Feedback: This is it folks, the end. Was it worth it?

Note: The end! Erm, finally. I know it's been forever, I've had this plotted to an extent for two years now no less. But I hope there are a few that will be happy to see this completed. Also, it's been almost two years since I posted IS9, if you want to refresh the previous stories are all on my page at http://www.oocities.org/kalyw/starwars.html

Note, Part Two: This has a bit of a different feel from the previous stories. A bit darker in parts, a bit sappier in others. However, I hope it still has the heart of the other IS stories within it.

Thank Yous: to Kry for keeping me sane and reading the bits and pieces I fed to her while I was writing it. She betaed the monster and did a wonderful job helping me to keep going. I had been suffering from a ten-month writer's block prior to this story and the insecure author's syndrome was evil. And besides, no one else is ever awake when my muse strikes. *g*

Disclaimer: Elyzabe's mine, so are Jonis and Fyre. The others aren't. A pity that... ;)

Morning came far sooner than Elyzabe would have liked. Even though she was exhausted she had hardly slept the night before. Elyzabe knew that the night had probably passed much the same for Mace, who had left her chambers promising to go to the healers and check on Qui-Gon.

Obi-Wan, much to her relief, had fared better. Reassured by Qui-Gon's return -- and apparent miracle if the healers were to be believed -- the boy was sleeping soundly. She knew how badly he would want to see Qui-Gon, but first there was the Council to be reckoned with.

Part of her dreaded what might come of their meeting with the Council. She was not looking forward to the exchange it was likely to bring. But she had known that before presenting her plan to Mace. It was time to accept the consequences of their actions.

Taking a deep breath, she went into the chamber where Obi-Wan was sleeping. Seeing him, sleeping peacefully with his stuffed wookiee held tightly, she couldn't suppress a sigh. If only they weren't so insistent on dragging a child into their foolish intrigues.

Kneeling next to the bed, she place a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "Time to wake, little one."

The boy began to stir, and soon enough a pair of groggy green eyes were staring up at her. He glanced around before apparently remembering where he was. She smiled as Obi-Wan yawned, stretching his arms over his head. Elyzabe knew he was not one of the early risers in her class.

Something must have clicked, however, for a moment later he turned alert eyes toward her. "Are we going to see Master Qui-Gon now? Is he okay?" he asked, looking hopeful.

"He's going to be fine, Obi-Wan. And no we cannot see him now." She shook her head, hating the way his face fell at her words. "First we must meet with the Council. Then we will go and see Qui-Gon."

Obi-Wan scratched his head, further mussing his hair. His excitement dimmed somewhat, he asked, "Promise?"

Elyzabe smiled. "I promise. Now, we have to get you dressed and find something for morning meal." As if on cue, Obi-Wan's stomach growled. "Ah, yes. I suspected as much." Obi-Wan laughed as she pulled him from the bed and gave him a gentle push in the direction of the kitchen. "Food first, then dress. How about that?"

Smiling, Obi-Wan nodded. "Okay." With that, he ran through the doorway and out of sight.

Shaking her head, Elyzabe could only marvel at the change in the child. Just days before he had been ill. More recently still he had been melancholy and sad. With Qui-Gon rescued and recovering the old Obi-Wan had returned. Elyzabe was glad. She had missed the boy she had come to know and care for. Qui-Gon would be pleased as well.

She must have sat there longer than she realized, because a moment later Obi-Wan stuck his head in through the doorway. "Are you coming?" he asked, a crease forming between his eyebrows.

"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan. I guess I was just lost for a moment."

Obi-Wan's expression was that of confusion. "Lost? How can you get lost in here?" He looked around the bedchamber as he spoke, jumping when Elyzabe laughed out loud. "What?" he asked, looking even more confused.

Shaking her head, Elyzabe crossed the room to stand in front of him. "It's just an expression, Obi-Wan. Now," she asked, "how about we see if I have any food?"

"Can we have Petorian cakes?"

Smiling at his enthusiasm, not sure if she knew what exactly a Petorian cake was, Elyzabe said, "I doubt we'll have that much time, Obi-Wan."

His eyes bright, Obi-Wan walked into the kitchen. Elyzabe heard him mutter under his breath, "Masters."

~<>~<>~

Qui-Gon woke to the sound of beeping machines and raspy snores. Looking about as best he could, Qui-Gon recognized the room as a healing chamber. The first noise accounted for, he turned his attention to the other side of his bed only to find Mace sprawled across a chair much too small for his large frame, sound asleep.

He might have laughed at the odd sight, if his throat was not so parched from illness, nor his memories of the night before not so clear. Mace had explained their situation, and the bleakness of it rendered humor was a scarce commodity. Instead he coughed roughly, trying to clear the dryness from his throat.

The noise roused Mace, who rubbed a hand over his face and sat up straighter in the chair. "You're awake," he said a moment later.

"I could say the same for you," Qui-Gon said in a hoarse whisper. "And at least I don't snore."

As Qui-Gon spoke, Mace poured a glass of water, holding it so that his friend could take a drink. "Here, this will help. And I don't snore."

Qui-Gon nodded his thanks, continuing to drink the cool liquid. "Yes, you do. You always have. Have you learned anything new?"

Mace shook his head. "Not after we spoke last evening. You do remember what I told you?" When Qui-Gon nodded, he continued. "It's only been the one night, and I spent all of it either with Elyzabe or here. There wasn't much chance to hear what gossip might be floating among the ranks."

He glanced at a chrono on the wall. "However, we're due to report before the Council at ninth bell. Hopefully some things will be resolved soon."

"Perhaps," Qui-Gon said. "And perhaps not. I do not trust what is happening here. And I am not certain if I can trust any resolutions that might come forth anymore than those that have already come to pass." When Mace nodded Qui-Gon continued. "I do not like being trapped here, while the three of you are hauled before the Council. My place is with you. With Obi-Wan in particular."

Standing, Mace sighed. "I know, Qui-Gon. Neither do I. But Elyzabe and I will watch out for him. You know that."

The look in Qui-Gon's eyes told Mace that he indeed did trust his friends to look after the boy. However he pressed onward. "I should still be there."

"Yes. But you must also concentrate on getting better. Let us fight this battle. There will be others, you can be assured." When Qui-Gon looked as though he might continue to protest, Mace laid a hand on his shoulder. "For Obi-Wan. Stay, heal."

Qui-Gon growled under his breath. "Not fair, Mace."

"Perhaps not, but true all the same." Straightening his tunics, Mace moved toward the door. "I'll send word when the meeting is over."

He was gone before Qui-Gon could reply, the door barely hissing shut before a healer rushed in, instruments in hand. "Ah, Master Jinn, you're awake. Wonderful." Qui-Gon listened to the man prattle on, though his attention was focused several floors away, on a small boy on the other end of an ever-surprising bond.

~<>~<>~

Mace met Elyzabe and Obi-Wan outside the Council chamber doors. Obi-Wan, he noted, was holding tightly to his teacher's hand and looking at everything with wide eyes.

Mace tried to remember if Obi-Wan had been to the Council chambers before but couldn't. Realizing he must be more tired than he thought, he rubbed a hand over his head. "Have you heard anything?"

Elyzabe shook her head, glancing around the deserted corridor. "Not a word. We've not seen a soul for two levels. It's rather... odd."

"I have to admit, I have a bad feeling about this meeting," Mace said in a quiet voice, glancing at the closed chamber doors. He didn't want to alarm Obi-Wan, but something was hovering just on the edge of his perception. Something... Wrong. Dark.

Before he could give it any further thought, the door to his left slid open noiselessly. He reached out, resting his palm on Elyzabe's back. "Are you ready?"

Leaning into the reassuring touch she glanced at Mace. "Do we have a choice?"

As they stepped into the doorway, they kept Obi-Wan between them, protected as best they could. The door snapped shut behind them, far more quickly than it had opened.

"No," a voice said from within, "you do not."

Blinking against the bright light that streamed in through the Council chamber windows, Mace was able to see well enough to realize that the Council was not waiting for them. Iit was only one man who bid them enter.

"Ysari," Elyzabe said. Mace tore his gaze away from Ysari to look at her. He would swear was a sneer tingeing her voice. He almost smiled at the rebellious look on her face. "Where is the Council?"

A cold laugh echoed harshly in the room and Mace felt Obi-Wan shiver between them. A quick glance revealed him to be standing stiffly, clutching Elyzabe's hand, but staring at the imposing Council second defiantly. Again part of Mace wanted to smile. Qui-Gon would be proud.

"I am the Council," Ysari declared, standing slowly. "I am your judge and your jury. I am the one to whom you shall answer." Folding his hands within his robe, he straightened to his full height, two heads above even Mace's. "And you shall pay for disobeying me. I assure you of that."

Elyzabe stepped forward, and Mace had the urge to pull her back beside him. As it was, she nudged Obi-Wan behind her as she moved, all the while not letting go of the boy's hand. "And who are you to judge us? What gives you such power?"

"The Force, my impudent girl." Ysari moved so that he was directly in front of Elyzabe. He reached out a thin, long fingered hand and ran it along her cheek. To her credit, she did not flinch from the touch. She did not break eye contact either, but continued to stare at him, even though he was far taller than she.

In a low, mockingly seductive voice he said, "A Force like you've never seen. And could never imagine."

Almost unconscious of his actions, Mace stepped forward, knocking the other man's hand away from Elyzabe. "Get your hands off of her."

Chuckling, Ysari turned to Mace. "Jealous are we, Master Jedi?" he sneered. "Perhaps you fancy keeping the young teacher for yourself?" His eyes growing cold, his voice snapping with each word he said, "Then give me the boy, and take your precious teacher. Leave him to me and she is yours."

"Like hell," Elyzabe growled, Obi-Wan hidden completely behind her robes. Mace could see the boy from the corner of his eye, behind her back, trembling. "Come on, Obi-Wan," she said, backing away so as to keep herself between the child and the seething Master. Mace stood where he was, his hand close to his saber, hoping to guard her retreat.

Several steps back, Elyzabe continued to glare at Ysari, challenging. "You have no power over us, Ysari. Whatever delusions you may harbor."

Hand on the hilt of his lightsaber, Mace moved closer to Ysari and shuddered at the evil smile that turned Ysari's lips. "Oh my dear. But I do."

As Elyzabe and Obi-Wan reached the doors, scant steps from escape, shades slammed shut over the room's massive windows leaving a chilling darkness to fill the room. Darkness save an eerie blue glow from Ysari.

Undeterred, Elyzabe pushed Obi-Wan forward, seeking the doorway in the darkness. Only when the reached it, the panels would not open, nor would they budge. Wind from an unseen source whipped around them, bitter even through Jedi robes. She felt Obi-Wan's hand tremble within her own, and sought to soothe him through the Force.

"No. There'll be none of that." She felt a smothering wave of coldness wrap around her, around Obi-Wan, dispersing the calm she sought to give the child. Feeling him shaking beside her, Elyzabe turned and wrapped him within her robes.

"You see, I do have power. Great power. And you are in my way."

Elyzabe turned her head, seeing Ysari over her shoulder. She pressed Obi-Wan against the door, keeping herself between Ysari and him. "I will not let you have him."

While they sparred, verbally, though not with sabers, Mace moved around Ysari, apparently forgotten in the darkness and his blind malice he felt for the youth. Stepping quietly, he lifted his lightsaber from his belt. Feeling the familiar metal cylinder in his hands, he grasped it tightly, waiting for the moment to strike a killing blow. Ysari continued to advance upon Elyzabe and her young charge.

"If you will not give me what I want, it is of little consequence to me." The blue glow from his hands brightened. Mace could see something like electricity sparking between his fingers.

"I will simply take what I want." The Master laughed, raising his hands above his head. "And then, dear teacher, you will be dead. And I will still have the boy."

"You first," Mace muttered, moving in from behind. He ignited his saber and swinging it in a downward arc.

Ysari turned so quickly he caught Mace only halfway through his swing before he was shoved backwards. He barely had time to realize it was a Force blow only, rather than the crackling energy he'd seen Ysari harnessing. His saber fell from useless hands and he followed it, unconscious.

~<>~<>~

Elyzabe was torn between the looming presence before her and the place where Mace had fallen. At the same time she kept a thin, almost non-existent Force link with Obi-Wan. Thin enough, she hoped, to be overlooked by Ysari. Outside the closed doors she could hear the sounds of others trying to get past the shields. She could only hope they would not be too late.

As if sensing her thoughts, Ysari smiled. "They won't get through that door you know." She shivered at the smug arrogance he projected, wishing for Mace's lightsaber and the power it would give to strike Ysari down. But in that moment she lacked the focus to pull the saber to her.

Elyzabe sought to distract him, to buy time for the others who were struggling to reach them. "Why? What do you gain by hurting Obi-Wan?"

"The bond this boy shares cannot be allowed." Ysari replied almost casually, as though he weren't threatening to kill them. "Qui-Gon lives, so the boy must die. My Master has bid it so. Light has had its time but now is the dawn of a new age. And it begins with the destruction of this bond."

Elyzabe could feel Obi-Wan struggling behind her and she sought to keep her grip on his arms. "Why do you fear this bond? If you are so powerful, why fear a single bond -- a single boy -- among millions?"

"He is to become too strong. Too great. This bond will help make him so." The crackling light returning to his hands, Ysari scowled. "His is a threat that must be extinguished." He smiled then, evil and foreboding. "And it so it shall be."

Ysari stepped forward at the same moment Obi-Wan pulled from Elyzabe's grasp. "No!" she screamed, reaching for him as he tried to run around her. "Obi-Wan!" She heard Ysari's cold laughter. Was blinded by the sudden flaring of light all around them. Unthinking, she grabbed Obi-Wan, spinning in place as Ysari raised his hands over his head, arcs of electricity flying outward from his fingers.

Pain lanced through her, forcing her toward the floor. She had no breath to scream, no time to think. Rather she looked down at the boy in her arms, smiling for an instant at seeing him uninjured. Elyzabe could hear only Obi-Wan, crying, screaming at her, but it was a dull echo inside her ears and she could not make out the words.

"It's okay," she choked, feeling more of the current tearing through her. Elyzabe focused on Obi-Wan as she struggled for one breath, then another. Her only thought was of protecting Obi-Wan until someone else could come for them. She had to hold on until he was safe. Elyzabe clutched the boy tighter, collapsing to her knees. A strangled scream finally found its way from her throat as one volley followed another, and another.

As the darkness of the room dimmed even more, she managed a smile. Bitter though it was, marred by the thin stream of blood that traced from lips to chin. "Hold on," she whispered to Obi-Wan, folding herself around him. She couldn't see the look on his face, although she could still feel his panic through the Force. Elyzabe knew he was scared. So was she, but for him.

"You'll be okay."

~<>~<>~

Mace stirred, clutching a hand to his head. As his eyes focused he saw Ysari standing over Elyzabe -- electricity raining downward onto her. With a silent cry he pushed away the pain and dizziness, calling his lightsaber to his hand.

Running forward, thinking only of saving them -- the boy he'd sworn to protect -- he ripped his eyes away from that mockery of the Force to focus on Ysari's unprotected back. Mindful of his last attempt, Mace was silent, counting on Ysari's distraction, his arrogance. He could hear the gleeful laughter erupting from the man as he slowly tortured Elyzabe.

Mace waited until halfway through his swing to ignite his saber before driving it home. Ysari screamed as he fell to the floor, his hands still sparking with power. Sparing but another moment to land a final blow -- removing Ysari's hands from his body -- Mace released his grip on the saber and clipped it to his belt.

The spark of current still singing the air, Mace hurried to Elyzabe and Obi-Wan without looking back. He held his breath, pulling her away from Obi-Wan and gingerly turning her so he could see them both. Elyzabe collapsed into his arms, eyes open but unseeing.

"Obi-Wan?" she managed to ask in a choked whisper. She reached out a hand, the same that had held onto Obi-Wan's so tightly before they had entered the Council chamber.

Staring at her with wide eyes, Obi-Wan inched forward slightly, taking her hand in between both of his own. "Master Kohn?" he asked in a small voice. Obi-Wan looked up at Mace with tears running down his face. Mace could not remember the last time he had felt so helpless. "Master?" Obi-Wan asked again, shaking her hand just slightly.

She smiled, if it could be called that, barely turning the corners of her bruised lips. "You're safe?"

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan sniffed, looking again to Mace. Mace could only stare and hold her in his arms. He found himself rocking slightly, though he did not know if she could feel it.

"I'm glad," she said, before her head tilted to the side, coming to rest against Mace's chest. Her eyes closed and she took one gurgling breath, and another. Then the struggling sounds ceased altogether.

Obi-Wan fell forward, wrapping his arms around her neck, his tears falling onto her tunic. "No! No, no, no."

Mace closed his eyes, trembling. He was unable to watch Obi-Wan as he clutched onto his teacher, begging her to awaken. He was unable to look down at Elyzabe's lax face, lying against his chest. The Jedi found that he could not fell anger, as he had flirted with upon striking Ysari. He simply felt... empty.

The doors suddenly burst open, countless numbers pouring inward and Obi-Wan jumped. Mace looked toward the commotion, drained but wary of another assault. When he saw Yoda, hobbling along in the center of it all, Mace found that he did not care.

Healers rushed forward, trying to pull the three of them apart. Even though he was exhausted, Mace refused to let go. It was the touch of Yoda in his mind, pulling him toward sleep that finally relaxed his hold, causing him to fall into the waiting arms of one of the healers.

~<>~<>~

Obi-Wan started, startled by the sudden number of people that surrounded them. He watched as they tried to pull Master Windu away from Master Kohn. Obi-Wan refused to let go of his teacher, even as he watched Master Windu finally collapse and heard the tap of Master Yoda's walking stick behind him.

He felt the touch of a small hand on the top of his head and turned to find Master Yoda standing beside him. The large eyes were sad and Obi-Wan felt himself being pulled away from his teacher, even though no hands touched his arms.

"Hush, child," the small master said, distracting Obi-Wan as the healers that surrounded Elyzabe. "Well you have done."

Shuddering, curling against Yoda while still only a short distance from Master Kohn, Obi-Wan shook his head. "No." He sought to bury himself in the soft folds of Master Yoda's cloak, anything so he didn't have to see his teacher lying there on the floor. "My fault," he mumbled. Obi-Wan felt Yoda's arms fold around him and wished he could disappear entirely. "My fault."

"Sleep, young one."

Obi-Wan felt a tug of the Force around him, recognized it from when Qui-Gon had bid him to slumber as well. He fought the impulse, but only for a moment, before surrendering to sleep.

~<>~<>~

Yoda watched the organized chaos that surrounded him. His ears lowered slightly upon seeing Yasri. He released Obi-Wan to the care of a healer and to Master Gallia, knowing they would take him directly to the healers, and to Qui-Gon. Slowly, Yoda walked over to where Ysari lay.

Shaking his head, Yoda sighed sadly. "Good you were once, but changed you did. Yet you could not sway all." Yoda looked to the center of the commotion, where Elyzabe and Mace were being taken from the room. "Hard to see the Dark Side is. Harder still, when behind the light it hides." Turning, Yoda walked away from what remained of the former Council member.

"Hide no more you shall."

~<>~<>~

Qui-Gon had waited for the ninth bell to sound, knowing he should be with his friends, though he was unable. He had never been one to wait well, preferring to be in the midst of the action rather than sidelined. This situation, knowing what they had gone through for him, was particularly grueling.

So when the bond he shared with Obi-Wan suddenly flared to life -- full of confusion and fear -- Qui-Gon jumped from the bed. He was barely outside his room before he was stopped, quite forcefully. Returned to his chamber with only a narrow window to see beyond the small room, he was again forced to wait.

The fledgling bond he shared with Obi-Wan seemed to grow stronger the longer the feelings lasted. When fear turned to pain, he again moved from the bed, wanting to run past the healers but found his legs would not support such an effort. He collapsed just inside the doors, head bent and eyes closed.

Pain was followed again by fear, fear by grief. Qui-Gon marveled at the even as he feared for the boy to know such dark emotions. He needed to be with Obi-Wan, yet his cursed body refused to move.

He ignored the healers as they once more picked him up, carrying him back into his room. Qui-Gon did not voice a protest. He was focused inward, devoting his attention solely to Obi-Wan.

When the feed of emotions suddenly stopped Qui-Gon's head shot up and he looked around frantically. "What is happening, damn it?" he growled, knowing full well someone would hear.

It seemed an age before one of the younger healers entered his room. "There was a confrontation," she said, looking shaken. "In the Council chambers. They're bringing everyone here."

Qui-Gon stared at the retreating girl, reaching outward along his bond with Obi-Wan. Insistently he pushed and prodded, seeking any kind of response. What he received was not what he expected.

"Calm yourself, my Padawan," Yoda's voice filled his mind. "Safe is young Kenobi. Asleep. Adi brings him to you."

Not relaxed, but not as frantic, Qui-Gon slumped back against the hard bed. He listened for any sign of a commotion, wanting to know the moment Obi-Wan reached the healer's chambers. Needing to see with his own eyes that the boy was safe.

~<>~<>~

Adi Gallia carried the young Obi-Wan Kenobi in her arms from the Council chambers to the healers wards, one of the healer's fretting in her wake. The healer had examined the boy in the Council chambers and after seeing what remained there Adi knew where to take the child, or rather to whom to take the child. She only wished it would be so simple for the others.

Entering the healer's chambers she didn't blink at the high buzz of activity and ignored the healers that rushed forward. With a quick nod to one of the eldermost healers she turned the corner that would take her into Qui-Gon's chamber. She had yet to even enter the room before Qui-Gon's gaze locked on her, and the bundle in her arms.

With a quick nod, she laid Obi-Wan on the bed beside Qui-Gon, brushing a lock of hair off of his forehead as she did so. She looked to the Jedi, who himself was staring only at Obi-Wan. She sighed, seeing the cautious look in Qui-Gon's eyes as he seemed to inspect the child.

"He'll be fine," she assured him. She laid a hand on Qui-Gon's shoulder, only to pull it away when he flinched from her touch. "He's sleeping."

His own hand touching Obi-Wan's face, it appeared that he was reaching out along their bond. Qui-Gon spared a glance for the other Council member, the soft eyes gone hard, piercing through her. "What in all the Sith hells happened?" he demanded in a whisper.

Adi looked skyward, shaking her head. "Ysari happened. He played the Council, all of us, for fools." She looked again to Qui-Gon, seeing the near-fury in his eyes as he leaned protectively over Obi-Wan. "He has paid for his folly, Qui-Gon. He will not threaten Obi-Wan again."

Turning his attention back to the child, Qui-Gon shook his head. "But what of the damage that has already been done?"

Master Gallia smiled sadly. "Ah, but that is what you are here for, old friend. You and the other masters who love him. Just as they were there for you." With those words, she bowed her head briefly and left the room. There were others to be seen to and Obi-Wan was in safe hands.

~<>~<>~

Qui-Gon sat there for a long moment merely staring at the child on his bed. Reaching out along their bond once more, he was relieved to feel an answer on the other end. Although the reply was sleepy, it was there.

Obi-Wan had yet to awaken when there was a flurry of activity out in the hallway. Qui-Gon caught a glimpse of Mace being rushed by on a hover-board. His old friend looked to be sleeping, the same as Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon wondered at what exactly happened.

For a fleeting moment he feared perhaps Obi-Wan should be in the other chambers as well, being tended to. As soon as the thought formed, however, he could feel the boy along their bond, slowly surfacing from sleep. If there were anything truly wrong, he felt like he would sense it.

Again looking out past his small room, he wondered where Elyzabe was. It seemed strange that both Obi-Wan and Mace had been brought to the healers and Elyzabe was absent. But before he could call a healer to ask, Obi-Wan began to stir in his arms.

"Obi-Wan?" he asked quietly, hoping not to startle the boy.

Obi-Wan's eyes snapped open at the same instant their bond flared completely back to life. "Master?"

Pulling Obi-Wan into his arms, Qui-Gon nodded and held him close. "Yes, Obi-Wan. It's okay, you're safe."

He was surprised when Obi-Wan began struggling in his arms. "No. My fault."

Holding on more tightly, Qui-Gon was confused. "What's your fault, little one?" He tried to comfort the boy along their bond and was shocked to find himself rebuffed. "Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan grabbed handfuls of Qui-Gon's tunic, pressing his face against the material. His shoulders indeed his whole body shook and Qui-Gon wrapped his arms around the boy. "My fault," came a whisper. At the same time, a flood of emotion poured over their bond -- confusion, fear, grief. It was as before Adi brought him from the Council chambers. Qui-Gon sought to counter it with his own emotions -- gratitude and love.

Finally Obi-Wan pulled away just enough to look up at Qui-Gon. Around hiccups and stuttered breaths he managed, "She's gone, Master."

As the implications of Obi-Wan's words began to sink in, Qui-Gon pulled the boy into a tight embrace, staring over his head into the chambers beyond. He clenched his eyes shut, wanting to deny what had been revealed.

Suddenly everything the boy felt, what he said, made sense. Too much sense. "It's not your fault, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon insisted.

Obi-Wan buried his face in Qui-Gon's tunics, shaking his head no. "He wanted me." Obi-Wan sniffed. "But she said no." Qui-Gon felt Obi-Wan begin to tremble again and felt moisture in his own eyes. Managing a breath against the tightening in his chest, Qui-Gon almost missed when Obi-Wan repeated, barely a whisper, "She said no."

~<>~<>~

When Mace regained consciousness for one blessed moment he couldn't remember what had happened. Nor could he figure out why he was in the healer's wards. Then, all too quickly, it came rushing back.

Sitting up, throwing covers and instruments akimbo, Mace's head swam before he could even move from the bed. A healer rushed forward, pressing him back against the yielding surface.

"You must rest. You suffered from a psychic backlash during your fight."

Mace struggled to focus on the man, but found his vision had begun to swim. "The others?" he managed to ask, just as he was forced to sleep once more.

The healer shook his head. "Sleep for now, Master Windu. Sleep."

~<>~<>~

Obi-Wan cried himself to sleep, leaving Qui-Gon to wonder at all that had happened. He did not know how long he sat there, gently rocking the boy back and forth before his own master hobbled slowly into the room.

"Master."

Yoda nodded, but did not speak as he began to float from the floor and come to rest on the bed next to Qui-Gon. "You both, I wanted to see."

"What happened?" Qui-Gon asked a moment later, looking at the child sleeping in his arms before turning to his former master.

Yoda shook his head, sighing. "Terrible things, the Dark Side can do. Most terrible."

His patience wearing thin, Qui-Gon nodded. Careful to keep his voice low, yet his annoyance still plain, he prodded, "Yes, yes. But what did it do here?"

"Turned Ysari had," Yoda said, and grasped his walking stick tightly.

Brushing Obi-Wan's hair away from his face, Qui-Gon sighed. "But why does Obi-Wan believe it to be his fault?"

"To destroy your bond, did he seek."

Qui-Gon took a deep breath. "Where were you during all of this? How did you not see?"

Yoda shook his head sadly just before lowering himself from the bed. "Fooled us all, Ysari did."

Yoda had begun to walk away when Qui-Gon asked, "And Elyzabe? What of her?"

"Fine teacher, yes. Noble."

"Master..." But Yoda did not look back, nor did he reply.

~<>~<>~

When Mace woke again, he had no trouble remembering where he was or why. Sitting up slowly, his head still aching, he was careful to draw as little attention as possible. He had stood before realizing his robe was missing, but paid it little mind. He longed simply to check on the boy and return to his quarters.

Walking slowly, somewhat amazed that none of the healers had demanded he return to bed, he went to Qui-Gon's room. He had assumed, correctly as it turned out, that Obi-Wan would be there as well.

He saw the surprise on Qui-Gon's face when he entered the small room, albeit somewhat shakily. "Mace..."

Mace nodded. "How is he?" he asked, gesturing toward Obi-Wan.

Qui-Gon glanced at the boy. "Upset, but he'll be fine." Looking once more at his friend, he pointed at a chair. "Force sake, Mace. Sit down before you fall down."

Shaking his head, Mace leaned up against the wall. "No. I just wanted to check on you before leaving."

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

Mace waved a hand. "Somewhere... not here." He felt Qui-Gon's scrutiny, and met the other Jedi's gaze. "You're okay?"

He was relieved when Qui-Gon nodded. "We'll be okay, Mace." Mace blinked quickly, wondering at the truth of that statement. "Mace..."

"Take care of him, Qui-Gon," he said, before leaving a confused friend behind him. But at that moment, he felt too empty inside to care.

~<>~<>~

In another part of the healer's ward, far from the room where Obi-Wan slept under Qui-Gon's watchful gaze, five healers surrounded a central table. They stood, hands joined around the motionless figure that lay there. A low chant filled the air, the Force flowing in graceful arcs and waves around them.

Then, suddenly, quietly, there was a breath. And another. The Force brightened and swelled, swirling around the room.

"It is done," said an observer from the doorway. At that, one of the healers turned, and glanced over her shoulder long enough to nod in reply.

~<>~<>~

Upon reaching his rooms, Mace entered them without bothering to turn on the lights. He noticed the message light blinking on the comm board and hit the play button without thinking.

The face of a man he vaguely recognized, one who was obviously from Nahbey, filled the screen. "Masters," he began, before smiling faintly and nodding. "Elyzabe."

Mace's chest clinched. He glanced at the tracer on the message and found that it had been forwarded to him by accident. The empty place that had been within him since the Council chamber began to ache terribly.

"I do hope I am not overstepping my bounds," the man continued, "but after helping I realized..."

Mace's attention faded for a moment, trying to remember how he knew the man, how the man knew Elyzabe. Then he remembered. The healer in the corridor as they were escaping...

"Your Master's belongings were left behind in your escape. While no one was looking, indeed while they were searching for you, I took the liberty of finding them and securing them on a transport to Coruscant." Again the man smiled, causing Mace to flinch. It seemed strange that he be even remotely happy.

"Fare thee well, Elyzabe." The man smiled again before the image faded away.

Mace blinked quickly, his eyes drawn to the window on the far wall. It was dark and he could only guess how much time had passed since... since the ninth bell that morning. Taking a shaky breath, a single tear traced a path down his cheek.

"Fare thee well, Elyzabe."

~<>~<>~