More Than Just the Fever
a Star Wars story
by AmC
It was a cold night on Coruscant, and a low fog had settled along the Jedi Temple. No stars were visible, as Qui Gon Jinn looked up from his balcony he sighed to himself. Tomorrow he and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi would be starting a new mission. The planet Alqueness was in the midst of a conflict with two neighboring planets Jeaneau and Mi'ale. If conflicts weren't settled between the three republic planets, a war would erupt, causing a chain reaction which may affect its relations with the republic.
It was barely nine in the evening and already his Padawan had retired for the evening; this was unlike the boy. He was usually eager to stay up as late as possible just to keep his Master company in the early evening. Earlier the boy had been unusually quiet and had looked particularly pale. Qui Gon just dismissed it as stress from his recent exams in some of his classes. Master Yoda was being particularly hard on the Padawans according to the slight complaints of Obi Wan.
Qui Gon decided to get ready for bed, staring back at his sleeping Padawan, he bent over to kiss the boy goodnight and felt his forehead to be a little warm. Being tired himself, he dismissed the idea of his Padawan being ill to just some warmth from being under the covers too long.
He pulled on a light sleep tunic, made his way into the fresher and combed his hair. The mission tomorrow would be a difficult one, and although it would consist mostly of diplomatic work, he wanted to be well rested and ready for anything. Qui Gon grabbed the data pad from the side table and settled into bed. The figures in front of him were quite a task. Not entirely difficult, but tedious nonetheless. Before he knew it, his bed was so warm and his eyelids felt as if someone were pushing them down. Putting the data pad down, he turned off the light and went to sleep.
//Wake up Padawan, we depart in forty-five minutes. // Qui-Gon's mental link with his Padawan was much more convenient than having to yell and shake the boy.
//Master...? What time is it? // The sleepy Padawan was still lying on his bed, eyes tightly closed.
// Time to get up, Padawan. I'm serious Obi Wan. Up. Now. // Qui Gon was getting a bit annoyed. He liked to take his time before missions so they wouldn't forget anything. If his Padawan didn't get up, they would be rushed and soon be quite late. Opening one eye Obi Wan spotted the time on the clock and shot out of bed. Looking exhausted he paused.
"Aaaahhheeekkcsschooo!" He looked more tired after this one strong sneeze and paused once more to wipe his nose on the sleeve of his tunic. "Padawan? Are you all right?" Qui Gon asked a little concerned. His Padawan wearily nodded his head, only to pause and sneeze three times. "Acchooooo... Ak... Ah... Akcshcooo... Uh... I... Achoo!" Obi Wan fell onto the bed again only to stand up once more to get dressed.
"Padawan, are you ill?" Qui Gon asked once more inching toward the weary Padawan.
"No Master I'm just a little tired." Qui Gon looked incredulously at Obi Wan.
"You slept late this morning and early in the evening and you are still tired?" Qui Gon continued, "If you still feel this way you can sleep on the way, it is a long flight, nearly thirty hours, but right now you must get ready, we only have about half an hour." Instead of his usual "Yes Master" Obi Wan just nodded silently.
Obi Wan felt so sleepy. He was walking beside Qui Gon on the way to the ship and his legs felt as if they were made of lead. The silence between he and his master on the way to the cruiser was getting a bit uncomfortable. Suddenly Obi Wan drew to a quick halt. "Ah... Ah... ahhhhhh... achschooo!" Obi Wan grabbed a tissue out of his pocket and blew his nose.
"Padawan, this has happened a lot this morning, now Obi Wan tell me the truth, how do you feel?" His Master looked very concerned for his well-being. "It's nothing Master, I am just a bit tired and I keep sneezing. I think it's the dust around here." Obi Wan lied. Qui Gon didn't look convinced but departure time was growing near so they continued. Obi Wan was in a haze. He didn't feel too well, but this is an important mission, and he wasn't going to let a simple head cold get in the way of his duties. Sniff...step...sniff...step... "Obi Wan when we board, please blow your nose." Qui Gon said without turning around.
"Yes, Baster." Obi Wan said surprised at how congested he sounded.
Once they had boarded and Obi Wan had located a good supply of tissues, he sat down beside his Master who had just begun work on a data pad. He could slowly feel his eyelids dropping and had moved closer to his master who was so warm; he wasn't aware that he had completely wrapped himself around his warm Master. Suddenly he felt a cold hand on his forehead.
//Padawan you're very warm! // Qui Gon stood up suddenly. Obi Wan winced from his Master's ice cold hands.
//Master, it's nothing, the mission is more important right now. I'll be fine. // Obi gave his Master a weak smile. The dull pain hurting his head changed form a low beating to a more extreme pounding on his skull.
"Padawan!" Said Qui Gon sounding a little hurt and concerned, "Nothing, and I mean nothing is more important to me than your health and your well-being!" Obi Wan nodded and leaned in on his Master's warmth once more. "Now Padawan hold still." Obi Wan silently obeyed, eyes closed. Qui Gon placed one hand on the boy's hot forehead and one hand on his clammy chest. "Headache, a bit of dizziness, severe irritation of your nose, congestion, general aches all over, and fatigue." Qui Gon sighed. "Does that cover it?" Obi Wan nodded solemnly looking as if he were about to cry. "Now, now, Padawan, lets get you tucked into bed." He gazed around the chamber at the bed. "That will do, Padawan, take a nap it will do you wonders!"
"Ah... Ah... Akschooo!" Obi Wan weakly wiped his nose on his tunic and then nodded in agreement to his Master. "Master... sniff... I don't... sniff... feel too well." The pathetic tone of his poor Padawan was too much for Qui Gon.
"Oh Obi I'm sorry. Why didn't you say anything this morning?" He looked concerned once more.
"Well I wasn't too bad off, I was just tired and congested, but now everything hurts Master." Obi Wan coughed intensely into his tunic. "May I have a tissue?" His tone was so soft and small. Acknowledging such a small request Qui Gon returned with two boxes and set them in front of his Padawan.
"Come Obi Wan, let's get you into bed." Obi Wan agreed and fell into the welcoming bed. He was too tired to protest and only too happy to somewhere warm. Settling in, he quietly dozed off.
//Master?// Obi Wan awoke feeling much worse than when he had first boarded. His head hurt and his throat was hurting every time he swallowed. Obi Wan looked around the room only to see that his Master wasn't around.
"Obi Wan? Padawan are you awake?" Qui Gon entered the room holding what looked to be an old thermometer and some tea. Obi Wan nodded in reply. "Padawan let me take your temperature, give you some medicine and then you can drink this tea." Qui-Gon stuck the thermometer into Obi-Wan's open mouth. "You gave me quite a fright Padawan, you felt like your fever was getting very high."
"Bthht, Masthr... mmph..." Obi Wan tried to speak but the thermometer only made his words sound muffled and slow. //Master I was only thinking of the mission, honestly.// Qui Gon shot Obi Wan a genuine smile.
"Padawan nothing is more important to me than you. I care about you Obi and I don't like seeing you sick."
//Master I'm not sick it's just a sniffle or a cold. I'll be fine.// His master didn't seem to be buying Obi Wan's healthy Padawan routine. He leaned in and took the thermometer out of Obi Wan's dry mouth. "Aahhchooo!" Obi Wan grabbed a handful of tissues as his Master frowned as he read the thermometer. Obi Wan shivered with a passing chill and then braced himself for a health-related lecture:
"Padawan I don't think a fever of 103 is a cold. Not even a bad one. It looks like some type of flu. As soon as we land, I think a healer should check you out. It's for your own good." Qui Gon got up to put the thermometer away. Obi Wan opened his mouth to protest but all that he could manage was a few intensely painful coughs.
"Ma... cough... ster...no... I... cough... hate the healers! You cough know that!" Obi Wan used his most pathetic voice trying not to sound like he was whining.
"Padawan, don't argue with me, save your strength on battling your illness. When battling me, you won't win." His Master shot him a smile, winked, and continued to measure out his medicine and pour tea into a small cup. "Padawan I am only doing this for your own good. Maybe if you had told me earlier we could have seen a healer, but for now you'll just have to grin and bare it. We don't have time." Obi Wan accepted the medicine and the tea from his Master. Qui Gon stroked his hair and sat next to Obi Wan on the bed. "Now do you want to try and take another nap?" Obi Wan nodded suddenly realizing how tired he was.
"Master... I... achoo acho... Ah... akshochoooo!" Obi Wan blew his nose and tried again. "Master, do you think you can stay with me till I fall... achooo... asleep?" Obi Wan gave his Master a pathetic look. Qui Gon grabbed a data pad.
"Of course Padawan, I wouldn't dream of doing anything else." Obi Wan smiled and moved over while his Master scooted over and had Obi Wan use him as a pillow. //So this is what Masters are for, pillows!// Qui Gon asked silently.
"'Nite mastah...love you...cough." Obi Wan was only half awake. "Good night Padawan. I love you too." Qui Gon whispered, unaware that Obi Wan was already sound asleep.
"Aaaahhh....eeehhh....huuushooo!" A loud succession of sneezes caused Obi Wan to wake up from his fevered sleep. "Sith. Cough cough cough." Obi Wan felt sick. Just plain sick. "When did I get this sick?" Obi Wan just sat in bed feeling sorry for himself. "Sniff...sniff...sniff." Why did he always get sick at the worst times? Always at the beginning of an important mission: never during a boring council meeting or before an exam. Obi Wan sighed to himself. //Master?// Obi Wan called out through there bond. //I'm awake...// He paused not sensing a response.
"Padawan?" Qui Gon appeared in the doorway. "We have about ten hours till we arrive. Did you need something Obi Wan?" Obi Wan just shook his head, not making eye contact with his Master. He felt ashamed. He wanted to be more helpful right now, but the dizziness he was experiencing just wouldn't go away. "Padawan?" Called Qui Gon once more. He sensed his Padawan's discomfort as he swayed with obvious discomfort. "I hate seeing you so miserable Obi Wan. Would you like some tea? Perhaps you want to watch a holovid?" Qui Gon looked at his Padawan with his sparkling blue-grey eyes.
"Ah...hechu!" Obi Wan just nodded weakly as he reached for a tissue.
Obi Wan couldn't pay attention to the screen. The colors kept blending together. He leaned toward the warmth of his master. Qui Gon gazed toward his ailing Padawan and reached his arm loosely around the boy. Obi Wan silently fell asleep, quite content sleeping in his Master's arms.
//Obi Wan? Wake up Padawan, we are due to arrive in about an hour.//
"Huh? Whuttimeisit?" Obi Wan opened one eye. He swallowed and then winced as the burning in his throat intensified. He lifted his head only to be greeted by a wave of dizziness and a strong headache. He made sure his shields were up. His Master now more than ever had enough to worry about.
"Padawan? How do you feel? Do you want to get up and go get some tea?" Qui Gon held out a warm hand followed with a friendly smile.
"I don't feel that great Master, and yes tea sounds great." Obi Wan spoke so softly, afraid that speaking any louder would affect his headache not to mention his burning throat.
Qui Gon had given Obi Wan a warm cup of tea as they sat at a table. "Obi Wan, this mission will be a little difficult and it is hard to anticipate what we are in for, so just be alert. I know you don't feel well. Are you sure you can handle this?" Qui Gon's voice grew still with anticipation. The worried look on his face made Obi Wan feel very loved. He smiled.
"Master I'll be fine. Thank you for your concern but what I am concerned about is the mission, shall we go over the data...data...Ah...ahhh.....hechu! Data pads?" Obi Wan blew his nose as Qui Gon gave him a sympathetic smile.
"Bless you Padawan. The data pads? Very well Padawan, I can see your work will not be stalled by what looks to be a cold or the flu?" Obi Wan nodded in agreement, trying very hard to look like he was taking the mission seriously. The truth was that he was fighting on keeping his eyes open. As Qui Gon started talking, Obi Wan perked up a little. How would he stay awake once they landed? Obi Wan sighed and listened to the mission briefs.
"Ah Greetings Qui Gon Jinn, I presume? I am Senator Darian D'Amoura." An older man wearing some formal tunics approached Qui Gon. He looked friendly enough as he extended his hand out to Qui Gon.
"Ah, Yes. Pleased to meet you. Yes, I'm Qui Gon Jinn of the republic. This is my Jedi Padawan, Obi Wan Kenobi." Qui Gonn gestured toward Obi Wan as he nodded a quiet greeting. "Please excuse my Padawan, he is a bit under the weather."
"Ah yes, would he like to see a healer before the meetings commence in about an hour?" The man looked at Qui Gon.
//Padawan? Do you care to see a healer? You were running a temperature earlier...// Qui Gon looked thoughtfuly at Obi Wan.
//No Master, I'll be fine.// The older man shot his Padawan a doubtful look.
//Padawan, there's a time to be valiant and a time to know when you've pushed yourself too hard.// Obi Wan just quickly turned away from his master, he knew it would have been better to see a healer.
//I'm not trying to be valiant, I just... don't like going to see healers.// Obi Wan shielded this thought as he slowly followed his master.
"Here are your quarters. You two will be sharing these quarters and there are two sleep couches. If you need anything just beep me on the intercom. I firmly believe in being a gracious host." The man smiled and preceeded to the door.
"Thank you, you have been most helpful." Qui Gon bowed to their host and Obi Wan just nodded silently.
"Why don't you take a short nap Obi Wan?" Qui Gon gestured toward the bed.
"Hu...hhhuuuuaaachhhooooo!" Obi Wan shook his head stubbornly as he grabbed a tissue. The truth was, there was nothing that he would rather be doing than collapsing onto the bed at that moment. Shielding his thoughts, Obi Wan continued to scold himself. //This could have all been prevented if I had just performed a healing trance.//
"Padawan, I think it would be best if you would just lie down. Now I'm not asking you I'm ordering you." Qui Gon's voice was firm as he reached for Obi Wan's light saber and his boots.
"Yes Master." Obi Wan murmured. Too tired to argue with his Master, he continued to take off his boots and belt, just sleeping in the clothes that he had been traveling in. "Can I get you anything Padawan?" Qui Gon's voice was soft and sympathetic. He didn't want to make the boy's headache worse.
"Nuh...uh...than..k...yoouu...Mas...ter...." Obi Wan was already half asleep. He didn't even bother to make his way under the blanket. Qui Gon took the hint and silently covered his poor Padawan with a blanket and walked out of the room.
//Wake up Obi Wan.// Obi Wan opened his eyes, only to be greeted by a rush of nausea He quickly made sure his shields were up. He felt much worse and very achy. //Just make your moves slow and your muscles will hurt less.// Obi Wan felt that if he talked to himself he wouldn't fall asleep. "Padawan, how do you feel?" Qui Gon looked hopeful and concerned, waiting for an answer.
"Just peachy." Obi Wan's voice was hoarse so he quickly cleared his throat. Qui Gon was worried. His Padawan was extremely quiet, and normally he was a regular chatterbox. This wouldn't do. How would he be of any help when he couldn't even stand up straight? "Padawan, are you sure you can last? You must tell me how you feel, and be honest. This is very important Obi Wan."
"I feel achy and tired Master. My head hurts and I feel dizzy when I stand okay?!?" Obi Wan snapped.
"Padawan?!?" Qui Gon was very shocked. Obi Wan was normally so good-natured. He really mustn't be feeling well. "Padawan I understand that you aren't feeling well, but that's no reason to snap at me." Qui Gon made sure to keep his voice calm. "I'll leave you alone, but be sure to be in the conference hall in fifteen minutes Obi Wan. Will you be all right Padawan?" Qui Gon sounded concerned.
"Yes Master. I'm so sorry." Tears spilled down Obi Wan's cheek as he crumpled to the floor. "Sorry... I'm so... sorry..." He curled up and started to cry and shake as the fever brought on chills.
"Obi Wan..." Qui Gon wrapped his arms around his trembling apprentice. "You are not going to the conference. I am going to make excuses for us and we will take it easy. I think I'll contact Crosucant and tell them to send over another team, and we will catch the ship back." Qui Gon's voice was insistent.
"No Master this is too important choke I'll be fine... cough" Obi Wan's voice was trembling as they both sat on the floor. "No Padawan, you are unwell and you may collapse due to illness and mostly fatigue. We shall depart as soon as possible." Qui Gon rose and lifted Obi Wan off the floor and onto the bed.
"Ugh Padawan, you are far too old for me to be doing this to you!" Qui Gon chuckled. "Get some rest Padawan, I will prepare everything. Right now, I must make an appearance, you however, will get back to bed. " He grabbed his data pad and shot Obi Wan a sympathetic grin. "Goodnight Padawan. I love you. " Obi Wan was already engulfed in an uneasy sleep.
Obi Wan awoke to the sounds of his Master shuffling about the room. "Padawan?" Called Qui Gon softly, aware that the boy had awoken. "Master Yoda has informed me that returning is simply out of the question. 'Attend the boy must, fine he will be. A minor illness is no reason one must miss a mission. Attend the boy will.'" Qui Gon sounded annoyed as he mocked Master Yoda's unique way of speaking. Instead of his normal compliance Obi Wan just nodded, more aware of the headache that wouldn't fade.
"Ha... he... haaaaaacccchhhhoooooo... Ugh...'scuse me... s-sorry Master..." Obi Wan wiped his red nose. The flush in his cheeks brought on by the fever was more apparent.
"Don't be sorry Obi Wan, it's certainly not your fault that you've fallen ill. Now let me help you out of bed Padawan, he put on your dress Tunics... bring your cloak, this fever will cause you to feel quite chilly later." Qui Gon hurriedly handed Obi Wan all of his clothing that he would be needing. The sick Padawan was inching out of bed as fast as he could which in his case was slow and delayed. "Obi Wan, why don't you take a shower...no wait a sonic. It will warm you up and make you feel much better."
"Yes Master." Obi Wan slowly walked toward the fresher. His energy was fading fast. //I'm not gonna make myself appear ill. Master has more important things to worry about than myself. I'm not even that ill, just slightly under the whether. // The blocked thought made Obi Wan smirk. What an understatement. If this was slightly under the whether he didn't even want to imagine how much worse anyone could possibly feel. Obi Wan sighed and let the steam engulf his sinuses and cloud his mind. He sighed. If only he could stay under the warmth all day....
"You were right Master. I feel much better." Obi Wan tried to sound like his old self as he cleared his throat. The congestion was making it quite hard to sound healthy. Obi Wan sighed to himself. //This is going to be a VERY long day.// "Heeeeehhhhhhhhchhhhooooooooo.... ahhh.... heeeeccchhhhuuuuuuu!" Obi Wan snapped his forehead forward. That last sneeze had taken quite a lot of energy out of him and he wearily went to get a tissue.
"Bless you Padawan. I'll try to make our meeting short Padawan, tell me if you feel too ill to attend. I don't care how cross Master Yoda will get, nothing is more important to me than your health." Qui Gon repeated. "Come Padawan. Qui Gon softly smiled as he gestured to the door." Obi Wan would have loved to tell his Master that he felt too ill to attend, but he knew the work would be too much for his Master to do alone. He slumped out of the door and went to attend the meeting with his master.
The meeting hall was filled with people looking quite smug and official. Each one appeared to have a stoic expression on his face. Obi Wan shivered. The marble floors and the high ceiling made the place seem extremely drafty. He wasn't sure if it was the fever or the atmosphere that was giving him chills. He dismissed the thought and pulled out a data pad as the lectures began. He was having a very hard time trying to remain standing in a dignified manner and yet trying to take efficient notes at the same time. "Heeeechhhuuu...." Obi Wan sneezed into his tunic trying not to bring attention to himself. His Master was toward the front of the hall. "Sniff... sniff.." Obi Wan's nose was getting irritated as he wiped it once more on his tunic. His legs felt like jelly and he wasn't sure how much longer he could continue with this charade. Obi Wan's cheeks were so hot and yet his hands and feet were feeling numb from being so chilled. Obi Wan sneezed quietly a few more times as he sat down in a corner of the room. Nobody seemed to be looking at him anyway. He tried to concentrate on the drones of the speakers at the front of the hall, but his eyelids felt so heavy. He closed them for a brief moment, only to realize that he couldn't open them again. //Oh well, nobody will miss me anyway... and I'm just so tired..// Obi Wan's thoughts settled as he slumped into a much needed sleep against the wall of the cold conference hall. The marble provided a poor source of comfort for Obi Wan, but the Padawan was too sick and tired to bother to move or tell his Master how unwell he actually felt.
Obi Wan awoke to cold hands on his forehead. "Padawan? Obi Wan you must wake up." Obi Wan recognized the concerned voice as that of his Master's.
"Master...?" Obi Wan opened one eye to see his Master's concerned face staring worriedly back at him. "Padawan you are extremely feverish... why are you sleeping here? Why didn't you inform me that you felt this bad?"
"I... was... too... mmm... sleepy." Obi Wan closed his eyes again. He was fighting a losing battle against sleep. Suddenly he felt his Master scoop him up and the data pad leave his hand. "I'm sorry you're so sick Padawan, I'm going to take you to rest in our chambers. You need your energy for the next conference tonight." Qui Gon's soft voice was so soothing, it just lulled Obi Wan deeper into sleep. The sick Padawan was asleep even before Qui Gon started to mop his fevered body with a cold cloth. The Padawan shivered as the damp cloth hit his body. Obi Wan was indeed one very ill Padawan.
//I don't care what that stubborn old crone thinks, Obi Wan is too sick to be working. I'm returning to the temple regardless of what Yoda says.// Qui Gon stood up and began making preparations.
"Heeeecchhuuu... ugh, sith..." Obi wan shifted uncontrollably in his sleep. Opening one eye he was unsure of what had woken him, the sneeze, the pounding in his head, or his Master muttering on the intercom. //Oh I better get dressed, Master you must be so disappointed... ugh, sith my whole body aches... work must get done...// Obi Wan made sure his thoughts were shielded from his Master. He placed his tunics slowly over his head and paused lightly when a chill or a dizzy spell interrupted him. "Ha... ha... heeeeeeeecccccchhhhhttttuuuuu!" Obi Wan had tried to sneeze into his tunic so his Master wouldn't see or hear him but it was too late. Qui Gon was suddenly heading toward Obi Wan.
"Padawan? You made me so worried, are you okay? How do you feel?" Qui Gon's concerned voice made Obi Wan's heart ache. His Master was feeling so worried about him and here he was snapping at his Master and embarrassing him by falling asleep in the hall.
"Master... I..." Obi Wan started to cry. Hiding his terrible symptoms was something he was not up to doing. He felt that all of his strength was running out and everything that he tried to do made him even more exhausted. He was a disappointment to the Masters, to his Master... to the mission... to the force. None of this mattered to Obi Wan, except for his Master. Surely he didn't want a Padawan who couldn't even cope with his own illness. Obi Wan sat with his legs tucked closely to his warm body. His shoulders moving up and down as he sobbed into them. Qui Gon couldn't bare seeing his Padawan under so much pain. He sensed Obi Wan's distress, for his last thoughts couldn't be shielded by the poor boy any longer, he was far too sick to do so. Qui Gon took the sobbing boy into his arms and cradled him. Obi Wan felt uneasily warm which worried Qui Gon. The poor boy was ill and sleep deprived. They had been working far too hard lately. If Obi Wan was even half as tired as Qui Gon was, it was no wonder the boy had fallen so ill.
"Hush Padawan, you're never a disappointment to me. What bothers me is that you couldn't be more open to me Obi Wan, but I'm not mad. All I care about right now is getting you home in bed where you can finally try and get better.
The Crying boy looked up at Qui Gon. "Master... I... Achhhoooooo....I cough cough cough..." Obi Wan couldn't finish his words, for a series of labored coughs hit him. "I'm so sorry...I didn't feel well....and I didn't want you to....worry about me..." Obi Wan avoided his Master's worried gaze as he spoke.
Qui Gon suddenly interrupted Obi Wan, "Padawan, you know I love you, you are my family and I yours. Lets not hide things from one another. Taking care of you is not a chore for me, but chasing you around and making you admit to me that you're not feeling well can get a little tedious..." Qui Gon chuckled. "Padawan, lets go home okay?" Obi Wan leaned against his master and hugged him tightly.
"Yes Master... Thank You." Qui Gon looked at his apprentice and smiled.
//It's been such a long day.// Qui Gon sighed. Obi Wan had been asleep for almost eight hours. They had boarded about 8 and a half hours ago and only after Qui Gon could get the boy to drink some tea and stop sneezing, had Obi Wan been able to sleep. Qui Gon finally let his own fatigue get the best of him, and he dozed off in an armchair while Obi Wan tossed uneasily in a fevered sleep.
Qui Gon arose to a voice on the intercom saying that they were due to land in about 4 standard hours. He stretched up his arms and yawned profusely, gazing at his sleeping Padawan. Obi Wan was tossing and turning. His cheeks were flushed and when he wasn't mumbling to himself he was coughing up a storm. //My poor Obi Wan, how it hurts me to
see you in such pain, my Padawan if I could take away your pain I would...// Qui Gon put one arm around Obi Wan' warm shoulders and one hand on his apprentice's chest. "You're so hot Padawan." Qui Gon spoke to himself."No... Please, I'm so sorry... ugh.... no please... don't I'm so sorry....Master....MASTER!" Obi Wan was thrashing violently in his sleep. Sweat was pouring down the young man's face.
"Obi Wan." Qui Gon gently shook his sleeping apprentice. Obi Wan's eyes shot open and he suddenly scrambled to sit up. He was panting and he took one look at Qui Gon and wrapped around his Master.
"Master." Obi Wan was sobbing into Qui Gon's tunic. The boy looked so filled with despair Qui Gon sat on the bed and cradled the poor boy. His fever was up and Qui Gon knew that with a high fever, Obi Wan must be having nightmares.
"Hush Padawan, you were having bad dreams due to your fever. Do you want to talk about it my Obi?" Qui Gon held his shaking apprentice and squeezed him tightly against himself. Obi Wan just shook his head. Still shaken up he tried to stand up only to be held back down by his Master. "Padawan, I think you should rest a bit longer, we aren't due to arrive for about four standard hours." Obi Wan shook his head but pulled back suddenly.
"Aaaaahhhhccchhoooooo...aaahh....ahh....heeeeeeccchhhuuuuuu! Excuse me Master, I'm sorry...I..." Obi Wan was interrupted by his Master shushing him.
"Padawan, you're sick, don't be sorry for that." Qui Gon said as he rubbed small circles in Obi Wan's back. The boy sighed and slumped against his Master. Pretty soon he was fast asleep in Qui Gon's lap. The Jedi picked up a data pad and began to silently work, glancing at his Padawan who seemed to finally sleep without fighting off fevered dreams.
//Wake up Obi Wan, we are on Crosucant// Obi Wan stirred, and opened one eye.
"Master...whutimeisit...?" Obi Wan looked so tired and weak.
"Do you need me to carry you Padawan?"
"No Master, I'll be.....fine." The man didn't even sound like he believed what the boy had said.
"Okay Padawan, well get dressed and then we'll head out. If you need help Padawan..."
"I know I know, I'll ask for it. Thank you my Master." Obi Wan winced as his bare feet hit the cold floor. "Ugh.....ahh....ehhh......heeeechhhuuu!"
"Bless you Padawan." Qui Gon bellowed from the hallway. Obi Wan felt so sick. Every time he moved his head it ached, his ribs and legs felt heavy and achy. His nasal passages were painfully stuffed and he felt terribly cold. He couldn't wait to be asleep at last, in his own bed in the temple.
Qui Gon tied Obi Wan's cloak tight. It was raining a little bit when the two men emerged from the ship. Obi Wan was completely silent except for his occasional coughs and sneezes. "You must be sick Padawan, you're not talking up a storm like you normally do!" Qui Gon chuckled to himself.
"Yes Master..er...sorry Master...I just don't feel too well...cough cough..." Obi Wan broke off in a strong coughing fit.
"Master Windu will meet us with transport to get back to the temple." Qui Gon tried to make conversation to keep the boy awake. When Obi Wan started to cough again Qui Gon stopped and patted the poor Padawan's back. "I think your illness has spread to your chest Padawan, I'm afraid that you really should go and see a healer." Qui Gon was interrupted by Obi Wan shaking and coughing violently trying to tell Qui Gon something.
"No...cough cough cough....Master please.....no healers.....I'll be fine...I just need....to sleep..." Obi Wan was practically in tears.
"We'll see Padawan. Lets continue, I don't want you to be stuck in the rain too long." Qui Gon covered Obi Wan with his sleeve as the two continued. "How's your head Padawan?" Qui Gon questioned.
"Don't ask Master." Obi Wan's voice was hoarse. "My throat feels terrible Master, I'm sorry I can't be of better conversation." Obi Wan sounded truly sorry.
"Padawan, hush come I see Master Windu."
"Greetings, my favorite Master Padawan team. Welcome back. Tell me Padawan, How do you feel?" Mace Windu turned to the miserable looking Padawan hiding leaning against his Master for warmth.
"Not too well Master Windu...heh.....aaaaahhhhhhcoooooooooo!" Obi Wan's soft voice was interrupted by a monstrous sneeze. "I'm....cough cough cough...sorry Master Windu...I...my throat is hurting terribly." Obi Wan sounded so pathetic. Qui Gon wrapped his arms around Obi Wan as his teeth started to chatter.
"Of course of course, come in we must get him out of the rain."
Obi Wan slept in the back seat, his head resting on Qui Gon's lap as the older Jedi spoke quietly with Master Windu. "So Master Yoda is a little ticked off, but you know how he can be. If your Padawan is very ill, he's ill. Qui Gon you truly did the right thing. Since when do you actually try to follow what the council says?" Master Windu chuckled at his commentary. Qui Gon nodded and agreed. His attention wasn't on Mace, but on is sleeping Padawan. Through the force, Qui Gon was quietly monitoring his Padawan's condition.
//Padawan, we're home.// Qui Gon quietly put a hand on his Padawan's forehead. It was warmer than before. Qui Gon frowned. //Obi Wan you have a high fever. I want to get you to bed right away.//
"I'm...up.." Obi Wan murmured as he slowly accepted the hand that Qui Gon extended towards him. "Achhoooooo!" Obi Wan sneezed into his tunic. His nose was so sore, and his hair felt matted with sweat. "I must look like a bantha swallowed me." Obi Wan mumbled. Qui Gon chuckled. Glad to see his apprentice wasn't completely out of it.
"You're sick Padawan, you're not expected to look like the model of perfect health when you're running such a fever." Qui Gon's soothing voice made Obi Wan smile.
The cold air sliced through Obi Wan's nose and throat causing him to wince as he sneezed. "Ahchooo... heeecckkkcsssscchhooo... huchhoooo!" Obi Wan fell back into his Masters arms. "Oh I'm sorry master, I just suddenly feel so dizzy." Obi Wan fought the onset of fatigue as his Master helped him up.
"Padawan, I think I should carry you, I don't want you passing out in a corridor and bumping your head." Qui Gon's voice was filled with worry as he looked at Obi Wan. The boy's eyes were half open, his cheeks were flushed and sweat lined his forehead. The boy looked like a wilted flower and Qui Gon was hurting terribly just looking at his ailing Padawan. He would have taken on all of Obi Wan's pain if he could have.
"No please don't Master. Thank you but I'll just walk. It's not too much farther Master." Obi Wan stopped to catch his breath. Qui Gon noticed such simple tasks were making Obi Wan tired. His cold has developed into a much worse ailment. Obi Wan would be in bed for at least a week, Qui Gon wouldn't allow him up any sooner.
"Master... I... cough cough... can we stop for a few minutes? I'm so... cough... cough... tired." Obi Wan was panting and sweat was running down his forehead. "You are so sick my Padawan. Of course we can rest." Qui Gon put an arm around the shivering boy. "Ahhh...ahhh...hachoooooo!" Obi Wan looked exhausted even more after that last sneeze. Trudging up the temple stairs he stopped suddenly and sat down. The steps were cold but Obi Wan couldn't get himself to budge. "Master....I...." Obi Wan sighed.
"Do you need some help Padawan?" Obi Wan nodded. The older man knew how independent his Padawan was, and he knew how hard it was for Obi Wan to ask for some help, even if it was from his Master. Qui Gon decided it would be far too embarrassing if he were to carry Obi Wan through the temple, so he put Obi Wan's arm around his shoulder and let his Padawan lean on his for support.
"Hey Obi Wan." A pretty girl around Obi-Wan's age approached the Master and Padawan team walking down a corridor near their own quarters. She frowned when she saw Obi Wan. "Oh Obi, are you all right?" She did look genuinely concerned. Feeling rather self-conscious Obi Wan let go of his Master and brushed a hand through his hair. "Yea, I'm just pretty sick." He tried not to look too pathetic, but then smiled as she crooned over him. She put a hand on his warm face.
"Oh Obi Wan, that's terrible, I hope you feel better."
"Thanks. See you around. Cough...cough..hehhchooo!" Obi Wan sniffed as he waved good-bye to the passing girl. His face was red and Qui Gon suspected it was from more than just fever. "Master...could I... lean on you again?" Obi Wan's voice was soft and filled with embarrassment.
"Of course Padawan." Qui Gon decided that Obi Wan was too sick to explain who his lovely friend was, but he chuckled to himself as he made a mental note to ask the Padawan as soon as he was well.
"Home sweet home Padawan!" Qui Gon was truly pleased; he lowered his voice when he noticed his apprentice clutching his head. "Come Padawan, lets get you into a sleep tunic. You look terrible Obi Wan." Qui Gon helped his weak apprentice into his tunic and then spooned some medicine for the boy. Obi Wan was shaking, even after he had been under the blankets. The boy's eyes were closed but Qui Gon knew he was awake, for he was quivering and fidgeting with the string on his tunic. "Are you too cold Padawan?" Qui Gon sat on the bed and put one arm around his Padawan and one arm on the boy's head.
"Mmm Master, you're hands are so warm...hmm..it's nice." Obi Wan moved toward his warm Master sitting on the bed, and the cool warm resting on his forehead. Suddenly he jerked away and buried himself in his tunics. Qui Gon could hear the boy's muffled sneezes. He sent a wave of comfort over the bond that he shared with the boy. "Master...thank you for taking care of me...I feel..so safe when I'm here with you. I love you my Master...cough cough..." Obi Wan coughed deep congested coughs into his tunic again. When he emerged he looked winded and red. Qui Gon smoothed back the boy's hair from his sweaty head.
"My Padawan, it's been my pleasure to take care of you." Qui Gon smiled and then unable to control himself he yawned but tried to cover it with his tunic.
"S'cuse me." Qui Gon smiled at Obi Wan. The padawan suddenly looked bothered. "Master, please you should get some rest. You've spent all of this time looking after me, and I....he...don't....ahhhh...hechooooo...want you to......achoo achoo heeeeessschhhoooo...to catch this from me. I feel terrible Master but I wouldn't be missed nearly as much as you would from Council meetings." Obi Wan looked exhausted after all of that talking. He sighed as he leaned back onto his pillow.
"Oh Obi Wan, looking after you makes me forget my own fatigue. Besides, I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing my poor Padawan is so sick in the next room." Obi Wan looked grateful but unsatisfied by the answer. "Master, could you stay here with me? You wouldn't have to worry about me and I could stay warm at the same time." He shivered again with a passing chill. Qui Gon smiled and appeared to be thinking.
"Move over Padawan." He smiled and so did the Padawan. Obi Wan snuggled against his Master's warmth and dozed off. Qui Gon closed his eyes and gave in to the wave of fatigue that was plaguing him. //Goodnight Padawan.// He sent a warm wave over their bond to the sleeping Padawan.
//Goodnight Master// The Master and Apprentice were asleep almost instantly.
"Cough cough......ah...cough cough..." Qui Gon was suddenly jarred awake by the sound of his Apprentice's racking coughs. Obi Wan was tossing in his sleep and mumbling to himself. Qui Gon was glad that he had slept with Obi Wan so he could easily check on his Padawan.
"Obi Wan, you're so sick." Qui Gon whispered fully aware that the boy couldn't hear him.
"Ah...please help me.....no Master I can't leave you....you're hurt....so hot....fire..." Obi Wan's dream certainly sounded exciting, but at the same time Qui Gon wanted to rescue Obi Wan from the angst plaguing his Padawan. He clicked on the hololamp next to Obi Wan's sleep couch and then lightly shook the feverish boy.
"Obi Wan, you're having a bad dream, wake up Padawan." Obi Wan opened his eyes suddenly, sweat pouring down his face. He winced looking as if he were about to cry.
"Master please...*choke* I really...cough...cough..cough...don't feel well. Can I have some medicine? It's so hot, I feel as if I'm on fire." Obi Wan's pleas were too much for Qui Gon.
"Padawan, I really need to call a healer."
"Master...." Obi Wan even knew that he couldn't protest in this case. He felt far too sick to argue. Sitting up seemed as if it would take up too much energy. He closed his eyes and just complied with Qui Gon. "Yes Master...If you think it's best." His voice was filled with defeat.
"Padawan, It's only because I care about you..." Obi Wan nodded and then winced, fully aware of his headache and of the raw feeling creeping in from his throat. He was so dizzy and hot, but forcing away the blankets only brought on more chills. Qui Gon stretched and proceeded out of Obi Wan's bed.
"Hello healer's ward, Padawan Marta speaking." The voice was that of an older healing apprentice.
"Hello? Yes this is Master Jinn.." Qui Gon sighed.
"Do you know what time it is?"
"Yes Master Jinn, it's a quarter passed three." Qui Gon scratched his head, "Anyway, I have returned early from a mission because my Padawan fell ill. We arrived early this evening and I sent him to bed. His condition has worsened and I was wondering if a healer could be sent over? I would bring him in but the Padawan can barely sit up let along get dressed and rushed out into the breezy corridors." He sighed and leaned against the wall, ducking his head into Obi Wan's bedroom to check on his sleeping apprentice.
"Of course Master Jinn. I'll send over a healer immediately." She sounded quite official.
"Thank You Padawan, you've been most helpful." Qui Gon shut off the comlink and joined his Padawan. //Obi? Please wake up.// The boy's eyes fluttered open as he looked around.
"Is it morning Master? I really don't feel well enough to attend classes...Oh wait the test in astrophysics, okay I'm up..." Obi Wan looked miserable. The boy winced as he tried to get up.
"No no Padawan, it's still night time, and no I don't think that you can attend classes tomorrow even though you do have a test. A healer is coming over to check on you, can you swallow some tea for me if I make some?" Qui Gon hopefully stroked Obi Wan's fevered head as the boy silently nodded.
"Hahhheeeeechhooo....cough....cough.....cough....aaaahhhcssshhoooo!" Obi Wan accepted a handful of tissues offered by his Master. "Thank You Master....cough cough..." Broken off by some strong coughs, Obi Wan slumped back down.
The tea was warm in Qui Gon's hands. He was able to get Obi Wan to drink some until the boy started coughing. He heard someone at the door. "Wake up Padawan, the healer's here." Qui Gon stroked the boy's forehead as he apprehensively opened one eye. //Obi Wan's never liked Healers..// Qui Gon chuckled and then yawned.
"Master Qui Gon Jinn?" A man with dark brown hair and a stoic face greeted the older Jedi. He smiled and introduced himself. "Good Morning Master Jinn, I'm healer Keerian. He stepped in. "Where's the patient?" Qui Gon gestured to Obi Wan's bedroom.
"Padawan?" Obi Wan opened his eyes and tensed up when he saw the healer staring at him. Even though the man was smiling, Obi Wan gulped forgetting about his sore throat. "This is Healer Keerian, Obi Wan." Qui Gon smiled. "Hello.." Obi Wan croaked as he sat up. "What seems to be the problem Padawan? Your Master here tells me you fell ill before going on a mission, and that caused you both to return early. Is that accurate?" The man's voice was so cheerful for someone up at three-thirty in the morning. Obi Wan nodded wearily. "I am going to draw some blood and then I'll give you something for your ailment. Does that sound simple enough Padawan?" Obi Wan brightened up when he heard that the healer would be out of his quarters soon.
"Yes." Was his hoarse reply.
"Your Padawan has the Alorhian virus. Symptoms are that of a normal flu and cold with exceptions of more intensified symptoms. This also lasts a bit longer than a normal illness and can just be a big nuisance. Obi Wan will be drained for a while. He can return to his normal routine when he's completely rested. I can give him a cold serum for his nose and throat problem and a flu serum for his aches and fever. The fatigue can only be treated with rest." The healer continued to jot down some things on his data pad. "A droid should be stopping by in the morning with your Padawan's medicine." The healer bid them both good bye and insisted on letting himself out.
"Heeeechhhoooo!" Obi Wan's nose broke the silence in the room. "Master? Can you sleep with me again? I'm....sniff...getting a little bit cold again." Obi Wan's eyes were slowly closing.
"Of course Padawan." Qui Gon slipped in with Obi Wan and allowed the boy to sleep against him while Qui Gon slept in a sitting position against the bed's headboard. //Jedi can go quite long without sleep.// His thought lingered as Qui Gon fell asleep.
*Beep.* The beeping sounds of a droid woke Qui Gon. Obi Wan was sleeping still. Qui Gon accepted the medicines and put them in the kitchen. He then made his way to the intercom. He informed Obi Wan's teachers that Obi Wan couldn't possibly be in today, and he then proceeded to call the council. "Qui Gon, disobedient you have been. Normal for you this is. Sick, your Padawan is?"
"Yes Master." Qui Gon sighed.
"Excused you are Qui Gon. Attend to the ill Padawan you may. Let the force be with you." "And with you." The brief conversations ended there. No more and no less.
"Master?" Qui Gon was aware of his Padawan's calls. He quickly entered the sleeping chamber where Obi Wan laid. He whimpered as his Master helped him sit up in bed.
"Obi Wan, you need to drink the medicines that the healer has prescribed, can you do that for me Padawan?" Qui Gon asked his ill Padawan.
"Yes Master." The quiet sounds from his apprentice was enough to make Qui Gon scoop up the boy from his bed and rest him on the older Jedi's lap. "Master it tastes awful." Obi Wan winced as he swallowed the serums. Qui Gon handed him some tea with honey when he was through. "Thank you Master. Master, I must get to astrophysics, I have an important exam today..." Obi Wan was cut off by his Master's adamant reply.
"No Padawan, the most you will be doing today is sleeping, drinking, and perhaps later on if you are not tired, we will watch a holovid." This would have normally killed Obi Wan, but he was feeling so tired that the plans his Master had placed in front of him sounded like a lot to do.
"That sounds wonderful Master. I don't think I could possibly do anything that doesn't involve me lying somewhere." His Padawan sounded so drained. Qui Gon stroked the boy's head and with the force and the boy's consent, he put Obi Wan into a force assisted sleep. Qui Gon sat on an armchair with a data pad in his hand, but before he knew it, the Jedi Master was also fast asleep.
"Ahhh......hheeeee......heeessscchhhoooooo!.....cough....cough....cough...." Obi Wan coudln't stop coughing or sneezing. "Cough Cough cough ex...cough....cuse me.....cough....master...." Obi Wan broke off with more coughing and sneezing.
"Hush Padawan your medicine has worn off." Qui Gon's voice was patient and calm as he rubbed his apprentice's forehead.
"Oh Master, I really...don't feel...well at all. My head is throbbing, I feel so dizzy, my chest hurts..well everything hurts, my sinuses are all clogged and...." Obi Wan whimpered and winced clutching his head. Tears welled up in his eyes. Qui Gon's heart ached watching his Padawan be so ill.
"Hush Padawan, would you like to perform a healing trance?" Obi Wan nodded. "All right just close your eyes and let me in..." The two Jedi let a white light and a sense of peace engulf them...
//Padawan, I must drop by the council for about an hour. Can you manage?//
"Mmmm...." Obi Wan stirred after his source of warmth got up from his bed. "Master? What..?" Obi Wan looked so clueless.
"I can come with...what time is it...no wait...what day is it Master?" Qui Gon chuckled.
"Obi Wan, Padawan, if you don't know what day it is, maybe you have no business being out of bed. You've been here for about a day and a half. Do you feel better?" Qui Gon asked patiently.
"Yes and no master. My coughing has subsided but I'm afraid it's only due to the fact that you just made me take medicine. My head still hurts, I'm still dizzy and I feel as though I am on fire." Obi Wan's cheeks were flushed with fever. "Ahhh...heeeh...heeecchhssshhhhoooo! Excuse me." The younger Jedi reached for a tissue.
"Just sleep Padawan, I'll be back before you know it." Qui Gon's voice was suddenly filled with worry. //What if Obi Wan tries to get up and he bumps his head? What if his fever skyrockets while I'm not here..what if...// Qui Gon cut off his thoughts. Don't worry so much Jinn. The boy will be fine. Qui Gon kissed Obi Wan's hot forehead and headed out the door. //The force will keep me updated on the boy's condition. Yes it will be fine.//
"Sick your apprentice still is?" Yoda questioned Qui Gon. "In bed you must be too, sense your weariness we do. Sick you will become if you don't rest Master Jinn." Yoda was always scolding Qui Gon, no matter what the conditions were.
"Yes Masters." The weariness in his own voice surprised Qui Gon.
"Has Obi Wan's condition improved? When I fetched you two your apprentice was quite ill." Mace Windu decided that Yoda had spoken enough. "Shouldn't he really be with a healer Qui Gon?" Qui Gon sighed.
"I had him checked out last night as his condition worsened. The healer said that it is not grave, he just needs a lot of rest."
"All right then, worried you are Qui Gon. Return to your apprentice you may. Let the force be with you." Qui Gon returned the gesture and headed back to Obi Wan.
"Master, are you back?" Obi Wan asked wearily. "Yes Padawan." He walked back to the bedroom only to see that Obi Wan was not in his bed. "Padawan, where are you?" Qui Gon was a little nervous to see that Obi Wan was indeed out of bed. "Master, I'm in the kitchen." The boy's voice was a little hoarse. Qui Gon knew that he should make Obi Wan some tea to help his Padawan's throat. He was greeted by the sight of Obi Wan sitting on a chair with a pile of tissues in front of him. Obi Wan looked up and smiled weakly at the sight of his Master.
"Oh Obi Wan, please put on a robe, you will get even worse being chilled again." With that Qui Gon rushed out of the room and returned with a thick robe. "Thank you.....aahhh....ahh....heeeechhooooo! Thank you Master." Obi Wan said as he blew his nose with another tissue. Qui Gon put a cup of tea in front of Obi Wan and then proceeded to put a hand on his head and the other on the boy's warm shoulder.
"Padawan, your fever is down. Do you feel a little better?" Obi Wan nodded in response only to pause to cough again. Qui Gon frowned. The wracking coughs that plagued Obi Wan seemed to be too much for Obi Wan. His tiny frame was shaking with each passing cough.
"Um Master....I was wondering...May I please take my test today? I will only attend this one class and then I'll head right back here. I promise...cough...cough....ahhhh hheeeeasskhhkhkooo! Please Master?" Obi Wan noted that he had picked the worst time to cough and sneeze. When he was trying to convince his Master that he was healthy enough to take the test.
"Padawan, I don't think so. Outside our quarters are breezy and I just don't think you will do well on your exam if you feel as bad as you do. You can't shield everything Obi Wan. I know how run down you feel. The coughing and sneezing do sound better, I'll give you that but you really don't seem strong enough Padawan. It's only been a few days. Lets wait ok?" Obi Wan's face fell as his Master spoke.
"Oh Master..." Qui Gon's heart ached as he sensed the disappointment in his Padawan's voice.
"Come Padawan, shall we pop in a holovid? You can make up the exam next week." Obi Wan smiled at his Master and nodded.
"Yes Master, that sounds great."
Obi Wan had fell asleep barely half an hour into the holovid. His eyes were shut tight and he had his occasional coughs. The boy's head rested against his Master who held him in a loose hug. The boy felt warm and Qui Gon was wondering how the Padawan would have lasted in a classroom if he couldn't even last during an exciting holovid. Qui Gon carried Obi Wan and rested him onto his bed. //Sweet dreams Padawan.// Qui Gon sensed a warm return throughout the bond that they shared as he tucked Obi Wan in and brushed a hand through his smooth hair. He sat on the couch with his data pad and tried to catch up with his reports on the brief mission he and Obi Wan had returned from.
Obi Wan awoke and looking out of his window, he saw that it was just barely early evening. He smiled at his Master who looked a little bored with his data pad. With his head still resting on the pillow Obi Wan called to the older man. "Working hard Master?" He sounded weary and amused. Qui Gon returned his remark with a smile.
"Feeling better sleepy head?" Obi Wan chuckled and nodded.
"I'm so bored Master, can you take a break and sit with me? Perhaps we can talk for a bit?" Obi Wan's voice was hopeful. Qui Gon looked all too glad to put his data pad down. The bed sank a little as Qui Gon sat on it and he put a hand on Obi Wan's clammy skin and smiled to see that his Padawan's fever was gone.
"What would you like to talk about?" Obi Wan shrugged. "So Padawan...who was that girl whom we ran into? You know the one we saw upon returning from our mission...?" Qui Gon had a large smile pasted across his face. Obi Wan smiled dreamily and then suddenly turned red. His face was flushed and Qui Gon suspected that it was from more than just the fever...
The End
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