Disclaimer: Don't own Star Wars… though it would be nice…

Disclaimer: Don't own Star Wars… though it would be nice…

A/N: Didn't quite get it up as fast as I had anticipated, but still it is here now. Thanks for all your reviews! Without further ado:

Chapter Six: What Lies in the Mind

Dukke felt refreshed to be out of the bed they had confined him to for over a week, though his feet were unsteady and threatened to give way. The healer known as Charr had offered a hover chair, but he had declined for he greatly enjoyed the feeling of being able to walk again. He stumbled over something, which had become a common occurrence since he had been deprived of the Force. Charr's grip on his arm tightened, and she quickly steadied him.

"If you would only open your eyes, Obi-wan, you wouldn't be tripping all over the place."

He remained silent, thankful that they had given him his robes back so that the majority of his face was covered, as he imagined his face scrunching up at the mention of that name. It held no meaning to him just as the other things they brought up meant nothing. He had asked them why they called him by the name, to which they had informed him that it was his name. It was all confusing as he already knew his name was Dukke; it was always what he had been called, though he could not remember by whom.

Healer Charr sighed. "Luckily, we are almost there."

"Healer Charr!" A masculine voice called.

Dukke frowned when he heard the healer curse under her breath.

"I don't have time for thi-." She broke off as footsteps seemed to rush toward them. "Master Jinn, what a pleasant surprise. I thought you had agreed with Master Yoda's thoughts on this matter."

"Yes, and I still do," the man paused, sounding breathless. "I just wished to speak with you, after you have dropped Obi-wan off for his talk with Master Yoda."

"I have already told you that I cannot divulge the contents of my reports until after I present them to the Council. You will have to wait patiently for them to discuss my findings, rather than badgering me every time you see me."

"How are you, Obi-wan?" The man asked.

Dukke straightened upon suddenly feeling a hand on his shoulder. He, then, realized that the question was meant for him. "I-I'm fine."

The hand on his shoulder increased its pressure. "I never thanked you properly for saving my life on Naboo."

"Naboo?" Dukke asked. Was it a planet? If so, he could not remember ever stepping foot on it.

"That will be all, Master Jinn." Charr said brusquely. "No doubt Master Windu will speak with you before Yoda has completed his meeting with Obi-wan, in regards to the boy's living quarters. We have all discovered that leaving out will only make you more of a pest." She paused. "I understand your feelings, Qui-gon, I truly do, but slow is our best course of action."

"Is he still refusing to use his eyesight?"

Dukke frowned at the question and wished he could return to the quiet room.

"Yes," Charr answered. "Now if you'll excuse us, Obi-wan and I have an appointment with Master Yoda."

Dukke's arm moved forward, and his legs quickly followed. The healer was in a hurry now, probably to get away from Jinn. He chose not to say anything, though his mind screamed its concern about stumbling. The hold on his arm went lax, and Dukke tried to grab a hold of the healer's hand not wanting to lose his guide. His hand met nothing but air. He stood still, relieved when he heard a slight knock on what he assumed to be a door.

"Master Yoda, we're here."

The door whooshed open, and the healer's hand returned only this time on his shoulder as she pulled him into what he guessed were Master Yoda's quarters.

"Thank you, Healer Charr."

The hand disappeared, and the door closed, the presence behind him suddenly gone.

"Good to see you again it is."

"Do I know you?" Dukke asked.

"Open your eyes and recall you may."

Dukke frowned. "I would rather not."

"Hmm." Something connected with the floor, and Dukke stiffened, taking a step back to where he knew the door lay. "Too young you are through life in the dark to be going. Assure you that always dim my rooms kept are."

Duke shifted on his feet, his fingers passing through the air behind him looking for the door. "I would rather not."

"How find a seat will you?"

Dukke was beginning to believe he did not want to find a seat. The other being in the room sounded weird. However, a burning curiosity stirred within him, and he opened his left eyes before opening the right. They were met by the brown textile fabric of his hood. He narrowed his eyes, fixated with the intricate weave. He wondered how long it had been since he had seen fabric… or anything at all. He just knew a long time ago he had been able too… Charr and some part of his mind told him that. His trembling hands reached for the hood and pulled it down. The room was dimmed as promised, though still too bright for his tastes. It was very sparse with only four chairs and a low table, which held a plant he could not discern. It was homey and seemed welcoming, though he wondered what had been burned as it made his nose tingle.

"Ehm. Better now you are?"

"What are you?" Dukke asked.

"A friend. Now sit, you will."

Dukke remained standing. The proffered chair was bellow his kneecap in height and had no back. It did not speak of comfort. The creature leaned forward; its ears lifting, appearing amused by his indecision. Dukke's heart quickened under the scrutiny, and he reluctantly sat down, crossing his legs.

"How feel you?"

Why was everyone asking him that question? He licked his lips. "I don't know."

"Hmm," the Jedi Master murmured. "Sense much fear and confusion in you, I do."

"I don't understand how I got here."

"Retrieved you Master Windu did." Yoda's eyes seemed to lighten. "Gone for far too long, you have been."

"I used to live here? I was a Jedi?"

Yoda nodded.

Dukke clasped his hands together and suddenly found his feet fascinating. "Then why… why can't I remember."

"In time perhaps remember you will." Yoda left his seat and wobbled to a chest that was set against the wall. "No rush there is." He opened the third draw before rummaging through its contents, discarding several. Sighing, Yoda removed a parcel from it, and then he returned to his seat. "A pupil of mine once you were. Stubborn and quick to action, you were. Foolhardy. But also kind and clever you were." The Jedi master pushed aside the fabric and picked up a blue crystal in between two of his fingers. "The heart of a Jedi the crystal is… proud I am to know that still so clever my pupil is, and protected his heart he did." His piercing eyes landed on Dukke, and he held the crystal to him. "Belong to you it does."

Dukke's heart quickened, and he quickly snatched the crystal from Yoda's clawed fingers. The crystal was cool, but buzzed with life. He squeezed it in his hand, wishing he could access the Force; for what purpose he could not fathom as it was so deeply engraved within him that it had become second nature.

"Wise to hide memories in your crystals it was. Unfortunate, no memories of Obi-wan find in them, we will. At the time of his capture no lightsaber, he had."

"Capture?" Dukke asked. He, then, carefully placed the crystal within his robes.

Yoda nodded his head. "Know not by who or what happened since, do I. But here again, you are. Time to heal given, will be."

"Why can't I feel the Force?"

"Afraid were we that given access to the Force your captor try to contact you might. Unable to shield your mind, you are." The boy remained silent, but Yoda could sense the sudden fear that rippled off of him in waves. "Reach you here, he will not."

He remained still, clutching the crystal through the fabric. It's a lie, an unbidden but familiar voice whispered in the recesses of his mind. My reach is unending. He shuddered.

"Your old master, Master Jinn, to see you, will want. Feel that best for you to stay with him, it will be. A feeling have I that Master Jinn able to help you will be. Later when more adjusted you are meet your old friends, you will. Missed you greatly, they have."

"Friends?"

Yoda's ears dropped. "Many friends have you. Knight Muln with Master Windu was. Quite shocked to find you alive was he, but glad." Yoda watched the boy's eyes close and knew that he had been overwhelmed. Yoda sighed. "Master Jinn waiting is, though too soon it is. Master Mace unable to hold him was. Rest you need not more apprehension. But good it will do you, normalcy to have." Yoda slipped off his seat again and palmed open the door. "Enter, Master Jinn."

As soon as the door opened, Dukke pulled up his hood, shielding himself from the light.

"Dimmed you quarters will have to be." Yoda stated. "If want to see his face, you will," then more quietly. "Gradually increase the light so adjusted he will be."

Qui-gon nodded, though he paid little mind to Yoda. "Shall we go, Obi-wan?"

The cloaked figure nodded and rose from his seat. Dukke walked toward the pair of Jedi Masters, using the floor as his guide and avoided all obstacles. He smiled beneath his hood, noting the pale colors of marble once he crossed into the actual hallway. It was better than seeing only blue, red, and gray. The humanoid Jedi placed his arm around his shoulders.

"May the Force be with you, Master." Jinn said to Yoda.

"Master Qui-gon… remember not too fast to travel."

"Of course, Master."

Yoda nodded and returned to his room the door closing behind him. Qui-gon remained in place unable to take his eyes of the being beside him. A sense of disbelief refused to leave him, but one squeeze confirmed that Obi-wan was really there, standing right beside him. With a warm smile on his face, he led the way back to the quarters he shared with Anakin. He did not fail to notice that his former Padawan was stiff.

"I bet it feels good to be out of the healer's clutches." Qui-gon commented. "You never liked to visit them."

"I still have to go back."

"But at least you won't have to sleep there anymore." Qui-gon smiled furthered. "You will have the pleasure of sleeping in my room until you are well."

Obi-wan did not answer; he was far too interested in the floor and the light that reflected off of it. The floor dulled the light, so that it did not hurt his eyes, but he found them watering anyways. His hand wiped the offending droplets and quickly returned to it to its hidden position in his sleeves. Water... it was falling somewhere in the near distance. For whatever reason, he had always had a love of water. It was cool, fluid, and not even rocks could cease its progress for long.

"That is coming from the Room of a Thousand Fountains. We will go there on another day for now we have to get back to my quarters… I left Anakin to watch our supper, and he can be rather impatient. If were lucky, he won't have touched anything."

"Anakin?" Dukke asked.

"He is my current Padawan. You two should get along nicely."

Dukke nodded before lowering his head. If what they said was true, he wondered, what he would have felt to have been replaced. As he was now, there was nothing.

Qui-gon continued to point out other various features of the temple, even though his silent companion never once looked up or said anything. He was relieved when they finally reached his quarters as his heart could take the silence or thought that the witty boy he had known was gone. Qui-gon banished such thoughts, refusing to banish all hope and palmed open the door. Inside, he quickly dimmed the lights.

"Master?" Anakin called from the kitchen.

"I'm back." Qui-gon paused. He pulled Obi-wan in front of him. "I would like you to meet Obi-wan Kenobi."

Anakin forced a huge smile, though he lingered on the hands his master had place on his former Padawan's shoulders. "It's nice to meet you." He came around the counters and produced his hand toward the youth, who had just removed his hood revealing his bluish-green eyes, which were a far cry from the white they had been. He looked young and sickly with his pastel completion.

Obi-wan frowned, looking up at Master Jinn. "What am I suppose to do?"

"You shake it." Anakin grabbed the boy's hand and demonstrated.

"Anakin, why don't you show Obi-wan around, while I finish up in the kitchen."

His padawan nodded before showing the boy around the living room, Master Jinn's room, pointing out the fresh clothes that had been laid out for him, and the freshner before finally reaching Anakin's own room. Anakin felt awkward, growing even more uncomfortable by the boy's silence and his eerie stare that followed his ever move. Upon entering his room, Anakin's silent companion's nose scrunched. Anakin did not understand why as the room smelled of motor oil, one of his favorite scents only taking second place to the perfume that Padmè used. Now that Anakin thought about it, he probably should have cleaned his room as he had parts, lying all over the floor in areas where people were bound to step on them.

"I build robots and fix things in my free time." Anakin shifted under the unmoving stare, suddenly feeling a urge to clean.

There were no replies, so Anakin quickly began to brush aside some of the parts that he had carelessly discarded near the doorway.

"I hate droids." Obi-wan stated.

"What?" Anakin dropped a screw to the floor.

"I hate droids." He rubbed his ribs unconsciously. "They are cold and impersonal."

"I guarantee you won't be saying that after you meet R2D2 and Threepio," Anakin said, going back to his task. "You've only ever been around battle droids, I bet."

Obi-wan nodded, remembering the droids.

Anakin sat on his bed, his head perking. "What do you remember? Do you remember the Sith Lord?" He noted quickly how the boy grew pallid. "You do, don't you?"

"I don't remember. There is only a voice and darkness."

Anakin gritted his teeth together. "There is a war going on… did you know that? People… good people are dieing, because of this Sith Lord. Somewhere within your mind lies his identity. Tell me!"

"Anakin, that is enough!" Qui-gon appeared from behind Obi-wan. "His mind has been wiped-."

"He remembers, Master! I can see it in his face."

Qui-gon opened his mouth to speak only to be cut off.

"My master is my master." Obi-wan shrugged. "Beyond that I know nothing else. I can't even remember his face."

"That is alright, Obi-wan." Qui-gon looked pointedly at Anakin, who mumbled his apologies. "Then let's eat."

The meal went well with Qui-gon doing most of the talking, while Anakin sulked and only added to the conversation every so often. Obi-wan just seemed content to listen. He would only answer when Qui-gon asked direct questions, and even then his answers were usually 'yes' or 'no.' When the meal was finished, Qui-gon and Anakin busied themselves with cleaning, while Obi-wan continued to sit, staring at the table.

"What would you like to do tomorrow, Obi-wan?" Qui-gon asked, drying a plate.

His bluish, green eyes left the table, focusing on him for once. "What do you want me to do?"

Anakin peered up from his work of washing a cup. It was obvious that the boy was waiting for an order from Qui-gon, who looked disconcerted. He's just like a slave, Anakin thought numbly. His stomach turned, and he looked dejectedly back at the wet cup, still stained by tea.

"I will let you ponder what you would like to do, and we will discuss it in the morning." Qui-gon placed the plate on the stack he had started and then took the cup from Anakin. "Once your eyes have adjusted in a few days we can go to the Room of a Thousand Fountains… as you seemed to like the sound of the water."

"I would like that."

"Then it is settled."

Obi-wan rested his elbows on the table and used hands to prop up his head. His eyes were heavy.

Qui-gon sighed. "If you are tired, go ahead and go to sleep. You don't need my permission."

Pushing back the chair, Obi-wan bowed to the older man and went to the room that Jinn usually inhabited. Pajamas had been laid on the bed, but he brushed them away. Sinking into the bed, he positioned himself on his back and closed his eyes. He rolled onto his side, sinking further into the confines of the bed. It was soft, especially the pillow. He closed his eyes tight, rolling over again and swinging upright. Obi-wan stood stretching. In the other room, the two Jedi were talking, and occasionally the younger one would laugh. He reached outwards, smiling when he felt the familiar touch of the Force. A corner in the far corner of the room called him, and he slide to the floor using the walls as support. Pulling out the blue crystal, Obi-wan concentrated on it and used the Force to connect with it. Scenes flashed through his mind of the Count, the Brute called Grievous, Asajj, and of the war; all portrayed in his once unique way of sight. He rested his head backwards and prepared for sleep. His mind went blank, waiting for the dreams that would disappear when he woke.

SWSWSW

The Senate's late session gave way without having solved the issues that had been present, but seemed to be a daily occurrence, or so it appeared to Padmè Amidala. Seeds of discontent had already begun to form in the senate, and Padmè, herself, had been approached by both Mon Mothma and Bail Organa. She was sympathetic to their cause, but questioned how far she should get involved; after all her husband was a close friend of the Chancellor's. However, Padmè was aware that she would not be able to sit on the border for long as it was only a matter of time before the currents swept her one way or another. She frowned remembering a conversation, in which Anakin had stated that she was beginning to sound like a Separatist. When had the lines become so blurred, she wonder as she arrived within the Supreme Chancellor's waiting room. The blue twilek inclined her head toward Padmè and quickly commed the Chancellor.

"Sir, Senator Amidala has arrived."

"Don't make her wait. I have been eagerly awaiting her arrival."

The twilek turned off the comm and motioned Padmè toward the elevator.

The doors closed behind her, and the chamber shot upwards. Organa's words continued to play in her head, beseeching her to speak with the Chancellor. 'You are close with the Chancellor.' Her hand rested on her stomach as nausea filled her. Perhaps, it was time to visit the med-center.

The chamber paused, the doors flying open. Inhaling, Padmè exited the elevator and nodding to the man who sat in front of her. The Chancellor with his grandfatherly ways rose, smiling as he came to greet her.

"It is good to see you again," he said, leading her to a seat and insisting that she take it. "You look pale, milady."

"It's nothing… most likely something I ate." Padmè said brusquely. "I wish to speak to you about the Separatists. This war has been going on for far too long, I and many in the Senate believe we should be more open to negotiations. Such a peace treaty would be in the best interests of the Republic." Padmè straightened in her seat. "Chancellor, we have strayed too much from the democracy that this Galactic Republic was founded on. We should return now before the path disappears altogether! But to do such a renewal, we must have peace and elections!"

Palpatine nodded, his face trembling as if moved. "And we will have that soon, milady, after the Separatists have been routed. These Separatists know nothing of peace and have repeatedly ignored any of our offers of settlements." The lines on his face deepened, his gaze seeming to focus on a far off point. "I have taken it upon myself to lead this Republic through these hard times… despite the jobs… trying moments. But you have my word, milady, that after this war has come to a close, I will give up these powers that the Senate has bestowed upon me."

"Perhaps those settlements were too high," Padmè pressed. "Please, Chancellor, appoint a-." The room grew cold.

"You cannot negotiate with murderers!" His words, flowing like acid from his mouth, caused Padmè to shiver, her mind suddenly alert and in pain. "They have no sense of peace. No, milady, they will not surrender until the last man."

Dizzily, Padmè rose from her chair, using its arms for support. "Forgive me, Chancellor. I am feeling worse."

"I will send for a medic-."

"That is quite alright," Padmè said quickly, rising her hand to stop further protests. "I will be able to make it on my own. Thank-you for your time."

"My doors are always open to you, milady." Palpatine paused. "Oh, and give my regards to young Skywalker."

The blood drained further from her face. "I don't know what you mean."

"I thought you two were close. Pardon my presumptions." He watched Amidala nod and leave.

Upon the door's closing, he leaned back in his chair and smiled. The boy was on Coruscant… within his grasp. It would only take a few maneuvering, which would bring him back into the fold, while further casting doubt on the Jedi. Turning mind back to Amidala, he sighed. It would seem that her uses were slowly coming to an end. She was becoming a thorn… though even as thorn, she still had one use left. She would be the key to Skywalker's turn to the Dark Side…her and the child growing within her.

SWSWSW

A/N: Next Chapter Chapter Seven "Enter the Politicians." Word of warning… it might be a while as I'm in the last stretch of the semester with projects and exams galore. Also I would like to invite everyone to my forum, which is apart of my third project for my one class, at kalade (dot) forumcircle (dot) com; it is a general writing forum with one forum geared toward fantasy.

PS. Don't forget to R&R. ;)