Guilty Heart Part 4
Disclaimers in Part 1
*******************
"Good morning you two. How is my patient feeling today?" Terran had entered the room and was entirely too happy for Obi-Wan's taste. The exhausted apprentice squinted as the bright orange sun shown in through the large window.
"What time is it?"
"Time for you to get out of that bed, and on your feet. The sooner you are up and around, the sooner you are out of this place. Him too." He motioned towards the snoring Jinn whose bearded chin lay propped up on his arms leaning over the bed. "Other patients are complaining about the snoring. Either he goes or you both go," the healer joked.
"I need him, Terran." Obi-Wan's mood turned serious.
"I know you do. He needs you as well, although trying to get the stubborn man to admit anything like that is nearly impossible. Now come on. If you do well today, I might release you in the next couple days. I'll help you up."
The movement in the room alerted the sleeping master, and he lifted his head to see Obi-Wan walking towards the 'fresher unit, Terran assisting his shaky steps. Deciding against disrupting his students' concentration, he waited until he returned to the room before saying anything.
Terran saw him awake and wandered across the room. "He's doing well, Qui-Gon. If this continues, I'll let him go home soon. Nothing but rest for the next two weeks. Understand?"
"Yes, Master Terran."
"Not funny, Jinn. Not funny at all."
"So you don't see any complications?"
"He looks good. I will speak with the council however. No missions for a least a month. There's no point in pushing him too hard too soon. I did overhear you talking to him about a vacation to Taladar?"
Qui-Gon nodded. "I thought if he was cleared, it would be okay. Taladar is a peaceful planet, and a haven for Force sensitive beings. It would be good for him to get out and at the same time relax."
"Good idea. That might be just what he needs." Turning back in the direction of the 'fresher, Terran hurried to help Obi-Wan back into bed. "Qui-Gon, I am leaving him in your hands today. Get him up and out of bed every two hours for at least fifteen minutes. Take a short walk somewhere. And, Obi-Wan, go easy. Do not rush this or you will end up right back in that operating room. Got it?"
Shooting a mischievous glance at his master, Obi-Wan giggled his reply. "Yes, Master Terran."
The healer had heard enough. "That's it. I've had it with you two. Tomorrow, both of you are out of here. I don't know why they assign you quarters, seeing as how you are always here driving me insane. Perhaps we need to give you your own personal healer."
"Actually, that's not a bad..."
"MASTER! I don't need some guy in a white over-tunic following me around all day and touching me with cold hands," the young Jedi laughed. "We could just move in here. I can take this room, you can have the one next door. It's a bit sterile, but we can redecorate. What do you think?"
"I agree, Padawan," Qui-Gon laughed as he played along. "But, this is the larger of the two rooms, so therefore I would reside here and you in the other. And those awful curtains will have to be burned."
"Yes they will. They are horrid aren't they?"
The healer just shook his head and walked away. "You two have your fun. I am kicking you out soon enough. And next time, don't expect any special treatment."
When he'd finally gone, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan erupted into a fit of laughter. One that lasted several minutes and left the younger of the two moaning in pain as he fought hard to regain his composure.
"Master?"
"Yes...Padawan." Qui-Gon had to stop to catch his breath.
"That felt good to laugh. I needed that."
"As did I Obi-Wan. But, you've had enough fun for now, lie down and sleep. I am going to find us some food and find Bren. I'll be back shortly to help you out of bed for your short walk. Rest now."
Obi-Wan grabbed Qui-Gon's hand before he could leave. "Master, it's okay to be upset at what happened in the sparring gym. I don't hold any blame towards you, and I don't want you to feel any more guilt. We'll be all right."
"I know we will, Padawan. I know we will. Get some sleep. I'll return soon."
*********
He'd been wandering the Temple halls for over an hour, thinking back over the last week. All that had transpired. Qui-Gon knew he had to let go of the guilt he still felt. That would come in time. He approached Master Bren's quarters. Before he buzzed the door chime, he closed his eyes, tipped his head down, and smiled. Obi-Was was going to be fine. Although he would have to take the next month slowly, the boy was sounding like the energetic and stubborn student that Qui-Gon had grown so used to.
The door opened suddenly, startling the knight.
"It helps if you ring the chime, Qui," Bren lightly chided "That's how one knows that someone is at the door. Remember?"
"Sorry, I guess I was lost in my thoughts again." Moving forward he grabbed her in a tight embrace, catching her by surprise.
She returned the gesture, but was somewhat confused about what had brought it on. "What's wrong? Is Obi-Wan okay?"
"He's fine. In fact, he's doing great. I guess I'm just relieved. I was so scared that I would lose him. If the blade had hit him just an inch higher..."
Bren hushed him. "Don't do that to yourself. You can't think about the 'what ifs.' You can't. Focus on the moment."
"I know." He pulled away and looked into his friend's dark brown eyes. "I am making a breakfast run for he and I, would you care to join us?"
"Spend breakfast with my two favorite people? Of course I would. Where are we going?"
"Well, I thought I would get him something from the dining hall."
Bren couldn't believe it. "The dining hall? After all he's been through the least you could do is get him something edible. What's his favorite spot for breakfast?"
"He has a thing for that pancake diner near the temple's old training facility."
"Okay! Let's go, we'll surprise him."
***********
Obi-Wan opened his food container, and his face lit up. "MASTER! I LOVE YOU! Hagenberry waffles!"
"Look at that smile! And you were going to get him food from the dining hall. I really wonder about you sometimes Qui-Gon."
They finished up the meal, and helped Obi-Wan out of bed for a brief walk. He was amazed that after only ten minutes, he was almost dead on his feet. He'd never felt so exhausted.
"Your strength will improve in time, Obi-Wan. You'll tire easily for a while. Terran says that is perfectly normal. You will know when to push yourself harder. For now, take things easy."
Glancing at the chrono on the wall, Bren excused herself. "Sorry guys, classes to prepare for." She wandered over and kissed Obi-Wan on the cheek. "Don't let him give you a hard time. I'm happy to see you doing so well. You had us all worried. Call me if you need anything."
"Thank you, Master Bren," he returned her smile.
"As for you, Qui-Gon. You hold onto him. You need each other."
"That I can do." Reaching down, he gave her a short embrace, and she was on her way.
************
tbc...
Disclaimers in Part 1
*******************
"Good morning you two. How is my patient feeling today?" Terran had entered the room and was entirely too happy for Obi-Wan's taste. The exhausted apprentice squinted as the bright orange sun shown in through the large window.
"What time is it?"
"Time for you to get out of that bed, and on your feet. The sooner you are up and around, the sooner you are out of this place. Him too." He motioned towards the snoring Jinn whose bearded chin lay propped up on his arms leaning over the bed. "Other patients are complaining about the snoring. Either he goes or you both go," the healer joked.
"I need him, Terran." Obi-Wan's mood turned serious.
"I know you do. He needs you as well, although trying to get the stubborn man to admit anything like that is nearly impossible. Now come on. If you do well today, I might release you in the next couple days. I'll help you up."
The movement in the room alerted the sleeping master, and he lifted his head to see Obi-Wan walking towards the 'fresher unit, Terran assisting his shaky steps. Deciding against disrupting his students' concentration, he waited until he returned to the room before saying anything.
Terran saw him awake and wandered across the room. "He's doing well, Qui-Gon. If this continues, I'll let him go home soon. Nothing but rest for the next two weeks. Understand?"
"Yes, Master Terran."
"Not funny, Jinn. Not funny at all."
"So you don't see any complications?"
"He looks good. I will speak with the council however. No missions for a least a month. There's no point in pushing him too hard too soon. I did overhear you talking to him about a vacation to Taladar?"
Qui-Gon nodded. "I thought if he was cleared, it would be okay. Taladar is a peaceful planet, and a haven for Force sensitive beings. It would be good for him to get out and at the same time relax."
"Good idea. That might be just what he needs." Turning back in the direction of the 'fresher, Terran hurried to help Obi-Wan back into bed. "Qui-Gon, I am leaving him in your hands today. Get him up and out of bed every two hours for at least fifteen minutes. Take a short walk somewhere. And, Obi-Wan, go easy. Do not rush this or you will end up right back in that operating room. Got it?"
Shooting a mischievous glance at his master, Obi-Wan giggled his reply. "Yes, Master Terran."
The healer had heard enough. "That's it. I've had it with you two. Tomorrow, both of you are out of here. I don't know why they assign you quarters, seeing as how you are always here driving me insane. Perhaps we need to give you your own personal healer."
"Actually, that's not a bad..."
"MASTER! I don't need some guy in a white over-tunic following me around all day and touching me with cold hands," the young Jedi laughed. "We could just move in here. I can take this room, you can have the one next door. It's a bit sterile, but we can redecorate. What do you think?"
"I agree, Padawan," Qui-Gon laughed as he played along. "But, this is the larger of the two rooms, so therefore I would reside here and you in the other. And those awful curtains will have to be burned."
"Yes they will. They are horrid aren't they?"
The healer just shook his head and walked away. "You two have your fun. I am kicking you out soon enough. And next time, don't expect any special treatment."
When he'd finally gone, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan erupted into a fit of laughter. One that lasted several minutes and left the younger of the two moaning in pain as he fought hard to regain his composure.
"Master?"
"Yes...Padawan." Qui-Gon had to stop to catch his breath.
"That felt good to laugh. I needed that."
"As did I Obi-Wan. But, you've had enough fun for now, lie down and sleep. I am going to find us some food and find Bren. I'll be back shortly to help you out of bed for your short walk. Rest now."
Obi-Wan grabbed Qui-Gon's hand before he could leave. "Master, it's okay to be upset at what happened in the sparring gym. I don't hold any blame towards you, and I don't want you to feel any more guilt. We'll be all right."
"I know we will, Padawan. I know we will. Get some sleep. I'll return soon."
*********
He'd been wandering the Temple halls for over an hour, thinking back over the last week. All that had transpired. Qui-Gon knew he had to let go of the guilt he still felt. That would come in time. He approached Master Bren's quarters. Before he buzzed the door chime, he closed his eyes, tipped his head down, and smiled. Obi-Was was going to be fine. Although he would have to take the next month slowly, the boy was sounding like the energetic and stubborn student that Qui-Gon had grown so used to.
The door opened suddenly, startling the knight.
"It helps if you ring the chime, Qui," Bren lightly chided "That's how one knows that someone is at the door. Remember?"
"Sorry, I guess I was lost in my thoughts again." Moving forward he grabbed her in a tight embrace, catching her by surprise.
She returned the gesture, but was somewhat confused about what had brought it on. "What's wrong? Is Obi-Wan okay?"
"He's fine. In fact, he's doing great. I guess I'm just relieved. I was so scared that I would lose him. If the blade had hit him just an inch higher..."
Bren hushed him. "Don't do that to yourself. You can't think about the 'what ifs.' You can't. Focus on the moment."
"I know." He pulled away and looked into his friend's dark brown eyes. "I am making a breakfast run for he and I, would you care to join us?"
"Spend breakfast with my two favorite people? Of course I would. Where are we going?"
"Well, I thought I would get him something from the dining hall."
Bren couldn't believe it. "The dining hall? After all he's been through the least you could do is get him something edible. What's his favorite spot for breakfast?"
"He has a thing for that pancake diner near the temple's old training facility."
"Okay! Let's go, we'll surprise him."
***********
Obi-Wan opened his food container, and his face lit up. "MASTER! I LOVE YOU! Hagenberry waffles!"
"Look at that smile! And you were going to get him food from the dining hall. I really wonder about you sometimes Qui-Gon."
They finished up the meal, and helped Obi-Wan out of bed for a brief walk. He was amazed that after only ten minutes, he was almost dead on his feet. He'd never felt so exhausted.
"Your strength will improve in time, Obi-Wan. You'll tire easily for a while. Terran says that is perfectly normal. You will know when to push yourself harder. For now, take things easy."
Glancing at the chrono on the wall, Bren excused herself. "Sorry guys, classes to prepare for." She wandered over and kissed Obi-Wan on the cheek. "Don't let him give you a hard time. I'm happy to see you doing so well. You had us all worried. Call me if you need anything."
"Thank you, Master Bren," he returned her smile.
"As for you, Qui-Gon. You hold onto him. You need each other."
"That I can do." Reaching down, he gave her a short embrace, and she was on her way.
************
tbc...