Chapter Four

When Dooku came to the Healer's Wing two days later, Qui-Gon was on the verge of being released from their care. He had stopped by the crèche and gotten a bag of clothes for Qui-Gon from the crèche Master at his mentor's orders and then had gone to see the lad. He was glad Qui-Gon was being released. /I've seen enough of this place to last me for awhile, but at least I wasn't the patient/ he thought.

Qui-Gon was sniffling when Dooku walked in. Han'yaie had a syringe in his hands and Dooku quickly put the two together. He hid a smile as Han'yaie took the opportunity to beat a hasty exit. "What's the matter Qui-Gon?"

"He sticked me and it hurt!" Qui-Gon cried. "I'm better! What did he stick me for?"

Dooku chuckled a little. "He just wanted to make sure there was no more poison in your system. You don't want to get sick again do you?"

Qui-Gon shook his head.

"Well then as soon as you are released we'll go and get some sweet snow. How does that sound?"

Qui-Gon stopped sniffling at once. Tears changed to excitement. "We can?" he asked eagerly.

"I am a man of my word, Qui-Gon," he said with a smile.

The joy that filled Qui-Gon's eyes was worth giving away his free afternoon to spend with the boy. /He is such a bright boy. He truly is a special light. So innocent and pure. / Dooku hoped nothing ever spoiled the light and goodness in this boy.

Han'yaie came back then and smiled at Qui-Gon. "Everything checks out. You're free to leave with Padawan Dooku," he said warmly.

Dooku took out some clothes for Qui-Gon out of the bag he had brought. "I got these for you before I came. I thought you might need them."

Qui-Gon grinned and struggled with the straps on the medical gown. He glanced up helplessly. "I need help. It's stucked!"

A mixture of emotions flickered across Dooku's face. He bent down and helped Qui-Gon out of the troublesome gown. "Can you dress yourself?"

Qui-Gon nodded. "I need my privacy."

Dooku looked slightly perturbed. "I won't peek, Qui-Gon," he said in exasperation.

"You already are and I'm naked!" He argued.

Dooku sighed and resolved to never try to argue with a three-year-old. He turned around, his back to Qui-Gon. "Is this better?"

"Yes," Qui-Gon said. He quickly dressed himself. "All dressed!"

Dooku turned back around. "Ready to go?"

"I just said I was Dooky," Qui-Gon said as if that explained everything.

Dooku hid a smile. The boy was still having trouble remembering how to correctly say his name. "Well let's be off then. Qui-Gon, I'm going to take you out of the temple to my favorite sweet snow shop. You must listen to everything I tell you while we're out, okay?" Dooku said sternly grasping Qui-Gon's shoulders to make sure he was listening.

"Okay," Qui-Gon said in agreement.

Smiling a little, Dooku took his hand and the two headed to the front entrance of the Temple.

Qui-Gon's eyes were as large as saucers as they left the Temple. He had never been away from the Temple before. He was staring at all the different species of beings that he had never seen before. He had never known there were so many races in the universe, let alone just on Coruscant.

After they walked what seemed like forever he started dragging his feet. He was tired. He couldn't keep up with Dooku's pace.

Dooku was thoroughly enjoying himself. He always liked getting out of the Temple and any excuse would do for an outing. Sweet snow was one of his favorite treats. He glanced behind him and saw Qui-Gon had fallen behind. "Come on Qui-Gon." He said stopping so the boy could catch up.

Qui-Gon came obediently, but slowly. "Dooky?"

"Hrm?"

"I'm tired," Qui-Gon said.

Dooku paused at that. He bent over and picked the boy up. "It's not much further, but I'll carry you."

As they turned around the corner, the sweet snow shop came into view. Qui-Gon giggled excitedly and clapped.

It was a swelteringly hot day on Coruscant and the shop was crowded with families, senators, and tourists. Dooku got at the end of the line and waited.

"What is taking so long Dooky? I want some sweet snow!" Qui-Gon asked impatiently after ten minutes had passed.

"There are people ahead of us Qui-Gon. You wouldn't want me to be rude and cut ahead of them would you?"

Qui-Gon pouted. "No."

"Well we have to wait our turn. It will be soon," Dooku replied.

Qui-Gon waited impatiently and at last they reached the counter. "Finally," Qui-Gon said.

Dooku hid a smile at Qui-Gon's melodrama. He ordered a Chocolate Berry Blast scoop in a cup for Qui-Gon and a Vanilla Kaf in a cone for himself. He paid the man behind the counter, who smiled and pointed to some out of the way tables for the two. Dooku thanked the man and went with Qui-Gon to go sit down.

He licked the sweet snow savoring his treat. He watched as Qui-Gon took his first bite.

"It's cold!" Qui-Gon exclaimed in surprise.

Dooku laughed. "It's supposed to be cold Qui-Gon. That's why they call it sweet snow."

Qui-Gon tasted it again and got a berry. He shrieked in delight as the berry countered some of the sweetness.

"Don't eat it too fast," Dooku warned, "or your head will hurt."

"I won't," Qui-Gon promised. Soon however, Qui-Gon put a hand to his head. He had finished his ice cream. "Don't feel good."

Dooku was both amused and concerned. "I told you not to eat it too fast. You nearly drank it."

Qui-Gon pouted. "I didn't think it was that fast," he protested.

"Well did it taste good?" Dooku asked as he threw his trash away, after wiping the chocolate off Qui-Gon's sticky face and hands.

Qui-Gon nodded. "It was good."

"Well come on. Let's go back to the Temple. I promised Master Perchel that I wouldn't keep you out too long."

"Dooku?" Qui-Gon said as he was picked up.

"Yes Qui-Gon?" Dooku asked.

"Can we play some more later?" He asked hopefully.

Dooku smiled at the boy's request. He was enjoying getting to know this little one very much. He found himself agreeing to the boy's request but he knew that he couldn't do it that afternoon. "I would be happy to, but I have training to do today. I can come by tomorrow afternoon instead."

Qui-Gon eagerly agreed as they arrived back at the Temple. They headed to the crèche and Dooku brought him in and put him down. He waved at the boy who waved back and shouted, "Bye Dook!"

Dooku grinned and left the crèche with a smile on his face as he headed to train.