Homepage: Kalynn's Fan Fiction - XFiles, Profiler, Star Wars:
TPM, Hercules, Young Hercules: http://www.geocities.com/kalyw
Rating: G
Archive: m_a
Classification: short story, series story, angst
Warnings: AU (compared to JA), knowledge of Inner Strength
series will help.
Spoilers: IS8: Inner Devotion
Summary: Elyzabe watches over Obi-Wan.
Feedback: it makes finals seem not quite so depressing l
Thank Yous: Okay, this was sorta Lori's fault by accident, and
then she beta'ed it as well g Thank you kindly, Lori.
Disclaimer: runs to check the mail nope, still not mine.
And I wrote such a nice letter to the firm of "Never gonna
happen"
It's tearing them apart. This damnable forced separation must
be some kind of misguided test. I cannot comprehend any true
reason for the pain I've been forced to bear witness to this
evening.
Qui-Gon has just left for his mission, when I last saw them,
Mace was sticking close by his side. Before tonight I had never
seen Qui-Gon Jinn look dejected. I've seen him incensed, scared
out of his mind and even confused, but never so lost as he was
when he said good bye to Obi-Wan. I hope never to have to see
it again.
The sleeping area is quiet, the steady rhythms of the children
breathing the only sound within the room. There is nothing to
mark the changes that have been wreaked upon those here.
Nothing save the echoing hurt along a fledgling bond.
After Qui-Gon left, I went back into the sleeping area and sat
on the floor next to Obi-Wan's bed. For some time, I simply sat
there, watching as he slept, curled tightly in the bed.
However, the initial peaceful reaction to the Force suggested
sleep began to slowly fade.
Looking at the sleeping child, I feel now-familiar tears again
pricking at the back of my eyes. Even in sleep the signs of
distress are clear on his young face.
I blink hard, concentrating on Obi-Wan. My heart aches as his
hands clutch tightly at the worn stuffed wookiee. I had never
guessed the significance of the animal until Qui-Gon mentioned
it to me. We had eaten a late dinner together after a sudden
storm had caused their delayed return from the Runian gardens.
We ended up talking through half of the night about the boy who
so captured both our hearts.
I remember the uncertainty and worry when Obi-Wan was sick. I
had finally pieced together the unique connection between the
two when Obi-Wan fell ill. The healers were sure he was going
to die.
Even now I marvel at the strength of will Qui-Gon showed,
simply not allowing the child to slip away. Yet, it wasn't only
Qui-Gon that fought during that time. I can sense a strength in
Obi-Wan I've never encountered in someone so young.
I reach over and touch his hand softly where it grips the
stuffed animal. I'm surprised when the small hand lets loose of
the wookiee and takes hold of my own. When I try carefully to
slip my hand free, Obi-Wan holds on tighter. I can't help but
smile, and with my free hand I brush his damp hair softly.
When he begins murmuring softly under his breath, I can feel
the painful confusion in his dreams. There are tears brimming
under his closed eyelids, and his head jerks suddenly. I feel
an answering tear slide slowly down my own cheek. I wipe it
away distractedly before it can fall from my chin.
Closing my eyes, I reach out through the Force, doing my best
to ease his pain. I crawl up to sit on the edge of the bed. I
wouldn't have thought it possible, however he holds onto my
hand even more tightly.
The bed gives beneath my weight and he begins to stir. Placing
my hand on his cheek, I ensure that he stays asleep for a
little while longer. Another soft touch of the Force and his
dreams shift to more peaceful times. The morning will not be
pleasant for him, and for now I would grant him this small
gift.
I cannot ask for him to understand what has happened. It
wouldn't be right for the teacher to ask her student to do what
she herself cannot even manage.
The very skies seem to echo the tumultuous emotions of this
night. It is rare to know a rain so heavy you can hear it deep
within the temple. Yet I am unsurprised when I hear the dull
roar of water landing upon the roofs high above.
Slowly his gasping breath calms and only scattered hiccups
remain. The flush of tears is still on his cheeks and his hair
is sticking out at all angles. I can't help but smile sadly
when he curls up against my side.
Wrapping my arm around him as best I can, I begin to hum very
softly. The song is one that a Master once sang to me when I
was a child. His breathing finally steady, I kiss his forehead
lightly.
All of my students are special to me, it has always been so.
Obi-Wan is just especially dear to my heart these past months.
Another occurrence that I fail to totally understand, yet one I
wouldn't dream of questioning.
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