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Must be alive. Still hurts. Can't open my eyes. Feels ... familiar. Alee groaned in the back of her throat. Ruba extract. Hate that stuff.
A cool cloth swept her brow. "Be still, Jedi," Falk's voice floated around Alee. "Yar body be healing. Let it heal. We all be wanting ya to be better." The concern in the words calmed Alee. Falk continued, "Ya be wanting Qa'Gon. Next time ya wake he be here. Ob'Wan just be dragging him off, be making him rest. Ya Jedi be a stubborn lot."
Alee smiled inwardly. Qui-Gon. Here. Intense blue eyes floating beneath a craggy brow filled her inner vision and she slipped into a peaceful sleep.
Qui-Gon sat in front of the salon pod's viewscreen. He hit the replay switch and stared at the message Alee had stored on the recording rod. Her agony-filled words and face knifed through his core and reinforced how close he'd come to losing her. What if, what if, what if ... The thoughts crashed through his mind, paralyzing him. He hit replay again. And again.
As Qui-Gon reached for the switch again, a hand caught his mid-air. He frowned and looked into Obi-Wan's worried features. Obi-Wan shut the monitor off and sat beside his Master, never taking his eyes off him.
"I thought I told you to rest, Master," Obi-Wan chided. "It's been three days."
"I ... tried," replied Qui-Gon.
"She's out of danger, Master. What you're feeling is ... shock. A delayed reaction." Obi-Wan took a breath and continued. "You can't agonize over what-ifs, Master. You need to center yourself. Focus on the Living Force. Focus on the moment." Obi-Wan jerked his head at the blank viewscreen. "That moment is done. Move on to the next."
Qui-Gon considered his Padawan for what seemed an eon. He's right, of course. A smile touched his eyes. "Where did you learn such wisdom, Padawan?"
Obi-Wan's voice was gruff. "From you, of course."
The Padawan stood and folded his arms. "We have work to do, Master. We received a transmission from the Temple. Tahl wants you to get back to her. She seemed very excited."
"Tahl? Excited? She must have uncovered something."
Qui-Gon jumped to his feet and strode toward the door. At the entrance he turned and looked at his Padawan. "Well?" he asked. "What are you waiting for? We have work to do."
Obi-Wan rolled his eyes and followed Qui-Gon to the comm station.
"This is so humiliating, Qui-Gon," Alee grumbled. "I don't see why I can't walk. Mobile repulsor chairs are for invalids."
"That's right," said Qui-Gon, giving her an indulgent look. "And for the next few days, that's what the medical droids say you are."
Alee snorted. "What do med-droids know, anyway?"
"Alee, you know that bionetic hip joint needs time to integrate into your system. You either stay off your feet," he glanced sideways at her and continued, "or you use some more ruba extract to speed up the process."
She narrowed her eyes. "That's no choice at all. You know I'll stay in the chair. You could at least let me feel better by complaining."
"No. But the fact you are complaining tells me you're already feeling better."
Alee grimaced and touched the control pad to wheel the chair around. She sat and looked out the garrison medcenter window to the parade square below. Infuriating man. I don't know what I see in him. She sighed. Who am I kidding? I know exactly what I see - and I can't help wanting it.
Qui-Gon sat beside her and pulled the chair around so they were knee to knee. "I've been waiting somewhat impatiently for you to feel better, Alee."
"The great Jedi Master? Impatient? I find that hard to believe." Alee cringed at her mocking tone. She rubbed her newly healed right elbow absently - four days under the influence of the ruba extract had completely healed the hairline fracture, as well as her ribs.
"Believe it," Qui-Gon replied gently. "I wanted to talk to you before you ran off and got yourself into trouble, but you wouldn't let me."
Alee stared past his shoulder. Here it comes. Let me down gently, please.
"Alee," Qui-Gon's tone pulled her eyes back to his face as he continued, "what do you remember of your time in the cave? When you were trapped?"
"A lot of pain." She closed her eyes. "I remember you touching my mind, comforting me. I, I think I centered on that touch. I think it's what kept me alive. I couldn't get past the pain to reach the Force and you kept bathing me in it. ... It felt like deep space was swallowing me and you ... you pulled me out of the depths." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Thank you."
Qui-Gon took her hand and ran his thumb over her knuckles, and Alee clenched her jaw to ignore the sensations skittering up her arm. "Do you ever wonder about this connection we have Alee?"
She shrugged. "It's a gift from the Force, I suppose. But I don't know why, when we can't..."
"Why can't we?" he interrupted. Alee looked at him blankly. "I saw the message you left on the recording rod." Qui-Gon paused and Alee felt the blood drain from her face. He said, "I'm glad you don't mind the reverence I suffer at being called a 'great Jedi Master', because you are showing me the path to love, as well. Not the love of friends - I have that. We both do. But a love that is painful and heart-rending and frustrating, ecstatic and incredible and passionate."
How can it be? How can he feel those things about me? The same feelings I have for him. But ... but these feelings aren't right.. They don't fit, even if we do. We are both Jedi before we are anything else.
"That's just the problem, don't you see." Alee frowned. "The Jedi Code. There is no emotion, there is peace. There is no passion, there is serenity. I ... you know I am beginning to love you, Qui-Gon. But we are Jedi, first and forever. I would never presume to make you choose."
"I have already chosen," Qui-Gon stated. Alee held her breath as he said, "I choose both."
Alee's mind went blank again. Both? How can that be? Qui-Gon dropped to one knee and leaned forward, his arms on the repulsor chair's armrests. Alee's confused gaze was trapped by the intensity of his blue eyes, as he drew nose to nose with her.
"Think about this, Alee." His voice was soft. "We both know Jedi who have relationships, who marry and have families. Think of the Jedi Council and Ki-Adi-Mundi. It happens all the time. You speak of the Code and seek to follow the letter of the law. But what of the spirit? The Code does not forbid love. It speaks of passion that turns to obsession and evil, not what we are feeling. This passion sprouting in my core is full of light because it is born of love. Look inside, Alee. You know I speak the truth. Trust your instincts. The Living Force is weaving our lives together."
"But ... but ... love is emotion and there is no ..." Could he be right? I want him to be right.
Qui-Gon squeezed her hand. "Emotion that stops you from achieving peace is what the code speaks of. And this growing love I feel gives me no peace right now." Qui-Gon placed a finger on her lip to prevent her interruption. He said, "Only because I want it to be returned. I ache for it to be returned, Alee. A 'yes' from you and my being will be flooded with peace. A 'no' and I will be in tatters. We both will be. And for what?" He paused and searched her face. "I can't read you right now, Alee. I often find it easier to read strangers than those I am closest to. When my heart is involved, I am hesitant, unsure that I might be sensing what I want to sense, not what is real. Talk to me. Tell me what you are thinking."
"I, I'm not sure..." Alee trailed off and closed her eyes, seeking her center of calm. She opened herself to the flow of the Force, wanting to know ... The truth. He speaks the truth. Peace washed away her reservations and she opened her eyes to look at him through a shimmering veil. Tears overflowed and ran down her face unheeded. Qui-Gon wiped at them with the sleeve of his cloak.
"You're crying," he whispered.
Alee sniffed. "I have cried more since I met you than during the whole of my previous 26 years."
"Tears can be cleansing." He smiled and blotted some more away. "Talk to me, Alee."
"Yes."
Qui-Gon froze, his sleeve pressed against her cheek. She felt his searching gaze and returned his look with happiness glimmering in her hazel eyes.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Even though I'm so much older than you?"
"Yes."
"Even though Obi-Wan's training still has to be paramount? Even though it might mean the Council's displeasure?"
"Yes, and yes."
Qui-Gon's eyes softened and his nostrils flared. He lowered his head and their lips brushed tentatively. She felt him hesitate, then he pressed his lips against hers. She welcomed the kiss, opening her senses to him, revelling in the sweetness and tenderness radiating from him. The kiss deepened and their beings melded into one, filling Alee with a completeness she had never thought to feel. Alee sensed his reluctance as he pulled away and rested his forehead against hers. Her hand had somehow found its way to his chest and she felt it heaving beneath her hand, his heart beating a rapid tatoo her own heart matched, beat for beat.
Happiness welled up in Alee. She took his face in her hands and moved it away so she could look at him. Her fingers traced his heavy brow and patrician nose. They feathered over his firm lips and and walked up his bearded jaw to bury themselves in his long hair. She delved into his impossibly blue eyes.
"My own Jedi Master," she whispered.
Alee gently twisted her fingers in his hair and pulled him toward her. As their lips touched again a throat cleared rather loudly. They sighed simultaneously and Alee felt Qui-Gon smile against her mouth. Her eyes sparkled. They pulled apart slowly and turned their heads to see Obi-Wan leaning against the doorjamb, an amused expression on his face.
"The Trium is waiting, Master. I can put them off, if you wish, though it might be a trifle awkward explaining the reason for the delay."
Qui-Gon narrowed his eyes. "How long have you been standing there, Padawan?"
Obi-Wan grinned. "Long enough."
Alee sensed the bond of pleasure shared between the two men, and felt tension she didn't know she'd been experiencing drain away.
"So," said Obi-wan, "did you brief Alee on the latest developments, or were you too, ah , busy?"
"What developments?" Alee asked.
Obi-Wan chuckled.
"I was getting to it, Padawan. But you interrupted." Qui-Gon's face was bland.
"What developments?" Alee repeated.
Qui-Gon kept his eyes on his Padawan and stood up. "We'd better not keep the Trium waiting any longer. How did they react to seeing the contract holo?"
"They were speechless," replied Obi-Wan. "It was a rather nice change."
"Will you two stop ignoring me and tell me what's going on?" Alee asked, her voice rising.
"Don't be too judgemental, Padawan. Their whole world has just turned upside down. We must approach them with compassion. We cannot crush them or nothing substantial and lasting will be achieved here."
"You're asking a great deal, Master." Obi-Wan crossed his arms. "Feeling compassion for those greedy space slugs might even tax your reserves."
"Qui-Gon!" Alee tried to push down her frustration. Qui-Gon stopped and looked down at her with puzzlement creasing his forehead. Alee said, "Stop talking like I'm not here and tell me what has happened these last few days."
A smile touched Qui-Gon's eyes. He planted a quick kiss on her lips. "You're beautiful when you're angry. We'd better go."
Alee rolled her eyes and let Qui-Gon take the manual control pad from her lap and guide her into the hallway.
"You might want to remember that for future reference, Master," Obi-Wan said.
"Remember what, Padawan?" Qui-Gon asked.
"How effectively a little kiss quietens your Jedi Knight," came the reply.
Alee snorted.
The three Jedi met Falk and Sothar outside the garrison gates. Core Eliat Vazgul was with them, sitting with a petulant expression in the back of a processional barge.
"I be glad to see ya looking so good, A'Lee. Ya be almost glowing - and this without the sun's kiss for near a week," Falk exclaimed.
Qui-Gon smiled inwardly when he saw Alee flush. Sothar eyed Alee, then Qui-Gon with a speculative expression. Qui-Gon saw approval flash through the general's eyes.
Sothar turned back to Alee and said, "I'm glad the reports came back that you will suffer no permanent nerve damage, Alee. That boulder pinched your spinal cord for quite some time. You're very lucky, young Jedi lass."
"More than you realize, Sothar," Alee replied softly. Sothar nodded knowingly.
Obi-Wan hustled them all onto the barge and assumed the controls, with Sothar beside him, pointing the way. Falk stood in the center of the repulsor vehicle, arms crossed and biceps bulging, surveying the city with a hint of prideful ownership. Qui-Gon felt a deep sense of satisfaction, as he noticed Agri and Technick mixing on the streets, more than any of the previous times he'd travelled them. However today ends up, the tide has already turned. The healing has begun.
They coasted to a stop in front of the Trium Assembly and were ushered straight into the Hall of Meeting. The three bulky Technick leaders sat in bulky, jewel-encrusted chairs on a dias raised several steps above where Qui-Gon stood, flanked by Sothar and Falk on his left, Alee and Obi-Wan on his right. Core Vazgul stood back and eyed everyone as if they were granules of space dust. No negotiating table, this. Not that such an insignificant advantage will help them. Qui-Gon scanned three closed and haughty faces, noting the Lady Krohly's expression seemed tinged with sadness, as well.
Qui-Gon performed brief introductions for those that did not yet know each other. He sensed Falk's smugness, Obi-Wan's desire to hurry, Alee's curiousity, and Sothar's tension. Something is going on that I'm missing.
Qui-Gon began, "You have had a chance to peruse our proposal, Members of the Trium?"
"Yes," snapped the black-haired Rahtosy. "And it's ludicrous. Only one Technick on the Trium. And you expect us to share power with an Agri - that one, no doubt - as well as a representative from Fondor. Do you take us for fools?"
"The offer is more than fair, Member Rahtosy. The Agrarians are not seeking retribution for past wrongs, but merely a restoration of their former status. The proposal stated the Fondorian position would be a temporary one, until the new government is well established. Thereafter, we suggest the third position alternate between Technick and Agrarian, unless the new Trium comes up with a mutually-agreeable alternative."
Rahtosy narrowed his brown eyes. "You speak with the power of the Republic behind you. We will have little choice but to accept the terms, no doubt."
"You always have a choice, Member Rahtosy." Qui-Gon kept his voice level, despite the irritation nibbling at his resolve. "But if things are not settled today, I imagine the matter will go before the Senate. There are ample grounds."
"I will not sit on such a Trium," interjected the snowy-topped Glashny. "I will retire, while I still may, as of this moment."
Qui-Gon accepted the declaration with a nod and returned his attention to the glowering Rahtosy. Sothar's agitation was growing in his senses. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Alee's wide-eyed gaze bouncing from the general to the Technick and back. Qui-Gon blocked the odd reactions of both Sothar and Alee from his mind and focused on the angry Technick leader.
"I will not work with that, that awled arrogant Agri," Rahtosy blurted.
"I am not suggesting you do," Qui-Gon replied coolly. "I am proposing the Technick position be filled by Lady Member Krohly."
The Lady's dull hazel eyes grew large and color seeped into her pale face. I thought she'd be interested. Qui-Gon shunted aside amusement when Rahtosy sputtered and turned a deep red.
"Why?" the Technick demanded. "Why her? I am the most qualified."
"She is equally capable, Member Rahtosy. And she bears a sensitivity to the situation that you are completely lacking. You would do well to look to your family business for a few years, until you have adjusted to the changes that will come to pass. Perhaps then you can run for office again."
Rahtosy clenched the armrests and glared at the Jedi Master, but said nothing.
Qui-Gon heard Alee softly mutter, "Still so power-hungry and self-centered. The years have taught you nothing, Rahtosy."
Still? What is she talking about?
"And who will be the Fondorian representative, Jedi?" Krohly asked. "I assume you have someone in mind. Core Vazgul, perhaps?"
"Pompous slab of nerf steak," whispered Alee. Qui-Gon shot her a look to silence her.
"No, Lady Krohly. I am putting forth General Sothar's name for that honor." He glanced at the general struggling to hide his surprise. "Sorry I didn't have time to speak to you about this before now, Sothar. I sincerely hope you will accept."
Obi-Wan's approval brushed Qui-Gon's mind. Falk crossed his arms and nodded. Alee radiated gleeful anticipation.
"Perfect," Alee cried. "Absolutely perfect, Qui-Gon."
He looked askance at her. "What do you mean, Alee?"
"That the eldest Rahtosy should finally assume a measure of power on Gandeal, of course. That's why you chose Sothar, isn't it?" Alee asked, her voice guileless.
Qui-Gon shook his head to clear the muzziness fogging his thoughts. He studied Sothar's stoic features, then looked to the gaping Rahtosy. There is a slight resemblance, if you take the age and weight difference into account. He pinned Alee with his eyes.
"How long have you known?" he asked.
"Since we walked into this room. It was so obvious. Especially with their names, and all." Alee shot a small smile at Sothar, who returned it.
Qui-Gon stared at her. Names? What do names have to with it?
Alee raised her eyebrows. "You didn't know? That isn't why you chose Sothar?"
Qui-Gon scowled, then quickly cleared his features. "No, I did not know, but it is most interesting. I decided on Sothar because he is the best man for the job. That, and the fact that a Vazgul cannot hold a position of power on Gandeal. Nor on Fondor, for that matter - not for some time."
Core Vazgul stepped forward, oozing indignation. "What do you mean, Jedi? My father, Coremain Gerand Vazgul is a member of the Ruling Council. Explain yourself before I have you arrested."
Qui-Gon shook his head. "By whom, Core Vazgul? General Sothar, perhaps?"
"You will not get away with ... with ... whatever it is you are trying to get away with," sputtered Vazgul.
"It was your father who did not get away with things." The Fondorian quailed under Qui-Gon's blazing look and stepped back.
Alee laid a hand on Qui-Gon's sleeve. He looked down at her and felt his gaze suddenly cool off with tenderness. She returned a curious stare. "Does this have anything to do with the developments you didn't explain to me this morning?"
Falk interrupted, "If Qa-Gon be not telling you this morning what be happening, why'd ya take so long getting to the barge, A'Lee?"
Alee ignored the question with only a slight pinking of her cheeks. Obi-Wan chuckled quietly.
Qui-Gon cleared his throat. "Yes, Alee, this has everything
to do with those developments."
He pinned Vazgul with another scathing look and continued, "My
friend at the Temple uncovered a definite connection between Coremain
Vazgul and the smuggler, Krail. Credits funnelled into Krail's
operation. Tahl went immediately to Mace Windu, who contacted
the other Fondor Council members. They were surprisingly unsurprised.
They raided the Coremain's offices - he left a sloppy data trail
- and brought him before the Council for questioning. The Coremain
caved under pressure and admitted to instigating this whole Gandeal
situation in hopes of gaining control of the planet and its resources.
The Fondor military was on the verge of mounting a counter-attack,
so his plan may well have worked."
Qui-Gon glanced at Alee, "If it hadn't been for you and your troublesome curiosity, Alee." Alee gave him an innocent look. He returned a half smile and looked at Sothar as he continued, "The Coremain was the one stonewalling the request for your Krail's discharge, Sothar. He wanted an inside man."
"Yes," replied Sothar. "We searched Krail's belongings like you suggested and found the comlink and a tracking device."
Qui-Gon frowned. "The Coremain desperately wanted the Jedi sent by the Republic to fail." He squatted beside Alee and scanned her features. "Sothar told me about your first meeting with Private Krail, Alee. What neither Sothar nor you knew was that Krail very deliberately picked that fight with you. While you were standing over him, he planted a tracking device in the hem of your cloak, which I hunted for and found after Obi-Wan and I discovered monitoring equipment. Coremain Vazgul gathered together an infiltration team of ex-military mercenaries to prevent exactly what you attempted - the uncovering of anything that might end the conflict. You were tracked every step of the way. You never stood a chance." He frowned. "And they almost succeeded."
Alee brushed a stray hair behind Qui-Gon's ear. "They never stood a chance. Not with you and Obi-Wan on their trail." She took a deep breath and smiled. "You have been busy these last few days, haven't you?"
"What about Core Vazgul, Master?" Obi-Wan asked.
Qui-Gon took in the Fondorian's deathly pale features and shell-shocked expression. "Core Vazgul was clueless to his father's schemes." Alee snorted softly and Qui-Gon continued, "The Coremain obviously wanted an easily-manipulated puppet on the throne of Gandeal, and he saw his son as the ideal candidate. He will be immediately returned to Fondor to face the Ruling Council."
Vazgul swallowed hard. Alee's tone one of curiousity edged with concern. "For punishment?"
"I doubt it," Qui-Gon replied. "Being a fool is no crime."
"Pity," muttered Sothar, so low only Qui-Gon heard.
"So," Krohly said, " you have everything neatly wrapped up, Jedi."
Qui-Gon inclined his head. "I prefer it that way, Lady Member Krohly."
"You will be returning to Coruscant then?" she questioned the Jedi Master.
He nodded. "As soon as we can get organized. Providing the Trium members are willing to take up their duties."
Qui-Gon glanced at Sothar, who nodded curtly. Sothar crossed to stand in front of Alee. Before he could speak she grabbed his wrist and pulled him down to brush his cheek with a light kiss.
"Lina would be proud, Sothar," she said with a small smile.
Sothar opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. He stiffened, clicked his heels and nodded, pivoted on his right foot and marched the three steps back to where he'd been standing. Qui-Gon sensed Alee's serenity and brushed her mind with a feather-soft touch. He was rewarded with golden flecks warming her eyes.
Falk stepped around Sothar and slapped Qui-Gon on the back. Qui-Gon winced.
The Agrarian grinned, "This be a good day's work, Qa-Gon. Ya Jedi be a strange lot, but this Agri be glad to call ya friends."
"We're strange?" Obi-Wan was incredulous. "At least we don't shoot people when we first meet them. People that are only there to help us, no less."
Falk ran his fingers through white-blond hair. "I already be telling Qa-Gon sorry, Ob-Wan. What more be ya wanting?" He turned hastily to Alee. "I be glad yar life be spared, A'Lee. What ya did cannot be repaid. I can only be thanking ya."
"To be able to offer help is my thanks, Falk."
The Agrarian nodded. "I know. Ya be a Jedi. Helping be what ya do." He scowled. "But I told ya, curiosity be getting ya into trouble. Next time be not so curious, Jedi."
Qui-Gon and Alee's smiling eyes met over the Agrarian's shoulder. She looked back at the Agrarian with fondness in her gaze. "But I'm a Jedi, Falk. Being curious is part of what I do."
"I can't even walk into a room for fear I will be interrupting one thing or another," Obi-Wan sighed with an exaggerated tone of long-suffering.
Alee scowled at him. "Qui-Gon is taking this ridiculous nest of braids out of my hair, Obi-Wan. I would hardly call that compromising. You could always help..."
"No," Qui-Gon broke in. "I prefer to finish on my own. Sit, Obi-Wan." Such a tease, Alee.
Obi-Wan retrieved three cups of steaming caf from the food processor station and sat at the salon pod's table, watching Qui-Gon standing behind Alee's repulsor chair, intently undoing each tiny tightly-woven braid. Alee closed her eyes and relaxed as Qui-Gon massaged her scalp with each portion of hair that was freed. His long fingers ran through loose auburn strands. If the Force had a physical aspect, it would be silky - like this.
The three Jedi enjoyed a comfortable silence. Qui-Gon finished his task and whispered, "Leave it loose," as he sat down and reached for his caf.
"I've been curious about something," Alee said as she twisted a strand of hair around her finger.
"Terrible Jedi trait, that," Qui-Gon teased.
"Be getting you into all sorts of trouble," Obi-Wan added.
Alee shook her head indulgently, then looked at Qui-Gon. "Do you watch a lot of old holovids in your spare time?"
Qui-Gon raised a brow. "What spare time?" He paused and a twinkle lit his eyes. "And why would I waste it watching holovids? You aren't a big fan of them are you? I don't think I could be involved with someone who stays up all night watching old holovids."
Alee crossed her arms. "I suppose you are a little old for that sort of thing."
Qui-Gon shot her a mock scowl.
"You won't win, Master," Obi-Wan said. "Just ask her what she means and be done with it."
He has been right an awful lot lately. "Please enlighten us, Alee," Qui-Gon said. He gave her a half smile.
"Well," Alee paused. "That whole scene in the meeting hall. Gather all the suspects. Reveal everyone's secrets. Wring a confession from the hapless culprit. Very melodramatic. Very ... flat-screen holovid."
"She has a point, Master." Obi-Wan chuckled.
"So I like to wrap thing ups," Qui-Gon stated somewhat defensively. "Besides, I didn't even know everyone's secrets - at least, not Sothar's." He paused and eyed Alee. "As for confessions ... do you have something to confess, Alee?"
She smiled, licked her lips and leaned toward him. "I would confess to anything you want - if you ask the question the right way ..."
Obi-Wan spit out a mouthful of caf and turned red.
"Stop tormenting him, Alee," Qui-Gon chided. He looked at her mouth. And me.
"Sorry, Obi-Wan. You really must try not to read things into every little thing I say." Alee kept her face straight.
"You do us an apology, you know," said Obi-Wan, wiping his chin with his sleeve. "A real one."
"What for?" Her tone was curious.
"You had no business running off without telling us where you were going and what you were looking for," Obi-Wan stated. "You were completely out of line."
Alee's reply was cool. "I answer to the Council, Obi-wan. Not you."
"Oh, I'm sure you'll answer for it , all right. But I don't see why we should have to be held responsible for your recklessness."
Qui-Gon drummed his fingers on the table. Bad choice of words, Padawan.
Alee frowned. "Recklessness? What I did saved the Agris from servitude."
"And if we'd been with you, you wouldn't be sitting in a repulsor chair with a bionetic hip right now."
"You don't know that. Besides, I work best alone." Alee crossed her arms.
"And you would have died alone. I think you have to work alone. No one wants to go on a mission and have to depend on someone who is so stubborn and ... and thickheaded," Obi-Wan stuck his chin out.
Alee started to rise from the chair. "Me thickheaded? I don't know how Qui-Gon puts up with..."
Qui-Gon pushed her back down in the chair and trapped her there with a long kiss. When he pulled away her eyes were wide.
"You, you..." she sputtered, "you're taking his side. Aren't you?"
He brushed his nose against the tip of hers. "No. I'm shutting you up."
Obi-Wan chuckled.
Alee's eyes narrowed, then softened. "You are despicable."
"So you say," Qui-Gon replied, as their lips met
again.
