Title: Dark Against Light
Author: snowprincess
Rating: PG-13
Category: Action/Adventure/Angst/Drama
Summary: After Tahl's death, Qui-Gon becomes a ball of depression. When the opportunity rises to capture her killer, will his anger get the best of him?
Disclaimer: I own nothing. All things Star Wars belong to George Lucas.
A/N: I didn't like the way this story turned out in the end, but I decided to post it anyway. Thanks to all who reviewed my last story. For those who are demanding a sequel to 'One Very Long Day', be patient. This story took a month and a half to write because I write all my stories on paper before I type anything. After I post this story fully I'll need a break. Big thanks to Ginger Ninja for posting this. Obi-Wan is 16/17. Spoilers for JA books.
Qui-Gon Jinn sat in the star maps room of the temple, his gaze thoughtful. Although the maps showed every documented star, planet, and anything else in the galaxy, the Master's eyesight never left one small spot. The tiny planet of New Apsolon. The piece of round matter in space where his true love had died.
Five months. Five excrutiatingly long months had passed since the presence that was so vivid in his life took her last breath. His mind constantly brought up images of Tahl wishing her and Qui-Gon's last intimate moment together be her last. The pain he felt that day had not diminished even the tiniest bit. The agony was as much a part of his life as breathing was.
The man's Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, tried to help him deal with the pain, but he pushed it away. What did the boy know of his feelings? Obi-Wan and Tahl, had been friends, but there was a big difference between friendship and love.
Sighing, the Jedi Master continued his sad thought, still studying the small pinprick in the simulation, which in reality, spanned dozens of light years...
Obi-Wan's gaze never left the confines of his food tray as he stared at it. Bant, Garen, and Reeft stat around him, as the group ate lunch together on their day away from class. The boy couldn't help but notice the tension in the air, but then again, anyone could if they walked by the table. No one spoke. Reeft and Garen ate at their normal rate, while Bant ate slower, for some reason finding the floor interesting to look at. The other sixteen year old hadn't touched his tray since he sat down to ear, twenty minutes ago.
Thoughts of his current situation plauged Obi-Wan. Bant was still upset with him for not contacting her sooner of Tahl's passing, and therefore wasn't speaking to him. Unless they were training, Qui-Gon hardly knew the boy was there half of the time. His other two friends tried to make up the loss of attention, but it was no use. His best friend hated him, and the man who he considered his father was so wrapped up in his own grief that he failed to see the apprentice hurting in the shadows.
Tahl had been his friend. The had gotten to know each other well since Qui-Gon spent so much time with her. After she died, Obi-Wan had been, and still was, so preocupied with being strong for his Master, that he had never gotten the chance to mourn her himself.
Emotions swirled within that he dare not let out in front of his Master. Anger, sadness, and pain to name a few, but most of all guilt. Maybe if he hadn't been injured in the rockslide, or if his lightsaber hadn't shortened out, they would've reached the Master in time to save her. 'Tahl would've hated it,' the boy thought in remembrance. 'She hated to show weakness because of her blindness.'
Every once and a while, these emotions would sweep out of control, and it would take several hours of meditaion or crying to subdue them again. He could feel those emotions stirring now...
Abruptly the Padawan got up and pushed his tray to Reeft, " You can have it. " He began to turn and walk away.
" Wait, Obi-Wan! " Reeft called. " What's wrong? "
" I...ah...forgot something, " the boy said distractingly.
" What dd you forget? " asked Garen.
Obi-Wan's face crumpled slightly as tears sprung to his eyes. This was too much and he was going to cry this time. " To be hungry, " he said, voice cracking. Without another word he sprinted off out of the cafeteria.
By the time he reached his and Qui-Gon's qurters, wet trails cascaded down his cheeks. Collapsing on his bed, a torrent of liquid sobs were released into his pillow for what seemed like forever.
Back in the cafeteria, Garen and Reeft glared at Bant. " What? What did I do? " she asked.
" How long will be before you forgive Obi-Wan? " demanded Reeft.
" I don't know. "
" So what, " stated Garen. " Are you gonna just be cold to him all the time like Master Qui-Gon is? Can't you see having his best friend and Master hate him is tearing him up inside? "
" Bant, " Reeft said, " We know you're not happy with Obi-Wan for not contacting you, but did you consider there were other circumstances?"
The girl's face softened slightly.
" Everyone knows Master Jinn and Master Tahl were in love. Maybe Obi-Wan was trying to comfort his Master. Or maybe he was so caught up in his own grief over the loss of a friend, " Garen said.
Reeft took the lead, " And with you and Qui-Gon treating him like he's nothing, he probably thinks he's lost not one friend, but three. "
Bant looked shaken, as if she just discovered a horrifying truth. " Oh, Force, " she said at last. " What have I done? I've gotta talk to him. " Getting up, the red haired, silver eyed Calamarian made her way out of the cafeteria in search of her best friend.
TBC
I'm sorry this post is so short. This story is really 54 notebook pages long, but I didn't leave enough time to type tonight. Bye!
