Master Apprentice Archive Quick search:

Ascension (continued)

by Artemis ( jedilover99@hotmail.com )

Continued from part 4

As the door closed, Obi-Wan ran towards it only to hear Rakta locking it from the outside. "Hold your breath," Obi-Wan said to Reva as he withdrew his lightsaber and activated it once again. "And try not to panic."

Reva came from around the desk with her hand over her mouth. Her whole body was shaking in fear. Obi-Wan took a deep breath and held it. He was trained to hold his breath for up to four minutes, but if he couldn't find a way out of this room then his training wouldn't matter.

He drove his lightsaber into the door to cut their way out, but to his surprise the door was not made of wood, as it appeared, but of some hybrid durasteel substance. The blue blade went in with effort, and was making little progress at cutting an opening in the door.

Reva drew close to him, beginning to cry as she saw how slowly his lightsaber was melting the door. Being the realist she was, she knew he would not break through in sixty seconds or even twice that. They were doomed.

"Don't waste your energy," she said, taking her hand away from her mouth and placing it on his shoulder.

He shook his head. He would not stop trying. Perhaps if he could find the locking mechanism, melt through it, then they would have a chance...

The sound of blaster fire in the corridor startled Obi-Wan from his efforts. He looked up at the door as if to see through it to the commotion on the other side.

"What's... happening?" Reva asked, and slumped against the wall, gasping for breath. Their sixty seconds were nearly up.

For the first time, Obi-Wan realized he was going to die. The surety of that fact drew closer with each passing second. There was nothing he could do to stop himself from passing from this life and into the Force. When he was a child he had wondered how this moment would feel. He had fantasized that it would come in battle. He would be mortally wounded and his master or some other kind being would be with him when he took his last breath, easing him into eternity. But there was no easing into anything in this moment. There was nothing heroic or noble about the death he was facing. He had been outmaneuvered by a greedy young man, he had been backed into a corner and had done nothing to stop these events from happening.

He would die without ever knowing if Qui-Gon could forgive him...

Thoughts of Qui-Gon only interfered with his concentration. With his hands tightly grasping the hilt of his lightsaber, he pushed the blade down with all his might, trying to speed the process of cutting through the door. As he worked, he turned his face to Reva. The young princess' eyes were wild and frightened as she held her hands to her throat gasping for air like a fish out of water. He couldn't help her. He couldn't even call out for help. If he released his breath now, he could not take another.

He turned his eyes back to the door, removing his saber and plunging it back into the barrier again, hoping this time to melt the lock. The door didn't budge as he heard the continued blaster fire in the hall and now accompanied by shouting. Who was Rakta battling? Had Knight Laren followed him to the Archives after all?

Obi-Wan watched helplessly as Reva slid to the floor, her eyes closing as her life ebbed away. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he continued to work for their freedom, but hope was quickly being replaced by acceptance of the inevitable.

At last the fighting in the corridor seemed to stop. The sudden quiet stilled Obi-Wan. He withdrew his lightsaber and deactivated it. There was not a sound to be heard. Had Rakta killed his opponent and escaped?

Just as Obi-Wan's mind turned toward panic he heard a scratching, pulling sound on the outside of the door. It must be Rakta checking to see if they were dead! Obi-Wan re-ignited his lightsaber and stepped back. If the prince had returned he would soon regret it.

As the door opened, Obi-Wan raised his lightsaber, ready to cut down Rakta as he crossed the threshold. But the man who came into the room wasn't the prince... it was Qui-Gon! Obi-Wan let out the breath he had been holding as the fresh air streamed into the room. He stumbled back away from the door, overcome by the sight of the Jedi master.

"Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon called out in surprise, not expecting to find the padawan here. Qui-Gon's heart beat hard on seeing the young man. So much had changed... been lost between them and yet shadows of love still echoed in him.

The staleness of the oxygen-deprived room made Qui-Gon cough and his attention quickly shifted to Reva who was lying unconscious against the wall. He knelt down as Obi-Wan deactivated his lightsaber and joined him next to the young woman. They pulled Reva down to the floor and Obi-Wan pressed his fingers to her neck, searching for a pulse.

"Very faint," Obi-Wan said shakily.

"Let me," Qui-Gon said, seeing that Obi-Wan was still recovering. The Jedi master placed his mouth over the young woman's and gave her two strong breaths. He checked her pulse again... still weak.

Obi-Wan stared at Qui-Gon almost believing he was in a dream. Surely he had died and his mind was playing out what he wished had happened, that Qui-Gon had arrived just in time to save them and that everything would be all right between them. Even memories of the last few days seemed dreamlike. Coming to the Tracepian Cluster, falling in love, being scorned and then threatened with death all seemed a dream. It could not have happened to an Eratti padawan. Love was only a dream...

"What happened?" Knight Laren asked as she rushed into the room. "Rakta is lying dead in the hall... I came as fast as I could after you called, Qui-Gon." Her eyes were glued to the scene... Obi- Wan looking dazed and weak while Qui-Gon worked to resuscitate Reva.

"Rakta tried to kill us," Obi-Wan said, as he blinked up at Silva. "He used a poison to draw all the oxygen out of the air and then locked us in here to die. We nearly did..."

Reva's gasping coughs stopped Obi-Wan's explanation. "She'll be all right," Qui-Gon said as he turned to look at Silva. "We'll need to get her to the medical facility in Enlightenment City."

The young princess reached out her hand to Obi-Wan and he took it. There were tears in her eyes as she tried to speak the words, "thank you." The effort only made her cough again.

"Shh," Obi-Wan said, squeezing her hand. "Master Jinn deserves the thanks." When he looked up at Qui-Gon, hoping to share this moment, Qui-Gon's gaze slipped away.

So this isn't a dream, Obi-Wan thought. It's a nightmare.

Qui-Gon stood and began to explain exactly what had brought him to this room. "I felt a disturbance in the Force and followed it to this corridor where Rakta confronted me. It's fortunate that I was still researching those security records in the Archives. Otherwise..." Qui- Gon's voice trailed off. Though he could not look at Obi-Wan, he knew just how close he had come to losing the young man... and the princess.

"When I came into the hall," Qui-Gon continued to explain, "Rakta was leaning against the wall next to the door to this office. He had put an additional locking device on the outside. As soon as he saw me he began to shoot. One of the deflected blaster bolts ricocheted off the wall and killed him."

The next few minutes were focused on getting medical attention for Reva. They moved her to the Archives' entrance where a hover ambulance took her for treatment. Rakta's body was removed to the morgue by security forces from Tracep III.

As the ambulance left, Silva turned to her apprentice. She was glad he was well, but she saw only the long road ahead of them. "What were you doing here, Obi-Wan? After you left the Archives I had no idea where you'd gone."

"Reva found me and convinced me that Rakta was behind Rence's death and we came here to gather the proof."

"Did you find anything?" she asked, switching back to mission mode.

"Yes," he said, taking the disk from inside his tunic. "The files that we saw confirmed that Rakta was stealing from the Archives and selling off the collections to replenish Tracep III's treasury. Rence must have discovered this, but she was ill and had little time to prove it."

Obi-Wan finished explaining all he and Reva had learned and then Qui- Gon led them back into the Archives to show them what he had found on the security tapes. With close examination it became apparent that Rakta had tampered with the recordings as well. Obi-Wan now realized that Rakta must have been inside the Archives when the Royal families arrived that morning.

"The security monitoring system should have recorded his presence in Rence's office... even if he was only there once to kill her," Qui- Gon said as he ran one of the recordings. "As you can see here, Rakta does not appear on the tapes the day she died."

Qui-Gon further explained how Rakta had deleted sections of recordings and replaced them with copies from other recordings. To the untrained eye the recordings would look legitimate, but to the Jedi or someone who watched very closely it was clear that there were tiny 'hiccups' in the recordings, little blips where the change had been made. In addition, on at least one recording, Rence was wearing a brooch on her scarf one minute and in the next she was not. Clearly the recording was from two different days.

Now the Jedi would need to present the facts to the Royal families and to explain Rakta's death. They would present a copy of Rence's data disk to the monarchs of each planet with an outline of the evidence contained.

"I can scan the files and compile an outline," Obi-Wan said, volunteering his services.

"No, I want you to go back to your room and stay there. Qui-Gon and I will handle compiling the evidence and meeting with the Tracepians."

"But Master..."

Silva held up her hand to stop his protest. "Your work gathering evidence and your bravery are most commendable, but under the circumstances," she said as her eyes flicked towards Qui-Gon, "I am restricting you from participating further in these negotiations. You are officially relieved of all duties."

Obi-Wan's face went pale. Silva would not relieve him of his duties without first speaking to the Jedi Council. The consequences for falling in love were beginning and Obi-Wan instinctively turned to Qui-Gon for support and any sign that they had shared something beautiful. But the Jedi master was already making himself busy copying the tampered recordings onto a disk and never once looked Obi- Wan's way. It seemed that not only had Obi-Wan lost the love he so briefly enjoyed, but he was also in the process of losing his status as an Eratti padawan.

He lowered his head and left the Archives without another word.

After Obi-Wan had gone and Silva had seated herself at another commpanel to review Rence's disk, Qui-Gon decided to speak his mind. Though he was confused and broken hearted over what had happened between him and Obi-Wan, he had to speak up in defense of the young man.

"Was it necessary to ban him from the negotiations?" Qui-Gon asked as he turned in his chair to face Silva. "What he and I did is for the Council to judge."

Silva narrowed her eyes on the Jedi master. "I've already spoken with the Council and they agree with me."

"He's not a threat to these negotiations, in fact, we could use his help right now."

In visual defense the knight folded her arms over her chest. "You're used to making your own rules, aren't you? Well, I'll have you know that your liaison with my padawan has indeed threatened these negotiations. You compromised his ability to function as an Eratti padawan!"

"The Eratti have a very tenuous hold on their position within the Jedi Order. Perhaps it is you who are making your own rules," Qui-Gon retorted smoothly.

Silva did not need Qui-Gon Jinn reminding her just how fragile the Eratti's position was within the Order. In fact, if it was not for the Eratti Master Depa Billaba's seat on the Jedi Council, the Eratti would have no voice at all.

The knight ejected the disk from the computer and stood. "A word of advice, Master Jinn... If you so much as greet my padawan a 'good day' between now and the Council's hearing I will make sure you spend the rest of your life at the farthest reaches of the galaxy."

"Has this really come down to threats, Knight Laren?" Qui-Gon asked, raising an eyebrow.

"If it means protecting my apprentice from falling to the Dark side, then yes, it does!" she said, tossing her head and stalking out of the building. She would complete her research elsewhere.

Arriving back in his room, Obi-Wan couldn't get out of his clothes fast enough. He threw off his robe and then pulled off his boots, tossing them aside. Each layer of clothes was unceremoniously peeled off in fierce, jerky movements. He was angry and shamed by his master's decision to remove him from the mission. He had never given her cause to doubt his abilities. Even she had said that his actions were brave and commendable.

I'm being punished for sleeping with Qui-Gon, he thought.

Of course this didn't surprise him. He knew his actions would provoke severe consequences, but he never expected those consequences would be so... irrational. Surely he was needed to finish the negotiations and to complete the research on the datafile he and Reva had found in Rence's office?

Now, bared to the skin, Obi-Wan flopped face down on the bed. His nakedness symbolized his loss of status and loss of love. In such turmoil, the padawan's feelings quickly transmuted from anger and shame into pain and loneliness. Perhaps this was the first step towards the Dark side? Could the pain and loneliness caused from love's rejection be enough to push him away from the Light?

"Love leads to Darkness," he said into his pillow. He knew the saying well. It was this one addition to the Jedi mantra that made the Eratti so different. "Anger leads to fear, fear leads to hate, hate leads to suffering, and love leads to Darkness."

He shivered as he began to see the truth in those words. Yes, love had been beautiful. Love had opened his eyes to colors and feelings and an intensity he had never known. It had made him want to protect another being, not out of duty, but out of selflessness and devotion. But love also had brought pain... terrible, indescribable, inescapable pain.

Obi-Wan drew the pillow to him, curling himself around it, willing it to be Qui-Gon, willing it to be his lover come to comfort him. Images of the larger man soon filled his head, making his body warm even in the coolness of the room. It was easy to remember everything about Qui-Gon. Even in the short time they had been together, Obi-Wan had absorbed so many details about the man... the unique scent of his skin as they made love, the color of his eyes in daylight and by moonlight, the sweet tone of his voice when he called Obi-Wan's name.

These memories and more stirred Obi-Wan to hardness. He wanted Qui- Gon, needed him like he had never needed anyone before. It was maddening how the man had opened him to so much desire. Maddening how Obi-Wan had lost control of his body's reactions. Maddening how he wanted love above all else.

He took his hardened shaft into his hand, wrapping his fingers tightly around it. He was shaking already, his entire body trembling as though it had already reached its release... a half dozen quick strokes and he had. He came gasping and sobbing Qui-Gon's name into the pillow.

For an eternity he lay there naked and motionless on the bed, his hand still clenching his now softened cock. He felt paralyzed, traumatized and unsatisfied. But why? Usually his release relaxed him and eased him into sleep, but this time his eyes remained opened and unfocused.

Could it be that Darkness was edging ever nearer? That love had made him so powerless he could not prevent the Dark from engulfing him?

"Love leads to Darkness," he said again and blinked, releasing the tears that had welled in his eyes.

Late in the afternoon, Master Jinn and Knight Laren met with the Tracepians in the Room of Eternal Silence. To their relief all of the delegates were present, including King Roja whose grief over the loss of his son was only too apparent. However, it was this immeasurable loss that had opened the king's eyes to the pettiness of the civil war. For the first time since the conflict had begun, King Roja was eager to work with Queen Ranna to end the stalemate.

For the next six hours they reviewed all the evidence presented by the Jedi outlining Rakta's misguided attempt to save his planet. It would take time to recover the parts of the collection Rakta had sold off, but the Tracepians were determined to set things right. Then they agreed to re-open the Great Archives with Princess Reva and Prince Retan, Rakta's brother, jointly governing it.

With the final agreement that the Great Archives would re-open the following day, all the Tracepians cheered in unison, "Knowledge is to be shared!"

Word of the agreement spread quickly and celebrations broke out all over the planet... and the galaxy.

Qui-Gon returned to his quarters feeling little joy. Never had a successful mission tasted so bitter. It had taken the deaths of two beloved Tracepians before the ruling families saw the value of change. Yes, the Great Archives would re-open, but how much change had really been engendered? By their very nature, the Tracepians as caretakers of the galaxy's repository of enlightenment, were conservative and mired in traditions and laws. Would they continue to move forward by rewriting the Treaty to better reflect the economic and social needs of each planet? Qui-Gon had suggested as much, but in the delirium of peace the Tracepians made no promises.

He shrugged out of his robe and dropped his tired body into a chair. Now that his mind was no longer occupied, no longer in motion, it quickly turned to Obi-Wan. He had not spared more than a few minutes of his day to his own loss... his own tragedy. He had no excuse to avoid the pain now and it slammed into him like a podracer on the open circuit.

Qui-Gon wished for anger, contempt, numbness, anything but the pain he was now feeling. He knew there was only one way to get a broken heart and that was to love. There was no denying that he had loved, Obi-Wan, and still did though he tried not to think about it. So where did that leave him? Nowhere, he guessed. He was alone... again. No, not the same aloneness he had felt before, much worse. He had seen the future while lying in Obi-Wan's arms. A future filled with hope and love and never ending passion... and Light. Now he wondered if there was a future at all... for him and for the galaxy.

Why had there been so much hope in Obi-Wan's eyes?

After the meeting, Silva went straight from the Room of Eternal Silence to her apprentice's room. She tapped on the door and getting no response let herself in. Inside she found Obi-Wan lying naked and asleep on the bed, his clothes spread haphazardly on the floor.

She walked over and pressed her hand gently on his back. "Obi-Wan," she said softly, admiring her apprentice's beauty.

The young man stirred from his sleep and looked up at her. "Master."

"Yes, I'm here now. The negotiations are concluded. We'll be going home in the morning."

"Then the Archives are re-opening?"

"Yes, tomorrow. Reva and one of Rakta's brothers will share the responsibility of Supreme Archivist."

"Reva is well?" Obi-Wan asked, rolling onto his side to look at her.

"She's fine and will be released from the med facility early tomorrow morning. She may even see us off."

Obi-Wan smiled in relief. "I'm glad. That was a frightening experience for her."

"And not for you?" she asked as she rested her hand on his bare hip and caressed it lightly.

The sweet tone in Silva's voice and her caring touch made Obi-Wan hope that everything could be all right between him and his master. "I did everything I could to get us out of that room... but when Reva started gasping for air I began to panic."

"As I said earlier, you were very brave, Obi-Wan. And it is fortunate that Master Jinn was at the Archives."

Though well hidden, Obi-Wan picked up on the slight edge in her voice when she mentioned Qui-Gon. That chasm was deep indeed.

"You're disappointed in me," he said, lowering his eyes.

"In regards to the situation with Master Jinn... yes. But it is merely a setback in your training, Padawan. I would not desert you over a disappointment."

Obi-Wan sat up completely in bed, his nakedness familiar between them. "Then what will happen next, Master?"

"I would like to begin the Cleansing tonight. Master Billaba advised this also."

Obi-Wan knew and admired the Eratti Master Depa Billaba. Her voice on the Council was sometimes the only thing preventing the Jedi from banning the Eratti all together.

"What if... I do not want to be cleansed?" Obi-Wan asked tentatively.

Silva's brow tightened, but she patted his knee sympathetically. "It is understandable that you would want to keep your memories. I wish there were a way to select only specific memories to cleanse, but the best we can do is to cleanse you of the entire mission." Silva could see the confusion and pain on his face and so continued with the lesson. "Love is forbidden to us... and though time and distance may dim its strength it will never entirely leave you. Love taints and makes us irrational and distracted. It is not a feeling an Eratti can afford to have. It would be your downfall."

She reached her hand up and stroked his hair, looking into his eyes. "You are the finest male padawan that the Eratti have produced in generations. You are beautiful, pure and strong." She cupped his cheek with the palm of her hand and smiled. "I will not lose you... for if you are not Cleansed then you are surely lost to me, Obi-Wan. You will be an Eratti no more... and no other Jedi will have you. All your dreams for the future will vanish just for the sake of the memory of a couple of days."

And what about all the days he had enjoyed accomplishments and fulfillment in his chosen path with the Eratti? Obi-Wan wondered. Surely those counted for more than a day and a night spent in passion with another Jedi?

"Yes," Obi-Wan said in a near whisper.

"Yes, Obi-Wan?"

"I would like to begin the Cleansing."

In Silva's quarters, amid the glow of soft lights, she and her padawan knelt facing each other on a small rug in the center of the room. They wore only their Jedi cloaks to symbolize their humility and focus on the Eratti ritual they were about to begin.

"Before we start, I wish to explain the Cleansing Ritual to you, Obi- Wan."

"Yes, Master," he said, bowing his head.

"The ritual lasts seven days. The first day is called the Time of Intent. During this time you will meditate and physically cleanse your body, but your emotions and memories will remain intact. During the Time of Cleansing, the second through the sixth days, you will be guided through the actual Cleansing. I will begin this process with you, but the real work will take place when we are back at the Temple and the Healers can assist. On the seventh day, the Day of the Return, you will be bodily cleansed and clothed by your healers to symbolize and celebrate your new beginning."

Obi-Wan's eyes had been lowered the entire time that Silva spoke. She knew this process would be difficult for both of them, but there was no way around it. She was determined not to lose him.

"Do you have any questions?" she asked gently.

Slowly he lifted his eyes to her. "Is there any chance of my memories returning once the ritual is complete?"

"No," she said softly. "The ritual has never failed."

Without another word, Obi-Wan nodded and the pair got up from the floor and retreated to the fresher. Silva ran the bath water, pouring scented oil into the tub while Obi-Wan stood silently watching. Soon the room was filled with the scent of flowers... Tracepian flowers. Obi-Wan was stunned when he recognized the scent of the wild nettle lily, the flower of the Royal House of Tracep II.

"Why are you using this scented bath oil? It will not help me to forget," he said, feeling his heart weigh heavy in his chest.

Silva looked over her shoulder at him as she dipped her hand into the water to test its temperature. "It does seem ironic that the ritual would begin by enhancing your memories, but the Time of Intent is not about forgetting... it is about remembering. Heightening your memories will make them easier to locate and remove."

"But Master... must you use this scent?"

"Yes, Obi-Wan. Your research on the indigenous flowers makes the scent especially prominent in your memories of this place."

She turned back to the task of preparing his bath and did not see the tears filling his blue-green eyes. The scent of the wild nettle lily set off a complex chain of emotions within Obi-Wan. His nerve endings and memories flared brilliantly in his mind. He remembered clearly the day he had held this particular flower's blossom up for Qui-Gon's approval. The Jedi master had inhaled its sweet scent and his face had gone lax from the pleasure of it. Obi-Wan now realized that was the moment he had fallen in love with Qui-Gon. The wild nettle lily had come to symbolize that love. Silva could not have chosen more wisely.

Once the bath was prepared, Obi-Wan shed his robe and stepped into the water. Silva encouraged him to relax and lie back until the soothing liquid came up to his collarbone.

"Now, I want you to remember, Obi-Wan," she said in a gentle voice. "Begin a light meditation and remember."

The security of the warm, scented water encircling him, and the guidance of his master in the meditation all conspired to bring memories of Qui-Gon back in a rush. At first Obi-Wan resisted, but Silva explained it was all part of the ritual and that he should delight in his lover again.

Relaxing further into the bath, Obi-Wan let himself be taken by the flood of sensation. It was as though Qui-Gon had been magically transported into the room, or at least into Obi-Wan's mind. He could feel Qui-Gon under his hands, taste him on his lips and his tongue, and feel his hardness inside him. His memories so heightened, Obi-Wan thought he was hallucinating, but Silva's guidance kept him in the moment until at last he reached the inevitable conclusion. He climaxed, gripping the sides of the tub, crying out his lover's name.

When it was done, Obi-Wan wrapped his arms tightly about his shaking body. It had been too much. The memories, though delicious and seductive, had only made his ache more pronounced.

"Please, Master," Obi-Wan said, feeling suddenly exposed and raw.

"Shh, Obi-Wan," she said soothingly and grabbed a sponge to bathe him. "Settle now... let the emotion drain from you."

And drain away it did. The orgasm left him weak and his nerve endings tingling. He cried for his broken heart and for his betrayal of the Eratti.

Silva did her duty and washed her apprentice, occasionally whispering some Jedi wisdom to him, but all the while her cheeks were flushed. She had not realized the intensity of Obi-Wan's feelings for Qui-Gon until now, so intense she feared too much damage had been done. Could the Cleansing Ritual truly heal her padawan of such a deep love?

Early the next morning, with travel bags packed and slung over their shoulders, Silva and Obi-Wan returned to the Great Archives to witness its official re-opening. Despite Obi-Wan having been relieved of his duties, Silva wanted to reward her padawan for his efforts in this mission and for his commitment to the Cleansing that he was undertaking.

On their arrival, they found the plaza overflowing with eager, boisterous beings. The mood of the crowd was so different than the day before that Obi-Wan melted into its midst without concern or anxiety. He and his master made their way through the assemblage, nodding and smiling at those gathered, and even holding each other's hand at one point when they were both overcome by the thrum of joy within the Force.

That joy was eclipsed by discomfort when they emerged at the entrance to the Archives. There they nearly ran straight into Qui-Gon Jinn who was speaking with several scientists. Obi-Wan's heart began to pound when he saw the Jedi master.

When Qui-Gon turned to greet his fellow Jedi, Silva stepped in front of Obi-Wan, creating a physical barrier between them. Her move to block Qui-Gon's access to her padawan reminded the Jedi master of holographic chess. He was in no mood to be a pawn in this personal tragedy.

"Good morning," he said, letting his eyes drift over Silva's shoulders to Obi-Wan. The young man was looking anywhere but at him, obviously uncomfortable with the situation.

"It is a good morning... for the researchers," Silva said, and then nodded toward the doors. "Any word when it will open?"

"The staff arrived before dawn to prepare for what will surely be a busy day," Qui-Gon said, not quite able to keep his eyes from drifting back to Obi-Wan. "I have not seen Reva or Retan, but I understand they are here also."

"I see," Silva said and then gestured for Obi-Wan to follow her to a spot several meters away where they could wait alone.

She's smothering him, Qui-Gon thought with a frown as he watched the knight brush a fleck of lint off her apprentice's robe. He wondered if she was suffering from guilt? Were the pressures of training an Eratti padawan different than those of training other padawans? He didn't know, but he did know that if the tables were turned, he would guide Obi-Wan in this lesson instead of shielding him from a supposed harm.

After what seemed like an interminable wait, Princess Reva arrived. She wanted to be with the researchers as they returned to the halls of the Great Archives and had come around the building from a back exit. She was surprised to find the Jedi standing apart, but quickly gestured for them to join her in front of the doors to the repository.

"Greetings, friends," Reva said as she took Qui-Gon's and Silva's hands.

She could feel their tension and remembered what Obi-Wan had said about Jedi putting others first. She wondered now that their mission was complete if they would address their own personal difficulties.

"This is a glorious day!" she said, trying to bring some cheer to them.

"You look well, princess, or is it Supreme Archivist now?" Qui-Gon asked, smiling.

"Reva. It will always be Reva to my Jedi friends."

"Are you ready for all this?" Silva asked as she looked over her shoulder to the crowd.

"Oh, yes," the princess said, nodding vigorously. "Retan is wonderful. We have so much in common and I never knew anything about him before. We both have much to learn, but we're eager to do our best and let the Archives' staff help us as well. It's a new age for the Great Archives." She released their hands and stepped close to Obi-Wan. "You will always be my dearest friend... and ally. You took a great risk believing me and I will never forget you, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan smiled at the princess' kind words. "I admire your bravery and tenacity, princess, and am honored that you would call me friend."

"You Jedi are too humble," she said and laughed. "Now, won't you join me? I came out here to open the doors and escort these very patient people inside."

"We are only here to say farewell and witness the re-opening, Princess," Silva said. "Another Jedi team will be arriving tomorrow to ensure the transition."

"You're leaving... so soon? Is it another mission?" she asked, looking to Obi-Wan.

"We are returning to Coruscant," Obi-Wan said, bowing his head as much to honor her as to hide his sadness.

Reva took her friend's hand and patted it. "Well, you must be sure and keep in touch with me Obi-Wan Kenobi. I won't forgive you if you don't!"

The young Jedi looked at her with wide eyes and a trembling smile. What could he say? The Cleansing Ritual would not only free him of the burden of love, but also wipe out all his memories of this place, including those of his new friend. He didn't have the courage to tell her.

"Yes," he said simply, squeezing her hand in return.

"Good, that's settled," she said and then impulsively stood up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "All will be well, Obi-Wan," she said to him quietly, and then turning to the others, "Farewell friends, and safe journey."

She smiled sweetly, and silently hoped for peace among them. As they stepped aside, she turned to the crowd, raising her hands high above her head.

"Fellow seekers, this is your day!"

The crowd cheered wildly, barely able to contain their excitement. At last they would be able to continue with their studies.

Reva raised her hands again. "The Tracepians thank you for your patience and thank the Jedi for theirs as well," she said bowing to the crowd and then to the Jedi. "Now, let us not delay," she called out, pointing up to the motto carved so elegantly in the white granite entrance. "Ascend to knowledge with me... so that it may be shared!"

On cue the massive doors opened wide and the crowd of researchers roared with approval. Reva's face was beaming with happiness and pride as she led the way into the Great Archives.

Late that evening, Qui-Gon sat staring out into the blackness of space. He had had no contact with Silva or Obi-Wan since boarding the Republic cruiser nearly fifteen hours before. He assumed they were in the midst of the Eratti Cleansing Ritual and wondered if he should make an effort to find out what that involved. He suspected it was merely a way of regaining control over Obi-Wan's sexuality, his key asset as an Eratti padawan.

Stars streamed passed the viewport, marking the speed at which the cruiser was flying. They would reach Coruscant mid-morning and the disciplinary hearing would be held at mid-day. He was confident that he would not receive more than a verbal chastising from the Council... Master Yoda had said as much in their brief communique. After all, Qui-Gon had not known that Silva and her padawan were Eratti. Silva had requested that information be withheld from him at the beginning of the mission, and he had not deliberately sought to sabotage Obi-Wan's training.

Thoughts of Obi-Wan were ever present in Qui-Gon's mind. As much as he tried to release himself from the young man's spell he could not. Hours of meditation had only made the ache, the restlessness in the matter of Obi-Wan Kenobi more pronounced.

In his mind, Qui-Gon saw himself as just another being who had been charmed by this beautiful young man... charmed right into bed. He supposed that like so many youths, Obi-Wan was not immune to making mistakes and straying from the path set before him by his elders. Certainly Qui-Gon had been a mistake. But in his heart, the Jedi master wanted to believe that he had seen more than just lust in Obi- Wan's eyes, he had felt more than just artful training in those sensuous hands and lips. The temptation to find out, to swallow his pride and speak to Obi-Wan again was strong, but Knight Laren had made her warning very clear. He did not fear the young knight, but he did fear being a party to the failure of another apprentice.

After completing the second day of the ritual, and the first of the Cleansing, Silva and Obi-Wan emerged from their cabin to stretch their legs and get something to eat. Obi-Wan was suffering from trembling hands and slightly blurred vision, mild side effects from the memory tracking used in the Cleansing. Overall he was doing very well, and Silva felt their session had been a success. She had never performed the ritual before and would be glad to be back at the Temple where Depa Billaba and several Healers would guide the remaining sessions.

In the ship's galley, Silva heated soup and sliced fruit and bread for their meal. Obi-Wan sat at the galley's small table and stared blankly at the far wall.

"Are you all right, Obi-Wan? I thought our session went very well," she said, leaning over and placing the platter of bread and fruit before him.

"I'm not sure how I feel," he said, looking up at her. The session had drained both of them, but for Obi-Wan the results of their work seemed elusive. "It's as though it happened to someone else."

"You're disoriented," Silva said, nodding. "It's nothing to be concerned about. In fact, you'll feel more focused than ever once you've completed the ritual."

She ladled a bowl of soup for each of them and then joined him at the table. They enjoyed their meals in near silence and just as they were finishing, Silva's comlink buzzed. She had an incoming message from Master Billaba.

"I'll need to take that in the communications room," she said, standing. "Will you be all right?"

"Of course, Master," Obi-Wan said, sopping up the last of his soup with a piece of bread. "I'll clean up here and then return to our cabin."

Silva hesitated in the doorway before leaving him. "I won't be long," she said and reluctantly left to take the call.

Obi-Wan finished his meal and then cleared the table of dishes. It took him only a few minutes to wash and dry them and he was just putting them away when he heard someone come into the galley. He turned, expecting to see one of the crew, but instead was startled to see Qui-Gon. The Jedi master stood in the doorway, his large frame seeming to block the way should Obi-Wan wish to leave.

The young Jedi tensed and turned back to the sink, setting the platter down before he dropped it. He thought it very wrong of Qui- Gon to be here, wrong and cruel. Surely Qui-Gon knew Obi-Wan still loved him. The Cleansing had not taken that from him yet.

Seeing Obi-Wan again sent Qui-Gon's heart hammering in his chest. He did not expect to find the youth here, and he certainly did not expect to react like a lovesick schoolboy. He knew he should leave, but something inside him told him to wait. It took all of about another five seconds for his pride and stubbornness to dissolve away.

"We need to talk," he said, remembering how they had parted badly. Despite his own broken heart this was clearly an opportunity... but an opportunity for what he did not know.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath and slowly turned to face him. He could not speak as his eyes looked up and met Qui-Gon's. They were still the bluest and the kindest eyes he had ever seen, though now they were filled with unhappiness.

Face to face again, Qui-Gon thought he might falter. Obi-Wan was so beautiful, despite signs of exhaustion. He took a moment and guiltily indulged in that lovely face... how could he ever forget it?

"What do you want?" Obi-Wan asked finally. Qui-Gon's staring was making him nervous.

What do I want? Qui-Gon wondered. Now that he had his chance what should he say? Where should he begin? And did it matter? Yesterday he had turned his back on the young man, unable to meet his eyes... so what had changed?

"Time," Qui-Gon said simply.

"You want time?" Obi-Wan asked, leaning back on the counter and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Yes, time changes one's perspective. That is why the Jedi masters always tell their apprentices to be patient."

Obi-Wan leaned more heavily on the counter. "What?" he asked, feeling decidedly impatient in this moment. All he wanted was for Qui-Gon to go away... go away or take him into his arms.

Qui-Gon stepped into the room, walking around its perimeter and noting that Obi-Wan's eyes followed him.

"I remember thinking your research with the flowers was quite unusual," he said as he stopped a couple of meters from Obi-Wan. "Its value wasn't immediately apparent to me."

Obi-Wan narrowed his eyes on the Jedi master. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Qui-Gon half-smiled at the young man's stubbornness. "That's all right. I wasn't sure what you were talking about either when you showed me all the flowers the gardener had given you. You were quite the sight, kneeling on your robe with those blossoms around you..."

The young Jedi pushed away from the counter. "Flowers? The only research I did on this mission involved the Treaty. Master Jinn, I don't know what game you're playing, but I don't appreciate it."

Qui-Gon took a half step back. "How can you not remember all those flowers?" he asked, now believing that it was Obi-Wan who was playing the game. "You even had me smell them."

"And I ask you, how am I supposed to remember something that didn't happen?" Obi-Wan asked, exasperated.

"You mean you don't want to remember," Qui-Gon said, tersely. He should not have stayed.

Obi-Wan stared at his former lover. Before he shot back with a harsh reply he considered what Qui-Gon was saying. There was no reason for the man to lie, but Obi-Wan still couldn't remember. "Are you telling the truth... about the flowers?"

"Yes," Qui-Gon said, raising a questioning eyebrow. "You gave me a red orchid."

"An orchid... yes, I remember that. But you gave it to me. You left it outside my door." Suddenly Obi-Wan felt a rush of adrenaline course through him, making him light-headed. He stumbled back, bumping into the counter.

"What is it?" Qui-Gon asked, taking several steps forward. "Are you all right?"

Obi-Wan held up his hand to stop Qui-Gon from getting any closer. "It doesn't make... sense."

"Then you don't remember the flowers?" Qui-Gon asked, now concerned. Obi-Wan seemed to have a gap in his memories. Could it be from the Eratti Cleansing Ritual? Was that what it was all about... memory suppression? "Is this an effect of your Eratti ritual?"

Obi-Wan looked up at Qui-Gon with wide eyes. "Is it?" he asked. Of course, he knew that the ritual would remove his memories of the mission, but his master had not prepared him for how that would make him feel... disoriented and hollow. "Tell me... about the flowers," Obi-Wan said, beginning to tremble again, and realizing the Cleansing Ritual must have removed the memories Qui-Gon was describing.

"I think I'd better take you back to your cabin," Qui-Gon said as he stepped closer and reached for the young man.

"No!" Obi-Wan said, pushing Qui-Gon's hands away. "Tell me about the flowers!"

The outburst stunned Qui-Gon into taking a step back, giving Obi-Wan space. "Don't worry about the flowers, Obi-Wan. You're tired..."

Just then Silva came rushing into the room. "I heard shouting," she said, coming to a stop in the center of the room. Her faced turned bright red when she saw Qui-Gon. "What are you doing to my padawan?!"

"The question, Knight Laren, should be what are you doing to him?" Qui-Gon asked, feeling a very unJedi like rage rise within him.

Silva stepped forward and took Obi-Wan by the arm. "I'm undoing the damage you caused," she said sharply.

"Robbing him of his memories? Is that how the Eratti help each other?" Qui-Gon was incensed and every nerve in his body wanted to reach out and grab Obi-Wan away from her.

The knight pushed her apprentice towards the door and then turned back to Qui-Gon with fire in her eyes. "You've made your last mistake Qui-Gon Jinn."

Qui-Gon watched as they disappeared out into the corridor. So this was how the Eratti "cleansed" themselves of transgressions... they wiped out all memories of it. How was Obi-Wan to learn if he could not remember his mistakes? It was ridiculous and Qui-Gon was so enraged that he stormed out of the galley and headed straight for the communications room to contact Master Yoda.

Within minutes the tiny master appeared on the viewscreen before him. "Hmm, two calls in one day, Qui-Gon, unwell are you?"

"Master," he said, bowing. "Are you aware that the Eratti ritual of Cleansing removes memories?" Qui-Gon asked, sounding accusatory.

"Curious are you now, hmm? Thought Qui-Gon Jinn not care for the Eratti... their ways not his ways."

"Please... I've just learned that the Cleansing Ritual is taking away Obi-Wan's memories. We can't allow this."

Yoda took a deep breath, a sign of his exasperation with his former apprentice. "So sure are you that you are right? Eratti tradition as long as Jedi, question we should not."

Qui-Gon lowered his head, knowing he would not change Yoda's mind. When he looked back up the Jedi master was waiting patiently for him to continue. "In my heart I know this is wrong, Master."

"Take no action. Tomorrow the Council will meet, then you may speak."

"Yes, Master," Qui-Gon said, bowing as the transmission ended.

Obi-Wan could not sleep. His eyes were closed and his body still, but his mind raced to find what Qui-Gon had described to him. Flowers... flowers strewn on his robe. Obi-Wan had openly discussed the "mysterious" flowers with his master when they returned to their cabin, and how learning about them made him feel angry and that the ritual left him empty inside. To his disappointment, Silva seemed to brush his concerns aside, merely reminding him to be patient and suggesting he meditate before going to sleep.

He did meditate, but on the flowers. The crimson orchid came to mind over and over again. But where were the blossoms the gardener had given him? They were elusive... gone from his memory forever.

Silva explained all this to me before we began, Obi-Wan reminded himself.

He had been told that his memories of the mission would be removed in order to free him of the burden of love. He had agreed to that and in fact, had been anxious to begin the ritual. So what had happened? The emptiness had come. His memories had been replaced with nothing. Maybe he could have lived that way, but once Qui-Gon had made him aware of his loss and he had linked the hollow feeling directly to the removal of his memories he felt angry, betrayed and frightened.

I didn't know it would be like this, Obi-Wan thought as a shiver crept up his spine.

Awareness was a powerful thing.

Continued in part 6