Bound

Shift Change

Some spoilers from Jedi Apprentice.
No betas, therefore the mistakes are all mine.
See chapter one for disclaimers.

Qui-Gon had continued to sit with Obi-Wan for several more quiet hours with the teen drifting in and out of sleep. After some time, the boy's attending physician had ventured into the small room to examine his young patient. The Sullustan tsked and sputtered to himself as he checked and rechecked the different displays and leads monitoring Obi-Wan's bio signs. Qui-Gon waited silently, if not quite patiently, as the man finished his assessment. When he finally turned to leave, the master moved out of the room to follow stopping them both just outside the room's door.

"What is his condition?" Qui-Gon asked politely, though abruptly. The Sullustan, being considerably shorter than the tall Jedi, looked up at the master with wide, blinking eyes.

"And who is the boy to you? I cannot share confidential information about his health even to one such as you, Ser Jedi."

"I understand your position, healer..."

"Dr. Quafinak," the physician replied. Qui-Gon gave a politic nod of his head and continued.

"I understand your position, Dr. Quafinak, but I have been authorized by the Jedi Council to see to Obi-Wan Kenobi's health as he was one of our initiates and the Agri Corps still falls under the authority of the Order. Therefore, sharing this information with me will cause no breach in your ethics," the master stated, his tone calm and carrying only the barest hint of Force suggestion. With a learned nod the doctor began his recitation of the boy's condition.

"The child is dehydrated, malnourished, and is overly lethargic. His neurochemistry is out of balance as are his electrolytes. His mental status varies from alert to near catatonia and his muscles seem to be suffering from the early stages of atrophy."

Though Qui-Gon was already aware of nearly each issue the doctor named to hear them spoken so plainly, so clinically detached made the master fell poignantly ill at ease. Outwardly, his face showed nothing but the typical Jedi stoicism expected of one of his Order, but inwardly the master felt anything but.

"Your diagnosis?" he asked, though he had little faith in the healer's understanding of what was afflicting this particular patient. The man did not disappoint.

"Extreme fatigue coupled with severe mental unbalance," Quafinak answered. "In short, the child is exhausted and depressed."

Qui-Gon's lips thinned at the definitive tone of the Sullustan. The doctor took notice of the reaction, his broad chest puffing up immediately.

"You disagree with my assessment, Ser Jedi?"

"On the contrary," Qui-Gon began in the same soothing, yet authoritative voice he used for more dicey negotiations. "I agree with your assessment. I am, however, more curious as to the cause."

The doctor's facial flaps fluttered in a display of condescending amusement.

"Cause? Who can know the cause of such things? Children become distressed for many reasons," he replied shaking his head vigorously. "No, no. Cause is unimportant. Treatment is what the child needs. Nourishment, water, and rest. These he shall get, Ser Jedi, but I must now return to my work. I do have other patients to attend you know."

Qui-Gon ignored his own irritation at the blatant dismissal and bowed to the doctor even as he turned to leave.

"Of course, Dr. Quafinak. I thank you for your time," he said giving a dismissal of his own as he retreated to Obi-Wan's room and closed the door behind him. The master moved back beside the sleep couch to find Obi-Wan still lying in a tight ball, his eyes open, but unfocused.