Archive: Master and Apprentice--anyone else ask please
Summary: Qui-Gon makes a request of the Council.
Comments: I don't know where this one came from. I was on a
plane, working on a different story and this just hit me.
Thanks to Becky for the quick beta! :)
Disclaimer & Feedback: I don't own anyone, much less these
fine characters--although I own a couple of action figures of
them, does that count? Probably not. Oh well, I refuse to make
any money off them, and crave feedback as much as Obi-Wan
craves Qui-Gon and vice versa.
Qui-Gon waited outside the Council Chambers silently, his whole
appearance that of calm serenity. Inside, however, he was a
mass of chaotic emotions. He had no need to pace--his thoughts
were doing enough laps around his mind to take care of that.
He calmed his feelings as best he could as he was ushered into
the chamber. He knew his former master would sense the lack of
peace in his thoughts, but it couldn't be helped. Qui-Gon would
simply have to trust in his Master's understanding of him, and
have faith Yoda would know the mere existence of such turmoil
truly showed the importance of Qui-Gon's request.
The short walk into the Chamber was a familiar one. He couldn't
even begin to count the times he'd alked the same path, stood
in the center of the room and patiently waited to report, or to
receive orders. But never before had the reason for being there
been this important. At least not to him.
"Master Qui-Gon, requested our audience have you?"
"Yes, my Master." He took a deep breath, forcing as much calm
into his body as he could. His future depended upon it. "I seek
the Council's permission to bond with my padawan, Obi-Wan
Kenobi."
The members of the Council were too controlled to show shock,
but Qui-Gon could feel ripples of surprise from them through
the Force. He steeled his features and conjured up the most
peaceful images he could.
Mace Windu leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees.
"You realize relationships between Masters and their
Apprentices are forbidden?"
"Unless specifically sanctioned by the Council," Qui-Gon added,
his face still set in the same serene mask.
"You are aware of the Council's views on the subject?" Ki-Adi
Mundi asked, his tone vaguely disapproving.
Qui-Gon nodded. He was painfully aware of the Council's views.
Long nights of fighting both his feelings and desires as well
as the brush of Obi-Wan's same desires that often flared
through their bond. Nights of worrying that giving in would
spell the end of his career, but more importantly, it would
quell Obi-Wan's life as a Jedi before it truly began.
"And still you request this?" Mace said, eyebrow raised.
"The Council's feelings on the subject are well-known and
understandable. Thoughtless relationships between Padawans and
Masters would have disastrous effects on the Jedi."
Qui-Gon assessed the air of confusion coming from several
members before continuing. "Only a pair who had thought
carefully about the relationship, meditated on it, fought it
and tried every method to push the feelings aside as something
that would not last would dare to make such a request of the
Council."
Mace frowned. "Are you suggesting we should approve your
request simply because you thought to ask?"
"No. I am simply suggesting that when the Force speaks this
strongly through all attempts to thwart it, perhaps accepting
it is the only thing to do."
"And you are willing to abide by our decision," Mace
challenged, "knowing that we may choose to separate you from
each other because this has been brought to our attention?"
"With all due respect, Masters, separating us would remove the
obstacle just as easily as allowing our relationship to exist
while we continue as Master and Apprentice would. Either would
be preferable to this constant denial of our feelings."
Mace's eyes bore into him. "You're saying you wouldn't mind
being separated?"
"I would mind very much. But it would at least allow us to stop
fighting this and focus on his training."
Adi Galla spoke for the first time. "You do not think that the
relationship will cause a distraction?"
"It takes far less effort to flow with the Force than it does
to resist it."
Throughout the questioning, Master Yoda had remained silent,
but now he voiced his opinion. "Important it is to remember
that the Force guides us, we do not guide it. Led you to ask
us, it has?"
Qui-Gon nodded. "It is the will of the Force, my Master. I am
sure of it. I would not have made the request otherwise."
"And your apprentice?" Ki-Adi Mundi asked. "He is certain as
well?"
"I have not told him I was going to ask this," Qui-Gon
admitted. "But he is as anxious to bond as I am."
"If you have not discussed it, then how can you be so sure?"
"We have discussed bonding, among other things, and we both
wish for it. I only hoped to avoid getting his hopes up, so I
did not mention the possibility of it happening before he was
Knighted."
"And yet you are so certain he will want this now?" Ki-Adi
persisted.
Qui-Gon's face remained calm as he answered, "I know his heart
as well as I know my own."
The Council members exchanged glances, then Yoda quietly told
Qui-Gon to wait outside. He sat by the outer door for the
longest five minutes of his life before he was again allowed
into the room.
"Decided, we have," Yoda informed him. "Bond, you may."
Qui-Gon did not bother to hide the relief that flowed through
him. He had not expected the Council to forbid their bonding
entirely, but with the Council one learned to expect the
unexpected, so the possibility had been there. "And our
teaching relationship?"
"Remain your padawan, Obi-Wan will."
"For the time being," Mace added quickly. "If his training
should falter, however, other action will have to be taken."
Qui-Gon barely managed to keep the surprise and happiness off
his face. He thanked the Council and bowed, making his exit as
fast as possible, almost as if he was afraid they would change
their minds.
He found Obi-Wan in their quarters studying. His apprentice
looked up as he walked in. "Master?" Obi-Wan questioned after
one look at Qui-Gon's face.
"I've just come from the Council. They have agreed to allow us
to bond."
Obi-Wan's eyes flew open wide. "Now? But I thought it was
forbidden until I'd passed my trials."
"Normally it is. However, in this case they've made an
exception. Provided your studies do not falter," he warned.
"But how...." Obi-Wan's smile turned into a frown. "You asked
them. You knew when you left this afternoon that you were going
to ask for this. And you didn't tell me."
"I didn't want to get your hopes up."
"Under normal circumstances I'd stay mad, but in this case...I
can't." He smiled again. "Though I can still barely believe it.
How did you ever get them to go along with this?"
"The will of a stubborn Jedi Master is a great motivator when
backed by the will of the Force."
"I would have loved to be there for that. As I should have
been," Obi-Wan reminded sharply. "I'm sure it was one of your
finest moments."
"Only one of the few finest moments I hope to see before the
day is over," Qui-Gon said, desire darkening his voice.
Obi-Wan shivered. "I supposed there's nothing stopping us now?"
His tone matched his master's.
Neither moved for a second, then Qui-Gon reached for his
padawan. As their lips met, Qui-Gon made a silent vow to ensure
Obi-Wan stayed at the top level in all of his studies. They
were together, and he would never let anything change that. No
matter what the cost.
---
End
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