Disclaimer: All belongs to the great and powerful Mouse.

Summary: The Force moves in mysterious ways and all are bound to its ultimate will, especially the Jedi.

A/N: Well hello again! I am beyond words at how many of you have stayed with me and the boys throughout this journey. Thank you everyone for your kind words, comments, and encouragements. As you know, this chapter marks the end of Bound, but fear not its sequel, Undone, is already posted and I imagine some of you have already read it. Perhaps some things will make a bit more sense now that its predecessor is complete. Also, with this final chapter I once again tried to push my limits as a writer and did a little experimenting. I am pleased with the final product, but I look to you for the final judgment on the matter. Please, tell me what you think!

For those interested in following this series, the next installment is entitled Lost, but it won't be ready for publication for sometime. If you haven't already done so and you're interested in following along, please be sure to follow me so you will get a notice when Lost is finally ready for posting.

In the interim, I am hoping to post the long awaited sequel to Perfect, but it is not quite done yet. My plan is to finish writing that one first and while it is posting, I will work on Lost. So be on the look out for Imperfect tentatively scheduled for posting around the end of March or early April.

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

Thanks:

Ninfea di Luna: Hello! I am so glad to hear that you are still enjoying the story. Yes, this is the end of this story, but not of this adventure. Thank you for your compliments on their relationship. I work very hard to make their reactions authentic. Again, thank you so much!

Romirola: Thanks and I feel the same way, but remember only this story is over. Their journey continues.

Stardurin1217: Thank you and the wait is over!

Please R&R!

Chapter 26 – As Goes the Master

"Master!" came a semi-impatient whine from the common room. Qui-Gon strolled into the main room to find his padawan literally bouncing in place by the door, his hands grasping his saber in a white knuckle grip. With effort, Qui-Gon was able to suppress a smile at the young boy's antics. He had promised the boy that, after midmeal, they would go to the training salles and do some saber work. That promise had been made three hours ago and Obi-Wan had been a bouncing bundle of excited energy ever since.

"Are you ready to go now, Master?" Obi-Wan asked hopefully as he shifted his bouncing to a marginally more restrained full body vibration. As endearing as watching his padawan lose the battle of controlling his anticipation was Qui-Gon needed to speak with the boy about rather serious matters.

"In a moment, Padawan. First there are some things we must discuss," he said and immediately Obi-Wan responded to his master's formal tones, his frenzied energy draining out of him like gas from a broken seal.

"Yes, Master. Of course, Master," Obi-Wan replied with a bow, looking once again the composed and proper padawan. Pleased at how quickly the boy had calmed himself, Qui-Gon gave an approving nod before addressing his apprentice again.

"As you know and as I promised, today we will start your lightsaber training in earnest as you now have a real blade with which to practice. I know you are excited to take this next step along your path to becoming a knight, but even so, you need to understand the gravity of this step and the responsibility that comes with learning to wield a lightsaber," he spoke and after receiving a nod of understanding from Obi-Wan he continued. "Hold out your lightsaber, Padawan."

As ordered, Obi-Wan held out his saber for his master's inspection, but instead of taking it from him like he expected, his master rested one hand on top of the hilt and knelt in front of him.

"Tell me, Padawan, what is a lightsaber?"

"It's the main weapon of the Jedi," Obi-Wan answered carefully. He tried to read his master's expression for a clue as to what the older Jedi was after, but the Jedi's face revealed nothing so with some thought and a deep breath Obi-Wan continued. "It's a defensive weapon and its crystal provides a meditative focus for us. It's a symbol of our Order and of our promise to others as peacekeepers."

Qui-Gon nodded.

"Yes, a lightsaber is all that, but is there nothing more?" the master pressed. When he saw Obi-Wan's brow knit in confusion he decided to try to guide the child a bit further. "What is our responsibility in using such a weapon?" he asked.

"Um," Obi-Wan started as he bit his lip with a pensive expression marking his young features. "It's a powerful weapon... and a dangerous one, so we would have to be careful with it, very careful," he finished. Again, Qui-Gon nodded.

"Yes, that is quite true, but this lightsaber is still far more than a simple weapon and though it is very dangerous, it is potentially more dangerous to its wielder than its target."

"I don't understand, Master," Obi-Wan answered honestly. His master nodded and Obi-Wan had the distinct feeling that his utter confusion was completely expected.

"How is a weapon more dangerous to the being holding it?"

"It would generally not be true of any weapon, but a Jedi's lightsaber is quite different from other weapons. This lightsaber," Qui-Gon said as he patted the hilt in his padawan's hand. "It is your life. It is a part of you and a part of who you are just as my lightsaber is a part of me. And because it is a part of you there is an aspect of risk when wielding such power," Qui-Gon answered, pausing as he could sense through the bond the strong befuddlement dominating Obi-Wan's thoughts.

"Padawan, do you know of the Crystal Code?" he asked and when Obi-Wan shook his head he continued. "The Crystal Code is as old as the history of the saber itself. It is that which speaks to the relationship of a Jedi and his lightsaber. The code says that the crystal is the heart of the blade. The heart is the crystal of the Jedi. The Jedi is the crystal of the Force. The Force is the blade of the heart. All are intertwined, Padawan, the crystal, the blade, the Jedi. We are one," Qui-Gon intoned.

"So," Obi-Wan began somewhat hesitantly, "because my saber's crystal and I are connected through the Force... then... it is... sensitive to the Dark and the Light sides of the Force as well?"

"Precisely, Padawan," Qui-Gon replied as he let his pride flow over their bond. "Remember this. Control your actions. Control your emotions. Control yourself, only then can you truly control your blade. Do you understand?"

"I think so, Master."

"Good," Qui-Gon answered as he rose to his feet and ruffled the boy's hair. "Then I think we had something to attend to this afternoon. That is, if you still want to?"

"Oh yes, Master!" Obi-Wan replied his earlier excitement returning faster than a smuggler breaking a blockade. Qui-Gon finally allowed himself a smile as master and padawan walked through the quiet corridors of the Temple towards the training halls. Obi-Wan was doing his level best to keep his proper place two steps behind his master, but had to often stop moving entirely to allow his sedately walking master to pass him as he kept finding that he had rushed past the elder Jedi in his haste to reach the salles.

Obi-Wan slowed after he realized he had once again passed his master, but this time he found that Qui-Gon had stopped moving. Master Windu had come to his master's side and had entered into a conversation Obi-Wan couldn't hear. Despite his curiosity, Obi-Wan kept his distance determined not to eavesdrop. Qui-Gon sent him a quick burst of approval then the master turned his full attention to the Council member at his elbow.

"I see your padawan has a lightsaber now."

"He does. We were just on our way to the practice halls to test it out," Qui-Gon replied evenly. "But I somehow doubt you tracked me down to discuss my padawan's new saber."

"Unfortunately you are right," Mace admitted with a fairly grim expression. "We have received news from the team we sent to Bandomeer and I am afraid you won't like it."

Qui-Gon gave a sideways dart to Obi-Wan, who was trying his best to find interest in the tiled floor patterns, before taking Mace by the forearm and leading the other master a few more steps away.

"What is it?" he asked when he was certain he was out of earshot of his apprentice. He released Mace's arm and awaited what he too believed would be unpleasant news.

"Knights Simicsa and Benzali have uncovered nothing unusual regarding Offworld's operations on Bandomeer. Nothing. Not a single file, permit, or decicred out of place."

"Xanatos is many things, Mace, but he is neither sloppy nor stupid. Any signs of impropriety in his business are bound to be subtle to say the least," Qui-Gon replied with a touch of exasperation he couldn't quite hide. "What about Xanatos himself? What did the investigation team get from him?"

"Nothing. No one has spoken to him. In fact, no one can find him," Mace responded and before Qui-Gon could interrupt he raised his hands in surrender to the unspoken objection. "I know, Qui-Gon, I know, but Offworld is stalling every effort to locate him and the Jedi simply do not have the evidence or the jurisdiction to force the issue."

Qui-Gon's lips drew into a tight line as he placed his hands in the sleeves of his cloak.

"There must be something he missed, something he left behind?"

"There's nothing."

"Administrator Voluk," Qui-Gon spoke suddenly. "I spoke to her many times regarding what I was uncovering in my own investigation. She could corroborate my story; maybe even provide new information of her own."

"I am afraid that is not possible," Mace answered and if it were possible his expression grew even grimmer. "Administrator Voluk is dead."

"Dead?" Qui-Gon repeated his eyes wide. "I didn't think she was injured in the explosions or evacuations."

"She wasn't. Her body was found near one of the repair scaffoldings at the main complex. To all appearances she fell and broke her neck."

Qui-Gon's eyes narrowed as he carefully studied the face of his friend.

"But you don't believe that's what happened?" he asked. Mace sighed and shook his head slightly, one hand running lightly across his bald head.

"Honestly, I don't know, Qui-Gon. It feels..."

"A little too coincidental."

"Yes," Mace said finally. Qui-Gon frowned as he searched his memory for something else, something he might have missed. Suddenly, he blinked in surprised. Not something, someone.

"The scientist, Sair. He studied one of the crystals. It was lost, but his notes,"

"Benzali spoke with him already. He claims you never brought him anything to study."

Qui-Gon took a step back, his arms falling limply to his sides in shock. He shook his head in fervent denial even as he voiced the same.

"No... that's not possible. I had a crystal. I spoke to him about it!" he yelled. Mace shot a glance to Obi-Wan who had suddenly looked up at the two masters with an expression of surprise and fear. Mace grabbed Qui-Gon's arm and shook him hard.

"Lower your voice, your padawan can hear you," he hissed. Qui-Gon glanced at his apprentice, slightly abashed at his loss of control.

/Master?/

/All is well, Padawan. Forgive my outburst. I will be with you in a moment./ he sent along the bond with a wave of calm reassurance. Obi-Wan looked far from convinced, but he turned away and resumed his inspection of the floor. Qui-Gon turned back to Mace who gave him a hard look. Qui-Gon nodded to the unasked question and Mace let his arm go.

"Is it possible he could have been tampered with?" he asked calmly.

"It's... possible, I suppose, but without his consent we would have no way of knowing and Knight Benzali has reported that he has already been... less than cooperative."

"So, now what?"

"Now? Now nothing."

"Mace," Qui-Gon bit out harshly, but after a look from Mace he took a calming breath and started again. "Mace, Xanatos was collecting Force crystals for a reason. Ilia's death, Sair's sudden memory loss... it all points to him desperately wanting to keep the reason for his being on Bandomeer quiet. We must do something."

"We can't do anything, Qui," Mace snapped back, but then he too forced himself to calmer tones. "But, I will make sure the investigation remains open. Perhaps if we find more evidence..." the Councilor finished with a small shrug. "It's the best I can do."

Qui-Gon didn't like it. It wasn't enough, not nearly enough, but it would have to do. He closed his eyes with a sigh as he looked for and found his center.

"I'm sorry, my friend," Mace offered. Qui-Gon opened his eyes and gave the man a small, yet sad smile.

"You have no fault in this," he answered wearily. "If there is any fault to be found it is mine. We will just have to wait and hope that when we do find out what Xanatos is up to it won't be too late and I have no desire to expose him to Obi-Wan again. Once was more than enough."

"The Force will see us through," Mace replied with a pat to Qui-Gon's shoulder. Then with a short nod of his head, the Councilor took his leave. Qui-Gon took another calming breath and then moved to rejoin his apprentice. Obi-Wan looked up at his master's approach.

"Master, is everything alright?"

"No," the master answered honestly. "But it's nothing that you need worry yourself about. Come, we still have a saber to test."

Through the bond Qui-Gon could feel that Obi-Wan was not satisfied with his answer, but that he also understood that it was something that his master was not going to discuss further. The apprentice nodded and the two resumed their slow walk to the training salles.

It only took a few minutes to reach the practice halls. All of the private rooms were occupied leaving only the larger rooms available. There would likely be other masters and padawans in the larger rooms, but there would also be plenty of space for others to use as well. Qui-Gon selected the nearest room and he and his apprentice walked through the doors and over the threshold where he stopped cold.

This room did indeed have another pair in practice.

"Master Vresh!" Obi-Wan called out as he ran over to where the tall, short haired master was standing. He was on a mat facing his padawan, Lantis, but he immediately turned at the sound of his name, a huge grin spreading quickly across his face. He opened his arms wide and scooped up the happy boy who had run to him.

"Obi-Wan!" he exclaimed, "It's good to see you."

"You too, Master Vresh," Obi-Wan replied. Vresh set him back down on the floor and Obi-Wan immediately turned to hug Lantis as well.

"You're looking much better," Vresh said when the hug was done. Obi-Wan turned to him with a large smile.

"I am much better. Master Qui-Gon makes certain I eat and sleep enough even we I really don't feel like it," he answered in a stage whisper. Vresh looked up at that, his gaze fixing on the master still standing in the doorway.

"That's good to hear," he answered not looking at Obi-Wan. The master's continued scrutiny seemed to finally spur Qui-Gon back into motion. He walked over to where the trio of Jedi were standing and stopped, giving a small bow to the padawan.

"Padawan Mir," he said politely then he looked at the master. "Master Tivi."

"Master Jinn," Vresh responded coolly polite. Mentally, Qui-Gon winced, but outwardly he betrayed nothing of his true feelings.

"Would you and your padawan mind sharing the space with us?"

"Of course not. I see your padawan has a saber now."

"Yes, we came here to test it out. I see your padawan has earned one of her own as well."

"Yes, a couple of months ago."

"Ah," Qui-Gon replied at a loss for what to say next. He had never felt uncomfortable around this man before, but with what had passed between them... everything was now awkward and stilted.

"Master Qui-Gon was going to help me test it out with some sparring," Obi-Wan interjected and Qui-Gon wanted to hug the boy for the temporary reprieve. Vresh glanced at Obi-Wan and then at his own padawan. He paused for a moment then brought his attention back to Qui-Gon.

"Perhaps our padawans could spar each other?" he offered. Qui-Gon started slightly, but quickly recovered. If this were an olive branch he would take it.

"That would be acceptable," he replied. He turned to his padawan. "What do you say, Obi-Wan? Are you ready for your first real sparring match?"

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan nodded eagerly.

"Then off you go," Qui-Gon smiled as he watched the next generation of Jedi bow and take up opposing positions on the mat. He and Vresh moved to the sidelines near one of the room's seemingly omnipresent benches. The two masters watched their padawans in silence both carefully cataloging each misstep or awkward block for later correction, but also each master was carefully avoiding eye contact with the other.

Finally, Qui-Gon could stand the silence no longer.

"She's coming along beautifully," he spoke hopefully broaching a neutral topic.

"She is," Vresh responded rather shortly. Qui-Gon decided to try again.

"It is a credit to her training and her master," he replied and Vresh shot him a quick glance and then he turned his attention back to the fighting padawans.

"Her talent and dedication are there for anyone to see if one is willing to look."

"You are right, of course," Qui-Gon said with a sigh. "But sometimes it is hard to see the strength of others when one is blinded by his own weaknesses."

"Perhaps corrective surgery is in order."

"Or a kick in the ass from those who can see."

"And is such treatment successful?"

"I surely hope so," Qui-Gon replied his eyes following his padawan with a small smile as the boy attempted to parry an overhead attack from Lantis. "If not, I am told that the treatment can be reapplied as needed."

Vresh finally turned to face Qui-Gon.

"It may take several applications," he said and Qui-Gon turned to face him with a slightly raised eyebrow.

"Are you volunteering for this... service?" he asked. Vresh just shrugged and waved his hand in a careless gesture.

"Well I do have the experience."

"Indeed," Qui-Gon answered dryly then his expression sobered. "I owe you an apology."

"No," Vresh said with a shake of his head. "You owed him an apology, which you have given and he has accepted. The rest doesn't matter."

"I disagree," Qui-Gon countered and when Vresh went to open his mouth to object, Qui-Gon continued. "But if you will not accept my apology then at least accept my gratitude. I am told that it was your words that swayed the Council in our favor."

Now it was Vresh's turn to disagree.

"I only spoke the truth. If anything swayed them it was you throwing your head to the floor, your ass in the air, and your pride out the window."

"You have an interesting way with words."

"Best to be blunt. It saves so much time," Vresh answered with a smirk.

"And now that you have been so expeditiously blunt, what shall we do with this abundance of time?"

"Depends," Vresh said as he appeared to be in deep thought. "What's the score?"

"Me by two."

"Hmm, well I guess I will use this time to remedy that obvious scoring aberration."

"You may by all means try," Qui-Gon said as he bowed and gestured to a vacant mat.

"But there is no try," Vresh answered with a wag of his finger. With a light chuckle, both masters shed their outer robes, unclipped their sabers, and took to the mat and while each master sought to land a blow against the other, shared wounds were finally mended.

A little more than an hour later, master and padawan took their leave leaving Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan alone in the practice room. The two had taken a brief respite after their mutual sparring matches, but now the master was standing and beckoning his padawan to once again join him on the mats.

"Are you ready for another opponent, Padawan?" Qui-Gon asked as he raised his lightsaber in a formal salute. Obi-Wan smiled broadly and mimicked his master's gesture.

"I am ready, Master."

"You think yourself ready to learn what I could teach you? You are ready for nothing. Your recent bungling of the operation on Bandomeer has shown this."

Xanatos scowled fiercely at the condescension in the other's voice, but bit his tongue. His head was down hiding his displeased expression, but he was unable to hide the resentment in his tone.

"The interference of the Jedi could not be helped, but I was able to salvage much of the,"

"A partial failure is still a failure, little Jedi," the other spoke and once again Xanatos was unsuccessful in curtailing his anger at the deliberate taunt. When he spoke his words were an ill-tempered hiss.

"I am no Jedi."

"You are a Jedi," Qui-Gon said as he led his apprentice through a series of simple attacks and strikes. "Therefore, sparring is not simply fighting; it is an opportunity for the Force to flow through you. Let it guide your movements."

"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan said as he tried to center himself and narrow his focus to the moment at hand. His master nodded and raised his saber.

"Good. Now, try to strike me."

"You want to strike me, don't you?" the other spoke smugly. Xanatos hated that smug look. The icy slickness of the other's voice made his skin crawl. A smile grew on the other's thin lips. "Yes, you do, little Jedi. Even now I can feel your anger, your bitterness, your frustration, and your fear."

"I am not afraid of you," Xanatos replied his head rising and his hand unconsciously drifting to the two sabers at his hip. The other broke out into laugher, the mirthless tones echoing against the metal decking of the ship.

"Oh yes, I like that bit of spirit. It will make breaking you so much more satisfying," the other said as a gleaming red saber hissed to life as it was retrieved from its hiding place within the other's voluminous deep purple cloak. Xanatos lit his twin sabers in response, one blue, one green. Qui-Gon's hilt felt awkward in his hand, but he had fought with far more unwieldy weapons and the Telosian had the feeling he would need the extra advantage of a second blade against his nauseatingly confident adversary.

"I may no longer be a Jedi, but you will see I was trained by one of the Order's finest swordsmen," he replied as he settled into a battle stance. The other smiled sickeningly.

"Little Jedi, your training has only just begun."

"Padawan, your training has only just begun. Do not allow yourself to get discouraged," Qui-Gon offered gently as he called a halt to their sparring. The master had easily sensed the boy's mounting frustration as he was unable to penetrate Qui-Gon's solid defense.

"I'm sorry, Master," Obi-Wan mumbled as he deactivated his lightsaber. "I just..."

"Want to be an expert swordsman right away?" Qui-Gon finished for him. Obi-Wan blushed as his chagrin rolled easily across the bond. Qui-Gon deactivated his own newly built blade and knelt before his apprentice. He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Obi-Wan, if you already had the skill to defeat me in combat there would be substantially less for me to teach you. Are you so eager to put this old master out of a job?" he asked teasingly and he was happy to see a light in the boy's eyes in response to his humor.

"No, Master," Obi-Wan replied with a shy grin.

"Good," the master said as he rose to his feet. He stepped back a few paces and reignited his blade. "Now, try again."

Obi-Wan nodded and activated his saber. He took a breath and centered himself once more. A heartbeat later, he brought his blade in a slash aimed at his master's midsection.

The other deftly blocked the green saber's attempted strike at his midsection. Xanatos cursed in frustration as he lashed out again attempting to use both blades to beat back his opponent with a furious and unrelenting onslaught of strikes, but each time his attacks were adroitly rebuffed. Still, the young man pressed further and harder.

Strike.

Parry.

Slice. Spin. Strike. Roll. Thrust.

Parry. Parry. Spin. Dodge. Block.

Thrust. Slash. Thrust.

Block. Block. Block.

An approving smile.

A grin and carefree laughter.

A frustrated growl.

A mocking grin.

Thrust. Slash. Thrust.

Block. Block. Block.

"Very good, Padawan."

"Thank you, Master!"

"Pathetic, little Jedi."

"Fark off, Sculag!"

The hiss and whiz of lightsabers clashing filled the air as the two combatants circled in the potentially deadly dance, each block and strike a metronomic measure of time. The two shifted and swayed, crossed and countered. Every subtle movement both somehow mirrored and responsive. Action and reaction living in brilliant swatches of color.

The hiss and whiz of lightsabers clashing filled the air as the two combatants circled in the potentially deadly dance, each block and strike a metronomic measure of time. The two shifted and swayed, crossed and countered. Every subtle movement both somehow mirrored and responsive. Action and reaction living in brilliant swatches of color.

The Force sings with joy.

The Force screams with horror.

And then...

...the music stops.

Obi-Wan lay flat on his back, his vision momentarily blurred by the impact. Above his chest hovered the glowing tip of a green blade. He smiled despite his defeat.

"I yield, Master," he managed to get out between huge, heaping breaths. Qui-Gon grinned, deactivated his saber, and placed it on his hip. He reached down a hand to Obi-Wan who took it gratefully and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet.

"You've done exceptionally well today, Padawan."

"Thank you, Master, but honestly I'm just glad it's over. I'm exhausted!"

"This isn't over!" Xanatos spat from his position lying flat on his back. His breath had been knocked out of him with the force of the impact and parts of his brain still felt like they were swimming around in his skull. Above his chest hovered the glowing tip of a red blade. He scowled in his defeat.

"Yield. You have lost this day, little Jedi."

"I will never yield to you!" Xanatos managed between huge, heaping gasps. The victor smiled eerily, lowering the saber's tip until a faint wisp of smoke and the smell of singed fabric filled the air.

"You are nothing, little Jedi, but you will be. I will make you into a weapon that I will loose upon the galaxy. Darkness will be your sword and the destruction of all that you once loved will be your legacy. I will carve you in my own image and you will be beautiful," the other said as the blade's tip dipped lower still. The other kept speaking, but Xanatos heard none of it. He senses were far too overwhelmed with the smell of his burning flesh filling his nose and the sounds of his own mad screams filling his ears.

As goes the master, so goes the apprentice.

Fin.