Error in Judgement
Warnings: None
Time Frame: Pre-TPM; Obi-Wan's about 13
Disclaimer: Don't own them, just like to play with them.
/ denotes Obi-Wan's thoughts
"But Master," Obi-Wan exclaimed, "That's too early. All my friends get to stay out later."
"I don't care Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon said, "You are 13 years old. And I happen to know that the only one of your friends that has a curfew later than you is Ahji, which is only by an hour. And that's because he is 17 and..."
"And he's more mature, responsible, and the 'golden boy' of the temple" Obi-Wan cut in mockingly.
"Watch your tone, young man, or you won't be going at all" Qui-Gon was starting to get angry at his Padawan's insolence. "Now, if you want to go to the square, and you are to go only to the square, your curfew is 10pm. End of discussion."
"Fine! I'm going." Obi-Wan said and stomped off to his room and get ready.
He was startled when he felt his Master's hand grab his arm. "Padawan, if you keep up this attitude the only place you'll be going is over my knee." Qui-Gon said firmly.
/ Uh oh / "That won't be necessary Master. I'm sorry" Obi-Wan said quietly.
Qui-Gon released his arm. "All right then. Go and get ready." He said and pushed Obi-Wan towards his room.
Obi-Wan caught up with Bant as he was going to meet Ahji.
"Did your get Master Jinn to change your curfew?" She asked.
"No. How about you?"
"Definitely not. I almost didn't get to go at all."
"Same here."
"Well, it's not worth worrying over. Lets go meet up with Ahji. He managed to borrow a speeder. We're going to the square in style tonight." Bant said with a smile.
"Cool. How did he manage that?"
"Well, you know... 'Golden boy' of the temple and all. It was easy."
"Yeah. If only they knew the 'golden boy' really was wildest one in our group."
Obi-Wan said with a laugh.
They met up with Ahji. Garen and Reeft were already there. Everyone hopped into the speeder and were on their way to the square. They hung around for a while, but with nothing to do, grew bored quickly. "Man, this sucks." Garen said. "We need something to do."
"Yeah." Reeft chimed in. "I'm tired of standing here."
"Will you two quit your whining" Ahji said. He looked up and saw his friend Taj-Li.
"Hey Taj! What are you doing here? I haven't seen you in ages."
"I just got back from a mission with my Master. Who are your friends? A little young to be hanging out with don't you think?" Taj asked jeeringly.
"Hey man, they might be young but they're cool. This is Obi, Bant, Reeft and Garen" Ahji said. "Guys, this is Taj. Taj and I go way back. We were together in the crèche."
Taj looked as his chrono "Oh man, I missed the transport. I was supposed to meet up with my Master at the security-training base at 9pm. We are helping them tomorrow morning. Man, I'm dead. What am I going to do? It's on the other side of Corasant. I'll never get there on time if I walk"
"Taj, you are going to owe me big time. I just happen to have a speeder tonight. We can all take you the training base before we go back to the temple."
Obi-Wan, Bant, Garen and Reeft exchanged worried glances. None of them were supposed to go anywhere but the square.
"Uh, Ahji..." Reeft started. "We really can't go with you. We're not supposed to go anywhere but the square"
Ahji looked at his friends. "Are you guys going to be wimps all your life. Our Masters will never know if we leave. Besides, we'll be back in time for curfew. Come on live a little"
Bant looked at Obi and shrugged. "You sure we'll be back in time for curfew?"
Obi-Wan asked. "Sure we will. Com on, you with me or are you going to be a baby?" Ahji goaded.
/ I don't want to look like a baby. It's bad enough my curfew is 10pm. /
"I'm game". Obi-Wan replied.
"What about the rest of you?"
"Sure. Let's go have some fun."
They all piled in the speeder and headed for the training base. They arrived at 8:15.
"Come on. We've got some time to kill. " Taj said.
He led them to the Recreation Club. The place had everything...Games, pool tables, alcohol...Obi-Wan thought this was the coolest place he'd ever seen.
They were having so much fun they failed to notice the time. Suddenly Bant grabbed Obi-Wan. "Oh my force...look at the time. We're dead meat." She cried.
/ Oh Sith. Its 11pm. Qui-Gon is going to kill me /
Obi-Wan found Ahji and Taj playing pool.
"Ahji. Its 11pm, we have to go. I'm already late...I don't want to make it any worse." Ahji started. "Man, I'm late too. Let's go."
They left Taj to deal with his Master alone and took off for the speeder.
Once in the speeder, Ahji made a quick turn and raced for the Temple. They were 30 min from the Temple when they felt the speeder lurch. Ahji looked at the fuel gage. "Uh guys, we have a problem"
Luckily for them they were next to a refueling station. 10 min later they were back at the Temple. Everyone said their goodbyes and went to their quarters.
Obi-Wan opened the door quietly. The living area was dark. / Qui-Gon must be asleep...Thank the force / that thought was short lived.
"Hold it right there young man" Obi-Wan heard from the darkened room.
Obi-Wan squeezed his eyes shut. / Oh sith...I am sooo dead /
Qui-Gon turned on the lights. "Where have you been?" he said firmly.
"Uh...well..."
"Answer me Padawan."
Obi-Wan looked up at Qui-Gon. He took in the darken expression and decided the truth would be the best way to go, and started his tale.
"So, let me get this straight. You disobeyed me and left the square. Then took someone you hardly new across Corasant, lost track of time, ran out of fuel, and come home 2 hours past curfew. Am I correct?"
"Yes Sir."
"Is there anything else you need to tell me before I decide on your punishment?"
"No, Master."
"Very well then. I am very disappointed in you Padawan. I thought I made myself clear before we left. Why did you disobey me?"
"I didn't want my friends to think I was baby. I'm sorry Master. I know deserved to be punished."
"Which you are going to be." Qui-Gon replied. "Normally willful disobedience results in a spanking. But coming in 2 hours past curfew after our discussion before you left warrants something a little more serious."
Qui-Gon disappeared into his room.
/ Oh no...no, no, no, no please not that. Please do not let it be what I think it is /
Qui-Gon returned with his leather belt.
/ Sith / Obi-Wan started talking, trying to save his hide.
"Master, please. Please don't use that on me. I said I was sorry."
"If your not now you will be soon" Qui-Gon said ominously.
"Drop your pants and lean over the table"
"But Master..."
"Now Obi-Wan"
Obi-Wan stood there trying to think of something to get him out of this.
"But Master, it was just a error in judgment..."
"Don't make me tell you again. MOVE!" Qui-Gon swatted his bottom.
Obi-Wan jumped and made his way to the table. He dropped his pants, leaned over and waited.
"What is this strapping for?" Qui-Gon asked, laying down the first lick.
"OWW. For disobeying you and coming in past curfew." Obi-Wan responded automatically.
The licks fell, one after another until Obi-Wan was sobbing. Finally it was over.
Obi-Wan stood and pulled his pants up over his stinging bottom. He looked so pathetic. Qui-Gon felt pity for him and pulled him onto a hug.
"I'm sorry Master. I won't disobey you again. I promise." He sobbed.
Qui-Gon rubbed his back soothingly. "It's okay now Padawan. You've been punished and it's all over now."
The next morning Obi-Wan met up with Bant, Reeft and Garen in the dining hall.
"Hey guys" Obi-Wan said. He sat down carefully but couldn't hide the pained look in his face.
"I see you got what we all got," Bant said.
"Yeah. I've learned something though" Obi-Wan replied.
"What's that?"
"If you're going to disobey your Master, bring a pillow to sit on at breakfast!"
The End
Author's Note:This is actually a true story...except it was the Mall and Fort Dix. But, unlike Obi-Wan, I talked my way out of punishment.