Disclaimer: All belongs to the great and powerful Mouse.

A/N: Here's chapter thirty and the very end... or is it? Actually, as this story developed it went from my original plan of a stand alone short story (yeah that totally didn't work) to what turned out to be a book that I'm making into a series. Undone is actually going to be book two in this series I've decided to call The Force of Providence so my next major project will be working on book one (tentatively entitled Bound), then three, four, etc. In the meantime, however, I have a truly short piece that is in its last chapter already that I will be posting while I work on book one. That will hopefully serve to appease your appetites while you wait. Thank you one and all for the wonderful comments, constructive criticisms, compliments, and kicks in the butt! I hope that you have truly loved reading this as much as I have loved writing it. Enjoy!

A/N 2: Italics indicate emphasis, visions, personal thoughts and flashbacks. Context should illustrate which device is being used. / / indicates mindspeak.

Thanks:

Capurnia: I'm so glad you have enjoyed it. I hope you are as excited as I am for the stories I hope are to come!

Guest: Thanks!

Please R&R!

Chapter 30 – Mortal Coils

Day 157

The blade was falling, its arc marked by a blur of crimson, its destination inevitable. Obi-Wan stared mutely at his own end coming by the saber that had trapped him, tormented him, marked him. He waited only for that eternal moment. There was no escape for him this time, yet even as he thought those last thoughts a voice rang out through the open air.

"Obi-Wan, no!"

Horror, prolific, and unimaginable.

A body blocked the path of the deadly blade's arc. A body protected him, sacrificed itself, its skin, its blood, its pain. There was a hiss. The smell of ozone and burnt flesh. Obi-Wan's stomach turned as the pungent odor assailed his nostrils. The body slumped forward towards him falling limply, letting gravity have its will, but not before he saw them. Two blue eyes stared at him accusingly then eyelids fluttered shut never to be opened again.

"Master..." he whimpered, but he was not heard for no voice could reach the dead.

"Do you see now, little Jedi? Do you see how worthless you are? You let your master die. Who will want you now?"

"I'm sorry, Master. I'm so sorry... please... please don't go... don't leave me... Master! Master!"

"Master!" Obi-Wan yelled his body rocketing off the soft pillows of his bed. Instantly he felt a small hand upon his chest lightly pushing him back down, his own body too tired, too weak and wrung out to resist even this slight touch. A low keening wail escaped his lips.

"Master..."

"Easy, young one," a familiar voice cooed. "Safe you are. Rest now you must."

Obi-Wan turned his head to the soothing tones and found a pair of gimlet eyes staring at him.

"My fault..." he muttered. "My master is dead and it's my fault," he whispered his insides turning cold and his short limbs trembling. A wave of comfort and calm pushed into him from a warm spot under the hand on his chest.

"Your fault nothing is. Calm you must be," Yoda ordered serenely, his touch and presence still working to soothe the young Jedi, but Obi-Wan was not soothed. He was not calm. How could he be? His master...

"But... my master..."

"Dead Qui-Gon is not. Saved him you did."

"But..."

"Sssh," Yoda interrupted. "Explained things will be, but now rest you should. Yes, sleep, young one. All will be well again," the ancient master spoke warmly. Obi-Wan wanted to trust the wizened master, but his heart still ached with questions and uncertainties. He felt the push of the master's Force suggestion and he was unable to fight it. All too soon he was drifting back into the darkness of sleep, but this time, thankfully, he didn't dream.

"Shall we wait for Master Yoda?" Master Mundi asked quietly, his cultured tones ringing in the large Council chambers. Master Gallia shook her head, her headdress swaying rhythmically from the gesture.

"No," she answered her expression somber, her usually melodic voice tinted with sorrow. "He intends to stay with the boy until his master wakes."

"Yes, we should move forward," Master Windu intoned as he rested his elbows on his knees, his hands interlaced under his chin. "Knight Vor, your report?"

The young Cathar knight bowed low before the Council members, the slight twitch in her right ear the only sign of her minor nerves.

"We were able to secure and permanently seal the old catacomb entrance that Xanatos and the Rattataki child were using to ingress and egress. Those passages will no longer be an exploitable risk to the Temple," she reported curtly. Master Koon interlaced his long claw like fingers and leaned back in his seat.

"And what have you determined from the explosives? Why were we unable to detect them?"

"Master Lo-Cha is still analyzing the components with his team, but we know that they were concealed with the same Force shield generator technology Xanatos used before. Master Acks'na is currently working on a way to detect and nullify the equipment."

"How many casualties?" inquired Master Gallia, her voice soft in quiet reverence. The knight sighed audibly.

"Five Jedi were killed in the blasts. Three knights and a master and padawan. Eight more were injured, but none are currently critical," the Cathar answered and for several moments the chamber fell into silence out of respect and sorrow for their fallen sisters and brothers. It was Master Windu who finally broke the somber moment.

"Thank you, Taylen. You are dismissed," he spoke in his typical rumbling baritone. The knight bowed deeply and quietly took her leave. The two remaining Jedi stood mutely before the Council waiting to be recognized. Windu turned to one of them. "Master Uvain, what is your report?"

Tahl bowed low before the honored assembly. Vresh stood beside her in continued silence as he had not yet been called upon to speak, but there was an unnatural stillness about him that troubled her. Tahl was concerned, but she knew that her questions must wait.

"The Temple's files were not compromised, Masters. We were able to isolate and redirect the attempted download without being detected," she answered. Master Piell leaned forward in his seat, his short legs hanging in the air.

"How were you able to protect the system so quickly? I understand that the splice the child used was quiet sophisticated."

"We would not have been able to catch it so quickly were it not for the information Master Tivi's padawan provided me," she responded. Vresh glanced at her briefly, his eyes wide in question, but Master Windu spoke first.

"Explain."

"Shortly after speaking with Master Jinn, Lantis came to me with her concerns as well. She described what she witnessed when she found Adaen seated at the terminal in Jinn's quarters. She did not understand exactly what he was doing, but based on her description I was able to track his movements through the system and from them was able to create and install a series of safeguards against the intrusion."

"And the download?" Master Tiin questioned.

"Prevented, however," Tahl paused as her expression tightened ever so slightly. "The download pertaining to the mineral resources and rights of registered planets was not the source of the intrusion. That breech was a distraction."

"And the real target?" Master Billaba inquired in her typical warm and mellifluous tones.

"The actual attack was from a virus hidden within the programming of the data spike used to splice the system. This virus was designed to retrieve very specific information, upload it to another terminal, and then create permanent backdoors for future use. Thankfully, we were able to prevent that from happening," Tahl answered succinctly.

"Were you able to trace the destination of the attempted upload?" Billaba continued. Tahl sighed.

"No, unfortunately. We only know that it was to be a short range transmission meaning that the recipient terminal would be somewhere on Coruscant."

"And what was the data in question?" Master Windu added following his former padawan's line of questioning. At this, Tahl's mask of serenity slipped slightly revealing her severe disquiet with the answer.

"Someone was trying to get the names and locations of our former initiates... initiates who left the Order or joined one of our corps," she responded. Master Poof's head began to sway jerkily, a clear sign of his puzzlement and agitation.

"To what end?" the Councilor wondered aloud.

"I can only think of one reason," Tahl stated pausing for a moment. "Recruitment."

Master Windu sighed and leaned back in his seat, his brow deeply furrowed.

"We can not afford to allow ourselves to fall into idle speculation," he began and Tahl shot him an incredulous look. The Councilor raised his hands palms out in a placating gesture. "But we will take this as the serious threat that it is and respond accordingly while we continue to investigate," he finished and Tahl's glare receded a bit. The Korun Councilor then turned his gaze to the so far silent master to Tahl's right.

"Master Tivi?"

"Yes, Master Windu," the tall master answered calmly. His voice was flat, his expression empty, his mind tightly shielded revealing nothing.

"We owe a debt of gratitude to your padawan for her quick thinking and selfless acts. She is to be commended for her actions and you as well for your teachings."

"Her actions are her own," the white haired master said with a rueful smile. "I cannot take responsibility for crafting her compassion or her heart. It is simply who she is."

"How is she?" Mace asked gently. Vresh took in a deep, centering breath.

"She...," he began, but then was forced to stop, swallowing thickly before continuing. "The surgery went well and she has been removed from the bacta. She has yet to wake, but the healers are hopeful," he answered. Mace nodded, his brown eyes reflecting only deep concern and compassion for his friend.

"We are glad that our ruse did not bring her into further harm. We know of your deep... concern with the plan," Mace stated carefully. Vresh didn't answer merely nodded in recognition of the Councilor's statement. Mace regarded the Jedi in front of him for several quiet seconds before speaking again.

"We thank you for your service. May the Force be with you," he said by way of benediction and the two Jedi bowed and took their leave of the Council chambers. Once they were alone in the quiet halls, Vresh began a slow, but steady pace towards the Healer's Halls. Tahl moved to walk beside him. They walk silently for several minutes, but soon Tahl was unable to remain mute under the weight of her concern.

"Vresh, how are you doing?" she asked softly. She watched as he took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping slightly at the exhale.

"Ask me when she wakes," he answered and then he said no more.

Day 159

"Back you are. Good to see you it is. Worry me like that you should not for too old I am," the ancient master said smiling warmly down at his grand padawan's haggard visage. Only recently released from the bacta tank, Qui-Gon was pale and weak, his eyes sunken and bruised, the skin on his newly healed back still tender and pink.

"Master?" the long haired master called out feebly.

"Hmm?"

"Where... where is Obi-Wan?"

"Resting he is. Resting you should be," Yoda answered his ears drooping slightly.

"I must see him. I need to know he is okay," Qui-Gon persisted, his eyes showing a strength his voice currently could not.

"Healed his injuries have been. Heal your injuries still must. Patience you must have, young one."

"No, Master. I need to see him... please," the younger master pleaded. The tiny master sighed softly, closing his eyes for a moment before answering.

"Need each other you do. Arrange it I will," the master said and at his words something in Qui-Gon's heart eased slightly. His eyes drifted close as some of the tenseness left his beleaguered body.

"Thank you, Master."

Obi-Wan Kenobi was cradled in darkness, but there was more than just a lack of vision within the creeping black. There was a numbness both within and without and it called to him, held him in a sad mimicry of comfort for at least here there was no pain. The ache in his heart was bearable here in this dead space. Dead. His master was dead. The anguish inside him stirred once more as his mind moved undesirably towards awareness. He was waking, but Obi-Wan did not want to wake. Waking meant facing reality, a reality where he was alone... so utterly alone.

"Open your eyes, Padawan."

That voice. He knew that voice, but he also knew that it couldn't be. That voice was silenced because of him, gone from him, lost forever.

"Be at peace, Padawan. I am here."

Obi-Wan tried to tamp down the spring of hope welling in him, but he could not. His lids fluttered stiffly, his mind hoped to delay what would surely be his reintroduction into a life he could no longer bear. His eyes opened and slowly his vision was filled with the soft blue eyes he thought never to gaze upon again.

"Master?" he scarcely more than muttered. Qui-Gon smiled softly and Obi-Wan could see the warmth shining in those blue orbs. "I'm dreaming," he whispered.

"No, Obi-Wan. You're not dreaming. I am here and I am well."

"Master!" the boy cried and immediately the master pulled the child to his chest, the boy's head held against his heart. Qui-Gon held his padawan tightly his chin resting on top of the boy's short crop of hair.

"I thought... I thought he... killed you," Obi-Wan stuttered into the soft folds of his master's plain medical tunic. "My fault... all my fault..."

"Sssh. Hush, Padawan. None of that now," the master gently ordered as he rubbed soothing circles on the boy's back. Something about that tone, that embrace broke the tenuous hold Obi-Wan had on his emotions and all the fear and despair within him poured out in gushing sobs. His master whispered soothing nonsense as he rocked him, holding him fast against the storm of feeling until finally, as all storms do, it passed leaving only red-lined and puffy eyes in its wake. Qui-Gon moved to allow the child to rest again upon his pillows, but Obi-Wan seized him in a vice-like grip sending a jolt of pain through the newly healed flesh of his back.

"No... don't go... please, don't leave me..." he whispered desperately and the master's heart nearly broke at the anguish he heard there.

"It is alright, Padawan. I'm not going anywhere I promise," the master said as he gave his apprentice a reassuring squeeze before attempting to lay him back against quickly propped up pillows. This time Obi-Wan let go, but his reluctance to do so was nearly tangible. Settled once more, Obi-Wan's eyes fell again upon his master. The man was too thin and too pale. There were dark circles under his eyes and his hair hung about in scraggily wisps from a haphazard braid.

"Master, you are alright? Truly?" the boy asked. The stark sincerity of his question brought a surprised smile to the master's lips.

"Truly, Obi-Wan. My injury is nearly healed, but in truth I am much better now that I can be here with you."

"I was so scared," the apprentice answered and Qui-Gon's eyes close for a moment as he forced himself back to his center.

"I was too," he said finally and Obi-Wan's heart warmed at the soft admission. Through the bond he could feel his master's deep worry for him, but also he could feel his joy. Obi-Wan allowed himself to bask in that feeling even as he sent waves of his own love through the bond to his master. After several moments, Qui-Gon took his padawan's hand in his, smiling softly.

"There is someone who would like to see you if you feel up to it?"

"Yes, Master," came the swift reply. Obi-Wan could not care less who wanted to see him or what he or she might want of him. He had his master back and that was enough for him. Qui-Gon turned his head to the door of the small room, but did not rise. It was only a moment later before the door quietly slid open and the tall, lithe form of Master Tivi stepped through the portal. The white haired master walked to edge of the bed taking in the two Jedi before him.

"I'm glad to see you up," he said then he glanced directly at his agemate. "Both of you."

"Not nearly as glad as I," Qui-Gon replied still smiling, then his expression turned significantly more somber. "How is Lantis?"

"No change," Vresh answered quietly. Obi-Wan's brow wrinkled as he looked from Vresh to his master.

"I thought you said that she woke up? That she was okay?"

Qui-Gon turned his attention back to his padawan and sighed inwardly.

"No, Obi-Wan. Lantis has yet to awaken though many of her wounds have been tended. I apologize for deceiving you, but it was necessary at the time. I'm sorry," his master finished. Obi-Wan dropped his gaze to his blanket as his mind struggled to accept this new information. Deception. His deception. His master had... lied to him. Lied. To him. It seemed inconceivable, yet he knew it to be true. His master said it was necessary... and Lantis... Lantis was not okay. She never was... A necessary lie... a lie to...

Obi-Wan gasped as the shock of his realization hit him.

"You knew?" he asked as he once again looked to his master for answers. Qui-Gon did not pretend to misunderstand. The Jedi master nodded looking, in that moment, much older than before.

"Suspected at least. We did not want to place you in jeopardy, but I feared if I told you,"

"I would not have believed you," Obi-Wan finished for him and again the master nodded. Obi-Wan gave a jerky nod of his own before turning his slow gaze to the master standing silently at the foot of his bed. He lowered his chin to his chest in the best penitent posture he could manage from his nearly supine position.

"Master Tivi, please forgive me for the wrongs I have caused to both you and your apprentice. Adaen is...," he paused swallowing noticeably, "Adaen was here because of me. What he did was,"

"Not your fault," Vresh interrupted, his voice far harsher than the master intended. He pinched the bridge of his thin nose and closed his eyes briefly. "It is not your fault, Obi-Wan. No one blames you."

"But Lantis,"

"Was hurt by him," Vresh snapped, his eyes flashing open in unchecked anger. "Not you. Him," he finished hotly causing Obi-Wan to flinch away involuntarily. Qui-Gon gently squeezed the hand held in his. Vresh sighed and struggled silently for a moment to reign in his emotions.

"Forgive me, Padawan. I still... have much to meditate on, but know this no one blames you, not your master, not me, not Lantis. No one and I don't want you to blame yourself either. That's the last thing Lantis would... Lantis would want. So, just... don't, okay?" the master said and Obi-Wan could see the simple plea in his silver eyes.

"I won't, Master Vresh. I promise," he replied meekly. Vresh nodded slowly a bit of relief easing his tense frame. Qui-Gon regarded his friend for a moment.

"V?"

"I'm alright, Qui. I just need..." he started, but the master was unable to finish. The words he sought eluded him. He shook his head in frustration. "Sorry, I need to meditate for awhile I think. I will see you later?" he asked uncharacteristically timid. Qui-Gon nodded. Vresh gave a slight bow to both master and padawan and then left the room closing the door behind him. Obi-Wan turned to his master a question in his eyes. Qui-Gon pulled the boy back into his embrace.

"All will be well in time, Obi-Wan. All will be well in time."

Fin.