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Now the conclusion of The Slave.

ooo

Qui-Gon released Obi-Wans hand when he noticed Master Yoda indicating the same to him from the door. Yoda motioned to Qui-Gon to follow him; he could sense Obi-Wans erratic emotions causing him distress. Qui-Gon hesitated for a moment, and then reluctantly agreed. However, he was determined not to stay away long.

"Master Yoda I do not believe the words he spoke and I won't leave him alone. He needs me and I intend to be there for him forever if necessary."

"Senses your thoughts he does." Loves you more than life he does, and cannot bear to see you whither away looking after him. Give him time to adjust you should."

"He will never adjust to living like that. Surely, there must be something we can do."

Just then, Mace caught up to them as they walked out into the garden. "How is Obi-Wan today?"

Qui-Gon's frustration shone through. "How do you think he feels Mace, he feels like a slave again, tied to that force forsaken rack? He doesn't want to live this way anymore."

"What do you mean?" Mace inquired.

"He says he wants to die, he doesn't want me to visit him anymore"

"Well I don't believe that for one minute; yet maybe you should give him some time alone, Qui-Gon," Mace indicated.

"I don't care what he says; I am going to look after him. I will leave the order if necessary. Nothing is going to stop me from caring for Obi-Wan."

"Qui-Gon you cannot possible leave the Jedi order, it is your life?" Mace declared.

"No Mace, Obi-Wan is my life. I realised it four years ago when I found him again, he is my responsibility, and I would not want it any other way."

Master Yoda shook his head. "Made for each other you two are, very stubborn, too obstinate to give up; both of you. Meditate on a solution I will." Master Yoda hobbled off and disappeared down the path.

The next morning when Obi-Wan woke he was surprised to see Qui-Gon in the chair, watching him.

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and sighed. "Please go away," he whispered.

"No I won't go away, and no matter how obstinate you get, I'm afraid you're stuck with me." Qui-Gon stated.

"You may have given up but I haven't, do you think I intend for you to lay around here forever. Well my young apprentice think again. Therefore, I suggest you get as much rest as you can because when you are back on your feet, I will make you work harder than ever before." Qui-Gon's voice had a stern quality about it and brooked no argument.

Obi-Wan stared at him, and thought how can I convince him that I am not worth wasting his time on.

"Padawan, you will never convince me that you are a waste of my time, and I certainly do not want to hear you say that again."

Obi-Wans eyes filled with tears, and yet he smiled. "I didn't say anything Master, I thought it"

Qui-Gon smiled back. "Well don't think, my Padawan; it isn't good for you"

Several days later Qui-Gon came into Obi-Wans room smiling. "Obi-Wan Master Yoda has found a Healer who insists he can help you. He lives on Alderaan, and is a highly qualified surgeon. Master Yoda contacted Senator Organa, and he has arranged for Healer Tim-Tah to come to Corruscant. Apparently he uses the force to guide his hands in surgery."

"Is he a Jedi healer Master?"

"No, however, he is force sensitive. Apparently, his parents would not allow him to become a Jedi. They wanted him to follow in the family business, healing. He is renowned for his expertise in delicate operations such as yours will be."

"When will he arrive Master?"

"Very shortly Padawan Master Yoda is meeting his ship now. I feel confident, and Master Yoda feels it too, my young apprentice. In no time at all we will have you taking your senior trials."

"I hope so Master, I am getting quite sick of this bed."

Healer Tim-Tah greeted Qui-Gon with a shake of his hand. "Master Jinn it is a pleasure to meet you. Senator Organa speak very highly of you; apparently, you were instrumental in Senator Organa's election to the Senate, and you helped remove several questionable Senators from office."

"Thank you, Healer Tim-Tah, I was only doing my duty, as I saw fit." He nodded.

"So let me guess this is the young man I have heard so much about." he smiled down at Obi-Wan who smiled back. "You saved half the Universities finest young minds from a crazed gunman and in the process were injured yourself?"

Embarrassment coloured Obi-Wans face, turning a shade of pink. "Master Qui-Gon saved them; I think I just got in the way."

"Nonsense my boy, I saw the news reports, it was a brave thing you did and I am sure everyone wishes you a speedy recovery. Now I think we need to take you into surgery and have a look at your little problem." Tim-Tah sensed Obi-Wans anxiety. "Do not worry so much young man; I haven't lost a patient yet"

They prepared Obi-Wan for surgery, and using the force levitated him over to lie on his stomach. Healer Tim-Tah suggested Master Yoda, Mace, and Qui-Gon watch from the viewing room, which they did. They were amazed at Tim-Tahs connection to the force and were surprised when he held his hands over Obi-Wan and just moved them slowly up and down his spine. So far, they had not cut Obi-Wan. It was fascinating to watch Tim-Tah use the force to manipulate the two pieces of bone fragment, and for several hours, he concentrated his efforts in the middle of Obi-Wans back.

Abruptly he called for one of the Temple healers to make an incision on the left side of Obi-Wans vertebrae; he did so, and then held the deep cut open with clamps. A short time later Tim-Tah took a long pair of tweezers and placed them in the cut. Qui-Gon noticed the healer seemed to be searching for something and yet he hardly moved the tweezers. However, suddenly he pulled the tweezers out and securely held between them, a small fragment of bone. Qui-Gon sighed in relief, and wondered if the operation was over. Nevertheless, before he voiced his question Healer Tim-Tah put the tweezers down and ran his fingers along Obi-Wans spine again.

The healer seemed so patient and Mace wondered what sort of Jedi he would have been. Eventually the healer concentrated on a spot several centimetres away from the first incision and after an hour, he ordered another healer to make another incision. Very soon, another piece of bone came away with the tweezers.

Tim-Tah looked up to the gallery and smiled. "I have finished, Obi-Wan will be just fine" he motioned to the healers to close up the incisions and treat him with Bacta. Tim-Tah left the operating room and Master Yoda and the others went down stairs to thank him.

"That was amazing, how did you know where the fragments were?" Qui-Gon asked.

"I sensed them; I feel the patient's body and I can tell when something is wrong. I felt the bits of bone, the first bit took me awhile it was buried deep in his spinal column, once I found it; I manipulated it and drew it away from the danger zone. That was the tricky part making sure it came away cleanly without snagging on his nerves. I directed its course until I knew we could safely extract it from his body. The second bit was relatively simple. Although that one would give him the most pain, it was the easiest to remove."

"Thank you for helping Obi-Wan, I am eternally grateful to you." Qui-Gon expressed his gratitude.

"You and he have a special bond, I felt it. My force sensitivity allows me to connect to my patients mind, and it helps considerably when the patient is force sensitive too. He worries about you, and he thinks he has failed you," Tim-Tah confirmed.

"Failed me, he has never failed me it is the opposite. I have failed him and I work hard every day to make it up to him." Qui-Gon stated.

"That's why he believes he has failed you, because no matter what he does to make you happy you will not forgive yourself and it pains him so much because he has forgiven you, and he has grown past all the pain of his past. He is looking forward to a bright future, one that he wants for you too." The healer explained.

"Qui-Gon you have been blessed by a special bond from a special young man, learn to live in the present and forgive yourself."

Qui-Gon laughed. "Did Obi-Wan tell you that?"

"No, why?" Tim-Tah inquired.

"Obi-Wan always says that I am like a broken vid recording, repeating the phrase- live in the present"

"No he didn't. However it is good advice, maybe you should take it."

Later Qui-Gon sat in his usual chair waiting for his Padawan to wake up; he wanted to give him the good news. He sat wondering about the healers words and he realised he had been living in the past. He kept the past alive, by thinking of it constantly, never forgetting what happened to Obi-Wan. It was his way of punishing him self for failing to be a good Master. Only now he realised in failing to let go of the past he was holding them both back. He smiled and thought. No wonder I think Obi-Wan will be a wiser man than I am, he is already.

Obi-Wan woke to the sound of quiet laughter, and looked at his chuckling Master. "What's so funny Master" He croaked out.

"Nothing my Padawan, I have just decided to take your advice, and live in the moment."

"My advice, I think you have it all wrong my Master. It is you who says 'Live in the present' not me"

"Ah, yes Obi-Wan, but living in the present allows time to remember the past. Living in the moment, is instantaneous, no time for the past." he grinned. "The operation was a success, Padawan, and you will be back on your feet very soon."

Qui-Gon's words were very true in less than a day; Obi-Wan tried testing his weight on wobbly legs. His long stay in bed weakened his limbs. However, it wasn't long before he was sparing again with his Master, and in just a few days, the trials would begin. Obi-Wan was ready to be tested for senior Padawan status. With each test, he grew more confident and by the end of the trials, he felt confident he had passed.

Qui-Gon could not contain his pleasure, when he told Obi-Wan; they were to present themselves to the Council. Councillor Mace Windu announced the results. "Padawan Kenobi, you have performed exceptionally well in the trials and we congratulate you on attaining the rank of Senior Padawan. Well done Obi-Wan."

Qui-Gon turned to face his apprentice and held up the senior's bead. He undid part of Obi-Wans braid and replated it with the bead attached. "This bead is the final milestone before you reach Knighthood. Well done my Padawan."

Obi-Wan bowed low to the council and then to his Master. "I will wear this bead with honour."

After the presentation, Obi-Wan wanted to visit the garden of peace and tranquillity, and he asked his Master to accompany him. They sat under the flowering tree, which Obi-Wan loved so much. "Master I am very contented, and I wanted you to know that I am privileged to be your apprentice."

Qui-Gon felt his eyes mist up. "Thank you Obi-Wan, However, I feel that I am the fortunate one, you have given my life meaning." He reached forward, and held Obi-Wans braid and grinned. "I must say having you as my apprentice has not been dull, and I look forward to the day I can cut your braid and pronounce you a Knight of the order.

The end.