Title: Beyond Forever
Author: Katie
Rating: G
Summary: Obi-Wan is seriously injured on a mission. Upon sendng him home Qui-Gon gets news from the Temple is Padawan is dying.
Disclaimer: Star Wars and its character all belong to Lucas. No many made.
A large man wearing a brown robe marched up the pad towards the ship
which was now in view. A young boy walked a few paces behind him, but there
was no spring in his step. As they reached the opened hatch of the awaiting
ship the man turned to the boy behind him.
“Time for you to depart, Padawan.” Qui-gon said to his sullen Apprentice.
“I don’t want to leave you alone here, Master!”
“The difficult part of this mission is over Obi-wan. The rest of the work is diplomatic and will not be a problem. There is no reason for you to remain here, especially if you might be in danger.”
The danger Qui-gon was referring to was a long, deep laceration which traced from his Padawan’s upper arm, across his chest, and across his other arm.
The “simple diplomatic mission” they were on had taken a dangerous turn. While sitting in on Peace Talks in the capital building of the planet Forcin a man burst into the room with two blasters, randomly shooting those inside. The trader was gone as quickly as he had arrived, using an open widow as his exit. His escape was not as successful as he would have liked, for he was being followed by two Jedi.
The shooter entered a forest in hopes to lose his perusers among the masses of trees, but the Jedi followed at his heals. When the trader realized he could not lose the Jedi he turned to face them and began shooting at the pair in a furious rage. The Master and Apprentice were quick to react, their lightsabers instantly drawn and ignited with a flash of green and blue light. The Jedi team gracefully deflected each and every bolt that came near them. Qui-gon reached out with the Force and the shots secede as the blasters were sent flying, crashing into a near by tree. Obi-wan moved forward to apprehend the now unarmed gunman. In desperation the man grabbed a vine that was dangling in front of him from the tree he was backed against. He whipped the white vine out against the young Jedi. Obi-wan tried to jump to the side, but the vine was far to long and he could not move in time, it caught him across his arms and chest. The Padawan crumpled as a burning pain was sent through his chest. His Master now took the offensive, quickly slicing the vine in two and finally bringing the attacker to his knees.
Qui-gon rushed his Apprentice to the medic center in the capital building. The vine which Obi-wan had been stuck with was that of a Gramaren tree, translated it meant “tree of white fire.” The burning sensation was the beginnings of infection. The Jedi were told that a cut from a Gramaren vine could very easily become infected, upon infection a poison was released. The poison weakened the body and the mind. A fever slipped the victim into a deep sickness induced sleep. Yet, even in the unconscious state the brain was left reeling and in the confusion lost the desire to continue functioning, shutting down, and slowly slipping away.
The medics took great care to wash and dress Obi-wan’s wound as thoroughly as they could. Although they did not think that there was any danger of infection, they could not be positive he was completely out of risk.
After the shooting in the peace talks the two arguing leaders were quick to negotiate their remaining disputes and to draw up a peace treaty; not wishing another incident, as the one which took place, to happen again. All that was left was for both parties to sign the treaty which would unite them. Qui-gon decided that there was no reason for Obi-wan to remain here for the small event. The Master contacted the Jedi temple to send a transport to take his Apprentice home while he stayed for the completion of the mission.
“But I feel fine.” Obi-wan continued to protest, jarring his Master from his thoughts.
“You may feel fine, Padawan, but that does not mean that you are.” Obi-wan opened his mouth to speak, but Qui-gon put up a hand to silence him. The tall Jedi bent down to the eye level of the 15 year old boy. “Obi-wan, I have your best interests in mind. The medics here have been most helpful but if something happens I would prefer to have you with the Temple Healers.” Qui-gon explained gently. Obi-wan nodded silently in acceptance of his Master’s decision. “Now get on board. I’ll see you soon, Padawan.”
“Yes, Master. Good-bye.” With that Obi-wan boarded the ship bound for home.
Qui-gon watched the transport disappear into the horizon. Obi-wan was probably right, more than likely he was fine and no complications would arise. He knew that sending the boy home made him feel useless and unwanted, but of course that was not the case. His Padawan’s health was not something Qui-gon took lightly, and knew that if something was to happen the Jedi Healers would be able to deal with it in a better fashion than the medics of Forcin. The health of his young Apprentice was the Jedi Master’s first priority. Even if nothing was to come of it Qui-gon felt it better to be safe now, rather than sorry later. Obi-wan didn’t understand that now, but he would one day.
*******************************************
Qui-gon rushed through the Jedi temple, eating up the distance from the
landing pad to the Healers Unit with his long strides.
He had received an urgent message from the healers the day Obi-wan had arrived home. They informed that his Padawan’s condition had taken a severe turn for the worse in a very short amount of time. The Jedi Master was stunned to learn of Obi-wan’s failing health, and wasted no time in asking Forcin’s administrator for a ship so he could return to the temple and be at his Padawan’s side.
The two and a half day trip was sheer torture. Qui-gon repeatedly attempted to reach Obi-wan through their bond, however every time, all he was met with was an emptiness that made his blood run cold.
After walking for what seemed like miles the tall Jedi finally arrived at the Healers Unit, where his knew ailing Padawan lay. As he entered the Unit he was fully prepared to search each and every bed until he found his young Apprentice, yet before he could begin his quest the senior healer approached him.
“Master Jinn.” The healer said with a bow. Even with those few words, Qui-gon could hear the concern in the woman’s voice.
“Where is Obi-wan?”
“I will take you to him. But first I must speak to you about his condition.” Qui-gon only nodded, and she continued. “Although the medics on Forcin did all they could, I’m afraid the wound became infected. There was nothing they or we could have done to prevent it, it was only a matter of time. That is the nature of the vine. Although he appeared healthy when we first examined him, his condition changed momentarily. It seems that this turn of events was inevitable.”
“What can be done?” Qui-gon asked, his voice shaky. He was almost afraid to her hear response.
“We have treated the infection, but were unable to keep the poison from taking effect. The poison caused him to lose consciousness. We tried to revive him but he has been unresponsive.” She placed a hand on Qui-gon’s arm to soften her words. “We’ve done all we can, the rest is up to him.”
“I must see him.” The Master’s voice cracked as he spoke.
“Of course. Please follow me.”
They walked to the back of the medic unit were there were separate rooms for those who needed the most care. As they came to the very last room the healer opened the door, Qui-gon hesitated only for a moment before stepped into the room. The healer did not go with him, she knew that the Jedi Master needed time alone with his Padawan. Also, she did not tell him that the boy was dying, because she didn’t need to, he already knew.
Qui-gon’s step faltered as he entered the room and his breath left him. He thought for a moment his eyes were fooling him, but knew what he saw was the truth. Obi-wan shivered violently under a heap of blankets which were pulled up to his neck. His face shaded the room’s white walls. The only color on his features were his cheeks, flushed red with fever. The Master hardly recognized his Padawan.
Qui-gon rushed to the boys bedside, searching under the blankets to find the hand which dwarfed in his own.
“Obi-wan?” Qui-gon half expected a response, but got none. “Please, Padawan!” he pleaded as he brought his other hand to rest on his Apprentice’s head, gently stroking the short sweat soaked hair.
Obi-wan cried out quietly though his shivers, and Qui-gon’s concern was turning into dispare. He reached out with the Force into their bond, and pulled back at the flood of emotions. Confusion, loss of hope, fear, and something else...abandonment! Obi-wan was alone, trapped inside his own mind. And the last thing Qui-gon had done was send him away.
//Obi-wan!// The Jedi Master cried to his Apprentice through their bond. He knew that reaching Obi-wan through his loneliness was his only hope in saving him. The voice Qui-gon heard was very faint and weak, but he heard the pain filled words clearly.
//I am lost, and alone.//
//Obi-wan!// Qui-gon called again, his voice urgent.
//Master?// Obi-wan questioned suspiciously.
//Yes, my Padawan! I’m here, you are not lost. You must find your way back.//
//I can’t Master! I’m just to weak. I can’t do it alone.// Qui-gon felt Obi-wan, his Obi-wan, his brightness, his life, start to slip away.
//No, Obi-wan!// The Jedi’s forehead broke out into a sweat as he desperately held onto his Padawan’s fading spirit. //You don’t have to do anything alone, you never will! I am here, let me help you.// He then added quietly, //Come back to me, my Obi-wan.// With that, all of Obi-wan’s disappear became relief and he rushed toward the surface, and his Master.
Qui-gon had not realized he had closed his eyes, but opened them in time to see his Padawan’s flutter open weakly.
“Master?” The shaky voice asked softly.
“Yes, young one.” Qui-gon nodded, the beginnings of tears appearing before his eyes, tears of relief and joy. “Everything is all right now, you are not alone any more...you never were.”
**************
Obi-wan remained in the Healers Unit for another two days, slowly
regaining his strength. Qui-gon never left his side, ignoring the healer’s
threats of physical removal from the unit. After the second day the young
Jedi was dubbed well enough to be released into Qui-gon’s care. Obi-wan was
more than eager to leave the Healers Unit and return to the apartment in the
Padawans Unit that he shared with his Master.
As the entered the apartment, Qui-gon turned to his Apprentice and frowned in concern. The short trip across the temple had drained Obi-wan considerably, his color fading and his breathing heavy.
“Straight to bed with you, Padawan.” Qui-gon said to his exhausted Apprentice, helping him to his room. Obi-wan only nodded and let his Master lead him to his bed. The young Jedi sank into the soft mattress and pillow as Qui-gon brought the covers up to his chest.
“Thank you, Master.” The Padawan said, then added, “For everything.”
“You don’t need to thank me Obi-wan.” He said with a shake of the head, placing a hand on his Padawan’s arm.
“Yes I do.” Obi-wan argued. “You saved me, Master. You brought me back. Thank you for showing me that I wasn’t alone.” Qui-gon smiled and gave Obi-wan’s arm a light squeeze.
“You brought yourself back, my Padawan. I simply helped you find your way.”
“Master, will you promise me something?”
“Of course, young one.”
“Promise me you will never die.” Obi-wan said with a wide smile, knowing he was asking for something impossible. Qui-gon chuckled.
“Obi-wan, I do believe that is one promise I would not be able to keep. But I can promise that I will always be with you. Here.” He said, and put a hand to his Padawan’s forehead. “And here.” he said, brining his other hand to rest on his Padawan’s heart. “Now and forever, Obi-wan. Know that I love you and will always be with you.” Obi-wan covered his Master’s hand with his, letting the tension he had not quite been able to shake relax out of his body.
“And I you, Master. Thank you.” Obi-wan could no longer keep his eyes open, they slowly closed as sleep began to creep up on him.
“Rest now, my Padawan” Qui-gon said. He stood and walked to the door, dimming the lights on his way. He was about to step out of the room when he was stopped by the sound of a young, sleep filled voice.
“Master?”
“Yes, Obi-wan?”
“We will be together forever then?” He asked, needed to be reassured one last time before he could truly be at peace.
“Even longer, my Obi-wan. Even longer.”
The End
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