Chapter 12 Boba's Blunders

Zak awoke early, dressed and strapped on the brace Averill had recommended he wear for the next few days. He made his way down the hallway to his master's room and slipped in quietly.

"You're up early." Obi-Wan stated when he was halfway across the room.

"I'm sorry, Master; I didn't mean to wake you." Zak replied apologetically.

"I sensed you when you came in." Obi-Wan told him.

"I just wanted to see if you were alright." Zak explained.

"Well, I'm fine; but you are wearing your brace again. Is your leg bothering you?" Obi-Wan asked.

"A little, but I'm only wearing this because Dr. Averill told me to." Zak answered.

Obi-Wan started to sit up, realized it was not a good idea and laid back down, "Why? What's wrong?" He asked.

'Nothing really bad; he said I strained all the muscles around the break and now they need to rest. Don't worry, Master." Zak told him.

"I'm sorry; if I had not taken you up to the Heights yesterday…." Obi-Wan started.

"Then you would probably be dead because those hunters would have just finished you off." Zak finished, "I'm your Padawan; my place is by your side, always. You have to stop trying to protect me so much or I'll never learn anything."

"You are right, Padawan; sometimes I forget that." Obi-Wan said, attempting to sit up again, this time slower and more successfully.

"You should be sleeping, Master." Zak admonished.

"I've slept long enough." Obi-Wan replied.

"But Dr. Averill said you needed to rest." Zak protested.

"I can rest without sleeping; now who's worrying too much?" Obi-Wan answered.

"Sorry; I guess I just….I'm sorry, Master." Zak replied.

"I'm not going to die on you, Zak." Obi-Wan promised.

"You can say that, but you don't know; you can never know." Zak said.

"No, but I can tell you I am not going to die today." Obi-Wan assured him.

"And you're going to stay in bed and rest." Zak stated.

"Zak, I have a pounding headache, my vision is blurred and I'm dizzy; if I tried to get out of bed right now I would fall flat on my face." Obi-Wan told him.

"Oh…it's too bad Master Anakin isn't here, he could help you." Zak replied. "But you could just connect with him, couldn't you?"

"I could, but I won't; Lady Padme is going to have her baby soon, I do not want Master Anakin to leave her right now." Obi-Wan answered.

"But he wouldn't have to leave; he could help you like you said he helped me when I fell. You're connected like that, you can do it." Zak replied.

"Yes, he could, but if I opened myself up that much, he will know what happened and then he will come here whether I want him to or not." Obi-Wan explained.

"Oh, he would do that, wouldn't he." Zak agreed, "Master, do you think the hunters will come here after you?"

"No, I think they are basically cowards; they would not want to come up against the Clones. That is probably why they did not reappear after you came back after me last night." Obi-Wan replied.

"They will wait for you to leave here, won't they." Zak stated.

"Yes, that is a certainty; their prey escaped, they will undoubtedly want to rectify that." Obi-Wan said.

"What are you going to do then, Master?" Zak asked.

"I am going to rest, meditate, heal up a bit and regain my strength; and maybe our hunters will become impatient and make a mistake." Obi-Wan answered.

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Orlan paced impatiently, "I don't want to wait two days, Moran; why don't you just get us into the house?" He said.

"You are such an idiot, Orlan; there are Clones stationed all over that estate. Even if we managed somehow to get in, we would never get out. What good would it do to take your trophy if you won't be able to enjoy it?" Devan replied.

"Listen to Devan, you fool, just because I can tell you what's going on over there does not mean I can actually get you in; I can't even get in." Moran added.

"Well, if you hadn't hit him so hard, we wouldn't have to wait; I want my chance, Moran." Orlan argued.

"And you will get it; but not until he comes out. I will know exactly when that will be and then you will all get your chance." Moran reasoned.

"How reliable is your source, Keeper?" Kien asked.

"Well, the information I got last night was…." Moran began.

"How do we know whether it was true or not?" Orlan questioned.

"It's first hand knowledge; my source is dependable. They were climbing the summit when I said they were, weren't they?" Moran answered defensively.

"Yes, but not by the path, they scaled the cliff; we had to make…" Orlan started.

"I thought you liked a challenge. It was that boy, the bounty hunter, he's the one who led them to the cliff face; they were not supposed to go that way." Moran cut him off.

"You know, we could make this hunt even more interesting." Devan suggested.

"No, Devan; you cannot target the bounty hunter too. One quarry at a time." Moran nixed her idea.

"Well, I'll give up my rights to hunt the Jedi and stalk the bounty hunter instead." Devan persisted.

"I believe I just said no, didn't I? If you get the Jedi cleanly and there is time, then you can take the bounty hunter if you wish and the other one as well." Moran conceded, "In fact, you may want to try for that one first."

"Why would we want to do that?" Kien asked.

"Because that boy is a Jedi cub." Moran informed them.

"A cub? That could be interesting….Moran, what if we take the cub first?" Orlan suggested.

"No, you already have your quarry; you chose him first, not the cub. You wounded him and now you finish him; that has always been the rule of the hunt. Just because this one thinks like us and walks on two legs does not change that." Moran turned him down, "Once he is finished, then you may take the cub; not before."

"Alright, in that case can we take the bounty hunter and the cub?" Devan requested.

Moran scratched his nose, "Very well, for this hunt only, once you have taken out the adult, you may take both boys." He allowed. "But you still have to wait until the Jedi comes out."

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Zak had just come from Obi-Wan's room as Boba was coming down the hallway, "Morning, Zak; how is Master Kenobi this morning?" Boba asked.

"His vision is blurred and he's dizzy." Zak answered.

"It's the concussion; that'll do it every time." Boba replied, knowledgeably, "My dad had one once and it kept him in bed for a week…of course, he wasn't a Jedi."

"Well, he won't be down for a week, probably only a day or two. How is your arm today, Boba?" Zak inquired.

"It's alright…well, sore…well, really sore, actually." Boba said and then looked around and whispered, "Don't let on, but I'm kind of glad Dr. Averill gave me this sling."

"No one will hear it from me." Zak vowed, "Lady Breha looked pretty upset last night."

Boba rolled his eyes, "You're not going to start that mother thing again, are you?" He asked.

"No, I just said she looked upset. I was making an observation, that's all." Zak replied.

"Good, because I already told you, I'm not looking for a mother." Boba answered as they reached the head of the steps just in time to see Breha, walking with Bail, covering the hurt look on her face.

Boba turned red and stared down at the floor, "I…I'm sorry, Lady Breha; it's…it's just that I never had a mother, and I don't see any reason to….oh…I'm sorry." He turned around and headed back down toward his room at a fast pace.

Zak just stood there, at first, not knowing what to say. He looked at the retreating bounty hunter and then to Breha, "I know it doesn't seem like it now, but he is coming around." Zak assured her.

Breha shook her head, "I knew it was too much to ask for; he is fourteen and he has never had a mother. What was I thinking?" She replied.

"Lady Breha, I have a sense about things like this; Master Obi-Wan says that it is my special talent. Right now, my sense is that Boba will come around…and sooner than you think." Zak told her. "I'll just go talk to him now."

"No, Zak; let me." Bail said.

Zak thought for a moment, "Yes, that might be better." He replied.

"How is Master Kenobi this morning?" Bail asked.

"Dizzy, sir; he can't even get out of bed." Zak answered.

"Well, Dr. Averill said he had a concussion; it may be a little worse than he thought last night. He is coming back later this morning to check on him, so we will wait and see what he says." Bail replied. "In the meantime, I will be sure to have his breakfast sent up here."

"I can do that once breakfast has been set out downstairs." Zak said.

"Very well; it is being done now. I will go speak with Boba and join you shortly." Bail answered.

"Yes sir." Zak replied.

"Well, shall we go down to breakfast, Zak?" Breha asked holding her hand out to him.

"Yes, Lady Breha; and don't worry, everything will work out, you'll see." Zak said, placing her hand in the crook of his arm.

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Bail knocked on Boba's door, "Boba, may I come in?" He asked.

"It's your house; you can do whatever you want." Boba answered.

"Yes, however, this is your room, so I am asking you." Bail replied.

"Then come in if you want." Boba told him.

"Thank you." Bail said as he opened the door.

Boba's old duffle sat open on the bed, Boba, with a handful of clothes, was just about to place them inside, "Don't worry, I'm not taking anything I didn't come with. I'm sorry about the jacket; I'm afraid it was ruined up on the summit yesterday. I'll pay you for it as soon as I take my next job." He explained.

"So you are leaving us then; would you mind telling me why?" Bail asked.

"I think you know why; you heard what I said in front of Lady Breha." Boba replied.

"I see and you think because you do not want Lady Breha to act like you mother you must leave." Bail surmised.

"That about sums it up, yeah." Boba answered.

"And what about Gemma; will you take her with you?" Bail asked.

"No, of course not; she needs a family, I can't give her that. Besides, I would never take her away from you." Boba assured him.

Bail sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed, "Boba, Gemma will never understand if you leave; she considers you part of this family whether you do or not." He said.

"After what I said, I'd have thought you'd want me to leave." Boba guessed.

"Look, Boba, both Lady Breha and I….well, we understand that you grew up with only your father. We had hoped that, in time, you would…except us in that way, but whether you do or not, you are free to remain here as long as you wish." Bail told him.

"Why are you being so nice? I insulted your wife." Boba wondered.

"No, you did not insult her; hurt her feelings, maybe, and even that was not intentional." Bail replied.

Boba looked down at the floor; ashamed of himself, "I'm sorry, Chancellor." He said sadly.

"Chancellor? What happened to Bail?" Bail wondered. "Do not be sorry, Boba; there is nothing to be sorry for. Put your things back, there is no reason for you to leave."

"Yes sir." He sighed.

"I will see you downstairs at breakfast then." Bail said as he stood up, patted Boba's shoulder and left the room.

Boba decided, after the Chancellor left, that he wasn't ready to face Breha just yet; instead of having breakfast with them, he would go down the back way to the kitchen and eat there.

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"Did you speak with him, Bail?" Breha asked when Bail entered the breakfast room.

"Yes, he was going to leave." Bail answered.

"Leave? Oh no, I did not want that." Breha exclaimed.

"There is no need to worry; I talked him out of it. He did not mean to hurt your feelings, dear." Bail said.

"I know; it was just a shock hearing him say that after what you told me last night." Breha replied.

"It will work out; you just have to wait a little while longer." Zak assured them.

"Sooner than we think, is that not what you told me, Zak?" Breha said.

"Yes, Ma'am; very soon." Zak replied.

Micah entered carrying trays of food that he set on the sideboard, "Oh, I see Master Kenobi and Boba have not come down yet; perhaps I should have waited." He said.

"No need, Micah, Master Kenobi will not be joining us this morning; he is not up to it, Zak will take him a tray; as to Boba, he will be down in a few minutes." Bail told him.

"I see; I will bring a tray. Will he be joining us for lunch?" Micah asked.

"We will have to wait and see how he is feeling." Bail answered.

"Yes sir, will there be anything else?" Micah asked.

"No, that will be all." Bail replied. "Thank you, Micah."

"My pleasure, sir." Micah answered, then bowed and departed.

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Having put his clothes back where they belonged, Boba headed down the backstairs and entered the kitchen; Micah had his back to him.

"…..know; all I know is he was not up to coming down for breakfast." Boba heard Micah say….Boba hugged the wall.

"Well, keep us posted; I want to know when he's ready." He heard a transmitted voice answer.

"I will, don't….wait, someone's here." Micah replied as he turned to see Boba standing against the wall.

He smiled pleasantly, "Good morning, Boba; what are you doing back here? Breakfast has already been put out." He said.

Boba began to inch back out the way he had come in, "Oh, uh…I'll just be joining them, then." He replied moving further away from Micah.

"No, it's alright; you must not want to eat out there with them, do you?" Micah said as he took several steps toward Boba and picked something from the counter.

"Yes, I…I do…I just didn't know you had it ready yet, that's all." Boba moved back a couple steps.

"You didn't happen to overhear something you shouldn't have, now did you?" Micah asked taking a few more steps closer.

"What? Hear something? No, I have no idea what you're talking about." Boba insisted.

"Really; well that's good, because I wouldn't want to…" Micah, very close now, swung what he had picked up from the counter at him.

Backed up against the wall, Boba ducked; but Micah brought the butt of the blaster down on the back of his head, Boba dropped to the ground, stunned, "….hurt you." He finished.

The bounty hunter struggled to get up and Micah shoved him back down with his foot, "You meddling little pest." He said.

"You're part of it? Micah, Bail trusted you." Boba said as he struggled under Micah foot.

"Shut up, Boba; and don't even think about calling for help because I'll shoot the first person through that door." Micah threatened, "I caught him." He said into the transmitter. "It was that little bounty hunter."

"You should have been more careful, Micah; what are you planning on doing with him?" The voice asked.

Boba continued to struggle and Micah brought his foot down hard on his chest, "Stay still, boy." He ordered, "I'll just have to get him out of the way for a little while, Moran; it will not effect your hunt."

Boba could hear muffled voices on the other end of the transmitter and then the voice came back on, "No, we've come up with an idea. Secure him and we'll come and get him." Moran said.

"No." Boba cried and tried again to get up.

"Just a minute." Micah said and put the transmitter down, "I think I told you to shut up and keep still." He hit Boba again and Boba blacked out. He picked up the transmitter, "Coming here is a little risky, Moran." He said.

"Well, you can meet us halfway; can't you?" Moran asked.

"It might be a little hard for me to get away." Micah replied.

"Find a way, Micah." Moran told him.

"Alright, we'll meet in the usual place." Micah relented.

"One hour, Micah." Moran instructed.

"One hour." Micah repeated and ended the transmission.

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"What is keeping Boba? I thought you said he was coming down, dear." Breha asked.

"I wonder if he went to the kitchen to eat; he does that sometimes you know. I will just go have a look." Bail said as he stood up and went back toward the kitchen.

"Micah, you have not seen Boba, have you?" Bail asked.

"No sir; he hasn't joined you yet?" Micah asked.

"No, maybe he is still upstairs; we will give him a little longer." Bail answered, "Thank you, Micah."

"My pleasure, sir." Micah replied as Bail left the kitchen.

As soon as he was gone, Micah opened the pantry door and dragged Boba out, "Meddling pest; I'm sure my brother has something fun in store for you." He said as he tied the boy's hands behind his back, tied his ankles together, brought them up and secured them to his hands; and then gagged him. "You won't be causing them any more trouble now, will you?" He continued to talk as he hauled him up and threw him into one of the storage bins.

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Boba never joined them for breakfast and when Bail knocked on his bedroom door, there was no answer. Bail debated on whether he should enter or not and decided against it. Later, he would ask Zak to speak with him; he had not seen the boy leave the house and judging from what Boba had said earlier, he was confident that he had decided not to go. Two hours later, Haris Averill was shown in by Micah. Bail walked with him to Obi-Wan's room.

Bail knocked and then entered the room, "Good morning, Master Kenobi; how are you doing this morning?" Haris asked.

"Not as well as I would wish." Obi-Wan answered.

"Hmm…are you dizzy? Blurred vision? Nausea? Headaches?" Haris asked.

"Yes." Obi-Wan confirmed.

"Oh, let's just have a look then." Averill said as he set his bag on the night table and pulled out his diagnostic tool.

He activated it and scanned the side of Obi-Wan's head, "Yes, nothing to be too concerned about; your concussion is just a little more severe than I first thought. There is no internal bleeding and no skull damage. Rest is the best thing you can do; and I will give you something to help your headache." Averill informed him, "Let me just have a look at your side now….yes, this is almost closed; very good."

"How long before my vision clears up?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Probably by this evening. I will stop by then and if it has not, then I would advise that you be moved to a medical facility. But I do not believe that will be necessary." Averill answered. "Now, where is my other patient?"

"He is in his room; Zak, could you go tell him that Dr. Averill would like to see him?" Bail requested.

"Yes sir." Zak replied and left quickly.

When Zak returned he was both puzzled and concerned, "He's gone, Chancellor; his clothes and everything are still there, but he's just gone." He told them.