CHAPTER 2: SNAPSHOTS

'Meet me on the battlefield

Even on the darkest night

I will be your sword and shield,

Your camouflage and you will be mine'

- Battlefield, SVRCINA

#1

When Obi-Wan had accepted his first ever mission, he had not expected to be away from the Temple, away from Qui-Gon, for closer to six months.

The only thing that had kept him sane, when he had been alone in the field, travelling to different planets and overseeing diplomatic events, had been the constant presence of Qui-Gon and, to a lesser extent, Anakin, in the back of his mind. To say he was surprised to feel Anakin was an understatement. It appeared as though, when Qui-Gon had forged a Master-Apprentice bond with Anakin, when Anakin had been initiated as the Padawan, Obi-Wan had been able to feel the echo of their bond through the brightness that was Qui-Gon.

Since then, Obi-Wan had always made sure that he talked to Anakin too, during his regular holo-calls to Qui-Gon. Truth be told, Obi-Wan felt guilty for the way he had dismissed the boy in the beginning. But, after getting to know the young Skywalker, Obi-Wan was glad that his Master had been firm in his decision to train Anakin.

The reason he had been called back to the Temple, to Coruscant, was mainly due to Qui-Gon verbally flaying the Council for their carelessness and blindness in not noticing just how much Obi-Wan had been exhausted. Not that Obi-Wan knew anything about that particular encounter. It was not like Anakin had told the entire story in hushed tones, awe clear in his voice.

It was legendary, when Obi-Wan had been a Padawan, how protective Qui-Gon had been over him and vice versa. It wasn't much of a surprise to see that the protectiveness had not lessened in intensity even when Obi-Wan had become a reputable Knight and had earned the title of Sith Killer.

Upon landing, Obi-Wan barely held himself upright and managed to shuffle over to the quarters he had once shared with Qui-Gon. He knew that he had separate quarters assigned to him, as is customary for all Knights. But in that moment, when exhaustion was drugging him, and Qui-Gon's presence that glowed like a homing beacon was the only thing that helped him to keep stepping forward, all he could feel was the need to go home. And the only place that he would consider home was with Qui-Gon.

A stray thought reminded him that he had to report to the Council. For once though, Obi-Wan decided that the Council can wait.

Entering the quarters (Qui-Gon did not remove his access!), he abstractly noted that the quarters was empty. Anakin was probably in classes while Qui-Gon was probably giving Master Windu a headache (he had no idea how true his guess was). The only thing he was focussed on, at that moment, was the feeling of belonging that swamped him.

With his eyes closed, relying on the Force, he managed to get himself into a bed. He feel asleep to the feeling of his Master's Force presence wrapping him in an embrace.

He did not wake up even when Anakin's laughter and excited chatter filled the quarter. He did not wake up as large, gentle hands rearranged him on the bed so that he would be more comfortable. He did not stir as loose hair was brushed from his face and a warm kiss was placed on his forehead. He slumbered on as he was brought into a careful embrace, strong arms wrapping around his waist, one hand holding onto his.

The words, 'Sleep well, dear heart. You are home,' drifted through his mind before dispersing, leaving behind only a content glow.

#2

The silence that pervaded through the room was neither heavy nor awkward, though it was filled with a different kind of tension. Obi-Wan felt as though time itself was suspended in that room, the only sounds being the soft breathing of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon and the soft rustle of their clothing every time they moved.

When Obi-Wan had unwound his Padawan braid from his hair, keeping his eyes on his former Master, Qui-Gon had been struck silent. He understood, from the way their bond pulsed between them, the seemingly unreasonable wish of Obi-Wan for the braid to be cut only by his Master. And if he was honest with himself, Qui-Gon knew that he wouldn't have it any other way either.

So, there they were, carrying out a long overdue ceremony in the privacy of their quarters, in the presence of only each other (Anakin was already in his classes).

Obi-Wan felt a shiver travel through him as he knelt in the middle of the room, Qui-Gon's warm presence washing over him. The traditional words of the Knighting ceremony rippled across the room and before he knew it, a soft snick sounded, signifying the final step in becoming a Knight.

Opening his eyes, Obi-Wan saw Qui-Gon holding out the braid, cradled in his palms as though it was something precious. Obi-Wan reached out and without further ado, closed Qui-Gon's fingers over the braid and gently pushed it towards him.

Something bright and pure flashed across his former Master's eyes before pride filled in, and a smile lifted his lips, causing his eyes to crinkle.

A rough, warm hand cupped his cheek and brought him to his feet. The hand tilted his face up and a kiss was pressed to his forehead, his cheeks and finally, finally, to his welcoming lips that parted immediately. Affection, pride and oh so much love flowed through the bond and filled Obi-Wan.

"You are my heart, dear one," said Qui-Gon, kissing Obi-Wan's closed eyelids and resting his forehead upon Obi-Wan's.

"Just as you are mine, Qui-Gon," said Obi-Wan, his words ringing with everything he did not let himself show all these years.

#3

It had been a usual diplomatic mission that required a Jedi to oversee the negotiations. It had been a good place to introduce Anakin to the the ways of the Jedi.

There was not supposed to be a rebellion that threatened to overthrow the current government. And more than that, there definitely should not have been an explosion right when Qui-Gon and Anakin were taking the diplomats to safety.

All over, Qui-Gon should never have gotten hurt on that mission.

Obi-Wan stayed till his own mission was under control and left the remaining in the capable hands of his partner and took a shuttle to the Temple.

When he first felt Qui-Gon losing consciousness, and Anakin's panic and fear overflowing their bond, it was all Obi-Wan could do to not abandon his mission then and there. In the end, he sent waves and waves of soothing calm over to Anakin and called the Temple to alert them about the situation. Obi-Wan knew there would be questions about how exactly Obi-Wan was aware of what had happened, but at that moment, he did not care.

When Obi-Wan walked into the Infirmary, he had to catch hold of Anakin the next second as he latched onto Obi-Wan. After consoling Anakin that no, Qui-Gon was not going to die and yes, Anakin, I promise, Obi-Wan sent him back to their quarters knowing that Anakin needed to rest (and holo-call his Mother on Tattooine. It was by pure coincidence that Obi-Wan had left the Galactic Code for communication to Tattooine where Anakin could see. And Qui-Gon was definitely not looking away everytime Anakin made a call to his Mother. Of course not. After all, attachments were forbidden).

After making sure that Qui-Gon was going to be fine, Obi-Wan walked out of the Infirmary with one destination in his mind, Qui-Gon's amusement simmering at the back.

The worst part, the Council reflected later on, was that Obi-Wan never once raised his voice or lost control of his emotions. He laid out, in perfect order and detail, what exactly the Council had done wrong when assigning their mission to Qui-Gon. It did not appear to be anything but a general report and yet, at the end of the impromptu meeting, Obi-Wan walked away, his mouth in a tight line, satisfaction and mirth flowing from Qui-Gon, while the Council felt as though they were verbally ripped into.

"I see what you meant by Obi-Wan having a talent for diplomacy," said Mace Windu, glancing at Yoda.

Yoda merely cackled.

#4

"Broken was it, your Master-Padawan bond, hm?"

A dry side glance.

"I will not believe that the Grand Master did not know anything about it, Master Yoda."

"Taught you well, Qui-Gon did, hm."

A smirk, carefully hidden.

"Yes. Yes, he did."

#5

BONUS (CRACK)

Anakin was running, his hands full of datapads. By the Force, he was late!

Keeping his eyes on the datapads in his arms, he dodged the people around him by instinct.

Coming across an empty connector bridge, one of the many that was suspended over Coruscant, miles above ground, he put on extra speed. He really did not want extra work to be assigned to him.

Unfortunately for him, he stumbled and crashed into something, some of his datapads falling down. He hurriedly picked them up and glanced around frowning. The bridge was empty.

He chalked the faint 'ANAKIN!' that he heard up to his imagination and went on his way.

Fortunately for the Galaxy, Anakin did not see the hooded figure that had fallen over the railings when he had, accidentally, stumbled into it. Nor did he notice the lightning that shot out of the figure's hands, before meeting the ground, intimately.

Later on in the evening, there were news reports of the Chancellor Palpatine's tragic death and candle lit mourning by people across the galaxy for their beloved Chancellor.

What a pity.

A/N: It's amazing how the story gets a mind of it's own and drags the writer around instead of the other way round. All I can say is this was definitely not the idea that I had in mind when I decided to write an ObiQui fic.

Oh well.

Thanks for reading and let me know if there are any mistakes.