Chapter IV - Six Hands and Muffins

Obi-Wan kept quiet as Qui-Gon and Tahl headed for the nearest Temple exit. Luck was on their side when an air-taxi halted before them and a familiar Knight stepped out from it. "Feemor." Qui-Gon blinked as a blond headed young man approached them. "Master!" he beamed and clapped the back of Qui-Gon and gave Tahl a nod.

Feemor was Qui-Gon's first apprentice, and the young man was now a newly-minted Knight of the Jedi Order. "How are you, my not-so-old apprentice?" Qui-Gon beamed with pride at his old student as he subtly looked at him from head to foot. "It seems you have just returned from a mission…" "Yes, Qui-Gon. I'm pretty beat. Traffic was horrendous, and I had to wait for four hours for an open landing platform. I'm…pretty sore. You know me, Master. I'm not a patient person." Feemor smiled at his former Master, and his eyes landed on the boy in the tall master's arm.

"Isn't he too young to be your apprentice?" Feemor asked with a raised brow as he studied the child. Obi-Wan, who was drawn to the many lights before him, shifted his attention to the man talking. Before Qui-Gon could explain, the young boy lifted his head and tapped his stubby hand on Qui-Gon's cheek. "Heeth my fwend!" he exclaimed and gave Feemor a violent nod. He doesn't know what 'apprentice' meant and quickly pointed out what he knew of the tall master.

The Knight could not help but let his jaw drop. If his memory serves him right, Qui-Gon wasn't very fond or patient with children…and now…this. He watched Obi-Wan relax again and leaned his head on Qui-Gon's chest without taking his eyes off Feemor. "Whath an appwentith, mathter?" he asked Qui-Gon softly as he continued to study the man who was now gaping at the two jedi. "An apprentice or Padawan Learner is a kind of student of the Force. When you become old enough, you'll get the chance to become one." Obi-Wan was silent as he stared at Feemor. "He used to be my student, Obi-Wan. His name is Feemor." Qui-Gon gestured Feemor to start talking. The knight immediately snapped out of his shocked state and began to talk. "Yes…that's right. We used to go on missions together." He nodded and waited for the boy to talk.

Obi-Wan lifted his head and faced Qui-Gon. "Will I get to go on mithons wif you, Mathter?" the tall master caught Tahl's surprise through the Force. Tahl, who was watching the scene before her could swear that the Force around the two started to do a wild dance…she felt…a pulse. Feemor on the other hand saw and felt his old Master's surprise through their old bond. When situations get awkward, he knew that he had to intervene. "If you promise to be a good Initiate, I think they will allow you to go on missions with him." Feemor stifled a grin as Obi-Wan looked at him and smiled. "O-tay." was his response.

Qui-Gon looked at his old student and Tahl and gave out a sigh. "Well, now that that is settled, let's go get some food for you." The tall master placed his hand on Obi-Wan's small tummy and grinned. "I'll see you in a little while Feemor. You ought to share with me your first experience as a knight." Qui-Gon reached out and squeezed his old student's arm. "Of course, Master. I'll drop by our old quarters when you come back. It was nice meeting you Obi-Wan." He said as he gently tickled Obi-Wan's tummy. The boy smiled at him and gave him a small wave. "Byebye!"


Tahl insisted that she be seated beside the driver and let Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan occupy the back seat. Tahl did not want to intervene with the two. Still baffled with what she felt earlier, she turned around from her spot to face Qui-Gon. "I don't know if it's just me, but there's something going on between you and…" she paused as she gestured to Obi-Wan whose face was plastered against the air-taxi's window. "What do you mean?" Qui-Gon inquired and absent-mindedly reached out to stroke Obi-Wan's head. "That." She said as she gestured at Qui-Gon's affectionate action. "Haven't you noticed?" Tahl watched the two and Qui-Gon watched his young friend. "I'm a Master and we just took him out of the Temple…at this hour. I should be protective, besides I promised Kess that I will take care of him and bring the boy back in one piece." Qui-Gon said flatly, but underneath his tone he knew deep down that something was going on. Why…of all children was he feeling attached to this one?

"Smarty-pants. He's neither a pet nor a cute toy. Sith, Big Boy. You're really bad with children." Tahl simply rolled her eyes and faced the dashboard.

"Will you stop calling me that?"

"Sure, big boy."

"Tahl."

"Yes, big boy?"

"Please, just…stop."

Tahl was about to retaliate to piss her friend off, but was distracted with the small noise emanating from the boy. Obi-Wan started humming to himself a crèche rhyme he learned from Master Kess, as he watched the many speeders and air taxis that flew by. Qui-Gon and Tahl joined him, making Obi-Wan giggle.

The driver of the air taxi just sighed in his seat. "Jedis. What a weird lot."


It didn't take long for them to get to Qui-Gon and Tahl's favorite diner—Dex's. He's been a great pal to most, if not all of the jedi. Dex was also valuable to the many Knights and Masters since he knows a thing or two about certain information that the Jedi Archives can't provide.

Qui-Gon let Tahl take Obi-Wan this time, and he grinned like an idiot to see his best friend walk with a toddler. The tall jedi assumed that Tahl was good with children since she easily gained Obi-Wan's trust.

Qui-Gon looked up as they entered the diner and spotted Dex immediately. "Qui-Gon! It's nice to see you, pal! I'll join you in a sec!" Qui-Gon nodded and made his way towards the diner's booth where Tahl and Obi-Wan were already sitting looking over the digital menu. "Obi-Wan, what would you like to have for dinner?" Qui-Gon asked and Obi-Wan looked up looking worried. "I dun haf money, mathter…and I'm hungwy." He said looking down at his tummy and patted it. Tahl smiled at the boy and hugged him from the side. "Don't worry big guy, Qui-Gon will pay for your dinner." Obi-Wan looked at Tahl then to Qui-Gon…then to the menu. "O-tay!" the initiate pulled the digital menu closer to him and looked at it. "But they so many…"

The young fellow got distracted when a huge male Besalisk cleared his throat and made his presence known at their table. Obi-Wan's eyes grew wide as he gaped at Dex. "Hello little one!" Dex greeted the young initiate and waved his many hands at him. Obi-Wan stared at his many hands and was left speechless. He immediately got off his seat, went under the table, then up again the empty seat beside Qui-Gon. He stood on his seat and looked closer at the Besalisk. "You got many handth, mithter." He said as he unconsciously got hold of Qui-Gon's shoulder. "He's a Besalisk Obi-Wan. They came from the planet Ojom." Qui-Gon rubbed Obi-Wan's back for assurance just in case he got scared. The older Jedi was quite impressed when he didn't feel any fear from the initiate.

"One..two…thwee…foe…fife…sicth…heeth got sicth handth." Obi-Wan said as he flailed his arms. "Yes, Obi-Wan. Six." Qui-Gon smiled at the boy then to Dex. "It's nice to meet you Obi-Wan!" Dex held out all of his hands in front of Obi-Wan to shake. Confused, he brought one of his stubby hands to his head and scratched it. Tahl and Qui-Gon chuckled, making Obi-Wan realize that Dex was playing with him. The boy decided to shake one finger from each Dex's hand since it was impossible for him to shake the whole thing. Heck, he can't even hold Qui-Gon's hand properly! Dex laughed at what Obi-Wan did, and in return one hand ruffled his hair and one hand rubbed his tummy.

"I know you to be a rogue Jedi, Qui-Gon…but you never told me you're actually a father!" Dex exclaimed leaving a snorting Tahl and a perplexed Qui-Gon. "What? What do you mean…" he trailed off as his eyes went from Dex to the initiate beside him who was now busy looking at Qui-Gon's menu. The jedi master grinned and looked at Dex. "No, I'm not a father…and he's…not my son." Qui-Gon explained while across him, Tahl whispered an audible, "You wish.". He gave her a look and Tahl just bit her lip to prevent smiling.

"Oh. Sorry. My bad." Dex said, and went back to his business tone dying for a subject change. "So! What are you going to have for dinner my dear friends?"


Blessed with six hands, Dex prepared and served the jedis' dinner in a matter of minutes. Obi-Wan being the hungriest wolfed down his food in just seconds and sat contentedly beside an amused Qui-Gon who watched him eat. "That…was fast, young one. Are you feeling okay?" he asked the silent initiate and reached out to him through the Force to check if…a tummy ache was building up. Qui-Gon was surprised to feel that three standard years Obi-Wan Kenobi is still hungry. Grinning, Qui-Gon offered his Nerf steak with melted Jerba Cheese, grilled Ojomisn onions and Felucian Glasscap Mushrooms. As usual, the shy Obi-Wan refused.

Over their dinner, Tahl opened up her worries regarding matters with the Senate and her missions. The two were engrossed with their conversation, leaving Obi-Wan out. The youngling stood from his seat again and looked at the booth next to them. He saw a young Rodian girl who was hugging her mother. Even if he was only three, Obi-Wan easily picked up the emotions flowing from the mother. He too, felt sad once he unknowingly tapped on the emotion of the adult Rodian. "Don't be sad, mother. Uncle Roos will take good care of me…" the Rodian girl told her mother. A comm link went off and the mother took the call. The Rodian girl let go of her mother and saw Obi-Wan watching her.

"Hello!" the Rodian girl greeted Obi-Wan and he immediately ducked his head to hide, but he was too late. Slowly, he peeked at the girl and a set of starry-eyes met his gaze. "Don't be shy." She said softly and smiled at the boy. "I'm Ariona. Who are you?" she asked as she leaned on the booth's back rest to get a closer look at the initiate. "Obi-Wan." He said softly.

The two held each other's gaze for a while until the initiate couldn't hold his burning question any longer. "Are you thad?" he said blurting it out. Ariona looked over her shoulder and saw her mother still talking on the comm link. "I guess I am a bit sad." She said looking away. Whenever Obi-Wan was sad, Master Kess would always tell him that it will pass. He just has to believe that everything will be better after. "Evwything wiw be o-tay." He said as he patted Ariona's hand.

The Rodian smiled at her new friend and nodded. "You're a smart little boy, Obi-Wan." Ariona momentarily turned her back on Obi-Wan and got one of the muffins on her plate. She ripped it in half and shared it with Obi-Wan. "This is good. Go on, try it." Obi-Wan smiled and got the other half from the girl. "It's my favorite!" the Rodian happily ate her share, and Obi-Wan did the same. The muffin was really good and he wanted to ask Qui-Gon if he could get a piece, but decided against it. "Fank you fow shawing it wif me. It wath yummy!" Obi-Wan said as soon as he was done eating it. "You're not just smart, you're polite too!" Ariona beamed and patted Obi-Wan's head. "Ariona? Let's go now. We have to leave." Ariona's mother said as she looked on. The adult Rodian smiled warmly at Obi-Wan. "It was nice to meet you Obi-Wan! Byebye!" and with that, Ariona went down from her seat and left the diner with her mother.

Obi-Wan moved to the window and plastered his forehead against the cool glass, waiting for the Rodian to pass by. As soon as he saw her, he smiled and waved and looked on until she disappeared into the crowd. Then, Obi-Wan noticed an old man with tattered clothes outside the other window, pointing and begging for food. The occupants on the other booth shooed the man away, and the beggar retreated dejectedly. Qui-Gon saw what Obi-Wan witnessed and he reached out to the boy by rubbing his back. Obi-Wan turned and looked at the tall master confused. "The galaxy is full of evil, my friend. Compassion is rare in this planet." He thought as he smiled weakly at the boy.


A few more minutes passed and the two masters finished their dinner. They were willing to stay longer at the diner but decided against it since they were with Obi-Wan who must be very tired by now. Qui-Gon paid for their dinner and bid Dex goodbye.

"Qui-Gon, wait!" Dex called out to his friend and brought with him two muffins. "I heard the traffic's awful today—thought it best to give the young one something to munch on your way home." Dex said handing the muffins to Obi-Wan. "Fank you, thir!" he smiled at the Besalisk and hoped it was the same muffin Ariona gave him. "You're more than welcome Obi-Wan! Now, off you go! I hope to see you soon again my friends." And with that they said their goodbyes.

If they were lucky to get an air-taxi going to Dex's…this time, they weren't so lucky. "Let's just walk, Qui. At least we're moving." Tahl said impatiently as they waited for an empty air-taxi.

"We have a child with us, Tahl. It's safer…"

"You carry him then. It's that simple…"

"I can walk mathters." Obi-Wan said as he looked at his adult companions who looked back at him in surprise. "Are you sure? The temple's quite far from here." Qui-Gon said as he crouched in front of the initiate holding two muffins. "Yep!" Obi-Wan beamed and nodded. "All right then. If you get tired just tell me." Qui-Gon ruffled the boy's hair and got one of the muffins. "You have to hold my hand young one. And don't let go." Qui-Gon stood up and offered his massive hand. Obi-Wan looked at it and held on to Qui-Gon's index finger. Tahl smiled at the two and started walking. "Let's get moving then."

Obi-Wan wished he had more than one pair of eyes. There was so much to see! Bright lights were everywhere and there were species that he has never seen inside the temple. Qui-Gon never failed to look down and check on the toddler he was holding, and would grin at himself as he look at Obi-Wan with slack jaws. "He must be having a great time." He murmured to Tahl who also looked at the young boy and chuckled. "Wait until he goes on missions and such." Tahl replied and looked at Qui-Gon briefly. "Talking about missions…I heard that we are being sent on one. You and me." Qui-Gon replied. "I have. Well, I'm looking forward to it. I heard you are quite the negotiator." Tahl teased.

The two masters started to bicker once more, but Obi-Wan's gaze fell on a person who was sitting on the ground next to a closed store. The boy realized that it was the same old man he saw begging at the diner! His pace slowed down and Qui-Gon felt it. Stopping in mid-sentence, the tall master looked down to check on Obi-Wan and he shifted his gaze to the direction where Obi-Wan was looking. The boy slowed down and eventually stopped, his face wore an expression of deep thought. His thoughts brought him back to the temple where Master Kess would always tell them to share things…or to offer help to their fellow initiates who needs it.

The boy looked at his hand with the muffin Dex gave him. The man begged for food earlier, so he must be really hungry. Obi-Wan looked up to see Qui-Gon studying him. He shifted his gaze to Tahl who was smiling at him—obviously she has perceived what Obi-Wan was about to do. The young initiate looked at Qui-Gon again then to his hand bearing the other muffin. Letting go of his grip on Qui-Gon's finger, Obi-Wan pointed to the other muffin and the master gave it to him. The young boy looked at the poor man and ran to him. Instinctively, Qui-Gon took a step forward to follow Obi-Wan but Tahl immediately got hold of his arm. "Let him." Tahl said and smiled.

Obi-Wan slowed down and took a smaller step towards the man whose head was bowed against his knees. The young initiate felt the hunger and defeat emanating from the poor man, making him feel uncomfortable. Obi-Wan crouched without taking his eyes off the beggar and placed the muffins down on the ground. The beggar suddenly raised his head and met Obi-Wan's gaze then to the food. The boy was caught by surprise causing him to stand up and ran towards Qui-Gon. The tall jedi bent forward and received in his arms a panicked initiate. Obi-Wan buried his face against Qui-Gon's neck seeking comfort. "You did well young one. You did well." He whispered to Obi-Wan while rubbing his back. Pride was all over Qui-Gon's face as he looked at the man. The beggar offered the jedis a grateful smile as they continued to walk.

Obi-Wan was silent as they continued their way towards the temple. Qui-Gon can sense the boy's overwhelmed state. It was, after all his first time to encounter such situation. The rest of the force-sensitive children inside the temple have no access to such experience. Qui-Gon knew that it can be traumatizing to the child and decided to talk to him about it. He realized that he will be reliable for Obi-Wan's state if he doesn't explain it well.

"You're a brave one, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon started, but there was no response. "What made you give your food away?" he asked as he looked on Tahl. Tahl was silent too and waited for the boy's response. "He wath hungwy." Obi-Wan said in a tired tone. Tahl looked at Qui-Gon grinning. They were clearly amazed at the simplicity of the child. "Mathter Keth told uth to shawe. Tho I gave him my food." The boy added.

"Master Kess taught you how to share, but why did you give everything away Obi-Wan?" Tahl asked showing a bit of her interrogator side. A few seconds passed until he replied. "We haf a lot of food in the temple, mathter. We not going hungwy." Obi-Wan replied and Tahl smiled, clearly satisfied with the boy's answer.

Qui-Gon sighed and grinned. Master Yoda was right. The mind and heart of a child gives unexplainable joy to their adult counterparts. No trace of corruption or malice tainted their thoughts and actions.

Satisfied and tired, Obi-Wan held on to Qui-Gon tighter, and his eyes began to droop. Soon, the young boy was fast asleep as they made their way to the temple.


TBC...

A/N - As promised, here's the next chapter. It's the longest I have made and hopefully you earthlings will like it. :D Also, I already have the ending for this fanfic...I'm not sure if I should keep the story longer than 5 chapters. Hmmm.

PLEASE DO REVIEW THOUGH! It makes any author's day. :D Hihi! :)

Special shoutout to the following: Valairy Scot, Crazy, MJLupin27, Rumbleroar'sSlumberingCubs, QueenYoda and S10Luxoka ~ Thank you for the reviews! You guys are awesome :) xo