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“In that case, Obi-Wan Kenobi would you do me the honor of becoming
my Padawan?” Qui-Gon asked, surprised by how anxious he felt.
Obi-Wan stared at him blankly and he felt his stomach sink.
Then Obi-Wan beamed.
“Yes!” Obi-Wan yelled, launching himself at Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon caught him with a startled laugh as he was pushed onto his back by the boy’s- by his Padawan’s jubilant momentum.
Qui-Gon pushed himself into a seated position, Obi-Wan in his lap.
“That’s a very enthusiastic response for someone so reluctantly resigned to a new Master,“ Qui-Gon said, smiling and running a hand over red hair.
"Oh, well, um,” Obi-Wan mumbled, turning bright red and burying his face in Qui-Gon’s chest.
Qui-Gon stared down at the top of his head in stunned realization.
“Obi-Wan, do you mean- that is- was I?” Qui-Gon asked.
Obi-Wan nodded without lifting his face from where he’d hidden it. “I-I’m honored,” Qui-Gon breathed, awed by the realization that in another life he’d earned the fierce loyalty he’d seen minutes ago. “But- you thought I wasn’t ready?”
Obi-Wan finally shifted just enough to peer up at Qui-Gon.
“Last time you weren’t,” he said solemnly.
Qui-Gon reflected on this, and everything he had experienced recently, then smiled sadly.
“I think in your other life, your Master was a fool who let a very painful wound fester, instead of lancing and cleaning it as he should have,” he said.
“What changed?” Obi-Wan asked.
“You did, dear one,” Qui-Gon answered, gently running a couple of knuckles down Obi-Wan’s cheek.
Obi-Wan drew in a startled breath and his mouth made a silent ‘Oh’ of surprise.
“Now then, Padawan mine, shall we go inform the Council that they can stop searching for a Master for you?” Qui-Gon asked.
Obi-Wan giggled and nodded, wiping away the last traces of his tears. They got to their feet and hand in hand made their way to the Council chamber.
Obi-Wan entered the chamber several steps behind Qui-Gon, who strode to the center of the room.
“Welcome back, Master Jinn,” Mace greeted him with a flick of his eyes to where Obi-Wan was hovering behind Qui-Gon’s shoulder. “Your mission was successful?”
“Thank you, Masters. Yes it was,” Qui-Gon replied. “The people of Levian II are overjoyed about their entrance into the Republic and the transition is going smoothly.”
“That is good to hear,” Master Piell said. “They need no further involvement from us?”
“That did not seem necessary at this time,” Qui-Gon answered.
“Well done, Master Jinn, the Council thanks you for your service,” Mace said, but before he could continue to a dismissal, Qui-Gon spoke up.
“There is another matter I would like to bring before the Council,” he said, bringing Obi-Wan to stand in front of him and resting his hands on the boy’s shoulders. “I intend to take Obi-Wan Kenobi as my Padawan.”
The Council fell into silence that was finally broken by Yoda.
“Expecting this, we were not,” he said, “but unwelcome it may not be.”
“Master Jinn, you yourself brought up the difficulties that the Master of our young lesson bearer will face,” Plo Koon said. “Are you sure you are prepared for them?”
Qui-Gon looked down and smiled warmly as his eyes met Obi-Wan’s.
“I believe I am very prepared for them, Master Koon,” he answered, causing Obi-Wan to beam.
“And what’s your opinion, Obi-Wan? It’s your apprenticeship being decided and it will undoubtedly affect the way you teach your lesson,” Depa Billaba asked, a wry quirk to her mouth that suggested she suspected the answer.
“I would like very much for Master Qui-Gon to be my Master. And I think he’ll be a lot of help with my lesson,” Obi-Wan said, bouncing on his toes as Qui-Gon squeezed his shoulders.
“You’re going to take him on whether we agree or not, aren’t you?” Mace said, glowering.
“Well, yes,” Qui-Gon answered.
Obi-Wan let loose a giggle and then slapped a hand over his mouth.
“Thought you were unprepared we did,” Yoda said.
“Master, I think it’s safe to say that everyone in this room, and possibly the Temple, thought so,” Qui-Gon said as Obi-Wan nodded firmly, stifling giggles. “But I have done a great deal of meditating recently and find that this is the Will of the Force.”
“Then our blessing, you have,” Yoda said, smiling.
“Thank you Masters,” Qui-Gon said, bowing. “In that case my Padawan and I have a training bond to finish.”
“Go. And may the Force be with you,” Mace said.
“And also with you,” Qui-Gon replied, bowing again before leading Obi-Wan out.