Jedi Hearts

Chapter Six:
Honor Your Master

Day 3

Obi-Wan woke to the buzzing of the crono. He pulled Melody close and breathed in the scent of her hair and began nuzzling her neck and shoulder. “Good morning sweetheart,” as he watched her lavender eyes open sleepily. Bearded lips kissed the small pale nose and a groan escaped her lips as she stretched against him. “I’m going to fix breakfast for uautiautiful. I just didn’t want you to wake up alone again.”

“Good morning, and thank you,” she answered, smiling sleepily at him.

Obi-Wan kissed her softly and threw his legs over the side of the sleep couch. He stood up, walked over to his bag, and pulled out a clean tunic. Within minutes he was dressed and before leaving the room, he walkeer ter to the bed and dropped one more kiss on the top of Melody’s head. He palmed the door open and saw that the door to the ‘Padawans room’ was open and thinking that they were awake, Obi-Wan walked to the door and peered in.

The first thing he saw was a light blue nightgown half hanging on the end of the bedside table. Narrowing his eyes Obi-Wan looked at the sleep couch closest to the door; the sheets and blankets still neatly covered the bed. Obviously, no one had slept on that sleep couch. Stepping into the room, his bluish-green eyes took in the e one on the second couch. Ember’s bare back was to him and Qui-Gon’s arm was wrapped around her tiny waist, his hand resting on her hip. Ember’s arm was draped across his Padawan’s stomach and her face was turned into his shoulder. Obi-Wan opened his mouth to wake them when Ember shifted, causing the blanket to fall further down; leaving no doubt that neither his Padawan nor her had any clothes on. He blushed once, spun on his heal, and walked back to the room he was sharing with Melody. “Mel I think you need to go see your Padawan.”

"Obi-Wan what’s wrong?" Melody asked as she quickly pulled her skirt on.

“Oh nothing, if you don’t count flashing a Jedi Master.” Obi-Wan replied sarcastically.

"She did what?" Melody demanded as she quickly stood up and walked toward the door where Obi-Wan stood

Obi-Wan shook his head and exasperatedly ran his hands through his hair. “Never mind they need to get up and I don’t want to go back in there or I’ll become tomorrow’s Sith and kill my Padawan today.”

Melody looked at Obi-Wan, frowned, and walked out of the room. She opened the door to their Padawan’s quarters across the hall. There on the sleep couch furthest from the door laid the two Padawans wrapped in each other’s arms, wearing no clothes. "Ember D’on and Padawan Jinn, I would advise you to wake up!" She announced loudly, her voice stern and unyielding. She feigned an utter indifference to the view of the two nude bodies to which she was subjected.

Ember began to stir as she heard her Master’s voice penetrating the haze of sleep. Automatically she mumbled, “I’m awake Master,” as she snuggled deeper into the warmth of the body next to her.

Qui-Gon, hearing voices, was about to tell his master that he wouldn’t be late if he slept a few more minutes. Suddenly he heard Ember’s sleepy voice fromide ide him tell her master that she was awake and his eyes flew open. He turned his head to see the dark lavender eyes of Master Melody, who stood a few feet away from the sleep couch that they laid on. "Ember," Qui-Gon called, gently shaking her shoulder.

"Padawan Jinn, get up out of that bed. Get your clothes on and go see Obi-Wan; I'm sure he would like to speak with you. And for your information, your Master was the first to find you. He sent me because apparently he is too shy to look at the two of you without your tunics," Melody told him as she turned to leave the room. "You have five minutes to get your clothes on and go across the hall," Melody snapped as she left the room.

Turquoise eyes opened and a small fist rubbed the sleep from them. Ember looked at the male body she was curled up next to and the events of the night before flashed through her mind. Did I hear my Master or was I dreaming? “Good morning.”

"Good morning," Qui-Gon replied. He quickly rolled out of bed and began to rummage through his bag for a clean tunic. "Come on, get up and get dressed. Master Melody was just here and she gave me five minutes to get my clothes on and go across the hall because Obi-Wan would like to speak with me."

Ember chuckled and watched Qui-Gon hurriedly move around the room. She pulled the blanket up over her, layback down, and stretched. “That wasn’t exactly the wake up call from you I was hoping for.”

"I'm sorry Emy," Qui-Gon told her, and sat back down on the sleep couch, leaned over her, and gave her a good morning kiss, caressing her cheek with his right hand. He pulled away from her and hurried to finish dressing.

Ember climbed out of bed and walked over to Qui-Gon. Her small hands helped adjust his tunics. “Relax my Maverick. He won’t kill you I promise.” She pressed her body against his and whispered hesitantly, “Even if he is angry, it was worth it … right?”

Qui-Gon turned around and smiled at her, "Definitely," he agreed. "I wouldn't change anything," Qui-Gon assured her, wrapping his arms around her.

“Good, because … the way you’re rushing around here gave me the idea that maybe you regretted it.” She pulled his head down and kissed him again as she let her fingers roam across his bare skin, under his tunic.

"I do need to go though. I don't think we want to cause our Masters to be any more upset than they already are," Qui-Gon told her, still holding Ember in his arms.

“My Master was not angry… yours might have been but if mine was she would have dragged me out of bed by my braid.” Rosy lips turned up in a grin as she walked back to the bed, hips swaying.

"Well, I've already disappointed my Master enough on tmissmission and technically it hasn't even started yet," Qui-Gon told her as he watched her walk away. "I guess I should go across the hall before my Master sends out a search party for me."

****

"Obi-Wan," Melody said storming back into their quarters. "Why are you so upset? What did you think they would do together? You didn't think it was a problem when they had sex by the lake. But now that they had sex again, in a room that you’ve told them to share, you\upseupset. Is it because you discovered that he is not as perfect as you thought? I almost feel sorry for your Padawan."

Melody took a deep breath to calm her, so her next words would not sound too harsh. "I knew a girl who tried too hard to be the perfect Padawan. She was afraid of making any mistakes and even her closest friends didn't realize how much she overworked herself just so she wouldn’t make a mistake and disappoint her Master. Obi-Wan did you listen to the wayt Qut Qui-Gon described you, last night. I know if I was the Padawan of the most popular Jedi Knight in the Temple, one who had defeated a Sith in battle, I'd be very worried about disappointing him, more so than I was with my own Master."

Obi-Wan stood there for a moment, stared at Melody and sighed. “No Mel, it’s not that I had a problem with them having sex by the lake. I had hoped that it was not something permanent for both of them … He’s still a Padawan. I don’t want him side tracked by thinking he’s in love.” He rubbed his forehead with the tips of his fingers, took a deep breath and looked up to see Qui-Gon standing in the door. “Come in Padawan. Melody will you excuse us, please?”

“Sure,” Melody replied, “I think my Padawan and I will go to the galley and start preparing first meal.”

As she watched Qui-Gon leave the room, she began to get things ready to take a shower and walked into the fresher. Ember sighed and shook her head. She didn’t want Master Kenobi mad at Qui-Gon and didn’t understand why the hypocrisy of having them share a room and then getting upset when they slept in the same bed. That didn’t sound like her Master and she wondered what Lyu thought. {Master, can I talk to you? Or should I wait until you’re no longer aggravated.} Ember could feel her Master’s exasperation through their bond.

Melody walked out of the room to hear her Padawan ask if she could talk to her through the bond. She entered her Padawan’s quarters saying, “Yes, Ember we can talk.”

Ember poked her head out from behind the fresher wall and said, “Thank you Master.” Stepping back into the hot spray, she began scrubbing her body while she talked. “Master, I need help. Yesterday I was sure I could handle everything but now I’m not so sure.”

“I don’t understand Ember what it is that you can’t handle?” Melody asked as she sat down on the bed closest to the doorway.

Ember closed her eyes and let the water cascade over her head and body while she thought about her Master’s question. “Um do you remember the conversation we had yesterday?”

“Yes,” Melody nodded, suspecting that she knew what her Padawan was about to tell her.

“Qui-Gon has the ability to frustrate me to the point where even mediation doesn’t help one minute and the next minute he’s like a Nexu that somebody has kicked too often.” Ember turned off the water, called a towel to her using the Force, and began to dry off. “When he walked in on me in the shower yesterday, I believed it was a case of desire; well that is after he blushed and stuttered his way through an apology for just walking in. Now he wants to call me his girlfriend.” She walked past her Master, pulled the nightgown off the table, hung it in the closet, and pulled out her cream tunic. As she sat on the couch, she continued to talk in a hushed tone and handed her Master the data pad in question. “He wrote me this note and picked those flowers for me. I don’t know what to do. I only went into the cargo bay to get him so he didn’t have to sleep on the cold floor when he told me that he wanted me to call him ‘My Knight.”

"How do you feel about him?" Melody asked. "I remember nearly a year ago that you thought that you were in love with Bren. Up until we left the temple for this mission, you were still trying to win him back."

Ember forced a smile and said, “I don’t know. One minute I want to toss Qui-Gon out the nearest air lock and the next, I have butterflies in my stomach because he called me Milady. I don’t know how to explain what we’ve started but it’s nothing like what I felt for Bren,” Ember sighed and fell back on the beMastMaster do you know what the scariest part of this is … I was urging Qui-Gon to be cautious and not to do anything to jeopardize his Jedi career.”

"Why would you fear that he would jeopardize his Jedi career?" Melody asked, wondering what else they had talked about after turning off the intercom.

“Master will you tell Master Kenobi what I said…or say?” Ember asked watching her Master carefully.

Melody sighed, "Ember if you tell me what I think you might. Yes, I will have no choice but to tell Master Kenobi."

“Then may I think about itit bit before I tell you?” Ember asked. “That isn’t the real problem Master, he wants this to be a forever type thing and I don’t think I’m ready for that. But before last night, I had never wanted to sleep with anyone. …And I’m not talking about the sex part because that was great, but waking up to find you’re held by someone.” Although watching as his cute bottom raced around trying to get dressed wasn’t bad either.

*****

"Master, you wanted to speak with me?" Qui-Gon asked tentatively stepping into the room after Master Melody had left.

Obi-Wan paced the small room, looked at his Padawan once, and ran his hand through his hair. “Qui-Gon what in Sith’s name were you thinking?”

“I was just doing the same thing that you were Master. Why is there a problem with me doing it, but not with you doing it?” Qui-Gon asked. For the first time since becoming Obi-Wan’s Padawan, he didn’t care if he got into trouble.

“Qui-Gon, don’t take that tone of voice with me. I’m still your Master and I have every right to demand an answer to what was going through your mind when you not only had sex with her, but you spent the night in the same bed.” The young Master walked over to the bed, sat down, groaned, and ran his hands over his face. “You had no idea I was in the room, both you and Ember could be dead.”

“Master, I would have sensed danger and my lightsaber was on the end table next to the bed. I can still take care of Ember and myself if I need to. You don’t have anything to worry about,” Qui-Gon assured him.

“Sit down Padawan,” Obi-Wan said motioning to the bed across from him. When Qui-Gon stiffly sat down on the bed, Obi-Wan briefly looked away and then back at his student. “That’s not what I am talking about and you know it. You have impulsively jumped into something that in the end is going to hurt you terribly. I can understand the others … not agree with, but understand. She’s not someone you can spend the rest of your life with. This relationship is too explosive and her attitude is already affecting you. Qui-Gon know this, you have never disappointed me and while Melody believes willwill hurt Ember, I have a feeling that you’re in more danger of suffering from a broken heart?”

Qui-Gon sat down on the sleep couch across from his master and listened to what he had to say. He foughtkeepkeep quiet until Obi-Wan had finished speaking. "I’m nineteen and I'm old enough to make my own decisions. I really don't think that you should speak of Ember that way. How do you know that she will hurt me? How do you know that Melody won't hurt you? I may not be of the unifying Force, but I know that when I'm with Ember that everything feels right. And if I do get hurt, well that's a risk I’m willing to take, Master."

“I have made a terrible mistake. Again, I put my own wants before your needs and I’m sorry Qui-Gon. It’ll not happen again. For the rest of the trip you and I’ll be sleeping in the same room. You and Ember will have limited contact for the rest of the mission. If she stays in the Jedi order after we return, then we can talk about the two of you seeing each other again,” Obi–Wan sighed. He’s going to be angry with this. “I know you’re going to be angry but I want you to meditate on this. You have worked too hard to become a Jedi.”

"You’re going to try to keep us apart now!" Qui-Gon stood up, "You are unbelievable. If she agrees, I plan on seeing her whether she's a Jedi or not. The only way this will cause any real problems is if you tell the Council about us. But what will they think Master, when they learn that we just followed our Masters' example?" Qui-Gon turned away, stormed out of the quarters and out of the ship.

******

"Yes, you may. I believe you have a lot of thinking to do, if you don't want to hurt him," Melody agreed, surprised at how much she was mistaken. She realized that it was Padawan Jinn who stood the greatest chance of being hurt, not her Padawan. "Would you help me prepare first meal?" Melody asked as she turned to walk out of the door and into the hall when she heard Qui-Gon's loud voice threatening his Master before he stormed out of the room and the ship.

“No Master, I’ll fix the first meal, you go talk to Master Kenobi,” Ember smiled halfheartedly. I have done it again. I wish the Council would just call us back to the Temple and I can pack my stuff and leave. They’d all be better off without me.

"Thank you Padawan," Melody smiled sadly. She stepped quickly across the hall into the other quarters to find Obi-Wan sitting on the sleep couch with his face buried in his hands. "Obi, are you alright?"

Obi-Wan shook his head and looked up at her in a doubtful manner. “I love him like a son but I can tell I’m pushing him farther away. He has never acted like this before and he is so sure that he loves her. How do I argue with that? I love you and I didn’t do any better at keeping my hands off you.”

"Obi-Wan," Melody sat down on the sleep couch beside him and put her arms around his shoulders. "Sometimes you have to let your Padawan make his or her own mistakes. He will learn from those mistakes and become a better person because he had them. You cannot always protect him. If you continue to forbid him to have a relationship with Ember, you will push him farther away. Have you ever told him that you love him like a son? Maybe there’s a reason that he is looking for love, and I suspect he did not receive from it the other five that he was occupied with."

“Is that how you’re handling Ember? What do you know of the other five? What could he have wanted that would make him reach out to people who keep hurting him?” Obi-Wan asked quietly. “He’s willing to continue seeing her after she leaves the Jedi whether it’s a good idea or not. What did she do to inspire such feelings in him? Who were the others he was involved with?”

"I only know for certain who one of them was and I really don't want to give you anyone’s name. Obi-Wan I don\hinkhink that he feels that you love him. That could be the reason he’s trying to find someone who will love him. I don't know how you to act toward each other when you are alone together, but from what I've seen of the two of you; you certainly don't show him that you love him. Especially when you keep things from him," Melody explained to him.

Obi-Wan turned to look at her thoughtfully. “He has to know that I love him. I knew when he was ten we were meant to be together. Wee bee been through so much together and he has saved my life more times than I can count. I don’t keep anything from him.”

"And he knows that when he was ten you wanted him as a Padawan. Did you ever tell him that you think of him as more than an apprentice? If I didn't tell you that I loved you, would you have known how I felt? You can't take it for granted that someone knows you care about him. Sometimes they need to hear how you feel. You do keep things from him; you didn't tell him that you knew he had sex at the lake; you let him think that he got away with it. You only tell him what you think he needs to know, how how will he feel if he finds out somehow that you don't tell him everything?" Melody told him.

Obi-Wan stood up and began to pace. “I didn’t say anything about the lake yesterday because I was trying to allow him some privacy. Do you tell your Padawan everything?”

Ember walked into the small galley and began to prepare the first meal. She kept looking out the door hoping that Qui-Gon would come back. She became unfocused and burned herself several times. Finally, she finished the food and walked back to the room where her Master was sitting on the sleep couch talking with Master Kenobi. She over heard her Master telling Obi-Wan that maybe he needed to tell Qui-Gon how much he loved him. {Master … May I go talk to Qui-Gon? I’ll even keep the link open so you’ll know we’re not doing anything wrong
{
{Ember, I think he may need some time alone right now, but you can go and try to talk to him after you eat. I’ll know if you don't eat} Melody informed her Padawan through their bond. {I do trust you Ember.}

"Yes," Melody answered Obi-Wan, "I know that if I keep things from her, she’ll keep things from me. She knows she can come and talk to me about anything. On occasion, I have also talked to her about some things that were bothering me."

{I will Master. I am actually hungry today. I’m going to take some to him if you don’t mind. I know he might want time alone but this was my fault and I’m going to fix it.} Ember strode back down the hallway to the galley and dished two plates of food before sitting down at the table and swallowing hers as fast as she could.

“And she still wants to leave the Jedi…. hmmm.” He leaned over, kissed Melody on the head, and said, “I probably should have meditated before I talked to him. If you don’t mind I think I’m going to do that and then I’m going to find my Padawan.”

{I'm glad you’re going to take him some food, but this is not your fault Ember. You did not force him to have sex with you, nor did you force him to argue with his Master. However, he may need a friend right now} Melody told Ember, “That sounds like a very good idea, but you’re going to eat first meal before you go. You are not going to leave me to eat alone,"

Melody smiled at Obi-Wan and he grinned slightly, stood up, and offered his arm to Melody. “Then we should bttintting to the galley, Thank you, Mel.”

First meal was eaten in total silence as Melody and Obi-Wan both thought about theadawadawans and what changes the end of the mission would bring for them.

********************

Ember picked up her plate, rinsed it off, and put it in the rack before grabbing the plate she had made for Qui-Gon and walked out of the shuttle. She reached out with the Force and could sense that Qui-Gon had passed this way and was walking toward lak lake and the meadow near it. “Qui-Gon,” Ember yelled, enhancing it with the Force. “Please, I need to talk to you.”

Shessedssed over to the eastern side of the lake and walked through the field of flowers and tried to call out to her friend again. “Qui-Gon please I need to talk to you. I brought you some food.”

Ember reached out in the Force and tried to find Qui-Gon. She was sure he came this way and yet she felt him moving farther away. He doesn’t want to talk to me. I was good enough for sex but the important stuff he won’t share. “Why bother Ember he made it clear that he’s not interested in talking.” {Master, Qui-Gon does not want to talk to me. I’m on my way back.}

{Ember, don't be upset. Master Obi-Wan was very hard on him and he most likely needs to be alone to think. From what I have observed lately, I doubt he talks about things that bother him. Just give him some time alone. He may need you to talk to or just be with him later when he returns,} Melody sent through her bond.

“Yeah… whatever,” Ember muttered as she threw the food off the plate into the grass. “Maybe I won’t want to talk then.” She sulked all the way back to the shuttle in time to see another transport setting down next to theirs. {Master we have company.}

{Thank you Padawan, we’ll be right out. Be careful, it might not be the transport from the Temple.} Melody told her Padawan through the bond. "Obi-Wan, Ember just told me that we have company," as she stood up, leaving the remainder of her breakfast uneaten.

****************

Qui-Gon walked quickly through the field of flowers. He didn’t take the time to enjoy the fragrance they emitted. He thought he heard Ember call out to him, but he still kept walking. He did not feel like talking about what had happened.

Qui-Gon had quickened his pace so much that he was practically running through the forest. Sweat streamed down the sides of his face, as he walked further and further away from the transport. The canopy of treetops blocked out most of the sun’s rays, which had given him sunburn the other day. Qui-Gon thought he heard someone yelling in the distance, but he chose to ignore it. He continued his brisk walk through the forest not stopping to check on the bird that he had rescued from the tree the previous day.

I can’t bee the that Master Obi-Wan could be such a hypocrite. He slept with Master Melody without any concern for Ember’s or my feelings. Qui-Gon thought as he continued walking aimlessly.was was not sure where he was going, but he knew that he needed to get away from his Master and the transport, which had suddenllt mlt much too crowded.

************

Obi-Wan stood up and followed Melody out of the shuttle in time to see the other transport finish it’s landing procedures and lower the boarding ramp. Obi-Wan reached out into the Force to determine the danger and found none. This is the shuttle from the Temple. Finally, we can get on with the mission and get back home. Should Il Qul Qui-Gon to come back? He stood there with his arms crossed over his chest and waited for the other Jedi to disembark.

Brendan M’ray slung his flight bag over his shoulder and headed down the ramp, groaning when he saw the Jedi he was assigned to. He tossed his head back to remove the curly blond hair from his eyes. He walked to the end of the ramp bowed and greeted the two Jedi Masters while his eyes carefully searched for their Padawans. “Master Kazala, Master Kenobi, I bring warm greetings from the Temple.”

Great just what I need …Ember’s other boyfriend. And our hyperdrive is going to malfunction. I just know it. I’m beginning to think the Force is punishing me. “Greetings Knight M’ray,” Obi-Wan said, inclining his head in the direction of the Knight. I need to go find Qui-Gon and talk to him before he learns who brought the spare parts to repair the ship. Melody can handle this.

"Hello Knight M'ray," Melody groaned inwardly looking up at the tall blonde haired knig{Emb{Ember, are you ok?} I can't believe of all the knights at the Temple; they had to send Bren M'ray.

{Yes, Master I can only kill him once.} Ember replied through the bond and stomped into the ship without acknowledging the tall Knight.

Interesting, Ember is ignoring me. I wonder if she heard about Bella. “Masters, I have brought the part you need and a message from the Temple. It has to do with your mission.” Bren looked down at the small female Master, grinned, and handed her a data pad. “It looks like I will accompany you on the new mission.”

He's going to accompany us. I'm never going to survive this mission, Melody thought as she accepted the data pad from the Knight. Reading the brief message from the Council, she learned that their mission had been changed. A different team would go to Zatar and determine if the infant was Force sensitive. {Ember, I'm sorry but as much as I would love to assist you in killing Bren, neither of us can kill the Knight. I’m also sorry to inform you that Knight M'ray has brought news that we'll be going to the planet Seluc. We’re needed to protect the Royal family during the wedding of the Crown Prince and an Empress from the other side of the planet. Someone has made attempts on the lives of the Queen and the Prince already, and they fear that someone is trying to kill the entire Royal family. Knight M’ray will accompany us. Please remember that for the remainder of this mission you are a Jedi Padawan and I expect you to act like it.}

Striding down the hall, Ember chuckled and then sighed {it’s good to know that you feel the same as I do, Master. I’ll behave… I promise.} At least I hope I can. She opened her sleep quarters and went inside. {Do you want me to help with the repairs Master or should I do my class work?}

Obi-Wan strode over to Melody and read the data pad over her shoulder. “Very well Knight M’ray. You can assist Master Kazala with the repairs to the ship,” Obi-Wan looked at Melody and continued, “Can you and Ember handle the repairs? I need to go find my Padawan.”

"Actually, Ember has class work to do; but Knight M’ray can assist me with the repairs." Melody tried to keep her expression calm and uncaring. Inside she wanted to throttle Obi-Wan for leaving her with the Knight. She suddenly realized that her things were in Obi-Wan's quarters. She was glad that she hadn't suggested the Knight go and unpack his things yet. {Padawan, could you please get my things out of Master Obi-Wan's quarters and put Padawan Jinn's bags back in there? Now that we have Bren joining us, we must return to our original assigned quarters. I’m glad we don’t have to share quarters with Bren.}

{Poor Master Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon,} Ember told Melody. Oh man, Qui-Gon is going to go nuts sharing a room with Bren. Ember turned around, crossed the hall into Obi-Wan’s room, walked over to the bed, and picked up her Master’s flight bag. She walked across the hall into her room and grabbed Qui-Gon’s bag. She stopped a moment, walked over to her closet, found a bag of chocolates. She stuffed them and the sleep shorts that she had found under the bed into the bag and carried it over to Qui-Gon’s original quarters. And here I was beginning to enjoy the new sleeping arrangements {Master, you and my maverick have been moved.}

{Thank you Padawan; I think I might send Bren to go and unpack. He’s not much help with the repairs and I'd prefer to do them myself.} Melody sent back to Ember through the training bond.

Ember groaned, walked over to the door, and hit the locking mechanism. {You know he’s going to come in here and try to bother me, right? Do you think that I could throw him out of the air lock and claim he fell?}

"Knight M'ray, I have the repairs under control here," Melody explained to the knight who crouched next to her in the engine room. "You can go and unpack your things. You will share quarters with Master Kenobi, and Padawan Jinn. Just go down the hall and your quarters are on the left side."

“Very well Master Kazala. When I’m done maybe I’ll check on your Padawan and catch-up on old times,” Bren said with a smirk, his eyes twinkling.

“Knight M’ray, I would really prefer that you stay away from my Padawan as much as possible. I doubt that she wants to talk to you," Master Melody said. {He had better not. I just told him that I'd prefer that he stay away from you. And no, you may not throw him out an airlock, no matter how tempting it might be.}

Yes Master Kazala," Brendan said with a tight smile and bowed. Is Ember hiding behind her Master now? He entered the ship and walked down the narrow hallway to the two rooms. He looked at the door and could feel Ember’s presence in the one on the right side. He lifted his hand to knock and then he thought better of it. He turned away from the closed door and walked into the room he would share with Master Kenobi and his Padawan.

Ember held her breath as Bren stood outside her door and waited for him to disobey her Master. She was surprised when he turned away without knocking. For once, he is coming to look for me. This might be an interesting trip after all. She pulled out her personal journal and began to write in it the events of last night and this morning.

{Qui-Gon we need to talk. Where are you?} Obi-Wan said into the bond.

Qui-Gon continued his brisk walk through the forest. Sweat trickled down his face and he rubbed his neck fiercely. He wished that he could contact his friend Anakin Skywalker at the Temple. Anakin was older than Qui-Gon by only a few weeks. But because Anakin was the "Chosen One" and Qui-Gon “The Perfect Padawan,” they had become good friends. They understood one another better than anyone at the Temple understood them. Anakin was also the only one who knew about the crush Qui-Gon had had on Ember for the past three years. Qui-Gon would listen to Anakin while he talked non-stop about the former queen of Naboo, Padmé Amadala. {Master I’m sorry for what I said to you. Could we talk later? I need to be alone right now.} Qui-Gon told his master before slamming his shields firmly shut.

Obi-Wan wrinkled his brow with worry and spoke into the bond pushing past his apprentice’s shields. {Ok Qui-Gon we’ll talk and I’ll give you some time to yourself; but we’re lifting off in one hour. We’ll talk then. Also Padawan, I wanted to tell you in person that Knight M’ray is here and he’s joining us for a new mission assignment from the Temple. Another team was sent to take over the duties on Zatar.}

{You're kidding right Master?} Qui-Gon asked as he came to an abrupt halt near a cliff overlooking the lake where he and Ember went swimming. I didn't even realize I was going uphill.

{No Qui-Gon, I’m afraid I’m not. He brought the new parts and the new mission assignment ten minutes ago. I know you don’t want to talk now, but I would prefer speaking with you without an audience.}

{Where are you Master?} Qui-Gon asked with a sigh, as he gazed down at the lake below. {I’m at the ship now but we can meet anywhere,} Obi-Wan persisted. He looked up into the sky and saw that two of the planet’s three moons were visible in the clear sky. Qui-Gon quietly acquiesced and told his Master to {Meet me at the northeast section of the lake across the field of flowers. There are cliffs above where the fields of flowers meet the edge of the lake, where none of the red sand is between the water and the flowers.} Qui-Gon instructed.

Obi-Wan looked back at the shuttle and watched as the other transport lifted off the ground. This is going to be one of those trips. He shook his head and started toward the lake, wondering what he should say to his Padawan first. He quickened his pace and walked through the fields to where Qui-Gon had told him they would meet. He took a quick look around and thought Qui-Gon was right this is beautiful.

Qui-Gon waited at the top of the cliff with his feet dangling over the edge for Master Obi-Wan to reach the edge of the lake below the cliffs where he was sitting. I can't believe I treated Master Obi-Wan with such disrespect. He must regret choosing me as his Padawan; but how can I just pretend that I don't have feelings for Ember? And now that Brendan M'ray is here, will Ember go back to treating me the way she did at the Temple? Like I don’t even exist Qui-Gon thought. He noticed his Master walking through the fields toward the area of the lake where they were to meet. {Master, where are we going for our new mission?} He inquired as he leaped off the cliff landing smoothly on his feet just in front of Obi-Wan.

{We’re going to the planet Seluc to protect the Royal family during the wedding of the Crown Prince and an Empress from the other side of the planet. There have already been several attempts made on the lives of the Queen and the Prince. They fear that someone is trying to kill the entire Royal family; or if not kill them, at least they are trying to prevent the wedding.} Obi-Wan replied through the bond watching as his apprentice strode toward him.

"Master," Qui-Gon sighed, lowering his gaze to stare at the flowers that surrounded them. "I’m sorry. I had no right to speak to you the way I did. I’ll understand if you want to send me away to Agri-Corps. Unless Ember doesn't want to see me again, I don't think I can stay away from her like you want me to," Qui-Gon explained. He stared at a small insect that crawled along on the delicate petals of a magnificent white flower with a tan stem. The flower reminded him of Ember. It was one of the only white flowers in the field, which also reminded him of how very unique Ember was. "I don't want to disappoint you."

“First, Qui-Gon you didn’t disappoint me. Nothing you can do, other than turn to the dark side would disappoint me. Tell me why you think that I would send you away to Agri-Corps…do you doubt my ability to train you? Or that I don’t love you enough to work through our misunderstandings,” Obi-Wan said watching his apprentice carefully. Please, I hope Melody is not wrong about this.

Qui-Gon looked up at his Master, astonished that Obi-Wan had just admitted that he loved him. "But you defeated a Sith," Qui-Gon said lowering his gaze down to the flower. "You need a Padawan who is the best, who really is the perfect Padawan. Anakin should have been your apprentice; he’s the ‘Chosen One.’ ”

Obi-Wan reached out to put a hand on Qui-Gon’s shoulder. “Anakin is a fine apprentice for his Master. But by now, you should know that you’re more than just my Padawan. I chose you and you chose me; neither one of us had a lot to say in the matter because the Force had already made its preference known.” Obi-Wan looked back over his shoulder in the direction of the transport and sighed. “Padawan, you know I’m not very good at telling people how I feel. I’ve spent too much time trying to be the perfect Padawan myself ….I guess. I’ve only just admitted to myself how I feel about Melody, so even if I don’t say it, know this; you’re everything I could want in a son.” And in a father.

"You …. A son? I thought I was just your Padawan?" Qui-Gon stammered, looking into his Master’s eyes and sensing that he spoke the truth. "I couldn't ask for a better father, Master. I love you.” Qui-Gon fidgeted, he was tempted to hug Obi-Wan, but thought better of it. The last time he had been coddled by his Master, he was almost fourteen and had been shot by a blaster bolt that he hadn't been quick enough to deflect.

Obi-Wan ruffled the short hair on Qui-Gon’s head and tugged gently on his braid. “As do I imp, now we need to discuss this morning’s attitude. I told you to keep your distance from Ember … one, because I’m afraid that you will begin to focus more on her and less on your training. Two, sex is not something you should take lightly and sleeping with them even more so,” Obi-Wan ran his hand through his hair and sighed. You will serve four hours mediation for your display of temper this morning… and from now on, I expect to be informed whom you are seeing. That does not mean that you need to tell me what happened, but I want to know what is going on with my Padawan, by him telling me, not telling another girl.”

"Yes Master," Qui-Gon said bowing his head, "Thank you."

“Don’t thank me yet imp; I have a feeling this mission will be more of a punishment than any I could have given you. I mean with Knight M’ray here and you still have to practice your saber drills and forms with Ember, you might wish I had punished you more. Obi-Wan grinned, “By the way, Ember might be a little …umm difficult … she disobeyed me about the two of you seeing each other and brought a plate of food to you. From the way your stomach was growling a minute ago, I assume you didn’t eat.”

"I just wanted to be alone and I wasn't hungry at the time. If you don't mind that I speak with her, I'll apologize, then I'll get something to eat," Qui-Gon assured him, chng nng not to say anything about his Master's comments about Bren.

Obi–Wan looked off in the distance and then looked at his Padawan and came to a decision. “Qui-Gon you’re right, at nineteen you should be able to determine who you see. So I’ll make this compromise. I’ll not say anything about what you do on your own time as long as it does not affect your responsibilities.”

Qui-Gon looked at Obi-Wan, and smiled slightly. "Thank you Master, and I promise I will not let our relationship, if we still have one now that Bren is here, get in the way of my duties as a Padawan."

“Qui-Gon, do you have anything you want to share with me before we go back to the transport?” Obi-Wan asked hoping that he would talk about what was bothering him.

“What do you want to know Master?" Qui-Gon asked.

“Padawan you can tell me anything you want including how you feel about the other girls. I’m here and I won’t judge you or become angry. I’m not telling you that you have to…I’m just giving you the opportunity to talk about it.” Obi-Wan watched his apprentice quietly as he twisted several blades grass between his fingers.

"I'm not sure you really want to hear, Master. The first was the worst and I can't tell you who she was; but um emotionally I guess you'd say it was pretty bad, the actual sex part was good though," Qui-Gon said. I can't believe I'm talking about sex with my master.

Obi-Wan leaned forward and squeezed Qui-Gon’s shoulder to give the boy some comfort. “Were the others just as unemotional?”

“Well the second time was with Master Siri's Padawan, Trinity Taurez. We um… kind of dated for a year and a half. I thought I loved her. She was great, she made me laugh and she didn't have a problem with Anakin’s and my friendship. We used to study together whenever we were at the Temple at the same time. We went to all the Senate balls together," Qui-Gon explained, "So no, they weren't all unemotional."

Obi-Wan waited for the rest of the story and when Qui-Gon did not continue he looked into Qui-Gon’s face at the pain behind the mask and said, “And that didn’t work out? What happened?”

"Well, um I told her about my first time. I couldn't lie to her," Qui-Gon again looked down at the ground. "We continued to see each other for about a month after that, but things were never the same. She became my second a week before she went on a mission with her Master to Alderaan. When she came back, she told me that she couldn't be with me anymore. I think we had started to drift apart before my first; I know I had started to notice this feisty younger Padawan, who was not afraid to make mistakes and speak her mind; even though she got herself into quite a bit of trouble because of it. I thought that she was fascinating and she probably thought that I was too perfect for her." Qui-Gon chuckled and looked at his Master trying to see if there was any disappointment in his Master’s eyes, "If only she knew me better."

“You cheated on your girlfriend for the unemotional sex. I would say that coupled with the guilt that you have felt for the last three years is punishment enough. The feisty younger Padawan you’re talking about is Ember right?” Obi-Wan asked quietly.

"Yes, it's Ember. I thought I loved Trinity and we’re still friends. But when I’m with Ember, it’s incredible. It’s like nothing, I’ve ever felt before, she's so amazing. I feel like I don't have to try to be per perfect Padawan, around her," Qui-Gon smiled as he spoke of Ember.

Obi-Wan smiled slightly when he realized that his Padawan was telling him that he loved Ember. I don’t think it’ll work, they’re too different…. but I have been wrong before. “And if it comes to saving Ember’s life or the innocent we’re sent to protect; will you be able to do your d”
”

"I know my duty and so does Ember. I know I could do my duty, that's what I've trained for all my life," Qui-Gon assured Obi-Wan.

“That’s good to know Padawan; let’s hope you can keep your emotions under control while we’re on this mission as well. Please come and talk to me next time before we let things go so far. I might even be able to help,” Obi Wan said looking over his shoulder in the direction of the shuttle. “We need to be getting back so we can get on with the mission.”

“I will Master and thank you for listening." Qui-Gon smiled slightly.

The two Jedi walked back in silence, each lost in their thoughts. As they neared the shuttle, Obi-Wan stopped Qui-Gon to make one more statement. “Qui-Gon if you love her then don’t give up. I have a feeling things are not what they seem with Brendan M’ray.” With that Obi-Wan crossed the distance to the open door and stepped inside the shuttle.

Qui-Gon stopped and stared at his Master's retreating form, surprised by his comment. Love, did he just say love? Qui-Gon thought, and quickly started walking to catch up with his Master. Could it really be love this time?
{Qui-Gon we need to talk. Where are you?} Obi-Wan said into the bond.

Qui-Gon continued his brisk walk through the forest. Sweat trickled down his face and he rubbed his neck fiercely. He wished that he could contact his friend Anakin Skywalker at the Temple. Anakin was older than Qui-Gon by only a few weeks. But because Anakin was the "Chosen One" and Qui-Gon “The Perfect Padawan,” they had become good friends. They understood one another better than anyone at the Temple understood them. Anakin was also the only one who knew about the crush Qui-Gon had had on Ember for the past three years. Qui-Gon would listen to Anakin while he talked non-stop about the former queen of Naboo, Padmé Amadala. {Master I’m sorry for what I said to you. Could we talk later? I need to be alone right now.} Qui-Gon told his master before slamming his sds fds firmly shut.

Obi-Wan wrinkled his brow with worry and spoke into the bond pushing past his apprentice’s shields. {Ok Qui-Gon we’ll talk and I’ll give you some time to yourself; but we’re lifting off in one hour. We’ll talk then. Also Padawan, I wanted to tell you in person that Knight M’ray is here and he’s joining us for a new mission assignment from the Temple. Another team was sent to take over the duties on Zatar.}

{You're kidding right Master?} Qui-Gon asked as he came to an abrupt halt near a cliff overlooking the lake where he and Ember went swimming. I didn't even realize I was going uphill.

{No Qui-Gon, I’m afraid I’m not. He brought the new parts and the new mission assignment ten minutes ago. I know you don’t want to talk now, but I would prefer speaking with you without an audience.}

{Where are you Master?} Qui-Gon asked with a sigh, as he gazed down at the lake below. {I’m at the ship now but we can meet anywhere,} Obi-Wan persisted. He looked up into the sky and saw that two of the planet’s three moons were visible in the clear sky. Qui-Gon quietly acquiesced and told his Master to {Meet me at the northeast section of the lake across the field of flowers. There are cliffs above where the fields of flowers meet the edge of the lake, where none of the red sand is between the water and the flowers.} Qui-Gon instructed.

Obi-Wan looked back at the shuttle and watched as the other transport lifted off the ground. This is going to be one of those trips. He shook his head and started toward the lake, wondering what he should say to his Padawan first. He quickened his pace and walked through the fields to where Qui-Gon had told him they would meet. He took a quick look around and thought Qui-Gon was right this is beautiful.

Qui-Gon waited at the top of the cliff with his feet dangling over the edge for Master Obi-Wan to reach the edge of the lake below the cliffs where he was sitting. I can't believe I treated Mr Obr Obi-Wan with such disrespect. He must regret choosing me as his Padawan; but how can I just pretend that I don't have feelings for Ember? And now that Brendan M'ray is here, will Ember go back to treating me the way she did at the Temple? Like I don’t even exist Qui-Gon thought. He noticed his Master walking through the fields toward the areathe the lake where they were to meet. {Master, where are we going for our new mission?} He inquired as he leaped off the cliff landing smoothly on his feet just in front of Obi-Wan.

{We’re going to the planet Seluc to protect the Royal family during the wedding of the Crown Prince and an Empress from the other side of the planet. There have already been several attempts made on the lives of the Queen and the Prince. They fear that someone is trying to kill the entire Royal family; or if not kill them, at least they are trying to prevent the wedding.} Obi-Wan replied through the bond watching as his apprentice strode toward him.

"Master," Qui-Gon sighed, lowering his gaze to stare at the flowers that surrounded them. "I’m sorry. I had no right to speak to you the way I did. I’ll understand if you want to send me away to Agri-Corps. Unless Ember doesn't want to see me again, I don't think I can stay away from her like you want me to," Qui-Gon explained. He stared at a small insect that crawled along on the delicate petals of a magnificent white flower with a tan stem. The flower reminded him of Ember. It was one of the only white flowers in the field, which also reminded him of how very unique Ember was. "I don't want to disappoint you."

“First, Qui-Gon you didn’t disappoint me. Nothing you can do, other than turn to the dark side would disappoint me. Tell me why you think that I would send you away to Agri-Corps…do you doubt my ability to train you? Or that I don’t love you enough to work through our misunderstandings,” Obi-Wan said watching his apprentice carefully. Please, I hope Melody is not wrong about this.

Qui-Gon looked up at his Master, astonished that Obi-Wan had just admitted that he loved him. "But you defeated a Sith," Qui-Gon said lowering his gaze down to the flower. "You need a Padawan who is the best, who really is the perfect Padawan. Anakin should have been your apprentice; he’s the ‘Chosen One.’ ”

Obi- Wan reached out to put a hand on Qui-Gon’s shoulder. “Anakin is a fine apprentice for his Master. But by now, you should know that you’re more than just my Padawan. I chose you and you chose me; neither one of us had a lot to say in the matter because the Force had already made its preference known.” Obi-Wan looked back over his shoulder in the direction of the transport and sighed. “Padawan, you know I’m not very good at telling people how I feel. I’ve spent too much time trying to be the perfect Padawan myself ….I guess. I’ve only just admitted to myself how I feel about Melody, so even if I don’t say it, know this; you’re everything I could want in a son.” And in a father.

"You. A son? I thought I was just your Padawan?" Qui-Gon stammered, looking into his Master’s eyes and sensing that he spoke the truth. "I couldn't ask for a better father, Master. I love you.” Qui-Gon fidgeted, he was tempted to hug Obi-Wan, but thought er oer of it. The last time he had been coddled by his Master, he was almost fourteen and had been shot by a blaster bolt that he hadn't been quick enough to deflect.

Obi-Wan ruffled the short hair on Qui-Gon’s head and tugged gently on his braid. do do I imp, now we need to discuss this morning’s attitude. I told you to keep your distance from Ember … one, because I’m afraid that you will begin to focus more on her and less on your training. Two, sex is not something you shoulke lke lightly and sleeping with them even more so,” Obi-Wan ran his hand through his hair and sighed. You will serve four hours mediation for your display of temper this morning… and from now on, I expect to be informed whom you are seeing. That does not mean that you need to tell me what happened, but I want to know what is going on with my Padawan, by him telling me, not telling another girl.”

"Yes Master," Qui-Gon said bowing his head, "Thank you."

“Don’t thank me yet imp; I have a feeling this mission will be more of a punishment than any I could have given you. I mean with Knight M’ray here and you still have to practice your saber drills and forms with Ember, you might wish I had punished you more. Obi-Wan grinned, “By the way, Ember might be a little …umm difficult … she disobeyed me about the two of you seeing each other and brought a plate of food to you. From the way your stomach was growling a minute ago, I assume you didn’t eat.”

"I just wanted to be alone and I wasn't hungry at the time. If you don't mind that I speak with her, I'll apologize, then I'll get something to eat," Qui-Gon assured him, choosing not to say anything about his Master's comments about Bren.

Obi–Wan looked off in the distance and then looked at his Padawan and came to a decision. “Qui-Gon you’re right, at nineteen you should be able to determine who you see. So I’ll make this compromise. I’ll not say anything about what you do on your own time as long as it does not affect your responsibilities.”

Qui-Gon looked at Obi-Wan, and smiled slightly. "Thank you Master, and I promise I will not let our relationship, if we still have one now that Bren is here, get in the way of my duties as a Padawan."

“Qui-Gon, do you have anything you want to share with me before we go back to the transport?” Obi-Wan asked hoping that he would talk about what was bothering him.

“What do you want to know Master?" Qui-Gon asked.

“Padawan you can tell me anything you want including how you feel about the other girls. I’m here and I won’t judge you or become angry. I’m not telling you that you have to…I’m just giving you the opportunity to talk about it.” Obi-Wan watched his apprentice quietly as he twisted several blades grass between his fingers.

"I'm not sure you really want to hear, Master. The first was the worst and I can't tell you who she was; but um emotionally I guess you\ay iay it was pretty bad, the actual sex part was good though," Qui-Gon said. I can't believe I'm talking about sex with my master.

Obi-Wan leaned forward and squeezed Qui-Gon’s shoulder to give the boy some comfort. “Were the others just as unemotional?”

“Well the second time was with Master Siri's Padawan, Trinity Taurez. We um… kind of dated for a year and a half. I thought I loved her. She was great, she made me laugh and she didn't have a problem with Anakin’s and my friendship. We used to study together whenever we were at the Temple at the same time. We went to all the Senate balls together," Qui-Gon explained, "So no, they weren't all unemotional."

Obi-Wan waited for the rest of the story and when Qui-Gon did not continue he looked into Qui-Gon’s face at the pain behind the mask and said, “And that didn’t work out? What happened?”

"Well, um I told her about my first time. I couldn't lie to her," Qui-Gon again looked down at the ground. "We continued to see each other for about a month after that, but things were never the same. She became my second a week before she went on a mission with her Master to Alderaan. When she came back, she told me that she couldn't be with me anymore. I think we had started to drift apart before my first; I know I had started to notice this feisty younger Padawan, who was not afraid to make mistakes and speak her mind; even though she got herself into quite a bit of trouble because of it. I thought that she was fascinating and she probably thought that I was too perfect for her." Qui-Gon chuckled and looked at his Master trying to see if there was any disappointment in his Master’s eyes, "If only she knew me better."

“You cheated on your girlfriend for the unemotional sex. I would say that coupled with the guilt that you have felt for the last three years is punishment enough. The feisty younger Padawan you’re talking about is Ember right?” Obi-Wan asked quietly.

"Yes, it's Ember. I thought I loved Trinity and we’re still friends. But when I’m with Ember, it’s incredible. It’s like nothing, I’ve ever felt before, she's so amazing. I feel like I don't have to try to be the perfect Padawan, around her," Qui-Gon smiled as he spoke of Ember.

Obi-Wan smiled slightly when he realized that his Padawan was telling him that he loved Ember. I don’t think it’ll work, they’re too different…. but I have been wrong before. “And if it comes to saving Ember’s life or the innocent we’re sent to protect; will you be able to do your duty?”

"I know my duty and so does Ember. I know I could do my duty, that's what I've trained for all my life," Qui-Gon assured Obi-Wan.

“That’s good to know Padawan; let’s hope you can keep your emotions under control while we’re on this mission as well. Please come and talk to me next time before we let things go so far. I might even be able to help,” Obi Wan said looking over his shoulder in the direction of the shuttle. “We need to be getting back so we can get on with the mission.”

“I will Master and thank you for listening." Qui-Gon smiled slightly.

The two Jedi walked back in silence, each lost in their thoughts. As they neared the shuttle, Obi-Wan stopped Qui-Gon to make one more statement. “Qui-Gon if you love her, then don’t give up. I have a feeling things are not what they seem with Brendan M’ray.” With that Obi-Wan crossed the distance to the open door and stepped inside the shuttle.

Qui-Gon stopped and stared at his Master's retreating form, surprised by his comment. Love, did he just say love? Qui-Gon thought, and quickly started walking to catch up with his Master. Could it really be love this time?

To be continued...