Series: yes, this follows "Meditations" and "The Bond"... I'm
still working on a title for the series as a whole.
Summary: Obi-Wan & Qui-Gon return to Coruscant with Anakin
in the next installment of this AU series.
Warnings: Explicit smutty bits, and some "off-screen" violence
Feedback: yes, please. This little AU just keeps rolling along
on its merry way...I'm hoping y'all enjoy it.
The ancient Jedi Master struck the ground solidly with his
cane. "Wrong it was for Qui-Gon to do this. Put your training
in question he has."
"Master Yoda, I was the one who insisted upon the
Bonding. If blame is to be taken, then I take it fully upon
myself."
"But fully you are not, are you, hmm? Bonded, you are- -part
you, part Qui-Gon now. While still apprentice! Against the Code
it is."
Obi-Wan bowed his head in deference, and tried once more to
explain, "I did this to save my Master's life--perhaps both of
our lives, and the lives of many others if the Sith Lord had
not been defeated. I believed that the severity of the
situation justified our actions...though I will concede to
whatever decision the Council has made on our perceived
offense. If the decision is that I cannot now become a full
Jedi..." He paused to remove his lightsaber from his belt and
lay it upon the ground. As painful as it was to say the words,
he continued calmly, "...Then I will accept my failure."
Yoda stood before Obi-Wan, his large eyes fixed upon the young
man. Then he let out a deep sigh. "Difficult, this is. Impulse
rules Qui-Gon's actions- -impulse and defiance. Too much, you
are the same...but deny your potential, I will not. Fought
without fear, or anger towards the Sith you did, this we see.
Put others before yourself. Pass the trials of becoming a Jedi
Knight, you have. So agrees the Council. So it will be."
Obi-Wan's eyes widened with surprise. "I...I thank you, Master
Yoda."
"Hmph! Yes, Council agrees, but without concern, it does not.
Careful you must be. Careful with Qui-Gon's strong will,
careful with the boy."
"Anakin? ...Then the Council has decided he is to be trained
after all?"
"Too dangerous, now, to train him not. One Sith gone, seeking a
new student the other will be. Necessary to quiet Skywalker's
fear, or fall to the Dark Side he will. See this I do. Padawan
to Qui-Gon he will be-- if promise you can, to assist. Provide
reason against his impulsiveness."
"I promise. We will train Anakin together, and we will not fail
the Council in this matter." He bowed his head once more and
picked up his lightsaber, sensing that the meeting was over.
"Yes. Fail, you must not. Too great is the danger. Far too
great, it is." With that, Master Yoda turned and left. Obi-Wan
stayed and did not rise until the senior Jedi had departed--at
which point he was swift to the exit where he knew Qui-Gon
waited for him.
His Master's attention turned quickly from the window looking
over the city toward Obi-Wan, who did not need to tell Qui-Gon
what had happened. He had felt Qui-Gon's presence in the back
of his mind the whole time he'd been in the Council chambers.
They shared a smile, and Qui-Gon rested his hand upon his
Padawan's shoulder. It was a restrained gesture, all that was
proper to share in open corridors of the temple, but nothing
further was necessary to communicate everything.
I would have fought for you, had it been necessary.
As I would have stubbornly resisted your intervention,
Master. But it seems that once again the Council has overlooked
our more... unorthodox ways.
And once again you have made me most proud, my Padawan.
Qui-Gon starting leading them towards the lifts and spoke, "I
suspect the ceremony will be tonight, then, as tradition would
dictate. You should begin the preparations now if you wish to
be ready in time."
"Yes, I know," Obi-Wan agreed, with just a slight sigh.
"Patience, Obi-Wan," was the understanding if slightly teasing
response. "All of this is necessary, and you should meet your
day of passage with great joy."
"I know, Master," he answered as he stepped into the lift and
it began its descent to the lower levels of the Temple. "It's
just the past days have been overflowing in ceremonies and
passages and meetings and every other sort of affair." I
simply look forward the time when it is all past and we can
conduct our own ceremonies--in private.
There will be time for that later. Until then, we will do
what we must, and that is to honor the traditional ways.
"Now," he said as the lift stopped on the level where the young
children were housed, "I have matters of my own to take care
of-- including giving Anakin the good news about his training.
I will see you tonight, Obi-Wan."
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan bit back another sigh, sending a mental
embrace after Qui-Gon as the lift doors closed again and
longing for the time when they would have the opportunity for
more than that. It seemed as if an eternity had passed between
the journey from Coruscant to Naboo, before the battle with the
Sith, yet it had only been a few days--a few maddeningly
intense, hectic days, admittedly.
The situation on Naboo had been swiftly resolved, but Qui-Gon
had required medical attention and rest because of the injury
to his arm. Obi-Wan, in turn, had needed time to meditate and
heal his mind in the aftermath of the battle. Although he
accepted his actions as being necessary, the killing of the
Sith still tainted his spirit as any killing always did for a
Jedi.
Beyond that, there had been residual business to settle between
the Queen, the Trade Federation and the Senate, and then the
Council had demanded their swift return to Coruscant to report
on what had happened. A whirlwind of confusion and barely-
contained chaos is how it had felt to Obi-Wan, and on top of it
all both Jedi still needed to adjust to the changes they were
both going through as a result of their bonding.
The Council will be most displeased with this, Qui- Gon
had told him on their way back to Coruscant. Sharing sleeping
quarters on a small transport with Anakin, they had refrained
from any intimacy beyond embracing and silent communication.
Our relationship has always been frowned upon as improperly
intense for a Master and a Padawan. To Life Bond with one who
has not yet been freed from apprenticeship...we will cause
quite a stir, I can assure you that, Padawan.
I do not care what they think, Master. It was necessary, and
I have no regrets. I wonder more how the Council will react to
our confirmation that the enemy we faced was indeed a Sith.
That news is not good...yet it confirms, to my mind, that I
am right about Anakin. The Chosen One is foretold to bring
balance to the Force. For there to be balance, there must be
Dark as well as Light. Sith and Jedi.
And what precisely will this 'bringing balance' entail? That
is what I have always pondered regarding that prophecy.
A reintegration of the two orders? The creation of a new one
in its place? It is difficult to say. ...You understand why I
must train him, don't you?
Yes, I understand now, though I still have my concerns, and
you'll have to forgive me if they will not pass so quickly.
There is nothing to forgive. I would do well, no doubt, to
listen to your cautions more often...
So now, the Council had agreed to Anakin's training after all;
it was unusual for them to revoke a decision such as this one,
but then again Anakin's case was unusual in many ways. Obi-Wan
felt relieved that on this matter, at least, Qui-Gon would not
have to act in defiance to their wishes.
Nevertheless, he would be more relieved when they could be done
with all of these rituals and meetings and just get on with
things in a more "normal" fashion once again.
So, if I might ask, how much longer must we sit here before
it will not be considered terribly rude of us to leave?
Obi-Wan glanced across to Qui-Gon, catching the hint of a smile
on his former Master's face at the question. We stay until
Master Windu retires for the night. It would not be proper to
leave the table before the Council's representative leaves.
Very well. But you'll have to pardon me if my attention
wanders slightly until then.
That feels more like your hand wandering, Obi-Wan, unless
your attention has developed very agile fingers.
Obi-Wan put on his best, most innocent face and did not answer
Qui-Gon, pretending instead to find the conversation between
Master Kawi and Apprentice H'mal to his left exceedingly
interesting. The truth, however, was that he felt ready to
scream if the evening wasn't finished soon.
He'd spent most of the afternoon leading up to the ceremony in
meditation, although he had found it difficult to reach the
deep, spiritual-cleansing trance that was supposed to precede
this passage into status as a full Jedi. Too many stray
thoughts kept chasing around the edges of his mind, too much
longing to simply spend time with Qui-Gon exploring the depths
of their new-formed union.
Eventually sundown had arrived, the time for the ceremony to
begin. It was a simple ritual, on the surface at least. After
entering the Council chambers, Obi-Wan had presented himself in
turn to each of the twelve Jedi Masters, showing his respect,
allowing them each one final chance to object and challenge his
passage. None of them had, although he was certain he'd sensed
at least some degree of reservation and concern from nearly all
of them, even if they had not spoken their concerns aloud.
Qui-Gon had assured him once, "The Jedi need a few renegades,
and the Council knows it, whether they like it or not. A few
who will challenge the accepted ways and sometimes question the
decisions of the Council. Follow the Code, Padawan, but not
blindly. Understand when to follow your heart instead, because
only you can truly know the truths which lie there."
Master Yoda had been the last, and Obi-Wan had kneeled before
the elder Jedi and waited for his words of approval. "Obi-Wan
Kenobi, grant you the title of Jedi Knight, we do. Earned it
you have, in the eyes of the Council."
Upon these words, Qui-Gon had stepped forward; Obi-Wan had felt
his presence at his back and he rose from his knees to face his
Master. It was a solemn moment, one that was not supposed to be
met with any levity. Yet he'd been unable to suppress a small
smile as he met Qui-Gon's gaze, and the Jedi Master had reached
out and grasped his braid with one hand, lifting a blade to it
with his other. Obi-Wan had felt a keen sense of loss as the
hair was cut, the braid falling to the ground to show the
severance of their Master/ apprentice relationship. So many
years, so many memories...yet he'd known it was foolish to feel
this way, considering this was far from the end of their
relationship. It was simply the beginning of something
new...just one more change to accept in these days filled with
so many other changes.
He'd required a moment to draw his attention away from
Qui-Gon's eyes and remember how to complete the last part of
the ritual. He'd bowed before his now-former Master, and then
turned to bow before the Council. "I vow to live by the Code,
and the will of the Force. There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge. There is no
passion...there is serenity. There is no death; there is the
Force."
Afterwards, he'd thought he would be finished with ceremonies
for the night. But as soon as they'd left the chambers, Qui-Gon
had informed him that they were invited--and expected to
attend, of course--dinner with teachers at the Academy and many
of the current students. Anakin sat with them at their table,
sporting his new shorter haircut, the tiny start of a braid
behind his right ear. He was keeping busy talking with the
other students, who were all quite curious about this new boy
who had one day appeared in their midst and now already had a
Master--a pair of Masters, no less.
Obi-Wan could sense their curiosity, suspicion, and in some
more than a touch of jealousy over Anakin's fate. He could
sympathize with the older children, for whom these feelings
were the strongest. He knew how difficult it was to be that
age, when you hoped for one of the older Jedi to come and take
you as Padawan--what you'd spent all your childhood hoping for.
To be passed over for a boy who had not gone through the rigors
of training was going to leave many curious, and no doubt
resentful. Still, Anakin was a bright and engaging child, and
he seemed to be making at least a few fast friends in his time
here with the children.
Obi-Wan, pleasantly full after the dinner but increasingly
restless to be done with it all, continued to caress Qui-Gon's
thigh under the table, relishing the tempting feeling of hard
muscle covered by the soft fabric of his pant. His hand
continued its explorations until it brushed over the other
man's groin.
Obi-Wan... came a warning voice in his head. He ignored
it, sensing that despite the protests, Qui- Gon was enjoying
his torturous touch. The hardness he felt with his fingertips
certainly indicated as much to him.
Thankfully, Master Windu soon got up from his seat and passed
by to say his good nights and offer his best wishes. "Master
Qui-Gon, sir?" Obi-Wan then heard Anakin calling excitedly.
"Yes, Ani?"
"Would it be all right if I stayed with F'yar and the other
kids tonight? She's working on building a droid and I'd like to
see it, maybe help her finish it."
"All right, just don't stay up too late. Tomorrow you start
your training," Qui-Gon reminded him.
"Thanks!" The boy was out of his chair in a flash, running off
with the young, dark-haired girl who was apparently his
newfound friend.
"Are you certain that's a good idea?" Obi-Wan asked softly,
noticing a few of the others glancing after them. "I sense some
hostility toward Anakin among the children."
"As do I, but I don't believe it should be a problem. He misses
his friends from Tatooine; it would be good for him to spend a
little time with children his own age." Besides, now we do
not have to worry about sleeping arrangements.
Sleeping? I don't think you will be getting much of that
tonight if I have any say in the matter...
A short time later, they finally managed to make their own
escape from the dinner party and retreat to their quarters for
the night. Few personal items decorated the small but not
cramped rooms, for Jedi tended to live a spartan lifestyle and
share whatever they had with others. Nevertheless, this place
was home during those times when the two of them were not away
on missions all across the Republic, and it felt good to be
here again. It was one thing, one place that did not change,
one place which was comfortingly familiar.
"Alone at last," Obi-Wan sighed, as the door slid softly shut
behind them. Turning to face Qui-Gon, he slipped his arms
around the taller man's waist and tilted his head up for a
kiss, which Qui-Gon wasted little time granting him.
The young Jedi's need, which had been building for days,
reached critical the moment their lips met, as he drank in the
taste of Qui-Gon's own intense desire. The kiss quickly
deepened and became almost violent in its intensity, Obi-Wan
pulling upon Qui-Gon's bottom lip, biting it, rolling his
tongue over it and into the other man's mouth. The hunger for
union was like nothing he'd known before, the Life Bond seeming
to amplify every sensation, reflect it back at him a
hundred-fold. Need you... love you...want you so
badly... he cried silently, clutching at Qui-Gon's body for
support when his legs seemed incapable of keeping him upright.
Suddenly he felt as if he were floating on air--in truth, he
realized, he had been swept up into Qui- Gon's arms, to be
guided over to the bed. Gently laid down on the soft mattress,
he sighed as Qui-Gon settled over him, covering him with the
heavy warmth of his body. His blue eyes sparkled with love and
hunger, and he teased Obi-Wan with light kisses all across his
face and neck.
Master...
No longer, Obi-Wan. You are my Master as much as I am yours
now. Master of my heart... Qui-Gon flicked his tongue along
Obi-Wan's earlobe, a touch which sent shivers through him, all
the way down to his toes. ...Master of my flesh. Tonight is
for you, my love. All for you. No longer my
apprentice...tonight you are my Master.
Qui-Gon's words were nearly enough to make Obi-Wan come right
then and there. He rallied what was left of his control as
Qui-Gon's mouth explored his jaw, his neck, his chest, as his
robes were swiftly slipped from his body. Obi-Wan squirmed
under the blissful attention, gasping as the cool air fell upon
his exposed stomach, then his thighs. Silky hair teased his
bare skin, and moist lips descended over one nipple, bringing
it to immediate attention. Qui-Gon brushed the taut nub lightly
with his tongue, over and over, until Obi-Wan was panting,
begging for some mercy.
"Please...oh, Qui-Gon! I can't...OH!" Qui-Gon's hand had glided
down to his cock, the direct stimulation too much to bear.
Don't fight it, let it go, my love. Let yourself go.
"Qui-Gon..." he groaned, thrusting hard into the hand and
letting the convulsions of pleasure rip through his body. As
they began to pass, leaving him feeling utterly boneless and
spent, he groaned, "Oh, fuck," in a most un-Jedi-like
fashion, not believing how fast he'd been driven over the edge
by his lover's touch.
His reaction elicited a chuckle from Qui-Gon, who waited until
the tremors subsided before pulling Obi- Wan against him. "You
were as tightly strung as a Methacylian harp, my love. It's not
good to carry so much pent up energy within your body."
"I told you I was going mad with need for this..." He slipped
his hands under his Master's still only partially undone tunic.
His chest was warm and damp with sweat, and he could feel how
Qui-Gon's desire was only marginally more under control than
his own had been. Even if our minds are linked now, I still
can't get enough of your body...
He worked the maddening layers of clothing free, until the Jedi
Master was bare to the waist. They touched and caressed,
exploring, sharing thought and emotion as freely as they shared
their bodies. After a time, Obi-Wan straddled his lover's
thighs and sat up to enjoy one of his favorite views: Qui-Gon
lying beneath him, his long hair tousled about his head, his
chest rising and falling with his heavy, quickening breaths.
Obi-Wan ran his hands over that tempting chest, so very aware
at that moment of the preciousness of what they had...what he
knew had nearly lost.
"Never leave me...I couldn't bear it to lose you now," he asked
Qui-Gon to promise.
"Never, my love. Never."
The living Force was so strong around them, pulsing, awakening
Obi-Wan's every nerve ending. He shuddered at the sensation and
confessed, "The Code tells us there is no passion, but there
is...passion consumes me when I am with you...I cannot
get enough of you...and I cannot see how it could be wrong to
want this, to want your love."
He leaned down to claim Qui-Gon's lips, kissing him, opening
his mind fully to savor Qui-Gon's desire as his own returned
with great haste. It was as dizzying as those first moments
after the Bonding, where he'd been unable to keep track of who
he was any longer, whose body was his, which arms, which legs,
which sweet, delicious lips. This time he didn't fight it; he
let himself go, lost himself in the wondrous sensations of love
and the sensual demands of the flesh--his, Qui-Gon's...it
didn't matter. In that moment it was all the same.
Obi-Wan...
Qui-Gon's mental voice filled his ears, rough with hunger. The
younger Jedi knew what his lover needed. He relaxed and only
let out an expectant sigh as Qui- Gon urged him over onto his
back, covering his smaller frame once more with the heat and
weight of his body. Obi-Wan moaned, almost in pain, when their
kiss was broken; he was desperate not to lose the intimate
contact--even when he knew what would follow and could barely
stand the anticipation.
He watched Qui-Gon finish undressing, getting up from the bed
for a moment to retrieve a small vial of oil from their
belongings. When he returned, Obi-Wan whimpered at the brush of
Qui-Gon's lips against his inner thighs, teasing him, filling
him with need, making him hard again and craving a more
satisfying release than before.
His legs raised upward, Qui-Gon ran a slick, oil- coated hand
against his backside. Please, now, I can't
wait...Qui-Gon... He cried out mentally and vocally when
his lover finally took him, as they were joined and heat filled
and then consumed him. The Force rippled and surged all around
them, the pleasure greater than he could stand. Qui-Gon, I
could lose myself in you...drown and never find my way
back...
No, Obi-Wan. I am here to catch you, always. Always, my
love...
Words faded into nothingness, for words required thought, and
now there was only feeling. Sharing. Emotion that could not be
restrained. Just the Force, and the light, their love, and
Obi-Wan never wanted it to stop. Yet their bodies eventually
demanded an end even as they fought to hold on to the pleasure
as long as possible; even a Jedi's endurance had limits. When
the climax came over them both, Obi-Wan held on to his lover's
body with all of his strength, feeling himself nearly slipping
into unconsciousness as his mind could barely handle the
intensity of the sensations coursing through him, through
Qui-Gon, though the Force all around them.
In the hazy, lightheaded minutes that followed, not fully
conscious, lost somewhere in the dream-plane, a vision filled
Obi-Wan's mind. He saw scenes, impressions of the future--the
one they had changed, the one that would have been had they not
acted upon what he had seen before as a warning. The path of
Time had been altered, reshaped, yet echoes of what could have
been remained, and he saw these now, rushing through his mind,
almost too quickly to understand.
He saw himself, weeping over Qui-Gon's body, the enemy defeated
but at the most terrible price he could imagine...
...struggling to train Anakin on his own, never able to lay to
rest the ghosts of the past...
...failures, betrayal, deaths...so many dead, scattered,
hiding, lost...
...desperate actions to save the only hope for a better
future...
....lonely, empty years, waiting only for the time to die and
hope for his Master's forgiveness...
He shivered as the visions slipped away, Qui-Gon pulling him
tighter and offering his warmth against the chill visions.
"I just--"
"I know," Qui-Gon answered him. "I saw as well. But it is not
our future, not now."
Obi-Wan nodded, letting the comfort of his lover's embrace
soothe him, the last echoes of passion still shuddering through
his body. He could sense Qui-Gon's thoughts remaining on the
vision, analyzing it, and after a few minutes the elder Jedi
continued, "This vision should not be ignored, however. Some of
what we have seen in it may yet come to pass, if we do not heed
the warnings the Force has granted us.
"We must never let Anakin fall to the Dark Side, Obi- Wan, yet
if he is to bring balance to the Force, he must know it, and
not reject it entirely... The risk to all is great in this.
Perhaps the greatest risk the Jedi--the entire galaxy--has
faced for millennia."
"Are we strong enough to meet such a challenge?" Obi- Wan
wondered.
"I have to believe we are. We cannot fear failure. We have to
have faith that we can succeed."
Silence then settled over the room, as desires had momentarily
at least been sated, and they could simply enjoy the comfort of
each other's presence. Yet their heartbeats had barely slowed
to near their regular, steady rhythms when a strong disturbance
in the Force hit them both, causing Obi-Wan to sit up abruptly,
immediately alert and on guard.
"What was that?" he asked.
After a moment, Qui-Gon tensed and answered: "Anakin."
Nothing more needed to be said. Within seconds they were off
the bed, clothing retrieved in haste and no time wasted before
they were out the door. There was no doubting Qui-Gon's
certainty, even if Obi-Wan could not tell so clearly it was the
boy who was in trouble; he trusted Qui-Gon's senses and the
urgency with which they needed to act. His bare feet seemed to
barely touch the ground of the temple corridors, and the lift
doors opened to meet them just as they arrived.
Qui-Gon barked out the floor number for the young Jedis'
sleeping chambers. They said nothing during the ascent, both
readying themselves for whatever would be waiting for them.
// QUI-GON!! //
The boy's shout was so strong Obi-Wan nearly lost his balance.
Qui-Gon flinched and tensed his muscles, and Obi-Wan heard the
mental call his companion sent back:
Coming, Ani. We're coming...just hold on...
The door slid open and the two Jedi flew forward down the
corridor. Reaching out, Obi-Wan could feel the boy's presence,
as he could sense others--but they were fleeing quickly, aware,
no doubt, that someone was coming. As they turned the corner
and burst into the room at the end of the hall, they found only
two children huddled in the middle of the workshop room. One
was the girl F'yar, who was hovering Anakin and crying.
There was blood on the carpet all around them.
"Ani..." Qui-Gon rushed over and picked up the boy. Obi-Wan saw
that he had been beaten and cut badly in several places, blood
dampening the hair on his head and staining the front of his
shirt.
F'yar fought to stop crying and tell them, "The other kids...I
don't know why...I was just playing with Ani and they just came
in here...I tried to stop them..." Obi-Wan placed his hands on
the young girl's shoulders, attempting to calm her while
Qui-Gon tried to rouse Anakin.
The young boy mumbled something incoherent--his bottom lip was
cut and the words he tried to speak were muddled. "I'll bring
him to medics," Qui-Gon called to Obi-Wan as he rushed out of
the room.
Obi-Wan said to the girl, "It's going to be okay, F'yar. Did
you see who it was, who did this to him?"
"No...I don't know...I think someone wiped it from my head
before they left, because I can't remember! I can barely
remember anything, and I feel...dizzy."
"Don't worry about remembering right now. Are you hurt? Do you
want to go to the medics too?"
"I think I'm okay, but could I go anyway? I want to make sure
Ani is all right."
"Come, then. We can talk and perhaps you'll remember something
more in a little while." As they left, they ran into several
teachers in the hallway--no doubt they too had felt the
disturbance in the Force from Anakin and had been stirred to
investigate.
Obi-Wan explained what happened--what he had seen and felt, at
least. Master Grudel, the eldest of teachers, told him, "We
will find out who is responsible for this incident. Such
behavior is intolerable! Please, extend my apologies to Master
Jinn and my wishes that your Padawan is not seriously hurt."
"I will," Obi-Wan said, brushing past them, holding F'yar's
hand in his for reassurance as they headed off to the medics'
chambers.
Obi-Wan spent some time with F'yar privately, trying to help
her calm down and restore the memories of the assault, but he
had only marginal success. It was clear that the children who
had attacked Anakin were mostly older, and that at least three
had been involved, but he could only get vague impressions of
what they looked like from the girl's mind. He didn't want to
push too hard anyway, not when F'yar was still so upset and
shaken from watching what had happened and being unable to
help.
"I don't understand why they did this! We were only talking and
playing. He didn't do anything to them to make them angry, did
he?"
"Fear, F'yar. Many people fear Anakin because they know he has
the potential to become a very powerful Jedi. Perhaps the most
powerful Jedi to ever live."
"More powerful than Master Yoda? I saw Yoda lift every child in
the playroom once, right off the ground! And he barely raised a
finger to do it!"
Obi-Wan smiled a little, remembering the time Yoda had pulled a
similar trick once when he was a child. It was a fast way to
teach the youngsters not to judge a Jedi's--or
anyone's--strength by his size or appearance. "Yes, F'yar,
possibly, though it is very hard to tell now. But the older
children felt fear because they could sense that
possibility...and perhaps they do not like losing a chance to
become Master Jinn's new Padawan to a boy who has only arrived
at the temple now."
"It's not Ani's fault he wasn't found so late...that he wasn't
trained here like the rest of us."
"No, it isn't. And you are very astute to see that. I think
you'll be a very wise Jedi some day."
The girl beamed at the complement, less upset now than before.
"Can I see Ani?"
"Let me check on him first. I'll be back in a few minutes," he
assured her, leaving the waiting area of the medic's chambers
to go to the treatment room where Qui-Gon and one of the
healers was with Anakin.
Qui-Gon looked up immediately as Obi-Wan stood in the doorway
and nodded for him to come in. The healer was busy tending to
what looked like a nasty cut on Anakin's arm, but now that he
was cleaned up a bit the boy didn't look as bad as he had at
first. His bottom lip was swelling badly, and it looked as if
he would have a black eye, but Qui-Gon had his hand on Anakin's
cheek and Obi-Wan could sense the Jedi trying to speed the
boy's recovery. Anakin appeared fast asleep, or at least lulled
into a restful state under Qui-Gon's application of the Force.
"He will be all right?" Obi-Wan asked the healer.
"Yes, nothing serious," the man answered him. "There...that
should take care of his arm, and the medication should help
dull the pain and let him get some sleep. If you need anything
else, please let me know."
"Thank you," Qui-Gon told him. "I will stay here with him in
case he wakes up and needs anything." After the healer had
left, Qui-Gon added to his former apprentice, "I should have
taken your warning more seriously, Obi-Wan."
"Do not blame yourself for this. It has not been as long for me
since my days here at the Academy. I remember the occasional
cruelty of youth much more clearly, perhaps, than you. Anakin
is different, they can sense that as clearly as the adults can,
and they resent that he is the focus of so much attention. They
sense his power, too, and it frightens them." It seems to
frighten everyone, except for you.
And you?
I am trying, Qui-Gon. Because I know fear will not help him,
and I will believe in him if you do. Sensing his lover's
continued concern, he placed a gentle hand on Qui-Gon's
shoulder, sending him a strong wave of support.
Master Yoda's words are very true: 'Fear leads to anger,
anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.'
And now Anakin has tasted all three firsthand. We must make
sure he never turns those emotions back onto those who would
feel that way towards him. After a pause, he asked aloud,
"Do we have a better idea what happened yet?"
"Not really," Obi-Wan answered him, opening his mind then to
show Qui-Gon what he had learned from F'yar.
"I suppose it would be best to leave here as soon as Anakin is
well, then. I would prefer to begin his training somewhere that
he will not be exposed to further incidents such as this--at
least not until he is stronger in his control of the Force. I
had hoped he might spend some time here with the other
students, learning the basic skills...but I can see now this
will not be the proper environment for that."
"A thought, Qui-Gon..."
"Yes?"
"Queen Amidala did extend her hospitality to us, and expressed
hope that the Jedi would leave some presence on Naboo while
recovering from the invasion and working on a lasting peace
with the Gungun. Unless the Council needs us elsewhere, perhaps
we could return there for a time. I'm certain Anakin would be
pleased with the possibility of spending more time near the
Queen...even that Jar Jar creature he was rather fond of,"
Obi-Wan added with a touch of dismay.
"I was thinking the same thing, and I believe it would be a
wise course of action. I will contact the Queen in the morning
and let the Council know of our plans as well."
"Amidala?" came a sleepy response from Anakin, suddenly tuning
in to their conversation.
"Shh, you get some rest, Ani," Qui-Gon soothed him, stroking
his short hair and lulling the boy back asleep. Obi-Wan felt
the affection between them both and did not react with jealousy
as he had before. Instead he smiled a little, appreciating his
former Master's skill with children in general, and Anakin in
particular. If there was anyone who could teach the child love
and how to conquer fear and hatred, Obi-Wan could think of no
one better to do it than Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan turned at a slight
noise and spotted F'yar standing sheepishly in the doorway.
"He's going to be okay," Obi-Wan assured her. "And now you
should get some rest, too. Come by tomorrow morning and I'm
sure Anakin with be glad to see you."
"Yes, let's get you to bed," Qui-Gon agreed, getting up from
the side of the bed and leaving Anakin alone for a moment.
Obi-Wan knew Qui-Gon would return to spend the night at
Anakin's side as soon as F'yar was taken back to her bed and
they had talked to the other Jedi about the incident. He felt a
moment's dismay at that, but he let it pass. They'd had at
least a short time together and that would have to be enough
for now.
Still, he suspected it would be a lonely night ahead for them
both, thoughts lost in the warnings of their shared, bleak
vision--and this first evidence of the trials that lay before
them in the training of Anakin Skywalker.
The small transport ship rose quickly above the skyline of the
city-planet of Coruscant, the tall buildings glimmering
brightly in the late-afternoon sunlight.
Anakin watched it all from his place in the co-pilot's seat,
his eyes showing nothing except wonderment at the sight, so
different from his barren homeworld, and excitement over the
prospect of seeing Amidala again. He had not been able to
provide any further information on his attackers in the
morning, nothing more than vague impressions which agreed with
F'yar's and indicated someone had wiped both of their minds of
who was responsible. His reaction to the incident overall had
been surprisingly emotionless; he'd merely shrugged when
Obi-Wan had asked him if he felt angry toward his attackers.
"Not really, I guess. Not many people have ever really liked
me. Before it was because I was a slave, and everyone picks on
slaves. I guess now people will pick on me because of the
powers I have, even if I don't understand them yet."
Master Grudel had told Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan in the morning, "I
have my suspicious as to who might have been responsible for
this terrible event, but the other children are all feigning
ignorance, not wanting to get their friends in trouble. When we
find out, though--and we will, I promise that--the persons
involved will be dealt with accordingly."
F'yar had not been happy to see Anakin leave, but two children
promised to stay in touch. Qui-Gon had assured them both that
Anakin would come back to the Academy in the future to complete
some of his studies, once the situation was calmer and
hopefully the other students would be more accepting of him.
Obi-Wan turned his head to look at his former Master, seated
next to him behind the pilot. Qui-Gon looked tired, obviously
not having slept much while sitting at Anakin's bedside, and
using much of his strength to help speed the boy's recovery.
Sometimes as now the weight of his years showed heavily upon
his face, in the lines about his eyes and the gray that
lightened his hair. Yet when he turned to meet Obi-Wan's gaze
and gave him a reassuring smile, the years seemed to slip away.
To the young Jedi's eyes, he appeared as vibrant and strong as
he could ever remember in their years together.
How do you feel, on your first day as a full Knight,
Obi-Wan?
Older...but truthfully no wiser. Too many changes of late to
feel anything, perhaps, but rather overwhelmed.
Once we get to Naboo, I think we will find plenty of time to
work through these changes. These are challenging times,
Obi-Wan. I look forward to meeting them with you at my
side.
It is where I will always be, Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan promised,
reaching across to take his love's hand in his own just as the
starship cleared orbit and shot forward into hyperspace.
Senator Palapatine sat in his office, idly tapping his fingers
on his desk as he pondered the most interesting events of the
recent past. He flicked on the vidscreen and once more replayed
the intercepted transmission between Queen Amidala and the Jedi
Qui- Gon Jinn:
"We will gladly welcome you, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and of course
Anakin. Whatever accommodations you require are yours, for
whatever the length of your stay."
"We will not require much, your highness. Somewhere quiet,
where we will not be in your way, and where we can begin
Anakin's training in a peaceful environment."
"That you have considered my world suitable for your needs is
an honor, Master Jinn. Arrangements will be made in
anticipation of your arrival--and tell Anakin I look forward to
seeing him again."
"I will, and thank you again, your highness."
"Yes, thank you, my Queen," Palpatine echoed, smiling to
himself. "I look forward to seeing young Skywalker again very
soon indeed..."
End
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