Chapter 3

To Where You Are

PRESENT

What was he doing here?

Qui-Gon was listlessly walking the streets of Harnaidan, the biggest city on Muunilinst. As he walked, countless Muuns passed him by, gaunt faces and all. Walking in a crowd of them made him look short, even when he was considered to be quite tall for a human.

The city was a very busy place. Everyone around him had a purpose, had something they needed to now, right now. He felt out of place walking around with no purpose in mind. He felt like he needed to be here, but why was something he didn't have the slightest idea about.

With no particular interest, he glanced into shop windows and at building signs, not knowing what he was looking for. Up above, the clouds continued to gather, blocking out the sun with the threat of rain as they had been doing since his arrival.

Soon he passed out of the commercial district and into the medial area of the city. The crowd around him now consisted of those people who were finding their way home after a long day at work. He looked into the eyes of those passing him by and saw the eager anticipation of seeing loved ones and enjoying a warm meal. Oh how simple their lives were.

Against his will his thoughts wandered over to the events of the past few months.

He had so many unanswered questions; Questions that would most likely remain that way now that Obi-Wan was gone. Why had the force let his happen? Why had it taken Obi-Wan from him? And in such a manner? Why?

The only thought that consoled him was that Obi-Wan was in a better place now...hopefully. He just wished he knew for sure. In the time he had been searching for Obi-Wan, he had come to realize just how much he had taken the boy for granted, always believing that he would be there, always believing that the boy would always forgive him for his transgressions like he always seemed to be doing.

He had had more than enough time to go over Obi-Wan's words of hurt that he had spoken that last time they had had dinner together. He had overlooked them at the time thinking that Obi-Wan was just caught up in the moment, but now, looking back over everything that had happened since, he had to admit that there was so much more to his words than he could have possibly thought. If only he had addressed them. If only he had told Obi-Wan just how much he meant to him. Then maybe Obi-Wan wouldn't have had to suffer so much these past few months. But he hadn't done that and now that was one of his biggest regrets.

Regret...

The word triggered a long forgotten memory.

You will regret this.

Those had been the last words Obi-Wan had said to him before this whole mess began. Never had those words rang truer than they did now. He wanted a second chance, just one more time to do it over, but it seemed that the force was not willing. Perhaps that was best. The boy had been through too much. He was too good for this world. Maybe that was why he was taken.

Before he knew it, he had reached the end of the city. Ahead of him, was a dirt path that led into the surrounding forests. Muunilinst was well known for its natural beauties.

Leaving the city behind, Qui-Gon continued on and followed the path. Minutes became hours as Qui-Gon followed the path which paralleled a wandering creek. Qui-Gon had to admit that this was the calmest he had felt in a long time. Nature seemed to have that effect on him.

Up ahead, Qui-Gon could hear and feel the tell tale sounds of a water fall. Even through the young trees that separated him and the waterfall, he could feel small droplets of water clinging to his skin as he walked off of the path and into the foliage. He could taste the humidity in the air as he got closer. Once he found the other side of the trees, he had to stop himself from walking any further. Right in front of him was a substantial drop, where the creek he had been following emptied into the pool of water far below. Though quite beautiful in and of itself, the creek wasn't the only contributor of water. Directly across from him several hundred feet away and continuing in a circle, several streams came together to form one shear flowing drape of water.

He felt the living force so strongly here. Sitting down where he was, Qui-Gon drank in the sight and let it drown him in its splendor. Rolling up his pants and taking off his shoes, he let his feet feel the cool water. It felt so good to his tired and worn body.

It was then that he felt a pang in his heart.

Oh how he wished Obi-Wan was right beside him, smiling in that impish way, enjoying the sight too. He probably would have dived in head first if he were here. The thought caused Qui-Gon to smile to himself. That boy knew how to enjoy life.

He shook his head.

If only...

After hours in hyperspace, Tahl was glad to finally be able to set foot on ground. Though she didn't mind space travel and had withstood much more than this relatively short ride, she wanted to find Qui-Gon as soon as possible.

It was raining now, though that didn't stop the inhabitants of the city from continuing their business outside. As Muunilinst was a center for financial wealth, nothing got in the way of making money. It was how they had amassed their wealth in the first place.

As Tahl and Bant made their way out of the spaceport and into the city, they raised their hoods in a futile effort to stave off the pouring rain. Immediately she expanded her senses and, using the force, began to search for Qui-Gon's presence. This was an easy solution that is, as long as Qui-Gon wasn't shielding his presence. As Muuns weren't known for their force ability and as such weren't very force sensitive, this made Tahl's search much easier.

After an hour of useless walking, Tahl was soaked and Qui-Gon was nowhere in sight. Beside her, Bant was soaking in the moisture, enjoying the luxury of water. Glad that her padawan was finding something to like about the situation, but frustrated over Qui-Gon's missing presence, Tahl walked on. The city was a big place after all.

Racking her brain, Tahl searched her memory for anyplace on this planet that Qui-Gon might go. However, from what she could remember of Obi-Wan's stay here, they had already passed by anyplace Qui-Gon might go to. Of course, Qui-Gon might not even be here. The space port, in which they had searched earlier upon their arrival, didn't hold the ship Qui-Gon had taken. But there was still hope. A second spaceport was on the other side of the city, relatively close to the outskirts of the city.

Having engineered it so that their search across the city would lead them there, Tahl hoped that they would be able to find more solid evidence on whether or not Qui-Gon was here or someplace else completely.

Soon, having found nothing of consequence on the streets, they were at the other space port searching among the different parked ships.

"I don't think he is here Master," Bant said. They were almost done with their search and had found nothing. "Why did you think he would come here?"

Tahl looked at Bant, glad to hear her voice. Bant had not spoken a word since they had left Coruscant. She was still unsure about how her padawan stood with everything that had happened within the last few days, but it looked like Bant was putting that all behind her, at least for now, for the sake of the mission at hand. It made Tahl proud.

"If I'm not mistaken" Tahl said, "This was the last place he felt Obi-Wan in the force...at least the good Obi-Wan."

"I would think that would make me even sadder," Bant softly replied.

"Well I guess you're not him," Tahl said with a quick smile. Right in front of them was the ship they were looking for.

"Now what?" Bant asked.

"We wait," was Tahl's response.

Night was falling. And though Qui-Gon was loath to return to the city and face his memories once again, he knew he couldn't stay here. Soaking wet, Qui-Gon sighed forlornly before picking himself off of the ground and finding his way back to the path.

In the quiet of the night, Qui-Gon wove through the trees, following the creek and trying as hard as he could to not remember. For a short while, he had been able to forget that he would never see Obi-Wan. Now the memories were coming back the closer he came to civilization.

After a short while he came to a stop. Ahead lay the city; behind, the forest. He had only to take a few steps to enter the city, but the uncertainty that lay there kept him from moving.

Qui-Gon paused, looking up at the stars. They were so far away, just like his Obi-Wan.

"Master."

Qui-Gon went deathly still, his eyes darting swiftly around him, searching for the source of the soft whisper.

"I'm right here," the voice said, however all Qui-Gon could see were the stars up above, the distant city, and the forest behind him.

"Look deeper Master," the voice said.

Thoughts of being crazy went through Qui-Gon's mind as he opened himself up to the power of the force.

Shock gripped him as he beheld the growing shape that was now revealing itself to him.

"Obi-Wan?" he whispered.

The silvery being smiled, smirked, and then rolled his eyes playfully. "The one and only."

Qui-Gon smiled; here was the vibrant young man he had grown to love as a son. For the next few moments he didn't say a word, instead simply taking in the sight of Obi-Wan.

"I miss you so much," Qui-Gon finally said.

Obi-Wan sighed,

"Clearly," he said pointedly looking around him.

Qui-Gon grimaced.

"I didn't know what else to do with myself after you…" he let the sentence trail off.

"Ran off?" Obi-wan continued.

Qui-Gon raised his eye brows. That was an interesting choice of words.

"Not exactly."

At this Obi-wan crossed his arms.

"Look Master, I'm not dead."

"But then how-" he stuttered.

"Let me just say I have a good grip on the force right now," he said not looking too happy about it.

"Why are you here then?" Qui-Gon questioned.

"Well someone had to tell you to get on with your life," Obi-Wan replied with an impish grin.

Qui-Gon frowned.

"But if you're still alive?" he said hopefully.

"It's no use Master," at this Obi-Wan looked pained. "Though the force is strong in me, it is stronger in my body, I cannot over power it."

"You and your body are not..." Qui-Gon trailed off confused.

Obi-Wan shook his head.

"My body is something else entirely now."

The grief that Qui-Gon had been trying to forget came back at once.

"You must kill my body."

Qui-Gon felt a sense of déjà vu at Obi-Wan's words. His mind drifted to a time not long ago when Obi-Wan had uttered those very same words.

"No" Qui-Gon replied instantly. "There has to be a way."

"You have to let me go Master," Obi-Wan said cryptically.

"No!" Qui-Gon said desperately. "I couldn't do it before and I can't do it now."

"Just let go Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan repeated as he started to fade away.

"Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon yelled reaching out at the space Obi-wan had been in.

Let go.

"I will not kill you!" he yelled.

He was alone now.

I will always love you Master.

As the words drifted in the wind, a new resolve rose in Qui-Gon's heart. Whether or not Obi-Wan believed it, He would find a way to bring him back. Even if it required the ultimate sacrifice, he was going to bring back Obi-Wan; he would make him whole again.