Author: Layren
Title: Once Upon A Drabble
Summary: My collection of drabbles for the Ultimate Drabble Challenge hosted by Zonoma.
Characters: Qui-Gon, Dooku, Obi-Wan, OC's
Author's Note: This is the first thing I've written solo in a long time I'm very pleased with how it turned out. Feedback is much appreciated. The drabble titled First, is also in response to the Qui-Gon First Padawan challenge on A drabble is a fic that is exactly 100 words. No more, no less. The challenge was to write 100 drabbles in 20 weeks, five drabbles per week. We're up to week four on the Cloister which is where this originated, but it later migrated to I hope you all enjoy.

Beginnings

The beginnings of a mission are fraught with promise. Qui-Gon is eager to leave. He has only been off planet twice in his life.

Dooku admonishes him gently. They are doing a service as servants of the Force.

Qui-Gon is still excited. Servants or not, the mission will be lengthy and the planet has an abundance of plant life. He is thrilled about getting to be outdoors.

Dooku is exasperated that Qui-Gon is looking forward to the plants the most. He resolves to make sure Qui-Gon brings nothing home with him.

He has not fully recovered from the last time.

Middles

The middle of the mission is always the busiest. It's when things are going well and the enemy has had time to keep watch on their prey. Negotiations go smoothly, until the middle when the padawan was taken. To say the Master was displeased with his apprentice's capture would be an understatement.

It takes a great amount of control for him to continue the negotiations despite his padawan's kidnapping.

Dooku never has been very good about sharing missions. But here he had no choice to call for backup. His hands were tied. He hates it when his hands are tied.

Ends

The rescue team finds his apprentice, thank the Force. He looks terrible and half-starved after having been held for almost a month while the negotiations continued. Bacta and Healers would be necessary, Dooku's gaze ran over his beaten apprentice, assessing the injuries.

One bleary eye cracks open. "Master?"

Dooku smiles. "Padawan," he says, holding his hand.

"I have failed you, Master, I'm sorry," Qui-Gon says. He has been given a chance to atone for failing and ruining the mission.

"Stars child, you haven't failed. This was not your fault. Hush now. It's over."

"Yes, Master," he replies, his eyes closing.

First

I am Master Jinn's first apprentice. I've been an apprentice for four years. Today I am doing birthday meditation. I remember when Master Qui-Gon came to the crèche that day to watch initiates spar. I had never dreamed in my mind he would choose me.

I remember Myrah encouraging me. She told me Master Qui-Gon would pick me. She's only eight, two years younger than I am and she is Master Josel's padawan. She was chosen at four. I was picked almost at the same time she was. I was six.

We remember the past to learn lessons from it.

Last

When he awoke that morning, on Coruscant, he had no idea it would be the last day of his apprenticeship. He had no idea that he would defeat a Sith, lose his Master, and acquire an apprentice all in the same day.

It had to be one of the worst days of his life. So many things went so wrong that day. If only Qui-Gon had waited for him to catch up.

So many if only's. It would not do to dwell on the past and forget the present. He would be a credit to his Master's teaching and legacy.