Title: Poison's Relief

Author: Mlinyaia

Disclaimer: Nope they don't belong to me.

Chapter 10

Mace was shocked after being thrown out of his friends apartment, he stared blankly ahead, deep in thought as he walked to his apartment. How can Qui-Gon bare to see Obi-Wan like this, his own Padawan! Surely he can see his suffering, his pain, even if he gets through this will he be the same Obi-Wan? Needing to clear his mind, Mace allowed his legs to guide him towards the nearest meditation garden. He walked into the small room, full of green, lush plants and the soothing sounds of trickling water.

"Come to calm your mind you have, Master Windu."

Mace looked around to see Master Yoda sitting on a small rock by the edge of the trickling stream. "Hello Master Yoda. Yes I was in need of a calm place to ease my mind."

"Troubles you, what?"

"Its Obi-Wan, I don't know, I have a battle of emotions going on in my mind. When we first bought the Padawan into the Healers I was given the option to prevent his suffering by letting him become one with the Force. Obi-Wan just made an attempt on his own life, although he was being tempted by Dark thoughts the truth was still there, he is suffering."

"Hmm. Concern yourself with this, you should not. To the Force you must go, listen to its will, the truth in your choice you will see." Yoda stood from the rock and walked out of the garden leaving Mace on his own to meditate.

Red hot, searing through his skin, he could feel the burning sensation of pain throughout his whole body. Letting a small wimper of pain escape his lips, he continued to scrunch up his eyes at the anguish going on in his life. /M-Master?/ he waited, biting back the urge to scream as another swooping wave of pain washed over his body. A sick feeling formed in the pit of his stomach. "Master!" He screamed and broke down into pain fueled tears.

Qui-Gon was sleeping uneasily he was still thinking subconsciously about the words Mace had said to him. He was awoken by something but wasn't immediately able to locate the source of the disturbance. Then he heard Obi-Wan's desperate cry from the room next to his and that was enough for him to speed along to aid his ailed apprentice. Rushing through the door he was greeted with a horrific site. The boy was wriggling viciously beneath the blanket on his bed, his face was pale and scrunched up, a layer of cold sweat building up on his body. Small sounds between a grunt and a whimper were escaping his lips, the bottom one bleeding where he was trying to bite back the screams.

"It's ok Obi-Wan, I'm here. Its time to give you your medicine again." He hated having to see his Padawan like this, he dreaded every time he needed to give the pain killer to Obi-Wan. Due to the strength of the painkiller that he needed, it was necessary to wait until it was clear all of the painkiller was gone from his body, otherwise he could run the risk of a fatal overdose. Qui-Gon bent down, reaching underneath Obi-Wan's sleep couch to retrieve a small green box. Lifting the lid he reached in and took out a hypospray filled with the painkiller. Administering to Obi-Wan he watched as the boy relaxed, placing a hand on the boys brow he wiped away the sweat and smoothed out his hair.

"Are you ok Obi-Wan?"

It took a while for Obi-Wan to respond, the painkiller dulled his senses so he was easily disorientated. "Yes Master, I'm alot better now."

"Are you tired? It's not that early we can get up and watch the sunrise if you like Padawan."

"No Master, I don't want to sleep, I want to see the sunrise it helps to calm me."

"Very well then. Can you walk?" He watched as Obi-Wan cautiously sat up further in the bed, swinging his legs over the side. He let out a hiss as the sudden contact of his feet with the carpet caused a small spark of fire to travel up his legs.

"Obi-Wan are you sure you can do this?" Qui-Gon was concerned, he knew how much physical contact hurt his padawan, especially on his limbs which were the first places the poison attacked.

"Yes Master I want to do this." Qui-Gon stood back slightly appearing to give Obi-Wan the space he needed. The boy held delicately onto the wall and steadied himself and then stood up. "See I told you I could do it."

"Yes you did Padawan, yes you did. Now come on lets look out on the balcony and wait for the sun." Obi-Wan took slow methodical steps towards the door. It took a few minutes but the Master and Padawan made it to the balcony, and after a few minutes they were leant up against the railings watching the sun appear over the top of the city skyline.

"Come Obi-Wan, its time for breakfast." Qui-Gon turned away and began to walk back to the small apartment. Obi-Wan slowly pushed himself up from the slouched position he had taken against the railings. A sharp shooting pain was felt through his legs as he took a step, screaming out loud he fell to the ground trying to stop himself with his outstretched arms. He only succeeded in causing the same rippling waves of agonising pain to flood the nerves in his arms as well as his legs. Qui-Gon rushed back to the boy. Couching down near to his face he could see the pain filled eyes staring back at him, tears flooding them and cascading down his face.

"Shhh, its ok." Qui-Gon used the Force to channel some of the pain away and was pleased to see Obi-Wan relax slightly. He gently scooped the boy up, placing the trembling figure over his shoulder to prevent him touching the more sensitive arms and legs with his grip.

"You probably were just standing in one place for too long, then when you moved again all the pain came back do not worry. Lets get you settled and then some food." Obi-Wan was laid on the sofa and had his breakfast served to him. Qui-Gon fed it to him quickly as to not embarress the child anymore. /Oh my child, your making me soft./ Obi-Wan let out a laugh at the thought of what other people were saying. /Thank you Master, for helping me./ Obi-Wan drifted off to sleep, tired still from the awakening he had endured. No thank you Obi-Wan for showing me how to trust and care for someone again.

Mace Windu was meditating in the garden, still trying to clear his thoughts, he had been there two consectutive days now. Qui-Gon was right, Obi-Wan did deserve the chance. I can't believe how foolish my thoughts have been. No wonder Qui-Gon acted like that, Force! He must have thought I wished Obi-Wan wasn't here, he must think I see Obi-Wan as a lost cause. Mace stood up from the garden and walked down the corridors to the Master/Padawan levels. Knocking on the door, he waited aprehensively for Qui-Gon to answer. Hearing shuffling from inside he stepped back as the door opened.

"Mace."

"Qui-Gon, I have come to apologise to you. I had no right to say those things to you and understand the pain my words and actions have caused you."

"Very well then Mace." Qui-Gon was relieved, it wasn't wise to have a council member for an enemy. "Please would you care to join me for breakfast."

"Thank you Qui-Gon." Mace stepped forward and entered the apartment, noting the silently sleeping form of Obi-Wan, the small breafast tray on the floor beside the sofa.

"He had a rather unpleasant awakening this morning so needed to sleep." Beginning to laugh Qui-Gon continued, "Unfortunately his little slumber happened time with our breakfast."

"I see, well you have company now." The pair sat down and settled into their meal. After they had finished, Mace's comlink signaled. Answering it he heard Master Yoda's voice.

"In Qui-Gon's quarters, good. Speak with you I must, meet you there I shall. A solution has been found, hope there is for Obi-Wan." Closing the connection the room was left in silence.

Once again a big, BIG thank you to Geri K, SKSexton and to my new reader JackGirl. Sorry for the long wait, but I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. Next one hopefully up soon!