Disclaimer: I don't have to say it, you all know it.

Warning: Underage Obi! O/Q slash.

I Can't Stand To Fly

Chapter 1

He hated flying. Jedi shouldn't hate, as he was lectured many times before, but there was no mistaking his current dominant emotion; hate. Only the wish to appear perfect in his master's eyes and his strict training enabled him to appear composed and nonchalant to the erratic weaving, dodging and dipping of the double seated speeder he occupied.

"Obi-wan, left," Qui-gon Jinn ordered calmly from the passenger's seat – an order that is seventeen year old Padawan followed without hesitation. "There… That cave. Do you see it?"

"Yes, Master." Instantly he steered towards an almost invisible hole in the rocky cliff.

"Quickly, we're running low on fuel," he firmly reminded.

"Sorry Master," And he skilfully manoeuvred the beaten and overtaxed speeder into the dark, but sheltered cave, narrowly missing and unexpected outcropping of stone. "I believe they've lost us."

"Don't assume anything, Obi-wan. It is possible that they may not have seen us, but it is also very possible that they will return to commence a search." Qui-gon chided, not unkindly. He glanced down at his Padawan's hands, white knuckled and still fastened to the controls, and his eyes softened somewhat. "Relax, my Padawan, we're on solid ground again."

The adolescent flushed and snatched his hands away. Blast! He was sure that there were no outward sings this time! Now his master would insist upon another meditation to help him overcome his 'fear' and then would come the customary interrogations. Not only that, but he had failed again and even though Qui-gon appeared to be ever gentle and understanding, Obi-wan knew that deep down inside he was disappointed… in him.

"Come on, let's eat something, get set up, and then meditate on this issue." The grin that dusted his bearded face did nothing to ease the writhing in Obi-wan's stomach.

"Yes Master," He tried not to sound stiff and annoyed, but knew he failed. Opening the cockpit, they both leaped out with much grace and surveyed their surroundings.

The cave was diminutive, gloomy and cold, but also dry and hidden. Through the Force, Obi-wan couldn't sense any other sinister inhabitants. The formations of rock were mostly jagged and rough, indicating youthfulness, which was beneficial, for the chances of it being previously recorded were less. "The floor is dry, but I doubt it will be very comfortable to sleep on." He stated.

"Agreed, tonight we sleep in the speeder," was the reply. "Now, let's break open the rations."

Lounging against a relatively flat slab they ate in silence, until… "Master?"

"Yes Obi-wan?"

"Why did they get offended and attack us?"

"The Drelka are a very sensitive people. A single, insignificant slip of words, my young Padawan, can take lives and even cause wars." Qui-gon was wearing his Masterly Tone. "Never forget that."

"Yes Master," Obi-wan replied even though he didn't receive his desired answer, but he knew better than to probe further. "Now we meditate." He droned with a sigh when they had both finished. Qui-gon didn't even try to suppress the grin that tugged at the corner of his lips.

Brushing off crumbs and disposing of packages, they settled into their meditative stances and began. For an hour they perched, as still as statues, searching and understanding the reasons behind Obi-wan's demons. Why can I not overcome this? What is holding me back? What must I do? Deep down he was embarrassed that he still needed his master's guidance over something as trivial as this, but if all of the right answers eluded him then maybe his master would pick them up.

Abruptly Obi-wan felt his master brush his shields gently, no almost caressingly, but it left as soon as it came. Opening his eyes, he peered at the Jedi Master before him to see what the problem was. No, the blue eyes were sealed and his paternal visage was as serene and as focused as ever.

"Master, I do believe that we should try and get some sleep now." The deep eyes flicked open.

"You are finding it difficult to focus." It was not a question.

Obi-wan experienced a slight flush. "Yes."

"Alright," Search as he might in that masterly composure, Obi-wan couldn't detect any disappointment but he knew it was there. It had to be. "We could both use a good rest."

After climbing back into the damaged speeder, they removed their boots and attempted to assume comfortable sleeping positions.

A soft sound disturbed Obi-wan from his light sleep. He pricked his ears up to assure himself… Yes, there it was again. Rapid, shallow breathing and it was coming from… his Master? Shifting slightly, he glanced in Qui-gon's general direction to see if everything was in order, and was met with a pair of bunched shoulders and a tensed back. Another barely audible gasp sounded and… oh! As realization dawned upon him, he instantly slammed his eyelids shut and imitated slumber; it was only polite.

There was some more rustling and then silence, but for the deep steady breathing that indicated unconsciousness. Finally! Waking up in the middle of the night had kick-started mother nature's daily functions, so after slipping on his boots and robe he stealthily crawled out of the air vehicle and went to relieve himself.

While doing his business, Obi-wan couldn't help but think about what he had just witnessed for the first time. His master had always been very discrete and private when it came to those things, in fact he was so private that Obi-wan doubted he ever even did it. Until tonight, Qui-gon seemed to always be in control and never ever sloppy, always the unruffled Master. The adolescent found himself unable to totally demolish the slight tweak of disappointment that surfaced in his mind. He constantly held Master Jinn in such high esteem, forever dignified and right, strong and skilled, he was Obi-wan's hero and idol. Then he goes and jacks off without a second thought in a cramped speeder, with his seventeen year old Padawan beside him, while on a life threatening mission. It sort of tarnished the gold.

I suppose I shouldn't be talking, Obi-wan thought. He understood that sometimes one gets the 'urge' at the most inopportune times. In fact, he had done the same in several instances very much like the one they were in now, but it just seemed different. He was a Padawan, it was expected. Qui-gon was a Jedi Master.

He wiped his hand on his trousers briefly while a mortifying thought peeped into his brain. What if his master had feigned obliviousness while he…? Immediately he shoved the utterly embarrassing idea from his consciousness and climbed back to his makeshift bed.

He definitely did not expect what he got.