Master Apprentice
Archive
|
|
|||
Chapter 8
Master and Padawan entered the temple for the first time in years and were the focus of many stares as they walked down the halls. Qui-Gon's equivalent of a fourteenth birthday had just recently passed, but Obi-Wan was still concerned at how he would react to being in the temple again after the abuse he had suffered the last time.
Fortunately, Qui-Gon didn't seem to notice all of the stares they were receiving. Instead, the youth was swaying on his feet, having to shake himself every few steps to remain conscious. Ruefully shaking his head, Obi-Wan smiled thinly as he felt his own feet dragging on the carpet. "I think we can skip the council meeting for now, Padawan. I'll inform them that we'll see them in the morning."
"Thanks, Master," Qui-Gon yawned deeply. They had reached the lifts by then and both men tilted until they were leaning up against lift wall. As Obi-Wan watched, his padawan's eyes drifted shut and Qui-Gon started to snore as the lift rocked him. Not even Obi's chuckle woke him. The change in the lift's motion brought Qui-Gon from his short nap.
Shooting groggy and confused looks at Obi-Wan, the young man finally figured out where he was. "Are we there?" he asked. Obi-Wan nodded with a slight smile. His padawan lurched forward and just about tumbled into the hallway. Not for the first time in his life, Obi-Wan was grateful their quarters were close to the lifts. He had the premonition that had they been required to travel much further, he would have ended up force-carrying his padawan.
More evidence to prove his point arrived when Qui-Gon stumbled right past their doorway. "Qui-Gon?" Just about tripping over his own feet as he shakily turned around, Qui-Gon eventually faced his master.
"Master?"
"I do suggest we retire to our own quarters," he grinned widely. "Unless you were going to go work on some of your saber techniques down at the practice hall."
Brows furrowed, Qui-Gon looked around long enough to notice he had gone beyond his destination and he flushed a light crimson before staggering back as Obi-Wan opened the door.
As Qui-Gon walked past him, Obi-Wan pulled off the younger man's robe, lest he fall asleep completely clothed. Qui-Gon didn't seem to even notice, his direction never wavering from the room just off of the common room. The master always, Obi-Wan followed until his padawan collapsed face-first on the bed and his breathing promptly took on the deep steady rhythm of sleep. A warm throaty chuckle worked its way out of Obi-Wan's throat as he untied his padawan's lightly dusted boots and worked to remove them without waking Qui-Gon. A trip to the closet and Obi was able to cover his padawan in a soft honey-colored blanket. Then it was his turn to collapse into bed. The only trouble was, there was no master to remove his cloak or his boots.
Obi-Wan felt something pulling at his feet and he kicked down roughly in an attempt to dislodge whatever it was. A heavy thud followed by a cry of disgruntled pain was the result, which caused Obi to sit straight up in bemused worry. The cry had been issued in his padawan's soft tenor and Obi's body seemed to be rigged on battle-mode as his hand automatically reached out for his saber which flew on command into his grip and was instantly ignited. All this before he had even opened his eyes.
Once he did finally wipe the sleep from his eyes, he looked around his room blankly before registering the fact that he was at home in the temple, where he and his apprentice should be free from danger. There were soft chuckles being issued from the foot of his bed and they grew louder as a head poked its way up. "Is it safe?" Qui-Gon laughed. Despite the youth's obvious good humor, it was apparent he had been injured as well. The thin upper lip that was stretched wide was split and was bleeding.
"Oh, Padawan, are you all right?" Obi-Wan opened his arms in an invitation which Qui-Gon gladly accepted even at his fourteen years.
"I don't think I'll bleed to death," Qui-Gon quipped. "At least I finally got your boots off!" he joked. Obi-Wan wiggled his freed toes in response which just made Qui-Gon's chest rumble in laughter all the more.
Holding a hand to the bruising lip, Obi-Wan sent healing energy through his padawan until it was as just as smooth and perfect as it had been before his half booted foot had connected with it. Then he settled down into the mattress with his padawan and floated a blanket over to them. "We still have a while before the council will demand to see us. I suggest we use it to the best of our abilities."
"And that would include sleeping?" teased the musical tenor, sending puffs of warm air down Obi's neck.
"Oh yes, that would most assuredly include sleeping."
Yawing greatly while stretching his legs until they popped, Qui-Gon settled comfortably into his Master's side. "Sound's good to me, Master."
"Really? You're not yearning to get up and start the day?"
A soft snort answered him. "I'm exhausted, Master. I knew you took the time to take care of me but wouldn't do the same for yourself. I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable. Then I was going to go back to bed."
Obi barked in sharp laughter and squeezed his dozing apprentice. "All right, little one. It's all right, sleep."
"Good it is to see you again, Padawan Jinn," Yoda spoke the next morning. Qui-Gon smiled shyly and nodded at the elder master.
"Thank you, Master Yoda," Qui-Gon responded. He was tucked in close to Obi-Wan's side, as if trying to disappear within the his Master's robe. He was happy to be back in the temple, but the constant staring from the other Master's was getting to him. Yoda seemed empathetic enough, but everyone else was looking at him as if he was a bug under a microscope. Especially Mace Windu, Adi Gallia, and Depa Billaba. The trio made him very uncomfortable, and he felt himself leaning even closer to his master.
Obi smiled softly, understanding his padawan's discomfort. They had already given their reports, and the council seemed to be using more time to resolve their own curiosity about Qui-Gon. "If there is nothing else, I would ask if we can retire. My padawan and I are still very tired from our trip."
Mace looked like he had been shocked out of his own reverie when Obi-Wan spoke. "Oh, of course, Master Kenobi, you are free to leave. We'll contact you again when we need to speak with you once more." Obi-Wan bowed, Qui-Gon followed his master's lead and bowed before they turned to leave.
Once outside the council chamber, Qui-Gon sighed loudly and let his shoulders sag. Obi-Wan laughed and wrapped his arm around his padawan's shoulders. "I forgot how much I hated council sessions," Qui-Gon groused. Obi-Wan laughed whole heartily at the glib comment.
"Come now, Padawan. It wasn't all that bad, was it?"
Shooting his master a sour look, Qui-Gon responded, "No, it was worse. I never want to be in there again! They all look at me like I'm some kind of freak. And I know hate leads to the dark side, but Master, I really hate it!" Obi-Wan laughed and hugged his padawan close.
"They just wanted to see how much you've grown, my Padawan. And you did a fantastic job in there. I'm proud of you." Obi-Wan's praise lightened Qui-Gon's mood considerably and he smiled.
"Thank you, Master."
"It's my pleasure. Shall we go back to our rooms and have some breakfast?" Obi-Wan had led his padawan to the lifts and turned to face him as they waited. His padawan's confirmation was vigorous and made Obi-Wan laugh even harder.
When they made it to their floor, Obi-Wan found a visitor waiting outside their door. "Bant!" he shouted in glee. He ran up to her and grabbed her in his arms, swinging her around in a circle before putting back down on the floor.
"Obi! I'm so happy to see you! It's been far too long since you've been in the temple," she exclaimed. Qui-Gon had walked up to his master and the other Jedi, trying not to stare at the Calamarian. He stood behind his master, trying to hide in the elder Jedi's cloak, but his height alone made that quite impossible. "Oh my goodness, is this Qui-Gon?" she asked, literally pulling the padawan out from behind Obi-Wan.
Qui-Gon's eyes were wide as he reluctantly stepped out into the woman's full view. He felt like doing nothing more than shrinking back behind his master, but he knew that he should act like a proper padawan. He bowed low and offered the Calamarian his arm in the common Jedi greeting. "I am Padawan Jinn," he answered, trying desperately to hide his own anxiety at meeting her.
"Oh, you have certainly done a lot of growing since I saw you last!" she commented as she took his arm with her hand and gripped it strongly. "I have to agree with Master Yoda, your master must feed you something special for you to get so big!" As soon as she let go of his hand, Qui-Gon squirted around his master again. Obi-Wan smiled, though he was all too aware of his padawan's discomfort. Apparently his time away from the temple had done some more harm than Obi was aware of.
"Would you like to join us for breakfast?" he asked, immediately feeling Qui-Gon's shock and terror at the idea. To his joy, both emotions were quickly brought under control again.
"I would love to, but I promised I'd meet my padawan in the dining hall. I just wanted to stop by and see if you were really back." Bant's words brought with it another wave of emotion from Qui-Gon, this one of relief. "Though Kara and I would love to have you both over for dinner."
"Of course. What time would you like us to arrive?" he asked, feeling another wave of terror wash over him from his padawan. Though Qui-Gon was well shielded from Bant, Obi-Wan would have to talk with him about his emotions.
"Seventh hour would be perfect. I look forward to then. I'll see you later, Padawan Jinn."
Qui-Gon bowed low and managed a weak smile before Bant left. Once the door opened to their quarters, Qui-Gon practically raced into the common room. "Do I have to go, Master?" he pleaded.
"Qui-Gon, you're going to have to get used to being around other Jedi again."
"I know, but do I have to go tonight?"
Obi-Wan tried to look stern. "Yes, Padawan. You have to go tonight." For a moment, Obi-Wan actually thought his padawan was turning green. "It won't be that bad, I promise you. Bant is one of my best friends, she would never do anything to hurt you."
Qui-Gon's only response was to look up at his master pitifully. Obi-Wan groaned inside, he really couldn't stand when his padawan looked at him with his puppy dog eyes.
"That's not going to work this time, Qui. You're going." Obi-Wan just about laughed when the pout on his padawan's face turned into a scowl. "What would you like for breakfast, Padawan?"
"I'm not really hungry anymore," Qui-Gon stated. Obi-Wan would have gotten angry, but he sensed that Qui-Gon really was feeling ill all of the sudden.
"All right, why don't you go take a shower and then see how you feel. You really shouldn't let tonight cause you so much anxiety, my padawan. Perhaps we'll spend some time in joint meditation when you're done."
"Yes, Master."
As they walked down the hall to Bant's quarters, Qui-Gon got progressively slower. Obi-Wan would have felt his patience wearing, but he could feel Qui's anxiety growing as they walked through the temple halls. Every time they passed another Jedi, he could feel Qui-Gon tense and edge closer. It really had been far too long since they were last in the temple. He couldn't stand having his padawan so edgy. They had worked alone for so long and had no contact with other Jedi and now Qui wasn't used to feeling so many force sensitives in one area.
It was a bit like sensory overload for the young man. Another problem was the lack of shielding the others maintained. Qui-Gon was always heavily shielded from others, but not all of the Jedi in the temple maintained similar shields. It was distracting. And he could feel the barely banked curiosity coming at him from every direction. All of it in combination made him want to hide in his master's cloak. //It's all right, Padawan. I'm right here.//
Qui-Gon smiled as he felt his master's affection wash over him. It helped relax him and he let his master led him on in a faster pace. //Are you sure I have to come?// Qui-Gon pleaded through the bond. Obi-Wan turned to glare at his padawan, though the humor never left his eyes. //I'll take that as a yes.//
//Good, that's what it was meant as, Padawan.// Obi-Wan smiled at his padawan's snort. Though the younger man was reluctant, he hadn't slowed his pace once again. //Now come on, Bant is a good friend. You'll like her, I promise.//
There was another snort from behind him and Obi-Wan had a hard time keeping his laughter inside. When they made it to Bant's door, Obi-Wan had to wrap his arm around his padawan to keep him from bolting. Obi hadn't even sounded the chime when the door slid open to reveal a young female human padawan, probably about thirteen years old. "Hi!" she squealed in delight. "You must be Master Kenobi and Padawan Jinn, come in. My names Kara Inila."
"It's nice to meet you, Padawan Inila," Obi-Wan ushered his padawan in and followed the younger padawan into the common room.
"Master is in the kitchen, but she'll be out in a minute," the girl motioned for Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon to sit down on one of the couches. Obi-Wan tried to hide his smile when Qui-Gon practically sat down on top of Obi's lap. Sometimes he forgot how vulnerable his padawan was. The young man was so sure of himself and confident when they were outside of the temple, but the moment they had stepped back into the familiar halls, Qui-Gon had turned back into the scared child he had been when they left. Perhaps Obi-Wan should have eased his padawan back into the temple by having them work with some other Jedi on a few missions before pushing him right back into temple life.
"Ah, I see our guests have arrived," came Bant's lyrical voice from the kitchen. She held a tray with four mugs of tea, which her padawan jumped up to take from her. Bant nodded at the young girl and settled herself into one of the chairs opposite the couch as her padawan served the mugs. "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan grinned. "I trust it's not anything still alive?" he joked. It was an old joke they had used a lot when they were younger, and Bant grinned. The two padawan's looked at each other in confusion before turning to look at their masters.
"No, nothing that will fight back," came the Calamarian's answer.
"Excellent," Obi-Wan responded with false relief. When Bant looked at the faces the two padawans were making, she burst into laughter.
"You look worried, my young ones. Do not concern yourselves, it is only a joke," Bant assured. The wave of pure relief from Qui-Gon made her laugh all the more. "Have you let your padawan think we're savages, Obi-Wan?" she grinned.
"I tell him only the truth," Obi-Wan shrugged. He wrapped an arm around his padawan's shoulders and squeezed gently to reassure the younger man.
"Then perhaps I should tell him some truth myself," she threatened with a mock growl. "Don't let your master fool you, Qui-Gon. He was quite a terror himself when he was young!"
"Oh now, don't you go spreading stories to a young and impressionable youth," Obi smiled.
"If I remember correctly, you were just as young and impressionable when you engaged in most of your crazy antics, so why wouldn't I share? Or are you just worried he might not see you as the perfectly serene Jedi master anymore?"
"I know better than that," Qui-Gon whispered, his face reddening from his disclosure. Bant roared with laughter at the comment.
"Oh, he is definitely his master's padawan!" she spoke with glee. Obi-Wan was busy mock glowering at his padawan to respond, and Qui-Gon's face was getting even redder as the other padawan chuckled.
The rest of the night went relatively well, and Obi-Wan was glad his padawan had begun to relax around a few more Jedi. Though the temple was still far too much for the youth, Obi-Wan had decided to ask to be paired with another team of Jedi so Qui-Gon could begin to develop some relationships again. He would have to approach the council in the morning. He was hoping to be paired with Bant and Kara for their first joint mission. The padawan was already feeling more comfortable around those two, and Obi thought it would make the transition much easier.
The next day, Obi-Wan found that the council agreed as well. Yoda had recognized Qui-Gon's anxiousness that bordered on fear. He revealed that Bant and her padawan were being sent on a rather simple mission to witness the coronation of a new king. It was the perfect mission to acclimate Qui-Gon to working with other Jedi once again. Obi-Wan bowed, smiling gratefully at Yoda's intervention. The rest of the council seemed reluctant to let Qui-Gon leave again. Obi-Wan had a feeling that reluctance had more to do with curiosity than concern about Qui-Gon's well-being.
Obi-Wan rushed back to his quarters to let Qui-Gon know they would be leaving the next morning. When he walked into the room, he was struck in the side with a floating book. "Ow!" he cried out. It seemed his padawan was up to his old tricks. Obi-Wan avoided being struck by a holovid and ducked into the center of the room where Qui-Gon was folded on his meditation mat. Placing a hand on the boy's shoulder managed to start to pull him out of the meditation and the objects from around the room flew back to their places and were set down. Soon, a pair of inquisitive blue eyes were regarding him.
"Yes, Master?" Qui-Gon asked.
"You were doing it again, Padawan." Obi-Wan spoke with a smile lighting his face and Qui-Gon blushed. He knew exactly what his master was referring to, and Obi-Wan had already told him to stop several times before.
"I'm sorry, Master. I didn't realize I was doing it," Qui-Gon stated worriedly. Obi-Wan squeezed the boy's shoulder and smiled.
"It's all right, my Padawan. You're not in any trouble. In fact, I have some good new for you."
Qui-Gon visibly brightened. "What?" he asked, practically bouncing on his knees.
"We're being sent on a mission in the morning, so you don't have to worry about being in the temple much longer." Obi-Wan laughed as his padawan's face broke into a huge grin.
"Really?" he asked in disbelief. "We're leaving?"
"We're leaving," Obi-Wan confirmed. There was a squeal of delight from the boy just before he jumped up and ran to the master bedroom.
"I'll start packing!" he shouted. "How long should I pack for?"
"At least a couple of months. I don't know when we'll get back," Obi-Wan answered. He figured he had better explain the rest of the mission before Qui-Gon asked, but he was too slow.
"What is our mission, Master?" the young boy asked. Obi-Wan groaned internally before answering with the most casual voice he could manage.
"We're attending the coronation of a new king to the throne of Helian with Master Eerin and her padawan."
The response to Obi-Wan's answer was dead silence. Then the doorway filled with a vision of a very serious padawan. "What?" Qui-Gon whispered.
"You heard me, Padawan. We're attending a coronation to the throne of..." Obi-Wan was cut off as a visibly shaken padawan strode fully into the common room and spoke with an increasingly alarmed voice.
"We're going with other Jedi?" he shrieked. "Then what's the point of leaving the temple at all?" he demanded. "Why not just go yourself and leave me here alone?!"
Obi-Wan strode to his padawan and folded him in an embrace. "Come now, Padawan. You know I wouldn't leave you. We're going with Master Bant and Padawan Inila."
"I don't want to go with anyone!" Qui-Gon sobbed, his shoulders shaking with the effort of trying to hold in his tears and fear.
"Qui, you have to get used to working with other Jedi again."
"No!" Qui-Gon shouted. "They think I'm a freak!"
Obi-Wan rocked his padawan in his arms and held him tightly in his arms, even as Qui-Gon tried to pull away. "Shh, they don't think that. Neither one of them thinks that." Obi-Wan felt Qui-Gon nod his head, but there were no more words forth coming. Qui-Gon just continued to cry and shake in his master's arms. Obi-Wan moved them until they were sitting on the couch where Qui-Gon practically crawled into his lap. Obi-Wan stroked the long hair and soothed his padawan until the boy actually fell asleep. Their time in the temple had been stressful on the young boy, and he needed a bit of a nap. Not to mention an emotional release.
It was only about an hour later when the boy woke up. Though Qui-Gon didn't move, Obi-Wan knew his padawan was awake again. "How are you feeling, Padawan?" he whispered. The boy tightened his grip around Obi's waist.
"Hungry," was the boy's candid reply. Obi-Wan laughed and pulled his padawan up to face him.
"Yes, well we can fix that," he stated as he started to stand up. Qui-Gon followed him into the kitchen where a stew was simmering. "How are you feeling about the mission?" Obi-Wan tried again.
Qui-Gon sighed loudly and looked at his master after setting the table. "If you trust them, I will too, Master." Qui-Gon's eyes were still blood shot as he met his master's eyes. Obi-Wan smiled and nodded.
"It will be all right, little one."
Qui-Gon didn't look convinced, but he nodded and poured two glasses of water. "If you say so, Master."
The trip to Helian took almost two weeks. Bant and Obi had purposely chosen a transport that would make several stops on the way, giving Qui-Gon a chance to adjust to working with other Jedi. At first, the young boy felt betrayed as the trip went on, but soon he was warming up to the other two. The four of them would spend most of the day together, exercising in one of the hangers, eating, and talking about their upcoming mission as well as missions past.
To Obi's chagrin, Bant was telling the young boy story after story about their youth. The young boy was thrilled to learn more about his master's wild days as he grew closer to the other master. A common night found the four Jedi in one of the two rooms they inhabited, talking with great animation. Obi-Wan would usually be in a chair, his padawan on the floor below him. Throughout the night, Obi would comb through his padawan's long hair with his fingers and then the brush they had purchased.
Bant and her padawan usually inhabited the couch across from Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. Kara appeared to be quite taken by the other padawan, and Obi-Wan was almost constantly fighting an urge to smile at the girl's antics. Once, she had even asked if she could brush through the waist length fall of brown hair. Qui-Gon had blushed a ferocious shade of crimson and quickly excused himself, saying he was really tired. The girl had an obvious fascination with Qui-Gon's hair, but she hadn't offered to tend it since.
Instead, her interest surfaced in other ways. She listened avidly whenever the boy spoke, she gazed longingly all throughout the nights spent together, and she spared with Qui whenever she got the chance. Qui-Gon was uncomfortable with the sudden interest and favor he was being shown, which made the entire situation more humorous for Obi-Wan. Finally taking pity on his padawan, Obi-Wan asked Kara to join him for a sparing session, leaving Qui-Gon with Bant for a few hours.
After telling the boy about another one of Obi's exploits, they were sitting quietly together having tea. Qui-Gon had finally grown comfortable around Bant, so he decided to reveal some of his internal fears. "Did you know me before?" he asked her during a lull in their conversation.
"Before the accident?" she asked. When he nodded, she answered. "Yes, I knew you. You were my best friend's master," she revealed. Qui-Gon seemed to draw in on himself for a few moments before meeting her eyes once again.
"Who do you like more?" he whispered. Bant looked at him in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
Qui-Gon dropped his gaze to the mug in his hands. He stared at the tea intently before speaking again. The next sentence was spoken so quietly, Bant almost missed it. "Did you like me more back then or now?"
"Oh," she sighed. "I see." Bant sighed and sat back as she thought about how to answer what was obviously a question that plagued the young man. "Qui-Gon, the two of you are so different. I couldn't tell you I like either one more than the other." The boy was obviously confused, so she continued. "You were a very quiet and private man, Qui-Gon. You were strong and very caring, but you were a master and I was only a padawan. It didn't help that you and Obi were gone most of the time. But don't misunderstand, when you were there, you were a very special friend. You always knew what to say to make anyone feel better, and you never turned anyone away when they came to you. Obi used to whine about how many 'lost causes' you would adopt. You were a wonderful man, one I feel very grateful to have known."
Qui-Gon nodded, but Bant wasn't finished yet. Reaching down, she covered his hand with her own. "But the boy I see before me is just as wonderful. I see your humor, your light, and your fears. When you were older, you had suffered a great deal of loss before I ever met you. It made you sad, and always wary. Now, you are much more open than you ever were before. In you, I see the man I knew before. I see a heart that could never be clouded with hate, a soul more pure than any I have ever known, and a mind so clever that could diffuse any situation. You are two different people, and yet in every way important, you are the same. I am so very glad to have gotten the chance to know you again, and I can't wait until the two of you meet."
Qui-Gon smiled and wrapped his arms around her in a quick hug. "Thank you, Master Eerin," he whispered into her neck.
"You are welcome, little one."
When he released her, he stood up and set his mug down. "Will you tell my master that I've gone to bed? I'm really tired."
Bant nodded and watched as the boy left the room. She smiled to herself and sighed. She would never have imagined a day would come when she would comfort Qui-Gon Jinn the way he had comforted her many times. She remembered the crooked grin that would reassure her whenever Obi was injured. She remembered the strong arms that would hold her whenever she was certain her world was ending. Though Qui-Gon had been Obi's master, he always seemed to have time to help her as well. There had been many nights when the elder Jedi had sat in his chair reading some ancient book as the two padawan's struggled with homework until he put the book down and began to help.
When Obi-Wan arrived back with a now exhausted Kara following behind, Bant told him Qui had retired. Obi nodded and bid the other two a good night before walking to his own room. There, he found Qui-Gon fast asleep on the couch. He had obviously been waiting for Obi-Wan to return, as the hair brush sat on one of the end tables. Gently, Obi-Wan gathered his padawan into his arms and moved to one of the pallets. He removed the soft soled shoes his padawan was wearing and pulled the blanket up over the sleeping boy. He placed a kiss on the smooth forehead and went to the fresher to clean up himself.
"Thank you, Master," came a sleepy reply. "You were right about Master Eerin and Padawan Inila. I like working with them."
"I'm glad to hear that, my padawan." Obi-Wan smiled to himself as he closed the door to the fresher and began his nightly rituals before retiring.
Chapter 9
Qui-Gon had just passed his sixteenth birthday, and they were back in the temple. Bant and Kara threw him a small party to celebrate and Master Yoda was attending as well. The boy had finally become comfortable with the temple on Coruscant, and Obi was sure they spent as much time there as possible. Getting his padawan used to a large population of Jedi was his new top priority.
There were those in the temple whose curiosity would grow just a little too much and stare at the boy. But, Qui-Gon responded in top form, even when the curious were masters on the council, such as Mace Windu. He simply approached those who followed him around or stared in avid interest, and asked them what they had found that was so interesting. Then, the boy would patiently answer whatever questions would follow. He had found that most did not think he was a freak at all, but rather they were interested in how growing so fast affected him. Others wanted to know what he remembered from his past life. Still others just wanted to get to know him now that he was a bit more accessible than he had been as a master. For once, the boy was actually making friends.
Obi-Wan was thrilled with the progress his padawan was making. When they were in the temple, Qui-Gon got many calls asking if he would tutor other padawans in one class or another or if he would spar with them. But, the boy always returned to their rooms before too late. He would sit at his master's feet and meditate while Obi played with the long fall of hair. "Why aren't you out with your friends?" he inquired that night. Qui-Gon had just finished a lengthy meditation and was relaxing against Obi's legs.
"I went out with them earlier, Master." Qui-Gon answered simply.
"You don't have to come back here early every night, my Padawan. You can stay out and enjoy your new friends. I'm sure they have some place to meet together."
"I want to come back," Qui-Gon revealed, turning so he could look into his master's face. "I hardly see you when we're here. I like spending the evening with you." The boy ducked his head then. "I miss you when we're back in the temple."
"Oh, I see," Obi-Wan stroked one of his hands down the boy's face. "I miss you too, Padawan. But you really should get to know others, besides me."
"I do," Qui insisted. "I spend all day with others. The night is my time with you. Unless you'd prefer if I wasn't always here?" The young eyes were full of apprehension as he asked his question.
"Of course not. I love spending time with you, my little Padawan. I just worry about you."
Qui-Gon rested his chin on Obi-Wan's knees and smiled. "Don't worry about me, Master. I'm just fine," Qui-Gon sighed. Obi chuckled and patted the boy's head.
"Master Yoda asked if we were going to enter the Master/Padawan games this year," Obi-Wan revealed after tugging his apprentice up to the couch to be wrapped up in warm arms.
"Really?" Qui-Gon murmured. "What did you tell him?"
"I told him it was up to you. There would be a lot of people watching, from the temple and the senate."
"Do you think we could win?" came the small reply. Qui-Gon was smiling, but he did not look up to meet his master's gaze.
"I think we'd have a good chance," Obi-Wan grinned.
"Ok, then I think we should do it."
"As you wish, little one. I'll tell Master Yoda to sign us up in the morning." Giving his padawan a hug, Obi-Wan allowed his pride and affection to roll down the bond to the youth. Setting himself up for just about everyone on the planet to watch him was a hard move to make, but Qui-Gon had made it. He had decided not to hide anymore. He would face the crowds standing tall.
The crowds for the annual Master/Padawan games were much larger than anyone had anticipated. News had spread quickly that Kenobi/Jinn were one of the competing teams. All those who had known Qui-Gon in his past life and all those who had gotten to know him now, wanted to see how the team would fare. The day's senate meeting had actually been cancelled as so many planned on attending the games. People were packed in the viewing booths and in bleachers down on the floors.
Despite all of the attention being focused on Qui-Gon, the boy remained calm throughout the games. He fought well by his master's side and never failed to congratulate and thank those that lost. In fact, he would call out corrections during the bouts, helping those they were fighting against. After each bout, Qui-Gon would talk with the other padawan and ask what faults they saw in his own fighting style. Each person ended up becoming fast friends with their opponent, which made viewers whisper about his diplomatic skills.
Soon, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon were declared the winners of the saber court drills. The next contest was joint katas. As the pair had spent years together without any other Jedi around, they had completed many of the most difficult katas many times over. Despite this, the pair did not chose one of the most difficult katas they knew. Instead, they used a combination of three of the simpler ones. The new kata was one they had designed together was totally unique and very beautiful when done correctly. The standing ovation they received when finished proved they had made a good decision.
Bant greeted them as they left the floor. "That was wonderful!" she exclaimed. "You're going to end up teaching that to everybody after the contest! And Kara and I want to be first in line."
Obi-Wan laughed and patted his padawan's shoulder. "You'll have to ask Qui-Gon, he designed it."
"We designed it together, Master," Qui-Gon insisted, blushing at the complement from the other master.
"Whoever designed it, I want to learn it!" Kara declared, racing over to the group.
No one was surprised when the Kenobi/Jinn team was declared the winners of that contest as well. The next and last part of the Master/Padawan games was hand to hand combat. They were allowed to use any of the many objects in the room with the force only, otherwise they had to use hand techniques to best their opponents. This had always given Qui-Gon the most trouble. He did have massive control over the force and could use all of the missiles, but his fast growth made hand techniques shaky. Just as he would get used to his body, he would grow once again and have to get used to his new strength, center of gravity, and many other aspects of a growing boy's body.
Though all of the missiles were guided by Qui-Gon's mind, they had to actually pin their opponents down to win. The team came in third, which made Obi-Wan very proud. His padawan had improved greatly when it came to hand techniques, and he let his emotions travel down their bond to let Qui-Gon know he was anything but disappointed with the showing. Having placed first in two events and third in one, they were declared the winners of the games. Though the only prize the pair got was recognition and knowledge that they had beaten the rest of the pairs, it was a moment Obi-Wan knew neither he nor his padawan would ever forget.
"Congratulations you deserve, young Padawan," Yoda told Qui-Gon after the games. "Done very well today, you have."
"Thank you, Master Yoda," Qui-Gon whispered as he bowed low.
"Good to see you so happy, it is. Glad, I am, that doing so well you are." The boy smiled in response and nodded. "Worried I have been about you, young one. Adjusting well, you are. Many changes you have gone through."
"I have a great Master. He helps me a lot." Qui-Gon looked over at his master, and grinned. "I wouldn't be able to do it with out him."
"Hmm, good for each other you are," Yoda agreed. "But too dependent on him, are you?"
Qui-Gon's smile disappeared as a mild form of panic settled over his heart. //Don't worry, Padawan. He's not going to separate us.// Obi-Wan sent after hearing Yoda's question. Qui-Gon straightened his shoulders and met the ancient Jedi's steady gaze.
"I'm not dependent on him, I have other friends," he defended. Yoda simply grunted and turned to walk away. Obi-Wan walked up behind his padawan and put his hands on both of the boy's shoulders. "Why does he think I'm too dependent on you?"
"He's just worried because you're more open now than you were before." Obi-Wan stated. "There aren't many people who understand that you're not exactly like you were before. I think Master Yoda expected you to be more aloof than you are."
"And it's bad that I'm not?" the boy asked.
"Not at all, Qui-Gon. You weren't always so independent before either. It just happened because of circumstances."
"Do you think I'll push you away when I remember?"
Obi-Wan kissed the top of Qui-Gon's head and hugged him close. "I hope not. We were close back then as well. I don't think your memories will change much between us."
"Good."