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Topic:
There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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VaderLVR64
Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots
Registered:
Feb '04
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Date Posted:
3/16/05 3:29pm
Subject:
There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
- Date Edited:
7/2/07 7:39am (3 edits total)
Edited By:
VaderLVR64
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Title: There is No Death
Author: VaderLVR64
Characters: Qui-Gon, Dooku, OC
Timeframe: Pre-JA
Summary: Qui-Gon sees death up close for the first time.
Notes: Originally written for the Qui-Gon challenge thread. I posted it almost six months ago, so figured it was safe to post on its own. Dooku changed on me while I was writing it. He's a slippery devil!
There is No Death
Blaster fire erupted from the trees above them. All around them they heard the soldiers yelling as they aimed at the Jedi. He could see his fellow Padawan, Tonhj, darting to the left for a copse of trees that would hopefully provide some shelter.
He heard Master Dooku muttering under his breath as he considered the number of enemies facing them. His Master gave him a signal and he began to make his way to the trees, where Tonhj was waiting for them. He heard his Master running behind him, drawing as much fire to himself as possible.
Always, the Master would protect the Padawan if it was possible to do so.
This mission had gone badly from the moment they had stepped foot on the planet. He knew Master Dooku was angry. He could feel his attempts to control his anger, to channel his emotions into thinking of ways to get them out of this mess.
Overhead, he heard the roar of the huge, hairy tanglor beasts as their enemies’ foes began to draw near. It was enough of a diversion to draw their attention away from the Jedi, who were now gasping for breath among the trees.
Soon he heard the soldiers retreat, chasing after their first targets, the Koi tribesman.
It was supposed to have been a fairly simple mission. They were to have negotiated a treaty between two warring tribes, the Koi and the Redm. What they had not expected is that the Redm tribe would find the idea of the Jedi offensive to their unusual and somewhat fanatical religion beliefs.
The three Jedi had ended up running for their lives.
The arrival of the Koi had given them a brief reprieve. But they still had to find a way to get to their ship and inform the Council that this particular negotiation would require the expertise of someone other than the Jedi.
Qui-Gon was shocked that they were targets because of someone’s religion. He was appalled at how cheaply the Redm seemed to hold any life that did not fall within their rather narrow guidelines of acceptability. He knew that his own reverence for all lifeforms was considered somewhat extreme, even among the Jedi. But this was an offense against all but the most hardened heart.
Tonhj was sitting on a small rock, his face pale and sweaty as he tried to recover from his run across the rocky plain. He had come alone, without his Master, for this mission. His Master had gotten very ill just before the two teams were due to leave. The Council had decided to send young Tonhj along with Master Dooku and his Padawan, Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon approached Tonhj, who was quiet and reserved, but friendly. Tonhj met his eyes and then coughed. To Qui-Gon’s horror, bright red blood came spraying up out of the boy’s mouth. He held his hands out toward Tonhj, calling for his Master at the same time.
Tonhj slipped off the rock into Qui-Gon’s arms. His body felt cool and heavy as the young Padawan clutched him closely. Master Dooku came rushing up and reached out to take the burden away from his apprentice.
Qui-Gon shook his head and grasped young Tonhj more closely to him. “I will hold him, Master.”
Master Dooku nodded and set about examining the boy with a silent and rapid thoroughness. He did not say anything as his eyes met Qui-Gon’s, but the boy saw the horrible truth in his Master’s gaze.
Dooku brushed back Tonhj’s black hair and leaned down. “You’ll be fine, Padawan, and with a fine scar if you want to keep it.” Master Dooku’s elegant voice was soothing and gentle as he murmured to the mortally wounded young man.
Qui-Gon shot a glance at his Master, his eyes questioning. His Master met his gaze squarely and Qui-Gon felt his answer through their bond.
I can do nothing for him, Padawan, but give him comfort. That is what I intend to do.
Qui-Gon gave a quick nod to show he understood.
“Padawan, you stay here while I try to make contact with our ship.”
Qui-Gon barely heard his Master as he held the dying boy in his arms. He could feel Tonhj’s life ebbing away even as he heard his Master take a few steps toward the now deserted plain.
Tonhj’s dark eyes opened and met Qui-Gon’s.
“Your Master did not have to lie to me, Qui-Gon,” he whispered. “I know I am soon to be one with the Force.” He coughed again, sending another bright plume of blood over his tunics. “But it does hurt,” he admitted, his fear revealed in the words.
Qui-Gon made a noise of protest.
Tonhj gave a small shake of his head. “There is no death, there is only the Force,” he said.
Qui-Gon felt the sting of tears in his eyes, the image of the dying boy wavering now before him.
He heard Master Dooku approach and looked up with relief. He could not meet the dying boy’s eyes any longer. He could not lie, but he could not accept the truth yet either.
“Our ship can meet us at the rendezvous point. We must find a way to make it there,” he told his stricken young apprentice.
“But…” Qui-Gon began and then felt Tonhj shudder in his arms.
Qui-Gon felt the rift in the Force as Tonhj became one with the Force. It shocked him. It had been a cold and terrible feeling as he held the dying boy in his arms, but nothing compared to the utter emptiness that was left when he died.
He had never seen anyone die before. It felt horrible, like a being submerged in a freezing cold ocean of water and slowly sinking to the bottom, all the while looking up and seeing sunshine above, but knowing you could never reach it.
He looked up at his Master with tear-filled eyes. Master Dooku met his eyes without hesitation, his face set in lines of weariness and sorrow.
“Come, Padawan, we must leave him. There’s nothing to be done for him now,” Master Dooku said.
“But…” Qui-Gon began to protest.
“No, Padawan. He would not expect you to sacrifice your life merely to safeguard his corpse. Our trip will be hard enough, we must make our way quickly.”
Qui-Gon reluctantly and gently lowered the boy’s body to the ground, his Master’s words still ringing in his ears. He was right; it was not the Jedi way to sacrifice the living for the dead.
But the thought of leaving a Padawan there alone with the enemy tore at him. He stood up very slowly, every cell of his body urging him to grab up the boy and run after his Master.
Master Dooku turned around and stared at his Padawan through narrowed eyes. “I said to come along, boy.”
Qui-Gon winced at the tone in his Master’s voice. Master Dooku was not quick to anger, but neither was his wrath to be taken lightly.
His Master sighed as Qui-Gon stood by the body uncertainly.
“Do you wish to die, Qui-Gon?”
The boy shook his head, and then lowered his eyes to the body of the Padawan. “Master Dooku, I think his Master would want us to take him with us if we could,” Qui-Gon said quietly.
“Master Galiera would understand that I want to keep my own Padawan from the same fate, Qui-Gon,” Master Dooku said firmly, but not without understanding. “She would not have sacrificed Tonhj, and she will understand why we left him.” Master Dooku put his hand on Qui-Gon’s shoulder. “Qui-Gon, we must get to the rendezvous point or you and I will be dead as well.”
“I can’t just leave him here for those animals!” the boy cried.
Dooku knelt down and took Qui-Gon’s hands on his own. “Padawan, I will not lose you, too.” The older man’s voice was fierce.
Qui-Gon pulled his hands away and angrily wiped away the tears from his cheeks. “It’s wrong to just leave him for them. They hate the Jedi; Force knows what they will do to his body!”
Dooku looked down at the dead boy crumpled at his Padawan’s feet. He motioned Qui-Gon aside and then leaned over the boy. He put his arms under the boy’s shoulders and knees and came unsteadily to his feet.
“You’re right, we must not let them dishonor Tonhj’s sacrifice. I must not let my fear for you interfere with what is right. But I will carry young Tonhj,” Master Dooku said.
He adjusted the weight of the dead boy. “Come, Padawan, you must serve as my guard while we make our way to our ship.”
Master Dooku let Qui-Gon take the lead as he made his way across the plain. The meeting place was not far and they made it without incident. The pilot was waiting for them and the ship was ready to take off. The Koi were keeping the Redm tribesman too busy to chase after the surviving Jedi.
Dooku walked up the ramp with the body of the boy still cradled in his arms. Qui-Gon followed him, barely aware that the ship was lifting off rapidly. Dooku walked toward the rear of the ship and finally placed Tonhj’s body in the bunk he had slept in on the journey here.
He covered the broken body with a blanket and turned back to his Padawan.
“Come, Padawan, we must contact the Council and let them know what has happened.” For just a moment, Qui-Gon was startled at the bitterness in his Master’s voice. “We must tell them that their lack of information has cost this young boy his life.”
Qui-Gon stole one more glance at Tonhj and then followed his Master.
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If you have to choose between tears and laughter, remember that laughter burns more calories.
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Layren
Registered:
Oct '03
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Date Posted:
3/16/05 3:42pm
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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Awwwwwwwww Kimberley loved this just as much the second time -- and I still think it begs for a continuation piece... excellent work!
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Kynstar
Registered:
Mar '04
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Date Posted:
3/16/05 4:40pm
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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Yes it is great! Qui-Gon pulled his hands away and angrily wiped away the tears from his cheeks. “It’s wrong to just leave him for them. They hate the Jedi; Force knows what they will do to his body!”
Dooku looked down at the dead boy crumpled at his Padawan’s feet. He motioned Qui-Gon aside and then leaned over the boy. He put his arms under the boy’s shoulders and knees and came unsteadily to his feet.
“You’re right, we must not let them dishonor Tonhj’s sacrifice. I must not let my fear for you interfere with what is right. But I will carry young Tonhj,” Master Dooku said.
Awww  he was concern for Qui  But letting that interfere with what was at hand... true. Even though the youth's Master would have understood if he'd left Tonhj behind. Though I'm sure the Master would have grieved even more.
Loved the last bit!! “Come, Padawan, we must contact the Council and let them know what has happened.” For just a moment, Qui-Gon was startled at the bitterness in his Master’s voice. “We must tell them that their lack of information has cost this young boy his life.”
Yep yep there's the man I know well the character I admire. Truth be known that the Council has done things like that before 
Excellent job! Gotta feel for Qui knowing the youth for a lil while and then having him die in his arms. Poor kid...
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VadersMistress
Registered:
Apr '04
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Date Posted:
7/28/05 8:03pm
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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Awww... He was concerned for Qui-Gon. So sweet.
Wonderful job!
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Fluff-Slayer
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
7/28/05 9:42pm
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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Awww, a beautiful job, V.
The characterization is marvelous. I especially love Qui-Gon’s astonishment at hearing the bitterness in his Master’s voice. Poor, poor Padawan Tonhj! Angst is good. Angst is healthy. Angst makes authoresses exercise talent.
“A spoonful of angst will keep the doctor away!” 
Anyhoo…
Your flawless description makes my heart ache. Unfortunately, I can’t give this the long, thorough review that it deserves… *Glances tiredly at the clock* Sowwy… But let it be known that your writing gives me renewed faith in the world: as long as there are still good writers, I’m not too worried. 
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because it has more to prove."
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JOINME
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
7/29/05 8:22am
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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This was really good. Dooku is such an intriguing character...and I really like his character development, we can see how different he is from the older Qui-Gon.
'Come along, boy'... I can really imagine him saying that.
The death of the Padawan was so sad, and poor little Qui....
*sniff* I love the end, because you can see how Dookus resentment for the council begins to fester...
fantastic write.
If this will be continued (which I hope it will!) pleaaase PM me.
LOVE AND PEACE.
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Healer_Leona
Registered:
Jul '00
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Date Posted:
7/29/05 8:51am
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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Just as touching as the first time I read this. Now I need to sniff quietly or someone will ask what I'm doing.
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Jennifer_Lyn
Registered:
Jun '05
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Date Posted:
7/29/05 11:22am
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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Nice job!
I really liked the Dooku characterization here! He was most definitely a Jedi, but with enough "Dooku-ness" that you could see where he was heading in the future. Poor Qui-Gon, what a rough time.
I'd enjoy more of this as well! (hint, hint)
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LilQui-Gon
Registered:
Jul '04
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Date Posted:
7/29/05 1:00pm
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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Poor Tonhj! Poor Qui-Gon!  Spit on Dooku!  Great job!
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Briman
Registered:
Oct '04
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Date Posted:
7/29/05 2:26pm
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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I could really feel for Gui-Gon in this, didn't really enjoy Dooku that much though. Very good vignette!
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VaderLVR64
Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots
Registered:
Feb '04
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Date Posted:
8/25/05 6:56am
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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Layren Thank you! Glad you liked it.
Kynstar Glad you think I did your baby justice!
VadersMistress I'm just a sweet person. Hey, quit laughing! 
Fluff-Slayer Thank you for reading, and yes, angst does the soul good.
JOINME I can't even imagine where I'd go from here, but if a wild plot bunny finds me, I'll let you know!
Healer_Leona Maybe you should comfort Qui-Gon? 
Jennifer_LynDooku is a hard character for me to write.
LilQui-Gon You'd better watch out, Kynstar will get you! 
Briman Thanks for reading!
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maychorian
Registered:
Jan '05
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Date Posted:
8/25/05 9:26am
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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Beautiful and terrible.
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Kynstar's former Padawan The Unchosen: http://boards.theforce.net/Before_the_Saga/b10475/20049795/p1/ updated 2/16 When the darkness falls early, and the light hits the ground, there's a moment to be captured . . .
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VaderLVR64
Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots
Registered:
Feb '04
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Date Posted:
11/3/06 6:24am
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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maychorian Thank you!
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If you have to choose between tears and laughter, remember that laughter burns more calories.
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Jemmiah
Registered:
Mar '00
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Date Posted:
11/4/06 2:40am
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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I usually stay clear of Dooku fics. Don't ask me why...I think Christopher Lee's performance was so spine-tinglingly chilling and dark that I felt I couldn't get near to him as a character. But you've done the impossible: you helped me get under Dooku's skin to the point where I could understand him, especially his overwhelming desire to protect Qui-Gon. I was glad that they took the other padawan's body home and could empathise with Qui-Gon's wishes. Brilliant viggie! 
Permission to archive?
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ardavenport
Registered:
Dec '04
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Date Posted:
11/9/06 9:26pm
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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That was a wonderful interlude between Qui-Gon and Dooku, and such a hard lesson for young Qui-Gon!
He had never seen anyone die before. It felt horrible, like a being submerged in a freezing cold ocean of water and slowly sinking to the bottom, all the while looking up and seeing sunshine above, but knowing you could never reach it.
That's such a nice description of what Qui-Gon feels when Tonhj dies!
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KELIA
Title: Moderator: Fan Fiction
Registered:
Jul '05
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Date Posted:
11/10/06 11:57am
Subject:
RE: There is No Death - Qui-Gon, Dooku viggie
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Oh that was so sad. At least Tonhj accepted his death stoically.
I'm relieved they were able to take him back to the ship instead of leaving him behind.
Great job on this
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