Obi-Wan checked his chrono for the tenth time that morning. He was in the garden waiting for Ja'lisa, but she never came. He did not actually see his friend until that afternoon after classes. She was by herself in the Room of a Thousand Fountains. She seemed lonely, sad, and frightened.

Taking a seat next to her, he spoke softly. "I waited for you this morning, but you didn't meet me."

Managing a small shrug, Ja'lisa pushed away the pain that radiated in her shoulders. Master Dern made sure these bruises would not be so easy to see. From looking at her, one could not tell that her back, shoulders, and stomach were covered with ugly black and blue marks. And she had to keep it that way, or her master would do even worse to her.

Obi-Wan gently pushed a question, "Why didn't you meet me?"

Without meaning it, Ja'lisa snapped at her friend, "Because I didn't! Is that all right with the Great Obi-Wan? The perfect Padawan with the perfect master."

Her words tore through Obi-Wan like blaster fire. "Ja'lisa, I'm sorry. I was just wondering. I did not mean to make you angry."

Knowing his words were true and sincere, but knowing she had to carry out her Master's order, Ja'lisa replied, "Look, Obi-Wan. I think it would be best if we just did not see each other anymore."

Obi-Wan's throat began to tighten, he asked in a strained voice, "Why? Your my friend."

The girl's heart was breaking, but she had to carry out the deed, "Well, maybe you should find another friend."

Not knowing what to say, but knowing his company was no longer wanted, Obi-Wan fled the room. Ja'lisa watched him go. She wanted to stop him, but she knew that she could not. Knowing it had to be done did not make it any easier. It was one of the lowest points of the young girl's life.

How she wanted to stop him and tell him everything. He was her friend, her best friend, her only friend. But if she told him her secret, her Master would hurt her again. It was ironic really. Padawans were supposed to feel safe in the Jedi temple. But this child was stuck in a world of fear, pain, and broken trust.

Feeling helpless to do anything else, Ja'lisa pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head against her knees. In the room that most Jedi considered the most peaceful one in the temple, she cried out all of her pain.

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A gentle knock on the door to his bedroom brought Obi-Wan out or his revelry. He sat up and brushed his eyes. "Come in."

The door opened and in stepped a very concerned Jedi Master. He approached the downcast padawan to offer love and understanding. He would support his student through whatever problem plagued the boy. Qui-Gon sat on the edge of Obi-Wan's bed. He ruffled the apprentice's hair. "Dinner is ready, Obi-Wan. I thought we could eat here tonight."

Obi-Wan's tone was crestfallen as he answered his master. "I'm not really hungry, Master. I think I just want to be alone."

Nodding his understanding, Qui-Gon responded. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Unbidden, tears welled up in the thirteen year olds eyes. "Ja'lisa told me she doesn't want to be friends anymore. I don't know why?"

Obi-Wan turned his face into his master's tunic and cried out the distress and disappointment. The master offered silent strength. He embraced Obi-Wan, rubbing his back gently. "Shhhh, it's going to be all right, Padawan."

After a few minutes, the sobs turned to gulping breaths. Obi-Wan was desolate when he asked. "How? How is it going to be all right? I don't know what I did, Master. I don't even think I did anything. Why did she say she did not want to be friends anymore?"

Tightening his embrace on the inconsolable padawan, Qui-Gon answered, "I do not know my Obi-Wan. But I do not think it was you. I do intend to get to the bottom of this."

Qui-Gon placed a platter of Obi-Wan's favorite foods in front of him. But it was obvious the student was not hungry. After watching his padawan push the food around on his plate through the entire meal, Qui-Gon excused him from the table. It pained him to see the young Jedi so dejected. The boy was usually so full of energy, so full of life.

Maybe it was the parental instinct in him, but Qui-Gon had a burning desire to protect Obi-Wan from some harsh reality. The force was screaming at him of some impending hardship, but the meaning was elusive. It was not Obi-Wan in danger, but someone else. Qui-Gon had a feeling who the "someone else" was, but he could not go to the council without any evidence. One did not accuse a Master, even one as boorish as Dern Galen, of abuse. He had to be sure. But the master had a sinking feeling that the situation would not be good for all involved. He also had the feeling that as much as he wanted, he could not protect Obi-Wan from everything.

After drinking a cup of tea, Qui-Gon decided to retire for the evening. He first checked on Obi-Wan. The hall light cast enough light through the door, so it did not disturb the sleeping youngster. Qui-Gon adjusted the covers around the boy and kissed the top of his head. He then went to his own room.

It was hours later when Obi-Wan thought he was dreaming. But someone was rapping on his window. But who could be doing that? They were twenty floors up. Throwing off his covers, Obi-Wan checked the bond with his Master, he found the man sound asleep. He quickly withdrew and placed a strong shield in his mind. He then went to the window and opened it. He could not believe his eyes. There on his ledge was Ja'lisa! He swiftly helped her inside from her precarious perch. She had on antigravity boots and she was holding onto a strong piece of cording. The kind that Jedi carried in the utility belts and used to scale cliffs and dangerous terrain while on missions. It somewhat explained her dangerous descent.

Once she was safely on solid ground, Obi-Wan saw that her face was bruised. There was dried blood around her nose and mouth. More bruises were forming on her neck, and Obi-Wan did not want to think about the ones he could not see. He placed his hands on her shoulders and saw her wince. By that point, Obi-Wan was angry. He was furious that someone would hurt his friend like this. "Who did this to you, Ja'lisa?"

The girl made no movement. She made no attempt to speak. Obi-Wan added, "Let me wake my Master. He will know what to do."

Those words sent the girl into a full blown panic. "NO! Obi-Wan, you can't. He will kill me. Please, don't say anything, you can't tell anybody."

Looking into his friend's eyes, Obi-Wan suddenly knew, "Oh Force, Ja'lisa, Master Galen did this to you. How could I have been so stupid? I was so blind!"

It was Ja'lisa's turn to offer comfort, "Obi-Wan, it was not your fault. I have kept this hidden for a long time. And I have to keep it hidden. He will hurt me again, he will kill me! Why do you think I climbed several floors down? He knows I'm gone, he's looking for me. I didn't think he would look outside. Thankfully, he didn't."

Obi-Wan embraced her as gently as he could. His friend had gone through so much, and he had been oblivious to it. Its not that he was never hurt before. Force knows that he has spent more then enough time in the bacta tanks of the galaxy. But he had someone to take care of him. Ja'lisa did not.

Swallowing hard, Obi-Wan stated, "You came for my help, but that does not include going to Master Qui-Gon."

Before Ja'lisa could answer, a loud and angry knock sounded on the door. Both padawans froze in fear. There was no question on who the unexpected guest was. Ja'lisa gripped Obi-Wan's hand, "Obi, he will kill me if he finds me."