How long Qui-Gon remained in the healing trance, he was not sure. And it was a struggle; a struggle twice over. Not only was he trying to heal Obi-Wan, but he was trying to battle his own anxiety over his Padawan. The thought of losing Obi-Wan had hit him like nothing he had ever known. After all the trouble they had had trying to connect as Master and Padawan, all the trials they had been through together...he simply could *not* lose Obi-Wan now. Not when they had finally found their footing with each other. Not when he had grown so fond of the boy...
No...no, fond was not the right word. He was a great deal more than just *fond* of Obi-Wan. After all they had been through together, Obi-Wan was now as dear to him as if the boy were his own child. To lose him now would be...devastating. He simply did not know if he could bear to lose *another* Padawan...
But Qui-Gon had forced himself to push those thoughts aside as he entered the healing trace, knowing that worrying would only make his efforts less effective. And as he led his Padawan's mind into the healing trance with him, he pushed healing power at Obi-Wan with all the strength he had.
He was not aware of the passing of time. His focus was solely on Obi-Wan, sending his energy towards the boy in a steady stream, trying to halt the destructive advance of the poison through his Padawan's body. He could *feel* the presence of the toxin in the boy's blood; an insidious invader that sought only to destroy...and he fought the intruder with everything that he had.
Obi-Wan was so weak that he could not contribute much to the healing at all; he could only be carried along by Qui-Gon's efforts. Qui-Gon could sense the boy's pain, surging through his subconscious mind in crippling waves. Obi-Wan's soft mental whimpers penetrated his concentration, and he reached out to comfort the boy.
/It's all right, Padawan. I'm here./
There was no response. Obi-Wan's pain was increasing, reaching unbearable proportions, and he could feel the boy trying to withdraw into himself to escape the agony.
/No, Padawan,/ he sent firmly. /Stay with me. Just relax and let me help you./
The resistance continued for a moment, then abruptly vanished; whether Obi-Wan was obeying his command or had simply run out of strength Qui-Gon didn't know. He sent a wave of wordless comfort towards the boy and continued his efforts to heal.
He had no idea how long it actually took; a Force-healing blurred one's perceptions of time. He felt the Force moving around and within him, and it's power surging into him and through him to his Padawan. And finally, he began to feel that Obi-Wan was improving...the pain and fever in his body were lessening, slowly. And Obi-Wan was now taking a more active part in the healing that was occurring. He could feel the boy's presence in the Force, as he joined in more and more with Qui-Gon's efforts to heal him.
Qui-Gon reached out to Obi-Wan's still sleeping mind. /Padawan?/
/Master.../
The tone was dreamy, but the response was strong.
/Padawan, does it hurt still?/ He wondered if he would be able to get a coherent answer from the sleeping boy, but decided it couldn't hurt to ask.
/Hmm...not so much now.../ The mind-voice was laced with decidedly sleepy overtones.
Qui-Gon gently withdrew from Obi-Wan's mind. After continuing to send healing power to the boy for a while longer, he finally felt that it might be enough.
Coming slowly out of the trance, Qui-Gon opened his eyes.
Bri'ana was standing by Obi-Wan's bed, checking his vital signs. From the position of the sun outside the windows, Qui-Gon guessed it was late afternoon. He had been in the healing trance nearly a full day.
Qui-Gon stood, a little stiffly, and Bri'ana glanced over at him and smiled.
"He is much better, Master Jinn," she said softly, clearly relieved. "The drug does seem to work against this toxin...although I think that your healing speeded the process considerably."
Qui-Gon looked down at Obi-Wan, noting that his colour was better. He checked the boy's left hand and was gratified to see that the swelling had gone down, and the ugly red lines trailing up his arm were fading.
"He will be all right, then?" Qui-Gon asked quietly, not wanting to wake his still sleeping Padawan.
"Yes, I believe he will recover now...but his body has been very stressed. I would expect him to be very weak for a time, and it will be perhaps a month before he is fully recovered...although being Jedi, you might be able to speed that along. But I would advise caution. He will need a lot of rest."
"He will rest," Qui-Gon assured her. "I will make sure of that."
A soft sound from Obi-Wan drew their attention, and a moment later the boy opened his eyes, glancing around in confusion. His gaze settled on Qui-Gon.
"Master?" His voice was weak.
"Yes, Padawan, I'm here. Just relax. You're in the medical bay."
"Medical bay?" Obi-Wan looked confused for a moment, then sudden understanding flashed in his eyes. "The thorn...it was poisonous."
"Yes. You were very ill."
Obi-Wan was looking up at him in wonder. "You - you healed me. I felt it."
Qui-Gon's mouth quirked in a smile. "Well, let's just say that between us, Healer Bri'ana and I pulled you through."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan said softly, looking at each in turn. His eyes began to drift closed again. "I'm tired, Master."
"Then sleep, Padawan." Qui-Gon laid a gentle hand on Obi-Wan's forehead, and moments later Obi-Wan was sleeping again.
"Can I take him back to our quarters?" Qui-Gon asked quietly. "I would like to take care of him myself."
Bri'ana nodded. "Yes, I think it will be safe enough now. I expect he will feel more comfortable there than in the medical bay, anyway."
Qui-Gon smiled a little. "He will at that," he said, thinking of his Padawan's dislike of medical facilities in general; especially when he was in them. Then he used a touch of the Force to gently push Obi-Wan deeper into sleep, deep enough that the move would not wake him, and lifted the boy into his arms. Carrying his Padawan, he headed back towards their rooms...much more slowly this time.
* * *
When Obi-Wan woke again, he was momentarily disoriented. Hadn't he been in the medical bay just before? Then he realised he was back in the quarters
they had been assigned. Qui-Gon must have brought him back here after he fell asleep. It was dark outside now, and he wondered how long had he been sleeping.
He reached out with the Force for his Master, and Qui-Gon was in the room in seconds. "How are you feeling, Padawan?" He asked, sitting down on the side of the bed and smoothing a hand over Obi-Wan's hair.
"Better, Master," Obi-Wan said. He licked dry lips. "Thirsty."
"I'll get you some water." Qui-Gon disappeared out the door and was back in moments with a glass of water. He helped Obi-Wan sit up so he could drink, and Obi-Wan could hardly believe how weak he felt. Just sitting upright was an effort.
Qui-Gon seemed to know what he was thinking. "Yes, Padawan, you were very ill. It will be some time before you are back to your usual hyperactive self." He softened the words with a slight smile and a gentle ruffle of Obi-Wan's short hair. "Healer Bri'ana recommended bed rest for at least a week, and I am inclined to agree."
Obi-Wan wanted to protest just on principle, but right now a week in bed sounded pretty good. Then he remembered what he had done that had led to this whole fiasco, and frowned.
"I'm sorry, Master," he said quietly.
"I know you are, Padawan," Qui-Gon replied gently. He looked Obi-Wan straight in the eyes. "I want your promise, Padawan, that from now on, if you are ever injured, you will tell me. No matter how that injury came about."
Obi-Wan nodded. "I will, Master. I promise." Hot tears stung his eyes at the thought that he might have disappointed his Master.
Qui-Gon smoothed his hair back again, comfortingly. "It's all right, Padawan. You have promised me, and that is enough. You need to sleep now."
Obi-Wan felt the flick of Force; could already feel his eyes drifting closed. He fought it for a moment, wanting to talk more, but the Force-push led him irresistibly back into sleep.
* * *
The next time Obi-Wan woke, the sun was just up, and light was streaming through the gap between the curtains. He shifted slightly. He felt much better. The pain in his arm had faded to a very slight ache, and on examination of it he saw that the swelling had gone down almost completely. He breathed a soft sigh of relief.
He reached out gently for his Master, and found that Qui-Gon was asleep. He quickly withdrew, not wanting to disturb him. /He's probably exhausted,/ he thought guiltily. /He used up all his energy healing you./
The thought made him wince. He couldn't believe he had been so stupid. First he had disobeyed, then he had tried to hide it. And as a result, he had been so ill that Qui-Gon had had to drain himself healing him.
/I hope he thinks up a really good punishment for me,/ he thought fiercely. /I deserve it!/
Although he had to admit, Qui-Gon had not seemed angry at all. Concerned, yes, but not angry. All he had asked for was a promise that Obi-Wan always tell him when he was injured.
/Perhaps he's waiting until I'm better,/ he thought. /Then I'll get the big lecture./
It was not long before Qui-Gon woke, and on getting up he came immediately into his Padawan's room to check on him. Obi-Wan looked up as he came in and felt a stab of guilt when he saw the fatigue in Qui-Gon's face.
"Are - are you all right, Master?" he asked hesitantly.
Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow at him. "I believe that's my line," he said with a faint smile. "You are the one who almost died, Padawan."
Obi-Wan flushed guiltily and bowed his head. "I know, Master, but you...you look tired."
"I'm fine, Padawan. Now, how are *you* feeling?"
"Much better, Master," Obi-Wan said, still not looking up. "My hand doesn't hurt any more."
"I'm glad to hear it. Are you hungry?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, Master."
"I'll make us some breakfast, then."
Qui-Gon turned to go, but stopped as Obi-Wan called out to him.
"Master?"
"Yes, Padawan?" He turned to face the boy.
"Are - are you going to punish me?" Obi-Wan couldn't stand not knowing anymore. In fact, he actually hoped that Qui-Gon would punish him...maybe then he wouldn't feel so guilty.
Qui-Gon looked at Obi-Wan for a long moment. Personally, he thought the boy had already been punished more than enough. He had never really been angry about the disobedience...any anger had been swallowed up by concern for Obi-Wan's plight. But he could clearly see how guilty his Padawan was feeling. Perhaps he needed something more from Qui-Gon than just concern.
Qui-Gon walked back over and sat down on the bed next to Obi-Wan. "Do you think you deserve to be punished, Padawan?"
Obi-Wan looked up then, meeting his eyes squarely. "Yes, Master, I do. I was disobedient and then I tried to hide it from you. I should be punished for that."
"Since we are on that topic, Padawan, may I ask *why* you disobeyed me? Why you did not heed my warning about the reserve?"
Obi-Wan bit his lip. But he was determined that Qui-Gon should know the truth. "I - I was curious, Master. And I was bored, and the reserve...well, it looked interesting." He looked up at Qui-Gon again. "I was irresponsible, Master, and I have no excuse for my behaviour."
Qui-Gon regarded his Padawan sternly for a moment. "Do you think that you have learned a lesson from this experience, Padawan?"
Obi-Wan's eyes widened. "Oh, yes, Master. I will always listen to your warnings in future."
"And will you remember your promise, Obi-Wan? That you will *always* tell me if you are injured, no matterhow the injury occurred - even if it came about through disobedience?"
"Yes, Master. I will keep that promise, I swear."
"In that case, Padawan, I see little point in punishing you. You have learned the lessons already." Qui-Gon stood up again.
"But - but, Master..." Obi-Wan protested weakly, "I - I should be..."
Qui-Gon turned back again. His Padawan was clearly wallowing in guilt. He wanted a punishment so that he could feel he had paid for his misdeeds.
/At this point, the worst punishment I could give him would be to not punish him at all,/ Qui-Gon thought with bemusement. He truly believed that Obi-Wan had already been punished enough, and he really did not think punishing him further would teach him anything else. However, he was not prepared to let Obi-Wan swim in guilt and slow his recovery with his own misery.
"Very well, Padawan, if you are so determined to be punished, I will punish you."
Relief flashed across Obi-Wan's face, followed a moment later by a flicker of apprehension.
Qui-Gon considered for a moment, then continued. "Padawan, you are grounded for the next two weeks. Two, because you will already be spending the first in bed recovering. During this first week, you will *rest*, even if I have to Force-push you to sleep. If you feel up to it after a few days, you may meditate and you may study. That is all."
He looked at Obi-Wan to judge his reaction. The dominant emotion was still relief.
"The second week you will spend catching up on your studies and doing meditations I will set you. We will do some light physical training while your body recovers, but you will not be allowed any recreational activities. Is that clear, Padawan?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, Master."
Qui-Gon leaned down and took Obi-Wan's chin in his hand. "Is that *enough*, Padawan?"
Obi-Wan did not misunderstand. He knew Qui-Gon was only punishing him because he had asked for it...because he wanted to assuage his guilt. "Yes, Master. If you think it's enough."
"I do." Qui-Gon released him. "Now, do you want breakfast or not?"
Obi-Wan smiled slightly. "Yes, please, Master."
"Then perhaps you might let me go and prepare it." A faint smile took the sting out of the words, and then Qui-Gon vanished out the door before Obi-Wan could think of anything else to say.
* * *
Several days later, Obi-Wan had recovered enough that Qui-Gon had grudgingly let him lie on the couch in the common room to rest rather than staying in bed. He was currently catching up on some of his studies...he was so bored that even philosophy, his least favourite of topics, was halfway interesting.
Only *just* halfway interesting, though.
Qui-Gon was sitting in a chair on the other side of the room, reading something on his datapad. Obi-Wan was suddenly struck by a thought.
"Master?"
"Yes, Padawan?" Qui-Gon responded, looking up from the datapad.
"Are the V'riyans going to do more research into their plant life if they become members of the Republic?"
"I think they had better," Qui-Gon said with a slight smile. "But yes, that is something that has been discussed since your illness. In fact, it's something that might well have been overlooked if your mishap had not occurred. Having a Republic representative nearly die from a toxic plant that they had no real antidote for...well, I think that worried them a little. It does not bode well for entry to the Republic if you kill off their representatives." The last was said deadpan, but Obi-Wan could feel Qui-Gon's faint amusement. He smiled.
"So you mean my getting poisoned might have actually done some good on this mission, Master?" he asked mischievously.
Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow at him. "Perhaps, Padawan...*this* time. I would not recommend it as a regular feature of your mission contributions, though. Somehow, I doubt you would either."
Obi-Wan grimaced and shook his head. "No, Master. It's not something I'd like repeated too often."
"Well then, perhaps in the future you might heed my warnings, my Padawan."
"I will definitely try, Master."
"Try, Padawan?"
"Sorry, Master. I will definitely *do*, Master."
END
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