Archive: Master/Apprentice. Anywhere else is fine too ... just
let me know ;->.
Category: Drama, POV, Other, Romance(?)
Rating: PG
Warnings: QG/OW + a female friend
Spoilers: Phantom Menace spoilers
Summary: After the DOTF, a long-time friend of Qui-Gon and
Obi-Wan remembers a special evening
Feedback: Yes, please!
Author's Note: I don't use betas, so all mistakes are mine.
Disclaimers: I don't own the boys (if I did a certain Jedi
Master wouldn't be... well... SPOILER), but I do own Katy, and
this is all for love, not money.
If two male Jedi being all mushy and passionate about each
other -- and a friend -- offends you, or if you shouldn't be
reading stuff like this at your age, please skip on to the next
post!
Qui-Gon is dead.
He doesn't even need to say the words. I can see them in the
lines of his body -- curled in on itself in misery -- and in
the empty, sunken eyes. My heart clenches as the pain sets in,
yet I know it is only the palest reflection of what the man in
the holo projection before me feels. It's his agony even more
than Qui-Gon's loss that brings the tears to my eyes.
"Obi-Wan..." it comes out as a whisper.
"Katy... I wanted to tell you myself..." his voice was so
formal -- tight -- reflecting the knife-edge of control he was
balancing on. "I've notified the Council and the Chanc... your
father." He paused, seeming even more desolate, if that were
possible. We'd both been rocked by too many changes, too
quickly.
"Oh, Obi-Wan... what's happening to our world?"
He sighed. "I don't know Katy... this," he stopped and had to
swallow several times before he could continue, "the Senate,
the boy... the Sith," he ended in a hoarse whisper.
Raising his tear-streaked face to mine, he asked, "Will you
come?" His thoughts reached me faintly, matching the message in
those crystal-blue eyes. // I need you... you're the only one
who can even begin to understand... //
Wanting desperately to reach out and wipe away his tears as I
had so many times in the past, I reached out instead with my
mind, smoothing over the worst of the rough edges. I'm not a
knight, or his bondmate, but the mindtouch of a Jedi Healer is
soothing, and he knows that I love him deeply.
"Of course, darling boy... even if I end up with Master Yoda
riding on my lap." As I'd hoped, the combination of the pet
name and that comic image cheered him a little.
"Thank you." // Love you... //
"I'll be there soon, Obi-Wan, I promise." As soon as the image
faded, I went to the intercom and started making arrangements.
Moving mechanically, I let my mind wander. It felt like I'd
known Qui-Gon all my life... I was 10 and had just been
accepted as an apprentice healer when he -- then a newly-made
knight -- and my father -- then a senator -- began their
friendship. Before then I'd seen him around the Temple, of
course... the tall padawan shortening his stride to keep pace
with his diminutive master was a familiar sight during my early
training... but we didn't actually meet until the day my father
came to visit and found me crying in Qui-Gon's arms.
I'd been working in the ward for a very short time when an
emergency came in -- a young padawan who'd been practicing
lightsaber drills well beyond his skill and without supervision
had severely injured himself. Qui- Gon had found him and
carried him in. They needed every hand and I was called over to
help, despite my age and inexperience. We tried, but the boy's
lifeforce faded. He was only a year older than I, and was the
first person to die under my care. As they wheeled his body
from the room, everyone followed except me. I sank to the floor
in shock, silent sobs racking my body. Suddenly Qui-Gon was
back, dropping to his knees beside me, letting me crawl into
his arms, soothing me even as I heard the unshed tears in his
own voice. As I was to see time and again over the years, he
was acutely aware of the suffering around him -- especially
that of children. And that's when me father walked in.
"Father!" I cried out. Instantly Qui-Gon helped me stand and
let me go. I ran into my father's arms as Qui-Gon bowed.
"Senator Valorum... it seems your daughter has suffered an
emotional shock due to a death in the ward today." His phrasing
was so formal, covering up his own feelings... Obi-Wan had
grown to be so like him in some ways... "Now that you're here
for her, I will take my leave."
As he passed, I caught his arm. "Thank you, Knight Jinn," I
whispered, finishing with a sniffle.
Wiping away the last of my tears with his thumb, he answered
kindly, "You are quite welcome..." He paused, looking to my
father.
"Katy," he supplied, bemused by the exchange.
"Katy, but please call me Qui-Gon. Only the master call me
'Knight Jinn,' and only when I'm in trouble." To my
astonishment, he winked, which made me giggle.
"Then you must call me Finis," my father said, holding out his
hand. "And I offer my thanks as well. Perhaps if you aren't
busy you'll join my daughter and I for some Dantooine custard?"
I beamed up at my father, then looking to my new friend,
"Please, Qui-Gon?"
Shaking my father's hand, he smiled. "I would be honored."
After that day Qui-Gon came to my father's house for dinner and
an evening of conversation whenever he was on Coruscant --
sometimes alone, sometimes with his padawan, Xanatos. When I
thought he'd be alone, I made a point of joining them. I never
did like Xanatos, even though we were so close in age. When
Qui-Gon wasn't watching he was often arrogant and a bully. My
concern grew over the years as Qui-Gon became more prideful of
his apprentice, making more and more excuses for his behavior.
When Qui-Gon returned after Xanatos turned, I feared I'd never
see my friend really smile again.
And I didn't, until the first time he brought his Obi-Wan to
me. I smiled sadly... that's how I'd always thought of him --
as Qui-Gon's Obi-Wan -- even from that very first day. I had
been a journeyman healer -- our equivalent of a knight -- for
just two weeks when I was awoken in the middle of the night by
Qui-Gon calling my name over the intercom. He sounded scared,
and the adrenaline from that alone got me dressed and to the
ward in record time. When I arrived I found that it wasn't
Qui-Gon who needed me, but the pale, mostly unconscious boy in
the bed he was hovering over.
"Qui-Gon..."
"Katy!" He glanced up briefly and beckoned me over, taking my
hand and pulling me to the bedside. "Thank you for getting here
so quickly. My new padawan... Obi- Wan... took ill on our last
mission... I didn't know until we got back... he's so stubborn
about showing any weakness ... but this fever..." he trailed
off, his eyes finishing the sentence clearly -- please, heal
him.
After banishing Qui-Gon to the corner of the room where he
paced anxiously, I went to work quickly, calling in various
medical droids, running samples, finding and administering the
appropriate injection, then getting Qui- Gon settled in a chair
at the bedside. I knew he should rest, but I also knew he
wouldn't leave. I had firsthand knowledge of his reluctance to
ever take another padawan, but as I massaged his tight
shoulders and sent gentle touches along the surface of his
mind, I sensed that his bond to this young boy had been too
strong for even him to resist.
He dozed with his head on his forearms, one hand resting on
Obi-Wan's arm, while I stood in a trance, sending healing
energy to them both, until the fever broke and a raw whisper
called us both back.
"Master?"
Cupping his apprentice's cheek in his hand, Qui-Gon responded
in a sigh of relief, "Padawan." I drew back, watching the smile
on Qui-Gon's face grow until it glowed in his eyes. "I'm
pleased to see you're feeling better." So formal... I hid my
own smile, knowing that my friend's heart was beginning to open
again.
I learned later that Qui-Gon had requested, then demanded, that
I be called, finally pushing past the night staff to do it
himself. From then on, I became known only half-jokingly as
Qui-Gon's healer and was always alerted when they returned from
a mission. I even went with them on several... just in case. It
was a good match ... Qui-Gon and I knew and trusted each other,
and as I grew to know Obi-Wan, I began to love him for himself,
not just for the light he brought to Qui-Gon's eyes.
Over the years I saw them many times, both as their friend and
as their healer... saw that each was always more concerned
about the other than himself... and watched the love between
them grow and change. Obi-Wan and I talked about it sometimes,
in vague and hypothetical terms, but Qui-Gon never said a word.
He never had to -- the blush when I caught him covertly
following Obi-Wan's every move with the heated gaze of a
would-be lover rather than the cool appraisal of a master said
it all.
And then came the night of Obi-Wan's 19th birthday, when I
found myself comforting a brokenhearted padawan, suddenly cut
off from the mind he'd been bound to for six years. Through his
tears he explained that he'd made a fool of himself, had ruined
everything. He'd spent all day trying to let Qui-Gon know he
how much he wanted him -- finding every possible excuse to
bring them into close contact... hugging him at every
opportunity, deliberately letting their bodies brush together
when they swam, writhing against his master when he was pinned
during a wrestling match, even crowding him against a wall in a
corridor full of students between classes, pressing his body
close from head to toe... until at dinner, when Obi-Wan was
not-so-innocently licking custard off a spoon, Qui-Gon had
abruptly told him that he would have the next few days free to
celebrate his birthday as he would be leaving that night for a
meditational retreat. He'd left a moment later, his shields
tightly shut. After assuring the young man that Qui-Gon would
return, and would remain his master, I helped him fall asleep
in my bed and went into the sitting room to wait.
One and a half cups of tea later, the call came -- a private
transmission from the other side of the planet.
"Yes, Qui-Gon?" I answered calmly.
"Katy... have you seen Obi-Wan? I'll be away for a couple of
days ... I tried our quarters, but there's no answer... could
you..."
I thought briefly about telling him I had no idea where his
apprentice was -- give him a good scare -- but to be honest, he
already looked like hell. "He's here... sleeping," I
interrupted, "He's had 'an emotional shock,' if I understand
correctly." He looked relieved, then ashamed as I continued,
anger glinting beneath my professional demeanor. "As your
friend, I'll mind my own business about your personal life, but
as a healer, I will advise you to release some of your precious
shielding and give your padawan back the level of bond he
deserves, or release him to a master who will." // You old fool
// I thought loudly -- let him pick that up if he wants to.
"You're right, Healer." Ouch... but I had touched a nerve...
good -- at least he wasn't shutting down his emotions again. He
closed his eyes briefly, presumably shifting some internal
walls, then continued, "Please tell my padawan that I will be
home the day after tomorrow and that everything will be as it
should be." The screen went blank and I shook my head ruefully,
sighing. Not yet, it won't, but maybe someday. It took another
year, but they finally did get together, and I'd never seen a
happier or more closely bonded couple. Which is probably a
large part of why I approached by dearest friends with a very
unusual request about three years later, when I had just
reached my own 35th birthday.
It was after dinner -- we'd gone back to their quarters for
some tea and to continue sharing stories. They'd been gone for
several months and had both come back in one piece, which in my
mind was plenty enough reason for a celebration. They obviously
concurred and were relaxed and content, Qui-Gon lounging on the
couch, Obi-Wan at his feet, leaning into his master's touch as
the older man unconsciously stroked his short hair.
Taking a deep breath, I leaned forward in my chair and made my
strange proposal, not quite daring to meet their eyes until I
was done. As they knew, I was single -- had been for most of my
life and expected to remain so. I'd had lovers, but no one who
I'd wanted to share my life with. Who knows? Maybe I'd been
spoiled for 'normal' love affairs once I'd seen what a true
soulmate connection was like. But I did want a child. And I'd
reached an age where I wanted one now... and I wanted their
help... both of them. Let the Force decide... neither would be
the father -- I would raise the child solely as my own -- and
both would, to whatever level each choose to... I knew they
were both fond of children. I didn't know how it would work out
physically... the timing was right, it would only have to be
the one time... but if it was an imposition on their bond, or
either found the prospect too unappealing, I was willing to do
this by more mechanical means. I trailed off, looking first to
Obi-Wan, then his master.
They both had their 'Jedi Knight' looks on for a moment...
calm, collected, analytical... but I could sense the intense
internal conversation. Then Qui-Gon leaned forward, taking one
of my hands. "My dear Katy," he began, and Obi-Wan took the
other and finished for him, "We'd be honored." They each raised
the captured hand to their lips and I gasped as they opened up
their minds to me.
// Unappealing... is she blind? //
// Too old... what is it with you two and too old! //
I trembled as I felt their love wash over me... nothing like
what they felt for each other, I knew... but far more intense
and deeper than I had ever realized, and I knew my heart had
made the right choice. Tears spilling, I was once again pulled
into Qui-Gon's comforting arms, only this time my tears were
kissed away by my darling boy, now grown to a man.
I'll always remember that night -- how they shared their
passion and devotion with me -- let me become one with them,
let me enter their bond as much as I dared --it had the same
dazzled intensity as staring into a sun. They were consummate
lovers, gentle and hungry by turns; and they never allowed me
to feel like this was being done out of pity or curiosity or
anything other than love, friendship, and honest desire -- both
for the act itself, and the result -- a child that would be
part of all three of us.
I woke once in the middle of that night, pressed tightly
against Qui-Gon's side, his arm around me, my head pillowed on
his chest. Of Obi-Wan there was no sign and I grew concerned.
It was probably time -- past time -- for me to go. Giving the
warm body one last snuggle, I sighed, then got up and pulled on
my tunic, padding barefoot into the sitting room to find my
robes, pants and boots. I blushed slightly at the memory of
them taking turns kissing and undressing me -- and each other
-- all the while maneuvering the three of us into the bedroom,
then grinned as I remembered the tight squeeze through the
door, none of us willing to let go. I jumped, startled, as
strong arms came around my waist and a lithe body rested
against my back.
"I'm sorry if I woke you, Katy," he said softly next to my ear,
his braid falling over my shoulder. "I just came out to get a
snack. Are you hungry?"
"No, darling boy, you didn't wake me... and I... I should be
going..." It was getting harder to talk -- I could feel his
breath against my neck.
"Going? Why? Has Qui-Gon been snoring again?" The words were
mumbled against my skin as he placed light kisses behind my ear
and down to my shoulder. "Because, you know, I have found
several ways to make him stop..."
"I heard that," came the low growl behind us. Turning my head,
I saw Qui-Gon standing naked in the doorway, watching us. As I
tried to unwrap Obi-Wan's arms from around me, I heard him
chuckle warmly.
"Obi-Wan... I think Katy thinks we want her to leave... that
she's intruding."
"No... yes... it was just supposed to be once... just for the
baby." I was babbling, and finally just stood there at a loss,
somehow already knowing that my baby had been conceived.
"Katy, you are more than welcome to spend the rest of the
night, and other nights, baby or no baby," Qui-Gon assured me,
Obi-Wan nodding his agreement.
"No! I can't," I couldn't explain in words, but I knew that it
would be wrong. My own sense of the living Force told me
clearly that this was not something I could handle long-term,
even if they could.
Qui-Gon nodded sadly, then offered a compromise. "I understand,
but at least stay the rest of tonight... for the three of us,
not just for the baby." Obi-Wan hugged me close and I realized
that they knew about the baby as well. I paused, sensing the
rightness of the moment and nodded.
The next time I awoke I was again snuggled up to Qui-Gon, but
this time Obi-Wan shared my pillow from the other side, our
hands entwined on his master's stomach.
A signal chimed, letting me know that the transport was ready
for boarding. Tossing my bags over my shoulder, I headed into
the bedroom to gather up our little miracle baby. No one knew
quite how, but somehow they were in truth both her fathers...
the tests proved it... not that we'd needed them. I stroked the
red-gold curls and smiled as midnight blue eyes opened and she
held up her arms to me.
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