Qui-Gon's jaw tightened as he listened to the transcripts of Obi-Wan's former Masters again. The data pad in front of him held key words he'd picked up from them, all describing Obi-Wan. Lazy. Slow learner. Obstinate. Unwilling to apply himself. Distrustful. Angry. Disobedient. And the boy had heard every single accusation. No wonder the despair had been so heavy on him the day Qui-Gon found him curled under that tree.
He'd been able to refute every allegation except distrustful, and he couldn't because Obi-Wan didn't trust anyone. It seemed he had a good reason.
That Denk had said the boy was disobedient bothered him. He really didn't know what Denk had meant. Denk had been Obi-Wan's Master for the shortest time, only four months, but looking at the recording from when he repudiated Obi-Wan, much of the boy's spirit had been crushed. He'd managed a half-formed protest at his repudiation from Denk - he hadn't even tried, hadn't even looked up, the third time around with Toman. Stepped on, indeed.
Pressure built around him suddenly, and he knew what was coming. He was moving before Obi-Wan's scream split the air.
This nightmare was different. When he opened the door, his student was still trapped in it, thrashing weakly against his blanket. Qui-Gon hesitated only an instant before he moved into the room, hoping Obi-Wan would understand why he'd broken his promise not to enter. He caught the boy's flailing hands, pinning him gently to the bed. "Obi-Wan," he said. Obi-Wan gasped and struggled harder, putting real weight behind his thrashing. "Wake up."
Slowly, so slowly, the boy opened his eyes, then his movements eased and stilled. Qui-Gon let him go and stepped back, giving him room.
"Are you alright?"
Obi-Wan sat up and rubbed his face. "I don't know." He looked bleakly up at Qui-Gon. He didn't seem to mind the Jedi's presence, and Qui-Gon was surprised to find he was glad of that. "Why do I have these nightmares?"
"What happens in them?"
Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "Usually, I can't move, and I want to get away."
"From what?" Qui-Gon prompted when he didn't continue.
"My Master. But I don't have one."
Qui-Gon waited a while, but the boy didn't elaborate any further. "You said usually. Was this one different?" he pressed gently.
"Yes." Obi-Wan shifted a little, pulling his knees to his chest. "It was happening."
"What was happening?"
"Someone was getting into my mind. I couldn't get them out. Most of the time I just know it's going to happen, and that wakes me up."
"What happens when they get into your head?" Qui-Gon had to fight to keep his voice even. Sometimes when he asked questions of Obi-Wan, the boy went silent and didn't answer. He hoped that wouldn't be the case this time.
"Keep me from moving. Hurt..." He gasped a little, and the arms clasped around his knees tightened. "They hurt me, from the inside. Discipline, they said. For when I did something wrong."
Qui-Gon didn't respond for a moment, letting his anger pass through him. It took a while. "I see," he finally said, but his words were clipped. Obi-Wan cringed. "I'm not angry with you," Qui-Gon told him, relaxing enough to lean with one knee against the bed. "Yoda will be here tomorrow."
Obi-Wan's panic flared at that, and with it the Force swirled around him, dark and angry. Qui-Gon stiffened. "What's wrong?"
"It's not right," Obi-Wan snarled suddenly, but his gaze and the malice was not directed at him.
"What's not right?"
"He wants me to believe that Yoda will do as much damage as the Healers. It's not true," he snarled again.
"He who?"
"I don't know. Someone...." He sighed softly, and the Force around him calmed. "I just want it to stop," he whispered brokenly. "I want it to stop."
"It will," Qui-Gon promised. "I don't know when or how, but it will stop."
Obi-Wan hesitated, and then stretched his legs out again.
"Will you be able to sleep now?" Qui-Gon asked gently.
Color suffused the boy's face. "Will... will you stay until I do?"
"Of course." He moved to stand in the doorway, leaning against the jamb and watching.
That the boy's request meant something could not be argued. Qui-Gon waited until he was sure Obi-Wan slept before he pulled the door closed behind him. There was enough trust between them for that, at least. It was heartening.
Yoda arrived in the middle of their sparring match, which ended shortly after his arrival. To Qui-Gon's sharp eyes, Obi-Wan did not seem as uncomfortable with the arrival of the little green Master as he had the night before. In short order, Yoda banished Qui-Gon into the house. He hesitated before going, reluctant. He could do nothing but hope Yoda would be able to succeed where he hadn't.
He was surprised to discover he was nervous. Instead of starting lunch immediately like he had planned, he knelt on the rug Obi-Wan had grown attached to and meditated until he found the peace he needed.
Obi-Wan looked exhausted and haunted when he appeared in the kitchen, Yoda on his shoulders. Lunch seemed to revitalize him a little.
"Sleep you may," Yoda told him. "One hour, no more, no less."
Relief flooded Obi-Wan's face, and he bowed. "Thank you, Master Yoda." He left the kitchen, weariness in his steps.
As soon as he was gone, Yoda turned sharp eyes on Qui-Gon. "Something to say, you have." It was not a question.
Qui-Gon took a deep breath and nodded. "I have a lot to say, Master Yoda." He took the small being onto his back and went into the common room.
He said all that he wanted to, presented his findings so far, and was waiting for Yoda's response when Obi-Wan stepped into the room an hour later. He looked better, his eyes bright again.
"Punctual you are," Yoda said approvingly. "Outside for us you must wait."
Obi-Wan bowed and strode past them. As soon as the door shut behind him, Yoda turned back to Qui-Gon. "Much to think on I have," he said slowly. "Wait you must also."
Qui-Gon nodded. "Of course," he said. Patience, his mind sighed.
Yoda snorted indelicately and left the house. Qui-Gon remained where he knelt. He had some things to think on, too.
About mid-afternoon, Qui-Gon staggered and fell against the wall, gripping it to keep on his feet as a wave of anger, hate, and despair all slammed into him. He remained against the wall until he felt stronger, then ran for the door.
Outside, he found Obi-Wan huddled against the wall of the house in an almost familiar position, staring wide-eyed at Yoda. Yoda stood quietly before him, leaning on his gimer stick, apparently unruffled by the strongly negative feelings and the dark Force swirling around the boy. "Let it go you must," the Jedi Master said calmly without taking his eyes off the teenager. "Flow through you it will, and released you will be."
Qui-Gon didn't move in spite of his rather surprising urge to go and try to comfort the boy. Obi-Wan was beginning to calm down on his own, the Force around him lightening and becoming less agitated, and when Yoda threw a look at Qui-Gon, he reluctantly went back inside.
He sank down on the rug again, prepared to meditate on what he was feeling. He didn't want a another Padawan, and Yoda was well aware of his feelings on the subject. But he could not explain this... need to defend the boy he'd just seen cowering against the wall outside. He glanced through the windows but could not see Yoda and Obi-Wan, and firmly closed his eyes. He definitely needed to do some thinking.
They were up late, discussing Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon handed the tea he'd just made to Yoda, and sat down on the floor across from him. "I really don't know why someone would do this to him," he said. "The boy isn't dangerous."
"Not dangerous you believe?" Yoda asked. "Dangerous his emotions are."
Qui-Gon didn't know what to say, so he sipped at his own tea. "But what caused those emotions?" he asked. "He had a nightmare last night, after I'd spoken with you. I told you what had happened afterwards, but it still worries me. I'm not sure that the emotions are his."
"His, the emotions are," Yoda said firmly.
Qui-Gon grunted in frustration. "But there is something wrong," he asserted. "It just felt... wrong."
"Wrong it is. Laid traps someone has in his mind," Yoda said quietly, but his green eyes were fierce. "More dangerous he could become."
Qui-Gon nodded, relieved. "How do we disarm the traps?" he asked.
"An idea have I," Yoda said, and then declared it was late. Qui-Gon accepted the admonition to go to bed. "Work hard tomorrow you will," Yoda told him as they parted. "Prepared you must be." Qui-Gon was beyond questioning Yoda, and so went to sleep, wondering what exactly this hard work would entail.
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