The Seduction

by Nicole D'Annais ([email protected])

***

For the next few days, Qui-Gon kept a close eye on his padawan. Xanatos was on his best behavior--the model of a perfect padawan. Which only worried his master more.

At his best, Xanatos was never the perfect padawan. The perfect student as far as grades and learning, perhaps, but he was always a little too independent, a bit too amused by his own fa�ade. Now...nothing. He acted the same, but the sense of amusement was gone. In public, he was almost detached. And in private he was more intense than ever. Qui-Gon had bruises that matched his padawan's fingers in several places from times in the past few days when the young man had held on to him as if he never intended to let go.

Teaching a padawan was not supposed to involve breaking his spirit, no matter what some of the masters at the Temple thought. It worried the Jedi Master that he might have broken his apprentice completely in the act of trying to keep him.

He looked back over his shoulder once more. Xanatos stood just behind him, face serene, dark blue eyes cool, surveying the hangar with detachment.

Qui-Gon checked the lists of arrivals. Still several minutes before the Nardirian contingent was due to arrive--enough time for a lesson. Perhaps it was time to shake his padawan up a bit. He concentrated on the previous night, building up a wave of lust inside himself, and then sent the emotion through their bond in a rush.

Xanatos' eyes widened, and his lips parted, tongue darting out to moisten them briefly. He threw a frustrated glance at his master before averting his eyes and exerting control over his feelings. A moment more, and he was the perfect padawan again--almost. A hint of a smile played at the corner of his lips, one that just barely reached his eyes.

With a smile of his own, Qui-Gon faced front to watch the Nardirian shuttle land. The situation was looking better already.

***

"It was a good start, wasn't it, Master?"

Qui-Gon paused in the middle of shedding his tunics. "What was?"

"Evening meal. My father and the Nardirians were getting along nicely. That bodes well for the negotiations, does it not?"

"Perhaps. We shall see how they get along when there is a contract on the table." Tunics and boots dealt with, Qui-Gon turned to Xanatos, who was sitting on the bed, still fully clothed. "You are wearing entirely too much clothing, my padawan."

The young man blinked out of his reverie and smiled up at his master. "Say that again."

"What?"

"'My padawan.'" He reached up and caressed Qui-Gon's cheek. "I love the way your voice sounds when you say that here, with no one else around."

Qui-Gon sat next to him and leaned in, mouth close to Xanatos' ear. "My padawan," he said softly. He delighted in the shiver that raced through the young man's body. "My padawan," he growled again, tongue reaching out to trace the shell of his apprentice's ear. When he reached the lobe, he stopped to nibble at it while hastily removing the layered tunics Xanatos wore.

"My master," the young man breathed as he pulled at his boots until they came off. Their lips met as each man fumbled with the other's leggings, tugging and shoving until they were both naked. Qui-Gon fell back onto the bed, legs still dangling over the side, pulling Xanatos along without breaking the kiss.

Xanatos' tongue dipped into his master's mouth, mapping the textures there before withdrawing slowly to wander down Qui-Gon's chin, along the strong column of his neck, nipping at the muscle that strained as Qui-Gon arched up against him.

Xanatos circled one brown nipple slowly before sucking on the tip until it was hard. Qui-Gon writhed in pleasure beneath him as the second nipple was given the same treatment. Sparing a second for a grin up at his master, Xanatos continued his trip down his master's stomach, across his navel, lowering himself to his knees on the floor to make his way through the patch of dark curls below.

Without warning he took the length of the older man's shaft completely in his mouth, cheeks hollowing with the pressure of the suction he employed. Qui-Gon arched up violently, as he grabbed his padawan's head and held it in place as he thrust into Xanatos' mouth, lost in intense pleasure.

He came quickly, pumping his hips into the talented mouth until he could no longer move. Qui-Gon lay there, gasping for breath, his relaxed legs offering no resistance as Xanatos pulled them onto his shoulders and slipped a finger inside him, stretching the muscle in preparation for his entry.

There was a grin on his padawan's face as he watched his master writhing and bucking beneath him. Qui-Gon fought off the haze of passion enough to ask, "Something amuses you?"

"Only that it is somewhat of a novelty to do this in a bed, my Master." He looked down at his feet on the floor and added, "Or at least mostly in a bed."

Qui-Gon smiled. "We shall have to try it again sometime."

"Yes. But for now...." Xanatos entered him in one quick thrust, hitting a spot that sent lightening-quick pleasure arcing through him, and he lost himself again to the feelings churning inside.

***

The moment Qui-Gon woke the next morning, he realized something was wrong. A quick check assured him that all inside the room was well. The door was closed, his lightsaber was on the table next to him, and his padawan was asleep in his arms. So what was the problem?

Then he heard the raised voices in the hallway. He sat up, rousing Xanatos as he moved away to concentrate on the voices. He knew the loudest one--Crion's voice was unmistakable. The others were not familiar enough that he could make them out from here, but they were coming from the direction of the Nardirians' rooms.

"Master?" Xanatos asked, voice husky with the remnants of sleep. "What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure." Qui-Gon climbed out of bed and pulled on his leggings and boots and reached for his robe, pulling it closed tightly to hide his bare chest. "But we'd better go check it out."

Xanatos followed his master's example and threw on his leggings and boots. He was still pulling on his robe as Qui-Gon opened the door. The Nardirians were only a few doors down from the rooms the Jedi had been given, easily visible as soon as Qui-Gon walked out of the room. Crion was standing with the three representatives from Nardir and a half-dressed woman that Qui-Gon recognized as one of the servers from the dining room.

All of them fell silent as the Jedi approached, except for the woman, who was sobbing quietly into the blanket she held around her shoulders. "What happened?" Qui-Gon asked.

Councilman Yo stared at the ground. The other two Nardirians glanced at each other before Councilman Trar, the senior of the two, answered, "It is a matter for Nardirian justice, Master Jinn. Nothing you need to concern yourself over; however, I fear we are going to have to postpone the negotiations a few more days."

"Postpone again?" Crion bellowed. "These negotiations have been postponed three times already. The contract ends in one week--if there is no agreement, Telos will find its materials elsewhere."

The fact that it was a rather empty threat apparently made no difference to Yo. "I doubt that Telos will be able to find a contract that benefits them as greatly as this one does already!"

"That is not the point. The negotiations must go on as planned. You cannot postpone them just because one of your representatives slept with someone!"

"If I may interrupt," Qui-Gon interjected quickly, using the Force behind his voice to ensure their silence. "We were brought here to facilitate a smooth negotiation. If someone would explain what happened it is possible we could salvage something out of this predicament."

Crion sighed as he turned to face the Jedi Master. "When Councilman Yo did not show up for an early meeting with his colleagues, they came to check on him and found him in bed with Merlena. That is all that happened."

Qui-Gon turned to Yo, who was still staring at the ground. "Councilman Yo, what happened?"

"I do not know. The young lady knocked on my door to give me a drink and turn down the bed, as she did for my fellow councilmen. I remember nothing beyond that until they woke me this morning and she was there...." He shook his head, unable or unwilling to say more.

"Now they want to go home because of what he did," Crion complained. "He did it on purpose, I swear it!"

Qui-Gon studied the accused councilman. He sensed the Nardirian's confusion. And his shame. If he had indeed slept with the woman, it hadn't been with an ulterior motive. "Surely you do not all need to go back to Nardir for this? Could Councilman Yo return to your planet while the rest of you remain to work on the negotiations?"

"We have been witnesses to a serious offense, Master Jinn; we must go back and give testimony. To sleep with a woman out of wedlock is bad enough; to sleep with one when already bonded is a crime." Trar moved to Yo's side. "Gather your belongings. We leave for Nardir at once."

After he watched Yo go into his room, Qui-Gon turned back to Trar. "What will happen to him?"

"He will return to Nardir to stand trial. If he is found guilty, he will be sentenced accordingly. And as witnesses, it is the duty of Natni and myself to return with him. Suitable replacements will be sent for the negotiations in a few days, when they have had time to fully prepare."

"Days? This is ridiculous." Crion turned to the Jedi. "Qui-Gon, tell them to stay."

"I have no authority over them, Governor. If they feel they must return, I cannot stop them."

For a moment, Crion looked as if he would argue, but he relented. "Fine. Go if you must."

Trar cleared his throat. "There is one other thing. We would like to take the girl with us. She has committed an offense--"

"No!" Crion answered quickly. "She is a Telosian citizen under my employ. If there is to be any kind of punishment, I will deal with it. But you will not take her. It is out of the question!"

"Very well," Trar answered reluctantly as Yo returned with his bag. "We will leave at once, and be in touch about our replacements."

They watched the Nardirians leave in silence. When they were completely out of sight, Crion turned to the shaking woman. "There will be no punishment. You will be demoted, however. You knew how important these negotiations were to our people, and yet your sense of duty failed you."

The woman stared at the floor, her voice barely above a whisper as she responded, "I am sorry, Governor."

"I know. Go on now. You'll report to the kitchens later this morning."

"Thank you sir." She bowed quickly and ran off toward the servants' quarters.

As Crion watched the woman go, Qui-Gon sensed an air of satisfaction about the man that was at odds with his proclaimed upset at the postponement of the negotiations. Before he could think on it further, Crion turned back to face him, taking in his appearance. Then he turned to his son, who had been standing silently beside Qui-Gon all along, and noticed his state of undress under his robes. His eyes flickered to the open doorway of the one room they'd both emerged from. Qui-Gon's room.

Qui-Gon watched with apprehension as understanding dawned on Crion's face. He fixed the Jedi Master with a furious stare then stalked off without a word, leaving Qui-Gon to wonder just what the man would do with the information. If he called the Council and asked for new negotiators because of his newfound knowledge, it could be the end of Xanatos' chance to be a Knight. Which would leave the young man here, on Telos, where Qui-Gon had no doubt Crion wanted him.

"Master?" Xanatos placed a hand on Qui-Gon's arm, pulling him toward the room. "We should finish getting dressed."

"Of course." They returned to the room in silence. As they were dressing, Qui-Gon decided to bring it out into the open. "He knows."

Xanatos didn't even pretend not to know what he meant. "Leave him to me. I can handle him."

"What do you mean, 'handle'?"

"He wants me to be happy. When he realizes that you and the Jedi are what make me happy, he will not stand in the way. You have nothing to fear from him."

Qui-Gon let it go at that for the time being. Any action would only serve to make them look guilty. But he resolved to be very careful. And very watchful.

***

For the rest of the day, Qui-Gon again kept a close eye on his padawan. He watched as Xanatos teased his father out of his bad mood at breakfast. He watched the young man joke with a few of the servants, listened as they called him "Young Master Xanatos" and he didn't correct them. Technically the title was still his due as the son of the Governor, but Xanatos' easy acceptance of it was troubling.

They sparred that afternoon. Xanatos gave it his full effort, drawing on the Force as easily as he breathed and making it difficult for his master to beat him, but Qui-Gon sensed it was more about winning the game than it was about using the Force for defense. There was a fierceness in Xanatos' fighting and an enjoyment in every little victory that was not appropriate for a Jedi.

As they finished sparring, one of the servants came in and informed them that Crion was about to deliver a message to the Telosian people in the holo room, if they cared to watch. Qui-Gon glanced questioningly at Xanatos.

"He said nothing to me this morning about an announcement," Xanatos said with a shrug.

Qui-Gon nodded to the servant, who led them both to a large office, with a desk and various adornments that seemed to serve only to make the person who sat there look important. Several holo recorders sat at the other end of the office, trained on the desk.

Crion joined them, giving Qui-Gon a cool look. "Master Jinn, it is good of you to be here. I am about to let my people know why the negotiations have stalled. They are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the negotiations, and I fear if I do not tell them something they will grow quite angry."

"Then perhaps you should tell them something that will ease their worries," Qui-Gon agreed.

"Yes. Please, have a seat." He gestured toward a row of chairs to one side, out of view of the holo recorders, but near the desk. "We begin in just a moment."

The two Jedi sat as Crion situated himself behind the desk, checking his appearance in a mirror and going over his notes one last time before he clicked a button on his desk. Bright lights flicked on from the camera area, and after a moment to adjust to the glare, the Governor hit another switch, and the holo recorders began to whir.

"My fellow Telosians, I bring you news that may be unsettling. The negotiations have again been stalled. The representatives sent by the government of Nardir encountered a problem this morning that forced them to return home. They promise to contact us in a few days with the names of replacement negotiators."

He paused for effect, schooling his features in a stern manner. "I assure you, the negotiations will go on in a few days. There is nothing to be concerned about. We will have the contract we deserve. Thank you."

The switches were turned off, and the room was once more silent and relatively dark after the harsh glare of the lights. "This will hopefully keep the people from any acts of aggression toward Nardirians who are on planet," Crion said as he made his way to the chairs.

"That was broadcast into every home?"

"Yes, and into the areas with public screens. The news programs will replay it as well." He frowned at Qui-Gon as if daring him to question anything. "My people are very well informed."

"I can imagine," Qui-Gon said dryly.

Crion turned toward the door. "It is time for the evening meal. Let us adjourn to the dining hall."

Xanatos followed immediately, leaving Qui-Gon to trail behind. This promised to be one of the most uncomfortable meals he'd ever been through--he was certainly in no hurry to get to it.

***

The evening meal was followed by a musical concert. Normally Qui-Gon loved music, but he found he could not concentrate. His mind was preoccupied with all that had happened. There was still something off about the Nardirian scandal from that morning.

He found it hard to believe that the man who so honestly scorned Governor Tashi for treating his bond so casually would suddenly find a serving girl so irresistible that he was willing to go against his own code, as well as his country's law. Perhaps the woman herself would have a few answers. He would have to track her down and see if she could be of some help. One way or another, he was determined to get to the heart of what had happened.

Xanatos leaned over to whisper, "Is something wrong, Master? Would you prefer to leave?"

Qui-Gon shook his head. "I'm fine," he whispered back. "Let's stay and listen."

His apprentice said no more, but Qui-Gon noticed Xanatos was now watching him as much as Qui-Gon had been watching the young man all day. The Jedi Master released his anxiety into the Force and willed himself into a state of calm. After a few minutes, Xanatos relaxed and turned his attention back to the music, leaving Qui-Gon no choice but to do the same.

END PART 8

~ proceed to Part 9 ~