Knights of the Old Republic: Episode II
Ahmose Inarus
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Criminal Minds, and I most certainly do NOT own Star Wars.
SLASH WARNING! H/R
Chapter 19
PLANET: CORUSCANT
LOCATION: JEDI TEMPLE
TIME: MORNING
Hotch allowed his lover to sleep in. The boy had seemed so exhausted, but after what he went through, he didn't blame him. When Reid finally stirred, the man was already dressed and ready for the day. He smiled down at the sleepy young apprentice, hair tousled from sleep. Reid blinked up at him, then slowly sat up.
"Good morning."
"mm… Mornin'." Reid mumbled.
"Get dressed and we'll eat." Hotch said with a smile. Reid nodded and shuffled into the bathroom, relieved himself, and then stripped out of his nightclothes. Then he immediately went for a fresh vial of Nectar. Without hesitation, he drank it down. But as he swallowed the last bit, his eyes came to rest on his reflection in the mirror. And he stopped. He frowned, running fingers over his abdomen. There, right above his left hip bone, the skin was ever so lightly mottled, a soft purple in color. He tried to think if he had ever hit his stomach on anything the previous day, but nothing came to mind. So he shrugged it off and dressed. Then he looked in the mirror. Darth Livion was standing behind him, and his stomach lurched. But he swallowed, glared at the Sith Lord and snarled "Go away." Livion grinned at him, but he blinked and the Sith was gone. He blinked again. Then he shook his head, heading to breakfast with Hotch.
After breakfast he went to the Healers for an assessment, and when that was done, he and Hotch went to meet with Noria and Ralko Cereni, spending the morning in meditation, strengthening their Bond. After lunch, Reid would be sent to rest, and then would either spend the afternoon with the Jedi Shadows, or in the archives. After dinner, the team would gather in Hotch's room until it was time to sleep.
Five days later, however, Hotch decided to voice a question about the Force Bond to Noria and Ralko. As they walked to lunch, Hotch said to them, "While I was on Telos, Spencer and I made contact through our bond." The twins nodded. "He was able to help me See the way he can, with the Force. As a Miraluka."
"I see." Ralko said, smiling. "Some can pass on such enhancements to one another."
"What about… wielding the Force THROUGH the other?" Hotch asked.
"What do you mean?" Noria queried.
"When I was attacked by the Rakghouls, Spencer… used the Force Lightning. THROUGH me." Hotch clarified. Noria and Ralko stared, then glanced at one another.
"We have… never heard of this." Noria finally confessed, looking intrigued and slightly unnerved.
"Perhaps we should try it ourselves?" Ralko asked his twin sister. She frowned and bit her lower lip.
"I believe we should consult the archives and see if it has ever been recorded." She finally said.
"We don't have to consult the archives for everything." Her brother complained.
"I would prefer caution when dealing with such an unknown." She stated, calmly. Ralko rolled his eyes, and she glared at him. "We should also consult with the Council."
"Yes, yes…" Ralko groaned, and the pair headed for the Council's lunch table. Reid blinked up at Hotch, and the man shrugged, and then headed to where the team tended to sit. All through lunch, Reid was watching the Council, who was eating while engaged in deep conversation. When they were finished, they approached the team.
"Aaron," Ralko said. "Spencer, we would like for you to show the Council what you told us about right before lunch." Hotch nodded, and Reid looked slightly panicked. They headed to one of the smaller training arenas, and the Council lined up on the sidelines, looking at Hotch and Reid, the team behind them, wondering what was going on.
"Noria and Ralko have informed us that Spencer can wield the Force THROUGH you, Aaron." Gideon said, calmly.
"He can. He used the Force Lightning."
"Please explain what happened." Strauss asked.
"I was locked in a room full of Rakghoul." Hotch said. "I heard him in my head, and then my body moved on its own… and Lightning came from my fingertips."
"Are you able to use the Lightning yourself?" Bre Mong asked.
"No. I've never used it before, and afterwards when I tried, I couldn't do it."
"Padawan, how did you do it?" Eesa K'Tal asked.
"I… I'm not sure, Master." Reid said, softly. "I… everything's hazy… I was really out of it when I did it…" the Council was silent, awaiting an explanation. "I was half conscious." He began. "I was… being tortured. And I sought refuge in our Bond. But when I connected with him, he was trapped and surrounded… And… I had to help him. I just… DID it. I don't know how, I just did. And… then I passed out."
"Would you be willing to try again?" Asked Amna Kao.
"If you wish it." Reid said softly.
"Please try." She said, gently. Reid nodded, and looked at Hotch. The man smiled and clapped him on the shoulder, and the pair turned until they were back to back. Then Reid slowly moved to sit cross legged on the floor, resting his hands on his knees and closing his eyes. He took a slow, deep breath, and forced himself to relax. Hotch's shoulders drooped and he let his head fall to his chest as he too relaxed. Both of them opened their minds to one another, and the room went silent. For a long time, the only sounds were the breathing of the Jedi, and the occasional rustle of fabric when someone shifted.
Patience was the virtue that they focused on for the next half hour. The Jedi knew that what they were asking would not be easy, and not to expect immediate results.
But then, suddenly, as if strings holding them up had been severed, Hotch crumpled and crashed to the floor, Reid slumping over beside him. Neither moved.
The Jedi Council stared, confused.
"Spence?" JJ blurted, shoving past Max Ryan and Sa'Eeya'Da, rushing to the sides of the men lying limp on the floor. Noria and Ralko were the next to reach them. Ralko touched Reid's forehead, and Noria rested her hand on Hotch. The pair closed their eyes, feeling the minds of the two Jedi lying silently.
"… Well?" Max Ryan asked.
"Patience, Master Ryan…" Noria said, sternly. The man glared at the little Twi'Lek female. After another moment, she and her brother opened their eyes, and looked at each other. Then Ralko nodded. The twins picked up Hotch and Reid's hands and moved them until their fingers were touching. Almost immediately, the fingers entwined and the pair clasped hands tightly, bodies slowly rolling to face one another. Then Reid was slowly drawing in on himself into fetal position, and Hotch's body curled itself around Reid's. They were still for a moment, and then Reid whimpered softly.
"… Hotch? Spence?" JJ called.
"We are fine." The pair slowly murmured in unison, almost as if they were one. "We are together. All is well."
"… What's happened?" Morgan demanded to know.
"We're not sure." Ralko admitted, frowning. "It's like they've gone into a Force Trance… But within each other…?"
"What in the blazes does THAT mean?" Rumbled Raahn Syr.
"We're not sure." Noria said, and the Cathar gave her a look.
Tarash Virr knelt and poked Reid in the back of the head.
"Stop that!" Master Kao scolded, smacking the Miraluka upside the head.
"Ow! What was that for, Amna?"
"Leave the poor boy alone." She snapped.
Everyone went quiet… they waited. The pair on floor were still and silent for a long time, and then they suddenly stretched out. Their eyes opened, though their gazes were blank and glazed. Reid drew close to Hotch, wrapping his arms around the man's body and pressing into his chest. Then Hotch reached a hand up, and everyone jumped back as Lightning erupted from his fingertips, blasting throughout the room.
Everyone stared, and then both Hotch and Reid jerked and gasped, blinking their eyes back into focus and looking around. Master Virr and Gideon were both there by their sides almost immediately, and gave them a hand to their feet.
"What happened?" Gideon asked.
"I… I'm not sure." Hotch said, and looked at Reid.
"What did you do?" Master Virr asked, looking down at Reid.
"… I don't know." Reid breathed, eyes wide. He looked around at everyone. "I… I really don't. You told me to try and use the Lightning through Hotch… I was… only half conscious the first time. I don't know HOW I did it… I just had to… improvise."
"And how did you do that?" Asked Kitata Ree.
"I just… immersed myself in the Bond. I tried to… bring us as close as I could… How did we end up on the floor?" He asked, looking down at said floor in confusion.
"You both collapsed." Said Morgan.
"Oh." Reid mumbled.
"… Aaron?" Rossi asked, and everyone turned to look at the man. But he was just staring at Reid. Reid blinked at him. He shifted nervously, then coughed. Hotch had the most intense look in his eyes…
"I need to rest." Hotch said, suddenly. "So does Spencer. That was… exhausting."
"… Alright…" Amna Kao said, slowly. She eyed the pair. "We will see you later…" And the Council left the room.
"Come with me." Hotch demanded, seizing Reid's arm. "Now." And he dragged Reid from the room, the boy looking baffled.
"W-What is it?" He asked. "What's wrong?" The team followed, but when they got to Hotch's room, the man gave them a look, then dragged Reid inside and closed the door after him. Reid gasped as Hotch shoved him up against the wall, and pinned him there with a hand on his chest. Reid stared at him, almost frightened.
"… You're hiding something." Hotch growled.
"W-What?"
"Whatever you did in there… with our Bond. I saw things."
"W-What… kinds of things?" Reid whispered.
"You left the Temple. I don't know when… but you left it. And you were with some… less than savory characters… Why."
"I… I don't know what you're talking about." Reid gasped.
"DON'T lie to me, Spencer!"
"I… I…"
"We fought for you. We fought to get you back from the Sith and we fought to keep you out of the hands of the Senate. Do NOT repay us with deception. Or is all of this a farce? Are you just pretending? Are you STILL working for the Sith?"
"How can you ask me that?" Reid shouted, shoving Hotch away and moving across the room. He then whirled and stared at the man, with tears in his eyes. "I was MISERABLE with the Sith. You KNOW that! You saw it… you FELT it! We have a Bond, Aaron! You would KNOW if the Dark Side were still in me."
"… The Dark Side is a Master of Deception. And you are hiding SOMETHING. Don't lie to me. I know that you are."
"… I'm not."
"Then why did you leave the Temple?"
"… I… I—"
"And don't tell me that you didn't… I WILL check the security archives."
"Aaron, please…" Reid gasped, curling his arms around himself. "Don't do this."
"You tell me why, Spencer."
"…"
"… Get out." Reid's eyes snapped up at the snarled order. "Get out. I don't want to see you right now."
"… Aaron… I—"
"I will not share a room with you, OR a bed with you, if you intend to lie to me." Hotch snapped. Reid stared at him, eyes wide in shock.
"Aaron—"
"OUT!"
Reid jumped, then ran for the door. The team looked up, startled when the door suddenly opened and Reid bolted from the room, radiating fear and distress. He fled down the corridor, and disappeared around the corner.
"Aaron?" Rossi asked.
"… He's hiding something from us." Hotch growled in a low tone. "There's something going on that he won't tell us…"
Reid ran through the Temple, almost running into a Master and his Padawan, and nearly plowing over a group of Younglings. He did his best to hide his distress, but he knew that anyone focusing on him would be able to feel it. Tears blurred his vision, and so he just closed his eyes and let the Force guide him.
He finally found himself in the storage area of the Temple. It was dark and silent. He had never been here before, but he didn't care. He sought out the most remote corner he could, where it was so dark that he had to use his Force Sight to navigate, and there he leaned against the wall and slid to the floor. And then, once he was sure that no one was near, he allowed himself to let go. His body was wracked with sobs and coughs, and tears flooded down his face.
He longed to be back on Carosi, in his small apartment across the street from the Devil's Dome… There, he was safe and comforted by Tobias and Amanda…
Amanda…
A fresh wave of grief overwhelmed him. It was HIS fault that she was gone! He should have taken better care of her! If he hadn't lost his hold on her in the explosion, she never would have been shot! Yes, it was his fault… It was ALL his fault… Amanda… The Telosian Senator… Haley… Aliki Naas…
It was all him…
He shook his head. The Jedi were wrong. He was NOT redeemed. How could he EVER be redeemed? They should have let him go… turned him over to the Senate. He should have been executed for his crimes. But no… The Jedi HAD to fight for him. Now he could screw up again… now, more people would die. Because of him. He didn't know who, how or why… but he knew that it WOULD happen… Death followed him wherever he went… starting with his mother.
Diana…
His mind drifted to his mother. How he loved her… how he missed her. He could have made her proud, if he hadn't made that fatal mistake of going after Amanda back on Cilpar over two years ago… That one mistake… It cost the lives of so many… and it was HIS mistake…
Him… It was all him…
"Of course it was." Reid jumped and looked up. Darth Livion was sitting on a crate over him, watching him. "And now look at you. Trying to pretend to be something you're not… trying to pretend that you're not me…"
"Go away…" Reid hissed.
"Fine… but we'll talk again soon." Livion said, and faded.
Reid fumbled at his belt and pulled out three vials of the Vi'Tani Nectar. He opened them and drank them all down, one after another. Warmth flooded through him. Slowly, the guilt and the pain faded, and Spencer Reid slumped to the floor with a soft moan of relief, curling up and closing his eyes before drifting off into a warm, drugged sleep.
Lunch time arrived, and while Hotch joined the team for the meal, Reid did not appear. Afterwards, the Council approached the team, but none knew where Reid had gone. Hotch tried to track him, but the boy had closed off their Bond as tightly as he could. Hotch couldn't find him. Reid slept away the day down in the storage area, while the Temple overhead was searched. Dinner came and went, and still none found him. Hotch admitted to the Council that they had fought, and he had hurt the boy, accusing him of lying. He was scolded soundly. Eventually, the search ended. They knew that the boy was safe within the walls of the Temple, and that knowledge allowed everyone to find sleep that night. But only a couple of hours after they slipped into sleep, Reid awoke.
And anger roiling within him, he gathered his Sith clothing from their hiding place and made his way out of the Temple. This time, he also procured a new black cloak, hiding himself within it before he went to meet up with Gualen to purchase more of the Nectar. He hid his speeder and headed into the red light district, heading for the small warehouse. Once there, he slipped inside. Like before, a group of Weequay and Trandoshans were playing Pazaak. Gualen was off to the side, speaking with a Rhodian. But he froze when Reid walked into view. His eyes widened, and the Rhodian with him turned to see the newcomer.
"Ah… Hello. I… didn't expect you back so soon."
"You knew I would return."
"You… uh, you said in a week, my Lord. It has only been five days…"
"Do you have it?" Reid demanded to know.
"We are… discussing obtaining a supply right now." The Quarren said, and Reid immediately turned his gaze onto the Rhodian. The Rhodian's eyes darted down to glance nervously at the Lightsabers on his belt.
"We will also need to discuss price." The Rhodian said. "1300 was a one time deal. It will not happen again. I sell it to Guelan for 1000."
"Then you will sell it to me for 1000." Reid said. The Rhodian frowned. "You have one day to get your supply in."
"That may not be possible…" The Rhodian said. "And 1000 is not acceptable." Reid narrowed his eyes this time. And then, a breeze rippled through the room. Guelan and the Rhodian froze. Reid's cloak swirled around him as the wind picked up. The cards blew off of the table, and the Trandoshans and Weequay leapt to their feet. Reid thrust a hand out, they were all swept across the room and pinned to the wall, and a moment later, Guelan was clawing at his throat, gagging and trying to breathe. The terrified Rhodian let out a squeal and fell to his knees.
"ALRIGHT!" He cried. "ALRIGHT! TOMORROW! 1000! You will have it! I swear!"
And the wind died down, and the Quarren, the Weequay and the Trandoshans cowered. "I will be here tomorrow night." Reid said, glaring. "If you are not here, I will hunt you down…" And he turned, and left the place. Once outside, he paused, then pulled out a vial of Nectar and drank it down with a sigh. He felt the anger within him fade, replaced by the warm comfort of the Nectar. He made his way to the Speeder, changed back into his Padawan robes and returned to the Temple. He parked the Speeder and headed into the Temple, after stashing his Dark Side clothing up under the cloak of a large towering statue of a Jedi.
Then he headed inside. But as he turned the corner, he stopped dead in his tracks. Aaron Hotchner stood there with Jason Gideon, Tarash Virr, and the team. They were all staring at him. Hotch had his arms crossed over his chest. His face was hard, and his eyes were cold.
"… Where were you?" He demanded to know. Reid stared at him, and then his eyes narrowed.
"That's none of your business." He snapped. "I don't answer to you." And he shouldered past the man, only to run into Gideon and Tarash Virr.
"But you do answer to the Council." Master Virr said, firmly. "Especially when you are on probation and restricted to the Temple." Reid looked back and forth between the pair.
"… And officially, you are still my apprentice." Gideon pointed out in his usual gentle tone. "Where were you?"
"… Nowhere." Reid said, pushing between them. But then, Emily, Morgan and Rossi were blocking his path. "Move."
"Spence…" JJ said softly, laying a hand on his shoulder. Reid jerked away, slapping her hand.
"Leave me alone." He snarled, and stepped around the group and strode down the hall.
"Spencer." Hotch said, catching the boy by the arm. Reid whirled and fixed a glare on the man.
"Let. Go."
"Don't turn away from me, Spencer."
"Turn away from YOU!" Reid blurted, then gave an incredulous laugh, jerking his arm away. "In case you've forgotten, it was YOU who turned ME away this morning!" And he stalked away.
"Where are you going?" Hotch demanded to know.
"What do you care?" Reid spat, and turned the corner. Hotch sighed, then turned and looked back at Master Virr and Gideon.
"You're right." Gideon said. "He's hiding something."
"Are you going to tell the Council?" Morgan asked.
"Not yet." Master Virr said, softly. "I am hoping that Aaron will be able to get him to open up to him."
"… Not likely. Not after this morning." Hotch said, now looking guilty.
"He will forgive you. But you must ask for his forgiveness." Master Virr said, and Hotch nodded.
"Where will he sleep?" Garcia asked. "He's been staying with Hotch."
"Has he?" Master Virr asked, looking interested.
"He has." Hotch nodded.
"… You kissed him." Master Virr said, suddenly. "When we got him back on Carosi. You kissed him." Hotch said nothing. "… That wasn't the first time, was it?" the team was silent, and eyes were wide. "… Come with me." Master Virr commanded, and Hotch's heart dropped into his stomach. He looked at the team, then turned and followed Master Virr.
"… You love him." Master Virr announced once they were out of earshot of the team. Hotch was silent. "I suspected this… long before he was taken by the Sith. That's how you developed your Bond, isn't it?"
"… I… yes. Yes, I believe so." Hotch admitted.
"When did the bond appear?"
"… After we… on Kashyyyk. We…"
"Consummated?"
"… Yes."
"I see." They walked in silence for a moment, and then Master Virr turned to face Hotch. "This is forbidden by the Jedi Order."
"… I know, Master." Hotch nodded.
"Should I tell the Council, you could be expelled from the Order."
"I know."
"… Spencer would not be so lucky, I think."
"Master?"
"If we were to expel him, he would no longer be in our jurisdiction. If the Senate wanted to arrest him and execute him, they could. And we would have no say in the matter."
"Will you tell the Council?" Hotch asked.
"… No." Master Virr said. "They believe that a romantic love can lead one to the Dark Side. But it was this relationship that brought Spencer back, wasn't it?"
"… I believe so." Hotch nodded.
"He is struggling with something, Aaron. You must get to the bottom of it. This I can NOT keep from the Council. Not for long."
"I understand." Hotch nodded.
"… Then take care of it. Before he suffers for whatever secret he is keeping."
And the Miraluka turned and walked away. Hotch watched him go, then sighed and reached out to his lover over their Bond. But Reid had blocked him out…
Fireball1012: Welcome! Glad you're enjoying!
Nymphadora-CullenBAU: Yes! Reid's back! Took you this long to realize it? LOL And… Sorry… don't watch Supernatural, so I don't get your reference… Glad you liked your own cameo in the story! Master Nym Daphora will appear another time or two before the story is over. Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Miaka92: I like to give you guys mean teasers. ^_~ And yes… trust in my wisdom…
NormaJean Beausoleil: The story has twenty five chapters in total. And yes… MUCH drama on the horizon…
Twilightmecrazii: Soon… very soon…
LarieNGubler: We all hate it, but we LOVE to watch it and hate it! Glad you liked the imagery of the Force Storm! And yes, the Nectar continues to cause problems… And Livion will continue to cast a shadow over Reid for quite some time. And if you look at the cover to this story *points to the top of the page* you'll see that Spencer loses a lot of his… adorable looks as a Sith Lord… "pretty" isn't the word I would use to describe Darth Livion…
Artemis Phoenix: but you LOVE IT! MUWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!
14hpgirl19: Reid's struggle with his addiction will begin to take its toll, and it probably won't be what you expect…
Angel Lain: Stop lurking! Come on out and join the party! Glad to see you enjoy my writing, and HAH! Another H/R convert! Woot! A lot of people apparently were very skeptical about a CM/SW crossover, but all the feedback I've gotten has been amazing! I'm so glad that y'all appreciate the effort that goes into weaving these two universes together, but it's a BLAST doing it. As for Master Nym Daphora… all the Masters of the Council of First Knowledge are cameo appearances of fellow authors/readers! Nym Daphora is for "Nymphadora-CullenBAU". Sedina is for "Seditionary", Linnash is for "Lynn Ash" and Tra Tonnia is an amalgam of the moderators of the Forum I'm a member of. I don't remember who Payton Kai is… she volunteered a LONG time ago to make the cameo and picked that as her name… don't remember who it was, though! XD!
And finally…
Livion: I was starting to get worried that you wouldn't be in time for the next chapter to go up! Glad you made it, though! I would have been so sad…
Yes, Master Tonnia asking Reid to drain Master Syr was one helluva test… You hit the nail right on the head. It was indeed a test to see what he would do… obey or do what he felt was right. Even saying that he would, but then asking Master Syr for his permission before starting would have been considered passing the test. It was indeed a matter to see what ruled truly ruled him… Jedi or Sith. And seeing Reid's remorse for taking the lives of even the most simple, basic life forms, also shows his true nature as who he IS, and not who he had been forced to BECOME. He respects life in all of its forms, and to take a life that is not in the defense of himself or others, is a deplorable act to the Jedi.
As for the Force Storm, it was indeed a moment to really show just WHAT power Reid truly has at his disposal. Despite being almost finished with Episode II, we still have not seen Reid at his full power… No one has, not even Reid himself. One could even say that what with the teachings of the Sith, he is now afraid of his own power… but that will be an issue to be dealt with later. Either way, his power is incredible and will be sought after by each side. And that is something he will be in danger of as long as he has his connection to the Force.
And Darth Livion… nope. The guy's like a bad case of hemorrhoids that just won't go away. And you are correct… anger, chaos, confusion and fear would definitely attract his attention. His presence is ominous, and does show the darkness within Reid, but the Nectar has a LOT to do with his… prominence. And you are correct in your assumption that "Darth Livion will keep coming…" Just… not in the way you're probably thinking… but that again is something to be addressed at a later date… ^_~
As for Reid fighting back and utilizing the Force Scream… he had lost control at that point. He was screaming himself, and it was indeed in fear and losing control of his emotions as well, but putting the Force into the scream was not intentional. And you are correct again… if the Masters had not stepped in, the Storm would have ripped the Temple apart and killed people… possibly even Reid. If Reid completely loses control, the consequences would be deadly.
And this scene did begin to establish one very important fact… Aaron IS Reid's anchor. Reid draws strength from Hotch, and will continue to do so. Their Bond is BEYOND crucial. But even it isn't perfect, as demonstrated when Reid manages to hide his addiction from Hotch, and even slip out of the Temple to feed that addiction without Hotch ever even knowing. Reid is able to block him, and he does. And the fact that he DOES block him to do what he did, shows that his redemption is not complete… He is still practicing deception… And the coughing… well… glad you picked up on it. You are seeing consequences progressing…
And you are correct… we see that his addiction is pushing him back to the Dark Side, even as he is fighting to free himself of the hold. As we all know… addiction takes over, and you are not yourself…
And as for the Next Time… well, now you know what happened. Please forgive Hotch. And remember that even the Jedi are not perfect, and can sometimes fall victim to those human emotions of anger. He is upset, because after all he went through for Reid, to have Reid betray him, it upset him greatly and he doesn't know how to deal with it. But they are Bonded, and nothing can change that!
Thanks for the review! It was a pleasure, as always!
Next Time: Reid's lip curled in a snarl. His eyes, now a red rimmed yellow, flashed, and the Falleen was flung back into the wall, his feet dangling six inches over the floor. Then he was slammed back into the wall again, and again and again… The Kel Dor charged to assist his companion, and Reid whirled, making a swiping gesture with his hand. The Kel Dor skidded to a stop and his hands flew up to his own throat as the breathing apparatus was ripped off of his face and flung across the room. His mouth gasped, and he collapsed to his knees… He could not breath oxygen… the young Jedi began to suffocate rapidly.
Reid, what have you done?
Anyway... PLEASE REVIEW!