Inner Child
by kaly (razrbkr@juno.com)
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, humor
Series: Inner Strength Series, # 7
Warnings: AU (compared to JA), knowledge of previous stories in
series will help this one make a lot more sense.
Summary: A surprise on Qui-Gon's naming day.
Feedback: please? g I know I'm taking forever to write
at the moment, but I would like to know if you enjoyed it :-)
Notes: at the end of IS6 I included a timeline to my world :-)
well, it was pointed out to me that the numbers didn't add up.
So, instead of Qui-Gon being 35 during this series, he is in
fact 40, so that their ages add up with the canon ages (that I
believe) from TPM (25 and 60).
Thank Yous: To everyone who has continued to support - and in
some cases threaten (ahem kry) I hope all of you
continue to like it (yes, I know where this series is headed
evil grin) To Holly - as always - for the feedback,
support, cheerleading and beta, I'm sure I'm missing something
still, though. :-) And to Holly, Kry and Ana for keeping me
sane in mIRC while I was working on this.
Disclaimer: insert witty remark here gee, they're not
mine and for me the reap no profit. ;-) I don't know about you,
but I'm not surprised by that.
Elyzabe Kohn looked up when she heard a knock on her office
door. Seeing Mace Windu standing there, she waved him into the
office.
"Yes, Master Windu?" she asked, watching as he closed the door
behind him.
Windu crossed the office. "Has Qui-Gon spoken with you?"
Shaking her head, Elyzabe asked, "About what?"
Mace considered her response, and continued. "I was recently
made aware that of the possibility the Council might separate
Qui-Gon from seeing Obi-Wan."
"What?" Kohn replied, her eyes widening. "How is it that I'm
the last to hear this? Obi-Wan is my responsibility, Mace."
Nodding, the tall Jedi replied, "It's just conjecture at this
point. One of the Master's made mention of it to me."
"And you told Qui-Gon?" Elyzabe asked.
Mace nodded. "He needed to know, as did you."
The teacher fought the urge to rub the bridge of her nose, but
settled for closing her eyes briefly. "I'm not going to force
them apart now," she finally said.
The Master's eyes glinted as he replied, "No, I had something
more interactive in mind."
Kohn regarded Windu warily. "Yes? I don't trust that smile,
Mace."
"You should," he answered. "I'm just not sure Qui-Gon would
agree with you."
"What are you planning?" Suspicion colored Elyzabe's voice.
Mace smiled. "Did you know that Qui-Gon's Naming day is next
week?"
Kohn's mouth fell open slightly, and she didn't quite hide her
grin. "You aren't thinking . . ."
"What?" he asked, almost managing to convey innocence. "I
merely thought that Obi-Wan might be interested in knowing,
that's all."
"Right," Kohn said with a faint laugh. "And you wanted to see
how much you could make Qui-Gon squirm."
"I owe him one for that last mission we were on. Did you hear
about Frenia Prime?"
Elyzabe winced, "You're right, you do owe him one. But why drag
Obi-Wan into it?"
His face growing serious, Mace said, "I don't know if anything
will come of this threat from the Council, but if it were to .
. ."
"This would be something special to remember, for both Obi-Wan
and Qui-Gon," Kohn finished for him. When Windu merely nodded,
Elyzabe smiled. "You really are a softie, Windu."
"Now, now, Elyzabe. None of that name calling," Mace replied,
his voice not betraying his humor.
Elyzabe's smile grew. "You're just worried about your
reputation with the Padawans, Mace. A moment later she added
with a wink, "Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."
"So," Mace said, breaking the moment's silence, "how do we go
about this?"
"Embarrassing Qui-Gon? Oh, I can think of a few ways," Kohn
said. "However, I think the first thing to do would be to ask
Obi-Wan."
Windu nodded, "When do we start?"
Kohn glanced at the paperwork she had been working on since
classes ended for the day. "Now is good," she said, storing the
data pads.
The teacher stood, and Windu pressed the door open. "After
you," he said, and followed her into the hallway.
At the sight of the youth's bright eyes, Kohn had to hide her
smile behind a hand and even the ever-stoic Master Windu was
fighting a grin. It was two days since Mace had first
approached Kohn with his idea, which left only four days left
to plan.
"You mean we get to surprise Master Qui-Gon?" Obi-Wan asked
excitedly, his gaze bouncing between the two Jedi.
Kohn nodded. "But if you don't want to . . ." She was baiting
Obi-Wan, and she knew it. When his mouth fell open, she
laughed. "Yes, Obi-Wan. Master Windu thought it might be fun."
She added the last part with a glance to Mace.
Mace glared briefly at Elyzabe, causing the teacher to again
fight a laugh. "But if it's going to be a surprise you cannot
say anything to Master Jinn," Windu said.
Obi-Wan nodded, his eyes sparkling. "I know." He looked over at
Kohn, "Can Bant come, too?"
"I don't see why not," she replied. Seeing Mace's confused
look, she added, "Bant is an initiate in Obi-Wan's class."
Windu nodded to Kohn before looking back at Obi-Wan. "Remember,
if we want to really get him, it's a secret."
Obi-Wan's grin brightened and he replied enthusiastically,
"Yes, sir."
Grinning, Mace ruffled Obi-Wan's hair and turned to Elyzabe. "I
have to go, but I'll meet you tomorrow to make sure everything
is going according to plan."
The teacher nodded, and Windu stood and left the dining hall.
"Master Kohn?" Obi-Wan asked a moment later, suddenly grown
serious.
"Yes, Obi-Wan?" Kohn asked, tilting his head up with a finger
under his chin.
The boy squirmed for a moment. "I don't have a present to give
Master Qui-Gon."
The teacher's eyes softened at the honest concern in the
child's features. She brushed an ever-present lock of hair out
of his eyes and smiled softly. "You needn't get him anything."
"But it's tradition," Obi-Wan protested proudly.
Kohn nodded, "Yes, but I think he'll be more than happy that
you wanted to surprise him."
Shaking his head, Obi-Wan said, "But I didn't think of it."
She opened her mouth to reply, but closed it. After thinking
for a moment, she asked, "Would you feel better if you made
something for him? As a present?"
Some of the sparkle was back in Obi-Wan's eyes when he looked
up at her. "But what would I make?"
Kohn stood and held out her hand. After Obi-Wan scampered off
the chair and took her hand, she replied, "Let's go to the art
room and find out, shall we?"
The youth smiled, happy green eyes staring up at her from under
red-gold bangs and nodded eagerly. With a word to Padawan
Jonis, Elyzabe led Obi-Wan from the dining hall.
Two nights later, Kohn sat watching as Obi-Wan worked, hunched
over the small gift he was busy making for Qui-Gon. The teacher
smiled at the intense concentration that shown on the boy's
face.
As if sensing her amusement, Obi-Wan looked up at her. With a
lop-sided grin, he held up the half-finished present. "How does
it look?"
Elyzabe leaned forward, examining the carefully molded clay.
"It's a very good fish, Obi-Wan." He smiled, and looked back
down at the gift. When he was again working on it, Kohn asked,
"Whatever made you think to do that?"
Obi-Wan glanced up at the teacher, and smiled shyly. "It's the
fish I scared away when I fell in the stream."
Kohn's eyes widened slightly. "Obi-Wan, why is it I didn't hear
about you falling in the stream?"
Giggling, Obi-Wan ducked his gaze. "Padawan Jonis helped me
hide it?" he asked in a light voice.
"Obi-Wan . . ." Elyzabe replied, her voice serious. "You
shouldn't hide things from me."
The child nodded. "I didn't want to get Master Qui-Gon in
trouble."
Elyzabe sighed. "It's okay, Obi-Wan. Just no more secrets,
okay?"
"Okay," Obi-Wan said. "But what about the surprise for Master
Qui-Gon? That's a secret."
Smiling, Kohn shook her head. "One more secret, then no more.
Okay?"
Obi-Wan giggled, "Okay."
"So tell me about the fish," she prompted a moment later.
Grinning, but not looking up from his project, Obi-Wan
explained. "It was a really neat fish!" he said, glancing up
with bright eyes. "I found it while I was chasing Fyre in the
gardens."
"And Master Qui-Gon?"
"He didn't get to see it," Obi-Wan responded. "'Cause I fell in
and scared it away."
Kohn's smile softened, and her voice lowered. "And you want him
to see it now?" When the child nodded, she continued, "I'm sure
he'll love it, Obi-Wan."
"You think so?" he asked, his hands still on the clay.
"I'm certain," she said.
Obi-Wan smiled, and again focused on the gift. "I hope so."
Standing, Kohn said, "Keep working on that, Obi-Wan. I'll be
back in just a moment, all right?"
"Yes, Master Kohn," he said with a brief glance up at the
teacher.
With a second glance at the distracted student, she quickly
left the art room. When she returned a few moments later,
Obi-Wan glanced up, but kept working when she waved her hand.
When he returned to the work, she pulled a holo-camera out from
behind her back.
With a smile, she snapped several images of the little boy.
Intently focused, he was leaning over the half-formed fish
chewing on his lower lip while he worked. He had smudges of
modeling clay on his cheek and chin and part of his hair was
sticking up straight from some of the water he was used to
soften the clay.
Before he noticed what she was doing, Elyzabe hid the camera
and walked back over to Obi-Wan. "All right, Obi-Wan. It's time
to get ready for bed."
"But I'm not done," he said, doing his best not to whine.
Kohn hid her grin at the way his lower lip was pouting out as
he looked up at her. "I'm sorry, but it's getting late."
"But I have to finish by Master Qui-Gon's Naming day."
Elyzabe nodded, "You have two more days. I promise you'll have
time to finish."
After Obi-Wan carefully put the clay fish away, Kohn said, "All
right, we still have to get you cleaned up."
Surprise that only a child could manage formed on Obi-Wan's
face at her observation. He looked down at his dirtied smock
and hands. "I'm not that dirty."
"Yes, you could have wrestled a bantha and gotten just a bit
dirtier," Kohn kidded. She untied the smock from Obi-Wan's
waist and neck. "Sink. Now."
With a grin, Obi-Wan trudged over to the sink along the far
wall.
At breakfast two days later, Obi-Wan sat next to Bant
excitedly. "So when is the surprise?" the girl asked, smiling
at Obi-Wan.
The boy glanced around for Master Kohn. "After evening meal,"
he replied, unable to keep from smiling. "Master Qui-Gon's
supposed to get back home this afternoon. I'm the one who gets
to lead him to it."
Bant's eyes opened wide. "How are you going to do it?" she
asked with a smile.
Obi-Wan shrugged and took a drink of juice. "Ask him to go to
the gardens, I guess."
"I think it's neat," Bant replied. "And I get to come?"
Nodding, Obi-Wan smiled. "Master Kohn said you could."
"Neat," the girl said, smiling as she took a bite of Quana
melon. "Do you think he'll be surprised?"
Obi-Wan grinned, his eyes shining. "Master Windu thinks so."
"You're too lucky, Obi," Bant said. She started giggling when
she noticed Obi-Wan ears tint red in response.
"Master Qui-Gon!" Obi-Wan said happily when he noticed the tall
Jedi walking toward him.
Qui-Gon smiled, unable to quite hide his reaction to the boy's
excitement. "Hello, little one," he said. His grin turned to
muffled laughter when Obi-Wan jumped into his arms and gave him
a tight hug.
"I haven't seen you all week!" Obi-Wan said, the words rushing
out one on top of the next.
Qui-Gon placed him back down onto his feet, and kneeled in
front of him. "I'm sorry, I was on the far side of the planet
in negotiations."
"I could feel when you got back," Obi-Wan said, smiling.
"Could you, now?"
Nodding, the boy said, "You were back in the back of my mind
again. I can always tell when you go very far away."
The corner of Qui-Gon's mouth twitched up. "I can sense you,
too. But what about when I go away, does it bother you?"
Obi-Wan's nose scrunched up as he thought about the Jedi's
question. "It's just more quiet in my head, I guess. Not quite
as warm, maybe, " he said, trying to explain the feeling.
Qui-Gon nodded and stood. Changing the conversation, he asked,
"Would you like to have dinner with me tonight, then?"
Grinning, Obi-Wan nodded eagerly. "Can I?"
The Master smiled. "Master Kohn already agreed."
"Then can we go to the Animal Gardens?" Obi-Wan asked without
missing a beat.
Qui-Gon looked at the boy, startled. "I'm not sure that's a
good idea, little one. The last time we went there, you ended
up soaked and bruised."
"I'll be careful, I promise," the child replied, not blinking
as he looked at Qui-Gon with innocent eyes.
Dropping a hand to Obi-Wan's shoulder, he relented. "All right,
I'll take you to see Fyre. How does that sound?"
For an instant Qui-Gon wondered at the surge of happiness he
felt from Obi-Wan, but ascribed it to seeing the pet kitten
later that night. "Great!" Obi-Wan cheered.
"Dinner first," Qui-Gon insisted, leading Obi-Wan toward one of
the dining areas. Obi-Wan grinned happily, and walked alongside
Qui-Gon.
After they left, Mace walked through an open doorway, a knowing
smile on his face. With a nod, he turned and walked the
opposite direction toward the Animal Gardens.
"Obi-Wan, stop bouncing and eat," Qui-Gon said after several
minutes of watching the youth shift happily in his seat.
With a smile, Obi-Wan stilled his movements and took a bite of
bread. Qui-Gon shook his head, almost managing to cover his
smile. "Why are you so excited tonight?" he asked a moment
later.
Obi-Wan shrugged, but could help grinning. "I guess I missed
you," he said a second later, around a mouthful of Prala root.
"Obi-Wan . . ."
The boy swallowed the bite of food. "Sorry," he said with a
wily grin.
Qui-Gon nodded, and smiled softly. "I missed you too, little
one," he said, replying to Obi-Wan's earlier comment. His
recent discussion with Mace flashed briefly across his mind,
but he pushed it aside. As always, it was more important to
live in the moment, and not worry about the future.
Eyes bright, Obi-Wan asked, "Really? Even though you were
getting to talk to a bunch of important people?"
"Especially because I was talking to those 'important people,'"
Qui-Gon muttered with a laugh.
Obi-Wan looked up at Qui-Gon, giggling.
"Did I say something funny?" Qui-Gon asked with a dead-pan
expression. In response Obi-Wan laughed even harder. Qui-Gon
reached across the table and ruffled Obi-Wan's hair.
"What's it like?" Obi-Wan asked a moment later.
Qui-Gon looked at him confused by the question. "What's what
like, Obi-Wan?"
The boy rolled his eyes. "Talking to all of those important
people. Do you get to tell them what to do?"
Shaking his head, Qui-Gon finished the bite of Prala root he
was eating. "It's often rather dull, actually. And, no, I can
only tell young initiates what to do."
"That's not true," Obi-Wan replied with a grin.
"No, I suppose not," Qui-Gon agreed. Lowering his voice, he
added, "But Master Windu doesn't take orders very well."
Again, Obi-Wan broke into helpless giggles, leaving the Jedi to
smile at the humor. When his laughter finally slowed enough to
let him breathe, Obi-Wan pressed, "But you have adventures,
too, right?"
With a nod, the Master replied, "There are those. But a Jedi
doesn't seek adventure, Obi-Wan." It took all of his vaunted
Jedi control to not laugh at the fallen look on the boy's face.
"That doesn't mean you cannot enjoy the challenge, though," he
continued when Obi-Wan looked back up at him.
"Do you make friends when you're there?" he asked a few seconds
later.
Qui-Gon smiled. "I have, yes."
"But Master Windu is still your best friend?"
"On a good day," Qui-Gon replied with a grin. "What about you?
Do you have a best friend in your class?"
Obi-Wan nodded. "Bant. She's my best friend."
"I'll have to meet her sometime, then," Qui-Gon replied. "She
must be very nice."
"She is," the boy replied. "I've known her since I first got
here." He had to fight his smile at knowing that Master Qui-Gon
would meet Bant later that night. Looking up at Qui-Gon, he
added in a low voice, "But your sorta like my best friend,
too."
Qui-Gon smiled, touched by the simple words. "Thank you, little
one," he said. "That makes me feel very special."
"Really?" Obi-Wan asked, his green eyes wide. When Qui-Gon
nodded, he whispered, "Wow."
"Why wow?"
Grinning, the child replied, "'Cause you're a Master, I'm just
a little kid."
Chuckling, Qui-Gon shook his head. "You're far more than 'just
a little kid', Obi-Wan," he said. "You're a very special little
boy." When Obi-Wan looked at him, his confusion showing on his
face, Qui-Gon smiled. "Finish your dinner and we'll go find
Fyre, okay?"
A quick grin split Obi-Wan's face. "Okay," he said cheerily,
digging into what remained of his dinner.
They were halfway to the Animal Gardens when Obi-Wan glanced up
at Qui-Gon for the third time in as many moments. Noticing the
sideways look, Qui-Gon paused and kneeled down in front of the
youth. "Yes, Obi-Wan?"
Grinning sheepishly, Obi-Wan said, "I accidentally told Master
Kohn about falling in the stream."
Qui-Gon opened his mouth to speak, but thought for a moment
first. "Why didn't she already know, Obi-Wan?"
Still grinning, Obi-Wan squirmed slightly. "Padawan Jonis
helped me hide it."
"Why would you do that?"
The child shrugged. "I already told Master Kohn. I didn't want
to get you in trouble."
Qui-Gon brushed Obi-Wan's hair out of his face, and said,
"Don't worry about me, okay, little one? I'm a big kid."
A wicked glint sparked in Obi-Wan's eyes. "A *real* big kid,"
he said giggling.
Reaching out, Qui-Gon grabbed Obi-Wan and started tickling him
until the boy was laughing endlessly. When he finally relented,
Qui-Gon laughed, "The real big kid always wins at tickle
fights, you know."
Obi-Wan smiled. "Good thing I won't be little forever. Then
I'll be able to get you back."
"Jedi don't tickle older Jedi, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon replied
seriously. When Obi-Wan opened his mouth to object, Qui-Gon
started tickling him again. "You, however, little one, are free
game."
Gasping breath around giggles, Obi-Wan managed to say, "Not
fair," as he tried to get away from the Jedi Master.
Still smiling, Qui-Gon released the red-faced boy. "No, it's
not. But there's always a bigger opponent."
After catching his breath, Obi-Wan looked at him warily. "Was
that a lesson on top of a tickle attack?" he asked
disbelievingly.
The Master nodded. "Life is a lesson, Obi-Wan. Some are just
more fun than others."
Recognizing the look on Qui-Gon's face, Obi-Wan laughed. "Huh
uh, gotta catch me," he said, just before he took of running
down the hallway.
Smiling as he watched Obi-Wan jog away, Qui-Gon nodded.
"Exactly. Match size with speed," he said as much to himself as
Obi-Wan. With that thought, he hurried to catch up to the quick
child.
His long strides allowed him to find Obi-Wan easily, and he
walked up behind him and scooped him up from the floor. "I
caught you, does that mean I get to tickle you again?"
Shaking his head, Obi-Wan grinned. "No, it means you have to
put me down."
"Really?"
The boy nodded. "Yeah, new rule."
Qui-Gon laughed, and dropped the boy to his feet. "I didn't
know you were able to make up rules."
Again, he nodded. "That's a new rule too," he said before again
running down the hall.
For a moment Qui-Gon stood there, shaking his head. Finally he
called out, "Obi-Wan, there's no running in the Temple."
He watched as the small figure froze, and slowly turned around.
"Oops?" he asked with a grin.
Catching up to Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon nodded. "We've all done it,
Obi-Wan."
Laughing, Obi-Wan replied, "Somehow I'm not surprised anymore."
"I knew it was going to be trouble telling you those stories,"
the Jedi said with a half-grin. "But we better go, or it will
be too late for you to have much time to see Fyre."
The boy nodded, smiling from ear to ear. Qui-Gon gestured for
them to keep walking, but on second thought picked the boy up
and proceeded to carry him. All the while, he was trying to
shake the feeling in the back of his mind that something was
going on he didn't know anything about.
By the time they reached the Animal Gardens, the buzzing in the
back of Qui-Gon's mind was up to a roar. Something was
definitely going on.
The door had just opened in front of them when Obi-Wan laughed
softly. "Yes?" Qui-Gon asked, turning his head to look at the
boy.
Grinning, Obi-Wan shrugged. "Nothing," he replied innocently.
Suspicious, Qui-Gon smiled wily. "You wouldn't be keeping
something from me, would you, Obi-Wan?"
Obi-Wan's looked at the Master for a moment, not speaking.
Qui-Gon thought he was finally going to get some answers, until
the child replied, "Why would I do that?"
Shaking his head, Qui-Gon kept walking through the garden,
keeping an eye out for Fyre. He had just taken a step to walk
around a large Ernii tree when he felt something tickle the
back of his mind. Before he could place it, Obi-Wan laughed,
breaking his concentration.
"Do you think we can see those birds again?" he asked in a
bright voice. "I bet you could look in the nest without even
climbing."
He was about to reply to Obi-Wan's question when he realized
the distraction for what it was. With a glance behind the
Master, Obi-Wan grinned. "Happy Naming day!" he said in an
excited whisper.
Spinning around, Qui-Gon found himself staring at Mace, Elyzabe
and a small initiate he didn't recognize. Cutting a glance at
Windu, Qui-Gon turned back to Obi-Wan. "Thank you, little one.
Was this your idea?"
Laughing, the youth shook his head. "No, I think it was Master
Windu's."
Qui-Gon dropped Obi-Wan onto his feet, and they walked over to
where the others stood. Mace was off to one side, a smug grin
on his face. While Obi-Wan ran over to Bant, Qui-Gon muttered
under his breath, "So I have you to thank for this?"
Windu laughed. "Shut up and enjoy the party, old man," he
joked. "And be glad we didn't sing the song."
"There are small favors," Qui-Gon retorted, a grin lifting the
corners of his mouth. "We'll see what happens on your next
Naming day, even older man."
"Master Qui-Gon?" Obi-Wan said, interrupting the verbal
sparring between the two friends.
Kneeling next to Obi-Wan, the Master replied, "Yes, Obi-Wan?"
"This is my friend, Bant," he replied, indicating the young
girl who stood next to him.
"Hello, Bant," Qui-Gon replied, holding out his hand. When she
took the offered hand, he shook it and smiled at the bemused
expressions on both her and Mace's faces. "Someone once told
me," he explained with a wink to Obi-Wan, "that you can't
really know someone till you're introduced."
Obi-Wan smiled brightly, and Qui-Gon released Bant's hand and
stood. Once he had, Obi-Wan grabbed his hand. "Come on, you've
gotta see this." As he was being pulled across an open area in
the garden, Qui-Gon glanced back at Mace, who was laughing as
he followed.
Once they reached where Master Kohn was standing, Obi-Wan
stopped running. "Qui-Gon," Elyzabe greeted the other Master.
"Elyzabe," Qui-Gon said with a nod. "I had no doubt you were
involved in this as well."
The teacher grinned, winking at Bant. "Well, we couldn't let
the boys have all the fun, now could we?"
"So what do I have to see?" Qui-Gon asked Obi-Wan a moment
later, ruffling his hair.
Laughing, Obi-Wan pointed to the assorted objects on a portable
table. As Qui-Gon gazed across the things, he fought the urge
to groan. "Where in all of Kartara's moons did that holo-image
come from?" he asked, his gaze turning to focus on Mace.
"What did I do?" the other man asked, his dark eyes shining.
Qui-Gon shook his head, "Just your typical helpfulness."
"A Jedi is supposed to be helpful," Obi-Wan said, looking up at
the two Masters, his face serious. Although Qui-Gon managed to
control his mirth, he heard Windu's stifled laughter behind
him. "Aren't they?" Obi-Wan asked, not understanding.
Qui-Gon smiled. "Of course they are. Master Windu was just
especially helpful this time."
The boy looked at the picture. "How old were you?"
"Twelve," he replied. "Master Windu is on my left, Bri is on
the right."
Obi-Wan giggled, "I think your legs must have always been that
long."
"Actually they used to be much longer," he kidded. "I had to
shrink so Master Windu wouldn't feel so bad."
Mace's tenuous hold on his control failed. "I've not laughed
like this in years," he said as he wiped his eyes. "Qui-Gon,
Bri was taller than you were."
With a nod, Qui-Gon relented. "Yes, but we were both taller
than you."
"That was on your Naming day, too?" Obi-Wan asked, pulling
Qui-Gon's attention back to the image.
The Jedi nodded. "I remember it being taken, but I haven't seen
it in a very long time." He looked over at Windu. "Where did
you find it?"
Mace sobered for a moment. "Bri gave it to me."
Qui-Gon nodded, but shook his head to clear it. "What's this?"
Qui-Gon asked, pointing to a small box.
"That's your present," Obi-Wan said nervously.
Smiling, Qui-Gon carefully picked the package up. "You didn't
have to give me anything."
"I wanted to," the boy said, his eyes never leaving the
present. "I hope you like it.," he said, smiling as he glanced
up at Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon had just started to open the package when a Padawan
rushed into the garden, and pulled Mace over to the side. The
others watched as the young Jedi whispered quickly to Master
Windu.
A moment later the Padawan left, and Mace walked back over to
the others. Qui-Gon studied the suddenly serious face, but
waited for his friend to speak. "Master Adi has asked to speak
with me, I apologize for having to leave early."
"Mace?" Qui-Gon asked when the Jedi turned to leave.
Windu nodded, answering Qui-Gon's unvoiced question. "I'll be
back when I know more."
Obi-Wan looked back and forth between the two Jedi, before
turning to look at Master Kohn. "What's wrong?" Obi-Wan asked
his teacher.
The woman smiled softly. "I'm sure it's just nothing, Obi-Wan.
Master Windu is often asked to speak with those on the
Council." She watched as Obi-Wan debated whether or not to
believe what she was saying. "Qui-Gon?" the teacher prodded,
shaking the man from silence.
The Master looked over at Elyzabe, and she blinked slowly at
the recognition she read in his blue eyes. She nodded toward
the present, and her eyes flickered over to Obi-Wan.
Shook from his worry, Qui-Gon turned the gift over in his
hands. "Well," he said, trying to distract Obi-Wan from his
concern, "it's too small to be a new lightsaber."
The tactic worked, and the boy smiled. "I'm not old enough for
one of those," the boy replied.
"Really?" Qui-Gon asked with a grin. "Should I keep guessing or
open it?"
"Open it!" the two children cried together, and Kohn laughed
softly at the reaction.
A moment later, Qui-Gon was holding a small clay fish. Obi-Wan
had finished painting it two days before, and Elyzabe had it
fired the night before.
Obi-Wan watched with large eyes while Qui-Gon examined the
gift. Qui-Gon's soft laughter broke the silence, and he smiled
at Obi-Wan. "At least this one I can't scare away."
"You like it?" the boy asked with a timid grin.
Kneeling down next to Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon held out his arm.
Hugging the boy close, he whispered, "I love it. It's the best
Naming day present anyone's ever given me."
Obi-Wan giggled and hugged the Jedi back. "Really? I made it
myself!" he said with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"I can see that, and you did a very good job." He held the fish
in front of him, "But can it swim?"
The Jedi couldn't help but smile at Obi-Wan's giggling.
It was not long before Mace walked back into the garden.
"Qui-Gon," he said, his voice low.
Qui-Gon looked up from where Obi-Wan and Bant were chasing
Fyre. Walking over to his friend, he lowered his voice, "What's
happened?"
"I'm to escort you to the Council chambers."
Fire flashed in Qui-Gon's eyes as he glanced over at the
laughing children, and back to Mace. "Now?" he asked, his voice
nearly seething.
Windu blinked, but nodded. "Now. They're waiting for us."
Qui-Gon closed his eyes and took a deep breath before replying.
"Do you know what they intend?"
Again, Mace nodded. "Yes. However, there may still be chance
for discussion."
"Not likely," Qui-Gon muttered darkly. "The Council is too
stubborn at times, Mace."
Ignoring the comment, Mace said, "You should tell Obi-Wan
goodnight, before we leave."
While Elyzabe had been discreetly observing the conversation,
Obi-Wan had noticed her distraction and let his gaze fall on
Qui-Gon. Stopping suddenly he turned to the Jedi. "What's going
on?" he asked, feeling uncertain for the second time that
night.
When Qui-Gon looked at him with dark eyes, the little boy knew
something was wrong, no matter what Master Kohn had earlier
tried to assure him.
Obi-Wan walked over to the Jedi Master, leaving Bant holding
Fyre, looking at him in confusion. "What's wrong?" he asked in
a small voice once he was standing in front of Qui-Gon.
"I have to go and speak with some of the other masters,"
Qui-Gon explained, after dropping to one knee in front of
Obi-Wan. "There's nothing for you to worry about." Qui-Gon felt
the understanding gazes of the other two Master's on him, and
took a deep breath. "You just stay here and play with Bant and
Fyre, okay?"
Obi-Wan nodded, before he suddenly found himself asking,
"You'll be back though, right?"
Qui-Gon managed a smile. "I'll always come back for you, little
one."
End
thoughts? l interested in where this madness is going?
:-) reach me at: razrbkr@juno.com
And, just for kicks, the IS series in order:
Inner Strength
Inner Fire
Inner Struggle
Inner Spark
Inner Light
Inner Conundrum
Inner Child
Archive