Title: The Other One - part 1 of 2
Author: Tasha (Corellia827@aol.com)
Characters: Qui-Gon
Category: Drama - sequel to "Secret Encounters" and "Seven Evening Stars"
Setting:  4 years pre-TPM
Rating: PG - sorry :-)
Archive: Sith Chicks
Summary:  Several people expressed interest in what happened to Natanya's
sister.  This is it. 
WARNING:  No smut at all!!
Disclaimer: This is just for fun, please don't sue me.



Qui-Gon watched the red planet slowly become smaller through the tiny window
in the ship.  He sighed.  He was exhausted after this last mission - three
months trying to help two warring planets reconcile a particularly difficult
dispute.  The accommodations had been terribly primitive, the food scarce,
the people unusually hostile and recalcitrant.  The small bed in the tiny
quarters he now shared with Obi-Wan on the starship seemed luxurious compared
to what they had been through. 

Obi-Wan was already asleep.  Qui-Gon stripped down to his leggings and placed
his boots and clothes under the bunk.  He lay down on the bed, grateful for
its minimal comfort.  He meditated briefly, letting relaxation flow through
his body, and his thoughts turned, as they had been turning lately, to
Natanya.  He generally didn't think about her; his mind was usually occupied
with his responsibilities or he was meditating.  But at night, just before he
fell asleep, he would think of her, imagining she was with him, her warmth
and softness beside him easing him into deep, restful sleep.  He would play
over in his mind the first days they spent together; the three days six weeks
later that he had been able to take with her on Corellia; and their quick
encounter at King Wei's palace five months ago.  He had no idea when he would
be able to see her again. He knew he should not be thinking of her, but he
didn't try very hard to stop.  Eventually he would drift off to sleep.

A week later, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan gratefully landed on Coruscant and walked
wearily to the Jedi Temple. Their mission had lasted much longer than they
had expected and they missed the first few days of the yearly tournaments at
the Jedi Temple. They had been looking forward to the tournaments - it was a
time to see old friends and to refresh themselves after being away.  Qui-Gon
was simply relieved to sleep in a bed and be able to have hot and cold
running water whenever he wanted.

He woke up refreshed after a very long night's sleep to find Obi-Wan fixing
breakfast and humming.  Qui-Gon slid out of bed, glad to smell tea brewing,
and helped himself to the sliced fruit from the tray on the counter.  Obi-Wan
handed him the bread, and they sat down at the small table, gazing out at the
bright and busy skies of the city as they ate.  They dressed in their tunics
and robes and walked down to the training rooms, where demonstrations were
being held for all the Padawans at different levels.  They watched the
younger children for a few moments, then stopped at the third-years'
lightsaber matches, where Qui-Gon had spotted Mace Windu and paused to talk
with him.  Obi-Wan was quickly joined by Bant and several other friends.

Mace left to return to the Council chambers, and Qui-Gon left soon afterwards
with Obi-Wan; they had not yet officially reported in about their mission. 
As they were turning into the corridor where the lifts were, they ran into
two young Padawans carrying towels and ice packs to the training rooms.  The
one with the towels held on to his bundle, but the ice packs went flying,
hitting Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, the Padawan landing on the floor.  She scrambled
up, obviously mortified.

"Please excuse me, Master Jinn," she said, looking up humbly at Qui-Gon.

He stared at her. He couldn't respond; he was too stunned by the strong
feelings emanating from her.  He didn't know her; there were many Padawans he
hadn't met.  But her Force-signature was so familiar - he wasn't sure quite
what he was sensing.  "How do you who I am?" he asked finally.

She and other young Padawan exchanged glances.  "We all know who you are,
Master Jinn."

"What is your name?" he demanded.

She caught his tone and her eyes widened.  "Padawan Tereshko," she replied.

"Your first name?" he asked.

She swallowed nervously.  "Elisheva."

Qui-Gon felt his heart beating harder.  "Who is your master?"

Her mouth opened slightly.  "It's Master Pron," she said, but added quickly,
"I'm very sorry, Master Jinn, I didn't mean to run into you - we were in a
hurry and -"

"I'm not going to report you for running into me," Qui-Gon interrupted.  "I'd
just like to talk to him."

She bent down and began to gather up the ice packs.  "Yes, Master Jinn, of
course."  The other Padawan waited for her and Obi-Wan pushed the button for
the lift.  Qui-Gon was silent while they rode up to the Council chambers,
refocusing his thoughts on his report of the mission.



Later he found Master Pron at the dining hall during the evening meal. 
Qui-Gon knew Pron slightly, a kind man in his forties with excellent
diplomatic skills.  He approached him at the buffet table and nodded a
greeting.

"Hello, Qui-Gon," Pron said.  "I haven't seen you in a long time!"

"Yes, Alldar," Qui-Gon replied.  "I'm not around the Temple very much either."

Pron held out a blue shellfish.  "Have you tried these?" he asked.

"No," said Qui-Gon.

Pron sniffed it.  "Disgusting," he said, shaking his head.

"I wanted to ask you…" Qui-Gon began.

"Hmmm?" said Pron, surveying the table.

"I heard you have a Padawan."

"Yes."   Pron lifted up the lid from the soup tureen and peered inside.  "It
was time…I hadn't had one in a while."

"How is she working out?" Qui-Gon picked up a plate.

"Oh, fine.  She's been with me for two years now, and it seems to be going
all right."

"Where is she from?"

"Corellia.  Force, this soup is wonderful."

Qui-Gon spooned some vegetables onto his plate.  "Is her family there?"

"What?  No, she doesn't have any family.  Apparently her mother abandoned
her, and she never knew her father."

"What about siblings?"

"Not that I know of.  At least, she never mentioned any.  Adi Gallia found
her on Corellia, wandering the around the marketplace.  Apparently Elisheva
was following her, and when Adi spoke to her she realized she was
Force-sensitive.  Nobody knew where her mother was, so Adi brought her here."

"How old was she?"

"Around six, I think."  He looked at Qui-Gon.  "Why are you so interested?"

"I think I might know a relative of hers.  She reminds me very much of
someone."

Pron nodded slowly and lowered his voice.  "Well, any information you may
have about her would be helpful.  There's some concern about her background."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, she's highly Force-sensitive, but there's so much anger in
her…sometimes she's almost Sith-like. We don't know if it's genetic or
environmental.  We've been fairly successful keeping it under control, but
the more we know about it the more we can help her."

Qui-Gon was silent for a moment.  "I'm not sure if I'm correct about what I'm
thinking.  But I will look into it."

Pron continued.  "The Council had asked me to take her on as my Padawan -
they thought I would be a good balance for her."  Qui-Gon could understand
that.  Pron was a very mild, caring man known for his wry sense of humor. 
"You might want to speak to Adi about her.  I'm sure she remembers how she
found her."

"Thank you," Qui-Gon replied.  "That's a good idea."  Of course, he had no
intention of talking to Adi.  The less anyone on the Council knew about
Natanya, the better.




The next day, Qui-Gon found himself searching for Elisheva Tereshko whenever
he was out of his quarters.  In the evening, he went into the Padawans'
dining hall, on the pretext of searching for Obi-Wan, and he saw her with a
small group of friends, still wearing leggings and sleeveless shirts from
their tournament.  He watched her as well as he could.   She looked very much
like Natanya - the same slight frame, long legs, dark eyes and hair - but
Elisheva was a little taller, and more muscular. The other Padawans in her
group were laughing and talking, but she was silent, watching them with
serious eyes. 

He didn't know what to do.  He was convinced he was right - but he didn't
know if he should try to contact Natanya, or tell Elisheva, or talk to Pron
again.  He decided to wait, and meditate, and tomorrow he would act.




When he saw Master Pron alone at the Masters' demonstration on the last day
of the tournaments, Qui-Gon searched for Elisheva until he found her watching
the younger children exhibiting their levitating skills.  He stood behind her
and quietly said her name.

She turned, startled.  "Master Jinn…"

"Can I speak with you for a moment?"

She swallowed.  "Of course, Master Jinn."

He took her outside into the corridor and to a seating area with large
window, looking out at the city.  He sat down and gestured for her to do the
same.  She waited patiently for him to speak.

"Padawan Tereshko, I was speaking to Master Pron about your family," he
began.  Her face remained impassive, but he sensed her wariness.

"Yes, Master Jinn."

"He told me about your circumstances, and I asked him…" He paused.  "Do you
remember having a sister?"

She stared at him for a moment.  "Yes," she replied cautiously.

"What happened to her?"

She looked out the window and back at him again.  "I don't know…she went
away."

"Went away…where?"

"I don't know," she repeated.  "My mother just said she went away."

"When was the last time you saw her?"

"I was five - about ten years ago."

"What is her name?"

There was a long pause while Elisheva sat still, looking down at her hands. 
Qui-Gon could feel the waves of unhappiness emanating from her.  He knew she
was upset about him asking her these questions but she knew she had to answer.

"Tani."

"Tani…" Qui-Gon repeated.   "Could it be Natanya?"

Elisheva's head shot up and she gaped at him.  He felt a surge of anger from
her.  She was strong in the Force, as Pron had said, but Qui-Gon could tell
she had difficulty controlling her feelings.

"I believe I know your sister, Padawan," he told her gently.  "I'm almost
sure it's her."

There was a moment of silence, then the girl said, "What makes you think
she's my sister?"

"Well, you look very much like her; but it was your Force-signature that told
me.  It's almost exactly like hers.  And she told me about your family; it's
a similar story to what your Master told me."

She stared out the window for a few moments.  He noticed her hands were
shaking, and she tightened them into fists.  "Where is she?"

"She's on Corellia." He paused.  "She's a Courtesan."

"What's that?" Elisheva asked.

Qui-Gon thought.  What should he say?  "The Courtesans are a group of women
who…" He didn't know how to explain this tactfully.  "They have sexual
relations with men for money."

She stared at him.  "You mean like a whore?"

"Yes," he replied, meeting her gaze steadily,  "like a whore."

He let his words sink in while she looked back out the window.  "They live in
a house in the city.  They're very famous for…for what they do."

She turned to him again.  "How did you meet her?"

Qui-Gon said carefully, "I met her at a reception at an art gallery in
Coronet.  I've seen her a few times since then."

Elisheva said bitterly, "Well, she deserves to be a whore."

"No," Qui-Gon replied, shaken by the hurt in her voice.

"She left me alone with our mother, knowing what that would be like."

"Your mother sold her."

The girl looked at him, her eyes glittering with unshed tears.  "No, she
wanted to go.  She wanted to leave me."

"Your mother sold her to the Courtesan house.  They gave your mother money to
take her away.  Natanya didn't want to leave you."

Elisheva's dark eyes burned into his.  "She told you that?"

"Yes."

"Why would she tell /you/ that?"

"I'm her friend. She showed me the holo she has of you.  She's been looking
for you for years."

Elisheva was trembling.  "I don't believe that."

Qui-Gon leaned forward.  "Did she love you?"

"What?"

"Did she love you?"

"I don't know."

"Think about it," he said quietly.  "Did she?"

Elisheva closed her eyes.  "She took care of me," she murmured after a long
while, "she fed me and dressed me and held me when I slept.  I was always
with her."

Qui-Gon said quietly, "Then why would she leave you?"

"But my mother said…" Elisheva passed her hand over her eyes.

Qui-Gon let her cry, sitting silently beside her.  Finally he said quietly,
"I'm hoping to go to Corellia soon.  I will take you with me if you want, and
you can see her.  Would you like that?"

She nodded.  He put his hand on her shoulder.  "I have to go, Padawan.  I
will keep in touch with you."

She swallowed and choked out, "Thank you, Master Jinn."



For the next few days, Qui-Gon tried to find a way to get to Corellia, but he
and Obi-Wan had too much to do at the Temple, getting ready for their next
mission.  He had seen Elisheva just once since their meeting, in the practice
rooms, sparring with another Padawan.  Her lightsaber technique was
impressive, but her fighting was passionate and fierce, so different from her
demeanor.  Qui-Gon was beginning to realize the seething emotions beneath her
outward control and hoped Pron would be able to help her.

It was late morning in Coronet, and Natanya floured the wooden board and
threw the dough on it.  She kneaded it, narrating her actions to Yelena as
the apprentice watched.  Derushka stepped into the kitchen and said, "Natanya
- you have a visitor."

"Who is it?" she asked as she moved out of the way so Yelena could try her
hand at the bread.

"I don't know - some girl."

"A girl?" Natanya turned around, puzzled.  "What does she want?"

"I don't know - she just said to tell you her name is Elisheva."

Natanya froze.  She stood still until Yelena said, "Natanya?  Are you all
right?"

Natanya stared at her for a moment. Then she carefully dusted off her hands
on a towel, put the dough in a bowl and covered it with another towel.  She
swallowed hard and walked out of the room. 

The back door was open.  A young girl stood behind the iron gate, the guard
eyeing her.  Her eyes studied Natanya briefly.  "Tani?" she asked.

Natanya couldn't speak.  It couldn't be.

"It's me, Tani - Elisheva."

It couldn't be. 

Natanya nodded to the guard, who opened the gate.  The girl walked in,
watching her.  Natanya stepped back and studied her. So tall and strong
looking, dressed in tan-colored tunics and leggings, high brown boots and a
long brown cape.  A thick leather belt wrapped around her waist. Her dark
hair was cut short in a straight line just below her chin, and long bangs
framed her dark eyes.  A thin braid hung behind her ear to her shoulder. 
Obi-Wan had a braid like that, but his was longer. 

"Is it really you?"  Natanya asked finally.

The girl nodded.

"You look like a Jedi," Natanya said.

"I'm an apprentice Jedi," the girl replied.

Natanya stood still a moment longer, just looking at her, then said, "Come
in," and stepped back to let the girl - Elisheva - in.  "Are you hungry?  Do
you want something to eat?"

Elisheva shook her head.  Her eyes hadn't left her sister since she walked
in.  She followed Natanya up the wide stairs, down the hall and into
Natanya's rooms at the end.  She stood, looking around her hesitantly until
Natanya said, "Can I take that?" pointing to Elisheva's cloak.  The girl took
the cloak off, revealing the lightsaber that hung from her belt.  Natanya put
the cloak on a hook and saw that her hands were shaking.  She turned around
and gestured to the small couch.  Elisheva sat down; Natanya sat at the other
end, almost afraid of this strange girl.

"I've been trying to find you...I didn't know what happened to you," Natanya
said.

Elisheva nodded.

"How did you find me?"

"Master Jinn told me you were here.  He said he recognized me because of my
Force-signature."

"Force-signature?" Natanya asked.

"Everyone strong in the Force has a 'signature,' a sort of a feeling that's
unique to each person.  Master Jinn said that mine is a lot like yours."

Natanya nodded.  "When was that?"

"A few days ago."

There was a pause, then - "What did he tell you about me?"

"He told me that Ena sold you to...here." She hesitated.  "That you have sex
with men for money.  Is that true?"

"Yes."

"Is Master Jinn..." The girl paused.

"A client?"

Elisheva nodded.

"Qui-Gon is not my client," Natanya answered quietly.

"He said you have a holo of me."

Natanya stood up and walked to the bookcase.  She pulled out a small book,
which opened to reveal a holo of Elisheva and herself, taken when Elisheva
was three.  The girl studied it, her face impassive, while Natanya watched
her.  Suddenly, the girl's face crumpled and she started to shake.  Natanya
immediately moved next to her and without thinking, put her arms around the
girl, who now had tears streaming down her face.  Elisheva rested her head on
Natanya's shoulder and cried, while Natanya held her, stroking her back. 

"It's really you," Elisheva whispered through her sobs.

"Yes," Natanya replied.

"You missed me," Elisheva said shakily.

"Terribly," her sister answered tenderly.

"You didn't want to leave me."

"Of course not."  Natanya turned Elisheva's face toward her own and gazed
into her dark eyes.  She could feel a flood of sensations from the girl:
sadness, fear, determination, and tremendous loneliness.  She fingered the
slender braid and smiled.  "I'm so glad you're here.  I'm so glad you're safe
and well."



Natanya went to the kitchen and brought back a light meal, hoping Elisheva
would like the food she chose.  The girl ate everything on the plate and
drank all the tea.  Natanya asked her, "How did you become a Jedi?"

Elisheva drank the last drops of tea from her cup and set it down.  "After
you left, we moved around a lot.  I don't remember too much about it.  One
day I couldn't find Ena anywhere...so I started wandering around, looking for
her, you know."

Natanya nodded, a tightness in her chest.

"I saw this beautiful lady walking around the marketplace...and something
about her was different.  I got this sort of shimmery feeling from her...it's
hard to explain." 

Natanya remembered that same feeling when she first met Qui-Gon.

"So I started to follow her around.  She seemed safe and kind...I wanted to
stay near her, but I was afraid to let her see me.  I never saw a Jedi
before, but something about her...It was Adi Gallia.  Do you know her?"

Natanya shook her head.  "No."

"She's Corellian, too, and she's on the Jedi Council - she's very important. 
Anyway, when she saw I was following her, she tried to take me home, but of
course there wasn't a home to take me to.  I guess she figured out I was
Force-sensitive pretty quickly, and when she couldn't find Ena, she brought
me to the Temple.  They gave me all kinds of tests and things, and they
decided I could train as a Jedi.  Then when I was thirteen, Master Pron took
me as his Padawan."

"How do you know Qui-Gon?"

"Well, we all know who the Masters are.  But I didn't meet him until a few
days ago."

When they were done their meal, Natanya drew Elisheva a bath and let her
relax in it while Natanya sat and thought.  Her mind was reeling.  She
couldn't believe it.  Her sister was alive and well and going to be a Jedi. 
It was so much better than she had ever imagined.




Three days later, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were having an early breakfast in the
small dining hall.  They had to leave for their next mission that night, and
they were still preparing for the trip.  Suddenly Qui-Gon felt a presence and
looked up to see Padawan Tereshko standing beside him.

"Padawan Tereshko."

"Master Jinn - could I speak with you for a moment..." she glanced at
Obi-Wan. "...privately?"

Qui-Gon said, "You can speak in front of Obi-Wan, Padawan.  Would you like to
sit down?"

Elisheva sat down at the table and waited.

"What do you want to talk about?" Qui-Gon asked her, sipping his tea.

"I just returned from Corellia," she replied.

He put down his cup, startled.  "You and Master Pron went to Corellia?"

"No," she said, "I went alone."

He stared at her.  "Alone? Master Pron allowed you to leave Coruscant alone?"

"Master Pron doesn't know I went," she replied.  "He's been on Alderaan."

"Padawan, this is serious," Qui-Gon reproached her.  "It's very dangerous for
you to travel alone.  When Master Pron returns you must tell him what you did
so he can decide proper punishment."

"Yes, Master Jinn," Elisheva replied obediently.

"How long were you there?"

"Two days."

Qui-Gon shook his head.  "Why didn't you wait for me?  I told you I would
take you."

"I couldn't wait, Master Jinn."

"Patience is one of the most important qualities of a Jedi," Qui-Gon reminded
her.  Obi-Wan grinned at this remark, having heard it himself countless times
from Qui-Gon.

"Yes, Master Jinn."  She looked down at the table in front of her.

"You were wrong not to wait."

"Yes, Master Jinn."

Satisfied with his reprimand, Qui-Gon softened his voice and said, "Tell me
what happened on Corellia."

"Well, Master Jinn..." she began.  "I found what you said I'd find."

"She is there?"

"Yes."

"And she is well?"

"Yes."

"She was happy to see you?"

Elisheva looked at him, her eyes shining.  "She was very happy."

Qui-Gon smiled.  "And you?"

Elisheva smiled back at him, the first smile, he realized, he had seen from
her.  "I'm happy too."

"You will see her again?"

"I expect to."  Qui-Gon saw a gleam of something hopeful in her eyes,
something that wasn't there before.  She stood up.  "I just wanted to thank
you, Master Jinn."

"You're welcome, Padawan Tereshko."

"Oh," she said, drawing something from inside her tunic.  "She told me to
give this to you."  She handed him a small packet. 

Qui-Gon unwrapped the paper.  Inside was a braided cord of blue and gold and
tan, woven in an intricate pattern.

"She made it for you." Elisheva paused and added shyly, "It's for your hair."

Qui-Gon fingered the cord, feeling its texture, admiring the colors.  He
looked up at Elisheva and smiled again.  "Thank you Padawan."

Elisheva nodded, and turning, slipped quietly out of the room.

*end*