Darth KenObi-Wan : thanks!!

Gwenneth : Obi is sure special in this fic lol! But I like the idea too.

i luv ewansmile : Thanks again for your great reviews! Also, I didn't think about Qui-gon not verbally responding to Obi-Wan, it just came to me like that... must be my muse... ;)

Chapter 14: Friends

Once Qui-Gon was satisfied with the knowledge that his Padawan was no longer in distress, he got up slowly.

"I will contact the Council again. I left in the middle of a conversation. Will you be okay?"

"Yes Master."

Obi-Wan looked at his friend who was still clinging on him. He smiled.

"It's okay Bant. I'm okay now."

"I know… but… you scared me, I thought you would never wake up."

"I'm sorry... I think it was the Force trying to tell me what I have to do. I just hope I don't have these nightmares too often."

"I hope so" The girl whispered.

They weren't all nightmares. They were memories too. But Obi-Wan tried to block that thought. He didn't have to remember the battle of Zehava. He didn't want to. Maybe he could just forget… accomplish his last mission and then be free… Maybe he could just burry the memories forever…

"It's strange…" His friend said in a soft voice.

"What…?"

"You… when I touch you, it's as if you're there… but not there… It's like foam… you touch it, yet you know it's only air…"

The boy took a look at one of his glowing hands. He could see through it, yet he could make all the details of what had once been his flesh.

"I don't feel any different… When I walk or I'm just standing, I feel normal, but when I touch something… or someone… I don't know. It's like I feel something, but not what I used to when I was…"

He swallowed. It was still hard to accept the fact that he had died.

"When I was alive" he finished slowly.

Bant raised her big silver eyes to meet his. They didn't need to talk. Friends could understand each other even without a single word. Bant knew that Obi-Wan was still shaken by what he had endured in the last few weeks. She knew that he was overwhelmed by what he heard, what he saw… war, betrayal, death… his friends' and his own. It was a lot to take in, even for a Jedi. And even though he was older than she was, he was still young. He had been as sheltered from the world as she had been, as every initiate in the Temple was. She couldn't ever begin to imagine what it was like to be caught in the middle of destruction and self-annihilation. But Obi-Wan knew. He had seen it… and he had experienced it at the cost of his own life.

Obi-Wan saw the tears flowing in his friend's eyes. Bant was sad for him. She had always been a good friend, kind and understanding. Everytime he had needed her, she had been there. Everytime he had been rejected, everytime he thought he would never be chosen to be a Padawan, and even that dreadful time when he thought he would be sent to the AgriCorps forever. She had always been there for him. What had he done to deserve such a good friend? After all that happened, after all he said… After he had abandoned all the Jedi, Bant included, how did he become so lucky that those he loved the most had forgiven him?

He smiled sadly.

Maybe friendship was all it was about. No matter what, all is always forgiven.

They didn't need luck…

A ghostly tear ran down his cheek.

Everybody needs luck.

Bant put her hand on the side of his face and gently wiped the tear away.

Not us.

Obi-Wan smiled again.

"Thanks"

"For what?"

"For being there."

She smiled back.

"I'm your friend Obi. What kind of friend would I be if I wasn't there with you?"

"A wise friend" He answered with a teasing grin.

He didn't expect the small blow on the back of his head, so he didn't have enough time to duck.

"Ow!"

"Don't say that Obi!" Bant said with a playful expression on her face. She knew Obi-Wan was just teasing her, but she didn't want him to diminish himself.

The boy was still massaging the back of his head.

"You know Bant, even though I'm a ghost, it doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt."

Bant giggled at her friend's annoyed expression.

"Sorry Obi, but I just couldn't help it."

"Ever heard about restraint?"

Bant rolled her eyes.

"Yeah yeah, control your emotions you must, let them control yourself you must not… I think I heard that somewhere…"

They both giggled this time. Bant could do such good imitations of Master Yoda. It was good to be home, Obi-Wan thought.

At that moment, Qui-Gon entered the room. He smiled at the two youngsters. He was happy to hear Obi-Wan laugh. It had been a long time. Too long. Seeing his friend being able to lighten up the mood was a good sign. Obi-Wan would heal.

He sat in a chair in front of the bed.

"I see that I missed something."

"Hum, well not really Master…hum… Bant was just…ah… reminding me of something"

Bant and Obi-Wan looked at each other, eyes twinkling.

"I see." Qui-Gon said with a smile.

But his eyes soon turned serious.

"Obi-Wan, I just talked to the Council. They want to see us as soon as possible."

Obi-Wan turned serious as well.

"Tonight?"

"Yes. I realize it's late, but it's important that they know about what the Force has planned for you. And you will probably have to describe your nightmare as well… Can you do that?"

"Hum… of course Master"

Qui-Gon sat up and the two friends did the same.

"I promise you, after the meeting with the Council, you can rest all you want."

"Thanks Master."

The boy looked at his best friend. He still wanted to talk to her, but it would have to wait.

"I'll see you tomorrow Bant."

"Okay."

They walked to the apartment's door.

"See you tomorrow!" Bant said as she began walking down the hall.

"Yes. And Bant… thanks."

The girl smiled and waved her hand. Then, she disappeared at the end of the hall.

Qui-Gon looked at his apprentice.

"Let's go."

TBC