Warnings: AU (compared to JA), knowledge of Inner Strength
series will help.
Spoilers: IS:MM #9 -- follows The Essay
Summary: Obi-Wan decides to give Qui-Gon his essay.
Feedback: The feedback y'all have sent me over the past few
months is what helped resurrect this series. I would love to
know if you like this one too.
Notes: as is mentioned in the spoilers, this follows MM9, so it
is probably best to not read this one, until you read that one.
Thank Yous: Kim for the beta; Kris and Keely for reading over
the early version of this for me; and Tera for help on the
title.
Disclaimer: since it looks like lucas refuses to give us
stories about obi and qui before the movie, other than the far
too few JA series, (but full length novels about obi and ani?
sigh.) i'll have to do it myself :)
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn was sitting in the dining hall, paying
more attention to his data padd than his meal, absorbed by the
information detailing a new mission scant days away. It was
because of this that Obi-Wan had been standing beside him for
several moments unnoticed.
When he had seen the tall Master sitting across the room, alone
as he often was, Obi-Wan had asked Master Kohn for permission
to speak with him. Elyzabe nodded and smiled, watching as the
boy pulled a lone sheet of paper from his satchel, recognizing
the essay that he had written a few days before. She was
pleased to realize that Obi-Wan intended to give Qui-Gon the
endearing work.
The teacher couldn't help but watch as he navigated his way
across the busy room. When he reached Qui-Gon, she was
surprised that the Jedi Master didn't sense his company. After
a moment he finally realized he had a visitor and she turned
her attention to the other students at the table.
"Hello there, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon smiled, silently wondering how
long the boy had been standing there. A last glance at his data
padd and he patted the seat next to him. "Have a seat."
Obi-Wan ducked his head, suddenly bashful at the idea of giving
his paper to Qui-Gon. What if the grown-up thought it was
silly?
Easily reading the conflicted emotions, Qui-Gon placed a single
finger under Obi-Wan's chin and tilted his head up. "Now, now.
None of this, little one." When Obi-Wan met his gaze, Qui-Gon
leaned back. "That's better."
Obi-Wan was quiet for a moment, before glancing at the data
padd. "Are you going away again?" he asked, looking up at
Qui-Gon.
The Master nodded. "Not today, but soon, yes."
His face lighting up, Obi-Wan smiled and leaned forward
eagerly. "Where are you going? Will it be exciting?"
Qui-Gon smiled at the sight of Obi-Wan, who was, rather than
being sad, all but bouncing in his seat. "Has Master Yoda not
told you how a Jedi does not crave excitement, young Obi-Wan?"
Giggling, Obi-Wan shrugged. "Must not have, sorry." He tried to
look sincere, but the effect failed miserably when he started
laughing again. "I guess that means I can still like it."
The twinkle in the child's eyes was contageous, and Qui-Gon
chuckled softly. "Perhaps." Reaching over, he ruffled Obi-Wan's
hair, causing him to grin and duck away. "So what brings you to
visit today, Obi-Wan?"
Obi-Wan glanced at the paper he was holding. "Just to say
'hi'?" He blinked, trying to look innocent.
"Well, then, hello," Qui-Gon replied, playing along. The
seriousness of his tone was betrayed by the mirth in his eyes.
He was quiet for a moment. "I trust you've not been causing
anymore trouble?"
The shocked look on Obi-Wan's face, complete with wide eyes and
open mouth, on Obi-Wan's face was priceless. Qui-Gon barely
managed not to laugh outright. Instead he raised one eyebrow in
silent question.
"Me?" Obi-Wan asked, the picture of confused innocence.
Qui-Gon tapped his nose with one long finger. "Yes, you, little
one." He couldn't help by be entertained by the humorous
reaction. "Certainly not me, I never get into trouble."
Laughing, Obi-Wan gave him a disbelieving look. "That's not
what Master Yoda said."
Qui-Gon looked at the boy, a deadpan expression on his face.
"And just what has Master Yoda chosen to share with you
exactly?"
"That would be telling," Obi-Wan replied with an earnest smile.
Qui-Gon had just opened his mouth to try another approach when
Elyzabe walked over to them. She placed a hand on Obi-Wan's
shoulder, causing both of them to turn and look at her. "Time
to go, Obi-Wan."
The other Master looked at her, replying with a touch of
sarcasm in his tone. "Wonderful timing, Elyzabe."
She grinned, almost wickedly. "I try. Can I have my student
back now, Qui-Gon?"
He kept a straight face and held up his hands. "By all means,
but keep him away from Yoda."
"Oh really?" She asked dryly, her eyes bright. "And why should
I limit my students exposure to such a venerated elder if he
should choose to visit?"
Obi-Wan watched the exchange, grinning. "Yeah, that's no fair,"
he interjected, looking back and forth between the two Masters.
He looked almost surprised at himself, interrupting them. He
blushed faintly, pink just tinging his ears. "He tells lots of
stories," he added sheepishly.
Although it took all of his Jedi restraint, Qui-Gon managed not
to roll his eyes. Looking at Obi-Wan, and then back to the
boy's teacher, he nodded. "Exactly, what he said." Qui-Gon
gestured toward the boy, but looked at Elyzabe steadily. "Only
it's more like helpless gossip."
Elyzabe laughed. "Is that any way to talk about your Master,
Qui- Gon?"
"Always," Qui-Gon commented without hesitation. "Especially
when he's filling this little one's mind with stories." Again
he smiled and ruffled Obi-Wan's hair as he spoke.
Obi-Wan laughed, trying to dodge his hand. "You just wish you
knew what he told me about you, is all."
For a moment, Kohn was quiet. However, when she smiled Qui-Gon
could all but smell trouble. "Really?" She winked at Obi-Wan.
"Well then, I see we have much to discuss, Obi-Wan."
While Obi-Wan laughed, Qui-Gon all but growled. "I can see now
that soon I'll have no reputation left intact." He sighed,
although he was grinning faintly. Watching him, Obi-Wan merely
laughed harder, his arms wrapped around his stomach.
Obi-Wan looked at both Qui-Gon and Master Kohn. Around the
giggles, he managed, "You grown ups are funny."
Elyzabe couldn't help it, she laughed. "We try to be, Obi-Wan.
It's part of your trials, you have to make Master Yaddle
laugh."
"Really?" Obi-Wan asked seriously. Wide eyes showed his
surprise.
While Kohn remained serious, Qui-Gon rolled his eyes. "Remind
me again why they asked you to teach the young classes?"
"Because you would make them so serene their Masters would have
no task at all," she replied without missing a beat. "Or
possibly because tales of your childhood antics preceed you."
Obi-Wan giggled helplessly when Qui-Gon shrugged. "Well,
without Yoda that wouldn't be a problem." He gave the teacher a
long look. "Weren't you going somewhere?"
"Retreating, Qui-Gon?"
He winked at Obi-Wan, who was merely waiting for the next round
of verbal jabs. "Never."
"It's time to go now, Obi-Wan," Elyzabe said, squeezing
Obi-Wan's shoulder. "I'm sure Master Jinn has things to do, and
you two can have play time again soon enough."
"Okay," he said softly, standing. Looking at Qui-Gon, he smiled
half- heartedly. "Have fun on your mission."
The Master smiled in return. "They rarely are, but I will try."
They were just turning to leave when Elyzabe noticed Obi-Wan
still clutching his paper. Gesturing toward it, she asked, "Are
you going to give Qui-Gon what you wrote?"
Matching looks of surprise formed on both faces, and Elyzabe
had to hide a smile. Obi-Wan looked down at the piece of paper
as if he had forgotten he was still holding it. Qui-Gon on the
other hand, appeared as if he hadn't noticed it at all.
"Oh yeah," Obi-Wan finally said, his eyes riveted to the paper.
Risking a glance up at Qui-Gon, he smiled hesitantly. "I wrote
this for you in class. Master Kohn said maybe we should give
them away when we were done if we wanted."
Holding out the essay in one small hand, Obi-Wan offered it to
Qui- Gon. Unsure what was happening Qui-Gon took the paper,
careful not to damange it.
He leaned forward until he was at eye level with Obi-Wan.
Smiling softly, he said, "Thank you very much, little one."
Still somewhat nervous, Obi-Wan shifted his feet in place.
"You're welcome," he said, with a small smile.
"Ready to go now?" Elyzabe asked warmly. When Obi-Wan nodded,
she added, "Alright then."
She nodded goodbye to Qui-Gon. Just as they turned to leave,
Obi-Wan looked over his shoulder and waved. "Goodbye, Master
Qui-Gon."
He found himself waving in return. "Goodbye, Obi-Wan."
The data padd forgotten, he waited until Kohn and the children
left the dining hall before looking at the paper. He read the
first line, "My Best Friend." After a second's thought, he
quickly packed up his things, returned his tray and left the
dining hall.
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