EPILOGUE
As the weeks and months passed after Sidious' defeat, a new Chancellor was elected; Bail Organa of Alderaan. He was able to stop the flow of money, materiel and personnel to the frontlines and forged a tentative peace with the Separatists – many of whom genuinely sought secession from the Republic.
Order 66 – an implanted command for the clone troopers to turn on the Jedi – was never implemented. As many clones as could be found were rounded up for deprogramming. Several couldn't be deprogrammed and had to be euthanized. Hundreds more couldn't be located and were now likely working for some of the acolytes to which Sidious had referred.
Commander Cody was horrified when he learned what had been done to him and, after the treatment, offered his services as liaison between the military and the Jedi. Shortly after beginning his new post, he learned that he was to become a father.
Padmé continued to regain her strength and mobility – two years after her injury she only displayed a small limp when overly tired. She and Obi-Wan grew ever closer, and marriage had crossed both their minds, although neither had the courage to raise the issue first.
Once Obi-Wan had recovered from Sidious' assault, he went back to his duties as a Jedi Master and trainer to Padawan Tano. He had not yet been offered a place on the Council, but that day was not far off.
Two years after Sidious' death, Melarina married Kayden Calrissian and moved with Javen to Cloud City. Her marriage did not stop her flirting with Qui-Gon every chance she got – Kayden seemed to find it amusing.
As for Qui-Gon, outwardly he seemed unchanged. Yet Obi-Wan could now feel the older man's longing for love and family. And three years after Sidious' defeat, he began to wonder anew whether Qui-Gon and Kila might suit each other. She'd grown greatly in confidence over the preceding years, now able to flirt back with her customers, and had become a very good friend.
"Obi-Wan; are you ready?" Qui-Gon said, appearing at Obi-Wan's door looking tired and sad. Dooku's turn to the Dark Side had hurt him deeply and his capture and torture of Obi-Wan at Rattatak the previous year had only added to that hurt.
"Yes," Obi-Wan said. "But do you mind if we go to Dex's instead? I'm hungry and in dire need of caf."
Qui-Gon's nose wrinkled. "I'd love to know who was responsible for introducing you to that stuff," he said.
He was about to find out.
The two men departed the Temple, chatting amiably about upcoming missions – they'd begun participating in joint missions once more now that the war had ended. Although they were both still commissioned officers in the Republic military, those commissions were inactive.
The conversation turned personal as they entered the door, still talking in the peculiar language that had developed over the ten millennia of the Jedi's growth. "Do you think she wishes to marry you?" Qui-Gon asked, shepherding the younger man into a booth. "If she doesn't, this entire discussion is moot."
"Well, you certainly know how to cheer a man up – thank you for that, Master," Obi-Wan replied dryly. He sat down and Qui-Gon followed suit.
"You're very welcome, Padawan." Qui-Gon laughed and leaned back, spreading his long arms across the length of the booth. His nose wrinkled once more then he smiled. "I smell Chandril winter broth," he said. "Someone really knows how to cook."
"You haven't eaten for a while, Qui-Gon," Obi-Wan prodded less than subtly. Qui-Gon – stubborn creature that he was – could be astonishingly neglectful of his health at times.
"I've eaten enough today," Qui-Gon replied firmly.
"Of course," Obi-Wan said, deciding to let Kila fight that particular battle – she was terribly strong-willed too and it would be interesting to see those wills clash.
Kila came over to their table, her order pad at the ready. "Hi, guys; what can I get you?"
Obi-Wan smiled up at Kila, greeted her and gave his order.
Qui-Gon looked up; his eyes widened with admiration and he flushed faintly. "Ah … just a glass of water for me, please," he said, offering Kila a warm smile.
Kila wasn't about to let a customer have only water – not influenced by the profit motive but by her own maternal instincts. Although how she was able to mother someone more than twice her age was certainly an impressive feat. She persuaded Qui-Gon into the winter broth then, surprisingly, sat down next to him to join in the discussion of Obi-Wan's love life. Although inexperienced in matters of the heart, Kila was wise and practical, able to get to the core of an issue.
As Obi-Wan watched Qui-Gon and Kila interact, he felt the stirrings of a bond beginning to form. Happily in love himself, he wanted the same for Qui-Gon and Kila. They had everything they could ever want in each other, but only time would tell whether they would realize it.
Only a few minutes later, Kila ejected the men from the diner, handing Qui-Gon a travel flask with the soup. Their hands brushed and Obi-Wan felt the attraction between them as if it were a live thing.
"So … what did you think?" Obi-Wan asked as they strolled out of the diner.
Qui-Gon turned back and perused Kila's busy form then smiled. "She's lovely," he said simply. "I can see why you like her so much, Obi-Wan."
Obi-Wan knew better than to push. Qui-Gon was wary of giving his heart and Kila was shy and inexperienced. Far better to let matters take their natural course. "I'm glad," he replied just as simply. "One can never have too many friends."
And if a friendship with Kila became Qui-Gon's second chance at lasting happiness, Obi-Wan would consider this a good day's work.
THE END