Chapter Five
"Qui-Gon Jinn, you really are back," Master Tahl said with a large smile as the doors to her apartment slid open, giving the man his first glimpse of his old friend in two years. She looked just as he remembered except now her eyes were sightless.
"Yes, I'm back to stay," he confided.
"You are?" She raised an eyebrow as she stepped aside to let him enter. "I thought you were just returning the missing Padawan."
"I had planned on returning after finishing my next job, but since I'm already here, I thought that someone else could finish the job. I'm surprised that they didn't assign another Master/Padawan team to my apartment."
"I guess Yoda believed you when you said you would return," Tahl said staring at his chest.
"So how are you?" Qui-Gon asked. The last time he spoke with her, she had told him about losing her sight on a mission to Melida/Dann.
"I'm fine, I can still do research and go on missions Qui-Gon, if that's what you're asking," Tahl observed.
"I know you can still function as a Jedi. I meant how do you feel? I haven't seen you or talked to you privately for two years," Qui-Gon assured her.
"I'm fine," she sighed. "So you found Obi-Wan Kenobi. How is he? Master Yoda was very upset when we thought that he had become one with the Force."
"He's all right, I guess. He has no memory of his Jedi training or any part of his past life other than waking up one day on Gala not knowing his name or anything about his time here at the Temple. He is frightened of almost everything, including the friends he doesn't remember.
"Can you blame him? It would be hard to lose your memory as an adult; it must be even harder when you're so young. I heard a change in your voice as you spoke of him. You have grown fond of the boy haven't you?"
"He's a good kid. He's finally beginning to trust me," Qui-Gon said as he strode across the floor and sat down on the couch.
"Something about the boy is bothering you though," she told him.
"Yes, I'm not optimistic that he will regain his memory. If he doesn't then the Council will send him either to Agri-Corps or to a foster home."
"You're kidding," Tahl commented. "After searching for six months and finally finding him they would just send him away."
"I know; I don't understand it either. But I promised myself that I would help him and I intend to do just that."
"And if he doesn't regain his memory, then what?"
"Then I'll leave and take him with me. I'll take care of him. I can't let them send him to Agri-Corps or push him out to be raised by strangers. He trusts me now. I promised him I would take care of him. I can't betray his trust by allowing him to be tossed out like a bad piece of fruit."
"Qui-Gon, this has nothing to do with the boy's trust of you. You are fond of him and you don't want to lose him."
Qui-Gon looked at his friend but since he didn't know what to say to her, he decided not to reply. He felt as if Obi-Wan had latched onto a piece of his heart. He was certain there was no place in his heart for anyone and it would remain empty after Xanatos had left. He was not convinced that he wanted to share that with anyone though at least not yet.
"And if he does regain his memory?"
"Then I'll take him as my Padawan and train him to be a Jedi Knight," Qui- Gon told her.
**************************
Obi-Wan wandered through the Temple corridors aimlessly. He was not sure what he should do. Obi-Wan's friends... his friends were nice, but he felt as if he was required to live someone else' life. He didn't remember the three students. They had told him stories of their adventures together and reminded him of things that they used to do together, but he didn't remember any of it.
The female Mon Calamari had come back and told him that she was sorry for yelling and running away from him. He told her it was ok and she smiled, but none of it felt right to him.
"So you really are back," A voice in front of him penetrated his thoughts. Obi-Wan looked up and saw a white haired boy approaching him. "I heard a rumor that you had returned from the dead Oafy-Wan. I liked it better around here when you were dead."
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Don't play dumb Oafy. You should have stayed away. You caused your Master's death, and now you're back. Why? So another Master can take you as a Padawan and you can cause his death too."
"I don't know what you're talking about. If you'll excuse me I have to go," Obi-Wan told the boy. He did not know why but the white haired boy gave him a bad feeling. The boy was being cruel, but his time on Luzick had taught him that kids could be very malicious, even worse than the adults. Obi-Wan started down the hall passing in front of the boy.
"Who said you could go anywhere Oafy?" the boy demanded and stuck his foot out causing Obi-Wan to trip and fall to his knees.
"Padawan Chun," a stern voice called from down the hall. "What is going on?" Obi-Wan recognized the man as one of the Jedi he had met when he and Qui-Gon had first landed at the Temple, Ki-Adi-Mundi.
"Master Ki-Adi," the white haired boy began as the Knight moved toward them. "Obi-Wan tripped. I was just about to help him up." The boy extended his hand to Obi-Wan and helped him to his feet.
"Obi-Wan, is that true?" Master Ki-Adi asked studying Obi-Wan's face.
Obi-Wan glanced from the Master to the boy and then nodded his head, "Yes, I wasn't watching where I was going and I tripped."
"Obi-Wan, Jedi do not lie," Ki-Adi, told him studying the boy's expression carefully.
"I'm not a Jedi," Obi-Wan said and continued to move away from them. He once again automatically placed his hand in his tunic pocket and began to rub his little friend's head, as Ki-Adi-Mundi and Padawan Bruck Chun watched him walk away.
Obi-Wan walked toward The Room of a Thousand Fountains. He decided that he would let Cyjeon out to frolic in grass and plants that filled the large room. Maybe they could go swimming in one of the ponds that he had seen earlier when Qui-Gon had shown him around the Temple.
"This place has nicer plants than the entire forests on Luzick did," Obi- Wan said as he lifted the little slug like creature out of his pocket. Obi- Wan knelt down near a bluish green colored bush and let Cyjeon slither off his hand onto the soft grass in front of the bush. The tiny creature seemed glad to be amongst the plant growth. Obi-Wan smiled as he watched him.
"Its nice here, Cyjeon. Qui-Gon is nice, I liked staying in his apartment and sleeping on an actual sleep couch. I felt safe there. I don't know why but I'm starting to feel like I belong here. Even Padawan Chun didn't change that. I still don't think I could be a Jedi though. I can't use a lightsaber and I wouldn't know what to do on one of their missions."
********************** After visiting with Tahl, Qui-Gon had decided to find Obi-Wan and see if he was ok. He could sense the boy's presence in The Room of a Thousand Fountains. He headed in the direction of the large room. He remembered the look of awe that came over his face when he had brought the boy into the room. It did not surprise him when he found the lad sitting on the grass near a bush talking to his pet. He was, however, surprised at the conversation the youngster was having with himself. Obi-Wan had liked staying in his apartment and felt safe there. The boy did not think he could be a Jedi and that worried Qui-Gon. He wondered if Obi-Wan was not trying to regain his memory.
He was about to make his presence known when a tiny female initiate walked up to the boy. Qui-Gon watched the little girl look at the slug that Obi- Wan had been talking to and then up at the boy.
"What is that?" she asked pointing to Cyjeon.
"He's a Diamp. His name is Cyjeon," Obi-Wan reached out and picked up the creature again. "You can touch him," he told her.
The girl slowly reached her hand out and gently touched Cyjeon's back. "He feels rough and bumpy."
Obi-Wan smiled, "That's because of his scales. They protect him."
"He's cute," the girl told him.
"What's your name?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Élan Ryos," she answered, "I'm five."
"Where is your Master?" Obi-Wan asked.
"No silly," the small girl with shoulder length blonde hair giggled. "I'm not a Padawan yet. " She lifted her hair, "See no braid."
Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan smiled down at the little girl who sat beside him. The teen seemed to enjoy talking with her.
"Did you wander away from where you're supposed to be?"
"I came to practice the first form. I can't get it right," Élan frowned, "Then I saw you come in."
"The first form," Obi-Wan said a look of confusion covering his face. "Can you show me?"
The young girl quickly got up and began to run through the first form. Qui- Gon noticed that she had made a mistake common among young initiates. Qui- Gon was about to step out from behind the tree again when Obi-Wan stood up and stepped closer to her.
"You moved your right foot forward," he said. "You must remember to keep your right foot still while you move your left foot and arms. I made the same mistake when I was first learning the form." To Qui-Gon's surprise Obi- Wan stood up and began to flawlessly show the girl the correct way to do the form.
"You do it very well," Élan smiled.
She tried to do the form the way he told her to. Qui-Gon watched and smiled as this time she was able to do the form correctly. He realized that Obi- Wan had remembered at least a little bit of his former life as a Jedi.
"I did it," Élan smiled and wrapped her arms around Obi-Wan giving him a grateful hug. "Thank you so much. You're a good teacher; you'll make a good Master some day."
Suddenly Obi-Wan looked confused but he reluctantly allowed the youngling to hug him. When she pulled away, she told him that she had to go and show the crèche Master that she could now do the form correctly.
"Cyjeon," Obi-Wan sighed and sat down on the ground. "I just did a Jedi thing. I don't know how or what I did though. I didn't know I could do it. When I saw her try to do it, I knew what she was doing wrong. I don't know how I know it though."
Qui-Gon turned away from Obi-Wan and left The Room of a Thousand Fountains. He realized that the boy needed to be alone to think about what had just occurred. He didn't want to push him by asking him a lot of questions if the lad was not yet ready to discuss the events of the last few minutes.
********************
Qui-Gon walked through the corridors slowly making his way to his apartment. He thought about what he had just witnessed and wondered if it meant that the boy would regain his complete memory soon. After Obi-Wan had told the girl what to do and then showed her the correct way to do it, he looked confused.
He was just a few feet away from the door when he heard Master Mace Windu call after him, "Qui-Gon, wait."
He stopped and turned to look at the Council member who was hurrying to catch up to him. "Is something wrong Mace?" Qui-Gon asked.
"I need to speak with you about Obi-Wan. Where is he?" Mace inquired.
"He's in The Room of a Thousand Fountains," Qui-Gon told him.
"Good. Let's go to your apartment to talk," Mace suggested.
Qui-Gon nodded, a sinking feeling beginning to form in the pit of his stomach. He keyed in the code to unlock the door and when it slid open, he entered followed by Mace.
"Qui-Gon, we spoke to the Coruscant Foster Child Program. They want to see Obi-Wan before they make arrangements with a family for him. They can help him to begin a new life," Mace told him. "We have an appointment in three days. We have already agreed that Obi-Wan will remain here until they find a family to place him with."
"But he's beginning to remember things," Qui-Gon protested, "I saw Obi-Wan in the Room of A Thousand Fountains helping an initiate by the name of Élan Ryos with the first form. He told her that she was stepping forward with her right foot and then demonstrated the form for her flawlessly. He's obviously beginning to remember some things," Qui-Gon told him.
"When Obi-Wan was her age I helped him with the first form. He had the same problem of moving his right foot forward. Let me know if the boy remembers anything else, but it might be best if you tell him about the appointment, so he knows what to expect if he does not regain anymore of his memory."
Qui-Gon nodded, "I wonder what else Obi-Wan remembers of the forms and Kata?"
"Perhaps we could arrange for him to watch some Initiates or Padawans practice them and see if that sparks his memory," Mace suggested.
Qui-Gon smiled with relief, at least one of the Council members were willing to give Obi-Wan the chance he needed before they shipped him off to live with strangers.
"Qui-Gon," Mace sighed sensing Qui-Gon's surprise and relief. "None of us want to see Obi-Wan leave. But we have limited resources to take care of those who are not able to use the Force. If he remained here without regaining his memory, he would feel left out while his friends were participated in duels, tournaments, and progressed to handling their part of missions."
"I understand that, but what if he's in a foster home and regains his memory? What if he is able to do some things with the Force without knowing or understanding how? He would be confused and could possibly cause trouble to those around him who would not understand."
"Qui-Gon, we could argue the 'what ifs' for hours and still not come to an accord. The Council agrees that if he does not regain his memory, being placed with a foster family will allow him to have a somewhat normal life. Now let's go and find Obi-Wan and see if he remembers anything else," Mace told the tall Jedi.
To be continued...
"Qui-Gon Jinn, you really are back," Master Tahl said with a large smile as the doors to her apartment slid open, giving the man his first glimpse of his old friend in two years. She looked just as he remembered except now her eyes were sightless.
"Yes, I'm back to stay," he confided.
"You are?" She raised an eyebrow as she stepped aside to let him enter. "I thought you were just returning the missing Padawan."
"I had planned on returning after finishing my next job, but since I'm already here, I thought that someone else could finish the job. I'm surprised that they didn't assign another Master/Padawan team to my apartment."
"I guess Yoda believed you when you said you would return," Tahl said staring at his chest.
"So how are you?" Qui-Gon asked. The last time he spoke with her, she had told him about losing her sight on a mission to Melida/Dann.
"I'm fine, I can still do research and go on missions Qui-Gon, if that's what you're asking," Tahl observed.
"I know you can still function as a Jedi. I meant how do you feel? I haven't seen you or talked to you privately for two years," Qui-Gon assured her.
"I'm fine," she sighed. "So you found Obi-Wan Kenobi. How is he? Master Yoda was very upset when we thought that he had become one with the Force."
"He's all right, I guess. He has no memory of his Jedi training or any part of his past life other than waking up one day on Gala not knowing his name or anything about his time here at the Temple. He is frightened of almost everything, including the friends he doesn't remember.
"Can you blame him? It would be hard to lose your memory as an adult; it must be even harder when you're so young. I heard a change in your voice as you spoke of him. You have grown fond of the boy haven't you?"
"He's a good kid. He's finally beginning to trust me," Qui-Gon said as he strode across the floor and sat down on the couch.
"Something about the boy is bothering you though," she told him.
"Yes, I'm not optimistic that he will regain his memory. If he doesn't then the Council will send him either to Agri-Corps or to a foster home."
"You're kidding," Tahl commented. "After searching for six months and finally finding him they would just send him away."
"I know; I don't understand it either. But I promised myself that I would help him and I intend to do just that."
"And if he doesn't regain his memory, then what?"
"Then I'll leave and take him with me. I'll take care of him. I can't let them send him to Agri-Corps or push him out to be raised by strangers. He trusts me now. I promised him I would take care of him. I can't betray his trust by allowing him to be tossed out like a bad piece of fruit."
"Qui-Gon, this has nothing to do with the boy's trust of you. You are fond of him and you don't want to lose him."
Qui-Gon looked at his friend but since he didn't know what to say to her, he decided not to reply. He felt as if Obi-Wan had latched onto a piece of his heart. He was certain there was no place in his heart for anyone and it would remain empty after Xanatos had left. He was not convinced that he wanted to share that with anyone though at least not yet.
"And if he does regain his memory?"
"Then I'll take him as my Padawan and train him to be a Jedi Knight," Qui- Gon told her.
**************************
Obi-Wan wandered through the Temple corridors aimlessly. He was not sure what he should do. Obi-Wan's friends... his friends were nice, but he felt as if he was required to live someone else' life. He didn't remember the three students. They had told him stories of their adventures together and reminded him of things that they used to do together, but he didn't remember any of it.
The female Mon Calamari had come back and told him that she was sorry for yelling and running away from him. He told her it was ok and she smiled, but none of it felt right to him.
"So you really are back," A voice in front of him penetrated his thoughts. Obi-Wan looked up and saw a white haired boy approaching him. "I heard a rumor that you had returned from the dead Oafy-Wan. I liked it better around here when you were dead."
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Don't play dumb Oafy. You should have stayed away. You caused your Master's death, and now you're back. Why? So another Master can take you as a Padawan and you can cause his death too."
"I don't know what you're talking about. If you'll excuse me I have to go," Obi-Wan told the boy. He did not know why but the white haired boy gave him a bad feeling. The boy was being cruel, but his time on Luzick had taught him that kids could be very malicious, even worse than the adults. Obi-Wan started down the hall passing in front of the boy.
"Who said you could go anywhere Oafy?" the boy demanded and stuck his foot out causing Obi-Wan to trip and fall to his knees.
"Padawan Chun," a stern voice called from down the hall. "What is going on?" Obi-Wan recognized the man as one of the Jedi he had met when he and Qui-Gon had first landed at the Temple, Ki-Adi-Mundi.
"Master Ki-Adi," the white haired boy began as the Knight moved toward them. "Obi-Wan tripped. I was just about to help him up." The boy extended his hand to Obi-Wan and helped him to his feet.
"Obi-Wan, is that true?" Master Ki-Adi asked studying Obi-Wan's face.
Obi-Wan glanced from the Master to the boy and then nodded his head, "Yes, I wasn't watching where I was going and I tripped."
"Obi-Wan, Jedi do not lie," Ki-Adi, told him studying the boy's expression carefully.
"I'm not a Jedi," Obi-Wan said and continued to move away from them. He once again automatically placed his hand in his tunic pocket and began to rub his little friend's head, as Ki-Adi-Mundi and Padawan Bruck Chun watched him walk away.
Obi-Wan walked toward The Room of a Thousand Fountains. He decided that he would let Cyjeon out to frolic in grass and plants that filled the large room. Maybe they could go swimming in one of the ponds that he had seen earlier when Qui-Gon had shown him around the Temple.
"This place has nicer plants than the entire forests on Luzick did," Obi- Wan said as he lifted the little slug like creature out of his pocket. Obi- Wan knelt down near a bluish green colored bush and let Cyjeon slither off his hand onto the soft grass in front of the bush. The tiny creature seemed glad to be amongst the plant growth. Obi-Wan smiled as he watched him.
"Its nice here, Cyjeon. Qui-Gon is nice, I liked staying in his apartment and sleeping on an actual sleep couch. I felt safe there. I don't know why but I'm starting to feel like I belong here. Even Padawan Chun didn't change that. I still don't think I could be a Jedi though. I can't use a lightsaber and I wouldn't know what to do on one of their missions."
********************** After visiting with Tahl, Qui-Gon had decided to find Obi-Wan and see if he was ok. He could sense the boy's presence in The Room of a Thousand Fountains. He headed in the direction of the large room. He remembered the look of awe that came over his face when he had brought the boy into the room. It did not surprise him when he found the lad sitting on the grass near a bush talking to his pet. He was, however, surprised at the conversation the youngster was having with himself. Obi-Wan had liked staying in his apartment and felt safe there. The boy did not think he could be a Jedi and that worried Qui-Gon. He wondered if Obi-Wan was not trying to regain his memory.
He was about to make his presence known when a tiny female initiate walked up to the boy. Qui-Gon watched the little girl look at the slug that Obi- Wan had been talking to and then up at the boy.
"What is that?" she asked pointing to Cyjeon.
"He's a Diamp. His name is Cyjeon," Obi-Wan reached out and picked up the creature again. "You can touch him," he told her.
The girl slowly reached her hand out and gently touched Cyjeon's back. "He feels rough and bumpy."
Obi-Wan smiled, "That's because of his scales. They protect him."
"He's cute," the girl told him.
"What's your name?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Élan Ryos," she answered, "I'm five."
"Where is your Master?" Obi-Wan asked.
"No silly," the small girl with shoulder length blonde hair giggled. "I'm not a Padawan yet. " She lifted her hair, "See no braid."
Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan smiled down at the little girl who sat beside him. The teen seemed to enjoy talking with her.
"Did you wander away from where you're supposed to be?"
"I came to practice the first form. I can't get it right," Élan frowned, "Then I saw you come in."
"The first form," Obi-Wan said a look of confusion covering his face. "Can you show me?"
The young girl quickly got up and began to run through the first form. Qui- Gon noticed that she had made a mistake common among young initiates. Qui- Gon was about to step out from behind the tree again when Obi-Wan stood up and stepped closer to her.
"You moved your right foot forward," he said. "You must remember to keep your right foot still while you move your left foot and arms. I made the same mistake when I was first learning the form." To Qui-Gon's surprise Obi- Wan stood up and began to flawlessly show the girl the correct way to do the form.
"You do it very well," Élan smiled.
She tried to do the form the way he told her to. Qui-Gon watched and smiled as this time she was able to do the form correctly. He realized that Obi- Wan had remembered at least a little bit of his former life as a Jedi.
"I did it," Élan smiled and wrapped her arms around Obi-Wan giving him a grateful hug. "Thank you so much. You're a good teacher; you'll make a good Master some day."
Suddenly Obi-Wan looked confused but he reluctantly allowed the youngling to hug him. When she pulled away, she told him that she had to go and show the crèche Master that she could now do the form correctly.
"Cyjeon," Obi-Wan sighed and sat down on the ground. "I just did a Jedi thing. I don't know how or what I did though. I didn't know I could do it. When I saw her try to do it, I knew what she was doing wrong. I don't know how I know it though."
Qui-Gon turned away from Obi-Wan and left The Room of a Thousand Fountains. He realized that the boy needed to be alone to think about what had just occurred. He didn't want to push him by asking him a lot of questions if the lad was not yet ready to discuss the events of the last few minutes.
********************
Qui-Gon walked through the corridors slowly making his way to his apartment. He thought about what he had just witnessed and wondered if it meant that the boy would regain his complete memory soon. After Obi-Wan had told the girl what to do and then showed her the correct way to do it, he looked confused.
He was just a few feet away from the door when he heard Master Mace Windu call after him, "Qui-Gon, wait."
He stopped and turned to look at the Council member who was hurrying to catch up to him. "Is something wrong Mace?" Qui-Gon asked.
"I need to speak with you about Obi-Wan. Where is he?" Mace inquired.
"He's in The Room of a Thousand Fountains," Qui-Gon told him.
"Good. Let's go to your apartment to talk," Mace suggested.
Qui-Gon nodded, a sinking feeling beginning to form in the pit of his stomach. He keyed in the code to unlock the door and when it slid open, he entered followed by Mace.
"Qui-Gon, we spoke to the Coruscant Foster Child Program. They want to see Obi-Wan before they make arrangements with a family for him. They can help him to begin a new life," Mace told him. "We have an appointment in three days. We have already agreed that Obi-Wan will remain here until they find a family to place him with."
"But he's beginning to remember things," Qui-Gon protested, "I saw Obi-Wan in the Room of A Thousand Fountains helping an initiate by the name of Élan Ryos with the first form. He told her that she was stepping forward with her right foot and then demonstrated the form for her flawlessly. He's obviously beginning to remember some things," Qui-Gon told him.
"When Obi-Wan was her age I helped him with the first form. He had the same problem of moving his right foot forward. Let me know if the boy remembers anything else, but it might be best if you tell him about the appointment, so he knows what to expect if he does not regain anymore of his memory."
Qui-Gon nodded, "I wonder what else Obi-Wan remembers of the forms and Kata?"
"Perhaps we could arrange for him to watch some Initiates or Padawans practice them and see if that sparks his memory," Mace suggested.
Qui-Gon smiled with relief, at least one of the Council members were willing to give Obi-Wan the chance he needed before they shipped him off to live with strangers.
"Qui-Gon," Mace sighed sensing Qui-Gon's surprise and relief. "None of us want to see Obi-Wan leave. But we have limited resources to take care of those who are not able to use the Force. If he remained here without regaining his memory, he would feel left out while his friends were participated in duels, tournaments, and progressed to handling their part of missions."
"I understand that, but what if he's in a foster home and regains his memory? What if he is able to do some things with the Force without knowing or understanding how? He would be confused and could possibly cause trouble to those around him who would not understand."
"Qui-Gon, we could argue the 'what ifs' for hours and still not come to an accord. The Council agrees that if he does not regain his memory, being placed with a foster family will allow him to have a somewhat normal life. Now let's go and find Obi-Wan and see if he remembers anything else," Mace told the tall Jedi.
To be continued...