Home Leave (5,6,7/13)

Title: Home Leave - Parts 5, 6, & 7
Author: Cheshire Cat
Rating: G
Spoilers: yes for the JA books (great stuff!)
Timing: Obi-Wan is 13.
Archive: yes, just let me know where
Summary: Qui-Gon finds the baby's name, the family has the special ceremony, the kids go sledding and Obi-Wan and Fea'La get in trouble.
Disclaimer: The boys and all therein belong to George Lucas (although I don't mind sharing them occasionally)
Author's note: Yes, I did steal the name "Alban Arthan" from the old Celtic calendar. If you didn't know that before today, neither did I - I looked it up. Besides, you learned something new. *Wink*

Chapter 5

The second morning of Alban Arthan dawned with quiet splendor, the sun reflecting off the new-fallen snow. Qui-Gon rose early, sparing a quick glance to make sure Obi-Wan was still asleep. He stretched and ran quickly through some light warm-up exercises. The Jedi Master dressed quietly, and slipped out to get some tea.

When Obi-Wan woke, he was disoriented. Hadn't he fallen asleep on the floor? He reached out, calling mentally for his Master, and found him in the kitchen. Obi-Wan noticed he was still in his clothes from the day before and he changed into a clean tunic and trousers before joining Qui-Gon.

"Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon began, "Have you ever heard of using the Force to find someone's true name?"

"No, Master. Fea'la told me that Keena wants you to find a name for her baby. I have no idea how to even go about looking for one." A sudden thought struck Obi-Wan, and he added, "What about using the rock?"

Qui-Gon's eyes widened slightly. "An excellent idea, Padawan. May I see it?"

Obi-Wan handed over the small river stone. Qui-Gon took it in his palm, fitting in into the hollow of his hand. He contemplated it, looking at the orange-colored streaks.

"Come with me, Padawan."

Obi-Wan looked slightly startled, but rose and followed his Master down the hall. When they arrived at Keena's bedchamber, Qui-Gon knocked softly. Keena's husband, Nun'ken opened the door.

"Hullo, Qui-Gon. Please come in."

The Jedi Master nodded to his Padawan. "This is my Apprentice, Obi-Wan. I don't think you've had a chance to meet him yet."

"Be welcome, Obi-Wan."

"Thank you, sir."

They walked over to the bed where Keena lay, the baby sleeping in her arms.

"Hullo, Uncle. This must be your Apprentice. Fea'la was telling me about him last night."

Obi-Wan blushed at the mention of Fea'la, but managed to nod.

"Uncle, can you find my baby's true name?"

"I'm about to try. May I see him?"

Keena passed the baby over. Qui-Gon took him and held the sleeping child with ultimate care. Obi-Wan looked over Qui-Gon's arm at the little boy. He'd never seen a child this young. Most of the one's that were in the crèche at the Temple came at six months. Keena's baby was less than a week old.

"He's so tiny," he breathed in something akin to awe.

Qui-Gon smiled faintly. "That he is, Padawan. But he shall grow. Now, place the river stone on his head, and be gentle."

Obi-Wan took the river stone from his Master, and laid it carefully on the sleeping boy's forehead. Qui-Gon drew in a deep breath, and Obi-Wan, for all his lack of connection to the Living Force, felt the power as well. The very air about them seemed to hum with energy. Even Keena and Nun'ken could feel some of it, and they looked slightly startled and confused.

"What - what's happening, Uncle Qui-Gon?" Keena asked. "Is my baby doing that?"

But Qui-Gon couldn't answer; his attention was riveted on the infant. Obi-Wan didn't know the answer, so he couldn't help her.

"Ti-kan."

"Master?" Obi-Wan looked at Qui-Gon in confusion.

"Remove the stone, Padawan," Qui-Gon nearly gasped.

Obi-Wan was startled into instant obedience. Once the stone was back in his tunic pocket, the energy level in the room returned to normal. Qui-Gon sat down on the edge of the bed, his features showing plainly the exhaustion he was feeling. He handed the baby back to its mother.

"Padawan, tell me something."

"Yes, Master."

"Did I say anything just now?"

"Yes, Master. You said 'Ti-kan' and then you told me to take off the stone."

Qui-Gon nodded, still short of breath, but pleased. "Then you have your answer, Keena. The baby's name is to be Ti-kan."

Keena smiled. She looked down at the still sleeping child and mouthed the word, getting used to saying it.

Nun'ken, however, was staring at Qui-Gon in something between awe and panic. His eyes were very wide. "What did you just do, Master Jedi?"

"To be completely honest, Nun'ken, I'm not sure. The stone is from the River of Light not far from here. Tell me, was the baby tested for midiclorians as soon as he was born?"

"Yes, of course. But the reading was normal."

Qui-Gon nodded thoughtfully.

"Master," Obi-Wan began, "Why…I mean, how…"

"I've no idea, Padawan. Perhaps it is the pure innocence that a newborn child has; perhaps it is a reaction of the stone to being home again. I cannot tell you why the reaction was so intense. It was not an unpleasant experience, but neither was it one I wish to repeat any time soon."

"What did it feel like, Master?"

"It felt as though the answers to all the mysteries of the universe were within my grasp. It felt as though I had the power to move mountains, create whole new worlds. I felt as if I could speak life into something by merely saying 'Be' and it was beyond words. I was not meant to wield such power, Padawan, but nevertheless I felt it pulling at me."

Obi-Wan's jaw dropped at his Master's words. "But it wasn't the Dark Side?" He was confused.

"No, Padawan, it was not. The power of the Light can tempt as well."

Obi-Wan's brow furrowed. Qui-Gon smiled faintly and he reached out and put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Think not on this, Padawan. It is beyond mortal comprehension. We have other things to attend to at present – like the Alban Arthan ritual." He turned then, looking at Keena and her husband questioningly.

"We will join you soon," Nun'ken said, in answer to the Jedi's unspoken question.

Qui-Gon nodded, and with Obi-Wan trailing behind him, left the room.

TBC~~~

Chapter 6

The entire family stood in a ring in the main living area. There was Qui-Gon's Mother, who, as head of the household, held the place of honor near the hearth. Then Qui-Gon's older brother Hal and his wife Boni. They had five children, of which Keena was the oldest. Next to her stood her husband and she held her newly named son, Ti-kan, in her arms. Qui-Gon's younger sister, Trela, and her husband Brakkan, stood with their four children. Some where amidst them all stood Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. The Master noted with something akin to amusement that his Apprentice stood next to Fea'la, the pretty girl who was Hal's youngest daughter.

Once all were present, Mother Jinn raised her arms and spoke in solemn intonation.

"Be at peace, all."

The power behind the old woman's words surprised Obi-Wan and even the youngest children quieted.

"In the time-before-time, the Maker of All Things stood in darkness. And she spoke to the emptiness and said 'light' and the sun was born. But it soon grew lonely and asked for companionship. So the Maker of All Things brought forth the moons to be his lovers and the stars were the result of their union. But the twin moons grew jealous of one another and vied for the sun's affection. And the Maker of All Things separated them, so as not to end all she had made. The time the sun ruled was called 'Day' and the time the moons ruled was called 'Night'. And then the Maker looked at what she stood on, and called it 'Ground' and she separated it from the water and called the water 'Sea'. But she grew lonely, and breathed life into the air, water, and ground. And lo, she looked around her and knew that Creation was good."

"Let us give thanks," the group intoned. Obi-Wan was startled. Fea'la had told him of the ritual story telling, but not of the responses. She noticed his embarrassment and reached out and squeezed his hand.

Mother Jinn continued to tell of how the Maker of All Things had made creatures that ate other creatures and how this made her sad. Obi-Wan furrowed his brow. At the Jedi Temple, he'd learned many Creation stories from the different cultures, but he had noticed that they were all fairly similar. They all dealt with finding and defining one's place in the great scheme of things. It gave him some comfort to know he wasn't the only one who sometimes wondered his purpose in life.

When the story was finished, the entire group went outside, standing on the new fallen snow. A great bonfire was constructed and lit. Obi-Wan felt the flames heating his face, even though he was standing many meters away from it. The children began a complicated dance, singing as they moved their little bodies in sync to the music. The music came from a set of rude pipes and a drum that two of the older children played. Obi-Wan watched in amazement.

Qui-Gon stood somewhat back from the main crowd of his family, watching, arms crossed in typical Jedi fashion. Obi-Wan drifted slowly over until he stood beside him. Qui-Gon glanced down affectionately at his Padawan. "Are you enjoying yourself, Obi-Wan?"

"Yes, Master."

"Excellent, Padawan. I, too, am happy here."

"I can see why you like to come home a lot," Obi-Wan ventured, shyly.

Qui-Gon chuckled softly. He was about to speak again when Fea'la came bouncing over, dark braids flying.

"Come on, Obi-Wan!" She cried, taking his hand in her mitten-covered one.

"Where are we going?" He laughed, as he was dragged away.

"To dance," she answered.

Obi-Wan glanced at Qui-Gon, asking permission. The Jedi Master nodded, a slight smile crinkling his face.

Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan's Jedi coordination helped him quickly pick up the rhythm of the dance. The boy was not as clumsy as he had once been and he appeared to be having a good time. Not for the first time, Qui-Gon reminded himself to have a talk with the boy about Fea'la. He winced. It wouldn't do him any good to put it off any more, but he had no wish to go through with it either.

_*_*_

Obi-Wan smiled with satisfaction. After the dancing had finished, the children had grabbed sleds from the barn and spent the afternoon flying down the hill at breakneck speeds. When they were all exhausted, they had trooped back to the house. Fea'la's hand was snuggled deep in his own. They were walking at the back of the main bevy of children, dragging their shared sled behind them. They had steadily grown farther and farther away from the others.

As they entered the barn, Obi-Wan realized that they were now quite alone. His heart rate suddenly quickened. He turned to face Fea'la. Her cheeks were flushed with cold and her eyes were bright with excitement. He noticed she had some snow in her hair and reached up to brush it away with his hand. She closed her eyes briefly. Once he touched her hair, he couldn't bring himself to move his hand away.

She looked at him, and he found himself getting lost in her luminous brown eyes. He moved forward slightly and she moved towards him. They both closed their eyes as their lips met.

_*_*_

Qui-Gon was sitting in the living room, playing a game with two of his nephews when he stiffened suddenly. He blinked and then his eyes went very wide.

"Has anyone seen Obi-Wan lately?" He asked, trying to keep his voice neutral.

Hal looked up from the book he was reading. "Or Fea'la for that matter?"

"That's what worries me."

"You're right," said Hal, his bravado from the previous day gone. He stood abruptly.

"I'll finish the game later, boys. I promise," Qui-Gon said hurriedly to his nephews as he and his brother left the room.

"Where are they? Can you tell?" Hal asked his brother.

"They're close by, that's all I can tell." Qui-Gon looked at his brother, with a faint smile. "Where did you always take the girls when you were that age?"

Hal grinned and led the way to the barn.

_*_*_

"Ahem," Qui-Gon coughed loudly. Obi-Wan and Fea'la jumped apart.

"Uncle Qui-Gon! Daddy! Uh, I had something in my eye…uh, Obi-Wan was just trying to help me…" She trailed off.

"Master, I can explain."

Obi-Wan felt Qui-Gon's large hand take a firm grip on his arm. "You and I are going to have a long, long talk, Padawan."

Obi-Wan spared a glance in Fea'la's direction as he was dragged rather unceremoniously from the barn. She was getting a similar lecture from her father. He winced. He had a bad feeling about this.

TBC~~~

Author's note part 2: Alas, unlike our two star-crossed lovers, the Cheshire Cat did not get her first kiss till a few weeks before her eighteenth birthday. And incidentally, his name was Dave - do you care? No, but I thought I'd tell you anyway.

Obi-Wan stared miserably at his feet. Qui-Gon was pacing the floor of their room like a caged animal. If the Jedi Master was to admit it to himself, he was more angry at his own lack of motivation to have 'the talk' with Obi-Wan, than he was with the boy. Finally he stopped pacing and turned sternly to his Apprentice.

"Go stand in the corner, Padawan. I need to meditate on this."

Stand in the corner? Was Qui-Gon serious? Obi-Wan hadn't stood in a corner since he was five.

At the look of dismay on Obi-Wan's face, Qui-Gon spoke again. "Now, Padawan. I mean it."

Startled, Obi-Wan obeyed. He walked quickly to a corner of the room and stood facing the wall. He furrowed his brow. Just what was his Master going to do to him?

Qui-Gon knelt on the floor, wishing momentarily for his meditation mat.

/Why, why didn't I talk to him yesterday? Or even this morning?/ Qui-Gon fought the urge to smack his forehead. /Well, I guess what's done is done. And it *was* just a kiss after all. It's not like there are going to be any more babies any time soon. Maybe I'm over-reacting. Maybe I'm just getting old./ He shook himself out of his trance, prepared to talk with his Apprentice.

"Obi-Wan, come here." The boy turned around and tentatively came over to where his Master was sitting on the floor. "Sit down, Obi-Wan. I'm not angry."

"You're not?"

"Not at you. I'm a little irritated at myself though."

"Huh?"

Qui-Gon smiled faintly. "I should have told you something before today. We need to have a talk, Padawan."

Obi-Wan blushed deeply. "Oh, that. Don't worry Master. I know all about that."

"Oh, really?" Qui-Gon sounded vaguely amused, Obi-Wan noted.

"Yeah, we had a class about reproduction."

Qui-Gon chuckled softly. "Yes, Padawan. I know. I had to take that class when I was thirteen too."

"That's not what we were doing, Master." Obi-Wan said, trying to be helpful. "I think you have to be more naked to do that."

At that, Qui-Gon laughed out loud. Obi-Wan looked a little hurt. He *had* been trying to help, after all. There was no need for Qui-Gon to laugh at him.

"I'm sorry, Padawan," said Qui-Gon, retaining his composure with some effort. "It's just," he paused, wondering how to phrase the next part. "The kissing part tends to lead to the 'more naked' part. At least, it will once you get older. A lot older. I don't want you to do that for several years, at least. And certainly not with my niece. Is that understood, Padawan?"

Obi-Wan blushed again. "Yes, Master." He whispered. This was *so* embarrassing!

"Good. Well, in that case," Qui-Gon rose. "I think you should meditate on this for an hour or two. Come and find me when you have finished."

"Yes, Master."

"Me, Padawan. Find me. Not Fea'la."

Obi-Wan blushed for what seemed the umpteenth time that day. Qui-Gon smiled to himself and left his Padawan in solitude.

_*_*_

Fea'la sat in her room, staring at the wall. Her father had been very angry. More shockingly, Uncle Qui-Gon had been angry. She didn't think he ever got angry. And then, her father had proceeded to lecture her about sex. That had been the most humiliating experience she'd ever had. She scowled. Here it was, the High Holy Day of the year, and she was being punished. Life just couldn't get any worse. She threw her pillow at the wall, knocking a portrait off. It fell, the glass in the frame shattering.

"Damn it!" She screamed in frustration, tears coming to her eyes. She left the portrait on the floor and flung herself face down on her bed.

_*_*_

Keena heard the glass shatter from her own room. Ti-kan started to cry. She quickly hushed him and handed him to her husband, Nun'ken. Something was wrong with Fea'la, she just knew it. Whether it was some slight sensitivity to the Force, or just a sister's intuition, no one could tell.

Keena knocked softly of Fea'la's door. "Fea? Are you alright?"

"Go away."

Keena opened the door a crack and saw her only sister face down on the bed. She opened it a little wider and stepped inside.

"Fea, are you hurt? Did you cut yourself on the glass?"

"No," came the muffled response.

"Then why are you crying?"

Fea'la sat up, her eyes red-rimmed and her nose runny. Keena handed her a handkerchief.

"Daddy found me and Obi-Wan in the barn. We were just kissing. He got all mad. And then Uncle Qui-Gon got mad at Obi-Wan and then he-" She broke off to blow her nose again.

"Wait a minute. Did you just say you and Obi-Wan were kissing?"

"Mmhmm."

"Is he the first boy you've ever kissed?"

"Mmhmm," she answered again, wiping her eyes.

Keena grinned broadly from ear to ear and gave her sister a great big hug. "Congratulations."

"But I'll never get to kiss him again."

Keena smiled. "It doesn't matter if you never even see him again. He'll always have a special place in your heart." She looked out the window wistfully. "The first boy I ever kissed was named Ty-Per and we were both fourteen. Just like you are now."

"Did Daddy catch you?"

"Yup. I think it's his job."

At that, Fea'la started to giggle. "Thanks, Keen."

Keena smiled at her little sister. "No problem. Now, let's get this glass cleaned up before you get in any more trouble."

TBC~~~

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