Title: Follow You Home

Author: Layren

Timeframe: Pre JA

Characters: Qui-Gon, Tahl, Dooku

Rating: G

Summary: Qui-Gon has problems picking up strays...

Notes: Athena made me. She was writing ficlets -- so I decided to write some too! Enjoy!

"Qui-Gon!"

"What?!"

"Master Dooku is looking for you everywhere! The treaty negotiations are about to start!" Tahl shouted at him.

Qui-Gon sighed and emerged from the gardens of the Prime Minister looking harassed. When Tahl looked at her friend she burst into laughter.

"It's not funny!"

"Yes it is!" Her friend had a known affinity for attracting animals and picking up strays, but as she looked at the animals on both his arms, one attached to his leg and trailing behind him, she burst into giggles. It was just too much.

"What will Master Dooku say?" He groaned at the mere thought of trying to explain to his Master why the Prime Minister's exotic pets were attached to his extremities.

"No idea, but if you don't get a move on, he's going to be upset."

"Thanks for your encouragement."

"Anytime," she replied with a smirk.

Qui-Gon made a face at her and the duo exited the gardens at a run, Qui-Gon trying to get animals off him with every step.


"Padawan?" Yan Dooku stared as his Padawan entered the room with about four creatures attached to him.

"Don't ask, Master. They followed me home."

Yan hid a smile behind his hands. On this particular planet, every animal seemed to be attracted to his apprentice – even dangerous ones. The padawan had nearly had his leg sliced off by a boar-like creature the day before. Dooku luckily had managed to rescue Qui-Gon before the beast had decided his apprentice was to be his afternoon snack.

"Well I suggest you do what you can to get ready for the treaty negotiations that start in half an hour."

"Yes Master. How do you propose I get these – creatures off me?"

"Use the Force my padawan." Dooku arched a brow.

Qui-Gon grimaced. "I think that's why they attached themselves to me in the first place Master." He pointed out mildly.

"Good point." Dooku said ruefully. He gently pried the creatures from his padawan one by one, projecting the Force onto the creatures to get them to disentangle themselves from his bedraggled looking apprentice.

Qui-Gon moaned in relief as the animals were finally off of him. "Thank you Master. I like to help animals but four at a time is a bit much."

Dooku chuckled. Qui-Gon with his rumpled clothing and tangled braid looked almost cute in his torn clothes. "I agree. I'll comm the gardener and get them to take the animals back. You go hop in the shower."

"Yes Master."

"Padawan?"

Qui-Gon froze as he had his hands on the door to the fresher.

"I'm very proud of you. You did a good job taking care of those creatures earlier, else they would not have become so attached to you. You make me proud to be your master."

Qui-Gon beamed with pride. "Thank you Master. I'll do my best to live up to your expectations."

"You already do, my son. You already do." Dooku said warmly clapping his padawan on the shoulder.

THE END