Title: The Death of All Hope
Author: Bonhomie/BaBaKaNuSh13
Rating: PG
Summary: AU for "The Death of Hope." Qui-Gon leaves Obi-Wan behind with the Rock Workers after his leg is injured, and the Jedi Master must fight to not lose all hope in his life.
Category: Action, Angst, AU (again, the three 'A's) (Age 16)
Spoilers: Minor ones for the JA books, but mainly for "The Death of Hope."
Disclaimer: I don't own the Star Wars Universe, George Lucas and Jude Watson own all the characters and concepts here. I'm just borrowing them and making no profit, so please don't sue me. I have no money. Oh, and the edited snippets that you will recognise in this first chapter (particularly at the start) are from JA "The Death of Hope" by the wonderful Jude Watson.

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Chapter 1

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Another delay. Qui-Gon wanted to bellow his rage to the sky. Instead, he helped his Padawan to Eritha's landspeeder and gently lowered him into the seat. Obi-Wan's face was drawn with pain.

The last thing he wanted to do right now was take a detour form their quest, but his Padawan needed care.

Eritha drove her landspeeder, and a Rock Worker took Obi-Wan's swoop. Qui-Gon followed as they raced through the canyons toward the Rock Worker's settlement.

He was glad that the distance wasn't far. The settlement lay in a small valley surrounded by quarries. Walkways made of slate were laid out in rows and led to residences, stores, a school and a small med unit.

Obi-Wan was met by a young woman who hurried out immediately to look at his wound.

"I am a trained medic," she said. "My name is Yanci. I've seen many wounds such as this in the quarries. This isn't too bad. Your friend will mend quickly."

Qui-Gon nodded his thanks. Together, he and Yanci helped Obi-Wan into the med centre.

"I can take over from here," Yanci told him, setting out a splint and beginning the procedure for a bacta bath. "The refreshment unit is across the walkway. Why don't you rest, and I will come over and give you a progress report?"

Obi-Wan flashed Qui-Gon a grin that was also a grimace. "I'm fine here."

Qui-Gon patted his shoulder in support, then left the med unit. He was surprised to hear that the Absolutes had been conducting raids. That meant their numbers were bigger than he'd thought. That was most likely not good news for his mission. He felt frustration rise up and threaten to choke him. He took a deep breath to calm himself. The frustration eased but he knew it still simmered, ready to boil again.

He needed to continue tracking.

He would. He had to.

Resolve steadied Qui-Gon's footsteps as he suddenly spun on the spot. He headed back to the med centre.

Obi-Wan would be fine until he got back, he reasoned. He would find Tahl, get her to safety, and then he could come back to retrieve his Padawan. The Rock Workers would surely have no problem with caring for the young Jedi until then. They felt like they owed him a favour after destroying the probe droid, anyway.

Qui-Gon walked into the med centre just as Yanci pulled out a pair of small vibro-cutters. She carefully but quickly cut up the side of Obi-Wan's pant leg, stopping at the thigh. She pulled out the splint and pressed it into place. Obi-Wan bit his lip in pain and his face paled, but otherwise he remained still and silent.

"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon called quietly, walking up to the med table he sat on. "I must go, now. I cannot stay here with you. I have to continue tracking Balog. We can't lose his trail. I'm sure the Rock Workers would not mind if you stayed here for another day or so," he said, turning to Yanci in question.

"It would be a pleasure to have your company, Obi-Wan," Yanci confirmed. "It is the least we can do. Your leg should take a day or so to heal. You should not be moving until then."

Obi-Wan was already shaking his head. "No, you can't go alone," he said to Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon frowned. "I have been attending many solo missions before you were even born, my very young Padawan," he reminded Obi-Wan. He stood up straight and crossed his arms over his chest, looking quite intimidating.

"That is not what I meant. Master, this mission–" Obi-Wan paused, concentrating for a moment on the pain as Yanci gently lifted his leg and submerged it in the bacta bath. "I should be going with you," he finally said, "or you should be staying here."

Qui-Gon laid his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "Sometimes we must be in different places on missions, Padawan. It cannot always be avoided. You will be fine here while I intercept Balog."

He paused. "You cannot move, Obi-Wan. I cannot abandon Tahl."

It was like a slap to the face.

What about abandoning me? Obi-Wan wanted to ask, but he bit it down.

That was unreasonable. It was merely the child inside of him speaking. He was a Jedi, after all, and could cope alone. And Tahl needed his Master more than he did at that moment. Nevertheless, Obi-Wan shook his head stubbornly.

"No," he said adamantly. "No, Master, I feel we should be working together on this mission … I sense great danger … for both of us."

"You are letting worry cloud your judgement, Obi-Wan. You–"

Obi-Wan cut him off and shook his head. "You're wrong."

The flat words took him aback. It had been years since Obi-Wan had contradicted him so boldly. Qui-Gon flushed with an emotion he wasn't sure of himself.

He let his hand drop from Obi-Wan's shoulder and turned away without another word. He headed for his refuelled landspeeder, leaving the pale, drawn face of his Padawan behind.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

Obi-Wan stretched out on his bed in the med centre. It had been many hours since Qui-Gon had left, and his wound was healed. He had spent the night in a healing trance to speed up the process.

Obi-Wan sat up in the encroaching light of morning and swung his leg off the bed. It was stiff and bothered him a little, but was well enough to walk on. He stood up and took a few steps.

Yanci walked in. "What are you doing?" she asked, horrified. Obi-Wan grimaced as she pushed him back down onto the bed and expertly probed the wound with deft fingers.

"I don't believe it," she murmured, "It's healed. I must be better than I thought."

Obi-Wan stoically pushed to his feet again. "Thankyou for your wonderful care, Yanci. If I am fit to go, however, I must take my leave."

"Hold on, young man. I was given explicit orders that you were to stay with us until Qui-Gon returned for you." Yanci pushed him back down again.

"But I must–"

"No," she said forcefully.

Obi-Wan felt frustration grow inside him. He needed to help Qui-Gon. If he left now, he'd be able to catch up with his Master, or meet he and Tahl on the way back to the city. Either way, he couldn't sit here idly while there was a mission to complete.

Obi-Wan reached out with his senses. He was about to mind trick Yanci into letting him leave, when the Force slammed into him in urgent waves. He was needed here. With his Master. But Qui-Gon was long gone, and he was alone.

Obi-Wan reached out again, but could not locate the centre of the disturbance. He guessed that he would have to remain here to find out the reason for his unease. Without his mentor.

Sighing heavily, Obi-Wan finally nodded. "I will stay here."

After contenting herself with making sure Obi-Wan wouldn't leave the Rock Workers' settlement, Yanci removed him from her care. He stepped out of the med centre just as the stars were fading from the sky, making way for the heat of day.

"Obi-Wan. You're healed." Eritha hurried up to him, golden hair tied up in one long braid. "Yanci told us that you wouldn't be fit for travel for at least a day."

"I am," he replied, turning to face her. "But I will not be travelling anywhere. We are to remain here, with the Rock Workers."

Eritha's face contorted into something unrecognisable, and worry creased her forehead. "But what about rescuing Tahl?" she asked.

Obi-Wan sighed. "Qui-Gon left to find her last night. We will wait for him here."

"No. He'll need our help. I want to help. He left without me?"

"Without us," Obi-Wan corrected. "You aren't alone, Eritha. I think it is wisest if we simply wait for him. I feel that we are more needed here."

"Qui-Gon said we would wait until morning to track Balog."

Obi-Wan felt agitation stirring in him. He was having enough trouble with calming his own worries. It was hard enough trying to justify Qui-Gon's actions without having to placate Eritha too.

"There was a change of plans," Obi-Wan said diplomatically. Eritha didn't have to hear that his faith in Qui-Gon's decision was minimal.

Eritha shook her head, braid whipping around. "I will not wait here while I could be doing something."

Obi-Wan sighed. "My Master thought it was–"

He stopped, ears straining. Beside him, Eritha was watching him intently in fascination. He was certain that –

Sure enough, a moment later a small explosion could be heard in the distance.

"Don't worry," Eritha said dismissively, "they're probably just excavating a new mine."

"No." Obi-Wan's brow furrowed. A series of bangs followed a second small explosion. "Blaster fire," he murmured. He quickly ran to the main settlement.

A large group of armed and armoured Absolutes were swarming the streets. They headed straight for the small shed containing the Rock Workers' mining explosives and tools. Obi-Wan sifted away all the distractions. He concentrated on the Absolutes. There were eighty or so of them.

Eighty trained combatsmen. Nearly twice the number of Workers in the area.

But the Worker numbers included babies, children and the elderly.

Obi-Wan turned to Eritha urgently. "Get to cover and hide. I need to go help the miners, so I cannot protect you."

"No. I can help, too. You can't stop me."

Rock Workers were beginning to emerge from their homes, and swarmed around the explosives storage shed. He didn't have time to argue with her, and knew that it would only be futile, anyway.

"Come on then," he said, "but make sure you stick by me. I cannot spend all my energy trying to protect you, so stay behind my defence. Okay?"

Eritha nodded, biting her lip determinedly. With that Obi-Wan raced off to join the battle, Eritha following close behind.

oOoOoOoOoOoOo

Qui-Gon felt a small sigh flutter against his cheek. Tahl's fingers pressed his again. He knew that she had felt what he had tried to give her, and had received comfort from it. He had never felt so attuned to her, so close. If he could breathe for her, he would.

"Let my last moment be this one," she said. He felt her breath go in, then out, soft against his cheek. Then it did not resume.

Qui-Gon remained bent over the bed, forehead still resting on her cool forehead. Her golden hand remained in his.

She couldn't be gone.

Not now.

Not Tahl.

He didn't know how long he sat there, unmoving. He could vaguely remember one of the medics insisting that he leave Tahl's bedside, but he couldn't. He wouldn't.

"Jinn," a voice said to him softly. A hand rested on his shoulder. He shrugged it off. "Qui-Gon, you have to leave her now. Come."

"No," it was a mere whisper, but the response was firm. "I can't."

"Yes, Qui-Gon. You can. You must."

Qui-Gon took one last look at Tahl's peaceful face, set into a slight smile, before letting himself be tugged up from his place by her bedside.

"Come on, Jinn. There is nothing you can do for her. She is one with the Force, now," Mace Windu said. He led Qui-Gon out of the room. He placed his hand on the tall Jedi's arm. "I share your grief, friend."

No you don't, Qui-Gon thought. They didn't understand his feelings for Tahl, and never would. He slumped down into a chair in the waiting room, head bowed. She was gone.

After sitting with him for several minutes of silence, Windu began to speak: about missions, the Council, their exploits as students and as Padawans, and the reason that he was there. Qui-Gon couldn't concentrate on anything but his overwhelming grief. It felt as it would consume him, leave nothing behind but an old, worn-out husk.

"Bant has been terribly distressed the whole trip here," Qui-Gon heard Mace say. "She's with Tahl now."

Bant? He hadn't even noticed the Mon-Calamarian girl's presence. How had he not realised?

Mace's voice faded out of his consciousness again.

He had found Tahl. He had been sure she would be alright. They would make it through together, but she had not. Something tugged on his mind.

"What?" he asked blankly.

"Where is your Padawan?" Mace repeated. Qui-Gon looked back at him confusedly. Mace's gaze intensified and he grabbed onto his arm. "Where is Obi-Wan?"

"Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon's brow furrowed. His Padawan.

"Where is he?"

"I left him behind."

Mace's grip loosened only slightly. "Where is he? Why isn't he with you?"

Qui-Gon thought for a moment. "He was injured. His leg. I left him in the care of the Rock Workers. With Eritha."

Mace's eyes widened perceptibly and his grasp tightened more than ever. Force waves radiated from him, and Qui-Gon was taken aback.

He knew that feeling all too well.

Sorrow.

A deep, binding sadness.

Regret.

"Mace," Qui-Gon said warily, aware of what was happening for the first time. "What is it? What's wrong?"

The Council member turned to fully face him, resting both of his hands on Qui-Gon's shoulders. "I am sorry, Qui-Gon," he said, "But the Rock Worker settlement was raided this morning by an invasion of Absolutes. I'm afraid there were no survivors."

Qui-Gon closed his eyes and shook his head furiously.

No survivors.

"No … No. No. No. Not Obi-Wan. No!" he jumped to his feet and slammed his fists into the wall.

His Padawan.

Dead.

No, it couldn't be possible.

He was too young, too promising, too … light.

He didn't deserve it.

Qui-Gon hadn't even been with him when he …

No, he hadn't. He didn't … No.

"No. No, Master, I feel we should be working together on this mission … I sense great danger … for both of us."

"You are letting worry cloud your judgement, Obi-Wan. You–"

"You're wrong."

He should have listened to Obi-Wan. The young man had warned him. But he had been too proud, too adamant that he was right. He had put another, much older and more experienced Jedi Knight's life in front of his Padawan's.

And yet it had all been futile, anyway.

First Tahl and now Obi-Wan.

Qui-Gon couldn't take it. He beat his fists against the wall again and again, hitting with all his might.

Obi-Wan Kenobi.

His Padawan.

Only sixteen.

Despair filled Qui-Gon and his blows became steadily weaker. A deep exhaustion filtered through his mind and body. He collapsed against the wall and slid to the floor. He looked down at his hands and absently realised that they were bleeding. He could see the telltale blue bloating of burst blood vessels under the skin, and the flesh itself had split over his knuckles. He didn't care at that moment though, couldn't feel it.

Mace silently moved to his side. He sent out waves of comfort and sympathy.

Qui-Gon raised his head to meet Mace's eyes.

"I have lost everything now."

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Okay, I know, another AU. I think I've just become addicted to them. :) I've always thought about many AUs for "The Death of Hope," and here's one of them.

Don't worry all of you out there who are reading "The Quandary," this is not taking over that fic, because I've actually written all of that, and had before I even started posting it. This is just me starting a new fanfic as I post that one.

Anyway, as usual I have been slack and not found myself a beta, so I'm sorry if my fic seems pretty unedited and raw.

I'd better go now, so, as usual, please R&R.

BaBaKaNuSh13