I've decided to begin posting the next story. To understand this it's best that you know the events from the previous story "Consequences". My goal is to post once a week, that is until I finish the story, which at that point I'll post once a day.

Enjoy!

The Winding Path

Rating: T+
Summary: Healing from any condition never takes a straight path.
Disclaimer: All cannon characters are owned by the Great Flanneled One, and now Disney. All others are mine. I make no money off this.

Note: This is a sequel to Consequences

Timeline: 39BBY

Speech: " "
Training Bond communications: /
Internal thoughts: italics

Chapter One

The bright flash of light followed by the transport's attempt to stabilize with its internal dampeners, which really didn't work all that well, lasted for a long time. Longer than Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn had hoped for. The only good thing about all this was that his padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi was strapped down in one of the bunks because of injuries he sustained earlier. The moment they were spit out into real space did the odd lighting finally snap back to what he considered normal. Using not only his own strength, but also the Force he was eventually able to gain control of the shuttle. Taking a deep breath, he hung his head. They were alive. The problem was, he really didn't know if they had made it back into Republic space. Only time would tell.

As soon as the shuttle settled down, Qui-Gon looked over the instruments. From their previous experience he expected the engines went offline. A yellow flashing indicator showed that his assumptions were correct. "At least there's that," he mumbled. Looking over the rest of the readouts it looked as if communications were still operative. That would wait. What he needed to do was check to see if Obi-Wan made it through without being tossed from the bunk.

Releasing his restraints, Qui-Gon got up and went to check on Obi-Wan. He was still strapped down, which was a good thing, but out of it. With a nod, he went back into the common room and activated the communications. For a fleeting moment he wondered once again if they were in the right place. There was only one way to find out. Plus, just because there was power didn't mean that it would work. Switching the power on, he set it for the Temple on Coruscant and sent the call.

The small pedestal before him lit up and the image of one of the younger knights answered, "You've reached the…Master Qui-Gon? Hold on." The image disappeared, but he knew that the line was still active. It was nice to know that at least they made it back home in relatively one piece. Though the more he thought about it, the odder the Jedi's reaction on the other end. They were only missing for maybe a week at most.

There was a burst of static and Yoda appeared. "Surprised and glad we are of your message."

"Forgive me, Master," Qui-Gon bowed his head. "For the past week I have not been able to contact the Temple."

"Hmm…with you is Padawan Kenobi?"

"Yes Master." Why?

"Week? Missing you have been with Padawan Kenobi a month."

"Month? How is that possible? We were on our way back to the Temple when there were…issues." Something had to be wrong, Qui-Gon's musing soon turned into more of a worry.

"Arrival at the Temple, when?"

"Master Yoda, the engines are offline. And at the moment I do not know where we're at."

Yoda nodded while tapping the floor with his gimmer stick. "Send a ship, we will."

"And," Qui-Gon hesitated, "Healer Nela Doel. Obi-Wan has been gravely injured."

"How so?"

Qui-Gon grimaced, "Electrocution. He's alive, but there are a lot of problems."

Yoda's ears drooped. "Send we will what is needed. Welcome you back at the Temple, we will."

Qui-Gon bowed, then stood and looked over his shoulder when he sensed Obi-Wan finally coming back around. He turned back to Yoda, "Thank you, Master."

"Speak we will when arrive at the Temple."

With that the communications feed was cut. After making sure that everything was set on standby, he went back into the back room, where Obi-Wan gave him a uncertain look.

"Don't worry Padawan, we have arrived back. The Temple is sending a transport since the engines are once again offline."

/Good…I think…./

"And Healer Nela is on her way."

Obi-Wan's drooping eyelids opened wide. /She is?/ He yawned.

"Yes, Padawan, it's been a trying week for both of us."

The help they were waiting for didn't arrive until the next day. The first sign that their rescue was imminent was the flashing of the communications panel once again. With Qui-Gon spending more time in the room where Obi-Wan was, he never realized he left his comm in the larger room. Thinking it was odd that he hadn't heard anything, he went into the other area and found the communications panel blinking. Oh well, he mused as he opened the channel. "This is Master Qui-Gon."

"Master, this is Knight Orn Barthos. Right now it's impossible to reach the hatch of your transport because of wreckage blocking it. We will be towing you clear."

It took a moment before Qui-Gon remembered why that was there. "Of course. Let me know when docking is complete."

"We will."

Qui-Gon remained where he was until he felt a jarring sensation, letting him know that the tractor beam had attached itself to the transport, and then began pulling it away. Not knowing how long the process would take, he went back to check on Obi-Wan, while remembering to make sure he had his personal comm with him. There hadn't been a seizure, thank the Force for several hours. "Padawan, they're here." He placed a hand on Obi-Wan's forehead. What bothered Qui-Gon was that the time between seizures was the about the same, but his recovery was slower each time.

The communicator chirped again. "This is Master Qui-Gon," he answered out of habit. Qui-Gon looked up at the chrono, only then did he realize that he never paid any attention when their rescuers had arrived.

"Master Qui-Gon, the access point has been pressurized. We are only waiting for you to open the hatch."

"I will be right there." Qui-Gon closed the channel. Before leaving the small room he glanced to Obi-Wan one more time before moving back into the common room. Casting his mind out, he checked just in case that there was some trickery. Finding only light force sensitive individuals on the other side of the hatch, he unsealed the door and had it open.

A male Twi'lek with a reddish-brown coloring stepped through. Behind him were several others waiting patiently. He bowed while smiling. "Welcome back Master Qui-Gon. I am Knight Orn Barthos."

"Thank you," Qui-Gon stepped to the side, letting the Jedi enter. The one to follow Orn was Nela. The Pantoran didn't need know where to go, she moved across the open space and into the sleeping quarters.

"Master Qui-Gon," Orn began again, while stepping to the side, leaving the hatch free.

"Yes?"

"We all assumed you and Padawan Kenobi had passed into the Force once your signatures completely disappeared."

Interesting. Maybe there was more to their 'little' side trip than he realized. "I have no idea where we were." He shrugged.

The Twi'lek reached out a hand and grasped Qui-Gon's arm. "Healer Nela has already prepared the room for Padawan Kenobi for the trip back to Coruscant."

"Good." Qui-Gon turned to look at the door where the Pantoran disappeared into. "If you will excuse me." He gave the Twi'lek a nod then went to join both his Padawan and Nela.

The Pantoran had pulled a chair up next to the narrow bed and was running a scan of Obi-Wan's mind. "Master Qui-Gon," she didn't even look up from what she was doing.

He stopped just inside the room. "I'm no healer, but I did everything I could to keep my Padawan from getting any worse."

"And I thank you for that. Most knights or masters are in such a panic when something happens to their charge that they don't think to help keep him or her stabilized." She glanced up, "It was mentioned electrocution. Was it because of the apparent firefight your transport was in?"

"No. There was no firefight. We crashed on a planet. It would have been worse, but Obi-Wan managed to keep us from hitting the ground nose-first."

Nera glanced over to Obi-Wan with a smile on her face. "Well, Master Qui-Gon, like you did earlier I will do everything in my power to keep him stabilized until we get back to the Temple."

"Good, but the crash wasn't the only thing we had to deal with."

"Ah, hence the scoring on the transport's hull."

"Correct. There—,"

Obi-Wan's eyes flew open and he tensed up, while his face twisted into a grimace. Qui-Gon moved across the small space and reached out his hands to grasp Obi-Wan's head.

"I was afraid of this," Nera's voice was just loud enough for it to register as Qui-Gon helped Obi-Wan release the pain and then try to regain control of his nerves.

Qui-Gon took a step back. "He has also had several seizures." He wasn't about to tell her what he thought was the reason why Obi-Wan's seizures grew worse.

The datapad beeped and Nera looked at the results with a frown. "With this," she indicated it, "I'm not all that surprised. And yes, we do need to get Padawan Kenobi back to the Temple as soon as possible."

For the first time Qui-Gon had the feeling that the Healers would not be able to restore what the electrocution chased away.

Nera put her instruments back in the bag she brought with her. "All right, lets get him over to the other transport. I want to keep close watch on his vitals."

Nodding, Qui-Gon easily picked Obi-Wan up, for the straps had been released when he realized that they had made it safely home. Emerging into the common room Orn appeared from the cockpit. "Everything's set." He paused, "Master Qui-Gon, it's obvious that your transport's damage was too great even though the drive could be reset. As soon as we are out of range, this will be destroyed."

"Thank you. There is one traveling bag left to be retrieved."

"I'll get that," the Twi'lek moved back into the smaller room. When he emerged he had it with him.

Qui-Gon ignored everything else taking place, focusing solely on Obi-Wan. After setting him onto one of the beds he watched as Nela hooked him up to several computers. The feed was just starting when his mind descended into another seizure. It was odd watching his brain-waves jump all over the place until it settled down, leaving him out of it.

Normally, when landing at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant there was a wait-until-it-was-your-turn line. Not this time. When the shuttle that brought the two missing Jedi contacted the Temple when coming into the atmosphere, they were authorized to land immediately. Instead of coming to the hanger, they were directed to a landing platform outside, and close to the entrance into the Healer's Ward that was reserved for ambulances. Even though Qui-Gon didn't think that Obi-Wan's condition warranted the special treatment, he didn't argue when they were allowed to land without having to wait.

As soon as the hatch opened, the transport was swarmed with medical personnel, gathering up what was needed, along with Obi-Wan and whisked into the Ward. Qui-Gon followed, even though at the moment he felt as if he was an extra wheel that wasn't needed.

With the pre-check in completed while still on the shuttle they went into the Jedi section of the ward. Because of Obi-Wan's current condition no one knew for certain what his medical diagnosis would be. Turning a corner they entered into the specialized areas, and then eventually into the Mind Healer's Ward itself. There were other Jedi in the single occupancy rooms that also had Force shielding around each of them. That way the other Jedi wouldn't be affected by inadvertent projections.

The healers here were some of the strongest of the Order.

Nela touched Qui-Gon's arm again. "Master? Even though I've take care of Padawan Kenobi since he arrived I won't be doing that here. I will keep you updated on his recovery." She smiled. "And don't worry, there have been Jedi who were worse, but made an almost complete recovery from their injuries. Obi-Wan is in good hands here."

"Thank you, Healer." Qui-Gon paused when the doors into the main healing suite opened and Obi-Wan was brought in. Only few were allowed entrance because of the nature of the healing. He thought there'd be more inside the room than what he saw. There was a single bed in the center and two or three places to sit down, and that was it.

"Master Qui-Gon," one of the assistants came forward. "We will need you to be present."

Qui-Gon nodded as he stepped inside the room. The Jedi present didn't have to wait long until an older Togruta appeared. Everyone in the Temple knew about Nyj Donata even if they didn't know him personally. His blue skin was in sharp contrast to the white markings on his face. His skin colors complemented the striped nature of both his lekku and montrals. "Master Jinn," he smiled while bowing his head. "It is good to see you alive and well."

"Thank you, Healer Nyj, though things have not gone so well with my Padawan." Qui-Gon indicated the stretcher.

"I know," Nyj's eyes looked down and over to Obi-Wan. Nela sent me the report from her datapad while you were on your way back." He paused, while frowning. "There is also a reason why you are here. It's been reported that Padawan Kenobi suffers from nerve pain."

"Yes."

"It's a painful process, but I will have to reteach his nerves how to respond correctly to any outside stimuli. I suspect you've helped him deal with what he considers an onslaught."

"Yes."

"This time, Master Qui-Gon, no matter how much he asks, or even begs you, you are not to relieve what he is going through. This will be for Obi-Wan's sake, or I won't be successful."

Qui-Gon closed his eyes, but nodded. "What will you heal first?"

"The seizures, for I suspect those are canceling out the impulses his nerves are sending to his brain, and then his nerves, and the last will be full restoration." Nyj went over to the head of the stretcher and sat down on a stool, then placed his hands on either side of Obi-Wan's head. With nothing else to do, Qui-Gon moved to the side of the stretcher and grasped Obi-Wan's hand.

After several moments there was a great stirring of the Force. Qui-Gon knew and understood how everyone had varying levels of abilities and strength, but to sense the power that Nyj Donatha had at his disposal should be awe inspiring, but it wasn't. He was focused more on Obi-Wan than anything else. A short time later he was pushed down into a chair. It was only at that point when he remembered that he had suppressed Obi-Wan's subconscious Force abilities. "Healer?"

Nyl answered, but it was obvious that he was distracted, "Yes?"

"I had to suppress Obi-Wan's subconscious abilities to manipulate the Force."

"Thank you for letting me know. I will take care of that when the time comes."

Not knowing how long it had been Nyj finally removed his hands from around Obi-Wan's head. "There will be no more seizures," his voice was weary. "Thankfully, the next stage will not take as long."

Obi-Wan's eyes flashed open and he tried to curl into himself as he squeezed his eyes shut. /Pain…Master, please…./

Qui-Gon reached over and grasped the now flailing hands of his Padawan. "I know you are in pain, Obi-Wan, but I cannot help you this time. You are in the Mind Healer's Ward."

/I don't care. Please take it away./

"Padawan Kenobi," Nyj kept his voice low, "I will re-teach your nerves how to respond correctly. Have no fear for all will be well." He placed his hands once again around Obi-Wan's head. Slowly he stopped writhing. When Nyj finally removed his hands Obi-Wan's eyes slipped shut from exhaustion and fell into a light sleep. Taking a deep breath he rose and placed a hand on Qui-Gon's shoulder. "I know what it's like to have an injured padawan. The hardest, though is yet to come. I have only taken care of the visible signs of his injuries."

Looking into the exhausted eyes of Nyj he wondered just how much longer he could continue. "Are you going to give Obi-Wan any time to rest?" Or yourself?

Nyj shook his head. "No. I want his healing to be as soon as possible. How long has he been like this?"

Qui-Gon had to think a moment "I think about a week. Where we were at the healer did all he could to keep him stabilized. There were also no Force sensitive healers where we were."

The Togruta nodded in understanding.

"And I did all that I could."

Instead of answering, Nyj took his place once again and took a deep breath, preparing himself for the long process of restoring Obi-Wan's mind back to the same capacity of when they left more than a month prior.

TBC...