A Hope Lost:
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Disclaimer: This is a Fan Fiction, witch uses Charters, People, and Places copyrighted to Gorge Lucas and Lucas Arts. No money was made from the writing of this story. There is no intent to plagiarize or steel charters, people, or places copyrighted to Lucas. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was on Tatoien. I sat quietly at the bar in the Maui Isly Space Port. I have not been here in years, I thought to my self, not sense..... not sense I had brought Xanathoes here ten years ago. Letting out a long breath that seemed to cleans my soul, I looked around. There must be someone with a decent transport here.
Just then a beautiful and shapely Corellion strutted across the room toward me. Sitting down on the stool next to mine she brushed he leg against mine suggestively. "Can I buy you a drink stranger?"
I smiled, flattered, "I'm afraid not," I answered, her disappointment was tangible, "I'm here on business."
"So am I," she said with a devilish grin. She leaned seductively across the bar, "Do you carry Corellion Whisky?" The bartender nodded. "Give me a bottle." He set a large bottle of deep blue liquid and two glasses down before them. "Just one drink?" she pleaded, handing the bartender some money.
"Well," I shrugged, "I guess one won't hurt." Obi-Wan would not approve, but then he wasn't here. He ran off after Mellda/Dann. He's the reason I'm here trying to get lost anyway. I tried to talk her into taking a few dactarians for the drink, but she refused. I slipped a few into her pocket unnoticed, anyway.
I slowly sipped the whisky she had pored me, it has harsh, bitter, and the taste of raw grain was heavy in it. I had to use the force to keep from gagging and to keep sober. "Corellion Whisky," I mused over the strong drink, "never tried it before now."
"I figured as much," she said flatly, "I figured Jedi don't drink much."
"What makes you think I'm a Jedi?" I asked, shit! have I blown my cover already- But before I could finish my thought she garbed for my belt, she knew exactly where to find my light saber. Force! but my reflexes where quicker, and before her arm was fully extended I pushed her hard agents the bar and pinned her arms.
"That," she answered smugly, here voice heavy with challenge. Was she challenging me or was it the half a bottle of whisky that spoke to me. No, it is not the whisky... She, she's still sober.
"Then you should know," I said harshly, "that Jedi do not willingly associate with such persons as yourself, but you would not go away."
"What, you don't like the sex or the hookers?" she answered equally as harsh and she sneered, "But I already knew that!"
Then suddenly her enter posturing softened, "Forgive me," she whispered so I could hardly make out the words, and her pleading eyes where so full of pain now, "but I had to be sure you where what I thought. Please," she begged openly now, not a hint of shame in it, but she was becoming desperate, I could feel it like a slap on the face, "please come with me, I am in dire need of your kind of help."
When she got up to leave, after loosing all hope, something made me get up and follow her. The force, it compelled me to follow her, Damned, fool, go with her, it was saying to me.
Here apartment was two blocks away, and I was finally completely sure she was not a prostitute, for when that door opened I saw a small apartment with almost no furnishings. "Have a seat," she gestured to the couch, "Jedi." She kicked off her heels and pulled a modest tunic over her head, securing it tight around her curvaceous hips with a silver belt.
"Qui-Gon," I said sitting out of curtsy, What can I do for you miss?.... miss, I didn't get your name."
"Because I didn't give it to you," she smiled letting her guard down for the first time and here eyes sparkled as a faint purple glow came to her brilliant blue cheeks, My she is lovely.
"My name," she interrupted my thoughts, "is Delsuree."
"Well then Delsuree, how about a proper introduction," I stood folded my hands into my selves, and bowed, then extended my hand to her, "I and Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, nice to meet the real you, Delsuree."
She stood and shook my hand firmly, then we both sat again. "My problem is well," I could feel her hesitation, feel her fear, "somehow, there was a misunderstanding..... I... I was mistakenly entered into a bet with the Hutts," she finally spit it out, "but I had nothing to pay with... So one night wail I was out working... They broke in and took everything, as you can see... But they," she paused again I knew the worst was coming, "they... they took... they took my... they took my son." She broke down into uncontrollable sobs.
I moved close to her, wrapped my arms around her and her pain, it burned me. I reached out to the force, Calm her, I know you cannot remove the pain but bring her calmness. And as I sat there pumping calmness and peacefulness into her with the the force I whispered softly, "I'm so sorry. Cry as long as you need, I am here now. I will do all I can to find your son and bring him back to you safe. Take you're time, cry all you need to. We can talk if you like. I am a good listener. Sshhh... it’s ok Delsuree." I rubbed her back gently, as training and the force took over. I could feeling the healing force flowing from my hand into her and soon the tourent of her crying subsided.
"Th-thank you," she stuttered, as I wiped the tears from her face with the sleeve of my robe.
"No thanks is needed," I smiled kindly, I could feel her warming to me, "I am a Jedi. I help people, it’s what I do, and I will help you. I will do anything in my power to get your son back to you safely. Do you here me," I touched her chin tilting it so she looked into my eyes, "I will do whatever I can, but we must talk I need to know about him."
She nodded her head, and began digging in her purse, "Here... Here, take this. It's recent, I took this pitcher two weeks ago." Unlike his mother, the boy had hair instead of tendrils, though not much hair. His skin was the palest blue, so almost you thought it wasn't.
"His father’s human?" I asked hoping the question wouldn't upset her.
I saw fury flash across her face, but it wasn't aimed at me, "Yes," her voice was cold as the icy color of her skin, and her eyes, they grew dark, "He kidnapped me 12 years ago, wrapped me and left me in some ally somewhere. I was lucky though, because I only had superficial injuries. It took me ten years to get where I am, to know I can pout food on the table for me and my son. He'll be 11 tomorrow."
"Forgive me," I bowed my head, upset at myself for not realizing this, "I had no idea."
"There is nothing to forgive," she forced a fake smile, "you did not know, you would not know now if you didn't ask. Maybe your force wanted you to ask, maybe the answer will help you somehow."
I smiled at her sudden hopefulness, "I hope so. I need to know, tell me how tall is he, and how much does he weigh?"
"Simple questions," she smiled remembering a happy moment with her son, "he's 6' 4", gets his height from his human side, he's a good 6" taller than all of my blood relatives, 140 lbs... he's thin, but healthy. Or... at lest, he was the last time-" She began to sob again. I put my arms back around her and tried to comfort her again.
She smiled through tear filled eyes and looked up at me, "You Jedi are such gentle and compassionate peoples." She reached her arms around me and held me thigh. I felt instantly uncofertabul, I know, I’ve been around this before, I'm you’re knight in shining armor, so you want to through yourself at me. I braced my self mentally, remember, disaplien, you are not going to manipulate or take advantage, attracted to her or not.
I did not push her away, but I was determined not to let this go further, "Delsuree," I said in the softest, warmest voice I could muster, "please, I will look for your son, but I can not give you this comfort. Please do not make me leave wail you are still so distraught."
She loosened her grip on me but did not let go, "Can we just sit here for a moment, I feel so safe near to you."
"Yes," I answered gently, “you can take all the time you need. I will not leave until you feel safe again," she clenched me tight again, "but please do not wish of me something you know I can not give you." She nodded in agreement, not speaking.
Force! Corellian’s, I thought, why does the sweet and calming smell of their tears have to be so intoxicating. I reached out to the force to prevent the foraminous in her tears from taking control of my head. They do there job well. No man could resist a crying Corellion, that was the point though, wasn’t it? In their moments of weakness, they are never venerable to the stronger sex. I smiled and eventually Delsuree’s grip on me loosened, much to my relief, my back felt as if I had been sitting in that uncomfertabul position for days, not and hour and a half. Now she sat up and moved away so there was an appropriate distance between our bodies. "Delsuree," I said so softly and gently it took her a moment to realize I was speaking to her, "are you OK now?"
She sniffled a little, but she was controlled, "Yes, I think I'll be fine now," she paused for a long moment wail she collected herself, "I want to go with you."
"It will be too da-" she cut me off sharply, "He is my son, and if I can not help you I shall feel totally helpless, and I should go crazy with worry. You've seen what it does to me, I need something to do. I need to know I’m helping.... If you do not take me with you I will follow you."
I let out a long disapproving sigh, Damn it! a habit ment for disapproving actions of a Padawan, "I see then that you mean to give me no choice, and I at current have troubles of my own. I have not the strength to argue it with you, so I will not resist we will leave tomorrow at first light. You will need to dress comfortably, appropriately, and in whatever will best blend you in with the masses. That means no flashy silver belts, and no high hells, wear work boots if you have them."
"So you want me to dress like a moisture farmer?" she didn't really need the answer.
"Exactly," he bit his lip unsure of his next comment, what the hell, "if you don't have anything appropriate, I'll buy you something."
"No," she shook her head, "I work Mos Isly part time, I have farmer's clothes, grungy stains and all."
I shook my head smiling, "Should I return to your apartment at dawn or just before?"
"Don’t leave!" she said a little more clingy, I think than she ment, "I’m sorry it’s just that..."
"I understand," I did, after all, "but I will sleep on the couch. You need your rest, go to sleep now, please."
She was unsatifiyed, but did as I requested, "Good night Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn."
I frowned, "If you go around calling me that you'll draw everyone's attention. Please, just Qui-Gon, or Jinn, if it makes you more comfortable, Qui-Gon Jinn, but please leave 'Jedi Masters' off or it will be the death of both of us."
She smiled as if toying with me, "Very well then, good night, Qui-Gon."
"Good night Delsuree," I stretched out on the couch witch was far to small for my length and shut my eyes. I soon fell into a deep sleep.
I was startled awake by Desluree's touch. "I brought you a blanket," she said innocently, but when I was about to say 'thank you' she planted a firm kiss on my lips, I couldn't break away, but then she did, "Good night," she whispered and did not come out of her bedroom the rest of the night. That kiss hung on my lips like a lover's embrace, does she know I'm attracted to here? I touched my lips gently with my fingers, remembering it I lightly licked away the proof of it. Then I went quickly into deep sleep, but that kiss didn't let go... I dreamt about it, dreamt about what it could have led to. Force! she's the first woman I had kissed or even embraced in over five years. I felt the smile spread across my lips even in my sleep, remembering Sassondy always makes me smile shamelessly, I loved her, but Jedi tend not to keep good relationships, the force, the mission always comes first, and all those long lonely nights she spent not knowing where I was or if I was alive; it wasn't fair to either of us, but especially not for her.
It broke my heart to leave her permanently, forever, but I think it hurt her more, after all those years of holding on desperately, I just let her go. I still feel hornbill about it, because I did love her, hell who am I kidding? I still love her.
Force! I missed her kisses, the taste of her on my lips, the feel of her skin under my fingers, she got to me, and she’s still got me. "Sassondy I still love you baby," shit! did that pass my lips or was I just thinking it. No matter, if it did come out of my mouth it was so soft surly Desluree didn't here.
A shiver ran down my back, I can't sleep, may as well meditate. I sat down on the floor, cross-legged and folded my hands in my selves. Closing my eyes, I tried to clear my mind and bring my body into balance with the force, I tried to forget all ells, but it was no good. All my thoughts kept going back to Sassondy. Force! Get her out of my head! My sudden welling of passion for Sassondy was bordering on insanity. I love her, but force, help me to bury her memory for now. I have things to do, things you want me to do. I will think on her latter, I swear, I'll resolve it, do anything, but now I need my mind on the moment, not the past. It was no good, I expected as much, the force demands things of me always, but doesn't tell me how or what to do, it rarely directly helps me in accomplishing it's goals.
Sorely frustrated, I gave up on meditation, and went to the kitchen, the only thing cold in the fridge was that damned whisky, so I pored a glass and drank it. It burned all the way down, but the coolness of the liquid was refreshing enough. "They even took this poor girl's food! Damn Hutts! I guess I'll try to get her up early, and take her to get some breakfast. Shit the bar's gonna be the only place open. O, well, guess they get to think the big bad Jedi spent the night inappropriately with a beautiful Collreion prostitute."
I sighed disapproving, O, well, nothing to do about it.
I heard the door behind me, whipping around I saw Desluree standing there, how long has she been there? "Good morning, Desluree."
"Good morning, Qui-Gon," she was very polite but I could tell she had a question.
"Speak your mind," I smiled fearing I knew what she would ask.
"Who's" here it comes, "Sassondy?"
I drew in a long breath and let it out slowly, "Sassondy, she was. Well, she was my girlfriend. Can we leave it at that."
"Yes," she said sweetly, "I didn't mean to open up old wounds-"
"No," I interrupted her, "you did not. It was just, you kissed me, and the last time I had kissed a woman like that was five years ago when we broke up. You couldn't have known, so please don't apologize."
"All right then," she smiled, "I won't. As long as you don't regret letting me kiss you."
"I was suprised," I smiled back, "and it was inappropriate, but I do not regret it," I shook my head as if it would clear my mind, "just be sure if you come across any other Jedi don't speak of it or the council will have my title."
That devilish grin from the bar came to her lips again, "Well then I guess you'll have to keep me happy."
"And just what does that mean?" I allowed her pull me into a playful mood.
"Well," she walked seductively across the kitchen to me and ran a finger down my cloak, "No more talking about ex-girlfriends." She laughed and I followed suit. We laughed and talked for about two hours. O, how it made me miss Sassondy all the more. Desluree reminds me of her so, her mannerism, her laugh, but not her look. No, not her look, Sassondy... Sassondy she had deep dark, black eyes, and beep brassy skin, with silken shiny, bright full long perfectly black hair. And Desluree here, she is blue from top to bottom, unmistakably female thought, and beautiful, attractive. Force! her pheromones again, remember, Qui-Gon she can not control them, so you must be on your guard. As the force enveloped me my head cleared, Sassondy wasn't gone from my mind, but at least my lust, if not desire was gone for Desluree.
"Well, I'm properly famished," I said putting a right end to our conversation, "we sold be off if you want to eat before we go out searching for your son."
"Yes," she said unhappily, "but I have no more money and your dactarions are no good here."
"I have other ways of getting things," I smiled, "let's head to the bar, it'll be the only thing open. O, and don't argue with any assumptions people have, they will be talking, but we want to keep a low profile remember."
"Yes, OK," she sighed, "I won't pick any fights when those dirty old men make their comments."
Twenty minuets latter in the bar...
I walked up to the bartender with Desluree at my heels like a new Padawan, I smiled to myself inpreceptically, "Give me too of whatever you server hot and to go."
"I got bread pockets, comes with grilled vegtbules, and either chicken or lizard," he was washing glasses and didn’t stop as he spoke to me.
"Two with chicken," and I said with an inconspicuous wave of my hand, "and Republic Dactarians will do fine."
"Twenty dacterians will do fine," the man said taking the money, I gave him six for a tip, for latter when he saw the dactarians in his till, he'd know someone swindled him. Five minuets latter, he came back with hot freshly backed 1/2 loves off bread partially hollowed and filled with grilled vegtabuls and chicken.
"Thank you," I said cordially. Handing one to Desluree I walked out the door. She followed coming beside me once we where outside.
"This is great," she said taking another large bite, "I haven't eaten this good all week."
"Well, I'm glad to be able to provide you with something nutritious," I smiled at her, poor thing, I thought, I've never known hunger. O, I've gone a few days without food during survival training, but I always knew there would be a hearty meal in a few days. I looked at her again, realizing for the first time that she was about ten pounds underweight. I was only half way finished with mine by the time Delsuree was done, "I'm full," I lied, "do you want the rest of mine?"
"No you eat," she answered.
"Really," I shook my head with a smile, "I'm full, eat it if you will, or I will be forced to toss it."
"I'll take it then," she said, and greatfually snatched my breakfast out of my hands. I forgave her rudeness by never mentioning it, I knew she lived a life of poverty, or at least in recent weeks she had. The Hutts, really did take everything from her didn't they. Vicious, unforgiving, hateful, those words defined the Hutts, I let out a disapproving sigh.
"There's a pod race in five hours," I said, "It will take me at least three hours to get there, and I wasn't sure how long it'd take with you. Anyway, I wanted to check out the Hutts at the race, maybe place a small bet. They do still take large quantities of dacterians for bets don't they?"
"Yeh," she nodded, "but , only at half their worth."
"That's fine," it was just as I suspected, "the point is not to make money but to get closer to the Hutts. They will take emediout interest in my dactarians, not because of their lack of monetary value, but because they will tie me closely to the Republic."
"I see," she said softly, "it shouldn't take us longer than three hours or so to get to the track. Here, come this way, I know a short cut." She ducked around a corner and into an alleyway, "I just hope we don’t get hit by a sand storm, I’m taking us into open country."
"Well, if it's faster," I smiled, "I think it's worth it."
"All right then," she said pulling her cloak up over her head and around her face, I followed suit.
Latter at the race:
"I've got 1,000 dacterians on Grem Gup," Qui-Gon said placing a handful of black chips on the counter.
"It only counts as 500," the man behind the counter answered smugly.
"That's fine," Qui-Gon said flatly, tacking his bet holding ticket from him.
As they walked toward the bleachers, Qui-Gon watched as word of his dactairans was quickly moving toward the Hutts, propelled by various messengers. "I think they noticed," Qui-Gon winked at Delsuree, "that's good, at least. We may as well enjoy the race, we're stuck here now."
Delsuree looked 'thrilled', "Great," she said sarcastically, "what do you think they’ll do to us?"
"Nothing at the moment," Qui-Gon said calmly, "don't worry about it now. Things have been set in motion witch can not be changed. Just remember, Dalsuree, your focus determines your reality. Focus on your son."
More Jedi mumble jumble, Delsuree thought to herself as she took her seat quietly. They've got answers for everything, but they always pose more questions. "The odds are on Jentar," she pointed to the filthy looking, many limed black critter bent over a particularly expensive looking speeder.
"I know," Qui-Gon answered flatly wail he debated weather or not he should fill Delsuree in on the rest of his plan. At last he continued in a hushed voice, "I'm hopping we'll lose. If we do, I'm quite certain the Hutts will contest the worth on my credits and demand more money that will get us close to them."
"I assumed as much," she answered with a smile, "I am observant, you know?"
She had a hint of teasing in her voice witch made Qui-Gon smile. What brilliant eyes, grey-blue and slivery as clouds, Delsuree thought to herself as she soaked up Qui-Gon's breef smile, I never understood why Jedi aren't saposed to have emotion. "You're eyes are just lovely when you smile like that," she said sweetly.
Qui-Gon blushed for an instant before he pulled himself in check, "Thank you."
"Not at all," she said gently, "just making an observation."
"Get ready Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, Scoundrels and Thieves," a voice boomed over the loudspeakers in several different languages, "Here we are the Last Race of the Season. Jentar is the local favorite today, and he'll be hard pressed to hold first over Hon'dont our local underdog," and so on went the announcements as the race started.
Jaba the Hutt stood and smacked the gong next to him with a slimy tail and they where off. They watched the race with out much enthusiasm.
"And what do you know, boys and girls, ladies and gentleman, thieves and scoundrels, Jentar has won once again!" Came the announcer's voice full of excitement, as he rattled off in several languages.
Three men walked slowly toward Qui-Gon and Delsuree. Qui-Gon looked up, "We are no harm to you," he said with a subtle wave of his hand.
"They are no harm to us," the leader of the group said.
"You want to take up to talk to Jabba,' Qui-Gon said with another slight wave of his hand.
"We should take them to Jabba," the man repeated.
"You should take us to him now,"" Qui-Gon said with a final wave of his hand.
"We should take them to Jabba now," the man gestured and Qui-Gon and Delsuree followed the three men.
"Master," the man bowed submissively, "this man needs to see you."
Jabba the Hutt sat on a slimy thrown high above the track, "They have some business with you."
Jabba was outraged. "Who are you?!" he spit on Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon stayed quite composed and simply wiped the spit of his face and hair with his robe.
"Lord Jabba," Qui-Gon said smoothly, with just a touch of submissiveness to please him, "I seek your help. A friend of mine has gone missing."
Jobba laughed as Qui-Gon suspected he would, "Who’'s this?" he referred to Delsuree, "your little tart?"
Qui-Gon looked at her in a way that made her bite her tongue, "My friends mother she is."
"Badgra," he laughed and the layers of flab about his soft, unused body giggled in a grotesk way, "show these two to their friend."
"Certainly, master," the bug-like creature waved a blaster and they where forced to follow.
When they got around the corner two others came toward them. "Search them."
With a small wave of his hand, Qui-Gon said, "You do not need to search us, we are unarmed."
"We don't need to search them," the leader said, "they're unarmed." The bug-like creature buzzed about them as Qui-Gon and Desluree where ushered off into a cell far under Jabba's club.
We where thrust into a stone cavern system. A solid steel door closed behind us. The only way in or out. I sensed another presence in this prison. "Stay quiet, be patient. Follow me and do not do anything unless I tell you to," she followed my every direction until I laid eyes on the other prisoner.
"Ellic," Delsuree cried, "Ellic, is that you?"
He turned around sharply and looked at her suspiciously, "M, mother?"
"O, Ellic," she rant ot his and embraced him.
"Who's this with you, and why are you here, mother?" Ellic asked genuinoluly distressed.
"I am Qui-Gon Jinn," I said giving a bow, "I have come with your mother's bidding to help rescue you."
"You would rescue me by being captured?" he asked.
The boy was chained to a wall. I unclipped my light saber and cut him down easily, "Here," I gave each of them a knife. One from each of my boots. Their pourpose was to be tools not weapons, but they would work well enough, Ellic got the created one and Delsuree got the smooth edged one, "don't use throes unless you have too. Keep them hidden."
"You're a Jedi Knight?" the boy was awa struck.
"Yes, Ellic," he answered, "I am. Now what do you know about this place, anything?"
To be continued...