Qui-Gon nodded and said "Yes I know you are scared Obi-wan, and I want to help you overcome your fear, and when that happens you will be able to resume your life. Nevertheless, to do that you need to open up and explain what you are afraid of. Can you do that; will you trust me enough to tell me?"
Tears started to well in Obi-wan's eyes and he glanced around the Healers room "I-I don't know where to begin." he whispered.
Qui-Gon could sense he was uncomfortable here in the healer's room. "I think we should leave the Healers first and find a place where you can talk to me without interruptions, and where you feel safe. Would you allow me to choose the place young one?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Y-Yes Sir" he said as he took a deep breath.
"Very well then I have just the place, he stood up waiting for Obi-wan to join him, the boy got to his feet. "Good" said Qui-Gon, as he put his hand on Obi-wans shoulder and led him down the Hall. On the way to Qui-Gon's quarters they passed several Master Padawan teams, who greeted Qui-Gon.
Each time this happened Obi-wan pulled back and hid behind Qui-Gon, as far as he could with the mans hand on his shoulder, and a sense of 'shame' filtered through the connection the force had opened between them. He wondered why 'shame' Obi-wan hadn't done anything wrong as far as he could tell. He quickened his pace to avoid any more greetings and they arrived at Qui-Gon's rooms soon enough. Once he settled Obi on the couch and got them both something to drink, he settled back to wait. Finally Obi-wan looked up and spoke.
"When I left here, I said some terrible things, and then I was s-scared that my parents would think I was a f-failure, and wouldn't want me either. But my Mother said I was the best thing that ever happened to her, me and my b-brother, and at the time I thought that the man my Mother was married to was my Father."
"He wasn't your Father was he?" Qui-Gon asked having already witnessed the memories in Obi-Wans signature.
"No my Father died suddenly, just after that man came to live with them. He made my Mother marry him, and he called me the Temple reject. But he said he was glad I came back because he had plenty of chores for me to do. I sensed he was a bad man, and he told lots of lies; my Mother was scared of him…..."
"What happened then?" Qui prompted when it appeared Obi wasn't going to continue.
"He stole something from his friends and they came to the house to collect it. Mother sent me up in the hills with my b-brother and made me promise not to come back till she called me. But I saw smoke and my senses told me there was only one faint life sign in the area, so I sped back……, I-It was my Mother, and she was dying. That's when she told me what happened to my real Father and said I should leave before the men returned. S-she d-died in my arms, and I buried her. The men came back so we left that place."
"How did you get to Corruscant" Qui-Gon asked.
"There was a transport coming here, we hid in a laundry basket, until it was loaded on board. Then we hid in the baggage compartment. I met a girl on the transport and she helped me for awhile, she got a job, and I tried to get one but I was too young no one would hire me. Then O'wan got sick and my friend Gypsy was leaving the area to take a job in another part of Corruscant". Obi explained.
"That's when you contacted the Temple, what happened" Master Jinn asked.
"I wanted to speak to Master Yoda, but he was busy, and the Padawan said I could speak to Master Windu. I-I was scared, because he told me never to come back, but I wanted to talk to someone. However, when I told her my name she made funny noises and yelled something, and then the line was disconnected. I-I was scared, and … and.."
"Obi-Wan she made a mistake we wanted you to call back, because she accidentally cut you off"
Obi-Wan searched Qui-Gon's eyes and they told him he was telling the truth. "Oh" he whispered, and stopped talking.
So what happened then?" Qui-Gon was waiting for Obi to continue, he could tell that the shame he felt had something to do with what he was telling him now, and he wanted Obi-Wan to speak of it.
"Then I got some odd jobs to do for Dex's Diner."
Qui-Gon knew the boy was skipping around the real problem, and he wouldn't push him just yet, so he changed to the new subject as well.
"Dex" Qui-Gon smiled "He's a good friend of mine, I haven't been to Dex's for a meal for a long time. Maybe when you're feeling better we could go there for a meal." Qui-Gon said brightly.
Obi-wan nodded slightly and then there was silence….
"How did you end up in hospital?" he asked.
Obi sighed, "Two men were hitting a girl and her sister in the Park and I went to help them but they beat me up."
"But you saved them isn't that so?" Qui commented.
"Yeah I guess so" he mumbled.
"So what happened after you left the hospital?"
"I went back to the shed and I slept for a long time, I think I had a fever, anyway I went back to Dex's and some Jedi came in so I ran away. I came back to the shed and then you found me, I used to sleep in the gardeners shed at night."
"Obi-wan do you believe us when we tell you that, you did nothing wrong, that it was the lies that Arly and the other boys told, that caused all this pain you have been through." Qui-Gon stated.
"No it is not true! Yes Arly lied, and Gerlin and Dag-mar were caught up in his lies, but the Council should have known they were lying, they didn't even question what Arly and the others were saying. They didn't give me a chance to defend myself." Obi-wan said and then he whispered. "I felt it you know."
"Felt what Obi-wan." Qui asked.
"The Council they didn't have a choice, there were no Knights available to take on any apprentices. So they didn't want to know if I was innocent or not, they just thought it better if we were all shipped off to the Agri-Corps, we were all too old to stay much longer anyway."
Qui-Gon felt the shame rise in his own body, the boy was right they had condemned, four boys to the Agri-Corps, just because of an archaic rule that had been thrust upon them by the Senate, to cut costs.
"Obi-wan I know it is no consolation, but some good has come out of what happened to them." Qui-Gon commented.
But Obi didn't understand. "What do you mean?" he asked.
"Arly, Gerlin and Dag-Mar's death, has opened the eyes of the Senators to our cause."
Obi-wan stepped back a pace "They are Dead?" he stammered.
Qui-Gon realised that Obi-wan didn't know what had happened to the boys on the Monument. "Yes Obi-wan the Monument was attacked by Pirates, and the section they were in was blown out into space sucking almost everyone in that section to their deaths."
"Oh no, I'm sorry" he said as he slumped to the floor. There was a few minutes silence while Obi controlled his emotions, and then he said. "So I would have died too, if I had gone with them?" he asked quietly.
"Yes Obi-wan in all probabilities you would have"
"You said something about the Senators?" Obi-Wan asked.
"It was after we heard about the boys' deaths and you being sent home to your family that many parents contacted the Senate accusing them and us of taking children under false pretences. Parents were demanding their children back, and refusing to release force sensitive children to the Jedi. The Senate has voted on the abolishment of age limitations for initiates to become Padawan's. Those that are not chosen because of lack of Masters, will be trained in groups in the future." Qui-Gon confirmed.
Obi-Wan smiled he was happy about that although he felt sad that some one had to die first before they would change the ruling.
"Now Obi-wan I know there is something eating at you and unless you release that burden you will never fulfil your dream of becoming a Jedi."
Obi-wan looked up into Qui-Gon's eyes; his own eyes were brimming with tears. "I will never fulfil my dream of being a Jedi anyway, I have done some unforgivable things, and Master Windu said it when he told me never to come back, he still feels that way doesn't he," Obi whispered.
"No Obi-wan Master Windu doesn't feel that way, he feels very bad about what happened" Qui-Gon stated.
"Then why has he avoided me, I remember every word he said to me that day in the Council chambers and he said he never wanted to see me again". Obi-Wan stated.
Obi-wan would you tell me what happened in the chambers?" Qui-Gon asked.
"I suppose so" he answered.
"I asked the council did they explain to the parents about what happens if their child is not chosen.
[Memory sequence
Are the parents told that if their child is not chosen for whatever reason, they are sent to work at the Agri corps whether that child wants to or not? Never to become what you tell them we will become. Did you tell my parents there was a chance I would not become a Jedi, did you allow them the choice then that maybe their son would be better off staying with loving parents instead of being sent to an institution where we are never treated as children just a product, and if that product is bad for whatever reason it is sent away."
I remember Master Windu got annoyed at my question, they said I could go home, but Master Windu said.
You will relinquish all rights to return to the Temple and if you change your mind and decide that going back to your birth family is not what you want, I am sorry to say that you will not be accepted back here. Do I make myself clear young man, your anger is what has made our decision easier, we had such high hopes for you but your arrogant and stubborn ways have destroyed any chance of you becoming a Jedi.
So I answered him, I guess I got angry and said more than I should.
"Masters I will go, never to return and I promise you that I will uphold the Jedi honour and never use the force for evil or for my, as you put it own arrogance and angry way, but I must say this and even though it is highly disrespectful I believe I must say it. I worked hard for my place here at the Temple, I didn't ask to come here, I wasn't given a choice, and now I believe my parents weren't really given a choice either, but up until a few months ago, I was convinced that I had upheld the tradition and the code of the Jedi, I was attentive and did not cause any trouble I thought my good behaviour would assure my place as a Jedi.
But lies and deceit are rife within this Temple, and I believe the Council are blind, arrogant and self centred. You do not care about the initiates or their families, you just take and when it doesn't suit you, then you just abandon children who have never known any other home but this one, in essence you all are our parents. How do you sleep knowing you turn your own children out.
Mace sat there allowing the boy to speak, but he was getting annoyed at what the boy was saying it seemed to be hitting a nerve in his soul somewhere and he didn't like the feeling.
"Enough" Master Windu shouted, "we have listened to you words now leave, and don't come back!" he said as he pointed to the door. Master Windu realised as soon as he said it that he had done exactly what Obi-wan had done, lost his temper.
Obi-wan smiled and then bowed slightly, he slowly turned around and with his head held high he walked out the door and out of the Jedi Temple.)
End of memory
Qui-Gon smiled at Obi-wan and he said. "I can see why Master Windu and most of the Councillors have been ducking for cover.
"They had made an error in judgement and have been trumped by a mere boy. Obi-wan would it be alright if I ask Master Windu to come over, he wants too but, he knows he hurt you unnecessarily.
"I s-suppose he can if he wants too." Obi-Wan stuttered.
Qui-Gon contacted Mace and before long he had arrived at Qui-Gon's apartment, Obi-wan was sitting on the couch when he entered the room. "Hello Obi-wan" he said as he stepped over to the couch and knelt down in front of the boy. " I wish to apologise to you. You were right in what you said in the Council chambers, and I must confess my answer to you, stemmed from anger, that you a mere boy had the nerve to stand up to us. We were supposed to be the leaders, and we let our duty to the Senate override our duty to our own. You made me feel incompetent and I didn't like the feeling, so I voiced my anger instead of contemplating what you said. When you left, I thought about what you had said and I was disgusted with myself. When you called us that day I wanted to apologise to you but the Padawan pressed the wrong button and in her excitement that you had made contact she disconnected your call. I so hoped you would call back and I was so worried when you didn't.
I ask for your forgiveness, and I promise your words spoken in the Council Chamber were listened too."
He waited for Obi-wan to speak, and when he did Mace was relieved.
"I forgive you Master Windu I was very upset too, but I suppose that I should thank you"
"Thank me for what Young one?" Mace inquired.
"If I had just got on board the Monument with the others I would be dead now and maybe my brother would be dead or worse a slave by now" The boy said with conviction.
Master Windu smiled at him and said "Well I am very glad you didn't get on the Monument otherwise Master Qui-Gon would never have forgiven me!".
Later after Master Windu left the apartment, Qui-Gon wanted to bring up the subject of Obi-wan's brother. "Obi-wan what happened when your brother got sick"
Obi-wan shifted his eyes to the ground and put his hands in his lap. "I –I didn't want to do it… I didn't know what else to do ….my friend was leaving to start her new job so I couldn't stay there anymore, so I took him to the orphanage."
Tears started rolling down his face as he told his story, Qui-Gon came and sat next to him.
"It is alright Obi-wan you did the right thing, you know you wouldn't have been able to look after him, don't you?"
The boy nodded slightly, "I know, but I promised my Mother, that I would take care of him." He started crying more, "I-I promised and I broke my promise" he sobbed.
Qui-Gon pulled the boy into his arms wrapping him in his warm body. "Obi-wan you didn't break your promise, you did take care of him He has a life now, he has been adopted, he has gone to a fine home, and he is safe, just as you are"
"Safe, I haven't felt safe for a long time" he sniffed, looking into Qui-Gon's eyes, he whispered. "What will happen to me now?"
"What should have happened to you months ago" Qui-Gon said as he slipped off the couch and knelt in front of the boy.
"Obi-wan Kenobi, would you do me the honour of becoming my Padawan?" Qui-Gon asked.
Tears flowed freely down his face but they were tears of joy, this time. He flung himself at Qui-Gon who engulfed him in a hug. "Oh yes Master, I would be honoured to be your apprentice."
The next day Obi-Wan was back in the council chambers, for the ceremony to make him a Padawan. He felt a bit strange being there, knowing what he had said the last time he was there, nevertheless, all the Councillors made him feel welcome, and when the ceremony was over he was the happiest Padawan alive.
A week later Qui-Gon took Obi-wan to Dex's Diner, as they walked in Dex saw Qui-Gon and burst through the kitchen doors. "It has been months, since you have been here, my food scare you away ehh!!" the big being laughed, as he embraced Qui-Gon. Dex glanced down at the young boy who looked familiar to him, but because this boy had a very short spiky hair cut, with the beginnings of a braid, and was dressed in very neat Jedi clothes, he didn't recognise him.
"So Qui, who have we here, don't tell me you have acquired another apprentice". Dex asked.
"Dex I would like you to officially meet my Padawan, however, he tells me that you have already met?" Qui-Gon said.
"We have?" Dex said as he rubbed his chin, "he does look kinda familiar."
Obi-Wan smiled at him and bowed. "Hello Dex Sir"
"Dex's mouth flew open "Obi? Is that you Obi-Wan," the boy smiled and nodded.
Dex pulled him into his chest, "Oh Obi my boy, I was worried about you, I wondered where you disappeared too".
Dex let go of Obi and Qui-Gon placed his hands on the boy's shoulders. "Dex I would like you to meet Obi-wan Kenobi my Padawan."
Dex slapped Qui-Gon on his back. "Well, well, well, sit down and tell me all about It." he chuckled.
Obi-wan sat and listened to the two friends talk, and then Dex made them Muju fruit Pancakes, and brought drinks over for them. After Dex had filled them both to the brim with food, they left. But not before Dex made Qui-Gon promise to bring Obi-wan back so he could make sure he was being fed properly.
tbc... Next post is the end.