5 day later the ship was rapidly approaching Naboo, and the pain left from the vision had not yet abated. Obi-wan knew that it was not likely to abate until he had the chance to truly open to the force. But unfortunately a ship in hyper space was not the place to do it. Since he was on his way on a mission the chances that the force would let him rest with out showing him other options was very little. And the fact that it was chilly on the ship was not helping. Obi-wan's physiology did not react well to cold or chill at all. Instead of trying Obi-wan just set the pain in the back of his mind. It was a very old Jedi pain management technique. It was what allowed Jedi to continue fighting through serous and often fatal wounds. And that was what made is so dangerous. A Jedi could still die from wounds inflicted. The just wouldn't feel them.
But unfortunately for Obi-wan the technique only worked for a while before it wore off. And just to add to Obi-wan's bad luck and resulting foul mood , Qui-gon was starting to notice there was something wrong. And if Obi-wan had read him right there was going to be a confrontation in the not so distant future. They would be arriving on Naboo tomorrow, and Qui-gon would not let anyone go into a situation that was likely to get volatile, with out checking on them. In fact Qui-gon was coming down the corridor.
Qui-gon walked down the corridor towards the presence in the force that was Obi-wan. Something was wrong with Obi-wan and he intended to find out. If he had to he would pull rank as a Master over Obi-wan's Padawan. He entered the room and quickly located Obi-wan. He was curled in one of the sofa's wrapped in a blanket and holding his head. Qui-gon slowed at the sight. It was actually frighteningly familiar. Obi-wan had often sat like that in their quarters before a mission. He often had to help Obi-wan deal with very painful and persisting headaches. He smiled to think that Obi-wan would still get a headache before a mission.
He walked slowly over to where Obi-wan was sitting. Reached a hand out and asked "May I?" Obi-wan looked up from his thoughts and shrugged. "It can't hurt." Qui-gon placed a hand on Obi-wan's head and sent healing waves of the force to the other Jedi. The ache in Obi-wan's head slowly abated. It reduced to a less incapacitating level. Well to Obi-wan it was much better. Qui-gon could feel the amount of pain Obi-wan was still in and redoubled his efforts. But it was fruitless endeavor. Obi-wan stopped him. "Master Jinn, that's enough" Qui-gon pulled away. "But your still in pain." Obi-wan smiled slightly. "But now it's a manageable pain. Before it was getting to where it was difficult to function through it." Qui-gon sat back. "Obi-wan, that much pain would have anyone else unconscious! Not just having a hard time concentrating! I feel the echos of the pain you are still in. It's still more than most humans could put up with!"
Obi-wan smiled a sad smile. "I've gotten used to it over the years, I guess." Qui-gon just shook his head. "Do you know what brought this on?" Obi—wan nodded. "It was the vision I had. That kind of vision always has residual pain." Qui-gon heard that comment but it took a moment to sink in. "That kind...You mean when we went on missions when you were younger that's what caused your headaches?" Obi-wan nodded. "You have no idea how grateful I was to have you help me get rid of them. The only other way I have found is to open myself to the force. And I can't do that in hyper space." Qui-gon brushed a lock of hair out of Obi-wan's eyes. "Oh Obi-wan. I wish I had know of your visions from the start." Obi-wan didn't flinch away from the touch and smiled another sad smile. "I wish that too, Master Jinn. I wish you hadn't found out the way you did." Qui-gon stayed sitting close to Obi-wan. "I wish I had reacted better." Tears gathered in Obi-wan's eyes. "I wish that too."
Qui -gon closed his eyes. "Do you know what else I wish?" Obi-wan shook his head. "I wish I had been a Master to you in more than name these past years." Obi-wan looked away. "I wish that too." Qui-gon reached out and tugged on Obi-wan's braid. "One thing I do want to say before we go on this mission. I am proud of the man you have become. I can't say I had much to do with it, but I can be proud of you." Obi-wan smiled. Qui-gon tugged once more on the braid. "I will speak to you later. We need to plan what we will do once we are planet side." The he went back to his quarters. And in two different parts of the ship two Jedi cried and remembered.
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