Jedi Hearts

Chapter Seven:
Honor Your Padawan

"Sith," Melody mumbled as she fought with the slightly oversized replacement part, trying to fit it into a space that was a half-centimeter too small. Why can't the Senate supply us with transports that run and parts that fit the transports they give us? Melody took a deep breath, released her frustration, and called on the Force to help wedge the part into the space. When I get finished with this, I’ll toss Obi-Wan out of the nearest airlock for suggesting that I work with that Sith, Knight M'ray.

Obi-Wan walked into the engine room in hopes of seeing Melody and found her under the console. He kneeled down on the floor and touched her leg. "Mel, how close are we to having the repairs finished?"

"It's nearly done now, no thanks to you and your big mouth. Do you know if we were not sitting on the ground right now, I think I would throw you out an airlock," Melody growled from beneath the console.

"What did I do that would earn me a one way trip out an airlock?" Obi-Wan asked indignantly.

"Master, are you causing troubgaingain?" Qui-Gon asked from the doorway.

Obi-Wan looked over his shoulder and smirked at his Padawan. "No, Qui-Gon, I am not. I’m trying to find out why the love of my life wants to throw me out the airlock."

"I'm sorry Master, but if a female threatens to throw you through an airlock, then yes, you are in trouble," Qui-Gon smirked. "What did he do this time Master Melody?"

"Well Padawan Jinn, your Master abandoned me to do the repairs on the ship with Knight M'ray. And when I finally sent him to his quarters, I was left to fit a part that was a half centimeter too big underneath a console where I had barely enough room to move," Melody explained as she slid out from under the console; her face, hands, and tunic covered in grease.

Obi-Wan beown,own, looked into her eyes, smiled, kissed her forehead and said, "Thank you very much. I promise I’ll make it up to you later.”

"Ok,” Melody replied slightlllifllified.

“I think I'm going to take a shower now; I know I definitely don't want to stay here anymore," Qui-Gon said with a soft chuckle as he turned to leave the engine room.

"And just how do you plan to make it up to me?" Melody asked as she rubbed her finger along the bridge of his nose, leaving a ak oak of grease on his cheek.

“Name it sweert art and it’s yours. I will happily give you everything I have. You helped me fix my relationship with Qui-Gon before something terrible happened,” Obi-Wan said as he smeared the grease with his palm in an attempt to wipe it off.

"Well that's a very interesting suggestion; but since we have an extra person accompanying us on this mission, I think that we should refrain from any more intimacy." Melody kissed him on his cheek and continued, "I'm glad that everything worked out with Qui-Gon."

Obi-Wan pulled her close and kissed her throat. “I wouldn’t say that we have to refrain exactly … maybe just be a little more prudent.”

"Obi-Wan, what we’re saying and doing in a small engine room with the door wide open is not very sensible," Melody told him. "Besides I need to take a shower and we also need to get off the ground and get this mission started."

“Tell you what… I’ll go check on our Padawans and meet you in the shower,” Obi-Wan grinned picking Melody up off the floor.

"You have a one track mind," Melody smiled looking up into his eyes, which sparkled mischievously. "You’ll just have to wait because now is not a very good time."

Obi-Wan offered Melody a knowing smile and asked, "Would you have me be any other way, my beautiful Master? Especially since you're the only person I want." He turned around as he heard footsteps coming down the hall. That’s not Qui-Gon, he thought and released Melody. "Knight M'ray, why don't you help me get the transport off the ground while Master Kazala takes a shower."

The blond Knight looked back and forth between the two Masters and nodded his head hesitantly. "Yes Master Kenobi," Bren said as he walked to the flight area.

"Have fun, Master Kenobi," Melody replied winking at him as she left the engine room.

Obi-Wan groaned and watched Melody’s hips sway as she walked down the hall toward her quarters. Why couldn’t Knight M’ray just drop off the parts and return to the Temple. He’s going to cause my Padawan anguish and even Melody’s upset. I wonder why, unless she doesn’t like him and Ember seeing each other. He walked to the flight cabin and sank into the seat next to the Knight. His long fingers danced over the controls and the transport slowly lifted off the ground.

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


Qui-Gon walked down the hall toward the sleep rooms. He noticed that the door to the quarters he shared with Ember was closed. He tried to open it, but found it locked. A pang of jealousy seared through him as the thought of Bren alone in the room with Ember assaulted his thoughts. Qui-Gon reached out to the Force and felt relief when he realized that she was alone. He called on the Force to open the locking mechanism on the door. The door slid open and Qui-Goietlietly entered the room. He noticed that Ember lay on the same sleep couch they had shared the previous night; data pads on the couch beside her. Qui-Gon smiled and moved the data pads to the end table where the flowers still lived in a cup of water. He bent over and kissed her forehead gently before moving away from the sleep couch and removing his tunic shirt.
mm, mm, Qui-Gon?” Ember asked looking at him through sleepy eyes.

"Hello, did you have a good nap?" Qui-Gon questioned softly as he removed his inner tunic shirt and tossed it on the floor.

Ember stretched her arms above her head, arched her body and grinned, “Yeah for some reason I was tired.” Qui-Gon continued undressing as Ember watched with rapt attention until she finally grinned and said, “As much as I’m enjoying this show …what are you doing here and how did you get in?”

"I used the Force to unlock the door. And I'm going to take a shower after my walk. By the way, thanks for bringing me breakfast, but I wasn't hungry and didn't feel like talking right then. I just wanted to be alone for a little while," Qui-Gon told her. He sat down on the opposite sleep couch and began to remove his boots.

“Yeah, I found that out the hard way. I should have known better anyway.” Ember sat up, stretched again and continued, “Umm …I don’t mind you taking a shower; but are you going to put your dirty clothes back on?”

“No," Qui-Gon chuckled,hat hat would defeat the whole purpose of taking a shower."

Ember bit her lip to keep from laughing aloud. He doesn’t know that his clothes aren’t here anymore. I might as well have some fun. “Well, then, as much as I like looking at you without your clothes; I don’t think I like the idea of my Master seeing anymore of you than you exhibited this morning.”

"Your Master is preoccupied with Master Obi-Wan right now," Qui-Gon told her. "Why are you afraid of her seeing me anyway?" Qui-Gon yawned.

“I never said anything about being afraid … I said I didn’t like the idea.” Should I torment him more? No I want to go over there and kiss him …but I don’t want to get him in trouble. Oh, Force sake; we can only get kicked out of the Temple. She walked over to the bed Qui-Gon was sitting on and climbed astride his legs. “If you take a shower now you won’t have anything to wear.”

“Oh really," Qui-Gon smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist, "And why is that?" he alternated between kissing and nuzzling her neck while he caressed her back through the material of her tunic.

Ember rolled her head back to give him more access to her neck as she sank down on his lap, “Oh …mmm that feels good … no you won’t have any clothes because I had to move your stuff out of our room and back in with your Master and Bren.” She punctuated the last sentences with several quick kisses to the corner of his mouth.

"No, you can't be serious," Qui-Gon, remarked with a disbelieving smile. Slipping his hands underneath her tunic to stroke her bare back, his rough callused hands scratching her soft warm skin. "I was hoping he could just stay in the cargo bay."

Ember pushed him down on his back on the sleep couch. Stretching out on top of him, her lips found the sensitive skin where his neck met his shoulder. “Yeah, but where would we practice the saber drills and forms our Masters keep threatening us with?”

"Well, we'll just have to wait until we get back to the Temple to practice. I en ten to have a couple of better ideas on how we can get our exercise." Qui-Gon kissed her lips and slid his hands around to the front of her where he began to caress her breasts through the fabric of her bra.

Ember giggled, “I think I like your method of exercising, but what will your Master say?” She asked as her hands massaged his back and shoulders.

"That's the best part," Qui-Gon smiled, "Master Obi-Wan and I talked. We really talked and he’s not forbidding me to see you anymore. He just wants me to remember that I’m a Jedi Padawan first," Qui-Gon told her, as he removed his hands from beneath her tunic and started to remove the outer one.

“This mission is beginning to look up again,” she said as her small hands joined his large ones in removing her shirts. When they were skin to skin, Ember moaned and wrapped her arms around his neck as his hands buried themselves in her hair, pulled her head back, and nuzzled her neck. She closed her eyes and let the sensations flow over her. “Oh Force Qui-Gon.” Ember leaned back in his arms letting her lower body press against his growing erection. Qui-Gon’s mouth kissed the hollow of her throat and the valley between her breasts. “We can’t stay here… my Master is not going to appreciate us making love on her sleep couch and you were going to take a shower.”

“I was, wasn’t I?” Qui-Gon agreed. He however, made no attempt to remove his focus from her breasts. “Your Master is busy with my Master and shouldn’t bother us for a while.”

A throaty laugh bubbled past Ember’s lips as she lifted his head to look into his lust filled sapphire eyes. “My perfect Padawan is becoming quite the maverick. I knew you had it in you.” She lowered her mouth to capture his in a hungry-probing kiss and rub herself against his growing erection. “So what do you have in mind then?” Ember asked between giggles and searing kisses.

"Now Emy, I would have thought that you would ble tle to figure out what I meant," Qui-Gon grinned at her. He again began to caress her breasts, gently rolling his thumb over her rapidly hardening nipples.

“No, you’re going to have to explain it to me” Ember giggled. She kissed his flat stomach as she worked the tie on his tunic pants. Ember moved away from the bed, pulled them down around his ankles, and placed gentle kisses at the junction where his thigh met the groin just above the hairline. “Because I might have a few ideas of my own.”

Melody walked down the hall toward the quarters that she would once again have to share with her Padawan. She was anxious to take a shower and also to see what Ember was doing. Not wanting to soil the control panel, she used the Force to open the door and walk into the room. She saw her Padawan kneeling in front of Padawan Jinn whose tunic pants were around his ankles. Melody quickly turned around and left the room. She again used the Force to close the door and leave before she could determine exactly what Ember was doing to Qui-Gon. She did have a pretty good idea although she did not want to know. {Ember, I would like to take a shower. Please inform your guest to go to his own quarters; alone.} Melody spoke into the bond.

Ember jumped as the door opened and the two Padawans separated quickly. Ember could see that Qui-Gon was embarrassed as her Master’s voice came over their bond. {Yes Master … and I’m sorry.} Reaching for her discarded bra, Ember looked at Qui-Gon and kissed his right thigh before speaking. “That of course was my Master and since you forgot to relock the door after you came in she had a good show. She wants a shower and you to go to your room alone.”

Qui-Gon groaned as he quickly fumbled to put his clothes on. "I can't believe this,” he muttered. "Why did Bren have to come on this mission with us? Two Padawan teams are plenty to handle a protection assignment."

“Well, now I know how all of the rumors about your … attributes got started… you can’t keep yourself covered around Masters.” Ember bit her lip to keep from laughing. Pulling on her top but not closing it, she walked back to the bed and leaned down to kiss him and said, “Now go before my Master comes in for an encore.”

"There was only one Master," Qui-Gon defended himself as he stood up.

There better not be anymore either. Wait… what are you thinking Ember? You’re not going to become emotionally involved with him. He can show himself to as many Masters as he wants. Ember snorted, turned away from Qui-Gon and fastened her shirt. “Fine…next time lock the door and we won’t have any interruptions.”

Qui-Gon walked around the sleep couch to face Ember and asked, "What’s wrong?" What did I do wrong now?

Ember closed her eyes and sighed; she knew she was being childish. He has to be hurting…. not to be able to …well it’s his own fault, if he had locked … Now be fair, you should have checked the door too. “Nothing Qui-Gon …I’m sorry. I just don’t like being interrupted.” Please let him believe me.

"I don't think anyone enjoys that," Qui-Gon pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head.

{Padawan D’on you have one minute to get Qui-Gon out of there before I come back in there regardless of what the two of you are doing. I’m covered in grease and I stink; I need a shower. I do not want to stand in this corridor until you finish what you shouldn't have started in the first place with Knight M'ray here.}

Ember jumped in response to her Master’s mental conversation and hit Qui-Gon’s chin with her head causing the Padawan to bite his lip. “Oh I’m sorry Qui-Gon…Master just got angry and spoke through the bond… are you ok?”

"Ow," Qui-Gon groaned. He covered his mouth with his hand. He could feel the wetness of the blood oozing out of the small cut where his teeth split his lip open. "Yeah, I'll be fine."

“Are you sure?” She asked standing on her tiptoes to see the wound she had inflicted. She lifted his palm and kissed it, “I am sorry and I will see you after your shower.”

"I'll look forward to it my beautiful Emy," Qui-Gon told her and walked toward the door. He could feel his face turn a several shades of red as he walked past Master Melody and quickly entered his quarters.

Melody stormed into the room that she shared with her Padawan saying, "I'm not going to tell you what you were doing was wrong. I think you already know that, Ember Riana D’on. However, I will remind you that we’re on a mission and we have a Knight traveling with us. If you can't keep your hands off each other for the remainder of this mission, you need to stay away from each other. If you cannot, we’ll send one of you back to the Temple and continue this mission without you. Do I make myself clear?" Melody asked.

Ember looked at the floor. When her Master used her middle name she knew she was in trouble and not the kind that could be totally avoided. She knew that this time she should not push any further. “Yes Master. I understand and I will stay away from him because I can’t seem to put myself in a position where I don’t touch him. I even felt...I was upset that you saw him, naked.”

"Then I think it’s best that you stay away from him, at least until you’re back at the Temple, and no longer on a mission together. Believe me you’re not the only one upset at seeing your Maverick without his clothes." Melody went into the fresher without saying another word.

“My Maverick? Did you just call him my Maverick?” Ember asked following her Master into the fresher.

"Yes I did. That's what you called him earlier," Melody said as she began to get undressed.

Ember collapsed against the wall in surprise. I called him mine just like he wanted …but did I do it because he wanted me to? No, I don’t think so. I felt jealous when my Master saw him and relief when I found that he had not been with as many women as the rumors said he had. “Master, I’m so stupid. I think I’m falling in love with him. What am I going to do?”

"Ember I can’t tell you what you should or shouldn't do," Melody sighed as she entered the warm spray of water. "Have you told him how you feel?" Maybe Qui-Gon can convince her to stay in the Order.

“Right Master, I might be stupid enough to fall for him but I will not give him power over me by letting him know how I feel.” Ember shook her head and gave Melody a look that told her how crazy that idea was. “Like you told Master Kenobi how you felt. If you remember, both of you danced around each other until I did something about it.”

"Obi-Wan knows how I feel now; and he has also admitted that he feels the same. You know I wish I had told him a long time ago; we could have spent so much more time together. I think you should tell Qui-Gon. You never know what tomorrow may bring. He may feel the same way you do," Melody closed her eyes. The warm soothing water cascaded over her body while she washed away what felt like days worth of sweat and grime.

Ember shook her head, walked back in to the sleep area of the room and asked, “Did you hit your head while you were working on the heater Master? Because my Master would not have suggested that I tell Qui-Gon how I think I feel. She would be running him through with his own lightsaber. Besides, he just thinks he wants more. It’s easy bee hee he knows that I wasn’t planning on staying. It’s easy to say forever if there is no possible way for forever to happen.”

"And what if he does feel the same?" Melody asked.

“Then the Force has a sick sense of humor. I mean “The Perfect Padawan” and me. I can just hear the gossip now,” Ember replied off handedly.

"Riana D’on, the Force does not have any sense of humor. If you find it so difficult to imagine yourself with Qui-Gon Jinn, why did I walk in and catch the two of you together again? Are you just using him while you're away from the Temple?" Melody asked, as she washed her long grease covered hair.

Ember cringed as her Master used her middle name again. “Its not like I see Qui-Gon and think wow let’s have sex again… it just happens. I was trying to tell him his clothes weren’t here and he said something about why couldn’t Bren just stay in the cargo bay. That’s when I reminded him that we had earned ourselves kata practice and… he said something about another means of exercise. And the rest sorta happened.” Ember picked up the cup of flowers and brought them to her nose.

"Well Ember, it sounds to me like you have already started a relationship with him. You need to decide what you want to happen between the two of you and discuss it with him. If he agrees that once this mission is over the two of you will go your separate ways, then I don't know what you could possibly gain by continuing this relationship during the mission," Melody explained. She reached out turned off the spray of water and grabbed a towel.



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

Obi-Wan felt a sharp pain as it traveled across the bond from Qui-Gon {Padawan are you ok?}

{I'm fine Master; I just bit my lip that's all.} Qui-Gon answered his Master through the training bond.

A ginger colored eyebrow shot up in wonder as he looked out of the viewer and asked, {and how did you manage that?}

Sith, Qui-Gon groaned. I was hoping he wouldn't ask. {I was giving Ember a hug and Master Melody started to speak to her through their bond. She scared Emy and when she jumped, she hit her head on my lip and I bit my lip.} He explained as he sat down on his sleep couch and ran his hands through his spiky hair.

{And you were hugging her why?} Obi-Wan asked frowning at the knight sitting in the co-pilot’s chair.

{Because that's what couples do, have you hugged Master Melody? Or is it all just sex between the two of you?} Qui-Gon asked. He hoped to get his Master’s focus off what had just happened in case Master Melody did not tell him why they were in the same room together.

Obi-Wan frowned, I haven’t taken the ban off seeing Ember more than an hour and he is all ready talking about being a couple. {I thought you were going to take a shower.}

{I was but no one informed me that my things were moved back into your room, until Emy saw me getting undressed and asked me what I was doing?} Qui-Gon explained.

{Emy?} Obi-Wan questioned.

{What?} Qui-Gon asked unsure what his Master had meant.

{You called Ember …Emy?} Obi-Wan reminded his Padawan.

{Oh,} Qui-Gon smiled. {She told me that all her friends call her Emy. Since we’re a little more than friends, I started to call her that too. It's no big deal really.}

Obi-Wan smiled as his fingers danced over the controls. {A little more… Ok Padawan, have you taken your shower yet?}

{No, not yet Master. I was about to when Emy informed me of my change of quarters and then Master Melody kicked me out, so she could take a shower,} Qui-Gon explained.

{Maybe you should work on your assigned saber drills andms sms so you only have to shower once.} Obi-Wan suggested. This was by way of reminding Qui-Gon of the punishment he had earned during the first day of the trip. Obi-Wan turned to the person sitting in the co-pilot’s seat and asked, “How did you get picked for this mission?”

{Yes Master, I'll go and start practicing right now,} Qui-Gon answered.

"Master Yoda thought that I could benefit from working with you and Master Kazala. You both have had experience with missions such as this and I have had only negotiation missions since my Knighting," Brendan replied. Plus how could I resist a chance to get Emy into bed again?

I’m going to get that little green troll “Very well. This is my first time workiith ith Melody on a mission so it will be a learning experience for me too. Have you worked with a Master and Padawan pair before?”

"Only as a Padawan," Brendan answered. I have no doubt that this mission will be pleasurable, for me at least. Since I overheard that stupid “Chosen One” talking with Qui-Gon about “Padawan Perfect’s” crush on Ember, I can upset him enough that he won't defeat any of my friends in the saber tournaments.

Obi-Wan smiled, “Then this should be learning experience for you also.” I have a feeling this mission will not go well for anyone.

*******

Ember heard a hesitant knock on the door to her and her Masters sleep quarters. She looked at Melody for permission to answer it and when Melody nodded, Ember placed the flowers back on the table, walked over to the door, and palmed it open. She gasped in surprise as she saw Qui-Gon standing there.

sterster Obi-Wan suggested that I practice my saber drills and forms before I take a shower. Since we were told that we're supposed to work on them together as part of our punishment, I thought I should let you know," Qui-Gon told her. Ember fidgeted in the doorway. I wonder if Melody will decide that we shouldn't go through with thnishnishment since we have become intimate.

Ember looked over at her Master and asked through the bond; {Master …Master Kenobi reminded Qui-Gon about the forms and saber practice… do you still want me to work with Qui-Gon?}

{Yes I do. You need to practice and Padawan Jinn is very good with the saber and forms. Perhaps you can learn something from him assuming that you two can refrain from pawing each other,} Melody told her Padawan.

{Master} Ember replied indignantly. {I didn’t intend to roll around the cargo bay floor having sex with Padawan Jinn} she finished with a large smile on her face. “Thank you Master,” Ember said walking over to the table and taking her saber from the drawer and clipping it to her belt before she stepped into the hallway. She grinned and said, “After you…Padawan.”

Qui-Gon nodded and led the way to the cargo bay, relieved that Master Melody had let her practice sabers and forms with him.

Ember stood back and watched as Qui-Gon walked away from her. She thought about this morning when he was rushing around her bedroom without his clothes on. She shook her head; you’re going to get killed if you don’t focus Ember. She followed him into the cargo bay and removed her outer tunic before igniting the golden blade of her lightsaber.

Qui-Gon also removed his outer tunic before he ignited his green lightsaber. He had never dueled with Ember and he wonderust ust how good she was. He had heard rumors that she was above average but he wasn't sure how true they were. Twirling his lightsaber, he paced back and forth in front of her waiting for Ember to make the first move.

Ember went on the offensive; her golden blade sizzled as it sliced through the air, striking an emerald blade with a loud scream. Green and gold sabers repeatedly rotated in the air and twirled in their owner’s hands as they made constant contact. Smoothly, each blow was blocked and parried as the duel gathered intensity.

******


Melody could hear the hum of the two Padawan’s lightsabers coming from the cargo bay as she left her quarters. She headed toward the front of the transport where Obi-Wan and Knight M'ray were discussing what the Knight could learn while accompanying them on the mission. Maybe he'll learn that Ember can find someone who will actually care about her and not use her like a piece of meat, she thought as she entered the flight cabin.

“Knight M’ray, I would like to speak with Master Obi-Wan about the hyperdrive. If you would prefer you can remain in one of the seats in the rear, you can go to your quarters to meditate, or read more about the mission,” Melody suggested to the blonde knight. She hoped that he would decide to leave the flight cabin.

“I’ll go to my quarters,” Bren told the petite Master. While she talks to Kenobi, I think I’ll go pay a visit Ember. It was so easy to get her to perform the prank when I told her to, that I’m sure that I can get her to do anything I wann a n a couple of months I will be able to implement my plans for her and have her anytime I want. And in the process I can hurt Padawan Perfect. Bren smiled as he walked out of the flight cabin; I think this is going to be a great mission.

*****

Intricate footsteps paired with the rapid body movements of both combatants as they mirrored each other’s actions simultaneously. Sidestepping to the left and dropping to one knee the dark haired Padawan rotated his wrists, causing his emerald blade to scorch his opponent’s tunic.

Springing backward Ember twisted her wrists to the right blocking Qui-Gon’s blade. Calling on the Force, the apprentice used it to propel her movements. She twisted her body to the right separating the blades; a quick exchange of the black handle from her left hand to her right and she aimed for Qui-Gon’s back. “Interesting move Jinn, don’t you think?” Ember asked with a broad grin.


"Yes, it was, but you shouldn't get overly confident or your opponent might surprise you." With these words, Qui-Gon anticipated her movement and twisted his lightsaber around his back catching the golden blade. Then calling on the Force he repelled the blade and took a defensive stand. Both hands held the hilt lightly at the side of his head, his feet ready for any sudden movement. He looked at Ember with his eyes relying on the Force to guide him. Her posture was slightly defensive but the Force told him that she was letting him catch his breath before she attacked again. Qui-Gon forced himself to focus on the duel and not think about who his opponent was, so he would not lose concentration, as his Master feared that he might.

“I’m not over confident…just well trained. My Master, Master Barauga, and Master Garaar all trained me to be good.” She smiled and said, “But then so are you. How come I haven’t seen you at the tournaments?” After several moments of waiting Embungeunged forward, rotating her golden lightsaber in her left hand. Lashing out at the male Padawan with strong even strokes, Ember forced Qui-Gon back with relentless footwork, and unpredictable assaults with her saber.


"I won my first two tournaments as a Junior Padawan, but then I was away from the Temple on missions for the others. Master Obi-Wan told me that he wants me to compete this year and has already requested that we have no missions the week of the tournaments," he told her as he retreated. He aggressively matched her strikes smoothly in every direction, dropping to one knee to avoid a blow to the shoulder. After leaping back to a standing position, he shifted his footing to knock his opponent’s feet from beneath her. He did so unsuccessfully as he watched her easily leap into the air.

Ember clenched her weapon in her right hand and charged toward him. With graceful and soundless movements, they met in the middle with furious handwork, taking turns with defense. “Impressive, how about the winner of this duel asks one favor of the other that is not allowed to be refused,” she said smiling; a plan taking form in her mind. The lightsabers were merely a blur of action, as their hums drowned each other out and their screams cried each time they met. Ember began to lose focus; she could almost feel Qui-Gon’s lips on her body. She shook her head once and refocused on the duel.

Ember powerfully swung her lightsaber catching her opponent off g wit with the force of her thrust, knocking his weapon out of his hand. Qui-Gon watched as his lightsaber landed on the cold floor a meter away. Befhe hhe had a chance to reach for his weapon, his opponent’s weapon slashed upward toward his shoulder. Qui-Gon spun to his left while calling his fallen saber to his hand. He immediately ignited the weapon and leaped to his feet before Ember had a chance to attack again. "I'll take that bet," Qui-Gon agreed with a smile; already knowing what he would ask of her if he won. "And I’ll be glad to have you watch me duel at the tournaments."

Retreating, Ember took a momentgathgather her breath, strength, and focus. Qui-Gon, as usual was calm and centered. And this caused her to glower at him as she panted for her breath. Sith, here I’m the junior champion and I can’t keep my thoughts on the duel. I keep thinking about what I want him to do to me and he’s so calm. Swiftly, she wiped the sweat off her forehead, while keeping her guard up and trying to focus her attention on the duel. Eventually Qui-Gon leaped forward with the Force and Ember tightened her grip on the hilt, whirling and twisting it to block all attacks. When Qui-Gon called on the Force and sprung above her, she twirled around to step back in surprise as his blade burned her shoulder and side. Crying out in pain Ember knocked the saber away and fell to the deck holding her side.

No! Qui-Gon immediately disengaged his lightsaber and rushed to her side, "Are you alright?" he asked kneeling down beside her to check the wound. Please don’t let it be serious.

Brendan stood in the cargo bay watching Qui-Gon and Ember duel. As he listened to the banter between them he grew annoyed. She’s flirting with him. Who would have thought she wanted a man so badly that she would have picked “Perfect”. It’s that or she’s using him to try and make me jealous. Stepping through the door intending to interrupt the duel he watched as Qui-Gon’s green blade cut into Ember’s side. This couldn’t have worked better if I planned it myself. Now he won’t be allowed near her and she’ll need to be nursed back to health. I guess I can volunteer; it might earn me points with her Master. Rushing into the room he shoved Qui-Gon out of the way and tried to check the wound. Not allowing Ember to speak, he snapped, “I thought part of being perfect meant you had a brain. Of course she’s not all right. You just tried to stab her with your saber. Talk about finishing off your competition. Do you need to be the star so badly that you try to kill yours?”

Qui-Gon immediately rose to his feet and glared at the Knight who embraced Ember. “It was an accident,” he told Bren. How could anyone accuse him of intentionally trying to hurt her? Taking a deep breath, he tried to release his anger into the Force. Ember needed his support right now, not his anger and jealousy. Qui-Gon felt helpless as he knelt down on the other side of Ember anokedoked down into her beautiful face that still rested on Bren’s arm. Qui-Gon was concerned that he had seriously injured her that he felt fear soaring through his veins.

“Qui-Gon,” Ember croaked out before the pain overtook her and she lost consciousness.

******

Melody sat in the co-pilot’s seat beside Obi-Wan discussing the possible problems with the hyperdrive. She was about to ask him if he thought it would last until they completed the mission. She felt her Padawan’s pain rip through the training bond and instantly leapt out of the seat. "Ember," she gasped, running out of the flight cabin.

Obi-Wan felt the anguish and fear vibrate in the Force. Immediately he reached into the bond he shared with Qui-Gnd wnd watched as Melody ran out of the cabin. {Padawan, what happened? Are you all right?} Obi-Wan asked as he hurriedly followed Melody out of the flight cabin.

Melody raced into the cargo bay and saw her Padawan lying limply in Knight M’ray’s arms. Withgivigiving a thought to her actions the small but powerful Master pushed the large Knight out of her way. Using the Force to prevent the girl’s head from hitting the floor, she took his place at her Padawan’s side.

{Master, Ember and I were dueling. I hit her in the side; she's unconscious. Master what have I done?} Qui-Gon told Obi-Wan through their bond.

{You didn’t do anything, Qui-Gon. You had a training accident. Let her Master look at her. I don’t believe there is any permanent damage. Your sabers were lowered to minimum level right? She’ll be ok. } Obi-Wan stepped further into the room to survey the damage. He watched for a moment and wondered if his Padawan or her Master was more affected by Ember’s injury. He immediately took charge by giving an order to Brendan who was glaring at Melody’s back. “Knight M’ray you’ll find the first aide kit in the galley behind the cooler bring it here to me.” Obi-Wan then kneeled beside Melody and spoke quietly, “Qui-Gon, I want you to hold Ember as her Master removes her tunic shirt and cleans the wound.” He reached out and grasped her shoulder. “Melody, I know this will be hard on you but it’s best to get her cleaned up and bandaged while she is unconscious. Can you do it or do you want me to?”

"Yes Master," Qui-Gon replied obediently a too took the unconscious girl in his arms and hoped that she would be all right. This is my fault. I should have gone easier on her. She's younger than I am and I fought as if she was in my age group because I didn't want to lose.

Melody carefully removed her Padawan’s inner tunic shirt and looked at the angry burn just below the lace-covered bra. She took the kit from Brendan’s outstretched hand and bit her lip as she began to clean the edges of the deep burn. Her hands trembled slightly as Ember moaned. “Obi-Wan can you help me …use the Force to keep her unconscious; she’s about to wake.”

Obi-Wan cautiously moved to kneel near Ember’s head. He touched the side of her face, closed his eyes, and reached into the Force. He led the injured Padawan into a heavy healing trance.

Melody took a deep calming breath and gently began to rub bacta on the cauterized d. Od. Once she had finished with the bacta, Melody wrapped a bandage around the wound, careful not to wrap it too tightly. After she finally put Ember's tunics back on she said, "Qui-Gon, why don't you carry her to her sleep couch."

"Yes Master Melody," Qui-Gon said, lifting Ember's unconscious body, and starting to walk slowly out of the cargo bay. She's so light and beautiful and I could have killed her. She lost her concentration when she saw Bren standing in the doorway. I wonder if she still likes him. Upon reachinber’ber’s quarters, Qui-Gon carefully laid her down on the sleep couch, sat down beside her, and gently touched her cheek with his hand. "I'm sorry Emy," he whispered.


"Qui-Gon, what happened?" Melody asked putting her hand on the Padawan's shoulder.

Brendan came up behind Obi-Wan and his eyes narrowed at seeing Qui-Gon next to Ember with his hand on her face and he realized that neither Master did anything to stim. im. I will not have him ruin my plans for Ember. I need her completely broken and if she has Perfect as a friend she might begin to think she is worth something again. Six months of conditioning will fail if Ember and Perfect are allowed to become friends. I need to stop this before it’s too late. Bren pushed himself into the conversation before Qui-Gon could reply. “They were dueling and Ember was wiping the floor with Padawan Jinn. She offered him a bet. Padawan Jinn took it and then made several dangerous strokes and Ember could not keep up with them. More than likely he thought he could make her have sex with him. That’s what I would have done. “He made sure he won the bet, no mater what it took.”

Obi-Wan spun around on the knight and leveled him with a piercing glare. “Be careful Knight M’ray before you suggest that my Padawan deliberately injured Padawan D’on because of a bet.”

Melody quickly stepped between the two Knights and said, "Enough, I have no doubt that this was an accident. If the two of you can not behave like knights instead of children in the crèche, you can both leave while I speak with Padawan Jinn, alone."

I’ll take it up with Jinn later. He watched, as Qui-Gon could not tear his eyes away from Ember. I’ll bet it was the thrill of his life seeing her without her shirt. I see she still hasn’t removed that blasted dragon tattoo like I told her. “Very well I just told you what I saw happen. I’m sorry if that offended you Master Kenobi…I’m sure it was an accident like Master Kazala said.” Bren bowed and continued, “If you no longer need me, I’ll go to my room and meditate.”

Obi-Wan sent a wave of trust and reassurance through the bond and reached out and squeezed the boy’s shoulder. “She’ll be all right Qui-Gon; everyone knows it was an accident. Melody, I have to get back to the flight deck. I didn’t stop to put the auto pilot on.”

"I did want to win Master Melody. She bet me that the winner would get to choose one favor from the loser that the loser could not refuse. I pushed too hard. I wanted to win. I wanted to ask her to stay in the Order. Bren is right, it’s my fault," Qui-Gon spoke softly still staring at Ember.

"Qui-Gon," Melody si, ", "If she was your enemy would you have tried to go easier on her? Knight M'ray said she was winning; so you had to increase your efforts in order to win. I don't believe you intentionally tried to injure her; did you?"

“She's younger than I am and I'm one of the best in my age group. I've even beaten Anakin a few times. I-" Melody quickly interrupted him.

“Qui-Gon, Neither Ember nor I want you to blame yourself It's not your fault. Ember is one of the best in her age group also. She has battled Knights and Padawans older than you are now," Melody assured him. "Now I want you to go and meditate on this and calm down."

Qui-Gon nodded, looked at Ember a moment longer before he turned and left the room. Melody watched him walk down the hall toward the cargo bay, obviously not wanting to go to his quarters with Bren there. Melody shook her head as she watched him walk away. She turned her head toward the flight cabin and then back to her resting Padawan before leaving.

******

Brendan kneeled as if he was going to meditate, but instead he watched as Qui-Gon left Ember’s room. After waiting a minute more Melody also left. He could be there when Ember woke, but that wouldn’t be for a while. Maybe he could go settle this with Padawan Jinn. He rose to his feet, walked quietly to the cargo bay, and lounged against the door. “What did you think; if you won she would sleep with you?”

"I would never force her to do that if she didn't want to," Qui-Gon turned to face the Knight and glared at him.

“Then you will never have sex with her because she is way out of your league and she doesn’t like perfect little boys. It’s not as if she has any other uses. Ember couldn’t follow directions or obey the rules if her life depended on it. So if it wasn’t about sex why did you want to win so badly? And don’t lie to me because I know about your silly crush.” The blonde knight sneered as he walked further into the room and began to circle the Padawan.

"It’s none of your business. I don't know how a jerk like you made it to Knighthood. Ember will make a better Knight than you can ever hope to be," Qui-Gon told him.

Brendan circled Qui-Gon again and smiled sardonically at the kneeling Padawan. “It was about sex… From your reputation, I would have thought that you wouldn’t need to resort to that kind of trick. Maybe Ember is ser ter than I gave her credit for. Although with her body wiggling under you, brains aren’t all that necessary.” The Perfect Padawan is angry; I can have some fun with him. “Is Padawan Perfect angry? The dark side, anger leads to, at least according to Master Yoda.”

Qui-Gon balled his hands into fists at his side. He could feel the anger bubbling up inside of him like a pot of boiling water. He fought to release his anger into the Force. He needs to be punched in that pretty boy face of his. "There’s much more to Ember than her body and if you weren't such a self absorbed Bantha brain you would know that."

“Oh really! That’s why after her Master removed her shirt you couldn’t take your eyes off her.” Brendan spat out. “Trust me when I tell you her body is her best asset, so sweet and tight. After all it’s not like I can enjoy myself the way I want to with anyone else. I loved hearing her beg me to stop. “I’m definitely going to enjoy this trip and reacquainting myself with it.” Bren turned on his heal and stalked out of the cargo bay hoping the hurt he inflicted on Qui-Gon would discourage his pursuit of Ember. Sith’s spawn, I still have to wait until she heals before I can resume having fun.

Qui-Gon punched the hard floor as he watched the Knight leave the room. I was hoping he wasn’t the one that she was with before me. Qui-Gon frowned, suddenly realizing why Ember had lost concentration during the duel. She must have realized he was there and lost her concentration. She didn't want him to know what had happened between us. How am I supposed to compete with someone like him? He gets everything he wants without having to work for it?

******

Melody entered the flight cabin. She watched Obi-Wan pilot transransport through the vastness of space while she sat down beside him in the co-pilots seat. "Obi-Wan, you’re going to hto sto speak with Qui-Gon. He’s blaming himself for trying to win the duel rather than going easier on Ember. I tried to tell him it wasn't his fault, but I don’t think he was ready to believe me. I told him to meditate."

Obi-Wan turned to her and sighed. “Yes I know. He told me it was his fault through the bond. He’s not going to believe any one but Ember… and maybe not even her. You see, I don’t know if he knows it yet but he’s in love with her.”

"Yeah, I think that Ember feels the same way too," Melody sighed. "So how is the hyperdrive holding up?" She asked needing to change the subject.

“The hyperdrive is fine for the moment,” Obi-Wan replied before he changed the subject back to the earlier one. “Knight M’ray might not be. You know that he deliberately alluded to the fact that Qui-Gon intentionally hurt Ember. Qui-Gon would never injure someone without cause, especially your Padawan,” Obi-Wan said as he turned back to the stars.

"I know. I told M’ray that I didn’t believe Qui-Gon intended to injure Ember. I can’t punish the yccruma Knight for what he said as much as I would love to. I just hope that was the end of our problems with him, but somehow I don't believe it will be," Melody told him. She studied the instrument panel to make sure that the new part was working properly.

“I had heard rumors that they were seeing each other for a while. He doesn’t strike me as a caring individual or someone who particularly follows the will of the Fo So So how in Sith’s name did your Padawan get tangled up with a person like him? ” Obi-Wan asked quietly.

"Well," Melody sighed, "Ember was a seventeen year old girl with a crush on a handsome older Padawan who was almost ready to go through the ts. Is. I'm sure that you know, Ember is not shy; so she would use almost any excuse she could to speak with him or be near him. I guess he noticed and decided to use her misguided feelings for him to his advantage," Melody confided still studying the console.

Obi-Wan frowned, “At seventeen she was still under age you could have had him called before the Council for under age sexual contact.”

"I know that and believe me I wanted to do a lot worse to him than just take him before the Council, but Ember didn't want to talk about it to anyone else. I'm not sure if a part of her still held feelings for him and didn't want to hurt him or what. But after we argued for hours, I finally decided to respect her wishes," Melody explained.

“Then indeed, we’re in for a long mission. It might be better if Qui-Gon and I ask the Council to reassign us and give you another Master/Padawan team,” Obi-Wan said downcast.

"No," Melody said turnher her head to look at him. "She chose to not go to the Council about it and she has to learn that there are repercussions to her actions, like having to work with him."

Obi-Wan sighed and ran his hand through his hair, “You know this might endanger the mission don’t you. She was injured because she lost her focus today or Qui-Gon did.”

"Yes, I know. But it will also be a great learning experience for the three of them," Melody told him.

“If it doesn’t get one of them killed,” Obi-Wan muttered under his breath and turned his attention back to the panel.

"That’s what we’re here for Obi-Wan, to protect them when they make mistakes. I think the accident today will serve as a big reminder to our Padawan’s of what can happen when they’re distracted." Melody gazed back down at the console and hoped that she was right.


To be continued...