Chapter Title: Parallels

Series Title: Unlikely Brothers

POV: Dashen (for the present day portions of the story) and Master Ayden Yen (for past day portions of the story)

Ages in this chapter: Tanner (11) Dashen (17)

Chapter Summary: A flu similar to one he suffered as a Jedi apprentice, flashes Tanner back to that time.


Present day...

Patience was the one thing my brother had above all else. Maybe it was his nine years of Jedi training as a kid. Maybe it was just him. Either way, it constantly amazed me.

What also amazed me was his impossible impatience when he was sick. Tanner hated being sick. Being taken down by a virus that affected his weirdo need to study, learn and meditate, was the one thing in the galaxy that was beyond him. So, all the while I felt bad for him for being sick, I also had to laugh a bit.

He was something else.

"Tanner, you are a piece of work. You can stare blankly at walls for hours on end, but get a little flu and you become well... me!"

"I hate being sick, Dash. You know that."

"I know it well. Your patience goes right out the door when it happens too."

"It interferes with my life and I feel horrible. You're one to talk, you're impatient about everything."

Truth. No lie. I was. It's why I chided him now.

"The healers will get you better. Just a matter of time until they they can identify the virus and get you back on your feet. Quin will figure it out, that much I know."

Watching me with the most perplexed of stares from the couch, Tanner's head bobbed around before his mind went backwards. I could see it happening. He was remembering something from his past. That look, it was always the same on him. Even sickly, the look was thoughtful and what? Content maybe?

"What?" I asked him, if for no other reason than to stop him from staring at me.

"What you just said."

"That the healers will figure it out and get you better? I'm not lying about that. Well, I hope I'm not."

"No, I know. You don't lie to me."

"I don't." I didn't. Not ever. Not to this kid. He was too good a person to ever deserve any lie I could cook up. Plus, he was my brother. I didn't lie to family.

"Not that, what you said, it's familiar." His mind went backwards again. "It was... oh I know. I remember. Master Ayden said that to me when I was seven." The memory came as he struggled to keep his head upright. I sat down next to him to aid in the exhaustion.

"Yeah?" I always encouraged Tanner to speak of his past. There were so few people he could safely discuss it with - without fear of being shot in the head - so I made time for it. "You were sick at the time, I guess."

"I was. Had been for a month. Missed classes and training and felt really bad for a long time. Kind of like this, but longer. It just kept going and not getting better. Master Ayden told me that the healers would help. They would figure it out. He never lied to me either. And they did, figure it out. Like he said. I remember feeling so badly though, he sat with me. I was only seven at the time and that young, it's all confusing and all the training in the world couldn't help me feel better right then."

Figured that. Jedi or not, being sick was being sick. Tanner had told me in the past that as Jedi matured and learned, many times they were able to push viruses - and even some poisons - out of their system if they were strong enough at the time. It was quite the healing technique, but not perfect and not always effective. With his limited training to learn the more difficult aspects of their Force magic, Tanner hadn't ever learned that trick. Ben Kenobi told him that with age and continued practice, it might one day be a skill he could use periodically, but he also told Tanner not to count on it being there for him. He could calm himself - and others - with enough effort, but pushing a virus out of his bloodstream? That was a task he wasn't destined for. The kid was okay with that, except for the fact as I'd said, he hated being sick. But none of that was the point right now. My brain refocused back to my brother and his flashback.

"So Ayden sat with you. To make you feel better."

"Yeah. It worked, for a short time. I remember being hugged to him and buried in his arms. I was small then too."

I snorted at the comment. Tanner was small for his age. Always hovering a couple inches shorter than the average human boy his age. Not that it mattered. The kid had more strength of character than any group of kids combined and he actually fit his small stature. Tanner wouldn't be Tanner if he was tall and gangly like I was.

"I think you're always gonna be small, Tanner."

"Yeah, Master Ayden once told me that too. It's okay. I still feel horrible though. Like I did then. He sat with me. I know I cried for a while, it hurt so much and I was so frustrated with being so sick for so long. He hugged me tight and didn't let go for a long time. It's funny, as sick as I was, it's always been a good memory for me."

"You were sick and your family loved you to help make it better. How can that not be anything but good?"

On instinct, I set an arm around Tanner's shoulders and let him lean my way. His breath released and some of the tension escaped.

"Tell me the story, Mouse. About you and your Master Ayden when you were sick."

—-

Four and a half years prior...

"Good morning, young one. Feeling any better?"

"No, Master. My throat is still burning really bad and I'm hot and I hurt."

"You didn't sleep well again. I felt you restless over our bond."

"Master Auden, I'm tired of being sick."

"I know you are. I've spoken again with the healers, they still cannot identify the virus. They will though, I am confident."

My apprentice scuffed to our small couch and sat. Miserable. Our bond relayed his frustration, but mostly his sadness. He was young, so very young, and even as a Jedi, not quite sure what to do with difficult emotions, especially when he felt so sickly.

It had been a month now. Burning throat, body aches, stomach pains. Nothing seemed to help and there was no improvement. His sleep patterns were non existent; if he found two hours a night, that was the extent. Studies suffered as well, and for a boy who prided himself on loving class, learning and all things related, not being able to enjoy those things also affected his mood.

My heart ached for him, and as much as I had confidence in Jedi healers and told Tannerlin such, I felt helpless and frustrated that they were unable to find out what was wrong with my Padawan.

I sat next to him and he immediately curled toward me, burying himself against my side, seeking much needed comfort.

Tannerlin was an emotional child. To give a hug or be hugged, that was his essence. Was it unJedi like? I suppose it all depended on the Jedi. I was a firm believer that if your emotions were right and true and you acted on them appropriately, there was no wrong emotional response. My padawan never hid from his emotions, he felt them and embraced them. In the sometimes stuffy Jedi Temple, this boy was always a breath of fresh air. His future was incredibly bright.

For now though, his future was clinging to me in hopes that I could make him feel better. I couldn't make him not be ill, but I could be his comfort.

There came some sniffles and I felt tear tracks when I set a hand on his cheek. That hand moved to his forehead to feel the high fever had returned. Raised again. It was no wonder he needed me near.

"Master, do you think the healers will be able to help me soon?"

"I know they will, Padawan. I want you to get better as much as you want to get better."

"I don't think that's possible."

My arm tightened around him. "You don't think so?" I replied, keeping my voice gentle and light.

"No, I want it more than anything in the galaxy."

"I do too."

"Really, Master?"

"Really."

"You worry about me."

"I do."

"I worry about you too."

"I hope not often, young one."

"Only when you aren't happy. But you are happy a lot. I like that."

"I try to be. I'm not happy right now, I want you to feel better."

"You think the healers will figure it out then I know they will. You tell the truth, Master. Always, right?"

"I'm not perfect, Padawan, but I do try. They will help you get well, I just don't know how long that will take."

Not a lie, more of a stretch. A deep stretch. The Jedi had some of the best medical minds in the galaxy, if they couldn't figure out this virus, no one could. My heart sank at the thought of them not finding a cure or a medicine... or something.

Tannerlin tucked in closer to me. "Master, it's okay if you don't really know if the healers will be able to help me feel better. As long as you stay with me. I still love you."

And there he was. Pure of heart. Pure of character. Pure of emotion. That was Tannerlin Vai. That was my Padawan. So young, but wise beyond his seven years. Was it right for him - was it the Jedi way - to be so attached to me so quickly? At least two members of the Council had addressed their concerns with his emotional needs. I'd given it thought and I'd shot those thoughts point blank in the face. This boy was kind and genuine and honest and strong and all things that he needed to be in order to live his best life. Jedi Council be damned.

I hugged his small frame to me and held on tight.

The cure came a week later. The virus narrowed to one of three very rare flus. Unable to exactly pinpoint which of the set, they treated him for all three to be safe. A week to regain strength and my padawan was just about his old self as he came bounding out his bedroom that morning. That first morning when everything finally felt wonderful. Launching himself to me in his normal morning hug, I saw the bounce in his step and felt the bounce in his presence.

"Good morning, Master!"

"Good morning, young one. You are feeling well today, I see."

"I feel great! You said the healers would help me. They did. And you helped me too. You always help me."

"That's my job and responsibly, to help you. You're my apprentice. I would do anything for you."

I held his small form away, smiling at the joy in the pale brown eyes and ruffling his short padawan hair. Small, young, innocent was Tannerlin Vai. As much as he was those things, he was just as much intelligent, able and true. His future held so much. What that was, I couldn't be certain, but I hoped I was a part of it for a very long time.

"Class starts in ten minutes, Master. I can't be late. I've missed so much already."

"You won't be late and you'll catch up. I know you are always one of the quickest learners in class. I'll see you later this afternoon."

"You might be lonely without me around, you've been taking care of me for so long."

A sneaky smile spread across his face at the kidding. He joked, but he didn't at the same time.

My own smile, warm and welcoming, answered his. "Somehow I'll mange the day without you around. Not sure how, but I'll try my best."

"Masterrrr." A mock whine coming my way.

I laughed, ruffling his hair and sending him on his way.

"To class with you, Padawan. Learn well. I look forward to you telling me all about your day."

And I did. Some Master Jedi - I'd known a few of them - expressed no interested in the studies of their apprentice. The classes were set. Mandatory. Certain things expected. They learned and they moved on. Tannerlin lived to learn and to share that learning. He'd talk for hours about his day given the opportunity. We usually reserved our meal time in the evening for that. He'd talk. I'd listen. It had become our routine. Our comfort. I'd not have it any other way.

"Bye, Master! Have a good day."

"You as well, Tannerlin."

I watched him hurry off and couldn't help but smile once more at how fortunate I was to have such a soul as my apprentice. He was unique in this galaxy and I wished with all my heart for only good things for him.

—-

Present day...

"I really miss him sometimes, Dash. I mean, I do all the time, but certain days, certain moments, the memories just come out of nowhere. Like now."

"Preachin' to the choir, kid." He was. He and Ayden. Me and Kossi. Same pain, different circumstances.

"Yeah, I know. Just had to say it out loud, I guess." Tanner rested still against me. I could feel the fever rising again. A battle we'd been fighting for a couple weeks now. He was tired. Tired from being sick, tired from memories. It showed in his voice as it weakened with that exhaustion.

"He never complained, Dash. About me needing him when I was sick or scared or whatever. Just like you, he never complained. He was always there, no matter. Until he wasn't."

What the hell could I say to that? Not much, so I didn't. I did what I always did. What his Master Ayden would have done. What he needed. Because Tannerlin Vai was a good kid. As good as they came. And he felt like crap and he hated feeling like crap and he just needed someone to love him until the healers could help him feel better.

I tucked his small form to me and settled in for the long evening. Hoping that Quin would call to offer the fix to get him back on track, but prepared if she wasn't quite there yet.

"It's okay, Dash," Tanner said under the cover of a sleepy yawn. "If you don't know that the healers can help me. As long as you stay with me. I still love you."

There was familiarity in his words. Not for me, but for himself. Like he'd said them before. Similar in time and meaning. Damn this kid.

Words failed again. Tanner had that affect on people. I wondered if Ayden knew the power this kid had. Power that had nothing to do with Force magic or Jedi or any of that craziness.

No, with Tanner, it was much simpler. Goodness. Kindness. Genuineness. All wrapped up in a small, brown-eyed, brown-haired form.

That thought was foolish though, wasn't it? Of course Ayden knew. How could he not? He'd spent two years with the kid. It didn't take that long to see the person that Tanner was. And if it did, then you weren't worthy of his affection anyway.

I found myself fortunate to be worthy. To have such a soul as my little brother.

Two days later, Quin added her name to the worthy list by narrowing the virus and serving up a treatment that knocked the virus on it's butt. Tanner was back on his feet within a few days time. Life, as it was in our world, was normal again.

"Back to school today, Mouse?"

"I feel really good. Won't take me long to get caught up."

"Nah. You live for this learning crap."

"I do. I'm glad to feel better. You were right, the healers figured it out and fixed me up. You helped me too. You always help me."

There it was again. More words. More familiarity. I smiled.

"Yeah well, it's my job to help you. You're my little brother. I'd do anything for you, Mouse. You know that."

Tanner cocked his head to the left. Memory again? Probably. This kid was full of them. "I do know that."

Hug time coming. Yup, there it was. I won't lie, it always felt nice. I looked forward to it more than I didn't. But I had to get him moving or he'd be late and there was no way would Tanner ever be late for school. Just no. Not ever.

"You'd better move, Tanner."

"Yeah, can't be late. Not ever."

See? Told you so.

Data pad in hand, he hurried to the door, gave me a wave and a quick look. "Bye, Dash! Love you!"

"Back at ya, Mouse!"

And he was gone. Everything in typical Tanner style.

When he'd first come into my world, I had no idea what to think or do or what the hell had just happened to my life. Turned upside down before I'd ever been right side up after Kossi's death.

I was right side up now and damned lucky.

Ayden had felt the same way, I was sure. How could he not have?


END