Chapter Title: Journey

Series Title: Turn the Page

Chapter Summary: Obi-Wan POV. During a mission, a nasty headache sidelines Obi-Wan temporarily until it leads to one of first great successes in the art of negotiation.

As headaches went, this one was determined. I'd tried to force it away,

but it was unrelenting. I hadn't mastered healing powers and with the exhaustion of recent days, I was fortunate to be standing under my own power. Battling a pack of enormous and angry Reeks had not been my idea of fun, despite Master Qui-Gon's fascination of facing something he'd never seen in person before. Spewing a long list of facts about the beasts at the same time they were trying to crush our skulls was typical Qui-Gon. He made a lesson of everything. Every situation. Often he would test me on those lessons after the fact. I'd been spared this time by a multitude of injuries including a head wound that just wouldn't stop bleeding.

Two days after the Reek battle, I had healed my minor injuries. The more serious I continued to work on as we took respite in our assigned quarters, courtesy of Duchess Graceen. The headache stemming from the bleeding wound refused to relent and I struggled greatly that evening during the formal dinner with the Duchess. So much so that I had to excuse myself midway through.

"He is still recovering from the Reek attack two days ago, Duchess." I'd heard Qui-Gon say in my defense as I walked away. It was unheard of here to refuse dinner with the prime leader, or worse, to actually walk out from an invited meal, but I'd really had no other choice. The brightness of the dining room was enough that I could barely keep my eyes open to see the dinner plate before me. The pain was that intense. That sharp. That debilitating.

When Qui-Gon found me an hour later, I was in our assigned quarters, curled up on the small sofa rubbing fingers into my temple to try and curtail some of the pain. At a minimum it would be nice to be partially functional, but the pain had gotten so horrible at one point that tears crept from the corners of my tightly closed eyes.

Grateful that he said nothing upon entering and that he kept the room lighting dimmed, I hadn't even the energy to greet him. There was a small mug in his hand that he pushed my way. I took it and sipped. There was little taste, but I tried to force it all down.

"A locally-farmed herbal tea," he said quietly. "The Duchess swears by it. Will it help, I don't know. She was concerned."

Concerned that I'd run out on her dinner I had guessed, though Qui-Gon corrected that thought before I could verbalize the words.

"I explained you were ill. She sends her wishes and offers her best healer if needed."

A healer wouldn't help this head pain. It was the kind of pain that you wanted to run away from; hide under a bed with a pillow over me until it dissipated. That, however would've been unacceptable and completely un-Jedi like. So instead, I sat fighting the invisible pain in a small dark room on uncomfortable furniture.

The tea finished, Qui-Gon took the cup before sitting at my side. Not being the most emotionally open person I'd ever known, he did have his moments. Those moments usually came when I was less than myself. Times like now. An arm reached around my shoulder and tugged me toward him until I rested mostly against his chest. How much I felt like giving in and allowing tears to sting my face, I was so close. But instead I pushed myself hard into the Force to meet what Qui-Gon was offering. He knew how much I hurt.

After long moments, the Force pulsed around us, entrancing me into rest.

"I've advised the Duchess that you will not be attending any meetings or meals tomorrow." Qui-Gon said quietly.

I wanted to protest, I tried to protest. Qui-Gon kept me still, not permitting my effort to stand upright, assuring me without words that I was neither letting down my Jedi training, the mission, nor myself. Rest was what I needed. Rest and time. I succumbed to that understanding.

"There is no failure here, Obi-Wan. Sometimes the limits of being human overrule even the Force. It does happen. It will happen again." He set a hand on the bandage on my head. "I don't feel any fresh bleeding, but before you sleep, I want to change the wrap."

That would be something, I thought, because sleep was descending hard. I was as comfortable as I'd been in several days and had no desire to move. My head rotated in what I hoped was a general idea of 'no' against Qui-Gon's chest.

Message received.

"All right. I won't make you move. We'll let the bandage sit until you wake. I suppose this means you don't want to sleep in your bed."

Another attempt at 'no' in my now semi-conscious state. I wasn't sure why he kept talking to me, especially since he was the catalyst behind forcing me into sleep. Whatever the reason though, I was glad of his presence and that he'd not stayed the entire dinner before returning to quarters. The Duchess apparently had sympathy for me and allowed his leaving once that next hour had passed. Qui-Gon excelled at swaying people to his side. Maybe I'd helped with how pathetically horrible I'd appeared at the table. I only hoped she would forgive me for something where I had no control.

I must have been projecting something because Qui-Gon hushed me then. "You're thinking too much, Padawan. I can feel it. Whatever your thoughts, quiet them. Allow the Force to wash over you." My ability to do such a thing at a moment's notice was still somewhat of a struggle. Qui-Gon could do it in an instant. He assured me the ability would come once I learned better to relax and not feed into my own anxieties.

My anxieties now were dulled as my last stream of consciousness battled for survival. That one tendril of my brain that couldn't quite bring itself to shut down. I've no idea why it hung on like it did, but it would lose the war. Qui-Gon would make certain of that as he relaxed deeper into the Force, taking me with it.

—-

I wasn't certain what my brain was expecting when I woke the next day, but it being the day after the next, was not it. I'd been out for an extended period. I'd slept through an entire day and into the one after.

"Welcome back to consciousness, Padawan." My master's greeting as he sat on the edge of my bed. I stared at the bed, wondering to myself how I'd made it here. Qui-Gon was seconds ahead of my thoughts. "Two hours after you finally slept, I moved you. The Duchess sent her handmaiden with more tea and extra blankets. Apparently, after seeing the security holo's, she is quite taken with your courage from the Reek battle that helped to protect her people. So much so that she holds no insult from you having

left her dinner the other evening. You've made an impression on a hard politician in just over two weeks and one severe head injury later. Well done, Obi-Wan."

A rare smirk from Qui-Gon as he patted my knee and encouraged me to get up. "Come. I have breakfast." As I shifted my legs off the bed, my hand reached for my head bandage. Nothing. I felt nothing.

"I changed the wrap once, then removed it last night. It is finally on it's way to healing."

Dragging myself out of the bed and around the short corner, I sat at the table and happily ingested the welcoming breakfast, when a chime at the door startled me. I was in a relaxed and extremely wrinkled sleep tunic. My short hair was plastered in a variety of different directions. My face probably had creases from being nailed to a pillow for over twenty-four hours. Basically, I was a mess and assuming that our visitor was only a guard or handmaiden.

The door slid open.

I had assumed wrong. It was neither a guard nor a handmaiden. It was Duchess Graceen herself.

Ugh. Perfect.

I stood immediately and offered a sincere bow, hoping she would look past my attire, general appearance and my bare feet. She didn't. She noticed every detail of the wreck that was currently Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The surprising part was, she didn't care.

"Please sit, Jedi Kenobi. I am pleased to see you well. Master Jinn kept me apprised of your condition."

"I did," Qui-Gon inserted, standing at my side. "It did him well to sleep, allowing the body to regenerate and for the Force to aid him in healing."

"How is the headache, Jedi Kenobi?" She asked me.

The headache. That pain that was practically splitting me in half not long ago. It was... not gone, but better. "Much improved, my lady, thank you for your concern." I bowed again.

"Excellent news. If you and Master Jinn would join me for lunch, I would like to discuss the finalization of the two ordinances that I will present before the people soon. There has been no sign of the Ayllu and their Reeks to oppose any further. In fact, their leader reached out to me late last night. He is willing to hear what the ordinances propose so that he can determine if it will be to the Ayllu satisfaction. I believe it will. I have taken all citizens into consideration, even those who so often oppose us."

"You are rare leader, Duchess, to truly consider all under your reign." I said, still feeling self conscious about my appearance.

"Actually, Jedi Kenobi, the people may well have you to thank should this legislation be approved and passed. Your reasoning and negotiating on their behalf prior to your confrontation with the Reeks is partially responsible for changes that I made prior to presenting these. Your Master Jinn has taught you well. You are young, but you have maturity and composure with the reasoning behind your negotiation skills. You have a bright future, I see."

I bowed again. As I did, I felt a slight heat in my face, flushing at the compliment. A negotiator, I was not. Not yet. But Qui-Gon was one of the best in the order. If I couldn't learn those skills from him, I couldn't learn them.

"You are most kind, Duchess."

Her back straightened and heels clicked together. "Very well then. I will expect you both promptly at lunch time in my office. Good morning to you both. Master Jinn. Jedi Kenobi."

Yes, I bowed once more which was beginning to make me dizzy. Qui-Gon caught my arm on my way back up. Duchess Graceen disappeared as the door swished closed behind her. Qui-Gon stared at me, eyes moving from my sleep-hair to my bare feet. With a shrug, he turned back to breakfast, taking a seat and pointing me to my own chair.

"You do make quite the impression, Padawan."

I smirked as I rubbed at my head. "A joke? Master, that's not like you. Perhaps I could start a new uniform phase with the other padawans. Just crawl out of bed and there you go! Ready for the day."

He glared at me, but there was amusement behind the blue eyes. I was only sixteen, but in our three years as a team, Qui-Gon had come to, if not appreciate, then at least accept my sharp wit and sense of humor. It was one of many ways we did not match as a master-apprentice pair, but it also was one of many reasons why we did.

"Eat your breakfast and then see if you can get yourself to appear human again. We will take a walk around the city before lunch. I want you to sharpen yourself before then."

Sharpen. Code for he was going to test me during the entire time we were in town. I'd be ready.

—-

"Tell me the colors of dress you saw." Qui-Gon said. We'd spent ten minutes passing through the first city section. My head ached slightly,

but nothing that would keep me from remembering my immediate surroundings.

"Purple mostly. The majority color of the Duchess' reign. Muted greens and yellows also. The old woman with the limp had a hat of ten various colors. And the bashful child that giggled and hid from you, she had dark braided hair with a purple flower."

"Guards and weapons?"

"Two guards per block. Some citizens carry stunners. The tall man with the blue braids holstered three of them. I sensed no danger from him however. Oh and before you ask, yes, I did notice the three Ayllu eyeing me from the dark corner. I am hopeful they truly are coming with peace and an open mind. If I have to battle another Reek..."

"I sense calm from them. Nicely done, Obi-Wan."

More testing. More lessons ahead as we wandered through the other sections of the city. We arrived back at quarters an hour before lunch. To clean up and for me to rest for a short time. The headache was a touch more pronounced, but I attributed it to the bright sun and being in it for the last three hours. Qui-Gon lead me in meditation for thirty minutes after returning to quarters.

Our lunch with the Duchess was long and thoughtful. She and Qui-Gon poured over the proposed bills, adjusting and amending several items. As the last part of the process, she presented them to me to review.

I'd been sitting quietly and observing, raising my eyebrows in surprise. "My lady?"

"I want a third party view, so to speak. You are young and may see things that we in the older generation might not appreciate. Read them over and advise if you see anything of issue. Do not be shy about bringing such to my attention either, young man."

She presented the unofficial documents to me via her data-pad. The final charters would be in paper form, such was the history of their people, but until affirmed and passed, everything was done electronically. Flashing a quick look at Qui-Go and receiving approval, I began a detailed reading of the soon-to-be-enacted laws.

An hour in, the second bill, I'd read a portion of it three times over. There was an issue there, something not quite right. So, doing as Qui-Gon

had taught me when dealing with the uncertainty of an issue of most importance, I closed his eyes, drew on the Force and sat quietly for long moments until... there...

I saw what I was after.

"My lady, this item seventeen-c regarding the Ayllu and their right for a seat at the table or any discussions that concern the welfare of their people and their beasts, the Reeks."

Lady Graceen's sharp green eyes narrowed. "The Reeks are very dangerous creatures. You were victim to that, Jedi Kenobi."

"Yes, Duchess, I was. But the creatures were defending their people as the Ayllu were defending their right to be heard. The Reeks saw Master Qui-Gon and I as a threat. They acted defensively. Protectively. I could feel it within them. I believe this should be amended to protect those creatures as long as the Reeks are not creating harm to the people. The Ayllu and the Reeks work as one. It is quite remarkable actually. To not offer protection for them would be an insult to the Ayllu and I do not believe they will accept this as it is currently written."

A momentary pause before she spoke next, taking in every word of what I'd presented. "Interesting. You said that you could feel the Reeks?"

"Yes, my lady."

Qui-Gon, observing from me the side, motioned himself into the conversation. "Obi-Wan has a strong Force connection to some creatures. At times, He can get a solid sense of that they feel. I too felt from the Reeks the need to defend their people. We only wish we'd felt it sooner to avoid what happened. Obi-Wan?"

"Yes, Master. Duchess. I feel strongly that this section must be amended to avoid future confusion about the Ayllu and their beasts."

"Very well." Her agreeing came quickly. Surprising me, then immediately putting me on the spot once more. "How exactly do you propose this be amended then?"

Having already thought this through, I was ready for her challenge. Smiling, I pushed closer to the planetary leader and edited the language until it represented fairness for all.

Long moments of thought and several re-readings later, the Duchess approved my changes. "I believe this to be fair, to the Allyu and their beasts. Yes. I see it now. This is good for all. This is right. I will take these final versions to my team for review and signing."

We all stood.

"Master Jinn. Jedi Kenobi. I am most grateful to you both. The ceremony will happen in two days. The Ayllu leader will be presented with a final draft and his people... and their Reeks... will be invited for that ceremony. I wish you to stay and observe. You are my guests. Do you accept?"

There was no hesitation. Qui-Gon bowed. "We would be pleased to stay and observe. Thank you for your hospitality."

"I will see you then. In two days. Until then, I will have one of my pilots take you anywhere you wish."

Qui-Gon and I escorted themselves from the office and back toward quarters. Qui-Gon set a hand on my shoulder. "You did well, Obi-Wan. And you stood up for a people and a creature that caused great harm to you. Few others would have cared enough to do so, or even think to do so. An impressive negotiator you will make yet."

"I suppose, Master, that negotiating is perhaps not as boring as I thought it was."

"Ah, life is only as boring as you make it. Remember that."

"Yes, Master. Might we take the Duchess up on her offer? I would quite like to explore the countryside. The landscape is stunning here."

"Indeed we can."

—-

The ride to the countryside on a float-speeder was not only stunningly beautiful, but peaceful and relaxing. "The living Force is immense here, Padawan. Open yourself to it." Qui-Gon was a master of the living Force, whereas I still had trouble fully experiencing it, despite my connection with some animals. Qui-Gon would immerse himself into the plants and trees, bugs and critters, sharing strength with them. Sharing life with them. Rejoicing in the feeling.

And this place... I could see. I could feel it. This place was magical for him.

We sat on a hillside after the pilot dropped us off, and meditated for two restful hours. At this point, even I too felt the draw of the living Force. Not as powerfully as Qui-Gon, but it was there. It was extraordinarily comforting once I allowed myself to be open enough.

"Master. I am grateful we could help the people here. This planet truly is wonderful." My eyes opened to see the crystal clear blue sky, the green hills and yellow-orange grasses all around.

"You felt what I did, Obi-Wan." Not a question. He knew. He'd directed me toward it.

"Yes, Master. It's easy to get lost here. I wish that our initiation to the planet - our battle with the Reeks - had never happened. Well, my head certainly wishes that, but we would have been able to appreciate this much sooner."

"Perhaps we will stay then, even beyond the ceremony. A few days of post-mission rest... to complete your recovery, should the Council inquire." He passed a short wink in my direction.

I wasn't always comfortable with Qui-Gon's rule-breaking ways, but he'd get no argument from me on this one.

—-

Two days. The ceremony. The Ayllu leader was careful and precise in his reading of the new legislation. There was no smile, Ayllu were not known for their facial displays to demonstrate joy or happiness. Instead, the leader along with his second and third commands, stood precisely two steps from the Duchess, knelt to one knee, tapped their vibro-staff's five times onto the royal floor and led their people into a brief chant that was chorused with distant roars of the Reeks tarried just beyond the main gate of the city.

Approval. Acceptance. The Ayllu and their creatures were now and forever legitimate members of the society at large.

Qui-Gon set a hand on my shoulder. I had done this. Created this, at least in part. This success. This coming together of people who were different, but who should be accepted for all that they were.

A soft smile crossed my face and I felt a welling of pride creeping upwards.

"One of many successful negotiations to come in your future, Padawan. Of this I know. It's alright to take pride in what you did here. I am immensely proud of you and once the Duchess releases us, we will spend the next three days enjoying all this planet has to offer. She has already granted us permission to continue to stay within our palace quarters as her guests along with access to either a pilot or a vehicle of our own use."

"I believe that three days will be the perfect amount of time for me to... ah, recover, Master."

"Indeed."

A concluding and abbreviated speech by Duchess Graceen brought the ceremony to a rousing end. I marveled, not for the first time, at the display of honor and fairness that the Duchess had been open to and accepting of. These citizens, they were fortunate to have such a leader. I did hope they understood that fortune; one that a vast number of cities and planets would never claim.

The Duchess offered a small inclination of her crowned-head in our direction; a almost imperceptible motion that officially released Qui-Gon and I from our duty. Mission officially over.

Our next days were spent in relaxation. Exploring. Learning more about the Living Force. Eating the most delicious of decadent foods. It was some of the most enjoyable and beneficial time I had ever spent with Master Qui-Gon.

I'd begun this journey with a battle against beasts that left me literally in tears of pain.

From there, I'd somehow managed to successfully negotiate for the safety and inclusion of those same beasts into society.

The journey ended in peace and tranquility within not only the Force, but in the intense beauty of this breathtaking planet.

An odd path to proclaiming mission success, but in the end, one I was proud of and would remember as my travels with Qui-Gon continued.

END