Author's Note:
Sometime, I may go back and do the memory from when they're twelve, too; but until that possible day, this is the next chapter.
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Enjoy! :)


As Knights

Her close friend had recently been made a Knight. They hadn't met in years. She'd been sent to Zekulae to bring in a merchant who'd been approached for Hutt dealings. He'd been threatened with death if he refused again. Before leaving, the man had asked for a little while to himself, which she'd reluctantly granted. She'd probably have to rescue him, she knew. Hutts didn't give up easily. The only reason she'd submitted was that she'd noticed some inconsistencies in his story.
While playing sabaac, waiting for the merchant, she found her mind drifting to her friend… Where was Qui-Gon? How was he? Was he considering taking a Padawan? —It would do him good, she knew that much! Not that she had any use for them, herself… Too constricting…
Abruptly, her mind refocused on her game and mission. She checked her chrono. The man had been gone too long. Time to end this. Startling everyone, she called the hand, winning with a pure sabaac.
"You can't do that!" one player, a native Zeku, cried angrily. "You had all your cards in the interference field!"
And you were stupid enough not to realize why. She admonished herself sharply before the thought was voiced. She may be able to give her friends such comments, but not others. Such imputiny on missions would lead to her death, if followed.
The other players, however, nodded agreement to the Zeku's statement. The man, although declared winner, wasn't satisfied.. "You're a cheater! Get out of here!" In his fury, he scattered the cards.
"Strange that you're the one so upset, when I'm the one who's been cheated," she commented dryly. She stood, aware that even without Jedi garments, her presence was powerful enough to attract everyone's attention. That, however, was just what she wanted. She was grateful for the lack of Jedi garments, though; she didn't have to worry about the government questioning her presence. Besides, it was nice to be considered almost normal once in a while…
When Zeku reached for his blaster, she was ready. Without giving him a millisecond, she disarmed him and held his shoulder firmly in a very painful—but not harmful—nerve pinch, forcing him to fall hard in his seat. Although she was tall and well-built, many men still underestimated her abilities. Not releasing the Zeku's shoulder, she scooped up some of the credits.
"Let's call it even," she 'suggested', well aware that she held the advantage in this situation. "And I'll buy you a drink. Wouldn't you rather live to see the sun set?" When the Zeku had wisely nodded agreement, she told the bartender to get something special for her 'friend'. She kept her face hardened, matching the character she was playing of a traveler who'd surpassed her luck were the law was concerned.
Calmly walking away, she felt her mask drop upon spotting a familiar figure at a booth. Since her face had already revealed herself, she decided to talk to him. She could use a refreshing moment, anyway, before she went after the merchant…
"Well, it's you." She knew she'd been caught off guard; she would've known he was here had she paid attention. She always had been able to feel him… but she didn't want him to know that. It didn't sound right. It was different than the normal bond of close friends; it was as if the Force itself linked her to him. "It's been so long."
Qui-Gon nodded agreement. "Too long."
"I only have a minute. I'm on a mission." She laughed at his regretful expression. "So tell me everything as fast as you can. I hear you are now a Knight."
"As are you." She bit her tongue to keep from rapping 'obviously.' "I'm thinking of taking a Padawan. Yoda is urging me to consider it."
Bully for Yoda. Her gut wrenched with the fear that he'd say someone else had suggested it, too. It wouldn't matter whom—their friendship wouldn't be so special anymore. She felt her insides relax when he didn't. "Do you have a candidate?"
"Xanatos."
She nodded slowly, having had expected that answer, but feeling it wasn't right. "He is gifted. I should consider carefully, however. I'm not sure he's the right one for you."
"I haven't seen you in years, and you're giving me advice?" Qui-Gon teased.
She smiled. "Who else in the galaxy knows you so well?"
"No one," he told her. "You were wrong about that. Remember what you said when we said good-bye?"
She felt her smile soften, grateful she was still the only one able to read him, after all these years. "I am glad to have been wrong about that. I'm glad to still be the one who knows you best. And we never said good-bye. Remember?"
A moment passed in silence, both of them thinking of the times when they'd looked forward to the day they'd be a Knight. It was harder than either had expected, but more fulfilling than they'd thought, as well. A serving life suited Qui-Gon, she could tell. As for herself… It gratified her, yet she never felt complete. She had once suspected she bore a hidden infatuation of some sort, but she reached meditation easily, and never found a thing… Solitude was her only defense from the feeling. Self-reliance made her think enough to avoid it; it forced her to, because there was no one else to lean on.
Not wanting to leave, she found herself speaking softly. "I have to go. I will see you soon." Even if it is in several years. "Missions can be short, you know." Qui-Gon smiled, undoubtedly remembering all the times she'd eagerly told him that in the past. She stood. She would not say good-bye. She never said good-bye. Or hello, for that matter. Why waste breath on worthless words that only reminded one of separation? She smiled at him one last time, then left. She didn't turn back. She never turned back…