The Marionette's Dance
Chapter Nine
This is barely edited, so please excuse any mistakes I made. I was in such a hurry to get it out to finish this series off so peeps wouldn't get frustrated for the eternity they have to wait for my postings.
THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND YOUR WONDERFUL FEEDBACK!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Obi-Wan sobbed onto his master, his cries muffled against the elders neck. He felt a twinge in the force, a warning, but it came too late. He suddenly felt a sharp prick in his back, along his spine, just below his collar.
He rose up slightly, tears dripping off his cheeks and landing on his masters' face. He stared down at the creature, then felt the intrusion in his mind once again, this time, more focused and controlled. Obi-Wan flinched as memories, good and bad, flashed before his eyes. He squinted his eyes shut and grind his teeth together hoping the visions would soon pass.
Obi-Wan felt an onslaught of curiosity and then an overflow of caring, nurturing, love, honor, humility, pride, and compassion. He took him only a few seconds to realize that Qui-Gon was the source of the emotions, and the contributor to half of the memories being relived.
Obi-Wan felt his strength wane. He felt tired, his legs wobbly, his eyes drooping down into sleep. He felt cold, distant. Like he was far away, watching the creature invading his body.
Obi-Wan gasped as the creature disengaged from him, recoiling the spindly leg back to its body. He blinked quizzically at the creature, then notice the creature detach itself away from Qui-Gon completely, leaving a small puncture wound directly above his heart.
The monitors started back up, beeping and registering the slow restoration of his masters' vitals. The creatures dried shell slipped off Qui-Gon's chest and fell to the floor with a soft rasp.
"L'Tash!" Obi-Wan yelled, his shaking hands roamed over his masters' body, checking for a pulse and using his limited force ability to sense Qui-Gon vitals. "L'Tash!"
The healer came in, expecting to see a grieving padawan, but instead seen him trying to stabilize a weak master and the creature lying dead on the floor. He called out for all healers on duty to come assist him. Several healers filed in, pulling Obi-Wan away and beginning the healing process for the struggling elder.
Obi-Wan stood aback where he was pushed by L'Tash, watching and waiting as the healers scrambled about to do their work. He tried to send a force message through his bond to his master, but because of the creatures recent `touch', Obi-Wan felt raw and vulnerable. He couldn't make a connection like he used to.
The council members that were waiting outside rushed in, pooling their energy to aid in the struggle for Qui-Gon's life. The monitors signaled the wavering life force and strange fluxuations of the prone Jedi, and everyone was fighting desperately to keep him alive.
A small apprentice entered with a long tong and scooped up the husk of the creature, placing it in a sealed container for future study. He nodded to Obi-Wan and quickly exited the room, taking the creature's shell to a laboratory.
"We need more help!" L'Tash barked out.
"Don't worry!" Obi-Wan yelled over his shoulder as he exited. "I'll call for more healers."
Obi-Wan raced to a comm panel and switched on the emergency frequency, alerting all senior staff members to come to the healing ward immediately. Several indicator lights blinked, showing that the messages were received and were being answered. Obi-Wan counted off as the little lights began to blink, including the small one in the corner.
The light in the corner blinked and the comm panel signaled that there was an incoming transmission. Obi-Wan hit the receive button and seen Master Yaddle's face appear.
"Padawan Kenobi? Emergency there is?" Yaddle asked.
"Yes Master. The creature just died and Master Qui-Gon is fighting for his life. I just sent a message to the senior healers so they could help Healer L'Tash." Obi-Wan explained. "I'm sorry Master. I have to go. My master needs me!" Obi-Wan rushed off before Yaddle could respond.
Obi-Wan stood in the doorway, watching the slow, steady rise and fall of his masters' chest as the healers centered their energies on different tasks, some of them milling about and making notes. He wondered just how many times had he seen his master sleeping. Never wondering if he would wake up or not. Wondering if he would ever hear his masters' voice, feel his presence, or even be punished for doing something wrong.
How many times had his masters' presence been waved off? Not really paid attention to? Was it so long ago that his masters' voice was heard? Why did everything suddenly feel like it was so long ago? Why was time seemingly so short?
How many moments were wasted? Moments that could have been spent in deep conversation? Learning? Teasing? Moments that seemed so trivial, now appeared important.
Obi-Wan wiped a tear off his cheek as he watched the healers. //Please master. Stay here. I need you. Don't leave me alone//
Healers pushed past Obi-Wan, assessing the condition of their downed comrade, and assisting in whatever task was needed. When the extra help entered, the masters that were assisting left Qui-Gon's side to allow the healers to do their jobs. The council members joined Obi-Wan near the door, trying to offer support to the distraught youth.
Obi-Wan's face was pale, tears ran silently down his cheeks, his hands shook, and he listened intently as the healers called out the vitals they were maintaining.
"Brain activity is increasing."
"Spinal injury is minimal."
"Hemorrhaging lesions are clotting and sealing. Blood loss is slowing."
"Lungs are clearing. Respiration leveling off. Blood Oxygen is at 89% and rising."
"Kidneys are restarting." A healer gasped.
L'Tash looked confused, "But how can that be? Major organs just can't start back up. Once they shut down, there's no restarting them."
"I don't know what's causing it, but his bodily functions are starting back up and beginning to strengthen."
L'Tash was concentrating on Qui-Gon's heart, along side another healer. "His heart is beating regular, blood is supplying oxygen, his vitals are stabilizing. I don't understand it."
Obi-Wan stepped further into the room, wary of getting in the way and asked the healers, "Will he be ok?"
L'Tash sighed, running his hands through his thinning hair, "He has suffered intense trauma. If he continues to progress, then I'd say he will recover, though I don't know to what extent."
Obi-Wan felt as if his heart leapt up into his throat at the news. His head spin, stars appeared before his eyes, and his world went black.
**** 6 hours later****
Obi-Wan slowly opened his eyes to see healer L'Tash standing beside him, reading over a datapad.
"Healer L'Tash?" Obi-Wan rasped out.
"Ah, Padawan Kenobi, good, your awake. You gave us all quite a scare."
"What happened?"
"You collapsed. Everyone has been worried about you."
"Why did I collapse?"
"At first we just thought it was stress, but after running some tests, we found that your body chemistry was altered and you suffered a partial mental breakdown."
"I'm not crazy." Obi-Wan said, his jaw set in a defiant manner.
Healer L'Tash laughed, "Oh, not that kind of breakdown, my boy! This was a neurological breakdown. Basically, your brain overloaded. How do you feel now?"
Obi-Wan rose up off the bed and looked around, "Somewhat disoriented. I feel slightly dizzy. How's my master?" Obi-Wan dreaded the possible diagnosis.
"He's doing just fine Obi-Wan. He is recovering, slowly but surely. According to these readings," L'Tash tapped on his datapad. "His body has regained 71% of its facilities, and seems to be getting stronger. We have several IV's hooked into him now, feeding him and keeping his body supplied with enough nutrients to stabilize itself."
Obi-Wan frowned, placing his hand on his stomach.
L'Tash looked at the boy, then smiled, "How about I order you a tray from the kitchen and you lay here and rest. Ok?" L'Tash smiled and quickly scanned the youngster with the force and determined he was recovering.
"Healer L'Tash, would it be ok if I ate in my masters' room? I really don't want him to be alone."
L'Tash thought for a moment, realized that Obi-Wan would do everything humanly possible to stay close to his master, especially after almost losing him. He sighed and nodded, "You may eat in there, but if there is any signs of distress, I want you out of there. Understood?"
"Yes Sir!" Obi-Wan beamed. He put his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, wavering a bit, then went into his masters' room and plopped down on a chair close by the elders' bed.
Healer L'Tash shook his head in admiration and amusement. He mumbled as he went to order some food for the starving youth, "I swear, that boy has more conviction and loyalty that I've ever seen."
Obi-Wan sat at his masters' side, holding the elders' hand. "Master? Master can you hear me?"
Qui-Gon's pale face remained still, his breathing showing the only sign of life. The steady rising and falling of his chest and the constant beeps on the monitors, told the youth that his master was really alive, but he felt very little at ease. He couldn't sense his masters' presence in the force, or sense their bond.
Obi-Wan shuddered at the cold feeling all around him. He couldn't remember not having another presence in his mind, another feeling coming through to him from someone else, a connection to another living soul. He hated the cold distance he felt now, and felt himself tearing up again at the sense of abandonment.
L'Tash brought Obi-Wan a full tray from the kitchen and patted the boy on the shoulder in reassurance. Obi-Wan force a smile and thanked the healer for all his help, and began to pick at the food. Hours passed with the padawan sitting at his masters' side, keeping a constant vigil.
In the late evening, Obi-Wan glanced over at his half-eaten dinner tray and looked sadly back at his master with a heavy sigh. His brow twitched when he noticed his master's lips starting to move. Obi-Wan jumped to his feet and hovered over his master, "Master? Master can you hear me? Can you open your eyes?"
Qui-Gon groaned low in his throat and began to shift around on his pillow. His fingers started to flex, his hands phantom grasping at things. His breath deepened in sighs and yawns. His sensitive eyes fluttered, trying desperately to open and then blinked back to adjust to the harsh light flooding the room.
Qui-Gon's eyes fought to focus, trying to make sense of all the blurry images and the distant voices he heard. He felt far away, drained, cut off from everyone and everything. His heartbeat echoing in his ears was the only distinguishing thing he could identify. He heard a far off voice, calling to him. It sounded familiar, but the strange feeling in his head kept everything from coming into perspective.
L'Tash rushed into the room and checked over the monitors and acknowledged that Qui-Gon was coming out of it. " He's coming to. Keep talking to him Obi-Wan. See if you can get him to respond."
Obi-Wan nodded to the healer, then turned back to his master, "Master? Can you hear me? Can you squeeze my hand?" Obi-Wan grasp the elders hand and rubbed the back of his hand in a reassuring fashion. "Come on master, you can do it. The creature is gone. It's dead. You are safe now. There isn't anything to worry about." Obi-Wan hovered over his master, trying desperately to get him to respond.
Qui-Gon gasped a few times, coughing and groaning deep in his throat as he began to come around to consciousness. His eyes blinked out the harsh light, then focused on the face of the tired, distraught padawan hovering over him.
Qui-Gon could barely hear, the sound filtered funny into his ears, and his mind was still trying to adapt and translate the information. He could hear his apprentice speaking to him, his brain taking several minutes to register where he was, what condition he was in, and the events that led up to him being hospitalized.
Memories flashed before his eyes, feelings overwhelmed him, extreme fluxes of Force pulled on his weary mind, and he fought to understand everything that had transpired. He soon heard Obi-Wan's voice clearly, though distinct, reassuring and offering his support in whatever way was needed.
Qui-Gon's eyes blurred over, his heavy lids closed as his head lulled on the pillow. He felt sick, dizzy, and emotionally drained. Sounds wavered in his head, some low and garbled, others magnified and painful to his ears, with every little noise echoing loudly in his head. He cringed at the sudden intensity his hearing had heightened to and let out a sigh of relief when he felt it lower to a more normal state.
Qui-Gon heard Obi-Wan tell him repeatedly that the creature was dead and he didn't have anything to worry about. Qui-Gon felt as if his heart had been ripped from his body, confusion clouded his senses, distorting his already turbulent emotions.
Qui-Gon's chest began to jerk, his eyes squeezed shut, his throat constricted, and he began to choke back sobs.
Obi-Wan looked compassionately at his master, then to the healer, "What's going on?"
Healer L'Tash put his hand on Qui-Gon's and answered Obi-Wan. "His emotions are running wild, sorting through the jumble of feelings he has had and shared with that creature. It will take him some time to adjust, but he will be back to normal. I think he's just glad that thing is off of him."
Qui-Gon's face was drawn down as he cried, the tears poured from the corners of his eyes and ran silently down his cheeks, dampening the pillow. He took several deep breaths and rasped out, "You don't understand."
"What do I not understand Master?" Obi-Wan leaned down to hear his masters' faint voice.
"He.... He died to... to save me." Qui-Gon gasped and opened his eyes to stare into his padawans.
"The creature?" Obi-Wan spoke gently in his masters' ear.
Qui-Gon shook his head in affirmation and continued to cry. He clutched his padawan's hand as tight as he could and felt Obi-Wan draw near, consoling him.
After an hour of sobbing, Qui-Gon had fallen into a fitful rest. His chest still involuntarily gasped from the crying, his cheeks were red and swollen, tears dried to his eyes.
Obi-Wan felt his master slip into unconsciousness and disengaged himself from the upset elder. He moved a few strands of errant hair from his masters' face and sat down heavily in the chair beside his masters' bed. Exhaustion was kicking in full force as Obi-Wan fought to keep his eyes open.
L'Tash checked in on the duo and found Obi-Wan passed out in the chair and Qui-Gon fretting in his sleep. L'Tash quickly scanned vitals of both patients and used a force suggestion to help calm Qui-Gon's troubled slumber.
A soft beeping informed the healer of a strange discrepancy in the patients' bio-readings. Qui-Gon was showing the same imbalance Obi-Wan had showed, though Qui-Gon's was much more severe.
L'Tash made a quick note in his datapad and glanced over to see Obi-Wan struggling in his sleep, his actions jerky and erratic.
Obi-Wan began to pant, thrash about, and mumble incoherent things under his breath as he shook with a spasm.
L'Tash sent the padawan a force suggestion to calm him and try to ease the spastic motions, but as soon as he focused on Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon began to thrash about on the medtable, his actions the exact duplicate of his apprentices'.
L'Tash grabbed his comm and signaled the other healers, "Attention all healers. Report to Master Jinn's room immediately. There is a situation developing."
Chapter Nine
This is barely edited, so please excuse any mistakes I made. I was in such a hurry to get it out to finish this series off so peeps wouldn't get frustrated for the eternity they have to wait for my postings.
THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND YOUR WONDERFUL FEEDBACK!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Obi-Wan sobbed onto his master, his cries muffled against the elders neck. He felt a twinge in the force, a warning, but it came too late. He suddenly felt a sharp prick in his back, along his spine, just below his collar.
He rose up slightly, tears dripping off his cheeks and landing on his masters' face. He stared down at the creature, then felt the intrusion in his mind once again, this time, more focused and controlled. Obi-Wan flinched as memories, good and bad, flashed before his eyes. He squinted his eyes shut and grind his teeth together hoping the visions would soon pass.
Obi-Wan felt an onslaught of curiosity and then an overflow of caring, nurturing, love, honor, humility, pride, and compassion. He took him only a few seconds to realize that Qui-Gon was the source of the emotions, and the contributor to half of the memories being relived.
Obi-Wan felt his strength wane. He felt tired, his legs wobbly, his eyes drooping down into sleep. He felt cold, distant. Like he was far away, watching the creature invading his body.
Obi-Wan gasped as the creature disengaged from him, recoiling the spindly leg back to its body. He blinked quizzically at the creature, then notice the creature detach itself away from Qui-Gon completely, leaving a small puncture wound directly above his heart.
The monitors started back up, beeping and registering the slow restoration of his masters' vitals. The creatures dried shell slipped off Qui-Gon's chest and fell to the floor with a soft rasp.
"L'Tash!" Obi-Wan yelled, his shaking hands roamed over his masters' body, checking for a pulse and using his limited force ability to sense Qui-Gon vitals. "L'Tash!"
The healer came in, expecting to see a grieving padawan, but instead seen him trying to stabilize a weak master and the creature lying dead on the floor. He called out for all healers on duty to come assist him. Several healers filed in, pulling Obi-Wan away and beginning the healing process for the struggling elder.
Obi-Wan stood aback where he was pushed by L'Tash, watching and waiting as the healers scrambled about to do their work. He tried to send a force message through his bond to his master, but because of the creatures recent `touch', Obi-Wan felt raw and vulnerable. He couldn't make a connection like he used to.
The council members that were waiting outside rushed in, pooling their energy to aid in the struggle for Qui-Gon's life. The monitors signaled the wavering life force and strange fluxuations of the prone Jedi, and everyone was fighting desperately to keep him alive.
A small apprentice entered with a long tong and scooped up the husk of the creature, placing it in a sealed container for future study. He nodded to Obi-Wan and quickly exited the room, taking the creature's shell to a laboratory.
"We need more help!" L'Tash barked out.
"Don't worry!" Obi-Wan yelled over his shoulder as he exited. "I'll call for more healers."
Obi-Wan raced to a comm panel and switched on the emergency frequency, alerting all senior staff members to come to the healing ward immediately. Several indicator lights blinked, showing that the messages were received and were being answered. Obi-Wan counted off as the little lights began to blink, including the small one in the corner.
The light in the corner blinked and the comm panel signaled that there was an incoming transmission. Obi-Wan hit the receive button and seen Master Yaddle's face appear.
"Padawan Kenobi? Emergency there is?" Yaddle asked.
"Yes Master. The creature just died and Master Qui-Gon is fighting for his life. I just sent a message to the senior healers so they could help Healer L'Tash." Obi-Wan explained. "I'm sorry Master. I have to go. My master needs me!" Obi-Wan rushed off before Yaddle could respond.
Obi-Wan stood in the doorway, watching the slow, steady rise and fall of his masters' chest as the healers centered their energies on different tasks, some of them milling about and making notes. He wondered just how many times had he seen his master sleeping. Never wondering if he would wake up or not. Wondering if he would ever hear his masters' voice, feel his presence, or even be punished for doing something wrong.
How many times had his masters' presence been waved off? Not really paid attention to? Was it so long ago that his masters' voice was heard? Why did everything suddenly feel like it was so long ago? Why was time seemingly so short?
How many moments were wasted? Moments that could have been spent in deep conversation? Learning? Teasing? Moments that seemed so trivial, now appeared important.
Obi-Wan wiped a tear off his cheek as he watched the healers. //Please master. Stay here. I need you. Don't leave me alone//
Healers pushed past Obi-Wan, assessing the condition of their downed comrade, and assisting in whatever task was needed. When the extra help entered, the masters that were assisting left Qui-Gon's side to allow the healers to do their jobs. The council members joined Obi-Wan near the door, trying to offer support to the distraught youth.
Obi-Wan's face was pale, tears ran silently down his cheeks, his hands shook, and he listened intently as the healers called out the vitals they were maintaining.
"Brain activity is increasing."
"Spinal injury is minimal."
"Hemorrhaging lesions are clotting and sealing. Blood loss is slowing."
"Lungs are clearing. Respiration leveling off. Blood Oxygen is at 89% and rising."
"Kidneys are restarting." A healer gasped.
L'Tash looked confused, "But how can that be? Major organs just can't start back up. Once they shut down, there's no restarting them."
"I don't know what's causing it, but his bodily functions are starting back up and beginning to strengthen."
L'Tash was concentrating on Qui-Gon's heart, along side another healer. "His heart is beating regular, blood is supplying oxygen, his vitals are stabilizing. I don't understand it."
Obi-Wan stepped further into the room, wary of getting in the way and asked the healers, "Will he be ok?"
L'Tash sighed, running his hands through his thinning hair, "He has suffered intense trauma. If he continues to progress, then I'd say he will recover, though I don't know to what extent."
Obi-Wan felt as if his heart leapt up into his throat at the news. His head spin, stars appeared before his eyes, and his world went black.
**** 6 hours later****
Obi-Wan slowly opened his eyes to see healer L'Tash standing beside him, reading over a datapad.
"Healer L'Tash?" Obi-Wan rasped out.
"Ah, Padawan Kenobi, good, your awake. You gave us all quite a scare."
"What happened?"
"You collapsed. Everyone has been worried about you."
"Why did I collapse?"
"At first we just thought it was stress, but after running some tests, we found that your body chemistry was altered and you suffered a partial mental breakdown."
"I'm not crazy." Obi-Wan said, his jaw set in a defiant manner.
Healer L'Tash laughed, "Oh, not that kind of breakdown, my boy! This was a neurological breakdown. Basically, your brain overloaded. How do you feel now?"
Obi-Wan rose up off the bed and looked around, "Somewhat disoriented. I feel slightly dizzy. How's my master?" Obi-Wan dreaded the possible diagnosis.
"He's doing just fine Obi-Wan. He is recovering, slowly but surely. According to these readings," L'Tash tapped on his datapad. "His body has regained 71% of its facilities, and seems to be getting stronger. We have several IV's hooked into him now, feeding him and keeping his body supplied with enough nutrients to stabilize itself."
Obi-Wan frowned, placing his hand on his stomach.
L'Tash looked at the boy, then smiled, "How about I order you a tray from the kitchen and you lay here and rest. Ok?" L'Tash smiled and quickly scanned the youngster with the force and determined he was recovering.
"Healer L'Tash, would it be ok if I ate in my masters' room? I really don't want him to be alone."
L'Tash thought for a moment, realized that Obi-Wan would do everything humanly possible to stay close to his master, especially after almost losing him. He sighed and nodded, "You may eat in there, but if there is any signs of distress, I want you out of there. Understood?"
"Yes Sir!" Obi-Wan beamed. He put his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up, wavering a bit, then went into his masters' room and plopped down on a chair close by the elders' bed.
Healer L'Tash shook his head in admiration and amusement. He mumbled as he went to order some food for the starving youth, "I swear, that boy has more conviction and loyalty that I've ever seen."
Obi-Wan sat at his masters' side, holding the elders' hand. "Master? Master can you hear me?"
Qui-Gon's pale face remained still, his breathing showing the only sign of life. The steady rising and falling of his chest and the constant beeps on the monitors, told the youth that his master was really alive, but he felt very little at ease. He couldn't sense his masters' presence in the force, or sense their bond.
Obi-Wan shuddered at the cold feeling all around him. He couldn't remember not having another presence in his mind, another feeling coming through to him from someone else, a connection to another living soul. He hated the cold distance he felt now, and felt himself tearing up again at the sense of abandonment.
L'Tash brought Obi-Wan a full tray from the kitchen and patted the boy on the shoulder in reassurance. Obi-Wan force a smile and thanked the healer for all his help, and began to pick at the food. Hours passed with the padawan sitting at his masters' side, keeping a constant vigil.
In the late evening, Obi-Wan glanced over at his half-eaten dinner tray and looked sadly back at his master with a heavy sigh. His brow twitched when he noticed his master's lips starting to move. Obi-Wan jumped to his feet and hovered over his master, "Master? Master can you hear me? Can you open your eyes?"
Qui-Gon groaned low in his throat and began to shift around on his pillow. His fingers started to flex, his hands phantom grasping at things. His breath deepened in sighs and yawns. His sensitive eyes fluttered, trying desperately to open and then blinked back to adjust to the harsh light flooding the room.
Qui-Gon's eyes fought to focus, trying to make sense of all the blurry images and the distant voices he heard. He felt far away, drained, cut off from everyone and everything. His heartbeat echoing in his ears was the only distinguishing thing he could identify. He heard a far off voice, calling to him. It sounded familiar, but the strange feeling in his head kept everything from coming into perspective.
L'Tash rushed into the room and checked over the monitors and acknowledged that Qui-Gon was coming out of it. " He's coming to. Keep talking to him Obi-Wan. See if you can get him to respond."
Obi-Wan nodded to the healer, then turned back to his master, "Master? Can you hear me? Can you squeeze my hand?" Obi-Wan grasp the elders hand and rubbed the back of his hand in a reassuring fashion. "Come on master, you can do it. The creature is gone. It's dead. You are safe now. There isn't anything to worry about." Obi-Wan hovered over his master, trying desperately to get him to respond.
Qui-Gon gasped a few times, coughing and groaning deep in his throat as he began to come around to consciousness. His eyes blinked out the harsh light, then focused on the face of the tired, distraught padawan hovering over him.
Qui-Gon could barely hear, the sound filtered funny into his ears, and his mind was still trying to adapt and translate the information. He could hear his apprentice speaking to him, his brain taking several minutes to register where he was, what condition he was in, and the events that led up to him being hospitalized.
Memories flashed before his eyes, feelings overwhelmed him, extreme fluxes of Force pulled on his weary mind, and he fought to understand everything that had transpired. He soon heard Obi-Wan's voice clearly, though distinct, reassuring and offering his support in whatever way was needed.
Qui-Gon's eyes blurred over, his heavy lids closed as his head lulled on the pillow. He felt sick, dizzy, and emotionally drained. Sounds wavered in his head, some low and garbled, others magnified and painful to his ears, with every little noise echoing loudly in his head. He cringed at the sudden intensity his hearing had heightened to and let out a sigh of relief when he felt it lower to a more normal state.
Qui-Gon heard Obi-Wan tell him repeatedly that the creature was dead and he didn't have anything to worry about. Qui-Gon felt as if his heart had been ripped from his body, confusion clouded his senses, distorting his already turbulent emotions.
Qui-Gon's chest began to jerk, his eyes squeezed shut, his throat constricted, and he began to choke back sobs.
Obi-Wan looked compassionately at his master, then to the healer, "What's going on?"
Healer L'Tash put his hand on Qui-Gon's and answered Obi-Wan. "His emotions are running wild, sorting through the jumble of feelings he has had and shared with that creature. It will take him some time to adjust, but he will be back to normal. I think he's just glad that thing is off of him."
Qui-Gon's face was drawn down as he cried, the tears poured from the corners of his eyes and ran silently down his cheeks, dampening the pillow. He took several deep breaths and rasped out, "You don't understand."
"What do I not understand Master?" Obi-Wan leaned down to hear his masters' faint voice.
"He.... He died to... to save me." Qui-Gon gasped and opened his eyes to stare into his padawans.
"The creature?" Obi-Wan spoke gently in his masters' ear.
Qui-Gon shook his head in affirmation and continued to cry. He clutched his padawan's hand as tight as he could and felt Obi-Wan draw near, consoling him.
After an hour of sobbing, Qui-Gon had fallen into a fitful rest. His chest still involuntarily gasped from the crying, his cheeks were red and swollen, tears dried to his eyes.
Obi-Wan felt his master slip into unconsciousness and disengaged himself from the upset elder. He moved a few strands of errant hair from his masters' face and sat down heavily in the chair beside his masters' bed. Exhaustion was kicking in full force as Obi-Wan fought to keep his eyes open.
L'Tash checked in on the duo and found Obi-Wan passed out in the chair and Qui-Gon fretting in his sleep. L'Tash quickly scanned vitals of both patients and used a force suggestion to help calm Qui-Gon's troubled slumber.
A soft beeping informed the healer of a strange discrepancy in the patients' bio-readings. Qui-Gon was showing the same imbalance Obi-Wan had showed, though Qui-Gon's was much more severe.
L'Tash made a quick note in his datapad and glanced over to see Obi-Wan struggling in his sleep, his actions jerky and erratic.
Obi-Wan began to pant, thrash about, and mumble incoherent things under his breath as he shook with a spasm.
L'Tash sent the padawan a force suggestion to calm him and try to ease the spastic motions, but as soon as he focused on Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon began to thrash about on the medtable, his actions the exact duplicate of his apprentices'.
L'Tash grabbed his comm and signaled the other healers, "Attention all healers. Report to Master Jinn's room immediately. There is a situation developing."