The Only Witness Page 9

  around and leaped into the air, landing on Zanita's right side and grabbing

  the blaster. Zanita hurled herself forward onto Lena's body. Her shoulders

  shook violently as several sobs escaped her throat.

  The true leader of the Cobral had been defeated, and was probably

  thinking of the time she would soon be spending in prison.

  Obi-Wan deactivated his lightsaber and re-clipped it to his belt.

  There was a small hole in his robe where the blaster bolt had grazed him.

  He fingered it gingerly, grateful that he was not wounded. But Lena..

  .

  All of a sudden Obi-Wan heard a rushing sound behind him.

  "Obi-Wan, look out!" someone shouted. It was Qui-Gon.

  For a split second Obi-Wan was not sure where to look. Then he saw

  the glimmer of a weapon in Zanita's hand. It was a vibroblade.

  Before Obi-Wan could disarm her a second time, Zanita had plunged the

  reverberating blade into her chest.

  A moment later she fell to the floor next to Lena, dead.

  CHAPTER 20

  Qui-Gon looked up from his sleep couch in his quarters at the Jedi

  Temple to see his Padawan standing in the doorway.

  "I thought you might like to come with me to see Lena," he explained.

  Obi-Wan shifted his feet slightly, and Qui-Gon was reminded of the

  young boy he had taken as a Padawan learner more than four years before.

  Impatient and headstrong, but also unsure. They had come a long way since

  then. But at that moment Qui-Gon was very aware that the younger Jedi still

  sought his affection and approval. Qui-Gon could not blame him, and was

  even grateful. Soon enough Obi-Wan would be a Jedi Knight in his own right,

  and would no longer need him. For the moment, however, he was still a boy.

  Things between them had not been very smooth of late, Qui-Gon knew.

  He felt a twinge of guilt. He was not sure why it was so difficult for him

  to confide in the boy when it came to his feelings. Like many things, it

  simply was.

  "I would like that," Qui-Gon said, getting to his feet. "How is she

  doing?"

  "The blow to her head when she fell was quite severe," Obi-Wan

  replied. "But she is recovering well and is set to be released this

  afternoon. She is planning to return to Frego the day after tomorrow."

  Qui-Gon set his pace to match Obi-Wan's as they made their way down

  the corridor. "Physical wounds heal quickly," he said quietly. "It is the

  emotional ones that require more time."

  Qui-Gon was silent as they made their way down the hall. Then he

  spoke. "When Tahl died, the wound was so broad and so deep that I was

  certain I could not live. I could not go on. And in my pain I was blind to

  those around me - those who also loved and mourned Tahl."

  "I grieved her as well," Obi-Wan said. "But I knew that my grief did

  not match yours, that it never would. I did not know how to help you. I was

  lost."

  Suddenly Qui-Gon stopped and turned to face his Padawan. "I am the

  one who was lost, Padawan. You were generous and patient with me. And I

  needed that patience. I still carry the wound I suffered when I lost Tahl.

  I will for the rest of my life."

  Obi-Wan nodded solemnly. "I know," he said softly.

  Qui-Gon placed a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "I am grateful for your

  efforts to help me through my pain. For a long time I was not ready to hear

  your words, but you were still right to speak them. Thanks to you I have

  found myself again - I have found a way to go on. Your words... you are a

  comfort to me. Thank you."

  Obi-Wan let out a deep breath and smiled. "You're welcome," he said.