"Once upon a time--"

"What?"

"Okay, um. A long time ago and far away--"

"How far away?"

"Far, far away."

"Oh, okay."

"So a long time ago, far, far away lived a young man--"

"Was his name Obi-Wan?"

"Yes, his name was Obi-Wan and he was a great knight."

"Like a Jedi knight?"

"No, this was a different kind of Knight, he wore heavy metal armor and carried a sword."

"What's a sword?"

"It�s like a lightsaber but made of metal. So, Obi-Wan was a very great knight and was the most trusted advisor to King Qui-Gon."

"Hey, how come you get to be the king?"

"Because I�m the one telling the story. Now, one day, both the king and the knight had had very trying days. Nothing seemed to go right for either of them. The knight was having problems in his knight classes and was having trouble seeing where he fit in with the other knights."

"It wasn't the knight's fault though, the other knights were being mean."

"I didn't say it was Obi-Wan's fault, I just said he had a bad day. Now, the king had also had a bad day. He'd had to meet with a group of men who sat around on their, um, who sat around in council chambers all day long pretending to know what was best for the kingdom. He found it most frustrating, though he took great joy in knowing that one day the councilors would know how right he had been and would regret their decisions.

"So at the end of the day, the knight and the king gathered in the king's chamber to talk about their day, and they both found they had had equally awful days. Then Obi-Wan asked about the time the king had spent training in arms."

"What? What was wrong with his arms?"

"It's an expression; it means training with weapons."

"Oh, okay, go ahead."

"Thank you for your permission. So anyway, thinking the knight was genuinely curious about the things he had done as a younger man--�

"A much younger man."

"Do you want me to finish the story?"

"Yes."

"Then keep the comments to yourself. Now, thinking the knight was interested, Qui-Gon began to talk about his days as a novice in the castle and the training he had done. However, Obi-Wan didn�t seem as interested in the things King Qui-Gon had done as much as the things he had gotten in trouble for. This made King Qui-Gon suspicious though Knight Obi-Wan denied such foul intentions, because the knight was a very good liar. Finally however, he admitted, after much pressure from the king, that he was trying to find out all the dirt on the king."

"It was Slade's idea, he found out you, I mean, King Qui-Gon used to be bad."

"I'm sure. So, promptly ending that conversation, as the King had no desire to see some repeats of the pranks he had pulled as a young man, the two turned to other topics. It seemed the knight was once again bored by some of his knight classes and was ready to move ahead of the knights his own age, the king promised to look into the possibility."

"Master?"

"Yes?"

"This isn�t really a story."

"Look, I'm tired, you�re tired, I�m doing my best here under really difficult circumstances."

"Oh."

"Besides, I was just getting to the good part."

"'kay."

"Now, just as the knight was apparently about to die from boredom at the king's conversation, a page came running into the room and--"

"A what? Pages can't run."

"Oh, how very silly of me. A servant came running into the room and told the knight and the king there was a terrible monster terrorizing the town. It would only be defeated by the best knight in the kingdom and the king. So the two ran from the room and saddled their horses--"

"We don�t have horses."

"I know that, we don�t live in a castle either. This is a story. So then, they rode out of the castle and hunted down the terrible beast. It was very dangerous and difficult to beat, but with the two of them working together, Knight Obi-Wan and King Qui-Gon were able to dispatch the foul monster and bring peace once again to the wonderful kingdom. The end."

"That's it?"

"If you want more, you'll have to wait till tomorrow night. Good night, Little One. I'll leave the fish light on for you.�

"Good night, Master."

***

Qui-Gon collapsed on the couch of the common room with a heavy sigh next to Payter. He rubbed at his aching temples for a moment before turning his gaze to look at the other Jedi, knowing he would have a comment.

"That was very interesting, Qui-Gon. Do you always inflict your personal issues on bedtime stories, or is this a special occasion?"

"Oh, I don�t know, I think adding my personal issues to a story makes things a little more real. Didn�t they always tell us to write about what we know?"

"I don�t think they meant it quite like that. So what's this about Obi-Wan having problems?"

"He's bored in his Force manipulation class. He's way ahead of his age group with that too, though you'd think he would be a better speller. I think he's going to be like Bel-San in that respect. It's a good thing the data pads can correct that sort of thing. We wouldn't want to ruin the precious Jedi reputation."

"Hm, am I sensing a little bitterness there, Qui-Gon?" Payer leaned forward to retrieve his tea cup.

"No, bitterness is unbecoming of a Jedi. As is thinking for oneself, apparently. Sometimes it amazes me that they allow Ki-Adi-Mundi to teach diplomacy. He's a about as subtle as a club." Qui-Gon sighed. He really didn�t want to think about it right now, much less talk about it.

Seeming to catch his mood, as Payter had always been good at, his friend changed the subject. "So your padawan has discovered the glory of your glory days?"

"Unfortunately. Apparently Slade found out something about one of the things we did in the Creche and had the ingenuity to look it up in the Temple records. Of course everything from my training is sealed without consent of the Council or me, just like everyone else, but not the records of our cleaning of the Gardens, or the Hallways, or the Council Chambers or--"

Payter held up a hand. "I get the picture. So they know you did something, or a lot of somehtings, but not exactly what, and what? Obi-Wan tried to pump you for information?" His friend laughed. "That kid is one in a million. I'm very impressed."

"Of course I didn't tell him anything, but I don�t think that cured his curiosity one bit."

"You know, with his aptitude at mechanics and computer systems it won't be long before he figures out how to break though the Temple security grid and find out on his own." Payter glanced over at the hallway leading to the sleeping boy.

Rubbing a hand over his face again, Qui-Gon had to laugh. "I know, it's funny but I'm sort of proud that he is able to do these sorts of things at his age, and not just the technical manipulation. Most children we produce from the Creche are very narrow- minded and focused on the Code. We don't allow them to think for themselves. It's good for him to go through these things."

"Does that mean you won't punish him?"

"Of course not. Though I have to say this one will be easy to catch. All I have to do is wait until he pulls something we did and I�ll have him. I have no problems with encouraging his originality, but he has to know the rules before he's allowed to break them, and he has to be older than five. Though apparently, some don�t think it's appropriate at any age." There was the bitterness again.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Okay. So wasn�t it you who said when you had a padawan you would never punish him for doing the same sorts of things we were doing? Seems a little hypocritical to me." Payter smiled, his long white teeth gleaming faintly in the light of the room.

"That was before I had a Padawan. If you'd take one you would know what I am talking about."

"Yeah, right, I'll just run right out there and pick one up. You know, he could come along and learn how to piss off the council and break into the computer systems. I don�t really think I would set the best example for the future of the Temple."

"Oh, I don't know, I think you would make a good master. You're great with the kids, when you aren�t terrorizing them. You've always been a good teacher. Why not?" "So you take a padawan and suddenly you�re espousing all the virtues of having one of the little ankle biters running around?" Payter shook his head. "I don�t know, I just don�t think I�m ready. Someday, maybe, but not now."

"I want more tea. Do you want more tea?" Qui-Gon stood, holding his empty cup.

"I could do more." The Jedi handed over his cup and sat back comfortably in the couch. "Not too hot this time, if you would. I don�t want to burn my tongue."

Qui-Gon stared at him for a long moment.

"Well, you did offer to get some, didn�t you?" Payter was all innocence.

"Whatever." Qui-Gon turned and walked to the kitchen, setting the water to boil, and dimly he heard the sounds of small feet on the tiled floor and water running in the 'fresher.

"And what do you think you're doing?" he heard Payter ask in his most dangerous voice.

"I was thirsty," came the timid reply.

"Qui-Gon, your padawan is trying to stay up past his bedtime." He could hear the smile in his friend's voice, though he was sure it would be lost on Obi-Wan.

"No I'm not!" the boy shouted, an edge of upset in his voice. Then he heard the sounds of running feet, just before a loud thud and a cry from Obi-Wan. "Ow!"

Qui-Gon shook his head and took the water off the heat. He walked past Payter, shaking his head at the other man who held up his hands. He could hear Obi-Wan climb to his feet, apparently very painfully, and limp off to his room. By the time he arrived, the boy was already in bed.

Qui-Gon brought up the lights just a little so he could see if the boy was truly injured and sat on the edge of his bed. Obi-Wan was curled on his side facing the wall and Qui-Gon placed a gentle hand on the boy's back. He could feel the shudders from Obi-Wan's crying.

"Let me see, Little One. I'm sure it isn't too bad." He spoke softly in his most reassuring tone.

"Hurts."

"I know, let me see so I can help."

Obi-Wan turned slowly, his eyes still streaming and the pain evident on his face. He pulled out his leg and showed his knee.

"Oh, Obi-Wan." The boy�s knee had been cut on the tiled floor. It was bleeding and was already beginning to bruise. When he saw the damage, the little boy began crying harder.

Qui-Gon immediately gathered Obi-Wan into his arms and rocked him gently as he began healing the area. It wasn�t anything terribly damaging, but he was certain it hurt the boy. He continued to rock the boy for several more minutes until the last of his tears had vanished. Not releasing his hold, he tilted Obi-Wan's chin up so he could see into the boy's eyes.

"How does it feel now?"

"Better."

"What have I asked you about running in the apartment?"

"Not to do it."

"Now do you see why?"

Obi-Wan looked away. "I thought you would be mad at me for getting water. I wasn�t trying to stay up, I was thirsty."

"I wouldn�t be mad at you for getting water. You know that, or at least I hope you do." He ran his hand along the boy's spiky hair.

Obi-Wan nodded miserably. He looked on the verge of tears again.

Qui-Gon pulled him into a hug. "It's just been a rough day hasn�t it, Little One?"

Obi-Wan nodded into his robe. He knew the boy was wiping his face on the cloth but didn�t have the heart to stop him.

"I think you just need some sleep and we'll see if things aren�t a little better in the morning, okay?" Again his only answer was a nod and he gently laid the boy back in his bed and tucked the covers around his small frame. "Do you think you can sleep?"

"Yes, Master." He fingered the edge of Qui-Gon�s cuff nervously. "But maybe you could stay a little bit?"

"Of course." He settled in more comfortably next to the boy and watched over him as his eyes slowly drifted shut and he fell into a light sleep. With great care, Qui-Gon deepened the boy's sleep with a little use of the Force to prevent restlessness and nightmares. Obi-Wan had had a trying enough day as it was.

He walked out into the other room where Payter stood, tea ready and waiting. He accepted the cup gratefully and took a sip, noting it was perfectly sweetened. He nodded his thanks to Payter as he followed him to the couch.

"Sorry about that," Payter said, nodding to Obi-Wan's room.

Qui-Gon waved a hand tiredly. "Don�t worry about it, it wasn�t your fault. He just had a bad day. But I can tell you one thing."

"What's that?"

"We are getting this place carpeted, before that boy kills himself. Obi-Wan's going through a bit of a clumsy stage. Besides, I always sort of wanted carpet in here, but never got around to it."

"Sounds like a good idea."

***

"It smells."

"I know it smells, Obi-Wan. It's new carpet, it's supposed to smell. It'll go away in a few days. Don�t worry about it." Qui-Gon watched as Obi-Wan wandered around the newly carpeted apartment barefoot, the beige fabric giving just slightly under his weight.

"I like it."

"I'm glad. Do you think maybe we could make an effort to keep it clean, though? This isn�t as easy to take care of as the tile was. No spilling things on the carpet. You can spill all you want in the kitchen, but try to watch out when you're elsewhere."

Obi-Wan looked at him for a moment, he looked more than a little worried. "Okay," he said finally.

"I understand if you have an accident, we all do that at one time or another. All I'm asking is for you to be a little more careful, okay?"

Obi-Wan seemed more pleased with that explanation. "Okay."

Qui-Gon watched as the boy wandered from the common room to the hallway that led to their rooms.

"Hey!" Obi-Wan's disgruntled voice floated out of his room.

Qui-Gon stood and walked back to see what the problem was.

Obi-Wan looked up as he entered. "They changed my room."

"So it seems."

"Can we change it back? Right now?" Obi-Wan looked up at him, his eyes wide and faintly disturbed.

Qui-Gon sighed, knowing the 'we' of that statement actually meant him. "It can�t wait? Maybe you would like sleeping over here."

Obi-Wan shook his head. "No, it has to be by the window. Please?"

"All right, but everything goes back exactly where it was. We aren't rearranging your room."

"But maybe the bookshelf could go--"

Qui-Gon held up a hand. "No, back the way it was or not at all. We can change it around some other time."

Obi-Wan looked as though he might argue more, but instead nodded. "Okay. I think you should move the bed first." Obi-Wan took a decisive place by the door and pointed to the bed.

Qui-Gon sighed. It was going to be another long day.