One week later and Obi-Wan's training was on schedule again. No
one, except for Qui-Gon and Healer Lanteen, even noticed the slight
burp in his routine as he recovered from the rape.

Qui-Gon was pleased, but hardly surprised at Obi-Wan's recovery,
but was himself finding it increasingly difficult to forget what he
now knew. His apprentice loved him. Wanted him. The young man who had
shared nearly every day of his life for the last six years including
dangerous missions, worrisome negotiations, and happy interludes, was
in love with him. But no matter how many times he repeated this to
himself it remained very unreal to him. Obi-Wan had made it clear he
was not ready for a relationship. The declaration had come too soon,
and now threatened to injure their working relationship.

The Master Jedi turned to an old friend for advise and sympathy.

"Citra, thank you for meeting me here." Qui-Gon said as he
walked with his female friend through the Temple's extensive
gardens. "You have been a great comfort to Obi-Wan."

"But you need a little comforting too, right?"  She asked
pointedly.

Qui-Gon never liked admitting to his weaknesses, but to Citra it was
at least a little easier. "Do you still think we're the ideal
master/apprentice team?"

The red-haired woman smiled. "Still looking for perfection, eh,
Qui-Gon? What's on your mind? I thought by now you two would be
held up in your quarters for days, only  coming up for air and
food..." She let her words trail off as she noticed the grim look
on
her friend's face. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"He didn't want me to know that he loves me. He's
embarrassed that I know."

"So, you're not..."

"No." He said flatly. "He made it clear that he's not
comfortable with that right now. But I thought you'd know
that."

"I haven't seen Obi-Wan since the day of the spar with
B'Lar. He sent a message the next morning telling me everything
was going well. Really well."

"Really well?"

"Yes."

Qui-Gon was giving her a stern look and she took a step back.

"Hey, don't blame me for your personal problems. I worked
with Obi-Wan and he was doing fine with the healing techniques. I
figured between his own skills and determination and your help all
would be well."

"And it is mostly. But couldn't you speak with him again?
Just to be sure?"

"It's really your place to talk to him, Qui-Gon."

"What I want to say to him is against the Code."

Citra found herself feeling sad for her friend. He was such a large
man, but in this moment he seemed so helpless. "All right.
I'll do a follow-up consultation with him just to check on his
progress. I can't promise anything. It's up to him to
talk."

"Thank you." Qui-Gon said, and returned to his quarters.

It took some searching for Healer Lanteen to find Padawan Kenobi. The
young man had many friends, and many training responsibilities. She
at last caught up with him in the dining hall. A very public place,
so she needed to be discreet, and any healer worth their salt could
be discreet.

"Master Lanteen." He nodded with a nervous grin as she
approached his table.

"Padawan Kenobi. If you're free later I'd like to discuss
the new Fri-la plants in the garden."

Obi-Wan tilted his head in confusion. The Healer looked at the other
Padawans sitting at the table. They were close friends of
Obi-Wan's, but should not be privy to the true nature of her
business.

"You know, the one's I told you would make a great research
paper for your advanced botany class."

"Yes, of course, Master." Obi-Wan said, now understanding
what she was trying to do. "I can meet you after my next
class."

"That will be fine, Obi-Wan."

Two hours later, Obi-Wan found the Master Healer in the gardens. With
the Fri-la plants.

"I apologize for my rather strange performance in the dining
hall, but I didn't want your friends to think you were in need of
a healer."

"Am I?"

She nodded thoughtfully. "That's what I'm here to find
out."

"I am well."

"You look a little tired." She remarked.

"I swam forty laps earlier today."

Citra nodded again, and then leaned over to smell a blossoming flower
on a Fri-la plant. "Your master loves these gardens. Did you know
that it was he who suggested the Fri-la be introduced here?"

"No, I didn't know that." He said, sounding a little
surprised.

"There's probably a lot you do not know about him."

"Of that, I'm sure."

"And what else are you sure about?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"One of the wounds you suffered involved your master telling you
that he loved you. Have you resolved that?"

"Yes. He's never mentioned it again, and I told him that my
feelings were prematurely stated."

"So, you don't love each other?"

Obi-Wan's lips grew tight and his eyes looked down at the ground.
He was becoming very uncomfortable with this conversation. "It
doesn't matter. My training is going well."

"Is that what you meant when you sent me that message? That your
training was well? But what about your relationship with your
master?"

"He's made it clear that he only said those things to make me
feel better."

"Is that what he said or is that what you want to believe?"

Obi-Wan did not answer.

"Do you think that Qui-Gon would lie to you in order to comfort
you?"

"Yes."

Citra's eyes widened. "And you asked him about this so-called
lie?"

"I told him that I have feelings for him, but that it wasn't
right the way he found out."

"How would you have liked him to find out?"

"I don't know."

The healer folded her arms in the sleeves of her blue robes. He knew
she was waiting for a better response.

"I would've waited until the time was right. When he would
accept me as his equal."

"You mean after your knighting?"

"Yes, I suppose. But it doesn't matter now. He never said a
word. I opened up to him. Told him how embarrassing this whole mess
was. That I have feelings, but it didn't feel right now."

"Oh, Obi-Wan. Of course he didn't say anything. Even if
he'd wanted to."

"What do you mean?"

"The Code clearly states that a master may not influence his
apprentice in this regard. A relationship can only be initiated by
the padawan and then must be mutually acceptable. So how can you be
sure of anything, Obi-Wan? Maybe Qui-Gon wanted to tell you, but you
were saying you weren't ready and it wasn't right."

Obi-Wan's mouth dropped open. "He was unusually quiet. Do you
think he wanted to tell me something?"

"That's for you and your master to discuss."

"But if the Code forbids him to speak..."

"It is only forbidden if you do not want the relationship. When
you admitted your feelings the other night, he was free to tell you
his, but when you then told him that you didn't want a
relationship, he was bound by the Code not to interfere with your
decision."

Obi-Wan felt a terrible pain in his chest. His hand clutched
instinctively over his heart. "What if he does love me?"

"Obi-Wan," Citra was saying, her hand coming out of her
sleeve and squeezing his shoulder, "meditate on this a while,
here in the gardens by the Fri-la plants. It will be good for your
soul."

The young man nodded, and the healer took her leave. Obi-Wan dropped
to his knees in front of the pale yellow blossoms. Any passers-by
would think he was worshiping the new addition to the gardens, and in
a way he was. He meditated on the plant itself. Used its broad green
leaves, sweet scent, and pale color to center himself. With that
centering came images of Qui-Gon. Suddenly all the small looks,
special meals, kind words, and brief touches meant so much more. Qui-
Gon did love him. He could feel it in the Force. But could he be sure
now was the right time for this? The Force's answer was a nudge.
Go to him and ask.

By the time Obi-Wan finished his day's schedule it was last meal
and he joined his friends Bant and Calista in the dining hall. Qui-
Gon was, as usual, at the masters' table, but when he finished he
came over.

"I'll be at the masters' social this evening, Obi-Wan.
You're free to spend the evening as you like."

Obi-Wan couldn't help but be a little disappointed, and Qui-Gon
recognized the look on his Padawan's face.

"Is there something wrong?"

"No, Master. Will you be late?"

Qui-Gon's brow tightened in consternation. "Keeping track of
me now, Padawan?"

"Just curious."

Qui-Gon resisted the urge to check his Padawan's forehead for
fever before joining the small group of masters heading off for a
quiet evening away from their charges.

Bant snickered when Qui-Gon left. "Trying to get in trouble?"

"Don't I have a right to know when my Master will be
home?"

"No."

"I just need to talk with him and..."

"What kind of talking?" Calista nosed in.

"You know, two people having a normal conversation." He said,
sounding more than a little annoyed by her comment.

Calista squinted her cat eyes at him and then excused herself from
the table.

"Obi, that was rude. You should apologize." Bant scolded.

"She'll get over it."

Bant was shaking her head. Outside of those directly involved in the
events of the week before, Bant was the only one Obi-Wan had told
about all the gory details. After she witnessed the fight in the
training salle, he had to tell her what had happened with B'Lar.
But of course, she felt guilty after that, since she had encouraged
them to be together. Obi-Wan refused to listen to her apologies.

"I've decided to speak with him again. I think I
misinterpreted his silence last week."

"Oh, Obi. I don't want to see you getting hurt all over
again. Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, I think he really loves me, and one way or another, I'm
going to find out tonight."

"Well, he won't be back until late. Do you want to watch the
Initiates in the training salle? They're having one of their
public competitions."

Obi-Wan nodded and they headed out for an evening of pseudo
entertainment. It was quite satisfying to be on the other end of that
stick. Both he and Bant remembered too well their time as Initiates
and having these competitions where any Jedi, including potential
masters, could drop by and *observe.* For the younger padawans it was
amusing to watch children just a year or two younger than themselves
perform in this way, and for the older padawans like Obi-Wan and
Bant, it was more of a reminder of how far they'd come in their
training.

The competition ended by 10th hour, since the Initiates performing
were aged eight to thirteen. When Obi-Wan returned to his quarters,
Qui-Gon was not yet home. He retired to his room, changed into his
sleep pants, and sat on his bed reading class notes on a datapad. He
had every intention of staying up until his master came home, but at
some point he fell asleep. When he woke, several hours later, stiff
from his sitting position, he noticed the lateness of the hour. He
quickly reached out through his training bond to find that Qui-Gon
was home and asleep.

Now that he knew Qui-Gon was bound by the Code not to lead in the
forming of an intimate relationship, Obi-Wan felt the urgent need to
find out if he at least wanted such a relationship. Be the
initiator—as Citra had called it. But the hour was late, and
there was still that seed of doubt tugging at the back of his
mind. // What if Qui-Gon really doesn't love me that way?//

He got off the bed, turned the linens down, and looked over the
narrow mattress. A shudder went through him. Did he want to spend
another night sleeping alone when there was a possibility he could be
sleeping in his master's arms? Obi-Wan took a deep breath. //
Even if I have to wake him I need to do this now. And, on the off
chance he says he doesn't love me, I still have my bed to sleep
in.// He frowned at that last thought.

He went into the hall and to Qui-Gon's bedroom door. It was
closed, and with a gentle prying through their bond he again affirmed
that his master was asleep. He took a step back and nearly turned
himself around and back to his own room, and then remembered that this
wasn't some alien creature waiting to strike him down, it was his
master. The man who had trained him, protected him, and guided him
for the last six years. And no matter what happened they would work
things out.

He tapped lightly on the door. Still asleep. Louder tapping and a
mental waking nudge, // Master.//

// Obi-Wan?// Came the groggy, concerned response.

// May I speak with you?//

// Of course, come in.//

A dim light came on and Qui-Gon sat up in bed. He wasn't sure
what his padawan wanted, but it obviously couldn't wait the few
hours until daybreak.

"Are you well?" He asked.

Obi-Wan nodded, but said nothing. He was standing just inside the
door like some frightened child in the head master's office. The
young man was wearing only sleep pants again, his muscled torso
shining pale in the ambient light. Qui-Gon thought there should be a
rule prohibiting beautiful padawans running around without all their
clothes on.

"What is on your mind, Obi-Wan?"

"You, Master. You are on my mind... always." He said, and he
could feel the blush coloring his cheeks.

Qui-Gon adjusted his sitting position and breathed evenly despite his
heart's pounding. Had Obi-Wan changed his mind since their
conversation a week ago? As much as Qui-Gon wanted to ask this
question he could not. He remained silent. This had to be
Obi-Wan's move.

Obi-Wan shifted his weight from one foot to the other. His
nervousness was quite apparent, and he was already regretting his
direct opening line. But his master lay so invitingly on the bed in
his light sleep tunic and pants. Obi-Wan thought beautiful masters
should not be allowed to run around in front of their padawans in
thin fabric.

"You know you can tell me anything." Qui-Gon said, giving
encouragement without directing his apprentice's response.

"This may be an exception." Obi-Wan said with a slight
chuckle, still unsure of the outcome of this conversation, but he
needed to proceed. "You have been a wonderful teacher to me...
and friend. And I don't want that to change."

"I assure you, Obi-Wan, those things will never change." He
adjusted the pillow behind him to conceal his growing
nervousness. "What is it you wish to speak with me about?"

Obi-Wan looked down at the floor for a moment and then back up
shyly. "I... I'm a man now."

"Yes, Obi-Wan. I am well aware of that fact." Qui-Gon said
with a smile.

"But I am haunted."

"Haunted? By ghosts?"

"No. By a kiss."

Qui-Gon swallowed.

"I was sixteen and nearly died."

"Yes, I remember, Obi-Wan."

There was a long silence.

Obi-Wan moved to the foot of the bed. "I was careless and was
swept away by flood waters... and all I could think of as I gasped
for air was that if I died I would never see the most important
person in my life again. You, Qui-Gon. I was more afraid of losing
you, than of death itself." He put one knee up on the edge of the
bed. "But I survived."

"Yes, I remember." Qui-Gon said in a daze. He was feeling a
little like he was being haunted too. Haunted by a beautiful vision
of his padawan standing half naked at the foot of his bed.

"But do you remember this..." Obi-Wan said and climbed onto
the bed, moving slowly up the length of the bed, the length of his
master, until he was straddling Qui-Gon's thighs. He looked deep
into the man's eyes. "... kiss." He said, in a breathy
whisper
and then leaned down and brushed his lips across his master's.

It was a risk. He could've been thrown across the room at any
moment. But Qui-Gon hadn't done anything to stop him. Not when
he'd approached the bed, and not when he'd crawled sensually
over the
tall man's reclining body.

He pulled back to look into his Master's eyes. They were dark
with need and silently telling him to proceed. He leaned in for
another kiss, their lips coming together more urgently, more fully,
and he let his weight drop onto his master's lap. When their lips
finally parted they both were gasping.

"I am a haunted man as well, Padawan." Qui-Gon said.
"When you were swept away by the river's forceful current my
heart went with you. I could barely breathe, barely stand, thinking I
would never see you again. And then you survived. We both
survived."

"Yes, I remember." Obi-Wan said.

"And that kiss... that kiss was a promise, Obi-Wan."

"Yes, a promise that one day we would be together."
Obi-Wan's hands were trembling now as they rested on
Qui-Gon's chest. "I need to give myself to you. Be yours in
every
way." He said and leaned in for another, deeper kiss.

"Yes, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon breathed out before his lips were
devoured by his padawan's hungry, biting need.

Their hands moved over each other's bodies searching, grabbing,
hanging on with the fierce longing that had haunted them both for
three years.

"Be mine, Qui-Gon, forever. As I am yours."

"Yes, yours forever, Obi-Wan."

Qui-Gon pulled Obi-Wan down into his lips, his arms wrapping so
tightly around his padawan that three men couldn't have pulled
him off. Obi-Wan squeezed his legs around his master's thighs,
needing to hang on as if the Force would rip him out of this dream at
any moment. Their years of longing, coupled with their fear of loss,
was going to leave bruising marks all over their bodies if they
didn't get their wits about them.

Obi-Wan continued to be the leader in this dance and began rubbing
his erection against his master's. Their sleep pants hardly a
noticeable barrier as the hard, hot lengths rubbed together.

"I've always dreamed of taking that kiss further."
Obi-Wan gasped out.

"You were so young."

"Not too young to know that I wanted to be yours."

"Then let me make love to you now, Obi-Wan. Let me fulfill the
promise of that kiss."

"Yes." Obi-Wan said trembling, and sealed his consent with a
kiss.

Qui-Gon gently rolled their entwined bodies onto the bed. Their
mouths still locked. Obi-Wan's hands were on his master's
chest pulling his tunic apart, and then pulling it off his shoulders
until it was completely removed and being flung across the room.

"Want you." Obi-Wan growled hungrily. "All these years so
close, and not being able to touch you." He bit into
Qui-Gon's shoulder blade and then began sucking the bite mark.

Qui-Gon hissed with pleasure. "All these years watching you
mature so gracefully... move so fluidly... and now you move on
me." He shivered with the realization.

Qui-Gon's hands caressed down Obi-Wan's body. Running a firm
path to the waist of his padawan's pants. Tugging on the
waistband. Pulling them down while Obi-Wan's hips raised slightly
to
allow their quick removal. He sat back, looked over his naked padawan
for the very first time as a lover, and not as a teacher. The young
man's erection proud in validation of the rightness of this path.

He stood and slid his own sleep pants off. Obi-Wan moaned and
squirmed seeing his master's magnificent naked body, hard for him.

"Force, you're beautiful, Master."

"You are the beautiful one, Obi-Wan."

And he set himself down between his padawan's spread legs.
Rubbing his hands along the young man's thighs. Nudging his balls.
Brushing under his hardened shaft. Obi-Wan arched off the bed at the
touch, and then Qui-Gon sank to take the tip of his cock into his
mouth.

"Master!"

// Easy, Padawan. There is so much more to come.// He sent through
their training bond, not wanting to break contact with that hard,
delicious mass in order to respond to his apprentice's cries.

"Oh, Master, how I've dreamed of you taking me like this.
I've wanted you for sooooo..." The younger man's words
were transformed into a delightful squeal as Qui-Gon sucked his
entire length into his mouth and down his throat.

// You're not the only one with dreams.// Qui-Gon sent.

All Obi-Wan could do to respond was to moan loudly, and thrust his
hips gently into his master's mouth. His master's mouth! His
hands now tangled in his master's beautiful brown and silver
streaked hair.

"Please...I'm going to..."

// Yes, Obi-Wan. Fill me with your love.//

And the young man thrusted several times more as he spurted
forcefully into that glorious mouth. He was wriggling and trembling
as Qui-Gon pulled off him and brought his full body length on him.
They began to kiss again. Sweetly in a satiated kiss, but Obi-Wan
could feel his master's hardness pressing into his thigh. The tip
oozing with pre-cum.

"Let me do the same for you." Obi-Wan said and began to press
into Qui-Gon's chest to move him.

"Later. Right now I have a deep desire to be inside you."

A shudder rippled through Obi-Wan's body. "Force, yes, I need
you."

The younger man moved to turn over onto his stomach, but Qui-Gon
stopped him. "This first time, I want us to look into each
other's eyes. I want you to see how very much I love you, my
Obi-Wan."

"Yes, Qui-Gon." He said, and reached up for another wet kiss.

Without their separating, Qui-Gon reached over for a small bottle of
scented oil. He opened it carefully and poured a small quantity on
the fingers of his right hand. Deepening the kiss, he reached slowly,
methodically down his padawan's side, over his thigh, inside the
thigh, and then under and between the cleft of his buttocks. He
circled  the entrance of his padawan's anus, but did not breach
the opening. Instead he rubbed there and then leaned down to his
apprentice's ear and whispered, "Are you still certain of
this joining?"

"Yes, Qui-Gon. I want you."

With those words, Qui-Gon slid his finger inside the tight opening.
Obi-Wan arched and moaned. With a few careful thrusts, a second
finger was added, and then a third. By the time he was certain his
padawan was adequately prepared, they were both rock hard in
anticipation. He pulled his fingers out and watched as Obi-Wan took
the bottle of oil and poured it on his erection.

"It's a familiar scent." Obi-Wan said, as he stroked his
lover's hard cock.

"Oil mixed with extracts of Beldavian honey."

"Mmm. My favorite." The young man said, licking his lips, and
remembering how his master drizzled pure Beldavian honey on his
cereal.

He moved his hand away, and tilted his hips up to signal his
readiness. Qui-Gon moved closer. His knees wedged between the
mattress and Obi-Wan's buttocks. He couldn't help but shudder
at the beautiful creature lying, so willing, and wanting beneath him.
This had to be one of the most profound and beautiful moments in his
life with Obi-Wan. The young man who had changed everything. Who had
brought light, laughter, and love into his life, and now was about to
give him even more.

He took his penis in hand, and Obi-Wan laid his hand over it so that
they would both be guiding him inside. He leaned forward, pressed at
the opening, looked deep into his apprentice's eyes, and told him
once again how much he loved him. With a serenely happy smile from
Obi-Wan he breeched the opening and slid inside, fully sheathing
himself inside his apprentice's tight ass. They both gasped out
in unison at the sensation and realization of their joining. But it
was not complete. Qui-Gon wanted this love making to be experienced
with their bodies, hearts, and minds.

"Open your mind to me, Obi-Wan. Let down your shields, and let me
into your mind as you have into your body."

Obi-Wan relaxed his body to welcome the length of hardness between
his legs, but also to open his mind. He loved and trusted Qui-Gon so
much that it was easy to drop the barriers in his mind to allow his
master to feel the wave of love and desire he felt for him. And at
the same time, Qui-Gon was dropping his shields, and pouring forth
his love and desire for Obi-Wan.

Obi-Wan now realized that these were the feelings hiding behind his
master's shields. The shields he could not breech when he had
been given the gift of his master's feelings on his 19th Naming
Day. He had felt so incomplete, so empty after that sharing and it
had shamed him that his master's pride and devotion had not been
enough. But now he could drown in wave after wave of the love and
desire Qui-Gon felt for him.

Now the Force, their feelings, and their bodies were joined and
working to create a complete coupling. At this point, if either of
them had been at all unsure, one of the three joining factors would
have rejected this union, forcing their bodies apart. But instead
they began to move deeply together. Rocking into each other in a need
that only seemed to grow with each thrust.

// Yes... Together... Finally.// Obi-Wan sent through the singing
bond.

// Mine.// Qui-Gon sent, possessively and lovingly thrusting himself
deeper and harder into his padawan, his lover.

// Yours.// Obi-Wan affirmed, pushing back onto that fabulous cock.
It's size filling him completely and bringing him quickly to
orgasm. "Yes, Qui-Gon. Mine!" Obi-Wan cried out as he began
to strain in the first pulses of his climax.

"Yours, Obi-Wan!" Qui-Gon echoed in the shared possession, as
he grunted with each deeper thrust until he joined his love in orgasm.

Qui-Gon could feel Obi-Wan's muscles tightening around him. Feel
the younger man's  warm cum as it mingled with the sweat on their
sliding bodies. Feel his own seed filling and spilling from his
padawan's body. They rocked and moaned, and slowed the thrusting
until nothing of their orgasms were left. And then Qui-Gon let his
body drop onto Obi-Wan's in a long, hard embrace. He was kissing
the younger man's face over and over and over. Repeating his love
for
him again and again and again.

Obi-Wan was giggling now under the attention. He fairly glowed from
the new bond. His mind and body still spinning from the reality of
this most precious joining.

"Master... Is this really happening? I am really here in your
arms? In your bed?"

"Yes, my Obi-Wan. We are really here together. In each
other's arms. In my bed."

"And we really made love?"

Qui-Gon gave a low chuckle now. "Yes, my Obi-Wan. We made love.
Can't you still feel me inside you?" He asked and then
thrusted once
more. Though his cock was now only half its erect-size, it was still
very present inside Obi-Wan.

"Oh, yes. Let's stay this way forever."

"That might interfere with your training."

"You can train me here, Master."

"In this bed?"

"Most definitely. You could train me to do so many things."

Qui-Gon smiled and pressed his lips gently to Obi-Wan's. "Oh,
I will definitely continue some of your training here." And then
he bit Obi-Wan's neck.

"Ouch!" Obi-Wan cried out and pushed Qui-Gon off.

Qui-Gon laid back on the bed. Completely and utterly happy. He let
that happiness run through their bond, and Obi-Wan sighed at the
beauty of it.

"I don't remember you ever being this happy." Obi-Wan
said and cuddled into his master's side.

"That's because I've never been this happy. I owe this
happiness to you, Obi-Wan. And I am haunted no more."

The pair lay sleeping in each other's arms for several hours
until suddenly Obi-Wan shot up in bed.

"I'll be late for class!"

Qui-Gon pulled his young lover back down into his arms. "No
classes today, Padawan. We need to spend time nurturing our new
relationship."

"You're letting me skip class?"

"It's not like you won't make it up."

"Well, I would rather stay here with you."

"Good. Then lay here with me a while."

Obi-Wan fell into Qui-Gon's arms and nuzzled into his body. This
was so amazing. So new. And to think just yesterday he had been
sleeping in his own bed. Nearly broken hearted over the love he
thought he could never have.

"But you do have me now, Obi-Wan."

"You heard that?"

"I felt it. I suspect we will be able to hear and feel a great
more from each other over the next months and years. But we will have
to learn how to balance our private life with our public life."

Obi-Wan groaned. "You mean we won't be able to touch in
public."

"For the most part, no. But there will be occasions when it will
be appropriate for other Jedi to see us together."

"I want everyone to know about us."

"Maybe we could begin with just a few friends?"

Obi-Wan leaned up on an elbow. "That's a great idea. Can we
have some friends over this evening?"

"If you'd like."

They spent that first day together in bed. Cuddling. Talking. Making
love. Sleeping. Making love. Eating. Talking. Making love. It was a
lazy, hazy day in the heated arms of new love. And it was the
perfect, rare indulgence for two Jedi so completely devoted to each
other.

Between all their love making, they had found time to send messages
to their closest friends. Asking them to join them that evening for a
celebration of their love.

That evening, Bant and her master were the first to arrive. "Oh,
Obi-Wan. I just can't believe it. Your dream has come true."
Her gills were flapping in delight.

"Thank you, Bant. I'm very happy."

She bowed to Qui-Gon. "Master Jinn, thank you for making Obi-Wan
happy."

"My pleasure, Padawan." He said and tugged on Obi-Wan's
braid.

"Maybe now he'll stop staring longingly at the masters'
table at dinner." She giggled.

"Bant!" Obi-Wan protested and nudged her.

"Then I guess I'll have to stop staring longingly at the
padawan's table." Qui-Gon joked in return.

"Master!" The young man grinned, actually a little giddy from
the wonderful feeling of being able to finally share his love for Qui-
Gon.

Within an hour their quarters were filled with a dozen close friends.
The common area and balcony were abuzz with conversation, laughter
and good cheer. Central in this celebration was Citra Lanteen—Qui-
Gon's dear friend, and Obi-Wan's healer.

"Thank you, Master Lanteen." Obi-Wan said, and leaned in and
kissed her cheek.

"Yes, thank you, Citra." Qui-Gon said and kissed the other
cheek.

The healer blushed at the attention. "You boys just needed a
little encouragement. Jedi are sometimes too stubborn for their own
good."

"I couldn't agree more." The voice came from across the
room.

The three looked to the door and to their dismay saw B'Lar Topar
standing there.

"No." Obi-Wan said in a near whimper.

Qui-Gon stepped forward with a growl, but both Obi-Wan and Citra
grabbed him by an arm.

"What are you doing here?" Qui-Gon asked, his aversion to the
padawan apparent.

"I wanted to see Obi-Wan... happy." B'Lar's voice was
timid, but steady.

"His happiness is not your concern." Qui-Gon said in a
commanding tone.

The young, dark haired man nearly shrank from the Jedi Master's
words, but he was determined to speak with Obi-Wan. He took a shy
step forward. "Please, Obi-Wan, let me tell you how sorry I
am."

Obi-Wan felt extremely uncomfortable seeing B'Lar here. In his
home. On the night of his celebration with Qui-Gon. His Master's
muscles were tight under his hand, and he knew that if he released
his grip, Qui-Gon would stomp across the room and physically toss
B'Lar into the hall.

He squeezed Qui-Gon's forearm, and spoke softly to his love.
"Master, let me handle this."

Qui-Gon looked down into Obi-Wan's sensual blue-green eyes. How
could he refuse this young man anything? "All right. But I'm
right here."

Obi-Wan nodded and took a few steps forward. By now every pair of
eyes in the room was focused on the scene transpiring before them.
All were aware of the two padawans brief affair, but only a few knew
the reason for their very public break-up.

The two young men stood just out of arms reach from each other.
"You shouldn't be here." Obi-Wan said.

"I know. But when I heard you were finally with Master Jinn I had
to tell you how happy I am... really happy for you, Obi-Wan. It's
what you wanted."

Obi-Wan's face was like stone. He didn't want to hear
congratulations from the man who had raped him while telling him he
could pretend it  was Qui-Gon fucking him.

His master must have sensed his roiling emotions and moved to stand
behind him. Hands on his young lover's shoulders.

"I brought this for you... for both of you." B'Lar said
and held out his hand displaying a small disk. "It's a
recording of our performance."

Obi-Wan shook his head. "I don't want it."

"Please, Obi-Wan. I know that poem has great meaning for you...
and I wrote the music just for you. Please take it and know that in
my heart I am truly sorry for what I did."

He left his hand dangling in the air until finally Obi-Wan reached
out and took the disk. Careful not to touch B'Lar.

"Thank you." B'Lar said, bowed and then left.

Obi-Wan immediately turned and was embraced by Qui-Gon. He buried his
face in his master's chest and took a deep, centering breath.
Qui-Gon stroked his padawan's spiky hair and murmured quietly.
"It's all right, Obi-Wan. He can't hurt you anymore. No
more ghosts, love."

The younger man swallowed and pulled back just enough to look up into
those beautiful blue eyes. "I love you, Qui-Gon."

"And I love you, my Obi-Wan."



End.

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