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 Seven

It had been over a week since Obi-Wan was released from the Healer's Ward and it felt as if he was making hardly any progress. Other than him standing and now walking short distances between two bars nothing felt like it was working. Every night his brain was exhausted and instead of meditating, he'd fall asleep immediately. On the days he wasn't working his muscles, Obi-Wan was working on learning how to talk once again.

/What about the Force?/ What Obi-Wan really wanted was to be able to easily manipulate that mysterious energy field. The problem was that it felt as if it were just beyond his reach. And then there was his lightsaber training.

"Don't worry about that. When it's time we will begin your saber training."

Obi-Wan couldn't help but frown. Things like walking use to be so easy, and now? He never realized just how much it took to move his legs. At least his arms didn't tremble nearly as much as when he was first released. That was good, wasn't it?

"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon moved so he was across from him. "You've been working on walking. I know you're tired, but I want you to try and reach out and grasp both of my hands."

/Not here,/ it came across sluggish. /Too tired./ But he still tried to raise his arms. Like when he first was released, they trembled, then dropped onto his lap. /Can't…./

Sitting back Qui-Gon frowned. "Just because you're tired means nothing. You need to learn to draw on your reserves."

/I don't think I have any left./ With slumping shoulders Obi-Wan leaned back against the couch and closed his eyes.

It was difficult to for Qui-Gon to see if Obi-Wan was telling the truth or not. He paused, realizing that he might be pushing Obi-Wan too hard. "All right, that'll be it for the day."

Instead of a normal smile he'd get from such a capitulation, all Obi-Wan did was nod. If anything it made him realize just how exhausted he was. As Qui-Gon rose to his feet he kept his gaze on his Padawan. "Open your eyes, Obi-Wan,"

It took a moment, but eventually they opened. His brow furrowed. He looked as if he wasn't sure what was going to happen.

"No, I'm not going to discipline you. You've been working too hard. I also believe that I've been adding to that." He went over to the small kitchen. Knowing he was out of sight of Obi-Wan he continued his apparent monologue, "You need something to help you relax, and also rest." Pulling out the kettle, he heated some water and then prepared a cup of sapir tea.

When it was ready, he brought the nonbreakable cup into the common room and set it down on the low table between them.

"Ma-ta?"

This brought a smile to Qui-Gon. That was completely unexpected. "Like I said before, you've done more than enough today."

/What about yours?/

"Don't worry about me Padawan." Once again Qui-Gon sent paternal warmth through the bond. Inside he shook his head. Even with Obi-Wan being in such a state, he still worried about the people around him. "Although if you want to improve, and get stronger, you have to do things that are at the moment too difficult. Have no fear, for in time you will improve. And before you know it you will be training once again."

/I want to train now./

"You can't. If you tried, you'd injure yourself worse than when you were electrocuted." Qui-Gon actually understood Obi-Wan's reasonings. It was difficult going from full workouts and training sessions to having a difficult time even walking. "Now I believe your arms have rested enough for you to be able to drink your tea."

Obi-Wan looked down to the caff table with a frown on his face. At least the cup wasn't filled completely, or the drink would probably spill out and stain his leggings, although with them being a dark brown, it wouldn't really show up. His tunic though was another story. Leaning forward, he reached out both hands and then let his fingers curl around the warm cup. The drink had cooled sufficiently so that it was still hot, but it wouldn't burn his mouth. With slow movements, he brought the cup to his lips, though his arms still trembled. At least it wasn't like before. By the time he finished he accidentally tipped the now empty cup over and it tumbled to the floor. "Orry Ma-ta." It was obvious that he couldn't quite pronounce some of the sounds just yet.

"Don't worry. You're still relearning." Qui-Gon leaned forward and retrieved the cup. He took it back into the kitchen and then returned, but this time with a reader in hand. "Here. A message came for you earlier today while you were working with the Healers."

Obi-Wan gave him a dubious look before accepting the datapad. Tapping the screen the full message appeared and his eyes lit up when he realized it was from Eira. It was obvious, at least to Qui-Gon that Obi-Wan's attachment to her was growing. It also bothered him at the same time. Technically they weren't supposed to have this kind of affection towards someone. The problem was, he had no idea how Master Yoda would react to something like this. If there wasn't a bond, then he would make sure that there wasn't any contact. Feelings faded over time if there wasn't anything to keep them going, or so he assumed.

He felt her before she even approached the door. Leaving Obi-Wan to read the message, over and over, Qui-Gon surmised, he moved over to the door. "Obi-Wan," he looked over his shoulder, "Padawan Tachi is here." He couldn't help but smile when Obi-Wan jumped then fumbled with the reader and then apparently turned it off, at least that's what it looked like from where he stood. Turning back to the door he opened it up and smiled at the Padawan before him.

"Master Qui-Gon?"

"What can I do for you, Padawan?"

She looked down to her hands then back up, "I was hoping to see how Ob…I mean Padawan Kenobi was doing."

"See for yourself," Qui-Gon backed away so she could see inside the small apartment.

Thinking he had welcomed her into the apartment, Siri came towards the couch and looked around before sitting down in the chair that Qui-Gon had been seated in earlier. When she spoke, her voice was soft. "It's good to see you out of the Healer's Ward."

Obi-Wan opened his mouth then closed it when nothing of substance emerged.

"Padawan Tachi, Obi-Wan is grateful for your concern, at this point he can't tell you that."

As if in answer, Obi-Wan sighed then looked off to the side. Siri looked over to Qui-Gon, an unsure look on her face. "Maybe I shouldn't be here." She stood.

The awkwardness of the whole situation almost made Qui-Gon smile. Almost, that is. Maybe because it was obvious, at least to him, that he had feelings for Eira, and Siri was just a means to an end before they left for Vasda. Maybe….

"It's not that, Padawan," Qui-Gon answered her as she went back to the door. "He's tired because of the therapy work he did earlier today. It may not feel like it to you, but moving your arms and legs takes a lot of mental work, and Obi-Wan has to relearn how to do most everything."

Siri looked past him and back to Obi-Wan, who was now slouched against the couch with his head resting on the top of the backrest. Turning back to Qui-Gon she gave him a shy smile. "Then I'll wait a while before coming back over. He helped me a lot with my classes, and I thought that maybe I could help him recover."

"I'll let you know when he's feeling better." Qui-Gon opened the door and she left the small apartment. As soon as it was closed, he went back over and sat down in the chair. "You're going to have to tell her eventually."

Obi-Wan's head whipped up as his eyes widened. /How…./ If anything he flushed red.

"So there was something going on between the two of you while I was out in the field."

"I…." /It's not that, Master./

"Padawan, I have eyes. I know what was going on. Master Adi also knew what was going on." He stood and moved over to the couch and sat down and clasped his hands together, "I don't want Siri hurt. She's younger than you and much more impressionable. You need to be careful when talking to her."

/I do like her, but she's my friend./

"Just?"

Obi-Wan eventually nodded.

"And then there's your growing attachment to Eira. I don't know how we're going to handle this. If there wasn't a Force bond then I would forbid any communications with her. That can't happen." He paused, "And when you're back to training I fear that her presence will be too distracting. You might, in the end, have to make a decision concerning your future."

/But we did. Can a Force bond be unraveled?/

"I don't know, Padawan."

Obi-Wan sat in a chair on the small balcony watching the speeders flow by like a river. That was one of the perks being apprenticed, is that the living quarters were much better than that small space he had when he was an initiate. At the time he really didn't mind the size of the space, for it fit his needs. This was different. That first time he stepped inside the room he would call home until he had passed his Trials was larger than he ever expected, and with a small balcony added into the mix. Before, he didn't even have a window. From what he remembered while being on that strange transport, there were some things he just couldn't do, that is besides his movements and speech.

Siri hadn't come over since that first time. The whole thing with her was odd. He just didn't have any physical interest in her anymore, not that he and Eira did anything. In fact he was still recovering from his poisoning and just didn't feel up to it.

Shifting, Obi-Wan felt his aching muscles from his latest session with the healers. Though it wasn't his muscles that ached, but his mind. Up until his convalescence he never understood just how much his mind did to control his muscles.

Qui-Gon's comm chirped in the background, though loud enough to catch his attention. There was a pause and then Qui-Gon answered. His voice grew muffled. At that point Obi-Wan mused that the older Jedi had moved into the kitchen. After a few minutes, he heard Qui-Gon approach. To his credit, he didn't jump when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning, he looked up, "Who?"

"Padawan Muln. He wants to come over, and I agreed."

"Why…," the rest of the sentence didn't want to come out.

"He never said why."

/He's coming over?/

"Yes." Qui-Gon took a step back. "Do you need any help coming inside?"

Obi-Wan shook his head. With both hands resting on the arms of his chair, he managed to push himself to his feet, then in an awkward shuffling step, reached the door where he could hold onto it, then made it inside. The couch was close enough that he could make it there with minimal help, and soon he had collapsed onto its cushions with a sigh. For a moment his anxiety spiked, not knowing really why his long time friend was coming over.

"I know you're worried. Don't focus on your anxieties, Padawan. All will be fine."

"But?" Obi-Wan shook his head.

"How long has it been since you've seen him or your friends?"

That last question actually made Obi-Wan think. During that long probation he had some contact with everyone, but he was more embarrassed at his predicament than anything else, so he kept to himself.

It wasn't long until Qui-Gon went over to the door and opened it up. It was only at this point he realized that he still couldn't reach out to the Force. It was silent and empty at the same time. He frowned as he looked away and towards the stand where the holovids projected, but was stopped when Garen sat down beside him.

"Hey Kenobi. Haven't seen you in like forever."

Obi-Wan turned, his eyes widened then he turned away.

"Padawan Muln," Qui-Gon followed the apprentice into the middle of the common room. "Just remember, Obi-Wan has been having a difficult time."

"With his recovery?"

"That among other things." Qui-Gon left for the kitchen area where he began preparations for their next meal. It would take some time before he felt comfortable enough to eat in the refectory once again. Looking back into the larger room, he continued, "You're welcome to remain for the evening meal."

Garen looked up to Qui-Gon and then back to Obi-Wan. It would be rather difficult especially since Obi-Wan couldn't fully speak, at least not yet. Qui-Gon would have to be a translator of sorts.

"But if you decide to leave, neither of us will hold it against you."

Apparently with the realization that he didn't have to remain there if he didn't want to, Garen gave them a hesitant smile then rose to his feet. "Sorry Master," he looked down to his hands.

Coming out of the kitchen Qui-Gon gave him a kind smile, "It's all right. I know its awkward right now, but Obi-Wan is improving every day."

"T-ak u."

Garen's head whipped around and looked at Obi-Wan with a smile. "Oh no, now he's talking."

Instead of frowning, Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, then glared at his life long friend.

"I'll be waiting in the dojos so I can beat you again." Garen went over to the door and waved before leaving the small apartment.

"See, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon leaned against the door that led into the kitchen. "Your friends haven't abandoned you at all."

/I guess not./

TBC...