A Knight In Training- Chapter 8

By ~*Visage*~

Hello everyone! We almost to the home stretch! This and another Chapter or two to go. YAY! (I think I said that in the beginning of the last chapter... But this time I mean it! ^_^) The funny thing is that I wrote this chapter.... THEN I had an idea that would go between this Chapter and Chapter 6... That's what became Chapter 7... ^_^ Either way, It works out for more reading enjoyment for you! ^_^ Same things apply that were in the first chapter. And as always... Enjoy!

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Dean Phalb paced outside the door to Qui-Gon's quarters in the Jedi Temple. She almost cursed under her breath, but realized the futility of her actions. Tahl would arrive at the same time whether she screamed obscenities at her or not.

Drean looked again to the door. The lack of sounds behind it frightened her. Ever since Qui-Gon had returned from Telos two weeks ago, he had avoided all contact with people, only being present when it was absolutely necessary. This was not like her Qui-Gon.

Tahl came hurrying along the corridor at a faster pace than was usually acceptable in the Temple. "Sorry, Drean... I got held up."

"S'okay. I've been waiting patently." She said with a slight grin. She took a deep breath in before sounding the door chimes.

After a short pause that seemed like and eternity, a gruff voice answered. "Go Away."

"Qui-Gon." Tahl said. "It's us. Please let us in." Tahl swore she could feel the daggers from Qui-Gon's eyes stare at her through the door.

"I said 'Go Away.'" Qui-Gon paused for a moment before adding, "Please..."

Drean furrowed her bow. She punched in the overriding command on Qui-Gon's door and walked inside. Tahl gave her a disapproving look before following.

Drean took a look around the quarters. Normally, they were tidy and cheerful, always ready to greet visitors. Now, the shades were drawn back, clothes were strewn about. A dark figure hunched over in the corner didn't even acknowledge their presence.

"Qui." Drean said softly. "We came to help." She took a few tentative steps inside. Tahl followed closely by her side.

"Unless you can change the past, there is nothing you can do." Qui-Gon answered

"Qui-Gon." Tahl said. "I know this is hard for you, but you have to get it out or else it will eat you up inside."

"So?" Qui-Gon queried back. "I'm not fit to live anyway... If I can't even teach an Apprentice..."

"Qui-Gon Jinn!" Drean scolded. "Don't you dare even THINK that way! Just because Xanatos wasn't fit to be a Jedi Knight doesn't mean that you aren't."

Qui-Gon sat in silence. He didn't want to listen to Drean. That was the problem he had had in the first place. Everyone had warned him against taking Xanatos as his Apprentice. He saw something that no one else seemed too. In hindsight, it seemed he had failed to see something that everyone else had.

Failed. That's what he had done. He had failed miserably. He had failed as a Jedi Master. He had allowed Xanatos to become too close to him. So close that he overlooked his short comings.

"Never again." Qui-Gon whispered.

"What did you say, Qui-Gon?" Tahl asked cautiously.

"Please. Just leave me be."

Drean and Tahl gave their friend one last look before heading out the door. Drean watched as the door closed to Qui-Gon's quarters. The Knight they knew was gone. The question was, would he ever come back?