Author's Note: Just in case I forgot: Disclaimer, Star Wars and all related characters belong to George Lucas. All OC's belong to me (yes, including N'erak!). Thanks again to all of the reviewers.
Qui-Gon retreated to the sanctuary of his own bedroom, but found
that sleep was impossible. His mind churned with worry and apprehension as he
reviewed the events of the day. \It's obvious that things are coming to a
front. I need to do something now, before it's too late… but what should I do?\
With his thoughts so chaotic, and his Force sense focused entirely on finding
his own calm center, the Master didn't hear as the door to his apprentice's
room slid open and Obi-Wan snuck out of the shared apartments.
*********************************************
I just wanted to walk. It felt like my head was going to explode or something,
or maybe like I was going to crawl out of my skin. Too much energy, but too
tired to find a way to disperse it. Maybe I could have gone back to sleep, and
that would have solved my problems, but I really didn't want to risk dreaming
again. So instead I snuck out into the cool Coruscanti night, looking for
something… or someone…
*********************************************
The air had the stale, refined quality so common on the industrialized inner
core planets, but the breeze was light and refreshing. The constant hum of the
ever-present air traffic was almost soothing to the young Padawan's frazzled
senses. It provided just enough of a distraction to keep his mind from delving
into what exactly it was that had caused him to flee the Temple so suddenly.
\As long as I don't think about it, it can't hurt me\ Obi-Wan chanted over and
over, using the phrase almost as a mantra. It reminded him of the old taunts
and responses he had learned in the crèche, and he almost laughed as one of the
ones he himself had used came to mind. Sticks and stones may break my bones,
but words can never hurt me \Isn't it ironic how it seems that words are
capable of doing so much more damage than any little rock, or stick, or even
blaster could ever do\
Drawing the hood of his robe up to conceal his identifying braid, and pulling
the rest of the material closer together in the front, Obi-Wan made his way
quietly out the side gates of the Jedi Temple and unto the Coruscant streets.
The thoroughfare had a subdued bustle to it, and those who were out and about
tended to cluster in the shadows, rather than stream through the lighted
avenues as they would during the day. \Perhaps now wasn't the best time to
decide to take a stroll outside of the Temple\ Obi-Wan realized belatedly as he
caught some of the hungry stares that seemed to follow his passage.
*********************************************
Maybe it wasn't smart to go out at such a time of night, and maybe it wasn't
the best idea to be in that neighborhood after dark, but why would anyone want
to hurt me? I'm nothing, I'm nobody, and I'm most certainly not worth
attacking.
*********************************************
When the light first blinked on the small security monitor, the Padawan manning
the desk simply dismissed it as a false alarm. But as the light continued to
blink, the young Twi'lek sighed and moved the camera droids into position to
get a visual of the side exit. It wasn't unusual for the alarm to be triggered
accidentally by one of the cleaning crews who helped to keep the Temple in its
pristine condition, but usually the warning light would only blink a few times
on the front desk monitor before someone would notice and resecure the door. Of
course, it also wasn't unknown for a group of senior Padawans to try to sneak
in or sneak out and inadvertently trigger the silent alarm.
As he waited for the droids to began broadcasting a visual signal, the Padawan
idly hefted the comm. link he usually kept attached to his belt. Although it
was unusual for the alarm to signal any danger, the Padawan was new to this
job, and didn't want to take the risk of being caught unaware. If there was
something happening at the exit, he wanted to be ready for it. As the visual
image began to play across the embedded security monitor, the young apprentice
breathed a sigh of relief and replaced his comm. link on his belt. Activating
the security log, he entered his personal code and then jotted down the date
and time. Pausing only long enough to bring up a clearer image of the escaping
Padawan for the files, the Twi'lek finished his short report, filed it in the
records and settled back in for a long night of staring at the blank monitors.
*********************************************
Finally accepting that sleep would not come to him, Qui-Gon rose up from his
sleep couch and sighed before gathering his robe to him and exiting his small
bedroom. \At least I might be able to find some answers through meditation\ the
Master lamented as he crossed through the common room toward where his
meditation mat lay waiting. Lowering himself to his knees, Qui-Gon tried to
settle into the first phase of the trance, but found that he couldn't quite
grasp his center. \I haven't had problems meditating since I was a junior
Padawan!\
Opening his eyes and running a hand through his loose mane of hair, Master Jinn
found his gaze settling unerringly on the closed door to his apprentice's room.
Not wanting to disturb his Padawan, when it was obvious that Obi-Wan needed his
rest, the elder Jedi struggled to draw his attention back to meditation. \There
is nothing you can do for Obi-Wan until you know what to do. And the
only way you are going to figure out what to do is to ask the Force for
guidance\
Settling back into the meditative posture, Qui-Gon again reached for his elusive
center, this time finding it and grasping onto it before it could slip away
again. Dropping into a light meditation, the Master searched the Force for
answers and awaited the dawn of the coming day.