Джуд Уотсон - Jedi Apprentice 14 - The Ties That Bind

She would never have been separated from her lightsaber if she hadn't been convinced that without it the meeting would not take place.

"Access the door," Qui-Gon ordered the assistant.

The door slid open. There was an empty table. Empty chairs. There was no sign of Balog or Tahl.

In an agony of frustration, Qui-Gon raised the hilt of his lightsaber and brought it down on the table. The table cracked and a long jagged split appeared.

Obi-Wan looked at him, astonished. He had never seen Qui-Gon lose control before.

Qui-Gon closed his eyes and weaved with the intensity of emotion inside him. He saw her dull eyes, felt her weak touch, heard her voice in his ear.

"It is too late for me, dear friend."

His Padawan spoke at his elbow. "We will find them, Qui-Gon."

He swallowed against his anguish and guilt, pushing them down, down deep where they would not interfere with his reason, his judgment, his purpose.

He opened his eyes and met the resolute gaze of his Padawan. He wanted to tell Obi-Wan that if they did not find her in time, if his vision came true, he knew one thing: He would be forever changed. Forever half of what he was. What he could have been.

"We must," he said.