Homepage: Kalynn's Fan Fiction - XFiles, Profiler, Star Wars:
TPM, Hercules, Young Hercules: http://www.geocities.com/kalyw
Rating: G
Archive: m_a
Classification: short story, series story, angst
Warnings: AU (compared to JA), knowledge of Inner Strength
series will help.
Summary: Obi-Wan has a nightmare.
Feedback: Come on, it will enhance your social skills ;-)
Thank Yous: forgive me if I can't remember who all has looked
at this for me? I think it's lil, kim and kry :-)
Disclaimer: *runs to check the mail* nope, still not mine. And
I wrote such a nice letter to the firm of "Never gonna happen"
:-)
Late in the day cycle within the Jedi Temple, a rare silence
had descended upon the typically busy building. The living
areas were darkened, and within those set aside for the
youngest initiates slept.
However, the stillness within the sleeping room was broken by a
muted cry. Where he slept, Obi-Wan tossed restlessly in his
bed, tangled amongst the rumpled covers. The stuffed wookiee he
clutched in his hand slipped free and tumbled to the floor as
another small cry tore from the boy's throat.
The toy had just struck the floor when the main door opened,
and a tall figure stood silhouetted in the doorway. He paused
only for a moment before walking purposefully across the room.
Qui-Gon easily sensed the turmoil in the small boy's mind. The
emotions of his vivid dreams were a beacon to the Jedi, even
from his own quarters. Kneeling beside the child's bed, he
reached out with a large hand to brush sweat-dampened hair from
Obi-Wan's forehead. Under his hand, Obi-Wan turned, whimpering
softly.
Qui-Gon caught flashes of the images playing across Obi-Wan's
mind and closed his eyes. Gently pulling the Force to him,
Qui-Gon surrounded the child with calm and peace. No one should
have to relive watching their home being destroyed.
Obi-Wan's movements slowly stilled, his eyes not clenched quite
so tightly. The boy murmured softly a final time before he lay
still. Qui-Gon's heart paused at the helpless sound.
A moment later, Obi-Wan's eyes opened slowly. Blinking, he
gazed sleepily up at the Jedi Master. Confusion flickered
across the green eyes for an instant before memory of the
nightmare struck the child.
Moving without thought, Qui-Gon sat on the edge of the bed. He
had barely held out his arm before Obi-Wan was curled up in his
lap, small arms wrapped around his chest. As Qui-Gon wrapped
the boy into a hug, Obi-Wan all but disappeared inside the
large cloak.
Rubbing the child's back in an attempt to comfort, Qui-Gon
sorted through the tumult of emotion he felt re-blossom across
the fledgling bond.
Before Obi-Wan, it had been years since anyone sought him for
comfort, or trusted him with such a gift as Obi-Wan's heart.
The Jedi realized only since finding the youth how much he
missed the feeling of being needed. The realization was sudden,
and in response he held the near-trembling child tighter.
Once the boy's emotions slowed, flowing more smoothly along the
bond. Qui-Gon pulled back, "Little one?"
His gaze fixed on Qui-Gon's tunic, Obi-Wan replied, "I'm
sorry."
It was Qui-Gon's turn to be confused. Tugging the boy's chin
up, he asked "Whatever for?"
Sniffing softly, Obi-Wan shrugged. "I must have woke you up."
Qui-Gon managed a thin smile at the concern he felt. "You've
done no such thing."
Wide eyes looked up at the Jedi, as if trying to discern if he
was telling the truth. "You promise?"
Meeting's Obi-Wan's gaze steadily, Qui-Gon replied seriously,
"No, and had I been sleeping I'd more prefer you did wake me."
"I don't understand," Obi-Wan said in a small voice, shaking
his head.
"Even dreams can scare us, Obi-Wan. Especially those we know
for truth."
His voice a whisper, Obi-Wan said, "You know."
The Jedi nodded. "I saw some of it."
"Do you think they hate me?" Obi-Wan sniffed, not managing even
a whisper as he added, "For getting away?"
"Never," Qui-Gon replied quickly, his tone brooking no
argument. "They loved you. Lots of people love you, little
one."
Eyes older than their years, yet unsure, looked at Qui-Gon.
Innocence rang in his voice, "Even you?"
Qui-Gon met the uncertainty he felt along their bond with a
wave of love. "Especially me, little one."
"But why?" Obi-Wan asked, snuggling back up against Qui-Gon's
chest.
Resting his chin on the top of Obi-Wan's head, the Jedi
couldn't believe that the child would even have to ask such a
question. To Qui-Gon, the question was how he lived without the
bright spark for so long. It was a rare occasion that the
revered negotiator was at a loss for words, yet once again
Obi-Wan managed it.
Finally he said, "Because in you, little one, I can see past
the horizon. You're hope and possibility combined."
Quizzical eyes glanced up at Qui-Gon. "Hope?"
Qui-Gon smiled. "You, Obi-Wan, are my hope."
"I don't understand," Obi-Wan admitted, his brow scrunched in
thought.
Qui-Gon's faint smile broke, and he shook his head. "It's all
right. I didn't either until recently."
A lopsided grin slowly formed on Obi-Wan's face, chasing the
sadness from his eyes. "That long?"
"That long . . ." Qui-Gon repeated straight-faced. "I'll have
you know I'm not *that* old." However, the Master felt nothing
but relief when Obi-Wan giggled softly. "Back to bed with you.
If we wake everyone up, Master Kohn will be after me."
"Better than Master Yoda," Obi-Wan kidded, smiling.
Shaking his head, Qui-Gon straightened the covers somewhat.
"I'm not so sure about that. Now, under the covers."
"Awww, do I have to?" the child complained, but minded the
Jedi.
When he moved to again kneel beside the bed, Qui-Gon felt
something next to his knee. Looking down, he recognized
Obi-Wan's tattered stuffed wookiee. "Missing someone?" he
asked, picking up the toy for Obi-Wan to see.
Yawning, the child nodded, and took the offered stuffed animal.
Qui-Gon pulled the blanket snug around the boy, and watched as
he quickly fell back asleep.
After several moments, Qui-Gon moved to stand. However, looking
at Obi-Wan's now-peaceful face, he dropped into a loose
meditative pose next to the bed.
He watching as Obi-Wan continued to sleep, this time with
dreams of playing games and joyful faces. Their shared bond
glowed with the relaxed peace between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon.
Reaching over to brush back the red-gold hair, Qui-Gon rested
back on his heels. Sleep, he decided, could wait.
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