Disclaimer: These things are stupid. I have no idea why anyone would think that someone posting a story on a website called, "Fanfiction," would try to use it in an unlawful way. If I made money writing like this, I wouldn't be writing it here. That's just preposterous.
Author's Note: I have no idea how such an agitated disclaimer came before this story… oh well. Please, do try and enjoy. Forget about what you just read.
The city outside was still wide awake even after the sun had gone down. The horizon still bustled with airspeeders which glowed in the shadow of night. Below, social venues of all sorts stood packed full of people while others slept safely in silence. Everything could be seen from the Jedi Temple as it lingered protectively outside the inner city. From an open window, a Jedi padawan stood observing the Coruscant night. It was long past his bedtime and while he should have been asleep, the young Jedi's thoughts continued to permeate the nagging fog of exhaustion. Mysterious questions always seemed to arise at this hour, and although the padawan never understood why that was, he knew one thing for certain; it was impossible to go back to sleep until he had answers. As if someone had been reading his mind, the boy's master knocked on his bedroom door. Without removing his gaze from the Coruscanti skyline, the padawan flicked two fingers to release the lock and opened the door from across the room. While the physical barrier separating the two had been removed, the older Jedi remained outside the doorway.
"Obi-Wan," his master chided softly, "why aren't you in bed?"
Obi-Wan inhaled deeply as he turned to face the older man, "Master, why did you become a Jedi?"
"Well," Qui-Gon began, "it wasn't a choice exactly. I didn't wake up one morning and think to myself, 'I want to be a Jedi today'. I was taken at a very young age, like most Jedi are, and never knew anything differently. Sometimes, choices are made for us, and we learn to embrace what we have. I could have walked away years ago, but I chose not to."
"Why didn't you?"
"Because I found a reason to stay."
Obi-Wan could tell by the look in Qui-Gon's eyes that he was remembering something, or someone, special to him. The younger Jedi lowered his gaze.
"You mean, Tahl."
His master nodded. They both stood in silence as Qui-Gon remembered the woman he loved. It had only been a few years since he had tragically lost her on New Apsolon and it still felt as though she had died only yesterday. Obi-Wan's voice broke Qui-Gon's reverie.
"What made you come back?"
Qui-Gon remembered his near fall to the dark side after he had failed to save Tahl. It had been his darkest time, and he preferred not to dwell on it.
"I had you."
Obi-Wan lifted his eyes as his master smiled fondly.
"Obi-Wan, you are my greatest blessing."
The young Jedi wanted to return the sentiment, but he couldn't fight the nagging feeling he had inside.
"Master, I've yet to discover the reason why I'm here."
"One day, padawan, you will. And when you do, you will accomplish great things. Even when you least expect it. You are a wise, intelligent, caring, young man who has the galaxy at your feet. I doubted you once, and I have vowed to never make that mistake again. I don't question your place in this galaxy and neither should you."
And with that, Qui-Gon walked back to his room, leaving Obi-Wan to ponder their conversation. The young Jedi looked back to the world outside. Qui-Gon always had the strangest way of answering his questions in a way that satisfied his curiosity, and yet left him wanting to ask more. Obi-Wan walked over to his bed, finally ready to lie down. As the padawan closed his eyes, he fell asleep trying to imagine himself as the Jedi Qui-Gon believed he would grow up to be. Because for now, that was his only reason to stay.