Echo - Epilogue

"Padawan."

"Yes, Master?"

Qui-Gon moved to stand next to Obi-Wan. His apprentice was looking through the window that separated the waiting area of the medward from the bacta chamber.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, Master. The technician says I have a pulled muscle and some bruising. Nothing permanent."

Qui-Gon continued to stare through the glass at the man in the bacta tank; his face impassive as the liquid swirled around Bail Organa's body. "You seem troubled."

Obi-Wan turned to look at Qui-Gon. "Master, I have meditated on my actions. While leaving the Senator was questionable, I still feel that entering the base was a risk I had to take. Senator Organa was badly injured and needed medical attention. We had only an emergency lantern, a blaster, and a few rations." He paused for a moment and then went on. "I will accept whatever correction you feel appropriate, Master, but I did what I thought was necessary."

"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon sighed, "Your skills with a lightsaber will gain little more from instruction. You are a fine pilot. Your studies at the Temple go well. However, you have much to learn of the Living Force and I have more than a small concern for your impulsive streak and your constant desire for my approval. You have reached an age where decision making is critical. The Trials for you, when they come, will not be a matter of knowledge or physical ability. If I felt more confident of your emotional control I might recommend you now to the Council. But I do not feel that confidence, Obi-Wan. I do not feel it because you do not."

Bowing his head in disappointment, Obi-Wan suppressed a sigh. Though the assessment hurt, he knew the truth of it and would not flinch from what it meant. "I understand, Master. I must learn patience. I know that now."

Qui-Gon studied Obi-Wan. There was a shift in the bond. In the past, he felt shame from Obi-Wan in moments such as these - a tense and over-eager thrum of longing to please that worried him. Now, there was only placid acceptance and introspection. Perhaps his Padawan was finally growing up.

There was another matter Qui-Gon needed to clarify now. He tilted his head slightly and watched Obi-Wan's face for a reaction as he spoke. "You spent a significant amount of time in the Senator's company during this mission, Padawan"

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan looked up with a questioning expression on his face.

"There is anything regarding your relationship with him that I should know about?"

Obi-Wan frowned. "I don't understand, Master. I know that you don't trust politicians. For the most part, I agree with your reasoning. However, I don't find Senator Organa to be like the others. I respect him and would like to continue contact with him now that our roll in the negotiation is over. Do you disapprove of me pursuing a friendship with him?"

The bond held nothing but confusion from Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon decided to drop the topic. The Senator's actions toward Garen were obviously not the result of his Padwan's behavior. If the relationship with the Senator had escalated beyond friendship, Obi-Wan would have told him so. Qui-Gon rested a reassuring hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "No, Obi-Wan, I do not object to you pursuing a friendship. However, I do caution you to be circumspect. You know the rules. Do not become attached."

Obi-Wan flushed slightly at Qui-Gon's unexpected admonishment. "Yes, Master."

Qui-Gon noted the color rising to Obi-Wan's face. There might not be a relationship now, but there was attraction. Interesting. "Go and get some rest, Padawan."

"Yes, Master."

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Senator Beruss perched his large body awkwardly on a stool next to Bail's bed. He smiled and said, "You certainly gave us a scare, Bail Organa."

"I apologize, Senator. I assure you that it was not intentional." Shifting in discomfort, Bail stretched his aching muscles. The bunk was hard and unyielding. "Where are we?"

"On an Illodian destroyer. We should reach Coruscant in another ten standard hours."

"What about the rest of the delegation, the treaty?"

Senator Beruss shook his head sadly. "Whoever attacked us did a through job. The group on the ground is all that remains of the delegation. They even took out the Trade Federation ship. The three Tanthalan Ambassadors that went to the surface are angry that they are being taken to Coruscant instead of going home. The Senate is insisting that they stay under guard on Coruscant for the duration of the inquiry as 'Honored Guests of the Republic.' Unfortunately, they only see it as strong-arm tactics. We'll have our work cut out for us if we are to salvage anything out of the situation."

Bail was shocked at the news. If he had not made the decision to accompany the group to the surface, he would be dead now. It was strange to think that his attraction to Obi-Wan Kenobi had saved his life. "They don't know who attacked us?"

"I think Qui-Gon suspects the Commerce Guild but the Jedi aren't talking." Senator Beruss' face went dark with frustration. "Damn Jedi! Sometimes I wonder if the galaxy wouldn't be better off without them!"

"Senator, no matter what you think of them politically, the Jedi just saved our lives." Bail's voice was stern. "I, for one, am glad to have their counsel and trust them completely."

"I mean no offense to you, Bail Organa, but every member of the Republic knows how you and your family came to power. Of course you will side with the Jedi." Senator Beruss' tone hardened as he lectured. "Perhaps, one day, you will come to understand how dangerous they can be. The Republic may put forward the idea that the Jedi answer to the Senate but those that wield the Force answer to no one. Ask yourself this, would you want to be ruled by someone that could manipulate your mind and see your future? A person that could, with the wave of a hand, throw you across a room or kill you?"

"A Jedi would never use the Force to control others in that way!" Bail protested.

"And if you believe that just because a person wears the title of Jedi they are benevolent, you are more naive then I thought, young man!"

The silence that followed was so complete that Bail could hear the soft bass thrum of the hyperdrive as the ship moved through space. He lay there on the bunk blinking in shock at the Senator's outburst.

"I apologize. I should not have said that. Blame my harsh words on the stubbornness of old age." Senator Beruss stood abruptly, smoothing his robes. "You know, you remind me of my grandson. He's about your age. I should like very much to introduce you to him some day."

"I would like that, Senator," Bail replied quietly. He suddenly felt overwhelmed and exhausted. "Doman, we may disagree about the Jedi, but I've learned much from watching you these last few months. I hope we will be able to continue that relationship in spite of our differences."

Senator Beruss nodded. "Well, you need rest. I will have my secretary call your office to schedule a meeting once we return to Coruscant. We can discuss tactics regarding the Ambassadors. Hopefully, we can salvage something from all of this."

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A soft chime sounded rousing Bail from his nap. He pushed himself up in the bunk, wincing as he did so. The medtech had told him his chest would continue to ache for several days as the bones finished healing and his lungs recovered. "Come in."

The door to the cabin opened and Obi-Wan Kenobi stepped into the small room. "Your Highness, we will drop out of hyperspace soon and make our final approach to Coruscant."

Bail smiled. "Thank you."

"Your father will be waiting at the landing platform."

"I see." The smile dimmed slightly. While Bail loved his father, the man was not supportive of his son's decision to represent Alderaan in the Senate. His father was of the opinion that Bail should spend his days training to take over the position of Viceroy. Inevitably, they argued about it every time they saw one another. He could hear the lecture in his head now and the thought of getting one as soon as he got off the transport wasn't terribly appealing.

Obi-Wan noted the change in Bail. He wondered about it, but set those thoughts aside. Right now he had another objective. He hadn't simply come to wake the Prince. Taking a few more steps toward the bunk, Obi-Wan ignored the nervous tension that welled up in him and finally made the offer he'd intended to make at the party. "I've been thinking, Your Highness. I know how interested you are in Galactic Law. I thought you might like a tour of the Jedi Temple. We have an impressive collection of treatises in the archives and then there are the gardens and the..."

"How thoughtful of you! I would love a tour," Bail interrupted. Thoughts of his father dimmed and he had to suppress a flush of satisfaction. He was right; they had made a connection that night on Rhen Var. "I have a condition though."

Obi-Wan frowned suspiciously. Was Qui-Gon right after all? Did Bail simply see him as a servant of the Republic? "And what condition is that?"

"You must allow me to take you to lunch."

The look of suspicion was replaced by one of placid relief. "I suppose I can concede to that condition, Senator."

"I told you to call me Bail."

The pair fell into awkward silence. Obi-Wan had to force himself not to fidget. He finally changed the subject, gesturing to the standard issue Republic guard uniform hanging over a chair. "Will you need assistance with your things? I can call for someone to help you with your clothing if you like."

"No, I'll be fine."

"Well, then."

There was really nothing else to say. Obi-Wan hesitated for a moment then wordlessly turned and moved for the doorway. Bail was worried that he'd said something wrong; that the invitation had been retracted. "Obi-Wan?"

"Yes?" The Padawan stopped with his hand near the palm panel and turned his head to look at Bail.

"Thank you again for your offer," he said hopefully. "I will let the intern in charge of my calendar know that you'll be calling about the tour. I look forward to it."

Obi-Wan simply nodded his response before he activated the door and left.

Bail knew it would take him a while to get dressed but he lingered on the bunk anyway after Obi-Wan exited, sliding down under the blanket. He took the pillow from behind his head and hugged tightly it to his chest; a huge smile spreading across his face. Suddenly every cold and frightening minute he'd spent on Rhen Var seemed worth it. Lives had been lost. The treaty might collapse. His father was sure to insist that Bail give up his Senate position and take up some mindless administrative position on Alderaan. But his heart told him quite loudly that something good had come out of it all.

Yes, Obi-Wan Kenobi was something very good indeed.

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