Chapter Text
When Obi-Wan looked over at Luke, seeing Leia and the others in their small group head for the ship… He knew what he needed to do, he had to give Darth Vader something to focus on. What would hold his attention at this moment - was his death - the final defeat of the great Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. One of Anakin’s last few ties to who he had been previously, Obi-Wan’s death would allow for the others to escape. He would live on, in the force, as long as those children escaped, old Ben Kenobi could die happy. He lifted his saber in front of him, closing his eyes and focusing on the force flowing through his body. Master Yoda and Qui-Gon had taught him well how to become one with the force, and he would not let them down. As he clicked his saber off for the final time, he could feel the heat from Darth Vader’s blade for but a moment before his body disappeared into the force. Leaving only his lightsaber and his robe behind, he disappeared into the force, expecting to be able to further Luke’s training in this new form.
What he didn’t expect was to open his eyes in the Jedi Temple, instantly recognizing the ceiling of his old room as a padawan. He lurched up from the bed, eyes moving frantically around the room, he hadn’t been in here since shortly after Qui-Gon had passed. The Council had agreed to move Obi-Wan and Anakin to another pair of Master and Padawan rooms to try and alleviate the feelings of loss he’d been suffering. Why would the force bring him here, he was supposed to be with the twins, he should be helping to train them and help end the tyranny of the Empire. The rooms looked exactly how they had when he’d been Qui-Gon’s padawan, down to the small plants that Obi-Wan had kept in an attempt to connect more with the living force as his master wanted.
Perhaps this was where Qui-Gon spent his time, perhaps the force had brought him to this place that simply looked like their old rooms in order to unite the two before they were to help Luke and Leia. He moved to stand, a feeling of nausea passing over him as his vision tunnelled for a moment, darkness pressing in around him in a suffocating feeling before his vision returned. The sick feeling stayed, and Obi-Wan had a fleeting thought about still feeling sick despite being one with the force. The best thing to do would be to find Qui-Gon, the man would have answers, he had been one with the force for much longer than Obi-Wan. He had even trained Master Yoda in the process of remaining conscious in the force after his passing, surely he would know the next steps. If the force wanted him to be here, there had to be a reason, perhaps time simply flowed differently here, and it hadn’t been long since he’d… passed on.
He stumbled over to the door leading to the small living area between his old room and Qui-Gon’s, the feeling of nausea not passing, and he had to stop a few times before he finally got there. He pressed the button for the door, which slid open with a hiss. There at the small kitchen table sat Qui-Gon, he had a data pad open in front of him and was stroking his beard in thought. Obi-Wan’s heart leapt to his throat, as he watched the man for a moment. It was one thing having heard from his master through the force after the fall of the Jedi Order. It was different seeing him now, he looked so alive, a healthy flush to his cheeks that he hadn’t had whenever he was able to appear in front of his padawan. His breath hitched momentarily, and Qui-Gon’s gaze finally moved up to meet his.
“Hello padawan, is everything alright? You’re looking a little ill.” He moved to stand, coming over to Obi-Wan.
As the man stood in front of him, it was the first time that Obi-Wan really noticed his height. He’d always been shorter than his master, yet he couldn’t remember when his master had last towered over him like this. “Master, why are we at the temple? Surely we should be trying to help Luke and Leia in their fight? Luke hardly has any training, and against someone of his level…” Obi-Wan sighed and felt his stomach flip again, the force pressing insistently on him as he spoke.
Qui-Gon’s brow furrowed, and he brought a hand up to Obi-Wan’s forehead, feeling for a fever. “Padawan, does this in any way have anything to do with-” Qui-Gon stopped, “Does this have anything to do with Bandomeer. I’m aware we’ve not been back long, but perhaps speaking with a mind healer would be best?”
Pure panic jolted through Obi-Wan, his stomach flipped, and the nausea returned tenfold. He spun on his foot and jolted to the fresher, making it just in time to be sick in the toilet and not on the floor. What was Qui-Gon talking about, Bandomeer had been more than 40 years ago, so much had happened since then. If he was saying that they had just gotten back from Bandomeer, then that meant Melida/Daan still hadn’t happened, not to mention the clone wars and the fall of the Republic. Obi-Wan’s stomach heaved again, Anakin wouldn’t even be born at this point in time, Luke and Leia were gone to him as well. He retched again and suddenly felt a hand on his back, rubbing soothingly.
“Padawan- Obi-Wan, perhaps a visit to Healer Che is in order.”
Healer Che? But she was dead - except… if Obi-Wan had been brought back in time, she would still be alive. They would all be alive, his people, his family were safe. Dangers still on the horizon, if he really had lived through all of that, it meant that maybe the force had brought him back to fix things. But why so far, why not just to when they’d found Anakin, avoid bringing him to Palpatine or get rid of the chips within the clones before they could be activated. Surely there were other options, he couldn’t go through Melida/Daan again. He would, of course he would; there was no way Obi-Wan could leave the young on their own. They could barely scrape by even with Obi-Wan’s help, but there was no way he would leave them. Maybe he would even be able to help Cerasi, save her from her too early death. The gnawing hunger he’d always carried with him after his time on the planet caused his stomach to lurch again, nothing coming up this time as he heaved.
As Obi-Wan was thinking, he missed Qui-Gon calling for Healer Che to arrive, but he did notice when the twi’lek woman walked in with a bag of supplies. “Hello Padawan Kenobi, I hear you’re not feeling too well.”
The Jedi Master now padawan once more looked up at the healer, his vision distorting for a moment. A vision of Healer Che as he’d last seen her superimposed onto her now causing Obi-Wan to panic. The last time he’d seen her, she’d been cut down by Anakin while defending those in her care. The injuries she’d suffered showing she had fought to the bitter end, taking blaster bolts and lightsaber injuries to try and allow the children to escape. He scrambled back from her, his back colliding with Qui-Gon’s legs, and when he looked up at the man he saw the lightsaber wound through his chest. The blood dripping from his mouth as he asked Obi-Wan to take on Anakin and train him.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes and steadied his breathing, reaching out to the force but being shocked again when he felt all the force sensitives in the temple. He withdrew his signature into himself, and heard Vokara’s gasp of shock but couldn’t focus on her. The healer had dealt with worse things than Obi-Wan withdrawing into himself, the war had been tough on them all and the poor healers had their fair share of traumatic injuries coming in. He heard the hiss of a hypo and raised his head to glare at Cody, who had surely convinced one of the medics to give it to him. All he saw though was Vokara with a grimace on her face and the empty hypo in her hand, over her shoulder Qui-Gon was there with a concerned look on his face. He had a moment of clarity that he was not in the war zone, nor on the planet of Tatooine before his vision darkened and listing towards Vokara who caught him.
His mind was filled with flashes of the war as they always were, things he could have done differently. Perhaps if he’d raised Anakin differently, or taken on the job of raising Luke and Leia. The video of Anakin going through the temple and the aftermath making Obi-Wan finally bolt awake. He was back in his room on the bed, but this time Vokara Che was speaking with Qui-Gon by the door leading into the living space.
“Has this happened before, Master Jinn? The poor boy needs a mind healer, the ordeal on Bandomeer must have affected him greatly.”
Qui-Gon sighed, “Surely a better connection with the present and the living force would help the boy?”
Obi-Wan saw Vokara pursing her lips and moved to sit up in the bed, “I’m alright Master, Healer Che. I was dealing with the aftermath of a rather intense nightmare.” He stood and brushed off his clothing. “I’m alright, truly. I am sorry for any inconvenience to you both.” He bowed slightly, looking down at his younger body.
When he straightened he saw Qui-Gon seemed relieved that he was being given an excuse, while Vokara looked more concerned. “Padawan Kenobi, please consider speaking with a mind healer, I’m sure my friend would take on your case quickly.”
The redhead shook his head, “Perhaps at a later date if this happens again, but I believe I should be alright.” He glanced over at the chrono and then back to the two adults. “I think perhaps I might need to get to class?”
Vokara sighed and looked as if she wanted to wrap the boy up in a blanket and whisk him away. Qui-Gon on the other hand nodded and waved Obi-Wan out the door. The now teen slipped out into the main hall and sighed, if this was real, if he’d actually been sent back in time, surely going to whatever padawan class was not his most pressing matter. Bandomeer had been the first of many early preventable disasters for the Jedi that year. The other major events being Melida/Daan and Galidraan. The death of so many True Mandalorians due to the lies and slander of Death Watch and the leader of the planet.
Obi-Wan steeled himself, he would need to find the one person who might listen to him at this point. His grandmaster… He’d never spoken with him in his first life, just seen him around the Temple in passing and knowing that he had taught Qui-Gon. He had only truly met the man after he’d left the order, when he was already being trained by Darth Sidious. But, before his fall, Qui-Gon had always spoken highly of the man, even if it was often a backhanded compliment. The two did not see eye to eye on how to manoeuvre through the force, Qui-Gon focusing on the living force, while it seemed that Dooku tried to tailor things to suit the padawan. Dooku had tried to warn him about Sidious early on, yet Obi-Wan hadn’t listened. What he would be trying to tell the man would be just as unbelievable, and it would be coming from the body of a padawan. Obi-Wan sighed, but knew that if he could stop the death of Jaster Mereel, things could go quite differently for the Galaxy. If Jaster was around, perhaps Jango would not have a hatred for the Jedi and wouldn’t work with the Sith to destroy them. He would mourn the loss of the clones once more, lost to time rather than war or Sidious. By going to Dooku he might also help the man with his concerns about the Jedi. Perhaps, if he could save Qui-Gon’s life, the man would not leave the Jedi order this time around. There were so many things to be done, Palpatine would need to be taken care of as well, but until Obi-Wan had a stronger body, he could not go after the Sith. Even if he had the mind of a Jedi Master, his body had not been trained in that manner yet.
He moved further into the hall, pushing away from the door, and realized he was not quite sure where to start looking for the older man before he felt a nudge from the force. That was as good of a place to start as any, and Obi-Wan followed the feeling. Moving deeper into the Temple and making his way to where he knew the small outdoor area was, with one of the few trees on the planet. He stepped out into the sun and saw someone sitting below the tree, dark hair shining in the sun. It took Obi-Wan a moment to reconcile this man with the Count Dooku he had known, the Sith who had fought countless battles against the Jedi during the war.
As Obi-Wan stood there, dark eyes opened and looked over at him, “Hello padawan, you’re the one Qui-Gon took on, are you not?”
He jolted, almost stepping back from the man at the familiar timbre of his voice, “Yes Master Dooku, Qui-Gon- Master Jinn took me as his padawan after our affair on Bandomeer.”
Dooku hummed in response and waved the redhead over, “Something seems to be troubling you, care to tell your Grandmaster?”
He obediently trotted over and folded himself into a meditation pose next to the man, “Do you believe the force could do things we believe impossible?” Obi-Wan stared down at his hands as he spoke.
“I believe that all things are possible with the force, but perhaps a more clear example might help me in understanding.”
A sigh left Obi-Wan, “I know some people have visions in the force that aren’t always quite clear,” He saw Dooku turn slightly to face him better, “But, if the force sent you back in time, do you think perhaps you should change things?”
Dooku paused for a long moment, considering his answer, “I believe that the force can work in mysterious ways, my old friend Sifo-Dyas has been known to see visions. So, while I’ve not heard of someone being sent into the past by the Force. If I had the opportunity, I would trust in the will of the Force and do as much for the light as I could.”
Obi-Wan hummed, studying Dooku for a moment. The man looked so different from the man who had fallen. The darker hair, the regalness even in his Jedi robes, the lack of loss in his eyes, having not lost Qui-Gon or force, even Komari at this point.
“Master Dooku, have you heard of a mission to Galidraan?” Obi-Wan tipped his head to the side as he asked, posing a rather cute picture.
The older man jerked back for a moment, he had only moments before gone in front of the council to learn about the mission to Galidraan. After hearing about the mission, he had come immediately to his favourite place in the temple, the garden with the Great Tree. He had been rather surprised to see the young padawan here, and it had seemed the boy was carrying a great burden. Now, it seemed that he knew why such a young padawan was feeling so lost within the force. He looked around the garden, there weren’t many other Jedi here, and none that seemed to be listening in on their conversation, something that would be considered quite rude by Jedi standards. Still, if his grandpadawan was implying what he thought, that he’d somehow come back in time and knew something about his upcoming mission. Surely Yan had a duty to listen and learn, the Force had brought him here, not only to the garden but to the young Kenobi.
“Perhaps, this is a discussion better had in my quarters over some tea. Wouldn’t you agree, my grandpadawan?”
Obi-Wan nodded, part of him was still sceptical about trusting Dooku, so many years of fighting the man made it hard to trust him outright. Yet, the way he had so easily believed him, even though he was back in his thirteen-year-old padawan body. He nodded, and the master smiled at him, elegantly rising to his feet and offering a hand to Obi-Wan. Of course, Obi-Wan could stand on his own, but the gesture, the innate kindness of the man, shocked the redhead. He took the man’s hand and was easily pulled up to stand. Dooku towered over him at this age, and the old Jedi master mourned his height. The two made their way from the garden, heading back through the temple towards the count’s rooms. They were in the same wing as those he currently shared with Qui-Gon, but in another part of the wing. Many eyes turned towards them as they strolled, it wasn’t common to see the master with another padawan, let alone Qui-Gon’s padawan.
They made it to the room unscathed, the older man opening the door and gesturing Obi-Wan in. He moved into the room, the layout was rather similar to all rooms that Masters shared with their padawan’s. Yet the personal touches that Dooku had in the room differentiated them from the others. There were soft looking fabrics laid on a plush looking couch, and it seemed that Dooku had also gathered rugs that adorned the ground in central areas. He had a small tea set on a table in front of the couch, indicating he might have guests over often for tea. It was all rather decadent yet the way that it had been done was elegant and did not seem to speak to what Dooku might become during the fall.
“Please take a seat, I will get started on the tea.” Dooku waved to the couch and moved into the small kitchen area that the rooms all had.
Obi-Wan was reluctant, not used to being looked after in any manner after so long alone on Tatooine. He moved slowly to the couch and sunk down into it, the fabrics and blankets just as soft as he’d imagined and the couch more comfortable than anything he’d allowed himself the pleasure of in recent years. He tucked himself into the side of the couch and had a moment to really think about how he’d just been a fifty-seven-year-old Jedi Master, fighting one of the greatest Sith and purposefully losing to allow the Galaxy’s hope to escape… And now, he was back in his thirteen-year-old padawan body, hoping that one of his previous life’s enemies might help him with sorting through it all.
He was brought back to the present as a cup of tea was placed in front of him, “Now my grandpadawan, you mentioned Galidraan. What have you heard of the planet?” Dooku asked as he sat next to the young Jedi.
Obi-Wan took hold of his cup, breathing in the soothing scent of his old favourite tea from the Temple. He hadn’t had it in many years, not since the Clone Wars, and at this moment Obi-Wan felt every one of his fifty-seven years. Waiting a moment before taking a sip, the now young Jedi took time to gather his thoughts.
“I believe that Galidraan is a trap for the Jedi and the True Mandalorians, brought on by Kyr’tsad -also known as Death Watch- and the Governor of the Planet.” His eyes flicked up to meet Dooku’s, “If you go to Galidraan with the information you have now, you’ll be attacking the Haat Mando’ade.”
Dooku took a sip of his tea and placed the cup on the table once more as he stroked his beard, “You mentioned being sent back in time by the Force, was that purely hypothetical or was there some truth in that question?”
Obi-Wan studied Dooku, “Can I trust you to keep this in the greatest confidence Count Dooku?” Accidentally sliding back into the old way of referring to the man.
The older man startled, having not been called a Count before, he knew his family from Serenno would make him a Count but as a Jedi he’d never claimed the title. “I will keep whatever you tell me to myself, but I might suggest bringing in some members of the Council, depending on your knowledge.”
Obi-Wan shook his head, “The Council isn’t always reliable, I trust the Jedi with my life. But some of the rules of the Jedi are questionable; before you go to any Council member, I’d ask that you speak with me first.”
“Very well, I can agree with that as long as there is no immediate danger. Now, please, continue padawan.”
He took a deep breath, “I haven’t been a padawan in a long time, Master Dooku.” When Obi-Wan looked up at the man, he could tell the boy was telling the truth. “I was one of the youngest masters on the council in recent years. I suppose due in part to being the first to kill a Sith in as many years.”
Dooku’s eyes widened at that, but he could tell that the boy wasn’t lying, the truth rung through the force with such clarity. “I never thought the Sith could truly be destroyed, it seemed ignorant to think such a thing. But to hear that they would resurface in my lifetime.” The man leaned back against the couch but didn’t miss Obi-Wan’s minute flinch.
He studied the boy in front of him for a moment longer, “There’s something else about these Sith and myself, is there not? Don’t tell me I’m bested by one after choosing to train in Makashi all these years.”
Obi-Wan shook his head, looking down at his hands that were resting in his lap, “It is not a Sith that defeats you, but it was at the insistence of one.”
Yan was a smart man, he could read between the lines of what people told him, especially those cryptic like Jedi oft were. It was a useful skill when you were friends with Master Sifo-Dyas, thus he could tell what Obi-Wan meant without him saying it, “So I fall to the Dark Side then. I suppose I cannot be too surprised. Not with how I’ve felt in the past about how the Jedi conduct their business under the Republic.”
The young Master jerked his head up to look at Dooku, surprised by how easily he seemed to be taking this, “I never knew you very well, Qui-Gon wasn’t very close with you, and I was so desperate to gain his approval I never reached out… But I think there were a variety of factors that played into your leaving the order and then the subsequent fall. I think that Galidraan was one of the major factors. I don’t think you trusted the Council after the false information they’d been given led to the death of so many.”
“I fear I can see all too well how I would take that mistake. Being used as a weapon in that manner, that the Council didn’t check to make sure that things were in order… It would have most assuredly turned me against them.”
Obi-Wan was silent for a moment, “It wasn’t just that, Komari… The Battle of Galidraan took its toll on her, and she left the Jedi Order shortly after. Then years later-” He stopped, unsure how to bring up Qui-Gon’s death and thus the reason he’d defeated a Sith.
Yan could sense the sadness coming off Obi-Wan and was hesitant to bring it up further, “It’s alright, tell me instead about Galidraan and how you think we can prevent the tragedy to begin with.”
Blue eyes looked up at him, making eye contact and Yan could tell he was being assessed once more, “I’d like to go with you. I understand Qui-Gon was not invited, and I don’t think he should be on the mission.” He sighed, “Master Jinn is not exactly best suited for negotiations of this nature, and I worry he might try and stop me from doing what needs to be done.”
“What needs to be done?”
“I need to speak with the Haat Mando’ade, specifically the Mand’alor. Qui-Gon would tell me not to worry about the future, that it is ever-changing, and I must stay in the present. But the only way to convince them will be to say this is all a vision from the Force, that I am Kara blessed.”
Yan hummed, he knew this about his former padawan, he had tried to teach him that some might have different gifts from the force. That the force gave them these gifts to be used and understood and that yes you could not rely solely on them, and you must train in other ways, but that they could be used to help you. It seemed however that his former padawan had not taken the full lesson to heart.
“Perhaps I can convince the council to allow me to bring you along. Although having two padawan’s is not typical, I have been told by the council to bring along skilled negotiators. They were convinced that this might be solved without violence, but had formed the team with many of our most skilled duellists.” Yan stroked one hand over his beard, studying Obi-Wan once more.
“If I am not cleared by the Jedi, I cannot guarantee I won’t go anyway. I won’t let the massacre of Galidraan happen again. Not when I know I can speak to Jaster and his son. I spent time in Mandalorian Space a few years after the battle, I learned a lot of things about the culture and I know they wouldn’t hurt civilians.
Yan sighed, “You say you didn’t know me well in your past, yet here you are acting so similarly to how I would have in your situation.”
Obi-Wan smiled a bit at that, “I don’t think anyone has quite been in my situation, Master.”
“No, I suppose not. Very well, I will go speak with the Council now. I’ve been rather obstinate in my requests in the past, surely this will not come as a shock to them that I demand to bring my grandpadawan with me.”
Dooku stood slowly and started to gather the now empty tea cups, “We were meant to leave this evening, go and pack a bag and I will meet you at your rooms to explain to my old padawan what is going on.”
Obi-Wan nodded, glad that Master Dooku would be bringing it up to Qui-Gon. He couldn’t imagine having to explain why he was invited to Galidraan when he’d just this morning got up from bed and been sick at the sight of his old master. Thankfully, Healer Che and Qui-Gon simply thought it was due to his time on Bandomeer. He thanked Master Dooku, helping him clean a bit more before heading out the door and making his way back towards the quarters he shared with Qui-Gon.
When he got there, Qui-Gon was resting in the small meditation area they’d set up, surrounded by plants he’d gathered over the years. Every time someone brought up the amount of things he was collecting, he would simply tell them it was to help his connection to the force. Secretly though he’d once told Obi-Wan that he simply liked to collect the plants from different planets, they did help with his connection to the force, but mainly he just enjoyed caring for them.
“Are you feeling better, padawan?” Qui-Gon’s eyes opened as the door hissed when Obi-Wan entered.
“Yes Master, as I said earlier, I believe it was simply just a nightmare.” He dipped into a small bow.
“A nightmare which took you all the way to your grandmaster?” Qui-Gon’s voice was steady, but Obi-Wan knew he was leery of why he might have been speaking with Dooku.
Obi-Wan paused in the middle of the room, “The force guided me to the Great Tree, I didn’t seek out Master Dooku specifically. Although he was a calming presence alongside the natural presence of the tree.”
Qui-Gon’s eyes glanced around at the plant life he had accumulated in the room, “A more calming presence than here I suppose.” The man couldn’t hide the hurt in his voice.
Obi-Wan’s heart ached, Qui-Gon hadn’t been the best master, but he had done what he could and had ensured that Obi-Wan made it to become a knight. “I’m sorry master, the nightmare was about you.” He moved over and folded himself into a meditation pose across from the man, “I dreamed you had been killed by a red Zabraak Sith. I watched you die in front of me, master… I couldn’t stay here, not after that.”
Qui-Gon reached out, placing a comforting hand over one of Obi-Wan’s, his large hand dwarfing Obi-Wan’s small one. “The Sith are gone my young padawan, I know you studied that in your classes. As such, I’m alive and well, Obi-Wan.”
“I know, master; but it was a rather vivid dream. I thought going to class would help, but the force drew me to the gardens.”
The man who had once died in Obi-Wan’s eyes studied him, taking him in before nodding, “One must always listen to the force. Would you join me for some meditation, perhaps connecting would help to alleviate any lingering worry about my death.”
Obi-Wan thought about packing a bag as Dooku had asked, but then realized that having to do so after the man had come would make Qui-Gon a little less suspicious that it had been planned out. “Of course Master, I think that would help me.”
He was already in his favoured position for meditation and despite all the years not practicing or training with the force on Tatooine, meditation was one thing he’d always allowed himself. He sunk into it easily, the force so much lighter than it had been after the fall of the Republic and the aftermath of Sidious ruling the Galaxy. His awareness spread out, moving easily in the force in a way he knew he wasn’t able to do in his previous life, even in his prime. It was as if the force sending him back had changed him more than just putting him in his thirteen-year-old body. The force felt lighter, but Obi-Wan could feel the darkness emanating from the direction of the Senate. It was subtle, like the Sith was trying to hide himself in the force, but Obi-Wan could pick it out despite that. He couldn’t imagine he had changed so much to be able to detect this if one such as Master Yoda and even Anakin hadn’t noticed Palpatine’s darkness. Yet there it was, as clear to him as Qui-Gon’s signature in front of him, he could also feel the signatures of those deep beneath the surface of Coruscant.
There likely had been a change in his midichlorian count, Obi-Wan almost wanted to go visit Healer Che in the healing wing but worried what suspicion it would put him under to have an increased count. Maybe he could have Bant take a look, she was starting her training to be a healer at this time, and he was pretty certain she would know how to check it. Obi-Wan had never had a large midichlorian count to begin with, it was one of the reasons that many Masters had not chosen him as a padawan, they thought he would not be able to keep up with the demands of being a padawan and then a knight. That alongside his temper had marked him as being too much of a hassle to train. If not for the Bandomeer incident, Obi-Wan knew he’d have just been another cog in the AgriCorp wheel. The Service Corps were useful, and they did still help people, Obi-Wan knew that, and much of the Jedi numbers were actually within the Service Corps. The knights made up a much smaller portion of their numbers compared to the other corps, yet something inside of Obi-Wan had known that he was destined for something other than their groups.
Obi-Wan felt a hand land on his shoulder and his jolted back to his body, his eyes blinked open and saw it was Qui-Gon’s hand on him. As he brought his awareness back to the room, he saw that Dooku was standing in the room and was frowning at Qui-Gon. Dooku’s gaze was on Qui-Gon’s hand, which tightened when the taller man noticed his old master’s look.
“I’m afraid Obi-Wan couldn’t possibly go with you, I have not been asked to go on the mission and as my padawan it’s best that he stays with me.”
Obi-Wan looked over to Master Dooku whose face had become pursed, “Now Qui-Gon, the council has suggested that the young padawan Kenobi go on this mission. I know you have made it your mission to defy the Council, but this would be a great opportunity for him. He knows Mando’a, he would be an asset in speaking to them and understanding what is going on.”
Qui-Gon’s grip tightened further and Obi-Wan barely hid the flinch, he would definitely have a bruise later. His skin had always been rather delicate, and he could tell that the force which his old master was applying was too much.
“I wasn’t aware that Obi-Wan had started to learn Mando’a, it wasn’t something that I assigned to him. Are you sure he’s fluent enough to help you on the mission?” Qui-Gon looked down at Obi-Wan as if to tell him to deny knowing the language.
He swallowed and looked away from Qui-Gon, down at his hands which rested in his lap, “I was studying on my own, I had a dream about the Mandalorians and started learning the language. I’m quite fluent at this point, enough to speak with them during negotiations, I’m sure.”
It helped that Obi-Wan had a year on the run on the planet, as well as the many years after. But there was no way to explain that to a man like Qui-Gon, his old master had been a good man, if a little neglectful in his years as Obi-Wan’s master. He had never truly understood Obi-Wan and his visions, telling the boy to live in the present and avoid getting caught up in the future. Something that Obi-Wan had always struggled with, yet disregarding the visions completely had been a different issue entirely. Dooku looked at Qui-Gon with a raised eyebrow but said nothing. This time, Obi-Wan couldn’t hide the flinch that came when Qui-Gon’s fingers tightened even further before he released the redhead.
“Of course my padawan would take it upon himself to learn the language of our ancient enemies. If the council wishes it, then it must be the will of the force, and who am I to not follow its will. You should go pack, padawan, I wish to have a quick conversation with your grandmaster.” Qui-Gon had a smile on his face, but it did not reach his eyes.
Obi-Wan pulled himself to his feet, hand going to his shoulder briefly before dropping away, “Of course master, I will gather my things.” He bowed to them both and moved from the room.
Finally, in his old quarters he started packing some essentials, he wasn’t sure how long they would be on Galidraan, but he would have a schedule to follow. He would have to get to Melida/Daan in order to help Cerasi and the other Young. If he could speak to Jaster Mereel though, Obi-Wan was sure he could convince the man to leave the planet. He packed some of the clothes he had for cold weather, knowing from past research that Galidraan was a planet with snow covered areas. As a Stewjoni, Obi-Wan often ran colder than other humans or near-humans, which meant it was imperative for him to bring warm cloaks. When he’d gathered everything he thought he would need that would not be provided by the Temple, he moved back to head into the living room. Obi-Wan was about to step into the room when he heard Qui-Gon hissing angrily at Dooku.
“Is it not enough that you have Komari? You must bring my padawan along with you?”
Dooku sighed and looked skyward for a moment before looking back at Qui-Gon, “As I have told you Qui-Gon, Komari will not be joining me on this mission. The council has asked Komari to go on her own mission with some knights in a bid to see if she is ready for her trials.”
Qui-Gon visibly bristled at that, “You believe that Komari - at eighteen - is ready for knighthood?”
“I believe that she should be able to manoeuvre with other knights in a balanced team, without my presence. Master Arraira will be on the mission, he is an old friend and I trust his judgement on Komari’s progress.”
Dooku turned to look at Obi-Wan who was hovering near the doorway unsure if he should move further into the room, “Ah padawan Kenobi, please join us. We will need to leave now if we’re to make it to Galidraan in good time.”
Obi-Wan nodded and hiked his bag higher onto his unbruised shoulder, “I’m packed Master Dooku,” He turned to Qui-Gon and bowed, “I will see you soon Master, please be well while I’m away.”
Qui-Gon looked like he was about to say something scathing, but Dooku swept an arm around the young Jedi and pulled him close to his side. Obi-Wan blinked up at Master Dooku, and wasn’t that a weird sensation but said nothing as Qui-Gon spoke.
“Yes well, I’m sure my time on Coruscant will be spent in quiet meditation. After all, it hasn’t been long since the ordeal on Bandomeer.” With that, Qui-Gon waved at them and disappeared into his room.
Obi-Wan’s eyes dropped at the callous mention of Bandomeer, when Qui-Gon had only just this morning been trying to convince him to speak to someone about the mission. Dooku saw that and took a moment to breathe before starting to lead Obi-Wan from the room and towards the main hangar. Yan kept his arm around the padawan who had been sent to the past as they made their way through to the bay. They once again got curious glances from those in the Temple, but it was easy for Obi-Wan to ignore them. As they approached the main hangar, Yan slowed to a stop, pulling Obi-Wan to the side. He placed a hand lightly on Obi-Wan’s shoulder, where the redhead could feel the bruise already forming.
When Obi-Wan flinched, Dooku sighed, “Healing has never been my strong suit, but I can perhaps help in this if you would accept it.”
Obi-Wan was stunned for a moment, he’d honestly never expected Dooku to be so kind. He had only ever dealt with the man after his fall, after he had left the Jedi and taken up with the Separatists and later Sidious. It kept surprising him how compassionate and understanding the man was about all of this.
He brought a hand up to cover Dooku’s, “It’s alright” His gaze flicked away from Dooku, “I had time to learn some basic force healing, this is well within my capabilities.”
Obi-Wan could feel Dooku’s curiosity in the force, “If you don’t mind my asking, was that before or after you defeated the Sith?”
The redhead looked up at Dooku in surprise, it had been before, Qui-Gon hadn’t always known his own strength… And Obi-Wan was so easily bruised, something Healer Che had remarked was due to his Stewjoni nature. His bones were harder to break but the flesh? The flesh would blossom purple with the slightest pressure. Stewjoni in the slave trade, you could always tell who was being well taken care of and who was not. Sleek, soft alabaster skin, unblemished aside from small marks that they were proud to show off. Obi-Wan had always done what he could for his people, but it was hard to get involved without showing he was with the Jedi and Stewjoni himself. But, because of it - because of how sensitive Stewjoni skin was, he had asked Healer Che to teach him some healing. It never looked good for Obi-Wan to turn up to classes or training, already covered in bruises. The healer hadn’t been happy about it, but had understood the importance of the boy knowing how to heal small wounds in order to be able to function if the marks got too bad.
He looked away towards the hangar door before bringing his eyes back to Dooku, “Before, but it’s simply because of my biology. My skin is just sensitive, easy to bruise and mark.”
Obi-Wan pulled Dooku back a bit further into a shadowed area, where he pulled his robes from his shoulder, exposing the new mark. The flesh of his shoulder was already mottled in reds and purples, the shape resembling Qui-Gon’s fingers. There was a frown on Dooku’s face when he saw the shape, but he said nothing. He simply brought his hand to the wound, sending some healing force into the tissue and starting to repair the flesh.
“It does not change the fact that he hurt you, Obi-Wan.”
“He doesn’t do it on purpose, Qui-Gon had less sensitive padawan’s before me.” Obi-Wan’s laugh was deprecating, “Feemor and- and Xanatos- weren’t like me.”
Dooku shook his head, “Young Feemor was a wonderful man, Qui-Gon was so proud of him, however I was also quite influential in Feemor’s training.” He sighed, moving his hand to continue the healing, “With Xanatos however, there were many factors which led him to his path, I believe that the loss of Xanatos is why he is the way he is with you.”
The redhead shrugged, careful to not dislodge Master Dooku’s hand, “Qui-Gon’s loss of Xanatos, and the way that it happened including that he thought he played a part in Xanatos falling… The only reason he took me as a padawan was because he felt bad, everything after then was also a product of his guilt.”
Obi-Wan scoffed and pulled Dooku’s hand from his shoulder, rolling the joint and feeling that it was better, “He got over that guilt the minute he met Anakin, though.” He stopped as he realized what he’d said, “I mean- I think we should get to the hangar…”
Not wanting to push, Dooku nodded, bringing them back towards the hangar. Although he took note of the name, it wasn’t someone within the temple, even the younglings. It seemed as though this Anakin character had become Qui-Gon’s padawan after Obi-Wan. When they reached the hangar, the tension in Obi-Wan melted and Dooku breathed a sigh of relief internally. He led the Jedi from the future to the team that had been assembled to go to Galidraan. Obi-Wan bowed to the other knights and masters.
“Master Ada Centeld here is an old friend of mine, she and her padawan - now knight - Gaann Zegri. They’ll be coming alongside us on this mission, the council thought two masters alongside a knight and padawan would be sufficient for the meeting with the Mandalorians. We will also have some republic pilots with us, but we can only hope they are not needed in battle, that none of us are needed in battle.” Yan gestured to a Chandrillan woman in pristine Jedi robes and a towering Corellian man beside her.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Padawan Kenobi, I have heard that you speak the Mandalorian language and will be aiding us in communications on this mission.” Ada nodded to Obi-Wan and gave him a gentle smile.
“That is correct, Master Centeld. The force gave me visions of a mission with discussions with them. I was simply heeding its warning and began my studies privately.”
“I’m excited to not be the youngest one on the trip, I mean, Komari would have been the youngest, but you’re even younger than her!” The knight, Gaann, came over to Obi-Wan and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. The movement jostled the younger man’s body, and Obi-Wan sighed internally, so much for the healing Master Dooku had done.
A frown appeared on Dooku’s face, and he stepped up to them, pulling Gaann’s arm from Obi-Wan easily and bringing the redhead close to his side, “Please refrain from manhandling my grandpadawan. As a Stewjoni, he will end up with bruises in the shape of your arm if you’re not careful.”
Gaann’s hands came up in front of his body, “Sorry I wasn’t aware, not many Stewjoni outside that planet and the slave trade right?”
While he seemed genuinely curious, Obi-Wan watched as an unseen force flipped his robe over his head while Master Ada turned her face away. “Really padawan, it’s like I taught you nothing. Are we sure we should bring Gaann on this mission, Yan? Is this not a mission of diplomacy, surely someone that is so tactless should not be brought on such an important mission with an age-old adversary of the Jedi.”
Obi-Wan couldn’t help himself, and he let out a small laugh, at the sound all eyes turned on him, “I’m sorry it’s just you reminded me of someone.”
Anakin, Ahsoka and himself had often had conversations like that during the war. It was usually Anakin, though without tact and Ahsoka and himself joking about the whole thing. He missed it, he had been on his own for so long on Tatooine and briefly got to travel with Luke… But this easy joking and use of the force, despite the fact that they were trained to not use the force in such a way… It made his force signature bloom in happiness, and the three other Jedi felt the feeling as well.
A small smile came over Yan’s face, and he held Obi-Wan closer for a moment while Ada burst out laughing, “Oh young Kenobi, I believe we’re going to get along quite well. Come, let’s get to know each other more on the ship. I imagine the pilots are ready by now, and we should be able to take off. I’d love to know more about you and your master, I’ve heard some rather interesting things about your lineage.”
Obi-Wan forced a smile, not too keen on talking about Qui-Gon, especially after just getting away from the man. Depending on the length of time this mission took, and if Tahl was already in danger when he got back, Qui-Gon would not be in a pleasant mood to be around. But he allowed the other master to lead him onto the ship, showing the padawan a small room that he would be sharing with Master Dooku. There were two other rooms on the ship, one being shared by the pilots and the other by the Master and Knight. Obi-Wan was allowed to get his things settled in the room and was taking a steadying breath when Dooku stepped in as well.
“I’m sorry about Ada, she can be a lot at times. Please do not feel pressured into speaking of things you’d rather not.” He set his own bag on the second bed in the room.
“Thank you, Master Dooku, I don’t mind it. I’m rather used to avoiding uncomfortable topics.” Obi-Wan gave a winning smile, which slipped when he saw Dooku’s understanding look. “It’s alright really, I’m just grateful to be on the mission, I really do just want to avoid another tragedy like before.”
“I know that you must be older than I in years mentally, having lived one life already. But I ask that you trust me in helping you going forward. I can’t guarantee I won’t continue to disagree with the council and their handling of things. But given what you’ve said so far, I’m sure you’d agree with that.” Dooku’s hand landed softly on his shoulder, “Trust me though to do what is best for you and the galaxy, and I will trust you to tell me what you can when you’re ready.”
Tears sprang unbidden to Obi-Wan’s eyes, and he blinked them away, it had been so long since someone was looking out for him. Luke had tried, but that was because he saw him as crazy old Ben that lived on the outskirts of town. Then he had taught Luke briefly, but before that, it had been the clones, the Jedi and Anakin that had cared about him.
He brought his hand up to where Dooku’s hand was resting on his shoulder, “Thank you, truly… I will tell you what I can, when I believe I’m able to. I want you to know, it means a lot to me though that you feel that way.”
Dooku nodded back, “If any more bruises appear, I would like to help with them. I know you have been taught a little already but I would like to aid you. My old padawan should have been helping you in this as well, not causing more pain.”
Obi-Wan looked down at his feet at that last comment, but couldn’t dispute it; his master had never been very open or caring with Obi-Wan. He’d always felt like a burden to the man and his Stewjoni nature had led to many times when Qui-Gon’s displeasure could be felt through their training bond. Obi-Wan had always just thought that was simply how the man was, since he’d had such issues with Xanatos and been forced into taking Obi-Wan on… But then he’d found Anakin, and he had been so interested in teaching the young boy that Obi-Wan had seen the other side of his master. The master he might have had if Qui-Gon hadn’t had his own issues with Xanatos and with Obi-Wan’s rocky start to his apprenticeship.
Yan held open his arms, “Come here, young one.”
The redhead paused for a moment before allowing himself to be pulled into a hug, “I’m older than you Master Dooku, I just don’t look like it anymore…”
“And yet sometimes, comfort from another is best no matter what your age.” He soothed his hands over Obi-Wan’s back, bringing one hand up and started to heal the bruise that had started to bloom on the padawan’s skin.
Obi-Wan drank in the comfort once again and let the Jedi Master heal him, he held onto Dooku for a moment longer before letting go and stepping back. Yan let him go easily and smiled at the shorter man, “Let us go see what Ada and her padawan are up to, shall we?”
He nodded at Yan and with another deep breath and releasing his feelings into the force, they two made their way back to the small kitchen area where the others were.