*************

A Jedi must be ready to accept his death. Qui-Gon Jinn was. He knew
it might just be a couple of hours or as long as a couple of days, but he
was ready. He did not wish it, but he had accepted it. The Force had helped
him endure the last four days. Without it he would never have survived the
torture.

The first two days he searched for ways of escape, but found none. He was
electronically bound between two poles in the square outside the palace
gates. Shackled at the wrists and ankles, he resembled a large letter X.
He had tried every way he could think of to manipulate the Force around those
shackles in an attempt to free himself, but nothing had worked. Three times
they had beaten and tortured him during those two days. A chime would sound,
a croud would gather and the beatings would begin. He was presented as an
example of what would happen to any who defied Avol's new ruler. He had not
uttered a sound until late on the second day when an involuntary moan slipped
out. The two soldiers administering the beating cheered victoriously.

The third day was the worst. He was only beaten twice but his legs were giving out.
He was only able to stand for short periods of time, forcing his arms to bear the
weight of his body. Insects began to buzz around his open wounds. Landing and
biting. He could not swat them away. He tried using the Force to push them away,
but that took too much concentration away from his pain management. Qui-Gon
became depressed. Suicidally depressed. Then in the night a young boy, risking
his life, brought him a drink of water. Qui-Gon's thoughts drifted to his apprentice
and his gloom began to turn to acceptance.

The fourth day he was beaten only once. Qui-Gon had retreated so far into himself
and into the Force that he barely registered it.

It was night now, or perhaps his eyes were just closed. It didn't really matter. There
was no more pain. He was ready to go. His life had been a good one. Not easy, but
fulfilling. Even this, his last mission, had been a successful one. Queen Illyana of the
planet Avol had asked for Jedi aid after a military takeover of her planet. She was in
hiding and needed help escaping from Avol before she was found and imprisoned.
She had requested that Qui-Gon be sent because they had known each other a
long time. Twenty years ago he had been the Jedi assigned to escort her home
to Avol to take the throne. The mission went smoothly at first. He and Obi-Wan had no
trouble finding Illyana and her two bodyguards. They left the city unnoticed, sleeping
in the forest that night. He found that his attraction to Illyana had not dwindled in the
last twenty years, nor had hers to him. While the others slept they made love under
the stars. The next day they weren't so lucky. Soldiers attacked them. Obi-Wan
was wounded in the stomach by blaster fire. Vastly out numbered they ran, Qui-Gon
carrying his padawan in his arms. Knowing capture was inevitable, Qui-Gon handed
Obi-Wan to one of Queen Illyana's bodyguards and instructed them to go on to the
ship and take off. He would lead the soldiers away. He could still hear Obi-Wan's
tearful cry as he struggled to free himself and rejoin him.

"I'll take care of him Qui-Gon." Illyana had promised, rushing away.The soldiers
overtook him only moments after he saw their ship head for space.

Illyana would recruit an army and reclaim her throne. She always got what she
wanted. Obi-Wan would get medical treatment and, when he had recovered
and some time had passed, a new master. His death would be difficult for
Obi-Wan. He was sorry for that. Master Yoda would be there to help him.

His biggest regret, the only one that really mattered, was that he would not see
his apprentice become a Jedi Knight. Qui-Gon knew Obi-Wan would be a great
Jedi Knight in the future. It broke his heart not to be able to be there. He was very
proud of his padawan and loved him like a son. He wished he had told Obi-Wan
this. Now it was too late.

**********

Monsters! Illyana thought, as she peered out from behind a statue in the square.
He was beaten beyond recognition. They might be too late. He hung limp between
the poles, a puddle of blood beneath him. Nodding to her companions, she ran
silently to Qui-Gon.

"Be ready to catch him." She whispered to the two men with her.

"Highness we are too late!" One of them uttered. "You must leave now!"

"Are you going to go back and tell that poor boy we didn't even try to save
his master? I know I'm not. Now catch him!" She ordered. Moving to the back
of one of the poles she accessed a hidden retinal scanner and pressed an eye
against it. All four of the shackles binding Qui-Gon opened, he was caught and
hoisted over a muscular shoulder. They then fled into the night with their prize.

**************

It was the sound of his own voice moaning that started to bring him back. Then
he was aware of a change in his surroundings. He felt groggy and slow. He
coughed and tasted bacta in his mouth. He opened his eyes. It was so bright
he found it hard to focus. As the images began to take shape he saw Illyana
at his side. A thousand thoughts raced through his head.

"Welcome back." She smiled. "We thought you'd left us for awhile there."

"How..." He found speaking took great concentration.

"We'll go into that later. You rest now. The doctor says you're not to move."

"Obi-Wan?"

"He's right outside. I told you I'd take care of him." Illyana smiled, gave his
hand a squeeze and went to the door. She exited and a very concerned looking
young man entered.

"Master?" Qui-Gon could see his padawan was close to tears. He raised his
arms, reaching out to his apprentice. The boy went to him, rested his head on
his master's shoulder and sobbed.

"It's all right, Obi-Wan." He said softly, holding his padawan. As he comforted
his apprentice he could not help shedding a few tears himself. He had been
given a second chance and Qui-Gon Jinn was determined to make the most
of it.

END