Chapter Title: Guidance

Series Title: Unlikely Brothers

POV: Obi-Wan

Ages in this chapter: Tanner (13) Dashen (19) - Neither character actually appear in this chapter.

Chapter Summary: Precursor to the events in the "Saved by Ben" (Chapter 41 in the series), Obi-Wan's POV when feeling that Tannerlin and his brother are in trouble on Tatooine's neighboring planet, Andooween. He seeks guidance from Qui-Gon before coming to their aid.


Qui-Gon appeared in ghost form behind me as I called for him. I still hadn't gotten completely comfortable with my old master appearing out of nowhere, but once I had completed the training and was able to commune with and then actually see him...to set my eyes on that familiar and kind face again...it was most welcoming.

But this wasn't a social call.

"Master, the boy, Tannerlin. His brother. They're in trouble on Andooween."

"You know this how, Obi-Wan?"

"I felt it. The boy and I have formed a modest connection in the Force. He is well abled with some things, despite his limited training. I heard him reach out not long ago. He is scared and hurt. His brother is injured. They cannot escape on their own."

"Why are they so far from home? Surely, the older boy's job..."

"I do not know, Master. I only know they are in extreme danger. I cannot allow Tannerlin to perish. He is one of a few of our kind remaining. Even if he cannot practice the Jedi arts to be fully trained, he is one of us. A friend. I cannot lose another friend."

"Nor should you. What do you propose?"

"I need to go to them." I reached for my hidden floor-chest, pulled the lid. Within, lay two lightsabers. My own and Qui-Gon's. I had never parted with his after his death. I used it as my own until I had constructed a new one. Then I'd hidden it away as one of the few possessions of his that I had been able to rescue before being exiled from Coruscant forever. Master Yoda had preserved it for me before he'd departed the Temple for the final time. That and a small satchel of other cherished items. It was the lightsaber however that held most importance. I lingered

for a long second at seeing it again, running a finger over the carefully formed metal hilt.

Qui-Gon brought me out of my wandering thoughts.

"Obi-Wan. Using your lightsaber makes it very dangerous for you."

"I will be careful, Master." I palmed my own saber and wrapped my fingers around it. It felt so good to hold it again. I was skilled with the sword, having learned from one of the best, and I missed using those abilities. There was a piece of me longing for and excited for the possibly of wielding it once more. Qui-Gon sensed that building excitement as well.

In our training years together, this would have been a moment where he would have set a hand on my shoulder to redirect my attention. To refocus me. To calm me. That simple comforting touch was no longer possible. So, he used the same words he had many times prior...so long ago.

"Obi-Wan. You must focus. One wrong step...your emotions are controlling you right now."

I knew it. I felt it building. I tried to stop it. I was anxious. Excited. Fearful. I wasn't listening.

"Obi-Wan!" My master's voice firmed as he tried again.

I paid no mind as my emotions welled and continued to control my thoughts, and it took Qui-Gon pushing himself up a level and actually getting indignant with me that finally broke through.

As an apprentice, I had never been comfortable making Qui-Gon upset with my actions. I often apologized soon after, even if I still did not agree with him. Always, there being that little-boy fear in my heart that he would reject me and end my training. End my chance to be a Jedi Knight. End our relationship as master-apprentice; as family.

Eventually however, there came a point when that one certain tone of Qui-Gon's would compel me to listen.

As it did now.

"Enough!" Came the tone I could not ignore. "Until you are completely focused, you will not set foot off this planet. You will not center on your anxieties. You will find the Force. You will allow it to lead you. You will collect yourself. Now. That is an order, Obi-Wan and you know better than to defy an order from your Master."

I froze. My eyes closed. I breathed. Deeply. In and out. Three breaths. Three exhales. Coming back to myself.

Seeing the change, Qui-Gon promptly relented and flowed with me, his voice reverting to the softer, gentler version I had become used to in my solitude on Tatooine.

"Better, Padawan. Breathe. Find your task. Know what you must do. Keep your concentration on the here and now where it belongs. Maintain that during your trip to Andooween, you must. Without it, you will lose your friends and possibly yourself. Breathe. Allow the Force to direct you. Tannerlin is connected, it will give you the time you need."

I bowed my head. A amenable action I had engaged in so often while in the presence of not only my own master, but all other Master Jedi. As an apprentice, I yielded to their training and their wisdom. I held great respect for Master Qui-Gon. I loved him as my family. I loved him as my friend. I'd tried so hard to honor him in death. I could not disappoint him now. I would not.

My anxieties lessened. I welcomed the warmth from the Force.

"Very good, my Padawan."

The affectionate title. He used it on purpose. It grounded me. Made me feel appreciated and loved. Always. I needed that now if I were to save my friends.

"Remember this, Obi-Wan. Be most careful in Mos Eisley, many will question your need to move so quickly to Andooween. And stay away from the green scaly creature there. The one who wears red arm bands. He's a disguised bounty hunter."

"Thank you, Master."

"Go now, Padawan. Save your friends."

"I will. And I will return."

"Promise me, Obi-Wan."

I smiled. Qui-Gon wasn't ready to see me dead anymore than I was. "I promise, Master."

—-

"Obi-Wan. Your skill with the lightsaber and your physical control of the Force are not as rusty as you think they are. Thank you for keeping your promise, also. You did well. I am very proud of your actions to save your friends. Bringing them here after was a risk, but you were correct in making certain they were all right to fly home without immediate treatment. Well done, my Padawan."

My face flushed. Qui-Gon was not one to delve out compliments unnecessarily. Why such a thing still made me feel like I was thirteen again, I couldn't know, but it did and I did.

"Thank you, Master. Those two are quite the pair. I can honestly say though, after spending time with them in varying circumstances - one would never have voluntarily put them together. They are so very very different."

"One did not. The Force brought them together."

That confused me and my face showed it. "How is that possible, Qui-Gon?"

"Ah, you know the answer to that one. The Force works in mysterious ways, of course."

"Of course and you probably said that million times to me when I was younger. But never once did you offer anything more by way of explanation."

"It was for you to figure out. Which you often did not." A disapproving look. "And you will not have explanation to this either; why and how the Force chose Tannerlin Vai and Dashen Lesedi to find the other. One day, perhaps it will be known. For now, I simply ask that you trust your old master."

"Always."

"Good." He smiled warmly. "Both are well then?"

"They are. And I think Tannerlin wants lightsaber drills." I smirked. "You would advise against that, I am certain."

"I would. You cannot disguise that type of training. He will be fine without it."

I'd think on that one, but I changed the subject now as I hid my saber away. Once more setting it carefully in the lock box next to Qui-Gon's.

"Qui-Gon, have you made any progress with his Master Ayden?"

"Training is slow. But Ayden is eager. It will be years before he can achieve and maintain my capabilities. Some things we are learning from the ground up, so to speak. However, if I can get him to the point where he can speak with you directly, we may be in a position to tell the boy about it. That in itself may also be years."

I could only imagine Tannerlin's emotions at just the thought of knowing his master was aware and safe and able within the Force. But then to be able to talk to him through me, to tell him things, just to know...it would be everything. I know it was for me when Yoda told me that I would one day commune again with Qui-Gon. Then it actually happened that first time. The sound of the voice that I needed so badly and missed so much once again guiding me...this immense weight of grief lifted from my shoulders.

If Tannerlin could experience that same feeling...

But I was jumping ahead of myself. Years ahead, apparently. Focus on the here and now as Qui-Gon so often instilled into my training.

"I promise that I will not mention it to Tannerlin unless you and Ayden are to that point, and only if Ayden feels it is best for him."

"You are wise, my Padawan."

"You see, I did pay attention to your training, Master. Even though I may not have always abided by your wishes. Or agreed with you."

"You were your own person, Obi-Wan. I appreciated that. I did tend to stray off point at times."

At times. That was an understatement if there ever was one. I laughed. Something I'd not done much since Qui-Gon had died. It felt wonderful.

"That's a good sound on you."

"I forgot how funny you could be at times, Master. Not all Jedi had a sense of humor. Yours was usually restrained, but definitely there."

"We always complemented each other well, did we not?"

"Looking back, I know we did."

My comm sounded. A coded signal. Tannerlin and Dashen were safely home, having just landed on Terra. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Coded message. Nicely done, Obi-Wan."

"I didn't wish to risk any true connection between us. But I wanted to make sure they were all right. I admit, I have become rather attached to the pair. They offer me a break from the mundane. And working on Jedi skills with Tannerlin allows me to train and learn and teach again. He is so eager for knowledge about the Jedi. Anything and everything. The smallest task, he will learn. He is strong and most importantly, he is nothing but absolute light. I've seen darkness and this child is furthest from. He would have made such a great Jedi Knight, Qui-Gon. Please make sure Ayden knows that."

"I will indeed. He thanks you by the way for taking a care about the boy and is very grateful Tannerlin has those who love him."

That was good to hear and it warmed my thoughts.

Qui-Gon's form flickered in and out briefly. He was tired. It took great effort to hold the ghost form for long periods and it would also take time to recover. I needed to let him go.

"I need to rest, my Padawan. Being dead and then undead is quite taxing on the body and mind. Between this and training Ayden, I admit to being overly tired lately. I must take a few days. Worry not if you do not hear from me for a while."

I understood. I'd seen exhaustion on Qui-Gon's face many times during our years together, and when he actually admitted to being tired, that was something to take seriously.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master. Please rest and be well."

"I will see you soon, Padawan."


END