The Way Things Are Now: Leaving
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

Qui-Gon was frustrated. He knew it was possible that Obi-Wan was somewhere in this neighborhood, but he had no way of knowing. He couldn't knock on every door. Not only could that invite unwanted trouble, but it would also take too much time. He pivoted to get a 360 view of the area he was in. Apartment buildings. That was it; a whole lot of apartment buildings. Mace was questioning passersby. Asking them if they had seen anyone of Obi-Wan's description, or if they had simply seen anything out of the ordinary. Qui-Gon could tell he wasn't getting anywhere.

If only he could feel his padawan's presence, but there was nothing. He had always taken that for granted, and he promised himself that if he ever did find Obi-Wan again, he would never take anything for granted. He turned to see Mace walking up towards him.
"I've got nothing." Mace relayed. "I suggest we keep going. Maybe Obi-Wan got farther than we thought."
Qui-Gon nodded.

~~~

Obi-Wan was sitting at the small table in the kitchen. He had felt well enough this morning to get out of bed. As he finished his drink, he decided to get a better idea of where he was. He walked slowly towards the window, and lazily peered out. Immediately his gaze was fixed to the center of the square, where two figures were talking. At first he thought that he must be delirious, but it was just too real. Obi-Wan could almost feel his master's presence. He could almost smell him.

Suddenly the figures were moving. No! Obi-Wan thought angrily. His fingers flew for the window's latch. He clawed at it viciously but it refused to open.
"What do you think you're doing?" Safiya's annoyed voice pounded into his head. Obi-Wan turned and ran as fast as his limping legs could take him. Safiya stood between him and the door. Her eyes flared with fury and her hands rested impatiently on her hips. "Where do you think you're going? You could get hur…." She stopped abruptly as Obi-Wan shoved his way past her and flung open the door. He was running down the stairs now, and he had to physically restrain the nausea that this action produced. He could hear Safiya gaining on him but he kept moving. After what seemed like eternities, he reached the bottom floor and shoved himself through the door. The brilliant sunlight reflecting off the ever-present metal almost paralyzed him, but he continued for the square. When he got there, he looked in every direction, but the figures who were here moments before were nowhere in sight.

Obi-Wan sat on the hard, cool, unnatural ground, and gave up. This is it, he thought. He looked towards the road ahead of him, and wondered if that was the road his master had taken. The road that had taken his master from him. Then Safiya was upon him, and yanking his arm up fiercely. He stood and looked Safiya in the eye. His soft, somewhat subdued blue, to her fierce brown. He looked at her a moment longer, then jerked his arm free. She was surprised at his action, and simply stood staring at him.

"I was that close." Obi-Wan said softly, afraid that his anger and frustration would show if he spoke any louder. "I am not going to sit here and waste my time any longer. I've got to go find my master."
Safiya clenched his fists at her sides as if his harsh words had actually stung her.
"We didn't have to take care of you, you know!" She yelled freely, never the one to care about her emotions. "I told my mother to just leave you on the street! And after that, you're still ungrateful. That's amazing! Leave, I don't care, I wanted you to leave at the beginning!" She spat, and turned harshly for the door. Obi-Wan watched her take a couple of strides and then stop. If he had had the force, he was sure he would be able to sense indecision.

She turned and glared at him with her arms crossed. "You have a master?!?" she asked incredulously.

~~~

Safiya followed Obi-Wan back up the steps to her apartment.
"You're a Jedi?" she asked incredulously, as if to say he didn't look like one.
"Yes." Obi-Wan answered, slightly perturbed.
"Then how come you crashed?" she asked venomously. He turned swiftly so that she almost fell backwards, and lifted the bracelet around his wrist for her to see. Without giving a word of explanation, he continued up.
"What's that?" Safiya asked. Obi-Wan ignored her, and walked into the apartment. He strode quickly towards the table and picked up his lightsaber, which he had left in his haste. He clipped it onto his belt and looked around to see if there was anything else he should bring.

"I'm going with you." Safiya burst suddenly. Obi-Wan turned and glared at her.
"No, you're not." He answered coolly.
"I am too! There is no way that I'm going to allow myself to indirectly cause your death!" She countered. Obi-Wan merely shook his head and turned for the door.
"Won't we need food or something?" She asked; worry seeping into her usually confident voice.
"Only if you want to eat." He answered, as he started down the stairs. He heard her curse as she ran for a bag and started to stuff it with food. He couldn't help but smile.


A/N: This one was pretty short; but hey, there was some dramatic irony. Tell me what you think and feel free to review with any suggestions!