Obi-Wan looked over his shoulder. The small flat he and Qui-Gon shared appeared the same as always, undisturbed and quiet. He turned his head to look out the window again. There was something out there. Amidst the borderline insanity of the morning rush hour, something was piercing through the traffic and commotion directly to him as he sat in his tiny flat high above the rest of the city. But it was a sensation too vague to pinpoint, simply a tug in the Force just significant enough to have piqued his attention right after his meditation. It wasn't enough to cause alarm, but it was a curious feeling nonetheless.

Detecting nothing more than that, Obi-Wan stood up from his kneeling position and stepped toward the kitchen. Had Qui-Gon been there, he most certainly would have discussed it with him, but for the first time in a long while, Obi-Wan had been left on his own for four days while Qui-Gon participated in a 'training exercise' with a number of other masters. However, Obi-Wan, like his fellow padawans, believed it to be a test for them and a nice vacation for their masters. Not that he was complaining. Although he had several duties to attend to as always, it was both rewarding and somewhat liberating to be on his own, if only for a few days. Yet he was also keenly aware that he was still being watched and evaluated even in Qui-Gon's absence.

The first task to prove just that was the call from Mace Windu (who, curiously enough, was not attending the training exercise) earlier that morning to request his presence at a meeting with Senator Greeling of Balrain. Although what the meeting was about, Obi-Wan had no idea. All Mace had said was that he wanted Obi-Wan to go with him.

~*~

"Are things well?"

"Pardon me?"

"Are things well with you and Qui-Gon," Mace asked as he and Obi-Wan boarded the elevator on the ground floor of the Senate building.

Obi-Wan paused for a moment, wondering if there was something he was supposed to be displeased about. "Things are going very well, Master Windu."

"Good," Mace said.

Obi-Wan observed Mace for a moment, anticipating some sort of elaboration on the question. But Mace simply stared up at the panel above the doors. Obi-Wan cleared his throat and said, "Is there some sort of problem?"

Mace shifted his eyes to look at the slightly nervous padawan. "No, Obi-Wan. There is no problem. I simply like to take the opportunity from time to time to ask the question. And since Qui-Gon is away, this seemed like a good time."

Obi-Wan gave Mace a quick nod and then turned his attention to the door as the elevator came to a stop. The door slid open, and Obi-Wan took a step back to allow Mace to exit first. They walked silently through the corridors and proceeded unhindered through a large reception area until they arrived at the Chancellor's office.

"I thought we were meeting with Senator Greeling," Obi-Wan said.

Mace turned his head to look at Obi-Wan over his shoulder. "I am meeting with Senator Greeling and Chancellor Valorum."

"I see," Obi-Wan said.

They stepped into the outer office. "You will wait for me out here, Padawan. And then we shall continue our discussion on our way back to the Temple."

Obi-Wan tried to hide his disappointment. He should have known he would be little more than Mace's escort, but he had been hopeful that Mace was actually involving him in something substantial.

"Good morning, Master Windu. Obi-Wan."

Mace's serious Council member face broke into a congenial smile. "Marielle," he said enthusiastically. "How are you?"

"I am well, thank you," she responded with a smile. "And yourself?"

"I have no complaints," Mace said.

"Well, that's good," Marielle said. Then she lowered her voice and continued, "It's nice to have someone come in this office who doesn't have a complaint."

Mace chuckled and turned his head toward Obi-Wan. "I'm sure you have met Chancellor Valorum's assistant."

"Of course," Obi-Wan said, smiling at Marielle.

Marielle's brown eyes shifted down to the desktop and then back up at the two Jedi. "Well, you can go right in. They are waiting for you."

"Thank you," Mace said. "Obi-Wan will wait out here for me. If you don't mind the company, that is."

Marielle shook her head. "No, not at all."

"Good," Mace said. Then he turned and walked into Valorum's office.

Obi-Wan heard the greetings exchanged before the door closed with a soft click. He looked around the outer office, not quite sure what to do with himself.

"Please, have a seat," Marielle said, gesturing to the two chairs situated in front of her desk.

"Are you sure I won't disturb you?" he asked.

She smiled and pushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Of course not. Besides, you're the fourth padawan that he's brought here in the past week. I'm getting used to the Jedi décor," she said, turning her attention to her computer screen.

Obi-Wan chuckled. "Very well." He pulled one of the chairs several inches back and sat down.

"So," Marielle said, not taking her eyes off the report she was working on, "how much longer are your masters going to be gone?"

"Three more days," Obi-Wan responded, smiling softly as she adjusted her wire-rimmed glasses and pushed the renegade dark brown lock of hair behind her ear for the third time since she sat down.

"Ah," she said, "so perhaps I should call the A-V department and request a screen and some holovids be sent up to entertain the parade of padawans who will no doubt come through here." She finally smiled and glanced over at him.

Obi-Wan chuckled. "That would at least keep them out of your hair."

Marielle shrugged. "I could always put them to work, I suppose."

"There is that," Obi-Wan said with an amused expression. "Although I doubt that any of us could begin to make sense of what you do."

She laughed. "Well, that's one heck of a coincidence because neither can I." She swiveled her chair to reach for a file.

"I am surprised that you do this job all on your own," Obi-Wan said. "Chancellor Valorum is certainly a busy man."

"That he is," Marielle said, looking up at him. "Are you looking for a job? I'll put in a good word."

Obi-Wan smiled. "I'm afraid I would be far too under qualified."

Marielle smiled. "Somehow I doubt that." As soon as she heard herself speak the words, she felt a quick blush flash across her cheeks at the unintended innuendo of that response. Avoiding his eyes, she grabbed the phone to make a quick call in order to toss that train off its tracks. "Excuse me," she said, still not looking at him, "I need to call the receptionist."

"Of course," Obi-Wan said, trying not to regard her too steadily after picking up her embarrassment. However, he found that task a bit difficult. Although he had seen her several times when he had accompanied Qui-Gon to meet with the Chancellor, he had not actually had the opportunity to simply sit and talk with her. There was certainly something engaging about her.

"Hi," she said, holding the phone between her ear and shoulder as she rummaged through a drawer. "Have you seen Sei Taria? Hmmm.... Yeah, if you see her, tell her to get back to work. Thanks," Marielle said with a chuckle. She hung up the phone and slammed her drawer shut. "Looks like I've been deserted," she mumbled.

"I know that feeling," Obi-Wan said.

"Yes, I suppose you do," Marielle said. "It shouldn't be too much longer. The Chancellor has to leave for a hearing in fifteen minutes. Of course, if Sei doesn't get here, I'll be running off to find another procedural expert."

Obi-Wan looked to the closed door and then said with quiet sarcasm. "I can't imagine why the Chancellor would need a procedural expert."

"Funny," Marielle said. "You should consider running for public office."

"I wonder if I should be insulted by that remark," Obi-Wan joked.

Marielle looked up at him over the top of her glasses. "Yes, you should." Then she smiled. "Just don't tell anyone I said it."

"Your cynicism is safe with me," he said.

"Ah, thank you," she said. "I really am a nice person, you know."

"At least you were before you started working for the Senate," Obi-Wan quipped.

Marielle suddenly burst out laughing, surprised at the snappy come back.

Obi-Wan shook his head. "I'm sorry," he chuckled. "You are indeed a very nice person."

Marielle quirked up an eyebrow at him. "Don't let that get around either."

"I promise," he said with a smile.

"I can't let anyone in this building know how boring I truly am. It would ruin all fear leverage that I have worked so hard to build," she quipped.

"I would hardly call you boring," Obi-Wan said.

Marielle smiled at him nervously and then quickly turned to look for another file. Going toe to toe with anyone associated with the Senate - whether it be humorous banter or otherwise - was one thing. Taking even the slightest compliment from a handsome Jedi, especially Obi-Wan, was quite another.

Obi-Wan shifted slightly in his chair, quickly pulling himself back from the enjoyable conversation at the realization that flirting with the Chancellor's assistant was probably not the most prudent course of action, especially since Jedi Masters like Mace Windu could carry on a perfectly sensible conversation in one room while monitoring every other activity in the next three buildings over. Or at least it seemed that way.

Marielle tapped her fingers on the desk as she looked at her watch.

"He has a full schedule today?" Obi-Wan asked in order to break the slightly awkward silence.

"He always has a full schedule," she said.

"Of course."

"And with the party tonight, he really needs to be on time today," she said, finally looking at him. "It's a bit tacky for the Chancellor to arrive late to a Republic function, party or otherwise."

Obi-Wan nodded and gave her a hint of a smile. "Your day never ends, does it?"

"Well, today it won't," she said as she looked at her watch again. Marielle quickly stood up and walked around her desk. "I have to go find Sei before that hearing starts. I'm sure they won't be too much longer."

Obi-Wan stood up out of courtesy and kept his eyes on her as she hurried to the door. "It was a pleasure to talk with you."

Marielle turned around as she opened the outer door. "Yes. Perhaps I will see you tonight."

"Oh, I am not scheduled to attend this one," he said.

"Well, some other time then," she said politely and then shut the door behind her.

Obi-Wan sat back down, now alone in the outer office. He stared at the Chancellor's door for several moments and then sighed. "Patience, Kenobi," he mumbled to himself. And then as his mind began to settle down and Marielle's energy gradually dissipated from the room, he felt that odd tug again. Someone was seeking him out, but not adamantly enough for him to be able to trace the identity. He thought for a moment that perhaps it was Mace keeping tabs on him. But although the sensation seemed vaguely familiar to him, the Force signature was not readily recognizable like Mace's was.

Obi-Wan reached out to the energy that pulled at his senses. And as he began to use his own Force strength to seek out the source, the strange inquiry suddenly ceased. "Odd," he whispered to himself, drumming his fingers on the armrests of the chair.

~*~

"Yes, Master Windu. If you wish it, I will be there."

Mace finally quirked up a smile. "Obi-Wan, I asked you if you wanted to go. It makes no difference to me one way or the other," he said as they walked back into the Temple. "The Chancellor extended the invitation to Qui-Gon, and you are perfectly welcome to go in his stead. I am sure Qui-Gon would have attended, but not in any official capacity. Therefore, the decision is simply a matter of preference on your part. If you have other plans...."

"No, I have no other plans," Obi-Wan answered, knowing full well that it would be most inappropriate to turn down the Chancellor's invitation, even if it wasn't specifically extended to him. "I will be happy to attend the party."

Mace smirked slightly. "I'm sure you will be." And with that, he turned and walked away.

Obi-Wan stood for a moment and watched Mace's robe billow out as he strode down the hall and then disappeared around a corner. He had to admit that he had been hopeful that he would actually have an evening to himself, a luxury he was very seldom afforded and usually only when Qui-Gon received personal invitations such as the one he just accepted. As he walked back to his flat, Obi-Wan assuaged his slight regret by the thought that the food would at least be better than what the Temple would offer that evening.

~*~

The party was like all Senatorial social functions, beginning respectably and solemnly and swiftly descending - or ascending, depending on your perspective - to rather boisterous, lascivious, and no doubt embarrassing, behavior on the parts of many senators and other respected delegates, courtesy of the free-flowing libations at such events.

Obi-Wan merely played his expected role, making polite rounds and engaging in pleasantries and small talk with anyone who demanded it. And all the while, that nagging, ambiguous presence began to grow stronger. Despite the somewhat rambunctious activity surrounding him, he could not be distracted from it as he was earlier. It was as though he was being summoned now. He sensed no specific danger, but yet there was something extremely unsettling about it.

Knowing that he should probably simply leave the party and push the elusive call aside until Qui-Gon returned, Obi-Wan's instincts got the better of him. He proceeded to do what he had been trained for and began to follow the disturbance.

The trail led him out of the main ballroom and out into the lobby. He walked to the security entrance and looked through the large glass doors that opened to the courtyard. The disturbing vibration grew stronger when one of the doors opened.

Obi-Wan gasped and quickly grabbed his sabre from his belt at the first glimpse of those dangerous azure eyes. Although several years had passed since he had seen them, his mind would never forget that cocky glare. "Xanatos," he seethed through his teeth.

Xanatos stopped just inside the doorway, his head held high with a slightly amused expression on his face. ::Now, now, Padawan. You don't want to cause a nasty scene at this fanciful gala.::

Obi-Wan raised the handle of his sabre without igniting it as the voice echoed in his head.

::Nor do you want me to kill these two security guards with a mere flicker of a thought. Or any of these other lovely people.::

Obi-Wan pursed his lips together, inwardly cursing himself for not mentioning his perceptions to Mace earlier in the day. And then he bristled when Xanatos' face suddenly revealed a perfectly innocent smile.

"Ah, there you are, Obi-Wan! I thought I would never find you, friend." Without so much as a wave of his hand, Xanatos' strode past the security guards and straight toward Obi-Wan. ::Put that sabre away before I pick some pretty little thing to kill off.::

Obi-Wan lowered his arms but still gripped his weapon in his right hand. "I won't allow this."

Xanatos' laughed. "You won't allow this? And what, pray tell, are you going to do about it?"

"As clever as you think you are," Obi-Wan said, "this building is full of Jedi who I am sure won't object to disposing of you."

Xanatos' eyes widened. "Such hatred you spout, Obi-Wan. I'm glad that the little green elf didn't purge you of it."

"Oh, it is not hatred, Xanatos. It is merely fact. You won't be able to spend five minutes in this building without every Jedi here being aware of your presence."

Xanatos crossed his arms in front of him and cocked his head to the side. "Obi-Wan, the only reason you were aware of anything is because I allowed it, and I controlled the exact impression that I wanted you to have. No one else will have the slightest inkling as to my dastardly presence. Come, I'll show you." He nonchalantly walked past Obi-Wan and headed for the ballroom.

Obi-Wan took a deep breath and tried to center himself, examining his options. He did not doubt Xanatos' threat to kill innocents, nor his ability to respond quicker than Obi-Wan could attack. Obi-Wan hooked his sabre to his belt and grabbed his comlink. He needed to contact the Temple immediately. But as he keyed in the channel, Xanatos turned back around and quickly returned to him.

"You see that nice couple over there?" Xanatos pointed to the far end of the lobby. "That man and his lovely wife. Oh, excuse me, lovely and pregnant wife."

Obi-Wan glanced over at the pair and gritted his teeth.

Xanatos smiled jovially at Obi-Wan. "You have five seconds to turn off that comlink before I kill all three of them." He let out an obnoxious cackle. "And you know you can't kill me first."

Obi-Wan glared at Xanatos and turned off the comlink.

"An excellent choice," Xanatos said. "Carnage can really ruin a fancy party like this."

"What do you want?" Obi-Wan growled.

Xanatos patted Obi-Wan on the shoulder. "Just wanted to catch up with an old friend. I thought that since our dear Master is out of town, that we would have plenty of time for some fun." He then walked quickly toward the ballroom, leaving Obi-Wan no choice but to follow, grappling like mad for a solution to this extraordinarily dicey situation.

Part 2

Marielle sought refuge with a small group of female interns who had gathered in a relatively quiet corner of the room. They weren't her favorite choice for company, their youth being magnified by spirits and a relaxed environment. But with most of her official duties completed for the evening - meaning making sure Valorum spoke to everyone who expected it - she simply needed to bide her time away from inebriated middle-aged men, and other species, until she found her opportunity to exit unnoticed and, most importantly, unaccompanied.

"Wow," one of the interns exclaimed, drawing out the word for emphasis. "Who is that?"

Marielle looked with a fair amount of disinterest, having become quite accustomed to the younger women trolling at these kinds of events. "Oh," Marielle said, trying not to sound too interested in the target, "that's Obi-Wan Kenobi."

"Well, of course it is," the intern said. "But who is that in front of him? Not that Obi-Wan is an unwelcome sight, mind you," she purred.

Marielle's eyes shifted forward until they landed on the rather intriguing creature slinking across the room in front of Obi-Wan. It was a man about Obi-Wan's height, perhaps slightly more slender, although Obi-Wan's build was difficult to ascertain given the many layers of clothing she always saw him in.

She smiled as she watched them cross the large room, this mysterious man certainly not dressed for a senatorial function. From her vantage point, Marielle could plainly see the gleam of his form fitting black leather pants as he comfortably swaggered through the crowd, giving off a surprising air of confidence for someone so obviously out of place. Still, she had to admit he was a striking figure with his shirt tails hanging untucked at his hips, the cuffs loose around his wrists, and the shirt unbuttoned a few inches down his chest in a rather enticing manner. As he moved through the light, the fabric seemed to shift from deep crimson to black depending on the movement of his body. His face was somewhat hidden by tousled black hair that fell in long layers, the ends wisping across his cheeks and not allowing a clear view of his eyes.

But what was most surprising was the manner in which Obi-Wan followed this man who possessed his space like he owned the entire room and everyone in it. The Jedi followed a few steps behind him, never moving to his side, nor ever taking the slight scowl off his face. Obi-Wan was obviously watching him with extraordinary focus.

"I have got to meet that one," the intern said with not so subtle innuendo.

"Mmm," was Marielle's disinterested response. Whether it was instinct or simply paranoia, there was something in Obi-Wan's countenance that told her all was not right with this obviously uninvited guest. She watched them a few moments longer until the stranger sat down at a table in the far corner with his back to the wall, and Obi-Wan stopped, grabbing hold of a chair as he remained standing, staring at the man. Marielle's eyes darted quickly around the room. The rest of the Jedi in attendance, as well as the security guards, were paying no mind to Obi-Wan and his companion. Certainly if this was a problem, he would have alerted others. At least that's what she told herself.

~*~

"Oh, Kenobi, have a seat," Xanatos said, gesturing his hand toward the chair that Obi-Wan stood behind. "Relax a little if you can figure out how to do that." Xanatos leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in front of him. "Come on," he said, flipping his head slightly to toss the hair out of his eyes. "I'll buy you a drink."

"No thank you," Obi-Wan said dryly.

Xanatos grinned. "Ah, very polite. Even to a deviant such as myself. My Master has trained you well."

"I believe he ceased being your Master a long time ago," Obi-Wan said.

Xanatos chuckled. "Doesn't the Temple frown upon jealousy, Padawan?"

Obi-Wan gripped the chair a little tighter. "I would hardly say that I am jealous of--"

"Oh, that´s alright," Xanatos said with a smirk, "most men are."

Obi-Wan sighed. "Does this intrusion of yours have a point?"

"I already told you. I thought you and I could have a chat, maybe hit the town while the old man is away."

Obi-Wan pursed his lips together and then spoke, "I haven't the slightest interest."

"Of course you do, Obi-Wan," Xanatos said, nodding quickly at a waiter who set down two glasses of wine on the table. "Now sit."

Obi-Wan quickly pulled the chair away from the table and sat down. And then he bristled at Xanatos' smirk.

"You see," Xanatos said, "I can convince you to do just about anything."

"Manipulating me to sit in a chair hardly qualifies as just about anything."

"True," Xanatos said. "But you didn't even feel the manipulation, did you? No buzzing, no tugging...you just simply sat down."

Obi-Wan folded his arms and gave Xanatos a steady glare.

"And now you are even more curious about me."

"That would imply that I have been curious about you in the past," Obi-Wan said. "I hate to disappoint you, but--"

"Yes, you have been curious about me," Xanatos said, casually running his finger around the rim of his wine glass. "You have wondered what caused my fall from grace. And you wonder what will prevent you from doing the same."

"I know very well what caused you to turn to the Dark Side."

Xanatos laughed. "Oh, so that is what the old man told you! That I am of the Dark Side. That I am a lost, evil soul."

Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. "I seem to recall you trying to detonate Qui-Gon and I inside that mine on Bandomeer...not to mention all the innocents you would have killed in the process."

Xanatos' face turned serious for a moment. "Yes, well.... Youthful impulsiveness," he said with a wave of his hand.

"Oh, I see," Obi-Wan said, "that is what you call it. Obsessive, violent revenge on Qui-Gon for your own disgrace is now attributed to youthful impulsiveness."

Xanatos' face pinched up in offense. He sat silently for a moment. Obi-Wan braced himself as he felt the rapid wave of Xanatos' anger, and he worried for a moment that maybe he had pushed him too far in the midst of a room full of mostly defenseless revelers.

Xanatos ran his fingers through his hair, pushing it back from his face for the first time. "Your devotion to Qui-Gon is admirable," he said rather unconvincingly. "But did Qui-Gon ever tell you what caused my so-called disgrace?"

"Yes," Obi-Wan said. "Your greed. And the betrayal of your own people."

Xanatos nodded quickly. "Right. Betrayal. It's funny that Qui-Gon should happen to mention betrayal." Xanatos leaned forward, resting his forearm on the table. "Tell me, did Qui-Gon ever happen to mention to you how he betrayed me? What he did to destroy my family?"

Obi-Wan took a deep breath. He needed to get this situation under control as soon as possible. "Yes, Qui-Gon told me everything."

"Did he now?"

"Yes, he did."

"So what did he do, Obi-Wan?" Xanatos challenged.

"We both know what happened," Obi-Wan said.

"Yes, we do. But I want to hear you say it and then try to explain it away. Tell me what Qui-Gon did," Xanatos said, loud enough to draw the attention of people sitting nearby.

Obi-Wan sighed.

"I'm sorry, what was that?"

Obi-Wan sensed Xanatos' agitation rising quickly. For now, he would cooperate. "Qui-Gon killed your father."

"Thank you!" Xanatos exclaimed, slapping his palm on the table and finally sitting back in his chair. "He. Killed. My. Father." He let out an exasperated sigh. "And why? Because my father was corrupt? A good share of the people in this room are corrupt. Shall we kill them, too?" Xantos looked around the room. "Let's figure this out together, Obi-Wan. How many in this room have started a war?"

"I am in no position to argue the issues of your history with Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan said in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.

"That's right," Xanatos said, pointing at Obi-Wan. "You are not. But you are in a position to think for yourself."

"I believe I do that quite well, thank you."

Xanatos' lips curled up slightly as he raised his glass to drink the wine. "Yes, I believe you do. You are different, Obi-Wan. Not quite the blind lamb like many of your fellow padawans."

"I am glad that we all fit into a convenient stereotype for you," Obi-Wan said.

"Oh, not at all," Xanatos said. "Especially not you. You actually have the potential to realize the truth about your life. Many of the Temple faithful are not so fortunate."

"Realize the truth about my life? Just as you have?" Obi-Wan said sarcastically.

"Why yes, actually."

"Why am I not surprised?"

Xanatos took another sip of his wine and set the glass down. "Drink your wine, Obi-Wan. You might actually enjoy it." He chuckled at Obi-Wan's blank expression. "Has that concept become completely foreign to you? Yes, my friend, it is possible to actually enjoy your life."

"I am already quite satisfied with my life, thank you," Obi-Wan said curtly.

"I'm not talking about being satisfied with your life. I'm talking about enjoying it. Celebrating it. Savoring it. Indulging in it. That is what living is for, isn't it?"

"No."

Xanatos raised his eyebrows in amusement. "No? We are not meant to make the most of our lives? To be happy?"

Obi-Wan pursed his lips again. "I never said that."

"Then what are you saying, Obi-Wan? Is it so wrong to find enjoyment in the pleasures of life? In money? In fine food? Wine?" Xanatos raised his glass. "Women," he added with a sparkle in his eye. "Are these the source of all evil?"

"Of course not, but--"

"But what, Obi-Wan? If these things aren't inherently wrong, then why all the rules? The following orders? The dreadfully boring clothes? And why, because I chose not to live the regulated, monastic life of a Jedi, am I now evil incarnate?"

"These pleasures of life, as you call them, are not inherently wrong. But you abuse them, and you use others to gain them. You have killed for them if I am not mistaken," Obi-Wan responded calmly. "You have taken lives for your own gain."

Xanatos nodded slowly. "And you have never taken a life? Qui-Gon has never taken a life for his own gain...or for the Temple...or for some other supposedly noble cause?"

"We do not take innocent lives," Obi-Wan seethed.

Xantos smiled softly. "And who is to determine that? The Council? The Force? Does it ever occur to you that those you have killed, not to mention their families, may have considered themselves innocent? That they considered themselves to be in the right and those you defended to be the oppressors? There are, after all, two sides to every story."

Obi-Wan paused for a moment. "We never act with the intent to cause harm to another, and when we do act it is only to defend life."

"And when I returned as a young man to the open arms of my father, I acted with no intent to cause harm. Can you for a moment imagine how many boys do their father's bidding in order to gain an ounce of love and approval? And I also acted to defend life, that of my father. No matter what Qui-Gon wants to call it now."

Several arguments to Xanatos' points raced through Obi-Wan's head. But instead he chose silence.

"You see, Obi-Wan," Xanatos said. "Nothing is quite so black and white - so light and dark - as the Jedi would have you believe."

Obi-Wan finally reached forward for his wine glass, taking a generous sip and allowing the spicy libation to calm his tension.

"Good," Xanatos said softly.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Xanatos smiled. "I have no doubt that your dear Master has taught you to seek out the lessons in all situations. That every occurrence and every person has something to teach you."

"And what is your point?" Obi-Wan asked, taking another drink from his glass.

"My point is that you could learn a lot from me, Obi-Wan."

Obi-Wan chuckled. "I have learned all I care to know about you, Xanatos."

Xanatos leaned forward with a positively devilish expression on his face. "You mean to tell me that you are not the slightest bit curious about what you are missing out on by hiding yourself away in that Temple and by taking on the life of peacemaker? Or warrior, depending on one's perspective?"

"I have everything I need in my life," Obi-Wan answered.

Xanatos cocked his head to the side. "Have you ever had a girlfriend, Obi-Wan?"

"Excuse me?"

Xanatos smiled. "I'm sorry. Stupid question. Of course you have had a girlfriend. Several, I am sure. My real question is, have you ever been in a situation where you desired to have more money? Your own flat, perhaps? Some privacy, hmmm? The things that a normal man would desire? The ability to spend some money on a lover...to actually have your own space to share with her?"

Obi-Wan shifted in his chair slightly. "My personal life is none of your b--"

"Ever been dumped by a beautiful girl for a man with a decent-paying job and a shiny new speeder?" Xanatos asked, one eyebrow arching inquisitively.

"I'm in no mood for your shoddy sales pitch," Obi-Wan said.

Xanatos chuckled. "You're right. That's far too personal."

"I never said--"

"How about this," Xanatos said with a leer. "Imagine getting any woman you want. In fact, imagine getting several women that you want, all willing to cater to your every desire."

"If I had the inclination for mindless rutting with several women - which I don't - you can rest assured that I would have no problem finding willing partners without the need to manipulate their minds into agreement," Obi-Wan stated firmly.

Xanatos laughed heartily. "I don't doubt you for one moment, Obi-Wan. My point is that there is simply nothing wrong with indulging yourself once in a while."

"Do not patronize me."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

"And don't insult my intell--"

"Good evening, gentlemen."

Obi turned his head quickly toward the sound of the voice. "Marielle," he said with a rather surprised gasp.

"Obi-Wan," she said, "is everything alright over here?"

Obi-Wan sensed her suspicion and measurable discomfort, but neither did he want to alarm her. "Yes," he said calmly, "everything is fine."

She nodded and turned her gaze to Xanatos. "I don't believe I know you."

Xanatos smiled, picking up the hint of accusation. She was obviously someone who knew who belonged there and who didn't, although he couldn't get a firm grasp on her position. "I ask that you pardon my rather rude intrusion, but it has been several years since I have seen my friend here," he said, gesturing to Obi-Wan.

Marielle turned her eyes back to Obi-Wan. "He is a friend of yours?"

"Yes," Obi-Wan said reluctantly, hoping to remove her from the entanglement as soon as possible.

"My apologies, sir," Marielle said, turning back to Xanatos. Then she gave him a soft smile. "I meant no offense."

"Of course you didn't," he said, rising to his feet.

Obi-Wan watched his movements very carefully, suddenly feeling extremely wary of where this might be headed.

"And please, call me Xanatos," he said, reaching out to take her hand.

"Very well," she said softly, suddenly struck by the intense blue of his eyes.

Xanatos smiled. This was going to be far too easy. "And who might you be?"

"Ah," she said, breaking his gaze for a moment. "I am Marielle."

Xanatos raised her hand to his lips as he felt Obi-Wan's piercing glare. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Marielle." He lowered her hand and studied her for a moment. Her basic black dress fell to the middle of her calves, and her arms were covered by a short matching jacket. The fabric itself appeared soft to the touch and not quite as overdone as many of the other women's dresses that shuffled around the room. Overall, the look was classy but respectable, save for the hint of glamour revealed by the ankle straps of her shoes. And judging from the dire warnings that Obi-Wan was silently sending him, this was just the opportunity Xanatos had been waiting for.

"Well," Marielle said, feeling a little uneasy at Xanatos' intent study of her appearance, "I will leave you two to talk. Sorry to interrupt."

"Good evening, Marielle," Obi-Wan said, feeling a rush of relief.

"No, you can't leave us so soon," Xanatos said. "Won't you join us?"

"Actually, Xanatos," Obi-Wan said, trying to sound as cordial as possible, "I believe it is time for us to catch our air taxi."

"Nonsense," Xanatos said. "The night is still young." He stepped back and offered Marielle his chair. "Please join us."

"Oh, I don´t want to keep you from anything," she said.

Xanatos leaned forward slightly. "I insist."

Marielle suddenly felt her hesitation slip away. "Well, alright. For a few minutes. Then I have to be going myself."

"Of course," Xanatos said, smiling at Obi-Wan's scowling face. "Just for a few minutes." He gently pushed the chair in as Marielle sat down and then took the chair next to her. "So tell me, Marielle. What brings you to a party with a bunch of stodgy old Senators?"

Marielle laughed, barely noticing Obi-Wan's displeased expression. "Well, I work for Chancellor Valorum. As his assistant I am required to endure these events."

Xanatos could not suppress his grin. "The Chancellor's assistant?" He turned to Obi-Wan who was having a difficult time hiding his anger. "How very interesting."

::You keep her out of this:: Obi-Wan growled in Xanatos' head.

Xanatos continued to smile. Yes, far too easy. "Very interesting, indeed."

"So, Marielle," Xanatos said, rolling her name off his tongue, "tell me. What does being the Chancellor's assistant entail?"

"Oh, a little of this and a little of that," Marielle answered with a smile.

"Very good," Xanatos said, wagging his finger at her. Then he leaned a little closer to her. "But just between us."

"Xanatos," Obi-Wan said with barely veiled agitation.

Xanatos casually turned his head, quirking his eyebrow up at Obi-Wan.

::Do not play games with her, and do not try to compromise her,:: Obi-Wan warned without speaking.

Xanatos rolled his eyes back to Marielle. "We were just heading out to a party if you would like to join us."

Obi-Wan stiffened in his chair and then did something he had the conscience never to do. He entered Marielle's mind and attempted to very gently dissuade her from any interest in spending time with Xanatos.

"I...." Marielle rubbed her temple as she felt an odd pressure there. Obi-Wan immediately recoiled from her thoughts. "No, thank you," she continued. "I need to be getting home now."

"Very well. Some other time perhaps," Xanatos said, turning to smirk at Obi-Wan.

"I'll help you get a taxi," Obi-Wan said to Marielle, standing quickly.

Marielle smiled as she rose from her chair. "Oh, that's not necessary. I can--"

"I insist," Obi-Wan said.

"Such a gentleman," Xanatos remarked.

"Well, it was nice meeting you," Marielle said to Xanatos, still not quite convinced that he and Obi-Wan were as friendly as he professed. "Good night." She stepped away from the table, putting Obi-Wan between her and Xanatos. For all his charm, there was something rather unsettling about this stranger.

Xanatos cocked an eyebrow as he leaned back in his chair. "I do hope we meet again, Marielle."

"Goodbye, Xanatos," Obi-Wan said definitively, impatiently guiding Marielle away from the table and as quickly toward the door as possible.

~*~

Obi-Wan cursed himself as he paced around his flat. If he went to Mace or Yoda and reported what had happened the previous evening, he was sure to be dragged into some long-winded Council hearing for which he had no answers. Qui-Gon would know what to do, but after having left two non-specific but highly obvious messages for his Master, Obi-Wan began to wonder if he was overreacting. Surely Qui-Gon would have contacted him by now if he felt there was a danger. Besides, it was Qui-Gon that Xanatos was always after, not anyone else. Until Qui-Gon returned, there would be no urgency. Obi-Wan was convinced of that. Mostly.

The chime on the vid phone broke his concentration. He walked to it quickly, thankful that Qui-Gon was finally returning his calls.

But Obi-Wan's hope soon faded as the image on the screen came into view.

"You are a very difficult man to track down."

"Xanatos," Obi-Wan growled. "You are an even bigger fool than I thought for contacting me here. Do you have any idea what--"

"Spare me scary security speech, Obi-Wan," Xanatos said. "It's really rather boring. Besides, this is a social call, and I would think that you could be a little more--"

"Social call? Don't play games with me."

"I wouldn't dream of it. I am merely extending an invitation to you."

Obi-Wan sighed. "Invitation to what?"

"A party. Tonight. Here at my flat."

"You are very bold, Xanatos. I'll give you that," Obi-Wan huffed.

"Now who is playing games, Obi-Wan?"

"Excuse me?"

A leer spread across Xanatos' face. "If you had no interest in talking to me, or felt me a great threat, you would have ended this transmission by now and called out your troops. But instead...." Xanatos paused for a moment and smiled. "You are terribly curious about me."

"You flatter yourself," Obi-Wan said. "Goodbye." He reached forward to disconnect.

"I'll just tell Marielle that you won't be able to make it then."

Obi-Wan's eyes shot back to the screen.

"That's right," Xanatos said with a nod. "She said she'd love to come over and meet my friends."

"What did you do to her?" Obi-Wan asked fiercely.

"Like you, I am a gentleman," Xanatos said innocently. "Well, not quite so boring as you. But I certainly didn't have to force her to accept my invitation. Of course, manipulating her mind just enough to convince her that I was you certainly helped."

"You disgust me."

"I'm rather looking forward to seeing her again," Xanatos continued. "She's lovely. In a repressed, bookish sort of way. There's always so much to...uncover with those types, don't you think?"

Obi-Wan glared at the screen. "If you so much as touch her, I'll--"

"So, say nine o'clock? I'll send the directions through now. Oh, by the way, don't come dressed as a Jedi. My friends won't like it." And then the transmission ended.

Obi-Wan turned away from the screen and exhaled loudly. This had suddenly become far more complicated. He could only hope that Qui-Gon would contact him soon. The first thing he needed to do was find a way to contact Marielle and simply tell her what Xanatos had done.

~*~

Marielle stared at her closet. Normally, finding something to wear wasn't an ordeal. But Obi-Wan didn't normally call her and invite her to socialize. Although he had sounded a bit odd on the phone, his invitation was not unwelcome. It was not a date per se, but it sure beat sitting home alone on the weekend.

She also found it odd that Obi-Wan had a friend who lived uptown after she studied the directions he gave her. While the rich and powerful appreciated and expected the participation of the Jedi in matters crucial to them, the two groups certainly didn't socialize. The movers and shakers expected the Jedi to be their allies and, more importantly, their lackeys. And besides, the neighborhood of the Vista Tower, where this Xanatos person lived, was a haven for the wealthy, politically correct set that didn't always look favorably upon the Jedi. Marielle chuckled as she tried to imagine Obi-Wan even getting through the lobby in his Jedi attire.

Which reminded her, she had to find something suitable to wear for this crowd.

~*~

Obi-Was soon discovered how challenging it was to locate personal information on a civil servant, especially one that worked for the Chancellor. He wondered how Xanatos had so easily contacted her. He had managed to leave a message at her work number but then realized it was the weekend and that she probably wasn't reachable there. By the time he tracked down her home number, she didn't answer.

Fearing she may arrive at Xanatos' trap before he did, Obi-Wan headed straight for the door.

~*~

Marielle walked slowly around the dimly lit flat, searching in vain for a familiar face among the twenty or so people who seemed oblivious to her presence. She had been let in by a stranger and promptly abandoned in the foyer after being given a quick once over by the woman's disapproving eyes. They seemed a rather decadent, self-involved group. Certainly not the kind of friends she expected Obi-Wan to have.

"They're not too bad once you get to know them."

Marielle turned quickly to find Xanatos observing her. "Oh, hello."

He finally smiled with a hint of mischief. "I am so glad you could come."

"Where is Obi-Wan?"

Xanatos relaxed his expression. Her suspicion was piqued, and he certainly didn't want to drive her away so soon. "He is on his way. Running a bit late as these Jedi often do." He examined her simple clothing, black shoes, black tights, black skirt, black sweater buttoned a little too high for his taste.

"This is a lovely flat," Marielle said politely.

"Thank you."

"So, Xanatos, what do you do for a living?"

He smirked a bit. She certainly wasn't going to waste any time in convincing herself that he was no good. "Many things."

"Such as?"

"Marielle."

She turned to see Obi-Wan striding toward her. He was dressed all in black, and she had to fight to keep her eyes from fixing on the snug fit of his trousers at his hips and the interesting lull of his sabre across his thigh. Marielle had never seen him in civilian clothes, and it took a moment for her pulse to slow down.

"Excuse me for a few minutes, won't you?" Xanatos said to the two of them as he stalked away with the same woman who had let Marielle in.

"So," Marielle said a little nervously. "These are your friends."

"No."

"No?"

"Marielle, I--" Obi-Wan stopped talking as music blared loudly throughout the flat. It was a moderate, sensual beat, one that made polite discussion rather difficult.

Marielle had a difficult time taking her eyes off the crowd as many of them began to dance, and she began to feel quite awkward as their movements became rather suggestive. Her gaze landed on Xanatos and his dance partner, their bodies blatantly grinding together. Marielle felt a hot flash in her face as the woman slid down the length of Xanatos' body and placed an open mouth kiss against the front of his black leather pants. Xanatos' face was obscured by his hair as he looked down at the woman, but then suddenly he ran his hand through his hair and shifted his eyes up to look straight at Marielle. She gasped sharply as his bright blue eyes met hers.

"Marielle, I'm going to take you home."

Marielle was startled by Obi-Wan's voice and the feel of his hand on her arm. Her breathing quickened at the thought that all she would have to do was lean back slightly to feel him against her. As the insistent beat of the music continued and Xanatos' eyes remained fixed on her, her mind quickly slipped into fantasy as she imagined Obi-Wan's hands on her hips, pulling her back into his body.

Obi-Wan's breath hitched in his lungs as he picked up her thought. He gently squeezed her arm and turned his head slightly to inhale the scent of her hair. And then he stopped himself and backed up. He looked up at Xanatos and bristled at the smirk on his face. "Marielle, we need to leave now," he said, pulling gently on her arm.

Marielle turned her head and yanked her arm out of his grasp. "I don't want to leave," she said.

Obi-Wan's eyes widened with surprised. Had Xanatos already brainwashed her so soon?

::I am merely helping her to lower her inhibitions a bit:: Xanatos said in Obi-Wan's head. ::Perhaps you should try loosening up yourself.::

::Xanatos, I will not let you put thoughts in her head. I am taking her home.::

::Obi-Wan, I am merely releasing what is already there::

Suddenly, Marielle felt herself tugged forward by some invisible force. She took a few steps and then stopped once the sensation receded. And then she began to move on her own, her inhibition slipping a little more as Xanatos' eyes locked to hers without giving a glance down to the woman in front of him as she slowly rose to her feet

Obi-Wan stood watching, feeling rather helpless. He couldn't exactly drag Marielle out of there kicking and screaming, and he had no idea what Xanatos might do given that circumstance.

And as much as Obi-Wan fought the air of seduction sweeping through every person in the room and around him, he felt his own resistance beginning to waver slightly. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It was imperative that he remain in control and not allow whatever influence Xanatos was inflicting on everyone to cloud his mind.

Marielle stopped at the edge of the crowd as the music continued to play, still holding Xanatos' gaze. And then the song ended. As the brief silence filled the air, a nervous energy welled up inside her, and she looked down at the floor. Then she turned slightly and looked back at Obi-Wan. He stood with his hands clenched and his forehead wrinkled in concentration as he watched her.

"Dance with me."

Marielle jumped slightly at the deep growl and arm slinking around her. She turned her head as Xanatos pulled her to him and was immediately trapped by his eyes again. As the music began, he pressed his hips into her while his hand tightened on her back. She placed her hands on his arms somewhat nervously and swayed her body in time with his, picking up the intoxicating rhythm of the music.

Obi-Wan felt a spike of jealousy as he watched Xanatos' and Marielle's bodies move to the music. And then he realized how truly in over his head he was. Here was the Chancellor's assistant falling under the spell of Qui-Gon's fallen apprentice who, in the past, had never shown much regard for life and never hesitated to use drastic measures in the interest of self-preservation. Obi-Wan's greatest fault was now blaring in his face. Xanatos had been right all along. Obi-Wan was far too curious about him and far too confident in his own ability to handle Xanatos alone. He knew that he had to get Marielle out of this situation immediately. But as he took a step forward, Xanatos suddenly spun Marielle around to face Obi-Wan, and he laced his long fingers around her neck. Sensing the threat in Xanatos' eyes, Obi-Wan stopped and placed his hand on his sabre.

::Don't:: Xanatos' voice echoed in his head.

::I won't let you hurt her::

::Don't make me hurt her::

As Marielle regained her bearings from being so swiftly turned around, Xanatos pulled her into his body, guiding her head to fall back against his shoulder. Her mind was hazy, although pleasantly so, without the burden of her former anxiety.

Obi-Wan took his hand away from his weapon as Xanatos released her neck. He watched with a good deal of discomfort as Xanatos' fingers slowly slid down and landed on the top button of her sweater.

Marielle sighed as she felt his fingers working at the button...and then at the one below it. And although her mind registered that she probably should be outraged or at least embarrassed, the sensation of his solid form behind her and the light strokes of his fingers on her skin were far too pleasurable to form any protest. Her lack of inhibition surprised and, frankly, delighted her.

Obi-Wan gasped when her body arched forward as Xanatos' finger dipped under her sweater and between her breasts. As the blood rushed to his groin, Obi-Wan felt a sudden shame at his enjoyment of the scene. And yet, he couldn't take his eyes off of them.

Xanatos chuckled against Marielle's neck. Perhaps this wasn't going to take as long as he thought it would.

Marielle whimpered as Xanatos' lips attached to the soft skin of her neck, a shiver running through her body as his fingers slipped under the hem of her sweater and lightly caressed her stomach. Her whimpers turned to a quiet moan as his other hand skated along the silky fabric of her bra, one finger quickly slipping under the fabric to circle around her nipple before sliding up to her neck again.

Obi-Wan's lungs were tight as his body reacted with titillated agitation. He was shocked at his own enjoyment of the voyeurism...but more than anything, he wanted to be the one touching her. "Enough," he finally growled, not about to allow Xanatos to take advantage of Marielle any further.

"Marielle," Xanatos said as Obi-Wan began to move forward with determination.

"Hmmm," Marielle responded, half-dazed.

"Look at him," Xanatos said.

Marielle lifted her head from Xanatos' shoulder and gasped when she saw Obi-Wan approach, a flash of embarrassment heating her skin as reality began to barge in on her conscience.

"Marielle, come with me," Obi-Wan said, stopping a few feet in front of her.

Xanatos' cupped her clothed breast in his hand, running his thumb in light circles as he whispered in her ear, "You want him."

"Yes," she sighed back.

Obi-Wan stepped forward, grabbing Xanatos' hand away from her. "Stop this now."

"He wants you, too," Xanatos whispered again, running his hand down the front of Marielle's skirt and pressing his fingers between her legs. "You know what you want to do."

Obi-Wan fought to maintain his composure as Marielle bit her lip while she stared at him, raising her knee up along his leg. He grabbed Xanatos' other arm and pulled Marielle toward him. "We're going," Obi-Wan said, glaring at Xanatos. "Do not involve her in our battle."

"Obi-Wan, I am not your enemy."

"I mean it," Obi-Wan practically growled. "Keep her out of it, or--" Before Obi-Wan could finish, Marielle grabbed his head and pulled him down, kissing him most enthusiastically.

"As you wish," Xanatos chuckled.

Obi-Wan gasped for air as he broke the kiss. "Marielle, no," he said against her lips. "This isn't...aahhhh...." Obi-Wan's eyelashes fluttered as Marielle reached down and slid her hand along the front of his trousers.

"Please...please," she whispered, brushing her lips against his as she gently squeezed his growing arousal.

A tremor ran through Obi-Wan's body, and he lowered his hand to grasp at her rear, pulling her firmly to him and grinding against her as he captured her lips with his. Marielle moaned into his mouth and dug her fingers into his hair as she tried to get as close to him as possible.

Xanatos crossed his arms and watched with some amusement at Obi-Wan and Marielle's frantic embrace. "Yes, always so much to uncover," he drawled.

Hearing the mocking tone of Xanatos' words, reality came flooding back to Obi-Wan. "No," he said, pushing Marielle away.

"But..." Marielle whined softly as rejection registered in her brain.

"Not like this," Obi-Wan said, glaring at Xanatos. Then he softened his expression and looked back to Marielle. "Let me take you home now."

Marielle looked over at Xanatos. He smirked. "How pathetic you both are."

"Let's go," Marielle said, turning and quickly walking on trembling legs to the front door with the sound of Xanatos' laughter ringing in her ears.

Marielle gasped and jumped back as Xanatos appeared out of nowhere and slammed the door shut as she and Obi-Wan attempted to leave. She felt Obi-Wan's arm wrap around her, and he guided her to step behind him.

"No more games," Obi-Wan said, stepping forward to face Xanatos.

"Good," Xanatos said. Suddenly the music cut out, and he yelled, "Everybody out!"

Amidst the whines of protest, Obi-Wan sensed footsteps behind him. He turned and saw Marielle walking away from him back into the living room. He turned back to Xanatos and growled, "What have you done?"

A wry smile spread across Xanatos' face. "Stripped her bare." He chuckled as he continued, "Figuratively, of course."

With that, Obi-Wan grabbed his sabre from his belt and ignited it...and then promptly found himself hurled against a wall and his weapon knocked from his hand as the remaining party goers rushed out of the flat.

"Now, now, Obi-Wan," Xanatos said. "Anger leads to the Dark Side, remember?" He strolled toward Obi-Wan, who had quickly recovered his stance and was reaching out for his weapon as it lay across the floor.

Obi-Wan glared at Xanatos without speaking and re-ignited his sabre. And then Marielle suddenly appeared again, positioning herself in front of Xanatos. Obi-Wan stepped back from his attack stance. "Marielle. Get out of here at once."

"No," she said, leaning back into Xanatos.

"Good girl," Xanatos purred, giving her earlobe a gentle tug with his teeth.

Obi-Wan tried to get inside her mind, to do whatever it took to convince her to leave. But Xanatos had obviously already influenced her thoughts too much and showed no sign of weakness. "Marielle, listen to me. He is dangerous."

Marielle bit her lip and smiled. "As are you," she said, low in her throat.

Obi-Wan shuddered slightly at her inference and swallowed hard. "Marielle, he is using you, brainwashing you."

"No, Obi-Wan," Xanatos said. "I have merely cleared her inhibition." Xanatos leered and raised an eyebrow. "She's always wanted you." He leaned down and brushed his lips along Marielle's ear. "Haven't you?" he whispered to her.

Marielle exhaled loudly as her eyes scanned Obi-Wan's form. "Yes."

Obi-Wan squeezed his weapon in his hands, trying to steady his breathing as her uncensored desire wrapped around him. "You are brainwashing her," he said as convincingly as he could. "Inhibitions prevent us from doing things we might regret, and you have no right to strip hers."

Xanatos chuckled as he proceeded to unbutton Marielle's sweater. "Yes, the Jedi need their inhibitions so they don't run off and slice that little green troll, or their cold fish Masters, hmmm?"

Obi-Wan gasped as Xanatos pulled Marielle's sweater open, revealing her black bra, her body arching forward and her head leaning back as the sweater slipped down her arms. "Stop this at once," Obi-Wan barked, feeling the sheen of perspiration break out across his forehead and the sudden heaviness in his groin.

"We are not at the Temple, Obi-Wan," Xanatos said. "There is no need for inhibition here."

"You would just love to compromise me this way," Obi-Wan growled. "I won't let you do this."

"If I wanted to ruin you, I would have done so by now. I'm just trying to show you that there is another way to live your life."

"By taking advantage of innocents?"

"Does she look like an unwilling victim?" Xanatos asked with a grin while Marielle moaned as he ran his hands across her covered breasts. Then his fingers latched onto the clasp.

"Don't," Obi-Wan said as he vehemently fought his instincts.

"You can't stop this now," Xanatos said. "They teach you to rely on the Force. To trust your instincts. And then they tell you that there is no passion, only the Force. But passion is our most basic instinct." He began to back up slowly, pulling Marielle with him. "In fact, the Force is what makes us stronger and more passionate than others. But they try to break us of it. Lead us away from our strengths and teach us to use them only when they give permission. So much so that we don't even know how to follow our true, Force-given instincts unless they happen to fit into the Code," he said.

Obi-Wan followed as Xanatos continued to back up with Marielle in his arms. She kept her eyes on Obi-Wan, stepping backwards as Xanatos moved, not realizing the full effect of her hunger on Obi-Wan's willpower. Obi-Wan wasn't hearing Xanatos' words so much as feeling them as his need for her grew, his keen desire shutting out reason and excuses as he absorbed from her what he had never felt before - pure longing. A fierce sensation unencumbered by fear, insecurities, second thoughts, the past, or the future.

Xanatos stopped moving backwards as he entered the bedroom. "You feel it, don't you? The raw energy surrounding us. *This* is the Living Force. This is what they don't want you to experience because, unlike us, they are weak. They can't control this so they don't want anyone else to taste the power." Xanatos bent down to kiss Marielle's cheek and then her temple. "You see it in her eyes, don't you? The power. And she sees it in yours." His hand descended to rub against Marielle's thigh, raising the skirt slightly to circle his fingers along the smooth fabric of her tights. Slowly, his fingers slid up her thigh, and he rubbed her gently between her legs.

Obi-Wan inhaled sharply as she moaned and moved her hips forward, her eyes still locked to his. His hand began to ache as he squeezed his sabre tighter, his pants constricting the erection that strained against the taut fabric.

"So, my friend, the question is simple," Xanatos said. "What are your instincts telling you, and are you man enough to act on them?"

Obi-Wan's lungs heaved as every form of control and restraint known to him became completely inaccessible.

"Obi-Wan," Marielle moaned when Xanatos' hand pressed more firmly between her legs.

With a noisy clunk, Obi-Wan's sabre hit the floor as he marched forward and grabbed Marielle away from Xanatos. With a muffled groan, he kissed her, sliding his lips hungrily against hers as she leaned into him. She whimpered as his tongue slipped inside her mouth, and he pressed his hips into her stomach.

Xanatos smiled, kneeling down to remove her shoes and then pulling the skirt and tights from her body.

Marielle trembled as Obi-Wan's hands caressed her bare skin, his lips breaking away from hers to taste her neck and shoulders. She slid her fingers out of his hair and began working frantically on his shirt buttons. She yanked the shirt from his body and threw it to the floor, squeezing her fingers into his strong back.

Obi-Wan growled and pushed her back, grabbing her by the waist and hoisting her up to sit on the high bed. Marielle leaned back on her hands and looked up at him as she raised her knee and bent her leg to the side, spreading herself before him, her undergarments still scantily clothing her. She licked her lips and sighed with a hum as Obi-Wan slipped off his boots and began to unfasten his trousers. She gasped and reached forward as his erection sprang out of his pants.

Obi-Wan was oblivious to everything but her need to touch him. He kicked his trousers aside and groaned as her fingers wrapped around his penis and reverently stroked him. He reached out and grabbed the bedpost, leaning his head back as her lips tenderly caressed his length.

Xanatos braced himself against the wall, panting hard and staring at them through the long strands of black hair that fell in front of his eyes. His muscles were trembling as he struggled to control himself, watching and waiting. Obi-Wan pushed Marielle back onto the mattress, crawling up on the bed beside her and kissing her. Xanatos took a few careful steps away from the wall. And as her legs spread wantonly, her body arching up toward Obi-Wan, Xanatos made his move.

Marielle pressed her head into the mattress, opening her neck to Obi-Wan's kisses as he quickly unfastened the clasp on her bra. He watched the tiny bumps raise across her flesh as his slid his fingers over her naked breast. She arched higher into his touch as he gently stroked the nipple with his thumb. He pressed his erection against her thigh as he leaned down and teased her breast with his tongue, causing her to cry out and lurch up toward him.

He traced her nipple with his tongue a few more times, moaning against her skin as she responded to him. He raised his head and looked at her face for a moment, enjoying the site of her enraptured expression. And suddenly, she cried out again. Obi-Wan, surprised, turned his head and found Xanatos placing a kiss between her legs. Obi-Wan growled possessively as Xanatos ran his tongue along the smooth, black satin of her panties.

"Obi-Wan," Marielle whimpered, grabbing his head and attempting to pull him down to her. "Please," she begged breathlessly.

Obi-Wan looked to Marielle quickly and then back to Xanatos, staring at him indignantly as he pulled her underwear down her legs and tossed them aside. The only thing keeping Obi-Wan from lashing out at him was the vision of Marielle's body rising up off the mattress as Xanatos' tongue swept across her center.

"Please," she begged louder, grabbing his arms as they flexed under his weight.

Obi-Wan moaned and quickly wrapped his arms around her back, pulling her torso up and sliding his lips around her breast, suckling the nipple into his mouth as his tongue circled around it.

"Oh, gods," Marielle sighed, her eyes fluttering shut as she lost herself in the wet, hot pleasure of Obi-Wan's mouth on her breast and Xanatos' tongue sliding up to tease the base of her clitoris. The tip of Xanatos' tongue sank closer to the center of her pleasure as he pushed her legs wider apart and licked at her with slow, concentrated circles around her hungry nerves.

Marielle guided Obi-Wan's mouth to her other breast, his movement clearing her view of Xanatos' head between her legs. She looked down and saw his brilliant sapphire eyes staring up at her as his tongue continued its erotic caress. She moaned and arched her head back, pumping her hips into his tongue and pushing herself closer to Obi-Wan's mouth.

Obi-Wan looked up at her, sliding his hands from her back to her stomach, moving his fingers over her breasts as he leaned forward and kissed her. She whimpered against his lips as he continued to caress her breasts, her vocalizations growing louder as Xanatos moved his tongue faster across her clitoris.

"Stop!" Obi-Wan sat up suddenly and Force-shoved Xanatos away from Marielle. Xanatos simply smirked at him as he re-gained his balance on his knees.

"No," Marielle whined, sitting up and turning Obi-Wan's head to her. "Obi-Wan, please."

"Marielle," Obi-Wan sighed, kissing her for several moments. "I want to make you come," he whispered against her lips.

"Mmmmm," she moaned as she kissed him. "Yes," whispered brushing her lips against his. "Do you know how long I've wanted you to fuck me?" she purred, pulling him into another kiss, sliding her tongue along his as he groaned deep in his throat while she stroked his penis and then spread her legs as she sat at the edge of the bed.

Xanatos grinned and moved in, flicking his tongue quickly across her clitoris.

"Marielle," Obi-Wan protested weakly as she moaned and tightened her grip on his erection.

"Obi-Wan," she sighed, pushing her hips forward toward Xanatos. "I want you..." she whispered desperately against his lips. "I want you to fuck me." Soft, high-pitched moans escaped her trembling lips. "And make me come...hard...nnngghh...."

Obi-Wan groaned as her head fell back, and he tightened his arms around her, watching her face and feeling her erotic energy pulsating around him.

Marielle grasped Obi-Wan's shoulders and lurched her body forward, the slick, rapid pressure of Xanatos' tongue sending her over the edge. She cried out as her orgasm sent a rapid tremor through her body, her moan losing voice as she felt Obi-Wan's mouth on her breast, the rush of sensations taking her higher and higher as she clung to his strong arms, her head falling back to the bed as she planted her feet on the mattress and pushed her body along each wave of her climax.

As she crashed back down to the mattress, Obi-Wan kissed her hard, the firm length of his body pressed against hers, his hard penis rubbing against her center.

"Wait," she gasped, pushing him off and rising to her knees. Facing Xanatos, who stood just beyond the foot of the bed, she grabbed hold of the bedpost and looked over her shoulder at Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan gazed up at her, his eyelids heavy and blinking slowly. He rolled from his back to his knees and leaned forward on his arms, his lips finding a particularly sensitive spot on the back of her thigh. Marielle shivered and closed her eyes, leaning her head back as Obi-Wan's fingertips gently caressed up the front of her body as his lips climbed up her back.

She inhaled a staggered breath and opened her eyes, biting her lip as she looked at Xanatos. He gave her a cocky smirk and began to unfasten his leather pants. He slowly slid them off his legs and then wrapped his fingers around his stiff cock. Marielle sank back against Obi-Wan as she watched Xanatos stroke himself, his tongue sliding out to wet his lips as he stared back at her.

Obi-Wan regarded Xanatos hesitantly, uncomfortable with the heated gaze between he and Marielle. But as Xanatos moaned and stroked himself faster, a smile spread across Marielle's face. She had a sense of her own power now, and she was using it without shame. Obi-Wan sucked her earlobe between his lips and teased her stomach with featherlight caresses. And when she responded to him with soft whimper, he turned her head to the side and kissed her, groaning as she circled her hips back against his erection.

"Take me," she growled softly, snaking her tongue out to tease his lips.

Obi-Wan shifted slightly, spreading her knees apart with his own. The he pushed her forward slightly and slid inside her with one long thrust, groaning as her tight muscles contracted around his length.

"Ooohh, yes," she gasped as he filled her, barely keeping her eyes open to observe Xanatos as he moaned loudly, his fist moving swiftly up and down his cock as Obi-Wan began to move, pulling almost all the way out and then rolling his hips up to slide back into her.

Xanatos watched them intently, tightening his grip on his shaft as they both moaned together, the energy of their sex sending a wild vibration through him. He groaned loudly, the friction of his hand causing tremors at the base of his spine. He cursed and threw his head back, shoving his hips forward to encourage the orgasm to crest.

Marielle's mouth dropped open as Obi-Wan's cock massaged the sweetly aching nerves deep inside her. And then she caught site of Xanatos' tight muscles as his body lurched forward and his head fell back, a shiver running through her as he moaned and semen spurted onto his hand and forearm. And then her head fell to the side, resting against Obi-Wan's cheek as he thrust faster inside her, his groans echoing beautifully in her ear.

Her eyes flew wide open as she felt hot suction on her breast. "Oh gods, yes," she sighed as she grabbed Xanatos' head with one hand, pulling him closer to her body. With the other hand, she reached back and grasped Obi-Wan's head. She began to feel dizzy as she was pressed between their smooth, muscular bodies, their skin slickened with sweat as she slid between them.

Marielle pulled Obi-Wan's head forward slightly, pressing her cheek against his. "Faster," she whispered.

"Nnngghh," Obi-Wan moaned. "You feel so good," he sighed, barely cognizant of Xanatos' attentions as he thrust his hips faster, chasing after both of their pleasure.

Xanatos sighed against her flushed skin, moving lower to gently nibble at the soft skin down to her hip, the sound and scent of sex clouding his mind from everything but purely tactile stimulation, enjoying the almost painful tug on his hair as her fingers clenched his head tighter.

"Obi-Wan," Marielle moaned, leaning her head back on his shoulder and pressing the pads of her fingers into the back of his head.

Obi-Wan squeezed his arm around her waist. "Come for me," he growled in her ear. "I want to feel you."

Marielle cried out and dug her fingers into Xanatos' head, yanking on his hair until he rose high enough so she could get a good grip on his shoulder, leveraging herself to push her hips back in time with Obi-Wan's thrusts. "Ooohh, don't stop...don't stop," she pleaded, clinging to both of them desperately.

Both men increased their efforts, Xanatos' teasing and sucking at her breasts with his tongue and lips and Obi-Wan angling his hips until he sensed her greatest pleasure.

Then Marielle trembled and shoved her hips back, sliding down the length of Obi-Wan's cock and the moving back and forth intensely as rapid moans escaped her lungs. "Aaahhhh...right there, right there," she cried as she teetered on the knife edge of her pleasure. And then a hot flash coursed through her and the tight coil snapped, her moans accentuating the crest of each wave of her orgasm, both men groaning against her skin as she lurched against their bodies. Then she heard Obi-Wan call her name as his hips snapped frantically, his climax erupting inside of her, his body trembling and swaying back and forth while he held her body firmly to his.

Marielle collapsed, surrendering her weight against them as they held her upright, all three of their bodies slick with sweat, their lungs panting loudly in the quiet room. She closed her eyes and rested her forehead against Obi-Wan's neck.

After a few moments, Obi-Wan opened his own eyes, kissing the top of her head and brushing her hair back from her face. And then he looked down and saw Xanatos, his hands clutching at Marielle's sides and his head resting against her abdomen. Obi-Wan frowned and turned quickly, yanking her away from Xanatos' reach.

"What are you doing?" Marielle asked drowsily, disturbed from her reverie by the sudden movement.

"Shhh," Obi-Wan said, laying her down on the bed. He stretched out next to her, resting his chin on her head as she buried her face in his neck. "Sleep now," he whispered. He draped his leg protectively over her and pulled her legs closer to his body. Then he glared down at Xanatos.

Xanatos sighed and shook his head. "I mean you no harm, Obi-Wan. Either of you. I'd think that would be obvious to you by now. After this."

"Leave us," Obi-Wan snapped quietly, trying not to disturb Marielle.

Xanatos shrugged and nodded, sighing again before turning around and walking out of the room, closing the bedroom door behind him.