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"You're a hard man to track down today," Mace Windu
commented as he sat down on a rock.
"Oh?" Qui-Gon arched a brow. "I've been in the
same spot for most of the afternoon."
"Yes. Tucked away in one of the most remote corners of the room," Mace replied.
Qui-Gon had to admit the Room of a Thousand Fountains was quite large, and easy to disappear into. But he'd wanted some quiet. The noise of water rushing and falling and bubbling and trickling should have been deafening, but the sounds seemed to float straight up, making each bench and rock and grotto a haven of peace. The room was a favorite meditation spot of Yoda's, and Qui-Gon could certainly understand why.
Qui-Gon had ensconced himself on a flat rock that was overarched with immense leafy fronds, and sat, right knee comfortably propping up his right arm. A brook danced past his feet, inviting him to dangle his toes in the water. Alee would do it. If she were here, I might join her. Qui-Gon smiled to himself.
The tall Jedi Master caught his dark friend looking oddly at him. Qui-Gon looked away, content to wait for Mace to speak.
After long moments, Mace said, "I wanted to discuss the mission to Gandeal with you."
"I thought you might," Qui-Gon replied.
"So that's why you're hiding?"
"I am not hiding." Qui-Gon was indignant. "I'm ... reflecting."
"I'd like to do that myself some days," Mace said dryly. "Where is Obi-Wan?"
"The library. Doing some research for our next mission."
"You don't sound too pleased about it," Mace noted.
"It would have been nice to be able to catch my breath," Qui-Gon said. "We hadn't even stepped off the cruiser's boarding ramp when you hauled us off to a briefing."
"That's never bothered you before."
Qui-Gon squinted his eyes and looked away. "Must be getting old, I guess."
Mace rubbed his chin thoughtfully. After a minute he said, "I went over the reports."
Qui-Gon waited for him to continue.
"Three points of view on the same mission always offer interesting variances," Mace said.
Qui-Gon stayed silent.
"Odd that wasn't the case this time." Mace searched Qui-Gon's impassive face, then continued, "All three reports seemed to gloss over the same facts and make light of the same incidents. It makes me wonder what wasn't said. I sense an unusual undercurrent."
"The mission is complete," replied Qui-Gon. "The senator from Fondor is happy. What is there to wonder about?"
"The undercurrent, my friend." Mace studied Qui-Gon's profile. "Though I sense it has little to do with the mission itself."
Qui-Gon's gaze bounced off probing black eyes. He spoke quietly, "Some things really aren't the Council's concern."
Mace laid a hand on Qui-Gon's shoulder. "The reports are filed. The Council is satisfied. I'm here as your friend, Qui-Gon." He paused. "Tell me about this connection between you and Alee."
"What connection would that be?" Qui-Gon studied the brook.
"Oh, there's more than one?" Mace asked. "I'm thinking of the one that all three of you barely acknowledged existed. The one that allowed you to know Alee needed help. The one that led you to her like a proton torpedo locked on to a target."
"The one that's almost impossible to explain," Qui-Gon added softly, picking up a twig and twirling it between his fingers.
"Yes. That one."
Qui-Gon sighed. "The Force has woven us together with a bond that is almost like Master and Padawan, but different."
"Deeper," Mace said.
"In ways."
"It doesn't sound like a bond of friendship," Mace said.
"We are friends, but more," Qui-Gon replied.
"More?" Mace prodded.
"Much more." Qui-Gon felt peace welling up. "It has been the most perplexing, most frustrating, most incredible experience."
Air whistled between Mace's teeth. He stated, "You're in love."
"I'm too old to be in love," Qui-Gon scoffed and threw the twig in the water.
"But not too old to love, apparently."
"You are only too old for that when you are dead," Qui-Gon said. "Perhaps not even then."
Mace stared at his bearded friend with a bemused expression. 'You are in a bad way. This could make things awkward," he mused, stroking his jaw.
"Awkward, how?" Qui-Gon scanned his friend's ebony features.
"The Council might not be too happy," Mace explained.
"Since when does the Council interfere in the private affairs of the Jedi?" Qui-Gon felt his defenses rising. Calm down. Mace is your friend.
"You are currently training a Padawan. That obligation must be discharged," Mace pointed out.
"I am well aware of that fact. Mace. Agonizing over it almost made me pass by a precious gift." Qui-Gon closed his eyes. "Alee and I are content to pursue our relationship slowly, when we are both in Coruscant, or on leave. Obi-Wan's training will not suffer."
"And how does Obi-Wan feel about all this?" Mace asked.
Qui-Gon's blue gaze locked with Mace's black one. "If not for Obi-Wan's wisdom, I might well have let Alee walk out of my life. He encouraged me to trust my instincts. The Force brought Alee into my life, Mace. I will not give her up. Not even if the Council demands it."
Mace threw up his hands in mock surrender. "Truce, my friend."
Qui-Gon let his breath out slowly. "I'm sorry, Mace. I've thought about this a lot. I guess I'm a trifle touchy about it."
Mace's tone was laced with amusement. "A trifle?"
Qui-Gon shrugged.
"Don't worry, my friend," Mace said. "The Council may have to know, but there is no reason for us to become involved if it doesn't effect your ability to discharge your duties. At least, that will be my recommendation."
"Thank you. I really don't like tangling with the Council," Qui-Gon said.
"But you do it so well," Mace noted.
Qui-Gon snorted softly. "Practice, my friend. Practice."
The brook took over the conversation, laughing and bubbling, teasing pebbles then fleeing out of reach. Qui-Gon watched a leaf flip-flop through the gentle current, and thought how recently he had been like that leaf, his thoughts beset by turmoil and indecision. But the Force had brought him to calmer waters, deeper and more satisfying. He would plumb the depths of those waters for a very long time and still never reach the bottom. Like dipping into the Force itself. Endless. Unfathomable. Mysterious. But wasn't that the essence of the Force? Light - and love.
Mace chuckled. Qui-Gon's eyes shot to his face.
"Of all the trouble I thought Alee might spark on this mission, this was one thing I never even remotely considered. I would have laughed in your face if you had suggested it." Obsidian eyes flashed. "She must be all you claimed."
"Some days, she is all you claimed."
Mace's face turned thoughtful. "What did I say? Oh, yes. Stubborn and reckless and..."
"Young. Don't forget, young," Qui-Gon said.
Mace stroked his jaw. "She is that. You're almost old enough to be her father."
"Thanks for reminding me."
"Is it a problem?"
"She says not. She says the Force keeps me young. I can't help but worry her feelings might change as I get older."
"Well, she'll get older, too, won't she? Do what you are best at, Qui-Gon. Keep your thoughts out of the future. Focus on the moment," Mace said.
"Yes. The moment." Qui-Gon frowned and shifted positions.
"Where is Alee? Right now?"
"This moment? Healers and medical droids are going over her with a micro-tipped examining rod, I'm sure." Qui-Gon suppressed a shudder. "I almost feel sorry for the healers. Alee is only a marginally better patient than I am."
Mace slapped him on the back. "Sounds like you are two of a kind."
"Yes. We are a good fit." But two? No, I think the Force is melding us into one.
Mace stood up and brushed off his cloak. He picked off a leaf and flicked it into the water, then glanced askance at the tall Jedi resting his arms on his knees and staring into the water.
"Any chance you would fill me in on the details of your little, ah, side trip to Nekton IV? You know, the ... concubine thing." His expression was quizzical.
"Not a chance," Qui-Gon said grimly.
"Maybe Alee or Obi-Wan will talk..."
"Stay away from them, Mace," Qui-Gon warned.
"I will get to the bottom of this, Qui-Gon. It's just too good to pass up," Mace said.
"And you will take great pleasure in reminding me of it at every opportunity," stated Qui-Gon.
"Of course." Mace gave him a small smile and turned to go.
Qui-Gon sighed. "Some things never change."
