After nearly a week in the Gemian hospital, it was time for the Jedi to leave Gema all together. Sira had seen neither Obi-Wan nor Qui-Gon after her late night visit. Performing two binding trances in the span of two days had exhausted the Gemian and Bren had all but sealed her in her quarters to get some rest. Approaching the landing pad, Sira saw Bren saying goodbye to Master Jinn. Almost tentatively, she walked up to the Jedi Master. Their last encounter hadn't gone well and she did not want them to part on ill terms. "Master Jinn. Please accept my apology before you go. My behavior towards you was wrong and I regret my words." Sira extended her hand which Qui-Gon accpeted and pulled her into a warm hug.
"Do not be so sorry. I deserve far worse for the pains I have caused my padawan" he replied.
Sira managed a smile. How she desperately hoped her instinct that the Master was related to Obi-Wan's horrid future was wrong. But inside she knew the futility of such a wish. She knew very well what was to come.
Turning towards the smaller figure, Sira gave the apprentice a hug and kissed his cheek.
"Good luck to you, Obi-Wan."
"Thank you, Sira." The reply was a comfortable one. Both Bren and Qui-Gon noticed the interesting familiarity between the two. "I will remember what you told me."
"I hope you do, Obi-Wan. I hope you do."
Qui-Gon quirked an eyebrow at Obi-Wan's words but held back the question. It was a private matter for his padawan and Sira. Instead, he placed a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder as the pilot of their awaitiing ship coughed politely.
"Time to go, padawan."
Obi-Wan nodded, not taking his eyes off Sira.
"Go on, Obi-Wan" she urged. Wtih a final goodbye to both healers, the two Jedi entered the ship. Obi-Wan cast a final look at the two figures. As happy as he was to be going home and leaving the Medi-Center, he was struck by a deep sadness at having to say goodbye to someone had known less than 48 hours.
Qui-Gon noticed the melancholy state of his apprentice and nudged him slightly.
"A little old for you, isn't she?" he joked.
"Master!" Obi-Wan's face flused almost to the roots of his hair. "That's not it at all!" he exclaimed. Qui-Gon laughed and threw an affectionate arm around his padawan who continued to express his indignation.
+++++++++
The late night air on Gema was chilly and Sira was grateful for the small fire beside her. Staring up at the night skies, she inhaled the wonderful scents of the herbarium.
"You can come out" she called to the figure crouching behind the nearest tree. A sheepish looking Bren stumbled out.
"How long did you know I was there?"
"About an hour."
"And you made me crouch there for that long?!" he exclaimed with mock anger.
"Your own fault for trying to spy on me" she shot back, matching his huffy attitude.
"Can't feel my legs" he mumbled as he sad down next to her on the stone bench. "So, how did it go?"
"I think it worked."
Bren smiled. "Good." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out two sheets of paper and handed them to Sira. Unfolding them, she recognized the two portraits she had drawn. "You dropped them."
Sira fingered the pieces of paper. "Thank you." The two whispered words of simple gratitude touched Bren more deeply than he could have imagined. A joy he had never felt before bloomed in his chest and spread its warmth through his body.
"Your very welcome, Sira."
The Gemian healer put the two sketches on top of each other and smoothed them out on the stone bench. She gazed at the weathered blue eyes she had drawn. They were older, wiser but still the same. Almost reverently, Sira placed both portraits in the fire.
Bren and Sira sat side by side and watched as the flames engulfed the future that Sira had seen. As the paper crinkled and burned away, Sira bid goodbye to the old man she had seen accept the end of his life. And she said a prayer for the 14 year old boy, whose life was just beginning.
THE END
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