Disclaimer: Qui Gon Jinn and others you recognize belongs to George Lucas. Everything you don't is mine. Have fun, enjoy.
A/N: This takes place during the Xanatos' last mission as written by Jude Watson in Jedi Apprentice. Please read and review.
"If I could be like that-
I would give anything
Just to live one day, in those shoes."
- Be Like That, Three Doors Down
Be Like That
By: Robin Goodfellow
Nero Croal was not a person you'd expect to hear a story about. He was a slight, weak bodied boy with sandy white hair, dull blue eyes resting on a small freckled nose above a weak mouth and unto a small frame. He had lived, and according to him it was a long, grueling time, his eight years of life in the capital of Telos. It had been a dull existence, with no sign of excitement or adventure. This dull life was not his own doing for Nero was born sick. He had grown up with fragile bones that made him likely to break easily. This handicap robbed Nero of rough and tumble days and in this story Nero is covering from broken legs. He is barely beginning to walk again although he does it with great pain. Not that Nero minded the confindment, he rather enjoyed it. Alone, in his room he could write the stories he loved to create. They were riveting tales about Jedi Knights and bounty hunters, and he enjoyed telling them almost as much as he would have had he been able to live them.
And today Nero sat in his hov=chair with a blanket over his legs, watching the city pass him by. Behind him, his father Mede, a journalist was pacing around the living room excited. Loma, his mother was sitting in a large, plush chair reading some book and smiling at Mede's boyish excitement.
"Are you sure?" Mede asked. "I mean are you certain?"
"Yes father, I am certain. It's the same Jedi Knight who came years ago."
The words Jedi Knight caught Nero's ear. Curious, he slid into the living room just in time to see his brother Aheme stuff a whole Gen melon into his mouth and chew happily. Aheme always looked like a Jedi to Nero. Aheme was everything Nero wasn't; tall, handsome and with cobalt blue eyes hidden under a crop of midnight black hair. He loved life almost as he did food, as his mother joked. Aheme also had a promising future. He was apprentice to the chief butler of Crion. In time Aheme would be in charge of the estate of the Governor of Telos, the most powerful man on the planet. But for right now, Aheme seemed content to make faces behind his father's back.
"And you're certain it's the Prince?"
"Which one father?" He asked curiously, smiling evilly at Nero. He motioned to a table knife that was near Nero. Casually he picked one up as well.
Nero got the idea and inched toward the knife.
"Prince De Neri Jinn!!"
"Oh, that one- well I never hear Crion call him De Neri but Jinn sounds familiar." Aheme said as he neared his brother. "Qui Gon Jinn, is what Crion calls him."
"Yes, yes that is the name he takes but he's nobility on his homeworld. Loma, can you imagine what I could get on for just one interview with him? We could buy a new speeder with the money I'd get for a good story."
"Die Jedi!" Aheme suddenly shouted as he dived at Nero. Nero rebutted with his "lightsaber." making the noises to go along. Together the two boys fought around the living room eager to end this duel because unlike their father who was laughing, Loma looked deadly.
"Dad, Master Jinn is here for serious reasons. The tensions between us and our neighbor is escalating, Crion says they'll be war. If they keep up these attacks Telos will go to war."
"The Jedi won't let that happen Aheme." Loma said softly, although her voice wavered. "Besides if what you say is true, this Jedi Qui Gon has Xanatos with him. Xanatos is Crion's son, he won't let anything happen to Telos."
Nero noticed something strange cross Aheme's face. Something he had never seen before on his brother. He looked torn and at the same time very afraid.
Qui Gon Jinn leaned back and sunk into the chair. Smiling, he relaxed and lolled his head to the side. "You've done well, Crion."
Crion smiled contentedly. Years had refined the lines on his face and caused his hair to gray but he still held a contained fire in his eyes. Eyes that were now squarely on Qui Gon. "I have you to thank, Qui. You put me in power."
"I merely helped those who needed help. In the end, the people chose you as their leader."
"I was a scientist, not a fighter. You taught me how to rule."
Qui Gon rubbed his hands together and sighed. "Perhaps. But you gave me something far more valuable."
Crion's eyes darkened. "Ah, Xanatos."
"He's an excellent student, and one day he will make a fine Jedi Knight."
"Why hasn't he already?"
"The Council doesn't feel, he is ready. But I promise you Crion, this will be his last mission as a student."
"What would I do without you Qui? You've been a good friend." Crion leaned over and grasped the Jedi's hand. "I still have the gift you gave me."
Qui Gon laughed a little, surprised. "The ring?"
The old Governor held up his hand. In the firelight, a silver ring glistened from his finger. Years ago, as Crion expressed his concerns of leadership to Qui Gon, the Jedi had given him that ring. It was a token passed on from father to son in Qui Gon's family with a special history. As nobles, the Jinn had understood that the choices that needed to be made were never easy. But that didn't stop them from being made. The ring had been a gift from a friend to Qui Gon's great grandfather for saving his life. That friend was later killed by his ancestor. The ring was a symbol of the cost of leadership and the need for unwavering dedication to it.
"I've always worn it, Qui Gon." Crion went on seriously. "I shall never take it off, till I die."
The Jedi bowed his head, deeply moved. "Thank you, my friend."
"And now, to business." Crion said. From a side door, two servants entered with food and tea. It was the elder butler and a younger man, Qui Gon assumed to be his student. "I fear war, Qui Gon. The talks today did not go as planned. The Tellusians will not be easy to work it. And there is nothing I can do but defend Telos if it comes to that."
"You're right. This first meeting did not go well but that is no reason to give up hope."
"If today is any indication the talks are crippled. I see little change in the future."
"You must have faith Crion, I will not allow war to come." Qui Gon said the words with a little more sincerity, a little more emotion then wise for a Jedi. Beside him the younger butler leaned down and served him. "Thank you...what was your name?"
"Aheme, sir."
Qui Gon nodded. "And now Crion. I fear I must withdraw. I'm tired and if I'm not mistaken, you want to talk with your son."
"Thank you Qui Gon and if you need anything, Aheme is at your call. He's assigned to you."
"Again, many thanks, Governor."
"And you service him!" Nero exclaimed into the cool night. "I mean, you've really met him."
Aheme, half-asleep, mumbled. "Yes, Nero I have."
"Wow...and he's like us."
"Well, not exactly like us. He sleeps on a bed of fire, and can shoot ice from his hands."
"Aheme! You're teasing me!"
The brother laughed. "Go to sleep, Nero. I have to go to work tomorrow, early."
"But you got to meet him! It's not fair." Nero rolled over on his back. "I wish I weren't sick."
