Disclaimer: I own it all! I'm rich! I'm rich! ....or not.
Hey guys, ENJOY. I spent a week writing this when I should have been paying attention in my classes, it's 8 written pages long. Ehe! Yes, you will continue to be confused throughout this chapter. I believe it will become clearer in the next chapter, but for now, bear with me. Anyone who can figure out what's going on before I actually make it 100% clear will earn a prize. I hope it is a real one. You'll just have to wait and find out I guess. HA!
Chapter Four: The Change
Qui-Gon paced the small waiting room in the healers' wing. To anyone unfamiliar with him, he would have seemed furious, like a Benturian snow tiger, ready to pounce on its prey. Those who knew the Jedi Knight, however, would see subtle nuances in his demeanor—the slight furrow of his brow, the pursed lips, the rounded shoulders—all telltale signs of his worry.
Qui-Gon sighed and sat heavily in one of the many chairs. The walls around him glowed a soothing blue. Sensors detected his agitation and tried to calm him with solid, quiet colors, soft—so soft Qui-Gon had to strain to hear it—music, and light traces of Cyranian flowers in the air.
Qui-Gon sneezed. He was allergic to Cyranian flowers. He felt frustration welling up inside him. What was wrong with Obi-Wan? What had the man in the laley—the man with the glass blaster—done to him? For what seemed like the thousandth time, Qui-Gon tried to reach his Padawan through their bond. For the thousandth time, all he could feel was pain and a tingling fear.
Had he done something wrong? He had run into the alley as fast as he could, just in time to see a dark man touch what looked like a clear blaster to Obi-Wan's stomach. Qui-Gon involuntarily flinched as he recalled the agony and shock on his Padawan's young face, and the relief he felt as Obi-Wan lost consciousness. Qui-Gon used the Force to slow Obi- Wan's fall even as he launched a full on attack at the sinister men gathered around the boy's prone form.
The men had fled, Qui-Gon's efforts to stop them, or slow them, with the Force were fruitless. And as much as he wanted to pursue them, his first responsibility was to his Padawan, who lay on the glass littered earth as though dead. Qui-Gon scooped the boy up—the limpness startled him—and ran to the Temple medcenter even faster than he had run to Obi- Wan's aid.
And Obi-Wan was being cared for by the head healer, Lien Menger, with the finest equipment, the finest medicines...but why wouldn't he wake?
Qui-Gon stood, and in a sudden burst of frustration, kicked the wall, which flashed red at the detection of rage behind the kick. Qui-Gon glared at the deep hole he had made.
"Angry at the wall are you, hmm?" The familiar, wry voice of Jedi Master Yoda, filled with concern, reached him. "What did it to you, I wonder."
Qui-Gon took a deep breath, even more frustrated that he hadn't detected the Master's presence. He must have been so absorbed in his anger that he hadn't heard the door open. He didn't trust himself to speak as he turned to face Yoda.
"Understandable, your anger is," the venerable Master said softly. "But calm yourself, you must. Need anger, Obi-Wan does not. Concern, perhaps. Courage, yes. Remember you must, the Code—there is no Passion, there is Serenity."
Qui-Gon nodded. "I apologize, Master. I let my emotions get away from me."
The light from the hall was suddenly blocked by a tall, square figure.
"Qui-Gon, he is waking up," Lien Menger said. "Come."
With a nod from Yoda, Qui-Gon swept out into the hall and followed Lien to the room Obi-Wan was being held in.
Qui-Gon grimaced at the sight of all the monitors on Obi-Wan. Med droids buzzed around the room—ever a distraction. Lien sensed Qui-Gon's agitation and ordered the droids outside. "I know you wish you be alone with Obi-Wan now, but I must be present to assist if need be," he whispered.
Qui-Gon nodded. "Thank you, my friend." He moved slowly to Obi-Wan, who was stirring slightly. "...Obi...Obi-Wan, wake up. Open your eyes, Padawan. Tell...tell us you're all right." Qui-Gon looked to Lien, who nodded encouragingly. "Padawan, come on. Wake up."
Obi-Wan's eyes flew open and searched the room unseeingly. He blinked several times, focus appearing in his gaze. His brilliant cerulean blue eyes met Qui-Gon's face, and widened. Fear corrupted his innocent features and he flinched, struggling to get away from Qui-Gon, pulling at the monitors that stuck to his frame.
"Obi-Wan, what is it?!" Qui-Gon cried.
"Move," Lien's voice took on a force of its own as he shouldered Qui- Gon out of the way. Qui-Gon, confused and helpless, obeyed, watching Lien grasp his Padawan's wrists and stare straight into ObiWan's frightened eyes. Qui-Gon felt the Force gather around Lien's powerful frame.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, calm down." Lien's strong voice was amplified by tranquility and a sense of exhaustion. Qui-Gon yawned, realized what Lien was doing, and brought his shields up.
Obi-Wan sagged, blinking at the Force suggestion of fatigue. His elbows buckled beneath him and his head, caught by Lien's quick hand, lolled back on the pillow. The boy closed his eyes and took deep breaths, gathering strength. "Where...am I?" he asked.
Qui-Gon moved to answer him, but was stopped by Lien's fierce glare and a shake of his head.
"You're in the medcenter of the Jedi Temple, Obi-Wan," Lien said softly. "Do you remember what happened?"
"...pain...um..." Obi-Wan's eyes widened slightly. "It was an accident. It was my fault."
Qui-Gon could stand it no longer. "No, Obi-Wan," he cried, moving to stand next to Lien. "It was not your fault."
Obi-Wan stared at Qui-Gon, caution, fear, and uncomprehension in his face. He swallowed and looked away. "Yes, Master. Master Menger, when can I leave?"
Qui-Gon looked a little startled at the exchange, and Lien felt the same way. "Well," he said, striding over to a datapad on the other side of Obi-Wan's bed, "are you hurting at all? Anywhere?"
Obi-Wan looked straight at Qui-Gon. "No, Master Menger. I'm fine."
"Don't try to be brave, Padawan. If you're hurt..."
"I'm getting no abnormalities in your vital signs, Obi-Wan. If you're up to it, you may leave."
"Thank you, Master Menger," Obi-Wan replied. He stood slowly, removing monitors from his body. Lien handed him a tunic and he pulled it on. Qui-Gon was suddenly struck by how thin Obi-Wan looked, his ribs were quite apparent. He made a mental note to tell Obi-Wan to eat more, something he never thought would happen.
Obi-Wan moved gingerly to stand next to Qui-Gon. He stood there, motionless, hands clasped behind his back, head held down. Qui-Gon blinked. This quiet, wary boy was not the Obi-Wan he was used to. He looked at Lien, who must have seen the question in his eyes. Lien half smiled and shook his head. Obi-Wan was probably tired, this change was only temporary.
"Thank you, Lien," Qui-Gon said. "Come, Padawan." They walked out of the medcenter and made their way to their joint quarters. Obi-Wan stayed behind Qui-Gon, offering no conversation. Qui-Gon made another mental note to ask Obi-Wan what was wrong after he'd rested.
They reached their quarters, Obi-Wan leaped ahead of Qui-Gon and opened the door, waiting for the Master to go inside before he entered. Once inside, Obi-Wan stood next to his door, rigidly stiff, staring at the floor.
"Requesting permission to enter my room, Master," he said, his voice sounding small, afraid.
Qui-Gon blinked. He'd had enough of this. "Permission denied, Padawan," he said sternly. His voice softened as his Padawan's shoulders shrank. "Obi-Wan, what is it? What's wrong?"
Qui-Gon sensed a distinct feeling of confusion emanating from Obi- Wan. "Nothing...is wrong, Master," he said warily, his face studying the floor.
Qui-Gon stepped to the boy and raised a hand under his chin, gently guiding the boy's gaze to meet his own. He couldn't help but notice Obi- Wan flinch at the soft touch.
"Are you afraid of me, Padawan?" he asked softly.
Obi-Wan's eyes flashed with fear as he nodded slowly.
"But why?" Qui-Gon took his hand from under Obi-Wan's chin, expecting the boy to face him.
Obi-Wan immediately snapped his gaze to the floor. "Because you are my Master..." he whispered.
Qui-Gon sighed. "Perhaps we will understand each other better after some rest. Sleep well, Padawan," he said, heading into his own quarters. He stopped as Obi-Wan shifted uncertainly. "Yes, Padawan?"
"Could...could you open the door, Master?" Obi-Wan whispered.
"...Of course, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon strode to Obi-Wan's door and keyed it open, knowing that it wasn't locked. Obi-Wan again waited for him to enter before making a move.
As Obi-Wan stepped through the doorway, he glanced up for a moment, then did a double take. Qui-Gon studied his face. The boy's expression went from shock to confusion to an uncertain happiness—then back to shock. Forgetting his wary demeanor, Obi-Wan stepped further into the room, awe on his face as he studied the mini starships that buzzed overhead. Obi-Wan walked to his desk and held a holo of Qui-Gon and himself on a mission to Gune.
"Obi-Wan?"
Obi-Wan jerked, startled. He slowly set the holo back on his desk and turned to face Qui-Gon. Glancing up shyly, a bit of the Obi-Wan shone through a slight half-grin on his face. He looked back at the floor and, taking a deep breath, bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master Qui-Gon Jinn."
For what? Qui-Gon wondered. "Get some rest, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon reached a hand out, touching Obi-Wan's shoulder, and left without shutting the door. Opening his own, he prepared to step in and meditate on the events of this strange day. A voice stopped him.
"Master?" Obi-Wan's face peeked out tentatively from his room. "Aren't you going to lock my door?"
"Why would I do that, Obi-Wan?"
"...To keep me from sneaking out...? Like you always do?"
"I have never locked your door, Obi-Wan. I trust you. If you wish you leave, you may do so. However, remember what Master Menger said and what I am about to say—you need to rest."
"Yes Master."
"Goodnight, Obi-Wan."
"Goodnight, sir."
Qui-Gon watched Obi-Wan shut the door. He sighed and stepped into his room, confused and concerned about the state of his young charge.
Hey guys, ENJOY. I spent a week writing this when I should have been paying attention in my classes, it's 8 written pages long. Ehe! Yes, you will continue to be confused throughout this chapter. I believe it will become clearer in the next chapter, but for now, bear with me. Anyone who can figure out what's going on before I actually make it 100% clear will earn a prize. I hope it is a real one. You'll just have to wait and find out I guess. HA!
Chapter Four: The Change
Qui-Gon paced the small waiting room in the healers' wing. To anyone unfamiliar with him, he would have seemed furious, like a Benturian snow tiger, ready to pounce on its prey. Those who knew the Jedi Knight, however, would see subtle nuances in his demeanor—the slight furrow of his brow, the pursed lips, the rounded shoulders—all telltale signs of his worry.
Qui-Gon sighed and sat heavily in one of the many chairs. The walls around him glowed a soothing blue. Sensors detected his agitation and tried to calm him with solid, quiet colors, soft—so soft Qui-Gon had to strain to hear it—music, and light traces of Cyranian flowers in the air.
Qui-Gon sneezed. He was allergic to Cyranian flowers. He felt frustration welling up inside him. What was wrong with Obi-Wan? What had the man in the laley—the man with the glass blaster—done to him? For what seemed like the thousandth time, Qui-Gon tried to reach his Padawan through their bond. For the thousandth time, all he could feel was pain and a tingling fear.
Had he done something wrong? He had run into the alley as fast as he could, just in time to see a dark man touch what looked like a clear blaster to Obi-Wan's stomach. Qui-Gon involuntarily flinched as he recalled the agony and shock on his Padawan's young face, and the relief he felt as Obi-Wan lost consciousness. Qui-Gon used the Force to slow Obi- Wan's fall even as he launched a full on attack at the sinister men gathered around the boy's prone form.
The men had fled, Qui-Gon's efforts to stop them, or slow them, with the Force were fruitless. And as much as he wanted to pursue them, his first responsibility was to his Padawan, who lay on the glass littered earth as though dead. Qui-Gon scooped the boy up—the limpness startled him—and ran to the Temple medcenter even faster than he had run to Obi- Wan's aid.
And Obi-Wan was being cared for by the head healer, Lien Menger, with the finest equipment, the finest medicines...but why wouldn't he wake?
Qui-Gon stood, and in a sudden burst of frustration, kicked the wall, which flashed red at the detection of rage behind the kick. Qui-Gon glared at the deep hole he had made.
"Angry at the wall are you, hmm?" The familiar, wry voice of Jedi Master Yoda, filled with concern, reached him. "What did it to you, I wonder."
Qui-Gon took a deep breath, even more frustrated that he hadn't detected the Master's presence. He must have been so absorbed in his anger that he hadn't heard the door open. He didn't trust himself to speak as he turned to face Yoda.
"Understandable, your anger is," the venerable Master said softly. "But calm yourself, you must. Need anger, Obi-Wan does not. Concern, perhaps. Courage, yes. Remember you must, the Code—there is no Passion, there is Serenity."
Qui-Gon nodded. "I apologize, Master. I let my emotions get away from me."
The light from the hall was suddenly blocked by a tall, square figure.
"Qui-Gon, he is waking up," Lien Menger said. "Come."
With a nod from Yoda, Qui-Gon swept out into the hall and followed Lien to the room Obi-Wan was being held in.
Qui-Gon grimaced at the sight of all the monitors on Obi-Wan. Med droids buzzed around the room—ever a distraction. Lien sensed Qui-Gon's agitation and ordered the droids outside. "I know you wish you be alone with Obi-Wan now, but I must be present to assist if need be," he whispered.
Qui-Gon nodded. "Thank you, my friend." He moved slowly to Obi-Wan, who was stirring slightly. "...Obi...Obi-Wan, wake up. Open your eyes, Padawan. Tell...tell us you're all right." Qui-Gon looked to Lien, who nodded encouragingly. "Padawan, come on. Wake up."
Obi-Wan's eyes flew open and searched the room unseeingly. He blinked several times, focus appearing in his gaze. His brilliant cerulean blue eyes met Qui-Gon's face, and widened. Fear corrupted his innocent features and he flinched, struggling to get away from Qui-Gon, pulling at the monitors that stuck to his frame.
"Obi-Wan, what is it?!" Qui-Gon cried.
"Move," Lien's voice took on a force of its own as he shouldered Qui- Gon out of the way. Qui-Gon, confused and helpless, obeyed, watching Lien grasp his Padawan's wrists and stare straight into ObiWan's frightened eyes. Qui-Gon felt the Force gather around Lien's powerful frame.
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, calm down." Lien's strong voice was amplified by tranquility and a sense of exhaustion. Qui-Gon yawned, realized what Lien was doing, and brought his shields up.
Obi-Wan sagged, blinking at the Force suggestion of fatigue. His elbows buckled beneath him and his head, caught by Lien's quick hand, lolled back on the pillow. The boy closed his eyes and took deep breaths, gathering strength. "Where...am I?" he asked.
Qui-Gon moved to answer him, but was stopped by Lien's fierce glare and a shake of his head.
"You're in the medcenter of the Jedi Temple, Obi-Wan," Lien said softly. "Do you remember what happened?"
"...pain...um..." Obi-Wan's eyes widened slightly. "It was an accident. It was my fault."
Qui-Gon could stand it no longer. "No, Obi-Wan," he cried, moving to stand next to Lien. "It was not your fault."
Obi-Wan stared at Qui-Gon, caution, fear, and uncomprehension in his face. He swallowed and looked away. "Yes, Master. Master Menger, when can I leave?"
Qui-Gon looked a little startled at the exchange, and Lien felt the same way. "Well," he said, striding over to a datapad on the other side of Obi-Wan's bed, "are you hurting at all? Anywhere?"
Obi-Wan looked straight at Qui-Gon. "No, Master Menger. I'm fine."
"Don't try to be brave, Padawan. If you're hurt..."
"I'm getting no abnormalities in your vital signs, Obi-Wan. If you're up to it, you may leave."
"Thank you, Master Menger," Obi-Wan replied. He stood slowly, removing monitors from his body. Lien handed him a tunic and he pulled it on. Qui-Gon was suddenly struck by how thin Obi-Wan looked, his ribs were quite apparent. He made a mental note to tell Obi-Wan to eat more, something he never thought would happen.
Obi-Wan moved gingerly to stand next to Qui-Gon. He stood there, motionless, hands clasped behind his back, head held down. Qui-Gon blinked. This quiet, wary boy was not the Obi-Wan he was used to. He looked at Lien, who must have seen the question in his eyes. Lien half smiled and shook his head. Obi-Wan was probably tired, this change was only temporary.
"Thank you, Lien," Qui-Gon said. "Come, Padawan." They walked out of the medcenter and made their way to their joint quarters. Obi-Wan stayed behind Qui-Gon, offering no conversation. Qui-Gon made another mental note to ask Obi-Wan what was wrong after he'd rested.
They reached their quarters, Obi-Wan leaped ahead of Qui-Gon and opened the door, waiting for the Master to go inside before he entered. Once inside, Obi-Wan stood next to his door, rigidly stiff, staring at the floor.
"Requesting permission to enter my room, Master," he said, his voice sounding small, afraid.
Qui-Gon blinked. He'd had enough of this. "Permission denied, Padawan," he said sternly. His voice softened as his Padawan's shoulders shrank. "Obi-Wan, what is it? What's wrong?"
Qui-Gon sensed a distinct feeling of confusion emanating from Obi- Wan. "Nothing...is wrong, Master," he said warily, his face studying the floor.
Qui-Gon stepped to the boy and raised a hand under his chin, gently guiding the boy's gaze to meet his own. He couldn't help but notice Obi- Wan flinch at the soft touch.
"Are you afraid of me, Padawan?" he asked softly.
Obi-Wan's eyes flashed with fear as he nodded slowly.
"But why?" Qui-Gon took his hand from under Obi-Wan's chin, expecting the boy to face him.
Obi-Wan immediately snapped his gaze to the floor. "Because you are my Master..." he whispered.
Qui-Gon sighed. "Perhaps we will understand each other better after some rest. Sleep well, Padawan," he said, heading into his own quarters. He stopped as Obi-Wan shifted uncertainly. "Yes, Padawan?"
"Could...could you open the door, Master?" Obi-Wan whispered.
"...Of course, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon strode to Obi-Wan's door and keyed it open, knowing that it wasn't locked. Obi-Wan again waited for him to enter before making a move.
As Obi-Wan stepped through the doorway, he glanced up for a moment, then did a double take. Qui-Gon studied his face. The boy's expression went from shock to confusion to an uncertain happiness—then back to shock. Forgetting his wary demeanor, Obi-Wan stepped further into the room, awe on his face as he studied the mini starships that buzzed overhead. Obi-Wan walked to his desk and held a holo of Qui-Gon and himself on a mission to Gune.
"Obi-Wan?"
Obi-Wan jerked, startled. He slowly set the holo back on his desk and turned to face Qui-Gon. Glancing up shyly, a bit of the Obi-Wan shone through a slight half-grin on his face. He looked back at the floor and, taking a deep breath, bowed deeply. "Thank you, Master Qui-Gon Jinn."
For what? Qui-Gon wondered. "Get some rest, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon reached a hand out, touching Obi-Wan's shoulder, and left without shutting the door. Opening his own, he prepared to step in and meditate on the events of this strange day. A voice stopped him.
"Master?" Obi-Wan's face peeked out tentatively from his room. "Aren't you going to lock my door?"
"Why would I do that, Obi-Wan?"
"...To keep me from sneaking out...? Like you always do?"
"I have never locked your door, Obi-Wan. I trust you. If you wish you leave, you may do so. However, remember what Master Menger said and what I am about to say—you need to rest."
"Yes Master."
"Goodnight, Obi-Wan."
"Goodnight, sir."
Qui-Gon watched Obi-Wan shut the door. He sighed and stepped into his room, confused and concerned about the state of his young charge.
