Chapter Text
Ben entered the Cantina with his cloak wrapped around his body and his hood low over his face. His eyes swept the establishment swiftly. Tonight was much quieter. Only a couple of customers were around. There was no active Bounty Hunt anymore. That suited him perfectly.
The moment Rosjar saw Ben entering, he glanced around him nervously. As if he was preparing for a quick escape. Ben walked to the bar and sat down. Wordlessly he looked at Rosjar from under his hood.
The bartender reached with one of his tentacles and took a bottle of Prow. He placed it gently in front of Ben with a clean glass. “Good evening friend. On the house.”
“Take the bottle and escort me to the private rooms.” Ben tilted his head to the back of the Cantina.
Rosjar’s huge forehead rippled with apprehension. “The bouncer will escort you in. The private rooms are on the house also today my friend. Just for you.”
Ben stood up. “Take the bottle. You are coming with me.”
Rosjar was frozen in fear.
Ben motioned to him. “I said follow me.”
“I need to serve the customers. The Brothers are going to kill me if I let the bar unattended.” Rosjar was scared stiff.
Ben’s hand moved so fast no one saw it. He caught one of Rosjar’s moving tentacles midair. “You are coming with me.” He repeated calmly.
“Didn’t you hear the man? He is here to serve us!” The client who was sitting at the stool next to Ben grumbled. He was visibly drunk.
“Rosjar is here to serve only me tonight.” Ben’s voice was serene.
The alien settled down calmly. “Rosjar is here to serve only you tonight.” He droned.
“You can take care of his job while he is away.” Ben continued unfazed.
The alien stood up and walked behind the bar. “I will take Rosjar’s place while he is away.”
“You will serve all the customers and cause no trouble.”
“I will serve the customers and cause no trouble.” The alien repeated quietly.
Ben released Rosjar’s tentacle and looked at the bottle. “Now that you have a replacement, pick up the bottle and follow me.”
Rosjar did as he was told. When they reached the door that led the private rooms, the bouncer stopped them. “What the hell are you doing Rosjar? Who’s that guy behind the bar.”
“The new bartender.” -Ben waved his hand calmly- “Now open the door for us.”
The Bouncer’s eyes glazed over. He quickly did as he was told. They entered a long corridor with low lights of a blue hue. All the doors were closed as the clients who paid for these rooms needed the foretold privacy. Intimate moments with the best girls on the planet, spice dealing or using, intricate massages from the most knowledgeable aliens and extravagant baths with stolen waters from Tatooine’s farmers. You could get anything in there if you had enough money, but especially if you were a collaborator of the Hutts.
They reached the last room and Rosjar opened the door. Ben entered and removed his hood. He looked around at the expensive furniture, the luxurious bed and the small waterfall that was recycling the water of a fish tank. He shook his head in disapproval. The Vriichon Brothers had created a small paradise with their intricate criminal activities, while the rest of the planet was suffering. The Drought hadn’t touched these backrooms. His eyes fell on a bottle of Blue Milk at the table. Luke’s favorite. Even that was scarce lately. The Banthas needed more water to produce this beloved beverage. Sometimes the beasts didn’t have enough to feed their young.. Yet here was a bottle waiting for the next rich customer.
Ben looked at Rosjar as the alien sat across from him. “This Cantina is an offense to the suffering of the people of Tatooine.”
Rosjar looked at his tentacles silently.
A thread of anger awoke in Ben’s heart. “I won’t lie Rosjar. You have seen enough already to make your own assumptions. Hadn’t I been in need to keep a low profile, I would have torn this place apart.”
Rosjar didn’t dare look up.
“People are dying from thirst out there, from hunger….” Ben snapped.
“I have a family to feed too, Mister Ben! The brothers are paying me well.” Rosjar hurried to explain.
Ben tried to control his feelings. To balance himself. He was not here to become a vigilante for Tatooine’s people. His purpose was different. He reached out and served himself a cup of prow. “You know why we are here.”
“The Bounty Hunt….” Rosjar nodded quickly.
“Whom did you give it to?” Ben drank quickly. He needed that anger towards what he was seeing to settle down. It had come on suddenly. Out of nowhere. A little while ago when he was Force Healing Ventress he had felt so calm. This unpredictability alarmed him. That fear angered him even more.
“What makes you think I gave the Bounty to someone else?” Rosjar’s watery eyebrows wavered.
Ben hmphed and drunk his second glass. “Do you even know whom you took from me the other night?”
Rosjar crossed all his tentacles and avoided Ben’s eyes.
“A ‘Sharad Hett. He used to be a great Jedi, the son of a great Jedi. I’ve met him on the battlefield. As an ally, but also as a foe. Not once, but twice. I know him well. Now, Rosjar do you think I believe that you gave that Bounty Hunt to the bondsmen yourself?”
Rosjar shook his blobby head. “No.”
Ben tilted his head. “Whom did you give Hett to?”
Rosjar fidgeted for several moments before deciding. “Zarek Razorfang.”
Ben frowned as he tried to remember. “Isn’t he stationed in Mos Espa with his crew?”
Rosjar nodded quickly. “Yes, but he was here the other day when the Bounty Hunt was on. I found him the moment you left. He gave me a hefty price for Krayt.”
“How much?” Ben frowned.
Rosjar shook his body and stood up quickly. “That doesn’t concern you Master Kenobi.” He snapped.
Ben’s hand twitched with the need to activate Krayt’s lightsaber. That anger in him hadn’t been mellowed by the drinking. He forced himself to inhale evenly. “I see you heard my name well that night in the alley.”
Rosjar turned to him with a smile. “I cannot wield a weapon, so I must keep myself safe somehow. Knowledge can do that.”
Ben remained silent.
“And you cannot use your mind tricks on me General. My species are immune to them.” Rosjar smiled.
“I am aware.” Ben replied steadily.
“The hunt for the remaining Jedi has dithered the latter years, but I am sure someone will be very interested if your name suddenly pops up. And I know you cannot kill me since the Jedi never kill an unarmed man. You couldn’t get rid of Hett either. I saw it!” Rosjar rejoined almost happily.
Ben didn’t speak.
“You are afraid I am going to speak….” Rosjar pointed a tentacle towards Ben.
Ben lifted his brow slowly.
“And I might…because you know…my species tend to have very loose tongues. I mean if the price is right. Unless…” Rosjar pretended to think.
“Unless?” Ben’s voice had fallen several octaves.
“You provide protection for me. For the establishment.” -Rosjar began pacing in the room- “A Jedi Master of your caliber protecting the biggest spice dealership on Tatooine. How perfect is that? If the Brothers learn about my idea, they are going to give me a raise. Promote me to partner possibly.”
Ben refilled his cup, and his eyes turned penetratingly towards Rosjar who continued his monologue.
“Yes, yes! You protect us against rivals, and we protect your name! It cannot get better. No Inquisitor will be able to touch you, and no other syndicates are going to go against ours.” Rosjar looked at Ben happily.
“Are you done?” Ben’s gaze was austere.
Rosjar sat down with a plop and nodded. “I don’t have anything against you General Kenobi, but you must understand… when someone comes across a man of your talent…one cannot let such an opportunity go to waste.”
Ben leaned over and crossed his hands patiently. The anger still lingered, but thankfully it hadn’t become uncontrollable. “I can understand but there is a small flaw in your overall plan my friend.”
Rosjar frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Your species may be untouchable to my mind tricks, the Ranats are not.” Ben’s mouth formed a lopsided smile.
Rosjar’s lips twitched, and his already pale color turned ashen.
“I only must plant the idea that you are stealing spice from the private rooms, and they will get rid of you. I might not be able to kill an unarmed man, but they will.” Ben continued calmly.
Rosjar began shaking his head nervously. “What? Wait a minute..!”
Ben raised his hand. “You see I might be able to bend my ethics enough to convince other people to do the job for me. When the circumstances are dire enough.”
One of Rosjar’s tentacles reached out and tried to grasp Ben’s shoulder. “Listen…what I said before….it wasn’t well thought of…”
“No, it wasn’t.” Ben shook his head.
“I mean you have always been my friend…..”
“Until you had the chance to blackmail me, which you did….” Came the cold reply.
Rosjar’s tentacles fidgeted nervously in front of his face. “My friend, wait…let’s rethink this….”
“We don’t need to rethink about anything. Tell me how much Zarek gave you for Hett.”
Rosjar’s shoulders visibly deflated. He didn’t speak.
Ben drunk his last cup of Prow and then stood up. “Very well, I shall have a talk with the Brothers tomorrow. Until then make sure you don’t do anything stupid.” He said and pushed his cloak back to show the lightsaber hanging from his belt.
Rosjar jumped from his seat. “Three thousand!” He yelled.
Ben turned to him fully and crossed his arms. “Three thousand for a Bounty of twenty thousand?”
Rosjar rubbed his tentacles as his eyes darted around. After a few tense moments he grunted. “Six thousand and I am not lying.”
Ben caressed his beard. “Where do you keep your credits?”
Rosjar shook his head but didn’t reply.
Ben pressed his lips. “Don’t make me waste my time.”
Rosjar lowered his eyes. “At home.”
“Very well, I shall escort you home and you will bring me three out of the six thousand.” Ben wrapped the cloak around his body and walked to the door.
“What?!” Rosjar cried.
Ben turned to him. “My friend, you decided to insert yourself in a rather perilous situation the other night. The price for that is three thousand. Feel lucky it isn’t six.”
Rosjar eyes were wide with fear. He opened his mouth to say something, but when he saw the bulge of the lightsaber under Ben’s cloak he opted for silence.
Ben allowed Rosjar to walk in front of him, but before leaving he took the bottle of blue milk from the table. Rosjar turned to him with a confused expression.
“These things are rare and tasty. Don’t judge.” Ben rejoined tight-lipped.
The bartender was too worried about Ben’s saber to comment on anything at that point. They exited from the same backdoor that Rosjar had used the other night to watch the lightsaber duel. The roads were silent and without many occupants. Ben followed Rosjar to his home.
When the door opened, Ben heard the playful yelling of children. The warm welcome of Rosjar’s wife. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, tucking the blue milk under his cloak. Despite everything else, he didn’t wish to harm Rosjar. He just needed to make sure that his life here, his connection to the Lars wouldn’t be compromised. Ok, also maybe gain some money out of this endeavor. A small smile dawned on his lips, which was short lived as the door slid open again.
Rosjar walked out and gave Ben a heavy pouch. “Here.” He sounded disheartened.
“Do I have to count it?” Ben raised his brow.
“It is all there as promised.” Rosjar rejoined. He looked drained.
Ben nodded and placed the pouch in his pocket.
“That goddamn Sith cost me more than I thought he would. I shouldn’t have meddled with Krayt at all.” Rosjar said.
“I am glad you understand.” Ben replied and got ready to depart, but within a few seconds everything turned into red hued mayhem.
What happened could have been attributed to the drinking that Ben did in that private room not long ago. He was not attuned and that almost cost him more than one life that night. Ben felt the disturbance in the Force a mere moment before a boot connected with his face and sent him rolling to his side. The bottle fell from his grip and broke into a dozen pieces, which penetrated Ben’s palm as he tried to stop himself from rolling further. He heard the vicious battle cry and saw two red lightsabers coming down towards Rosjar’s head.
With a Force Leap of several feet, he ignited Krayt’s lightsaber and landed next to Rosjar, blocking Ventress a mere moment before she slashed the alien’s throat. Rosjar yelled in fear and backed towards the wall.
“I heard you saying Krayt’s name! Where is he? Where did you take him? He is mine!” Ventress tried to break through Ben’s blockade, but it was impossible.
“Please no!” Rosjar made to escape and that left an opening that Ventress used to launch another attack towards him.
It was quickly parried by Ben again.
“Get out of the way Master!” She warned.
Ben’s eyes shone bright. “I can feel your anger….Asajj stop!”
With a swift turn she managed to get away from Ben’s lightsaber and crash the handle of hers into Rosjar’s head. The alien fell heavily. “Tell me where you took Krayt, before I kill you!”
The door opened with a swish and the bartender’s wife appeared with an expression of shock on her face. “Rosjar!”
Ventress turned to the newcomer and made a quick maneuver which brought her behind Rosjar’s wife. She placed the lightsaber on her throat and looked down. “Tell me where Krayt is or she dies!” She snapped.
Ben raised his hand. His Force push was so strong Ventress rolled back several feet. “Get him inside now! Lock the door!” He commanded. Rosjar’s wife, pulled her husband inside a mere moment before Ventress stood back up and run towards Ben.
She attacked him with both lightsabers, which he blocked skillfully. They remained there locked in a fierce stillness that sent waves of Force energy towards the ground from both. Her eyes were burning with the red heat of a thousand suns. His eyes were surging with the blue of a thousand seas.
“Stop …please…” He begged.
A low hiss left her lips. “What did you have to do with this Master? Did you take Krayt’s Bounty?”
Ben shook his head and felt his eyes welling. An upsurge of uncontrollable emotions filled him suddenly. “I beg you…Don’t do this….”
Don’t make me do this… His inner voice screamed in pain.
Ventress’ eyes spat the very fires of hell, while their lightsabers hummed above their heads.
“I beg you….” He whispered.
The yell that erupted from her chest was animalistic. Ben recognized the wrath in her eyes. He had seen it before. “Don’t…” He choked.
Her arms begun trembling as she was losing her newfound strength fast. Her legs were shaking and the pain in her stomach was all consuming. She couldn’t defeat Obi Wan. He could easily disarm her with a single move, yet it was his voice that sounded pleading.
That plead pushed her anger back for a moment and that left an opening. She was sensing him, as he was sensing her through the Force. The pain she felt from him stole her breath away.
He gave her a soft nod. “Please…”
With an exhalation of defeat, she deactivated her lightsabers. Instantly he did the same and wrapped his arms around her. Stopping her a moment before she collapsed. She felt her heart breaking inside her chest. “Obi Wan….” She whispered and grasped his tunic tightly.
“It’s okay….” Ben was breathing heavily. He looked around. There was no one close to them. The people occupying the road further away didn’t seem to care about the red lightsabers that ignited with such fierceness a few moments ago. Blessed Tatooine. The planet that knew how to mind its own business.
“I am so sorry Master….” Ventress muttered as she desperately reached out through the Force, trying to sense him again. That eruption of pain, that rush of uncontrollable feelings. It was nothing she would have thought possible to feel from Kenobi. From the perfectly balanced Jedi. The beacon of Light. The sassy warrior that no one could break.
He looked down at her with unreadable eyes. “Can you walk?”
Apparently he was not searching for her apologies. She nodded. “I think so.” She tried to grasp his hand for support, but it was very slippery. She looked down and it was covered in blood. Then her eyes turned quickly to the broken bottle behind him. “You are hurt.” She spoke under her breath.
He ignored that also. He wrapped his arm tightly around her waist and took most of her weight. Then he led her steadily towards his speeder car. Speechless Ventress stumbled along with him, not knowing what to say to make this better. What to tell herself to justify this explosion of anger that led to nothing. He opened the door and helped her in.
When he took his place in the driver’s seat he wrapped a piece of dirty rug around his hand. Then he ignited the engine, but for a few moments he didn’t move.
Ventress felt confused, scrutinized. She was trembling, unable to look at him.
“How did you come here?” Ben’s voice now sounded recollected. Calm again.
“Burrowed your bike.” Her voice was subdued.
Ben closed his eyes with a deep exhalation. “You mean you stole my bike.”
“Burrowed it! And you Force Sedated me! Just so you know I did not appreciate that!” Ventress found some of her spank when that memory returned.
“Tried to avoid all this mess… which you managed to create anyway.” Ben retorted heavily.
Ventress fumed for a few moments before laying her head back. “It was wrong of me to steal your bike. I can follow you on it. We cannot leave it here.” She wanted to give him a small peace offering. He looked calm on the outside, but the coldness of his voice bespoke of other things.
“I will bring it back tomorrow.” He rejoined flatly and then sped down the road.
The trip back to the hut was so quiet that Ventress felt tears staining her cheeks. Tears of regret for not thinking her actions more closely. Tears of guilt for allowing her anger to blind her once again. Tears of confusion about the pain she had sensed from Obi Wan. Tears of her own pain and disappointment for how her life had ended up in ruins. Running after an already lost Bounty Hunt and failing her mission. Once she was feared, now she was a disaster.
When they arrived at the hut it was already late. Ben assisted her inside and helped her to bed. His blue eyes were full of shadows as he looked at the untouched food. “You didn’t eat….”
Ventress shook her head. “Master…”
He raised his hand. “Stop calling me that. Your hunt for Krayt is done. He has been already taken off planet by Zarek and his crew. I presume he is delivered at the bondsmen by now.”
Ventress inhaled sharply and a thunder of anger slashed through her heart again. “He was mine…”
“What is done cannot be undone. You almost killed an innocent creature and his wife for the hunt of a mere ghost.” Ben sounded disappointed and that bothered her even more.
“Innocent? He was talking with you about Krayt!” Ventress’ eyes turned to him demandingly.
Ben’s eyes closed. “I suggest you eat some food. Your performance today proved that you are doing well. I think it would be best to complete your healing and move on. Both of us.”
Those words nettled her. “Why were you two discussing about Krayt?” Ventress insisted.
Ben sighed and crossed his arms. It took him several moments to compose his thoughts. He wasn’t going to lie to her. “Krayt fell by my hand that night in the alley. I couldn’t claim the Bounty, and you were out of action. Rosjar offered to get him out of my hands. I agreed. I went to Mos Eisley today because I wanted to make sure there were no lose ends from Rosjar’s side about this unfortunate incident.”
“So, you are the one who gave up Krayt.” Ventress’ eyes narrowed.
Ben’s already austere face stiffened more. “Did you expect me to act as your assistant in this? Claim the Bounty for you?”
Ventress didn’t know what to say to that.
“You seem to forget that I am a Jedi.”
“Unfortunately.” She spat.
“Sorry to disappoint.” His retort was hard.
The silence from both fell heavy. She knew what she told him was unfair and that piqued her. She wrapped her arms around her stomach and her shoulders deflated. “I want to curse you for not claiming the Bounty Hunt for both of us …”
“That is not who I am Ventress….” Ben sounded repulsed.
Ventress glared towards the table. “No, you are not.”
Ben approached the table and placed a heavy pouch on it. “This is yours.”
Ventress looked up with a frown. “What is it?”
“The second reason I visited Mos Eisley today.” Ben pressed his lips.
She reached out and opened it. When she saw the considerable number of credits in it her mouth dropped open. She looked at him shocked and speechless.
“A small part of the amount that changed hands for Krayt. It is nothing close to the Bounty, but more than enough to help you buy a ticket out of this planet and start new somewhere else. Minus the ticket, it amounts to a couple of rents upfront for a decent house in Coruscant’s lower levels.” Ben said quietly.
Ventress’ eyes couldn’t leave Ben’s. “Master?...” Her voice was barely heard. The thudding of her heart drummed in her ears.
Ben shook his head in annoyance. He walked to the kitchen and searched for a bandage and some disinfectant. Then he walked past her but stopped close to the door. “I need to rest. I will be in the caves. Good night.” He said and before she could say anything to him, he walked out of the house. Leaving behind him an air of stillness that made Ventress jolt when the door closed with a heavy whoosh.
There she remained for a long time, her eyes alternating between the valuable credits and the closed door. When she finally lay back to bed she was unable to stop the tears from cascading down her cheeks and staining Ben’s pillows. She had disappointed herself, but also him…and that for some reason made her upset.