Summary: Yoda has a visitor from the past.
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 entertainment and no money was made from it. Also, no copyright or trademark infringement was intended. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
The sun was setting slowly over the hills, calming life with it's promise of gentle rest. Inside, Yoda poured himself a cup of tea, and smiled at the man who sat in the chair opposite him. It did not bother him in the least that his visitor's body was rimmed with a peculiar blue glow of light. He was just glad to see him... finally, after so very many years.
"Offer you some tea I would Qui-Gon Jinn - but no - you just had to go and leave this life behind, you did!" he chided, and the other half frowned at him with a mildy injured look.
"Master - I was 132 years old at the time! What did you expect of me?" he asked sharply, and the dimunitive green one nodded as he sipped at his teacup.
"A longer life span would have been nice -" he offered teasingly, and the other chuckled softly. Yoda considered the one before him with his head cocked to one side, then slowly his features crinkled into a soft smile and he nodded.
"Indeed - well you did my Padawan. Very well you did. My Padawan you became at the age of 11, passing your trials at the age of only 20. Very advanced for a human I might add. Then, a padawan of your own did you take at the age of 23, and he did cause you to become a master at only 35. So, so young you were for that I must say." Yoda mused and the other sighed with a mild frown.
"They were not all sucesses Master." he pointed out dryly and Yoda nodded.
"No, your pain caused by Xanatos' loss did indeed influence you. Now - not sure am I that the rest would have come about as it did without that tragedy in your life. Still had Xanatos would you, when Obi-Wan, to the Agi-Corps was sent. Terrible waste it would have been." he observed and Qui-Gon nodded with a thoughtful look.
Yoda sighed as he slowly rubbed at one knee. It was the cold season of the year, and every year now his joints complained more terribly at the cold and dampness that came with the season. Slowly he set aside his cup and pulled his robe closer around him.
"Obi-Wan healed your heart Jinny, just as he healed you on Naboo. On Naboo, not sure even am I as to how he managed to do that. Thank the gods I do for it though. I could not have lost you so young without TREMENDOUS sorrow - despite what the code says." he observed softly, and the other sighed and nodded.
"Thought I did that perhaps when Obi-Wan passed from this life, that peace you may have finally found?" Yoda asked, and the one only smiled mildly and seemed amused.
"Tired he was Master... time it was for him." he replied, and Yoda nodded.
"I will say though, I thought I'd never stop having that nightmare.. Had it not been for Anakin's need -" the younger observed with a hand to his mid chest and Yoda half smiled at him.
"Allowing both you and Obi-Wan to be Anakin's master was the best decision that particular council group ever made. Brought out the best in you it did Qui-Gon, calmed even YOU down it did." the dimunitive Master observed and the glowing-blue man half
"Master, I was 76 when Anakin passed his trials. I realize it took me a very long time to grow up, but I don't think I deserve credit for it all. Besides, I think ANYONE assigned to train the 'Chosen One' would suddenly think twice about a LOT of things! And, after what happened on Naboo? You and Obi-Wan and Mace nearly drove me insane! You would hardly let me out of your sight! You all even had Anakin doing it before he was 15!" he reproved, and Yoda smiled broadly as he nodded and sipped at his tea.
"You rescued the child from a life of slavery - rescued his mother as well the following year - and gave them both a world full of your love and your faith in the boy such as no other could have done Qui-Gon Jinn. Changed you did, the destiny and fate of the galaxy with the power of your love." he said appreciatively, and the other gave him a shy look with a hint of a smile.
"My very wise teacher once told me - always in motion the future is." he replied and Yoda chuckled softly at him.
"So! Is that why you gave your blessing to his marrying Amadalia when he is only 24?" he asked in a rather challenging tone, and Qui-Gon seemed amused, then sighed and half shrugged.
"To tell you the truth Master, I did not have the heart to say no. I knew what is was like to be in one's later years, and not to have a wife or children of one's own. Love I knew well in my life, but not family - not in the usual sense. It was a good match though Master, you do have to admit that. Luke and Leia are wonderful young people and both strong in the Force." he said and now Yoda considered him with a frown of concern.
"For the 12 years that you taught in the temple after Anakin's passing his trials - often I wondered if you did not have some regrets about not marrying yourself. So good you were with the children. Always you were." he observed and the one smiled.
"Tavaris, Obi-Wan, Anakin .... They were my children, my Master. You and Shimi, were like family as well. I have to tell you - without your help I could not have done it at all. Did I ever tell you, thank you, my Master?" he asked softly, his eyes full of his fondness for the ancient small one.
Yoda felt his heart swell. Oh how he had missed this one indeed...
"Every day of your life, heard I your thanks - every day of your life, my Padawan." he said and the one smiled as if pleased as he nodded.
"Obi-Wan thought of you as a grandfather of sorts..... Anakin - well - your shared concern over me did THAT!" he said and Yoda snorted in dismay.
"Do not sell your self so short Qui-Gon Jinn. Proud they all were the day you accepted that seat on the Council!" he shot back, and the other chuckled softly, one eyebrow arched.
"As I remember it Master - what you said to me was : 'You are 90 years old Qui-Gon Jinn! Do you think I will even LISTEN to the IDEA of you being out in the FIELD? Under ANY conditions? Sit on the Council you WILL young man!' " he quoted, and now Yoda laughed and nodded at him.
"You were the one being so stubborn Padawan! Field assignments - at THAT age? Besides - bring the influence of the Living Force to the Council you did. Teach them all you did - in time." he remembered, and the younger seemed amused as he sighed.
"If you had told me I'd be on the Council for 30 years though - there is no WAY I'd have ever accepted! I STILL can't believe it was that long!" he half growled, and Yoda just shrugged with a fond smile at him.
"Longer it could have been had you not decided to 'Retire'! I must tell you Qui-Gon - I thought you meant to settle down on Naboo! Grow a garden - behind the palace even if need be. YOUR idea of retirement - trapsing about to all sorts of worlds to help restore environments and teach balance and the nurturing of Nature - was NOT what I thought you had in MIND! But - many friends you had made during your life, in so many places. See them I am glad you were able to. It is good to see old friends again -" he said, the last with a hint of sadness to his voice, and the younger half smiled.
Now Yoda regarded him for a long moment, then sighed softly.
"It has been many years now since your passing, my Padawan. So many others have gone on as well... Why now Qui-Gon? Why come now? To see you gladdens my heart indeed - but why did you wait so long?" he asked softly, in an almost hurt tone, and the younger smiled shyly at him.
"I am on - a mission of sorts, Master. It is one I have been waiting many a year for - and I am honored to be allowed to perform it." he said, and Yoda looked surprised, his eyes widening rapidly.
"The Force sends you on a mission - now? As a - a spirit? Qui-Gon - you did NOT refuse to merge with, it did you?!" he demanded in alarm, and the other chuckled as he shook his head.
"No, my Master. I do not defy the Force the way I so often defied the Council. Actually, when I DID defy the Council - it was only to follow the will of the Force. I still do so - in more ways than you can possibly imagine." he said softly.
"Become you did, the greatest of my Padawans, Qui-Gon Jinn. Honored I was to have you as a student. How I sometimes wish it was that time again - or that you were still here with me.... selfish I am in my old age. Notice I, - you do not appear now as you did at the last. You look to be - oh - 40?" he asked and the one smiled.
"40, 45 maybe. I do not think I am the greatest of your Padawans Master - but I was your last. Perhaps I made a more lasting impression is all." he said, and Yoda sighed at him, his affection for the younger softening his time crinkled features.
"My favorite you were out of all Qui-Gon. I should not have one - but I do. A challenge you were - yet a breath of fresh air and innovation. Oh, I have missed you dearly I am afraid." he said, and now the other sat forward some, leaning his elbows on his knees, his eyes the same shade of brilliant blue and full of concealed inner laughter now, as they had been during the man's life.
"You do not have to anymore, my Master. I know how tired you are - how the cold makes you ache. Master - the Force is so much more than even the Jedi ever dreamed. There is so much to learn - so much to explore - so, so much to do! Please, come with me my Master?" he asked gently - and Yoda sighed, and smiled at him fondly.
"Love to I would my dear Padawan... But to quit life before it is time - merely for the sake of memory - however beloved that memory may be to me -" he said softly as he shook his head. Now the other rose and came over to him and offered his hand with a gentle smile.
"No, my Master - I think you know what mission I come here now on...." he said fondly.
"And, if I refuse?" Yoda asked him, and the one chuckled softly and shrugged.
"If not today - then perhaps you will be ready tomorrow - or the day after that. It is not like I am going anywhere. And it is not like, deep inside, you feel my cause is unreasonable. It IS time my beloved Master - and so many of your friends and family eagerly await our return. My mission, Master Yoda, is to bring you home... Home to your friends, home to your loved ones, home to the Force. In your nearly 900 years of life you have made MANY a friend Master. It is my honor to be your escort on this one last journey." he said, smiling fondly at the ancient, wizened one.
Yoda tilted his head to one side and blinked owlishly at the features so long denied his eyes. Qui-Gon looked as he had at the very prime of his life. It made the ancient one's heart ache to hear the soft, deep tones of the voice he had never forgotten. It had been so long - so very, very long since there was anyone nearby that he felt connected to. All of them had since gone on as well. THIS one's eyes virtually shone with the Light of the Force, and of his Padawan's fondness for his old Master. Yoda sighed, feeling the Force itself swirling quietly in the room.
"As if I could ever resist when you gave me that look Jinny .... Very well my Padawan. Trust you I will to lead the way -"he said as he took the offered hand. The younger man smiled happily, and he chuckled as his Master's eyebrow's crept up his forehead. Yoda was truly amazed and delighted at the solidness and warmth of the hand that now held his own.
"There is no death Master, there is only the Force..... and the Force - is LIFE! Come, come into life with me - many adventures await us!" the younger said confidently as he squeezed the ancient one's hand gently, and Yoda smiled at him and nodded acceptingly.
Unnoticed behind them on the floor lay 2 empty, crumpled robes. One was faded with age, short and small. The other, as if for a tall man, was long and dark. As the Force faded from the room, so the last rays of the sun disappeared over the hills... signifying dawn - some place else.
