Title: Promises

Author: Nicole D'Annais (ndannais@fbi-agent.com)

Author's Page: http://adult.dencity.com/ndannais/

Pairing: None really, possible pre-slash Q/O I suppose

Rating: G

Category: I don't think there's a category for this. JA oriented, pre-slash, sort of POV

Spoilers: DON'T READ THIS IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED FOR JA#8! It takes place near the very end of that book. It's just a short vignette in response to something that happened in the story. If you want more of a summary before you read, email me.

Archive: Master and Apprentice--anyone else ask please

Summary: A reaction to a scene at the end of JA#8.

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone, much less these fine characters--although I own a couple of action figures of them, does that count? Probably not. Oh well, I refuse to make any money off them in any event, so please don't sue me. Jude Watson owns this version of the characters, though I suppose GL is the man with the true claim to them. But it's JW you have to think for this story idea.

Notes: Huge thank yous to Marnee and Kristi for the quick betas in the middle of the work day!! This story had been bugging me since I read JA#8, but it finally decided to write itself late last night, and I couldn't have gotten it out this quickly without them.
-------------------------------

Obi-Wan stared at the dark pool, watching with both horror and fascination as the black cloak slowly disintigrated into nothing. Suppressing a shiver, he turned to the others. Andra and Den stood a few feet away, unable to really see the grusome death last of the fading sunlight; however, Andra had seen the pool's effects earlier, and from her pale face and wide eyes, Obi-Wan thought she had a good idea exactly what had happened.

Neither Telosian moved as Obi-Wan turned to Qui-Gon. The Jedi Master was still standing over the pool, lightsaber glowing in the hand that hung limply by his side. Obi-Wan moved to stand beside him, reaching down gently to push the power button on the weapon. The sudden darkness seemed to wake Qui-Gon, who turned to look at Obi-Wan wordlessly.

"We'll be outside when you're ready," Andra said. Obi-Wan nodded, but his eyes never left Qui-Gon's face as the footsteps of their allies faded into the distance.

It was clear Qui-Gon was in shock. Obi-Wan searched desperately for something to say, but everything he thought of seemed so inappropriate. Then he remembered Andra's pain earlier in the day. *Acknowledge the loss and give him something to focus on.* "I'm sorry, Qui-Gon." The older man nodded absently, eyes shifting to the ground. "We need to get back to Thani. The people are hurt and confused--we may be needed."

The reminder of duty got more of a reaction out of the Master. "Yes, of course."

They turned away from the pool and made their way to the park entrance in silence, neither of them speaking until they approached Andra and Den. Andra glanced at each of them briefly, then asked, "Where are your swoops?"

"We left them by the crack in the wall," Obi-Wan answered, jerking a thumb over his shoulder in the direction of the secret entrance. "Go on, we'll catch up with you."

She nodded, then they both sped off toward Thani. The two Jedi headed the opposite way to pick up their transportation. Obi-Wan wanted to say something to make Qui-Gon feel better, but he couldn't find the words, so he stayed silent.

"What was it that kept you so long before?"

The sudden question startled him. "When?"

"When you and Andra came out here to gather evidence. You said you had one more thing to take care of."

"Oh. That." He couldn't lie, no matter how much he didn't want to tell the truth right now. "We lost our transports. We had to find another way back to town."

He felt Qui-Gon's sudden spike of fear and his anger at himself for having put Obi-Wan into that situation. Obi-Wan knew Qui-Gon didn't question his abilities. He'd felt the Master's quiet confidence as they'd chased and fought Xanatos. Never once had Qui-Gon doubted that Obi-Wan would be up to the challenge. It was Qui-Gon's lack of trust in his own abilities that troubled him now. And nothing Obi-Wan could say would fix that. But he could offer a distraction.

"Did you know you saved my life a few years ago?"

Qui-Gon blinked at him. "I would have remembered that, I think."

The boy smiled. "You didn't see me. About three years ago, you caught some initiates jumping into the fountain in the main Temple gardens. You yelled so loud that I heard you outside the door and knew not to join them."

Qui-Gon raised an eyebrow at Obi-Wan's obvious glee over avoiding trouble. "I fail to see how that saved your life."

"I'd already seen Master Yoda twice that week for my 'adventurous nature,'" Obi-Wan answered with a grin. "If he'd seen me again he'd have killed me for sure."

"I doubt he would have actually killed you," Qui-Gon said with a wry smile. "But if you knew you would be in so much trouble, why did you decide to do it?"

Obi-Wan shrugged. "It seemed important to answer the challenge. Bruck dared us--" He stopped as he realized who he was talking about, and the memory of the other boy's death came back to him again.

The Jedi Master stopped and laid his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder. "You did everything you could. Bruck chose his own path; his death is not your fault."

"I know." Obi-Wan met Qui-Gon's eyes. "Just as Xanatos' death was not yours."

The corner of Qui-Gon's mouth quirked up. "I'll promise not to blame myself, if you do the same."

"It's a deal," Obi-Wan agreed with a smile. He knew the feelings of blame would still linger in both of them for some time to come, regardless. But he also knew they would have each other to remind them of their promises.

It was a start.

-----
End