Chapter Two: Lineage Problems


"Excuse me, coming through!"

Mace Windu – who had been wandering into a Temple Common Room and speaking to Yoda in low tones - is narrowly missed being tackled by a young Obi-Wan Kenobi. He catches the young man by the scruff of his tunic, yanking him to a halt. "Kenobi! Just what are you - "

"You little shit!" Qui-Gon shouts, coming into the common room. He skids to a halt upon seeing the masters, breathing hard and running a hand through his mane of hair. "Master Yoda, Windu. Other people."

Yoda inclines his head, hands folded over his cane. "Qui-Gon."

Obi-Wan grins, twisting out of the grip and scrambling over a couch to put some distance between him and the masters. His padawan braid nearly whacks Mace in the face. "Master! Hi! What are you doing here?"

"Planning your death."

"Woah, woah." Mace steps between the master and apprentice, glancing between them. He notes a brown plant clutched in Qui-Gon's hand, and the snickers from some of the Jedi surrounding them. "What's going on?"

"You haven't heard, Mace?" Tahl mutters, trying to swallow her snickering and causing Master Tholme to chuckle quietly. "It's quite a tale."

"One I need not repeat," Qui-Gon growls, glaring at his apprentice.

"I'm sorry," Obi-Wan answers cheerfully.

"No you're not."

"Not even in the slightest."

"You couldn't have asked someone else to water it?"

"That demon plant bit me!"

"Because you always kicked it!"

"It's vines were in front of my bedchamber! I trip over it!"

"What in bloody hell is happening?" Mace exclaims. He didn't get his answer, as Obi-Wan takes off running again, Qui-Gon close on his heels.

He glances to Tahl, knowing she'll have the answer.

"Obi-Wan let one of Qui-Gon's plants die."

"Ah."


"I don't hate him - how many times do I have to insist that?"

Quinlan - lying on the couch and tossing a ball absently in the air - shrugs. "Gee, I don't know Bant - when you stop bitching about him?"

That gets a snort out of Siri and Garen, whom have disassembled her lightsaber in hopes to figuring out why it keeps glitching.

"Hey guys - not helping."

Galen takes the screw from between his lips and flashes an apologetic grin. "I know what you mean, Bant - unlike some people."

"Thank you!" Bant exclaims from where she's seated at the caf table, glaring at Quinlan over her textbooks. "Someone understands what I mean."

"He makes Master Tahl happy," Siri points out, wiping a bit of grease on her tunics.

"I'm not sure if listening to them bicker is happiness, Siri," Garen says calmly, raising an eyebrow. "It sounds more dysfunctional than anything - and he constantly belittles Obi-Wan."

Quinlan twists around to look at the blonde senior padawan. "I'm sorry, Siri, are we describing Qui-Gon's relationship with Obi-Wan or yours?"

Before she can respond - or attempt to run Quinlan through - the door to the study room whooshes open.

"Hey Obes I gotta," Quinlan frowns, catching sight of their friend's somber face. He glances uneasily at the rest of them, wincing at the emotions seeping through Obi-Wan's mental guards.

"Had another fight with Qui-Gon?" Bant asks quietly, staring at her textbooks a moment.

Obi-Wan sighs heavily, sitting beside Siri and taking the lightsaber parts from her hands gently. "I don't wish to discuss it, Bant."

"That -" Garen stops himself, and shakes his head. "Here, Obes - I think a screw got damaged. We might have to find a new one."

Quinlan sits upright, clearing his throat a bit. "I'm gonna run to the cafeteria - pizza day - should I bring back a pie?"

"Two," Obi-Wan mumbles, still examining the lightsaber parts.

Garen stands, his joints cracking. "I'll come with - Siri, I'll pick up the screw from the mechanics classroom on the way back."

"Thanks."

"Well…" Bant gathers her textbooks while her friends leave, talking quietly amongst themselves. "I need to head to class. Madame Che wanted me early today."

The room - so full of life before Obi-Wan came in - is suddenly quiet.

And it's all Qui-Gon's fault.

Again.

Siri leans her head against Obi-Wan's and closes her eyes. He stills, not relaxing until she covers his hands with her own.

"I don't blame him," Obi-Wan mutters. "He misses Xanatos."

She disagrees, but doesn't say anything to invoke an argument.