To the Rescue

by Sage (greensage2@yahoo.com)

Archive: m_a, my site http://www.geocities.com/greensage2/index.html All others, please ask.

Category: Alternate Universe, Pre-Slash

Rating: G

Warnings: None

Series: Part of my "Bonding Universe" collection of stories. Not exactly a series -- just a collection of episodes.

Summary: Obi-Wan makes a new friend.

Notes: This fic is the result of a plot bunny that attacked me when I saw a picture that Tem-ve sent me way back after I posted "The Old Master." It's a picture of Tem-ve with one of her Master's kids wrapped around her leg. I've uploaded it to the archive with her permission, and you can find it at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/master_apprentice/files/initiate.jpg I threw this little story together in sort of a hurry, so it hasn't been beta'd. All mistakes are mine. Hope you all enjoy it! Thanks also to everyone who gave me feedback on Hugs, Kisses, Bedtime Story, and The Old Master -- your encouragement means more to me than I can express.

This fic is for Tem-ve for the inspiration (and lessons), and for Briony and Majilique, because they asked so nicely.

Feedback: Oh please, oh please! Either on the list or by email would be fine; I'll take anything. (beg, grovel, plead)

Disclaimers: Not mine. No money. All hail the mighty Lucas. Thanks and much praise to Anne Higgins for creating her wonderful Bonding Universe and allowing other authors to write in it.

Obi-Wan was terribly proud of himself. He and his crèchemates had been learning basic saber skills for perhaps a month now, and today, Knight Ralla had begun replacing their soft foam practice sticks with real practice sabers made from a flexible transparisteel alloy. She'd tested all the children, and given the new sabers to those she felt were ready. They weren't communal property either, to be shoved back into a sack after class. The training 'blades' were to be kept and cared for by the children, themselves. And Obi-Wan had gotten one. He'd never been so excited in his life, and he could hardly wait to show Quigee. He carried his new blade proudly as he lined up with the other crèchelings to walk back to the crèche for lunch and afternoon lessons. It wasn't a real lightsaber, not yet, but it was one step closer to the real thing.

Padawan Shanra, the apprentice of one of Crèche Master Aronna's assistants, appeared at the door of the large training hall to lead the children back to the crèche. At the end of the line, Obi-Wan dutifully followed the child in front of him as they wove among the Jedi milling about on the observation deck above the training salles. At least, he followed until he got distracted by a commotion above one of the rooms. His curiosity quickly got the better of him, and he broke away from his classmates to see what all the fuss was about. He elbowed the brown-robed figures aside until he reached the window, which he had to stand on tiptoe to see through.

Two Knights were caught up in a fierce sparring match, sabers flickering so fast that they were hard to see. Obi-Wan stretched up taller, trying to see better so that he could figure out who the Knights were. A pair of helpful hands closed around his middle from behind and boosted him up a bit.

"There, Little One, can you see better now?" the burly, middle-aged Master asked.

Obi-Wan swiveled his head around to look into twinkling hazel eyes. "Yes, Master, sir," he piped. "Thank you, Master." He turned back to the window and squeaked in dismay.

He recognized the two combatants. One of them was Councilor Mundi, a tall and imposing Cerean. The other was his Quigee, and from the looks of things, Quigee was losing. He watched with mounting fear as the young Master scrambled backwards to avoid the Knight's blade. All around him, Obi-Wan could hear the murmurs.

"Mundi's in top form today."

"Nobody's beaten Jinn in two cycles or more."

"I hope Mundi wipes the floor with him."

That did it. Nobody said bad things about his Quigee, no sir. And nobody was allowed to hurt him either. Qui-Gon dove to one side to avoid a huge swipe, but Mundi's saber caught his shoulder and scorched the tunic. Obi-Wan gasped and squirmed out of the Master's grip. He crawled through the crowd of booted legs until he reached the door that led to the stairway down to the mats. Using a Force- manipulation he'd learned from watching his bondmate, Obi-Wan quickly disabled the lock and squeezed through the door. He bounded down the stairs and into the ring as fast as his little legs would carry him, not caring that he was undoubtedly throwing himself into harm's way.

He charged directly at the big Cerean, his new practice saber raised and ready. Neither man noticed him at first, so intensely were they concentrating on their bout. Unconsciously using the Force to guide him, Obi-Wan waited for an opening and darted in, attacking the Knight's shins furiously with his training saber.

Somewhere in the back of his consciousness, Ki-Adi-Mundi registered a pounding on his lower legs, even as he parried and deflected a strong advance from young Master Jinn. He was determined to put the rebellious youngster in his place, deflate his ego and take him down an appropriate peg or two. It was unseemly, really, for such a maverick to attain the rank of Master at such a young age. He needed to be put in his place. Mundi danced away from the distracting sensation in his legs, too preoccupied to focus on it for any length of time.

Obi-Wan followed the retreating Knight, pummeling his lower legs ferociously. But still, the tall Knight fought on, relentless in his quest to defeat Qui-Gon. Obi-Wan finally decided that enough was enough, and he flung his small body forward with all his might and slammed into Knight Mundi's right leg. Slightly dazed by the impact, he slid down the Knight's leg until he was seated on one long foot, then held on for dear life with both arms and legs as the big man craned his head around to see what had hit him, then gave a startled cry as he lost his balance and went down like a tree.

The observers above the salle went dead silent, uncertain of how to respond to a three-year-old boy who'd just taken out a Council Member.

Qui-Gon disengaged, the fog of combat clearing from his brain as he tried to figure out just what exactly was going on.

Obi-Wan released the leg to which he clung and scrambled to his feet. He pattered over to his bondmate and planted himself firmly between Qui-Gon and the Councilor. He brandished his little training saber fiercely.

"Not hurt Quigee!" he shouted at the Cerean.

Mundi blinked at the belligerent sprite glowering at him, not quite sure what to make of the little boy.

Qui-Gon started laughing helplessly. "It appears my reinforcements have arrived, Councilor. Care to take us both on?" He extended a hand to the toppled Knight.

Mundi chuckled and accepted the proffered hand. In an uncharacteristically friendly gesture, he grinned at Obi-Wan and ruffled his russet curls once he'd regained his feet. "I don't know, this one looks like he might give me some trouble."

Obi-Wan stuck his chin out in defiance and glared pugnaciously at the tall Knight. Nobody got to hurt his Quigee. Not ever.

The Councilor laughed again. "And just who is your brave rescuer, Master Jinn?"

"This," Qui-Gon said as he picked Obi-Wan up and settled the boy on his hip, "is Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi crècheling and my bondmate."

Mundi's eyebrows shot upwards. "Your bondmate?" he asked incredulously.

Qui-Gon shrugged. "The bond formed when I helped deliver him. Neither of us had any say in the matter." His face softened into a tender smile as he glanced at his little imp. "The Force chose well; I've never been happier."

Obi-Wan was still regarding the Councilor with acute distrust. He tugged urgently at Qui-Gon's tunic. "You safe, Quigee?" he asked.

Qui-Gon's big hand stroked briefly over Obi-Wan's hair and came to rest on his cheek in reassurance. "Yes, Imp, I'm quite safe. Thank you for rescuing me. You were very brave."

Obi-Wan beamed, supremely pleased with himself. He'd rescued his Quigee, and all was well. Not bad for a three-year-old Jedi. He wondered if such bravery would make him a Knight.

Qui-Gon smiled tickled his young bondmate's tummy when he picked up on the thought. "You're as brave as any Knight, my imp."

Obi-Wan giggled delightedly and threw his arms around Qui-Gon's neck, hugging the Master tightly.

Qui-Gon tried not to wince as the side of his head was clocked with Obi-Wan's training saber.

Ki-Adi-Mundi did his best not to laugh.

The observers on the upper deck had less success controlling their reactions and burst into laughter and applause. Qui-Gon saluted them wryly with his lightsaber, and Councilor Mundi followed suit.

A frazzled Padawan Shanra chose that moment to burst into the salle.

"Obi-Wan Kenobi!" she scolded. "Get down from there at once. You know better than to get out of line. Master Jinn, Councilor Mundi, I'm terribly sorry this child interrupted your bout. It won't happen again, and he will be punished for this."

Obi-Wan shrank against Qui-Gon's chest, unsure of why he should be in trouble for saving his bondmate.

Qui-Gon felt his hurt confusion and hastened to reassure him. "That won't be necessary, Padawan. Obi-Wan thought I was in danger and took it upon himself to ...ah... rescue me. You needn't punish him."

"He did a damned fine job of it, too," the Councilor said, rubbing his sore hip ruefully.

The Padawan regarded them quizzically for a moment, then nodded and moved to take the crècheling from the Master's arms.

Still convinced he was going to be punished, Obi-Wan clutched at his bondmate's tunics and turned huge, pleading eyes on Qui-Gon.

nonononono please..., he sent desperately.

Qui-Gon wrapped his arms around the terrified child. Don't be afraid, my brave little imp. You won't be punished.

Obi-Wan just grasped the tunics tighter, refusing to let the Padawan take him from his bondmate.

"That won't be necessary, Padawan. I'll keep him with me for the remainder of the afternoon. Inform Master Aronna for me, would you?"

Shanra stared at him in disbelief. What could a Master want with a crèche brat? Well, it wasn't for her to question. She bowed stiffly. "Yes, Master Jinn," she said, then turned and left, shaking her head.

Obi-Wan sagged with relief. "Thanks, Quigee," he whispered as he fairly throttled his bondmate with another hug.

Qui-Gon glanced at Knight Mundi, who was looking at him in a whole new light as he watched the Master interact with his young bondmate.

"I apologize for the interruption, Councilor. Shall we spar again some other time?"

"Certainly, Master Jinn. Perhaps tomorrow, same time?"

"Excellent. I'll be here."

The two Jedi saluted each other with their blades.

"Well, Imp, I think I have some qualla frost in my quarters that I need some help eating. Do you know anyone who would volunteer for the job?"

Obi-Wan's eyes got big. Qualla frost? "Me!" he said breathlessly. "Oh, me!" He loved qualla frost.

Qui-Gon chuckled and gestured for Councilor Mundi to precede them up the stairs to the observation deck. Some of the Jedi still gathered there ribbed Mundi good-naturedly for being beaten by a crècheling, and then the whole lot broke into applause again when Qui-Gon appeared with Obi-Wan still seated on his hip. The little boy smiled shyly as his hair was ruffled and his back patted from all sides.

Qui-Gon finally steered them through the well-meaning crowd and carried Obi-Wan through the Temple to his quarters. When the door had closed behind him, Qui-Gon set the boy down.

"Now, I think Jedi Knights who've had a busy morning deserve a treat; what do you think?" he asked.

Obi-Wan drew himself up proudly and saluted his bondmate with his practice saber, copying the gesture he'd seen Qui-Gon and Councilor Mundi exchange earlier.

Qui-Gon hid a smile as he bowed solemnly, then headed for the cold box and his stash of iced qualla frost.

Fin