A few notes:

a) For a long time I've been thinking about rewriting this story. Its got some issues, and its evolution has actually been something of an experiment in the psychology of readers and characters. It started off as a hurt comfort and evolved into something else. I would like to re-do it with the characterization of Qui-Gon more realistic, put more chapters with he and Obi-Wan in there, and some other things I would like to tweak. BUT I will finish this version first.

b) since I posted chapter 16, this story has received over 1600 views.

c) thanks for reading.

Chap 17

Qui-Gon Jinn was sitting idly picking at his dinner in the main eating hall. Arkken murmured something beside him, responding to something that Adi Gallia had said from across the table. Obi-Wan was in class now, and the elder master was trying to enjoy a quiet evening, but something was tickling the back of his senses, something seemed… off.

Adi then excused herself, leaving the two elder masters to their lonesome. Arkken turned to Qui-Gon, tapping his long fingers on the wood table.

"Are you feeling well, Qui-Gon?" He asked, cocking his head.

"I believe so… I was just pondering some wayward thoughts."

"Pray, tell," Arkken pleaded with a smile, standing and taking both of their trays. Qui-Gon stood and followed him to the recycling dispenser, and out into the commons area. The night time breeze soothed them, ruffling their hair. They walked side by side down the emptying halls, hands clasped behind them.

"I was so afraid, you see," Qui-Gon started speaking, "that after Xanatos…. Left, I was afraid that I would never trust another padawan again."

"But this is untrue, Qui-Gon. Look at the relationship you have with Obi-Wan now. He will be a fine Knight-"

"Indeed," he acquiesced, "But… I think its come full circle. I feel as if the roles have been switched – I took my padawan for granted, and now I feel much the learner in our relationship."

Arkken nodded, pausing to gaze out into the bright city night through the towering temple windows. "It is true; Obi-Wan in an exceptional young boy. But – he is a boy, Qui-Gon. He needs you more than you know."

"But what can I do for him?" Qui-Gon asked, eyes hooded as he sighed. "I don't want to make the same mistakes again that I made with Xanatos, I don't want to coddle the boy. But it seems out of my lack of… affection, as it were; he's grown up far too fast. He acts like a man, and he's but a boy."

"Qui-Gon," Arkken said softly, his deep voice a rumble, "Just be yourself around him. Remember, you are the mentor. That's what he wants you to be – yourself, and his teacher /and/-"

"And?" Qui-Gon asked quietly.

"And," Arkken replied, placed his hands on the taller man's shoulders, "he wants you to be his strength. His support. As it should be."

0oooooooooooooooooooooooo0

When Qui-Gon palmed the apartment door open that evening, he found Obi-Wan slouched over at the kitchen table, heels of his hands pressed into his eyes.

"Obi-Wan?" Qui-Gon asked, moving to stand behind the boy.

The boy grunted, shaking his head a little as if it clear it.

"Hi master, I'm just… working on these logic puzzles for class," he replied wearily, sucking in a breath when Qui-Gon's hands began to massage the tension in his neck and shoulders.

"And how are you fairing?" The master inquired, working the knots out of his apprentice's tense muscles.

"Uh," Obi-Wan murmured, eyes shutting in enjoyment of the touch, "Ok, I'm just, Nnn," he whispered, bowing his head to allow his master more muscle to soothe, "A little stressed out in my studies."

Keeping a palm on the boy's shoulder, the elder master slunk down into the chair adjacent to Obi-Wan. "Anything I can do to help?"

Obi-Wan regarded him for a moment, lax expression tightening into something more guarded. It had been a long time since Qui-Gon had acted like this. Concerned, compassionate. The elder man's deep blue eyes twinkled with something… something Obi-Wan had not seen in sometime.

Confidence, mirth even?

"Really, padawan, it wasn't that difficult a question."

The ginger haired boy sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose.

"I'm just a little stressed out, is all master. I'll be fine."

Qui-Gon nodded, jutting his lower lip as his head bobbed. Obi-Wan glowered at him, knowing his master didn't believe him. The elder man stood, walking causally to he living room couch. He settled deeply onto the cushion, turning on the Holovid player, and eye on Obi-Wan.

"Padawan, isn't this your favorite show?"

"You're telling me you /want/ me to watch that and not to my homework?" he asked incredulously.

Qui-Gon shrugged. "Maybe you could use a break."

Obi-Wan gaped at him, and then looked to the table, shaking his head.

After a few moments, the boy rose, and staggered over to his master, eyeing the position next to him on the couch. Qui-Gon yawned rather theatrically, lifting an arm and resting it on the back of the couch, The boy hesitated, a yawn of his own trying to escaped his locked jaw, and then sank beside his master.

The glow of the holovid cast bright colors over his face, and for a few moments the droning of the male voice filled the pleasant silence.

"A ship might come soon. I have to be ready for it."

Qui-Gon turned and looked down, surprised the boy had spoken.

"A ship?"

"I… asked a ship to come. To take Arkken to Spire. I don't know if its what she wants, but… I don't know. But it could come –"

"And you're staying awake, all this time, incase it comes?"

Obi-Wan shrugged, eyes closed.

The master pondered over this for a few seconds before suggesting,

"You could… shut your eyes for a moment. And if I hear anything I'll… let you know."

The young one pondered this for a moment, eyes staring dully at the holovid. And then, Obi-Wan slowly leaned back, back sinking against his master. The sensation of simply being safe was intoxicating. The slow, dull throb of Qui-Gon's heart against his back and the flicker and monotone of the holovid screen was soothing, and soon he felt himself be lulled... Qui-Gon pulled the boy close.

A buzzing sensation in his side roused the master from a doze he hadn't realized he'd fallen into. He blinked rapidly.

Obi-Wan jumped, sputtering while his hands flew to his waist. The boy fumbled with something on his belt, and Qui-Gon saw a glimpse of something shiny and black. The master started when a voice emerged loud and clear from the object.

"Master Kenobi. Do you read?"

"Y-yes, yes this is he-"

"Master Kenobi, this is Guild Master Arrien. On behalf of the Askieni Warcraft Temperance, we ask clearance to dock at your residence."

"Right away!"

Qui-Gon could only race after his suddenly very energetic padawan as they fled through the darkened halls. Whispers from woken padawans echoed in the great hall as there was a convergence of Jedi. Qui-Gon frowned, confused, until he looked outside the pier windows.

Oh.

It was very, very large.

Qui-Gon followed his padawan outside onto a loading dock and felt his eyes widen. His padawan didn't seem too impressed, only excited. A huge, gleaming ship three times the size of the Alastor was nearly blocking out the planet's sun. It was a dark metallic color that seemed to shift hues depending on how the light hit it. Smooth contours created its hull while the three wings were thin and sharp. It was a beautiful craft.

And Obi-Wan was waving it in. His padawan had made some interesting friends in his travels.

Yoda hobbled out into the cool night air, luminous eyes squinting up at the large ship.

A docking platform protruded from the hull of the craft, and 2 men exited onto the ramp. One was dressed similar to Rynik only in black tunics, held together at the left shoulder with gold lining and attachments. The emblem of a hawk as embroidered below the seam. The man's inky black hair was cropped and combed back, blue eyes serious. Accompanying him was another man, a blond with blazing green eyes. This man's outfit was more… medieval almost, with leather long shorts and tall boots with some kind of metal adorning his feet – a polished and battle worn leather top tunic that rested upon a simple white tank top. Leathers of reds, maroons, golds and most significantly – the tattoos he'd seen before adorning broad shoulders.

"You are of the Guild of Hawk," Obi-Wan said with respect, bowing, "And you, a Scehault Knight."

The first bowed stiffly in return to the boy, their difference in height almost amusing.

"I am Pilot Arrien, of the guild, yes. And this is Knight Siefu."

"Greetings… Jedi," the blond greeted gruffly, the word foreign to the off-worlder.

"And this," Obi-Wan motioned to his smaller master, "Is Jedi Master Yoda of the Council."

"To meet you, pleased I am. Know why you are here, I do not," the master said not unkindly. At this point, the group had gathered quite a crowd. Obi-Wan looked to his master, eyes bright.

"I believe, master Yoda, that these kind folk may have traveled all this way for a mutual friend of ours," Qui-Gon said with a slight smirk. Understanding dawned in Yoda's eyes and his ears perked up.

"Have room for an old Jedi master and his friends aboard your fine craft, do you?"

Arrien nodded, hands clasping behind his back.

"Master Qui-Gon, gather Master Palamin, you should."

"Yes, master," Qui-Gon said as he tried to cover a smile. The tall master gripped his padawan's shoulder fondly before striding through the mass of people into the temple.

Yoda nodded. "A vacation, I needed. Perfect timing, this is."