Part 9
Qui-Gon knew that in his weakened state he wouldn't be able to last very long holding his breath underwater, Kyra was Sanderai and could last a bit longer: the difference was in minutes. The three chained captives watched as Obi-Wan and Jakar battled under the water, Qui-Gon was very disturbed that all he could do was sit and watch. Obi-Wan pulled away and pulled out a rod: Kyra's daja. He tossed it as Kyra turned and caught it with her bound hands.
As Kyra furiously worked at her chains, Jakar lunged at Obi-Wan and grabbed his arm and twisted it as hard as he could. Obi-Wan stopped himself from screaming but the pain was enough to enter into the previously untouchable Master/Padawan bond. Qui-Gon then knew that Jakar had broken Obi-Wan's arm, he felt Obi-Wan's and his own consciousness fading. The Force surged a warning. //Obi-Wan watch out!/// The last thing Qui-Gon heard was the snapping of chains and the last thing he saw was Jakar lodge a dagger in Obi-Wan' s already wounded shoulder.
* * * * * * * *
Qui-Gon awoke in the Jedi Temple's infirmary with Mace Windu sitting next to him.
"Qui-Gon, are you OK?" Qui-Gon sat up and immediately remembered seeing Jakar stab his Padawan.
"Mace…have I lost him again?' Mace shook his head,
"it was just his shoulder but he was in a coma for three days. You've been out for a week and three days; five of those in a Bacta tank."
Mace began to explain the story according to Kyra Dulais' s report. She broke free of her chains and went after Jakar, Obi-Wan had then passed out from the pain and a rock that Jakar had thrown that hit his head. They fought for his dagger, Jakar lost his grip and the dagger fell directly under his ribs, he stabbed himself. Kyra had freed Dra'Ka, who was still conscious, and brought Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon to the surface. Kyra had to perform AR on Obi-Wan but he began to breathe again just before they were picked up and brought to the Temple.
Qui-Gon was very relieved that he hadn't had to go through the grief of losing his apprentice all over again and asked Mace where Obi-Wan was. Mace smirked.
"He's locked in his quarters." Qui-Gon's eyes widened and he demanded an explanation.
When Obi-Wan had awoken he had refused to move from Qui-Gon's side, he didn't eat or sleep which was especially dangerous considering his condition. They had locked him in his quarters after 4 days had passed. "He was originally just confined but he escaped three times and the last one involved him trying to mind trick me, so I locked him in."
Qui-Gon started laughing insanely as Mace tried to maintain a serious composure but failed miserably. Mace said that Obi-Wan was currently being paid a visit by Kyra, Dra'Ka and Bant. Mace tried to get Qui-Gon to promise him to give Obi-Wan a good telling off but Qui-Gon shook his head.
"You know I'm more likely to congratulate him."
"Do you want to leave this room in one piece Qui-Gon?"
" Hey, no picking on me or I'll tell Yoda who stole his gimmer stick when this certain person was an initiate."
"Fine, fine, fine the Healers are going to check you over and don't try and hide anything. You won't leave this room until I have a thumbs up."
* * * * *
"I win," exclaimed Bant as Kyra and Obi-Wan groaned and Dra'Ka threw his cards on the table. Obi-Wan moved his right arm, which was in cased in a cast, out of his way. 'You've won all seven times Bant. This is not fair!" Bant's silver eyes danced as she snickered, "I know."
Bant, Kyra and Dra'Ka were trying to distract Obi-Wan from thinking about Qui-Gon or planning escapes by playing a card game with him. But the faraway look in Obi-Wan's eyes and the fact they'd been playing for nearly two hours showed that they efforts were having little or no effect. Kyra glanced at the chronometer.
"We'd have better get going."
Obi-Wan stood, "you mean you're leaving before…." Obi-Wan let the sentence hang in the air. Kyra put her hands on his shoulders and gave him a hug.
'He'll be fine. Call me when he wakes up." Dra'Ka stood on his feet and shook hands with Obi-Wan as he left, Bant gave him a hug and a look that dared him to try anything as she walked away.
* * * * * * *
Qui-Gon walked down the hall and nearly collided with Dra'Ka and Kyra as they made their way to the hanger.
'Qui-Gon! You're awake!" Kyra exclaimed.
"How is he?" asked Qui-Gon.
"He's fine physically and mentally, I'm not sure about emotional part." Kyra also added that he was quite angry about being locked up.
"Go to him," said Dra'Ka, "he probably has not been told." They said their good-byes and Qui-Gon continued walking.
* * * * * * * * *
Obi-Wan stared at his enemy and wished he could slice it in half.: his enemy was the kitchen. When he had first been locked up he had asked Mace Windu if he could get food from the dining hall but he was denied the permission. Mace seemed amused about the whole mind trickery thing but was determined to see him suffer for it. Obi-Wan had avoided cooking as much as possible by eating very old leftovers. But, since he had noticed that he was losing weight he decided that he had to except the inevitable: he'd have to cook.
Obi-Wan decided to make soup, it was the easiest thing he could think of. He managed to do everything with his left hand and then left the pot on the cooker to cook. He felt a stabbing pain in his shoulder and went for his pain killers, he then inspected the pill very carefully before taking it. Healer Arcro had contacted the Counsel stating that Obi-Wan had been poisoned by someone, most likely Jakar, contaminating his anti-virus serum.
He smelt something burning, he turned and saw the pot overflowing. "
Oh Sith!" he cried as he switched the cooker off. He tried to pick up the heavy pot but split some of the boiling liquid on his good arm. He screamed in pain and ran out of the kitchen swearing all the way. He didn't even notice the door open, Obi-Wan then ran into the wall and knocked himself out.
* * * * * * * *
Qui-Gon had never heard so many profanities since he had made Kyra Dulais acquaintance. He ran to his Padawan and checked for serious injuries, none. He picked up Obi-Wan and lay him on his bed. He thought of sitting there until he woke up but when he saw how thin Obi-Wan was he decided to surprise him.
* * * * * * * * * *
Obi-Wan groaned loudly and massaged his head. He glanced as his good arm only to see a red colouring and no pain, obviously someone had treated it.
'OK Bant you can come out now," he called but received no answer. He stood and winced as he realized he had turned his ankle. He swore in a variety of different languages as he made his way to the kitchen, he almost fainted in surprise.
There was an actual meal set out and the mess he had made was cleaned up. Bant was a better cook than he was by far but this was beyond her ability, what was more surprising was that the table was set for two.
"What in Sith's hell is going on here?" he thought out loud.
"How many times do I have to tell you to watch your language." came a voice from behind him. Obi-Wan turned and saw Qui-Gon. He crossed the room as quickly as possible without running and threw himself into his Master's outstretched arms.
Qui-Gon lost his balance and they fell onto the sofa, Obi-Wan winced slightly at impact.
"Master, you're OK!" whispered Obi-Wan.
Qui-Gon held him close and gave him a kiss on the forehead. "Thank-you for coming back to me young one," Qui-Gon whispered back. Obi-Wan looked at him with a teary gaze,
"I came so close to losing you that I now know how you must have felt and I'm sorry."
"It wasn't your fault and you know it."
Obi-Wan gave a small smile and stood as his stomach growled, Qui-Gon laughed.
"Remind me to teach you how to cook, and I believe I have a lecture to give about mind tricking your elder." Obi-Wan smiled, he was looking foward to this
END