Chapter Five

Several weeks passed and the contact between Qui-Gon and Dooku had lessened significantly. Part of the fact was because his punishment had ended and Dooku was somewhat relieved not to have a three-year-old tagalong trailing behind him constantly. He knew Qui-Gon missed him when he wasn't in the crèche, but it couldn't be helped. He was a Jedi apprentice for a reason, and it did not include playing child's games all day. He was anxious to be assigned a new mission. Already he had been on Coruscant for too long.

He was heading back to his quarters he shared with his mentor late that night after rigorous training, when he felt a spike of terror along with a panicked cry. /Dooku/

Dooku froze in mid step. Who would be calling out to him like that?

He recognized Qui-Gon's Force signature when he probed deeper, but Qui-Gon was only three-and-a-half. Certainly that was much too young to be able to speak mentally… wasn't it? He stood there indecisively, wondering what to do. He wanted nothing more than to shower and go to bed, but could he seriously get any sleep, especially if the boy kept calling out to him?

How long he stood there, frozen with indecision in the middle of the corridor he didn't know, but at last he groaned and turned around to go down to the crèche. The cry came again and it was even more panicked. Dooku picked up his pace after hurriedly coming his mentor and telling him what was going on. At last he arrived at the darkened entryway to the nursery.

The lights were off when Dooku entered. The only light came from the crèche Master's office where the Master on duty was. Master Rayeln looked surprised to see him this late at night.

Hastily he explained what he was there for. She frowned, but did not ask questions, rather pointed out where Qui-Gon's bunk was. Grateful for her discretion in keeping her questions to herself, Dooku thanked her and headed over. He pushed open the door to where Qui-Gon's age mates slept and found the boy in his bed, tossing fitfully in his sleep.

Moving quickly to the boy he shook his shoulder gently. "Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon, wake up," he said warmly.

With a shriek of absolute terror Qui-Gon came awake, sitting up abruptly. His eyes were wide and terrified and tears were coursing down his cheeks. He looked up and noticed Dooku standing over him. He grabbed him around the neck and began to sob into his shoulder.

Dooku rubbed his back soothingly. "Shh. It's alright little one. You just had a bad dream."

At length Qui-Gon's sobs slowly died to rhythmic whimpers. He looked at Dooku with his watery eyes and tear-stained cheeks. "I had a bad dream," he whimpered.

"I know. Do you want to tell me about it?" Dooku asked gathering the boy in his arms and going to sit by the wall.

"It was dark. Everything was dark and …and..," he paused and hiccupped. "Dark swallowed me and then it swallowed the galaxy too!" He finished, looking like in that moment exactly what he was, a frightened, young child.

Dooku blinked in astonishment, not having expected that. He glanced down at the boy and began to rock him in his arms. "That was just a dream, Qui," he murmured.

"Are you sure?" he asked in a small voice.

"Qui-Gon do you trust the Jedi?" Dooku asked as he rubbed his back.

"Yes," came an even smaller voice.

"Do you trust me?" He queried.

Another positive reply.

Dooku smiled down at the boy in the dark. "Then trust us. They won't let that happen, I promise."

"Okay," he said in a slightly stronger whisper.

"Can I put you back in your bed now?" Dooku asked.

Qui-Gon gave a small nod and climbed back under his covers as Dooku gently placed him in his bed. "Rest peacefully, little one. The Jedi are watching over you."

At that Qui-Gon smiled. He was reassured.

"Would a light help you sleep?"

Qui-Gon nodded and Dooku turned on the bedside lamp at it's lowest setting so it would not wake the other children.

"Dooky?"

"Hrm?"

"Did you hear my call?"

"I did. That's why I came," Dooku said peering down at the boy fondly. "I'll always hear if you call. You need to go to sleep." /And so do I/ He thought to himself.

"Kay. Night night Dook. Love you." Qui-Gon said as his eyes closed and he slowly drifted back to sleep, his breathing deep and even.

Dooku's heart warmed at that and his eyes misted over slightly. Only one person had ever told him that in his life – now two. This child truly was special to warm a cold heart like his was most of the time.

"And I you, young one," he said to the sleeping boy. "Rest well."

Dooku quietly tiptoed out of the room, convinced that despite the lost sleep he had done a good night's work and that being loved was worth whatever sleep he missed.