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Last chapter guys, I hope everyone enjoyed this little X-Mas tale :)
….
Tears still streaming down his face, Qui-Gon warily lifted his head up from the soft surface, only to gasp in shock. "I'm back...I'm still here…." He whispered.
With a cry of joy, he leapt to his feet and ran into the main living area, "Obi-Wan!" he cried out, rushing into his padawan's bedroom…only to find it empty. Qui-Gon frowned, "He's…gone?"
Taking note of the bed clothes still strewn all over the floor, he quickly concluded that his padawan had simply left earlier…that the horrible vision that he'd seen had not come to pass. Pacing the living room, Qui-Gon found himself grinning. "I don't know what to do! I'm as light as a feather! Merry as an initiate!"
He chuckled, rushing out of his apartment…only to almost hit a young initiate in the corridors. "You! What day is it today?"
The initiate took a step back in shock, "Pardon Master Jinn?"
"Today? What day is today?!"
"It's Yule of course!" The young initiate seemed both shocked and confused at the seemingly stupid question…the shock only grew when the feared Master Qui-Gon Jinn grinned.
"Yule?" The Jedi Master turned away and began to mutter to himself, "The spirits have done it all in one night…they can anything they like. Of course they can!"
He turned back to the initiate, who took a step back in shock. "Is the toy store just by the Temple still open, you know, the really big one?!"
"Only until noon Master Jinn…."
Qui-Gon smiled warmly at the child, "Excellent…do you know whether or not they've sold that large model cruiser in the front window?"
"The one as big as me?! It's still there!"
"Wonderful! Go and buy it."
This seemed to be the last straw for the young child, who scoffed, "Be serious Master Jinn! I haven't got the credits for that!"
"You misunderstand me little one…" Qui-Gon nipped back into his rooms and fetched a small pouch of credits, "…this should be enough to cover the costs and plenty for you to keep as a reward!"
The initiate glanced in the pouch, only for his eyes to widen and dash off in the direction of the toy store. Qui-Gon grinned, "Obi-Wan should love it….it's almost half his size and perfect for Yule!"
He got dressed in his rooms and grabbed a fresh cloak and large bag. However before he left, he took a moment to glance at an old holo-picture of Xanatos, "Don't you worry my old padawan…I will live as if it is Yule every day of the year….and I will not regret the decision I made, taking Obi-Wan as my padawan. He will be one of the greatest Jedi's that ever walked through these corridors. And he will be happy! That is the most important wish I make for him…"
He was suddenly startled out of his thoughts by a loud knocking, "Master Jinn! Master Jinn!"
Upon opening the door, he was greeted by the grinning face of the initiate who was carrying a large box, "I got it Master Jinn!"
Qui-Gon moved aside to let him in and grinned, "Excellent, just put it in that room over there…" he stated, pointing towards his room, "…did anyone see you?"
The initiate shook his head, "No Sir, everyone in their rooms by now!"
Qui-Gon nodded his thanks as the child went to leave, "Hope you have a nice Yule Master Jinn!" he called out, causing Qui-Gon to smile softly.
"I hope so too…" he whispered, grabbing a bag and rushing out of the Temple, hoping to do some last minute shopping before the shops closed for the rest of the day.
….
It took a fair bit of rushing around, but eventually, Qui-Gon had bought all that he needed. Upon re-entering the Temple, he caught sight of a familiar friend, "Kit!" he cried out, "Kit!"
The Nautolan, Jedi Knight span around and frowned at…well, a very unfamiliar sight…Master Qui-Gon Jinn grinning broadly and running up to see him. "Qui-Gon?"
Qui-Gon smiled as he reached him, before taking a deep breath and placing a friendly hand on Kit's shoulder, "I'm sorry….for what I said yesterday. I hope to make it up to you…."
Kit frowned as he was handed a large sack, but upon opening it, his face brightened. Within the sack was a collection of stuffed creatures and educational toys, "A-are these-"
"For the initiates? Yes…." He sighed, "…What I said yesterday…well I was wrong. The bond between a Master and a Padawan should be similar to that of a bond between parents and their children. Let them have their fun, let them enjoy their childhoods…I can only hope that I bought enough for all of them."
Qui-Gon yelped slightly as he was pulled into a hug by the younger Jedi, "You have just made their entire Yule…" Kit pulled away, "I am just going to the initiate quarters. Do you wish to join us for our outing?"
"Sadly I cannot…I have a lot of apologies to make this year. But I will pop in for the Master and Knight's dinner, if that is alright?"
Kit beamed, "We would be happy to have you…"
"Thank you…" sighed Qui-Gon in relief, watching as Kit practically bounded away, the sack of toys bouncing against his back.
Smiling softly to himself, the Jedi Master turned away and began his search for Obi-Wan.
…
After a couple of hours peeking into every training room, Qui-Gon admitted defeat for the time being and headed towards the Council room….only to bump into a familiar face.
"Tahl!" he yelped in shock.
The young lady frowned, before schooling her face into a neutral expression, "Master Jinn. How can I help you?"
Qui-Gon sighed wearily, "I've really hurt you over the years haven't I?"
Silence.
"You know…" he whispered, "…I regret many things in my life…but the way I have treated those I love will forever haunt me.
"Love?" whispered Tahl.
Qui-Gon took a hold of her hand and smiled, "Yes…I love you. And maybe tomorrow…you can come round. You and your padawan, for a meal, with me and Obi-Wan?"
Tahl seemed shocked and remained silent for a few minutes, before smiling softly at her old friend. "I would be delighted to….Qui-Gon."
….
Qui-Gon sighed wearily. He had been outside the Council Room for a few minutes now…pacing. From his position, he could vaguely hear a familiar conversation.
"A Thrantcill?"
"No…"
"A Hawk-bat?"
"No"
"A Pikobis?"
"No"
Qui-Gon quickly pushed open the door in order to avoid the next part of the conversation. The room fell silent as he stepped into the light, and when everyone turned to stare at him, Qui-Gon resisted the urge to take a step back. "I-I was wondering whether I could join you…I now that I may not be welcome but-OUCH!"
The sharp pain of the gimmer stick against his shin, and the frown on Master Yoda's face, interrupted him. "One of us you are. Stay you can and happy, we will be."
Qui-Gon smiled softly as Mace threw his arm around his shoulders and pulled him into a one-armed hug, "I'm not sure what prompted this sudden change of heart, but we're not complaining. Have you seen Obi-Wan yet?"
"No…but he should be back at our rooms soon…hopefully."
…
Later on that evening, Qui-Gon strode back to his rooms and watched the minutes pass by (however, not until after he checked his apprentice's room). Quarter of an hour after his padawan's agreed curfew, the door slowly opened and Obi-Wan crept into the main living area.
With his back turned to Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon desperately tried to school his features into something far more serious. "And what time do you call this?!"
He could sense the fear as Obi-Wan stammered out a frantic response. "I-I'm sorry M-master. I-I was o-out with m-my friends and-"
Holding up a hand to stop his padawan's nervous rambles, "I don't want to hear it Obi-Wan…wait here."
"M-Master?"
"I am going to get exactly what you deserve…"
"B-but M-master!"
Ignoring his student's sudden spike of fear over their (admittedly weak) bond, Qui-Gon strode into his bedroom and picked up the large box, containing his padawan's Yule gift. Upon re-entering the living area, Qui-Gon couldn't help but smile at the shocked look on Obi-Wan's face. "Merry Yuletide…my padawan."
There was only silence as Obi-Wan was quietly handed the box, nimble hands moving to open it up. As he pulled the model kit out of the box, Obi-Wan glanced up at Qui-Gon in amazement, "W-what…why?"
Sitting himself down beside Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon pulled his tense student close to him in a loose hug, "I have severely wronged you Obi-Wan. I was too blinded by the mistakes of my last padawan and because of this, you have been hurt….and continue to hurt." Here, Qui-Gon gently rolled up the sleeves of Obi-Wan's tunic, ignoring how the child attempted to pull away.
"I am so sorry my padawan...I vow to do everything in my power in order to make things right between us."
"Master?"
"Open your mind to me little one…let us have the bond I should have encouraged when I first felt it."
Obi-Wan shrank back for a few seconds before nodding in agreement, closing his eyes as the warmth from his Master's Force signature filled him with hope…and a happiness he had not felt for quite some time.
/That's it little one….this is how a true bond should feel\\
/I-I feel…\\
/Obi-Wan?\\
/Happy, Master! \\
Qui-Gon chuckled warmly and pulled his, now smiling, padawan into a tighter hug. "Yes Obi-Wan…and that is how you will stay…I promise."
….
Many, many years later, Qui-Gon sighed as his old padawan fell asleep within his hut on Tatooine…it had only been a few years since Anakin's betrayal and transformation into the Sith Lord, Darth Vader…and Obi-Wan had been plagued with nightmares ever since. Now, usually, Qui-Gon would stay and make sure Obi-Wan was protected…tonight however, he had different plans.
Fading away from Tatooine, Qui-Gon reappeared to find himself in a plain white room…where a scarred man, with dark hair, sat on a bed…much similar to a previous vision.
"Cody…"
The man jumped up at the strange voice, his blaster aimed at the ghostly figure in his room, "Who are you?! How do you know that name?!"
"I've watched you grow Cody…from just another number to a man of extraordinary bravery and compassion. However, I did think you dead after….after Order 66."
Cody lowered his weapon and sighed, "The Emperor offered me another chance…in return for my complete and utter obedience. I couldn't refuse, not when-"
"Not when you weren't even sure if the one you loved was still alive…"
Cody seemed startled at this, but nodded reluctantly. "You know then…."
"That you fell in love with my old apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi? And that he loved you also…"
"You're Qui-Gon Jinn!"
"Yes. I also know that he still lives…"
"He lives?"
"Yes…however, you cannot go to him just yet. There is a higher purpose for you yet…"
"What?! Tell me!"
"There is a rebellion forming against the Empire…They will need your help in the upcoming years. You will relay information to a contact, who will then relay this information to the rebels."
"Who?"
"I'm sure you remember your old friend, Rex?"
"Rex?"
"Yes…this oppression will be over soon, this I swear."
"How can you be sure?"
"I vowed a long time ago that Obi-Wan would be happy…and if this is the way to do it, then so be it. May the Force be with you."
"Yes may-"Before Cody could finish, the apparition disappeared without a trace…leaving behind a new hope for the oppressed.
