Archive: yes to master_apprentice, others please ask!
Rating: PG
Warnings: no sex, alternate universe
Spoilers: This takes place both during and after The Phantom
Menace, though it does veer off into an alternate universe.
Summary: What would have happened if Obi-Wan had escaped the
laser beam hallway a moment sooner?
Notes: This from Obi-Wan's POV and from what I could tell, they
never really learned the identity of Darth Maul. So he is
referred to only as the Sith.
Feedback: yes please, any comments welcome
Oh yes, in case anyone was confused, these characters do not
belong to me and I am making no money from their use. Which
would be why I have been having such a bad week. :0)
I am falling. Away from my master - not intentionally, not
purposely but still falling. I am filled with a strange sense
of foreboding...not for myself, which is strange since I am the
one falling. But my focus, as always, is on my master. He
continues fighting, high above me, with the Sith.
My sense of foreboding grows the longer I am separated from my
master. Centering myself, I let the force fill me and raise
myself to the platform above, racing to take my place at my
master's side.
Master Yoda is always saying that the future is constantly in
motion, that the force is continuously moving and changing
things. Right now it seems like something is trying to keep me
from fighting by my master's side. Every time I get close to
him another obstacle appears in front of me. And my sense of
foreboding grows...along with an increasing sense of urgency.
It's almost as if I will be separated from Qui-Gon forever if I
don't join him soon.
The battle between the Sith and Qui-Gon continues in front of
me and it is almost as if they are acting out a play with me as
their only spectator. I can feel my master's calmness and try
to focus my mind to match it. As I let the force flow through
me I am startled by a sudden vision of Qui-Gon falling under
the Sith's blade. Whether it is a figment from my nightmares or
a piece of Master Yoda's ever shifting future, I suddenly
realize that this is what my foreboding has been leading to and
surge forward the second the barrier gives way between us. Even
though he wishes to take another as his padawan I WILL NOT lose
my master. For he will always be that whether we are together
physically or not. Though our bond allows us no real secrets,
we have never spoken of our feelings for each other beyond the
master/padawan relationship. But I know, for me at least, that
Qui-Gon has become a part of my soul. I will not stand by and
watch my soul mate die.
As I race forward, the Sith's blade thrusts towards my master's
body and I lunge to block it with my lightsaber. As the Sith is
pushed back, I move to stand by my master's side and feel his
calmness, that I tried so desperately to feel before, flow
through me.
We began to move as one against the Sith, forcing him back
farther and farther until he focuses on Qui-Gon for a fraction
of a second and I am able to get under his guard. This time the
Sith falls under my lightsaber and my master and I are left
standing side by side. I let myself feel Qui-Gon's presence and
am filled with the strange sense that every moment with him
from now on is a gift.
As we continue our journey, I am unable to forget what it felt
like to imagine my life without Qui-Gon. We are heading back to
meet with the Jedi Council where I will undergo the tests to
become a Jedi Knight. A moment I have anticipated and, over the
last several years, increasingly dreaded. It is both the
culmination of my life's dream and my worst nightmare. To be a
Jedi Knight and serve the Force...and to leave my master's
side. The proud look on his face and his gentle smile when he
turned to me after our battle with the Sith is what I have been
living for. Now he wants that relationship with another.
I try not to let my feelings effect my judgment of the boy but
it is difficult to feel anything other than resentment. Master
has sensed this, I know, but he says nothing. He just gives me
that patient smile of his that says there is something I
haven't figured out yet but he is content to wait until I do.
Since there is nothing that can be done about Anakin, I resolve
to focus myself on the tests ahead. Though my heart might be
breaking, I will do nothing to shame my master.
I think the way they make you wait once you are done is really
just one last test. I pace back and forth and try to calm
myself as my master has long ago taught me. As I breathe deeply
and try to center myself, I feel the door open and my master's
presence fill me. He enters the room, followed by the rest of
the Council. I am grateful he is here. I always imagined him
here at this moment to share in my proudest accomplishment.
With our coming separation I was hesitant to ask but as always
he knew what I needed without words. As the Council takes their
places, our eyes meet and I am able to let my anxiety go and
let the force flow through me.
I turn to face the Council and drop to my knee in front of
Master Yoda to await their judgment.
"The Council has met and observed your performance through the
tests. Your actions have done you and your master credit, young
Obi-Wan. It is the judgment of the Council that you be given
the rank of Jedi Knight."
I feel relief and joy flow through me, from both me and my
master. Once again our eyes meet and I am overwhelmed by the
pride on Qui-Gon's face. It almost makes me forget the coming
pain.
I am so focused on my master that I almost miss the rest of
Master Yoda's words. "...and have decided on your first
assignment."
I can't quite decide if that's good or bad - Master Yoda has
that twinkle in his eyes that usually means he's amused by
something. Probably me. I take a deep breath and ask, "My
assignment?"
"Due to the concerns and conflicting opinions over young
Skywalker, the Council has decided that Master Qui-Gon will
need some assistance. Someone to help train and teach his new
padawan. When asked, he requested that you be assigned to help
in this matter. Do you accept?"
Accept? Accept the chance to remain by my master's side for
years to come? Though tempted to leap to my feet and shout
"YES!!!" I restrain myself and simply say, "I would be honored
to continue working with Qui-Gon." From the mischievous look on
Master Yoda's face, I don't think my calm announcement fooled
him any.
In the wake of realizing that I am finally a Jedi Knight and
that I will remain with Qui-Gon, I miss the rest of the
Council's departure from the room. Suddenly I look up and
notice that Qui-Gon and I are alone.
For the first time since I was a young boy, I feel almost shy
around my master. Not sure of what to say I only manage a
"Master..." before he interrupts me.
"It is Qui-Gon now Obi-Wan. No longer am I your master."
"I am happy that I will remain with you ma- Qui-Gon. I would
have missed having you in my life."
Once again he gives me that amused, patient look and smile. To
my amazement he reaches out and gently cups my face in his
large hands. "Did you really think I would let you go? Now,
when we are finally equals? When we are free to feel for each
other without fear it is from obligation?"
As he moves closer until his chest is brushing against me and I
feel his lips gently touch mine for the first time, I have only
enough time for one thought. This man is my destiny.
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