The Ondarian Virus

Part 16

This part's rating: G

See part 0 for full header

     "Here you are," Qui-Gon said, sitting down with one steaming mug in hand for himself and handing a second over carefully so as not to spill it. "I added two spoonfuls of sugar and a pinch of Caydem spice for you."

     Chuckling, "I cannot believe you remember how I take my tea, Qui-Gon." Tala lifted the mug and inhaled deeply. Then he took a sip and smiled broadly. "This is excellent."

     "Of course I remember," Qui-Gon said, taking a sip of his own which had only a bit of sugar and lemon added. "The tea preference of my oldest friend is not a matter to be taken lightly."

     "Mmm, indeed," Tala replied with a smile. "It is much appreciated. I have been on my feet all day and I worked straight through my lunch time in order to see patients. There's something going around right now. Half the initiates have got it and after a day of rubbing the little ones' runny noses, it's nice to have a minute or two to relax." Qui-Gon looked concerned. "Oh, it's not the Ondarian virus Obi-Wan has. That was the first thing I checked for, naturally. No, all signs point to it being just a normal bug. Of course I shouldn't say that in front of the masters in charge of looking after all the sick young ones."

     "It seems like there's always something going around the temple," Qui-Gon observed.

     Tala nodded. "See that you don't come down with it. Or you'll be of no help when it comes to caring for Obi-Wan."

     Qui-Gon quickly agreed, drinking more.

     Tala did likewise, drinking down the rest of his tea and sighing. "This is nice. It seems like the only times we ever see each other is when you or Obi are sick. Why is that, do you think?"

     "You are always so busy with your work," Qui-Gon said, shrugging.

     Nodding, "And you and Obi-Wan are always off on one mission or another. And when you're on-world you're always working or training your padawan." He tipped his cup, draining the last few drops from his cup, then set it cup down. "So how has Obi-Wan been lately?" The healer inquired.

     Qui-Gon finished his own tea and cocked his head thoughtfully. "Well, apart from the sore throat, and of course this fever which returned yesterday, he is managing all right."

     "Mmmphh!" Both Tala and Qui-Gon turned their attention to the figure lying between them on the bed. Obi-Wan stared back at them, a thermometer in his mouth and a look that told them he did not like being talked about as though he was not there.

     "I am sorry, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon stroked the young man's forehead, then kissed it gently on the little lines that formed on his forehead when he looked annoyed. "You're not feeling sneezy again, are you?" This was their third attempt now at taking Obi-Wan's temperature as Obi-Wan had sneezed during the first two and ruined the readings.

     While Obi-Wan was feeling a little sneezy, he shook his head, fully intending to hold off his sneezes as long as possible and feeling glad he had practiced that the day before. Obi-Wan cleared his throat and sniffed, then rubbed at his nose, trying to avoid the thermometer. "Mmph?" He asked Tala, eyebrows raised.

     "Yes, you're done now," Tala told him, easing the thermometer out and giving it a look. "And you're also running a fever still." Without taking his eyes off the thermometer, he handed a new handkerchief to Obi-Wan, who was presently struggling with the urge to sneeze.

     Obi-Wan sat up a little against the pillows, allowing himself to breathe more easily. He took a deep breath and cupped the handkerchief to his face. "hehhCHUHH! hihhKShhh! ahhhKShhh!" He blew his nose and sniffed, trying to look better than he felt. "How bad is my fever?" Obi-Wan asked, shivering a little.

     "Bad enough for you to stay in bed all day," Tala said, pulling one of the blankets at the bottom of the bed up and draping it over Obi-Wan's front. "But not as bad as it has been. You should be fine if you take it easy and relax."

     "I'm starting to get the hang of that," Obi-Wan said with another shiver and another blow of his nose.

     Tala tucked the blanket around him more tightly. "You're halfway through your cold now, and everything appears to be fine. At least as fine as it can be with three more weeks of a cold. You should call me right away if you start feeling worse than you have so far. But otherwise, just take care of yourself..." He glanced over at Qui-Gon. "Or let Qui take care of you, and you'll get through this before you know it."

     Qui-Gon looked more relieved than Obi-Wan. "So you're saying the worst is behind us now?"

     "Just more of the same ups and downs," Tala said, nodding. He watched Obi-Wan shiver again, and he cleared his throat. "Qui-Gon, I'd suggest you get under the covers and keep him warm. I'll brew another pot of tea." He rose from the bed and headed towards the kitchen area. But he paused at the doorway, looking back at the scene. Qui-Gon's arms wrapped around his padawan as they cuddled beneath the covers. Obi-Wan nuzzled his face into Qui-Gon's neck with a sniffle and a kiss. The healer gave a deep sigh and smiled, then turned back towards the kitchen.