But Obi Wan Kenobi wasn't sleep. He had woken some time ago but he didn't stir. He listened to Leila sleeping. He knew that when he woke, she probably would. He also knew she needed rest. Badly. It had only been three days since she had gotten the medicine she had needed to even begin recovering. He smiled slightly. She always did recover quickly though.
Still gazing out the window, Qui Gon spoke softly. "You should dress, Obi Wan. It's almost time for our meeting."
Obi Wan sat up quietly. "I wanted Leila to rest as much as possible," he said quietly.
Qui Gon turned and looked at Leila. "She'll be waking in a few moments."
"She should have gone back to Corscuant."
Qui Gon smiled and looked at Obi Wan. "She wouldn't go."
Obi Wan frowned slightly.
Qui Gon turned back to the window. "I didn't press the matter."
Obi Wan wondered what was wrong with Qui Gon. He knew Qui Gon had received a message. But he wasn't sure if that was what was worrying him. Perhaps it was Leila's condition. He looked at her. But she was getting better. Wasn't she? Color was coming back to her face and she moved quicker that she had before. He wanted to ask. But one of the Jedi's most serious rules was not to cross-examine a Master.
Leila's eyes slid open and she gazed at him steadily.
He smiled at her. "Did we wake you?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry."
She didn't move, only looked at him. "Don't be."
"Do you feel better?"
"Better than three days ago."
Obi Wan smiled as he went over and picked up his robes. He slipped into them and then held out Leila's black one.
She sat up slowly and sat very still for a moment. She had to move carefully. Internal bleeding was hard to recover from and she had bled internally for some time before she had gotten the medicine she had needed. But she was healing. And quickly.
She pulled on her boots and then stood. She took her black robe and slipped it over her other black robes. She stood still for a moment, in thought. Her eyes where on her Father and she wondered what was going through his mind. She considered searching his thoughts. But decided against it.
Obi Wan went into the bathroom and came back out with a brush. He tossed it to her.
Quickly she took the tie out of her waist length black hair. It was thick and curly but glowed. She brushed it and quickly whipped it back into her customary braid. Her violet eyes snapped with energy. "I'm ready."
Qui Gon came over to her. "No fever?"
"No."
"Would you tell me if you had one?"
"You should now. You felt my head an hour ago."
Obi Wan and Leila walked side by side behind Qui Gon as they went to the meting.
Obi Wan had been pleased when Qui Gon had invited him to go along. But he was careful. During their time on the ship, he had gotten angry at Qui Gon several times. When he had left the Temple, he had resigned himself to becoming a farmer. On the ship with Qui Gon however, the Master had taken everything that had come out of his mouth as a plea for him to take Obi Wan as a Padawan and that had not been his purpose.
Suddenly Leila stopped. Her head turned and she looked the hallway behind them.
"What?' asked Obi Wan.
"Did you feel that?" asked Leila.
Now Qui Gon stopped and turned. "Feel what?"
"No," said Obi Wan. "I felt nothing."
Leila's sharp violet eyes slowly probed the shadows. "I felt a something moving in the Force." She turned and looked at her Father for answers. "Something dark."
Qui Gon felt nothing. But that frightened him even more. "Both of you, come up here. In front of me."
They did as he ordered. And continued on their way. But Qui Gon threw several glances over his shoulder until they entered the chamber they where supposed to have come to.
SonTag, the governor of Bandomeer, stood as they entered the room. Her silver hair was cropped in tuffs in the Meerian style. Her dark gaze calmly rested on the three Jedi. Like all Meerians, she was small. Even Leila was taller than she was. The Meerians' small stature made them great miners. She held out both hands, palms up, in the Meerian way. The Jedi repeated her gestures.
"Greetings and welcome," she said softly. She indicated the younger woman to her left. The younger woman's cropped hair was also pale silver and her silver eyes blazed at them across the room. Although she was standing quietly, her energy sent a vibration across the room. "This is VeerTa. She is the leader of the Home Planet Mine."
The Jedi greeted her as well.
SonTag indicated the cushions that the Jedi should sit on and took her own seat.
Qui Gon and Obi Wan sat down.
Leila remained standing. In her fight with the pirates that had attacked their ship, she had been attacked with an ax that had sliced up her side. Sitting was painful. She had also been thrown through the air and against the side of the ship. And her back still pained her whenever she was sitting. She knew when she returned to the Temple, Master Mace Windu would have her wearing a back brace to heal her back.
Qui Gon quickly explained this and they nodded graciously.
"Your presence here is merely to make sure everyone plays fair," said VeerTa.
"My daughter and I will be happy to contribute what we can," said Qui Gon.
Leila's eyes went to Obi Wan. As did everyone else.
"My companion will be traveling to the Eastern Enrichment Zone," said Qui Gon, motioning at Obi Wan. "Can you arrange transportation for him?"
Leila's eyes darkened but she said nothing. She wanted him to stay with her.
Obi Wan felt mere stirring of frustration. He wanted to help but…
"Of course," said VeerTa.
Leila felt not only frustration at her Father, but apprehension. She had never been separated from Obi Wan for a long period of time and depended strongly on him. It was he who kept her from loosing her temper and getting herself into deeper trouble. In some ways, they where like brother and sister. For now.
The meeting ended and Qui Gon extended his hands, palms down. It was the farewell gesture. The Meerians repeated it. And Leila did as well. Nobody seemed to care what Obi Wan did, so he did not acknowledge their parting.
Obi Wan's lack of courtesy was a severe infraction for a Jedi pupil. But Qui Gon didn't say anything as they walked through the halls and out the main door.
Leila looked at Obi Wan, her apprehension building. Then she calmed herself. She knew where he was going. And he had her other comlink. He could talk to her anytime. And she to him.
Obi Wan was merely waiting for Qui Gon reprimand him.
"Those seeming not to notice you usually do," said Qui Gon without looking at Obi Wan. "They chose not to show it. Or they have greater concerns on their minds. It is no reason for discourtesy." He turned and looked at Obi Wan. "I see though, that your discourtesy sprang from frustration." His voice was soft and low, as it usually was. "I will ignore it."
Obi Wan's eyes narrowed slightly and angry words sprang into his mind. If you're choosing to ignore it, why are you mentioning it?
Qui Gon pierced him with his blue eyes. "You will not, under any circumstances, intervene in any situation regarding my mission, or take any action, without first contacting me."
Obi Wan nodded.
Qui Gon's gaze swept the mine towers. He was deeply worried. If Xanatos was indeed playing his game, he would refrain from harming Qui Gon. Instead, he would harm those around Qui Gon. Like Obi Wan. Or…Leila. "Things are rarely what they seemed," he murmured.
"That's why I wish to know," began Obi Wan.
"Come," said Qui Gon sternly. "Let's get your things. You must catch that transport.