But the second Leila and Qui Gon left the room, Obi Wan carefully got up from the bed.
"But the Jedi said you're not recovered!" Si Treemba cried in concern.
"How big are those thermocoms?" asked Obi Wan.
"Not big. Not hard to conceal."
"If we find those thermcoms, then we'll know who did it."
"That's true, Obi Wan," Si Treemba agreed. Then he stopped and made an odd hissing sound. "We are sorry. But when you say we…"
"I mean you and me," said Obi Wan. "I cannot risk taking Leila."
"Ah," said Si Treemba. His greenish skin went pale. "We would have to go the Offworld side of the ship."
"I know," said Obi Wan quietly. Hr knew the risk. And Qui Gon had ordered him not to. Then his eyes narrowed. He was not Qui Gon's apprentice. And he was certainly not honor bound to obey him. No doubt Qui Gon thought him unworthy of the task ahead. But Qui Gon's hesitations paled next to the Jedi principles. Justice must be sought out. "Si Treemba, Clat'Ha has great courage," Obi Wan explained. "But Jemba has power on his side. He is ruthless as well as cunning and he will stop a nothing. Therefore, he has to be stopped. It's as simple and difficult as that. I understand if you do not wish to help me. Truly. We will still be friends."
Si Treemba swallowed. "We will follow you, Obi Wan."
Leila spent her time pacing the cabin. At last she had fallen into a deep sleep.
Qui Gon had decided to simply let her sleep through the evening meal. It was a rare thing for her to sleep so hard. He sat on his bed across from her.
He felt his heart pound in his chest, every muscle on alert. He frowned. Why? That only ever happened when Leila was not in front of him and or in danger. But she was sleeping restfully. Jedi often sensed when another Jedi, close to them, was in trouble. Qui Gon searched his mind but did not see anything clear. Only haze. He kept his eyes fixed on Leila.
She rolled over. The diamond that had been created by her marker sparkled.
"Obi Wan," he murmured. It had to be the boy. Qui Gon sighed. He fought against the feeling. It was ridiculous, absurd. The boy was not his Padawan. Why would there be such a connection between them?
Yet there it was. Yoda and Leila would be pleased. Qui Gon groaned softly. He was not. He was far from pleased.
Wherever he turned, the boy appeared. He was happy to treat Obi Wan's injuries, but he refused to be responsible for his welfare. If the boy had gotten himself into some sort of mess, he would just have to find his own way out. Qui Gon frowned darkly. "This is absurd!"
Suddenly Leila sat straight up with a gasp.
Qui Gon looked at her. He instantly regretted he had spoken out loud.
"Obi Wan!" she gasped.
Before Qui Gon had time to ask what she meant, there was a knock at the door.
Leila's eyes flickered to Qui Gon's eyes. Then she bounded from the bed and opened the door. "What's happened, Clat'Ha?"