encountered.

Obi wan sent one more reassuring push across the bond to Anakin and steeled himself for the upcoming assault.

A needle was mercilessly stabbed into his neck for the second time that day and Obi wan prepared himself for the void that would become his mind… The dosage was definitely larger this time as Obi wan felt the effects immediately take hold, when one of the assailants gripped his shoulder it felt as though someone was stabbing him with hot knifes. Oh great so not just the force suppressant has been doubled… He knew he was in for a hell of a time and tried to mentally prepare himself for what was about to unfold.

Two guards grabbed each of his arms and Obi wan was hauled to his feet jarring the still fragile bones rattling in his ribcage. Even with his hands restrained and force ability cut off these guys were obviously still planning on overkill.

The first blow to his midsection stole all the air from his lungs, he didn't have anything left in his lungs to cry out so just settled for trying to catch his breath again. Doubling over was the natural instinct to try and escape from the agony firing through his chest but the guards holding his arms had other ideas and yanked him up into a standing position by the hair ready for the next attack on his rib cage and another guard stepped forward to deliver the next punch.

Obi wan wasn't sure how long they repeated this action, but the guards either side of him continued to relentlessly haul him back to his feet again stopping any reprieve he may have had to curl up on the floor. After each time a bone cracked in his battered body the room was filled with the most haunting howl, Obi wan had never felt misery like it to compare the feeling to anything. The only thing his shocked brain could produce was that it was like every muscle, every nerve ending being lit on fire but the flames did not die down and the nerves did not become numb.

He had stopped trying to lift his head up long ago and after each strike was giving into the prospect of another assault, he had heard more bones crack and definitely felt things shift inside that shouldn't be shifting. So much pain… I can't hold out much longer…

Just as he thought he would pass out from the lack of oxygen the hits stopped coming, he lifted his head from his chest and gazed forwards blearily just in time to acknowledge a fist heading straight for his jaw. Obi wan's head snapped to the right with such force that he heard his neck crack, blood spurted out all over the floor and he felt more build up in his mouth. Spitting it out onto the ground with disgust Obi wan tried to right his position all he ended up doing was swaying as consciousness threatened to leave him, it was no worry though the helpful guards behind him pushed him back into place and yanked his hair until he was facing the attacker again.

They let go of his head just as the fist crashed into his jaw yet again, this time the guards behind him didn't hold onto his body and he fell where the punch directed him, straight down to the ground. He remembered distantly hearing a scream ripping itself from his raw throat as he careered into the ground with a force that made every bone in his body rattle. If it wasn't for the shock of the sudden impact with the floor Obi wan was sure he would have been out like a light after the latest assault on his face.

He could feel blood dripping from his jaw and newly reopened cut on his nose fall down his bruised face to pool beneath his head. He had landed with such ferocity that he could no longer distinguish which part of his body was not in agony, the head wound was making everything extremely fuzzy and time seemed to slow down. He tried rolling onto his back to alleviate his tortured shoulder and side, Big mistake, Kenobi, shifting around on the ground jarred all of his newly broken bones and he groaned as black spots danced in his vision.

Mercifully the assault was over as Skepaf begrudgingly called his dogs off, Obi wan desperately tried to concentrate on breathing and didn't pay too much attention to what was directed at him before the constant buzz of the force field engaging filled the room. He had heard a few words which he vaguely puzzled together to be 'Don't try that again, Jedi, we wouldn't want the boy to see you lose a limb.'

He reached out for Anakin's presence and was of course hit with the horrifying realisation of no access to the force again, he didn't have to wait long however until Anakin's petrified face appeared in his greying vision shaking Obi wan's shoulder softly. He could see his padawan's lips moving but funnily enough no sound was reaching Obi wan's ears, his eyes could vaguely make out the words 'Master' and 'stay with me'.

This moment reminded Obi wan of the fateful mission he had related to Anakin only a short time ago, he hadn't told his padawan the whole tale as parts were too painful for Obi wan to relive. It was quite ironic actually his role had been completely reversed so many years on, in the past it had been Obi wan fretting over his master's abused body in their cell so he knew exactly how helpless and angered Anakin felt as he had lived through it himself.

Obi wan and Qui gon had been stuck in the dingy prison for almost a day now, no one had come to see them, no water had been left. Their captors were obviously not interested in keeping their captives healthy, Obi wan had remained on the damp floor as Qui gon had continued his healing efforts throughout the day. It was doing something as the intense agony Obi wan had felt when shifting slightly was now down to a dull ache, the next step would be to try and move Obi wan into a seated position if they were ever going to get out of here.

Obi wan still felt awful that he had failed so badly, he was slowing his master down again Obi wan knew he was the thing stopping Qui gon from just storming out of the prison in his current state Obi wan would be a hindrance not a helping hand. 'Why won't he just leave me and escape from this place?'

The tired look Obi wan received from his master proved that yes he had heard his padawan's thoughts.

"I've told you, Obi wan, you are my responsibility and I will not leave you to fend for yourself in this awful place, this wound is starting to get better but you have to work with me on this and we will BOTH get out of here together."

Qui gon managed a weak smile trying to keep Obi wan's spirits up and was equally rewarded with a faint smile in return from his fallen padawan.

It wasn't long after Qui gon had settled back into healing Obi wan's wound that the silence was disrupted by a heavy foot fall outside their cell. The feelings from the men heading towards them put Obi wan on edge, he could sense the anger and hatred radiating off of them directed at him and his master. Glancing up at his master, Qui gon, Obi wan was surprised that he was a complete picture of calmness a serene look covered his face as he continued to meditate. 'How can he stay so calm? Can he not sense them coming?'

Again Qui gon had heard Obi wan's thoughts and offered a sad smile before starting to stand in front of Obi wan's broken body, as if he had seen what was about to happen. Qui gon had always been better than Obi wan for seeing what was about to take place, still it only took Obi wan a few moments more than his master to foresee why their captors were heading this way and the thought made him sick to his stomach.

That was when the rebels blundered into the room and headed towards the Jedi all the while keeping blasters pointing at Obi wan's form. Qui gon didn't resist nor make any aggressive movements as the guards surrounded them, Obi wan was quite frankly terrified he didn't know how much more pain he could take and that was without a doubt the reason the men were here he could sense their hatred and loathing for the two Jedi.

"Our platoon in the city were just picked up by imperial guards, that wouldn't have anything to do with you Jedi now would it?" The leader of the group that had scorched Obi wan's skin with his own light saber accused stepping dangerously close to Qui gon's form.

"How could it be when we've been your guests here?" The sarcasm dripping from his master's voice made Obi wan smile, not a hint of terror made it into the commanding voice of Qui gon Jinn. Obi wan wasn't so sure he could have held his voice so steady in that position.

The smirk was wrenched from Obi wan's face however as the butt end of a rifle came crashing into his midsection snatching away any air he had left in his lungs. Curling up into a tight ball as much as his abused stomach would allow Obi wan concentrated on taking small breaths and desperately fought away the darkness that edged closer and started to cloud his vision.

When Obi wan's eyes stopped watering and he managed to gaze at the scene again it felt as though he had missed something vital, the leader and his master were conversing whilst glancing over at his form. Obi wan couldn't catch much but a few mutterings filtered through his senses that he could vaguely decipher "just a child, we're men accustomed to war, I will not resist, don't harm the boy."

Obi wan shook his head to try and de-cloud his vision and senses, the man that had hit him with the rifle was no longer standing above him they all seemed to be converging around Qui gon.

"No, Master you can't let them do this!" Obi wan's rage threatened to spill over as the thoughts of the leader filtered into his mind, his brother was among the men captured and he had one thing on his mind, vengeance. He was silenced as a guard started toward him blaster raised in a threatening manner but was thankfully stopped from being whacked around the head again as the leader warned against it.

"I will do what I have to in order to protect you, Padawan."

His master's voice was incredibly steady as he spoke, eyes never leaving the glare from the rebel. Qui gon sent a final burst of reassurance along their training bond before blocking his mind entirely, Obi wan felt hurt until the realisation dawned on him. 'He doesn't want me feeling his pain…'

Men grabbed his master's arms and pinned them painfully behind him, Obi wan would never forget the turmoil and pure hatred he had felt towards another being as blow after blow met their target.

Qui gon never once made a sound other than the odd grunt, he was trying to stay strong for Obi wan's sake so he didn't have to witness or feel the pain reigning down on him, Obi wan wanted nothing more than to leap up and cut them all down but because of his own stupid actions he was in no position to affect a rescue. The longer he stayed silent the more vicious the attacks became until eventually Obi wan heard a sound that haunted his dreams for many years to come.

An inhumane scream tore itself from Qui gon's throat as a particularly cruel blow from a baton crashed into his arm with such force that the room was all of a sudden filled with the disturbing sound of cracking bones. After their captor had worked out most of his aggression on the rest of his master's failing body he ordered the men to leave the room and followed them out himself after smiling evilly in Obi wan's direction.

Obi wan couldn't believe what he'd just witnessed, how had he ever felt sympathy towards these rebels. He now understood the way his master had looked at him earlier for even suggesting such a thing, how naive he had been… Stuck in shock it took him a few moments before he started agonisingly dragging his body towards his fallen master's impeded slightly by his still bound wrists.

"Master, Master, you stubborn bantha please say something!" Obi wan lightly shook Qui gon's shoulders as his master resolutely did not open his eyes and squirmed away from Obi wan.

"Padawan, please, you jolting me is not helping with the banging in my head." Qui gon groaned quietly cradling his broken arm.

"I'm sorry, Master, I was just worried when you were so still." Obi wan hadn't realised he was crying as he felt warm tears trickle down his cheeks.

"Obi wan, you worry about your old master too much, it's not for you to worry about me that's my job." Qui gon smiled sitting up slowly with the help of his padawan.

"Now you shouldn't be moving about with your injury after all the work I put into it and I won't forget you calling me a stubborn bantha!" Qui gon finished with his eyebrows raised and a slight smirk on his face which caused Obi wan to sink further down towards the floor.

"Yes, Master, I think I need some rest myself" Obi wan was desperate to get out of his master's scrutinising glare and observed as Qui gon chuckled at his padawan's blatant attempts to shift the attention elsewhere. They had both laid there in that cell for hours recuperating from their various injuries taking comfort in one another's presence.

Obi wan was brought out of his reverie as Anakin shook his shoulders a little too hard and he groaned out loud. Every fibre of his being felt as though it was on fire, the upped dose of the drug that had been administered into Obi wan's system made the physical contact he had endured more than double the agony he had felt the first time he had experienced it, along with a very heavy feeling of nausea.

When he thought back at the memory now and his confusion at his master's acceptance of the situation it didn't puzzle him anymore, he felt the need to protect Anakin just as Qui gon had for Obi wan. Obi wan knew Anakin simply wouldn't understand the need for him to put himself in harms way but he would one day when he had a troublesome padawan of his own to look over. Oh force Anakin was due for a very disruptive padawan the way he had made Obi wan run around after him…

He would rather go through days of what Skepaf had to deal him rather than watch Anakin in pain, and maybe that was selfish of him but it was the only thing pushing Obi wan through this misery, he honestly couldn't have handled seeing Anakin go through that.

Obi wan remained flat on his back staring up at his apprentice's face as slowly but surely he sunk into the depths of unconsciousness taking refuge to a place in his mind where the pain wasn't so ferocious. Slipping his eyes closed the last conscious thought he had was of Anakin and hoping he would be able to cope on his own for a while, Obi wan knew how heartbreaking it was to see the ones you cared about in so much pain. His strength finally slipping away from him, Obi wan Kenobi fell into the forgiving recess of his own mind desperately looking for a place where everything did not hurt so much.


Well that's it for another week guys! I am on track for regular postings for some while now, the next chapter is currently going through some tweaking and beta reading so it will be posted next weekend!

As always any feedback is welcome, until next time...