Need Chapter VII
by Esmeralda
Qui-Gon felt his anxiety lift a little as he watched Obi-Wan pack - enjoying the young man's soft laughter. After their early morning love- making Obi-Wan had become subdued. He had returned from his shower to find his Padawan still stretched out upon the bed, looking pale and tired. When the young man had declined to accompany him to sort out a ship, he had begun to worry that Obi-Wan was already having second thoughts about their trip.
He had expressed his concerns to Master Yoda who had reminded him, not unkindly, that Obi-Wan was still very young, and that the young sometimes needed others to guide them. The ancient Jedi added that even if Obi-Wan didn't *want* to go on this trip, Qui-Gon - as the boy's Master, should know if it was the right thing to do. Qui-Gon was not happy at the thought of forcing his Bond mate, but at the same time he recognized the validity of Master Yoda's advice. He was still Obi-Wan's Master and as such was bound, on occasion, to make his Padawan undertake tasks which the young man was objectionable to.
Qui-Gon could recall several occasions when Obi-Wan had been less than pleased at his instructions - Jhu'khana meditation exercises immediately came to mind. Traditionally they required three days of sitting in complete silence - not an easy task for a talkative, energetic fourteen year old.
After some deliberation Qui-Gon decided, still with some slight misgivings, that even if Obi-Wan did suddenly announce that he didn't want to go to Altair - he would insist upon it. He didn't relish the thought of dragging a sullen moody Padawan all that way, but if it was for Obi-Wan's own good - then so be it. Nonetheless it was a relief to discover that any drastic action appeared to be unnecessary, since Obi- Wan had apparently undergone another mercurial mood change; the young man now seemed quite content to be preparing for their trip.
Qui-Gon didn't take long to gather his few belongings; he left Obi- Wan to finish packing while he contacted the control tower to request that their ship to be readied for immediate departure. He barely suppressed a sigh as he was told there would be a slight delay...'there was a minor problem - a circuit failure in the ship's navigation panel, but they would contact him as soon as it was repaired'. Qui-Gon thanked the man and, with little else to do, sat down to wait.
He was already beginning to regret his decision to accept this ship. Unfortunately there had been very little choice. With the recent shifts in power there was some disharmony in the Republic, and the Jedi had been sent out to ensure order was maintained. No-one wanted a repeat of the Trade Federation's recent exploits. Nothing too untoward had occurred, mainly the usual grumbling which always accompanied the appointment of a new Supreme Chancellor; but the Jedi Council was wary. The encounter with the Sith had shaken the Order; perhaps, Qui-Gon thought darkly, not such a bad thing - complacency could be dangerous. However with so many Jedi absent available ships were limited - and old; their numbers reduced even further by the engineers decision to service the remaining craft.
As a Jedi Master, Qui-Gon was entitled to take a ship whenever and wherever he chose - without having to give a reason, or log in a destination. His arrival at the hanger, early that morning had caused some consternation - with ships in various states of repair, some scattered in pieces across the hangar deck. Qui-Gon hoped he had hidden his dismay; nonetheless great efforts had been made to find him an appropriate craft as quickly as possible.
The ship he had finally been allocated was the last in line to be serviced, and thus still in one piece; it had only recently been in for repairs - hence its current position in the 'overhaul queue.' The Chief engineer assured the Jedi the craft was perfectly spaceworthy, but in any case he would have one of his men give it a thorough check. Evidently that 'thorough check' had uncovered a fault.
He was about to tell Obi-Wan not to hurry, and to brew some spiced tea, when his communicator chirped - their ship was ready and waiting in departure dock 'C.' Gratefully Qui-Gon thanked the engineer, ending the communication just as Obi-Wan re-appeared; he opened his arms in silent invitation and the young man crossed the room and settled in his lap.
Obi-Wan turned his head to nuzzle Qui-Gon's neck. "Trouble?"
Qui-Gon dropped his head back, and closed his eyes. "Hmm...no...no trouble."
"Well are we going then?"
Warm fingers strayed inside his tunic, and Qui-Gon struggled to bring his mind back into focus.
"Go?...Yes, we can go."
"Good." The playful fingers left as Obi-Wan withdrew his hand and jumped lightly to his feet; Qui-Gon stood a little more slowly. He gave one last glance around their quarters, before following his Padawan, as the young man headed for the docking bay.
Chapter VIII
Out of sight and earshot of the engineers Obi-Wan made several disparaging remarks regarding the condition and age of their ship. One earned the Padawan a dark look, as the impudent youth enquired, in an innocent tone, if it was the same ship which had taken Qui-Gon to Altair on his first visit! Qui-Gon gave his Bond mate a swift smack which sent Obi-Wan laughing up the ramp.
Inside the tiny craft things were more than a little cramped, though the ship did at least have reasonably sized sleeping quarters. Qui-Gon left Obi-Wan to organize their things, while he settled himself into the cockpit; he checked the readings thoroughly before flying them smoothly out of the hangar. The bright orange lights of Coruscant soon faded behind them as their ship headed into open space. Once they were clear of the planet's atmosphere and he had steered them through the busy shipping channels, Qui-Gon set the auto-pilot and went back to join Obi-Wan.
Space may be cold, but small ships seldom were and this one was no exception. His Padawan had already shed robe, boots and tunic top, and was laying on the bed - looking hot and flushed. Qui-Gon slipped off his own robe, before sitting on the edge of the bed to remove his boots. He made no attempt to conceal his surprise when Obi-Wan suddenly sat up and slipped past him.
"Where are you going?"
Obi-Wan stood and gave him a puzzled look.
"To fly the ship." The young man said it as though it were obvious.
Qui-Gon's stunned expression quickly shifted into a predatory gleam, as he caught the teasing glint in gray-green eyes. Reaching up he caught hold of his Padawan's braid, coiling the silken strands around his fingers. He tugged gently, drawing Obi-Wan down to kneel between his parted thighs.
"I thought that's what auto-pilot was for..." He continued to twine the braid around his fingers, until his knuckles lightly grazed his lover's cheek
Obi-Wan's eyes widened. "Oh?"
"So a certain young man told me."
His Padawan grinned. "That must be a very intelligent young man."
Qui-Gon shook his head. "He's a brat." As Obi-Wan opened his mouth to object Qui-Gon swooped down - capturing his lover's lips, in a kiss guaranteed to silence any protests.
*Sweet madness* All thought fled as Qui-Gon devoured Obi-Wan's mouth, demanding access to the sensuous heat within. His Padawan responded with equal urgency, hands pulling frantically at Qui-Gon's tunic. Still holding the braid in a tight, almost desperate grip, Qui-Gon laid back onto the bed, gently drawing Obi-Wan with him - until the young man lay on top of him, never once pausing to break their kiss.
He reached down with his free hand to cup the young man's buttock, as Obi-Wan ground his hips against him. He could feel the heat of the youth's arousal through the layers of tunic. Qui-Gon tried to control the pace but his Padawan was equally determined. Finally he was forced to relinquish his hold on the braid, needing both hands to turn them so he now lay on top of Obi-Wan. Eyes alight with green fire burned into him, demanding, pleading. He pulled away just enough to yank off his tunic top - Obi-Wan's shaking hands assisted with his leggings. Qui-Gon lifted himself up a little more, allowing the youth to squirm out of the remainder of his clothing. He barely waited until his Padawan had freed his legs before lowering himself back down, closing his eyes to absorb the overwhelming pleasure of hot flesh against hot flesh.
He felt Obi-Wan reach for him through their Bond link; as their minds touched sensation spiralled, pure incandescent need flared into brilliance, burning away the last lingering embers of restraint. Qui- Gon set the tempo, his body moving rhythmically over Obi-Wan's, as he covered his Padawan's face and throat with fervent kisses. He felt Obi-Wan's hands clawing at his back, urging him closer, faster...Flesh grew slick as the tempo increased, driving them towards their release. As Qui-Gon's tongue trailed fire across the young man's chest, Obi- Wan's hands flew up to seize his face, drawing him into a last deep, desperate kiss. He felt the young man tremble, every muscle tightening, and as Obi-Wan cried out into his mouth he fell blindly into his own shattering release.
He drifted back slowly to discover he was collapsed on top of Obi- Wan, however when he tried to move the young man's limbs entwined around him holding him in place //Hmm...don't move...//
Qui-Gon shifted slightly, drawing a little of his weight off his lover, before complying with his Padawan's wishes. He nuzzled a damp cheek until Obi-Wan turned his face, enabling him to steal a kiss. The young man smiled against his mouth, stroking his tongue over Qui- Gon's lips, deepening the kiss, until Qui-Gon reluctantly drew back. //I love you, but I need to rest a *little*.// Gray-green eyes filled with laughter, even as Obi-Wan's perfect mouth set into a pout.
Qui-Gon moved off his Padawan to lay upon the bed, and this time Obi-Wan made no attempt to restrain him. Instead the young man turned onto his side and settled comfortably into Qui-Gon's embrace.
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