It had been a close call. The Jedi Healers had had to work fast to save the young padawan's life, but they had indeed succeeded.
Kyran sat, restless, in the large room that housed his friend in a bacta tank. Qui-Gon had been in the tank for over forty-eight hours straight now. In all of his lifetime, he had never heard of someone being kept in a bacta tank for that long without being taken out for short breaks.
It proved to him how seriously Qui-Gon had been injured.
"Still here, Kyran?" Master Dooku inquired as he walked up to him and then sat beside him. "Did you go to your quarters to sleep at all?"
Kyran shook his head. "No, Master Dooku. Master Lan'al has let me decide where I need to be. My place is here, with Qui-Gon. Besides, the Healers are going to finally take him out soon."
"I know," Dooku smiled at him. "That is why I'm here."
The two Jedi turned as a Healer padawan called out the time to her master. The Jedi Healer on duty was a Bothan with kind eyes—not a trait that most in his species had. He glanced at the readings of Qui-Gon's vitals once more, then nodded. His padawan eagerly tugged at the cord of the breath mask.
Qui-Gon's eyes slowly opened and he kicked weakly to propel himself up through the pink goo. Kyran and Dooku stood and patiently waited for him to be carefully led down to them.
"It's so good to see you awake!" Kyran exclaimed, almost wringing his hands in an effort to stop himself from hugging his very weak and exhausted friend.
Qui-Gon smiled wanly at him. "Thanks for being here, Kyran," he said in a voice no more than a whisper. Then he dropped his head. "I'm sorry, Master Dooku."
Dooku frowned. "Whatever for, Padawan?"
"I disobeyed both you and Master Yoda by going after some leads about who was threatening you. In doing so, I endangered myself, you and Kyran. I will take any punishment you seem fit to give me," he said glumly.
Kyran glanced at Dooku, only then remembering that Qui-Gon had indeed disobeyed his master in order to go find information.
Dooku pondered a moment and then slid his hands into the opposite sleeves of his robes. "Qui-Gon, look at me," he commanded.
Qui-Gon swallowed and did as he was asked.
Dooku held his gaze for a moment. "Though I am not happy that you disobeyed my direct orders…" He smiled a little. "I am glad that you are safe now, and alive. We will discuss punishment later. For now, just concentrate on recovering."
For a moment, Qui-Gon was stunned speechless. Then, he wrapped his arms around his master and began to cry, letting all of his hurt and fear from his ordeal come out.
Dooku was caught off-guard by Qui-Gon's behavior. This was the first time that Qui-Gon had voluntarily touched him. Then he smiled and folded his padawan into his arms. "It's okay now," he whispered to his hurting padawan. "You are safe and you were every inch a Jedi as you took the pain that Baine gave you. I am very proud of you, Qui-Gon. Very proud."
Kyran patted his friend on the back and they all three stood together for a little while. Finally, Qui-Gon had recovered himself enough to ask, "Where is Raftl'ka? Did you free her while you were there, Master Dooku?" His blue eyes gazed at his master in concern for the brave woman who had shared a cell with him and kept him alive.
Dooku briefly closed his eyes in grief. He had hoped to save this piece of news for later, but since Qui-Gon had asked, he could not keep it from him. "I'm afraid I have bad news for you, my Padawan," he began gruffly, and then told him how she had died and what she had wanted him to know.
Through Qui-Gon's tears, he smiled. "She accomplished what she wished, then," he said simply. "I'm glad for her and that she has found her peace."
Dooku gazed at his padawan for a moment and then enfolded him in a hug again. This strong boy would make a fine Jedi Master one day, and in turn he would train other padawans to become just like him in the Order. At that moment, he could not have been more honored to be his master, or more proud.
THE END
---Sorry it took so long to finish everyone. Thanks for hanging in there!!