Chapter Three

"Is that the Temple?" Ben asked as he intently studied the large building that quickly grew larger in the cockpit window. The building was a huge ziggurat with five towers extending high into the Coruscant skyline. The structures towered over other buildings causing it to stand out like a single red rose in a field of White Cornine flowers.

"Yes, that's the Temple," Qui-Gon replied.

Ben remembered reading about the Temple and its five spires at the library on Luzick, but he never imagined just how large it would look in person.

"It's the biggest building on the planet," the youngster commented. "Did you grow up there?"

Qui-Gon chuckled, "Yes I was raised there from the time I was a baby." From the pilot's seat, the older man started his decent toward the massive building.

Ben's heart began to beat faster. He could see four humanoid people waiting for them in the landing area. All four wore Jedi robes. One of the people was very small. Ben wondered if it was a child, perhaps a friend of the missing Padawan. He knew that no matter weather he was Obi-Wan or not this would be a very awkward meeting.

Qui-Gon expertly landed his star ship and began to power down the vessel. "Are you ready?" he asked the teenager.

"No, but I don't have a choice do I?" Ben grumbled. He put his hand in the pocket of the oversized clothing that Qui-Gon had loaned him and gently rubbed his finger over the length of Cyjeon's body. The rough texture of the little creature's pale green scales reassured him that at least his friend was still with him.

"Don't worry Obi. Ben, they won't hurt you," Qui-Gon assured him.

"I know," he lied.

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Qui-Gon led the young man out of the ship and down the ramp to where Masters Mace Windu, Adi Gallia, Ki-Adi Mundi, and Yoda stood waiting. Qui- Gon could sense the boy following close behind, his turbulent emotions swirling around him. He sensed relief, anxiety, and fear radiating off Ben.

"Qui-Gon, it's good to see you again," Mace smiled as he greeted his friend.

"It's good to see you in person, Master Windu," Qui-Gon nodded.

When he reached the bottom of the ramp, Qui-Gon stepped aside to let the four Masters see the boy.

Mace looked down at Yoda, while Ki-Adi and Adi shared a glance between themselves.

After a long minute of what Qui-Gon could only call stunned silence, Yoda finally spoke. "Glad I am to see you alive and well Padawan Kenobi," Yoda said taking a step closer to Ben.

"You know me? I'm your missing Padawan?" Ben asked. He seemed as surprised to find out he was the missing Padawan as the others were to discover that he was alive and now safely back at the temple, where he belonged.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi you are," Master Yoda stated.

"Don't you know who you are?" Ki-Adi asked.

"He has amnesia," Qui-Gon informed them.

"Amnesia," Mace repeated and glanced down at Yoda again. The two Council members were obviously communicating through the bond that all Council members shared.

"We are glad to have you back at the temple where you belong Obi-Wan," Adi assured him.

Ben looked up at Qui-Gon who watched Mace's reaction carefully. The tall man put his hand reassuringly on the boy's shoulder and sent waves of reassurance to him through the Force.

"Inside we should go," Yoda suggested.

"Yes," Qui-Gon agreed, "I need to take Obi-Wan to the healers."

Yoda nodded glancing up at the boy and then at Qui-Gon, "Clothing that fits also he needs."

"I must go and check on my Padawan," Master Gallia interjected, "I'll send a clean tunic in his size to the healers."

Yoda nodded and the female Council member started to walk toward the entranceway to the temple.

"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon began, "This is Master Yoda, Master Ki-Adi Mundi, and Master Mace Windu. They are all members of the Jedi Council."

Obi-Wan anxiously glanced up at Qui-Gon before answering, "It's nice to meet you."

Mace and Yoda once again glanced at one another and then looked at the boy. "We better get you to the healers," Mace finally remarked as he turned to walk toward the same entryway that Adi had used.

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The Jedi Temple was amazing. It was unlike anything that he had ever seen before, or even remembered seeing. None of the buildings on Luzick came close in comparing to the smooth architecture. Obi-Wan thought it looked like something out of a fantasy book that he had seen on Luzick.

As Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon, Yoda, Mace, and Ki-Adi through the corridors of the temple. Other Knights, Masters, and students passed them. They looked at him strangely, some stopping and staring with shocked expressions on their faces. Obi-Wan guessed that they recognized him or perhaps they thought he was a ghost.

The lift tubes were also nicer than those he had had an opportunity to ride in on Luzick. He noted that their construction was of a higher quality than on the other planet. He could not believe that he used to live here.

During most of their journey through the building, the four Jedi who walked with Obi-Wan discussed what Qui-Gon had missed during his time away from the Temple. Obi-Wan wondered if the tallest of the quartet had been on a long mission.

The doors to the healing wing slid open just as the lift tube finally came to a halt. Obi-Wan was reluctant to enter the medical ward and tried to edge toward the rear of the group.

"Qui-Gon Jinn," the Twi'lek healer smiled as he noticed the new arrivals to the medical area of the Temple. "It is good to see you again. What's wrong?"

Obi-Wan watched the longhaired man smile at the healer. "Healer Grien, you're still here, I would have thought you would have retired by now after all your complaining about grumpy patients."

"As I recall you were the grumpiest, Qui."

"Healer Grien, while Master Jinn was away from the Temple he found your second grumpiest patient," Ki-Adi interrupted the two men.

The healer looked at Master Mundi and then looked down at the teenager that stood partially hidden behind Qui-Gon and gasped. "By the stars, it's Obi- Wan Kenobi. You were one of my most frequent visitors; I knew that you could not die on me so soon. You would have left me without grumpy patients since Master Jinn had left the Temple."

Obi-Wan looked at the healer and then up at Qui-Gon. "Was I a bad Jedi?" he asked.

"What?" Healer Grien asked confusion evident in his eyes.

"You said I was your most frequent visitor. Was I a bad Jedi that I got hurt so often?"

"Obi-Wan has lost his memory, Healer. He doesn't remember his life as a Jedi," Qui-Gon explained.

"Oh! Obi, you were a very good Padawan. You were rarely here because of injuries," the healer said kneeling down at eye level to speak with the lad. "You have Orndale disease, which was the cause for most of time you spent here," Healer Grien assured him.

Qui-Gon looked at the healer and then at Obi-Wan. He had never heard of the disease. He hoped that there were no complications due to Obi-Wan's inability to get proper medical attention.

"Orndale disease," Obi-Wan repeated, "What's that?"

"Oh, don't worry Obi; it's not a serious disease, as long as you take your medication. Without the medication, you may sleep more than usual, feel tired more often, and you almost never feel hungry. Of course because they do not feel hungry, most carriers of the disease do not eat. Some have skipped meals for so long they have eventually died of starvation. And of course, skipping meals causes stomach pains, numerous headaches, and feelings of weakness."

"Don't worry Obi-Wan. Healer Grien and I will make sure you are ok and start giving you your medication immediately," A beautiful female girl with strawberry blonde hair told him. She wore a tunic similar to the one the healer was wearing.

"Thank you Lorna. Obi, this is my Padawan Lorna Kiu. She will assist me in examining you. If the Masters will remain in the waiting room, we can get started," Grien suggested and stood up.

Obi-Wan looked up at Qui-Gon. He did not want him to leave him alone with the healer and his Padawan. He suddenly felt afraid, almost as scared as he had felt when he woke up on Gala not knowing who he was or where he belonged. At least this time he knew who and where he was, although he did not feel like he belonged at the Temple. He could not explain it but he had begun to feel a strong connection to Qui-Gon Jinn. Since their arrival at the Temple, he had discovered that he was practically clinging to the man.

"It's ok Obi-Wan, Healer Grien will not hurt you," Qui-Gon calmly reassured him, placing a large hand on his shoulder. "The waiting area is just across the hall. If you need anything, you can come and get me. I promise I will not leave the area." Obi-Wan nodded meekly. Qui-Gon dropped his hand from the boy's shoulder and Obi followed the healer and his Padawan into the examining room. He did not know why the healer and his Padawan made him feel so uncomfortable. He wondered if it could have anything to do with what Healer Grien said about him coming to the healers often.

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"Qui-Gon, where did you say you found Obi-Wan? He looks terrible. He's so thin and pale. His hair is four or five shades darker from dirt and he has bruises everywhere," Ki-Adi declared.

"I found him asleep underneath a tree in a garden on Luzick. He told me he had no memories of anything other than one day waking up without his memory."

"That's very interesting," Mace said as he sat down on one of the chairs. "Obi-Wan's last mission was to the planet Gala, but he and Master Oxane were coerced into going to Phindar instead to help a pair of Phindians. One of them informed us that Obi-Wan had been captured and sent to have his memory wiped. The Phindian said that his brother told Master Oxane and they went to help Obi-Wan. He told us that they were too late; he said that Obi- Wan did not survive the procedure. A blaster shot to the chest killed Oxane. The Phindian told us that Oxane was shot when he tried to rescue Obi- Wan."

"Apparently his mind was wiped but he was not killed," Qui-Gon commented.

"Why would they lie about it?" Ki-Adi wondered aloud.

"Unknown it is. Concerned right now what to do with Padawan Kenobi I am. Investigation of events that transpired on Phindar worry about later I will," Yoda said from a chair near Mace.

"What do you mean what to do with him?" Qui-Gon asked.

"A Master the boy no longer has. Time it will take to prepare a room for him in the initiates' dorm. Place to stay the boy needs," the wise old Master explained.

"He can stay with me," Qui-Gon volunteered without hesitation.

"Concerned I am, that attached to the boy you have become Qui-Gon," Yoda closed his eyes, appearing deep in thought.

"I don't see why the concern. The boy's not a threat," Qui-Gon said.

"Clouded, the boy's future is. If regain his memory he does not, sent to Agri-Corps, or to a foster home Padawan Kenobi must be."

"Qui-Gon, we researched the memory wipes of Phindar after hearing about what had happened to Obi-Wan. The Phindians are not aware of any way to reverse the effects of the memory wipes. Hopefully our healers will know of something, but you need to be prepared that if the boy can not regain his memory, he can not stay here." Mace explained.

Qui-Gon could not believe that after their reactions at having the youngster back in the Temple again, they would so easily cast him out.

"Easy this decision is not. Necessary it is. Warned you I did, grave consequences to Padawan Kenobi your leaving would have. Greatness he was destined for," Yoda commented, his large eyes still closed.

"Was, you talk like he's dead. He's alive, bruised and malnourished, but he's not dead. On Luzick, he used the Force to hide his presence, to protect himself from individuals who meant to harm him. He was not aware he was doing it but he was using the Force nonetheless."

"See we will what the healers say," Yoda opened his eyes, and studied the tall Master standing next to him.

"Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan can stay in your apartment until other arrangements can be made, but remember it is only on a short-term basis," Ki-Adi Mundi told him.

Qui-Gon nodded as he tried to release his frustration into the Force. He did not want Obi-Wan to sense it. He hoped Master Yoda was wrong. It seemed like terrible a cruel joke for the Force to lead him to the boy and then lose the boy so soon after finding him. At least they would allow Obi-Wan to stay with him. Perhaps if he could introduce him to as many familiar sites as possible Obi-Wan would regain his memory and remain at the Temple.

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"Obi-Wan," Healer Grien said, "I can see that you haven't been eating very much. Don't worry it is expected since you haven't been able to take your medication."

"It's not easy to eat when you don't have any food and no credits to buy it with," Obi-Wan commented, sarcasm dripping from each word. He was already feeling very uncomfortable sitting in the examining room.

"Well despite the memory loss you're still very sarcastic when you have to come here. That's interesting."

"I'm glad I can entertain you."

"Obi, try to remember the last time you ate anything please."

"It was on Qui-Gon's ship, about six hours ago."

The healer nodded, "And how much did you eat?"

"More than I wanted to," Obi-Wan admitted. "Qui-Gon wouldn't let me leave the galley until I ate half of what he put on the plate. He's not as good a cook as he would have you believe."

Grien chuckled, "I'm glad that I've never had to eat his cooking then."

Padawan Lorna shook her head at the two males. "What would Master Jinn say if he was here right now?"

"He would probably tell me that I don't cook any better," Grien winked at Obi-Wan.

The Healer mended Obi-Wan's ribs with the Force, ran numerous scans, took blood samples, and put bacta patches on his cuts and scrapes. Obi-Wan noted that the healer seemed to focus the scans mainly on his head.

"Well, that's all I can do for now. You can use the bathroom across the hall to clean up and put on the clean clothes that Master Gallia sent here for you, while I speak with the Masters in the waiting room."

Obi-Wan nodded, took the clothes from the table in the corner of the room, and walked across the hall to the bathroom. Before getting into the shower, Obi-Wan took Cyjeon out of his pocket and put him into the pocket of the clean tunic. Obi-Wan had not had a shower since he had left the old woman's care.

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Qui-Gon sat on a waiting room chair anxiously waiting for the healer's report. He was worried about the boy, more worried than he should have been. It was a routine examination, but the look of terror in the boy's eyes as he followed the healer into the examining room was heart wrenching.

Yoda and Mace sat in the same seats as when they had first entered the waiting room. They were both meditating and Ki-Adi Mundi was reading a datapad.

Suddenly Qui-Gon sat up straighter. He had seen Healer Grien escort Obi-Wan to the bathroom before the healer turned to come to the waiting room. Qui- Gon stood up as the healer entered the room, his Padawan following close behind him. Mace and Yoda had sensed the healers approach and had awakened from their meditations and were getting up.

"Healer Grien," Qui-Gon said, "What did you find out?"

"I've finished my examination of Obi-Wan. I healed his ribs and put bacta patches on his cuts. He was severely malnourished but considering that he has been unable to take his medication for sometime, he is doing much better than I would have expected. If he strains himself too much he may feel a little pain or tightness in his chest from his ribs."

"What about his memory loss?" Qui-Gon asked.

"I did not find any sign of a head injury that might have caused it. I would guess it was caused by a traumatic occurrence, perhaps the same something that caused the scars and bruising on his body."

"We have reason to believe that while on his last mission he had his memory wiped on Phindar," Mace explained.

"I see," the healer replied.

"Will he regain his memory?" Qui-Gon asked.

"I don't know. With some cases of amnesia, the patients sometimes regain their entire memory by seeing familiar faces or surroundings. Sometimes only some of their memory returns and then there are other instances where the patient's memories never return. I don't know what method was used to make Obi-Wan lose his memory. I can't say with any certainty whether he will ever regain any of his memory. The memory wipe was obviously designed to remove all of his memories; therefore, I assume that he will not regain them. I'm sorry."

To Be Continued..