Trust in the Force
Part 7
The next morning when Obi-Wan entered the hospital room, still holding his cash card after having to pay the visiting fee of ten dennars, Qui-Gon was sitting up in bed looking alert, and smiled broadly when he came in. "Obi-Wan.""Master. You're looking better."
"I feel better." He paused, then said, "The Healer mentioned poison?"
"Apparantly, the Ramasians rolls their projectiles in it," Obi-Wan explained, sitting down on the bed-side chair.
"Oh. Perhaps that's why I kept dreaming that I had something important to tell An-Paj."
"A subconscious message that you were dying?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Or that I needed medical help. How long have I been here?"
"Just since yesterday afternoon."
Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow and Obi-Wan hastened to explain the entire situation, from not having enough money to now holding an unlimited cash card. When he'd finished, he sighed, and Qui-Gon asked, "What is it?"
"It's been a long time since I've felt that much temptation not to do the will of the Force," Obi-Wan replied. "I knew what it wanted me to do, but I didn't want to. I just wanted to walk away."
"But you made the right choice in the end," Qui-Gon nodded approvingly.
"I know that--now. But at the time, I didn't know how things would work out. I couldn't understand why the Force was telling me to help him, when I wanted to get back to you."
"And then?"
"And then I remembered the last time I didn't listen, and how everything went wrong. And I put my trust in the Force and did what it was telling me." Obi-Wan frowned a little as he remembered how close he'd come to making the wrong decision. "I can see now that it saved your life."
"We must always trust in the Force, even when we don't understand why," Qui-Gon said. "Not every reason for our actions will be as clearly revealed as this one. Sometimes we are left without understanding, with only our trust."
"I know."
"I know you know." Qui-Gon smiled a little. "You did very well, Obi-Wan, during the whole situation. I'm proud of you."
Obi-Wan grinned at the praise he didn't often hear from his master in so many words. "I'm glad you're still alive, master. I wouldn't like to be kicking myself right now for doing the wrong thing and having lost you as a result."
"Think of that next time you're tempted not to follow the will of the Force."
"I will, but--" Obi-Wan's expression sobered and he let his voice trail off as he ran his thumb over the edge of the card.
"But?"
"What if I do everything right and you still die?"
"It might happen, but at least you would have nothing to regret," Qui-Gon announced.
Obi-Wan nodded slowly, considering these words, and Qui-Gon added, "As it is, I'm also glad I'm still alive. There are few things more satisfying for a master than to see how his padawan is growing and learning and becoming a fine Jedi."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan said seriously. "Not just for saying that, but for teaching me."
Qui-Gon beamed. "It is my honour and my pleasure."
Obi-Wan glanced down at the card in his hands, turning it over and over.
"You're still troubled about something?" Qui-Gon asked.
"Not exactly troubled. I was just wondering..." Obi-Wan said, looking up briefly.
"Yes?"
"It's so trivial."
"Nothing that makes you think is ever trivial, Obi-Wan."
"Well, I was wondering why this planet is named Otoria and not Cash-in-Advancia." Obi-Wan grinned, and caught the pillow that Qui-Gon tossed in his direction.
The End
written August-November 2001Liked it? Hated it? Tell me!