*Sigh* Just going to say- this chapter was very difficult to write...I had it all planned out and was like - yeah this will be easy. Nooo way. It just wouldn't sit right however I tried it :( Made me cross it did. Re-wrote it many times I did. I tried to make it credible but it just seemed wrong somehow- as if things just wouldn't happen that way. Too many loose cannons to take care of. Like it I did not. Oh well.

Anyway- thanks for the lovely reviews from last chapter- especially to daisymall13 and peaceguardian who gave anon reviews so I couldn't reply and thank you guys. THANKS! hehe. Hope you enjoy this new chapter :)

Disclaimer: As per usual, I own nothing.

Chapter 9- Tense Negotiations

"All of you- on the floor now!" Zariya yelled at the stupefied politicians, waving her blaster threateningly at them as they timidly hurried to obey, watched scrutinizingly by the twenty armed and determined looking rebels. Klone followed, lip curling in disgust -despite his fear- as he knelt, his silk clothing crumpling.

"You stay there First Minister," Kol said, his tone hardening as the man in charge of Malrion made to follow with the rest of his party. "Stand right where you are. You too, Master Jedi," Kol instructed. At a nod from his leader, Jago pointed his blaster straight at the Jedi's chest. Kol now had the emerald lightsaber strapped to his own belt. "Kneel down though," he said to both men as an afterthought.

Hands out in a placated manner, Qui-Gon nodded, eyes following his Padawan's progress as Obi-Wan was deposited, with some care, on the ground near the long dining table, leaning against one of the chairs for support as he half sat on the floor. The boy was clearly putting on a brave face, Qui-Gon could see the injury more clearly now, it was just above the knee and looked bloody and agonising. Qui-Gon wondered how Obi-Wan had remained conscious. If it wasn't treated soon…Qui-Gon didn't want to think about his apprentice possibly losing the limb or mobility.

/Obi-Wan- are you alright?/ the mental question went unanswered as Obi-Wan glanced blankly at his Master. It was as though he had not registered the query at all. /Obi-Wan!/ Qui-Gon tried harder this time, nearly a shout echoing down the bond. Still nothing as the shout was unheard.

Qui-Gon felt a sickly dread settle in his stomach, a prickling uncomfortable feeling. "What have you done to my Padawan?" he asked-voice strong and smooth, giving away no hint of concern in his voice.

"He is our bargaining chip," the young man pointing the blaster at him scoffed. "You'll listen to us if you want him back," he said to Qui-Gon.

"What do you want?" Qui-Gon inquired, careful to keep his voice neutral and undemanding. Negotiating at gunpoint never was one of his favourite situations. Especially now a dozen innocent ministers and Obi-Wan were caught up in the middle of this mess. Qui-Gon would have to tread very carefully. He could feel the anger pulsing through the rebels, making them strong, fearless. One wrong move…

"Don't listen to him- he'll only fill your head with lies!" Zariya hissed pointing her blaster at the blank faced Jedi Master. "Where's more of that…thing, that Force blocker? Use it on him before he tricks us!"

Qui-Gon's heart sank. A Force inhibitor? That's what they had used on Obi-Wan he surmised grimly. That's why his Padawan couldn't fully access the Force or their bond. Sympathy and anger flared inside him for a brief moment before he controlled himself, releasing the emotions to the Force. Cutting a Jedi off from the Force- and a young Padawan for that matter- was dangerous and reckless. Obi-Wan couldn't heal his injury and was probably lost without the comforting presence of the Force.

"We used it all on him," Jago whispered, jerking his thumb in Obi-Wan's direction. Qui-Gon with his Force attuned hearing had no difficulty in picking up what the rebels were discussing.

"That whole vial? On a boy?" Zariya snapped. "There must have been enough in that for three Jedi!"

They used all that on Obi-Wan? Qui-Gon thought angrily, almost ready to get to his if it was strong enough to permanently block Obi-Wan from the Force? These Force inhibitors were renowned for not having any drugs to reverse their effects on the Jedi they were inflicted upon. Very un-Jedi-like emotions were being stirred in Qui-Gon, which troubled him. /Obi-Wan!/ he tried again. It couldn't be permanent…

To his Master's surprise, Obi-Wan spoke up here, gritting his teeth slightly as he struggled to sit upright. "My Master is only interested…" his voice hitched as he moved and Qui-Gon could see the pain flit across the boy's face, his own heart clenching. "Jedi wish for justice to prevail," he was looking directly at the scarred man. "Let him help."

The scarred face man, who Qui-Gon now knew to be the leader of the group, absorbed the words of the Jedi Padawan, looking back at Qui-Gon curiously. "So I am beginning to see," he said, drawing frowns from the young man and woman beside him.

"You also know that needless fighting will not get you what you wish," Qui-Gon said, following on from what Obi-Wan had said, nodding his approval in his Padawan's direction. He caught the ghost of a smile that twitched at the injured boy's lips and his heart lifted slightly.

Just as Kol was about to reply, there came a thundering banging at one set of doors, to the left of the banquet hall, making several ministers jump in fright. Only the First Minister looked smug as the banging continued. "That would be my Imperial Guards," he announced. "And when they come in here you shall all be arrested pending execution."

"We'll shoot you all before they enter!" the woman promised vehemently, striding across towards the First Minister- blaster raised, the motion copied by the other rebels behind her.

Qui-Gon rose smoothly to his feet, aware that many blasters were probably pointing in his direction. Make that nineteen… he noted the bad odds absently with the Force. He could feel Obi-Wan's worried gaze on him and steeled himself for what he had to do. "Stop," he commanded, allowing a layer of Force persuasiveness to his voice. "If you start shooting in here- it is inevitable that the Imperial Palace guards will enter shooting."

"Then we go down fighting," the woman promised, hatred in her eyes as she stared at Qui-Gon, even rebels slowly lowered their weapons, lulled by his voice.

"Quiet!" The leader shot at the fiery woman who shrank back, stunned at the anger in her commander's voice. Confusion and rage swam across her face as she battled to contain herself from bursting out at her leader or worse shooting something.

The Force shouted a warning to Qui-Gon just in time, forewarning him of the danger. "Everybody drop!" he ordered as a split second later.

The doors that had fallen silent after the pounding, exploded inwards with the force of a small detonation. Blown right off of their hinges the metal doors blasted inwards, taking with them chunks of masonry from the door arch, shaking the whole room and throwing dust and wrecked metal at the occupants of the room who flattened themselves.

With a Force accelerated run, Qui-Gon was beside his Padawan's side in a heartbeat, covering the boy's body with his own, knowing that trying to get the boy to move would just result in more pain. As Qui-Gon did so he thrust out one arm, sending most of the debris flying backwards away from the people in the room with the Force, leaving the inhabitants shell-shocked but unharmed. Obi-Wan beneath him stayed perfectly still, his chest barely rising.

Murmuring an encouragement to his Padawan, Qui-Gon rose immediately, as Raidon and his Imperial Guard stormed into the dining room, weapons raised in a deadly formation to shoot everyone in the room.

"STOP!" cried several voices, all at once.

Qui-Gon was aware he'd said it and he recognized the other voices as well. Klone, very pale, had his hands out as Raidon entered the room. The First Minister had also shouted it. To the Master's surprise, the scar faced commander of the rebels as well had added his voice to it.

Qui-Gon saw Raidon hesitate, the order from his commander the First Minister making him call his men to a halt, though their weapons were still primed. The Captain saw the Jedi Master, then the line of ministers all kneeling on the floor and finally the band of rebels- all with their own weapons pointing at him and his men.

"Stop," Qui-Gon repeated. "There is no need for anyone here to die," his voice was calm and authoritative. He needed to be in control here. The situation was perilous at best, with both sides ready to fire upon the other. One word could sway the balance of peace and cause a shootout.

Raidon looked to the First Minister who gave no further orders on firing. At last he spoke up. "First Minister- we've found the infiltrator as you ordered," he announced. "They distracted the guards and lowered the security barriers around the Palace to allow these rebels to gain access."

Klone nearly stood up before he wilted slightly under the harsh gaze of the female rebel and stayed put. His eyes however had an enraged glaze to them now. "Who is it? Where are they Captain?" he demanded. "Bring them in!"

Qui-Gon watched the situation carefully. There could be no rash movements; not with nearly forty or so weapons pointed in different directions all at different targets. At Raidon's words the rebels had exchanged perplexed glances, Kol looking dead ahead, his weapon fixed on Raidon. The Captain nodded at Klone, backing away, never turning his back on the inhabitants of the room.

Presently, Raidon returned, two more guards beside him and held in between another figure, head down, being dragged forward into the room. Obi-Wan shifted despite the pain to have a look at who the Captain had managed to find. Which of the rebels had infiltrated the Imperial Palace?

"It can't be..." Klone whispered as the figure was revealed to them. His fists clenched and his face reddened dramatically. "In my own staff," he hissed angrily. "I will punish you for this," he promised.

Viza stared blankly at her employer, a cool expression on her face. "Will you Chief Advisor?" she asked.

Klone's face was nearly puce with rage. The ministers looked shocked, even the First Minister and Raidon couldn't seem to get their heads around the idea that she was associated with the rebels. Qui-Gon exhaled slowly. He had had a feeling it was the Chief Advisor's assistant. How well she had managed to play her role. Now she stood before them, her hands were bound tightly in front of her and her ankles loosely chained, just enough so she could shuffle slowly.

"Put her over there- we will deal with her later," the First Minister said coldly. "I want these rebels dealt with now."

Now feeling it was time to speak, Qui-Gon moved towards the centre of the room to where Raidon was standing. "To talk this over- everyone needs to lower their weapons," he said, hoping the Captain would trust his judgement. He looked over at the leader of the rebels, indicating he do the same.

"We're here to stop this corrupt Government from ruining Malrion any further! I will not back down over this- not now!" Kol said heatedly, as Viza, now the Imperial Palace's prisoner was moved towards where Obi-Wan was seated on the floor, the rebels' prisoner. The Captain's eyes widened as he caught sight of the apprentice for the first time, looking at the bloody leg injury.

"Corrupt Government?" the First Minister shot back glaring at Kol. "What evidence do you have? What right do you have to storm my Palace and force me to hand over power?"

Weapons were immediately raised again, each side eyeing the other with suspicion and disgust. The ministers kneeling on the ground looked to each other. Corruption? Obi-Wan watched the goings on in silence. With his weak connection to the Force he could still feel the animosity in the room. It was nearly stifling. He wondered bleakly how he and his Master were going to get out of this one. Qui-Gon's expression was grave as he acted as mediated between the two sides, his stance tense as he tried to persuade both groups to disarm before talks could begin.

Kol and Raidon looked at each other as their sides were equally prepared to fight the other.

Eventually Raidon spoke up after Qui-Gon. "It is my job to defend the First Minister. If laying down our weapons will cause you to do the same, then we will."

"You are naïve," the young female rebel hissed as Klone equally voice his disapproval.

"You will not Captain! Don't surrender!"

"We should do as the Jedi Master says," Kol said in a cold voice. "Perhaps there is a better way than killing to resolve this fight. In the end- if Malrion is free- we have done our job."

Qui-Gon nodded. "Talks can begin if there are no weapons," he said. "Advisor Wei, please will you assist me?"

The startled minister stood up, surprised at being named. Qui-Gon gave him instructions to collect the weapons from both sides, few which were not given willing and were met with stern words from both Raidon and Kol. Trusting the bumbling young minister to be impartial, the Master watched as all were disarmed. At least that relieved some tension. When this was done, they were deposited away from the two sides out of reach.

"Now gentlemen and women, the talks-"

"We have no need for talking! We hired Jedi to overlook these elections- not to jumpstart a revolution!" Klone snapped. "This whole situation is preposterous. Captain Raidon- arrest these rebels this instance!"

"I have the evidence needed," Viza spoke up from where she was standing beside Obi-Wan. "Documents clearly proving that this Government has forged thousands of votes in the current elections. Documents showing how this Government has been stealing from its own people to fund its life of decadence," her arm swept in the direction of the elaborate dining hall. "How they stole from the people and sold Malrion's resources off- world, reaping in the profits for themselves. And I have just sent these documents to the Justice Secretary. He was most pleased to receive them. I also have a copy in a data chip in my pocket for anyone who would care to look."

Her announcement was met with stunned silence. Raidon glanced over at Klone and the First Minister. "Master Jedi," he looked at Qui-Gon. "I know you can sense the truth. Does she speak it?"

"She does. I have seen the documents," Qui-Gon answered. The Force told him Viza had said no lie. She had sent the documents that they had both looked over the day before.

The ministers on the floor buzzed with indignation and confusion. Many had not even been aware of the treachery in the upper ranks, being lowly officials. Raidon looked astonished at the news, his men breaking rank to look between themselves. Even the rebels were silent.

Klone choked with rage. "How dare you!" he shouted, staggering to his feet. "I will kill you for you disloyalty!" reaching into his robes.

Qui-Gon suddenly realised he had no time to stop the two things he knew were about to happen. /OBI-WAN! The Chief Advisor!/ His mental shout echoed along the bond just as Klone pulled a small blaster that had been concealed on his person and fired several shots at Viza.

Seated on the floor, Obi-Wan had a good view of Klone's every move. Suddenly Qui-Gon's voice shouted through his consciousness, leaving him reeling in shock. He had heard his Master! Following his Master's orders, the Padawan watched as Klone's hand plunged into the front of his robes and Obi-Wan had a horrible feeling of what was to come. Reacting on pure instinct, just as Klone withdrew the small blaster, Obi-Wan turned onto his good side, yanking Viza downwards and out of the line of fire, rolling over as he did so.

Intercepting the second thing he had seen, Qui-Gon caught the enraged rebel leader, Kol who immediately shouted a hoarse yell of "No!" as the shots went off, launching himself at Klone in an attempt to get at the Chief Advisor. He had no need; Raidon tackled the advisor to the floor, sending the blaster skittering away across the marble floor, pinning the man down. The Imperial Guard hesitated, still unsure of whose side they should be on but Raidon shouted at them to stand down.

"Let me at him!" Kol yelled as Qui-Gon effectively used the Force to keep the man where he was, preventing him from attacking the Klone. The Jedi Master held up a warning hand to the rebels who looked to move on the Jedi and they stopped, unsure of the Jedi Master's powers. "He shot her- he shot her!" Kol's voice cracked. Jago and Zariya exchanged stunned looks at their leader's anger and pain. What did this woman mean to him?

"I'm alright," a shaky voice said. Kol stopped struggling, his head sagging in relief. "But I don't think the boy is…"

Qui-Gon let him up felt his stomach plummet horribly. /Obi-Wan? Obi-Wan!/ Knowing it was safe to release Kol, Qui-Gon did so and instantly, both men were across the room. Viza was lying awkwardly on the floor, propped up on one elbow, Obi-Wan draped across her, unmoving. Kol dropped to knees beside Viza, urgently looking for any signs of injury on her body. She was indeed unharmed and to everyone's surprise Kol pulled her into a tight hug as she was released from Obi-Wan's protective hold.

Exceedingly carefully, Qui-Gon lifted his Padawan off of Viza, using the Force to probe for any injuries. The blast bolt to the knee sang with supressed agony in the Force, but there was something else Qui-Gon noted with dread. As he turned Obi-Wan to face him, Qui-Gon saw the blood flowing down the young boy's face, following the contours of his jaw.

"Force," Qui-Gon muttered a curse. "Obi-Wan? Obi-Wan!" his tone was urgent as the boy lolled unconscious in his arms. /Obi-Wan respond!/

Ripping the hem of his tunic with brute strength, Qui-Gon stemmed the flow, noticing with some relief the wound was shallow, a single slash near his right temple where a stray bolt had clipped the side of Obi-Wan's head.

"M-Master?" Obi-Wan's eyes opened sluggishly, blinking owlishly up at his Master, in whose arms he lay. "I'm tired…" the boy muttered. "And...I tried to with the bolts...almost deflected..."

"I know," Qui-Gon soothed, relieved the boy was now awake. "You did well." Gently, he moved away the hair from the wound, pushing as much healing Force as he dared across their bond and into his Padawan.

Obi-Wan's eyes widened suddenly as he became more alert. "I can feel you," he whispered. "I feel you…the Force." His voice was full of wonder. /Master?/

/I can hear you my Padawan/ Qui-Gon answered back, just as delighted as he felt the young Jedi bask in the warmth of the full Force as it returned to him. /You're going to be fine/ he promised as Obi-Wan nodded slowly, trustingly.

There you go...at least no dreadful cliffhanger right? Something to be grateful for! Hopefully I made up for the bad chapter with the lovely Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan moment at the end there- does that make up for it? Sorry!

Next chapter- which I *hope* will not be as bad as this one will be up early next week. This is actually nearly over. Omg. Anyone up for a trilogy?

Review? Thank you :)

AldabaranFox