And here's the final instalment! Hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I have writing it! Cameos from a few characters appear in this chapter.
Qui-Gon touched the ship down upon the Jedi temple's landing pad, before starting the shutdown procedures. He finished within a few minutes and went to stand to leave the ship before looking down at the still form of his padawan. The poor boy was as white as a sheet.
"Come, Padawan. We have faced much worse," Qui-Gon muttered gripping the boy's shoulders before leading the way out of the cockpit.
"I don't recall anything worse, Master," Obi-Wan muttered causing Qui-Gon to chuckle darkly, this certainly was going to be intimidating.
Master and apprentice strolled down the landing pad into the afternoon warmth of Coruscant's atmosphere, at least it was not raining here. They started towards their greeting party, consisting of Master Yoda and Qui-Gon's gaze actually narrowed as he spotted Jedi Master Tahl. How in the blazes did she get wind of this?
"Master's," Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan both proclaimed before bowing to the two Jedi who returned the gesture.
"Eventful time you had, Qui-Gon," Yoda proclaimed, his eyes sparkling with amusement at the sight of the two Jedi.
"Matters went a little awry I have to admit," Qui-Gon replied, the stoic mask covering his face never slipping.
Yoda's gaze fell upon Obi-Wan who blushed under the scrutinising eyes, the master seemed to find what he was looking for as he chuckled.
"I see. Come to the council later you will, after you clean up I think," The little master added scrunching up his nose before hobbling back towards the innards of the temple.
Tahl burst out laughing as soon as the little master was out of ear shot, earning a piercing glare from Qui-Gon.
"Oh Qui, you don't do anything by halves do you?" She teased, leading the way back towards the temple.
"It was hardly my intention to go for a roll in the mud I assure you," Qui-Gon replied tiredly, not amused by his friend's mocking.
"And you dragged poor Obi-Wan down with you!" She added after taking in the young boy's appearance.
"I do hope that's not your blood, Padawan." She added as she noted the crimson spots mixed in with the mud covering his tunics.
"Urghh…" Obi-Wan began, not sure how to tell the Jedi master it was in fact his blood.
"Oh Obi-Wan! You must take more care of yourself," She scolded, inspecting his nose more carefully prodding until he gasped outright.
"I hope you told him to get to the med bay, you stubborn gundark," Tahl addressed Qui-Gon, who in turn raised his eyebrows.
"I will be taking him myself as soon as we have cleaned up," Qui-Gon assured her, resting his hand protectively on Obi-Wan's back whilst also throwing his student a warning glare that this matter would not be up for debate.
"And what kind of negotiation tactic would you call this mess then?" She teased the pair who mockingly looked hurt at each other.
"Aggressive negotiations," Obi-Wan grinned mischievously, his words elicited a chuckle from Qui-Gon.
"What are we going to do with the pair of you…" She questioned whilst shaking her head slowly a smile creeping at her lips.
When they reached the turbo lift they parted company, Master Tahl headed towards the research station whilst Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon headed back to their quarters. Craving a hot shower, clean clothes and a bed to crash into.
"Master, what if people talk about seeing us like this?" Obi-Wan whispered as the turbo lift lurched the pair upwards.
"Do not worry about idle gossip, Obi-Wan, our attention is best served elsewhere," Qui-Gon detachedly replied.
"Yes, Master." Obi-Wan was not satisfied or convinced but hoped he wouldn't see anyone he knew on the way to quarters, of course fate was not so kind.
As they left the lift and headed the short distance to their shared quarters, the duo passed none other than Jedi master Adi Gallia and her padawan Siri Tachi. Obi-Wan felt himself blush violently as Siri looked his bedraggled appearance up and down whilst smirking slightly. To Adi's credit she didn't even bat an eyelid at the pair and ushered her young padawan along.
Of all the people to be along this corridor it has to be her… Siri and Obi-Wan had only met a couple of times, they were mainly great rivals in the dojo. Every time Obi-Wan saw her his stomach did little flips, it was the most peculiar feeling. When Qui-Gon noticed his wandering thoughts he put a stop to them abruptly.
"Perhaps a few laps around the temple perimeter will have you more focused." He chuckled dangerously.
"That won't be necessary, Master." Obi-Wan flushed and averted his thinking.
"Hmmm…" Qui-Gon contemplated, stopping as they had finally reached the entrance to their quarters.
Without any further comments, the Jedi master swiped the door open and stepped inside. It was at this moment that the force swirled with treachery and malice as both occupants realised a terrible truth. One shower.
Both Jedi surged forwards into the apartment intent on reaching the fresher door before the other, of course neither contestant had any intention of fighting honourably so every item in their path was thrust at the others head and body, intent on slowing the other down enough to impede their path. They were neck and neck when Obi-Wan abandoned throwing objects and threw himself at his master's midriff.
The resounding collision left both Jedi sprawled on the floor as the Jedi master went down in a tangle of limbs, both master and apprentice desperately tried to gain the other hand, grappling to get the other into some sort of head lock. To his credit Obi-Wan fought for all he was worth and even managed a few impressive blows to the elder Jedi before seniority took over and he was held in an excruciating head lock, limbs thrashing all over the place.
Qui-Gon squeezed slightly cutting off enough air to slow Obi-Wan's pace enough to subdue him, the elder man then abruptly released his hold before rolling away and striding towards the fresher door swiping the door open with a flick of his wrist, eyes shining with amusement and victory. Obi-Wan continued to heave in large gulps of air, panting on the floor as Qui-Gon chuckled at his form.
"Looks like I am still superior when it comes to aggressive negotiations, Padawan mine." Qui-Gon gloated, grinning like a cheshire cat.
"Gloating ill becomes a Jedi…" Obi-Wan wheezed out, voice rasping after their little altercation.
Qui-Gon waved the remark off before entering the fresher completely, whilst sliding the door shut. Obi-Wan still heard his master's shout over the new sound of water running.
"You need to be more in-tune with the force, my young friend." Qui-Gon's voice sailed from inside the shower, obviously relishing in the cleansing warm water.
Obi-Wan picked himself up painfully, clutching his already bruised ribs. Blast it. There would be no way he could negotiate himself out of a med bay visit now… Suddenly an exceedingly mischievous scheme played out in his head, giddily he made his way towards the wall of the fresher intent on his new plan of revenge.
"I'll show him 'in-tune'…" Obi-Wan muttered before scrunching his eyes up in concentration, feeling out for the pipes nestled in the wall. As soon as he identified the correct one did he clamp it shut tightly, it was the hot water pipe.
Obi-Wan was rewarded with a yelp from inside the fresher as the perfect temperature of the water turned to shockingly cold, well with the help of Obi-Wan.
"Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon yelled out loud as he identified who had ruined his perfect shower.
Obi-Wan did not hang around and tactfully decided to make a strategic retreat, hoping to shower at his friend's apartment. One thing was for certain he did not want to be around when Qui-Gon emerged, he was sure his master's wrath would still follow him however…
Thanks for reading! My focus is now heading completely back to my other ongoing story Revelation of the Sith, however I am working on a new collection of oneshots/short stories based around various times involving our heroes!