Part IV
Obi-Wan struggled to keep his voice steady as he spoke. "I will do it, but . . . "
"Your feelings betray you, Obi-Wan," Adi Gallia said. "You might as well say it before the entire Council probes them."
"I know very well my feelings betray me. They always do, according to the Council." Obi-Wan snapped, before catching himself. He flushed. "Sorry. Qui-Gon's departure has just - surprised me." Surprised is the understatement of the century. Hurt is more like it. He followed Mace's steady regard, noting that the Jedi Master was infringing slightly on the edges of his shields.
"A Master never abandons a Padawan," he said at last.
Thank you for telling me that! As if the whole Temple doesn't already know???
"Reasons, Qui-Gon has," Ki-Adi-Mundi said thoughtfully. "Obi-Wan, you must look at the whole picture. A Master never abandons his apprentice . . . without good cause. Tracing Balog is dangerous. He killed one Jedi - "
A blind and useless thing as far as being a Jedi is concerned...
"OBI-WAN!" The shout came from all directions. "Think of a fellow Jedi as defenseless and handicapped, we do not do!" Yoda said sternly.
"What do you want me to do, apologize to her?" Obi-Wan retorted. A moment later, his ears finally heard what he had just said and he quickly added. "I'm sorry. Again. I told you, Masters, my feelings are in conflict and this - disciplinary hearing - as it is rapidly becoming is not helping."
Most of the council members still leveled stern gazes at Obi-Wan, but Yoda pushed forward. "In danger, Qui-Gon may be," he reminded everyone. "Obi-Wan, your love for Eritha is conflicting with your judgment."
"My love?" Obi-Wan echoed. Do they see it too?
Master Yoda paused. "Beware, Obi-Wan. Innocent she may be, but strange it is that she delayed you from reaching Qui-Gon."
"She was trying to protect me," Obi-Wan said defensively.
"What does the Force tell you?"
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and retreated deep into himself. But he could not find what he was seeking. Confusion, hurt, and fear about Qui-Gon swam through his mind. And then Eritha was there too . . . Obi-Wan's eyes flew open. "I can't hear the Force," he said, alarmed.
Master Windu shot a quick look at Yoda. "Perhaps someone else should go after Qui-Gon."
"The Force's will, it is not!" Yoda said, thumping his gimer stick against the floor.
"My friend, I know you always obey the Force's will, but sometimes it goes against our – and
your - better judgment. Obi-Wan is having conflicts, and that lack of focus could lead to his death and the death of Qui-Gon," Mace Windu pressed, locking gazes with Yoda.
No! Force no, that can't happen. I won't let it happen. "I can do it," Obi-Wan interrupted.
"And Eritha?"
"She's coming with me," Obi-Wan said stubbornly.
"No."
"She knows the planet," Obi-Wan tried.
Mace shot him a challenging look.
Obi-Wan shook a quick glance at his watch. This argument was taking up too much time. If Obi-Wan had to chose between Qui-Gon and Eritha, Qui-Gon would win by far. "I do not have the time to argue. I trust my a ship will be waiting for my departure?"
"And the girl?" Windu pressed again.
"Do as you want with her, Master Windu." Obi-Wan bowed and exited the room.
***
Obi-Wan blew right past Eritha in his rush to get to a ship. The same Knight stood there, waiting calmly. Obi-Wan slowed to a fast walk and started the departure procedures, but the Knight interrupted him. "Go, Obi-Wan. I'll file it for you."
"Thank you!" Obi-Wan said, running. He did not know why, but he suddenly felt the urge to hurry up. His bond with Qui-Gon was growing fainter and fainter and now, Obi-Wan could barely sense Qui-Gon's bright light in the Force.
Once inside and safely in hyperspace, Obi-Wan then wondered where to head. His hyperspace jump would take him just outside of New Apsolon, but that didn't sound right. Qui-Gon, no matter how hell bent on revenge he was, would never stay on a planet where everyone wanted him dead.
A brief smile tugged at Obi-Wan's lips. Then again, maybe not.
But the Force told him Qui-Gon wasn't at New Apsolon. Then where is he? Obi-Wan wondered. He reached out through their training bond again, detecting the signal. Not New Apsolon. If not....where would Qui-Gon go? What is a planet where Qui-Gon is a friend to the government, where he helped them before, where he knows the terrain? And also – where is the last place he knows I'd go?
Obi-Wan shot out of hyperspace and planned another jump. He was going to Melida/Daan.
***
Six standard hours later, Obi-Wan was bored to death. He had spent forever agonizing over the last few moments with Qui-Gon, spent forever contemplating his position with Eritha, and had also spent time wondering where she was.
Right on cue, he sensed someone behind him.
"Hi, Obi," a sweet voice said.
"Eritha?" Obi-Wan spun. "What - why - how - " he sputtered incoherently. It was one thing to wish someone was here. It was another to actually have them here and risk the success of a very important mission.
"I followed you. You run so fast, Obi! But I ran right after you and I managed to . . . persuade the Jedi Knight guarding the gate to let me through."
"Eritha you shouldn't be here!" Obi-Wan burst out. "When I land on Melida - when I land," he revised. "A Republic ship will pick you up and return you to the Council. I can't risk having you here with me! You could be in danger."
Her expression soured. "I want to be by your side."
"There will be fighting."
"The universe could end, the galaxy could die, and nothing would matter because I would be by your side," she responded, smiling. "Please, Obi-Wan. I can protect myself."
"I'm sorry. I have to call the Council."
She narrowed her eyes at him before smiling slowly. "You wouldn't do that to me, would you?" She walked towards him, swaying slightly from side to side, batting her eyelashes.
"You wouldn't send me away from you?"
Obi-Wan turned away. "Sorry," he whispered softly. It wrenched his heart to do this to her.
Calling up the Council on his comm, he saw Yoda's face appear. "Master Yoda, Eritha is with me."
"Problem that is," Yoda said wisely. "Your destination?"
"Melida/Daan," Obi-Wan replied, seeing Yoda's heavily lidded eyebrows raise in a questioning look. "A Republic envoy will arrive to take Eritha back to the Temple?"
"See to it, I shall," Yoda said. "May the Force be with you."
"I sincerely hope it will," Obi-Wan responded.