In Praise of Change

by Kath Tate and Sheena McDonald

Disclaimer: Star Wars and its characters are the property of Lucasfilm Ltd and Twentieth Century Fox. This story does not mean to infringe upon the trademarks or copyrights.

Kath's Notes:  I want to thank our beta readers:  Lori, the gold ribbon winner for catching the most number of typos and spelling mistakes. Mary, who is always so encouraging and enthusiastic.. Marianne, for her wonderful honesty.  Mercutio, whose last minute comments were much appreciated. Any remaining mistakes or plot quirks belong to Sheena and me. Feedback is always appreciated. =)

*****

Obi-Wan Kenobi couldn't decide if he was more bored or more irritated.

He stood a few paces behind his master and focused on the back of Qui-Gon Jinn's head. His feet, planted shoulder width apart, remained still despite his desire to shift. Hidden underneath his cloak his fingers wiggled, curling and uncurling into gentle fists. He found the sound of Qui-Gon's voice to be soothing until he realised he'd been lulled by its cadence and he hadn't heard a word that had been spoken.

Resisting the urge to physically shake off his momentary doze, Obi-Wan blinked a few times and tried to pay closer attention to the proceedings. This was hard because he had yet to figure out why he was a part of these dealings.

The Minmaki had recently joined the Republic and requested some mediators from the Senate to assist them in reconstructing their constitution to suit Republic law. The republican faction on Minmaks had been overjoyed when two Jedi knights arrived. They saw the Jedi as legitimising their goals. The traditionalists were resentful that the Jedi were involved, seeing the assembly as a purely internal reshuffling of an ancient code of law. A quite painstaking reshuffle it was too, with days spent arguing over semantics and complicated legal jargon.

Hence the source of Obi-Wan's boredom.

As a citizen of the Republic, Obi-Wan felt a tug of loyalty towards the republican side; he believed their goal to be an honourable one. Despite this, he had much more sympathy for the traditionalists, mostly because he didn't really understand why the Jedi were involved either. However, part of the Jedi code was to remain non partisan so he kept those thoughts to himself. Not that anyone was listening much to Obi-Wan these days.

Neither group had been particularly welcoming to Obi-Wan, dismissing him as an unimportant youth from the moment of introduction. The focus was all on Qui-Gon, whose age and experience made him a powerful ally and garnered him much respect even from the traditionalist faction. Even his master, who normally sought out his opinion and listened carefully even when it conflicted with his own, had been unusually neglectful. Never before in his life had Obi-Wan been so ignored.

Hence the source of his irritation.

What was really unfair, to add to the injustice of the situation, was that Obi-Wan was seen as some kind of appendage to Qui-Gon. This meant that whenever his master stood and stepped into the circle of speakers to address the assembly, Obi-Wan had to stand as well. As the republicans were continually seeking validation from the Jedi master, Obi-Wan had spent a lot of time on his feet.

Abruptly Obi-Wan realised the session was breaking. He had no idea what the final point of discussion had been, nor whether or not it had been resolved or postponed. Silently he followed Qui-Gon from the assembly chambers and fell in step beside his master as they walked the wide corridor towards the outer doors.

"A most unexpected turn of events," mused Qui-Gon thoughtfully. When Obi-Wan didn't comment Qui-Gon turned his eyes to his apprentice. "What do you think?"

'I think,' thought Obi-Wan bitterly, 'that you chose a very unfortunate moment to seek my opinion!'

"Very unexpected," he agreed shortly.

"If it had been proposed earlier I wouldn't have been so surprised," continued Qui-Gon. "But to do so now, after so much has already been decided, is an unforeseen complication. I think the timing is key here. What are they plotting I wonder...?" His voice died off leaving a perfect opportunity for Obi-Wan to present a theory. The trouble was that Obi-Wan didn't have one. Qui-Gon sighed.

"Did you pay attention to any of it?" he asked, with a hint of disapproval.

"I didn't really see the point in paying attention!" Obi-Wan snapped more harshly than he intended.

"Perhaps so you could provide me with a point of view that wasn't my own," chastised Qui-Gon mildly.

"Master." Obi-Wan bit his lip then plunged on. "I don't understand why we are here. The Minmaki are perfectly capable of rewriting their constitution without our mediation. If they need clarification on Republic law they should consult with lawyers, not Jedi!"

Qui-Gon frowned. Inwardly Obi-Wan winced at his master's expression. He recognised the hint of sadness in those eyes that betrayed Qui-Gon's reaction to this outburst. It was disappointment.

"If you think all that's happening here is a new constitution, then you really haven't been paying attention, Padawan." Qui-Gon shook his head. "You are no use to me without focus. Go back to our quarters. Meditate or exercise, but do something to clear you of this restlessness."

"But master," protested Obi-Wan. "I should..."

"You should," interrupted Qui-Gon, "be more in tune with the task at hand. Since you are not you may as well be doing something else."

"But I..." Obi-Wan started to object again then shut his mouth abruptly. If Qui-Gon didn't want him around why fight it? It wasn't as though he was looking forward to returning to the chambers for the afternoon. "Yes master," he agreed in a neutral tone that belied his frustration at being sent away like an errant schoolboy.

Qui-Gon watched him go with an equally neutral expression which told no one of his concern for both Obi- Wan and their current situation. He needed the boy and he needed him alert, not distracted and resentful. Qui-Gon only hoped the afternoon would be enough for Obi-Wan to recentre himself.

*****

The council community had a beautiful and efficient design. Its builders had held to the ideal that this community could be more than just a place full of politics. They conceived and constructed a place of harmony and balance which blended function with natural environment. The whole complex was round. The inner circle was made up of government chambers and official meeting space. Within the very centre of this circle lay the largest and most important of the buildings, the Grand Hall. Its glass domed ceiling was the show piece of the design.

The next ring of the circle was commerce. It contained a vast marketplace, much of it outdoors. There was also a mixture of eating establishments and artisans. One could procure here every type of delicacy and treasure that was produced on Minmaks or within its sector.

The final ring of the complex, and the narrowest, was housing. This area was mixed with public services like healers and councilors. The outermost level of the housing ring was devoted to honored guests and was surrounded with bountiful gardens. Each suite was large and luxurious.

In the quarters assigned to the Jedi for the evergrowing duration of their stay, Obi-Wan stared out the window at the garden glumly. Minmaks was a humid tropical place where the frequent rains kept the vegetation a multitude of green hues. But even the beauty of the place could not calm his agitation.

He felt like he'd failed a test of his character. He felt like he'd let his master down. He could imagine Qui-Gon reporting on his padawan's progress to the Jedi Council.

"Obi-Wan can be an asset in a confrontation but he is easily distracted when bored."

Obi-Wan leaned forward and tapped his forehead against the window pane.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid..."

He let his head remain against the coolness of the glass for a moment before deciding that meditation would serve no purpose. He needed some action.

Removing his cloak and outer tunic, Obi-Wan restrapped on his belt. As he stepped outside, Obi-Wan noted that the rain had tapered off to a mere mist which seemed as much to be rising off the foliage as falling from the sky. He turned away from the city and towards the forest.

Obi-Wan ran without a care for his direction or purpose. When the trail became narrow and difficult to negotiate he appreciated the challenge of climbing over fallen trees and under dense brush. He jogged, he sprinted, he hauled himself up over barriers, he crawled down in the mud. When there was enough space he propelled himself over the obstacles with jumps and forward flips.

Gradually the forest closed in to the point that he was forced to stop. Breathing deeply Obi-Wan felt better than he had since their arrival. He was surrounded by life, and peace, and calm. After a moment he reached out to one majestic tree covered with a thick vine and pulled himself up. Perching on a branch part way up the tree Obi-Wan peered out on a valley hidden by the dense growth of the forest. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the cloud cover to trickle down onto the meadow below. Wistfully Obi-Wan wished he could break free of the confines of the forest to run across the valley but it was too distant.

Sitting amongst the beautiful setting Obi-Wan felt some twinges of guilt for his earlier outburst with Qui-Gon. His master did try to include him wherever possible and his opinions were treated as valuable, if only, as Qui-Gon had stated, to provide an alternative point of view. And Qui-Gon seemed to think that the constitution was only part of their purpose on Minmaks. He resolved to go back to the assembly with a mind to be watchful of all that was happening, and not just what was being said.

Feeling more relaxed and less resentful, Obi-Wan finally climbed down from his viewpoint and prepared to go back to the city. He only hoped he could find his way since the path he had initially followed had split many times and even disappeared once or twice. Pushing aside some low swinging branches, he started back at a much slower pace than his arrival.

Suddenly his hand paused as it reached out towards another branch. The calm and peace which had been flowing through him vanished in an instant. In its place was a feeling of heightened awareness which spoke to him of caution and of urgency. It hit him like a jolt of energy causing him to gasp. A slight tingling sensation prickled on his skin and he felt an odd sense of pain without knowing where or from what source. The swiftness of it threw him into momentary confusion as he looked around wildly for the cause of this threat. His confusion was on the brink of panic when he realised the reason for the sensations.

He stepped forward now with more speed and determination.

There was one thing he knew with absolute clarity - Qui-Gon was in trouble and there was danger ahead.

*****

Pain. Out of blissful nothingness came only the awareness of agonizing pain. Qui-Gon concentrated on not allowing the sensation to overwhelm him.

Then memory started leaking in, distracting him from his focus.

After the afternoon session had ended he had returned to their quarters to find Obi-Wan absent. He had only been mildly irritated; after all, he had sent the boy away. However, he was anxious to discuss the disturbing turn of events that the day's deliberations had revealed.

Distracted as he was by the Minmaki politics, when the door opened Qui-Gon had mistakenly assumed it was Obi-Wan returning. He had not anticipated an attack. Still, he had managed to deflect four of the shots before a fifth one hit him in near his collarbone on the right side.

Obi-Wan....he had sent the boy a warning. But Qui-Gon had no sense that it had been received. Had his apprentice been attacked as well? Is that why he had not returned?

Qui-Gon had partially managed to absorb the pain when he became aware of voices in the room. His eyes, barely half opened, could only see the blurry image of a darkened room and the dim shape of shadows on the far side.

"What's taking her so long?" An anxious tone.

"Patience..." A calmer one, but still with some fear.

In his hazy state Qui-Gon wasn't certain where he was or who was talking. Suddenly, or perhaps it was moments later, a new voice spoke as though from beyond the room. It was a woman who sounded resigned yet cheerful.

"Well, what sort of trouble have you got yourself into this time Jared?"

"Finally!" whispered the anxious one.

"You know I don't mind helping you out," continued the new voice, coming closer all the time. "But I really wish you and your rebellious friends would take more care to..." Her voice died away as the woman stepped into the room.

"Thanks for coming so quickly." That was the calm voice again.

"What have you done?" The woman was clearly shocked as she stared with amazement at Qui-Gon. He could only barely make her out but he was more interested in hearing the exchange than seeing it. "Jared, that's one of the Jedi!"

"Can you help him?" Jared's voice was still low.

She moved closer to peer at Qui-Gon with concern.

"He needs to be in the medical centre! Why is he here? What happened?" She looked back from one man to the other but neither responded.

"Can you help him?" repeated Jared with more insistence.

"This isn't civil disobedience anymore, little brother," snapped the woman. "This is assault. This is kidnapping! Have you completely lost your mind?"

"It will be murder too, if you don't help him," pointed out Jared, with no visible reaction to her outburst.

She hesitated only a second before kneeling by Qui-Gon to get a closer look at his wound.

"Hand me my bag," she ordered Jared's anxious companion, while her fingers delicately touched Qui-Gon's neck and shoulder. Moving to lift off the cloth of his tunic, some of which was now imbedded in his wound, she noted that his hands were bound in shackles.

"Take those off," she commanded, as her bag was brought. The anxious man looked back at Jared.

"I think he's awake now. It's not a good idea to..."

"Take them off now!" she insisted, glaring back at her brother. Jared gave a nod to the other man, who reluctantly moved in to release Qui-Gon's hands. Qui-Gon could see more clearly now that the man was holding his weapon tightly, as though he feared the Jedi would attack once freed. But Qui-Gon's arms merely fell down to his sides.

The healer's hands were cool against his skin yet her probing brought the pain back to the forefront of his mind. He flinched. She regarded him carefully, seeing that he was fully conscious now. Seeking to put him more at ease she spoke in a soothing tone.

"My name is Kaya and I'm trained as a healer. Everything's going to be alright, Master Jedi."

Qui-Gon had his own doubts about that however, he lacked the breath to be able to articulate this to her. It was not her sincerity that he found in question but rather the situation. Her further probing of his shoulder was causing flashes of pain to shoot out in all directions. He closed his eyes in an effort to better cope while she continued her work.

"Kaya?" The question came from her brother.

"Don't talk to me," she said coldly. "Not now. Not with my hands covered in blood you have so needlessly spilled."

Jared withdrew without protest.

Qui-Gon was fighting an overwhelming desire to retreat into darkness again. He must stay conscious to hear what they were planning and to know what had happened to Obi-Wan. His eyes blinked open again to see Kaya's hand reaching for his neck with a syringe. His left hand snapped up quickly to grab her by the wrist, startling her and reawakening his agony.

"It will help," she told him softly.

"No," Qui-Gon managed through clenched teeth staring at her intently. In his grip he felt her arm relax. She nodded slowly.

"Okay. You do seem to have a remarkable threshold for pain," she murmured, putting the syringe back in her bag.

Over her shoulder Qui-Gon could see that Jared was conferring with the other man. He lowered his eyes to look at Kaya again, trying hard to focus when her features blurred. He opened his mouth to speak again. This might be the only chance he had to speak with her without her cautious brother and his anxious friend watching.

"Kaya," he whispered. She took his hand with a gesture of comfort he found touching, given the circumstances. "Obi-Wan..." His voice trailed off as he took a rasping breath. "Obi-Wan?"

"The other Jedi?" she asked. When he nodded she glanced back at the other two slightly. "I haven't seen him. Which means he's not hurt," she hastened to reassure him.

'It doesn't mean they don't have him,' thought Qui-Gon sadly.

"Master Jedi." Kaya's voice brought him back from the brink again. She was speaking so softly he had to strain to hear her words. "I will find your friend and get you help. I promise. Everything is going to be alright."

Kaya wasn't sure if the Jedi had heard her, as he seemed to slip back into whatever safe haven unconsciousness could bring him. Seeing the damage to his chest Kaya was amazed he'd been able to speak at all, let alone grab her arm like that.

Garelock wandered over now, prepared to rebind the Jedi's hands. Kaya stood and glared at him.

"I can assure you that is not necessary!" she snapped.

"You don't know what you're talking about," Garelock scoffed. "He's a Jedi. We can't be taking chances."

Kaya shook her head with disgust and whirled on her brother who was watching the exchange impassively.

"Jared, that man is no threat to anyone in this condition. He needs to be in a medical centre."

"I'm sure you did your best Kaya," was his cool response. When he said nothing more Kaya gestured about the room.

"Isn't somebody going to tell me what's going on here?"

Jared pulled her by the arm towards the door. His eyes were sad but his voice firm.

"I think the less you know the better. Thank you for your help."

Standing in the doorway Kaya shook off his grip on her angrily.

"You haven’t been listening to me! We need to contact the authorities, perhaps even the Jedi. They may have healing techniques that we don’t know about which may be crucial to his survival," she insisted.

Jared’s expression was cold. She stared at him with amazement wondering who this stranger was. When he spoke it was with calm authority which didn’t mask the evident threat.

"If you contact anyone, it will mean his death."

*****

Obi-Wan stumbled, crashed and plowed through the dense underbrush. His clothing was sodden, his face and arms were bruised and torn from his efforts. So unfocused was his flight he found himself no farther towards his goal. Dropping none too gently to his knees the young padawan closed his eyes. Qui-Gon had insisted many times that Obi-Wan practice the art of centering and regaining calm. Obi-Wan had often muttered under his breath at a perceived waste of time. He was now grateful that his Master had been so unrelenting.

As the clarity of vision that came with the Jedi meditation took hold Obi-Wan saw the pathway back to the council community. The tangle of underbrush melted back in his mind and the actual dimensions of the forest became distinct. The soft light that filtered down from towering coniferous trees to the forest floor revealed the pathways clearly. A by product of the meditation was enhanced reflexes which allowed Obi-Wan to maneuver rocks and tangles of roots with ease. He ran as fast as possible with a well trained grace that belied his fatigue.

When he finally reached the courtyard that led to the quarters the disturbance that he had sensed from Qui-Gon was absent. Even more disturbing was that he could no longer feel the distant but familiar presence around him when he directed his attention towards his master.

The courtyard was deserted. From his vantage point at the edge of the garden Obi-Wan had a clear view of the main room and saw that it was empty.

"There are no gardeners," Obi-Wan muttered not realizing that he had spoken aloud. Two gardeners had attended the area early in the day. They had been replanting the bountiful garden beds that filled the courtyard and led into the greater gardens surrounding the council buildings. When Obi-Wan had left earlier they had only begun their work.

Gripping his lightsaber Obi-Wan stepped into their room. The evidence of a struggle was clear. Glass panes were shattered and shards of glass flung across clay coloured floor. The collection of priceless Minmaki artifacts that had graced a whole wall were smashed and charred by blaster fire. Obi-Wan surveyed the destruction with a quick eye but concentrated the focus of his search on Qui-Gon disturbed by why he could no longer sense his presence.

Weapon at the ready, Obi-Wan toed open the door to Qui-Gon's room. It too was deserted and destroyed. Lowering the as yet unlit lightsaber to his side he turned in a circle, slowly hunting for clues, taking in every broken item, every blaster burn.

Before he could possibly have seen anyone, Obi-Wan sensed he was not alone. He ignited his weapon instantly with all his energy flowing into the lightsaber. It stopped a mere centimeter from the neck of a woman standing stone still in the shadows of the room. Grasped in her hands was a lightsaber, Qui-Gon's lightsaber. Obi-Wan could not remember a time in his young life when he had been so shocked. The lightsaber was the most intimate of weapons; only in death or grievous wound would a knight part with it.

He barked at her with a menacing tone, "Where did you get that?!"

The woman visibly quaked and the weapon seemed to spring from her fingertips at the words. Obi-Wan snatched it from the air. The lightsaber offered a fragile link to Qui-Gon and a hope that he might see through this chaos.

"Who are you?" His struggle to control the tenor of his voice was not very successful.

"My name is Kaya and I’m a healer," came her quiet reply, as her slightly panicked dark eyes lifted from the tip of the lightsaber to his eyes. "Obi-Wan? I have news of the Master Jedi."

Obi-Wan took a calculated step backwards, lowering his weapon slightly.

"Where is he?" he demanded.

"He's alive but he's wounded," she told him.

Obi-Wan’s heart clenched. "What happened? Take me to him!"

"That's not possible. We can't talk here; it's too dangerous. They will come for you next."

Pulling her dark hooded cloak tighter around herself the woman turned and walked into the crowded maze like hallways of the council community. Still anxious and confused, Obi-Wan followed. 'Who are they?' he wondered. ‘And why would they come for me?’

The crowds in the hallways necessitated Obi-Wan walking a mere hand’s width from the young woman's shoulder. His agitation grew as she spoke so softly that he had to lean closer still to hear her words.

"When I first saw the Master Jedi he was in pain and seriously injured. I consider him to be critical but stable. I left medication for the control of pain and infection." She continued to describe in technical terms what medication she had administered and procedures she had used to treat Qui-Gon's injuries.

As they walked Obi-Wan shifted his opinion of this young woman. His initial hostility had started to change. He saw that she was indeed concerned about Qui-Gon and his condition. The words critical but stable kept racing around in his mind. At times he had difficulty paying attention to what she was saying due to his anxiety about what had become of his master.

When she had finished with the medical explanation Obi-Wan grasped her shoulder with a firm hand.

"Who did this and why?"

He felt her body stiffen with fear of injury. However, instead of pulling away and making a public display she moved his hand to the crook of her elbow like old friends or lovers walking together in the street. She struggled to control the intimidation she felt from showing on her face with a tight smile.

"It's the Sangris." The Minmaki word rolled off her tongue. Obi-Wan looked puzzled as he thought there were only two factions on this world. "They are an extremist group of the traditional movement. The Republicans consider them an irritation and the Traditionalists consider them an embarrassment. Up until now they have been harmless, usually hurting themselves more than anyone else. But something has happened to change all that and I have no idea what it is."

"It must be something pretty major to risk attacking a Jedi Master." Obi-Wan's voice was cold. "We need to tell the authorities and I should contact the Jedi Temple..."

"No!" Kaya’s loud interruption caused several heads to turn curiously in their direction. More softly she continued, "They were very clear that they would kill him if anyone was told."

"Okay," Obi-Wan said tightly, feeling very alone. He took a deep breath. "Then how can I contact them?"

"You can't find them. They only contact me when they require medical help. They are paranoid about secrecy. It all seemed so childish in the past but now..." Her words trailed off as they moved into the medical centre of the market.

"What else did he say to you?" Obi-Wan asked turning to stop her from walking ahead.

"There wasn't time, Obi-Wan, he was struggling to stay conscious." She lowered her voice fearful of attracting more attention from the crowds.

"That isn't good enough. I need more information!"

"Lower your voice for goodness sake!" she hissed at him. "It is hard enough keeping a Jedi low profile; it would be impossible if you lit that lightsaber of yours."

"We were not followed," Obi-Wan stated in a confident tone. "Tell me the rest."

"There isn't any more. I was appalled at what I saw. They had him manacled when I left. This isn't getting us anywhere. We need to split up and get more information."

Obi-Wan wasn't too sure he wanted to let her out of his sight since she was his only link to his master.

"How do I know you'll come back?" he asked cautiously.

"I promised him I would help you," she told him.

Obi-Wan gave her a hard look. Kaya had the distinct impression that she was being examined right down to her soul. It was a disconcerting feeling.

"My quarters are on level three in the medical staff housing building." She gestured across the courtyard. "The security number is 1138."

Obi-Wan decided he had to trust her. His choices were limited. She left to try to contact the Sangris while he thought it was time to learn what had happened at the assembly session that day. He watched her walk away with a determined gait, wondering if Qui-Gon would have trusted her in this situation.

*****

Her quarters were small in comparison to the luxurious ones that Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan had shared but comfortable and well appointed. Close to the medical facility and with easy access to the public areas of the council. In the darkness of the small room, Obi-Wan struggled for calm and patience. It was a battle he was not winning. Suddenly he heard the sound of someone running up the outside steps. The door opened.

In the pale blue glow that his lightsaber cast he could clearly see Kaya's frightened expression.

He powered down the weapon and turned on the interior lights at the same time.

"You know," Kaya said with a strained voice, "you've really got to stop doing that to me."

"Sorry," he muttered, chagrined that he was so on edge he'd pull his weapon at the slightest sound.

There was an awkward moment of silence between them. Then Kaya moved swiftly to the corner of the room which served as a kitchen and began opening drawers and cupboards.

"Are you hungry? I just realized I haven't eaten since this morning."

Obi-Wan hadn't eaten either, yet his stomach felt more queasy than hungry. Instead of answering he asked a question of his own.

"What did you find out?"

Kaya continued to shuffle randomly through her food supplies.

"Not much," she admitted with a frustrated tone. "They've moved from where I treated him this afternoon. Considering how paranoid they were acting I'm not all that surprised they weren't still there."

Obi-Wan said nothing.

"The good part about that," Kaya went on with an absurd forced cheerfulness, "is that Qui-Gon must be better for them to have risked moving him."

'Better....or much worse,' thought Obi-Wan.

Kaya looked at his grim expression then averted her eyes back to her food preparation.

"I wasn't able to track down many of the usual members and those I talked with didn't know about any plan. Which could mean that it's nothing serious otherwise more of them would know."

'Or it's something so serious they don't want anyone to know, not even their own,' thought Obi-Wan.

"Here you go." Kaya handed him a bowl which his hands took automatically. "It's not much but..."

"Stop it." Obi-Wan's voice was brusque. "Stop trying to put a positive spin on things. I thought you said you were going to help me."

"I'm trying to help you!" she snapped back, startled by his tone.

"Then tell me the truth! Not some absurd bright side scenario!"

"Okay," Kaya agreed quietly.

Obi-Wan stirred the contents of the bowl absently then put it down. He walked over to her large window and looked down at the quiet marketplace. He half turned back to Kaya.

"You think he's dead, don't you."

Kaya's expression was stricken at the accusation but remembering her promise to be truthful she bit back the denial. Without waiting for an answer Obi-Wan looked back out the window.

"He's not. I would know," he told her harshly. "I would know," he repeated more softly.

Obi-Wan leaned against the glass remembering clearly, though how long ago it seemed now, his frustration with Qui-Gon earlier in the day. If only he'd been more focused. If only he'd stayed. If only he'd decided to meditate instead of run away!

Obi-Wan wasn't one who normally dwelled on past mistakes. If anything he was guilty of looking too much to the future. But he felt enormously guilty for not being there to help his master. And at what cost?

For almost half his life Obi-Wan had had Qui-Gon near him. Their bond was strong from years of trust and friendship. That he could no longer sense Qui-Gon in the Force was both alarming and disorienting to Obi-Wan. Yet he believed Qui-Gon's death would send a ripple through the Force that Obi-Wan, even in his current agitated state, could not fail to miss. So as unsettling as the absence of Qui-Gon was, Obi-Wan took comfort in believing it a sign his master still lived.

Kaya watched him with sad eyes, noting both his slumped posture and his clenched hands. He paced a bit in front of the window before coming back to toy with the food some more.

"We'll find him," she reassured him.

"Yeah," he agreed, abandoning the food to pace some more.

Trying to ease his agitation Kaya tried to be lighthearted.

"I thought you Jedi knights were always peaceful and calm."

Obi-Wan stopped in his tracks to give her a hard stare.

"And I thought the Minmaki wanted to join the Republic!" he snapped coldly.

Kaya sighed and sat dejectedly on a stool by the counter.

"Okay, I deserved that," she acknowledged. "What did you find out?"

Obi-Wan placed his hands on his hips to keep them from fidgetting with frustration. He regretted his harsh words to Kaya, much as he regretted most of the day. He really had to get a hold of himself or he'd be no help to anyone, least of all Qui-Gon.

"The Sangris demanded a voice in the morning assembly," he told her. 'When I wasn't listening,' he added to himself. "And in the afternoon they disrupted the meeting so much an early recess was called."

Qui-Gon's words came back to him: "If you think all that's happening here is a new constitution, then you really haven't been paying attention, Padawan."

"Will you and Qui-Gon be missed by anyone?" Kaya asked.

Obi-Wan considered this.

"Not for a few days. They decided to cancel tomorrow's session to allow things to cool down and the day after is some kind of holiday."

"The traditional thanks for change," Kaya told him absently.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and slowed his breathing, trying to relax. He reached out to the Force gently seeking to find his master's presence. There was nothing. He felt Kaya's anxiety acutely and a vague anxious anticipation elsewhere. He opened his eyes to find Kaya watching him curiously.

"How can I help him if I don't even know where he is?" he asked her forlornly.

She reached out to take his hand in comfort much as she had done for Qui-Gon.

"I know of a few Sangris hideouts. Let's get some sleep and first thing tomorrow we'll check them out. But we have to be careful because they are looking for you."

Obi-Wan looked down at her with eyes filled with worry. "Why are you doing this if you're a Traditionalist?" he asked softly.

"I admire their goals but I cannot condone their actions. To rally, to picket, to speak publicly, to campaign, to demonstrate peacefully -- in all this I supported them. The people they hurt most were themselves, by accident or mishap. Today they became terrorists and willfully hurt an innocent outsider." Her expression was grim. "As a healer, as a Minmaki, I cannot allow them to get away with that." Then she smiled and squeezed his fingers. "And I promised Qui-Gon that I would find you for him."

"Thank you," Obi-Wan said, feeling much calmer. "I...I'm sorry about before. You didn't deserve my harsh words." He gave her a sheepish grin. "Or my lightsaber at your throat."

"It's okay. Just remember I'm on your side."

Obi-Wan pulled away from her slowly. Seeking some activity Kaya cleaned up the remnants of the half eaten meal. Seeing that Obi-Wan had barely touched his portion she turned to ask him if he still wanted it.

Obi-Wan was on his knees in the centre of the room with his eyes closed and his head bowed. Kaya sensed a return to order out of the chaos that had been his mind since finding his master gone. She didn't know if he was praying. 'Did the Jedi have gods?' she wondered. ‘Or was he just exercising some Jedi ritual before sleep?’

Either way she wouldn't disturb him just for the sake of some warmed up leftover stew.

*****

Pounding on the door awakened Kaya from a sound sleep. At first she feared she'd overslept and it was morning and some Sangris strongarms had arrived to take Obi-Wan. Then fuzzily she came to realize it was still the middle of the night and the knocking, though insistent, was more polite than aggressive.

Obi-Wan was already on his feet looking more alert than any person, Jedi or not, had a right to be at this time of day. He nodded to her.

Kaya opened the door to blink stupidly at the face of Garelock. He at least the courtesy to look sheepish.

"Hi."

"Garelock!" Kaya's tired brain took refuge in anger. "What are you doing? It's the middle of the night. You scared me to death!"

"Sorry." He did look sorry, she decided grudgingly. And anxious.

"Well what do you want?" she asked rudely when he didn't continue. He looked around nervously. "For the love of two moons Garelock! Some of us have to work in the morning," she hissed at him.

"Can I come in?" he asked politely, then quite rudely pushed her aside to walk into the room.

Kaya spluttered unintelligibly at this audacity, fearing he'd walk right into Obi-Wan.

"It's dark in here," commented Garelock as he turned on the light.

"Well I normally sleep in the dark," she grumbled, her eyes glancing around. Obi-Wan was nowhere to be seen. Relieved she took a deep breath and sighed.

"Did you come to explain what's going on with Jared?" she asked, hoping for yet dreading the knowledge at the same time.

"No. I came because...uh, I think the Jedi needs some meds."

Kaya's blood went cold. 'At least he's still alive,' she thought.

"He needs to be in a medical centre," she told Garelock calmly. "He needed that hours ago."

Garelock's expression was sad.

"Please Kaya, please just get me the meds and don't give me any speeches."

Kaya frowned severely at him but moved to her bag to find what he wanted.

"I'm not surprised Jared sent you. He probably knows I'd lecture him within an inch of his life if he..."

"Jared doesn't know I'm here," Garelock interrupted quietly.

Kaya stopped what she was doing to stare at him with surprise.

"He'd be very upset to find out," added Garelock.

"Gari, what is going on?" Kaya asked, her voice low and worried. "Has Jared gone mad?"

Garelock's laugh was short and not amused. He shook his head.

"Please don't ask me any questions." When Kaya continued to look at him he reached out to touch her cheek gently. "Please Kaya. You know I'd do just about anything for you but don't ask me this."

"Jared always did have your first loyalty," she said softly, handing him a medical care package.

"Thank you," Garelock whispered and Kaya felt his gratitude was more for her dropping the subject than for the meds.

As Garelock opened the door she told him, "The Jedi refused pain killers this afternoon so he may only need the antibiotics." 'The gods alone know how he managed to cope with his pain,' she thought.

Garelock merely nodded and closed the door behind him.

Kaya took a deep breath as relief overtook her and then she wondered what had happened to the Jedi knight.

"Obi-Wan?" she whispered looking around the room. There was no place big enough for a man of his size to hide. Unless perhaps the Jedi had some kind of invisible trick? "Obi-Wan?" she called softly.

Then she noticed the open window. Kaya's heart leapt to her throat thinking of the drop from her room to the stones of the market below. She ran to the window and leaned out. She couldn't see a body splattered on the ground for which she was enormously relieved. One Jedi patient a day was quite enough!

Then Obi-Wan's soft voice startled her nearly out of her skin.

"Are you certain he's gone?"

Looking to her left Kaya saw Obi-Wan clinging to the side of the building, balanced on a ledge that was not much bigger than his toes. Eyes wide she could only nod affirmation of Garelock's departure.

Obi-Wan eased himself along the ledge and back inside the window. He went quickly to the door and opened it, hoping to have a sense of where Garelock had gone. But there was no trace of the other man and Obi-Wan knew he'd have no chance of following. He returned to the room to find Kaya sitting with her head in her hands.

"What a day it's been," she murmured to herself as she lifted her head.

"Still think it's nothing serious?" Obi-Wan asked, sitting next to her. She was thoughtful.

"No," she admitted. "Otherwise Gari would have told me. That he wouldn't means it's far more serious than I thought."

*****

Not far from the city, Kaya turned off the main road and seemed to walk into the forest. Following, Obi-Wan quickly realized there was a rough track overgrown from disuse but still apparent.

A short distance from the turn off point brought them to a small clearing with two buildings. The contrast to the natural setting could not have been more exaggerated.

Kaya stopped, eyes darting around for signs that they were not alone. All was peaceful. Obi-Wan stepped in front of her, his serious gaze taking in both the structure of the buildings and the lack of any sign that they'd been used recently. He turned back to Kaya with a question for an expression.

"An old shipping depot," she explained. "Long abandoned. But they sometimes use it for rendezvous and ... other things."

Obi-Wan made a mental note to enquire later what sorts of other "things" she meant; now was not the time. He was pretty confident that Qui-Gon was not in either of the buildings but a closer inspection might reveal some clues. It was afternoon and they’d spent the morning seeking out possible Sangris hiding places without success.

"I'll check the office," Kaya volunteered, moving towards the closer, smaller structure.

"And I'll check 'round back," he agreed, moving away.

The second building was much larger than the one at the front of the clearing. Obi-Wan surmised it had been some kind of warehouse. He hoisted himself up onto a stone ledge that ran around the structure as part of the foundation. Above the stone wall the building was mostly wood, with large panes of glass at the corners.

Obi-Wan wiped the glass with his sleeve and peered inside. As all seemed quiet he lifted the glass which swung open upward, like a trap door. He had no difficulty swinging himself through the window. He landed in a soft crouch in which he remained while listening.

After only a moment he stood. The place was completely silent. Qui-Gon was not here. There was no one here.

Obi-Wan gave a glance to some containers, empty, that were stacked against one wall. Across the vast open room there were a series of shelves that once held numerous such containers. Now there was only dust. There was some evidence of birds having nested in one of the corners, but the main occupant of the room was now a series of tangled cobwebs.

Whatever other things Kaya had referred to must not take place in here, Obi-Wan decided. He couldn't believe another person had been in this building for years.

*****

Kaya cautiously pushed open the door to the small low structure. A narrow hallway led from the entrance to a larger room where the shipping clerks used to keep their files.

While there was evidence that Jared and crew had been here recently Kaya doubted they'd had the Jedi master with them.

Entering the shipping office Kaya immediately noticed electrical equipment scattered on the desk and on the floor. She crouched down to examine the parts with a frown. She couldn't be sure with it in so many pieces but she thought it might be a media scanner. And on the desk it looked like a projection camera. Kaya felt like she'd been given some large chunk of a puzzle but she still couldn't see the larger picture.

Quickly she opened all the drawers of the desk and flipped through the material on the shelves. She felt frustrated enough to give the cabinet a kick when the door jammed on her. It popped open to reveal some political pamphlets and posters leftover from the referendum. Nothing.

'Well you'd hardly expect him to write out his plan and leave it for you to find!' she scolded herself.

Suddenly the door opened and she heard a voice. It wasn't Obi-Wan; it was Garelock.

"All I'm saying is that it'll all be for nothing unless we can find the other one."

Desperately Kaya looked around for a place to hide but there was nowhere to go.

"You have too much fear and not enough faith," responded Jared. "That one isn't going to be any trouble for us; he didn't even contact the authorities before disappearing." A pause. "He's only one man."

"Not just any man, but a ..." Garelock stopped abruptly at the sight of Kaya. Jared's eyes flickered with surprise even if his expression didn't change.

"Kaya," he acknowledged. "What are you doing here?"

Garelock did a cursory tour of the room as if to assure himself there was no evidence she might have found then came to stand behind Jared.

"I came looking for you," Kaya said calmly, proud that her voice didn't betray the pounding of her heart.

"I thought I made it clear you weren't needed anymore," Jared said.

"I'm worried," Kaya admitted. "That Jedi was very badly hurt and..."

Garelock’s expression flashed with anxiety that she might betray his request for medical supplies. She didn’t even notice him.

"He's fine, don't you worry," Jared told her soothingly, but unconvincingly.

"...and I'm worried about you," continued Kaya. "I think you're in over your head with something and it scares me."

"You are the one in over your head," Jared said with a more menacing tone. "And you should be scared."

Kaya didn’t really believe that her brother would hurt her. But she no longer felt secure in knowing he’d show the same restraint with Obi-Wan. All that she’d managed to learn so far indicated that Jared wanted very much to eliminate whatever threat Obi-Wan posed to his plan. While she didn’t doubt Obi-Wan’s ability to look after himself she had seen first hand how vulnerable the Jedi could be. Her anxiety was solely centered on the man she’d left outside so her eyes widened with undisguised shock when Jared drew his weapon and aimed it at her.

After that things happened so fast she didn’t have time to think only to react. Garelock let out a cry of surprise and brought his fists down on Jared’s back causing the other man to pitch forward. Taking advantage of Jared’s momentary imbalance Garelock then attacked the arm that held the blaster. The weapon crashed to the floor as Jared drove his elbow back into Garelock’s stomach. The two of them wrestled, twisted together in an impressive display of rage and strength.

"Don’t you hurt her," Garelock wheezed, as Jared shoved him back against the cabinet.

Stunned, Kaya picked up the blaster thinking only to prevent it being used by anyone. Garelock tackled Jared to the ground. Knowing he was not going to be able to hold his friend for very long he growled at Kaya,

"Go! Go! Get out of here now!"

She didn’t hesitate but turned and ran.

*****

As Obi-Wan jumped down from the ledge he glanced in the direction of the smaller building. There was no sign of Kaya. He scouted around the outside of the building but found the back to be very much like the front.

A short distance from the warehouse, closer to the trees, was a vehicle. Its awkward angle suggested more abandonment than parking. Obi-Wan walked over to it with a frown. He’d never seen such an ungainly speeder in all his travels.

It was rectangular in shape, with none of the rounded curves one expected for aerodynamics. Quite the opposite in fact, as its design seemed to accentuate its hard edges. The back end of it had obviously been used to transport items from the warehouse; there was even an old rotting barrel still wedged into the guard rails.

The front end had an enormous set of bars protruding from the front, perhaps to help cut a path through dense brush if there wasn’t a clear trail. The engine looked enormous, but then it would have to be in order to handle the large shipping containers.

Obi-Wan was backing away from the speeder, uninterested in it save for its odd shape, when he heard the sound of someone running. Kaya came barrelling around the corner, her face terrified. Clasped in her right hand was a blaster; it looked most unnatural.

"Come on! Come on!" Kaya's voice was frantic.

As she passed Obi-Wan she grasped the sleeve of his tunic with her left hand and all but dragged him after her through a dense thicket and on to a narrow pathway.

"What's going on?" he asked, alarmed.

"It's them. They were there..."

Obi-Wan would have liked to have more information, perhaps even turned to go back and face the mysterious Sangris, but the rumble of the speeder’s engine roaring to life drowned out any chance for dialogue.

Dirt and debris boiled up in its wake as the craft sped after them above the metre wide pathway. It ate up the ground far faster then the Jedi's long legs could carry him. The more petite Kaya was falling behind. Obi-Wan could not help but think of the vicious looking metal bars on the front of the vehicle, could not help but think of what they might do if they hit a person at any kind of speed.

His limited choices dwindling fast, Obi-Wan tried to read his environment. Using the Force to increase one’s abilities was one thing, learning the topography of a landscape was another. From his slight advantage in front of Kaya Obi-Wan chose his option quickly.

Stopping cold in his tracks he lifted the small woman in front of him and pushed her as he ignited his weapon. His last clear view of Kaya was as she shot out of sight over the side of a rather long and steep hillside. She had luckily tumbled from her feet on to her seat and was rapidly moving away from him.

The monstrous form of the speeder now hovered three metres above him. The blasting air made it impossible to aim with anything resembling precision so Obi-Wan merely jumped as high as possible. He slashed with his weapon and felt it make contact with steel. Hearing the rapid expulsion of hydraulic fluid and the smell of burning components, he knew he’d been successful. The craft lost its lift and began to descend with surprising quickness.

Obi-Wan didn’t wait to see it crash. With an ill planed and poorly executed leap he found himself crashing after Kaya. Arms and legs twisting and tugging on the slick dirt Obi-Wan managed to position himself feet first and control some of the debris that flew into his face. Fleetingly he hoped that Kaya had not experienced this descent into the valley face first.

*****

The only thing that was clear for Kaya was the sensation of being hurled. The whole landscape seemed to spin as she slid out of control over the embankment towards the floor of the valley. Not having been a thrill seeker, or having much knowledge with low gravity environment, Kaya had never really experienced falling through space. When the land below her disappeared the sensation had been shocking. Contacting the ground below literally drove the breath out of her body. Her last clear thought was how much she was going to yell at Obi Wan if she ever saw him again.

Her long dark cloak was snagged and pulled by branches and roots as she crashed through. Her most urgent concern was shielding her face from the debris as she struggled to right herself and gain some control over her rate of descent.

Suddenly her descent slowed nearly to a stop. She welcomed the thought that in a few metres she could regain her feet and survey the damage.

Kaya struggled to stand. The shock of careening down the hillside had left her shaken but unhurt. It was small comfort knowing that landslides like this happened all the time in the valley and not just to her.

*****

Before Obi-Wan could formulate his next move he found himself airborne as the slope of the hillside dropped away. As he hit the ground more than a metre below he had no time to avoid Kaya. She was standing open mouthed as his larger body plowed into hers knocking her to the ground. Her eyes went wide and he could see her struggling to say something but no words came. Her head fell back as she went limp.

"Oh, by the Force!" he whispered extracting himself from the pile of their arms and legs. He cradled her in his arms, her long dark hair in disarray, her smooth skin scratched and marked by the rough ride. Then her eyes opened and she struggled to a sitting position. Regaining her breath which had been so unceremoniously knocked out of her she looked at him in disbelief.

"You threw me off a cliff!"

"It seemed like a good idea at the time."

A smile, be it a small one, lit her face. Obi-Wan noticed for the very first time how lovely she was.

*****

Obi-Wan watched carefully as Kaya maneuvered down the slope into the darkness. The planet’s first moon had lit their flight thus far but dark rain clouds quickly rolled in to mask the light. The rain, when it finally came, poured in sheets that penetrated their cloaks. Soon the clothing beneath was permeated and the chill felt on skin.

Obi-Wan, with what remained of his patience, walked close behind Kaya. She had the advantage of knowing where they were as she had spent a great deal of her childhood in these hills. Just a few metres more and they would reach their goal. Feeling back in the darkness she found Obi-Wan's hand and guided him down the side of the rocky cliff. Moving carefully along tree roots and stone, she found the opening.

"Watch your head," she whispered propelling him into the pitch darkness.

"What is this place?" Obi-Wan asked, head pushed forward grasping her hand and scanning for even a speck of light.

"Traquate, a ritual house," she told him. "There are hundreds of them all over the planet in valleys like this one." He felt Kaya bend low and could hear the clinking of what must have been flint. A spark flashed and a small torch sprung to life.

The Traquate appeared to be a man made cave. The ceiling, walls and floor were made from an adobe type of material that was well worked and shaped. The floor was worn by thousand of years of foot falls. A small deep pit was in the centre of the room with an opening above to pull away the smoke. The Traquate was rounded, smooth, and gentle. The opening through which Kaya and Obi-Wan had entered and the smoke hole were the only openings.

As Obi-Wan watched, Kaya opened with practiced familiarity a clay container of water and a second container of dried food. A small supply of dry wood sat near the fire pit. Kaya quickly balanced kindling, lit it with the small torch, and hurried the fire along.

Removing his wet cloak Obi-Wan studied the walls of the structure with care. The walls were marked with lines and simple drawings that he could not understand. They circled the whole dwelling, walls and ceiling, but were only lines -- no colour accompanied them. They were too gentle and uniform to be vandalism.

"What does this mean?" he asked softly.

"Nothing, everything. To me it means nothing but to the people who made them they were about time spent and breakthroughs and meditative milestones."

*****

Well fed, dry, and more or less warm, Obi-Wan sat back to try and find a comfortable position near the fire. Kaya had built it up to provide more heat and a bit more light in the shelter.

Suddenly with more time to think and breathe Obi-Wan felt a profound sense of loss verging on panic. What if Qui-Gon was not just unconscious? What if he was in fact dead? What if the knowledge that Obi-Wan had sustained himself with was a fallacy? What if he wouldn't be able to feel if Qui-Gon was dead or dying?

He shifted suddenly kicking up some twigs and dirt from the floor. Kaya looked across the firelight at him. He squirmed again a dark expression crossing his face. His breathing became more rapid as he continued to move his body from place to place ostensibly in search of a place to lie down. Unaware that Kaya was watching him with a professional eye Obi-Wan began to grip and ungrip his hands as he felt his stomach begin to churn in upset. Soon his chest became tight.

Warm and strong hands touched his shoulders from behind. In his agitation Obi-Wan had not noticed Kaya move behind him.

"He is okay. Garelock would have told me if he was dead; I know he would have. And when people are as close as you and your master are, you know. You don't have to be a Jedi to know that." Her hands smoothed his shoulders, gently calming him. She had strong healing hands. Obi-Wan tried to smile; it would be some time before he would learn Qui-Gon's amazing ability to be calm and under control in all situations.

"Master Qui-Gon often reminds me that I lack personal serenity. It is an area in need of improvement for me." Obi-Wan used the terms that Qui-Gon had used to describe his padawan. A silence overtook them for a long moment. Obi-Wan reached for and embraced the calming ritual. His body and his mind with the help of the ritual and Kaya's trained hands began to quiet and prepare for much needed rest.

"I am sorry," Kaya whispered as Obi-Wan let his body relax and find the previously sought for comfortable resting place. Kaya removed her hands from his shoulders and sat next to him, close but not touching. Her dark eyes looked carefully at his expression searching for a way to make him understand what was going on. An all but impossible task since she had such limited information.

"Kaya." Obi-Wan reached out a hand to touch her arm. It was his turn to reassure his companion. Just touching her created an unfamiliar desire. He knew he should pull away but he didn't. Partly for his own need to keep his distance but mostly because he didn't think she shared his attraction. However, he knew that she too needed reassurance. "I don't know what to say except that tomorrow when we are rested and this is all so much clearer we are going to find the answers to the questions that are haunting us. You don't need to apologize to me. It is me who has to thank you. I know this is a risk for you. You could have walked away and let whatever was going to happen just happen!"

As if he no longer had self control Obi-Wan's hand moved gently up Kaya's arm and combed his fingers through the dark auburn curls that spilled down her face and neck. He had watched her try with little success earlier to dislodge some of the dirt and plant life. Kaya turned her face to be cradled in the cup of his hand. A sad smile crossed her lips.

"This mop has always been my crown," she said with an ironic laugh.

"It's beautiful," he said sincerely, untying the small frayed string and combing his fingers through it. They had washed their hands and face in some of the water that was stored in the Traquile. Kaya had placed the empty clay container in to the rain to refill it for the morning but the rain had stopped.

"I would give anything to wash my hair," Kaya sighed.

"You are not the only one!" Obi-Wan tugged at his braid that rubbed at the back of his neck.

"The second moon will be up in a few minutes. If we are where I think we are there is a small pool near here. We could take a swim." Obi-Wan felt as well as saw a slight pink blush creep up Kaya's neck. Her body stiffened as she realized that she was suggesting a moonlit swim with the young Jedi. Perhaps, Obi-Wan thought, the attraction was not quite so one sided.

*****

A short way from the dwelling a natural waterfall cascaded over a rocky cliff dropping four metres into an emerald pond. The edges of the pond were marked by large, smooth boulders. In several places there was access to the water on half moon shaped beaches a few metres wide. Obi-Wan could make out ferns and other water loving vegetation mixed with gnarled red barked trees whose roots and branches twisted and bent through the gathering of boulders towards the water. The second and smaller moon of the planet hung heavily in the clear night sky and dressed the scene in a pale green light.

"This place is very...peaceful," Obi-Wan commented grasping for the proper term.

Decorum had been maintained during the time that Kaya had undressed. She stood at one end of the pool her back to Obi-Wan, him facing in the other direction struggling to not imagine her disrobing. But food and much needed rest will allow a young man's mind to wander. Because he was raised to have respect of others and self control Obi-Wan was able to keep his eyes from Kaya, his mind was another matter. The vision of long auburn hair curled yet more in the misty air of the pool, smooth skin caressed by moonlight, accompanied him as he waited. A splash of water and a slight yelp announced the all clear. He turned to watch Kaya gracefully surface a smile to greet him.

"Shy Master Jedi?" she called as she skimmed through the water.

"I’m just a padawan actually but I thank you for the compliment." He smiled knowing full well she knew the difference. When it became apparent she was not going to turn away Obi-Wan began to undress. He assumed she would look away, embarrassed by his audacity. For the first time since he had come to Minmaks he felt confident, perhaps even bold. He unhooked his weapon and placed it high on a boulder safe from the water. His belt then tunic and boots soon followed. He hesitated slightly hoping the moonlight would not betray the reddish glow on his skin. He unlaced the fly of his trousers and stepped towards the water.

Kaya smiled a daring, teasing smile. She was sure this Jedi would preserve his modesty. That, or he would plunge into the water clothed and deal with the consequences of wet clothing later. She admired this man, especially his struggle to remain calm and in control in the chaos that the Sangris had created. His loyalty and commitment to his master, his gentle nature and handsome face added to her attraction. And this unexpected boldness had its appeal. Then Obi-Wan's trousers and underclothing fell to the ground. Much to her chagrin it was Kaya who broke the eye contact and swam away.

'If I had not been such a serious boy I would understand women,' Obi-Wan told himself as he watched Kaya move away knowing full well it was an excuse.

The water was colder then he expected but soon the grime and dirt that seemed to have embedded itself in his skin started to dislodge. He floated in the deep waters as the moon started its slow descent. Knowing he should wash his hair and attend to his clothing, he instead closed his eyes and let the noise of the falling water lull his mind. His drowsiness was disturbed by the touch of Kaya's hand. She had washed and braided her hair down her back. Wordlessly she guided him to the base of the waterfall.

Obi-Wan searched for the appropriate words but there were none. Kaya unbraided his hair and smoothed her hands along his back caressing his scalp with her fingers. The water washed away the debris.

It was not unknown for Jedi to have lovers or to marry and have families but this was a first for Obi-Wan. He had been attracted to women, girls actually, but this was different as the attraction was mutual and fueled by the powerful emotions of need and fear.

Kaya rebraided his hair fastening it with a part of the cord with which she fastened her own.

In the shallow waters, they wrapped their arms around one another. Kaya let her head rest on Obi-Wan's chest. The beat of the waterfall made talking impossible. Obi-Wan touched the side of her face with his lips. She turned her face her lips meeting his and there was no longer any necessity for words.

*****

Obi-Wan awoke suddenly in the predawn. As appropriate to years of training he was alert almost instantly. The darkness, the damp chill in the air, the warmth of the woman wrapped in his arms, he was aware of it all even as his eyes opened. Seconds later the memory of their predicament which was focused around the alarming disappearance of his master flooded into his mind.

Careful not to disturb Kaya's slumber, Obi-Wan shifted slightly. He sorted through all they knew, all they had learned, to make some sense out of what was happening. He felt frustrated, as though he could see all the pieces of a puzzle but could not make out how they fit together.

The Sangris had wounded Qui-Gon in order to take him but then contacted a healer so he wouldn't die. So they must mean to use him as a bargaining chip for something. Yet no one had been contacted...not the Minmaki authorities or government, nor the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. So who were they bargaining with? And why Qui-Gon?

The Sangris fervently believed in keeping their independence from the Republic. So it stood to reason that whatever they had planned they hoped it would influence this situation. Either because the Republic would expel Minmaks or the Minmaki government would withdraw. So why Qui-Gon? Because...because he was a Jedi master? An ambassador from the Galactic Senate?

Obi-Wan's brow creased with the disturbing thoughts.

The fact that none of the Sangris had made any demands thus far must mean they were waiting for a particular time, a special time, a symbolic time, a significant time... Obi-Wan tried to remember the name of the holiday over which the sun would shortly rise. Something about thanks...

Kaya had seen equipment in the Sangris hideout that suggested the terrorists were going to tamper with the planet's public broadcasting system. That could be unrelated to their current crime, Obi-Wan mused. Perhaps a different plot to send propaganda to the masses.

Traditional thanks for change, Obi-Wan suddenly recalled. That was the holiday. Satisfied that he'd remembered he tucked that piece of the puzzle into a corner of his mind.

All the pieces seemed to mill around, coming together but not quite fitting. A Jedi master hurt but kept alive, broadcasting equipment, a holiday in praise of change, a hostage but no demands made as yet... What if...what if...what if the appeal was not to the Jedi, the Senate, or even the Minmaki government? What if it was to the Minmaki people? Using the broadcasting equipment to spread propaganda...on a holiday of change...

Obi-Wan sprang to his feet so suddenly he practically threw Kaya off of him. She came awake more slowly than he, peering groggily at him as he paced.

"They're going to kill him," Obi-Wan told her without preamble.

"Wha...at?" she mumbled still half asleep. He bent over to shake her shoulders roughly.

"They are going to kill him!" he repeated. "Publicly."

"No," she protested. "That's impossible. They called me in to make sure he didn't die."

"Because the timing wasn't right, or the method, or the place," Obi-Wan rattled off as he resumed his pacing. "No, no, no, they planned it to be more theatrical than merely bleeding to death from a battle wound!"

"I still don't think they are capable of that," Kaya said flatly, fully awake now. "Not Gari, not Jared..."

"They nearly killed you yesterday," Obi-Wan reminded her coldly. "Did you think they were capable of that?"

"Jared wouldn't, he wouldn't," she insisted stubbornly.

"Why wouldn't he?" demanded Obi-Wan harshly. "He shot my master, took him hostage, tried to shoot you, nearly plowed me over with that monstrous excuse for a vehicle -- what makes you think he wouldn't kill Qui-Gon?"

Kaya didn't speak. Obi-Wan crouched near her, putting his hands on her arms gently this time although the urge to shake her again was strong.

"Listen to me. If they kill a Jedi master and broadcast this act to the people of Minmaks then one way or another your planet is out of the Republic. That will achieve the goal of the Sangris. They have a victim whose death is meaningful enough, they have the means to display the act publicly, they have the motivation to do it. And they have a holiday centered on change...something they obviously greatly fear."

Kaya looked down to her lap willing his words to remain unheard by her ears. Now he did give her a little shake, although not nearly as jarring as the first one.

"Tell me something -- anything -- that discounts this theory and I'll believe you," he told her.

'How had she earned his unwavering trust?' she wondered. How indeed, when she hadn't been completely honest with him.

"Jared..." she hesitated looking into Obi-Wan's worried eyes. "Jared is my brother," she confessed.

Involuntarily Obi-Wan moved away from her, removing his hands.

"What?" he asked with a clipped tone.

"I know I should have told you but I needed you to trust me. I wanted to help and I didn't think you'd let me if you knew."

Obi-Wan stood up and turned away facing the light that was beginning to appear through the Traquate's entry way.

"If you knew him as I know him then you'd know he's not capable of what you're suggesting," Kaya pleaded with him. Obi-Wan half turned back to her, his expression sad.

"If you knew him as I know him you'd understand why I think he's not only capable but also ready to strike at any moment."

Seeing that she was not yet convinced Obi-Wan looked outside once more at the rising sun.

"Tell me about this holiday," he asked abruptly.

"It's a time to embrace the changes that are inevitable in life," she told him. "But it doesn't mean much any more. Just an excuse for a feast and a day of rest really."

"And traditionally?" His voice was soft.

"Well, if you go back to its origins, it was a time to pray to Xekieth, the god of change, in order to influence his actions to the positive. To anger Xekieth was to invite bad changes into one's life, so people would placate him by offerings at various temples or shrines. They prayed that changes would be for the better. But no one thinks much about the old gods now."

Obi-Wan listened with a heavy heart. Everything she said only further confirmed for him that Jared planned to kill Qui-Gon. If it was to be a part of a traditional ceremony involving the ancient god Xekieth then there wasn't much time to find him and prevent that from happening.

Kaya stood and walked over to Obi-Wan. His eyes were closed but she sensed his acute anxiety. She slipped her arm through his and touched his cheek with her other hand. He opened his eyes. There was caring there, and compassion, but also fear and determination.

"Tell me something Kaya," he said quietly. "What do you think Xekieth would do if Jared offered him the life of a Jedi?"

Kaya pulled away. Obi-Wan sighed. So be it then. He would have to go on without her help. He tried to imagine how he could possibly cover all the shrines and temples of Xekieth by himself in the short period of time he had and then he decided thinking that way was self defeating. He walked over to pick up his lightsaber and cloak, shaking the latter out a bit before swinging it over his shoulders.

"The main shrine for Xekieth isn't far from here," Kaya told him soberly. "It's a maze with a sacrificial altar in the centre. It hasn't been used for at least 100 years, probably more..." Her tone was an entreaty to make this nightmare not real.

"It won't be used today either, if I have anything to do with it," Obi-Wan said grimly. "Are you with me?" Acknowledging Kaya's tight nod with one of his own, he added tersely, "Let's go."

*****

When they arrived at the entrance to the maze Obi-Wan paused just long enough to ascertain that there were only two guards standing near the stone archway. Striding with purpose Obi-Wan approached them openly while Kaya watched with amazement at his boldness. Raising his right hand slightly Obi-Wan spoke quietly but firmly to the two cautious men.

"There is no reason for you to be here. You should go now."

Kaya's amazement deepened to full disbelief as the two stumbled away in a confused state mumbling what sounded like a repetition of Obi-Wan's words. Before she could question him about what had just occurred Obi-Wan disappeared into the maze.

"Wait!" she cried rushing after him. "It's tricky..." Her words died off as she struggled to catch up to him. It took her only a few seconds to realize that Obi-Wan was not about to run into any of the maze's numerous dead ends. He was running, sure of foot, like one intimately familiar with the confusing pattern of pathways instead of someone who'd never seen them. Kaya seemed always just short of keeping up, following blindly, trusting her ears to tell her where he'd turned when her eyes lost sight of his billowing cloak. She didn't know how he could do it; it was like he could see through the maze's twists, and turns, and tricks.

An overwhelming sense of urgency was driving Obi-Wan now. He could block out all other peripherals while he concentrated on the Force; Kaya's confusion and fear, the scratching of overgrowth against his bare skin, the gnawing worry about what he would see when he reached the centre, what he would do then... All of this he could ignore but not the burning feeling that he was rapidly running out of time.

Then abruptly he ran out of maze and found himself confronting Garelock. Using surprise to his advantage Obi-Wan didn't even attempt to check his speed and merely plowed into the other man with enough momentum to throw them to the ground. Garelock had no chance nor, Obi-Wan suspected, did he have much fight left in him. The events of the past few days had sorely tested the limits of Garelock's loyalty. Obi-Wan smacked the other man's head with the handle of his lightsaber, sending him to blissful unconsciousness.

Ever wary, with his senses prickling with alertness, Obi-Wan rose from the still form to evaluate the scene before him. At the centre of the courtyard was an altar in the form of a large open square, like a window framed in stone. Standing in the middle of the frame was his master, arms raised above his head as his hands were chained to a ring on the upper slab of the altar. Obi-Wan's carefully coiled emotions stirred at the sight. Not only was Qui-Gon chained, he was blindfolded and gagged. His tunic looked ragged and dirty and was stained with blood. For a split second Obi-Wan was certain his master was dead, that despite all his efforts he'd arrived too late. But then Qui-Gon's head straightened slightly between his upraised arms and Obi-Wan could feel a small flicker of the familiar presence in the Force.

The sense of imminent danger had not passed and Obi-Wan realized with horror that his master's placement on the altar was more than merely symbolic. A combination of three lasers had been activated from the top of the stone ledge. Although they worked independently and seemingly at random, their purpose was clear enough. Slowly they drew closer in oval spirals to the centre of the altar where Qui-Gon stood helpless. Helpless, but not unaware of what was happening.

Obi-Wan ran forward and leapt to the top of the stone frame, needing a push from the Force to achieve the height. Qui-Gon's face turned upwards towards him, as though he could see through the dark cloth that covered his eyes. Obi-Wan spared no thought for that as he attacked the control mechanism with a fast rising desperation to turn off those deadly laser beams. At first he used his mechanical knowledge as his fingers flew over the device seeking entrance. When that proved fruitless he used his mind, attempting to manipulate it with the Force. When that also failed he struck the unyielding box with his lightsaber.

Obi-Wan jumped back down, realizing he'd have to approach the problem from a different angle. If he could not turn off the beams then he would have to remove Qui-Gon from their path. His eyes followed each of the beams while his mind focused on their pattern. And then, ever aware of the need for speed, he leapt inside their ring.

*****

Kaya's first sight upon reaching the centre of the maze was the sprawled form of Garelock. Instinctively she crouched to feel his pulse and was relieved that he appeared very much alive. From what Kaya knew of the Jedi, which was very little, and of Obi-Wan, which was only a bit more, she would not have expected a corpse.

Her eyes next took in the altar, Qui-Gon, and the lasers. She felt ill while her gaze travelled up to see Obi-Wan attacking the control mechanism with determination. She was about to call to him that it was no use when he seemed to reach that conclusion on his own and jumped down.

Kaya was then distracted by the sight of her brother, a short distance away, standing as if unaware of the frantic attempts of the Jedi apprentice to free his master. Kaya moved cautiously towards him conscious of both his hand, which was on his blaster, and her own, which held a similar weapon.

Jared was addressing the camera with a cold expression.

"Here before you stands the Jedi as a symbol of what our once noble planet has become. He is blinded as we have been blind to the devastating repercussions of what our loss of sovereignty will mean. He is gagged, as our voices will be gagged, robbed of the ability to express our freedoms in the chaotic rumble of the Galactic Senate. And he is chained as we have been chained to a controlling bureaucratic government that is no better than a dictatorship!"

Kaya slowed her approach, his words cutting into her grief. 'He really believes this,' she thought. 'Oh how far have we travelled from our path to see this.'

"This Jedi will die as will our great planet. Minmaks struck down by the Republic's hand as surely as this man is by this sacrifice! Xekieth warned us of foreboding changes. I send him the soul of this Jedi to avert the danger that is in our darkened future!"

Jared stepped back then to view what the camera was broadcasting. He saw Kaya but did not acknowledge her in any way. His eyes were bright despite the hardness of his face. She wondered how he could not be seeing what she saw -- which was the deliberate and brutal murder of an innocent man. Two men, Kaya realized with shock as she saw Obi-Wan leap into the centre of the ring.

*****

Obi-Wan felt the burn but refused to let it distract him from his task. With two of them in here his time was severely shortened before the beams would do more than singe their clothing. Lifting up his hands he pulled the gag and blindfold off and then strained higher to unhook the chains. He couldn't reach high enough.

His master's eyes, through groggy, filled with alarm. "Obi-Wan you must..."

The order was not completed as Obi-Wan brought up his saber to burn through the links. He didn't doubt that he'd gotten some flesh in the process but he'd worry about that later. Qui-Gon sagged against his apprentice, barely able to stand. Obi-Wan bore the weight easily, his mind ever watching the laser's intricate patterns.

With only the slightest warning and a shout of "NOW!" he pulled himself and his master from the altar. The momentum of their leap sent them to the ground, Qui-Gon landing with a soft cry of pain. Obi-Wan spared only a glance back at where they'd been to see the three beams connect as one in the centre of the circle. He closed his eyes as the rush of adrenaline left him with only a sick feeling remaining.

Obi-Wan reached out with concern to examine his master's condition. Qui-Gon gripped his hand with some reassurance. Although the older man was in need of care, he was not in immediate danger. Relief swiftly swept through Obi-Wan, until he was reminded of the person responsible for this narrow escape.

"NO!" screamed Jared when he saw the destruction of his plan. He took several halting steps towards the Jedi. Qui-Gon remained on his back still trying to catch his breath but Obi-Wan rose up on his knees. "NO!" cried Jared once again. "You will die!"

He lifted his weapon to Obi-Wan's forehead. The young Jedi could feel the whisper of the metal against his skin.

"Jared." Kaya's voice was quiet and calming. "Put that down."

Keeping the blaster ready to remove Obi-Wan's head at a second's notice Jared only glanced sideways at his sister. She had raised her own weapon against him.

"You won't shoot me," he scoffed. "You never had it in you to save Minmaks the way I did. You're too soft."

"Do not kill these people," Kaya said. "I will not let you kill them."

Just as Obi-Wan was gathering his strength to try to use the Force to nudge Jared's weapon out of range the young Minmaki seemed to quiver with unleashed fury. A blaster fired.

Obi-Wan caught Jared's body as it collapsed against him, the unused weapon clattering to the ground as it fell from lifeless fingers. Obi-Wan gently lowered the weight down and checked to confirm what he already knew -- that Jared was dead. A blaster shot at such close range could do nothing but kill. Obi-Wan then looked over to Kaya with concern.

She was standing as though trapped with the blaster so tightly gripped in two hands that it shook. The trembling seemed to travel up her arms and throughout her body causing her knees to wobble. Shaking, she sank into a crouched position and then fell forward on her knees.

Obi-Wan moved to her side swiftly. He grasped the weapon firmly and had to pry it from her fingers. He flung it away harder than was necessary.

Her stricken expression alarmed Obi-Wan as he feared she was going into shock. Her mouth moved wordlessly and then she choked, nearly gagged, and slumped against the Jedi. She was too stunned to even weep at what she'd done.

Obi-Wan wrapped strong arms around her, rocking her slightly in what he hoped was comfort. He only knew Jared as the man who had wounded, kidnapped, and tried to kill his master; but Jared had been Kaya's brother. That she'd loved him was not in question.

Obi-Wan whispered meaningless words in her ear and held her trembling form as if he'd never let her go. He wished more than anything that he could take away her pain. He wished he had been the one to deliver the killing blow.

Movement in his peripheral vision shifted Obi-Wan's attention. Qui-Gon had come to his feet slowly and now stood unsteadily before them.

"All this...all this...for nothing," Kaya gasped, a mixture of pain and disbelief in her voice.

"You're wrong about that," Qui-Gon told her gently. "Your brother's death was not in vain. I suspect rather that it will have the same effect as his sacrifice of me would have had."

Kaya stared up at the Jedi master with confusion.

"And knowing what I do about Minmaki law, Jared was facing execution for his actions in the past few days. He welcomed it as a method of delivering his message. A message he felt had been ignored or disregarded."

"Forgive me if I can take no comfort in knowing I merely sped up the inevitable!" she spat with distaste.

Obi-Wan held her tightly as though to protect her from his master's sensible but rather insensitive logic. However, Qui-Gon did not try again to dissuade her of her guilt. He simply placed a hand on her shoulder and regarded her somberly.

"I'm a healer," Kaya said, almost choking on the word. "My role is to save life and cherish it, not to end it violently."

"Do not forget Kaya," Qui-Gon's voice was kind, "that you saved two lives here this afternoon. Never forget because I assure you that we will always remember."

*****

Bright sunshine sparkled through the open window, its cheerful rays warming Obi-Wan's back. He was leaning against the windowsill watching the Minmaki healer complete his final evaluation of Qui-Gon's health. Only half his mind was attentive to the healer's instructions for ongoing care. The other half was pondering another healer.

As Qui-Gon had predicted Jared's death had made a serious impact on Minmaki politics. Even before the Galactic Senate could issue any kind of reaction, which may have ranged anywhere from a mere reprimand to expulsion, the Minmaki government requested a withdrawal from the Republic. The Traditionalists were quite shaken to discover within their ranks numerous members who deeply sympathized with the fanatic's message, if not his methods. The Republicans, although dismayed by this turn of events, recognized that they may have been over zealous in pressing for entry.

Obi-Wan was going to be happy when they left this place. He couldn't think of anything about this mission that had been good. Well, maybe only one thing...

His thoughts of Kaya were interrupted by the healer handing Qui-Gon a datapad. Moving with deceptive swiftness Obi-Wan intercepted the device before Qui-Gon's hand reached it.

"I'll take care of him," he assured the healer, who had jumped slightly at the sudden swooping of the apprentice. Qui-Gon sat perfectly still, only his eyes moving as they observed Obi-Wan's taking charge of his care. Obi-Wan flushed slightly, expecting a reprimand, but Qui-Gon said nothing and his eyes held a twinkle of amusement.

The healer took his leave of them and Obi-Wan stood awkwardly in front of his master, passing the datapad from hand to hand with unconscious agitation.

"Master, I..." What did he want to say? What could he possibly say? "I was wrong to be so inattentive. The consequences were nearly disastrous and I..."

"But they were not," interrupted Qui-Gon.

"Master, you could have died!" flashed Obi-Wan allowing Qui-Gon a glimpse of the anguish his padawan had endured through the ordeal.

"But I did not," he pointed out.

Obi-Wan's head lowered. When he spoke it was so softly that Qui-Gon had to strain to hear him.

"When you were missing, when I knew you were hurt, I couldn't sense you any more and I...I thought you were gone and..." His voice trailed off. "I was afraid," he admitted. "For you. For me."

Qui-Gon took a deep breath. He was not above using life experiences as lessons for the boy; in fact, it was one of his favourite teaching methods. However, the strain of this experience was showing all too plainly in his apprentice and the Jedi master saw no reason to prolong matters.

"Padawan," he began, "I hope that you will always be mindful of all that we do, however boring or unnecessary it may seem to you."

"Yes Master," Obi-Wan agreed with his head still bowed.

"And I trust that you have more faith in yourself after the way you handled this situation."

Obi-Wan's head snapped up with surprise. His eyes nearly narrowed with suspicion but then he realized there was no sarcasm in the tone; his master spoke honestly. Before he could protest Qui-Gon continued,

"You admitted you were fearful, as I was also I assure you, however you didn't let you fear control your actions. You managed to not only evade capture but also come to my rescue. In a very timely fashion, I might add." Qui-Gon smiled and rose up to pull his tunic on. "We must learn from our experiences, Obi-Wan. Learn and move on. I'm very proud of you."

Obi-Wan opened his mouth to speak but before he could formulate a response to this unexpected praise Kaya entered the room. She looked pale and sad but no longer as haunted as she'd been following Jared's death.

"Obi-Wan," she said warmly reaching for the Jedi's hand. "I've come to say goodbye." He squeezed her fingers. "I'm so relieved to see you well," she said to Qui-Gon.

He gave her a slight bow. "Thanks to you." She looked away.

"Come with us," blurted Obi-Wan suddenly, surprising himself as much as Kaya and his master. That got him a smile from her, softening her strained features.

"I cannot, and if you think a little," she tapped his temple with her free hand, "you know that is true."

Obi-Wan hadn't thought about it at all. He'd made the request out of the strong attachment he felt towards her and the crushing sorrow of having to leave her. The logistics of her remaining a part of his life were complicated enough to be nearly impossible. That didn't stop him from wanting her to stay near him.

As if sensing his struggle Kaya smiled again and then hugged him. She tried to make it somewhat easier.

"I have lost so much recently. I cannot lose my home as well. I need to stay here as much, perhaps more, than you need to go."

With that she kissed him, robbing his mouth of the ability to protest her truth and adding greatly to the ache he felt at their parting. He barely noticed her farewell to his master and then she was gone.

Qui-Gon watched Kaya's departure and then turned shrewd eyes on his padawan. He had no appropriate words to comfort the boy's loss; he doubted they'd be heard even if he did. So he placed a strong hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder and purposely didn't notice when his apprentice turned away.

"Some lessons are harder than others, my Padawan," he observed softly and left it at that.

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