IMPUS INTERRUPTUS
Part 2
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 where 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 dataslates, 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 dataslates 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 dataslates 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 5 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 5 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…"