Before - Legends Young Qui-Gon Fic: Repercussions - COMPLETED! Thanks for the Awards!!

Diane Yes it was a good descion -- trust me Qui-Gon will need his strength most definetely in the end...


Look Everyone we made 300 posts!!!! Thanks so much for all your support!

Here is more for your enjoyment! It's a short one but crucial to some character development Enjoy!


Repercussions

Chapter 30 A

Gaikusan watched dispassionately as his assistant let
Yomar into his office. He already knew everything that
had happened from his own agent that had been placed
with Yomar. Unbeknownst to Yomar, of course.
Nevertheless it would be interesting to hear the
version Yomar had created for him. Gaikusan let him
stand before his desk for several moments before
speaking. "Well?"

"We found the fugitives hiding on Null. Josel has been
delivered in one piece. Not undamaged...but he's far
from dead. We were able to deliver him alive as you
requested." Yomar said in a low voice.

"And Duursema?" Gaikusan asked in a pleasant voice.

"The troops you sent to escort us back to the prison
let him escape out from under their noses." He said.
"All the effort we put into his capture and damaging
him to make sure he stayed put was for nothing.
Several of my men lost their lives and limbs. Your
men's incompetence was the reason he escaped."


"Where were you and your men, when my troop's
incompetence," Gaikusan stressed the word faintly,"
allowed the escape."

"I was personally ensuring that Duursema stayed where
he should when a large party attacked us. I did my
best to fight off the wave of attack. Our transport
was disabled and Duursema escaped -- at the cost of my
hand."

"A large party? How strange, I had only received
reports of a single assailant." Gaikusan waved away
Yomar's sputtering attempts to explain. "I allowed you
to be released early from Tuvlat because you were one
of the premier assassins and enforcers on C'lasi. The
fact that you were able to recapture Duursema and his
associate, however briefly, indicates that you do
retain some of that skill."

"I will personally ensure that Duursema is returned."

Gaikusan stood and walked to the front of the desk.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "No, I think that I have
other business for you."

Yomar stared wondering what the other could possibly
want him to do. "What is that?"

A flash of green light and Yomar's head rolled across the floor.
Gaikusan watched it settle into a corner, the body
falling to the floor with a thump. Placing his
lightsaber back beneath his robe, Gaikusan pushed the
call button to summon his staff to remove the body.
Nudging the body with a booted toe, he said, "Keeping
the grave diggers busy."

 

Yippee! One down and another to go!! Great lil post! hehehehe ole 'G' man knows that the single rescuer was a Jedi hehehe who wouldn't?

 

Hey, nice job you guys!!!

I liked it...I'm always a few posts behind...*blush* but now I've caught up and can't wait for more....now update, please?

 

I don't think Yomar's head leaving his body is character development....LOL. Oh, you mean Gaikusan!

Good job on upping the tension. That Gaikusan is a mean one for sure.

Looking forward to the next post.

 

Kynstar Glad you enjoyed it Yep Gaikusan knew .. he's got spies just like every good bad guy

Charmisjess Glad you got caught up! I'm very happy you enjoyed it.. lol as for an update there will be one very shortly -- just not today.. hehe.


Diane Sure it was! You had to find out what happened to Yomar after all -- but yes I did mean for Gaikusan Remember he used to be a Jedi in the Order.. I thought this would be a good opportunity to show just how far he's fallen from that grace.. .. hehe. Glad you liked it! Now go update yours

 

Up!

 

Hi Everyone! Sorry I'm a bit late with the post! I wanted to wait till after the mad weekend rush .. so without further ado -- Here it is!


*******

Repercussions

Chapter 31 A

Kyran groaned a bit as he came to, wondering where he was. Wherever it was it was extremely cold. His eyes fluttered open. Four stone walls surrounded him. There was a drain in the middle of the floor. On one side of the room a large holo-vid screen had been set up. Kyran puzzled about that. Surely whoever held him wasn't going to be entertaining him.

As he became more aware, he noticed that was dangling several inches off the floor by his wrists. Chains stretched from his arms all the way to the ceiling. He glanced down and noticed that all of his clothing had been taken from him except his undershorts. That was not entirely surprising. When he'd been with Qui-Gon and had been taken prisoner by the bounty hunters, all he'd had other than that was his undertunic... Qui-Gon! Frantically Kyran reached out with the Force to try to link with him through their bond. A painful shock traveled from the ceiling to his arms and he let out a yelp of surprise.

The door was shoved open and through it entered a grim faced guard pushing a cart covered with a white cloth. Ominous shapes pushed against the cloth. Behind the guard came a Trandoshan, dressed in expensive clothes. He approached Kyran and bowed with a flourish. "Knight Josel how delighted I am to welcome you to C'lasi. I hope you are finding your room comfortable."

Kyran's gaze darkened at the entrance of his captor. "Can the small talk, Gaikusan. What do you want from me?

"I wasn't sure you would recognize me after all these years. How nice that you remembered. Of course, our mutual friend Qui-Gon would have been sure to have shared some of his experiences here. As to what I want, that is fairly simple. I want your pledge to me and to the power of the Darkside."

Kyran flinched inwardly at the mention of Qui-Gon's time in prison. "You don't know when to give up, do you? If Qui-Gon wouldn't turn, what makes you think I would?"

"I believe my mistake with Qui-Gon was allowing others to do the breaking for me. Far too many people were involved with his torment, which I think lessened the overall effect. I intend to correct that mistake by seeing to you personally. Of course, it may be that I simply needed to wait a bit longer for Qui-Gon to turn. Fortunately, now that he is back in Tuvlat, I can see which of the two methods is more effective."

At that news Kyran's hold on his calm facade faltered slightly. "What did you say?"

"Did I hit you too hard on the transport? Qui-Gon was captured with you and returned to Tuvlat where he will continue to suffer any and all indignation?s that place has to offer. Perhaps you were thinking that someone might have intercepted him before he could be safely imprisoned? Well, I must admit, an attempt was made."

Kyran clenched his jaw, determined not to give anymore reaction than he already had. He reached out along the link he shared with Devin to see if Gaikusan was telling the truth, when another sharp shock flowed from the chains into his wrists, causing him to wince at the strength of it.

Gaikusan watched as Kyran's body thrashed. When he stilled, Gaikusan said, "As I was saying, an attempt was made. However, it was not successful. Knight Ly'rath is the newest inmate at Tuvlat. No doubt his cellmates are initiating him as we speak."

"I don't believe you."

"Your belief is hardly necessary. It does not change the fact that they are now prisoners of Tuvlat. No doubt even as we are speaking, their new cellmates are welcoming each. Hopefully the guards remember my instructions that neither is allowed to be killed. Yet." Gaikusan sneered.

Kyran shook his head and glared at Gaikusan. "How could you? To someone you used to be friends with?" He frowned, struggling to figure out a way to reduce the stress on his arms from the chains.

"I offered him the greatest of opportunities, to be free of the restraints of Cou

 

Ohhhh poor Kyran!!! And he can't check to see if what 'G' man said is true or not about Qui and Devin. Poor guy... So 'G' is gonna oversee it all? Ummm yeah he's right about that... if he'd done it all with Qui it might have gotten him to turn, never know!

These lines... ohhh how the are making Kyran think... Be brave dear Knight! Hold fast!

"How do you feel," whispered Gaikusan. "Fear? Think of what may be happening to your friends. Think of what will happen to you. Anger? You were so very close to escaping, yet now all three of you are within my power. Hate? Do you hate me for what I did to your friend, Qui-Gon. The scars he now bears. The scars he will soon have again. Feel the fear, anger and hate. Let it flow through you. I can sense it in you, just waiting for you to use it."

Great post!!!

 

Kynstar Glad you liked it! Thanks so much for your comments! We really appreciate them!


Author's Note The story is FINISHED! We wrote the Epilogue today. We've completely written it out! The only thing left is a small bit of editing then it can be posted Thanks EVERYONE for your continued support of our story. We've had a very good time writing it.

 

I liked how you describe the darkness like the caress of a lover's lip. Poor Kyran indeed!
It's finished soon ? Would like to read more of this wonderful story.

 

Jeday Thanks! I added that in at the last minute and I was pleased with the overall effect. Glad you liked it as well Yes it's completed and will be up shortly Thanks for your comments!

Edit -- Everyone be sure and check out Kyran's interview in the Fanfiction Resource Forum

Kyran's Interview

 

We are indeed getting close to the end . . . Another long post to make up for the fact that Layren and I have been taking so long to get these sections up.



The room was shabby, in a section of town where both Devin and Qui-Gon were watching each other's backs. Above a bar where not just drinks were being sold, but anything anyone demanded. The smell of spice was in the air. No doubt the ex-healer had an arrangement with the owners of the bar, exchanging his services for rent and spice.

It was primitive. Most of the equipment was patched together, ancient out dated machines. At least it was relatively clean. Some effort had been made to hold back the dirt and mildew that seemed to cover every other surface in the neighborhood.

Devin looked around mournfully. He was furious that this was the best he could do for his friend, but it couldn't be helped. Their resources were rapidly dwindling and day spent asking around in run down dives and to street corner punks had resulted in this contact. From what they had gathered, the man standing before them had once been a respected healer before an unfortunate addiction to spice had lost him his license. They had rejected just this sort of treatment for Qui-Gon previously. Now, however, the need to get Qui-Gon into a functioning state outweighed the risk that the unlicensed, underground hack might end up doing more damage to his patient than he healed.

The man had instructed them to call him "Doc." No other name was offered, and none of their contacts seemed to know what his real name was. Devin supposed it didn't really matter. What mattered was could he take care of Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon stood a pace or two behind Devin, holding his shoulder gingerly with his left hand attempting to keep it immobile. He gazed around the room noting the out-of-date equipment and sighed deeply. For once he wanted to be in the Healer's Wing of the hospital where it was comfortable, clean and sterile with the Healers combined the latest technology and Force-healing techniques to help patients.

"Well, don't just stand there. Can't examine you from there. Sit on the chair by the table. And my payment is cash up front. I want 30 for the exam. How much the healing will be will depend on what I find." The thin, rawboned man stuck out a hand.

Devin slowly counted out the credits. They were getting down to the last of the money Yoda had given them before they had left on this misadventure. They had decided to seek treatment only for the newly injured shoulder and repairs on the badly healed wrist. That would be enough for Qui-Gon to be able to use his lightsaber. The damage to the leg was just too extensive to be repaired quickly. Both men were well aware that every moment that passed, unspeakable things might be happening to Kyran.

Qui-Gon climbed slowly onto the chair, gritting his teeth trying not to use his arms much as he moved and winced as he settled himself in the rickety chair.

Doc impassively examined Qui-Gon's shoulder and wrist, ignoring any signs of discomfort in his patient. "Collar bone and shoulder broken in several places. Take a couple of days with a bone knitter or a couple of months in a cast. Wrist's healed all wrong. Gotta rebreak it and reset it. Same as shoulder, couple of days with knitter or couple of months. Cost lots more with the bone knitters 'cause you'll have to stay here while he's hooked up to it. Cast I put on and you go. Come back in about 2 months and I'll take it off, or you can take it off yourself."

Qui-Gon winced at the idea of having his wrist rebroken and at the length of time it would take to have his bones healed. He refused to leave his best friend in Gaikusan's hands for that long. He growled softly, "We don't have a couple of months, we're a little short on time."

"Doesn't matter to me. Bone knitter for both will be 2,000. Cash in advance."

Devin frowned and quickly added in his head their remaining funds. They could just manage to cover the cost. "Fine. Get started."

Doc quickl

 

Sweet of Qui to try to block the pain from Devin! But Devin is there for him

Ahhh 'G' man at his worst! Yep yep, bad now that he knows that Kyran supposed to have been with Qui. *tsk* *tsk* And Kyran giving in to his emotions.

That was well played out!! Loved the bit with Kyran loosing his cool! Great work!!!! and the 'you did obey' bit was sweeeeeeeeeeet!

 

Gaikusan strode through the cell door, a covered container in his one hand. "Good morning, ready for another lesson?"

Kyran blinked and came too slowly. "Not really. I was still asleep. Go away."

"That will be part of the lesson, respect. You are to address me as Master and speak in an appropriately respectful tone." Gaikusan continued to use that even, calm voice that somehow managed to completely infuriate Kyran.

Kyran rolled his eyes. "Fine. Leave me alone, MASTER while I try to sleep."

"Better, but not quite there yet." Gaikusan flipped open a small control panel next to the door. The push of a button suddenly lengthened the chains holding Kyran upright by his wrists. The unexpected slack sent Kyran crashing to the floor.

Kyran cried out at the pain in his arms as they were suddenly dropped after being held up for over four days above his head. He gritted his teeth and tried to relieve his aching muscles.

"Hungry? I imagine so, since you haven't been fed since you arrived. All you need to do is ask in the correct manner." Gaikusan pulled the cover off the container he'd been carrying. The smell of a rich stew filled the air.

Despite his resolve to say no, Kyran's mouth began to water slightly at the thought of a meal. He closed his eyes as if trying to block out the smell.

Gaikusan stood, waiting patiently as Kyran obviously struggled against the temptation presented by the first food he'd seen in almost a week.

Kyran gritted his teeth as he mentally debated. He hadn't had food in almost a week and he was injured. He needed food to heal, but he really didn't want to ask Gaikusan for any. Finally his loudly protesting stomach made up his mind for him. " Gaikusan, please."

"Master," reminded Gaikusan.

Kyran gritted his teeth but forced the words out. "Master Gaikusan, please.?

"Yes?" Gaikusan said expectantly, clearly intending to make Kyran beg.

Kyran forced down his anger at himself and the situation. Gaikusan wanted him begging for food. He would do it only because he needed energy to heal and his was long since spent. "Please, may I have some stew?"

"You forgot the Master, again. Perhaps you need a stronger reminder of the cost of disrespect." Gaikusan resealed the container.

Kyran gritted his teeth. He was inwardly seething at himself for being in this situation in the first place. "Master Gaikusan, please may I have some stew?" He looked away as he finally forced the words out.

"Perhaps later I will give you another opportunity to ask for it. Perhaps if you can remember the proper phrasing you will receive some."

Kyran looked up and his stomach growled louder. "Please, Master Gaikusan...I apologize. I'm hungry." Kyran inwardly cursed himself for even thinking of asking Gaikusan for anything but like it or not Gaikusan had him. His back was torn, his arms nearly useless from the strain of supporting his weight for so long. He needed nourishment to survive, and Gaikusan had made it clear that the survival of his friends depended on how he acted.

"Good. It will help you learn."

Kyran gritted his teeth. He was so hungry. Just a mouthful of the stew would help. He'd begged and pleaded and still Gaikusan wouldn't give it to him. He reached out for the Force and tugged the bowl of soup out of Gaikusan's grip. Gaikusan gripped the container harder at the slight Force tug. The pull ended quickly as electricity zapped Kyran through the chains he still wore around his wrists and ankles, triggered by his use of the Force.

"Hunger must be making you forgetful as well as disrespectful. Another lesson in the price of defiance then." Gaikusan flipped a switch in the control panel and the large vid screen that filled one wall sprang to life. On it was a flatpic image of Qui-Gon, chained spread eagle between two posts.

Kyran looked up, his mouth dry as Gaikusan turned the holo-vid on. He saw his best friend chained to a post. He felt as if he'd been punched in the gut. How stupid could he have been to act in a way that would get Qui-Gon puni

 

Great!! Kyran gave in juz for a moment but Mr. 'G' screwed up by letting him out of the Force inhibitor hold! *tsk* *tsk* bad Mr. 'G' you might had a chance but not any longer!! Kyran knows his buds are free and will soon be on their way to try to free him!!

Great post! Love the angst there!!

 

Hi everyone! I'm sorry I have been absent for awhile My husband had to go for a job interview in Chattanooga yesterday. We stayed with my grandparents over the weekend through until Tuesday morning. Then we had a long three hour drive to Chattanooga where he had a two and a half hour long interview. Then he got us lost by staring at the pretty scenery in the city making it take an extra forty minutes to get out of the city and to my parents house where we were supposed to have dinner with my mom. My Dad was out of town with my brother taking a bunch of church guys out camping *nudges Greencat* and so we poor travelers were so desperately tired by the time we got there we decided to stay overnight with them instead and continue our journey in the morning since it was gonna be another four hours till we got home. My grandparents don't have a computer so I was offlkine for awhile. Needless to say it was a long weekend. I do very much thank Greencat for filling in posting for me and I will endeavor to have another one up very shortly. Oh and a LOT more happened on that vacation than I have time to post at the moment .. including leaving our clothes downstairs in the suitcase where we packed them.. ahh .well. I'll be happy to give details to those who want it. I hope everyone is having a good vacation!

 

Okay, I've read through the whole thing...

...and have come to the conclusion you are very cruel people indeed. The things you've done to the poor Jedi!

 

Kynstar Thanks SO much for continuing to reviews this story. It means so much to me that you're still reading it. You've never been a lurker and you always give me great feedback! I REALLY appreciate it very much And as reward -- later today you'll have a new post. We're going to try to put up one per day since they're all finished now AND edited And why haven't I seen you on AOL in awhile? You got a new name or something?


Female_obi_Wan - Thanks! We take that as a high compliment, don't we Greencat ? We also have a post story commentary type thing that we wrote to give you more insight into our twisted writing styles and ideas Coming after the fic is completed.

 

Woo-hoo!! New posties to come!
As for AOL, I'll swing by tonight Hope to see ya on!! Now that I got cable I keep forgetting about my AIM hehehe bad me! I'll be on later this eve

 

Yay! you got cable! That's great news! Yes I should be on this evening and I updated at fanfiction.net too ..twice to make up for taking so long between posts. As soon as I hop on my laptop I can update here.

 

Repercussions

Chapter 33

That cursed Jedi serenity! How had he managed to regain it? Perhaps it had been a mistake to allow him access to the Force. He had thought that at this point the tormented man would only be able to touch the Dark Side, but it was obvious he had underestimated his resilience. Well that could be corrected. Stalking forward, Gaikusan grabbed for the shackles, snapping them around Kyran's bloody wrists.

At the control panel, Gaikusan stabbed the button that controlled the length of the chains, pulling them upwards until Kyran was forced to stand on the tips of his toes. Another button and massive waves of electricity flowed through him, causing him to arch his back and scream.

When the shuddering caused by the jolt finally settled, Gaikusan grabbed Kyran by the hair, jerking his head around so they looked eye to eye. Not so serene now, but no flame of anger burned either. Oh well, thought Gaikusan, the day is still young.

"Ready for another lesson, my apprentice?" Gaikusan said.

Kyran was busy ignoring Gaikusan and trying to get his breath back. He was in too much pain to register hardly anything that he was saying anyway so what was the point of forcing himself to pay attention? His whole body hurt something fierce from the waves of electricity that shot through him and left him panting for breath and his heart racing.

"I see that you have been working to recall the teachings of the Jedi Temple and their ridiculous code. They would have you believe that when you are being hurt, when wrong is being done to you, that you should react with calmness, serenity. To borrow a line from that old troll, You must unlearn what you have learned. And I'm more than happy to provide you with the lesson."

While he was talking, Gaikusan examined the many options that lay before him on the table. A variety of blades, stun batons, clubs and whips. He picked up a short, silver rod with several small red buttons. Holding it before Kyran's face, he waited until the green eyes focused on the object.

"Have you ever heard of a neural stimulator? Rather ingenious, actually. Stimulates the nerve endings to the brain without actually causing any physical damage. All pain, no mess. You seem to be getting a bit fragile, so perhaps its time we switch to this." Jabbing the short rod into Kyran's ribs, he switched it on.

Kyran cried out in a rush of exhaled breath as Gaikusan jabbed the rod into his ribs. His every nerve felt like they were on fire with pain in sharp white hot tendrils of agony that seemed to have no end. He'd tried hard to hold on to the peace that he'd managed to find, but it was slowly melting away, the longer Gaikusan held the rod on him. He knew that Qui-Gon and Devin were coming. He'd felt his friend reach out to him during the brief time Gaikusan had let him out of the chains. He closed his eyes tightly and began to recite... "There is no emotion... there is peace... "

Gaikusan pulled back the neural stim, again giving Kyran time to focus on what he was saying. "There is emotion, and it gives you power. There will be no peace if you have no power. You are chained here, helpless, because you deny that power."

Kyran ignored Gaikusan and continued repeating the Jedi Code like a mantra, the words filling him with a purpose and surety. He was prepared to become one with the Force if it chose to take him, or accept life if it didn't.

The words of the Code, rasped out with a voice that had grown hoarse from screaming. Gaikusan hated those words. They mocked him, all that he had been, all he might have become, all that he now was. Furious, he jammed the rod beneath the Jedi's chin and flicked it on.

Kyran screamed in pain and choked as Gaikusan shoved the rod beneath his chin. The pain was so sharp, so white hot--he could barely breathe. He couldn't breathe. He gagged and then struggled to force air into his lungs, the force of the hit to his throat having nearly taken his breath away. After what seemed like an eternity the pain

 

Sorry to contradict you, Qui-Gon, but its not all over. There's still the trip home. Not to mention the fact that you, Devin and Kyran are still outlaws.

 

hehehe shhh Don't tell him that and how come my messages aren't getting through -- or are you just busy ignoring me?

Change of plans decided to go ahead and complete the entire fic today since it's ready and I'm ready .. hehe.



Repercussions

Chapter 34

Qui-Gon stood in the doorway of the small room, staring at its occupant. Gaikusan had been sedated and restrained on one of the bunks. Keeping him unconscious on the trip home had seemed like the easiest solution. Kyran was in the next room, also asleep. Deep in a healing trance to repair the damage done to him by Gaikusan. Qui-Gon's hand drifted towards the handle of his lightsaber. How much pain and suffering this one man had caused. A year of his life had lost to imprisonment and hiding because of him. His dearest friends had been made fugitives. Two young padawans had been without their masters. Kyran had been brutally tortured because of him. Qui-Gon gripped his saber hilt tighter. They were returning Gaikusan to the Temple, but what then? Would there be any justice or would Gaikusan find a way to manipulate the courts so that he went free?
Kyran had stopped him from killing Gaikusan in the palace dungeon and he had been right to do so. At that moment it would have been an act of anger and vengeance. But what about now? He no longer felt hot fury, instead a calm filled him. It was like the deep stillness before a great storm breaks. Wouldn't destroying Gaikusan now be an act of justice? Fair retribution for the great harm he had caused so many? Qui-Gon unlatched his lightsaber from his belt.

"Qui-Gon?" A quiet voice said behind him.

Startled, Qui-Gon spun around to find Devin looking at him intently. He touched Qui-Gon gently on the arm. "Put the saber away. Let's go make something to eat. You don't need to be in here. Gaikusan can't hurt anyone now."

The temptation to push Devin away, ignite his lightsaber and bury it up to the hilt in Gaikusan's heart flared in Qui-Gon like a supernova. Devin shifted his weight slightly, ready to react. Like a blast of cold air, Qui-Gon realized he was preparing to stop any attack he might make. Bowing his head, Qui-Gon handed his saber to Devin and headed towards the small lounge area. He slumped down into a chair, burying his head in his hands.

Devin wrapped his arm around his friend's shoulders. "Qui-Gon. You resisted temptation. You didn't give in. Remember what I said on Null? Just because you've been tempted doesn't mean you've fallen. Getting back up and continuing the fight is what's important."

"How do I know if I ever got back up again?" Said in a near whisper, Devin almost missed Qui-Gon's reply, sensing it more over their bond rather than hearing it.

"You didn't kill him. You stopped yourself. If that moment back in the room, had you let the Dark Side rule you, you would have tried killed us both without hesitation, without thought. That's how I know." He said gently.

Qui-Gon just shook his head. Devin, at his core of his being, had an almost unshakable faith that justice would prevail, regardless of what hardships might have to be endured. Qui-Gon could no longer share that faith.

Devin studied his friend thoughtfully. "Gaikusan will face his justice. We're almost home. We should arrive by early tomorrow morning."

Qui-Gon couldn't suppress the shudder than ran through him. He had desperately wanted to return to the Temple for so long, now he dreaded it. He realized Devin was looking at him oddly. Forcing a smile on his face, he said, "That's good. Kyran needs better healing than what we can provide. And I know you've both missed your Padawans. It will be good for you both to finally be home."

"Yes. We all need healing." He smiled slightly at Qui-Gon. "Now your name will be cleared and you have more than done your duty in bringing in a rogue Force user. It's been over a year so your probation is likely to be over by the time we get there."

Qui-Gon dropped his gaze to his hands, as if fascinated by how tightly he c

 

Well here it is .. the VERY LAST post.. of the fic. Stay tuned for a Meet the Author's commentary .. a very short two pages of a ficlet

I told you we only had a few left .... parting is such sweet sorrow. Look everyone I actually *gasp* COMPLETED something....big...


Repercussions

Epilogue


Epilogue:

Qui-Gon sat with his leg propped up on a comfy footstool. Kyran's apartment was crowded for such a late hour. The two padawans had fallen asleep on the couch refusing to be separated from their masters even for a short period of time for sleeping. He smiled a little glancing over at the slumbering girls. He wrapped his fingers around his hot mug of tea and settled back. The day had been a very long one. He had been released from the Healers that afternoon, his leg still a little stiff and sore from the operation that finally repaired the damage done to it. He would have to be in physical therapy for some time, but the healers were confident that full use of it would return quickly. Kyran had been released just a few days before, his injuries completely healed. Qui-Gon thought back to the meeting with the Council that had been a mere hour after he'd been released from the Healers.

It could have gone much worse, Qui-Gon reflected. He was still on probation, as were Kyran and Devin. However, it was a much milder form than he had been given those many months ago. Basically, they were all required to check in with the Temple on a fairly regular basis when on a mission and remain in the Temple when they were not. He got the feeling that the probation was more to pacify the C?lasi government than anything else.

The Prime Minister had called for a far harsher punishment until the Council assured him that Gaikusan was going to be in the custody of the Jedi for a long, long time. After than, he was much more willing to accept having the Jedi take responsibility for punishing Qui-Gon, Kyran and Devin. Best of all, the Prime Minister had finally conceeded that perhaps there might have been an error in the identifing Qui-Gon as the assassin Duursema.

Kyran sighed. "Two ordeals down, the Healers and the Council. One to go."

"You're worse than Qui-Gon. The Soul Healers will do you both good." Devin said quietly.

Qui-Gon sighed at the idea of seeing a Soul Healer. He had agreed to it because the only way Kyran had agreed to go was if Qui-Gon went. He knew that the Soul Healers were there to help him, but a large part of him rebelled about revealing the details of all that he had experienced. A very private man, it had been hard enough to do with Kyran and Devin. Even harder to give the basic details to the Council, waiting for them to judge his worthiness to continue as a Jedi. Letting a near stranger that far into his inner thoughts . . .

Devin put a hand on Qui-Gon's arm sensing where his thoughts were going. "Qui-Gon, they're going to help you. It won't be as bad as you fear."

Qui-Gon frowned a little, Devin was ever the optimist. "I disagree, " he said swallowing a sip of tea. "It was hard enough letting you into my thoughts, let alone someone I don't even know."

"The soul healer won't judge you, Qui-Gon, not like the Council. She won't have any expectations or demands of you, like your friends do. She'll accept whatever you give. And most important, help you find your center again. You and Kyran both."

: Qui-Gon grimaced at that. He knew Devin was right. The past year and a half had left him unable to regain his center and he knew he needed help--he just didn't want it from the Soul Healer. He preferred someone he knew rather than an unknown stranger.

"Besides," Devin continued, "its not like it will be someone outside the Order. Its a fellow Jedi. The Healers will make sure you are matched with someone who will work well with you. They've been doing this for a long time."

"I suppose your right."

Kyran stood and stretched. His muscles were stiff from having been sitting for so long. He glanced at Qui-Gon when Qui-Gon didn't say anything

 

Yippee!!! Great totally great ending!!! Loved how it was Qui that brought Mr. 'G' to his knees! Ahhh he should have killed him! Grrrr! But yeah... if he had he wouldn't be the goodie loveable Qui we all know

Loved the second time that Qui was thinking of ending Mr. 'G' of his life. Great work on that!

And Master Yoda... yippee! The Council didn't slam the boys!

Great work! Excellent ending!!