Epilogue.

Two Days Later

The sun was setting over the city of Bandor, the last rays dancing upon the leftover ribbons of celebration below as Obi-Wan stood in the guest quarters packing his few belongings.

The Meerians certainly had had enough reason to throw a city wide party. Due to the feverish efforts of workers whose dreams just would not die, no matter what, the Home Planet Mine had been remade. The natives' important work could continue and the precious ionite was being collected even as he packed. The future of Bandomeer had never been so secure. And Obi-Wan felt proud to have helped save it.

He paused for a moment in his task, looking up to see Qui-Gon standing quietly against the window.

It struck him that it was the very same spot the Master had so frequented when they first arrived. Obi-Wan sighed softly. How different things were now. Gone was the turmoil raging just beneath the surface of Qui-Gon's iron shields, instead the Master stood serene and still. The shields were almost none existent now. The Force flowed with ease between and through them.

More content than he ever remembered being, Obi-Wan picked his way across their small guest room and came to stand at the older man's side. He let his eyes fall to the littered streets far below. Domestic workers were still in the process of tidying up after the day's celebrations.

Tilting his head back, he caught the last red beams from the sinking sun on his upturned face. How could he have ever hated such a sunset? The thought wound lazily through his mind. If his time in captivity had taught him anything, it was to appreciate the beauty that surrounded him at all times. And he would appreciate it now. With Qui-Gon at his side.

A rustle of paper drew his attention. He glanced over at his tall companion and saw to his surprise that Qui-Gon had withdrawn a piece of flimsy from his belt. The same one that had been waiting on Qui-Gon's bed when they had returned from their final official farewell with SonTag. He had not asked what it was. He trusted Qui-Gon now to let him in when he was ready. Which he appeared to be now. The Master had unfolded the note and was scanning the lines again, making no attempt to conceal it from Obi-Wan.

Carefully he read the scrawled script over Qui-Gon's arm.

It read:

If you are reading this now, it means I underestimated you, my old Master. Rest assured that it will not happen again. I enjoyed this little adventure together and I am certain you will have the pleasure of meeting me again very soon. I look forward to that day.

Xanatos

Obi-Wan's eyes flew to Qui-Gon's face, searching. Perhaps he had misread the older man's serenity.

But as he stared worriedly, Qui-Gon turned to him. A smile lurked behind the deep eyes. "I'm alright, Obi-Wan. Xanatos is nothing to me anymore. He can no longer cause me any hurt. He may defeat me one day, but he cannot hurt me. He is in the past and that belongs behind us."

With that he scrunched up the flimsy and tossed it to the other end of the room to be completely forgotten. Qui-Gon looked down at Obi-Wan. "Yoda has a new mission for us, Padawan."

He said those words as if they were the most natural things in the world.

"Padawan," Obi-Wan whispered, his heart still couldn't quite take it all in. After everything he had gone through he was finally Qui-Gon's Padawan. "Padawan."

Qui-Gon's eyes gentled. "Yes, Obi-Wan," he said, and the Master's mental shields fell completely away so Obi-Wan could feel nothing but his heartfelt sincerity. "You would have given your life for me down in those mines and in doing so taught me something very important. That light can still shine out even in the midst of the deepest darkness, and I thank you for that. The Past met the Future. When the student teaches the Master, then the circle is complete," Qui-Gon smiled. "You are my present and future, Obi-Wan, and I would be honoured to accept you as my Padawan Learner." He paused then, looking suddenly vulnerable. "That is, if you still want me for your Master."

Obi-Wan stared at him, overwhelmed, unparalleled joy rose within him. His throat closed and he could barely form the words he had waited so long to speak. But he did it. "I gladly accept you as my Master, Qui-Gon Jinn."

He looked up at Qui-Gon. His eyes shimmered. To his dismay a tear slipped free and rolled down his cheek. But he was powerless to stop it and the salty drop was soon followed by another.

Embarrassment filled him, but Qui-Gon only smiled, gently raising his hand to wipe them all away, and Obi-Wan couldn't help but notice that the Master's own eyes were strangely over bright.

Warmth swept through him.

As the work-roughened fingers brushed over his cheek, Obi-Wan closed his eyes, finally knowing that the uncertainty was over. Qui-Gon was with him and they would stride towards the future together, side by side.

There would be no more running.

The End.