Chapter 8:

Obi-Wan stared blankly at the ceiling above him. His heart was heavy with emotions…fear, grateful, anger. Fear that he was truly going to die. Grateful that his Master was willing to sacrifice his life for him. Anger that his Master was condemning him to an eternity of guilt if the Council approves for the procedure to be done.

As a Jedi, Obi-Wan knew that he shouldn't feel fear or anger, but right now he was so confused. As a normal young teen, he didn't want to die. But for someone to give up his life for him, especially his Master, then Obi- Wan would rather die a million times.

He had heard everything that Qui-Gon and An-Paj had said to each other and every word was carved deeply in his heart. When Qui-Gon said with conviction, three simple words of "I'll do it", Obi-Wan felt his soul ripped apart. He knew that Qui-Gon loved him more than life itself, but how could he accept the procedure knowing that he would be sentencing the man he loved as a father to death. He couldn't. He won't.

Even as these strong emotions filled his heart and clouded his vision with uncontrollable tears, Obi-Wan had already made up his mind. He surveyed the area around him, looking closely at the machinery connected to him, making some mental note of the wiring.

After a few moments of inspection, Obi-Wan grabbed a notepad that was nearby, probably left there by one of the Healers on accident. Swallowing the stifled emotions within him, Obi-Wan began to scribble on the notepad.

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The gentle trickle of the stream had always brought calm to An-Paj, but not today. Sitting in a meditative position amongst the floras and the faunas of the Jedi Temple Garden, An-Paj could not find his center. Every time he let himself stretch out to the Force, feelings of guilt and remorse would immediately plague his heart and wring him back into stark reality.

//There has got to be something that I've overlooked…something!!!// An-Paj admonished himself. He didn't want to believe that no matter what the Council decision would be, someone was going to die.

For the past few days under his constant watch, Obi-Wan had become more than just another patient to him. The young boy had captured his heart and affections more than anyone ever had. Perhaps it was the remarkably strong bond between Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan that attracted his attention, but some instinctive feeling told An-Paj that Obi-Wan couldn't die no matter what.

Some Jedi would probably attribute An-Paj's anxiety to overstrain nerves or perhaps a precognition, but An-Paj had resolutely refused such probabilities mainly because it wasn't anxiety that he felt and that he was never well versed in the Unifying Force to be given with. Yoda probably would have given him a lecture in how the Force works in mysterious ways if words came across about how he doesn't trust in 'visions of the future', but right now his mind could only concentrate on finding a different possible solution.

An-Paj sighed, looking at the running stream that zigged zagged through the meditation garden. It was just amazing to him as to how the calm scenery could not calm the fury of emotions he felt inside. He had always thought the meditation garden's tranquility was infectious to all, but apparently, not for him, at least not today.

After a few trying moments to find his center, An-Paj was about to give up when a thought entered his mind. He contemplated it for a long while. Then, as though lightning struck him, An-Paj leapt off the ground in a hurry as headed towards the Jedi Council Chambers.

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Qui-Gon pushed the doors to the Jedi Council Chambers with a loud bang. He didn't care how absurd such actions would be for a Jedi Master like himself. It didn't matter anymore now that there is a chance to save Obi- Wan, a small chance at that but still a chance nonetheless.

As the doors swung open, the twelve pair of eyes immediately glued on Qui- Gon. Apparently, the Council was in a conference, but as soon as the doors swung open, the room became quiet.

Plo-Koon was the first to break the awkward silence. "Master Qui-Gon, what is the meaning of this intrusion?!"

"Forgive me for my lack of decorum my Masters, but there is a grave matter at hand that I must speak to you immediately" Qui-Gon answered, trying to be as diplomatic as his stirred up emotions can handle.

"This matter you speak of concerns Obi-Wan, I see" Yoda suggested. "Know why you are here, we do"

Qui-Gon was shock but was glad that he didn't have to go into details about the procedure since time was of the essence.

"Then my Master, will you and the Council grant me permission to start the procedure right away?" Qui-Gon asked with high hopes.

"No we will not Qui-Gon" Mace Windu replied.

"And why not?! It is Obi-Wan's only hope, you must understand this." Qui- Gon protested.

"Understand we do, Qui-Gon. But great risk entails, we do not agree with." Yoda added.

"With all due respect my Master, I will see the procedure done with or without your permission!" Qui-Gon said as he turned to storm out of the room.

"Qui-Gon!" Mace Windu called after his friend, but Qui-Gon didn't turn around in acknowledgment.

Just as Qui-Gon was about to leave, An-Paj came running in, colliding in full force with Qui-Gon.

"Qui-Gon!" An-Paj said breathlessly. "I've got great news for you. There may be a much safer way to prolong Obi-Wan's life until we can find an antidote"

"What? What is it?" Qui-Gon exclaimed happily, grabbing An-Paj's shoulders a little too hard.

"It…it's hard to explain everything now, but we must hurry…" An-Paj turned to the Council members. "My Masters, please excuse the haste retreat but time is of essence."

"Need not for apologies, An-Paj. Go now you must. Arrive we will, shortly" Yoda commanded.

But before Yoda could finish, Qui-Gon had already left the Chambers, running full speed to the Healers Ward with An-Paj trying to catch up behind him.

Once Qui-Gon reached the Healers Ward where Obi-Wan was at, he rushed into the room, not minding if he was going to wake Obi-Wan up or not. He felt so happy and all the despair that plagued him moments earlier had disappeared without a trace.

But such feelings of immense joy stopped suddenly as Qui-Gon found the room to be empty. Obi-Wan was no where in sight. Qui-Gon stood at the door, dumbfounded with shock. He didn't know what to do. He just stood there, waiting for the shock to hit him.

Once the shock finally did hit him, Qui-Gon was hysterical. He began to yell and ranted at An-Paj who just came into the room about where Obi-Wan was or how the Healers could be so careless.

An-Paj didn't say a word because he too was shock at what had happened. Several other Healers came into the room to see what the commotion was about, and An-Paj asked them about Obi-Wan's whereabouts, but none of them knew a thing.

An-Paj couldn't believe it! How could Obi-Wan have slipped by without anyone noticing? The boy was sick for goodness sake! Even if Obi-Wan managed to get by the Healers unnoticed, wouldn't the machines blare in alarm once Obi-Wan had taken them off?

Resolutely, An-Paj strode to Obi-Wan's bed to find the answer. Just as he had suspected, Obi-Wan had rewired all of the machines. It was great handy work, especially for a young boy who was deathly sick. Just then, An-Paj caught something out of the corner of his eye. There next to the bed was a notepad with Qui-Gon's name written on the front in shaky penmanship. An- Paj had no doubt that it was written by Obi-Wan and he quickly handed the notepad to Qui-Gon.

Shakily, Qui-Gon accepted the notepad and began to read the note that was addressed to him by his Padawan.

Master,

By the time you read this note, I'd already be far away from the Temple, and Coruscant. Please forgive me for leaving without saying good bye and please don't try to find me. I know that you must hate me for doing this to you, but I couldn't think of any other alternatives. I know what you were going to do Master! I heard what you said with Master Healer An-Paj about sacrificing yourself to save me. How could you? How could you do that to me? I would never be able to forgive myself Master!…

I know that I am dying Master and I accept that fully. I hope that you can accept that too…If there is only one request I ask of you Master, it is this: Please don't close out your heart with my death like you did with Xanatos' betrayal. Out there I know there is a lucky Padawan waiting for you Master.

Please don't be sad Master. Remember what you told me when Cerasi died? You said that she was going to a better place and that's where I will be, Master. Don't worry, Master. Like you told me so many times…"There is no death, only the Force".

Please take care Master, I will miss you greatly.

Your faithful Padawan,

Obi-Wan Kenobi

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