This was originally planned as a One Shot but Antonia Rose and I went slightly overboard, so we decided to post two chapters. It started with one of us writing the first sentence in Aurebesh and the other continuing. We plan on writing more than just one One Shot together posting them on Antonia Rose's account or mine. So if you not already headed to her account, you definitely should after you read this story. She has written a few more stories all by herself and they are amazing!
Disclaimer: Yes, we are George Lucas and brilliant because we created the Star Wars Universe and all its characters. Not so, I lie!
Part I
Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon as he left the ship and walked into the temple. He was exhausted and couldn't wait to go to bed. Unfortunately, his Master had other ideas. Instead of walking to their apartment, he turned into another corridor and headed to the turbolifts.
"Where are we going, Master?"
Qui-Gon didn't answer.
"Master, where are we going?", he asked again.
"Patience, Padawan!" was all he received as an answer from his Master and Obi-Wan decided to simply follow him.
After a short trip up and to the side with two turbolifts they arrived at their destination. Obi-Wan groaned silently and looked pleadingly to his Master.
"It doesn't hurt anymore. I swear it, I'm fine!"
With one stern look Qui-Gon silenced his Padawan: "This is not a discussion. You are injured and you need treatment."
Quickly Obi-Wan went through his options. Maybe if he just tried to run away he could escape the terrible Healers?
Qui-Gon knew exactly what Obi-Wan was thinking. He decided to teach his Padawan a lesson. "Alright, if you are truly fine, we can go back to the apartment."
Obi-Wan looked at his Master suspiciously. Had his pleading really reached his Master's ears? Cautiously he followed Qui-Gon, who had already turned around and walked toward the turbolifts.
When they were a step away from the lift, Qui-Gon turned on his heels, grabbed Obi-Wan by the waist and hoisted him over his shoulder. He then casually started walking back towards the Healer's Wing.
"Master!" Obi-Wan exclaimed loudly. "Put me down! I'm not a child!"
"As long as you behave like one I will treat you like one, Padawan!"
"But Master I'm 14, and you are…"
Qui-Gon cut him off: "Old?"
Obi-Wan blushed and stuttered helplessly: "I didn't want to say that. You are acting like…"
Again he was interrupted: "You are right, I can use the workout just fine. Now stop kicking with your feet. You are going to hurt yourself again and me as well!"
With an exasperated 'humpf' Obi-Wan stopped struggling. He wouldn't admit it but the struggling made his shoulder hurt even more than it already did.
Without any more delay they reached the Healer's Wing and some medical droid approached them: "What is your status of health?" the droid rattled down his usual statement.
"Mine is just fine," Qui-Gon answered earnestly, "but my Padawan hurt his shoulder on our last mission and I don't know how severe the injury is."
"If you'll wait in the waiting room! I'll try to catch a healer. I'm sorry to say, but we are quite busy."
"Of course. Thank you for your assistance." With long strides Qui-Gon went to the waiting room and stept into it.
Another Master-Padawan pair sat in the waiting hall and Obi-Wan, still on his Master's shoulder, lowered his face ashamed and hid his by now deep red face in the folds of his Master's cloak.
"Master, could you please let me down?", he whispered quietly. "I won't try to run away, I promise. I've learned my lesson."
With a cocky grin Qui-Gon lowered his Padawan back onto his feet and held his unhurt shoulder to steady the swaying boy.
Obi-Wan didn't look into his Master's face, but he knew that Qui-Gon was happy with his accomplishment. He still felt ashamed, but he also knew that Qui-Gon's action was due to his own stubbornness. With as much dignity as he had left, he lifted his head and meet his Master's eyes.
"Take a seat, Padawan", Qui-Gon suggested and pushed him gently toward a free chair. With a deep sigh Obi-Wan lowered himself into the comfortable chair.
Since they entered the room no one had said a word. Suddenly a quiet chuckle came from the opposite side of the room and Obi-Wan looked up. If he could've gotten any redder he would have, but this time because of anger and not embarrassment. Of course Bruck, out of all living beings in the temple had to sit in exactly this room where Obi-Wan was carried into by his Master.
Bruck didn't even try to hide his delight, it was written across his face. It took all of Obi-Wan's Jedi training to ignore the other boy.
Just as he thought he needed to die in order to escape the situation, the medical droid entered.
"We are ready to treat your Padawan, Master Jinn. Please follow me!"
Obi-Wan never thought he would be glad to hear those words. He jumped to his feet and followed his Master, who had already left the room to follow the droid.
Qui-Gon turned around to make sure that his Padawan wasn't attempting to run away. He trusted his Padawan to have learned his lesson, but he also trusted him to hate the Healer's Wing with a burning passion, which caused the Padawan to hide away almost every time the Healer's Wing was even just mentioned. Or worse, it caused him to hide his injuries or underplay them. It was a reckless and not to mention dumb habit.
Tiredly Obi-Wan toddled through the bright corridors. He always felt exposed when finding himself in the Healer's Wing. He felt like he hadn't been able to take care of himself and he didn't like the feeling of it. Plus he didn't want his Master or anyone to worry about him.
They entered a small room with a cot standing in the middle of it. Healer Denan was smiling one of those so-glad-to-keep-you-here-for-as-long-as-possible-and-torture-you-with-boredom-just-because-we-can-smile and Obi-Wan groaned, which earned him a reproving look from Qui-Gon.
Reluctantly he let himself be heaved onto the cot by Qui-Gon.
"So, what appears to be the problem?" The healer asked, his fixed smile never wavering.
"It's nothing…" Obi-Wan said quietly, but Qui-Gon wasn't having it.
"On our last mission he was caught in a rockslide. He injured his shoulder." Qui-Gon explained curtly.
"Ah, I see," Healer Denan said, "I'll need to take a look, do you mind?"
Of course he minded! But Obi-Wan obeyed nevertheless. He removed his utility belt and carefully slipped his right arm out of his tunic, so the healer could examine his shoulder.
Qui-Gon flinched slightly at the sight. His Padawan's shoulder was a variety of deep purples, reds and blues. It looked painful. Why did Obi-Wan always insist that his injuries were "not that bad"?
The healer hummed as he viewed the shoulder from different angles. He then carefully felt along the bruise, causing Obi-Wan to wince as pain shot through his arm.
Healer Denan shook his head with disapproval "it's nothing" he muttered imitating Obi-Wan's previous statement. "You're lucky. You didn't dislocate your shoulder, but as you can see it's severely bruised. You will need plenty of rest." He turned his gaze to the Jedi Master. "Can I count on you to keep an eye on him or will we need to keep him here for a while?"
Qui-Gon caught Obi-Wan's pleading look. "I will make sure he gets all the rest he needs, Healer Denan." Qui-Gon assured. The healer nodded his agreement, if slightly dubiously.
"I'll be back in a moment. I'm going to fetch an ice-pack for the swelling." he said leaving Master and Padawan alone again.
"Thank you, Master," Obi-Wan whispered.
"Don't you think you're off the hook, little one! We're going to talk about this. Your health is important and I won't let you be so mindless with it. Until your shoulder is alright again, we'll visit the Healer's wing every other day until you're cleared by Healer Denan to attend 'saber classes again."
"But…"
"No, Padawan!"
Obi-Wan closed his mouth disapprovingly.
Qui-Gon didn't like to be so strict with the boy, but once more his Padawan had proven that he still needed to learn a lot about his health.
Healer Denan returned shortly. He placed the ice-pack on Obi-Wan's shoulder and instructed him to hold it in place. He put the boy's right arm in a sling to make sure he wouldn't move it too much.
"Alright, this is it. You are free to go!"
Obi-Wan didn't need to hear those words twice. Hastily he jumped off the cot onto his feet and bumped uncontrolled into Qui-Gon who steadied him by his healthy shoulder.
"Careful Padawan!" Qui-Gon teased and Obi-Wan muttered something about stupid slings and how they prevented balancing.
"Watch it, Padawan. Or I'll see to it that you wear it longer than you need too!"
Obi-Wan closed his mouth and headed for the door before Healer Denan could change his mind and keep him in the Healer's Wing after all.
"Thank you for your help, Healer Denan." Qui-Gon said gratefully.
"Of course. May the force be with you."
"May the force be with you."
Qui-Gon followed his Padawan, who had already turned around a corner. Sighing Qui-Gon shook his head about the stubbornness of his Padawan.
"How are you feeling Oafy-Wan?" A mocking voice echoed around the corner and Qui-Gon stopped at once.
"Leave me alone, Bruck." The tired voice of his Padawan answered.
"I just wanted to make sure you're alright." Bruck said in mock concern, "It must have been really bad if your Master had to carry you in." At that he burst with laughter.
Obi-Wan's cheeks went scarlet but he wouldn't let Bruck annoy him. "I thank you for your concern Bruck." He said sounding almost sincere. This infuriated Bruck.
"You think you're so high and mighty? You're not. You're just a clumsy oaf, you always have been, you always will be and one day Master Jinn will see it too. And then he will finally realise what a mistake he made."
Obi-Wan knew better than to let the other boy get to him, but Bruck's words hurt more than his shoulder did.
Qui-Gon decided that he had heard enough. With a sudden step he stepped around the corner and put his hand reassuringly on Obi-Wan's shoulder.
The other boy looked frightened for a moment but caught his mistake fast. An all too friendly smile fixed upon Bruck's visage and he bowed deeply in front of the Jedi Master.
"Master Jinn."
"Good evening, Initiate Bruck." Qui-Gon smiled as well, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"It's Padawan, actually!" Bruck corrected the Master friendly but insistently.
"My mistake, I seem to not be up to date. Who's your Master?"
"Master Dooku was so kind as to offer me his teachings around a year ago."
Qui-Gon hesitated slightly, before talking again.
"But he wasn't with you in the waiting room, was he?" Obviously he hadn't been there, or Qui-Gon would have noticed, but he wondered why he missed that his former Master had taken another apprentice.
"No, he's busy." Bruck offered no other explanation and Qui-Gon nooded.
"You better head back to the Healer's Wing. I think they are looking for you."
Just as he finished his sentence a medical droid appeared around the corner and almost collided with the tall stature of Qui-Gon.
"I'm terribly sorry. I'm looking for… Ah, Padawan Chun, there you are. If you please follow me, we are ready to treat you!"
Bruck hurried around the Master-Padawan pair. Obi-Wan looked after him and wondered why Bruck needed to see a Healer.
Obi-Wan was pulled from his thoughts when Qui-Gon turned him so they were facing each other. His Master kept a firm hand on his uninjured shoulder.
"Are you alright?" He asked, and Obi-Wan knew he wasn't asking about his shoulder.
Obi-Wan averted his gaze; Qui-Gon had heard the conversation.
"Padawan, look at me." Qui-Gon said softly, yet there was still the hint of authority in his voice that made Obi-Wan obey. "I'm proud of you, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan looked startled, he hadn't expected that.
Qui-Gon couldn't help the small smile that found its way onto his face, "Yes, Bruck was taunting you, but you remained calm."
Obi-Wan wanted to accept the praise but a part of him still dwelt on what Bruck said. His Master noticed and he stopped smiling, his face instantly becoming serious.
"You are not clumsy Obi-Wan. You shouldn't let that boy get to you. You are my Padawan, I will never regret that decision."
Obi-Wan looked up at his Master's face and saw that he was sincere. He then allowed a smile to cross his face. "Thank you, Master."
With a last reassuring squeeze, Qui-Gon let his Padawan's shoulder go. They continued their walk towards the turbolifts. Qui-Gon glanced down at the boy walking next to him. "If I'm completely honest, I was afraid you were going to let Bruck drag you into a fight."
"Even if I wanted to hit him I couldn't because this stupid sling prevents my arm from any movement." Obi-Wan replied. With a side glance he checked whether Qui-Gon had taken it as the joke he intended it to be. The face of his Master remained devoid of expression and Obi-Wan was left to wonder whether his Master had understood him or not.
Without another incident they reached the turbolifts and rode to their apartment. Obi-Wan felt relieved; finally he could fall into his own comfortable bed. On their last mission they slept mostly wrapped into their coats on the hard ground. It wasn't like he was deprived of sleep because of it, but he longed for the soft mattress and the tender blanket in his room.
Qui-Gon saw the longing look in his Padawan's eyes and eased into a small smile, getting Obi-Wan to rest tonight won't be a hard job.
Obi-Wan's dream of his bed got destroyed as soon as he saw a person waiting in front of their apartment.
Immediately Qui-Gon's smile died and the look on his face hardened. His words were cool when he spoke.
"Master Dooku."
"Qui-Gon!" Dooku said sounding almost excited to see his former Padawan, almost.
Obi-Wan was too tired to even attempt bowing to his grand-master, which earned him a disapproving look from Dooku but once more a steady hand from Qui-Gon on his shoulder.
"Excuse my Padawan's manners. We just came back from a mission and Obi-Wan needed medical assistance. He's probably exhausted by now and only wishes to reunite with his bed."
As if to prove that Qui-Gon was right in every way, Obi-Wan yawned loudly and didn't bother putting a hand in front of his open mouth. If he hadn't already been embarrassed enough today, he might have fallen asleep where he stood.
Dooku looked at the Padawan with a hint of disdain. If he were his Padawan, Dooku wouldn't have let him act so disrespectfully, no matter the circumstances. Qui-Gon should have reprimanded the boy, not defended him.
Subconsciously, Qui-Gon moved slightly so he was between Dooku and Obi-Wan, as if he were trying to protect his Padawan.
This didn't go unnoticed by Dooku. Fortunately, he had more important things to discuss. So, he didn't comment.
"My Padawan just sent me a message via his comlink. He said that you were back in the temple and I wanted to invite you for dinner."
"Maybe another time. As I just mentioned, Obi-Wan is tired and so am I. We would enjoy a little sleep before returning to the daily life of the temple."
"So, I'll see you tomorrow at my place! I recall you still knowing where I live." With that he turned and left Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan in front of their apartment.
"Well, that went well." Qui-Gon muttered and nudged Obi-Wan gently to the door that slid open.
"It went well now, but tomorrow will be a disaster." Obi-Wan made a grimace to Qui-Gon and his Master sighed.
"Let's not think about the dinner now. You and I should head to bed and get used to the time schedule of the temple."
"It'll be dark soon anyway." Obi-Wan pointed out, looking out the window. Another yawn escaped his mouth and Qui-Gon laughed quietly.
"Now go to bed, little one! Don't let me repeat those words again."
Obi-Wan nodded. "Goodnight, Master."
"Goodnight, Padawan."
Qui-Gon watched his Padawan walk to his bedroom and a tiny smile crossed his face. Just before he had told Obi-Wan that he wasn't clumsy but the boy swayed heavily as he walked towards the door and almost bumped into the doorframe which made him look like a clumsy but yet cute youngling.
After the door closed behind Obi-Wan Qui-Gon walked to his own room. He quickly changed into his sleep clothes and lay into his bed where he fell asleep at once.
...
Obi-Wan watched his friends perform kata forms and he had difficulties not to feel envious. By what he saw, his age mates had improved a good deal while Obi-Wan was on mission with his Master. Of course he had learned different things, but they only had to use their lightsabers once and that's when Obi-Wan got hit by the rockslide and almost dislocated his shoulder. The only relief he felt was that Bruck wasn't doing the katas either. In fact he wasn't even present for the lesson and Obi-Wan hadn't seen him all day even though they shared almost all of their classes.
He was left wondering what had happened. Perhaps he would find out at the dinner?
When the class ended he saw his friend Garen running towards him.
"Having fun?" He asked spotting the datapad in Obi-Wan's hand. He was supposed to be reading about different fighting styles. Although he had stopped to watch his age mates doing their katas.
Obi-Wan grimaced, "So much fun."
Garen laughed. "Do you know how long until you can join in again?" He asked sympathetically. He knew how much Obi-Wan wanted to join in.
"Not for sure, Healer Denan said I'll have to wear the sling for about a week and then I can slowly start to join in again." Obi-Wan said sounding slightly downbeat.
"Cheer up Obi, at least you have a great dinner with Master Dooku and Bruck to look forward to" Garen said with a broad grin. He was going to pat his friend playfully on the back but stopped himself, remembering Obi-Wan's injury.
"Ha ha Garen, thanks for your comforting words." Obi-Wan said with a deadpan expression.
"You know I'm always there for you when you feel down!" Garen held out his hand to help Obi-Wan get up.
Obi-Wan took the hand but added: "I can stand up on my own you know."
"I know." His friend said as they started walking towards the lockers.
"But seriously Obi-Wan, you and Bruck, dinner? I don't envy you one bit."
"I don't understand why Master Dooku invited us in the first place. It's not like he and Qui-Gon are particularly close."
"Maybe Bruck wants to finally talk openly to you and set your rivalry to an end." Garen fantasised.
Obi-Wan looked at his friend as if he had just fallen off a tree, an absurdly tall tree.
"Wow, Obi-Wan, Don't look at me like that. I was joking."
"Thank the Force! I thought you had lost your mind or something"
"How hard did you get hit by those rocks again?" Garen laughed.
"Shoulder Garen, not head!" Obi-Wan laughed back.
They walked towards the locker room together but stopped just before the door.
"Bant and Siri should be heading towards the canteen, I'll meet you there?" Garen asked.
Obi-wan nodded, "Don't take too long."
With a mock salute and a "Yes, sir" Garen disappeared into the locker room, leaving Obi-Wan to walk the corridors to the canteen by himself.
He made his way down the corridors but stopped abruptly when he spotted a head of white hair in the distance. He recognised Bruck almost immediately.
"What are you up to?" He muttered to himself.
His curiosity got the better of him and he decided to follow him.
Obi-Wan didn't follow him for long before he realised that Bruck was heading to his apartment with a handful of groceries.
Obi-Wan was almost disappointed, he had expected Bruck to be up to something.
Satisfied that he wasn't, he turned around again and headed towards the canteen to meet with his friends.
When he got there it didn't take him long to locate his group of friends. Garen was already sitting with Bant and Siri. Obi-Wan quickly joined them.
"Obi-Wan. I was worried you got lost or something." Garen said jokingly but looked slightly concerned.
"Not head, Garen!" Obi-Wan repeated to his friend.
Siri and Garen started laughing but Bant didn't seem amused.
"Sit down, Obi-Wan! You shouldn't take an injury so lightly." Bant reminded him and Obi-Wan felt like his Master was sitting in front of him. Siri must have thought the same, because she tried talking while controlling her breath from laughing.
"When did you become his Master, Bant?"
Obi-Wan suppressed a chuckle by pretending to cough and Bant looked offended which made her eyes glitter with water.
"Oh, come on Bant. Don't look like that!" Garen chimed in, stopping to laugh at once.
Even Siri managed to calm a little, hiding quiet giggles behind her hand.
"Why are you not taking this seriously?" Bant turned accusingly toward Siri and pointed her finger at the other girl's chest.
Siri looked confused, she didn't exactly understand Bant's problem. Seeking her other friends help she looked to Garen and Obi-Wan.
"Bant you worry too much…" Obi-Wan tried to reassure his friend.
"And you don't worry enough." she cut in.
Obi-Wan frowned, "I'm fine, seriously. It's nothing life threatening."
Bant grimaced, "If your definition of fine is "not life threatening" then there is something seriously wrong with you."
"Calm down, Bant!" Garen said matter of factly and tried to put his hand over the table on top of hers.
Fast she pulled it away and glanced at him and Siri.
"You two are no better! Every time Obi-Wan gets hurt you help him sneak away from the Healer's Wing or avoid it altogether. Don't you care about his health?"
"Of course we care!" Siri objected against Bant's words.
"Yes, Siri is right! We do care!" Garen supported Siri.
"Is that so? You two…"
"Enough!" Obi-Wan cried and their table neighbours looked over to them. His friends closed their mouths and the other people returned to their meals.
"Bant, thank you for your concern, but you really don't need to worry. Trust me I'm not going to need to see a healer again anytime soon."
"Only when he gets his arm checked daily, because his Master insisted on it." Garen added and earned a did-you-have-to-say-that-side-glance from Obi-Wan.
Bant didn't seem convinced but she let it go. "Just promise me you'll look after yourself."
Obi-Wan smiled warmly, "I promise"
...
"How was your day, Padawan?"
"So far so good." Obi-Wan replied absentmindedly, studying one of his datapads. Reading was pretty much the only thing he could do at the moment. Normally he enjoyed reading for a while but after the third datapad he grew tired of the lack of movement.
"Master Dooku is expecting us in a few hours." Qui-Gon said. He didn't get much of a response.
"Padawan, are you listening to me?"
"Hmm?" The boy looked up from his datapad.
"We are expected by Master Dooku in a few hours."
"So? That's plenty of time."
"Yes, you are right. Plenty of time to pay a visit to Healer Denan." Qui-Gon stated.
He quite enjoyed the look he received from his Padawan as a response to what he said.
"But Master, you said every other day, not every day!" Obi-Wan tried to bargain.
"Hmm, I think you might have hit your head, little one."
"Not you as well." Obi-Wan muttered under his breath. "Shoulder Master, not head!" he tried to reason.
"My apologies, Padawan." Qui-Gon laughed. "Think of it this way, if we go today, you won't have to go tomorrow."
Obi-Wan didn't seem happy with the idea in the slightest. "I already have to go through one unbearable thing today; don't make me go to the Healer's Wing as well!"
Qui-Gon's eyes narrowed, "Don't make me carry you there again." he warned.
Obi-Wan swallowed and then met his Master's narrowed eyes with his own. "You wouldn't dare."
"Care to find out?" Qui-Gon replied with a challenging grin on his face.
Obi-Wan weighed his options; he knew he was most likely going to lose, so he conceded.
"Fine." He said in a flat tone.
Qui-Gon smiled triumphantly, "I knew there was still some sense in you."
...
They reached the Healer's Wing without any problems and Healer Denan seemed pleased with the way Obi-Wan's shoulder was healing.
"You're in luck Obi-Wan, your shoulder is healing just fine. If you keep it rested and don't do anything too strenuous, I should be able to remove the sling within the week. As long as there aren't any complications, you don't actually need to come in for check ups."
Obi-Wan's eyes lit up. "Healer Denan, you are officially my favorite healer." With that he hopped of the cot and made to leave.
Qui-Gon frowned, "You shouldn't have said that." he whispered to the healer.
Healer Denan laughed, "My apologies, Master Jinn." He then turned his attention back to Obi-Wan, "I'll see you in a week then."
"And not a day before!" Obi-Wan assured before leaving the room.
Qui-Gon shook his head and then followed.