Chapter 17 Healing Can Begin

Obi-Wan left the mind healer feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He felt like he could do anything. He now had to apologize to his friends. As soon as Obi-Wan thought that, he saw Klea walking down the hall.

Klea hesitated a moment, but relaxed when she saw the smile on his face.

Obi-Wan moved the hover chair towards her, "Klea! I am so glad to see you!"

Klea was calm, but cold, "Really? Why is that?"

Obi-Wan knew that he had been cruel to Klea, and he aimed to apologize, "Look, Klea. I know I acted like a bit of a jerk."

Klea raised an eyebrow, "A bit? No, Obi, not a bit."

Obi-Wan smiled, when he saw the amused look in Klea's eyes, "Okay, I acted like a big hutt of a jerk. Better?"

Klea laughed out loud, "Much. And yes you did."

Obi-Wan turned serious, "And for that I am sorry. You were worried for me, and I treated you and all those who cared about me poorly. I just hope that you can forgive me."

Klea touched his cheek, "Of course I forgive you, Obi-Wan. I understand that you are going through a hard time."

Obi-Wan responded, "That is no excuse for what I did. And I know now, that I can beat this. I am going to walk again, spar again, run again. I know it."

Klea smiled, "I know it too."

Obi-Wan thought for a moment, and then said to Klea, "Master An-Paj says I'm ready for crutches. I am a little nervous, but I would like to try. I want to surprise Master Qui-Gon."

Klea's eyes brightened, "I will bring them over to your place tonight. I will have my Master call yours for something. That way I can get them in with out Master Qui-Gon seeing them."

Obi-Wan said, "Klea, thank you. You are one of the best friends I can have. And I know just where to use my new crutches."

Obi-Wan sat nervously on his bed. He eyed the crutches that Klea had smuggled in the night before. What if I can't do it/ He thought to himself. Then with determination, he thought, I will do it. I will do it for Qui-Gon, for Klea, for Bruck. I CAN do it.

Then using the force for strength, Obi-Wan pulled himself up. It was awkward at first, but not terrible. Moving himself to the door, he used the force to open it. Qui-Gon was entering the living area from the kitchen, he almost dropped the teapot he was carrying, "Obi-Wan! By the force, what are you doing?"

Obi-Wan gave an impish grin, "Walking, Master. I wanted to surprise you."

Qui-Gon placed the teapot down on the dining room table, "You did, Padawan. It is a wonderful surprise!" Qui-Gon then pulled Obi-Wan into an embrace.

Obi-Wan returned the embrace and said, "thank you for believing in me, Master."

Qui-Gon was choked up, "I will always believe in you, Obi-Wan. But you made this happen. And I'm so proud of you."

Obi-Wan pulled back a little and answered, "I love you too, Master."

The tournament had not yet started. Bruck was warming up in the ring with some practice katas. He was tense, still reeling from yesterday's confrontation with Obi-Wan. Darick sensed it, "Bruck, you need to stay focused."

Bruck faltered once again, losing patience with himself, "I know, but I can't. I can't seem to find my center."

Darick considered his apprentice, the boy who had come so far from his initiate days, he thought about how to answer his padawan, but the sight of a certain padawan entering the arena with his master caught his attention. Bruck noticed his Master's smiling eyes and turned around. His jaw opened wide as he saw Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan walked forward, only faltering a bit. When he reached Bruck he just smiled.

Bruck returned the smile and said, "Your walking."

Obi-Wan laughed out loud, "Yes, that is what they call it." Obi-Wan then turned serious, "I need to apologize to you, Bruck. I was way out of line."

Bruck shook his head, "No Obi-Wan, I was too hard on you. I should have been more understanding."

Obi-Wan replied, "You were perfectly understanding. It was I that was the...brat." Bruck and Obi-Wan bothed laughed at Obi-Wan's observation, then Obi-Wan continued, "You showed me what I was doing. It was what I needed. I stopped feeling sorry for myself and I am going to get better."

Bruck nodded, "That you are. I know it."

Obi-Wan nodded as well, "And we will always be friends." Obi-Wan held out his hand.

Bruck readily agreed, placing out his own hand, "No matter what."

They shook hands.

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan took their seats. Obi-Wan did not seem to care that people were looking at him. He chatted with the other Padawans and waved to friends from a distance. He seemed completely at ease. Qui-Gon was relieved, "You are handling this well, Padawan."

Obi-Wan answered, "Well, I have handled everything else so badly, I thought this may be a nice change." Obi-Wan turned thoughtful for a minute, "Besides, I realize now, I am not the temple freak. I was in an unfortunate accident, but I am so very lucky to have people who love and care for me."

Qui-Gon put his hand on the boy's shoulder, "We do love and care for you. You have made remarkable progress."

Obi-Wan blushed, "Thank you, Master. I admit, I am disappointed that I will not be in this years tournament, but I will be next year. Besides, if Bruck wins, it will be fun to go against him for the title."

Qui-Gon laughed, "You and Bruck? It will be a stand off for sure."

Obi-Wan did not answer, he merely smiled.

The tournament started, and before everyone knew it, it was the final round. Bruck had made through the first nine levels, and he was getting ready for the tenth. Obi-Wan's throat was practically raw from cheering so much. He was thrilled for his friend.

The tenth level started, and Bruck got into position. His opponent this time was a senior padawan, three grade levels above Bruck. Bruck's determination was solid. He circled the other padawan with such focus.

Qui-Gon noted how far Bruck had come. He went from being Obi-Wan's biggest competitor to his confidant. From being Obi-Wan's worst enemy, to his best friend. He would make a fine Jedi someday. Force willing.

It looked like the older padawan was getting the upper hand, when suddenly Bruck turned the tables. Using the force, he flipped over the other Padawan, landing behind him and taking him completely by surprise. He then struck the 'kill point'.

His opponent looked at him stunned, Bruck smiled and replied, "Your focus determines your reality."

The match was over and Bruck was the winner. Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon stood, both cheering. Bruck then turned to his friend and gave Obi-Wan the thumbs up signal. Balancing himself, Obi-Wan returned the gesture.