Tired Eyes
Qui-Gon POV. A master reflects during a flight home.
His bloodshot eyes show the strain and exhaustion of the last few months. Mission after mission. Mediation after mediation. Sleepless night after sleepless night.
On our way home, we have been promised a reprieve. I will speak with the Council and request that our downtime be granted immediately.
Obi-Wan insisted on piloting us home, ordering me to rest. I argued the point, but I too was exhausted beyond what I could explain.
I rest here on the sleep couch, lying quietly and keeping watch on my padawan. Every so often his head nods forward and he catches himself. It won't be long before he'll no longer be able to fight the inevitable.
In the past four months we've traveled into the far reaches of the galaxy. From Denra II to Nalus. I believe it to be more than ten missions during this time. Some simple, others requiring everything ounce of our abilities.
Obi-Wan, he's becoming a fine Jedi. There is still much more to teach him, but there is so much courage and ability there. I remain proud to lead him on his journey to Knighthood.
Fingers working the keypad controls, I observe him setting the automatic pilot. His pride prevents him from admitting his fatigue. But I can feel his thoughts. He fears that I will think less of him if he gives in. Yet his mind and body are done. Neither of us has slept in three days. A few hours of sleep in the past week. Yet somehow we still push ourselves.
But now... now the intense weariness had done into our bones. Resistance is no longer an option. Obi-Wan turns to look at me and his tired eyes beg for comfort. A silent request for relief.
I offer him a weak smile, pick myself up, and walk to his side.
"I've set a course for Coruscant, Master. We should arrive in several hours." His voice is worn. Weary.
Placing a hand on his shoulder, I offer a reaffirming squeeze. "You've done well, My Padawan. You have performed beyond expectations. Now you must rest."
He blushes slightly at my words and gives a small bow. "Thank you, Master."
The eyes tell the tale of these latest missions. Never have I seen my young student so in need of time away from the stressful Jedi life. Perhaps we will take a vacation off-planet. Time away for the two of us to find ourselves again in the Force. Time to talk. Time to enjoy life for a bit. It's been so long since we've simply had that chance to relax and to bond as master and apprentice. We will take advantage of the time that awaits.
Our course set for home, I accompany my apprentice to the sleep couch. He offers no protest as I sit him down, pull off his boots and draw a blanket around his shoulders.
Weary blue eyes find mine before he drifts off. "So tired, Master."
I offer a gentle hand to his forehead and encourage him into the unconscious world that brings rest.
"Rest, Obi-Wan. Close your tired eyes, find peace in the Force." Within minutes he is snoring quietly.
As I turn to take my leave, I pause for a moment. I am content to watch my apprentice sleep.
A strange feeling comes over me at times like these. A parental feeling. This boy is my student, and my closest friend. He is for all intensive purposes, my son. After the darkness of my previous apprentice, I cannot deny how much this one means to me at this point in my life. Obi-Wan. My impatient and stubborn apprentice.
My own tired eyes weighing down, I collapsed into the cushioned chair next to the couch. Before long, I too am lost in the blackness. The unmistakable feeling of comfort comes over me as I know that Obi-Wan is beside me now and will be for many years to come.
END