NOTE: Part 1 of this story is written by BL Anderson. Part 2 is written by Obi the Kid and will be posted within the next couple days.


TITLE: It's a Man's World (PART 1 of a collaboration fic with Obi the Kid)
AUTHOR: B. L. Lindley-Anderson
E-MAIL: Anderson@hiwaay.net
RATING: PG
SUMMARY: Pre-TPM, Humor. (Obi is 13) Qui gets bested in a sparring match and is unable to accept defeat.
FEEDBACK: Always appreciated.
ARCHIVE: Please ask first.
OBI'S WEBSITE: http://www.angelfire.com/movies/obithekid/
B.L.'S WEBSITE: http://www.angelfire.com/al2/lneeson
DISCLAIMER: The characters and venue of Star Wars are copyrighted to Lucas Films Limited. The characters not recognizable from this venue are copyrighted to Tracy C. Knight. The story is the intellectual property of Tracy C. Knight and is copyrighted to her. She makes no profit from the writing or distribution of this story.

NOTES: Part 2 of this story will be written by Obi the Kid and is the latest our series of collaboration fics.

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It's a Man's World (PART 1)
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"Are you going to give me a sparring lesson this morning?" Obi-Wan asked as he and his master stood near the middle of the large echoing gymnasium?"

"No, Padawan. I am not. This morning I am going to be teaching Bren."

"Master Bren?" he said in surprise.

"Yes. What's so odd about that? Everyone has to learn from someone...and I am...one of the best swordsmen at the temple," he said proudly.

"Didn't you tell me that Jedi shouldn't be prideful?"

"Yes. Are you trying to tell me something?"

"Uh...no. I was...just asking a question..."

"Hey kid. Stretch, you ready for this?"

"Of course. Are you ready?" he grinned.

"Sure. Let's get to it...unless you are waiting for your fan club," she glanced around.

Obi-Wan snickered and tried to cover it with a cough. Qui-Gon glared at him. Then he stepped into position and turned his saber to the low power setting. He grinned an evil grin.

Bren took a stance and powered on her saber. "Come on Stretch. Show me how it's done."

Obi-Wan quickly found a good place to sit and watch from. This was going to be good he could tell. A certain pride in his master filled him as others gathered around to watch the match. Poor Master Bren...but if she wanted to learn from the best, then she'd have to learn the hard way....

Qui-Gon circled and made a couple of feigns just to test Bren's reactions. Then, in confidence, he lunged. However, she easily sidestepped and knocked the blow aside with her saber. And while Qui-Gon was still extended from his move, she quickly brought her blade up and scored a touch. She chuckled as she withdrew and regained her defensive posture.

The Jedi told himself that she just got lucky. He would have to be mindful. A crowd was gathering and he couldn't let her get too lucky. But that took his mind off Bren and she advanced, easily getting past his saber and striking his torso. Qui-Gon swung impulsively and Bren leaped and tumbled over his head. Before the Jedi could complete his turn, she had struck again to his side.

There were a few laughs from the spectators. "Way to go Qui-Gon," a master shouted. He glanced toward the crowd and saw Obi-Wan with his face buried in his hands. **My own apprentice is embarrassed. I have to stop this now.** He made a determined advance and pressed in close. Bren knocked his blade aside and then came under it and struck him again.

Qui-Gon took several steps back, cursing to himself. "How did she get so good? She must have been practicing on her own. With who, I wonder?"

"Need a break, Stretch?" she said innocently.

"I'm fine," he muttered as he stepped forward again and tried to focus his attention. He had not even scored a single touch yet. This was making him look bad and he knew he'd never live it down. But all those thoughts just distracted him more and more. Before he realized what happened, Bren surprised him with a lunge and struck his torso yet again. But she didn't simply withdraw this time. Bren continued to advance and launched a flurry of movements that backed Qui-Gon up as he fought just to hold them off. His foot slipped just enough and Bren struck a hard blow to his blade, knocking the saber from his hand. It clattered across the floor...coming to rest at Obi-Wan's feet. Qui-Gon saw it...and the top of his apprentice's head as he stared at the floor.

The watching knights applauded. Some came to congratulate Bren and others to harass Qui-Gon.

"The best swordsman at the temple? Hehehehe!"

"Beaten by a woman."

"Way to go Qui-Gon. Hope you teach Obi-Wan better than that."

He looked down, his cheeks burning in humiliation. Soon the watchers were gone. Bren came over. "Good match, Qui."

"Easy for you to say."

"Bad loser?"

"You've been practicing without me, haven't you?"

"No, I haven't. I asked you to help me."

"How did you beat me though?"

Bren knew she would have to soothe his ego. "Because I have such a great teacher! How else could I have won?" She put a hand on his arm. "This just shows you what a good teacher you are."

But Qui-Gon pulled away. "No...you've been practicing without me."

"What's wrong?" she grinned. "Can't stand being beaten by a mere woman?"

Before he thought about it, the answer was out of his mouth. "That's right."

"What!"

"I...I didn't mean it that way. I meant..."

"I know what you meant. The only reason you've been so anxious to spar with me is so you could show me up. That's it, isn't it? You want to show everyone the great Qui-Gon Jinn." She nodded her head. "Fine. You show them...but without me." Then she turned and stomped away.

Qui-Gon stood in silence for a minute. He'd worry about her later. Obi-Wan was standing off to the side. The Jedi smiled and walked over to him. "Got lucky, didn't she?"

"Master...how am I..."

"How are you what?"

"How am I...gonna live this down! You heard them all laughing at you! If you didn't have to be such a show off..." Obi-Wan turned and ran off. Qui-Gon stood in the middle of the silent gym.

~*~

"Ready for practice, Bren?" Qui-Gon said as he walked up to his friend in the gym the next morning.

She glared at him. "Yes, but not with you." Then she walked away.

"Who's going to teach her?" Obi-Wan asked.

"I don't know."

At that moment Master Yoda came into the gym. "Ready you are Master Bren?"

"WHAT!" Obi-Wan yelped.

Qui-Gon put a hand over his apprentice's mouth. "Let's go practice Obi-Wan."

~*~

"Thank you Master Yoda," Bren bowed to him. "That was a great lesson. I learned a lot."

"Come to me first you should have."

"You are right."

"See you tomorrow morning I will."

~*~

"There you are!" Qui-Gon said as he sat down next to Bren in the dining hall. "Been looking everywhere for you."

"Oh," she replied coolly. "What did you want?"

"You're not still mad at me...are you?"

"I'm busy." She stood and picked up her tray.

"Bren!"

~*~

The door chime rang and Bren went to answer it. "Oh...you. What did you want?"

Qui-Gon held out a large bouquet of flowers and a huge box of chocolates. "I thought we could go out tonight. How about a date with your favorite Jedi?"

"I'm busy," she said and closed the door before he could reply.

The Jedi began walking down slowly down the hallway.

"Qui! Hi, how are you!"

"Oh, hi Brazo."

"You look down. I think you could use a hug."

"Oof! You're a little...too enthusiastic, don't you think?"

"You looked like you could use it. Flowers, candy...hot date with Bren?"

"She won't even talk to me."

"Oh yeah. I heard she was sore at you because you're a sore loser...and said something about being beaten by a...woman."

"Yeah. You know...I can't figure her out. I thought she was different from most women."

"She is. That's why she wants to be judged on her ability instead of her gender. She's not a Bobi doll."

"A what?"

"A female Chobi...little skinny doll, lots of hair and clothes...no brain."

"Oh..."

"She just wants to be treated with respect, the same way you do."

"I understand that...but what do I do now?"

"You know my cure for EVERYTHING!"

"A hug?"

"Sure!"

"But..."

"No buts. Just...when the door opens grab her in the best hug you can...but not too tight. Don't give her a chance to turn you down...just do it."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Me? Sure...about hugs? Are you kidding?"

"Okay..."

"Go on. I'll stay back here and watch."

Qui-Gon straightened himself, walked determinedly to the door and rang the chime. When the door opened, he grabbed Bren in a big warm hug.

"Qui..."

"Shh...just...hug me. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel put down by what I said. I really didn't. I'm sorry."

"That's all you had to say. You didn't have to put on those other acts."

~*~

"So Master Bren is going to spar with you again?"

"Yes. I have to learn to take defeat...even from the hands of a woman. In fact...I'm going to let her win so everyone will see...and see how well I handle it."

"Let me win!!" Bren's voice sounded from behind. "It'll be a cold day when I need for you to LET me win." She turned and started to leave but stopped. "And don't come trying that fake hug stuff either! I should have seen through that! I know you only hug like a troll!"

Qui-Gon slapped a hand to his forehead. "My mouth...my big mouth. I have been around Obi-Wan too long. His motor mouth is rubbing off on me."

END of Part 1.