Chapter 2

Qui-Gon stayed with Obi-Wan even after the shuttle containing the new chancellor Palpatine and the members of the jedi council arrived. He didn't want to leave and knew that Yoda would know where to find him.

Queen Amidala had graciously taken care of Anakin in the palace while Qui-Gon stayed with Obi-Wan. Anakin wanted to visit, but Qui-Gon wouldn't allow it. He didn't want any more stress on Obi-Wan or himself at the moment. He knew that Obi-Wan had agreed with the council about training Anakin and he didn't want that getting inbetween them at the moment, so he thought that it was best that Anakin stay away.

The queen sent food to Qui-Gon because he refused to leave his padawan's side, even to take care of himself. He was so afraid that Obi-Wan might take a turn for the worst while he was away and he didn't want him to be alone if it was his time to join the force.

Qui-Gon was so exhausted and intent on holding Obi-Wan's hand and trying to give him strength that he didn't even notice when Yoda and Mace Windu entered the room. He only realized it when Mace put a comforting hand on his shoulder and Yoda came to stand by the chair.

"Strong, he is. Survive this he will." Yoda told Qui-Gon to reassure him, but also to reassure himself as well. He knew quite well that Obi-Wan's hold on life at the moment was tenuous at best. Right now even a small infection would probably kill him. Even he could not foresee whether Obi-Wan would live or die.

Qui-Gon looked down at the old master, a ghost of a smile in his eyes. He knew what Yoda was trying to make him feel a little bit better and thanked him for it, but he knew the odds were not in Obi-Wan's favor. The fact that he had made it this long was a miracle in and of itself. The longer he lived the better the odds were, but he was far from out of the woods.

Quit-Gon gave his report to the two council members on how Obi-Wan was injured and of the doctors recommendation to send Obi-Wan to the hospital on Corellia.

"Spoken to him, we have. Also spoken to Queen Amidala. She insisted that we send your apprentice there. She feels that her people owe him for his bravery against the sith and insisted that he receive the best care possible and that the people of Naboo be allowed to pay for it. Deny her request we cannot." Yoda stated, looking at Qui-Gon sharply before he could protest about who would pay for the treatment.

Qui-Gon nodded, now relieved that he knew that Obi-Wan would receive the best care possible. He looked down at Yoda. "Even if he can someday come back to the temple. What will the Order do with him, once he has recovered? The doctor stated that he probably would never be like he was before the injury."

"Underestimate the will and stubborness of your apprentice, you should not Qui-Gon. He learned that well from his master.We will have to wait and see how he recovers, but always welcome back in the temple he will be. No matter how injured he is."

Mace spoke up. "I should think that you of all people should know by now that Obi-Wan will overcome any challenge set before him and this will be just another challenge for him to overcome."

Qui-Gon looked up at his old friend. He knew he was right and that Obi-Wan would look at this to be a challenge to overcome, but it still did not make him feel any better.

"Qui-Gon. Why don't you go get some rest? You look exhausted."

"No Mace. My place is here. I will not leave him alone. He deserves better than that. I'll be fine."

Mace shook his head. He could tell that Qui-Gon was absolutely exhausted, but nothing was going to pry the stubborn master from his padawan's side.

"Okay for now Qui-Gon. We need to go speak with the queen and the chancellor. We will also start making arrangements for a ship to take Obi-Wan to Corellia once he's more stable." Mace stated just before he and Yoda left the room. Qui-Gon knodded.

Once again Qui-Gon was left alone with his precious apprentice. When he could hold sleep back no longer he laid his head down on the mattress next to Obi-Wan. Still holding the young man's hand, sleep finally took him.

Early the next morning, Mace looked in on Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. What he saw touched his heart and a slight smile touched his lips. Qui-Gon had fallen asleep at Obi-Wan's bedside. His head next to their intertwined hands.

When Mace stepped farther into the room he made a slight noise, scuffing his boot on the floor, he saw a slight turn of Obi-Wan's head and saw the young man's eyes open and looking at him. This made him smile even more. Obi-Wan had woken up, even though he was far from out of danger, it was a good sign. After acknowledging Obi-Wan's look with a slight nod, Mace left the room to contact Yoda and find one of the healers treating Obi-Wan to left them know that the young man had woken up and even from where he had stood in the doorway, he could tell that Obi-Wan was in a great deal of pain.

After catching Mace's attention, Obi-Wan turned his attention back to his sleeping master. He did not want to wake him. He could tell from the dark shadows under his eyes and the weariness that leaked through their bond that Qui-Gon was exhausted and needed to rest, but then so did Obi-Wan. Knowing that he would not stay awake too much longer, Obi-Wan reached out through their bond to calmly wake his master. Trying his best to keep the shield on his pain and away from his master.

//Master?//

Not getting a response. Obi-Wan tried again. This small effort was tiring to him.

//Master?// He sent a little louder. This finally made it's way through Qui-Gon's exhausted mind and he opened his eyes and realized that the call had come inside his mind from the bond he shared with his apprentice. He raised his head and looked into Obi-Wan's sparkling eyes, tight with pain.

Obi-Wan looked at his master, glad that he could at least let him know that he was going to keep fighting and that he should train Anakin and that he would step aside. He knew that Qui-Gon would wait for him and Anakin didn't deserve that. He needed to be trained and Qui-Gon was the only one that believed that he was the Chosen one and he should be the one to do it.

"Master."

Unable to speak, Qui-Gon held tightly to Obi-Wan's hand, being very careful of the tubes that fed into it and looked upon the boy he called in his heart his son.

Before Obi-Wan could continue one of the healers came into the room, with Mace and Yoda not far behind. Both Jedi masters stayed to the back of the room. Qui-Gon got up, gave Obi-Wan a quick smile and stepped to the back of the room with Mace and Yoda, so that the healer could check on Obi-Wan. The healer gave the young man a brief explanation of his condition and of the plans to send him to Corellia while checking him over.

After the short check-up Obi-Wan was tired out to stay awake and was soon asleep again. The healer went over to Qui-Gon and the other two masters. "A good sign it is that he has regained consciousness, even for a short while. His wounds still show no signs of infection and his vital signs have stabilized. I would say that by tomorrow he should be strong enough to transport to Corellia. Queen Amidala has already arranged for all his medical treatment and rehabilitation to be paid for by the people of Naboo. She said it was the least they could do for his bravery. He was injured saving Naboo from the Trade Federation."

Qui-Gon started to say something, but was stopped by a look from Yoda. "Already been told this we have and agreed to it we do. Obi-Wan's best interest she has and the council agrees. Arrangements have already been made and waiting for him there the healers are."

Qui-Gon did not attend the victory celebration that afternoon. He was afraid that Obi-Wan's life as a Jedi was now over and he did not feel like celebrating. He stayed with Obi-Wan as he slept.

Obi-Wan awoke again the next morning. Qui-Gon still at his side, asleep. Obi-Wan felt a little bit stronger than the day before and knew he needed to stay awake this time to talk to his master. He did not want to be interrupted again.

"Master." He whispered.

This time Qui-Gon heard the faint whisper from his apprentice and straightened up in his uncomfortable looking chair. "Obi-Wan. Good morning." He said running his hand though Obi-Wan spiky ginger hair and down Obi-Wan's padawan braid.

Obi-Wan only nodded in response. He gathered his strength and the force around him as best he could.
"Master. You need to train Anakin."

"I thought that you were against that?"

"I was, but the sith have returned and even though I do have my reservations about training him, he should be trained by the Jedi."

"OH my Obi-Wan. I'm glad that you finally agree with me, but I will not train him until you get better."

Obi-Wan took a breath and pushed down his pain as best he could, trying to gain his focus to continue. "Master, you must. I will step aside. You cannot wait for me. I know that my recovery will take a long time. I don't have to be run over by a bantha to realize that and to know that I may never return to the Jedi. Only time will tell on that. You believe in Anakin and the prophecy and are the one to train him."

Qui-Gon could only shake his head. It was so like Obi-Wan to care for others before himself.
Mace and Yoda were standing in the doorway of the room and heard the conversation between the master and the apprentice.

"Is that what you wish, Padawan Kenobi?" Mace stated from the doorway.

Obi-Wan turned his head just enough to see the two masters in the doorway. "Yes, Master Windu. Master Yoda. That is what I wish."

Mace nodded and he and Yoda strolled into the room and stood by the bed.

"Qui-Gon. The council was voted to knight Obi-Wan for his bravery against the sith warrior. Do you concur?" Mace stated.

"By all means, yes I concur." Qui-Gon said as he looked at Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan shook is head no."With all due respect masters. NO. I want to stand before the council to be knighted. Not laying flat on my back in a bed in the medical wing. I want to be a knight, not an invalid.This is the trial I have to face and I will face it head on. I will only return to face the council when I am ready to do so and be a Jedi." Obi-Wan couldn't believe that he had said that to the masters, but that was how he felt. He did not want to feel like he was knighted out of pity.

All three masters looked at Obi-Wan and understood. They all knew that all Obi-Wan had ever wanted to be was a Jedi Knight. To knight him now, while he was not even able to care for himself would make him feel even worse that he already does, both physically and in spirit.

"Agree with Obi-Wan I do." Yoda said. "This is his trial to face. His knighting shall wait." And face a great trial, he shall, Yoda thought.

The trial of flesh, spirit, and courage would be Obi-Wan's painful to come physical recovery from his injuries and the trial of skill would be of him returning to weld a lightsaber as he did against Darth Maul. Only then would Obi-Wan feel worthy of being a Jedi Knight.