Chapter Text
Obi-Wan stood beside Qui-Gon as they surveyed the damage. "Do we know what caused it?"
Stroking his beard, Qui-Gon took a moment before replying, "This facility is quite old and the weather here is quite brutal. Something must have snapped, collapsing the roof onto the fuel tanks."
"Causing the explosion," Obi-Wan finished for him. "What do we do now? We can't complete the growing process without fuel."
"We still have the reserve tanks."
Obi-Wan was dubious. "They aren't going to be enough."
Cocking his head, Qui-Gon seemed to be doing some mental math. "We just have to hold out long enough for the Council to send more fuel and figure out how to fix this or for the crystals to finish growing."
"Neither of which is going to happen quickly. It's full winter now. Getting a ship through the storms is nearly impossible. The crystals are at least six months away from maturity and we can't rush their growth. Any variation in the temperature could crack the crystals and make them useless."
"The Ylren are depending on those crystals. If we fail, thousands will suffer. No, we have to find a way to salvage this situation," Qui-Gon said. "The reserve fuel tanks will have to be enough."
Obi-Wan understood the urgency but he thought the prospects looked grim. "The reserve tanks aren't even a tenth of what the main tanks held," he said.
"But they are enough to maintain the crystals at the optimum level," Qui-Gon pointed out.
Obi-Wan gave him an incredulous look, "Maybe, but only to do that. There's nothing left over for anything else, including heating this facility."
"Then we don't do that," Qui-Gon said.
It took a moment before Obi-Wan realized his Master was serious. "Then we'll die, which won't do the crystals any good if no one's here to monitor them."
Qui-Gon gave Obi-Wan an unimpressed look. "You're being dramatic."
"No, I'm not. If we step outside for more than a few seconds, we could freeze solid. Just protecting ourselves from the wind isn't going to be enough. We need some heat," Obi-Wan argued.
"But we don't need to be comfortable." Qui-Gon held up his hand when Obi-Wan opened his mouth to continue his protest. "Just listen to my proposal. The control room to the crystals has a fresher and a small cooking unit. We can bring in a mattress from one of the bedrooms, food from the kitchens, and anything else we need, and then block ourselves in. Some of the heat used to keep the crystals' water warm will seep into the control room. If we stay there, we can minimize the fuel to just what we need to heat the crystals and work the control room. We can stretch the reserves until help comes."
"Maybe." Obi-Wan was still dubious. "It depends on when the Council can get replacement fuel here safely."
"Well, we can only try. I'll contact the Council and see what they say. Either way, I think we should still plan on holing up in the control room. If the Council can't get fuel to us in time to save the crystals, it's just as likely that they'll have trouble coming to get us too. We should conserve as best we can just in case."
Obi-Wan could agree on that at least. "I'll start grabbing supplies."
"Good. I'll look into sealing off the control room once I've finished with the Council," Qui-Gon said.
**********
Several hours later, Qui-Gon was again standing next to Obi-Wan as he cut the power to the outer complex.
"How long do you think it will be before the heat will drop?" Obi-Wan asked.
Sinking into the only chair, Qui-Gon said wryly, "Sooner than we'd like, I'm sure."
Obi-Wan leaned against the console and peered through the observation window overlooking the crystals. "Well, this is the last chance to grab anything we missed. Do we have everything?"
Qui-Gon looked around. The control room was meant for one person. There were two doors, one leading back to the hallway and one to a fresher. A medical kit was attached to the wall opposite the observation window and console. Usually, a table resided beneath it, but the Jedi had moved the table in front of the exit. Two small cooking appliances, a heap of food packets, water pouches, and a handful of datapads were piled on top of it. Stuffed underneath the table were two environmental suits that Qui-Gon fervently hoped would not be needed.
A small heater was tucked in a corner near the table, but it was a severe energy drain so they would only use it as a measure of last resort. In the place of where the table usually stood was the mattress. There was only room for the one, and it took up most of the floor space. Currently it was piled high with every blanket, towel, and article of clothing Obi-Wan could find in the facility.
Looking back, Qui-Gon said, "I suppose we're as ready as we can be. The Council said the meteorological outlook was not promising, and there's a strike at the closest fuel refinery. I'm afraid they're not going to be quick in getting to us, but they understand the gravity of the situation. They agreed that the crystals should be saved if possible but if fuel becomes critical, we should divert it to ourselves."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
Qui-Gon silently agreed.
Turning to him, Obi-Wan asked, "Realistically, how long do you think we'll be here? Weeks? Months? Do we have fuel for that?"
"If we have done the math correctly, we'll be fuel critical in a month," Qui-Gon said, although he was sure Obi-Wan already knew that.
Obi-Wan drummed his fingers on the console. Qui-Gon could feel his agitation. He suspected Obi-Wan was thinking through all the challenges involved with refueling them during the winter months.
But when Obi-Wan finally spoke, he simply said, "Well, what are we going to do in the meantime? A month is a long time in such a small space."
His gaze swept over the room. If they could manage to flip the mattress up on its side, there might be room for some stretching and basic lightsaber forms but nothing more strenuous.
Qui-Gon could see that being a problem for his energetic Padawan. "I think we should look at this as an opportunity."
Obi-Wan's whole being radiated skepticism. "An opportunity?
Hiding his smile, Qui-Gon said, "We are the only people on this planet but we are still surrounded by the Force. We have been on the move from one mission to another since you became my Padawan. This is an excellent opportunity to slow down and truly listen to what the Force might tell us."
"So, a month of meditation?" Obi-Wan sighed.
"It won't be so bad, Padawan."
"If you say so, Master."
At Obi-Wan's clearly disbelieving tone, Qui-Gon no longer hid his smile. "It's been a long day. Meditation can wait for tomorrow. Why don't you make the bed presentable?"
Obi-Wan glanced at the pile of fabric and then back at Qui-Gon. "Are we going to sleep in shifts or . . .?"
"There's little point in that. We're going to have to conserve as much heat as we can. Might as well get used to sleeping together," Qui-Gon said.
"But the mattress is so small," Obi-Wan protested.
Standing up, Qui-Gon said, "It's not the first bed that hasn't accommodated me."
"I didn't mean like that."
Qui-Gon rested a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "I know. The bed will be big enough for both of us if we sleep pressed together. You'll be happy for the warmth soon."
Obi-Wan still looked hesitant but only said, "Yes, Master."
Squeezing his shoulder, Qui-Gon let go and then moved into the fresher to prepare for bed. When he came back out, Obi-Wan had piled the towels and extra clothing on the chair, and was in the process of putting the last layer of blankets onto the mattress.
"I figure we won't need those tonight," Obi-Wan said, pointing to the towels.
Setting his boots near the wall, Qui-Gon replied, "Maybe, but I think it's already starting to get colder in here."
"Yeah, I don't look forward to getting up tomorrow. Or the next day. Or this coming month. I really hope it doesn't take that long for the Council to refuel us."
"We will make the best of it," Qui-Gon said.
Obi-Wan nodded halfheartedly but Qui-Gon knew he was still indulging his pessimism. Qui-Gon did not call him on it. He couldn't say Obi-Wan was out of line. Their situation was precarious. Qui-Gon just hoped Obi-Wan's outlook would be more positive after a good night's sleep.
While Qui-Gon settled under the covers, Obi-Wan took his own turn in the fresher. It wasn't long before he emerged ready for bed but then he hesitated.
Qui-Gon scooted over to make room for Obi-Wan and said, "Be sure to turn off the lights."
When Obi-Wan obediently pressed the light switch, the room was still filled with enough ambient light from the crystal growing chamber for both of them to see what the other was doing.
Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan paused again, this time near the console. "Are you sure one of us shouldn't stay awake to watch over the crystals?"
"If anything happens to the crystals, there will be an alarm. Plenty of time to fix it," Qui-Gon said patiently.
Finally, Obi-Wan knelt beside the bed. Qui-Gon lifted the covers in invitation. Even in the short time it took between Qui-Gon settling under the blankets and now, the air was noticeably cooler.
Initially, Obi-Wan tried to leave a little bit of space between them but it soon became clear there just wasn't room for that. He shifted about as he tried to find a comfortable position, but it seemed to be a lost cause.
"I don't mind being used as a pillow," Qui-Gon said, amusement bleeding into his voice.
"It's just awkward, Master," Obi-Wan replied.
"Only because you are making it so."
Sighing, Obi-Wan finally gave up his squirming and rested his head on Qui-Gon's shoulder. Qui-Gon shifted his own arm under Obi-Wan so his Padawan could curl against him.
After a long moment, Obi-Wan finally settled into the position. "At least you're comfortable, Master."
Qui-Gon huffed a laugh. "Go to sleep, Padawan."
"Yes, Master." There was a trace of humor in his tone.
Closing his eyes, Qui-Gon settled his breathing into an even rhythm. As he hoped, Obi-Wan's own breathing soon matched his own. Qui-Gon could feel Obi-Wan grow heavier against him, and soon Obi-Wan was fast asleep.
In the quiet, Qui-Gon could hear every soft murmur Obi-Wan made in his sleep. He could feel the steady movement that accompanied each inhale and exhale of Obi-Wan's breath. He could feel the warmth of him stretched out along Qui-Gon's side.
It wasn't often that Qui-Gon had the opportunity to let his focus rest solely on his Padawan, and he enjoyed having an uninterrupted moment to do just that.
It should be enough to have Obi-Wan warm and alive in his arms, but Qui-Gon was achingly aware of how much more he wanted. He wanted to turn his head to press a kiss to Obi-Wan's skin. He wanted to run his fingers through Obi-Wan's hair. He wanted to clutch Obi-Wan close to him and never let go.
That wasn't in the cards, though, so Qui-Gon had to content himself with this moment.