TITLE: Impus Interruptus, Part Two
AUTHOR: Tatsu
FEEDBACK: Yes please, it keeps me going. My email address is cjcooper@hotmail.com
ARCHIVES: Padawan Punishment. All others please ask. (Like I’m gonna say no!)
PAIRING: pre-slash Q/O, Q/female
SERIES: It's inspired by and set in Anne Higgins' Bonding Universe.
RATING: PG-13.
WARNING: The story contains the spanking of a five year old child…if this bothers you, go no further.
SUMMARY: Obi-Wan is jealous of Qui-Gon’s friend, T'Lara. The imp becomes a brat.
DISCLAIMER: The characters belong to George. The universe belongs to Anne Higgins. T'Lara and M'Ne are mine. So is the pathetic bank balance (read $0.0).
AUTHOR'S NOTE: THANKS: To Cheshire Cat for putting up with me as I struggled to finish this – thanks for your support :-) . And to Kat for putting up with my whining :-) .
ARCHIVIST'S NOTE: In this story '/.../' refers to private inner thoughts, while '//...//' refers to telepathic communication between two beings.
******
T'Lara rested her head on Qui-Gon’s shoulder and traced lazy circles on his chest.
"You should go to him, Qui. This needs sorting out before it gets out of hand."
"Are you throwing me out?" he asked, his eyes twinkling.
"Well, I don’t usually evict good looking Jedi from my bed, but I’ll make an exception in your case." She grinned and planted a soft kiss on his nose.
"Jedi? Plural? So I’m one of many?" He tried to sound affronted.
For his pains, T'Lara brought her feet up to his hips and shoved – hard. Qui-Gon landed with a thud on the floor.
"Ow! Not very subtle, but effective."
T'Lara leant over the edge of the bed, her body wrapped up in the bed sheet, and laughed at him.
"Aw...poor love. Anything broken?"
"Perhaps a dent to my pride." He cocked an eyebrow at her, then grabbed the sheet and yanked. She landed on top of him in a tangled heap.
"Damn! Should have seen that coming!" She freed her hand from the sheet and prodded him in the chest. "You, my friend, are stalling."
Qui-Gon adopted an innocent look, but T'Lara’s prodding became more insistent.
"No use delaying the inevitable…isn’t that one of your Jedi codes?"
The Jedi sighed. T'Lara had a point – but he was rather enjoying their present position. The woman must have picked up on his thought, as she moved off him and sat back on the bed.
"Begone, Jedi. I have had my way with you. You are dismissed."
Qui-Gon laughed as she waved her hand towards the door.
"Yes, my lady." He stood, bowed and headed for the shower. A pillow caught him square in the back, but he kept walking. He’d deal with one brat at a time.
*_*_*
Master Aronna appeared at Qui-Gon’s side as soon as he entered the crèche.
"I’ve been expecting you."
Qui-Gon looked around the room, but could not see Obi-Wan.
"Where is he?"
"Your little ball of fury is in the sleeping room. He was proving too distracting for the other children."
The Jedi winced – there was reproach in Master Aronna’s voice.
"I thought it best to let him try to deal with his feelings for a while," he explained.
"Let him deal with his feelings after you’ve explained things to him." She shook her head, her long braid swishing from side to side. "I take it he misused the link in some way?"
"Yes. I was...busy...and he ignored my privacy shields." Qui-Gon hoped she wouldn’t ask him what he’d been busy doing.
"How is T'Lara by the way?"
/Damn./
Qui-Gon forced down the blush that was threatening to rise to his cheeks.
"She is well, Master. Has she not been to visit you yet?" Qui-Gon’s attempt at innocence was totally transparent to his old crèche Master.
"I’m sure she will after she catches up with her old...friends."
This time the blush made its way to the Jedi’s cheeks despite his attempts to stop it.
Master Aronna smiled. "Now, young man, to the situation at hand." She pointed to the sleeping quarters. "There’s an angry little boy in there who needs your guidance. See that he gets it."
The crèche Master walked away and Qui-Gon took a deep breath to centre himself. As he walked towards the sleeping rooms, he couldn’t help feeling as though he was preparing for battle.
The lights in the room were dimmed, and although Qui-Gon could feel Obi-Wan’s presence in his mind, it took a few seconds for his eyes to locate him.
The child sat on a chair in the corner. His little shoulders were hunched over and his head was bent, chin resting on his chest. Little legs swung to and fro, setting a steady rhythm as his feet banged against the chair legs.
Qui-Gon took in the scene, his heart – and his resolve – melting just a little. He took a moment to strengthen his purpose, knowing that if he gave in to such emotions now, it would only mean more trouble later on.
His shields were down, so he knew the child was aware he was close, but there was no outward recognition. Steeling himself, the Jedi sat cross-legged on one of the sleeping mats and looked at the boy’s back for a few moments. Still there was no acknowledgement of his presence.
//Little one?// Someone had to make the first move, because he was sure that the child could keep on ignoring him for a long time.
"Master Aronna said I had to stay here." He kicked the wall to punctuate his statement.
"I’m sure she did not say you were to damage the walls. I am releasing you from this punishment – come here."
Obi-Wan stayed put.
"Do not force me to come and get you, child."
The tone in the Jedi’s voice was enough to make the boy move. He stood and walked over to where Qui-Gon was sitting, and stood in front of him, his eyes downcast.
"Sit down," the Jedi instructed gently.
Obi-Wan sat, mirroring Qui-Gon’s cross-legged posture, his eyes centred on the man’s knees.
"The last time I checked, my eyes were not situated on my legs. Look at me, child."
Small green eyes slowly met his gaze, and then darted away again. Qui-Gon sighed.
"We have to discuss what happened today, little one, and I would prefer to talk to you face to face so that I am assured I have your full attention."
Obi-Wan raised his head and held the Jedi’s gaze. There was none of the familiar impish twinkle in the green eyes, more a look of determination – perhaps even defiance.
"Shall I begin with an explanation about shielding?"
"I know what shielding is." The child’s tone was just – and only just – on the right side of politeness.
"Indeed? Then perhaps you can tell me."
Obi-Wan sighed. "We...you...use shields when you’re busy or you want to be alone."
"Not alone, child, but when I need privacy. Your explanation is essentially correct, so would you care to explain your behaviour this afternoon?"
The child squirmed a little. "I was bored. Didn’t want to sleep," he shrugged.
"And your boredom led you to ignore my requests to respect my shields?"
Obi-Wan twisted the belt of his tunic around his fingers. "I was bored," he repeated, as though this was explanation enough.
"You know as well as I do, child, that we use shields for a purpose. They are to be respected at all times. Boredom is no excuse to invade another’s privacy – an emergency, yes, that would be a reason - if you were in danger or suspected I was in danger. But that was not the case today, was it?"
The child shrugged his shoulders.
"That is not an answer."
"No."
"Do you have any excuse for your behaviour?"
Obi-Wan chewed his lip. "No."
Qui-Gon took a deep breath.
/This is going well./
"Let me ask you this, child. If you were playing a game with M'Ne..."
"What game?"
"It is not important to this discussion..."
"Draigons? I like playing draigons."
"Very well," the Jedi conceded. "You are playing draigons with M'Ne and you are having a really good time - would you like me to keep pestering you through the link? Would it not distract you from your game?"
The child thought for a moment. "No. I wouldn’t mind at all." He held Qui-Gon’s gaze.
The Jedi cocked an eyebrow at the defiant answer, and took a calming breath.
"Look into your heart, little one. Is that the truth?"
Obi-Wan looked down at his hands. He had twirled his belt around one finger so tightly that the tip had started to turn purple. He unwound the fabric slowly.
"Guess not," he admitted finally.
/At last. Progress./
Qui-Gon lifted the boy’s chin gently so that their eyes met. "It was wrong of you to do what you did, little one. Do you understand?" His voice was soft, pleased that the child had admitted his fault – albeit begrudgingly and in a round about way. He sent a wave of affection through the link.
Obi-Wan nodded. "Sorry."
"Apology accepted, imp." The Jedi allowed himself a small smile. He noticed it was not returned. "Now we must discuss your anger."
The child groaned loudly. He had hoped the lecture was over.
"Child, anger..."
"Leads to the Dark side…I know."
/Keep this up, child, and your anger will lead you right over my knee./
"Anger," Qui-Gon continued, "is an emotion we all feel at one time or another, and of itself, that is not a bad thing. It is when anger overtakes us and rules our actions that we are in danger of being consumed by it. Do you understand the difference?"
"Yes."
"Meditation helps us to identify the anger and to release it into the living Force. You are still young, and your meditation skills are weak, so I will guide you. Come sit with me, little one."
Qui-Gon reached forward and took the child into his lap. He settled his hands on the boy’s shoulders, ignoring the anger and frustration he felt through the touch. Sending calm thoughts and reassurance through the link, the Jedi spoke softly, invoking a state of shared meditation.
At first he attempted to ease the child’s tension – both mental and physical. When he felt the child lean against him, his muscles more relaxed, the Jedi began a technique that would review the boy’s actions, and also show him alternatives to those actions. Still being young, Obi-Wan was like a passenger on the journey as he had not yet attained the skills to play a more active role.
//See your anger, child, when you first broached my shield and I requested privacy?//
Obi-Wan mentally nodded.
//Instead of anger, you could have chosen to respect my wishes. You did not. And here, the second time, despite my using a stronger shield, you again let your hostility lead you. Can you see how different the outcome would have been had you not given in to your anger?//
Qui-Gon projected an image of the alternative, and felt the child flinch guiltily.
//I just wanted to talk.// he offered.
//I understand that, little one, but sometimes – for many reasons – I am unable to chat with you through the link.//
//But you weren’t on a mission, or anything important. I know that’s different.//
//Do you think that spending time with an old friend is not important?//
The child didn’t answer.
//I allow you time to play with your friends without interruption, you must afford me the same courtesy.//
//I was lonely.//
//You will often feel lonely, child, but know that you are never alone. I am with you always.// Qui-Gon sent a wave of love through the link. //Even when there are shields between us, we are still together.//
Slowly, Qui-Gon brought them both out of the meditation. He allowed the child a few moments to adjust, and then stood him up.
"Do you understand things better now?"
"Yes."
"Good. Just remember I will not tolerate that kind of intrusion again, imp." The Jedi ruffled the boy’s hair. "Now, I think you should return to your friends. You no doubt have lessons to catch up on." He gave the child a gentle swat to send him on his way.
Master Aronna entered the room in time to see Obi-Wan heading for the door.
"Go and join your age mates, Obi-Wan. I will be there momentarily."
She watched the child re-enter the crèche and then turned to Qui-Gon.
"So, how did it go?"
The Jedi stood and stretched his legs.
"Well, I think. We meditated together, and I believe I got my point across."
"Good."
"Yes. I don’t foresee any more problems."
He bowed to the Master and left the room.
/Enjoy that false sense of security, Qui-Gon Jinn, because it won’t last long./ The old Master smiled and returned to her duties.
It wasn’t until he was nearly back at his quarters that Qui-Gon realised the child had not called him by name since the incident with T'Lara. It bothered him briefly, but he allotted it to a place in the back of his mind and kept on walking.
*_*_*
Later that evening, as he was sitting at his desk catching up on some reports for a Council meeting the next morning, Qui-Gon realised it was past the hour when the Initiates were put to bed. Usually, if he and Obi-Wan were not together, the child would contact him through the link to say goodnight.
/Perhaps he has not gone to bed yet./
He focused on the link and became instantly aware of two things – the child was nearing sleep, and he had erected a strong shield between them. The Jedi sat back in his chair and rubbed his temples, pondering on the information. Obi-Wan rarely shielded, in fact it was his lack of shielding that had caused some interesting situations in the past. Tempted as he was to contact Master Aronna, Qui-Gon decided against it. He couldn’t go running to her every time he had a problem – he had to trust his own judgement. If Obi-Wan was shielding, then so be it. Perhaps he was sulking? Or maybe getting his own back on the Jedi?
/Now that’s a possibility./
Qui-Gon allowed himself a small smile. He decided it was a combination of the two and prepared himself to play out the waiting game. Still, he had to admit he missed not hearing the little one’s cheery ‘goodnight’. With a sigh, he returned to his work, the beginnings of a headache niggling at the back of his mind.
*_*_*
Qui-Gon woke the next morning with the dawn. He went into the living area of his quarters and knelt in front of the window to meditate. He could feel the warm rays of the sun touch his face as it traced its path slowly along the Coruscant sky. After the meditation, he took a quick shower, changed and prepared his morning meal. As he ate, he focused on the link and was surprised to find the shield still firmly in place. Even though he was disappointed, a part of him couldn’t help but be impressed with the child’s ability to sustain the shield for so long.
Armed with data slates, Qui-Gon made his way to the Council chambers. Lost in thought, he nearly bumped straight into Mace Windu, managing to drop most of his data slates in the process.
"’morning, Qui-Gon," the dark man said cheerfully. "Got your mind on other things this morning?"
"Yes, so it would appear." The Jedi bent down and retrieved his belongings. "How are you this morning?"
They fell in step together.
"More to the point," Mace grinned, "how are you? I hear T'Lara’s back."
Qui-Gon quirked an eyebrow at his friend. "Yes, she is. And I am fine, thank you."
After a few moments silence, Mace nudged his friend and whispered, "Well?"
Qui-Gon stopped and faced his friend. "Mace Windu, I have no intention of indulging in pre-pubescent talk with you – on any subject."
Gathering his dignity around him, the tall Jedi walked on.
"Uh huh...thought so." Mace smiled and caught up to his friend. "The pre-occupation, nearly walking into me...that’s not like you, Qui-Gon. Obviously your mind is elsewhere."
Qui-Gon ignored his friend’s leer.
"As it happens, I am pre-occupied this morning. And, if you would be so kind..." he heaped his data slates into his friend’s arms, "I will go and speak to the source of my pre-occupation."
Mace grinned broadly. "Say hello to T'Lara from me."
"Only if she is in the crèche," Qui-Gon shot back, and kept walking.
*_*_*
Master Aronna greeted him as soon as he entered the crèche.
"Good Morning, Qui-Gon."
/Does she lie in wait for me?/
"Good morning, Master. I was just..."
"He’s over there. A bit quiet this morning, I’ve noticed. Have you two had another disagreement?"
"No, quite the reverse. He has been shielding from me since last night."
Master Aronna struggled to keep the smile from her face. "Oh, I see."
Qui-Gon just knew she wanted to say more, but he jumped in before she had the chance.
"With your permission, I’d like to speak to him for a moment."
"Be my guest."
/What does she find so amusing?/
Obi-Wan was sitting with some friends at a table, their little heads bent in concentration. Qui-Gon watched for a moment and saw a small block rise a short distance in the air and then fall again.
"See? Told you I could do it," M'Ne crowed. She looked up, saw Qui-Gon, and blushed. "Good morning, Master Jinn."
"Good morning, M'Ne. Children."
A chorus of small voices greeted him. Obi-Wan turned and looked up at him.
"Good morning, little one. May I see you a moment?"
The child stood and followed the Jedi over to the window.
"I can do that too, you know," Obi-Wan informed him, pointing to the blocks on the table.
"Yes, I’m aware of your abilities in that area." Qui-Gon smiled. "And how are you this morning?"
"Fine." The child rested his chin on the window ledge and looked out at the view below.
The Jedi was not impressed with the child’s attitude. It seemed he had gone beyond sulking to being just plain stubborn. Undaunted, Qui-Gon continued, hoping to break through the barrier the child had erected.
"It would seem your abilities are improving in other areas as well."
"Hm?"
"You have been shielding since last night – most impressive."
Obi-Wan shrugged. "Just needed some privacy is all."
/Touché./
Qui-Gon took a deep breath and forced himself to be calm. He reminded himself that he was dealing with a five year old child – albeit one who was sorely trying his patience.
/Time to try plan B./
He hunched down in front of the boy, his hand resting gently on the child’s arm.
"It seems we are to be blessed with a beautiful day. Would you like to have lunch with me in the gardens?"
Obi-Wan turned and faced him, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Can we go to the one with all the fountains? I like that one."
Pleased with the child’s returning enthusiasm, Qui-Gon agreed.
"The Garden of a Thousand Fountains it is."
*_*_*
"Problems you have, my Padawan?"
Master Yoda hobbled over to Qui-Gon as soon as the Council meeting had ended.
"Distracted, you are."
"My apologies, Master. I admit my thoughts were elsewhere this morning."
"Young Obi-Wan, hmm?"
Qui-Gon smiled – Master Yoda, as always, had gone straight to the heart of the matter.
"Yes, Master. We are experiencing a few difficulties, but I am confident we will be able to resolve them."
The old man ‘humphed’.
"Confident, you are? Stubborn children can be. And ever changing. Perhaps discuss this we should?"
"Thank you, Master, but I am on my way to have lunch with Obi-Wan now. We will sort things out."
Yoda nodded and began to hobble away. He stopped and turned to look up at his former Padawan.
"Come and talk, anyway. Some help I may be. Much practice I have had with moody boys."
"Perhaps later, Master."
"As you wish."
*_*_*
Qui-Gon leant on one elbow and watched as Obi-Wan ran from one fountain to another. He smiled as the child scooped water into his hands and threw it up in the air. They had only been in the gardens for a short time – long enough to lay out some fruit and bread on a rug – but the Jedi was relieved to see that the child was more like his old self again. He had lowered the shield – much to Qui-Gon’s relief – and his mood seemed to have lifted.
The boy ran up to him, something clutched carefully in his hands.
"Quigee, look." He opened his cupped hands to reveal a large beetle.
Qui-Gon inspected the creature. "It is a rainbow beetle, little one. See how it’s body reflects all the colours of the spectrum?"
Obi-Wan gently poked the creature, and giggled as it skittered across his palm.
"It’s beautiful," he announced in wonder.
"Indeed it is, but you must release it, little one. It will be much happier in its natural environment."
"OK, Quigee." The child stroked the beetle and then laid it gently on the grass. He watched it crawl away, following it for a short distance on his hands and knees.
The Jedi grabbed the boy’s tunic and pulled him back.
"I am pleased to see you have remembered my name at last," he teased.
Obi-Wan squirmed away from the Jedi’s grasp and looked at him shyly.
"Didn’t forget." He blushed and studied the grass.
"I missed not hearing it, imp."
The child grinned and was suddenly on top of Qui-Gon, straddling his chest.
"Quigee, Quigee, Quigee, Quigee, Quigee," he giggled. He didn’t want to admit that he’d missed saying it just as much.
Qui-Gon laughed and ruffled the boy’s hair.
"Enough! You have more than made up for it." He smiled and settled the child next to him. "Now, shall we eat some of this food before the garden creatures make away with it?"
They ate in companionable silence, enjoying the food and the re-established closeness.
"Watch, Quigee." The child closed his eyes, his brow set in a furrow of concentration. Slowly, one of the apples on the rug rose slightly, hovering a few inches above the rest of the food. It wavered slightly, and Obi-Wan’s tongue popped out of the side of his mouth, increasing his concentration.
"Most impressive, Obi-Wan."
The apple dropped to the ground at the sound of Master T'Lara’s voice. Qui-Gon stood up and bowed.
"Master T'Lara, this is a pleasant surprise."
Noticing Obi-Wan was still seated, the Jedi gently prodded the boy’s leg with his boot.
//Where are your manners, child?//
Obi-Wan stood up slowly and gave the briefest of bows.
"Master."
"Your levitation skills are quite advanced for your age, young one. I was never able to master the skill properly myself."
The child accepted the compliment with a brief nod.
"Would you like to join us, T'Lara? We have more than enough."
"Thank you. I have given my charges the run of the Temple for a few hours. I hope it survives!" She smiled and sat down gracefully.
"Can I go and play?"
"Are you sure you have had enough to eat, little one?"
"Yes."
"Very well, but stay where I can see you."
Qui-Gon felt the child erect a shield, catching a flash of frustration just before it fell into place.
/Not again,/ he thought with a tinge of annoyance.
T'Lara bit into an apple and watched the child run over to the nearest fountain.
"Was it something I said?" she asked, aware of the sudden tension between the Jedi and the child.
Qui-Gon sighed. "I’m sorry, T'Lara. I’m at a loss to explain his behaviour."
She reached over and touched his arm.
"I get the impression he’s not happy with our friendship."
"But why? I have many friends – of all genders and races – he has never reacted this way before."
"True, but these are friends he has known since his earliest days, are they not?"
The Jedi nodded.
"Allow me to put forward a theory. His life with you on Coruscant is familiar and comfortable. Then, suddenly, a beautiful, dark skinned woman comes into the picture..."
Qui-Gon smiled. "Really? You must introduce us."
T'Lara scrunched her nose at him.
"No, seriously, I think he senses that our friendship runs deep, and although he can’t articulate it, it bothers him. Even makes him a little jealous. He sees me as a threat, Qui, and he’s putting you in a situation where you have to choose between us."
"But he has only just met you. He knew we were together last night – surely he can’t have such deep concerns already?"
"Oh Qui, he’s five years old – his imagination can come up with all sorts of horrors – real or imagined – quicker than you can blink."
"Look at me!"
Qui-Gon directed his gaze towards the child and saw him standing on top of one of the ornamental statues at the edge of a fountain.
"Get down immediately, child," he admonished. "The statues are not climbing apparatus, and you could fall and hurt yourself."
Obi-Wan looked down from his vantage point and could clearly see Qui-Gon and Master T'Lara talking. He had thought it rather clever to scale the statue, but obviously Quigee was more interested in his friend. He poked out his tongue – which went unnoticed by both adults – and jumped into the fountain.
The water level was just above the child’s head height, but before he made it to the surface, large hands grabbed him roughly by the scruff of the neck and deposited him on dry ground.
Qui-Gon knelt in front of the boy and shook him. "Are you hurt?" he asked, his concern mixed with annoyance.
"No. I’m OK."
T'Lara appeared at his side with the rug, which she proceeded to wrap around him.
"I’ll see to the food, Qui. You’d better get this one into some dry clothes."
As the Jedi picked the boy up, he saw the hint of a satisfied smile cross the child’s face.
"I’m sorry, T'Lara. Perhaps..."
"I’m free tonight. How about dinner?"
He nodded and strode out of the gardens, the wet child in his arms.
"Answer me one question, child – and I want the truth. Do you fall or did you jump?"
"I jumped." His voice was barely above a whisper.
Qui-Gon set the boy on the ground and put his hands on his shoulders.
"I am very disappointed in you, child. Master T'Lara is my friend, and for reasons I cannot fathom, you seem intent on disliking her, or at the very least, disrupting our time together. There is no excuse for this behaviour."
The boy held his gaze defiantly. Qui-Gon calmed himself before he spoke again.
"This will stop now, child. Do you understand? If you continue to behave in this manner, you will suffer the consequences. I suggest you think on that."
He picked the boy up again and resumed walking, the journey back to the crèche completed in silence.
Before Master Aronna could utter a word, Qui-Gon deposited the boy on the floor and pointed him towards the bathroom.
"Go and dry yourself off and change into some clean clothes," he instructed, gruffly. He turned to the crèche Master. "Any questions you have, Master, the boy can answer."
He turned on his heels and strode out of the room.
*_*_*
Somehow, Qui-Gon did not seem surprised that the door to his Master’s quarters was open. He went inside, and saw Master Yoda watering some plants on the balcony.
"Plants – like children they are," the old Master stated without turning around. "We care for them, tend to their needs, yet sometimes insist on their own way, they do. This one, see?" he pointed to a small Valren iris. "Flowering now, it should be. Buds there are, but no flowers. Stubborn it is."
Qui-Gon sat cross-legged on the floor, waiting for his Master to get to the point.
"Others are flowering, but this one is not. Defying me it is."
"Master, Valren irises are not capable of defiance."
The old Master walked up to his Padawan and tapped his knee with his gimer stick.
"But five year old boys are."
"So I am learning."
Yoda chuckled. "Jumping into a fountain, hmm? Getting your attention, he was."
/How does he find out about these things?/
"It worked," Qui-Gon admitted dryly.
"Should have left him there. Swim, he can."
"I think his intention was..."
"To come between you and T'Lara, hmm? Jealous he is. Possessive. Stubborn. Wants you all to himself."
"It would appear you and Master T'Lara are in agreement there."
"Ah, wise she always was."
The old Master sat down on a cushion next to his Padawan.
"Reassure him, you have, hmm?"
"Yes, Master, I have tried to do so, but it doesn’t seem to have made much of an impression."
"Ah, sometimes the ears are not the best place to direct instruction. When blocked they are, words will not get through. Other ways to instruct, there are."
Qui-Gon looked at his Master, quirking an eyebrow. Yoda poked his leg.
"Give me that look, no right you have. Forget when you were young, do you? Look up ‘stubborn’ in the dictionary – your name you will see there."
The younger man allowed himself a small laugh. "I wasn’t that bad."
/Oh well done, Jinn. Feed the little gnome a line like that and you’ll never hear the end of it./
"Say ‘Yes Master’ you could and make it sound like a suggestion where I could put my gimer stick."
Qui-Gon blushed to the roots of his hair.
"Master, I…"
"Deny it not." Yoda cracked his Padawan on the knee with his cane for emphasis. "The Force chose wisely – given you a child like yourself, it has. Look to your own past, Padawan, and answers you will find."
The Jedi rested his hand on his old Master’s arm.
"But he is still young, Master, I..."
"Age is no excuse." The little man’s voice was harsh. "Let him get away with this now, and suffer later on you both will. Actions have consequences, Padawan. Never too young to learn that lesson he is."
Qui-Gon nodded in agreement.
"Warning you have given him?"
"Yes, more than once."
"Once is enough. If he sees you weak, advantage he will take. T'Lara is an old friend, see her you should. Be ruled by the child you should not. Accept her for what she is, he must."
"Well, T'Lara and I are dining together tonight, perhaps that will be a good time to see if he has learnt his lesson."
"No ‘perhaps’...settle this now, Padawan." He tugged at the Jedi’s long hair affectionately. "But not with anger – only resentment will come from the child if anger is used. Be fair, but firm. Understand me, you do?"
"Yes, Master, I understand."
"Then why are you still here? Busy I am."
Qui-Gon smiled, stood up and headed for the door.
"Thank you, Master."
Yoda ‘humphed’ and hobbled back to his stubborn plants.
*_*_*
Qui-Gon spoke to T'Lara first, asking if she minded Obi-Wan joining them for dinner.
"Of course I don’t mind, Qui. The more he sees us together, the more chance he has of getting used to the idea. And we’ll have plenty of time together after he’s gone to bed."
She winked and closed the comm connection.
Obi-Wan was less than enthusiastic, but Qui-Gon had anticipated that.
"We can prepare the meal together. And I think I can manage to acquire some Qualla frost." It was bribery, he knew, but it might just work.
The child agreed reluctantly, and Master Aronna was advised of their plans.
"Should be an interesting evening," she said, cryptically. "Have fun."
*_*_*
After buying the ingredients they needed at the market outside the Temple, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan returned to the Jedi’s quarters to prepare the meal.
Qui-Gon was a master of many things, but cooking wasn’t one of them. He had chosen a fairly basic menu – soup, followed by a rice and vegetable dish, both he remembered as T'Lara’s favourites.
Obi-Wan seemed to have lost some of his earlier reluctance, and stood contentedly on a chair next to the Jedi at the small preparation bench. He had lowered his shields and was chattering in his usual way about some of his friends in the crèche, as Qui-Gon set the ingredients in front of them.
"...and Master Aronna said ‘Do that again, Belari, and I will leave you up there." The child laughed.
"And has he done it again?"
"No...at least not when Master Aronna is around."
"Wise move. Now, let me see if I remember how to make this soup."
The Jedi put some water on to boil on the small stove and shared the assembled herbs and spices between the two of them at the bench.
"Cut them up as small as possible, little one. And be careful – I don’t want fingers in the soup."
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and set to chopping up his share of the herbs.
"What’s this soup called, Quigee?"
"I was afraid you’d ask me that." The Jedi frowned. "Something like, m’lessiff…no m’lassiff? Well, something like that. You can ask Master T'Lara when she arrives – it is a dish from her homeworld."
Obi-Wan kept on with his chopping, determined to ask her no such thing.
"Did you know Master T'Lara comes from a desert world, little one?"
The child shrugged – he wasn’t in the least bit interested. All that mattered was that he was with Quigee and things were OK between them.
Qui-Gon picked up on the child’s thoughts, but continued speaking as if he hadn’t noticed.
"When she came to the Temple as a young Initiate, she was fascinated by water. On her homeworld, water is scarce and considered a luxury. For many months after she arrived here, she would spend all her spare time in the Garden of a Thousand Fountains."
Obi-Wan pushed his pile of chopped herbs over to the Jedi and looked up at him.
"What can I do next?"
/Start paying attention?/
"Wash the vegetables so there is no soil on them."
The child put all the vegetables in the sink and turned the tap on, water splashing over him and on to the floor.
"Don’t worry about it now – there will doubtless be more mess to tidy up before we are done."
The child smiled and turned the water pressure down. The Jedi continued, determined to spark the child’s interest in some way.
"I taught T'Lara to swim when we were padawans together. At first, the size of the pool frightened her – she had never seen so much water before in her life - but after a while she overcame her fears and turned out to be a proficient swimmer."
The child scrubbed each individual vegetable studiously.
/And then she sprouted horns and flew away./
The Jedi added his herbs to the pot and stirred the mixture. He reached past the boy for some seasoning, and sprinkled a small amount into the pot.
"In a way, it was because of swimming that she became a Healer."
Obi-Wan turned the tap off and dried the vegetables.
"One day, whilst she was swimming in the pool, another Initiate slipped and fell. He banged his head on the side of the pool and fell into the water. T'Lara..."
"Was there a lot of blood?"
"What? Blood? I suppose so."
"Wow."
/That he finds interesting./
Doggedly, Qui-Gon continued.
"T'Lara pulled the unconscious boy from the water and revived him. She had never been taught revival techniques, it just came to her naturally – through the Force. It was then she decided to become a Healer."
"Did the boy have a big bump on his head?"
/About as big as the one I’m going to get from banging my head against the wall./
"You can ask Master T'Lara when she arrives. Now, let’s see if I can remember how to cook vegetables."
Amazingly, the meal seemed to have survived Qui-Gon’s lack of culinary talent, and strange but delightful smells filled the room.
"Well, that’s all done. Thank you for your help, imp. I think we have managed to do a good job." He looked around the small kitchen. "And also managed to make a surprising amount of mess."
Obi-Wan giggled and threw a handful of vegetable scrapings at the Jedi, which landed on the man’s head. A few of the more tenacious ones clung to his hair. The child held his stomach in a spasm of laughter.
"Oooh look – Quigee soup!"
A minor food fight ensued, and ended with the man and the boy sitting on the floor, surrounded by even more mess. Obi-Wan’s eyes twinkled devilishly, and he scooped up a handful of scrapings, intending to continue the fun, but Qui-Gon held up his hand to stop him.
"Look at the time. Master T'Lara will be here soon. We have to clean up and then change – we look like a pair of gallery slaves."
Obi-Wan’s pout at the cessation of the fun did not go unnoticed by the Jedi.
"I’ll start in here, little one. You go and wash up and change your clothes."
"Why? These are OK." He brushed food off himself and ignored the stains.
Qui-Gon arched an eyebrow at him. "Do I really need to answer that question? Off you go – we have about 15 minutes to spare."
The child stomped out of the room and into the bathroom facilities.
/Child, you are like the seasons – ever changing./
As he was changing his clothes, Qui-Gon noticed Obi-Wan standing at the door way to his bedroom, a little hand rubbing his stomach.
"I feel sick, Quigee."
/How convenient./
The Jedi walked over and laid a hand on the child’s forehead.
"There is no sign of a temperature." He laid a hand gently on the child’s stomach. "Nothing appears wrong here either."
"Can I go back to the crèche?"
Qui-Gon walked over to the bed, sat down and motioned the child over to him.
"Why do you want to leave, little one?"
Obi-Wan drew slow circles on one of Qui-Gon’s knees.
"Just do is all," he pouted.
"Not a very good reason, is it?" He drew the child on to his lap. "Little one, it would please me greatly if you and Master T'Lara could become friends. I want her to see what I see – an amazing child that I am immensely proud of, a child that I love more than life itself."
He sent an image of his love and pride through the link to emphasise his words. The boy squirmed.
"I know that I cannot force you to be friends, imp, but there is one thing I do expect of you." He cupped the boy’s chin in his hand, forcing him to look him in the face. "I expect you to be on your best behaviour tonight. I will not tolerate any more of your rudeness towards T'Lara. You will show her the respect she deserves, do you understand?"
Obi-Wan nodded, pulling his face away from the man’s grasp. He scooted down off his knee and walked away.
"OK," he agreed begrudgingly.
"Mark me now, child. You would be wise not to test me on this."
*_*_*
Reluctantly, Obi-Wan helped Qui-Gon set the table. Just as they finished, the door chime rang out.
"Ah, punctual as ever."
T'Lara, looking as stunning as usual, entered the room and immediately picked up on the aromas coming from the kitchen.
"Don’t tell me...m’sillaff soup? Qui, you remembered. How sweet."
"I had some help. Obi-Wan?"
The child was standing by the table, taking an inordinate interest in the cutlery.
"Hello, young one. How are you?"
"Hello, Master."
"Did you help make the soup?"
A brief nod.
T'Lara laughed. "If I remember correctly, Qui-Gon would need all the help he can get. He’s the only person I know who can burn water."
The Jedi looked offended.
"Here, I brought a bottle of Melian wine." She waved her hand to stave off Qui-Gon’s protest. "It was a gift, and I can think of no better company to share it with."
Qui-Gon smiled and took the very expensive and rare wine from her, placing it on the table.
"Well, shall we eat? Slaving away in a kitchen does tend to make one hungry. Child? Would you like to help me serve the first course?"
Silently, Obi-Wan followed Qui-Gon into the kitchen and carried out three soup bowls, putting one at each place. Qui-Gon followed with the pot of soup, setting it in the middle of the table.
"Forgive my lack of fine tableware, but I have little need of such luxuries."
"Believe me, Qui, I have eaten from worse things than a pot in my time." She smiled and reached over to pat his arm.
Obi-Wan scraped his chair noisily into place, earning him a quick look from the Jedi.
"Did you know that m’sillaff is served on special occasions on my homeworld, little one? It is called the food of welcome. In the olden days, neighbouring tribes would serve it at gatherings to promote peace."
The child remained silent, swirling his soup around with his spoon. He took a small mouthful and pulled a face.
"Eww."
T'Lara laughed, Qui-Gon counted to ten in his mind.
"It can be bitter at first. Here, try adding some of this." She handed him a small dish of seasoning. "Just add a little bit, it will take away some of the bitterness."
Obi-Wan took the proffered bowl and heaped a large amount into his soup.
//I am warning you, child.//
T'Lara fussed over the boy, swapping bowls with him. "I am used to the seasoning." She added a small amount to his soup. "Try it now."
Qui-Gon gave her a grateful smile, which she returned. The child ate some of the soup, a look of barely disguised distaste creasing his face. He pushed his bowl away from him and sat back in his chair.
The adults ignored him, eating their soup and chatting. T'Lara’s charges had thoroughly enjoyed their day exploring the Temple, and she related some of their stories.
"Meera especially will fit in here. She is strong with the Force. It will greatly improve her healing skills, learning at the Temple."
Qui-Gon nodded and smiled, giving T'Lara as much of his attention as possible. But he was also occupied with the attitude emanating quite strongly from the child. Rubbing his temple, the Jedi could feel the beginnings of a headache.
Recruiting the boy’s reluctant help, Qui-Gon cleared away the soup bowls and took them into the kitchen.
"Can I go back to the crèche now? I’m not hungry any more." The child’s plea was loud enough to be heard in the next room.
The Jedi turned on him quickly, making the child take a step back.
v "No," he hissed through gritted teeth. "You will finish your meal and afford our guest the respect she deserves. This is my final warning, child. You are skating on thin ice, very thin ice."
Back at the table, T'Lara pretended she had not heard the child’s request to leave, and continued chatting, including the boy as much as possible in the conversation. Qui-Gon was eternally grateful for her efforts.
"M’sillaff and gasenga...I feel thoroughly spoiled." She was genuinely touched that Qui-Gon had remembered her favourite foods.
Obi-Wan pushed the food around on his plate, his mouth set in a hard line.
//Eat.//
The command through the link startled him a little, and he looked up at the Jedi. Steel blue eyes met equally determined green eyes in a silent battle of wills.
T'Lara was aware of the tension, and tried yet again to diffuse the situation.
"Little one, could I please have a glass of juice?" She held out her glass and gave him her warmest smile.
The carafe of juice sat on the table between him and the Healer. He looked at it for a split second, then reached out quickly, knocking it over, the contents spilling on to T'Lara’s lap.
T'Lara gasped as the cold liquid seeped through her gown. She pushed back her chair and dabbed at it with her napkin.
"Child, apologise immediately."
The boy remained silent, fighting back a smirk.
Qui-Gon took a deep breath, pushed his anger away, and centred himself , willing calm into his frazzled mind.
"So be it."
The next thing Obi-Wan knew, he was picked up by the scruff of the neck and tucked unceremoniously under Qui-Gon’s arm. As the Jedi strode into the bedroom, realisation dawned in the child’s mind and he struggled against the strong hold.
"No...Quigee, no. Didn’t mean it. No...don’t."
"You were warned child – repeatedly. It is too late now for regret."
Qui-Gon sat on the edge of the bed and placed the child across his knee.
"I’m sorry...no."
The child struggled to get free, but the large hand centred on his back held him in place.
Lifting the boy’s tunic, Qui-Gon raised his other hand and brought it down quickly on the boy’s behind.
"OW! No...please."
As the Jedi’s hand made contact with his bottom the second time, Obi-Wan started to cry.
"Quigee...no..." he pleaded through his tears.
Qui-Gon steeled his heart against the boy’s cries and landed four more swats, by which stage the child was sobbing loudly.
The punishment over, he stood the boy up in front of him, holding onto to his shoulders. Before the Jedi could say anything, Obi-Wan pulled away from him.
"I hate you," he yelled through his tears. "Hate you. And her. Hate you." He ran sobbing from the room.
Qui-Gon raced after him.
"Child..." he tried to grab hold of the boy, but Obi-Wan fought his touch, lashing out with his fists against the man’s legs.
"I hate you. You don’t love me. You love her." The child’s body shook with heart wrenching sobs.
The Jedi knelt down and wrapped his arms around the sobbing child.
"Obi-Wan." His voice was hoarse. He looked up at T'Lara, raw pain etched on his face.
The Healer blinked back tears, gently touched his shoulder and quickly left.
The child continued his assault on the man’s chest, his little fists pounding home his anger and pain.
Qui-Gon withstood the assault, trying to reach out to the child through the link, but he encountered a strong barrier.
"Obi-Wan, do not shield from me, not now." He was almost begging.
The pounding lessened, and he was able to draw the sobbing child close to him.
"You hate me." The child’s words were punctuated with catching breaths.
The Jedi lifted the boy up and carried him over to the couch. He sat down and cradled the boy against his chest.
Obi-Wan made a feeble attempt to get away, but Qui-Gon’s hold was too strong. His little head fell against the man, his body shaking as he sobbed.
"Oh, child, I do not hate you. Open your mind to me and you will know."
Slowly the shield dropped and Qui-Gon allowed the child open access to his mind, his thoughts, his heart.
Overwhelmed by the unconditional love he felt and saw, the boy’s tears flowed anew.
"I sorry, Quigee," he cried.
Qui-Gon stroked the boy’s hair, sending calming thoughts through the link.
"I know, little one, I know."
Gradually the crying stopped, replaced by catching breaths as the child calmed down. Continuing to soothe the child through word and touch, Qui-Gon shifted position so that his legs stretched out on the couch. He resettled the boy against him.
"Don’t hate you, Quigee. Don’t," the small voice cracked. "Love you."
Qui-Gon wondered briefly if his heart would break.
"And I love you, my imp."
//I’m sorry. Shouldn’t have done it. Sorry.//
The Jedi nestled his chin against the child’s soft hair.
//I know.//
Comforted by the reassurance and love he could feel in his mind, Obi-Wan leant against the man’s chest and looked at him with red rimmed eyes. His little face was stained with tears.
"Won’t ever be bad again...ever," he said, solemnly.
Qui-Gon gently brushed away the tears and allowed himself a small smile.
"Could I have that in writing, imp?"
Obi-Wan ducked his head shyly.
"I’ll try," he promised.
The Jedi recalled Master Yoda’s constant liturgy: ‘There is no try, only do.’ Right at that moment, Qui-Gon was more than satisfied with ‘try’.
"My bottom hurts."
"I believe that is the intended result of a spanking."
The boy blushed.
"It will serve as a temporary reminder only. It will go soon. Learn from it, you must."
Obi-Wan giggled at Qui-Gon’s bad attempt at mimicking Master Yoda.
"Tell him, I will."
"Spank you again, I can."
They both laughed and Qui-Gon planted a soft kiss on the boy’s head.
"Love you, I do."
He was rewarded with a hug from his beloved imp, accompanied by a surge of love through the link.
The Jedi settled back, allowing the child to snuggle even closer. He stroked the soft hair, and sent a suggestion of sleep through the link. Obi-Wan fought it for a while, but eventually gave in and drifted off, safely wrapped in Qui-Gon’s embrace.
As the child slept, Qui-Gon allowed himself to slip into a light meditative trance.
*_*_*
Qui-Gon was immediately aware when he felt the child move. He had no idea how long they’d lain there, but he imagined it to be nearly an hour or so. Some instinct told him to remain still – not an easy task as Obi-Wan managed to knee him in a rather delicate area as he scooted down.
With one eye opened just a slit, Qui-Gon watched as the child went over to the table and began to tidy up. Plates of unfinished food were taken into the kitchen one by one, Obi-Wan’s tongue poking out of the side of his mouth in concentration. Then the spilt juice was wiped up, the carafe and glasses taken away and replaced with fresh ones. Qui-Gon kept up his pretence of sleep, even though the child was creeping around with about as much stealth as a tap dancing Bantha. One chair was pulled away from the table and the other two arranged so as to be facing each other. Numerous possibilities about what the child was actually doing danced around Qui-Gon’s head, but he kept his silence.
When all had been tidied up, Obi-Wan gave the table a quick nod of approval. He snuck over to Qui-Gon – who quickly closed his eye – and rested his little head gently on the man’s chest. The Jedi projected the image of sleep, and the child walked away, satisfied.
Qui-Gon felt a momentary pang of apprehension as the child headed for the door, but a quick check through the link gave him some reassurance. The child was calm, and there was an intent determination in his mind.
As the door closed behind Obi-Wan, the Jedi sat up and concentrated on the child’s Force signature – concerned and not a little curious as to where he was going.
*_*_*
Of all the visitors T'Lara would have expected at her door, Obi-Wan Kenobi was not one of them.
"Come in, child."
Obi-Wan entered the Healer’s quarters and stood, staring at his feet. His resolve had weakened as soon as the door opened.
"What is it, little one?" T'Lara coaxed gently.
Brilliant green eyes met hers.
"I came to say...I’m sorry." His voice was soft and full of contrition.
T'Lara looked behind him, not expecting him to be alone.
"Where’s..."
Obi-Wan put a finger to his lips. "He’s asleep," he whispered.
The fact that her quarters were two floors below Qui-Gon’s had obviously not occurred to the boy.
"So he doesn’t know you’re here?"
Obi-Wan shook his head. "No. But I wanted to say sorry...it wasn’t...nice...what I did." He blushed and went back to staring at his feet.
T'Lara knelt down in front of him and cupped his chin in her hand.
"It takes courage to admit you’ve been wrong, young one. And I accept your apology." She smiled and was greeted with a cheeky grin.
"Wanna surprise Quigee?"
/Oh the recuperative powers of children./
"Surprise him? How?" She couldn’t help feeling a little suspicious.
"It’s a secret."
"Should I be concerned?" she asked, only half joking.
"No. It’s OK, I’m not gonna do anything bad – promise." He rubbed his bottom. "Not ever again."
T'Lara stood and walked to the other side of the room – partly to hide her smile, but also to retrieve something from one of her bags. She placed the small jar in the pocket of her gown and turned back to the child.
"OK. Let’s go and surprise him."
Obi-Wan held out his hand and she enveloped it in hers. They walked down the corridor in conspiratorial silence.
Qui-Gon was uneasy. He paced the floor of his quarters, counting off the minutes of the child’s absence. He knew, by tracing the child’s Force signature, that he was still in the vicinity, but more than that was a mystery.
Suddenly, he sensed the child was close. He quickly positioned himself back on the couch and closed his eyes. As the door opened, he heard a familiar little giggle.
/Is that a good sign or not?/
A small hand rested on the man’s chest.
"Quigee? You awake?"
"Hmm?"
T'Lara noted that Qui-Gon gave the worst example of pretending to wake up that she’d ever seen.
"What is it, little one?"
Obi-Wan looked behind him and Qui-Gon followed his gaze.
"T'Lara?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "He said it was a surprise."
Qui-Gon sat up and stretched, yawning broadly.
//Don’t overdo it, Qui.//
"What surprise?"
The child went and stood near the table, pulling nervously on his fingers.
"I...I..." He faltered and looked up at the two adults.
"Go on, little one," Qui-Gon encouraged.
Obi-Wan took a deep breath. "I wanted to say I was really sorry for spoiling your dinner and I won’t do it again – ever – and I want us all to be friends." The words came out in a rush, and he bowed his head as soon as they’d tumbled from his mouth.
There was a brief silence, and Obi-Wan looked at the adults to see if his offer had been accepted.
T'Lara took a step towards the child. "Obi-Wan, I would be honoured to call you my friend." She held out her hand and he accepted it, a small handshake sealing the new friendship.
The boy allowed himself a small grin. He looked over at Qui-Gon and received an approving nod, and through the link he felt an almost overwhelming surge of love. His confidence returning, he pulled out a chair and motioned for T'Lara to take a seat.
"There are only two chairs, little one," Qui-Gon noted.
"I know. I thought you and your friend would like some...privacy." He bit his lip, hoping that the Jedi would understand his intentions. He pulled out the other chair, his green eyes pleading for Qui-Gon’s acceptance.
Qui-Gon seated himself at the table and smiled.
"And what do you intend to do, imp?"
"I’m gonna go back to the crèche and play draigons with my friends before bedtime." There was no reproach in his voice, no jealousy, just understanding.
Qui-Gon made to rise. "I’ll escort you back."
Obi-Wan tutted. "I know the way, Quigee. Could get there with my eyes shut."
T'Lara stifled a giggle and Qui-Gon struggled to keep a straight face.
He sat down. "Very well, imp. If that is what you wish. But will you do me a favour? Keep your eyes open – I hate to think of you bouncing off walls."
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and threw his arms around the Jedi’s waist.
"OK, I’ll keep them open." He squeezed tight and was rewarded with an equally enthusiastic hug. "Love you Quigee," he said, his voice muffled in the folds of the man’s tunic.
"And I love you, imp." Qui-Gon sent his feelings of pride in the boy through the link and the little one blushed.
"Hey, do I get one of those?"
Obi-Wan gave Qui-Gon an extra squeeze and his most brilliant smile and then went around the table to be enfolded in T'Lara’s open arms.
"I’m sorry, Master T'Lara," he whispered.
"No more apologies are necessary, my little friend." She put her mouth close to his ear. "Is your bottom still hurting?" she whispered.
The child blushed furiously and nodded. The Healer reached into her pocket and pulled out the little jar, pressing it into his hands. "Just rub some of this on, it’ll take some of the sting away."
He looked up at her and smiled. "Thank you."
"But Obi-Wan? Don’t tell Quigee or he might just make my bottom sting too."
Obi-Wan giggled and hid the jar inside his tunic. "OK."
As the door closed behind the boy, T'Lara turned to face Qui-Gon.
"That is one special little boy," she said, smiling broadly.
"Indeed he is – most special."
The Healer poured them both a drink of Melian wine.
"What were you two whispering about?"
She nearly spilt her drink.
"Um...nothing."
Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow at her.
"Oh, all right. I gave him some salve just to take some of the sting away."
Qui-Gon stood up.
"Brat."
"Now, Qui, don’t be...Qui Gon!"
Master Healer T'Lara made a mad dash for the door with Master Diplomat Qui-Gon Jinn hot on her heels, an evil grin on his lips. She never made it.
THE END
*** *** *** *** ***
Authors love feedback! Write to Tatsu at cjcooper@hotmail.com
Posted January 30, 2000
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