Hi!  Thanks for reading & for the FB!  I hope you enjoy this next part. =D

~ Part Three: Emerging Apprehension ~

Qui-Gon:

          I had just finished using the healing Force to ease along the regenerative process of yet another victim when the boy's terror hit me.  His panic was so deep that I could feel it almost as if was my own.  It was like the sharp fangs and claws of a hundred vicious dragons tearing at me through my bond with Obi-Wan.  Images flooded our bond along with the fear.  Flashes of burned bodies and long tendrils of hot fire filled my mind.

          "Obi-Wan," I murmured under my breath, quickly turning away from the beds of bodies that filled the room and making my way back towards where I had left him to sleep.  He was having another nightmare.  Another horrible dream of fire and fear.  Only now it was worse – mired by images of what he had seen today, of the dead bodies that had piled up as the day wore on.

          I shouldn't have brought him here, I rebuked myself silently as I rushed through the flickering light of the corridor, desperate to get to him.  He had already been through so much recently and he deserved some peaceful rest at the Temple – not a horrible day filled with suffering and death.  What had I been thinking?  The boy had already been having nightmares as it was, why had I brought him to a place where everything he saw would simply add to them?

          I barged into the dark quarters that the doctors had given Obi-Wan to use for our stay here.  My eyes quickly scoured the room only to find the bed empty, the sheets tangled and thrown to the floor in the boy's panic.  The small table that had once stood by the bed had been knocked down and the bowl lay shattered in pieces over the cold white tiles.  The water it had contained was spilled in a puddle of tinged red liquid, seeping along to stain the floor.

          "Oh, Padawan," I breathed, hurrying into the small 'fresher. 

          I froze in the doorway, my heart breaking at what I saw.  Obi-Wan was kneeling over the toilet, coughing and sputtering as the contents of his breakfast raced through his body and up into his throat.  The boy's clothes were completely drenched in sweat and clung to his skin in folds as his body shook and trembled.  His usually spiky hair was matted to his head.

          I forced myself to move forward and dropped to my knees next to my Padawan.  "Obi-Wan," I comforted softly, stroking his clammy hair with a gentle hand and rubbing calming circles along the muscles of his tense and shaking shoulders and back.  "It's all right.  I'm here, it's all right."

          My Padawan's body quavered almost convulsively once last time before he dropped back – exhausted.  "Qui-Gon," he croaked, his voice rough and breaking.

          I continued to tenderly soothe the boy with soft touches and gentle murmurs until I felt the last of his fear drain from him.  Obi-Wan – responding to my comfort with a whispered, "Thank you," – slumped against me almost lifelessly, resting his head on my chest.

          I reached out through our bond to inundate him with the Force, gently leading him into a communal meditation that would dissipate the last of his panic and terror and ease him back into a peaceful, dreamless, sleep. 

~~~~~~~~~~

Obi-Wan:

          I awoke to the soft gentleness of silky covers and the supple comfort of a soothing mattress.  I let my eyes flutter open.  I was lying face up, back in the bed that I had so frantically struggled out of when I had last awakened.  The warm blankets had been securely nestled over me and in their touch I felt my Master's Force signature, tenderly tugging on our bond and making me feel strangely safe.

          Slowly sitting up, I looked about the small room.  The table which I had knocked down and tripped over was standing in its place again and the fractured glass of the bowl had been cleaned up, along with the blood stained water.

          Blood.  The one word brought it all back to me.  The countless bodies I had seen, the fire, my own burned flesh…  Nothing had ever affected me so strongly before.  First it had only been fire but now when I closed my eyes both orange-red tendrils and bodies were what I saw.  I had never felt so disgusted by anything in my entire life and nothing had ever terrified me as much as fire.  What was wrong with me?

          Nothing is wrong with you, Padawan, Qui-Gon silently reassured me and I blushed furiously upon realizing that I had let my shielding slip.  Your fear of fire is more than understandable after what happened to you and I assure you that it will pass.  As for this place – it is horrible even to me.  As soon as we leave I will help you calm your mind.

          How much longer will we stay? I both wanted to continue helping these people and wanted to leave as quickly as possible.  Part of me wanted this 'work' to distract me from the confusion of my own thoughts and part of me wanted to put as much distance between me and this sickening place as possible.

          There was an uncomfortably long pause before Qui-Gon answered, I don't know, Obi-Wan, he admitted but I could sense there was something more – something he wasn't telling me.

          What is it Master? I questioned, what's wrong?  Please tell me.

          Another long silence touched the ears of my mind.  I could feel him considering what to say and how to say it.  Obi-Wan, he began, his voice weary and yet so tender, the Mintra have been destroying all of the Ritnal's compounds.  All of the Ritnal who survive are being sent to two medical compounds – this one and one located near here.  Both are overflowing with patients and unless the Ritnal receive reinforcements soon, it's going to stay that way.

          In other words, I realized silently, we could be here for a while.  I knew that Qui-Gon was eager to get me home to the Temple but I also knew he wouldn't leave until our presence was no longer needed.  Both of us would never forgive ourselves if we went now.  We had to give these people as much aid as we could.

          I understand, I replied softly, sending him reassurance through our bond.

          My Master caught my emotions and sent them and more back to me.  However, when his spoke his voice was still tinged with worry and I knew that there was something more.  Padawan, he faltered, the Ritnal and Mintra do not have the same rules for war that we do…they do not restrict themselves to military compounds and will attack even doctors.  We...are not safe here.

          Qui-Gon and I had been caught up in dangerous situations many times during our missions together so it was not what he had said that sent shivers of fear up my spine but the tone in his voice.  There was still something I didn't know.  What else, Master? I pressed him, already scared by the fact that he was so hesitant to tell me.

          To destroy the compounds the Mintra have been sneaking people past the Ritnal security and setting the buildings on fire, even as he spoke Qui-Gon inundated our bond with comfort and support, but it wasn't enough to ease my fear.

          Oh Force.  The Mintra set the compounds aflame and had no laws against attacking doctors or civilians.  They knew where all the Ritnal's bases were – what if they tried to destroy this building as well?  What if they set it on fire and I was trapped like I had been before?  What if my dream had been some sort of twisted premonition?  What if…?

          I forcefully shook myself out of my self-induced fear.  I could not concentrate on my anxieties.  *Keep your focus on the here and now, where it belongs* Qui-Gon's lessons rung in my mind even though I knew he hadn't spoken.  As my Master had often pointed out, I had a tendency to worry more about the future than was good for me.  This time I couldn't afford to do that through – not unless I wanted to spend the rest of our stay here wracked by fear.

          As I had been taught to do so long ago I reached out to the Force and let it calm and soothe away my worries.  I could do this.  I wouldn't let myself panic.  There were people who needed my help and I had to do all I could for them.  There would be time to deal with my own emotions later.  I breathed deeply and envisioned my worry and fear leaving my body with my breath.  I found it impossible to calm myself completely but at least was able to restore my peace of mind.

          Very good, Obi-Wan, he complemented me, you have done well.

          Thank you, Master, I smiled even thought I knew he couldn't see me. 

          I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and jumped to my feet.  The nagging fear and worry in my mind could wait until later – I was needed.

~~~~~~~~~~

          The shrill alarm sounded so loudly that it wrung like a siren's call inside my mind.  Only this call wasn't beckoning but rather screaming at me to run, to escape from this place as quickly as I could.  The sound made the floor shake and the hospital beds rattle against the restraints that held them in place.  It tore through my body, echoing in my head as it continued to shriek throughout the compound

          Qui-Gon was working on a patient on the other side of the room but over the rows of beds and the dozens of scurrying nurses and doctors, our eyes met.  Something was obviously wrong, the question was, what? 

          The head doctor, Ayla, suddenly appeared at my Master's side, emerging from a group of worried doctors.  From where I stood I could see them talking to each other and picked up on the touch of despair in the doctor's gestures and body posture.

          "Excuse me," I said to the nurse I was working with and hurried to Qui-Gon and the doctor's side.  I had to push myself through groups of other doctors and nurses though and by the time I reached them, they were already finished speaking and Ayla had rushed off with her companions.

          "Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon motioned for me to come stand in front of him and didn't continue until I had complied, "we're going to need to evacuate all of the patients to the other medical compound," he paused and gently placed his hands on both my shoulders, "The Mintra have infiltrated the compound and set fire to the west wing."

          My mind spiraled off on a course of sudden fear.  This couldn't be happening.  Not again, oh please not again.  I couldn't handle this again.  I couldn't bear even the thought of fire and now there was one eating away at this very compound.  How quickly before it reached us?  How much time did I have?

          What was wrong with these people?  How could they set fire to a *medical* compound?  How could they want to kill those who were already dying?  Why a fire?  Why couldn't they simply have attacked?  If they had to be so ruthless, couldn't they have sent in troops to secure the building?  Why a *fire*?

          "Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon's voice was harsh but not with impatience, with urgency.  "Listen to me.  This is important," he grabbed my chin gently and forced me to meet his gaze, "Since all of the systems in that section were down the fire alarm didn't sound until the smoke reached the operating sections.  The fire has already spread throughout the west wing and Ayla calculates that we only have five to ten minutes before it reaches the patients closest to it and twenty to twenty-five minutes before it reaches us."

          I found the serenity in my Mater's eyes and forced myself to latch onto it.  I breathed deeply, calming myself as much as I could.  I could not lose control.  Not here, not now.  "Yes, Master," my voice was quiet but steady, "what do I need to do?"

          "Get as many people out of here as possible," he gestured towards one of the room's many exits.  "There are underground tunnels that connect this compound to the other medical compound.  Once we evacuate as many people as we can there is a fireproof door we can shut that will keep the fire contained," his gaze bored deeply into my own, "If I leave you here and go help them evacuate the patients that are closes to the fire I need to know that you can handle it." 

          The look in his eyes told me this was no time for heroics.  I had to be completely honest.  "I can help evacuate people from this room until the fire reaches it, Master, then I'm afraid that I will be of little use."

          Qui-Gon nodded, "Very well.  Then I want you to stay here and help them clear out this room.  If and when it becomes too much for you, Padawan," his voice was crisp, "do not be ashamed.  Simply go back into the tunnels; they will need help carrying the patients all the way to the other compound.  Do not stay if you're too scared, Obi-Wan.  Do you understand?"

          I felt so weak.  Qui-Gon had never had to say something like that to me before.  I had always been able to go with him wherever he went – straight into peril if need be – but now I knew I couldn't.  If during dreams I was immobilized with fear, what would happen in a real fire?  I didn't want to find out.  "Yes, Master," I lowered my gaze, already ashamed.

          He raised my head again, "It will be all right, Obi-Wan," he said, "I know you can do this."  With that, he turned and began making his way through the rows of beds and towards the fire.

          "I won't let you down," I vowed as he left but I doubted he heard me.

          I took a deep breath.  I would not let my fear dominate me.  I had to help.

~~~~~~~~~~

          There had been over 500 patients in the gym and after less than five minutes of carrying them from beds to gurneys and then rolling them down to the underground caves my muscles were sore and I was out of breath.  We had moved a good number of them out but there were too many wounded and as much as it tore at my heart we were forced to leave the ones that had less chances of surviving behind.  Each time I used the Force to probe yet another person's injuries it was a judgment call as to whether or not they would live – I only prayed I was making the right one.

          With hard work and determination we managed to clear out almost everyone in the gym in a little over ten minutes.  There were still move than a hundred people left – scattered desolately across the room – that I or one of the doctors had determined were already dying.  Every time I jogged back into the mostly empty gym I was filled with a pang of guilt at the death we had doomed them to.  What right did we have to play God?

          I cleared my head of such depressing thoughts – this was a race against time and I didn't have time to waste.  I glanced about the room, looking for more people to help but it seemed as if other doctors and nurses were already taking care of them.  Perhaps, I thought somewhat hopefully, I would be of more use taking the people we had cleared out all the way to the other compound.  Most of them were very seriously wounded and needed to be under constant medical care.  If we didn't get them to the other facility some of them would die anyway.

          I faltered, uncertain.  I could stay and help move more patients and supplies out or I could ensure that the others would survive.  The trepidation tugging at my heart urged me to go but my rational mind wondered if I was letting my fear govern my actions.  Although the fire was reported as still being ten minutes away from us I could already see the traces of smoke filtering through the doors.  It was barely visible, just a slight graying of the air, but it made my heart beat faster with anxiety.

          I had managed to keep myself more or less calm by whispering over and over again that the fire hadn't reached the gym yet and that by the time it did we would be safely journeying to the other compound.  However the mantra of words had only lessened the immediate terror and had done little to ease the foreboding that chilled my body.  With every minute that passed – every puff of smoke, every slight fluctuation in the temperature – my fear mounted and grew.

          Perhaps it was time to take Qui-Gon's advice and head back into the caves.  After all, we needed to get the patients to the other facility *alive* or everything would be for naught.  I turned – ready to disappear back into the underground tunnels – when it suddenly struck me that my Master was nowhere in sight.  I had been too busy to notice before but now that I thought about it I realized that last time I had seen him had been when he had told me we had to evacuate the patients. 

          I shot a quick glance around the room but did not see my Master.  Where was he?  He had gone with the first wave of people to clear out the sections closest to the fire.  Everyone else had returned, why hadn't he?  Surely the flames had already reached those regions and he would be forced to return soon.

          Out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of the head doctor.  "Doctor Ayla!" I called, running up to her and helping her with a patient she was trying to move.

          "Thank you, Obi-Wan," she huffed out between deep breaths of air.

          I nodded absently as I took hold of the injured man's feet and together we swung him over to the other bed.  We tried to be as gentle as possible but there was still a trace of urgency in our movements that neither of us could dispel.

          "Where's Qui-Gon?" I asked.

          She wiped away the sweat that had collected on her forehead with the back of her hand and then shook her head helplessly.  "I don't know.  The last time I saw him he was in one of the far rooms, trying to clear out the last of the patients before the fire completely destroyed everything.  He hasn't come back yet?"  Now there was a hint of concern in her voice and I knew she was thinking the same thing I was – the fire would have forced him to return by now so what was he doing?

          A flash of worry ignited in my heart to join the fear that was already there.  I knew that my Master had gotten himself into trouble while trying to save as many people as possible.  Before, I hadn't wanted to distract him but now I had to know if he was okay.  Master? I sent out to him worriedly, stepping out of the way as Ayla turned to roll the patient towards the underground tunnels.

          Are you all right? I sounded desperate even to myself but I had to hear his voice.

          There was no answer.

          Qui-Gon! I exclaimed, my chest tightening as fear for my Master's life bloomed inside me, accompanying the already pulsating terror of the fire that was quickly eating its way towards me. 

          Again, there was no answer.

TBC…

The next part will be up sometime on Sunday. =)