Chapter 2

An Honest Mistake

6 MONTHS BEFORE

His master was leaving today and he couldn't do anything to stop it, save telling him about his dreams or visions or whatever they were. But try as he might, he could never work up enough courage to do so. He valued his master's opinion way too much. Perhaps there was something wrong with that, but this was not the time to think of such things.

Obi-Wan shook his head as he went on with his preparations. He was too dependent on his master's approval. But seeing as he had worked so hard on getting to where he was with his master, he couldn't risk anything that might hamper his progress. He really was a mental case.

He sighed and pulled out another dish from the cabinet. If his master was leaving and something was going to happen to him then he was going to make their last time together a pleasant memory.

You're being over dramatic Kenobi.

Rolling his eyes, he silently agreed with the thought. Chances were that nothing would happen and his master would be back fairly quickly. He was imagining things. That was all it was.

But somehow he still couldn't manage to make himself completely believe that.

As Qui-Gon stepped out the bathroom after a refreshing shower, a tantalizing smell caught his attention. Walking out into the kitchen area, he was surprised to see his troubled padawan putting the final touches on what looked like a delicious meal.

"Obi-Wan?"

"Good Evening Master," he replied casually, talking a seat.

"Why?" Qui-Gon said taking the opposite seat, gesturing to the food.

"Well you're leaving tonight and I thought it would be nice to have dinner together" Obi-Wan shrugged.

At Obi-Wan's hesitant smile, Qui-Gon nodded and dug into his meal.

As the minutes passed, Qui-Gon watched his apprentice as he ate. Ever since he had been chosen for this mission, he hadn't had much time for Obi-Wan, and now he saw that was a mistake. He knew that something was obviously bothering his padawan. Surely it couldn't be that he wasn't chosen to accompany him?

"Obi-Wan-"

"Master," Obi-Wan said shaking his head, urging him to drop whatever he was going to bring up.

"Just let me say this" he continued on. "Just because you aren't going with me doesn't mean you're not a good enough Jedi."

Qui-Gon was expecting many reactions from his young padawan, but not confusion.

"Master, that's what you think is bothering me?"

"Is it?" Qui-Gon probed, hoping to get to the bottom of the matter. He hated leaving unfinished business behind.

Obi-Wan shook his head, refusing to say anything.

"Please Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon urged, "Tell me what's wrong. I can help you, it's my job as your master."

Obi-Wan sat back in his chair and took a few breaths. It l0ooked like he was trying to get rid of some pent up anger. "It's your job?" he finally said.

"Obi-Wan I didn't mean it that way-" Qui-Gon said quickly putting down his fork.

"You want to help me?" Obi-Wan said looking directly at Qui-Gon, "Then don't go on that mission."

" Obi-Wan-"

"Don't you trust me?"

Caught off guard, Qui-Gon took a moment to reply, but it wasn't soon enough for Obi-Wan.

"I thought that with what we've been through, you would at least say it even if you didn't really mean it," Obi-Wan stood up and took his plate to the sink. It still had food on it.

"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said standing up and following him "Of course I trust you, but-"

"There's always a but," Obi-Wan said rolling his eyes.

"Is there more to this than what you telling me?" Qui-Gon asked.

Obi-Wan turned from the sink.

"I told you I had a vision" he said angrily, "But you never asked me about it, you never even cared about what I said."

"Padawan-"

"You only pay attention to me when duty dictates that you should, when the rules say you should," Obi-Wan burst out. "I can't keep fighting for your approval when you refuse to give it."

Qui-Gon was flabbergasted, and a little hurt.

"You don't understand-"

"No you don't" Obi-Wan said boldly, even daring to point a finger into Qui-Gon's chest.

"I'm tired of being just your tag along padawan," Obi-Wan said, his voice betraying his boldness by breaking. "I'm tired of being seen as a liability."

With that he left the kitchen and disappeared into his bedroom with the slam of his door.

Qui-Gon was left standing alone in the kitchen like a fish out of water.

What had just happened?

In all his years, he had never been talked to like that by a master let alone a mere padawan. It was obvious that Obi-Wan had been holding this within for some time. He had been right from the start. The boy had anger issues. He had thought that the boy was improving, but this little outburst told him otherwise. They would have to work on that when he got back.

When he thought of the words Obi-Wan had said, he immediately dismissed them. The boy was wrong. He was caught up in his emotions. He only said those things out of anger. Qui-Gon was nothing like he had described. Surely the boy knew just how much he meant to him? If he seemed harsh, it was because he cared so much.

An hour later, here he was, alone on a platform waiting for his air taxi to come and take him to the other side of Coruscant. He tapped his foot impatiently. He wanted to get going so that he could get back as soon as possible to his troubled padawan.

Behind him, amid all the hustle and bustle of the city, he heard the distinct sounds of a cane hitting the permacrete. He turned around. It was Yoda.

"Troubled you are," Yoda stated simply.

Qui-Gon nodded thinking about Obi-Wan. When he had knocked on the boy's door, Obi-Wan had refused to answer and had yelled at Qui-Gon to leave. So leave he did. But it made him sad to leave with such things having been said between them.

"Me and Obi-Wan said some things and…" He left the sentence unfinished as he looked down at his feet.

"Well then, complete this mission quickly, you must, so come back and resolve this you can," Yoda replied.

At that moment an air taxi pulled up to the platform.

"Master, wait!"

Qui-Gon turned around, half on the platform, half on the air taxi. It was Obi-Wan.

Yoda nodded to Qui-Gon and left the two to their conversation.

As soon as Yoda was out of earshot, Obi-Wan burst out.

"I'm sorry Master," he looked down.

"Obi-Wan, please just tell me what is wrong," Qui-Gon pleaded.

Obi-Wan looked up.

"I told you I had a vision, don't you remember?" hurt was swimming in his eyes.

Qui-Gon sighed and looked to the skies. "You did mention that" he rubbed his forehead. "It could just be dreams."

Obi-Wan shook his head vigorously.

"They can't be," he said as if on the verge of a mental breakdown. "I've had them too long."

Qui-Gon shook his head. The force wasn't warning him of any particular danger. "The future is not fixed but fluid. You are just focusing on your anxieties. I keep telling you-"

"But this time is different, I know it," Obi-Wan looked directly into Qui-Gon's eyes, his intense sea green eyes boring into Qui-Gon's soul.

"Believe me master," Obi-Wan pleaded. "Please don't go."

Qui-Gon paused.

"It's my duty-"

"But you can bend the rules-"

"Not this time-"

Obi-Wan looked down.

"Stay…for me."

Qui-Gon's response was quick, "I can't, I'll be back before you know it."

Obi-Wan looked up, his hurt filled eyes looking directly into Qui-Gon's intense eyes, as if he were trying to memorize every detail of Qui-Gon's face.

"Goodbye, Obi-Wan."

As he said the words he watched as Obi-Wan's face went emotionless. The spark in his eyes dimmed. Then, in a voice quite unlike his normal cheerful voice, Obi-Wan spoke.

"You will regret this."

Qui-Gon looked away and practically ran onto the taxi. Through the window, he stared at his apprentice who was gazing at him even still. Immediately he was jerked into his seat as the taxi pulled away from the platform.

As he left the Temple behind, he couldn't help of thinking of those last words.

You will regret this...

Would he?

His mind flashed to Xanatos. He had said that during their last meeting. Did he regret what had happened as a result of his actions with Xanatos?

Nope. He shook his head. His only regret was not Killing Xanatos when he had the chance. Why would Obi-Wan say that? He had never told him Xanatos' last words to him.

He looked straight ahead. All he could do was get this mission done so he could come back and get to the root of this.

Obi-Wan lay on his bed staring at the ceiling, mentally kicking himself for how the night had gone. What had gotten into him to say those things to his master? He felt like his world was spiraling out of control. He felt less in control every day. It was as if someone else was taking the driver's seat of his very own body. He turned on his side and hugged his pillow. What his master must think of him now.

He stared at the blank wall trying to clear his mind.

It was a futile effort. All he could think about were the words he had said and the look on his master's face. He was in for it when he came back. He turned back onto his back and put his hands on his head worriedly.

That is...if he was still here when Qui-Gon got back.

Breathing hard, Obi-Wan launched into a series of advanced katas, pushing himself to his limit. Though done with lightening speed, he also injected a fair amount grace into his movements, making the series of steps and acrobatics seem like a well done ballet. He continued on in this manner for several more minutes before he came to a precise stop.

Holding the closing pose for a few seconds, he dropped to the floor in exhaustion and took a moment to rest.

The past days for Obi-Wan had become a living hell. Not only was he not sleeping for fear of dreaming, but he also wasn't allowed to contact his master, who was currently on the other side of the planet.

Wiping the sweat from his face with his tunic sleeve, Obi-Wan got up and left the training room.

It was late in the night, maybe even morning if he was being technical about it. Ever since his master had left, he had been staying out later and later. With no one waiting for him back in his and Qui-Gon's quarters, he didn't feel the need to return to the empty space. He walked on, letting his feet carry him where ever they would go. So far he had only run into a few people, but that number was lessening as the night wore on and as he walked on.

As he walked, he let his mind wander. After a while of random twists and turns Obi-Wan was startled out if his thoughts by the realization that he was now back where he started: the training rooms; a slight buzzing noise alerting him to the fact that he wasn't alone anymore.

He was turning around to head to the lift tube when it first started: a sudden compulsion to turn back towards the training rooms, one in particular.

Vaguely, Obi-wan realized that this was where the noise was coming from, but his thoughts had become strangely muddled suddenly.

Standing in the center of the room was Bant, lightsaber lit, practicing.

Without greeting, Obi-wan walked into the room, effectively distracting Bant from her actions.

"Obi-Wan?"

With a wave of his hands, Obi-Wan closed the doors behind him.

Now the strange compulsion was talking to him.

Fight her

No, Obi-wan thought

Fight her, now

The voice was getting stronger now. Obi-Wan watched as his hand moved to grab his lightsaber off of his belt with an oddly detached feeling.

Suddenly his surroundings changed. He was surrounded by darkness.

'Your next mission is to kill the girl. She is a nuisance and shouldn't be any trouble for you' The voice echoed in his head, freezing in his mind so that it was all he could think about.

Kill her

His mind screamed out as his body began to act of its own accord.

"What are you doing Obi-Wan? Why are you here?" Bant asked concerned at his lack of greeting.

Immediately the lights dimmed. In an amazing flight of speed, Obi-Wan rushed Bant and the battle began.

Minutes passed as the two exchanged blows. With a parry here, a strike there, and back flip in between, Obi-Wan fought with a trained precision. Bant on the other hand relied on her grace and flexibility to get her through, bending in inhuman ways to avoid Obi-Wan's strikes and leaping gracefully to attack.

Kill her NOW!

The moment he focused her face, he launched at her, surprising her and catching her unaware. He fought with his all, driving her into a corner and leaving her with nowhere else to go. Within minutes it was obvious who was winning and who was losing. Bant was getting worn out fast, while Obi-Wan was as fresh as a new day. Breathing heavily, Bant raised her hand to stop the fight.

"Obi-Wan what are you doing?!"

Obi-Wan grinned evilly, still not saying a word as he advanced menacingly towards Bant and raised his light saber.

"You need to die" Obi-Wan said in a monotone.

His body was like a puppet being controlled by another. But his mind was still his own. Obi-Wan was horrified at what he was doing, but no matter what he did, he couldn't regain control.

Shaking her head, Bant gave it everything she had, but as she was a novice with a lightsaber when compared to Obi-Wan, she knew it wasn't enough. Seconds later, she was at a dead end…literally. Forced into a corner, she had fallen, lost her lightsaber, and was now pitifully pleading with Obi-Wan to stop.

"Obi-Wan, please" She was now facing the end of his lightsaber as he held it dangerously close to her neck. "What has gotten into you?" She was sobbing now, wet tears falling down her salmon colored face.

It was the tears on her face that finally gave Obi-Wan the power to repulse the foreign control of his body.

"Bant?" Obi-Wan said, dropping the lightsaber as if it had burned him, letting it deactivate as it hit the floor.

"I…don't…" Obi-Wan was at a loss for words.

Bant however had none of that. Ignoring his confused utterances she slid around him and ran out of the room, sobbing.

Watching her leave with a shocked look on his face, Obi-Wan sank to the floor and held his head in his hands. If he had not been able to control his body, he could have killed her. Worse of all, something had the power to control him.

Or did they? Whatever it was he didn't have time to dwell. He couldn't keep this hidden anymore. He was a danger to everyone now. Sighing he reached over and grabbed his lightsaber and reattached it to his belt. He then left the room looking for someplace to think.

Before he knew it, his thoughts had taken him into a part of the Temple he had never been in before. No one was in sight. A sudden fear came into his heart. Was he truly ready for this? Looking back behind him, he froze.

There stood the man in his dreams. Tall, dark, and menacing. With his dark hood obscuring his face, Obi-Wan couldn't see his face, but that didn't matter to him at the moment. He took off and ran for his life.

His heart was beating a million times a minute as he ran through the halls of the Jedi Temple. Frantically he looked behind him, fear in his eyes.

Hearing footsteps behind him, Obi-Wan pushed himself to go faster. At the end of the hall he saw the lift tube. Though knowing it wouldn't be opening for him, as had happened in his dream, he Rushed up to it, and pushed the button repeatedly, anxiously waiting for it to open. However, it was not to be.

Suddenly the lights went out, leaving the hall completely dark. Though afraid to do so, Obi-Wan turned around. Nothing was there. Then…

Before he could even register the sound, he felt a sharp pain in his neck. He smiled bitter sweetly as he fell to the ground unconscious.

PRESENT

It was only mid day, but it already felt as if it should be evening. Tahl headed to the lift tube. It was time to check on Qui-Gon. When the doors opened, however, Tahl knew something had happened.

"Master Yoda," she said as she stepped in. She bowed her head.

"News I have," Yoda answered.

Tahl nodded for him to continue, confused as to what else could have happened on this dreadful day.

"Qui-Gon has left the Temple. A report I received. From the docking bay, it was," Yoda paused. "Grave this is, for another report, I received also."

He paused.

"Missing, Obi-Wan is."

"Qui-Gon didn't—" Tahl said unbelievingly.

"No. No one took him," Yoda said mysteriously.

Tahl froze, raising her eyebrows in confusion.

"When see the video you do, understand you will."

"Okay," Tahl said skeptically, "I don't see anything."

Yoda had led her to the Temple's main surveillance room, and had begun to show her video of the healers ward.

So far, the video had shown the healers taking Obi-Wan's body from one room into another. The camera only being in the hall, their view was quite limited. While she watched, nothing unusual happened. She was getting impatient.

Then, at the height of her impatience, something finally happened. There was a crashing sound, then suddenly a healer was thrown into the hall. He had come from the room Obi-Wan had just been wheeled into.

"What the-?" Tahl leaned in closer, her attention having been effectively grabbed.

A few seconds later another healer followed, crashing into the other healer and slumping down unconscious. What followed though left Tahl speechless.

Standing in the doorway, staring at the unconscious healers, was Obi-Wan. Though the quality of the surveillance camera wasn't all too great, she could see that he was torn by his actions. Seconds passed as Obi-Wan simply stood there. Then, quick as lightning, all expression was wiped from Obi-Wan's face as he disappeared into thin air.

"Wait!" Tahl ordered. "Can you rewind that?"

Yoda did as she said stopping when she said so.

"There, look."

The screen was now showing Obi-Wan as he stood staring at the healers.

"Look at him. He's shaking. And his hands, their fists" Tahl said looking at Yoda.

"Fighting he is."

"But what?" Tahl turned back to the screen. Just as Obi-Wan was about to disappear, she paused the screen.

Tahl's mouth dropped open. "He can run that fast?!"

On the screen only a blur could be seen, heading out of the hall.

"Need Qui-Gon, we do, if find out what happened before, we want to," Yoda said looking straight into Tahl's eyes.

Tahl stared at Yoda, not believing what he was asking of her.

"Me? But...I…I came to you, so that you could do something."

"Underestimate your abilities, you do," Yoda said cryptically.

"How am I going to bring him back? I couldn't even talk him out of leaving in the first place," Tahl reasoned.

"But go with him you did. Help him you did, when gone Obi-Wan was" Yoda said.

"I was only there at the beginning-" Tahl protested, but Yoda held his hand out, silencing her.

"Scared you are, of the truth. Sense it I do."

Tahl remained silent, knowing she had been found out.

"Find that truth you must, if help the both of them, you are," Yoda said.

Uncertainly, Tahl spoke.

"It's just…when I looked into Qui-Gon's eyes, I saw…well lots of things. There was horror, confusion, hurt...and guiltiness. I'm not sure, but I think...I think Qui-Gon hurt..." her voice faded off as she looked back at the screen and the blur that was Obi-Wan.

"Do you know where Obi-Wan is now?"

Yoda shook his head.

"Left a trail of unconscious Jedi and one broken window in his wake, he did."

"So…he jumped?" Tahl said disbelievingly.

"Looks that way, it does."

Tahl whistled.

"This story keeps on getting better and better."

Yoda simply stared at her expectantly.

Seeing this, she sighed.

"I guess I better get going."

"Waiting your ship is," Yoda said satisfied with her acceptance.

"What about my padawan?" Tahl asked.

"Bring her too, you will" Yoda said, "Has a part in this, the force tells me, she does."

Tahl sighed. This was going to be a long mission, she just knew it.

"May the force be you," Yoda saluted.

"And with you Master."