Title: Savior

Author's Note: This AU effort occurs a few years after TPM. It is unbetaed. All mistakes are my own.

Disclaimer: Star Wars is the property of George Lucas & Lucasfilm Ltd.

Xanatos read the obscure datafile and studied the nightmarish holopics with dispassion. His foremost objective in his recent purchase of a mind-wiped labor slave was primarily revenge against a bitterly despised enemy.

At the moment, his new acquisition was ensconced in his med center being examined by his own personal physician. The look on the healer's face when he delivered his grim assessment was professional, yet sympathetic.

"My Lord, the patient has been subjected to horrendous torture. The physical abuse is considerable and some most likely irreparable. I won't go into specific details, but he needs to be placed into bacta immediately if he is to have any chance for survival at all."

The former fallen Jedi moved in closer to get his first actual glimpse of the young man. Numerous scars and bruises, old and new found covered the well-formed slender body, evidence of the inhumane treatment inflicted upon the victim. He had known what to expect from the forwarded report, but was still shocked when he could barely recognize the battered handsome face that he was eminently familiar with.

A wave of uncharacteristic pity sweep though the Telosian, "Do what you have to to help him," he directed. "Spare no expense. Give him the best possible care."

"At once, my Lord," the healer responded before immediately ordering his staff into action.

As the bustle of activity took place around him, Xanatos stroked his chin pondering, "What the hell happened to you, Obi-Wan?"

Questions nagged at Xanatos while he observed the lithe body that had been floating in the bacta tank for several days. The information from his initial report was woefully lacking, so he sent his most dependable spies out, relying on their expertise to reconstruct the detailed circumstances before Knight Kenobi was brought to him. The head healer approached with a medical datapad in hand.

"My Lord, the patient will be removed shortly. His injuries were so severe that only months of rehabilitation and therapy will aid in his recovery. A great deal will depend on how cooperative and willing the young man will be. We must be cautious due to his fragile state, therefore, I recommend we wait a while before we remove his force collar. Once he has regained some strength, we will then attempt to reverse the mind-wipe and restore his memories."

Nodding his approval, Xanatos waited while the young Jedi was taken out of the restorative bath, cleaned off and after close examination by the healer, taken to a private room.

When Obi-Wan awoke, he expected to feel the pain that marked his everyday existence. Therefore, he was surprised to find himself unrestrained and lying on a soft comfortable bed. As he attempted to raise himself up, a pair of strong arms assisted him.

"Careful, now. You don't want to exert yourself too much."

"Wha...," was all that the patient could rasp from his dry throat.

"Here, drink this," a cup was placed in his hands, "Now, just small sips," he was advised.

Obi-Wan obeyed and drank slowly.

The older man sadly noted that what were once dazzling cerulean eyes were now only a glazed grey gaze fixed before him.

"My name is Xanatos. I... procured you from your last owner," he judiciously explained, "You have been brought to my estate here on Telos."

"Are you my new master then?"

The humble inquiry rocked the noble whose tumultuous feelings were in disarray. In the past, he had based his hostility towards Obi-Wan fundamentally on the fact that he unfortunately occupied the plum role of being Qui-Gon Jinn's apprentice -- a position he himself tempestuously abdicated. It had grated upon him how the young man radiated so brightly in the Force and essentially embodied the compassion, skill and grace signifying an ideal Jedi. For all intents and purposes, he had acquired him solely for the purpose of exacting revenge on his abhorred former mentor, but the presence of such purity brutally abused made him pause as he asked himself if he truly wanted to further torment this poor wretched soul.

"You needn't worry about that now," he answered, choosing to dodge the question. "You've been under my healer's care for the last few days and will remain so until you are well again. Then, and only then, we'll discuss your future. When you are stronger, a mind healer will help you to retrieve your memories, but for now, what would you like me to call you?"

The young man found himself speechless. This was the first decent treatment he'd received since the mind-wipe, but he was wary to trust again after being so ill-used by others. Awkwardly, he shrugged unable to provide a suitable answer.

Xanatos remedied the situation by recalling an appellation from an old confidential background file retrieved when the knight was a padawan. "Would you mind if I called you Ben?"

Realizing his benefactor was very accommodating and kind, the patient offered up a small smile of approval.

"Rest now. We will talk again later."

For the first time in his limited memory, the young man dubbed 'Ben' felt safe. The fear and hopelessness that constantly plagued him momentarily ceased. Cozily settling down, the patient soon fell fast asleep.

A brooding Xanatos was studying his breathtaking residential view -- deep in thought. Time had flown by. Offworld was a thriving success due to his ambitious and ruthless hands on management. He realized the busy work had diverted his attention away from seeking spiteful retribution against his old master, but the desire for reprisal was still strong. As fate would have it, opportunity had just presented itself in the form of Obi-Wan Kenobi.

There was a knock before Renault, the noble's valet and trusted right hand man, entered the opulent office to relay the classified spy data that was trickling in.

"Very interesting unsubstantiated facts, my Lord," the man stated while juggling a stack of dataflimsies.

The Telosian seated himself behind an ornate desk and motioned for the man to speak.

"It appears several years ago Jinn and Kenobi had a major falling out."

An ebony eyebrow arched at the news.

"Apparently, Jinn dismissed his senior apprentice in order to take on another padawan."

Stunned disbelief flashed in the Lord's sapphire eyes, "Continue."

"It's all connected to a Naboo mission. You must remember, it was all over the holonews when the Trade Federation failed in their bid for planetary invasion. Rumor has it, the Jedi team was knee-deep in the conflict." The adjunct looked down to reference his notes. "In the end, Kenobi saved Jinn's life, but for some unknown reason the old man threw him over for a little wunderkind. Luckily, in consideration of his valiant efforts, the Council granted him his knighthood. After which, Kenobi left Coruscant and hasn't been back to the Temple since."

Xanatos' curiosity was piqued. "Contact our spies and informants and tell them to redouble their efforts. Get me all of Knight Kenobi's mission records, everything you can gather on Naboo and I want detailed accounts of his experiences after he was mind-wiped and put on the auction block."

Renault curtly nodded and bowed before rushing out the door. "I'm already on it, my Lord."

Leaning back in his chair, Xanatos steepled his fingers and observed wryly, "How ironic, Obi-Wan. It appears we both have been burned by that rat bastard of a master."

As the days passed, Obi-Wan gradually improved, however he suffered from frightening night terrors. Responding uncharacteristically to the screams of anguish, Xanatos spent several nights bedside dispelling the disturbing images in order to allow the young man a semblance of peaceful rest.

One evening, in contemplating over his afflicted house guest, the Telosian suddenly realized that he felt a kinship with the young Jedi. He knew well what it felt like for one to be betrayed by your very own master and it spurred him to personally see to Obi-Wan's recovery.

Unnerved by the patient's lackluster spirit, the noble became determined to coax the Jedi from his sheltered cocoon. Arriving daily with dinner, he cordially kept him company.

"Good evening, Ben. You have a special treat today. The healers has upgraded you from that awful diet of vegetable broth to soft food." Placing the tray in front of the patient, he announced with a flourish, "On today's menu...kawali egg soufflé."

A weak smile lit the wan face. "Smells delicious."

"It should, I'll have you know I have a galaxy renown chef working for me."

While the patient ate, Xanatos related some of his more risqué business anecdotes, trying to humor him with conversation. When he reached for the finished meal tray, Obi-Wan grasped his hand.

"Why...why have you been so good to me?," he reluctantly asked, fearing it wasn't proper to question the man who in his estimation rescued him.

Xanatos held his breath for a second. "Is it so wrong to want to help a person in need?"

"But, you are a prince," the Jedi pointed out, "A man of importance and power. What interest could you possibly have for a mind-wiped slave?"

"Ben," the older man squeezed his hand in reassurance, "the truth is too complicated to explain at the moment," He added sincerely, "However, I promise to give you all the answers you require when you have sufficiently healed."

Bowing his auburn head in contrition, "Forgive my impertinence, my Lord. I'm very grateful for all the attention you've shown me."

"No thanks are necessary. And I want you to call me Xanatos."

Obi-Wan reacted in mortification. In his short stay he observed that no one addressed the noble with such informality, "But..."

A voice spoke with conviction, "Know this, my friend, I do not now and will not ever consider you to be my slave."

"But, I'm so unworthy..."

Grabbing the young man by the shoulders, the noble harshly responded, "Don't say that!" He rued his outburst immediately and moderated his tone, entreating, "Forget you were a downtrodden slave and believe me when I tell you that you are an amazingly gifted, courageous and honorable man."

Ben then dared to ask, what he suspected all along. "You know who I really am...You've always known, haven't you?"

Releasing him, Xanatos did not prevaricate and replied, "Yes."

Appearing to take the answer in stride, Ben continued, "Would you answer a simple question?"

The older man hesitated before nodding.

"Were we once friends?"

Xanatos turned his back and sounded regretfully sad, "No."

Ben was vaguely confused, "I don't understand. We were acquainted, however, not on good terms and yet you saved me...cared for me...Why?"

"I'm no saint, Ben," the older man admitted through clenched teeth. "We share common life experiences and personal relationships. My motives weren't benevolent in the beginning, but they changed the moment you first arrived."

"You pitied me."

Xan turned to reface the knight, in order to directly look him in the eye. "At the start, I did. But as time passed, I grew to admire you for your resilience and innate goodness. Whatever apparent bad blood that existed between us is totally my manifestation. My animosity towards you was solely a mistaken product of guilt by association." His frankness surprised even himself as he elaborated, "You're an innocent pawn in a wicked game of vengeance. Nothing more than a tool to utilize...a means to get back at someone whom I felt terribly wronged me."

The young Jedi greatly appreciated the noble's honest openness. "You may play a dark role in my shadowed past, Xanatos, but all that's important to me now is that for some inexplicable reason I can sense that you've never lied to me. In fact, you've treated me with the only decency and kindness I can recollect in my compromised memory. It should not be surprising that I feel that I can trust you with my life."

"Your trust isn't misplaced, Ben." The noble spoke evoking the aura of a faithful paladin. "Furthermore, until you are fully recovered, you may regard this place as your home. Rest easy knowing that you are safe and welcome here under my ever vigilant guard and protection."