I'm really sorry it's taken me so long to update! It's that time of year again. I'm trying to get registered for Fall classes and get my financial aid in line. Fun, fun! I hope you enjoy the chapter! Thank you SO much for your wonderful reviews! They always make my day!

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Things on Tatooine had gone without incident. Obi-Wan and R2D2 were now hiding behind a dead moon a ways away from the outlying spaceport. There was still no word yet from Bail Organa. Obi-Wan got up from his seat in the cockpit. "R2, I'm going to go meditate."

Words quickly scrolled across the screen. 'I'll come with you.'

"Not much can happen to me while I'm meditating, R2. Why don't you stay up here and keep an eye on things."

'I'm coming with you. I can plug in back there and know everything I would know in here.'

Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "You really ARE stubborn!" He headed for the door. "If it makes you feel better, you may join me." Not that you would take 'no' for an answer! Obi-Wan shook his head, knowing that R2D2 was right at his heels. Padme had said that he brought out protectiveness in others. He never would have guessed that it also applied to droids.

Both Obi-Wan and R2D2 settled into the common area. Obi-Wan quieted his mind and opened himself to the Force. He figured he might as well use this time to try and see if there was any sign, any vibration within the Force that might indicate there was another Jedi still alive. He went deeper and deeper into the Force, trying to get under the blanket of darkness that smothered it so heavily.

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In his office on Coruscant, Lord Sidious was starting his frequent ritual of searching the Force for any sign of Obi-Wan's whereabouts. Everyday since Mustafar, he had honed his powers to search for one presence within the vast ocean that was the Force. The Emperor's dark energy pulled him deep within its eddies. He stilled his mind completely, open to the slightest ripple.

Sidious delved deeper yet, pausing when he felt something vaguely familiar. He extended his senses and noticed a glow in the distance. The emperor's mind crept closer to it, veiling himself completely. As the white-blue glow increased, so did his recognition. This was a veritable beacon in the murky darkness – pure and untainted. 'Obi-Wan!'

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Obi-Wan gasped. He had heard his name! His mind quickly backed away from that all-too familiar voice, but dark talons latched onto him to prevent his escape. He struggled heavily, but couldn't loosen the grasp.

'It's time you accept your destiny, Obi-Wan.'

No! Obi-Wan worked to not panic and to keep his focus.

'You can't hide forever, Obi-Wan. You are MINE!'

Obi-Wan paused from his struggle, hearing a distant beeping sound. R2! 'I'll never be yours, Sidious,' Obi-Wan sent out. His mind locked onto the beeping sound and determinedly moved towards it.

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The emperor could sense Obi-Wan pulling away. He tried to get a firmer grasp on Obi-Wan's mind, but couldn't maintain his hold. 'I won't let you go, my apprentice! I'll find you!' With the last of his ability, he tried to grab hold again. But it was to no avail. His frustration mounted as Obi-Wan's mind slipped further and further away.

The emperor slammed his hand down on his desk. "Damn it all!" He had been so close to having a permanent lock on Obi-Wan's mind! Sidious calmed his breathing. At least he had made contact with Obi-Wan. There hadn't been a sign of him at all since Mustafar, so this opportunity could not be wasted. His prize had not been close by, he knew that much.

Sidious punched his com button. "Captain!"

"Yes, my Lord."

"Put every ship and all personnel in the Mid and Outer Rims on alert. General Kenobi has come out of hiding and is in that area somewhere. I don't care what you have to do, just find him!"

"Right away, my Lord."

The emperor decided to also call his bounty hunters. There was no time to lose!

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As Obi-Wan moved away from the dark presence, he focused on moving toward the frantic beeps coming from R2D2. His eyes shot open and he discovered that he was now lying on the floor, panting for breath.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes again and worked to get his breathing under control. Calmer, he opened his eyes again and perched himself up on his elbows. Blast, he was exhausted!

R2D2 finally calmed down when he realized that Obi-Wan was okay. He made some sounds that were obviously a question.

Flopping back fully onto the floor, Obi-Wan wiped the sweat from his brow. "It was the emperor. He was able to grab hold of my mind while I meditated. I heard him speak to me, and at first, I couldn't get away. But then I heard you…" He turned to smile weakly at his faithful droid. "Thank you, R2."

R2D2 made sounds of concern.

"I'll be okay. I just need to rest a bit." Obi-Wan closed his eyes again. That had been a close call! He was amazed at Sidious' strength in the Force to be able to reach across such a great distance, find him and TALK to him. He would never have thought it possible. THIS certainly complicated things!

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"I haven't been able to come up with anything even remotely substantial." Bail Organa's shimmering image cast a bluish glow in the cockpit. "But if you're determined to do this…" Organa paused as R2D2 started making a fuss. "It seems your droid has something to say."

Obi-Wan frowned at R2 as the droid sent text to Bail Organa. 'Master Obi-Wan has something to tell you about the emperor.'

The senator raised his brow as he read R2's message. "Oh?"

Obi-Wan sighed heavily. He should have known R2 wouldn't let him get away with not mentioning the incident with Sidious. "While I was meditating yesterday, the emperor was able to make contact with me."

Organa was at sudden attention in his seat. "WHAT? What do you mean 'contact?'"

Obi-Wan had to restrain himself from petulantly sinking down in his seat. "He…latched onto my mind."

"And what exactly does that mean?" The senator's expression had darkened considerably.

"We were both immersed in the Force at the same time. He sensed my presence and was somehow able, despite the distance between us, to grab onto my mind. I fought him, but at first I couldn't get away. I heard him speak to me. Then I heard R2 beeping in the distance and I was able to find my way back and out of his grasp."

Bail Organa steepled his fingers as he mulled over what Obi-Wan had said. "You said he spoke to you. What did he say?"

Obi-Wan shifted in his seat. The more details he gave away, the more resistant the senator would become to his search for surviving Jedi. Of course, he wouldn't lie when asked a direct question. "He basically said that becoming his apprentice was my destiny and that I couldn't hide forever." He left out the possessiveness in Sidious' voice when he said that Obi-Wan was HIS. That memory made him distinctly uncomfortable.

"I see." Organa looked pointedly at Obi-Wan. "This changes everything."

"Senator, it doesn't change the fact that there might be Jedi out there struggling to survive."

"MIGHT being the operative word, Master Kenobi. I have found NO concrete information AT ALL about any Jedi having survived the purge. And if you think I'm willing to risk your safety on anything less than a definite sighting of a Jedi survivor…"

"Senator, this isn't…"

R2D2 piped in with shrill beeps, as if seconding what Organa had said.

Senator Organa folded his arms over his chest. "Neither your droid nor I are going to allow you to conduct your search under these circumstances."

"ALLOW me?"

The senator ran his hands down his face, before holding them out in a placating manner. "Master Kenobi, I know that you have the power to do what you want to do, despite anything R2 or I might attempt in order to stop you. But I ask you to think of how your actions will affect those who need you and love you. If you were captured by the emperor, think of how that would affect Padme, the children, Yoda, not to mention the future of the Jedi Order."

Obi-Wan turned his face away as Organa's words sunk in. The man was right. Obi-Wan knew if he went forward with his search, it would be for purely selfish reasons – a vain attempt to redeem himself from his failures. It was a horribly bitter pill to swallow. He turned back to the glowing image, looking defeated. "Alright, Senator, you win. I won't do it."

Organa felt no joy at his victory in this battle of wills. He greatly respected this young Jedi Master and hated to see him at such a loss. "I will continue my search for leads. If anything turns up, I will let you know immediately."

"Thank you, Senator."

"Do you think the emperor was able to pinpoint your exact location?"

"No, I don't believe so. But I do think he knows that I'm not anywhere near Coruscant."

"Then staying where you are is probably your best bet for now. Give me a few days to see what else I can dig up. If I haven't found anything else by then, you should just head back to your hideout."

Obi-Wan shook his head. The light of determination once more entered his azure eyes. "There's one more thing I have to do before heading back."

"And that is?"

"I will tell you when the time comes."

Organa decided it was best to concede this one. "Okay, fair enough. If you need anything, if there are any signs of the empire nearby, please call me."

"I will."

"Good. I will contact you in a few days." Organa's image disappeared.

Obi-Wan sat back heavily in his chair. He felt completely helpless and completely useless – feelings that had always been chafing for him.

R2 made a soft sound – almost a cooing. Text scrolled across the screen on the instrument panel. 'I am sorry, Master. Are you angry with me?'

Obi-Wan couldn't even muster a reassuring smile. "No, R2. I'm not angry at you or Senator Organa. I'm just disappointed."

'Sacrificing yourself is not the answer. You are too important.'

Obi-Wan snorted. "I'm no more important than the rest of the Jedi – all the Jedi who were murdered throughout the galaxy."

'You have a greater destiny.'

Studying the droid, Obi-Wan again marveled at the droid's human-ness. "In this moment, R2, I find that hard to accept."