000 Happy New Year everyone, I hope 2016 is good to you all.
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"Call for the medics!" Mon Mothma said quickly as she put her hand on his head.
"Lay still Ben, we'll get you to the healers."
The touch of her hand was soft and comforting; he focused on her touch instead of trying to struggle up against the burning pain in his stomach. Her voice calmed him and he relaxed, closing his eyes.
A multitude of voices rose to a crescendo as they filtered through his brain, but they overlapped each other and he had difficulty deciphering what they were saying.
Arms were lifting him, and a sensation of moving was the last conscious thought he had.
000
Mon Mothma could see the closed doors of the operating theatre at the end of the hall. Her eyes never left the gurney he was being carried on, until it disappeared through those doors.
Grasping her hands together, she willed the surgeon to save Ben. Soon the sound of her son's voice pulled her concentration toward him.
"Mother! What happened to Ben? Where is he, what's going on?" Lance said rushing over to her.
She hugged him. "Ben was shot rescuing us from intruders. He's in surgery right now."
"Will he be alright?"
"Oh, I hope so Lance, it wouldn't be fair, if he died after he saved us. He just has to be alright." she said sitting down on the bench to wait.
000
The doors open and Lance turned hoping it would be the healer, but it was Captain Panaka, Padmè and the two Jedi.
"What's happening?" Padmè asked Mon Mothma.
Mon Mothma knew who Padmè was and she'd already revealed herself as Queen to the Jedi and although she'd wanted to be here for Ben; her first duty was to Naboo.
"A nurse came out about fifteen minutes ago and said they are still operating. It's been such a long time."
Padmè nodded. "I have confidence in our surgeons, he'll pull through and I think he's too stubborn to die."
Mon Mothma smiled. "What happened with the Neimoidian's and their droids?"
"Captain Panaka and the Jedi have locked them up and our defence forces have destroyed all the droids that were on the planet. They fired on the two ships they found in the forest and destroyed them." Padmè explained.
"Has Chancellor Valorum been notified?" She asked.
"Yes, he couldn't believe the Neimoidian's would be so stupid."
"Let's hope we can punish them to the full extent of the law. The Neimoidian's made a grave error in judgement taking so many senators as hostage."
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000
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Qui-Gon moved away from the conversation and gazed out the window.
A multitude of thoughts buzzed through in his mind.
Whoever Ben was pretending to be, the truth was clear. He was Force sensitive, and was trained in the Jedi arts.
He'd known the young man was hiding something and he'd sensed the resentment toward him earlier. He felt certain now that they had crossed paths sometime in the past.
Qui-Gon turned when Mace excused himself from the Queen and Mon Mothma and walked over to where he was standing.
"Mace I can't believe they took us by surprise, and yet Ben seemed to know what was going on."
"That boy has quite a head on his shoulders Qui-Gon."
"Mace, he saved my life. When he undid my cuffs and that droid fired he pushed me out of the way. I felt the Force surge in him, and before I could react the shot hit him."
"He was very agile, and handled himself capably, for one so young. You are right Qui-Gon he has the Force within him."
"I knew it, and I'm certain he has been trained by a Jedi."
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Qui-Gon wanted to say more but the doctor came in at that moment.
Lance and Mon Mothma rose from their chairs as the doctor spoke to Padmè.
"It was touch and go for a while, your highness, but he is a strong lad. We have repaired the damage to his mid section, and he will recover. He's stable now and is being placed in the bacta tank."
"Can we see him?" Lance asked.
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"When he's settled in the bacta, I will come and get you." the Doctor said putting a container down on the bench.
"I brought out his clothes and personal effects." He said.
Lance ran his hands over Ben's boots, and lifted them out of the box to see what was underneath. A plastic sealed bag with his blood stained tunic coat and trousers was taken by Panaka and Lance gazed into the box.
A fine leather belt lay coiled around with several holsters attached.
Lance remembered seeing Ben polish this belt every chance he got, lathering it with oils; to keep the belt and holsters soft and flexible.
The holsters that carried his dagger and blaster were empty and out of curiosity he lifted the belt expecting to see the dagger and blaster lying in the bottom of the box.
They weren't there, but a strange looking holster lay on the bottom.
He'd never seen it before and yet it looked as well polished as the other. Only this wasn't empty. Lance couldn't see the whole weapon, but the part showing was highly polished and glistened.
"What is this?" Lance asked.
All eyes gazed at the weapon as he held it up, and then compared it with the weapons dangling from the Jedi's belts.
Qui-Gon and Mace glanced at each other, recognising it immediately, and Qui-Gon stepped over to Lance and asked if he could examine it.
Lance held it out for Qui-Gon to take.
It had Ben's aura all over it and he took it out of the holster. The handle was smooth from countless hours of use and appeared to be very old.
Padmè and Mon Mothma had recognised the object as a light sabre and were surprised that Ben had one.
For a few moments Qui-Gon couldn't take his eyes off it, and rolled it around in his hand.
A sense of rightness filled him and it prompted him to know more about Ben.
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"Senator Mothma, what is Ben's last name?" Qui-Gon inquired, hoping it would give him a clue to Ben's real identity.
"Ben?'… Why, it's Kenobi." she answered looking at him questioningly. "His name is Ben Kenobi."
"Kenobi!" he said slowly.
"Yes, do you know him?"
"I knew a young Jedi initiate called Kenobi a long time ago." Qui-Gon answered turning to Mace.
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"Mace, could it be him! Ben is the same age as Obi-Wan would be?"
"Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan died on Thyferra."
"Did he Mace? We never found his body!"
Qui-Gon gripped the sabre tighter and whispered. "Now I have a name to go with the face. It is him Mace. I don't know how or what happened to him on Thyferra, but I'm certain it is him."
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000
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Questions were on the tip of everyone's tongue, but any discussion was interrupted by a nurse.
"You may come in now, he will be in bacta for several days, but you can come and see him for a few minutes."
Every one except the Jedi went in, and once they were alone Mace asked the burning question.
"How can you be sure it's Obi-Wan? I know the name Kenobi is not that common, but how can you be certain Qui-Gon?"
"Same colour hair, those pale blue eyes, and his age. I see the resemblance now Mace, yes I am sure." he confirmed.
"Well, it would explain his force abilities in the conference room and the fact he has a sabre. What I don't understand is why he kept his sensitivity a secret if he is a Jedi?" Mace asked.
Qui-Gon didn't have an answer.
"And what happened to him on Thyferra; when did he leave and who trained him?" Mace had all the questions, but right now there were no answers.
"I intend to find out Mace! He was able to hide his presence in the force from us. He is gifted and has an incredible alliance with the force. I don't recall him being that connected to it, when he was vying to be my apprentice all those years ago."
"Qui-Gon you don't recall because you would never open up and see what was right in front of you! Yoda told me that Obi-Wan was meant to be your apprentice and would bring out the best in you. I sensed his desperation for you to see him for the Jedi he could have been, but you were pig headed and defiant."
"Yoda was right, I was stubborn; I made a terrible decision and sent the wrong boy away."
Qui-Gon stared into Mace's eyes and saw the look of sorrow in those brown depths.
"You tried to tell me that he was the victim of Bruck's devious plans, and I didn't listen. You thought I was an arrogant, foolish idiot, didn't you." He got no answer from Mace.
"Why didn't you keep Obi-Wan at the Temple until another Master could be found?" he asked.
"You know the rules; we haven't the facilities to keep un-chosen initiates. Yoda was so confident that you would come to your senses. I could not convince the council or the senate that he should stay. It was difficult with Yoda away on his sabbatical."
Mace glanced at the sabre, which was highly polished.
"Yoda and I were prepared to relinquish our seats on the Council to train him. Except the other members disagreed and so did the Senate; they did not want to loose either one of us from the Council. So he was sent to the Agri-Corps until we could find a Master for him. However, as you know, the Volcano erupted, and we presumed he died."
Qui-Gon could say nothing more to defend himself; he had chosen unwisely, he had known that, almost as soon as he had made the decision.
"Do you think the force is giving me a chance for redemption?" Qui-Gon said clutching Obi-Wan's sabre.
"To be honest Qui-Gon, I don't see how. If you are thinking of making him your apprentice, you have two problems. The first is that he's nineteen and set in his ways, and the second in case you haven't noticed he doesn't particularly like you very much."
Qui-Gon glared at Mace and began to walk into the bacta ward, he wanted to see Obi-Wan, but Mace grabbed his arm.
"Qui-Gon wait a minute, he is settled in a new life now, and he has deliberately avoided us from the moment we arrived on Naboo. He has a good job and seems happy in his new life, - lets leave him be."
Qui-Gon wrapped his hand around the sabre. "Then why does he have a light sabre?"
Mace shrugged, he couldn't explain that either.
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Qui-Gon entered the room as silence reigned; all eyes were on the young man floating in Bacta. Tubes were attached to various parts of his body, monitoring life signs, breathing, and nutrient.
After a few minutes of listening to the droning sounds of equipment pulsing; the Doctor came in and advised them all to go home. One by one they gradually left, until Qui-Gon and Mace were the only two left.
"Qui-Gon…. our ship to Coruscant is leaving in two hours, we have to give our report to the senate and the council. They will need our evidence so they can proceed with charges against the Neimoidian's. They will want to begin an investigation to this threat to the republic, and investigate the confederacy of planets."
"I'm not going back Mace…. I'm not leaving here until I have spoken to him…. and maybe I won't leave then." Qui-Gon stated.
Mace knew that look; it was one of determination and a -'don't mess with me'- look.
"Very well, I will contact the Temple and let Master Yoda know we have possibly found Obi-Wan and of your decision to stay….. It wouldn't surprise me if he comes here to see for him self as well."
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000
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The day wore on and then the next, Qui-Gon was pleased when Mon Mothma and Lance came in the evening to sit for awhile he hoped to hear more about Ben.
She was happy to talk about Ben and Qui-Gon hoped to find out more about the boy who should have been his apprentice.
"Lance liked Ben from the beginning and they became great friends. My son didn't have many friends due to my position. I saw the change in him almost immediately. Ben was like his big brother and I never had to worry about him when he was with Ben."
"Did he ever speak about his past?"
"No not really, he did say he had a mentor on the ship he was on, but he died of old age a few days before it reached Chandrila. The ship was going to be refitted and would be out of action for a year. We met him at the space port and he was looking for work on Chandrila."
Qui-Gon listened intently wanting to know everything he could.
"Tell me Master Jinn, you said Ben was a Jedi initiate named Obi-Wan. Would you tell me what happened?"
"He was meant to be my apprentice, but I ignored the will of the Force and ignored the words of others. I didn't listen to them when they said he would be a great Jedi."
She gazed at him with a perceptive look.
"I'm sure senator, you have often thought of me as an inflexible man, and I seem to have a reputation for being a bit of a maverick."
"A bit! Would be an understatement Master Jinn. However, I will say that I do value your negotiation skills and commitment to the republic."
"Well I won't bore you with details, but my past prevented me from focusing on Obi-Wan's intrinsic goodness. I only saw what I wanted to see. So out of spite I suppose you could call it; I chose another. I knew I'd made a colossal error in judgement, but it was too late to fix it."
"So even the great Qui-Gon Jinn has flaws, but spite Master Jinn, I thought it wasn't a trait that Jedi condoned."
"I am ashamed that I didn't listen to my peers and I blamed Obi-Wan for breaking something that in fact the boy I chose caused."
"You chose the deceitful boy, over Ben! Where is the logic in that Master Jinn?"
"I let my past rule me for a long time and blocked all logic." He admitted.
She was surprised by his openness. "Where is your apprentice now?"
"Eventually, his deceit took him to his own death."
"And what happened to Ben?"
"He was sent to Thyferra to the agri-corps. I have never felt so guilty in all my life, knowing what I did to that boy. When the volcano erupted, Master Yoda went there to bring him back but he disappeared. There was no trace of him and we presumed he died."
"Well I'm very grateful that he didn't, and pleased that he chose Chandrila to make it his home."
"He didn't deserve how I treated him, and I am thankful that he has found happiness in his life."
"I think he is happy Master Jinn, but it took him awhile. I remember when he moved into his apartment. He asked me if he could remove the fancy and ornate furniture, and replace it with furniture of his choice. I was surprised by the plain furnishings he chose; just the necessities adorn his rooms."
Qui-Gon sensed admiration and loyalty for Obi-Wan radiate from her. She was very fond of him and she spoke of him with high regard.
"Everything in his apartment is so… basic and in varying shades of brown and beige. There seemed to be an absence of colour in Ben's life, except for one item."
Qui-Gon gazed at her as she smiled and shook her head.
"He has a weird lamp that sits on the table next to the couch; it is the only colourful piece of furniture he owns. It's called a Setla lamp and the colour changes from blue to green; lighting the room a marble effect."
Qui-Gon was taken aback. Obi-Wan had a Setla lamp. Memories flooded back to Qui-Gon of that day when Bruck said Obi-Wan broke the parcel because he was running in the hall.
"Obi-Wan has a setla lamp?"
Mon Mothma noticed the fleeting melancholy etched on Qui-Gon's face. "Yes, they are quite rare. I remember the day he went to the antique shop. It wasn't long after he came to Chandrila. I took Lance and Ben to the city for the day, and when he saw the lamp, he just stared at it. After a few minutes he purchased it. I thought he would be happy, but later I found him staring at it… He was crying. I asked him why, and he said …
("I broke a lamp like this once, and all my dreams for the future broke as well; I used to dream about this lamp and I thought If I could replace it, I might be able to restore my dreams and follow the path I always imagined I would follow. I know now that I can no longer follow that path.")
"He was sad and then he smiled and said. 'It's an ugly lamp isn't it?"
She smiled at Qui-Gon. "He was so serious one minute, and then he would have you in stitches laughing the next."
She wiped her eyes. "I pray that he'll be alright. I have grown quite fond of Ben, and I love him as a son." Senator Mothma confirmed.
Qui-Gon listened to her, and was deeply moved when she spoke of him like he was her son.
When she left the room; Qui-Gon touched the glass and studied the young man floating in front of him.
(All these years you worried about that broken lamp. You brought a replacement trying to make amends. -Oh Obi-Wan I am so sorry-)
The next visitor was Padmè; she was still dressed in hand maiden garb, Qui-Gon rose and bowed to her.
"Your highness."
"Master Jinn, how is Ben?"
"His vitals are regular and he's healing."
"That is wonderful, I- we are indebted to him."
"You like him a lot don't you?" He asked.
"Yes I do, I only met him at the dance the other night, but I felt so comfortable around him. He has such beautiful honest eyes and I liked him right away."
"He is lucky young man to have you as his friend, your highness."
"Do you know Master Jinn that he recognised me even in my disguise?"
"Obi-Wan, is very gifted with the force, your highness."
"Apparently so, but he uses it differently than most Jedi do. He doesn't hold his emotions behind a steel wall. He shows his concern, but doesn't let it rule him. He is open and charming!" She said and then blushed realising what she'd said.
Qui-Gon sensed her slight embarrassment, but he had to agree with her. The Jedi did keep their emotions bottled up and gave the appearance of aloof and conceited beings.
"He has grown into a fine young man, and he is fortunate to have such good friends." He said as they settled into quiet reflection gazing at the patient.
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000
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The hour came when he was removed from the tank and before any visitors were allowed. The sticky liquid was washed from his hair and body. By the time visitors were allowed in his hair was dry and he was dressed in white hospital tunic and pants.
He looked the picture of serenity; his hair was combed out and the golden highlights shone in the afternoon sun filtering in through the window.
Qui-Gon silently slipped in and sat in the back corner, out of Obi-Wan's line of sight.
Padmè held his hand and Mon Mothma stood on the other side and held his other. Lance rested his hand on Ben's shoulder. Ben blinked rapidly to focus on his visitors and smiled brilliantly when he recognised them.
"Hello there." He said softly.
"How do you feel?" Lance asked
"I'm tired, but I feel better than I did before."
000
Qui-Gon sat quietly at the back of the room, shielding his presence, while they fussed over him. Padmè kissed his forehead as she told him about their victory over Nute Gunray and thanked him for saving them.
Senator Mothma and Lance told him that they had to return to Chandrila that evening and they would be expecting him to return home just as soon as he was allowed to travel. They got up and said their goodbyes.
Padmè watched them leave and guessed that Master Jinn wanted to speak to Ben. She had no idea that they weren't friends and she kissed Ben rising to her feet.
"I will see you tomorrow Ben… but for now I will leave you in the capable hands of Master Jinn." she said and nodded at the Master as she walked out the door.
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000
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Qui-Gon felt the disruption rise in the Force bending and warping through Obi-Wan's aura. A multitude of emotions rippled in and around him when Jinn's name was mentioned.
Qui-Gon felt sorry for the young man who was desperately trying to raise broken shields.
He couldn't keep his thoughts from leaking through. He was still weak from his injuries and couldn't sustain any formation of privacy shields.
Qui-Gon rose quickly from the chair smiling as he moved closer. "Please don't exert your self, you're still weak, and trying to force your shields up will only make you ill. There is no need for concealment; I know who you are." he said kindly.
Ben glared at him, taking in several deep shaky breaths. "Why are you here?"
"I wanted to thank you."
"What for?"
"You did save my life in that room you know." Qui-Gon said gently.
"Humph… I doubt that!" Ben answered.
"Why do you doubt what you know to be true?" Qui-Gon inquired.
Ben didn't answer him immediately; his memory, still trying to catch up. His eyes moved fitfully trying to remember… "Well if I did save you I must have been foolish then, as you said!"
"I didn't say you were foolish?" Qui-Gon answered, uncertainty making wrinkles appear on his forehead.
"No!' Well I remember when I came in. I was pushed into you, and I said I was trying to help; your words to me were, "You foolish boy, you should have gone for help!-"
Qui-Gon's memory was suddenly flooded with those exact words; he –had- said that in the heat of the moment.
Qui-Gon began to apologise. "I am sorry, I didn't mean it, I just thought-"
"That I wasn't worthy!" Ben's weak voice interrupted Qui-Gon's apology.
Qui-Gon sensed Obi-Wan's humiliation and shame filtering out.
(That I wasn't worthy!) Those four words hit Qui-Gon like a herd of Bantha's.
The past reared its ugly head, and hit him square in the chest.
Was Obi-Wan talking about what was said in the conference room, or was he talking about being rejected by Qui-Gon as a padawan; or perhaps both.
All Qui-Gon could utter was. "I'm sorry."
He could feel it all, the outpouring of pain and hurt. Long bottled up shame flowing from Obi-Wan's broken shields, leaking out for all attuned to the force to feel. It overwhelmed him.
He couldn't stay and see the devastation and damage he'd caused this innocent young man.
"I'm so sorry," he said as he fled the room.
He bumped into a nurse as she was coming down the hall. "Please check on Ben… he's upset, I upset him." he said as he continued down the hall.
Qui-Gon didn't stop until he reached the bench where he'd first watched Ben. He sat down heavily and put his face in his hands. (What a fool I am, a stubborn, selfish and arrogant fool. How could I have been so obstinate in believing I was doing the right thing in taking Bruck over Obi-Wan?)
Tbc…