Tavaris ~ 1 & 2

By JinnaraQ

Summary: A visitor from Qui-Gon’s past show up at the temple!

Rated: G

Archive: Yes, just let me know where so I can visit!

Site Where Located: 'The Master’s Pathway' @ http://www.geocities.com/jinnaraq/index.html

Feedback to: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER: Star Wars and all publicly recognizable characters, names and references, etc are the sole property of George Lucas, Lucasfilm Ltd, Lucasarts Inc and 20th Century Fox. This fan fiction was created solely for personal use and private entertainment. No money was made from it. No copyright or trademark infringement was intended. This work and its author are NOT in any way connected with or to Lucasfilms Ltd.

Chapter 1 -

Yoda tapped his way down the hallway deep in thought. Suddenly a door slid aside and someone taller came out as if in a rush. Both suddenly gasped. The ancient one expected to be bowled over, and the younger nearly dropping the fully laden dinner tray he was carrying. Now fully aware of who he was about to cover with green tea, Naboo stew broth and lime lipsk, a gelatinous type of dessert dish, the young man carrying it all gasped.

The apprentice wavered unsteadily, torn between his desire not to fall on the ancient master and not to drop the teetering tray. Quickly Yoda used the Force to steady the 14 year-old youth, even as now the tray floated up out of the boy’s hands and over to rest safely on the floor.

“I’m sorry Master Yoda – I didn’t look first. Thank you for helping me not to drop Master Qui-Gon’s dinner all over the carpet – and you!” the youth said as he blushed and the greenish one gave him a wry look.

“Fortunate we both are young one! Not eat tonight in the dining room are you? Surprises me this does. Master Tavaris just returned to the temple has with his new Padawan. Your Master’s first Padawan Tavaris was. Eager he is for Qui-Gon to meet the boy. Gone you both were when he chose young Nickolas. What so involved in is your Master that he does not come?” he asked and the apprentice suddenly looked not only surprised, but very hesitant.

“Padawan?” Yoda asked after a long moment, and Obi-Wan instantly looked upset as he looked down and away.

“It’s my fault Master Yoda. My Master did not receive the messages from Master Tavaris. I heard them, but I didn’t know he was my Master’s padawan. I-I-I deleted them before he saw them.” He admitted.

Yoda’s eyebrows shot up his forehead even as a scowl descended on his features and now the youth looked even more upset.

“Master, my class went on a 3 day field trip. Master Qui-Gon let me go. But when I came home 2 days ago – well – at first I though there’d been an emergency! His quarters were just a horrendous mess, and you know how Master Qui-Gon is. Things are sometimes cluttered, but never like what I found! I found him asleep on the couch. He’s been ill, Master Yoda. Very ill if you ask me. I wanted to call a healer and he absolutely forbid me to do so! He said he would be fine. I – I’ve been trying to clean up and take care of him sir, but if anything, he’s gotten worse. Tavaris wanted to take him out of the temple for dinner sir – and I was afraid he would go anyway. I’m sorry Master Yoda. I truly am. It is winter now and he’s really ill.” The boy told him with an anxious look.

Yoda considered the youth before him. Well he knew how tenuous his former Padawan’s relationship had been with this boy. It had been he himself who had ‘encouraged’ the situation to develop so that Qui-Gon would take this one as his own Padawan learner. Rarely had any Master-Padawan relationship endured the strains this one had been put to those first months. Strained to the absolute breaking point it had been, and slow had been the recovery.

Obi-Wan was still on the last part of his year’s probation as a result of those times, and his former Padawan Qui-Gon Jinn was indeed notorious for his reluctance to seek out the temple healers for his own sake if it could at all be avoided. Impulsive Qui-Gon could be as well. Go with Tavaris he may well have done Yoda realized.

He looked from the boy to the tray. Green tea – known to calm upset stomachs, Naboo stew – a vegetable based stew that here seemed to be much more broth than vegetables, and the gelatin dessert – a favorite he knew of Qui-Gon’s. Gently the ancient one reached out along his old training bond with the Jedi Master – only to find that his former Padawan had his shields raised highly and locked down even.

Yoda looked at the boy who only sighed softly and nodded.

“He’s had them like that ever since he woke up on the couch when I got home. I didn’t get a chance to read much before they went up – only that he was cold and hurt all over and his stomach was real upset and his chest felt all clogged up. I – I know he’ll be upset with me for you finding out – and I know how busy you are – but could you come see him for a few minutes maybe? He hasn’t been able to keep anything in his stomach besides weak tea and today his fever is really high. I don’t know what else to do for him – and he still says absolutely no healers!” the youth told him, the worry clear in his features and Yoda softened as he nodded.

“Yes, come – see you Master I will.” He answered decisively.

It seemed like forever to Obi-Wan before Yoda’s short legs carried him the distance to the Master Jedi’s quarters. Finally they entered – only to both startle as a young boy of perhaps 12 at the most suddenly leapt up from the large overstuffed chair by the fireplace. It was obvious the boy’s Padawan haircut was new – the braid barely touched his shoulder and while his hair was blonde – most of the braid was dark brown. Likewise his tunic was a little oversized for him and it was clear that their entry had startled and alarmed him. Yoda smiled as the child bowed solemnly to him with eyes as big as saucers in amazement.

“Obi-Wan Kenobi, this is Nickolas Kat’rine. Tavaris second Padawan he is, for 3 weeks now. Your Master is here young one?” Yoda asked, and the boy nodded quickly with a glance towards the back rooms.

“Master Yoda? He’s in here –“ called a very deep but unfamiliar voice from the Jedi Master’s room and Yoda nodded.

“Sit Nickolas – relax you will. Bite you I will not.” Yoda casually assured the boy as he passed by. Quickly Obi-Wan set the tray down and followed. At the doorway of his Master’s room he came to a sudden stop.

His Master lay in the bed, burrowed under the covers in what could only be called a fetal position. Even from the doorway Obi-Wan could hear his labored, congested breathing, see the pallor of his features and the sheen of perspiration on his brow. He gulped hard as he felt his alarm skyrocket.

“He wasn’t like that when he said he was going to rest for awhile!” he breathed as he rushed over to the foot of the bed.

“Well, it’s obvious he didn’t get like this in just an hour! The sheets on his bed are drenched, he can hardly breathe and he’s totally dehydrated with a rampaging fever that’s much too high for him to tolerate! Look kid – I watched him go through years with Xanatos, who didn’t care one bit about anyone but himself. If you think I’m gonna calmly sit by and watch YOU break his heart all over again – I have NEWS for you!” growled the man who sat beside the sick Jedi.

Quickly the man had risen to his feet, seeming to just get taller, and taller, and taller before the boy. Obi-Wan just stared, frozen in place. The man was even taller than Master Qui-Gon – broader – and he definitely outweighed the Jedi by a good 50 pounds.

With longish dark hair that hung in heavy waves around his shoulders and a beard exactly like Qui-Gon’s only darker and fuller, his dark eyes flashed angrily. His huge hands parked on his hips as he seemed to absolutely tower there. Obi-Wan gulped at the enormous wave of protectiveness he felt wash from this giant and over his Master where it seemed to cover him like a shield.

Obi-Wan’s composure broke and he wanted to turn and flee – only to find his feet absolutely glued to the floor!

Yoda suddenly smacked the large man in the shin with his gimmer stick, getting a loud yelp from the giant, then the ancient one glared at Obi-Wan with an equally stern look.

“Stay you WILL Padawan Kenobi. Order it I do! Master Tavaris – Xanatos this one is NOT! Compare them you will not! Care for Qui-Gon he does as much as you. Only not your age and knowledge of his Master does he have yet. Told him he would be fine and did not need the healers Qui-Gon did.” Yoda growled sternly, and the man seemed to instantly relax some.

With a gesture obviously learned and copied from Qui-Gon, Tavaris folded his hands into the sleeves of his robe and bowed to Yoda in silence – then he considered Obi-Wan and sighed.

“Padawan of my Master, I do apologize. When he did not return my calls, I came to see what he was up to now. Knowing Qui-Gon – well – lets just say it was my experience that he was always getting over-involved in some cause or other. To find him so sick – and alone… Well – you probably don’t know it, but Xanatos used to do that to him. Whenever Master Qui-Gon was sick or hurt, to Xanatos that only meant he could run off and do whatever he wanted for awhile. And would you believe, Qui-Gon would actually feel like expecting Xanatos to stick around and help him out – was asking too much? Expecting too much? Gods, it used to frustrate me beyond the patience of a sainted Sebubian!” he said, obviously very sincere and Obi-Wan could not help but smile weakly.

“Sainted Sebubian?” he observed, and the huge man’s face broke into a mischievous grin as he shrugged with a soft chuckle.

“Well – if I said what I really meant…. Master Yoda here would REALLY haul off and hit me with that stick of his!” he said lightly.

Suddenly there came a very weak and extremely congested coughing from the bed. Quickly Tavaris knelt, sliding an arm behind the sick Jedi and raising him by the shoulders, only to lean Qui-Gon into his own chest where now he hugged him gently and spoke to the Master in low, soothing tones as he gently rubbed the back of his damp tunic.

Gradually the coughing quit. Qui-Gon moaned softly, laying limply there against the man, now gasping and breathless, his features still slack and pale. Tavaris gave Yoda a worried look even as the ancient one came closer. Gently Yoda put a hand to the Jedi’s head, closed his eyes – then opened them in a moment and sighed deeply.

“Locked down his shields he has fully. Too confused is he by the high fever to understand. To break them down will hurt him even further. Not want to worry his Padawan he did.” he said and Tavaris sighed as he considered the one who rested so stilly against him.

“That’s my Master all right. Do-It-Alone Qui-Gon Jinn. Save the galaxy from every crisis he will and never tell anyone HE has any problems – hmmm?” he asked of the limp one in his arms as he cradled him more fully, and Yoda sighed with a nod of his head.

“Stubborn he is – over-protective he is –“ Yoda agreed and Tavaris nodded as now he lowered his head over the Jedi Master’s and wrapped his huge arms around him. He closed his eyes and seemed to relax his body.

“Blocking you and Obi-Wan he’d do for sure. But he’s not exactly expecting ME to be around. Lets see if I can find a loose corner –“ the huge man murmured softly – and within seconds the atmosphere in the room itself seemed to thicken with an aura of deep, reassuring calm.

Obi-Wan gave Yoda a very startled and surprised look, and the ancient one smiled at him with a gesture of ‘shh’. Quickly the youth nodded. For long minutes they waited, then finally there came a slow, soft stirring within the large man’s arms. Quickly the one relaxed his hug and lifted his head, his own features now damp from effort. He wiped at his brow with his sleeve, then smiled as now the sick Jedi’s eyelids fluttered, then he half opened them with a deeply confused look.

“T – T- T – Tavaris? W-Wha’… happened? Where are we?” he asked anxiously in a weak, hoarse whisper, and the one smiled at him with deep fondness clear on his features as he gently swept the hair out of the Jedi’s face.

“It’s alright my Master. We’re at the temple, nice and safe. You’ve been ill is all. How about a few sips of water? Your fever is much too high.” He said very gently, and the Jedi shook his head just a little.

“N-no… Too sick to my stomach… J-just awfully tired… need to sleep.” He murmured fadingly and Tavaris frowned deeply as he stroked the long hair of the elder.

“No – don’t go back to sleep Master – I want you awake when the healer comes.” He said firmly, and now the Jedi Master seemed to abruptly come more alert as he frowned up at the man.

“Healers! Why did you call a healer? You know I don’t like the healers Tavaris – I’ll be fine!” he scolded very weakly and the one holding him sighed deeply.

“You weren’t doing fine when I came Master Qui-Gon. You’re dehydrated, and your fever is so high its dangerous for it to go on like this.” He said, and the one seemed to collapse against him, starting to cough again with choking thick congestion for a long minute, his eyes closed tightly as if in a grimace of pain. Quickly Tavaris planted his hand wide open in the middle of the Jedi’s back, hugged him close as he closed his eyes, and almost instantly the one’s coughing stopped and now he lay gasping softly in the other’s arms, not yet opening his eyes or even trying to.

“C-Can’t hardly… breathe…” he murmured in a very shaky voice and Tavaris looked upset as he nodded, hugging the one gently to him and resting his cheek on the elder’s head.

“I know Master, I know… but I’m not about to let anything happen to you. The healer is on his way even now. Rest now, but try not to go to sleep. Can you do that for me?” he asked softly and the elder seemed to nod just a little, relaxing into him deeply and not reacting to Yoda’s gently touch to his cheek. In a moment the small greenish one sighed softly.

“Very clouded his mind is by the fever. Weakened him drastically it has. Water he desperately needs.” Yoda observed, as suddenly a cup of something appeared in his hand, and Obi-Wan gasped. Tavaris frowned at it suspiciously.

“Chips of ice it is. Get him to take a small piece you should. Melt and be absorbed before it reaches his stomach it will.” Yoda said softly, then watched as Tavaris fished out a piece, gently placing it to the Jedi’s slack jaw, and at it’s insertion the one stirred, but accepted it, then sighed shakily as he settled back in, and both of the others looked relieved.

“Good… give him small pieces you will. Monitor and calm his stomach I will see if I can do.” Yoda instructed quietly, placing his hand on the sick one’s stomach and Tavaris nodded as he reached for another small, tiny piece of it from the cup.

Chapter Two:

Summary: Obi-Wan learns a little about his Master’s past.

Obi-Wan paced back and forth in the common area of the room. Each time he reached the fireplace he looked up at the chronometer on the mantle and sighed softly. So far the healer had already been in there for over an hour! What could possibly be taking so long, he wondered with growing anxiety.

Finally the door of the back room opened and Tavaris came out, now divest of his robes. With him was a man in his late 50’s with hair peppered grey at the temples and who carried a large red metallic case with him as he stood clad in the blue robes of the healer’s profession.

“Healer Bry’Lan?” Obi-Wan reacted with, and the man smiled at him warmly as he nodded.

“I’ve given Qui-Gon 3 injections… two that should stop the vomiting and loss of fluids… and one to help get his fever down. Ordinarily I’d absolutely insist he be in the Med Bay as fast as I could get him there – however, he’d only fight me on it. Between locking his shields and the fever and how weak he is, fighting anything is the LAST thing he needs to be doing! I’ve got a hydration unit going in his arm, to replace the fluids he’s lost, and oxygen unit to help his breathing. Master Yoda has taken him into a deep healing trance and his vital signs are much more stable now than they were. Tavaris here assures me that the 2 of you will watch over him for me tonight, and I’ll be back in the morning to see how he is. I don’t expect any miracles, but I’d really like to see that fever down some by then. I took a blood sample to run. Hopefully when I come back, we’ll know what kind of bug it is that he’s picked up.” He said, and the youth nodded, although he still looked worried.

“If… if I’d called you in the first place…” he said as he looked down at the floor, then felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up to find the healer smiling down at him kindly.

“Don’t beat yourself to death for it Padawan. Qui-Gon Jinn wouldn’t let you call a healer for him if he’d lost his leg I think sometimes. Learning when to ignore a Master’s order is not something that happens quickly or soon – it takes time. I gave Tavaris and the other one this piece of advice when they were about your age… If your Master is so ill, or hurt so gravely that you know without a doubt that he would do all in his power to get YOU to a healer… then have the concern to do the same for him – no matter what he tells you otherwise. Qui-Gon Jinn does not tolerate extremely hot climates well – nor extremely high fevers. He comes from a fairly cool weather planet and it is not difficult for heat to get the best of him and cloud his judgement. You have one of the most independent Masters of this entire order… and in some ways that means he needs his Padawan to watch out for his welfare a little bit more than some of the others do. I’ll look in on all of you tomorrow.” The man told him reassuringly, and soon had gone.

“Do you think I can see him? Just for a minute?” Obi-Wan asked Tavaris, and the one smiled and nodded.

“Just be very quiet, and don’t try to touch him. Master Yoda will know if you do, and he gets real upset real fast if anyone ‘interferes’ once he’s gotten Qui-Gon that far into it.” He warned, and the youth nodded and quickly left.

It was a good 20 minutes before Obi-Wan came back, this time veering to stand at the counter of the kitchen with a rather upset look. He sighed shakily, trying to center himself.

“How about a cup of tea Obi-Wan? You look like you could use one.” Tavaris said gently and the youth nodded.

“I’ll make a pot.” He said, then looked surprised as Tavaris took a kettle off the stove, got down a cup and poured it in front of him. Obi-Wan blinked as he recognized the aroma – it was Qui-Gon’s favorite as well.

“You – you used to live here.” He observed as the idea just occurred to him, and Tavaris smiled mildly as he nodded.

“Yes I did. Hope you don’t mind that I helped myself.” He said, and the youth quickly shook his head as now he stared at the large man very intently.

“Do you ever talk to Master Qui-Gon very much any more?” he asked, and the one smiled and nodded.

“I usually hear from him, oh… 3 or 4 times a month. Mostly it’s just hi, what are you up to – how is your Padawan doing – you’d better not be doing this or that…” he said cheerfully as he led the youth around to the couches, where the younger boy sat on the floor, pouring over a datapad. He looked up to smile shyly at Obi-Wan, and the youth smiled back as he sat down in the large over-stuffed chair, then he turned his attention back to Tavaris.

“Has he told you about me?” Obi-Wan asked hesitantly, and Tavaris nodded with a suddenly serious look.

“Yes he has Obi-Wan… He’s told me a lot about you.” He said, and the youth looked away uncomfortably.

“Obi-Wan… we’re like a family here. Master Yoda, Master Qui-Gon, Me, You, all the way down to Nicky here. We’re all related by way of our Masters. We don’t need there to be any secrets between us. Why don’t you tell us what happened, from your point of view?” he asked very kindly, and the youth sighed heavily.

By the time he had finished, he was practically in tears, and was amazed to find himself in the large man’s arms. He sat up with a surprised look and Tavaris smiled sympathetically as he gently ran the Padawan’s braid through his fingers – just as so often Qui-Gon did.

“You – you must think I’m horrible – to leave the Jedi – leave my Master like that –“ the youth breathed softly, and Tavaris cocked his head to one side as if considering, then slowly shook his head with a thoughtful look.

“Everyone makes mistakes Obi-Wan. It may not have been the best of choices – but I’m certain you learned much from it. I know Master Qui-Gon did.” He said quietly, and now the youth looked puzzled, then alarmed.

“He learned I might betray him again someday? I don't blame him if that's what he thinks!” he observed upsetly, and Tavaris frowned and shook his head.

“No, no, no, no… I did not say that at all – nor is that what he’s said to me. He told me you have been teaching him to have faith, in the way you’ve handled yourself during all these months of probation. He knows you were teased at first… Some of the others acted very coldly and distant towards you… and you’ve never let it turn you away from your goal to be reinstated as a full Padawan. He told me you show great courage to so steadfastly persevere in the face of such attitudes.” He said, and the youth blushed mildly as he moved to sit next to the man on the couch.

“What was he like when you were his Padawan, Tavaris? You knew him before Xanatos hurt him. I’ve always wondered…” Obi-Wan said curiously, and now the man sat back with a mild smile to his features.

“Well… actually you and I should have talked months ago. Xanatos was never at all eager to have me around. He was so jealous that I stopped ever calling and only sent data messages – like I still do. Just to hear I was within the solar system upset him no end, Qui-Gon told me. “ he said, and Obi-Wan frowned.

“Did – did you ever feel he would…” he started and left off with, and Tavaris slowly heaved an enormous sigh as he slowly shook his head with a sad look. Slowly, the sense of sadness seemed to seep into the room even as the man was silent, then he closed his eyes, seemed to gather it all to him, and suddenly it vanished. The two boys exchanged looks of surprise, then heard Tavaris chuckle softly as he rose to go refill his teacup, bringing the kettle back with him.

“What was Master Qui-Gon like when he was younger?” Obi-Wan tried again, and this time the man seemed to relax with an open smile.

“As long as I can remember, as far back as I can remember, I knew his name. Qui-Gon Jinn – the last apprentice of the venerable Master Yoda himself… who had passed the trials of knighthood at the early age of only 19 years. I was 6 then…. It was his knighting celebration that is the first one I really remember, or understood what it was at all. His passing at such a young age was absolutely unheard of for a human. Hadn’t been done before and hasn’t been repeated since.” He said, and both boys looked visibly impressed and the man smiled at them warmly.

“When I was 8, we all saw him win the championship in solitary Katas. He did ‘the butterfly’ – and you just would not believe it. The Living Force was so strong around him, he glowed like a green saber light. We’d see him around, but it was more like he was a big ‘kid’ than an actual Jedi Knight. I once even saw Master Yoda chase him down the hall trying to hit him with his stick. Qui-Gon was yelling ‘ but Master, it was only a joke!’… and Yoda was yelling after him - ‘ Jedi knight you are now Qui-Gon Jinn – not Jedi joker! Glue in my council chair I do not need!” he mimicked, and both boys smiled broadly.

“Was he always in trouble like that?” Nicky asked, and Tavaris chuckled.

“Probably. Some people still say Yoda took him as his last Padawan only because he was always up to so much mischief that no one else would want him. But Yoda insists it was the will of the Force itself. Anyway – he was usually around here A LOT at first after he became a knight. Master Qui-Gon had asked to be assigned to Outer Rim Duty and Yoda had said no – no way – he’d get himself killed out there. But eventually they let him go anyway. He told me once that he’d been way too young to be allowed that far away on those missions – but he’d had to learn that the hard way. And he was always here just in the nick of time for the different competitions. When I was 10, and 11 – both times, he won the overall swordsmanship champion award. Best in the entire Jedi Order.” He said softly and Obi-Wan half smiled.

“He obviously learned a lot out there.” He observed and Tavaris chuckled softly as he nodded.

“The whole temple heard about his success in negotiations. Over and over and over he’d manage to pull things off that no one else could. He’d do things his way – and it worked I guess. I can still remember when I was 12 and they told us all that he was one of the knights coming to watch our exhibitions – the Council had decided it was time for him to pick a Padawan.” He said and both boys smiled, remembering their own excitement at such news.

“Did you win?” Nicky asked, and Tavaris smiled.

“No – I fell over an obstacle and broke my ankle.” He said ruefully, and both boys looked confused and the man sighed.

“Boy was I mad at myself afterwards. I hobbled my way up to the star Maps room before the banquet started and was sitting there, in tears, telling the stars what an utter failure I was as a Jedi. All of a sudden he sits up from the couch behind me and says ‘well you can’t be that bad – what time is it – oh sith – I’ m late – Yoda is gonna just KILL me!’ He’d fallen asleep, looking at the stars. And he’d promised Yoda he WOULDN’T skip out on the banquet!” he told them.

“Was he in trouble again?” Nicky asked and Tavaris nodded.

“Well, he would have been ok if he’d left right then – but he didn’t. He stayed there and came around and sat there and talked to me – trying to cheer me up and all. At first we talked abut the matches – but then we started on why we’d come to that particular room – then the force in general – even about the different trouble we’d been in. I remember I asked him why he to always be defying the council – and he just gave me this most puzzled look and said ‘I’ve never defied the council! I do and only do what the will of the Force tells me. Maybe it’s the council that isn’t listening! Isn’t the creed of the Jedi – to follow the will of the Force in all things? I do follow that – and I always will!” he said and both boys nodded.

“I can’t believe you just up and asked him something like that!” Obi-Wan scolded mockingly and Tavaris laughed softly as he nodded.

“Neither can I every time I think about it now. You just DON’T ask a knight something like that – anytime – unless you happen to BE a council member! And he didn’t even bat an eye at it. Didn’t even look shocked or surprised or get that totally neutral look that grown ups always do around here when you’ve upset them somehow.” He said, and both boys smiled rather shyly as they nodded and looked at each other.

“We totally lost track of time up there under the stars. Ended up sitting on the floor, way, way off in a back corner where you could look up in front of you and see all the stars clear to the other end of the room. He was telling me the myths and stories of the constellations and I was just absolutely spell-bound listening to him. I love the sound of his voice…. I still do! Anyway - by now – my group mother has reported me missing – and Master Yoda is looking everywhere for him!” he told them and both shook their heads.

“Did he take you back to your room and talk to the group mother?” Nicky asked, and Tavaris smiled.

“Actually, I fell asleep with my head on his lap, and he finally fell asleep as well. Later they told us that when they’d found us, he’d been holding me is his lap, and when they went to lift me up, I grabbed onto him and said no – MY Master. When they tried to wake him up to get him to let go, he just looked up at them and growled – This is my Padawan – now leave us the sith alone! Then he just laid down right there on the floor with me and was asleep again instantly. When I woke up, his arm was over me and his cloak was over the both of us and Master Yoda was sitting there, looking extremely amused. My ankle aching is what woke me up.” He said and both boys chuckled softly.

“What did Master Yoda say?” Obi-Wan asked and Tavaris smiled with a rueful shrug.

“He asked me if Qui-Gon had asked me to be his Padawan, and I said no, we’d just been talking about the stars. Someone like Qui-Gon would never ask someone like ME to be his Padawan. He kind of laughed a little bit. Shook Qui-Gon, trying to wake him up, and finally Qui growls ‘what! What do you want now?’ Yoda asks him if he asked me, and he says yes! Now leave us alone! He grabs me and curls up and pulls his cloak over our heads. I’m shocked, and he’s asleep again instantly. Finally I hear little footsteps, and Yoda folds the cloak back, puts his hand on Qui-Gon’s head for a few minutes, then he smiles at me and says come – fix your ankle we shall. Much more exhausted is your Master than I realized. Sleep we will let him. He takes me to his quarters – Yoda’s quarters. Whatever he does to my ankle fixes it completely – he feeds me breakfast – and I tell him I don’t remember Qui-Gon asking me… but I wish he had. Maybe my supposed Master just dreamed he had!” he said and both boys looked surprised and Tavaris sighed with a fond smile.

“We finally go back to the Star Maps room, and Qui-Gon is still there, all curled up under his cloak. I remember this like it was yesterday. I was behind the chair, and Yoda was beside him. He didn’t shake him – instead he’s rubbing his back and petting his hair and Qui-Gon rolls over onto his stomach like he plans on sleeping still… Yoda asks him where his Padawan is. I can hear him mumble – Padawan, what Padawan… then all of a sudden he just bolts up off the floor, looks at where I was and says where’d he go! There was a boy here! I asked him and he said yes! Where did he go? Yoda asks him what the boy’s name is – and Qui-Gon says I have no idea! But he IS the one I WANT Master – the one who hurt his ankle in the exhibition! Yoda says, maybe he went home when too busy sleeping his Master was to help him with injured ankle, hmmm? Qui-Gon just gives him this look of sheer horror – and takes off for the door – when finally I yell Wait! Master – here I am! Within seconds he’s hugging me so hard I think my ribs will implode! He tells me – I don’t think I’m ready to be a Master to anyone Tavaris – but the Council does. I get into trouble, I get sent to the ends of the Universe – you really might want someone else to be your Master. I won’t be hurt if you’ve decided to change your mind. There are so many who could do better by you than I will ever be able to. I’ll let you talk to Master Yoda for awhile without me around.” He told the boys quietly.

“What happened?” Obi-Wan breathed and Tavaris seemed to get a far-away look to his eyes as he sighed.

“As soon as he walked away, I felt as if I would just explode in tears. I’d been impressed with him as a Jedi, but to have HIM telling ME that he didn’t think he was good enough to be my Master… All of a sudden he was the only person in the universe I wanted to be my Master. To this day I’d swear I heard the voice of the Force itself tell me to go after him right now or it would never happen … and I did. I didn’t even look at Master Yoda – just turned and bolted after Qui-Gon. I was running down the hall as fast as I could – and finally I found him. He’d sat down in a corner and had his head in his hands like he was hurt or horribly upset. I took his hands and I told him, Master – you are the only person in the whole universe I want as my Master. It’s ok if you’ve never had a Padawan before – because I’ve never been one before – we’ll figure it out together, Ok? Then I just hugged him… and he hugged me. Just instantly almost I felt this – this huge tie between him and I. I could feel that he had a horrible headache and his shoulder was stiff and sore. I touched where he hurt, and he just sighed and relaxed and let his shields down most of the way. By the time Master Yoda comes along, Master Qui-Gon has gotten really heavy – he has his head on mine.” He said, and Obi-Wan looked concerned and Tavaris nodded with a sigh.

“Turns out he’d torn something really badly in his shoulder and hadn’t told anyone – not even Master Yoda. He hadn’t slept in days… we ended up spending the first week of my apprenticeship in the Healer’s sanctuary as a result. He’d keep waking up and asking where I was, then he’d go back to sleep, and 20 minutes later he’d wake up again or be tossing and turning. The healers kept trying to send me away. They kept saying this was not restful for him, and I was the cause of it. Finally Master Yoda comes… puts his hand on Master Qui-Gon for awhile… then suddenly he calls me over, sits me up on Qui-Gon’s bed and puts my hand on his chest and Yoda’s hand over mine. I can feel Master Yoda telling Qui-Gon that I’m alright, right here with him and no one is going to take or send me away…and only then does he finally relax enough to go into a healing trance. Next thing I remember is that I’m waking up… I don’t even remember lying down – and I’m there beside him still, with one of his arms over me, and his cloak… and it’s the warmest and nicest feeling I’ve ever even imagined. The Healers ended up being very annoyed with the both of us. He cut my hair and made my braid right there and the hair got all over the place… He sent me down to get us both desserts – just before dinner time, so then he wasn’t hungry for his dinner… He sent down and had vid games sent up for us to play with… wouldn’t keep his arm in the sling like they wanted him to… Finally they tell me that I absolutely have to go… he’s not getting the rest he needs with me there – he’s being too active too soon – he’s not taking naps like they want him to and he’s eating junk food instead of what he should be having. I say ok – I certainly don’t want to be the reason he isn’t healing like he should be… and Qui-Gon even says ok… I agree, things aren’t going along here like they should. So, I go to leave – and he hops up off the bed and says yes, Padawan, lets go! “ he told them, and both boy’s eyes widened.

“He was going WITH you? I bet the healers had something to say about that!” Obi-Wan observed and Tavaris laughed softly as he nodded.

“Ohh – I think you could only hear them 3 or 4 level away is all… You know Master Qui-Gon… they refuse to give him his clothes back – so he just up and walks out in his sleeping gown and bare feet! They tell him they’re going to call Master Yoda if he doesn’t get back in bed this minute – and he tells them – then - tell my Master that I have taken my Padawan home. I’ve had enough of this place thank you! Then – off we go. We get to his quarters – only to find the room utterly empty. All his things are gone! True, he was staying in the visiting knight’s area – but still – his travel bag, his light saber – everything has vanished. He’s more than just a little pale all of a sudden, but he looks at me and tries to smile and says well – you will always be able to stay you started with absolutely nothing and now look at what you’ve managed to accomplish. He sends me down to supply to get him a tunic and robe and boots… and just about as he’s dressed, in come Master Yoda – and Healer Bry’Lan – only Bry’Lan is like Qui-Gon – really young.” He said and both boys just nodded, obviously spell-bound and Tavaris shrugged with a mildly amused look.

“Master Yoda says – Padawan – why are you here? No room is there for a Knight AND a Padawan in these rooms in this area. He takes us – and brings us here – right here to this very room. There wasn’t as much in here then as there is now – the couch was here – the table and chairs – I remember the fireplace was already burning when we came in. Qui-Gon started to kneel in front of the fire, like he was going to stir it – and suddenly he just collapses. Nearly falls into the fire – would have if Bry’Lan hadn’t grabbed him by his robe like he just barely managed to do. Qui-Gon had developed a fever while he was in the Healers Sanctuary – that’s why he’d had to stay and they wanted him to rest and all. But – Bry’Lan let him stay here this time. We laid him on the couch and Master Yoda helped him wake up. The Healers said that Qui-Gon was confined to his quarters now. Bry’Lan would come check on him every morning just after breakfast. Master Yoda would come for lunch and then to MAKE Qui-Gon lay down for a nap… he’d Force-assist him to sleep if he had to – then he’d stay and talk to me while my Master took his nap – on this couch right here more often than not. Finally, after 3 weeks he was well enough to officially present me to the council as his Padawan.” He told them, and both smiled mildly.

“Master Yoda approved then – from the start.” Obi-Wan said and Tavaris smiled.

“He told me years later that he even knew it would be me – had known for over a year even… but it took him that long to get Qui-Gon to cooperate. He’d had so much happen to him out in the Outer Rim that he didn’t think he had any business taking a Padawan. He gotten hurt a lot – a lot of the negotiations were really tough – and he was afraid if he took a Padawan, the poor kid would just end up getting killed before a year was out. But that was later I found that out. On the day I became his Padawan, Yoda looked at me and told me, take good care of your Master you will young man. MY Padawan he is and always will be. Excellent teacher he is – excellent protector – forgets to eat he does – go without sleep he does – too long alone he has been and too much violence he has seen so soon. Good for him you will be.” He said and both boys smiled broadly.

“I’d be scared if your Master had said that to me the first day you took me.” Nicky said softly, and Tavaris shrugged.

“I think I was too amazed still to be scared really. I’d never even really seen Yoda all that much close up… and here he was feeding me breakfast and fixing my ankle and now showing me my bedroom? Spending hours talking to ME – asking me what sort of things I liked and didn’t like – who my friends in the creche had been – what were my strongest and weakest subjects in the academy. I remember how I kept thinking – he’s always been so strict and stern - and now here he is asking me which vid games I like?” He said and now Obi-Wan looked concerned.

“I can’t imagine Master Yoda sitting and talking about vid games – with anyone! Master Qui-Gon must have been really sick for him to stick around so much –“ he said as if wondering aloud and Tavaris nodded.

“Exhausted beyond measure. Yoda often used to tell him that his taking a Padawan when he did was what saved his life, and Master used to raise his eyebrow and say oh I don’t know – I think I could have gone a few more rounds out there still Master Yoda. Then Yoda would usually take a swipe at him with his stick!” he said and the boys grinned.

“I haven’t seen Master Yoda much really yet.” Obi-Wan told him and Tavaris nodded.

TBC…