Obi-Wan rushed to his master's side.It nearly broke his heart to see the gash across his midsection.Tears stinging his eyes,he whispered, "Master."
Qui-Gon could just make out Obi-Wan's face above him. "Padawan." Obi-Wan buried his face in Qui-Gon's neck and cried softly and mournfully. Qui-Gon Jinn,the man who'd loved him and taught him since he took him on as his Padawan,was dying.
Or was he?A voice arose in the back of his mind. You can still save him if you give up yourself.
He would do it.He would give up his life,his very being,to his master-that was how much Qui-Gon meant tohim.Pressing his forehead to his master's,he began sending his soul to the dying Jedi.
Qui-Gon instantly understood what Obi-Wan was going to do. "Obi-Wan-" he began,but Obi-Wan used the Force to silence his master. "This is for your own good," he whispered.He was beginning to fade but felt no fear,no sadness that his life was leaving him.It was for Qui-Gon.His life seemed so trivial compared to his love for his master.
After a few minutes Obi-Wan's control of the Force began waning.His master came out of the light trance Obi-Wan had put him into,but Obi-Wan was too weak to care.There,that would be enough...and he was tired....so tired....
"No,don't."
That was the last thing Obi-Wan heard.
Obi-Wan went limp on his master,who rolled him over and crawled out from under him. "I can't believe it," he said to himself quietly. "He gave up his life for me." He lowered his head to the Padawan's chest and cried. "Obi-Wan,come back,come back," he pleaded.
Nothing but the sound of his own sobs.
Qui-Gon lifted his head and pounded the floor beside Obi-Wan's limp form with his fists. "Stupid boy!" he shouted,his voice echoing around the chamber. "How could you save me and leave me here all alone?How could you value my life more than your own? How could you?Stupid,stupid Padawan!" Then he began to cry again,for he knew that it had not been an act of stupidity.It had been one of love.Obi-Wan had loved him,and knew he loved life,so he had sacrificed his own life so Qui-Gon could keep living.
His head dropped back onto Obi-Wan's chest as he continued to sob,clutching Obi-Wan's robe as he did so.He gave up pleading for his Padawan to come back-he knew that was impossible.The only thing he could do was cry.
Suddenly,he heard it.
Thump.
Qui-Gon stopped crying and wondered whether he had really heard Obi-Wan's heart beat.That was impossible of course-the boy was dead.But still,he'd heard something.
Thump. As he listened,his Padawan's heart gave another desperate beat.Obi-Wan took a ragged sort of half-breath,then another.Qui-Gon placed his hands on his Padawan's chest,encouraging his heart through the Force to keep beating,his lungs to keep breathing. If he had been able to breathe for Obi-Wan,he would have. Come on,Padawan. You can't die now. Keep breathing....that's it.....inhale....exhale....
His Padawan was breathing in a steady rhythm now,his heart beating along with his master's.Qui-Gon leaned against Obi-Wan's chest,listening to the two rhythms...the melody of Obi-Wan's life.
The Padawan's eyes fluttered open.A series of mumbled noises escaped him and he looked at his hands,which,to his suprise,were still solid. "Hmm....mmm.Master!"
Qui-Gon hugged Obi-Wan tightly. "Padawan."
DISCLAIMER: I made nothing off this story, Obi and Qui belong to The Almighty Flannel Man, and I have nothing to give the lawyers is he sues. 'Nuff said.