JEDI RESURRECTION
CHAPTER 6
Mika
sat almost mesmerized as she watched Qui-Gon remove his clothing. Bathing in the
lake was nothing new to her, she had done it literally for centuries with lots
of different people as well as by herself. But somehow, this time was different.
She actually felt nervous, like it was the first time. "Oh, uh, thank
you," she smiled. "One does tend to learn a few things in 2700 years.
I do make mistakes... however.."
Jinn
gave her a grin, noticing her nervousness. As for himself, it had been well over
two decades since he had undressed in front of a woman. The opportunity simply
had not arisen. He tried to hide his own feeling of "what if" as he
removed his tunic and tossed it on a rock.
Qui-Gon
Jinn was in remarkably good shape for his 45 years; his muscle tone was firm,
and his stomach the quintessential "washboard". His arms were broad
and muscular. He presented the physical form of a well-muscled man of 25, yet
his face and eyes showed the wisdom and caring of a man nearly twice that age.
He
watched Mika watching him as he disrobed, until he was standing in front of her
in only the boxer-shorts like under garments he wore beneath his robes.
Smiling,
Mika could have sworn she saw him blush.
It had definitely been a while.
Taking
a deep breath, Mika managed to pry her eyes away long enough to begin removing
her own clothes. She stood and slowly removed the belt from around her waist,
dropping it to the ground. Then, using the oldest trick in the female trade -
anywhere in the universe - she turned her back to the tall Jedi and lifted her
hair out of the way. "Could you, um, ..." she blushingly indicated the
zipper in the back of her jumpsuit.
"Of
course." and Qui-Gon began to lower the zipper. As the zipper made it's way
slowly down her back, Jinn couldn't help but notice the small, intricately
patterned, almost leaf like markings on her back; each covered with a delicate
velveteen fuzz of tiny hairs.
Almost
absentmindedly, Qui-Gon rubbed his thumb over one as it passed under the zipper.
Mika
gasped and suppressed a shiver as he brushed over her highly sensitive spots.
"I'm
sorry... I didn't hurt you did I ?" Jinn asked with genuine concern in his
voice.
Mika
tried desperately to control her racing hearts and her breath which had become
short and rapid. "No, not at all. It's just that, well, my spots are... um,
sensitive," she giggled nervously.
"Well,
I promise I'll be more careful in the future." replied Jinn, yet he let
another finger escape his control to trace the edge of a spot or two.
"You....
you don't ... have... to..." she gasped, leaning her head back, her eyes
closed and smiling softly. She didn't know how much longer she could hold out.
This man was just too intoxicating, and he seemed to know all the right buttons
to push with her.
To
her surprise the Jedi leaned his head down and kissed her lightly on the
forehead. "So... shall we... bathe ?" he asked, bringing his strong
hands up to her neck and massaging gently.
Mika's
knees felt weak, but she fought to retain her composure. Slowly, so as not to
interrupt what he was doing, she slid her arms out of the sleeveless jumpsuit
top and let it fall. She then leaned over slightly and peeled off the rest of
the way, one leg at a time until she stood wearing nothing but a smile and a few
nervously excited goose bumps.
Qui-Gon's
lips were at her ear as he whispered "You.... you are the loveliest
creature I've ever seen."
Mika
turned, her hands trembling as she placed them on his strong forearms.
"Hmmm, you must have never looked in a mirror then..." she smiled
gently.
Jinn's
eyes met hers as he looked down. He couldn't believe what he was feeling. It was
a mix of emotions no Jedi master could explain away. It wasn't a disturbance in
the Force, or anything like that. He felt it within himself. And himself alone.
Soon
two strong fingers were resting under the little Ecturian's chin, gently lifting
her head upwards as he lowered his so their lips could meet.
In
all her 2700 years plus, Mika had never known a moment like this one. Her body
felt like it had been shot through with electricity, every hair standing on end.
Her spots tingled as did her tiny toes. She trembled as they kissed. Then she
giggled. "Your beard, it tickles," she said quietly.
Qui-Gon
stroked her face gently. "I'd wager it doesn't compare with the tingling..
inside. I feel like.. like a boy again."
She
looked up at him, their eyes meeting. "You... you feel the tingling
too?" she whispered in amazement.
"I
feel it more intently than I've ever felt anything." Jinn replied, a trace
of an unnamable accent akin to Earth's Irish showing in his voice. "I
hesitate to say why. They call me Master; but there's one area where I am more a
novice than any Padawan."
The
ancient timelord was virtually speechless. She had never felt anything this
strongly before and she was at a loss what to say or do. "Then ... I shall
take you as my apprentice..." she said finally, just the hint of a smile
playing upon her thick, red lips.
"I'll
accept you.. as my teacher..." said Jinn, and his bewhiskered lips were on
hers again, a slight flick of tongue in her mouth.
Mika
could hardly breathe and her whole body felt as if it were on fire. This was no
ordinary attraction or lust. She was falling in love with the Jedi Master. And
falling hard. "H.. hadn't we better.. clean up?" she gasped, her voice
squeaking with excitement and nervousness.
"Whatever..."
another quick kiss, "You wish..."
She
slowly backed away, forcing herself to part from him. Then in one swift move she
turned and dove into the water, surfacing several yards from the edge of the
island.
Qui-Gon
followed suit, and leaped gracefully into the water. His diving form was that of
a professional diver, and Mika marvelled at the elegance with which he was able
to move his large body.
Jinn surfaced surprisingly close to her, a smile on his face, and water dripping from his beard. "I think we've begun a long journey, Mika." he said, "I'm looking forward to seeing it through... with you."
Dripping
herself, Mika bought up a tiny hand and wiped the water from his forehead. She
smiled innocently. "What journey is that? What are you trying to say,
Qui-Gon?
"A
journey together, if you're willing." he replied, "Though I ask for
nothing from you.. but perhaps the kindness of your hearts. I believe I'm
hearing something from mine."
Mika
laughed softly, a sound that echoed the sunshine that glistened on the surface
of the clear lake. "Are you sure you're not hearing mine? They've been
screaming for you for ages now..."
Mika
laughed softly, a sound that echoed the sunshine that glistened on the surface
of the clear lake. "Are you sure you're not hearing mine? They've been
screaming for you for ages now..."
"Surely
they couldn't have been screaming very long. But I do hear them." he
answered, "I only have one, and it's never really been out in the open if
you follow me. But... I think it's making a fair noise for you too." he
swam a bit closer to her, wanting so much to touch her, and to caress her lovely
face.
She
could stand it no more. She moved in until their noses were almost touching. She
liked the evenness the water gave to their heights. Mika placed her hands on his
strong, broad shoulders and gazed deeply into his eyes. "Let's not play
games anymore. I'm not afraid to say it, because it's the truth. I am so sure of
it now. Qui-Gon, the reason I went against orders and took history in my hands,
the reason I brought you here, were indeed very selfish. Everything I did - do -
is because... because I love you." Her breath was shallow and rapid as she
awaited his response. She was no longer afraid, for she could sense that he felt
much the same for her.
"Love
can never be selfish. " Jinn answered, He took her face in his hands and
caressed her soft cheeks before kissing her again. When the kiss broke he said
softly, "I don't have four hearts, or your lifetime of experiences to tell
me how I feel.. but I do know.. that if being in love is anything as I've heard
it described... then, I love you as well, I know it... though I've never felt it
before."
The
beautiful Ecturian wrapped her arms about the massive Jedi and held him tightly.
She pressed her soft cheek against his and closed her eyes. How she had ached to
hold him and reveal her hearts to him. To comfort him when he spoke of
loneliness... and to see that he was never lonely again. All this she whispered
into his ear, her warm breath sending chills along his wet, bare skin.
"I
don't know if I know how to show you my love, Mika." said Jinn, "It's
very different from teaching a young man to use a lightsabre. But I promise..
you're hearts are in no danger of breakage," and he kissed her neck as she
nuzzled him.
Mika
pulled back and gently placed her hands on his cheeks. She moved her lips until
they were almost touching his. "Just ... just let me love you... " she
breathed into her kiss.
"Under....
one condition." Jinn replied, sounding almost a bit stern.
"Mmm?
What condition?" she whispered hesitantly, almost scared of what he was
going to say.
"That
you let me return that love," and he took her tightly in his powerful arms,
and gave her a kiss to make up for 20 years of celibacy.
All
other thoughts and memories faded from Mika's mind in that moment. The only
thing in her life that mattered right then was this wonderful, strong, handsome,
caring man in her arms. She never ever wanted to let go and held him as though
she never intended to either. "Just... just promise me..." she
whispered, her voice shaky with her intense emotion, "promise me you ....
you won't leave me..."
"I
promise." he said without hesitation, "Death couldn't keep us from
finding each other. I doubt if the Force itself could tear us apart."
With
that she kissed him as she had never kissed anyone before. Happy tears streamed
down her face to mingle with the lake water as her hearts were full once more...
fuller than they had ever been. She knew deep within that it couldn't...
wouldn't last forever, but it didn't matter. To her even one moment spent in
this man's arms was worth a lifetime of happiness.
When
their lips separated, Jinn stared into her eyes. "I will be with you
forever... as you will with me." and his hand went to her chest, "In
here."
Gently
she took his hand and moved it to the left. "And here," then she moved
it to the right, "And here," she giggled. Then she brought it to her
lips and kissed it. "Hey, you're getting pruny. Maybe we'd better get out
of the water before we both end up looking like Master Yoda." She laughed
and kissed him again, practically radiating with joy.
"I
seriously doubt if either of us will ever be as grizzled as the master."
laughed Jinn. To Mika's surprise, he then lifted her naked wet form in his arms,
and carried her from the water, up onto the little island, kissing her as he
went.
As
Qui-Gon set her down, Mika's eyes grew wide with embarrassment as her stomach
rumbled its disapproval at having been denied sustenance for so long.
"Sorry about that," she giggled, putting her hands on her navel-less
tummy.
"I
think, my dear, it is time for me to show you my skill with a skillet."
said Jinn, "Master Kai Adi Mundi even told me once it surpassed my skill
with a sabre."
"Oh,
I don't think neither me nor my stomach can wait," she smiled, picking up
her kimono and wrapping it around her lithe body, forgoing the other clothing
she had brought. She picked up his clothes and handed them to him.
Qui-Gon
dried off as best he could and put on the clean clothes he had chosen from her
wardrobe. Then he turned to her with a mischievous smile on his face. "You
know... you may just be too weak with hunger to make it to your kitchen ...
where ever that is."
"Kitchen.
Hmmm, now let me think..." Mika looked like she really was trying to
remember where the kitchen was. Or if she even had one. "Hmm, I knew I was
forgetting something," she teased. Taking his huge hand in hers, the spry
little timelord showed no such signs of weakness as she led him up the trail and
back into the TARDIS interior. After several 'wrong turns', they finally arrived
at her completely stocked gourmet kitchen. "Good thing Miyoki insisted on
my adding this. Otherwise I'd have to experience your skills with a replicator.
And a poor one at that."
"Miyoki
? Sounds like a Jedi name..." Jinn remarked as he entered the kitchen . It
was stocked to the gills. There were big brass pots hanging from the walls on
high hooks, and shelf upon shelf of cooking apparel. And of course there was
quite a larder.
Food
from, literally, all over the universe. From Earth cuisine such as Italian and
Mexican, to most of the ingredients for Klingon roteg blood pie.
Qui-Gon
took a long look around and finally ended up hovering by a cabinet set up with a
cutting board and a butcher's block. "So, what shall it be ?" he asked
with a grin.
Mika
leaned her elbows upon the centre cooking island and gazed longingly up into his
fathomless blue eyes, happy that she no longer had to mask her true feelings.
"How about your favourite dish? I want to learn all about you," she
smiled broadly.
"All right," Jinn nodded in agreement. "How'd you like to help?"
"Tell
me what you need and I'll get it for you."
"Well,
I always start meals with a good salad. " Qui-Gon answered, "With a
light dressing. And do you have any wine ?"
Mika
smiled and stood upright. Motioning with her finger for him to follow, she led
him to a small pantry door at one end of the room. She opened it and flipped on
the light. "Does this answer your question?" she grinned, folding her
arms. It was, of course, a fully stocked wine 'cellar' with bottles of every
size and shape and colour imaginable from every corner of the universe and every
time period. "What did you have in mind... exactly?"
"Something
light, and not to dry. Dry wines aren't al that good in my opinion." he
answered smiling, he obviously knew his way around a wine cellar. He entered the
racks of bottles, and began taking a quick glance at nearly every one there.
"Something light, and a bit fruity." he added.
"Ahh,
I know what you would like." She rummaged around near the back of the
'cellar' where the temperature was nice and cool. She produced a long,
rose-coloured bottle with a curvy neck and blew the dust off of it.
"Bajoran spring wine. Light, airy and very fruity. I don't care for the dry
stuff myself." Mika smiled as she slipped past his giant form and headed
for a cabinet. She produced two beautifully cut crystal glasses and a corkscrew.
Carefully she opened the bottle and let it breathe for a minute. "Anything
else?" she smiled as he followed her back into the kitchen.
"Well,
you make a salad any way you like, and I'll start on the main course." he
said, making his own way back into the large restaurant-quality kitchen.
Mika
smiled and trotted barefooted over to the humongous refrigerator and seemed to
disappear within it. Eventually she emerged with an arm full of fresh salad
fixings. Shutting the door with her foot, she then hurried to the counter and
plopped everything down before she dropped it in the floor. "Anything here
you don't like, just let me know," she smiled at the Jedi, as she began
sorting through the varied ingredients. There were three different kinds of
leafy lettuce - dark green, red, and an almost yellow variety. There were large,
plump tomatoes; asparagus tips; small, round mushroom looking things; raspberry
leaves; and even tiny yellow flowers. She pulled a large bowl from the cabinet
above her and began preparing the salad.
"It
all looks fine to me... and I'm sure much better than the leaves master Yoda
uses to spice up his stew." Qui-Gon grinned.
The
Jedi himself had busied himself with a dish of pasta. He had several large round
noodles boiling. They were hollow, like small tubes. And Jinn was preparing a
filling. He was browning meat and chopping up what Mika recognized as the full flavoured
Andorian spinach she had stashed away not long ago.
Mika
smiled as she began chopping and mixing ingredients and placing them in the bowl
in an almost artistic arrangement. "Mmm, smells good," she smiled,
looking over at him. Only she continued to wield her sharp knife without paying
attention to what she was doing and accidentally cut her finger. "Ow!"
she exclaimed, dropping the knife and holding her slightly-wounded hand with her
other.
Jinn
noticed immediately she was hurt and was soon at her side, holding the injured
hand gently in his own. "Are you all right... you should be more
careful."
"Oh,
I'm just clumsy sometimes," she said. "I bet if you kissed it would
make it all better..."
The
Jedi gave a crooked smile, "I'll kiss it anyway ... whether it helps or
not." and he did, bringing the injured finger slowly to his lips and
brushing over his lips with it before giving it a tender kiss.
Then
he looked at it, and as if by magic, he watched the cut heal before his eyes.
"I
.. I didn't do that ..." he stammered, as if he were unsure of himself.
"Yes
you did," she teased, her violet eyes smiling up at him.
"Not
with any power I have." Jinn responded, his eyes wide.
"Ok,
I guess I'll have to ruin the moment with scientific fact then. It's my
self-regenerative cell structure. One of the benefits of being part plant."
"I'll
admit," said Jinn, touching her soft little hand to his cheek, "It was
nice to think, for a moment, a kiss could have such powers."
She
let her hand caress his cheek as he held it, her hearts beginning to race once
more. "I don't think it normally heals quite that quickly though," she
smiled dreamily.
"Ahhh..
now that does my heart good." he said and she didn't know if he meant her
touch, or her words, or both. "As long as you're all right... not even a
scratch." he said, and he stopped and gave her a gentle kiss on her full
lips.
Mika
closed her eyes and savoured the gentle kiss, not wanting to ever remove her
lips from his. But an unpleasant odour began to assail her sensitive nostrils.
"Mmmm, something's burning," she giggled.
Jinn
hurried from her side almost as quickly as he had run there. Luckily it wasn't a
major catastrophe. His beef was getting a bit browned, but he tossed a bit of
wine on it and stirred it and the burning smell was replaced by an odour not
unlike the finest French restaurant.
Mika
watched, laughing, then returned to her salad. When she was done she sprinkled
the tiny yellow flowers all over the top. "There. I'm done. Need any
help?" she asked. She approached him from behind and slipped her arms
around his waist, her hands barely touching in the front. She buried her face in
his strong, muscular back and breathed in deeply.
"Mmmmm...
now that makes it harder for me to concentrate." he said. "You wanna
help ? How about grating some of that smoky white cheese and mixing it with the
curdled cheese." he was referring to
Provolone
and Ricotta cheeses... but coming from where he was from he didn't know their
names.
She
planted a tender kiss on his back and gave him a squeeze before unattaching
herself and starting to work on the cheeses. "You're no fun, you know
that?" she teased poutingly.
"Well,
now... don't blame me." Jinn responded in mock annoyance, "It was your
stomach that started to growl."
The
cheeses prepared, Mika handed him the bowl and patted his own tight stomach.
"And I suppose Jedi stomachs never growl?" she grinned.
"No..."
he answered teasingly, taking a bite of the fresh cheese from the bowl.
"You see, if our stomachs growled then our enemies could hear us on the
approach." and he added a wink.
Mika
rolled her eyes as she swiped a bit of cheese herself and nibbled it gracefully.
"Whatever, oh great Jedi warrior," she laughed. She then went to
another cabinet and pulled out some fine china dishes and began setting the
small yet cosy table just for the two of them. She then dug up some silverware
from one of the numerous drawers, holding a piece up to admire it. "This
belonged to Napoleon himself. A gift for getting him out of a sticky spot.
Unfortunately, he didn't listen to me when I warned him to forget about
Waterloo."
"Napoleon
? I'm afraid I'm at a loss there ." offered Jinn. Sometimes Mika forgot
just how removed from Earth the Republic was. "Oh, sorry. I forget where I
am sometimes," she smiled, placing the silverware neatly on either side of
the delicately patterned dishes. She then placed the wine glasses on the table
along with the salad and two elegant candles. She moved to another drawer and
rummaged until she found some matches. "He was a great military strategist.
One of Earth's great leaders. Until his head got bigger than he was... which
wasn't very difficult, the short little bugger..." she reminisced.
Sometimes she was very much like her friend the Doctor in the way she
name-dropped and remembered things.
"I
take it ... began Jinn, as he drained his tube-noodles, "This Napoleon was
a friend of yours."
"Just
an acquaintance. Nothing more." She popped one of the little yellow flowers
into her mouth and savoured it as it seemed to melt on her tongue. She carried
one over to Qui-Gon and motioned for him to open his mouth.
Jinn
shook the last bit of water off his noodles, and set the colander in the sink.
Turning he did as she asked.
Carefully,
she placed the flower on his tongue. "Now, don't chew it, just let it melt
naturally. What do you think?" she smiled.
Qui-Gon
closed his mouth slowly and his eyes opened, one eyebrow raised. The flower
melted on his mouth like a good quality cotton candy at a carnival. It had sweet
nectary taste, very refreshing.
"Good..."
he remarked when it had melted away, "Excellent, what is it called ?"
"It's a Ki'i'na'a flower, the only natural plant form native to my home planet." Her voice dropped to a soft hush. "I have been saving them for a special occasion. I.. I can't get any more."
"Why
?" Qui-Gon looked almost sad, "Is the species extinct ?"
"Oh,
no. It's just.. well, I can never return. It's no biggie."
"You
can never return to your own home ?" the Jedi seemed surprised, "Why..
what did you do?"
"I
didn't do anything. I was just ... different. That's all. The scientists who
'made' me didn't count on my personality being different as well as my
physiology. So I was basically outcast. That's what mad me become a timelord and
ultimately brought me to you." She smiled. "And that's not so bad
after all..."
"I
think everything happens for a reason." Qui-Gon said, "Who knows...
everything you've done in your life could have been just to get you.... to this
moment." and as he paused, her kissed her again, lightly, on the ear; and
brushed aside a lock of soft dark hair that had fallen into her eyes.
"Maybe
you're right. At least I hope you're right," she added, almost a little
nervously. "So, are we ready yet?" she asked, trying to change the
subject.
"Yes...
as soon as I stuff the noodles." he answered, "now... you go sit down,
and I'll serve dinner."
Mika
sat down and unfolded her napkin in her most ladylike fashion. She smiled as she
watched the mighty Jedi putter about her kitchen at home almost as much with a
spoon in his hand as he was with a lightsabre. "You really are sweet to go
to all this trouble," she said.
"Well...
you said you were hungry." Jinn responded, "I intend to take care of
you... the best that I can." and as he finished he was sitting across from
her.
Mika
reached for Qui-Gon's big, strong hand, remembering when she had held it in the
funeral pavilion. That moment seemed so far removed from where they were now.
She gave it a gentle squeeze and smiled. "I want to take care of you too.
And not just the hunger of your stomach," she winked.
"I....
I know what you mean." he responded, "I should let you know it has
been a while." he calmly stroked her palm with his finger as he was wont to
do.
She
took a deep breath and gently drew her hand back. "Keep that up, Mr. Jinn,
and dinner will get very cold indeed," she grinned.
Qui-Gon
continued to rub her hand, "Now... you have a lightsabre, you have to learn
how to use it." he said in a teasing voice, "And the first thing you
have to learn, my dear... is control." and he rubbed in little circles in
her palm...." Now.. surely that isn't a distraction from our dinner."
"Oh,
I have excellent control. When I have to...." she opened her hand up
further, concentrating on the sensation.
Jinn
moved his fingers up her arm slightly, touching her wrist, and then back to her
hand. He lifted her hand and drew it across the small dining table. Leaning his
large body forward, he kissed her fingertips, one at a time. His eyes locked to
her as he did so.
Mika
just smiled, and, as if to prove that she could control herself, casually picked
up the bottle of wine with her free hand and poured some into each of their
glasses. "Wine?" she asked, trying to be suave and cool while inside
she was screaming breathlessly with desire.
"Thank
you." responded the Jedi, as he released her hand and let it almost glide
slowly, back to her plate. He lifted his glass, and held it up for a toast.
"To... the loveliest woman... I have ever known." he said, smiling
lightly.
Mika
held hers up as well and started glancing around as if looking for someone in
the room. "Oh? And who might that be?" she teased, her violet eyes
glittering in the candlelight.
"The
vision I'm lucky enough to share a meal with." Qui-Gon responded, as they
clinked glasses, "A meal... and maybe more."
She blushed as she sipped her wine and they began their meal. "This is most excellent," she said between bites. "Perhaps you went into the wrong business," she grinned.
"Perhaps
I did." Jinn responded, his mouth partly full of Mika's salad. "Your
salad is beyond excellence."
Mika
laughed as she reached across the table with her napkin and wiped a bit of
dressing from his beard. "I'm sure a Jedi has many hidden talents,"
she grinned.
"A
Jedi has whatever talents they learn or are able to teach themselves." He
replied. "It's your abilities that I marvel at."
"My
abilities?" she asked, done with her dinner and setting her fork gently
across her plate. She picked up her wine glass and drained it, reaching for the
bottle. She refilled her glass and moved to do the same to his. "More
wine?" she asked, single eyebrow raised. "I just do what I have to to
get along," the timelord smiled.
"I've
seen you ... in action as it were." answered Jinn, followed by "yes,
please" to the wine, "Your skills are equal to anyone who has trained
in the Jedi arts for at least a decade. And.. there is.... an aura about
you."
She
sat the bottle down after refilling his glass and picked hers up, staring
absently into the light pink liquid as she swirled it around. Mika then brought
her eyes up to meet those of the Jedi. "I consider that a great compliment
coming from a Jedi Master. I have had to learn such skills in order to survive.
A timelord's life can be dangerous. Well, for those of us who actually get off
our butts." She chuckled and took a sip. "An aura though? No one's
ever said that before. Is it this Force you keep
referring
to? Or something else?"
"No...
it's not the Force." Jinn answered, "It's something I feel when we're
together. Like a warmth... and I want to be part of it."
Dinner
done and cleaning up not even considered, Mika rose and approached him, scooting
the table out and perching in his lap. "You mean something like this?"
she said softly as she took his face in her tiny hands and kissed him ever so
lightly on the lips.
"You
are more than a part of it," she whispered. "You are the source."
Qui-Gon
didn't bother to respond vocally. He took her and held her close, caressing her
hair and her face, before he kissed her deeply, probing her mouth with his
tongue, his hand rubbing the hair on the back of her head.