Waiting Place
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| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Waiting Place |
| Author(s): | Rachael Sabotini |
| Date(s): | 23 December 1999 |
| Length: | 24,651 words |
| Genre(s): | slash fanfiction |
| Fandom(s): | Star Wars TPM |
| Relationship(s): | Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan |
| External Links: | Waiting Place (AO3) Waiting Place (The Infirmary) Waiting Place (Master & Apprentice) Waiting Place (Rachael Sabotini's House O'Fanfic) |
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Waiting Place is a Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan story by Rachael Sabotini.
Summary AO3: Qui-Gon had to choose: Obi-Wan or himself.
Summary from The Infirmary: A mission goes awry, and a year later, Qui-Wan and Qui-Gon are dealing with the consequences of what happened, to their relationship and to themselves.
Recs and Reviews
Another of my favorites is Waiting Place, by Rachael Sabotini. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan return from a traumatic mission with their bond badly damaged. A year passes, and both of them are still suffering badly. They must look deep inside themselves and each other to find out whether the bond can be healed -- and whether they themselves can be saved.[1]
OMG! What an angst-fest. This is a true classic, from the heady days of December, 1999. If you missed it the first time, you must run, not walk to the link above.The characterization is wonderful. The story takes its own time being told, and switches from present to *two* past story lines, in order to unravel the emotional state that Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon must overcome. At stake is Obi-Wan's mental and physical well being, their Master/Apprentice bond, and Obi's Knighthood. Not to mention their True Love.
Because the story is from '99, she explores themes that have almost become cliche in the fandom. Obi's need to belong; Qui angsting over their bond. But this is no wimpy!Obi or Groveling!Qui. When you read the story, it's as if those common TPM elements were being invented for the first time. After all, there's only so many TPM topics to write about. The really good writers make them fresh each time.[2]
Some of my favorite stories over the years (as far back as Pros, and even Star Trek) involved one partner forced to watch the other partner suffer. In the right hands, this scenario can show how hard it is to consider yourself powerless; and how hard it is to be seen to be powerless. In Rachael Sabotini's new story, Waiting Place, this nakedness is central; they have to learn to face it before they have the strength to face each other.[3]
The Phantom Menace: Or the Fandom that Ate the world. Seriously, there is a lot of talent in this fandom and a lot of variety. I am being discerning -- I'm trying anyway<G> . Let me tell you how hard it was to hold off on this until it was done. Rachael Sabotini is directly responsible for me getting into slash in the first place -- you ever wonder why there are two versions of Gather Thy Cares? Rachael is the reason. She inspires me daily on a lot of different levels. Now she has finsihed a beautiful Phantom Menace piece that makes me ache. Read, The Waiting Place, and then let her know what you thought.[4]
This is the kind of story that draws you in from the start; excellent writing, plenty of angst, and luscious first time love. Take it in slowly, as there are two past story-lines at play, helping to sort through the emotional difficulties that the fellows must over-come in the present.[6]
References
- ^ Jan and June's Slash Recommendations: The Jan and June Slash Weblog, 27 August 2001. (Accessed 10 April 2015)
- ^ glasshouseslive in tpm_flashback. Waiting Place by Rachael Sabotini, 01 October 2004. (Accessed 17 April 2015)
- ^ Sandy Herrold. All Jewels Have Flaws: Older recs: 1999 and before. (Accessed 24 April 2015)
- ^ Maygra de Rhema. Maygra's Musings: Recommendations 1999. (Accessed 09 May 2015)
- ^ Rosa's Recs. Fandom du Jour, via Wayback: 05 March 2001. (Accessed 25 November 2015)
- ^ hsv_fangirl in crack_van. Waiting Place by Rachael Sabotini (NC-17), 12 October 2010. (Accessed 03 January 2016)