by James Walkswithwind (gila@jbx.com)
and Wolfling (wolfling.msn@attcanada.net)
Archive: Yes to Master & Apprentice
Rating: G
Pairing: Q/O
Spoilers: none
Summary: Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan must face the Jedi Council and the
possible consequences of their new relationship
Feedback: is gratefully accepted :)
Notes: This is the sequel to Training Session. Thanks to Lori
for giving this a quick beta.
The soft brush of the students' footsteps faded quickly down
the hall. Qui-Gon glanced after the younger ones, nudging each
other and making gestures in conversation. They were learning
silence, learning how to move in total silence for hours at a
time.
It did not stop their talk, or their games -- it merely changed
the rules. It served them well, when they grew older and began
traveling on missions with their Masters.
After they passed and actual silence resumed, Qui-Gon returned
to his reader. He and Obi-Wan might be traveling to Thorael
soon, so he was studying up on the local customs and politics.
"Master Qui-Gon."
He looked up and saw Master Silla, gazing expectantly at him.
"A word with you please."
He nodded and shut off the reader. Silla turned and walked back
down the hallway, Qui-Gon followed.
He got the feeling from Master Silla that this was to be a
difficult conversation -- not that he hadn't had plenty of
those in his time as a Jedi. Most of them with Master Silla, in
fact. He hid his smile as the other reached a room and
indicated Qui-Gon should precede him in.
Once inside with the door closed behind them Silla wasted no
time in getting to the point. "It has come to the attention of
the Council that the relationship between you and your Padawan
has... expanded, shall we say?"
Ah. Of course. Qui-Gon had known this would happen eventually.
Aloud he said only, "And what concern does the Council have?"
He had been careful, these last few days, to ensure his
apprentice's performance did not falter. Obi-Wan was completing
his training with as much skill and finesse as he had before --
even if he did have a tendency, now, to glow a little brighter
at his Master's approval.
"You know such a relationship is forbidden," Silla said
bluntly. "Yet still you initiated it. Why?" Qui-Gon could sense
no condemnation in the other Jedi, just honest curiosity and
concern.
"Master Silla, for months both Obi-Wan and I have obeyed the
edicts and refused to allow the relationship. Eventually it
became more a burden to refuse, than I judged allowing it would
be." It was a dry, almost lifeless description of the desires
that had threatened on so many occasions to distract him from
his duties.
So many times he sensed in his apprentice the wavering of focus
necessary to complete a task before him, wavering because his
attention was desperately yearning for what he could not have.
Silla frowned. "If it was becoming that much of a burden you
should have come to the council. There were other solutions."
Qui-Gon grimaced. The simplest and most common solution in such
cases was to seek a new Master for the student.
But he didn't want that. It was, itself, even simpler. He
wanted this relationship, as much as Obi-Wan. "The
relationship is not a burden," he said quietly.
The other Jedi sighed wearily. "I had feared as much." His lips
twitched upwards just slightly. "You never were one for the
easy route."
Qui-Gon didn't answer. It was true that few members of the Jedi
Council approved of his path, but none disagreed that it
was his path. Whether they would agree with his taking
young Obi-Wan down that path... well, if they were afraid of
such a thing they would not have given him to Qui-Gon to train
in the first place.
"You will have to speak to the council about this. Give them
reason not to utilize one of the other solutions," Silla
warned.
Qui-Gon nodded and said nothing.
Silla started for the door then hesitated before opening it.
Looking back he said, "The council is sometimes too concerned
with rules and propriety. What I sense from you is not
something that is detrimental to either your Padawan or
yourself. If it helps I believe you are in the right of this
matter." And with that he turned and left.
Qui-Gon did not try to hide his startlement. Silla had never
been much of a supporter of his, though he had never actively
stood against him. But he had not expected to hear such
a thing from him.
He smiled, collected himself, and went in search of a quiet
place to consider the matter at hand.
Obi-Wan finished his workout and headed for the showers.
There was an extra spring in his step, even after the
exhausting physical activity he'd just completed. Ever since he
and his Master had given in to their feelings, it was like he
had an extra burst of energy.
'Probably because I'm not spending it all trying to resist what
I feel,' he mused to himself.
Or maybe it was just because he was happier and more content
than he had ever been before.
He noticed the looks he got from some of the other students but
ignored them. Ignored them until Galfi stepped up and shook its
head.
Obi-Wan cocked an eyebrow questioningly. "Yes?"
"Who do you think they're going to give you to?" the blunt
question came.
What? Shaking his head in confusion he said, "I don't
understand."
"Your new Master," Galfi said patiently. "Once they take you
away from Qui-Gon. Darnee thinks she's going to be his new
Padawan now that she's ready to become a full apprentice."
"What are you talking about?" Take him away from his Master?
Obi-Wan had to suppress a shiver of apprehension at even the
suggestion. Not that there was a chance of something like that
happening, he knew. Qui-Gon wouldn't let it.
Galfi blinked. "The Council is going to split you and
Qui-Gon... didn't you know? What you're doing is forbidden."
Galfi didn't sound as if it cared, so much, that Obi-Wan was
breaking rules. The other student seemed primarily interested
in the gossip of who would be paired with whom.
"They can't do that." Even as the protest left his mouth he
knew it wasn't true. The council could and would take him from
his Master if they deemed there was cause enough.
Galfi, however, nodded. "They'll have to. It's not allowed.
They'll split you up until you stop... you know. Wanting to
break the rules."
Having a relationship beyond Master and apprentice, it meant,
Obi-Wan knew. He didn't understand the council sometimes. How
could love be considered wrong?
"I don't think they should do it, myself," came Tay's voice
from behind him. Obi-Wan looked over at the other student as he
continued. "It isn't like you're hurting anyone. Anyone who
knows you could see you weren't going to get over it."
He suddenly looked abashed at his words, as they all realized
what that would mean.
At the looks on his fellow apprentices' faces Obi-Wan found he
had to get out of there. Now. If he didn't, he wasn't sure what
he would do or say.
"Excuse me, I've got to..." he stammered as he brushed past
them and headed out the door and down the corridor. He tried
not to think of their words, of the expressions on their faces.
Their pity.
'Don't pity me!' he had wanted to yell at them. 'What my Master
and I share is the most wonderful thing in the universe.
I should pity you that you don't know what it's
like!'
Still, as he moved down the corridor, the spring in his step
was totally gone.
He didn't even notice his Master until Qui-Gon grabbed his arm.
As he looked up, he realized he had heard Qui-Gon saying his
name.
His Master was frowning ever so slightly.
"Sorry Master." Obi-Wan muttered his apology for his
absentmindedness. Even that was enough to make him wince
inwardly, since if Galfi was right it wouldn't be much longer
he would able to call Qui-Gon that.
The light grip on his arm tightened. When he looked up he saw
Qui-Gon start to speak, then he glanced up and pulled at
Obi-Wan to follow him.
Obi-Wan followed meekly enough, his heart sinking even lower.
The fact that his Master didn't seem surprised by his emotions
suggested he knew the cause, which in turn suggested that Galfi
had been correct.
Qui-Gon turned and regarded him silently for a moment. Obi-Wan
suddenly wondered if it was already over.
"You have heard?" his Master asked.
"It's true then?" He could hear the plea in his own voice as he
forced himself to meet Qui-Gon's eyes steadily, hoping against
hope he would be told it was all a rumor that got out of hand.
His Master's countenance didn't change, still frowning
slighting at him. "You knew as well as I, it is forbidden."
Obi-Wan's shoulders slumped as reality crashed in. He
had known that, but at the time...
"What happens now?" he asked defeatedly, looking down at his
boots, unable to meet his Master's eyes.
"Master Silla has informed me I've been called before the
Council. I--"
Obi-Wan's eyes widened. They were going to blame it on Qui-Gon,
he was sure. His Master already was no favorite of the Council.
This, this could ruin him. He couldn't let that happen. And he
wouldn't.
Moving swiftly he leaned forward and captured Qui-Gon's mouth
with his own, pouring all his feelings into what he was feared
would be their last kiss. When he parted he spoke, pleased that
his voice only held the smallest of tremors. "I'm sorry about
all this Master, but I'll fix things. I promise!"
Before Qui-Gon could react he brushed past him and ran down the
hall. He knew what he must do.
"Obi-Wan!" he heard his Master's shout behind him, but he did
not stop.
The Jedi Council would be in the Council Chamber at this
hour... they might in fact be waiting there for Qui-Gon. With
all the trouble his Master had had with the Council, Obi-Wan
feared that this would be the final straw.
It was up to him to stop it. He'd go to the council and take
the blame himself. They could do anything they wanted to him;
it didn't matter, just as long as they left his Master alone.
He reached the Council Chamber doors and didn't stop, dashing
past the honorary guard and inside. The Jedi Council members
all turned towards him, with varying degrees of no-surprise on
their faces.
No one asked why he was here.
"I need to address the Council," he said, his voice loud and
clear and strong.
A few of the Masters exchanged glances. None responded except
Yoda, who simply nodded.
Looking at all the impassive faces watching him, Obi-Wan felt
his courage falter for a few seconds. 'This is for Qui-Gon,' he
told himself sternly. 'You can do it.' Taking a deep breath he
began.
"I have done something that is forbidden. I acknowledge that.
And worse I have drawn my Master into it as well. I ask that if
you insist upon punishment that you punish me alone, for it was
I who initiated the relationship."
There was a moment of silence and Obi-Wan could feel the
Masters exchange looks and silent words.
Yoda was the only one who spoke. "Acknowledge it, you have."
The half-question, half-statement seemed to seal his fate.
Whatever happened now, there was no going back.
"Yes." He paused and then added, "And I cannot say I regret it.
My feelings for my Master are real and worth whatever you
decide to do to me. I only regret that he may suffer because of
them."
For a moment Yoda merely considered him, and Obi-Wan felt the
urge to fidget -- or run. But he remained there and returned
Master's Yoda's gaze unflinchingly.
"Consider assigning you a new Master, we have," Yoda finally
said.
"I... understand," Obi-Wan replied as he felt his heart sink.
"If that is to be my punishment I will, of course, accept it.
But what of my Master?"
"Punishment it is not meant to be. Complete your training, you
must."
"With all due respect Master Yoda," he said, unable to
completely hide his bitterness, "how else am I suppose to look
at it?"
"Distracting, your feeling are," Yoda replied, sounding
unperturbed. "On your training your focus must be, not on your
Master."
Obi-Wan nodded, conceding the point. "My Master says the same
thing. But taking him away from me will not make me feel any
less." He paused and then boldly added, "You have not answered
my question yet either. What about my Master? If I am to be
forced to accept a new Master, what is to become of Qui-Gon?"
"If worthy he is, a new Padawan he shall have," Yoda replied,
again in that odd, neutral tone that told Obi-Wan nothing.
Nothing save that he was about to lose Qui-Gon... possibly
forever.
A new Padawan. The words hurt, even though he knew it was not
Qui-Gon's desire. It was a pain he was unable to keep off his
face... or safely behind his shields.
"You may not consider this punishment," he said in a voice as
open and raw as his emotions, "but it certainly feels like it.
Punishment of the harshest kind."
"Obi-Wan," a soft voice came from behind him. A balm to his
pain. Qui-Gon stepped up behind him and put his hands on
Obi-Wan's shoulders.
Taking a shaky breath, Obi-Wan leaned into the touch, drawing
strength from it and his Master's presence. His shields firmed
and his outward demeanor once again appeared properly Jedi
calm.
"Master," he murmured, the one word holding recognition,
gratitude, sorrow, love, everything he thought or felt.
The hands on his shoulders tightened slightly. "Obi-Wan," came
the reply, and in it he felt his Master's love, concern, and
confidence. Confidence?
"Master Yoda," Qui-Gon began.
"Something to add, have you, Master Qui-Gon?" Yoda asked in an
almost-amused tone.
"I do not believe it would benefit myself or my apprentice to
have our relationship dissolved. As Master/Apprentice, or as
anything else." The certainty in Qui-Gon's voice rekindled the
smallest of hopes in Obi-Wan. His Master had swayed the council
to his point of view in the past. Could he do it again?
"Against the rules, it is," Yoda continued. Around him, the
other Masters were merely watching. Obi-Wan could not tell from
any of their expressions whom, if any, were being swayed.
"We acknowledge that," he said, having regained his courage
with his Master's presence. "But it's happened. We cannot undo
it. You can punish us, break us up even, but it still will have
happened."
"Yes but we can prevent it from interfering with your
training," Master Dona put in. She was looking at them both
rather severely.
"It will not interfere with his training, Master Dona," Qui-Gon
replied calmly. She didn't look convinced, but then Master Dona
had never gotten along with Qui-Gon.
"Certain, are you?" Yoda asked.
"It hasn't so far," Obi-Wan pointed out. He was confident in
saying that. He knew all his scores were the same or even
higher since they had gotten together.
Yoda looked at him and Obi-Wan felt as if the Jedi were looking
all the way through his soul. He met Yoda's gaze unflinchingly.
He had nothing to hide; if Yoda was truly reading his soul he
would have to concede that Obi-Wan and his Master were right.
Finally Yoda sighed, his gaze shifting to Qui-Gon. "Never easy
it is with you. Always follow the difficult path you do."
"Master Yoda," Qui-Gon began, only to be interrupted.
"Together, you may stay," Yoda pronounced. Qui-Gon moved
swiftly, embracing Obi-Wan from behind. "But watched, you will
be," the Jedi Master finished.
Weak with relief Obi-Wan barely heard the rest of what was
said. Qui-Gon nudged him and he bowed to the council before
following his Master out.
His Master. Qui-Gon was still his Master and would remain so.
The thought repeated over and over and he found himself
grinning like an idiot.
Qui-Gon glanced down at him, and smiled. It was a thoughtful
smile, as curious as it was grateful.
"What are you thinking Master?"
"They did not debate the matter," Qui-Gon said simply.
Obi-Wan frowned. No they hadn't. It was almost as if... "You
think it was a test?"
"I think they had already decided," Qui-Gon replied. "Do not
get me wrong, had our feelings been less true I believe they
would have said 'no' as readily."
"If our feelings had been less true this relationship wouldn't
have happened in the first place," Obi-Wan pointed out. "We
would have been able to resist them."
"Yes," his Master nodded, and Obi-Wan felt as if that
had been the point, all along. The reason Qui-Gon had finally
allowed the relationship to begin.
He was distracted from his thoughts when Qui-Gon reached up and
rested his hand on the back of Obi-Wan's head, holding him
gently.
With a contented sigh Obi-Wan moved forward wrapping his arms
around his Master's waist and looking up into his Master's
eyes. "Even if they had separated us, my feelings
wouldn't have changed. You'd still be my Master. And I'd still
love you."
"And I would still love you, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon leaned down, and
gave him a kiss.
Neither man noticed they were being observed.
"I thought they were going to be discreet," Master Silla said
ruefully.
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