Iyla catches the latest bout of flu that is going around the creche. Obi-Wan admits he has no idea what he's doing. A certain Force Ghost appears to sooth both of his little ones.

Also I'm pretty sure there is no such things as the Dagobah Flu but I made it up because I really wanted Iyla to call it the Dragon Balls Flu so I could giggle inappropriately like a 12-year-old.

Chapter 22: Dagobah Flu

It started when they forgot Barney in their quarters. They had been in a hurry and running late that morning. Iyla was unusually uncooperative and whiny and didn't want to eat any of the breakfast Obi-Wan had made. She insisted on eating a pastry only and had argued with Obi-Wan for ten minutes when he told her she can't only have sugar and jam for breakfast. They compromised on toast and milk but Iyla pouted the whole time she ate. By the time she was finished, Obi-Wan had less than 15 minutes before he had to be at a Council meeting and he still had to drop Iyla off at the crèche. This resulted in a lightning quick 'fresher routine for both of them and the hasty pulling on of tunics and boots as they nearly ran out the door.

Barney's absence wasn't truly felt until naptime. Iyla refused to sleep without Barney and Master Terrol kept trying to reach Obi-Wan through his comm to come bring the bantha to the crèche. Obi-Wan was deep into a Council meeting however and couldn't answer. Master Terrol offered the girl a number of stuffie alternatives but Iyla just stomped her feet and shook her head while crying. Master Alann let her sleep with the Mon Calamari stuffie from the toy box, the one Iyla liked to play with because it reminded her of her Papa's best friend, Master Eerin. It wasn't the same as Barney but Iyla finally settled for it. She still couldn't get her sobs to slow down enough to sleep so Master Alann had to use a very slight sleep suggestion to calm her down and get her to take her nap.

Without the security and familiarity that Barney brought to naptime, Iyla didn't end up resting well at all. She also woke up to realize that she'd had an accident and was inconsolable. She'd never had an accident during naptime at the crèche before and she hadn't wet her bed in months. She felt ashamed and like a failure after she'd been doing so well. Master Alann had taken her to change and reassured her many times that no one was angry and that accidents happen to everyone and there was no reason to be embarrassed. Thankfully Moreck and his cronies hadn't seen it so there was no teasing and her friends were all very kind and comforting afterward.

Iyla was still tired even after her nap and played with less enthusiasm than normal. She barely ate at snack time and merely sat and stared in the crèche gardens, not interested in the slightest in the flowers and running around in the grass like she normally would. Master Terrol watched her with concerned eyes and tried to get her engaged in a group activity. Iyla perked up a bit when she was playing the game and seemed to have fun with the other crèchelings. When they came back inside though, she retreated to her place against the wall with her friends and sat quietly as they played around her.

"Iyla's been a bit off today," Master Terrol remarked to Alann. "Have you noticed?"

"Yes, I have. She's usually such a bright and happy child but today she seems…dim," he remarked.

"Could she be ill?" Terrol asked, looking at the girl closely from across the room.

"It's possible. Obi-Wan mentioned that they had a rough morning and Iyla was whiny and uncooperative. Perhaps she isn't feeling well. I'll take her aside and check for a fever," Master Alann replied.

Iyla didn't have a fever, according to the thermometer in the crèche "nurse" area. But Master Alann did notice she was paler and quieter than usual. She could still not be feeling well without a fever. He let her go back to her friends but made sure to keep an eye on her for the rest of the afternoon.

Obi-Wan came to retrieve her a few hours later, by which time Iyla had finally started to engage in playing with her friends, even if it was half-heartedly. She put up a fuss about leaving and having to stop playing. She even pulled her hand out of her father's grasp when he started leading her away. Obi-Wan frowned but regripped her hand and pulled her along anyway. They stopped at her cubby to pick up her backpack and were approached by Master Alann who handed Obi-Wan the now clean clothes that Iyla had worn that morning. Obi-Wan hadn't even noticed she'd changed, so focused on getting her to leave without a meltdown.

"Just a small accident at naptime. No big deal," Master Alann said as he handed the extra clothes to Obi-Wan who put them in her backpack.

Iyla was hiding her face in Obi-Wan's robes as she clutched his leg with one hand and knuckled her teary eyes with the other. She sniffled and stifled a small sob. Obi-Wan ran a hand through her hair to comfort her and sent her love and affection through the Force to calm her anxiety.

"Iyla's had a bit of an off day," Master Alann told Obi-Wan. "She didn't seem interested in playing, or in eating snack. Naptime was very rough. The absence of Barney really affected her. I had to use a slight suggestion to get her to calm down enough to sleep."

"Absence of Barney?" Obi-Wan asked, looking confused. He opened the backpack again, sifting through the extra clothes but couldn't find the stuffed bantha anywhere in there.

"We forgotted him in the rooms, Papa," Iyla said. "Masser Tewwul twied to call you, but you not answer," she pouted a little.

"I'm sorry, darling. I was in a meeting and had my comm turned off."

"You always in a meeting," Iyla frowned and huffed.

Obi-Wan's brows furrowed and he shared a look with Master Alann. This fussy behavior was very confusing and something he'd never seen from her before.

Master Alann leaned in to talk to him in a low voice. "Terrol and I think she might not be feeling well. She didn't have a fever when I checked but that doesn't necessarily mean that she isn't ill. You might want to keep an eye on her. There's a flu going around the younglings, and while we've managed to isolate and contain it, there's always the possibility that it could have spread further."

"Thank you for letting me know, Ali. I'll look out for it," Obi-Wan replied with a bow. Master Alann bowed back and bid them good evening with a wave and a smile to Iyla who gave him a half-hearted goodbye.

Obi-Wan took Iyla to the dining hall for dinner, hoping to get her to eat something, thinking she'd feel better if she had something proper to eat besides snacks and toast from breakfast. Perhaps she was just hungry. Master Alann had mentioned that she didn't want to eat snack, but Obi-Wan figured he'd give dinner a shot.

He set Iyla up at a table with Anakin and Ahsoka, who were actually in the dining hall for once, and went to go get food. He returned to find Depa, Plo, and Kit sitting with them as well and greeted them all cheerfully. He set Iyla's plate in front of her and indicated for her to start eating. Iyla looked at the food and whined, moving her plate to the side and shaking her head. Obi-Wan sighed and pushed the plate towards her again giving her a warning look. Iyla glared at him and crossed her arms.

"Iyla, eat," Obi-Wan said sternly.

"Don't wanna," she pouted.

"Iyla, it isn't up for discussion. Eat," he repeated.

Iyla shook her head and stubbornly pursed her lips shut then turned away.

"Iyla Kenobi," Obi-Wan said. "I don't know what's gotten into you today but you are going to eat your dinner, now," he warned her.

She turned teary and dejected eyes to him but finally started to pick at the food on her plate.

The rest of the occupants at the table tried not to look interested in the exchange. None of them had witnessed Obi-Wan needing to be firm and discipline Iyla before. Probably because it hadn't really been needed up until this point. The whole situation was very unusual. Obi-Wan looked at them all as they pretended to look other places in the room and felt the need to say something.

"We had a bit of a rough morning that unfortunately has resulted in a rough day."

Anakin shrugged nonchalantly. "It's alright. Everyone has rough days," he said and winked at Iyla.

Iyla gave him a half smile in return and went back to picking at her food. Obi-Wan looked concerned to see that she'd only taken a few bites.

"You don't want anymore, little one?" he asked. "You can't have a dessert if you don't finish your food. That's our rule, remember?"

"Don't care. My tummy not like it," she replied. "Yucky."

"It's not yucky, dear. But does your stomach hurt?" he asked.

"Kinda," she said quietly.

"Are you feeling ill? Master Alann mentioned that you might not be feeling well."

"Dunno," Iyla answered with a shrug. "Seepy. Wanna go home to Bawney."

Obi-Wan sighed and gathered up her plate. He watched her curiously as she laid her head on the table and made small talk with Anakin and Depa, a glassy look in her eyes. Perhaps she was ill. She certainly wasn't acting normal. Something had to be wrong. He quickly returned to the table and started to bid them all good evening. They all got up to leave as well and decided to walk together back to the living quarters section of the temple.

Iyla was leaning against Obi-Wan's side as they walked and he talked with his friends. He reached down to rub Iyla's hair again then stopped short in alarm. The heat radiating from her forehead was very concerning. The rest of the group stopped as well, wondering what could have caused him to pause mid-stride. Obi-Wan knelt down in front of Iyla and put a hand to her forehead and cheeks, feeling warmth and clammy skin.

"Darling! You're burning up," he said. "You really aren't feeling well, are you?"

Iyla shook her head silently.

"Does anything hurt besides your stomach, love?" he asked.

Iyla nodded and pointed to her head.

"Your head? Well, that's probably because of the fever. Is anything else feeling bad?"

Iyla opened her mouth to tell him but ended up vomiting all down her front and all over the ground. Obi-Wan was lucky enough to avoid the mess, but now had to comfort a hysterical and sick 4-year-old who was crying loudly, the sound echoing off the walls in the hallway.

"Oh, dear heart. Shhh, it's ok, you're alright. It's not your fault you're sick, little one."

"S-sowwy I f-frowed up, Papa! My t-tummy huwts and I n-not feel vewy good!"

"Don't apologize, young one," Depa said in a soothing voice. "You couldn't help it."

"Master Billaba is right, Iyla. You don't need to be sorry for not feeling well," he said, taking out a handkerchief to wipe at her mouth and hands. "Master Alann was right. You are ill. I should have known as soon as you started acting out. And when you didn't eat your food. That's not like you, darling," Obi-Wan said.

Iyla hiccupped and continued to cry. "Made a m-mess, Papa. On the fl-floor and my clothes! And, and I a'ready changed my cl-clothes acause of my a-assident at naptime and now I…I ruined my l-last ones!"

"You have plenty of other clothes in our quarters, love. No harm done. Clothes can be washed."

"As for the floor," Master Plo spoke up, "We will call someone to clean it. It's not a problem."

"Do you think Iyla has that flu that's been going around the crèche, Master Obi-Wan?" Ahsoka asked. "I wasn't allowed to volunteer last week because of it."

"That is very possible, Ahsoka. Master Alann said they'd isolated the children who were infected and tried their best to contain it, but it still might have spread."

"Perhaps a visit to the Healing Halls might be a good idea," Kit suggested. "I'm sure Healer Che would be interested to know that there's been another case."

Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, I'll comm Vokara, however I think I'll take Iyla home first and see how she feels after some rest. But if she gets worse, we'll have to take a trip to the Halls."

Their discussion was interrupted by a pained moaning and whimpering sound from Iyla who had her arms wrapped around her stomach. "It huwts, Papa," she said, tears trailing down her cheeks.

"Oh, my poor little one. Let's get you home and in bed, ok? Do you feel like you might get sick again?"

"Dunno. Maybe."

"Alright, well let's get going then. If you do throw up again I won't be mad, darling. But hopefully we can get to the 'fresher before that happens. Come on," he said, hoisting her up in his arms.

Iyla rested her warm and clammy forehead against his neck and brought her thumb to her mouth. Obi-Wan had been trying to break her of the habit, but he didn't have the heart to make her stop at the moment. She was sick and in pain and she needed the comfort. Instead of taking the thumb out of her mouth, he rubbed her cheek and stroked her sweaty hair. He didn't give a second thought to his own tunics being soiled by her vomit-stained ones, more concerned with comforting his poor little light.

"Feel better, kiddo," Anakin said.

"Fank you," Iyla mumbled around her thumb then closed her eyes.

Obi-Wan nodded at his friends and gave them a half-bow, which they all returned, then headed to his quarters to put his sick little one to bed.

"Thank you for letting me know, Obi-Wan," Vokara Che's voice said over the comm. "I'll tell Master Alann to check on Iyla's friends and keep an eye out for more cases. It's best if you isolate Iyla in your quarters to prevent it from spreading."

"Thank you. You know how crèchelings share everything. It would definitely be good to check on Shona, Flynn, and Nari."

"Of course. But, Obi-Wan, just to give you a heads up, the Dagobah Flu can be a nasty one and this strain seems to be pretty bad. Hydration and rest are very important. Keep an eye on the fever as well. It can spike quickly so regular cool baths might be needed. And please, be sure to call me if her fever gets too high and she gets worse. We can treat her here if we need to."

"I will, Vokara, thank you for your help. Good luck with the other sick little ones. Tell Bant that I said may the Force and the cleaning droids be with her," he snarked.

Healer Che scoffed. "Yes, I'm sure she'll appreciate that. You two, I swear, just as bad as younglings," she grumbled.

"Goodbye, Vokara," he called then closed the comm to cut off her grumbling.

"I gots the Dwagon Balls Flu, Papa?" Iyla's sleepy voice said from the bed. She was snuggling Barney and looking content now that her stuffed friend was in her arms again.

"Dagobah, dear. And yes, it's been going around to many other kids in the crèche as well. But it will only last a few days, then you'll be back to your bright, happy, and sassy self, driving your poor Papa crazy," he said, running his beard against her cheek to get a giggle out of her.

"Now, you're all set up in bed. We have the wastebasket on the floor if you need to throw up again and I gave you some of the fever reducer that Master Terrol brought by. Get some rest, love, and you'll feel better. I'm going to be just out in the living room so call me if you need me, darling, ok?" Obi-Wan said, kneeling by the bed and rubbing her back to help her fall asleep.

"Kay," Iyla mumbled drowsily with her eyes closed. Obi-Wan smiled affectionately and got up from the floor. He tip-toed to the door and made sure the small nightlight in the corner was on before shutting off the lights and heading to the living room to make some tea.

Qui-Gon Jinn's blue translucent form appeared in his former Padawan's living room just past 2 am. He knew it was late and an odd time to visit but he felt the Force nudging him to go. He appeared in his usual armchair and looked around the quarters curiously. The 'fresher light was on, he could see it under the crack in the door, and the door to Obi-Wan's bedroom was propped open with the light on in there as well.

He could hear quiet sounds coming from the 'fresher and listened carefully. There was faint crying and hiccupping followed by some shushing and a muffled deep voice. Qui-Gon frowned curiously. Clearly there was something wrong and the two Kenobis were not asleep as they should be.

The 'fresher door slid open and Obi-Wan emerged carrying a sniffling and wet-haired Iyla, rubbing her back and whispering in her ear.

"Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon spoke up quietly.

Obi-Wan jumped, startled by his voice. He relaxed when he saw his Master.

"Is this a bad time?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Yes, Master, I need to…" he trailed off and stroked his beard in thought. "Actually, this works out well. Iyla can sit with you while I clean up."

Qui-Gon took in Obi-Wan's disheveled appearance, the slight stains on his sleep tunic, and the bags under his eyes. His hair was standing up on end, as if he'd been running his hands through it many times and his face looked haggard, showing signs of interrupted sleep and a hard night.

"Here, darling. Sit with Grandpa Qui and I'll be back, alright," Obi-Wan said, sitting the just as haggard looking child on the couch with a colorfully flowered blanket and a stuffed tooka.

Qui-Gon looked at the little girl and felt her dim and muddled Force signature, so different from the bright light she usually was. Something was wrong with his granddaughter. He smiled at her and sent her waves of comfort through the Force.

"Hello, little one. What are you doing up so late?" he asked.

"'M sick," she mumbled, rubbing at her eyes.

"Sick? Oh, dear. I'm very sorry to hear that."

"Got the Dwagon Balls Flu, Ganpa Qwi," Iyla said.

"Dagobah Flu, dear one. And it is quite the flu, I must say. We've already been up three times tonight because of it," Obi-Wan said, slumping in exhaustion.

"That does sound terrible," Qui-Gon agreed. "Why don't you tell me about how you're feeling, little one, and maybe I can help you feel better?" he suggested. He flicked his eyes to Obi-Wan and nodded at him to go take care of what he needed to while Iyla was occupied.

"My tummy huwts lots and my head too. And I keep frowing up. Papa gots to clean the floor acause I frowed up and now he gots to clean the bed!" Iyla said miserably.

"Why the bed, darling? Were you sick in the bed too?"

"No, I…I had a assident in the bed and then I cwied so bad acause I not want Papa to be mad but I cwy too hawd and frowed up. So now he gots to clean the bed and the floor and his clothes that got yucky acause I'm diwty and bad," she replied, lowering her head in shame and avoiding his eyes.

"I don't think you're dirty and bad, Iyla. And I know your Papa doesn't either. You're sick and your body doesn't feel right. Our bodies don't act the way they usually do or the way we want them to when we are ill, young one. It's not your fault and you can't help it," the Force Ghost said comfortingly.

"But having a assident and making a mess is bad. Not 'sposed to be diwty."

"Has your Papa ever been angry at an accident or a mess before, little one?"

"No…but this was a big mess. Lots and lots to clean. And it got him messy too!"

Qui-Gon leaned forward and tried to catch her eye. "I'm pretty sure your Papa is more concerned about you not feeling well than he is about cleaning up a mess. Beds, clothes, and floors can be cleaned and made better quickly and easily, but you can't. You need medicine and rest and care. Those are much more important."

"That what Papa said," Iyla nodded at him and stifled a yawn.

Qui-Gon smiled affectionately at her and used the Force to check how she was feeling. A slightly elevated temperature and a small churning in her stomach. "Are you still feeling sick, dear?"

"Kinda. But Papa gived me medsin and it's helping."

"Good, that's good, love. Now why don't you come over here and sit with Grandpa Qui in his favorite chair and I'll tell you a story, hmm?"

"A bedtime stowy?"

"Yes. You do need rest to get better and I'm sure you're very sleepy from waking up so much, right?"

Iyla climbed down from the couch and started to walk to the armchair, dragging the blanket and carrying the tooka toy. "Yes, Ganpa Qwi. Vewy seepy."

"Well then, a bedtime story is definitely in order. Climb on up, darling, and get settled." Qui-Gon watched as she got comfortable and rested her head against the back of the chair. She curled up on her side and gripped the tooka stuffie to her chest while sucking on her thumb. He used the Force to set the blanket over her then perched on the arm of the chair and ran his fingers through her hair. Although not corporeal, his touch was still felt, like a light breeze that kicked up her curls and soothed her fevered brow.

"Who is your new friend?" he asked softly, pointing to the tooka.

"Her name is Stella. Bawney gots to be cleaned so I seep wif her for now," Iyla said, taking her thumb from her mouth to answer then putting it right back in.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Stella," Qui-Gon said, pretending to shake the stuffed paw. Iyla smiled and waved Stella's paw at him.

"You tell a stowy now, Ganpa Qwi?" Iyla asked, looking up at him expectantly with her big blue eyes so much like her father's that Qui-Gon found himself feeling nostalgic and homesick for the bright-eyed 13-year-old padawn that he'd taken in and raised.

Qui-Gon smiled down at her. "Yes, love," he answered.

Twenty minutes later Obi-Wan came out of the 'fresher, toweling his hair dry and stretching his aching muscles. A wide smile stretched across his face when he saw Iyla curled up and fast asleep in his former Master's favorite armchair as the Force Ghost talked quietly and ran a transparent hand over the 4-year-old's damp curls. Qui-Gon looked up at him as he entered.

"Everything taken care of?" he asked quietly.

"Yes. Thank you for watching over her while I cleaned up. It was very helpful," he said, coming to sit on the couch, although it was more of a tired flop. "What brought you here at this hour anyways?"

"The Force," his Master said with a grin.

Obi-Wan raised a skeptical eyebrow but knew not to question Qui-Gon 'I follow the Will of the Force' Jinn. He heard Qui-Gon chuckle lightly at his expression then watched as he turned his gaze back to the little one sleeping next to him.

"Her fever has gone down and her stomach is more settled. The medicine must be kicking in," he told Obi-Wan.

"Thank the Force. She needs rest. It's been a rough night."

"You need rest as well, my Padawan. It's been an equally rough night for you, I'd imagine."

"Not nearly. I haven't been sick or in pain. I've just had to sit and watch helplessly as the illness has wrung her out," Obi-Wan answered, a touch of bitterness in his voice.

"It's hard isn't it?"

"Hmm?"

"Watching someone you care for being sick or hurt. Exhausting and stressful, even," Qui-Gon said with a knowing look in his eye.

"Is this…how you felt when I was sick or hurt, Master?"

"Yes, and it never got any easier. You feel helpless and as if nothing you do is doing any good. You wish for nothing more than to take it away from them and give it to yourself instead so they never have to suffer or be in pain again."

"Yes, yes. That's exactly how it feels," Obi-Wan said looking wide-eyed at Qui-Gon.

"That's love, Obi-Wan. That's what being a father is. The need to protect and care for, to do all you can to take away the pain and sadness, to preserve the light and innocence in them forever. That's the mark of a good father, and Iyla's lucky to have you."

Obi-Wan bit his lip nervously and drew his gaze to his twisting hands. "I'm not so sure about that, Master," he said quietly.

"Oh? Why not?" Qui-Gon inquired.

"Sometimes…well, most of the time, really, I have no idea what I'm doing. I feel like I'm just flying by the seat of my pants and it's only due to the Force and dumb luck that I haven't messed her up further. She needs Satine, she deserves a mother and someone who knows what to do with her. Not a completely clueless father just fumbling blindly through raising her," Obi-Wan answered looking defeated and worn. He brought his hand up to run it through his hair then dropped it in his lap tiredly.

Qui-Gon was silent as he regarded him. The seconds stretched into minutes and Obi-Wan started to shift and squirm uncomfortably, something he hadn't done since he was still a padawan. When Qui-Gon finally did speak, it was so ridiculous that it caught him completely off-guard.

"Do you regret it? Taking in Iyla?" he asked.

"What?!" Obi-Wan hissed, looking up sharply at his Master. "Of course not! Never!"

"But you wish she had a more suitable guardian. That she's better off with someone else?"

"No…I just meant…she deserves a better father. She deserves every good thing in the galaxy and more."

"Would you give her up if someone better came along?"

Obi-Wan bristled and set his mouth in a firm line. "Never. I'd never let her go. I love her more than anything."

Qui-Gon smiled and gave him a satisfied look. "Then that's all she needs. Not a perfect father or someone who has it all together and has all the answers. But one that loves her more than anything and will do whatever possible to keep her safe and happy."

Obi-Wan was struck dumb for a moment. She doesn't need a perfect father. He doesn't need to be perfect. Hadn't he told Iyla the same thing not too long ago? Again, here he was, not taking his own advice.

He sighed deeply and brought a hand to his face, then huffed out a humorless laugh. "I said the same thing to her recently. That she doesn't need to please everyone all the time. Apparently I need to listen to myself more. If only she hadn't inherited so many of my personality flaws."

"Iyla's need to please isn't your fault, Obi-Wan. It stems from fear and not knowing any better, exacerbated by the cruel treatment from those she should have been able to trust to keep her safe. She may have a predisposition toward these feelings, but they are not caused by you. You saved her, Obi-Wan. You are showing her otherwise."

Obi-Wan sat silently staring at his Master, taking in his words.

"You have given her a home and a real family and the approval and love that she never had before with no strings attached. You may think that she inherited your insecurities, but she also inherited something far more important."

"What?" Obi-Wan whispered.

"Your heart. She's caring and kind, bright and warm, quick to love and loyal to everyone she cares about. Those aren't things she learned from that awful orphanage. Those are things she learned from you, and they are far more important than any need to please. I believe that the so-called flaws that you see can be fixed with enough reassurance and love. And if that's the case, she's in the best hands possible, my Padawan," Qui-Gon smiled at him, the same smile Obi-Wan remembered getting so many times when his Master knew he had finally gotten something through his thick skull.

Obi-Wan chuckled wetly and swiped an arm over his eyes, not even trying to be discreet. His Master always saw through him. "When did you get so wise?" he teased.

"I've always been wise. You just never listened," the Force Ghost replied with a smirk.

Obi-Wan shook his head in exasperation and stood to pick up the deeply sleeping 4-year-old off the armchair. She stirred a bit and made a small moaning sound but settled back down when she sensed her father holding her. Qui-Gon stood up and gave her cheek one last graze then gently touched the back of Obi-Wan's neck, keeping his hand there an extra second longer, sending comfort and care to his Force signature.

"Goodnight, my Padawan," he said.

"Goodnight, Master," Obi-Wan replied.

Just as Qui-Gon began to fade, Obi-Wan called after him. "Thank you," he whispered. He felt a warm presence envelop him and felt peace for the first time that night. Maybe, he thought, as he walked back into his room and settled on the now clean bed, they'd finally get to rest.

Thanks for reading! So much fluff to come next chapter when Anakin and Padme try their hand at babysitting Iyla :)