Sorry about the delay in getting this chapter up! Between school, Play practice, Track Practice, and other things beyond my control, I've barely had anytime to SLEEP let alone write! Anyway... Now that I've gotten all serious and stuff, I'm gonna try and lighten this up by writing another funny chapter.. (I don't know if I'll succeed, but I can try!). And for all you Dooku fans who thought I was a little harsh in my portrayal of his character... TOUGH!!! ^_^ J/K! I made him nicer. But he had a sorta kinda reason to be like that before so don't be mad. ^_^ Anyway... Same things that were in Chapter 1 still apply... And as always, Enjoy!

***

Birthdays in the Jedi Temple were usually spent in quiet meditation and reflection. Padawan's sometimes had a small celebration with their master, but never anything too extravagant. So it was supposed to be on the beginning of Qui-Gon's 19th year. He started the day early, hoping to get his daily chores out of the way quickly to begin his meditation. Of course, from experience, he should have known that with friends like Tahl and Drean, things never went as planned.

Just as Qui-Gon was putting the finishing touches on Master Dooku's breakfast, the doorbell rang. Qui-Gon grabbed a nearby towel as dried his hands as he went to answer the door. Both Drean and Tahl stood with huge grins on their faces.

Qui-Gon greeted them with a confused look. They knew full well that he preferred to be alone on his birthday. Yet somehow they always conveniently "forgot" that bit of information. "What are you doing here?" He asked, suspiciously.

"Hello to you too, Qui." Drean answered sarcastically. She pushed he way inside the room without waiting to be invited. Tahl waited for acknowledgement before following.

"So how's the birthday boy this morning?" Tahl asked cheerfully, a mischievous tone in her voice.

"Wanting to be alone to meditate." He answered shortly, draping the towel over a nearby chair.

"My my..." Drean said coming along side of Qui-Gon. "Aren't we cranky this morning?"

"Must be having a case of the birthday blues, huh?" Tahl answered, coming up on the other side.

"What are you girls doing? Can't I just be alone today?" Qui-Gon sighed.

"Because we have lots more fun things planned for today, Qui." Drean said as the two Padawan's steered Qui-Gon towards the doorway.

"Yeah, and besides... What are friends for?" Tahl said. With that, they rushed Qui-Gon out of the door and down the halls of the Temple.

***

After a five minute walk, the three Padawans came to a rarely used screening room at the far end of the temple. Drean and Tahl had been planning this surprise for their friend for a few weeks now. So far, everything was going fine. Yet the best part of the entire thing would be the reaction on Qui-Gon's face.

"Now, you can't look untill everything is all set." Drean said, taking out a dark cloth and tying it over Qui-Gon's eyes.

"Why won't you at least tell me what's going on?" Qui-Gon asked, growing annoyed with each passing second.

"Because that would ruin the surprise, Qui-Gon." Tahl answered. "And that would make the both of us very upset. You wouldn't want to see that, now would you?"

Qui-Gon thought for a moment. He had seen both of his friends loose their tempers at one point or another. It took a lot to set both of the young Jedi off. But Qui-Gon knew that when they got mad, it was time to get out of sight. Both of them together could only cause massive destruction. He sighed reluctantly. "Alright, alright. Can't we just get this over with?"

Qui-Con could hear the grin in Drean's voice. "This way. You won't be disappointed." The Jedi Padawan allowed himself to be led into the room. He tried reaching out with his Jedi senses to see what was in the room, but everything was cleverly disguise. But he could at least tell there we're no other people in the room besides himself, and the two girls.

He felt himself being led to a chair. Arms pressed down on his shoulders forcing him to sit. "Ready?" Tahl asked as hands fiddled with the knot tying the cloth over his eyes. Qui-Gon blinked as he took in his new surroundings. Three chairs were lined up in a row, himself of course in the center with Drean and Tahl on either side. Drinks and various snacks were sitting in front of them. A huge projection screen was set up against the wall. Drean reached over and pressed a button on a near by panel, causing the lights to dim, and the picture to show up on the screen.

"A Holo-film? Is that what you brought me here for?" Qui-Gon asked skeptically, almost ready to bolt for the door.

Drean gave him a mischievous look. "Not exactly, Qui..."

"Don't worry." Tahl chimed in. "You'll like this, we swear." Qui-Gon sighed and settled in to watch the holo-film.

On the screen, a little boy around three or four skipped down the walkway, humming a merry tune. The shortly cropped brown hair gave away that this young one was a Jedi Knight in Training, while his sapphire eyes glittered with an untamed mischief that would not be won easily by the Jedi way of life.

Qui-Gon thought for a moment, curious as to why his friends were showing him this. "Yet..." He couldn't help but think. "He looks awfully famil-" He abruptly stopped his train of thought and looked on either side of him. The grins on Drean and Tahl's faces confirmed his suspicion. The little boy on the screen was himself.

Initiate Qui-Gon stopped shortly and looked forlornly over at a group of older Padawans playing a short distance away. The young Jedi wanted nothing more than to join to older students, yet he knew what they would say before he even asked. He was "too young" to play with the advanced students.

He noticed a discarded ball from the older students game a few steps away. Qui-Gon quickly walked over to his new treasure. The red rubber ball wasn't fully filled with air, but it would do for a four year olds needs. He bent down an picked the ball up, hugging it close to his chest. "Wait until the older kids see what I'm doing!" He seemed to think. But now that he had a ball, what would he do with it?

Qui-Gon looked over at the older students. They were taking similar balls and hurling it at each other at near lethal speeds. The four year old had never fully understood the point of the barbaric game the older Padawans enjoyed playing, but it must have some entertainment value. Qui-Gon looked around for someone to throw his ball at, yet found no one within reach. He thought for a moment, and instead, threw the ball up in the air and tried to hit himself with it.

The ball came crashing down on his head, knocking him off his feet. Qui-Gon sat for a moment, rubbing the spot where the rubber had violently met his head. Knitting his eyebrows together, he looked over to where the ball had landed. "That's no fun." Qui-Gon thought to himself. Suddenly, his eyes lit up with and idea.

Qui-Gon stood, quickly scooping the ball up. Once again, he hurled it up in the air as high as it would go, yet this time when it came back, he caught it. The young initiate gave a broad grin, proud of his accomplishment. He threw the ball in the air again, and caught it with the same ease.

The Young Jedi tried different ways to throw it in the air. Tossing it a few feet away, waiting for the last second and diving to catch it. The four year old was having a grand time with his new ball.

"Hey!" A voice called. Qui-Gon held his ball and looked over to see who it was. Perhaps someone who wanted to join him.

A Boy around eight or nine came up to Qui-Gon, his dark eyes filled with rage. "That's ours!" He shouted, reaching over to try and take the ball from Qui-Gon.

"I- I sorry." Qui-Gon stammered. "I jus wanna pway."

"Yeah, yeah. Do it with your own play things in the Creche, you baby." The boy snatched the ball out of Qui-Gon's hands and ran off towards the other students.

Qui-Gon stood there speechless. He hadn't done anything wrong, had he? All he wanted to do was play. Qui-Gon sighed as he shifted his gaze down to the ground. He started to walk back towards the Creche. Then he stopped, giving the older students a glance over his shoulder. "It s'okay." He said. "It s'your ball, no mine. We pway later, kay?" He gave a grin, though he knew the boy couldn't see him before continuing his skip towards the Creche.

The lights in the room began to lift. The three friends sat there for a moment, not wanting to disturb the lighthearted feelings radiating off the walls. Drean was the first to break the silence.

"Awww...!" She said half sarcastically. "You were so cute, Qui!"

"What a sweetheart." Tahl said. "You have to admit, you were adorable as a little kid."

Qui-Gon sat back for a moment. He would never have guessed anything from his friends like this. Even so, it was interesting to visit his former self.

"Anyway..." Drean said as she stood from her chair. "We'll leave you to your meditating, Mr. Anti-Social."

Tahl stood as well. Leaning over, she embraced Her friend in a hug. "Happy Birthday, Qui-Gon." Tahl righted herself again as started for the door.

Drean just patted Qui-Gon on the head. "Happy Birthday! I trust you can find you way back to your quarters without our help." She grinned before joining Tahl. The two went out the door leaving Qui-Go to his thoughts. A few moments later. Qui-Gon made sure the lights were out, and heading back to his room to meditate.

***

Dinner that night was graciously prepared by Master Dooku as a gift to his Padawan. Qui-Gon after Master Dooku had finished, Qui-Gon was still devouring more of the delicious noodles than he normally would have.

"I take it you had time to do you meditations today?" Master Dooku asked casually, breaking the lull in conversation.

Qui-Gon thought for a moment. "Yes, Master." He had to admit, he did reflect on his former self. Master Dooku had never specified whether he was supposed to be ALONE during the time. He had almost forgotten about the young Jedi Initiate and his rubber ball.

Qui-Gon had never realized how little had changed in the many years he had been studying to become a Jedi Knight. He still preferred to stay by himself on occasion, yet always open to joining others. And people had always told him of his patient and understanding nature. Whether or not it was true was not to be determined by him.

Dooku smiled as he stood. "Good." He grabbed his dishes and started towards the sink in the little kitchen area of their quarters. He paused briefly by Qui-Gon's chair just as the Padawan finished his meal. "The remainder of the evening is yours to do as you wish. However, don't forget your studies will resume tomorrow morning."

Qui-Gon grinned. "Thank you, Master." He said, bowing his head in respect.

Dooku gave his Padawan's braid a short tug. "Go on." He said, shooing Qui-Gon out of his chair. "I don't want to see you untill tomorrow."

Qui-Gon hurried out the door and started down the corridor before turning back for a moment to stick his head back in the doorway. "Good night, Master."

Dooku chuckled. "Good night, Padawan. Now go!" Qui-Gon dashed off down the hall towards Tahl's quarters first, then on to Drean's. He needed to repay his friends for their birthday present. Leave it to them to respect his wishes without seeming too.