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Knights of the Old Republic Episode I: Force Bond	By : hatochiisai Category: 1 through F > Criminal Minds Views: 4007 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds, nor do I make any financial profit off of writing this story.

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Knights of the Old Republic

Ahmose Inarus

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Criminal Minds, and I most certainly do NOT own Star Wars.

SLASH WARNING!!! H/R

Chapter 12

PLANET: CORUSCANT

LOCATION: JEDI TEMPLE

TIME: LATE AFTERNOON

It had been three days since they had returned home. Three days of Reid suffering through agonizing withdrawals. He had finally plateaued and was spending every moment in the most intense agony he had ever felt. His body ached, his head throbbed, he was constantly sick to his stomach and couldn’t hold anything down. He was delirious whenever he was conscious, he suffered hot and cold flashes and violent tremors, and had even had a few seizures. His body was perpetually soaked in sweat, his heart was consistently racing and he was constantly on the verge of hyperventilating.

Whenever he was awake he was crying in pain, calling out for Gideon and Hotch…

It was taking more than two to keep him stable… now it was taking four. Noria and Ralko were currently taking their turn, partnered with the two Na’Vi.

Reid was naked save for a thin bed sheet that was bunched up between his legs to preserve his modesty. His legs were spread. Each of the Na’Vi had a large palm pressed to Reid’s inner thigh right over the femoral artery, and another pressed to his abdomen just over his pronounced hip bones. Their tails were curled around his ankles.

Masters Noria and Ralko had their hands placed on Reid’s pectorals, and Reid’s arms were spread out resting on the shoulders of the Twi’Lek twins, who had their other hands pressed to his wrists.

“How is he?” Hotch asked, walking into the infirmary.

“Struggling.” Said Master Ralko, frowning. “Even with all of us, we are having trouble keeping him stabilized.”

Hotch looked terrified. “… I’ll get help.” And he bolted from the room. The Na’Vi glanced at each other, before turning their focus back onto the young human beneath their hands.

A moment later Master Kitata Ree scurried in, Hotch and Rossi with him. Rossi respectfully moved a chair over to the head of Reid’s bed, and Master Kitata Ree scrambled into it. Then he reached out and laid his tiny clawed paws on Reid’s temples.

Within moments, Reid’s tremors and breathing eased.

“How is he feeling?” Rossi asked Hotch. Hotch took a deep breath and closed his eyes, focusing on Reid through their Bond.

“He’s… hot. And aching… but he IS feeling some relief.”

“How do you know that?” Asked the smaller of the Na’Vi.

“… They have a bond.” Noria gasped, eyes going wide. Hotch stared at her. The five Jedi Masters working on Reid all glanced around at each other, then began looking back and forth between Hotch and Reid. Their eyes all widened. The two Na’vi began chattering rapidly to each other, while Noria and Ralko looked to Master Kitata Ree.

“Focus.” The Grand Master commanded them, and the Twi’Lek and Na’Vi did as they were told. “Aaron. Sit.” Hotch blinked, and moved to kneel beside Kitata Ree. “Tell me how you ended up with this Bond.” The Master said, calmly.

“I… I’m not sure, Master.” Hotch said. “I didn’t even know about it until Master Rossi pointed it out to me.”

“Interesting. Aaron… I want you to meditate and rest up. If we start losing him, your Bond could be the only thing that can save him.”

“Lose him?!” Hotch gasped, eyes wide.

“He is very weak. And the withdrawal is taking its toll. It is pushing his body to its limits. He cannot focus and use the Force to help himself. But your Bond may be enough to keep him alive if it is strong enough.”

“… Master.” Hotch said softly. “… I love him.” Kitata Ree didn’t blink. The other four Masters turned and stared at Hotch, eyes wide. “He is like family.”

“You love all of your team.” Kitata Ree told him. “As Masters love their Padawans… As the Jedi Council loves all Jedi.”

“But… Jedi are forbidden to love.” Hotch gasped.

“Forbidden to love?!” Kitata Ree said, and turned to fix an incredulous look on the Jedi Knight. “No. That is not true.”

“But…”

“Tell me, Aaron Hotchner… why do you serve the Republic?”

“Because I believe in it.”

“Why are you a Jedi?”

“… To serve the Republic.”

“Do you love the Jedi Order?”

“Yes.”

“Do you love the Republic?”

“Yes!”

“Do you love your Master?”

“… Of course.”

“Do you love the Council?”

“… As a whole, or individually?” Hotch asked, and Kitata Ree let out a chittering laugh, thinking of Strauss.

“Do you love peace? Justice? Order?”

“Of course.”

“All Jedi do.” Kitata Ree said. “Why do Jedi Fall?”

“…”

“They love power. And control.” Kitata Ree answered his own question. “The Jedi cannot forbid you to love. Love is an emotion that all sentients feel. You cannot be told not to love… You cannot WILL yourself not to love. It is a part of us. The Jedi teach you to love the right things for the right reasons.” Kitata Ree smiled at Hotch. “Loving your comrades is not something to be ashamed of. It strengthens your trust, and you MUST trust them.” And he focused on Reid again.

After several long moments of silence, Kitata Ree spoke again. “Do you know how I know that you love all of your team?”

“… No.” Hotch said, softly.

“Because… You do not just have a bond with the Padawan here… you have Bonds with them all.”

“What?!” Rossi blurted.

“It took some concentration to see… the Bonds are weak, but they ARE there. Your team is developing Force Bonds with one another.”

“What does that mean?!” Hotch gasped.

“Mean?” Kitata Ree repeated, sounding amused. “To me, it means that we made the right choice when we chose you to lead this mission… and it tells me that you chose your team WELL.”

PLANET: CORUSCANT

LOCATION: JEDI TEMPLE

TIME: EARLY EVENING

The team sat around Rossi’s room, staring at the man.

“Force Bonds? All of us?!” JJ gasped.

“Now that I’m looking for them… I CAN see them.” Gideon said, nodding. “The Bond between Hotch and Reid can be seen by any Master who knows what to look for… but the other Bonds are still in their infancy… and only a powerful Consular who is truly FOCUSING can see them right now… but yes, they are there. The Bond between Garcia and JJ are stronger… the Bond between Aaron and Dave is, too…”

“AND the one between you and the kid.” Rossi commented. Gideon glanced at the man, then sighed. Rossi continued. “Morgan and Garcia’s is pretty strong, too…”

“This is… so unreal.” Morgan breathed.

“How is he doing?” Asked Jordan, who was standing by the door, listening in. She had known the team for years, and cared for them. She was once an Apprentice herself, but when the time came for her to be turned over for her one-on-one training with a master, she decided NOT to become a Jedi. Instead, she became a pilot for the Jedi. She was proud of seeing her peers grow and flourish as Jedi, and she was quite happy to be piloting them to and from and during their missions. And like the others, she was worried about the awkward young Padawan.

“… He’s struggling.” Gideon said, softly. “Kitata Ree has been with him all day. He—“ Gideon stopped suddenly. A horrible feeling came over all of them.

“… Spence!” JJ gasped, and the group bolted from the room and ran for the infirmary.

When they got there, Reid was surrounded by nearly a dozen Consulars, many of them from the Council. The boy was having a particularly violent Grand Mal seizure, fluid and foam erupting from his mouth in gagging coughs. The Masters carefully held him, not impeding the convulsions but carefully preventing him from doing himself injury. Strauss was there, kneeling by his side and trying to hold his head steady. Kitata Ree was by her side, watching Master Amna Kao making sure his airway stayed clear.

“Aaron!” The tiny Master called. “You and your team! Come! Stabilize him!” Eyes wide, Hotch quickly moved over, shrugging off his robe and kneeling, taking Reid’s head in his hands. “Stand aside, let them in!” Kitata Ree ordered the other Jedi. “They have Force Bonds. Guide them!”

“Force Bonds? What?!” Strauss demanded. “Why wasn’t I told about this?!”

Kitata Ree snorted. “Forgive me for not telling you what a Master SHOULD be able to See on their own.” Strauss glared down at the tiny Grand Master, who moved in to guide Aaron Hotchner.

She watched as Hotch laid his hands on the sides of Reid’s head. JJ and Garcia allowed Masters Noria and Ralko to guide them. They laid a hand on Reid’s neck over his jugular, and their other hands on his wrists. Gideon and Rossi knelt beside them, resting their hands on his pectorals, and pressing the other hand to his inner thighs over the femoral arteries. Morgan and Prentiss knelt by his feet. His legs were spread and knees bent; they rested their foreheads on his shins, wrapping one hand around the back of his knees, and the other hands were placed on top of his feet.

“Feel your Bond.” Kitata Ree coached, circling the group around the boy on the bed, who was no longer in the throes of a seizure, but still had violent tremors. “Feel the Force flowing, not only between you and him, but between you and your comrades… and between him and them, as well.

“Feel his waning strength… and let your energy fill him.”

“Oh… Oh no… he… he’s…” Garcia sobbed.

“He is dying.” Kitata Ree said, bluntly. “YOU can ground him and keep him here. But you must FOCUS!” And he moved to stand beside Hotch. “Your connection with him is strongest. YOU may be the one who can tip the scales in his favor.”

“Help me, Master.” Hotch gasped. Kitata Ree scrambled up onto a chair to stand more level with Hotch.

“Allow the Force to flow through you, Aaron.” The tiny master squeaked.

“Calm your fear, Jennifer.” Eesa K’Tal instructed. “Do NOT allow it to consume you.”

“You too, Penelope.” Noria said, sternly.

“And YOU tone it down.” Ralko said from where he stood with Morgan. “I admire your determination, but you cannot forsake yourself for your companion. Don’t give him more than you can spare or you will die in his stead. Even with the Force, there are limits to an organic.”

Hands trembling, Hotch slowly lowered his head, resting his forehead on Reid’s.

“Good…” Kitata Ree commented.

Slowly, Reid’s breathing eased… his tremors faded… His pulse calmed…

And then, finally, he was resting quietly.

“Well done.” Kitata Ree said after a long time. “Now… slowly, stop the flow and close off the connections.” The Team of Jedi did as they were told. Then they all sat back and stared down at Spencer Reid. The boy was having the first quiet sleep he’d had in a week, undisturbed by his withdrawals. Gideon covered the boy with the thin sheet, and took his hand, gently rubbing the skin with the pad of his thumb, and Emily gently rested her hand on Reid’s knee. Garcia reached up and gently brushed Reid’s sweat-soaked hair from his pale face.

“… I’ll see some food sent in for you.” Strauss said softly, and slipped out of the room.

The team sat with Reid for a long time, all of them sobered by the fact that they had just pried him from the jaws of death. They ate the food that was brought without ever tasting it. It was several hours later that Reid moved. All eyes brightened as his head turned to the side.

“Nnnmmm…” He moaned, and frowned slightly. The team moved in.

“Spencer?” Hotch called, gently. Reid’s fingers twitched and there was a little scuffle as more than two people clamored for Reid’s only two hands.

But they all grew still and silent when Reid’s eyelids fluttered. He scrunched up his face and made a pouty noise before slowly, his eyes blinked open. They were hazy and confused, but finally, Reid focused. And then, he smiled.

“Aaron?” He breathed, his voice weak.

“I’m right here.” Hotch gasped, smiling back. Reid’s smile widened, then disappeared as his eyes fell closed again. His head lolled to the side and he let out a deep breath. Hotch just sighed and settled in.

“… Is he okay?!” Garcia cried, eyes wide.

“He’s sleeping.” Hotch said, quietly. “Let him. He needs it…”

And so they did. That evening he had a mild seizure, but Hotch was able to ease it on his own, and once he did Reid slept peacefully again. He didn’t have another after that.

For the next six days, Reid remained in the infirmary, sleeping. And gradually his withdrawal symptoms faded. The sweating stopped. The tremors abated. His pulse and respiration settled into normal rhythms. And he slept peacefully without the tossing and turning. Every now and then, he would wake. He would look around and then he would see Hotch. When he saw the man, he would smile an innocent smile, his eyes would sparkle, and then they would fall closed as he slipped into sleep again.

It was on the fourth day after they had helped him cling to life that he opened his eyes and they stayed open. Hotch smiled down at him, gently stroking his cheek.

“Hey there.” Hotch murmured, and Reid nuzzled into the gentle touch.

“… Hey.” Reid breathed. “… where am I?”

“You’re in the infirmary in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.” Hotch said as the small female Na’Vi moved over to check Reid’s vitals. “Do you remember what happened?”

Reid blinked his large eyes, frowning slightly in concentration. The rest of the team waited silently. Reid closed his eyes for a moment, then gasped. His eyes flew open and his body jerked. The color drained from his face and his eyes were overcome with horror that every Jedi in the room could feel.

“… Elle…” Reid whimpered. “She… she…”

“… She betrayed you.” Hotch said, softly. “She betrayed us all.”

“Why would she do that?!” Reid cried, tears coming to his eyes. “Why would she… throw me to those… things? She… and…. You came after me… didn’t you?” Reid asked, turning and staring at Hotch. “You knew you couldn’t stop them… but you came after me anyway…” Hotch just took Reid’s hand and held it tightly as tears ran down the boy’s cheeks. With his other hand, he brushed the tears away.

“Wait… how did I get here? Last I remember… I… you were calling to me… But the Vi’Tani… They were… all over me… in me…” He winced at the memory. “And the eggs…” His eyes widened and his hands pressed to his stomach. “What happened?!”

“The others came. They got us out.” Hotch told him. “And they removed all of the eggs. You’ve spent the last week and a half here… you were in withdrawal from the Vi’Tani Nectar.” Reid stared at him, then closed his eyes. He gasped softly, trembling as tears fell down his cheeks again, and Hotch just held him. Reid rolled onto his side, curling his arms around Hotch’s neck and drawing his knees up to his chest as his tears and sniffles broke into sobs that wracked his entire body.

Wincing, Hotch wrapped an arm around Reid’s shoulders and one under his knees, lifting him off of the narrow bed and cradling him close. Reid hid his face in the man’s chest and Hotch rested his forehead on the boy’s chestnut curls, and he gently rocked him as tears sprang up in his own eyes.

Reid cried for a long time. Eventually, the team moved in and laid their hands on him, reaching out to him with the Force and soothing his emotional agony. Slowly, he relaxed, and when they had moved away he was asleep.

“I want to keep him here for a few days.” Said the female Na’Vi to the team. “But as long as he is still improving, he may leave the infirmary soon.” And so Reid stayed. He spent most of his time in the infirmary sleeping.

And when Hotch got to the infirmary in the morning four days later, Reid was already awake. He was sitting on the edge of his bed, already dressed, and the Na’Vi was smiling at him, holding a needle in place in a vein on the inside of his elbow, giving him fluids.

“There.” She said, and removed the needle. “You’re going to have to take it easy. We’re going to have to get your stomach used to eating again. I’ve alerted the kitchens. Strict liquid diet for the next few days, and then we’ll see how you’re doing.”

“Thank you, Master.” Reid said with a nod, and she gave him a hand as he got to his feet.

“Take it easy. You’re going to be weak for a while. Meditate frequently.”

“Yes, Master.” Reid nodded, then turned and smiled. “Aaron.”

“Good morning.”

“He’s cleared.” The Na’Vi Consular said. “But not for duty.”

“I understand.” Hotch said with a nod, and watched Reid slowly walk over to him. And together, they left the infirmary.

“Thank you.” Reid said softly. “For coming after me. I know that you were hurt, too.”

“I would have died before I left you to… that.” Hotch told him.

“… Aaron… I… Thank you… I’m so sorry.”

“For what?”

“I failed. A proper Jedi would never have fallen into that pit.”

“You didn’t FALL in. You were betrayed and PUSHED. And no Jedi is invincible. Did you not notice the remains of Jedi on the floor of that pit? Old Jedi robes, Lightsabers…”

“I… I know… I… My Lightsaber!” Reid suddenly cried, looking appalled. “I lost it!”

“You can build a new one.” Hotch soothed. “It’s okay. You’re alive, and that’s all that matters. So… where are you off to?” He asked, noticing that Reid was leading them.

“To the Council.” Reid said. “I… I need to speak with them.”

“Why?” Hotch asked, but Reid didn’t answer.

“This isn’t anything new, the Senate will work it out.” Sighed Master Hssa Ssraa.

“The Senators of Ryloth have asked for me and my sister to assist them however we can.” Ralko snorted.

“What did you tell them?” Max Ryan asked.

“That we do not interfere in the senate.” Noria answered for her brother.

“So what do we—“ Strauss stopped when a hologram of a woman appeared in the middle of the room.

“Padawan Spencer Reid is here to see you.” She announced. The Council glanced around at each other.

“Send him in.” Kitata Ree commanded, and the hologram flickered away. A moment later, the doors opened with a swoosh and the young Jedi walked in. The doors closed behind him, and he stared at the Council. They stared back.

“What can we do for you, young one?” Asked Master Bre Mong. Reid didn’t speak for a long time. Finally, after several long moments, he fell to his knees and bowed his head.

“… Masters.” He gasped. “… I… I… thank you.”

“For what, Youngling?” Inquired Master Sa’Eeya’Da.

“… I would have died.” Reid clarified. “Thank you… for my life. I am in your debt once more.”

“Once more?” Asked Master Tarash Virr, and Reid looked up at the male Miraluka. He offered the Council a smile.

“The Jedi Order gave me my freedom when Gideon saved me from the slavers.” Reid explained.

“Stand, Padawan.” Kitata Ree commanded, and Reid did as he was told. “You must tell us what happened with Elle Greeneway.” Reid stared at Kitata Ree, then sighed and bowed his head again. “Why did she throw you to the Vi’Tani?”

“… Because… I wouldn’t go with her and Lee. I… I wouldn’t embrace the Dark Side.” Reid said, softly. “She and Lee had been talking. I couldn’t hear them. But when he left, I told her I didn’t trust him… She told me that he used to be a Jedi… Is that true?”

“… It is.” Strauss confirmed with a nod. Reid sighed.

“Anyway… she told me that he left the order because he felt that you… the Council… lie. And that he felt smothered by you. She said she felt smothered, too…”

“Do YOU feel smothered, Padawan?” Asked the Cathar Master, Raahn Syr.

“I… No… No I don’t.” Reid said. “She said that she was tired of your lies and controlling nature… And that she was sick of you holding her back. I tried to talk to her. I tried to make her understand that this wasn’t true… She tried to convince me that you made Gideon bring me here so that you could develop a hold over me… That you could make sure I didn’t get TOO powerful.

“She told me that she was leaving the Order and asked me to come with her. She told me that the Sith aren’t evil, they’re simply Jedi who refused to allow the Jedi Council to hold them back and control them. I TRIED to make her see reason! But she was dead set on making me see that you’re holding me back. She told me that I could… I could be a Sith Lord and rule the Galaxy. I tried to explain it to her; That you make sure we never grow too strong so fast that we cannot control our own power.

“… She wouldn’t listen. She told me to come with her and join the Sith, or die. I told her I wouldn’t go with her. That’s when she asked me if I knew about the Vi’Tani Pods. When I told her I didn’t, she began to… describe them to me. I asked her why she was telling me this… And… And she said… So I would know how I was going to die. And… That’s when she threw me in.” Reid bowed his head, tears in his eyes. “She left me to die. I… I tried… I really did… I’m so sorry…”

“… You have nothing to apologize for.” Noria said, gently. “You showed strength and loyalty. It is not easy to face such a betrayal.”

“I should have saved her.”

“… Not everyone CAN be saved.” Said Tarash Virr. “You hold no blame in this, Little Brother.”

“Go now, Padawan.” Commanded Kitata Ree. “And know that you have made us proud.”

Reid blinked, then bowed low and left the Council Chamber.

Hotch was waiting for him.

“How did it go?” Hotch asked. Reid didn’t answer. They walked through the Temple and ended up in Hotch’s private quarters. Once the door had closed and locked behind them, giving them privacy, Reid blinked up at the man and then with a gasp, threw his arms around the man’s neck. Hotch caught him and held him close, soothing him as best he could as the boy cried in his grief over the loss of a friend.

“Come on.” Hotch murmured when Reid finally began to calm down. “You need to rest.” And Hotch guided the trembling youth to his bedroom.
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Knights of the Old Republic Episode I: Force Bond