Master Apprentice Archive Under a Rhiann Moon Quick search:

Archive -- Yes to Master-Apprentice and my livejournal . All others please ask.

Category -- Alternate-Universe, Qui/Obi, First-Time, Plot-What- Plot?, Romance

Rating -- NC-17.

Summary -- Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi runs into more trouble than he bargained for when he encounters an errant Agricorps Master by the name of Qui-Gon Jinn.

Feedback -- Would be greatly valued.

Disclaimer -- The Star Wars universe belongs to George Lucas and Lucasfilm Ltd. This tale was written for the joy of it by a grateful fan who makes no money from it.

Thanks -- My dearest thanks to a wonderful beta and friend, the lovely Claude, who makes me laugh whilst keeping me on my canonical and grammatical toes. She is a *brat*, but a most beloved one! I, on the other hand, don't know when to leave well enough alone, so any remaining mistakes are mine.

Notes -- 1) This fic started as a plot bunny on the Master- Apprentice list when aunris_renka wondered what would happen if Qui-Gon Jinn had ended up in the Agricorps and ran into Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi one day. It bred further as I wondered what would happen if Qui-Gon was not only in the Agricorps, but was a tree- hugger. I also wondered what would happen if I tried to write something shorter than 20,000 words but longer than 100 words. This is what happened!

2) // // indicates telepathy.

Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi was not pleased. Behind his composed facade he battled to meditate on something serene, which proved difficult with the Jedi Council assembled before him and about to dispatch him on the most ridiculous mission of his short career thus far.

"I'm sorry, Master," Obi-Wan said politely. "You said he was a what?"

"A tree-hugger," Mace Windu repeated, and it was clear from the tension behind his normally stolid expression that he was not pleased to be discussing the topic at hand either.

"Ohhh," Obi-Wan said. "Why hasn't the Agricorps retrieved Master Jinn from Rhiann themselves?"

"The problem is far greater than a simple internal recovery, Knight Kenobi, or you would not be standing before us now. Master Jinn has long been one of our finest Agricorps Masters. He has, unfortunately, a history of generating delicate political situations. This time he has gone too far."

"Escorted to Coruscant, Master Jinn must be," Master Yoda agreed.

Obi-Wan sensed that the diminutive Master was smirking inwardly at some private joke, but nodded graciously. And as a novice Knight, I'm the natural choice to send on a pointless mission to prevent this Master 'Farmer' from embarrassing the Jedi further? Of course, he kept this opinion strictly to himself.

Mace Windu regarded Obi-Wan over steepled fingers. "Master Jinn was dispatched to Rhiann to give his opinion on the impact of subterranean excavation on an ancient stand of cryowoods, prior to the commencement of mining operations. However, once there, Master Jinn apparently bonded with this stand of trees and refuses to let local government officials into the area. The reports we have are rather jumbled, but it appears that he is using Force-suggestions on anyone approaching the stand in order to keep them away. No one has been able to approach him for days and, although local officials are at their wits' end, they do not intend to get involved in the politics of forcibly removing a Jedi from the planet. They have asked for our help."

"Excuse me, Master, you said he had bonded with the trees?"

"Are you having trouble with your hearing, Knight Kenobi?" Mace asked impatiently.

"No, Master. It's just... well, I've never heard of that before. It's quite unusual, is it not?"

"Unusual, Master Jinn is," Yoda confirmed, looking quietly amused. "Think it best the Council does, that under close supervision Master Jinn should be."

"The Master who advises the Council on Agricorps matters needs to retire from service," Mace explained, "and we thought it best to bring Master Jinn here, where he could continue to use his considerable skills in the service of the Order, but under our supervision. Your task will be to intervene in the political situation he's stirred up on Rhiann, soothe the nerves of the local diplomats and mining interests and get Jinn out of there as soon as possible. Further information will be transmitted to you upon boarding the Senate runner to Rhiann, which is leaving later today."

"Yes, Masters." Obi-Wan bowed.

"May the Force be with you, young Kenobi," Yoda said, his eyes sparkling.

"And with you, Masters," Obi-Wan responded and strode from the centre of the Council Chamber. As he took the elevator down from the spire to return to his quarters, he sighed. A tree-hugger? I have a bad feeling about this: a bad feeling that I will be babysitting some unbalanced environmentalist farmer.

On the bright side, he considered, he was rather wrung out from his last mission and figured that the Council was sending him on an easy mission as compensation.

Ground transport on the forest world of Rhiann in the Trovi system was primarily by speeder bike, especially near the remote southern tip of the main continent where Obi-Wan had landed. The Senatorial Aide to Rhiann, Serna Garatho, and the chief engineer of mining operations in the Trovi system, Hama'al, were waiting for him on the landing platform when the Senate runner set down. He bowed to each of them and stood patiently, slipping his arms into his sleeves and looking the model of Jedi serenity.

"Thank goodness you're here, Knight Kenobi," the young aide gushed, looking as though he hadn't slept for days. "I'm glad you were able to get here so quickly. This is a very sensitive matter and must be resolved quickly."

"I apologize on behalf of the Jedi that one of our number has caused difficulties for the people of Rhiann," Obi-Wan said respectfully, bowing again. "I assure you that I will resolve this matter quickly."

"Please do," Engineer Hama'al said irritably. "There's only so much tolerance I have for tree-huggers such as Master Jinn, Jedi or no."

"I understand," Obi-Wan said sympathetically. "If you could please provide me with the coordinates, I'll head out there immediately."

"Really?" Garatho asked with pleased surprise. "I thought you might insist on waiting for first light."

"I assure you, Honourable Garatho, I am committed to resolving this situation as quickly as you are."

"Excellent," Hama'al said. "I can set you up with a fully equipped speeder bike straight away."

Obi-Wan bowed gratefully and followed the chief engineer from the platform.

As twilight settled over the forest, Obi-Wan kicked the speeder into gear and headed for the coordinates provided him by the chief engineer. Enjoying the rush of wind through his hair and the tug of speed at his clothes, he smiled. This part of the mission was very enjoyable. Perhaps he could return here one day under less frustrating circumstances.

Rogue Jedi were not so much dangerous as embarrassing in his opinion. It wasn't too bad if they could be herded into areas where they could do little harm. From the datachip he'd read on Master Jinn, the Agricorps Master did have a formidable record of helping agriculturally-based societies survive environmental disasters and had helped to avert famine and disease on hundreds of worlds. Unfortunately, the man had no political sense, which was probably the reason he'd been shipped off to the Agricorps in the first place.

Apparently Master Jinn chose to carry no weapons at all, which piqued Obi-Wan's interest. It surely should have been a simple matter for someone from the Agricorps to apprehend Jinn and wait for a Jedi Knight to arrive and pick him up discreetly.

Lost as he was in his thoughts, Obi-Wan was knocked easily from the speeder by a ball of invisible Force energy hitting him in the gut. He rolled into the fall, but ended up lying winded on his back. It took him a few seconds to gasp through his surprise until he had enough air to leap to his feet, lightsaber at the ready. He looked around in the fading light. His speeder hovered, unharmed, only metres away. As he watched, the ignition cut out and the bike settled to the ground.

"A Jedi Knight?"

Obi-Wan started, examining the shadows furtively and realizing that the owner of that rich voice was concealing his location within the Force.

"I wondered when they'd send a politician to round me up," the voice continued in soft amusement.

The dusky tones of the voice would normally have registered more than a passing interest in Obi-Wan, were it not for the burning humiliation of being knocked from his speeder. Oh yes, he had a bad feeling about this. He straightened as he deactivated his 'saber and returned it to his belt. Lifting his chin, he spoke into the gathering darkness. "Master Jinn of the Agricorps, I presume?"

"Indeed. And you would be?"

Obi-Wan closed his eyes and continued to breathe, trying to resolve the location of the speaker from the reflections of the other man's presence within the Force. Failing that, he replied cautiously. "Obi- Wan Kenobi."

"Interesting."

"I believe you should at least greet me face-to-face," he spoke aloud, forcing calm into his voice. "Especially since I've come all this way to see you, and you so rudely threw me off my speeder."

"You feel I owe you something in return, young one?"

Obi-Wan spun around as bare metres behind him, a tall figure stepped out of the shadows of the trees. Even in the faint light, the physical power and beauty of the older man struck him. That was one thing his mission notes had failed to mention. Master Jinn's presence was intimidating. He took a step back unconsciously as the older Jedi moved to stand before him.

"Is this better?" Jinn rumbled softly, looking speculatively at Obi- Wan.

Passing between the trees, a stray beam of light reflected in the Agricorps Master's piercing cerulean eyes, and Jinn's very presence in the Force sent a jolt through Obi-Wan's body. "Ummm, yes, Master Jinn. You must know that I have been sent here by the Council to return you to Coruscant."

"I see," Jinn murmured. "What did you say your name was again?"

"Kenobi," Obi-Wan nearly had to bite back a gasp as the Jedi Master stepped closer again.

"Your first name?"

"Obi-Wan..." He retreated again, nearly tripping inelegantly over a tree root. He swiftly regained his balance and met the Agricorps Master with what he hoped was a determined look. "Well, we should be off, Master Jinn. Thankfully the speeder is still intact."

"Ohhh, we shan't need that, Obi-Wan," Jinn replied insolently, turning and heading off between the trees.

"We need to get back to the mining headquarters tonight," Obi-Wan continued, hurrying to keep up with the longer stride of the Agricorps Master. This is not going well. He tried again, "Last I checked headquarters was in the other direction, Master Jinn."

"Please, call me Qui-Gon," the older man said, without turning his head or reducing his speed.

Obi-Wan hurried to keep up, but could not find his way through the undergrowth as easily as the other Jedi and ended up tracing Jinn's steps where possible.

As though sensing his difficulty, Jinn added in a light tone, "You might like to use your lantern, Obi-Wan. You're not used to the terrain, and the moons have not yet risen."

Certain his face was burning crimson by now, Obi-Wan complied as he stumbled after the other Jedi.

Jinn continued easily. "With your presence here, I can be fairly sure that they'll send no one out here tonight."

"I am alone," Obi-Wan agreed, "but if need be, I'll sedate you and take you back by force."

"I'm sure you will." Jinn laughed softly and if it weren't for the delightful effect it had on his senses, Obi-Wan would have been more annoyed. "However, my fine young friend, there is no hurry. First light is soon enough to be rushing me back to Coruscant, no?"

"That's assuming I can count on your cooperation then," Obi-Wan shot back, having his breath knocked out of him for the second time as he walked straight into Jinn's broad back.

"You need to keep your focus on where you are and what you're doing, young one."

Obi-Wan groaned inwardly. It was already going poorly, but to be on the receiving end of a lecture from a farmer, who clearly had pretensions of other kinds, was too much. He stepped aside stiffly and nodded. "It perhaps might help if you stopped rushing headlong and told me where we're going."

Jinn turned around and levelled his gaze at Obi-Wan. In the light of Obi-Wan's lantern, his face seemed even more magisterial, eyes blazing intensely above the slightly jagged line of his nose. "I thought that perhaps you would like to see the cryowood trees for yourself, young Obi-Wan."

"Knight Kenobi," Obi-Wan insisted, his voice not as firm as he would have liked.

"Ahhh, you were recently Knighted?" Jinn said, smiling. "I see." He turned again and continued to make his way through the trees.

Obi-Wan continued after him. "At the very least, I don't see why we can't take the speeder, Master Jinn." This time he arrested his pace before crashing again into the stationary figure of the Agricorps Master.

"That's because, when travelling by speeder, you miss so much, Knight Kenobi."

Obi-Wan gasped in spite of himself, as the older man pointed silently up through the trees, highlighting the passage of a majestic bat-like creature further up near the canopy of the giant trees.

"A nightwinder," Jinn murmured appreciatively. "They can grow to over three metres in wingspan. That's a juvenile. We are lucky to see one this far south in this season."

"It's beautiful", Obi-Wan uttered before he could stop himself. He sensed the intense regard of the other man and turned to see Jinn's full lips curled in a smile.

"That it is." Jinn said huskily as he regarded Obi-Wan, before turning away and continuing at a more leisurely pace.

Obi-Wan followed him, certain that his ears were flaming red with the spear of heat that the other Jedi's tone had sent to his groin. The next hour passed slowly as he followed the Agricorps Master, who made a point of stopping periodically to describe aspects of the local flora and fauna to him.

"I'm surprised we haven't run into anything larger, or more dangerous," Obi-Wan remarked as Jinn picked up a beetle, showing Obi-Wan the rainbow striations on its shell before setting it back again.

"They're out there," Jinn admitted.

"And yet, I hear you don't carry a weapon."

"What use would a weapon be to a glorified farmer, Knight Kenobi?" Jinn asked, turning to regard him with amusement.

Obi-Wan blushed as he again came under the scrutiny of the Agricorps Master's intense eyes. He walked on. "I can see that you are much more than that, Master Jinn."

"You would be one of the few," Jinn chuckled softly as he fell into step alongside the young Knight. "We of the Agricorps do know of our reputation amongst other Jedi. After all, we were once in the same Initiate program as you."

"You weren't chosen?" Obi-Wan asked suddenly.

"I was chosen by the Force," Jinn replied. "I entered the Agricorps willingly. I was needed there, and I have done much over the last forty or so years in the service of the Jedi and the Force, Knight Kenobi."

"Obi-Wan," he suddenly volunteered, feeling rather ashamed of his insistence on his title.

"Qui-Gon," Jinn reminded him without criticism. "And as for your question, Obi-Wan, 'anything larger' is too intimidated by the Force presence I am projecting to come closer. We shall remain unharmed without need of a weapon."

Obi-Wan nodded, admitting privately to an admiration for the other Jedi's formidable talents with the Living Force. He noticed that their environment was getting lighter and glanced around him, trying to divine its source.

"We're approaching the cryowood stand," Jinn murmured as if sensing his thoughts. "The sap of the cryowood has crystalline properties that tend to magnify the ambient light. No doubt, the moonlight is starting to break through the canopy. You probably won't need your lantern for much longer."

True to the older Jedi's word, Obi-Wan was soon able to find his way without the lantern and followed Qui-Gon more easily. As they walked, he noticed the soft silver glow of the trunks, barely perceptible, but strong enough to convince him that they were increasing the illumination of the forest.

"These trees are much younger than those we will see soon," Qui- Gon explained, pausing to stroke his hand down the silver bark of a tree trunk.

Obi-Wan shuddered with the sudden realization that he wished he was on the receiving end of that caress, as he studied the broad fingers splayed upon the surface of the tree. Firming his shields, he nodded studiously as Jinn glanced back at him, something unreadable in the other Jedi's eyes, before the Agricorps Master looked further into the forest.

"There are not many cryowood forests left in the galaxy," Qui-Gon said regretfully, drawing his hand lovingly over the bark before moving on.

Obi-Wan bit back on the desire to run his hand over the place where Jinn's hand had rested and continued beside the older Jedi, working on his focus. Great time to start thinking with something other than your brain, Kenobi, he chided himself softly.

"The cryowood stand ahead consists of some of the oldest trees I've seen in my travels."

"As I understand it," Obi-Wan ventured politely, "the mining venture that is planned for this part of the forest is quite deep. The surface should be quite unaffected."

"Do you know how deep the root system of this particular stand is?" Qui-Gon asked, glancing at him as they walked.

"Ummm, twenty metres?" Obi-Wan hazarded a guess.

"One," Qui-Gon replied. "The seismic repercussions alone will cause immeasurable damage to the root system. And they call the Agricorps here for what reason? For the Republic-sanctioned demolition of these wonderful beings? Some of them are over three thousand years old, Obi-Wan. Can you imagine that?"

Obi-Wan noticed the other man's use of the word 'beings' to describe the cryowood trees. The quiet passion in Qui-Gon's voice forced him to reply. "I can't... but I'd like to be able to."

Qui-Gon paused and gazed at him intently. "I might be able to help you with that," he murmured.

Obi-Wan's body responded instantly to Qui-Gon's smouldering tone, forcing him to tamp down on its reaction. He glimpsed the smile in Qui-Gon's eyes as the Agricorps Master turned to move on. As they continued, the trees grew in size and soon their circumferences were of the order of tens of metres long. There was a break in the trees ahead, with a corresponding increase of the ambient light. In minutes they stood on the edge of a large clearing, surrounded by the oldest trees of the cryowood stand. Moonlight entered through the break in the forest canopy overhead and was perpetuated by the optical properties of the cryowoods, forming a naturally faint twilight in the clearing and under the trees. The ground was covered with a mixture of heather, tubular wildflowers that fluoresced a soft violet in the light, and a thick carpet of cryowood needles. Its grandeur took Obi-Wan's breath away. He walked a few steps into the clearing then paused, turning around and looking puzzled.

"You feel it," Qui-Gon said, his voice thick with rapture. "This place is very strong in the Living Force. It is unfortunate that those who would destroy it cannot sense what we do."

"It's beautiful," Obi-Wan admitted, wandering around and examining his surroundings intently. He paused to stroke his fingers over the bark of one of the giant trees and sensed the energy pulsing inside it. The texture of the bark was smoother than he had expected and he lingered, studying it. He turned around and swallowed tightly at the sight before him.

Qui-Gon had splayed his body across the surface of one of the trunks, which dwarfed even the considerable embrace of the other Jedi's arms. His eyes were closed as if in silent communion with the giant tree, his body seeking maximum contact with its surface.

Obi-Wan saw the faint glow of the tree lightly encompass the older man, catching the highlights of silver in his hair and making him seem impossibly like some elemental tree spirit in communion with its host. The term 'tree-hugger' didn't come close to describing this vision. "Beautiful," he whispered, unable to turn away.

"Move to the centre of the stand," Qui-Gon's voice came as if from a much greater distance. "You'll see what I mean about this place."

Obi-Wan obeyed in spite of his desire to stay where he was. Sure enough, with each step closer to the centre of the clearing, the vibrations in the Force beneath his feet increased. By the time he had reached the approximate centre of the stand, he felt its quiet insistence, as though the Force was murmuring to him. He lay down on the heather and closed his eyes, listening. He didn't stir, even as the other Jedi approached him.

"What do you feel?" Qui-Gon asked softly, obviously not wishing to mar Obi-Wan's experience.

"Strength," Obi-Wan murmured. "Age. Power. Beauty."

"Such beauty," Qui-Gon agreed, sitting quietly beside him.

In the Agricorps Master's presence, the soft murmuring surrounding Obi-Wan increased. After glancing at the silent figure beside him, he closed his eyes again and continued to experience the power pulsing through him: glowing, strengthening, and arousing. He gasped as soft lips suddenly enclosed his with passion. For a moment, he yielded to the demands of the kiss before pulling away abruptly.

"What are you doing?" he demanded, shifting back to increase the distance between them.

"I would have thought that was evident, young Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said softly.

"But why?"

"Can't you feel it?" Qui-Gon murmured.

Obi-Wan groaned and rose swiftly to his feet. "I assure you I have not fallen for that line in many years, Master Jinn."

Qui-Gon regarded him, confused by Obi-Wan's response, before continuing. "I assure you that it was not intended to be a 'line'." He sighed. "But forgive my impertinence. I merely responded to what I sensed between us."

"I assure you there is nothing between us," Obi-Wan said, crossing his arms and walking away.

"As you say," Qui-Gon responded softly as Obi-Wan walked to the edge of the clearing.

Obi-Wan turned to see Qui-Gon lie down in the centre of the heather, arms spread open, palms upturned as if a conduit for the energy swirling there. As he watched, the Agricorps Master became a focal point for the faint lines of Force energy emerging in the clearing. He turned away and closed his eyes, his fingers drifting up to touch his lips, remembering the velvety warmth of Qui-Gon's mouth covering his. He was ashamed to realize that he was half- hard from the memory alone.

Sighing resolutely, he settled into a meditative pose, leaning back against one of the mighty cryowoods and pulling away just as quickly. The whispering in the Force through the cryowood dragged his attention toward the clearing and the presence he was trying to evade. He stood up and paced away through the trees, needing distance to clear his thoughts.

He sank to his knees, his back toward the clearing, and settled into a light meditation. It took time to release his tension to the Force, but he breathed through it and finally found his centre: only to lose it as the Agricorps Master approached and stood quietly several metres behind him.

"I'm sorry, Knight Kenobi," Qui-Gon said, his voice inexplicably sad. "I have distressed you. I only wished to show you why this place needs to be protected."

"Please leave me alone," Obi-Wan said, refusing to face the other Jedi. He added silently, Because I might throw myself at you and I have a bad feeling I'd probably end up regretting it. I can't afford to think about you, you're a... He cut his own thoughts off as the other man left him in silence.

How quickly we dismiss other Jedi because they don't carry a lightsaber. I've been arrogant. He's not who I thought he'd be at all. I thought of him as a farmer but he's so much more. He's a botanist, biologist, ecologist, anthropologist, and -- Force, just let me stop thinking about him! This is supposed to be an easy mission, right? Tomorrow, I just need to soothe a few battered egos and get Master Jinn off-planet, hopefully without causing a scene. This should be straightforward, but... I do admire his principles: he believes this place should be preserved and he's right, it should be. He's shown me so many reasons why. He's -- Stop it!

Obi-Wan sighed. He became aware that the light had grown stronger. Opening his eyes, he saw that the trees glowed more strongly than before. He looked around him. Over his shoulder, the disk of one of Rhiann's moons edged above the break in the canopy over the clearing. As his gaze dropped, the sight of the other Jedi riveted his attention.

Qui-Gon sat at the clearing's edge, almost out of sight, as if attempting to be unobtrusive. However, he remained a striking figure in the softly lit space between the grand cryowoods. He rested easily in a meditative position, his face raised as though bathing in moonlight. Silver rippled visibly around his aura, from the crown of his head to the forest floor surrounding him, rolling away in gentle waves that lapped around Obi-Wan's spirit.

Obi-Wan got to his feet and moved slowly back to the clearing as if mesmerized. Approaching the Agricorps Master, he studied the calm, upturned face before him. Feeling the attraction between them increase, he swallowed as those eyes opened, blue and impossibly electric under the moonlight. Closing the distance between them, he reached out to hold Qui-Gon's face in his hands. "I do feel it," he whispered. "I don't understand it, but I feel it."

"Meditate with me," Qui-Gon murmured, getting gracefully to his feet and leading them to the centre of the clearing, sitting and gesturing for Obi-Wan to join him.

At once, Obi-Wan felt the murmuring of the Force rising around them again. Lines of Force energy rapidly aligned themselves around the seated Jedi, as if surrounding a magnet with two poles: The Living Force and the Unifying Force. He had never understood the Living Force as clearly as he did right now; his mind joined easily with Qui-Gon's as if they had been bonded for years. There was no bond, or there hadn't been, but as he opened his mind to that of the Agricorps Master's, he saw the rich green life force of the other Jedi entwining itself around the sky blue of his own. Their minds reached for each other as his body had longed to do, nearly from the moment he had first encountered Qui-Gon in the forest.

Moments later, Obi-Wan was in Qui-Gon's arms and being lowered back onto the heather. He shivered as soft lips once more closed over his. This time he didn't pull away. Qui-Gon's tongue gently traced his lips, seeking entrance, and he yielded and opened to the kiss.

Qui-Gon stroked his tongue against Obi-Wan's, tasting the faint trace of mint in the younger man's mouth. As he deepened the kiss, he turned to an exploration of Obi-Wan's body. He slipped a hand inside the Knight's tunics and Obi-Wan's nipples rapidly peaked under his broad fingers, a gasp escaping from the younger man's mouth as Obi-Wan's tongue began to thrust insistently against his.

Qui-Gon broke the kiss long enough to remove Obi-Wan's belt and sash and lay open his tunics. In the moonlight, Obi-Wan's skin glowed palely like the cryowood, his copper hair shone with gold fire. "Beautiful," Qui-Gon murmured, as he leaned down and traced his lips over Obi-Wan's, before moving down to map his body with lips, tongue and teeth, trying to keep his touch and passions gentle, despite the urgent insistence in the Force for them to become one.

Obi-Wan writhed as Qui-Gon's lips left trails of heat behind them, teeth gently nipping his shoulder and then a tongue soothing his skin, before the other man moved lower. Qui-Gon's tongue played across his chest, circling almost playfully around his nipples before closing firmly over one and sucking hard. He moaned, tossing his head to the side and finding Qui-Gon's fingers tracing over his lips. He opened his mouth immediately and two fingers stroked in against his tongue. He sucked on them greedily, hips bucking as Qui-Gon's lips traced out the muscles on his abdomen and the line of his hipbone, before brushing against the hard length restrained by his leggings.

Obi-Wan moaned again as the fingers were withdrawn from his mouth and Qui-Gon's powerful hands moved to restrain his hips. He looked down and saw those blue eyes watching him with passion, seeking permission to go further. "Yes," he murmured faintly, "I need you..."

Qui-Gon leaned up and reached to remove Obi-Wan's leggings but froze as a hand halted him. He saw the faint blush on Obi-Wan's face and understanding blossomed between them. As he removed his robe and unclasped his belt, Obi-Wan smiled and watched avidly. He took time to remove his tunics, as much as he was able, shrugging them back from his shoulders and letting them fall away. In relatively short order he removed the rest of his clothes and knelt astride his lover patiently, naked and aroused, as though awaiting the younger man's approval.

Obi-Wan looked at the man who was up until a few hours ago a stranger to him, and wondered at the ache within him, which became more tangible by the second as did the lines of Force energy surrounding them. He studied Qui-Gon's body, sculpted by years of physical labour as much as his was by years of physical training. Everything about the man spoke of power, but Qui-Gon also radiated gentleness, humility and grace. He reached for one of the other man's hands and pulled it down to his hip as he leaned up and into a searing kiss. He gasped as he pulled Qui-Gon's body down onto his, their bare skin touching and energy surging between them. In moments, they were kissing frantically, and he was distantly aware of the muffled sounds of need escaping from both of them, as though they could not be joined quickly enough.

"No going back if we continue this, love," Qui-Gon whispered between urgent kisses.

Obi-Wan nodded. He knew that he lacked skill in the Living Force, but he could sense the currents working in the moment, sweeping them up into something that would fundamentally change both their lives. He knew, however, he could not resist the whispering in the Force, threading through his core and demanding that he become one with Qui-Gon. He thrust his hips up towards Qui-Gon in answer. He looked into the older man's eyes and was thrilled by the reflection of his own desire there. As Qui-Gon's hands moved across his skin, his body burned with a subtle fire and he arched into the touch as if realizing a long-held desire: one that had only existed since he had seen Qui-Gon's hand caressing the cryowood tree. Finally, those capable hands were divesting him of the remainder of his clothing and then they were on him.

Qui-Gon raked his eyes over the younger man's body and the prominent erection jutting from the coarse dark hair at his groin. He ghosted the fingers of one hand along the underside of Obi-Wan's length, while his other hand moved down to cup and gently tease the younger man's scrotum.

"Please," Obi-Wan gasped, his voice stronger now. "I need you."

"I need you too," Qui-Gon murmured, pulling his robe closer and taking a tube of moisturizing lotion from the pocket. He smiled and said huskily. "Just as well I have this: I must keep my hands sensitive for my work."

Obi-Wan whispered, "Lucky for me." Filled with a trust he would not have expected of himself hours ago, he pulled his knees up towards his chest, opening himself to his new lover.

Taking some of the lotion upon his fingers, Qui-Gon met Obi- Wan's gaze steadily as he lightly stroked his fingers down, finding his way by touch and gently breaching the entrance to the younger man's body.

Obi-Wan's eyes flickered closed as one of Qui-Gon's broad fingers pushed slowly inside him, filling and warming him. "Yes," he hissed softly.

"Open your eyes," Qui-Gon urged softly. "I want to see you, love."

Obi-Wan's green-grey eyes fell open immediately as he was gently stretched, any pain being soothed by the energy radiating from the Agricorps Master's fingers. He moaned as they thrust and curled inside him, sending a jolt of pleasure through his body as Qui-Gon stroked his prostate. He moaned as those fingers withdrew, but then Qui-Gon lifted his hips. He breathed deeply as Qui-Gon entered him, taking the other man into his spirit as much as his body.

"All right?" Qui-Gon asked softly, seeing the moment of distance in Obi-Wan's eyes, as he buried himself in the younger man's heat.

"Force, yes," Obi-Wan murmured, grinning lightly. "Better than all right."

Qui-Gon smiled and leant down, kissing Obi-Wan, their tongues duelling lazily at first and then more frantically as their passion overtook them.

Obi-Wan pulled his legs up against Qui-Gon's flanks, urging the Agricorps Master to move and gasping as Qui-Gon began to thrust in earnest. As they moved together, the lines of Force energy around them rearranged themselves to encompass the union of diametric poles. They were both glowing now, as much as the cryowoods were. Qui-Gon's hair shone like silver in the moonlight as they drove toward completion.

Obi-Wan's mouth settled into a soft 'oh' shape as Qui-Gon thrust into him, feeling wanton and sensual as Qui-Gon loved him. He cried out, his warm semen splashing onto his abdomen between them as he tightened and came, clenching down on the heat inside him and precipitating Qui-Gon's orgasm. The other man's cry mingled with his as sticky heat flooded inside him. He moaned again and pulled Qui-Gon down to him. Their bodies finally stilled and in the clearing, everything seemed quiescent and luminous under the steady light of the moon above.

Qui-Gon touched his forehead against Obi-Wan's and a feeling of warmth washed between them without the need for words.

Obi-Wan angled his face up for a gentle kiss, before closing his eyes and seeing in his mind's eye the ribbons of green and blue light thrumming softly together, entwined in much the same way as their bodies were. Needing to confirm what had happened, he opened his mind and broadcast softly. //Qui-Gon?//

//Yes, love.//

//By the Force...//

//Indeed.// Qui-Gon lay beside the younger man as Obi-Wan nuzzled into his arms. He kissed the soft copper-coloured hair beneath his lips. In moments, they were both asleep.

Obi-Wan awoke, surrounded by the warmth of the heather beneath him, his robe draped over him, and daylight washing through his closed eyes. He sighed.

//Good morning,// Qui-Gon's warm voice rumbled pleasantly in Obi-Wan's mind.

Obi-Wan's body awakened rapidly as a warm hand insinuated itself beneath the robe and enclosed his already swollen erection. He moaned and stretched languorously, delighting in the warmth spreading rapidly through him as Qui-Gon kissed him again, sweetness on the other man's breath. //Hmmm, what have you been eating?//

//Some of the local chia-berries,// Qui-Gon replied, delicately teasing his tongue along Obi-Wan's lips as he slowly pumped his hand, his thumb lightly caressing the crown and smearing the fluid already gathered there. //I brought you some for breakfast.//

//I had something else in mind for breakfast,// Obi-Wan murmured, arching into the touch. //I want to be filled by something else...//

//You've deceived me, Obi-Wan.//

//How so?//

//I didn't know there was such an unabashed sensualist under your facade of the proper Jedi Knight.//

Obi-Wan laughed and Qui-Gon delighted in the sound. Obi-Wan sat up and took the tube of lotion, looking into Qui-Gon's eyes teasingly as he coated his fingers and reached down to take Qui- Gon's rapidly swelling length into his hand. Keeping his eyes focussed on Qui-Gon's, he licked his lips lightly and then fisted Qui-Gon to the base.

Qui-Gon shuddered and moaned, letting his young lover take the lead. As Obi-Wan turned and settled astride his lap, he encompassed the younger man in his arms, exploring his body, his eyes closed as he nuzzled in close to Obi-Wan's ear, gently nipping, licking and touching any skin he could reach.

Obi-Wan stretched and arched at the contact, lifting his hips and reaching back to guide Qui-Gon into his body once more. He lowered himself slowly at first as Qui-Gon breached him, before impaling himself completely. Leaning his head back against Qui- Gon's shoulder, they sat together in silence for a moment, absorbing the feel of each other, the morning chill fresh on their warm skin, their minds opening tentatively, sharing their sensations in a feedback loop that quickly roused them into motion.

Obi-Wan rose and fell steadily on Qui-Gon's lap, the older Jedi's hands on his hips, as Qui-Gon thrust into his body in a slower, unhurried way. Soon, however, their mutual control began to dissolve and Qui-Gon's hand enclosed his length, stroking him in time with the rocking of their bodies. Qui-Gon climaxed first as he clenched around the heat buried inside him, but he followed quickly. Eventually they stilled, lying sated and entwined on the forest floor.

Qui-Gon sighed as Obi-Wan turned over into his arms. //So, I guess you have to bring me to justice now,// he said finally, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

//I had a bad feeling about you, long before I laid eyes on you, Master Jinn,// Obi-Wan confessed with a grin.

//I have been known for being rather stubborn -- and single- minded.//

//Well, there's much about me you don't know either,// Obi-Wan teased, //specifically, my stubborn and single-minded attention to following the rules.//

Qui-Gon smiled and then looked up at the canopy of the trees and the sky, which was rapidly washing over with blue as the sun rose higher in the sky.

//What is it?// Obi-Wan asked, sensing the other man's sadness across their new bond.

//This will all be destroyed if I go with you.//

//You have much to learn about politics,// Obi-Wan chided him playfully.

//So I've been told, for many years.//

Obi-Wan sat up and reached for some of the sweet chia-berries gathered on the robe beside them. He looked around him and then closed his eyes, still aware of the sensations throbbing through the earth, his body, indeed his whole spirit. In this place, with Qui-Gon at his side, he felt as powerful and old as the trees themselves. He opened his eyes to find Qui-Gon leaning up on an elbow, watching him. He flicked his gaze appraisingly along the naked body arrayed before him, before meeting Qui-Gon's eyes again. "Tell me, are there any native population centres near here?"

"Yes... Why?" Qui-Gon asked, his tone mildly puzzled.

"Would you be able to contact them and seek an agreement with them?"

"Yes, I've already been to their village a couple of times. Why?"

"You'll find out," Obi-Wan grinned, leaning over to give him a playful kiss. "Let's get dressed and do what we both came here to do."

Obi-Wan's features were schooled into the epitome of Jedi serenity as he stood before the holorecorder, reporting to the diminutive Master Yoda, who was projected upon the data station before him.

"Yes, Master," he continued. "It turned out that the cryowood stand was in fact a sacred site to the native Lokocin community living nearby. The proposed mining agreement would have been in direct violation of a local ordinance for the protection of native lands, and preliminary mining operations have been suspended indefinitely."

"Well, you have done, Obi-Wan. To Coruscant, will you bring Master Jinn?"

"Yes, Master."

"Good," Yoda chuckled. "Sorely needed here, his skills are."

"Yes, Master."

"Wonder something else I did," Yoda continued, and Obi-Wan was certain that he heard the same smirking tone in the small Master's voice that he had heard just before he left for Rhiann.

"Yes, Master?"

"Wonder I did, if hugging trees remains Master Jinn's only interest?"

Obi-Wan nearly choked, hearing the barely suppressed laughter from the Agricorps Master sitting out of range of the holorecorder. Recovering, he smiled. "I don't believe so, Master. I believe his interests have expanded."

"Good that is. Expect to see you both soon on Coruscant, I do."

"Yes, Master. The Senate runner will leave in a few hours." Obi- Wan bowed as the communication ended and he glanced across at the other Jedi.

//I have a new respect for politics after watching you in action, young Obi-Wan.//

Obi-Wan smiled and teased, //Perhaps you will overcome your prejudice of politicians, as much as I will overcome my prejudice of tree-hugging farmers.//

//So, I see you'd been warned that I was a tree-hugger...//

//Well, you did hug a tree,// Obi-Wan challenged, smiling seductively as he wandered across to where Qui-Gon sat on the lounge in the pre-flight suite they'd been allocated. //However, the trees have competition now, Master Jinn.// So saying, he straddled Qui-Gon's lap and settled down astride him.

Qui-Gon breathed deeply and pulled Obi-Wan's face down for a kiss that began gently and quickly progressed to something more urgent. He broke the kiss long enough to look into Obi-Wan's shining eyes. //It's safe to say that you have no fear of me leaving you for a tree, my wise, young Knight.//

Obi-Wan smiled and leaned in for another kiss, settling in for a few hours of getting further acquainted with his new lover, before duty called them back to Coruscant.

Fini.