. Bonds of Choice #4 Star Wars: TPM FanFic Series by HiperBunny (message 3 of 7) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Obi-Wan entered the armory and broke away from Corubia. What should have been a scene of chaos was settling into perfect order as every Jedi found their partner and waited for orders. Obi-Wan followed his bond to Qui-Gon and seamlessly took his place at his master's shoulder. A hush fell over the room as Master Windu spoke. "Onto the walls. The Sector Guard has informed us that the mob can not be held at the gates. They will soon be upon us. As you pass through the armory, take up your weapons." As one the Jedi spoke. "I am ready to protect." Moments later Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon stood on the rooftop of the Temple. The outer wall of the building was their first line of defense, though it had been centuries since anyone had threatened them. A cool wind whipped through his robes. Corubia and Master Torlamin stood at his left. Off to the right, Lrakin Rilka stood with her Kats, in full body armor, armed to the teeth and ready to serve alongside the other combat-trained staff in service to the Jedi. The civilian, noncom staff was inside, ready to man the interior defense system. Obi-Wan hoped it didn't come to that. Then again, if a mob could defeat every Jedi on hand, maybe the civilians would have the good sense to surrender. He felt Qui-Gon pouring energy into their bond, so he began strengthening it from his end. It was through this bond that he received his command. //They come. Select a target.// Obi-Wan looked out and saw that a wave of small transports and people on foot filling the square below. He raised his blaster and took aim, clearing his mind as Master Crowe had instructed him, but did not place his finger upon the trigger. //We will attempt to get their attention now, Padawan.// He felt his strength blend with Qui-Gon's. Then, like a sun emerging from eclipse, the Force burst with bright energy as every Jedi, every Padawan, every trainee and sensitive in the Temple concerted their efforts. He heard the echoes of Suggestion, raised his hand and gestured from long ingrained habit. **BE CALM! BE AT PEACE!** The mob slowed in its tracks. //Weapon down, Padawan. It will not be needed.// Obi-Wan obeyed even as his mind boggled at what he sensed in the Force. Others not present joined the power of the Jedi at the Temple. They seemed far away, as if they spoke from all over the planet. Then from farther away, in the nearest star systems the Force glittered with the presence of Jedi everywhere. Even on the edges, probably those sent on missions to the furthest reaches of the Rim they shone like diamonds in his mind. They all turned their thoughts to Coruscant and the protection of the Temple. In turn, the Jedi on the wall gave direction to the energy fed to them. As a chorus, from the Council to the youngest Trainee the Jedi gave shape to their will. Obi-Wan's thoughts were one with them. **Go home. Be happy. Go home. Be loved and at peace.** The command was repeated ten thousandfold and redoubled as each Jedi wished this on each other as well as the crowd below. Obi-Wan turned and slipped his arms around his master even as his master leaned down to kiss his lips. Obi-Wan reached out and took Corubia's hand, drawing her into another sort of embrace. **Find yourself loved. Go home.** Obi-Wan looked over his shoulder to see the mob receding towards the avenue. On the Temple Wall everyone smiled and pulled their minds back behind shields. Even as that connection ended, the residue of peace and love filled them all. Obi-Wan held harder to his master and pulled Corubia closer to them even as Master Torlamin laid a hand upon her shoulder. It was later said that there was no Jedi left alone in that hour. Padawan held Master, Knight embraced Trainee and friends joined together in the remembrance of the love and Light they served. Even those imprisoned and on solitary missions felt the arms of friends and loved ones about them. Above the doors of the Jedi Temple Obi-Wan Kenobi felt the embrace, acceptance and was soothed as water saves the thirsting man, as love rescues the lonely. **************** Two hours later Qui-Gon was finally going to get the shower he had been headed for when the general alarm sounded. Obi-Wan was sitting at Qui-Gon's desk typing up his share of the report and listening to some music. "Who is that?" Qui-Gon asked. Obi-Wan glanced up. "Singing? Jim Morrison. I think his stuff's really hot." Qui-Gon had never really paid attention to his Padawan's choice in music before, but today there was no way to ignore anything he did. And the aching lust that poured from the singer's voice only made the situation that much more tense. Whoever this Morrison person was, he must be a formidable man, energywise. Before you slip into unconsciousness I'd like to have another kiss Another flashing chance at bliss Another kiss, another kiss Obi-Wan had gotten up and fetched a glass of water from the kitchenette, swaying ever so slightly to the beat, subtle movement at hip and shoulder. That was when Qui-Gon sought out the refuge of his shower. There was too much raw carnality mixed in with the emotion left over from the afternoon's conflict for any sensible resolution to occur. Unfortunately, Qui-Gon could still hear the music through the closed bathroom door. Obi-Wan had begun to sing along with this James individual. Qui-Gon had to admit, his Padawan was a pretty good singer. Too good, in fact. The days are bright and filled with pain Enclose me in your gentle rain The time you ran was too insane We'll meet again, we'll meet again The water hit Qui-Gon in a lukewarm rush before slowly gaining heat. He let his mind wander, lathering up a washcloth and cleansing the day's dirt away. He smiled, recalling the picture Obi-Wan had made not so long ago, curled up on the floor of the shower cubicle, rocking and humming his contentment in the Moment. The boy was just too beautiful to be believed, no matter how you sliced it. His peaceful expression had only added to the image. Qui-Gon soaped his chest slowly, surprised to find his nipples were stiffening, even under the warm spray. He rinsed off and reached for the shampoo, determined to ignore his other slowly rising body parts. He worked a thick, rich lather up in his hair, slowly massaging his scalp, working out each tangle, letting himself relax under the warm cascade. Reflexively he reached out through the Force to check on Obi-Wan, listening with enhanced abilities. Over the thrum of water on tile, he heard Obi-Wan's voice as the younger man was swept up into a different song. Yeah! Come on, come on, come on, come on Now touch me, baby Can't you see that I am not afraid? What was that promise that you made? Why won't you tell me what she said? What was that promise that you made? Qui-Gon groaned, slumping against the tiles. The driving rhythm and sexual overtones lent power to his personal need. *He's doing that on purpose. He HAS to be …* and that thought was much more erotic than assuming it was mere coincidence. Desire welled up in him, a dark and aggressive thing. Much too forceful to take up with his newest partner. Far too harsh for the tenderness that he felt for Obi-Wan. But not too dangerous for himself, alone. Now, I'm gonna love you Till the heavens stop the rain I'm gonna love you Till the stars fall from the sky for you and I Qui-Gon turned towards the wall, pressing one shoulder into the corner. His hands were still slick from soap and shampoo as he caressed his nipples to full hardness once more. He reached out with one hand to readjust the spray, then returned his attentions to his own body. Fingernails dragged trails along neck, across the curve of his ear, down abdomen and into the valley where hip joined torso. Long lines of heavy red welts formed on his skin as he dragged his fingernails over thigh and buttocks. Qui-Gon closed his eyes, picturing Obi-Wan's strong, sure hands treating him so. His own hands craved flesh to be held, squeezed, aroused, flesh not his own. Qui-Gon bent forward, marking calf and ankle before rising once more, hunched forward as the hot water bit into the marks. His back was beginning to ache under the untempered assault the shower provided. His lips touched cool tiles as he whispered to himself, "Love you, Obi-Wan. Love you so much …" Come on, come on, come on, come on Now touch me, baby Can't you see that I am not afraid? What was that promise that you made? Why won't you tell me what she said? What was that promise that you made? He stroked his balls gently, rolling them in his fingers, paying close attention to himself for once. The emotions of the day coupled with the raucous song in the next room was doing him no end of good. With one hand he continued to tease along scrotum and inner thigh. With the other he squeezed his cock and began stroking himself in earnest. His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth as his breathing sped up. Unbidden, the memory of Obi-Wan breathing just so, just that way as Qui-Gon took him, sprang full-bloomed into Qui-Gon's mind. He wondered what Obi-Wan looked like when he pleasured himself, wondered if his eyes got that surprised look just before he came. Qui-Gon had come to adore that surprised look, of late. Soon he was panting hard, leaning against the tiles, whispering swiftly, gasping "Koatel, Obi-Wan, love you, Koatel." His hips were swaying, thrusting himself faster between his fingers. His soap slicked fingers squeezed down harder, enticing, fulfilling his need for friction, contact. I'm gonna love you Till the heavens stop the rain I'm gonna love you Till the stars fall from the sky for you and I And like stars exploding behind his eyes, he came, biting hard on his bottom lip to keep from crying out. Low grunts of release echoed through the bathroom as soap and semen mixed on his fingers, belly, thigh. His skin tingled as he turned towards the shower, letting the water cleanse him on the outside as the release had cleansed him inwardly. He kept his eyes closed, struggling to control his breathing, struggling to remain standing. With some spare part of his brain he picked out Obi-Wan's voice over the falling water once more. I'm gonna love you Till the heavens stop the rain I'm gonna love you Till the stars fall from the sky for you and I *My feelings exactly, Koatel.* A light tap on the door, then Obi-Wan called "I've sent the report off, Master. I'm headed to my room. Call if you need anything." "I will, Padawan," Qui-Gon replied. *I would if I could, Obi-Wan, but I can't trust myself with you right now.* "Would you mind leaving that disk here? I'd like to hear it again." Obi-Wan was silent for a moment. Qui-Gon grinned, picturing his expression of consternation. "Yes, Master. I'll leave it on the desk. Goodnight." Qui-Gon waited until he was sure Obi-Wan had left for his room. He went to the desk and set the music chip on play. 'The Doors'. Hmm. Interesting name for a musical group. He dialed up a mug of kokala then went to settle onto the sofa. Although his time alone in the shower had relaxed some of his physical need, his emotions were still grinding along a rough and aggressive trail. Sipping at the warm beverage, he tried to let his mind relax. He was too tired to meditate properly and too wound up to sleep. The thrumming music meshed nicely with his agitated emotional state. Love me two times, baby Love me twice today Love me two times, girl I'm goin' away Love me two times, girl One for tomorrow One just for today Love me two times I'm goin' away *Ha! I'm having enough trouble loving just the once, Jim.* Qui-Gon was beginning to wonder if he had made a serious mistake in accepting Obi-Wan's invitation for a physical relationship. Too much of their bond was tied up in trust and communication. Between lovers, such things often became complicated, layered with promises and expectations that must be tended carefully. It was his responsibility to see that he and his apprentice kept to the rule of thumb for personal matters. "Jedi first, then Master. Only after that are you an individual." He spoke this aloud, trying to make it real once more. That belief had once been concrete. Nothing could be allowed in any Jedi's life that could distract them from remembering _what_ they were BEFORE thinking of _who_ they were. He had been ruthless with Obi-Wan, keeping him from thinking on family or home, both of which had been denied him forever when the Jedi came and took him away. The Feldarians would not prevent their children from being taken on for training, but neither would they admit that a child of theirs was being trained. They simply forgot that the child had ever existed. Obi-Wan had been forgotten the moment he was placed in the crèche. It was Qui-Gon's part to make him a Jedi. Now the Master began to see that it was also his duty to make Obi-Wan remember himself, find his place and individuality. And as they had joined their minds in battle today, Qui-Gon saw that Obi-Wan had almost no sense of his right to a place in the Order. Love me one time I could not speak Love me one time Yeah, my knees got weak But love me two times, girl Last me all through the week Love me two times I'm goin' away Love me two times I'm goin' away Oh, yes *It is never enough to just be a Jedi. No one can live like that.* Qui-Gon reminded himself. And yet, for years, he had. He had concentrated on his job, his calling, the training of apprentices, had no life outside of the Temple. Well, that was not so unusual, really. But even within the Temple, he didn't have much of a life. Even Obi-Wan found time for things other than training and classes, hectic as his schedule usually was. It hadn't always been like this for the Master. He thought back to his days as a young Knight, when he had been made work partner to Kourt and finally settled in to his role, saving the world, defending Justice. They had shared some wild times, he and Kourt. Spoiling the trainees with candy was the tip of the iceberg, then. His life had changed, slowly. There had been more and more danger in their missions. Eventually Kourt had followed a totally different path. Then he'd taken his first apprentice, Pequara Shereid. She was doing well, on permanent assignment to Rebkara. He had a missive from her every now and then, but she had moved on, beyond their close-knit relationship. Then Xanatos… Love me one time I could not speak Love me one time, baby Yeah, my knees got weak But love me two times, girl Last me all through the week Qui-Gon sat up, spilling his drink. "THANK YOU JIM MORRISON!" he cried. He pulled his shirt off and went to get another, mind whirling. Not just last him through the week … he folded his legs under him, settling into a simple pose and let his mind relax, relax, just relax. The music from the other room became his focal point, the sound drew his mind into the patterns he needed, shifting from normal thought into the more hyperactive realms of the Moment. His mind, his knowledge, blended seamlessly with the Force. He stood in the Now, past and future laid out for him like a map. Sure, a poorly drawn, confusing map with lots of blank spaces, but if you knew how to read it, as Qui-Gon did … There. The thread of his life was twined firmly around Obi-Wan's. Had been for some time. But right there, just two or three weeks ago, they had been more firmly joined. Well, the spiritual mirrors the physical, he reminded himself. Then, further down the line, months, years, it was hard to tell exactly, one of the layers to their connection had a break in it. >From there the lifelines continued, but the relationship was obscured. *That will be Obi-Wan's Trials. I have until then to win him.* Satisfied, he let go the vision and followed the music back to the real world. Well well well. Not just through the week. *Still time enough,* he hoped. Love me two times I'm goin' away Love me two times, babe Love me twice today Love me two times, babe 'Cause I'm goin' away Love me two time, girl One for tomorrow One just for today Love me two times I'm goin' away Love me two times I'm goin' away Love me two times I'm goin' away Qui-Gon turned to his shelves and grabbed a shirt. *Sorry, Jim. It's not going to be like that.* It occurred to Qui-Gon that there was a lot he didn't know about Obi-Wan. He tried to leave his student as much personal space as possible. Some Masters insisted that their Padawan lived with them, worked with them, trained and served at all times. Qui-Gon hadn't wanted his bright and eager charge to become stifled by the elder man's more sedate lifestyle here at the Temple. He left Obi-Wan to his own devices when possible, allowing him freedom to make his own choices. Now would be the time to draw closer to his partner. The person who he hoped would be his mate, even if Obi-Wan would not know it for a long time yet. Still time to learn about the person he had raised and taught. Still time to learn the person he was coming to love not as a subordinate, but as an equal. And the first step in that learning was to make Obi-Wan even more a part of his life than before.