Chapter Twenty-Six

Obi-Wan watched as Qui-Gon shifted into fighting stance, a Corellian rapier in one hand, a dagger in the other. Obi-Wan moved to Qui-Gon's left, the point of his sword level with Qui-Gon's face, a dagger in his other hand. They circled each other.

The two men were alone in the gymnasium at the Temple. It was late, nearly midnight. Unable to sleep, Obi-Wan had contacted Qui-Gon and asked if he wouldn't mind sparring with him.

Sometime ago, when Obi-Wan first discovered Old Republic holovids, he convinced Qui-Gon to practice old-style Corellian fencing with him. Different in technique from lightsaber dueling, both men had come to enjoy it over the years.

Obi-Wan advanced, driving his rapier toward Qui-Gon's ribs, but Qui-Gon quickly parried, then spun away from him. His master then lunged with his dagger.

Obi-Wan caught it with the blade of his rapier. The dagger slid down the blade as Qui-Gon pressed his attack.

Obi-Wan thrust out with his knife toward Qui-Gon, but Qui-Gon's rapier rose up under Obi-Wan's guard, driving toward his heart. Obi-Wan, realizing his peril, swiftly deflected the rapier away with his dagger.

"Excellent, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said as the two men stepped back from each other. "But, I almost got you there. Your mind is not on the match, Padawan."

That's an understatement, Obi-Wan thought as he attacked again, a flurry of strokes which, for a time, kept Qui-Gon so occupied he couldn't make any counters; he was too busy parrying against the younger Jedi's advance.

Then, suddenly, Qui-Gon turned aside one of Obi-Wan's strokes, deftly evaded the counter-swing, twisted, then whacked Obi-Wan smartly on the backside with the rapier.

"Ow!" Obi-Wan cried, more from embarrassment than from having felt any actual pain.

"All right, Obi-Wan. That's enough."

Qui-Gon turned and walked over to the side of the gym where he placed the blades into a rack. He picked up a towel and tossed it to Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan caught the towel with his rapier. He flicked it around his neck with the blade, then put his rapier and the dagger in the rack.

Qui-Gon picked up another towel. He sat on one of the benches alongside the gymnasium wall, wiping his face and neck.

"Shall we talk, Padawan?"

"About what, Master?"

"About what's troubling you?"

Obi-Wan sighed as he sat next to Qui-Gon. He pulled the towel from around his neck and balled it up in his hand.

"It's this mission, Master. I still don't think it's wise to assign Aalea as my acting apprentice. I know it's only practice, but..." He twisted the towel, then dropped it on the floor.

"But what?"

"I had no choice in the matter. If this were real, I would have had a choice as to who should be my padawan. And I wouldn't have chosen someone like Aalea."

"What do you mean 'someone like Aalea'?"

"She's, she's....difficult."

Qui-Gon shook his head. "According to Ke-Ondra, Aalea was a hard-working and diligent padawan-learner."

Obi-Wan frowned. "That's not what I meant."

"Are you talking about your Force bond with her?"

Obi-Wan shrugged.

Qui-Gon wrapped his towel around his neck, leaned back against the wall and stretched out his long legs.

"I would think the bond would be an advantage to your master/padawan relationship."

"Not if someone is shielding against you."

"I'm afraid I can't help you with that, Obi-Wan. You and Aalea must work that out on your own. Give her time."

Obi-Wan picked up his towel and twisted it between his hands.

"It's fine with me if she wants to keep shielding," he said frowning.

Qui-Gon sighed. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"

Obi-Wan wrapped his towel around his neck. Then, unconsciously, he copied his master's posture, his back against the wall, his legs stretched out before him.

"Well, I could use some advice on how to deal with the mission. I've looked over the briefs and it seems pretty straightforward. Although there was some opposition to the treaty on both sides, it appears to have been smoothed out. Looks to me like we'll be nothing more than window-dressing for the wedding."

Qui-Gon shook his head. "That's a dangerous attitude to take, Obi-Wan. Sylvonna and Tarkasia were at war for 200 years. There could still be resentment within both parties regarding the peace accord. Be wary. Remember, you and Aalea are also there as Guardians of the Peace. Keep your eyes open. Watch. Listen."

"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan looked over at Qui-Gon, a small smile on his lips. "This will be the first time in years we haven't been on a mission together. Will you miss me?"

Qui-Gon laughed. "Of course. But change is good. New experiences help us to grow."

"Especially if it's an experience with someone like Mistress Nyal."

Qui-Gon frowned at Obi-Wan, his gaze piercing.

Oh, oh, Obi-Wan thought. Now what had he said?

Qui-Gon saw the look on Obi-Wan's face and shook his head.

"Sorry. I thought you were implying something."

"No problem, Master. I was just thinking you're going on a mission with Mistress Nyal and...."

"And what?"

"Want to swap her for Aalea?" Obi-Wan asked, his eyes dancing.

Qui-Gon chuckled. "Really, that's not kind, Obi-Wan. Aalea is," then Qui-Gon thought about her impetuous kissing of him, "someone from whom you can learn much," he finished.

Obi-Wan nodded. He agreed there was much Aalea could teach him and foremost would be how to become a better Jedi. The incident at her quarters that morning, the way she had looked, the things he had felt, Obi-Wan had spent most of the afternoon meditating on. He had wanted to remind himself of who he was and what it was he truly desired. He had resisted such urges before and he was certain he could do so again.

Thus, when he had met with Aalea later to discuss the mission with her, he had been detached and dispassionate. He had watched coolly the anger smoldering in her violet eyes, noted objectively the color rising in her cheeks and, had even thought it faintly interesting she could say 'yes, master' without moving her lips.

As a result, Obi-Wan was certain the only thing he now felt towards her was some apprehension as to whether she would prove a liability on the mission.

He looked over at his master's strong and noble profile. In Obi-Wan's eyes, Qui-Gon was the quintessential Jedi. He was certain his master had never been distracted from his duty or destiny by the sight of a smooth bare shoulder or the curve of a silken breast, the sound of a soft sweet voice or the dazzling beauty of a pair of violet eyes. No, his master had dedicated his entire life to the will of the Force. That was Obi-Wan's goal also.

Qui-Gon stood and looked down at him.

"We'd both better get some rest, Obi-Wan. You'll be leaving the day after tomorrow and I still have much to do before I leave at the end of the week."

Obi-Wan nodded, stood and followed Qui-Gon to the showers.

To be continued....

-------------

Hi, just me the author, Moonscribe. Thanks so much for reading and I hope you have enjoyed the story so far. There's lots more to come. I'm just taking a moment here for a shameless plea for feedback. :-) If you've enjoyed the story so far, please use the most conveniently placed review box below and let me know. Feedback to a writer is like honey to a bee. We live for it. And it will be greatly appreciated, I assure you. :-) Take care and May the Force be With You! And, of course, will be posting more chapters soon.