Argetaie: I'm sorry! I'll try to make them longer from now on! ^^
sti: he definitely would have deserved it! But I guess you have to keep reading to find out! ;D
Lupinesence: I wonder with what stupid explanation he will come up with...
MSU82: Thanks for the praise! ^^ Yeah, I just figured that after twelve years travelling and living together something like a father-son bond should have developed between them! I am glad that you like it! ^^
Sophia the Scribe: Well, the future is always in motion and the simplest change in past can have grave influence on the future!
Chapter 3:
"So… that's Tatooine?" Obi-Wan asked himself, but Qui-Gon answered nevertheless, "May I remind you, Padawan mine, that it was you who asked to accompany me?"
The younger male stopped walking and turned fully to his Master, who returned his questioning look with a blank one. "I am quite aware of my request, Master, but I do not see what the connection to my statement is," a pause and Obi-Wan's eyes widened in realisation, "You think I am complaining!"
"I said no such things and I was unaware that you could read minds," the Jedi Master retorted calmly, his arms now folded before his chest.
Obi-Wan mimicked the gesture and he felt Padme and Jar Jar's gazes on them. "I have no mind reading abilities, but I don't need them to know what you are thinking." Qui-Gon's eyebrow rose and Obi-Wan had to hide a smile when he felt the older man checking his mental shields.
"Care to enlighten me, Padawan?" the last part was emphasised, but Obi-Wan ignored it.
"Certainly, Master! Your eyes darken when you are annoyed and there was only one possible reason for you to be. It certainly wasn't our environment," he gestured to their surroundings, "since nothing has happened just yet."
Qui-Gon huffed, "That's ridiculous!"
"There!" Obi-Wan exclaimed and pointed at the older man's eyes, causing their companions to lean closer, "That's exactly what I meant!"
"Now I see it too!" the young woman exclaimed excited, but her cheeks swiftly turned bright red and she turned her head away, when the Jedi Master's gaze landed on her. Jar Jar however approached the Jedi and leaned right into his face.
"Missa don't see anything!", stated Jar Jar.
"That's because there is nothing to see," Qui-Gon said calmly but with a certain edge to his voice that made Jar Jar retreat.
"You still think I am complaining!" the ginger haired man huffed and folded his arms back before his chest.
"Because you were!"
The Padawan suddenly turned towards their female comrade, who had watched the interaction with growing interest, "Padme, was I complaining?"
"Oh, I didn't hear any complaint! Did you Jar Jar?", the young answered.
"Missa neither!"
"See Master, I was simply stating the obvious!", Padme nodded in agreement at that and Obi-Wan smiled at her.
The older Jedi barely kept himself from rolling his eyes, at least he had to keep up the picture of a stoic Jedi, instead he said, "I think I know you better, my insolent Padawan, therefore I imagine to know when you are complaining and when you are 'stating the obvious'."
The younger man looked insulted and promptly turned away from his Master, "Come Padme, let's go and find some more suitable company!"
He offered Padme his arm, which the young woman instantly took. "Indeed, Master Jedi. Maybe somebody who is more civilized," she winked at Obi-Wan.
"Obi-Wan will do, my lady."
"Such a gentleman, if just everybody were like this…" she looked accusingly over her shoulder at the long haired Jedi, who trotted behind the pair.
Qui-Gon's expression remained calm, but mentally he shook his head at the antics of the younger people. He was glad that Obi-Wan was enjoying himself, but Qui-Gon would make sure to remind his apprentice about the 'no attachment' rule in the Jedi Code if he went too far. Not that he doubted the younger man, but Qui-Gon knew what it meant to be young.
Obi-Wan guessed he and the disguised queen were a comically sight, but he didn't mind. Padme had been a great friend in his former life and he would make certain that she would be in this life as well. Further Padme was one of the key aspects of Anakin's fall and maybe the young Skywalker could be kept in the light with a little help of the young woman, who was asking him tons of questions about his life as a Jedi.
Obi-Wan tried to answer every question as good as possible, without saying too much. For one, some aspects of a Jedi's life should be kept secret and further he didn't want to make Qui-Gon even more suspicious.
The older Jedi had watched him during their walk with a strange look in his midnight blue eyes and Obi-Wan knew he was getting suspicious. Either he had to be more careful from now on, or he would have to think of a good lie. He wanted to avoid the latter, he always hated lying to Qui-Gon. But if it would keep the older man save, then he would do it!
{Tell her about our mission on Kegan!}
Obi-Wan would have grimaced, but Padme would have asked questions and Obi-Wan does not want to talk about Kegan. Instead he send the Force equivalent of sticking out once tongue, {How about you tell her about Jenna Zan Arbor?}
This comment earned him the Force equivalent of a slap on the back of his head, but it had been worth it. He looked over his shoulder and gave his Master a toothy grin, which the older man returned with a rolling of his eyes and a small smile.
{Insolent brat! I thought I had taught you better!}
{You did… maybe. But you shouldn't forget that I am your 'insolent brat'!}
{How could I?}
Obi-Wan didn't reply, because Padme chose exactly that moment to point out the shabby looking town they were approaching. Qui-Gon send his apprentice a last order, namely to be careful and mindful of his surroundings, before their full attention returned to the task at hand.
