Qui-Gon drummed his fingers on the surface of the nav-computer. For the last hour, the traffic control on Corcusant would not allow him to land on the Temple grounds, and he could feel his patience wearing thin. Clicking on the comm switch, he spoke gruffly into the receiver.

�This is Master Jinn, requesting permission to land.�

A voice crackled back on the ancient starship�s aged system. �We hear you, Master Jinn. We�re just waiting for a few more ships to pass through. We�ll contact you in a few minutes.�

Rolling his eyes, Qui-Gon took a breath to allow the irritation to leave his body. Although his last mission had been relatively simple--requiring only the barest of his negotiation skills--he felt the pull of home sweep over his mind. Looking below, he could see the towers of the Temple reaching into the gray sky above Coruscant, and as he hovered above, he felt a faint smile catch at the corners of his mouth. For years, the prospect of coming home only filled him with trepidation, but now, he could barely contain himself from cracking open the air lock and climbing out of the ship to get there.

Laughing quietly at himself, Qui-Gon sat back in the worn seat, propping up his long legs on the front panel of the ship�s systems. After being Knighted, the only thing he wanted was to explore the galaxy, to travel as far as he possibly could. For a few months, Yoda allowed his former Padawan freedom, but a young child named Alla had changed all that. It had never been his intention to ever be a Master; the times in front of the padawans while in Knighthood training were among the memories he wished to forget. Yet somehow the Force planned a different path for him, and Alla became the catalyst. He folded his hands behind his head, looking up at the ceiling. When thinking of the girl, thoughts of his second padawan often ensued, much to his chagrin. Putting them in the same thought seemed almost like a sacrilege.

It�s been almost three years, he mused silently, watching the skyline of Coruscant as he slowly circled the Temple. There were times in the months that followed the day of his desertion when Qui-Gon wondered if he had anything left inside. The severing of a Master/Padawan bond always occurred after a Knighting, but the cut came cleanly, and always left a residual connection between both parties. The ending of his bond with Xanatos left Qui-Gon�s mind wounded, disturbing his connection with the Force and even his old Master. Weeks passed before he could even meditate with any sort of success.

Another sigh escaped through his lips; his consciousness returned to the question circling around in his mind, as if it waited to land. Even as he sat quietly watching the ground below, he could feel the tiny seed in his consciousness that was his newly forming bond with Obi-Wan. Sensing it yet not employing it, he marveled at how such a thing could have come about without even his knowledge. With both Alla and Xanatos, their bonds came through hours of meditation and practice, acquired only through effort. Yet, Qui-Gon mused, neither Alla nor Xanatos were as strong in the Force when they were Obi-Wan�s age. The boy demonstrated a surprising amount of control for his years, enough even to manipulate Qui-Gon�s basic shields, as he had during their first encounter.

The words of Teacher Mulania echoed back in his mind: �Obi-Wan needs you to be his Teacher, not his Master.� Although he knew the woman bore him no love, her phrasing continued to haunt him. Qui-Gon raked his fingers through his hair, rubbing his temples. He was getting too old for this sort of thing. Years of negotiation and diplomacy were under his belt, not to mention the training of two Padawans. If he decided to take Obi-Wan, it meant the commitment of the prime years of his life. By the time Obi-Wan would be ready for his trials, he mused with narrowed eyes, he would be. . .older than he cared to think about.

Without warning, a voice startled the Jedi Master out of his reverie.

�Master Jinn, you are cleared for landing. But be careful, it started snowing an hour ago. Your runway is clear, though.�

�Thank you,� he responded as respectfully as he could, but then muttered of out the receiver�s range, �About time.�

Easing the tired ship out of its holding pattern, he pushed the small craft into a descent and dropped into the atmosphere. As soon as he broke through, swirls of white powder flew by his viewscreen, blurring his visibility. Eyes wide in rapt fascination, he took in the snow-lined Towers of the Temple. They hadn�t had a snow storm on this side of Corcusant in years; the last one he could remember was right before Alla�s knighting. Usually they kept this part of Corcusant temperature-controlled, but even the weather-mapping systems couldn�t anticipate everything.

Bringing the ship down to the ground with only the slightest of skids, Qui-Gon breathed a sigh of relief. Although he had piloted many ships through bad weather, this particular craft wasn�t exactly the pinnacle of technological achievement, and he had no idea how she would handle on a snow-covered surface. Powering down the core engines, he switched off the ship and headed into the rear of the ship to fetch his single bag. Whistling quietly, he found himself smiling as he stepped off the craft into the fresh carpet of snow that covered the landing area of the Temple. As his large booted feet left sizable footprints behind him, he kicked at the wet snow, grinning. If the storm had gotten through the weather systems, that probably meant the weather mapping programs were down, and that meant this storm would run its normal course. Feeling the slick spray of cold air snaking down his collar, he shivered, but remained smiling. Bending down, he gathered up a handful of snow and packed it tightly with both palms. He walked through the portal doors of the main hangar, and gave the workers a nod as he passed. Moving to the first turbolift, he entered in the coordinates for the Creche level with an anticipatory grin on his face.

Within seconds, the lift dropped Qui-Gon off near the new wing where classes were still in session. Stepping quietly down the corridor, he moved past the open doors where Teachers kept the children busy with lectures and group work. Sidling up alongside the familiar door, Qui-Gon narrowed his gaze as he peeked around the door frame. Lining up his point of view with the opening, he stuck his tongue out of the side of his mouth while he gauged the distance. Although the icy ball was quickly evaporating, there was still plenty left to allow for a decent throw. Gathering a small bit of the Force, Qui-Gon launched the snowball into the classroom, hitting an unexpecting Bel-San in the back of the head. Ducking around the nearest corner, he plastered himself to the wall, quickly sliding back down the corridor as the sound of Bel-San�s yelps reached his ears. Feeling very much the maverick, Qui-Gon moved away from the wall, assuming a calm pace as he walked back towards the central part of the Creche. Tucking his smile into a passive expression, he began whistling. There was nothing like a decent snowstorm to put him in a good mood.

Walking down the corridor to the area where Master Heri worked, he passed by walls decorated with colored drawings done by the children. Some featured fantastic animals and planets, some tried to capture the stars or the moons, while others displayed stick figures holding colored lightsabers. Qui-Gon paused to survey their handiwork, and he came upon the year five group. Holding back a smile, he sought to find the boy�s name among the pictures, and finally he saw Obi-Wan�s blocked printing in the left-hand corner of one of the drawings. It featured a large brown blob with a large blue blob, and both were apparently underwater, which he inferred from the wavy blue line at the top of the page. Underneath the blobs were the words QUI-GON. Thinking about this for a moment, the Jedi quickly realized he was positioned beside the fish bearing his name. Chucking slightly, Qui-Gon backed away from the picture. Maybe some drawing lessons are in order after all...

�Master Qui-Gon!� a cheery voice sounded behind him. �You�re back!�

Qui-Gon turned to see the bright face of Master Heri, and he smiled in response. �Master Heri; it�s good to see you again.�

�Likewise.� She looked over at Obi-Wan�s drawing, and then back at him. �Did you see his handiwork? Looks like you got a starring role,� she said, laughing.

�I saw. Not a bad likeness, eh?� he joked, crossing his arms over his chest. �Is Obi-Wan back from class yet?�

Heri brushed back a bit of brown hair from her forehead. �I think he should be back any minute now. He�ll be very glad to see you. . .he�s been talking of nothing else for days.�

�Thanks again for your help with the commlinks last week,� he said, giving a slight nod. �You�ve been most accommodating, and it�s been, well, a nice change from the norm.�

Heri waved his comment aside with a smooth hand gesture. �Believe me, if there�s anything that children need at this age, it�s positive attention from people that love them.� She lowered her voice, as if imparting some great secret. �I know Mulania gave you a hard time, but now that you�ve got the Council backing you. . .�

Qui-Gon squirmed slightly, looking away. �I hardly think that�s accurate.�

�Regardless, you�ve made a phenomenal difference in Obi-Wan�s life--�

A cry from behind cut off her words. �Master Qui-Gon!�

The Jedi Master felt a slight tremor in the Force right before a small pair of arms wrapped around his knees. He smiled, craning his neck to see the child�s face. �Hello, Obi-Wan.�

Blond hair spilling across his forehead, the child grinned. �I knew you were coming back.�

�You knew, did you?�

�Master Qui-Gon, it�s snowing, did you see?� Obi-Wan�s eyes grew large, and he suddenly let go of the Jedi�s knees. �Master Heri?�

�Yes, Obi-Wan?�

�Can I go outside with Master Qui-Gon and see the snow? I never saw snow before.�

Heri flicked a glance at Qui-Gon, but he gave her a nod. �As long as you�re not out too long; I don�t want you to catch cold. You�re not used to weather like this.� She pointed inside the chamber. �Go on in and put on your jacket and hat. Don�t forget your gloves.�

Obi-Wan�s small feet pattered across the tiled floor as he ran into the room, and Heri looked up helplessly at Qui-Gon. �Are you sure you�re up to this? You just got back.�

�Believe me, I think some time outdoors would be just the answer after all the hot air I�ve been breathing in negotiations,� Qui-Gon affirmed, and then his tone grew serious. �I have been asked to meet with Yoda sometime tomorrow, and I don�t know what the outcome of our meeting will be, but I have a feeling he intends to have the boy and I work with the bond under his supervision. I just wanted you to be aware of what may be happening, since you�re his primary caretaker.�

Qui-Gon gave her a slight smile when she nodded, and he noted the approval in her expression. Seconds later, a tightly bundled Obi-Wan waddled out into the corridor. �I�m ready!� he announced, his voice muffled by the wooltec scarf wrapped around his face.

�Are you sure you�re in there somewhere, Obi-Wan?� Qui-Gon asked, adjusting the scarf to allow the boy to see. �Ah! There you are.�

�Can we go outside now, Master Qui-Gon?�

Cocking an eyebrow, he gave the boy a critical look. �Did you go while you were inside?�

He nearly lost his composure when Obi-Wan stared up innocently, clearly confused. �Why?�

�Because when it�s cold outside, it makes you have to go,� Qui-Gon explained quietly, feeling Heri�s eyes on him. He cleared his throat, feeling a bit out of practice with discussing the mechanics of going to the bathroom.

�Oh.� The boy scrunched his face, as if trying to remember. �Umm, yes. I did go.�

Qui-Gon couldn�t contain his laughter, and he fell into a low set of chuckles. �Let�s get out of here.� He held out a hand, and the padded boy�s hand found his as they walked down the corridor.

***

�I�m cold, Master Qui-Gon.�

�Obi-Wan, we�ve only been out here for ten minutes. Do you really want to go back inside already?�

Qui-Gon watched the tiny figure�s body shiver as Obi-Wan rocked back and forth in his boots in the ankle-high snow. �If you just get moving, you�ll warm up fast. I promise.�

Obi-Wan�s eyes flicked up to Qui-Gon�s face, and he tried to reassure him again. �The snow is lots of fun. Look what you can do with it.� He scooped up a handful of snow and packed it tightly, creating a solid ball. �And then you can throw it, but it won�t hurt when it hits someone.�

The boy�s eyes widened, and Qui-Gon thought he started shaking harder, but with cold or nervousness he couldn�t tell. �Okay, let�s try something else.� He dropped the snowball and led Obi-Wan by the hand to an undisturbed patch of ground in the Outdoor Gardens. �Watch this.�

Falling backwards into the snow, the Jedi Master waved his arms and legs, feeling bits of the cold particles sneak down his collar, but he ignored them. Once he thought his movement was sufficient, he carefully stood up, taking a quick step away from the marking he�d made. �Look! It�s a snow Jedi.�

Obi-Wan stared at the shape in the snow, and then beamed at Qui-Gon. �I want to make one too!� Throwing himself backwards into the drift, the tiny boy wriggled, making small sounds as he beat his arms and legs against the snow. Finally the child stood up, stepping all around the bottom of his design. Qui-Gon watched his face as Obi-Wan turned around and frowned. �Yours looks better.�

�Don�t worry, Obi-Wan. I�ve had a few years more experience with snow.� He tousled a bit of white powder off of the boy�s hat, reaching out his hand again. �You want to go see the pool? I�ll bet it�s frozen.�

�Frozen? Why?� the child asked, his voice filled with awe when he took Qui-Gon�s hand.

The two walked slowly through the winter-draped Garden, Qui-Gon taking smaller steps than usual as Obi-Wan�s short legs maneuvered through the small drifts. �It�s frozen because when it gets really cold, water freezes. So the pool freezes too.�

�The whole thing?�

�No, just the top. So when it�s cold enough, you can even walk on top of it.� Qui-Gon said, smiling with amusement as he watched the boy trying to catch the falling flakes in his mouth.

�You can walk on it, Master Qui-Gon? Did you ever do that?�

�I did, once, but it was a long time ago. It doesn�t snow here very often.�

The boy nodded seriously. �I know. I wouldn�t like it if it did. It�s too cold.�

Qui-Gon laughed, the sound echoing across the enclosed Outer Garden. �You don�t like it? This is my favorite kind of weather. What do you like, Obi-Wan?�

The boy pulled up the scarf further around his ears, speaking through the wooltec fabric. �Too cold. I like it warm.�

Suddenly, a slight hiss sounded across the Garden, and Qui-Gon turned just in time to receive a snowball right in the face. Taken aback, the Jedi wiped snow from his eyes, brushing it out of his beard as he made out the form of a curly-haired figure walking towards them over the last drift.

�Teacher Bel-San!� Obi-Wan yelled, laughing up at Qui-Gon. �He hit you right in the face, Master Qui-Gon!�

Qui-Gon smirked, rubbing his hands on his cloak. �Good to see you, Bel-San. How�d you know it was me?�

�Please. That move had you written all over it.� Bel-San grinned, his eyes narrowed slightly. �It was brash, unplanned, and well, just plain stupid. I knew it had to be you.�

Qui-Gon laughed, eyebrows cocked. �Well, I suppose I deserved a little retaliation.�

Bel-San leaned down to Obi-Wan�s level. �How do you like the snow, Obi-Wan?�

�It�s very cold. Aren�t you cold?�

The two Jedi suppressed chuckles, and Qui-Gon reached down to gather up some more snow. �I forgot to teach you the most important part of a snow day, Obi-Wan. It�s the snowman.�

Obi-Wan�s face brightened. �I saw one in a holovid once. Can we make one?�

Qui-Gon nodded, gesturing at Bel-San. �Are you going to help?�

�No, thanks. I accomplished what I came out here to do.� he gave Qui-Gon a wry smile. He turned and gave them a wave. �Have fun, Obi-Wan. Make sure you tell Qui-Gon when you want to go back inside, because he�ll stay out here all night if you let him.�

Obi-Wan nodded obediently, and then set his attention to creating the first packed ball of the snowman. Qui-Gon watched him work, observed the tiny gloved hands turning the snowflakes into a compressed circular form, and saw the determined glint in his eyes. Allowing the child to build the first level, he felt his mind tugging inside at the bond they shared. Although Obi-Wan had been able to brush against the bond even when he was at a far distance, now that they were in close proximity, he could almost physically sense the connection between them. Taking a quiet breath, he blew out a cloud of air into the chill.

�Is this right, Master Qui-Gon?�

He looked down at the child�s snowman, which sat lopsided on an oval base, but its head cocked off to the side, as if it knew something the viewer didn�t. �It looks great, Obi-Wan. We just need to find it some eyes and a nose.�

After a few minutes of scouring the Garden floor, they came up with two small rocks and a piece of broken branch. Attaching the eyes and nose to the snowman, both stood back and surveyed Obi-Wan�s handiwork. �I think he looks happy.� Qui-Gon said, patting the child�s shoulder.

�Master Qui-Gon?�

�Yes?�

The child�s eyes looked up plaintively at him. �I�m cold.�

Qui-Gon gave a quiet laugh. �Now there�s a surprise.� He reached down and picked up the child, hoisting him onto his shoulders as Obi-Wan shrieked with delight.

�Master Qui-Gon?�

�Yes?�

�I gotta go.�

***

�Did you make it?�

Obi-Wan walked bow-legged out of the refresher in Qui-Gon�s apartment. �I made it. But my shirt is all wet. I�m all wet.�

Qui-Gon shook his head, moving over to one of the drawers on the other side of his room. �Hold on.� After rifling through the contents for a moment, he pulled out an old tunic. �Come over here. You can wear this back to the Creche so you won�t freeze to death.�

Taking the cuffs of Obi-Wan�s soaked tunic, he pulled it over the boy�s head, making his hair stand up with static. The child shivered bare-chested for a moment, but Qui-Gon quickly slipped his tunic over Obi-Wan�s head. �Here. This has to be better.�

The brown tunic fell to the floor, its sleeves reaching down nearly to Obi-Wan�s knees. �It�s a little big,� he admitted, quickly rolling the excess fabric of the sleeves.

Obi-Wan grinned at the huge garment, pulling at it and lifting it up as he took a step. Qui-Gon saw his small face look up from within the great brown tunic. �It smells like you!�

Laughing, Qui-Gon passed a hand over Obi-Wan�s matted blond hair. �You should have smelled it before I washed it.�

�You wash your clothes yourself?�

�Yes.�

�Is that why they�re all brown?� Obi-Wan asked innocently, taking a step and nearly falling over, tripping on the fabric.

Qui-Gon helped him steady himself, and then gave a quick sigh. �I think certain little people are tired.�

�No, I�m not.�

�It�s getting late, and all that playing in the snow made you tired,� he said, suddenly realizing that what he said was true. Through the thread-thin bond in his mind, he could actually feel the waves of fatigue passing over from the child�s mind.

Obi-Wan yawned. �I�m not. Wanna stay up with you, Master Qui-Gon.�

He scooped up the child, tunic and all, and picked up Obi-Wan�s wet shirt and jacket. �I�ll be here tomorrow when you wake up.�

�Thank you for showing me snow,� Obi-Wan murmured into Qui-Gon�s shoulder. �And for your nice big shirt.�

He stepped out into the corridor, walking slowly so as not to jar the sleepy child. �I�m glad you had fun.�

�Next time,� Obi-Wan yawned, wrapping an arm around Qui-Gon�s shoulder, �I want to go with you when you leave.�

Qui-Gon patted the boy�s back, rubbing small circles with his hand as they walked back towards the Creche. �Maybe someday I�ll take you with me.�