Homepage: Kalynn's Fan Fiction - XFiles, Profiler, Star Wars:
TPM, Hercules, Young Hercules:
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/5579
Rating: G
Archive: m_a
Classification: short story, series story, angst, humor
Series: Inner Strength Series, # 6
Warnings: AU (compared to JA), knowledge of previous stories in
series will help this one make a lot more sense.
Summary: After Obi-Wan has a confrontation with an older
student, he and Qui-Gon spend the afternoon in the Animal
Gardens.
Feedback: Please, let me know what you think. I'd try a mind
whammy, but I don't think it'd work... ;-)
Notes: follow at end of story
Thank Yous: ah, gotta again thank Fyre and Holly for continued
feedback and support :-) and to both Fyre and Amber for trying
to help me figure out what to name this l even if I did
pick something else :-) and of course, thanks to each and every
person who's written me about any of the previous stories in
this series.
Disclaimer: These boys aren't mine, if they were we wouldn't
have seen the uh-oh scene in TPM - or at least it wouldn't have
been on the soundtrack liner notes. So, George, I'm making no
money from this - unlike you - so please don't sue - I'm not
even worth the legal bills...
It was early morning in the sleeping area reserved for the
younger students at the Academy. Slowly the trainees were
getting out of bed and getting ready for the long day ahead.
Obi-Wan pulled his boots on, and turned to push his stuffed
wookiee underneath his pillow where it would be safely hidden.
He had just turned to walk toward the door when he heard
someone call his name out behind him.
The boy turned, and recognized one of the oldest students to
still live in the young student area. "What?" Obi-Wan asked,
looking at where the bigger boy stood next to his bed.
"I was just wondering," the boy taunted, "why is it that you
hang out with all the Masters, yet you still need this?"
With his last words, Chet de'Jun pulled Obi-Wan's prized toy
out from under the pillow.
The boy's eyes widened as he watched Chet twist the animal
roughly by the arms. "Don't do that!"
"Or what?" the boy sneered, he laughed as he added, "You'll sic
your pet Master on me?"
Obi-Wan's eyes never left the tattered wookiee's form, and he
clenched his small fists at his sides in frustration. "Give him
back, Chet," he said, his large green eyes darkening.
"Ohh," Chet replied, glancing at one of his friends, "I'd say
we've hit a nerve."
The same friend laughed, "A rather dark one, don't you think?"
Obi-Wan's eyes flashed. What the other boy said hit him hard.
Master Yoda had talked to the children about the Dark Side.
Even though he didn't really understand much about it, he knew
it was something he was supposed to avoid.
Guilt flared up within Obi-Wan to vie with the anger he felt at
Chet for taunting him. Obi-Wan felt along the link he shared
with Qui-Gon, relieved to find that although the Master was in
the Temple, he was distracted with the Council. The last thing
he wanted was for the Jedi to find out what he was feeling at
the moment.
"Give him back," the youth tried again, trying to suppress the
hostility he was feeling.
de'Jun shook his head. "Huh uh, come take him big shot."
The small boy's jaw clenched as he looked back and forth
between the one connection he still had with his family, and
the bully who held it. Taking a deep breath, he stepped toward
the other boy, knowing he had no chance against the larger
student. Still, he knew he had to try.
Qui-Gon had just walked out of the Council chambers when his
mind was finally calm enough to feel for the constant presence
at the back of his mind. The Council meeting was tense as was
usual for Qui-Gon, and he was merely glad for the chore to be
done.
He had only taken two steps when he noticed something wasn't
right. Reaching out for Obi-Wan, the one thing he knew might
calm his mind, he found the link to be fuzzy with rolling
emotions that he'd never sensed from the boy.
His feet moved of their own volition, as he hurried toward the
place he knew the boy to be. As he walked, he puzzled over the
mixture of desperation, anger and guilt he felt flowing from
the child. In response the Jedi sent back a wave of support.
When Elyzabe Kohn rushed into the sleeping quarters, she was
expecting to find a disturbance. She was taken aback, however,
by the sight of Obi-Wan being affronted by three of the other
students. The younger student was pinned to the floor, his
hands grasping the threadbare stuffed wookiee.
"Where's your pet Master, now?" Chet badgered, laughing
hollowly.
Instead of replying, Obi-Wan just held onto the toy tighter.
His attempt at taking the toy from Chet had failed miserably,
as the larger boy had tripped him, forcing him onto the floor.
"Chet de'Jun, get off of him. Now." The tone of Kohn's voice
brokered no argument, and the three boys scurried to their
feet.
As Kohn stepped over and helped Obi-Wan to his feet, she was
surprised to have the boy shrug off her touch and move to the
side. The three older boys merely stood, staring at their feet.
"Obi-Wan," she said over her shoulder, her heated gaze not
leaving the three bullies, "go join the other students."
Obi-Wan nodded, keeping his gaze low and replaced the stuffed
animal on his bed. With a last look at the prized toy, he
turned and left the room.
Once Obi-Wan was out of earshot, Kohn turned on the boys.
"Would you care to explain what was going on here?"
Chet was the only one brave enough to look up at the Master.
"We were just messing with the little guy."
Elyzabe shook her head, and released the tumbling emotions she
felt into the Force. "And what about the two of you? Any other
lax excuses?" she asked, setting her gaze on the two
accomplices.
Muttered apologies were their only response, still not even
daring to look up at the teacher. "That's what I thought," she
said under her breath.
"All three of you know better than to pick on the younger
students," Elyzabe said. When Chet opened his mouth, she fixed
him with a glare. "Now, I do not want to hear a stream of
excuses, so don't even try. There is no excuse for what I just
witnessed. And you know it," she stressed, leveling a hard
stare toward the students.
She took a deep breath, and a moment later she added, "Go
rejoin the class, I'll speak with both of you later. This isn't
over." When the three students started to hurry from the room
she said, "Chet, you stay here." The other boys threw long
glances at their cornered friend and left the room.
"Yes, Master Kohn?" Chet asked, feigning innocence as best he
could.
Kohn motioned toward one of the sleep couches, and watched as
the student took a seat. After sitting down herself, she gave
him a long look. "I'm at a loss as to why you act this way,
Chet," she said, disapproval lacing her words. "Why must you
pick on the younger students so?"
Chet had the sense to lower his gaze, and the cocky glint from
his eyes had faded. "I'm sorry, Master Kohn."
"I'm not the one you should apologize to, Chet," she said,
softening her voice somewhat, although it still rang out in the
empty room. There was rarely a day when being responsible for
the younger students didn't tax her strength of will, or
occasionally her allegiance to the light.
"Yes, Master Kohn," the boy replied, his bravado wilting under
the scrutiny of his teacher.
Kohn thought for a moment before saying, "Report to the
kitchens, you'll be helping prepare the meals today. That way
you'll have time to think about your actions, since apparently
you lacked that time before. I'll speak with you this
afternoon, and then we'll discuss the matter again." de'Jun
nodded, but kept his gaze down. "You may go," she added, waving
her hand.
After the boy had left the room, Elyzabe rubbed her eyes
wearily and let out a long breath.
Qui-Gon rounded the last corner between him and the sleeping
quarters when he almost ran into Obi-Wan. Stopping suddenly, he
placed his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, steering him toward the
side of the walkway, and out of the line of traffic. He then
kneeled down in front of the boy.
"Obi-Wan?" he asked when the child didn't look up at him.
Obi-Wan fidgeted with his hands for a minute before dropping
them to his sides. "You felt it didn't you?" he asked in a
small voice, still not looking up at Qui-Gon.
The Jedi nodded, and tilted Obi-Wan's face up with his hand
under the boy's chin. "Why are you hiding now?" Qui-Gon
questioned, dropping his voice low enough that only Obi-Wan
could hear.
When Obi-Wan finally met Qui-Gon's gaze, his green eyes were
open wide. "Chet tried to steal my . . ." the boy paused,
suddenly embarrassed.
Qui-Gon nodded, easily understanding the source of Obi-Wan's
distress. "Did you get it back?" he asked quietly.
Obi-Wan nodded. "But I was bad."
"Bad?" Qui-Gon asked, trying to draw the boy back out of his
shell.
His voice dropping to a low whisper, Obi-Wan replied, "I got
mad at him. Master Yoda said that getting mad makes you bad."
Qui-Gon reached up and brushed a loose lock of hair off of
Obi-Wan's forehead. "Getting mad doesn't necessarily make you
bad, little one."
"Do you ever get mad?" Obi-Wan asked, looking to Qui-Gon, his
eyes blinking fast.
The Master smiled. "Sometimes." When the boy looked at him
disbelievingly, he added, "I've just had many more years to
learn how to deal with it."
He watched the child, trying to gauge his reaction. "Obi-Wan,
it's just as important how you deal with the emotions as
whether or not you have them," he said, placing a large hand on
Obi-Wan's shoulder.
Obi-Wan bit his lower lip and asked, "So I'm not bad?"
Pulling the boy into a hug, the Jedi laughed softly. "You could
never be bad, little one." He backed out of the embrace and
added, "Your heart is too light for you to be bad."
With a grin, Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon mischievously. "Then
maybe I'll be like you when I grow up."
Qui-Gon bit back his laughter at the child's comment. "I'm not
sure the Council is ready for that, Obi-Wan," he said, ruffling
the boy's hair. "Master Yoda once mentioned when I was a
Padawan that one of me was enough to keep any sane Jedi
distracted." He thought for a moment, and added with a wink,
"Or maybe it was annoyed."
"That's what Master Windu said, too."
"And when did Master Windu say that?" Qui-Gon asked, resting
his elbows on his knees.
Obi-Wan shrugged, not quite hiding the humor in his bright
eyes. "Back after he found us in the gardens."
One corner of Qui-Gon's mouth turned up and he said, "I'll have
to remember to have a chat with Master Windu."
"Obi-Wan, there you are," Kohn called out, interrupting their
conversation.
Qui-Gon looked up at the approaching Master and stood. "I
didn't mean to keep him," he said to the teacher.
Kohn smiled at the Jedi, and then looked at Obi-Wan, who was
smiling as well. "It's time for you to be at breakfast," she
told the boy.
"Yes, Master Kohn," he replied, still smiling as he bowed and
ran toward the dining area.
Qui-Gon nodded as well, saying, "I'll leave you to your
duties."
"Qui-Gon, wait."
The Jedi turned, surprised at her call. "Yes, Master Kohn?"
Elyzabe spared a last glance in the direction Obi-Wan had gone
before speaking. "I don't know what you said to him, but thank
you."
Qui-Gon nodded again. "What happened exactly?"
The teacher sighed inaudibly. "Three of the older students
cornered him about the stuffed wookiee he keeps on his bed."
"Was it just because of the toy, or something more?" Qui-Gon
asked, reading the concern in the teachers features.
"Both," she replied. "From what I heard before interrupting
them, it involved you as well."
Qui-Gon took a deep breath while he digested the information.
"They're . . ."
"Jealous?" Elyzabe offered. "Yes, I'd say so. It's not every
trainee that has a bond with one of the Masters."
"What are you going to do about it?" Qui-Gon asked, concerned
for the boy he'd grown so attached to since stumbling onto him.
Kohn shook her head. "There's not much I can do. Bullying isn't
unheard of around here. It's competitive, even at their ages.
I've already lectured the three involved, with the threat to
corner them again later."
With a nod, the Master said, "And even worse where a Master's
attention is concerned."
"It's not as bad as say the twelve year olds, but it is still
there, yes," the teacher replied. She paused, looking at the
other Master before saying, "However, in this case I don't
think keeping you out of the picture would help the situation."
She smiled softly as she added, "Not after seeing the turn
around in him just now. That little boy was not the same one
who left the sleeping quarters a few moments ago."
Qui-Gon forced back a sigh. "I want what's best for him."
"We all do," she replied before turning to leave.
That evening, Qui-Gon walked into Kohn's office. "Elyzabe?" he
said, moving to stand across from her desk.
The teacher looked up from the tedious work she had been trying
to finish and said, "What can I do for you, Master Jinn?"
"I was wondering if I might steal Obi-Wan for the evening. If
you didn't have any lessons planned."
Kohn felt a familiar smile tugging at her lips. "No, no lessons
this evening. Qui-Gon," she added a moment later, "they're
little kids, we don't generally teach lessons at night."
Qui-Gon shook his head. "You're not supposed to pick on the old
masters," he replied straight-faced.
"And I happily leave Master Yoda alone," Kohn countered with a
grin.
An answering smile tugging at his lips, Qui-Gon replied, "I
said old, not ancient."
"Mace might not care for that description," she joked, "seeing
as how you were in the same class."
Folding his hands inside the sleeves of his robe, Qui-Gon
offered, "Mace has never been the same since his hair fell out.
He suddenly got touchy about getting old."
"You're incorrigible," Kohn said with a laugh. "Now, as to why
you want to steal one of my students. . ."
Qui-Gon took a seat in one of the chairs by Kohn's desk.
Suddenly serious, he replied, "After this morning, I thought it
might not hurt to let him get away for a little while." He
paused, but then added, "But you might not want to mention it
to the other children."
"Point taken," Kohn agreed with a nod. She was silent for a
moment before saying, "He opened up to you about his family
didn't he?" Qui-Gon's face betrayed his shock, no matter that
he quickly schooled his features. "I thought so," she added
quietly.
"Why do you ask?"
Elyzabe sat motionless for a moment before saying, "Just a
hunch. I know what that stuffed animal means to him, Qui-Gon. I
also realize that almost losing it hurt him more than he would
admit to me or any of the other students." She paused, and
looked at the Jedi for a long moment. "But he might not be so
reserved with you."
Qui-Gon managed a brief nod. "We'll be in the Animal Gardens if
you need us."
Kohn nodded, but smiled. "After a few hours with Obi-Wan and
that kitten, it might be you who needs rescuing."
"That's odd, Mace said you had a good sense of humor. I don't
see it."
"And he said you were droll and entertaining," she recounted,
"I don't see that either." Qui-Gon stood and she added, "I'll
have Jonis bring Obi-Wan to the garden."
With a tilt of his head, Qui-Gon agreed. "Thank you."
After dinner, Obi-Wan walked back from the dining area to his
sleep couch. Pulling the worn wookiee out from under the
pillow, he looked at it for a long moment. When he noticed
Padawan Jonis walking up to him, he pushed the toy back into
its hiding place.
Obi-Wan stood, and waiting for the Padawan to speak to him.
"Come, Obi-Wan," the tall Padawan said. "Master Kohn asked me
to fetch you."
Once they were outside of the children's area, Obi-Wan looked
up at the older student. "I thought you said we were going to
see Master Kohn?" he asked, aware that they were walking away
from the teachers' offices.
Jonis looked down at Obi-Wan and shook his head. "Actually, she
asked that I take you to the Animal Gardens," he explained,
still not completely understanding the Master's instructions.
"Really?" Obi-Wan asked, suddenly walking faster as he craned
his neck to look at the Padawan with wide eyes.
"Yes, really," he replied, not quite hiding his smile at
Obi-Wan's sudden, yet infectious good humor.
From where he sat in the Animal Gardens, Qui-Gon could hear
Obi-Wan's excited approach from the hallway. He pushed the
smile from his face, and waited for Jonis and the boy to
arrive.
As the Jedi watched, Obi-Wan practically bounced into the
garden, eager to find his pet Ja'des kitten. Obi-Wan spared a
glance across the garden when he noticed a familiar presence,
and his smile widened at seeing the Master.
"Master Qui-Gon," he called out as he ran across the garden.
The Jedi allowed a brief smile. "Hello to you too, Obi-Wan."
Turning his attention to the Padawan, he nodded. "Padawan
Jonis."
"He's all yours, Master Qui-Gon," the Padawan said with a half
grin a moment later.
With another nod from Qui-Gon, the Padawan turned and left the
gardens, the doors sliding shut behind him. "Did you come to
see Fyre, too?" Obi-Wan asked, smiling at the Jedi.
"Actually," Qui-Gon replied, "I came here to see you, little
one." His blue eyes lightened with humor when he added, "But I
thought you might enjoy getting to see your kitten, as well."
Obi-Wan nodded, eagerly looking around the lush garden. "I
haven't seen him since Master Kohn brought him here."
"Well, then," the Jedi replied, moving to the side, "we can't
have that, now can we?"
Once the Jedi Master had moved, Obi-Wan saw the kitten that had
been hidden behind him. "Fyre!" he cried happily, picking the
small animal up and holding it close.
Qui-Gon couldn't help the grin that tugged at the corners of
his mouth as he watched Obi-Wan sit on the ground and play with
the kitten. Tugging off his cloak, he laid it on the ground and
sat, watching the child play.
The next thing he knew, Obi-Wan was laughing loudly, and the
kitten was burrowed up inside the folds of his cloak. If he
watched closely, he could see a small lump meandering under the
fabric. Picking up the animal when it stuck its head out from
under one of the edges, he handed it back to a smiling Obi-Wan.
"I believe this is yours," he said with an upraised eyebrow.
Obi-Wan ducked his head for an instant, before looking back up
at Qui-Gon. "I guess he is in a way, isn't he?" he asked,
dropping his gaze to the purring fur ball that rested in his
hands.
"In a way," Qui-Gon replied. "However, every living this is
foremost its own creature, Obi-Wan."
The little boy nodded, rubbing the kitten's head
absentmindedly. "I know," he said, looking to the Jedi out of
the corner of his eyes. "I mean, I think I do," he added with a
shy smile a moment later. "But I did like taking care of him."
He paused, his forehead scrunching up in thought, "Or maybe he
took care of me."
Qui-Gon nodded, laughing silently when the animal jumped out of
Obi-Wan's lap and pounced on the boy, who merely laughed and
followed the running kitten. "Yes, you're quite the pair, I'd
say," he observed.
A moment later, Obi-Wan disappeared into a growth of trees
where Qui-Gon couldn't see him. Although he knew there was
little in the garden that could hurt the child, he was still
wary. When the laughter stopped, Qui-Gon knew there was trouble
to be had.
Standing, he followed the boy's path, and found him kneeling
next to a stream that twisted through the large garden.
"Obi-Wan, be careful you don't need to get . . ." A loud splash
interrupted his words, and the Jedi rubbed a hand over his
eyes. "Wet," he finished a moment later.
He was spared any real concern about Obi-Wan, however, when the
boy sat up in the shallow stream, giggling softly. Qui-Gon
could easily read the mischief in the large green eyes that
stared at him through water-logged hair.
"Oops," the boy said, his eyes twinkling.
Qui-Gon stifled his own laughter with a shake of his head.
"Well, I hope whatever was so interesting was worth it," he
replied, his tone betraying the serious words.
The boy nodded, still laughing. "I'd never seen a fish like
that before."
"Like what?" Qui-Gon asked, walking over to help Obi-Wan out of
the water.
Obi-Wan grinned, "I'd show you, but he swam away."
Qui-Gon did laugh then. "I wonder why he did that?"
With an innocent shrug, Obi-Wan replied, "Cause you walked over
and scared him?"
"I've been accused of worse," the Master replied, playing along
with the boy's humor for the moment. "However, we need to get
you dried off or Master Kohn will be upset with both of us."
While they were walking back to where Qui-Gon left his cloak,
Obi-Wan spared a glance at the Jedi. "Do you think Master Kohn
should ask to borrow Master Yoda's stick? I mean, you're always
saying she's gonna get you in trouble."
Shaking his head, Qui-Gon moved to retrieve his robe only to
find the small kitten curled up asleep in the hood. Distracted
from his question, Obi-Wan giggled. "Don't wake him up, Master
Qui-Gon."
"And how then do you propose we dry you off then, young
Obi-Wan?"
The little boy shook his head, sending a shower of water over
both Qui-Gon and the kitten. "I don't mind being wet." His eyes
lit up, "It's kinda fun, like I'm doing something I'm not
supposed to be doing."
Qui-Gon ruffled the boy's hair, managing to remove most of the
water. "Okay, the least you can do is take off that soaked
tunic."
Obi-Wan grinned, and shrugged out of the heavy material. After
taking the tunic and spreading it out on the ground, he looked
over at the boy, who had picked the kitten up and sat it in his
lap.
Picking up his cloak now that the animal was not sleeping on
it, Qui-Gon draped it around Obi-Wan's shoulders, using it to
dry him off as best he could. Taking a step back, he sat down.
"You're happiest when causing trouble aren't you?" Qui-Gon
asked in jest.
Qui-Gon regretted the words when Obi-Wan suddenly looked up at
him with wide eyes. "I'm sorry," he said on reflex, ducking his
head. "I didn't mean to cause more trouble."
"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said. When the boy didn't look up at him, he
pressed, "Little one, look at me." When he had the child's
attention, he said, "I didn't mean it that way. You're not
trouble."
"Not even when I got lost in the lower levels?"
Qui-Gon found himself fighting a smile. "Not even then.
Besides, if you hadn't wandered off, we would have never found
Fyre, would we?"
"No," Obi-Wan whispered. He thought for a moment, before
asking, "But what about this morning?"
"You didn't do anything wrong," Qui-Gon replied. "It's not your
fault those boys chose to pick on you."
Obi-Wan nodded mutely. A moment later, he said softly, "I
guess."
Placing his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder, Qui-Gon asked, "Do you
want to talk about it?"
Shrugging, the boy looked up at Qui-Gon. "It's silly to have a
stuffed wookiee anyway."
"Why do you think it's silly?" Qui-Gon asked in a low voice.
"No one else has one," Obi-Wan replied, still holding the
sleeping kitten.
Qui-Gon smiled softly, "Maybe they should, then they wouldn't
pick on yours."
"Sometimes I wish I couldn't remember them," Obi-Wan said
suddenly. As soon as the words were spoken, a flash of guilt
hit Qui-Gon. The words surprised the Jedi who instinctively
knew he was talking about his family, not the bullies.
"I miss them," he finally whispered so softly Qui-Gon almost
missed the words.
The Master nodded. "I know," he replied in a hoarse whisper.
Obi-Wan looked up at Qui-Gon, blinking rapidly. He opened his
mouth to speak, closed it and opened it again. "Is it kinda
like how you miss Bri?"
Qui-Gon's eyes widened, he never expected the child to make the
connection to his own loss. "In a way," he eventually replied.
Still holding the kitten, Obi-Wan crawled over to Qui-Gon, and
climbed into his lap. After Qui-Gon tugged on the cloak,
rewrapping it around the boy, Obi-Wan asked, "Tell me about
him?"
"Obi-Wan . . ."
Obi-Wan snuggled his head up under Qui-Gon's chin, resting his
cheek on his chest. "You promised," he reminded him.
"I did?" the Jedi asked.
Obi-Wan nodded, "After I woke up from being sick."
"Well, then," Qui-Gon replied, recognizing that Obi-Wan had
cornered him. "I suppose I did."
"What was he like?" the boy asked in a small voice, still
petting the purring kitten.
Qui-Gon took a deep breath. "He was a little like you, I
suppose. Quick smile and twisted sense of humor."
A giggle rose from the little boy for Qui-Gon to hear. "I'm not
twisted," he said around the giggles.
"No, but your sense of humor tends to be," Qui-Gon replied, a
hint of humor in his voice. "I've never known anyone quite so
curious about Master Yoda's stick."
"Not even Master Windu?" Obi-Wan asked, sparing a glance up at
Qui-Gon.
"Sorry," Qui-Gon replied, grinning as he tapped the end of
Obi-Wan's nose with a finger. "But maybe that's something else
you and Bri have in common."
"He thought it was funny when Master Yoda smacked you with his
stick, too?" Obi-Wan asked with a delighted grin.
"No," the Jedi said with a laugh, "he was always too likely to
get caught himself."
Obi-Wan's eyes widened slowly. "You mean he actually hit him?"
"Well, never that hard," the Jedi responded with a wink.
The boy giggled, snuggling back into Qui-Gon's lap, his head
again pressed up under his chin. "How long were you friends?"
Qui-Gon's eyes were unfocused, as he stared off into the
distance. "He was my first friend, little one. We were
inseparable, much to our teacher's dismay."
Continuing to pet the purring kitten, Obi-Wan thought for a
moment. "How old were you when Bri got sick?" he asked, his
voice dropping to a whisper. When Qui-Gon didn't reply, Obi-Wan
looked up at him. "That's okay, you don't have to talk about
it."
Despite the distant pain that flared in his heart at Obi-Wan's
question, he found himself smiling faintly at the understanding
that burned in the young green eyes. Again he saw the boy he
found hidden away in a maintenance room - young, scared and
even still holding an enormous capacity for love.
"We were a little past twelve," the Master said a moment later,
his gaze never breaking from Obi-Wan's.
Obi-Wan nodded, "That's what I thought." The boy thought for a
minute, before asking, "Why did he die? He was just a little
boy."
The stoic Jedi Master felt his throat catch at the innocent
question, and pulled the boy into a tight hug, careful to not
smash the kitten that still slept in Obi-Wan's arms. "Maybe it
was his time, little one. I didn't understand either."
Obi-Wan shook his head, locks of red-gold hair rustling softly.
"But what about Corin, and my Mom?" Qui-Gon easily read the
hurt that bubbled in the boy's voice, and held him tighter.
"Why were they taken away, too?"
"I don't know, little one," Qui-Gon said, rubbing the boy's
back in an attempt to comfort the child. He pressed a kiss to
the top of Obi-Wan's head, whispering, "I wish I did."
Obi-Wan sniffed, rubbing a hand over his eyes. "I miss them,"
he said, repeating his earlier words.
"I know," Qui-Gon said, "but they're with you, Obi-Wan. As long
as you remember them, and how much you loved them, they're
always with you."
Red-rimmed but dry eyes again looked up at Qui-Gon. "Like Bri?"
Qui-Gon smiled, his eyes soft at feeling the dual emotions of
comforting and being comforted along their link. "Exactly like
Bri."
Fyre mewed softly, and stretched before jumping from Obi-Wan's
lap. The boy smiled at the kitten, laughing softly as the
animal ran to pounce on a flower swaying nearby.
Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan's gaze followed the energetic
kitten, and smiled. "Go play with Fyre," he said a moment
later.
The boy looked at Qui-Gon, uncertain for a moment. "But what
about you?"
"I'll just watch the two of you have fun," the Master said with
the faintest laugh. "I'm a bit old to be romping around the
gardens."
"How old?" Obi-Wan asked, a devious glint in his eyes.
Qui-Gon shook his head, "Old enough, now go play. You'll have
to go to bed soon."
Running over to the kitten, Obi-Wan picked it up and glanced
back over at Qui-Gon. "I think you just show up to make me go
to bed," he grumbled, but grinned all the same.
The kitten wormed out of his grasp, and Obi-Wan chased after it
as Qui-Gon smiled and mumbled, "That's because you're too much
of a challenge for poor Master Kohn to deal with alone."
Obi-Wan's head popped up from behind a large bush, pointy
leaves sticking in his hair. "I heard that," he laughed.
"Oh good," Qui-Gon said, standing. "I'd hate to think hiding
behind bushes didn't pay off in espionage."
The boy gave Qui-Gon a quizzical look, and the Jedi laughed.
"It means sneaking around to find out things," he explained in
response to the unasked question.
"I knew that." Obi-Wan laughed, before adding, "Okay so I
didn't know."
Before Qui-Gon could comment, the boy watched Fyre as the small
animal ducked out from behind the bush and ran into the thick
trees. Sparing a last glance at the Jedi, whose own humor shown
in his eyes, Obi-Wan ran after the kitten.
Qui-Gon laughed quietly, shaking his head. He could only wonder
who would wear who out first, Obi-Wan or the kitten.
Obi-Wan had been playing for sometime when again Qui-Gon noted
an ominous silence from where he knew the boy to be. Following
the tendril of emotions that linked him to the boy, he could
easily read the curiosity that burned within the boy.
He walked in the direction the emotions were coming from.
Looking up, he found Obi-Wan stretched along a large tree
branch, not far from the ground. A quick glance showed him what
the boy found so captivating, a small Yaryn bird's nest was
settled toward the end of the branch.
"Obi-Wan," he said, "don't disturb the hatchlings."
Glancing over at the Jedi, Obi-Wan shook his head. He
practically rolled his eyes, "I'm not. I just wanted to see
what they looked like."
Before Qui-Gon could reach out, a quick burst of wind through
the garden shook the tree and Obi-Wan tumbled the short
distance to the ground below.
In an instant, Qui-Gon was beside the little boy who was slowly
sitting up. Eyeing the several thorns that were now in
Obi-Wan's arm, he picked the boy up, careful to not hit any of
the thorns.
Obi-Wan looked up at the Jedi, blinking fast to keep the tears
from showing in his eyes. "It hurts," he said softly, sucking
his lower lip into his mouth.
"I know," Qui-Gon replied, carrying him back out to the center
of the garden. After sitting him down, Qui-Gon reached out
through the Force, and wrapped it around the child's arm,
dulling the pain.
"Is that better?" he asked in a hushed voice.
The boy nodded, and looked up at Qui-Gon. "How did you do
that?"
Qui-Gon smiled faintly. "An old Jedi trick. Don't worry, you'll
learn it soon enough." Obi-Wan nodded, looking between the Jedi
and his arm. "But I still have to get those thorns out,
Obi-Wan."
The little boy nodded, holding his arm out to the Jedi. "Okay,"
he replied, trying to sound sure, even as he closed his eyes.
Removing the thorns, even with use of the Force to keep the
pain at bay, was slow going. Silently, Qui-Gon told himself
that he was definitely due several hours of patience meditation
soon.
"Obi-Wan, hold still," the Jedi grumbled under his breath.
"Ouch," the boy said, flinching away from Qui-Gon.
"Well," Qui-Gon replied, "if you hadn't fallen in the stream,
you would have at least had your tunic on when you decided to
go climbing in the trees and fall in a Thicar bush. Then we
wouldn't be trying to get these thorns out," he scolded, but
his voice was far from stern.
Obi-Wan giggled, "But those birds were neat." However, his
laughter was cut off as he mumbled, "Ouch, that hurt."
Qui-Gon took a step back, "I think that was the last one,
although I can imagine what your arm will look like in the
morning."
"The fish was neat looking, too," the child added, grinning at
Qui-Gon. "You just wish you'd gotten to see it."
"I don't think Master Kohn will let me bring you back here at
this rate, little one," Qui-Gon finished, trying to sort out
the two distinct conversations that were apparently happening
at the same time, but grinned at Obi-Wan all the same. "Okay,
get your tunic on, I think it's finally dry."
Obi-Wan smiled, and ran over to where his shirt was laying on
the grass. Pulling it over his head, he stuck his face through
the neck, and giggled at the look Qui-Gon gave him. "What?" he
asked, trying his best to sound innocent.
Merely smiling, Qui-Gon shook his head and walked over to
Obi-Wan. Once the boy had the tunic pulled on, Qui-Gon snagged
several stray leaves from both his hair and clothes. "There,
now at least you don't look like you've been wrestling a tree."
"Thanks," Obi-Wan said. Seeing Qui-Gon glance over his
shoulder, the boy looked behind him to see Padawan Jonis
standing in the doorway. "Is he here for me?" the boy asked,
looking back to Qui-Gon with large eyes.
The Jedi kneeled in front of the boy. "Yes, he is. Time for you
to get to bed."
Obi-Wan grinned, "Yep, you just always want to make me go to
sleep." Throwing his arms around Qui-Gon's neck he gave the
Master a quick hug.
"It's my reason for getting up every morning," Qui-Gon chided
dryly, with a grin. "I live to make you go to sleep."
The boy laughed, and leaned up next to Qui-Gon's ear and
whispered, "I love you, Master Qui-Gon."
Before the startled Jedi Master could reply, the boy pulled
away and rushed over to the waiting Padawan. "'Night!" the boy
called over his shoulder, smiling and waving.
Standing, Qui-Gon smiled in return. "Good night, Obi-Wan."
Mace Windu stood just out of Qui-Gon's sight, waiting for the
other Master to finish speaking with the young boy. He wasn't
looking forward to sharing what he had just learned with the
other Master.
Once the boy and Padawan had left the gardens, Qui-Gon pulled
his cloak on and followed. When he stepped out into the
hallway, Mace moved to walk beside his friend.
Easily reading his friend's serious face, Qui-Gon skipped any
preamble and asked, "What's wrong?"
Windu stopped walking, and took a deep breath. Qui-Gon's
concern grew as he watched Mace stall for time before speaking.
"Mace?" he pressed, an uneasy feeling stirring within him.
"I've heard news from one of the Masters on the Council."
Qui-Gon nodded, "Yes, and?"
The other Master's eyes were softer than usual when he replied
in a quiet voice, "There are those on the Council pressing to
have you kept from seeing the boy."
"What?" Qui-Gon asked after the meaning behind the words tore
through his shock, his voice hissing through clenched teeth.
Mace held out a hand, asking to be heard. "He is a strong
student, and there is concern regarding of what your influence
on him might cause in the long term."
Qui-Gon wanted to argue, but clearly recalled voicing similar
doubts to his friend shortly after finding Obi-Wan in the lower
levels. "And your say in this?" he asked, careful to control
his voice.
With a shake of his head, Windu replied, "You know that I
believe that you are good for one another. I don't agree with
what is being said, but I'm not on the Council."
"This isn't right, Mace," Qui-Gon replied, his blue eyes
darkening.
"No," Windu agreed, "it's not."
Qui-Gon took a deep breath, and attempted to center himself.
"When will they decide?"
Windu shook his head, "I don't know. It might be some time
still. It might be tomorrow."
Sparing a glance back toward the area where Obi-Wan was,
Qui-Gon shook his head. "And are we to be presented with no
options in the matter?"
"I hope not," Windu replied, knowing any hope he might give
would be false.
"You hope not," Qui-Gon scoffed, regretting the hostility in
his voice. He winced slightly, almost unnoticeably, before
adding, "Thank you for telling me."
The other Master nodded. "I could do no less," he replied with
a glint in his eyes. Qui-Gon nodded in response, but didn't say
anything. "Are you going to tell him?" Mace asked a moment
later.
"Not now," he replied, his voice laced with steel. "Not unless
I have to tell him."
"And if then?"
Qui-Gon looked at Mace. "How do you tell an orphaned
five-year-old he's being orphaned again?"
Windu shook his head sadly, understanding his friend's plight.
"You'll find a way, Qui-Gon, you always do. But I hope it
doesn't come to that."
Qui-Gon nodded and resumed walking toward his quarters, his
cloak billowing out behind him. Mace walked alongside him,
easily reading the other's continuing concern as if it were his
own. The powerful Master found himself wondering what would
happen if they were separated, not just to the boy, but to his
friend as well.
"Oh, and Qui-Gon," Mace asked a moment later, changing the
subject. His voice echoing down the hallway, he continued, "Why
exactly is the front of your tunic wet?"
End
Notes: takes deep breath Okay, after the semi-recent
detailed debate about Qui-Gon's age, I thought I might ought to
clear up a bit where this series fits. Well, I played magic
fingers with the time line when writing the original IS story,
and so that is what I'm sticking with.
In this universe, Qui-Gon's age is based on the theory that he
was 60 in TPM - and thus here he would be 35 (to Obi-Wan's
five). That said, it then radically veers off from canon in
that Xanatos is old news here - another result of writing IS1.
And I don't consider this to line up with the JA books.
Honestly, I never imagined what this would become when I wrote
IS1. So, sit back and take a trip to delusion land - as a long
term resident, I'll admit it really is nice here :-)
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