Homepage: Kalynn's Fan Fiction - XFiles, Profiler, Star Wars:
TPM, Hercules, Young Hercules:
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/5579
Rating: PG
Archive: m_a
Classification: short story, series story, angst, humor (I
hope)
Series: Inner Strength Series, # 5
Warnings: possible AU (compared to JA), knowledge of previous
stories in series will help this one make a lot more sense.
Summary: A lift malfunctions with Obi-Wan inside, and results
ensue.
Feedback: Thank you to each and every person who has written me
about this series! I appreciate your support more than you can
know. Please, let me know what you think!
Thank You's: First, to Holly for the continued beta and flat
out emotional support g I'm not sure this would have
ever been finished without your, uh, prodding g Second,
to Fyre for giving feedback when I was wandering aimlessly.
Third, two of the characters herein are named for my
multi-fandom buds Fyre and Beth - thanks for letting me use
your names g
Disclaimer: These boys aren't mine, although I'm pretty greedy
where the little one is concerned. :-) Can I just keep little
Obi-Wan? Please? I'm making no money, please don't sue - I'm
not even worth the legal bills...
"Master Kohn?" Obi-Wan Kenobi asked, looking up at the Jedi
teacher.
Kohn turned her attention to the small child and smiled
faintly. "What is it Obi-Wan?"
Shifting in his seat slightly, he replied, "I forgot my
training stones back in the sleeping quarters."
"Didn't Padawan Jonis remind you to bring them to the lessons
today, Obi-Wan?" she asked, the slightest touch of scolding in
her tone.
"Yes, Master," Obi-Wan replied, his gaze falling to focus on
his hands.
The Jedi smiled, but kept her tone even. "Look at me Obi-Wan."
When the boy looked back up at her, she continued. "Everyone
forgets something at some time, it's expected. If you promise
to go directly to the sleeping rooms, you may retrieve your
training stones."
Obi-Wan's eyes brightened. "Yes, Master," he said gratefully.
When he stood, Kohn placed a hand on his arm. "Just don't make
a habit of this Obi-Wan and we'll consider it an unexpected
lesson," she said with soft eyes.
With an awkward bow, Obi-Wan replied, "Yes, Master," and
hurried from the classroom.
Although it was unusual for such a young student to walk
unaccompanied through the Temple, it did happen and Obi-Wan was
for the most part overlooked as he hurried back toward the
sleeping area.
Stepping onto an empty lift, Obi-Wan carefully pressed the
button for the level he needed to go to, and waited as the
doors closed and the lift hummed to life. He had only been
moving for a moment when the lift shuddered and stopped
suddenly.
Obi-Wan glanced around uneasily as the regular lighting in the
lift faded, and a red light flared brightly. He had just
reached for the comm button on the wall when the floor fell out
from beneath him.
Frightened, Obi-Wan closed his eyes and a hollow scream tore
from his throat as the lift plummeted downward. Scant moments
dragged out into eternity. Obi-Wan feeling as if he was
floating within the small room as it fell.
With another glance at the door, Kohn forced herself to admit
she was growing more and more concerned as to what Obi-Wan
might have wandered into to be so late. The teacher knew the
student well, as she did all her students, and Obi-Wan was not
one to break his word.
Looking at the chrono on the wall, Kohn knew that Obi-Wan
should be back already, even if he had been delayed. After
quickly conversing with Padawan Jonis, Kohn left the classroom
to follow the same path Obi-Wan had a little while earlier. As
she walked, she had a feeling that she couldn't quite shake
that something wasn't right.
The teacher's path ended when she reached a broken lift.
Glancing at the technician that was working on the lift, she
asked, "How long has this been broken?"
"About ten minutes," he replied, looking at the worried Jedi.
The shaken feeling settled heavily on her stomach. The timing
would have been about right for Obi-Wan to have been at the
lift. "Was anyone on it when it malfunctioned?"
The tech shook his head, "I wasn't told. I was just asked to
fix it."
"Thank you," Kohn said stiffly. Before turning to leave she
asked, "Do you know where the lift itself is?"
"The malfunction happened here," he explained, "but all we've
pieced together is that the malfunction sent it downward."
"Downward." She thought for a moment. "How far down? Did it
crash?"
Shrugging, he replied, "We don't know yet."
"Where's Qui-Gon?" Kohn asked without preamble, walking up to
Mace Windu. "I haven't been able to find him."
The Jedi turned to face the teacher. "He's at the Krenian
Embassy, Master Kohn." Windu regarded the woman silently for a
moment before saying, "Something's happened."
Kohn nodded. "There's been a lift malfunction."
"The boy?" Mace asked, easily reading the other's concern.
"He was returning to the sleeping quarters to retrieve his
training stones. From what I've been able to gather, the lift
lost power and fell some distance downward."
Alarm flashed in the Master's dark eyes. "Yet nothing has been
done to search for him?"
"Apparently," Kohn said, taking a deep breath, "the walkway was
empty when he entered the lift. No one knew anyone was inside
until I questioned the mechanic."
Windu blinked slowly. "And you're sure he was inside?"
Kohn again nodded in response. "He's no where else. Mace,
Obi-Wan may be a mischievous child, but deliberately wandering
off is not something he would do."
"Do they know if the lift crashed or if it's wedged somewhere
intact?" Mace asked, not voicing the one question both Masters
held. If it had crashed, was it possible the child was even
still alive?
Shaking her head, Kohn replied in a quiet whisper. "We don't
know." She paused before adding, "That's why we need Qui-Gon.
Their bond will make it easier to find him. The lift is
apparently deep within in the lower levels and it is taking
time to stabilize the lift shaft. We can't reach Obi-Wan until
that happens."
"I'll contact Qui-Gon, you keep on maintenance to hurry fixing
the lift."
"Thank you, Mace. That's what I was hoping you would say," she
replied, faint relief coloring her words through the obvious
concern.
Windu watched for a moment as the other Master hurried from the
room. Taking a deep breath, he walked briskly toward the hanger
to find a transport to the Krenian Embassy.
The lift slowed gradually, but continued downward before
finally grinding to a stop. Obi-Wan was unsure how long he had
been falling, and shakily stood in the center of the finally
motionless lift, forcing his eyes open. Blinking fast, Obi-Wan
stared as the lift doors slid open, revealing darkened, empty
corridors.
It only took a moment for the boy to realize that he was
actually in the lower levels he had asked Master Qui-Gon about
on their trip to the Runian gardens. Stepping hesitantly out
into the silent walkway, Obi-Wan glanced around with large
eyes.
The scared feeling he had known but a moment before faded as
the urge to explore the forbidden world captured him. Not even
blinking, the boy stepped farther into the dark corridor, the
sound of his shoes against the floor echoing along the silent
walls.
With a glance back at the frozen lift, Obi-Wan walked down the
walkway eager to explore the area where he suddenly found
himself. Reaching out a hand, he traced a path along the wall.
He pulled his hand back when he noticed the cool surface felt
wrong somehow. Dead.
After walking a while, he turned and walked down a hallway to
the left. Dim light flickered from somewhere overhead. Glancing
up, Obi-Wan squinted but couldn't tell where it was coming
from.
He had been walking for several moments more when he heard a
faint scuffling noise just ahead. Walking a little further, the
curious boy saw the shadow of something small dart through an
open door. A smile breaking on his face, Obi-Wan ran through
the door.
Once inside, he squinted in the darkness before seeing a small
Ja'des kitten curled up in the corner. Still smiling, Obi-Wan
crept on his hands and knees over next to the furry kitten and
held out his hand. The animal sniffed it uncertainly before
crawling over to him.
With a laugh, he picked up the creature and held it next to his
chest. Hearing it purring against him, he rubbed his cheek
against the spiky fur.
"You need a name," Obi-Wan said to the kitten, holding out in
front of him. "I know, how about Fyre?"
Tucking the kitten back under his chin, he added, "Yeah, Corin
would have like that, too. We used to play at the Fyre Falls
back home."
A sad look filtered across his eyes before the animal mewed
softly, distracting him. Obi-Wan laughed. "Let's go see what we
can find down here, okay Fyre?"
Leaving the side room, the boy and his new-found friend walked
back down the hallway.
Although the trip to the Krenian Embassy was short by Coruscant
standards, Mace Windu was growing impatient by the time the
transport docked. He took a deep breath, releasing the
impatience he felt, knowing that he would need all of his
patience when he spoke to Qui-Gon.
His long stride carried him quickly through the outer offices
of the embassy until he reached a large, ornate desk.
"May I help you?" The desk was manned by a young Krenian, tall
and thin with pale purple hair that hung to the waist.
Mace nodded. "I need to speak with Master Jinn immediately."
The man nodded in response. "The Master is in meetings with
Ambassador Hubrn at the moment. I can ring him if necessary."
"Thank you," Windu replied.
A few moments later, the secretary said, "If you'll follow me,
I'll show you to a room where you may speak with Master Jinn
privately."
Windu followed the slight man into a large side room, entering
just as Qui-Gon did from the opposite end. Windu could tell by
looking at him that he was on guard.
At seeing his friend, Qui-Gon asked, "Mace, what's going on?
What's happened?"
The formidable master swallowed almost nervously before
speaking. Qui-Gon found his unease growing, watching as Mace
replied, "There's been an incident at the Temple."
"An incident?" Qui-Gon asked, every Force sense within him
screaming that something had happened to Obi-Wan. "What's
happened, Mace?" he added, his voice hard.
Windu walked across the room. "Apparently a lift malfunctioned.
Obi-Wan was inside. "
Qui-Gon blinked slowly, his blue eyes betraying his calm
exterior. "Is he all right?"
"We don't know, he's missing."
"What do you mean he's missing?" Qui-Gon Jinn asked, managing
the words around clenched teeth.
Mace flinched imperceptibly. "That's why I came to find you.
The lift lost power, it's deep within the lower levels. Nothing
can be done until they stabilize the lift shaft. That's where
Kohn is right now."
"I can't just leave," Qui-Gon said, fighting the urge to pace
as duty conflicted with the need to find Obi-Wan.
Windu easily read the heated conflict within his friend. "Why
do you think I'm here?" At Qui-Gon's confused glance, he
continued, "Your place is with him, Qui-Gon, not here. I'll
take care of this."
"Thank you, Mace," Qui-Gon said, the slightest amount of relief
in his voice. "I owe you," he added over his shoulder while
walking toward the door.
Windu smiled, "Yeah, I'll just add it to your tab. Now go find
our boy."
Qui-Gon nodded briefly and hurried from the room to the waiting
transport.
Still holding the kitten to his chest, Obi-Wan wandered
aimlessly through the winding hallways. His grin never leaving
his face, Obi-Wan turned down a walkway to the right. The
mysterious flickering overhead light was brighter in some areas
than others, and for the time being Obi-Wan was happy staying
in those areas.
He could hear a humming noise off in the distance and tried to
track it. After several twists and turns, Obi-Wan realized that
he had no idea how to find the lift again.
Unease battled within him against the excitement of the
forgotten area. Blinking slowly, Obi-Wan reached out along the
link he had with Qui-Gon. The boy knew he couldn't always feel
the Jedi Master, especially if he was far away. The empty place
in his mind made him shiver, and he held Fyre closer to him.
Obi-Wan thought briefly that Master Qui-Gon might be worried
about him, but at that moment the humming sound grew louder and
his curiosity grew. With a last glance back in the direction he
had came from, he started walking toward the noise.
His unease forgotten, the boy followed the sound through the
empty corridors. As he walked, the noise grew louder, until he
found himself facing a closed door. He tried to push the door
open with one hand, while still holding onto the animal.
When the door wouldn't budge, he sat the kitten down on the
floor. "Stay there, Fyre, okay?" he asked, not thinking it at
all strange to reason with his pet.
The kitten didn't move, and Obi-Wan turned back to the door.
Pushing on it with what strength he could manage, the door had
just moved open far enough for him to slide through when he
noticed something move in the hallway.
Turning his attention from the door, he looked back in time to
see Fyre running back down the hallway. "Aw, man," the little
boy mumbled. "Fyre, come back."
The noise and the door forgotten for the moment, Obi-Wan ran
after the small kitten. His back turned as he raced after his
pet, he turned a corner and didn't see the brilliant flash that
lit the doorway, a searing heat accompanying the light. After
the light faded, the heat cooled, and the corridor returned to
its darkened state.
"Fyre!" the boy cried, finally finding the animal sitting in
the middle of a side walkway, looking up at him expectantly.
"Why did you run away?" he asked in a small voice as he picked
the kitten up and held it in his arms. Fyre mewed softly, and
rubbed his head against Obi-Wan's chin.
Unaware of the danger hidden in the room he had been about to
enter, Obi-Wan tried to retrace his steps. However, he soon
realized he wasn't sure which direction he had run when
following the kitten, and the sound was suddenly missing.
Shrugging, Obi-Wan picked a hallway at random and set out in
search of whatever else might be hidden away.
Kohn was doing her best not to pace near the lift shaft when
she felt a presence that made her turn around. Looking through
the group that had gathered by the lift, she found the person
she sought.
"Qui-Gon," she called out to the fast-approaching Jedi.
With a nod, the Master asked, "How is it a five year old gets
lost in a lift, Master Kohn?" Even as the words seethed through
his teeth, he regretted the harsh tone.
Kohn flinched slightly, regarding the tall Jedi hesitantly. "He
was returning to the sleeping areas, with my permission. The
lift malfunctioned while he was in it."
"You're sure?" Qui-Gon asked, managing to push back his temper.
During the flight from the embassy to the Temple, it had been a
constant struggle to maintain his calm. Raging through the
Temple corridors would serve little purpose in helping Obi-Wan.
With a nod, Kohn replied, "They've checked the logs. Obi-Wan
was on board during the malfunction."
"And the state of the lift?" Qui-Gon asked, his attention drawn
to the team of technicians that struggled with the lift
controls.
"We should know shortly," Kohn replied, rubbing her eyes.
"They're going to try and bring it back up as soon as they
determine how far down it is."
Qui-Gon nodded, accepting the information, while trying to
release the emotions that came with it. His voice crackled with
energy as he asked, "And if it crashed?"
"We'll deal with it." Kohn looked at Qui-Gon in silence for a
moment. In a low voice, she added, "I was hoping you would be
able to feel him through your bond, even from here."
Qui-Gon closed his eyes, and let out a long breath. When he
opened his eyes, Kohn was surprised by the emotion that
flickered in the blue depths. "I can't feel him at all,
Elyzabe."
The admission shocked the teacher almost as much as his use of
her first name. "The bond is new and limited by distance," Kohn
surmised.
"The unease I feel now is similar to when he was ill. An
uncertainty I can't quite grasp."
Elyzabe was kept from responding by one of the mechanics.
"We've got it!" he called out. Both Masters ran to the
technician's side, glancing over his shoulder at the read out.
"Lower level forty-one," the tech read out.
Kohn glanced at Qui-Gon. "That's lower than I've ever heard of
anyone going." She thought for a moment, "And it could explain
why you can't feel him, if he's really that far down."
"Are you going to raise the lift?" Qui-Gon asked after nodding
to the
The mechanic stood. "We're working on it as we speak. Our best
guess is it didn't crash, but it is wedged down in there pretty
tightly."
Kohn felt a brief smile of relief tug at her mouth. "If it
didn't crash, and Obi-Wan stayed put, he should be in the lift
when they raise it."
Qui-Gon nodded, but Kohn saw something similar to humor, but
darker, flicker across his eyes. "His staying put is what
worries me."
A distant conversation filtered though Qui-Gon's memory:
Obi-Wan's curious questions about the lower levels during their
flight to the Runian gardens. "If he isn't hurt, he's most
likely wandered out into the level," Qui-Gon finished aloud.
"I'm sure the doors were jammed shut," the technician said,
reading the Masters' concern.
"When will we know?" Kohn asked, sharing Qui-Gon's
apprehension.
A low buzzing sound suddenly came from the open shaft,
capturing theattention of everyone present. The man replied,
"As soon as the lift finishes climbing back up through the
levels."
A loud screeching sound caused Obi-Wan to jump, and he looked
at the wall that stood between him and the noise. Holding the
kitten tighter, he glanced nervously in the direction of the
diminishing sound. The noise of ripping metal seemed to move
upward before the child could hear it no longer.
When Fyre cried out loudly, Obi-Wan loosened his strangle hold
on the kitten. "Sorry, Fyre," he whispered, petting the
animal's head.
Once the kitten was again purring, the offense forgiven,
Obi-Wan looked around the unfamiliar walkway. For only the
second time since leaving the lift, the boy regretted the
decision to stray so far away.
With a shrug, he cast the concern aside, the temptation of what
lay beyond still too overwhelming to let pass. Glancing at his
new pet,Obi-Wan said, "Let's see what's through that door."
After walking through the doorway, Fyre jumped from Obi-Wan's
grasp and landed lightly on the slick floor. "Not again, Fyre,"
Obi-Wan groaned, expecting the animal to run away.
For a moment the kitten looked up at Obi-Wan, before making its
way across the long room. At the far end, Obi-Wan found him,
crawling through a door that was shorter than even Obi-Wan
himself.
Green eyes lit up as Obi-Wan watched the little kitten
disappear into whatever lay behind the wall, and walk back out,
as if waiting for the curious child to follow.
With a giggle, the boy pressed through the small opening. Once
inside the hidden chamber, Obi-Wan squinted to see in the dusky
dark room. Seeing Fyre waiting for him across the room, he
walked quickly over to the kitten.
"What is this place?" the boy asked to himself, looking up at
the towering ceiling.
When Fyre mewed softly, Obi-Wan turned his attention to the
animal. The kitten had walked over to the far edge of the room,
and crawled under a table.
Rolling his eyes, Obi-Wan complained, "Not under there, it's
dirty." He thought for a moment, a devious smile curving his
lips. "Then again, getting dirty usually means having fun."
Getting a running start, Obi-Wan dropped on his stomach to
slide along the floor, his movement ending under the
cloth-draped table.
"Ouch," he muttered, rubbing a bump on his head from where he
hit a table leg. However the pain was forgotten when he spotted
the kitten.
Grinning, Obi-Wan reached out for Fyre. "Come here," he said,
picking up the kitten.
He looked around for a moment, his vision limited by the pale,
brittle table covering. In the corner, where table end met
wall, the child noticed something flickering softly. His
curiosity got the better of him, and he crawled down to the
mysterious object.
Once there, Obi-Wan found a button set in the floor that seemed
to be made of some kind of clear stone. Reaching out a small
hand, he pressed the stone lightly.
When the floor began to shake beneath him, his hand recoiled
and he again held Fyre in a strangle-tight grip. Suddenly he
again felt the sensation of the floor disappearing out from
under him. He closed his eyes, and felt the air rush out of him
as he fell.
This time, however, the fall was short and when Obi-Wan opened
his eyes, he realized he could still see the table overhead. He
coughed; landing hard against the floor had driven the breath
from him. He blinked, trying to clear the dust his fall had
stirred up from his eyes.
A quick glance revealed that he still held Fyre next to him,
and he smiled when the kitten sneezed softly. "I think I messed
up," the boy said, giggling softly.
He stopped laughing, however, when he tried to stand and
realized his foot was jammed in a crack in the floor. Pulling
at his leg, Obi-Wan grimaced and stopped. He was stuck.
With a small sigh, he looked again at his pet. Shifting the
kitten in his lap, he pulled his free leg up to his chest and
rested his forehead on his knee. "Master Qui-Gon's gonna kill
me," he groaned under his breath.
When the lift shuddered to a stop, neither Kohn nor Qui-Gon
moved. The small lift, bathed in a red light stood before them
with the doors open, empty.
"Is the lift safe to take back to level forty-one?" Elyzabe
asked.
The tech nodded. "As long as we stay with it, it should be. I
don't know of any other way you'll be able to get that far
down, anyway."
"Then let's go," Qui-Gon said, his long strides quickly
crossing the distance to the lift. When Kohn followed, he
added, "You don't have to come with me."
"Like hell I don't," the teacher replied in a low voice. "It
will be easier if just the two of us check it out for now," she
added to another Jedi that stood next to the door.
The Knight nodded, "Yes Master Kohn."
Qui-Gon leveled a piercing gaze on the head technician. "What
are we waiting for?"
"Next stop, level forty-one," the man said. "When you're ready
to come back, press the comm button twice, we'll bring you
back." As the lift doors closed, they heard him muttering
something about Jedi patience.
The ride to level forty-one was spent in silence. Neither
Qui-Gon nor Elyzabe sought to speak out loud the thoughts each
knew the other shared. Finding the right level was the easy
part, finding one small boy in that entire level was another
matter altogether.
After several long moments, the lift shuddered to a stop and
the doors pulled open. Qui-Gon stepped out into the dark
hallway, Kohn following shortly behind.
Glancing around, Kohn said, "It looks like you were right. He
must have wandered off." She glanced over at Qui-Gon, who stood
still, his eyes closed. "Can you feel him?"
Reaching out along the bond he shared with the boy, he felt a
faint response. A moment later, he nodded. "He was here, I can
feel him." He met the teacher's eyes. "But it's muted."
"Then let's find him," Elyzabe said with a forced grin.
"This way," Qui-Gon said, indicating the long hallway that
stretched out before them.
They had been walking for some time when Kohn said, "Do you
hear that?"
Qui-Gon tilted his head, listening. "It sounds like an
old-style thermal generator."
Rounding a corner in the seemingly endless corridors, they
found the source of the noise. "The door's open," Elyzabe said,
standing before a door labeled 'Generator.' After a moment's
pause she looked at Qui-Gon with shadowed eyes and added, "You
don't think he went inside?"
Closing his eyes, Qui-Gon stretched his senses outward. "I
think he opened the door, but he didn't go inside. I can still
feel him, beyond this place."
"Thank the Force for small favors," she commented with a wry
grin. "His curiosity will get the better of all of us at this
rate." Kohn pulled the door shut, just in time to avoid another
blast of the generator. "That was close," she murmured under
her breath.
"This way," Qui-Gon said. A moment later, the Jedi stopped and
tilted his head. "There's something else."
Kohn regarded the serious man for a moment. "Did something else
find Obi-Wan first?"
Touching the bond again, Qui-Gon fought the smile that turned
the corners of his mouth. "I'd say Obi-Wan found something. I'm
not sure what, however."
"I'm not entirely reassured by that," Elyzabe replied dryly.
"Probably with good reason," Qui-Gon said, unable to completely
hide his sudden humor. Walking down the hall, he added, "It's
not much further."
Kohn nodded, "It must not be, the vague impression in the Force
I've been feeling since we started looking is getting stronger
as we get closer."
"You're his teacher, you would recognize him almost as easily
as I," Qui-Gon said softly.
"I teach a great many students, Qui-Gon," she argued.
"However," she laughed lightly, "this one has seemed to worm
his way into my life deeper than most."
Qui-Gon tossed Kohn a look, not masking the mirth from his eyes
that he kept from his face. "Then I would venture to guess you
would know somewhat how I felt that night in the Temple."
They walked in silence for a moment, before Kohn asked, "Do you
regret it? Stumbling onto such a bond with a boy?"
If he was surprised by the question, he didn't show it. "It was
unexpected, Elyzabe, but I do not regret it. No more than I
could push him away." The teacher smiled, but didn't comment.
The more time she spent in the company of the stoic Jedi, the
more often she found herself surprised by his actions where her
young student was involved.
Reaching the end of a walkway, they were faced with an open
door. "He's in here," Kohn said before Qui-Gon could comment.
Walking into the large room, Qui-Gon said, "Yes, but where in
here exactly?" Glancing around the room, he pointed toward a
far corner. "There I do believe."
"Obi-Wan?" Kohn called out as they walked toward the long
table.
When he didn't reply, Qui-Gon tried, "Obi-Wan?"
From where he was curled up beneath the table, Obi-Wan stirred
slightly. Opening his eyes, he rubbed them with the back of his
hands. With a yawn he managed to wake up enough to hear the
voices that were calling him.
An instant later, Obi-Wan recognized the presence in the room.
"Master Qui-Gon?" he called out, still unable to see anything
but the bottom of the table overhead.
"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon's voice answered from somewhere in the room,
walking closer.
Fyre's ears perked up, and looked up at the small boy. With a
small noise, the kitten jumped out of the hole and ran across
the floor.
"Fyre!" Obi-Wan called out, unable to grab the animal before it
ran away. Obi-Wan shivered, wrapping his arms around his chest,
already missing what little warmth the kitten had provided.
Still unable to stand up, Obi-Wan didn't move, but said,
"Master Qui-Gon? Can you hear me?"
Outside in the room, Kohn jumped when the small kitten ran
under her feet. With a glance at the animal, she didn't break
stride walking toward the far end of the table.
"Obi-Wan?" she called out, lifting the table covering as
Qui-Gon ducked under the table.
"Master Kohn?" Obi-Wan asked in a small, tremble-wracked voice.
When he saw Qui-Gon's head appear overhead, the boy added, "I'm
in trouble, aren't I?"
Qui-Gon bit back a smile. "We'll worry about that later. Right
now we need to get you out of here." Reaching out with his
hand, he added, "Give me your hand, I'll pull you up."
"I'm stuck," the child replied, ducking his head.
The Jedi thought for a moment, "How are you stuck?"
Obi-Wan looked back up at Qui-Gon. His voice a whisper, he
replied, "My foot is stuck on something."
Qui-Gon nodded and moved to talk to Kohn, who hid her laughter
when she heard a muttered curse after the tall Jedi hit his
head on the table. When Qui-Gon stood up, he rubbed his head
absently.
"You might not want to use expressions quite like that around
Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon."
The Jedi looked at her in confusion before he thought back on
the particular colorful expression he had used. "Probably not,"
he agreed.
"How badly is he stuck?" she asked a moment later.
Qui-Gon shook his head, "I couldn't tell. Not too badly, I
don't think."
After both Masters ducked back under the table, they crawled
over to the small hole. "Ready to get out of there, little
one?" Qui-Gon asked.
Elyzabe blinked at the endearment, but the darkness hid the
surprise on her face and the other Master was too distracted
with Obi-Wan to read it from her. "Here, Obi-Wan, give me your
hands," Qui-Gon said.
Obi-Wan reached up tentatively. "Okay," he said, trusting the
two elders implicitly.
When Qui-Gon was holding Obi-Wan's hands, Kohn lay across the
floor so that her arms and head were inside the hole. "I think
I see the problem," she called out, her voice muffled by the
floor.
A moment later, Obi-Wan cried out softly when his foot was
freed. "There!" the teacher said, pulling herself from the hole
as Qui-Gon did the same for Obi-Wan.
"Think you can crawl out?" Qui-Gon asked, looking over the
scruffy boy.
Obi-Wan nodded, but didn't meet Qui-Gon's gaze. A short time
later, they were standing beside the table. In one smooth
movement, Qui-Gon picked the child up and held him against his
chest. Soon the shivering child was wrapped within the folds of
his robe.
"Obi-Wan?" Kohn asked softly, brushing a lock of hair from his
forehead. She glanced quickly at his leg, and knew that a visit
to the healers would be in order.
The boy looked at her with large green eyes, "I didn't mean to
get lost."
Qui-Gon held the child tighter and closed his eyes briefly.
Letting out a long breath, he said, "We know that, little one.
Sometimes the urge to explore is just too great to let pass."
"However," Kohn added, "if this were to happen again, I should
hope you would know better."
With a nod, the boy yawned sleepily. The Jedi settled Obi-Wan's
head on his shoulder. "Go to sleep now, Obi-Wan. You've had a
busy day."
Hazy eyes looked up at Qui-Gon. "Is Master Yoda gonna hit me
with his stick?"
When Elyzabe laughed, Qui-Gon shook his head. "I think he saves
that for the older students."
"Oh," Obi-Wan replied softly. "Will he hit you with his stick?"
Kohn merely laughed harder as Qui-Gon replied, "I sincerely
hope not. Why?"
"I don't know," Obi-Wan replied with a giggle.
"All right you two, it's time to get back up to the Temple,"
Kohn said after watching them for a moment.
Qui-Gon nodded, and they had just started walking across the
room when they heard a small noise. Obi-Wan's head shot up, and
his eyes searched the room. "Fyre!" he called out urgently.
"Where?" Qui-Gon asked, glancing around quickly for any sign of
a blaze.
Obi-Wan laughed, even amidst his concern. "Not that kind of
fire. That Fyre," he said, pointing at the small animal which
had scared Kohn earlier.
"The Ja'des kitten I saw earlier?"
Obi-Wan nodded and looked at Qui-Gon with imploring eyes. "We
have to find him! We can't just leave him here."
"Obi-Wan . . ." Qui-Gon said, hoping to dissuade the child.
With a defiant shake of his head, Obi-Wan wrapped his arms
around Qui-Gon's neck and replied, "He stayed with me, we can't
just leave him. Please, Master Qui-Gon?"
Qui-Gon groaned softly and closed his eyes. "Elyzabe, would you
mind?"
With a sly grin, Kohn walked across the room and retrieved the
pet. "This is Fyre, I take it?" she asked Obi-Wan as they left
the room.
Nodding, Obi-Wan smiled, again fighting at sleep. "He's my
friend."
"We'll take good care of him, little one," Qui-Gon said softly.
"You sleep."
"Not again," Obi-Wan complained, another yawn betraying his
argument.
Kohn glanced at Qui-Gon. "Not again what?"
With a deep laugh, the Jedi shook his head and replied,
"Obi-Wan, just go to sleep."
"Yes, Master," he said around a giggle which was mirrored by a
small noise from Fyre.
When the lift doors opened, the two Jedi Masters were surprised
to only find the technicians and Mace Windu waiting for them.
"When we heard you found him okay, Yoda sent everyone away,"
Windu explained before either could raise the question.
Qui-Gon nodded, "We still need to take this one to the
infirmary, however."
Windu nodded, but his gaze fell on the kitten sleeping in
Kohn's arms. "You've done it again, Qui-Gon."
"What?" Qui-Gon asked, his face radiating confused innocence.
"What have I done?"
Windu grinned, "Now you've gotten the boy bringing back little
pets."
Kohn grinned, "I do seem to recall hearing something along
those lines about a trip to Merenda Five, Qui-Gon."
"Windu, must you tell everything you know?" Qui-Gon asked, his
face not quite managing the seriousness in his voice.
Mace shrugged, "Who says I said anything?"
Walking toward the healers, Qui-Gon commented, "Possibly
because you were the only other one there."
"I wasn't the only one there. There was also the Grunain pup."
Qui-Gon glowered at his friend, but the gaze held little real
hostility. Windu was spared his retort when Obi-Wan chose that
moment to wake up.
"Master Qui-Gon?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.
"Yes, Obi-Wan?"
Dropping his head back onto Qui-Gon's shoulder, the boy
replied, "Nothing, just checking."
Qui-Gon wondered at the odd statement, but didn't comment. He
was pulled from his thoughts when Kohn said, "I'm going to take
this little guy to the Animal Gardens."
"Will he be okay there?" Obi-Wan's sleepy voice asked, glancing
worriedly at the kitten.
With a smile, Elyzabe again brushed the hair off Obi-Wan's
forehead. "He'll be fine, Obi-Wan. I'll make sure of it." Just
before turning to the right, she added, "I'll be at the healers
before they let you go."
Obi-Wan murmured his agreement, but was already half asleep.
Windu watched the interaction, and once Obi-Wan was being
checked by the healers he spoke to Qui-Gon. "You're good with
him."
Qui-Gon turned his attention from Obi-Wan to his friend.
"What?"
"Or should I say he's good for you?"
Understanding what Mace was trying to say, Qui-Gon nodded.
Crossing his arms tightly over his chest, he commented, "I
would say he's better for me than I am for him."
"Why do you say that?"
Qui-Gon shook his head. "Just a feeling. Like being near me
will end up getting him in more trouble than anything."
"Well," Windu said with a grin, "that's inevitable. You are
Qui-Gon Jinn, scourge of the Council after all."
A grin pulled at Qui-Gon's mouth contrary to his ideas
otherwise. "You're such a comforting councillor, Mace. You
really should try for that Council seat next season."
"I just might," Windu replied with a smug look before grinning.
"Yoda would probably love that," he remarked dryly.
At that moment, Kohn stuck her head into the room. "Qui-Gon?
Something's come up with one of the other students. Could you
take Obi-Wan back to his room for me?"
"Yes, Mace?" he asked his grinning friend a moment later.
A laugh tore from the other Master. With a shake of his head,
he replied, "Nothing, I just would rather not imagine your
voice mangling a lullaby."
"You're just jealous I beat you in that singing contest,"
Qui-Gon commented, gazing at Obi-Wan through a wall of
transparisteel.
"How could you have beat me?" Windu asked. "You were the only
entrant who didn't catch Bakarun bronchitis as I recall."
Qui-Gon did laugh then. "Which as I recall, the judges truly
regretted once they heard me sing. I never did forgive Bri for
forcing me into that silly contest."
"Too bad," Mace said, "because he could actually sing."
A far away look settled into Qui-Gon's eyes, but was lifted
when Obi-Wan was allowed to walk into the room. "Master
Qui-Gon?" he asked, looking up at the Jedi.
Kneeling in front of Obi-Wan, he asked, "Ready to go to the
sleeping rooms?"
Windu turned to hide his smile when Obi-Wan replied, "You keep
making me go to bed. I think maybe Master Yoda hit you with his
cane too much."
Struggling against his laughter, Mace observed, "Or maybe not
enough."
Looking at his friend out of the corner of his eyes, Qui-Gon
said to Obi-Wan, "To bed with you, little one, and then I can
deal with that one."
"Are you going to discuss things all funny again?" Obi-Wan
asked hopefully.
Qui-Gon smiled faintly. "Probably."
The boy stuck out his lower lip, "But I can't watch?" Qui-Gon
shook his head, and Obi-Wan added, "I think all the fun stuff
happens when you make me go to sleep."
"Don't worry," Windu said, "he used to think the same thing."
"Really?" Obi-Wan asked, turning wide green eyes from Windu to
Qui-Gon.
"I've changed my mind," Qui-Gon said to Windu. "I'm not the bad
influence here, you are."
Obi-Wan giggled when Mace replied, "Just wait till I get that
Council seat, Qui-Gon. Just you wait."
"Will he be able to boss you around then, like Master Yoda?"
Qui-Gon shook his head, and winked slyly at Obi-Wan. "No,
because I know too many of his secrets."
"One time, Qui-Gon," Windu said. "Only once did I sneak out
after curfew and you went with me. I don't think you can hold
it against me."
"You snuck out?" Obi-Wan asked, a bright smile on his face.
"Great, Mace," Qui-Gon groaned, closing his eyes. "Give him
even more ideas."
"I do what I can," the Jedi replied. "But for now I have to go.
I have to be back at the Krenian Embassy early in the morning
to finish your work."
Qui-Gon nodded, "Thanks, Mace."
The other Master nodded in return. "You're welcome." Looking at
Obi-Wan, he added, "Look after the old man, okay, kiddo?"
Smiling, Obi-Wan replied, "Okay, Master Windu."
Windu ruffled the boy's hair with his hand as he walked past
and left the room. "All right, Obi-Wan. Enough stalling. To
bed."
When the boy didn't move, Qui-Gon picked him up and carried him
out into the hallway. "Next stop, your room."
Laying his head on Qui-Gon's shoulder, Obi-Wan yawned. "Yes,
Master Qui-Gon."
A few moments later, he was tucking the small child into his
bed. Picking the stuffed wookiee up from the covers, he handed
it to Obi-Wan. "Don't forget him."
Taking the toy, Obi-Wan smiled. "Thanks, Master Qui-Gon."
Qui-Gon nodded, and tucked the sheets in around Obi-Wan. "Good
night, Obi-Wan," he said, watching as his eyes drooped closed
and he fell asleep.
Kneeling by the bed for a moment longer, Qui-Gon leaned over
and without a thought, kissed Obi-Wan's forehead lightly.
"Sleep well, little one."
The End
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