Chapter Seven: The Sparring Match
Author's Notes: Whee, another chapter. Warning: The next chapter contains much Qui/Jade mush... awww... This chapter is dedicated to Lizella cause she loves Qui-Gon!!!
* * *
After closing the shop for the day, Jaydn went back to the Temple to practice. She stepped into one of the rooms with her real lightsaber. Drew didn't allow her to carry it around besides when she practiced, because her skills, like his bartering, left much to be desired. She had made the lightsaber only two months ago, and was still getting used to the feel of it. For the focusing crystal she had used the jewel that she had been given by the rich couple back when she had been a slave. It seemed to anchor her somewhat to her past, so that she would never forget. The rest she had constructed on her own from bits and pieces of things that she found. The result was her very own lightsaber.
She pressed a button on the control panel of the wall, and one of the practice droids leapt into the air. It was a small sphere, dimpled with holes that stinging bursts of energy could be shot through. It was designed to hone the senses, skills, and Force-use of a Jedi. Jaydn picked up an eye shield and placed it over her face so that she could see nothing. Then she pulled her lightsaber from her belt and ignited it. Though she couldn't see it, she could hear the silvery blade jump to crackling life. The handle warmed under her touch, vibrating softly.
As her lightsaber came to life, she heard the remote begin to spin around her. She followed the sound, and heard a soft whoosh as it released a shot of energy. She was able to bring her lightsaber around in time to block it, but was not so lucky with the next blast, which left her arm stinging. A growl escaped her lips, and she reached out for the Force. As always, it was there, and filled her, sending messages about where the droid would be and where it would fire.
Now she moved with grace and ease, blocking each burst more and more easily. She felt for the control panel and pressed another button. Instantly, another remote came up and heightened the excitement of the fight. The Force filled her now, quickening and controlling each movement. She spun to the left, lifting her lightsaber to deflect a bolt, then ducked down, bringing the blade around in an arc so that the energy burst ricocheted in another direction.
She didn't know how long she practiced, but it must have been over an hour, for fatigue was catching up with her. Time to practice a move she'd been thinking of. She batted away one more bolt before running straight at the wall. Right before she reached it she jumped up, giving herself backward motion. She stretched out her legs and when her feet found the wall she pushed hard against it and twisted. Her body flipped completely over, but with the twist she landed facing away from the wall. Her lightsaber thrust forward, slicing through a remote directly in front of her, and then she turned slightly, parrying to destroy the second.
She switched her lightsaber off and pulled off the blindfold, panting heavily. She backed up, leaning against the wall as she sought the Force to replenish her energy. Just then, the door hissed open. Drew glanced at the mess. "I told you, Jade, the Temple can't keep buying more of these things." He grinned. "Come on, time for your sparring practice."
"Already?"
"Yep. You're late, actually. Come on."
He came over and took her hand, pulling her towards the door. She resisted. "Drew, I really don't want to be beat by a kid again."
She didn't see the sparkle that leapt into his eyes. "Just picture him as a remote droid. You seem to do fine with those, unless you've rewired their programming or something. Besides," he added, "maybe you won't be beat by a kid today."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll see..." He led her into the sparring room, where she could already hear two other sets of Jedi fighting. Grumbling softly, she took a practice lightsaber and followed Drew. Then she saw who was warming up in Davin's usual spot.
"Qui-Gon!" she cried, rushing towards him. "What are you doing here?"
He smiled. "You've got a new sparring partner, Jade." It took her a moment to catch on, but when she did, her eyes lit up for a moment. Then she frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Well... it's you. You could kill me if we ever fought with real lightsabers. How can I possibly beat you in anything?"
He touched her face. "I think you can do more than you allow yourself to. Let go of your fear and don't worry about what you can't do. The more you focus on what you are able to do, the more you can do. Understand?"
"Strangely, yes." She smiled again. "Let's go, then."
She stretched her muscles quickly then followed Qui-Gon into the sparring circle. Drew stood on the side, watching as always. "You can do it, Jade," he called encouragingly.
The two bowed to each other and ignited the practice lightsabers. "Ready?" he asked.
"Definitely." She came towards him, and he raised his lightsaber to block her blow, spinning to face her as she moved to his rear. He engaged her in battle, pressing her back. She countered after a moment, catching him off guard. He almost slipped, but found his footing quickly, thrusting her blade aside. They stepped back, considering their next moves.
She feinted a step backwards, then came on strong with a series of fast movements. He had to work hard to keep up, and it pleased her slightly to see the perspiration break out on his forehead. She was going to make him work for this victory, even if she couldn't win. They reached the edge of the circle but she kept driving him back.
Qui-Gon grinned as they paused a moment. "So were you just fooling us all this time, letting a twelve-year-old beat you?"
"That's for me to know," she shot back. He ducked as she swung the lightsaber at his head, and then she had to leap up as he countered with a swing at her legs. She blocked another blow, and their lightsabers sizzled as they pressed against each other.
A crowd was gathering, but neither of them noticed it. Their dance continued, back and forth, and Drew beamed proudly. He had always known that she had it in her. It took someone she loved and trusted to bring it into the open.
He could tell she was tiring, and whispered softly, "Use the Force, Jade. Let it fill you."
Whether or not she heard him, she seemed to gain momentum and held Qui-Gon at check right before she reached the wall. Their lightsabers crashed together and held there as each pressed against the other, trying to unbalance their opponent. "Catch me if you can," she said, shoving him aside with her lightsaber and running at the wall. Calling on the Force, she used the same move she had just practiced and sailed over Qui-Gon's head. He turned to face her, expecting her to have to turn as well, but she had flipped in mid-air and she pointed her lightsaber at his chest as she landed right before he turned. "You're dead, Qui-Gon."
Fighting a grin, Drew held up a hand. "Stop!" Jaydn turned to him, pushing a few stray hairs, sticky with sweat, away from her face and wondering what she had done wrong. A sly smile crept across his face, and he turned his gaze to Qui-Gon. "Now Qui-Gon, what did you do wrong?"
The Jedi took a moment to catch his breath. "I clearly underestimated the skills of my very worthy opponent," he said with a smile. Turning to Jaydn, he began to clap, and soon all of those gathered were applauding her as well.
She flushed scarlet. "Thank you," she whispered.
Drew held up his hand again. "That's enough for now. Jaydn..."
"I know, go to the practice room."
"Absolutely not. We're going to celebrate! Drinks are on... Qui-Gon, since he was definitely not the victor in this match."
Her blush increased. "In that case, let me change, and I'll meet both of you there."
As Drew and Qui-Gon turned to leave, Yoda appeared at the edge of the crowd. He waddled up to Drew. "Settled, it is. Much improved, your Padawan is. Leave for you mission, you will, in one week." He harumphed, and walked off.
Qui-Gon stared after him a moment, battling deep emotions. "You're leaving." His tone was flat and unfeeling, but he wanted to scream.
"Sorry, old boy. I just found out this morning."
There was a long silence between the two. "Does Jade know?"
"Not yet. I couldn't bring myself to tell her."
"When are you planning on doing it? The night before you leave?"
Drew could pick out the hurt in the young Jedi's voice, though it was very well masked. "Tonight, after dinner and drinks."
"Tell her I'll be in the Gardens," the boy turned to walk away, but Drew grabbed him by the arm.
"Hey. This is her night. If I could, I wouldn't tell her tonight for all the wealth in the galaxy. But I have to. She has to know by tomorrow so we can go to the briefing. So I want to make this night as special as I can before I have to ruin it all. You have to be there now, not later. And you have to pretend like you know nothing."
Qui-Gon turned to him, a stony look on his face. "I don't keep secrets from Jaydn. Maybe you do, but I don't."
Drew closed his eyes. He could see so much of himself in the boy. It almost frightened him. "I don't keep secrets. I make decisions. They may not be the best decisions, but they're as close as it's gonna get. I do my best, Qui-Gon. That's all I can do. Understand?"
He sighed in grim acceptance. "Yes."
"So you'll come."
Qui-Gon nodded miserably. He didn't want to be torn away from her again. But it was the will of the Force, and he must submit himself to it. "I'll come. She won't know anything until you tell her."
"Thank you." Drew hugged the young Jedi briefly. "I'll take good care of her, you know?"
He nodded again. "I just have a bad feeling about this."
END CHAPTER SEVEN
Author's Notes: Whee, another chapter. Warning: The next chapter contains much Qui/Jade mush... awww... This chapter is dedicated to Lizella cause she loves Qui-Gon!!!
* * *
After closing the shop for the day, Jaydn went back to the Temple to practice. She stepped into one of the rooms with her real lightsaber. Drew didn't allow her to carry it around besides when she practiced, because her skills, like his bartering, left much to be desired. She had made the lightsaber only two months ago, and was still getting used to the feel of it. For the focusing crystal she had used the jewel that she had been given by the rich couple back when she had been a slave. It seemed to anchor her somewhat to her past, so that she would never forget. The rest she had constructed on her own from bits and pieces of things that she found. The result was her very own lightsaber.
She pressed a button on the control panel of the wall, and one of the practice droids leapt into the air. It was a small sphere, dimpled with holes that stinging bursts of energy could be shot through. It was designed to hone the senses, skills, and Force-use of a Jedi. Jaydn picked up an eye shield and placed it over her face so that she could see nothing. Then she pulled her lightsaber from her belt and ignited it. Though she couldn't see it, she could hear the silvery blade jump to crackling life. The handle warmed under her touch, vibrating softly.
As her lightsaber came to life, she heard the remote begin to spin around her. She followed the sound, and heard a soft whoosh as it released a shot of energy. She was able to bring her lightsaber around in time to block it, but was not so lucky with the next blast, which left her arm stinging. A growl escaped her lips, and she reached out for the Force. As always, it was there, and filled her, sending messages about where the droid would be and where it would fire.
Now she moved with grace and ease, blocking each burst more and more easily. She felt for the control panel and pressed another button. Instantly, another remote came up and heightened the excitement of the fight. The Force filled her now, quickening and controlling each movement. She spun to the left, lifting her lightsaber to deflect a bolt, then ducked down, bringing the blade around in an arc so that the energy burst ricocheted in another direction.
She didn't know how long she practiced, but it must have been over an hour, for fatigue was catching up with her. Time to practice a move she'd been thinking of. She batted away one more bolt before running straight at the wall. Right before she reached it she jumped up, giving herself backward motion. She stretched out her legs and when her feet found the wall she pushed hard against it and twisted. Her body flipped completely over, but with the twist she landed facing away from the wall. Her lightsaber thrust forward, slicing through a remote directly in front of her, and then she turned slightly, parrying to destroy the second.
She switched her lightsaber off and pulled off the blindfold, panting heavily. She backed up, leaning against the wall as she sought the Force to replenish her energy. Just then, the door hissed open. Drew glanced at the mess. "I told you, Jade, the Temple can't keep buying more of these things." He grinned. "Come on, time for your sparring practice."
"Already?"
"Yep. You're late, actually. Come on."
He came over and took her hand, pulling her towards the door. She resisted. "Drew, I really don't want to be beat by a kid again."
She didn't see the sparkle that leapt into his eyes. "Just picture him as a remote droid. You seem to do fine with those, unless you've rewired their programming or something. Besides," he added, "maybe you won't be beat by a kid today."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll see..." He led her into the sparring room, where she could already hear two other sets of Jedi fighting. Grumbling softly, she took a practice lightsaber and followed Drew. Then she saw who was warming up in Davin's usual spot.
"Qui-Gon!" she cried, rushing towards him. "What are you doing here?"
He smiled. "You've got a new sparring partner, Jade." It took her a moment to catch on, but when she did, her eyes lit up for a moment. Then she frowned. "What's wrong?"
"Well... it's you. You could kill me if we ever fought with real lightsabers. How can I possibly beat you in anything?"
He touched her face. "I think you can do more than you allow yourself to. Let go of your fear and don't worry about what you can't do. The more you focus on what you are able to do, the more you can do. Understand?"
"Strangely, yes." She smiled again. "Let's go, then."
She stretched her muscles quickly then followed Qui-Gon into the sparring circle. Drew stood on the side, watching as always. "You can do it, Jade," he called encouragingly.
The two bowed to each other and ignited the practice lightsabers. "Ready?" he asked.
"Definitely." She came towards him, and he raised his lightsaber to block her blow, spinning to face her as she moved to his rear. He engaged her in battle, pressing her back. She countered after a moment, catching him off guard. He almost slipped, but found his footing quickly, thrusting her blade aside. They stepped back, considering their next moves.
She feinted a step backwards, then came on strong with a series of fast movements. He had to work hard to keep up, and it pleased her slightly to see the perspiration break out on his forehead. She was going to make him work for this victory, even if she couldn't win. They reached the edge of the circle but she kept driving him back.
Qui-Gon grinned as they paused a moment. "So were you just fooling us all this time, letting a twelve-year-old beat you?"
"That's for me to know," she shot back. He ducked as she swung the lightsaber at his head, and then she had to leap up as he countered with a swing at her legs. She blocked another blow, and their lightsabers sizzled as they pressed against each other.
A crowd was gathering, but neither of them noticed it. Their dance continued, back and forth, and Drew beamed proudly. He had always known that she had it in her. It took someone she loved and trusted to bring it into the open.
He could tell she was tiring, and whispered softly, "Use the Force, Jade. Let it fill you."
Whether or not she heard him, she seemed to gain momentum and held Qui-Gon at check right before she reached the wall. Their lightsabers crashed together and held there as each pressed against the other, trying to unbalance their opponent. "Catch me if you can," she said, shoving him aside with her lightsaber and running at the wall. Calling on the Force, she used the same move she had just practiced and sailed over Qui-Gon's head. He turned to face her, expecting her to have to turn as well, but she had flipped in mid-air and she pointed her lightsaber at his chest as she landed right before he turned. "You're dead, Qui-Gon."
Fighting a grin, Drew held up a hand. "Stop!" Jaydn turned to him, pushing a few stray hairs, sticky with sweat, away from her face and wondering what she had done wrong. A sly smile crept across his face, and he turned his gaze to Qui-Gon. "Now Qui-Gon, what did you do wrong?"
The Jedi took a moment to catch his breath. "I clearly underestimated the skills of my very worthy opponent," he said with a smile. Turning to Jaydn, he began to clap, and soon all of those gathered were applauding her as well.
She flushed scarlet. "Thank you," she whispered.
Drew held up his hand again. "That's enough for now. Jaydn..."
"I know, go to the practice room."
"Absolutely not. We're going to celebrate! Drinks are on... Qui-Gon, since he was definitely not the victor in this match."
Her blush increased. "In that case, let me change, and I'll meet both of you there."
As Drew and Qui-Gon turned to leave, Yoda appeared at the edge of the crowd. He waddled up to Drew. "Settled, it is. Much improved, your Padawan is. Leave for you mission, you will, in one week." He harumphed, and walked off.
Qui-Gon stared after him a moment, battling deep emotions. "You're leaving." His tone was flat and unfeeling, but he wanted to scream.
"Sorry, old boy. I just found out this morning."
There was a long silence between the two. "Does Jade know?"
"Not yet. I couldn't bring myself to tell her."
"When are you planning on doing it? The night before you leave?"
Drew could pick out the hurt in the young Jedi's voice, though it was very well masked. "Tonight, after dinner and drinks."
"Tell her I'll be in the Gardens," the boy turned to walk away, but Drew grabbed him by the arm.
"Hey. This is her night. If I could, I wouldn't tell her tonight for all the wealth in the galaxy. But I have to. She has to know by tomorrow so we can go to the briefing. So I want to make this night as special as I can before I have to ruin it all. You have to be there now, not later. And you have to pretend like you know nothing."
Qui-Gon turned to him, a stony look on his face. "I don't keep secrets from Jaydn. Maybe you do, but I don't."
Drew closed his eyes. He could see so much of himself in the boy. It almost frightened him. "I don't keep secrets. I make decisions. They may not be the best decisions, but they're as close as it's gonna get. I do my best, Qui-Gon. That's all I can do. Understand?"
He sighed in grim acceptance. "Yes."
"So you'll come."
Qui-Gon nodded miserably. He didn't want to be torn away from her again. But it was the will of the Force, and he must submit himself to it. "I'll come. She won't know anything until you tell her."
"Thank you." Drew hugged the young Jedi briefly. "I'll take good care of her, you know?"
He nodded again. "I just have a bad feeling about this."
END CHAPTER SEVEN
