Before Luminous Beings reposted & continuing MESSAGE JULY22 LINK to sequel inside

This is a repost of one of my stories that I started in 2000, before I had spell check. It also got mangled in the switch over to snow board.

I havn't worked on it in a looong time, but I was inspired to start on the sequel. I will start posting that over on the Saga board soon.
-----------------------------

Luminous Beings / JA


******************************************
Warning some may find the first posts of this story
disturbing. It involves torture,
but the rest of the story is about more than that.
*******************************************

The negotiations were stalled. This bothered the two Jedi
Masters because there was no real reason for the delay. They
had all the proof they needed that the Drahsil were up to
their old tricks. It was a fine line Mace Windu and Qui-Gon
Jinn had to walk.

Dranal was not a Republic planet, but they constantly harassed
boarder systems. Now they had been accused of taking a
colony's children for the slave trade, and killing all the
others. All but one, who would testify to that fact.

The Drahsil warlord Bannool was present but he only spoke
through his ambassador, who only offered complete denial.

"You republic lap dogs always assume we did it."

Of course they had. Of course the Jedi knew it to. The only
reason Bannool agreed to negotiate at all was to get his hands
on the lone witness to the Drahsil's crime. If he was gone, the
Republic could not legally declare war on Dranal.

Master Jinn and Master Windu were the only ones who knew where
that witness was. It annoyed Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi, that they
did not think he was old enough to be trusted with such an
important secret. The fourteen year old thought the long
meetings with all of their diplomatic procedures were a
complete waste of time. He had nodded off more than once.

"Obi-Wan maybe you should go and get some air." Qui-Gon told
the boy after the sixth hour of negotiations. As usual it
wasn't long before trouble found the young Jedi.

He couldn't hear what the fight was about, but saw ten boys
about to whoop-butt on one, very young one.

"Heay!" Obi-Wan called down to the road where they were. He
went down. "Do you think these odds are fair?"

"As fair as this Drahsil scum deserves."

The boy looked to be around eight. The others were all teens.

"Leave the boy alone." Obi-Wan said.

"Why should we?"

"Because a Jedi tells you to."

That worked sometimes. They looked at Obi-Wan and realized he
was what he said he was. The saber hanging on his belt gave
them a hint.

"We beg your pardon Jedi." They walked away.

Obi-Wan recognized the boy as one who had been seated next to
Bannool. "If you belong inside," he told the boy. "You best
get there. You're not safe around here."

The boy gave him a curious look as if he was going to say
something argumentative, but he did as the Jedi said. At the
same time a Drahsil found the boy. Grabbing him by the
shoulder, they dragged him back inside. The adult spoke harshly
towards the boy. Obi-Wan didn't understand their language, but
co

Poor Obi!

I like this story, where was it before? I'm sure I've seen it before but I can't remember where.

Hi Black_Scout glad you like it. It is still over on the classic board *chough* unfinished.

It's really hard to read over there, many many spelling errors and type-os

If anyone wants the link, there's one on my bio.

I'm working on fixing the next bit to post. I'm kind of posting what ever is on one page of the old thread as one post.

Jodiwent, how lovely to see this here again. Unlike last time when I hadn't found the story till it was well going, I get to start at the beginning her with everybody else!

I'm thinking there's a couple other stories of yours that need to be fnished along with this one, huh??

I look forward to reading more.

Post soon, post often!

Great story! I look forward to more!

Healer Leona always great to see you!I think about those other storeis all the time - - I just have to do something more than think aout them

Hi VaderLVR64,I'm glad you like it too. Here's somemore.

=============================



To everyone's surprise, the sixth Drasilian warlord did not
arrive; his ambassador did. Rolin testified, shaking the
whole time. He not only had his word, he also had some holos
he had managed to take and smuggle out of the devastated
colony. His wobbly hand could hardly slip the disc into the projector.

On seeing the Holo-vids there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Bannool had
a hand in it. He had been there, participating in the butchery.

When asked again if they would help bring Bannool to justice, one of the
Warlords said, "We are not prepared to sacrifice our people to go after
Bannool."

"Then let Republic forces deal with him," Master Windu
forcefully suggested.

"Not in our system!" A second Warlord barked. "You have no
authority over us."

"Would you prefer that the Republic declare war on all of the
Drahsil? Because if you do not cooperate, that is what we will
recommend."

"You'll be at war either way," Qui-Gon added. "With Bannool or
us. You can either side with Bannool, facing the
consequences; Or - - you can benefit from aligning with the
Republic."

"How do we know that once you've caught Bannool, you won't go
after one of us.?"

"Yhea." "Right." The others murmured.

"We can draw up an agreement," Windu said. "Then you'll just
have to trust us, won't you?"

The Warlords murmured some more then the leader said, "We will
have to think about this. give us time to discuss this among
ourselves."

The Jedi nodded. All left except the Warlords and Bannool's
ambassador.

"Will any of your people go against Bannool?" One asked.

The ambassador looked at them trying to sense their moods.
"Some may. Not all of us want to die for him."

"You know if something were to happen to Bannool, you will
still have Dranool. Maybe he will grow to be a wiser Warlord." When
they said wiser they meant sneakier, so as not to get caught.

Then one asked, "Does he have the Jedi boy?"

"Of course he has the boy. He wants him to tell him where the
Jedi are keeping Rolin."

"Well it doesn't matter much now, does it?"

"If he goes to Coruscant to tells his story there, the
Republic will declare war on all of us."

"And what if we are not willing to go to war for Bannool?"

"Maybe - - We can get the Jedi to deal with Bannool. Then his
clan can't blame us, and the Republic can't declare war on us
for his crimes."

"And how do we do that?"

"Tell the Jedi where the boy is. Then, believe me, they will deal with
Bannool."

They looked at the ambassador who nodded. 'Yes I will betray my
leader.' It didn't hurt that the ambassador saw his chance at
power by controlling Dranool.

====

'Hold on, hold on to yourself. This is gonna

Ever since he remembered who he was and what had happened to
him, Obi-Wan became the one who could not sleep. One of the
healers making the rounds wanted to give him something to make
him sleep.

"NO!" Obi-Wan protested. "Get that thing away from me." He
hated shots, didn't want anything controlling him.

"You need sleep," the healer, who didn't know Obi-Wan,
insisted.

"I'll sleep when I'm good and ready to."

The healer gave up. Still he said, "we will see what Master
Kimu has to say about this. I will be back."

When the young healer and Kimu returned, they found that
Padawan Kenobi had gone.

"What did you say to him?" Kimu asked.

"I told him you'd make him take the sedative."

"Oh great, get him afraid of me now."

"Master, I don't think it is wise to let a strong willed boy
rule over us."

"Do you know what that boy has been through?"

"I know his chart shows extensive injuries. It says he hasn't
slept in days."

"You are clueless."

"What?" The confused healer inquired.

"Did you look at the whole chart, or just today's entry? Look
at the name."

The younger healer finally looked at the other side of the
flimsy-plast chart.

"Kenobi - - He's the padawan that was tortured." He turned
pale. "And I just tried to force him to take something. Oh
shavit."

"Shavit indeed. He couldn't have gone too far," Kimu said. "I'll
find him." She let the force guide her to where he was.

She found him asleep; Obi-Wan had snuck into Qui-Gon's
chambers. Not wanting to wake his Master who was finally
sleeping, he had curled up in a chair next to Qui-Gon's bed.
Kimu thought,'At least their both asleep.' She let the
two of them be.


Qui-Gon awoke in the morning because he heard a stirring in his
room. He could feel Obi-Wan's presence before he opened his
eyes. He turned to see his Padawan where he'd been all night;
curled up on the chair. He wondered if the healers knew Obi-Wan
was there. 'I'd better find out,'he thought.

"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon whispered as he tapped the boy on the
shoulder.

Obi-Wan awoke with a start. At first he took in a panicked
breath. When he saw his Master he knew where he was.

"Do the healers know your here?"

"I don't know."

"Why are you here?"

"I don't want to be there anymore."

"Why didn't you go to your own room?"

"Are you upset that I'm here?"

"No, no. I just think you would be more comfortable in your
bed than on that hard old chair."

"Master, I didn't want to be alone."

====

No mater how many times the healers tried to get Obi-Wan to
stay in the healing center, they always found him the next
day, back in Master Jinn's room. The Jedi Master did nothing
to discourage this either. After a few days they gave up. They
still kept a close eye on him.

It seemed the best treatments for him were the times he spent
meditating with Qui-Gon. Over the next two weeks Obi-Wan
gained most of his strength back. The problem now was that the
Padawan would laps into moments when he thought he was back
with the Drahsil. When he wasn't in one of those moments Obi-Wan
wavered between passive and aggressive moods.

One time, in a practice hall, he felt as if he were being
pushed aside while waiting to get a practice staff. Determined
not to be pushed around, he strode up to the boy who had
walked past him and grabbed the object he wanted from the other
Padawan. Instantly he realized his behavior was not
proper and gave it back. He started to leave in embarrassment.

Qui-Gon had just seen what had transpired. "Don't you want to
train today?" he asked.

Poopies! Missed the post form the 19th. That had me in tears over what poor Obi-Wan had to endure. Qui-Gon's talk with Tahl, all so sad. It was such a relief when He remembered that he was ideed Obi-Wan, but then to have to remember what he'd gone through...

It was also sad how he curled up in a chair in his master's room in escaping from the infirmary.

Jodiwent I like how you added pieces from Misadventures! Ouch, Bruck's a 'mercy padawan', thought he's lucky he's any at all... little brat!

Awww, I love that Bant's going to become a mother... and that put Zaiaze at a loss for words.

Wonderful posts!

Thrilled to see you repost this! I loved it the first time I read it and know I will enjoy reading it again.

I am really looking forward to when we get to some new stuff.

Hey jodiwent
This is great! Can't believe I never read this before!I'm loving this so far! Can't wait for more!

~s-wk

Healer Leona I added the part from Misadventures becuse it was easier than linking to it.

OH WOW Kelly Kenobi and snowbee-wan kenobi I havn't seen you guys in ages! It is great to see you reading this.

I want to ask readers, is it a good idea to post the sequel I am working on at the same time as I am reposting this? It takes place in the Saga era. I am debating if I should wait, or post away.

Back to story - -

========

Mon Calamari was one of the most peaceful planets in the
galaxy. It was also far away from Coruscant; beyond Kashyyyk;
beyond Kessel. Bant was a rarity, in that era not many Mon Cals left their
watery planet.

The Mon Calamarians had just started making interstellar space
craft. None of those ships were war ships. They were star
liners. The more well to do beings of the core planets paid
plenty to cruse the galaxy.

Along with the sight seeing aristocrats on this occasion were
three Jedi, hitching a free ride. It was Bant, Obi-Wan, and
Healer Attan, who was also a Mon Calamarian. She had made
the arrangements with the owners of the star liner, who were
more than happy to help out a fellow Mon Cal.

The two young Jedi were more than overwhelmed
by the opulence. They would have a few days
living in the lap of luxury while their Masters went to
investigate reports of ships disappearing near colonies in the
expansion zone. While overwhelmed the Padawans were not
necessarily impressed.

"Wow, look at all the food," was Obi-Wan's first reaction.
"Are we allowed to - -"

"Yes Padawans," Attan told them. "We can partake in any of the
ships amenities."

The two Padawans grinned.

"That does not mean you should forget your manners, or what is
appropriate for apprentice Jedi. Other than that your free to
enjoy yourselves. Don't forget your meditations either."

"Yes Healer Attan," they echoed.

Attan was still young and had not taken on an apprentice yet.
She didn't figure the two young teens could get into that much
trouble.

====

"How could one boy eat that much?" Attan said as she looked at
the now greener than Yoda, Obi-Wan. "And you wonder why your
ill."

"It's not the first time," Bant told the healer. "I've seen
him eat more than that."

"It was the green stuff," Obi-Wan groaned. "What was the green
stuff?"

"The green stuff, very descriptive Padawan." Attan glared,
irritated at the boy. "If you hadn't stuffed yourself you
wouldn't be sick now."

"He always eats like that. His Master says he's got worms."
Bant did not tease Obi-Wan often. It was just too easy this
time.

"No, I'm telling you it was the green stuff. I didn't have much
of it - - It made me sick right off."

"Padawan Eerin, do you know what Padawan Kenobi means by 'the
green stuff?'."

"I think it was sea leaves wrapped around crustacean lungs."

As soon as the human boy heard what he had eaten, Obi-Wan
turned a paler shade of green. He ran to the nearest waste
deposit and 'all' that food was out of hi

Wonderful post again!
Poor, Poor Obi-Wan.
Hehe that's cute, Bant "fantacising" about Obi a bit.
I love the songs you include...especially "Crash and Burn", I love that song!

Great job!
As for the sequel, I'm enjoying this so much having never read it, I'd say save it for after this. But those who have already read this fic might not agree. Whatever you decide, count me in as a reader!

Thanks snowbee-wan I get a lot of ideas from songs, or find that songs I like fit my stories.

===================

The two Jedi Padawans sat there for a while. Attan went to
look for them. She saw them from a distance; sensing
Obi-Wan was not in any true distress, she let them be.

"Do you think I'm a being a coward?" Obi-Wan asked Bant.
"Hiding like this I mean."

"Just because your scared does not make you a coward," Bant
said. "Your one of the bravest people I know."

"Now the monsters are in my head."

"Only if you think they are - - Just like when we were little.
It will take time to see that the monsters in your head are as
illusionary as the ones I thought were in my room."

"The Drahsil were real."

"Yes, but they are not really in your head, are they?"

"Your right. How'd you get so smart, I'm the older one."
Obi-Wan gave Bant one of his lop-sided smiles, that showed
things were not as bad as they might seem. One thing Obi-Wan
never lacked was hope.

"Well isn't this a holo-post moment." It was Kasfal. he had
gone looking for Bant. "I guess there's no question you're the
inter-species type Miss. Eerin."

"Oh shut up," Bant huffed. "That's not even funny."

"I wondered why you and your friend disappeared so quickly," he
continued to goat. "Did you find the conversation unpleasant?"

The junior officer then turned directly to Obi-Wan. "You wouldn't
happen to know the fellow that was the topic of conversation
would you?" He said it in a tone that no one could mistake as
one who had figured something out. "Those injuries Miss. Eerin
said you were recovering from - - wouldn't happen to have been
inflicted by the Drahsil, would they?"

===

"Just what did they do to you," Kasfal continued. "that made
your Master take such brutal revenge?"

Obi-Wan just glared at Kasfal. Was this jerk for real? Just
what was his game? Most Mon Cal's were kind and
gentle people - - This guy must have been the one twit.

"If this is your idea of how to impress me," Bant pointed out.
"you are greatly mistaken."

"I am under no dilution that you even remotely like me Miss.
Eerin," Kasfal admited. "But I will put it to you plainly. I have every
intention of being the father of your first clutch."

"How dare you, YOU - - "

"What difference does it make. As a Jedi you will not raise
the hatchlings. My family is more than willing and able to do
so."

"Why don't you go find some sap who will buy your garbage?"

"You don't realize what a prize you are. Being a Jedi makes
your genetic material very desirable."

"I think I'm going to puke again," Obi-Wan interrupted the
argument. "Why don't you get lost?"

"It looks like your pet human wants another trashing." Kasfal
had apparently forgotten the force push Bant had given him in
the pool, or maybe he was just stupid. "I will be the father
of your hatchlings. And you will agree."

"Don't you get it. I don't like you. I despise you. What makes
you think I'll let you anywhere near my eggs?"

Pain; Grabbing hands; Giant fangs; The smell of filth; A knife
behind his ear; Blood; Fear; Yelling, "DOG!" Fighting;
Struggling; The need to escape; Humiliation.

He never remembered more than bits and pieces of the things
he saw in his sleep. They kept Obi-wan awake.

"You're having nightmares?" The healer asked.

Obi-Wan nodded

"Do you wish to tell me about them?"

Obi-Wan did not say no, instead he looked everywhere in the room
except at Attan.

"I don't see it all," Obi-Wan told her. "It still frightens me. I think they have
me again."

"That will lessen with time."

"I did not see my Master fight Bannool, but in my dreams I can see his head
on the floor - - It says thing."

Attan shuttered thinking of the image in the boys mind. "What
does it say?"

"That I'll never be a Jedi. I'll never be free of them."
Obi-Wan burst into tears again; as soon as they surfaced he tried
to stuff the feelings down again. "That I'll never be - - a
man."

The boy buried his face in the pillow to silence a scream that
he let out. Attan could feel the anger radiating from Obi-Wan.

The boy now began to hyperventilate. He had been so brave when
he stood up to Kasfal and the gossipers. Now he was just a
wreck.

"Why did they do that to me? Why me?"

"Calm your breathing Padawan," The healer said, placing her
flipper on his back, sending him healing energies. "Do not be
afraid to cry. It takes a strong man to be able to cry. Don't
you know that?"

Obi-Wan looked up into Attan's peaceful eyes. Then he let
loose a flood of words, "- - and then some of the other Padawans thought
it was funny. Then Kasfal tried to use it against Bant. The
looks on the faces of the people on the ship. When does it
stop!"

"It will not go away altogether. It will stop being like it is
now. A wound of the soul takes more than a Bacta patch to
heal young man," Attan said gently. "Your wound is still raw.
Your fear that it will not go away is like - - reopening the
wound."

"I can't forget - - I can't forget," Obi-Wan repeated.

"You will never forget Obi-Wan. However you do not have to
fear it. You can learn from it. That is what you are here to
find out. You will see it is very peaceful out on the reef.
Maybe it will bring some to you."

Obi-Wan said only one more thing before finally falling
asleep, "I miss Qui-Gon."

===

The ship that carried the two Jedi Masters, and its pilot, was
now drifting in space on the border of Hutt space and
Republic space. The droids were working on what they could, trying
to make the ship able to limp into some port where it could be
repaired. They all just hoped it was a port in the Republic.

Qui-Gon was still stewing over the situation, and more. The
way he had left those people reminded him of how he had left
Obi-Wan when he needed him. Qui-Gon was still blaming himself for that;
Now this.

He wondered what would happen to Obi-Wan i

Great two posts!
Sorry to just be catching up, busy weekend

Great job

Here's some more.

---------------------

"You're bleeding Qui-Gon," Soliqua said reaching up to look at
her fellow Master's forehead. "Ganar's boot must have done
that."

"It's nothing," was all Qui-Gon said.

"Even if it's nothing, we better get some Bacta on it."

"We should save that. It may be needed for something more
important later."

"I'm still going to wash it of you stubborn man." Soliqua
insisted putting a little bit of water on a clean Med-cloth.
She carefully wiped the blood off of Jinn's forehead. "This is
not that little of a cut."

"It's fine."

===

"OWCH!" Obi-Wan moaned as Attan tried to apply the sun relief
to the padawan who now looked as red as a cooked crustacean.
She was mentally hitting herself in the head for forgetting
that a human's skin would be much more sensitive than a Mon
Cal's. "If you had put the stuff I gave you on before you
wouldn't be in this predicament."

"That stuff smelt."

"And you thought you could keep the sun off your face
with your Jedi powers?" The healer gave a dig.

Obi-Wan sighed. He knew she was right; he didn't
want her to be right. "This stuff stings."

"I'm sorry but this is going to heal your face."

That night at the gathering, Bant noticed that Obi-Wan was not
eating. He must have really felt bad. If Obi-Wan wasn't eating,
something was wrong.

Another thing Bant noticed was a boy who was not there the
night before. He always seemed to be at the edge of the crowd.
There was something about him that kept Bant looking to see if
he was there. She wondered if he had seen her?

Obi-Wan felt so miserable that he went aside and sat
down. He wanted to keep an eye on how the young men treated
his friend, but he found himself closing his eyes half the
time because they were so sore. Why hadn't he listened to the
healer? Was it really that much trouble to have done as she
had suggested that morning. He did not believe the first day
out he'd get so sun burnt. His head was the only thing he hadn't
protected and now he was paying for it. Even his ears hurt.

The next time he opened his eyes he was surprised to see Lofis
and Bant talking to each other. That was the boy that kept
getting Bant's attention. They did not talk for long because it was
almost time for everyone to go home.

To everyone's surprise, a little while later Lofis was at the door of
the section of the Eerin home where the Jedi were staying at.

"What are you doing here?" Bant asked.

"I have something that will help your friend," Lofis said. "He
looked like he could use it." The boy handed her a small
container of some kind of home herbal remedy. Bant had a
feeling it was not the only reason he had stopped by but she
took the container.

"Thank you." She said quickly closing the door. She liked him
but didn't want him to know that, yet.

"Wa - - wait," Lofis said before the door shut. Bant re-opened
it.

"What?"

"Would it be all

Hi jodiwent!
Wonderful post as usual!
I like Lofis alot, this looks like it could start to get very interesting!

Thanks snobee-wan! Hope you enjoy this too.
Hope the lurkers are out there.

NOTE:This was written way before AOTC so there is no Dooku in this one. In my stories Qui-Gon's old Master is Aji.
-------------

With much effort, and the help of Soliqua and Ganar, Qui-Gon
made it the three miles to the natural spring in the
mountains. That was as much as the Jedi Master's body could
handle. Strength of the Force or not, he had to stop. The
others would rather stay by the water for the night anyway. It
would give them time to plan their next move.

"This is annoying," was all Qui-Gon had to say.

When night fell it was cold, colder than it had been any other
night they had been stranded on Kessel. The sleeping
arrangements were complicated by two things; Qui-Gon still had
a fever and did not want to be any warmer; Soliqua refused to
be next to Ganar because of his over friendliness. Ganar was
cold and he let them know it.

'I'm going to freeze," He complained. "It will be on your
conscious."

"It is not freezing," Soliqua argued. "You will be
uncomfortable, you will not freeze."

As the night went on Ganar's chattering teeth were keeping
both Jedi masters awake.

"Will you stop that!" Soliqua finally demanded.

"I...I...Caaaannn't," The pilot spoke through his chattering
teeth. "P...ppll..eese. I wooon't t..t.try an..ny thhhing."

Soliqua huffed.

"Ganar get over here," Qui-Gon finally said. "Please Soliqua,
I'll make the sacrifice of having to look at his face all
night if you will put your back to his, and shut him up so we
can all sleep."

Ganar was there in a flash. The Jedi Master reluctantly made
her way to the others. "I swear if I feel as much as a pinkie
on me, I'll stuff your head down that spring; then you'll
know what cold is."

"Okay okay I get the point," Ganar said as he was thinking he may
have already known what cold was.

===

Bant watched as Obi-Wan and Lofis both stuffed their faces.
She didn't think anyone could eat like Obi-Wan, she was wrong.
While they devoured the 'snacks' he had set out, Lofis had
some crab like creatures boiling away. He brought them to the
table and the chow down continued.

"These are great," Obi-Wan said between the gnawing of shells.

"But your leaving half of it," Lofis said taking a big crunch.
"The lungs are the best part."

Lofis continued to munch away but Obi-Wan was reminded of 'the
green stuff' that had made him sick on the star liner.

"I think I've had enough, thank you."

Bant snickered behind her finned hand. Someone could out eat
Obi-Wan. "Yhea Obi-Wan the lungs are the best part," She
teased crunching on the part of the creature that the gills
were at. Instead of enjoying her joke she got an ill look
across her face. She put down the crab like food and winced.
Her hand went to her abdomen.

She had made no sound, but Obi-Wan knew she was in pain.
"What's wrong?"

"Are you all right?" Lofis asked.

"I think - - " She doubled over a little. "I think it's tim

On seeing her friend reunited with his beloved Master, Zaize
could not keep her cool 'Jedi' exterior. She looked at her
Master and wondered what she would do if anything ever
happened to Aji. She ran over to the towering man and gave him
a fleeting hug around his waist, then quickly went back to
taking care of Soliqua. Aji wondered what had come over his
Padawan. Although often very verbal, she was not one to show
her feelings openly.

Now Master Mikata was trying to figure out how to get the
injured Jedi back to the ship. Just as he was thinking about
it he heard the rumble of an engine. It was a human riding on
some kind of mining machine; It was Ganar.

"Look, My hero has returned," Soliqua joked as the pilot
climbed down from the drill. "This is our pilot, Ganar." She
introduced.

"Hi there Jedi guys," Ganar said uneasily. "I guess we don't
need this now."

"Just where did you get that?"

"The mines. They were reluctant to follow me so, I kind of
borrowed it."

"Well we can use it," Aji said. "We need to get them to our
ship."

"Oh yhea," Ganar saw that Soliqua was injured and lifted her
to a spot she could ride on the drill. Aji was the only one
strong enough to lift Qui-Gon. The others climbed up and clung
on for the bumpy ride.

When they reached the ship Ganar carried the lady Jedi Master
inside. After he put her down, Soliqua called him back to her
side. She propped herself up on her good elbow. The pilot
leaned over to hear her.

"By the way - - " She pleasantly shocked Him by planting a big
wet kiss on his cheek. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Ganar went all goofy and had his head in the
clouds the rest of the flight.

Because they were often in the extremely remote parts of the
galaxy, the ship had a bacta tank. It was decided that
Soliqua was in worse shape than Qui-Gon, so she was hooked up.
Young Zaize was quite skilled in med tech procedures.

The bacta capsule Aji had made Qui-Gon take had done more in
a few hours than all the meditating he had done. Qui-Gon had
been distracted.

"We have to get you to Coruscant," Master Mikata pointed out.

"Excuse me Master Mikata," Obi-Wan interjected. "Mon Calamari
is much closer."

===

"Why do you want to take them there?" Master Mikata asked.

"Soliqua promised Bant she'd be there when her eggs hatched,"
Obi-Wan explained. "If we go to Coruscant it will be too
late."

"She needs a healer - - "

"Healer Attan is still there, and another healer called
Old Fin and his apprentice."

"You think they can handle these two?"

"I'd trust my life, and my Masters to them," the Padawan said
as if he were trying to convince the head of a planet on some
point. "I am sure Master Soliqua will be good hands."

Aji contemplated the young Jedi. "You are very convincing
young man. Mon Calamari it is."

"The council is going to have a fit," Zaize commented.

"It won't be the first

Later Qui-Gon decided that it was time for Obi-Wan to get
back into some serious training. He knew Obi-Wan was not
back to his usual strength, but he shouldn't let things slide
either. He knew Obi-Wan would be happy; there was nothing that
boy liked better than sparring, except maybe looking at the
stars. In that way the two were alike. In other ways they were
so different.

Obi-Wan gave it everything; he still could not land
any strikes on Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon would not make it easy for him.
When a Jedi needed to use his saber, it was a life and
death situation. The Master was pleased, his padawan was
as good as he had been at his age. Obi-Wan even had a few
tricks of his own that would have worked on most, but not his
Master.

After a while Qui-Gon could see Obi-Wan fading. He started to
make clumsy mistakes. "You're tired we should stop. Kneel and
meditate, see if you can tap into the Living Force to gain
strength."

While Obi-Wan did that, Qui-Gon went to see how close to
Coruscant they were. They would arrive early the next day.

When Qui-Gon returned to where he had left Obi-Wan meditating,
he found his Padawan not resting or trying to gain strength,
but going over his saber combinations. It was clear that the
boy was exhausted, he would not give in. Qui-Gon watched him
trying to figure out why Obi-Wan felt different than he always
had when he practiced before. Instead of improving he was
getting more and more frustrated.

"Obi-Wan that's enough for today."

"No Master I can't stop now - - "

"Yes you can."

"Please, I want to practice."

"Not now, can't you see that your getting tired and sloppy."

Qui-Gon had not meant it to hurt Obi-Wan, only to point out that
he needed to rest. Obi-Wan heard it as 'he was fighting
sloppy.' Too many things had built up inside of Obi-Wan. He
shut off his saber and leaned against the wall. His head was
down, he would not look Qui-Gon in the face. Qui-Gon immediately
knew Obi-Wan was upset, he could feel it in the Force. He could
feel the boys erratic breathing and beating heart.

"Obi-Wan what is the matter?"

"If you think I'm not good enough, the council won't either.
They're going to send me away aren't they?"

"Did I tell you you were not good enough?" Qui-Gon asked.

"You said I was sloppy."

"I said you were getting sloppy. You need to rest. No one is
going to send you anywhere."

Obi-Wan still would not look at Qui-Gon.

"I'm still letting my emotions control me."

"You are still young, and have been through a lot. Look at me
my Padawan." He got the boy to look at him at least. "You are
misunderstanding me. I understand why. Listen to me, I am so
proud of you and how you've handled all of this."

"Really?"

"Really. What I meant was that I don't want you pushing
yourself too much."

"We'll be back on Coruscant soon, and I'll have to go in front
of the council. They - - "

"They will see a strong Jedi standing in

Love those little Jedi, almost as much as I love Obi-Wan!!!

Thanks for posting on such a regual basis. Like I said before I really loved this story the first time I read it and it's just as good this time. I really look forward to reading it.

You're welcome Kelly, thanks for reading again.

I'm making an effort to correct a page a day, so I can post once a day, and yes, finish where I left off

--------------------

"Look at this," one of the young restaurant workers moaned.
"Some guy is bringing like ten kids in here."

"Well we'll sell a lot of food," his co-worker commented.

"I see a mess in our future."

Why his Padawan had a passion for Corellian junk food Qui-Gon
never did figure. He would take a few bites of one of the
concoctions and wonder how Obi-Wan could eat it at all, let
alone three servings of it.

"You going to finish that Master?" the teen asked.

"No but I think you've had enough. All I need is for you to be
at the healers tomorrow sick on this stuff."

The children seemed to like the food too. 'Maybe one had to be
young to enjoy such things,' Qui-Gon thought.

To the surprise of the worker who had seen a mess in his future,
the children were clean and quiet compared to most kids that
came in there. They were not fighting over the free toys like
most children did. It dawned on him that the quiet children
were Jedi. He wasn't sure if their behavior was a relief or
weird.

All in all it had been a good day Qui-Gon believed. Aji's pay
back wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. They were all
sleepy when they rode the transport back to the temple. He and
Obi-Wan both had tired little Jedi curled up beside them.
Qui-Gon watched as his padawan snoozed. Tomorrow might not be
as pleasant a day for him. He could not imagine that any of
the council would see anything that would give them
reason to 'send Obi-Wan away'.

===

Obi-Wan's nap was rudely interrupted by someone yelling.

Down the other end of the transport, a large man yelled at
a small boy, "Don't give me any crap. You'll do as I say and you'll
like it."


A shiver went up the padawan's back. He was sure that his
Master had heard it as well. When Kenobi opened his eyes, he saw
Qui-Gon grabbing the man's fist before it could strike the boy.

Qui-Gon gave an age old Jedi warning to the man, "Do you really want to do
that Friend?" Then he used a mind trick. "You want to calm down."

"I want to calm down."

"You don't want to hurt anyone."

"I don't want to hurt anyone."

"You'll never lay a hand on the boy again."

"I'll never lay a hand on the boy again."

"You'll just take a seat now."

"I'll just take a seat now."

Obi-Wan couldn't help but admire how his Master had handled
the situation. Qui-Gon now turned to the boy and asked, "Is this
man your father?"

"Yes sir," the boy shyly answered. "What did you do to him?"

"Changed his mind. I think you'll be all right, now."

===

"Master, " Obi-Wan asked, "is it a good idea to leave that boy
in the hands of that man?"

"There are some things even a Jedi can not change." Qui-Gon
sighed. "Fortunately that man is very easily influenced. I
made sure

WONDERFUL POSTS!
Glad I finally caught up...school...grrr

Obi was so cute with the kids. But poor guy, thinking he made then all sick!

GREAT JOB!

I thought I had read this before. Poor Obi-Wan. He just can't catch a break. Of course, if we didn't like to torture our characters we wouldn't be writers.

I wish I had something more to say than thanks for reading snowbee-wan, but I'm glad you are reading, and letting me know you're reading.

Zara you may have read this before over on the classic board, or before the boards split. I'm sure it will be easier to read over here with 'most' of the type-os gone Thanks for reading again.
-----------------


"You should be taking it easy too Master Jinn," Kimu said. "As
good a job as Attan and the Mon Calamari healer did, you are
still on the mend."

"Is that a subtle hint that I should leave?" Qui-Gon asked.
"So you can see what's up with Obi-Wan?"

"Exactly."

"I'll see you tomorrow Padawan."

"Yes Master."

Qui-Gon left, Obi-Wan wasn't sure what to expect now. "Are
we going to have to do all that talking stuff again?" He asked
as if he'd rather do the most boring temple duties than that.

"Not until tomorrow," the healer said. "Tonight we're just
going to sort of hang out."

"But you're still going to be watching me to see of I'm ready to
go on mission; Right?"

"Yes."

Obi-Wan did not look thrilled.

"You know I don't bite. You can even see Mother Nisa's
children. I checked, both you and Qui-Gon have had what
they have before, so you are immune."

"Aren't they sleeping?"

"Are you kidding?" The healer laughed. "They're bouncing off
the walls."

"Where are they?"

Kimu led the padawan to the ward that the children were
staying in.

"OBI!" the children called out.

"Hello children," the padawan greeted.

"We got boo boo's in the belly," one said.

"I know - - "

===

"Have you got our 'ami-nam-an-als'?" one of the children asked.

"No they're in my room."

"Aww."

"But if I remember right - - " Obi-Wan looked around. "When I
was a kid, they had some games in here." He saw some things on
a shelf in the corner. "Look there's some markers and
flimsy-plast. You can draw your animals."

"Yhea!" "Cool."

Obi-Wan plopped the drawing items on the floor between two of
the beds and sat down to give each of the children a piece of
flimsy-plast. Then he dumped the multi colored markers in the
middle. The children sprawled around their new best buddy.

The children started drawing the animal toys that they had
gotten at the fast food place. They started to draw other
parts of their trip. One of the children drew Qui-Gon and
Obi-Wan carrying them. Another drew Mother Nisa sick in bed.
One of the boys drew when they were all throwing up.

"That's icky!" one of the girls said, but the others were
thought it was funny and laughed.

Before Obi-Wan knew it a few hours had gone by. He hardly noticed
Kimu had been observing them. The children were finally
getting tired. A few fell asleep on top of their masterpieces.
Their faces and white tee shirts now multi colored.
Even Obi-Wan curled up and closed his eyes.

"I think a bed would be softer," Kimu said shaking the
padawan's shoulder.

"I wasn'