Disclaimer: I own nothing, except Cad'ara, Gannen, Zarn, Salma… and I guess a few other things, but nothing that looks familiar.
Chapter 3Face to face, each classic case.
We shadow box and double cross,
Yet need the chase.
A license to love, insurance to hold.
Melts all your memories and change into gold.
His eyes are like angels' but his heart is cold.
No need to ask.
He's a smooth operator,
smooth operator,
smooth operator,
smooth operator.
-Sade
Obi-Wan
"Stop!" The young Jedi shouted at the retreating man.
The stranger quickened his pace and ducked through an open door. Obi-Wan followed swiftly and found that he had the other man cornered in a small sitting room.
"You," Obi-Wan practically hissed.
"No," the man said, letting out a nervous laugh. "You're mistaken, not me. I don't even know what you're talking about, who are you?"
"Gerrith, right?" Obi-Wan asked, ignoring the blatant lies. "You were one of the mercenaries on Tarria. Xan-" Obi-Wan choked on the name. "You were hired to help create the d'yirk."
Gerrith's shoulders slumped. "Yes, it's me. I guess I just wasn't capable of hiding from such a talented force sensitive as yourself."
Obi-Wan waved his hand dismissively at Gerrith's sycophantism. "There's no point in sucking up to me."
The second-rate bounty hunter visibly flinched when Obi-Wan waved his hand. "I just know how violent ex-Jedi can be."
Obi-Wan immediately remembered the role he was playing.
I had forgotten myself, he though miserably. Even in death Xanatos's memory can make me do that.
"What are you doing here?" Obi-Wan asked, pulling himself out of reverie.
"Well you know, a man's got to eat."
"You work here?" Obi-Wan asked incredulously. "Why do people keep hiring you? If I recall your skills correctly, I wouldn't be too pleased with your service."
Gerrith fidgeted uncomfortably. "It's loyalty and all that… contracts… one good job… I've got to go." Gerrith ducked around Obi-Wan nervously and ran out of the room.
What was that about?
There was one thing Obi-Wan knew for sure; that surge in the force he felt was not from Gerrith.
So who was it?
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Bant
"Maybe we teased him too much," Bant glanced uneasily at the door. Obi-Wan had been gone for too long.
"He's fine," Siri replied distractedly. She was looking over some datapads that listed the prisoners presently aboard the Abductor. "Look, the King of Naboo's daughter is here."
Bant sighed. "Why hasn't he come back yet?"
"Maybe he found a clue to Cad'ara's mysterious benefactor."
"Or maybe something happened to him."
Siri glanced up from her work. "No one onboard has any reason to hurt Obi-Wan, and if they had somehow discovered our secret they would have come after us as well."
The Mon Calamarian shuffled her feet impatiently. "Unless they're biding their time."
With a sigh Siri pushed a fair lock of hair behind her ear. "Why would they do that?"
"I don't know," Bant admitted. She paced a few steps across the small room before continuing. "I'm going to go find him."
Siri nodded. "Go if you're worried, but I'm sure he's fine. Keep an eye out for Gannen and Varn; I'd like to know when they rest so we can contact our masters."
Bant quietly agreed and left the room.
She hated the ship; it was dry, lonely, and dark. Not the best of combinations for anyone, especially for someone use to warm, humid air.
It was always so empty, and it made her nervous.
She didn't dare call for Obi-Wan loudly, afraid of the attention she might attract. Instead she walked down randomly selected hallways, keeping a wary eye out for strangers.
But she wasn't careful enough.
It was over before she knew what had happened. Her helmet was suddenly ripped off her head from behind, and her upper arms were gripped roughly. She could feel her salmon skin bruising.
"So it is you," a deep voice behind her spoke. "I thought I recognized that fish odor."
A chill ran down her spine.
"No…"
A harsh laugh interrupted her plea.
"Oh yes."
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Siri
Senators, princesses, diplomats, celebrities… this place is filled with the types of people that shouldn't be kidnapped. These people should be impossible to get near, so how are they doing it?
The opening doors interrupted her thoughts.
"Did you feel the darkness?" Obi-Wan demanded.
Siri glanced up sharply. "What are you talking about?"
"I felt a dark surge in the force about fifteen minutes ago, did you feel it?"
The girl shook her head, distressed. "No I didn't. I haven't felt anything obviously evil."
Obi-Wan sighed. "I don't know what it was."
She glanced behind him before speaking. "Is Bant not with you?"
"No, is she missing?" Fear gripped Obi-Wan.
I hope she hasn't been hurt. Who knows what the force was trying to tell me. It could have been about her.
"She said that she was going to find you," Siri told him, then raised an eyebrow. "I suppose this means that now you'll be rushing after her."
Obi-Wan smiled at Siri. "Protect the base while I'm gone."
"Yeah right," Siri mumbled as he left.
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Bant
Her attacker released his grip and she fell roughly to the floor.
"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised; it never takes the Jedi long to stick their noses where they don't belong."
Bant shuffled away from him and stumbled to her feet.
"Xanatos," she was breathless and shaking. "You can't be here. You're dead."
He smiled maliciously at her, his teeth gleaming in the darkness. "I suppose I am, but I've died before."
She shivered, but held her ground. "What are you doing here? What do you want?"
Raising an eyebrow, he studied her fearful stance. "I'm a businessman, I go where business is."
She crossed her trembling arms. "And this has nothing to do with… anything else?"
I can't let him know that Obi-Wan's here to, she admonished herself. Who knows what would happen.
Xanatos smiled at her again. "Everything I do has a bigger plan."
"Well leave the Jedi out of it," Bant snapped.
"Is that a threat?"
She purposefully lifted her chin and met Xanatos eye to eye, though he was much taller than her. She was careful to keep her voice steady.
"Sounds like it."
She had expected him to be angry, or at least irritated, but instead he continued to smile mockingly.
"I suppose that threat refers to one Jedi in particular."
Her blood ran cold. "Leave him alone or I swear…"
"What will you do?" Xanatos demanded. "What could you possibly do that would effect me in any way?"
Like I know, Bant thought brokenly.
"You don't want to know," she threatened.
He laughed openly this time. "So many words, and no results. Just like a Jedi."
Xanatos strolled past her with long strides, clearly finished with their conversation.
"Remember what I said," Bant called after him with more bravado then she felt.
Xanatos waved his hand in the air dismissively without turning to look at her. "Don't worry, I have it stored away," he responded facetiously.
Bant leaned against the wall to steady her trembling legs.
What do I tell Obi-Wan?
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Obi-Wan
"Bant?" He called softly, glancing up and down the hallway. "Bant?"
And then it was there again, the rush of darkside. His legs nearly gave out beneath him, but he stayed upright.
What is that?
"Bant?" He called again, a little more frantic this time.
"Obi-Wan!" Bant appeared behind him. She threw her arms around him as soon as she was close enough.
"Are you alright?" Obi-Wan asked, surprised by the embrace.
She released him and nodded. "I was just worried."
"Me too, Siri didn't know where you went and I was afraid something had happened. I felt a surge in the darkside, did you feel it?"
Bant's eyes clouded for a moment, as if she was troubled. She quickly shook her head.
"No," she said swiftly. "I didn't. Let's go back to the room before Siri goes missing too," she laughed, but it sounded forced.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Obi-Wan asked again, worry evident in his voice.
"Yes," she smiled up at him. "Let's go."
Obi-Wan followed her down the hallway. She seemed different somehow, more nervous maybe. But he couldn't figure out why…
His pondering was interrupted when he walked into her back. She had stopped abruptly in front of him, but she didn't seem to notice their collision.
"Obi-Wan?" She asked tentatively.
"Yes?"
"What is the worst thing in the whole galaxy that could happen to you?" She kept her back to him when she asked.
"What kind of a question is that?" Obi-Wan asked, smiling.
"I really want an answer," she said softly.
What's going on?
"I don't know," Obi-Wan said carefully. "I haven't really thought about it. Why do you ask?"
She shrugged, then turned and smiled weakly at him. "Just curious."
Obi-Wan studied her face carefully. "Is there something you should tell me?"
Bant quickly shook her head. "No."
And he knew that she was lying.
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"I see that you've decided to return to me," Siri snapped when they entered. She sounded irritated, but Obi-Wan knew that she was faking it.
He grinned at her, though he still felt uneasy about Bant's behavior. "Find anything fascinating amongst the prisoners' documents?"
"Yes, no thanks to you," Siri returned the banter.
"You actually found something?"
"No," Siri sighed. "It was interesting to see so many familiar names on one ship, but other than that everything looks as expected. However, you guys did miss something."
Bant and Obi-Wan looked at her expectantly.
"Varn and you're boyfriend want to see us as soon as possible," Siri said sweetly.
Obi-Wan sighed. "One of these days…"
She laughed. "I'm sorry, I suppose it's not your fault that you're irresistible."
Bant giggled behind him.
"First of all, stop ganging up on me," Obi-Wan ordered. "Second of all, as soon as possible is now, so let's go and see what they want."
"You mean besides you?" Siri batted her eyelashes.
This is going to be a long trip.
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Bant
I can't believe I lied to him. I've never lied to him before.
But it's for the best, maybe Xanatos won't bother him. Maybe he never really loved him, and he'll stay away from him now.
She watched Siri and Obi-Wan as they teased each other on their short journey to meet with Gannen and Varn.
But which would be more painful for Obi-Wan – thinking Xanatos is dead and gone or having him return?
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Obi-Wan
"You summoned us, sirs?" Obi-Wan asked respectfully when they entered the barren office that didn't suit their employers' vibrant personalities.
"Yes, we did," Gannen said with his ever-present smile. "Our elusive third member to the trio should be here any minute, and it might be your only chance to meet him."
Varn nodded in agreement. "For someone who seems so omnipotent, he is never around. You should most certainly say hello."
Obi-Wan saw Bant stiffen out of the corner of his eye.
What's that about?
He glanced at his partners before nodding. He already knew that it was vital for them to stay and meet the third owner, especially if he could help them learn more about the mysterious force backing the company. But the "ex-Jedi" had to give the semblance of indifference.
"Excellent," Gannen said before focusing on Obi-Wan. "And perhaps afterward…"
Varn saved Obi-Wan by elbowing Gannen gently. "He's here."
Sure enough the doors slid open as if on cue.
And Obi-Wan's stability came crashing down.
He felt, and suddenly recognized, the rush of force he had been experiencing. He didn't have to look, but he did anyway. He wasn't sure if he was hoping his eyes would prove him wrong or right, but at least they'd prove something.
Xanatos was exactly as he had remembered. His cobalt blue eyes were sharp and intelligent, his features handsome and distinguished, and a knowing smile was painted on his face. He loved to make a cinematic entrance.
Obi-Wan's heart wrenched in two and he almost stopped breathing. Xanatos looked as good – if not better – then he had before Tarria. It was as if nothing had happened.
As if losing Obi-Wan didn't matter at all.
If he has no pain to show then he won't see mine either, Obi-Wan promised himself.
Obi-Wan bit the inside of his cheek and diverted his eyes from Xanatos and back to Varn and Gannen.
"Illustrious friend Xanatos!" Varn called exuberantly.
Siri sucked in her breath sharply. Obi-Wan knew that she didn't recognize Xanatos on sight, but she most certainly knew his name. After his attack on the Temple every Jedi knew his name.
"We're pleased that you found time to deign us with the honor of you presence," Varn continued. "We have some employees here that are brethren of yours, abandoners of the same order and religion…"
"We've met," Xanatos interrupted, his own smile never faltering as he joined the group's midst. "Actually, young Bant Eerin and I shared a conversation earlier."
Despite himself Obi-Wan glanced sharply at Bant. He couldn't see her face behind the helmet, but he could feel her guilt.
And she should be guilty, he thought bitterly. How could she keep this from me?
She was trying to protect me, the calm, rational part of his mind said. I forgive her.
Obi-Wan really did forgive her; it was Xanatos who would get no clemency. The only reason that he had even brought up speaking with Bant was to toy with Obi-Wan's head, like he always did.
Maybe he never really loved me at all.
His heart protested, but he couldn't really deny the possibility.
"I've only heard of Siri Tachi," Xanatos continued, indicating Siri with a hand. "But Obi-Wan and I go way back. My former master trained him as well."
As he spoke he laid a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, but it did not feel loving or comforting, just invading. A tingling sensation ran down his shoulder and left arm and for a moment he thought they might go numb. He resisted the urge to pull away from the touch that was already too familiar. And that he already longed for too much.
"How interesting," Gannen commented as he eyed Xanatos's hand with a hint of jealousy.
"We need to go," Bant spoke suddenly. "We apologize, but we have work to do. Security checks and all that."
Gannen and Varn seemed surprised by her outburst, but Xanatos did not.
"By all means," he said calmly.
The three Jedi turned and walked toward the door.
"Obi-Wan."
The young man froze, his legs completely unwilling to obey his command to move. That was the first time that Xanatos had addressed him. He turned to look at his Ex-lover.
"Why don't you stay and let them run the checks?" Xanatos asked, raising an eyebrow. "Surely it won't take all three of you."
His expression was unreadable, and Obi-Wan didn't want to suffer his apathy all night. He already knew that he wouldn't be able to sleep as it was.
"No thank you," he shook his head and followed Siri and Bant without another word.
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"How could you?" he demanded, glaring at Bant the moment they were in their private room.
Bant gripped the helmet that she had taken off. "I was hoping that he'd leave you be."
"That Xanatos would leave me be? Did you really think that was going to happen?"
Bant stared at the ground, pain etched on her face.
"Down Obi-Wan," Siri said, laying a hand on Bant's shoulder. "I know that you've had problems with Xanatos in the past, but she didn't mean to hurt you."
Obi-Wan almost snapped at Siri too, but he stopped himself.
She wouldn't understand, she doesn't know about Tarria. Only Bant, Qui-Gon, and I do. But she's right, Bant wasn't trying to hurt me.
He stepped forward and pulled Bant into a hug. "I'm sorry."
"No," she said shakily. "I'm sorry. I should have told you."
"You wanted to protect me."
"But I know what happened."
Obi-Wan shushed her hurriedly, ignoring Siri's questioning glance.
I was right before, this is going to be the longest mission ever.
And painful, because I've never felt so used.
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A/N: Yay, quick update this time! Or at least, quick compared to the last. The next one should be up shortly as well, though I can't promise anything for the ones after that. So a few weeks ago I found out that "Xanatos" means "Death" in Greek. I was pretty excited. Anyway, please review and I hope you enjoyed the angsty Obi-Wan chappie!