darththalia (darththalia) wrote in tpm_flashback, @ 2004-09-11 17:02:00 |
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Original poster: capra_maritimus
Title: The Jedi Temple Murders
Author: analise and Kirby Crowe
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Q/O, O/OMC/OMC
Warnings: graphic sexual content (het and slash), rape and killing and stuff.
Author's e-mail, web site and/or LJ id: analise@2cowherd.net or kirbycrow@livejournal.com
kirbycrow
Link to story: http://members.tripod.com/~SlashGirls/t
Reasons for recommending:
For quite a while analise was one of my favourite TPM authors. In fact it was her story A Matter of Control (previously rec'd by ausmac) that firmly entrenched me in the TPM slash fandom. OMG, Fishgoat reading something other than parody? What's the world coming to??
She (well, *they* really) likes to write long, long stories with plot, angst and hot sex. The Jedi Temple Murders is no exception: plot twists, secrets, believable OC's, hidden longings and intrigue abound, and woven through it all is a first time story delicately told.
[As an aside, analise has also teamed with kirbycrow on the story Silent Faction. Another long, intrigue-filled epic. :D]
Quote from story:
At last, the tremors subsided and Obi Wan lay quiet in his arms, his face pressed against his robe.
"Obi Wan?" Qui Gon ventured, voice soft as silk in the darkness. "Can we talk now? Elspeth has been taken into custody. It's all over."
The young Jedi made a sound that may have been an affirmative. He sighed reflexively as he pulled away, wiping his eyes on the back of his hand. "Forgive me, Master."
"For crying?" Qui Gon asked gently. He heard the first raindrops begin to patter on the casement and roof, and suddenly the sharp scent of rain was in the room. He inhaled deeply, registering a sudden feeling of contentment. Despite all the trials behind and ahead of them, for the moment, just to be smelling the rain and holding this beautiful young man was enough.
Obi Wan shook his head. "For keeping so much from you. I.... I had to, Master. Please believe that. I truly did not think...."
He trailed off and Qui Gon's eyes narrowed. Did not think what? That he could trust his master with his secrets? That he would be disappointed in him?
"Did not think what, my Padawan?" he prompted. "There is yet something you've withheld from me."
Obi Wan nodded sadly, and Qui Gon's throat tightened as he saw the trapped look in his eyes.
"Yes. There is more. Master Windu.... I don't know why he didn't tell the Council. Pity, I suppose." He did not see Qui Gon's small start in reaction to his words. "I also suppose that's why he wants me to leave you now, not to recover, but to keep me from you."
"Obi Wan," Qui Gon sought for words, finding them difficult. Mace had seen something? He thought he knew what it was. Obi Wan had discovered that his own Master lusted after him and he didn't know how to bring it up. So many pitfalls to carefully skirt, such staggering depths to evade.
"We must trust each other," he said plainly. "Whatever this is, we will face it together. I promise you I will do what I can to help you."
Obi Wan cast his eyes down at his lap, where his hands twisted helplessly. He took a deep breath and looked up, then clasped Qui Gon's broad hand and brought it to his face. Obi Wan laid the callused palm against his cheek and closed his eyes.
"Look then," he whispered. "And don't hate me."
Qui Gon felt the very soft stubble of his Padawan's cheek under his hand, the warmth of his skin. The tendrils of the living Force that dwelled in his apprentice seeking him as they always did whenever they touched. He was glad Obi Wan had finally invited him in, but now that the moment had come, he discovered he was afraid.
*What will I find?* he thought. What could possibly destroy the confidence of such a self-possessed young Jedi? He prayed it wasn't what he thought it was.
Nothing to be gained from delay. Qui Gon steeled himself and sank his consciousness into the younger man's mind, feeling it part for him, giving way sweetly to his questing intellect. He looked, and found ....
*Ohhhh.*
Qui Gon's mouth formed a soundless 'o' of astonishment and the breath went out of him in a shaking sigh. A hundred fantasies, all with him in a starring role. The irony was almost laughable.
Now I only had to be alert and very careful, for the Jedi are swift at sniffing out patterns and intent.
I should know.
"It's a tattoo." he said quietly. "We all got them...on Kithurrin together. Bacco too." His chin jerked slightly in the direction his friend had taken the children. "At Training Temple, when we won." he explained to his Master's inquiring look. "Bacco, Geen, me, Elspeth...and Sandor." He swallowed again, looking at the hand, clearly male, disqualifying Elspeth.
And they all knew what had happened to Geen.