Part Six: Talk To Me

"It's too late for me, Obi-Wan, " he staggered to say.

"No." I blinked away my tears.

"It was never your fault, Obi-Wan." He sat up to look at me.

I cocked my head in confusion. Footsteps approaching from behind me.

"Hey, Qui-Gon." Anakin said with a smile.

Qui-Gon smiled back. "Anakin. So good to see you again."

"You were just talking to me a few minutes ago."

Qui-Gon gave a small chuckle. "Has it only been that long? And still learning. But you will get there, Anakin. Just don't rush into it." "I won't, Master Qui-Gon."

"Or at least try not to." Then he turned his attention back to me. "You seem a little confused, my old padawan."

"No, Master." I looked down, ashamed.

"You are," he said with no surprise. "And this was the only way you were going to talk to me again? To see me die again? Obi-Wan, c'mon. I know you've had better memories. There are far too many good memories to overrun the bad ones."

I didn't hint a smile, but I was glad to see him again.

"You just always ignore me now, Obi-Wan. Has the Healers truly destroyed those fun memories?"

"No, Master."

"And that's all I get? A 'No, Master.' Obi-Wan, even you must realize having fun is rewarding. What happened to you? You agree right, Anakin?"

"Of course, Master Qui-Gon. But Master Obi-Wan doesn't seem to think it is," Anakin gave a kiddish smile.

"What happened to the rebellious apprentice I've come to train for twelve years? You were always wanting to change things around the Temple. Now, it's like you're a whole different person. Someone I don't even know anymore."

I looked at my padawan then back at my master.

"You lack the sense of fun, Obi-Wan. Where has all those years of mishchief gone? You've gotten far too serious without me," Qui-Gon came out to say. "For years now, day in and day out you're always meditating or kept your head deep in those studies. I'm sure the Council has lighten up a little bit with Anakin in the Temple. And you, considering they don't have to worry about 'the Headstrong-Apprentice-To-Qui-Gon'. Or have times completely change to allow some fun in every now and then? What happened? Did you destroy the fun, Obi-Wan?"

I didn't answer.

"What's the matter, Obi-Wan?"

I looked away, guilty. "Why are you here, Master?" My voice was so quiet.

"So? This is what's it's all about, huh? Why am I here? Well, first off you don't talk to me anymore. Second, you haven't learned to let go of the past and third I don't even get a simple 'hello'?" He stared at me long and hard.

I turned away, ashamed. I wanted to say so much, but the words just didn't want to come out.

"Well, I'm glad to see you, too, Obi-Wan," Qui-Gon said with slight frustration. "Anakin?"

"Yes, Master?" Anakin came to attention.

"Has he always been like this?"

"Since the day we returned to the Temple after you died."

He nodded, with interest. "If we shall do so..." Qui-Gon winked.

"Huh?" Anakin became confused. Qui-Gon's gaze lowered over me. "Oh, okay. ...Hey, Qui-Gon. What's up? How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, 'Obi-Wan.' How's your apprentice?"

"I don't know. He's been rather quiet lately. Too involved in his training to even take in the sights once and awhile."

"It appears so. He is a tricky one, isn't he?"

"Oh yeah, he can be. Did I mention about his hidden feelings?"

My eyes grew wide, but my gaze never left the ground. Anakin, you wouldn't.

Oh, I would, Master. Anakin smiled.

Master. I whined turning to the older Jedi.

You brought this in on yourself, Obi-Wan. Qui-Gon only smiled.

But I.... I pleaded.

"So, did he even tell you about his little love connections?" Anakin smiled mischieviously.

"I have heard a few stories hands-on. But tell me, 'Obi-Wan' I thought attachment was forbidden."

"Yeah, it is. But he's more of the 'One-Night-Stand' kinda guy. He hits the clubs any chance he gets and kicks it with all the girls. I hear he went to a club one night, found a whole lot of girls and..."

"Okay. Okay. Shut up! No more. No more. I got the point." I broke in. Their gazes turned to meet my flushed, embarrassed face. I held my ground though.

"Now, are you going to talk to me?" Qui-Gon asked.

"Yes, Master," I nodded.

I saw a thin smile pass his face. It was then I couldn't hold my composure anymore. The tears fell, abruptly and I lunged myself into his arms. I could feel his strong bond through the Force. It was like we had never parted all those years. He wrapped a tight arm around me.

"I've missed you so much, Master." I said through my tears.

"I've always been with you, Obi-Wan. Through the Force in both your mind and your heart. Though, I am physically gone, I will always be there. Our bond will never be broken unless a truth we cannot fix comes between us. You are my son and always will be. And you are also a Jedi Knight."

I buried my face into his tunic. He stroked my hair like he had done so many times when I was younger to comfort me. Father and son were reunited once again. I pulled away gently and sat up straight. Qui-Gon leaned back on his arms and looked at the two Jedi standing before him. A bright and wide smile fell across his face. It sent a warm chill down my back, but also a confused look appeared on my face.

"Something wrong, Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon broke the silence.

"No. Not really. But my question for you is, why are you here? I thought a Jedi was suppose to lose his identity once he joined the Force? But you didn't appear to--"

Qui-Gon silenced me, quickly. "Too many questions. That's how you always were, Obi-Wan. Headstrong and longing to find answers to everything. You always lacked living in the Living Force. To live in the moment, to not look so far ahead, or so far in the past. Actually, that statement is true, a Jedi is suppose to lose their identity once they become one with the Force. But it never said anything about altering it a little. Just think of me as another bump in the Force, but one you can see. A conscious or angel-- if that's what they seem to be teaching the common people on this planet these days."

I nodded. It was good to hear some encouraging words from my old master, but this was weird. The Jedi were always taught that once a Jedi dies, their body usually disappeared and became one with the Force. That's how it always was, but the thing that troubles me to this day was that Qui-Gon didn't die like most Jedi. He never disappeared. I held his motionless body in my arms, rocking it slowly until bodyguards found us in that room. But he never died like he was suppose to.

To be continued....