TITLE: Wish You Were Here

By Jemmiah

*********

Jemmy,

Wish you were here. Weather very hot for this time of year, I am told. I'd go as far as to say it was stifling, so much that the air feels almost un-breathable. Really, it makes these robes and boots quite impractical, but what can you do? Qui-Gon has been spending as much time away from me as possible. He says that my feet smell ghastly. He says that's exactly the reason that padawans stand behind their masters. I always thought it had to do with being subservient and showing respect, that kind of thing. Well, now you know the truth. It's because our masters think we stink.

The food is interesting. I'm tempted to leave it at that, but suffice it to say that the stuff we've been living on makes our ration bars look appetising! The things you have to suffer in the name of the jedi council! I have visited many places in my time but this one does not rate highly at all with me. Somehow I do not foresee either my master or I making a return journey any time soon, and if Master Windu wishes to send us back in the future Qui-Gon has assured me that he will be informing him that he will have to find some other hapless individual to do the honors.

The rooms we are staying in are very cramped, but I've been in worse so I can't complain. After all, a Jedi shouldn't really be thinking of such material matters all the time. It's not part of our ethic, as you know. Still, give me a clean bed and somewhere to hang my lightsabre and I would be happy enough. I wish my master didn't snore so much though. It can get very wearing after a time! I think I might have done something to my back though because the mattress is very lumpy and the springs are threatening to work their way through the stuffing. Not like when you are with me. At least I have something warm and soft to cuddle up to.

Come to think of it I don't get much sleep then, either.

I've spent most of the last week studying all manner of documents pertaining to our negotiations. I've read and re-read the words so many times that the letters no longer have any meaning to me. I'm wearing my eyes out! My master covers his own boredom and frustration very well, but personally I think that he's missing Leona as much as I am missing you. Have I mentioned how much I'd rather be with you right now? I think I might have done! But such is a Jedi's life, and I must focus on what I am doing.

The woman here aren't particularly attractive, especially when compared to you.

When my master and I aren't in active negotiations we are meditating. I think my master does it because he is bored and won't actually admit it, but to tell the truth there is nothing here of interest. The scenery is underwhelming. The buildings are badly air-conditioned and a stark, grey color. The sun however is so dazzling that it almost reduces you to permanent blindness. I will end up in the infirmary for certain when I arrive back on Coruscant.

I hope you are keeping well. I don't really wish to moan about how bad conditions are here, I just wanted to give you an idea of how much I am not enjoying things without you and that I think about you whenever I am bored to tears, which as it turns out is on an extremely regular basis. Don't enjoy yourself too much with Rela, Spider and Meri! I expect the cantinas of Coruscant to still be full of alcohol when I come back! Try not to think of me, as I stand here, bored, with no way of telling when this torture will ever end…

All my very best wishes and continuing affection always,

Obi-Wan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What are you doing, padawan?" Qui-Gon asked, reclining on the sun lounger in the back of their luxury, ground floor apartment. "I would have thought that you of all people would be making the most of the generous accommodations so kindly provided for us on the conclusion of our negotiations! I thought you said," he paused to suck on the straw of the ever so slightly alcoholic cocktail her held within his hand, "you wanted to take a turn in the pool?"

"Yes," Obi-Wan's eyes twinkled brilliantly, "in a very short time. I'm just finishing off this letter telling Jemmy that it's absolute hell here."

"Terrible, isn't it?" agreed Qui-Gon with a single nod of the head.

"Unbearable, master. It's times like this that I sometimes have terrible doubts about my vocation and my suitability as a jedi." Kenobi smiled playfully as he conjured Jemmiah's face before him, wondering if Qui-Gon was similarly thinking of Leona. "But what can you do? It's our duty to suffer."

"Indeed. It's part of life's rich tapestry. A learning curve." Qui-Gon turned over on his stomach and snatched the sun cream from his padawan's grasp with the force.

"I wish she was here, though..." Obi-Wan's jaw began to drop, as two rather shapely pool attendants, one a leggy brunette and the other a very shapely blonde passed by with a drinks tray, also catching Qui-Gon's eye. There followed a long pause whilst they both tried to gather their thoughts…

"I don't know, though." Obi-Wan changed his mind rapidly. "Maybe it's better she wasn't."

~~~~~~~~~~

Jemmy,

Just to let you know that my master and I have just heard that we are going into extended negotiations. We may be some time…

Obi-Wan