A/N: Finally! Another chapter! Review replies on the bottom.

Chapter Three:

'Padawan Kenobi, I must impress upon you how grateful I am for your rescue earlier today. Please, the least I can do is allow you to sit beside me in the Grand Hall. I much desire to speak with you and you, Master Qui-Gon, upon the matters of the Yurqay system…'

Prime Minister Asdir gestured towards the deeply carved chairs that sat on either side of his throne-like one and Obi-Wan sat heavily onto the cushioned seat. He was glad that he was finally sitting down; it helped solve some of the dizziness in his head but his stomach still rolled and rattled rebelliously. The aroma of cooking foods in the kitchens adjoined to the hall swept over the room in a flood, not helping his already bogged down head. He was unhappy to hear Asdir call for order immediately and the food was served. Qui-Gon gave him a concerned glance as the apprentice's breath hitched a mark but was soon distracted by the intuitive Prime Minister and his waiters and he pushed his unease from his mind for later.

Obi-Wan didn't think he could drink let alone eat anything and his stomach groaned even more when a plate of green and brown matter was placed in front of him. Even while not ill, the food looked vile to him. What should he do?

The Irinians began to eat vigorously, talking in their own tongue between breaks and paying no attention to the Padawan. So much for thanks, he thought and slid a glance to Qui-Gon who was in a deep conversation with the Prime Minister.

Politicians were never whom they seemed, he thought. They lead you one way, make you need what you think you want and then, turn your back on your entirely. It wasn't that he was sorry he had—most probably—saved the Minster's life, it was rather the fact that he had yet again given something of himself and he did not get the recognize he thought he ought to receive. Even a kind gesture or sincere word would suffice, but he had only received a few well phased, eloquent and static words that could have been said as if Obi-Wan had given the leader a few thousand credits or saved a runaway Ren'el dog from the leader's hunting pack. It made no difference to him what so ever.

Obi-Wan pulled his thought away of his sulking back to his plate again…or rather, two plates. Had someone added another one to his side or was this the same one? Double? Yes it appeared to be the same food—or lack of—in the same revolting colors and patterns. His eyes tumbled and twisted like an acrobat in his eyes, making his head tumbled with the images like swirling wine. He unconsciously placed his hands on his head to try to stop the turning. Force, he felt so hot.

'Obi-Wan?' A concerned voice sounded from the haze. With a forceful push of strength he was able to lift his eyes from the table to his Master's face…faces, he corrected.

'Are y…'lright?' The voice asked and instinctively he nodded…not a good idea, the ground teetered drastically until the ceiling was the ground and the other way around.

'Prime Minister Asdir has requested that we give him and his company a demonstration. I would typically say 'no' but he has said that it would greatly benefit those who are not as…attuned to the ways of the Jedi. Plus,' Qui-Gon gave Obi-Wan a rare smile, 'I know we haven't had the time to practice our sparring and you look like you could use the exercise, my Padawan. Do you think you are up to it?'

No, Obi-Wan thought, but I'll do it.

'Of course, Master. Anything his highness Asdir requests.' He wondered if sarcasm could be noted when the voice sounded monotone and sickly. Well, from Qui-Gon's raised eyebrows he was sure he made some effect…

'After dinner. We will go to the gardens.'

'Yes, Master.'

Qui-Gon went to return to his seat as Asdir came back again from another table and all too soon was he bogged down in an earnest conversation with the politician.

Obi-Wan blinked a few times, trying to pull onto the faint threads of awareness that seemed to be fluttering away from his grasp. He vaguely remembered something Qui-Gon used to say about their abilities…what was it? Oh yes, it should not be used in vain attempts to impress, intimidate or deceit. Should he dare remind his master of this, or not worry?

He was not given the time to decide for, only a few moments later, Asdir had decided the meal was quite complete—though plates were still being served—and called for everyone to come downstairs and onto the verandas while the Jedi would go down below into a courtyard in the gardens for their 'act'. The room was soon filled with shuffling, mumbling conversations and complaints and a boisterous Prime Minister whose excitement was of a five-year olds receiving a well anticipated toy.

As Obi-Wan joined the crowd, walking beside his master, he was discreet to notice the respected looks a few Irinians gave him….a few. The majority of the furred beings were less inclined to show him any revere at all, and did not avail in any attempt to conceal their…jealousy? Was that what he was picking up?

Jealousy of what? What have I done to deserve their cold stares and unwavering aloofness, he thought bitterly. Couldn't they see that he was feeling quite awful as he was and their stares, let alone this demonstration, was not helping him at all? Where did their cruel passiveness come from? He could find no pinpoint reason for it and had to shrug it off quickly for he too soon found himself outside in the cold evening air, and a chill spread over him faster than a Malia on its prey. The wind bit, gnawed and pricked all over his skin until he thought he surely must look like a walking apparition, not only dead from being eaten alive but his once flushed skin had turned as white as the pale moonlight.

Force, let him beat me quickly, he thought as his earlier thoughts of the day returned to him. Let him beat me so I can humiliate myself in front of him, then maybe he'll notice me for what I'm worth and toss me away. Perhaps the Irinians will be inclined enough to allow a Jedi to join their surliness society and I can brood for the rest of my life.

He placed a hand to his iced forehead. Where were these thoughts coming from? He didn't want to leave the Jedi, he loved his master, respected him more than anyone else he knew, and these stares should not be bothering him so…ah, the fever. It was taking its time to bring take him down, starting with the mind before shutting down the body. Another lesson of patience, he thought ironically, and this time, coming from himself and not a mentor...

...He lost, but how, he did not know. The whole episode had been in fragments, like the remnants of a memory being played in the present. The next half hour had been spent with the silenced hush of the small crowd, occasionally broken by a sly comment or sarcastic remark, but no one choose to correct them; a night wind had started up again and blew around the cold crowd and opponents, no one, however, had felt as cold as he did the entire time. He couldn't be certain for he felt entirely numb, but he thought that his teeth had been shattered from all of his shivering. And the faint shuffling of feet and hymn of two drawn lightsabers completed the assembly as the entertainment, the dance of weightless—or in his case, arduous— recitalists, the river of constant motion, the duel between friend and foe.

He was still dimly aware that he was still lying on the ground, heaving his chest from the exertion, his limbs shaking from the effort he had placed on them. Not again, he begged, not again. His fingers loosely found the switch that deactivated his 'saber and the blade died. He was aware of the awe hushed sound that had settled on the audience from above but hardly cared. He wanted to slip into the cracks of the earth right now and let it all just go away.

'Padawan.' He heard his voice being called from above, countless times but did nothing to respond. This was it, his fevered mind realized; Qui-Gon would never want him again for this.

'Padawan?' Qui-Gon's worry grew more and more as Obi-Wan did not respond to him but stared up at the sky with unseeing and fire-glazed eyes. He reached out with a hand to grasp the shoulders, but recoiled at the last moment when he felt heat burn his skin. Why had he not noticed this before? His whole skin was red and flamed, as if it had been burned by the sun, even his eyes were bright with a fire, the deepest bluest part of it. What had stopped him from noticing this before? Ah, yes his terrible insight that had stopped him from saving Obi-Wan from leaving the Order. The same mistake that had not allowed him to see Xanatos' betrayal, move passed it and wallowing away in self-pity for a decade or so. He, not to any amazement, felt angry, but not at all with Obi-Wan or Xanatos, nothing had been their fault. It was his, all his and no matter how many years passed; the pain would never release its hold. Tender, it may be, like an open wound, nearly healing but never completely closed.

He turned his attention away from his revelations and found that Obi-Wan had pulled himself to his feet and was staring incoherently at him.

'Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan you're sick.' He stated bluntly and the head nodded lethargically, as if he did not care.

'You didn't tell me.' He began to move to hold the youth still but Obi-Wan quickly stepped aside.

'I—' He began but suddenly his stomach rebelled worse than ever, a war of constraints now slowly losing its own battle and he made a dash, with panicking eyes from the view of concerned his master and the confused Irinians, as far as his feet would carry him before promptly heaving himself dry onto the grassy ground.

You fool, he thought, before the world around him blackened.

It was not long before Qui-Gon came following and found an unconscious and fever burdened apprentice strewn on the ground.

TBC…

A/N: What a horrible writer I am, making you guys wait so long. I tried to make this chapter a little distorted and…choppy to kind of give the effect of Obi-Wan's….er, sickness. Well the way he saw it at least. I think it worked….but we will see. Thank you all for your reviews! They help loads! Chapter Four, coming up soon, don't worry!

Kind Regards,

K.Elessar

YamiTai: I'm glad you forgot! Hee hee, I'll surprise you even more then! I don't even know where this could go? I'm thinking about making it really long, writing a sequel of just ending it soon. We shall see, won't we:) Glad you liked!

SFGrl Hooray! Another chapter completed too! LOL. Thank you for your comment!

Starfish: Thank you:) I love some H/C here and there too! Writing it is always even more wonderful because you know it came straight from your hand! Glad you're liking it so far!

Out Of Phase: Impatient one, you will just have to find out how this story turns out, won't you? It may be some long epic, it may end soon…we will see! Oh, and Obi-Wan snuggling is only for me! You can't have him! Hee hee.

Rieyeuxs: You may have some more! I'm glad you want some, don't forget to share it with the other reviewers too! LOL

Nelarun: You've just been reviewing all of my stuff haven't you? Well thank you for allll of your comments, they really help! I'm glad you like this enough to review, I will not fail you! Hee hee. Thank you!

StarDrifter: Thank you for your comment with 'A Question of Doubt' you really helped pull be out of my ify phase. :) Thank you loads for the wonderful cookie and ice cream. I munched on them as I was writing this chapter… a bit hard when one has to write about a certain some doing…er, the opposite. Ha, but thank you!

Laura of Maychoria: Glorious one, you reviewed me! How honored I feel. :) Don't you just LOVE mush? My greatest past time to read, write and ponder about. Thanks for you review! It got me m-o-t-i-v-a-t-e-d! Hee hee. Oh, I think Obi-Wan doesn't have to tell…Qui-Gon's seen enough to get the idea that Obi-Wan's…er, not so good. Thanks for your review!

Faramir: Thank you! Love your screen name by the way. I was once a Faramir/Boromir fan who spent many hours writing countless tales about them and their brotherhood. I'm glad you liked this and thanks for the wonderful little comment!