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Qui-Gon Jinn was a man who prided himself on his patience. He embraced the Jedi mindset of staying in the moment and not being distracted by the past or the future. 

Yet in this current moment? He regretted several of his choices. 

His Padawan was smirking, even as he fidgeted with his braid in the nervous tic he was trying to overcome. His charge, the Duchess of Mandalore, was red-faced and screaming at the top of her lungs. 

And the reason for the Duchess’s behavior was the unexpected discovery of the Duchess’s sister. 

“What were you even thinking , Bo?!?” Satine Kryze yelled at her sister. “You could have just shown yourself! Don’t you think I was dying inside, not knowing where you were? But you didn’t have to sneak on board our freighter and nearly die when your compartment was damaged and the air started leaking out !”

Bo-Katan Kryze, who appeared to be a year or so younger than her sister, held her ground against Satine with what appeared to be easily-achieved sangfroid. “I had the breathing apparatus in my helmet. I was fine until I could get out of the compartment.” 

“Because you were lucky!” Satine shrieked. 

“There’s no such thing as luck,” Obi-Wan contributed. 

At the glares from both young women, Obi-Wan shrank slightly. Qui-Gon did not reprimand the Kryze sisters, considering how he was fighting the urge to do the same to his Padawan.

“Ladies,” Qui-Gon interrupted. “Regardless of the circumstances, we need to decide how to proceed from this point.” 

As if she hadn’t just been acting like a Mandalorian shriek-hawk, Satine lifted her chin and faced Qui-Gon. “Bo will come with us.” 

“My mission is only to protect you, Duchess,” Qui-Gon said calmly. “Another person doubles the risk.”

“I can take care of myself,” Bo-Katan snapped. 

Qui-Gon did his best to send out waves of calm reassurance, hoping to soothe the Mandalorians in front of him. “With the addition of Lady Bo-Katan, perhaps we might split into groups of two. Obi-Wan and Bo-Katan could pass as siblings or family members, while your pursuers, Duchess Satine, are looking for a woman and two Jedi.”

“I refuse to be separated from my sister!” Satine said, all but stomping her foot. 

“Me? His sister?” Bo-Katan remarked, pointing at Obi-Wan. “No way. He looks like a wimp.” 

Obi-Wan opened his mouth but quickly shut it at Qui-Gon’s raised eyebrow. 

“Obi-Wan is very capable of defending himself and others,” Qui-Gon said. “However, given your reasonable objections, we should probably stay together for the time being.” 

If only he could tell his old Master how much he appreciated all those diplomacy lessons now . . . for he was drawing upon everything he knew to calm down these teenagers. 

Satine brushed back some hair that had fallen loose during her tirade. “Thank you, Master Qui-Gon.”

“You’re welcome, Duchess,” Qui-Gon replied. “Now, perhaps we might return to our quarters. Lady Bo-Katan, would you be willing to share with your sister?” 

It was easy to see Bo-Katan’s jaw clench, but at a pleading look from her sister, she jerked her head in a nod and then followed Satine towards their cabin. 

Obi-Wan waited for the women to be out of earshot before drawing up beside Qui-Gon. “Well, Master, what are we going to do now?” 

“Maintain the peace, Obi-Wan,” Qui-Gon said. 

At his Padawan’s skeptical look, Qui-Gon had to smile. “There’s a first time for everything, Padawan.”

Being raised as a Jedi, Qui-Gon had little experience with siblings. He supposed his crechemates might be considered as something like brothers or sisters, but on the other hand, their relationships were based on kindness and support. 

Not . . . not what existed between the Duchess and her sister. 

One moment, they would be sniping at each other. It could be Satine arguing in favor of her peaceful philosophy, or Bo-Katan could be doing any of a dozen things that seemed to annoy Satine to distraction. And suddenly, one of them would laugh and the other would join in. 

It was very strange. 

Obi-Wan seemed better able to handle it. But then, Quinlan Vos had been one of his crechemates, so Qui-Gon supposed that made sense. 

He couldn’t deny that having Bo-Katan along was helpful. She was well-trained in tracking and weapons, wielding her blasters effectively. She had been very unwilling to leave her armor behind, but Satine had managed to convince her to go along with Qui-Gon’s mandate. And  having a fourth person helped keep the party balanced, in more ways than one. 

In this moment, Satine and Obi-Wan were gathering brush and wood to use for a fire. Bo-Katan was supposed to be helping him skin the small avians they had trapped earlier in the day, but her hands were still and her mind appeared to be a hundred parsecs away.

“Credit for your thoughts?” Qui-Gon offered as he set aside the last avian. 

Bo-Katan startled, her hand going towards her holster, then stilled. She gave her head a shake, then shifted when she saw he was finished preparing their dinner. 

“Sorry,” she said. 

“It’s quite all right,” Qui-Gon said. “And if there’s anything you want to talk about . . .” 

“I’m fine,” Bo-Katan said quickly, rising to her feet. “Where’s Satine? She should be back by now.” 

It took only a moment to reach out to Obi-Wan. “Satine is fine. She’s with Obi-Wan, on their way back here.” 

“Jetiise,” Bo-Katan said in a low, dark voice. 

“That is what Obi-Wan and I are,” Qui-Gon agreed with a smile. 

“It’s unnatural,” Bo-Katan said, turning to look down at him. “Reading people’s minds, waving your laser swords around . . .”

Qui-Gon stayed in his seated position, looking up at the girl. Because Bo-Katan, at only sixteen, was a girl in his opinion. A girl who was trying to find her place in a world that was changing faster than she was. 

Some people would react to such an occurrence by withdrawing into themselves. Others lashed out. 

“I suppose it is true that what powers the Jedi possess are unnatural,” Qui-Gon acknowledged. “Simply because the Force surrounds all of us everywhere in the galaxy, yet only a few amongst all the billions can make a connection to the Force.”

“It’s not fair,” Bo-Katan said, her lips pursing.

“And is that any different from people who have all the material comforts and those who do not?” Qui-Gon asked mildly. “

Bo-Katan crossed her arms over her chest. “It’s not the same. Inequality can be defeated. But having special magical powers can’t be changed.” 

With a nod, Qui-Gon smiled at her. “Very true.” 

“Argh!” Bo-Katan said, throwing her hands up in the air. “You’re so annoying!”

“You are not the first to tell me that,” Qui-Gon said with a chuckle. “Perhaps you could look at this experience as a chance to learn new skills. Like working with someone you dislike in pursuit of a common goal.”

She lifted her chin, looking eerily like her sister. “I could have kept Satine safe. And no one would have been coming after us.” 

“I don’t disagree with your first statement. But I’m not so sure about your second one,” Qui-Gon said, rising to his feet. “Come, let’s finish preparing dinner.” 

It had been the latest in a string of long days. Qui-Gon laid on the grass, savoring the warmth of the slowly-setting sun. The air around him held the fresh scents of earth and plants and the soft chirps of birds and small creatures.

Of course, such peace could not last. Not with his Padawan and the Duchess within eyeshot of each other. 

“Simply because I carry a weapon does not mean I immediately turn to violence!”

“Simply having a weapon means violence is always a possibility–and that possibility is too dangerous to exist!”

“Without lightsabers, the Jedi Order would have been extinct centuries ago!”

Bo-Katan’s voice sounded tired. “And then I wouldn’t have to listen to this argument for the hundredth time.” 

Qui-Gon let out a quiet chuckle and sat up. “Indeed, Bo-Katan.” He looked at Satine and Obi-Wan, who both looked sheepish yet defiant. “Perhaps we could let the philosophical arguments drop for the rest of the night? We should discuss where we should go next and how to get there.” 

It was very pleasant on this planet, but Qui-Gon had felt a stirring in the Force over the last few days. A subtle warning, urging them to not become too comfortable. 

Obi-Wan gave him a look and Qui-Gon nodded silently before he faced the Kryze sisters. “It would be best if we kept moving, so we don’t become complacent.” 

“Yeah,” Bo-Katan said. “Fine with me.” 

Satine was nibbling on her lower lip, but stopped as soon as Qui-Gon met her eyes. “We’ve put ourselves in your care, Master Jedi. If we need to move on, we move on.” 

And with that, the young woman rose to her feet and walked off into the grasslands. 

Obi-Wan was already half to his feet when Bo-Katan said, “Wait up, Satine.” As the young woman went to join her sister, Qui-Gon saw the hesitation in Obi-Wan before he returned to his seated position. 

“Eager to continue your argument with the Duchess?” Qui-Gon asked his Padawan. 

“No–I mean–that is–” Obi-Wan stuttered before falling silent. 

It hadn’t missed his notice how frequently Obi-Wan and Satine fell into arguments. They seemed to delight in their debates, in fact. Qui-Gon didn’t know that he had ever seen Obi-Wan brighter in the Force than when he was arguing with the young Mandalorian. 

There was a light inside Obi-Wan. Like the one Qui-Gon had seen in the woman he had loved and lost. He mourned Tahl still and he did not regret telling her how he felt for her before her death, even if it was contrary to the Jedi Code. 

But the relationship he had with Tahl was different from what Obi-Wan might have with the Duchess, if Obi-Wan let himself get carried away.

“Obi-Wan, Satine is a young, attractive woman with a fine mind.” 

“I know,” Obi-Wan said, his voice even. Yet Qui-Gon could sense the worry inside him. The struggle between his head and his heart.

Gently, Qui-Gon rested a hand on Obi-Wan’s shoulder. “You are young, too. Sometimes it’s difficult to see the line between companionship and something more. And regardless of how you feel, you must remember that Satine’s protection is our first priority. Followed very closely by protecting her sister.” 

“Bo-Katan would blast me in order to get between Satine and anyone trying to hurt her,” Obi-Wan said. 

The way Obi-Wan said that–glumly but with complete belief in Bo-Katan–made Qui-Gon chuckle. “She would do the same to me or, truly, to anyone.” 

Obi-Wan nodded, then looked at him. “I will meditate on what you’ve said, Master. But I won’t forget myself.” 

“I have no doubt of that, Obi-Wan,” Qui-Gon said fondly. 

The sound of rustling grass made them both look up as the Kryze sisters returned to their campsite. Both their presences held echoes of strongly-held emotion and Satine’s face bore a few tear stains. But both were smiling. 

“All I ask of our next hide-out is the potential for a shower,” Satine said. “Even if we then had to tramp through wilderness, I’d like to feel clean for a little while.” 

Obi-Wan laughed softly, making something spark to life in Satine’s eyes. “I agree, Duchess. I think my hair is going to turn black before this is all over.” 

“Good, people would stop thinking we’re related,” Bo muttered, making all of them laugh. 

“Like this,” Obi-Wan said, demonstrating the first kata of the second lightsaber form to Bo-Katan, holding his lightsaber hilt in his hand. 

With a straight stick, Bo-Katan mimicked his movement. “Wouldn’t you get tired, being so contained like this?” 

“Not at all,” Obi-Wan said. “Makashi is known as the duellist’s form. It allows you to be precise without wasting your power and strength. And because it doesn’t rely on those things, it works for anyone who’s facing a larger, more powerful opponent.” 

He nodded and said, “Again,” and they began the kata again. Their feet threw up clouds of dust which hung in the air, drifting towards Qui-Gon and Satine. 

“Here,” Qui-Gon said, passing the Duchess one of their canteens. 

“Thank you,” she said, taking a small but deep swallow of water. “It’s so dry here.” 

“Yes, but it can be beneficial,” Qui-Gon replied. 

The young ruler looked at him. “Because we can see when someone is coming?” 

“Indeed,” Qui-Gon said with a smile. 

For a few moments, they watched Bo-Katan and Obi-Wan move through the katas. Although both of the Kryze sisters showed a dislike for Jedi weapons, Bo-Katan had grown too curious about the katas Obi-Wan performed by himself. And showing the qualities that would make him an excellent Master someday, Obi-Wan had noticed Bo-Katan’s interest and offered to teach her. 

But Qui-Gon had not missed Satine’s gaze following her sister and Obi-Wan. It made him, however unwillingly, prepare to broach a topic he had hoped to avoid. 

“Your arguments with Obi-Wan have seemed less frequent lately, Satine.” 

From the corner of his eye, he could see Satine press her lips together. “Is that a complaint, Master Jedi?” she asked after a moment, her voice very composed. “I would have thought the lack of such arguments would be a source of relief.” 

“It is not a complaint, merely an observation,” Qui-Gon said. “I am pleased that you and Obi-Wan are getting along.” 

“But?” 

Qui-Gon smiled and turned to face her. “No buts. I respect both you and Obi-Wan too much to pry or to attempt any lectures or ultimatums. I merely wish to be a friend and advisor to you both.” 

One of Satine’s fair eyebrows arched. “And in doing so, you don’t need to pry because you’ve learned everything you want to know.” 

With a shake of his head, Qui-Gon laughed at how he had been outmaneuvered. “You are already a gifted politician, Satine. You will lead your people wisely and well in the coming years.” 

“Let’s hope so,” Satine said, taking another sip from the canteen and handing it back to him. 

Accepting the canteen, Qui-Gon placed it to the side. He hoped that if any change happened in Satine and Obi-Wan’s friendship, they would remember who they were. There was nothing that prohibited sexual relations between a Jedi and a non-Jedi, but he doubted that such an act could ever occur without some measure of attachment forming. His few experiences, even with beings he had not felt any love for, had resulted in stirrings of that emotion during the heat of the moment.

And between his Padawan and the Duchess? Already a bond was forming between them. If they partook of that particular act together . . . he could not see how it could end in anything but sadness. 

But then, Master Yoda always said the future was in motion. Whatever happened would be the will of the Force. So Qui-Gon breathed in and breathed out, before releasing his worries into the Force. 

A string of loud, angry Mando’a words heralded the return of a dripping wet Satine to their campsite. Bo-Katan followed at her heels, chirping back at her sister, while Obi-Wan brought up the rear, looking flushed. 

Qui-Gon watched as the two young women went into their tent, then looked at his Padawan. “Is everything all right, Obi-Wan?” 

“Yes, Master,” he said, meeting Qui-Gon’s eyes for a moment. “Bo . . . Bo just interrupted Satine and myself and made Satine fall into the river.” 

“Ah,” Qui-Gon said slowly.

“We weren’t doing anything and then Bo–” Obi-Wan said quickly, before stopping his words and looking like he wished a hole to open up beneath his feet. 

It would seem that the growing closeness between Obi-Wan and Satine had been noticed by Bo-Katan. And while she had eased up on her taunts towards Obi-Wan, Bo-Katan was not a young woman to stand aside if she thought her sister was making a mistake. 

Qui-Gon felt torn. Because part of him wished to find a way to keep Obi-Wan and Satine separate. To prevent their relationship from developing further, because it could not help but end someday soon. It had been nine months since Satine and Bo-Katan had come under their protection and in that time, the situation on Mandalore had begun to stabilize. 

Within a few months, six at the most, Satine and Bo-Katan would be back on Mandalore and Obi-Wan would be accompanying Qui-Gon back to the Temple. 

The difficult part was Qui-Gon wasn’t sure why he wanted to prevent any further growth between Obi-Wan and Satine. Was it because it was an attachment . . . or because he simply didn’t want to see his Padawan get his heart broken?

Bo-Katan’s appearance made Qui-Gon set aside his concerns for a moment, until the younger Kryze said in a sulky voice, “Satine wants to see you, Obi-Wan.” 

And without waiting for a response from Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan got up and went into the tent. 

Blinking, Qui-Gon stared at the tent for a few moments, feeling Bo-Katan’s eyes on him. Slowly, he turned to look at her, seeing the frown on her face. 

“You’re an adult. And you’re in charge of Obi-Wan. Shouldn’t you tell him and Satine to stop?” 

“As far as I know, they’re talking,” Qui-Gon said. 

She let out a soft snort and sat on the ground. “Yeah, right, Qui-Gon. Trust me–they’re not just talking.” 

Oh, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon thought with a soft sigh. How ironic that a young man who believed so thoroughly in rules would find himself breaking them so recklessly? 

But then, it wasn’t as if Qui-Gon had any room to talk about breaking rules. 

“And you disapprove?” he asked, joining her. 

Bo-Katan shrugged. “It’s just going to end, you know. Satine is too smart to fall in love with a jetii. And Obi-Wan is nice and all, but . . . but he’s not going to put Satine first, and that’s what she deserves.” 

It was a clear-sighted evaluation, one that Qui-Gon didn’t disagree with. Yet . . . 

“Besides, everyone knows jetii don’t have sex and Satine wants to have sex.” 

Qui-Gon felt his face go red. “Bo-Katan.” 

A small smirk appeared on her face. “Really, Qui-Gon? You don’t seem the type to be scared about a little sex talk.” 

“I’m not–but that’s not a conversation I necessarily want to have with a sixteen-year-old,” Qui-Gon said once he found his voice. 

“Mandalorians are so much smarter than you jetiise,” Bo-Katan teased. “No hang-ups about sex, for one thing.” 

“Jedi do not have hang-ups about sex,” Qui-Gon said, perhaps a bit quicker than he intended. “And contrary to what you’ve heard, Jedi are not forbidden from sexual relations. We are simply urged to have caution when entering into such an act.” 

Bo-Katan looked at him witheringly. “Which is a hang-up about sex.” 

“I–” Qui-Gon stopped and took a moment to center himself before he began speaking again. “Regardless of Mandalorian vs. Jedi attitudes, it’s not polite for us to discuss your sister and Obi-Wan. I respect both of them and they know how I feel about this matter.” 

“Easy for you to say–you didn’t have to see them sticking their tongues down each other’s throats,” Bo-Katan said with a shudder. 

A shudder that he suspected was somewhat feigned. Why, he didn’t know, but perhaps this was another aspect of the sibling relationship that he didn’t understand, even after all this time around the Kryze sisters. 

“You trust your sister, though?” 

“Of course I trust her,” Bo-Katan retorted. “I just don’t want her to get hurt. And Obi-Wan could do that.” 

“A sentiment that I can’t help agreeing with,” Qui-Gon acknowledged. “Just as Satine could hurt Obi-Wan, which is a sight I don’t wish to see.” 

Bo-Katan huffed. “So why aren’t you breaking it up in there?” she asked, jerking her thumb towards the tent. 

“Because life is meant to be lived, in all its glories and pains,” Qui-Gon said quietly, thinking once again of Tahl. “I would not deny either Obi-Wan or Satine the chance to have this experience. Even if I wish it wasn’t happening.” 

“But they’re going to hurt each other,” Bo-Katan said stubbornly. “We should stop it.” 

“Don’t you think that’s up to them?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at her. “Would your sister appreciate your interference in this matter?”

Raking a hand through her red hair, Bo-Katan finally said, “No.” 

“Then as long as they don’t put us in danger, perhaps you might let Satine and Obi-Wan figure this out for themselves,” Qui-Gon gently counseled. 

“I don’t know how you’re so calm about this,” Bo-Katan grimaced. 

Was he calm? When he searched his feelings, he found mostly concern verging on worry and fear. And he wasn’t sure he wanted to reveal that to Bo-Katan. Not when she had to depend on him to keep her safe. 

“Perhaps I just have a different perspective on the matter,” he finally settled on. “Now, it’s nearly time for supper. Would you help me gather some fruit?”

Bo-Katan rose to her feet. “Okay. But I’m telling you, if I come across the two of them kissing, I’m still going to break it up.” 

“If that’s what you chose to do, I can’t stop you,” Qui-Gon said. “But I think you might find yourself regretting such action.”

When she gave him a confused look, Qui-Gon smiled. “Obi-Wan is quite good at pulling pranks.” 

With that, he started walking, hearing Bo-Katan’s muttered “Kriffing jetiise” and smiling at the affection that leaked into her Force presence. 

Drawing in a deep breath, Qui-Gon looked at his Padawan and one of his charges. They were too far away, at the other end of the landing platform, for him to hear what they were saying. Yet it was clear, even without the Force, that it was an emotional goodbye. 

At his side, Bo-Katan sighed. “Great. It’s going to be a fun few months.” 

“Agreed,” Qui-Gon said, thinking of how he was going to help Obi-Wan put together the pieces of his heart. 

“You know, there’s a Mandalorian poet who went on and on about how it’s better to have loved and lost than never loving at all,” Bo-Katan said. “And I never got it. I still don’t know if I understand it. But . . . but at least it doesn’t seem so stupid now.”

Qui-Gon looked at Bo-Katan and smiled. “I believe there are several poets who have expressed such sentiments.” 

“I guess you agree with them about it,” Bo-Katan said, looking up at him. 

“For the most part, I do,” he said. “And I applaud you for reconsidering your beliefs.” 

Turning to face her, Qui-Gon smiled. “You might have been unexpected, Bo-Katan, but I feel very fortunate to have spent this time with you. Especially because I had the chance to see your growth and maturity. Your sister is lucky to have you.” 

Bo-Katan’s eyes became glassy as he spoke. She sniffed quickly and then nodded. “Thank you, Qui-Gon, for keeping us safe.” 

And then she reached out and hugged him–a tight, bruising clench–that left him breathless. Before he could say anything more, Bo-Katan strode across the landing platform towards the entry into Sundari Palace. 

Her movements seemed to catch the attention of Obi-Wan and Satine. After another moment of holding hands, they let go and each stepped back. In unison, they turned their backs on each other and walked away: Satine to follow her sister into the Palace and Obi-Wan joining Qui-Gon.

Qui-Gon rested a hand on Obi-Wan’s shoulder. “Are you all right, my Padawan?” 

“I will be,” Obi-Wan said, his eyes fixed on his boots. “I just want to leave, Master.” 

The shame rolling off Obi-Wan wasn’t a new emotion–Qui-Gon had felt it before, in the situations when Obi-Wan thought he had failed him. 

Yet Qui-Gon knew that Obi-Wan had never failed him. And it was a shame Obi-Wan didn’t realize that, despite Qui-Gon’s words to the contrary. 

“All right, Obi-Wan,” Qui-Gon said, squeezing his shoulder before taking his hand away. “Let’s go home.” 

He turned and headed towards the ramp of their ship. And if Qui-Gon also looked back, like Obi-Wan did, it was all right. 

It was a moment to feel the bittersweetness of farewell, before they both prepared for what was next. 

End.