Qui-Gon's arms burned as once again he was forced to bear the weight of his fifteen year old Padawan. Though he wouldn't dream of complaining or stopping, in this moment Obi-Wan's weight in his arms was a necessary burden. A burden he would gladly carry no matter how heavy the boy grew. Nevertheless he sighed with relief as the spring Halvison has mentioned finally came into view. Wasting no time, he carried his feverish Padawan to the edge of the small spring and carefully sat him down. He gently pulled his tunic from Obi-Wan's fist, his Padawan mumbled something incoherent as the fever continued to rise. Qui-Gon quickly sat the bag of supplies aside and began to remove Obi-Wan's tunic and pants. He then removed his own outer clothes and pulled off his shoes before once again picking up his Padawan.

No longer able to fist his Masters tunic Obi-Wan wrapped his arms tightly around Qui-Gon's neck, too fevered to notice the elder Jedi flinch as his heated forehead touched his shoulder. He was so caught up in the pain and fever burning through his body that he didn't realize what was happening until the cold water touched his skin.

Qui-Gon shifted his grip on his Padawan as the boy yelped and clung to him tighter in an effort to get away from the cold water. He carefully lowered himself and the boy into the shallow spring until he was sitting on his knees with Obi-Wan leaned against him. Though the boy shivered violently, Qui-Gon could still feel the warmth radiating from the Padawan's skin. He held his Padawan tightly as fever dreams caused him to thrash and cry out. He whispered soothing words aloud and silently begged the force for help.

They stayed there like that until Obi-Wan's skin no longer felt like fire underwater. The sun was beginning to rise and Qui-Gon's eyes burned with exhaustion, when they left the cool spring.

"It hurts Master," Obi-Wan's voice was barely above a whisper. He shivered violently as his master lifted him out of the water, no longer because of the extreme heat in his body but due to the fact that he was genuinely cold.

Qui-Gon held the boy a little tighter as he carried him to the cave. As he settled the boy onto the small pallet he had made in the cave he was struck at how much the boy had grown in their two years together and yet how young he still was.

"Just hold on Padawan, I will find a way to get us out of here."

Obi-Wan's surprisingly clear eyes met his Masters, "the pain is getting worse." He swallowed hard before continuing, "I-I don't think I can handle it much longer…"

"You are strong Obi-Wan, you can beat this. You have something the others didn't have, the force. Let's try a healing trance. I'll help you find your center, okay?"

"Yes Master," Obi-Wan smiled faintly. Grateful for his Masters presence.