Qui-Gon just finished last-meal alone, settled in his easy chair, and extended his legs until his knee caps popped to kick the kinks out of them. The long day at the court was harder than a mission he thought. He never cared to sit idle for any reason, let alone what he sat all day for.
The thought that he could be on trial for the abuse of a child was unthinkable. Anyone who knew the towering master, knew him incapable of harming anything intentionally.
Jinn closed his eyes and envisioned Obi-Wan as he stood there and watched Qui-Gon and the other two Jedi leave the courtroom.
//He tried to be brave, but that little quivering chin that causes his dimple on it to move, is a dead giveaway for when he is about to cry. Funny how I know so little about the child, yet I know when he is on the verge of tears. Have things been so hard for him that with repetition I have learned when to recognize the onslaught of misery?//
Qui-Gon let his mind wander to Selena. She was hiding something but what? If only she would speak with him alone. Qui-Gon was sure things could be ironed out between them.
//Maybe with Selena, however, I am unsure if things could ever be civil between Mr. Lars and I. I know he holds me explicably responsible for his son's death. Does he not understand how much I cared for Owen; that I would have given my life for his had I the chance that day?//
The day had taken its toll on the master. Tears brimmed in his eyes and one fell down his cheek before he could gain control of his emotions.
The comm link buzz brought him back to reality.
Qui-Gon hopped up quickly, wiped the tear drop from his cheek, and headed for his desk where the comm link was.
"Qui-Gon?"
"Selena. I… well… I am surprised. I thought I would be the last person you would want to speak with."
"No, I have to speak with you. This hearing is killing me inside Qui-Gon. I can't stand to see Obi-Wan hurt so. I didn't know he had grown so attached to you. I saw you and he in the courtroom. Qui are you alright?"
She had heard the shaky voice of Jinn's when he answered the comm and she could see the hallow shaded eyes, marked with unusual dullness.
"I am fine Selena. And for Obi-Wan I was not aware he had become so attached to me. I think it has more to do with his frightening situation of being put in an orphanage and the uncertainty of his future. I doubt his clinging to me has much to do with me at all."
"What makes you say that? I saw how you and he literally clung to each other. Listen I don't have much time. My husband will be back soon. Could we meet for tea or something after the court hearing tomorrow?"
"Well yes. Will Mr. Lars be with you?"
"NO!" The woman looked around her hotel room behind her to make sure her husband had not returned. "Qui-Gon I wish to ask you to keep this between you and I. Yoda and Mace and even your attorney are not to know, if you agree to meet with me."
Qui-Gon was quiet for a minute and did not answer his friend.
"I don't know Selena. That is how this all got out of hand. You wanted me to keep Obi's illness a secret and now you have me charged with child neglect when the Jedi and I only tried to help."
"Please Qui. If we have some time alone I can explain this.. Everything. I will even tell you why Obi-Wan takes the medicine." At least I hope I will be able too.
She had piqued his curiosity but Qui-Gon still was not sure their meeting was such a good idea.
"And the charges Selena, what about them?"
Now she remained silent for a time.
"Those Qui-Gon, were my husband's idea, not mine. I don't know if I can get him to withdraw them or not. It might help if you agreed to permanently take Obi. I mean full custody and all that."
"Oh Selena, I have temporary custody now. I am not at all sure he should stay here with me, on a permanent basis."
"What then, the orphanage until he is of the age of consent? He can't Qui-Gon. It might well kill him."
"Now that is a bit overstated isn't it Selena?"
"You have to hear all the facts before you can say I have a hysterical "ninny", Master Jinn. After we meet I can tell you everything and you will understand. I have not even stated the facts strong enough where Obi-Wan's welfare is concerned. PLEASE QUI?"
He couldn't refuse. The woman seemed so desperate and he did want to know why Obi-Wan would be in such jeopardy if he stayed in an orphanage.
"Very well Selena. I'll meet you at the little eatery a crossed the street, during noon recess, how's that?"
"Fine and thank you Qui. I will be there."
###########
The next day at the court hearing, Jinn was very pleased to see Obi-Wan and see that he seemed more rested and calm.
Mr. Lars took the stand that morning and prattled on about Owen. Sometimes inflaming the pain of his wife and Qui-Gon with memories of Owen.
Master Jinn tried to block as many of his evil misstated answers he could. He had fond memories of his apprentice and he didn't want those ruined. He also did not want to walk away from this hearing when it was over, enemies, with Owen's father.
Qui-Gon was given a couple of minutes after the morning session broke for mid-meal to speak with Obi-Wan.. Mr. Lars had an important meeting he had to attend that afternoon. He was to be picked up and transported to it immediately after the he testified.
Selena left for the eatery or so Jinn assumed. He signaled Yoda and Mace to go. He used the excuse that he was going to visit with Obi-Wan. He was going to stay and speak with Obi, but then he was to meet Selena. His anticipation grew with each passing minute.
//Maybe now I will find out what really is going on.//
########At the eatery############
Selena took the liberty of ordering a richly spiced garnished pot of tea and had the waiter bring two cups. She sat at the table and thought through what she should say and how much. She was still not sure how far to go with the truth about Obi-Wan, at least right now.
Selena heard the door open and looked up to see her friend or she hoped was still her friend Qui-Gon Jinn.
Jinn sat a crossed the table from her.
"Well, You said you would tell me all about Obi-Wan."
Fear crept in her with Jinn's words.
"Master Jinn. In retrospect, I will have to amend my statement. I can only tell you what I think I safely can ……and nothing more……"
Just as quickly as Jinn sat down and while Selena poured his tea he got back up, almost upturning his cup onto the table, as he bolted for the door..
"I think I should leave. That is not what we agreed too. I am tired of being in the dark where Obi-Wan is concerned. I have managed to release my anger toward you and your husband for bringing these trumped up charges against me, against the Jedi. If this is some personal vendetta against me or the order, then do what you will."
Jinn walked to the front of the restaurant, to the door. All eyes in the little crowded eatery with other courtroom patrons watched a Jedi display emotions, not common in public or anywhere for that matter.
"Qui, please you have to listen. I only meant that I am not sure right now, how much I should tell you of Ob-Wan's situation. If I could have assurance that you would take Obi-Wan as he is on a permanent basis I would know more of what to tell you. I have to do something. Time is running out, not for me but for Obi-Wan."
Qui-Gon let the woman ramble as he actually had his hand on the door knob and was about to walk out until Selena mentioned Obi-Wan's time running out.
Under the watchful eyes of the curious and the overly noisy inside the café, he marched back to the table where Owen's mother sat. He stooped down and spoke very closely to her ear so as the noisy ones would not hear.
"Just what do you mean Obi's time is running out? Is this some trick to get me back here? Selena I am not sure I should take Obi-Wan on a full permanent basis. I will be away on missions and I won't be able to take him."
"Why not?"
"Only Jedi can go on field missions. You know that as well as I do, Selena. Why do you play ignorant to the rules of the Jedi order? You were once one. Surely their rules have not escaped your mind so quickly? You know I can't drag a child all over the galaxy, unless he is my padawan under my training . That would mean Obi-Wan would have to be a force-sensitive and he would also have to be an apprentice. Wrong on both counts Mrs. Lars. Any other ideas?"
"What if I told you the child is not the only one who doesn't have the force in my family."
Qui-Gon misunderstood her words and assumed she meant her new baby was like Obi-Wan, with no force powers.
"Your new child is not force blessed? Well, why would that matter? You would never offer up another child to the Jedi for fear of their demise, like your sister and your son."
"Exactly, Qui-Gon and I assure you I have my hesitancies about offering Obi-Wan to you now. But I see it would be far better than an orphanage. He would have a most difficult time there once the medicine is stopped."
"Now my old friend you truly are making no sense. What is this about no one else being force sensitive in your family? And why on earth would you stop the medicine when you have me brought up on charges of child endangering for doing what you say openly you plan to do?"
"Master Jinn if you would just sit down back where you were, I will try to explain. Then maybe some of the eyes that watch us will go back to their food and not our little *spat*."
Jinn blushed over what was a rare occurrence for him; not maintaining his Jedi decorum, especially in public He hadn't really noticed the staring eyes, until Selena mentioned it.
'Very well. Five minutes, do you understand Selena? If I have not heard something that interests me or benefits Obi-Wan, I am leaving. I almost broke his heart this afternoon when I cut our visit short for you. I felt it would be more conducive to meet with you but now I am not at all sure."
"It might be. Then again you may very well bolt out of that chair and never want to discuss this with me again. You may well regretting ever having taken Obi-Wan in the first place."
Qui-Gon could only stare at the woman. Was she telling the truth. Was their some dark mystery about Obi-Wan that no one knew?
"Look Qui, I had intended to tell you about Obi and his condition sooner, then I thought I wouldn't tell you at all, but now it seems I have no choice. Others will find out what is wrong with the boy within the next couple of months when I tell either you and the Jedi or the orphanage he is sent too that the medication he is on will have to be taken away. It will depend on where he goes with, who's lap I drop the bomb in. His affliction will have to naturally progress to its fullest now. Then it will even be harder on Obi-Wan if he is not at the temple and not with you or someone who can explain things, teach him things that need taught, tguide him through the ways of the force and not the dark side.".
"I am sorry Selena, you have not made one iota of sense to me yet. Is Obi-Wan afflicted with a terminal disease? Is the disease he has progressing now and will in someway affect his mental or physical capabilities?"
"Well you could say that."
"Which one, mental or physical?"
"Well actually both will be affected, I;m afraid.:
Qui-Gon could not believe the calmness of Obi's aunt as she spoke of a threatening condition the child had.
"Both?!?! Sith's-Hell Selena, what does he have that he will be impaired in both. You should have told me sooner. I could have had the healers find something more successful to treat him with."
Mrs. Lars could see torment and pain Qui-Gon felt for the little boy he would not admit he cared for. She reached over and took the rough calloused hand of Qui's in hers. The familiarity of their old friendship came back to both and each looked deeply into the others eyes.
"Qui-Gon you misunderstand. What Obi has could be a blessing or it could ruin his life. It just depends on where he winds up after this hearing. I would have to tell my husband of course. He is not even aware of the true reason Obi takes medicine. I do seem to have created a mountain to climb haven't I?"
"It might help if you start at the beginning. I have no made sense out of anything you have said. You sit there and say it could be a blessing or a curse that Obi's has this illness. How can that be?
"It is not an illness Qui-Gon. It is a condition he inherited and has since birth. Actually he inherited from his mother and myself."
"You mean you both carried the gene for the illness. That is what you mean? You are not ill are you Selena?"
Mrs. Lars actually leaned back and laughed out loud. Jinn sat back in a surprised gesture as if he thought maybe the former Jedi knight had finally lost her mind.
"I suppose I should just out and out tell you or we can never clear the air. Qui-Gon the reason Obi-Wan is not the only one to not be force bless is because there is NO one in my family not force blessed. Only in Obi-Wan's case his midichlorian count matches that of yours or Master Yoda's. I want you to become his master, Qui-Gon. That is the only thing that will ensure him a future. If not he will become a freak to the other children in the orphanage when his powers become evident. They might even make him wear a force inhibiting collar if he becomes unruly and doesn't understand those powers. So you see his fate is in your hands. Once the force is unleashed in him the collar will be painful and cruel. Now.. well... now.. he has never known the force so the medication has not damaged him yet. However he is getting too strong in the force. His midichlorian level would be off the charts if the medicine was not given."
Qui-Gon did not know if the fact that Obi-Wan possessed force abilities astounded him more than the suggestion Selena made, that he *accept* Obi-Wan as his apprentice. He could not train Obi and be responsible, if something happened to him as it had Owen.
"No!! Don't you see? I was hesitant to become his guardian on a permanent basis, but I absolutely refuse to take him as an apprentice."
"Do you understand me Selena, I won't. I can't take another child as my apprentice that I feel so personally drawn too as I was to Owen. I feel that way about Obi-Wan and I won't do anything to jeopardize his life. Being a Jedi would put him in danger. There is no use trying to lie to you as I have tried to lie to myself. I care for Obi-Wan Kenobi more than I ever cared to admit, until now….."
Qui-Gon didn't eat mid-meal that day. Before he had to be back at the courtroom, he wandered around the city.
//First I thought it would be better if Obi-Wan was a Jedi, that he would fit in better.. Now I think I would die with worry if he went on a dangerous mission. I don't make sense anymore, even to myself let alone others..Yoda suspected as much I bet; that Obi-Wan was force-blessed. That would explain why he wanted the boy off the medication. Maybe I pushed the bond away when Obi was temporarily off the medicine, but the ever noisy former master of mine was attuned to it. That's it! He felt the stirrings of the bond through me. So he did the most illogical thing he could think of. Instead of telling me his suspicions, he wanted to show me and himself they were true. Now little troll of a master of mine look at the problems that have arisen from all this. I could have sent Obi-Wan back had I known, Selena could have decided what to do with him, and I in turn, would have not grown so painfully attached to the little *bug*. //
Master Jinn had reached the top step of the many that led to the main door of the building that housed the court system of Coruscant. Someone called his name. That someone he knew instantly was Selena.
Fire and fury in her eyes, which matched the blending hues of blues that colored Obi-Wan's eyes. Only her eyes now darkened with anger. She made her way up to the step where Jinn accommodatingly waited for her. He had no desire to speak with her again, but something other than words seeped through her voice . He felt he must see what the desperate tone was all about.
Fire and ice. Selena was definitely the *ice* factor of the common reference to two ready to face off against each other.
"Master Jinn if you are sure without a doubt that you don't want Obi-Wan because of his force abilities." She lowered her voice during the last part of her sentence while a fell stragglers walked past in haste to get to their respective courtrooms before the doors closed. "Like I said, if you are sure you can not or will not train Obi-Wan, then concede. Let this embarrassing and I know stressing courtroom hearing be dismissed for Obi-Wan's sake. He is only a child. Don't do this to him. The case can be dropped now that you know you don't want him as a Jedi but rather just as a little boy. You don't have to fight this in court anymore."
Now Jedi were noted for being calm and reserved. However, it is not the truth that Jedi *don't* get angry. A great many of them get angry they are just able to quickly disburse that anger into the force, leaving a calm tranquil Jedi. Qui-Gon didn't choose too release his force this time. He had a use for it. It was his fodder to brave his way through his next words.
"For the love of all that is sacred have you lost your mind Selena. You and your sister withheld the truth all this time. You chose to keep the child on medication to hide the fact that he was force-sensitive. Not just to him, your husband, even me, but to the entire world. No wonder he came to me so confused and clung to the memory of Owen so hard. I am sure deep down within him there was an urge not satisfied, a fate not completed. How could you do that then stand here to accuse me of bringing harm. You are despicable. Had you come to me with the truth I could have taken Obi-Wan and trained him or had someone else do it. Now ..well now knowing what I know and caring as I do it would be hard to impossible to let another train him . In fact I could not bare the worry it would create in me for his welfare."
"I felt the same, Qui-Gon. But I knew if he was under your care it would be the best training he could have received."
"I am sorry Selena. The truth from the beginning could have eliminated what is now an impossible situation. I would have intentionally distanced myself from Obi-Wan. Yes, I could have formed a bond and a strong one, but with the intimate feelings I have for him as I do. I could easily value him equally as my own son. Like you Selena, I wouldn't want my own child to suffer a fate of death at such a young age. No, the truth would have been so much better."
The fury lingered in her eyes but the spark of fire was gone. Qui-Gon had hit the truth and some, when wrong aren't pleased with the truth being thrown back in their face.
'Very well Master Jinn. You do know all of why we.. I did… did this. The venom in your voice could be curtailed at least for an old friend."
"Are we Selena?"
"Are we what Qui-Gon?" She softened her tone but Jinn didn't soften or lower the baritone charged voice of his.
"Friends. Are we friends? Right now I think the best way to describe the two of us is former friends. I won't go as far as I thought I should. I won't say we are all out enemies."
Selena quickly opened the door to the civil building. She didn't want the tears that had sprung to her eyes be witnessed by her friend; what she still considered, Master Jinn.
Jinn had no regrets at the time. He would have to think through all this before the regret and the allowance of the anger to released before he suffered regrets. He turned and went the opposite way of the building's door. The last thing he could do was sit in the courtroom with Selena and most of all to see the pleading of Obi-Wan's eyes. Tomorrow he would tell his attorney he would plea bargain and let Obi-Wan go back to the Lars family. He would no longer fight for him.
###############
It was the fourth time Obi-Wan twisted around to see the back of the courtroom. It was also the fourth time the grump of a prosecutor and matron from the orphanage corrected him for his twisting and turning. The boy was antsy. The adults on either side of him was oblivious to the reason. The reason, Master Jinn hadn't returned from his mid-meal hour.
Jinn unhooked his comm link from his belt and answered the call from his former master.
"Return you did not. Sick you are? Lost your way you have? Must be one or the other to disappoint the child you did."
"I am sorry Master Yoda but I have something's I need to think through."
"Need someone to think with you do you?"
Jinn chuckled in spite of the situation he found himself in.
"Not right now my master. First I have to reason it through *alone*. This evening I do have something I want to discuss with you, just not now."
The hearing that afternoon did not last long. Jinn's attorney had to standup before the judge and lie to him to cover Jinn's mysterious *no show*.
"I am sorry your honor but my client has taken extremely ill. I immediately sent him back to the temple to see the Jedi healers."
"Very well, I suppose we can't continue without the defendant here. I will adjourn the hearing until tomorrow morning 9:00 a.m. sharp."
The gavel struck this desk and Judge Menion got up and left.
Yoda sat and reassured Mace that Jinn was alright just didn't show up. Selena had a pretty good idea why. Her talk and revelations to Qui-Gon was the cause of the master's refusal to return to the hearing.
//Maybe he will just let it go and I can take Obi to the orphanage back on my home world. If he won't take him then that would be the most compassionate thing to do for the boy. //
The court emptied out just as quickly as the Judge took his leave.
Empty except for Obi-Wan and his chaperone from the orphanage. Obi thought she must not be in any hurry to get back to the orphanage, no more than he usually was. Today though was different. The child stood silent as his chaperone ever so languidly gathered her data pad and notes from the table where she had sat with Obi-Wan.
Tears dropped from the eyes of the Kenobi child to his baby-fat cheeks, before pooling on the floor. He only wanted to go to his room and seek solitude.
##########
Master Yoda had not taken the time to explain to Obi-Wan that Qui-Gon was not taken severely ill. The attorney, didn't even know where Jinn was but had he known the man was alright he probably wouldn't have relayed that information. Children were not his forte or concern, his client was.
#############That evening###########
Qui-Gon had decided not to tell Master Yoda just yet. He would speak with him but not tell everything.
Master Yoda entered the room and could feel Jinn's worry and concern but the Jedi master blocked well with his shields.
"Sad you are my apprentice. Reason behind it, understand I don't"
"You will soon Master. How was Obi-Wan this afternoon?"
Only then did Master Yoda think back to the attorney and his words.
"Grave error I have committed Master Jinn. Harmful to the child it could be."
Yoda explained what the attorney did. So Qui-Gon knew Obi left the courtroom thinking Qui-Gon was extremely ill. Was the turmoil he felt through the force, Obi's anguish and despair over his trumped up illness.
Master Yoda The boy must be miserable. We have to let him know."
"Do that we can not. In touch with the child you and the Jedi not allowed until the court hearing tomorrow morning. Then will have to be soon enough for alternative to that, none we have."
That evening and night would not go well for the master or the child. Each would suffer through their torments. Obi because he thought his guardian might be at the temple ill or with his imagination, possibly dead; Jinn, not because he could feel the tremendous agony and pain the child was going through,he couldn't. He could feel a disruption in the force and that is all. Just knowing or suspecting how terrified Obi-Wan might be, caused more worry than an opened bond could have. With a bond he could have soothed the child from his miseries. This way with no bond, he was helpless. He would have to wait till morning to let Obi-Wan know, he wasn't really on his death bed………
##########
I am not sure if I can post this weekend. I work banquets both days. Good money, just time consuming, in particular, my writing time. Maybe on Sunday for all the stories!!!
PEACE ewen
The thought that he could be on trial for the abuse of a child was unthinkable. Anyone who knew the towering master, knew him incapable of harming anything intentionally.
Jinn closed his eyes and envisioned Obi-Wan as he stood there and watched Qui-Gon and the other two Jedi leave the courtroom.
//He tried to be brave, but that little quivering chin that causes his dimple on it to move, is a dead giveaway for when he is about to cry. Funny how I know so little about the child, yet I know when he is on the verge of tears. Have things been so hard for him that with repetition I have learned when to recognize the onslaught of misery?//
Qui-Gon let his mind wander to Selena. She was hiding something but what? If only she would speak with him alone. Qui-Gon was sure things could be ironed out between them.
//Maybe with Selena, however, I am unsure if things could ever be civil between Mr. Lars and I. I know he holds me explicably responsible for his son's death. Does he not understand how much I cared for Owen; that I would have given my life for his had I the chance that day?//
The day had taken its toll on the master. Tears brimmed in his eyes and one fell down his cheek before he could gain control of his emotions.
The comm link buzz brought him back to reality.
Qui-Gon hopped up quickly, wiped the tear drop from his cheek, and headed for his desk where the comm link was.
"Qui-Gon?"
"Selena. I… well… I am surprised. I thought I would be the last person you would want to speak with."
"No, I have to speak with you. This hearing is killing me inside Qui-Gon. I can't stand to see Obi-Wan hurt so. I didn't know he had grown so attached to you. I saw you and he in the courtroom. Qui are you alright?"
She had heard the shaky voice of Jinn's when he answered the comm and she could see the hallow shaded eyes, marked with unusual dullness.
"I am fine Selena. And for Obi-Wan I was not aware he had become so attached to me. I think it has more to do with his frightening situation of being put in an orphanage and the uncertainty of his future. I doubt his clinging to me has much to do with me at all."
"What makes you say that? I saw how you and he literally clung to each other. Listen I don't have much time. My husband will be back soon. Could we meet for tea or something after the court hearing tomorrow?"
"Well yes. Will Mr. Lars be with you?"
"NO!" The woman looked around her hotel room behind her to make sure her husband had not returned. "Qui-Gon I wish to ask you to keep this between you and I. Yoda and Mace and even your attorney are not to know, if you agree to meet with me."
Qui-Gon was quiet for a minute and did not answer his friend.
"I don't know Selena. That is how this all got out of hand. You wanted me to keep Obi's illness a secret and now you have me charged with child neglect when the Jedi and I only tried to help."
"Please Qui. If we have some time alone I can explain this.. Everything. I will even tell you why Obi-Wan takes the medicine." At least I hope I will be able too.
She had piqued his curiosity but Qui-Gon still was not sure their meeting was such a good idea.
"And the charges Selena, what about them?"
Now she remained silent for a time.
"Those Qui-Gon, were my husband's idea, not mine. I don't know if I can get him to withdraw them or not. It might help if you agreed to permanently take Obi. I mean full custody and all that."
"Oh Selena, I have temporary custody now. I am not at all sure he should stay here with me, on a permanent basis."
"What then, the orphanage until he is of the age of consent? He can't Qui-Gon. It might well kill him."
"Now that is a bit overstated isn't it Selena?"
"You have to hear all the facts before you can say I have a hysterical "ninny", Master Jinn. After we meet I can tell you everything and you will understand. I have not even stated the facts strong enough where Obi-Wan's welfare is concerned. PLEASE QUI?"
He couldn't refuse. The woman seemed so desperate and he did want to know why Obi-Wan would be in such jeopardy if he stayed in an orphanage.
"Very well Selena. I'll meet you at the little eatery a crossed the street, during noon recess, how's that?"
"Fine and thank you Qui. I will be there."
###########
The next day at the court hearing, Jinn was very pleased to see Obi-Wan and see that he seemed more rested and calm.
Mr. Lars took the stand that morning and prattled on about Owen. Sometimes inflaming the pain of his wife and Qui-Gon with memories of Owen.
Master Jinn tried to block as many of his evil misstated answers he could. He had fond memories of his apprentice and he didn't want those ruined. He also did not want to walk away from this hearing when it was over, enemies, with Owen's father.
Qui-Gon was given a couple of minutes after the morning session broke for mid-meal to speak with Obi-Wan.. Mr. Lars had an important meeting he had to attend that afternoon. He was to be picked up and transported to it immediately after the he testified.
Selena left for the eatery or so Jinn assumed. He signaled Yoda and Mace to go. He used the excuse that he was going to visit with Obi-Wan. He was going to stay and speak with Obi, but then he was to meet Selena. His anticipation grew with each passing minute.
//Maybe now I will find out what really is going on.//
########At the eatery############
Selena took the liberty of ordering a richly spiced garnished pot of tea and had the waiter bring two cups. She sat at the table and thought through what she should say and how much. She was still not sure how far to go with the truth about Obi-Wan, at least right now.
Selena heard the door open and looked up to see her friend or she hoped was still her friend Qui-Gon Jinn.
Jinn sat a crossed the table from her.
"Well, You said you would tell me all about Obi-Wan."
Fear crept in her with Jinn's words.
"Master Jinn. In retrospect, I will have to amend my statement. I can only tell you what I think I safely can ……and nothing more……"
Just as quickly as Jinn sat down and while Selena poured his tea he got back up, almost upturning his cup onto the table, as he bolted for the door..
"I think I should leave. That is not what we agreed too. I am tired of being in the dark where Obi-Wan is concerned. I have managed to release my anger toward you and your husband for bringing these trumped up charges against me, against the Jedi. If this is some personal vendetta against me or the order, then do what you will."
Jinn walked to the front of the restaurant, to the door. All eyes in the little crowded eatery with other courtroom patrons watched a Jedi display emotions, not common in public or anywhere for that matter.
"Qui, please you have to listen. I only meant that I am not sure right now, how much I should tell you of Ob-Wan's situation. If I could have assurance that you would take Obi-Wan as he is on a permanent basis I would know more of what to tell you. I have to do something. Time is running out, not for me but for Obi-Wan."
Qui-Gon let the woman ramble as he actually had his hand on the door knob and was about to walk out until Selena mentioned Obi-Wan's time running out.
Under the watchful eyes of the curious and the overly noisy inside the café, he marched back to the table where Owen's mother sat. He stooped down and spoke very closely to her ear so as the noisy ones would not hear.
"Just what do you mean Obi's time is running out? Is this some trick to get me back here? Selena I am not sure I should take Obi-Wan on a full permanent basis. I will be away on missions and I won't be able to take him."
"Why not?"
"Only Jedi can go on field missions. You know that as well as I do, Selena. Why do you play ignorant to the rules of the Jedi order? You were once one. Surely their rules have not escaped your mind so quickly? You know I can't drag a child all over the galaxy, unless he is my padawan under my training . That would mean Obi-Wan would have to be a force-sensitive and he would also have to be an apprentice. Wrong on both counts Mrs. Lars. Any other ideas?"
"What if I told you the child is not the only one who doesn't have the force in my family."
Qui-Gon misunderstood her words and assumed she meant her new baby was like Obi-Wan, with no force powers.
"Your new child is not force blessed? Well, why would that matter? You would never offer up another child to the Jedi for fear of their demise, like your sister and your son."
"Exactly, Qui-Gon and I assure you I have my hesitancies about offering Obi-Wan to you now. But I see it would be far better than an orphanage. He would have a most difficult time there once the medicine is stopped."
"Now my old friend you truly are making no sense. What is this about no one else being force sensitive in your family? And why on earth would you stop the medicine when you have me brought up on charges of child endangering for doing what you say openly you plan to do?"
"Master Jinn if you would just sit down back where you were, I will try to explain. Then maybe some of the eyes that watch us will go back to their food and not our little *spat*."
Jinn blushed over what was a rare occurrence for him; not maintaining his Jedi decorum, especially in public He hadn't really noticed the staring eyes, until Selena mentioned it.
'Very well. Five minutes, do you understand Selena? If I have not heard something that interests me or benefits Obi-Wan, I am leaving. I almost broke his heart this afternoon when I cut our visit short for you. I felt it would be more conducive to meet with you but now I am not at all sure."
"It might be. Then again you may very well bolt out of that chair and never want to discuss this with me again. You may well regretting ever having taken Obi-Wan in the first place."
Qui-Gon could only stare at the woman. Was she telling the truth. Was their some dark mystery about Obi-Wan that no one knew?
"Look Qui, I had intended to tell you about Obi and his condition sooner, then I thought I wouldn't tell you at all, but now it seems I have no choice. Others will find out what is wrong with the boy within the next couple of months when I tell either you and the Jedi or the orphanage he is sent too that the medication he is on will have to be taken away. It will depend on where he goes with, who's lap I drop the bomb in. His affliction will have to naturally progress to its fullest now. Then it will even be harder on Obi-Wan if he is not at the temple and not with you or someone who can explain things, teach him things that need taught, tguide him through the ways of the force and not the dark side.".
"I am sorry Selena, you have not made one iota of sense to me yet. Is Obi-Wan afflicted with a terminal disease? Is the disease he has progressing now and will in someway affect his mental or physical capabilities?"
"Well you could say that."
"Which one, mental or physical?"
"Well actually both will be affected, I;m afraid.:
Qui-Gon could not believe the calmness of Obi's aunt as she spoke of a threatening condition the child had.
"Both?!?! Sith's-Hell Selena, what does he have that he will be impaired in both. You should have told me sooner. I could have had the healers find something more successful to treat him with."
Mrs. Lars could see torment and pain Qui-Gon felt for the little boy he would not admit he cared for. She reached over and took the rough calloused hand of Qui's in hers. The familiarity of their old friendship came back to both and each looked deeply into the others eyes.
"Qui-Gon you misunderstand. What Obi has could be a blessing or it could ruin his life. It just depends on where he winds up after this hearing. I would have to tell my husband of course. He is not even aware of the true reason Obi takes medicine. I do seem to have created a mountain to climb haven't I?"
"It might help if you start at the beginning. I have no made sense out of anything you have said. You sit there and say it could be a blessing or a curse that Obi's has this illness. How can that be?
"It is not an illness Qui-Gon. It is a condition he inherited and has since birth. Actually he inherited from his mother and myself."
"You mean you both carried the gene for the illness. That is what you mean? You are not ill are you Selena?"
Mrs. Lars actually leaned back and laughed out loud. Jinn sat back in a surprised gesture as if he thought maybe the former Jedi knight had finally lost her mind.
"I suppose I should just out and out tell you or we can never clear the air. Qui-Gon the reason Obi-Wan is not the only one to not be force bless is because there is NO one in my family not force blessed. Only in Obi-Wan's case his midichlorian count matches that of yours or Master Yoda's. I want you to become his master, Qui-Gon. That is the only thing that will ensure him a future. If not he will become a freak to the other children in the orphanage when his powers become evident. They might even make him wear a force inhibiting collar if he becomes unruly and doesn't understand those powers. So you see his fate is in your hands. Once the force is unleashed in him the collar will be painful and cruel. Now.. well... now.. he has never known the force so the medication has not damaged him yet. However he is getting too strong in the force. His midichlorian level would be off the charts if the medicine was not given."
Qui-Gon did not know if the fact that Obi-Wan possessed force abilities astounded him more than the suggestion Selena made, that he *accept* Obi-Wan as his apprentice. He could not train Obi and be responsible, if something happened to him as it had Owen.
"No!! Don't you see? I was hesitant to become his guardian on a permanent basis, but I absolutely refuse to take him as an apprentice."
"Do you understand me Selena, I won't. I can't take another child as my apprentice that I feel so personally drawn too as I was to Owen. I feel that way about Obi-Wan and I won't do anything to jeopardize his life. Being a Jedi would put him in danger. There is no use trying to lie to you as I have tried to lie to myself. I care for Obi-Wan Kenobi more than I ever cared to admit, until now….."
Qui-Gon didn't eat mid-meal that day. Before he had to be back at the courtroom, he wandered around the city.
//First I thought it would be better if Obi-Wan was a Jedi, that he would fit in better.. Now I think I would die with worry if he went on a dangerous mission. I don't make sense anymore, even to myself let alone others..Yoda suspected as much I bet; that Obi-Wan was force-blessed. That would explain why he wanted the boy off the medication. Maybe I pushed the bond away when Obi was temporarily off the medicine, but the ever noisy former master of mine was attuned to it. That's it! He felt the stirrings of the bond through me. So he did the most illogical thing he could think of. Instead of telling me his suspicions, he wanted to show me and himself they were true. Now little troll of a master of mine look at the problems that have arisen from all this. I could have sent Obi-Wan back had I known, Selena could have decided what to do with him, and I in turn, would have not grown so painfully attached to the little *bug*. //
Master Jinn had reached the top step of the many that led to the main door of the building that housed the court system of Coruscant. Someone called his name. That someone he knew instantly was Selena.
Fire and fury in her eyes, which matched the blending hues of blues that colored Obi-Wan's eyes. Only her eyes now darkened with anger. She made her way up to the step where Jinn accommodatingly waited for her. He had no desire to speak with her again, but something other than words seeped through her voice . He felt he must see what the desperate tone was all about.
Fire and ice. Selena was definitely the *ice* factor of the common reference to two ready to face off against each other.
"Master Jinn if you are sure without a doubt that you don't want Obi-Wan because of his force abilities." She lowered her voice during the last part of her sentence while a fell stragglers walked past in haste to get to their respective courtrooms before the doors closed. "Like I said, if you are sure you can not or will not train Obi-Wan, then concede. Let this embarrassing and I know stressing courtroom hearing be dismissed for Obi-Wan's sake. He is only a child. Don't do this to him. The case can be dropped now that you know you don't want him as a Jedi but rather just as a little boy. You don't have to fight this in court anymore."
Now Jedi were noted for being calm and reserved. However, it is not the truth that Jedi *don't* get angry. A great many of them get angry they are just able to quickly disburse that anger into the force, leaving a calm tranquil Jedi. Qui-Gon didn't choose too release his force this time. He had a use for it. It was his fodder to brave his way through his next words.
"For the love of all that is sacred have you lost your mind Selena. You and your sister withheld the truth all this time. You chose to keep the child on medication to hide the fact that he was force-sensitive. Not just to him, your husband, even me, but to the entire world. No wonder he came to me so confused and clung to the memory of Owen so hard. I am sure deep down within him there was an urge not satisfied, a fate not completed. How could you do that then stand here to accuse me of bringing harm. You are despicable. Had you come to me with the truth I could have taken Obi-Wan and trained him or had someone else do it. Now ..well now knowing what I know and caring as I do it would be hard to impossible to let another train him . In fact I could not bare the worry it would create in me for his welfare."
"I felt the same, Qui-Gon. But I knew if he was under your care it would be the best training he could have received."
"I am sorry Selena. The truth from the beginning could have eliminated what is now an impossible situation. I would have intentionally distanced myself from Obi-Wan. Yes, I could have formed a bond and a strong one, but with the intimate feelings I have for him as I do. I could easily value him equally as my own son. Like you Selena, I wouldn't want my own child to suffer a fate of death at such a young age. No, the truth would have been so much better."
The fury lingered in her eyes but the spark of fire was gone. Qui-Gon had hit the truth and some, when wrong aren't pleased with the truth being thrown back in their face.
'Very well Master Jinn. You do know all of why we.. I did… did this. The venom in your voice could be curtailed at least for an old friend."
"Are we Selena?"
"Are we what Qui-Gon?" She softened her tone but Jinn didn't soften or lower the baritone charged voice of his.
"Friends. Are we friends? Right now I think the best way to describe the two of us is former friends. I won't go as far as I thought I should. I won't say we are all out enemies."
Selena quickly opened the door to the civil building. She didn't want the tears that had sprung to her eyes be witnessed by her friend; what she still considered, Master Jinn.
Jinn had no regrets at the time. He would have to think through all this before the regret and the allowance of the anger to released before he suffered regrets. He turned and went the opposite way of the building's door. The last thing he could do was sit in the courtroom with Selena and most of all to see the pleading of Obi-Wan's eyes. Tomorrow he would tell his attorney he would plea bargain and let Obi-Wan go back to the Lars family. He would no longer fight for him.
###############
It was the fourth time Obi-Wan twisted around to see the back of the courtroom. It was also the fourth time the grump of a prosecutor and matron from the orphanage corrected him for his twisting and turning. The boy was antsy. The adults on either side of him was oblivious to the reason. The reason, Master Jinn hadn't returned from his mid-meal hour.
Jinn unhooked his comm link from his belt and answered the call from his former master.
"Return you did not. Sick you are? Lost your way you have? Must be one or the other to disappoint the child you did."
"I am sorry Master Yoda but I have something's I need to think through."
"Need someone to think with you do you?"
Jinn chuckled in spite of the situation he found himself in.
"Not right now my master. First I have to reason it through *alone*. This evening I do have something I want to discuss with you, just not now."
The hearing that afternoon did not last long. Jinn's attorney had to standup before the judge and lie to him to cover Jinn's mysterious *no show*.
"I am sorry your honor but my client has taken extremely ill. I immediately sent him back to the temple to see the Jedi healers."
"Very well, I suppose we can't continue without the defendant here. I will adjourn the hearing until tomorrow morning 9:00 a.m. sharp."
The gavel struck this desk and Judge Menion got up and left.
Yoda sat and reassured Mace that Jinn was alright just didn't show up. Selena had a pretty good idea why. Her talk and revelations to Qui-Gon was the cause of the master's refusal to return to the hearing.
//Maybe he will just let it go and I can take Obi to the orphanage back on my home world. If he won't take him then that would be the most compassionate thing to do for the boy. //
The court emptied out just as quickly as the Judge took his leave.
Empty except for Obi-Wan and his chaperone from the orphanage. Obi thought she must not be in any hurry to get back to the orphanage, no more than he usually was. Today though was different. The child stood silent as his chaperone ever so languidly gathered her data pad and notes from the table where she had sat with Obi-Wan.
Tears dropped from the eyes of the Kenobi child to his baby-fat cheeks, before pooling on the floor. He only wanted to go to his room and seek solitude.
##########
Master Yoda had not taken the time to explain to Obi-Wan that Qui-Gon was not taken severely ill. The attorney, didn't even know where Jinn was but had he known the man was alright he probably wouldn't have relayed that information. Children were not his forte or concern, his client was.
#############That evening###########
Qui-Gon had decided not to tell Master Yoda just yet. He would speak with him but not tell everything.
Master Yoda entered the room and could feel Jinn's worry and concern but the Jedi master blocked well with his shields.
"Sad you are my apprentice. Reason behind it, understand I don't"
"You will soon Master. How was Obi-Wan this afternoon?"
Only then did Master Yoda think back to the attorney and his words.
"Grave error I have committed Master Jinn. Harmful to the child it could be."
Yoda explained what the attorney did. So Qui-Gon knew Obi left the courtroom thinking Qui-Gon was extremely ill. Was the turmoil he felt through the force, Obi's anguish and despair over his trumped up illness.
Master Yoda The boy must be miserable. We have to let him know."
"Do that we can not. In touch with the child you and the Jedi not allowed until the court hearing tomorrow morning. Then will have to be soon enough for alternative to that, none we have."
That evening and night would not go well for the master or the child. Each would suffer through their torments. Obi because he thought his guardian might be at the temple ill or with his imagination, possibly dead; Jinn, not because he could feel the tremendous agony and pain the child was going through,he couldn't. He could feel a disruption in the force and that is all. Just knowing or suspecting how terrified Obi-Wan might be, caused more worry than an opened bond could have. With a bond he could have soothed the child from his miseries. This way with no bond, he was helpless. He would have to wait till morning to let Obi-Wan know, he wasn't really on his death bed………
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I am not sure if I can post this weekend. I work banquets both days. Good money, just time consuming, in particular, my writing time. Maybe on Sunday for all the stories!!!
PEACE ewen