I almost feel like a stranger posting...ahem, anyway. I'm very sorry for keeping you all waiting. It must have felt like I'd disappeared off the face of the Earth or something. Actually felt like I did for a bit- I've just finished my 2nd year at Uni and come through some grueling exams. Even when they were all over my muse deserted me- I blame the stress. Now I'm finally home I've been able to write again.
I'd like to thank you guys for sticking with me and reviewing and sending encouraging messages - even with my erratic updating! I know how frustrating it is to find a story which feels like it's been abandoned before it's finished. But now the wait is over and the final chapter is here! (I think. If I find it needs more I might had a small epilogue.)
To cheer you all up- the next story is in the works. Most of it is planned and just needs to be written. I think it'll be good to move onto a new piece, this chapter was so hard to write and get motivated for! So I promise the new story will be up pretty soon!
Disclaimer: I still own nothing in the Star Wars franchise. But I introduced my sister to the first Star Wars film today- great fun!
Anways- onwards! Please enjoy.
Chapter 15- Dawn Finally Breaks
"Obi-Wan?"
Dropping the scrubbing brush at the hesitant sound of his name, said Padawan turned around in surprise to find a taller figure with a familiar accent standing behind him. Before he could say anything else, he was engulfed in a tight embrace, blinking at the shock as the wind was knocked out of him. At length the person disengaged themselves and took a step back.
"I'm so glad to see you alive and well!" the older man exclaimed. "When I last saw you…I haven't hurt you have I? I shouldn't have hugged you so hard…"
"Senator Elam," Obi-Wan managed to get a word in edgeways once he had recovered his breath. "I am much better thank you."
Obi-Wan had been out of the Healers for the last few days, finally having been grudgingly discharged by Master Healer Y'Chiryō and released to his quarters under the eagle eye of his Master who was also recovering well, thank the Force. However, conversation between the pair had not yet turned to the events that had transpired on Rhasta and Obi-Wan was still waiting, albeit nervously.
Tarin shook his head. The young delegate was wearing a red patterned knee-length tunic over a white long sleeved shirt and dark trousers with black boots. A folded cloak hung over one arm as it was warm in the Temple Gardens. Two Temple guards, more escorts for the Senator stood a little way off "Senator Elam is far too formal. And it's Tarin that's come to see Obi-Wan, not the Senator," Tarin gently corrected his young friend. "But first tell me…. what on Kambah's name areyou doing?"
Obi-Wan was dressed in a loose old tunic and trousers, his cloak left in his quarters. At his feet was a scrubbing brush and bucket of soapy water. "I'm scrubbing the rocks in this meditation garden," the Padawan replied, watching his confused friend try to work out the reason why he was working on such a task. "Master Qui-Gon thought it would be… beneficial… for me in the light of… what happened recently," he trailed off. "I'm trying to gather my thoughts."
Tarin nodded, casting a quick eye over the many rocks scattered about the garden. It seemed like his friend was going to be in the garden for an awfully long time. "I see," he said quietly at length.
"I wanted to see you…Tarin. I need to apologise," Obi-Wan continued, stepping close before bowing deeply. "I abused the trust and friendship between us and manipulated you into taking me to Rhasta and then left without a word. I should never have put you in such a situation. It was very un-Jedi like of me; I have betrayed your trust and my training. I…I was told that you led Master Windu and the others to find Master Qui-Gon and I. I cannot thank you enough for that. I am forever in your debt for saving my Master's life."
Tarin blushed faintly, staring at the Padawan who was still bowed, bent at the waist in front of him. "Obi-Wan," he muttered. "Please don't bow." He took a step forward and gently taking Obi-Wan's shoulder raised the young boy back to his original height. "I should have realised something was wrong, I should have done more. I shouldn't even have let you leave by yourself. When I saw you and Master Jinn on the catwalk just lying there…I thought you were both dead…"
"I am very sorry," Obi-Wan said quietly. "But I am eternally grateful. My Master is alive because of you."
"From what I hear, it was you Obi-Wan that saved him. I only arrived in time to get you both help- you are the one who saved your Master," Tarin disagreed. Watching the healers try to revive an unconscious, no longer breathing young Padawan had shaken the Senator to his very core. Why only a few hours ago, Obi-Wan had been alive and well on his ship and now the boy was fighting for his life. "I now see you would do anything for your Master."
Obi-Wan nodded. "It is his safety that is most important. Not mine. I'm just a Padawan- he's a Jedi Master. He's much more valuable than I am. I am replaceable," the Padawan whispered at the end.
Tarin looked shocked. "Obi-Wan! Don't you dare say that!" he gasped in horror. "You have no idea how broken your Master would be if you had not survived! I saw the despair when he thought you would die on Sytenar after we were rescued from the jungle. I'm sure it was worse after Rhasta- the guilt your Master would have felt… If you had died then I'm sure Qui-Gon would have died of grief! He loves you Obi-Wan! You are like a son to that man! Everybody can see it, so why can't you?"
Obi-Wan could only gaze in complete astonishment, his heart pounding as Tarin finished his heated rant. He could not think of anything to say in return, the Senator's words had stunned him. Of course he knew that Qui-Gon cared for him, he sometimes spied it in his Master's eyes when the older Jedi was proud of him for something…but Qui-Gon die if he did? That was absurd. Qui-Gon was one of the best Masters in the Order (Obi-Wan was not biased) and he would survive.
"So…just think about that ok?" Tarin seemed to get himself under control, embarrassed that he had shouted in the meditation gardens. Luckily, no one else seemed to be around. "You mean so much to your Master. Don't throw your life away needlessly. You can't even begin to realise the repercussions it will have."
Obi-Wan nodded slowly. "Tarin….I don't know what to say. I will meditate on it, I promise."
Tarin drew himself together. "Well, I guess that means for a Jedi you'll think about it."
"I will," Obi-Wan replied.
"Good. Obi-Wan…I'm just glad you're better. Now, just… stay out of trouble, will you? And leave me out of your escapades next time- yes? I always seem to get dragged along into whatever adventure you plan on having!" Tarin smirked.
"It must be the will of the Force my friend," Obi-Wan grinned back. "But I will never purposefully endanger you. If you ever need anything, or my help- don't hesitated to ask. After all you have done for me Tarin."
"I will hold you to that Obi-Wan Kenobi. Who knows when it might be useful to have a Jedi alongside?" Tarin chuckled.
"Padawan?"
Both young men whipped around to see the tall figure of Master Qui-Gon Jinn emerge from the bushy foliage behind them, walking towards them. He did not seem surprised to see Tarin there and bowed his head respectfully to the Vendovian Senator. "Senator Tarin, it's nice to see you," the Master acknowledged.
"Likewise Master Jinn. I'm relieved to see you are looking much better than when I saw you last," Tarin bowed back politely.
"I did not thank you sufficiently the last time we met," Qui-Gon said, "I believe my Padawan and I owe you a great deal of gratitude."
Tarin shook his head quickly. "As I told Obi-Wan, Master Jinn, you owe me nothing. I was glad to help you and am relieved that my two friends are recovering well." He glanced between the two Jedi; he was not a fool. Some things clearly still needed to be sorted out between the two of them. "I must take my leave. I'm expected back at the Senate within the hour," he said, checking his chrono. "But I will hopefully speak to you soon. If you need anything, I'll only be too glad to help. As long as it's not one of your crazy adventures Obi-Wan," the young Senator warned.
"Of course Tarin," Obi-Wan gave a small smile. He was taken off guard when the Senator swooped forwards and pulled him into another friendly hug.
"Remember what I told you," Tarin whispered as they embraced. He pulled back, clapping Obi-Wan on the shoulder. "I am happy to see you recovered Obi-Wan. Master Jinn, a pleasure. Now where have my escorts gone? Your Temple is a maze to get out of…"
After the Senator disappeared, Obi-Wan looked down at the ground, where the bucket and scrubbing brush were set a little behind him. His Master had not yet moved. Biting his lip, Obi-Wan bent down to pick up the bucket. He still had quite a few rocks to finish scrubbing.
"Obi-Wan."
The Padawan froze, reaching for the bucket and brush. Slowly he straightened, careful not to make eye contact with his Master. He did not want to see the disappointment that he knew would lie in those blue depths.
"Look at me Padawan," his Master's voice was quiet.
With trepidation, Obi-Wan raised his eyes to look his Master in the eye. To his surprise, he did not see the disappointment he had expected. He could not quite label the one emotion in the older man's eyes, for there were many swirling around.
"Let's go and sit," Qui-Gon indicated to a small stone bench positioned beneath a small willow tree. He led his Padawan to the bench and they sat, for a while not speaking. Obi-Wan concentrated on the little brook that ran past the bench, water tumbling over the small waterfall, swirling in the pool and rippling over smooth stones. Where did he even begin to speak? At length, his Master stirred.
"There is much we need to talk about," Qui-Gon acknowledged at length. "I think now is the time."
Obi-Wan nodded mutely in agreement.
"Starting with an apology. I am sorry Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan's head shot up. "Master? What do you have to apologise for? You have done nothing wrong! It should be me apologising for all the things I have done wrong- I killed a man…" he stopped as Qui-Gon laid a hand on his arm, quietening him.
They had already discussed the death of Sony-Da a few days back, after Obi-Wan had awoken from a particularly viscous nightmare. To his Master's grief it seemed that even in death, Sony-Da still had a hold over his Padawan. Obi-Wan had awoken one night, hoarse cry waking Qui-Gon. It had taken much coaxing and soft words to calm the distraught apprentice but slowly, Obi-Wan was getting over the guilt that wracked him. With Qui-Gon's support and the healers' was beginning to see how he was not to blame for the fallen Jedi's death.
"Obi-Wan. I put you in danger because I did not share all my information with you. I knew that Sony-Da had escaped confinement a few weeks before my mission to Rhasta. If I had shared this information with you, we could have taken steps to prevent what occurred two weeks ago."
Obi-Wan looked shocked. "You knew?"
Qui-Gon nodded, resting his hands on his knees. "In my foolishness, I believed you would be safer not knowing. I believed the authorities would apprehend him before anything happened. And I thought you would be safe in the Temple even while I was gone."
Obi-Wan flushed, shame and remorse filling him. He had left the safety of the Temple, where there were plenty of Masters to look out for him. Sony-Da would not have dared risk entering the Temple. So he had drawn Obi-Wan out into the open, using his Master as bait. Obi-Wan had fallen spectacularly into his trap. "Master…I was the foolish one. Worse than foolish. I didn't even think- he told me you would die. I had to save you Master- it was my fault you were caught by…him."
"There were failings on both our sides," Qui-Gon said eventually. "But Obi-Wan…you must realise your actions have serious consequences. You left the Temple without telling anyone, worried Master Vena and the other Masters looking after you. I see that Tarin has forgiven you though. As grateful as I am to you for saving me, you should not have gone alone. If you had died…"
Obi-Wan hung his head.
"I would not have survived Obi-Wan, had I survived Rhasta and you had not," Qui-Gon said quietly but sincerely.
Obi-Wan's head shot up, shaking in protest. "No Master! You mustn't think that. You are a Jedi Master, I'm just a Padawan," he insisted.
Qui-Gon turned to face his Padawan, putting his hands firmly on the young boy's shoulders and looking him directly in the eye. "You are not just a Padawan Obi-Wan, you are my Padawan. And I don't want to see you waste your life by rushing into situations without thinking them through. You could have died Obi-Wan, on several occasions you nearly did. Without you, Padawan… I will cease to be the person I am."
Obi-Wan blinked back sudden tears. "Master…"
"It's true Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon looked uncharacteristically emotional for a moment, the despair at nearly losing his Padawan shining through his eyes in a brief flash. "You must not be so reckless."
"But Master I couldn't lose you," Obi-Wan whispered. "I saw it, over and over again in my nightmares. I'd seen it before Master…the warehouse. I had to save you, even if I risked my life."
"Obi-Wan…" Qui-Gon sighed, placing a hand on his apprentice's shoulder. "You know there is no death-"
"There is only the Force, yes Master. That doesn't make it any easier," Obi-Wan finished the age old mantra. It was true, that did not make the thought of losing his Master any easier.
"I know Padawan, I know. But if you do not start realising your worth and own importance to me- you shall be scrubbing rocks for the rest of your training. Believe me Padawan, you will be by my side for many years still," Qui-Gon warned lightly. "You are young, my Padawan and have much ahead of you."
"Yes Master," Obi-Wan agreed, managing to smile as he hastily blinked, determined not to shed any tears. Suddenly, he was pulled forwards to his surprise, towards the broad chest of his Master and wrapped in two strong arms, holding him close.
"Never doubt my love for you Obi-Wan," the Master said quietly, so only his Padawan could hear. What he had accidentally overheard between Tarin and his apprentice earlier had made Qui-Gon's heart ache. How, after all they had been through together, could Obi-Wan not realise the love Qui-Gon had for him? The Senator had been right- losing Obi-Wan would have destroyed him. He would have reverted back to the mere husk of a man he had been before Obi-Wan had brought light back into his life. He was not going to let go of Obi-Wan so easily.
Obi-Wan stiffened and could not keep the tears back at that statement and two trickled down his cheeks as he relaxed and hugged the older Jedi tightly. "I love you too Master. Thank you," he murmured back.
Gently, Qui-Gon extracted himself from the hug, surveying his Padawan. "I think it's time for dinner," he decided, noticing the time.
Obi-Wan glanced at the bucket by the rocks. "But Master what about-"
"I think the rocks can look after themselves for the moment," Qui-Gon smiled. "Right now, I want to have dinner with my Padawan. We have not spent any time out of training together for some time now."
Obi-Wan smiled. "Yes Master. As long as you don't cook," he added cheekily.
"Actually Padawan I think you missed some rocks over there."
"Master!"
"What was that insinuation about my cooking then?" Qui-Gon demanded, lightly poking the younger Jedi's side, producing a giggle from the ticklish Padawan.
"Nothing Master."
"Are you sure Padawan?" a sternly raised eyebrow.
"No Master," Obi-Wan grinned.
"I'm sure the other gardens need some cleaning as well, my eager Padawan. What say you now?"
"Whatever you want to cook is fine Master. Just warn Master Y'Chiryō that I may be visiting the healers wing tonight," Obi-Wan shrugged nonchalantly, delighted that their relationship was heading back to normal and they were back to teasing and playfully arguing.
"I never said that I was going to cook anything Obi-Wan. I just wanted you to take back what you said about my cooking skills," Qui-Gon leant back, a smile tugging at his lips as he folded his arms. Was it only a week and a half ago when his Padawan's life hung in the balance?
"Skills," Obi-Wan scoffed under his breath and then grinned cheekily at the mock- stern look on his Master's face. "I mean, whatever you say Master. Does that mean that I'm cooking then?"
"Why don't we head to the commissary?" Qui-Gon suggested, standing up and straightening his cloak. Best to find some neutral ground- the Master knew all too well that his cooking skills were lacking but did not want to concede that point with his apprentice. "And you may have desert."
"You're so generous Master," Obi-Wan replied, following his Master and rising.
"You'll do well to remember that Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon informed his Padawan as they left the gardens together. "And you can't complain about my cooking until you've tasted Master Yoda's. Count yourself lucky Padawan."
"I do Master."
"Sarcasm is not becoming of you Obi-Wan."
"Threatening is not becoming of you either Master,"
"Rocks Padawan," the Master reminded his young apprentice.
"Yes Master," a sigh of long suffering from the apprentice before a smile was shared between the pair. With that, the two Jedi entered the Temple hallways, joining the throngs of Jedi making their way to the commissary for their evening meal, blending in with the sea of brown and beige clothed coloured beings.
And there we have it, another Star Wars story has come to a close. It's had its ups and downs and I can't believe it's taken me over a year to finish. I hope you enjoyed Dark before the Dawn :D I had fun writing it (while my muse was around) and I'm so grateful for everyone's support. Just because you're all so lovely...a sneak peak at the story to come...I still need to think of a title. Promising more Obi-bashing, hurt/comfort and bonding between our two favourite Jedi!
It was meant to be a simple mission, negotiations between a village and a bigger city for rights to land wanted for by the city for mining. Seemingly a routine mission and the chance for some new Padawans to gain some off-world experience -according to the Jedi Council. Three Masters and three Padawans on a Republic planet but when the Padawans are split from their Masters- how are they meant to survive on their own against hostile forces? Will their Masters find them in time? Can Obi-Wan as the oldest Padawan keep the other two safe?
There we go. I hope that has wet your appetite for more! Expect the first chapter pretty soon- possibly by the end of the week, if not very early next week!
Thanks for all your support and please make my day and review :D Love to you all!
AldabaranFox