John woke up with a start.
He was staring at the ceiling of an unfamiliar space craft, that judging by the windows view, was at light speed. John prepared to lift his arm in attempt to scratch his aching head, but was stopped by cold restraining buckles. He was bound to a medical bed. He gave a small whimper, but didn't dare call for Sherlock out loud.
Master.
Vibrations of the thought bounced back at him with such force he yelped in pain. He buried his head in his own shoulder, the corner of his master's reed pipes poked him comfortingly.
Sherlock would come for him.
Where ever he was.
The door to the med bay sprang open, John narrowed his eyes at the figure stepping through it. The light parted and Sally Donavan appeared prepping a sedation jab. A small whimper escaped the unwilling boy's lips. His head twisted away from the needle indignantly.
Donavan tried soothing him. "It is alright, John. We're almost to our destination, you've been asleep for twenty hours." She smiled.
"You mean I've been drugged for twenty hours." Sherlock's padawan snapped. "I want my master."
Donavan's face twisted into rage as she leveled the needle against his arm. John squirmed away from it as far as his restraints would let him. The icy pierce made the young boy shriek in fear. Donavan nodded approvingly at her handy work. Dizziness swept through John, taking him deep in the state of unawareness. He was still conscious, but could barely process his right from his left.
"Sherlock." He whimpered. "Please, Master."
Donavan pulled him against her side. "It is alright, my child. We are taking you away from that awful Sith. He will never touch you again, his awful influence will no longer be held over you, and you shall be Anderson's padawan." Donavan stroked his hair.
"No! Bad!" The child wiggled against his restraints and the over baring master. "Sherlock! Sherlock!" He screamed. "I want my master!"
"Enough, John. You should be thanking us…"
"Master!" The child sobbed. "Sherlock." Scarlet burst into the child's cheeks as he called for his master through sobs. The cold leather restraints held him in place as he bucked wildly away from his captor.
Donavan pulled away from the boy and picked up another sedition needle. "If you want me to be as evil as your master, fine. Now I will be evil." She jabbed him mercilessly in the arm. John gave into the drug and was swept away.
oOo
"Kid."
John's hands twitched.
"Come on, kiddo." He was being lifted into strong arms and held against a broad chest. His vision was blurry, but he could make out friendly brown eyes, everything else was a dull haze. A faint musk scent filled the air, the aura of tenderness circled the large white room.
Whoever this man was, he wasn't a danger.
"Easy, little guy." He soothed. He gave a mischievous grin. "Breaking a lot of rules coming to see you, kid, but I could feel your fear in the other world." He held John in the crook of his elbow and rocked him as if he were an infant. The muscles in John's face relaxed slightly. The safety that in the past had been reserved only for Sherlock was felt towards this new elder.
"Your master is coming, John." The silver haired man said softly. "You must be brave and stall until he can get there. These people are not…not very nice."
John whimpered into the man's chest. "Sherlock…"
"He is coming my little little one." The tall man smiled. "Stall for him, alright?"
John nodded painfully. "I hurt."
"Shhh, I will stay with for as long as I can." The strange man felt like power and mercy, wisdom and strength. John closed his eyes. The strong chest did not raise and fall with breath, there was no dull heart beat against John's cheek as there was when Sherlock held him.
"I have seen you before." He muttered. "My head is so foggy."
"Little little one, I am afraid that is me." The obscured vision said gently. "The Force does not want me to reveal myself, but yes. You have seen me before."
The child shook his head to clear it. The fog only thickened over his eyes, he surrendered to the will of the force and rested his head against the sturdy chest. "I really, really want my master." He cried. "We had a fight, he will think I-I ran away from h-him." The young voice hitched. "I just want my teacher…"
"He is coming. He is coming. He knows better than to think you ran from him, little little one." Cool lips were placed on the child's brow. "I am starting to fade, John. Be brave for Sherlock, he is coming. Promise me."
"Okay." The soft murmur.
"The words, John."
John's eye fluttered as the vision came into full view. The Force at last revealing John's savior. A gasp escaped through the lips as the man started to fade. John willed the vision back to him, but the grandfather figure continued to fade. "I promise, Master Lestrade."
oOo
Fear blasted through Sherlock's mind with such force that he reeled back into unsuspecting Qui Gon.
MASTER! MASter! Mas…
John!
The empty echo came back to him, his padawan was clearly unconscious. Sherlock broke into a dead sprint towards John's last class as the boy's half of the bond grew fainter. The door splintered beneath Sherlock's mighty boot, revealing only an empty classroom. Sherlock glanced quickly around the room. "He was here."
Qui Gon gave him a confused look.
"John. John, was here and deathly afraid of something." Sherlock pointed to a small smudge on the wall. "John's height, he leaned into the wall." The knight sniffed the air. "Chemicals, do you smell that?" His heart went into over drive. "Blonde hairs on the desk from where they laid him down in preparation to move him"
"Who?" Qui Gon was at Sherlock's side in an instant. The Jedi master rested a calming hand on Sherlock's back and forced air into his lungs. The young man exhaled slowly. His stomach churned.
"This is Anderson's class, is it not?" The knight's eyes darted around the classroom, his heart grew heavier as more data flooded through him. "I cannot sense him." The young knight dropped to his knees. Air seemed to take its time circulating through his lungs and to his brain. He forced himself to calm, this wasn't his way. He couldn't afford to feel such weakness now. "His Force signature is being blocked."
"Sherlock, be still. I am sure the child is not shielding from you."
"I know he isn't, you miss understand." Sherlock took a slow, embarrassed breath in. "Master, there are collars in existence that block the Force from one's being entirely. They are of Sith's design."
"You are suggesting Anderson is a Sith?"
"That idiot? Don't be foolish, he more than likely acquired one." Sherlock snorted. "My old owner was careless and lift them littered about at his old bases." The knight rose on unsteady knees.
"Do you believe him to be connected to the missing padawans?"
Sherlock worried at his lip. "No. I believe Anderson thinks he is saving John from me. The only thing I can say for certain is the padawans are not on Tatooine. My informants tell me Moran is scarcely on that planet anymore. Not nearly enough to keep padawans under watch."
"Then why…?"
"Mining for blood crystals most likely." The Force began darkening around Sherlock's head. The ice blue eyes narrowed. "I need to get to the hangar bay, find out where he's taken John."
"You believe they will just tell, young one."
A tinted red glow formed around the knight's irises. "I think that is exactly what they will do, Master. It has been a while since my curse has been exercised."
"Sherlock." Qui Gon gripped his shoulder firmly. "We must alert the council, your brother…"
"If you are going to waste time by telling my brother than buggar off. I'm more than capable of doing this myself."
Grey and blue eyes glared into each other menacingly. "We need…"
Sherlock stalked away from him.
"Greg, will you just listen to me!" Qui Gon shouted. Both men froze at the mistake, Qui Gon straightened himself with dignity.
Sherlock cringed. "He is all I have, Master. I will do whatever it takes to bring him home."
"Then let me help. Your master passed because…"
"I know." Sherlock said coldly. "Throwing that in my face is not a good way to convince me to take your help."
"Sherlock, do not let me lose another one I care for."
Sherlock's hands curled into fists. "No."
oOo
John stirred.
He could feel eyes on his face, the cold leather restraints were gone, expect for the one tightened around his neck. The little boy twisted off to the side of the bed and vomited. Dull aching in his stomach and mind made him want dunk his head into a pool of water. Or at least be indulged with a hug from Sherlock.
His eyes fluttered open taking in a bright white room, icicles hung from the ceiling, the air was barely breathable from frost, and John's fingertips were blue. He whimpered like a kicked puppy.
Stall for him, little little one. He is coming.
I am so afraid.
His savior fell silent. Abandoned by his only comfort and to make it worse, he could sense nothing. The Force was gone from him.
Gentle hands placed a warm blanket over him, he recoiled in shock and stared into the face of Donavan's padawan. Frida's brow knit together in angst. "Don't say anything, poodoo breath. You looked cold is all." She folded her arms across her chest. "I'm not here to serve you, or anything.
"Where…?" He was appealed at how weak his voice came out.
"Hoth. An old Jedi base." She answered hollowly.
John curled tighter in the soft blankets, the fabric rubbed comfortingly against his skin. He blew out a warm puff of viper. The air was freezing. "Frida, my master? Where is he?"
"In the other room with Anderson." She muttered.
"Where. Is. Sherlock?" John hissed. "I want my master, my real master."
"Why?" She spat at him. "You know what he is."
"Yes, I do. And I miss him because of it." John whispered. He threw the blankets aside. Frida placed to warning hands on his shoulders, John let out a low growl. The Force remained cut off from him and therefore gave Frida the upper hand.
She pushed him back against the pillows. "Don't fight them, John. They are on the verge of a nervous breakdown, have been since you left the first time with your Sith."
"He isn't…oh for Force's sake." John grumbled. "What do they want from me?"
"To sever your bond with Sherlock."
"That is dumb, they can't sever it. Jedi bonds are everlasting." John pushed back against her strong hands. How could he stall if the infuriating woman wouldn't let him up?
"They've found a way." She muttered. For the first time since he arrived John noticed Frida crying. He stopped struggling, slowly he touched her hand.
"What is it?" He said gently.
"They've decided to sever my bond with Master Donavan, since you will more likely bond with her. I will be Anderson's padawan." To the young girl's great shock, John hugged her. She cried on the child's shoulder and gathered him into her arms. John cringed at being held by anyone other than Sherlock, but an ally was becoming necessary. His legs dangled behind her as she pressed his head uncomfortably to her breast.
"I don't want to bond with either of them." He sniffed. "Sherlock will come, he will."
The girl padawan's arms tightened. The sixteen year old stiffened. "I won't let the Sith take you either." She suddenly swore. "We can run away together, John. You can be my padawan."
This was getting out of hand.
John needed to find a way to keep them from severing his bond, perhaps giving into the lesser of two evils was the smart move. He quietly prayed for guidance from the Force, but it did not answer. John took a deep breath. He would have to kiss some arse. Forgive me, Master.
"Master, why can I not feel the Force?" He asked with the tone he used when he wanted something from Sherlock.
The other padawan beamed. "Your collar, my young apprentice." To make it worse she patted his head.
John unwrapped one of hands from her neck and tugged at it with a small whimper. "Hurts."
The only thing that was hurting was his dignity. Thankfully his master would never see it. She reached forward and began undoing the pinching buckle. The Force began to flow through him. Carefully, so as not to alert his fellow padawan to what he was doing, he touched Sherlock's half of the bond. His master's response was immediate and explosive.
John!
Didn't run away.
His mind's voice was barely a whisper.
I am coming, little one.
Do you know…
Hoth. I know exactly where you are. Did you ever doubt my brilliance?
The only quality I will ever doubt in you is humility, Master.
Are you alright?
Frightened. Again John was appealed with the soft pleading note. But I'm okay.
Frida freed him from his wretched collar. He gave a small smile in thanks.
Stall for me, little one.
Yes, Master.
Frida laid him back onto the bed and tenderly pushed the blond hairs from his face. The boy's knees clattered together from the cold and the posh blanket was laid over him tenderly. John's mind raced with possibilities of escape, he had to get his new "master" to let him out of the kriffing freezer. His pressed his lips together in a tight line.
"Where are Donavan and Anderson?" John asked innocently.
"Prepping the machine to sever our bonds." She said as if far away. John wiggled uncomfortably under the blankets. "I shall make you go first, John. That way I know your being truthful."
John shuddered. "But won't Donavan…"
"My master is blinded by her desire to claim you as her padawan. She can hardly wait to cleanse you of that Sith's spit."
Blood dribbled inside of John's mouth as he clenched down on his tongue. He felt himself grow woozy from the taste. "Can I sit in a tub, please? Or something with water?" It was a genuine request, it would easily calm his senses. "Maybe I could dip my head in a sink." He pleaded.
Frida frowned. "Perhaps. I'd have to ask my current master." She ducked out of the room quickly.
John threw the ridiculous blankets on the floor and heaved himself out of the bed. Stall, he had to stall, but for how long? John glanced around the room swiftly. Sherlock had felt close, but Hoth was quite a way from Coruscant. His master would be there as swiftly as he could, that was good enough for John.
There were three air ducts in the room, two were off to the sides, one was in the ceiling. John grinned, knowing full well he could easily hide in there until Sherlock came. The first side grate popped off with one swift Force pull. He laid it on the ground as a false clue. Calling open the Force once more he brought down the top vent and caught it before it clattered to the ground. He found his collar and shoved it into his pocket. Donavan couldn't find him if she couldn't sense him. He vaulted into the highest air duct, pulling the grate behind him.
It locked into place with a soft click.
After a short distance of crawling over the icy metal John refitted the collar loosely around his neck. As he tightened the last notch he sent a mental message to Sherlock.
Master, please hurry.
oOo
He had been crammed in a freezing ventilation shaft over a kriffing hour.
The temptation to rip his collar off and simply scream for his master was great, but John bit his tongue and curled into a tighter ball. Perhaps he should have brought the posh blanket. The sensation of hunger made his stomach clench in agony. Hoth was about a twenty-two hour ride from Coruscant.
He hadn't eaten in a full day.
He pulled his tunics around him tighter, they had taken his boots early on. The poor child's toes were beginning to purple. He gave a small cry. The need for comfort welled in his chest and soft whimpering escaped his tired body. He just wanted to go home.
Sherlock hadn't felt more than an hour away, he had felt so close.
John's whimperings became strained sobs. Tears coursed down his cheeks and froze to the soft skin. He couldn't do it for another hour, he would surely die.
He pulled his dirty blond hair into his face for more warmth, his fingers couldn't even straighten any longer. At last the eight year old boy, with no Force to comfort him allowed the sobs to rack through him. He waited expectantly for the sound of his new master to find him.
The child sobbed harder.
He wanted Sherlock so bad it ached.
Rustling could be heard below him, every muscle in his body tensed.
As a blue light saber ripped through the vent cutting him down from his hiding place.