Qui Gon was sparring fiercely with his eager padawan.
The boy was admittedly refined in his technics, his thin stature didn't waver under his master's deadly strikes. Sherlock wondered if John would ever move with that grace. His padawan had the curse of heavy tread, his feet rarely left the ground. Sherlock watched the young man dance about the Jedi master and smirked.
John would be better someday.
Qui Gon's sensed the young knight observing him and with a small sneer succeeded in disarming his young padawan in one foul swoop to his wrist. The young man pulled away from the burning saber and watched helplessly as the older man snatched his blue saber from the air. He gave a small bow to his padawan, which was not returned. The young padawan wrinkled his nose in distain. "You insult me by going easy on me, Master."
"Padawan mine, you praise me by assuming I have taught you well enough to take on the full wrath of a Jedi master." Qui Gon said easily. He threw the young man's light saber back to him with a flick of the wrist.
"You are correct, Master mine. I praise you far too much." The padawan at last bowed low. Qui Gon snickered.
"Away with you, brat. I have business to attend to."
"Yes, Master." The boy smiled mischievously at the master and darted out to the lockers.
Sherlock leaned against the doorway heavily. "I am glad to see that my padawan is not the only one with an arrogance streak." He bowed to his elder.
"Compared to you as a padawan, that was quite tame, my young friend." Qui Gon's very voice seemed to be smiling. It was that voice that lured Sherlock to speak to more than just Lestrade as a child. Sherlock merely rolled his eyes.
"I would appreciate the withdraw of such information from my padawan. He seems to think it is acceptable to duplicate some of my many…mishaps." The deep voice was suddenly cold. John wouldn't have raced if he hadn't been informed about Sherlock's previous adventures as a child. What had been left out was the prominent scar across the back of head hidden only by hair.
"I did not take you for the passive aggressive type." Qui Gon said gently, as he felt the younger man's anger. "But if it makes you feel more at ease, I will stop telling him stories."
Sherlock nodded. Paused. At last, defeated, he shook his head. "He would be very cross with me if I did not allow him to hear such stories."
Qui Gon nodded approvingly. "Your master would have told him if he were here today, I am simply caring on his legacy."
Sherlock hesitated. "My master would have known how to handle a situation better than I. It involves…feelings." The last word was spoken with a layer of disgust. "My padawan thinks I am not proud of him."
"Why do you suppose that is?" Qui Gon asked innocently.
"Because in my anger I told him that." Sherlock said bitterly. "I have never had a problem with his obedience before, Master. It felt like betrayal when he at last disobeyed me, and it was such a dangerous act."
Qui Gon extended his arm, welcomingly. "Come. We will discuss this in the meditation chambers."
Sherlock followed closely behind him. "I only need guidance because it has do with something I am not accustom to." He said harshly.
"Of course." The old master said pacifically.
He waved his hand in front of the control panel gracefully. The knight kept himself near the closest thing he had to a master, reluctantly. He wasn't supposed to have such feelings, but Qui Gon and Lestrade's auras were so close it hurt. He knelt on one of the mats and impatiently waited for the elder to sit in a chair.
One ascended, one ascending, the way of the Jedi meditation when searching for guidance. Qui Gon sat down and fold his arms in his sleeves. He nodded towards the young knight to continue his tale.
"I fear I am fulfilling my brother predications. I am ruining my padawan, he is becoming angry, aggressive, and overly defensive."
Qui Gon gave a sympathetic smile. "Sherlock, every time I see that boy he is nothing, but polite. He does go out of his way to help others, and forgive me, I think you mistake protectiveness for defensiveness."
"There is no difference between the two, Master."
"My young friend, defensive is for one's self, protective is for others." He said gently. "And he is only angry when other's insult you."
"I have tried to teach him restraint, Qui Gon. But I cannot get him to let things go. I have failed to teach him compassion."
Qui Gon rested a steadying hand on Sherlock's shoulder. "The goal of that boy was not for you to teach him compassion, but for him to teach you."
"I do not want to fail him…our fight was because I had too much pride in myself. I felt urge to enforce I was the master and he the padawan. I told him I was not proud of him, the pain I caused him was unbearable, Master. His face was contorted in such agony, and he still only blamed himself. I can't…"
"Young one, may show you something?" The master asked softly, the irony was not lost on the master that long ago his old friend had had similar dilemma. Sherlock simply nodded, he remained on his knees as the elder rummaged through a file in the corner. A small data chip was produced and plugged it into a hologram. Two images flashed across the screen. A familiar tall, long haired master and another.
"Master." Sherlock grumbled. He did not want to see any more people he cared about, he had John, that was enough for him. But his master's muscular form was talking urgently to Qui Gon's.
"I am not kneeling before you, Qui." The knight grumped. "New master or not, you will always be the little brat who was trapped in the girl's room, and I crawled through the vents to..."
"If you seek enlightenment, my friend, this is the road you must take." Qui Gon smiled with a miniscule air of arrogance. "However, it is not something that comes without irony."
The figure of his master rolled his eyes. "I would never ask you…"
Qui Gon's figure quirked its eyebrows.
"Alright, alright." Lestrade dropped to his knees before his friend. Qui Gon took a seat in front of him, with a small smile tugging at his lips. "Permission to speak my master." The young man mocked.
"You are the one seeking my help, young knight. I would consider being more pleasant." Qui Gon chuckled at his power. Lestrade scowled.
"This is moderately serious, you know." He muttered to the floor.
"Tell me." Qui Gon said gently.
"Sherlock. I am failing him." Greg turned his head away from the new master. "He is angry all the time, I cannot teach him to shake it. He insists on acting on his rage, Qui." Lestrade wiped his eyes quickly. "And what makes it worse is I agree that he has every right to be angry at his past, every right to hate the man that scarred his back and forced him into a cell at night. I try to soothe him, but yesterday he broke Anderson's foot and now Donavan wants the council to remove Sherlock from my custody unless I prove to be a good guardian."
"Why did he break the young man's foot?" Qui Gon's words were in a soothing tone.
"The little buggar insulted me, and Sherlock took it to heart. I didn't know what he was doing 'til it was too late."
"Did you rebuke him, Greg?"
"Of course I did, I'm not stupid. We argued, he feels he is in the right, and I know he cannot act on anger in such a manner. He is so young, Qui, if I cannot stop his rage now I am not fit to be his mentor."
"You wish to transfer his apprenticeship?" Qui Gon was genuinely surprised.
"I must think of what is best for him." Lestrade spoke bitterly.
"He will see it as abandonment, Greg."
"He is a brilliant child, so insightful and clever. If he had been brought here, instead of to that Sith's spit of a layer they would have never let me near him. He would have been sought after by the greatest masters, instead he is stuck with me. He will see it as a gift."
"Greggy." Qui Gon snapped. "You make it sound as though you are more sorry for yourself than your padawan."
"Do you think this is easy for me?" Lestrade choked. "I've had him for a year now." He lowered his head to the floor, kowtowing before the new master. "Qui, take him as your apprentice. You are greater than I. I humble myself before you, I cannot raise Sherlock in the way he deserves."
"And you believe the former master of one who turned dark can?" Qui Gon asked gently. "You love him." The words were soft.
"It is forbidden to have such an attachment." Greg had not risen from the uncomfortable position. "You know I cannot."
"And yet you do. As all masters do."
"He is like my son. I want what is best for him, even if that is not me." Lestrade whispered to the ground.
"Greg, I will not take your padawan because like Sherlock, you are still learning. He is only eleven, he will get angry and enraged and throw fits. He is only a child. Has he apologized for his actions yet?" The master asked wisely.
The knight shook his head as he rose. "He refuses to see my side of the argument. I left him in his room after chiding the poor kid for an hour. To be fair he was shouting at me for the same amount of time."
"You were patient with him?"
"Course I was. I don't want to shout at the little thing. He'd blow away if I raised my voice."
"Let him out of his room, but Greg do not engage him in anyway until he at least tries to see it from your point of view."
"Sherlock will remain stubborn as always, it will not change his mind." Greg muttered, his knees were beginning to become one with the floor. He just wanted to move.
"Your padawan loves you. After a day, perhaps two of no contact with his father figure he will come to you."
Greg bowed his head. "I love Sherlock, it does not mean he loves me." Lestrade closed his eyes in pain. "He must see how much I am failing him, how unworthy of him I am."
"All masters can see only the worst of themselves, while their padawans can see only the best." Qui Gon countered softly.
"You did not love Dooku my friend." Lestrade said gently. "Nor did I love my master."
"Those were….unlikely circumstances. I doubt you've ever locked your padawan in a Force-free cell as a punishment."
Lestrade flinched, remembering how he found the boy. "Perhaps you are right, Qui Gon. But forgive me if I worry that my attachment is blinding me from what is best for my boy."
"The Force brought you two together, you felt it the moment you found the boy. Sherlock knows it too, I can see it in his eyes whenever you come near him." Qui Gon smiled. "You are loved and forgiven by that boy the minute the deed is over, even if sometimes you both must separate and lick your wounds."
Lestrade kowtowed once more, his forehead pressing against the cool floor. "You are truly a wise master, Qui Gon Jinn. I thank you."
"Raise, young knight." Qui Gon winked. "And bring your padawan to the light."
The image flickered and died with Lestrade's laughing face.
Sherlock stared at long after the image of his master was gone. "I never knew he went to you for advice. I never knew he wanted to transfer my apprenticeship." Sherlock didn't disguise the hurt in voice for once in his life.
"He wanted you to have a master worthy of your talents." Qui Gon rested a comforting hand on the young knight's shoulder.
"He was worthy." Sherlock snapped. "He was an absolute moron for thinking he wasn't. I…"
"Then he wasn't failing you?"
"Of course not. I was only a child, how could he think fights were not the norm. He was always patient, it was rare my master lost his temper. He should have more often, if he was smart. I was an awful child."
"You blame yourself for that fight?" Qui Gon asked innocently.
"It was my fault." The confirmation.
"Greg thought not."
Sherlock scowled. "He was blinded by his affection then. The argument was started by me."
"Child, listen to your own words and find your padawan." Qui Gon said wisely. "You will both need time to heal, make no mistake, but I will accuse you of the same thing I did your master. You love him."
"Master, I cannot love him." Sherlock said angrily. "I cannot love him. I cannot."
"Why, Sherlock?" The master asked with gentle words.
"You know why." The knight snapped viciously.
"I do not." The words were so soft it felt as though the force was speaking to him.
"Because I cannot."
"Why?"
"Because." Rage built up in Sherlock's throat and threatened to burst out of him in one great shout.
Qui Gon called on the similar traits to Lestrade in his aura, he took a deep breath and in his old friends voice said, "Little one, tell me why."
"BECAUSE I KRIFFING LOVED MY MASTER, AND HE WAS TAKEN FROM ME! CAN'T YOU SEE IT YOU IDIOT, HE TAKES EVERYTHING FROM ME. HE TOOK MY MASTER, HE WILL KILL JOHN." Sherlock's scream was violent and explosive. The Force ripped through his words shattering windows and snapping the hologram in two. Qui Gon merely brushed glass from his shoulder.
"Your master knew the risk he took and though it does not make it easier, it was his choice." Qui Gon said lightly. "Anger and fear will not stop your care for this child, young one, it will only hide it. Even from John."
"If Moriarty takes him from me I will kill him." Sherlock said with deadly quiet. "I cannot stop that dark feeling in me."
"Sherlock, calm yourself. I foresee your padawan becoming a great Jedi."
Sherlock took a deep breath in. "Forgive my outburst." He muttered indignantly.
"Go to him, my young friend. Tell him he is stuck with you for the next fifteen years." Qui Gon smirked.
Sherlock nodded and bowed low to the elder Jedi with small thanks. He rushed to find his padawan. Qui Gon watched the young knight go, he closed his eyes and willed Lestrade to hear him.
I told you, you were loved.
Bragging does not suite you, Master Jinn. But yes, you did.
oOo
John wiggled his sore ankle.
Sherlock told him he needed to watch his swearing, but the kriffing thing hurt. It had been a week since he had received the injury, it should have been long since healed. He entered a light healing trance, focusing his energy on his ankle and mentally begging Sherlock to come find him. Master Anderson cleared his throat loudly.
"Was the trance at least productive for you Padawan Watson?" He asked with a tone Sherlock had described as akk claws on a chalk board. John cringed.
"Forgive me Master Anderson, I did not realize class had been dismissed." The padawan blushed. He was so distracted, he decided it would be easier to return to the flat and wait for his master. The stool creaked loudly as he pushed it back.
"I haven't seen your master today, John. Where is he?" Anderson's voice had dropped an octave, he pushed his hair away from his face.
"He is with Master Jinn." John said easily. "He should be back soon though, I hope."
"He didn't tell you when he would be back?" Anderson asked with distain.
"My master did not know." John said loyally. He made to step around Anderson, but the knight stopped him.
"Since you think it is acceptable to waste some of my time, I am inclined to waste some of yours, John."
John scowled.
Please shut up.
"It is a padawan's duty to learn right from wrong, and you will not fall asleep in my class again." Anderson wagged a stern finger under John's nose. It took every ounce of control John had, not to roll his eyes. He tugged at his own sleeves nervously. There was something very wrong in Anderson's aura.
"Erm…yes, Master. I am very sorry, sir. It won't happen again, but I need to go to my master's quarters and…"
"You will help me carry this soiled protective coats down to lab and then you are free to go." Anderson was already passing him a bundle of disgusting smelling clothes. John nearly gagged as the fumes tickled his nose. He held them as far away from his face as his arms would allow. The smell made him dizzy.
"What is this chemical, sir?" John felt like the world was spinning too quickly. He stumbled and leaned heavily into a wall.
"Relax, John. It is called chloroform. It won't hurt you.`" Anderson guided the bundle under the struggling boy's face, a small needle pierced his arm. John gasped, mentally his brain screamed for Sherlock.
"I…don't…why?" The child began to slump forward into unconsciousness.
"The elder protects the younger, my future padawan. We are saving you from that Sith Lord's hold."
MASTER! MASter… Mas…
John fell against the knight's arms with the scream still echoing across their bond.