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Bonds of Change

by Susan Anthony

Title: Bonds of Change
Series: Forged Bonds
Author: Susan Anthony (LdyGossamer@aol.com)
Pairing: Obi-Wan/Bruck, Qui-Gon/Bruck, OW/GQ/B
Archive: Master_Apprentice, The Equally Worthwhile Adventures of Bruck Chun if they want it, my site at http://www.geocities.com/area51/keep/8613/artists.html, anyone else, just ask
Category: AU, Angst, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Q/O, future Q/Bruck, future O/Bruck
Rating: PG-13 now, NC-17 eventually
Spoilers: none
Summary: Padawan Chun finds his place in the Light
Feedback: Very welcome.
Warnings: M/M/M relationship eventually, mention and memory of rape and abuse
Note: Begins four weeks after Bonds of Light ends

Notes: Thanks to Maig for her patient and belligerent beta. This started as a PWP because I wanted a Bruck story for the Bruck archive. Unfortunately for me, PWP means 'really long story that takes forever to write'.

Disclaimer: The Boyz aren't mine. More's the pity. This story is for the pleasure of the readers only. I don't make a thing.

Kenzi strode along the Temple halls towards the gyms, on her way to meet Master Jinn. The two masters had been meeting every other afternoon during the past four weeks to exchange information concerning their respective students and to discuss how Obi-Wan and Bruck were dealing with the unexpected bond.

At first she'd been a bit wary around the senior master. After all, it had been her padawan who had come between Obi-Wan and Jinn. She liked Obi-Wan for the most part and he seemed quite besotted with Bruck. But as far as she knew, the padawan had continued his relationship with Qui-Gon. She couldn't help but think that the closer Bruck and Obi-Wan became, the less time he would want to spend with his master and she knew Qui-Gon had to know this as well.

But Master Jinn never seemed to worry about the future of his relationship with Obi-Wan. He expressed a sincere concern for Bruck and offered his help unconditionally with anything to do with Bruck's recovery. And while Bruck was still tense in Jinn's company, he didn't seem to avoid the older master. In fact, he quietly listened to Jinn's suggestions and more often than not, acted upon them.

So despite her wariness as to the Jinn/Kenobi team's rather reckless nature, when it came to their interactions with her padawan, Kenzi forgave just about anything.

Because her padawan was, slowly but surely, throwing off the last of the darkness which haunted him.

And that made even Kenobi an acceptable match for her beloved student -though she still considered Jinn and his padawan to be highly suspect in their methods of operation when on missions.

She maintained the hope that they wouldn't infect her own serious and rule-abiding padawan with their recklessness.

Today, however, she was going to be very late for her meeting with Master Jinn. She'd been unexpectedly called to the Assignments Chamber and detained there for almost half an hour as she was briefed for an upcoming mission. There had been three Councilors present, as always, and the five masters on the Assignments Committee, each of which had given their own opinion of the upcoming mission.

Kenzi found the whole process unexpectedly annoying.

She'd never had such a problem before but now she found her focus wandering and just wishing the Committee would just get this over with. Didn't they know she had masters to see and padawans to work with?

And then they dropped the bomb. Bruck wasn't coming with her.

It took her a moment to understand that her padawan was to be left behind. Then, when she rightly questioned why her padawan was denied the mission in what she thought was a very reasonable tone, Councilor Windu had the gall, the audacity, to raise one hairless eyebrow and then suggest that perhaps she should limit the time she spent with one Master Qui-Gon Jinn.

Kenzi had been so utterly confounded by the Councilor's suggestion that she, a master in her own right, would allow herself to be corrupted by what she privately called Jinnitus, that she allowed herself to be dismissed without getting a suitable reply to her question.

Why would they possibly think such a thing? She'd never blown up a congressional building. She'd never high jacked a spaceship. She'd never mouthed off to the Council.

And it didn't count when she'd discussed - politely, but with strong conviction, of course - about taking her padawan with her on this mission. She'd never been on a mission alone since she'd tapped Bruck and he would be upset that she had to leave him behind. Of course, she'd argued about it.

With a grim sigh, she set aside her grumbly thoughts and focused on what she was going to tell her student.

She had an estimated three-week mission to Garnis, which was inevitably boring. It was a world she had visited many times, before and after she'd bonded with Bruck, and they tended to request her personally whenever they had problems with their governmental negotiations.

But the stupid Assignments Committee had denied her padawan the right to go despite the fact that the soul healers had declared him fit for light duties.

And, because it was an urgent request, Kenzi was slated to leave within a few hours.

She only hoped Qui-Gon hadn't already rounded up their learners and headed for the showers. Usually, they would clean up and have dinner and then Bruck and Obi-Wan would disappear off to wherever padawans went when their masters weren't looking.

But not tonight. She had a feeling her padawan was going to need the support not only of Padawan Kenobi but of his master as well. She was going to have to explain to Bruck why he couldn't come with her without knowing why herself.

Perhaps Master Jinn would have some suggestions as to how to make Master Windu's life miserable when she returned from Garnis.

"Master, why?" Bruck's voice was steady but inside his worries were gradually increasing. Why wouldn't the Council let him go with his master? Did they still think he was going to Fall? And would his master be all right without him? They hadn't ever been separated for a mission since he'd become her padawan and now he was being left behind.

"Don't worry, padawan," her reassuring voice stated calmly. "I'll be fine." Her fingertips caressed his cheek for a moment. "And you'll be fine. Master Jinn and Obi-Wan will be good company for you." She grinned. "I do like Obi-Wan."

A brief smile and a lowered head. "I do too," he confessed softly. Then he looked up at her again. "But I still want to go with you. Obi-Wan will be here when I get back."

"I'm sorry but you must stay here, Bruck."

"I want to go with you!" Bruck snapped, his serenity collapsing without warning. His master just stepped back, away from him. "Please, Master!"

"You can't go with me, padawan," she said firmly as she turned away. "This is my path to walk alone. You must stay here."

"I don't want to stay here!" he shouted after her as she disappeared.

"Stay here, padawan."

Stay here.

"Ye'll stay righ' here, ye Jedi slut!"

Stay here...in this room.

This small, barren room.

There are hooks on the wall with chains hanging from them.

The gray paint is peeling from the ceiling.

There are no windows, no outside light, no sense of time.

Water leaks in steady drops from a nearby, exposed pipe.

Sometimes, when his throat is so dry and hoarse and hurting from screaming, he'd hold his head under that steady drip and try to drink.

And across the room, the heavily shielded door is swinging open again.

Bruck jerked up in bed, gulping air into his lungs with quick, harsh pants. His fingers fisted in the soft comforter and the light in the room increased marginally with his hasty movement. His blue eyes darted around frantically, trying to find something familiar and came to rest on his lightsaber, lying within his easy reach on the bedside table.

Reaching for it, he wrapped his fingers around the smooth metal cylinder for a few long minutes, as he tried to calm himself. With a thought, he raised the light to a level where he finally recognized his surroundings.

The padawan's room in Master Jinn's quarters.

With a final, deep breath, Bruck forced himself to lay his saber back on the bedside table. He didn't dare hold it longer lest he lie down and fall asleep with it wrapped in his hand. The one time his master had come in to find him cuddled up with his saber, blade-side up under his chin, he'd thought she was going to pull all her braids out and choke him with them.

So lightsaber back on the table. Within reach, of course.

But he didn't lay back down. After a dream like that, he knew he wouldn't be sleeping again tonight. Frankly, he was amazed that the dream hadn't featured anything worse than his prison, though that brought back enough memories to keep him awake and gasping for several nights.

With a tired sigh, the white-haired padawan stood and moved towards the door. It slid silently open and Bruck wandered as quietly as he could into the small kitchen. He pulled down the tin of chi his master had left with him. He stared at it for a long time before he gently opened the tin and delicately sniffed at the fragrance that would always remind him of his master.

Absently, he wished Obi-Wan were here for him to cuddle with. There had been a few times since they had bonded when he'd awakened in his own quarters -shivering and whimpering from an especially harsh dream - to find Obi-Wan sliding in beside him, wrapping him in his arms. He'd seen his master briefly in the doorway, her golden eyes concerned and anxious but not as intense as before.

But Bruck was still uncomfortable with his role in coming between Obi-Wan and the master he obviously adored. Obviously loved. The bond was still so new, so sensitive that it picked up everything and nothing was hidden between them. He'd never had a friend so close, so immediately aware of his thoughts and feelings. But he was also aware of Obi-Wan's feelings for his master.

He looked at the door leading to Master Jinn's room for a long moment before he turned and quietly picked up a mug and started making his chi.

Waking up with a gasp, Obi-Wan sat up in bed. He struggled for breath, almost choking on the image of that damned, small room and the memories it brought up.

Beside him, Qui-Gon slowly pulled him into his arms and Obi-Wan tensed for a moment before he relaxed against his master.

"Bruck?" Qui-Gon asked in a gentle tone.

Obi-Wan took another deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment before he nodded.

"Take your time, padawan," his master's soothing voice flowed over him. "See it then let it go."

The younger man nodded again, slowly breathing in and out until he was calm again.

"Obi-Wan?"

"It...wasn't as bad as others he's had but...." The padawan rubbed his eyes. "This is the third one this week. I wonder that he sleeps at all."

Qui-Gon rubbed his padawan's back in a soothing gesture as he listened to the almost silent movement in the room outside his door.

"I don't think he is sleeping," he replied in a low tone. His padawan glanced up as he too caught the faint clink of a mug in the kitchen.

Obi-Wan sighed. He felt the faint, unconscious pull on the bond they shared. He could tell that Bruck was trying to block his wistfulness from the bond; that he didn't want to bother Obi-Wan while he was with Qui-Gon. But that just made him want to cuddle his bond mate all the more.

"I'm going sit with him for awhile," he said as he pulled from his master's embrace. "I know he's missing his master."

Qui-Gon, however, tightened his arms around his lover. "Why don't you let me go?" he said as he pushed his apprentice back down into the covers.

Obi-Wan looked up at him in surprise though he quickly covered his expression. Inside, way behind his shields, he was beaming. He had noticed recently that Qui-Gon very subtly went out of his way to make sure he was never alone with Bruck though the master's eyes often strayed to linger on the younger padawan just a bit longer than he ever had with any of Obi-Wan's other partners.

And Qui-Gon never showered with them anymore in the open bathing areas after sparring. Before he'd never hesitated to do so with Obi-Wan but now he habitually removed himself to the master's areas and would meet them, serene as ever, outside the training salles.

Obi-Wan had some suspicions as to why Qui-Gon was suddenly keeping to himself more than usual but he strove to keep them to himself. Especially since he wanted to keep his thoughts from the downright, way-too-shy Bruck.

"But master," he finally protested faintly, trying not to grin at his master's serious expression. It so reminded him of a similar expression he'd seen frequently on Bruck's face. The two of them were more alike than they realized, Obi-Wan thought as he wound his braid between his fingers. They both worried overmuch about things that would happen naturally if they weren't so serious.

"You need your rest," Qui-Gon insisted as he stood, "and Bruck might need a reminder that he is safe here, as protected as he would be under Master Zath's care."

Obi-Wan blinked at his teacher as his rather frivolous thoughts quickly became more serious. He slowly nodded as he considered the trembling he felt through his bond, thinking that Qui-Gon had probably been right on target with his assumption. He glanced at the closed door, considering the feelings of helplessness and despair that had pervaded the dream.

"He would welcome your company," the padawan replied quietly. Qui-Gon reached out to touch his lover's cheek for a moment and then left their bed. He pulled on some sleep pants and then a long tunic before he moved to the door.

The door to the living area quietly slid open and Qui-Gon saw only a small light in the kitchen area illuminating the slumped form at the eating table. Inwardly, he signed at the almost despairing image of the young man he was slowly coming to have deep feelings for. Bruck stared silently into the steam slowly rising from his mug, his blue eyes vague and unseeing, his expression a mixture of unhappiness and resignation.

When Qui-Gon stepped into the main room, however, the young man glanced up guiltily and met his eyes for only a moment. Then his expression cleared to a more neutral look before his eyes dropped back to the tabletop.

"Padawan?" Qui-Gon asked in a gentle tone, almost afraid of startling the fragile-seeming apprentice as he approached and sat down beside him.

Bruck just sighed and straightened slightly at his title. "I'm sorry I woke you, Master Jinn," he said quietly, his fingers curling tightly around his mug. "I was trying to be quiet."

"You were quiet," the older man replied. "Obi-Wan woke me, not you."

Another look of guilt flashed across Bruck's face and was quickly hidden before he looked away.

"From my dream?" Qui-Gon didn't reply but his blue eyes looked at Bruck with a deep compassion that was all the answer he needed. "Again, I'm sorry. I try to keep the dreams away from him."

"It's not your fault," the master stated in a firm tone.

Bruck's expression didn't change. "They're my dreams."

"But you didn't try to share them."

"The bond...."

Qui-Gon reached over and laid his hand on Bruck's wrist. "Padawan, look at me please." With an obvious reluctance, the padawan met the older man's gaze. "The bond is a gift from the Force. We may never understand why you and Obi-Wan were chosen for this gift but never doubt that you and he were meant to be bondmates."

Bruck held those wise, blue eyes for a long moment before he looked down at Qui-Gon's fingers lightly gripping his wrist. He took a long breath before he continued, finally speaking of what was truly at the root of his distress.

"But, Master Jinn, bondmates don't hurt each other," he said in a very soft, painful tone. "And these dreams of mine...they hurt him. I don't see how that could be the Will of the Force."

Qui-Gon let out a long, silent sigh as his thumb absently caressed Bruck's wrist. He considered the younger man's words and the nature of the bond between the two padawans so dear to him.

"Perhaps it is so Obi-Wan will truly know what you went through. So he will understand." The master glanced up and caught Bruck's startled gaze. "This bond you share with him is one of absolute trust. You know, without a doubt, that he is there, supporting you completely, no matter what happened to you in the past. And you know this because he has seen what happened to you, almost felt it himself, and he still he accepts you unconditionally as his bondmate."

Bruck's mouth opened and closed a few times and his eyes suddenly blurred with an unexpected sheen of tears. He quickly looked away, pulling his wrist away from Qui-Gon's touch to dash away the signs of weakness he'd had entirely too much of during the last six months.

He cleared his throat a few times and when he finally turned back it was to find Obi-Wan had joined his master at the table. Bruck had to clear his throat again before he finally spoke in a shaky voice.

"I hadn't thought of it quite like that, Master Jinn, but...." His voice broke off as his crystal eyes turned to his bondmate. "I still don't like that you suffer my dreams, Obi. It just doesn't seem fair that you should have to."

This time it was Obi-Wan who reached over and twined his fingers with Bruck's. "But they have gotten better in the past weeks, haven't they?" he asked, his tone tender. "Less...intense?" At Bruck's hesitant nod, he continued with a half-smile. "What is it the Byarians say? 'A burden shared is a burden halved'? If it allows you to heal, bondmate, I'll gladly suffer your dreams, no matter how bad they are."

Bruck held Obi-Wan's green gaze for a long time even as tears tracked silently down his face. And between one moment and the next, all the love, the affection and devotion that he had so carefully nurtured many years ago then hidden so thoroughly from himself rose up and spiraled down the bond right into Obi-Wan.

The older padawan almost rocked backwards as the wave of emotions washed over him. His fingers clenched around Bruck's hand and his eyes widened almost comically as he finally realized the true depth of his bondmate's feelings...and found that they matched his own.

Long forgotten memories rose between them of their close and abiding friendship and affection as initiates, of promises made to one another and then broken in the hope of catching the eyes of a master, their mutual but hidden anguish at the loss of each other's friendship making their rivalry all the more bitter.

"Gods, Bruck," he whispered, as he tried to assimilate what was him and what was Bruck. The white-haired padawan just held onto Obi-Wan's hand all the tighter.

"Obi-Wan, I missed you so much. Sometimes I hated being a Jedi because that is what took you away." Bruck's fingers gripped Obi-Wan's hand like a lifeline. "I love you...." The words tried to trip off his tongue until he remembered Obi-Wan's master...Obi-Wan's lover was still at the table with them. His eyes turned to catch Qui-Gon's understanding gaze. "I...do love him...." he stammered to the master Jedi, not wanting to hurt but not able to remain silent any longer. "I can't help it, Master Jinn, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I just always have but I don't want to come between you and Obi-Wan, I know he loves you and you love him, I can feel that too....

Bruck's words continued to tumble out of his lips, each one rising desperately, until Obi-Wan pulled him from his seat and wrapped him tightly in his arms.

"Shhh, Bruck," Obi-Wan soothed his bondmate, his words intent. "Bruck, I remember...remember I missed you so much I cried the first nights away from the crèche. Even if we hated each other then, you were at least there. And I love you too. Godlings, do I love you! Feel it in the bond, it goes both ways you know."

The younger padawan took a deep gulp of air as he felt the warmth and love filling the bond, making it sing between them as it had the first night they had discovered it between them.

But still there was a worry, an anguish trembling within the Light of their connection. Bruck sighed raggedly and wrapped his arms around his bondmate's waist and buried his face in Obi-Wan's neck.

"But Master Jinn," he whispered roughly. "I don't want to hurt Master Jinn."

Then there was another, stronger pair of arms wrapping around both padawans and Bruck felt himself pulled back into Qui-Gon's comforting embrace. The wave of warmth and comfort, of acceptance and affection that flowed around them soothed Bruck's chaotic emotions and he found himself surrounded by a solid circle of love.

"You won't hurt me, Bruck," Qui-Gon replied in a sure, steady tone. "Never even consider that you could. Our Obi-Wan's heart is big enough for both of us and you are so good for him."

Bruck slowly lifted his head and met the master's eyes. "But you and he...."

Qui-Gon's large fingers placed over his mouth cut off his words. "That is enough conversation for now, I think," he said in a gentle, compelling voice as he passed his fingertips over Bruck's eyes. "I think we could all use some sleep, don't you, Padawan Chun?"

Bruck didn't reply as he'd already succumbed to the suggestion Master Jinn had lightly placed and slumped bonelessly against Qui-Gon's chest. It was the work of a moment to lift the padawan up and carry him towards the room he shared with Obi-Wan.

"Qui-Gon!" Padawan Kenobi followed with wide eyes. "You whammied him. I can't believe you whammied my bondmate!"

Qui-Gon gave his student an affectionate glance as he placed the sleeping Bruck in the center of their bed. "He needed to sleep and it won't hurt him." He gently touched Bruck's cheek before he glanced up at his open-mouthed apprentice. "We've all had something of an emotional week. I think for tomorrow some rest and meditation will be in order instead of classes."

With quick motions he pulled off his tunic and then settled down beside the new addition to their bed. Then he looked up at his still gaping padawan.

"Coming to bed, Obi-Wan?"

Obi-Wan closed his mouth and quickly shucked his robe. With a thoughtful glance at Bruck, he pulled on some sleeping pants of his own and then slid under the covers. As soon as he was within range, Bruck murmured softly and pulled him close before he cuddled back against Qui-Gon. The master gave his apprentice an amused look before he, too, closed his eyes.

Obi-Wan glared at his unrepentant lover for a long minute before Bruck sighed against the side of his throat, distracting him and reminding him that he, too, was tired.

With a weary smile, he carefully turned on his side to face his bondmate and allowed himself to relax and follow his bedmates into sleep.

The bond was warm with Obi-Wan's presence long before Bruck even thought to worry about waking up with a strong arm wrapped around his waist from behind. His lips curved in a slight smile as he realized that his bondmate was curled up behind him, legs tangled with his, breath ghosting against Bruck's neck, and Bruck wasn't even the slightest bit panicked.

In front of him, the left side of the bed was empty but the sheets were still slightly warm from Master Jinn's body heat. Bruck blinked a few times before he realized he'd passed the most blessed, dream-free evening he'd had in weeks curled up between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn. How many Jedi in the Temple had had wet dreams about that particular scenario?

He certainly wasn't going to admit anything.

With a sigh, he snuggled back into Obi-Wan, whose fingers were making slow circles on the bare skin of Bruck's stomach. His own fingers trailed along Obi-Wan's arm as he slowly turned his head to greet his bondmate,

"That's some morning breath, you got there, Kenobi," he said with a half smirk. Obi-Wan pinched his belly. "Ouch!"

"You're such a romantic, Chun," the older padawan said as his fingertips soothed the skin he'd just pinched, slowly moving over the hurt and then sweeping out into wider circles. "How're you feeling this morning?"

Bruck considered his words as he relaxed into his bondmate's touches. "I feel...surprisingly well," he said softly, trying not to focus on Obi-Wan's roaming fingertips. "I am truly sorry about the dreams, Obi-Wan," he continued softly and then yelped when his bondmate pinched him again.

"I think we discussed that enough last evening," Obi-Wan stated firmly though the younger padawan could feel Obi-Wan's smile against his neck. His words were followed by a lingering kiss on the skin behind Bruck's ear and fingers that roamed low enough to cause Bruck to tense ever so slightly. Obi-Wan immediately moved his hand back up.

"Is this all right?" he asked softly.

Again, Bruck considered his feelings; happiness, contentment and most of all, a sense of safety he rarely felt outside his own master's presence.

"Obi-Wan," he finally responded as he made himself relax against the sleep-warmed form behind him. He took a deep breath and then turned in his bondmate's embrace to face him. He reached out and touched Obi-Wan's cheek with a wistful smile. "I've...dreamed about your touch, even before...."

His voice trailed off for a moment and he closed his eyes. Obi-Wan's presence was immediately there in the bond between them, comforting and affectionate, and Bruck looked at his companion again, a real smile on his lips that quickly faded.

"But, it's been a long time for me and I haven't...I mean, I haven't really had the urge to...." Bruck flushed, his skin reddening as his words again trickled off and he glanced away. "I've thought about it. Stars know I've dreamed about it." The younger padawan's crystal gaze came back to Obi-Wan's, hoping for understanding. "I just don't know if I'm ready yet."

Obi-Wan's hand came up to caress Bruck's cheek and tipped his face up to place a soft, sweet kiss on his bondmate's mouth.

"I understand," he whispered as he leaned his forehead against Bruck's. "We will go at whatever pace is comfortable, Bruck." Obi-Wan trailed his fingertips across Bruck's lips again. "We have plenty of time." He leaned forward and brushed his lips across Bruck's. "We have the rest of our lives," he said with a smile as he turned onto his back and pulled his lover close to his side. "C'mere."

Bruck lay his head on Obi-Wan's shoulder and sighed. Would these emotional explosions ever go away? Then another thought struck him and he groaned. Obi-Wan glanced at him sideways.

"What?"

"I suppose I'll have to go see the soul healers today," he said in a low voice. "About last night. They always want to know when I...implode like that."

"Tomorrow," Obi-Wan replied firmly, as his arm tightened around his bondmate's waist. "Tomorrow will be soon enough to go see them. Today is for us." He gave Bruck an inquiring glance. "Unless you really need to?"

Bruck curled around Obi-Wan's body with a contented sigh. "No, tomorrow will be soon enough."

"Good." The older padawan squeezed his lover gently. "Master has given us the day off from classes and sparring," he continued. "And I could use a breather from 'really-is-a-Sith' Master Philanjes and his Philosophies of Early Republic Cultures."

Bruck smiled. "But I love that class," he said softly. "I even like Master Philanjes."

"You like him?" Obi-Wan looked at him with a horrified expression. "But...but he's evil! And cranky! And he flunks everyone! No one has ever passed his class above a Barely Meets Requirements!"

"He is an excellent scholar!" Bruck defended. "He's just not a very good classroom teacher. One on one, he's wonderful. And as for flunking everyone, that's just hearsay," he scoffed and looked away from his bondmate's suddenly narrowed eyes. "Someone would have to pass or the Academic Committee would question his methods."

Obi-Wan glared at his bondmate for a long moment. "And what grade did you make on his last essay, Padawan Chun?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I don't see what that has to do with anything," Bruck noted in a lofty tone. He fidgeted for a moment, trying not to feel Obi-Wan's narrow gaze. After a long, silent two minutes, Bruck caved.

"I passed."

There was another long silence.

Obi-Wan raised his other brow.

"Withanexceedsrequirements," Bruck mumbled quickly.

His bondmate sputtered. "You got an exceeds in that class?" Obi-Wan poked his bonded in the stomach and gave him a teasing grin. "Are you a suck-up or what?"

"I am not a suck-up!" Bruck stated hotly. "I never have been and never will be a suck-up!"

"Then explain your 'exceeds' in the toughest class in the Temple," Obi-Wan demanded lightly as he reached up to tug on Bruck's short braid.

"Maybe I'm just exceedingly smart, Oafy-Wan," Bruck said smugly, poking Obi-Wan back.

"Uh huh, pull the other one, Chun."

Bruck then dropped his eyes away from his bondmate's teasing expression. "Maybe it was just easier to stay awake and read about Old Republic Cultures than it was to sleep and dream," he said quietly. Obi-Wan stilled for a long moment before he reached out and twined his fingers with Bruck's. He wasn't quite sure what to say.

"Is it still easier?" he asked in a soft tone.

"Sometimes," came the reluctant reply.

"Maybe next time it happens you could call me?" Obi-Wan said with only a hint of a question in his statement. Bruck glanced up, his eyes worried. Then his expression shifted to include a weary amusement.

"You want me to wake you up so you can study with me, Kenobi?"

"It couldn't hurt my grades, Chun," Obi-Wan replied as he reached out to gently push some strands of hair out of his bondmate's eyes. "And even if I don't study, at least you'll have some company."

"Humm," Bruck murmured as he closed his eyes for a long moment. When he opened them again, he gave Obi-Wan a winsome smile. "Do you think Master Jinn would mind if we met with Reeft this afternoon? I know he said we don't have to attend classes, for which I'm thankful, but Reeft is going off world tomorrow and we haven't had a chance to work on katas lately."

Obi-Wan blinked at the complete change of subject before he narrowed his eyes and glared. Bruck just widened his own crystal gaze a bit more and said, "Please, Obi-Wan?"

The older padawan choked at Bruck's obvious attempt at manipulation. Worse, Obi-Wan was concerned about his unexpected need to allow it. He ground his teeth for a moment and then let his lip slide out just a bit and pouted adorably. See how Chun liked that!

Bruck just blinked once and gave a single, delicate sniff before he glanced down forlornly and bit his lower lip.

"Damn, Chun, stop!" Obi-Wan suddenly broke. "Okay, already! We'll go meet Reeft this afternoon."

Bruck glanced up at him with a mischievous expression that Obi-Wan didn't think he'd ever seen. Outside of the crèche, that is. Now that he thought about it, Bruck Chun had been something of a terror when it came to mischievous pranks when they had been young.

Obi-Wan grinned at the memory and then reached out to tip Bruck's chin up.

"But don't think I'm forgetting about this studying at all hours thing, Padawan Chun."

The dark-haired padawan just blinked at him again. Bruck was quickly learning that if you couldn't get through to Obi-Wan - or his master - then the easiest way was just to go around them.

Two figures moved gracefully together in the late afternoon light of the Padawan's Meditation Garden. Both had their eyes closed, deep in a meditative state, but even so, both moved in the precise forms that were called for by the kata they practiced, The Solar Wind. The pair complimented each other perfectly. Some movements they paced in unison, their flowing bodies completely in sync with each other. Then they would step apart and face each other, moving in and around each other, touching fingertips or palms at certain points, their movements together forming a beautiful pattern physically as well as within the Force.

Obi-Wan had agreed to come with Bruck though the kata he and Reeft practiced was beyond the level he, himself, had yet reached. He was just glad to spend time in his bondmate's company and had brought a comp pad with him to study while Bruck practiced. But Obi-Wan had quickly found he couldn't keep his eyes from Bruck's graceful movements.

Reeft was strong and graceful as any padawan should be and was obviously very adept at the kata he was teaching Bruck. But as far as Obi-Wan was concerned, Bruck might as well have been flowing through the kata on his own.

He sat against the wide, old trunk of a Sennath Tree, completely entranced by his bondmate's almost sensual movements, by the feelings of joy and delight and serenity that flowed down the bond and filled Obi-Wan with a sense of completion he'd previously only felt with Qui-Gon.

As the pair of Jedi moved through the forms of one of the oldest katas still taught by the Order, Obi-Wan lost all sense of time. The bond between him and Bruck almost allowed him to feel as if he were beside them, going through each form himself, and yet still he was able to watch their grace and power from his vantage point in the shade of the garden.

It was some time before Obi-Wan even became aware that his master was sitting beside him, also watching Reeft and Bruck as they entered the final set of movements of their kata. Even then, the only reason he knew was because Bruck became suddenly aware of Master Jinn's presence and tensed ever so slightly. It was enough of a shift in their movement to garner Reeft's attention and to jar Obi-Wan out of the meditative trance he'd been in as well.

Reeft opened his eyes to meet Bruck's gaze and after a moment of silent communion, the pair closed their eyes and continued the kata. Obi-Wan merely sighed and stretched before he moved closer to his master and laid his head on Qui-Gon's shoulder.

Qui-Gon reached up to touch his cheek while a rather wistful expression crossed his face before he turned to watch the pair of padawans in the sunlight.

"It won't be long before they master that kata," he noted quietly. Obi-Wan just nodded.

"Reeft told us that he wants to show Bruck The Flares of Risa next."

Qui-Gon looked a bit surprised. "That's quite an advanced kata," he noted as his gaze went back to Reeft. "It also requires three participants."

Obi-Wan chuckled softly. "Yes. He said he'd teach me along with Bruck if I gave him my desserts for the next month he was on planet."

"And you said?"

"He could have them all except the creamberries and honey," Obi-Wan responded.

Qui-Gon smiled. "Of course."

"So why are you here, Master? I thought you had quite a full schedule today?" Obi-Wan asked after a few minutes of companionable silence.

"Bruck's master is coming back to the Temple and is expected shortly," Qui-Gon responded though his eyes didn't waver from the pair just finishing up their kata. "I bowed out of the rest of my meetings today to go with you and Bruck to greet her." The big man sighed as he wrapped an arm around his padawan's shoulders. "I think Mace is up to something and I'd rather not have Bruck facing Master Windu's manipulations alone."

Obi-Wan glanced up at his teacher. "Should we be worried?" he asked.

Qui-Gon shook his head. "I don't think so. Mace just said a few things this afternoon in conjunction with Master Zath's return, in a certain tone he gets when he thinks I'm about to 'get what's coming to me'."

The younger Jedi snorted and went back to his bondmate watching. "I personally think Master Windu needs to get what's coming to him."

"You wouldn't be the only one, my padawan," Qui-Gon said, his lips curving slightly.

Bruck loved following The Solar Wind. To him, sinking into the comforting embrace of the Force was like sliding into a pool of warm, scented water. But there was no resistance to his movements like there would be in a pool; rather it was like the currents guided his movement and his thoughts.

That was another thing he loved about this particular kata. When he stepped through its paces with Reeft, Bruck's mind inevitably wandered back to a time in the crèche when there was no competition between the initiates. He remembered a time of joy, of wide-eyed innocence, times of learning something new and sharing it with his friends. His friends.

Since he'd discovered his bond with Obi-Wan, Bruck had finally understood through his meditations why he had all but pushed his friends away. All he and his yearmates had been told was that they all had to attract a master; that they all had to compete with each other in order to move forward in the Order or they'd be left behind and sent away. It was the first time Bruck had really known and understood that he and Obi-Wan would be separated.

At that point, quite irrationally, Bruck realized now the ten-year-old boy had decided if he couldn't have Obi-Wan beside him, he didn't want anyone and then proceeded to push them all away. And the Masters in the crèche let him. They never took him aside to ask why he was turning into an arrogant prat. It was almost as if they expected the reaction.

Bruck had mentioned this feeling to his soul healer and Sath'ki had merely nodded.

"You are not the first to mention that, Bruck," he'd said in his soothing tenor voice. "But because of your bond with Kenobi, I think something will finally be done about it."

That made Padawan Chun a little happier about the whole thing. And the fact that he was slowly but surely rebuilding his relationships with his yearmates was something he cherished even more for having lost them for a while.

Over the months of his recovery, he had found that Reeft was becoming quite close and outside of Obi-Wan, was now his best friend. They had found they had much in common and shared a somewhat bent sense of humor as well as a love of the flowing and intricate movements of the Temple Katas. When Reeft offered to show him The Solar Wind, Bruck had given an ecstatic yes.

Slightly older than Bruck, Reeft T'fel had been chosen by one of the premier Kata Masters of the Order. He'd loved learning the intricate steps and movements required by even the simplest of katas. His master had told him many times during his apprenticeship that he expected his padawan would be just as skilled as he, himself, was in mastering even the most complicated katas of the Jedi.

Even so, it had taken him a long time to get to the point where his master started training him to do the Solar Wind. He never remembered quite why the thought struck him that it might help Bruck begin to focus again on the joy of movement and the strength of the Force but he never regretted offering to teach it.

He had been very surprised at how quickly Bruck had taken to the advanced series of movements that had taken him months to learn under the patient guidance of his master. Bruck, however, seemed to slide into the kata like a mer to the sea. When they moved through the kata together, sometimes Reeft almost felt he was following Bruck rather than the other way around. Sometimes, he felt they were even breathing with their hearts beating at the same rate. They were both completely attuned to each other and the Force in a way Reeft hadn't really understood before. He thought it would be very soon that he and Bruck would be pacing The Solar Wind for their Masters to be credited with its mastery.

So that afternoon, when he and Bruck were flowing through the kata in the late sunshine, he felt his partner tense and hesitate almost as if it were his own physical reactions. And without a doubt, Reeft knew the reason for Bruck's sudden tension was the arrival of Master Qui-Gon Jinn in the Padawan's Garden.

He looked over to his partner, who seemed to be waiting for his gaze. Bruck's eyes were clear and focused and Reeft continued the steps and sank back into the kata. That didn't mean he wasn't going to question.

"Are you all right, Bruck?" he asked, his tone low and smooth and inaudible to any but his partner. Between them, the Force guided them through the steps and Reeft felt his partner's worry.

"No," Bruck said, his own voice matching Reeft's tone with a truth he couldn't hide so deep into the kata. "But eventually I will be."

The pair moved a few paces forward and then turned to each other. "Is Master Jinn causing you problems with Obi-Wan?" Reeft asked softly on his next breath.

"Not at all," Bruck replied with absolute truth. His partner waited for several steps before he spoke again.

"I know you have many whom you could speak with," he said as they wound around each other, their palms and fingertips intersecting. "But please know I am willing to listen should you need an unbiased ear."

Bruck's lips curved upward and though neither padawan could see the expression, Reeft felt that pleased expression roll through him.

"Thanks, Reeft," Bruck replied as they continued to move. Reeft felt the Force wind around them and quite unexpectedly, Bruck continued speaking though his voice dropped even lower.

"Master Jinn has been the soul of understanding and I can say nothing but praise about the way he's handled the situation. But sometimes, when he comes on me unexpectedly...."

Reeft blinked for a moment and felt Bruck pull away slightly as the younger padawan tried to focus on his breathing and his steps for a few moments. Reeft waited patiently as Bruck composed himself.

"It's just that he is so big," Bruck finished almost too quietly for even Reeft to hear through the Force. "Sometimes, I just...remember."

Reeft didn't reply as they continued into the final steps of the kata. He carefully considered what he might say to his friend - lately almost his best friend. As they turned to face each other a final time, he knew what he wanted to say but he hesitated, wondering how Bruck might respond.

"Don't hesitate to speak, Reeft," Bruck said as their arms wound about each other and then released. "I know you only wish to help."

He smiled faintly then and spoke, hoping Bruck wouldn't be upset. "Sometimes in our practice, it almost seemed as if you might...have feelings for Master Jinn."

Bruck almost stumbled as his eyes flew open to meet Reeft's final bow with his own. The other padawan gave him a rather hesitant smile.

"It's just that, if you do, and you and Obi pursue him, or even if you don't, perhaps he could tap into your bond so that you know it is him," Reeft finished quickly as Obi-Wan and the object of their discussion approached. Bruck just stared at his companion for a long moment before he nodded.

"Thanks, Reeft. I'll think about it."

The older padawan just nodded and then gave the approaching master a bow.

"Think about what?" Obi-Wan asked as he stepped forward to twine his fingers through Bruck's."

"Whether we'll ask our Masters to Confirm Bruck and me as completing The Solar Wind when I return from my mission," Reeft said smoothly with a grin in Bruck's direction. "I think we may be ready."

"I agree, Padawan T'fel," Qui-Gon noted. "You both did remarkably well this afternoon. Your masters will be proud."

"Thank you, Master Jinn," Reeft replied with a pleased expression. Obi-Wan's master was not one to hand out compliments.

"Now, if you don't mind, I must commandeer Padawan Chun," Qui-Gon continued with a glance at Bruck. "His master will be arriving shortly and I thought he might want to be there to welcome her home."

Bruck's face went from neutral serenity to blazing happiness within half a second. Then his expression shifted to worry.

"But Master wasn't due back until next week," he noted as he moved over to their bags and robes which had been piled next to Obi-Wan. His link with his master had been quiet since she had left on her mission but he reached for it now, surprised he hadn't realized she was so close. He found the link increasing in strength but his teacher was oddly quiet, sending only the feelings of greetings and affection and nothing more. He got the impression, however, that beneath the surface of her initial contact, there was something else, something almost...seething?

Bruck blinked and then turned to Reeft with a bow.

"Until you return then?" he asked and the other padawan nodded.

"I'll call you when I get back," he replied with a nod and a grin.

Bruck briefly returned his grin before he turned to fall into step with Obi-Wan just behind the Jedi master. They had only been walking a few minutes when he turned to his bondmate.

"I think something's wrong, Obi-Wan," he murmured as they followed Qui-Gon. The other padawan gave him a curious look.

"If Master was worried he would have said something to prepare us," Obi-Wan noted calmly. He wondered if he should mention his master's words about Councilor Windu.

"If he knew," Bruck replied before he pulled his hood up. His bondmate didn't reply but both looked warily at the master they followed through the hallways of the Temple.

It took about fifteen minutes for the three Jedi to reach Docking Bay Four and as the double doors opened to allow them to move out into the bay, Bruck was surprised to see several Council members also waiting. He gave Obi-Wan a speaking glance as Qui-Gon moved to stand beside Master Windu.

Obi-Wan sent a burst of reassurance down their bond and the feeling that he thought Qui-Gon was also surprised to see the Councilors. Obi-Wan had supposed that Master Windu had informed them simply to have Bruck there when his master arrived.

Bruck, however, glanced over the six Council members with a suspicious gaze. If he didn't know better, he would think the group of Jedi seemed to be almost...amused by something. But then, Councilors were never amused by anything so what he felt in the Force could not possibly be correct.

With a confused expression, he turned to his bondmate and sent his impressions of what he was feeling from the senior Jedi and Obi-Wan's eyebrows rose as he too tested the eddies of the Force around them. Then he turned his gaze to Bruck with a wary expression.

I have a bad feeling about this, he sent to Bruck before they both turned to see a large, sleek ship come to a halt over the landing pad and slowly descend. Bruck watched it for a long moment.

"That's not the ship that Master left in," he said as he stared at the sleek, silver and black ship that was touching down.

"You are correct, Padawan Chun," Master Windu noted from his place beside Qui-Gon. "The ship that Master Zath left in has already returned to the Temple. That is a Royal Garnisian Yacht."

Bruck blinked at the bland expression on Master Windu's dark face and then decided his worries were completely legitimate. There was something wrong.

"Do not worry, padawan," Mace said as he gave the youth a half smile. "We are only here to welcome your master back. She is perfectly fine."

The white-haired padawan felt his own eyebrows rise in an expression he had picked up from his bondmate. "But you've never welcomed us back before," he pointed out before he could bite the comment back.

"These are unusual circumstances, Padawan Chun," Councilor Billaba said as she glanced at him with a reassuring smile. What Bruck felt from her, however, was more accurately described as a snicker.

"But..." Bruck turned to Obi-Wan with a bewildered gaze even as a ramp slid down from the side of the ship and a large door opened. "Except for the last one, there have never been unusual circumstances on our missions. Never." He turned to stare at the opening at the top of the ramp. "We always have perfectly normal missions. Nothing like you and Master Jinn."

Obi-Wan blinked at his bondmate's words and tried to decide if he should be offended. Before he could make a decision, however, several tall Garnisians walked down the ramp, loaded down with what looked ominously like luggage. At one of the Councilor's nod, a young padawan darted forward and bowed to the leader before gesturing for him to follow her.

Bruck had counted six beings loaded down with cases and carry-alls and oddly shaped bags before they disappeared into the Temple. Then his curious gaze turned back to the ship where his master had finally appeared at the top of the ramp.

With a brilliant smile and a burst of welcome and love sent through his training bond, Bruck moved forward, leaving Obi-Wan behind him with his mouth hanging open. He briefly wondered what brought that gobsmacked expression to his bondmate's face before he was enveloping his master in a tight hug, which she returned wholeheartedly.

"Padawan," she sighed as she looked up at him with a bright smile.

"I missed you, Master," Bruck said verbally and mentally, sending Kenzi his happiness that she had returned to the Temple. He received the same back through their bond as Kenzi reached out to touch his cheek.

"And I you, my padawan."

The pair stared at each other for a long moment until they were interrupted by a discreet cough from Obi-Wan's direction.

So who's the walking wet dream behind your master? Obi-Wan sent with an intensely curious tone and Bruck suddenly blinked and focused on something besides Kenzi.

Namely, the tall, blond-haired, green-eyed sex god standing behind his master. Perhaps in his late twenties, the man was dressed in black leathers with green piping along the arms, he stood almost as tall as Master Jinn and was obviously armed to the teeth.

The man met his surprised gaze with a confident smile and a regal nod. Bruck just stepped back a bit from his master and gave her an inquiring look.

Obi-Wan wants to know who the sex god is, Master, he sent with a bland expression though Kenzi could clearly hear the smirking tone.

Kenzi's gray eyes narrowed for a moment with an almost seething expression and Bruck wondered if he were going to end up polishing kitchen pots again. But his master just sighed and made a growling noise deep in her throat. Bruck's brows rose again and he stepped back from that sign of ultimate frustration from his master.

After another moment, however, she cleared her throat and gestured the man forward. "Bruck, this is Esriel Ji'Karin of the House of Kariend." She said in a long-suffering tone. She then turned to Esriel and said, "This is my padawan, Bruck Chun. He is my student and charge."

Esriel placed his hand over his heart and bowed briefly, his blond braid swinging over his shoulder. "I am honored, Padawan Chun," he said in an accented tenor voice that sounded soothing and sexy at the same time. "As my Lady's charge, I shall endeavor to protect and defend you, comfort and care for you as I do her."

He straightened and smiled genially at the wide-eyed expression on Bruck's face. Completely confused, Bruck turned to his master for further explanation. Kenzi just sighed and rubbed her forehead.

"Esriel," she began in a voice that was coming out from between clenched teeth.

"You have nothing to worry about, young one," the man continued to address Bruck when he noted the apprehensive expression on his face. "I am now responsible for her safety, well-being and happiness," the blond said with a fond glance down at the obviously steaming Kenzi. "I am her Given Consort, blessed and recognized by High Prince Yitherian himself."

Now Bruck's mouth was hanging open. "Consort?" he squeaked.

"Indeed," the sex god continued. "As a member of Yitherian's family, Lady Kenzi is considered a princess of the line and as such, was deemed worthy of a Consort." The man beamed. "And I was given the extreme honor of taking that title."

Kenzi was growling again as Bruck turned to her but her gray glare was now plastered firmly on one Master Jinn standing serenely beside Councilor Windu. A moment more and she was stalking across the landing pad to place herself right before the tall Jedi.

"Thisssss is your fault, Master Jinn," she stated, poking him hard in the chest.

Master Jinn's eyebrows rose slightly and his expression became inquiring. "My fault?"

"Yes!" Kenzi snapped. "Things like this never happened to me before I was exposed to you!" Poke. "My missions were completely normal. Villains were caught. Treaties signed. Negotiations were flawless and always completed properly with nothing being blown up!" Poke. "Bruck and I had perfectly normal missions before you!" Poke. "Now, thanks to your... JINNITUS...I'll probably never have a normal mission again!" POKE.

Bruck stared at his ranting master, wondering if he'd ever seen her so angry. Looking back, he didn't think so. But here she was, pacing back and forth in front of Master Jinn, accusing him of...Bruck wasn't quite sure what.

"And now...NOW, not only did a normal, routine negotiation go down the black hole with a terrorist attack on the Garnisian Parliament which I had to fend off, but the royal family had to be saved, prompting the High Prince to ADOPT me. And because Garnisian Princesses cannot possibly be without their Guardian Consort, he MARRIED me to one!"

She stopped right in front of Qui-Gon and glared as the Council and the padawans looked on waiting to see what would happen.

Master Jinn glanced over the Consort in question and then back to the seething master standing before him.

"He seems a very handsome and capable young man," he noted calmly.

Kenzi just blinked for a moment and then glanced over her shoulder at her beaming Consort.

"He is rather," she replied in the same calm tone. She smiled faintly before she scowled up at him again.

"But the issue still remains that this is completely" ::Poke:: "your" ::Poke:: "FAULT!" Poke Poke. "And I will thank you not to infect my padawan with your...JINNITUS COOTIES so that things like this won't happen on HIS missions!"

And with one final poke, Master Kenzi Zath stomped out of the landing bay, followed by an indulgent looking Guardian Consort Esriel and his remaining servants.

Bruck just watched her go with an open mouth and a stunned expression. After a few silent moments, he closed his mouth and looked at Obi-Wan, whose expression showed outrage at Master's Zath's accusations. Master Jinn just looked a bit bemused and beside him, Master Windu looked like he was trying valiantly not to laugh.

"Ummm, I think I ought to...see to my master now," he stated in as calm a tone as he could manage before he fled after his master.

Master Qui-Gon Jinn just watched the young man go before he felt a strong hand grip his shoulder. He turned to find Mace still struggling to keep the smirk off his dark face.

"Keep up the good work, Qui-Gon," Mace stated in an amused tone. "That Garnis situation was a mess and Master Zath handled it admirably."

Qui-Gon's brow rose even higher. "And what does that have to do with me?" he asked. Mace just laughed.

"Right, Jinn," he answered with a final shoulder pat before he and the other Councilors turned to leave the landing bay.

Qui-Gon watched them go, still not understanding how he would have had any influence on Kenzi Zath's successful completion of a rather dangerous mission. He turned to Obi-Wan, who looked curious.

"Master, what exactly are cooties?"

Later that afternoon, Bruck sat on the couch in his master's suite of rooms and tried not to stare at the new addition to their household. His master had been called to report on her mission in front of the Council - a very unusual thing for the Zath/Chun team to have to do - so she'd left him to entertain their newest member.

As it turned out, there wasn't much he had to do as Esriel Ji'Karin of the House of Kariend seemed to make himself right at home despite the fact that his expression showed he considered their quarters to be less than satisfactory. One of the servants who had arrived with him was busy cooking something in the kitchen area that smelled far and away better than anything his master had ever cooked in there, while another was presenting Esriel and then Bruck with a sweet smelling beverage.

Bruck glanced from the drink to the servant and then to Esriel, who merely smiled and nodded at him to take the offered drink. With an odd feeling of unreality, the padawan did so and thanked the servant, who just nodded, bowed at the Consort and then quietly disappeared back into the kitchen.

"My Lady has spoken much of you, Bruck Chun, and all her words were of praise and tribute," Esriel said after a moment was taken to savor their beverages. "It will be my honor to take you under my care and protection."

Bruck had been on plenty of diplomatic missions with his master but had never considered he would have to utilize such experience in his own quarters. The man before him used such formality of phrasing that he couldn't help responding in kind.

"Thank you, Lord Ji'Karin," the padawan said in a neutral tone.

The Consort held up his hand with a smile. "Please, call me Esriel. You are my Lady's charge, almost like a son to her by her own words. It would please me if we used our first names with one another."

"Thank you, again, Esriel," Bruck replied and couldn't help smiling at the man's words before he continued. "You realize, however, that as Jedi, we are trained to defend and care for ourselves and as a whole, don't usually require such assistance."

"Ah yes," Esriel replied with a weary smile. "Kenzi spent some time on our voyage to Coruscant explaining just that."

The younger man chuckled softly. "I imagine she did."

"However, it does not change my responsibilities to my Lady - and her charges - one wit," the Consort continued in a serious tone. "I have been raised from birth to assume a position as Guardian Consort and being Consort to Lady Zath was a hotly contested rank. I defeated all challengers, however, and won the position from my Prince." Esriel smiled and Bruck could see that this man was a warrior and not to be taken lightly.

"Was it contested just because she was a Jedi?" Bruck asked, studying the man across from him with a thoughtful expression. "Not that I don't think my master would be worth any honor bestowed on her but you had to know you wouldn't be seeing your homeworld again for a long time."

"Lady Zath had quite the reputation on Garnis, Bruck," Esriel replied. "She has been responsible for many of the diplomatic achievements on our world for the last decade and more. This you should know since you have been with her for more than half of them."

"Yes, but...you didn't even know my master," Bruck replied carefully. "How did you know you would like her? And what about her choice in this matter? What if she doesn't like you?"

Esriel looked at the earnest young man before him and decided Bruck didn't know what a deep insult he'd just paid to a royal Consort. He'd been warned that off-worlders didn't think like Garnisians and that he should not call Blood Insult for just any offhand remark.

But he wasn't quite certain how to answer the one who his Princess called padawan. There just never had been a case where a Prince or Princess didn't like - most times loved - their Guardian Consort.

During his silence, Bruck had sighed and glanced away from those dark, blue eyes and rubbed his forehead. He met the Consort's gaze again with a worried expression.

"I just want to know that she's happy with this arrangement, Esriel. I don't know you and I mean no insult but I do know her and I can't believe she entered into a marriage willingly. She's devoted her life to the Jedi and this will mean a complete change in her life."

"You mean a complete change in her life with you," Esriel noted and Bruck pressed his lips together to keep angry words from flowing out. After a moment, he let out a long, silent breath.

"Meaning no disrespect, Guardian Consort, but you don't know of what you speak," he replied in a firm, expressionless tone. "My master has walked through hell to save my life and my soul. I would do the same for her without a second thought. I have no doubt as to my place in her life. I only question yours."

Esriel was on his feet in an instant, glaring down at the boy who had insulted him a second time within a few minutes. His hand was fisted on the sword hilt he wore at his side. "You dare question my right to be by my Lady's side?" he snarled as he stepped forward. "Such an accusation would be grounds for a Death Challenge on Garnis!"

Bruck looked up at the angry male for a moment before he too stood, his expression serene, his hands held loosely by his side.

"Esriel, I truly meant no insult. I only want my master to be happy," he said in a calm tone. "Can you explain to me why she would be happy to be married to a complete stranger?"

The Consort glared at the younger man for a long moment before he snorted.

"You are definitely your master's student in diplomacy, Bruck Chun," he stated flatly, his green eyes hard. "Did she teach you to fight as well?"

"My master has taught me most of what I know," he replied in a neutral tone. "And I know how to fight. But my master has also taught me how to choose my battles and I don't wish to fight with you when words of reassurance are all I require."

Esriel blinked and then suddenly grinned. "Definitely Lady Zath's student," he stated as he seated himself in a gracefully boneless slouch. He glanced up with a raised brow and Bruck took the hint to seat himself again though he was far from relaxed.

If the Consort noticed his tension, he ignored it as his expression grew serious again and he leaned forward, looking Bruck in the eyes.

"You wish to know if I will make your master happy. I don't know how to answer your question except to explain my position in her life."

Bruck just nodded and the Consort's expression became thoughtful.

"You say your master was married to a stranger but that is not entirely true. I first saw Lady Zath when I was a raw lad of seventeen and had just been sent to the Capitol for my formal training." Esriel's gaze went vague as he remembered. "She was a beauty, but I had seen far more beautiful women. I think it was the expression on her face of serenity and joy that caught my gaze." The Consort glanced back at Bruck. "She had just finished a difficult negotiation and both sides were happy with the outcome. You must have seen her expression like this before. The light in her was just so bright."

Bruck looked at the man and slowly nodded. He had seen that sort of happ iness in his master. He just hadn't thought anyone outside the Temple would see and understand its meaning.

"At that moment, I knew she would be the one I was bound to." Esriel leaned back and took a sip of his drink before he gave the padawan an almost sheepish smile. "My companions thought I was suncrazed. She wasn't even of our world and yet I knew absolutely that she would be the one my prince gave to me to Guard."

"I spent a long time studying the Jedi. I knew she was a diplomat/warrior and thus I chose the scholar/warrior's path, the closest I could come to her profession. I excelled because I knew Lady Zath deserved only the best as her Consort. Over the years she has returned time and again and I studied her habits and your own."

"Mine?" Bruck asked surprised.

Esriel nodded. "You called her master and obviously were not her slave. She treated you with affection and spoke with you concerning the negotiations. Once I had researched the term 'padawan', I understood you were her student and as such, would also be my responsibility once we were bonded."

"After the last five visits, I was surprised to see you had not accompanied her on this negotiation and I was not the only one to notice." Esriel gave the younger man a warm smile. "Our High Prince had been watching you come of age with a fond gaze and, after your last visit, had not been subtle about his interest in you."

Bruck choked on the drink he had just taken and struggled to set the glass back on the table without spilling the contents. "What?" he croaked.

Esriel just grinned again. "I see you are overcome with the honor of his regard. Indeed, Yitherian was quite looking forward to your next visit, as you would then have been of legal age on Garnis. His Highness was not well pleased to note your absence when Lady Zath first arrived though it did not take him long to find out you had been wounded in a prior mission. He was most concerned."

Bruck cleared his throat and nodded. "I remember his Highness as being most handsome and quite persuasive in finding out what he wanted to know."

Esriel nodded. "But Lady Zath could not be persuaded to reveal what happened during the mission, only that you had been greatly hurt and were still recovering." The Guardian Consort looked at him with a concerned gaze. "It must have been a very bad injury as one of my servants has heard you have been in residence in the Temple for the last seven months."

Bruck looked away from Esriel's unexpectedly concerned eyes, absently rubbing his chest and the phantom ache from his scars. His servants must be very subtle to have already found out that bit of information.

"It was...very bad," he said, faintly.

Up until those words, the young one had displayed the serenity typical of Lady Zath, whose composure was held up as an example for all Royal Consorts. Obviously, the memory of the mission pained him greatly and Esriel did not hesitate to stand and seat himself beside the paler than normal padawan. He reached forward and gently gripped the boy's shoulder. Bruck tensed and looked up at him with a surprised gaze and Esriel could tell he fought not to shake off his touch.

"Lady Zath is the soul of discretion but some things she has mentioned in passing indicated that you still have night terrors of that time."

Bruck flushed embarrassed that someone completely unknown would know of his ongoing weakness.

Esriel leaned back and then sternly caught his gaze. "I am not a physician nor a healer of minds, Bruck, but you are not the only one to suffer such things. My world is not without violence and I have seen friends go through this trial and come out the stronger." The Consort glanced away for a long moment as if seeing something else completely before he looked back at the young Jedi. "Your mind will sort out the memories and eventually the terrors will not hold you in their grip so tightly. As strong as you are through your master's eyes, I have no doubt you will overcome those memories and they will take their place in the past along with everything else."

The padawan looked at his companion, his eyes wide and his expression completely open. After a long moment, his eyes dropped to his tightly gripped hands. "The dreams are not as bad as they used to be," he admitted quietly. "But I still have them."

"Don't hesitate to call on me for company during those times if you need someone near," Esriel stated firmly. "I know your master will be aware of your distress but if you would have me, I would be there for your comfort too."

Bruck looked up at him, his expression baffled. "Why? You hardly know me. You hardly know my master, despite seeing her when she was on Garnis. Why do you care?"

Esriel sighed again, struggling to explain something his people understood instinctively. "A Royal Guardian is raised to...cherish their ward. Cherish and honor, protect and nurture. It is a long and time-honored tradition and those who are matched together are never chosen lightly. Those who make the matches between Guardian and Ward have an insight that would even awe the Jedi.

"When the time came that the High Prince announced that Master Kenzi Zath was his sister in all but blood and would be given a Royal Consort, the Matchmaker didn't even call for a Challenge though other, less prepared Consorts wanted to make a claim. I made short work of them," the Guardian said with a smug grin. "And the Matchmaker just rolled her eyes and announced my suitability for the newest Princess."

"My Lady was still protesting that she didn't need a Guardian Consort but you have seen Yitherian when he gets an idea into his head and before she knew what was happening, she was bonded to me and my servants were packing to head off world."

Bruck grinned. "And I'm sure you had nothing to say to those companions who had announced that you were 'suncrazed' for thinking you'd be bonded to my master."

Esriel grinned wickedly. "Indeed not. For such an action would have been unworthy of a bonded Consort. Though perhaps I was a bit harsh with those who had said such things years before and then dared to Challenge me for the right to be her Consort."

The younger man just chuckled and found he liked Esriel very much despite the man's quite unannounced appearance in his life.

"I am glad we have spoken of these things, Bruck," the man said as he absently gestured for a servant to fill Bruck's now empty glass. "I hope I have set your mind at ease concerning my care of your master."

"I appreciate your patience with my questions, Esriel," the padawan replied as he watched the glass fill and then the servant retreat back to the kitchen. "You know, no one else in the Temple has servants like this. It's going to take a bit of getting used to." He looked back at the Guardian. "Where are they going to be staying?"

Esriel looked surprised at the thought. "They will be staying here with us, of course," he replied confidently. "Or rather, with us in the new quarters."

Bruck glanced up from the bubbly drink he was beginning to like very much. "New quarters?" he asked warily. The man nodded happily and his eyes roamed the room again.

"The Council has, and indeed had to, allow my servants to stay with us because a Princess of Garnis must be attended to properly," Esriel noted with another of his smug expressions. "I have already been assured that we will be moved to larger quarters to accommodate a few of my servants."

Bruck blinked at that. He and his master had been in these quarters since she'd first tapped him as a padawan. She's been in these quarters since her master had tapped her as a padawan.

"Ummm...does Master know that?" he asked in a wary tone.

"I have not yet informed her as I did not wish to bother her with more details," the Consort replied, waving off the question. "Master Windu mentioned it might be best to cause her as little worry as possible. I understand it will take my Lady a while to become used to her new status."

Bruck contained his scowl before he showed it to his master's Consort. Master Windu seemed to be deriving a great deal of amusement from this whole situation. Not only had he been practically laughing at Master Kenzi's situation but he also tended to be a bit smug whenever Master Jinn was around, though Bruck didn't understand what that was about.

In any case, Master Windu obviously deserved a little payback - though, as a Jedi, Bruck would certainly not wish that on anyone.

"Perhaps you should have Master Windu explain to Master about the change of quarters, Esriel," Bruck offered in as innocent a tone as he could manage. "I'm certain he would be glad to and she might take it a little better coming from him."

Esriel looked thoughtful and the nodded. "You are correct. After all, is he not of your revered Council? I'm certain Councilor Windu would know exactly how to speak to her. Though I know my lady will be glad to hear about her larger apartments."

The padawan contained his snort and sent his sarcastic comment into the Force. Fat chance of that but at least Master Windu would be the one with the earful of his Master's finest insults rather than Esriel. Bruck liked Esriel.

To be continued in Bonds of Acceptance