Series/Sequel: the series will be called 'hearts journey'
Summary: when they accept a dangerous mission, qui-gon and
obi-wan are granted permission to complete the bond they've
been longing for.
Warnings: none
Notes: okay. this was the story i was considering posting in
parts. but it wasn't working. i was stuck. so i had mama deb
(waves to mama - love you!) read it for me, to tell me what was
wrong, and she figured it out - it was done. the story i
was writing was finished. yes, there is more to write, but this
part is done, and trying to tack more onto the end was screwing
it all up. me, i was too stupid to see that <g> but i had
mama to help me (more hugs to mama!) so, here's the story, and
there will be more. eventually. kisses to my squashy love and
hugs to all my irc buddies. oh, and feedback would definitely
get the next part written sooner....
"Obi-Wan."
Looking up from his meal, his friends falling silent around
him, the Padawan stood as soon as his Master spoke, flipping
his cloak into the proper folds around him.
In the doorway of the small eating room, Qui-Gon looked his
usual serene self, but for him to disturb his apprentice's rare
free time was highly unusual. He actively encouraged the
younger man to maintain a social life and continue the few
relationships he had managed to develop over the years.
Beside Obi-Wan was his oldest friend, a young woman he had
first met in the creche when they were both about three. As he
recalled, she had bopped him over the head with a block and
gotten in trouble for it. But he had gotten in more
trouble when he got mad and slugged her back.
It had been the first of many battles he had lost to his
temper.
These thoughts ran through his mind as Qui-Gon approached,
stepping inside the small room, which was generally reserved
for apprentices, and stopping at the table.
"I am sorry to take him away from you." He addressed the others
sincerely. "Something has come up and we must report to the
Council Chamber immediately."
"It's no problem, Master Qui-Gon." Hede spoke with just the
right note of deference.
"We were just getting ready to chase him out, Master." Another,
one of the young men, older than Obi-Wan and known for being
outspoken, added, but he was every bit as polite as she had
been.
"I am ready, Master." Obi-Wan said, turning and leaning to kiss
Hede's cheek. "Safe journey, and greetings to your Master."
"You too, sweetheart." She said, turning her head to catch the
kiss on her lips. He tolerated it for a moment and then
straightened, quickly taking his leave of the others.
There was silence for a few moments as they walked a long,
marbled hall, then Qui-Gon spoke. Few but Obi-Wan would have
recognized the humor in his voice.
"She didn't seem happy to see you go, Padawan."
Giving him a sideways look, Obi-Wan exhaled heavily.
"If I disrupted her plans for the evening I am doubly sorry."
"No, Master." With a half-grin Obi-wan glanced at Qui-Gon, and
saw the dark blue eyes sparkling as he was teased. "Whatever
her plans might have been, she had not consulted me on them."
"Do you think she planned to?"
They moved in synch, crossing the hall to turn through a
doorway that led to a massive flight of stairs.
Allowing himself a touch of petulance, Obi-Wan answered just
before they reached the doors at the top.
"You know she did, Master. It is the only thing about our
friendship that makes me uncomfortable. She has decided that I
am her perfect mate and refuses to relinquish the thought."
Pausing before the door, Qui-Gon reached out and grasped the
back of Obi-wan's neck gently, giving him a shake.
"We both know that her mind will be changed eventually."
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan's smile spread across his face. "Is that
what this summons concerns?"
"I do not believe so. A full Council meeting would not be
required to check on our bonding status."
"We have not exceeded the schedule."
"Though you have certainly considered it." With a chuckle his
Master pulled him into a rare public embrace, a tight hug, then
released him. "We must not keep them waiting, Padawan."
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan schooled his features to blandness and
together they entered the Chamber, going directly in, having
bypassed the waiting room by coming this way, which indicated
to Obi-Wan that this was not a public meeting.
All of the Council members were present, as well as two other
Jedi partnerships - another Master and Padawan and a team of
two younger Jedi who worked together.
They greeted each other with nods as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan joined
them in the center of the room, the apprentice standing just to
the right and just behind his Master.
"You're right on time, Master Jinn." Mace Windu spoke first,
leaning back, looking deceptively relaxed in his customary
fashion.
"My Padawan had a free evening scheduled." Qui-Gon answered
calmly, not stung by the implied criticism, as everyone else
had arrived early. "I chose to allow him as much of it as I
could."
"I see." Steepling his hands, Windu turned to glance at Yoda.
"On time, were you. Ask more, we do not." The small green being
said with finality. "To discuss, more important things have
we."
Stiffening, Obi-wan saw the twitch in Qui-Gon's shoulders and
decided that his Master knew more about this than he had said.
Mace Windu spoke again.
"There is a disturbance in the Force, a darkness that has been
growing for some months now, detectable even here on Coruscant.
After much effort the source has been determined."
He paused but no one spoke. Turning his head the barest
half-centimeter Obi-wan met the eyes of the other Padawan, a
young woman, a few years older than he was, and then he quickly
looked forward again as Windu continued.
"After much discussion we have decided how we are going to
attack it. From the inside."
Obi-Wan knew a half-second before it happened that his Master
was going to speak up. He allowed himself one thought and then
listened.
Not again, master.
"Excuse me, Master Mace, what exactly is the source of the
darkness?"
Giving him a hard look, Windu let the impropriety pass.
"A slavers' ring has been operating within the borders of the
Republic. Indeed, even on Coruscant itself. Very well
organized, very expensive merchandise.".
Qui-Gon nodded, accepting this and one of the two Jedi spoke up
now, as if he'd gained courage from Qui-Gon's daring.
"Where do we fit in with your plan, Master Windu?" He sounded
more like he was dressing royalty than the Council.
Giving Qui-Gon a sour look, Mace answered him directly.
"Because we want to trace the organization to the highest
members, we plan to allow two of you to be kidnapped."
He held up a hand as a wave of silent reaction washed through
the room. Even Qui-Gon could not control himself, Obi-Wan was
hit with a sudden stab of fear that evaporated almost as soon
as it was felt, and knew it had been for him.
"Yes." Windu said, his eyes going over the group. "Initially we
thought to insert three decoys, but decided that would be too
complicated, so we will need two."
"How will the safety of the decoys be guaranteed?" Qui-Gon
spoke up again, without any honorifics this time, and no one
seemed to object.
"We have chosen these teams for a specific reason related to
that." Windu said.
"Bonded, you are." Yoda spoke up. "Be used, the bond can be.
Track your bondmate, you can."
Of course, Obi-Wan thought. There were not that many bonded
pairs among the Jedi. Most found mates from other walks of
life, to give balance to their lives. To bond with one of their
own gave great advantages, but it carried a high cost as well.
When he had approached his Master nearly two years ago,
determined to discuss the feelings he had developed, strong
romantic and sexual feelings for his master, he had been
relieved and then overjoyed, after being told that Qui-Gon was
experiencing the same emotions.
He hadn't understood why his Master insisted that they take
themselves to the Council, who verified the sincerity of the
emotion and set them on a slow path toward a complete bonding.
Far too slow for Obi-Wan's liking.
But the enhanced abilities a ForceBond brought required extra
training to control, and the negatives of it had to be explored
as well.
Forming a ForceBond meant accepting an almost complete lack of
privacy. It meant sharing the pain of your mate on a physical
level, and the very real possibility of spontaneous death when
the mate died.
This had especially concerned Qui-Gon, who probably very close
to three decades older than Obi-wan, though his exact age was
uncertain, because of his status as a foundling. Obi-Wan had
heard the story once or twice but never dwelled on it, except
for experiencing a small sorrow that his Master remembered
neither the planet of his birth or his parents. Qui-Gon Jinn
had been a small child, a toddler, really, wandering the
streets of a market on Wachitoc Two, in a heavily populated
space port. Thin, scrawny, filthy, he had been using a very
rudimentary control of the force to hide his presence,
instinctively using it to feed himself, although the effort was
crude and erratic. A visiting Jedi Master had detected the odd
Force currents and tracked them, finding only a tiny child,
sleeping in a tattered basket, and he was astonished by the
ability he sensed in the boy. Because Wachitoc Two wasn't a
human planet, or even frequently visited by humans, his origin
had never been established, although he had once told Obi-Wan
that the Jedi had tried for years, mostly because they were
interested in discovering if he had any siblings, and that he
himself had been briefly interested as an adolescent, but given
it up as no longer important when he became a knight.
"I am Jedi. That is all the identity I need." he had answered
Obi-Wan's gentle disbelief with quiet calm.
And Obi-Wan had learned more of his Master from that statement
than he had in a hundred other conversations
For Qui-Gon Jinn, named by the Jedi who had found him, being a
Jedi truly was his life.
Which had made it all the more poignant, all the more powerful,
when his Master told him, some months after they began their
bonding, that Obi-Wan was as important to him as his position,
and that he would never be able to choose between the two.
Privately Obi-Wan had vowed never to make him.
As things were, the Council, too, were unsure if the younger
Padawan should be tied to his Master this late in the older
man's life. Though Jedi could live extended lifespans with the
help of the Force, not enough was known of Qui-Gon's heritage
to predict what his lifespan might be. There were races of
humans that were rather short-lived, even as Jedi, and it was
difficult to detect one from another, they had all inbred to
such an extent.
So their Bonding was progressing even more slowly than normal.
But Obi-Wan didn't mind. His heart swelled as he thought of
each step they took, each barrier that was lowered between
them. The most recent had been a physical one; they had dropped
the modesty from the relationship, and while it was hard to see
the man he desired all the time in the all together, it was
also painfully exciting.
These thought took scarce seconds to be thought and
acknowledged and then he was paying close attention to Yoda
again.
"Taken, you will be. Tracked, your bondmate by."
"You will have to rely heavily on your bondmates for the
strength to tolerate what will no doubt be a degrading,
dangerous and possibly painful experience." Windu added. "We
have decided that this cannot be an assigned mission because of
the risk involved. It must be accepted, and there will be no
shame attached to a refusal of it."
"A night, you will be given. A decision you must make."
Watching the stiffness as it spread across Qui-Gon's back and
shoulders, Obi-Wan knew that this was going to be a terribly
difficult choice for his Master. Tension emanated from the
other Masters as well, the room was thick with it. But they all
stood and listened carefully as Mace and the others all gave
their findings. They had a grasp of how the group worked, and
some idea of where the slaves were taken and what they were
used for. It was then that Obi-Wan realized the other reason he
had been chosen, alongside these particular others; his youth
and relative physical beauty. It was something he was aware of,
in a distant way, but it mattered not to him except in that it
made his Master happy when he looked on him, and that it could
be used to their advantage during negotiations on occasion.
Being loved by someone young and beautiful made his Master feel
younger and more attractive himself, and they shared that
feeling between them.
It seemed that most of the slaves ended up in pleasure services
- brothels or as private slaves, used for sex. A few had been
rescued and told tales of months of degradation and abuse that
made Obi-Wan shiver and Qui-Gon half-turn his head, offering
silent, calm strength.
"Think, you must." Yoda said, waving a hand at them in
dismissal.
Together they all bowed and began to leave, silent, thinking.
Obi-wan saw the young woman reach for her Master's hand and he
took it, bringing it to his chest and holding it there. Eyes
misting, Obi-Wan thought that they must already be very close
to a full bond. But they were close in age, perhaps ten years
between them. She was probably his first Padawan.
She would certainly be his last. That made him smile, happy for
them.
"Master Jinn." Mace spoke up as they reached the door. "Would
you and your apprentice wait a few moments? We would like to
speak to you individually."
There was a flicker of concern and then Qui-Gon answered with
his usual calm.
"Of course, Master."
They returned to the center of the room.
"Your bonding is progressing well." Windu spoke to them both,
his eyes making direct contact with Obi-Wan's, who returned it,
striving to reflect his Master's serenity.
"Yes." Qui-Gon replied, then smiled slightly. "Though both of
us wish it could happen faster."
"Master?" Turning, Obi-wan looked at Qui-Gon, who seemed mildly
embarrassed. He had never mentioned that he shared Obi-Wan's
impatience.
The thought warmed him. It was flattering.
"Yes, Padawan. I'm as deeply involved in this as you are,
despite the fact that I hold it more closely."
"Thank you." He didn't mean to say the words out loud, but they
slipped out, he was so touched by that admission. It made him
feel so much better about his own responses.
His longing for the physical part of their relationship had
become so strong that he now had a daily meditation session
devoted to it alone.
To know that his Master was also feeling that pull - it was
gratifying, and relieving. He wasn't the only one tied down by
the physical here.
"Hasten your Bonding, we will. If decide to go you do." Yoda
said, looking serious.
"We will not complete it." Mace added. "That would be cheating
you both of a precious moment in your lives. But if you accept
this mission we will assist you in lowering the last of the
shields that exist between you so that you will be able to
reach each other at greater distances."
"Forgive me, Master Windu," Qui-Gon was once again deferential,
"But I do not think assistance will be needed. I believe my
Padawan and I will be able to take that step without the
assistance of the Council."
"Really?" With one eyebrow raised Windu offered a dry retort.
"Yes." Practically projecting calm confidence, Qui-Gon reached
out and touched Obi-Wan's shoulder, quieting the tiny tremor
that had shaken his apprentice at his words. "Do we have your
leave to proceed to the next level of the Bonding?"
"If you choose to accept the mission." Windu said firmly.
"There is no other pressing reason to hurry it."
"Except my ever-increasing age." Qui-Gon offered and Obi-Wan
swallowed a gasp, then stared when Mace Windu laughed.
Even Yoda cracked a smile at that one.
"You are dismissed, Master Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi. We will meet
here at dawn to discuss your decision."
After bowing they left, but Obi-Wan didn't let them get further
than the stair landing before he turned on his Master.
"You never said anything." Trying hard to not be
confrontational, it came out softer than he'd intended and he
got to see Qui-Gon's eyes soften that certain way they did when
his Master was feeling sentimental toward him.
"It would have distracted you from your own control, Padawan."
Lightly, he ran his fingers down the length of Obi-Wan's braid.
"That is not what I am to be doing."
Tilting his head toward the ghost of pressure, the younger man
let his eyes slide closed, then opened them again when it
vanished.
"So what now, Master?"
"Now we go to our quarters and discuss this. We cannot let our
desires make this decision for us. It is far too important for
that. Too dangerous and potentially damaging."
Falling in step beside him as Qui-Gon began down the stairs,
Obi-Wan was sure he felt a tingle of that touch and his voice
carried it when he answered softly. "Yes, Master."
Safely in their quarters, lying in the adjacent beds that they
had only recently taken to, both men were silent for some time,
watching the moons track past the large windows that allowed
light into the smallish room. It was one of many such rooms, in
a hallway of them, assigned to partnered Jedi, who did not need
so much space as they did privacy. As was the norm throughout
the temple, space was not wasted but beauty was not shorted.
The room was as comfortable as it needed to be, with
well-appointed washing facilities and ample storage space for
the belongings of two. There would be more when they slept in a
single bed, something Obi-Wan was truly looking forward to.
"A single bed, Padawan?" His master's voice was mild and
amused. "Perhaps at least a double, so that my feet do not hang
off the end."
"If you slept like a normal person and curled up that wouldn't
be a problem, Master." He teased back gently, glad that Qui-Gon
had opened a conversation. One of the most recent exercises in
the Bonding process had been for each of them to spend a night
watching the other sleep. The apprentice had feared it would
make him self-conscious, but al it had taken was a few soft
words from Qui-Gon and he had slept deeply, and, he thought,
peacefully, until his Master had teased him the next morning
about playing Parliament Ball in his sleep. After establishing
that Obi-wan had had no particularly memorable dreams to
trigger the excessive movement, he had commented that sleeping
with him was going to be like holding onto a Rinaldan Badger, a
creature know for its excessive wriggling and squirming, which
made it a popular and amusing children's pet.
The comment had startled Obi-Wan, as he still wasn't used to be
teased by his Master in such a personal way, but he had won the
round by assuring his Master that if Qui-Gon held onto him
tightly enough he wouldn't want to move at all.
"Serenity lends itself to rest, Padawan." His Master said now,
lying at ease, on his back, hands resting on his chest, his
head turned sideways on the pillow, watching Obi-Wan.
"Yes, Master." He answered, feeling mildly giddy with the
simple delight of being in the same room with him. "Are we
going to discuss the mission?"
"I have decided to accept it, if you have no objection."
Swallowing the flash of hurt that brought - they hadn't even
discussed it - Obi-Wan reminded himself that he was the
apprentice and Qui-Gon the Master. Whatever his master's
habits, including discussing important decisions with him, that
was not a requirement and he would do well to remember their
status. Another hazard of a ForceBonding between two of such
unequal ranks and ages was the potential for misplaced feelings
such as these. Quickly he opened himself up and let the Force
take them, feeling cleansed and happy again.
"No objection, Master. It is an important mission, and I am
pleased to be offered the opportunity."
"As am I, Padawan."
Silence enveloped them again. Qui-Gon turned his head,
apparently choosing to sleep, and there was no sound but their
even breathing for a long time. The moons tracked their light
slowly through the windows.
"Obi-Wan?"
"Yes, Master?" Groggy, he yanked himself from his doze to
answer, lifting up on an elbow and look across the two feet
that separated them. His Master matched the pose, his long
hair, worn loose some nights, most often braided for
convenience, fell into his face.
"Thank you. This was a difficult decision for me. If I had
listened to your arguments I doubt that I would have been able
to decide objectively, for I would have been thinking of you
and not who we are. It will be dangerous."
"I understand." Smiling, Obi-Wan reached across the distance to
touch his Master's arm, which was the part closest to him. The
simple warmth of his skin made Obi-Wan shiver slightly,
especially when Qui-Gon covered the hand with his own. "Thank
you for explaining to me."
"It is no less than you deserve, Padawan." Qui-Gon squeezed the
hand he covered and then withdrew with obvious reluctance.
"Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Master."
Feeling better when he hadn't felt bad to begin with, Obi-wan
was quickly asleep now, and he felt his Master follow him.
Things moved quickly after that. The Master and Padawan pair
had chosen to refuse the mission, and their reasons were not
shared with the two teams that agreed to go. The other two
involved were both Jedi, young, and had never taken Padawans.
Their relationship had been in Force since they were in
adolescence, a fact that startled Obi-Wan, he hadn't thought
Padawans were supposed to develop those kinds of bonds with
each other.
"Nik-Hal and Cur-Wil were both born on Vergreen Four, and
betrothed as infants, as is the custom of that people." Qui-Gon
told him softly while they waited for the Council to finalize
the plans, sitting in the main dining hall with the other
Masters and Padawans and Jedi.
"What if one of them hadn't qualified to come here?" Obi-Wan
answered. He was feeling good; calm, balanced. Looking forward
to the mission, but more for the challenge of it and the good
it would bring than for the excitement or danger. Hungrily he
ate, not knowing when his next meal would be or what it would
be or if there would be one at all.
His Master gave him one of those 'think about it' looks and he
sighed, realizing he had let his mouth get ahead of him..
"They established that before they bonded them, right? Then
sent them together."
"Yes, Padawan." Graced with a smile, Obi-Wan returned to his
meal, keeping half an ear on Qui-Gon's conversation with two
female Jedi that joined them. Soon he was doing more than
half-listen, because the conversation was becoming interesting.
But, as a Padawan, he did not speak up or interrupt.
"We have decided that next cycle we will accept teaching
positions the Council has offered." One of them, whom Obi-Wan
knew to be an old friend of his Master's, spoke diffidently,
but the young man knew exactly what she referred to. When
female Jedi of whatever species declared an intention to teach
at the Academy, it was the same as stating clearly that they
intended to carry a child, and to speak it to a male of a
compatible species was to politely hint that she was interested
in him as the father.
He stiffened slightly, then felt his Master's hand on his
shoulder, easing him, and kept eating, eyes on his plate,
refusing to feel anxiety.
"That is a good decision." Qui-Gon answered her calmly. "Have
you considered who you might discuss it with?"
Flickering a glance at her, Obi-Wan saw disappointment in her
eyes at the equally polite refusal, and his heart filled
suddenly. By the tightening of the hand on his shoulder heknew
that Qui-Gon had felt it too.
"Yes, there are several people I need to talk to." She answered
with a small smile. "Perhaps after you return from this mission
you would be willing to chat with me about it?"
"We have been friends a long time, Hool-Maig. I trust that you
will trust me when I say it's not a good idea."
"Like that, is it?" Her eyes traveled Obi-Wan and he sternly
controlled himself, refusing to blush.
"Like the Force." Qui-Gon replied, standing and drawing Obi-Wan
with him. The younger man was startled by the arm around his
waist, public displays of affection were allowed, but his
Master was not given to them. It only lasted a few seconds and
then both of the women were smiling and Obi-wan was aching for
more. "Come, Padawan. The Council should be ready for us by
now."
"Yes, Master." He said, softly, letting all the love and want
he felt pour out with the words. It made Qui-Gon falter, a tiny
half-step, and he thrilled to see that reaction where he had
expected none.
They walked back to the Council chamber and Obi-Wan found the
peace inside himself that he needed, the one he had been born
with, though it had taken his Master's teachings to reveal it
to him.
"You will be taken to Alharras Beta, where, after some
negotiation, you will be sold to the slavers." Mace Windu said
bluntly. "Nik-Hal, you have been chosen of your pair because
your physical beauty is more suitable to that mission. Obi-Wan,
the same goes for you."
With a smile the Padawan nudged his Master mentally, but
Qui-Gon wasn't responding. he looked unhappy but resigned.
"Both partners will be close by during the sale, but must not
interfere, except to give support to your mates. It's liable to
be an embarrassing and humiliating experience, so you must make
an effort to prepare yourselves mentally. We have holovid of
previous sales provided by our contact inside the organization
that you will watch so that you know what to expect."
"Have there been any reports of abuse of merchandise?" Cur-Wil
spoke up, his hand closing on his mate's shoulder. To show such
affection before the Council was unusual, but in the
circumstances probably wouldn't be frowned upon. Despite this
Obi-Wan did not reach for Qui- Gon, though he wanted to. His
Master was essentially a very private man and any such public
display, as in the dining hall, would have to be initiated by
him.
Qui-Gon's gentle mental touch reassured him as much as any
physical affection could, and it was constant.
"It seems that the slaves are considered to be valuable enough
that they are well cared for up until the point of sale, after
which anything can happen."
"This will not progress further than that." Qui-Gon spoke
firmly, as if that were a given. Windu frowned.
"That cannot be determined at this time."
"We may actually spend time as slaves?" Nik-Hal spoke as
if the words had escaped him.
"Every effort will be expended to prevent that."
"No." Cur-Wil said flatly. "No one may touch him."
Watching them, startled by the defiance, Obi-Wan suddenly felt
his master step closer to him.
"That sacrifice would be too great." Qui-Gon said softly. "My
Padawan and I have not yet even been allowed the luxury of the
complete physical bond - I will not stand by and watch him give
to another what I have not been allowed to have."
"Master?" Disliking the way the words were phrased, especially
as he had not been a celibate man before his love for his
Master became obvious, Obi-Wan stared at him, questioning, and
Qui-Gon turned to him, stroking his cheek with long fingers.
"I know your past, as you know mine, Padawan. As you are the
first I have truly loved, I will be the last to touch you. I
would not share that with another, whether you do this
voluntarily or not."
"Yes, Master." Not entirely satisfied, Obi-Wan leaned his cheek
briefly into the caress and then bowed his head obediently.
"Your concerns are understood." Windu said after a moment's
silence. "But no guarantees can be made. The goal of this
mission is to discover the leaders behind the slavers. If that
requires this sacrifice, the Council will ask it of you."
"No matter the consequences?" Cur-Will asked, with Nik-Hal
standing very close to him now.
"There is only peace." Windu stared at them and they dropped
their eyes, perhaps ashamed. But Qui-Gon allowed himself to
meet Windu's eyes.
"I request that we be allowed to complete our bond before the
mission." He said simply, all of the reasons to do so already
in the air between them. Obi-Wan held his breath.
"Completing the bond prematurely could lead to later doubts."
Windu answered. He sounded as if he were hedging.
"I request that we be allowed to complete our bond before this
mission." Standing straight, his body tingling with Qui-Gon's
presence at his side and something more, Obi-Wan faced the
Council calmly.
There was a brief silence and then Yoda spoke for the first
time.
"An advantage would it be. Stronger together than apart you
will be."
"Permission granted." Windu said, almost sadly. "But time is
short. Arrangements have been made. You will have only a few
hours to prepare yourselves before the bonding, and you must
leave enough time afterwards for adaptation."
"Is our departure already scheduled?" Nik-Hal asked, as the
Master and Padawan stared at each other. The Force was rising
in the room, fed by the energy that was beginning to escape
their control.
"At dawn in two days you will be taken to your ships. One for
each, so that you arrive at different times and different
ports."
"May we be excused?" Again Qui-Gon interrupted, his hand now on
Obi-Wan's shoulder. "We need the port and departure time, no
more."
Half-standing, Windu seemed angered by his words, but brought
himself under control again quickly.
"Will you need assistance with the final step of the Bond?"
"I think not." The ghost of a smile touched Qui-Gon's lips and
Obi-Wan allowed himself a wide grin. They were so close
already, the true power of the bond hovered just beyond his
grasp, he knew, they both knew, how easy it would be to reach
out and accept it. There would be no difficulty doing so. In
truth, resisting it had been the most challenging exercise in
recent months. Their obedience of the timetable set by the
Council had been a symbol of how seriously they took this. As
rare as a ForceBond was, they hadn't been willing to take any
chance of disrupting it somehow by rushing it and winding up
with something less powerful.
"Go then, and prepare." Windu said, almost kindly. "We will
come to you when it is time."
"Thank you." Qui-Gon bowed low, Obi-Wan following suit, and
then they exited the chamber together.
Walking down an empty hall, the coolness of the marble rising
to calm them, Obi-Wan shivered slightly and immediately his
Master's arm was around his shoulders, pulling him close.
"I do not know if I can do it, Master." He admitted as they
paused in a patch of sunlight that glinted off the glistening
floor.
"Give your body to strangers for the mission." Qui-Gon said, an
edge to his words.
"I know it is only my body..." The younger man let his
words trail off and shrugged delicately.
"I will find a way to protect you." Qui-Gon said, pulling him
close and holding him rather tightly. Obi-Wan allowed it,
feeling the desperation his Master sought to shield from him.
It worried him, that even the possibility upset his Master's
famed control to such an extent. If the possibility became a
reality, what would Qui-Gon do?
"The mission must come first." He whispered, hands gripping his
Master's robes as he was embraced. "We are Jedi first."
"Bondmates second, and humans last." Qui-Gon finished the
mantra with a shaky voice, then stepped back and released his
apprentice. "Completing the Bond should help me recover my
balance, Padawan. Do not fear for my reputation."
"I think your reputation needs all the help it can get."
Teasing, Obi-Wan ducked his head at the glare he was sent, but
then Qui-Gon's set mouth softened in a rueful smile.
"You are probably right." Turning, he took Obi-Wan's hand in
his own, brought it to his lips and kissed it tenderly, staring
into his eyes as he did so. "Come. It will be a long night, if
all goes according to plan, and I admit that I would sooner be
started than later."
"Yes, Master." Swallowing hard, the younger Jedi met his eyes
and their glances held for long seconds. Then, with everything
and nothing said between them, they continued down the hall, to
part ways at the doors without looking back, knowing they would
not come together again until it was time to complete their
Bond.
Dusk was just falling over the city-planet when Qui-Gon entered
the bedchamber he had been directed to. Neutral territory,
without the flotsam and physical jetsam of their daily lives to
distract, hinder, or assist them. After several hours of
meditation and a ritual cleansing, he felt vividly aware of the
Force around him. His skin quivered with anticipation and his
soul ached with a need to touch his mate's. It had done so for
months now, but never this strongly, or this painfully.
It would be up to him to restrain himself, to not give in to
that pain until the precise moment when it was right.
As tradition demanded, Corusant was beginning her one hour of
darkness at twilight. The custom reminded the city of what
their planet had once been and what it had become. Every
outside light, every moving vehicle, every artificial thing
outside of a residence, business or even Temple was silenced or
shut down for this brief time, blanketing the world in
darkness. Shades were drawn, and many turned off the inside
lights as well; the devout, the spiritual, those that honored
tradition.
So the room he entered was almost completely black despite the
large windows that lined one wall.
But he didn't need more than the faint starlight to see the
shape that sat in one of the deep windowsills, that stood as he
entered, that had been waiting for him. Naked and proud, body
taut but not with sexual desire, Obi-Wan waited for him.
Words would not be allowed now. For the rest of the night,
until the Bond was either finished or abandoned, they would not
speak. If they succeeded they would never need to speak aloud
again - if they failed they might never want to speak to each
other again. The pain of failing a Bond was said to be
excruciating, and only to be avoided by avoiding the other half
of the attempted Bond.
If they allowed their fears or any insecurities to come between
them this night, they would never see each other again. It was
a high price to pay, but well worth it when successful.
Obi-Wan opened his mouth, then closed it again while Qui-Gon
watched, understanding the strength it took to do so, for he
wanted to speak as well. Suddenly there were a hundred things
he wished he had said while he had the chance...and each one of
them could threaten the Bond if Obi-Wan wasn't ready to accept
it tonight.
To speak was to end it. To fail. If they could not meet minds,
then this was all for nothing.
Dropping his robe, worn for modesty's sake and nothing more, he
opened his arms and his Padawan practically dove into them.
Shivering slightly, his skin cool to the touch, his hands
gripping Qui-Gon's arms harder than necessary, he burrowed as
close to his Master as he could get, showing every sign of a
terminal case of nerves. Sighing, Qui-Gon held him close,
bending over to gather as much of him to his own body as
possible, refusing to allow himself to be affected by the
younger man's nerves.
One of them had to be calm. One of them had to maintain the
contact.
For now it would be him. Knowing himself as he did, he was
certain that that would change later, as he was forced to face
the walls in his own heart, but for now he would hold his mate
and calm him, so that later Obi-Wan could do the same in
return.
The hour of darkness passed and light filtered into the room.
Qui-Gon saw that it was of medium size, and contained only a
bed and a washstand. The bed was large and looked comfortable
and seeing it helped him decide upon his next action; without
thought he lifted his Padawan into his arms and carried him
over to it. Trembling, Obi-Wan hid his face in his Master's
neck for the short distance, and then lay on the bed stiffly,
staring up at Qui-Gon.
Standing beside the bed, the older man was overcome just
looking upon the younger. He wished he could use words to
express what he saw, but instead he thought about it,
deliberately, touching Obi-Wan with hesitant fingertips as he
began, tentatively, to explore that which would be his.
Smooth skin quivered beneath his touch, a strong young chest
expanded and deflated as air was sucked in to combat the
sensations... then Obi-Wan was reaching for him and Qui-Gon
slid onto the bed beside him, keeping some little distance
between them as he continued his explorations.
He knew this body well, having watched it grow from nearly
pre-teen to adolescent to fine young man. He had touched it too
many times to count; in training, correcting posture, friendly
challenge, affectionate encouragement, when hurt or ill or
despondent, his touch had encouraged, soothed, incited and
cheered.
But never had he touched it like this. With his fingertips just
skimming it; barely there, not there, there again. Drawing
shivers and, soon, sighs, as Obi-Wan relaxed into it, closing
his eyes and submerging himself in the pure physical pleasure
of it. Stimulating yet soothing, it was, and Qui-Gon quickly
found himself breathing heavily, his lips slightly parted, and
saw through half-lidded eyes that his Padawan was in the same
condition.
Disbelief flared - they were here, he was doing this!
Obi-Wan half-sat, staring at him, his changeable eyes wide and
round.
He'd felt that.
Smiling broadly, reaching for him, Qui-Gon couldn't contain the
laugh that struggled for freedom. It burst forth, loud and
deep, filling the air with the sound of his joy, almost
immediately joined by Obi-Wan's, which was brighter and bubbly.
Speech might be forbidden, but laughter could only be a good
thing, Qui-Gon thought as he wrapped him arms around his
apprentice and pulled him over his own body for their first
intimate embrace. And hit their first snag, as they didn't fit
together quite perfectly - Qui-Gon was too tall and Obi-Wan too
squirmy. It took a moment, laughter fading to deep sighs of
contentment, for them to work it out so that they were both
comfortable. With his knees drawn up and his Padawan lying
between his legs Qui-Gon tucked the short-haired head into the
crook of his neck and moaned softly when the younger man licked
beneath his ear, slowly, tasting him. Obi-Wan's hands crept up
to burrow into his Master's hair, which was loose and still
faintly damp from his long bath, gripping handfuls of it and
letting it slip between his fingers.
/I never knew he liked my hair./ Qui-Gon thought idly, turning
his head this way and that to encourage the caresses. His own
hands were warmly mapping his Padawan's body - shoulders, back,
butt and thighs. Settling them on the muscled curves on
Obi-Wan's butt, he rubbed and squeezed, enjoying the smooth
skin and flexing muscle.
/I didn't realize he liked it that much./ Obi-Wan
thought with a grin, opening his mouth to bite gently, letting
his ears fill with the moans that drew. Oh, he'd known that his
Master found his butt attractive - recently there had been
times Qui-Gon hadn't seemed to be able to take his eyes off it
- but he hadn't expected him to go for it so directly. Still,
it was very exciting, to have those big hands there, touching
him that way.
Both of them had spent hours in meditation to prepare for this,
and a result of their efforts was that they were slow coming to
full arousal despite the excitement and novelty of the
circumstances. This was about more than the physical joining,
so giving themselves plenty of time to become involved in it
before their bodies made serious demands was a sound idea.
Lying in Qui-Gon's arms, lying over his large, sculpted body,
Obi-Wan almost regretted that, his organ only half hard,
pulsing quietly beside Qui-Gon's, their sacs pressed together;
a heated, tempting mass of flesh that could have distracted him
completely.
The steps of a ForceBond were carefully laid out and they had
diligently followed that path with the Council's supervision.
This meant that they had neither touched intimately or kissed
before. Now Obi-Wan decided that it was time to try that, he
had been dreaming of it for so long.
Lifting his head he squirmed higher, his hands planted on the
bed to either side of Qui-Gon's face, and he smiled down at his
Master before leaning in and pressing his lips to the thin ones
that smiled back at him.
What had been an exercise in contented restraint suddenly
became a devouring need.
It took every ounce of willpower Obi-Wan had to keep from
shouting as his master opened his mouth and sucked Obi-Wan's
tongue in, wrapping his long legs around his apprentice and
holding him tightly, moving against him in a determined rhythm
that left nothing to doubt. Suddenly they were both hard and
pounding and trying to crawl into each others' skin, a
writhing, panting, moaning sculpture of flesh and bone, muscled
art sheened with sudden sweat, the air fogged with desperation.
Dimly Qui-Gon remembered that there was something he was
supposed to do, but two years' of frustrated foreplay had the
better of him and his body was out of his control, a completely
unique experience for the elder Jedi. Moaning helplessly he
thrust into Obi-Wan's groin, the matching hardness there
inflaming him.
He had thought this was a meeting of the minds. He had
thought this was about being compatible souls.
He had been right, as far as that went..... but now he knew it
was about so much more.
Lips bruised and swollen, tongues thick, bodies heaving, they
rocked frantically together, tangled too tightly to tell where
one began and the other ended, physically bound more tightly
than would have been thought humanly possible.
Lifting Obi-Wan above him, grunting with the effort, Qui-Gon
was ready to take his Padawan with an eagerness he'd never
before shown for anything, but Obi-Wan twisted in his arms,
putting him off-balance and he fell to the side instead of
being impaled the way his Master had intended, scrambling to
his knees, eyes hot, reaching for Qui-Gon's throbbing shaft,
stroking it with expert hands, drawing wordless shouts of
pleasure from his Master as Qui-Gon abandoned his previous plan
and gave himself up to those hands.
/So strong, so hot, all mine.../ Thinking restlessly, Obi-Wan
leaned over and took the head of Qui-Gon's organ into his
mouth, sucking strongly while his hands continued to pump, each
helpless moan thrilling him more deeply.
/More, I need more, Obi-Wan, Padawan, please.../ Hanging on the
cusp of completion, Qui-Gon reached out instinctively for his
mate and he almost howled with frustration when his mind caught
nothing but wisps of contact. He thrashed on the bed,
displacing his mate, and turned the tables, using both hands
and his greater strength to flip the younger man over, grasping
the muscled cheeks that fascinated him so and spreading them,
licking deeply between them, making Obi-Wan howl with want and
hump the bedlinen purposefully.
/Master! Master! Don't - please - oh -
what...Qui-Gon.../ The last of his thoughts drifted between
them softly as he shuddered and spent himself into the clean
linens, taut body sagging into relaxation as the tension eased
and his seed pumped from him in convulsive spurts.
/Obi-Wan.../ The pleading mental voice touched his mind, thick
with want and need, desperate for contact and Obi-Wan opened
his mind fully, welcoming his Master in, making room for him as
if he had always been there, in his Padawan's head.
/Master./ He greeted him, mental voice sultry, heat flooding
them both as the connection spread throughout their synapses,
new connections being formed, their minds literally evolving.
It took long, hard moments of effort, Qui-Gon found the
strength to be surprised by how hard it was. There was pain,
but it was the pain of birth and they both saw why no one had
been able to tell them what it felt like - no one could know,
it was different for each couple, as unique to their minds as
the minds themselves were.
Cleansed, refreshed, expanded, they lay still, silent, absorbed
in this new aspect of themselves. Qui-Gon had slumped to the
floor beside the bed, on his knees, which began to ache, head
on his crossed arms, one hand barely touching Obi-Wan's flushed
skin, his mate lying on his back panting heavily.
Unsteady, he lifted his head, and met Obi-wan's eyes, which
were bright with tears. Crawling onto the bed, he took the
younger man into his arms as Obi-Wan dissolved into sobs, the
sound threatening to tear Qui-Gon apart.
Naked, still aroused, he rocked his shaken apprentice and
kissed him and petted him, all the while keeping up a stream of
mental chatter through the new bond that had affected the
younger man so deeply.
/I love you, I'll always be here, always be with you, you'll
never be alone again, a part of me, a part of you, we're just
us now, never going to be apart again.../ he crooned, unaware
of the tears that streamed down his own face. If someone had
told him that this was a common reaction to the final formation
of a ForceBond he would have been skeptical, but human bodies
have a set of standard responses to overwhelming stimulus and
this was, indeed, the most common reaction when the last of
those barriers fell and the persons involved realized what they
had done, what they had become.
One person in two minds, utterly complete, never to be
separated, even, Qui-Gon sensed now, in death.
He had wondered how Master Windu survived without his BondMate
and now he knew. The older man did not. His mate was there, in
his mind, just as Obi-Wan was here, physically present, in
Qui-Gon's arms.
Clutching him, still sobbing brokenly, gasping for air, on the
verge of making himself ill. His mental meandering were mostly
incoherent, but Qui-Gon picked out the gist of it; grateful,
desperate happiness and awe, awash with a need so great he
would have been terrified if he hadn't felt the same in
himself.
/There, there, beloved, precious one, breathe now, breathe for
me, truest one, most precious one, there is more to accomplish,
breathe with me now, in and out, like that, yes, that's good,
that's right, oh, how did I ever survive without this?!/ The
last was a mental wail as Qui- Gon clutched Obi-Wan closer,
their breathing finally in synch, tears slowing, Obi-Wan
quiescent in his lap, molded to him as he rocked and moaned
aloud.
/How does anyone survive without this?/ Obi-Wan gasped
before falling silent. The Bond between them hummed with
energy, thrummed with want and need.
/I can't imagine./ Qui-Gon answered, feeling pity for almost
everyone he knew. A ForceBond was are, perhaps two or three
were seen among the Jedi in a decade and no one else was
capable of them. /Breathe./ He prompted his mate, and Obi-wan
smiled at him. His eyes were swollen, his nose was red but he
had never looked more beautiful to Qui-Gon, who had to kiss him
deeply, to lick the tears from his cheeks and taste the
strength of their bond there.
/I don't think I have to./ The younger man answered with a
sound close to a giggle. /I suspect that you could do it for me
and I wouldn't know the difference./ To prove his point he
exhaled and then sagged, letting muscular control flow from his
body. Almost automatically Qui- Gon felt himself inhale deeply
and saw his Padawan's chest inflate through no effort of his
own.
/By the Force./ He swore softly, giving Obi-Wan a shake. /I had
no idea./
/We are one./ Obi-wan answered, turning in his arms, wrapping
himself around his Master, arms and legs, opening his mouth to
him. /What I do to you you do to me.../
/There is one thing left to do./ Qui-Gon reminded, lifting the
younger man with both hands and lowering him onto his own rigid
shaft. No preparation was needed, Obi-Wan opened to him
completely, body and mind, and then they were joined. /Would
that we could stay this way forever./
/Not forever, but for as many hours as we can manage./ Obi-Wan
told him, beginning to move gently.
Ripples of pleasure sang between them, building slowly to waves
that washed them along, helpless on the tide of passion. Soon,
too soon, they both came, and then they were off again, still
hard, still hungry, each climax sending them in search of the
next, needing more and yet more, feeding off each other's
desire and satisfaction. Their mouths were fused so tightly
together...quickly they learned the trick of letting one move
while the other breathed for them, trading the chore of
breathing evenly between them, which allowed one to rest while
the other worked, and then back again.
Losing count of how many times they had climaxed, Qui-Gon found
himself just barely holding onto his existence, his physical
being so unimportant now that he felt as if he could just slip
from it and stay this way forever, he and his Obi-Wan, bound
this way for eternity, never to separate again... but even with
the rests and sharing the work of breathing and manipulating
the Force around them, drawing on it for strength, their bodies
could only continue for so long before collapsing from the
overload.
After innumerable climaxes they toppled to their sides, still
joined, mouths still locked together, minds dancing joyously,
completely unaware of the passage of time and the amount of
energy they had expended.
/Tired, Master, I'm tired.../ Obi-Wan told him softly, his mind
beginning to shut down, unwillingly, in exhaustion.
/Stay with me, Padawan, stay in my mind, don't leave me here
alone.../ Feeling himself slipping as well, Qui-Gon tightened
his grip on his mate and held tightly to his mind as well,
dragging Obi-Wan into the depths of sleep with him, to share
dreams that echoed their new reality.
"Qui-Gon. Master Jinn!" The voice nudged rudely at Qui-Gon's
ears while rough hands shook at his body, just as rudely.
Feeling Obi-Wan there with him, he sank into himself again, the
depth no longer worrying him, wanting nothing more than to
remain with his BondMate forever.
"I have never seen such a deep Bond...if we had been expecting
it we would have monitored their activities last night." A
voice he didn't recognize, and now curiosity sparked, pulling
him up from sleep just slightly, which caused Obi-Wan to follow
him.
"Too deep, are they. Awake them we must."
/Why is Master Yoda in our bedroom, Master?/ Obi-Wan asked, his
mental voice edged with exhaustion.
/I do not know, Padawan...perhaps we should wake and ask him?/
/Would that mean we'd have to separate?/ The question was
wistful and Qui-Gon understood completely - he had no more
desire to be parted from his Padawan than the younger man did
from him.
/I don' t believe we can ever be separated again, precious
one./ The endearment was more of a mental caress than a word,
and it caused Obi-Wan to blush, mildly embarrassed by it.
"They wake." Master Windu actually sounded relieved, and he
shook Qui-Gon's shoulder again.
Opening his dark blue eyes, Master Qui-Gon stared up at them,
bemused by their presence. He was aware that he and Obi-Wan
were still intimately joined, naked bodies twined together,
revealed to all that watched them.
And there four or five Council members there, watching them
with concern and some mild amusement and a disconcerting touch
of awe. Obi-Wan opened his eyes then, and groaned softly,
turning his face into Qui-Gon's shoulder, a blush heating his
fair skin.
"I assume we are late rising?" Qui-Gon said, mouth twisting
into a rueful smile.
"Indeed. By a day or more." Windu answered, crouching beside
them, one hand extended toward the other Master's head. "May
I?"
Checking first with his mate, because he himself had no
objections, Qui-Gon hesitated to answer.
/They've already seen everything there is to see./ Obi-Wan
laughed softly in their mind, embarrassment fading. His body
shifted slightly, stiff from being in the same position too
long, and pain blossomed between them. /Ohhh, Master, I think
we overdid it./
"Yes." Qui-Gon told Mace, just now noticing that his tongue
felt thick and his mouth was very dry. /There is always a price
to pay, precious. We will recover from this one soon enough.
Share your pain with me.../ No sooner had the thought left him
- did it leave him or had it originated in the part of him that
was already in the Padawan's mind? - it didn't matter - no
sooner was the thought formed than his own body flared with
various aches and he spent a few seconds mentally sorting which
were his and which Obi-Wan's. It was an interesting exercise
and he could see that keeping his physical self separate in his
mind from his apprentice's was going to be a challenge in the
future.
"I'll be gentle." The older Jedi Master said, laying one hand
on each head. The bonded pair knew that their Bonding had to be
checked and verified, and it wasn't an unpleasant experience,
but the longer they were awake, the louder then demands of
their neglected and abused bodies became.
Windu's mind touched theirs briefly, looked into the depth of
the Bond but did not venture beneath the surface, he was
clearly aware that he could be sucked in and lost in the power
of it. This was the first time Qui-Gon had touched his
mind and he saw that his realization was confirmed - despite
her physical death, Mace Windu's BondMate was vividly present,
there, in his mind, as if she were whole and alive still. She
rippled along their nerve endings like laughter, celebrating
their Bonding as if it were her own and he found himself
reaching for her, the brief contact light and happiness in its
most basic state.
It eased him to the point of ecstasy, to know that, no matter
what, he would never, never be separated from his
Padawan again.
"It is done." Windu said quietly, withdrawing, and Qui-Gon was
again aware of Obi-Wan's growing discomfort and his own urgent
need to ease it.
"Masters, if you don't mind..." He gestured over the two of
them. On his side, with Obi-Wan between his legs, his Padawan's
legs still clasped around his Master's waist.. fortunately the
point of their joining was hidden by Qui-Gon's own leg or he
was afraid Obi-Wan would have been further embarrassed.
"Go, we will. Ready, you must be, in two days' time, Master and
Padawan." Yoda waved his cane and the others started filing
out. Mace lingered, his eyes traveling over them, looking
wistful. Obi-Wan watched, relaxing as he saw the dark face
soften, and Qui-Gon wrapped his arms loosely around his mate,
allowing the lengthy perusal.
"It - you - " Master Windu spoke at length, and quickly
corrected himself - "You are as beautiful as any two I have
seen together, even as to myself and Master Shel-Crit." He
spoke of his mate softly. "Your life together will be strong
and good."
Knowing that they had been blessed, Qui-Gon would have spoken,
but felt Obi-Wan's need to do so.
"Thank you, Master Windu. We are honored by your words." The
apprentice spoke as Qui-Gon would have, and he was well
pleased. This bonding did not change who they were, it made
them something more.
Touching them again, one hand on each head. Mace closed his
eyes in silent prayer and they felt the tug at the Force around
them.
"I wish to tag you." Windu said slowly, eyes still closed.
"Only those deeply bonded are capable of it - will you allow me
too?"
Both of the bondmates felt the agreement of the other and
responded in kind, and Windu dipped into their mind and left a
tiny piece of his own behind. Removing his hands, he spoke
again, seemingly sad now.
"This is a secret known only to the Bonded, the best kept
secret of the Jedi. Most do not even know of it. We maintain a
connection between each other that only the depth of the
original Bond allows. We do not speak of it to others because
they are not capable of it and to taunt them would be cruel. As
you meet others - there are so few of us - you will be free to
tag them or not, as you wish. With the level of your Bond you
should be able to reach any of us, from anywhere in the
Republic, if you need help."
With a gasp Qui-Gon understood what they had done.
"A secret?" Obi-Wan blurted.
"Within the Jedi." Qui-Gon murmured. "Even I did not suspect."
"Yours to keep." Mace nodded, rising from the floor, his robe
falling around him in calm folds. "It will only activate when
you call it to. I, and no others, will never intrude upon you."
he smiled, but it seemed sad. "BondMates are too rare to risk.
Call me if you need me."
"We will." Qui-Gon answered, just as quietly. His serene calm,
the feature he was best known for, seemed to have settled even
more fully onto him, even under these circumstances. Silently
Obi-Wan basked in it, glorying in it and the peace it brought
him.
"Good day to you, Master Jinn, Padawan Kenobi." With a low bow
of respect, Mace Windu silently removed himself from their
bedchamber, and they were alone again.
/Not alone./ Obi-Wan thought joyously. /Never alone again!/
/Yes, my beloved./ His Master agreed, trying to sit, groaning
at the effort. /But some separation of the physical kind would
be good at this moment./
/Yes, Master./ With a groan Obi-Wan pulled himself from
Qui-Gon's shrunken organ, the movement abrading tissues made
raw by their extended activities. /Bath?/ He thought hopefully,
adding a touch of pitiful pleading to it.
/And food./ Qui-Gon agreed, rolling to his feet. But he did not
let Obi-Wan stand. Because he had taken the brunt of the
damage, Qui-Gon lifted him into his arms instead, cradling him
close, wondering how he was ever going to let him get more than
a few inches away again.
/Not yet./ Obi-Wan replied, body heavy in his Master's arms.
/Later - but not yet./
/Later./ Qui-Gon agreed, carrying him out the door, both of
them naked and not quite aware of it. A Jedi they did not know
by name passed them in the hall as they padded to the bathing
room, and his eyes widened slightly, but then he smiled and
shook his head and Qui-Gon wondered exactly what they looked
like. With the way information traveled around the Temple, he
was certain that all who cared to know knew by now that he and
his Padawan had Bonded, so it was safe to assume they would be
getting some knowing looks, as well as some slack, for the next
few days or weeks. It wasn't expected that they would adapt to
the Bond so quickly, that it didn't affect their behaviors.
Walking naked down the hall carrying his Bondmate must be one
of the things that would be overlooked.
He didn't care. The thought of putting clothing between them
was almost physically painful and he wasn't even ready to think
about it.
Perhaps after their bath. And food. And a long afternoon in bed
holding each other....
the end <g>
want to see more? want to hear about the mission? send me
feedback! ----- saraid@wf.net (please) <g>
Archive 