A few drabbles, mostly to satisfy my interest in Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's relationship and the desire to see something a little more in depth. (No slash.) Warning/Disclaimer: I have loved Star Wars since I was little but am no means a very educated fan to its expansive universe (I have only just read "Master and Apprentice" and began the "Jedi Apprentice" book series,) so any inconsistencies, intentional or not, are my own. I do not own Star Wars or its characters.
This takes place prior to Episode One.
It had been little more than a week since a strange and lethal virus had infiltrated the Jedi Temple. It had appeared to be unprecedented, inflicting a severe fever that eventually exhausted the body to the point of complete shutdown. They had already lost eleven. Six had been younglings. The others: three apprentices and two Masters. Though it seemed to more significantly affect the young, the Council had quarantined most to the Temple. The medical unit had been expanded, more med droids brought in for fear of the virus spreading. The Council had sent a handful of Masters and their apprentices to investigate the source. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were not among them. They had been within close proximity of some of the afflicted. Exposure to a populous outside of the Temple was too great a risk. This disheartened Obi-Wan, who even at the age of 16, was still young enough to not have grown far out of his youthful impetuousness. It was understandable: He was watching his peers, some of his friends, fall ill with something likely to kill them. Desperate to help in some way, he had approached his Master with the request to volunteer in the medical bay. This had filled Qui-Gon with great pride, but also with worry for his safety. The helplessness in his young Padawan's eyes had ultimately led him to grant Obi-Wan's request.
He had now come to regret it.
Less than a day before, he felt troubled and had made an extra visit to the medical bay. He had been making routine visits to see what progress was being made and help in any way he could. And of course to check on his apprentice's wellbeing. No one knew where his Padawan was; they were busy in their work to make the sick comfortable and manage their symptoms. The troubled feeling intensified but he forced it down, certain it must be a form of paranoia. A weak plea came to him. At first he rationalized it as his overworked mind playing a trick on him, but he knew its source anywhere. It was then he found Obi-Wan collapsed on the floor of a supply room. He knelt at his side and took the boy's face in his hands, calling his name. A fine sheet of sweat stood out on Obi-Wan's face. His breathing was heavy and labored. At last he stirred. Blue eyes that were normally vibrant were glazed with fever. Qui-Gon's heart sank.
"Master?" He rasped.
"I'm here," Qui-Gon replied.
"Master, I'm sorry." Qui-Gon felt the pang of old hurt. Had Obi-Wan again thought he failed him by falling ill?
"You have nothing to be sorry for," he assured his Padawan. "We need to get you help." With that, Qui-Gon eased the boy to his feet. Supporting most of his weight against him, he led Obi-Wan back to the medical bay. When they took him from him, he felt an immense emptiness. One that was also ominous to what he knew the likely outcome of this would be. How could he bear it?
Qui-Gon was in his quarters speaking with Master Yoda on a holo about the progress of the investigation. This had been a deliberate attack on the Jedi, targeting the young to wipe out the future, which they had suspected. They believed to be narrowing in on a culprit and an identification for the virus. If it could be identified, perhaps a cure could be found. Qui-Gon hoped for this for the sake of all of those suffering the virus' affects. He also hoped for the sake of his Padawan, as Obi-Wan's condition was worsening.
Qui-Gon stopped mid-sentence as a great wave of pained disturbance passed through him. It was life energy that was suddenly being extinguished, like a candle flame against a harsh wind. It was his connection to his apprentice. Wide eyed, he urgently looked back to Yoda who returned a thoughtful gaze. "Go" he said knowingly. And Qui-Gon did.
He tried to send Obi-Wan encouragement, but the boy's mind and body were in too far a state of duress to either receive it or answer back. He quickened his pace.
Moments later he was in the medical bay, looking through the glass outside of Obi-Wan's quarantined room as med droids administered injections of medication and machines tried to restart his heart.
Being a Jedi teaches you to accept death as life. But it didn't mean that they were immune to the grief of loss. Most were able to cope with it through their teachings, meditation and will of the Force, but Qui-Gon knew this was not something he could learn to accept. It wouldn't just hurt him to lose Obi-Wan. It would break him.
Qui-Gon felt cold. His heart raced. He needed to calm himself. He closed his eyes and focused. Once again he reached out to Obi-Wan. He felt nothing in return. No he willed. He concentrated harder. There! He could sense his Padawan, but only faintly. The beeping monitors began blaring, and Qui-Gon lost the connection. This wasn't good enough.
He moved to go into the room. "Sir, you cannot go in there." "You will be exposed," droids said, but he pushed past them, ignoring their protests. He easily manipulated the door controls and was at Obi-Wan's side within a couple of strides. He placed one hand on Obi-Wan's face, the other he lay on his chest. The coolness and near stillness there frightened him. He pushed that fear away. Qui-Gon closed his eyes, summoned the Force and sought the connection to his young Padawan again. It was stronger, if only just. In his mind, he called his name.
Obi-Wan come back. I am here. I am with you. You must find the strength within.
Qui-Gon felt something stir between them, an awareness becoming sharper. He sent as much of his own strength and reassurance to Obi-Wan through the contact as he could.
Obi-Wan I will you to come back. Be strong. Focus. Fight it. He could feel Obi-Wan's recognition and effort. He continued to will him. Come back to me, he thought.
The dark, empty and cold feeling that he had felt since being in his quarters began to abate. It was replaced with warmth and a familiar fondness illuminated with a presence he had come to know almost better than his own.
The solid flesh beneath his hands began to warm and tremble. He opened his eyes and looked down. Obi-Wan blinked his weary eyes open and met his Master's. Qui-Gon was vehemently relieved to see the familiar blue were his own.
"Master?" Obi-Wan's voice was quiet and shaky. "Easy," Qui-Gon said, a little surprised by the steadiness of his voice. He leaned closer and readjusted his hand upon the boy's face. Obi-Wan subconsciously leaned into the warm touch.
"You… You brought me back." Obi-Wan sounded surprised. Qui-Gon shook his head. "I could only give you guidance. You did it on your own." He smiled at that. It was a tender and very proud smile that shown in his eyes. Obi-Wan regarded him. His eyes began to tear despite himself. A wave of devotion passed from one heart to the other. Qui-Gon saw the deep gratitude in his apprentice's eyes. He found himself wondering, not for the first time, why he had felt they had been mismatched in the beginning. They were both so afraid of failing one another that it sometimes clouded what was right in front of them.
Qui-Gon could feel the pain and exhaustion wrought from the sickness that Obi-Wan was trying to keep at bay. Coming back from near death was not an easy task either. He laid the palm of his hand on his Padawan's forehead. His thumb lightly stroked his temple as he sent a sense of peace and calm through to him. "Rest," he soothed. Obi-Wan's body relaxed, his eyes closed and his breathing became more even. Qui-Gon stayed by his side long after he fell asleep.
Two days later a cure for the virus was developed. Those that were ill, were regaining their strength, including Obi-Wan. He was released from medical and sent to the quarters he shared with his Master. The two sat at the table having breakfast. Obi-Wan picked at some fruit, still not feeling ready to eat much. "You'll need to eat," Qui-Gon impeccably told him. "I think I need to work up to it," Obi-Wan replied. "The Council has cancelled trainings for the next two days while we better recuperate ourselves." "Yes?" Qui-Gon asked, knowing a question was to follow. That question would normally be a request to spend time with his friends or something in line with what a young and headstrong Padawan would rather do. Instead he asked, "What will you have me do?" Qui-Gon sat back, wiping his mouth with his napkin. "I'd have you recuperate," he said, "Or do something you would like to do." Obi-Wan couldn't help the look of surprise that was probably on his face. Normally Qui-Gon would have him in the Archives, practicing combat or meditating. "Master, are you sure you are feeling alright?" Obi-Wan asked humorously. Qui-Gon chuckled. "I'm just glad you are alright, Padawan" he said sincerely. Obi-Wan smiled back.
He was glad indeed.