Insane Jedi Girl Thank you! And as far as pointers, I'd say to make sure your grammar is decent. Also, summaries need to be eye-catching in some way. Mine aren't ever that great, which is why some of my stories get ignored. And remember, especially at tfn, that being a reader on various stories can help you get readers for your own fics. Good luck!
Confused11 I worry that Qui-Gon might not be believable, so thank you for the compliment!
Restless-soul Here ya go! And sorry it's a little late.
Kynstar Wow. If you were crying over this, I wonder what you would've done if I really would have killed him off! Hee hee..
Name1 Yes, he lives! I don't know why everyone suspected me of having bloodlust for Obi's character. Lust, yes, but not for his blood…
SFGirl Yikes! That story's kinda freaky! But thank goodness it wasn't that serious! Thank you so much for your reply.
Athena Leigh Thank you.
()
It was raining.
From the heavens, from a place whose existence had been seriously questioned during this tumultuous mission, jewels of silver descended, gleaming bright in the darkness.
When they reached earth, they splintered, bouncing off in all directions. Their sound was soft, so it did not mask the grateful weeping of Qui-Gon Jinn.
He drew Obi-Wan into his arms, rocking absently, their temples pressed together.
In a matter of minutes, their hair was soaked, their tunics waterlogged.
Wet strands of black dangled in Ullo's eyes, and he smoothed them back, to reveal those eyes were stained red—and apparently, subject to the rain, for moisture was welled in them.
Qui-Gon rested his lips against Obi-Wan's forehead. "Thank the Force. I could never let you go, my Padawan." He choked on the next words, "I-I simply love you too much."
Water ran down the young Jedi's face, but he smiled. "I couldn't leave."
Qui-Gon wiped Obi-Wan's brow and cheeks, struggling to maintain even a weak façade of composure.
He didn't care, only seconds later, when he failed miserably.
Ullo's gaze traveled from the reunion of sorts to the dampening jungle, the water pooling in the leaves and the muddy ground.
He grinned breathlessly. "It's a damn miracle."
Qui-Gon swallowed hard and framed his apprentice's face with his hands. "Yes," He traced the beloved features, "It is."
()
It was nearly an hour later before they resumed their journey.
Ullo was very hesitant to be the dark cloud over their celebration, but he was forced to remind Qui-Gon that the serum was probably not a permanent solution, and haste was still required.
Qui-Gon nodded, and began to stand.
Obi-Wan protested that he could walk, but the Master took in the ravaged body and pallid skin, and ignored the argument.
They had cleared a full mile before Qui-Gon turned to Ullo. "It's raining, isn't it?"
Ullo frowned, chuckling. "Yeah. You didn't notice?"
A small smile, at his lips and kindled in his eyes. "Actually, no. My attention was consumed elsewhere."
The Knight shook his head in amazement, but surprisingly, didn't speak his reaction. Obi-Wan's partial recovery had eased the stress between them, and the former sparks of anger had blackened and died.
Ullo didn't resent Qui-Gon's efforts to direct him towards a Padawan anymore. From their few days together, he knew that the man didn't take the role of a Master lightly and indeed, would not suggest the title to anyone without inspiration.
Thankfully, he wouldn't have time to examine that too closely.
Not until they completed the mission, anyway.
Qui-Gon studied their changed surroundings. "Very interesting." He murmured.
Ullo glanced at him. "What?"
The Master wet his lips. "I'm not sure. It may be nothing but…" He shook his head, "If precipitation was even slightly in the forecast for this section of Eume'Li, do you think they would have taken the time to dispatch Jedi?"
The question hung in the rain-sweetened air, ominous and a tad unsettling.
()
Two hours more found them at the outskirts of the capital. The buildings were all composed of a dull tan material, with steel outlining the structures, windows and doors. The streets were far from those of the crowded Coruscant, but not as deserted as others Qui-Gon had encountered in his lifetime.
In so many ways, Eume'Li was a place of mediocrity, where not even the Force could glean much rapture. Qui-Gon hoped their assignment would be finished quickly. Even if this planet were the personification of beauty, it remained the place where his Padawan nearly lost his life…and so Qui-Gon wanted to be on their transport ship as soon as possible.
At a cross section of roads, the Jedi stopped. Their clothes were dried in the sun, since the rain had petered out as they neared civilization.
"You should take him to the hospital." Ullo suggested. "I'll go on, to meet with the officials."
Qui-Gon's expression was stoic. "That won't work. They'll be expecting, at least, the leader. And, as the only Master, I'll have to be the one."
Regret was carved into his very being, but he carefully handed the sleeping form of Obi-Wan to Ullo's waiting arms.
"I'll be there fast as I can." Qui-Gon assured him. With a lasting look at his apprentice, he headed for the capital.
Ullo watched him go, then turned toward a collection of buildings. He had been in charge of navigation, and prior to the mission memorized the main points of the city.
The hospital was close. Briskly, he moved toward it.
()
Qui-Gon stood at the huge double doors to the Eume'Li capital house. Whereas most other buildings were featureless, the faux, manufactured wood surface of these doors displayed delicate carvings of the planet's motto in several languages.
With a finger, he traced the looping lines.
Eume'Li. Wander to the fringe, wander to the edge, but home this will always be.
"Hm." Qui-Gon stepped back, crossing his arms. It was slightly relieving to uncover a bit of culture, although he would have suggested a different greeting for the planet.
Welcome to Hell. If you can't escape, stay awhile.
The Master swallowed the harsh chuckle tingling in his throat. Sounds like something Obi-Wan would say. The humor was stilled in his eyes then, as his purpose here was renewed—especially his need to speedily carry out that purpose.
He knew Knight Tirr was a capable guardian for his Padawan. The innate compassion of the man struck Qui-Gon immediately upon their meeting. Really, the Master was shocked that Ullo had yet to accept an apprentice. He would make a very effective mentor for any young student, as soon as he permitted himself to not only acknowledge, but accept that fact.
And he'll take good care of Obi-Wan until I can join them. The inner assurance was delivered in a solid, doubtless voice. Qui-Gon inhaled steadily, straightening his body.
But the despair-wrought images of his Padawan, lying among the grit , his skin pale wax and his lips stained an ugly, bruised blue would not relent, not even as Jedi obligation led him inside the building.
Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your perspective), Qui-Gon reminded himself, all Jedi had to be Masters of multitasking.
A human male of about fifty years approached him, dressed in thick, green, velvety robes. He was well-fed, with a deteriorating cap of gray hair. "You must be the Jedi." The man said, his brown eyes flickering just past Qui-Gon. He frowned. "I was informed there would be three of you."
Qui-Gon would have buried his hands in the opposite arms of his robe, but he realized that piece of clothing was still wrapped around Obi-Wan, so he gave a short nod. "Yes. During our travel in the jungles, there were three of us. But my student was stung by an insect that later revealed a serious allergy. He was at the brink of death," He focused on the man's indifferent face, trying to steer his mind's eye from that terrible moment, the absence of life within Obi-Wan's body, "Thankfully, we were able to reverse the reaction. He's receiving medical attention, accompanied by Jedi Knight Ullo Tirr.
"And I'm Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn." He bowed. "I apologize for the delay. Our communication malfunctioned, or else we would have alerted Eume'Li officials at once."
The man appraised him for a handful of seconds, lips drawn out in a thin line. Then he sighed. "Well, there's nothing that can be done about it now. You're late and our patience has rapidly expired. Our planet's in crisis, if you weren't aware, and the plight of one child is insignificant in comparison." He squared his heavily padded shoulders. "This way. The others are waiting for you."
Qui-Gon could barely hear the instruction, his heart thundered so loudly and with such fury. He could not comprehend how someone could trivialize the suffering, the life and death of another, a 'child' as he said…one sent to this very planet to aid these sniveling imbeciles!
But anger could not heat him when coolness was required. After all, the Council would not view this mission as anything remotely resembling a success if all the Eume'Li officials' heads were lopped off by an emerald saber.
My apprentice. Qui-Gon nearly smiled as he followed the man into the depths of the building. Your wicked wit has become so much my own.
He glanced at his sour, silent companion. I'll need to thank you for that.
()
Ullo crossed his legs and rested his chin on his hand.
The hospital was lightly populated, and he was able to procure a private room for his temporary charge.
The physician had examined Obi-Wan briskly with an air of unrelenting professionalism. He swabbed the bite wound with a bacta solution and identified the culprit as a microscopic organism that usually found sustenance in animal carcass. And while it seemed to be high times for someone possessing such a palate, it still preferred its meals from living dishes. To disarm the prey, the insect inserted its stinger.
For some reason, the little thing had believed it would be a conquering adversary of an opponent about a million times its size.
Obi-Wan's movements scared it off, but the damage to his system had been done.
The healer prescribed a moderate amount of bed rest and started Obi-Wan on an i.v. to rejuvenate his drained body.
The apprentice was asleep, a thin sheet draped over him.
Ullo watched his chest rise and fall with each soft breath. It boggled the mind to consider what shape the kid had been in a mere day before. Back then, the Knight had been uttering private prayers, even preparing for that tragic instance when those breaths would cease.
Sanity was a distant memory, a mountain oft-trekked that grew too rocky, with too many obstacles to overcome, with he himself unequipped.
Now he returned to the craggy face, the base of his life.
And nothing felt quite the same.
Something had changed inside him. He had never experienced the cold snap of pure panic before. Nothing was worth the abandonment it would take. And though he scarcely knew this apprentice, he was worth it. And much more.
Ullo shifted in his seat. Who held the voice of these musings? Surely they were the residual echoes of Jinn, those perturbing hints at Mastership.
He knew he wasn't cut out for this intense worry.
Ullo saw the absolute, unbridled devastation in Qui-Gon's eyes.
He could never handle that. Not even the possibility of it.
The blanket rustled, and the Knight turned to see Obi-Wan twisting restlessly, his brows knitted.
Ullo leaned forward and tucked the cloak, Qui-Gon's cloak, closer around the slender form. "There." He whispered. "It's alright, kiddo."
Obi-Wan gradually settled, his feet sliding down the cot so his legs stretched out again, and his back laid flat.
Ullo's palm was cool against the still-warm forehead.
Obi-Wan's eyes fought to open. His hair was wilted and plastered to his temples. He looked at Tirr. "My Master?"
Ullo lifted his hand, and offered Obi-Wan a gentle, nervous smile. "He's at the capital. He hated having to go, but it was best for a Master to represent us."
"Oh." Obi-Wan nodded, then winced at the slight pain that spiked in his neck and head.
Ullo's expression was strikingly similar. "Are you alright?"
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and took a breath. "Yeah. I think I just—I think I just need a minute."
Wordlessly, the Knight reached out and replaced his palm on Obi-Wan's forehead. In the course of a second, the discomfort had dissipated.
Obi-Wan lifted his eyelids, his gaze tired, but shining with gratefulness. "Thank you."
Ullo only nodded.