Choices

Rating: T+
Summary: Obi-Wan has a major decision to make concerning his future either with or without the Jedi
Disclaimer: All cannon characters are owned by the Great Flanneled One, and now Disney. All others are mine. I make no money off this.
Note: This is a sequel to The Crucible

Timeline: 40BBY

Speech: " "
Training Bond communications: /
Internal thoughts: italics

Chapter Twenty

Ironically enough Qui-Gon was not looking forward to the conversation he would have with Obi-Wan. Then again, it all depended on whether or not he and Eira spoke, or even did anything while they were stranded out in the wilderness. Although, he was pretty sure that Obi-Wan was too sick to really do anything.

Qui-Gon wound his way through the house once again. Nearing the room Obi-Wan was currently resting in, he paused, reaching out with the Force with a gentle nudge to see if he was awake yet. Almost immediately he got a response back, though it felt rather groggy. With a smile, he opened the door and looked inside.

Obi-Wan was alone, which was surprising. The lights were turned down low, while the computer monitors recording his vitals let off a bluish glow. "Padawan?" he kept his voice low as he stepped inside. When he was far enough away, the door closed automatically. With more movement in the room the lights came up. Even though the rash still covered his body, the open wounds had completely healed.

"Master?" Obi-Wan's voice was sluggish as he turned and looked towards him.

"It's good to see you awake," Qui-Gon gave him an amused smile.

The comment only made Obi-Wan huff in apparent exasperation, "It's good to be alive."

"That too."

After a yawn, Obi-Wan tried to push himself up into a more reclining position against the headboard, but his arm muscles were still too weak, at least at the moment. Qui-Gon leaned over and helped him before taking a step back. He turned around and found a chair for him to sit in.

Obi-Wan rolled his head towards Qui-Gon. "Did putting me under like that, work?"

"Yes, though I wasn't thrilled at all. You're still recovering. If something had gone wrong, then you'd be dead."

Looking down at his hands, Obi-Wan frowned. "You know, after being poisoned I feel differently about death in general. It's not as frightening as before." He paused as he turned to look back at Qui-Gon. "I, I felt Tahl." This eyes showed the sadness he still harbored for her loss. She was just as much a part of his life as Qui-Gon, especially because of the unspoken relationship the two masters had.

Qui-Gon leaned forward and placed a hand on his arm. "She will always be near because of the Force, never forget that Padawan." He leaned back in the chair, "But that's not why I'm here."

This time Obi-Wan's head jerked up, and his eyes widened for a moment before they narrowed. "Then why are you here?"

"Other than I'm here because you are my Padawan, there is something I think needs to be discussed."

Obi-Wan leaned his head against the headboard. "You make it sound like I'm in trouble."

Do I think of it that way? Qui-Gon pushed the thought from his mind. "No, Padawan. You are not in trouble at all. I just want to know your thoughts about the princess."

"Eira?" He paused, then shrugged, "I never thought of her that way."

"But she is one. I'm not sure how they do things here, if she's the Viceroy's official heir, then she would have some sort of title denoting that. I ask again, what are your thought on her?"

It was obvious that Obi-Wan looked guarded, he even sounded guarded. "I don't know. Like with the title I never thought about it. All I know, or knew was to make sure that she made it back here safely, even if I…died in the process."

"And I am proud of that, Obi-Wan. You are a boon to the Order. I've felt for the longest time that you will do great things once you…become a knight."

His hesitation made Obi-Wan's eyes narrow. "What are you talking about?"

"Viceroy Pedar believes that his daughter has become attached to you." There, it's done. Obi-Wan's reaction though, was not what he was expecting.

"Really?" Obi-Wan sputtered. "How, how can that happen? She's been annoyed with me, and my actions, more often than anything."

"Sometimes feelings for someone else is hidden behind annoyance and not wanting to be with that person." Qui-Gon sat back, watching Obi-Wan's reactions carefully, though when he opened up to the Force the confusion from him was obvious.

"I still don't understand. I did nothing to try to attract her attention." His voice lowered to a mumble, "I did what was required of me, distasteful as it was."

"I know you believe that, Padawan. But I still want to know your thoughts on her."

Obi-Wan shrugged, "She's okay."

"And you're certain."

This time Obi-Wan rolled his eyes. "This feels like an inquisition."

"Padawan, I need to make sure."

"What, that there's nothing between us? I can guarantee you there's nothing between us," Obi-Wan's voice lowered to a grumble.

Qui-Gon probed the Force once again, the confusion he sensed from Obi-Wan earlier had disappeared. It was now replaced by agitation. "Padawan, this is your future we're discussing."

"And I told you that there's nothing there." Obi-Wan frowned before continuing, "It sounds as if you think I'll leave the Order."

"Maybe you will, maybe you won't." Qui-Gon spread his hands. "I do think you need to speak with Eira about this."

This time Obi-Wan folded his arms. "Okay, Master. I'll talk to her. I still don't like being forced into a decision I wasn't even contemplating."

Qui-Gon nodded while he rose to his feet. As he reached the door he turned and looked at the younger Jedi. "I know you too well, Padawan. Plus, I don't mind hearing your thoughts privately, but in public settings there will be no insolence from you. You represent all Padawans of the Order wherever you go, and whatever you say can either put a good or bad spin on peoples thoughts concerning the Jedi." And with that he left Obi-Wan to his thoughts. He hated pushing Obi-Wan into an official decision. At the same time it needed to be made and the sooner the better.

Obi-Wan continued to grumble. Of course he would stay in the order, it was a given fact. It was the only thing he had ever known his entire life. Some time earlier when he had spent time in the creche he found out from Master Numa that he had been brought to the Temple when he was maybe a week old. Stating that this was all he ever knew was a given fact. To have Qui-Gon insinuate that he might leave it all behind was preposterous.

With nothing else to do, he slid back down and closed his eyes. It bothered him that he tired out so easily. Even when he was sick, it was never this bad. With a sigh he thought he could sink down into some much needed sleep, but the Force wasn't allowing him, either that or he could tell someone was approaching. At least he was paying much more attention to the promptings he received. Reaching out was easy while he was wielding his lightsaber, but when he wasn't in that type of situation it was much more difficult.

The presence paused at the door and then entered the room. "Are you awake?" Eira's voice floated across the room. Apparently she thought he was asleep and kept her voice low, not wanting to bother him.

Of course I'm awake. Though he kept the thought to himself, he waited for a few moments but kept his eyes closed.

"I know you're awake," this time her voice held a smile.

Obi-Wan startled. How had she known he was awake? He had shown no signs. "Yes," he finally answered while now looking towards her. Her clothing was a burgundy color with a paisley pattern across it.

A slow smile spread across her face. "Good. I hoped I wouldn't bother you, or wake you." After a moment she took a hesitant step inside the room.

"Why are you here?" Obi-Wan dared not try and push himself back into a more seated position. With what little strength he had he didn't want her to have to help him.

Eira moved over to the chair Qui-Gon had recently vacated and looked down at her hands. "I…I wanted to see you before you leave."

"I suspect it'll be some time before I'm healthy enough to travel back to Coruscant," Obi-Wan gave her a lopsided smile.

Her reaction was not what he expected. Her bright eyes glistened and she beamed with happiness. It made his insides constrict for a moment, though at the same time he really liked seeing her this happy. Maybe I do like her…no, no I don't…. Mentally he shook his head. What really irked him though was that now with them being in the same room, and having this conversation he had this sense that Qui-Gon was probably right.

She clumsily reined in her emotions. "Sorry. I know you're going to leave, it's just that I can't help but be glad that you'll still be here…at least for now."

"Do you want me to stay?" Obi-Wan's eyes widened when he realized what he said. "I…wait…I don't really mean that."

Eira's eyes widened. "Please don't ask me that." She shook her head. "You are a Jedi. It's your life. I'm only glad that I was able to be near you, even though it wasn't right the way I treated you during the time you've been here. Do you understand?" She reached out a hand to touch his arm, then drew it back. "Even if you never contact me, I'll be all right."

Before she could pull her hand all the way back, Obi-Wan snaked his out and grasped it. He gave it a squeeze before letting it go. "I would like to try and keep in touch, though I'm not sure how well that will play out. We are sent on missions that can last for months at a time. And it can be very dangerous."

She snorted, "Don't remind me about the dangers that Jedi encounter. You were almost killed here. So, yes, I know all about it." She paused, this time frowning, "I never did thank you for what you did. I only wish I wizened up sooner rather than when you were dying."

Obi-Wan thought about answering, but decided not to. "It's okay." He turned away from her. The decision had been made, he would be heading back to Coruscant. Inside he felt a hollowness. "I wish Master Qui-Gon wasn't right more often than not," he mumbled.

"What was that?"

He turned to look back towards her. "Nothing of importance…dear."

Close to a month later, and just as the sun was peaking over the horizon, a small group emerged from the large house where Marlote's Viceroy lived and went towards the ship that was now resting on the lawn. It was a rare sight indeed for a ship to lift off from this particular area, but not unprecedented. Most of the time when Tomas would leave to visit other parts of his realm he had a ship land in the open space. The reason for that was twofold: practicality and safety.

With most of Marlote's security forces on the southern border with Berland, no one wanted to have any type of sabotage. It's not that they worried about the people who lived within the realm that Marlote controlled, but for the men and women to the south. Their bloody civil war was raging, and everyone was worried that the violence would spill over the border. Not only that but many who lived in the border regions were sympathetic to Berland's plight. It was those citizens who thought more highly of their southern neighbor, but refused to move there because of the freedoms and everything else available to buy where they were.

It was Arawn's iron control over his people that kept Berland relatively peaceful. With that now removed it reverted into more of a tribal society where strong men seized power in their local area. It was almost to the point that the once semi-powerful dukedom would dissolve into small petty kingdoms. Ironically enough the more it broke apart the more stable Marlote became.

On reaching the transport the group separated, letting the two Jedi come forward. Behind them was the Viceroy. On reaching the ramp the two turned and bowed their heads in respect.

"I wish to thank you for your services here Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi. If it weren't for your actions we wouldn't be in a more stable position."

Qui-Gon kept his voice low. "Berland needs help."

"But they refuse. I suspect it's more out of pride than anything else." Tomas shrugged. "They have no idea that we are here and ready for them with an open hand if they so ask for that help."

Qui-Gon smiled then bowed his head. "Don't force it on them. It will only draw them further away."

"Oh, I won't." Tomas came near and lowered his voice so that only Qui-Gon could hear, "I have enough to worry about with Marlote. I don't want my people, and realm, to dissolve into the same petty arguments." He took a step back, bringing his voice back up to a more normal level, "If we have any more issues, I plan on contacting the Jedi Council once again. And if it is at all possible, maybe even request for you to come back."

Qui-Gon smiled while glancing over to Obi-Wan. "Your Highness, I'm not sure if that particular request would be granted or not. It would depend on whomever is available at that point."

Qui-Gon and then Obi-Wan bowed in respect as farewells were offered before the two Jedi turned and entered their transport to leave the now semi-peaceful planet. Their jobs were completed, but it was difficult to tell if the peace would remain, or not. Only time would tell.

finis