Chapter Four
Qui-Gon had sent his apprentice on ahead to the shipt that waited to take them to Naboo, allowing him the time to walk more casually with Tahl. His bonded rarely accompanied him to the hangar before he left for missions, choosing to say their good-byes in their privacy of their own quarters, and so her insistence today made the Jedi Master wonder what was on her mind.
/Forget anything?/
/Not that I'm aware of./
Qui-Gon became uneasy with the unexpected small talk. Tahl was a woman with a keen mind, and rarely did she skirt an issue or hide her feelings.
/I hope you remembered to take extra socks. Naboo's topography consists mostly of water, and you know how your feet chafe when they're damp for too long./
Qui-Gon stopped just inside the hangar doorway, turning to face his bondmate. /Tahl?/
"It's Obi-wan I'm worried about, not you."
"Obi-Wan? Do you sense something?"
Tahl shared Yoda and his Padawan's connection to the Unified Force, and therefore had a strong sense of future events. Qui-Gon had come to realize early in their relationship that it was wise to listen to her counsel.
"Not exactly."
They both moved to the side as a group of bonded knights passed through, and Tahl switched back to Force speech to maintain the privacy of their conversation.
/It's not something I've sensed, but what I've seen in him. He's changed Qui-Gon. Ever since the council assigned you two to this mission, Obi-Wan's countenance has altered. Do you think he's given up?/
/I hope not./
The Jedi Master stared across the hangar bay to see the young man speaking with a docking Master. On the outside, Obi-Wan appeared to be as animated and cheerful as usual, but now that Tahl had mentioned it, there was a dimming of his spirit, which he could detect along their training bond. Qui-Gon was surprised he hadn't noticed it before since it was enough to be concerned about.
/Don't worry, I'll look after him./
/You do that./ His bonded teased, her gold and green striped eyes sparkling with mischief. /And take care of yourself as well./
/Don't I always?/ Qui-Gon teased back, staring into his lover's eyes. He wasn't fond of public displays of affection, but he wanted to make sure she knew how he felt, and so he reached out and took a hold of her hand, squeezing it gently. The rare demonstration of affection outside their quarters brought a smile to Tahl's face, which remained even as she stood alone listening to the sound of Qui-Gon's footsteps carry him across the hangar to where his apprentice waited for him.
Once achieving hyperspeed, the Jedi carried their packs from the galley where they had dropped them upon boarding, and headed toward the cabin bay. The Chancellor's yacht was spacious enough to sleep at least six passengers, and for the change, Qui-Gon was pleased. Not that he minded Obi-Wan's company, but the boy snored loud enough to stop a charging bantha.
Securing a few toiletries in his own private 'fresher, Qui-Gon walked down the narrow hall to Obi-Wan's room, finding the young man staring out a rectangular portal in a daze.
"Obi-Wan? All settled?"
The Jedi Master's softly-spoken question surprisingly startled his Padawan, raising further concern that Obi-Wan was not himself.
"Yes, Master."
A long pause followed as the young man turned back toward the window.
"I realize I've been a bit distracted the last couple of days, but I promise I won't let you down. I understand how important this mission is -- that there are many lives and a planet's economy at stake.
You don't have to worry. I'll perform my duties to the best of my ability and keep my mind focused on the present.
That's one lesson that's been difficult for me to learn no matter how many times you've tried to teach it to me, which is why I wanted to thank you now, before we get to Naboo, since I might not have another chance."
"Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon attempted to stop his apprentice from saying anything he believed to be unnecessary, but if anything, Obi-Wan was determined. Except obviously when it came to this damn bond issue.
"Allow me to speak, Master, please. I know we had a rough beginning, but I couldn't have asked for a better Master. It has been my honor to be your student, and I will carry your teachings with me no matter where the Force sends me. Even if it is to Agricorps."
Qui-Gon didn't like this. Surely, there had to be an alternative. A loophole of some sort.
He quickly checked the resonance of the Force and found it to be still. Apparently, as accepting as his apprentice. He, therefore, decided not to argue.
At least for the time being.
"You've been a fine Padawan, Obi-Wan, and a good friend."
The young man's smile nearly tore his heart out. It was unlike the countless smiles he had witnessed over the past eleven years – this one being void, shallow, and not quite reaching those typically sparkling, changeable eyes.
Qui-Gon didn't know what to say, and so he quietly joined Obi-Wan's resolute stance near the portal, hands clasped behind his back, standing at his Padawan's side. For the moment, exactly where he belonged.
