Chapter: Seventeen: Creative Liberties
Ch. Summary: Ben and Obi-Wan finally get to see each other again.
A/N: Due to the change in Ben's age to 35 from his canon age of 38, his birth date has been changed accordingly.
It was three days since they'd returned to the temple. Ben had been in just as many Council meetings, and the Mandalorians were still camped out in the temple hangar making the pilots and mechanics nervous.
Ben wasn't informed on what Obi-Wan had told Mace and Yoda when they went to speak with him once he'd finally woken up, but whatever it was Ben now had permission to sit at his padawan's bedside. Which is what he was doing, Obi-Wan was still asleep when he'd entered the room, so Ben chose to sit quietly and wait for the boy to wake.
It wasn't like there was a shortage of things for Ben to do while waiting either. The Council had given him a datapad chocked full of paperwork they wanted him to bantha-shit his way through so they could add him into the temple systems. It wasn't a bad idea. Especially since Ben knew that Jango's intelligence officer and resident slicer was probably well on his way to digging through the temple servers. He hadn't seen the need to warn the Council about the breech either. A little transparency with their oldest enemy wouldn't go amiss, he didn't think.
So Ben was occupying himself with truthfully filling out personal paperwork, from a certain point of view.
Name: Obi-Wan "Ben" Kenobi
Species: Human Variant
Birth Planet: Stewjon
Birth Date: (He had to do some math on this one) mm / dd / 7902 CRC
Temple Arr. Date: 7902 CRC
Finder:…
It was while he was discussing some of the details of his fake background with the Council that Ben remembered where he knew the name of his actual finder from, Knight Feemor MacLeod.
Feemor MacLeod was Qui-Gon's first padawan. He'd been charged with finishing Feemor's training when his first master died. Feemor, for all that Ben had been able to dig up on him, was a good Jedi, a successful Knight, a credit to the Order. That Qui-Gon so callously threw him and his accomplishments away, that he disowned Feemor for Xanatos's actions was heartbreaking.
Ben resolved to find out more about his oldest brother-padawan. Maybe he could even introduce Obi-Wan and Feemor. Some Jedi had friendly or even mentor like relationships with their finders. Plo Koon and Ahsoka being a prime example of that. And truthfully, Obi-Wan could use all the supportive adult influences he could get.
So, given that Feemor MacLeod was actually within four or five years of Ben's current physical age, he couldn't put him down as his finder. When he'd brought this up, it was Yoda that came up with the solution.
Finder: Master Yoda
Apparently, in 7902 CRC Master Yoda had taken several highly classified missions off planet, one of which resulted in a two month long chase through the Outer Rim. It was entirely plausible that he'd found himself on Stewjon at some point and subsequently stumbled upon an abandoned red headed infant.
That Yoda had managed to poach the time traveler into his pseudo-lineage did not go unnoticed by the other Councilors. It did make Ben smile, though. He knew Yoda had pushed him toward Qui-Gon to begin with partly because he considered himself too old to take another padawan, but he thought Obi-Wan- Ben had great potential. His other reasons, if any for putting them together, Ben was less sure about.
Still it was a little comforting that even though he was a relative unknown Master Yoda still saw a place for him in his lineage.
Creche Master: Master Trevor
Initiate Clan: Clan Gundark
On and on it went. Ben filling out some of the information with the details from the Council and some of them Ben fudged from his real records. Like his grades and test scores. The Council agreed that keeping most everything as close to the truth he knew as possible was wisest, so Ben had Obi-Wan's academic file to compare and alter at his discretion.
The only thing that really stumped them for a time was his former master. Ideally having him apprentice to one of the Council members would be best, but it was also common knowledge around the temple that Ben had been a relative stranger to them. If they tried to put in his files that one of the Councilors had taken him as a padawan there would be suspicion and questions. Finally they decided on picking a plausible candidate from a list of retired or deceased Jedi Shadows, the Jedi secret operations forces so to speak.
This actually worked well, since Ben did in fact know a great deal of the techniques a Shadow would learn in their specialized training. Mainly thanks to Quinlan being an almost compulsive rule breaker, but also because the Clone Wars forced many Jedi to learn Force techniques they otherwise wouldn't have even heard of in order to survive and accomplish their missions.
At Ben's request they settled on a Master Shadow that had died in the field. His experience with Qui-Gon's death was a large part of what shaped him as a knight and later a master. He didn't want to pretend that he wasn't effected by his master's untimely death. Plus he'd already mentioned to Obi-Wan that he'd been there when his master had died. It had come up in one of their late evening conversations. Trying to backtrack on that now was just not advisable.
Master: Master Shadow J. Bond
Ben was in middle of debating whether he should attempt filling in his medical history without Healer Che's input when Obi-Wan finally began to stir.
"It's good to see you awake, padawan mine," Ben drawled quietly when Obi-Wan's uncovered eye blinked open.
"Master Ben," Obi-Wan croaked his mind trying to sluggishly awaken through the painkillers Master Che still had him on.
"Hello there," he smiled down at the teen as he set the datapad aside and picked up a cup of water. "Here, Obi-Wan, sip some of this."
The boy shakily rose up on his elbows and sipped some water through the offered straw. It soothed his throat and cleared his mind a bit more. Master Ben helped him sit up and adjust the bed so he could lean back but stay up right.
"I'm glad to see you, Master," Obi-Wan said once he was comfortable and Master Ben was returned to his seat. "Master Yoda and Master Windu told me what you did for me, with the trance."
Ben waved it away, but Obi-Wan knew he was very serious when he said, "There isn't much I would not have done to make sure you were alright."
This rather blatant admission of attachment made Obi-Wan blush. He smiled as he felt warmth inside him. "Thank you all the same, Master."
Nodding, Ben allowed the subject to drop. "How are you feeling? Master Che said she repaired the worst of the damage."
"Yeah, she said I'll scar though," Obi-Wan answered, somewhat glumly.
"But it won't effect your physical abilities at all," Ben said, with a tone of light admonishment. "And that's the important part."
Sighing, the boy conceded, then a frown pinched at his half hidden brow. "Master, do you know what happened on Melida/Daan after I was injured? Was- was Cersai alright?" he asked with no little amount of concern.
Thankfully, Ben could answer him. "I've spoken with Jango since we landed. He left most of his verde behind on Melida/Daan to help with the peace treaty and the government restructuring. So far he's been receiving favorable reports." He held up a hand when Obi-Wan's mouth opened to ask again, "And that includes Cerasi. She was completely uninjured in the attack and has since been very ruthlessly spearheading the negotiations."
Relief melted some of the tension in Obi-Wa's body. "Good. I'm glad."
"I am as well, young one," Ben offered, but his expression was grave. "I would be much happier if you never put yourself between a slugthrower and someone else ever again."
He felt shame rise in his chest not for the first time. "I'm sorry, Master. I know I should have recognized what it was. The Force was trying to warn me about the slugthrower, I just didn't understand."
Blowing out a breath, Ben reached forward and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder drawing his lowered gaze back to him. "This is not your fault, Obi-Wan. I saw the same images in the Force as you did. And I am an experienced Jedi Master. I don't have the excuse of youth and novelty for my mistake."
"It's not your fault either, Master," Obi-Wan tried to protest as he lifted a hand and grasped his master's wrist. A sign of trust and comfort to them both.
Ben gave the boy a wry grin. "You'll find, dear one, that every injury your padawan acquires, from a flimsy cut to a slugthrower, is always the master's fault."
Obi-Wan pursed his lips unhappily, but knew that he wasn't going to win the argument.
"Did I miss Jango leaving, then? I wanted to say goodbye and thank you."
Another wry smile, this one with far more amusement curled over the master's face. "Fortunately, Jango and his verde are still parked in the temple hangar."
Obi-Wan raised a surprised eyebrow. "Why? I didn't think they would have wanted to stay so close to so many Jedi."
"Apparently, Mand'alor Fett has things he wants to discuss with the Jetii Alore and the Jetii Alorir Tsad."
Brow furrowing in concentration, Obi-Wan tried to translate that. "Jango wants to talk to Master Windu and the-" he paused unsure, "the High Council?"
"Very good," Ben praised and Obi-Wan smiled. Then he elaborated, "I explained a little of the hierarchy of the Jedi Order and he wants to speak to Master Windu as the Master of the Order, Master Yoda as the Grand Master of the Order – the Jetii Ba'Alor as Jango roughly translated - and the High Council."
Biting his lip, Obi-Wan thought over what Jango could possibly want with the High Council. "Do you think-" he hesitated but continued in a lower voice, "Do you think he wants to question them about Galidraan?"
Ben was a little surprised that Obi-Wan remembered about Galidraan and Ben using the information as an incentive for Jango to assist them.
"Galidraan is probably one of the things Jango wishes to discuss with them," he confirmed. "We're very lucky the Haat Mando'ade left the planet before the Jedi showed up. It would not have gone well for anyone if they'd clashed there."
Not for the first time, Obi-Wan wondered how his master could know something with so much confidence, and not for the first did he contemplate the possibility that Ben might have visions as well.
"But besides politics, Jango also said he wanted to stick around to make sure you were alright."
Obi-Wan blinked in shock. "Me?"
"Yes, Obi-Wan," Ben gave the bewildered boy a smile. "Jango respects you a great deal. I daresay he at least considers you a friend by this point." Not to mention he was fairly sure Jango would attempted to adopt Obi-Wan into his aliit if Ben hadn't already made his claim very clear.
"Oh," Obi-Wan sank further into his pillows, his visible eye wide. "That's-" he stopped then a shy pleased smile curled at his lips. "that's good, because I feel the same."
Ben just grinned, feeling pleased himself. Also amused by the irony. He'd nearly been killed by Jango in his past life. Now he and his younger self counted the Mandalorian as an ally and friend.
They were companionably quiet for a time, but soon Obi-Wan's shoulders tensed again and his frown was back. Though this time with worry. "Master, do you know if the Council- if they will approve of our Master-Padawan bonding?"
Ben's expression stiffened with seriousness. "Unfortunately, the Council has had other more pressing things to consider. I know for sure that your bond with Qui-Gon will be dissolved. Whether they'll then allow me to take you on I'm not sure yet."
"I won't have another master," Obi-Wan said, all his teenage defiance and determination just as present as the first time he made that declaration. "I only want you to be my master."
"And I only want you to be my padawan," Ben returned with utter sincerity as he stood up and moved to sit on Obi-Wan's bed. He lifted a hand and gently cradled Obi-Wan's head on his uninjured side. "I promise you, Obi-Wan, even if the Council refuses, I will take you for my padawan regardless. Even if we have to leave the Order."
Obi-Wan tilted his head into his master's comforting touch and allowed the worry and fear to dissipate. He knew, of course he knew, that Master Ben would not just give him up, he'd told Obi-Wan so while they were still on Melida/Daan. But hearing his master say the words again made something tight unclench in his chest.
Ben for his part was very serious. He would leave the Order entirely and take Obi-Wan with him if he had to. It would put a crimp in his plans to reform the Order and effect change from the inside, but he would do it. And not just because it was the Will of the Force either.
Over the months he'd been in the past, Ben had grown to care for Obi-Wan in his own right. Apart from the knowledge that they were genetically speaking the same person with much of the same history, Ben had seen how Obi-Wan grew and changed since he'd known him. In heart and mind, he was entirely his own person now, separate from Ben.
Once he'd gotten to know Obi-Wan as he was now, how could Ben not care deeply for him.
That he wanted Obi-Wan for a padawan was a little more complicated. He'd only voluntarily considered taking two padawans other than Anakin. Ahsoka and Luke.
Ahsoka was a much greater fit as Anakin's padawan, though he would always cherish the time and mentor relationship he shared with her as her grandmaster.
And Luke, well. Ben wasn't quite ready to unpack all he felt about Luke.
"Though, let's hope we won't have to go on the run from the Order any time soon," Ben said trying to lighten the tense mood.
Obi-Wan gave a halfhearted chuckle, but Ben noticed he'd resumed his habit of tangling his fingers in Ben's tabard.
"I might have made it worse, Master," Obi-Wan said like it was a confession.
"How so, young one?" Ben shifted his position till he was sitting beside Obi-Wan on his bed, gently wrapping his arm around the boy's shoulders in a half hug. The teen gratefully leaned against him, taking comfort from the freely given physical affection. Though he still had tiny voice in the back of his mind whispering it was taboo.
"When Master Windu and Master Yoda came to speak to me, I accidentally told them you'd been teaching me already," Obi-Wan explained. "They didn't seem exactly happy about some of the things I mentioned."
"No, I suppose Mace Windu would not see the wisdom in some of the things I've been teaching you," Ben agreed wryly.
"Master Yoda didn't seem so disapproving," Obi-Wan offered, then grimaced. "He wasn't even mad when I accidentally let slip about your padawan."
Frowning in confusion, Ben looked down into the teen's guilty face. "I already told the Council about my padawan."
"No, I let slip about your- um- your attachment to him."
Confusion melting away, Ben just chuckled and gave Obi-Wan a comforting squeeze. "Not to worry, dear one. The Council is well aware I'm still quite unrepentantly attached to my former padawan. You didn't reveal anything they didn't already know."
"Oh," Obi-Wan sighed in relief. "I was worried."
"There's no need to be," Ben assured him again. "Besides if anyone knows about being attached to your padawans it's Yoda."
"What do you mean?" he asked curiously.
"Master Yoda is known for being especially partial to his own lineage," Ben revealed with a wry smirk. "And since he's the Grand Master of the Order, no one's quite brave enough to call him on it."
Obi-Wan let out a slightly scandalized giggle as this shocking, innocent revelation. Though he sobered quickly, a contemplative expression taking over. "That explains some if it then."
"Explains what?"
"Some of the things Master Yoda said and how he reacted when they asked me about Master Jinn," he replied.
"Ah," Ben nodded knowingly. "I imagine it was not pleasant for him to hear about his grandpadawan in a negative light. He didn't make you uncomfortable, did he?"
"No," Obi-Wan shook his head, "I could tell he wasn't directing his reactions at me, exactly. He was reluctant to accept when I said there was no way Master Jinn and I would reconcile."
It wasn't a surprise that Yoda would suggest that. Leaving out the fact that he was partial to Qui-Gon already, it was usually one of the first things they tried when a master and padawan came before the Council with problems. They attempted to reconcile the two rather than uproot the padawan entirely to another master. Still, given what had been revealed by both Ben and surely Obi-Wan they should have immediately accepted there would be no reconciliation.
A thought occurred to him, and Ben frowned. "Speaking of, Qui-Gon hasn't come to see you, has he?"
It was all over the temple by now that Obi-Wan Kenobi was returned and injured. If Qui-Gon hadn't deigned to check up on him, it was not because he was uninformed.
A small spike of sadness and rejection made it's way into Obi-Wan's Force presence. "Master Che said I'm not allowed normal visitors yet, but she has been passing on messages from my friends. She hasn't mentioned Master Jinn."
Ben couldn't help but feel his own hint of sadness and rejection at that. The implication that in his past, if he'd returned to the temple injured, his master would not have checked up on his welfare was unpleasant. Though, with hindsight and acceptance, Ben could acknowledge that it wasn't for another almost two years after their reconciliation that he and Qui-Gon had truly become partners.
"I'm sorry, Obi-Wan," Ben offered consolingly. "Even though you don't see him as your master any longer, I know that his absence must still be hurtful."
The teenager just pressed his face into Ben's shoulder and let out a heavy huff of breath. Ben observed as Obi-Wan shared his sadness and rejection with the Force, returning himself to the comfort and engagement of their previous conversation.
"Thank you, Master Ben. But I will be okay."
Ben smiled gently down at the top of Obi-Wan's shaggy head and stroked his hand up and down the boy's arm. "Yes, you will," he agreed quietly, proudly.
They fell into another soothing silence then. Ben thinking heavy thoughts and Obi-Wan just soaking up as much affection and comfort as he could. An hour later, Vokara Che made her rounds and discovered them both asleep, still curled up together on Obi-Wan's bed.
TBC...