(dodging the thrown stones) I'm sorry. There is nothing else I can say. First it was finals and graduation; then it was moving back to my parents where they have (in simple words) no internet.Then I spent forever hating this ending and so I left it alone for months, came back and was like "I LOVE IT!" (I'm crazy) So, here it is. The story is finally over. I hope it was worth it for you all and that you have enjoyed the time as much as I have. I'm (very tentatively-don't hold your breath) playing with an idea for a sequel to this one. Like this one, it will jump off and be an AU for another of the books in the series- the Melida/Daan saga! Can you imagine with what happened in this story what could have happened? I certainly have. I'll try to flesh out that idea. I've been busy w/ some original fiction and have just not done much with fanfics lately. Well, bless all of you for reviewing and reading and keeping me on this. Hope you like the end and keep sending me things if you think I should get my tail in gear and write a sequel. Thank you all.

Miss Elizabeth


Epilogue: When the story finally ends!!!!!

It had been three weeks and Qui-Gon would have been hard pressed to find a better or more happier time in all of his life. His apprentice's first statement after all that traumatic time had sent all five adults in the room into loud, tension-breaking, peals of laughter, bringing the entire healer's wing down on them, wondering just what was going on in the room. Nearly everyone in the Temple had heard of the apprentice's escapade, so when the healers were told, they too started laughing. The poor Padawan lay in the bed, utterly bewildered while so many knights and masters laughed at his statement of horror. Finally, Master Yoda himself saved him and told him that he had never held it against him and that, in fact, it was one of the best memories in all his long years. It took some doing, but soon the apprentice was calmed and quickly dropped off to sleep. This would be his first truly restful slumber since the mindwipe droid.

During the intervening weeks, he had worked on many meditations with his master to deal with the backlash of emotions, knowledge, and tid-bits that were his memories and yet, were not at the same time. Bringing his memories from the past few weeks together with his memories that had for so long been locked away was, at first, difficult. The fear of not understanding what was going on about him was difficult to assimilate when he understood everything now, yet the feelings were not in anyway less then because of it. It took awhile to admit to himself that what he felt most was shame at the way he had acted towards his master. Qui-Gon Jinn should not have had to…baby-sit a Jedi apprentice, yet there he always was in his memories; tending, caring…loving. The poor Padawan simply could not rectify this image with the one he had known previous to Phindar. And what about the thing Duanna had said to him-Master Jinn was his father figure? Jedi do not have fathers or mothers…and while he had always hoped for a relationship with his master that would go beyond simply a teacher and mentor…Master Jinn would simply never allow it.

Sighing, the boy rose from another fruitless meditation and stretched. The one thing that would relieve his frustration and worry was the one thing he could not do: ask his master. Right, and the Sith would accept the Code. He quickly made his way to his room and changed into his training clothes. It had been far too long since the last time he had used his lightsaber properly.

When he arrived at his normal training room, he paused and watched as his master went through the most complicated kata he had ever seen. While he had always appreciated how graceful his master's large frame could be, it was never more then at this moment. It was like a dance, a dance with only one person and no set music. The rhythm though, was unmistakable. At first, it started slow, contemplative, but then it sped up, until his limbs were invisible because of the solid blur of his green lightsaber. The young man stood, mouth open in awe as he saw the most deadly yet beautiful thing ever. Suddenly, all movement ceased, and his master stood, lightsaber held horizontally in front of his face. His chest heaving and sweat drenching in body, he shut off the green light and stowed it on his belt in one perfect move. Before he could think or move, Obi-Wan found his gaze locking with his masters. The two stared at each other for some time before the younger dropped his eyes, unable to hold his master's gaze.

Silence continued to reign until the elder dropped into a meditative pose to cool down.

"Something has been troubling you, my Padawan. Are you ready to speak of this to me?" A twitch and unconscious half step back brought a quiet sigh from his lips. Sending a quick request for his student to join him in meditation, he waited until Obi-Wan was seated before continuing. "I am not forcing you to speak of anything, Obi-Wan. Understand this. But speak you must, at what time and to who is your choice, though there is a limit in how long I will allow you hold in so much. You have come through an ordeal; came through with flying colors might I add, but there will be emotions and knowledge to work through and understand. This you have been doing for a time, with little success, if I am to judge the amount and number of times you have spent in meditation since your memories returned."

"I…do not understand, Master. No matter how long I meditate, some things just will not mesh together."

"…That is to be expect, Padawan. With your memories gone for so long, you were a different person when you retrieved your memories."

"That is not where my problem lies, Master. Those were difficult, but I have worked through all that."

"Then what troubles you, Padawan?" Silence meet his question. "I can not help you if you will not let me."

"…My memories show me that you took care of me during that time. It must have been difficult for you. I am…"

"Do not apologize for something you had no control over, Obi-Wan. I am your master and it is my duty to care for you. If you had been incapacitated physically, it would have been the same."

"I know. I…I have been foolish master; it will be fine."

"Padawan, there is something; what is it?"

"…It…it seemed that you…cared for me…you worried about me…cared for me…protected me…comforted me…it felt like I'd imagined a…but we are Jedi and that can not be." Throughout this almost one-sided conversation, the Jedi master had sat, watching his apprentice struggle with the words he wished to say.

"So this has something to do with my actions during your loss of memories. Why should they cause you problems, my apprentice?"

"Because…well…I know how you are going to act towards me. Your attitude does not change unless I make a mistake, and I have always been quick to remedy mistakes. But…you held me when I was scared…helped me…cared for me…I was a nuisance. You should have placed me in the crèche."

"I could never have done that, Padawan. You were frightened, you only trusted a few people and needed me."

"I was a hindrance."

"What are you trying to say, Padawan?"

"Why did you take care of me, Master? It was below you…"

"Below me? To watch over my Padawan?"

"No, that's not what I meant…I was…"

"You should feel no shame, Obi-Wan. You were not truly helpless, you know. You helped save Bant and stood up to Xanatos. You did your training proud." The older man could see that those words had helped ease some of his student's emotional tension, but there was something else…he believed he knew what it was, but Obi-Wan needed to voice it.

"Thank you master." The boy made a move to stand, but was stopped by his master.

"There is more, my apprentice." Dark blue eyes watched as the younger hung his head.

"It is nothing, master."

"Obi-Wan, you are a Padawan. You know better then to shade the truth."

"…I…I apologize, Master."

"Apology accepted."

"I just……During the…time…you treated me differently then……"

"Then what, Padawan."

"Then before, Master. Before the incident, I knew where I stood with you. You were training me because you had to and…that was fine. But now……you cared for me. You could have tossed me aside and no one would have said anything. I was no longer able to fulfill my Padawan duties. And yet, you fought for me, helped me…I…don't understand." As soon as he had finished speaking, a strong blush spread over his face and he stood abruptly. "Forgive me, Master; I spoke of things I should not. I…" Before he could continue, the older Jedi had stood and had raised his hand, asking for silence.

"That took a long time, Padawan. I am sorry that you did not feel comfortable enough with me to discuss this with me. I also must apologize for my behavior towards you that has caused you to feel this way. You should never have thought that I was forced to have you as my Padawan. I chose to, and I'm glad I did, though it took much too long for me to see that it was the Force's will. No one could have asked for a better apprentice. You need to know that, Obi-Wan. You are an exceptional Jedi, as you proved with your actions despite having no memory of being a Jedi. I was proud and I am proud." He paused to let his words sink in before his hand came to rest on his apprentice's shoulder. What he said was quiet, the words did not echo through the chamber as most words would, but they did not have to. It was not the volume but the words, as the young Jedi's face showed.


Master Windu could not hold back a smile as he gazed on the Jedi team in front of him. This would be Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's first mission since the boy's trial and both were ready for it. It had been a blessing to watch the two Jedi's relationship grow as the boy blossomed under his master's tutelage. Only yesterday, Yoda had mentioned to him how much Obi-Wan had grown as his apprenticeship had grown into a father/son relationship. Although master/padawan relationships were by no means forced to take that step, generally the apprentice would do exponentially better when involved in such a relationship. Obi-Wan, in particular Yoda felt, would thrive under such a relationship with his master, and Qui-Gon's whole demeanor had changed for the better. Those who had known him before the whole Xanatos fiasco could see the old Qui-Gon again and rejoiced at the change. And now, here they stood, ready to take on the galaxy once again.

"Have your assignment, you do. May the Force be with the both of you." With a quick bow, the two walked out of the room, perfectly in step.

"Well, Master Yoda. Did you think it would end so well when that hologram was shown all those months ago?"

"No, feared I did for both of them. But, done their trails are not. Beginning, this was. But strong together the two of them are. Force with them, they have. For the best perhaps this was. Pushed them together it did. Yes, Force with them, it is." Together, the two council members watched as the Master placed a caring hand on his apprentice and drew him into a one handed hug. Together, they marched off, ready to face all that the Force had for them to face. The apprentice glanced up at the taller man and smiled, one that was returned as they walked up the ramp into the shuttle.

Where were they headed? That's another story.

The End.