The Winding Path

Rating: T+
Summary: Healing from any condition never takes a straight path.
Disclaimer: All cannon characters are owned by the Great Flanneled One, and now Disney. All others are mine. I make no money off this.
Note: This is a sequel to Consequences

Timeline: 39BBY

Speech: " "
Training Bond communications: /
Internal thoughts: italics

Chapter Five

After what felt like a long sleep, Obi-Wan slowly became aware of his surroundings. The sheets that were just rough enough made him want to wake up quicker. Then there was the stringent smell of cleaning solutions. The only place he knew that had rough sheets and a chemical smell in the air was the Healer's Ward at the Temple. Noises swirled around him, and just beyond his senses he could feel lightness and a vague sense of many Force wielders nearby as he felt something slide into place. Even though his eyes were closed he knew it was light somewhere nearby, or where he was at. His hearing then came back. Something, or someone shifted in probably a chair, but he wasn't certain about it.

With a groan he managed to open his eyes.

"Welcome back, Padawan." Qui-Gon's voice held warmth.

Taking a deep breath and gathering what strength he had, Obi-Wan tried to turn in the direction his master's voice came from.

"Take it easy."

Obi-Wan felt more than saw the hand that now rested on his forehead. Opening his eyes further he also then tried to ask where he was, but it came out sounding more like gibberish. He knew that was going to happen, but at least he tried.

"Use the bond, Padawan. You will relearn how to speak soon enough."

/Where?/ the thought sounded even sluggish in his mind.

This time there was a smile in Qui-Gon's voice. "By the will of the Force, we made it safely back to Coruscant."

/Home?/

"Yes, Padawan. Home." There was a pause, "How do you feel?"

/Tired./ Even in this short time Obi-Wan had been awake he already felt sleep attempting to claim him once again.

"I'm not surprised. What about your arms and legs?"

Obi-Wan easily let his eyes close as he tried to concentrate on his limbs. They were heavy, but that's all he could tell at the moment. /Heavy. Am I healed?/

"Yes, Padawan. You were brought to the Mind Healer's Ward as soon as we arrived."

He knew he shouldn't have closed his eyes, for Obi-Wan now struggled to stay awake.

"Sleep, Obi-Wan," was the last thing he heard before finally giving up and sinking back down into the realm of sleep.

For a short time Qui-Gon watched his now sleeping Padawan. He was almost giddy with relief that Obi-Wan had finally woken up when he was present. Rising from his seat he dimmed the lights as he stepped out of the room. If anything he wanted to speak with Healer Nyj on Obi-Wan's apparently slow progress. Waking up was a big thing after everything he had been through.

Not knowing where the Togrutan would be, Qui-Gon went back into the Mind Healer's Ward. Even though there was no door, he could feel the shielding before him. Putting his fingers together, he slowly pushed his hand through the barrier, trying to make sure that he didn't break it open. In a few minutes he was through and inside the specialized ward, and it was mentally obvious. Qui-Gon tightened his shielding to its strongest and slowly the mental cries and anguish faded away.

The healers in this ward were on a four hour rotation. They had learned soon enough that keeping ones shields at their tightest was mentally taxing. Turning a corner he found at the nurse's desk Nyj leaning over another healer while looking at the computer screen before them. It was obvious they were discussing their latest findings, or the latest diagnosis on an injured Jedi.

"Healer Nyj?"

The blue Togrutan straightened and looked around. When he saw Qui-Gon he smiled. "Yes Master Qui-Gon?"

"I believe you know why I'm here." He paused, "Obi-Wan woke up a short time earlier."

Nyj nodded. He turned to the healer next to him, "I'll be back."

"Yes, Master."

Nyj followed Qui-Gon out of the specialized ward and into one of the main corridors. "It took four days."

"Qui-Gon," Nyj placed his hand on his shoulder, "Three days was only an estimate. Some have come back after a day and others it's taken five for their mind to recover enough to become aware once again. So don't worry, everything will work out fine."

Qui-Gon gave him a tight smile. "Have there been any whose injuries were so catastrophic that they never came back from healing?"

Nyj's look turned somber. "Early on in my residency there were a few. Those poor souls we cared for until their natural death." He paused, a smile returning, "Since your Padawan is now awake I need to take one last look before I release him from my care. I don't want to have to go back in and fix something I might have missed."

The rest of the trip was silent until they reached Obi-Wan's room. He was still asleep. "Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon reached down and shook Obi-Wan's shoulder.

/Wha…,/ the thought came through the bond.

"You need to wake up, Padawan."

Eventually Obi-Wan opened his eyes. They tracked somewhat unsteadily around the room until they landed on Nyj.

"It's good to see you awake Padawan Kenobi." Nyj smiled. "I'm Healer Nyj."

Obi-Wan's eyes moved over to Qui-Gon before returning back to the Togrutan.

"Even though we don't have a bond, I know what you're thinking. I'm the senior mind healer. I suspect you don't remember what happened while in the ward."

It took a moment for Obi-Wan to shake his head.

"Don't worry, Padawan. Everything was taken care of. All I need to do is a post-work examination. When completed I will release you from my care." As he approached the bed he reached forward and placed his hands on either side of Obi-Wan's head, then closed his eyes. A short time late he opened them again and removed his hands. "Master Qui-Gon," he turned to Qui-Gon, "I have done all I that I can, and have healed everything that I could."

Qui-Gon couldn't help but feel relief, although this was only the beginning. "Thank you Healer." He turned back to Obi-Wan, "Get some more rest, we can talk later."

As soon as they were out of the room and the door closed Qui-Gon turned back to Nyj, "I will begin his training when he's ready."

"Not yet. He needs to relearn many things before you can even begin training once again." He gave Qui-Gon a compassionate smile. "I know you're eager to get him back on track, but don't push him too hard, for that could damage his mind more than what the electrocution did to him."

"I understand better than you realize," Qui-Gon nodded. He also knew that there was a fine line between not pushing Obi-Wan hard enough, and pushing him too hard, all the while Yoda would be involved in the whole recovery process.

Tomas looked out the window of the enclosed transport, not really paying any attention to the buildings that they passed in between. There were so many of them that at first he was overwhelmed by it all. Now he just ignored it. He missed the rural aspect of Vasda. How can people live here without any green, any life? Eventually he shook his head and closed his eyes.

"Is there anything wrong, my Lord?" Danal's voice came from behind him.

"Just musing over the fact that there are too many buildings here."

"Yes, I know. I'll be glad when we leave this place."

Tomas looked over his shoulder and nodded. "Don't worry, we will as soon as Eira is released."

"I heard that the Jedi have their home base here."

Looking out the window again, Tomas tried to see through the handmade canyons to the building in question. He had never seen it until they arrived four days ago. Had it been four days? What he did find interesting was that even though she was technically healed, the healers had not formally released her into his care. It had been four days. Most, if not all medical centers let their patients go as soon as they showed any signs of improvement. The Jedi were different. Those healers wanted to make sure that each patient was fully healed before being released. It made him realize how much they cared for all life.

"I know. Have you seen their temple?"

"Only from the outside. Thankfully I haven't had need to go to the Healer's Ward."

"It's an interesting, and calming place."

"My Lord," their chauffeur turned and glanced back, "We are nearing the Senate Building."

"Thank you." Tomas nodded as he began gathering his things.

"No, let me do that, my Lord." Danal batted the Viceroy's hands away from what he was doing, and finished gathering everything. "You just worry about your meeting with the Supreme Chancellor."

It was at that moment Tomas realized he was meeting with one of the most powerful men in the galaxy. "Yes," he swallowed and felt his mouth go dry. He cleared his throat, then panicked when he couldn't remember the man's name.

Danal moved up from his seat near the back and into one that was across the small aisle. "I've seen that look before, sir."

Instead of turning to look at his aide, he only let his eyes, then turned back to the window. "Don't worry Chancellor Valorum should be in his office. His assistant mentioned that he had a meeting before yours. He also apologized for the possibility of that said meeting might take longer than expected."

"Good," Tomas' voice cracked. He cleared his throat again. "Why would he agree to meet with someone that's an elected leader over a third of a planet that's not even in the Republic?"

"Because you are a leader."

"Not really, the council has the real power."

"But you're the visible aspect of the government."

Tomas waved him off. "It doesn't really matter. I maybe more of the symbolic head of the government, but if anything goes wrong, I'll be the one to blame."

"As always."

"Plus, my goal here, if anything, Danal, is to not trip and fall on my face in front of everyone."

Instead of answering, Danal shook his head, but smiled at the same time.

The platform they ended up landing on had one person waiting wearing the robes of a Jedi. It was a human looking female with tan skin and her hair in intricate braids. On her hip was a lightsaber. "Greetings Viceroy," she bowed her head. "I am Jedi Depa Billaba. I shall be your escort to and from the Supreme Chancellor's office."

"Thank you Jedi," Tomas bowed his head, not entirely sure how to address her in his answer.

She indicated the way they were to go with a sweep of her hand. "If you will come with me?"

Tomas looked around with wide eyes as they stepped into the large building. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the Jedi smiling.

"I assume you've never been here before?" she asked.

"No Jedi. This is the first time I have been to Coruscant. Vasda is not a member of the Republic, but I had business here. I thought it would be in my best interest to give the Chancellor a courtesy call while here."

"Wise choice, my Lord." They stopped in front of a bank of lifts and waited for one to arrive. When it did, they were soon on their way. In the end it didn't take all that long before they were deposited onto a level that had floor to ceiling windows on one side. With it nearing mid-afternoon the sunlight shown through, leaving patterns on the floor. For a moment Tomas stopped and looked outside. Through the buildings, he could just see parts of the Jedi Temple off in the distance.

"Coruscant can do that to you," Depa's warm voice broke through his thoughts.

"Sometimes, Jedi. Although I grieve that there are no green spaces anywhere." He turned back to her. It was obvious, at least to him, that she felt the same way.

She remained quiet for a moment, then smiled. "Come Viceroy, we don't want to keep the Chancellor waiting."

"Of course." Tomas followed her through a set of doors and into a foyer that was decorated similar to the hallway. Off to the side a protocol droid appeared. Tomas glanced to Depa before bringing his attention back to the droid.

"Do you have an appointment with Chancellor Valorum?"

"Yes," Tomas nodded as he introduced himself.

"If you will excuse me," the droid slipped through the large doors at the other end of the room to announce his arrival.

Folding his arms, Tomas tried to make it look as if he wasn't that worried about the upcoming meeting. "Jedi, will you remain here until I'm ready to leave?"

"Yes, I will, have no fear." Depa smiled as she moved over to one of the chairs. For a moment he thought she would sit down, but in the end she didn't.

The doors on the far wall opened and the droid that disappeared earlier, appeared once again, then moved off to the side. "Viceroy, the Chancellor will see you now."

Instead of nodding, he moved across the room trying to make it look as if he was confident, though inside he felt as if he were called into the office for some infraction.

Finis Valorum stood just inside the door with a smile on his face. He was an older human with pale skin who wore long flowing, and obviously expensive robes, denoting his position within the government. "Welcome Viceroy," he indicated towards some chairs that were set off to the side instead of his desk that sat before the large floor to ceiling window that gave an overview of the buildings just beyond. As they sat down the Chancellor leaned forward and clasped his hands together. "I am sorry that I was not able to send any help. The constitution keeps me from doing certain things, plus I would have to bring your problems before the senate. There was no guarantee that the senators wold vote in favor of helping a non-member."

"That's what I suspected." Tomas leaned back in his seat. This was easier than he expected. "I was able to contact the Jedi High Council directly. Compared to the senate, they can go both in and outside the Republic space, at least I think they can."

"Well, I'm glad that the Jedi were able to help solve your problems."

"Not entirely. Berland, which is the other realm on Vasda, is in the middle of a civil war. I fear that their strife will spill over to Marlote." Instead of shaking his head, Tomas twisted his hands together, "I have my security forces keeping a close watch on the border. If the fighting spills over by accident, we will not retaliate, but if it's premeditated, then we will."

"I expect nothing less." Finis glanced over to the wall, which Tomas followed. The only thing of note was a chrono. "So, how long will you be here?"

"My daughter was sick with a rare disease. The only place where she could be treated was at the Healer's Ward at the Jedi Temple. As soon as she's released we shall be leaving."

Valorum stood, "Then I shall not keep you from your daughter."

Tomas joined him and then they shook hands before heading over to the door. "It's nice to be able to discuss the issues we're dealing with and not have to worry if the wrong ears have been listening in."

"Yes, someone having a willing ear helps more than anything." They stopped when they reached the entrance. "And I have a willing ear."

Tomas closed his eyes and bowed his head. "You have no idea how much that means to hear it. Don't be surprised if you hear from me from time to time. I would like Vasda to eventually join the Republic, but can't at the moment with the fractured nature of both Marlote and Berland."

After saying their farewells, Tomas left the offices, while being escorted by Depa once again and then finally out and back to his waiting transport. Instead of heading back to the Temple, he decided to go to his rented apartments. He had a feeling that Eira would probably be released tomorrow at the earliest, so he wanted to be prepared to bring her back home.

TBC...