Disclaimer: Belongs to George&co. (I hate writing these disclaimers. I should form a decent one and paste it at the beginning of every chapter, but I'm too lazy)

A/N: I bet you've forgotten about Roan. I haven't :p Anyway, this is the last chapter, or, so to say, something between a chapter and an epilogue. Enjoy :)

Roan the Healer came back early the next day, before either of the men was even awake. When they got up, she watched them, took everything in – the thoroughly cleaned and fixed house, their behaviour towards each other, everything - and smiled knowingly.

"I find your… 'acquaintance' to be in a much better condition than anyone could have hoped in such a short time," she told Obi-Wan, while Qui-Gon was taking a shower outside.

"He's my friend," Obi-Wan said softly. She arched an eyebrow, but didn't otherwise acknowledge what he said.

"The speed of his recovery seems almost… miraculous," she continued, unperturbed. "I wonder why I'm not surprised."

Obi-Wan wondered how much she actually knew about the ways of the Force, but didn't comment.

"How did it go?" he asked.

"How did what go?"

"The job you had to do."

"Oh. I find it went… according to the plan."

- - - - - -

Qui-Gon was indeed much better. He was still week, of course, but Roan confirmed he could now bear a hyperspace travel without any serious consequences to his health. So – it was time to go, Obi-Wan supposed. The state he was in when he had arrived on this planet, he would never have thought he would be so reluctant to leave it. And yet… the best thing that had happened to him in Force knew how many years – had happened right here. But they needed to reach Coruscant as soon as possible. So many people thought Qui-Gon dead. It wouldn't be right to keep them waiting any longer.

- - - - - - - - -

He hugged Roan goodbye.

"It was good to have you here, young Obi-Wan," she said. "I don't remember ever having my house so clean and orderly. I would have asked you to stay with me for a time – you're handy to have around, even though you can't cook to save your life – but I suppose you have a bunch of very important things to do. Young people are always so busy."

"I'd have liked to stay," he said, smiling. "I can't, though. I have a job waiting."

"Guessed as much," she said dryly. "So – if you ever happen to stumble into this part of the Galaxy again, be sure to visit."

"Of course I will."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"I don't believe a word you're saying, but never mind."

Then she hugged him again.

"Thank you very much, Roan," Qui-Gon said warmly. "Here I have healed much more than I had ever hoped to. How can I ever thank you enough? I was honored to be your patient."

"Muck," Roan cut him off. "That's what healers are for. Don't over-exert yourself as soon as you're out of my sight, by the way. And… be safe, both of you."

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan masterfully steered the ship through the Coruscant atmosphere.

He's good, Qui-Gon mused fondly. As good as Garen, at least. With time he might surpass even Clee Rhara.

The trip home had been short and uneventful. Now it was at its end, and Qui-Gon couldn't help but feel mildly sad. He had his boy back, but now they were going to part their ways again. Qui-Gon would return to the Temple to continue his recovery. Obi-Wan would go back to his squadron, wherever they were now. I'll miss him so. But it was just as it should be.

But, despite himself, Qui-Gon had to wonder what could have been. Obi-Wan, with his keen intelligence, cool head, and all his abilities, could have been so much more. His job of a rescuer was noble, of course, and the boy was proud of it. But what a Jedi he could have made!

If only he hadn't been so stubborn at thirteen; if only I hadn't been so blazingly blind at thirty-four.

What is Galaxy losing because of our stubbornness and pride…?

But it was too late for such thoughts now. Or was it?

Tahl would say it's never too late.

How would the Council react if I suggested we took Obi-Wan back now?,he wondered. No, scratch that. How would Obi-Wanreact?

Qui-Gon didn't quite dare ask him that. They were still somehow tentative around each other, still careful. It was a good beginning, but they had much rebuilding to do yet.

'I am no material for a Jedi, Qui-Gon' he remembered the young man's words all too clearly. 'Never have been, I think. I may be strong in the Force – and some other things – but that's just not enough. The Path's not for me. 'There is no passion, there is serenity', the Jedi Code says. And can't you see that passion is exactly what's holding me together?'

But serenity could be achieved, with time. And you didn't have to lose your passion to do it, not really.

One step at a time, Qui-Gon told himself. And then: Exactly. So let's make the first hesitant step.

He smiled for himself.

"I'll miss this," he said quietly.

The young man turned from his controls to look at him.

"I know. Me too."

"Why don't you come to the Temple with me, Obi-Wan? For a time." He paused. "What do you say?"

Obi-Wan hesitated for a moment, but then he shook his head.

"No, I don't think… Thank you, but no. I don't think that's a good idea at all. And I have a job to get back to. We'll be in contact often, though. I promise."

"Your job can wait for a little while longer, although I'm sure they'll be glad to get you back. What I need you to do, however, can't wait."

"Do?"

"I need your help."

"Oh, come on, Qui-Gon, you don't need to humour me…"

Qui-Gon shot him a stern look.

"I," the Jedi said slowly, "intend to take the case of my captivity at Ataria upon myself. Not out of revenge, but because I cannot allow what happened to me to happen to anyone else."

"Of course," the boy nodded. "But what could I possibly…?"

"I could use a good database-researcher, Obi-Wan."

He saw his former Padawan frown for a moment, but then a slow grin started spreading over his face.

"Even a hacker, Qui-Gon?"

"Especially a hacker."

THE END

A/N: There you go, an open, although nice and fluffy, ending... I'm perfectly aware I never told you how Qui-Gon got captured. I had planned to, but I never found a right place to do it, not in this story. Don't kill me :) The fact is, I'm planning a sequel. I found that I have more of the story to tell. I already have some scenes written, as a matter of fact :)

The problem is, I always have a good time writing dialogues, but I suck when it comes to plots, basically, an that's a fact. I need to think of a plot. I know I'll be having hard time doing that.

What's worse... Well, to make a long story short, when I began to write this, I had read only the first nine volumes of JA (and Deceptions). I had troubles putting my paws on Shattered Peace. So, in a fit of despair, I began to write this fanfic. During the writing, I began to plan a sequel. But now that I'm reading no. 12 in the series, The Evil Experiment, I see 'my' plot has been done. I wanted some psychos from Ataria who wanted to research the Force, so they captured Qui-Gon – and now our two favourite characters try to find who that was. But since we've seen it in The Evil Experiment – I suppose I'll have to think of something else. deep sigh Oh, well. I will, I promise. Just give me some time :) (If you have a brilliant idea that you don't want to write yourself, and that would fit into my universe, you can drop me a mail at ).

And, finally, thank you for all those wonderful reviews and the support. You're the best :D