*Peers out around a corner* Sorry I've been so long in updating! *Feels reaaaaally bad* My muse literally packed up and left- which is very sad. I tried tempting her back with everything- chocolate, sweets, Ben and Jerry's ice cream...nothing. Then suddenly I have my favourite curry and bam! I write this chapter. Isn't that wierd. Oh well- I'm not complaining!

Job hunting has literally taken up my summer- it's so frustrating and annoying. Almost as much as not being able to write a single line without deleting it a hundred times :/

But I'm sorry for leaving this hanging for soooo long- it really wasn't my intention. But I'm finally back on track- I know where (more or less) I want this story to go and I'm not leaving it for so long again! Promise!

Enjoy!

Chapter 5- A Stab in the Dark

Dawn could not arrive more quickly for one restless Jedi padawan, lying on top of the covers on his bed, unable to sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, the images of the previous night's horrors came slamming back into the forefront of his mind, making his body tense with dread. Explosions, flaming fragments of metal shooting into the sky, billowing black smoke, sirens and the screams of innocent passers-by caught up in the carnage, death and destruction…

No!

Obi-Wan forced his eyes open again from his brief doze. He had managed longer this time, snatching half an hour in sleep. He was wide awake again, his body as taut as a bow string. No…it was alright, he was in the Temple, perfectly safe. Releasing a sigh of relief, Obi-Wan scrubbed a hand through his hair wearily. The dream had been so real. It was as though he could feel the flames heating his face, smell the acrid smoke as it burnt his lungs…

Qui-Gon. His Master- he was fine too. He had managed to communicate with him, several hours ago now. But he had seen Qui-Gon with his own eyes, heard his Master's voice with his own ears. His Master was fine. He was alive.

It would also do him no good to focus on the anxieties of his nightmares, Obi-Wan knew. As his Master would say "Keep your concentration here and now- where it belongs Obi-Wan." With that advice in mind, Obi-Wan decided it was time to rise.

"Ah Obi-Wan Kenobi, my favourite patient," Master Healer Y'Chiryō smiled as Obi-Wan entered the Healers' Wing for a routine – and what the padawan hoped would be his final – check-up since contracting Dentari Flu. The Mirialan Healer guided the young Jedi to sit on the edge of the bed whilst he began to check over Obi-Wan's vitals.

"You've been taking the medicine then?" Y'Chiryō glanced at one of his monitors currently taking the padawan's blood pressure.

Obi-Wan nodded. He had known the Master Healer for a while now and the Mirialan also happened to be one of Qui-Gon's good friends at the Temple. He was easy to get along with, had a sometimes mischievous sense of humour and Obi-Wan had grown to like the healer too.

Y'Chiryō paused for a moment, carefully watching his patient's face. "Obi-Wan is there something wrong? You're…unusually quiet today," he observed. "And you're sugar levels are down. Are you sure you are eating properly?"

Obi-Wan blinked. In health terms, it was almost impossible to hide anything from this healer. "I'm fine Master Y'Chiryō. I'm just-"

"Tired," Healer Y'Chiryō finished for him, a knowing look in his eyes as he raised an eyebrow. "Either you have been pushing yourself too hard or you have not been sleeping sufficiently. Both of which are not recommended for you to fully recover."

The Padawan felt uncomfortable as the healer easily picked out the truth. "I will be alright," he assured the healer. "I did not have time to eat this morning before I left to come here."

Y'Chiryō snorted. "I've heard that one before. I'll bet your Master wouldn't have let you leave without eating. But then again- I've heard the excuse from him before as well," he watched as the padawan's eyes lit up at the mention of Qui-Gon. It wasn't often the boy got to hear tales of his master's youth so the healer decided to indulge him. "We must have been…nearly thirteen?" he pondered to himself. "Yes, we were. I forget which class we were in the middle of but Qui-Gon was definitely sick. Had been the night before but there was no stopping him." The healer smirked. "No matter how much we tried to persuade him. We had a big test coming up- Qui wasn't going to let that one go."

"That sounds like my Master," Obi-Wan's lips twitched into a smile.

Y'Chiryō nodded, the tattoos on his cheek bones crinkling as he returned the smile. "Well obviously, being as stubborn as he was- and still is- he wasn't going to accept help from his friends. He kept on going- mindless of the damage he was causing his body. Until…" the healer broke off.

"Until? Until what?" Obi-Wan demanded.

"He fainted in front of quite a few members of the Jedi Council and senators who were walking through the Temple at that moment. Simply collapsed to the floor unconscious- just like a puppet does when its strings are cut." Y'Chiryō laughed. "I told him he should be at the healers. I'm usually right about those sorts of things. Turned out he had some sort of flu that was going around at the time."

Obi-Wan's eyes were wide. "Master Qui-Gon did that?"

"Nearly crushed poor Master Yoda," Y'Chiryō watched as the padawan's eyes widened again, this time in mirth. "And by the way- I think your system has successfully fought off the last clutches of the virus you had."

"Thank the Force," Obi-Wan muttered.

"Indeed. I believe your master will be most relieved," Y'Chiryō unhooked the padawan from the monitors. "I'm still prescribing you take things slowly. Your body was under a lot of stress and it needs time to heal properly. So take it easy in 'saber class alright? Then you can go back to gallivanting around the galaxy with your Master."

"Yes Master Y'Chiryō," Obi-Wan replied obediently. He had learnt quickly that it was best to accept what the Master Healer and his own Master ordered him to do when it came to his health. Qui-Gon would quite happily ground him for a week if it meant he would rest.

"If you feel at all unwell-"

"I'll come back to the healers," Obi-Wan answered, his face perfectly blank.

Y'Chiryō dark blues eyes sparkled with humour. "I'm sure you will. Pass on my hello to Master Kaa and to Qui-Gon when you next see him."

Assuring the kind master that he would, Obi-Wan left the healers' wing, hoping that he would not have to return there for a good while to come. Not that he didn't like Y'Chiryō but he was always in the healers' wing, for anything from a bruise- if Qui-Gon had his way- to the flu he had finally shaken off.

The rest of the day passed relatively normally for Obi-Wan. He attended his classes and spent lunch time with his friends in the canteen, eating more than he had thought he might. Reeft had looked a bit forlorn as Obi-Wan had polished off the remainder of his meal quite quickly.

Shooting his friend an apologetic look, Obi-Wan slid Reeft a piece of fruit he had collected.

"You look like you've got your appetite back," Bant said approvingly from across the table where she was sitting opposite him.

Obi-Wan nodded. "I've been given the all clear by the healers- I need to start building my strength up again. Over the course of his illness he had been unable to train and knew that his technique and saber skills would diminish rapidly without constant and dedicated training.

"Mind you don't push yourself too hard," Bant warned, sounding remarkably like his master when she said that.

The padawan in question rolled his eyes, fiddling with his braid as he did so. "I'm fine Bant. Honestly. I'll take it easy- promise. But I need to keep training. My Master's mission…" he trailed off.

Bant leant in, looking concerned as her silver eyes blinked. "What? Is there something wrong?"

Obi-Wan shifted in his seat. "I don't know. It's just a feeling. I think he's in danger- and I'm stuck here being completely useless. If I could get out there and help him-"

"I'm sure your Master would send you right back here," Bant interjected gently. "He wants you to recover properly Obi. Rushing ahead could hurt you and inadvertently your Master. Have patience," she advised. "Qui-Gon will be able to handle it."

Obi-Wan leant back in his chair. Handle it. Yes- Qui-Gon would handle it. What if he found it easier by himself than if he had taken Obi-Wan along too? The thought made a lead weight drop in his stomach. What if Qui-Gon realised he'd made some sort of mistake in taking Obi-Wan as his apprentice? Qui-Gon had been a top diplomat and negotiator with a string of successful missions. Now with a padawan…was Obi-Wan holding him back?

Bant frowned as she watched her friend sink into his thoughts. She knew him well enough to know that whatever he was thinking it was not good. His brows had drawn together and his cheeks looked rather pinched. She had seen that expression when they were younger and growing up together- when something had upset Obi-Wan.

"Obi? What's wrong? Something's bothering you- I can tell," she tried coaxingly to draw him out of his shell. "Obi?"

Obi-Wan looked up, his blue eyes clearing as he pulled out of his reverie. "I'm fine Bant," he answered.

Bant rolled her eyes. That seemed like a parrot phrase from her friend now. However, she decided not to push it. "Alright- if you say so. How about tonight you come over and we can make a start on the Galactic History project we've been set?"

Looking slightly more enthused, Obi-Wan nodded. "Do you want to come over instead? Master Kaa is staying round- I'm sure she would like to see you," he offered.

Bant smiled, remembering their old Crèche Master. "That sounds great. I'll bring over something to eat. I'll see you later then," she added as she rose, gathering her bag as they agreed on a time to meet. Obi-Wan waved as she left, leaving only himself and Reeft sitting at their table. Reeft had just finished the mountain of fruit he had gathered for himself.

Master Mace Windu strode through the Jedi Temple, making his way back to his quarters after a long and particularly tiring Council meeting which had begun almost seven hours ago. It was now approaching evening, the sun had been setting in a glorious burst of colour behind the Jedi Temple spires and he was looking forward to something to eat and some calming meditation. He rounded a corner, several younger initiates skittering out of his way as he passed, their faces full of awe as they felt his Force presence. The master shepherding them along back to the crèche bowed in respect and continued ushering her charges along.

Vaguely recognizing the master, Mace nodded back and continued on his way. He was about to enter a turbo lift when he felt something ripple through the Force. Pausing at the unexpected and unusual feeling, Mace frowned, trying to pinpoint the disturbance.

Then he heard a voice, easily amplified by the Force and his own sharp hearing.

"Obi-Wan? Obi-Wan what's wrong? Obi!"

Mace only knew of one Jedi called Obi-Wan in the Temple and if he was right then this boy's absent Master would want him to make sure that he was alright. Swivelling around and retracing his footsteps he quickened his pace and turned down another corridor. There, near the middle were two figures. One was slumped against the wall, seated on the floor, legs at odd angles, head leaning forward. The other was upright and crouched at the side, looking over the collapsed padawan with undisguised concern and worry.

"What's going on here?" Mace demanded as he stepped forward. Indeed he recognized his friend's padawan, the one on the floor, face white as Hoth snow. "What happened to him?"

A Mon Calamari turned to look up at him in surprise, her large silver eyes blinking. "Master Windu!" she replied in surprise as she recognized the Council Member. "I don't know! We were just walking along and Obi-Wan suddenly complained of a headache. He suddenly collapsed a few seconds ago- he's unconscious and I can't wake him up." She looked anxious and her emotions crackled through the Force.

"Centre yourself Padawan," Mace instructed firmly as he reached for his comm. link, connecting quickly to the Healer's Wing. "This is Master Windu- I need a healer immediately- I have an unconscious, unresponsive padawan who collapsed a few moments ago. Yes he is breathing." The Master concentrated for a moment. "His Force presence is scattered." There was something seriously wrong Mace realised. He quickly relayed their whereabouts and the healer on duty informed him someone would be there momentarily.

"Is it the Dentari Flu?" Mace asked as he crouched down beside the salmon coloured padawan, checking on Obi-Wan. He remembered the evening he had spent in Qui-Gon's quarters before it turned out that the padawan had somehow become violently ill.

"Obi said he had recovered from it," Bant replied, more in control of her emotions. She took a deep breath. "It sounded as though…he was in pain," she admitted.

Mace frowned. "Did he say anything?"

"Qui-Gon," the Mon Calamari supplied.

"Master Windu!" a voice called from the other end of the corridor. Mace turned his head and saw two healers hurrying towards them. One quickly knelt down beside the stricken body of Obi-Wan. Immediately, he reached out, placing a hand on the padawan's head, closing his eyes and concentrating.

"Something's wrong. I can't say what at the moment- but his vitals are going crazy. It's like he's in shock," the Healer said, looking perplexed as she pulled herself out of the light Force link she had created to ascertain what was wrong. "I need to move him to the Healer's Wing now."

Mace nodded and rose smoothly; Bant drawing back as well as the other healer produced an anti-grav stretcher. Carefully, the female healer, helped by Mace, raised Obi-Wan, using the Force to keep him as still as possible and placed him on the stretcher.

"What about his Master?" Bant asked as they began to hurry back along the corridor towards the Healers Wing, Obi-Wan lying pale face and utterly still on the stretcher.

Mace did not pause as they strode quickly along. "I will contact Master Jinn as soon as we know more. Padawan…"

"Eerin," Bant replied.

"Padawan Eerin, can you return to Padawan Kenobi's quarters and alert Master Kaa on what is happening," Mace instructed. The Mon Calamari nodded quickly and took off along the next passage as they came to a juncture, fairly flying through the empty hallway towards her friend's quarters.

They arrived in the Healers Wing in good time, manoeuvring the stretcher into one of the empty rooms. Mace waited outside as the healers began to hook the unconscious padawan up to various machines, monitoring his heart rate and other stats as they began to examine him. He could only hope that nothing was seriously wrong. Qui-Gon would not be happy at all if he came back to an extremely ill padawan.

"Mace?" A familiar voice queried.

Mace turned as soon an olive green Jedi moving easily towards him across, tattoos standing out on the back of his hands and his cheeks. "Y'Chiryō- aren't you ever off duty?" he asked as the Master Healer approached.

The Mirilan raised an eyebrow. "Obviously not. Now, what can I do for you my friend?" he asked. They too had grown up together with Qui-Gon.

"Not me, for Padawan Kenobi," Mace corrected him. He watched as the Healer frowned in concern.

"Obi-Wan? What happened?" he demanded.

"We just brought him in- he collapsed in the hallway a few minutes ago," Mace explained.

"Sithspit," the Master Healer swore as he step-sided the Councillor and into Obi-Wan's room, Mace on his heels. The healers scattered in front of their leader and Y'Chiryō bent to examine the prone body of the padawan for himself, glancing over the screen of the boy's stats with worried eyes.

"Y'Chiryō," Mace urged. "What's wrong? Is it serious?"

The Master Healer beckoned another healer forward and took a piece of equipment from her before injecting it into the padawan's arm. He studied the monitor readouts carefully before frowning. "Another one!" he demanded of the healer.

Still nothing. Mace frowned in concern. He removed his communicator, ready to call his friend, stuck on another planet whilst his padawan lay almost deathly white in the Healers Wing.

After a moment, the Mirilan healer straightened up, his olive skin greying in concern. "He's in a coma Mace," he replied heavily. "And I have no idea why. His vitals are dropping as we speak- and I just can't explain it."

Mace's brows drew together. "What are you saying?"

"Multiple organ failure in under three hours the way his body is going," Y'Chiryō's voice was tight. "I can find no underlying course - he's healthy! But this is still happening!"

The dark skinned master blinked. That did not mean what he thought it did…

"What's going on?"

Another Jedi Master had entered the Healers Wing and been quickly directed to Obi-Wan's room. It was Master Vena Kaa, her braids clinking as she spotted the unconscious Obi-Wan lying on a bed, surrounded by healers, Mace Windu and various monitors.

"Master Kaa," Mace Windu greeted the former Crèche Master. It seemed the Mon Calamari had succeeded in reaching Kenobi's quarters in quick time seeing as his temporary guardian had already arrived in the Healers Wing.

"He's going to be alright isn't he?" Vena asked in shock, having overheard Y'Chiryō's last few words, moving to stand beside her charge. "What happened? Was he attacked? Was it…him?"

The Master Healer's lips thinned in a grimace. "It appears he apparently fell unconscious. I've injected various stimulants to try and revive him but nothing. We should be thankful he still has a pulse, albeit it's much lower than I would like," Y'Chiryō frowned. "And no- there's been no sign at the Temple of him."

Mace nodded. "We've kept a tight lock on security. We would know. And I'm going to contact Qui-Gon. He should know." He was not looking forward to this call.

Ten minutes later, Mace re-entered Obi-Wan's room. Vena looked up from where she was sitting at the padawan's bedside. "Well? How did he take it?" She suddenly noticed the frown on her fellow master's face. "What is it?"

"I could not get through to him," Mace revealed. "The call was taken by a Secretary Gunter. She is the one who Qui-Gon is liaising with to find the killer. She said she has not spoken to him in almost seven hours."

Y'Chiryō straightened up. "He's missing?" he demanded.

Mace frowned darkly. "I believe that is what she meant. Though I felt no malice through the Force from her."

"This cannot be a coincidence. Obi-Wan falling into a coma and Qui-Gon now missing," Vena spoke up. "There must be a link."

"In grave danger both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are," a gravelly voice spoke up from the doorway. "Dark trails there are ahead for this Master and Padawan." Yoda stepped into the room, leaning heavily on his stick, his ears lowering in unease.

Woah. Serious stuff. Poor Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan...what's going on? I hope that wasn't too bit-y - it felt a little that way when I was writing it. I hope it's what you have been waiting for :/ and that you enjoyed it!

Next chapter will be up asap- I feel so bad for keeping you guys waiting (so patiently!) for so long!

Dare I ask for reviews? :O

Thanks for reading!

AldabaranFox