Stuck in a Lift

Summary: Pre-TPM. Qui-Gon Jinn & Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Jedi pair get stuck in a lift during a mission. Obi-Wan POV.

Not my idea. I needed to make that perfectly clear.

I'd said, let's take the long way, the scenic route. We were in no rush, it was a beautiful day on a stunningly beautiful planet. But Qui-Gon Jinn being Qui-Gon Jinn was a man who insisted that being early to meetings taking place between parties engaged in opposition, was to have them grasp how serious the negotiator was about offering solution. When you're called in as ambassador, never show weakness and never be late.

Well, we were going to be late. Why? Because instead of taking the scenic route, we took the lift. A lift that not only went vertical, but horizontal, diagonal, and possibly even backwards. The metal structure that was the main building in the capital city of Muhib was so enormous, it took an hour to walk from the east wing to the west. The massive three-boxed lift system was the main method of transportation between the various areas.

I had suggested the open-air walkway that ran the circumference of the building. Yes, the walk would take most of an hour to our destination, but as I'd said, there had been no rush and the Muhib was stunning.

My suggestion? Overruled, as Qui-Gon sought to avoid the influx of small talk he'd been subject to the day prior. Not that he minded it on most missions. My master thrived in interaction with the locals. He enjoyed in truly getting the real feel of city, town, or village. How the locals lived, how they related to their home and the powers that held office.

But Jedi had never set foot in the capital city of Muhib prior to our landing on this planet. In a way, we as Jedi were more legend than reality. So, of course, we'd become the talk of the town. Everything from our robes to my braid. The curious were all around and not afraid to talk that curiosity to literal death.

I was famous for being quickly annoyed by pestering attention, but we'd been cramped in a freighter ship for two days before arriving, so I'd been longing for outside air. The climate here was crystal clean and crisp. These people dedicated their lives to taking care of the world around them.

That world was beyond my grasp now; literally, just beyond the glass of the lift car. At least we were on the outside of the three car tracking system. We could see the outside, just couldn't enjoy it.

"Master." I began.

"Don't start, Obi-Wan."

"We're going to be late."

"Did you not hear what I said?"

"I did, but I felt it needed to be mentioned. We've been in here for thirty minutes. The assistant button said they are having difficulty with a power surge that caused the lift to power off. We are between stops. We are stuck."

Qui-Gon ignored me; an uncanny skill. Never a fan of my verbal replays of our predicaments, he simply shut me out.

"The climate control is also off. It's warm in here."

With the obvious stated, I shed my robe, folding it carefully and hanging it on the hand rail. Qui-Gon did not do the same. The Force would keep him cool. Well, for a time it would. Technically, the Force did not cool anyone, it was Qui-Gon projecting himself into that power and thinking he was not starting to sweat while standing in the boiling sunlight fully clothed in his layered Jedi attire.

Mind over matter, so he'd said to me on more than one occasion.

I was still hot.

"Master, what do you think will happen when we're late?"

"With the power failure, I'm certain they will understand."

"There's no escape hatch in this lift. That's unusual. We could punch the glass out with the Force or melt through the metal with our lightsabers."

"We will not destroy the property."

"I know that."

"Then why did you say it?"

To be annoying mostly. It was a bad habit I'd picked up as Qui-Gon's and my relationship had developed into a closer bond. Of course, I didn't tell him it was just to be annoying. Instead, I just shrugged.

Qui-Gon answered on my behalf. "You are bored."

He wasn't wrong. This city, as amazing as it was nature-wise, it was exceedingly tedious in every other way. I blamed that in part on the enormous size of everything. The remainder I blamed on the three-party political system. They all had the same exact ideas and thoughts, but each had slightly different ways of accomplishing the end results.

Basically, they argued over nothing. In most places that would be a positive. Disagreement and violence were common place around the galaxy for various rule. Political parties warred with each other over the most ridiculous of issues. These people here? They all respected each other. There really was no conflict.

From an ambassador viewpoint, it was boring. Well, from a young ambassador viewpoint at least.

I didn't counter Qui-Gon's charge. "I am bored. I truly don't understand why we are here. These people all get along, they all want the same thing, they don't attack each other's differences. It's a beautiful place with nice, if very nosy people. And we are here for who knows why, stuck in a lift for who knows how long."

Qui-Gon removed his robe and set it next to mine. I think I'd irritated him right out of his Force-induced cooling thoughts.

"Be grateful there are places like this that exist. They are few and far between."

"We should have walked."

There. I'd said it. I shouldn't have, but I did.

I really was cranky today and I didn't know why.

To his credit, Qui-Gon only glared at me. He could have lectured me for the next hour. Probably, he was devising the best way to kill me and leave me for dead without anyone noticing.

"Obi-Wan, you are quite irritating today."

A glare and then yeah, he called me on it.

I shrugged again. Not really knowing what to say or do. Keeping my lips from saying something else foolish would be a good way to start.

It was strange though. Feeling in such a way that I could say things to Qui-Gon that I'd not said before, or at least not said in such a specific way. Had I gotten that comfortable with our partnership? When we began this journey as master and apprentice, our relationship had been horribly rocky and unsettled. But in this last month, I'd felt more relaxed with Qui-Gon. We were such different people, but our differences made us better. They made us stronger.

Apparently, they also made me mouthier. And that was the part I couldn't seem to understand.

Thankfully, one half of this team did.

"You are comfortable." My master said, pulling back a tendril of the Force he'd pushed my way. "With me. With us. This," Qui-Gon went on, indicating the both of us with his hands, "This is the most at ease that you've felt during your life as a Jedi."

I'd been thinking smaller, just between me and myself, but was he right? Was I truly more at ease now than at any other time in my life? Certainly, initiate days are young and confusing and filled with one teaching after another. Young minds are enthralled with learning and there's no time to get really comfortable with anything.

As a pre-teenager, you are working hard to try and prove yourself, taking chances and gambling that a Master Jedi will see your potential. It's a time fulled with great anxiety and conflicting purpose.

Then that first pairing with your master and getting to understand them and digest this next higher level of training. That first year or two can be mesmerizingly impossible.

But here I was now, four years in. Qui-Gon and I had gotten to know each other. The strengths and weaknesses, the triggers and faults. We established how best to work as a team. I could look to Qui-Gon for anything. I could tell him anything.

So, his insight was true. For the first time in my life, yes, there was complete comfort with where I was and who I was.

Even if I was busy being a bothersome, cranky apprentice. Wasn't that the definition of family? When you were so relaxed around the people you cared about that you allowed your authentic self to show and be accepted?

Qui-Gon knew me better than anyone in my life had ever known me. Perhaps even better than my own self.

I finally did answer his statement, lowering my head a bit. No matter how I felt in our relationship, he was still my teacher and a Jedi Master. And contrary to my current mouthiness, I did know how to behave as an apprentice.

"I am, Master. At ease. For the first time I can ever remember." I took a breath and decided on sitting, hoping my mentor would sit with me. My back slid down the glass pane and I assumed a comfortable cross-legged position. "When I was an intimate, I yearned for this. A place where I belonged. You may already know this, but I often felt out of place when I was younger." He nodded. Of course he knew. "Then our beginning was… less than optimal. I learned from our challenges. Listened. Worked to be better. Now here we are, on a distant planet, sitting on the floor of a lift, waiting for power to be restored. When I was younger, just the thought of having to share quiet moments with you terrified me. My mind would flip and twist and invent a hundred different ways how those moments would end. This is what I'd hoped for, but never imagined would actually come to fruition."

My eyes kept forward, Qui-Gon not yet making a motion to slide into position next to me. Then he did. His large frame moving effortlessly into the same crosslegged position.

"And yet here we are." He replied softly. "And you reminding me once again that we decided against walking to this meeting."

"Technically, Master, we didn't decide. You did."

"Obi-Wan." Okay, I'd pushed it on that one.

"Sorry, Master. I just... this... us... makes me feel… good. It gives me purpose. I know I can do this, become a Knight and eventually train an apprentice of my own."

"I've always known you can do those things, Padawan. Alas, there are times when you do tend to get in your own way."

Truth. It was one thing Qui-Gon promised me after the rocky start to our pairing.

He promised me honesty.

"You've never seen it in yourself. Until now. I'm pleased for that."

There was a but coming...

"But I wish you would see it with less annoying enthusiasm than you've been demonstrating on this mission."

I agreed. "I am sorry for my behavior, Master. Once we get out of this lift, I will do better."

"Or you'll do better while we're in the lift. No telling how long this may actually take. It's not out of the realm of possibility that this is actually a rouse to keep us from the meeting."

Now there was a thought.

"You don't think the leaders want us to attend?"

Qui-Gon thought on that one. Once he'd said it out loud, I begin to suspect that the idea had probably been bouncing around his mind for a while.

It hadn't been anywhere near my train of thought. Why would they ask Jedi here if they didn't want to utilize our negotiating abilities?

"It's a possibility." Qui-Gon continued, head slightly cocked to one side. "The leaders are kind and unassuming, but as you said, there is no quarrel. Each party, each leader, wants the best for their people and the planet."

"Then why would they ask for Jedi?"

"Did they?"

He stopped me on that one and his look indicated he wanted me to think about it before I responded. My master was testing me. Finding a lesson in everything. Even when stuck in a lift. If that wasn't Qui-Gon Jinn, nothing was.

So, I thought on it. Went over the facts in my head. The mission plans. The communication with the planetary leaders prior to us arriving. The guidance from the Council. The events that had taken place that led to Jedi - specifically to Qui-Gon and myself being assigned to this mission.

Time passed. My mind rolled the facts around in my head a few hundred times. Qui-Gon had fallen into meditation. He knew the answer and was waiting for me to catch up.

And then, there it was. Right there.

The leaders had been confused about Jedi coming to their planet during their week-long conference. The Jedi Council had been a tad too pleased at assigning this to us.

The Council... they'd wanted Qui-Gon out of the Temple and off Coruscant for the week. Events were happening, annual events that had been on-going for as long as the Jedi had been an Order. Many of those events revolved around discussion of the Jedi Code and reviewing cases of Jedi involvement in breaking away from that Code. Qui-Gon would most definitely be a topic of discussion. He always was. And he would make certain he said his peace, as he always did.

Not this year! The Council purposely sent us here to this planet of no-conflict in order for the leaders to trap us under friendly fire for however long the Council requested. The planetary leaders and the Council were in cahoots and Qui-Gon knew it.

"I know what this is, Master Qui-Gon. The Council, they sent us here on purpose, to keep you off their backs while Code violations and violators were discussed at the annual meetings. And we are stuck in this lift… intentionally."

A quirky-lipped smile came my way as Qui-Gon said, "Indeed they did and indeed we are."

"You knew this was coming!" I gasped. "But then… why didn't you agree to walk with me to the meetings then instead of taking the lift?"

"That is what eluded me. I knew the leaders would delay us, I just could not determine the how."

"Master, the Council really does not like you at all." I huffed out in a quiet laugh.

"I follow the will of the Force, Obi-Wan, not the Council."

I nodded knowingly, but at the same time, slightly disappointed. Qui-Gon didn't follow the strict guidance of the Jedi Code. If he had, he'd have been on the Council long ago; the height to which so many Jedi aspire, and where I hoped to be one day.

"You may one day find yourself there, Padawan." Qui-Gon said. He was apparently a mind reader now, I thought to myself as he spoke. "You have qualities that will make you invaluable to the Council. I would only ask that in your life, you give your decisions thought from all sides, even if they go against what you firmly think that you believe.

In other words, trust in my instinct. Trust in the Force. Nothing is truly black and white. Much of the galaxy hovers in the gray. Qui-Gon believed that with all of his heart and knowledge. I didn't always agree, but the man was far too great a Jedi to simply brush off his ideas.

"I will, Master." I promised, before adding the query, "But, have you gone against the Code so often this past year that the Council went to such extremes to keep you from their meetings?"

"Probably not," he replied with a scratch to his beard, "though they've tried in the past to keep me distant. Usually I find a way around it. This year, I admit my mind being occupied elsewhere when the time came to figure out my place in those meetings."

A month ago, when the meetings had been announced, Qui-Gon was busy helping me recover from a mission-gone-wrong. An emotional and physically wrenching time. Thinking back on it, that was probably the trigger to my new feelings of relaxation around him. That he'd dedicated so much time and energy to get me back on my feet, even countering the Council when they insisted he be volunteered for a solo mission and determinedly refused them in order to stay for my recovery. It had been a turning point in our partnership. One that I was only now consciously noticing.

I acknowledged that I understood his reference and was grateful.

"So, what to we do now?"

It was a legitimate question. Regardless of the why's and how's of our current situation, we remained here, stuck in a lift.

In typical ever-so-patient Qui-Gon fashion, he replied simply, "We wait." And just to nag me, "We will also not tell me again how it would have been quicker to take the walkway."

"Well, no. Now that I understand this is a game the Council has played with us. I figure though that we've come out the better in that game. With the truth exposed, we can advise the city leaders and maybe… enjoy a bit of downtime?"

Hopeful, I was being hopeful. Qui-Gon did love to work, but he wasn't against taking advantage of opportunity when it presented itself. And if the Council wanted us to be here on this wonderful and beautiful planet for a week, who's to say we couldn't beat them at their game, stretch the truth about the progress of our mission and extend our stay?

Once… we got out of this lift.

"I don't disagree with your suggestion, Padawan. However, know that this downtime of which you speak would include training and lessons."

Of course it would. This was Qui-Gon Jinn after all.

"I will gladly accept whatever training and lessons you offer, Master. As you said, planets such as this are a rarity. We'd be fools to not take advantage of that."

And when the lift finally showed promise of movement two hours later, perfectly timed to miss the meetings, Qui-Gon excused us both from any further political events, enlisted a local pilot and we spent the next week exploring the city of Muhib and the planet beyond. Yes, there were lessons. Yes, there was training. In addition, learned a great deal more about Qui-Gon's dedication to the Living Force than I had in the last four years. Lastly, I worked my butt off during our stops in the farmlands. The farmlands layered the western portion of the planet providing sustenance and adding to the majesty of the landscape. They also required tremendous manual labor from the workers striving toward a promising future.

Manual labor. Good for the soul is what Qui-Gon said to me.

Jedi weren't exactly known for their farming abilities. We were however, strong and dedicated to a cause. And if severely sweating my way through a twelve hour day, working the precious crops that maintained balance for the entire ecosystem, and then falling on my face from exhaustion after… if this was Qui-Gon's lesson? Then it was a lesson I was proud of.

Our final day on the planet finished with a morning of enjoying the breakfast delicacies from one of the three farms we'd worked. That, followed by a flight back to where we'd pick up a ride to a public transport home.

I noticed our flight stopping prior to where I thought we'd been heading. "Master," I whispered past Qui-Gon's shoulder, "Why is the pilot dropping us so far from our destination?" I questioned in confusion as we descended the small ramp to the lush grasses below. I watched wistfully as the ship lifted off without us.

Qui-Gon set a hand on my shoulder. "You, my young Padawan… you began this mission by wishing to take the scene route, the long way. You wished to walk. So, here we are. Granting your wish."

I swatted a bug out of my face and eyed my teacher. "Master, this is not what I meant." He knew that. I still had to say it though.

"It's not and yet here we are. If I've calculated correctly, we are five thousand kilometers from our destination. We have our belongings, we will just walk directly to the taxi service. And the taxi will take us to a ship-ride home." His hand tightened on my shoulder as he continued. "There's no rush, Obi-Wan. None at all. The Council wanted us gone. We were gone. In fact, I've a piece of mind to take a detour on our way home. I gotten the schedule for one of the public transports and there is one that goes a bit further out. I've an idea to ride to a favorite planet of mine, Terra. There's an old bookseller who has the most interesting finds. Dec'lar Bin is his name. A good man. You'll like him."

Yes, this was Qui-Gon. He didn't often hold grudges, but there was a passive aggressive side to him that I kind of enjoyed. Although, flying out of our way to look at old, broken down paper books was not my idea of interesting.

Still…

"Master, you plan to pick up one of your pathetic life forms on this Terra planet, do you?"

He laughed. It was a good laugh. "One day, Obi-Wan, you will see. The most valuable friends and allies come from the most unlikely of places. You may think of them as pathetic life forms… trust me. One day, you will see. You will understand. Come, young one. Let's walk."

No, it wouldn't be that simple. One did not simply walk with Qui-Gon Jinn.

"And while we walk, I'll have you identify the various life you see. You've had a week here, more than ample time to have studied all that's around you."

Of course I had. Qui-Gon was a creature of habit in many ways. Took me a while to figure it out and then actually accept that about him. The younger me would have been annoyed and probably pouted about this task. And to be honest, I'd probably always be annoyed at many of the things Qui-Gon did, but he did them for a reason. Wishing to give me every opportunity to reach my full potential. Offering me every avenue to succeed. From lessons in a lift, to a walk in the woods, to an out-of-the-way flight, to a visit of out-lying planet so he could buy a few old worn books.

Lessons. Every one of those things was a lesson.

Two years ago, I'd have hated all of those. Today, I understood their importance of those lessons in my life. Not only in my training as Jedi, but as my growth as a person. In the process, it strengthened my relationship with Qui-Gon, offering me a contentment I'd never had. Contentment that I thought I'd never achieve.

I smiled and took a step forward as Qui-Gon's hand trailed from my shoulder to trace briefly over my padawan braid.

"I have been studying, Master, yes. I'm on to you, you know? I knew this type of lesson was coming. Too sneaky for your own good."

In the past, that last comment would have been a step too far. Not today. Not now.

"I do try my best with you, Padawan. I admit, that too often you catch to my methods. Perhaps I should change things up a bit."

My feet found footing and my legs quickened into a healthy pace, leading us through the forest toward what I hoped was the right direction.

It wasn't. Two minutes later, Qui-Gon grabbed my arm and pulled me in an eastern direction.

"Keep going that way, Obi-Wan, and you'll end up back at the farms."

"Ah, right. I've had enough farming for a while. Perhaps you should lead, Master."

I got a cocked eyebrow at that suggestion. An apprentice asking the teacher to lead them back to port - a compass I was not.

"You do need to work on your sense of direction. However, since I wish to get to Terra, I'd prefer us not to go around in circles for the next three hours. I shall lead us. You can tell me about the local wildlife. Starting with the tiny winged-creature that has been swooping near your head."

Annoying little monster that it was, I saw four wings fluttering a purple shine, a short stick-like brown body and two bulging green eyes. "A shimmer fly." I said confidently. "Of the non biting variety, found only on four planets and is attracted to human scent. So, it stays busy by spending time pestering others… sans any true threat."

"Hmm", Qui-Gon hummed. "Sounds like a certain Jedi student I know."

Confused for a quick second before I got it, "Ah, pestering. Right."

"Nevertheless, the shimmer fly is determined in it's actions and loyal to it's swarm. A most valuable member of the planet and it's ecosystem." Qui-Gon nodded at the shimmer fly, joined now by several friends that had come to roost on my shoulder.

Apparently… yes, I was being compared to an insect. But, I understood.

With a shake of my head, the flies fluttered off, certain to return before the conclusion of our trek.

We headed east once again.

"Thank you, Master." I said from several paces behind Qui-Gon. His long strides and confident ability as a human compass had him sliding through the forest with ease. My shorter legs hustled to catch up as he slowed slightly.

"For what, Obi-Wan?"

"For letting me find myself. Maybe being the human equivalent to a shimmer fly isn't so bad. Though I hope I'm not quite as annoying."

"Not quite."

There was slyness in that response. Qui-Gon being sincere but with a lightness within those words.

"Obi-Wan, you have much to learn and time to learn it. I suspect our first four years were our biggest challenge."

"It's all downhill from here then?" I smirked as we stopped for a moment to watch several creatures pouncing through a river creek.

"Downhill seems a bit too logical, doesn't it not? You're a Jedi, but you are still a teenage boy." Qui-Gon motioned a glance toward the furry brown critters.

Easy one. "Creek Snooper. Water-bound, sleek and playful. Mostly herbivores, but given the opportunity, can be quite the fisherman. I don't endeavor to be as much like the Snooper as I am the shimmer fly."

"No, though we have yet to visit the planet of Bahr. Fishing is a lifestyle there as well as a relaxing pastime for those of us needing a respite from the life."

Was Qui-Gon telling me that he was fisherman in his spare time? Not that he had much spare time. My master lived to help others and to train and learn.

"You've never told me you enjoyed fishing, Master."

"You never asked."

"True. I suppose we don't often discuss hobbies. And fishing requires patience."

The Snooper slithered out of sight as we followed the creek in it's eastern direction. Qui-Gon shot me a humorous look. "Fishing requires a great deal of patience. An area where you have room to grow. Bahr is on the way to Terra. If you'd care to stopover for a day, we might enjoy a bit of time by one of their many rivers."

Hmm. I was sensing something. Qui-Gon. Retaliating in his own way against the Council for their recent actions against him. But retaliating in a way that wouldn't result in too much kick back. An out-of-the-way trip to Terra, and now Bahr? Bookstores and fishing?

"Master, certainly you didn't go galavanting from planet to planet for books and fish when you were an apprentice. You don't speak much of Master Dooku, but from what I know, he doesn't seem the type."

"Oh, he wasn't. But I had a way of wriggling myself into the missions of other Jedi at times. And I was a solo Knight prior to taking on my first apprentice. I had my ways of exploring the various worlds of our galaxy."

A side of Qui-Gon Jinn I'd not known much about, but one that certainly didn't surprise me. Yes, I was growing quite fond of this new, more comfortable relationship of ours.

We kept east until reaching our destination. Qui-Gon's lessons toughened on the way to encompass more than plants and animals. It broadened into past societies of nearby planets; archived defense strategies of the Jedi; and political classes of the people of our prior five missions. A bit of everything. Such was my teacher.

Our taxi ride to public transport; and the transport ride itself was uneventful, though I admit to falling dead asleep and using Qui-Gon's shoulder as a pillow on the long journey to Terra. Comfortable indeed.

My mind had been tired. My body the same. I was years from having Qui-Gon's ability to rest my entire being with several deep moments of meditation. It came to him so naturally, I admit to envy in that aspect. Could I imagine myself ever ascending to that level? Not yet. Not anytime soon. Perhaps one day though. Qui-Gon had faith in me.

"You will get there, Obi-Wan." He said, as I rolled my head vertical. Our approach to Terra was near.

"Master?" I questioned. Not certain I knew what he referred to.

"You asked about relaxing through meditation and my abilities there, you questioned if you'd ever ascend to the same level."

Ah, what? "I asked you that? Verbally and out loud?" Hadn't I only done that in my head? Wasn't that my own personal thought?

"You did. Not long after you started drifting off. You don't recall."

"I do not. I know that I thought it - in my head. Sorry. You've told me before to not think badly of my abilities. Didn't mean for that to be a verbal thought. My mouth apparently gets in the way of my brain at times."

"It does." Came his flat, yet non judgmental response. "It's an honest thought. I've offered an honest return. Give yourself time. Patience, remember? Practice for your upcoming book hunting and fishing expedition."

Right. Books. Fishing. Exciting times ahead. Patience. Got it.

"I will, Master, work on my patience. I'm looking forward to books and fishing."

"Are you?"

Got me there. "Well, I look forward to spending time learning more about the things you enjoy. Can't say that I will enjoy the actual events themselves, but I can certainly enjoy the journey and the company."

"And that, my apprentice, is exactly the type of answer I was seeking. Are you fully awake?"

My face expanded in a yawn. "Yes. Are we on approach?"

"ETA is five minutes."

"The planet of Terra."

"Care to tell me what you know about the planet?"

"Master, I've not ever heard of it until you mentioned it."

"Right. Well then, I will test you on the way out of Terra."

He would. That was no simple threat. Qui-Gon would task me with learning about the planet as we wandered the antique store shopping for boring paper books. I'd be on it though and ready for my quiz.

"So, this shop owner, Dec'lar Bin? You've known him long?"

"Since I was an apprentice, Count Dooku and I were here once. He was off doing some off-the-record work that he preferred me not know about, so I strolled the main town of Kaolin, which is where we will be. I developed a quick friendship with Dec'lar and have visited when time permits ever since. Not nearly as often as I'd have liked, of course."

"You mean, you couldn't visit every single month."

"Funny, Obi-Wan."

"There are no lifts to get stuck in, are there?"

"Keep it up and you take the long way when we land. You do enjoy taking the long way, after all."

"Hmmm. I will be quiet now. I do want to meet him, Master. Honestly. One day I hope to be able to make friends and allies as easily as you do."

Qui-Gon stood as our destination was announced and the ship began descent to the surface. He reached over to pat me on the shoulder. "You will get there." The ship pounded down as we got our landing feet under us. "Shall we?"

"Lead the way and I will follow." I said. And I would. Follow. As different as Qui-Gon and I were, this is truly where I was meant to be. At his side. Learning, training, talking, even cracking in with a joke now and then.

Not long ago, this was something I wasn't sure would ever come to pass.

But now, now I was convinced that our troubled beginning was the very catalyst that led to this point.

And this comfortable partnership between Qui-Gon and me? No… this comfortable family feeling between us? Itwas more than I ever imagined.

Even if it had been the Council responsible for the manipulation of the mission to get us stuck in a lift… simply to keep Qui-Gon Jinn out of their hair.

It had all been worth it.

END