"I can't believe they're gone." Qui-Gon said quietly, moving into a more comfortable position in his medical bed.

Captain Panaka, who had visited him daily since he awoke in the Bacta tank, handed him a mug of warm Cha which Qui-Gon immediately tried to refuse.

"I don't need it," he protested.

"Drink it Master Jinn. You need it more than you think you do." Panaka chided gently.

Qui-Gon stared at him for a moment then slowly nodded and took the offered drink, cupping it with his hands. He took a sip of the warm liquid then leaned back squeezing his eyes tightly shut as if it would keep out the truth, keep out the pain.

"So many innocent lives lost," he whispered, growing distant as he focused on another place, another time. "They had no
warning, no chance." He swallowed hard and started when he realized his grip on the warm drink had become almost painful.

"We will do anything we can for you Master Jinn. Naboo owes the Jedi a great debt." Panaka said.

Qui-Gon gave him a tight smile and set his drink down.

"Thank you Captain, but I am a man without a home, and a Jedi without a people. The only thing I care about right now is
finding my Apprentice."

Panaka took off his cap and wiped his brow in frustration. "We have exhausted every resource available looking for him. Of course, we will continue to do so, but the Sith Lord left no trail."

"No, he wouldn't have would he? He was well trained. I will find Obi- Wan." Qui-Gon said with a confidence he did not feel.

" I'll not lose another Padawan."

He was unconsciously clenching and unclenching his fist. He had lost Xanatos to the dark side, and he'd be damned if he let that happen to Obi- Wan as well. Even if he could locate the Sith, who had clearly threatened to attempt turning Obi-Wan to the darkside, he was growing more and more concerned about what he would find when he did. Under normal circumstances, Qui-Gon had no fear that his Padawan could overcome any obstacle put in his path, including temptation to the dark side. But this
was anything but normal circumstances. Obi-Wan was alone with an extremely powerful and cunning Sith Lord. He probably thought Qui-Gon was dead and with their training bond severed, which he knew had to be the Sith's doing, Qui-Gon had no
way to let Obi-Wan know he was alive except to find him. He'd been shocked to discover their bond had been broken. It was something that had always been there and now to suddenly not be; it was like a part of Qui-Gon had been lost along with it. He didn't need anyone to tell him that he had lost the most precious thing ever to come into his life. And I never told him. My Obi-Wan, where are you? Hold on, I'll find you. He pleaded fruitlessly along the broken bond, knowing Obi-Wan couldn't hear him. Panaka's voice lulled him out of his thoughts.

"You'll be of little help to your young friend if you don't get well first." He scolded, sliding into the chair next to the small bed.
"You should have died from that blow. It's a miracle you're alive and you're in no condition to go traipsing across the galaxy,
much less face that creature again." He hesitated before he spoke next. "You have considered the possibility…?"

Qui-Gon looked up sharply. "That Obi-Wan is dead?"

"W-w-well it is a possibility." Panaka stammered, taken aback by the fierce look that appeared in the Jedi Master's eyes.

For Qui-Gon that was anything but a possibility.

"No!" he refused to believe that, much less hear anyone else say it. "My Padawan is alive. I would know it if he were dead."

"But, you said your bond?" Panaka asked, confused.

Qui-Gon didn't give him the chance to finish. Throwing the covers back, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and
clambered unsteadily to his feet. Alarmed, Panaka reached out a hand to help steady the Jedi Master.

"And just where do you think you're going?"

Qui-Gon bit his lip allowing Panaka to support him, as pain radiated from his injured side. It was only one of a handful of times he'd been up since being hurt. He could barely tolerate the mothering look the Captain was giving him. Qui-Gon very rarely, if ever had been sick or injured, and he hated depending on anyone to take care of him. When the painful spasm had passed he straightened, and brushed the guard's arm away.

"Traipsing across the galaxy according to you." His tone was harsh. The Captain's face colored a deep red. Qui-Gon saw it and mentally kicked himself. He took a deep breath immediately releasing his anger and frustration into the force. No matter
what had happened to Obi-Wan, he couldn't allow his emotions to consume him, and cloud his judgement. Not when Obi-Wan needed him now more than ever. He needed to keep his wits about him if he was going to recover his missing apprentice. He'd just never liked feeling helpless and he'd never felt that way as much as he did right now. Damn this decrepit body! He cursed inwardly. If he hadn't fallen for the Sith's devious attack, Obi-Wan would at his side now, safe and sound.

"Master Jinn," Panaka's voice came softly from at his side, once again shaking him out of his thoughts. "You need to rest." The Captain insisted gently. "It's a miracle you're even alive."

Qui-Gon ran a hand through his thick mane in consternation.

"I can't lay here doing nothing any longer, Captain."

He grabbed his cloak from the chair beside his bed and slipped it on.

"I'm going to take a walk and try to clear my mind."

"I will have someone escort you." Panaka offered immediately.

Qui-Gon shook his head, padding softly to the door. "I'll be fine, this is something I need to do alone."

Panaka was not happy with that idea at all.

"Master Jinn!" he said loudly. "The Sith assassinated the Jedi. In case you have forgotten, you're one of them and that still makes you a target. You will need our protection."

Qui-Gon sighed, not wanting to be rude and go against their protocol, but the last thing he wanted was a bodyguard
looming over him right now, reminding him of how helpless he was.

"I'm going and I'm going alone." He said, face the picture of utter serenity until Panaka finally threw his arms in the air, giving up.

"This isn't a good idea," Panaka muttered to no one in particular.

"Tell them you couldn't stop me," Qui-Gon said from over his shoulder. Stubborn old man! The Captain thought furiously,
putting his hands on hips, glaring as the Jedi ambled out the door.

"You know how stubborn old men can be." Qui-Gon said, looking back at him a slight smile on his lips.

The door slid open and he quickly slipped through leaving an open-mouthed Panaka staring after him.

******************************************************** ****************

Qui-Gon shielded his eyes from the sudden brightness of the midday sun. He glanced around, adjusting to the glare. The Naboo bustled about him in an orderly fashion, still cleaning away the rubble after the battle against the Viceroy. Several were busy preparing booths at the market place in the square just a few meters from him. He sighed and decided to head towards the famous Theed gardens to avoid the crowds, politely turning down several offers of assistance along the way. He must look very bad indeed. Limping up to one of the garden's many pristine fountains, he perched himself on the warm outer rim of marble and dipped his hand in the clear cool water, tracing lazy circles with his finger. He tried not to look to long at the pale and haggard
face that stared back at him in the water's surface - a telltale sign of the ordeal he'd been through. A crisp breeze kissed his face and he closed his eyes, reveling in just being alive. The Naboo were busily going on with their lives. But how could he go on with his until he knew Obi-Wan was safe? He tried hard to push Panaka's words from his mind. Coruscant was destroyed and his Padawan had been spirited away from him into the clutches of a Sith Lord, but Obi-Wan couldn't be dead. Everything else had gone so badly that that option was unfathomable to him. He would not accept it. He had already lost too much and been
unable to prevent any of it. Some Jedi Master he was. He sighed sadly and shook his head. Imagining life without
Obi-Wan at his side was nearly impossible, so long he had been a part of it. His Padawan wasn't dead; it couldn't be any other way. Automatically, Qui-Gon reached along their once pulsating bond, flinching when again he met only a deep silence.

"I'll make this right Obi-Wan, I promise you that." He whispered to himself, closing his eyes tightly.

"It's not your fault, you know." A soft feminine voice said from behind him.

Startled, Qui-Gon's eyes flew open andhis gaze came to rest on a reflection of Padme looking back at him in the water. He whipped around as quickly as his injured side would allow.

"Your Highness?" he said questioningly, looking over her shoulderfor the usual entourage of guards and handmaidens,
surprised to see her completely alone.

She caught his glance. "I gave them some time off. I like being free to move among my people when I wish," she said with a
wave of her hand, referring to her disguise as a handmaiden. It was a good one and had fooled even him and Obi-Wan. She sat down gracefully beside him.

"You mean you dismissed them," he commented, knowing how headstrong the young queen could be. She was a formidable opponent, proving that with the battle against the Viceroy and gaining the trust of the Gungans. A brow quirked and
Padme gazed back at him with wide brown eyes.

" I ordered them to leave me." Qui-Gon laughed outright, the sound strange to his own ears, as he remembered his confrontation with the Captain, who also hadn't cared for his stubbornness to go without an escort. "Yes, " he said, "I had the same discussion with your Captain earlier."

"It seems were are both very much our own people Master Jinn." Her smile disappeared as she regarded him intently and repeated. "It's not your fault. You could not have prevented what happened."

Qui-Gon did not agree. He rubbed his chin between thumb and forefinger thoughtfully.

"I feel like there was something more I could have done, something to save them all, some insight that should have told me what was going to happen," he said softly, staring into the distance.

All of his friends, his life gone in the blink of an eye, and he hadn't seen it coming. He had no intention of letting the death of the Jedi go unanswered. The Sith would pay for what they had done. He would see to that personally. Padme's eyes were bright with compassion as she brushed a maple colored strand off one shoulder.

"There was nothing you could do. What's done is done. Do not blame yourself."

Pulling his cloak around him closer for warmth, Qui-Gon remembered something Master Yoda had said to him a long time ago when he had become discouraged after losing a sparring match. ~Learn to lose as well as win, a Jedi must~ The old teacher had said. But to lose…and at this cost? The price was just too big. The entire mission to Naboo had whispered of danger and deception. Obi-Wan had a bad feeling about it from the beginning, clearly voicing his distress while Qui-Gon had chosen to dismiss his Padawan's concerns as nothing more than a case of nerves. Obi-Wan had even wanted to go to the Council to
try and convince them to send another team in their place, but it was insisted that they take the assignment. How it had
ended thus, Qui-Gon would never know and he couldn't stop placing the blame on his own head. He sighed heavily and turned back to the Queen, unable to force words past the lump that he suddenly felt in his throat. Almost as if she'd read his thoughts, Padme said.

"If you had remained at the Temple, you too would be dead." She quieted as a group of workers passed by them then said. "My spies told me they believe it was an inside job."

Qui-Gon drew in a deep breath, causing a stab of pain in his side as he looked up at her sharply. "But, that would mean… " He trailed off. That would mean someone at the Temple had betrayed them. His mind raced with the possibilities, dozens of faces flashing before his eyes. He could not imagine anyone at the Temple capable of such an atrocity.

"But who? No. I just can't believe it. That's not possible."

"Still, your people would have been able to detect such a device, yes?" she asked.

"I should think so." Qui-Gon nodded. The full impact of the situation had not entirely hit him yet.

"I would think they had to have help to place such a device on Coruscant, Master Jinn, " Padme continued.

With a heavy heart he realized she was right and told her so.

"How do you think it was managed?" she wondered.

"I don't know," Qui-Gon mused, he stood stiffly and walked to the balcony overlooking the entrance to the gardens below. "I have to find Obi-Wan first." He couldn't think past anything else. She moved next to him, leaning beside him on the railing.

"You're in love with him aren't you?" Astonished by her perceptiveness, Qui-Gon could only stare at her, speechless.
He generally prided himself on being a very private person, keeping mostly to himself. He had not shared his feelings for his apprentice with anyone. It had taken him long enough to wrestle with his own desires without having someone else finding
out and causing more problems. He glanced at the plucky young queen and wondered what it was about her that seemed to compel him to share this with her. Maybe it was the fact that his entire life had been turned upside down in only a matter of minutes and she was here willing to listen. Slowly, he glanced up at her.

"Is it that obvious?"

He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks. She tilted her head, mouth curving upward at the corner.

" No I guessed, you just told me."

He snorted softly in amusement then exhaled deeply, forcing himself to relax. "It's forbidden really, to have a relationship
between Master and Padawan that is more than just that." He glanced at his hands, which were holding the railing in a vice-like grip. He slowly released them. " It can interfere with the training."

"Yes, Master Jinn, but would they have really stood in the way of true love? "

"It would have been frowned upon, but no they wouldn't have. "

"Do you think Obi-wan knew that they would have accepted it?" she asked.

He frowned, wondering where her questioning was going.

" No, he didn't. It wasn't exactly general knowledge -another way to discourage a Padawan from pursuing a relationship with his or her Master."

"Yet you are in love with him, why didn't you pursue it?" She said, pointedly. Qui-Gon thought for a moment then answered quietly, "Obi-Wan is my soul, my life, my breath. I feel lost without him. He means everything to me, but I pushed him away."

He could hear the guilt in his voice. So long he'd kept his true feelings hidden that he'd closed a little of himself off day by day. Pushing his Padawan away from him, so that Obi-Wan wouldn't discover his feelings. He'd wanted to tell Obi-Wan how he felt about him. To forget the past and allow someone into his heart again. But he couldn't allow what had happened before
to happen again. He'd finally decided to wait until after Obi-Wan was declared a Knight to tell him. Now, that time was lost. A lithe hand fell on his shoulder.

"Why?"

"Because of my first Padawan, Xanatos." His throat tightened painfully remembering his first apprentice. "I allowed myself to pursue a relationship with him before he was a Knight, regardless of what the council thought. It's a long story, but essentially he turned to the darkside and I was responsible for it." By the Gods, why was he telling her all this?

Padme 's eyes widened with understanding. "You thought that your relationship with Xanatos was the cause of his downfall? So, you didn't want history to repeat itself with Obi-Wan right?"

Qui-Gon faltered suddenly as the world spun before him. The queen quickly slid an arm under his and helped him to the steps where he could sit down. He thanked her and tried to catch his breath. "I couldn't risk making the same mistake and losing another Padawan. My heart couldn't have taken it either," he continued when the pain in his side had dissipated.
" I hid my feelings for Obi-Wan. In fact, I did everything I could to stay away from him. I doubled his workload and avoided being alone with him as much as I could. That was difficult considering we lived together and he was my student." Qui-Gon winced realizing he was using the past tense to describe his Padawan. "I cut myself off from him to protect him. Now
I've lost him and I never told him how I felt." He was chagrined to hear his voice crack on the last words.

"Master Jinn, I personally don't know a lot about the darkside but I don't think that loving someone would make them turn to it. You haven't lost him."

He glanced up at her quizzically. "What makes you so sure?"

She shrugged and smiled. "Oh, I don't know. Just a feeling I have." She leaned down and plucked a petal from one of the Rukh plants at her feet. Rubbing it in between her fingers thoughtfully, she said.

"You've had that feeling too, haven't you? You don't believe he's dead either."

"No!" Qui-Gon said immediately. "If anything, I 'm convinced he's alive even though our bond has been severed. No one can tell me different."

Padme slid down beside him and gave him a light slap on the knee. " Well then! You'll just have to tell him how you feel when
you find him won't you?"

It took Qui-Gon several moments to process that statement. He found himself again admiring her courage and boldness. Through everything, this young girl who was barely more than a child herself, had acted as a queen should -never losing sight of what was important.

"I don't know why I told you all that, " he muttered, evading her question, but she wouldn't be deterred.

"Maybe because you needed to. You will tell Obi-Wan when you find him. That's an order."

Qui-Gon's breath caught in his throat at the idea, but she was right. When he found Obi-Wan he had to tell him. "You don't give up do you?" he asked lightly.

She shook her head vigorously. "No."

"Yes, when I find Obi-Wan I will tell him," he sighed giving in.

A little girl in the garden below gave a sharp squeal as her playmate grabbed a handful of her hair, catching his attention. Parents quickly came to the little girl's aid and separated them.

"Where's Anakin?" Qui-Gon asked.

She plucked another petal. "He's playing with the other children. I thought it would be good for him to get out of that infirmary room."

The boy had stayed in the medical bay all this time? Padme confirmed his thoughts.

"He's been by your side the entire time," she added softly. "He's a remarkable young boy."

Qui-Gon nodded absently. He certainly was. And that was not including his midichlorian count which was off the charts. Young Anakin was another mistake Qui-Gon had made with Obi-Wan. First, he had become so enamored with the child that he
decided without so much as a thought to his Padawan that Obi-Wan was ready for his trials. He had made the decision for Obi-Wan. Second, he'd given Obi-Wan no warning whatsoever of what he was about to do, and had embarrassed him in front of the Council. Oh, outwardly Obi-Wan had covered his surprise and hurt, but Qui-Gon had been able to see it on his face, feel it in their bond. He had hurt his apprentice deeply, and there was nothing he could do to take it back. But he had been so
sure he was supposed to be the one to train the boy. Of course, Qui-Gon knew he was now free to train Anakin as he saw fit.
With no one to contest him.

"He destroyed the droid control ship."

That was news indeed. Qui-Gon blinked rapidly, amazed. The Jedi had long believed in the notion that a chosen one
would come and bring balance to the Force. Could Anakin Skywalker be that one? The fact that he had destroyed
the control ship just further supported Qui-Gon's belief that Anakin was meant to be a Jedi.

"I will see him as soon as I can," he murmured.

Padme gave him a searching look. "Naboo is conducting a memorial service for the Jedi tomorrow. We would like it very
much if you would be in attendance."

Qui-Gon immediately felt the aching emptiness inside him surge to the surface. With all the pain and grief of losing Obi-Wan, the loss of the temple was a pain had had not entirely let himself feel yet.

"I think that's a wonderful idea. I will be there." He promised solemnly.

"I only hope we can honor what they stood for," she said, standing up and dusting off her leggings. "I'm afraid I must get back. Please be careful, and if you get dizzy again go back to the med bay or call a droid immediately."

He couldn't help but feel touched by the genuine concern in her eyes.

"Thank you, your Highness," he said gruffly, standing himself. "For everything."

"You're quite welcome," she said, handing him the Rukh petals.

He took them without comment and watched as she headed back towards the palace. She hadn't gone a meter before she pivoted, turning back to him.

"Master Jinn, what would you have told him?" He blinked not quite sure at first what she meant and then he knew.

"I would have told him how empty my life was before he came."

She considered that for a moment then smiled, and disappeared into the throng of traders in the market place. Qui-Gon stifled a low moan as another stab of pain came from his tortured side and descended into the ethereal gardens of Theed.
He didn't notice the eyes that followed his every move nor did he sense the malevolence behind them

. ******************************************************** ****************

From the balcony above, Senator Palpatine watched him go, smiling to himself as he leaned against the wrought stone railing. Stupid Jedi, he thought, inhaling deeply as if he could catch the Jedi's scent over the vast distance that separated them. Your insignificant life belongs to me now. Do you know that it was I who allowed you to live? You would have died were it
not for me. I could have left you to perish. But I'll keep you alive…if only for a while. I have plans for you Jedi. He
glared hatefully as the Jedi's figure gradually faded into the maze of Theed below. The Naboo milled about beneath him. Palpatine's eyes narrowed as he glanced down at them. So they had triumphed -so what? It would not last. The victory
would be short lived, and the play-queen would abdicate her throne. He would see to that personally. She'd meddled in
his plans once too often, and the weak pathetic Viceroy wouldn't escape him either. Being surrounded by the Naboo security meant nothing, it could not save them. Palpatine abided no fool that surrendered at the first sign of trouble. Yes, those two would learn the price for crossing him very soon. He closed his eyes, throwing his head back, savoring the hatred that flowed through him. The Jedi, his long hated enemy, were dead. The Sith were victorious. He didn't bother to suppress the laugh that escaped from his lips. They Jedi were dead -by his own hand. The fools never even suspected the device was there! Why would they when it had been planted by one of their own?

It was the last time he'd visited the worthless planet for a diplomatic meeting and subsequent party afterwards. After the party dissipated, his apprentice, who had been stowed away in their ship, had stolen to his suite under the cover of night. There Palpatine had adorned Maul in the traditional Jedi robes, which had been borrowed from his bedmate, allowing Maul to walk among the Jedi along with a slight disguising of his force signature and features. His apprentice didn't have the control of manipulating his form down like his Master did, but Maul had been able to move about unnoticed and, plant the device,
returning to their ship all under the blanket of night. Palpatine had ordered the device left where it wouldn't be found immediately and merely waited for the right moment to detonate it. Of course, it made it much easier that he'd given Maul a security pass that he'd swiped from the young man he'd taken to his bed that night. His smile widened as he remembered that beautiful young man. The one who would be his. Obi-Wan Kenobi was his name, and Palpatine had first encountered the young Padawan when he attended the party that night. Standing alone in a corner of the room, the boy had at first not appeared to be anything special. But as the evening went on, Palpatine had continually found his gaze returning to the handsome boy. He'd become intrigued by the sad expression on the Padawan's face. What? He wondered, had upset him so?

Discreetly, he'd reached out into the unsuspecting mind, searching for the answer and had nearly laughed out loud. The child was in love with his Master! -and apparently that love was unrequited. Well this was certainly interesting. He'd always hated these kinds of parties and being around the self- righteous Jedi always left a sour taste in his mouth. But here was a chance to have a little fun, and the idea of seducing a Padawan under their stupid noses was too irresistible for the Senator. He'd glanced around the room, ignoring the drink that the serving boy had shoved into his hand, eyes scanning the crowded room for the object of the Padawan's unrequited desire. His eyes lit up as they came to rest on the tall figure congregating with the elder Jedi. Probing this one's mind would prove a bit more difficult, and as he reached cautiously towards the other man with his mind he shielded tightly, preventing the Jedi from discovering his intrusion. Master Qui-Gon Jinn this one was called. Yes, he'd heard of this one before. Oh, Oh my! This was too sweet! The Master desired his Padawan as well and was unable to bring himself to do anything
about it! Palpatine had grinned inwardly -except maybe suffer the occasional wet dream. He had decided the opportunity to meddle was too good to pass up. Looking down at the as yet untouched drink in his hand, he got another idea. He'd walked
up to the boy and tapped him on the shoulder. He instantly became the object of an intense azure gaze.

"Good evening, I'm S…."

"Senator Palpatine," the boy had acknowledged, bowing gracefully. "I know of you. It is an honor to meet you, sir."

Palpatine had given the boy his most charming smile, and returned the bow.

"And you dear boy, are the most enchanting young man I have ever seen."

He'd felt a delicious satisfaction as the child's cheeks turned a deep crimson and his beautiful cerulean eyes darted nervously about, presumably searching for the comforting figure of his Master.

"I would be most honored if you would dance with me."

The boy's eyes had taken on a guarded look, but he'd accepted. It was perfect Palpatine had thought. The boy couldn't…wouldn't have refused the offer even if he had come on a bit strong. To do so would have been an insult. Palpatine had extended his arm expectantly. Thoroughly enjoying it when the boy had swallowed hard, and stared at the offered arm as though it were an undomesticated Vornskr then hesitantly reached out and entwined his arm with the Senator's own.

"It would be my pleasure." The Padawan had said quietly, almost timidly.

"The pleasure is all mine …Padawan???"

Palpatine had asked, leading him out onto the floor. Realizing he had so flustered the boy, the child had forgotten to introduce himself.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi." The boy finished for him.

"Obi-Wan." Palpatine had repeated, whispering almost soothingly.

He had watched the flush of color return to the smooth young cheeks. But it was while he was dancing with the boy that
he saw it. There, just a flicker below the surface, so subtle the boy wasn't even aware of it. So subtle, Palpatine himself
had almost missed it. Anger and resentment, all for his beloved Master. The amount of that anger was staggering ;it nearly made him swoon so great was its intensity. Untapped, the child's power lay dormant, awaiting the right key to unlock it. As they'd danced, Palpatine had given the boy his drink, making sure the flask was kept full throughout the evening. It took just the
barest of force suggestion from Palpatine for Kenobi to throw caution to the wind and begin drinking to excess. He saw the brief flash of anger again when the Jedi Master laughed and rested an arm on the Jedi beside him. It would not take much to bring that anger boiling to the surface to stay. With a wicked glance in the Jedi Master's general direction he'd wrapped an arm tightly around the boy's waist and pressed Kenobi tightly to him. Daring to let that hand slide just above the curve of the youthful buttocks. Palpatine had grinned inwardly in triumph when the Jedi Master began repeatedly glancing in their direction with a grim look on his face. By the time the Kenobi's face was flushed from the dance and drink, the boy's Master had looked fit to be tied. Kenobi was all but tripping over his own feet, stumbling and spilling his drink everywhere. Palpatine decided it was time to act before the Jedi Master decided to put an end to their dalliance. During a slower beat, as their bodies swayed gently against one another, he'd whispered softly into the young man's ear.

"You desire your Master don't you child?"

Kenobi's head had jerked up, his eyes wide.

"What?"

Placing a finger over that luscious mouth, Palpatine had silenced him.

"It's ok. It's very obvious to anyone with half a mind that you're in love with him."

The boy 's eyes immediately darkened, and he'd hiccuped, looking down at his feet.

"Not to him it isn't," he'd mumbled.

Palpatine had pulled him closer, and nuzzled the soft skin at the base of the boy's neck.

"Spend the night with me and I can help you make him regret that," he had purred seductively into the warm neck."What do you say?"

"Spend the night with you?" Came the uncertain reply.

Even though the drink had loosened Kenobi's inhibitions and tongue, Palpatine felt the firm body tense under him at the
suggestion. The boy's head raised to slowly look towards his Master. Palpatine had nearly snarled out loud in frustration. He 'd grabbed the boy's chin, forcing Kenobi's gaze back to him, and looking him directly in the eye had said.

"You would love to spend the night with me wouldn't you Padawan Kenobi?"

The Padawan's eyes glazed over from the power the older man was exerting on his mind. Palpatine was almost delighted to find the boy was fighting him regardless of his near-drugged state, but he was no match for a Sith Lord.

"I would love to spend the night with you, Senator," The boy repeated perfectly.

He hadn't completely taken the boy's will away from him, after all what fun would that be? Palpatine had merely given him a
bit of a push in the right direction. He'd glanced around making sure no one had noticed the exchange between them. Taking the boy's hand in his own, Palpatine had lead them to the exit, aware the entire time of the stricken look that had overcome the Jedi Master's features, as he watched them depart. But the Jedi did not interfere, Kenobi was old enough to choose his own path
and therefore whom he could take to his bed. Besides to interfere would be an insult as it appeared to all that Kenobi had given consent. How wonderful the Jedi etiquette was. Palpatine had thought. So he'd bedded the Padawan, clouding the boy's judgement with the dark force, teasing him with it, bringing him almost excruciating pleasure as he'd claimed the lithe body
beneath him, and what a delicious body it was. His body was so responsive, nipples budding out to greet him as he'd nipped
and sucked them. The wantonness the boy displayed as he'd thrashed beneath him. But watching the boy, his head thrown back, and his Padawan braid flapping against reddened nipples as the boy rose up and down on his shaft, Palpatine had found himself completely lost. It was then that he knew he had too completely and utterly possess this young man. Palpatine knew then that
this was the one. The one he'd been waiting for. The boy practically purred from the dark power being poured into him, too drunk to truly grasp the feelings and sensations for what they truly were. He'd given him just a fraction of the dark power. A taste here and there, and the boy had reveled in it. Kenobi had cradled it to him as a mother nursing a newborn.

This was the one who would rule by his side. Till this day, he still bore marks where the boy had dug passionately into his back during their frantic coupling. He had decided he must posses Obi-Wan Kenobi at any cost. He had long ago realized his grave error in taking Maul as his apprentice. He would soon rectify that. He'd taken the pass and the boy's clothes, as he slept, body splayed blatantly on the silken sheets, and given them to his apprentice to disguise himself. Now, Palpatine gripped the railing beneath him as he stared balefully in the direction the Jedi Master had taken. The wind whipped furiously at his cape which billowed behind him. This Qui-Gon Jinn was a formidable enemy. His revenge was nearly complete. He could not allow anything to disrupt his plans. The Jedi would not give up looking for his apprentice, and Palpatine knew he would move the heavens
to find the boy. A little time was all that was needed. A little time to let events he had already set in motion follow their course, and then it would be too late for the Jedi Master and thoughts of rescue. He couldn't take the chance that the Jedi would find
Kenobi before it was time. What was needed was a distraction, something that would keep the Jedi otherwise occupied. Maul must have more time. He considered the matter for a time, the afternoon sun turning to evening around him. Even if all his efforts failed, even if he could not bring down the queen and the Naboo, harry them as an animal would its prey, still that would be sufficient if in the end Obi-Wan was his -if the boy's soul fell to him. The boy's hatred was immense, lying beneath the surface as yet untapped.

It called to him, sung in a voice of its own to be harnessed and freed, free from its confinement. Free to bring the young man completely and inexorably to him. And what he had planned would bring forth the boy's anger to the front in force. It would forever change him and thus make him Palpatine's servant forever. The Sith Lord shrugged, either way, it didn't matter how it happened, the end result would be the same. Either way the boy would be his. For he knew what the boy, and the others did not. That everything the boy saw before him, aside from the very real form of his apprentice, was illusion. But the final act in the well drawn out symphony would be very real and inescapable. Kenobi's destiny lied with him. The last of the Jedi would turn to the dark side.

"Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan."

Palpatine whispered his name soothingly to the darkening sky. It was a litany that filled his mind with visions of the future.
Visions of power that nothing could withstand. He glanced down into the market place and garden below him a moment longer, then turned and stalked out. He made his way to the tunnels beneath Theed, escape tunnels that only a select few in the royal palace knew about. Palpatine wasn't supposed to be one of them, but then again it was so easy to find out what you wanted to know from a weak minded guard. He descended into the subterranean chambers knowing exactly where he wanted to emerge into the gardens above him. The changes were subtle at first, but as he neared his destination, they became more prominent. He had been a Master of the dark force for a very long time. Manipulation of the force was his specialty. It would take great effort, but Palpatine knew if anyone could pull it off, he could. A mist enveloped him and the Senator began to change. Laughing maniacally, Senator Palpatine also know as Lord Sidious made his way towards the unsuspecting Jedi above.

******************************************************** ***

The burning in Qui-Gon's side told him he'd been walking much longer than he'd anticipated. Besides, it was beginning to get
dark and he'd better get back before Captain Panaka summoned the Calvary. The walk in the gardens had done much good.
He had been able to meditate and release his anger and fears into the force. He had come away with a clearer head although his body was certainly going to pay for the outing. He bit back a grimace and began heading for the main entrance to the gardens when he heard a shout behind him. Whirling so quickly he nearly toppled over. He cursed inwardly at his own stupidity and squinted against the setting suns, searching the landscape in front of him.

Was that?…

No it couldn't possibly be..

"By the Gods," he whispered.

The pain in his side was forgotten as he rushed forward to grab the figure stumbling towards him. Qui-Gon gasped as the other collapsed into his outstretched arms and he pulled the man with him to the ground when his knees buckled.

"Obi-Wan!"

Qui-Gon couldn't believe it.

TBC…
Disclaimer: No Sith Lords intent on possessing gorgeous Jedi were harmed during this story, what you witnessed was purely a reenactment.