Consequences
a Star Wars story
by AmC
Qui Gon Jinn entered the quarters, which he shared with his Jedi Padawan Obi Wan Kenobi. It was very quiet and the quarters seemed dark and desolate. The Jedi set his data-pad on a table and headed toward the laving room.
Qui Gon sniffled and grabbed a tissue out of his tunic pocket. He had just gotten over a nasty head cold. The main reason that Qui Gon had returned early was to check on his Padawan who didn't sound too well when they had both waken up that morning. Obi Wan had woken up coughing. The boy seemed to feel quite under the weather so Qui Gon told him that they would skip morning katas.
Qui Gon entered the living room and was a bit surprised to see Obi Wan asleep on the couch. He had a small blanket covering the top half of his body, only leaving his tunic and bare feet at the bottom. Obi Wan's nose was a little red and he looked more pale than usual. There was a small pile of tissues on the table next to his Padawan and a half-drunken cup of tea on the table.
Qui Gon frowned when he saw the boy cough and role over in his sleep. The older man put a hand on Obi Wan's forehead and frowned again. His Padawan was a little warm. Qui Gon suspected that Obi Wan had caught his cold.
When Qui Gon was sick, Obi Wan had valiantly taken care of his Master and made sure that Qui Gon always had a tissue and a cup of tea. The Jedi felt a little guilty at this point and decided to wake the sleeping boy and check on how he was feeling.
//Padawan? I'm home, do you want to wake up for me?// Obi Wan opened his eyes rather quickly. "Ma..master. I'm sorry I slept in I'll...cough...cough...get ready for my saber class." Obi Wan glanced at the time hanging on the wall. " It starts in about an hour." Obi Wan tried to hide the hoarseness that lingered in his voice.
"Padawan? Are you Okay? You sound congested. Do you feel all right?" Qui Gon gave Obi Wan a sympathetic smile. "Master, I'm fine; Just a bit sleeby..." Obi Wan sniffed. "I mean sleepy." He knew he was catching a cold; he just didn't want to be fussed over. He also noted to be more careful not to sound congested when he spoke.
Before he became a Padawan and when he got sick, he would simply isolate himself until he was well.He was given a few cold pills and a day of uninterrupted rest. He just hoped that if he were to get sick, that he would get the same consideration.
"Padawan, since your so... tired... do you think that you could skip your saber class today?" Qui Gon knew it wouldn't be easy to get the boy to admit he wasn't feeling well. He only wished that he could get Obi Wan to admit it so that he could take care of the Padawan, just as he had done for his Master.
"Ahhh.....heeechhoooo!" Obi Wan suddenly jerked his head foreword and ended up smacked against his Master's tunic. Qui Gon embraced his slightly shaken Padawan and smiled reassuringly. "Are you okay Obi Wan? That was quite a sneeze." Obi Wan nodded somberly and got up from the couch and went to dress for Saber practice discreetly wiping his nose on the sleeve of his tunic.
Qui Gon was not too pleased that his Padawan had insisted upon going to his Saber class. He had let him go relucantly. His Padawan was old enough to take care of himself and he knew when he had pushed himself too hard.
He waited in their quarters and prepared dinner. Obi Wan was usually very hungry by the time it was time to eat dinner. He set the plates on the table and waited for his Padawan to return.
Qui Gon looked up to his apprentice slump down in a chair. "Good Evening Padawan, how was Saber class today?" The Jedi tried to sound upbeat since it was pretty apparent that his Padawan was indeed sick with a terrible cold. Obi Wan had barely glanced up at Qui Gon. "Good evening Master. Fine."
Obi Wan's voice was filled with congestion. Qui Gon excused himself for a moment. When he returned Obi Wan was asleep in his chair, his head rested on his arm. Qui Gon chuckled to himself. Obi Wan looked so tiny and innocent. His red nose was certainly a nice touch.
Qui Gon rested a hand on Obi Wan's head only to surprisingly draw it away. His Padawan had fever and had to be attended to.
//Padawan, please wake up. You are at the dinner table.// Obi Wan jerked awake and instantly began to apologize to his Master. "I'm sorry Master, I am just very tired after my saber drills this evening." Obi Wan's voice grew more hoarse and congested with every word he spoke.
Qui Gon wasn't going to sit still and let his Padawan be so miserable. "Obi Wan, you have a fever. Now tell me the truth, you feel a little more than just tired yes? A little sick perhaps?" Qui Gon tried to keep his voice calm but he was getting worried about his beloved Padawan. The boy was so caring and willing to take care of him, that Qui Gon was eager to return the favor and help the boy feel a little better.
Obi Wan nodded. He felt defeated, even though he had not lost a game nor a battle; he had admitted he wasn't feeling well, and to Obi Wan, he had just admitted that he was weak. Tears began to well up in Obi Wan's eyes. He was tired and achy and all he wanted to do was sleep. He was also afraid that his Master was angry with him for getting sick.
Qui Gon was aware of Obi Wan's feelings and quickly embraced his Padawan. "Padawan, it's not your fault that your sick. If it's anyone's fault it's mine. I gave you my cold." These words sparked Qui Gon's guilt once again but he quickly ignored the feeling.
Obi Wan nodded and gave in to the fatigue that was pulling at the corners of his mind. Breathing slowly he feel asleep, warm in his Master's loving arms.
Obi Wan awoke late that night fully aware of his now fullblown head cold. His Master was probably fast asleep. Obi Wan noticed that he was tucked in to his bed and now had his sleep tunic on. "Ahhh....heeee.....issshhchhooooo!" His painful sneeze had made him aware of a burning sensation in his throat. He tried to swallow but winced as the dry pain increased.
/Maybe I should get some tissues. Sith I feel awful./ Obi Wan painfully slung his feet over onto the floor and shuddered. "Force it's so cold! Hehh....aaahhh....heeeechhhhoooooo!" After sloppily wiping his nose with a napkin, Obi Wan slumped out of bed to get some tissues.
He Paused briefly. He felt weak and shivery, and knew that he needed to get some tissues quickly. "Heehh...aaaaahhh........ahhhhccsssscchhhhhhoooo!" This time Obi Wan sneezed into his tunic as to not wake up Qui Gon.
He grabbed some tissues from the kitchen and sat on a kitchen chair. /Sith I don't think I can make it back to my room, I'm so.../ Before his thought was concluded, Obi Wan was fast asleep with his head resting on the table.
Qui Gon sniffed and realized that his cold was practically gone. He decided to go check on his Padawan.
"Obi Wan?" The boy's bed was empty. Qui Gon was terrified. Not only was his Padawan missing, but he was ill as well. Qui Gon frantically searched his bed chamber. Running into the kitchen, the Jedi stopped suddenly to see his red-nosed Padawan fast asleep with his head resting on his arm.
//Padawan what are you doing here?// The older man stroked his Padawan's warm head slowly until the young man was jarred out of his slumber. "Wha...Master? heh... uhh... uhh... heeehhhsschhhhhooooo!" Obi Wan looked at his Master miserably rubbing his nose and throat. "I needed a tissue and I guess I fell asleep." The Padawan grinned sheepishly at his own foolishness.
Qui Gon chuckled. "How do you feel Padawan, still a little sick yes?" He waited for his apprentice to cough and blow his nose. "Sniff...Yes I think so Master. I feel like I just ran a marathon with Master Yoda riding on my back." Wearily Obi Wan tried to stand up. Qui Gon watched as his Padawan swayed with obvious dizziness.
"Oh here Padawan, let me help you." Qui Gon helped Obi Wan to the couch and covered him with a blanket. He rubbed his apprentice's warm forehead.
"Thank You Mast...cough cough cough......Master Qui Gon..." Obi Wan was suddenly jerking foreword. His small frame wasn't compatible with the large wave of coughs that had suddenly returned.
Qui Gon held his apprentice as the boy jerked with the coughs. His back and shoulders moving quickly. The boy moaned as the coughing subsided. "Master, I think I need something for this cold.... ahhhha ahhheeeeeasssscchhoooo!"
"I think you're right Padawan. Let me get you some tea and medicine." He sighed as he arouse from the couch. Obi Wan let out a small whimper as his source of warmth left him. "Don't worry Padawan, I wont be gone for very long." Qui Gon soothed as he placed some pillows under Obi Wan's shoulders.
Carrying a tray with some tea, medicine, and a box of tissues, Qui Gon was instantly back at Obi Wan's side.
"AHhHhHh...heeecchsssscchhkoo..heh...ahhhchoooo!" Obi Wan's head jerked forward with each strong sneeze." Qui Gon was instantly holding Obi Wan's shaking body while he coughed; rubbing soothing circles in his sick Padawan's back. He smoothed his hands through the boys ginger hair as he heard a sound.
*Beep*Beep* The comlink was going off. Obi Wan allowed his Master to get up and answer it just as he started to cough again.
"Yes Master. Yes Master. I understand Master..." Qui Gon was babbling to the comlink looking quite exasperated when he ended the link with a quick "and with you." He sighed and combed his hair lightly with his fingers.
"Padawan, I'm afraid that Master Yoda has asked us to go on a mission." He looked worried. "Are you up to it, or may I leave you here, so that you can rest?"
Obi Wan shot his Master a desperate look, sniffled trying to sound fine, and answered. "Oh Master, it's just a cold and I'll be fine. Please let me go."
Qui Gon didn't seem convinced. "Padawan, I think it would be better if you just stayed here and got some rest. It's purely diplomatic work anyway..." He looked pleadingly at his Padawan. Obi Wan huffed and refused to meet his Master's gaze.
"Oh please Master!" Obi Wan tried to convince Qui Gon that he was well enough to go. He grabbed his Master's hand as he continued to pack. "Obi Wan, this is not a punishment. It's purely for your own good." Qui Gon sounded truly sorry. /Not sorry enough/ thought Obi Wan.
"I'll be back soon Padawan. Master Yoda and Master Windu will be checking up on you Obi. Now remember; lots of rest and fluids." The tall Jedi Master stated quite officially. "And I'll be in touch as soon as I get there. Don't worry; a day or two. Tops."
Obi Wan felt too drained to argue as he sneezed into the crook of his arm. Sensing his Padawan's discomfort, he scooped up Obi Wan in his arms and held him as if he were very young. Obi Wan didn't complain. His Master's lap was a nice and warm haven; especially when he wasn't feeling well.
"Ahh..heeeassscckkhoooo!" Obi Wan's head jerked forward with this barrage of sudden sneezes. He was huddled up miserably under a few blankets feeling sorry for himself. He was sick, achy, and worse of all: without Qui Gon. "Ahhh...heeessckkkoooo." He wiped his sore nose with a handful of tissues and groaned leaning back against his pillow. Qui Gon should be back by tomorrow afternoon. Obi Wan sighed. It wasn't that long. He would just have to wait. A Jedi didn't spend time pouting because of a head cold and no Master to take care of him.
Obi Wan got out of bed. He was halted by a throb in his head and sinuses. He shrugged it off. He had time to attend his last class of the day. His Saber class. He quickly got dressed and took some medicine. He would be fine. Rest was futile, it wasn't doing him any good. He had been resting all day and he didn't feel any better. Besides, it was lonely in this empty chamber.
/Oh sith my head hurts/ Obi Wan thought as he had just exited his classes. Saber drills were tough today and although he didn't want to admit it; he felt worse. He wasn't just suffering from a little head cold, he had the full blown mother of all head colds. Obi Wan sniffed and then winced. He couldn't tell what was worse; his headache, throat ache, or sinus pain.
He was just walking back when he decided to pass the fountains. /They are quite tranquil to look at./ He thought. Suddenly a large sneeze came to him. "Aaaahhhhhhh..ahhhhsccckkooooo!" His head jerked forward. /Oh Sith/ He panicked. /I'm headed into the fountain!/ Too late. With a large splash, the already ill Padawan had fallen into the ice-cold fountain water.
"AHH!" He screamed. The water was freezing. His scream had burned his throat and he winced rubbing it thoroughly. He was now sick and drenched. /Qui Gon is gonna kill me. I went to class against his wishes and managed to fall into this sithly fountain./ He sneezed. "Ahssshhhshhskoo!" /Here it comes./ "Cough...cough...Achooooo!"/ I better get changed./
Obi Wan trudged into the temple aware that he was dripping water all over the floor with each step he took. He walked into his room and tiredly changed into something dry. More aware of a sinus headache, he didn't bother to take a shower nor to check his message from Master Yoda. Obi Wan's hair was still wet. He collapsed onto his bed and quickly fell asleep.
"Cough...cough...cough...." Obi Wan jerked awake. He was covered in sweat. Master Yoda was hovering above him placing a cool cloth on his burning forehead.
"Sick you are Padawan Kenobi. Perhaps a visit to the healers is in order?" Master Yoda looked at him a bit anxious.
"What time is it?" Obi Wan croaked. The fever had left him without much of a voice. He felt itchy with his sticky-wet tunic clinging to his body. Beads of sweat had formed along his face. Obi Wan suddenly tilted forward with a coming sneeze. "Aaaahhccccooooo!"
"Tisk tisk. Terrible you sound Padawan Kenobi. Rest you need.Returning early your Master is. Unaware of how ill you are. Surprised he'll be. Happy he wont be." Yoda eyed Obi Wan and then returned to answering his last question. "Early morning it is. Rest you should. Leaving I must be. Manage you will?"
Obi Wan managed to nod before quickly retreating into another coughing fit. He felt awful and it was all his fault. Why didn't he listen to Qui Gon and just rest? Why was he such a klutz? /Only I could manage to fall into a fountain./ He thought miserably.
Obi Wan tried to get up to change his clothes and sheets but he just felt dizzy. He retreated back into his bed coughing and sneezing. He looked around the room, only to be consumed by blurred vision. The only thing to do was rest. He sighed and fell asleep.
Visions ran rampant in his head. He tried to scream but to his avail nobody could hear him. Obi Wan ran but fell. The darkness was approaching. He could feel it swallowing him alive...
"Nooooooooo! Help! Master!" Obi Wan awoke. He felt terrible stuffy and achy. A warm hand reached out to him and drew him into a tight hug. Obi Wan looked into the warm eyes that had settled on him. It was his Master!
"Oh Padawan! How did you manage to get this ill?" He sighed. Placing his hand on Obi Wan's forehead he pulled back abruptly. "Padawan, you have a high fever. We need to get you changed out of these wet clothes."
Obi Wan tried to agree but all that he could do was cough. Qui Gon held his Padawan and rubbed his back reassuringly. "Hush Obi Wan, I'm here. I'll take care of you." Qui Gon's voice was so soothing and reassuring. Everything would be okay.
"No Master... it's my fa... fa... faaaaacchhhooooo! It's my fault I'm sick." Obi Wan whimpered refusing to meet his Master's gaze.
"No Padawan, what would make you think that?" Qui Gon's voice was so reassuring and understanding. Obi Wan suddenly didn't want to tell his Master how stupid he had been. Going to class ill, falling into the fountain, going to bed with wet hair...he allowed his Master to hear, it was easier for him to find out like this...
Qui Gon looked up. He could feel all of his apprentice's thoughts. The boy was too sick to be shielding and it was obvious to Qui Gon that he couldn't have kept it in any longer. //The fountain, Obi Wan?// He was chuckling to himself. /Poor Padawan./
Obi Wan blushed. At least his Master wasn't angry. "I'm sorry Master. I disobeyed you." Qui Gon's heart melted. "Oh Obi Wan. You've learned your lesson. Come here." He scooped the shaking Padawan up in his arms and stroked his spiky ginger hair. "I'm here."
Obi Wan sighed, but that soon made him retreat into a coughing fit. "Cough...cough...aaasshhccchoooooo!" Wiping his nose on his tunic, he settled his head on Qui Gon's shoulder and fell asleep as his Master rubbed his back.
"Rest well Padawan." Murmured Qui Gon; Obi Wan smiled in his sleep. He was alone no more.
The End
I don't own any of the characters featured here and I am not making a penny off of them. They are licensed under Lucasfilms.