Qui-Gon shifted to brace his Padawan better, holding the boy to him to keep him from falling to the floor. "If you'll excuse me," he said with a glance at Yoda. The head of the Council nodded, and Qui-Gon lifted Obi-Wan and carried him from the room.
They must have made quite a sight, but Qui-Gon did not see the stares in the halls. His attention was completely on the unconscious boy in his arms. He'd grown, if nothing else could be said of him. He had been oddly pleased to see Obi-Wan's braid, even without the markers of accomplishment, when he'd pulled his hair loose. Black thread tied off the top of the braid, and he added that to the list of questions he intended to ask his Padawan as soon as he was feeling better.
In his quarters, Qui-Gon went right to Obi-Wan's room. He carefully laid his Padawan on the sleep couch, and removed his boots and belt. The staff he set next to the boy's lightsaber, within easy reach. He turned to go, but paused in the doorway and looked back.
For all his reluctance to take another Padawan after the disaster with Xanatos, he was glad he had. Even the pain of the last few months had been worth it. He'd learned so much while searching for Obi-Wan; a lot about himself, and a lot about the Force. He hoped - hoped desperately, in fact - that the presence of the Padawan braid meant he'd come back, but he felt that if Obi-Wan left the order, it would not be quite as devastating to him personally. From what he'd gathered, the boy had done nothing that did not befit a Jedi while he was gone.
He stepped back and let the door close. It was comforting, to actually feel Obi-Wan in the next room. Ben, Regina had called him. Now he knew the name he'd used while staying at the Monastery of Bel-Meridah.
It had been amazing. Two days ago, he'd suddenly realized the block on the bond had vanished. He'd dropped abruptly into real space and sped back in the direction of the connection. He'd honed his sense of the training bond, focused it so that anything that came through would lead him in the right direction. He'd focused so much on the little bit of sensation that had come through that blocked bond that having it open like that had given him an headache, but it was a blessing. He'd been surprised to find Obi-Wan was on Coruscant, and the surprise had only increased when it became clear he was in the Temple. Finding the boy in the Council chambers was not so unexpected, after his prolonged absence. He had heard no questions, but Obi-Wan had not even turned when the doors had opened, and he'd felt the boy's exhaustion. The livery had explained everything; he was the boy he'd rescued from the cabin and from the slavers. Mace had understood, and a smile crossed Qui-Gon's face at his friend's subterfuge.
A knock on his door distracted him from his thoughts, and with a gesture, he opened it. Theela bowed, and even at the lowest point of her bow, her head was just below his shoulder. "Forgive the intrusion, Master Jinn. Mace Windu said that you brought Obi-Wan back here, and that he had collapsed."
"Yes," Qui-Gon said. "I'm sorry I didn't bring him back to you...."
She held up a hand to stop him. "That is not the worry, Master Jinn," she said. "After your separation, it is better that he is here. I just need to see him."
"He's in here." He led the way back to the side room, watching as she lay her hand on Obi-Wan's forehead. His Padawan's whole head nearly vanished under her hand.
"He will be fine; he's still recovering from the beating he took and the Council wore him out. He should rest as long as you can keep him here," she said as she straightened again.
Qui-Gon nodded. "I'll do my best."
"That's all we can ask." She favored him with a rare smile. "I'll be back in a couple of days if you haven't brought him to us by then."
He walked her to the door. "I'll bring him if he's up."
When she'd left, ducking to get through the doorways, he returned to Obi-Wan's door, amused at himself that he couldn't stay away. His brow furrowed as the boy jerked, mumbling something too low to hear. He stepped closer; Obi-Wan's head turned away. "No," he moaned low, and there was despair in his voice. "Master! No!" This was a shout, and it woke him. After a startled moment, he sat up and ran a trembling hand through his hair.
"Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon asked softly.
His Padawan moved in a flurry of brown blankets and dark blue clothing, ending up at Qui-Gon's feet, wavering on his knees. His hair fell forward, masking his face more than his bowed head. "Forgive me, Master."
"Stand up, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said, flustered, and reached down to grip the boy's arm in case he needed help standing up. He didn't move. "Get up, Padawan. There is nothing to forgive."
It surprised the teenager and he looked up, face pale in the dim light. "Master..." His voice trembled.
Qui-Gon knelt next to him, lifting Obi-Wan's chin so he could see the boy's eyes. "There is nothing to forgive," he repeated. It was odd to see his Padawan's familiar face framed by long, red-gold hair.
"I tried to kill you." It was a whisper; Obi-Wan's blue eyes vanished behind his lids.
"Did you?"
Obi-Wan stared at him. "Master?"
"Was it really you, Obi-Wan?"
"I... I don't know," the boy stuttered. His eyes were awash with unshed tears. "I haven't... I didn't dare meditate on it." Color flooded his face in shame. "I was... am... afraid."
"Afraid of what?" He had to keep his voice calm, not let his Padawan know how much that admission disturbed him. He'd believed the boy had conquered his fear.
"I thought... I didn't know if... if they'd saved you." His voice sank in shame. "I didn't want to know if you were dead."
"I'm not dead. The Healers are capable." He smiled slightly, reminded of Theela's visit. "You are still unwell. Get back into bed, and when you are feeling better, you must meditate on that day. Look at it through the eyes of a Jedi. Give yourself distance."
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan said, and Qui-Gon stood to help him up. "But Master...." He hesitated, standing slowly, ungracefully, using his Master's assistance. "There is much to forgive."
Qui-Gon paused only an instant. "Then it is forgiven."
Obi-Wan stared at him, eyes wide, and Qui-Gon thought he saw a tear in his Padawan's eye. Abruptly, Obi-Wan sank down on the sleep couch, straightening his blankets in a convulsive movement, and then lay down. "Sleep well, Padawan."
"Thank you, Master."
Qui-Gon had to leave this time. Obi-Wan wanted peace; he didn't like to show emotion to others if he could help it. But just outside his Padawan's door, Qui-Gon stopped, hands clenched. It was a good question. Who had tried to kill him? And why? And why had they used Obi-Wan?
When he sensed Obi-Wan had fallen asleep again, he returned to the doorway. "Now I could find you in pitch black," he said softly with a smile. "And with the way trouble finds you, I'll probably need it." He chuckled and backed out of the way, letting the door shut.
Go on to Next Chapter | Long Road Home
Home | Stories | Links | Contact me