Chapter Five

Sorry it took so long guys. This one's angsty and sappy...you have been warned. :)

not mine don't sue, all errors are mine.

Obi-Wan felt like he'd been run over by a land speeder, but his apprentice looked worse. Dried mud was caked over more than half his face, his clothing wasn't much better, and his posture bellowed defeat. Part of him wanted to throttle his Padawan for his rash, illogical actions, but another just wanted to hold him. To stop the tears he knew were about to come, tell him it was okay. But he couldn't do that either. Could he? The Council and it's rules all said no.

But really, the scientist being dead was the least of their problems. They were alone in the middle of a war zone, with possibly thousands of soldiers hunting for them. And they wouldn't want to chat if they found them. Not to mention the fact that something was seriously wrong with him.

His mind kept drifting and it was hard to think. His ribs were throbbing, his head aching, and his thigh was itching like crazy; all that he could handle by drawing on his connection to the Living Force. He had already stopped the bleeding, and dulled the pain. However, it was the breathing that had him worried. It felt like a weight was resting on top of his lungs, and it was getting worse by the minute. Well that, and the fact that the ground was moving, and his connection to the Force was muddled. He had a theory, and he hoped is was wrong, but one problem at a time.

What if it had been Anakin? Would I have left him? I know that's what I should do, but that's not the point. There was no way he could condemn his student. He had had to be honest with himself; he would have done the same thing.

Damn. When did I turn into such an old sap? Since I realized I loved this boy….man…. as if he were my brother, best friend, and maybe even my son. Qui-Gon your smiling now aren't you. You're by the rules, patient, respectable student loves his apprentice. And your proud of it. You and Ani are so much alike.

You're more like him than you know. He's rubbed off on you.

Yes Master. I know.

He sighed and wondered if he'd ever stop hearing the whisper of his Master's teachings. Probably not.

"Anakin." His young friend didn't even look up. "Anakin….look at me." Please Padawan.

When he did, any lecture he may have had died on his lips. He had never seen his charge appear so lost and alone. His eyes were encased in a world of pain. What does he think I'm going to say? Reaching out, he connected briefly to Anakin through their bond. It was enough. Force.

"I'm not going to condone what you did." His brother in arms shoulders sagged even more, "But I'm not going to tell you it was wrong either."

Anakin's head shot up, "Master?"

Be honest with him. There's too much that goes unsaid between you two. Obi-Wan didn't know if that was his thought, or something else, but he agreed with it.

"I would have done the same thing." If only he had a holocamera. The expression on his Padawan's face was priceless. Anakin's eyebrows had practically crawled up to his hairline and his mouth was hanging open as if it had come unhinged.

"Don't look so surprised." He made a show of taking in his friend's appearance. "By the way did you know you really need a good bath? There's mud all over you."

Obi-Wan received his second hug for the day. A new record.

"I'm sorry Master," Anakin's words were muffled as he was spoke against Obi-Wan's equally dirty shirt. It was an apology for so much more, and they both knew it.

"It's okay." He patted Anakin's back, then began making small circles against it with the palm of his hand like he had in his charges youth. He smiled at the memory of Anakin sulking after one of his robotic creations had run amuck around the Jedi Temple. He had held him like this then, so long ago. "I know."

Anakin tensed and sat back. "I didn't hurt, you did I?"

"No," he touched Anakin's muddy, tear streaked cheek. "You most definitely did not."

"Thank you Master. I thought you might choose to…."

He waved his hand, "Never Anakin. After you there would be no challenge."

"No Master, I suppose not," Anakin wiped at his eyes, smearing even more dirt across his nose.

"Besides, we cannot change what has happened. What is done is done. Now tell me, where do we stand?"

Anakin bit his lower lip, and gestured around the dimly lit room. "We stand…um here. I managed to find a cave that is well hidden, I don't believe they will spot it until sunrise tomorrow. Then I figured we'd hike to our ship, and hope we're able to avoid being discovered," his voice betrayed the direness of their situation.

He was injured, Anakin would have to help him walk. The hike he was referring to was across thick, uneven, and dangerous forests. At a good pace, it would take two days to reach their vessel. Assuming their enemies hadn't discovered it already and weren't waiting to ambush them there.

Oh, then there was the fact that his chest was beginning to burn now.

"Master?"

"I'm sorry Anakin, just thinking," he replied as he rubbed his grimy beard.

"We've been in worse situations before…I think," he gave a lopsided grin. "It beats a senate meeting anyway? Life threatening situations over politics….right Master?"

Obi-Wan started to laugh, but it turned into a cough, which turned into a wheeze.

Then he realized his lungs weren't wanting to do their job.

Obi-Wan could vaguely hear his terrified Padawan's voice penetrating the haze of pain, and his battle with his seizing organs. But he couldn't respond.

He pulled on the Force; his lungs relaxed enough so that he could inhale small bursts of oxygen. He felt a warm breath against his forehead, felt warm fingers lace through his, and then felt his brother link with him through the force. Adding his strength and support in calming his burning lungs.

The Jedi Knight could see it clearly now, his instincts had been right. The burning and itching around the gouge in his thigh, the strange feeling of some foreign presence in his body.

He had been poisoned.

It was that damned droid. He had known something was off as soon as it drove that barb into his leg. He'd never seen anything like it, must have been a recent upgrade.

And it was going to kill him.

Not now, but soon. He couldn't hold it at bay forever.

And a two days walk never seemed so long.

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