Backtrack to Chapter One for Summary, Author's Note and so on.
Responses on the bottom.
Chapter Two:
Body racking with violent shivers, Obi-Wan threw the last layer of his clothes onto the 'fresher floor and slid into the steaming shower. His hands shook so violently that he could hardly turn the knobs to make the water warmer, but his attempts finally availed him, and he succeeded in making the temperature as high as it would go, waiting a for a few prolonged moments while the hot water melted the ice around his skin.
It took some time before his body registered the heat of the water but when it did, it flamed red and pink. He quickly turned off the water and stepped out to dry himself in one of the far too small towels of the 'fresher.
Irinians, he noted idly, were a race of people whose minds were not only small and thin but their bodies as well for they were a small people, never standing above five feet high in height but whose…ego, for lack of a better word, was similar to that of a Hutts. For Qui-Gon, the height difference was nearly three feet or so, and Obi-Wan found himself feeling quite tall despite his short stature.
They were not intimidated by him or Qui-Gon, or even anything towards the two Jedi. Of course Qui-Gon had had his share of compliments, questions of the Jedi life, his lightsaber, the Force and so on but the Irinians had never been so inclined to ask the apprentice what it was like for him. Not that Obi-Wan minded, he found it difficult to talk to anyone besides the Prime Minister—but it was apart of a general negligence that irked him in many more aspects than lack of consideration. This towel was such a tangible example. Not only was it far too coarse and itchy but so undersized that even a Jawa would have a difficult time using it as a scarf. It was unsuitable, even for a Jedi.
And it did nothing to warm his still trembling body. Well if he put on some clothes quickly maybe he could warm up…especially when the Dining Hall would be below zero the entire time. Oh yes, he thought sarcastically, that would help matters.
As he wiped away the last droplets of dampness, he began to accurately assess the damage he had caused himself whilst falling into the—as he recalled it—excuse for a river, I'tehl. It was more like a death trap waiting to ensnare any prey with it claws of too cold-to-be-natural water and currents. It had taken him some struggling to pull himself to the surface once he broke through the thin layer of ice but he was eventually able to swim to shore and be pulled up by his master and a few guards. Though, in the process, he had earned a rather nasty cut on his forehead from the sharp ice, but, at the time, he could hardly feel it. He could hardly feel anything at all until they reached the capital grounds and he was met with a different air than one of cold.
This is wonderful Kenobi, he badgered. Just brilliant. Not only have you made a complete fool out of yourself in front of the Prime Minister and his politicians and your master, you've sported a nasty cut that will go wonderfully with the Council when you return back to the Temple and they'll want to know what happened, why Qui-Gon couldn't help you more, why you were so clumsy, and on top of all of that, if that wasn't enough, you've shown that you cannot even do a simple task of walking down a hill without falling. Bruck had been right, Oafy-Wan indeed…
His stomach churned but, try as he might, he could not abandon the sickening realization. His attempts were futile, he would always be left with this lingering knife of Bruck's still wretched deeply into his back, and no matter how hard he reached, he would never fully retrieve it; the pain, the guilt, the loss would always be there.
Maybe he was right, maybe there was some truth in those childhood taunts. Maybe I never really was meant to be a Jedi. I can train, I can learn, I can do everything that is asked of me, but when the time comes, I will never be able to act like a Jedi, think like a Jedi, be a Jedi. But why in the Force's name, did Qui-Gon take me back?
He realized that this was not the first time he doubted his master's and his decision. Telos had left them together again, as Master and Padawan, and in the beginning he had found a new sense of direction, completeness, content, but these past few months had been wearing…wearing to the point of bone driving exhaustion. He had to constantly watch himself, be the perfect Padawan, gain back what he had lost, rekindle old alliances, so many things, but most of all , regain that trust he had lost so dearly on Melida/Daan. Slowly, oh so slowly were they igniting that small flame again, but for Obi-Wan, it was very unsatisfying and unnerving.
Patience, he told himself, patience. Honor something you have learned. Even if you don't become the greatest Knight the Order has seen, you at least pushed aside your past and looked ahead at your new prospect.
But was it really worth it?
Stop it, he demanded. You're wasting time even thinking about it. You cannot have your master waiting, Force, that's the last thing you want, isn't it?
His stomach roiled again and he realized it was not from his thoughts, but his head. He found that he was now in front of the mirror in his room, staring at his clothed and pale self. His eyes burned with a fire, the bluest part of a flame and his whole body looked like it had been wrung of all water.
It didn't take him long to know that he did not just feel bad, he felt awful.
Stark raving awful.
He ran a shaky hand through his still damp hair and sighed as his stomach knotted and turned with an uncoiled snake reeling around in it. His whole body was beginning to shake more violently, though he was not cold. To the contrary his skin felt like a furnace. He knew he was sick, but the knowledge did little to quench the illness from passing through.
I ought to tell, Qui-Gon, he thought and quickly pushed it aside. No, there was no reason to burden his master yet. It was only a chill and Qui-Gon needed to keep his attention on the mission, not his Padawan's childish illness. Obi-Wan absently decided he would go to sleep earlier tonight and make sure not to overexert himself for the next few days.
Patience, he told himself again. Patience.
He looked up at the mirror of the 'fresher, made one last quick observation of his unusually pallid self before slipping into the common room where Qui-Gon was waiting.
The Jedi Master looked up at the pale apprentice with an eye of concern but could not wholly pinpoint what was wrong with his Padawan. Through their light bond he felt nothing particularly wrong, and he was more thoroughly convinced when a small smile stretched across the youth's lips. Well if he was sound enough to smile…he thought, and it was not often that Obi-Wan graced anyone with his smile, least of all his master.
He was well aware that there was still some rigidness in their bond, and it would take them several more missions and months to redeem back the full flow they had had before, but he would take it one with full staunchness this time, there would be no negligence nor coldness as he had so foolishly done previously. Nevertheless he wished his Padawan would not feel so uncomfortable in his presence.
'Ready, Obi-Wan?'
'Yes, Master.'
As Obi-Wan passed through the door, Qui-Gon gave a concerned glance into the slightly glassy eyes. He tugged slightly on the bond.
'I'm alright, Master.' Obi-Wan said, meeting his eyes.
Qui-Gon nodded slowly and followed his apprentice out of the threshold and down the hall.
A/N: Wow I didn't realize I would get so many reviews for one tiny chapter. I must be doing something I'm not realizing! Well thank you all very, very much! This chapter was fun for little ol' me to write. Emotional angst….for lack of a better word. :D Hope you all enjoyed! More to come!
Kind Regards,
K.Elessar
The Dancing Cavalier: I know, we all love Obi-Wan's willingness to save everybody! Thank you for your comment!
ManlyHunger: I'm glad you liked! Hope this chapter sufficed!
Starfish: Yep, we see so many of those stories with Obi-Wan wanting to please. He pleases me enough, isn't that enough for him:) Glad you liked!
YamiTai: Hmm you're already trying to guess my end? Well then I'll just have to put some odd twists and turns in here, won't I:)
SFGrl: Hope this chapter was enough. More to come! Thanks for your review!
Child-of-the-Dawn: I know, there's so much suspense. Sadly there will be no more falling into rivers for our Padawan. But glad you're at the edge of your seat. :)
Out Of Phase: Patience, patience….Hope this quenched your anxiety!
A. NuEvil: Yep, random garbage. Glad you're reading though:D
Nelarun: I know, ouch, poor Obi! His courage is always so funny! You're very welcome and thank you for your review!