Ah, new story smell. : )
Disclaimer: As always, I do not own anything. Star Wars and everything Star Wars related belongs to Mr. Lucas. Only the characters I've made up are mine.
I don't think there is anything in here that would confuse anyone who hasn't read the first four stories. The only things are Amber is Qui-Gon's biological daughter, there's an unexplained bond between Obi-Wan and Amber and Qui-Gon has a bond with both, but they're not completely aware of it yet. Wow, I remember when that little explanation used to be a lot shorter. : ) If anyone has a question, please feel free to ask!
So, this should be a far shorter story than most of the others. Almost all of it is written, just needs editing, so updates should be pretty quick in coming. This one is a bit different than any of the other stories I've written, so I hope it goes well, lol! : )
Please, read and review!
"Obi-Wan? Amber?"
Both Padawans jumped away from the wall they had been leaning against and stood rod straight in front of their Master. Obi-Wan sighed inwardly. He had no idea how their second full day back at the Temple could have ended this way.
"Is there a reason you called me here?"
He saw Amber shift uncomfortably as she looked up at the Jedi Master, "Um, yes Master. Our instructor wished to speak with you..."
Qui-Gon frowned, "What have you two done?"
"Nothing Master. Really. We haven't done anything," Amber insisted, earning a skeptical look from Qui-Gon.
"We'll see," the Master mumbled, moving around the two Padawans and entering their recently abandoned classroom.
Amber moaned as she resumed her previous position against the wall. Relations between the two newly apprenticed Padawans and their Master remained distant as best. Some headway had been made over the past few weeks. There had been brief, shining moments when the parsecs between them seemed to disappear. Still, they were few and far in between. There was hope and potential for a closer connection with the Jedi Master, but a bad report from a teacher could set whatever progress they had made back.
"I don't understand. We just went to class. I haven't been yelled at, have you?" Obi-Wan muttered.
"No. It's been a completely uneventful day."
Garbled voices could be heard from within the room and the two quieted, trying to make out some of the conversation. They could hear nothing definitive. Obi-Wan began pacing, staccato steps echoing in the empty Temple corridor. The three Jedi had been placed on the inactive list after their last mission to allow time for this coursework. Amber and Obi-Wan were required to take their Padawan Entrance Test and Evaluation, which included a weeklong stint of full-day classes that culminated in the actual testing.
The P.E.T.E was a requirement of every Jedi apprentice. No exceptions. The Council usually waited for a decent number of newly chosen Padawans before they scheduled the class, wanting to get as many examinations as possible out of the way at one time. As a result, some Jedi did not take their exam until they were already a year or more into their apprenticeship. Obi-Wan and Amber had only been Qui-Gon's Padawans for less than a month, but their number had been called early. Today had been their first day.
And, everything had went fine. More than fine, actually. Obi-Wan had found he recalled almost everything they had covered so far and would require only light study for any of the subjects he was a bit rusty on. Their discussion during the midday meal proved that Amber felt very much the same. The vast majority of the exam was based on knowledge gained during a student's Temple training. It was designed to test how much an apprentice had retained from their previous teachings and helped the new Master design a more individualized training plan.
Both felt more than pleased with their performance on the first day, but apparently, something had gone horribly and inexplicably wrong. Masters were not called into conference with instructors unless it was something serious. Movement in the room caught the two Padawans' attention, both staring at the open doorway.
"What?" Qui-Gon shouted, the sound causing the waiting apprentices to jump, "You have got to be kidding me!"
The Master sounded outraged and mystified. He glanced at Amber, who just stared at him in wide-eyed shock. Something was wrong and Obi-Wan had a distinctly bad feeling about it.
Qui-Gon Jinn could not believe what he was hearing. He stared at Master Reki Edo in disbelief. The Master was certain his indignant shout had been heard across the entire Temple. The thin, elderly woman gave an exasperated sigh, patting at a few loose, grey strands that had fallen from her hair tie. She continued as if she were speaking with the galaxy's slowest student.
"Master Jinn, our records are meticulously kept and it clearly shows that you failed to sit your examination when you served your apprenticeship with Master Dooku. Can you honestly tell me that you have indeed taken the test?"
He opened his mouth to respond, but thought twice about it. Actually, now that he looked back on his Padawan years, he did not remember the required classes or exam. He recalled the first few years of his apprenticeship had been difficult and hectic. Six months after becoming a Padawan, the two Jedi had been sent to the Outer Rim on an extended mission to the Kanz sector. Problem after problem had arose among the many squabbling politicians and a month-long mission had turned into a three year assignment. Qui-Gon had been almost sixteen years old before he saw the Jedi Temple again.
"Well..."
Master Edo smiled smugly, "That's what I thought. Now, you have already missed the first day of class, but I do not believe-"
"Excuse me. Master," he added hastily, "When you say missed the first day, do you mean...?"
"That you are now a student in this class? Yes, that is exactly what I mean."
"But, I...I can't...I-" Qui-Gon sputtered, "I have two Padawans in this class!"
"And, they performed very well today," the elder Jedi beamed, "Highly intelligent and willing to learn. You should be very pleased."
Qui-Gon was happy to hear those kind compliments regarding his apprentices. Pride bubbled beneath all his indignation and confusion. Choosing to return to the more pressing matter at hand, Qui-Gon shook his head.
"But, Master Edo. I have already been knighted and made a Master. Surely there is no need for this."
"The Jedi Council has decided. The rules are very straight forward and therefore still apply to you," Qui-Gon fought the urge to snort. He was certain every member of the Council was currently laughing themselves silly at this. Master Edo continued, "Every Jedi Padawan will sit the P.E.T.E or they cannot continue on as an apprentice. Technically, in your rather peculiar case, you are not a Jedi Master. Or even a Knight. Until you finish this week and the testing that is," Master Edo finished smiling.
Mouth agape the ex-Jedi Master stared at her. Surely this was a nightmare and soon Qui-Gon would find himself waking up in his warm, comfortable bed. But, he did not wake up and the elder instructor still sat in front of him, awaiting his reply. He started to speak a few times, stopping when words failed him. Apparently fed up with waiting for him, Master Edo sighed and stood.
"I am sure your Padawans will be more than happy to bring you up to speed on today's work. I expect you here tomorrow morning," offering him a slight nod, she turned to leave, "I will see you then Master Jinn."
The elder Jedi left Qui-Gon sitting in the classroom, blinking at the blank, white wall. It was a very long time before he was able to move. It was longer still before he was able to stand. Walking to the door in a daze, he exited into the hallway. Two very bewildered Padawans met him, their anxious gazes studying the Master. Qui-Gon sighed. He had a very bad feeling about this.