A/N - First up I apologise for being absent! I have really struggled to get more of this story out this week but here it is eventually :) thankyou for all of the feedback I'm glad to know you guys are enjoying reading it as much as I am enjoying writing it! So now with this chapter I wanted to focus more on Obi-Wan and Dooku once again, I have some big plans for the next few chapters and I'm sure some of you may guess what direction I am taking this in next.

Anyways that's enough from me Enjoy!


Obi-Wan was marched along an exceedingly bland and empty corridor of the ship they were travelling on, the witch that had come to collect him strode confidently out in front of the envoy, glaring back at him as she noticed the attention.

"What are you looking at, Jedi?" She spat, spinning round fully and menacingly moving to be extremely close to Obi-Wan's face.

"You." Obi-Wan smirked, mocking grin sprawled over his face.

The witch's gaze narrowed severely, rage rising. Obi-Wan had not been prepared for the strike when it hit, one moment he had been staring down the dark force user, the next he was sprawled on the floor having being knocked over from the force of the strike. The witch had punched him in the face!

Obi-Wan felt a bruise already forming and worked his jaw wincing slightly at the pain the movement elicited. The women did pack quite a punch he had to give her that.

"Jedi scum…" She murmured with disgust before nodding to the guards who dragged Obi-Wan back to his feet and shoved him back in the direction they had been previously heading.

"So uncivilised…" Obi-Wan muttered under his breath before a blaster crashed into his shoulder and he was reminded to shut it and concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other.

Eventually the convoy came across their destination and Obi-Wan was once again shoved inside, he stumbled forward to the center of the room and turned on the spot to face the fuming witch. What had he ever done to her?

The guards unlocked the manacles that held his wrist's in place, as the faint idea of trying something filtered through his head it was immediately quashed as the witch surged closer, drew her light saber and held it perilously close to his throat.

"Don't get any ideas, Kenobi…" Ventress spat.

"Wouldn't dream of it, my dear," Obi-Wan replied, face widening into a smirk.

The witch responded by pressing the saber slightly against his skin, sizzling a slight mark across his jugular. Obi-Wan hissed in agony as the crimson blade descended on his skin for a split second, his attempts at backing away were thwarted by the very solid bodies of the guards behind him.

The light saber was mercifully moved slightly away from his neck and Ventress indicated to the men who in turn took one of Obi-Wan's wrists each and clamped them above his head to some suspending manacles. The biting metal dug into his wrists painfully as they were intentionally clamped too tight… Ventress grinned as Obi-Wan winced from the misery and ran a clawed nail down his cheek.

The touch sent shivers up Obi-Wan's spine, this witch was creeping him out. When she heard his thoughts she only responded by throwing her head back whilst cackling manically. Obi-Wan's attempts to turn away from the touch were once again thwarted by the chains suspending him from the ceiling, they didn't leave much room for manoeuvre at all.

"I'll see you soon, Kenobi," she purred before sauntering back towards the door way, following the retreating guards.

"I look forward to it…" Obi-Wan murmured sarcastically.

Ventress glanced back at the strung up Knight and grinned, she seemed to enjoy his sarcasm. Without another warning her hand flicked up and the chain's holding Obi-Wan's arms were yanked upwards and locked in place, he yelped as the jolt caused his arms to stretch. His feet were now barely touching the floor, and that was on tip-toes. It was evident his discomfort brought the dark force user immense joy as she grinned one more time before leaving him all alone in the dank room.

"Blast it…" Obi-Wan muttered to himself, wincing again as he attempted to shift his weight so as to not strain his arms so much.

He then took in his new surroundings properly, the darkened cell was rather small in size. Glancing round at the implements adorning the walls he gulped, this room was evidently used for interrogation… Abolishing any anxiousness he turned his attention to the manacles trapping his wrists and grimly could find no weakness in their hold. He was trapped here for the mean time so it seemed.

Before Obi-Wan's thoughts could wander anymore the cell gained a new occupant, Dooku had just sauntered in. He stopped just over the threshold of the room, sneering at the trapped form of the Jedi, evidently enjoying seeing Obi-Wan at his mercy.

"Still afraid of me I see?" Obi-Wan leered whilst indicating to the manacles that now held his wrists and therefore his entire body suspended in the center of the cell.

"Oh I wouldn't say that. Let's just say its better for both of us if you are contained," Dooku drawled dangerously whilst starting to head over to the captive form of the Jedi Knight.

Obi-Wan snorted at that, not believing for a second that it was better for the both of them, just the Count. He winced slightly and changed position as the strain in his arms started to cause discomfort to the seared saber wound that had been inflicted recently by the very dark sider pacing in front of him. He knew being held in this position for a lengthly amount of time was not going to be comfortable at all, the longer he was left dangling the larger the ache and strain on his shoulder and arm muscles. After a longer period of silence Obi-Wan was starting to become impatient, the Count had obviously brought him here for a reason, but didn't seem too keen on sharing the reason with Obi-Wan.

"What am I doing here?" The young Knight spat at the striding form of Count Dooku.

"It seems Qui-Gon did fail to instil the lesson of patience after all." Dooku smirked, reaching Obi-Wan's face narrowing his eyes in concentration.

Obi-Wan winced as the blow hit home, he had to admit he struggled with patience around the ex-Jedi. The man proved time and time again just how to strike at his weakness's and had done so mercilessly. He could feel the Count reach out with his mind to study the inner thoughts racing through his own mind, with the force suppressant still coursing through Obi-Wan's body any mental defences he had were severely weakened. That did not mean he would not be going down without a fight however.

"Ah, is that anger I sense…" Dooku drawled, grinning as he broke through the feeble defences in his prisoner's mind.

"Stop it," Obi-Wan ground out, determination covering his features to keep the evil being out of the inner most workings of his head.

"Stop what?" The Count queried feigning innocence, face contorted into mock confusion.

"I can feel you crawling around in my head!" Obi-Wan spat at his captor, forcibly shoving Dooku out of his mind. Which only elicited a dangerous chuckle from the other occupant in the cell.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and strove to abolish his feelings, taking a deep breath he banished any hateful emotions out of his mind. They certainly wouldn't do him any favours. He opened his eyes again to witness Dooku start to stroll round his captive form, forcing Obi-Wan to crane his neck to keep the Count in sight. The position was really starting to transform from uncomfortable to painful now as his muscles started to cramp and shooting agony traversed up his trembling limbs.

"It's not so surprising you know," Dooku began again as he continued to circle the trapped form of Obi-Wan.

"What?"

"The way you feel about your dear old master, he certainly put you through the ringer!" Dooku grinned deviously as he once again went straight for the killing blow, identifying all of Obi-Wan's current swirling emotions and cruelly surfacing them in one fell swoop.

"I have nothing but respect for Qui-Gon and his teachings." Obi-Wan was not in the mood for games, he brushed the attack aside and stared straight ahead.

"Haha, my young friend. You and I both know that's not quite true." Dooku raised his eyebrows and chuckled at the Knight's attempts of indifference, obviously not fooled in the slightest.

"It's all in the past, I won't dwell upon it." Obi-Wan once again knocked the remark aside, determined not to discuss his misgivings over Qui-Gon with Dooku of all people.

"Ah but the past defines who we are today, it is not always prudent to never look back." Dooku halted in front of the Jedi to address him directly.

"Did you bring me here to discuss the merits of the past or have you actually got something to say?" Obi-Wan snapped, causing Dooku to raise his brows once again in amusement.

Dooku continued his circling striding, scrutinising the chained Jedi, causing the hairs of Obi-Wan's neck to stand on end. The tension in the shadowy room was palpable.

"I can feel your rage even now, it's only natural to feel these emotions towards Qui-Gon. He did fail you in many regards…" Dooku continued, intent on antagonising the young Knight once more.

"It is unbecoming of me to disrespect my Master, he was a great man." Obi-Wan once again deflected the attempt of bringing Qui-Gon back into the equation. With his current raging emotions over the man he was not sure if he could remain objective.

"I never said he wasn't, Obi-Wan. I'm pointing out your emotions towards his misguided actions are well founded, don't tell me you didn't feel the raw power you touched earlier in the duel?"

"I was unstable…" Obi-Wan stammered, unsure of himself once again.

"No, my friend, you only brushed against the true potential you've been held back from. With proper training and control you could finally reach your full level, enough to go toe to toe with a certain Sith Lord indeed," Dooku pressed on, intent on capitalising on Obi-Wan's questioning feelings.

"You really want me to believe you want the Sith Lord defeated to help the galaxy? I know what you want Dooku, you want it for yourself." Obi-Wan shook his head, angrily spitting out the remark. He didn't believe for one second that Dooku did not want everything for himself. He was a Sith after all.

"I assure you I do not, Obi-Wan, this Sith Lord will ruthlessly murder all in his way and enslave the galaxy. That is not a galaxy I want to live in, I realised the Jedi had no hope of stopping the upcoming purge, so I took matters into my own hands…" The Count recounted his motives, meeting Obi-Wan's gaze as he delivered his speech.

"You truly are mad…" Obi-Wan murmured, and was rewarded with a scowl from Dooku.

The Count seemed to be deep in thought for the next minute, the eerie silence in the room was enough to have Obi-Wan on edge, waiting for whoever would break the silence first. Dooku stopped pacing and came to a stop in front of Obi-Wan, eyes glinting with malice.

"I hope this doesn't hurt too much…" Dooku murmured whilst fingering the light saber scorch on Obi-Wan's raised arm, eliciting a tiny gasp of pain from the Jedi.

"Oh only as much as yours I imagine," Obi-Wan replied a gleeful twinkle in his gaze.

Dooku's eyes narrowed before continuing to circle the captive form of his prisoner.

"I suppose you don't know the reason I left the Jedi order?" The elder man enquired, raising his brows in a questioning way.

At Obi-Wan's curious glance and shake of his head Dooku continued.

"I imagine if you asked Master Yoda or any of the other council members they would tell you I was an extremist, corrupting the Jedi order's ways," Dooku drawled, scowling as he mentioned Master Yoda and the Jedi.

"Well they'd be right," Obi-Wan snapped.

"Tssk. Don't tell me you are as naive as the rest of those relics?" Dooku tutted spinning round to spit the retort into Obi-Wan's ear.

"You're delusional, Dooku, I don't know how else to tell you." Obi-Wan craned his neck to face the looming figure of Dooku, noses just a hairs width away and uttered the insult.

Dooku's composure changed dramatically to unchecked rage, he lifted his hand and backhanded Obi-Wan with such ferocity and pace that Obi-Wan hadn't prepared himself for the blow. His head snapped back as the Count's forceful strike found his face, he felt his lip split and tasted warm blood trickle down his chin. The fire burning in Dooku's eyes receded slightly as he took a deep breath and continued his pacing around the room.

"The Jedi order has lost it's way, the council are poisoning the minds of the younger generation," Dooku continued, acting as if has he had never been interrupted in the first place.

"Hmmmphh." Obi-Wan huffed, wincing slightly as his split lip caused him some discomfort.

"We serve one purpose, not the republic or it's corrupt senators. Not spoilt diplomats with more money than sense. No we serve the force, everyone else seems to have forgotten that fact," The ex-Jedi continued, ignoring Obi-Wan's dismissal.

"We do serve the force…" Obi-Wan defended before being interrupted once again.

"No, my young friend, not anymore, your service is an illusion. Parroted at you ever since you were old enough to understand, it's all a lie Obi-Wan," Dooku implored, staring Obi-Wan straight in the eye as he delivered the shocking remark.

Obi-Wan shook his head in disbelief, did Dooku really think he was swaying his mind? He could see it more clearly now than ever, this man was completely and utterly mad. Dooku's eyes narrowed into slits as he picked up on the thoughts, he started to move again and continued.

"Do you really believe it should be down to 12 Jedi to decide what is and what is not?" He questioned the Knight.

"When there are people like you who use the dark side then yes, younger Jedi should be shielded from it's allure," Obi-Wan confidently proclaimed, believing in the methods of the council.

"The force should be studied from all aspects to truly harness it's full potential, light and dark," Dooku countered, going against every Jedi's teachings.

"No, the dark side only leads to pain and suffering. No true Jedi would stray from the light," Obi-Wan countered, delivering an almost invisible blow, questioning the man's claims of being a true Jedi.

"One cannot exist without the other, my young friend. Every light has a shadow…" Dooku countered, satisfied as Obi-Wan had no retort for that argument.

"I took it upon myself to study the force as a whole, not the one-sided ageing view of the Jedi. If we are ever to truly be rid of this Sith Lord then both sides of the force must be harnessed," Dooku continued, imploring the young Jedi Knight to see reason.

"You're wrong." Obi-Wan in turn shook his head in denial.

"Am I? Then why does it have you worried so much. I can feel your heart rate rising Kenobi," The ex-Jedi countered, playing on Obi-Wan's lowering levels of conviction over the matter.

"With someone as powerful as that there is only one true way to save the galaxy, the Jedi order would not listen the last time I implored them to. Look what happened then." Dooku deployed a dirty tactic, bringing Qui-Gon back into things.

Obi-Wan winced as the mental image of Qui-Gon dying was projected into his head, Dooku was using his own memories against him now! He certainly did not need another reliving of that particular moment in his life, or the emotions it invoked.

"Stop it!" Obi-Wan lividly yelled, sick of Dooku's mind games.

The Count raised an eyebrow over the outburst before shrugging the affair off.

"You know he got it wrong all those years ago…"

"Got what wrong, Dooku?" Obi-Wan impatiently snapped, interrupting the Count mid-sentence.

Dooku raised his brows in amusement before doing as he was bid and continuing.

"When you were a youngling, before Qui-Gon took you as an apprentice, other Jedi thought your anger made you weak."

Obi-Wan winced at the memory, he had indeed had quite a nasty temper. Especially when it came to his rivalry with initiate Bruck Chun. There were many times when he had been caught fighting with the boy, and even in official fights he had let his emotions overcome him and lost control.

"All of them including Qui-Gon dismissed your abilities because of it. It beggars belief that they couldn't see the potential within you. You were never born to be a farmer, Obi-Wan," Dooku enticed, dismissing all of the Jedi master's who had passed over the opportunity to train him.

"There is honour in serving the agricorps," Obi-Wan murmured, not quite believing his remark himself.

"Is that what you told yourself? When the Jedi order abandoned you and jeopardised your future? Don't tell me the decision did not make you furious!" Dooku chuckled dangerously before snarling the rest of the sentence into his captive's face, sure that he was finally getting through to Obi-Wan.

"I was not fit to be a Jedi, I was lucky Qui-Gon saw beyond my temper," Obi-Wan replied levelly, not breaking eye contact with Dooku as he met the man's beliefs with a crushing blow.

"Qui-Gon was just as short-sighted then as his Jedi fellows, he should have seen your qualities as a strength. Instead he strove to hinder your true potential, you could be magnificent if you just allowed yourself to be one with the whole force," Dooku excitedly claimed, eyes twinkling with the prospect.

"Like yourself you mean?" Obi-Wan mockingly sniggered.

Dooku shook his head slowly smiling sadly, every time he thought he was getting through to the young Knight, he threw up barriers to block his way.

"Do you want to know the real reason you were sent away, my boy?" He queried, glancing over at Obi-Wan as he spoke.

"No, but I'm sure you're going to enlighten me," Obi-Wan muttered dryly, shifting and wincing as the agony in his limbs got too much.

"They feared you Obi-Wan, they were afraid of the power you could one day harness…" Dooku attempted to break through again, intent on the young Jedi seeing his potential.

"You're wrong, Jedi do not fear…" Obi-Wan spoke softly, troubled by Dooku's words. Why wasn't he as sure anymore?

"Tut tut, they do, my young friend. Tell me if not fear then what are there feelings towards the dark side of the force?" Dooku dismissed the young Jedi's claims, his conviction outweighing Obi-Wan's.

"They are only cautious, they would never stop the training of a student over such misgivings." Obi-Wan shook his head slowly when he replied, eyes downcast not willing to meet Dooku's smirking features.

"Ah but they have already tried again haven't they? The boy Skywalker."

Obi-Wan's gaze shot up at that, caught out by his own padawan. Dooku did speak some truth, it was never completely clear to him the inner decision of the council. However he suspected it was something involving the boy's future that Master Yoda had seen.

"They only thought him to be too old, Master Yoda claims his future is clouded…" Obi-Wan eventually replied, careful not to project his real conviction over the matter.

Dooku's eyes narrowed and he appeared to be in deep concentration once more, his eyes were swimming with triumph as he seemed to find what he was looking for. Obi-Wan was sick of being read like an open book.

"He's already acted out hasn't he?" Dooku grinned as he projected the memory of Anakin nearly killing Skepaf earlier that day.

"Stop it, Dooku, get out of my head!" Obi-Wan screamed as he scrunched his eyes shut desperately trying to pry the Count's tendrils from his mind.

"Oh you mustn't blame the boy, can you truly say you would not have done the same thing if you were in his shoes? It's only natural…" Dooku continued, intent on capitalising on his new found information.

"It's not, Jedi must maintain control at all times," Obi-Wan ground out of gritted teeth, still battling to remove Dooku from his mind but failing miserably, emotions over his own shameful actions from the duel playing out in his mind.

"Is that shame I can sense? Tsk boy, there is no shame in fulfilling one's destiny." Dooku was a master at picking up on any of his insecurities, and once again pounced on the most prominent.

"It is not my destiny to be like you," Obi-Wan spat, eyes springing open full of malice and disgust.

"Are you so sure? Are you arrogant enough to believe you know all the force's ways?" Dooku snarled, gripping Obi-Wan's chin in one hand.

"I won't let you get into my head, Dooku," Obi-Wan declared dangerously quietly, intent on not letting the mind games work, attempting to tug his face from the Count's firm grip.

"Think about it Obi-Wan, for someone so engrossed in the light you certainly have had a fair amount of darkness littering your years," Dooku continued, tightening his grip on his captive's jaw under the struggles.

Dooku and Obi-Wan stood in a stale mate, gaze's locked, emotions perilously tainting the force around the pair. Obi-Wan was seething and was once again struggling to keep his racing heart beat under control. The Count chuckled once more before releasing his captive's chin and stepping a few paces back.

"I'm not listening to this anymore…" Obi-Wan snarled at his captor, defiance dancing in his eyes.

"You have little choice, my friend," Dooku taunted dangerously gesturing at the young Jedi's predicament.

"Your master's previous apprentice fell to the dark side, Qui-Gon almost followed right after him after witnessing Jedi Master Tahl's death. Your own apprentice has already had his fair share of brushes with the dark and you yourself have certainly dabbled with the dark forces, don't deny it I've seen it in your memories," Dooku warned as Obi-Wan went to abolish the claims.

"He never fell, to experience darkness and overcome it is not the same as falling." Obi-Wan jumped to the defence, not willing to let that remark pass.

"No it's not, but you have touched darkness and acted upon it more than once, my young friend. It swirls around you and your padawan, why can't you see the force is showing you your destiny?" Dooku implored, digging deep within Obi-Wan's own memories once more.

"That's absurd," Obi-Wan expressed with disgust over the prospect.

"Is it really? Think on what I've said Obi-Wan. You know deep in your being my words make sense," Dooku finished before retreating to the cell's exit.

"No, this little game your playing won't work, Dooku!" Obi-Wan yelled out, determined to get the last word in.

"Oh trust me, Obi-Wan, this is no game, the galaxy is at a crossroads." Dooku turned and delivered the line gravely, gaze filled with seriousness once again.

"I won't turn, I promise you," Obi-Wan pronounced, firm in his convictions.

"My young friend, you must see you're already half way there." Dooku smiled and tilted his head, amused at the Jedi's defiance.

Obi-Wan glanced away from the smirking form of the count, not trusting himself to answer the latest accusation. Suddenly the image of Anakin Skywalker was projected into his mind and he snapped his head upwards to the culprit, Dooku.

"I do hope you reconsider…" The ex-Jedi drawled, threat conveyed across loud and clear.

Obi-Wan glared daggers at the monster, how dare he threaten his padawan?

"I will leave you in the very capable hands of my associate. Think on what I've said, Obi-Wan, I implore you to see reason."

And with that their conversation was at an end, Dooku left the cell with a swirl of his cape leaving Obi-Wan reeling, emotions peaking and worst of all confusion setting in. Before he was able to dissect any of his feelings over the conversation Ventress sauntered into the cell, a wide manic grin covering her features making Obi-Wan's skin crawl. The ominous pit in his stomach worsened as the witch approached his position, he did not need access to the force to ascertain her intent. This would be a far from enjoyable experience…


A/N - I should be back to my usual schedule now so I will be aiming to write the next segment ASAP!

until next time...