BIRTHDAY PRESENT

By MrsHamill (thamill@mgfairfax.rr.com)

- - - - - - - - - - -

Archive: Yes to Master and Apprentice and StarWarsChicks, all others please ask.

Category: Non Q/O, Romance, PWP

Rating: NC-17, as usual!

Warnings: Adult content and language

Spoilers: None

Summary: Good friends will just do ANYTHING for each other.

Feedback: If you want, this was done as an act of love though so I only expect it from one person!

Disclaimers: Standard crap applies… George owns 'em, I use 'em, they don't complain – much,
anyway, and unfortunately nobody pays me either.

Notes: This story won't make much sense unless you've read mine and Master Yo-Gurt's other
stories, "Jedi HMO" or the "Three Roads" series, but it is a stand alone and you don't HAVE to read
either of the other two. And, as usual, not enough thanks are applicable to the beta goddesses Silky
and Crysta. Lastly, Happy Birfday, partner. I wish I could give 'em to you for real.

- - - - - - - - - - -

There was a lot of giggling going on behind the door to apartment 29 of the Jedi Temple. Female
giggling. Obi-Wan Kenobi, one of the three residents of the apartment, hesitated before palming
open the door, hearing that laughter. He knew one of the gigglers would be his roommate, Lia, but
wasn't sure who the other was. He shrugged; oh well, might as well face the music, he thought.

Lia sat on the sofa which faced the front door, next to a familiar blonde woman, and both were
gasping with laughter, clutching their sides. When the door slid open and they saw Obi-Wan there,
the giggling increased, if that was possible. Lia collapsed on the sofa, howling softly, pounding the
thigh of her friend who managed to get out a choked "'lo, Obi-Wan" before joining her compatriot in
hysterics.

Obi-Wan just stood there for a moment, arms akimbo, staring at the women with a quizzically
amused expression on his face. Eventually, the two managed to regain a semblance of control, but the
tears rolling down Lia's face and the spastic expression on her friend's face informed him they were
still too close to incoherence for his peace of mind. "I am not even going to ask," he said carefully,
looking between the two of them. "Hello, Kath. Congratulations and luck on your trials."

The blonde woman next to Lia blew out a gasp, then grinned. "Thanks, Obi-Wan. Assuming I get
through them, by this time next week I'll be a Knight! Can you imagine?"

He grinned back. "Actually, I can. You'll make a fine Knight, Kath. No matter what Lia says."

"HEY!" Lia exclaimed, laughing and throwing a pillow at him, which he easily ducked.

Kath laughed. "Won't work, Obi-Wan. My best friend only tells me the truth and never sucks up!"

"Right!" Lia agreed, whapping her friend on the back of the head. "Which is why I told you to kiss up
to Master Yoda so your trials will be easier!"

Obi-Wan's eyes got big. "You told her to kiss up to Yoda? No wonder she got her trials scheduled
so soon! Lia, why didn't you tell ME?"

"Cause you're a totally hopeless case anyway, Obi, that's why! Doesn't matter what you do, you're
screwed! Isn't it your turn to cook dinner? Or would you prefer the commissary tonight?"

Kath was doubled over in laughter again at this exchange, so missed it when Obi-Wan threw the
pillow back at Lia. By the time Kath settled down, he was leaning over the back of the sofa, giving
his roommate a kiss. She watched fondly as the two of them caressed each other's mouths for a
moment, then Obi-Wan gently broke the kiss and turned to Kath, also kissing her but not as
passionately. "All kidding aside, Kath, I know you'll do fine."

She smiled at her one-time lover. "Thanks, Obi. I appreciate your confidence, I really do."

Lia reached out to touch Kath. "Do you want to stay for dinner? Assuming this big lug will actually
cook something edible…"

"Ah, a challenge! We'll see just how well this "big lug" can cook now, you betcha!" Obi-Wan cried
as he bounded into the kitchen.

Between laughter, Kath called out to him, "Oh, Obi, don't for me… I can't stay anyway. I'm meeting
my Master for dinner."

Obi-Wan's voice floated out from the kitchen, amid much banging of pots and pans. "Too bad that
is, yes!" he said in a very bad imitation of Master Yoda. "Miss you will a culinary masterpiece, yes!"

Lia rolled her eyes at her friend. "Oh boy, now I've done it. Who knows WHAT's going to come
out of that kitchen now!"

The brisk banging continued while the two women chatted, more normally now. Shortly, the front
door slid open again to reveal the tall visage of Lia's other roommate, Master Qui-Gon Jinn. He
smiled at the two women on the sofa while hanging up his Jedi robe on the coat rack near the door,
then came to kiss Lia hello. "Obi's making dinner – be afraid," she laughed. "You remember Kath,
don't you?"

"Of course I do," he said, taking one of the chairs facing the sofa. "I understand congratulations are in
order, Padawan. You take your trials next week?"

Kath had fallen silent as soon as Qui-Gon came into the room, and Lia looked at her friend curiously.
By the look of pure adoration on her face, Lia figured her unrequited lust and love for the tall Jedi
master was still going strong, and Lia had to clamp down on her shields to avoid having any of her
thoughts stray. Qui-Gon felt her shields come up, and gave her a quick glance, but an almost
imperceptible shake of her head warned him not to say anything.

"Yes, Master," Kath was saying, softly, her face a bit red but mastering her emotions beautifully. She
really will make a wonderful knight, Lia thought. "With some luck and the Force behind me, I should
be a Knight before… before the end of next week."

She was going to say something else, Lia thought, then realized what it was. Her birthday! Her
birthday was next week, the day after her trials. "Now what could I give her for her birthday?"
wondered Lia to herself, as a sneaky, underhanded, and thoroughly wicked idea began to worm it's
way into her brain.

A particularly loud crash from the kitchen made all three start and turn. "S'okay! I'm all right!" yelled
Obi-Wan. "Kath, you sure you can't stay for dinner?"

The two women rolled their eyes and laughed. Qui-Gon joined in, then said, "perhaps it's us that
should join you, Padawan! I'm not sure I want to face what will be coming out of that kitchen!"

At his light-hearted suggestion, Kath started and dropped her eyes. Lia, noticing the reaction, smiled
a self-satisfied smile to herself and began planning how to go about giving her best friend the night of
her life, even as she bid that friend goodnight.



Later that evening, after a dinner that was surprisingly edible, the three roommates lounged with
drinks and datapads. Lia was back on the sofa, Obi-Wan stretched out with his head in her lap,
engrossed in a report. Qui-Gon sat in the same chair he had used earlier, moved so that he could
reach Lia on the sofa and his feet could reach the coffee table, and went over some notes for a class.
Lia had been studying an astrophysics text, but found she couldn't concentrate. She finally lowered
the datapad to find her lover's eyes on hers, amused.

"My heart, you have been distracted since your friend left. Is there something you want to discuss?"
Qui-Gon asked, smiling and taking her hand.

She smiled back at the tall, distinguished man sitting next to her, just drinking in the sight of him for a
moment before speaking. "Actually, love," she finally said, hesitantly, "there is, but it's rather
personal…"

"Oh goody, can I eavesdrop?" asked Obi-Wan, his eyes never leaving his datapad.

Lia whapped the top of his head. "Hush up, braid boy. It's about Kath…"

"Ah," Obi-Wan interrupted again, impudently aware of how much it annoyed his lover. "I see. Kath
and her unrequited lust for our Master?" he asked, absently rubbing the top of his head where she
had smacked him.

Lia sighed. "Obi, you can be so incredibly tactless at times, did you know that?"

He grinned upside-down at her from his nest in her lap. "Of course. But I've always said honesty is
the best policy."

Qui-Gon had been following the exchange with a puzzled smile on his face. "I don't think I follow the
logic here. What is this about your friend, Kath, Lia?"

Lia sighed again. "Qui, she's been in love with you for years." The Master's eyes widened.
"Unrequited, of course, since she's been a Padawan and you're a Master, and not even her Master.
And now she's going to become a Knight, and the three of us have bonded. She's feeling very much
at a loss right now."

"Force, I didn't have a clue," Qui-Gon said finally, a slightly stunned look on his face. "Are you sure,
Lia? Do you know why?"

"You do tend to have that effect on many people, my Master," Obi-Wan piped up. "I know of at
least a dozen… OW! Lia, not so hard!"

"Oh, you love it," she growled in reply. "Qui-Gon, what did you expect? She's been shielding it from
you for years. I knew, but only because I guessed and plus she's my best friend." Lia paused and
shook her head softly. "I think she always held out some hope for when she became a Knight, but
now that time is here, and…"

"…and the three of us have bonded," he finished for her. "Goodness. I don't know what to say!"

Lia put her hand over Obi-Wan's mouth as it opened again, sending him the brusque mental
command "put a sock in it, braid boy!" He subsided, glaring at her in mock outrage, then licked the
palm of her hand wickedly. She just gave him an exasperated, loving look before turning back to
Qui-Gon.

The Master was sitting lost in thought, his face reflecting his surprise. "But," Lia thought to herself,
"at least he's not repelled by the idea. That's promising." Aloud, she said "to make matters
worse, her birthday is the day after her trials. I've been struggling with what would make an
appropriate birthday present, given that she'll probably become a Knight the day before…" Lia let
her voice trail off and pointedly avoided looking down at Obi-Wan, who was almost vibrating with
suppressed mirth as he picked up on where she was taking the idea.

Qui-Gon wasn't far behind his Padawan. "Lia, you can't be suggesting what I think you're
suggesting…" he started, frowning at her.

"Better think fast," she thought. "And why not, Qui-Gon? Don't you find her attractive? You
wouldn't want to spend an evening with a wonderful woman like she is?" She kept her voice light and
non-threatening, realizing that she would have to tread carefully if her plan was to work. Meanwhile,
she kept his hand in hers.

He was still frowning at her, but not forbiddingly so. "An evening, Lia? Is that all you're thinking?
Because I sense you are referring to more. And I wouldn't want to hurt the young lady in question, at
all."

She smiled and brought his hand to her lips for a kiss. "Master Jinn, you are the consummate
gentleman. Yes, perhaps more, but only if YOU feel you should. You and her. Simply spending an
evening out with her, dining and perhaps dancing, would absolutely make her life. And I'll pay for all
of it, as my present to her."

Qui-Gon chuckled, returning the kiss to her hand. "Oh no, you won't, but I'll let you pay for half."
Lia let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding as he spoke, then smiled beatifically at him.

"Oh, my darling Master, I'm so glad to hear you say that. Then you'll go along with my plan?"

"Yes, Mistress-mine, I'll go along with it, to a point. I'll be happy to wine, dine and dance with Kath,
in celebration of her birthday and her trials, but as for the rest…"

"That's all I could hope for, Qui-Gon. You are such a wonderful person for doing this! Thank you,
so much," and here Lia was interrupted by a soft hand on her cheek – Obi-Wan, who was reaching
up to touch her, his eyes filled with love and not a little awe.

"I think the wonderful person here is not Master Jinn, no matter how much he deserves that title,"
Obi-Wan said, glancing at his Master for confirmation. "Only a true friend would do something like
this for another. Wouldn't you say so, Master?"

Qui-Gon nodded and smiled. "Yes, Padawan, I think that's very perceptive of you. Regardless what
happens, I think Kath is very lucky to have a friend like Master Pilot Lia Jae-Mil."

Lia ducked her head, a light blush on her cheeks. "It's only what she deserves. She's a great lady."

"You BOTH are," said Obi-Wan, tweaking her nose gently. "And I think it's far past time we
showed you some gratitude for your generous nature, right, Master?"

Qui-Gon's grin was positively wicked by this time, as he said "absolutely, Padawan, absolutely!"



Her trials were over, and Kath fingered the spot on her head where her Padawan braid used to be. It
felt weird. SHE felt weird. Just like that, she was a Knight, Master Tovra was beaming with pride
(and Kath noticed the tears in her eyes, but couldn't say a thing since they were mirrored in her
own), and the other Council members congratulating her. Actually, if she had to sum up her feelings in
one word, it would be numb.

She hadn't slept well the night before her trials, and afterwards all she wanted to do was sleep, so it
wasn't until almost noon ("My birthday!" she thought) that she managed to drag herself out of her bed
and get some caff into her system. A long, cream colored envelope had been stuck under her door
sometime in the night or morning. "Probably another congratulations card," she thought.
Everyone, it seemed, had forgotten in the heat of her trials that her birthday was that day too.

The envelope was heavy and engraved, letters she couldn't quite make out on the flap. Gently she
broke the seal and opened it, pulling out an equally heavy, deeply embossed card.

The Pleasure of your Company is Requested at half past Sixth hour Tonight for Dinner. Dress
is Formal.

That was all it said. No response name or number, just the lovely, calligraphic script embossed on the
card stock. She stared at it stupidly for a moment, trying to figure out what it meant. It had to be a
joke. Or perhaps her Master, ("former Master" she thought, with a slight pang), wanting to take her
out to celebrate her Knighthood and birthday. But Master Tovra would never be devious about such
a thing.

She reached Lia at her workshop, the noises of machinery in the background overpowering her
voice. "WHAT? Wait a minute…NO NO, Apprentice, that's COUNTER-clockwise! Now try it
again!"

Shortly the noise faded as Lia got under a hush hood. "There, that's better, Hi Kath! What's up…
oh, and happy birthday!"

"Uh, thanks! I thought everyone had forgotten in the aftermath of my trials," Kath said, pleased her
friend remembered.

"You think I'd forget that? For one month of the year, you're older than me!" Lia and Kath both
laughed at that, their ages were very close and the subject of much discussion over the years.
"Speaking of which, can you come over for dinner tonight, or has your Master already spoken for
you?"

"Um, that's just it, Lia," Kath said, the puzzlement in her voice clear. "I've got this weird invitation to
dinner tonight, and I don't know who from. It's not from you, is it?"

Lia held up her hands. "No, not me! I meant to ask you to dinner sooner, but life intruded. What
does it say?"

Kath held the puzzling card up before the camera pickup, and Lia scanned it quickly, frowning.
"That's it? There wasn't anything else?"

"No, not a thing. I don't know what to do. Do you think it could be from Master Tovra?"

Lia chewed on her lip for a minute, frowning. "I dunno, Kath, you know your Master better than I.
Would she do something like this?"

The other woman stared at her friend for a moment, thinking. "You know, I'm not sure. Normally I
would have said no, but actually, this is not a normal situation is it?"

Lia grinned brilliantly at her friend. "No, I would say not, KNIGHT Kath!" They laughed at the
reference, then Lia's face sobered. "So, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know, Lia!" Kath said, distressed. "I mean, even if I go, what could I possibly wear?"

"Well," Lia said slowly, "you ARE a Jedi Knight now, so I wouldn't worry about being assaulted,"
Kath laughed at that and agreed. "And as for wear… what about that midnight blue dress you bought
two years ago?"

Kath's eyes widened. "Lia! I can't wear THAT! It's almost indecent!"

Her friend laughed. "Since when did you let that bother you?" Abruptly Lia swiveled out from under
the hush hood, and the almost overpowering noise of the workroom intruded. "Apprentice! Stop
that! Sorry Kath, I've got to go! I'll ring you later, all right?" Not waiting for an answer, Lia cut the
transmission.

For the next several hours, as she bathed, dressed and did her normal chores around her small
apartment, Kath studied the card she'd set up on her table. Throughout the day, friends and relatives
called to wish her congratulations, most of them forgetting it was also her birthday, and each one she
asked about the mysterious invitation but all professed innocence. Finally, at fifth hour, Lia called
back.

"What a day!" she sighed, shaking her curls. "Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier. So, what's the
verdict?"

"Well," Kath started slowly, again fingering the card, "I guess I'll get ready. You think the blue dress
is not too much?'

"Absolutely not. It fits you like a glove and you look like a million credits in it," Lia said, laughing.

"More like a Huttese whore," Kath muttered, but Lia brushed that off.

"Oh for crying out loud, you do not. Do you want me to come over and help you get ready? I'd
LOVE to find out who your mysterious escort will be!"

Kath rolled her eyes at her friend. "Not on your life!" Then she sighed. "All right, the blue dress it is. I
sure wish I knew who it was."

"Well, you'd better call me tomorrow FIRST THING to let me know what happened, clear?" Lia's
voice was just oozing poorly disguised curiosity, so much so that her friend had to smile.

"Yes, Mom. Should I call you as soon as I get home?" Kath teased.

Lia decided two could play at that. "Only if you don't get lucky!" she said, with a wicked laugh, then
cut the connection.



So it was that by a little after sixth hour, Kath had showered, put on a little of the makeup she rarely
used, and was standing by her bed staring at the infamous blue dress. Sighing, she shrugged and
gently pulled it on. Gently, because it always felt to her like it was made of spiderwebs.

She had bought the dress on impulse two years ago, after seeing it on a mannequin and falling in love
with the way it looked. It was backless, really backless, showing everything down to the lumbar
dimple. There were thin straps that went around her neck, and a gauzy, clingy bodice, sewn with soft
sparkles which almost revealed more than it hid. The skirt was full, almost floor length, lower in back
than in front, falling in layers of the filmy material it was made of. Unfortunately, the only shoes she
had that matched it were three inch heels, which made her even taller than she already was, but there
was no help for that.

Looking at herself in her mirror, her eyes got big. Too late she remembered the real reason she never
wore the dress she loved – on the mannequin it had looked beautiful, on a real, breathing woman
with real breasts it looked incredible. "It actually makes me look nakeder than if I had no clothes
on," she thought, her mind giving her second thoughts over the whole affair.

But there was no time. Her door chime sounded, and she realized it was half past already. Taking a
deep breath to quell the butterflies in her stomach, she straightened her shoulders, straining fabric,
and went to open the door to meet her fate.

The door slid open and she almost passed out. Before her, smiling gently and clutching a small wrist
bouquet of a lovely blue cluster flower, stood the object of her most private fantasies, Master
Qui-Gon Jinn.

"Good evening, Knight," he said, in that deep, velvety voice, bowing slightly. "I was told that before
you said anything, you are to read this." And with that, he handed her another card, folded shut. With
trembling fingers she took it and read quickly.

Now don't faint on me, it said, and don't be mad either. This is a combination birthday and
Trials present, from me, Obi, your Master, and, oh yes, Qui too. You are hereby
COMMANDED to have a good time tonight, and if you don't, I'll know the reason why!

Love, Lia

She swallowed. "I don't believe this," she whispered, looking back up to the tall man before her.
With her heels on, she still only came up to his chin. To her surprise, she realized he was not wearing
his customary Jedi robes and instead was fashionably dressed in a dark turquoise suit, white shirt and
deep blue tie – that perfectly matched her dress. He quite took her breath away.

"These are also for you, and may I say you look… exquisite… tonight," Qui-Gon said, handing her
the wristlet. Numbly, she took it and slipped it over her wrist.

"Thank you, Master Jinn," she stammered, trying not to look at him. Suddenly, she felt a warm hand
under her chin, gently forcing her face up.

"You are a Knight now, Kath," he said quietly. "My name is Qui-Gon, and I would be pleased if you
would call me by it."

"Y-yes, Qui-Gon," she answered, blinking. Oh, how long she had waited to call him that! "I—I'm
sorry for this, it was hardly my idea and I hope…"

He chuckled. "Nonsense. It isn't every day that an old man like myself gets to be seen in public with
such a…ravishing creature as yourself. The pleasure is all mine, I assure you. Lia can be devious, but
generally in the end she gets what she wants, and now she wants us to have a good time. Shall we
go? Our reservations await."

He offered his arm to Kath, who tentatively took it then found herself holding on for all she was
worth. Very well then, she thought, Lia had set this up so by the Force she WOULD have a good
time!

And to her profound shock, she did. Qui-Gon had made reservations at the most fashionable and
expensive nightclub in the Temple District of Coruscant. A bottle of Champagne was waiting at their
table, and the music was live. Both before and after dinner, he danced with her, whirling her expertly
around, their natural Jedi grace the envy of other couples on the floor. Their table was small and
dark, and the noise level forced them to lean close to talk… which they did. Kath found herself
opening up to the man she had fantasized about for years, telling him her hopes and fears at becoming
a Jedi, her life in the Temple, and her youth with another rakish female – Lia.

For his part, Qui-Gon spoke of his journeys. He sincerely reassured her that he felt she would make
a wonderful Knight, and to trust in her instincts and in the Force. He talked about her Master, a
woman he had known and respected for years. And he talked about the unexpected bond that had
formed between him, his Padawan and the Pilot.

They didn't really notice when the noise level began to decrease, mainly due to the late hour, so
deeply involved in each other they were. Kath ran her finger around the edge of her champagne flute,
listening to his description of his triple relationship, the fondness in his voice unmistakable. She smiled.

"You know," she said quietly, "Obi-Wan and I were together, very briefly. He and I have been
friends ever since. It's a rare man that can become such a good friend to a former lover."

"Obi-Wan is a rare man," Qui-Gon agreed, smiling. "In many ways, you remind me of him. You have
that same fire, the sheer zest for life."

Kath found herself blushing again. "Thank you, but I wish you wouldn't do that!" she said, not
looking at him.

"Do what?" he asked innocently.

"Make me blush like that. I haven't had anyone who could do that to me in far too long."

"I like seeing you blush," he grinned, "brings color to your face. Sets off your eyes, which are… very
beautiful, you know," he finished slowly, taking her hand.

Her "very beautiful" eyes met his and she reflected how much she'd love to be able to drown in them.
She swallowed. "Qui-Gon, I want to thank you for tonight… it has been more than I ever could have
wished," she almost whispered.

He lifted her fingers to his lips and kissed them gently. "I've enjoyed myself very much, Kath. You
are an extraordinary woman."

They sat and stared at each other for a moment, all the things she wanted to say hovering in her eyes,
met with all the gentleness and love in his. Suddenly the music stopped and the band leader stepped
up to the mike.

"Gentlebeings, it's that time again, time for the last dance. Young lovers and others please come out
to the dance floor to say goodbye. You've been a tremendous audience and we thank you."

Qui-Gon smiled over her hand and said, "well, we don't actually qualify as young lovers, but I think
we can still have the last dance. Will you join me, Kath?"

"Yes," she said, putting her whole heart into that word. They stood and moved to the dance floor as
a slow, romantic ballad was begun by the band behind them. Kath melted into his arms, and his hand
on her back felt like warm velvet as they swayed around the floor, oblivious to all others in the room.
All too soon the song ended, and they looked at each other as the lights slowly came up and
scattered applause broke out around them.

Gently Qui-Gon cupped one hand to her cheek and brushed her lips with his, tantalizingly. Her eyes
partially closed and her breath caught, but he did no more.

"We'd best go," he said, his voice low and rough. "It's very late."

Her mouth dry, she had to fight to get words out. "Yes. We had better."

She didn't know how they got back to the Temple, but by the time her door appeared before her,
she was more under control. Facing him, she made herself look him in the eyes. Her own were
shining. "I—I was wondering if you would like to come in with me for a moment, Qui-Gon… I have
something I'd like to share as a thank you. I know it's late…"

His mouth quirked up in a smile. "Of course, for a few moments," he said, and followed her in. She
quickly moved to a special cabinet and withdrew an old, dusty bottle.

"My uncle," she said, "the one who sponsored me to the Temple, bought this Correllian Brandy for
me when I turned 18. I've never had an occasion to open it, and I might never have one again.
Would you join me in a drink, to thank you for such a wonderful evening?"

He took the dusty bottle from her and studied it for a moment. "Kath, this is very old. I can barely
read the date but it might be over a hundred years. If it's still good, it's worth a small fortune. Are
you sure you want to waste it on me?"

She smiled brilliantly at him and Qui-Gon suddenly felt his heart go "thump". "I can think of no one
else in the universe I'd rather share it with," she said, sincerely, fetching two tumblers. "I'm afraid I
know nothing at all of this particular drink, so I don't have a clue as to it's worth. But if it's as good
as you say, then you are worth it, Master Jinn."

He smiled at her and ran one finger down her cheek, which she leaned into. Then he carefully broke
the seal and removed the cork. The bottle opened with a soft 'pop' and instantly a fragrant scent
filled the room. Qui-Gon sniffed the cork and inspected it carefully. "It's still good," he said. "It's
been very carefully preserved. The cork will close it up again well, but you ought to seal it shut later
to keep it good."

"I will," she said, watching with large eyes as he poured a couple of fingers of the amber liquid in each
tumbler then gently replaced the cork. She handed him one glass and kept the other, touching hers to
his before taking a sip.

The liquor was fire on her tongue and throat, and she coughed slightly in surprise. But as soon as it hit
her stomach it sent warm tendrils out that made her eyes tear. "It's very good," she said, after
thinking about it for a moment.

Qui-Gon chuckled. "It's a bit powerful if you're not ready for it," he said, sipping his own drink. "But
it is very good. This is a rich gift you've given me, Kath."

"Not as rich as the gift you've given me," she said. Made bold by the warmth in her belly, Kath
reached up to caress his cheek. "His beard is so soft," she thought, and wondered what it would
feel like rubbing against her neck, her breasts…

His eyes widened and with a gasp and a sinking feeling she realized she'd been broadcasting her
thoughts. "Oh damn," she thought to herself in dismay, slamming her shields down and turning away
from him.

There was a clink behind her as he set his glass on the table, and then a warm hand on her shoulder
made her turn back. To her shame, she realized her eyes were filled with tears that she fought to
keep back. "I'm sorry, please forgive me for ruining the evening…" she said, trying to keep her voice
level.

"Don't be sorry. I'm not. To find out that such a lovely young lady could find this old Jedi desirable is
very flattering, my dear," he soothed, putting one hand on her cheek and keeping the other on her
shoulder. She looked up into his eyes.

"Old, Master Jinn?" she asked quietly, somewhat sadly. "Never. And you are the most desirable
person in the world. Please believe me when I say that. Because it's true."

He looked deep into her light blue eyes and saw the truth there, saw the love and desire and felt it in
his own heart. He took the drink she still held in one hand and put it on the table next to his, then
cupped her face in both his big hands. He felt her hold her breath as he moved closer to her, then
moan almost imperceptibly as he kissed her.

Qui-Gon meant it to be a gentle, somewhat platonic kiss, but it quickly turned into something else,
something hot and needy, for both of them. He tentatively touched her lips with his tongue to find it
met by hers. Before he was aware what was happening, his hands were tangled in her
shoulder-length blond hair and her body was pressed against his urgently. Her mouth tasted sweet to
him, and to her, his mouth and body were a dream come true.

They finally broke the kiss, gasping for air and in passion. He looked at her as if seeing her clearly for
the first time, his hands still tangled in her hair. "Kath, I don't want to hurt you, I don't want to do this
and have you think…"

"Qui-Gon, please, don't. I know who you are and I know this isn't permanent," Kath responded
softly, her own hands running through his heavy hair. "Lia is my best friend and I would never hurt
her, or you. If you don't want…"

"But that's just it," he murmured, "I do. I do very, very much."

She caught her breath, seeing the passion in his eyes, passion directed at her, passion she had almost
given up on seeing, ever. She closed her eyes, willing that the moment was real, not a dream, and that
it would last forever. Then she felt his lips on hers again and she gave herself up to her fantasy.

Without breaking his kiss, he swept her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom. She had one
last frantic thought – how glad she was that she had cleaned her apartment before that evening – and
then his hands were at her neck, untying the spaghetti straps that held up her dress, easing it down
over her breasts. Then his mouth was on her nipples, sucking and gently biting and she gasped and
writhed in pleasure. His hands continued pushing the dress down over her hips to pool at her feet; her
panties soon followed and he was on his knees before her, nuzzling the cleft between her legs.

Her knees were weak, but he supported her with his large hands on her rear, and she braced herself
with her hands on his head. Then he came up to kiss her again, and she frantically ripped off his tie,
jacket and shirt, wanting desperately to feel his skin on her hands. He helped her and shortly he was
naked to the waist, her hands running over the silken skin of his smooth chest and back to probe the
waistband of his pants, his hands crushing her to him.

Gently he lifted her and settled her on the bed, laying down next to her to continue raining kisses
down on her face and her neck. His hands massaged her breasts, pinching her nipples to make her
gasp, then moving down to her wetness. She caught her hands in his hair, removing the small clip that
held it back away from his face to let it pour down over and around her, reveling in the feel of it
against her neck and face.

Then she whimpered as his fingers found her clitoris and traced wet circles around it. Her whimpers
turned to gasps and small cries as his fingers made their way lower to plunge into her sopping
wetness. "Gods," he groaned, "you're so wet…"

She stopped his mouth with hers, greedily sucking his tongue into her mouth, frantically tasting every
part of him, as though to make sure everything was experienced this one night, this only night.
Leaving her mouth, he moved down her body, stopping to suck on her breasts, to lick her stomach,
and gradually moved lower until his mouth reached her cunt. She cried out as his tongue ravished her,
arching her back into the caresses, her hands trembling as she ran them through his hair. He shifted
his body up so that his long legs were closer to her head, and she used the opportunity to open his
pants and free his cock. Then it was his turn to moan as she worshipped his organ with her mouth,
nibbling, sucking, licking the thick organ before engulfing it into her mouth. Against her cunt he
groaned again, and plunged his tongue into her.

She released his cock and nearly screamed at the sensation. Abruptly she felt herself fall over the
edge, spasms wracking her body as Qui-Gon kept up his merciless assault on her clit and vagina. He
held her tightly, lapping the juices that flowed endlessly from her cunt, then with a last lick on her
clitoris, moved away. She whimpered at the loss of contact, but then saw it was just to shuck off his
pants. Then he came back to drape his long body over hers.

She was still trembling from the orgasm that rocked her very foundation as he settled on top of her,
kissing her neck again, biting her earlobe. His fingers played with one nipple while his tongue bathed
her neck, then reached lower to suckle on the other teat. She was still trembling, this time from
desire, inflamed, nearly frantic to feel him within her. "Please Qui-Gon," she gasped, bringing one leg
to circle his upper thigh and drag his body closer to hers.

With a small 'pop' his lips let go her nipple, and he reached up to kiss her lips again. She tasted
herself there, and it only inflamed her more. Qui-Gon rolled partially off her and with his large, gentle
hands, urged her to roll over to her stomach, then to her knees. Positioning himself on his knees
behind her, he gently, slowly slid fully into her. Both of them groaned, absolutely overwhelmed by
sensation.

"Deep!" gasped Kath, "oh, Gods, so deep, yes, so good!"

Holding her tightly by the waist, Qui-Gon sat back, bringing her with him until he was sitting on his
knees with her on his lap, impaled upon his length. She turned her head for a kiss, a wet, sloppy kiss
as he continued to fondle her breasts and clit, then he slowly began to thrust and grind into her. She
threw her head back against his shoulder at the feelings he was bringing out in her, and he nuzzled her
neck as he brought her hips up and down along his shaft.

"Kath," he groaned, "so good…so wet…" he was almost incoherent, as was she, his fingers and
cock driving her to the edge, poised.

Suddenly she was there. She wailed his name as she climaxed, arched and fell to her hands in front of
him. He rose to his knees and began to wildly ram into her, almost tearing her in two with the intensity
of his thrusts combined with her orgasm. Her screams of pleasure mingled with his growls as he came
violently inside her, filling her to the brim, then slowly collapsing.

They settled down, still joined by his softening penis in her vagina, spooned together. They were both
panting heavily, and waited until their racing hearts slowed. He kept his arm around her, holding her
tightly, even as his cock finally slipped from her. "Thank you," she finally whispered.

"The pleasure was all mine," came the gasping response, and they both chuckled. He drifted off into a
pleasant, post-coital doze, inhaling the fragrance of her hair and enjoying the sensation of feeling her
skin under his hands. A muffled sniff brought him back to full consciousness, and he propped himself
on his elbow, brushing her hair away from her face to see tears slipping down her cheeks.

"Kath?" he asked, concerned. "Have I hurt you, little one?"

She sniffed again, turning to her back to look at his face, not ashamed of the tears which still oozed
from her eyes. "Oh, no, Qui-Gon, quite the opposite," she reassured him, her smile brilliant. "I'm
sorry. I'm just so… happy. You've given me such a tremendous gift…" words failed her, and instead
she dropped her shields part-way so that he could see what she was feeling, the warmth and
incredible star-burst happiness at his presence in her arms. He was humbled and awed at the
outpouring of joy and euphoria he felt in her, and with gentle fingers he wiped the tears from her face.

"I – I don't know what to say," he said softly. "I'm not sure I'm worthy of such adoration, my dear.
You've put me on such a pedestal…"

She put her fingers to his lips to silence him. "It's my fantasy, Master Jinn. You've fulfilled a great
longing in my heart, out of the goodness in yours. If I were to die tomorrow, I'd die a happy woman
now, with one of my greatest fantasies fulfilled."

He smiled at her analogy, tenderly brushing sweaty, teary hair back from her face. "Then I humbly
accept the pedestal, little one. I'm glad I could make a dream come true for you… Lia is right. You
are a wonderful person and do deserve much happiness. If I could fulfill more of your fantasies, I
would."

Kath blushed and bit her lip to hold back further tears of happiness. "This was the best one, and
more than I could have hoped for, believe me," she said. "There is another, but it involves water,
which we seem to lack here."

Qui-Gon grinned, a wicked grin that suddenly reminded Kath of his Padawan. "So THAT'S where
Obi-Wan got that grin," she thought to herself.

"Actually," he drawled, the finger that had been wiping tears away trailing lazily down her face to her
neck, shoulder, chest, and lower to more interesting places, "I do feel a bit in need of a shower. I
seem to have worked up a sweat."

Kath stopped breathing for a moment, staring at him with wide eyes. His own were amused and very
passionate as he watched her reaction. "Breathe, little one," he finally murmured, kissing her deeply.

The kiss seemed to revive her somewhat, for when he broke it she sighed, "I like the way you sweat,
Master Qui-Gon. And I have a perfectly good 'fresher, with a large shower stall, if you'd care to use
it."

He smiled at her, again running his large, callused fingers down her cheek. "Only if you join me,
Kath."

"I'd be delighted," she managed to force out, which was difficult since she felt her entire insides had
melted into a large puddle of warm goo.

Qui-Gon stood, avoiding piles of clothing, and held out his arms to her to help her rise. She climbed
off the bed into his arms, where he greeted her with another mind-blowing kiss, then walked with her
into the 'fresher. Her shower stall was large enough for the two of them, but only if they pressed
close together, which was her intent all along. Under a warm spray of water, they kissed and
explored each other's slippery bodies, and using her liquid soap and a net sponge, Qui-Gon soaped
her breasts, belly and the cleft between her legs, never stopping his lip's exploration of her face and
neck. Within a short time, he was hard again, and her breathy moans told him all he needed to know
about her readiness for him.

The water washed away the soap from both their bodies, as her arms wrapped around his neck and
pressed her body as close as possible to his. Moaning into her mouth, his strong, large hands lifted
her ass and pressed her up against the wall. Obligingly she tilted her pelvis up and felt him enter her,
hard and deep. She groaned.

Qui-Gon took a deliberately slow pace, pulling almost all the way out of her before slowly but firmly
seating himself back within her. She broke their kiss to gasp in air and buried her face in his wet
shoulder, whimpering in the sensation. His hands continued to hold her up and she could feel his use
of the Force to augment his not inconsiderable strength, strength that was being severely taxed by the
incredible feeling of fucking the woman in his arms. He chewed gently on an earlobe, then moved to
her neck, sighing in pleasure at the hot wetness engulfing his cock, using all of his control to keep up
the steady, rhythmic pace, to make himself last longer.

But of course he couldn't, not for very long. Her nails raked down his back and her legs squeezed his
ass tightly as her ecstasy mounted, and her clenching internal muscles drove him mad with desire. He
began to increase his pace, almost unconsciously, until he was virtually ramming her into the wall,
their cries coming louder together until she came in a scream of pleasure, and pushed him over the
edge.

It was all he could do to remain standing, his knees and calves trembling in reaction. She was gasping
and sobbing from an overload of passion, her head buried in his neck. Gently he released her hips
and she let the legs that had been wrapped tightly around his butt fall to support her. They leaned
together against the wall, letting the now-tepid spray cool their overheated bodies while their
breathing returned to normal. Then she pulled back to look at him, and he kissed her deeply once
more.

She turned off the water, and they shared a towel, taking turns lazily rubbing each other's bodies until
mostly dry, then went back into the bedroom. Between mind-blowing sex and the evening out, it was
all either of them could do to stifle yawns. He pulled down the covers of her bed and helped her slide
in, following her.

They nestled together for a while under the blankets. Kath found she was smiling almost
uncontrollably, her mind almost singing in happiness. Qui-Gon picked up on that, and turned her head
so he could look her in the face. She reached up one hand to caress his cheek, memorizing the feel
and look of his face in this moment.

"I can't thank you enough," she whispered, the most noise she found she could make. "You are a
dream come true, Qui-Gon."

"You are not so bad yourself, Knight," he responded in a low rumble. "This night may never be
repeated, but it will be remembered. I know I will remember it. Always."

"As will I," she answered, still smiling sleepily. "Sleep well, Master Jinn."

"You as well, beautiful Knight."

She fell asleep with the sound of his breathing in her ear, and the feel of his heart beating. When she
awoke the next day, he was gone, back to his life and his family. All that remained was the wristlet of
blue flowers which had been placed on her pillow. But the legacy of happiness he left her was worth
far more than the bottle of carefully preserved Correllian Brandy she kept in a place of honor.



Over one year later:

Both the bond partners wore formal Jedi robes of white piped with gold, they were both Knights. As
Master Mundi intoned the last of the words of the bonding rite, the small audience in the garden
where the ceremony was taking place burst into spontaneous applause. The first to kiss the newly
bonded pair was the female's Witness, Lia Jae-Mil, who wore her formal Captain's uniform and
embraced the pair enthusiastically.

Later, after the ceremony, Lia spoke with her best friend. "Are you happy now, you silly woman?"
she asked, teasingly.

Kath, radiant as only a newly bonded mate could be, simply nodded. "I wish Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan
could be here, though," she said.

"They send their regrets… they wanted to be here so very badly, but the situation on Naboo is
getting… strange." Lia struggled to keep the worry out of her voice – there was no need to cloud
such a happy day with her own nameless dread. "Qui told me to tell you to make sure you save him
some brandy. Do you know what that means?"

Kath laughed, her happy peals ringing across the garden, causing her new bondmate to come to her
side to see what she was laughing at. He put his arm around her shoulder and looked quizzically at
Lia. "Are you corrupting my mate already, Pilot?" he asked.

"Sorry, Lyam," Lia said, grinning. "But I really don't know what that was all about. I just relayed a
message from my own bondmate."

"Which one?" he teased, hugging Kath tightly. "I hope we can remain as deeply in love as you three
have, Lia. Your bond is quite an inspiration."

"They have a unique situation, Lyam," Kath said, still smiling at her friend. "And they are unique
people. The very best there is. Remind me to tell you about the birthday present Lia procured for me
one year. But later. After the honeymoon!"





End

(Many happy returns, partner!)