Note:
Thanks for the reviews so far! I'm glad to see some new names in there as well as one's I've seen before! Thank you guys very much! (For anyone who hasn't read the previous fic, be sure to read last note so you're not confused.)
Btw, this chapter is still setting some of the lines up so it's kinda slow but it has a big twist at the end. Enjoy!
Ch. 3 The Line
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**
"I don't know what you did Cpt. Stafferi but you cut yourself pretty good."
The healer finished bandaging the deep cut in Jesi's hand with bacta guaze.
"I wish I could tell you."
Jesi replied. The healer sighed deeply.
"It's nearly impossible not to feel something like that.... I don't understand."
He muttered scratching the back on his head. He shurgged.
"Well, you'll be able to take the bandaging off in about 6 hours, though I'd rather you wait till tomorrow."
He said told her.
"Alright."
She replied studying the bandage, flexing her hand.
"Don't move it too much for now. Let it set and heal."
He continued seeing her. Obi-Wan entered the small room. Jesi gave him a small smile and he did the same.
"If you need anything for it come back and I'll take care of it."
The healer was making his way out.
"And, you're lucky that didn't hit bone.…it was close."
"There's no such thing as luck Healer."
Jesi said as he turned. He chuckled and the door closed. Jesi sighed looking to Obi-Wan.
"I don't understand."
She muttered looking at her hand again.
"I should of felt this."
Obi-Wan frowned. She was right. She should of most certainly.
"Maybe you were too pre-occupied with the conference."
He excused taking a seat. She looked at him in question.
"Well, it could be."
He said in defense.
"Yeah, uh-huh."
She replied in mock consideration standing up.
"We should get back to the conference before your Master is caught in cross fire."
She said. Obi-Wan stood with a small laugh.
"Yeah, I'm sure."
"He's still in the chambers."
Obi-Wan said slipping passed the flood of sudden people.
"Well Force help him."
Jesi replied seeing the sour faces of the people. Entering the chambers again they found Qui-Gon still in his seat with Lt. Colonel Raider a few chairs away and Poishen across the table. The three looked up to the newcomers.
"Are we interrupting?"
Jesi asked.
"Nothing you shouldn't know. Have a seat Cpt. Stafferi, Padawan Kenobi."
Both took a seat near Qui-Gon. "
We were just discussing about the New Season changes."
Raider continued. Jesi nodded slightly.
"It may pose as a slow down in the negotiations."
"Why's that?"
Obi-Wan asked.
"Because, each of the planet's nationalities celebrate the New Season differently. Most of our negotiation leaders are required to return to their homes."
"I see."
Jesi said.
"How long would that be for?"
Qui-Gon asked. Apparently they hadn't gotten that far in the discussion.
"Two days...three for some."
Raider said. Poishen got up and went to the door to see about the aide who was beckoning him.
"I'm sorry for the delay but I'm afraid it's unavoidable."
"Well, if there's nothing you can really do about it then there is nothing you can do about it."
Qui-Gon said leaning back in his chair.
"I thank you for your understanding."
Raider smiled with a nod. Silence stood a moment.
"Of course, you all will be joining us for dinner this evening."
Poishen said coming back to his seat. The three outlanders looked at eachother.
"I don't see why not."
Qui-Gon said.
"Cpt.Stafferi, you aren't planning on being late again are you?"
Raider smiled at her. Jesi looked away.
"No, I don't believe so. Not intentionally anyway."
She said bringing her eyes back to him.
"Alright then, if you'll excuse me I'm afraid duty calls."
He said looking to the young Lieutenant at the door. Once Raider left Poishen stood again.
"Would you like escorts back to your quarters or would you like to venture on your own?"
He asked.
"We'll be fine on our own thank you."
Qui-Gon replied. Poishen nodded and left the room.
"How's your hand?"
Qui-Gon asked as Jesi spun the chair around to face the two Jedi.
" Fine. I really can't feel it."
She replied.
"You still don't know what you might of done to it?"
Obi-Wan asked hoping she'd found out why. She shrugged instead and shook her head. Qui-Gon frowned.
" Well, I think I'm going to get some rest back in my quarters."
Jesi said standing.
"Sounds like a good idea to me."
Obi-Wan replied yawning. The two elder people smiled at him.
"I'll see you two whenever I guess."
Jesi said turning.
"Right." Qui-Gon replied,
"Oh, and don't be too late this time."
He added. She shot him a glare over her shoulder and continued walking.
" How long until dinner, do you know?"
Obi-Wan asked following his Master out of the room.
" I think about 4 hours."
"That's good."
"Why?"
"So I can sleep for 3."
Obi-Wan replied with a smile.
*********4 hours later/ Dinner*********
Jesi took a seat next to Obi-Wan.
"Wow, I think we are a bit underdressed for this."
She whispered.
"Jedi don't really have formal wear unless we're given it."
Obi-Wan replied ignoring the fact that she startled him a bit.
"Oh shut up."
She said with a light laugh. He smiled at her. Looking around the people around the large dining room were rather dressed up for the small occasion. Many females wore light gowns and many males either wore republic formal uniforms, military uniforms, or something with more class than casual wear.
"How boring do you think this will be?"
He asked softly avoiding the glance from his Master's eye corner.
"On a scale 1 to 10..bout a 7 or 8."
She replied. Qui-Gon sighed on the other side of Obi-Wan.
"So much for setting examples for the younger generation."
He said looking across his student to her.
"What? He asked a simple question, I gave a truthful and simple answer."
Jesi replied smartly.
"One of these days that tongue of yours is going to get you into trouble."
"One of those days has come and gone many times mind you Master Jedi."
She said. Obi-Wan felt he was being sandwiched between words shooting across him. A small bell rang and the people who were standing came to take a seat.
"Let the fun begin."
Jesi whispered to Obi-Wan placing her napkin on her lap. She gave Qui-Gon an innocent smile when he looked at her.
************
He couldn't take this much longer! 3 hours..3 hours! Of nothing but political talk and mindless chatter all around the table. Obi-Wan thought he was going to be insane. He prayed Qui-Gon would teach him how to keep such a cool exterior as he did because he needed to know now.. Badly! At one point, probably an hour and a half ago Jesi turned to talk to someone next to her and held up ten fingers behind her back. It made Obi-Wan choke on his water. Embarrassing to say the least.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It started about five minutes ago. Her vision would fog and go fuzzy then return. It would do this on and off for a few seconds at a time. And who the hell turned the air on? She was freezing. Jesi wondered if she would be able to see her breath soon. Poor Obi-Wan was the youngest here and looked bored out of his mind trying to keep some elder lady entertained by 'listening' to her small talk. Damnit there it is again! Jesi blinked, hard...but when she opened her eyes she looked straight at a dead body. Looking on she looked at hundreds. She was in a field. What in Sith's fire? This wasn't right..... she wasn't here. A dark cloud circled above. Looking to it she heard the whisper again,
"Jesi.."
"Jesi!"
Obi-Wan whispered shaking her slightly. Just enough to get her back to the present without anyone seeing. She blinked and shook her head.
"Wha-"
She started but then looked around.
"Jes, you alright?"
He asked. She looked like she'd seen a ghost.
"Uhh,..yeah, yeah I'm good."
She replied returning her eyes to him.
"I'll be right back though."
She stood not allowing him to say anything.
" Where's she going?"
Qui-Gon asked seeing Jesi leave."
I don't know. She said she'd be right back."
Obi-Wan replied with a slight shrug.
~~~~~~~~~
Jesi rolled her eyes around while they were closed.
What just happened? What was that? She opened her eyes glancing around the empty section of the corridor.
"Get yourself together Jes.."
She murmured to herself turning to go back into the dining area. Stopping dead center her breath caught in her throat. Her mouth formed words but nothing came. No this couldn't be. This had happened before..but..but he was there. Right there.
"..Raiy.."
Jesi whispered breathlessly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Obi-Wan looked up when he felt the tremor. Glancing around he saw nothing. Though it did arise in his Master and they shared a quick glance but it seemed nothing caused it.
Tbc….
For anyone who hasn't read 'A Past to Kill' or 'Nothing Left to Have' Raiy is Jesi's husband…who was killed nearly 4 years ago now. Figured I'd save you the confusion. Don't forget to Review! (I know, I know, I'm obsessed…*shrugs* I can't help it honest..) I'll get the next part up asap.
~Elli