One
I didn't hear you leave, I wonder how am I still here I don't want to move a thing, it might change my memory Oh I am what I am I'll do what I want But I can't hide I won't go I won't sleep I can't breathe until you're resting here with me I won't leave I can't hide I cannot be until you're resting here with me
Night had fallen.
Not that it mattered. All her days were dark. She could never really remembered a day where there really was sun. As far back as she could remember, there was always a murky darkness about, one that she could never shake, no matter how hard she tried. Light never really existed for her. Always, it had been a dream she had long since given up.
No, that wasn't entirely true. For a brief five year span, she had something. A brilliant ray of luminescence had lit up her skies in the form of a young Jedi Knight. Every moment she had been with him, hears his voice, saw his smile... Even the most terrifying aspects of her memory shattered in his wake.
And then, just like that, in one single act of violence on her part, it was gone.
The memories returned in full force. It brought back the realization of who she was.
Callisto was a dark thing who wanted to be something else, who wished for too much.
For years she had tried to hide it, buring herself in other things. As a slave, she concentrated on work and dreams of freedom. She had never truly wanted to live. Her fights with other on Tatooine were a perfect example seeing she always started them with people and things who would indefinitely kill her. Unfortunately, she was too strong and as much as it surprised her, she did have a will to live. For what though, she didn't know.
She had then taken the focus of herself and placed in on the young child who had come into her care with his mother. Little Anakin Skywalker... He had been so much like her, so young as so hopeful. It quickly became her life's mission to take the boy away from where his will would be crushed like hers had been so long ago. Now that she had her freedom, it had become her new reason to live. She had been so close to taking him and his mother away.
The Jedi came. Life changed.
She lay back, looking out the window at the stars. It was funny how quickly things happened and how they surprised. Of course, the future was rarely what it used t o be. Planning in this universe was pretty much futile. One would think that by now she would be used to it.
She was now. It was foolish to think that she could have her happy ending. She had never had one before, why would now be any different. It was her own fault. She should never have laid her trust in anyone and especially should not have gone of on that damn foolish blood quest by her lonesome. She should have gone to Obi-Wan...
Wait, wouldn't that mean she would have to trust him.
She did trust him, didn't she.
She placed her hand on her forehead. Gods, she was confused. She wanted to badly to trust him... to find him, throw her arms around him and lose herself within his embrace.
But she was afraid.
I don't want to call my friends, they might wake me from this dream and I can't leave this bed, risk forgetting all that's been Oh I am what I am I'll do what I want But I can't hide
Obi-Wan Kenobi stood out of the terrace of the new Jedi temple, looking out into the stars.
"Where are you, my love?" he asked aloud.
It had been weeks since Callisto had appeared before him, bloodied and bruised from the climatic battle with the crime lord. He had been so glad to see her alive.. but she had not been well. Yes, she had been hurt, but there was something else. That light, that fire of hers... it had been gone. He missed it. The first time he had met her on Tatooine, it had irritated him. The only thing he had wanted then was to push it away and deal with the matter at hand.
Later he realized, with Qui-Gon's help, that it wasn't irritation he felt. It had been raw attraction, but his own stubbornness had been intervening. He had wanted her from the start. It had only been when her life was in danger that he realized it.
He placed his hands on the cool railing, giving solace to his fevered palms.
She was out there somewhere. He could feel it.
He also felt a familiar hand on his shoulder. How many times has Qui-Gon done that in his lifetime? He had long since lost count.
"You are thinking of her?" Qui-Gon asked. No, it wasn't a question, more of a statement.
Obi-Wan managed a weak half smile. "Always."
He heard the sigh, another well-known sound. "I know you want to help her I do, too. But I sense that she wishes to be left alone and personally, I think she needs to be. What happened to her is something she must deal with. I know," Qui-Gon said, raising his hand to stop the argument. "I know you want to help her, but she will come when she feels the moment is right."
Obi-Wan looked down, dejected. "I know. I don't like it, though. You know that."
"I know, my friend. I know," Qui-Gon said.
The young Jedi Knight turned back to gaze out into the city. He closed his eyes expected to see darkness.
Instead he just saw red hair and blue eyes.
I won't go I won't sleep I can't breathe until you're resting here with me I won't leave I can't hide I cannot be until you're resting here with me
Two
Qui-Gon Jinn stepped back into the main chamber of the Jedi Temple.
Inwardly, he sighed. How many times had he been before them on so many different occasions? He had long since lost count. He remembered times of discipline for the things he had done, the times where there had been trouble elsewhere, and the rare commendations. He preferred the first and the third far more than the second. It was for the second he was there.
"You believe trouble there will be?" Yoda asked, stroking his chin. In the past he would have doubted Qui-Gon’s suspicions, but experienced had taught him otherwise. The much younger man had proved to be right more often than wrong.
"Yes, Master," Qui-Gon said, nodding. "I wish I had more information to provide, but only one person could provide more answers and at the moment, she is no where to be found."
"Callisto," Mace said.
"Yes," Qui-Gon said. "She returned from her abduction, but has said nothing about what happened." He set his lips together in a thin line. He had not seen her, but Obi-Wan had. Something had clearly happened. It changed her, Obi-Wan had said.
"Find her you must," Yoda said. "The key, I sense she is to this matter."
"I’m in agreement with Master Yoda," Oppo Rancsis said. "I sense a disturbance, the same one you all do. It has been growing for some time now. I’m not entirely sure if these two things are related, but I personally am not willing to take the chance."
"I concur," Mace said. "Things have been placed into motion. We must know what they are. Master Jinn, since you have made more progress on the subject than we have, it would be best that you looked into this."
"If possible, I would like the help of Obi-Wan Kenobi."
Mace nodded. "Him as well. Before you go, I ask that you exercise caution. These underworld types are not be trusted and are trained well in the arts of lies and deception. A wrong step could easily result in tragedy. May the Force be with you."
Qui-Gon bowed once and departed.
"This is almost funny how we keep running into each other."
Anakin grinned sheepishly. "Funny in a good way, right?"
Queen Amidala smiled. "Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?"
The two strolled together down the halls of the Senate building together, flanked on either side by handmaidens and royal guard. Anakin had just been delivering a message to the Senator from Alderaan that Qui-Gon would be missing a meeting when he had bumped into the Queen... literally. He had been racing out of the building in hopes of catching an earlier transport when he had crashed into her head on, knocking the female sovereign onto the ground. There had been much laughter after everyone had gotten up. Anakin was still blushing even now.
"So, what brings you to Corsucant?" Anakin asked.
"Business. The Gungans have offered up a Senator of their own. Boss Nass decided it would be wise to have a representative of his own people in the government so now his representative will work with our own."
"That’s great," Anakin said. "I’m very happy to see how well your people are cooperating with them."
"It pleases me to no end. It truly is a wonderful coming together."
"Coming together is a good thing,," Anakin nodded.
"Yes, it is."
There was an awkward silence for a few moments as other meaning to the sentence were taken in.
"So."
"So."
"I guess, I’ll see you later. I mean, I hope I’ll see you later. Can I see you later?" Anakin said.
Amidala smiled. "I would like that very much. I plan to stay here for a week."
"That’s great," Anakin said, not noticing how eager he sounded. "So, I’ll come by later, that is if Qui-Gon doesn’t have anything for me to do." Oh, he hoped he wouldn’t have to do anything.
"I hope so. Good bye, Anakin."
"Good by Amidala. I mean, Your Highness." He quickly trotted down the hall.
It took a few minutes for Amidala to register the grin she had on her face. It was only when she looked at Sache’s smirk did she realize it."
"What?" the Queen asked crisply and slightly embarrassed. The she quickly walked forward as her handmaiden’s exchanged meaningful glances.
Qui-Gon folded an extra robe and casually tossed it in bag as Obi-Wan leaned against a wall, watching.
"So where are we going, exactly?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I thought Rodia might be a good start, seeing how it is exactly where the trouble started," Qui-Gon said, poking around his things, looking for a communicator he had misplaced.
"Are you sure that is wise? We will stick out rather badly there."
"I know. It is what I am hoping for. We may draw out involved parties or at least those attached to them. Either way, we will get some kind of answers."
Obi-Wan agreed silently. "Will Anakin be accompanying us on this mission?"
"No. "
Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "Strange."
"Ha!" Qui-Gon said as he found the missing communicator and placed it in his bag. Without turning around, he addressed his former apprentice. "Why is this strange?"
"You never sought to protect me from dangerous missions. Why him?"
Qui-Gon smiled warmly. "That’s not true Obi-Wan. I did once do the same thing."
Interested, Obi-Wan got up from his lean and walked closer. "When was that?"
"Do you remember when you were about is age and sent you on a vacation?"
"Yes. I went to Alderaan with a few friends for two weeks. Now that I think of it, I didn’t now where you were."
"I was on Malastare... on a mission preventing an attack."
"You never told me."
"I didn’t want to. At the time, you were still unprepared for the types of people I would be encountering. Death was literally all around me and you were still very bold. Discretion was the key there. I didn’t want to chance losing you there while you were still unprepared."
"Yes, but why did you never tell me?"
Qui-Gon shrugged. "It never came up."
"I don’t believe you."
"Believe what you will." He opted to change the subject. "Any word from Callisto?"
Dejected, Obi-Wan looked at the ground. "Nothing. Her usual haunts have showed no sign of her and her contacts have nothing to offer."
Qui-Gon looked down as well. He had been hoping to hear differently, both for the sake of the mission and for his friend. This proved what he already knew: that something was terribly wrong.
"I’m sure she will turn up soon, Obi-Wan. She always does."
"She has never been gone this long."
"I know."
A black leather gloved hand silently swung the door open.
He stepped into the room, looking around quietly.
The room was a mess. Things were thrown about in complete disarray, almost if a fight had taken place. None had as far as he could sense. the whole place had the air of flight about it.
Had she known he would be coming? No, that was impossible. She couldn’t know. The only one who would know would be his master and there was no chance of that option.
So, she had packed up and left. Why? Had she known anything about what was taking place? Had the fool who had betrayed her said anything before he was killed? Perhaps the man she had slain in battle had spoken before she cut him down.
He didn’t like this. There were too many "what ifs" at play here. He had to narrow them down quickly. He had to find her and deal with her as the situation permitted.
Under the hood, he smiled.
Part Three
She didn't know why she was there, but then Callisto couldn't recall a single place in her life where she ever felt entirely sure where she belonged.
Wait, that wasn't entirely true. For five years, she did feel like she belong as long as she would close her ears to the words of others. At first, she thought the whispers of the others... the diplomats, the Jedi, and the other well-to-do's as just the verbal meanderings of those who had never really suffered. But then the frequencies increased until it all exploded a few weeks ago. She hadn't been back to Corsucant since then, if you counted the day it took for her to pack. Naturally it was light. All she really needed here was a blaster.
Tatooine. It was still sandy.
She stood on top of a ridge overlooking Mos Espa. It was hot, but she kept her cloak on to protect herself from the blowing sands. She last thing she needed now was a rash. From this distance, the only ones that really would take notice of her were those Tuskens, but they still remembered her and kept their distance. The unspoken truce between the two parties still held.
As for everyone else, she didn't know. Nor did she care. She smirked at the thought. Did she care about anything anymore? That answer didn't come so quickly. In fact, it didn't come to her at all.
Was that why she was here? To figure that one out?
A breeze caught a loose strand of hair, blowing it into her face, temporarily jarring her thoughts. A sense of deja vu came over her. She could remember a day, not to unlike this one five years ago.
A storm had been coming then, just as there was now.
"The more things change, the more they stay the same," Callisto murmured to herself.
Obi-Wan Kenobi folded his arms while seated in the pilot's seat. The small ship was on auto-pilot. Now would be the time for his to retire to his quarters for some rest. The next day when they arrived on Rodia would prove to be an exhausting one, but he could not pull himself away from his seat. It wasn't from being locked in deep thought. Far from it. His mind was empty.
That bothered him.
He sighed, brushing away some dust on his sleeve. There were so many things going on. There was the mission and there was also his private business. There had been talks about him finally getting an apprentice of his own. It was an exciting prospect to tutor someone the same way Qui-Gon had tutored him, also a very intimidating one. It was natural to feel doubt in such a situation. There were people, namely his old teacher he could talk to about this should he feel the need. Then there was the matter of Callisto. Once she reappeared after her kidnapping, she had chosen to disappear from view without a word in the mental state he sensed she was in. She was deeply troubled, one could easily tell that with or without the Force. It bothered him that she didn't think to tell him or anyone else that maybe she needed some alone time. True, she flitted of from time to time, but this was different. Something terrible was going on inside... and elsewhere. Why couldn't he concentrate on any of that?
So many things going on all at once... Was that why he couldn't concentrate? Was it too much for him to handle?
Or maybe he just didn't want to handle it.
He sighed once more and watched the stars pass.
In the next room, Qui-Gon Jinn sat on his small (even for his size) bed, meditating. Fortunately, he didn't share in Obi-Wan's restlessness. He chose to open his thoughts to things passing by, just to see if anything would help this situation.
It had been said many times before, but it needed to be said again. He had a bad feeling about this. About everything. In the past few weeks, he had felt a growing tension. Not about any one thing in particular... he could feel it surrounding everything. It felt as if the entire universe were holding its breath. Waiting. Watching. Nearing the point of explosion.
What the cause was, he didn't know. He tried to fathom it, but found he could not.
This bothered him deeply.
Anakin Skywalker was out, even though he wasn't supposed to be. His curfew had been about an hour ago, but he had learned quite awhile ago how to get out and leave everyone thinking he was sleeping. It was even easier with both Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan gone. They could catch on to his antics all to well.
This time, it wasn't a young man's night out on the town. He had something important to do. Obi-Wan had told him that Callisto had vanished again. So he was out to investigate, especially if no one else would. No matter what anyone else said about her, she was still his friend. She always would be, no matter what happened.
He reached the door to what she referred to as "home base" but never home. She never did stay in one place, and always had trouble setting down roots. He admitted to the same problem, it all being a result of life on Tatooine.
He reached for the door when a hand was placed on his shoulder.
His reaction of a yelp and a high jump was not the most manly or the most Jedi-like. It was even more embarrassing when he turned around.
Amidala was looking at him with a serious face that broke out into laughter after his reaction. Anakin blushed deeply.
"What are you doing here?" Anakin asked.
"Aren't you supposed to be under curfew young man?" Amidala replied in her most authoritative, but also teasing voice.
"Yeah... well... Where are YOUR guards, huh?"
"I won't tell if you won't."
"Okay."
"Okay then."
"Then we agree."
"We agree."
They both shuffled their feet a bit before realizing why they were there.
"So what are you doing here?" Anakin asked.
"Same thing as you," Amidala said. "I'm worried about her."
Anakin shrugged and jimmied opened her door, surprised at how easy the lock gave. "I am too. I know she's not even here, but I just need to look... Maybe she left something behind."
"Won't she get mad at you?"
"She's always mad... There are just degrees of it. Give her time and she'll..."
He stopped talking when the door opened. The place had been trashed.
"I guess she was a bit more angry then we thought."
Anakin shook his head. "No. She didn't do this. I can... I'm not to good at this, but I sense something... Something bad... It feels familiar, too. I don't like it."
"Think she was taken again?"
"No. I think maybe someone was looking for her. She might be in real trouble this time. I can't even contact Qui-Gon, I don't know where he went. I think, I'm on my own this time."
"No your not. I'll come."
"Amidala, your guards... People will get upset."
"I'll send a message I had some business. They'll understand and if they don't, I'll explain it after."
"We'll have to leave now."
"That's fine."
"Come on... I hope you brought a blaster or plan to buy one. You'll need it where we're going."
"Where is that."
Anakin sighed and shut the door. He never thought he would ever have to make this trip ever again. He didn't want to, but it was where she was.
"The one place where anyone can disappear when they want to. It won't be safe... but I'll protect you."
He led Amidala to a port.
She smiled. "That's really sweet."
Sweet?
DISCLAIMER: GL owns all. Dido owns "Here With Me." I own 2 liters of Pepsi.