Consequences

Rating: T+
Summary: All choices have consequences whether they be good or bad
Disclaimer: All cannon characters are owned by the Great Flanneled One, and now Disney. All Enterprise characters are owned by the Great Bird of the Galaxy. All others are mine. I make no money off this.
Note: This is a sequel to Choices

Timeline: 40BBY

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

Chapter Eight

Moving down the corridor Trip bumped into Hoshi as she came around the corner. As his hands came up to grasp her upper arms, her own hands spread out in front of her while her eyes widened. "Commander," she squeaked as she took a step back. "I'm sorry about that. I wasn't even paying any attention."

"It's all right, Ensign, it was the same with me." They backed away from each other a few more steps, which allowed the communications officer room to move around him and continue where she was going.

Just before she reached the end of the corridor, Trip raised a hand and called out to her, "Ensign, could you wait a minute?"

Hoshi hesitated before stopping. Turning she came towards him for a few steps before stopping, "Yes Commander?"

Taking several brisk steps, Trip caught up to her, "Have you met the two new humans?"

She shook her head. "Not officially. Have you, sir?"

Trip gave her a grin. "Yes. I'm glad that the Universal Translator is at least working."

Her eyes brightened, "I know since I was there. I spent a long time trying to make sure that it would work properly."

"What about their language?"

If her eyes weren't bright before, they were now. "I would give anything to learn their language."

"Well, it's the strangest sounding one I've ever heard."

Hoshi rolled her eyes. "That doesn't mean much, Commander."

"Well, to you it doesn't, but to me it does."

This time she shook her head, "Sir, you need to expand your universe and learn a few languages. It would be quite enlightening for you."

"I don't have any extra time for that, I'm too busy making sure that this ship runs properly. Plus our visitors are proving that the universal translator is working." He flashed her a smile.

"Commander, if you didn't notice, it's not been perfected yet. In the meantime I think it would be good for you to begin to at least learn Vulcan."

Trip brought his hands up in supplication, "Sorry, but no. That's the one language I'm not going to even attempt to learn. There's too many tongue-twisting syllables to even try and get my tongue around. For now I think I'll stick to English."

Hoshi just shook her head. "Which reminds me, I heard that you and Lt. Reed have been working on that new shuttle."

Trip couldn't help but smile at the mention of the unknown transport. "Yes. You wouldn't believe the technology in it. There are also other things where we're more advanced. The most interesting thing is that they don't have warp technology."

"You forget, that's relatively new technology for us."

"Yes, I know all about that," Trip nodded.

"Still, sir, are you going to get it fixed?"

This time Trip sighed, "Yes, but I'm beginning to like our two visitors."

"Commander…Trip," she placed a hand on his arm, "It's not your decision whether you want them to stay or not, it's theirs if they want to go home…or not."

"Yeah, I do know that." He frowned.

Hoshi took a step back and removed her hand. "There's something else, isn't there?"

"Nah, never mind," Trip waved it off. Glancing at his watch, and realizing that he had wasted enough time, he turned back in the direction of engineering. Pausing, he threw over his shoulder, "You coming tonight?"

"Of course, it's movie night," Hoshi smiled.

With a wave of his hand, Qui-Gon opened the door and pushed Obi-Wan into the small cabin. At that point he realized that he was a caregiver of sorts, at least until they made it back to the Temple and his Padawan was healed. The movements he went through reminded him of the wing where the Jedi who were injured so badly during a mission, or accident, that they were never able to go out anymore. Those Jedi were cared for by the healers. "Padawan, do you want me to stay here?"

At first Obi-Wan didn't answer. Eventually he nodded, of sorts.

"I know it's difficult going from full independence to having to rely on someone else for some of the most basic of needs." Qui-Gon placed his hand on Obi-Wan's head, then reached down and tugged at the drastically shortened braid. Taking a step back, he used the Force to pick him up and then place him on the bed. Even though he was now leaning against the bulkhead, Obi-Wan's eyes were already drooping. It was obvious how easily he got tired from just simple exertions. "Don't worry, Padawan, I will be here."

Obi-Wan nodded then slid to his side until he was curled up on the narrowish bed. As soon as he was asleep, Qui-Gon left the cabin and headed back down to the hanger bay so he could gather up the rest the data-files and reader. He had never gotten around to fully organizing them earlier, and then there were their sleep clothes.

It didn't take all that long, and by the time he stepped back into the cabin, he couldn't help but smile at the sight before him. Obi-Wan was sprawled across the bed, oblivious to the world around him, and snoring softly. After removing his cloak, he put the rest of the data-files on the table then went to one of the drawers and put their sleeping clothes in the available space. Going back to the table he finished organizing the files. With that complete he took a blanket and settled down for meditation. He wouldn't go deep, for he wanted to be aware of Obi-Wan. When the younger Jedi began waking up, he opened his eyes and turned his attention back to his Padawan.

Obi-Wan was looking at him with bleary eyes. A blush crossed his face as he looked away.

"What is it, Padawan?"

/I'm sorry, Master…I…refresher…./

Qui-Gon actually wondered how long it would be before they'd have to deal with something like this. Not saying a word, he helped Obi-Wan sit up then with a flick of his hand, opened the door to the smaller room. Embarrassment radiated from him as Qui-Gon helped him. "Think of it this way, Padawan, you have to start somewhere, no matter how embarrassing it is."

The embarrassment morphed into frustration.

As soon as he was settled back on the bed and resting against the bulkhead, Qui-Gon gave him a critical look then pulled a chair over to sit at least closer. "Though the healer hasn't asked me to do this, I still think it would be good to start on regaining at least some of your fine motor skills." Moving the chair closer, he reached over, only to find he was still too far away.

Not even bothering to sigh, he got up from the chair and sat on the bed next to Obi-Wan. Now being able to reach out to him, he turned Obi-Wan's hands over so he could see his palms. "I know this will be hard, but I want you to grasp one of the data-files." The one at the top of the stack floated over to the bed and came to rest beside both of them.

/Pick it up?/

"Yes, Padawan. Pick it up with your hand."

Obi-Wan's frustration turned into trepidation. /I don't…don't think I can./

"I want you to try."

/'Do or do not, there is no try' is what Master Yoda always says./

"But Master Yoda has never had to deal with this. Now, pick it up."

Taking a deep breath, Obi-Wan focused on his hand closest to the data-file. For a moment there was no movement. His eyes squeezed shut as he concentrated. In a jerking motion, he managed to move his hand over to the reader and let his fingers curl around the object. The breath he apparently had been holding came out with an explosive sound as his shoulders slumped in exhaustion.

"Good, Padawan. I've mentioned this before, but this is the beginning of your recovery." While reaching over and grasping Obi-Wan's shoulder, he sent paternal warmth through their training bond.

/My head hurts./

"I'm not all that surprised. It takes a lot to move a hand or even just a finger. Now I want you to pull the datafile back to you."

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and tensed up before relaxing again. /I can't. I'm too tired./

It was obvious, for his exhaustion leaked through the bond. A tone sounded, startling both of them. Reaching out, Qui-Gon would sense someone standing just outside the cabin door. The two looked at each other before Qui-Gon got to his feet and went over to open it. Standing before him was the same ensign who brought the new clothing for Obi-Wan. This time he had a tray in hand with two plates of food.

"Sir, the Captain wasn't sure if either of you would be able to make it to mess, so he had me bring it." He handed the tray over while glancing inside to see Obi-Wan seated propped up against the bulkhead with his eyes closed.

"Thank you," Qui-Gon nodded while taking the tray and placing it on the table. The officer remained in the doorway, an uncertain look on his face. "What is it?"

"Sir, I'm not sure if it was mentioned, but we have a movie night once a week," he blurted out. "It's tonight. I thought you'd like to come to get your mind off other things."

"Movie? What's this movie?"

Surprise radiated from the officer, "Um…a visual way to tell a story with men and women acting out the different roles. I used to go to the theater once a week before I joined Starfleet."

"That sounds like a holovid."

"Yeah, we have those, but this one was made long before that." He turned, then stopped while looking over his shoulder. "I'll talk to my CO to see if we can contact you before it starts."

"It depends on how Obi-Wan is doing later."

Qui-Gon watched as the door closed once again. Turning, he looked at the two plates of food, then over to Obi-Wan. The younger Jedi's eyes were still closed. With a gentle probe, he smiled. "I know you're awake, Padawan."

A couple of moments later Obi-Wan opened tired eyes and focused them on Qui-Gon. /I'm just tired./

"I know you are, Padawan. But the Captain had our meal brought to us." With a sweep of his hand, he indicated the table.

/Why would he do that?/

"Maybe because he wanted to?" Qui-Gon shrugged. "Though he's not going to make a habit out of it."

/Is that the only reason why it was brought./ Obi-Wan's eyes strayed to the table. If the smell of the food was making Qui-Gon hungry, he knew that Obi-Wan was also.

Instead of answering the question Qui-Gon too the tray and brought it over to the bed. "They also have holovids on a regular basis. I suspect it's for moral boosting."

/Holovid?/

Just like any other human his age, Obi-Wan was interested in seeing this particular holovid. Without a whole lot of complaining, and a lot of help, along with several napkins, he was able to eat a little over half that was given. Shortly after they were finished, it was Obi-Wan who first noticed a blinking light on one of the panels. /Master?/ he looked over in the general direction of the blinking light.

Qui-Gon followed Obi-Wan's gaze. Rising to his feet, he went over and looked at the panel. With a gentle touch, he pressed the blinking light.

"Qui-Gon?" Jon's voice came through the speakers.

"Yes, Captain?"

"Have you decided?"

Qui-Gon looked over his shoulder to Obi-Wan once again before bringing his attention back to the communications instrumentation before him. "Yes, we'll come, though I don't know where it'll be."

"Don't worry about that. I'll have someone come over in a few minutes. You'll have plenty of time to get there."

"Thank you for your kind hospitality, Captain."

"You're welcome. Archer out."

Not that much later the door sounded once again. The man that stood in the corridor had skin color the same as Master Windu's. "Sir, the Captain asked for me to escort you to where we have our movie night."

Qui-Gon nodded. With Obi-Wan still in the chair, he was able to bring him to a larger room that already had several crew members in the seats. Off to the side, Archer was already there. Staying in the back Qui-Gon sat down in one of the chairs with Obi-Wan beside him. Shortly thereafter, Commander Tucker arrived. He waved at several members and then returned to the back. Apparently the engineer had decided to sit near them. Leaning over, he kept his voice low as the lights dimmed in the room, "I know this movie well. You might, or might not understand what truly happened. It's based on real events that happened about 150 years ago."

As soon as it was over, Qui-Gon brought Obi-Wan back to his cabin. /I'm glad the holovid ended on a positive note. So that really happened?/

"Apparently so, Padawan. The Captain did call it a successful failure." When there was no response from Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon placed a hand on his charge's forehead. It looked as if he was close to sleeping, which wasn't all that surprising. "Obi-Wan?" he asked, hoping to make sure that he was settled for the evening.

Obi-Wan didn't respond. Looking closer the eyes that Qui-Gon could so easily read had turned vacant. There was a twitch and then another. Soon he was shuddering uncontrollably. Wanting to know what was happening, Qui-Gon grasped Obi-Wan's head in his hands and tried to see through the Force what was happening. He was stopped by a mental storm raging in Obi-Wan's mind.

"Obi-Wan?" he raised his voice a little louder, but there was still no response. Only when things that were not tied down in the cabin started moving as if they were alive, did Qui-Gon realize what was happening. Not good. Knowing that it was for everyone's protection, he traveled down their bond once again and delved deep into Obi-Wan's mind and past the storm. His goal was the most ancient part of their brains, and where a human Jedi had their subconscious Force manipulation abilities, so he could suppress them. If Obi-Wan kept on seizing up like this it would not be good to have things flying around.

While keeping hold of Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon could feel the beginnings of a headache forming. He knew Obi-Wan was powerful, but he never realized doing this would create a backlash effect. When it was completed, the objects stopped in mid-flight and dropped where they were hitting the closest flat surface with a thud. It took some time before Obi-Wan stopped seizing up. Even though they had nothing to do with his ability to handle the Force, it affected him anyway. No telling how much time had passed when Obi-Wan finally came back. "Obi-Wan? Padawan?"

/Master?/ Obi-Wan's confusion was obvious.

"I'm here, Padawan."

/What happened?/

Releasing Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon made sure that he was resting comfortably on the bed. "You had a seizure. I'm not really sure if it's because of the electrocution or not." Leaning back, he closed his eyes, hoping to ease the throbbing in his mind. He hadn't had a headache like this in a long time. What was surprising was Obi-Wan's reaction to what just happened.

/Are you all right?/

"Padawan, you gave me a headache." He gave Obi-Wan a smile, "I will be find."

It was only at this point that Obi-Wan realized what happened. /Seizure?/ He paused, /Why can't I feel the Force?/

"I had to suppress your subconscious abilities," he raised his hand to stop Obi-Wan's protest, "It was for everyone else's protection. Objects were flying around the room."

Obi-Wan's shoulder slumped, /I'll always be like this./

"No, Padawan. Don't worry, everything will work out in the end."

/But everything seems to be going wrong./

"I know, Padawan. I know."

TBC…