Homepage: Kalynn's Fan Fiction - XFiles, Profiler, Star Wars:
TPM, Hercules, Young Hercules: http://www.geocities.com/kalyw
Rating: G
Archive: m_a
Classification: short story, series story
Warnings: AU (compared to JA), knowledge of Inner Strength
series will help.
Summary: This time Qui-Gon is the one who needs comforted.
Feedback: it's one of the things I'm thankful for! ;-) Happy
Thanksgiving.
Thank Yous: thanks Lori for looking over this for me! (And a
belated thanks to Wren for betaing the last MM for me *g*)
Disclaimer: *runs to check the mail* nope, still not mine. And
I wrote such a nice letter to the firm of "Never gonna happen"
:-)
"Hi."
Qui-Gon looked up from his meal at the little boy that stood
directly across from him. It only went to show how distracted
he had allowed himself to become that he hadn't felt the
child's approach.
It occurred to him that he hadn't seen Obi-Wan since their
first meal together, missions having kept the Jedi Master quite
busy.
At Qui-Gon's silence, Obi-Wan's face falling he said, "I'll go
if you don't want . . ."
Qui-Gon shook his head and reached out to touch the boy's arm
as he turned to leave. "No. It's all right, Obi-Wan. Sit down."
Qui-Gon gestured toward a chair.
Obi-Wan smiled hesitantly, but sat in the offered chair. He
looked at Qui-Gon for a long moment, and the Jedi couldn't help
but feel he was being examined. "You're sad," the child said in
a small voice.
Qui-Gon blinked, surprised by the comment. "You're very
direct," he replied. When Obi-Wan looked down at his hands,
Qui-Gon lowered his voice and added, "But you're right
nonetheless."
Looking up at the Master, Obi-Wan blinked slowly, his surprise
showing. He thought for a moment, as if weighing his response.
"I could tell you were sad."
Although surprised by Obi-Wan's ability to place his rare
emotion, Qui-Gon nodded. "And so you decided to check on me?"
"Sort of," Obi-Wan said in a soft whisper. His forehead creased
in thought, "Mostly I missed you."
The Jedi was brought up short. "You missed me?"
Obi-Wan nodded, a cautious smile on his face. "You're fun to
talk to."
"Really?" Qui-Gon asked, again surprised. "Me? Are you sure
you're not confusing me with someone else?"
Giggling, Obi-Wan nodded. "Yes, you." Growing more serious, the
boy searched Qui-Gon's gaze. "But why are you sad? Did
something happen?"
For a moment, Qui-Gon had a far away look in his eyes. "You
might say that, little one. A very long time ago."
For a little while, Obi-Wan simply looked at the Jedi.
Understanding flickered across the boy's green eyes. Finally,
he broke the silence. "You miss someone you lost." It was a
statement, not a question.
"Yes," Qui-Gon said, again finding himself surprised by the
youth's perception. A moment later his eyes widened when he
felt a surge of concern flow along the still young bond that
stretched between them. "Obi-Wan . . ."
Instead of fading, the caring emotions along the bond grew
stronger. "I'm sorry you're sad."
Qui-Gon smiled faintly. "Thank you, little one."
His piercing gaze still on the Jedi, Obi-Wan said, "You've
never talked about it." He paused, only to add, "Have you?"
Shaking his head, Qui-Gon replied, "No, I haven't."
In the simplistic way only a child could manage, Obi-Wan asked,
"Why?"
After thinking for a moment, Qui-Gon said, "I don't know. I've
never been one to talk about it."
"Do you think it's wrong to feel sad?" Obi-Wan asked,
wide-eyed.
Shaking his head quickly, Qui-Gon said, "Of course not."
The boy smiled sadly. "Then why do you hide?"
Qui-Gon opened his mouth to reply, but found he wasn't sure
what to say in response to Obi-Wan's honest question.
Obi-Wan noticed Qui-Gon's hesitation and smiled. "Did you have
fun?"
The Jedi blinked slowly, lost by the sudden shift in topic.
"Did I have fun where?"
The boy grinned. "While you were away. You were gone a long
time."
"I was only gone for a few weeks, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes, giggling. "But that's forever."
Qui-Gon's smile returned. "Yes, at times I suppose it might be.
Did you have fun here while I was busy?"
The child nodded eagerly. "We finally got to play with the
floating balls!" he replied, his eyes bright.
The Jedi Master grinned and took a drink of water. "That's very
good. Did you like playing with them?"
Still grinning, the youth said, "They were fun."
"I really liked those too, when I was your age." Pausing,
Qui-Gon pointed toward Obi-Wan's untouched plate. "However,
you've not eaten any of your lunch."
As he began eating, Obi-Wan looked quizzically at Qui-Gon. "You
don't feel as sad now."
Qui-Gon merely looked at the wide-eyed child before him,
touched by the comfort that still faintly flickered between
them. He nodded. "I guess you could say I'm not," he replied
with a faint smile.
"I'm glad," Obi-Wan said with a smile. "I don't want you to be
sad."
Qui-Gon's smile brightened, and he reached across the table to
ruffle Obi-Wan's hair. Responding to the youth's comfort with a
wave of appreciation. "Thank you, little one."
The boy shrugged, as if cheering the Jedi were no hard task.
"You're welcome."
Qui-Gon relaxed and began eating his meal. For the first time
in many years, the anniversary of Bri's death wasn't a solitary
and somber occasion.
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