Master Apprentice Archive Love of a Different Type (3/5) Quick search:

Archive: Master and Apprentice

Category: Alternative Universe, Qui/Obi

Rating: PG

Series: LODT

Warning: no sex as yet, but the end is drawing nearer.

Summary: Work in Progress. Part three of LODT. This is really just a tie in piece between two and four. Basically Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan get to know each other a little more while Obi-Wan awaits Travis to finish his mission and Qui-Gon in anguish awaits the result of the Sef'pilom.

Disclaimer: The Star wars universe and characters belong to Lucas, I'm hoping he doesn't mind if I sneak in and play with his knights. No one pays me for this. All mistakes are my own.

Feedback: An equivalent to a caffeine fix at four am.

Obi-Wan waited at the hanger, not for his lover who still had some weeks of mission left before his expected arrival date, but rather for the best friend he'd missed the last several months. He watched as the ship lowered the ramp, nodding to the Master as the Zephilk feline stepped down. Then came his long time best friend Bant with her large silver eyes. The moment she saw him she abandoned all padawan protocol and rushed up to hug him.

'Obi-Wan.' She laughed happily as she held him tight. 'Your hair has grown.' Her webbed hands ruffled his lengthening red hair.

'It is so good to see you.' Obi-Wan squeezed her back, savouring the smell of salt that was always about her. 'I have missed you.' He told her as she disentangled her slightly long arms from him. 'I've had no close friends to talk to for ages.'

'How are things with Travis?' Bant asked with a slightly expectant smile.

'His out on an other mission.' Obi-Wan said non-committedly.

'Poor Obi.' Bant said sympathetically, 'Have you, Did you? After you were knighted...'

Obi-Wan smiled slightly at Bants poor attempt to delve into a sensitive question.

'Yes Bant, we became lovers.' He informed her.

'Oh I'm so happy for you.' Bant cheered and hugged him again. Obi- Wan couldn't help smile at her enthusiasm, though his heart felt heavy at the moment. He hadn't heard from Travis since he'd left and he'd not felt settled since he'd left Master Qui-Gon Jinn's quarters almost a week ago.

'How is everyone else?' Bant asked him.

'Last I checked they were fine, Most of them have gone on missions with their Masters though. I went on my second mission not that long ago.'

'Really?' Bant looked at him excitedly. 'What was it like?'

'Exasperating. You have no idea how irritating the Kliomty were.' Obi-Wan rolled his eyes.

Bant gripped his hand. 'Come on, tell me all about it over lunch.' She tugged him. Obi-Wan followed her as she took him towards the Dining room. 'Surely you haven't being all alone with no friends.' She said as she led him through the halls.

'Well no, not entirely. I've made a new friend.'

'Oh goody, a new acquaintance. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.' Bant told him as she stepped up into the line for food, grabbing two trays. Since it was still rather early for lunch, the line was thankfully short.. 'Is it a knight? I don't know any knights very well.'

'Actually I went one step higher then that.' Obi-Wan smiled slightly, knowing his friends response. Bant stopped and whirled around to face him.

'A Master! You made friends with a Master!' She said excitedly. Obi-Wan nodded, though the expression on his face must have given away that it wasn't going to well at the moment. Bant abruptly dumped both trays on the counter before facing him again.

'You are going to tell me all about it, and what went wrong.' She told him firmly. 'One does not make friends with a Master and then ruins it with an argument.'

'It wasn't an argument.' Obi-Wan told her as they both got their trays back The moment Obi-Wan turned to the view over the Dining Hall his eyes fell upon the tall figure with long silvered chestnut hair with a neat moustache and beard. Who's dark penetrating eyes fell upon him wordlessly. Frozen to the spot, he barely noticed Bant or heard her.

'Well if it wasn't an argument, what was it?' She looked at him expectantly. Obi-Wan bit his lip a moment and when the words came it didn't seem like it was him that said it, for the words seem to be coming far away, not from him.

'It was more, a difference in experience I think.' He said slowly.

'You think?' Bant demanded to his ear. Obi-Wan didn't pay attention, his eyes routed on Qui-Gon, every sense focused on the tall man. The Master looked back at him a moment. Suddenly the older man seemed to come to a decision and rose from his table. Tall frame towering over most Masters. Face calm but determined as he made his way over to Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan held his breath and forced himself to stay calm.

'Obi-Wan?' Bant pulled at his arm and reluctantly he tore his gaze from Qui-Gon to look at her.

'Are you even listening to me?' Obi-Wan wordlessly shook his head.

'Obi-Wan?' The deep voice rumbled next to him. He saw Bants eyes grow wide as he turned to regard Qui-Gon and sucked in a breath when he saw how close the Master was, almost touching.

'Qui-Gon.' He nodded neutrally, surprised his voice didn't tremor. For a moment their gazes locked and they just looked at each other, Then the tall Jedi finally seemed to collect himself.

'I wish to apologize for last week. I said more then I should have and created distance. I'd like us to still be friends.'

Obi-Wan regarded Qui-Gon a moment.

'I can't agree with what you said. But I'd like us to still be friends too.' He said softly. The Master smiled and held out his large hand.

'Friends?' Qui-Gon offered. Obi-Wan gripped it warmly.

'Friends.' He agreed with a smile. Qui-Gon responded with a warm smile. Taking note of Bant who'd being momentarily forgotten.

'Will you join me for lunch, you're both welcome of coarse.' Qui-Gon looked from him to Bant. 'Unless you don't want to.' Obi-Wan looked to Bant who still looked shell-shocked.

'Bant?' Bant seemed to shake herself from her stupor.

'That'll be fine.'

Qui-Gon drew them both to his table, Obi-Wan looked at the Masters and senior knights who looked at him a moment before turning away. He felt out of place as he sat next to Qui-Gon. Bant sitting across the table from him. An awkward silence hung for a moment.

'Obi-Wan you were going to tell me about your second mission.' Bant reminded him bravely, breaking the ice as only she could. Obi-Wan smiled in thanks.

'Yes, dealing with the lovely, charming, indefinitely wonderful Kliomty.' He heaved a sarcastic sigh.

'Certainly not the way I'd describe those irritating bug eyed insect midgets.' Qui-Gon rumbled with a chuckle.

'You've dealt with them too?' Bant asked wide eyed.

'On a couple of occasions.' Qui-Gon smiled at Bant before turning those riveting dark eyes back onto Obi-Wan. 'Did you happen to met young Prince Jumblik?'

'Oh please, didn't even think of getting me started on that pompously spoilt brat.' Obi-Wan groaned and rolled his eyes.

'Ah, I'd always wondered how he'd turn out. He was an extensively annoying creature at the time I knew him, still quite young at the time. He always made me feel as if I should of accidentally stepped on him. He was rather cubby for his kind from memory and I'd always thought he'd make a rather tremendous squelching noise.' Qui-Gon murmured dryly. Obi-Wan immediately burst out in loud laughter.

'I know exactly how you feel. I'm telling you, I could have done that for any number of Kliomty while I was there.'

'You did restrain yourself though? It would do no good for a Jedi to behave in such an unseemly manor.' Qui-Gon asked with a sparkling smile.

'Well... maybe only by just.' Obi-Wan chuckled.

'Temptation leads to the dark side young Knight.' Qui-Gon reminded with a smile.

'Ah, but you admitted to being tempted yourself?' Obi-Wan challenged.

'I'm a Master, I have a better control over sudden overwhelming needs to plant a cockroach bomb in the main council room.' Qui-Gon said dryly.

Obi-Wan set out laughing again.

'I like that one. Why just kill one, you can kill the most annoying of them all in one hit.'

'Greed will lead to the dark path.' Qui-Gon winked.

'So will destroying the council members of one of the most prominent Republican planets.' Obi-Wan counted with a smile.

'Yes, but since you were dealing with them, I imagine you were dealing with a fairly minor problem. Which does little to detract from your skill of negotiating with them. Since they can be most precise on even the tiniest detail.'

'Tell me about it.' Obi-Wan groaned with another roll of his eyes.

'I on the other hand, had to deal with something on a larger scale and much more delicate and difficult problems. I'm surprised you got back when you did, considering who you were dealing with. I had to stay in the presence of those bugs for some months.'

'Yeck!' Obi-Wan screwed his face into a look of distaste. 'I think I'll stay away from gaining your kind of reputation for awhile now.'

Qui-Gon chuckled. 'It's not so bad. It has it's perks as well. I'm always guaranteed to get a sensitive or difficult mission. Some of them are negotiating treaties, but the treaties I get to draft up I know will save thousands or more lives and it is always a challenge.'

'Meanwhile I get the P plated missions.' Obi-Wan sighed.

'Hay you can't complain, I still have at least a year on L's before I'm knighted.' Bant jabbed at his arm.

'Consider yourselves as both lucky.' Qui-Gon said calmly. 'If you think the Kliomty are bad, wait till you've had to deal with some of the other more annoying creatures out there. Or some of the most dangerous. Having your life constantly threatened for mission after mission can get very tiring.' Qui-Gon shock his head.

'I suppose we have to wait and find out for ourselves.' Obi-Wan smiled. 'I just know Travis is going to come back home after this mission cranky and tired.' Qui-Gon stilled slightly. He was a high ranking Master and Teracel had told him in confidence that Knight Deru was right now under examination, and until the Sef'pilom was over, neither Travis or Obi-Wan or anyone not a high-ranking Master would know of the fact until after it was over. Qui-Gon wanted nothing more then to admit to Obi-Wan that his beloved Travis faced a more serious threat then anything a mission could produce. He would face temptation and the Dark side itself and if he did not hold to the light, then he faced the wrath of the Jedi council. But his oath as a Master prevented him from being able to say a word. As difficult as that may be, he was not allowed to even suggest the idea to Obi-Wan, even to try to protect him from what may happen.

A couple weeks later Obi-Wan rang the bell to Qui-Gon's quarters, Waiting until the Jedi Master opened the door, wearing not much more then a loose tunic and trousers. Obi-Wan raised his eyebrows slightly at the causal dress. He returned late last night from his third mission, refreshed from a shower and a sleep. With no Travis and Bant busy elsewhere, he'd decided to check on how Qui-Gon was doing.

'Obi-Wan.' The Master grinned. 'Back again are you? Please come in, sit down. Would you like some tea?' Obi-Wan reluctantly stepped in.

'Come to the kitchen and I'll make you tea. Have you had breakfast yet? I have a batch of waffles ready to be cooked.' Qui-Gon put the kettle on to boil.

'I haven't gotten round to breakfast yet.' Obi-Wan admitted.

'Good. We can have waffles together.' Qui-Gon disappeared a moment.

Qui-Gon came back with a warm smile, quickly pouring the promised tea, before handing the cup over to Obi-Wan. 'So how did your third mission go?'

'Pretty hectically.' Obi-Wan said ruthful. 'Getting seven different political groups to agree upon one single treaty is a lot harder then you might originally think. Until you try to unite them on a single issue they have conflicting beliefs about.' He rolled his eyes slightly, sipping his promised tea.

'Being there and done that one.' Qui-Gon smiled pleasantly. 'It can be quite frustrating. Once I had to unite a whole group of different religious backgrounds together on the issue of a disease spreading through the local cows. For some it was their gods will that they die, for another, they were God's chosen spirit and had to be saved, for another they were a scared object and only a sacrifice of a child could prevent it, for a different group it was a sign of their Gods disapproval and only by turning the entire population to their faith could the disease be stopped. I could keep going. All kinds of beliefs and sacred this and sacrifice that and objects of spiritual something came up. It was a nightmare.' Obi-Wan nodded thoughtfully. He'd come across a few of those religious regulations himself. It could get out of hand. 'Now I believe you once told me you had some cooking skills. Are you going to help me cook breakfast?'

'Do you have two waffle cookers?' Obi-Wan asked

'Why?' Qui-Gon looked startled by the request.

'To hold a competition on who can cook the most amount of waffles sooner?' Obi-Wan grinned. Qui-Gon looked thoughtfully at Obi-Wan a moment. Sometimes it was hard to remember that Obi-Wan was just a young knight.

'All right, let's do it.' Qui-Gon nodded. So the bowl of waffle mixture was pulled out as well as the cookers and all the needed items.

'Ready, set, Go.' Qui-Gon started off. Playing fair, since he knew how hopeless it was trying to start off early when he was against a fellow Jedi who would anticipate such a move and manage to start a few splint seconds even earlier. If he played fair, he had a much better chance of having Obi-Wan playing fair as well. Of course, he didn't factor in the fact that Obi-Wan was still a rather new knight with the slightly boyish enthusiasm of a teenager still fairly fresh in the mind. Add the added excitement of a challenge and he had no chance. The moment before he said go. Obi-Wan spooned out a dollop of mixture and dumped it in the cooker with an impetuous grin. Qui- Gon glowered.

'Cheat.' He growled as he dolled his own spoon of mixture in.

'No, I'm just using my natural talent to it's best advantage. My Master taught me to use such an advantage where ever possible and to maintain a close connection to the force as possible.'

'My Master taught me to play fair except when you know when you know the other is not. He also taught me never to cheat on a fellow Jedi. But he did say, if cheated you are being, use all force ability you should.' With that Qui-Gon drew upon the living force to make the waffles cook faster.

'Now your cheating.' Obi-Wan pouted.

'If cheat you do, expect others to cheat you should.' Qui-Gon pocked his tongue out at the young knight. Obi-Wan couldn't help but laugh at his words and accent perfect Yoda imitation.

'I thinks this calls for war.' With that Obi-Wan used his ability to know when the waffles were cooked before the timer went off.

'Truly negation at this point is infeasible.' Qui-Gon took his waffle out and put it on the plate. Quickly scrapping off any left over before spooning in some more mixture into the cooker.

'My Master had very little use for drawn out negations away. Like Master like student.' Obi-Wan gave a disarming grin and flicked some of the mixture onto Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon gave a grimace. With his long hair it was going to take forever to wash out, especially if it was left in there for to long.

'If you want like Master, like student.' Qui-Gon reached over to a wooden spoon and gave Obi-Wan's vulnerable shins a light whack.

'Ow.' Obi-Wan rubbed his shin. 'Yoda doesn't whack shins.'

'Oh doesn't he? When did you become such an expert? Surely you didn't think he used that walking stick just to walk? He just wants something to give him longer arm range since he's to short to give an overgrown former padawan a good smack.' Qui-Gon raised his eyebrows and the spoon in his hand in emphasis. Obi-Wan gave him an odd look, before bending over double in hysterical laughter. Qui-Gon's cheeks flamed slightly as he realized he may have said more then he should have.

'Master Yoda's walking stick takes on a whole new meaning.' Obi-Wan gasped.

Trying to cover his tracks, Qui-Gon said mildly,'You're going to burn your waffles.' As he took out his own waffle, scraping some of the access off as he spooned up some more mixture. Obi-Wan managed to regain his wits enough to remove the waffle. Putting in the next waffle.

'I'm never going to look at Yoda the same way again.' Obi-Wan accused him, though he didn't seem terribly unhappy about that.

'You didn't have to be his padawan.' Qui-Gon shrugged without one once of pity.

'If you pulled too many pranks like the one you pulled on, what his name? That bully that picked on that friend of yours, Clive or whatever.'

'Jordan? The one I told I would make him become gay.'

'Yes, that's the one. If you pulled many stunts like that I imagine you ended up with some very sore shins.' Obi-Wan grinned.

A few.' Qui-Gon smiled agreeably. 'When one is the padawan of 'Master Yoda, one learns to always be aware of the moment, for you can never be certain in which moment he might strike, and one learns to be very fast on one's feet. Many Jedi will tell you that I became one of the best light saber fighters in sheer self defense of Master Yodas dreaded walking stick.'

Obi-Wan chuckled.

'I should tell Bant that. It certainly takes away the image the rumours portray of all powerful Master Qui-Gon Jinn, impenetrable and invincible.'

'Force save me from rumours.' Qui-Gon rolled his eyes.

'Rumours aside, you do have an impressive record. If any of what I hear about you is true.'

'Which most of it probably isn't' Qui-Gon counter acted. Obi-Wan shook his head and smiled.

'And even if half of what they say isn't, that still is rather impressive.' Qui-Gon snorted slightly.

'Nothing more then any other Jedi.'

'You only true saving grace is your played down humbled approach to it all. Your a man who knows pain, has seen suffering, has done everything in his power to stop others from feeling the kind of pain he knows is possible, when the loss of lives occurs.' Obi-Wan said matter of factly. Qui-Gon tried to cover his surprise, but could only blush uncomfortably.

'Anyone else would do the same.' He mumbled.

'The thing is, no one knows as well as you and that is why you succeed.' Obi-Wan said with gentle confidence.

Qui-Gon gave his head a shake. 'Are you going to do that last spoonful or should I.' Obi-Wan only grinned and did it himself.

Qui-Gon walked down through the corridors of the various training rooms. Some had empty floors with Jedi practicing their light saber techniques while others had various equipment put out to practice on. Lessons, warm ups, katas and training went on in all the rooms. He smiled slightly as he looked through several of the windows. Watching padawans, knights and Masters all training, perfecting, keeping fit and well trained. He paused a moment when he thought he recognized a face doing a tricky kata, but it took a moment for him to recognize him.

Qui-Gon smiled as soon as he recognized the red haired, young knight Obi-Wan. Thinking back to the wonderful time he'd had a few days ago cooking waffles. Qui-Gon was beginning to find out how much of a tease Obi-Wan was, always with a ready laugh or a joke. Qui-Gon hadn't felt happier, lighter and younger since Ruben left for his mission almost ten months ago. Obi-Wan's youthful enthusiasm and vibrancy was catching and Qui-Gon eagerly joined in on the fun. Qui- Gon had fallen deeply in love that day and had to admit it to himself, for there was no longer anyway to deny it. The questioned remained however, how did Obi-Wan himself feel? Obi-Wan had a lover and Obi-Wan was the sort of man who would not enter such a relationship without feeling strongly for a person.

Then there was the problem of Travis himself. Qui-Gon couldn't ever quite forget that right now, even if neither Travis or Obi-Wan knew it, he was undertaking a Sef'pilom. A mission which would show whether or not he was using the dark side in any way, shape or form. He was under oath as a Master not to tell Obi-Wan. As it was, he had to suffer the torture of not telling the man he loved. It always hovered in the back of his mind and he only comfort he could draw upon was that in about two weeks he would be sure whether or not Travis was using the dark side. But that still did not answer the question or whether Obi-Wan felt anything other then friendship for him.

Just at that moment Obi-Wan spotted him. With barely a pause, Qui- Gon opened the training door and let himself in.

'Hi.' Obi-Wan came bounding over in only training shorts, a fact that didn't hit Qui-Gon fully until Obi-Wan stood right before him, panting slightly with his muscled and trim chest glistening sweat in the bright lights of the training room. It was hard to think that this man was actually shorter then himself since his shoulders looked every bit as powerful and his body every bit as muscled as any Jedi. The impact frame tightly corded by hard training and endless practice duels. The fine goldish blond hairs dusted across the taut stomach, heading downward alluringly to disappear below the belt. Qui-Gon swallowed heavily. Turned on harder then he could remember ever being in such a short amount of time. Though that was probably not entirely true, it had being a very long time.

'Obi-Wan.' Was the only response Qui-Gon could think of as he bowed his head slightly in greeting, mindlessly gaping at Obi-Wan's surprisingly dainty looking feet. He gave his head a slight shake and smiled warmly at the knight.

'Warming up are you?' He managed to say.

Obi-Wan gave a nod.

'I've already got my next mission can you believe. Had my council briefing earlier today. Sounds quite difficult. Hopefully I'll manage not to make a complete mess of it.' Obi-Wan said uneasily.

'Don't worry too much. You can make a complete jumble up and ruin a mission and still get the council onto your side if you know the right way to deal with them. And if you can do that, you're well on the way to knowing you are a qualified Diplomat.' Qui-Gon grinned knowingly. 'Besides, you have my support. If the council gives you to much trouble, come to me. I can throw quite a bit of weight around when it comes to the council. They'll agree with me just to shut me up.' Obi-Wan mock glared at him.

'I'd like to think I'll do well and be able to tell the council that I did so because of my skills, or be able to explain what went wrong and have to council forgive me because I did what I could, not because the council wanted to get rid of you.'

'But you are skilled, I know that. It's just a matter of getting the council to agree with my opinion.' Qui-Gon's grin widened. Obi-Wan shook his head, giving up on him.

'And I wondered why you have a reputation for being a rogue and a thorn on the council's side.'

'I certainly didn't get a reputation like that by not arguing with the council over a few discrepancies.' Qui-Gon shrugged. 'My own Master is one of the council, everything I learned about being a Jedi I learned from him, everything I learned about how to be the best Jedi I could be and be of the most help I could and still get away with a few unique approaches to difficult missions, I learned from him.' Suddenly serious, Qui-Gon looked straight into Obi-Wan's green eyes.

'When doing something difficult or even dangerous, sometimes the conventional approach doesn't work and if you try to stick with the trained methods and approaches your mission is going to fall at your feet. That is when you must look beyond the classroom, past the common training and conventional standard approach and try a different approach. Something that is not standard nor conventional. The ends does not justify the means but neither does sticking by trained methods when a different approach needs to be applied. Remember that on your next mission and be ready to fight the council over it if that is what needs to be done. For a Jedi must do his job, regardless of the cost to himself, and of the councils personal opinion.'

Obi-Wan looked a bit taken back by his serious speech. Taking a moment to make the stunned expression to go away, before accepting it with a nod. Not convinced but thinking about it. It was the best Qui-Gon could hope for. Sometimes Jedi didn't even think about going against standard training, but they never became senior Masters with a high rank like himself. It took more then standard training to get to where he was now. Obi-Wan showed promise, especially since the council seemed to be giving him difficult and tricky missions already. Nothing beyond the knights capability certainly, but more then they would normally consider for a young knight.

'I thought to go back to training for this mission, I want to be as fit and ready as I can, it sounds as if it could turn dangerous. I'm going to have to watch myself. Still the council said if I deal with this correctly, I should be out of there in two weeks. Which is before Travis will get home. It's strange isn't it. I've done two mission with a break between each while Travis is still doing one mission.'

'No one can ever tell how long any mission will take. There was a time I had about nine missions in one fortnight and I had one mission that took about a year in total.' The Re'mointjl. It was a good thing Ellse and Imp had helped him deal with Xanatos turn so well, otherwise he didn't think he would have returned from that completely sane, Sometimes he still wasn't sure. He had never quite forgiven the council for sending him on it, or Mace for recommending it. 'Some missions require more time and some Jedi need extra time to get what needs to be done, done.'

'Travis probably just got a tougher mission because he's had more experience.' Obi-Wan quickly became defense toward his lover. Qui- Gon winced involuntarily at the harshness in Obi-Wan's tone.

'I'm only speculating. I do not know Travis and have no way to judge how good a knight he is.' He said as apologetically as he could. Obi-Wan sighed and the defensiveness melted away.

'I know you weren't judging Qui-Gon, but I know Travis. He is easily as good as I am on mission and as good a fighter and , well I love him. No one ever likes to have their lovers ability questioned.' Qui-Gon smiled even as his heart broke into tiny little shards at the sound of those three words. "I love him."

'I know.' He managed to say, trying not to cry as his heart bleed sorrow.

Obi-Wan noticed all the same.

'What is it?' Voice so tenderly concerned, tears prickled threateningly. Qui-Gon turned away from the pain.

'It's nothing.' He mumbled gruffly, tensing slightly as Obi-Wan touched his arm. 'If it's some memory of Ruben, I understand.' Obi-Wan said soothingly, comfortingly. Qui-Goon let himself lean against the smaller knight. Giving in to the intense feelings he held a moment before breaking away and standing back Let Obi-Wan think that he was thinking of Ruben.

'I suppose I ought to get going.' Qui-Gon said reluctantly. 'Do you want any help training? I am quite good with a light saber.'

Obi-Wan snorted a laugh.

'Quite good with a light saber! Even I know your the current Jedi champion Qui-Gon.' Obi-Wan gave an amused shake of his head. Qui- Gon gave a modest shrug.

'I was taught by the best.'

'Master Yoda?' Obi-Wan looked even more amused at this.

'Do not be deceived by his walking stick. That green monster can move quickly when he has to. He also has the entire temple under his command, I had about six professional Jedi teach me in varying cycles according to their own missions. Most of them are retired now.' Qui- Gon smiled.

Obi-Wan looked impressed. 'Learning six different learning styles must of made it a bit difficult for you.'

'It was challenging at times, especially when one style clashed with a different one. Two of my light saber instructors got in regular fights.'

Obi-Wan had to smile.

'Maybe you could teach me something. I did win he padawan light saber championship though.' Obi-Wan challenged.

'You don't stand a chance against a full-trained Master.' Qui-Gon quickly quibbled back.

'Oh really? Is that so? I have to tell you, I have had a chance to test my skill on a few older knights and still managed to win.' Obi- wan grinned.

'You think sparring with a couple knights is good enough a qualification for daring to spar against the best light saber fighter within the Jedi order?' Qui-Gon returned the grin warmly, eyes sparkling.

'It's a start.' Obi-Wan fingered his silver handle. Qui-Gon had to shake his head. Obi-Wan was no quitter and not one to back down from a challenge either.

'Shall we?' He took his light saber from his belt.

'Won't all that weigh you down?' Obi-Wan eyed his clothes in a way that made Qui-Gon want to peel them off right now and take Obi-Wan on the floor. Maybe this wasn't such a great idea. Qui-Gon made himself calm and drew on the force to gain control of his body, making his mind peaceful and relaxed, putting the love he felt aside for now.

'A Jedi learns to fight in any situation, a true fight does not allow you the chance to get comfortable. Until you fight in full winter uniform after swimming miles in a thick swamp and weighed by a heavy utility belt, you can not claim that you can fight under every circumstance.' Qui-Gon said coolly as he turned his saber on.

'Experience against youthful agility. This should be interesting.' Obi-Wan smiled as he lit his own green light saber. The colour bringing his green eyes and fiery hair into full brilliancy.

'You can have all the youthful agility in the world and still get killed, experience reduces you're chances greatly. Only the best fighters manage to reach old age.'

'You are hardly old Qui-Gon.' Obi-Wan chided him.

'That must mean I still have some youthful agility left in me.' Qui- Gon grinned back quickly and launched forward with his blade. Taken by surprise but no less ready for the attack, Obi-Wan deftly blocked his saber and then the fight was on. Back and forth they parried, fighting furiously, using every inch of the floor. It was obvious from the start Qui-Gon had the upper hand, but held back from ending the fight, preferring to allow Obi-Wan the chance to show his fighting capability. Truthfully the young knight wasn't bad at all, quite good for only a new knight, without that much experience yet, but his Master had taught him well and he obviously had a natural knack of fighting and weapon sense, as he managed to block some of Qui-Gon's trickier moves. Having six different instructors train you in fighting certainly had its advances. You got a good number of different approaches and styles to pick from, it helped keep the opponent guessing, under estimating and ultimately, losing. Qui-Gon finally drew the fight to a close, finishing with a blur of the light saber, leaving the panting and tiring Obi-Wan blinking stupidly at the light saber directed at his head, wondering what had happened. Qui-Gon snapped his light saber off and belted it.

'I bow to you're greater experience, old wise Master.' Obi-Wan bowed, more to catch his breath then any show any reverence. Qui-Gon had to admit being impressed. In a few years this young knight could have even him running ragged. His skill could only improve and honed by experience and the temple could get its new champion.

'Since I am falling into dotage, in a few years, maybe you should take my place as champion.' Qui-Gon placed a hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. Obi-Wan gave a grin and straightened up.

'I have a long way to go and you still have many years ahead of you before you loose that youthful enthusiasm of yours.' Qui-Gon blinked and unrepentantly laughed.

'You could be right Obi-Wan, after all, I'm not the one who is wheezing for breath.' Qui-Gon chuckled. Obi-Wan smiled.

'You should laugh more often, it suits you.' The young man remarked as he switched off his green light saber and rebelted it, turning to the changing rooms. Qui-Gon blushed and turned to the exit, not wanting to risk going in the changing room and showering there with the knight. As tempting as the idea was, he didn't think it was be a good idea. He left the knight to shower alone.

A couple weeks later Qui-Gon opened the door with a smile, already expecting Obi-Wan. Arriving home after a tough mission to find ones self alone was never a pleasant prospect, but as Obi-Wan's forth mission ended and Travis still a day of two away from the end of his Sef'pilom mission, Qui-Gon had offered the returned Obi-Wan to have dinner with himself. Obi-Wan seemed a bit haggard and worse for wear from his last mission. It had to have being a tough eighteen or so days. Especially since it had being a difficult mission and a complicated situation. He was very surprised Obi-Wan had managed it in the time given. But Obi-Wan was a driven and capable knight.

Right now Qui-Gon couldn't have asked for anything better. Dinner with a handsome young knight he loved, his quarters set up wonderfully to accommodate Obi-Wan and himself. He wanted tonight to be perfect, but there was a flaw and that flaw had a name. Knight Travis Deru, Obi-Wan's current lover. Obi-Wan had admitted on more then one occasion to being in love with Travis and Qui-Gon was hopeless against it.

To make matters worst, Travis was under suspicion of using the dark side. Qui-Gon hated himself for sometimes hoping that Trevor would fail the Sef'pilom and reveal that he was dark, thus freeing Obi-Wan for him. But as the said Travis was due back late tomorrow with the mission that would draw out any hidden darkness was drawing to an end, the chances of that happening was now pretty much none existent. Qui-Gon wasn't sure whether to be relieved or not. He didn't want anyone to suffer what he did at Xanatos betrayal but at the same moment he knew he would have to let his love go, let Obi-Wan go back to Travis. Not that Obi-Wan was ever really his in the first place.

Not that that made it any easier for him. He had done the unthinkable and fallen in love with someone incapable of returning it in anyway. Qui-Gon didn't think he could stand seeing Obi-Wan with Travis. Which meant breaking off the current friendship he held with this man. It would hurt to not see him, but it would hurt more to see his love, love someone else. In his mind this dinner was the last time he'd get to see Obi-Wan and in his own mind, he was saying goodbye.

So with Obi-Wan seated across from him, Qui-Gon began dinner.

'How was the mission?'

'Very, very hard. I got caught up in quite a bit of cross fire.' Obi-Wan fingered a fading sore.

'How bad was it?' Qui-Gon frowned worried.

'Bad enough. It was lucky that the sudden violence made the councillors agree upon an agreement quickly, even if all of them weren't entirely happy with the agreement. They were more worried about saving their own necks then what they were signing to.' Obi- wan sighed.

'That is always difficult. You go in with it in mind that what they will agree to, will have the future happiness and stability of their planet and their people in mind. Only through stability can peace really be found. But in an unstable environment, very often this just isn't the case, so you try to haggle for the next best thing. Short term agreements to help resolve the problem so hopeful they have time to work out something that will last longer and give the stability required for peace.' Qui-Gon sighed.

Obi-Wan looked at him a moment speechless. 'This is where I am reminded that you are a Master and have being doing this a greater number of years then I.'

'It was only your fourth mission.' Qui-Gon smiled gently. 'You've many things to learn yet. This Master however, has his own mission to attend to soon.'

'When do you leave?'

'Later tomorrow.' Qui-Gon admitted. Though he had made it then quite deliberately.

'That quickly? How long will you be gone?' Obi-Wan asked.

'It depends. Now that it's being decided my break time is over, it will probably be awhile before I'll be allowed to pause for even a breath. I often get one mission after an other. No sooner is one finished do I get the next one. I could be gone a long time.' Qui- Gon shrugged. Obi-Wan looked saddened at this and nearly broke Qui- Gons resolve to stay away from the Knight now Travis was returning.

'That's too bad. I've gotten use to having you around.'

'It can't be helped. It's the way of Jedi life and we can keep contact, just as I imagine you have with your padawan friends.' Qui- Gon didn't mean for that to sound like he thought Obi-Wan as childishly young for having friends who were still padawans, but somehow it sounded that way anyway and he could see by Obi-Wan's expression that he'd created a rift by mentioning the division between age and rank by saying that.

'I suppose so.' Obi-Wan had the slightest flush of embarrassment on his high cheeks that made Qui-Gon feel quite ashamed of himself.

'It isn't ideal and as much as I would like to stay here in quite contentment, my abilities and experience are under a lot of demand and I can't sit here knowing I can be out there helping others who need my assistance, my guidance or the service of my blade.' Qui-Gon tried to patch the damage he'd done. Obi-Wan let out a sigh and acceptance and forgiveness came over the knight. Qui-Gon let out a sigh of relief.

'I know. It doesn't make it easier. You've become one of my closest friends in these last few months and I'm going to miss you.' Obi-Wan admitted softly. Qui-Gon closed his eyes to ward off the tears and control his feelings. Force, didn't Obi-Wan know how much harder he was making this. Qui-Gon wanted to take the knight in his arms and say he never wanted to leave and beg him to make love to him.

But it wouldn't be fair. To himself, to Obi-Wan, nor Travis. It was better to get away from Obi-Wan and temptation and not complicate things for Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan had his lover and didn't need some old Master messing that up because he was lonely and had managed to fall in love with him. He'd had a good long life as a Jedi and three wonderful men he'd loved and had loved him and two others, who'd broken his trust and his heart. He didn't want to cause anyone pain, lest of all Obi-Wan, so it was best if he removed himself and let Obi- wan carry on with life, none the wiser but much happier and free to love Travis every bit as much as he deserved. It was the best Qui- Gon could do for him and give him. It was the only thing he could do.

'I'll miss you too Obi-Wan.' Qui-Gon was faintly surprised his voice managed not to tremble or waver in emotion. 'But Travis will be home tomorrow. I'm sure he'll keep you preoccupied. Remind me to give you some cherry chocolate sauce before you go.'

Obi-Wan blushed. 'As good as it'll be to have him home. It's not going to be the same without you here. Who am I suppose to go to with my relationship trouble?'

'You could always go to Impeskilly.' Qui-Gon grinned and winked.

'Oh please no.' Obi-Wan gave a mock cringe. 'I've never live it down, I'll be a laughing stock.'

Qui-Gon's grin grew. 'I've being friends with her for years. No one dares to laugh at famous Master Jinn for doing so. No one dared tease me about seeing her after Sam's death either.'

'Yes, but I'm hardly a Jedi with your kind of standing and I don't have any background in childhood trauma.' Obi-Wan gave a wry smile.

'You're a resourceful young knight. Maybe you could take up painting lessons from her.' Qui-Gon suggested. Obi-Wan laughed.

'You're obviously never seen any of my attempts to paint.'

'All the more reason to learn.' Qui-Gon just smiled. Obi-Wan returned it warmly.

'I'll think about it.'

'That's all I ask. With Travis returning I imagine you'll manage to keep busy.' Qui-Gon said.

'Yes I suppose, and of coarse if the council thinks he has done well, He'll be taking a padawan as well.' A gleam of excitement and trepidation shone in Obi-Wan's eyes.

'If you think it's bad enough having Travis take off for missions now, wait until he takes a child with him. I was lucky in some ways that Ruben was the only lover I had with a padawan and a senior padawan at that. Old enough to move into her own quarters while Ruben moved with Rex into mine.' A faint glow of warmth flickered in Qui-Gon's eyes at the memory.

'In some ways I look forward to it, Travis will probably have me helping him sometimes, at the same time I know his going to risk his life for the boy during missions and it frightens me.'

'He's survived this mission Obi-Wan. It'll work out.' Qui-Gon said simply.