Always and Forever

by Anastasia ( padawan_ana@yahoo.com )

Homepage: www.slashcity.org/~anafic

Categories: angst

Rating: G

Pairing: Q/O

Status: Complete

Spoilers: For TPM in general

Summary: Qui-Gon sets Obi-Wan's fears to rest

Notes: This story is dedicated with all my heart to Bella. I'd been staring for nearly a week at all my other fics and getting absolutely nowhere, when out of the blue came Bella, asking for a Q/O fic. She wanted it to be warm and fuzzy and happy with maybe a few hugs and kisses and not too much angst. In two hours I wrote this fic. And even though it's a little sad in some spots and is filled with angst-as all my fics are-Bella was happy with it. Which makes me happy. : ) For some reason, feeling useful and writing something worth reading does that to me. Thank you, Bella! You can inspire me anytime!

Thank yous: Thanks to Caly for the beta and for getting me back into Q/O last month-and to Bella for keeping me there.

"Obi-Wan ... "

Obi-Wan stopped by the table on his way out of the bedroom. He grabbed the glass of juice placed so carefully by his place setting and drained it in one swallow. He left the plate of toast and fruit untouched.

"I'm sorry, Master. I promised to help Knight Sunman with the toddler swimming class this morning and I'm late." Setting the glass down with a clunk, Obi-Wan threw the towel he'd draped over his arm across his shoulders. "I have to go."

"Obi-Wan, stop." Qui-Gon pushed his chair back from the table and stood up. "Please."

Obi-Wan's eyes darted between the door and his master. Inwardly shaking his head, he knew he couldn't run this time and live with the guilt. "Yes, Master."

Slowly, Qui-Gon approached Obi-Wan, holding his hands out as he would to a avoid spooking a frightened animal. "Obi-Wan, come here." His voice was kind; it held no reproach or demand, simply a desire to help.

"Master ... " Obi-Wan could feel his resolve crumbling.

Qui-Gon took two more steps toward his padawan. "Obi-Wan, you're pushing too hard, stretching yourself in too many directions, and it's starting to show."

Obi-Wan couldn't help making a face. "I'm just busy. No more so than any other padawan nearing their knighthood. It's important to be involved in a lot of different things, to show the Masters that I'll be able to handle whatever they assign me to after I'm knighted."

"Not at the expense of losing sleep and running yourself ragged." Qui-Gon smiled. "Even Master Yoda wouldn't expect that of a knight-in-training."

Obi-Wan breathed a sigh of frustration. "But I expect it of myself, Master. Surely you remember what it was like before you were a knight. I know you were driven to succeed; Master Windu has told me stories."

Qui-Gon grimaced. "Master Windu barely speaks to anyone, and when he does, he says too much."

"Admit it, Master. You wanted to prove to Master Yoda and the others that you were worthy of being a knight-just as I wish to prove it to you and the other masters. And if that means a few less hours of sleep or missing breakfast or ... "

" ... having dark circles under your eyes, losing weight you cannot afford to lose, consistently skipping our morning *and* evening meditation sessions ... "

Obi-Wan closed his eyes against the pain in his master's voice, knowing he was the cause of it. "I'm sorry, Master. I just need ... "

Qui-Gon held out his arms again, this time in invitation. "You need this."

With something that sounded very much like a sob, Obi-Wan fell into his master's arms. "Oh, Master ... "

Qui-Gon held his padawan tightly, wrapping the long braid around his wrist and through his fingers, taking comfort in the motion. Slowly, he maneuvered Obi-Wan over to the couch, folding himself into the cushions and pulling the almost-knight into his lap.

"Master," Obi-Wan protested half-heartedly. "I'm too old for this."

Qui-Gon's smile was sad. "I'm sorry you feel that way, my Obi-Wan. To me you will never be too old for this." He stroked one finger along Obi-Wan's neck, up to his cheek. "It is the curse of all masters to see their padawans as perpetually young-even after they are brave and daring knights."

Obi-Wan pressed his face into Qui-Gon's neck, not wanting his master to see the tears in his eyes. "Some padawans are afraid their masters will forget about them after they become adults and are knighted," he said softly. "They keep themselves so busy beforehand that they don't have time to think about such things ... "

"Oh, Obi-Wan ... " Qui-Gon sighed. "The transition from padawan to knighthood is always an emotional one, for both padawans and their masters. Never think that I will love you any less for the title you hold; you will be my Obi-Wan always and forever."

"As you will always be my master." Obi-Wan wrapped his arms around his master, knowing Qui-Gon would feel the hot wetness on his hair and neck and know it for what it was. "I'm sorry I've been so difficult lately," he said unsteadily. "Thank you for loving me in spite of my faults."

Qui-Gon kissed the top of Obi-Wan's head. "As I said, my padawan. Always and forever."