Chapter Six

"Out of the Storage Unit"

Meal delivery to his rooms was an option Qui-Gon had considered several times. However, he understood that socialization was an important part of his life as a Jedi, even though he preferred a lifestyle a bit more reclusive. It simplified things. No questions, no judgments, no having to put up with Ki-Adi-Mundi, for example.

"Good morning, Master Qui-Gon!" the Council Member expressed far too cheerfully, considering what was on his meal tray.

"Good morning, Master Mundi," Qui-Gon replied, not yet able to draw his attention away from his companion's choice of food items. Amazing. Mundi had chosen the boiled tubers this morning. He was more brave than Qui-Gon thought.

"How are you feeling?"

See? Another reason he liked being a hermit. He didn't have to answer questions like that. Could no one think of something else to talk to him about?

"I am well, and you?"

"I find I am satisfactory this particular day, although I did wake up with some stiffness in my back. I suppose I need to talk to Supply about getting a new sleep-couch soon. Afterwards, I'll go visit the healers and see if they can..."

Qui-Gon had stopped listening to Ki-Adi's mundane chatter about the aches and pains of old age as soon as he had asked the question. There was something going on at the entrance to the commissary, which was far more interesting. Knights and padawans alike had gathered about the doorway. It took a moment for Qui-Gon to discover what the disturbance was, when he caught a glimpse of reddish-blonde hair amongst the mass of tunic-clad bodies.

Obi-Wan was back in the Temple. Anakin stood next to his side, talking quite animately with the gathering crowd.

He and Ki-Adi took a seat at the Master's tables, although Qui-Gon couldn't quite focus upon anything but the presence of his former padawan. They had arrived a tenth later than the council expected, but from what he understood, there had been complications. One of them being, Obi-Wan apparently had grown a beard, which was a good idea, Qui-Gon thought. It made the him look older and more distinguished, as a Jedi Master should. However, it also made him look severe and strict, which was not so good.

"What's all the excitement about?" he was forced to ask Mundi.

Ki-Adi leaned forward, his yellow eyes becoming bright with the news he was about to disclose. The Cerean loved his gossip. "Kenobi and Skywalker have discovered another Sith!"

That was the complication? Qui-Gon was certain his padawan could handle the situation. He'd done so before.

"The Master of the one we met on Naboo?"

"No," Mundi explained, leaning further in. "One of our own has turned to the dark side: Count Dooku."

Qui-Gon couldn't quite put that information into perspective. His old Master had turned? The last time he had heard from Dooku was during that mess on Vortex. The man had somehow become involved with the Banking Clan, but he hadn't seemed tainted to Qui-Gon, just financially motivated.

"Was there a confrontation?" he asked keeping his eyes on the crowd.

"Not directly. Apparently, before they could leave Naboo, Dooku's hired thugs kidnapped Senator Amidala and took her to Geonosis. Kenobi and Skywalker had to rescue her."

"Senator Amidala? Why would Dooku kidnap her?"

"Supposedly, there's some romantic interest between Skywalker and the senator. The Council is assuming Dooku is planning on using that information against Anakin in an effort to lure him away from Kenobi and the Jedi. The Chosen One would be a great addition to the Sith, would he not?"

Qui-Gon chose to focus on only one of Ki-Adi's comments - the one he was most interested in. The rest was simply rubbish. Anakin would never leave the Jedi to become a Sith! It was preposterous!

"Romantic interest? Is that so?" A wide grin spread across Qui-Gon's bearded face.

"Why are you smiling?" Ki-Adi seemed both shocked and curious.

"The dustcrepes are exceptional this morning," Qui-Gon quickly explained covering his emotional faux pas, taking a quick glance at his tray, hoping the specific food item was present.

"But you haven't even taken a bite of them."

"They smell exceptional. Excuse me, Ki-Adi."

Qui-Gon tool the opportunity to rise after noticing the crowd surrounding his padawan had dispersed. He walked toward Anakin, hoping to be able to congratulate the boy on a job well done. He would've congratulated them both, but once Obi-Wan had met his eye, his former padawan left the commissary entirely. Anakin, however, who had been beaming with excitement just a few moments ago as he relived his thrilling mission with his captive audience, turned sober, jerking his head in the opposite direction. Qui-Gon dutifully followed, overcome with the feeling he was about to experience an outburst of teenage angst.

"I can't do this!" the young man whispered loudly once they'd reached the hallway outside the commissary.

"From what I've heard," Qui-Gon noted, his hads confidently disappearing inside the sleeves of his robe, a slight smile appearing beneath his silvered moustache, "you've already done it." The older Jedi bit back the chuckle which threatened due to his creative play on words.

"You don't understand, Master!" Anakin continued, and for the first time, Qui-Gon looked beyond his own satisfaction to notice the boy was genuinely upset about something.

"What's troubling you?"

Here it came, thought Qui-Gon. He was in love with Senator Amidala too - which would mess up everything! It would provoke an emotional instability in Obi-Wan, in their working as well as personal relationship, and it wouldn't help mend his and Obi-Wan's relationship either.

"I don't know how to say this..."

The young man was reluctant, which could only mean bad news, and Qui-Gon steadied himself for it.

"Master Qui-Gon, my lightsaber doesn't swing that way."

The older man thought over Anakin's statement, puzzling his already quizzical brow. What does this have to do with his lightsaber?

"Pardon me?" he asked quietly, noticing the approach of a few padawans.

Anakin waited for the small group to enter the commissary and then whispered again. "I prefer outies, not innies."

He had no reply to that, since he didn't want to appear as naive and ignorant about the younger generation such as say...Master Mundi. There was a Jedi who had no clue what young ones were about these days. But apparently, he didn't either. He could tell by the way Anakin was staring at him expectantly, as if the young man were begging to not have to explain this any further.

But he was, because Qui-Gon was obviously experiencing a senior moment.

"Master Jinn!" the young man's voice had a definite whining quality to it; something Qui-Gon had not noticed before. It was quite irritating.

"What?"

The youth murmured something between his teeth, which was not discernible to his old ears.

"Anakin, you're going to have to speak up. I'm not a young knight any longer," he scolded the padawan, choosing to ignore the way the boy's eyes rolled toward the ceiling.

"I'm gay!"

He'd heard that. As had the half dozen Jedi walking down the hall.