Title: Revenge of the Son
Author: Arwen Jade Kenobi
E-Mail: devilishly_angelic@hotmail.com
Category: Angst, Drama (age 15)
Rating: PG
Summary: While assisting with relief efforts on a distant planet, Obi-wan catches a fatal virus and dies. Qui-Gon leaves seeking absolution, but is Obi-Wan really dead? Or has some enemy seeking vengeance.
// = speaking through the Force
Italics = personal thoughts
*italics* = flashbacks
Part 1
QUI-GON JINN DATAPAD
TIME: 5:30 AM
RECORDING……NOW
This mission was supposed to have ended a week ago. Here on the distant planet of Komar, there was an epidemic of the deadly Motara virus. With a 95 percent mortality rate, Komar was devastated. We were sent here to help with relief efforts, every effort possible was made so we would not catch the virus.
There was a flaw. My apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, has been ill for the past week. We could not return to Coruscant for fear of starting an epidemic on the capital world.
For one week Obi-Wan has suffered. The healers tell me he has opened his eyes twice but never for more than a few seconds. He hasn't spoken or attempted to reach me through our bond. The virus is only communicable during the first week of symptoms; therefore I have been unable to go near him. Today my first day near him in a week.
* * * * * *
Qui-Gon placed the datapad in his bag and made his way to the Med Center.
He was greeted by Komarian healer Arcro. He was short and looked like a human, except for the gills behind his ears. Komar was, almost, 90 percent covered in water. Arcro pulled Qui-Gon aside to explain the situation, for the millionth time.
"Master Jinn, as you know we have run out of the anti-virus." Qui-Gon nodded solemnly, they had informed him of this the day Obi-Wan was diagnosed. "We had to put him on a respirator because his lungs are under terrible strain, so is his heart I'm afraid." Qui-Gon felt like his own heart was being squeezed; Arcro sighed and wished he didn't have to tell Qui-Gon what he was going to say. " To make a long and complicated story short, Padawan Kenobi is dying and there is nothing we can do to save him."
Qui-Gon was speechless. He found the voice to ask a question. "When do you get the next shipment of the cure?" Arcro felt a surge of pity for the Jedi Master,
"The next shipment won't arrive in time to save him if that's what you are thinking. He has a little less than a week to live." Qui-Gon did not want to believe it, his Padawan, his 'son' dead and gone is less than a week! Qui-Gon knew he was talking to one of the best healers on the planet. Arcro wouldn't lie.
"May I see him?" asked Qui-Gon, trying to stop the tears from coming. Arcro nodded and ushered him through the door of Obi-Wan's room.
* * * * * *
Qui-Gon abandoned Arcro immediately and barged into Obi-Wan's room, almost knocking over a nurse as he did so. Qui-Gon barely recognized the 15-year-old. The respirator covered most of his face, his skin was deathly pale, and he looked nothing like the boy he knew and loved. Qui-Gon, tears openly falling now, pulled a chair next Obi-Wan's bed. The boy's face was streaked with sweat. There was a pail filled with water and a face cloth near by, Qui-Gon snatched it, wet the cloth , and placed it on his Padawan's forehead. Obi-Wan's rapid pain filled breathing stopped to make way for a fitful cough. Qui-Gon grabbed his apprentice's hand and sent soothing thoughts through their bond. Obi-Wan gave no reply, but his breathing slowed and his hand squeezed Qui- Gon's.
* * * * * *
2 days later Qui-Gon Jinn was still sitting at Obi-Wan's bedside. His only sign that his apprentice hadn't died already was the heart monitor. Qui-Gon wished there was some way to save him, but after 2 days of thinking, he couldn't find a single way. The only thing he could hope for was that Obi-Wan would wake up and talk to him. Qui-Gon felt a light squeeze on his hand and turned around, he had gotten his wish.
Obi-Wan's eyes showed all the pain that he was trying so hard to hide, but another look into his Padawan's eyes told Qui-Gon that this was probably going to be the last time he would speak to him.
//Master?// called Obi-Wan.
//Yes Padawan, I'm here.// responded Qui-Gon.
// I just wanted to let you know that I don't regret anything that I've done in my life, except for one. That we didn't get to know each other all that well. We've only been together for two years.// Qui-Gon was speechless, Obi-Wan was too young to be speaking this way.
//Obi-Wan, don't talk like that, everything's going to be fine.// Obi-Wan gave his Master a look that hinted exasperation.
//Master, I'm not a little kid, I know very well that I'm dying.// Qui-Gon started to cry, Obi-Wan's look changed to one of concern. //Don't cry Master, not for me.//
//Obi-Wan, I won't let you go! If you hadn't came into my life I probably would never been able to trust or love again. You saved me from that, I can't live without you// Obi-Wan started to cry as well, he lifted a frail hand to wipe Qui-Gon's tears away.
//You'll never be without me Master, I'll always be right beside you. Look in your heart when you need me, you'll find me there.//
Obi-Wan started coughing uncontrollably then launched into a seizure. "ARCRO!!" screamed Qui-Gon. Arcro arrived and hollered for the nurses. //Obi-Wan!!// called Qui-Gon, //Don't you die on me!// The reply Qui-Gon received was so weak he could barely hear it. //Good-bye Father, I love you.// The next sound Qui-Gon heard was the screeching wail of the flat line that had appeared on the heart monitor.