Rating PG
Disclaimer: The characters and venue of Star Wars belongs to Lucas Films Limited. I receive no profit from this story or its distribution.

Part Six

Qui-Gon had been traveling hard all day long. The only times he had stopped were to contact the Force to see if there was anything else he could determine about his padawan. For most of the day he had not sensed much, just that Obi-Wan was still there in the Force. However, later in the day he began to sense very strong feelings from the apprentice. Very strong negative feelings. He didn't try to intrude upon them, but merely sensed them and studied them. He was convinced Obi-Wan was on this planet and that he wasn't far away. Thus, he began to travel more carefully, looking out for signs that any person had been along this path.

****

Obi-Wan had moved little the entire morning. Finally he decided painful or not, he needed to get up and move around to work some of the stiffness from his body. The apprentice realized his mistake of not getting up earlier. Even if he had not traveled during the morning, he should have at least moved around. His muscles were taut and unyielding. Oh so slowly he began to flex his arms, gently bending each joint and gingerly rubbing the swollen areas. Gradually, deliberately, movement began to return. Then Obi-Wan began moving and massaging his legs. It was painful because of his injuries, but it was painful not to do it also. Silently he cursed his stupidity for allowing himself to get caught in this situation.

When at last Obi-Wan was able to get his feet under him, he rose using handholds on the rocks around him. He walked back and forth a few times. Frustrated at himself for his lack of foresight, for sinking into self-pity and for wasting a large part of the day, he decided to set out. Yes, it was late in the day, after midday. However, he now had gotten back at least a modicum of determination and not willing to let it go he determined to make some progress.

What the padawan was not able to see as he set forth on the trail was a speeder parked atop a ridge at the very edge of his range of vision and the tall man standing next to it.

Qui-Gon was scanning the area with the electrobinoculars that he had found in the speeder. Suddenly he spotted movement and trained the instrument on it. Is it? Yes! It's Obi-Wan! He leapt into the speeder and pointed it in the direction of the path his apprentice was following. As he traveled, the master reached out to touch Obi-Wan's thoughts--to let him know he'd been found.

Obi-Wan became aware of the presence in his mind again. No! Not again! What is happening? He clamped his hands on his aching head and tried to over ride the intruding thoughts. That's when he saw it--a speeder coming his way. Somehow he knew that what was going on in his head was related to the man in the speeder. All kinds of thoughts flashed through his head--speculations about the man and why he was torturing him this way. But one thought came to the forefront--this situation represented danger to him. He turned and tried to run back to the cave that he had spent the night in. It was the only shelter he had and it was better than being out here exposed this way.

Limping and stumbling and blinded by the pain of the sudden movement, the apprentice practically threw himself into the cleft. If only he had something to defend himself. Remembering the metal cylinder attached to his belt, he freed it and ignited it...waiting...waiting.

Qui-Gon had seen the whole thing...Obi-Wan grasping his head, then his flight to the cave. He was confused by that and the fact that his attempts to link with Obi-Wan through the force were apparently being ignored. He was getting more and more concerned about his padawan.

The Jedi stopped the vehicle some distance from the crevice that Obi-Wan had disappeared into. Obviously he was upset and Qui-Gon didn't want to startle him further. Exiting the speeder he called out, "Obi-Wan! Obi-Wan! It's me, Qui-Gon!"

The apprentice was crouched just inside the opening and watching the figure intently. The words he heard meant nothing to him. He wondered who this Qui-Gon character was looking for. Was it him? He had sensed that whatever was going on in his head was related to this man. But he wasn't happy about someone messing around in his head. Mind control--was it some form of mind control? The more thoughts raced through his head, the more suspicious he became of the tall dark figure.

Qui-Gon could sense waves of fear coming from his padawan. He didn't understand why Obi-Wan wouldn't answer and why he was so afraid. Even if he were hurt--why would he be afraid of his master? The man who had raised and trained him all these years. Qui-Gon gently tried once more to reach out to Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan. It's all right. It's me, Qui-Gon. I'm here to help you. Obi-Wan recoiled at the intruding thoughts. No! No, you're not here to help me he thought to himself-but his master sensed those thoughts. More and more confused, Qui-Gon tried once more to soothe the apprentice. He thought back to times in the past when Obi-Wan had been upset. What had calmed him the most?

Obi-Wan, it's me, your master. It's time to concentrate. It's time to work on reaching the force. Remember what I taught you? Qui-Gon realized he was talking to him as if he were the timid thirteen year old he had first become acquainted with; however, he decided in this unknown situation that he needed to be as unthreatening and gentle as was possible. Remember? You have to relax and breathe deeply. In and out, in and out.

But no matter how sedate Qui-Gon tried to be, it wasn't working. First, Obi-Wan had no memory of his master or their past together, and he was horrified at someone else being in his head--no matter how nice the words sounded. He tried to concentrate on his environment to keep from being taken in by what he was hearing. The apprentice was looking for some way to escape. He had no idea where he would go or how he would get there--as banged up as he was--but he was not going to just sit here and let this happen. The figure was still some distance from the cave entrance. Obi-Wan thought that if he could get out of the cave, he might be able to disappear behind some of these boulders before the man could get over to him. He knew it was far fetched thinking. He was beat up and couldn't hope to outrun the man, but maybe he could hide from him for awhile. He had to try something.

Obi-Wan exited the cleft and hobbled to a large boulder to his left. He began looking frantically for his next destination while trying to keep an eye on that speeder and its cargo. Behind him was one of the many breaks in the hill line that he had noticed while following the hills on his journey. It crested in a lower elevation than the bluff and Obi-Wan thought that maybe he could make it over. So he began to edge his way up the rise, all the while looking back over his shoulder. The imagined attacker was not following him. He didn't understand why not--but he didn't have time to ponder it. Just go he told himself.

The Jedi master watched in utter confusion as his apprentice tried to climb the knoll. He could still feel the waves of fear coming at him from Obi-Wan. It began to dawn on him that it wasn't only fright that was driving Obi-Wan. No matter how Qui-Gon tried to approach his padawan, he was reacting in terror. Doesn't he recognize me? What has happened to him? He won't communicate with me. He acts like I'm his enemy.

It was with great pain that the apprentice tried to climb. His body screamed out its displeasure at the demands being placed on it. But Obi-Wan's fear over came the pain and he kept climbing. Grabbing for handholds and watching each ledge his foot landed on, the only thing on his mind was reaching the top. Glancing over his shoulder, he was again surprised that his pursuer wasn't following. That glimpse was a costly one, however. Obi-Wan stepped on some loose rock that escaped his notice in that second and his foot slipped from the shelf. He had been in the process of shifting his weight to that foot, so there was no way he could catch himself once his fall began. He hit the rocky side of the hillock and began tumbling down and down. The only saving grace was that he had not been very far up the hill. Once at the bottom he rolled a few times until his momentum was spent and came to rest on his side near the boulder that he had been hiding behind. The padawan's pains were renewed with the impact against the stones and scree along the knoll's bare side. He was in agony. New abrasions and bruising on top of the old ones. He didn't move. It hurt so bad he didn't want to even breath, so he took shallow gulps of air as he tried to regain himself.

Qui-Gon had watched in horror as his padawan had plummeted down the rocky surface. He knew Obi-Wan was already injured and he recoiled as he imagined what further damage was being done by the descent. He began to run toward the injured young man.

Obi-Wan saw the mysterious man coming his way. There--there was that weapon, just in his reach. He grabbed the saber and ignited it, holding it arm's length.

Qui-Gon stopped in his tracks. "Obi-Wan. Don't be afraid. Don't you recognize me? I just want to help you. Even if you don't know me just let me help you. You need attention."

"Stay where you are. I'm not helpless yet and I'll use this if you come near me. I will, I promise it."

"Ok, Ok. I'll stay where I am. I don't intend you any harm. I just want to help you."

"Is that why you've been trying to work your mind control on me? Because you want to help me? I don't need that kind of help. Stay back."

Obi-Wan slowly and with great agony pushed himself into a sitting position. He wasn't sure exactly what was wrong but he knew that he had hurt his left arm in some way in the fall. So now he was even more vulnerable. But he had to get up, to get out of here. He held the light saber up again, pointing toward the other man.

"Get back. Step back further. Go on."

Qui-Gon obeyed as his mind raced for what to do now. He knew he could help Obi-Wan but how was he going to get his padawan to trust him?

Meanwhile, Obi-Wan was very deliberately and tentatively trying to get to his feet. He had managed to get his feet under him but as he tried to stand a stabbing pain ran through his torso and he doubled over. Instinctively Qui-Gon started toward his learner to help him--but Obi-Wan jerked the light saber back up.

"I told you to stay back." He leaned against the boulder and tried to slow his ragged breathing. After a minute or so he was able to stand somewhat upright. He walked around to the right; giving Qui-Gon a wide berth and holding the weapon between him and the Jedi at all times.