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Knight of the Old Republic Episode II: Redemption	By : hatochiisai Category: 1 through F > Criminal Minds Views: 2738 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Knights of the Old Republic: Episode II

Ahmose Inarus

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

SLASH WARNING!!! H/R

Chapter 20

PLANET: CORUSCANT

LOCATION: JEDI TEMPLE

TIME: MORNING

Reid awoke late in the morning to violent coughs wracking his frame. He was curled up on the floor of the storage unit he had sought refuge in the previous night. He looked around and sighed, wondering if he would be able to sneak out that night to pick up a supply of Vi’Tani Nectar.

Groaning at his aching back, he picked himself up off of the floor, fingering his last vial of Nectar. But he made his way up to the dining hall. Breakfast was almost over. The team was just finishing up. But they looked up and watched him come in. Hotch glanced at him, then made a double take. He looked shocked, and confused. Reid scowled at him, and turned away to get something to eat, sitting himself down at an empty table across the room. He ate quickly, and when Hotch moved to cross the room towards him, he stood and left before he could get there.

He hurried down the corridor, not noticing the stares. It wasn’t until he went to bathe that he even noticed himself... he stared at himself in the mirror, stunned. He was covered in bruises. A large one had blossomed across his cheekbone only overnight. There was a large ring around his arm where Hotch had grabbed him the night before, and a handprint on his chest from where Hotch’s hand had been, pressing him into the wall. He turned around. His back was mottled in bruises from where he had been against the wall.

There was only one thing that could explain it… the Vi’Tani Nectar. Reid knew that prolonged use could cause internal bleeding. That an addict would eventually bleed to death, inside his own body. The bruising was only one of the first signs.

Terrified, Reid whirled, turning his back on his reflection. He couldn’t deal with that… not now… He bathed and re-clothed himself, and then made his way to the Room of a Thousand Fountains, and found himself a quiet, secluded spot to settle down, and meditate. But the peace he usually got from meditation did not come to him. Not this time. He was restless. All he could do was think about how he would manage to sneak out of the Temple.

And then, suddenly, it came to him. His eyes widened and he got to his feet. He made his way up through the Temple and to where the speeders were kept. He waited until no one was around, and collected his Sith garb from its hiding place, tucked it into his robes and headed back into the Temple. He made his way through the corridors until he reached the dining hall. He joined the early lunch-goers, and once he was finished, before the team or the Council came in for lunch, he slipped out and headed to the main entrance. And then, he waited.

A few minutes later, a group of young Jedi appeared, heading for the main entrance. They were studying advanced Diplomacy, and were heading off to observe the Senate for the afternoon. As they passed, Reid pulled up his hood and stepped in amongst them, walking out of the Temple. He boarded the shuttle with them, and sat off to the side, keeping his head down. The ride to the Senate was short, and he disembarked with them. But as they headed into the massive building, he allowed himself to fade into the crowd, and make his break from the group of Jedi. Then he slipped out of the building and headed away. It was five hours until sunset, and nine hours until he was going to meet Gualen and the Rhodian.

And so he took his time. He changed the first change he got, and stopped off for dinner as the sun set at a little place that served noodles as made on Dantooine, which was very much a comfort food for him. And once darkness had fallen, he made his way to the lower levels of the city, where the only light came from the countless glowing signs.

Prostitutes made eyes at him, and several sauntered into his path, brushing their fingers over him as he passed. Some of the bolder ones would outright proposition him. But he ignored them all, heading down the street towards the warehouse, several miles away. As he got nearer, he stopped into a cantina to play some Pazaak. Within two hours, he had five times the Credits he had walked in with, and decided to bow out before the opponents got too angry with him. He went to another Pazaak Den down the street, and another after that. By the time he was finished playing at the three Dens, he was significantly richer than when he had started out. Everywhere he went, Darth Livion’s face stared back at him from the shadows… And everywhere he went, he ignored it…

Finally, he headed off to meet Gualen.

The Rhodian was there with the Quarren again. They stopped talking and stared in nervous silence as Reid approached. He lay down 1000 Credits on the table, and stared at them.

“… The product.” He demanded.

“I was only able to get one small bottle.” The Rhodian said, his voice rough with nerves, taking half of the Credits on the table and pushing the other half back to Reid. “In three days, I can have three of the large ones.”

“That is acceptable.” Reid nodded. The Rhodian and the Quarren stared at him. He stared back. The pair glanced at one another. “… What is it?”

“Your… your nose, my Lord…” The Quarren mumbled. Blinking, Reid lifted his fingers, and felt something hot and wet. When he lowered his hand, he found himself staring at bright red blood on his fingers.

“Blast…” He hissed, whirling and wiping his nose up his gloved arm.

“My Lord…” Came a low mumble. He turned back, and the Quarren was offering him a cloth. He accepted it with a soft “thank you” and held it to his nose, focusing the Force into healing the broken blood vessels. When it stopped bleeding, he blew his nose and tossed the cloth aside, and looked at the two before him. His heart skipped a beat and his eyes darted behind them, resting on Darth Livion....

“… three bottles in a three days is… satisfactory.” He said, and they nodded their heads, eagerly. “I will see you then.” And he took the bottle that they had brought, and left the place. His heart was pounding, and he doubled over as violent coughs wracked his frame. When he straightened, he looked down into his hand… blood was spattered over it, and the taste filled his mouth.. Grimacing, he turned and spat it out, and walked down the street, a new bruise blossoming on the side of his neck, and another on his inner thigh.

As he approached the Temple, it suddenly hit him… he didn’t think of how he was going to get back IN to the Temple undetected!!!

“Damn!” He hissed under his breath, staring up at the Spires of the Temple. He sighed, and decided that it would be best to get back in the same way he got back out. And so he headed back to the Senate. It was late by the time he got there, and so he curled up at the base of a large statue overlooking the area, took a pull at his bottle of Nectar and fell asleep, ignoring Darth Livion sitting beside him.

It was late morning when he awoke. The Senate was in full swing. He could feel the anger rising from the building, the arrogance and strife… He changed back into his Jedi robes, took a swig of the Nectar, and then waited. When the Senate broke for lunch, Reid slipped into the crowd and joined up with the group of Jedi heading back to their shuttle. And among them, he made his return, slinking back into the Temple like a thief. He immediately went to bathe, and pointedly ignored his reflection. Then he divided his Nectar up into little vials which he tucked into a pouch on his belt, and then headed to lunch.

The team was just finishing, and they all looked up when he came in. He pointedly ignored them too, sitting down to eat.

“Where are those bruises coming from?” Emily murmured.

“I dunno…” Morgan answered. “But I have a bad feeling.”

“So do I.” Rossi nodded. “He’s avoiding us… he’s hiding something and he doesn’t want us to find out… And this is dangerous.”

“What do you mean?” Seaver asked.

“This deception, anger and fear could take him quickly back to the Dark side.” Rossi explained. “This must be stopped.”

“Excuse me.” The team turned and looked at a young initiate. “The Council wishes to see you.”

The team exchanged looks, then stood and headed up to the High Council Spire.

Reid watched them go, then sighed and looked back down on his lunch. His stomach twisted. Wincing, he stood and abandoned his meal, which he had hardly touched. He didn’t feel well. He wandered the corridors, his mind off somewhere else. His thoughts frequently drifted to Amanda, the friend he had lost, and Tobias, the friend he’d had to leave behind. He allowed himself to mourn, not caring who felt his grief.

He looked up when he was approached several hours later. “Master.” He greeted, bowing to Eesa K’Tal.

“I am heading to the main steps to see your team off onto a mission. Come with me.” Reid blinked a few times, then nodded. He couldn’t refuse without being suspicious. And so when the team emerged, Reid stood with Eesa K’Tal, watching them. Hotch stared at the boy, and Reid stared back.

Whatever your issue is, you take care of it. If you haven’t by the time we return, Master Virr and I will have to tell the Council. Hotch told him, and Reid narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest and looking away from the man. Hotch sighed, and boarded the shuttle that would take them to the BAU.

“Well?” Rossi asked, sitting down beside him.

“… He wouldn’t answer.” Hotch murmured, and watched Reid turn and disappear into the Temple without even a backward glance…

Raahn Syr followed Reid into the Temple.

“I sense much anger in you, young one.” He rumbled, and Reid stopped, turning his head slightly. Then he sighed and drooped.

“I’m sorry Master.” He said, softly. “It’s… hard.”

“What is?”

“Letting go of the feelings I have been forced to acknowledge and let flourish for the past two years. Anger… aggression… hate… I find that I am quick to anger, when once, it was… never something I held onto. There would be fleeting moments, but then I would let go. Now it… festers within me.”

“It will be a process. One does not turn off the Dark Side like one turns out the lights.”

“Or the Light Side.”

“Yes. It takes time and patience.”

“Something that makes redemption that much harder.” Reid mumbled. At Master Syr’s quizzical look, he elaborated. “The Dark Side does not teach patience.”

“Ah.” The Cathar said, knowingly.

“Where are we going?”

“We are going to work with the Shadows again, and we want you to use your Dark Side abilities.” Reid froze, eyes wide, and Raahn Syr felt the fear wash through the boy.

“Let go of your fear.” He said, firmly. “There is no reason for it.” Reid stared at him, then closed his eyes, took a deep breath and forced himself to relax and quell the fear.

“Good.” Master Syr said, nodding. “Now come. There will be no Force Storms today.”

And so the Padawan followed the Master Shadow. The Shadows were in the midst of training when they arrived. Lightsabers were lowered and eyes turned to the pair in the doorway. Reid shifted uncomfortably… he felt as though they were all looking at his bruises, and knew where they had come from…

“They’re going to take turns with you.” Master Syr said, and Reid quirked an eyebrow, his mind going somewhere completely dirty, making him flush a dark red. Master Syr didn’t notice. “They are to learn to fend off the attacks of a Dark Jedi.” The Cathar continued. “You’ll take them in small groups of three to five,” Reid wondered if the Master had any idea how bad that sounded, “and we’ll rotate until they’ve all had a chance at you.” Reid sighed and shook his head. No… the Master was oblivious.

Reid blamed Amanda for this. She could make anything sound dirty… she had corrupted his mind, dammit! He smiled to himself in fond amusement … how he missed her…

Then he shook himself out of his reverie and prepared to work with the Shadows. He began with meditation, thinking over all of his techniques that he could use against them to prepare them for facing Dark Jedi. And when Master Syr told him that he would be facing off against green, untested Shadows, he felt a sadistic smirk tug at his lip. Now was the time to work off some frustration…

He soon found himself surrounded by five young Jedi Knights, all with Lightsabers up and ready. He took a deep breath, watching the Jedi tense, and then he raised his hands. Immediately, two of the Jedi gagged as their airways were cut off. They dropped their weapons and clawed at their throats. The other three paused, but then attacked. Reid flung the two he was choking into two of the Knights charging at him, then whirled, drew his own Lightsaber, and blocked the strike from the fifth. He reached a hand out, Lightning crackled, and then he slammed it into the Jedi’s belly. There was a blast of sizzling energy, and the Jedi was sent flying back into the wall. He fell to the floor, groaning.

Reid whirled to face the other four, Lightning still dancing about in his palm. The Lightning formed a ball and he held it up, then hurled it at a Twi’Lek. She raised her Lightsaber to block the Kinetite, but it exploded on impact with her blade. She screamed as the Lightning rushed through her, and then she collapsed on the floor and didn’t move. The one on the other side of the room slowly stumbled to his feet and staggered towards Reid, regaining his balance quickly.

Reid narrowed his eyes, focusing on the Knight's utility belt. Then, there was a small explosion at his hip. The startled Jedi jumped, trying to spin away from the smoking rising from where his little Comm Unit was kept, and in the moment of distraction, Reid was upon him. With a spinning heel kick, he brought the Knight to the ground. And this time, he stayed there.

Then Reid whirled, plunging his blade into the floor. It glowed molten orange, and he covered his free hand over it, repeating a gentle stroking motion in the air. After a moment, flames began to lick up into the air from the molten floor, and then he stood, fire burning in his hand. He spun around as he stood, leaving a trail of fire in his wake creating a ring around him. He whirled and thrust a hand out at the Falleen that was approaching, and a jet of flames made him halt his attack and dive to the side.

Reid whirled again, slamming his hand into the floor. A trail of fire snaked its way towards a young female Chadra Fan, and despite her hasty retreat, when it reached her, she was blasted into the wall by an explosion.

Three down, two to go. The Falleen and a Kel Dor male stood on either side of Reid, nervous and wary. Reid glanced back and forth, and then sent Lightning crackling at the Kel Dor. He raised his Lightsaber and blocked the bolts, and the Falleen leapt in to take Reid down. Reid whirled to block him, but was too late; a punch landed harshly across his jaw, and he crashed to the floor. The fire dissipated, as did the Lightning.

But a moment later, Reid raised his head, blood dripping from his nose. Livion knelt by his side, grinning. “Make him pay…” He whispered to Reid, and Reid’s lip curled in a snarl. His eyes, now a red rimmed yellow, flashed, and the Falleen was flung back into the wall. His feet dangling six inches over the floor. Then he was slammed back into the wall again, and again and again… The Kel Dor charged to assist his companion, and Reid whirled, making a swiping gesture with his hand. The Kel Dor skidded to a stop and his hands flew up to his own throat as the breathing apparatus was ripped off of his face and flung across the room. His mouth gasped, and he collapsed to his knees… He could not breath oxygen… he began to suffocate rapidly.

Immediately, the activity exploded. One Shadow ran to the Kel Dor and summoned the breathing apparatus to his hand, quickly getting it back into place and guiding the young Jedi into taking deep breaths. Four others flung their hands out, and Reid yelped as he was flung back, the Falleen falling to the floor, unconscious. Snarling, he got to his feet. But then there was an even deeper snarl from behind him, and then claws in his back. Reid threw his head back and gasped as he felt himself being rapidly drained. Within seconds, Master Raahn Syr released him, and watched him slump to the floor, unconscious…

PLANET: CORUSCANT

LOCATION: JEDI TEMPLE

TIME: MORNING

Reid awoke to the cravings… He was in the infirmary, with the Jedi he had…

His heart sank. He had hurt the new Jedi Shadows… He had really HURT them!

He bolted upright in bed, only to double over coughing. He winced as he quickly tasted blood, and he covered his mouth with the sheet covering him, spattering it with the crimson fluid. As soon as the coughing fit had passed, he made his way over to the nearest bed, where the Falleen lay. He stared at him for a long time, and then reached out to take his hand. But there was a low snarl, and a great black paw caught his wrist in a harsh grip. Reid gasped and looked up into the blazing eyes of Raahn Syr.

“M-Master… I—“

“Come with me.” The Cathar snarled, and stalked out of the infirmary, dragging Reid behind him. The boy had to run to keep up with the massive Shadow’s long strides, and he quickly found himself lightheaded and dizzy. Then, they were at the Chamber of the High Council, and Reid was shoved into the middle of the room. He allowed himself to fall to his knees, and he cowered before the Council. Raahn Syr did not take his seat… he paced the room, tail lashing.

“Raahn…” Amna Kao called gently, but he silenced her with a wave of his paw.

“It was a TRAINING session!” He finally snapped, and Reid flinched. “You were to INTRODUCE them to what they might be facing! NOT INJURE THEM!!!”

“I’m sorry…” He whimpered in a small voice. “I… I didn’t mean to!”

“You exercised NO caution whatsoever!” Raahn Syr snapped. “And what is worse… the final attack was made in ANGER! You struck back for VENGEANCE!!!” Reid flinched again, curling in on himself and bowing his head. His heart was pounding as he wondered what would be done with him.

“You allowed yourself to be overcome by the Dark Side in that moment.” Master Syr continued. “You didn’t even hear me yelling at you to stop… did you?!”

Reid whimpered and shook his head, then gasped as the Cathar seized him by the neck. “YOU COULD HAVE KILLED THEM!!!” Reid stared up at him, tears filling his eyes.

“RAAHN!!!” Amna Kao shouted, this time leaping from her seat and hurrying over. “Just because he acted in anger, it doesn’t mean that you may do so as well!” The Cathar looked at the Nautolan, startled. Then he looked down at his powerful hand around the boy’s throat. Eyes widening in horror at his own actions, he quickly released Reid. The boy immediately doubled over and cried.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to! I’m sorry… I’m so sorry… please… I… I need help…”

“Indeed.” Max Ryan snorted. “Another incident like that, and we may need to rethink our original decision on what to do with you. Perhaps we overestimated you… and underestimated Darth Livion…” Reid sobbed at that, his entire body shaking.

“Go and meditate, Padawan.” Kitata Ree said, his usual warmth nowhere to be found in his tone. “On what you have done, and how to stop it from happening again.” Stunned by the lack of faith in the voice of the Grand Master, who had always been his champion, Reid silently nodded his head, and fled from the Council Chamber. The High Council was silent for a moment.

“… I do not like this.” Tarash Virr said. “Something is wrong with him. Physically wrong. I could See it.”

“… Amna?” Eesa K’Tal asked. The Nautolan Master was staring at the floor. After a moment, she swiped her hand over it, and lifted it to her face.

“… Blood?” She breathed.

“Did his nose bleed start again?” Strauss asked.

Raahn Syr caught Master Kao’s hand in his, and he sniffed the blood on her hand, and then licked it.

“… No.” He rumbled. “Those are tears. There is blood in his tears.” He turned and stared at the door that Reid had left through. “Tarash is right. Something is PHYSICALLY wrong with the boy. And this thing may have nothing to do with the Dark Side…”
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Knight of the Old Republic Episode II: Redemption