It took Qui-Gon a while to notice. A embarrassingly long time
honestly and it was Quinlan pointing out that Ben should take a warm
shower instead of his usual sonics for his aching bones that finally
clued Qui-Gon in as he took the startled look in Ben’s eyes.

Tatooine was a desert planet.

Ben had lived there for so long.

He waited for the rest to leave before taking Ben’s hands and rubbing
them lightly between his. “Ben, you know that the temple has a
large water reserve? You’re allowed to both shower and bath if you
wish to, no need to ration water for drinking.” He talked softly as
faded green focused on him.

“I…”

“There’s no water limit here. Else we wouldn’t have fountains. And
aquatic Jedi species.” Qui-Gon smiled, lifting one hand to gently
stroke underneath the wrinkles of one eye. His smile widened a bit
when Ben instantly leaned into the hand, eyes closed as he enjoyed
the touch.

Sweet was the word that popped up in Qui-Gon’s mind as he continued
gently stroking the aged skin, Ben was sweet.

()()()()()

“I’m sorry but it seems the commissary is serving the same tuber
mash and meat chunks again but at least the bread rolls are fresh.”
Qui-Gon sighed as he came back with Obi-Wan to Ben and Quinlan, both
setting down spare trays to the other two.

Quinlan grimaced but pulled his tray to him, peering at the chunks of
meat floating in sauce for a few moments in sulky silence before
shrugging and reaching for the salt.

“I don’t mind. At least its not snake. Spent a whole year only
eating snake once.” Ben murmured as he pulled his own tray to him.
“And scorpions. And some rather nasty worms that grew to about the
length of my arm…” Ben stopped eating and mused on that. “…I
honestly think they caused a slightly hallucinatory reaction.”

Obi-Wan stared at him in horror and looked to Qui-Gon. “Master, I
really don’t want to eat worms.”

Quinlan looked torn between amusement and horror too. “You must
have a stomach made of iron Ben.”

“Lets…just consider ourselves lucky we have this meal? No?”
Qui-Gon shifted a bit closer to Ben as the other man ate peacefully,
dipping his bread roll into the sauce and chewing away with a content
smile.

()()()()()

“Are you sure he’s ready for a training session?” Qui-Gon crossed
his arms over his chest, glancing at Vokara who snorted before
sighing. “To be honest, no. But we really have no idea until he has
actually tested his own joints. Sparring saber and a Initiate level
set droid will have to do to figure this out.” She confided in
Qui-Gon as Quinlan continued prowling around the mat with a small
easy smile that hid his worry.

Bant and Obi-Wan and their friends were watching from the benches.

The healer squared her shoulders. “No time like the present you
know to figure these things out. But I do advice he takes a bath
after to soak his muscles and joints.” She gave him a meaningful
look and Qui-Gon nodded, he’d make sure Ben took a bath since the man
sometimes reverted back to saving water.

“Alright then…lets start up the droid then.” He breathed out as
he against his better judgment turned it on. “Ready Ben?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” The man seemed amused by all the
fussing they were doing even if Quinlan was being discreet about his.
And he carefully started blocking the droids moves, the training
saber set on low in case he ended up hurting himself.

“Ah, training he is? Better he has become?” They looked over as
Yoda hobbled in with Shaak Ti behind him, moving to lean on his cane
beside Qui-Gon and Vokara as the togruta nodded happily to them.

“Somewhat, if he can handle Initiate level training I might be able
to up his physical therapy.” The healer huffed, crossing her arms
over his chest.

Shaak spoke up after a few moments. “The droid has a saber too. But
its getting more and more common for blasters to be used, he should
be able to defend himself against a blaster shot if just for our
comfort.” She suggested.

The change was instant the moment the droid fired at Ben.

Feet shifting backwards, hands coming up as he fell into starting
pose of the Soresu, straining muscles screaming out as Ben’s eyes
flashed brightly green as chaotic shields rose with the protective
instincts of a mothering krayt dragon.

But Ben was old, Ben was slower and his body screamed in protest for
his moves even as the first of a set of blast hit his shoulder and
leg and the training saber tumbled from a numbed hand.

And the chaotic shields splintered like a wood for lightning and
through those shields Ben’s memories rose like the cry of something
dark and predatory.

The flash of a bomb as Ben, young and in his prime with a groomed
beard, ran among soldiers dressed in white and orange, his face
covered in blood giving him a gruesome mask as he swiped a shield of
the ground. His shoulder smoking from a fresh blaster wound as he
went crashing into a group of droids with a loud cry, no lightsaber
at his belt.

“That’s it you ugly sons of scrapbolts! Here I am!” He called
with a hoarse voice as fire focused on him.

Ben, brave Ben, who waved his hand behind him at two young padawans.
“GO! I’ll handle this!” Two padawans no more then eleven or
twelve, both sporting armor as they stared with wide frightened eyes.

“Y-Yes Master Kenobi!” They ran, as told, towards the men in
white and orange as Ben kept his eyes on the droids, his teeth
gritted, eyes glittering with fierce protectiveness. Ben who was all
alone against to many droids with to many blasters, to far from his
allies who were helping the padawans into a gunship.

“General Kenobi!” One cried out as Ben caught another blaster
shot in his shoulder again, the armor smoking even as the man
stumbled and bought the shield up.

“CODY GET THEM OUT OF HERE!”

The image flashed again as suddenly they were thrown out of Ben’s
memories, the man himself swaying on his feet before he sunk to his
knees, taking sharp jagged breaths before suddenly it was like he
wasn’t there anymore.

Qui-Gon stumbled over to him and collapsed beside Ben, touching him
with care as the older man flinched. “Ben. Ben look at me, quickly
now look at me.” He coaxed the other, mentally reaching out to the
all to familiar shields of Ben hiding himself. He ignored the sounds
of someone being sick and continued talking until Ben opened his eyes once
again, faded green looked at him yet past him.

“Ben, you’re safe. Ben you are in the temple. In one of the
salles.” He rubbed the others upper arms while talking soothingly,
trying to hold onto his own thoughts.

“…Temple?” Ben whispered.

“Yes, temple. With me. Can you see me Ben?”

“…Qui-Gon.” Ben whispered then swallowed and leaned forward.
“…Everything hurts…”

“I know, I know. We pushed you to far. How about Quinlan helps you
back to your quarters and makes you tea huh? I can find some of those
fruit pastries you like so much?” He murmured, glancing at Quinlan
who gave a firm nod then knelt down to touch Ben’s arm, smiling
warmly at him when Ben looked at him.

“…Tea sounds good.” Ben nodded and let Quinlan help him up,
supporting himself on the younger man’s arm who guided him past the others
and out of the salle.

Only then did Qui-Gon sit down heavily and rub his face before
staring at Yoda and the others.

Yoda looked like he had aged a year in just those moments. Shaak had
a shaking hand over her mouth while Che was staring at the wall with
her lips pressed together tightly, arms crossed over her chest and
her lekku’s twitching.

He didn’t even dare look towards his padawan for what he might see.

This is what the future had brought Ben.

Their best sent into battles as generals for a war.

Their youngest padawans in armor to battle against droids alongside
men who died for them to keep the padawans safe.

Qui-Gon closed his eyes, the image of Ben, of Obi-Wan’s blood covered
face forever seared into the back of his eyelids.

‘No…this will not be the future…’ He opened his eyes to meet
Yoda’s and then Che’s.

This would not be the future of the Jedi, even if they had to tear
themselves from the Republic to prevent it.