#sith!tahl

Silently crying, Obi-Wan sat on his bed, with his legs crossed before him and the dead, truly dead body of Prancer, his pet resting in his lap. A shuddering breath escaped the ginger haired teenager and for a moment, his eyes blazed golden in rage. He had hated that boy since the day his father had brought him here. 

Obi-Wan sniffed and tried once again, to reanimate the dead Tooka once again. His mother had told him that the reanimation spell only worked ones… but he still had to try. Another wave of fresh tears escaped the teenager. He desperately wished his mother was here. She would know what to do… she wouldn’t have forgotten his birthday. But she was not here, she and Grandpa Yan were currently on a mission, retrieving something.

Gentle, Obi-Wan levitated the dead Tooka to the ground, where it remained without moving, just gone… dead. And such a pointless death, just because Anakin had been jealous, because he did not have a pet. Another wave of rage hit the young Sith and he fought to keep it down, he did not want to get his father’s attention. Then again, he would not get it anyway. No, Anakin Skywalker was the center of the long haired Sith’s attention, ever since he had brought the former slave with him from Tatooine. Obi-Wan wondered what his mother would have said to that, but she had already been gone at this point. 

For days it had gone like this. Anakin was getting all the attention and Qui-Gon had not even taken him to the animal market, like he had promised him weeks ago. It should have been his birthday present, a ‘real’ pet, meaning, a pet that was not dead. But perhaps it was for the better, otherwise would Anakin just kill it too in a fit of jealousy. And Qui-Gon had actually defended him, he had believed the tears face - that had obviously been a lie and complete fake - and said that it had been a mere accident. And he had said that Obi-Wan should not act like a little child, the Tooka had been dead long ago anyway. Needless to say, Obi-Wan had gone to his room and had not left ever since. 

The young Sith clenched his fists tightly on his lap and he was shaking. The dark side around him bubbled, but it was not fueling his anger, it was trying to comfort him. It helped, but just a little bit. It was more than he had gotten from his ‘father’, but was Qui-Gon still his father? Obi-Wan was not sure about it. It kind of felt like he had been replaced with a better model and it left him wondering if the older man had just picked him up all those years ago, because he had looked promising. And now that he had found Bratakin - that was Obi-Wan’s nickname for the unwanted intruder - who seemed even more promising, Qui-Gon had taken him in and forgotten about his first son.

Obi-Wan was surprised that he tasted blood, but then he realized that he had bitten his bottom lip. He spit it out, not caring that he had most likely ruined the carpet. It was not like anybody care. His mother would care, but again, she was not there.

Once again his eyes flashed golden, but this time, they stayed this way. Obi-Wan have had enough. He hated Anakin Skywalker, the feeling was mutual, from the very beginning. He had tried to be nice and understanding and all he had received from the blonde slave - that was all he would ever be in the ginger haired teenager’s eyes - was anger, hatred and jealousy. No more, Obi-Wan decided then and there.

He raised his right hand and made a few signs in the air. A green shimmering symbol appeared in the air. It was a simple triangle, whose tip was pointing upwards. It was the symbol for fire.* Not a moment later, the dead body caught flames. As if in trance, Obi-Wan watched how the greenish flames he had created with his Sith magic, consumed the dead Tooka until nothing remained, not even ash or the fire itself. He nodded to himself.

Then, the young Sith slid down from the bed and pulled a couple of bags from under it. It was either him or Bratakin and since his ‘father’ had already decided that Anakin was more important, Obi-Wan would go. With the use of the Force, he was directing a few possessions, mostly clothes, but also a few other things, into the bags. He would not stay in the same place that was home to Anakin Skywalker, only over his dead body. He may not be sure where he should go… though a few possibilities sprung to his mind.

Serenno was out, his Grandpa may be living there, but his mother or her husband would just come and get him then. With his uncle Cad was not possible either. He had to find the bounty hunter first and it was undoubtedly one of the addresses his mother would check first. She would most likely check with his uncle Hondo too, so Obi-Wan could not become a pirate either.

The teenager hummed in thought and watched how his clothes folded themselves and arranged themselves in the bag. He could always travel to Dathomir. Perhaps the Mother would even teach him a few new tricks. The Force swirled darkly around him and Obi-Wan knew, that he had found his way.

A firm knock startled the young Sith. A moment later the door opened and Qui-Gon stood in the threshold. It was typical for him to enter without waiting to be invited. Midnight blues eyes blinked in surprise. “What in the the name of Force are you doing?”

The lie came easily to his mind, “Just sorting through a few old things.”

The long haired man nodded. “Perfect, you can give what you don’t need, to Anakin.” Obi-Wan gritted his teeth and was glad that his back was turned towards the older man.

“Of course,” he said. He was going to burn everything that he would leave. Bratakin would NOT get anything more from him. He had already taken his only friends - Obi-Wan’s parents did not allow him to go out much, since the Jedi were a constant threat - he had taken his home and his family.

“Good. Dinner is ready.”

“I am not hungry,” was the automatic reply. It sounded very mechanic.

“Suit yourself.” The teenager listened how the door to his room was closed again. 

He had to sit down for a moment, but did not let go of the Force. His father had ALWAYS dragged him to dinner, unless he was sick, then he had made an exception sometimes. 

“He probably things I am still cross because of Prancer,” Obi-Wan mumbled to himself. “He is right, but I am not going anywhere near that bastard.” That and he truly was not hungry. After having to burn the body of his friend, his appetite had evaporated as well. Also, it would give him time to plot his escape. Though he suspected he could simply march out of the door when Qui-Gon was asleep and then take a transport of the planet. The older Sith would not notice anyway, perhaps around midday he would, but then Obi-Wan would be long gone. He let himself fall onto his mattress and looked at his ceiling. He should meditate. So Obi-Wan continued to stare at nothing in particular and he let the dark side flow through him.

He should have expected the boy to come sooner or later, but he didn’t. So the ginger haired teenager was surprised when the door to his room was opened a second time and with a loud bang. It had hit the wall.

He glared angrily at the arrogant boy, who stepped inside.

“I heard you’ve got something for me,” the blonde sneered and there was something in the brat’s eyes that Obi-Wan did not like.

“Get out of my room,” were Anakin clever, he would have noticed that the teenager’s voice was just a bit too calm and collected.

Anakin snorted, “So what is it?” His eyes turned to one of the lightsabers that still rested on Obi-Wan’s desk, the blonde’s intention was clear.

“Touch one and you find yourself in need of a new hand,” Obi-Wan threatened. He would not allow that damn thief to touch his lightsabers. The still new and shiny one, had been a birthday present from Yan. At least he had not forgotten Obi-Wan’s birthday. The other one, was the first that the teenager had ever made. He was still using it, though he wondered if he should switch to the new one or learn how to use two.

Out of instinct, the ginger haired Sith had called the weapons to his hand and not a moment too soon. Otherwise, Anakin would have undoubtedly taken one.

“Get. Out. Of. My. Room.” The older male repeated, in a dangerous tone.

“Or what?” challenged the intruder. “Are you going to hurt me? I will run to Dad then and I know he will believe me. What would happen to you then?” There was an ugly smirk on his features. 

That was it, Obi-Wan stood up from his bed and came dangerously close to the blonde. There was a flicker of uncertainty in the younger male’s eyes. “Who said that you were able to run, when I am finished with you?”

“I… I tell Dad.” His voice was quivering, he was obviously not used to Obi-Wan fighting back. But the teenager had have enough. He would cover and submit anymore, he would fight.

“Don’t tempt me,” he warned. Anakin audible swallowed, his eyes wide in fear and his body shaking. “Now, get out.” 

The blonde turned tail and vanished. Obi-Wan did not care, if he told Qui-Gon. He would leave this night, that was clear. He would go to Dathomir, become the greatest Sith in history, or at least a better one than Bratakin, and then he would kill the blonde. He would take his revenge, Anakin will die, by his hand…

Obi-Wan silently gazed out of the window into the endlessness of the galaxy. Stars were rapidly flying by, but that was to be expected, they were travelling in hyperspace after all. A bit more than half the way, was already behind him and by the time Qui-Gon MIGHT notice that he was missing, he would have reached his goal. Obi-Wan nodded. This was the path the Force send him on, he would not disappoint it…

*For those who are wondering, I am describing an alchemical rune. ^^

Also, decided to bring the plot a little further…

I just want to quickly say that I LOVED this prompt. Thank you for sending it to me. ^^

“Obi-WanKenobi, hand it over to me this instance,” the voice of Tahl rang through theapartment.

Qui-Gonflinched inwardly. When his wife used this particular tone, it meant bigtrouble and if Obi-Wan was wise, then he would do as the woman asked.

“No,”another voice sounded. It belonged to a young boy with copper hair and everchanging blue-green eyes.

“This isnot open for discussion young man, give it to me NOW,” her tone was irritatedand it held no room for argument. The bearded male knew that his darker skinnedwife was reaching the end of her patience.

“Obi-Wan,”Qui-Gon decided to step in, before things could get out of hand. “listen toyour mother.”

Displeasureand defiance resonated in the Force and there was no doubt from where it came.But if Obi-Wan reacted like this, because of the fact that he was supposed tohand over whatever he was holding or because Qui-Gon had referred to theNoorian as his mother, was not clear.

Obi-Wan andTahl did not get along quite as well as the long haired Sith hoped. He didn’tknow why though, since the young one had absolutely no problem with calling him‘Dad’ or ‘Daddy’, while he completely refused to call Tahl ‘Mom’ or ‘Mommy’.Perhaps it was due to the fact that Qui-Gon had already bonded with Obi-Wan,before he had adopted the young orphan, or perhaps it was due to the time theyhad already spent together or perhaps it was simply the fact that the beardedmale was simply not as serious and strict as his wife. Whatever the reason,Obi-Wan had apparently made his decision and he was stubbornly defending itfrom the looks of it.

“But youpromised,” whined the boy.

That caughtQui-Gon’s complete attention. He actually put aside the datapad and stood up towalk into the living room, where his small family currently was. Upon entering,Qui-Gon was immediately greeted by the – in his opinion – most beautifulblue-green eyes in the galaxy. He bent down and opened his arms in a silentinvitation and of course Obi-Wan followed it immediately. The older male pickedhis son up, without any effort.

“Daddy,”Obi-Wan said and snuggled closer to the tall man, “you promised.”“Qui-Gon,” she sent a skeptical look his way.

The tallmale only noticed the lightsaber his young one was clutching now. When he hadfirst met the small and dirty orphan boy, it had been on a planet calledStewjon, on which Qui-Gon had been attacked by a Jedi pair, two Knights. TheSith had not been at his best at that time, still recovering from an illness,and he had truly struggled against the two Knights. Out of a sudden, a young gingerhaired boy had appeared and run between their legs, distracting both Knightslong enough for Qui-Gon to kill them. When the tall male had turned to theintruder, the boy had actually smiled at him and later on, he had told him thathe had simply followed this fuzzy and farm feeling. Qui-Gon had not known aboutthe bond that had started to form between them at this point, but he had soondiscovered it and without a second thought, he had brought Obi-Wan Kenobi backhome with him. Qui-Gon had also gifted his son one of the Jedis’ lightsaber, ithad been a well earned trophy.

“I did,didn’t I?” the boy nodded against his neck, “Well, allow your Daddy to finishreading the report, it will only take a couple of minutes, and then I willteach you how to use that lightsaber of yours.”

Blue-greeneyes beamed up at him. “Alright.”

“Definitelynot,” Tahl cut in. “You cannot truly consider teaching him. He is too small andtoo young. Besides, he cannot even properly meditate yet.”

Qui-Gon’seyes narrowed dangerously at that and their blue color turned into a dirtygreen, but they did not yet change to yellow. “Obi-Wan, please go to your room,the adults need to talk.”

Obi-Wanshook his head and a smug expression appeared on the female Sith’s features andshe opened her mouth to gave her husband a sarcastic reply, but the child beather to it. “Can’t, I’m being held.”

Qui-Gonblinked, before he laughed. “You little devil.” He sat his charge, who gave hima toothy and cheeky grin, down on the ground. “Now off with you,” he swattedthe young one’s backside gently and mockingly and Obi-Wan finally did as he wastold.

When he wassure that his little one truly was in his room, did Qui-Gon straighten to hisfull height. He crossed his arms over his chest and gazed down at the woman infront of him with barely concealed anger.

“I DOconsider training him and just so you know, Obi-Wan is excellent in ALL hisstudies, including meditation. “

“During histraining with me, he did not excel in anything,” she replied stubbornly, handson her hips and her tone defiant.

“If you areanything like this during his training, then I am not surprised. With yourconstant nagging and disapproval, I would not try to impress you either,” hesnapped right back.

Hergold-green striped eyes turned yellow now too, “Why am I even bothering withyou? You are not even listening anyway and of course I am always wrong in youropinion!”

That was enoughfor the Sith. “What is your damn problem, woman?” he had asked louder than heintended.

“Myproblem?!” she said almost hysterical, “My problem is that you brought astrange child back home, without deeming it necessary to tell and inform mefirst. I am sick of you making all the decisions, without even caring for myopinion. And I am sick of a child that obviously hates me. And YOU, you don’teven spent time with me anymore. You are either reading those old reports ofyour former Master or you spent the whole day with that boy…” Qui-Gon washorrified to see that tears were trailing down her cheeks. “If I am just herefor creating plans against the Jedi Order, you can be assured. The plans areready and you can infiltrate the temple whenever you like, just don’t count mein. Then again, you probably had not done so in the first place, I am seeminglyjust a superfluous burden to you anyway.”

“Tahl,” hesaid, all his ire had evaporated at the sight of his distraught and cryingwife. He stepped forward and reached out to her.

“Don’ttouch me,” she cried and stepped away from him.

“Beloved,”he tried again.

“Don’t callme that! Just… just leave me alone,” she turned away from her husband and lefthim standing in the middle of the living room, with his arm still outstretched.

The tallSith sighed and looked at the spot on which Tahl had previously stood. He hadnot known that the whole affair was bothering her so deeply. If was probablyfueled by the fact that she could not bear children herself, due to an unfortunaterun in with a Jedi Master. He felt guilty. Of course he should have spoken withher first, before bringing Obi-Wan, he knew that she would not have said ‘no’,not when one of her biggest wishes was, to have a child of her own.

Qui-Gon’sshoulders slumped and he trotted slowly to his little one’s bedroom. He justhoped that Obi-Wan would understand that his mind was too occupied for trainingnow.

Tahl wassitting outside on the balcony of their shared apartment. Her gold-greenstriped eyes were directed at the horizon, but not looking as anything inparticular. She was just glad that she had been able to convince Qui-Gon – it hadnot been THAT hard to convince him actually – that they should move to Naboo.The planet was beautiful and peaceful and far enough away from Coruscant sothat the Jedi would not immediately spot them.

She sighedand pulled her legs against her chest, before wrapping her arms around them andputting her chin on top of her knees. She felt absolutely miserable. She hadn’tintended to reveal her true feelings, but somehow had anger made her tonguelose and she had spilled everything that had been bottled up inside of her forweeks now. Tahl didn’t want her husband’s pity and she didn’t want his attemptsof help. Either she could do things on her own, or she couldn’t, but her prideusually had no room for any source of outside help.

The darkerskinned female sighed and wiped at her face with the sleeve of her thin robe.She felt another presence carefully and hesitantly join her. It was notQui-Gon, the man would have come marching right out, but the Force presencethat HAD joined her, was testing the waters and was more tactful than that.

“What can Ido for you Obi-Wan? Shouldn’t you be sparring with Qui-Gon?” she refused tocall the man ‘Daddy’ right now, she was still too mad and jealous.

Obi-Wanstepped out as well. “Dad said that he is not concentrated enough to teach me.”She mentally huffed, that was a typical Qui-Gon Jinn excuse.

“I don’tthink I am the best companion either,” she answered bitterly.

“You aresad,” he took another step forward.

“Why areyou here?”

“You aresad,” he repeated as if it explained everything and it probably did in hismind. Tahl did not reply anything and for a moment the young child simply stoodnext to her, awkwardly shifting from one foot to the other. He was also playingwith the hem of his shirt. “Can I tell you a secret?”

The youngSith was surprised at the question and she decided to counter it with one ofher own. “Did Qui-Gon send you?”

“No,” heanswered and there was only honesty in his voice. With a sigh she motioned forhim to tell what was on his heart. “… I… I know my mother,” shocked gold-greeneyes locked on the boy, who was looking at his feet.

“You do?”

The gingerhaired boy nodded his head, “She was always yelling at me… hitting me orthrowing things at me. I… I was afraid of her, I hated her and… and one day I ranaway. The police caught me… but she said she didn’t know me… she abandoned me,threw me away.” His blue-green eyes were suspiciously wet.

Out ofinstinct did the female open her arms and Obi-Wan dashed forward and clutchedher robes tightly, silently crying into her shoulder. A knot loosened in Tahl’sstomach. It had all been one huge misunderstanding. It had never been a ‘I don’twant you to be my mother’, but a ‘I don’t want you to be LIKE my mother’. Itexplained so much, his reluctance of spending alone time with her, the ‘bad’training and the refusal to call her ‘Mom’.

The longhaired female let the young boy cry his heart out. She held him tightly againsther chest and was rocking forth and back to calm him down a little.

When he hadcalmed down a bit, she spoke up. “Shall I tell you a secret too?”

He noddedand Tahl smiled encouragingly and gently down at him.

“That woman…she wasn’t your mother,” she shook her head and hesitated for a moment beforeadding, “I am your mother. She was just… your carrier.”

“Carrier?”

“You know,she gave birth to you. She… she is your biological mother, but I am your realone.”

“You won’tabandon me?”

“Of coursenot,” she made sure to send tons of love his way, because she knew that the simplequestion had meant so much more. “You are my little light, aren’t you? Howcould I hurt you?”

A waterysmile was the only answer she needed. Nevertheless did Obi-Wan snuggle againsther again and he whispered, “Love you… Mommy.”

Tahl closedher eyes and let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. This was all sheever wanted, a child that truly loved her like a mother. “You are not mad thatI keep nagging and scolding you?”

Obi-Wanshook his head, “You do that to Daddy too and I now you like him very much.” Shehad to smile at his logic.

Mother andson continued to sit on the balcony in silence. Tahl had wrapped her robe aroundthe smaller frame at some point, worrying that he might catch a cold in thefresh afternoon air of Naboo.

The two hadcompletely lost track of time and were surprised to see that the sky hadalready turned pitch black and the stars had already come out of their hidingplaces. At this point, Obi-Wan was halfway asleep in the older Force user’slap, but Tahl didn’t mind. She enjoyed the time with her little one, for sheknew now that Obi-Wan was not only Qui-Gon’s, but hers as well.

An addedweight on her narrow shoulders made Tahl flinch. Surprised and startled, shelooked up and found herself looking into compassionate and apologetic midnightblue eyes. The long haired male had brought a couple of blankets with him andone was already draped over his wife.

“You cansit… if you want,” Tahl said and Qui-Gon hastily complied.

The tallmale raised his arm and Tahl scooped closer, allowing him to put his arm aroundher shoulders. They moved the sleepy boy so, that he was between his parents,before putting another blanket on top of him. Qui-Gon put a kiss on top of hisboy’s hair and Tahl had her arm wrapped around him. To an outsider, they wouldhave looked like the perfect little family.

Yet bothadults knew that there were still matters between them that would need to bediscussed at some point. But when midnight blue met gold-green, those matterscould wait till tomorrow. Instead the two adults leaned closer to each otherand shared an apologetic kiss.

“I loveyou,” whispered Qui-Gon.

Tahlnodded, “And only the Force knows why, but I love you too, you big oaf.”

“Tell me again, who we have.” Qui-Gon requested. He wanted their plan to work and therefore they needed the best of the best.

The Noorian searched in her documents before answering. “Well, there would be Embo, a male Kyuzo bounty hunter. Next on the list is Jango Fett, you know, the one who is wearing blue and white Mandalorian armor.” 

The long haired Sith hummed in thought and nodded his approval. “Go on.”

 “We have Bossk and Aurra Sing,” she was interrupted by her husband.

“Definitely not. I cannot stand her… aura and her minion is just as bad.”

“She has talent though,” Tahl protested, but a look in her husband’s eyes told her everything she needed to know. Qui-Gon did not trust her, not at all and since he was a Master of the Living Force, she would trust his judgement. “Alright, I will scratch her from the list. In this case… only one remains… Cad Bane.”

“The Duros with the strange hat?” Qui-Gon asked and got a nod as an answer. He hummed. “I am not sure about him either. he is the best no doubt, but I cannot assess his character and loyalty.”

“Shall we remove him from the list as well?” Tahl asked.

The older male seemed to ponder with himself on this one. Everybody knew Cad Bane, the man was a living legend. But Qui-Gon was unsure. “I don’t know… perhaps…” he did not come further, because he was interrupted by a frightened scream that sounded as if it had come from a young boy.

Immediately the two Sith threw away whatever they were holding. Tahl jumped up from her place on the kitchen counter, while Qui-Gon was already halfway out of the door. They had been so engrossed in their work that they had forgotten the time and not noticed when Obi-Wan had awoken and undoubtedly wandered around in search for them. Qui-Gon silently cursed, he should have thrown the bounty hunters out.

The Sith had their lightsabers already activated and raised when they entered the living room, ready to attack and kill everything and everybody that was threatening their precious son. Yet upon entering, they froze. Instead of a frightened boy in danger, they were greeted by Obi-Wan sitting on the blue Duros’ lap, leaning against the bounty hunter’s chest, who was casually playing with his blaster. Around the pair that was lounging on the coach, laid an unconscious Bossk and a cursing Aurra Sing. Qui-Gon’s eyes narrowed dangerously at the two bounty hunter on the ground. He immediately knew what had happened here.

The Sith Lord stepped forward, deactivating his deadly blade, Tahl would take care of Sing and her mindless minion. Almost immediately, ever changing blue green eyes settled on him.

“Daddy,” the young boy exclaimed happily, but he made no move to further greet him. He seemed content on Bane’s lap, who was putting a toothpick in his mouth. “Uncle Cad took care of the evil ones.”

The Sith Lord raised and eyebrow and his gaze locked with the Duros’, who shrugged lazily. “That kid is yours, ain’t he? Makes him part of the deal.”

An amused huff escaped Qui-Gon and he slowly allowed his yellow eyes to return to their blue color. Obi-Wan was an even better judge of character than he was, and since the ginger haired boy seemed so content with Bane, it put him on ease too. Qui-Gon had also made up his mind, Cad Bane would be part of their team, he would most likely lead it even.

“Mommy?” Obi-Wan looked over to his mother, who briefly stopped dealing with the unwanted bounty hunters.

“Yes dear?” her tone was sweet. She only used that voice with Obi-Wan.

“Can Uncle Cad stay for dinner.”

The Duros’ surprise was only briefly prominent in the Force, the man’s face showed no emotions, not even when he looked down at the trusting boy in his lap.

“Of course he can,” Tahl said and she actually smiled openly at the bounty hunter, who looked like he did not understand a thing. He probably didn’t, but he was wise enough, not to ask a question. Also, he seemed to have accepted his fate of being the young Sith’s uncle, not that he had another option to begin with. Obi-Wan was very stubborn.

“He needs someone like me,” Tahl Jinn stated and there was no room for argument in her voice. Her point had been made, her opinion was given and she would refuse to listen to anybody, who was against it.

Luckily, Qui-Gon more or less agreed. “Yes dear one, but PLEASE, would you sit down?” He hated it, when her frantic pacing disturbed the Living Force and therefore his peace.

Reluctantly the Noorian lowered herself onto the couch next to her husband, who draped an arm over her in an attempt to still her movements. She was literally vibrating under his touch.

“What qualities does she need?” she sounded genuinely interested and somehow the long haired Sith knew that he would not get any work done this evening.

He barely suppressed a sigh and put away the datapad he was holding. “He needs someone, who can keep up with him,” he offered.

Tahl nodded. “Our son needs someone, who can keep him settled, someone who can entertain him, but also tell him what to do in certain times.”

“Someone stubborn, just like him,” he added.

“Yes, but she should be handsome too, I do not want to have ugly grandchildren.”

Qui-Gon couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Beloved, as long as he is happy and she fulfills all the other criteria,” he had quickly added the last part, “she can be a Hutt for all I care.”

A disgusted look appeared on the female’s features and Qui-Gon could have sworn that her dark skin turned slightly green. “You cannot be serious?!” she was beyond scandalized.

“I admit that this was a drastic example,” he cleared his throat. In all honesty, he did not want to have a Hutt in the family either. “My point is that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.”

“I am glad that he has a good taste then,” Tahl mumbled and the Sith Lord could only nod in agreement.

A few minutes the living room was silent. The only sounds came from the ticking clock - a gift that Obi-Wan had bought them after his latest mission - and the sound of breathing. 

Then Tahl opened her mouth again, just as Qui-Gon was about to call the datapad back to his hand with the aid of the Force. “So… who would be a suitable candidate?”

Midnight blue eyes closed in annoyance and he sent a silent prayer to the Force. “I don’t know beloved.”

She made a humming sound. “Certainly not Assajj, the two would kill each other before the day is over.”

“You mean that Obi-Wan will kill Assajj,” his son would most certainly NOT be beaten and killed by that lowly Sith assassin. He had not spent about twenty years fostering, training and feeding his ginger haired brat so that he was not even able to kill the bald woman that Dooku called his apprentice. 

“What about Padme? The two know and like each other, don’t they?”

“She is too young,” reminded the long haired Sith his wife.

“True, well how about…” she could not offer a third option, for just in this moment, Obi-Wan’s Force presence greeted his parents’. A moment later, the door to their home was opened.

“He is not alone,” whispered Qui-Gon.

“Mom? Dad?” called an accented voice. Tahl had been adamant about her son’s cute accent and she had not allowed Qui-Gon OR Dooku to train it out of him.

“In the living room,” called the bearded male right back. 

Shuffling could be heard from the hallway and a moment later, a certain ginger haired Sith appeared and behind him - holding tightly onto his right hand - stood a blonde female.

“Mom, Dad, this is Satine Kryze, duchess from Mandalore,” he started to introduce. “Satine, these are my parents.”

“It is an honor Mister Jinn and Misses Jinn,” she made a small curtsy and Tahl was obviously impressed.

“Duchess,” Qui-Gon had stood up and bowed lowly, Tahl was following half a second too late. Satine did not seem too bothered by it.

“Please, just call me Satine,” said the blonde. Obi-Wan smiled reassuringly at her and she took comfort from it.

“Only when you call me Qui-Gon.”

“And me Tahl.”

“It would be my pleasure,” she smiled warmly at the older female.

Tahl let her gold-green eyes roam over the blonde and she could feel Qui-Gon doing the same with the Living Force. The way she stood close to Obi-Wan and the way the ginger haired male told the two adults that they knew each other for a longer period of time. Most likely longer than Obi-Wan would ever admit.

“Why don’t we sit down, I can make tea,” offer the long haired Sith.

“Oh,” the guest spoke up, “I would LOVE to, but I am afraid that I only came to briefly introduce myself.”

“Satine had to return to Mandalore, for a diplomatic mission. I will accompany there.” Obi-Wan added. 

For the briefest of seconds the air around the young Sith changed and his eyes became warning and he DARED his parents to ruin THIS one, like they had done with previous relationships they had disapproved of.

“It was a pleasure making your acquaintance Satine,” again Qui-Gon bowed his head. This was already way too formal for his liking and he hoped that their future meetings would be more relaxed.

When the two young people had left again, Qui-Gon fell back onto the couch. He chuckled. “I can still feel her fierce and strong and stubborn spirit, our son will certainly have his hands full with her.”

Tahl hummed in agreement and settled on her husband’s lap, cuddling close to his chest. “I approve, she can hold him on a tight leash, I am sure of it.”

“And she DOES look good.”

The female Sith chuckled. “You are aware that we have to interfere.”

Midnight blue eyes widened. “Yes, otherwise we will NEVER have grandchildren.”

The two dark side users shared a merry laugh, the female of them was already thinking about possible ways to make sure that Satine Kryze would stay. But before that, she would have to make a background check on the duchess, just to be sure. 

“You are aware that he intended for it to look as a sign of rebellion.”

“Of course I did, I am not blind,” she huffed amused, “It is real this time, not just something to kill time.”

“No,” he hesitated, “they remind me of us.”

Tahl was drowsing happily against her husband. They were not actually wed yet, only betrothed but it still counted. Of course they could not display their rings openly, it was not the Jedi way - not that Tahl particularly cared, but she did not want to cause her beloved more trouble than he usually had - and so they wore their rings on a stabile leather band around their necks, close to their hearts.Qui-Gon was silently reading the mission report, the young Sith had already done so, she was always prepared. A yawn made it passed her lips and she moved until she was more comfortable snuggled against the tall and long haired man. A heavy arm was draped over her form and a gentle kiss pressed against her brow.

“We are almost there,” a deep baritone said, barely above a whisper, in case his beloved was still asleep. 

She wasn’t. “About time,” yet she made no move to rise from her position, not that the male minded. They would be separated soon enough.

Qui-Gon silently vowed to NEVER again take a mission that had previously been assigned to Mace Windu. There was a reason why a Vaapaduser and a Council member had been assigned these ‘harmless negotiation mission’ - as the Council had called it - and not mere Knights. Granted, Qui-Gon was no Knight, he was a Master, but he was also a maverick. And he would NEVER help Mace out, never again.

Sea blue eyes briefly glanced towards the female, who was fighting bravely against the incoming warriors from the tribe that had refused the Jedis’ help from the very beginning. It should not have surprised him that they were now ambushed. In all honesty, the tribe was not interested in peace and negotiation either, it had only ‘agreed’ in hope of extinguishing its concurrence. A pity that Tahl and Qui-Gon were there to stop them.

An angry cry escaped the Noorian and once more the long haired Jedi found his attention on his partner. Something was wrong with the female, he could feel it in the dark aura that was beginning to surround her. Also, the Tahl he had gotten to know, would never have yelled like this, it was simply not who she was. 

Their gazes met and Qui-Gon gasped in shock, when he saw that his partner’s eyes had changed from their usual green-gold striped color, to a sithly yellow.

“What the kriff?” he asked aloud and did not notice the enemy creeping up behind him.

Yellow eyes widened, “Qui, watch out! Behind you!”

Only barely was he able to raise his lightsaber in time to block the laser, but the warrior was so close, that he collided with the Jedi and brought him down with him. Qui-Gon now found himself with a blade to his throat and his hand grabbing the wrist of the man kneeling above him, desperately trying to stop him from cutting open his throat.

Qui-Gon and his opponent wrestled for a few moments. Neither male would get the upper hand, but it was clear that the tall Jedi was at a great disadvantage. Other enemies were quickly approaching and he had no real chance of defending himself now. He silently cursed, he couldn’t leave Tahl to fend all on her own.

A ripple of pain resonated in the Force and the Jedi knew immediately that it had come from Tahl. She was wounded, but it had not felt severely. What had happened. 

“Pradzia minions ir serve tu'iea mistress.” Strange and foreign words were spoken by the female and Qui-Gon would have furrowed his brow, were he not fighting for his life.

“”Daboti kam kash manosi.”

Again the Force shook mysteriously and the ground began to vibrate. The tall male feared for his neck, but then something arose from the earth to his right and it gripped the enemy and brought him down. Other seemingly living things were emerging from the earth and attacking the warriors, but the Jedi only had eyes for his partner, whose hand was bleeding. Tahl had cut herself and a sudden realization his Qui-Gon. His soon to be wife was a Sith witch, there was no other way she could have done this.

An amused huff escaped him and bearded features smiled at the fidgeting female. Oddly enough, he did not care…

Translation: (Sith language)

Pradzia minions ir serve tu'iea mistress - Rise minions and serve your mistress.