Master Apprentice Archive Ir-rat-ional Quick search:

Archive: If you want it, go ahead

Pairing: Q/O only mentioned, no action, sorry.

Summary: It's about the reactions I got when I told people I had a rat. I thought I could use it for Sian's challenge.

Disclaimer: They boys are regretfully not mine, but I am the proud owner of Satine.

Finally he was going home. He had been on a mission for a month. It had not been strenuous, but he longed to be home in the arms of his lover. It was too bad Obi-Wan hadn't been able to join him to Alderaan, but studies had priority if it wasn't necessary to go in pairs. So his lover had stayed home and studied for a quantumphysics test.

He couldn't believe his eyes when he entered his quarters after a long day hard work. Since when had his Padawan two braids. He saw a second one hanging over Obi-Wan's left shoulder. Just when he realised it wasn't a braid at all, it was gone. On the young man's shoulder he saw a little snout with beady eyes. Staring at him was a small beige... rat.

"Get that thing out of here." He took a few steps backwards to put some safe distance between the creature and himself.

"But Master." Obi-Wan paused. "You always tell me to open myself more to the Living Force. And I have done that now with Satine."

"You named that thing?"

"She is not a 'thing', she is a rat. I don't get it. You're normally the one who brings home the most pathetic creatures and you of all people oppose to a tame rat."

"Rats are disgusting."

"No, they're not, actually, Master they are quite clean animals."

"They spread diseases, everyone knows that."

"Master! This is a tame, healthy rat. There's nothing to worry about."

"And that tail is just awful to look at. Without it would look a whole lot better."

"Come on, Master, she needs her tail for balance. She is perfectly fine as she is."

"Where is her cage. She does have a cage, doesn't she?"

"It's in my old bedroom. I thought that was a safe place for her." /Better not tell him I just moved the cage there from our bedroom. Don't think he would appreciate that./

"Put her in it then. Now. Get. Her. Away. from. Me!" Qui-Gon knew he as near to shouting as he had ever been. It was just thatrats creeped him out. He never liked the rodents.

Obi-Wan turned on his heels and brought Satine to his old room, muttering to the pet rat. "Don't let him scare you. He is just a bully. You're very sweet. yes, you are." It was just loud enough for Qui-Gon to hear it and make him grind his teeth. This was not his Obi- Wan.

"I want her to go." the tone in his Master's voice left no room for discussion. He really meant it.

"Don't worry. Satine will picked up later."

Qui-Gon tried to hold the relief out of his voice. "She is leaving, then. She 's not yours?" He wasn't succeeding.

"Yes, she is going home. I was just like baby-sitting her for Garen. He had to leave on a mission much earlier than expected, you know he doesn't go as much. And while he had arranged care for Satine for his original mission, Lisel couldn't care for her now. So I volunteered. She's been here for a week. Now Lisel can take care of her."

Just at that time, the bell rang. Obi-Wan went to open it. A female Padawan Obi-Wan's age stepped in. "Hi Obi. So, Satine still alive? Master Jinn." She nodded towards the Jedi Master.

"Thank the Force you're here."

"Want to get rid of her so badly?" She asked her fellow Padawan as she joined him in his room to gather all Satine's belongings.

Speaking softly so Qui-Gon wouldn't overhear he explained her his Masters reaction at seeing Satine.

Most of her stuff fit in her backpack and she would be able to carry the cage. As soon as she had packed everything she picked up the cage and left the quarters after saying goodbye to Obi-Wan and his Master.

Obi-Wan flopped down on the couch, next to Qui-gon. He rested his head on the other man's shoulder, sliding his arms around his waist. "The big, nasty rat has gone." Obi-Wan couldn't resist. He had never seen his mate act like this. He seemed... scared. It rather puzzled Obi-Wan someone could be afraid of rats. Spiders he could understand, eek, but rats, no.

End