The Way Things Are Now: Awakening
By: Alyssa
Disclaimer: I don't own Obi-Wan or any of the Star Wars characters
Summary: Obi-Wan angst. He is trying to escape the fighting ring, and at the same time Qui-Gon has come in to save him.
Comes after Book 16 of the Jedi Apprentice series, A Call to Vengeance


Obi-Wan turned to his side and coughed painfully. His whole body was covered with sweat and he felt as if his head was going to explode. He repositioned himself on the bed and tried to roll to his other side.

His eyes darted open and he sat up as much as was possible in his state. Where was he? Whose bed was this? He realized he didn't remember what had happened, or how he had gotten here. All he remembered was escaping the fighting warehouse. And Mirko, he remembered Mirko.

"Are you old enough to drive?" The middle-aged female asked him as she entered the room. Obi-Wan blinked, then tried to wipe the sweat that was running into his eyes, but his wet sleeve only made it worse. He stared at the woman, confused. She smiled warmly at him.

Obi-Wan started to cough again, and the lady was soon by his side.
"Are you all right?" She asked, worry evident in her voice. "I didn't mean it."
Obi-Wan looked at her, trying to discern just how sincere she was. She looked back at his frightened eyes, and her eyes began to well. "You remind me of my son." She whispered. Then she turned and stood.

Obi-Wan watched her back as she tried to recoup. He was completely confused, and he had no idea where he was. All he knew was that he was in a modest, fairly dingy room, with a woman on the edge of the breakdown. While in the process of connecting the information, the woman turned back towards him.
"I'm sorry." She said, seemingly earnest. Her brown hair, slightly touched with gray, hung down to her chin, and her dull brown eyes still shone with moisture. "I only had a limited supply of bacta, but I think you are alright."

Obi-Wan pulled the sheet off his body to assess his injuries. Despite the stiffness, and the acute pain that he suffered from sudden movements, he was surprised at how relatively good he felt.
"What happened?" He finally asked. His voice cracked and it sounded hoarse, but the lady still smiled when she heard it.
"There was an accident in your speeder. I found you just lying on the road. I got you to my house as quickly as possible. I was so glad that a gang hadn't found you." She answered. Obi-Wan had heard of gangs, and of some of the horrific things they did.
"So am I." He whispered softly.

~~~

From their cell, they could hear the action outside. The Jedi reinforcements had arrived, and were engaged, by the sound of it, in a very lively battle.
"They've been here ten minutes. Wanna bet it will be over in five more?" Mace asked Qui-Gon tiredly. Qui-Gon turned to stare at him, reminding Mace that this was no time for joking. But Mace's guess was near accurate, and soon a Jedi opened the door.
"Sorry we're so late." He started. "We got lost."

Qui-Gon talked to Yoda through his comlink.
"Obi-Wan escaped." With this first vocalizing of the fact, Qui-Gon felt himself bite his lip.
"Obi-Wan is then still well." Yoda concluded. Qui-Gon nodded, because he was afraid his voice would betray his emotions. "Frustrated you are." Yoda added wisely.
"Yes." Qui-Gon answered.
"Expect him to wait, did you?" Yoda asked. Qui-Gon laughed. No, he had never expected Obi-Wan to wait. "Many Jedi are there now. Help you they will."
"Yes, Master Yoda." Qui-Gon answered and turned off his comlink. He turned to see Mace explaining the situation to some of the newly arrived Jedi, and they in turn talked to him. Qui-Gon just watched him for a while, trying to decipher what was being said by watching Mace's emotions.

Finally, Mace approached him. He sighed, and took in a deep breath.
"They got everybody rounded up, but Mirko got away." Mace relayed softly. Qui-Gon just stared at him, that name held no meaning.
"Blond guy." Mace clarified. If a wall, or something else solid, was nearby, Qui-Gon would have punched it.
"Out of everybody, he had to get away!"
"He doesn't have a better idea of where Obi-Wan is than we do. What we need to do now, is get out into Coruscant and look for him." Mace responded calmly. Qui-Gon hated the fact that Mace was so sensible, but then he reminded himself that it wasn't Mace's padawan at stake.
"Yes," Qui-Gon finally answered, and he walked towards the door.

~~~

Obi-Wan was able to drink some of the soup, but the bread was too much for his throbbing abdomen. He carefully lifted up the small bandage to reveal the blaster shot. It didn't look as bad as he was expecting, but it hurt like hell.

Obi-Wan finally pushed the tray away, he couldn't eat it anymore. Already he could feel his gastric juices at work, and he experienced an uncomfortable sort of pain. He sighed and once more took in his surroundings. Even though this place was reasonably nice, and a whole lot better than the warehouse, he knew he had to leave. He had to contact Qui-Gon somehow. He had already asked the lady, Salali as her name, but she was too poor for even a means of communication. He was also afraid that somehow Mirko would find him, and he couldn't stand it if Salali got hurt. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, but he was still too weak, and nearly collapsed. The little room was closing in on him, and he finally realized that if someone came through the door, he had no means of escape.

"Salali?" He called, but there was no answer. Obi-Wan couldn't feel if anything was wrong, but he had to act as if it was. He stood once again, this time fully supporting himself by gripping the edge of the bed. He walked slowly until he ran out of bed to hold onto. Then he moved cautiously, arms out to the side, towards the door. When he reached it, he opened it enough to form the smallest crack. He could hear people talking, no arguing. He wasn't able to distinguish what they were saying, because their voices were so low. He realized that they didn't want to disturb him. Salali was protesting something, and he could hear the strain in her voice. The other voice, another female, was getting higher as she argued her case.

Obi-Wan's stomach began to contract, and he could feel sickness gripping him. He gasped quietly as he tried to suck in enough air. His head started to spin, and he could feel himself leaning more and more onto the door. The door moved with his weight until it was fully open, then he slid down to the floor.

~~~

"He probably hasn't gotten far. We can start a search radius and work our way outward." Mace strategized as he drove their speeder. Qui-Gon merely nodded. He hadn't spoken since they had gotten into the car. They passed several buildings, heading towards the area they were designated to search. At last, Qui-Gon broke his silence, and turned to face Mace.
"Do you think he's ready?" He asked Mace solemnly. Mace looked at him then turned quickly back towards the road.
"Ready for what?"
"The gangs, criminals, and other beasts that are on this planet?"
"Yes." Mace answered trying to hide the slight conflict he was feeling. He wasn't sure if he had just lied or not.

~~~

"Obi-Wan? Obi-Wan?" Salali called worriedly. Obi-Wan opened his eyes to stare up at Salali and a girl who slightly resembled her. While Salali's eyes were compassionate, the girl's eyes seemed to contain a slight hatred.
"Are you ok?" Salali continued to ask. Obi-Wan nodded as best he could from the floor, and Salali smiled with relief. She turned to who Obi-Wan now assumed was her daughter and spoke to her. "Help me get him to the bed." The girl gritted her teeth but didn't speak. She roughly grabbed one of Obi-Wan's arms as her mom grabbed the other.

When Obi-Wan securely back in bed, he was able to look at the girl more closely. She was around his age and had brown hair, but darker than her mothers. It had bright red streaks and was pulled up in an intricate, somewhat spiky, design. She wore thick, loose pants, common on the streets of Coruscant; and a cropped shirt designed for maximum mobility. She looked all together rebellious.

"Does he have to stay in Setne's bed?" She asked his mother firmly.
"What do you suggest? We keep him in the closet?" Her mother asked her incredulously.
"No, I suggested we get him out of the house!" the girl answered loudly.
"Why Safiya? So he could be killed like your brother?" Salali shot back automatically. Immediately Obi-Wan felt both women tense up. Safiya closed her eyes tightly and shook as if trying to clear her head. Then she opened her eyes and looked straight at Obi-Wan. The same hatred was corrupting what could be inviting brown eyes. She stared viciously at Obi-Wan, and turned to leave the room.

a/n: Whew! I just wrote that in…… 45 minutes. I stared a little before 10:00 (pm that is) and here I am. My computer was down for a long time (ok, not that long, but it was a whole weekend and that is when I do all my writing). I really hope you liked this part. I tried to incorporate some of your challenges and suggestions. I don't have a reader participation this time, but down below are the results of the other one, and always feel free to turn in more suggestions.

5.) After Obi-Wan escapes, should he be able to get the wrist thingy ma-bob off? NO: /////
a.) If yes, how does he get it off? Qui-Gon
6.) What kind of unseemly characters should he meet? bums, gangs, curious girls, a slave driver or a man who has a grudge against Qui-Gon, strange Twi'Lek boy, Some poor soul (or souls) that have fallen through society's cracks. (There, you can use that with a number of the other suggestions.) Ewok, Jawa
7.) Do you have any challenges for me? maybe mace should have to save qui-gon and obi-wan 1) someone should cry (2) and you should make it that Qui-Gon blows up at Mace at somepoint!

8.) How should Qui-Gon react? What will he do when he finds Obi-Wan has escaped? frustrated