Qui-Gon frowned and knocked lightly on the door, glancing at where
Madam Nu was frowning thunderously at him before knocking again while
reaching out into the bond between himself and Ben.

Silence answered him on both ends.

“Ben, please answer. You’ve been in there for a week.” He called
out, still tempted to break down the door to get in. If only Jocasta
wouldn’t physically castrate him that is.

“Do you even have food in there?” He frowned heavily.

When a frazzled Mace had contacted him he had no idea what could have
gotten the councilor so set out.

And then he was informed that Ben had locked himself into a room in
the Archives, saying something about research and sith. That was a
week ago as it had taken Qui-Gon time to return to the temple from
the planet he, Obi-Wan and Anakin had been dispatched to.

No one had seen the man since.

Even Yoda knocking on the door and requesting him to open it had not
happened and there was no way Master Nu would allow anyone to break
down the door to get the Jedi. Beside, he was clearly alive, his
Force presence felt clearly through the walls.

“Ben, we’re getting concerned. I know there’s water dispenser in
there but you can’t live on water alone.”

Soft steps brought the Archivist to him and she peered at the other
man before sighing. “This is going to far, I understand getting
lost in research but…Qui-Gon…get this door open.” That looked
like it physically hurt her to say.

“Get it…wait, you’re going to let me break it down?” He blinked
down at the lady beside him.

She gave him yet another thunderous glare. “Only because that silly
man has locked himself in there and you’re right, he hasn’t eaten
since he went in there and I’ll be a hutts aunt if he’s slept more
then a little bit.”

Qui-Gon blinked hard and would have answered if it wasn’t for the
door swishing open that moment and a frazzled and less then properly
groomed Ben sprung out of the room, sans his boots, his arms loaded
with flimsiplast as he raced past them.

Then he stopped about five steps from them and turned, blinking
owlishly at them. “Qui-Gon? When did you come back?”

Qui-Gon frowned and moved to the man, taking him by the shoulders,
feeling the tenseness under his hands. “Two days ago. You’ve lost
all sense of time haven’t you?”

“I…hmm I must have…did I block of our bond?” Ben looked even
more puzzled, shifting the flimsi in his arms.

“Yes. Several people’s been here to knock on the door. You really
haven’t noticed?” Qui-Gon frowned deeply in concern as he took in
the frazzled, ungroomed and over tired self. The other obviously
hadn’t showered in a week.

“No, I was…I…” Ben was faltering and Qui-Gon pulled the other
to his chest, wrapping him in the older mans arms.

“I’m taking you to our quarters and you WILL rest.” He said
firmly, feeling the other man kind of flop against him.

“But I…my research…sith…proof.”

“It can wait a day for you to rest, eat and shower. The council
will be there tomorrow, as will your research and you can present it
when you don’t look like a man that wandered out of a wasteland.”
Jedi’s were not one to judge on appearance but still, Ben could smell
a bit better.

“Mmmn…” Qui-Gon glanced down at the vague sound and sighed when
he saw the others eyes already closed with his head resting on
Qui-Gon’s breast.

“Exactly…Master Nu, could you grab his flimsi? He’s going to lose
grip on them soon.”

The Archivist master quickly moved and took them gently from Ben,
getting only a minor protest before Qui-Gon lifted the other up in
his arms. The older master cursed under his breath as he felt the
loss of weight. It was to be expected but still, he had hoped Ben had
something in those room if only food pills.

“I’ll come with you two.” Jocasta sighed, holding the pages to
her chest. “So this won’t get lost. If he spent that long in there
with them, they are important.”

“Yes madam, but I think my concern will lie with this man.”

“After what we just witnessed, I think it will be best you do keep
your concern on him.” She offered dryly.