Chapter 10

He knew Obi-wan was awake, even though the boy kept his eyes closed and his breathing even. Even if he could not tell so through the force, Qui-gon would have known from the steady grip the boy had on a fistful of his hair. When Obi-wan slept that small hand had fallen away; now, with awareness and troubling thoughts of the morning it was back. Qui-gon chose to say nothing; his apprentice would open up when he was ready.

When he did, Obi-wan was so quiet his Master almost did not hear him, but he strained to do so, not wanting to make the boy repeat something that may have been difficult to voice in the first place.

"So it was all my imagination. Does that mean she's alright?" He was too embarrassed to name Master Tahl, he already felt he was behaving like a crechling, he did not want to open his mouth and prove it to be so.

"She is fine cai'lan. Reach through the force and you will know yourself, the force will not lie to you."

A moment, and then,

"What does cai'lan mean?" The Jedi Master was slightly taken aback. He had not even realized he had said it. "Papa?"

"It is a Serilian word. It means 'child'."

//Your home world.// The awe was clear.

"So why am I a kunga pouchling?" At this, Qui-gon laughed.

"So you remember that do you? Well, you are curled up against my chest like a baby kunga in his father's pouch."

Obi-wan flushed and looked down, as if registering his position for the first time. "'Spose that's true", he mumbled sleepily and moved as if to settle down again.

"Oh no you don't. The sun is far too high in the sky to keep sleeping. We should do a morning meditation, we've missed it for a few days and it might settle us some." The padawan knew his Master was just being kind – nothing could ever rustle the big man, and Obi was positive his Master was not confused like he was. He silently cursed his ineptitude. "Bendo." With the quiet calling of his name Obi-wan knelt beside his Master and fell into meditation. He instantly felt his Master's reassuring presence and guidance in regaining his focus. He wrapped that reassurance around him and eased deeper into his meditative trance. He had no idea he had remained like that when he felt a nudge at his shields and he allowed himself to surface.

//That reminds me, Master, the other night I felt the presence of the B'disth at the edges of my shields. Not breaking through them, exactly, but still there.// Qui-gon was grinning at him, teeth and all. //Master?// The impossible grin just got wider.

//That is the first time you have called me 'Master' in some time. Indeed, it is the first time you have called me much of anything through our bond. It seems the meditation has helped your focus//

Oh. Right. His focus. Obi-wan sighed, and released most of his anxieties into the force. //I was afraid I would slip-up and call you the wrong thing. Again.//

//You are behaving exactly how you need to be for this mission, Padawan. Fear not. I too, have fallen prey to the way the B'disth are manipulating our emotions. I did have to teach you a new Serilian word today.//

Manipulation, right, the young Jedi thought sadly. That's all it really is. As if reading his thoughts, Qui-gon lifted his chin to meet eye to eye.

"Know this, little one. They cannot manipulate something that isn't there."
Obi-wan swallowed the very massive and sudden lump in his throat, and opened his mouth to speak but then quickly stopped. His eyes flew to the door and then back to Qui-gon.

//They are out there, Master. One of the B'disth. Right on the other side of the door.//

With lightening-fast Jedi reflexes, Qui-gon ripped open the door shocking the B'disth on the other side into stillness.

"What are you doing outside our door?" He tried to rein in and release his anger. If he looked too upset he might reveal that they knew more than they should. Sith be damned he was growing weary of these creatures playing with his padawan's heart as if it were a toy. Obi-wan must have sensed his Master's distress, probably a first for the youngling, for he crept to his side but remained slightly hidden behind his bigger form.

"Papa, is everything all right?" Qui-gon swallowed hard at the quiver in his voice. It was so slight it would have gone unnoticed by anyone less familiar with the boy, causing him to suspect that it was not at all for show. There is no emotion; there is peace.

"Everything is fine my Cai'lan." Sith, he had done it again. There is no passion; there is serenity. "Our friend was paying us an unwanted visit, but he was leaving now, correct?" A heavy glare worked far more than a force suggestion.