Qui-Gon struggled to sit up, but the firm hands of the medics pushed him back down on the hoverbed. “Relax, Master Jinn, we’re almost to the ship.”

Although he wanted nothing more than to drift off into the bliss of unconsciousness, he resisted their ministrations. “The boy. . .” he said weakly, pushing away their hands. “Bel-San...are they all right?”

One of the medics leaned in close, checking his eyes with a small light. “They’re right behind us. You’ll all be back together when we get you to the Healers. Just hold on.”

Qui-Gon wanted to say more, but he thought better of it. The medics might sedate him, and he wasn’t ready to collapse just yet; he could do that when he was sure Obi-Wan and Bel-San were taken care of. Sighing, he viewed his surroundings through half-lidded eyes. Illuminated by large holo-lights, he watched the pouring rain pummel the remains of the Temple as they moved swiftly away from it towards a sleek, small craft. In the space of several minutes, the medics pushed his hoverbed into the ship and directed him towards the back, where several white-robed Healers stood waiting.

As a hand touched his forehead, he heard a soft voice begin to ask him questions.

“Master Jinn, can you hear me?”

“Yes, I can hear you,” he growled as best he could. “Bel-San,” he gasped, taking another breath before he spoke again. “I did what I could. He’s got a fever. You need to. . .”

“Shh, Master Jinn, he’s right here.” the Healer said soothingly, indicating another hoverbed nearby. “We’re taking good care of him.”

Qui-Gon nodded, dimly aware of someone putting a tube in his arm. “Where’s Obi-Wan?” he demanded, trying to sit up again, but he lacked the strength.

He felt a cool hand grace his cheek. “The boy’s in here with us. Don’t worry.”

Looking up at the Healer’s face, he discovered his vision was growing blurry, and he struggled to get more air into his lungs, breathing hard. “No, wait. . .” He fought to stay awake. “Obi-Wan. . .I need to tell you...”

Before he could say another word, the Healer slipped an oxygen mask over his nose, and the ship’s cabin gave way to oblivion.

***

Qui-Gon drifted back into consciousness slowly, blinking his eyes lazily until the world came into a hazy focus. Rubbing his eyes with the back of a hand, he felt a tug on the inside of his elbow where a clear tube dripped fluid into his arm. Shaking his head as if to clear it, he looked down to see the pristine white sheets of the Infirmary covering him, and saw a small monitor beside his bed blinking in time with his heartbeat.

“You’re awake!” a voice said nearby, and he turned his head in the direction of the sound.

When he saw the speaker’s face, he felt a slight smile pass over his face. “Bel-San.”

The Jedi lay in a hoverbed near Qui-Gon’s, his curly hair spread over the pillow as he sat up slightly. “You’ve been out for a long time. How are you feeling?”

Qui-Gon noticed the hint of concern in his friend’s voice, and he attempted to assuage it. “Pretty numb, actually.” He held up a hand to his head. “Are we back at the temple?” he asked in confusion, still trying to get his eyes to focus correctly.

Nodding, Bel-San released a small yawn. “It’s the middle of the night. We got back here yesterday morning.”

Qui-Gon took in a quick breath. “I was out for two days?” he questioned, incredulous.

“The earthquake happened the first night on Destricore, they rescued us the next night, we arrived here the morning after, and you’ve been unconscious since the rescue.” Bel-San counted off the time with his fingers. “It’s been about 36 hours.”

He sighed in disbelief, leaning back heavily on his pillows. “Are you all right?”

He could sense the smile on his friend’s face, even though Qui-Gon’s eyes were closed. “Nothing a quick dip in the bacta tank didn’t cure,” he joked, “But man, does that stuff dry out my scalp, I can’t even tell you…” he trailed off, scratching his head for effect. “Seriously, I’m going to be fine. The leg’s going to take a few more days to heal completely, but considering how things could have ended up...I made it out pretty easily, or so they say. And you know, even though the ceiling fell on me, I think they were more worried about you. How’s that for sympathy?”

Qui-Gon couldn’t help but chuckle. Suddenly, the events of the earthquake slammed into the front of his brain, and he gasped, recalling the incident with Obi-Wan as massive waves of guilt washed over his mind. “Obi-Wan. . .” he said quietly, shifting his gaze back to Bel-San’s face. “What happened? Is he all right?”

Immediately he sensed the reluctance in his friend’s voice. “I don’t think they were very happy with what happened.”

“That’s not what I asked,” Qui-Gon responded firmly.

Bel-San sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Yes, he’s fine. They kept him here overnight for observation, but they released him this morning. He’s back with Heri and the others.” He paused for a moment, but then continued. “The other year fives were sent back the same night as the earthquake; they managed to get our ship out of the Temple and one of the Destricore Masters brought them all back before the medics got us out. Corsucant sent over many more Jedi to help with the excavation and relief efforts; things are apparently going well, everything considered.”

Qui-Gon let out a pent-up breath. “That’s a relief.”

“Qui-Gon, there’s more.” Bel-San sighed again, and his serious tone caught the Jedi Master’s attention. “The Council has already held several meetings. I don’t know what their stance is on things at this point, but. . .” He stopped, trying to find the right words. “They’re not happy.”

The blinking monitor at his bedside increased its pace as Qui-Gon felt frustration wrack his frame. “What’s not to be happy about? The boy’s fine, you’re fine, and I’m fine.”

“It’s not as easy as all that, and you know it. We were fortunate,” Bel-San said simply. “They know you shared power with a child, and that Obi-Wan almost died. You put him and yourself in a dangerous situation needlessly.”

“Needlessly?” Qui-Gon sputtered, trying to hold his emotions in check. “We saved your life. You would have died, surely they must see that!” When Bel-San didn’t respond, he continued. “I followed my instincts. I relied on the guidance of the Force. I don’t think they can ask more than that.”

“Yes, well,” Bel-San said, “When you get in front of the Council, you’re going to need more than your instincts.” Qui-Gon met his gaze. “I’ll support you, you know that, but you’re going to have to be on your best behavior. I’m serious.”

Qui-Gon nodded, feeling as if the blankets covering him weighed hundreds of pounds. “I know. Thank you, Bel-San.”

The noise of footsteps clicking down the corridor drew their attention to the doorway, and a white-robed Healer stepped into the chamber. Qui-Gon recognized the short hair and striking green eyes immediately. “Char’ra,” he smiled slightly. “Good to see you.”

The diminutive woman shook her head, incredulous. “You are incorrigible.” she chided. “So you decided to rejoin us.” She walked beside his hoverbed, and checked the intravenous system.

“What’ve you been feeding me?” he asked, lying back as she felt his forehead.

“You came back dehydrated and beyond exhausted; we’ve been giving you saline and glucose.” she moved her hand from his head to his chest, probing his signature. After a moment she dropped her hand back to her side. “You’re going to be fine.” she gave him a relieved smile. “You just need another day or two of bed rest.” Char’ra gave him a wry look. “Isn’t that why we had you stay at the Temple in the first place? Honestly.”

Suddenly Qui-Gon felt the slightest tremor in the Force, and he immediately recognized the signature that brushed against his own. Char’ra turned and moved to check on Bel-San. “There’s someone to see you, Qui-Gon. Bel-San and I will be right next door if you need anything.” Bel-San gave him a small grin as Char’ra pushed his hoverbed into the adjoining room.

Before the small figure even entered the chamber, Qui-Gon spoke loud enough for his visitor to hear. “Master?”

Moving slowly as he relied on his gimmer stick, the tiny Jedi made his way to Qui-Gon’s side. “Hmmf.” Yoda grunted, pulling the hoverbed down in order to look his former Padawan in the eyes. “Good that you are awake, it is.”

“Master, what are you doing here? It’s the middle of the night,” Qui-Gon asked helplessly, sitting up on the pillows behind his back.

“My own counsel will I keep on when I go to bed, hmmm?” Yoda’s ears perked as he finished his statement, and he leaned heavily on his stick. “Wanted to speak to you alone, I did. Much to discuss, there is.”

Qui-Gon sighed, unable to avoid his Master’s eyes. “I know, Master.”

Yoda closed his eyes, and then opened them slowly. “Sense much turmoil in you, I do.”

“Yes.” Qui-Gon nodded, releasing a pent-up breath. “I did what I thought was right, but I know that in helping Bel-San I nearly killed Obi-Wan.” He paused to rephrase his thoughts. “I don’t know how the Council is going to react, but my main concern is the boy.”

The aged Jedi raised his eyebrows. “The boy. Many questions, there are.” Yoda didn’t wait for Qui-Gon to respond. “Offered to share his strength, he did. Knew the risks, he did.”

“But he’s only a child...” Qui-Gon broke in, only to be silenced by an indignant look from his former Master.

“Chide you for interrupting at your age, must I?” Qui-Gon felt a mild blush burn at his cheeks, but he tried not to smile as Yoda continued. “A child Obi-Wan is. Sharing strength with a child a Jedi should not. Too much for them, it is. But,” he paused, lifting a green finger. “Bonded to you, he is, hmmm?”

Qui-Gon shook his head, unsure how to answer. “I was as surprised as anyone when I discovered the link forming, Master.”

“Hmmmf,” Yoda scoffed, adjusting his grip on his stick. “Blind you are to what lies in front of you.”

“Master?”

Yoda waved his hand, indicating he wished to move on. “If not for the bond, never would you have shared strength. A special situation, this is.” He kept his gaze focused on Qui-Gon’s face. “Nearly died, the boy did. But used the bond, did you, to save him?”

Qui-Gon could only nod, recalling again the heart-stopping moment when he finally felt the boy’s chest rise under his hand. If Obi-Wan hadn’t started breathing, he would have surrendered his consciousness, even his life, to save him.

Clearing his throat, the old Master said gently, “Love you, the boy does. Bonding of that kind needs no Padawan title. But a question remains. Leave the bond, do we, or stop it?”

Qui-Gon narrowed his eyes, aghast. “Stop it? What do you mean by that?”

Yoda shrugged. “Ways there are to remove such things.”

“But that’s absurd! You’ll hurt the boy, and I won’t stand for that.” he felt his eyes glint with the force of his tone. “I will do whatever you ask, Master, but I cannot condone that. I nearly lost him due to my actions once; I won’t risk it again. Don’t punish him for what happened; I shoulder the blame completely.”

He felt Yoda’s eyes regard him with great scrutiny. “Love the boy, you do.”

“I...” he started, trying to explain himself, but his Master lifted a hand.

“Clear to me it is,” Yoda said quietly, his expression passive. “Know the mind of the Council I do not. Reprimand there may be.” he said seriously, but then he gave Qui-Gon a small smile. “But good for you, this is. Seen what I needed to I have. Speak on your behalf, I will.”

“Master, I…” Qui-Gon started again, and then sighed. “Thank you, Master.”

“Think I am out to get you, you do.” Yoda said, affection lining his tone. “Wrong you are.”

The small Jedi started to move away from his bed, and then lifted a finger. “One more thing, there is. Feel you awake enough to see one more visitor?”

Qui-Gon looked away from his former Master to the doorway, bewildered. “I suppose.”

“Ran into Master Heri, I did. Sleep the boy could not. Knew you were awake, he did.” Yoda’s eyes gleamed in the low light of the chamber. “See you, he should.”

As Yoda walked slowly out the door, another equally small figure shadowed the doorway and bowed at the aged Jedi Master.

Hands behind his back, the child stepped cautiously into the room. “Master Qui-Gon?”

“Obi-Wan,” he called, warmth seeping into his tone. “It’s all right, you can come in.”

Once given permission, the boy streaked across the floor in his pajamas, his shoes making squeaking sounds as they crossed the tiles. He skidded next to Qui-Gon’s bed, smiling up at him as he righted himself. “You woke up!”

Climbing up onto the hoverbed to sit beside Qui-Gon, the child looked up at him seriously. “You have to be careful. Don’t fall out and hurt yourself.”

Qui-Gon laughed, remembering when Obi-Wan had his hoverbed incident. “Bel-San told me they let you out of the Infirmary this morning. How are you feeling?” he asked.

Obi-Wan shrugged. “They took us on the big ship and we flew back here and they put me in a bed and they put food in my arm like you have even though I told them I wasn’t hungry and it hurt but they made me stay awake because they were worried that I might fall asleep and not wake up but then they said you can go and Master Heri came and took me back to the Creche.” he paused for a breath, looking at Qui-Gon intently. “But you were still asleep and they wouldn’t let me come and I tried to go to sleep I really tried but it didn’t work, and then I knew you woke up and Master Heri was getting mad but then Yoda came and he said he was coming to see you and did I want to come and I said yes and then...” he finished, throwing up his arms, “I came.”

Using his free arm, Qui-Gon drew the child close, and Obi-Wan inched over to snuggle up against him. “How did you know I was awake?” he asked, smoothing a hand over the boy’s head.

“Ummm, I don’t know,” Obi-Wan answered guilelessly, yawning. “I just did. Like in the Temple.”

“Are you tired, Little One?”

“No.” He reached up, fingering the ends of Qui-Gon’s hair. “You have really long hair.” the boy noted, tugging on his own red-gold locks. “Mine isn’t that long.”

Qui-Gon chuckled, relaxing against the pillows. He watched the small child tug on the longish pieces of hair that fell over his tiny forehead, and he felt a resurgence of guilt sweep over his mind. How could he have returned to the Temple without Obi-Wan?

“Obi-Wan, can I ask you something?” Qui-Gon said, his tone soft.

“Yes?” he peered up at the Jedi from beneath his bangs, splitting them down the middle as he grinned.

“Why didn’t you listen when Master Abrisil told you to stay outside with the group during the earthquake?”

A moment passed while an expression of deep thought came over Obi-Wan’s face. “Because,” he explained slowly, “I heard Master Abrisil say that you weren’t coming out and I went in to get you before it fell down on you.” He swallowed, and his eyes were plaintive. “I didn’t want you to get hurt. But I’m sorry I didn’t listen.”

“I know you’re sorry.” Qui-Gon sighed as the boy wiped his nose on Qui-Gon’s sheet.

Obi-Wan looked up at him, his eyes slightly damp. “Why do you feel so bad?”

“Me?” Qui-Gon asked, trying to betray the shock that ran through his mind as he spoke.

The child’s blue-eyed stare pierced him. “You .. .feel bad. About what happened.”

Closing his eyes, Qui-Gon swallowed hard. He knew Obi-Wan saw beyond his words and expressions; the boy could actually sense, if only slightly, his emotions. Suddenly he felt phenomenally vulnerable. Knowing there would be no lying to the child, he simply nodded. “I didn’t want you to die,” he whispered, blinking quickly.

Obi-Wan offered him a small smile. “I know.” Yawning loudly, he threw his arms around Qui-Gon and pressed his face into Qui-Gon’s chest. “Don’t feel bad,” he said simply, his voice muffled by fabric. He pulled away just long enough to look Qui-Gon in the eyes. “Because I love you.”

As Obi-Wan nestled his head against him, Qui-Gon could only shake his head, a tender smile working its way across his face. He laid his hand on the boy’s head and smoothed over his soft hair. “I love you too.”

***

“We have reviewed your case most extensively, Master Jinn,” Ki-Adi-Mundi said, his voice passive.

Qui-Gon stood in the center of the Council’s chambers, his hands lost in the folds of his bell sleeves. He surveyed the eyes of the Council members with as much serenity as he could muster. Although it had been several days since he was released from the Infirmary, he still felt the residual effects of draining himself down to literally nothing.

Plo Koon leaned forward in his seat. “Your actions were reckless at best; you placed not only Obi-Wan’s life in danger, but yours as well. Even though you acted in order to save Teacher Bel-San’s life, there is no excuse for endangering the life of a child the way you did.”

Keeping his gaze level with the Council, he attempted to keep his expression calm. He knew his time to speak had not yet arrived; he saw Adi Gallia move out of the corner of his eye from a seat behind him.

“However,” she began, her alto voice soft, “Your situation calls for great prudence. Although you acted rashly, you did save Bel-San’s life. But even more importantly, you and Obi-Wan share the beginnings of a bond, and that is not something to be taken lightly.”

Qui-Gon nodded gravely as Adi gave him leave to speak. “On that point we agree completely. It is my fervent wish that the boy’s best interests be looked after, regardless of your determination for my actions.”

Yoda’s pointed ears laid back as he surveyed Qui-Gon intently. “Spoken to the Council, I have. Understand, we do, why you chose as you did.” His former Master leaned heavily on his stick from his seat in his rounded chair. “Discipline you the Council will not at this time.” he announced clearly, his eyes giving off the slightest bit of warmth in Qui-Gon’s direction. “But, meditate on your actions you must. Be mindful of this forming bond, we will be.” Yoda’s gaze fell heavily on him as he finished. “I sense much uncertainty in you. Discover the boy’s place in your future, you must. Important to all of us, it is.” He tapped his stick on the tiled floor, and its sound resounded like an echo. “That is all. May the Force be with you.”

The Jedi Master nodded, but inside he felt his spirit soar. The Council could have sent him away, could have forbid contact with Obi-Wan, yet somehow even they could not deny the strange new connection between him and the child. Qui-Gon released a relieved breath, giving the Council a slight smile as he bowed. “Thank you. May it be so with you.”