I got this idea when I was… well, planting pansies! The rest of the idea came from my science teacher, who always calls us pansies. 'Cause they're a tough flower. Kudos to him!

I don't own Jedi Apprentice.

"Master, what exactly are we doing?" Obi-Wan Kenobi asked Qui-Gon Jinn.

"You'll see, Padawan," Qui-Gon replied. His long strides led them past meditation chambers and classrooms. They were approaching one of Qui-Gon's favorite places; a secluded garden where peace and quiet were always abundant. This had become home to a few Jedi who didn't mind its simplicity and lack of color. They came for the corners that were perfect for privacy and contemplation. Perhaps the two of them were here for meditation, or a quiet talk, Obi-Wan thought. It was not very often his Master brought him here.

"Patience is valuable," Qui-Gon reminded, reading his thoughts. Obi-Wan vowed to wait and see what was to come; humbling his curiosity.

The Knight led the way down the short paths to a clearing of grass. Bare soil was in neat rows. Beside these rows were planters full of a rainbow of flowers. "Today we are planting flowers," Qui-Gon announced. Obi-Wan raised an eyebrow. He was reluctant to protest, yet could not accept the fact his Master had brought him to one of his favorite, most personal places to plant flowers. Strangely enough, this was not that out of character of him. "Alright."

"We'll start here," Qui-Gon indicated the first row. He got on his knees and began digging a small hole. Obi-Wan knelt beside him and tenderly began overturning the earth. They were quiet for several minutes as they worked.

"You are still wondering why we are here," Qui-Gon remarked.

"Yes," Obi-Wan admitted. "When I saw we were heading here, I thought maybe you wanted to meditate or talk."

"There is much to learn here."

"How?"

"Take a guess."

Obi-Wan looked around. "There's… the living force is everywhere."

"Certainly."

"It's in the grass, and the trees… and these flowers."

"This place is small, but it can teach us much about the living force. All one must do is become one with it."

"I understand," Obi-Wan patted the soil down around a plant. "What I still don't understand is why you chose… pansies to plant."

"They have a certain… connection to me," Qui-Gon smiled.

"How so?" Obi-Wan asked with interest.

"When I was a few years younger than you, my nickname was pansy."

Obi-Wan gawked, then quickly hid it. "W-why?"

"Pansies are a strong flower," Qui-Gon began. "I was a strong student, both physically and mentally, but everyone saw me as gentle and kindhearted, like a flower."

Obi-Wan considered this. His master was gentle, and kindhearted, and strong. Kriff it, his Master was a flower! But he wasn't sure if Qui-Gon would appreciate him agreeing with the name, so he kept quiet

"Tahl gave me the nickname, for that matter." This time, Obi-Wan knew Qui-Gon expected a reply.

"That does not surprise me."

"It doesn't?"

"Tahl is always teasing you."

"Yes, she is," Qui-Gon chuckled, gazing at the flowers. "Everyone called me pansy."

"Everyone called me Oafy-Wan."

"And do they still?"

"No. I'm not an oaf anymore."

"You never were an oaf," Qui-Gon clapped a dirt caked hand on his shoulder. "Some names you outgrow."

"Like yours," Obi-Wan said.

"No, my Padawan," Qui-Gon chuckled. "Years have passed and they still call me pansy."

This is one of my first really serious Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon bonding-ish fics. Do you think I should write more? Can you review?