Disclaimer: I own naught a piece of Star Wars… it is solely George Lucas's 

A/N: Thanks for all your reviews! Here's the next installment.

Chapter Five- Clone?

Qui-gon's stomach lurched as their transport finally came to a rest in the Temple's hanger bay. He deeply regretted giving Anakin the order to go as fast as the small craft permitted. Slowly, he released the death grip he had on his chair's arms, inhaling before releasing his breath.

"Master? Are you alright… you look a little green."

He swallowed, rising to his feet, using his arms for balance. "Anakin…" His voice trailed off. "If I ever ask you to do that again… please commit your poor old master."

Anakin smiled, revealing his teeth. "At least, traffic control never caught up."

In return, the Jedi master shuddered. He pictured in his mind how close their craft had come to losing its right wing as Anakin had buzzed by a tall building complex just to shake off the traffic control droid. He banished the thought from his head and left the cockpit as he no longer felt safe in it. He walked down the ramp and sharply inhaled the strong scent of oil. He waved over a knight who had been loading a transport.

"Is Master Windu back yet?"

The knight straightened, setting his load on the ground, and he then motioned to the door with his hand. "They arrived several hours ago… they were headed to the Healers' Ward-."

Qui-gon started off immediately not even listening to the rest of the knight's sentence. He did not even wait for Anakin, nor notice him fall into step behind him. All that mattered to the Jedi Master was reaching the Healer's wing before any decisions were made. His heart pound as he raced through the numerous hallways. He did not even realize how many fellow Jedis he had almost run over. Anakin, however, did, and he was quick to apologize to each of them. He admitted it was funny how flabbergasted they all appeared as they dusted the front of their robes or continued to stare in the direction his master had taken with eyes the size of saucers. It was a far cry from the stuffy, dignified exterior that the Jedi normally emitted. Anakin was just grateful that his Master had not run into or over any council member as of yet, but then again, he did not believe he would have to worry about that since the majority of the council member were off-world or already at their destination, the Healers' Ward.

When they reached the Healers' Ward, the familiar sterile smell greeted Anakin's nose, causing it to wrinkle. He hated the smell, having breathed it in one too many times in the past. The ward had not changed much over the years, except for the atmosphere. Now a day a sense of urgency hung in the air and the feeling of solitude was gone replace with grimness. Healers called back and forth, issued orders, and stated the conditions of the injured.

Ahead a small female humanoid healer barred his master's way. Her lips pressed in a thin line, and she rested her hands on her hips as she tried to make herself appear larger than she was, but there was no way that she could every match Master Jinn in stature.

"I was told the boy was brought here." Qui-gon stated, looking down at the petite Healer, Varina Kaal.

"What boy?" She shook her head when the Jedi Master began to speak. "Master Yoda warned me that you would be coming… and this time without an injury." The healer smiled lopsidedly. "I must admit I was skeptical at first-."

"I know he was brought here."

Kaal sighed. "Master Yoda has asked for your presence in the private waiting room outside of room 251. I will direct you there. Master Jinn, please try to remain more subtle as such a patient does not exist in our records, if you catch my drift."

Qui-gon nodded and began to follow her only to pause when he felt Anakin's hand on his shoulder.

"Padawan… when did you arrive?"

"I was right behind you all the way."

"Head back to our quarters; I will meet with you later."

Anakin frowned and shook his head, crossing his arms. "I'm going with you. I must admit I'm very curious and besides… what kind of a Padawan would I be, if I just left you alone to your own intentions?"

"Thank-you, Anakin." Qui-gon, then, turned to Healer Kaal, who waited just down the hall.

The healer led them through a labyrinth of hallways, until she directed them into a more secluded wing. Within a few minutes, Kaal paused in front of a door with the number 251 placed beside it. She examined Qui-gon closely, knowing well enough that the Jedi Master would most likely be in the way when it came to this patient. He was not going to be the only one as all the other Jedi Masters seemed just as obsessed with the patient, but she could not blame them. She had known Obi-wan Kenobi when he was a young recruit and had treated him a few times. Sighing inwardly, she knew that things were going to be rough for Jinn after all he still had to feel some guilt.

"Nothing is known yet for sure… though a blood test should return anytime now."

"Who's in charge?"

"Healer Charr. She is best suited for such a case."

Qui-gon tilted his head.

"Healer Charr will explain more as soon as she has finished her examination of the boy. I am only a go between."

"Thank-you," Qui-gon said, moving past here to open the door.

The room on the other side was darkened and cool. Mace Windu sat serenely in a chair in the far corner, stroking his chin. Across from him sat Mast Yoda, who looked tranquil with his eyes closed. Qui-gon realized immediately that the aged Jedi Master was in meditation.

"Qui-gon," Windu said, turning toward him. "Please, have a seat." He paused, seeing Anakin. He frowned, but waved the Padawan to another chair.

"What is the word, Mace?" Qui-gon asked upon sitting. He leaned forward, his eyes searching the Jedi Master's face.

Windu closed his eyes before looking toward Master Yoda, who still seemed to be oblivious to the newcomers. "The healers have yet to issue an official report." He leaned back in his seat.

"Master Rancisis said that he believed he triggered something." Qui-gon pressed.

Mace's frown deepened further. "These are my assumptions not the healers," he paused. "I believe that Master Rancisis triggered a sort of mechanism that was meant to kill the boy, as soon as we hit hyperspace he began to convulse. The Sith did not want him to come into our possession that is for sure. Luckily, we were able to stabilize him briefly until we reached Coruscant."

Anakin tapped his feet on the floor as he listened to them talk, earning a glare from Windu. Anakin chose to ignore it and crossed his arms while still tapping his feet. "So, is he a clone?"

"If you had been listening earlier-."

"Silent you will be. Come the healers do with their report."

True to Yoda's word the door to the examination room opened, revealing a Morganian healer. She bowed low to both Master Yoda and Master Windu and removed her hands from her robes. The healer remained silent until Mace Windu nodded his head.

"I have never seen anything like this before," she began. "I would liken this patient's mind to a minefield with Rancisis triggering one mine, which in turn set off more, erasing the patient's mind. I was able cease the process, but the damage has been done. I doubt he will be able to tell you any information." She swallowed and returned her arms to the confines of her robes. "In regards to his physical health, the patient has suffered cracked ribs that appear to have gone untreated for some time. His eyes seem to have atrophied, but I feel that they can be healed. He is also suffering from malnutrition."

"More traps are there in the boy's mind?" Yoda asked.

"Yes," Charr bowed her head. "It will take months if not years for us to go through and deactivate them all. No doubt there are commands within the labyrinth of his mind that might make themselves known."

"And the blood test?" Qui-gon asked, joining in.

"Healer Mereel will return as soon as possible with the results."

"Surely, you know more." Qui-gon prodded.

"I know he is human." Charr glanced up at the door as the handle turned and light shot across the tile floor. She exhaled when Mereel crossed the threshold carrying a datapad in his hands. Her fellow healer crossed the room and handed her the datapad before leaving and allowing her to read the data.

Qui-gon shifted in his seat, seeing the healer's face pale. "What is wrong?"

Charr shook her head, scanning the datapad further. "This should not be possible."

"Felt it I did." Yoda bowed his head, his ears seeming to perk. "Kenobi he is."

"The DNA does not appear to belong to that of a clone, though it has one point that has been altered from the original. Kenobi would be in his thirties now… not in his teens, but the altered point might explain the lack of aging. But to my knowledge, no such technology should exist… only the accelerated aging."

"Are you sure that it is not a clone?" Windu asked, ignoring Qui-gon's pointed glare. "It is often hard to verify the difference between the original and the clone."

"A clone's DNA is almost always more tampered with than just a single portion of the DNA… there would be no point in having a clone this unaltered, and why regularly reprogram the mind, when you could have had your commands placed within his genetic structure." Charr paused. "We may never know for sure, but as far as this test shows… he is Obi-wan Kenobi."

Windu raised from his seat, glancing toward the room were the youth lay. "This brings forth a great many questions."

"First care for Obi-wan we will." Yoda said, drawing everyone's attention. "Then perhaps the answers we will receive."

Qui-gon rose. "I would like to see him."

"I'm afraid I cannot allow that at this moment in time, we still have a lot of work to do in regards to the triggers in his mind. There is no knowing what can activate them… and if we will be able to stop them again for that matter." Charr shuddered. "While I was in his mind, I felt a dark presence… it was working against me. Is it possible that that presence was of a Sith?"

Mace nodded, his brow deeply furrowed. "Keep your patient's identity a secret; we do not want this getting out."

"What will become of Obi-wan?" Qui-gon asked

"Hmm," Yoda murmured as he carefully crawled done from his seat. His hands firmly grasped his walking stick before he spoke again. "Always in motion the future is. His future especially hard to see is. Nothing to do but wait there is." Yoda tapped his cane on the floor, his pointed ears rising. "Healer Charr, your work continue. Inform us you will of any changes."

"Of course, Master." She then bowed and returned to the other room.

Yoda hobbled toward the other door with Windu following. He paused briefly in the doorway. "Rest you will, Master Jinn. When the boy is ready meet again you will."

Anakin felt his master's frustration pass through the bond, and he looked at the closed door that separated them from his master's former Padawan. Uncertainty filled Anakin. Would his master have time for him with this new development? He already knew the guilt his master suffered from just as he knew his master would not abandon Padawan Kenobi a second time. Part of him was proud of his master, while the other part was afraid.

"Let's go, Padawan." Qui-gon whispered, slowly retreating from the waiting room.

This time Anakin had no trouble keeping up with his master, who now walked like an old man. Ahead, they could still make out Masters Yoda and Windu, and Anakin noticed that Yoda was once again in his hover chair. Anakin shook his head, trying to settle his thoughts.

"Padawan," Qui-gon said. "This does not change anything. I will complete your training after all you are the chosen one… and like a son to me." The older man smiled. "I am very proud of you, Anakin. It will not be long before you are made a Jedi Knight."

"Thank-you, Master."

"You can have the day off… I need to mediate over recent events."

Anakin smiled. He knew what he would be doing with his time off. He parted with his master outside of the Healers' Ward and raced to the hanger bay where he borrowed a speeder. He then jetted to 500 Republica. When he entered Padmè's apartment, he was greeted by C-3PO.

"Master Ani! How delightful to see you again!" Threepio chimed. "Unfortunately, Mistress Padmè is at a Senate meeting, but that is due to be finished anytime now. Can I get you refreshments?"

"Please… something cold." Anakin said.

Threepio left, leaving Anakin alone. He stretched his joints and moved to the living room, seeking refuge on the sofa. Yawning, he stared up at the ceiling until Threepio brought his drink. He took the cup in his hand and then brought it to his lips, savoring the cool taste. Threepio did not stay long, so Anakin had plenty of time to think and brood. It had been too long since he had been here, and he missed it even though the room at this moment was not complete, and it would not be until his angel arrived.

His drink was half empty, when she final arrived. Her face brightened upon seeing him perched on her sofa. She instantly embraced him.

"Ani, I didn't know you would be back! When did you arrive?"

"Just a while ago… something came up." Anakin smiled widely. "I might be here for sometime… just depending."

"Depending?" Padmè frowned. "You're not in trouble again are you, Ani?"

"Of course not!" Anakin said, bristling. "This isn't supposed to leave the Jedi, but…"

"What's wrong?"

"My master's old Padawan has been found… not the crazy one, but the one who left the Order to join that war effort on that one planet… Mel-something."

"How is Master Jinn taking this?"

"He wants to be alone… well almost. He wants to be able to see him, but Masters Yoda and Windu are blocking him." Anakin brushed a strand of hair away from her face. "He might be a clone… there's no way of telling for sure."

"Don't worry, Ani." Padmè squeezed his hand, trying to reassure him. "I'm sure it will not affect your relationship with Master Jinn."

"I know… I'm just concerned what this will do to my Master." Anakin pulled his hand away from her. "He carries so much grief and guilt… and this situation is not good to begin with. His former Padawan has been serving a Sith Lord. I fear that this situation is only going to open old wounds and create new ones."

"Or maybe it will heal them." She leaned into his shoulder, laying her head against it as well. "He will finally be getting closure."

I can only hope, Anakin thought. "What about you?" He asked instead of voicing his doubts.

"The Senate has voted more emergency power to the Chancellor." Her tone seemed flat. "I fear for this republic."

"But he is only using those powers for the good of the Republic. You'll see." Anakin flexed his hand, and smiled at her. "You'll see, he will end this war before long and then order will be restored."

Padmè remained silent. She knew her husband was close to the Chancellor and did not want to argue with him. After all, they only had some much time together with the war going on.

"Let's forget about it for now," she said. "And let's enjoy a nice meal."

"You aren't cooking it are you?"

She snorted. "No."

"Then let's go." He deftly avoided her slap before throwing her another smile.

SWSWSW

-Two Days Later-

Dukke woke with a start, only to feel pain with each movement. His head felt as if it had a vice clamped to it. Inhaling and exhaling, he calmed his breath and opened his eyes. The brightness scorched them, and he quickly closed them. His breath grew ragged, his body shaking. Where was he? What had been done to him? He could not see properly, it burned.

"Ssh," a voice said. "You need to calm down. Inhale and exhale slowly."

What had happened? His mind raced as he tried to recall. All he knew for sure was the name Dukke, the darkness, and the feeling of waking and knowing that he was still alive.

"There much better." The voice was light and melodic. It definitely belonged to a woman. "Now why don't you open your eyes?"

He opened his mouth and started to say a response, but nothing came. What was he suppose to say? He had no eyesight, except through the Force… but he could not feel the Force. He was left in the darkness. His fingers rubbed the soft cloth between his fingers.

"We have healed your eyesight." The woman stated. "We have also kept the lights shut off to prevent the retinas from being damaged."

Wetting his lips, Dukke shook his head. "It's too bright."

The woman seemed to sigh. "There is not a single light source in the room."

"Where am I?"

There was pause, in which he could clearly hear her clothes rustling. "Coruscant."

The word spent shivers done his spine. He had failed or so a whispering thought told him. Where the thought came or why, he was unsure, though it seemed to come more from someone else's mind, but who's he could not fathom.

"Will you open your eyes now? I need to check them."

The boy clamped his eyes tighter, shaking his head. Healer Charr straightened. Her patient was proving to be very difficult, but she could also sense his confusion. He would be a long-term patient with how damaged his mind was, though she had her doubts about whether they would be able to uncover all the triggers and hidden commands.

"Well, I will just have to wait until you're ready then." She reached for a needle, carefully using it to pierce the tube that led from the IV to the boy's arm. "It's big adjustment."

She injected the liquid, and watched as the boy relaxed in the bed. Charr hid her arms in her robes and left the room as quietly as she had come. In the waiting area, she met Master Yoda. The wizened Master peered into the room she had just left, his ears dropping as he turned to her.

"How long till able to move Obi-wan is?" He asked.

Charr closed the door behind her. "Physically… by the end of the week. As far as his mental health, he will have to meet with me or another mind healer at least once a week. Such a schedule would have to last for more than a year." Charr rested her back against the wall. "He should gradually be reintroduced to the world… especially since he is very confused, and there is now telling what he will remember and what he won't."

"Agreed both we are." Yoda closed his eyes. "Deserves peace Obi-wan does after the darkness that has surrounded him." He paused, lightly tapping his cane to the ground. "Want to see him Qui-gon will."

"I see no reason to block such a meeting, but just like everything else it needs to be done in gradual steps. We don't want to overwhelm him."

Yoda nodded. "Meet with Obi-wan at the end of the week I will. Form my opinion then I will. Until then continue your good work you will."

Charr bowed to the Master, who was already leaving the room. She leveled herself, and also left as she had other patients to attend to.

SWSWSW

A/N: Next chapter is "Chapter Six: What Lies in the Mind". Until next update… whenever that is since I have a lot of projects, please review . Cheers!