Title: Decisions
Author: Tenel'Ka
Feed back: PLEASE! This is my first attempt at a fan fic. And I need some motivation to write part 6 so take 30 seconds, and E-mail me at: jedi-apprentice@mailcity.com
Summary: Jallist and Obi-Wan spend the day talking and Qui-Gon finds a bomb. Master Belac returns and it's decided that Obi-Wan needs to go undercover.
Rating: G
Warning: If you don't like Star Wars, DON'T read this story!!!
Disclaimer: All these characters are owned and licensed by George Lucas. I am making no money for this.
Bear with one another charitably, in complete selflessness, gentleness and patience. Do all you can to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together.
Ephesians 4, 3-4
Qui-Gon called Jallist on the comm. system. "Jallist, I know it's late but..."
"Don't worry, I'm coming." She interrupted, and ended the communication.
"Can you take me to this place first?" Qui-Gon asked showing her the co-ordinates.
"Sure, follow me." She instructed. She led him to a large storage room inside the palace. There were five security guards in the room who appeared to be searching for something.
"I'll see you later, take your time." Jallist said, then left.
"Ah, Master Jinn, let me fill you in on the situation. A person was seen running from the palace just after the alarm went off, and we found a broken window. So we suspect a bomb was planted, and we are currently searching for it." The chief explained.
"May I take a look around?" Qui-Gon asked
"Yes, of course. Feel free to go anywhere you need to." The chief offered.
Qui-Gon thanked the chief, then thought, /Now where should I start? Let's see I will start with checking the window for evidence. /
Back at the Jedi's quarters, Jallist entered quietly, so she wouldn't bother Obi-Wan who was sleeping. She went to the couch and sat down. /What should I do now? /she thought, then spotted the two cups sitting on the side table. /Perfect, I can wash those, then I'll make something warm for Master Jinn to drink for when he gets back. / Picking up the cups, she headed for the kitchenette.
After they were washed, dried and put away, she realised /Master Jinn could take quite awhile if they are searching for a bomb, he won't be back until it is found, so there is no point in making something warm for him to drink because it might be cold by the time he gets back. I think I will make something for myself though to keep me awake. / So she made some of the famous Noga coffee, and sat on the couch contented as she drank.
Meanwhile, Qui-Gon had found some dried mud from a boot by the window. So he looked all around for more that might have fallen off. After some time of searching the floor, he spotted part of a foot print by some storage containers in one corner of the room.
"Chief Mettar." Qui-Gon called.
"Did you find something?" the chief asked.
"By the window, I had found some dirt from a boot earlier, and now I found a matching print by these containers. I think we should open these containers up and check inside." Qui-Gon suggested.
"I agree." The chief then motioned for some of his team to come over. "Get these containers open right away. We think the bomb might be in one."
After several of the containers had been searched, they were beginning to have doubts when one of the men said, "We found it!"
"Good, get it disabled. How much time is left on the counter?" the chief asked.
"Two minutes and forty two seconds, sir." The security officer reported.
"Just in time, thanks to you Master Jinn." The chief said patting Qui-Gon's back.
"Exactly how long have we been searching for the bomb?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Over three hours." The chief told him, then turned to his men whom had just disabled the bomb, "We all better get some rest now. But first someone seal up that window."
"If you will excuse me, I will retire for the night." Qui-Gon said.
"Yes, goodnight to you." The chief called out as Qui-Gon left. "And thanks again!"
Qui-Gon hurried back to his quarters, feeling guilty at how long Jallist had been there. When he entered, he found the girl curled on one of the couches sleeping. He was going to wake her, but decided against it. Instead he found an extra blanket, and laid it over her. Then he switched off the lights and went into his room to retire for the remainder of the night.
Jallist was surprised when she woke up, and realised it was morning. /Master Jinn must be back. / She thought, seeing his cloak on a chair. /That was kind of him to let me sleep. I'll return the favour, and let him sleep in; after all he wasn't back two and a half-hours after he had left. I think I fell asleep sometime around then. I guess they found the bomb, because I haven't heard an explosion. / She thought, then got up, and started breakfast. Qui-Gon had told her about the call he had received, as she took the Jedi Master to the storage room.
Jallist was setting the table when Obi-Wan came out of his room. "What are you doing here?" the sleepy looking apprentice asked, looking slightly confused.
"You're not supposed to walk around unassisted, remember?" Jallist scolded, then hurried over and helped him to a table chair.
Once he was sitting, and Jallist had retrieved his meal for him, she explained. "Last night Master Jinn called me and asked me to come over, so I did, and he asked me to show him to this one room, so I did. But he didn't want you to be alone because if you woke up and needed something, no one would be here, so I came over and waited for him to return. I fell asleep though, and when I woke up, it was morning. But he is back, because his robe is on the chair over there." She said pointing, "and someone covered me with a blanket."
"Oh. Well, thank you for coming. Please eat some of this though." He offered, motioning to the food. "There is more than enough for the both of us."
"Thank you, I will. I don't think Master Jinn will be up to eat it anytime soon anyway." Jallist replied, and dished up a bowl for herself, then sat down to eat.
"By the way, I almost forgot, we were supposed to meet another Jedi Master here at the palace weren't we?" Obi-Wan asked.
"I can't believe I forgot to inform you." Jallist said, mentally kicking herself. "Master Belac went in search of the 'Kriffs' hideout. She is thinking of going undercover to find out more about them, and why they hate the royal family so much. So she needs to know where their hideout is first. She promised to come back and meet with you and Master Jinn before she attempts to get into the 'Kriffs' though, that is, if she can find their hideout" Jallist explained.
"At least some work is being done by us Jedi, and we're not ALL sitting around on our butts doing nothing." Obi-Wan replied with a grin.
"Let's just pray that her plan works." Said Jallist.
"It will be a rather dangerous job, especially if they find out who she really is. I sure am glad I'm not in her boots." Obi-Wan declared. They returned to eating, and once they were done, Jallist cleared off the table, then helped Obi-Wan to a couch.
"So Jallist, how long have you been working at the palace?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Well, when I was eight, my mom worked here, so I lived here with her, I used to help her do some easy chores, but when I was eleven, she was killed in an explosion. It was a bomb, and she had been too close to where it went off, so she was killed. I have been working here ever since though. I like to meet all the important people who come here, but there aren't very many that take the risk of being caught by the Kriffs." Jallist explained as she cleaned the dishes.
"I'm sorry about your mother." Obi-Wan said quietly.
"Ah, that's all right. I'm kind of used to being here by myself." Jallist told him then changed the subject. "What about you? What has your life been like?"
"Well, I trained at the Jedi temple on Coruscant until I was nearly thirteen, then some pretty crazy things happened and Master Qui-Gon asked me to be his apprentice. I've been his apprentice ever since... no, not quite. I did leave the Jedi order for awhile, but I don't want to go into THAT." Obi-Wan said, shaking his head as if to get rid of the memory.
"Have you travelled to many places?" Jallist asked, knowing better then to prod the subject.
"I can't even name all the places I have been to." Obi-Wan replied with a grin.
"I've never left Noga. I haven't even been a quarter of the way across the planet." Jallist told him sounding exasperated. "Tell me about some of them that you've been to."
So that's what they talked about, causing them to forget about the midday meal.
Qui-Gon emerged from his room and found his apprentice telling Jallist about some of the missions they had been on.
Obi-Wan looked over and saw his Master standing just outside of his door. "Good morning Master." He said.
"Don't you mean afternoon?" Qui-Gon asked glancing at the chrono on the wall.
"It's that late?" Obi-Wan asked nobody in particular, with surprise.
"Don't tell me you, of all people missed a meal?" Qui-Gon said mockingly.
"I lost track of the time." Obi-Wan explained.
"It's my fault Master Jinn. I should have been watching the time so I could make him something to eat. But if you wish to sit down, I will make you something to eat before I leave." Jallist offered. She ended up making smilter meat sandwiches.
"If you are hungry, you may join us if you wish." Qui-Gon said, gesturing towards the extra sandwich.
"Thank you, but I had better get my duties for today started. I already missed the whole morning." Jallist explained. "I had a good time though." She added, grinning at Obi-Wan.
"Thanks for keeping me company." Obi-Wan said.
"I sure am glad I can finally get out of here, and give my poor ears a rest." She joked.
"Yes, well he had better give his mouth a rest before he losses his voice." Qui-Gon responded with a fairly straight face.
Obi-Wan put on his best 'hurt' expression, but it only lasted a few seconds before he started laughing. Jallist did the same, and Qui-Gon chuckled.
Most of the day Obi-Wan knelt in a classic Jedi stance on the floor meditating. He centred himself on healing, and welcomed the light of the Force in. He felt it wrap around him like a blanket. It was very comforting. He blocked out all the possible distractions around him.
With Obi-Wan keeping busy, Qui-Gon was left trying to see if there was a pattern to where the bombs had gone off in the palace. He had a map of the palace, and marked off all the bomb locations, and what order they had gone off in. So far he had no luck in finding any pattern. He was thankful for the distraction late in the afternoon when the door chimed.
Jallist stood there. "Master Jinn, I knew that you would want to be informed that Master Belac has made it safely back to the palace. She was shot in her leg though just as she reached the palace. Someone had seen where she was heading. She is at the medical infirmary right now, it appears that the blast has shattered part of a bone."
"I am sorry to hear that. Do you know when she should be well enough to see?" Qui-Gon asked.
"She has been with the healers for some time now, but I had just heard of her arrival, but apparently she wants to speak with you if you can spare a few moments." Jallist explained.
"Yes, alright. I'll go right now." He then grabbed his cloak and put it on.
"I'll stay here." She offered, knowing the answer without asking.
Qui-Gon thanked her, then left.
Jallist entered the quarter and found Obi-Wan kneeling on the floor. She wasn't sure what he was doing, but if Qui-Gon didn't worry about it, she wouldn't either. So she walked in and made some hot slano milk.
Obi-Wan came out of his meditation. "Where is my Master?" he asked seeing Jallist there instead of Qui-Gon.
"He went to see Master Belac, she has returned, but is injured."
"Oh, well it looks like we are stuck together again." Obi-Wan said, grinning.
"It looks that way. Would you like some slano milk?" she offered.
"Do I trust you?" He asked referring to her making the drink.
"Would I do anything to you?" Jallist asked innocently, handing him a mug.
"Probably." He joked as he sipped the warm milk.
Jallist laughed. "Just don't get on my bad side."
"I wouldn't want to do that." He replied with a grin.
Jallist got up and started the evening meal. "So Obi-Wan, how are you feeling?" she asked genuinely interested.
"I still get pains in my collar bone, and my head, but I feel much better."
"That's good. We should take you to the healer, just to see how things are progressing. I mean if Master Jinn and yourself agree." She suggested.
"I'm sure Master Qui-Gon would agree, and frankly I would LOVE to be able to walk around on my own again." Obi-Wan said, then his face lit up and he added, "Why don't we go now? Master Qui-Gon doesn't like going to the healers anyway. Would you mind taking me?"
"Not at all, if you wish to go now, then let's go. I'll leave a note for Master Jinn incase he gets back and we don't see him on our way back." Jallist offered, as she typed a message into a data pad, and left it on the bare table. Then she helped Obi-Wan change out of his sleep shirt and into a tunic. Jallist could tell he was a little embarrassed, but it never bothered her. He had luckily changed out of his sleep pants before entering the main room that morning. They put his cloak on him, Jallist took a hold of his arm, and they headed for the medical infirmary.
Qui-Gon left from his visit with Master Belac but never headed straight back to his quarters. Instead he took the long way, so he could think about something he had to ask Obi-Wan.
Jallist helped Obi-Wan to the main desk in the infirmary. "May I help you?" the man asked.
"Actually, my friend here would like a check-up." Jallist told him, not noticing that Obi-Wan grinned when she called him her friend.
"Alright, go to room three, and a healer will be with you shortly." The man instructed. They thanked him, and then headed for the room he had indicated. Once they found it, they entered, and Jallist helped Obi-Wan onto the medical bed.
"I'll wait in the waiting room if you want." Jallist offered.
"That's all right, you can stay here. I don't think it should take that long." Obi-Wan said.
Just then a healer came in. "Oh, hello Manue. How are you doing?" Jallist asked the healer as he came in.
"Hello Jallist, I am doing well thank you, and what brings you here?" Manue asked in a friendly tone.
"I brought Obi-Wan here to get a check-up. He had a concussion, and would desperately like to be able to walk around on his own again." She explained, as she sat in a chair.
"I see. Well Obi-Wan, have you felt dizzy, light-headed or had any pains in your head recently?" Manue asked as he walked over to the padawan.
"Not for at least a day." Obi-Wan answered.
"Good, well let's see how your eyes look." He said, grabbing a glowstick from the counter. He held Obi-Wan's eyes open one at a time, and shined the light in them.
"Well, everything seems to be alright, the healing has come along nicely. I believe you will be alright to walk around unassisted now." The healer told him.
"Great! Now if only my collarbone was healed, then I'd be perfect." Obi-Wan told them with a grin.
"I don't think you could ever be 'perfect', but you would be alright anyway." Jallist teased. Obi-Wan fought the urge to stick his tongue out at her. "Talk to you later Manue." She said to the healer as they left.
"Don't tease Obi-Wan 'too' much Jallist." The healer said laughing.
Obi-Wan and Jallist walked side by side towards the Jedi's quarters. "I'd better finish making your evening meal right away." Jallist commented.
"By the way, why do you make our meals if there is a cook in the kitchen?" Obi-Wan asked recalling the first time Jallist had brought the Jedi their meal.
"Actually, we have a cook for the palace workers, and another one for the princess, and I am the guests cook." She explained.
"But you said you would give my comments to the cook." Obi-Wan said, now confused.
"I know, but actually I am the cook." Jallist reddened slightly as she added, "I just had thought you were some Jedi who thinks they are better than others. So I said that to get out of talking to you. We don't have very many guests here anymore, because the Kriffs scare them off, so I was designated the guest's cook when you Jedi came."
"Oh. Well, what do you think of me now?" Obi-Wan asked mischievously.
"Now, I 'know' you are a self-centred Jedi brat." Jallist said with a completely straight face.
"Hey, I'm glad we got my personality cleared up." He joked. They both laughed.
When they reached the Jedi's quarters, they found Qui-Gon sitting in a chair deep in thought. "Master?" Obi-Wan asked, wondering what his Master was thinking about.
"Good, you're back. I take it the healer said you are alright." Qui-Gon commented, seeing that Obi-Wan had walked in without help.
"Yes Master. How did your meeting go with Master Belac?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Well, she has a shattered bone in her leg, due to the blaster shot. So it looks like we are going to have to do this mission alone padawan." Qui-Gon informed him.
"Will we be able to Master?" Obi-Wan asked?
"We don't have a choice. But Master Belac did manage to find the Kriffs hideout. Now all we need is someone to go undercover and find out more about them..." Qui-Gon explained, looking at Obi-Wan.
"ME!?" Obi-Wan squeaked.
"I need to stay here incase any more bombs go off. So that does only leave you padawan, and now you are well enough to walk around on your own."
"ME!?" Obi-Wan squeaked again.
"You already said that, come up with new material." Jallist teased from the kitchenette, where she was finishing making the evening meal.
"But there is one problem." Qui-Gon said, "Your skin is not grey."
/Maybe I can still get out of this. /Obi-Wan thought hopefully.
"Leave that to me." Jallist grinned.
TBC
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